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    RiderBOT
    One-off custom honors the brand’s 1976 Superbike breakthrough as Nate Kern joins the Super Hooligan action with BMW for the Daytona 200
    BMW Motorrad will use the 84th Daytona 200 weekend, running March 5–7, 2026, to debut a one-off custom: the BMW R 1300 R Superhooligan. The build is intended as a rolling tribute to BMW’s landmark moment at Daytona—Steve McLaughlin’s win in the first-ever Superbike race at the venue on March 6, 1976—and to Reg Pridmore’s title in the inaugural AMA Superbike Championship. Both riders campaigned Butler & Smith–backed BMW R 90 S machines, helping cement the brand’s American racing legacy.

    BMW says its brand ambassador Nate Kern will also take part in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan series presented by Roland Sands during the MotoAmerica Daytona 200 event, riding the R 1300 R Superhooligan.

    A modern roadster built to echo a Daytona-era racer
    The project comes from a small team inside the BMW Motorrad Custom Speed Shop, led by project manager Philipp Ludwig with Katrin Torge, designer Andreas Martin, color and graphics designer Theresa Stukenbrock, and prototype builders Paul Summerer and Thomas Becker. Starting with the 145 hp (107 kW) BMW R 1300 R, the team reworked the platform into what BMW describes as a “naked superbike” silhouette—leaning into visual cues associated with stripped-back superbikes of the mid-1970s, including prominent number plates and wide handlebars.

    The most direct nod to McLaughlin’s Daytona victory is the bike’s racing number, 83, and paint details that reference period BMW R 90 S colors, applied to elements such as the front fender and tank side panels. Additional blue accents—matching the hue used on BMW M 1000 RR brake calipers—appear on the aluminum rear frame and fork components, extending to the rear shock spring.

    Carbon, suspension and speed-focused hardware
    BMW positions the custom as a high-performance “Custom Roadster” aimed at a superbike-like experience, with the company citing capability up to 275 km/h. Key components include a fully adjustable Wilbers upside-down fork extended by 30 mm for added lean-angle clearance, a fully adjustable Wilbers rear shock, and a BMW M 1000 RR carbon front wheel. The build also incorporates carbon-fiber parts from BMW Motorrad’s catalog and Ilmberger Carbon Parts, along with adjustable Advik hand levers, milled BMW Motorrad footrests, and an Akrapovič titanium exhaust with a carbon end cap.

    At Daytona, BMW plans to display the R 1300 R Superhooligan alongside its historic counterpart: the Butler & Smith BMW R 90 S, supplied by BMW Group Classic from the BMW Museum and prepared in the brand’s in-house racing workshop for appearance at the event.

    Reuniting the names behind BMW’s 1976 breakthrough
    BMW is also framing the Daytona weekend as a 50-year reunion of the figures tied to its 1976 success. That season marked the launch of the AMA Superbike Series as a national U.S. championship—an opportunity Butler & Smith seized to reinforce the performance reputation of the R 90 S. The effort required chassis upgrades and meaningful power gains, led by chief mechanic and engine tuner Udo Gietl, with chassis development handled by Todd Schuster.

    The Butler & Smith roster featured Pridmore, McLaughlin, and Gary Fisher on works-prepared R 90 S race bikes. On March 6, 1976, McLaughlin edged Pridmore in a photo finish for a BMW one-two, while Fisher’s run ended with a gearbox failure after he had led for several laps. By season’s end, Pridmore delivered the ultimate result for the program, becoming the first AMA Superbike Champion.

    BMW says Daytona will bring together McLaughlin and Pridmore, along with Fisher’s daughters Heidi and Kimberly, Gietl, and other guests of honor—this time around the original R 90 S racers and the modern R 1300 R Superhooligan created to honor them.
    The post BMW Unveils R 1300 R Superhooligan appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    After 30 years of making motorcycle travel gear on home soil, Andy White has announced that Andy Strapz will cease manufacturing.
    White, whose factory has operated out of Seaford in Melbourne’s outer south-east, confirmed that production of all Andy Strapz product lines will wind down in a stepwise fashion as existing raw materials are exhausted, with a full shutdown scheduled for June 20.
    “We’ve come to a natural turning point,” White said. “It’s time to close this chapter and turn the page.”

    For anyone who’s been putting off a purchase, or needs to replace a well-worn A-Bag, set of Smart Strapz or soft panniers, the next couple of months represent the last chance to buy genuine Australian-made Andy Strapz gear. White is expecting a surge in demand as the closure becomes public knowledge, so getting in early is the play. A full schedule of what disappears when is available on the Andy Strapz website.
    It’s the end of a remarkable story. White, a former emergency nurse who topped his state during nursing training, built Andy Strapz from the ground up after identifying a simple problem: the gear available to touring riders wasn’t good enough.

    His first product, the original Andy Strapz stretch strap with Velcro fastening, was designed as a safer alternative to occy straps, which White knew from nursing experience were responsible for eye injuries when they let go unexpectedly. From that starting point, he developed a full ecosystem of travel gear including the Smart Strapz, Piggyback Strapz, the iconic A-Bag system and a soft-pannier range that became a staple for adventure tourers and rally competitors alike.
    What set Andy Strapz apart, and what makes the closure genuinely significant for Australian motorcycling, is that every single product was manufactured in Australia by Australian workers. At a time when the industry standard was to design locally and manufacture cheaply overseas, White held the line. “Our reputation is actually what sells our products and our warranty issues are virtually nil,” he told INFO MOTO in a 2023 feature.

    That commitment to quality and local manufacturing is what makes this closure sting. When the factory goes dark on June 20, Australia loses one of its last genuine motorcycle gear manufacturers.
    But White isn’t disappearing entirely. Drawing on three decades of designing and testing adventure travel equipment, he’s transitioning to focus on Travels with Andy, a curated long-format motorcycle expedition business offering immersive journeys through India, Nepal and Sri Lanka in partnership with in-country operator Karma Yatri.
    To grab the last of the stock, check the production wind-down schedule, or find out more about Andy’s next chapter, head to andystrapz.com.

    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post END OF AN ERA: Andy Strapz to close after three decades of Australian manufacturing appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    BMW Motorrad’s Custom Speed Shop has built a one-off naked superbike to honour Steve McLaughlin’s historic 1976 Daytona 200 victory, and it’s being raced at this year’s event.
    The BMW R 1300 R Superhooligan is a one-off creation from BMW Motorrad’s Custom Speed Shop, built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Steve McLaughlin’s victory in the very first AMA Superbike race at Daytona on March 6, 1976.
    McLaughlin and his Butler & Smith teammate Reg Pridmore, who went on to claim the inaugural AMA Superbike Championship that same year, both piloted BMW R 90 S machines to make history. Now, half a century on, BMW is bringing the story full circle.

    The project was led by Philipp Ludwig as project manager, alongside vehicle designer Andreas Martin, colour and graphic designer Theresa Stukenbrock, and prototype builders Paul Summerer and Thomas Becker. The result is a machine that sits firmly in the custom naked superbike genre while drawing clear visual threads back to the R 90 S of 1976.
    The R 1300 R’s 107kW boxer twin forms the mechanical heart of the build, but virtually everything else has been reinterpreted. The front fender and tank side panels are painted in the original BMW R 90 S colour of the period, and the starting number 83 pays direct tribute to McLaughlin’s Daytona entry.
    The same blue found on BMW M 1000 RR brake calipers appears on the aluminium rear frame and the fixed fork tubes of the fully adjustable Wilbers upside-down front fork which has been extended by 30mm for additional lean angle clearance. That blue carries through to the spring of the Wilbers rear suspension unit as well.

    Performance hardware is thoroughly race-focused. A BMW M 1000 RR carbon front wheel reduces unsprung mass, while a wide suite of carbon fibre components from both the BMW Motorrad accessories catalogue and Ilmberger Carbon Parts keeps overall weight in check.
    An Akrapovic titanium exhaust system with carbon end silencer handles sound duties, with BMW Motorrad milled footrests and Advik fully adjustable hand levers rounding out the cockpit. Top speed is quoted at 275km/h.
    Brand ambassador Nate Kern will race the Superhooligan in the Mission Foods Super Hooligan series presented by Roland Sands, held as part of the MotoAmerica Daytona 200 weekend from March 5 to 7, 2026.

    The bike won’t be alone in the paddock. The original victorious BMW R 90 S racing machines from the 1976 season will be on display alongside the Superhooligan, freshly prepared by BMW Group Classic from the BMW Museum’s in-house racing workshop.
    McLaughlin himself will be in attendance, along with AMA Superbike Champion Reg Pridmore, the daughters of Gary Fisher, whose own R 90 S led the race before a gearbox failure denied a sensational BMW 1-2-3, and long-time Butler & Smith chief mechanic Udo Gietl, whose engine tuning work was central to BMW’s success that day.

    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post BMW R 1300 R Superhooligan: A custom tribute to 50 years of Daytona glory appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Triumph Motorcycles Australia has kicked off its ‘Final Allocation’ sale, with savings of up to $5000 available across a massive 25 models spanning MY24, MY25 and MY26 stock, and it’s on right now until March 31, 2026, or while stocks last.
    The promotion covers virtually every corner of the Triumph lineup, from the Tiger 1200 adventure range and Modern Classics family through to the Rocket 3, Daytona 660, Speed Triple 1200 RS, and the brand’s growing motocross and enduro off-road stable.

    The biggest savings are sitting on the Tiger 1200 range, with $5000 off the GT Pro, GT Explorer, Rally Explorer and Rally Pro variants — making models like the Rally Explorer available from $29,590 rideaway and the GT Pro from just $25,590. If you’ve been eyeing off a large-capacity adventure bike, it’s hard to argue with that kind of reduction.
    The Modern Classics contingent is well represented too, with $2000 off the Bonneville T120, T120 Black, Bobber, Speedmaster, Speed Twin 1200 and Speed Twin 1200 RS, while the Speed Twin 900 and Bonneville T100 come in at $1500 off.

    The Speed Triple 1200 RS drops $2000 to $29,490 rideaway, and the Rocket 3 R and GT Storm variants shed $3000 each.
    For newer riders, the LAMS-approved Daytona 660 is now from $13,490 rideaway after a $1500 reduction, the Scrambler 400 X comes in at $9,250 after $1000 off, and the Speed 400 is now from $8,200 rideaway.

    On the dirt side of things, the off-road deals are genuinely compelling. The standout is the MY24 TF 250-X, which packs a $1500 price reduction plus a free Akrapovic full exhaust system and WiFi module kit which represents $4000 in total value.
    The MY25 TF 450-RC Ricky Carmichael edition drops $2500 to $14,495 rideaway, while the MY26 TF 450-X and TF 250-X take $2000 and $1500 off respectively. Even current MY26 enduro stock gets a trim, with the TF 250-E down $1000 and the TF 450-E down $1300.

    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Triumph’s ‘Final Allocation’ sale offers up to $5000 off across 25 models appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Ducati has pulled the wraps off the second-generation DesertX, presenting a motorcycle that has been redesigned from the ground up around a new 890cc V2 engine and a monocoque frame.
    The bike is priced from $28,100 rideaway, and is expected to hit local showrooms from June.

    This time around, Ducati has drawn heavily on real-world competition experience, including stints at the Erzbergrodeo, Rally of Albania, Transanatolia and the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally, to inform the direction of the new model.
    At the heart of the 2026 DesertX is Ducati’s new 890cc V2, described by the Bologna manufacturer as the lightest four-valve twin-cylinder engine it has ever produced. A standout feature is the IVT (Intake Variable Timing) system which adjusts intake valve timing to deliver strong, accessible power across the rev range.

    Peak output is 82kW, with maximum torque of 92Nm. Ducati says 70 per cent of peak torque is available from 3000rpm, which should make the DesertX feel tractable and easy to ride in technical terrain. The gear ratios have been shortened through the first four gears to aid off-road performance, while sixth is longer for highway comfort. Valve clearance checks are due at 45,000km and oil changes every 15,000km or two years.
    The new chassis is a significant departure from the previous generation. The monocoque frame uses the engine as a structural element and doubles as the airbox, reducing weight and increasing compactness. Ducati says the layout also improves air filter access.

    A dedicated aluminium swingarm rounds out the chassis, with the whole package incorporating full-floater progressive rear linkage suspension, a setup that offers a softer initial response before firming up progressively under harder impacts.
    Up front, a new 46mm Kayaba upside-down fork features independent hydraulic adjustment on each leg, giving riders more control over how the bike responds to specific terrain. Wheel travel is 230mm front and 220mm rear. Brembo M4.32 radial monobloc calipers clamp onto new 305mm discs, with an axially mounted pump and redesigned lever for better feel and modulation off-road.

    Wheels are tubeless spoked units: 21-inch front, 18-inch rear, wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Rally Street rubber. Triple homologation means riders can also fit alternative tyres from Pirelli’s Scorpion range to suit their preferred riding.
    The riding position has been reworked with footpegs moved rearward and the seat and bars shifted forward, producing a stance more suited to standing riding. The new 18-litre polymer fuel tank is slimmer and lighter than before, with the fuel volume positioned low in the chassis to lower the centre of gravity.

    Integrated crash pads offer protection during the inevitable low-speed tip-overs. Side panels feature a textured grip surface to aid contact with the bike when standing, while the front mudguard sits 20mm higher than on the previous model to allow more mud clearance.
    The cockpit now features a horizontal dashboard with a utility bar and a 5-inch TFT screen, with Road, Road Pro and Rally display modes and a dedicated tripmaster function in Rally mode. Two USB ports are standard.

    The DesertX’s electronics suite is centred on a six-axis IMU and includes cornering ABS with four intervention levels, two dedicated to off-road use.
    Six rider modes are available: Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro and Rally. The cornering ABS can be fully disabled in Enduro and Rally modes.

    Ducati has developed a full Ducati Performance accessories range for the DesertX, including an eight-litre auxiliary rear tank, aluminium panniers with dedicated frames, a soft bag kit developed with Mosko Moto, radiator guards, bull bar, hand guards and a Termignoni-developed titanium exhaust with carbon end caps. Connectivity options include the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS) and turn-by-turn navigation.
    The 2026 Ducati DesertX is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms from June 2026. The new model will be offered in Matt Star White Silk.
    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post 2026 Ducati DesertX revealed: All-new engine, chassis and electronics appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Mark Butler warns of a “real emergency” as NSW moves to set a minimum riding age and tighten rules around high-powered e-devices
    Following recent incidents including around 40 e-bikes and e-motorcycles swarmed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the federal government warned Australia was facing a “real emergency”.
    Health Minister Mark Butler said illegal devices were increasingly putting people at risk. “[Illegal ebikes] are a total menace on the road,” he said. “Kids have done stupid things on bikes ever since the penny-farthing [but] the injuries that are coming into our hospital emergency departments are absolutely devastating. “We’ve got to make sure we stop these things coming into the country [and] police are given the powers to crack down, to take them away, to crush them, to destroy them.”
    Police say electric bikes like this Sur-Ron Light Bee X dirt bike are being ridden illegally on public roads E-bikes have been promoted as a cleaner, cheaper way to get around and a practical alternative to traffic, but the surge in high-powered and illegal models has coincided with a rise in serious crashes. New South Wales recorded 226 e-bike-related injuries in 2024. In the first seven months of 2025, that figure had already climbed to 233 injuries and four deaths. In Queensland, preliminary police data shows legal e-bikes were involved in 239 crashes in 2025, including four fatal crashes.
    For teenagers, e-bikes can mean newfound independence. Ben Boucher, 16, bought his in late 2025 with savings from his part-time job and says most of his year now rides to school, cutting commutes to about 10 minutes. “It’s just easier to get around,” the Manly student said. But he worries about younger children riding fast machines without understanding the rules.

    Retailers say public concern is also being felt at the counter. Francisco Furman, who runs Manly Bikes in Sydney’s north, said sales took off from 2022, but after another death in December involving a rental-share e-bike, the normally busy Christmas period slowed and cancellations rose.
    NSW Premier Chris Minns has said governments are “trying to close the barn door” after rapid growth in e-bikes, with close to a million already on Sydney streets. The boom has been linked to relaxed import settings introduced in 2021, before tighter standards were brought back in late 2025. Road-legal e-bikes are being pushed toward pedal-assist designs capped at 25km/h and 250 watts. NSW has also moved from allowing up to 500 watts back to 250 watts.
    Even so, inner-Sydney retailer Tadana Maruta from PedL said customers who have experienced higher-speed devices often resist changing to slower legal models. “They’re not trying to break the law, they’re just normal people that walk in the door and they say … ‘I don’t want it, it’s too slow,” he said. He also warned that bikes can still be altered beyond legal limits, particularly by tech-savvy riders.

    Authorities say illegal bikes and e-motorbikes joined the Harbour Bridge rideout, and that non-compliant models have also been a major issue in other states. During a Melbourne police operation in August, more than half of intercepted e-bikes were illegal. “There is a clear lack of understanding, or blatant disregard, for compliance,” Victoria Police assistant commissioner Glenn Weir said.
    NSW is now expanding police powers to test, seize and impound illegal devices. Transport Minister John Graham signalled a tougher approach, saying: “Illegal bikes will end up as a twisted wreck so they can’t rejoin the road,” and warning riders to expect non-compliant bikes to be removed and “crushed”. Western Australia has already begun seizing overpowered e-bikes, with more than 30 taken and crushed in January.
    The growth of large “rideouts”, popularised during the Covid period and promoted on social media, has intensified pressure for a crackdown. NSW opposition deputy leader Natalie Ward has called for “ebikie gangs” to be barred from the streets.

    The NSW government is also moving to introduce a minimum age to ride an e-bike as part of a wider safety package targeting “dangerous behaviour”. An expert review led by Transport NSW will recommend a minimum age between 12 and 16, and consider rules on carrying passengers. The review will consult child development and road safety experts, as well as parents and young people, and will report by June before the government makes a final decision.
    At present in NSW, children of any age can legally ride an e-bike and carry passengers if the bike is designed for it. Western Australia has already introduced an age limit of 16, with a $50 fine for anyone under 16 caught riding an e-bike.
    Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the planned age limit and crackdown on illegal, high-powered bikes would help police “prevent dangerous behaviour before more people are seriously hurt”. She said the goal was to keep e-bikes a useful transport option without putting the public at risk.
    NSW also plans to adopt European safety standards so e-bikes operate more like push bikes than motorbikes. Under the European model, power and speed limits cannot be modified, maximum output is 250 watts, assistance must cut out at 25km/h, and if a rider isn’t pedalling, assistance cuts out at 6km/h. A three-year transition is planned, with only bikes meeting the European standard considered road-legal in NSW from March 2029.
    Bicycle NSW chief executive Peter McLean welcomed the move, calling it “the gold standard,” and said e-bikes are becoming an increasingly easy way to get around Sydney, but public safety education needs to keep up as numbers rise.
    The post Health Minister Calls for Illegal ebikes to be Crushed appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    Townsville teen Neiko Donovan has turned heads across Australia, earning the inaugural AMCN Peter Baker Future Star Award
    During 2025 we featured two stories from Peter Baker looking back at the progress of young riders coming through the motorcycle dirt track ranks.
    In honour of Peter’s 50-year history of writing for us, it was decided at the time to establish an AMCN Peter Baker Future Star Award to be presented at the end of each season.

    We have cut Peter some slack with the timing as he has faced some health issues recently, but we can now announce that the inaugural recipient of the award is Neiko Donovan! Take it away, Peter…
    Why Neiko earned the nod
    People often suggest that the best selection committee consists of only one person, but that does not mean this selection came without plenty of to-and-fro on my part.
    As I have witnessed over many years of watching junior competition, the sport has seen so many fine young talents come through the ranks – many who achieve ever-increasing levels of success as they progress through the age divisions, while others are ‘slow burners’ who take time to blossom while obviously benefitting from their time coming through. Some of course ‘disappear’ off the scene by the time they reach the seniors.
    Peter Baker reckons Neiko Donovan has what it takes to reach the top in dirt track and flat track At any given time, singling out one to be acclaimed as a Future Star is not easy as there could be a number of worthy contenders, but I have stuck my neck out to decide on Neiko as the inaugural winner of this award.
    Motorcycle racing has numerous examples of family connections of racers across generations, and the Neiko Donovan story is just one of them.
    His father Jodie grew up idolising speedway solo riders, crewing for several, then had a brief spell riding himself before an apprenticeship took priority.
    He was later drawn to speedway sidecars, firstly as a passenger then as rider before a serious accident forced his retirement.
    He wasn’t bad at speedway either, until he outgrew the bike As well as the family DNA, it was the tight-knit North Queensland racing community of riders, ex-riders and families who lived and breathed motorcycles that Neiko became immersed in from the time he could walk.
    Sidecar stars like Brodie Cohen and Tyler Moon, solo guns Josh Grajczonek and Kozza Smith were part of the furniture and Neiko was the little kid tearing around trying to keep up.
    With dad Jodie at the 2025 Queensland championships One of the earliest influences on Neiko was a young Billy Van Eerde, who took Neiko under his wing. Later it was Billy’s father Brian, himself a former solo rider, offering vital guidance to Neiko as well as passing on ideas and observations to Jodie.
    Neiko’s first bike was a Honda CRF50 for his fourth birthday – but it was a touch too big for him, so in true racer dad fashion, a PW50 was fitted with a sidecar so he could learn the ropes with a bit of extra stability.
    VERY early days with Dad After a short stint in BMX, Neiko took to flat track racing in 2016, at age six, and he was off and running; he didn’t just want to ride, he wanted to go fast.
    Two years on and he was off to state and national championship meetings and a steady improvement meant a collection of rewards of at least minor placings.
    Chasing those title meetings of course highlighted what is a constant headache for sporting families in this country: Australia is such a big country. Venues as far south as Canberra are a long way from Townsville. The Donovan family is certainly not the first family, nor will they be the last, to tackle the tyranny of distance to give someone those opportunities.
    Smooth but fast and ready to take on the Yanks at flat track Over the past two years, the family spent more than 600 hours driving over 60,000km to racetracks.
    Neiko did dabble with junior speedway for several years, having some great battles with a future Australian champion in that category, Ky Mitchell, but Neiko’s height and weight soon meant that he outgrew the four-stroke 125cc machine. And he was not old enough to try the bigger 250cc junior speedway bike at the time, nor has he since.
    He also sampled a junior speedway sidecar. Road racing, too, was contemplated before Jodie and mum Stacey weighed up the distances for travel – there it is again – and that was cast aside.
    Neiko’s real breakthrough came in December 2024 at the Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships hosted by the Central Coast Junior Motorcycle Club.
    He rode three machines, an 85, a 125 and a 250 – practice and five races in each class for more than 60 laps of racing – and he claimed a rare hat-trick of championship class victories.
    Yes, he’s got a race face! The 2025 season was somewhat frustrating with a string of minor placings at both national and state level, before wrapping up the year with victory at the farewell North Brisbane meeting. But there was still plenty of learning in what is currently an ultra-competitive 13 to Under 16 age bracket.
    So what lies ahead?
    Neiko will turn 16 yeares old in August and there may be little exposure in junior competition for him before then.
    Practice with 19-inch wheels whenever he can will help prepare him for likely two trips to the US, one in May and again in July to the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship – a six-day competition at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Illinois.
    With the Australian Senior Track Championship scheduled for Ayr in September, Neiko could well get to make his first appearance in senior competition at home at one of the closest tracks to his Townsville base.
    Remember the name Neiko Donovan, a future star!
     
    THE BIKES ARE BACK!

    Recently we reported on the demise of the Mick Doohan Raceway in Brisbane as a motorcycle racing venue, but there is now contrasting good news about a venue in the country’s biggest city.
    The Western Sydney Speedway opened almost four years ago, but its purpose-built infield dirt track for solos and sidecars stood unused until Boxing Night when there were good reports on the first night of bike racing.
    The Sydney Send Off meeting on 7 February (below) was even better as a well-prepared track and a well-balanced line-up delighted a healthy roll-up of fans with a program of top-quality racing.
    Ben Cook had to work hard to win a memorable solo final ahead of Zaine Kennedy, Mitchell Cluff and Tate Zischke, while Grant Bond/Tom Glover took the sidecar honours after both father and son Treloars were sidelined with mechanical issues. More of that will surely have the fans flocking to the track next summer. – Peter Baker
    The post Peter Baker Future Star Award appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    An all-new 890cc V2 engine and monocoque chassis headline changes to the the revised adventurer, due to hit Australian showrooms mid-2026 
    Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 25 February 2026 – Ducati has unveiled the second generation of its DesertX at its Ducati World Première 2026 presentation (video link), updating the model that marked the company’s move into more hard-edged off-road riding with a 21-inch front wheel. First shown as a concept at EICMA 2019 and launched in production form in 2021, the DesertX has built a following among maxi-enduro and adventure-touring riders for its off-road focus.

    According to Ducati, the new DesertX reflects feedback gathered over several years of development and competition on demanding terrain, including events such as Erzbergrodeo, the Rally of Albania, Transanatolia and the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally. The stated goal was to further improve off-road performance while retaining the road manners the brand is known for.
    The company says the bike has been redesigned from the ground up, with revised styling, updated suspension, and a new fuel tank shaped to improve ergonomics and reduce weight. Central to the update is Ducati’s new V2 engine and a monocoque frame, changes Ducati says are intended to make the DesertX more modern and more capable both for newer riders and experienced off-road riders.

    New V2 engine
    Power comes from Ducati’s new 890 cc V2, which the company describes as its lightest four-valve-per-cylinder twin to date. It uses the brand’s IVT variable intake valve timing system to broaden power delivery.
    Ducati quotes 110 hp and 92 Nm of torque, and says 70% of peak torque is available at 3,000 rpm. Gear ratios have been tailored for mixed use, with shorter lower gears for technical riding and a taller sixth intended to improve comfort and consumption on faster road sections. Service intervals are listed at 45,000 km for valve clearance checks and 15,000 km or two years for oil changes.
    Monocoque frame and revised suspension
    The DesertX’s monocoque frame uses the engine as a stressed member and also functions as an airbox, a packaging approach Ducati says boosts compactness and rigidity. The airbox position has also been changed to improve access to the air filter for cleaning after off-road use.

    A trellis rear subframe remains, and Ducati says it was designed to ease access to engine components. The aluminium swingarm is a DesertX-specific unit.
    Brakes are from Brembo, with M4.32 monobloc calipers and new 305 mm discs. Ducati says the system is intended to improve modulation and lever feel off-road while maintaining road performance. The company also notes the setup allows riders to fit a high front mudguard without additional kits.
    Suspension changes include a rear system with Full-floater progressive linkages, which Ducati says improves comfort and off-road behaviour by offering a softer initial response with more support deeper in the stroke. Up front, a new Kayaba fork adds independent hydraulic adjustments on each leg for finer tuning.

    Wheels remain 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tubeless spoked items, fitted as standard with Pirelli Scorpion Rally Street tyres (90/90 front and 150/70 rear). Ducati notes the DesertX is triple-homologated for alternative Pirelli Scorpion options.
    Ergonomics and equipment
    Ducati has revised the rider “triangle” by moving the footpegs rearward and the seat and handlebars forward, aimed at improving control standing off-road and shifting rider position for sportier road riding.
    A new 18-litre polymer fuel tank is slimmer and lighter, and Ducati says it places fuel volume lower to reduce the centre of gravity. The tank includes protective crash pads intended to withstand typical low-speed off-road drops. Body panels have been shaped for grip when standing, and the front mudguard sits higher to increase tyre clearance in mud.

    A horizontal dashboard layout with a standard utility bar is intended to free space for navigation equipment and improve forward visibility when riding standing. Seat height is 880 mm, with an option to reduce it to 840 mm via a lowered seat and suspension kit.
    Electronics package and riding modes
    The latest-generation electronics suite is built around a 6-axis inertial measurement unit and includes Cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control and engine brake control, all adjustable across multiple intervention levels.
    There are six riding modes: Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, and two off-road modes (Enduro and Rally). Information is shown on a new 5-inch TFT (800 x 480) with two USB ports and three display layouts: Road, Road Pro and Rally. The Rally view adds tripmaster-style functions for navigation use.

    Cornering ABS has four levels. Ducati says levels 1 and 2 are designed for off-road use, with level 2 aimed at helping less experienced riders learn typical dirt manoeuvres; levels 3 and 4 are road-focused. ABS can be disabled in Enduro and Rally modes. The bike also gets Ducati Quick Shift 2.0, which Ducati says is less exposed to impacts, mud and dust due to the absence of external sensors.
    Styling and accessories
    The updated DesertX keeps a “form follows function” approach, with Ducati noting the front end sits 20 mm lower for a more compact look. The tail section is minimalist and designed to accept accessories including an auxiliary tank, passenger grab rail and luggage frames.
    Ducati is also offering a DesertX-specific Ducati Performance accessory range, including an 8-litre rear auxiliary tank, radiator guards, a bull bar, a larger screen, reinforced hand guards, aluminium panniers with frames, and a soft-bag kit developed with Mosko Moto. Tech accessories include the Ducati Multimedia System and turn-by-turn navigation, while an approved Termignoni silencer is also listed. The only available colour colour is Matt Star White Silk.

    Availability and price
    The new DesertX is due in Australian dealerships in June, priced at $28,100 rideaway.
    Specifications
    ENGINE
    Type: 90° Ducati V2, liquid-cooled, 4 valves per cylinder, IVT (variable intake valve timing)
    Capacity: 890cc
    Bore x stroke: 96.0 x 61.5mm
    Compression: 13.1:1
    Max power: 81.1kW (110.3hp) @ 9000rpm
    Max torque: 92Nm @ 7000rpm
    Fuel system: EFI, 52mm throttle bodies, ride-by-wire
    Exhaust: Stainless muffler, single catalytic converter, lambda probes
    TRANSMISSION 
    Gearbox: 6-speed, Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down 2.0
    Primary drive: Straight-cut gears, 1.84:1
    Gear ratios: 1st 13/38; 2nd 17/35; 3rd 20/32; 4th 22/29; 5th 24/27; 6th 26/25
    Final drive: 520 chain; 15T front / 46T rear
    Clutch: Hydraulically controlled slipper & self-servo wet multiplate
    CHASSIS
    Frame: Aluminium monocoque
    Front suspension: KYB 46mm USD fork, fully adjustable
    Rear suspension: KYB shock, fully adjustable, remote preload adjustment, full-floater progressive link
    Wheel travel (F/R): 230mm / 220mm
    WHEELS
    Front wheel: Cross-spoked, tubeless, 2.15 x 21in
    Front tyre: Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 90/90-21 M/C 54V M+S TL (A)
    Rear wheel: Cross-spoked, tubeless, 4.5 x 18in
    Rear tyre: Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 150/70 R18 M/C 70V M+S TL
    Wheel travel (F/R): 230mm / 220mm
    BRAKES
    Front: Dual 305mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo monobloc 4-piston calipers, radial master cylinder, Cornering ABS
    Rear: 265mm disc, Brembo 2-piston floating caliper, Cornering ABS
    ELECTRONICS 
    Dash: 5.0in TFT colour display, 800 x 480 resolution
    Rider aids: Riding Modes, Power Modes, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Bosch Cornering ABS, Ducati Brake Light (DBL) EVO
    DIMENSIONS 
    Wet weight (no fuel): 209kg
    Seat height: 880mm (std); 900mm (high seat); 860mm (low seat); 840mm (low seat + low suspension kit)
    Wheelbase: 1615mm
    Rake / trail: 27° / 114mm
    Fuel tank: 18 litres
    STANDARD EQUIPMENT
    Included: Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down 2.0, lithium-ion battery, quick adjustment buttons, Coming Home function, cruise control, TFT colour display, full-LED lighting, Daytime Running Light (DRL), dynamic turn indicators (where homologated), self-cancelling turn indicators, two USB ports
    READY FOR (ACCESSORIES)
    Compatible with: Anti-theft, additional LED lights, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Ducati Multimedia System (DMS), heated grips, turn-by-turn navigation
    SERVICING / WARRANTY
    Warranty: 24 months, unlimited km
    Annual service: 12 months
    Oil service: 15,000km / 24 months
    Valve clearance check: 45,000km
    The post Ducati Unveils Second-Gen DesertX appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    Road, dirt track, enduro, speedway circuits to open
    The popular Classic Bike Broadford returns this Easter weekend with three days of non-competitive track action over road, dirt track, enduro and speedway circuits.
    Jerry Richardson on his Vincent Rapide Held at the Broadford State Motorcycle Complex over 3-5 April, spectator entry is free and camping is available for $10 per person, per night, making it easy for fans to enjoy the full Easter weekend. Broadford is located just off the Hume Highway an hour north of Melbourne and less than three hours south of the NSW-Victoria border.
    Any motorcycle older than 25 years is eligible to enter this festival Open to motorcycles 25 years or older, this non-competitive festival is designed to demonstrate classic machines in their natural setting — whether on bitumen or dirt — while giving riders the chance to mingle with like-minded enthusiasts from around the country.
    Name another event in the world that caters for all these disciplines of racing The event will feature road circuit riding, speedway, dirt track, vintage enduro and a large swap meet. To round out the weekend, there will also be a live band on Saturday night, adding to the relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
    Rider entry will be via Ridernet.

    It has taken a lot of hard work by enthusiasts to revive this event since Covid. For example last year it was given the green light less than one month out due to insurance and other behind the scenes hold-ups.
    This year several new faces have come on board, including former racer turned motorcycle riding coach Chas Hern.

    He has acquired a 2002 Don Stafford-built ASBK-spec Yamaha R1 superbike and will ride it at Broadford.
    “We’re hoping Don Stafford will also attend so we can show people attending what racebikes and ASBK were like over 20 years ago,” he told AMCN.
    “Events like Classic Bike Broadford  are important for these pioneers and the bikes that are still in circulation like mine.”

    The road track will be open all three days with the dirt track, speedway and enduro open on days two and three.
    For more information visit the Classic Bike Broadford Facebook page while the team prepares to launch a dedicated official website.
    The post Broadford Goes Classic Again for Easter 2026 appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    Indian Motorcycle is celebrating 125 years with the release of a limited-edition anniversary lineup, featuring four hand-painted models and an exclusive apparel collection.
    The 125th Anniversary Collection comprises the Chief Vintage, Scout Bobber, Indian Challenger, and Roadmaster, each finished in a bespoke 125th Anniversary Red with Black Crystal paint scheme that builds on Indian’s iconic red with metallic micro-flakes for added depth and dimension.

    Each model carries anniversary-specific pinstriping with ghosted lettering reading “ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY,” a commemorative stitched seat, and a unique serial number reflecting the collection’s global exclusivity.
    Indian Motorcycle CEO Mike Kennedy said the milestone was a testament to the loyalty of the brand’s riders. “One hundred and twenty-five years is a historic milestone and a true testament to the riders whose passion for the brand kept the spirit of Indian Motorcycle alive and remains our driving force to this day,” Kennedy said.

    Design Director Ola Stenegard described the collection as the highest level of craftsmanship the brand has ever produced. “Every motorcycle was painstakingly designed and refined, not just to perform, but to tell a story,” he said.
    “The design of the 125th Anniversary Collection pays tribute to the legacy that built Indian Motorcycle, making every model not just a machine, but a lasting symbol of our history.”
    All four models come equipped with Indian Motorcycle’s touchscreen display, offering turn-by-turn navigation, live weather and traffic overlays, Bluetooth connectivity, and selectable ride modes.

    The Scout Bobber 125th Anniversary Edition is the most accessible entry point into the collection, priced from $28,995 rideaway. With 450 units available globally, it’s the highest-production model of the four. The liquid-cooled 1250cc SpeedPlus engine delivers 111hp (83kW), paired with bobbed fenders, eight-spoke precision machined wheels, and a Pathfinder LED Headlight.
    The Chief Vintage 125th Anniversary Edition starts from $39,995 rideaway, with just 250 available worldwide. It pairs Indian’s classic silhouette with a floating seat, wire wheels, vintage bars, and valanced fenders, and the Thunderstroke 116 engine producing 163Nm, a Pathfinder adaptive LED headlight, polished driver floorboards, and a 4.0-inch touchscreen dash.

    At $64,995 rideaway, the Roadmaster 125th Anniversary Edition is the rarest model in the collection with only 100 produced globally. It pairs the air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 with full touring comfort, including a colour-matched engine finish, PowerBand Audio, and a custom-stitched heated and cooled two-up seat.
    With just 250 produced worldwide, the Indian Challenger 125th Anniversary Edition is priced from $67,995 rideaway and draws on the PowerPlus 112 motor — the engine behind the brand’s King of the Baggers championship success.

    Factory-fitted premium componentry includes PowerBand Audio, saddlebag accent lights, backlit switch cubes, polished floorboards, a tinted Flare windscreen, and five-spoke precision machined wheels.
    The 125th Anniversary Collection is expected to arrive in Australia and New Zealand in the second half of 2026, subject to global shipping and logistics, according to Indian Motorcycle.
    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Indian Motorcycle marks 125 years with limited-edition Anniversary Collection appeared first on INFO MOTO.
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