Jump to content

  • Articles

    Our website articles
    RiderBOT
    DesmoSport Ducati arrives at the opening round of the 2026 Australian Superbike Championship this weekend with its most ambitious lineup to date, fielding three riders across two classes as the series gets underway at Phillip Island alongside the Superbike World Championship.
    The headline addition to the team is Anthony West, who returns to the Australian domestic scene backed by Elite Roads and has spent the past weeks getting to grips with the Ducati Panigale V4 R. By his own admission, the adaptation process has been hectic but promising, with West confident he’ll arrive at Phillip Island ready to race at the front.

    “The last few weeks have been spent adapting to the Panigale V4 R, there are a lot of things to work out in a short space of time but I feel like we are going to be competitive straight up,” West said. “My own expectations for this weekend are high, but I don’t think that’s unrealistic.”
    Joining West on the Superbike grid is Luca Durning, who made the jump from Next Gen Supersport last season and has continued building momentum through a strong New Zealand Superbike Championship campaign, including his first race win. Durning arrives at Phillip Island with his confidence at a high and is eager to translate that form onto the world-famous 4.4km circuit.
    Completing the lineup in the Next Gen Supersport class is South Australian Olly Simpson, who has been working through the setup process on the Panigale V2. Simpson is enthusiastic about the bike’s potential and is targeting the top step of the class from the opening round.

    Team owner Ben Henry acknowledged the challenges of preparing three machines in a compressed timeframe but says the squad is exactly where it needs to be heading into race weekend.
    “This year marks a massive change for DesmoSport Ducati. It’s incredibly exciting to be partnering with Elite Roads to work with Anthony West,” Henry said.

    “There’s been a lot of different settings to evaluate for Westy and Olly as they make themselves comfortable, but there’s a defined process and I feel that by the time race day arrives, we will be fully prepared to give it everything.”
    Phillip Island is a favourite for all three riders, and with the added spectacle of the WorldSBK field sharing the circuit, the opening round shapes as a standout weekend for Australian motorcycle racing fans. Live timing is available throughout the weekend at computime.com.au.
    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 DesmoSport Ducati enters new era as 2026 ASBK season kicks off at Phillip Island appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    State government tables undisclosed financial sweetener as the current deal nears its end, with the event’s future location still unresolved
    The Victorian Government has moved to keep the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island, putting additional money on the table in an effort to ensure the MotoGP circus remains in regional Victoria beyond the current contract, which is due to expire this year.
    Last year’s race saw Raul Fernandez win on board the Aprilia RS-GP The state says the extra funding is being offered as an incentive to event operator MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (formerly Dorna) to continue staging the October round on the island. The government won’t disclose the size of the offer, and it remains unclear whether the company will accept it.

    MotoGP has been a fixture at Phillip Island since the 1990s, drawing thousands of visitors to Gippsland’s Bass Coast each year. Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said 91,000 people attended the event last year as negotiations continue over its long-term future.
    It’s understood the operator is interested in relocating the event to Melbourne’s Albert Park, a move Dimopoulos said the state government opposes. “We’re not selling out Phillip Island,” he said. “The negotiations are still on foot. And we’ve put our best foot forward.”

    The latest funding push follows a community campaign to keep the race on the island, after residents and Bass Coast Shire Council last year issued an urgent call for the event’s contract to be renewed. Bass Coast Mayor Rochelle Halstead said she had received scant detail about the financial support on offer, but said it spoke to the local fight to retain the grand prix. She also confirmed a petition with more than 4,000 signatures was submitted to the government last year.
    Gardner leads Magee and Doohan in 1989 “I’m absolutely thrilled. There was a lot of concern that this may not happen and that’s why we started a campaign. People came out and showed their love for the race,” Halstead said. She’s now hoping any agreement brings more than just continuity. “I’m hoping as part of the agreement to see an infrastructure investment at the site to bring it to international standards, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in the contract and how long that has been signed for. But [the GP] is absolutely part of the Bass Coast community fabric.”
    Casey Stoner had turn 3 named after him after winning 6 premier class races in a row at ‘The Island’ While the MotoGP talks continue, the opening round of the WorldSBK championship will take place at the famed circuit this weekend.
    The post Victoria offers fresh funding to secure Phillip Island MotoGP appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    I’m excited to announce that I’ll be taking part in Open Roads Rally 2026 with Royal Enfield Australia & New Zealand for the second year running. Following our experience last year, we’ll again be aboard Royal Enfield Himalayans for this navigation-based adventure riding challenge.
    The event will run from March 27-29, 2026, based at Licola Wilderness Village in Victoria, and it’s shaping up to be bigger than ever.
    The format is straightforward but rewarding: riders navigate using roadbooks to find checkpoints, earning points along routes of varying difficulty. The more checkpoints you find, the better your chances of winning, with some checkpoints worth more points than others.

    What makes this event particularly appealing is its accessibility. It’s open to all skill levels from beginner to pro, and any off-road bike with enduro tyres is welcome, whether you’re on an adventure bike, enduro, dirt bike, or even a sidecar outfit.
    This year’s event features some new additions, including stunt shows and presentations from Tim Coleman, who’ll also be conducting adventure riding training on Friday and new hard enduro training sessions on Sunday. The organisers are also trialling a new digital checkpoint app to replace the traditional stamp system.
    The Himalayan 450 proved itself perfectly suited to this type of riding last year, and I’m looking forward to doing it all again. Watch our video from last year’s event here.
    More details about our team’s preparations and rally coverage will follow as we get closer to the event. You can find full event information and tickets at openroadsrally.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 I’m heading to Open Roads Rally 2026 with Royal Enfield appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Ducati has launched Ducati Factory Made, a new customisation program that allows riders to configure their Multistrada V4 with bespoke colours, options and accessories directly on the Borgo Panigale production line.
    The program debuts in Europe and marks the first time Ducati has offered factory-level customisation, enabling customers to specify their bike at the point of order with modifications completed during assembly rather than as aftermarket additions.

    Ducati Factory Made centres around extensive colour and livery options spanning five distinct series. The Icone range represents traditional Ducati colours, while the glossy Style series emphasises elegance and modernity. The matt Sophistication collection offers an exclusive aesthetic, complemented by Performance Liveries and Ducati Corse Liveries inspired by the brand’s racing heritage.
    The program expands Ducati’s collaboration with Automobili Lamborghini, following special editions of the Diavel 1260, Streetfighter V4 and Panigale V4. Selected Lamborghini Ad Personam colours are now available through the configurator, including Viola Pasifae, Arancio Xanto, Giallo Belenus, Blu Uranus and Verde Scandal.

    Technical customisation options include cast wheels in multiple colours, forged light alloy or spoked wheels, and colour choices for the rear frame and brake calipers. Ergonomic adjustments extend to rider and passenger seat heights and suspension settings, delivering factory-assembled personalisation traditionally reserved for aftermarket modification.
    Customers can also select combinations from Ducati’s established Touring, Adventure, Sport, Tech and Enduro packages to tailor performance and functionality to their riding preferences.
    The Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak and RS models are included in the program with dedicated equipment and liveries. Configurator options for these variants focus on ergonomic choices such as seat height, brake caliper colours where not predetermined by livery selection, additional spotlights and carbon fibre components.
    1 of 9 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 Ducati Factory Made: Customise your Multistrada V4 at the factory stage appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Built to celebrate the 750 Super Sport Desmo, the 803cc café racer tribute will be limited to 873 numbered units worldwide
    Ducati has marked its centenary year by unveiling the Formula 73, a new model intended to bring a modern take on the look and feel of a bike that helped shape the brand’s identity. The Formula 73 pays tribute to the 750 Super Sport Desmo, the first Ducati road bike equipped with a desmodromic valve timing system.
    That original Super Sport was effectively a road-going replica of the 750 Imola Desmo with which Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari triumphed in the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola, the first European competition for production-derived motorcycles—a format that would later evolve into Superbike in the 1980s. Ducati says the Imola win and the subsequent release of the 750 Super Sport Desmo were the opening chapter in its production-based racing story, which it notes now totals more than 400 victories, sixteen rider titles and twenty-one manufacturer titles.
    Ducati is also leaning heavily into the period backdrop, describing the 1970s as a decade of change and contrasts, with strong cultural and artistic influence across music, cinema, fashion and wider thought.

    In Ducati’s words, the new bike has been built as a tribute to that epoch-making motorcycle, which already embodied the values of Style, Sophistication and Performance that have inspired Ducati ever since. The company positions the Formula 73 as a limited-run model aimed at riders who want a distinctive design and strong personality, with close attention paid to detail.
    Unmistakable personality
    Ducati describes the Formula 73 line as a contemporary reinterpretation of the 1973 750 Super Sport Desmo, with slim proportions and a minimalist café racer theme. Power comes from an air-cooled Ducati twin-cylinder engine, pitched as a blend of “Urban Café Racer” attitude and classic Ducati appeal.
    Design details include a silver and aqua green livery developed through research in Ducati’s historical archives by the Ducati Style Centre. A vertical gold stripe on the tank references an unpainted strip used on the 750 Imola Desmo to help the team check fuel level without extra instruments. Other cues include clip-on handlebars with bar-end mirrors, along with a short, tapered fairing and tail.
    Billet aluminium components are part of the standard spec, including brake and clutch levers with oil reservoirs, footpegs and a Rizoma fuel cap.
    As with other Ducati limited editions, the Formula 73 carries the model name and serial number on the steering plate and is supplied with a certificate of authenticity, plus a presentation box containing period images and Ducati Style Centre sketches.
    Innovation in tradition
    While it leans on retro inspiration, Ducati says the Formula 73 is still a modern, high-tech motorcycle. It uses an 803 cc Desmodue L-twin with desmodromic distribution and two valves, and is Euro5+ approved. Output is quoted at 73 horsepower at 8,250 rpm. A Termignoni-developed, type-approved silencer is fitted, and the bike uses Ride-by-Wire for throttle control.
    The Formula 73 runs a steel trellis frame painted in aqua green, paired with 17-inch spoked wheels and Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres. Electronics include DTC traction control, Cornering ABS, Ducati Quick Shift, and two Riding Modes.

    Availability
    A matching helmet (in collaboration with Arai) and a sports jacket are also offered to mirror the Formula 73 livery. The Ducati Formula 73 will be produced in a numbered series limited to 873 units and will arrive in European dealerships in spring 2026, with distribution elsewhere completed by the end of summer.
    Formula 73
    Livery 750 Super Sport Desmo replica Main standard equipment Desmodue engine, 803 cm3 Maximum power: 73 CV @ 8,250 RPM Maximum torque: 65.2 Nm @ 7,000 RPM Type-approved Termignoni silencer Wet weight no fuel: 183 Kg Steel trellis frame Upside-down 41 mm KYB front fork KYB shock, preload adjustable Front brake: 4-piston Brembo radial caliper and 330 mm disc Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres, 120/70 and 180/55 Electronic package with Inertial Measurement Unit: cornering ABS; Ducati Traction Control (DTC); Power Modes; Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Full TFT 4,3” dashboard Riding Modes (Sport, Road) Full-LED lights with DRL Ducati Multimedia System (DMS) ready, Turn-by-turn navigation The post Ducati Unveils Limited Edition Formula 73 appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    Ducati has unveiled the Formula 73, a limited-edition cafe racer that reimagines the legendary 750 Super Sport Desmo blending modern technology with vintage aesthetics.
    Produced in a numbered series of just 873 units, the Formula 73 celebrates the 750 Super Sport Desmo: the first Ducati road bike equipped with desmodromic valve timing, which emerged as a replica of the bike Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari rode to victory at the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola.

    That historic win marked Ducati’s entry into production-derived racing, a discipline where the manufacturer has since accumulated over 400 victories, sixteen rider titles and twenty-one manufacturer titles.
    The Formula 73 features a familiar silver and aqua green livery inspired by the original 750 Super Sport Desmo, complete with a vertical gold stripe on the tank echoing the unpainted fuel-level inspection strip from the 750 Imola Desmo. Period-correct clip-on handlebars with bar-end mirrors, a short tapered fairing and minimalist tail reinforce the cafe racer ethos.

    Billet aluminium components, including brake and clutch levers with oil reservoirs, footpegs and a Rizoma fuel cap, add premium details.
    Powering the Formula 73 is an 803cc Desmodue L-twin with desmodromic distribution and two valves per cylinder, producing 54kW and 65Nm. The Euro5+ approved engine features ride-by-wire throttle control and a Termignoni-developed silencer.

    The steel trellis frame, painted in aqua green to match the livery, teams with 17-inch spoked wheels wearing Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber. At 183kg wet without fuel, the Formula 73 promises manageable weight and agile handling characteristics.
    Modern electronics include Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) and two Riding Modes (Sport, Road), all managed through a 4.3-inch full-TFT dashboard. Full-LED lighting with DRL and Ducati Multimedia System readiness with turn-by-turn navigation come standard.

    Suspension duties fall to a 41mm KYB upside-down fork and preload-adjustable KYB rear shock, while a four-piston Brembo radial caliper and 330mm disc handle front braking.
    Each Formula 73 features the model name and serial number on the steering plate, and comes with a certificate of authenticity plus a collection of period images and sketches from the Ducati Style Centre presented in a special box.

    Matching Arai helmets and sports jackets echoing the Formula 73 livery will be available for riders wanting to complete the aesthetic.
    At time of writing, Australian pricing and availability has yet to be confirmed.
    2026 Ducati Formula 73. 1 of 12 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 Ducati Formula 73: Limited-edition cafe racer celebrates legendary 750 Super Sport Desmo appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Royal Enfield Australia has launched its Endless Summer Sale, offering significant savings on selected models from 11 February through 31 March 2025.
    The promotion covers four key models in the Royal Enfield lineup, with rideaway pricing starting from $6990 for the Hunter 350 through participating dealerships nationwide.
    Royal Enfield Hunter 350. The sale includes the urban-focused Hunter 350 from $6990 rideaway, the adventure-ready Himalayan 450 from $8,990, the Interceptor 650 from $9990, and the Continental GT 650 café racer from $10,890 rideaway.
    Pricing varies depending on model year and variant, with Dark Edition models included in the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 offers.
    Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. All motorcycles covered in the Endless Summer Sale come backed by Royal Enfield’s 3-year unlimited kilometre warranty and 3 years roadside assistance.
    The Hunter 350 delivers urban agility with its compact dimensions and accessible 350cc single-cylinder engine, while the Himalayan 450 has proven popular for both commuting and adventure riding since its Australian launch.
    Royal Enfield Himalayan. The 650cc parallel-twin models continue to anchor Royal Enfield’s premium offerings, with the Interceptor 650 providing relaxed, all-round capability and the Continental GT 650 offering a more committed cafe racer riding position.
    Offers are available in-store only through Royal Enfield’s Australian dealer network. Prospective buyers can contact their nearest dealership to arrange test rides and confirm specific pricing on their preferred model and variant.
    Royal Enfield Continental GT 650. 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 Royal Enfield Endless Summer Sale slashes prices across Hunter, Himalayan, and 650 Twins appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Prototype superbike is star of the show at the world’s biggest motorcycle auction
    A 1968 Honda CB750 prototype has sold for $US313,500 ($A446,300) at the annual Mecum auction in Las Vegas.This US auction is the world’s largest and always throws up a curveball, usually some rare American or European motorcycle. It’s the first time a Japanese motorcycle has fetched such an eye-watering price.

    However the Honda prototype is very special. It’s a one-off sent to the US for evaluation testing several months before four pre-production CB750s arrived for the company’s Las Vegas Dealer Show in January 1969.
    It has unique features, including badging, starter motor cover, one-off sandcast carburettors with shared floatbowls and an accelerator pump, an early version of Honda’s disc brake and a seat that flips up to the rear not sideways. The speedo reads 446 miles.

    The prototype CB750 was restored to its original condition in the early 2000s, including the correct Candy Blue-Green paint, and won Best of Show at the prestigious 2024 Quail Motorcycle Gathering in California.
    The Mecum auction, held from 27-31 January, attracted its biggest crowd and number of entries for several years. However seasoned observers described prices as “soft” with one saying: “People are holding their cash.”
    A Wes Cooley Suzuki GS 1000S A generational change was apparent with British twins from the 1960s and 1970s selling for less than half what they would have just a few years ago.
    For example a 1963 Triumph Bonneville, the first powered by the new unit-construction engine, sold for just $US7000 while a very clean 1969 BSA Rocket 3 only fetched $US5500.
    Japanese performance bikes from the 1980s sold consistently well, indicating a higher level of interest from possibly younger buyers.
    Several Easy Rider choppers featured at the auction A 1980 Wes Cooley GS1000S sold for $US11,000 and even a 1982 Honda CX500 Turbo for $US5000. A 1983 Honda CB1100F sold for $US17,000 and a 1990 Yamaha TZR250SP for $US9500.
    More than 2000 diverse motorcycles went under the hammer, including groups from 30 or more collections.
    Strangely, four Easy Rider Panhead replica choppers were offered up, selling for as much as $US60,000 and as low as $US21,000.
    The post Honda CB750 sells for $450k appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    New four-cylinder sports model coming this year
    Australia is already one of the first countries outside China to be offered CFMoto’s neo-retro 500 SR Voom sports bike but now the company is on the verge of adding another variation of the bike to its range in the form of the more modern-looking 500 SR.
    It’s a bike that’s been a long time coming. Back in 2023 CFMoto rolled out disguised prototypes for both the 500 SR and 675 SR-R in front of fans in China, with the production version of the three-cylinder 675 SR-R being the first to appear in production form. The 500 SR, meanwhile, seemed to disappear from CFMoto’s plans, with the related 500 SR Voom reaching production despite looking nothing like the teased prototype.
    Now the upcoming 500 SR has been type-approved in China, confirming both its appearance and key technical details.
    That appearance, while in keeping with sister models like the 675 SR-R, the upcoming 750 SR-S and the much-anticipated 1000 SR-RR superbike, is distinctly different to the panels that could be seen under the disguise of the 2023 preview. It suggests CFMoto has completely redesigned the bike, explaining its delay in reaching production.
    Under the skin, the machine is identical to the 500 SR Voom, with the same tubular steel frame and 499cc, four-cylinder engine putting out 58kW at 12,500rpm and 49Nm at 10,000rpm. The dual under-seat exhausts are unchanged, and the geometry is unaltered, with the same 1395mm wheelbase as the Voom, the same 41mm adjustable USD forks and a matching swingarm and rear shock.
    What’s new is the styling, which dispenses with the Voom’s appealing late-80s or early-90s inspired shapes and dual front intakes disguised as circular headlights and replaces it with an up-to-the-minute style complete with aerodynamic addenda on the side panels, frowny headlights under angry-eyebrow DRLs.
    The bar and peg position looks much the same as the Voom’s but the new look adds fairing-mounted mirrors instead of the previous model’s bar-end units. There is a difference in terms of brakes, though, with new calipers peeking out from behind extensive cooling ducts wrapped around the dual front discs.
    The type-approval specs give a curb weight of 187kg, which is 7kg lighter than the Voom. That may well be down to measuring differences, though, as it’s hard to see where so much mass could have been pared from the bike.
    Since Australia already gets the Voom, and the two bikes are mechanically identical, it should be no problem to gain type approval over here if there’s demand for a modern-looking 500cc four alongside the retro version. If it does come here, that also means the price is likely to be close to the Voom’s AU$10,490.
    The post CFMoto 500 SR details emerge ahead of launch appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    Kawasaki Australia has announced its display line-up for next week’s World Superbike Championship round at Phillip Island, headlined by the Australian debut of the 2026 Ninja ZX-10R.
    The Japanese manufacturer will showcase six models across its performance and heritage ranges, while sister brand Bimota brings four exclusive machines to Victoria’s iconic circuit.

    The headline attraction is the all-new 2026 Ninja ZX-10R, making its first public appearance on Australian soil. The latest generation of Kawasaki’s flagship superbike arrives as the brand’s WorldSBK campaign continues with the Kawasaki Racing Team.
    Joining the ZX-10R in the display area will be the Ninja H2 supercharged flagship, the middleweight Ninja ZX-6R, and three models from Kawasaki’s Z naked bike family – the newly released Z1100, retro-styled Z900RS SE, and LAMS-approved Z500SE.
    1 of 8 The Bimota display represents the Italian manufacturer’s most innovative engineering, led by two versions of the hub-centre steered Tesi H2 – the standard model and Tera variant, both powered by Kawasaki’s supercharged inline-four.
    The KB4 and KB998 Rimini complete bimota’s Phillip Island line-up, showcasing the brand’s distinctive design language and limited-production craftsmanship.

    Both displays will be accessible to fans and media throughout the WorldSBK round at Phillip Island, with Kawasaki’s racing heritage providing a fitting backdrop for the brand’s road-going performance machines.
    The 2025 WorldSBK season opener takes place at Phillip Island from February 21-23.

    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 Kawasaki and Bimota confirm display line-up for Phillip Island WorldSBK appeared first on INFO MOTO.
×
×
  • Create New...