As the world's very first motorcycles, the MY 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure and 1190 Adventure R feature a truly revolutionary rider assistance system: the riding dynamics control MSC. This system makes a long held dream come true – an ABS that even works perfectly while cornering.
Technology leader
Only a few years ago, KTM was considered as a newcomer in the street bike segment. However, KTM reached – in typical KTM style – the technological forefront on the double and gains the innovative lead for MY14 as meanwhile Europe´s largest motorcycle manufacturer.
KTM-BOSCH-INNOVATION
This step in development, the new MSC stability control is a milestone in the motorcycle industry and would not have been possible without outstanding partners.
Jointly developed with Bosch, the motorcycle stability control MSC supports the rider of the 1190 Adventure together with the combined antilock braking system C-ABS and the motorcycle traction control MTC in a multitude of ways – of course within the limits of physics, just as any assistance system:
- MSC can prevent the wheels from slipping when braking while leaning over.
- MSC minimises the righting moment when braking while leaning over.
- MSC prevents rolling over in emergency stops.
- MSC prevents rear wheel skids when accelerating while leaning over.
- MSC prevents rising of the front wheel while accelerating
STORY AND PICS BY IAN GROAT: A PRIVILEGE TO TAKE PART IN THE 2013 GOODWOOD REVIVAL SHOW
This year’s 16th running of arguably the most spectacular retro racing event held in the world saw a full complement of around 60 champions, both current SBK hard chargers and a host of top riders from the history books, set to race at the former Goodwood Grand Prix track at Chichester’s World War 2 fighter aerodrome in the south of England earlier this month.
The aerodrome has now morphed into a wonderful racetrack under the watchful eyes of Lord Freddie and Charles March – ostensibly to celebrate motorsport’s past in its most glamorous era. The venue for the revival started up in 1998 and has gone on to become a world-renowned meeting consistently providing the world’s most spectacular racing theatre ever.
Held this year to sellout crowds of 150 000 visitors, all dressed up in period costume, with Spitfire and Mustang air shows thrown in, it was a mind-blowing experience second to none.
Inclement weather dished up some heavy downpours for each day’s 17-event programme, but the dedicated drivers and riders made the best of both dry and wet tarmac. The list of sports cars and single seaters which made up the various races like the Whitsun Trophy and Le Mans showpieces saw personalities such as Emanuele Pirro, Henry Pescarolo, Andy Wallace, Sir Stirling Moss, and F1 engineer Adrian Newey, among the list of celebrities who took part.
Tucked away in the programme, however, is the very challenging Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy Motorcycle Race that featured 60 riders and 30 teams on machines built and raced before 1961. In this year’s scintillating double header, the winner, Mick Grant and TT Ace Gary Johnson, rode the MV Agusta to clinch their win on aggregate time for the two-day racing event of some 36 laps on total. They won by less than a second from Michael Russell and Michael Rutter who simply rode the wheels off the Manx Norton they were on and showed the current speedsters of SBK how go about their business at riding both fast and with an aggressive style.
The Liquorland Castrol Winterberg National Enduro, the longest standing racing event in the South African National Enduro calendar, took place this past weekend in the Patensie region of the Eastern Cape, some 100km’s west of Port Elizabeth, and Yamaha pilots once again did the marquees proud by scooping three class victories, and in so doing earned Yamaha the Manufacturers Award for the race.
Proudly Bidvest Yamaha’s Denzil Torlage continued his race winning success by taking victory in the National Enduro Masters class, his third of the season so far. Denzil put in a flawless ride on board his Proudly Bidvest Yamaha YZ 250 (2T) to secure a convincing class victory, and keep his hopes of retaining the National Masters Enduro Championship for the fifth consecutive year intact.
Denzil’s Proudly Bidvest Yamaha teammate, Kenny Gilbert, competing in the National E1 (or Open) class on board a Proudly Bidvest Yamaha YZ 290 F, suffered from a small crash in the first special stage of the day resulting in him taking a third position in class, a mere three seconds behind Kargo Yamaha’s Tim Young, who rode a fantastic race to finish second on board his Kargo Yamaha YZ 250 (2T). Gilbert does however leave the Winterberg with the E1 Class Championship points lead with one round to go in the championship.
In the E2 class (for 250cc four strokes and 200cc two stokes), defending champion Marc Torlage (Proudly Bidvest Yamaha YZ 250 F) had a disastrous day in the saddle and was forced to retire after injuring his back, putting paid to his hopes of winning this Championship for the fourth consecutive year. The Yamaha mantle in this class was however picked up by young Bronson Louw (Portable Shade Criterion Yamaha YZ 250 F) who put in his best ride of the 2013 season by taking a very strong second place in the E2 class for a fifth overall.
Liquorland Yamaha’s William (Wild Will) Gillitt rode his Liquorland Yamaha WR 290 F to a solid victory in the National Seniors Class, ahead of strong competition for Bruce May on board his May’s Auto Centre Yamaha YZ 290 F.
In the National Silver Challenge, National Junior Off Road title hopeful Damien Scott (Portable Shade Criterion Yamaha YZ 250 F) showed the opposition a clean pair of heels and took Yamaha’s third class victory for the event.
The efforts of these riders allowed Yamaha to proudly walk away with the Manufacturers Trophy for the event.
The final round of the 2013 Liquorland National Enduro Championship will take place in Matatiele in KZN on the 19th October.
Motul’s Factory Line range of lubricants has been issued with the official FIM Homologation. The FIM Homologation program has been created by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) to run a recommended and approved program on its behalf.
The recently launched range of 7 MOTUL RACING products comply with the requirements of the FIM specifications and were therefore approved for all motorcycles running under FIM regulations.
This is another feather in the cap of the French company and reflects the company’s constant alignment and support to international motorsport, their significant commitment to R&D and working with international motorsport organisers in search for the latest technologies.
This latest FIM Homologation award further underlines the benefits from a commitment and passion that Motul puts into motorsport, resulting in racing specification products that are available to the public.
The FIM Homologation for Approved products goes to their two 2T products: 800 Road Racing and 800 Off Road, the two 300V (4T) off road products: 5W40 and 15W60 and the four 300V (4T) road products: 5W30, 5W40, 10W40 and 15W50.
Metzeler have set up a pre and on event Roof assistance program for all Roof of Africa competitors
Metzeler is offering all riders a special discount on all their tyres purchased prior to the event.
This deal equates to R1 550 including vat for a set of MC4’s versus the current R1 685 including vat
The real added value to riders will be the support program at the Roof from Just Bike Tyre who will be offering free fitment and a full tyre service to all Metzeler shod riders.
The Just Bike Tyre Metzeler tyre fitment centre will be situated at the Maseru Sun.
Tyres should be bought prior to the Roof in South Africa to avoid the tyre duties that may have to be paid at the border so Metzeler would like to advise and remind all competitors to buy in the RSA and take their tyres through themselves.
Riders taking their own support tyres through the border will probably not have to pay duties; the duties typically only apply to the supplier and fitment guys.
Just Bike Tyre will carry minimum stocks in Lesotho for emergencies only and these will cost more due to the duties that they will be charged.
For more info call or visit your Metzeler Dealer
Issued by AMP by Digby Wesson 083 449 5589
For the 13th edition of the exhibition held in Cincinnati this past weekend, the German tyre manufacturer introduced the new product dedicated to V-Twin enthusiasts.
Cincinnati (Ohio, USA), 4 February 2013 – This past weekend Metzeler gave the world a sneak peek of the ME 888 Marathon Ultra, the new tyre from the manufacturer with the elephant logo dedicated to all V-Twin owners and custom enthusiasts. In fact, the new product, already nicknamed “Triple 8” by the American public, was exhibited for the first time at the 13th annual edition of the V-Twin Expo which was held last weekend at Cincinnati, in Ohio.
ME 888 Marathon Ultra is the appointed heir of the ME 880 Marathon, a tyre which is already quite popular with V-Twin owners and customisers all over the world where, whilst maintaining the popular characteristics of grip in both dry and wet, significantly increases mileage. In order to achieve this result the Metzeler engineers focused completely on selecting the materials to be used and fine tuning every feature of the tyre: compound, structure, tread and profile. Therefore, the goal of increasing mileage did not effect the features which made its predecessor, the ME 880 Marathon, so famous: stability, agility, grip and excellent performance on wet roads.
The improvement in terms of compound compared to the ME 880 Marathon was achieved by working on the materials used in the process. In fact, the polymers chosen for the compound have a greater resistance to abrasion and are therefore able to ensure more mileage, but at the same time the selection of appropriate resins allowed excellent chemical grip to be maintained, even on wet roads. Another objective which was achieved by Metzeler engineers was to make the abrasion resistance properties last for the entire life cycle of the tyre.
The increase in mileage was obtained in part by focusing on the structure and carcass with the choice of designing the profile of the plies wider compared to the one normally used in conventional construction.
The geometry of the plies reduces the amount of deformation in the tread contact area with benefits in terms of uniformity of the contact pressure and less heat generation, all to the advantage of mileage and consistent performance of the compound. Deformation is therefore concentrated more on the sides where it is dissipated without interfering with the area that comes into contact with the road.
But the increased mileage was also obtained by acting on the tread pattern, thanks to more even wear of the entire tread. In order to improve even wear, the new tread pattern is more solid, thanks to the particular alternation of the grooves and sturdy knobs, and the compound itself is less stressed in the tread contact area, thereby reducing the transmission of the tread's stressing forces on the belts and plies of the carcass. The new tread pattern not only gives the ME 888 Marathon Ultra higher mileage compared to the ME 880 Marathon, but it also provides better water drainage in favour of safety and the prevention of aquaplaning.
Last, but not least, the contact area of the ME 888 Marathon Ultra is 5% shorter and 15% wider than that of the ME 880 Marathon, thanks to its profile which has been entirely redesigned and the technical solutions in the carcass and structure area described above. This solution was sought after in consideration of the fact that the longer the contact surface is, the greater the wear on the tread will be due to the deformations the compound in contact with the road surface is subjected to. On the other hand, a shorter and wider tread surface like the one on the ME 888 Marathon Ultra helps to better distribute the force necessary for transferring horsepower to the ground, reducing overheating of the tyre surface due to sliding effects.
Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra is therefore at the top of its category for all intents and purposes in terms of mileage, allowing the biker to enjoy typical Metzeler performance such as agility, stability, safety and comfort, for the entire life cycle of the tyre.
The new ME 888 Marathon Ultra will be available from February and buyers will be able to choose it for the most recent Harley-Davidson® models, including the new FL Touring, Softail and Sportster bikes. The product will be available in the following sizes:
Front:
MT90B16 M/C 72H TL
110/90-19 M/C 57H TL
130/80B17 M/C 65H TL
130/90-16 M/C 67H TL
Rear:
MT90B16 M/C 74H TL
MU85B16 M/C 77H TL
130/90B16 M/C REINF 73H TL
150/80B16 M/C REINF 77H TL
170/80B15 M/C 77H TL
180/65B16 M/C REINF 81H TL
Not since the ‘50s, when Moto Guzzi’s booming V-twins dominated the 250 and 350cc Grand Prix world championships, have the people of Mandello del Lario, home of Moto Guzzi motorcycles for the last 92 years, had so much to celebrate. The marque’s recent successes haven’t been achieved on the racetrack, though, but where it really counts – in the marketplace. What really got the Italian villagers throwing their hats in the air was that the most significant victories have been scored by their Moto Guzzi California 1400 in the USA, long-established domain of the large twin-cylinder cruiser that dominates production in that country.
The world’s most respected financial publication, the Wall Street Journal, kicked off the transatlantic wave of approval by running a very favourable report on the California Custom in April this year. Writer Dan Neil concluded by saying “If Moto Guzzi were ever a victim of its own charisma, the California goes a long way to fixing that. This is a thoroughly modern, effortless-to-ride big cruiser that still manages to retain Guzzi's idiosyncrasy, its Latin stubbornness. And it's beautiful. Did I mention that?”
The prestigious luxury-lifestyle magazine, The Robb Report, followed up in June by awarding the Moto Guzzi California 1400 the accolade of Motorcycle Cruiser of the Year in its 27th Best of the Best - Luxury Portfolio Awards that focused the publication’s spotlight on the finest yachts, private jets, cars, holiday homes, watches, jewelry, and all the other trappings of wealth enjoyed by the rich and famous. There the surprisingly affordable Guzzi joined other category winners on their wall of fame that’s filled mainly with names like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Louis Vuitton, Patek Philippe, and Chanel.
While fans of America’s much-loved V-twin motorcycles could question the credentials of those who wrote for these trendy publications, they found their case considerably weakened when the world’s biggest motorcycle publication, Cycle World, announced early in August that its team of highly professional testers had, after rigorous back-to-back testing of the finalists, placed the Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom at the pinnacle of cruiser motorcycles in its 2013 Bike of the Year competition. In announcing the award, the editor pronounced thus: “This Italian gets under your skin in a good way, its air-cooled 1380cc V-Twin winning us over with torque and the starring role it plays in the Art Deco looks of the bike. Though classically styled, the California is modern, with three levels of power delivery and traction control, plus ABS and cruise control - none of which detracts from the bike’s mechanically satisfying nature.”
Just weeks after Cycle World announced its findings, the testers at the very influential Motorcycle.Com website involved themselves by also putting their hands up for the Moto Guzzi California as their choice for Best Cruiser of 2013. “"The California stands out as something truly special,” said the statement announcing their choice. “It retains Guzzi’s traditional charm but is enhanced by a vastly superior powerplant, useful (and class-leading) electronics, and a visual presence that looks outstanding riding down the boulevard. For bringing a different kind of cool to the staid cruiser category, the Moto Guzzi California is our 2013 Cruiser of the Year".
Finally, in the recent inaugural 2013 Pirelli South African Bike of the Year competition that selected but one outright winner, the big Guzzi, pitted against the very best sports, nakeds, cruisers and dual-purpose machinery from across the spectrum, finished high up in the scoring with a top-six position after a very close-fought battle.
Moto Guzzi is an elite brand that comes nowhere near the mainstream manufacturers in terms of volume, but sales worldwide are climbing steadily. In 2012 Guzzi bucked the trend and sales improved by 15,3%, with the first six months of 2013 following suit. The motorcycles are sought after by purists who want a lusty V-twin engine with lots of soul, as well as thoroughly modern technology and superior build-quality.
Moto Guzzi motorcycles are imported and distributed by KMSA, and sold through selected dealerships in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. For further information on products and outlets visit http://motoguzzisa.co.za/ or e-mail
New two-stroke FREERIDE 250 R model joins updated 350.
- Two-stroke world premiere: KTM launches all-new FREERIDE 250 R in Italy
- Successful FREERIDE 350 gets crucial updates
- Now KTM offers a real range of fun - relax - sport - leisure - exercise and smile bikes
- Still to come: the FREERIDE E will complete the program for Freeride enthusiasts
ENJOYMENT & SPORT
With the introduction of the all-new 250cc two-stroke FREERIDE 250 R, launched to world´s media in Il Ciocco/ Italy, KTM is giving even more choice to riders looking to explore or return to off-road riding, grow their skills or simply have a fun bike.
The reason to expand the FREERIDE range by a super agile two-stroke model is obvious: the all-new developed 250 R model bridges the gap between the racing-oriented EXC models and the non-competitive four-stroke FREERIDE 350. The combination of championship-tested Enduro know-how and the ultralight FREERIDE chassis consistently carries the FREERIDE concept that for the first time was presented two years ago, to the extremes.
FREERIDE 250 R
For those not wanting the focus of a competition-based Enduro machine (EXC), ‘Maximum off-road pleasure’ is the mission statement for the FREERIDE program and KTM technicians have taken the original and successful concept – launched in 2012 with the 350 and then followed by the electric ‘E’ – to the next level with this new machine.
KTM know that many riders still enjoy the noise, smell and feel of a two-stroke and the already super-light FREERIDE chassis can be exploited easier and to greater extent with a lighter design of engine fitted, further ground clearance and more agility.
Engine
The engine of the FREERIDE 250 R began from the competition-based 250 EXC, but KTM engineers altered it not for outright power, but a pleasant torque response to make it easier to ride.
A new cylinder with ports and timings adjusted to the intended torque response is matched to a new piston and cylinder head. The engine is capable of 25hp in unrestricted off-road mode and can run with a fuel/oil mixture as low as 1:80; almost completely eliminating two-stroke smoke.
An amazing 2kg has been ‘lost’ over its EXC power plant cousin, thanks to removing the power valve and kick start and featuring an intermediate clutch cover with a new water pump shaft with a lightweight polymer sprocket. By not using the EXC’s complex exhaust control valve, the benefits help to achieve the engine’s required character and increase piston durability – essential for those not looking at competition use.
Exhaust
The bike is also fitted with a brand new, low noise exhaust system. Routed to the side of the bike but integrated perfectly into the vehicle, the design of the resonance chamber also contributes to the great torque character.
The two-stroke FREERIDE, like the EXC models, is homologated for public road use with a special power restriction kit. So either from the back of a van, off the back of a motorhome or however the journey starts, the FREERIDE 250 R is ready to take you to places that only the freedom of motorcycle can offer.
FREERIDE 350
After two years in production, the four-stroke FREERIDE 350 also receives some updates. The main difference is the change of gearbox; creating shorter ratios in the first five gears but with a much taller sixth gear to create an overdrive, lowering revs on long back roads to help reduce fuel consumption.
Technical changes inside the four-stroke 350 engine are all based on the theme of a pleasant torque response, but increasing efficiency and reliability. A new crank shaft drives a geared intermediate shaft mounted on the side, which in turn drives both the camshafts and the coolant pump while doubling as a balancer shaft. A plain bearing replaces the big-end roller bearings, which has already proven its quality in the 2013 motocross SX-F engines. This innovative solution guarantees better reliability and allows extended maintenance intervals.
Both machines have a wide variety of official KTM PowerParts available, allowing riders to individually tune the machines in terms of appearance, chassis and performance. These parts extend as far as an automatic clutch and left hand brake kit.
From the double-barreled stare of its twin headlamps to the knobby tread of its burly tires, the Harley-Davidson® Fat Bob® delivers a simple message: Move over. You don’t need to be lean when you’ve got this much mean, and for 2014 the Fat Bob appears more assertive than ever thanks to a Dark Custom make-over from Harley Styling that turns this bike into a back-alley bully.
“We wanted to take the Fat Bob further into the Dark Custom realm” says Harley-Davidson Styling Manager Tony Pink. “The compact, chopped lines of the new rear fender, the angle of the shocks, and the slanting tank graphics all line up to create an aggressive new stance that’s reinforced by the new blunt-cut mufflers. The high-contrast details on the black wheels relate nicely to the tank graphic. The seat was given a new form and cover that’s more sporty and more comfortable. Bring it all together and the Fat Bob is ready to reassert its presence on the street.”
Black replaces chrome all over the Fat Bob, including the powertrain and air cleaner cover, rear shock covers, triple clamps, headlight trim rings, console and battery box cover. The Aluminium Slotted Disc wheels are powder coated black and finished with a laser-engraved Harley-Davidson logo and rim stripe.
Rolling in on a Fat Bob makes a statement that is not subtle. But this motorcycle offers more than attitude. The rigid steel backbone of its Dyna frame, a pair of thick 49mm fork legs and chassis geometry that’s tuned to turn make the Fat Bob a cruiser willing to hunt for corners and a blast to ride. Dual front disc brakes and an Anti-lock Braking System haul the Fat Bob down in a hurry. Twist the grip, dump the clutch and feel the significant kick of a Twin Cam 103™ V-Twin launch Fat Bob off the line with authority.
Key Fat Bob Features
- Rubber-mounted Twin Cam 103™ engine rated at 97.4 ft. lbs. of torque at 3500 rpm. The engine is equipped with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and Automatic Compression Release (ACR), and is mated to a 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission. The powertrain is finished in Black powdercoat with black covers.
- NEW Blunt-cut staggered-dual mufflers are mated to the signature “Tommy Gun” 2-1-2 collector exhaust with slotted chrome shields.
- NEW Slash-cut rear fender
- NEW Recessed twin-ring LED tail lamp complements the dual headlamps.
- NEW Slim and sporty ergonomic seat and has a new cover and silver contrast stitching.
- NEW Console with an integral ignition switch and a five-inch electronic speedometer with multi-function LCD display and LED indicator lights.
- NEW Black machined, Aluminium Slotted Disc wheels with laser-engraved graphics; 16-inch front and rear.
- NEW Blacked-out aluminium triple clamps, headlight trim ring, rear shock covers, and battery box cover.
- NEW Diagonal-stripe fuel tank graphics.
- Dual front disc brakes
- Chrome 1.25-inch diameter drag-style handlebar is internally-wired and mounted on black risers.
- High-performance coil-over rear shocks with gloss black covers.
- Forward-mounted rider footpegs and controls.
- 180mm-16 rear / 130mm-16 front tires.
- Smart Security System with proximity-based, hands free security fob
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Available colours:
- NEW Amber Whiskey
- NEW Sand Cammo Denim
- Black Denim
- Vivid Black
Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's website at www.harley-davidson.com.
MOTUL, worldwide experts in the field of high-tech lubricants for use on-road, off-road and in race full competition, announce the launch of its new range of motorcycle lubricants. The latest evolution to be produced and marketed by the French company reflects the company’s constant search for the latest technologies and its empathy with its core markets.
Known and respected as a benchmark in the industry for its high-tech products, MOTUL’s latest motorcycle range includes lubricants for 4-Stroke and 2-Stroke engines formulated to meet worldwide recognised industry standards: API¹, JASO², and the latest manufacturers’ recommendations.
Over several decades, MOTUL has consistently improved the performance of its motorcycle lubricants through development of its own unique type of ESTER, with the latest result being the introduction of ESTERCore® technology. This technology combines carefully chosen esters with an optimal selection of top quality synthetic base oils coupled with an innovative additives package.
Involved in the highest levels of motorsport, Motul has developed specific motorcycle lubricants for racing under the brand Factory Line to deliver extra power and higher torque. Specifically, the new 300V Factory Line Road Racing gives a power increase of 1.30% while the Off Road version offers a torque increase of 2.5% compared to previous versions. On top of this, MOTUL has targeted in its development improvements in two other critical areas; the gearbox and the wet clutch. The new 300V provides outstanding extreme pressure properties to protect highly loaded gearboxes while the clutch friction indexes have been optimized to improve life time and response of clutch discs in Road Racing and Off Road.
The general 4-stroke range also benefits from the latest motorsport-developed technologies, meeting JASO MA2 specification which is the most efficient friction level. The new 7100 100% synthetic 4-Stroke line is increased to seven different products with the inclusion of three new viscosities (5W40, 10W50, 10W60 and 15W50) in response to the latest manufacturers’ recommendations from BMW, KTM, APRILIA, and MV AGUSTA. The 5100 Technosynthese® 4-Stroke lubricants formulation has also been improved and the number of viscosities remains the same with four different viscosity grades (10W30, 10W40, 10W50 and 15W50).
In addition to technological advances, Motul has revised its label design to reinforce its position as a specialist in the motorcycle markets. Priorities were given to the MOTUL brand, to key product information on the front label such as quality, product name, MA2, and the application visualized through an image of a motorcycle specific to each product. The 300V Factory Line has not been left behind and adopted a new design in red and black to emphasize its Racing value.