Want to learn more about the right bike for you? Come and test ride the latest LAMS models at the Peter Stevens Ride Experience, Ringwood, on 10th July.

Ride 2 models of your choice from a great range of Learner Approved motorcycles and scooters from Suzuki, Hyosung, Vespa and Kawasaki. Experienced riders are also very welcome.

Bookings are essential. Please call reception at Peter Stevens Ringwood on 9870 0222 to make your reservation.

Bring your licence or learner’s permit and photo ID on the day plus your helmet and protective clothing as conditions apply.

* LAMS means ‘Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme’.

Times: Rides leave as a group on the hour starting at 10.00 am. Last ride leaves at 2.00 pm. Please check-in at reception 30 minutes before your ride.

Email: inforingwood@peterstevens.com.au

Honda 2010 CB1100

There were two stars on the Honda stand at last year’s Tokyo motor show: the CB1100F retro four and the all-new VFR1200F. Plenty has already been written about the latter, but fanfare around the CB1100F didn’t quite reach the same feverish pitch as the VFR, but there was still universal admiration for its compact dimensions and styling, which appeared to hit the mark as an ode to the much-loved and original Honda CB750 Four.

Even though performance figures weren’t divulged at the time, the Bikesales Network correspondent in Tokyo said that “it should be more than enough to make it a great city bike and short-haul tourer”.

And how prescient those words turned out to be, because we’ve just reluctantly handed back the CB1100F after testing the retro rocket in Melbourne and its surrounds.

The CB1100F has been a Japanese-only model for a while now, but Honda Australia has now made the decision to bring it Down Under in limited numbers, at a retail price of $14,990.

The CB1100 joins a growing stable of retro bikes in Australia, including the Triumphs (Thruxton, Bonneville, Scrambler), the Moto Guzzi V7 Café Classic and Ducati GT1000. Maybe it’s time for a retro comparo?

Let’s start at the beginning. As far as a faithful representation of a former staple is concerned, the CB1100F does itself proud with plenty of distinguishing features: Bol D’or-like instrumentation, skinny 18-inch wheels, chrome trimming on the headlight and instrument cluster, low slung rear end, old school taillight, twin rear shocks, a big and wide headlight, and of course the air and oil-cooled engine. (more…)

Australian Garry McCoy won’t return to the MotoGP paddock, deciding to end his relationship with the FB Corse team.

McCoy believes FB will be unable to make its MotoGP debut this season with its three-cylinder machine, and the Aussie has decided to move on — although he doesn’t have another gig to fall back on.

“After spending the last four months training at top level, today I am at my best mentally and physically to race,” said McCoy.

“My goal is to come back to the world championship. I thought FB Corse was ready to take the step but they haven’t accomplished what they have had to at this point in time. Hopefully soon, I will be able to update you with more news.”

Earlier in the year, McCoy was dumped as Triumph’s factory world supersport rider just before the start of the season.

McCoy took part in a special ‘timing test’ on the FB01 three-cylinder machine at Valencia in March, after which the team was told it must complete a full race-distance simulation before it can enter its three-cylinder motorcycle in a grand prix. As yet, that hasn’t occurred.

Suzuki GSX-R celebrates its 25th anniversary

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking GSX-R sports bike range first bursting onto the world scene, Suzuki has released a special edition model of its GSX-R1000.
The GSX-R legend began in 1985 with the launch of the GSX-R750, soon joined by the GSX-R1100 in 1986, and followed by the GSX-R600 in 1997.
And it was right here in Australia, at the Adelaide International Raceway in 1985, where Rob Phillis guided the GSX-R750 to its first win anywhere in the world.
In 2001, as capacity for racing classes evolved, Suzuki then launched the fourth pillar in the GSX-R range, the GSX-R1000.
The GSX-R1100 is no longer in production, but you can always grab one second-hand.
Only 60 units of the special edition GSX-R1000 will make it to Australia out of 1000 produced globally, and the machine features 25th anniversary GSX-R logos on the bodywork, and intricate laser-processed “25th Anniversary Edition” pinstripes on the rims of the front and rear wheels.
The left and right side mufflers also feature the “25th Anniversary Edition” graphics. The bike also has its own individual serial number plate on the yoke and exclusive GSX-R ignition keys.
The two-tone livery is titanium silver/pearl mirage white, and the bike is backed by Suzuki’s two-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
Contact your local Peter Stevens dealership for more information, including pricing.

New South Welshman Toby Price on his way to victory in the 36th annual Finke Desert Race

New South Welshman Toby Price has turned his considerable talents to desert racing with immediate success, scorching to an emphatic victory in the 36th annual Finke Desert Race in the Northern Territory on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

In the process, Price, 22, became just the third rookie to win the race on his first attempt, with fellow KTM rider Todd Smith finishing second ahead of Honda’s Ryan Branford.

“I have no words to describe my win at Finke,” said Price.  “It’s an awesome feeling.  To just survive Finke is a challenge in itself, and for these guys who do it all the time it’s hats off to them they’re amazing.

“Big thanks go to (KTM team manager) Brad Williscroft and (his team-mate and defending champion) Ben Grabham, who together were an open book with their knowledge of the track and set-up.

“They didn’t hold back on sharing with me their years of experience and trade secrets, which definitely helped me get to this point.”

With Grabham already out of the picture with mechanical problems, Price powered to a stunning 10-minute lead over Smith on day one, which allowed him to adopt an ‘unadventurous’ approach on the journey back to Alice Springs.

His total elapsed time was four hours, three minutes and 25 seconds (4:03.25), which was clearly the second fastest time in the last five years, behind Grabham’s 4:01.26 in 2009.

There were 375 finishers in this year’s Finke, and just 24 DNFs.

New 2010 Suzuki Bandit

The latest version of Suzuki’s brawny street bike, the Bandit 1250, now features redesigned bodywork and sleeker headlight, tail-light and turn signals.

The big-bore naked is still powered by a 1255cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled engine (in matte black), complete with Suzuki’s Dual Throttle Valve fuel injection system.

Other features include a six-speed transmission, 19-litre fuel tank, 310mm front discs, a 240mm rear disc brake, an updated instrument cluster, and adjustable seat.

ABS is also available via the Bandit 1250A, which has grey livery. The standard machine is black.

Contact your local Peter Stevens dealer for more information, including pricing.

Casey Stoner leading Valentino Rossi at Phillip Island

The countdown is on for this year’s IVECO Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island from October 15-17, and for a third successive year the support class line-up will remain the same: superbike, supersport and historics.

In making the announcement, Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chief Executive Officer Drew Ward said that customer feedback continues to indicate that this support program is immensely popular with patrons.

“The historics are always a strong crowd pleaser,” said Ward. “Together with the Superbikes and supersport, they complete a fantastic line-up of events.”

The superbikes will again race on all three days of the event, including Sunday prior to the main MotoGP event where Australia’s Casey Stoner will be chasing a fourth successive victory on home soil.

For more information on the IVECO Australian Grand Prix, including ticketing, visit www.motogp.com.au.

Meanwhile, both Honda and Yamaha have announced their corporate hospitality packages for the Phillip Island grand prix. Contact their Aussie websites for more information.

Scrambler A1 retro road bikes from $11,990 for a limited time

Peter Stevens has slashed the price of its Bonneville A1 and Scrambler A1 retro road bikes to $11,990, a $500 saving on the normal retail.

This is now in addition to the already reduced Bonneville SE A1 Black, which is selling at $12,490, $1000 off its normal level.

These reduced prices are available only while stocks last. Meanwhile, a reminder that Triumph is still offering $2000 of free extras with the purchase of a new 2.3lt Rocket III Touring.

Purchasers may select from Triumph’s range of genuine accessories, clothing or merchandise.

Vermeulen taking questions from attendees

Aussie world superbike rider Chris Vermeulen was the special guest at a community road safety motorcycle forum held in Melton (Vic) recently.

Vermeulen reinforced a number of core messages for road riders during a question and answer session with the MC and principal of Phillip Island Ride Days, Steve Brouggy.

When asked about motorcycle road safety, Vermeulen’s said that “self preservation” should be the primary focus.

“The track is the safest environment you can be in for going fast, and we all wear gear that is the highest quality and standard,” said Vermeulen, still wearing a knee brace after injuring himself in the opening round of the world superbike title at Phillip Island in March.

“And on the track, I replace my helmet after every crash, even if it has been involved in a minor bump.

“But away from the track, when I get on a road bike my mindset changes. There are limitations and you have to ride within them.”

Questions were also opened up to Vermeulen from the floor, with about 150 people attending the event as part of the Shire of Melton’s Road 2 Zero strategy.

Road 2 Zero merges into the Victorian Government’s ‘arrive alive 2008-2017 blueprint, and the aim is to have a greater than 30 per cent reduction of serious and fatal road crashes (and to reduce the severity of serious injury crashes) by 2018.

There were also a number of keynote speakers during the day, including representatives from the Victoria police, Phillip Island Ride Days and Honda Australia Rider Training (HART).