Australian Adventure Bike

ZERO OUT NOW By the sheer law of averages, it was always going to happen. I’ve lost count of how many trips I’ve had to Melbourne in recent months to climb on test bikes and ride them all the way back to Sydney. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. In fact it’s a fabulous means by which to get to know a new bike in real-world conditions. Plus, most of the time I’ve been making the usually three-day and 1000-kay journey with AAB Editor at Large Dave Darcy as wingman, and we get to have a good old time. I get to write and photograph a bike review or travel feature for the mag, while the Darcinator gets to shoot video content for his bike reviews and films…

IT’S A MAD WORLD In the realm of motorcycles, opinions are as varied as the twisty roads we ride. Take Clive Ward, AAB’s tech guru, affectionately known as The Professor. If you ever find yourself in his inner sanctum — the workshop — brace yourself for a symphony of colourful critiques aimed at whatever unfortunate bike happens to be under his spanner. Now, Clive’s no stranger to voicing his disdain. But before you go thinking he’s just a grumpy old mechanic, know this: Clive’s got a soft spot, a Yamaha-shaped chink in his armour. Bring up those tuning-forked wonders and suddenly he’s like a kid at Christmas. Yamahas can do no wrong in his little black book. So when I rolled in with news of a shiny new 450 hitting…

NEWS ROOM Here’s a news story pretty much no one expected: Toby Price and Red Bull KTM Racing have announced they are parting ways. Pricey dropped the news on his social media accounts, advising the world the 2024 Dakar Rally was his last outing for the Austrian factory team. “KTM has decided not to renew my contract, so Dakar 2024 was my last event with them,” Price stated matter-of-factly. “I do feel like I’m still in my prime and going out there fighting for wins, especially at Dakar,” Price continued, “so it’s unfortunate to not have that opportunity to do it in 2025. “But I’m really appreciative of the support KTM gave me in my career. We’ve been able to do some great things together, like win two Dakars and…

NEWS ROOM Italian brand Ducati is clearly firing on all cylinders, with record sales worldwide and a flotilla of new models — including all-new MX bikes — coming down the gangplank signalling the company is on the up and up. To celebrate the occasion Down Under, Ducati Australia, in partnership with Pirelli Australia, kicked off the latest season with a series of lavish Ducati 2024 Premiere events in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. The gala evenings saw Ducati adventure product specialist Nick Selleck introduce four new machines and take attendees through their specs and attributes, while Ducati Australia/NZ Managing Director Sergi Canovas welcomed guests and marked what has been a remarkable past year for the company. “2023 has been a magical year for us,” Canovas enthused. “We have delivered worldwide…

In 2022, Pierer Mobility AG, the parent company of the KTM Group, announced it had reached an agreement to partner with Italian brand MV Agusta to distribute its motorcycles in North America. Then, soon after, Pierer revealed it had acquired 25.1 per cent of MV Agusta, before going on to advise it intended to gain a controlling share in the Italian marque. The takeover had been scheduled to take place by 2026, but Pierer has ramped up the deal early and has now secured 50.1 per cent of MV Agusta, with the balance of 49.9 per cent held by the family of former MV Agusta CEO Timur Sardarov. As part of the deal, longtime KTM Group and Pierer executive Hubert Trunkenpolz has been installed as CEO and Chairman of MV…

NEWS ROOM Alpinestars’ commitment to airbag system protective gear is renowned, the Italian firm having released Tech-Air 3, 5, 10 and Street systems over recent years. Now, after extensive development with the world’s leading racers in the Dakar Rally since 2017, Alpinestars has introduced the new Tech-Air Off-Road, which it describes as the world’s most advanced active airbag technology for off-road riding. The Tech-Air Off-Road airbag system delivers CE level 1 full chest and back protection, plus coverage to the shoulders, neck and collarbones in the event of a crash. It is integrated with an Alpinestars Off-Road protection jacket that has level 1 passive full back and limb protection, integrated protection of the arms, and a CE level 2 passive full chest protector offering the wearer enhanced roost protection. The…