Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Learner motorcycles are a growing market as more young people turn to motorcycling, commuters look for simple and lightweight bikes, returned riders want an easy-to=ride motorcycle and more women start riding. Learner motorcycles also make a great second bike and are fun to ride. We preview coming learner-approved motorcycles, attend new product launches around the world and road test the bikes for performance, handling, comfort, value, styling and economy. Read our latest articles below
Indian motorcycle company Bajaj Auto is reported to be setting its sights on Australia with the introduction of its Dominar 400 learner bike. The company is the world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer, taking back the lead from fellow Indian company Royal Enfield. Bajaj Auto makes bikes from 100cc to 373cc and holds a 47% in Austria’s …
The Chinese-made CFMoto 650NK is still one of the best bang-for-your-buck bikes in the learner market and is now cheaper and better than when it was released in 2012. At $6490 ride away, it’s $700 cheaper than its launch price, yet it now has ABS brakes, Bosch EFI, new instrumentation and more aggressive styling from …
The adventure market is opening up to novice riders now that the learner-approved Kawasaki Versys-X 300 is available in the Australian market. It will be available in candy lime green and metallic carbon grey or metallic graphite grey and flat ebony for $6399 (plus on-road costs). The new breed of baby adventurers to hit the market also includes …
Kawasaki continues to lead the Australian market in learner-approved motorcycles with the launch of the Z650L and the Ninja 650L. We attended the launch of these two bikes last week and raved about the Z650L as a bike for novices, commuters, weekend warriors and returned riders. At $9699 (plus on-road costs) it’s an irresistible naked bike. READ …
Kawasaki does the new Z650L a disservice by referring to it as a learner motorcycle. This is a bike that will not only suit learners, but also novices, returned riders, commuters, weekend warriors and people who are honestly not all that fussed with tech specs, but just want to ride a fun bike! For just …
The 2017 Harley-Davidson Street 500 is a little bit more secure with a Smart Security System and safer anti-lock brakes fitted as standard. New price is $11,495 ($11.995 NZ), up $750 on previous prices, but Harley Australia marketing guru Adam Wright says he believes customers will appreciate ABS and the immobiliser system. He says ABS adds a safety …
CFMoto Australia has added the new 400NK to its learner-approved line-up which also includes an updated 650NK, plus the 650TK and 150NK. The 400NK costs $5490 ride away while the Continental ABS version is $500 more. The new 650NK with ABS is $6990 and 650TK is $7749. They come with two-year factory warranty. CFMoto Australia …
Braap Motorcycles has voluntarily recalled about 200 bikes over what seems a trivial issue – the absence of stickers and stamps on the exhaust and other parts. Australian GM Toby Wilkin says the exhaust still complies with the Australian standards for noise, but is just missing the stamp that says so. “It’s a simple matter …
Kawasaki is taking on the adult-fun motorcycle market created by the 125cc Honda Grom a few years ago with its own version called the Z125 Pro. The Grom created a new sector of hipsters who wanted something nimble and fun that made a statement. It was a huge hit in the US a few years ago and …
The Kawasaki Z300 learner-approved naked bike comes in new colours for 2016 with a special edition model in Pearl Stardust White/Metallic Flat Spark Black with gold wheels for an extra $100. The world’s first LAMS (learner-approved motorcycle scheme) street fighter comes with ABS and a slipper clutch. The other colour scheme is Candy Crimson Red/Metallic Flat Spark …