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
The cost of living is driving more riders to smaller motorcycles and scooters, says Hartford Australia who is importing small-capacity Taiwanese machines. Ballina-based importer Joe Fisher says scooters and learner bikes have “gone crazy” despite a slow market. “I come from a time when the industry was formed on XL250s and Belstaff jackets,” he says. …
Yamaha has given the popular YZF-R3 learner motorcycle a MotoGP-inspired styling makeover plus LED headlights and hi-spec upside-down forks. We expect the R3 to arrive in the first quarter of 2019. It will be interesting to see if Yamaha Motor Australia can keep the price at a keen $A6299 (plus on-road costs). It’s in a …
The Husqvarna single-cylinder Vitpilen 401 street bike is one of the most controversial and divisive motorcycles I’ve ridden in ages. After my road test I’m still trying to work out what it is all about and to which riders it will appeal. Controversial features are the price, styling, the single-cylinder engine and, of course, the …
The learner market continues to be flooded with models and now CFMoto Australia has filled the gap between the 150NK ($3090) and 400NK ABS ($5990) with the new 250NK at $3990 ride away. That compares with the Honda CB300F at $5699, Kawasaki Ninja 4090 at $6499, Suzuki GSX-R250 at $5790 and Yamaha YZF-R3 at $6299 …
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 …