When it launched in 1975 the Moto Guzzi V 1000 I-Convert became the first production motorcycle fitted with an automatic transmission. Honda’s CB750A followed in 1976.
Moto Guzzi V 1000 I-Convert – The first motorcycle to boast an automatic transmission
The impetus behind the idea came from De Tomaso who thought Guzzi’s future lay in more touring oriented models, rather than sporting ones. While the chassis and running gear was almost unchanged from the 850 T3 California the motor received considerable attention.
Moto Guzzi V 1000 I-Convert
It was one the first Guzzis to use the 949cc version of two-valve V-twin. A Sachs torque converter and dry multi-plate clutch replaced the normal 5 speed gearbox and single plate clutch.
Moto Guzzi V 1000 I-Convert
However a manual two-speed gearbox (requiring the use of the clutch) was used so as to enable low or an overdrive high range. Low was good for about 130km/h and while the manual advised against it, high could be selected under 65km/h.
Moto Guzzi V 1000 I-Convert
Normal practice was to engage either high or low gear before riding off, depending on whether town or open road use was planned. A wet weight of 272kg and maximum output of 71hp at 6500rpm limited the top speed to around 170km/h.
Moto Guzzi V 1000 I-Convert
Other modifications to accompany the transmission was an ATF pump, holding tank and cooler with associated plumbing.
Moto Guzzi V 1000 I-Convert
The Convert was updated in 1979 and was sold until 1984 but it was never a big seller. This US model is in unrestored, standard condition, apart from the mufflers.
Regulations requiring anti-lock braking systems (ABS) on new motorcycle models this year may not have much of an initial impact on the road toll, experts say.
From November 2019, all new motorcycle models sold in Australia over 125cc must have ABS, while bikes with lower engine capacities must have either combined brakes systems (CBS) or ABS.
But don’t expect a sudden drop in crash deaths, despite the Federal Government declaring it can reduce motorcycle-related road trauma by more than 30%.
That’s mainly due to the fact that most new motorcycles sold in Australia are already fitted with ABS because Europe has had ABS laws since 2016 and Japan introduced them in October this year.
There has been no subsequent decrease in the motorcycle road toll in Europe in the past two years, so we are not sure why our government would assume a magic drop by almost a third in Australia.
Quite simply, no technology makes you a better rider. It only helps compensate for poor skills or emergencies, he said.
The VicRoads brochure also suggested riders retro-fit ABS, but there is no known aftermarket product.
VicRoads apologised for the misleading information and error when we pointed them out.
ABS is simply no substitute for good rider skills and the only way to get them is through training and practice.
ABS regulations
ABS being demonstrated
The new Australian ABS regulations only affect new models made from November 2019.
All other existing models won’t need to be upgraded to ABS until November 2021.
There are exemptions for enduro, trials bikes and trail bikes under 250cc.
If the bike has switchable ABS, the default setting when the bike is turned off and turned back on again will be for ABS to be active. We do not know of a motorcycle that allows ABS to switched off on the fly.
CBS is described as any braking system where one control pedal or lever activates some portion of the brakes on front and back wheels.
ABS regs worldwide
India makes ABS mandatory
While ABS is becoming mandatory around the world, the USA has no such requirement.
Europe: Mandatory ABS for all new models above 125cc from January 2016 and for all existing models above 125cc from January 2017. 50cc can have ABS or CBS.
Japan: ABS on new models above 125cc from October 2018 and all existing models above 125cc from October 2021. 50cc must have ABS or CBS.
India: ABS >125cc on new models from April 2018 and all models >125cc from April 2019. Under 125cc ABS or CBS.
China: New models >250cc from July 2019 and existing from July 2020 must have ABS on front and rear wheels. Under 250 ABS or CBS.
Brazil: ABS for 300cc and above ramping up from 2016-19. Below 300cc ABS or CBS, off-road excluded.
Moto News Wrap for January 1, 2019 by Darren Smart
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Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Moto News Latest
Australian Speedway Solo Championships Ready to GO!
Ipswich to Host 2019 Australian Junior Speedway Championship
Anaheim 1 and Dakar – It’s Almost HERE!
Bloss Out – Bogle In
Changes to MXGP Calendar
Youthstream Releases the Provisional OAT (Officially Approved Teams) List
KTM Signs Liam Everts
Stefan Everts Starts Rehab
Australian Speedway Solo Championships Ready to GO!
We are just day away for the opening round of the 2019 Australian Speedway Solo Championships at Gillman Speedway on January the 3rd and for the first time in three years, the Australian Senior Solo Speedway Championship will run a Qualifier the day before the opening round, where 16 selected riders will battle it out for the remaining eight spots in the Championship.
The eight seeded riders are led by none other than Chris Holder who will be joined by the 2018 reigning Champion, Rohan Tungate, Max Fricke, Jack Holder, Zane Keleher, Brady Kurtz, Sam Masters and Jaimon Lidsey.
Former world and multiple Australian champion Chris Holder used the Jason Crump Classic at Kurri Kurri Speedway Club on Boxing Day to signal he will be a force in the upcoming Australian titles.
Chris Holder went through the night undefeated to claim the Jason Crump Classic Cup at Kurri Kurri Speedway Club on Boxing Day. Picture by Michael Hartshorn
Holder won his five heats and then took out the A-final from Tungate, 2017 champion Sam Masters and Holder’s younger brother and 2018 NSW champion Jack.
Chris Holder won the Jason Crump Classic Cup at Kurri Kurri Speedway Club on Boxing Day. Picture by Michael Hartshorn
And vying for the other eight spots on the grid are Mason Campton, Ben Cook, Zach Cook, Ryan Douglas, Matthew Gilmore, Jacob Hook, Todd Kurtz, Jedd List, Rob Medson, Nick Morris, Jack Morrison, Josh Pickering, Cooper Riordon, Justin Sedgmen, Jordan Stewart and Kye Thomson while Brayden McGuiness and Dakota Ballantyne will be on hand as reserves.
At the close of Round 1, riders will move North to Mildura, Victoria for Round 2 on 5th January, followed by Round 3 on 7th January at Undera, Victoria. The penultimate round will be held on 9th January at Albury Wodonga, Victoria, with a close to the Championship at Kurri-Kurri, New South Wales on 12th January.
Don’t miss a moment of the 2019 Championship by going to NRGTV to watch all of the action live and get up-dates by checking out the Australian Speedway Championship website and on Facebook.
2019 Australian Senior Solo Championship
ROUND 1: GILLMAN SPEEDWAY – 3RD JANUARY
ROUND 2: MILDURA – 5TH JANUARY
ROUND 3: UNDERA – 7TH JANUARY
ROUND 4: WODONGA – 9TH JANUARY
ROUND 5: KURRI KURRI – 12TH JANUARY
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Ipswich to Host 2019 Australian Junior Speedway Championship
The Ipswich Switches Junior Speedway Club will host four nights of action between the 17th and 20th of January at Willowbank Raceway with the Under 21’s 500cc title, the Under 16’s 250cc and 125cc titles and the Under 16’s 125cc Team title up for grabs.
The Under 21’s 500cc Speedway Championship will see reigning champion Jaimon Lidsey hoping to regain the title but he will have to contend with Matthew “Happy” Gilmore, Kye Thomson, Cooper Riordan and Jordan Stewart (to name a few) to win in 2019.
The Australian Under 21’s Speedway Championship is the final step riders must make for their chance to represent Australia on the international stage at the FIM Team Speedway Under 21 World Championship. Australia will head to Vetlanda, Sweden for the Semi Finals, and if successful they will then head to Manchester, United Kingdom for the Finals!
Of the nominated riders, 16 have been drawn to compete in the 2019 Australian Championship, with two reserves also selected.
The 2019 Under 16’s 250cc Championship has drawn 13 successful nominees from across Australia including reigning Champion Keynan Rew who along with Patrick Hamilton and James Pearson are already creating a household name for themselves as they climb up through the ranks!
The Under 16’s 125cc Solo and Teams Championship will feature up and coming stars such as James Pearson who fans will also see compete in the Australian Under 16 250cc Speedway Championship, plus Flynn Nicol and Patrick Bowes.
The official entry list made up of 16 riders was drawn from a total collection of 20 nominated riders from across Australia.
Anaheim 1 and Dakar – It’s Almost HERE!!
It’s that time of year again where we are staring down the barrel of the start of two iconic events with the new Supercross season kicking off at Anaheim on January the 5th then the Dakar Rally with an all new route through Peru starts just a day later.
The 450SX class will see 36-year-old Australian Chad Reed take on a field of hard charging younger men led by established superstars including defending champion Jason Anderson, Eli Tomac, Marvin Musquin, Ken Roczen, Justin Barcia, Cole Seely, Justin Brayton, Blake Baggett, Malcolm Stewart, Justin Bogle and Dean Wilson while the likes of Cooper Webb, Joey Savatgy, Aaron Plessinger, Justin Hill and Zach Osborne will be out to prove themselves in this early stage of their 450 class careers.
Anaheim 1 track map
That is 17 very talented and competitive men all with their eyes on the one prize so look out A1 – it is going to be big and let’s hope Chad grabs the holeshot and comes through with what would be an historic win!
Chad Reed on JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450
A1 will also see the opening round of the 250SX West Coast Series and it is going to be a cracker with Adam Cianciarulo, Shane McElrath, Chase Sexton, Austin Forkner, RJ Hampshire, Dylan Ferrandis, Mitchell Harrison, Michael Mosiman, Colt Nichols, Sean Cantrell, Cameron McAdoo and Jimmy Decotis all fit and looking for a win while young Aussie hard charger in Tomas Ravenhorst will also be looking to make a name for himself on the world’s biggest stage.
As for our other Aussie hope in Hunter Lawrence, we will see the Geico Honda rider contest the 250SX East Coast Series which kicks off at Minneapolis on February the 9th and from what we have seen Hunter is looking sharp as he prepares for his rookie supercross season.
Hunter Lawrence – Hoppenworld Image
2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Schedule
Rd1: January 5 Angel Stadium of Anaheim Anaheim
Rd2: January 12 State Farm Stadium Glendale, AZ
Rd3: January 19 Angel Stadium of Anaheim Anaheim
Rd4: January 26 Oakland-Alameda Coliseum Oakland
Rd5: February 2 Petco Park San Diego
Rd6: February 9 US Bank Stadium Minneapolis
Rd7: February 16 AT&T Stadium Arlington
Rd8: February 23 Ford Field Detroit
Rd9: March 2 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta
Rd10: March 9 Daytona Speedway Daytona Beach
Rd11: March 16 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis
Rd12: March 23 CenturyLink Field Seattle
Rd13: March 30 NRG Stadium Houston
Rd14: April 6 Nissan Stadium Nashville
Rd15: April 13 Broncos Stadium Denver
Rd16: April 27 MetLife Stadium East Rutherford, NJ
Rd17: May 4 Sam Boyd Stadium Las Vegas
Dakar 2019
As for Dakar 19, 138 motorcycle competitors are going to set off on January the 6th for 11 days of competition that will see them complete over 5500km across some of the most desolate and uninviting terrain Peru (or anywhere else for that matter) has to offer and as you would expect all of Australia will be hoping that Toby Price and Rodney Faggotter go through the event trouble free, ride to their full potential and come home 1-2 – not too much to ask is it?
Dakar will be run per cent in Peru
Dakar Rally 2019 Overview Day – Stage Special Stage Km – Total Km
6 January Start podium Lima
7 January Lima-Pisco 84 331
8 January Pisco-S. Juan de Marcona 342 554
9 January SS.an Juan de Marcona-Arequipa 331 799
10 January Arequipa-Moquegua 352 511
11 January Moquegua-Arequipa 345 776
12 January Rest day
13 January Arequipa-S. Juan de Marcona 317 839
14 January S. Juan de Marcona and Back 323 387
15 January S. Juan de Marcona-Pisco 361 576
16 January Pisco-Pisco 313 410
17 January Pisco-Lima 112 358
Total km 2889 5541
Bloss Out – Bogle In
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC-WPS-KTM’s Benny Bloss will miss the entire 2019 Monster Energy Supercross season after sustaining a torn ACL in a practice crash early last week so the team has signed former 250SX East Region Champion Justin Bogle to fill-in. Bogle had put together his own program for 2019 after a deal with Phoenix Racing Honda had fallen through.
“Benny has been riding and progressing so well, it’s heartbreaking to Benny, his family, and the team,” said team owner Forrest Butler in a statement. “Benny has been with us since being a rookie in the summer of 2016, and 2019 was really ‘the year’ we were all ready to see what he could do. Really, there isn’t much to say as there are other injured riders too, or ones that have been there. We say it’s not fair, but it’s part of the sport and instead of wishing what could have been, it’s time to just focus ahead, get surgery and put in the hard work to be ready for the 2019 Motocross Nationals.”
“It was the silliest crash and there was nothing spectacular about it, extremely frustrating,” said Bloss in a statement. “I landed off a triple, and just went to the inside to make a new line, nothing crazy. I hit a slick spot and just lost the rear end doing the standard slide out, unfortunately, I had my leg fully committed and it got pinned under the handlebar and the ground. I knew I caught it the at a bad angle, and that’s pretty much end of the story—just the worst possible position I could have slid out in, and now it’s off to get my ACL fixed. I am young though, I have a lot of good people and sponsors behind me, I already have surgery scheduled as of today and have my full vision set on making the start of the outdoors.”
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Changes to MXGP Calendar
Youthstream have announced another revised calendar for the 19 round 2019 FIM World Motocross Championship which will now start on the first weekend of March at the Patagonia-Argentina Circuit of Neuquen and end in Hong Kong of all places on the third weekend of September.
Here is a summary of the changes: -The MXGP of Switzerland anticipated for August has been cancelled - The MXGP of Italy in Imola will now be held on the 17th and 18th of August instead of the 21st and 22nd of September – The MXGP of Hong Kong will move from the 20th and 21st of April to the now available 21st and 22nd of September as per the local organization request.\ – The venue for the 2019 MXGP of Lombardia on May 12th will be Mantova
Updated 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship Calendar
Rd1: Mar. 4 – MXGP of Patagonia Argentina, Neuquen
Rd2: Mar. 24 – MXGP of Great Britain, Matterley Basin
Rd3: March 31 – MXGP of The Netherlands, Valkenswaard
Rd4: April 7 – MXGP of Trentino, Pietramurata
Rd5: May 1 – MXGP of China, Shanghai
Rd6: May 12 – MXGP of Lombardia (I), Mantova
Rd7: May 19 – MXGP of Portugal, Agueda
Rd8: May 24 – MXGP of France, Saint Jean d’Angely
Rd9: June 9 – MXGP of Russia, Orlyonok
Rd10: June 16 – MXGP of Latvia, Kegums
Rd11: June 23 – MXGP of Germany, Teutschenthal
Rd12: July 7 – MXGP of Indonesia, Palembang
Rd13: July 14 – MXGP of Asia (Indonesia), Semarang
Rd14: July 28 – MXGP of Czech Republic, Loket
Rd15: Aug. 4 – MXGP of Belgium, Lommel
Rd16: Aug. 18 – MXGP of Italy, Imola
Rd17: Aug. 25 – MXGP of Sweden, Uddevalla
Rd18: Sept. 8 – MXGP of Turkey, Afyonkarahisar
Rd19: Sept. 22 – MXGP of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
MXGP of Italy 2018 – MX2 Start – Image by Juan Pablo Acevedo
Youthstream Releases the Provisional OAT (Officially Approved Teams) List
Youthstream has released the Provisional OAT (Officially Approved Teams) List for the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship Season confirming that 39 teams have entered the MXGP and MX2 classes ,with 35 riders entered for MXGP and 32 for MX2 with the two Honda MX2 teams yet to sign riders for four spots available.
The list gives a breakdown of the teams currently entered into the new season of racing along with the riders whom will represent them as the series travels throughout South America, Europe, and Asia.
The 2019 Provisional OAT MXGP & MX2 Lists can be viewed in its entirety below.
MXGP Riders 2019
Team GBO Motorsport: Simon Furlotti
Team HRC: Tim Gajser/Brian Bogers
Monster Energy Factory MXGP: Romain Febvre/Jeremy Seewer
Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing: Sven Van Der Mierden/Micha Boy De Waal
KTM Sarhotz Racing: Max Nagl/Tom Koch
Scandinavian Racing Sports: Jonathan Bengtsson
Team Gibben Van Venrooy Kawasaki Racing: Alessandro Lupino/Benoit Paturel
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing: Pauls Jonass/Arminas Jasikonis
Monster energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Team: Arnaud Tonus/Gautier Paulin
Monster energy Kawasaki: Clement Desalle/Julien Leiber
NR83 Team: Nathan Renkens
JWR Yamaha Racing: Kevin Strijbos/Vsevolod Brylyakov/Anton Gole
Sixtytwo Motorsport Husqvarna: Klemen Gercar
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: Jeffrey Herlings/Antonio Cairoli’
AG Racing: Guryev Artem
Who will challenge Herlings in MXGP 2019….? – Hoppenworld Image
MX2 Riders 2019
Marchetti KTM: Iker Larranaga/Andrea Zanotti
Team HRC: Calvin Vlaanderen
Yamaha SM Action – M.C. Migliori/Michele Cervellin/Max Renaux
E2T – Racing Team: Enzo Toriani/Hampus Kahri
F&H Racing Team: Henry Jacobi/Adam Sterry
Team Diga-Procross Husqvarna: Davey Pootjes
Team Gibben Van Venrooy Kawasaki Racing: Marcel Conija
KTM Racestore MX2 Max Bart: Lesiardo Morgan
JD Gunnex Racing Team: Richard Sykina/Petr Polak
Bud Racing Kawasaki: Brian Moreau/Brian Hsu
A1M Husqvarna: Roland Edelbacher
Honda 114 Motorsports: TBA/TBA
STC Racing IXS: Loris Freidig
Hitachi KTM: Conrad Mewse/TBA
Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha: Ben Watson/Jago Geerts
Team Honda Redmoto Assomotor: TBA/TBA
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing: Jorge Prado/Tom Vialle
Bike It DRT Kawasaki: Darian Sanayei/Gustavo Pessoa
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing: Thomas Kjer Olsen/Jed Beaton
GT243: Maks Mausser
Revo Husqvarna UK: Dylan Walsh/Alvin Ostlund
Vamo Racing Team: Hakan Halmi
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Jorge Prado will stay and defend his MX2 Championship in 2019
KTM Signs Liam Everts
Promising Belgian youngster Liam Everts will officially become part of the KTM racing division from 2019 in an agreement that should see the latest generation of a famous family dynasty make his path up the motocross ladder to Grand Prix.
Everts, 14, has evolved as a racer in the last year, and his speed in just a second term with an 85cc motorcycle led to a third-place finish in the EMX85 European Championship. While Liam is able to count on the expertise and peerless achievements of his father Stefan—who is currently recovering from illness—he can also rely on the advice from four-times world champion and grandfather Harry as well as his mother, Kelly, who was so central to Stefan’s motocross efforts as he laid siege to all classes of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
The Everts’ will operate out of their own structure in 2019 as Liam prepares for his first season with the KTM 125 SX; the motorcycle with which Rene Hofer scored victories and red plates as EMX125 European Championship leader in 2018.
Liam Everts: “It feels like an honour for me to ride with KTM because it feels like they are the best brand in motocross. We have a long deal in place but I have been on a KTM for a while now and I love the bike; it’s amazing how it handles and how it fits my style. To get this contract is great. I’m really happy and I’m really looking forward to the future. Hopefully we can make some nice things together, we’ll go step by step and build along the way.”
Liam Everts
Robert Jonas, VP of Offroad: “Liam comes from one of the best family names in motocross and while that also gives him an advantage it also brings pressure, but we’re excited by what we have seen from him so far. It’s clear the progress he has made with his pace and technique in 2018 and that points to even more potential. It is still early but he could go all the way. Liam is clearly making the commitment to racing at the highest level while looking at the next steps to get better and to enjoy success, so we’re really happy to be there with him.”
Liam Everts
Stefan Everts Starts Rehab
The family of Stefan Everts released a positive update regarding his battle with malaria with the ten-time FIM Motocross World Champion beginning rehabilitation.
Everts, who was hospitalized earlier this month after contracting the mosquito-borne disease at a charity event in the Democratic Republic of Congo, remains at the University Hospital of Leuven in Belgium, but has begun his physical rehabilitation after tests have revealed that he did not suffer any damage to his brain or organs.
“Everts started with his [physical] rehabilitation yesterday. Compared to the worrying condition of a few weeks ago, he’s already doing much better. Although he is still in the intensive care of the UZ in Leuven, he is already getting out of bed and can already walk a little. After a charity in Congo mid-November, the legend had suffered an aggressive form of malaria. The state of health of Everts had deteriorated so much that he was in danger for a long time. However, studies last week showed that neither his brain nor his organs suffered permanent damage due to the malaria attack. About the duration of his stay on intensive care and his rehabilitation is not yet certain.
“Everts realises after a good conversation with the professors in Leuven that he escaped the worst. ‘That I’m still here is my most beautiful Christmas present,’ let him know. Stefan and his family want to thank all the people for the huge support they got in the last few weeks and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. In new developments, the family—who is now looking to focus on Stefan’s rehabilitation—will again communicate through a press release.”
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Lightweight and highly vented, the Scott 350 Dirt Jersey will keep you cool on the bike. The athletic design offers flexible mobility without any material bulkiness allowing for a comfortable, yet responsive fit.
Scott 350 Dirt Jerseys
Features include moisture wicking polyester chassis, low profile collar, rolled cuffs and a drop tail, with 100% Polyester construction.
The Scott 350 Dirt Jersey is available in sizes Small to XXL for $49.95, and is available in Blue/Blue, Orange/Blue, Black/Red.
Scott 350 Dirt Pants
The Scott 350 Dirt Pant combines tough construction with new materials and articulated fit. It has strategically placed stretch and vent panels for comfort no matter how intense the race gets. In addition, these pants feature leather inner knees backed with nylon for added durability as well as ribbed spandex in the knees.
Scott 350 Dirt Pants
Main features include a 600D nylon chassis, ribbed spandex upper knee and 3/4 mesh liner construction, with leather outer knee with ballistic nylon backing.
The Scott 350 Dirt Pant is available in sizes 28-38 for $119.95 RRP in Orange/Blue and Black/Red.
Scott 350 Race Jersey
Lightweight and highly vented, the Scott 350 Race Jersey will keep you cool on the bike thanks to the athletic design that offers flexible mobility without any material bulkiness allowing for a comfortable, yet responsive fit, alongside the moisture wicking polyester chassis, low profile collar, rolled cuffs and drop tail.
Scott 350 Race Jerseys
The Scott 350 Race Jersey is available in Small to XXL for $49.95 RRP, in Grey/Grey and Red/Blue.
Scott 350 Race Pant
Scott’s 350 Race Pant combines tough construction with new materials and articulated fit, making for a great option. It has strategically placed stretch and vent panels for comfort no matter how intense the race gets.
Scott 350 Race Pants
In addition, these pants feature leather inner knees backed with nylon for added durability as well as ribbed spandex in the knees.
The Scott 350 Race Pant is available in sizes 28-38 for $119.95 RRP in Grey/Grey and Red/Blue.
Scott 350 Track Jersey
Lightweight and highly vented, the Scott 350 Track Jersey will keep you cool on the bike thanks to a moisture wicking polyester chassis, low profile collar, rolled cuffs and drop tail, with 100% Polyester construction and regular fit.
Scott 350 Track Jerseys
The Scott 350 Track Jersey is available for $49.95 in sizes Small to XXXL in Blue/Yellow and Black/White.
Scott 350 Track Pant
The Scott 350 Track Pant combines tough 600D nylon construction and articulated fit, thanks to a stamped leather inner knee and ribbed spandex upper knee.
Scott 350 Track Pant
It has strategically placed stretch and vent panels for comfort no matter how intense the race gets. In addition, these pants feature a natural lower leg cuff and ultra light TPRs, with 900D nylon reinforcing the knee lining to prevent brace wear.
The Scott 350 Track Pant is available in sizes 28-42 for $139.95 RRP in Blue/Yellow and Black/White.
The wonders of the Granite Belt in southern Queensland attracted Gold Coast rider and MBW contributor Todd Parkes. He organised a two-day trip with the help of Monique Krause, marketing coordinator of Granite Belt Wine Country. Click here for the first part of his trip.
Day two of my new frontier exploration of the Granite Belt region led me to more wonders.
The Jamworks Gourmet Cafe and Larder was the place to go for breakfast where they make all their jams on site. One of the owners, Stef, was on duty and shared how they often get machinery clubs and car clubs among others journeying through or frequently meeting up there.
In fact as I enjoyed some apple juice and an omelette, the local classics group turned up for their monthly gathering. A smattering of classic vehicles surrounded the parking lot and the conversation rose enthusiastically within the cafe to fever pitch.
Wineries
You aren’t visiting Stanthorpe properly if you haven’t experienced several wineries across the area. In fact there are more than 45 different vineyards in the region and to explore all of them in one hit is an impossibility which is why many people just keep returning.
Jester Hill Wines was my mid-morning stop. Ann and Mick Bourke own and run Jester Hill Wines. They are keen motorcyclists and they visited the Granite Belt on a bike trip together nearly a decade ago. They visited Jester Hill Wines when under its previous owner and decided to buy it out of the blue!
They have a wine called “Two Fools” and they say they named it after themselves and their story of the bike trip that ended in buying a winery. I had a great chat with them both as well as a lovely coffee. Wine tasting is available and a must as well as taking away some produce with you. If only I could have fitted a case on the bike!
They do courier your purchases (like the other wineries do too) though and often they arrive home to your doorstep before you do.
Rock wonders
More spectacular scenery can be explored in the region including Girraween National Park with rock formations, caves and outcrops. On the way I saw a man-made pyramid in the Ballandean area on Jacobsen’s Rd. It is a stone pyramid, built from blocks of local granite, standing about 17.5m, 30m square at the base and containing 7500 tonnes of rock. It was built using an excavator and dump truck and it took eight months to complete.
Leaving Stanthorpe and heading south to the border I arrived at Wallangarra Railway Cafe in the old border station. In its prime, it received trains from NSW on their unique gauge and shifted the freight to waiting trains on Queensland’s different gauge railway line.
Wallangarra Train Station
That doesn’t occur anymore but if you are in the region at the right time, a steam train comes from Warwick monthly to this destination (the next is February 9, 2019), stops for lunch and heads home. There is a museum with well-laid-out models, displays and a theatre room. Kim and the other helpful staff are always warm and welcoming as they serve you snacks, meals and drinks while sharing the site’s history.
At the end of my two-day ride through the Granite Belt, I resolved to return with my clan to explore the law dog training shows, see some glass blowing, visit the saddlery, taste some cheeses and see more of the region’s natural beauty.
I headed south to Tenterfield and then east through the ranges to Casino, Lismore, Bangalow and home to the Gold Coast. For more scenic non-motorway oriented riding you can ride through Kyogle, Nimbin and Murwillumbah. However you manage that trip, the roads are delightful.
Top 10 reasons to ride the Granite Belt:
The roads to get there are great.
The wines taste completely different to coastal areas or lower valley regions.
The farm industry (apples, strawberries, grapes, etc) offers tasting, picking and tours as well as products such as juices, jams, snacks, etc
The craft industry includes glass blowing, chocolate making, cheese making, beer brewing, fish hatcheries, leather goods and more.
Natural sites to delight geology buffs include Girraween National Park, Donnelly’s Castle, many random sites with interesting granite formations and Mt Marlay Lookout.
Local hospitality is friendly and inviting and the businesses seem to work together for the good of the region not in competition for tourist dollars.
Cafes, restaurants and accommodation all offer unique experiences.
Many think of it as a winter destination, the chance to maybe see snow in Qld and feel the warm fireplaces and drink hot chocolate at night, but in summer you can explore the roads without the heat and humidity of the coast.
Unique experiences include the Law Dog Training school to see how dogs used in all branches of security work are trained; the Granite Belt Maze and Mini Golf, Christmas Tree Farm, Wine and Hospitality College.
History buffs will enjoy the various museums, military memorials and the historic villages named after French and Belgium World War I Battles.
The Granite Belt in southern Queensland tempts Gold Coast rider and MBW contributor Todd Parkes who organised a two-day trip with the help of Monique Krause, marketing coordinator of Granite Belt Wine Country. Click here for the second part of his trip.
The region is two hours west of the Gold Coast and up until now I only knew it as that cold place where it snows in Queensland in winter.
Stanthorpe is at the heart of the region and when I was told it was one of the cooler areas in South East Queensland over the summer, I was hooked as riding in summer can be taxing. I was especially hooked when I remembered the curvaceous ride up through Killarney and the sumptuous twists of the Tenterfield range that enable me to get there and return.
Granite foundation
The Granite Belt region is aptly named sitting on a ribbon of granite rock that is naturally displayed in all sorts of interesting shapes. Budding geologists will have a ball.
The land is utilised for many industries including wine and grape vineyards, apple farms, strawberry farms, fish hatcheries and cheese factories to name several.
To get to the Granite Belt region from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, there are several options: the Warrego Highway to Toowoomba then out through Warwick and south bound. There is also the Cunningham’s Gap option which is a stunning and curvy ride to Warwick. I came up through Boonah, Carney’s Creek and Killarney. If you are coming from the Northern Rivers region, up through Casino then the Tenterfield range is the way to go.
For me the ride up through Killarney is stunning, encompassing narrow, winding roads through canopied rain forest regions, then bursting out into ribbons of asphalt along the ridge of the main range area. I wanted to turn around, descend and do it again as it’s a favourite of mine.
Along the way, a picnic at Carney’s Creek near the rock formations is a great idea; followed by a stop at Carr’s Lookout to see if you can spot the plane wreckage from the 1900s that is still in the foliage across from the lookout.
If you love the bushland, Queen Mary Falls and Brown Falls waterfalls awaits. Several cafes along the ridge also await to tantalise your tastebuds.
From Killarney you can pursue the highway south or, as I did, take Old Stanthorpe Road. If your bike is a tarmac queen, avoid it, as it has about 10km of unsealed, corrugated roads. Eventually you will appear at the northern end of Stanthorpe near Applethorpe.
Apple Farm
My first arranged stop was Sutton’s Apple Farm. Ros and David own the farm and they make juices, pies, ciders as well as obviously producing apples for the industry. Being a teacher by trade, Ros is always keen to host school visits of all ages and even has schools visiting from the Gold Coast.
I had heard great things about their apple pie so had to try it. It is completely handmade with onsite ingredients and served with special flavoured ice-cream and apple syrup dribbled over the cream. It did not disappoint.
My gran used to make her apple pies by hand so this was a great throwback. In fact this apple pie has such a great reputation that when one customer Googled where to find the best apple pie, Sutton’s came up, he jumped in his helicopter on the coast and flew up requesting landing clearance on the farm while in transit. He has since popped in again numerous times.
Off-track
From there I went via Thullimbah, an old local rail station, to Donnelly’s Castle, one of Captain Thunderbolt’s hideouts. It has all sorts of outcrops, formations and even some cave-like nooks. I approached from the wrong direction and turned into the state forest nearby which also had amazing formations. The tracks are well-beaten, but may be tough for some road bikes. Donnelly’s Castle road is also unsealed but not too difficult.
The region is also known for its strawberries and Ashbern’s Strawberry Farm was next on my bucket list for the weekend. Picking fresh strawberries is a highlight as well as experiencing food and drinks with the strawberries as the main ingredient.
There is so much to do in this region you will have to stay a night or several. My accommodation was arranged at Ridgemill Estate which has eight modern and inviting cabins on site near the vineyard. It has its own cellar room, manufacturing facility and taste-testing sessions.
They make some beautiful wines, some of which have won prestigious awards. The location is a stunner and to sit on the deck looking out on the vineyard hearing the sounds of nature is so relaxing. You can eat out under the stars or around the nearby rocks area.
Sunset vista
If you love sunsets, Mt Marlay lookout is a top spot with a viewing platform, walking trails, rocky outcrops and mountain biking trails. There are many restaurants in or near town to suit any taste or you can cook a barbecue at Ridgemill. Don’t forget to enjoy the chockies and a glass or two under the vista of the many beautiful stars.
Jonathan Rea, multiple World Superbike Champion and 2017 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Runner Up has annouced his involvement with the 2019 ArenacrossUK Tour, for the ‘Arenacross For Schools’ inititative that comes to Belfast on Wednesday 16th of January. 200 lucky primary school pupils will get the awesome opportunity to go behind the scenes at the The SSE Arena, Belfast to witness the creation of The Arenacross Tour, meet Jonathan Rea as well as a whole host of Pro Motocross and Freestyle MX riders competeting in the 2019 AX Series! Read more here: https://www.arenacrossuk.com/news/jonathan-rea-backs-arenacross/ To book you Arenacross Tickets head to www.arenacrossuk.com Dirt Bike Rider Magazine /Pitstop Betting/ ASL Activation/ MCFederation/ Protein Water Co /Fix Auto UK/ Motorcycle News/ Original WD40 UK /Muc-Off Moto /Motul in UK /Quattro Plant Ltd /Supercross The Game Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
The motorcycle road toll can be reduced by better speed and alcohol/drug use enforcement, safer motorbikes, mandatory helmet laws and improved roads, according to an international report.
These are key points in the latest World Health Organization Global status report on road safety 2018 report released this month. The report is only released every two or three years.
Toll rate flat
The international report also points out that the motoring fatality and injury rate has remained fairly steady as a proportion of population over the past few years.
In Australia, motorcycle crash fatalities have remained flat since 2011 despite an almost doubling of motorcycle registrations in that time. That actually means a decreasing rate of motorcycle fatalities.
Australian crash stats. The flat dotted line is the trend over that time.
Of course, every death is lamentable, but the selective quoting of motorcycle crash statistics, especially during the Christmas/New Year holiday season, can be misleading.
It also serves to demonise riders as having a death wish and therefore not worthy of consideration by other road users.
International report
The WHO report says progress in reducing road fatalities and injuries has mainly been made in high-income countries.
In these countries, there is a high level of enforcement of speeding and drink driving, ABS on motorcycles (mandatory in Australia for bikes over 125cc from November 219), mandatory helmet (99% compliance in Australia) and improved roads, it says.
No doubt politicians and police will just seize on the first issue to raise speeding fines and enforcement.
But they would be ignoring the fact that this is an international report representing 175 countries. By comparison, the low-income countries included in the report (such as Afghanistan) have little to no enforcement of speed or drug/alcohol-influenced riders, no or lax helmet rules and poor roads.
The only category where Australia compares is in the standard of our roads.
Crumbling Victorian roads
WHO says 67% of motorcycle travel in the world is on substandard roads. That surely must include Australia!
(It also mentions separate motorcycle lanes which some Asian nations with much higher proportions of motorcycles have implemented or are considering. We doubt motorcycles will ever have separate lanes in high-income nations.)
WHO says that by 2030, all new roads should “achieve technical standards for all road users that take into account road safety” and “more than 75% of travel on existing roads is on roads that meet technical standards for all road users”.
That’s a long time to wait for appropriate roads that should have been paid for by our hard-earned taxes.
Our Yamaha Star Eluder project bike is a V-twin bagger that offers more comfort, functionality and style than a stock machine. (Photo by Joe Agustin)
This is the final video in our three-part series about our Yamaha Star Eluder project bike, a collaboration between Rider magazine and Jeff Palhegyi, owner of Palhegyi Design. The goal of this project was to enhance the Eluder’s functionality and style in a way that any owner could do in his or her own garage.
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