Junior road racing academy rebranded ahead of inaugural season.
Image: Supplied.
Motorcycling Australia (MA) has announced announce the all-new bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup has officially aligned with the Road to MotoGP program with the support of Dorna Sports
This announcement comes as a huge boost for the already exciting junior road racing academy, with MA re-launching the program as the Oceania Junior Cup – formerly known at Oceania Rookies Cup.
Dorna Sports os the commercial rights holders and promoters of MotoGP, WorldSBK, Asia Talent Cup and British Talent Cup. Dorna has also co-organized the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup since its inception in 2007, and its endorsement is a significant development that adds the Oceania Junior Cup to the esteemed list of Dorna Road to MotoGP programs around the world.
The Dorna commitment provides five guaranteed positions in the 2019 Asia Talent Cup Selection Event for riders from the Oceania Junior Cup, and cements MA’s objective to develop clear pathways for junior road racers in the Oceania region.
“For Dorna to endorse the Oceania Junior Cup under the Road to MotoGP program is an exciting opportunity for all involved and adds a substantial level of credibility to what we are trying to achieve,” explained MA president Peter Goddard. “Such an important partnership cements the key criteria of the program, creating a clear progression plan between the Oceania Junior Cup and the world stage. The development of the next World Champion from our region has received a huge boost today.
A high percentage of riders across MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 classes are products of the Road to MotoGP program, with every permanent rider in the Moto3 World Championship now having raced in an aligned series.
“We are delighted to welcome another series to our Road to MotoGP program,” adds Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. “The Road to MotoGP is going from strength to strength and has an incredibly successful record in finding and promoting talent. The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup will be an asset to the program and perfectly complements our aims for the Oceania region. We’re excited to begin this new collaboration.”
The response from MA and Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) members has been phenomenal, with the program over subscribed and applications coming in from nearly every discipline of motorcycle racing as young riders seek an opportunity to be involved.
Motorcycle industry to converge in Victoria for three-day exhibition.
Image: Foremost Media.
The Moto Expo will kick off in Melbourne today for a three-day affair that will the see the Australian motorcycle industry converge at Melbourne Showgrounds.
This morning, the covers came off a big line-up of new model motorcycles with consumers joining the media walk while being amongst the first in Australia to view new 2019 model motorcycles.
The walk included the latest releases from manufacturers including Kawasaki, Yamaha, Royal Enfield, Harley-Davidson, BMW, Triumph, MV Agusta, Peugeot Scooters, Gas Gas, Super Soco and Savic Motorcycles.
An incredible list of motorcycles have just arrived in Australia following their global debut at EICMA in Milan 10 days ago, where the all-new Gas Gas EC 300 Ranger will be unveiled by ambassador Shannon Noll.
Electric motorcycles will also be a big feature of the 2018 Moto Expo, with the media walk to introduce Super Soco Motorcyles and Savic Motorcycles to the Australian market.
Savic Motorcycles hold the global release of its first of a kind motorcycle invented and developed by 26 year old Melbourne Man Dennis Savic. Over 650 hours have gone into designing and building the prototype C-Series electric Cafe Racer which boasts instantaneous torque and power, allowing the bikes to go from 0 to 100kph in four seconds.
In addition to those taking part in the media walk over 100 exhibitors will showcase the latest motorcycles, scooters, ATV’S, side-by-sides and much more.
The 2018 Moto Expo will also give visitors the opportunity to engage with industry experts, test ride Yamaha ATV and UTV’s as well as be entertained by a full program of demonstrations, stunts, and special features. For more information, visit www.motoexpo.com.au.
Honda’s popular adventure cross-over option – the CB500X – for new and experienced riders alike receives an update for the new model year with a host of revisions and updates to further improve what is already a very appealing and affordable package. More grunt and a move to a new 19-inch front wheel along with improved longer travel suspension adds a bit more off-road credibility to the CB500X for 2019. The updated CB500X is expected to arrive in Australia early in the new year.
2019 Honda CB500X
The CB500X’s slips between the role of short hop commuter to weekend tourer thanks to long travel suspension, wide handlebars for leverage and an upright riding position offering both comfort and a wide field of view for the rider.
2016 saw the first CB500X upgrade as the machine received a larger fuel tank, more wind protection and a taller screen. It also gained LED lighting, spring preload adjustable front forks and an adjustable brake lever.
2019 Honda CB500X
Now 2019 sees an evolution for the CB500X, with new, more sophisticated adventure style, more engine performance and a number of chassis upgrades that ensure the CB500X remains a versatile machine with wide ranging abilities.
Styling now takes cues from the Africa Twin, complemented by longer travel suspension, a high specification single tube shock absorber, enhanced rider ergonomics and a 19-inch front wheel.
While the CB500X’s engine already maintains the 35kW peak output required for A2 licence holders (and Australia’s similar LAMS requirements), it now makes 4 per cent more power and torque between 3000-7000rpm, with revisions to the inlet, exhaust and valve timing.
2019 Honda CB500X
A new dual exit exhaust muffler also features an enhanced exhaust note and the engine now also features an assist/slipper clutch. New LCD instruments include a Shift Up and Gear Position indicator, and the indicators are LED to match the rest of the lighting.
2019 Honda CB500X highlights
New adventure styling
New tapered handlebars and more steering lock
Longer travel suspension and 19inch front wheel
New LCD instrument display, with Gear Position and Shift Up Indicators
LED indicators
Boosted twin-cylinder power & torque
Revised inlet, exhaust and valve timing
Sportier sound from new dual exit muffler
Assist/slipper clutch
Updated styling & chassis
The 2019 CB500X has been rerestyled with Honda’s development engineers extending the radiator shrouds and fairing to offer a less pronounced beak and more refined fairing profile. The fuel tank now also interlocks with the side covers for a better overall flow from nose to tail.
2019 Honda CB500X
Thanks to improved aerodynamic performance, the high pressure air flowing around the fairing and screen has been reduced, improving wind protection for the rider at highway speeds. The seat profile, too has been slimmed by shaving the shoulders at the front, allowing for easy movement around the machine, and aiding comfortable ground reach.
To help the CB500X’s manoeuvrability the steering angle has increased by 3-degrees and is now out to 38-degrees from centre to full lock.
2019 Honda CB500X
New LCD instruments – set in a multi surfaced and textured surround – now feature a Gear Position and shift-light indicator; this is set to a default 8750 rpm but can be adjusted in 250 rpm increments between 5000 and 8750 rpm. The tubular screen stay can also mount a GPS above the instruments.
The 35 mm diameter steel diamond tube mainframe is unchanged for 2019, proving light and strong, with a tuned degree of yield that gives plenty of feedback to the rider as road surfaces change. The shape and position of the engine mounts, plus the frame’s rigidity balance also help reduce vibration.
2019 Honda CB500X
Wheelbase is 1445 mm and rake and trail are set at 27.5-degrees and 108 mm respectively, aiming at giving nimble, yet confidence inspiring steering.
Mass centralisation, with the engine in close proximity to the swingarm pivot point, delivers turning agility and optimum front/rear weight distribution for stability. Kerb weight is 197 kg.
Seat height is 830 mm; overall dimensions are 2155 mm x 825 mm x 1410 mm, with 180 mm ground clearance.
The fuel tank holds 17.5L including reserve, and combined with the engine’s fuel economy of 27.8km/l (WMTC mode) gives a claimed touring range of 500 km.
2019 Honda CB500X – 830mm seat height with shaved down frontal seat area
The 41 mm preload adjustable telescopic forks feature an extra 10mm travel, up to 150mm; while rear wheel travel has been raised from 118m to 135mm and a new single tube rear shock absorber (as found on larger capacity sports bikes) replaces the double tube design of the previous model; its large diameter piston ensuring suspension response and temperature management.
The CB500X also now has nine-stage spring preload adjustment working through a rigid box section steel swingarm, which now features pressed steel chain adjustment end pieces. Final drive is via sealed 520 chain.
2019 Honda CB500X
The 17inch front wheel has been replaced with a 19inch which – along with the longer travel suspension – ensures confident, supremely stable handling on rough surfaces. The lightweight aluminium rim wears a 110/80R19 trail pattern tyre, the 17inch rear a 160/60R17 tyre. A single front 310mm wavepattern disc and twopiston brake caliper is matched to a 240mm rear disc and singlepiston caliper. ABS is fitted as standard.
The CB500X will be available in the following colour options: Grand Prix Red; Matt Gunpowder Black Metallic; Pearl Metalloid White.
Liquid-cooled LAMS parallel twin-cylinder engine
The CB500X’s eight-valve liquid cooled parallel twin cylinder layout offers a balance of compact size and willing, enjoyable power output, with an energetic, high revving character.
2019 Honda CB500X
Already strong off the bottom, the target for 2019 development was faster acceleration through a boost in low to mid-range power and torque in the 3000-7000rpm range; the 4% improvement coming via altered valve timing – with ‘close’ timing accelerated by 5° – and lift increased .3mm to 7.8mm.
Feeding the PGMFI fuel injection is now a more straight shot airflow through the airbox and throttle bodies. The battery has been repositioned further away (44.1mm versus 13.4mm) from the rear of the airbox intake duct to allow greater airflow. The exhaust muffler also now features dual exit pipes, adding a sportier sounding edge to each pulse. Peak power of 35kW arrives at 8,500rpm, with 43Nm torque delivered at 7,000rpm.
2019 Honda CB500X
Bore and stroke is set at 67mm x 66.8mm and compression ratio remains 10.7:1; the crankshaft pins are phased at 180° and a primary couple balancer sits behind the cylinders, close to the bike’s centre of gravity. The primary and balancer gears use scissor gears, reducing noise. The crank counterweight is specifically shaped for couple balance and its light weight allows the engine to spin freely, with reduced inertia.
Acting as a stressed member, the engine complements the frame’s rigidity with four frame hangers on the cylinder head. Internally the cylinder head uses roller rocker arms; shim-type acting as a stressed member, the engine complements the frame’s rigidity with four frame hangers on the cylinder head. Internally the cylinder head uses roller rocker arms; shimtype valve adjustment allows them to be light, for lower valvespring load and reduced friction.
2019 Honda CB500X
A silent (SV Chain) cam chain has the surface of its pins treated with Vanadium, reducing friction with increased protection against wear. Inlet valve diameter is 26mm with exhaust valve diameter of 21.5mm.
The piston shape is based upon those used in the CBR1000RR Fireblade to reduce piston ‘noise’ at high rpm. Friction is reduced by the addition of striations on the piston skirt (a finish that increases surface area, introducing gaps in which oil can flow for better lubrication). As with the CBR1000RR, an AB 1 salt bath process, used after isonite nitriding, forms a protective oxidisation membrane.
2019 Honda CB500X
The ‘triangle’ proportion of crankshaft, main shaft and countershaft is very similar to that of Honda’s four cylinder RR engines and much of the internal structure and engineering is taken directly from the CBR1000RR.
2019 Honda CB500X
The crankcase uses centrifugally cast thin walled sleeves; their internal design reduces the ‘pumping’ losses that can occur with a 180° phased firing order. Using the same internal relief structure as that of the CBR1000RR, the oil pump features improved aeration performance, with reduced friction; a deep sump reduces oil movement under hard cornering and braking. Oil capacity is 3.2L.
2019 Honda CB500X
A sixspeed gearbox mirrors that of its RR cousin and uses the same gear change arm structure and link mechanism. New for 2019 an assist/slipper clutch enables lighter upshifts and smooths out any hard downshifts.
2019 Honda CB500X Specifications
ENGINE
Type
Liquid cooled, parallel twin
Displacement
471cc
Bore and stroke
67mm x 66.8mm
Compression Ratio
10.7 : 1
Max. Power Output
35kW @ 8600rpm
Max. Torque
43Nm @ 6500rpm
Oil Capacity
3.2L
FUEL SYSTEM
Carburation
PGM FI
Fuel Tank Capacity
17.7L (inc reserve)
Fuel Consumption(WMTC)
27.8/litre
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery Capacity
12V 7.4AH
ACG Output
25A/2000rpm
DRIVETRAIN
Clutch Type
Wet multiplate
Transmission Type
6 speed
Final Drive
Chain
FRAME
Type
Steel diamond
CHASSIS
Dimensions (L´W´H)
2155mm x 825mm x 1410mm (Low screen) 1445mm (High screen)
Digital speedometer, digital bar graph tachometer, dual trip meters, digital fuel level gauge & fuel consumption gauge, digital clock, gear position indicator
If you love bikes, there’s nothing closer to pure heaven than immersing yourself in a world of motorcycles, mechanics and memorabilia at the iconic historic event, the International Island Classic at Australia’s Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.
Island Classic pits always hold plenty of surprises and eye candy
Now in its 26th year, the Classic will once again roll into the island for the Australia Day long weekend from Friday to Sunday January 25-27, with 56 races on the agenda and tickets available now from www.islandclassic.com.au.
Island Classic pits always hold plenty of surprises and eye candy
A celebration of a century of motorbikes, the event is a true bike fest with close to 500 bikes racing and on display, including old Indians, Nortons and Vincents through to vintage Triumphs, Harleys and Ducatis. There’s six historic categories from pre-WW1 bikes through Vintage (1920-1945), Classic and Post Classic (from 1946 to 1972) and the more recent Forgotten Era and New Era classes fighting for class honours and the Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy.
Clive Warner’s TZ750
They all race hard, but when it comes to the dog-eat-dog competition the focus is on the International Challenge. Now in its 15th year, the Challenge will see defending champion Australia take on the USA and New Zealand on bikes manufactured between 1973 and 1984, piloted by riders boasting loads of experience and exceptional talent.
Island Classic International Challenge
Teams from Australia, the US and NZ will fill the International Challenge grid for four, six-lap races, with the Aussies ready to defend the title they wrestled back from the UK in last January.
Captain Rex Wolfenden has released his team of star recruits including the squad’s ace performer of 2018, Adelaide’s David Johnson, who led the Aussies back to the winner’s circle after three years lagging behind the Brits.
Beau Beaton and David Johnson – Island Classic 2018
Johnson will be back on the Suzuki XR69, hoping to emulate his 2018 performance which included two wins and two seconds en-route to being awarded the Ken Wootton Memorial Trophy for best individual performance.
Also back in the saddle after an Island Classic hiatus will be Isle of Man specialist Cam Donald and Melbourne’s Jed Metcher on the T-Rex Racing Honda. Metcher, who just took out the Australian Historic Championship at Broadford in November, will race the Honda he campaigned to victories at the Island Classic in 2016 and 2017.
Jed Metcher
“At Broadford my bike felt amazing, and we have a bit of further development for the island. I’ll be ready,” said Metcher who has taken a break from his international racing career to focus on his Race Center business in Melbourne’s Brunswick. I love the Island Classic, I just love the atmosphere. I love the enthusiasm of generations of people who are in love with their motorcycles and just enjoy everything on offer from the paddock to the track. And of course the racing is tough. But it is friendly competition. You know the sun shines, it’s Phillip Island, everyone who there is into it. The Island Classic is really a good place to be.”
Jed Metcher
The Australian team boasts great depth and experience with world endurance champion, Melbourne’s Steve Martin; three-time Australian superbike champion and Island Classic champion Shawn Giles; and Coffs Harbour’s Beau Beaton who in 2018 won the Phil Irving trophy.
In addition, there’s Dean Oughtred, Aaron Morris, Paul Byrne, Craig Ditchburn and, returning for his umpteenth appearance, long-time campaigner Scott Webster.
2017 Island Classic – Unlimited Forgotten Era – Scott Webster – Image: Cameron White
The Island Classic is the perfect Australia Day getaway without breaking the bank. A three-day adult ticket for the Island Classic, purchased in advance, is just $82, and free for children 15 and under (accompanied by a full-paying adult). You can camp at the circuit for four nights for just over $20 per night (with kids once again free) which is a bargain in anyone’s language.
Add it up and you can have a four-day weekend away, with four nights of on-circuit camping, and three days entry to one of the world’s great historic bike meets for the grand total of just $164* per adult and you can bring your kids for free!
Tickets for the 26th running of the International Island Classic, the largest historic bike meet in the southern hemisphere, are available on islandclassic.com.au or at the gate.
2019 Island Classic International Challenge
Team Australia
Captain: Rex Wolfenden
David Johnson – Suzuki XR69 – 1982 – 1294cc
Shawn Giles – Suzuki Katana – 1982 – 1294cc
Steve Martin – Suzuki Katana – 1982 – 1294cc
Beau Beaton – Irving Vincent – 1982 – 1300cc
Cam Donald – Irving Vincent – 1982 – 1300cc
Jed Metcher – T-Rex Racing Honda Harris F1 – 1982 – 1150cc
Dean Oughtred – Suzuki GSX1100S Katana – 1982 – 1260cc
Aaron Morris – Suzuki Katana – 1982 – 1294cc
Paul Byrne – Suzuki XR69 – 1982 – 1294cc
Craig Ditchburn – TZ 750 Yamaha – 1982 – 750cc
Scott Webster – Suzuki XR69 – 1982 – 1200cc
*All prices quoted are advance tickets. Advance ticket sales end midday Wednesday 23 January 2019. Buy advance and save. Gate ticket prices are additional.
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Vinales and Rossi sample upgraded powerplants in Valencia.
Image: Supplied.
Next week’s MotoGP test at Jerez in Spain will determine Yamaha Factory Racing’s 2019 direction after Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi sampled a number of different specification engines at Valencia.
In a positive sign for the manufacturer that largely struggled in 2018, Vinales topped the timesheets on both days of testing with blistering pace, although shortened track time due to weather prevented him from trialling the upgraded powerplants to their full potential.
“It has been a positive test,” Vinales stated. “We’ve been working a lot on improving for the first lap of the race. I’m actually really happy because from the first lap I felt good grip and I could push. There’s still work to do to further improve the engine braking and the smoothness of the power, so that’s what we will work on in Jerez. It was unlucky that we couldn’t ride all day, like we had planned.
“We couldn’t test the engines very well, so we’re going to decide after Jerez which of the two we choose. As I said, we need to try more, to be more convinced about the engine decision, but I think we’re on the right track.
“We need to focus on the riding style and getting a smoother bike will be very important, especially when there’s no grip during the race, but there is an upgrade coming that will help a lot. In these last two days I only focused on the engine and didn’t touch anything concerning the setting.
Rossi, who wound up ninth on the results sheet, 0.614s off the pace of Vinales, agreed further testing is crucial in gaining a greater understanding of the newly-spec’d engines, particularly at a circuit where Yamaha struggled at earlier this year.
“We were able to improve compared to yesterday, but unfortunately our opponents were able to improve more,” Rossi explained. “Today was a bit more difficult. We tried a different engine and a different spec, but it was similar to the one we tried yesterday so they have more or less the same performance.
“For now we keep the same material, and next week we will try it again at another track, in Jerez, so there we’ll try to understand it in a better way. After that we have to wait for next year. The test in Jerez is important because in the GP there in May we weren’t very fast. We need to understand if we’re stronger now.”
Italian contender fifth fastest following day two of testing.
Image: Supplied.
On debut with Ducati Team, Danilo Petrucci has expressed his satisfaction with the base of the Desmosedici GP19 following two days of MotoGP testing in Valencia, Spain.
The Italian explained he tested a number items while remaining consistently quick, and despite not being able to lodge an attempted quick lap, he was still positioned fifth in the standings, just behind former teammate and Australian Jack Miller (Pramac Racing).
“I’m pleased with this second day of tests because we were able to try a lot of things and we were always pretty fast, up near the top of the timesheets,” Petrucci commented.
“I was able to lap consistently with excellent times, even though we didn’t do many tests with different set-ups, and this means that the 2019 bike has a good base. In the end, I only missed out on a quick lap, but I’m very pleased with the way the team is working, with even more engineers helping me, and this made all the difference.”
Testing will continue next week at Jerez in Spain on 28-29 November, marking the final opportunity to ride prior to the winter break.
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