The new issue of Australian Road Rider is out now and is packed full of bike tests, product reviews, tips and tricks, touring and lots more.
Check out this video for a full rundown of the stories…
We’ve tested the Triumph Rocket 3 R and GT, Indian’s FTR1200S, Kawasaki Versys 1000SE, KTM’s 790 Duke and Ducati’s Monster 821 Stealth, and they are all long reads which go into details about each bike.
Our touring stories this issue come from Lombok in Indonesia, Victoria with Rixy, and riding the Kotor Serpentine road in Montenegro. We also go to Cuba for Chris Baker’s feature on the Harlivistas, riders who manage to keep their pre-revolution harleys on the road and the lifestyle they enjoy. And our Reader’s Ride this issue is from Brad Downs about taking his new V-Strom out for a tour and getting cought out by bush fires.
We’ve also got a massive suspension feature, from upgrading the fork springs and rear shock in my personal FJR1300 to a look at the options available in improving the ride of your bike, whether it’s new and you’re looking for better handling or comfort or it’s old and you’re needing to repair or replace your suspension.
Our Whatz New gear section has features on modular helmets and heated gloves.
On the cover is the Rocket 3R, which along with the Rocket 3 GT was launched to the Australian Press a little while back and there’s a nine page feature on the bike inside. The new Rocket brings the bike into the 21st Century in terms of style, performance, handling and practicality.
It’s a much better bike than the outgoing Rocket, and I take you through the differences between the two models, how Triumph put the new machine together and why you might want one.
The Kawasaki Versys 1000 has been massively updated for 2020, with Australia ow only getting the SE, which has advanced electronics, can take large panniers and a top box, isn’t afraid of the occasional dirt road and is built big and comfortable for two.
With the upgrades came a big hike in the price but not in engine performance, so we tested the bike with the question of value for money bouncing around inside the helmet – no I don’t want to give too much away, but the long travel electronic suspension and highly customisable electronics make this bike very capable.
Indian’s FTR1200S is proof Americans can make a performance bike. Phil James has been sliding the big Indian, a machine capable on a loose surface although even better on the bitumen.
KTM’s 790 Duke is a bargain – fast, capable and lightweight, it’s a versatile naked. Stonking wheelies are optional.
Ducati’s 821 Monster is a real sweet-spot in the Ducati line-up, the lovely twin providing heaps of go without the lumpy nature of the bigger twins. The 2020 Stealth looks great in black with colour accents, and it’s a naked which will be fun to own for years and years and years.
Get your copy at newsagents now – with the lockdown we expect it to sell out quickly, because there’s no sport on TV, so don’t miss out, and we will be back in the Spring with issue number 156.