Drive bikes and scooter news and reviews
Motorcycle and diesel vehicle registrations jump
MATT CAMPBELL ABS 2013 Motor Vehicle Census data shows number of vehicles on the road has jumped, but bikes are more popular than ever.
The airbag for motorcyclists
Sam Hall BMW and Dainese develop an inflatable airbag system which will deploy in an accident.
Lexus' human-powered LFA successor
MATT CAMPBELL Limited edition F-Sport Roadbike developed by team behind Japanese brand’s supercar.
Lotus' new lightweight screamer
Sam Hall British brand turns from supercars to superbikes, beginning with highly-powered C-01.
ACCC recalls unsafe helmets
Sam Hall Motorcycle helmets sold in Australia do not meet local standards and are "potentially dangerous".
Motorbikes ok to weave in Sydney trial
Sydney's motorbike riders will be able to "lane filter" with impunity under a road safety trial.
Call to allow motorcyclists to weave at lights
RICHARD WILLINGHAM Motorcyclists would be able to legally weave through traffic at red lights under a plan being recommended by Victorian parliamentary inquiry designed to improve road safety.
Audi's Electric pushbike
MATT CAMPBELL German brand’s e-Bike concept combines pedal power with battery backup.
BMW sued over bike-induced erection
MATT CAMPBELL A Californian motorcycle enthusiast has taken legal action after a bike seat gave him long lasting erections.
Building better race relations
Trevor Hedge Upgrades aimed at improving its race-track performance have enhanced an already formidable breed.
The Judge takes on Fat Bob
DAVID MORLEY A challenger to Harley-Davidson's cruiser crown arrives soon and it's sure to make the reigning brand at least a little nervous.
Audi eyes off Ducati
German car maker believes Italian bike brand can help it produce smaller, lighter engines.
Bikes
KTM 990 Adventure R
Trevor Hedge Virtually every manufacturer is getting in on the adventure-touring game these days with motorcyclists now spoiled for choice.
Honda CBR 1000 RR Fireblade Review
Trevor Hedge Honda has chosen a path of evolution rather than revolution in developing their 20th Anniversary Fireblade.
Honda GL1800 Goldwing Luxury Review
Trevor Hedge Honda's iconic Gold Wing has been revised for 2012 with a few nips and tucks to help keep the luxury touring machine from aging too disgracefully.
2012 BMW G 650 GS Sertao Review
Trevor Hedge BMW has long reigned supreme at the upper end of the adventure-touring market with the fantastic R 1200 GS, also taking a decent slice of the mid-range market with the introduction of the F 800 GS in 2008 and are now aiming at the affordable end of the market with the re-introduction of an updated, G 650 GS Sertao model.
Yamaha WR450F Review
Trevor Hedge Yamaha certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone this week at the launch of their new WR450F in spectacular mountainous territory around Dorrigo (NSW). Enduro bike tour company, Coffs Harbour Detour, were tasked with setting the course, and it was a doozy.
2012 BMW S 1000 RR Review
Trevor Hedge BMW brought new levels of power to the sportsbike category with the launch of the S 1000 RR two years ago.
Bike Life
Double trouble
Chris Harris Chris Harris takes a hair-raising ride around Phillip Island with former racer Daryl Beattie.
Man versus machine
Warren Pole What happens if you pit a superbike against a pushbike down the Tour de France's most famous mountain?
A sound investment
Trevor Hedge Aprilia's new Tuono V4 APRC may just be the best-sounding bike on the planet.
Spirit of Adventure
Trevor Hedge Makers are broadening the horizons for riders looking for serious off-road excitement.
Bike Life
Family customs
Owen Thompson Cory Ness has been building custom bikes for his family business since the age of 15.
Bike Life
Stripped back
Trevor Hedge Naked bikes are the headline act at next week's Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Show.
Triumph set to kick new goals in 2012
Trevor Hedge Triumph are upping the ante further in 2012 with the release of a new flagship model for the British marque’s adventure range.
BMW GS Safari suffers setbacks in South Australia but ultimately ends on a positive note
Trevor Hedge South Australia was the focus of GS Safari 2011 with riders excited about the opportunity of riding tracks with the comforting safety net of appropriate back-up from BMW via tested routes swept by organisers at the end of each stage.
Ford turns its attention to two-wheels
Matt Campbell Concept electric bicycle offers a different take on compact urban transport.
Frankfurt 2011
BMW's electric scooter
Chris Harris Munich maker takes next step towards sustainable mobility.
Motorbikes
Sydney Scooter Expo and 2011 National Scooter Rally
Trevor Hedge Sydney scooterists are expected to descend en masse to the inaugural Sydney Scooter Expo and 2011 National Scooter Rally over the course of the weekend of the 9th-11th September.
Minister looks at front number plates for bikes
Jane Holroyd The Victorian Government will consider the reintroduction of front number plates for motorcycles in the wake of a report that has found speed cameras are effective in reducing road injuries and fatalities, the Deputy Premier said today.
Great Rides
The best driving road in the world?
David Morley The Transfagarasan Highway might be a mouthful to say but it's fun to ride.
On the fast track to manhood
David Morley Reckless? Yes. Crazy? Best bike race in the world? Possibly.
Stars and their bikes
Stars and bikes: Jonesy and his Harley
Owen Thompson Radio host Brendan Jones is addicted to two-wheels.
Mail bonding
Stephen Ottley Merrick Watts expresses his love for the humble postie bike with his wild custom creations.
Inaugural APC Rally declared a great success
Trevor Hedge After two weeks and 7000km a two-wheeled adventure across Australia has come to a close.
Motorbikes
Review: Honda Crossrunner
Trevor Hedge Take a VFR800, put some high-rise bars on it, add a bit more suspension travel, dress it in pseudo adventure-touring clothes and you have the new (TIC) VFR800X Crossrunner.
No sweat: electric commuting trike
Chris Harris The three-wheeled scooter concept that can get you to work with minimal effort.
Riding the odds
Ian Munro More motorcyclists than ever are taking to the roads, but the low skill level of licensing puts novices at unnecessary risk.
Fears over 'death warrant' rider licensing
Ian Munro Motorcycle use has soared in the past decade but the licensing system for riders is ''a joke'' and ''totally inadequate''.
Poll
Ticket to ride?
Is it too easy to get a motorcycle licence?
Poll closed 15 Jul, 2011
Total votes: 1713
Motorcycle Reviews
Harley-Davidson Wide Glide
Trevor Hedge Harley-Davidson has lopped more than $3000 off the retail price of one of its most successful models, the Dyna Wide Glide.
Bike Life
Ride of a lifetime with no back-up
David Morley's Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman have nothing on David Morley's crew, who risked life, limb and rusty parts on a journey from the Isle of Man to Syria.
Bike Life
Over the hill with the bolters from BMW
Trevor Hedge Trevor Hedge hits the high country with two of World Superbike's best riders.
Bike Life
Protection section
Trevor Hedge Style, comfort and practicality share pole position in these must-haves, writes Trevor Hedge.
Stars and their bikes
Stefan Dennis, Neighbours star
Owen Thomson Where it all began: Born in Tawonga, Victoria, Stefan is best known for his role as Neighbours character Paul Robinson, right from the first episode in 1985.
Bike Life
Kicking down a few more gears
Trevor Hedge Motorcycle great Mick Doohan insists he no longer craves an outlet for his competitive nature, writes Trevor Hedge.
Bike life - Great rides
Poetry and motion on the road to Nevertire
Trevor Hedge The Oxley Highway is a stunning but challenging route, writes Trevor Hedge.
Recharging into the fold
Trevor Hedge While petrol still rules, electric technology is set to make a mark on the two-wheeler industry, writes Trevor Hedge.
Shanghai motor show
Volkswagen's 21st-century scooter
Jez Spinks Electrified commuter bike could form basis of new rent-a-scooter scheme.
Motorbikes
ATV and scooter growth lead turnaround
Trevor Hedge For the first time in more than two years, this quarter's motorcycle sales figures are finally showing some small pointers that things may be turning around.
Scooters
Two-wheel takeover
Lissa Christopher An Australia-wide increase in motorcycle and scooter registrations is one of the more marked trends in the latest motor-vehicle census.
Honda CBR250R arrives down under
Trevor Hedge The arrival of Honda's CBR250R is great news for novice riders
McLaren's two-wheeled racer
Chris Harris A $14,000-plus bike designed by F1 team and supercar maker McLaren has high hopes of impressing on two wheels.
Market offers deals on wheels
Trevor Hedge As motorcycle distributors go all out to entice riders, now’s the time to mount up and save, writes Trevor Hedge.
Motorbikes
Island Classic
Trevor Hedge Historic Road Racing is gaining popularity the world over thanks to the introduction of some new classes.
BMW S 1000 RR: A year on the Bavarian Bahnstormer
Trevor Hedge Since riding BMW's new S 1000 RR at Portimao last year we have now ridden the S 1000 RR at Phillip Island in both standard and HP equipped versions, and also ventured out to play on some of Victoria's best public roads.
Hog Rally
Trevor Hedge Drive's Trevor Hedge joined the Harley faithful for the 20th annual Hog rally at Mt Buller
Electric racer clips cyclist
Barry Park Incident highlights the danger of near-silent, zero-emission vehicles.
