Drive bikes and scooter news and reviews
Motorcycle sales double in a decade
SAM HALL More than 113,000 motorcycles sold in 2013, a 53 per cent increase on 10 years ago.
World’s most powerful electric motorcycle revealed
ANDREW MACLEAN Radical French machine has as much power as a superbike.
Vespa’s crackdown on Chinese copies
MATT CAMPBELL Italian scooter brand calls on police assistance at Italian bike show.
BMW F 800 GS Adventure review
Trevor Hedge The German brand has made its do-it-all tourer even more rugged.
Honda CBR500R review
Trevor Hedge Honda’s venerable CBR500R has been give a new lease on life thanks to a new engine.
New Ducati 899 Panigale
Trevor Hedge Ducati's new 899 Panigale is smaller and lighter than its predecessor but even more powerful.
Indian returns with three new models
Trevor Hedge American brand makes a comeback to take on Harley-Davidson.
Yamaha XV950 and XV950R Bolt first ride review
Trevor Hedge New Yamaha cruiser combines retro style and modern substance.
Piaggio Yourban 300 review
Trevor Hedge It may challenge convention but the Piaggio Yourban 300 has a lot going for it.
Yamaha FJR 1300 updated
Trevor Hedge A revised engine makes the FJR more capable of covering lots of ground very quickly.
New Vespa 946's old look
Trevor Hedge Vespa has leaned on Italy's style culture to deliver one of its most significant new models.
Blind at 250km/h
Andrew Downie Thanks to Australian Superbike star Jamie Stauffer, a blind man got to experience the thrill of riding flat out.
Playing dirty
Trevor Hedge Dirt bikes are big business. Drive looks at what five of the biggest players have on the cards for 2014.
The Harley-Davidson for learners
Trevor Hedge Forget bikie gangs and tattoos, the latest Harley-Davidson is set for L plates.
Caterham Bikes revealed
ANDREW MACLEAN British brand launches motorcycle division with three wild concepts.
Motorcycle riders get Top Gun technology
SAM HALL New helmet features heads-up display to make riding safer and navigating simpler.
New laws allow motorcyclists to pass red lights
SAM HALL US state passes controversial legislation to save needless waiting for those on two wheels.
Postie bikes get a new look
MATT CAMPBELL Australia Post replacing its iconic red two-wheeler with a new model.
Mid-life crisis buyers turn to two-wheelers
MATT CAMPBELL Motorcycles and scooters see a dramatic rise in popularity with buyers over the age of 40.
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''.
