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We're counting down the days to the New Zealand arrival of the new BSA Gold Star, and now we know the bike's pricing ahead of its local launch. The 2024 BSA Gold Star will retail from $10,990 with the range topping out at $12,990. As we have seen with other manufacturers, pricing varies depending on colour. The Gold Star enters the market with the bike in the blacked-out Shadow Black colour scheme at $10,990 followed by the Highland Green option at $11,990. The racing-striped Insignia Red, Silver Dawn and Midnight Black are all priced at $12,590 each. Topping the range is the Silver Sheen Legacy Edition with its chrome fenders Silver Sheen Legacy Edition with its chrome fenders and trim, polished engine covers and other premium details. This is priced from $12,990, with all prices excluding on-road costs. At the same time, BSA Motorcycles New Zealand has confirmed that all 2024 BSA Gold Star motorcycles are backed by an unlimited kilometre 2-year warranty. Pricing is competitive with the LAMS modern classic segment, with the new Gold Star set to go head to head with Royal Enfield's popular Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 models. BSA's point of difference is that the 2024 bike is powered by a 45hp 652cc single-cylinder engine rather than the twin of the Royal Enfields, which should mean it offers a different overall riding experience. Like Enfield, BSA has gone to great lengths to retain the classic styling of the bikes of the 1950s and 60s with uniquely oriented clocks, 18 and 17-inch spoked wheels and six distinct colour options. The new BSA Gold Star is expected to arrive in local dealers imminently, with the Cyclespot Group in Auckland and Wellington currently confirmed to be taking on the storied brand.

MV Agusta confirms its new Enduro Veloce adventure bike is heading to New Zealand It’s fair to say that when MV Agusta announced its limited edition LXP Orioli we were less than impressed. A small batch “luxury” off-roader really didn’t make much sense to us. Thankfully, MV never intended to let its off-road ambitions end with the LXP, and has finally announced the full production version of its first adventure bike - suitably named the Enduro Veloce. Like the LXP Orioli, the Enduro Veloce (which is such a cool name!) runs to the hum of a 931cc triple producing 124hp at 10,000rpm and 102Nm at 7,000rpm. Designed, developed, and built entirely at the firm’s factory, the engine weighs in at just 57 kg. MV Agusta hasn’t released official weight specs for the Enduro Veloce, but considering its based on the LXP Orioli we’d assume a similar dry weight of 224kg and around 240kg wet. Running a ride-by-wire system means the Enduro Veloce benefits from all the tech MV could possibly throw at it. Along with cornering traction control and ABS, cruise control and Rear Wheel Lift-Up Mitigation, the Enduro Veloce also gets four riding modes - Urban, Touring, Off-Road and Custom All-Terrain. All of this is controlled through a 7-inch TFT dash. Like the rest of MV Agusta range, the Enduro Veloce features built-in Bluetooth connectivity with the free MV Ride app, which has been significantly revised and updated to make it even more efficient and advanced in terms of connectivity. The rider can now enter a destination and view the route, turn by turn, on the colour TFT display and by enabling the Trip record functionality, data acquisition is active during riding. That means not only can you track your journey, you also will be able to look at all kinds of interesting data including the route, and data regarding speed, gears used, lean angle, altitude and more. Styling has been toned down somewhat from the LXP, with the Enduro Veloce getting a two-tone paint treatment in MV’s Ago Red and Ago Silver colour combination. Interestingly, MV appears to have dropped the standard crash protection that the LXP benefits from for the full production bike which could be a reason why it has a very contemporary Italian design feel compared to its limited edition stable mate. Like the limited edition bike, the Enduro Veloce is sprung by a 48mm Sachs fork with adjustable compression, rebound and pre-load and an adjustable Sache mono shock. Both ends can move through 210mm of travel while the bike features 230mm of ground clearance to work with. While the seat height is a rather tall 870 mm, MV has ensured those of us short in the leg department have a look in by giving it 20mm of adjustment which can see it drop to 850mm. The shape and padding of the seat have been carefully designed to ensure comfort and adequate support in all conditions of use, including long-range highway travel. As you’d expect, MV has gone to the top of the shelf when it comes to its braking system of choice, with Brembo Stylema callipers on 320 mm floating discs at the front and a dual-piston calliper with 265 mm disc at the rear. As standard, the Enduro Veloce mounts Bridgestone Battlax A41 tyres in sizes 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 on Takasago Excel tubeless wheels with an elegant black finish to set them apart from the limited edition LXP. While pricing is expected to be announced closer to the bike’s August 2024 arrival, the addition of the Enduro Veloce to the MV Agusta range is sure to be a welcome shot in the arm for the brand which only registered three (3) bikes for Kiwi roads in 2023.

Two new colours for Royal Enfield's popular LAMS cruiser land in New Zealand dealerships. Royal Enfield’s Super Meteor is already one of the brand’s more upmarket offerings in terms of colours and build quality, and now it's getting even better with the addition of two new paint schemes for 2024. The new colours are Astral Green and Interstellar Grey with pricing aligning with the current colours. Astral Green will set you back $12,490 plus on roads, while the rather fetching Interstellar Grey comes at a $200 premium. In the local market, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor is perhaps the most authentic cruiser experience in the LAMS class with its air and oil-cooled 650cc parallel twin engine and relaxed ergonomics. The Super Meteor is also the newest offering currently available in the New Zealand Royal Enfield 650 lineup. We test rode it last year, and loved the authentic cruiser experience the bike brings to the local LAMS market. The new Shotgun, 650 launched internationally last year, shares the same basic frame and engine and is expected to join the local Royal Enfield lineup soon.

Triumph’s Trident 660 has been wildly successful for the brand since its initial release. Now it is finally getting its very own special edition variant - the Trident Triple Tribute Special Edition. New for 2024, the Trident Triple Tribute celebrates Triumph’s legendary triple engines and will be available for one year only. The Trident Triple Tribute is a contemporary take on Triumph’s iconic ‘white, blue and red’ racing scheme of old, and features the distinctive ‘67’ graphic, which once adorned the most famous Trident in history, a bike called ‘Slippery Sam’ which won the Isle of Man TT a record five consecutive years, from 1971 to 1975. Triumph Motorcycles New Zealand has confirmed that just six examples of the Trident Triple Tribute will be coming to our shores with pricing announced closer to the bike's local release. The Trident Triple Tribute continues the Trident's eye-catching notions, taking its inspiration from the most celebrated Triumph triple bike of all time, ‘Slippery Sam’, which is the only motorcycle ever to win five TT production races in five consecutive years, from 1971 to 1975. The white, blue and red scheme with colour-matched fly screen and belly pan set the bike apart from the regular Trident, while a factory-equipped quickshifter helps keep it humming like its legendary inspiration. “Since its launch in 2020, this middle-weight roadster has reinvigorated this highly competitive category, selling more than 35,600 units worldwide”, Triumph Motorcycles Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Stroud said. “It’s triple engine and premium detailing at a great price, has been successful in bringing younger and new riders to Triumph, and just as ‘Slippery Sam’ once inspired a generation, we believe this special edition has the iconic style, extra technology and dynamic performance to appeal to today’s Triumph fans.” Like the current Trident, the Triple Tribute will only be available in LAMS guise with 54PS of peak power achieved at 8750rpm and 59Nm of peak torque at 5,000rpm. The full power model available overseas, by comparison, puts down 81PS and 64Nm at its peak meaning it has not received the same engine enhancements as seen on the soon-to-be-released Daytona 660. The distinctive tank design with number 67 race graphic surrounds the signature knee cut- outs, complementing the flowing seat line. With an impeccable attention to detail, the Trident 660 features high-quality Triumph badges in both the headlight and taillight and logo touches on the fuel filler cap, handlebar clamp and instruments, plus an inset aluminium Trident badge with diamond machined detailing. Body-coloured radiator cowls, aluminium yokes and heel guards, body-coloured fork protectors, tapered aluminium handlebars and teardrop shape mirrors, with five-spoke, black, lightweight, cast aluminium wheels, complete the eye-catching look. If you want one you’ll need to be quick, as there are only six examples destined for our shores.

Husqvarna has fully revealed the all-new production Svartpilen 801 which is expected to be released in New Zealand in August of 2024. While pricing is yet to be announced by Husqvarna Motorcycles New Zealand, the new Svartpilen looks to be one of the most attractive bikes in the range for a wide set of Kiwi motorcyclists. Previously, since the single-cylinder LC4-powered Svartpilen and Vitpilen left the lineup Husqvarna's only mainstream large-capacity offering has been the Norden 901 adventure bike, with the rest of the Swedish brand's range heavily leaning towards the dirt side of the market. The new "scrambler-inspired" Svartpilen 801 is set to change that with its LC8c parallel-twin engine, cast alloy wheels and truly appealing styling. In its press release, Husqvarna states that the new Svartpilen 801 is "engineered to elevate the road riding experience and escape the ordinary, this exceptional motorcycle sets a new standard of excellence for middleweight street models." Weighing 181 kg without fuel, the Svartpilen 801 is built around a strong and light chromium-molybdenum tubular steel frame for a precise balance of flex and rigidity. As its name implies, at its heart is the 799 cc version of the LC8c engine which is now offered in three capacities across the Husqvarna and KTM ranges. Tipping the scales at 52 kg dry, the engine offers a peak power output of 105 hp and 87Nm Husqvarna is touting the engine's reliability and efficiency as "guaranteed by innovative technologies that extend service intervals to 15,000 km and ensure an extremely low fuel consumption." Showing its road focus despite its scrambler inspiration is a set of cast alloy 17-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli MT60 RS tyres. Suspension and brakes are at the premium end of the spectrum with adjustable WP Apex suspension components handling bumps in the road with 140/150mm of travel respectively, whilst J. Juan brake calipers handle stopping duties. Tech-wise, Husqvarna has ensured the new Svartpilen lives up to the standards set by its LAMS-approved counterpart - the Svartpilen 401 - with the 801 receiving a comprehensive tech package that includes a 5" TFT screen through which everything is controlled. Pairing the TFT with the Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles app allows for clear Turn-by-Turn navigation to be displayed on the dash, as well as the ability to control telephone calls and music selection. A Hazard Warning system is also integrated into the handlebar controls while anti-theft protection is provided via the factory immobiliser. Included in the build is Husqvarna's "easy shift" quickshifter as standard, LED lighting, adjustable Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) and ABS, Street, Rain, and Sport ride modes are pre-set options as standard equipment. For advanced riders, a Supermoto ABS mode is also baked in and can be engaged by those looking for a bit more of a thrill in addition to more direct control over the braking system. Riders wanting even more can opt for the Dynamic Pack which introduces Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) for controlled deceleration with the Anti-Wheelie mode limiting the maximum wheelie angle for extra safety. While the Svartpilen 801 looks to finally see a more mainstream motorcycling option from Husqvarna on offer in the mid-capacity segment, whether we will see the traditional sister bike - the Vitpilen - also receive the 801 treatment is yet to be revealed.

Triumph's moodier, more powerful Rocket 3 Storm makes its return for 2024 with more power than you could realistically ask for. You heard us right, the world's largest series production motorcycle has just gotten a boost of power for 2024 along with a smattering of upgrades to help take the world by storm. New Zealand pricing and local arrival of the new Rocket 3 Storm R and Rocket 3 Storm GT are yet to be confirmed by Triumph Motorcycles New Zealand at the time of writing, however, they are expected to arrive before the end of the year. “Known around the world as the ultimate muscle roadster, the Rocket has already achieved global sales of more than 18,000 since the 2.5 litre engine was introduced in 2019," Paul Stroud, Triumph’s Chief Commercial Officer, said. "By listening to feedback from our customers, we know they love the Rocket’s muscular presence and heart-stopping performance. We also know that riders desire even more.  That’s why the new Rocket 3 Storm R and GT have been given an impressive power and torque increase, even greater agility and an even darker, moodier style and presence on the road.” Triumph has squeezed a 15PS gain in power from the monsterous 2458cc inline-3 engine with both the new Rocket 3 Storm R and GT now delivering a massive 182PS at 7,000rpm. Torque has also been increased by 4Nm, with a new peak of 225Nm at a low 4,000rpm. As before, Triumph has tuned the engine to produce a flat, rich torque curve with maximum torque all the way through the mid-range to give explosive acceleration and effortless response in any gear. Whether this bump in power makes any measurable difference on the Rocket 3's already range topping acceleration is yet to be revealed by Triumph, but it's not like the bike really needed to be any quicker. As we found out on the base model when we tested it last year, the experience of the Rocket 3's acceleration is truly mind bending. The Rocket’s 16-inch rear and 17-inch front wheels have been updated with a sportier ten-spoke cast aluminium design, reducing unsprung mass. This reduction has a positive impact on steering response while on the move, improving the Rocket’s already impressive agility. The strong and lightweight aluminium frame, first introduced in 2019, uses cast and forged elements for an exceptional torque-to-weight ratio. Following the sales success of recent special edition Rockets which featured blacked-out components, the new Rocket 3 Storm models feature a dark, moody colour scheme and an impeccable level of quality detailing. The large 18 litre tank features the new Storm name, and each model has three distinctive two-tone colour options. The R is available in Carnival Red with Sapphire Black, Satin Pacific Blue with Matt Sapphire Black and Sapphire Black with Granite. The GT is available in the same colours, but the split of the tank is reversed, providing a distinctive, high impact look and consistent colour choice across both models. On top of that, Rocket 3 Storm also comes with high-quality black anodised finishes throughout; rear frame forging, swingarm guard, forks lowers and yokes, risers and handlebar clamps, RSU Rocker, seat finisher, footrests & hangers for rider and pillion, brake and gear pedals, levers, and side stand.

In news we didn't expect, Australian rally-raid star Toby Price has today announced that his contract with the Red Bull KTM Factory Rally Team was not renewed after their 2024 Dakar Rally campaign. The announcement came via Price's social media accounts where he disclosed to his over 500,000 followers that his contract with the team has come to an end. "Everyone has been asking me about what events I’ll be riding in this year, but in some personal news, KTM has decided to not renew my contract so Dakar 2024 was my last event with them…" he wrote. "I do feel like I’m still in my prime and going out there fighting for wins, especially at Dakar so it’s unfortunate to not have that opportunity to do it in 2025 but I’m really appreciative of the support they gave me in my career. We’ve been able to do some great things together like win two Dakars and get a couple podiums, a World Championship and our success in Australia too. For now my focus is on the 2024 SCORE International Championship with Team Australia and to see what comes next." Price has been with KTM since 2009 with his debut at the Dakar Rally coming in 2015 where he placed an incredible 3rd overall. He then went on to win the incredibly tough event in both 2016 and 2019 for KTM. In the 2024 edition of the Dakar Rally, Price finished 5th overall just minutes behind his sole KTM teammate Kevin Benevides who finished fourth. The KTM pair finished the rally on a high with a 1st and 2nd place finish on the final stage of the rally. KTM has yet to make an official statement on Price's departure from the Red Bull Factory KTM Rally Team.

New Zealand’s first official Givi store has opened its doors in New Plymouth, with the store offering more than just a comprehensive stockpile of the Italian firm’s wide array of products. New Zealand’s distributor of Givi, Eurobike Wholesale, is one of the brand’s longest-serving distributors in the world, yet it has taken nearly 40 years for the brand to get a flagship store here in New Zealand. As the men in the Mainland Cheese ads say, good things take time. “Eurobike Wholesale has been representing Givi in New Zealand for close to 40 years, with a starting story of near epic proportions.” says Rodney O’Conner, General Manager of Eurobike Wholesale. “Only one other distributor in the entire world has been with Givi longer than us, so it is very exciting to finally have a dedicated Givi showroom in New Zealand. Based in New Plymouth, not only will you be able to see and try most of the Givi range, but our staff can be available to help with all your questions, no matter how simple, or complicated. Givi has a huge range of solutions and it can be daunting trying to work out which will suit you best. Our showroom, experience, and knowledge will help you make the right choice, the first time.” Branded as a "Givi Specialised" store, the dedicated space on New Plymouth’s Gill Street will show the range of Givi products, from commuter top boxes to large touring sets, soft luggage, tank bags, crash protection, screens and other accessories. Givi is one of those companies with such a huge range of products, that sometimes it's hard to know where to begin. Having a dedicated space to show off the range will not only help distributors Eurobike Wholesale, but expert staff will be able to help riders find the right equipment for their needs. This can be done either at scheduled times viewable on the Eurobike website, or riders can book a free one-on-one cosultation to find the perfect fit-out for their motorcycle. So whether you're not sure about whether to go with hard luggage or soft,  or you’re wondering how much you can fit in a top case Nothing beats seeing and touching products in person and getting advice from the experts. The showroom is based in New Plymouth - if you're from out of town, this is a great location for a weekend getaway with the store front open until 5:30 pm weekdays and until 1 pm on Saturdays.

Nearly 10 years after its New Zealand debut on Auckland's Kariotahi Beach, the Indian Scout is finally set to enter its next generation on April 3rd NZT. Indian Motorcycle isn't giving much away about the new Scout ahead of the world premiere, but we have high hopes for a cracking motorcycle that blends modern technology with the key features that have long made an Indian Scout a Scout. The covers will officially be coming off at 5am on the 3rd of April for those wanting to rise early to be among the first in the world to see the next chapter in the Indian Scout story.

Royal Enfield New Zealand has confirmed the pricing of the new Bullet 350, with the bike starting from an attainable $7,890. The Royal Enfield Bullet is perhaps the brand's most iconic nameplate with over 90 years of production history, but it has been missing from the local lineup recently. Enfield fans will surely rejoice to see the Bullet return to the NZ lineup with the introduction of the new Bullet 350 for 2024, giving a further option to the brand's 350cc lineup. That means at its heart is Royal Enfield's characterful long-stroke 349cc J-series engine which happily chugs along with its torquey power delivery up to a peak of 20.2hp and 27Nm of torque. See our test of the Hunter 350 to see what a joy this engine is in the city. For the 2024 Bullet 350, the bike receives an updated chassis which comes in the form of a twin downtube cradle frame, which Royal Enfield says helps ensure greater confidence and a more stable riding experience every single time. That should match perfectly with the engine, which happens to be one of the easiest going powerplants for a rider to learn to ride a motorcycle with. Braking comes in the form of ABS-backed 300mm front and 270mm rear disc brakes while suspension is classic simplicity with 41mm forks and twin rear shocks. Accessibility has always been Royal Enfield's strong point, and in addition to the affordable price the Bullet 350 is physically easy to manage with its 805mm seat height and sub-200kg wet weight. The seat looks comfy as hell too with copious amounts of padding. As always, Royal Enfield is launching the Bullet 350 with a range of accessories to tailor the bike to its owner's needs, with everything from skid plates to windshields and everything in between on offer. New Zealand has the option of three colours for the Bullet 350, with the bike coming in either Standard Black, Standard Maroon, or the classy Black and Gold.

Legendary British marque BSA Motorcycles is set to return to the New Zealand market in 2024 with the all-new Gold Star. BSA Motorcycles is set to make a return to the New Zealand motorcycle market with the appointment of Europe Imports as the official New Zealand distributor. The storied brand recently returned to life under the ownership of the Mahindra Group with its first model since the brand’s revival being the new Gold Star. “We are thrilled to announce that BSA will indeed be back on our shores soon, says Europe Imports' BSA project lead, Robert Maskell. "This is an iconic brand for many motorcyclists here, I remember my father having BSA motorcycles and it is an exciting thing to see them return to the market with the Gold Star. We look forward to building a passionate BSA community and nationwide dealer network to support the brand fully.” The new Gold Star is expected to slot into the market as another accessible modern classic option, with the 2024 bike powered by a 45hp 652cc single-cylinder engine. BSA has gone to great lengths to retain the classic styling of the bikes of the 1950s and 60s with uniquely oriented clocks, 18 and 17-inch spoked wheels and six distinct colour options. BSA Motorcycles NZ has launched social media accounts for prospective owners to stay up to date with the latest news on the brand’s return to New Zealand roads, with an official website also currently in development. You can follow the return of BSA by following the @BSAMotorcyclesNZ accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

Two years after making history and setting an altitude world record aboard a Yamaha Ténéré 700, Pol Tarrés recently returned to Chile and set the bar even higher, not just by smashing his own record, but also by setting a new altitude record for a single-cylinder motorcycle. Tarrés has mastered taking the road never travelled. Reaching an incredible height of 6.677 metres with the Ténéré World Raid GYTR in full stage 3 setup, Tarrés set a new record for the highest altitude achieved on a twin-cylinder motorcycle. During the reconnaissance phase of the attempt, Tarres also set a new record for the highest altitude ever reached on a single-cylinder motorcycle, ascending to 6.756 metres on the cross-country specific Yamaha YZ450FX . Being a Ténéré ambassador, Tarrés was determined to achieve a new record on the 700 World Raid. Both records were registered on a dual GPS and verified by three guides as the guidelines prescribe. Official ratification of the two world records will take several weeks. The expedition team comprised Pol Tarrés, Javi Echevarria (project manager), Miguel Echevarria (film crew), Ahikar Azcona (Yamaha ambassador & team support), Joan Espasa (film crew) and mountain guides, Gerardo Bauty, Cristian Órdenes, Thomas Caballero, and Juan León. Supported by Yamaha Motor Europe, Marc Bourgeois and Yamaha Motor Chile. “Preparing for this challenge was difficult, many said it could not be done,” declared project manager, Javi Echevarria. “But we as a team know that exactly that is what drives Pol, to do exactly what no one thinks possible. It was really a team effort – and would have been impossible without everyone involved.” The target was to ascend Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on earth, the second-highest mountain in the Andes and the highest summit in Chile. Several other athletes have attempted to conquer this uninhabitable place, with its steep rock inclines, scree slopes and snow drifts, yet none have enjoyed the same success as Tarrés and Yamaha thus far. Having learned important lessons from the previous attempt, Tarrés and the entire TRECE Racing Society Team took two weeks to acclimatise in the Andes Mountain range. Even with Tarrés’s incredible physical condition, the altitude is a force that humbles most humans and altitude sickness was a constant companion for the team during this acclimatisation process. After acclimatising, Tarrés and the TRECE team started to explore potential routes to conquer the mountain, utilizing both the YZ450FX and the Ténéré to complete this reconnaissance phase, whilst also dealing with disruption caused by unexpected snowfall. The weather also played a significant role in dictating the timing of the record attempt. With high winds forecast, the team were forced to accelerate their plans and make the attempts on the 6th and 7th of March. Due to the snowfall, the routes to the West and Central summits were rendered impassable, so the highest summit and principal crater of the volcano became the goal chosen by the team. Starting from Refugio Murray at 4.522 metres, Tarrés and the Ténéré reached the record altitude in only 50 minutes. “Above 6.000 metres everything seems to go super slow, the physical exhaustion is indescribable and there is no room for mistakes,” commented Pol Tarrés. ”Even walking is a challenge, let alone riding a Ténéré at this altitude” One problem encountered on the previous record setting expedition in 2022 was that of fuel consumption, which is significantly heaver at altitude than at sea level. For the most recent attempt at the record this issue was addressed with the GYTR kit, specifically the GYTR ECU assembly and extra fuel capacity, which allowed Tarrés to ride for longer without the need to refuel. The GYTR parts from the second stage or handling kit, including more rugged Haan Wheels, KYB 48mm front fork and Paioli rear suspension, also ensured optimal handling performance on the challenging terrain of the Vulcano. The mental, physical, and mechanical challenges faced by Tarrés and his team during this testing challenge cannot easily be conveyed with words alone. To tell the full story of this momentous endeavour, the TRECE Racing Society and Yamaha Motor Europe have collaborated on a documentary, to be premièred at the end of this year, that will take viewers on the same incredible journey on which Tarrés embarked in both 2022 and 2024.