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For many riders 2018 has been a year to remember, with plenty of exciting new motorcycle models arriving in showrooms. While many would have you believe that motorcycling is dying out, the plethora of new machines hitting the road really does seem to point in the opposite direction. Motorcycling is not dying out, it is just evolving. With that in mind, we have put on our thinking helmet to count down our Top 10 motorcycles of 2018 (NB: which we have personally ridden) to come up with our inaugural On Throttle Bike of the Year 2018. Without further ado, let's get into the countdown. #10 | Triumph Speedmaster While Triumph Motorcycle's upgraded Bobber Black could have also made this list, we start off our 2018 Top 10 Motorcycles countdown with the Triumph Speedmaster instead. Why do you ask? For starters, let's talk about this bike's gorgeous looks. While the feet forward cruiser is an acquired taste for many, there is no denying that the Speedmaster is a great looking bit of kit. From the LED headlight back to the faux-hardtail rear end, the Speedmaster is a masterclass in what a stylish bike should look like. Add to that the fact that the Speedmaster is based off the Triumph Bobber (which debuted in 2017 in NZ) which means it has the same High Torque 1200cc parallel twin engine and trick chassis with monoshock rear, but it also adds plenty of practicality onto the Bobber chassis by way of pillion accomodation and the ability to carry more luggage if needed. #9 | BMW G 310 GS While BMW Motorrad has a comprehensively updated S 1000 RR superbike waiting in the wings for a 2019 arrival, the stand out model to arrive in BMW dealers in our minds this year was the new entry level to the GS lifestyle – the BMW G 310 GS. While it may only have 313cc of grunt behind it, don't let that fool you into thinking the G 310 GS isn't a fun bike - quite the opposite. Get this little adventurer off the well-trodden sealed roads and onto some gravel and it positively comes alive! Based off the G 310 R, the G 310 GS features long travel USD forks paired to a preload adjustable monoshock out back. Ergonomically the bike is very comfortable, with the only fly in the ointment from our week spent riding it around the Waikato and Coromandel being the small factory footpegs. Swap those out for larger units and you'll be adventuring around the country in no time, and at less than 1/3rd the price of the full-sized R 1200 GS! #8 | Harley-Davidson Sport Glide Harley-Davidson are on a roll at the moment, pumping out new models with a pace not seen from the Milwaukee based manufacturer in years. With 2019 and beyond set to see the debut of a range of Harley-Davidson product that steps away from the brand's tried and true cruiser focus, the 2018 standout has to be the bike in the current range that tries - and for the most part accomplishes - to blend the needs of Harley riders into one machine which can do a wide range of riding duties. That bike is of course the 2018 Harley-Davidson Sport Glide, which offers Harley riders the option to ride easy as a cruiser or as a versatile bagger with detachable screen. While it may only beat to the drum of the Milwaukee-Eight 107 as opposed to the bigger, torque heavy 114 version, the combination of a 180 section rear tyre and the revvy 1745cc V-twin makes for a fun and very enjoyable ride no matter which personality you have your Sport Glide configured into. #7 | Kawasaki Z900RS Kawasaki New Zealand has been without a modern classic in the lineup since the departure of the W800 from our shores a couple of years ago. While the heritage of the W800 was sound, the bike didn't resonate with Kiwi motorcyclists and was consequentially deleted from the New Zealand line up. Stepping into the gap is the Z900RS – which on debut sent shockwaves throughout the industry as it proved that you could not only have a classically inspired bike that looked great, you could also have modern performance to back it up. With great looks and a sleek modern chassis at its core, the Z900RS tore up the rule book for the modern classic movement and reinvented the category with the competition scrambling to debut models to take on the mighty Kawasaki. #6 | Aprilia Tuono 1100 When it comes to incredible sounds emitted by a motorcycle, there is nothing like the howl of an Aprilia V4. While the firm's superbike - the RSV4 - is an excellent and devastatingly quick ride, we much preferred the more practical Tuono when it came to the riding experience and that's exactly why it enters our countdown at #5. While we may have forgotten to do a full write-up on the Tuono 1100 (Sorry Aprilia NZ!), it certainly left an impression not only in our minds, but also our Rev'It! leathers – with the big 1100 V4 being surprisingly easy to carve around our favourite track during the Aprilia Owners Day at Hampton Downs earlier this year. With a heavily revised model due to hit our roads in 2019, we can't wait for the chance to jump aboard the V4 screamer again for some knee sliding fun! #5 | Kawasaki Ninja 400 As one of the top selling motorcycles in New Zealand for 2018, there was no doubt whether Kawasaki's new Ninja 400 would make this list. For learner riders wanting a taste of a sportsbike, the little Ninja offers a friendly package that can also be incredible fun on and off the racetrack. Not only that, it is a bike which is clearly worth forking out for the new version for. During its launch Kawasaki NZ also let us play at Pukekohe on the old Ninja 300, and to say the Ninja 400 was head and shoulders above is an understatement. Add to that the ability to race the Ninja 400 at the Carl Cox Motorsport Cup and it's no wonder the Ninja 400 has been one of the biggest sellers of 2018. #4 | Benelli Leoncino 500 The biggest surprise of 2018 came from Italian brand Benelli with their Leoncino 500. Not only did the brand secure their comeback with the LAMS approved model, the bike itself proved to be a solid and enjoyable performer with build quality up there with the best brands in the world. The joy of riding the Leoncino has stuck with us all throughout 2018, and with a fantastic warranty and roadside assistance programme backing up sales of the bike from dealers, it would be a surprise if the Benelli brand didn't take off in New Zealand. #3 | KTM 790 Duke Austrian brand KTM - alongside sister brand Husqvarna - made great strides in 2018 towards a more well-rounded lineup of motorcycles. While the dirt sector is dominated by Orange (KTM) and White (Husqvarna) machines, neither has had a strong road presence. While Husqvarna debuted the Vitpilen and Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 701 in 2018 – all three based on existing KTM models – KTM went one step further to deliver us a completely new motorcycle in the 790 Duke. Based around the new LC8c compact parallel twin engine, the 790 Duke brought us a far more refined KTM road bike than we've ever seen before. While the single-cylinder Dukes of the past have been known as aggressive machines and the modern V-twin Super Dukes are completely bonkers with more power than any sane human could want - the 790 Duke offers a more restrained, sensible ride which is also a metric tonne of fun to boot. #2 | Yamaha Tracer 900 GT The Sports Touring segment of the motorcycle industry has largely been ignored in recent years, but Yamaha saw the gap in the market and relaunched the MT-09 Tracer as the Tracer 900 GT for 2018. Featuring a large list of upgrades over the MT-09 badged Tracer, the Tracer 900 GT features updated suspension, rider accomodation, factory panniers and the very same TFT display as seen on the YZF-R1 superbike. Featuring the brilliant 115hp (85.7kW) CP3 triple cylinder engine, the Tracer 900 GT is an accomplished tourer with the heart of a sports bike. Even with its longer wheelbase (courtesy of a revised swingarm), the Tracer 900 GT requires little effort to lift the front wheel skyward if that's your thing. While Australia gets both a Tracer 900 and the Tracer 900 GT, Yamaha New Zealand recognised that most Kiwi buyers would spend the extra $2000 anyway and didn't go for the lesser specced variant. We're glad they did, as this is one all rounder we could easily spend plenty more time with! #1 | Triumph Speed Triple RS Taking out the inaugural On Throttle Bike of the Year award is the bike that left the largest impression in our minds - the new 2018 Speed Triple RS from Triumph Motorcycles. It seems Triumph Motorcycles can do no wrong currently, and the Speed Triple RS proves that feeling. Not only does it build upon the Speed Triple's excellent heritage, it also features electronics and rider aids that make it a much more usable on a day-to-day basis. With everything from Traction Control and ABS brakes to even cruise control, the 2018 Triumph Speed Triple RS is a comprehensive all-out road weapon and it does this while still retaining its signature 1050cc engine. The engine however does see 105 new parts to ensure that while it doesn’t have as many cubic centimetres as some of its contemporaries, the Speed Triple can still hang with the best of them and show them a thing or two. Some of the updates the boffins at the Triumph factory in Hinkley included to the engine include a new lighter crank gear, lighter Nikasil-plated aluminium cylinder liners, a smaller starter motor, plus lighter battery and alternator. As you can see, dropping weight was a consideration, and the new Speed Triple tips the scales at 3kg lighter than the outgoing bike – with a dry weight of 189kg. On the road where the bike will spend 99% of its time, the Speed Triple RS is certainly not lacking in usable power, and it wasn’t long before I started to genuinely worry for my licence as I rode the Speed Triple RS back to home base. Thankfully, Triumph – unlike other manufacturers in the segment – have opted to equip the Speed Triple with cruise control from factory, which allowed me to set the speed to well within the legal limit and keep the boys in blue at bay. Read the full review of the 2018 Triumph Speed Triple RS here.

With a 114cu Milwaukee-Eight engine and the dynamic chassis of the revised Softail family, there's a lot to like about the new Harley-Davidson FXDR. So, what are our top 5 favourite bits (along with some bits we're still not sold on) of the newest member of team Harley-Davidson? Words and Photos: Mathieu Day-Gillett 5 Things to LOVE about the new Harley-Davidson FXDR LED Lighting | We make no secret of our love of LED lighting. The benefits are huge compared to traditional bulb technology, with our favourites being the excellent light output of the headlight and the fact you don't have to worry about blown bulbs. The FXDR features LED lighting everywhere, with large indicators front and rear and a brilliant headlight assembly below the small fly screen. The MW8 114 engine | The Milwaukee-Eight was first seen on Harley's touring range in late 2016, but now you'll find the Big Twin in pretty much every full-sized Harley-Davidson. In 114cu form the engine pumps out a whopping 160Nm of torque, which is plenty to push the 300kg of fully fuelled bike (plus you) down the road. Harley-Davidson also offers a 117cu stroker kit for the 114 Milwaukee-Eight - which Road and Sport Harley-Davidson of Hamilton have fitted to one of their FXDRs (along with supporting mods) and reeled off an 11-second quarter mile time. The suspension setup | One of the best aspects of modern Harley-Davidsons is the fact that the team in Milwaukee have spent plenty of R&D time trying to rid the brand of the poor handling reputation the bikes of old suffered. The FXDR is no different, based on the new Softail chassis which sees the inclusion of a monoshock rear end to the mix instead of the twin shock arrangement of the previous generation of Softails. The result is a bike which is easily dialled in thanks to its remote preload adjuster just below the seat, and it makes an incredibly noticeable difference when you crank up that preload. Up front are big USD forks with a steep rake which are connected to a twin disc braking setup. Our impression so far has been that the marketing slogan has been correct, this bike is certainly "fast on the straights, agile in the corners." The fuel filler cap | Okay it's a little bit of a strange thing to love, but the fuel cap of the FXDR. Seriously, it looks fantastic as you sit astride the monster engine. It's a simple design, but the way Harley have placed the fuel cap in the centre of a blacked out section of fuel tank really sets things off. The only shame is that it's not lockable - but who steals gas out of motorcycles these days anyway? The overall feeling of riding this thing | There is something special about riding a Big Twin powered Harley-Davidson. With Harley stating that the FXDR is a "Power Cruiser" they had to get that feeling of grunt right. Thankfully the combo of that big ol' air/oil-cooled V-Twin and its near on 2-litres of capacity mixed in with that dynamic new chassis makes the FXDR quite the fun machine to ride. Oh, and did we mention the FXDR has actual clip-on handlebars? Yeah, this Harley has clip-ons and they're cool as hell. Things we're still not sure about The dash/gauge cluster | It's pretty small and as I discovered, you can miss when you are breaking the speed limit… The air intake | It is undoubtedly one of the signature features of the FXDR - and man does it look cool - but the air intake isn't the most ergonomically positioned in Harley-Davidson history. The thing is the intake can hit you just below your knee while riding, especially if you're trying to clamp on to the bike while having fun in the twisties and that can be annoying from a comfort perspective - but we keep coming back to the fact it looks so damn cool and we're still on the fence on whether it is awesome of a minor fail on Harley's part. The lack of pillion accommodation | It might be clutching at straws a bit since the FXDR is a performance cruiser, but for the money - which is $37,500 + on road costs in New Zealand – it’d be nice to not have to fork out extra to share the experience with your favourite pillion. Yes this style of bike is a selfish man's plaything, but surely easily removable pillion pegs and a seat under the rear cowling wouldn't have been too much to ask for? Things we don’t like The LED indicators up front | Straight up, they are ugly from the cockpit. It is almost like there is a big black bar duct taped to the front forks. The price tag | At $37,500 the FXDR is one of the more expensive Harley models in the stable and I think it is overpriced considering what you actually get for your money (the Harley-Davidson badge and 114cu engine aside as they come with a decent premium in of themselves). With no pillion accomodation, a simple electronics package and an overall stripped back no frills feeling to the bike, it is almost like Harley have taken a leaf out of the Porsche playbook and are offering less bike for more money. If you're looking for a fun Harley with good handling characteristics, you'd almost be better off looking at the Sport Glide – which while only available with the 107cu Milwaukee-Eight offers far more practicality. But then the FXDR is a very cool machine, and while the price may be high, the performance at your throttle hand is undeniable. With the ability to smoke the 240mm wide Michelin Scorcher tyre at will, the modern looks, and possibly the greatest lean angle available on any current Harley-Davidson, the FXDR does have its place despite the price.

Words and photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com It may be only in its second season after a successful debut during the 2017/2018 race season, but the fledgeling GIXXER Cup competition is gathering pace and increasing momentum, with several claims now that it is already achieving more than it did during its inaugural season last year. The second of three rounds in this year's Suzuki Series was held at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, in Feilding, on Sunday and again it was the "nursery ground" class of GIXXER Cup racers who threatened to steal the spotlight. Reserved for riders aged between 14 and 21, the GIXXER Cup – with the tagline "Growing Future Champions" – is a production racing class that provides a springboard towards a successful racing future at higher levels. All riders are on board identical 150cc Suzuki GSX150F model bikes, making it a level playing field and it is considered an ideal "nursery ground" for grooming and developing future road-racing stars. Riders were launching themselves handlebar-to-handlebar around into every corner at Manfeild on Sunday and late braking or slipstreaming was perhaps the only way to engineer a pass, again making for edge-of-the seat excitement. Taupiri's Zak Fuller now shares the lead in the GIXXER Cup class after Manfeild, level on points with Hamilton's Jesse Stroud – the young son of Suzuki's nine-time former national superbike champion Andrew Stroud – with the "West Coast Warrior", Greymouth's Clark Fountain, moving up from fourth to third overall. Fountain was credited with back-to-back wins at Manfeild, while Fuller and Stroud swapped around in second and third both times, but there was really perhaps nothing between the leading 10 riders in this class. A couple of riders making their GIXXER Cup debuts this season, Rotorua's Curtis Boyd and Whanganui's Luca Durning, were keen to express how they'd been inspired to venture into road-racing for the first time. "Dad wanted me to race go-karts to start with, but then I tried a Suzuki GSX150F demo bike and it was good fun, so I decided to get into it," said the 16-year-old Boyd, currently running eighth in the GIXXER Cup after two rounds. "I've only raced the bike on a track a short while, but I'm getting better each time I go out. I'm learning things. I learned you can do a bit of damage to the bike when you crash it," he laughed. "I had a big crash (at Manfeild) on Saturday, but crashing is not so scary. I didn't hurt myself. I had only ridden at Manfeild once before, on the GIXXER test day. "I'm already looking ahead to racing maybe a bigger bike next season. I used to race BMX bikes, but this is totally different of course. I'm loving it," said Boyd, who will be attending Whakatane High School in the New Year. For 14-year-old Durning, it was watching MotoGP on television that was his main inspiration. "I wanted to be the next MotoGP star. I'd done football, cricket and squash, but this is better. I rode dirt bikes pretty much since I could walk, but this is so different. I'm learning about counter-steering, leaning in the corners," said Durning, who will be a year 10 pupil at Whanganui Collegiate in the New Year. "I only weigh 45 kilograms and 183kg is the minimum weight for rider plus bike in this competition (otherwise weights are applied to the bike to make it a level contest). With me on the bike, it's 183.5kg, so that's pretty much perfect." Durning is currently 14th overall in the GIXXER Cup class after two rounds. The popular three-round Suzuki Series will have its traditional public street race spectacular to wrap it all up on Boxing Day (Wednesday, December 26), the racers sent into battle around Whanganui's world-famous Cemetery Circuit. The GIXXER Cup competition continues on too after the Suzuki Series winds up, with GIXXER races incorporated into the 2019 New Zealand Superbike Championships, that five-round series set to kick off in Christchurch on January 5-6, making it an eight-round series for the 2018-19 GIXXER Cup. Meanwhile, in the glamour Formula One superbike class, visiting British rider Peter Hickman set tongues wagging with his inspired unbeaten performance at Manfeild. Hickman won both of the day’s glamour Formula One superbike races and looked comfortable doing it, rocketing up from 11th overall after the Taupo opener to now be placed third in the series standings, just eight points behind defending Suzuki Series champion Scotty Moir, of Taupo. Suzuki rider Moir qualified fastest in this class and he then finished the day overall runner-up, his carding of 2-4 results in the two F1 races enough to give him a one-point edge over Wainuiomata’s Shane Richardson for the day’s tally, although Richardson still leads the series standings in this class. Other class leaders after Sunday’s second round of three in the series are Whakatane’s Damon Rees (F2 600cc); Palmerston North’s Jacob Stroud (F3); Paraparaumu's Peter Bogusz (Post Classics, Pre-89, Senior); Auckland’s Scott Findlay (Post Classics, Pre-89, Junior); Ngaruawahia's Steve Bridge (Bears, non-Japanese bikes, Seniors); Te Awamutu’s Gary Morgan (Bears, non-Japanese bikes, Juniors); Tauranga’s Duncan Hart (Super Motard class); England’s John Holden and Tauranga’s Robbie Shorter (F1 Sidecars); Tauranga’s Barry Smith and Tracey Bryan (F2 Sidecars).

No-one said it was going to be easy to defend his Suzuki Series title in the premier Formula One category, but Taupo's Scotty Moir is proving he's up for the fight. Words and photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com The Suzuki ace won the F1 trophy for the first time last season and now, after the Sunday's second of three rounds in this year's edition at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, on the outskirts of Feilding, he knows he's in with a good chance of repeating the feat. However the 35-year-old father-of-one knows he’ll also probably need another Boxing Day stunner to guarantee that happens. The Suzuki rider finished the day overall runner-up at the 2018 series opener on his home track just over a week ago and, while he is still in the No.2 position after Sunday’s second round at Manfeild, Moir has reduced his deficit to just three points from Wainuiomata’s Shane Richardson. Moir took his Suzuki GSX-R1000 to qualify fastest early on Sunday morning, then followed that up by finishing second and fourth in the two Formula One superbike races that afternoon. Richardson finished fourth and second at Manfeild and so the battle for F1 glory will go down to the wire. There is just a short break before the series has its third at final round, the traditional public street race spectacular on Boxing Day, the bikes on that iconic once-a-year occasion being raced around Whanganui's famous Cemetery Circuit. Moir dominated the day at Whanganui last year, qualifying fastest and then finishing first and second in his two F1 races – his runner-up finish in race two behind another Suzuki GSX-R1000 rider, Lower Hutt’s Jay Lawrence. Moir also went on to win the coveted Robert Holden Memorial Feature Race. "It's definitely a possibility that I could win again on the Cemetery Circuit," said Moir. "Shane (Richardson) will be strong there, but he was only on a 600cc bike when he last raced there, so we don't know how well he'll go on the streets on a 1000cc bike," said Moir. "I just need to keep in front of Shane at Whanganui really." Also needing to be added into the equation is visiting British rider Peter Hickman. The Isle of Man champion from Lincolnshire didn’t really feature at Taupo, but he bounced back to win both F1 races at Manfeild on Sunday, rocketing up from 11th overall after the Taupo opener to now be placed third in the series standings, just eight points behind Moir. Despite being a first-time visitor to New Zealand, Hickman is obviously a quick learner and the curbs, tight bends, railway crossings and slick painted road markings at Whanganui should present no problems for the 2018 Isle of Man winner. It is sure to be a scorcher at Whanganui on Boxing Day, regardless of what the weather might do.

Kawasaki unveiled a stunning new W800 motorcycle at the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan this year, however, it is unlikely to be imported into New Zealand Kawasaki NZ Says. Despite being a genuine modern classic, the Kawasaki W800 and the older W650 never seemed to really hit it off with Kiwi motorcyclists. With fierce competition from the likes of Triumph's Bonneville range, riders wrongly thought the Kawasaki's bikes were knock offs trying to cash in on the success of the Triumph bikes. The fact of the matter is, the W650 and W800 both took their inspiration from 1960s Kawasaki parallel twin models, but riders remained unconvinced and took their 'modern classic' dollars to the British brand. It's a huge shame, as the W800 Cafe unveiled at EICMA 2018 looks stunning. From the period correct bubble screen to the elegant cafe style saddle it is a thing of beauty. Add to that clip on handlebars and that stunning looking vertical twin in black and chrome and it really does seem like Kiwis are missing out on something a bit special here. Heck, if a bike can make brown paint look good there is definitely no arguing that it's special, right? If you desperately want to get your hands on one, start petitioning Kawasaki New Zealand now, as Kawasaki's marketing team have confirmed that the 2019 W800 and W800 Cafe are unlikely to make a comeback into the New Zealand market.

Husqvarna Motorcycles New Zealand has announced a recall of 2019 TC 50 minicycles due to a fault in the assembly of the motorcycle's carburettor. This week Husqvarna Motorcycles announced a recall for 2019 TC 50 kids bikes. The reason behind the recall is to have an authorised Husqvarna mechanic inspect the bike's carburettor for a potential fault which may have occurred during assembly. Husqvarna's official press release stated that during the carburettor assembly process for MY19 TC 50 models, the carburettor covers may have been fitted incorrectly. Considering the carburettor cover also acts as the upper throttle slide stop, if fitted incorrectly, this may lead to the throttle slide not operating smoothly or not returning to the closed position. Husqvarna Motorcycles consider it important that the correct fitment of the carburettor cover is checked and therefore all affected models should be checked to ensure maximum safety in all conditions. Customers who have bought a 2019 model TC 50 will be notified by via personal letter and are asked to immediately contact an authorised Husqvarna Motorcycles Dealer to arrange an inspection appointment. In addition, customers can check online in the ‘Service’ area of the Husqvarna Motorcycles website to determine if their motorcycle is affected by this recall.

Jessie Meek attends her first Mike Pero Southern Classic to experience first hand the nostalgia and adrenalin of some of the best classic motorcycle racing New Zealand has to offer. Words by Jessie Meek | Photos by Jessie Meek and Shot by Skinny This was my first Southern Classic. It was the first time I’d seen machines from Pre-WWII to the mid-nineties all in one place – and many about to go racing. It was a petri-dish for classic motorcycle racing: from beautiful 2 Stroke Grand Prix bikes, classic sidecars, F1, F2, F3 bikes and Superbikes, as well as a huge combined field of F4 and Development (Supersport 150) bikes. The latter of which made for some exciting racing with competitors constantly dusting each other up and this was also a great chance for the younger generation and less classic-oriented riders to become involved at a Classic event. The Southern Classic is fast securing itself as a not-to-be-missed event on the Kiwi family calendar, and a delectable visual, auditory and olfactory smorgasbord for lovers of vintage, classic, post-classic, Superbikes and Grand Prix machines. Brent Cotton and I were to race the 1989 Mo Haley built FZR1000 “Agip”, offered to us by mutual friend and owner, Warwick Demmocks. We had a collection of all things Agip (now known as ENI) including display material careful put together by the dedicated previous owner, Warren Wilson. We managed to secure an Agip sign written vehicle and some product for the weekend, too, all thanks to Brent’s workplace, Transdiesel, suppliers of ENI oils and lubricants. Both of us had passengered on sidecars previously but we were both relatively inexperienced, and neither of us had seriously ridden one. We had had one practice afternoon at Ruapuna a week prior and with only minor “teething” issues, we considered ourselves to be as ready as we were ever going to be. We arrived at Levels Raceway on Thursday afternoon and already there were around 50-60 people setting up their pits, and staking claim to their new home for the next three days. Food vendors were setting up and there was a rally-like atmosphere building. With over 200 riders and 330 class entries, this year’s Southern Classic has nearly doubled in size since its inception in 2014. It was then that CAMS (Classic Action Motorcycle Sport) initiated the first Southern Classic event – always held at Levels International Raceway – to celebrate the club’s 25th Anniversary. It wasn’t until 2016, when Mike Pero came on board as naming rights sponsor, that the event began to pull more big names such as Stu Avant and Graeme Crosby. Because of the organisational efficiency and professionalism from the CAMS committee, along with repeat sponsors and support from Mike Pero, racing legends and people of significance return year after year. This year included names such as Aaron Slight, Jock and John Woodley, John Boote, Kevin Magee, Robbie Phyllis, Graeme Crosby, Dennis Charlett and Paul Treacy. It was overcast with a mild breeze – ideal for racing even though there would be none today. There was already a small stream of people taking their machines through scrutineering, but we felt no rush and instead set up our very yellow-themed pit area. That ate away the rest of the afternoon and it was now evening. We went to explore, two-up, on the one pushbike we had. Our travels around the pits was a lot of fun, I was perched on the handlebars and occasionally I broke out my B-grade rendition of The Titanic's “I’m flying” scene. We stopped for lots of conversations with people we knew, before heading back to our pit. We had it well-decked out with a “full kitchen” set up, all tucked up against the trees. This hideaway was where we had our dinner, any romanticism, however, was severely subdued by a nearby generator and so we retired to our “elite-trailer-caravan-Airbnb” (mattress in the back of the trailer). Friday morning was a beauty, I woke up early enough to enjoy near-silence in the pits – unheard of, surely! After a walk around the track, some neighbourhood pit talks and breakfast, we headed through to sign on and have our gear checked. All riders, including sidecar riders, received a goodie bag (these still excite me even as an adult) which included a free mug. I, as mere sidecar passenger, received only a named plaque, though I was truthfully chuffed with my participation award having yet to win any actual road race. Plus, Brent said I could have the mug – score! It’s now 8.30am engines are revving, the sun is beaming. After a no-nonsense rider’s briefing, practice after practice rolled out. CAMS run a tight ship, a well-oiled machine with call-ups and timing handled expertly. The work of the CAMS club, their president, Dave Reesby, and event coordinator Sue van den Heuvel, has not gone unnoticed by Mike Pero, and he is forthcoming with praise of whole CAMS team and deeply admires the essence of the event ever since seeing the “good bones” it had, just over three years ago. His relationship with CAMS for this event is simple, he says, they will meet shortly before the next Southern Classic followed by a 30 min debrief over coffee. Every time I saw Mike Pero he was smiling, and I saw him a lot, as we had to go past him to get anywhere – scrutineering, the kitchen, the bathroom, the commentary box. Mike’s interest in motorcycles began at age 15, shortly after he pursued an apprenticeship when he turned 17. He continued to be involved with motorcycles until 1985 when family and business matters took priority and it wasn’t until 2013 that he returned to motorcycles. Mike explains that this will be his last season racing, and even though it’s only social, “there comes a time to hang up your helmet”. He emphasised his pleasure at having the Australian contingent attend and intends for the event to grow and improve each year, “Long may it last” he says, smiling again. Practice was a mixed bag for us, on the on hand it was glorious fun, and on the other, we were twice cursed with fuel pump issues that lost us a lot of track time. A quick trip into Timaru to grab a replacement pump had us going again, but by this time, and after a very rough qualifying lap, my tailbone (broken a few weeks earlier doing wheelies) was most unhappy – but I had pushed myself to get through qualifying. I wasn’t feeling particularly stable on the bike either as I didn’t feel my weight was having much effect, we had tried a few position changes at various points during practice but it was hard to tell if it made much of a difference with the constant fuel problem hindering any consistency. The Agip weighs around 350kg and with Brent piloting with the engine underneath him there was a weight bias to the right. I’m 56kgs and it’s just me and the chair wheel on the left. At one point I had managed to get my left knee jammed between the passenger tray grip and the sidewheel fairing during a changeover as we were coming into the right-hand hairpin. That wasn’t especially pleasant and the adrenalin that pumping through my body trying to recover from that meant I’d used up much more energy than I needed to and we only managed to qualify 4th. It wasn’t all bad however, it’s a great view behind the classic chairs. I have a huge amount of respect for them now that I know a little more about them and having now been passed by, and followed, by a few. The braking capacity of some of the older model chairs differs quite a bit to the – relatively modern by comparison – Agip, and while we were quick down the straight, they tended to be faster through the corners and so we instigated the ol’ “slow down, to go fast” technique. Which in reality meant, we didn’t fancy being t-boned at 170 km per hour because we weren’t yet carrying decent corner speed. The classic boys and girls throw their machines into the corners and just sledge it round – tyres squealing, smoke everywhere – it’s pretty badass. Passengers on some classic chairs are lying superman prone down the straight, leaping into position out to the left at the end of the straight, and laying half their body over the track just inches below, then they’d acrobat over to the right for the hairpin. It was almost worth being behind them, watching them was incredible and I felt suitably lazy by comparison. Back at the pits I had a breather and began to write some notes but then who should walk by but Stephen Maynard-Smith, Technical Steward and on my list of people to talk to. Stephen started with CAMs two years after the club had been formed, riding a BSA Goldstar CB34GS 500 and a 1976 Yamaha 125GP bike. He raced Sydenham street circuit and the dirt road track at Cust. Stephen also rode the Goldstar many times round Wigram and was at the very last Wigram meeting, riding the oldest motorcycle and he told me ‘those were the days now long gone to history’. Stephen rode a TZ250, TZ350 and a Moriwaki KR600 prior to CAMS when he was a member of the then Canterbury Autocycle Union. Stephen was also one of a very small handful that created the famous ‘dipper’ at Ruapuna and has photos of the construction. In the 1985-86 season, he took second place in the NZGP in Sydenham, Christchurch on a 50cc Yamaha. The circuit consisted of Carlyle Street as the main straight. I am currently in possession of a photo album of some of his racing back then, and I can tell you Stephen looks quite dashing in his eighties leathers and helmet. We had a good laugh when he showed me the photos! It was a big deal, he said when he upgraded to an AGV helmet with clear and tinted visor options. He eventually stepped away from CAMS as other things in his life took priority but returned about four years ago when CAMS asked him to examine some machines. Having done technical duties at a GP held at Ruapuna, Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) then approached Stephen about becoming a Technical Steward for both motocross and road racing, a job which involves ensuring bikes meet technical requirements as laid out in MNZ’s Manual of Motorcycle Sport. At that point, they had been without a Technical Steward for several years! He takes his role as Technical Steward seriously and carries out inspections thoroughly, and with a calm and thoughtful demeanour, he is well suited for the role. For Stephen, coming to the Southern Classic, and seeing Jock Woodley, with whom he used to race some 20 years ago, was simple nostalgia; “It’s how racing was when I was on TZs, the comradery, the bikes – the atmosphere”. When Kevin Magee, Graham ‘Croz’ Crosby, John Woodley and Jock Woodley arrived at the event it was ‘Gidday mate! Great to see you again!’ all round. At the end of the weekend, Stephen thanked several people for attending, including Kiwi Croz and the Australian former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, Kevin Magee. Kevin shook his hand and told him “Steve mate, this is what motorcycle racing is all about!” Saturday at 8.50am was rider’s briefing. I was solemn after yesterday and feeling a bit sorry for myself. I had just made the premature decision to offer passengering to the only other person we knew that was available and had passengered before, even if only once. It was a premature decision because, had I known how much smoother and faster the bike would be running after resolving the fuel issue, I’m sure my broken tailbone would have coped. The new passenger was Brent’s eldest son, Jack. I offered a little passengering advice, and after only one practice and the bike finally running well, things were looking up for Team Agip. Brent and Jack continued to improve, it probably helped that Jack was significantly heavier than me, though still relatively slow, they managed to win race two. The win was due to the two quickest bikes missing the call-up, however, they still managed to post the fastest lap time. Unfortunately, mid-afternoon on Saturday they managed to crack the front brake rotor and there was no replacement available at short notice, the rotor we did manage to get would require engineering overnight. We didn’t want to ask anyone to stay up all night, so sadly it was the end of the weekend for the Agip. Everyone suddenly became very busy trying to offer solutions to Brent, but knowing all was lost, I left him to fend for himself and I went to find my friend Av. If there is one great female ambassador for motorcycle racing in NZ it is without any doubt, Avalon Biddle. Not only is she diplomatic and friendly with people, but she is a demon on a motorcycle, and this season she will be riding her Kawasaki Ninja 600 in the NZSBK Championship. I caught up with Avalon only briefly this time, standing back to let her chat with other riders and members of the public requesting signatures and photos from her. She dealt with being socially bombarded with practised ease and still managed to keep me included in the conversations and tell me about the RGB she had just ridden. The 1987 RGB 500 was offered to her, by owner Paul Edwards, who unfortunately could not attend the event. Stu Avant (ex chch racer) bought the bike over from Australia, and Avalon was their first choice of rider to ride it here at the Southern Classic. When she received the offer she immediately responded in the affirmative. It was an amazing offer, she said, and although she still can’t believe she said yes, she also acknowledged that, “…and you’d know this too Jess, sometimes you have to put yourself out there”, and she is glad she did. Having had 4-5 years’ experience riding 125s she was very prepared for a bike like this and having just been out on track she said she had “no time to be nervous” before jumping on the RGB for the first time. At the end of the weekend, the only injury she received was sore cheeks from smiling too much! By late afternoon, my introvert shell was beginning to crack so I went and hermitted in our “elite-trailer-caravan-Airbnb”. I emerged about an hour later fully charged and ready for our BBQ dinner, courtesy of our new classic sidecar family. We had a great evening socialising, but unfortunately missed the Q&A sessions with the legends as we had started to reassemble the Agip in order to have it on display and ready for transportation home. I did hear though, that the talks were fantastic, and everyone seemed to have a great night. Sunday bought morning rain and soggy sneakers, but the sky soon cleared, and track declared dry. There were a few delays in racing, with a couple of crashes and bike pick-ups, but this was well covered by commentary from Phil Dark and Graeme “Spyda” Staples. They held several interviews including talks with Graeme Crosby, Robbie Phyllis, Kevin Magee and Paul Treacy. I managed to make it to the commentary box and get a few words in commentary during the Development/Supersport 150 class. Afterwards, I had a quick chat with Phil Dark. I asked him if there was an art to commentary, he doesn’t think so, his approach is to simply to “wing it”. He did tell me about a common saying amongst those in the TV/Radio industry, and that is that when commentating, it is important to cater to a specific audience and this was “the mother of five from Papakura”. Phil will be doing the TV commentary and producing for the Cemetery Circuit street race on boxing day, as he has done for the last 19 years. Phil loves what he does and thinks commentating is “the best job in the world”. Not having the Agip to run on Sunday, did relax the day for Brent and I significantly, giving us more of an opportunity to enjoy the event and socialise. The Agip garnered a steady stream of interested members of the public and fellow riders throughout the weekend, and I met a lot of folks who wanted to talk about their own projects and experiences. I collated a list of people who I think have some interesting stories I want to tell and some beautiful motorcycles that deserve public appreciation. We all got to experience a special treat on Sunday. Gary Cotterill not only raced a ’62 Manx Norton 500, a ’72 Triumph Trident 750 and ’95 GRC Supermono 720 during the weekend, but he then managed to sneak away and bring back his replica Spitfire. In an - unexpected to me because I failed to read the whole program – aerial display, he flew low over the track several times at various angles, much to everyone’s delight. It was an awesome touch for the last day of an epic weekend. The younger generations got to experience a little old school racing the way it used to be, those old enough got to relive their youth, and everyone got to admire the machines. The Southern Classic allows us to be taken back to when cigarette and alcohol sponsors, and camping at the racetrack, was the norm. At one point, as I stood chatting with Av, she motioned to the men standing around outside the scrutineering bay. They were wearing old-school leathers, leaning up against the shed, smoking, with white-coated scrutineers working away behind them – anyone could have taken a photo and believed it to be 1980. The Southern Classic brings back the past and makes it present, and it’s a beautiful nostalgia.

Triumph Motorcycles New Zealand has confirmed the new Speed Twin will be heading to New Zealand very soon. So what are we likely to pay, and more importantly, what makes this new modern classic so special? The Speed Twin is a hallowed nameplate in the Triumph Motorcycles stable. First introduced in 1938, the Speed Twin was what Triumph themselves describe as the first successful parallel twin engine packaged into a game changing chassis. The Speed Twin set the template for many of Triumph's models to follow (including the legendary Bonneville), and was described as a real 'riders bike'. Entering the New Zealand market in January 2019 with a price point in the early to mid $20,000 range, the new Speed Twin re-introduces the nameplate to the modern era of Triumph Motorcycles. Unlike the Bonneville line however, the Speed Twin leans towards the Street Twin in terms of styling appeal, however when it comes to the new bike's power, the Speed Twin is more closer to the Thruxton R but at a more affordable price point. Confused? Well that means that the Speed Twin looks a lot like the 900cc Street Twin, but the engine is based off the 1200cc High Power parallel twin of the premium Thruxton R cafe racer instead of the more popular High Torque 1200 found in the rest of the 1200cc Bonneville range. The Thruxton R engine has also been revised specifically for the Speed Twin, with the high performance engine featuring a low inertia crank and high compression head. Updates include a new magnesium cam cover, a revised clutch assembly and new mass optimised engine covers. Together these deliver a 2.5kg weight saving over the Thruxton engine. With 97PS peak power at 6,750rpm, the new Speed Twin achieves a huge 76% increase over the 2016/17 Street Twin, and 49% more than the 2018 Street Twin. Additionally the new Speed Twin engine also delivers a strong peak torque figure of 112 Nm at 4,950rpm - an tidy 40% more than the 2018 Street Twin. It's important to note however that those figures are comparing the Speed Twin, a 1200cc bike to the similar looking but smaller 900cc Street Twin. The Speed Twin is equipped with a pretty comprehensive electronics suite with three rider modes linked via a ride-by-wire throttle system to the ECU. The Speed Twin also features switchable traction control, a torque assist clutch - another name for a slipper clutch with the added benefit of a lighter clutch feel at the lever - plus LED lighting with a DRL incorporated into the headlight. As always, Triumph have done a bang-up job of creating a stylish and functional motorcycle, with a beautiful cockpit and top-notch finishing touches. The Speed Twin takes the wider Triumph modern classic family to 12 models in New Zealand, and will be joined next year by the new Scrambler 1200. 2019 SPEED TWIN SPECIFICATIONS Engine Type | Liquid cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, 270° crank angle parallel twin Capacity 1200cc Bore x Stroke | 97.6 x 80 mm Compression Ratio | 11.0 : 1 Maximum Power | 97 PS / 96 BHP (71.5 kW) @ 6,750 rpm Maximum Torque | 112 Nm @ 4,950 rpm Fuel system | Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection Exhaust | Brushed 2 into 2 exhaust system with twin silencers Final drive | Chain Clutch | Wet, multi-plate assist clutch Gearbox | 6-speed Frame | Tubular steel with aluminium cradle Swingarm | Twin-sided, aluminium Front Wheel | Cast aluminium alloy 7-spoke 17 x 3.5in Rear Wheel | Cast aluminium alloy 7-spoke 17 x 5in Front Tyre |120/70 ZR17 Rear Tyre |160/60 ZR17 Front Suspension | 41mm cartridge forks, 120mm travel Rear Suspension |Twin shocks with adjustable preload, 120mm rear wheel travel Front Brake | Twin 305mm discs, Brembo 4-piston fixed calipers, ABS Rear Brake |Single 220mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper, ABS Width (Handlebars) | 760 mm Height Without Mirrors |1110 mm Seat Height | 807 mm Wheelbase |1430 mm Rake | 22.8 º Trail | 93.5 mm Dry Weight | 196 Kg Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 L Fuel Consumption | 4.8 l/100km (59 mpg)

Royal Enfield Australia and New Zealand has confirmed the price for the new Continental GT and Interceptor 650 models for the Kiwi marketplace with the bikes confirmed to be available to the NZ public in February 2019. The pricing of the two new models is split between three variants each – a Classic as the base model, the mid-level Custom and the top-spec Chrome trim level. The bikes enter at $10,290 with the Interceptor 650 in Classic trim. The Interceptor being the more traditional of the two Royal Enfield 650s, will be going up against still competition from the established players in the New Zealand market – namely Triumph Motorcycles and that company's extensive Bonneville and Street ranges. However, it is the pricing which will weigh heavily in the Royal Enfield's favour with the entry level Triumph Street Twin priced between $14-16,000. The Cafe Racer Continental GT 650 will enter the market at $10,590 and again cuts the price on the established entry into the cafe class from Triumph by a significant $6,400. Interested buyers can reserve their bike now by talking to their local Royal Enfield dealership, with the first shipment of 650 twins expected to arrive in February. Full pricing as announced by Royal Enfield Australia and New Zealand is as follows: Interceptor 650: Classic = $10,290 inc GST Custom = $10,490 inc GST Chrome = $10,790 inc GST Continental GT 650: Classic = $10,590 inc GST Custom = $10,790 inc GST Chrome = $10,990 inc GST

For three weeks each December, the speed of life quickens as the annual Suzuki Series weaves its magic. Bike racers, engineers and mechanics, team managers, sponsors and the many fans all become engrossed in this special 'mini' season of pre-nationals racing. This year's annual three-round Suzuki Series kicks off at Taupo's Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park on Sunday, December 9, and there's no let-up with the series heading to the Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, on the outskirts of Feilding, for round two just a week later, on December 16, before its traditional Boxing Day finale on Whanganui's famous Cemetery Circuit. It has been 10 years since the Suzuki Series was first created, in 2008, and its popularity continues to grow, with the public street event on Boxing Day, in particular, drawing large crowds. The entry list for the premier Formula One class is again both long and illustrious this season, but if Taupo's Scotty Moir can pick up where he left off last year, then the Suzuki star will rank among the favourites to win again in 2018. However, there is a trio of other former Suzuki Series winners who will rank right up there alongside him – Liechtenstein rider Horst Saiger (Yamaha), Wellington's Sloan Frost (Suzuki) and Whakatane's Tony Rees (Honda). Glen Eden's Daniel Mettam is another who should feature in the F1 class on Sunday. He won the Suzuki Series’ 600cc Formula Two trophy in 2015 and the national 600cc supersport title in 2016. The Suzuki star finished overall runner-up in the Suzuki Series' F1 class last year and finished third in the superbike class in the 2018 nationals. British rider Peter Hickman will be first-timer in the Suzuki Series, but his stunning credentials will instantly elevate him to favourite status too. Internationally-renowned Hickman won at the Isle of Man earlier this year, setting a new lap record, and also celebrated wins in 2018 at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland and at the Ulster Grand Prix. Hickman will race at all three rounds of the Suzuki Series and will be racing his BMW motorcycle under the Carl Cox Motorsports banner. Other international stars set to make the trip Downunder include British and world sidecar championship contender John Holden, who will again have Tauranga's Robbie Shorter as his "wingman". Holden and Shorter won the sidecars class in the 2016 edition of the Suzuki Series. British duo Phil Hyde and Gary Bryan also add international sparkle to the sidecars class in what will be their first Kiwi appearance, while Manx racing regular Nigel Rea, also from the UK, will make his Kiwi debut in the 600cc class. Former Dutch sidecar champion Kees Endeveld and Australians Phil Underwood and Stephen Ford will also be hoping to put their respective nations on the map here this summer. But, despite the presence of the international stars, it was Kiwi rider Moir who commanded the largest share of the spotlight last year and he could be the man to beat again this time around too. Moir had arrived at Whanganui's final round of the series on Boxing Day last year with a slender seven-point lead over his two key rivals, Aucklander Mettam and Whakatane's Mitch Rees, but he simply refused to let the pressure tell on him. The then 33-year-old Moir dominated this traditional post-Christmas race meeting at Whanganui, wrapping up the Suzuki Series' premier F1 class title, his first major road-race title win. He also celebrated a start-to-finish win in the event's coveted Robert Holden Memorial feature race. The Suzuki Series also offers races for Formula Two (600cc), Formula Three, Classics (pre-89), sports bikes, super motard bikes and sidecars, so there's no shortage of on-track action. A new competition was hatched last year for fledgling riders – the GIXXER Cup class, reserved for riders aged between 14 and 21 and all on board identical 150cc Suzuki GSX150F model bikes – and it returns to the programme again this year. There are expected to be at least 18 riders on the starting grid in the GIXXER Cup class, with entries received from as far afield as Australia, Greymouth, Nelson, Sanson, Rotorua and Auckland. Hamilton brothers Caleb and Jesse Stroud are among the GIXXER Cup entries, these two siblings the sons of Suzuki's nine-time former national superbike champion Andrew Stroud and so, if genes count for anything, they will certainly be worth watching. Words and photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

Suzuki's Chad Reed is a three-time champion in the United States and now he's the FIM Oceania Supercross Champion as well. For the likeable Australian rider it was a welcome return to his "home away from home" ... a hat-trick of wins on Saturday night, in front of a large and appreciative Auckland audience, earning him the inaugural Monster Energy S-X Open International Supercross FIM Oceania Championship title. Chad Reed rode his Suzuki RM-Z450 to score an impressive unbeaten string of feature race wins in the premier SX1 class, delighting a crowd of more than 21,000 at Mt Smart Stadium. The man from Kurri Kurri in New South Wales has been a many-time visitor to New Zealand over the years and he was the obvious crowd favourite on Saturday night, with the Penrose venue threatening to erupt each time he took the chequered flag. Reed made several trips to New Zealand in the 1990s, the young man keen to test himself before eventually heading to Europe and then the United States, where he went on to craft a brilliant international career. He finished runner-up in his first attempt at the 250cc motocross world championships in 2001 before twice winning the US supercross championships, firstly in 2004 and then again in 2008, and he also then won the 450cc motocross championships in the US in 2009. And there seems to be plenty more left in this "old man" of the sport. "I'm 36 years old and I'm not supposed to be winning like this, at this level. Bring on A1 is all I can say," said Reed, referring to the 2019 US supercross championship opener, set for Angel Stadium, in Anaheim, California, on January 5. Reed said he was "stoked" to become the first ever FIM Oceania Supercross Champion. "Coming back to New Zealand is always awesome. This crowd was amazing and, for me, I’d love to be back and defend my title and supporting this championship next year. Saturday's night's spectacle was the second of two rounds in the FIM Oceania Championship, with the first round staged in Sydney two weeks ago, and it was Reed's flawless performance in Auckland that propelled him to the top of the standings. He finished the night ahead of Australian Hayden Mellross, Scotland's Dean Wilson and American duo Christian Craig and Justin Brayton, that result meaning Reed also topped the two-round FIM Oceania series, finishing that competition ahead of Wilson, Brayton, Australian Luke Clout and American Jason Anderson. "I was riding conservatively to save from overheating the clutch, but Justin Brayton was really pushing me hard in that last race. I think we put on a great show for the fans," said Reed. "I'll go back to the US now and hit the ground there running. "I've always strived to be one of the elite group and so the hope is there that I will perform well at Anaheim. That's why I'm still here doing this sport ... it's the ultimate feeling." He was up against some of those same elite US supercross riders at Auckland too. "You've got Justin Brayton who won a (US supercross) race this season and Dean Wilson was second in a (US supercross) race too. Christian Craig is one of those rising stars in the US, so for me to come here to New Zealand and dominate an event like this, it gives me a lot of confidence. "I'm feeling good with the Suzuki too. Since I first swung a leg over this bike it's been fun. I think, with a little more testing, I think I can show up at Anaheim with a real weapon." In the SX2 (250cc) class, it was American rider Dakota Alix who took the glory at Mt Smart Stadium, finishing ahead of Australian Ryan Marmont, with New Zealand's Josiah Natzke claiming the final podium spot, followed by Waitakere's Ethan Martens and Te Puke's Logan Blackburn. Words and photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

You can only get so much nope in one video, yet somehow Japanese MX rider Taka Higashino managed to tick most of the 'no thanks' boxes. Higashino, riding a Yamaha YZ250F, completed two laps of the sky bridge outside of the Southern Hemisphere's tallest structure. While he initially planned to pop a wheelie during the ride this morning (21st November) strong winds reportedly put paid to that plan and he had to settle for being the first person to ever ride the outside of the Sky Tower. The stunt was a promotional move for the Auckland S-X Open at Mt Smart this weekend, a supercross event which sees international riders come to New Zealand to compete in the country's biggest ever supercross event.