Bikesales Staff•17 July 2011

NEWS

Fast Torque #8

Fast Torque went AWOL for a few months, but now it's back and it wants your comments! You may even be rewarded if it's a pearler of a comment

Welcome to the latest edition of Fast Torque, the letters page that keeps its finger on the pulse of the Australian and international motorcycling community. Here you'll find out which articles are getting the most comments and what topics are trending - and why. And if you want you can then reply to the posts easily on the website. There's even some great posts at the bottom of this page - take a squizz.

Winning!

PocoLoco, for his reader comment about bikers behaving badly has won himself a pack of Smart Strapz from Andy Strapz (valued at $65) and a pair of Can-Am baseball caps. The winner of the best/worst comment for the 8th edition of Fast Torque will win a USB Bridgestone laser mouse, shaped like car but with lights that flash and wheels that turn. We tried to get a motorcycle mouse but they're harder to get...

Most talked about stories

1 Suzuki V-Strom 650 leaked
2 Husqvarna Nuda 900R
3 BMW K 1600 GT review
4 Biker dies in anti-helmet protest

ANTI HELMET PROTESTER DIES #1
Only stupidity would allow you to ride without a helmet. This is one law that makes perfect sense. Because those that do survive are likely to suffer serious brain damage that the rest of their family or society will be left to care for them, when it was preventable. We have this rule right!
- SAKSS69 (via comments)

Ed: This is a very contentious issue, but the 'issue' seems to be more about freedom of choice than whether a helmet will save a life. Logic and reason would suggest that wearing a motorcycle helmet would reduce the chance of death in a crash.

ANTI HELMET PROTESTER DIES #2

Your life your choice. People choose to smoke, drink and eat bad food so why can't they choose to ride a motorbike with no helmet?
- Matt (via comments)

HUSQVARNA NUDA 900R SIZZLES
I want it, and I want it now.
- Husky (via comments)

Ed: You'll have to wait until December 2011/January 2011 for this motorcycle to arrive. It's an interesting design, and we've seen a diverse range of opinion concerning the styling - some people love it, some people hate it. We just want to ride it.

HUSQVARNA NUDA 900R DESIGN FAILS
Bit of a stretch calling pretty. Good looking, damn - even calling it average looking would be a good result. It seems to go alright, and when in motion you don't focus on it that much... that could explain the " href="/news/2011/road/husqvarna/2012-husqvarna-nuda-900r-25624" target=_blank
Crossrunner bike may be a new thing for Honda but I think it looks a lot like the TDM, which isn't exactly a neonate. A 17-inch front wheel takes away from any off-road cred it might have had, and as Bryce mentioned, it's a pretty heavy thing to be skitting around on dirt on a short and fat front tyre. Add lots of fancy (expensive) bodywork that you don't want to stone chip and all you've really made is another jack of all trades, master of none. I guess Honda aren't obliged to do anything in particular, it's their call - but I don't think they've broken the mould here. I'd say they're leaning towards outright boring.
- Chris (via comments)

HONDA GETS ADVENTUROUS #2

So it's $15,000 for the Honda Crossrunner? Yep, I'm interested. I expected this to be a lot more expensive. The 21.5 litre fuel tank works for me. The main reason I didnt get the VFR1200 was its stupidly tiny tank, and I reckon this will be more but just as capable. Looking forward to the review.
- M Stevens (via comments)

BMW K 1600 GT OVERPRICED
The BMW K1600GT costs US$20,900 ($19,722 AUD) and UK Pounds 15,765 ($24,130 AUD)... In Australia it's $34,990..!!! So Australian consumers get gouged $10k a pop. And remember fully imported and ABS equipped bike can be brought here for $6k. Tell them; they are dreaming.
- OportoJ (via comments)

BMW K 1600 GT OVERPRICE #2
[Response to OportoJ] I think BMW, like the other manufacturers, set a price that they think the market will bear. It's really got very little to do with development/manufacturing/tax cost; they look at the opposition in the market and price it in relation to that. If the price is too cheap they 1) don't make as much money as they can and 2# destroy the brand image.
- Bob (via comments)

LOREZNO IS A CRY BABY
My wife and I did kinda cheer when Lorenzo was taken out by his best mate Simmo... Remember when they had that stern chat and Jorge said "As long as you don't hit me we have no problem." Haha. I also didn't hear Jorge call for Rossi to get banned after he took out Stoner... Harden up Jorge.
- Mark Hurley (via comments)

SUZUKI V-STROM 650?
I am a bit disappointed with the new Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS "Adventure" bike. The build up had me thinking of great ground clearance, decent suspension travel, spoked wheels and a slightly worked motor - making what already had a good rep into something truly competitive and genuinely dual-purpose. This really does just look like a V-Strom facelift. Hey, with any luck the 'leak' is a fake and Suzuki actually have something truly inspiring up their sleeve. Here's hoping! If what I envisaged comes out I'd happily replace the DR.
- Chris (via comments)

Ed: The general consensus towards the new V-Strom appears to be luke-warm, but I will reserve judgement until I've ridden it. We're getting our first ride on the bike in late June / ealy July, and it will be very interesting to see how it performs. Full details soon.

SUZUKI V-STROM 650!

I was really excited by the prospect of the new V-Strom after reading the previews, then I saw these images and was disappointed. BUT... I waited an hour before I posted this comment, and having looked over the images a second time, I'm actually warming to the bike. I like the air intakes under the headlight - gives a technical look. Only one qualm - it better have more power!!
- Frank (via comments)

SUZUKI V-STROM SHAFTED?
I hope the new Suzuki V-Strom has a shaft drive, that will make it better than the rest.
- Tenacres (via comments)

DORSO WILL DO DUCATI
This 1200cc Aprilia sounds like a good alternative to a Ducati Hypermotard. That engine sounds absolutely nuts in this package. If only the hoon laws weren't so strict, I would get one! Haha.
- Jason (via comments)

Ed: I can't tell you how much fun it is to ride this thing, though you make a pertinent point about the hoon laws. It takes a lot of will power to ride it sedately, but it's not impossible.

ERIK BUELL'S BIKES LIVE ON
I would love to see EBR 1190RS tested back-to-back with a Prilli RSV4 R Factory. This American bike looks very potent. Would be a very close battle, but the anti-wheelie electronics would probably give the Aprilia the edge.
- Vman (via comments)

BUY ME A BENELLI
Wow, these Benelli naked bikes have an sort of custom look from some angles. Love the rear swingarm, very pretty. But is it one of those "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" bikes?
- John Champion (via comments)

JAPAN vs AMERICA
The Suzuki C50T is not only about the low price tag - this bike would outlive two Harleys, I have no doubt about it. Not to nention the fact that here in Aussieland, one is not able to ride a Harley-Davidson in summer time in the cities, cos they are just not able to handle the summer heat.
- Joe (via comments)

HUSQVARNA 900
Yeck! The new Husqvarna street bike is ugly! But who cares really. If it rides well I may take a closer look. The parallel twin engine from the BMW bored out to 900cc will be a killer engine and that alone has piqued my interest. Lastly a question - is it just me or does this bike look ridiculously compact??
- SJ (via comments)

Ed: It does look a little compact SJ, but it could be an optical illusion - what if the rider is 190cm tall? I agree with you on the engine, it should be a rip-snorter, and it will be very interesting to see how the new bike develops.

NORTON LOSES TERBLANCHE

Let's read between the lines - Norton didn't pay Pierre Terblanche enough money and/or they didn't give him the creative freedom someone like Terblanche needs. He is a genius, and genius don't come cheap! Hopefully he'll go design some nice Italian bikes again.
- Ben (via comments)

LANE FILTERING #1
No - methinks this lane filtering idea is lacking in merit. Who is it beneficial for the 'filter'? The motorcyclist only. As long as car doors open, pedestrians cross at places other than pedestrian crossings and bicycles use the shoulder, this is too risky a practice to condone (in my view). Show me a petition that requires licence re-testing (say every five years) for all road users and I'll sign it, but not this one.
- Yllek Nimos (via comments)

LANE FILTERING #2
I'm a car driver only, not a motorcycle rider. I agree with this petition. I have no issue with bikes 'filtering' when the traffic is stopped or slow moving, in fact I encourage it. I will move over if I see a bike approaching but that is the difference right there, I know what's behind and around me NOT just what's in front of me. As a driver I'm constantly frustrated by how inconsiderate and unaware car drivers are to each other, let alone to motorbikes. We really need to do more to properly educate road users!
- Nathan (via comments)

LANE FILTERING #3
There is no question that filtering makes riding safer - it allows you to get into clear space ahead of the traffic so that you are not surrounded by cars. Occasionally drivers will get narky about it because they think you are just trying to get home faster than them. But I have found that many drivers don't have a problem with filtering and they will actually move over to allow you to get through small gaps.
- David (via comments)

LANE FILTERING #4
The filtering law is ajoke even the police dont understand where you can and cant so I see as a revenue raiser just like locations of speed cameras, 90% of bike accidents are from cars not looking or riders being idiots not from filtering, if filtering is clear and legal it will be a winner all round for bikes and other traffic.
- The Mutts (via comments)

Ed: We've had a fantastic response to the lane filtering story and the discussions on the story have been balanced and well thought out. Keep the comments coming! My position is that filtering should be legal in certain situations, namely when traffic has stopped. It will be interesting to see how many people sign the petition and if it gains any traction in parliament.

ELETRIC DREAMS?

In my opinion the problem with existing riders, like me, is that there is no incentive to switch to electric bikes. You can get a great bike second hand on the road for under $10K, so why would you buy one of these for $17,000? Maybe a sweetener from the government will get the ball rolling, but without this intervention, most riders I know will never buy an electric bike.
- John Klesk

Ed: A lot of countries offer tax exemptions and other incentives for buyers who opt for electric vehicles, whether car or motorcycle, and it's a great shame the same is not offered by in Australia. I think there's a lot of people like you, John, who would consider an electric motorcycle if there were incentives.

ISLE OF MAN TT

Absolutely loving the Isle of Man TT, and one day I hope to make the pilgrimage to the hallowed island. Bit sad when riders lose their lives, as it affects a lot of people - their families of course - but riders know the risks when they enter the race. I'm not even sure I would do the Mad Sunday thingy.
- SJ (via comments)

DITCH THE GIX' WHITE WHEELS
Regarding the new 2011 Suzuki GSX-R sports bikes - get rid of the white rims, I thought they already did!
- Leigh

Ed: Are you serious? The white wheel rims are a trademark that spans a quarter a century. Ditch the white wheels and you ride roughshod over the great heritage of the Gixxer.

MV AJUSTA
With the strong Aussie dollar why are the MV Agustas costing so much? I'm currently living in the US but will be returning to Oz next year. I'm looking to buy an F4 to bring back with me which is retailing here for $18,500 and that's before the bargaining starts! Over $7,000 difference. WTF!!
- Chris Ortlipp

Ed: This is an issue that affects premium cars as well and bikes, and the answer from importers is usually the same - luxury vehicle taxes and the remoteness of Australia hike up the price. But there's probably a little bit of "what will people pay?" that adds to the equation, and Australia is a very affluent country...

BMW HP2 SPORTS
I bought the limited BMW HP2 Sports motosport special on Bikesales.com.au. I think it is the last of it's type in Australia - only 400 world wide. This bike is everything the reviews say it is plus more. A bike that is very special but one you can live with every day.
- David Hempel

TRUMPY TIGER OR BEEMER F 650 GS?

So do I get one of these new Triumph Tigers, or the BMW F 650 GS? I'm leaning towards the Tiger - it looks better, has more power and more intuitive features.
- Mike G (via comments)

TRUMPY TIGER OR BEEMER F 650 GS? - READER RESPONSE
Ride em both. Just ask for a test ride at a dealer - most motorcycle shops are super keen to please at the moment. Most reviews agree that the Triumph is now the class leader, but I haven't ridden the Triumph yet. The BMW is pretty good but it ain't perfect.
- K Jackson (via comments)

HARLEY-DAVIDSON BACKFLIP
I was going to ask "why" but then I realised I don't really care. This is just awesome! And very dangerous, bring it on. I'd like to see a back flip on a H-D trike next - now THAT would be insane...
- Batman (via comments)

* Some emails have been edited for length and content.

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Fast Torque #8

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