FAST TORQUE

Welcome to our second edition of "Fast Torque", where you guys, the Bikesales Network readers, get to have your say about everything in the two-wheeled world.
Each month we give away a prize, and "Pogo" won a pair of Andy Strapz Rain-off Motorcycle Overgloves last month for his letter about the Can-Am Spyder. This month's prize will be a trendy Crumpler 'Barney Rustle' bag. Valued at $150, it's water resistant, has reflector strips, accessory loops and rip-stop lining, and like all Crumplers gets a "Til death do us part" lifetime warranty.
So write in with whatever's on your mind to win stuff, but also to be published. Indeed, this the place where you tell us about your experiences, opinions and vexations. Perhaps there's a new naked bike that has caught your eye, or maybe you're concerned about the way road rules are being enforced? Whatever's on your mind, let us know. We do a fair bit of gas-bagging here at the Bikesales Network, and now it's your turn to join in. Just scroll to the bottom of the page and follow the 'comment' link to send us some sage words.
NEW DUCATI?
This Ducati power cruiser is a case of too little, too late. And too expensive, too "design-conscious", too pretentious. Like Italian cars, purses, shoes and hair-do's. But it does beat Honda's yawn-approach. It's still more Boloni from Bologna. Possibly sold as 155hp and 185kg? You cannot be "new" if you stay the SAME! Something half Buell and half MT 01 isn't  "it". I'd sooner ride a Vespa Scooter.
- Otto
1800 LEARN-TO-DRIVEWhat in God's great earth is wrong with car drivers today? I drive a car as well as a motorcycle, but it blows my mind just how many car drivers don't use their effing indicators. Whether changing lanes or even at traffic lights or T-intersections, it scares the bejesus out of me how many drop kick drivers don't flick that little lever. Clearly it takes too much effort to let other road users and pedestrians know which way you plan on travelling. No wonder the roal toll is spiralling out of control.
- John Howard
Ed: I must confess I have noticed this trend getting worse over the last few years. Maybe a solution would be for all motorists to undergo refresher courses, or maybe the rozzers could actually do their job instead of sitting around revenue raising.
EXHAUSTING DESIGN
The Kawaksaki GTR1400 has way too small a fuel tank and the person who designed that exhaust system should be shot. It has to be the ugliest thing I have ever seen attached to a motorcycle.
- Peter
ENGLAND vs ITALY
I had a Bonneville 2001 model, but I now own a Guzzi V7 Classic and I'm not sorry at all. The Bonneville  was good in concept, but it came with some major issues regarding quality of manufacture and components. I gave it away in the end. My V7 is brilliant. The seat is the only bit I have changed, it was too high and too 'firm', but I now have the bike of my dreams. Well done Moto Guzzi!
- Stuart Garfath
MOBILE MORONS
The number of drivers I have seen using their hand held mobile phone has increased. They are far more likely to cause an accident than anyone else. Speed cameras don't catch them but the state government is saying by this action, let's punish the potential victims instead.
- Peta
ELECTRIC SUPERBIKESGreat idea this Aussie electric superbike. I have a revolutionary idea for the lighting system, would love to get involved later when that stage comes around. One comment I will make however: You don't design a frame and then the electric powerplant to go into it! Frames are generally designed around the thing they hold or join. The power plant, power source and mechanical drive train being some of the major components of this concept bike I thought it would be obviouse to figure out what needs to be housed within the frame and build the frame to accomodate it! So why is the frame the stage one?
- Aaron
Ed: You make a valid point Aaron. Lots of manufacturers start with the powerplant, then add the trimmings - so to speak. Let us know about your lighting system too.
ONLINE MOTORCYCLE MANUALS
Well thats just great news if you own a Kawasaki but what if your looking for an owner's manual for a 1990 Honda ST1100?
- TinyWWWarrior
Ed: Can anyone help?
TWO FINGERED SALUTE
While I enjoyed Rob's comment on what might be described as the misuse of statistics, I care less for his comments on two finder braking. I've been riding for over twenty years and am a two fingered braker. I'm not advocating it for everyone but as Rob points out it's his personal opinion. I've locked the front on my BMW using two fingers, I've lifted the rear wheel off the ground at over 100km/h using two fingers on my aprilia, I have raced... Two finger braking is, for me, natural. I'd do more harm than good trying to modify my behaviour now. So why did I ever start using two fingers on the brakes? I think it was so I always had the brakes covered while still holding the throttle. Perhaps you could redo your reaction time calculations based on the fact my front brake is covered... I run two fingered levers designed for that purpose, two fingers are all I need.
- Two Fingered Braker
GOOD WORK
Fantastic up to date news articles to keep us informed.
- Detlev Zunk
WARMING TO THE IDEA
Hello, great article but on the subject of warm hands and heated grips - I found that warm grips alone aren't very efficient in very cold weather and upon arriving home, my fingers were still so chilled as to make it difficult to get my garage key from my jacket pocket. Even after taking my gloves off. Here comes a plug for the cure, from your own shores incidentally - Barkbusters handguards. Disclaimer: I am not affiliated to the aforementioned company or any good-looking smelly women at this point in time, sadly. All the best.
- Mike Stride, Burry Port, Wales, UK
GET WELL SOON CHAD
Chad Reed, you have done us proud. Meeting you was an honour and a pleasure. Nothing is as important as your health. Get well soon brother. Jay, Brett and Dean will do us proud. Jay and Brett are as hard as nails and Dean will learn alot from them. Go Aussie's. I'll be chearing the loudest.
- JC, Melbourne
ESPRESSO #1I believe the  first espresso machine to be used in Australia was in 1955 at Don Camillo's in North Melbourne. But I could be wrong.
- Mark
ESPRESSO #2
The first espresso machine first espresso machine to be used in Australia was in Cooma, NSW in the 1960's by Snowy Mountains Scheme workers and their families.
- Hopper
TRANSFORMING MOTORCYCLE
Geometry changes at speed eh? The mind boggles. How long before the safety nazis get hold of this motorcycle and smother the tank with warning notices or an outright ban on public road use?
- Magnus Windle
HEADING FOR THE HILLS
Is it any wonder that New South Wales is well on the way to financial insolvency?! The Government can only take so much from those that pay taxes, and when we are bled dry, what next? I am doing something about it, I am moving to Canberra, and all my former State taxes will, of course, come with me. There is only so much blood in this stone!
- Stuart Garfath
BYE BYE TWO-SMOKERS...
Although I'm a big MotoGP fan, I have always loved and will miss the 125 class. The buzzing wail of screaming 125s coming around Turn 12 like a swarm of angry mosquitoes is unforgettable. The smell of two-stroke fumes reminds me of my young days growing up in Italy, where the whole town seemed to be on a two-stroke bike of some sort. Not anymore though, as many cities in Europe have banned two-strokes. Does this mean the end of the two-stroke motorcycle?
- Mark
Ed: The trend has been towards four-strokes for the last 10 to 15 years, but many companies still have dedicated two-stroke line-ups, including KTM and Husqvarna. In addition, clean emission two-stroke technology is a constant work-in-progress so on that basis it's probably too early to sound the death knell of the two-stroke.
CTP RIP-OFFI am disgusted at the CTP rip-off - how can they justify charging these fees for CTP that is designed to cover the passenger, and occupants of other vehicles injured if a motorcycle collides with another vehicle and injures the occupants? It's rare that pillions are carried, and the chances of a motorcycle injuring the occupants in another vehicle is also very remote. Using that logic cars CTP should be triple what they cost now.
- Waybe Gibbs
CTP BOON
My CTP costs for my 1200cc and 600cc bikes have actually gone down with the new pricing policy, so I see no need to protest about that particular change. What I would like to see would be CTP insurance as part of drivers/riders licence applications and renewals. Why is it tied to vehicle rego? The vehicle doesn't get sued, you do! Yet here we are paying ongoing costs for something that often is not being used anyway. You can only drive/ride one vehicle at a time. Move CTP to licence fees and reduce the rip-off in registrations which line the insurance companies' pockets when there is no risk when your bike or second car is parked in the garage.
- Peter Davidson
PROS AND CONS
I agree this Honda VT750S looks like a fantastic bike for the price point and a great first bike after LAMS. Only reservation is the ridiculous fuel tank at only 10 litres! You would always be hunting for a servo.
- Carl
SULTANS OF BLING
The Sultan's blue MV Agusta looks great. But I wonder if the new owner can actually use every one of those 186 horses?
- Alex
Ed: He probably has a private race track!
DON'T WAIT UP...
There has been a lot of "talk" about a 1200 Dorsoduro for the last three years. Thank god I didn't wait for Aprilia, otherwise I would have missed the utter enjoyment provided by my two Ducati Hypermotards in the mean time.
- Ian Minus
PEOPLE POWER
This protest effort in NSW should be supported countrywide as it will affect us all. Strength to you all in NSW. We applaude you and support you!
- Lew
SCALING HEIGHTS
Regarding the Hypermotard 1100, my only concern is my height. I am 170cm tall. Would my feet comfortably touch the ground?
- George Tyler
Ed: Thanks for the letter. I'm only 172cm myself, and I had no trouble touching the ground or any nervous moments at traffic lights when riding the big Ducati. Take one for a test ride, I reckon you'll be fine.
SHOW ME THE MONEY?
Hope the new Ninja ZX-10R is priced between $18,000 and $20,000. My next bike might be a Honda, but if this Kawasaki shapes up....
- Alan
ADVENTUROUS DESIGNS
RE: The off-road Adventure bike from Triumph... Hope they keep the weight down. About 800 or 900cc would be about right. Not top heavy, a good pipe and no water stoppage problems would be nice. Well at least till it sinks. Reasonable log clearance, a rack, and please give us a strong headlight Triumph. KLRs, Suzukis, and BMW 800 lights are cr*p. And give us decent bars, and an accessory plug and bracket space for trackers. Definately no suicide fly by wire systems either...
- Dennis Newland
Ed: You're asking for a lot of things there Dennis. But you might just be surprised with what Triumph offers on its upcoming Adventure bike. The company's hardly put a foot wrong in the last couple of years, and we'll know the full details soon as it'll be revealed in the coming months. Watch this space!
AMERICAN SPORTS TOURER
Great write up of the Motus MST-01. With a target dry weight of 227kg (500lbs), it's still light when compared to existing sport-tourers such as the FJR, C14, etc.
- Brian
HONDA JUNKER
The Honda VT750S has low power, low torque, weak brakes. A rear drum and one disc in 2010 sums it really well.
- Fred
Ed: Take your point Fred, but this bike's primary purpose is 'casual' cruising. Its performance won't knock your socks off, no argument there, but it's not been designed to. It's also built to a price, hence the rear drum.
ITALIAN STALLION
I think this 'Power Cruiser' will be a bike for the "Ducati People". Why on earth would you buy that over a Yamaha V-Max. It even looks a lot like a V-Max. The Yamaha will be better built, more reliable, more powerful, cost less and probably more fuel efficient. This one is a no-brainer!!
- Peter Hickey
HOW MANLY!
OMG OMG OMG, I want one of these Hypermotards just because of how manly it would be to ride a bike that is rough and tough at low revs like that. Hmmmm, V-twin motard.
- Alan
STREET BRAWLER
I know it's a concept, but I want one......now!!!