Tested: Harley-Davidson MY17 Road Glide Special with all-new Milwaukee-Eight engine

Web Spin (Preview): MY17 Road Glide Special in Vivid Black

MY17 Road Glide Special in Vivid Black

A brand new, clean-sheet engine from Harley-Davidson comes along about as often as Halley’s Comet, so lovers of the venerable ‘hog’ are paying attention.

The all-new Milwaukee-Eight was created, apparently, in response to owner feedback from across the globe. Scott Miller, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Styling and Product Development Strategy said "You truly have to ride one to feel the difference - so we're inviting all riders to visit a Harley-Davidson dealer and take a test ride."

So, we popped down to Harley-Heaven at Alexandria and accepted Miller’s invitation to test one of the MY17 Road Glides fitted with the 107 variant and can attest that power is more accessible, smoothly delivered and in abundance.

Effortless cruising. Pie stop along the Hawkesbury. 

Continuing the century-old tradition of 45-degree V-Twins, the new engine is fitted exclusively to the range of big tourers and also incorporates revised front and rear suspension across the range making for an overall uplift in experience. Not once did I scrape the footboards on the twisty bends along the Hawkesbury, a glaring contrast to the Fat Boy S we tested the week before. 

Harley-Davidson's new Milwaukee-Eight engine, the ninth Big Twin
in the company's history, delivers more power and an improved
riding experience while retaining the iconic look, sound and
feel of its predecessors. (PRNewsFoto/Harley-Davidson)

The new 1745cc 107 weighs the same and delivers an extra 4Nm (now 150Nm) of torque a few hundred revs earlier than the Fat Boy’s Screamin' Eagle 1800cc 110. Compression ratio is 10:1. But the big difference is refinement.

Liquid-cooled cylinder heads are also a feature of the ‘twin-cooled’ top-of-range Ultras and CVOs.

Tested: MY17 Road Glide Special in Vivid Black. List: A$36,495 NZ$40,495

Test bike supplied by Harley Heaven Sydney

90 Years of Ducati

commissioned for World Magazine - Winter 2016 (click image to see digital edition)

Would you call yourself a Ducatisti?

Some might say it’s all in a name and when the name Ducati is mentioned, it conjures both sights and sounds in the mind that set this fabled Italian brand apart.

Indeed, anyone who has heard one of the legendary L-twin bikes at full noise will never forget the husky, hairy-chested note, climaxing at the red line. Despite varying degrees of racetrack success, Ducati motorcycles were always the glamour favourite in pitlane and the paddock.

To drop just a few more names:Troy Bayliss, Carl Fogarty, Casey Stoner and Mike Hailwood are some of the famous bottoms to have graced the saddles of Ducatis over the decades, with Hailwood’s 1978 Isle of Man TT triumph aboard a 900cc Supersport Twin particularly notable, since the legendary rider had been in retirement for the previous decade. Before and after the nine-time world champion’s untimely death in a freak highway car accident in 1981, the 7000-odd replica bikes (MHRs) produced from 1979 until 1983 became instant classics and went some way to saving the financial stakes of Ducati. Today, a faithful example could fetch as much as NZ$50,000.

The brand has had quite a tumultuous ride since leaving the hands of the Ducati family who founded the name in Bologna in 1926. The factory originally made radio parts and equipment, was bombed heavily during WWII and didn’t start making full size, large displacement motorcycles until almost 1960, having graduated from their earlier successes with small capacity machines, like the 98S and scooters.

The 1960s is when it all changed. Despite the failure of the first big L-twin project, the monstrous US-inspired 1200cc Apollo in 1963, Ducati developed great prowess in mid-sized machines, particularly the 250cc Mach 1, introduced that same year. The highly collectable Mach 3 came in 1967.

In the 1970s, Ducati continued to make great strides with the introduction of the first commercial L-twin, the 750 GT. Racing success followed throughout the decade, culminating in the fairytale win for Hailwood in the 1978 Isle of Man TT mentioned earlier.

Since 2012, the Ducati brand has been owned by the Volkswagen group via their Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A subsidiary, but motorcycles are still produced at Borgo Panigale in Bologna.

Public Warning re: Gasoline Motor Co [update, please read]

PUBLIC WARNING: DO NOT DEAL WITH GASOLINE MOTOR CO

Editor’s Note: In October 2016, Gasoline Motor Co was taken over by new management. In 2021, NSW Fair Trading removed the public warning from its website. For full details, see the SMH report. As such, the details below may no longer be accurate.

NSW Fair Trading is warning consumers not to deal with Gasoline Motor Co, following identification of possible trust account anomalies involving vehicles placed on consignment.

Gasoline Motor Co and parent companies Gasoline Machine Pty Ltd and Gasoline Australia (NSW) Pty Ltd are located at 88 Bourke Road, Alexandria, NSW, and deal in high-end motor vehicles and custom-made motorcycles.

Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said both Gasoline Machine Pty Ltd and Gasoline Australia have been suspended pending a response by the licensees to a Notice to Show Cause on the licences and a determination by NSW Fair Trading.

“I am issuing this warning as we are concerned that these businesses may be continuing to trade,” Mr Stowe said.

At least $600,000 consumer detriment has been identified by Fair Trading with 17 complaints and enquiries against Gasoline Machine about non-payment in consignment deals.

A further 47 complaints against Gasoline Australia involving the quality of repairs of used motorcycles and scooters and the quality of new motorcycles and scooters have also been received by Fair Trading.

“Investigations are continuing into the activities of both Gasoline Machine Pty Ltd and Gasoline Australia (NSW) Pty Ltd, following identification of alleged trust account anomalies,” Mr Stowe said.

“If consumers have consigned a vehicle with either of the above mentioned businesses and the vehicle has not yet been sold, they should contact the following licensees to arrange immediate collection.”

Gasoline Machine Pty Ltd: 1300 427 654, (02) 9698 4433 or 0418 565 575.

Gasoline Australia (NSW) Pty Ltd: 1300 427 654, (02) 9698 4433 or 0402 441 356.

Mr Stowe said repair work cannot be lawfully conducted by Gasoline Australia (NSW) Pty Ltd and consumers who have motorcycles or scooters in for repair, service or builds should immediately collect their vehicle and any parts paid for by contacting the above numbers.

If a consumer has purchased and signed a prescribed Form 5 notice and paid in full for the purchase of a vehicle prior to 9.25 am on 24 May 2016, the business can be contacted on telephone numbers 1300 427 654 or (02) 9698 4433 to arrange collection of the vehicle.

On 3 June 2016, Hall Chadwick Chartered Accountants were appointed receivers of Gasoline Machine Pty Ltd.

Consumers who have incurred a detriment by Gasoline Machine Pty Ltd should contact Nicholas Charlwood on (02) 9263 2600 or email ncharlwood@hallchadwick.com.au to register an interest.

If purchasers, consignors or customers of vehicles to either of the business have any other questions or concerns they can contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

The Bentley Bentayga is "the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world

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Posted by Roderick Eime on Saturday, 12 March 2016

Harley-Davidson: Go the whole hog

As published in in Crown Lounge Magazine Issue 3 (read full issue)

Closet biker, Roderick Eime, examines the allure behind this robust and respected brand and finds it’s getting easier to get on a ‘hog’ than ever before.

When anyone mentions the word ‘iconic’ and ‘motorcycle’ in the same sentence, chances are they’re talking about the venerable US brand, Harley-Davidson.

Since the first prototype was tested in 1903 and for the next century and beyond, the Harley-Davidson brand has continued to reflect freedom and hard-edged glamour with an exceptional degree of brand loyalty and admiration. A 2013 survey placed Harley-Davidson as the fourth most respected brand in the USA with global sales in excess of 250,000 bikes.

But ask any owner, even aspiring ones, and the purchase of a Harley-Davidson is not based on any financial analysis. It comes from within and is driven by a desire for self-expression with a middle-finger salute to the conformity and mundanity of modern life. Let’s not beat around the bush here, it’s pure escapism in the form of a raw, aggressive, sexualised icon.

Just like cosmetics, soft drinks and fast food, brand alignment is key and product placement crucial. The number of celebrity owners reads like an Academy Award roll call and the motorcycle itself is a star in its own right with innumerable movie appearances throughout the decades.

Captain America and Billy Bike, ridden by Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda

Cinema-goers will be quick to recall the scene from 1991’s Terminator 2 when Arnold Schwarzenegger rode the Harley Davidson "Fat Boy" like he stole it. Which he did. Or 1969’s unforgettable Easy Rider, where ex-police Hydra-Glides were converted into the famous pair of choppers, Captain America and Billy Bike, ridden by Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda.

Movie trivia buffs will know exactly which motorcycle Marlon Brando rode in the 1953 classic, The Wild One - and it wasn’t a Harley. But notwithstanding, the star did own a black 1970 FLH Electra-Glide and it recently fetched more than $250,000 at auction.

Other high profile actors on Harleys include George Clooney (Road King), Elvis Presley (‘56 KH), Justin Timberlake (several) as well as the original ‘wild hog’, John Travolta, who owns a Fat Boy. *

Many Hollywood stars are so enamoured with their brush with Harley-Davidson fame, that they have become owners. And we’re not just talking about the stereotypical tough guy either. Many no-nonsense glamour gals don’t mind their million dollar bottoms in the seat of a Harley-Davidson.

In fact the list of leading ladies astride Harley-Davidsons includes Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, Tina Turner, Angelina Jolie, Bree Turner, Cameron Diaz, Cher, Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, Lauren Hutton, Lindsay Wagner, Lisa Hartman Black, Pamela Anderson, Queen Latifah and Sheryl Crow.

American supermodel, Marisa Miller, and her customised H-D

Cashing in on the feminine appeal, Harley-Davidson commissioned a series of titillating video- and photoshoots with American supermodel, Marisa Miller. Instead of just being a bit of pinup decoration for the boys’ workshop or shed, the leggy blond whose credits include Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret, is also an owner of a 1200 Nightster and an ambassador for the brand.

“People see me as a supermodel on the cover of magazines but no one would ever guess I do actually ride a Harley,” says Miller, “so it’s important to see that if I can do it, anybody can do it. Whether you are a guy thinking about it and don’t know how to go about getting into it, or a woman who may be intimidated, just go for it, challenge yourself and break free!”

Harley-Davidson's learner-approved Street 500

The model range of Harley-Davidson motorcycles has been static for some time, with the staple models regularly receiving cosmetic and equipment updates instead of major re-engineering. Brand diehards were set all atwitter, however, when Harley-Davidson introduced its first all-new model in 13 years with the radical, lightweight, liquid-cooled Street range comprising a learner-approved 500cc and a bigger 750cc unit. Only the smaller 500cc bike is available in Australia. The thinking behind this departure was to allow Harley-Davidson an entry point into the SE Asian market, in which it currently has little impact.

In Australia, the Street 500 is the only bike approved for LAM scheme in all states, providing an opportunity for new riders to join the brand and ride with dignity while serving their time on L-plates.

The recent launch of the 2016 range of full-size ‘heavy’ motorcycles is spread over seven model categories with the new Street making eight.

The new Iron 883 and Forty-Eight models, Harley-Davidson claim, are the purest expression of their Dark Custom design movement yet. Add to this the most powerful cruiser lineup in company history, and a broad range of performance and styling enhancements throughout the range and you have an eternally exciting offering that keeps the brand relevant and highly desirable.


Enter the Dark Custom




A bold new styling initiative, Harley-Davidson, makes no bones about it: these bikes aren't for everyone. It’s their special antidote to ‘bland leading the bland’. 

“Harley-Davidson's new Dark Custom range is aimed at the customer who wants that bare bones stripped-down look around the 'chrome don't get you home' theme,” says John Buckerridge, GM Fraser Motorcycle Group

They claim not everyone appreciates a motorcycle stripped down to its raw, custom essence and it takes a one-of-a-kind rider to appreciate the potential of a bike that’s ready to be customized any way they see fit.

No frills. Pure thrills. For the chosen few willing to ride like this, these basic bikes are positioned at an equally aggressive price point, making them easier than ever to throw a leg over.


Did you know?




In the 1920s, a group of tearaway farm boys raced Harley-Davidsons with a piglet as their mascot. Now the term is used as an acronym for ‘Harley Owners Group’. True story.

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