Transport

Sydneysiders are leading the push away from cars, with a 6 per cent increase in public transport use over the past year and a corresponding 6 per cent decrease in drivers.

The Super Squalo, which means shark in Italian, uses a Ducati 999S Testastretta engine with a Sprintex supercharger that lifts power from 112kW to 152kW with 168Nm of torque.Only 99 of the $75,000 bikes will be built by supercharger manufacturer Automotive Technology Group in Perth.The company has launched its initial public offering to list on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) to raise up to $10 million.ATG also manufactures and supplies Vee Two specialist and performance parts for all Ducati and certain models of Harley-Davidson and Honda motorcycles.Executive director Steve Apedaile said they had launched to list on the ASX because they wanted to be a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative automotive technologies.“Our aim is to be one of the world's leading suppliers of superchargers to international automobile and motorcycle manufacturers,” Apedaile said.“Vehicle manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce emissions and fuel consumption from their engines. The Sprintex Supercharger can help them achieve these goals while maintaining the higher performance levels demanded by the consumer.”ATG is offering 24 million shares at $0.25 each to raise $6 million, with the right to accept over-subscriptions of up to $4 million. The offer closes on April 28.Apedaile said the funds would be used to expand to sales of its Sprintex Supercharger products and increase Vee Two product sales worldwide by expanding manufacturing operations, worldwide distribution network and product inventory.“We will also be expanding sales of Vee Two products as well as developing additional products by combining Vee Two and Sprintex, such as the Vee Two Super Squalo motorcycle.”The Super Squalo has been styled by renowned British designer John Keogh to resemble the great white shark. It features Brembo radial brakes, Ohlins suspension, and Pirelli tyres.ATG executive director Tony Hamilton said the Sprintex supercharger allowed manufacturers to not only increase performance engines, but also improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. “Supercharging delivers performance without guilt, and the Super Squalo is leading the way,” he said. 

Motorirists are so fed up with congestion, petrol prices and parking shortages that an increasing number are considering changing to motorbikes and scooters, according to a recently released study.

The low-riding FXCW Rocker and FXCWC Rocker C Softails have modern rockertail rear ends so they look like bone-crunching Hardtails, but ride smoothly.These additions to the top-selling Softail range, expected to arrive in December, are considered the most significant evolution in that line since its inception in 1984.The Rockers also feature a 36.5-degree raked-out front end, shorty dual slashed mufflers, new cast-aluminium oil tank, new saddle designs and a seat height of just 62.2cm.They are powered by the counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B with ESPFI fuel injection mated to the six-speed Cruise Drive transmission, rigid-mounted in a frame colour-matched to the bodywork.The Rocker costs $30,250 and the C, which adds plenty of chrome, costs $32,250.The Rocker C also has a solo seat that has a pillion seat folded underneath the main seat.Meanwhile, Harley has added braided brake lines to all its Dyna models.The Dyna range also gets two limited-edition, serialised 105th anniversary models — the FXDC Dyna Super Glide Custom and FXDL Dyna Low Rider — and a new FXDF Fat Bob with dual headlamps, flat drag bars, forward foot controls, chunky tyres and chrome Tommy Gun 2-1-2 exhaust, named for its slotted exhaust shield.The anniversary models cost an extra $1000 over the base models and $500 more than the two-tone models.The Fat Bob will sell for $25,500.

In the leadup to its 105th year of continual production, Harley-Davidson has gone to war against its imitators. The announcement this week of ABS (anti-lock) brakes is the first shot fired at its Japanese rivals.While these relatively recent newcomers to the cruiser scene offer alternatives to the H-D range, they mainly offer ABS on their more powerful models.From the end of this year, H-D customers will have ABS brakes as an option on several touring models, as well as the 105th Anniversary V-Rod cruiser.H-D also has the battalions of after-market custom-bike builders in its sights. Its radical new Rocker range looks like the extreme choppers you see on pay-TV shows such as Orange County Choppers.“Only Harley-Davidson could style and engineer a motorcycle as visually exciting as the new Rocker,” says H-D's Bill Davidson.It's hard to argue with his statement when you look at the new FXCW Rocker, which takes the Softail range deep into uncharted custom-bike territory.Clever engineering provides the illusion of a chopper's rigid rear end. H-D claims 8.6cm of suspension travel (the shocks are mounted under the motorcycle) and an ultra-low seat height of 62.2cm.A pillion perch folds out from the solo saddle on the more heavily chromed Rocker C version, above. Raked forks and other styling details found on custom-built choppers mean buyers will have less reason to pass H-D showrooms.H-D, which has seen its long run of worldwide record sales begin to taper recently, has unleashed a new armoury of styling and technology to fend off its rivals.Larger engines, fuel injection, six-speed gearboxes and improved manufacturing processes are combined with a security system and 12-months/24-hour roadside assistance. But the real interest is in the outrageous styling, which looks hardcore but is road-legal.Building on the unexpected and runaway success of last year's Street Bob (a stripped-down, '50s look-alike), the Fat Bob is a new addition to the Dyna range.This all-new model has dual headlights, fatter tyres and a “Tommy gun” dual exhaust. Forward foot controls and flat drag bars complement the heavy-duty styling. For 2008, the VRSC V-Rod power cruiser family gets a powered-up 1250cc jumbo version of the liquid-cooled, V-twin motor with a slipper-style race clutch. H-D's 2008 range will go on sale in Australia later this year. The 105th anniversary will be celebrated with a serialised, limited-edition run of eight different models across the H-D range. Small torqueBuell, the American performance bike manufacturer owned by H-D, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a powerful new model.Designated the 1125R, the new Buell is powered by a water-cooled, 72-degree V-twin engine with six-speed gearbox made by Austrian firm Rotax.Rotax is well known for building engines for several companies, including a single-cylinder enduro for BMW and a 60-degree V-twin sports engine for Aprilia.The new 1125R's 1125cc, eight-valve, double-overhead-cam engine is claimed to produce 109kW at the crankshaft. Expect to see it in showrooms this year. 

Like all things Harley, the tourer is big and bold. The US-bred equivalent of a Honda Goldwing, at about 380kg, is a lot of bike.That translates into an amazingly stable ride on the highway, where truck “bow waves” and crosswinds fail to have an impact on your comfort or the bike's handling.The only air you'll have to deal with is that deflected off the windshield into the top of your helmet. Once you adjust to it, you can sit back, set cruise control and enjoy the output from the four-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, with CD player and MP3 input.Many owners prefer to listen to the distinctive Harley exhaust but it's somewhat muted on the Ultra Classic and will send enthusiasts searching for an aftermarket system.Rolling off the freeway on to secondary roads will cause the rear suspension to struggle at times as it tries to deal with rippled tarmac and the weight of two riders. Again, it's nothing a beefed-up shock won't iron out.The Ultra isn't as much fun around town, where its low ground clearance and relatively high centre of gravity mean you need to set a smooth line through tight city roundabouts or else scrape the precious metal.It's a trait common to many tourers and takes a day or so to adjust your style to suit.The bike has been criticised for the heat venting on to your legs from the air-cooled 1584cc engine. Although noticeable, it's never going to singe your pants and quickly dissipates as the speedo climbs — and it climbs effortlessly, with 122Nm ensuring the roll-on acceleration is more than a match for inertia.Ratios on the six-speed gearbox are a good match with the engine, the overdrive sixth ensuring the Twin Cam 96 is doing little more than ticking over at 100km/h.Fuel economy is impressive, the big tourer averaging about 7 litres for 100km.With a 19-litre tank that makes it a great ride for weekend cruises on the open road.The bike will need its first service at 1600km, then every 8000km after that.

But it sounds like somewhere Homer Simpson would live and in relation to a motor vehicle the name conjures images of doughy performance.Best to mispronounce it "Deville", as do many who have come to discover the delights of this practical midweight touring motorcycle."Deville" kind of conjures more appropriate images of a classic 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville rolling down the highway.Better still, says Honda spokesman Rhys Griffiths, call it the NT700V.That really says a lot because the practical NT650 V-twin has been bored out from 647cc to 680cc.However, that is not the full story. The new Deauville, sorry, de Ville, sorry, NT700V, is now more powerful, quicker, more stylish, better handling, more comfortable, safer and has so many accessories, you can almost turn it into a mini-Gold Wing.In fact, here's a go. Since Honda has a 600cc Silver Wing scooter coming, why not call this the Bronze Wing, after all, it comes in two colours — black and a beautiful bronze. Gone is the Camry maroon.Despite all the improvements, the price is still $14,990.The new bike is so different from the previous model in so many ways, but even on first glance at the national launch in Sydney last week it was evident the bike has changed.It now looks more like an ST1300, with its V-shaped and more powerful headlight, ST-styled triangular exhaust and futuristic fairings. Almost every panel and fitting is different from the NT650V. The only remaining similarity is the front mudguard.From front to back, this is a radically different, and better, bike.Starting in the engineroom where there is more than just a capacity increase; it now comes with PGM-FI electronic fuel injection instead of a carburettor; four valves instead of three; and more power and torque.The result is smooth, burdenless grunt that gets the job done without any dizzying adrenalin rushes.There is no discernible throttle or shaft snatch off idle, making for easy low-speed handling, while high-speed roll-ons for passing are a doddle with a quick flick back one cog in that silky smooth five-speed box.In the comfort stakes, the new bike is a winner with a taller and two-way adjustable windscreen; a lower, wider and more contoured seat; and accessories to make the long haul a breeze.The windscreen can be adjusted 170mm in a matter of minutes. In the top position, I had to hunch my 185cm frame just a tad to get totally clean air. But the protective air bubble is so much larger than before as the seat is also 4mm lower.Griffiths said the low seat would be a selling point: "We will definitely target Ulysses women," he said referring to the mature-aged riding club.Even tall people will relish the low seat which makes it easy to paddle the bike in parking as we found out on the launch when we had to execute three-point turns on tight roads to make several passes for the photographer.Ageing Gold Wing riders who are sick of manhandling the almost 400kg monolith may want to investigate this.After all, there are few features the new NT700V goes without now that it has a car-style fuel gauge, Honda Ignition Security System and trip computer as standard.There is also a host of accessories including heated hand grips, well-integrated spotlights and rear red LED fog lamp, Honda satellite navigation, an iPod/CD amplifier and speakers, alarm, 12volt phone charger, wider pannier doors that increase carrying capacity by 17 litres, 45-litre top box and soft knee pads.If you go nuts and add every accessory, the new 50 per cent more powerful battery will cope with it all.The launch bikes had a variety of accessories fitted and the most important thing is they didn't look like afterthoughts.They look like standard fitment.The hand warmers were switched on and back off within five minutes. That's all it needed to make my hands toast.The sat nav screen was clear and it looked simple to use, as was the iPod amp, although the speakers sounded very trebly — great for country music.We headed northwest out of Sydney to Wiseman's Ferry where we turned left and headed across some 50km of dirt.Griffiths had given us the option of tarmac, but we bravely opted for the dirt, although it seemed an unwise decision since the new front forks felt stiffer and the front end a little choppy.However, the bike coped remarkably well, even with the road-oriented Bridgestone Battlax tyres.Turn-in was a little slow, but the bike maintained good line on the Hunter Valley high-speed sweepers and was unsettled only by large bumps.It felt light and manoeuvrable at slow speed in heavy traffic or on roundabouts, yet had a big bike's feeling of stability on the 110km/h freeway ride back into Sydney.If I was practical and heading off around Australia solo or two-up, this would be near top of the list.My pillion would be happy, too, as the rear pre-load is hand-adjustable for best ride and handling, the rear seat is wider and the top box provides back support.At a bargain $14,990 (probably a fair bit more with the accessories I'd chose), it means I'd have more money left over to spend on petrol.Yet even petrol prices won't be much of a concern as it yielded a healthy 19.5km/litre (5.1l/100km) giving it a 320km-plus range despite copping a flogging on the launch ride.

Just like motorcycles, cars, 4WDs and vans, scooters have vast differences in power, handling and carrying capacity.If you only want an around-town scooter, then you just need an open driver's licence and away you go on any 50cc machine.While there may be a heap of 50cc scooters on the market, they are fairly similar in power and, of course, are restricted in their load capability and where you are allowed to ride them.If you are prepared to get a special motorcycle "R" class licence, the choice of scooter is much more varied and they can be ridden anywhere.However, not all scooters are fast, nor super-economical, nor handle or ride well. Obviously, you will have to compromise.If you are in the market for something with a bit of get up and go, pillion capacity, light weight, miserly fuel economy and a ride that won't shatter your spine every time you hit a pothole, then Aprilia's 200cc Sportcity at $6800 is worth considering.Engine capacity of about 200cc is probably the bare minimum if you want to carry a pillion or you want to be able to travel on highways in safety and comfort.This Sportcity is, as its name suggests, a sporty little scooter with plenty of go for city riding.The liquid-cooled engine means it has better acceleration, quieter running and more durability with services every 6000km, rather than the usual 2000km.I also found it willing enough to tackle highways without flinching. The only problem here is that wind blasts from trucks can wobble a lightweight machine.The advantage of the light weight, though, is that it is easy to manoeuvre in tight parking spaces and to lift it up on to the stable centre stand.Another compromise you will have to make is ride versus under-seat storage capacity.The Sportcity uses 15-inch wheels which are bigger than on most scooters. And having a high-profile tyre on a wide rim, they are, in effect, almost 16-inch motorcycle tyres. This makes handling more deliberate and precise and smooths out the ride.When you hit a bump, you won't be abruptly knocked out of line, nor will your spine.The compromise is that the rear wheel takes up space under the seat. There is still enough room to store an open-faced helmet and gloves, but not a full-face helmet. A lockable top box is available as an accessory if you need extra storage.One thing you won't have to compromise on is brakes.Most scooters have a rear drum brake, but this has discs front and rear.A disc on the rear is important on a scooter because most of the engine, chassis and passenger weight is over the rear wheel, creating the potential for more stopping power.In an emergency, the Sportcity can pull up so fast you will need strong forearm muscles to stay on board. And with braided brake lines, there is plenty of feel in the levers.Aprilia is a long-time scooter manufacturer, but they are not bogged down in the past.This scooter has a modern, trendy, aerodynamic look, even though it is a conventional step-through design.Riding position is comfortable with a fat, contoured seat, although legroom becomes an issue for people over 183cm. Pillions have a more relaxed position with rubberised fold-out footpegs and convenient grab handles.The analogue speedo and digital instrument panel are clear and easy to read with all the relevant information, fuel gauge, odometer, water temperature, trip meter, battery condition and digital clock. You can toggle between the odo, trip meter and battery readout with a switch on the right bar so you don't have to move your hand off the throttle.Under the instrument pod is a hook for carrying groceries and a small lockable glove box that is not big enough for a street directory, but does have a 12V power socket to recharge your mobile phone or iPod.Night riding is often an issue on scooters which seem to have under-powered headlights.The Sportcity has a powerful halogen headlight with a good and even spread of light.And the instruments are well illuminated and easy to see at night.You will be seen from behind, too, with a bright LED rear light cluster and mirrors are high and wide enough to see everything behind you.It is no longer available in black, only "sunset red". Accessories include a Body-Guard armoured cable lock and a higher windshield.Aprilia is bringing in a fuel-injected 250cc Sportcity in September for about $7490. While it has only one extra horsepower, it is expected to be smoother

The new red and white colour scheme gives the bike a racing appearance. The wheels and tyres are good, the brakes are huge oversized rotors and the bike is streamlined.This production bike has good ergonomics with the bar bend and sitting arrangement well suited to cranking it over in turns. Seat height is higher than the race version, but isn't really an issue unless you are a midget.Clutch is hydraulic with a light pull and consistent feel. The front brake is super strong, almost too powerful initially, as the bike really jolts when leaping on the brake. It doesn't need more power, just a better feel at the lever as your braking increases.However, the race-ready RR450 is the real deal.With the road-going nonsense taken off, the bike sits low and the bar bend suits the new riding position.Higher performing tyres are fitted and the front guard is trimmed to reduce its air flex. It gives the bike a sharper look.The brake lever doesn't have the initial hit of the stock unit but its feel and power increase the more you apply pressure.The race bike runs a different brake calliper to the stock bike and also a different master cylinder to alter both the power and feel. It is still a one-finger operation, but this set-up allows you to confidently go hard on the front brake knowing that it won't spit you over the bars the instant you touch the lever.On the Husky dyno, the stock SMR450 pulls around 50 horsepower at the rear wheel. A respectable number for a production bike in the 450 class.Something like the Honda CRF450 might have a pony or two on it, but by no means will it make a difference to your track results.It makes old-school four-stroke power, chugging and turning over at a slower rpm rate than most 450 owners would be used to.Its power is progressive rather than aggressive and won't rip your arms off. But the gentle power makes it easy to use and perfect for laying the power on the ground as you exit any turn on the track. It won't light up and then spit you off, it gains speed in a controlled fashion.As you wash off speed and start to slide it into a turn, the compression braking, via the standard clutch, allows the rear wheel to chatter all the way into a turn. This isn't a handling issue, it's a clutch issue and a slipper clutch would solve the problem.Otherwise, it's just a matter of fine-tuning gearing, jetting and maybe adding a pipe and there is more than enough power in the stock mill to make the white lines rush by.Hit the start button on the bad boy RR 450 and you just know things are different. The exhaust note is louder and a whole lot meaner.The stocker purrs, the RR growls and you notice that aggression the moment you wick the throttle.The Husky boys have managed to massage another 7 to 8 horsepower out of the production bike and Adam Cini's bike pumps out around 58hp, big numbers for a 450.Coming out of turns, that extra power is noticed with fewer gear changes as each gear now pulls for longer and harder.The power is more what you would expect from a motocross bike — more responsive and slightly harder hitting.Extra power is found via the dual exhaust that Team Husky designed in-house with altered Akapovic silencers.The head also received some major massaging and was mated to a Vortex X10 ignition. A few carby mods and then your basic jetting, gearing and TLC gave the RR450 its awesome spread of power.This race bike is also fitted with a slipper clutch which makes sliding into turns a snap.Coming in hot, roll off the throttle, kick her down one and gracefully let the back slide around. It's that easy, even for a motard wood duck like me.The SMR450 suspension set-up required for motard is hard. Harder even than for big freestyle motocross big jumps.The RR450 is harder still. Cini's race bike runs factory 50mm Marzocchi forks that feel like you are riding on telegraph poles.For a production motard machine, the SMR450 is a great package to get your motard career under way and the benefit is you can ride it home when the race finishes.

It's the latest in a series of major milestones in motoring, involving birthdays for everything from the Bentley brand to the original Mini and the DS-series Citroen.But Vespa has always been special.The cute scooter was a motoring star with Audrey Hepburn in the 1950s and the Piaggio of Italy is using the 'Still Sexy at Sixty' line for its birthday celebrations.So... Vespa has taken a naughty-but-nice line with a viral marketing program with its sixty scooter.It says the film is a 'modern and highly erotic' take on the Kama Sutra, but is still fun and workplace friendly.It opens with pictures from the life story of the Vespa before moving into a photo album with a series of short video clips starring a pair of models and the scooter. They float on wires and interact on and above the bike, in a series of positions which poke fun at sex and the scooter.The program was developed in Britain by a company called New Media Maze, which says the kama sutra connection came quickly."Strangely, all our brainstorms eventually turn to dirty thoughts, and this one was no different," says Dave Smith of New Media Maze."Quite quickly we realised that showing 60-year-old couples copulating wasn't going to be viral or sexy, so we were under pressure to come up with something else and quick. Everyone's had a bit of nookie in the back of a car, but who's ever done it on a scooter?"To see the Kama Scooter head to www.kamascooter.com