Best of Motoaus.com 2008

Take a look back at some of 2008’s highlights for Motoaus.com

The Best of 2008 on Motoaus.com.

It’s hard to pick out what the favorite stories of the year were, but some things stand out in reflection. Heres a list of some of the highlights of the year 2008 for us here at Motoaus. Again thanks to all those who have assisted behind the scenes in helping with stories, rides, bikes and events. Here’s to a bigger and better 2009! So in no particular order, here’s the highlights:

 

Troy Bayliss 2008

Not that there was any doubt as to his greatness, but Troy Bayliss slammed the door on his career with 2 dominating wins at Portugal, making it 3 World Championships, 54 Superbike wins, 1 MotoGP win, and half his little finger.

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Suzuki B-king

After a brief ride immediately after they were launched, we couldn’t wait to get out hands on a long term B-King. We put the big Suzuki through every type of riding style, and gave it the big thumbs up. Rebecca iced the cake with a 9.90 second blast down the dragstrip on a dead stock example, proving its menacing muscle bike looks are not just all show. Voted here as the “BEST BIKE EVER”

Triumph Thruxton

Classic looks, combined with simplicity and decent performance make the Thruxton what it is.Can’t wait to ride the 2009 model.

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Brisbane Show

With the Motorcycle Expo date change to 2009, it was left to the 2008 Auto Show to include the motorcycles for those that wished to go and drool over the new bikes. Ontop of that, we somehow managed to feature several car picture galleries on a motorcycle website! This gallery from Stew at PhotoMojo.

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Fastest 600

Internet forums are often the place of a lot of outrageous claims. Motoaus.coms forum is no exeption. However one such claim made was more than proven at the track, when Jared Waters and Rebecca Archer (on Shayne Homes Cyanide Racing bike) faced off at Willowbank Raceway on two GSXR600 Suzukis to settle who was the fastest 600 pilot in Australia down the Quarter mile. Bec stunned Jared with a 10.27 defeat, only to have Jared bounce back with a brilliant 10.25 to claim (and still hold) the 600 bragging rights.

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Piaggio MP3

This machine could easily claim two titles. Firstly as the weirdest looking road machine, and secondly as the funnest. We didnt know what to expect from the groundbreaking 3 wheeler, but it ended up being  more fun than a  freeway full of monkeys. Ridiculous amounts of front end grip, coupled with powerful front brakes and a reasonable lean angle, made this ride a whole new experience for the more experienced rider. And keeping your feet up at the lights was addictive too. As a testement to its fun factor, Motoaus put more kms on one of these than any other test machine.

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Yamaha V-max Launch

The long awaited and much discussed Yamaha V-Max was finally launched, with sales to be on an order basis only. At 30,000 odd dollars, they aren’t cheap, but according to first reports, deliver at least that amount back in acceleration. Can it knock the B-King off  the muscle bike throne? Time will tell.

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Gold Coast Bike Week

Harleys, chrome, tatts and chicks.  There is more to the annual Gold Coast Bike week, but those things cover the bulk of it. The popular event again turned it on in great weather.

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Ozzies M109

Suzuki’s biggest seller, the M109, has gained a cult following with cruiser riders. Queenslands Garry “Ozzy” Lowe has added a subtle range of mods to his black beast, making it one of the nicest boulevard cruisers you’ll see. It’s no slouch over the quarter mile either.

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Moto Guzzi Bellagio

A Moto Guzzi with a hint of chopper? At first look, we admit we had a chuckle about that combo. Surprise, surprise though, the Bellagio turned out to be one of the nicest riding Guzzis we have sampled, perhaps even as nice as the 1200 Sport we raved about last year. Ten out of ten for this one.

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Story Bridge Bike Show

Once a year the Laverda club holds a bike show under Brisbanes iconic Story Bridge. Not only Laverdas, but a host of weird and wondeful machines, from Desmosedicis, to hot Z1s. And only a short stroll to the pub.