| | Biker News - Regularly updated
Category: Products & Clothing
-
The new Harley-Davidson Pan America is nothing less than a milestone in the company's history. Up until now, the Motor Company has never developed a vehicle specifically for offroad use.
Scouting the Adventure Country Track across the Pyrenees, the Touratech test team ascertained that the Pan America is indeed a serious player in this sector. And it's no wonder that numerous concepts for accessories ideal for adventures big and small were born out of this tough ride.
Protectors for comprehensive protection
The Pan America provided an open flank in terms of vehicle protection in offroad use. The developers saw great potential, in terms of remedying the danger to the engine from flying stones and impacts and providing fall protection for radiators, tank and bodywork, and developed solutions. Comprehensive protection is provided through the combination of the Expedition engine guard and the crash bars. The protector package is rounded off by radiator and manifold guards, as well as headlight protectors, with versions available in either metal or Makrolon.
Versatile luggage solutions
For transporting luggage on the Pan Am, Touratech has created the exclusive, specially designed ZEGA Evo X "Premium Edition" system. In addition to the two aluminium panniers made of black anodised aluminium - one of which is recessed to fit snugly around the exhaust - this set includes a black-coated stainless steel rack, two high-quality inner bags and a complete set of locks.
Smaller items of equipment that need to be quickly accessible can be stored in the waterproof, super-durable EXTREME Edition tank bag. And of course, the Touratech developers have also thought of a rack to hold the tried and tested ZEGA topcases.
Attention to detail
Smart details, such as the anti-theft guard for the TFT, the side stand base extension, the comfortable long-distance foot pegs or the mounting adapter for navigation devices, are the direct result of practical travel experience.
With these parts from Touratech, the Harley-Davidson Pan America is ideally equipped for any adventure between Milwaukee and Madagascar.
Further information can be found in the Webshop
-
If your motorcycle didn’t have an air filter, dust, dirt and all other airborne contaminants would be able to get into the engine. This would build up and eventually put a huge strain on the motor’s components, wearing down the pistons and cylinder walls. If the piston rings get damaged, gases may be able to escape from the combustion chamber, significantly impacting the engine’s performance.
In short, an effective filter is critical for a healthy motor. However, over time, the filter itself may become clogged with contaminants, which will prevent clean air from getting into the engine and reduce the vehicle’s power and fuel efficiency. This is why it is important to change it at recommended intervals.
Types of air filters
Material
Most air filters are made from paper or cellulose, foam, or an oil-coated cotton material. The quality of the component’s materials and its design ultimately determine its capacity to hold contaminants.
Paper-based air filters are very common as they are cheap to produce and easy to dispose of. However, this may also be a disadvantage because unlike some other components, the part cannot be cleaned or reused once it gets too dirty. They look fairly similar to the filters used in coffee machines, with small pores for trapping fine particles. The filtration element is pleated to increase its holding capacity and allow more air to flow through.
Cotton filtration components are usually the most expensive parts available due to their breathability and durability. They are typically used on high-performance bikes as they provide high-quality filtration at a rapid rate. Although the gauze is quite porous, the oil traps and prevents the contaminants in the air from passing through. The main advantage of these filters is that they can be reused multiple times. You may, however, have to purchase an additional cleaning and re-oiling kit.
Also known as depth filters, they are often used for off-road vehicles or very dusty environments due to their ability to block out contaminants. Many of them are also saturated in oil to trap dirt and grime. They can last a long time but they require regular cleaning and oiling to function.
Manufacturer
You should also consider the brand and production quality of the product when looking for an aftermarket replacement. It is advisable to only select products from trusted manufacturers, such as K&N, Maxima or MUYI. K&N is probably the most well-known brand in Europe as it is an industry leader in automotive filtration technology.
Design
Some air filters are intelligently designed to increase the engine’s horsepower. Your driving habits and environment should be taken into account when making a selection. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is therefore important to check the compatibility of the part with your motorbike. For example, the K&N YA-6098 air filter is oval shaped and designed specifically for Yamaha FZS600 Fazer 600 bikes. 
When to change your motorbike’s air filter
According to the majority of recommendations, you should replace or clean your air filter once every 10,000 to 15,000 miles or once per year. However, if you are using a component made from paper and you regularly drive on dusty roads, it may be a good idea to replace it as often as every 6,000 miles to maintain the engine’s performance.
Article supplied
-
High-quality workmanship, available at a favourable price and suitable for the A2 driving licence - the KTM 390 Adventure is the perfect introduction to the world of adventure bikes. With tailor-made accessories from Touratech, this easy-to-handle machine can be optimally equipped for journeys near and far.
For almost 25 years, adventure bikes from Mattighofen have proven that the model designation "Adventure" is not a marketing gimmick, but an honest commitment. Since the legendary 620, the Austrians have continued to develop their adventure models with great seriousness, and currently offer six models ranging from 390 to 1290 cubic centimetres.
Perfect base for adventurous tours
Even the entry-level model, the KTM 390 Adventure, provides the perfect basis for having fun on adventurous excursions: a feisty engine, solid spring elements and agile handling. If you are planning to ride the small Adventure off-road or on a longer trip, however, this is where Touratech parts come into play – extra-robust, well-engineered and tested over thousands of kilometres of trails.
Wide range of luggage systems
The Touratech range for the KTM 390 Adventure starts with the robust ZEGA aluminium pannier system, which is attached to an indestructible 18x2 steel tube rack. Several pannier sizes and designs are available. For even more storage space, there is the ZEGA Topcase, mounted to make it trail-proof on a rack with a quick-release fastener. Then there are the tank bags from the Ambato series. Depending on space requirements, there are three variants of this proven line to choose from.
Rugged parts for heavy use
When the going gets rough, the extra-rugged stainless steel engine crash bars come into play, offering effective protection in off-road use. Protectors are also available for the headlight as well as the rear ABS sensor. Also highly recommended for off-road riding are the folding foot brake lever and the folding rear view mirrors.
And last but not least, the 25 millimetre handlebar riser demonstrates its strengths on long stretches that demand a standing rider position. The handlebars are more comfortable to hold, and the rider's position is much more upright. A better line of sight and less fatigue are the rewards of this small modification.
Wherever you plan to go with the KTM 390 Adventure - accessories from Touratech get the most out of this machine's great potential.
-
A whopping 800 pages of inspiration for motorcycle travels - that‘s the Touratech catalogue for the 2022/23 season. Whether it‘s high-quality components to upgrade your suspension, luggage systems in aluminium or waterproof textile, ultrarugged protectors, a comfort seat, an aerodynamically shaped windscreen or a trail-proof mount for your navigation system: everything adventure riders require to customise their machine can be found in the current Touratech catalogue. And of course in proven top quality Made in Germany.
Clearly structured
The practical grouping by motorbike model makes the search for the best parts for your own bike particularly convenient. All the latest adventure bikes are covered, as well as numerous tried-and-tested classics. And when it comes to riding gear, there is a full range from head to toe. Textile suits, helmets, boots or gloves - the Touratech range includes top-quality products developed in-house for maximum comfort on motorcycle trips near and far.
With all the concentrated information, there are exciting stories about great motorbike adventures. The lavishly designed work also includes extensive insights into the technologies Touratech uses to develop and manufacture motorcycle accessories.
Print – Online - Download
As always, the Touratech 2022/23 catalogue is free of charge. For those who prefer to browse on their PC or smartphone, there is a specially prepared and fully mobile-compatible online version of the catalogue. A download in PDF format is also possible.
The catalogue will be published, both digitally and in print, in time for the start of the season on 1 March; pre-orders for the print version can be submitted as of now.
Further information
-
Valentino Rossi’s announcement of retirement brings down the curtain on an incredible career in the MotoGP motorcycle world championships. With his nine titles, including seven in the premier class, he is widely regarded as the greatest motorcycle racer of all time, and his 26 seasons of Grand Prix racing make him unique across both motorcycling and Formula 1. Rossi has been captivating fans since he won his first Grand Prix at the age of 17 and even in his final season, at the age of 42, he has been riding faster than ever. 
In this major new book by top MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley, each and every one of these races comes under the microscope, complete with perspectives about Rossi’s achievements, the controversies, his character, and analysis of his bikes. This is a Valentino Rossi book like no other.
“It’s been a joy watching Valentino’s GP career from the very beginning in 1996 and I’ve really enjoyed reliving so many of his great moments through writing this book,” says Mat. “In fact I started with his first international campaign in 1995, dissecting and analysing every one of his 400 plus races since then. It’s a career that may never be matched and it’s been an honour to write this book, which I hope becomes the ultimate tribute to Valentino’s brilliance.”
“Mat wrote the world’s first biography of Valentino in 2002,” says Mark Hughes, Evro’s Publishing Director. “Working for the publisher then, I saw how Mat not only knew Valentino well and thought the world of him, but also wrote about his subject with sublime skill and insight. Back then, we could never have imagined just how much Valentino would go on to achieve, nor that he would still be racing nearly 20 years later. Now, upon his retirement, there is no-one better than Mat to record every single moment of his incredible career.”
Key content
Early days, from karting and minimoto bikes to a first GP win, on a 125 Aprilia in the 1996 Czech GP, then onwards to claim the 125cc world title in 1997.
Moving up to the 250cc class in 1998 brought four consecutive end-of-season wins riding for Aprilia, followed by a decisive title in 1999 with nine victories.
Grabbed by Honda to race its super-successful NSR500, Rossi graduated to the ‘class of kings’ for 2000, almost becoming champion that season — but the following year he sealed the last two-stroke 500cc crown with 11 wins.
MotoGP, for 990cc four-stroke bikes, took over and Rossi immediately reigned supreme aboard his Honda RC211V, securing back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003, before a surprise departure to uncompetitive Yamaha.
Rossi rates his first year with Yamaha, 2004, as his best: defying expectation, he won first time out on the YZR-M1 and took a fourth successive title with nine wins.
In six more seasons with Yamaha, 2005–10, Rossi collected three more championship crowns, his 2008 success especially sweet because it involved a fightback after two leaner years.
Rossi’s move to Ducati looked to be an appetising all-Italian prospect but his two winless seasons there, 2011 and 2012, were disastrous.
A return to Yamaha never quite recaptured his greatest glories, but Rossi was championship runner-up three times and came very close to another title in 2015.
Author: As a motorcycle racer, Mat Oxley is an Isle of Man TT winner and lap record holder. As a writer, he has been plying his craft for 40 years and is revered for his sharp reporting of MotoGP for magazines and websites around the world, including Bike, Motor Sport, Motorcycle News and Performance Bikes. Ever since Rossi burst into Grand Prix racing in 1996, Oxley has followed his career closely and in 2001 wrote a landmark first biography, MotoGenius, with full cooperation from Valentino and his family. Among Oxley’s other acclaimed books are Mick Doohan: Thunder from Down Under (1999), Valentino Rossi: Portrait of a Speed God (2002) and Stealing Speed (2009). Married with two children, he lives in north London.
Valentino Rossi
All His Races
Mat Oxley
Publication date: 13 January 2022
Price: £50.00
ISBN: 978-1-910505-21-2
Format: 280x235mm hardback
Page extent: 336
Illustration: 280 photos
|
