Motorcycle Life

By swapping to the side-by-side vehicle category for the 2018 Dakar, Camelia Liparoti has helped to raise the profile of the fledgling category and the vehicles themselves.

The pint sized Dakar veteran competed for nine consecutive years in the quad category, and is acknowledged as one of the most successful female off-road racers ever.

She is immediately recognisable by her blonde pigtails and love for all things pink, and is known for her fun loving and quirky nature.

But don’t let her girly looks fool you – she is a tenacious and talented racer. 

In those nine years on quads, she finished the event 8 times in a row.

Staying loyal to the Yamaha brand that has given her so much success, Camelia raced a YXZ1000R SS in the 2018 Dakar and finished 5th in the category.

The side-by-side vehicles, also referred to as UTVs (utility task vehicle), were given their own class in 2017. This year the category was officially renamed to Side-By-Side (SxS).

Lighter, cheaper and in many ways more capable than cars, the category gives competitors a easier entry point into the toughest motorsport in the world.

“It’s less tiring than riding a quad,” Camelia says. “And the sensations are great. When we speed over bumpy terrain, it feels like we’re flying because we have got good suspension”.

Four times Dakar entrant Christophe Barriere-Varju (Dream Racer) agrees. He says the light SxS vehicles are easier to manage through the dunes and have less chance of getting stuck in the sand than the heavier cars.

“You see all the $500,000 cars getting stuck and everyone digging trying to get them out, but then you see the side-by-side pulling along going up and down over the dunes. It’s near impossible to get them bogged.”

Christophe was at the Australian launch of the Yamaha YXZ1000R SS SE last year where he got to drive the vehicle, and be a passenger on demonstration runs with US off-road racer Corry Weller.

His impression was that the YXZ1000R SS is very quick, nimble and capable of very sharp turns at speed but is also extremely capable over slower and far more technical sections of terrain.

“It’s extremely easy to drive,” says 4 times Dakar competitor Christophe Barriere-Varju.

And for someone wanting to get into off-road racing the YXZ1000R SS SE is affordable.

Lance Turnley from Yamaha says that you can take one off the showroom floor, make it CAMS compliant and have a competitive vehicle for under AUD$40,000.

But apart from it’s racing capabilities, the YXZ1000R SS SE is also a very competent option for farmers and recreational riders and drivers.

The specifications of the Yamaha YXZ1000R SS SE are impressive:

* 998cc 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve, 3-cylinder engine,

* 5 speed sequential transmission with paddle shift, auto clutch and reverse,

* electronically controlled launch control,

* 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive, changeable on the move, with 4 wheel drive diff lock,

* dual disk brakes front and rear, and

* independent double wishbone suspension front and rear with fully adjustable FOX 2.5 Podium X2 shocks.

At the time of the launch, Lance Turnley highlighted that one of the key benefits of the Yamaha over its competition is the transmission.

“It’s very unique in the marketplace because it’s the only one available with a sequential gearbox”, Lance said.

While other vehicles are using a torque converter and CVT transmission, the Yamaha’s separate 5 speed gearbox gives the vehicle far more reliability and this is one o...

The Yamaha YXZ1000R SS SE is a pure sport Side‑by‑Side vehicle that lifts the class to a whole new level with its 1,000cc 3 cylinder engine, sequential 5-speed manual gearbox and automatic clutch system controlled by paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Whilst we don’t often cover ATVs and Recreational Off-Road Vehicles like the YXZ1000R, we were given the opportunity to drive the vehicle at the national press launch, and our resident off-road specialist – 4 times Dakar competitor Christophe Barriere-Varju – couldn’t resist the chance to experience the vehicle.

The previous model has proven popular with farmers and off-road racers, two very different markets indeed. But that just shows the versatility of the machine!

The updated YXZ1000R SS SE model does away with a manual clutch, replacing it with sports style paddle shifters on the steering wheel, and also has a new launch control system.

Four times Mr Motocross Stephen Gall, and US off-road racer Corry Weller and husband Jason were also there to share their experience with the vehicle.

In this week’s Motorcycle Life Podcast we chat to Lance Turnley from Yamaha about the vehicle and Christophe shares his experience after driving it at the launch in Canberra.

At the age of just 27, Trevor Wilson has achieved more than most people could have dreamed of.

The thing is – he’s achieved so much because he DID dream of doing those things!

Follow Trevor as he competes in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge this week at www.abudhabidesertchallenge.com

or follow him on Facebook.

The Brisbane based off road racer was once a high school teacher, but changed his career and started his own business – Blutec Waterproofing – so he could chase his biggest dream of competing in the Dakar Rally in 2018.

Trevor says he has been drawn to motorbikes ever since his Dad took him on one when he was 5 years old.

“I still remember sitting in front of him on the petrol tank with my feet over the top of the handlebars and riding around the farm.”

“As I was growing up on SBS you’d get these 30 minute Dakar Rally highlights and I’d always watch these people flying through the desert and I just have always had this dream and vision of rolling up to the start line of the Dakar Rally. It’s always been the biggest dream of mine.”

That dream has driven Trevor through tough fitness training and regular trips to the Stockton Beach sand dunes near Newcastle to learn the skills he needs to tackle the Dakar – the toughest motorsport event in the world.

To qualify for the Dakar, Trevor is competing in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge from 1st to the 6th April with the HT Husqvarna Rally team. 

In this episode of Motorcycle Life Trevor talks to us about his dreams and goals, how he got to where he is now and his preparation for the Dakar.

And of course our very own Dakar legend – Christophe Barriere-Varju (Dream Racer) – has some very good questions and advice for the young racer.

We also catch up on why we’ve been so slack this year in producing shows (actually we’ve been creating something really special – SMART Rider) and what’s new in the world of Dream Racer TV.

 

Of the four Australian riders who started the 2017 Dakar, two finished – Todd Smith and Matthew Hart.

In this episode of Motorcycle Life Radio we talk to the guys about their experiences during the event and of course we check in with Todd about the broken back that he rode with during the final three stages.

We also announce the winners of our competition to win a personally autographed copy of Dream Racer and Christophe tells the story behind the Jean-Claude Bertrand, the man responsible for the creating the concept of a cross country rally.

And finally this week we have more news on our first live event to be held in Brisbane in February.

It’s a big show so grab a coffee, tea (beer) and a snack and settle in for a good listen.

Be sure to grab your ticket NOW for our DreamRacer event in Brisbane at http://www.dreamracer.tv/inspirational-speakers-events/dream-racer-events/dreamracer-event-queensland-180217.html

 

Steve and Christophe announce the very first Dream Racer / Motorcycle Life LIVE event to be held in Brisbane in February 2017.

The guys also bring you their final wrap up of the 2017 Dakar, and some more clues and information about the latest Motorcycle Life / Dream Racer competition.

The format of the event night will be a three course dinner and a panel discussion with Christophe and Steve.

Listen in to this episode of Motorcycle Life to hear more details and how you can be a part of what will be an absolutely amazing night – whether you’re a motorcycle rider or not!

We’re asking everyone to register as soon as possible so we can plan the night – in particular the venue.

You can register for the Dream Racer / Motorcycle Life LIVE event at https://dreamracer.leadpages.co/dreamracer-event-queensland-2017/

Of course in this episode we also get some more of Christophe’s expert insights into this year’s Dakar.

* Todd Smith Rode Three Final Stages With Broken Back

* Australian Todd Smith Claims 18th Overall

* Toby Price Cleared To Head Home To Australia

And then there’s the competition – some funny answers but you’ll have to listen in to find out what is being said.

The competition page is at https://motorcyclelife.com.au/dreamracer-comp/

We’re back! Yes, Steve and Christophe are back after a Christmas break and with the 2017 Dakar well under way, Christophe shares his personal insights into the toughest motorsport event in the world.

This year’s event has already been eventful. After only 5 stages there’s been Toby Price’s crash that ended with a broken leg, plenty of drama with navigation and a number of leading Honda riders given heavy penalties for a refuelling infringement.

Christophe has competed in the Dakar 4 times himself, and the multi award winning film Dream Racer follows him during one of his races where he competed without a support crew.

Whether you’ve been following the Dakar or not, you’ll find Christophe’s insights fascinating.

Oh yeah, and there’s a bit of fun left over from our Christmas show as well.

What happens when Christophe organises a very special guest for our Christmas show? Absolute chaos! Total mayhem! And lots of laughter!

It’s our last show of the year and a chance for Australian motorcycle identity Steve McDowall and four times Dakar competitor Christophe Barriere-Varju (yes – French born but now an Aussie) to review 2016.

But when Christophe gets Steve to call a surprise guest the script gets thrown away, and the normally sensible show turns into the funniest and most inappropriate show we’ve ever produced – and it’s totally uncut!

We’ve spoken to some amazing people in 2016 – Stuart Ball from the Great Australian Ride, R U OK? Ambassador Maria Vamvouklis, National Motorcycle Alliance GM David Cooke, tour organiser Rikki Dryden and of course Tex O’Grady and Bundy.

We’ve also spoken to the only woman in Australia racing a 1000cc superbike in the Australasian Championship – Ash De Bakker.

We went international talking to adventurer Nick Sanders, Italian Dakar racer Manuel Lucchese and gyro expert David Ryker.

And we’ve brought you some interesting technical interviews with Ray Van Steenwyk and Colin Oddy from MotoInno, and Mark Bryant, Founding Director of VOZZ Helmets.

But this interview is the first that cracks Steve up so much he just can’t go on.

It’s a show you can’t miss!

We’ll be taking a break over Christmas and we’ll be back early in January.

To all our loyal listeners and readers we wish you all the very best for Christmas, and hope that 2017 brings you all the rewards you dare to dream of.

At Motorcycle Life we like to keep you up to date on the latest technical innovations from the motorcycle world.

So when we came across the story of the GyroCycle recently, we decided to track down the man responsible and have a talk to him to find out more.

In this episode of Motorcycle Life Radio Steve McDowall and Christophe Barriere-Varju talk to David Ryker, the gyroscopics specialist behind the amazing self balancing motorcycle expected to go into production next year that basically can’t fall over.

What if we told you you can’t push it over either!

David started working with gyros in 1991, and in this interview he talks about how the GyroCycle came about and the plans the company, Thrustcycle Enterprises, has for the future.

But the benefits of this technology go way beyond just staying upright when it’s stationary, and David explains how the gyro can help to prevent a crash in a corner by keeping the bike stable even if the front wheel slides.

Here’s a video of the original Gyro Hawk David refers to in the interview …

 

A lot has been said in many media outlets, including here on Motorcycle Life, about the innovative VOZZ helmet.

The rear access hinged design eliminates the need for a chin strap, and it’s the biggest change we’ve seen in helmet design in decades.

And it’s an Australian innovation!

In this episode Steve McDowall and Christophe Barriere-Varju talk to VOZZ Founding Director, Mark Bryant, about the helmet, where the idea came from and what the company has planned for the future.

Mark is understandably very knowledgeable about helmet design and standards, and he gives an insight into the testing process, the current standards and goes into great depth about the features and benefits of their VOZZ RS 1.0 helmet. It’s a must hear interview for any rider, and especially if you’re in the market for a new helmet.

Our listener question in this episode comes from Chris who wants some advice from Christophe on tyre choice for his KTM 1290 Super Adventure.

It’s a special episode of Motorcycle Life …. enjoy!

More information about the VOZZ helmet, including sizing, pricing and where to find a distributor, is available at www.vozzhelmets.com

bikesales.com.au, Australia’s number one motorcycle classified website, announced the winners of its first ever Bike of the Year Awards at the 2016 Moto Expo in Melbourne and the overall win went to a bike that’s very close to Christophe’s heart – the Honda Africa Twin.

We caught up with Mark Fattore, editor of bikesales.com.au, to talk about the awards and of course what made the Honda Africa Twin such a worthy winner.

Christophe also shares his thoughts on Honda’s all conquering adventure bike, and the experience he had with them while filming “Riding Morocco: Chasing The Dakar”.

You can also read more about the awards and the 11 category winners in our full report or at the bikesales.com.au website.