Kawasaki Ninja H2R hits 400km/h

Supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2R piloted by WSSP ace Kenan Sofuoglu hits 400km/h in record-breaking run.

The supercharged and winged beast we come to know as the Kawasaki Ninja H2R has charted a new world record in the hands of World Supersport (WSSP) champion Kenan Sofuoglu after hitting a top speed of 400km/h.
The Turkish rider, who is ranked as the most successful WSSP rider of all time, completed the record attempt on the Izmit Bay Bridge (Osman Gazi Bridge) in Turkey two days before its scheduled opening. Spanning approximately 50km in length, the world’s fourth longest suspension bridge was perhaps the perfect location to take the Kawasaki Ninja H2R up to 400km/h.

To lower risk of a tyre blowout, Kenan had to do the run in less than 30 seconds whilst donning a specially made leather suit from REV’IT! Having visited the bridge numerous times beforehand to check on the conditions at different times of the day, the Turk chose to do the run at 5am as it was deemed the best and safest time.
As you can see from the featured video, the entire run lasted just 26 seconds in total and Sofuoglu managed to hit his target of 400km/h easily without incident.

“I reached 400km/h, the maximum speed that this motorcycle could have, after 4 long months of training,” said the WSSP championship leader after completing the attempt. He also adds that he only made small changes to the bike and kept its original settings without modifying it whatsoever.

Just for your reference, the world’s fastest production bike, which is the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa, has a claimed top speed of 312km/h set in 1999. The fastest production car in the world, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, has a verified top speed of 415km/h set in 2010.
Though the Ninja H2R may be technically considered as a track bike, one can’t argue that the 310hp churned out by its supercharged 998cc four-pot screamer is a force to be reckoned with indeed.

Images: worldSBK.com
Source: worldSBK.com
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Alvaro Bautista and the Disparity Between Factory and Satellite Bikes

Alvaro Bautista rode to a fourth-placed finished at last weekend’s Australian GP.

The result showed the large gap between factory and satellite bikes.

Dorna ought to stop the “tiered” system to avoid talented riders languishing down the order.

Alvaro Bautista probably had no idea of where he’d finish in Australia when he sat in for the injured Jorge Lorenzo.
The Desmosedici GP18 threw Jorge Lorenzo off on the last three occasions. The last one in Australia injured his left arm. But instead of letting only Andrea Dovizioso ride in the race, the Ducati factory team drafted Bautista over from the Ducati satellite Angel Nieto Team.
It wasn’t easy for the affable Spaniard at first, crashing three times over the weekend. However, he found his rhythm in the race and challenged both Andrea Ianone and teammate Andrea Dovizioso for the podium positions.
He only acquiesced the position when, “I had a problem with the gearbox. It was different to what I was using. I didn’t engage the gear and I lost the distance with both Andreas.”
This is where it starts to get interesting.
Speaking about his switch to the factory Ducati World Superbike squad next year, “I’m so confident for next season. I like to race but I also like to win. If you don’t have a competitive bike you can’t win.”
On the differences between a factory and satellite bike, “For sure the bike is different. For me I’m very impressed of the engine, the character of the engine, the power of the engine. It’s incredible how different this bike is from the bike of last year that I’m using. The difference is quite big.”
It was the ex-125cc World Champion’s best result in MotoGP since April.
Bautista’s interview confirmed that there are tiers in MotoGP.
Compared to factory machines such as those ridden by Dovizioso, Lorenzo, Marquez, Pedrosa, Rossi and Vinalez, the bikes run by satellite teams are “customer” bikes. Race teams – the “customers” – rent the bikes from manufacturers. These bikes are usually those with the previous year’s specs. Even then, they are not 100% identical to the factory bikes.
As such, the title had always come down the fight among the factory boys while other riders play the role of grid fillers.
This isn’t a good thing as so many great talents find themselves languishing on uncompetitive bikes down the field. While this happening, attention and more importantly, screen time is given to the top runners. How many times have we seen Hafizh Syahrin in action this season? Unless he crashed, notwithstanding.
MotoGP: Hafizh Syahrin Scores Points in Thailand

The disparity between full-factory and satellite teams used to be very small in the 70’s and 80’s but it has grown larger ever since. It has closed somewhat in the last few seasons since the introduction of the spec-ECU and Michelin tyres in 2016. We witnessed Johann Zarco and Danilo Petrucci challenging for the lead on many occasions last year, but it was an all-out fight among the factory Honda, Ducati, Yamaha (and Suzuki to a lesser extent) again this season.
This is the exact reason why Herve Poncharal decided to move his Tech 3 camp to KTM next year. Being supplied sub-par bikes for past seasons had left him wishing for better results. But there’s no way out since Yamaha will not supply him the latest YZR-M1.
Tech 3 Parting with Yamaha in 2019

So, before some of you start spouting wild accusations like, “Mat Sallehs will only favour Mat Sallehs and push Hafizh Syahrin down because he’s Malay,” (oh yes, someone did post that in Facebook) remember Bautista’s result at Philip Island.
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Are you ready for Malaysia’s most interesting custom bike competition?

Malaysia’s most interesting custom bike competition called Bakat Besi is back and ready to unveil their end-products.
Talented bike customizers and constructors from across the country have been working on their custom bikes for the past few months.
The customized Modenas Pulsar RS200, NS200, and V15 bikes are ready for their grand unveiling.

It was around the end of last year when national motorcycle manufacturer Modenas launched Malaysia’s most interesting motorcycle contest called Bakat Besi. What’s unique about this particular program is the fact that it focuses on motorcycle design and engineering for anyone who’s interested to participate.
It wasn’t long before a huge number of talented folks wanted to be a part of this competition. For the custom bike build-off segment called Reka Bina (check out the team selection video below), 12 bike customizers and constructors were chosen to fully-explore their creative sides with Modenas’ latest models; the Modenas Pulsar RS200, Pulsar NS200, and the V15.

The constructors’ finalists are:

Cilik Motorsport
Panji Motor
MTP Performance
16 Performance
UTM Racing
JND Garage

As for the customizers, they are:

E One Bikers
Eastern Bobber
FNR Melati Trading
MFJ Motorsports
HungryGhost Custom Inc
Wak Jep

After months of intensive labour, the custom bikes are done and Bakat Besi will again take off with a bunch of teaser videos before the grand reveal. You can watch the four videos at the bottom of this post.
Six teams consisting of one customizer and constructor have worked on one bike and soon, a nine-episode video series will show their entire processes before the voting begins.
As for selecting the winner who will take home the grand prize of RM10,000 and a two-year manufacturing contract, the winners will be chosen based from selections made by a panel of professionals in the industry as well as the general public. Take some time out to watch the videos below to see what it takes to be a customiser and a builder.

Bakat Besi introduces builders and customizers for Malaysia’s ultimate bike build-off

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Suter – The return of two-stroke awesomeness, now available for purchase!

Suter motorcycles are now available for purchase in North America thanks to their newly-formed partnership with Arch Motorcycles.
A variety of Suter race bikes can be bought by the public including the Suter MMX 500 MotoGP, MMX1 MotoGP, MMX2 Moto2 and MMX3 Moto3 race machines.
Arch Motorcycles will also benefit greatly from this technical partnership as Suter will assist in further bike developments and distribution of their models in the European market.

There’s no denying the fact that one of the most technologically advanced two-stroke motorcycles in the world to date is the Suter MMX 500. If you’re major two-stroke fan boys (or girls), the MMX 500 is the perfect bike to be put up as one the greatest room posters ever. But what if you want to own one of your very own? Well, now you can!

Those living in the Northern America region are able to simplify the process of owning your very own Suter MMX 500 race machine as the American-based Arch Motorcycle Company has been selected as the exclusive importer for Suter’s motorcycle business.

The process of owning one is now like going into any bike showroom, the only difference is whether you can actually cough up a cool $125,000 (around RM537,400) in order to be a proud owner of a two-stroke motorcycle that is able to generate 195hp with a kerb weight of ONLY 127kg.

Arch Motorcycle’s partnership with Suter is also a win-win situation for them as they will assist in distributing their premium power cruisers for the European market. They will also get a lot of assistance from Suter in the bike development department which in turn will help in making their bikes Euro4 compliant especially the badass KRGT-1.

As for the people of North America, you are able to choose from a variety of bikes other than the manic MMX 500 two-stroke GP bike like the MMX1 MotoGP, MMX2 Moto2 and the MMX3 Moto3 race bikes.

According to Suter CEO Maurizio Bäumle, “Both our companies share the same vision in regards to technical perfection, but I think it is our mutual passion for riding that ultimately makes this a perfect partnership. Whether out on the road or on the track, both Arch and Suter endeavour to capture the joy of riding in all our motorcycles. We look forward to working alongside Arch to make our bikes the best they can possibly be.”
Image source: Cycle World
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Top 10 Suzuki Motorcycles (Part 2)

Suzuki is one manufacturer who used to be associated with groundbreaking motorcycle design and innovations.

Their bikes have left an indelible mark in motorcycling.

We take a look at ten out of the many.

Continuing our 10 Best Suzuki Motorcycles series, here are the Top 5. We’re picking them according to their significance in motorcycling.
5. DR650
This is the 1991 DR650
Why the DR, you ask? Well, it’s remained mostly unchanged and is still one of the best-selling bikes in many countries since 1990. It’s a bike built to be simple and reliable, with low running costs, so much so that anyone who can hold a wrench can fix it. As of 2020, it’s the best-seller in New Zealand and was so in Canada and Australia in previous years. It’s so reliable that we named it one of the bikes to have post-apocalypse.
4. GS series (1976 to 1992)

Suzuki’s GS series began a long time back and was developed through the years until 1992. It began with the GS400 and GS750, the latter patterned after the Kawasaki Z1. Engine size began to climb along with those developments. Suzuki’s reputation of building bikes with “bulletproof” engines began with the GS1000. The over-engineered engines could be tuned to much higher power outputs without detonating, and it’s what famed tuner Pops Yoshimura used to his advantage: One bike won the 1978 Daytona Superbike race, another in the 1979 Suzuka 8 Hour Endurance, and finally the AMA Superbike titles in 1980 and 1981 with Wes Cooley. Some tuners even achieved 300 hp with turbocharging. The architecture of these engines were further developed into the later GSX-R1100 series and survived into the recent Bandit GSF-1200.
3. GSX-R1100 (1986)

Suzuki was the last to move away from the UJM (Universal Motorcycle Motorcycle) type of design. The GSX-R1100 was the replacement of the famous but ageing GS lineup. The GSX-R1100 began with oil-cooling before being liquid-cooled in 1993 (the WP variant). The biggest changes from the GS series were the frame, engine and design. The GSX-R used an aluminium box section cradle frame; the WP’s engine saw 155 hp; and it took on the look of modern superbikes. The 16-valve, inline-Four engine built upon’s Suzuki’s bulletproof reputation and remains a favourite among drag racers, often seeing supercharging and more than 500 hp.
2. GSX-R750 (1985 to present)
1985 Suzuki GSX-R750
The GSX-R750 didn’t truly break new grounds in terms of innovations when it was introduced in 1984 (production began in 1985). It was however, considered to be the first affordable, modern, road-legal replica racer. It also brought along concepts in building lightweight motorcycles, and actually did that twice in its long lineage, with the 1996 model, better known as SRAD (Suzuki Ram Air Direct). That T-variant weighed only 179 kg with an engine that produced 125 hp.
1. GSX1100S Katana (1981)

No.1 had to be the original Katana. It broke the norms of motorcycle designs of the time and left a lasting impression until today. A typical bike prior to it had separate headlamp, seat and fuel tank, but it’s was the Katana that changed it all. The 1100cc was also powerful and Suzuki claimed it to be the world’s fastest production bike during its introduction. It’s only right that the manufacturer brought back the name in 2019.
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2020 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 30th Anniversary unleashed

The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and the folks from H-D is celebrating with the launch of the 2020 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 30th Anniversary model. Powered by the powerful Milwaukee-Eight® 114 (1,868cc) engine, only 2,500 units will be made for global consumption.

Blacked out with dark finishes and bronze highlights called Vivid Black, it’s definitely one badass bike to roam the streets in style. Everything from its cast-aluminium Lakester wheels to its Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine has been cloaked in this very special edition colourway with a classy touch of bronze to celebrate three decades worth of Fat Boy goodness.

According to explains Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Styling and Design, “The Fat Boy took the look, proportions and silhouette of a 1949 Hydra-Glide motorcycle and completely modernized it for a new generation of riders. Those riders appreciated our post-war design DNA but also found themselves drawn to the clean simplicity of contemporary industrial design.”

“Each of these elements was captured in the new 2018 version of the Fat Boy model. For this 30th Anniversary model we wanted to create something very special, so we leaned into the popularity of darker finishes and a limited run/serialized strategy to make the bike truly unique and exclusive.”

Other blacked-out parts include the exhaust (Black Onyx), headlamp nacelle, handlebar, and controls. If you happen to be in the good ol’ USA, you can cop one for a cool price of $21,949 (around RM90,328). Expect that figure to double up if one happens to arrive here in Malaysia.

Harley-Davidson unveils 2,147cc engine!

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Moto3: Jakub Kornfeil retires due to financial reasons

It’s a sad day for Moto3 as one of their starts, Jakub Kornfeil, announces his retirement out of nowhere. The announcement was posted on his Instagram page just moments ago which basically explains his decision to withdraw from the very competitive 250cc category.

 View this post on Instagram

 ⚠BREAKING NEWS?
A post shared by  Jakub Kornfeil (@jakubkornfeil84) on Jan 20, 2020 at 7:52am PST

This comes to as a major surprise considering the fact that he signed with the BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race squad back in September 2019 to compete in the 2020 season. With financial reasons stated as his main antagonist towards his retirement, Jakub Kornfeil decided to no longer compete in Moto3.

According to Kornfeil via his Instagram page, “At the end of the season, in Valencia, I never imagined that this would be the last race of my career in the MotoGP™ Championship. I still have a valid contract with the team, but I was forced to make this very important decision for my life.”

“I should have started the season on a different budget than what I thought, what I hoped to have, and I wouldn’t even have the certainty of reaching the race at Mugello. I still feel like a winner, even if I never won the title. I’ve always tried to do my best both on and off the track.”

Image credit: MotoGP
MotoGP Malaysia 2020 tickets now on sale!

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Petronas Launches New Sprinta Engine Oil Range with Ultraflex™

New Petronas Sprinta with Ultraflex™ promises to reduce engine stress which leads to signs like rattling noise and sluggishness

The Ultraflex™ technology and its unique formulation consists superior adaptive molecules to address diverging effects of bike stress

Nine variants available to cater to different motorcycles ranging from RM15 to RM70 per one-litre bottle

Petronas Lubricants Marketing Malaysia (PLMM) just launched their latest engine oil range; the Petronas Sprinta with Ultraflex™ as its new flagship range of motorcycle lubricants formulated specifically to reduce engine stress and promote longer bike life.

The new Sprinta with Ultraflex™ technology comes in nine different variants to suit and cater to the majority of 11.6 million motorcycles on Malaysian roads today. This range consists of the top-shelf Petronas Sprinta F900 10W-40 for high performance motorcycles all the way down to the Petronas Sprinta A300 10W-30 specifically blended for scooters.

According to Chief Executive Officer of PLMM, Mr Zubair Abdul Razak, he explained that “Daily usage puts a lot of stress on bike engines, even under normal riding conditions. As a result, many consumers constantly worry about their bikes breaking down, forcing them into costly repairs or major overhauls.”

With the new Sprinta range with Ultraflex™ formulation, Petronas claims that it can reduce engine stress of any motorcycles that are showing signs or symptoms such as rattling noise and sluggishness. The Sprinta with Ultraflex™ technology is able to tackle these problems head on with its unique formulation that consists of superior adaptive molecules to address diverging effects of bike stress.

When asked about what differentiates the new Petronas Sprinta Ultraflex™ with other engine oils available in the market, Petronas Lubricants International Regional Head for Asia Pacific, Mr Mohd Khalid Mohamed Latiff explained “Our growth ambition is built on technology as a fundamental differentiator to continuously deliver superior products and services to meet consumer needs, while preparing ourselves to capture rising market opportunities,”

He also added “Our commitment to research and technology includes a USD60 million investment in a technology centre in Turin, Italy, which will be completed at the end of this year.”

Together with the launch, PLMM, Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia (HLYM), Petronas Sprinta Yamaha-CKJ racing team and racing gears Furygan and Shark Helmets (from the Spartan Concept Store, Sunway) organized a “Better Ride with Sprinta Experience” to showcase their latest product by bringing participants for a few laps around the Sepang International Circuit North Track.
The leading rider on board the Yamaha Petronas Super Series racing machine from the Malaysian Cub Prix was none other than former Malaysian GP rider, Oh Kah Beng.

CLICK HERE to read more on the Spartan Concept Store, Sunway.
CLICK HERE to know more about Oh Kah Beng in our “Most Interesting Biker” segment.

The all new Petronas Sprinta with Ultraflex™ is already available for purchase. The price ranges from an affordable RM15 up to RM70 per one-litre bottle.

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SHOEI Honours MM93 King Of COTA Status With A Limited Edition Helmet

Marc Marquez, a six-time MotoGP champion, has earned the title of “King of COTA” due to his unbeatable form on U.S. soil.

Marc Marquez wins six time in a row at the Circuit of the Americas between 2013 and 2018 earning him the “King of COTA” status.
The limited-edition helmet is to honour Marquez’s amazing feat at COTA.

Despite suffering a broken humerus and undergoing several surgeries in 2020, Marquez won at the Circuit of the Americas again in 2021.
In honor of his winning record, Shoei has created a limited-edition Z8 helmet with an American Spirit graphic.
The special livery, worn by Marquez during the 2022 Grand Prix of the Americas, features a red, white, and blue color combination, stars and stripes integrated into the design, and Marquez’s signature number 93 emblazoned on both sides of the helmet.

The helmet is made with Shoei’s eminent all-arounder, the Z-8 (RF-1400), which boasts extra comfort and an affordable mid-range price tag, making it a great option for road riding.
The Z-8 was updated recently with a newly improved ventilation system, a new visor-locking mechanism, and noise-diffusing, aerodynamics-enhancing Vortex Generators, making it the perfect all-rounder helmet. That said, the GP-accurate American Spirit graphic lends itself perfectly to the Z-8 model.
Shoei will release the limited-edition helmet in July 2023 with limited orders open through August 2023. The race replica will be available in sizes S (55cm), M (57cm), L (59cm), XL (61cm), and XXL (63cm) at a price of JPY71,500 (RM2.3k).
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New Honda Motocompo coming soon?

One of the most iconic Honda scooters has to be the Honda Motocompo and the internet is currently buzzing with the prospect of a new model of this ‘folding scooter’. That’s right, folks. The Motocompo is making a comeback!

It seems that Honda has filed a new trademark application over at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The name that it was filed for? “Motocompacto”. Although the name might be slightly different, it’s very close to the original Motocompo name, a small box-shaped 49cc two-stroke scooter that was only sold between 1981 to 1983.

With only 54,000 units ever produced, the Motocompo managed to gain its iconic status and we’re probably guessing that it’s the right time for Honda to bring it back. Together with the fact that the world is now more open to more viable options than the internal-combustion engine, the new Motocompacto will most likely be electric.

Sure enough, the trademark application was filed with the intended use stating the new Honda folding scooter to be used as “land vehicles, namely, electric scooters.” As for the timeline, we’re not entirely sure when it’ll be launched or produced, but it’ll most likely be a massive hit within the next couple of years.
2021 Honda CBR250RR launched in Japan – RM33,000

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Honda Wins Two Red Dot Design Awards for Its 2023 Hornet and Transalp Motorcycles

Honda has once again received recognition for its excellent designs, winning two Red Dot Design Awards for its 2023 motorcycles.

Honda has won two Red Dot Design Awards for its 2023 motorcycles – the Honda CB750 Hornet and Honda XL750 Transalp.
Honda’s success in the Red Dot Design Awards is a testament to its unique human-centered approach to design and usability, as well as its commitment to innovation and exceptional design.

The Honda CB750 Hornet and Honda XL750 Transalp were both awarded for their exceptional design, expanding Honda’s range in the naked and adventure categories with new middleweight offerings.
Honda looked to its past for inspiration for both of these new motorcycle models, reviving the iconic Hornet and Transalp names, which carry cultural weight from the brand’s history. Both models feature a new 755cc parallel-twin-cylinder engine that promises excellent performance.

These awards follow on from Honda’s previous Red Dot Design Award-winning motorcycles, including the Honda ADV350 scooter, Honda NT1100 tourer, Honda Forza 750, and Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade. Honda has won multiple Red Dot Design Awards in the Product Design category for four years in a row now, across its automobile and motorcycle product ranges.
23YM HONDA CB750 HORNET
Toshinobu Minami, Chief Operating Officer, Design Center, Honda R&D Co., expressed his happiness on this achievement, stating, “We believe in a unique human-centred approach to design and usability, and it is gratifying to see that focus reflected in the continued recognition for Honda at the Red Dot Design Awards.”
Meanwhile, Honda also won Red Dot Design Awards for the 2023 Honda Civic Type-R and 2023 Honda Civic e:HEV cars, showcasing the company’s continued commitment to innovation and exceptional design. With these wins, Honda has cemented its reputation as a company that values both performance and aesthetics.
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HLYM introduces Yamaha MT-09 CKD

HLYM announces the availability of the Yamaha MT-09 CKD model that is locally assembled in Malaysia.

Hong Leong Yamaha Motors Sdn Bhd (HLYM) this week announced the introduction the locally assembled or CKD variant of the Ymaha MT-09 naked triple.

According t HLYM, the model is presently being built locally in its Sungai Buloh plant alongside the Yamaha XJ-6 series. The MT-09 also stands as the new flagship model in HLYM’s big bikes range offered for the Malaysian market.
Excluding road tax, registration, and insurance costs, the Yamaha MT-09 CKD is priced starting from RM45,000. The MT-09 CKD can be purchased at selected Yamaha dealerships nationwide starting middle of this month.
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Yoshimura Alpha Race series exhaust for Kawasaki Ninja 650 & Z650

The Yoshimura Alpha Race series full system exhaust is available for the Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS and the Kawasaki Z650 ABS.
The full system exhausts promises a weight reduction up to 4.4kg and 6.1% power and 3.1% torque increase.
To know more about Yoshimura products here in Malaysia, you may refer to the authorised Malaysian dealer Chear Motor.

Yoshimura has been in the motorcycle industry longer way before most of us were even born, unless you’re a badass 64 year old (or older) biker who rides around town like a boss. When a company focusing on building supreme aftermarket motorcycle parts has existed for over 60 years, you know that they are doing something right.

In today’s case, those who are interested to incorporate this particular brand into their Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS or Kawasaki Z650 ABS can rejoice in the idea as they have not one but two full system exhaust units that can and will take your bike up a few notches. We’re talking about both style and performance here, people.

Their latest Yoshimura Alpha Race series full system exhausts come in two different models; Race ALPHA FS SS-CF-CF Works Finish (carbon fibre) and Race ALPHA FS SS-SS-CF Works Finish (stainless steel). The biggest benefit of these bad boys is that Yoshimura claims they can increase the total horsepower and torque outputs up to 6.1% and 3.1% respectively.

In translation, that’s an increase of up to 4hp and 2Nm which adds up to almost 70hp and 68Nm of torque for both the Ninja 650 and Z650. With a much lighter weight, the overall power-to-weight ratio is significantly improved as well.

They also help to cut the bike’s overall weight down significantly by up to 4.4kg compared to the stock exhaust option which tips the scale at slightly over 8kg. The full system exhausts also provide a more aggressive sound profile with a fit and finish styling that will look perfect on both the Ninja 650 and Z650 without them awkwardly sticking out.

The carbon fibre unit is selling at $819 (around RM3,216 after direct conversion) while the stainless steel unit which is 500grams heavier is priced at $749 (around RM2,941) for the US market. To know more about Yoshimura products here in Malaysia, you can refer to Chear Performance Sdn Bhd (Chear Motor) located around the Klang Valley area.

To know more about the Yoshimura Alpha Race exhaust series, CLICK HERE.

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Locally-Assembled MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 9.5 In The Pipeline?

*Lucky Explorer 9.5
MV Agusta CEO, Timur Sardarov, has announced that MV Agusta Malaysia Sdn Bhd – a subsidiary of AFY Mobility Sdn Bhd – is officially appointed as the sole and exclusive distributor of MV Agusta motorcycles and parts in the country.

The 9.5 makes 121hp @ 10,000rpm and 102Nm @ 7,000rpm.
to feature a 7-inch TFT dash with smartphone connectivity.
quickshifter, slide control, and cornering ABS comes as standard.

*MV Agusta CEO, Timur Sardarov

More importantly, MV Agusta motorcycles will be locally-assembled in Glenmarie, Kuala Lumpur.
That said, the highly anticipated MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 9.5 could be among the bikes listed to be assembled in the country.
The Lucky Explorer 9.5 is MV Agusta’s first attempt to take on the adventure bike territory.
Complete with a 21-inch front wheel and off-road focused suspension and frame, MV Agusta is scheduled to launch the Lucky Explorer 9.5 sometime in 2023.

The motorcycle is currently still in its prototype stages, but some reputable media recently tested the new adventure bike in Europe.
The Lucky Explorer 9.5 faces a list of strong contenders in the middleweight ADV category, including the KTM 890 Adventure, Triumph Tiger 900 range and the newly launched Ducati DesertX.
Although the 9.5 is MV’s first attempt in the ADV segment, CycleWorld – one of a few able to try out the prototype mule – claimed that the motorcycle has genuine touring and off-road potential.
The 9.5 features an all-new 931cc inline-triple engine derived from the 800cc platform taken from the F3 and Brutale. However, MV made several modifications, including a new cylinder head, piston and valve train.
As a result, the inline-triple makes 121.4hp @ 10,000rpm and 102Nm @ 7,000rpm. That said, the 2023 Lucky Explorer 9.5 is set to out grunt the DesertX, 890 Adventure and Triumph’s Tiger 900.
Other notable features include:

Fully-adjustable Sachs suspension.
20L fuel tank.
Bridgestone A41 tyres .
7-inch TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity
Brembo brakes

Meanwhile, the Lucky Explorer 9.5 is also fitted with a host of electronics:

cruise control (standard).
quickshifter
switchable cornering ABS.
four riding modes; Urban/Touring/Off-Road/Custom.
six-Axis IMU
eight-stage slide control/traction control
front-wheel lift control

For those who wonder about the price, rest assured MV Agusta is keeping it a secret until its official launch date later this year.

More importantly, if the bike is locally assembled, we should expect a competitive price point.
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Roland Sands built a BMW R 18 Dragster

Only Roland Sands would have the skills, creativity, and cojones to turn the very elegant BMW R 18 into a dragstrip-eating machine. That’s right, you’re looking at the world’s first (and probably the only) BMW R 18 Dragster, brought to you exclusively by none other than Roland Sands.

According to Sands himself, “With an engine that’s so visibly the centre piece, I immediately thought of muscle cars. My family has always been into going fast and my dad was a drag racer, so I thought it made sense to strip the bike down to the essentials and shape it to go fast on a straight track.”

The beginnings of the BMW R 18 Dragster were made simple thanks to highly customisable nature of BMW Motorrad’s latest heritage bike. What Roland Sands did was basically remove the R 18’s rear end and transformed it into a machine that can and will go fast in a straight line.

This was not his first time customising the R 18 as he was also commissioned by BMW Motorrad to built two unique R 18s called “Machined” and “2-Tone-Black” for the bike’s official launch. In essence, the R 18 Dragster carried a lot of custom parts inspired when Roland Sands built the “2-Tone-Black” custom bike.

Here’s the breakdown of every detail spent to make the BMW R 18 Dragster.

Modified rear end by removing rear suspension
Modified front & rear fenders
Milled aluminium headlight bezel
Hand-fabricated stainless-steel twin-megaphone exhaust
Roland Sands Design hydraulic front brake & clutch master cylinders
Two-tone metallic blue paintwork
BMW R nineT front end
Dunlop drag tyres
BMW S 1000 RR front brake
RSD custom seat + many more

While most would disagree with turning a classic bike into a dragster, we can honestly say that RSD did an amazing job in retaining all the design essence of the R 18 into this beautiful dragster. Our favourite part? That paint job. Simply amazing!
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Here’s your chance to win a brand new HJC IS-33 helmet!

HJC Helmet Malaysia will give away a brand new HJC IS-33 open-face helmet to one lucky individual who can come up with best comment in the final prize giveaway Facebook post contest.
The final topic has been posted on the Bikes Republic and Moto Malaya Facebook pages and the best comment will be chosen to take home the HJC IS-33 plus other mystery prizes.
The HJC Helmet Malaysia Final Giveaway contest will end on this Sunday (22 October 2017) at midnight.

HJC Helmet Malaysia FINAL WEEK GIVEAWAY! Topic: Which is the best recommended bike accessories shop & why? We will…
Posted by Bikes | Republic on 19hb Oktober 2017

In conjunction with the upcoming Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix which is going to be held from 27 October 2017 to 29 October 2017, HJC Helmet Malaysia has been running a month-long contest on our Bikes Republic and Moto Malaya Facebook pages.

A lot of lucky individuals have won some mystery prizes from HJC Helmet Malaysia but for the finale, one lucky person will get to bring home the ultimate prize in the form of a brand new HJC IS-33 open face helmet!

From 20 October 2017 to 22 October 2017 (three days ONLY), the best comments from the final topic posted on the Bikes Republic Facebook page as well as our sister site, Motomalaya.net, will be selected to take home more mystery prizes BUT the very best comment in the next few days will end up owning this very exclusive open-face helmet courtesy of HJC Helmet Malaysia.

Some of the highlighted features of the HJC IS-33 helmet are:

Advanced Polycarbonate Composite Shell: Lightweight, superior fit and comfort using advanced CAD technology.
One-touch Integrated SunShield: Smoke-tinted 3-stage adjustable SunShield deploys quickly and easily (patent pending).
UV-treated Flip-up Faceshield: Opens easily.
QuickSlide Shield Replacement System: Quick, secure, tool-less removal and installation.
“ACS” Advanced Channeling Ventilation System: Full front to back airflow flushes heat and humidity up and out.
SilverCool™ Interior: Moisture-wicking and odour-free interior with advanced silver anti-bacterial fabric. Comfortable, removable and washable.
Standard Certifications: DOT approved

So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to our Bikes Republic Facebook page and write down the ultimate comment to win this baby! Those who prefer writing in Malay, place your comments on the post posted up on the Moto Malaya Facebook page. Good luck, everyone!
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Gallery: Custom Scrambler Ducati concepts of Verona

Ducati showcases special Scrambler custom concept at 2015 Verona Motor Bike Show.

Italian bikes maker Ducati stole the show during the 2015 Verona Motor Bike Show recently when it showcases three specially built custom concepts of its Scrambler. Each were built by some of the world’s most renowned custom builders who set out to show off their radical re-imagination of the Scrambler.

First came the ‘Hondo Grattan’, customised by Deus Ex Machina. Designer Filippo Bassoli was charged with the creation. Besides the striking yellow, blue, and black paintjob, Bassoli also opted to give the Scrambler a more modern-looking face to replaces the original bike’s retro round-shaped headlamp unit. Despite that, Bassoli still manages to keep the base bike’s ‘classic’ lines through the swooped tank and rear fairing design.
Hondo Grattan Scrambler Ducati by Deus Ex Machina

The second of the three comes in the form of the ‘Scratch’ concept produced by Officine Mermaid. Designer Dario Mastroianni opted to take on a more rustic and Spartan approach, having what appeared to be the Scrambler Urban Enduro’s paint stripped down to bare metal by hand. Next sees the concept primed with a pair of stanchion front forks, wide 21-inch wheels up front and an 18-inch unit in the rear, vintage green leather handlebars and saddle, plus a rally-style headlight mounted off-set to the right of the bike’s frame. This is perhaps the one bike to have should you find yourself in a Zombie apocalypse.
Scratch Ducati Scrambler by Officine Mermaid

Finally came the stunning design penned by designer Nicolla Martini. Adopting a traditional café racer approach, Martini’s ‘Scrambler Café Racer’ concept sees its headlamp cover dressed with a retro-style cover, and a matching high-mounted exhaust. Retained are the Scrambler’s knobby stock Pirelli tyres as well. Completing things here are the theme-appropriate shades of black and contrasting grey colours, with the exception of the ‘S’ in its ‘S-CR’ tank logo painted in yellow on the left, and red on the right.
Scrambler Cafe Racer by Mr Martini
These three special Ducati Scramblers may not see the life as a production models, but we reckon many fans, us included, wouldn’t mind the idea indeed. What are you waiting for Ducati? Make them!
Source: Asphlantandrubber ( Link 1 / Link 2 / Link 3 )
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Ducati Panigale V2: The Superbike For All!

Turn five of the Jerez Angel Nieto circuit is a tricky one, especially for first timers. A fast flowing corner that suddenly tightens to catch you off guard and then threatens to send you off into the kitty litter.

I will not confirm it but I might have soiled my pants a little the first time I rode into the corner. After a few laps, I figured out the trick is to turn later than your instincts tell you to, holding your nerve as the edge of the 35 year old circuit rushes at you.

This has led to new found respect for MotoGP riders who race on this very circuit. The track is tight, fast and daunting. In comparison, Sepang Circuit feels like a multi-lane Californian highway, while Jerez feels like you’re racing down one of those tight Spanish village roads.

Good thing then that Ducati gave us a good 10 minutes of “familiarisation” time during the international media test ride of the brand new Panigale V2.

Turn five may be tricky, but the V2 is nimble and obliging; I had already found “my line” by the third lap – however slow the lap may have been.

But it wasn’t the corner that surprised me, it was how placeable the Ducati Panigale V2 was and how it responded so easily to what I asked of it.
A little roll off the throttle, a little more lean, point it where I wanted to be, add some squirt, and voila, I was at the exit of turn five at the long back straight heading to turn six.

Now I’m no track junkie, and neither am I a hardcore speed demon who “backs it in” every chance I get. In fact I still am a little clumsy on track, just as I am with chopsticks. Don’t judge me.

But this is what makes the Ducati Panigale V2 so special – it is such a friendly machine that it suits almost every riding style. And it makes riders like me feel like absolute heroes.
Easy! Seriously easy!
The Ducati Panigale V2 is the successor to the popular 959. The entrée to the world of Ducati superbikes if I may say, lovingly called by some as the baby-Panigale while others hail it as the beginners Ducati superbike.

It may look like a watered down version of the V4, and I wouldn’t blame you for mistaking it for one at first. Enthusiasts eyes will spot the grey Showa front forks that are in place of the golden Ohlins on the V4. And I absolutely love the fact that the V2 now comes with a single-sided swingarm, a feature the 959 did not have.

The court of public opinion may differ about the role of single-siders, but I am of the opinion a true to form Ducati should come with one. So tip of the hat to Ducati on this one.

But as for its friendliness, don’t get me wrong. However friendly it may be, the Panigale V2 is a serious machine; one that lets you exploit it however you want but asks that you respect its abilities.
Forget lots of power, say hello to usable Power!
The Superquadro 90-degree twin engine is an evolution of the same 955cc engine as the 959. But as you would expect, further refined for more power, 5hp and 2Nm of torque more to be exact. It is also Euro 5 compliant now, which may not matter to most Malaysian bikers, but it makes the bike environmentally friendly.

It is a lovely sounding engine even with stock exhausts. It does however love to scream and makes all of its power at 10,750rpm, and it sounds beautiful at that rpm as the video below will show you:

MotoGP derived electronics makes it a very intelligent bike!
But what makes the V2 truly special is that it is a very clever motorcycle thanks to some trick electronics.
The EVO 2 traction control system for example is derived from Ducati’s MotoGP exploits. This system first made its debut on the top of the range Panigale V4R and has since trickled down to the rest of the Panigale range.

The new Traction Control system uses wider parameters than simply calculating wheel slip, and truly makes you feel like a hero.
The electronic brain of the bike, a six-axis Bosch IMU, sits at the centre of it all, and the package includes ABS Cornering EVO, Ducati Wheelie Control EVO, and lean-angle-sensitive Engine Brake Control, you guessed it, EVO.

What does EVO stand for? Evolution of course. And in this context it means it is the evolution of the previous systems – smarter to include more variables like cornering ABS, and quicker to calculate everything that is going on with the bike and to deliver the necessary measures such as ensuring you never run out of traction.

And yes, you can customize the sensitivity of each of these systems, not only by selectable ride modes (Race, Sport and Street) but by sensitivity settings. For example, there are eight levels to the Traction Control and four levels of Wheelie Control. And you can also opt to reduce total engine power as well. Did I say that the bike is incredibly smart? Yes? Well I’m saying it again, the V2 makes you feel like a f**king hero.

But how do you access all of these systems? Well, there is a smart phone sized 4.5-inch TFT screen, colourised of course. And you can also personalize the way all of that information is fed back to you, with different display modes that changes the way information appears on the screen.
Enough of the dry jargon, how does it actually feel?
Out of the pit lane and onto the circuit, as you can probably imagine, the Panigale feels familiar, almost like a 959 with its slim body and light weight.

The rear of the bike is about 5mm higher than the 959 while overall trail has been reduced. This gives the bike a more compliant character, one that follows your every move in the saddle.
This also puts more weight onto the front tyre, which gives you added confidence of tucking the front into the corner while the rear simply follows. Placeable is the word here.

And then there are the tyres – Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa 2 – sticky by design and when paired with the genius electronics, gives the V2 a ballistic feel out of corners. This also gives you confidence to drop the bike and pick it up again, ever more aggressively corner after corner.

The Ducati Quick Shifter is speed sensitive – the higher the speed, the quicker it shifts. And this just gives the V2 incredible acceleration from corner to corner.
And though the 955cc engine may not have the face morphing power of the V4, but it is still a very fast bike.

When it comes to shedding speed, all that speed is managed by twin M4.32 Brembo Monoblock calipers on 320mm discs which require just two-fingers to operate while the rear is kept in check by a 245mm disc.

As you can probably imagine, this is enough stopping power here to sate the most aggressive of riders. The only threat to Malaysian riders though will be securing the callipers from theft.
To buy or not to buy!
In typical Malaysian manner – “buyyyy broooo, still need to ask meh? The price already so good, what you want some more. RM109,900 only mah! Cheap la!”

It is difficult to truly judge the depth of a bike with just a few laps, but these few laps are good enough to tell me that the baby-Panigale has matured to be a true superbike.

Hardcore trackies might miss the ballistic nature of the V4 and the depth of adjustability the Ohlins shocks offer, but the V2 is honestly a good enough bike for all your needs. The seat is wider and more comfortable which gives it added comfort for daily rides to the office and such.

If you are looking for a bike that is easy to manage, won’t scare the crap out of you (well, at least not all the time) and will still look fantastic 10-20 years down the road – the Panigale V2 is the bike you want!
And now is the perfect time to buy the Panigale V2 as Ducati Malaysia has introduced its latest Ownership Enhancement Program – more info on it here!

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Livewire S2 Del Mar LE revealed – 100 units only, all sold out

Second all-electric Livewire model, the S2 Del Mar LE, revealed. Initial offering is 100-unit only special, and they’re all sold out.

Second model from all-electric Livewire brand called the S2 Del Mar debuts.

Initial offering is a limited-run ‘Launch Edition’ (LE) version limited to just 100 units.

It underpins a modular new ‘Arrow’ chassis architecture that will spawn more future offshoots.

It harnesses an electric powertrain that boasts 80HP and claimed range of 100 miles (161KM).

The Harley-Davidson-owned Livewire brand just unveiled its second model, the S2 Del Mar LE. This is the electric brand’s second offering that follows the Livewire One, which is effectively a rebranded Harley-Davidson Livewire.
With the S2 Del Mar, Livewire opted to market it initially as a limited-run, pre-order only special dubbed the LE with just 100 units planned. Unsurprisingly, all 100 units have been snapped up at the time of its launch too, marking perhaps the bike’s critical reception towards its target audience.

The S2 Del Mar is an all-new, simplified, more affordable follow-up to the Livewire One. At the Del Mar’s heart is a an all-new ‘Arrow’ monocoque chassis architecture which combines the 60kW (80HP) electric motor, battery pack and control hardware.
According to Livewire, this design approach is intended to be modular, meaning it can be used to develop a variety of forthcoming models. Aptly, the first Del Mar adopts an ‘urban street tracker’ aesthetic complete with 19-inch wheels.
Other key details include a claimed weight of 199KG, and a maximum range of 100 miles (approx. 161KM). In LE form as pictured, the S2 Del Mar also comes dressed in a unique finish with a matching unique wheel design plus numbered plaque to signify its limited-run status.

Unlike the Livewire One, the Livewire S2 Del Mar LE commands a more approachable price tag of US$17,699 – approx. RM 77,672.06. As mentioned, all 100 units of the special Launch Edition (LE) pictured have all been snapped up through online pre-orders in just 18 minutes earlier this week.
A ‘standard’ – read: non-limited – version is reportedly due for release soon. Given the positive reception of this LE version, perhaps we may not need to wait long to see other offshoots of the S2 Del Mar.

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Meet BMW Motorrad New Electric Revolution, The CE 04 – 42HP, 130KM Range

BMW Motorrad opens its new chapter in electric mobility by launching the all-new CE 04.
The CE 04 is proof that BMW continues its pursuit of electromobility strategy for urban conurbations.

The CE 04 is powered by an electric motor capable of producing 31kW (42hp) and able to reach 0-50km/h in just 2.6 seconds.

Despite build as an urban commuter, BMW claimed the CE 04 has a maximum speed of 120 km/h while able to cover up to 130km thanks to a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 60.6 Ah (8.9 kWh).
According to BMW, the CE 04 is mounted with a permanent magnet electric motor located in the frame between the battery and the rear wheel.

As an added convenience, owners can charge the battery via a regular household socket, a wall box or at every public charging station.
BMW claimed that the charging time is around 4 hours and 20 minutes if the battery is completely flat, but owners can opt for a quick charger that cuts down the charging time to just 1 hour and 40 minutes.

However, if the battery level is at 20 per cent, the charging time to 80 per cent will take just 45 minutes.
Interestingly, like every petrol-powered BMW motorcycle, the CE 04 also offers Automatic Stability Control (ASC) as standard and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) as an optional package.

The CE 04 also features three riding modes consisting of ECO, Rain and Road, while the (optional) Dynamic mode allows better acceleration.

Other exciting features include:

full LED light setup
tubular steel frame
telescopic front fork with 35mm slider tube
single-sided swingarm with a spring strut
120/70-R15 front tyre
160/60-R15 rear tyre
ABS (ABS Pro *optional)

The CE 04 features a 10.25″ TFT screen with integrated map navigation and connectivity to complete the look of a modern futuristic scooter.

BMW CE 04 is available in two colour schemes, Light Wight and Magellan Grey.

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Top reasons why the Ram Jam Festival 2018 rocks

The Ram Jam Festival 2018 concluded its first-ever event last Sunday at the Gasket Alley, PJ.

Major highlights of the festivities were Museumoto, Miss Bombshell, music, food, and many more.

Thousands attended the event where it was concluded with some of the finest artists and the World Cup finals live viewing.

The first ever Ram Jam Festival 2018 was successfully conducted yesterday at the renowned Gasket Alley located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Thousands flocked to the venue where a collection of art, music, classic bikes and cars plus fashion all gathered at this one-of-a-kind event.

We were fortunate enough to attend this prestigious event where it not only drew in the younger crowds towards the lifestyle revolving around well-known bike manufacturers like Moto Guzzi and Harley-Davidson but also how it all began by highlighting the past, present, and future.

Here are our top picks on why the Ram Jam Festival 2018 was awesome as it sounds.
1) Museumoto classic bikes collection curated by Tiga Moto

The classic vibe hit us hard upon entering the Gasket Alley vicinity where a collection of classic cars, bikes, and vintage props along with some beautiful bombshells taking part in the Miss Bombshell Contest but it got way more interesting for us upon entering the ‘alley’ itself.

It was a sight to behold as around two dozen classic bikes from different eras and timelines all gathered at this walkway between all the fine establishments. Curated by Tiga Moto (one of the main residents at the Gasket Alley), we had to stop ourselves from drooling over the fine machines on more than several occasions.

With the tagline “Honour the Past, Celebrate the Present”, Tiga Moto successfully brought some of the rarest and finest motorcycles here in Malaysia and it was a magnificent sight to us and others who attended the Ram Jam Festival.

Attendees were greeted with the likes of a Norton Atlas Dunstall 750, Kawasaki GPz Turbo (also known as ZX750E, etc.) and a couple of super stunning Suzuki Katanas. Each bike has its own story to tell and it just got more and more interesting as you made your way through the alley.

We were also honoured with the presence of some very vintage machines such as a 1939 Triumph 3HW belonging to Malaysian celebrity Wak Doyok, Harley-Davidson WLA, and a few Ducatis you have to see to believe. We’re talking about a rare Desmo 851, 916 Senna, and one lovely Paul Smart 1000 LE.

But wait, there’s more! Love Japanese? Apart from the already awesome Suzuki Katanas, there were also some super prized possessions on display like a Yamaha TZR250, Yamaha RZV500R, Kawasaki Z1 aka “Zephyr”, and many more.

It was easily one of the biggest highlights of the Ram Jam Festival 2018 and by the looks of it, Tiga Moto will continue with their Museumoto initiative as a yearly event and we can’t wait for the next one!

2) Fashion from all walks of life!

From clothing lines to beauty care products, there’s no ending in surprises when it comes to the Ram Jam Festival 2018. A galore of beautiful ladies dressed up in getups from the late 1940s and 50s greeted everyone and anyone upon arrival. And that’s just the start, folks.

As you made your way through Moto Guzzi and browse through some of their finest machines, the fine folks from Suzzy Helmets set up shop at the back to showcase some of the best craftsmanship we’ve seen done by local self-taught talents when it comes to customised helmets.

An array of custom helmets was on show and the main man responsible for all of the awesome creations is Shahid al-Warith or more popularly known as Kecik. What started out as a hobby birthed from a fiery passion led to some amazing custom creations that’ll go great with anyone with a classic or custom bike.

Other honourable mentions that made the Ram Jam Festival even more happening were exhibitions held by MuthaPuaka apparel, photography art exhibition by Brian Ong, Electric Dreams Tattoo Collective, and many more. So much more.

3) Get your beauty on with Kiehl’s skincare products!

As we made our way to the back of the Gasket Alley, we were pulled into the Stronghold Cycles establishment where a lot of happenings were taking place. Apart from the wide array of motorcycle apparels on display, Kiehl’s Malaysia also took the opportunity to showcase their beauty care products for both men and women.

Their wide selection of premium skincare products together with their specialists gave expert advice on proper skincare regimes and products to fellow attendees. To make things even more exciting, a simple dart game basically guaranteed free Kiehl’s product giveaways to those who played!

(QUICK NOTE: This particular editor won himself a Men’s Oil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face Wash and the results after a whole day at the Ram Jam Festival was more than impressive, to say the least.)
4) Flaunt your art skills with Dirt Army and more!

Those who wanted to get their art skills on got their hands dirty with some paint at the several workshops. One of them is the Ram Your Kicks DIY sneaker custom workshop where interested individuals got their artistic skills on some unique and colourful sneakers from Vans. Not a bad way to flaunt your creative expressions to the world.

5) Free MotoGP tickets from Shell Malaysia!

The folks from Shell Malaysia made were also there to promote the upcoming Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix happening at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from 2 to 4 November 2018. Attendees to the Ram Jam Festival 2018 also had the opportunity to win some MotoGP tickets just by following a few simple steps.

As most of you have already know, this year’s MotoGP round in Malaysia is set to be the biggest one yet. The boys from Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha are fighting for the world championship and amongst the best of the best, our very own Hafizh Syahrin is battling out for the 2018 MotoGP Rookie of the Year title. If you feel like going to see the races live, this year might be the best one yet!
Image source: MotoGP
6) Turn up the heat with Miss Bombshell 2018

Those who went to the Gasket Alley might have noticed a few hotties walking around all dressed up in nostalgic costumes from the 1940s and 50s as well as the 60s. They’re not just there to spice things up but also as part of Malaysia’s first ‘pin-up girl’ contest called the Miss Bombshell 2018.

It was a sight to behold as they made their beautiful presence felt around some of the world’s most sought-after classic cars and bikes. The competition went well into the night where the girls competed in their most amazing costumes for the title of Miss Bombshell 2018 and a grand prize of RM8,000!

7) Music, music, and more music!

Any event is not completed without some musical entertainment and the Ram Jam Festival 2018 certainly didn’t disappoint. Set up right in between the Gastro Alley filled with the finest food trucks in Klang Valley and the skate ramp filled with high-flying skateboarders, attendees were presented with some fine music.

Performances from the likes of Golden Mammoth, Ryot Jones, and a few other cool bands kept the happy vibes going through the night and to top things all off, renowned female rapper Zamaera closed off the performances with a huge bang before the event moved forward with the Miss Bombshell and World Cup finals live viewing.

All in all, the first ever Ram Jam Festival 2018 concluded its first-ever event with a huge success. By the looks of things, we won’t be surprised if the next one will be bigger and more awesome. It was an amazing night for those who attended where it was good fun for the entire family.

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VIDEO: Honda Mean Mower V2 Sets World Record for Fastest Lawn Mower

The Honda Mean Mower V2 now holds the record for the fastest accelerating sit-in lawn mower.

It averaged 6.285s from 0 to 161 km/h.

And it can still mow the lawn.

Remember we featured the Honda Mean Mower V2 in July last year? It now holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest accelerating lawn mower.
To recap, Honda UK and Team Dynamics (Honda British Touring Car outfit with factory support) stuffed a Honda CBR1000RR SP engine into a Honda HF2622 sit-in lawn mower. The stock engine, transmission, clutch and ECU went in wholesale, supported by a custom frame. The SP engine produces 189 hp and 115 Nm of torque, and sent to the four wheels by chain.

In order to compete for the Guinness World Record as a lawn mower, it must first appear like a lawn mower and be able to still cut grass.
The team concentrated on achieving the fastest 0 – 100 mph (161 km/h) time instead of outright top speed. The mower needs to complete two runs in opposite directions within the hour. The times for both runs are recorded and averaged for the final result.
Jessica Hawkins was chosen to drive the machine. She’s one of the stunt drivers in the Fast & Furious movie franchise and also competes in go-kart and single-seater races.
Her first run was fast, but the second run was fiercer – 3.08s to 60 mph (96.6 km/h) and 6.12s to 100 mph (161 km/h) – for an average of 6.285s to 161 km/h and into the record books.
That’s faster than some supercars, and it still does your lawn, by the way.
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Honda Working On A Turbocharge CRF1100L Africa Twin?

A new patent suggests Honda is developing a powerful version of the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin.
According to the documents, Honda tweaks the twin-engine in order to fit in a turbocharger in the form of a twin-screw compressor.

The concept is similar to the supercharger found on the Kawasaki H2/Z H2; however, Honda is developing a turbocharge that offers more torque in the lower end, thus improve the Africa Twin touring capabilities.
The patent shows that the compressor is mounted above the gearbox and would use two injectors for each cylinder.

We can safely assume the turbocharger will allow the Africa Twin to produce a higher power than the current 98hp @ 7,500rpm and 103Nm @ 6,000rpm available from the 1,083cc twin-cylinder engine.
While the latest patent may make us feel excited, the Japanese manufacturer is more likely to introduce a smaller version of the Africa Twin in the form of the revived Transalp rumoured to make its appearance this year EICMA.
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New Yamaha SCR950 is a Bolt-based scrambler

New Yamaha SCR950 revealed in the US as a Bolt-based hip and retro scrambler.

Yamaha is now the latest manufacturer to join in on the retro scrambler bandwagon. Meet the new Yamaha SCR950, which is essentially the Yamaha XV950R Bolt re-imagined as a retro scrambler.

Developed specifically for the US market, the Yamaha SCR950 sees mild aesthetic revisions over the XV950R Bolt base bike in its scrambler transformation, much of which being aesthetic. What remains here is the Bolt’s 942cc air-cooled, fuel-injected 60-degree V-twin heart and its double-cradle chassis design.

The scrambler styling are clearly marked out through the wire spoked aluminium wheels wrapped in knobby tyres, a new and taller handlebar set, off road-esque front fork gaiters, as well as racing number plate style side covers.

The regular XV950R Bolt’s single-seat design has been replaced in the SCR950 with a low-profile bench-style unit as well. New here too is the 2-into-1 exhaust pipe with upswept muffler unit.

Without even browsing through the extensive photo gallery we’ve prepared below, it is easy to see that the Yamaha SCR950 has got the likes of the Scrambler Ducati and BMW R nine T Scrambler in its sights.

No doubt, Yamaha is trying to attract the hipster biker crowd by positioning the SCR950 larely as a statement of style and fashion. Fuelling that further is the fact that Yamaha has also prepared an extensive catalogue of aftermarket parts, accessories and lifestyle gear to match it too.

However, the question that still remains is this: will said hipster crowd – a much younger demographic– accept a cruiser that’s been dressed up as a retro scrambler into their movement? Perhaps this is something that only time would tell indeed.
The Yamaha SCR950 goes on sale in the US starting from July where it is priced from US$8,699.
2016 Yamaha SCR950

Source: Asphaltandrubber
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Monster by Beautiful Machines officially unveiled

Radical custom bike called Monster by Beautiful Machines set to rock Annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show 2016 and beyond.

Here’s how Monster by Beautiful Machines sounds like. Monstrous! #beautifulmachines #artofspeed #custom #custombikes #bikesrepublic #monster
A video posted by BIKES REPUBLIC (@bikesrepublic) on Nov 2, 2016 at 10:36pm PDT

Remember the radical and outrageous custom Harley-Davidson that is Monster by Beautiful Machines? Well today, the Sunway-based team of custom builders has finally completed the bike’s build and is set to make history with it.

During the official unveiling held earlier today, the Beautiful Machines and Art Of Speed Malaysia team debuted the bike and stated their missions with it. First of which will be Monster’s show debut at the 25th Annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show 2016 in Japan in December.

Through Monster, Beautiful Machines will make history as the first Malaysian-based custom bikes outfit to be featured in one of the region’s most prestigious custom vehicles exposition. And the plan doesn’t stop there either.

“After putting Monster on display at the show in Japan, our next mission is to take it for a speed record run at the Bonneville Salt Flats next year,” said Beautiful Machine’s owner Rajay Singh during the unveiling.

The bike was built by Rajay and his build team comprised of Eng Chin Guan plus fabricators Azman Mat Hassan and Azrine Bin Zakaria, designer Julian Oh and engineer Irwan Bin Mohd Azlan, have spent roughly between RM250,000 to RM300,000 and countless man hours into Monster’s build.

Based off a 1993 Harley-Davidson Herritage Softail, Monster by Beautiful Machine could only be described with words such as ‘extreme’ and ‘radical’. The bespoke machine started out life as a 1993 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail before the team transformed it.

Besides boring out the original V-twin mill, swapping its belt-drive for a custom chain system and extending its wheelbase, Beautiful Machines have also given Monster a racier stance and ergonomics to Monster. The piece-de-resistance however has to be the custom-built and fabricated supercharger system fitted.

You can find out more about Monster by Beautiful Machines in an episode of our video series through the featured video posted above.

“This is a huge milestone for the local custom vehicles movement. With Monster and the Beautiful Machines team’s efforts, we hope it inspires more young locals to break into this mechanical art movement,” added Art Of Speed Malaysia founder Asep Ahmad during the bike’s presentation.

Art Of Speed Malaysia will be bringing a group of 24 participants to support and cheer for Monster by Beautiful Machines come Dec 4 at the 25th Annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show 2016.
As far as hopes as aspirations for the show in Japan, Rajay adds, “A trophy would definitely be a sweet reward but for us, the fact that we will be the first from Malaysia at such a stage is a huge achievement already and we strive to make our local scene proud whilst there.”

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Harley-Davidson International Sales Down 9% in Q2 2019

International sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles dropped another 8.9% in Q2 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.

Their Q2 2019 revenue dropped nearly 20% compared to Q2 2018.

The company has initiated campaigns to target younger riders.

International sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles dropped another 8.9% in Q2 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.
In terms of numbers, the Motor Company earned a net income of USD 195.6 million from a revenue of USD 1.63 billion in Q2 2019. By comparison, their net earnings were USD 242.3 million from a revenue of USD 1.71 billion in Q2 2018. That’s a drop in net income of 19.3%.
Harley-Davidson has since initiated campaigns to target younger riders by introducing models that are not cruisers and even an electric bike in the Live Wire. The campaigns may be starting to bear fruit as the company reported an increase of 2.7% of buyers aged between 18 to 34 years old in America, in Q2 2019.
They’ve also partnered with Chinese motorcycle maker, Qianjiang to produce a 338cc model for the Chinese and eventually Asian markets.
The figures were posted amidst the American industry’s drop of 4.9%. There are fears of the American economy heading for another recession. Trump’s trade wars against China and the European Union will not do any favour for Harley-Davidson, either.
Will Harley ever turn around and be the juggernaut it once?
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Four Malaysians crash in Round 4 of the Shell Cup in Zhuhai

Round 4 of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup (Shell Cup) came to another dramatic close at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China. The final race was marred by an accident that took out four Malaysian riders, and two Japanese riders, while the final result was not decided until the final charge to the chequered flag.

Eventual winner Yuta Date did not have it easy, in fact he seemed set to finish the race off the podium for the first time. The race was so closely fought that all the five leading riders finished within 0.4 seconds of each other. Date crossed the line first just ahead of his countrymen Kunimine and Sasaki.

The race was doused with some suspense as some overnight rain led to a wet track. The officials then thought it best to give the riders a 15 minute warm up to have a feel for the conditions on track. And though the track was dry by the time the riders went out, there were some slippery spots that took out some of the inexperienced riders. All walked away with no injuries.

However the biggest incident the series has yet to see came on lap two of race two when a low side by one of the riders took out five others. The riders involved were Yoshidia, Kitami and Malaysian quartet – Azman, Ezzariq, Rasol and Bahauddin. The red flag was expectedly shown and the race was reduced from 15 to 9 laps.

Most riders walked away fine but Yoshida suffered a fractured thumb. However in the spirit of the rules, none were allowed to take part in the restart. The situation in the pits however was understandably tense with some tears and concerns.

In the restarted contest Kaito Toba – the winner of Saturday’s race – took an early lead, with Date, Kunimine, Sasaki and Mizuno following him closely. The battle between those five riders continued throughout the shortened race, with Toba eventually unable to maintain the lead after he ran wide on the last corner of the final lap. He eventually finished in fourth place.

Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup Director Alberto Puig commented, “Luckily the crash was not as bad as we first feared. The race was shorter and not as fast as yesterday (Saturday, Race 1), with a bigger leading group and a new rider on the podium in Kunimine. It is always good to see new faces at the front. After the morning rain it was unclear which tyres use, so we opted for slicks and we saw that it was the right choice. It is another race done and now we look ahead to Malaysia.”

Race winner Date stated, “I will be able to have a great holiday from here to Sepang because of this victory. The most important purpose of this race was making a gap between me and the second rider in general standing, Toba. I was able to do that so I’m very happy! After the first red flag it was very difficult to keep concentration but I managed to control my mind and make a good start to battle in the top group. The fight was not dangerous so I enjoyed it a lot.”

With two wins and two additional podiums in four races Date leads the standings with 86 points, 23 ahead of Toba and 25 in front of Sasaki.

Of the Malaysian riders though, only Adam Norrodin, Ibrahim Norrodin and Fakhrusy Rostam finished the race. All the Malaysian riders had started the race with what was arguably their best start to the season, in fact all the Malaysians were in the top 10 position with Adam and Ibrahim up in second and third place. However the incident took out most of the Malaysian riders and Adam ended up finishing the race in a lonely eight place, Fakhrusy in 10th and Ibrahim following close in 11th. All the Malaysian riders vow vengeance at their home race in Sepang.

The next Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup race takes place on 21st September in Sepang, the fifth of eight races in the inaugural season of the competition.

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Ninja 250SL debuts in Malaysia

Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd earlier today marked the introduction of its latest 250cc offering, the Ninja 250SL, in the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

The new single-cylinder-powered Ninja 250SL now joins Kawasaki’s other 250cc-class models, the Ninja 250 and Z250 naked. With the ‘SL’ moniker standing for ‘Slim’ and ‘Lightweight’, the Ninja 250SL is indeed Kawasaki’s replacement for its highly popular KR150RR entry-level sports bike.

Power comes from a liquid-cooled 249cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine that is primed with fuel injection. Developing 27hp at 9,700rpm and peak torque of 22.6Nm at 8,200rpm, the mill is paired together with a six-speed manual transmission.
Kawasaki states that the new powertrain package promises riders with a quick-revving nature, combined with “robust” low to mid-range torque delivery. Increased performance and prolonged engine life comes courtesy of a new radiator fan cover designed to direct hot air away from the rider and tank, even during idle periods. Kawasaki also states that the new entry-level sports model will be able to reach a top speed of 153km/h.

Living up to its SL moniker, the Ninja 250SL’s architecture is comprised of a compact trellis frame design measuring just 31.8mm in diameter. Unladen, the Ninja250SL tips the scale at just 151kg. The chassis is also primed with a pair of 37mm telescopic forks up front while the rear gets a five-way adjustable Uni-Trak bottom-link type suspension.
Stopping power comes courtesy of a 290mm-sized disc up front and a smaller 230mm-sized disc in the rear, both equipped with dual-piston calipers. The bike also rides on a set of 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 110/80 (front) and 130/70 (rear) sized tyres.

Side by side against its twin-cylinder sibling, the Ninja 250SL has a similar side profile. Other notable differences include the single headlamp unit, slimmer tank size, and a higher 780mm seating position.

Available from all authorised dealers nationwide, the new Kawasaki Ninja 250SL is priced starting from RM17,689. The price includes Kawasaki’s standard warranty offer covering two years or 20,000km (whichever comes first).
Check out the gallery below to see more pictures of the newest single-cylinder entry-level sports bike to hit our market.
Kawasaki Ninja 250SL
Kawasaki Ninja 250SL Launch in Sepang International Circuit by Adam Muza
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Suzuki suspends motorcross activities in FIM World MXGP and Japan for 2018

Suzuki Motor Corporation announced that they will be suspending their motorcross activities throughout Japan and the FIM World MXGP Championship starting next year.
In the announcement, Suzuki stated that they will be focusing more on its motorcycles operations and core business functions.
Suzuki also stated they will continue to produce their motorcross bikes like the RM-Z250 and 450 series.

Suzuki Motors Corporation has just announced that they will be suspending all of their motorcross efforts in Japan as well as in the FIM World MXGP Championship beginning of 2018. The sudden announcement was made on its official Suzuki Racing website at www.suzuki-racing.com just moments ago.

The announcement is as follows:
Team Suzuki Press Office – October 23.
Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend the FIM World MXGP Championship and All Japan Motocross activities from 2018.
Suzuki Motor Corporation, having reviewed its Motorcycle operations to focus on the core business functions and restructuring of our motorcycle business, concluded to suspend the MXGP activities from 2018.
Suzuki will continue to produce RM-Z250 and 450 series and support those customers the entire world.
Suzuki expresses its great appreciation to sponsors and fans around the world for their strong support to its activities. The company will continue to provide valued products for its customers by utilizing the experiences earned through the Racing activities.

This move is also probably due to the fact that both of their current MXGP factory riders, Arminas Jasikonis and Kevin Strijbos have not been gaining a lot of progress this year especially in the FIM World Motorcross World Championship.

With so much being pumped into the development for the Suzuki GSX-RR and their overall MotoGP efforts, it comes as no surprise that Suzuki is rearranging their priorities to ensure that all departments flourish with progress and growth.
Image source: MotoGP
To know more regarding the official announcement, CLICK HERE.
Source: Suzuki Motor Corporation
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Asia Talent Cup 2016 Round 4 results

The Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2016 Moto3 series roars in China for Round 4.

After a four-month hiatus, the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2016 Moto3 series returned to racing last weekend in Zhuhai, China for Round 4. Two races were held, allowing Asia’s finest young racing talents to shine once more. Here’s what went down in China.
Race 1 – Ogura’s triumph
Though Indonesian duo Gerry Salim and Andi Izdihar qualified first and second respectively, Japanese rider Ai Ogura came out on top in the weekend’s first race. Despite starting further back in sixth, Ogura’s race strategy was near perfect as he repeated his 2015 Race 2 win at the Chinese circuit in style.

Pole sitter Salim, on the other hand, just missed out on the podium and could only settle for fourth whilst compatriot Izdihar managed to edge forward and finished second. Taking the final podium step here was Thai rider Somkiat Chantra.
You can view the featured video below to see the thrills and spills of Race 1 held on Saturday.

Race 2 – Kunii scores maiden win
Race 2 on Sunday saw series rookie Yuki Kunii scoring his maiden series win as he finished ahead of Race 1 winner Ogura who settled for third here. Indonesian rider and pole sitter Salim managed to get his mojo right and took a strong second place finish to split the two Japanese rider on the podium.

Despite crashing out in Race 1, sophomore Japanese rider Kazuki Masaki settled for a strong fourth place finish in Race 2. Although not as strong in Race 2, Thai rider Somkiat Chantra’s point-scoring eighth place finish sees him scoring enough points to lead the championship standings as the races in China concludes.

Again, you can view the thrills and spills of Sunday’s race via the featured highlight reel below.

Chantra presently leads the standings with 130 points whilst Indonesian rider Izdihar places second with 122 points – just 8 points behind. Also not far off in third is Gerry Salim with 120 points whilst Ogura is in a seemingly distant fourth with 119 points.
For now, the 2016 title is still a four-way battle between the Chantra, Izdihar, Salim and Ogura with four races left remaining. The Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2016 will resume with Round 5 in the Twin Ring Motegi, Japan as it races alongside MotoGP from Oct 14 to Oct 16.

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KTM-Powered CFMoto 800NK Inbound – 799cc, 99hp

Just a few months ago, CFMoto unveiled its NK-C22 concept motorcycle that was likely to make it to production anytime soon.

CFMoto to introduced the 800NK roadster.
Features KTM 799cc LC8c parallel twin-cylinder engine.

The naked-type roadster were believed to be powered by KTM’s 799cc parallel twin-cylinder engine.
However, latest development has confirmed that a production model, resembling the NK-C22 concept already in the works with the finished product bearing the 800NK name emerged in a new type-approval documents filed in China.
The documents not only showed one but two versions of the 800Nk are to be made.

Based on the single photo shared, the 800NK looks like a proper roadster with sharp bodyworks and exposed frame.
Interestingly, the production model mirrors most of the NK-C22 features except a couple of key changes with the main alteration is the adoption of a conventional double-sided swingarm.
Similar to other CFMoto machines, the 800NK is likely designed by Kiska Studios, the same company responsible for many KTM’s in recent years.
CFMoto also claimed that the KTM-powered 800NK makes 99hp from the 799cc LTM LC8c engine. The same mill also powered CFMoto’s 800MT adventure motorcycle.

According to the documents, both iterations of the 800NK also shares the same key figures including engine and other components. They also have similar parts, including an USD front fork,  J.Juan radial-mount brake callipers and TFT instrument display.
However, we expect the higher-spec 800NK to feature an additional electronic package, possibly similar to KTM’s 790 Duke range.
The all-new CFMoto 800NK is likely to hit the global market in 2023.
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Ministry of Youth and Sports to Assist Hafizh Syahrin in 2020 Moto2

Hafizh Syahrin 2019 - Photo credit Fox Sports Asia

The Ministry of Youth and Sports will assist Hafizh Syahrin in his 2020 Moto2 quest.

The minister wants to ensure Hafizh’s continued presence at the world stage.

Hafizh had revealed he will not receive a salary from his team next year.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports announced that they will assist Hafizh Syahrin in his 2020 Moto2 quest.
The minister YB Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that the funds will be channelled through the Sepang International Circuit (SIC). He also iterated that it is the ministry’s wish to see the rider continue to campaign at the world stage.
“I spoke with Sepang International Circuit CEO Dato’ Razlan Razali and will ensure that he (Hafizh) will continue to ride in Moto2, despite Petronas being unwilling to sponsor him,” said the minister.
Hafizh had previously revealed that he will not receive a salary for riding in the Angel Nieto team next year. Conversely, he will only receive incentives should he finish on the podium. That arrangement would leave him to source for sponsors to assist in flight tickets, accommodation and training while he is overseas.
Apart from this announcement, YB Syed Saddiq also spoke up against allegations that the current government does not care about motorsports, especially after Minister of Finance YB Lim Guan Eng’s announcement of providing RM 20 million funding to develop e-sports.
He said that his ministry had provided much funding to SIC in running race teams to develop future champions.
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Ducati Red Weekend — Time to Paint the Town Red

The Ducati Red Weekend is happening from 9th to 10th November 2019.

There will be special deals and promotions.

Visitors can also test ride the latest bikes.

The Ducati Red Weekend is happening from 9th to 10th November 2019. It is time to paint the town red.
Open to Ducati owners and the public, the carnival promises plenty of excitement besides the obligatory special deals on products. The promotions will be even sweeter this time around as Ducati PJ is clearing their stocks in preparation to relocated to a new showroom.
Check out these awesome deals:

Up to RM 20,000 rebate for Ducati motorcycle purchase.
On top of that, get a free gift when you book a Ducati.
Receive 2 years’ worth of FREE SERVICE with the Ducati Smart Service Program for all Ducatis (T&C apply).
Up to 70% sales on Ducati apparels.
Take a test ride on a Ducati of your choosing.

Also do not miss out on these activities:

See, touch and feel the hot-blooded Ducati models.
Feel the joy of Ducati Scrambler models.
Check out the premium and stylish Ducati apparels, riding gear and merchandise.
Browse through the collection of snazzy Ducati Scrambler apparels, riding gear and merchandise.
Pimp out your Ducati with genuine accessories and performance parts.

All these are taking place at the Ducati PJ Showroom, located at Naza Automall, from 9am to 6pm, 9th to 10th November 2019.
Be there!

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Aprilia “RS660” May Debut in 2020

The Aprilia “RS660” concept may be sold as a 2020 model.

The engine could be derived from the RSV4 superbike, without the back two cylinders.

We hope it is priced within reach of the masses.

Remember the stunning 660cc sportbike concept which Aprilia showed off at EICMA last year? Sources whispered to Moto-Station in France that it will be available as a 2020 model. That means it could be ready by the third quarter this year!

It could very well be so, since the bike was caught testing at a track, also late last year. The spyshots even showed a race-ready version and a roadgoing one.

No performance of mechanical details have been released so far. There’s also speculation that the engine is based on the RSV4’s. However, if true, the 660’s engine is just without the two rear cylinders. Can we expect 100 hp? We may just, given Aprilia’s racing heritage. It should also include the APRC electronics package.

The more pertinent question among Malaysian bikers is price. Yup, always price before anything else. It depends on Aprilia to whether position this bike as a premium millionaire boys’ club material or superbike for the masses.
We do hope it’s the latter since we don’t have millionaire daddies.

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This Zero-Mileage 1996 Kawasaki ZX7-RR Is Priced At RM224,500!

These days if you plan to add a classic motorcycle in your garage, all you need to do is go online to find one.
However, most often than not, the classic machine you seek is either in shambles or has clocked six figures mileage.

That is not the case for this new old stock (NOS) 1996 Kawasaki ZX7-RR that up for sale in the United Kingdom.
The motorcycle might also be the only zero-mile ZX7-RR thus far available for sale anywhere in the world.

The ZX7-RR is a homologation-special motorcycle with only 500 units built for the entire world.

According to reports, the NOS unit was sold originally in Italy and was part of a private collection; hence it came as no surprise when the asking price is set at GBP39,995 (RM224,500)!

To put things in perspective, the latest Kawasaki H2 is priced at RM153,000, while the H2R comes at RM260,000.
The seller is also looking at potential customers brave enough to purchase a zero-mile Ducati 1299 Superleggera and Yamaha YZF-R7 priced at GBP69,995 (RM392,970) and GBP59,995 (RM336,829), respectively.
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Dani Pedrosa confirmed as test rider for Red Bull KTM

Dani Pedrosa announced in July that he was going to retire from MotoGP racing at the end of the 2018 season.
Dani, who recently turned 33, has been on the Grand Prix podium over 33 times, but has never won a world championship.
Red Bull KTM has stepped up and hired Dani as a official test rider to develop the KTM RC16.
He will work alongside Mika Kallio.

Dani Pedrosa may not have won a world championship but he has come pretty darn close a few times. There is no doubt that he is one of the best riders on the Grand Prix grid, so it was quite sad when he announced that he was going to retire at the end of the 2018 season (click here to read about Dani’s retirement).
But as with many great riders retirement does not mean the end of their careers, it is just the beginning of another great career, and for Pedrosa, that new career starts at Red Bull KTM.
The Austrian team recently announced that the current Repsol Honda Team rider will be the official test rider for the team’s MotoGP line-up in 2019 and 2020.

Pedrosa, who raced in the premier class for 13 seasons, will work alongside Mika Kallio to develop the KTM RC16, which has been competing in MotoGP for three years now.
Pedrosa who recently turned 33, has over 30 MotoGP wins and over 50 wins in all classes. He has three world titles but none in the premier class, and has been on the MotoGP podium over 110 times.
Source: MotoGP
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2000cc Moto Corsa naked bike in the works?

A 2000cc Moto Corsa naked bike is being planned to be released by UK-based bike dealer called Moto Corsa sometime next year.

Called the Moto Corsa 2K, the high-performance naked bike will have carbon-fibre bodywork plus other goodies from Ohlins, Dymag, and Beringer.

This highly performance-oriented machine will be powered by a 1961cc V-twin S&S engine with 100hp and 180Nm of torque.

A bike dealer called Moto Corsa originating from South West England has unveiled their master plan to start production as a premium low-volume motorcycle manufacturer and their first-ever machine promises to be a beast. Currently, a 2000cc Moto Corsa naked bike is in the works and the plan includes a maiden production figure of only 20 for a start.

Called the Moto Corsa 2K, the high-performance naked bike will come ready with a massive 1961cc V-twin S&S engine which is said to produce roughly around 100hp and over 180Nm of maximum torque. It’ll also come with bespoke styling and other high-end parts to cater to premium designer bike enthusiasts around the globe.

Performance-wise, the Moto Corsa 2K is said to have to offer great rideability as it will be tuned by the folks from T3 Racing where they have vast experiences in tuning race bikes competing in the British Superbikes championship. All its power will be transferred down to its rear wheel via an externally-sourced five-speed manual gearbox.

Currently, the Moto Corsa 2K is still under the prototype stage where the plan is to inject as many performance-oriented aspects as possible. We’re talking full carbon fibre bodywork paired with carbon Dymag performance wheels, Ohlins suspension package, Beringer brake system, plus many more.

If you’re interested, Moto Corsa is already taking pre-orders for the bike now and it’ll be ready for the production stage early next year. The price tag? About £40,000 (RM214,305).
2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 First Look Review

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Is This the 2020 Honda CBR300RR?

A rendered photo of the 2020 Honda CBR300RR is making waves.

Honda currently has the CBR250RR but only for Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

The manufacturer is missing as a lightweight worldwide contender.

The rendered photo of what purports to be the 2020 Honda CBR300RR is making waves in social media.
If it rumours are true, the CBR300RR will see Honda putting in a serious fight in the lightweight sportbike category. Of the Big Four Japanese manufacturers, only Yamaha and Kawasaki are duking it out while the other two namely Honda and Suzuki seem contend to spectate from the sidelines.
Honda does have the CBR250RR which they dubbed “Lightweight Super Sports Concept” and was unveiled in 2015. However, the Big Red decided to sell the bike only in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong when the bike made production in 2017.
Malaysians have been crying out for crying out for the CBR250RR since, but it looks like a no-show in our market, possibly due to being too expensive to make an impact.
Still, if the little CBR goes to 300cc, that’ll put it in contention with the Yamaha YZF-R3 and Kawasaki Ninja 400. The current CBR250RR’s engine produces 38 hp so it should be upped to the mid-40’s should the 300 go ahead.
MV Agusta had also partnered with Chinese manufacturer, Loncin, to produce sub-500cc motorcycles for the Chinese and Asian market.
Honda meanwhile, is missing a lightweight contender.
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Yamaha YZ250F Gets Significant Upgrade For 2024

Yamaha has set hearts racing with its latest announcement of significant enhancements to the YZ250F model for the year 2024.

Yamaha has unveiled significant upgrades to the YZ250F motocross bike for 2024, including a new frame design, enhanced performance features, and improved user experience.
The new aluminum bilateral beam frame has been optimized for strength and flex, leading to improved agility, better traction, and increased rider confidence. This design also allows for slimmer bodywork and ergonomic improvements.

This powerhouse motocross bike, a favourite among riders and enthusiasts, has undergone a comprehensive overhaul that promises to elevate performance, agility, and user experience to new heights.
One of the most striking updates is the introduction of a fresh frame design that not only sheds weight but also boasts more compact dimensions. The meticulously crafted aluminum bilateral beam frame has been optimised for both strength and flex, ensuring enhanced agility, superior traction, and an overall boost in rider confidence.

This structural improvement also paved the way for a more streamlined bodywork, with a narrower fuel tank, lower airbox, and sleeker radiator shrouds. Riders will delight in the added legroom, a result of extending the distance between the seat and footpegs.
Under the hood, the YZ250F’s 250 cc four-stroke engine has received a performance boost through a refined intake path and matched ECU settings. Yamaha engineers have fine-tuned the power delivery, resulting in increased mid-range torque that extends seamlessly to the top end. Durability has been taken into account with a camchain adjustment, ensuring longevity without compromising performance.

Yamaha introduces the latest iteration of the Yamaha Power Tuner app, a user-friendly interface that empowers riders to customise their experience. The app offers intuitive control over engine mapping, traction control, and launch control tuning. The addition of a lap timer adds an extra dimension for those craving precision and progress.
A standout feature is the advanced traction control system, which offers three settings – Off, High, and Low – catering to varying terrains and riding styles. The launch control system is equally versatile, adjustable between 6,000rpm and 14,000rpm in 500rpm increments via the Yamaha Power Tuner app. Riders can switch between two pre-loaded maps on the go using the new handlebar-mounted switch.

The KYB suspension has also undergone meticulous refinement, resulting in reduced cornering pitch and improved overall stability. The hand-adjustable knobs on the forks make compression adjustments effortless, allowing riders to fine-tune their setup with ease.
Nissin brakes, featuring a 270 mm front rotor and 240 mm rear rotor, ensure impressive stopping power. Furthermore, the wheels have been optimised for weight reduction, contributing to the YZ250F’s leaner profile. The bike’s wet weight now stands at a remarkable 105kg.

The YZ250F proudly embraces Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires, with an 80/100-21 front tire and a 120/80-19 rear tire, further solidifying its grip and control on challenging tracks.

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This is your chance to be a professional racer!

Great news for aspiring MotoGP™ riders from 13 to 20 years of age! The ultimate talent contest for young Asian motorcycle riders is ready to recruit the stars of 2015.
The 2015 Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup (SAATC) or better known now as Shell Cup; the application period will open on August 1st and talented young riders are being invited to apply for selection, with candidates from Australia and New Zealand also eligible for participation for the second staging of the competition.

The Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup, currently in its inaugural season, will begin accepting applications for the 2015 season through its official website www.asiatalentcup.com from August 1 till September 5, 2014. Riders born between 1st January 1994 and 1st February 2002 are eligible to apply.

This was officially announced at a ‘buka puasa’ reception hosted by Shell Advance for the seven Malaysian riders participating in this year’s Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup and their families. At the reception, Shell Malaysia handed out ‘duit raya’ and hampers to SAATC riders Muhammad Shafiq Rasol, Muhammad Helmi Azman, Fakhrusy Syakirin Rostam, Muhammad Shafiq Ezzariq, Nazirul Izzat Muhammad Bahauddin and brothers Muhammad Adam and Muhammad Ibrahim bin Norrodin.

Also present at the reception was Sepang International Circuit Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Razlan Razali and Moto3 riders, Zulfahmi Khairuddin and Amirul Hafiq Azmi. Datul Razlan took the opportunity to give a pep talk to the Malaysian riders ahead of the second half of the season that will resume on September 19 – 21, 2014 with Round 5 in Sepang. Thereafter, three more races remain – Round 6 in Motegi, Japan, on October 10 – 12, and Round 7 and 8 in Sepang on October 24 till 26 in conjunction with the 2014 Shell Advance Malaysian MotoGP.

Applicants who have registered themselves during the Shell Advance nationwide road show will be automatically officially be fed into the application pipeline. The list of pre-selected riders will be announced on September 18 while the official selection trials will be held at Sepang International Circuit on October 27 and 28, 2014, after this year’s Malaysian MotoGP round.

Under the watchful eye of Alberto Puig, Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup Director, the successful applicants will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race, to learn and to appear in front of the riders and fans of MotoGP™. Shell Advance, together with MotoGP™ rights holder Dorna and all co-sponsors of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup, are committed to ensure that young riding talents across Asia are recognised and given the best possible introduction to competition.

Each of the applicants selected to take part in the 2015 series can look forward to the opportunity to participate in a unique season of racing and mentoring as they turn their potential into performance. The competition allows for the young riders to gain valuable experience of racing at an international level and showcase their talents to a worldwide audience.

For more media info, full results, videos and photo gallery please visit:
www.asiatalentcup.com or contact us by e-mail: info@asiatalentcup.com
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Is this the new Ducati Panigale V4 superbike?

There has been an interesting photo circulating around several social media platforms stating that this might be the new Ducati Panigale V4 superbike.
Powered by the V4 “Desmosedici Stradale” engine or “Desmosedici Road”, the engine will be unveiled this weekend during the MotoGP round in Misano.
While the bike might have broken cover thanks to this photo, the actual unveiling will probably be made at the end of the year during the EICMA Show in Milan, Italy.

As we get closer and closer to the next MotoGP round in San Marino where Ducati has confirmed that they’ll be introducing their new V4 engine dubbed the “Desmosedici Stradale”, there’s a photo circulating all over social media showing what is said to be the new Ducati V4 production bike in all its glory.

To know more about the “Desmosedici Stradale” V4 engine, CLICK HERE.
People have been sharing this particular photo immensely on several social media platforms and by the looks of this unique-looking red Ducati, it does have a lot of resemblance to the Ducati V4 test bike we’ve seen in several spy shots and videos of it ripping through the test track.

To know more about the spy shots and videos of the upcoming Ducati V4 superbike, CLICK HERE.
Some of the notable differences between the bike in the photo above and the V-Twin Ducati Panigale are the bodywork, fuel tank and hidden chassis design to name a few. The most distinguished change would be that front fairing near the headlights where we think has been formed to accommodate the new bike and engine design for some extra air channelling.
2007 Ducati Desmosedici RR
We have a strong feeling that they’ll only introduce the Desmosedici Stradale engine this weekend in Misano whereas the entire new superbike will make its proper debut at the end of the year during the EICMA Show in Milan, Italy. The question is whether we can wait for another two months after they show us the new V4 engine this weekend. Oh, the agony.
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Khairul Idham finished 9th in his debut

The rookie Malaysian rider Khairul Idham (Honda Team Asia) has achieved the 9th place in his first race FIM CEV Moto3™ Junior World Championship took place in Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.

Khairul Idham It has proved a great potential as a rider and he is leaving from Portugal with important points and more experience.

Idham after finish the race remark that “the start was no good and I losed some places. Then I fought with a group for the fifth place. Finally finished ninth and the positive for me is to get more experience in this championship.”

Next race will take place in Le Mans (France), May 17.

RESULTS – FIM CEV 2015 – Moto3™ Junior World Championship
ROUND 1: Autódromo International do Algarve (Portugal)
(Top 10)
1st Joan Mir (Honda) 29:55.578
2nd Aron Canet (Honda) +10.419
3rd Nicolo Bulega (KTM) +10.844
4th Bo Bendsneyder (Honda) +15.805
5th Albert Arenas (Husqvarna) +16.423
6th Lorenzo Dalla (Husqvarna) +18.187
7th Stefano Valtulini (KTM) +19.657
8th Jaume Masia (Honda) +23.604
9th Khairul Idham (Honda) +24.144
10th Aaron Polanco (Mahindra) +26.983
…

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