Kawasaki creates History with 100 Wins in WorldSBK on board the Ninja ZX-10RR

Kawasaki achieved one of the biggest milestones in the last round of WorldSBK where they scored a total of 100 wins in the racing series.
Both Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes from the Kawasaki Racing Team contributed to the 100th win at Donington Park where they dominated Race 1 and Race 2.
The feat was done on board Kawasaki’s ultimate track weapon, the outstanding Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
Image source: WorldSBK

During the last WorldSBK round at Donington Park during the sixth PATA UK Round, the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) created history by achieving their 100th win the Superbikes World Championship. The historic moment in history was achieved thanks to two of their most successful riders, Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea on board the amazing Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
Muzzy Racing Kawasaki race bike back in 1990
Kawasaki’s journey into the World Superbike Championship started way back in 1990 with the US-based racing team Muzzy Kawasaki which competed up until 1996. It was between 1997 until 2002 that Kawasaki started their factory assistance to Germany based Harald Eckl’s outfit while Muzzy continued their efforts in the AMA Superbike series.
Jonathan Rea winning his second consecutive WorldSBK title in 2016
The biggest achievement from Kawasaki was when Jonathan Rea won his second successive FIM WorldSBK championship title last year in Qatar. The other champion rider and Rea’s team mate, Tom Sykes also achieved a similar feat for the Kawasaki Racing Team back in 2013. This goes to how successful Kawasaki has been (and still going strong) on board their winning machine, the Ninja ZX-10RR.
Production Ninja ZX-10RR
Image source: WorldSBK
As mentioned earlier, the Ninja ZX-10RR catapulted Kawasaki into racing stardom with two consecutive titles in 2015 and 2016. Built from the ground up, the ZX-10RR has been injected with the Kawasaki’s entire racing experience, knowledge and technologies into the ultimate race machine.
Image source: WorldSBK
The best thing about this is that anyone in the world can own the ZX-10RR and get the same experience that brought Kawasaki multiple race titles in WorldSBK. With a highly-modified cylinder head, Diamond-like Carbon coated tappets wrapped within a reinforced crankcase, customers can opt for the some extra race-kit camshafts for an enrich racing experience.
Image source: WorldSBK
There’s also the updated Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) that allows riders to perform upshifts as well as downshifts without having to operate the clutch lever. The total control and experience is heighten even more thanks to its Marchesini 7-spoke forged aluminium wheels and new high-performance Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres.

The imposing stealth-like matte black colour and graphic scheme is used by the Kawasaki WorldSBK team during their off-season test sessions and features minimal white graphics incorporating a snowflake with the Japanese symbol for winter. The Winter Test Edition allows you to get closer to what factory racers and test riders’ experience.

Features inherited from the racing steed include Kawasaki’s next-level electronic engine and chassis management systems, the high-spec Balance Free Front Fork that features the same construction used on Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes’ race machines, and its potent Brembo brake package.

With vast experience and race wins from their highly-esteemed Kawasaki Racing Team and champion riders, Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes, they have racked ups 75 podiums, 16 pole positions, 28 fastest laps and an amazing 32 race wins. The boys are still bringing in wins for the 2017 season where Rea has been a strong candidate to win his third consecutive WorldSBK title.

The last round at Donington Park saw Tom Sykes winning Kawasaki’s 99th race win and the day after, Jonathan Rea won the manufacturer’s 100th win which cemented their names and efforts into the history books. A total of 12 riders have contributed to Kawasaki’s 100 wins in the Superbike World Championship.

Speaking on behalf of WorldSBK organizers and rights holders Dorna, Championship Director Dani Carrera, stated, “Kawasaki are a vital manufacturer for our series and to see them take their 100th win is an honour for us, as we witness history being made. They have provided the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship with some fantastic racing throughout the seasons, and to have them continuing to battle in our championship is something that we are very proud of. We look forward to seeing them fight to take their 200th victory.”

Here’s all 100 race wins obtained by Kawasaki and their star riders throughout the years.

1988 – Hungaroring 2 – Adrien Morillas (GPX750)
2013 – Magny-Cours 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1990 – Brainerd 2 – Doug Chandler (ZXR750)
2014 – Motorland 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1990 – Sugo 2 – Doug Chandler (ZXR750)
2014 – Motorland 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1990 – Phillip Island 2 – Robbie Phillis (ZXR750)
2014 – Donington 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1990 – Manfield 2 – Robbie Phillis (ZXR750)
2014 – Donington 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1992 – Albacete 1 – Aaron Slight (ZXR750)
2014 – Misano 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1992 – Spa Francorchamps – Robbie Phillis (ZXR750)
2014 – Misano 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1992 – Jarama 1 – Robbie Phillis (ZXR750)
2014 – Algarve 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1993 – Hockenheim 2 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2014 – Laguna Se ca 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1993 – Brno 2 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Phillip Island 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1993 – Sugo 2 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Buriram 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1993 – Monza 1 – Aaron Slight (ZXR750)
2015 – Buriram 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1993 – Donington 1 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Motorland 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1993 – Donington 2 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Assen 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1994 – Donington 2 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Assen 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1994 – Hockenheim 1 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Imola 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1994 – Hockenheim 2 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Imola 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1994 – Sugo 1 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Donington 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1994 – Sugo 2 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Donington 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1994 – Mugello 1 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Algarve 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1994 – Donington 3 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Algarve 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1994 – Donington 4 – Scott Russell (ZXR750)
2015 – Misano 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1994 – Phillip Island 2 – Anthony Gobert (ZXR750)
2015 – Misano 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1994 – Laguna Seca 1 – Anthony Gobert (ZXR750)
2015 – Jerez 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1995 – Phillip Island 2 – Anthony Gobert (ZXR750)
2015 – Magny-Cours 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1996 – Laguna Seca 2 – Anthony Gobert (ZX-7RR)
2015 – Magny-Cours 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1996 – Phillip Island 1 – Anthony Gobert (ZX-7RR)
2016 – Phillip Island 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1996 – Phillip Island 2 – Anthony Gobert (ZX-7RR)
2016 – Phillip Island 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

1997 – A1-Ring 2 – Akira Yanagawa (ZX-7RR)
2016 – Buriram 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-1 0R)

1997 – Sugo 1 – Akira Yanagawa (ZX-7RR)
2016 – Buriram 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

1999 – Sugo 2 – Akira Yanagawa (ZX-7RR)
2016 – Assen 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

2000 – Sugo 1 – Hitoyasu Izutsu (ZX-7RR)
2016 – Assen 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

2000 – Sugo 2 – Hitoyasu Izutsu (ZX-7RR)
2016 – Sepang 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

2006 – Assen 1 – Chris Walker (ZX-10R)
2016 – Donington 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

2011 – Nürburgring 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2016 – Donington 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

2012 – Monza 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2016 – Misano 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

2012 – Silverstone 1 Loris Baz (ZX-10R)
2016 – Misano 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

2012 – Moscow 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2016 – Laguna Seca 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

2012 – Portimao 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2016 – Laguna Seca 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)

2012 – Magny-Cours 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2016 – Lausitzring 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10R)

2013 – Assen 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2017 – Phillip Island 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10RR)

2013 – Donington 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2017 – Phillip Island 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10RR)

2013 – Donington 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2017 – Buriram 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10RR)

2013 – Imola 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2017 – Buriram 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10RR)

2013 – Imola 2 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2017 – Motorland 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10RR)

2013 – Silverstone 2 – Loris Baz (ZX-10R)
2017 – Assen 1 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10RR)

2013 – Nürburgring 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2017 – Assen 2 – Jonathan Rea (ZX-10RR)

2013 – Laguna Seca 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2017 – Donington 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10RR)

2013 – Magny-Cours 1 – Tom Sykes (ZX-10R)
2017 – Donington 2 Jonathan Rea (ZX-10RR)

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Recall: KTM 1190 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure

KTM 1190 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure recalled worldwide over faulty ABS modulator’s wiring.

Austrian motorcycle marque KTM has issued a global recall affecting its 1190 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure models produced up until the 2016 model year. The recall was meant to address a possible fault in the ABS modulator’s wiring.
KTM’s investigations determined that due to deviations in the assembly process, in isolated cases contact may occur between the wiring harness and the ABS modulator. Measurements have shown that an electrical connection may be created via the brake line between the ABS modulator and the vehicle ground.
KTM however stressed that this can only happen when the wiring harness is frayed, and it must be in contact with the ABS modulator and the brake line must be electrically conductive. In other words, the likelihood of this scenario occurring is VERY RARE.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure

				KTM 1190 Adventure

				KTM 1190 Adventure R

Nevertheless, KTM has taken measures to resolve this by advising affected owners to have their bikes checked. We’ve spoken to KTM Malaysia about this and the firm reassures that Malaysian owners of affected 1190 Adventure, 1190 Adventure R and1290 Super Adventure will be cared for as well.
In its global announcement, KTM states that the fix will be carried out at no cost to owners. KTM Malaysia says that owners of affected models can have their bikes checked and the problem fixed (if detected) at no cost only by visiting any authorised KTM dealer or service centres nationwide.
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Honda RC213V-S Test & Review

We had the opportunity to ride the Honda RC213V-S MotoGP replica.

It was part of Boon Siew Honda’s Year-End Gathering for the media.

The RC213V-S was unlike no other motorcycle on the planet.

When it comes to motorcycle racing, I still romanticise what many regard as the “Golden Age of Motocycle GP.” Yes, those times were exciting, seeing riders getting spat off their 500cc two-stroker beasts without warning.

The modern-day four-stroke MotoGP machines look tamer on the other hand, but would any of us mere mortals dare claim they’d be easy to ride? So, when Sep informed that we were invited to ride the million-Ringgit (EUR 188,000) RC213V-S at SIC, every nerve cell hit the rev limiter.

Honda introduced the RC213V-S during EICMA in 2015. Hailed as the closest replica to the bikes ridden by works riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, it was a MotoGP bike for the masses.

Each RC213V-S is hand-built in a special workshop in the Kumamoto factory, with some parts sourced directly from the MotoGP bike like the swingarm, slipper clutch, magnesium alloy 17-inch Marchesini wheels, Öhlins forks, adjustable footpegs and pedals, and parts of the Brembo brakes. Other directly trickled down tech include the (partly) underseat fuel tank, and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic bodywork which is fastened with titanium bolts.

Besides those, the RC213V-S also features ride-by-wire throttle, power modes, traction control, engine-brake control, and position detection. The engine has the same configuration as the MotoGP too, a 990cc V-4 with titanium conrods, the only difference being the seamless transmission (a mainstay of MotoGP bikes) pioneered by Honda, and conventional valve springs in place of pneumatic ones.

Another difference is of course the brake discs. They are steel items on the road bike, instead of carbon.
It’s worth mentioning that the 80 percent of the parts on the RC213V-S are interchangeable with the full-on race machine. As it is, the RC213V-S is sold (or was sold if they’re sold out) to rev up to 12,000 RPM (US models rev up to 9400 RPM only due to noise restrictions). Customers could shell out another EUR 12,000 for a race kit that takes it up to 14,000 RPM.

Outwardly, and apart from not wearing the orange Repsol paint scheme, the bike looked no different from the bikes Marc and Dani used to destroy the competition. The headlights are installed into the gaping intake at tip of the upper fairing, but everything else like the exhausts and tail section screamed Honda MotoGP.

The front pair of cylinders vent exhaust gases through a pipe down low on the right side, while the rear pair exit through a pipe under the seat.

Up top, the controls on the handlebars were simple, devoid of the colourful Playstation-like buttons and a small LCD is placed up front. The handlebars are attached to the forks with beefy clamps below the beautifully finished top triple clamp which has the production number stamped on it. The rearview mirrors are attached to the ends of the handlebars.

That’s when I noticed the warning sticker on the tank. Right at the end was a symbol that says, “RON 98.” It means that an owner in Malaysia could only fill up with RON 100 at Petron or Shell’s V-Power Racing. And bring along a few bottles of X-1R Octane Booster.

Oi, enough talk. How was it to ride?
It’s definitely much, much smaller than how it appeared in any photo. Sitting on it felt like sitting on a CBR250, but when I grabbed the bar and sat up straight, I found myself looking over the top of the screen. Everything has been packed close to the rider for mass centralization. But it was surprisingly not uncomfortable. Racebikes of years past were uncomfortable, but the RC213V-S felt like any roadgoing sportbike. Heck, it felt a lot like the CBR1000RR Fireblade with racing footpegs.

While we ogled at the street version, Boon Siew Honda crew fired up a race-spec RC213V. You see, BSH had invited Khairul Idham Pawi and Zahqwan Zaidi as guest riders and they were given the opportunity to ride the real deal (the RC213V, not the MotoGP bike, though).

Everyone dropped whatever they were doing and rushed to over to bear witness! Khairul got off the bike and a BSH crew started blipping the throttle to warm it up. We’ve heard the Honda MotoGP bikes from the Grandstand and around the track, but this was the first time we were up close. That rasp and bark from the exhausts plus the mechanical sounds couldn’t be properly described in words, but it sure gouged itself into everyone’s brains. (Check out the video below.)

It was time to head out, with Zahqwan leading my group.

The Honda RC213V-S uses a proximity switch so they key fob had to be carried in my suit. Thumbed the starter button the first time and the LCD screen came to life. Thumbed it the second time and…. It fired up… While I wasn’t expecting the bark of the RC213V, I didn’t expect the RC213V-S came to life so subtly like a… a… very soft CB650F that I rode in the morning. What the…  but still, I’m on a MotoGP replica, so who’s to complain?

With all the BSH brass and crew looking on, and telling myself not to wheelie over backwards, I slipped out the clutch lever so carefully that I almost stalled it. It hadn’t been necessary as the bike was so smooth on pick up.
Out on the warm up lap, the RC213V-S was so easy to turn and burn, although we were taking it easy to warm the tyres up and acquaint ourselves to the bike.
We had a mock start from the grid. Zahqwan just blasted off into the horizon, leaving his exhaust note reverberating around inside our helmets.

The RC213V-S felt slow leaving the line, but whoa! It felt like I ran into a brick wall just almost as soon as I left the line. Other journos who had ridden the bike during the Honda Asian Journey Ride not long ago had warned us about the rev limit being capped. The bike I was on was limited to 7000 RPM, while there were a few others that revved to 9000 RPM.

But no matter, while it felt slow, it was actually picking up speed deceptively fast! And with the rev limit being blocked, I went through the gears like there’s no tomorrow.

Accelerating out of Turn 2, it was like short-shifting to third, fourth and fifth for the sweeping Turn 3. The bike just tipped over on its side even with the power fully on as I engaged the gears. The quickshifter was ultra-ultra-smooth so much so I didn’t even give two thoughts about it. I had wondered if I got to experience the seamless gearbox!

Braking for Turn 4 with two fingers had the front brakes bled off too much speed, so the bike dropped into the corner like an MX bike.

Sweeping through Turn 5 in fifth, I kept rolling on the throttle, having forgotten about the rev limiter. It cut in just as the bike neared the apex. Now, on any other bike, having the power cut i.e. chopping the throttle or hitting the rev limiter, is bad news as it’ll cause an abrupt weight transfer and change of traction, usually resulting in the bike wobbling or worse, standing up. But it didn’t happen on the RC213V-S, I just hugged its line as if nothing happened.
Now I started to worry about the rev limiter so I slowed down for the corners and decided to just blast down the main straight.

Since we were only using the North Track, I gunned the throttle as soon as I cleared the extra corner after Turn 6 all the way onto the straight. The bike ate up all the gears as fast I could feed it and I was already on the limiter just before halfway on the straight, which read 180 km/h.

The RCV213V-S felt slow, but its engine had plenty of kick and revved really quickly. Conversely on the CBR650F earlier, it only hit 179 km/h in sixth about 300m to Turn 1. Was I experiencing Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity firsthand?

How I wished Honda had raised the rev limit a little higher, say to 10,000 RPM.
We pulled into the pits four laps later. Although I was very thankful to have sampled the bike, I was also unsatisfied that I couldn’t go faster from worrying about the rev limiter.

The conclusion is this: The Honda RC213V-S is a superlative bike that’s unlike any other. I’ve never experienced a bike which t feels benign at high speed, that’s for sure.
The test session was a special event as part of Boon Siew Honda’s year-end gathering for the media, after having just celebrated their 60th anniversary in Malaysia.

During the welcoming session, BSH announced that sales had increased by 18% in 2017 from the previous year, having move 122,150 number of motorcycles (as of date of the event). But moving forward to 2018, BSH hopes to recapture its former Number One position in the market.

Datuk Sri Datuk Wira Tan Hui Jing, Deputy Chairman and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Boon Siew Honda provided the outline, “We are targeting to introduce 10 new models and will certainly surprise everyone with our product lineup.”

As mentioned earlier, Zahqwan Zaidi and Khairul Idham Pawi were present during the event after campaigning in the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) and Moto2 seasons, respectively. Mr. Nobuhide Nagata, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BSH announced that Zaqhwan will move up to the All Japan Road Race Championship (JSB1000) next year.

Also revealed was BSH’s plans to build the first Honda Big Wing exclusive one-stop sales and service centre in 2018 in the Klang Valley, followed by Penang, Selangor and Johor.
PICTURE GALLERY

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Malaysian Moto2 fighters struggled at 2015 Assen TT

Hafizh Syahrin picked up another valuable point in the Moto2 World Championship, wrapping up the 15th Dutch Grand Prix after struggling with severe front end chattering issues on Saturday.

The PETRONAS Raceline Malaysia rider completed the race that was restarted with 16-laps in 26’34.304s following a crash in the opening lap involving Marcel Schrotter, Anthony West and Luis Salom that saw the latter crash out and his bike catch fire, leading to an oil spill on the track.

Finishing behind the PETRONAS Talent Development rider was 2013 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship title holder, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of Honda Team Asia.

Meanwhile Johann Zarco took a commanding victory in front of a passionate Dutch crowd with 26’13.410s ahead of reigning Moto2 champion, Tito Rabat and Sam Lowes who clocked 26’14.167s and 26’15.490s respectively.
“Not a great day for me as I could not ride faster than I should. The front end chatter at several turns could have thrown me off the bike. I decided to bring the bike home safely and collect a point,” said Hafizh.
“It is a pity that Hafizh could not do better than 15th place as we expected him to collect more points here. The chattering issues is very unusual when nothing was changed from yesterday and the warm up. Only reason I could think is the weather that was too cold. We need to bounce back to get some points in the next race at Sachsenring,” said his manager, Barry Leong.
Moto2 Race Results
1.Johann Zarco (FRA) 26’13.410s
2.Tito Rabat (SPA) 26’14.167s
3.Sam Lowes (GBR) 26’15.490s
4.Alex Rins (SPA) 26’17.148s
5.Thomas Luthi (SWI) 26’17.940s
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World Champ Wayne Rainey Rides Again

Wayne Rainey rides again 26 years after his debilitating accident.

It was his first time since the accident that left him paralysed from the chest down.

He is the current President of MotoAmerica, the organisers of the US Superbike series.

Wayne Rainey rides again 26 years after his debilitating accident.
It was the first time he’s ridden a motorcycle since his accident at the 1993 Italian 500cc GP at Misano, which left him paralysed chest down.
From the video, we could see that a pneumatic gear shifter was fitted to the Yamaha YZF-R1. The device allows the rider to shift gears via buttons on the handlebar. The R1 was also fitted with thicker seats and Dunlop tyres (like the the brand of tyres on his YZR-500cc machine). He even donned his signature Shoes helmet.

Two guys helped the current MotoAmerica President to steady the bike as it rolled and Rainey did the rest on the track. You could see he wasn’t exactly slow.
Rainey was a real legend. The three-time world champion raced against other greats such as Kevin Schwartz, Mick Doohan, Luca Cadalora, John Kocinski, Alex Barros, Eddie Lawson, Randy Mamola, et al. But it was Schwantz who was his greatest rival — a bitter rivalry they brought over from the AMA Superbike Championship.
Schwantz vs Rainey – Courtesy of drivetribe.com
Rainey was on his way to his fourth consecutive world title when his Yamaha YZR-500 slid out from under him. It looked like the most innocuous lowside that even street riders would walk away from. Unfortunately, as he tumbled, he ended up burying his head into the “waved” gravel pit, and then clouted by his own bike. The gravel was deeply grooved to stop Formula One cars, not bikes.
Many long-time GP fans, this writer included and fellow riders were heartbroken to learn that he had fractured his spine, paralysing him from the chest down. We would never watch motorcycle grand prix the same way again.
His injury also had a telling implication on Schwantz, who suddenly lost his motivation and started questioning his own mortality. Schwantz did win the 1993 title but would go on to retire halfway through the 1995 season.

The duo, plus Eddie Lawson are close friends now. Both Rainey and Schwartz recently admitted that they didn’t know why they hated each other.
Please click here to read about their intense rivalry: https://www.bikesrepublic.com/featured/ten-fiercest-motorcycle-racing-rivalries-part-2/
In any case, this video almost brought us to tears.
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Triumph moves all mass production models to Thailand

Triumph Motorcycles has announced that they will be moving all of their volume production models to be manufactured in their Thailand factories. With more focus on R&D at their UK headquarters, the Thai production line will be taking most of the bulk of the manufacturing process while their Hinckley factory numbers will be dropped to around 4,500 units annually.

This news was confirmed when Triumph stated that their Speed Triple and Tiger 1200 production will be moved to their facility in Chonburi, Thailand. The UK factory of Hinckley will be left with the sole production of the top-of-the-range Triumph Factory Custom (TFC) units and other special models.

According to Triumph’s CEO, Nick Bloor, “We are now preparing for Triumph’s next wave of strategic growth. We want to maximise the growth opportunity for the brand globally, particularly in the Asian markets. This is why we are increasing our design resources here in the UK and focusing our mass production capabilities in Thailand.”

So why Thailand? According to their CCO, Paul Stroud, “We are facing increased competition and some of our mainstream competitors are developing models to directly compete with us. There are also new entrants coming into the market with much lower price points. New model development timelines are accelerating with more manufacturers bringing out new models more quickly, while consumers are looking for more technology and you’ve also got the dynamic of the electric motorcycle opportunity as well. So, there’s an increasing burden on the cost and development of designing new motorcycles. Triumph is looking to grow in its existing markets, but also to grow internationally, especially in the Asian free-trade markets.”
2020 Triumph Tiger 1200 Desert & Alpine special editions unveiled

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MV Agusta F3 800 revealed

Italian sports bike makers MV Agusta have revealed their latest creation, the F3 800. Essentially, it is the 800cc version of its F3 675 released in 2011, utilising the same 798cc three-cylinder powerplant available in the Rivale and Brutale 800 models.

The engine in the F3 800 has been turned to produce roughly 146hp and 88Nm of torque thanks largely to the 8.4mm longer stroke. The bike has the same dry weight of 175kg as the F3 675 version and is set to rival itself against Suzuki’s GSX-R750 and the Ducati 848 Evo.

As previously reported, the F3 800 will come fully equipped with ride-by-wire, traction control, an electronic air-bleed system, and variable power maps from the MVICS electronics package. It also features Brembo monobloc calipers, electronically assisted shifts (EAS), fully adjustable Marzocchi forks, a Sachs rear shock, and a slipper clutch system for its transmission.

MV Agusta promises for the F3 800 to have ‘the exhilaration of a 1000cc Superbike with the handling of a 600cc Supersport, and the torque of a v-twin and the rev limit of a four-cylinder.’ Three paintjob options are available and the bike is expected to carry a UK starting price of £12,000 (RM 58,790.40) when it arrives in UK dealerships next month.
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Kawasaki and the Custom Scene

There are plenty of Kawasakis in the custom scene.
There’s no lack of customized Kawasakis in every category.
There are plenty of accessories in the market to customized Kawasakis.

Customizing your ride provides the satisfaction of knowing that it belongs to you and you only, and a reflection of your soul, preferences, and idea of what a bike should be to you.

While every model of every brand is open to customization in the market, there are plenty of interestingly customized Kawasakis around. One way of looking at it is because Kawasaki offers different models across the board. But it may also be because they’re fun!

Let’s start with the Z125 Pro playbike. Small and cute, it’s guaranteed to bring out anyone’s fun – if not mad – side. So it’s easy to see some totally “rad” customs out there, from mild sticker and vinyl jobs to complete engine and performance modifications.

Next up is the naked bike category, covering the aforementioned Z125 Pro, Z250 SL and Z250, Z650, Z800, Z900 and Z1000. Among them, it seems that the bigger “Zeds” are found with the wildest custom work. Look around and you’ll see Z800s and now increasingly more Z900s with the most evocative ideas. The Z-models already start out with aggressive designs, so some choice customization would turn them into surefire headturners.

Can’t customize sportbikes? Think again! The large fairing functions as the blank canvas to those with a creative flair, while performance-enhancing parts and accessories are a given.

How about dirtbikes? Oh yes, they rock with wild graphic kits. Look closely at those machines competing in various MX races and you’d certainly spot different looks for each bike.

However, the category which readily lends itself to customization is no other than cruisers. Owners who want to retain the original motorcycle as much as possible would install accessories such a windshield and luggage. Those who wanted to go all out would go as far as stripping out the entire bike before working from there. There are bobers, choppers, café racers.

Talking about café racers, Kawasaki has just launched the Z900RS retro superbike, followed by the Z900RS Café. They are beautiful as they are, but it won’t be long until we see the awesome work of some creative geniuses.
Written by: Wahid Ooi Abdullah
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Pre-Orders For Damon HyperSport Hits RM417 Million

High-performance electric motorcycles manufacturer Damon Sports has announced it has hit USD90 million in pre-orders for the Damon HyperSport and Damon HyperFighter motorcycles.

Damon Motor to launch the HyperSport and HyperFighter motorcycle soon.
Pre-orders for the HyperSport and HyperFighter have raked up more than USD90 million (RM417 million).

Unveiled in January 2020, the Damon HyperSport is a sportsbike capable of producing 200hp and hitting a claimed max speed of 320km/h.
Damon also claimed that the HyperSport could hit a max range of more than 300km/h on a single charge thanks to its ‘HyperDrive’ electric power unit.
Also joining the HyperSport is the naked HyperFighter motorcycle, introduced a year later.

Currently, Damon Motors has received more than 3,500 orders which inadvertently created a massive buzz around the brand.
“You can’t be the future of anything if you’re not better than the past.
“It was necessary for us to target performance metrics as good or better than anything achieved before, otherwise people aren’t going to go electric in any meaningful numbers.
“This is the fundamental Achilles’ heel in the two-wheel EV industry so far.
“Nobody will trade in for an electric motorbike if it’s not as good as what they already have—people want to trade up,” said Co-Founder and CEO Damon Motor, Jay Giraud.

Apart from the impressive power unit, the Damon HyperSport and HyperFighter also feature top-notch safety features, including a 360-degree radar tech that helps to identify and predict hazards.
“By coupling high-volume production with our 5G connected, sensor-enabled, self-learning compute system, we can make it so that every mile ridden on a Damon motorcycle makes all other Damon motorcycles smarter and safer with over-the-air updates.
“We can cause the accident rates to perpetually fall over the coming decade. This is our 2030 goal,” added Giraud.
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“We are not considering Dovi at all for 2021” – Petronas Yamaha SRT

MotoGP is back again this weekend for its second triple-header starting in Misano, Italy where most folks are looking forward to the official announcement between Valentino Rossi and Petronas Yamaha SRT. Constant delays have been linked to Rossi possibly retiring as well as the prospect of bringing Hafizh Syahrin onboard again in the premier class.

There is also news indicating that current Ducati factory rider, Andrea Dovizioso, is currently in talks with Petronas Yamaha SRT for the second seat on the Yamaha M1. To clear the air surrounding this gossip, Dato’ Razlan Razali, team principal of Petronas Yamaha SRT posted on his Facebook page with the message “Setting the record straight, we are not considering Dovi at all for 2021.”

Setting the record straight, we are not considering Dovi at all for 2021.
Posted by Razali Razlan on Selasa, 8 September 2020

Previously, it was made known regarding the fallout between Andrea Dovizioso and KTM regarding signing him on for 2021. It seems that they weren’t able to come into terms between rider and manufacturer and to date, “DesmoDovi” is still left without a ride for 2021. We also suspect that his high demand for salary might have something to do with it.

The MotoGP circus heads to Misano this weekend where things will definitely get interesting between championship leader, Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) with 70 points, Andrea Dovizioso with 67 points, Jack Miller (Pramac Ducati) with 56 points, plus six other riders who have obtained over 40 points so far.
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Moto3: Joan Mir makes it two in a Row

Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) continued his perfect season with his second straight Moto3 win

John McPhee (British Talent Team) stayed in second after a few great battles with the top five riders

Jorge Martin (Del Consa Gresini Moto3) completed the podium in third spot

It was Joan Mir from the Leopard Racing outfit who took the second Moto3 race of the season with a stunning victory at the Argentina GP. After a poor performance during qualifying on Saturday, Mir only managed to start today’s Moto3 race in 16th position but made a stunning comeback from behind.

Joan Mir wins the #Moto3 ArgentinaGP
We've got déjà vu!Joan Mir #36 takes the win in another final lap, final corner showdown with McPhee & Martin! It's the same podium as Qatar! #ArgentinaGP
Posted by MotoGP on 9hb April 2017

Brit rider John McPhee from the British Talent Team gave Mir a good run for his money after quite a few position exchanges throughout the race before Mir came out on top upon crossing the finish line. McPhee crossed the line with only 0.261 seconds behind the championship leader.

Jorge Martin from the Del Consa Gresini Moto3 squad gave an amazing performance throughout the race exchanging position multiple times with the top five Moto3 riders of the day. The number 88 rider from Spain completed the Honda-filled podium spots in front of two KTM riders, Philipp Oettl from the Südmetall Schedl GP Racing team in P4 and Andrea Migno from the SKY Racing Team VR46.

Martin gets WAY TOO CLOSE for comfort!
THAT was close to disaster?#ArgentinaGP
Posted by MotoGP on 9hb April 2017

The other SKY Racing Team VR46 rider, Nicolo Bulega who qualified on pole position gave a good fight early in the race but slowly faded in the back of the field, eventually finishing in P13. CLICK HERE to see the full Moto3 results of the Gran Premio Motul de la Republica Argentina at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.

Pos.
Num.
Rider
Nation
Team
Bike
Time/Gap

1
36
Joan Mir
SPA
Leopard Racing
Honda
38’33.377

2
17
John McPhee
GBR
British Talent Team
Honda
0.261

3
88
Jorge Martin
SPA
Del Conca Gresini Moto3
Honda
0.339

4
65
Philipp Oettl
GER
Südmetall Schedl GP Racing
KTM
0.641

5
16
Andrea Migno
ITA
SKY Racing Team VR46
KTM
0.89

6
11
Livio Loi
BEL
Leopard Racing
Honda
7.598

7
5
Romano Fenati
ITA
Marinelli Rivacold Snipers
Honda
7.761

8
24
Tatsuki Suzuki
JPN
SIC58 Squadra Corse
Honda
7.831

9
58
Juanfran Guevara
SPA
RBA BOE Racing Team
KTM
12

10
27
Kaito Toba
JPN
Honda Team Asia
Honda
12.079

Image source: MotoGP
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This Zero-Mileage Ducati 1299 Superleggera Is On Sale – RM392,900!

Before you get too excited, the said Ducati 1299 Superleggera on sale is in the United Kingdom, the same guys that are offering the 1996 Kawasaki ZX7-RR for approximately RM224,500 last week.
This time around, they offer a zero-mileage 2014 model from Italy for a price of GBP69,995 (RM392,900).

The 1299 Superleggera was the focus of 2014 when the bike was firstly introduced at Milan Motorcycle Show as a replacement to the older 1199.

As the name goes, the 1299 Superleggera is a lightweight motorcycle with Ducati claimed the weight at 167 kilograms with the help of a carbon fiber monocoque frame and carbon fiber rims.

It is also fitted with the most-powerful Superquadro L-twin cylinder 1,285cc engine that produces 215hp @ 11,000rpm and 146.5Nm @ 9,000rpm.
Since Ducati only built 500 units of these bad boys and the unit no.197 with zero-mileage is being put on sale in West Yorkshire is easily one of the rarest 1299 Superleggera you can find in the present time.

The question is, if you can afford it, what do you plan to do with it? Well, we think if you keep it for another 15-20 years, the motorcycle might get you close to a million ringgit.
All of those aside, who would not want to have a Ducati in their garage?
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Where To Go: Betong, Thailand

In our first “Where To Go” feature on ride destinations, we explore the wonders of Betong, Thailand.

Story by: Michelle Theseira
We know many of you will be capitalising on the upcoming Merdeka holidays, so here’s Bike Republic’s first “Where to Go” article. For this first piece, we decided to explore a destination that is ever so popular among the local biking kakis – Betong, Thailand. For regular veteran bikers whose fingers are almost about to swipe over to the next ‘page’, put a brake on that.
Ask any biker and he or she will have their own favourite spots, best food joints and places to chillax at. So, take a couple of minutes to run through the few hotspots suggested here. You never know, you might discover something new and exciting… and have another reason to ride to Betong just one more time.

For this trip we’re using the route that takes you up north along the North-South Highway via Gerik and Pengkalan Hulu. For newbies, follow the road sign that states Ipoh (not Kuantan, I repeat, NOT Kuantan).

Along the way, do make a stop for breakfast at No 246, Kampung Baru Liman Kati located in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. Apologies but this recommendation is non-halal. For those who enjoy a good ‘konlo wan tan’, the char siew here is really out of this world – crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.

It’s also not a shop you’re looking out for but a wooden kampong house in light green colour with about 10 tables outside and some two ‘stalls’ selling a variety of noodle types, yong tau foo included. The halal alternative located just opposite the road is fresh, homemade nasi lemak bungkus at the market square.

After a light breakfast, carry on with your journey, of which if you ride between 120 and 160km/h you should take about 4.5 hours to arrive Betong immigration. Stop at Pengkalan Hulu town to fuel up unless you want to use Betong’s famed ‘minyak botol’ or as some call it ‘Cap Botol Betong’ and probably send your bike in for an overhaul after. Have a cuppa if you wish or for Thai coffee and tea lovers, hold that caffeine urge until you arrive Betong.
Don’t worry about changing currency as the lovely Betong folk accept Malaysian Ringgit as well as Thai Baht, better still if you have US Dollars. At the immigration checkpoints, over in Malaysia, just ensure your passport is easily accessible and not expired. Suggest you secure it in your jacket or pant’s pocket when at Pengkalan Hulu.

No need to alight the bike at immigration as lanes are available for bikers to stamp their passports. Cross the border and into Betong, you will come across a duty free shop on your left. You might want to give this a miss as things are generally cheaper in Thailand, especially in Betong, including smokes and toiletries if you forgot to pack these.
At the border, get ready small change in Malaysian currency. Customary here is RM2 for the officer that fills the form at the counter for you. Then, prepare another RM5 after you get the immigration card and queue up to get it stamped and recorded. Another RM2 at the counter below where you need to produce a photocopy of your bike grant if it’s in your name and if it’s not, along with a letter of authorisation from the person whose name is on the grant.
Do note that the immigration card and this copy of the vehicle entry permit need to be kept and retuned on your way back. We’re only chilling in Betong so no need for bike insurance. Those intending to venture further are advised to purchase bike and travel insurance from a couple of agents just after the immigration checkpoint.

The ride from Pengkalan Hulu right up to Betong town is charming. Easy curves and graceful bends here allow you to enjoy leaning in and taper chicken strip on your fresh new tyres. Take in the sights and scenery of the road leading into the cowboy town of Betong. You will know once you’ve arrived.

Follow your GPS to the hotel of your choice or go with our recommendations to stay at the Butterfly Princess Hotel (No: 188, Pachatipat Road) or River Inn Resort (No: 111-113, Soi 12). While the first is clean and new, faces the main road, and facilitated with a lovely massage centre, karaoke and café, the latter is just behind, nicely tucked away under trees and alongside a river.

At Riverview Resort Inn, the sound of water is 24/7-365, soothing and calming, perfect for a good night’s rest. Value for money accommodation here with single rooms, rooms for families or close friends with adjoining doors, even chalets/villas. All rooms have patios with a coffee table and two chairs.

You can rent scooters here from as low as 300 Baht for a day (usually til 3pm), sometimes 350 Baht if they do not like your face … just joking. Seriously, rental is at 350 Baht and negotiable. Give the lady boss at the counter your biggest smile and she might give you a discount. Rooms are spacious, clean and come with the standard fridge, aircond, attached bath with heater. You can enjoy drinks and chat along the verandahs and balconies by the river. Charming setting.
A massage after that ride would come nicely. Have one at Butterfly Princess, walking distance or use your scooter if you’ve rented one. It costs RM35 or 300 Baht for a full relaxing hour whether soothing aromatherapy massage or a foot reflexology that comes with a good back and head massage towards the end.

Food is aplenty throughout Thailand. In Betong, there are a couple of Muslim restaurants and stalls a hop, step and jump away from Butterfly Princess. If not, there is a blue-coloured coffee shop opposite the 7-Eleven along the main street in Betong which sells really good pork noodles – mince pork and pork balls etc.

While walking around the town there are many shops selling anything and everything. Drop by a convenience store and get your stock of Birdy 3-in-1 coffee, but only after you’ve tasted it and realise how good it is. Easy to find shops selling whatever your ride. From BWM to Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati and others. Don’t forget to bargain before you agree to pay. Life is hard but an agreed discount works up smiles both ways.

If you’ve never heard of the Piyamit Tunnel or need to brush up on your history, this is the place to head to. But be prepared for some walking. The ride there is just about a slow 20 to 30 minutes from the town. Apparently, the tunnel was used as a Malaya communists base to store supplies like ammunition and foodstuff. The tunnel was built in 1977 and spans a kilometre long across the boundaries of then Malaya and Thailand. There are said to be nine exits/entrances in and out of the tunnel.

Other interesting must-sees around here are the greens, the smokeless stove, the wedding hall, Thousand Tree, a museum complete with a guide who shares about the history of the place, as well as the Bo Gong Temple where you can offer a prayer and put in a token.

				Great scenery.

				Betong Hot Springs.

Time stands still here as the pace is slow and the scenery has much to offer. Stop and take pictures along the way. The greenery and locals going about their daily chores make great shots and good memories. You’ll also pass the Betong Hot Springs which you could stop by to experience. There is the Bor-Nam-Ron Resort and Spa nearby for overnighters. Pretty quiet, ideal for those in need of silence and serenity.

Durian lovers will drool during the season (Jul/Aug) as you can’t help but notice the amazingly huge fruits almost falling off the trees along the way to the tunnel. You could stop by the roadside to buy some from the villagers or head to the entrance of the Piyamit Tunnel or the gift shop, where they’re sold at just 60 Baht per kg.
Again, negotiate before you agree on the price. Take note on the contraption these clever Thais have designed to help open this thorny delicious fruit. Then indulge in Thai durians of the best kind right there and then. Tapaw if you wish, provided you have baskets on your bikes/scooters.

On your way back to the town, stop by the Winter Flower Garden to admire some flora. The elderly lady running the place has a few dogs that are often seen lazing around. She runs a small souvenir shop at the entrance which is also where you pay a small fee to enter the gardens. Stop along the way back to snap pictures, selfies, wefies. All along the way and throughout the town, there are stall selling ‘cap botol’ fuels.

For dinner, tom yam gung is a must. Have it red or white, spicy or less spicy – it’s delicious all the same and will have you licking your bowl clean. Don’t forget green curry. And for pork lovers, the deep fried pork with garlic is awesome, especially when in Thailand… wonder why. Stop for coffee at the stylish J-Park. The atmosphere is truly something.

Next day, have breakfast of your choice. Noodles are famous with the Thais. From soup to dry, spicy to bland – everything seems delicious here. A must-try is the Betong goreng pisang. Trust me, it’s different and you’ll come back for more. It is usually sold around 2pm and finishes quick.
What else is there to do in Betong? Well, bet you never imagined having ice cream here. Yes, it’s homemade or so to speak. Look for the half-shop called Coffee Dream and enjoy the yummy Coconut Delight at 50 Baht or Honey Toast at 75 Baht. There is also Banana Split, coffees and drinks of sorts to satiate sweet cravings. A lovely treat to end this short break with.
Before checking out, don’t forget to hand back your scooter and room key before. Ensure you have all your documents and passport. Then say bye but know that you’ll be back for a short and relaxing getaway again in this inconspicuous laidback town.

On the way back, stop by Lenggong if you have never. You can fuel up here – bike and rider. Restoran Tung Xuan serves a mean “fly lice” – tastes like from the 80s. Lots of mamak shops and Muslim food outlets here in this town, and we will definitely explore it soon. Happy riding and exploring!

				Great scenery.

				Betong Hot Springs.

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BMW Motorrad Unveils Bespoke BMW R 18 By Shinya Kimura

BMW Motorrad has reached out to Shinya Kimura to bring his distinctive “Zero-style” to the new R 18.
Interestingly, Kimura took the stock R 18 for a ride to understand the character of the big-bore cruiser.

As a result, the custom R 18, dubbed as “The Wal”, gets a bigger fuel tank that was extended rearward and a new subframe that raises the seat height.

The bike also features a bucket-style seat by Japan’s Backdrop Leathers and a newly designed tail section.

Kimura also installed a metal bubble fairing with two asymmetrical headlights at the front, including a teeth-like design that mimics The Wal (German for whale) concept.
To further enhance the esthetics, Kimura also adds a bronze powder coat finish.

Fast facts about the custom R 18:

Handlebars: 8 inches narrower, 6 inches lower.
Fuel tank: Made longer to move the seating position rearward and gain additional fuel capacity of about 1 gallon for longer trips.
Seat pad designed by Kimura himself, handmade by BACKDROP Leathers in Japan in bucket style for more bottom support.
Seat is designed so that it creates a natural flow from the seat cushion and leads to the round rear light.
Semi-shell fairing for comfortable handling at high speed.
The side covers have been designed in such a way that they do not destroy the look of the original frame.
Special paint finish in the form of a bronze powder coating after the components have previously been hammered to give the surface texture.
After Kimura had completed all the bodywork, he decided to keep the classic symbolic shape of the standard exhaust system, but paint it black.

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WSBK: Chaz Davies spends time in wind tunnel

Prior to this weekend’s World Superbike Championship (WSB) round in Monza, Italy, team BMW Motorrad Goldbet rider Chaz Davies reportedly spent some time in BMW’s wind tunnel recently. Part of his pre-race homework, the Welshman was in the high speed wind tunnel facility working on his aerodynamics with the S1000RR race bike ahead of the race.
One of the fastest and most challenging courses in the WSBK race calendar, Monza’s unique nature requires riders to find and adopt an optimal body position while riding down its infamous long straights where speeds above 320km/h are reached.

Describing his interesting afternoon, Davies states, “I have learnt that I have to try and get myself inside the bike sooner on the exit of the corner in order to reduce the drag and be faster on the straights. It was good to see what difference that will make if we can improve that for the next race.”
BMW Motorrad Motorsports technical director Stephan Fischer also explained further on the matter, stating that a rider’s body position plays a crucial contribution towards aerodynamic efficiency. This applies to the whole package of rider and bike altogether, with the difference made very evidently clear on circuits such as Monza.
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2022 Honda CB300F Launched In India – 293cc, 23HP

Joining the Honda CB300R in the lineup is the new 2022 Honda CB300F launched in India.

the CB300F joins the already available CB300R in India.
features the same 293cc oil-cooled engine that makes 23hp and 23.05Nm.

Power for the CB300F comes from Honda’s 293cc oil-cooled, 4-valve SOHC engine, the same unit used in the CB300R. The CB300F makes 23hp and 23.05Nm, mated to a six-speed manual transmission and chain final drive.
The Honda CB300F features a 17-inch alloy wheels suspended by an inverted front forks and five-stage adjustable monoshock.

Braking is done by a single disc at both ends with 276mm at the front and 220mm at the rear.
Inspired by the bigger CB500F sold in global markets, the new CB300F also features sharp bodywork with a low slung headlamp.

Other notable features include:

full-LED lighting
dual-channel ABS
Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
digital instrument cluster
14L fuel tank

Meanwhile, the Deluxe Pro variant gets you a Honda smartphone voice control technology.
The 2022 Honda CB300F is retailed at INR 225,900 (RM12.6k).
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Highlights from last weekend’s KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia Rd. 7 held in the Sepang International Go-Kart Circuit that supported the KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurance Series main event.

Orange fever invaded the Sepang International GoKart circuit last weekend as the KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia one-make series held its seventh and final selection round. The round was held as the support event to the weekend’s KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurance Series Rd. 8 main event. As always, Practice and Qualifying sessions were held on Saturday, followed by two sprint races lasting 10 laps each.

For many riders on the grid, the 1.247km-long Sepang International GoKart Circuit proved to be quite a challenging layout. This, however was not the case for the weekend’s winner, Ahmad Idham Khairuddin. If the name sounds familiar, Idham is the younger brother to national Moto3 rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin.

Fans, and KTM Dukers club members present were in for a treat last weekend. Not only were they enthralled by the on-track action and drama, most also took the opportunity to meet the national Moto3 rider in the orange brand’s paddock. The Banting native was present to support Idham throughout the weekend.

Besides that, fans were also treated with a display of KTM bikes from KTM Malaysia CKD, the centre piece of course being the recently launched RC390 supersports pictured here.

Race 1 was flagged off late at 9:16am following a short downpour of rain that delayed things. With the slightly damp track offering a bigger challenge, all 15 riders on the grid were in for a tough race. Winning the first race rider Azizul Khairi Bin Muhammad, followed by Idham in second, and Mirzam Mestori claiming the third.

Azizul set the pace in Race 1, completing the 10-lap race with a total time of 10:30.384 and a fastest laptime of 1:01.284. However, Azizul’s couldn’t repeat the magic in Race 2 later in the afternoon. Azizul would later settle of third place in Race 2 just behind rider Muhammad Muzakkir Bin Mohamed who placed second in the day’s second race.

Claiming top honours in Race 2 was non other than Ahmad Idham Khairuddin. Idham took full advantage of the drier and perfect weather conditions, setting a much higher pace compared to that of Race 1 earlier. Idham crossed the line in first for Race 2 with a total time of 9:46.980, claiming the fastest lap of the race as well with his best laptime of 0:57.785.

With his performance, Idham collected enough points to be crowned as the overall champion. In the process, Idham also earned his spot in the series’ upcoming grand finale where he will compete with the other top two winners from previous rounds for the title as KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia champion.

The grand finale of the KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia will take place alongside the KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurance Series’ grand finale as well that is scheduled to take place in a fortnight’s time. There, all finalists will battle it out on the full 5.5km-long Sepang International Circuit.

What we can tell you is that the grand finale is destined to be an exciting one. With many familiar names, mainly professionals and semi-professionals making the rostrum, it is easy to see why. Furthermore, our friends at KTM Malaysia CKD are also in the midst of fine-tuning its fleet of 390 Duke Battle race bikes especially for the Sepang International Circuit’s layout.
Below are the complete race results of the weekend’s action, followed by an extensive image gallery for your viewing pleasure. More pictures are also available on the official BikesRepublic.com Facebook page.
KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia Rd. 7 @ Sepang
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New BMW S 1000 RR, R 1200 GS, K 1600 Bagger and R nineT Urban G/S at BMW Motorrad Nighfuel Penang

BMW Motorrad Malaysia will unveil four new premium motorcycles at the BMW Motorrad Nightfuel event in Penang this weekend, Saturday, 9th September 2017.

The new S 1000 RR, R 1200 GS, K 1600 Bagger and BMW R nineT Urban G/S will be unveiled for the first time

The largest gathering of BMW Motorrad motorcycles in the Bayan Lepas area in Penang.

Introducing the new motorcycles, Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO, BMW Group Malaysia said, “BMW Motorrad is currently the leading premium motorcycle brand in the country, contributing a steady 1000 premium motorcycles annually to inject an exhilarating and exciting attitude towards motorcycle riding here. The Nightfuel events have enabled us to successfully deliver our promise of Making Life A Ride which is very true to the heart of BMW Motorrad.”
Sharing Han’ sentiments, Owen Riley, Head of BMW Motorrad Malaysia said, “There is no better occasion than to introduce four new premium motorcycles to the BMW Motorrad family here at the Nightfuel event. While this is the first time we have taken the BMW Motorrad Nightfuel event outside the Klang Valley, most of the riders will come from all over peninsular Malaysia.
Riley added that BMW Motorrad Malaysia wanted to create a riding experience for its owners and enthusiasts like no other, embodying the essence of over 100 thrilling years of experience in creating premium motorcycles and combining passion as well as engineering expertise with a pure riding experience.
The new BMW S 1000 RR – the virtually perfect supersports model which has been further optimised – From RM 106,900.00
Ever since BMW Motorrad launched the S 1000 RR in 2009 – the first 4-cylinder supersports bike made by BMW – the “Double R” has had a lasting impact on this market segment. Consistent and ongoing development has since ensured that the RR occupies pole position among the superbikes with road traffic certification. For the model year 2017 it was once again possible to optimise the virtually perfect supersports bike even further.

The 999 cc in-line 4-cylinder engine has been adapted to meet the requirements of the EU4 pollutant class. The peak output is still 146 kW (199 hp) at 13500 RPM and the maximum torque of 113 Nm is reached at 10500 RPM. For excellent ridability, the new BMW S 1000 RR also has a wide engine speed range available for use, and almost the entire maximum torque is available from 9500 (112 Nm) to 12000 RPM (113 Nm).

Riding modes “Rain”, “Sport” and “Race” along with Race ABS and Dynamic Traction Control come standard as well as the partial integral Race ABS. New additions to the standard trim include Dynamic Traction control DTC with banking sensor and fine adjustment at +/- seven levels for the best possible performance and safety when accelerating.

The new BMW S 1000 RR is also now configured standard with passenger seat. The RR is available in the colour schemes Granite Grey/Black Storm, which gives the BMW S 1000 RR a refined appearance and as well as the Racing Red/Light White for a dynamic look.
The new BMW R 1200 GS Rallye – even more supreme on all terrain types – From RM 105,900.00
“BMW GS” has stood for universal motorcycling pleasure for more than 35 years: “GS” embodies the ideal combination of touring and long distance suitability, dynamic performance and off-road capability. This applies especially to the BMW GS motorcycles with the flat-twin boxer engine. They are the perfect companions in extreme conditions when it comes to exploring the most remote corners of the earth.

The most popular travel enduro bike in the world, the BMW R 1200 GS has now been optimised in a wide range of areas. Designed for even greater versatility than before, it taps into a previously unknown breadth of properties, ranging from dynamic performance to comfort and off-road suitability. This is due to selective improvements, numerous new features and not least a much expanded program of optional equipment and optional accessories. For Malaysian market, to meet with the “urban adventure” demand, the Rallye has been customised with on-road tires, standard comfort seats and centre stand, ensuring a convenient and pleasant daily-commuting.

The Boxer engine with new catalytic converter and adapted data status is in line with EU4 requirements. Powered as before by the air/liquid-cooled boxer with an output of 92 kW (125 hp) at 7750 RPM and a maximum torque of 125 Nm at 6500 RPM, the new R 1200 GS now has an altered catalytic converter and a new data status for the engine management to meet the latest EU4 requirements. The model year 2017 already saw the addition of a judder damper on the transmission output shaft and a revision of the selector drum actuator and transmission shafts.
The new BMW K 1600 B: emotion and fascination with 6 cylinders in the exclusive Bagger style – From RM 159,900.00
BMW Motorrad’s interpretation of motorcycling on endless highways, the dream of freedom and independence and the embodiment of “Grand American Touring” in the form of a series version of the new BMW K 1600 B bagger.

As a high-performance, highly emotional and exclusive motorcycle, the new BMW K 1600 B with the familiar 6-cylinder inline engine and supreme 118 kW (160 hp) output, embodies the motto “Spirit of the Open Road.” It is synonymous with elegance, power and luxury on two wheels and transforms every road, every tour and every moment into a particularly intense experience. The characteristic streamlining with a low rear section and masculine colour scheme make for relaxed dynamic elegance.

Largely based on the technology used in the BMW 6-cylinder tourer K 1600 GT, the new BMW K 1600 B implements its spectacular backward sloping linear design with a completely reconstructed rear section. This not only makes the bagger look particularly low-lying and slender, but also, thanks to the new rear frame, significantly reduces the height of the passenger seat.

New reverse assist feature for comfortable manoeuvring and Shift Assistant Pro for shifting up and down without activating the clutch. The new BMW K 1600 B is particularly easy to manoeuvre thanks to the reverse assist feature. This is activated conveniently at the press of button “R” on the left-hand handlebar panel. Pressing the starter button initiates movement. The Shift Assistant Pro available as an option allows the rider to shift up and down without activating the clutch in a large number of cases.
The new all-black (Blackstorm metallic / black for chassis parts and drivetrain) BMW K 1600 B takes the form of a bagger, an exclusive custom bike type that is particularly popular in the USA.
The new BMW R nineT Urban G/S, a refined roadster with a boxer feeling in a classic enduro outfit – From RM 87,900.00
The new BMW R nineT Urban G/S is quite different in style but equally classic in character. For more than 35 years, the “GS” abbreviation in conjunction with BMW Motorrad has been virtually synonymous with a sense of freedom and the passion for adventure on two wheels, both on-road and off-road. The BMW R nineT Urban G/S draws on the genes of the very first and legendary BMW R 80 G/S of the year 1980, transporting them into the modern era with contemporary technology in the form of a classic enduro-style BMW motorcycle with boxer engine.

The BMW R nineT Urban G/S features the potent, air/oil-cooled boxer engine with a capacity of 1170 cc and an output of 81 kW (110 hp) combined with a 6-speed gearbox. The model is designed to meet the requirements of the EU4 pollutant class. Their exhaust systems in stainless steel with the tailpipe positioned on the left reflects classic styling.

As before, radially mounted 4-piston monoblock brake calipers ensure sound, ABS-regulated deceleration in conjunction with floating brake discs. The BMW R nineT Urban G/S is supplied with light alloy cast wheels. The large 19-inch front wheel with 120/70 ZR 19 tyre is in keeping with the typical enduro-style look of a classic bike. This is matched perfectly at the rear with a 17-inch wheel bearing a 170/60 ZR 17 tyre. The new BMW boxer can be ordered ex works with the optional extra of deep-treaded off-road tyres which further enhances its classic style (standard trim: road tyres) and also with filigree wired-spoke wheels.

With 4-piston brake calipers, steel-wrapped brake lines and a brake disc diameter of 320 millimetres, a high-performance ABS brake system here again ensures effective and stable deceleration. In order to prevent the rear wheel from spinning on slippery roads, there is the option of ASC (Automatic Stability Control) which is available ex works.
The BMW Motorrad Nightfuel Penang takes place this Saturday, 9th September 2017 from 19:00pm at a special seaside open space in the Bayan Lepas area close to the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge.
The retail price (without insurance and inclusive of GST) for the new models are:
BMW S 1000 RR                  –           RM 106,900.00
BMW R 1200 GS                  –           RM 105,900.00
BMW K 1600 B                     –           RM 159,900.00
BMW R nineT GS                  –           RM 87,900.00
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AEON Credit payment relief extended to 31 May 2020

In light of the recent extension of the Movement Control Order aka “MCO Phase 3”, AEON Credit has announced that their payment relief programme will be extended for another month. This means that the one-off payment deferment will be automatically effective until 31 May 2020 for all loans (except credit cards).

The official announcement by AEON Credit can be read below.
PAYMENT RELIEF PROGRAMME
Dear Valued Customers,
In response to the government’s recent announcement on the extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on 23rd April 2020, AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad will continue to provide one-month of payment deferment (1st May to 31st May 2020) to all loans except credit cards which was activated to all Customers effective 1st April 2020.
We will continue to alleviate the financial burden for our Customers who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. AEON Credit Service will also provide alternative Payment Relief Programme for loans and credit card customers that have been affected during this pandemic period.
Detailed information on this is available in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on www.aeoncredit.com.my. Customers who are facing difficulties in making payment due to financial constraints resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic are advised to contact our Customer Service via email at customer.service@aeoncredit.com.my.
We thank you for your support and are here to provide you with assistance during this difficult period. #Stayhome #StaySafe

AEON Credit has been receiving a lot of negative feedbacks as of late when they first announced the payment relief programme which only gave a one-month deferment for all loans. Given the circumstances that a lot of folks might not be able to pay for the following month due to MCO, it’s understandable that they extended the programme until May to help ease some of that burden.
Malaysian astronaut delivers food during MCO

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Honda X-ADV 750 Now Available In Shasta White – RM68,899

2023 HONDA X-ADV
Boon Siew Honda, a leading motorcycle manufacturer in Malaysia, has introduced a new colour for its popular adventure-style scooter, the X-ADV 750 now priced at RM68,899.

The X-ADV has been well-received by adventurous rider since its launch in 2018.
The DCT is the most outstanding feature of the X-ADV.

The latest addition to the X-ADV lineup is the Shasta White colour, which enhances the bike’s elegant design and aggressive front look when paired with its dual LED headlights and spectacular Daytime Running Lights. The X-ADV still comes with a digital instrument console, LED taillamp, and five-step adjustable windscreen that can be adjusted on the go, making it convenient for long-distance rides.
Powering the X-ADV is a Euro 5-compliant 745cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that is linked to a 6-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) gearbox. The bike generates a maximum power of 43kW @ 6,750rpm and 69Nm @ 4,750rpm of peak torque.

The X-ADV’s DCT feature is a standout characteristic that sets it apart from other scooters in the market. Safety features include disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), and ABS, which offer an immersive braking experience.
The X-ADV’s 5-inch TFT display panel features the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVCS), which allows riders to connect their smartphones while on the move and manage phone calls, email, music, and navigation using voice commands.
The 2023 Honda X-ADV is available in three colour options, including Mat Ballistic Black Metallic, Pearl Deep Mud Gray, and the new Shasta White.
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2020 Ducati Superleggera V4 photos leaked

We’re less than a day away from the official launch of the 2020 Ducati Superleggera V4 and some folks have already leaked the photos online regarding the RM400,000 limited edition superbike.
We know for a fact that some folks have special access for the ‘Project 1708’ on Ducati’s official website and judging by the beauty of the shots, it is very likely that the photos were sourced from there AND this is the true 2020 Ducati Superleggera V4.

Looking at the completed bike with all its fairings kitted up, we’ve fallen head over heels for the latest Ducati superbike. Essentially a Ducati Panigale V4 R on steroids, the Ducati Superleggera V4 claims to have 234hp and weighs at a staggeringly light 152kg (dry); a whole 20kg lighter than the V4 R.

This was done thanks to its all-carbon fibre frame, carbon fibre BST wheels, carbon fibre swingarm and other uses of lightweight materials. Perhaps the most outstanding visual feature of the Ducati Superleggera V4 is those multiple winglets inspired by MotoGP’s Ducati Desmosedici GP16.

Other tasty specs include Brembo Stylema brakes, premium Öhlins suspension package, top-of-the-line Ducati electronics package (most probably inspired by the world of MotoGP and WorldSBK), and more. Only 500 units will be produced and judging by how tasty it looks, we won’t be surprised if it’s already all sold out.

Ducati Superleggera V4 second teaser video released

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BREAKING: The 2022 Moto Morini X-Cape 650 Is Coming To Malaysia

One of the most anticipated bike for 2022, the Moto Morini X-Cape 650 is coming to Malaysia via MForce Bike Holdings.
In an official statement, MForce Bike Holdings has announced that the company has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of Moto Morini in Malaysia.
For those who are not in the loop, Moto Morini is an Italian motorcycle company established back in 1937 and is based in Bologna.

While it retains the Italian image and head office in Milan, Moto Morini went into liquidation in late 2010 before they were revived by again a year later. However, in fall of 2018, the ownership rights had transferred to Zhongneng Vehicle Group.
Currently, the Moto Morini motorcycle range includes the Corsaro ZT, Corsaro ZZ, Milano and Super Scrambler, all of which is powered by a 1,200cc V-Twin.
CREATOR: gd-jpeg v1.0 (using IJG JPEG v62), quality = 80
However, the one that caught our attention is the upcoming X-Cape 650 that whas first showcased at EICMA in Milan, Italy back in November.
The X-Cape 650 features a 649cc parallel-twin engine that makes around 60hp @ 8,250rpm and 56Nm @ 7,000rpm. While the power is decent, the X-Cape 650 comes fitted with premium components, including an adjustable upside down Marzocchi forks, adjustable KYB rear shocks and Brembo brakes.
The adventure-tourer also comes equipped with an 18L tank and a 7-inch TFT instrument display.
To ensure its rigidity on and off-road, the X-Cape 650 is built around a steel trellis frame and paired to an aluminium swingarm.
According to MForce, the X-Cape 650 is expected to arrived in Malaysia sometime in Q2 2022.
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Special service campaign for Aprilia owners in Penang!

Aprilias are special machines and require special care.
Aprilia service centre in Penang is offering special discounts and gifts for owners.
Campaign to run from 24th of December till the 28th of December 2018.

Calling all Aprilia owners in Penang! The official Aprilia service centre in Penang is offering a special service campaign which runs from 24th of December 2018 till the 28th of December.

The Aprilia service centre in Penang (pictured above) is offering special door gifts for all Aprilia owners who service their bikes at the official centre. And besides that, Aprilia owners will also enjoy a 15% discount on spare parts, special price for oil service, as well as a special price on tyres.

So if your Aprilia is due for a service, or if you just want to enjoy the special privileges during this service campaign, then head on over to the Sheng Fatt Motor Sdn Bhd located at No 24, Japan Dato Keramat, Pulau Pinang, 10150, Georgetown. Or call 0194009339 for more information.

“This special service campaign was designed exclusively for Aprilia owners. As the official service centre for Aprilia, we want to be able to offer owners the complete Aprilia experience which includes fantastic aftersales service and all the right tools to service the bikes. Aprilia’s are among the best bikes in the world, and it is important to have the right knowledge and the right tool to have them performing at their best always,” said Kheoh Hock Seng, Managing Director of Sheng Fatt Motor Sdn Bhd (above).
By the way, just to further sweeten the deal, Aprilia of Penang will also throw in a special RM100 voucher which you can use to buy merchandise at the shop. Short of getting an Aprilia for free, good deals don’t get sweeter than that.
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Marquez celebrates Superprestigio 2016 win with a special video

2016 MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez releases video celebrating his winning run at the Superprestigio.

Image source: dtxbarcelona.com
It appears that 2016 MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez got busy during his off-season. Besides testing with the factory Repsol Honda outfit, the Spaniard also made time to compete and win in the 2016 Superprestigio dirt bike race.
If you didn’t know, the annual Superprestigio an invitational dirt bike event held in Barcelona, Spain. It was revived back in 2014 and Marquez has been a regular headlining competitor since, racing alongside other great race riders.
Image source: dtxbarcelona.com
The most recent edition of the Superprestigio held in December 2016 saw Marquez charting his second win in the Superfinal heat. And to celebrate that feat, the Spanish racing sensation’s team has created a short video on YouTube of the triumphant outing last month.
Marc Marquez was able to outrace on of his strongest rivals in this annual event, American Flat Track star Brad Baker, in style. The American would settle for third place whilst Marquez’ compatriot and MotoAmerica rider Toni Elias finished second in the 16-lap Superfinal heat of the annual dirt invitational.
Image source: dtxbarcelona.com
You can watch the highlight reel from Marquez in the featured video above. We’re sure that both fans and haters would enjoy the feelings the video invokes as we countdown to the start of the 2017 MotoGP season.
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Zulfahmi Khairuddin has retired from Moto2?

Some news have reported that Zulfahmi Khairuddin has decided to retire from Moto2 effective IMMEDIATELY.
After just four rounds, the Moto2 rookie called it quits after struggling to get any decent performance and results.
There’s is still no news on whether the team will continue with a replacement rider.

News broke out late last night regarding one of our national motorcycle racers in MotoGP. Zulfahmi Khairuddin who has been actively competing in the intermediate Moto2 category this year has called it quits after just four rounds of the 2018 season despite being a rookie.

According to a few reliable sources, the agreement between Zulfahmi Khairuddin and SIC (Sepang International Circuit) Racing Team was mutual and will be effective IMMEDIATELY. It has been said that Zulfahmi was not able to improve his riding since the start of the season and decided to end things prematurely.

Datuk Razlan Razali, CEO of SIC has commented that getting Zulfahmi to be competitive in Moto2 was difficult even with his vast experience in WorldSSP. In an effort to get Hafizh Syahrin into MotoGP when Monster Yamaha Tech 3 was desperately looking for a replacement for Jonas Folger, Zulfahmi was the only option available to fill in the Moto2 seat at the time.

Whatever the decision may be, we have to accept that this is the first year for Zulfahmi in the super competitive Moto2 series. While the bike is still the same displacement as the one used when competing is WorldSSP, the Kalex machinery is not something that one can master quickly.

Being a promising rookie, it is very understandable that he would obtain these results in the first few races. We here at Bikes Republic would like to wish him and SIC the best of luck and hope that everything will play out well for the rider as well as the team.

Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates.
Image source: SIC & MotoGP
Malaysian MotoGP team in 2019?

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Colombo Bike Week 2016 Ride announced

Island nation Sri Lanka gears itself up to host the first ever major motorcycling festival, the inaugural Colombo Bike Week 2016.

The picturesque island nation of Sri Lanka is set to host its first ever major motorcycling festival in its capital city of Colombo. Called the Colombo Bike Week 2016, the event also comes as a follow up from the successful Sri Lanka Friendship Ride 2014 that was organised by Malaysian-based firm, Buzzword Events.
With the conception of Colombo Bike Week 2016, Sri Lanka now joins the elite ranks of a handful of ASEAN nations such as Thailand, India and Malaysia to embrace the region’s ever-growing motorcycling culture and movement. The inaugural Colombo Bike Week 2016 is scheduled to take place in March this year.

Learning from its successes from its Sri Lanka Friendship Ride 2014, Buzzword Events will be offering a special deal for Malaysian riders wishing to join in on the festivities of Colombo Bike Week 2016. The firm has partnered up with a Sri Lankan-based firm called Motor Adventure Sports (MAS) and have devised a special nine-day ride tour through the island nation in conjunction with Colombo Bike Week 2016. This ride is open exclusively for big capacity bikes only (400cc and above).
As an added bonus, organisers Buzzword Events and MAS have successfully negotiated with the Sri Lankan government in allowing participating riders with an exemption from requiring Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) documents. Seasoned riders would know that CPD rates are not only costly depending on country, but its deposit returns are time consuming as well.

The Colombo Bike Week 2016 Ride is scheduled to run from March 12 to March 20. Malaysian riders wishing to take part in this ride will enjoy special discounted rates offered exclusively by Buzzword Events and MAS. Three packages have been prepared and are offered as following:

Package + Details
Costs (US$)

Riders on twin share
US$2,500 per person

– All hotels as advertised on twin share, Half Board (Breakfast and Dinner).

– Shipping bikes to and from Port Klang to Colombo and back. Includes all fees.

– Economy fare on Air Asia or Malindo Air for payments before 15 January 2016.

– Excludes Sri Lankan visa (US$30) and fuel(estimated US$120).

Riders on single room
US$2,900 per person

– Details as per Riders on twin share package)

Pillion riders
US$1,800 per person

– All hotels as advertised on twin share, Half Board (Breakfast and Dinner).

– Economy fare on Air Asia or Malindo Air for payments before15 January 2016.

– Excludes Sri Lankan visa (USD30) and personal expenses.

Much like the Sri Lanka Friendship Ride 2014, the Colombo Bike Week 2016 Ride also includes visits into some of the most stunning location the island nation has to offer. Amongst them are several UNESCO Heritage sites in Kandy and the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, rides through Citrus Hikkaduwa on scenic coastal roads, as well as a visit in the Udawallawe Nature Park.

You can view the ride’s full itinerary online at the Colombo Bike Week 2016 official website, colomobobikeweek.com.

BikesRepublic.com was fortunate enough to have taken part in the Sri Lanka Friendship Ride 2014, and trust us when we say that this is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. The fact that this is one of the few international rides exempted from CPD just adds to that further.
Further enquiries in Malaysia can be made through Buzzword Events by contacting its CEO, Mr Leslie Tilak Jayawardena via mobile at +6012-212 0154 and email via leslie@buzzword.com.my.

Images: Buzzword Events
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New WMoto F15 Lands In Malaysia – RM5,999

The 150cc underbone class in Malaysia has a new competitor in town with the new WMoto F15.
Priced at just RM5,999, The F15 is one of the most affordable 150cc moped you can get your hands on right now.

Available in three colourways – Turquoise, Green and Dark Blue – the F15 makes 10.5hp @ 7,000rpm and 11Nm @ 8,000rpm from its 149.2cc single-cylinder, SOHC, Euro4 engine.
While it may offer lower horsepower compared to Honda RS-X (15.8hp) and Y15ZR (15.4hp), the F15 gets a better range thanks to a 5.5L fuel tank.

The WMoto F15 is also more comfortable for shorter riders thanks to a lower 720mm seat height.
The F15 also features a single hydraulic disc, aluminium alloy front and rear wheel, 290mm front brake and 190mm rear disc.

Other features include:

telescopic front forks
preload-adjustable mono shocks
17-inch front and rear tyre

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Why Riding with Earplugs is Essential

 EPA/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

Earplugs are among the essential riding gear.

One should always ride with ear protection.

High noise levels lead to permanent hearing damage.

Motorcycle-related hearing damage and loss is something which many riders around the world are still not taking seriously. We know this because we hardly see any rider wearing earplugs when they ride, be it when commuting, weekend canyon bombing or even sometimes at the track(!).
Problem is, hearing damage’s progressive and it’s probably too late when one notices it. A constant ringing in the ears is called tinnitus it’s irreversible. Notice how some otai riders talk very loud? Apart from ebullient personality it could well point to hearing damage. Hearing damage also leads to irritability and depression.
What causes it?

The simple answer is noise. Noise levels rise considerably when the speed rises. Noise levels are usually around 85 dB (decibel) when idling in traffic, but that number could hit as high as 115 dB and more when on the move.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published that any sound level above 89 dB can damage one’s hearing. As such, workers should not be exposed to sound levels above 85 dB in an eight-hour workday. Besides that, continuous exposure to 100 dB for 15 minutes will damage hearing.

Let’s compare:

City riding between 40 km/h to 80 km/h can produce between 80 to 85 dB.
Noise goes up to 100 dB when riding at 100 km/h.
It’ll hit 110 dB when riding at 150 km/h.

Of course, the numbers differ according to the type of helmet you wear and your bike’s wind protection, but they are still high no matter what.
What earplugs should I use?
The best we’ve tried are “smart” earplugs that filter out certain frequencies. For example, NoNoise and Pinlock (yes, Pinlock) earplugs maintain the noise level at 85 dB, while you can still hear the traffic, your bike’s engine note and speech. These characteristics are useful for every riding scenario as you can wear them when commuting or during high speed blasts. But these are usually expensive.

There are inexpensive foam earplugs in the market but they tend to filter out too much.

The choice is yours but never, ever ride without earplugs.
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Thai-assembled Motorrads introduced

BMW Group Malaysia surprised us earlier this evening after officially introducing two Thai-assembled Motorrad models for the Malaysian market.

The Motorrad sub-brand’s first ever models assembled in the BMW Group’s Thailand-based plants comes in the form of the F800 R naked and F800 GS enduro. Both bikes were introduced earlier this evening in conjunction with the Malaysian introduction of the 4-Series Gran Coupe. Both models are now available in our market as Thai-CBU models with revised price tags, as well as a significantly reduced delivery time as well.

Made famous by stunt rider Chris Pfeiffer, the F800 R naked is powered by a liquid-cooled four-stroke parallel twin 798cc engine primed with dual-cams, four valves per cylinder, and dry sump lubrication system. Generating 87hp at 8,000rpm and peak torque of 86Nm at 6,000rpm, the F800 R also boasts a claimed combined fuel consumption rate of 3.6 litres/100km.

Highlights in its kit list include an optional Akrapovic slip-on silencer, as well as ABS brakes offered as standard to compliment the front’s twin floating 320mm discs with four piston calipers and a single 265mm disc with a single piston at the rear. The model is also available in three paintjob options – Racing Blue Metallic, Light White, and Sakhir Orange.

Next comes the F800 GS. Carrying the two acronyms that is highly revered in the enduro bikes segment, the F800 GS model lives up to the reputation upheld by the Motorrad’s sub-brand GS range. Power comes courtesey of a liquid-cooled 798cc parallel twin engine that features twin-camshafts, two valves per cylinder, as well as a dry sump lubrication system. The package generates a healthy 85hp at 7,500rpm and 83Nm of maximum torque at 5,750rpm. The mill also boasts a combined fuel economy rate of 3.8 litres/100km.

Up front, the F800 GS features a pair of 230mm inverted forks paired with the rear’s 215mm WAD travel-related damping strut – long travel units typically expected from the GS enduro line. Added toughness comes from the wired wheels, and wide enduro handlebars. Greater ridability is granted via the standard-equipped Automatic Stability Control (ASC), BMW Motorrad Assist system, as well as ABS brakes to compliment the 300mm twin discs up front and single 265mm disc brake in the rear.

Both bikes are now available for purchase at all authorised BMW Motorrad dealers nationwide. Excluding insurance costs, the F800 R retails on-the-road (OTR) for RM63,800. The standard F800 GS on the other hand is priced OTR at RM73,900 whilst the low seat variant is tagged at RM76,900 (both excluding insurance costs.)
As an added bonus, purchases of both Thai-CBU models will benefit with BMW Motorrrad Malaysia’s exclusive special service program that covers free lubricant service for up to two years or 40,000km (whichever comes first). Prices also include BMW Motorrad’s standard offer of a two-year unlimited mileage international warranty as well.
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MotoGP: Morbidelli Consider Season Opener A Fight Between Yamaha, Ducati & Suzuki

2020 MotoGP title runner-up, Franco Morbidelli, shared his take on the upcoming 2021 season opener in Losail Circuit, Qatar, which he thinks will be a battle between Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki.
“We were able to improve our pace, even though the track was a little bit slower [on day 2 of 3] and felt more comfortable on the bike. So we improved what we needed, but looking at the other guys, everyone is improving.
“The Ducati looks strong; Suzuki looks very strong as well. The other Yamahas, also Vale, so the other three Yamahas were very fast. At the moment, it looks like it’s a Yamaha-Ducati-Suzuki battle,” he explained.
The Italian also thinks that Jack Miller will be a top contender in Losail.

“I didn’t follow Jack or see him on track. What I saw [from the timesheets] is that he’s really fast, has a really good pace and is really fast in a straight line,” said Morbidelli, who narrowly beat Miller for victory in Valencia then lost out to the then Pramac rider for second place at the Portimao finale.
“Moreover, Jack was fast last year and ended the season with a great rhythm, so for sure, he’s one of the top contenders for these next two races and this world championship,” he added.
Last season, Morbidelli secured a win at Valencia by narrowly beat Miller before losing out to the Australian for second place at Portimao.
Nonetheless, Miller already singled out Morbidelli as the Yamaha rider to look out for in 2021 despite remaining on an A-Spec YZR-M1.
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MotoGP: Suzuki Commits Future Until 2026

Suzuki has officially extended their stay in MotoGP for the next five years from 2022-2026.
The Japanese marquee now joins KTM, Ducati, Honda and Yamaha in signing the new contract extension.
Suzuki recorded their first premier-class win in 2000 with Kenny Roberts Jr, who clinched the title with two races to spare.

Then between 2002-2011, Suzuki only claimed one race win before bowing out of MotoGP due to the financial crisis before returning in 2015 with an all-new GSX-RR that helps propelled the career of Maverick Vinales, Alex Rins and Joan Mir.
Mir emerged as Suzuki 2nd world champion by defying the odds to rule the 2020 season despite the global pandemic.

Suzuki is currently interested in fielding a satellite team ahead of the 2022 season, with Petronas, VR46 and Gresini as possible candidate.
Aprilia is now the last remaining manufacturer that has yet to re-sign with Dorna.
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Harley-Davidson ready for 2021 expansion in Johor

Didi Resources Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Harley-Davidson in Malaysia, is ready to spread its wings in 2021 with plans to launch a new 3S showroom in Johor Bahru by this year’s second quarter. Before they proceed, they were granted an audience with His Majesty The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
Photo credit: Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar official Facebook page
Juan Chow Wee, Didi Resources General Manager, presented the business plan for Harley-Davidson’s Johor Bahru 3S centre to His Majesty last week at the Istana Flintstones in Mersing. Being a Harley-Davidson enthusiast himself, His Majesty was pleased with this expansion plan which will provide better economic potentials for the state of Johor.

According to His Majesty, “It is a recognition of our economic potential that they are attracted to set up shop here as Johor has a strong following for Harley-Davidson. Stulang Laut is an attractive location. Therefore, I hope they can sustain their quality and play their part in spurring our economy.”
The plan for this Harley-Davidson 3S centre in Johor has been an ongoing process for quite some time now. Back in April 2020, they were already looking for passionate individuals to fill in the workforce, but COVID-19 made some unfortunate drawbacks to the whole plan.

Harley-Davidson Malaysia persevered with the plans and by the second quarter of 2021, their latest 3S showroom near Stulang Laut will not only provide jobs and contribute to the economy during these hard times, but also expand the brand’s much-needed services for Harley-Davidson enthusiasts for the southern side of Malaysia.
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Video: Honda City Adventure concept spotted testing

Production version of Honda City Adventure concept scooter spotted road testing, will reportedly be called ‘ADV’ or ‘X-ADV’.

After a string rumours, it appears that the mighty H-brand will indeed put the Honda City Adventure concept into production soon.
A heavily camouflaged prototype of the concept was filmed recently by Italian site OmniMoto.it as it was undergoing tests across the famous cobblestone streets and roads of Rome, Italy where the brand’s European design centre in based.

The Honda City Adventure concept is essentially a cross between a scooter and an adventure bike. Interestingly, the concept is based on the Honda NC750 platform which has spawn both a dual-sport adventure model (Honda NC750X) and a maxi-scooter (Honda Integra). Credible sources are also reporting that the production version could be christened as the ‘Honda ADV’ or ‘Honda X-ADV’ too.
The prototype spied in Rome looks indentical in design with the concept. Also retained from the concept in this prototype are certain features namely the radial brakes, inverted (upside down) front forks, as well as the aluminium swingarm assembly.

While this adventure scooter’s actual off-road abilities remains unclear, the adventure styling and ride height does pose its own advantages in the urban jungle. The scooter features hand guards to protect against car side mirrors when filtering through traffic whilst the high ground clearance means kerb-hopping will become much easier. Match those with a decent high-travel suspension to deal with potholes and a tall riding position with clear visibility; this ‘urban adventurer’ is starting to make a lot of sense.
All other details remain scarce for now, but reports indicate that the road-going Honda City Adventure concept will likely hit showroom floors as early as next year.

Source: Visordown / OmniMoto.it
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Video: A hilarious yet informative sidecar riding guide

Sidecar manufacturer Ural releases hilarious yet informative sidecar riding video guide.

Famed Russian sidecar manufacturer Ural Sidecar Motorcycles recently tied up with the folks at Good Spark Garage to produce this seemingly hilarious yet informative sidecar riding video guide.

The quirky Russian brand has attained cult-like status worldwide, with plenty of fans swearing by the abilities of its sidecars – some have even completed overland adventures with them!
This video though gives us a good glimpse of what sidecar riding is really like in the real world.As you’d expect, the presence of three wheels and the bolt-on side carriage does pose a number of challenges unique to sidecar riding. Chief amongst which here are side wheel-lift during turns and, of course, the sidecar’s actual width limiting filtering abilities.

But once you grasp its nuances and fully master its dimensions, Ural promises that sidecar riding becomes much easier than wrestling a bear. Surely, riding a sidecar to a bike meet would definitely make one look a whole lot cooler too.
If you didn’t know, Ural has been producing sidecars since 1941 in its home plant located in Irbit, Russia. You can find out more about the quirky Russian cult brand of sidecars by visiting its official website, www.ural.com.
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New Suzuki GSX-S1000 ABS and GSX-S1000F launched @ WSBK Malaysia 2015

Suzuki Assemblers Malaysia Sdn Bhd introduces new Suzuki GSX-S1000 ABS and GSX-S1000F during WSBK Malaysia 2015 – RM68,400 and RM74,400 respectively.

Suzuki Assemblers Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SAM) expanded its big bike line up for the Malaysian market after introducing two new models during the WSBK Malaysia 2015 race weekend on Sunday. New to our market are the GSX-S1000 ABS naked and its full-faired GSX-S1000F sport-touring sibling.

Essentially, both bikes are offshoots of the mighty Japanese S-badge’s GSX-R1000 ‘Gixxer’ supersport. Both bikes come powered using a detuned version of the 2008 GSX-R1000’s liquid-cooled DOHC 999cc in-line four-cylinder engine. Bothbikesalso made their debuts during last year’s edition of the annual Intermot bike show in Cologne, Germany.

The powertrain in both bikes are houses in a brand new all-aluminium frame chassis design, thus making the GSX-S1000 more of a roadster than a streetfighter, and the GSX-S1000 more of a sport-tourer instead of a full-fledged sport bike.

Crucially, both models share several key features such as the three-mode traction control system, the new multi-info instrument panel and the fully adjustable 43mm Kayaba inverted front forks. Both models are also primed with a set of radially-mounted Brembo Monobloc brake calipers derived from the current GSX-R1000 model, each boasting four 32mm opposed pistons acting on a floating 310mm brake rotor for optimal stopping power. The Malaysian-spec GSX-S1000 and GSX-S1000F come primed with ABS as standard.

Available now via authorised dealers nationwide, the new Suzuki GSX-S1000 ABS and GSX-S1000F are priced starting from RM68,400 and RM74,400 respectively WITHOUT 6% GST.

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2021 Honda CB125R launched – Now with Showa SFF-BP USD forks!

Honda Motorcycle Europe is pulling out all the stops and the 2021 Honda CB125R got our attention for a number of things. Don’t be fooled by its displacement, the new CB125R carries a lot of ‘big boy’ parts which makes it a genuine ‘Geng Tayar Besar’ model right out of the showroom.

Honda Motorcycles explained that the biggest highlight for the new CB125R is its Showa ‘Separate Function front fork Big Piston’ (SFF-BP) USD forks. This 41mm unit is the first of its kind in the 125cc category. These superbike-level forks offer high damping performance and at a much lighter weight.

Looking at the design, you’ll instantly notice the ‘Neo Sports Café’ façade just like the newer and bigger sibling, the CB1000R. This department remains unchanged because the looks for the CB125R is still very modern and up to date.

Underneath all that jazz is a new Euro5-compliant 125cc single-cylinder SOHC engine that pushes out around 14.7hp at 10,000rpm and 11.6Nm torque at 8,000rpm. That’s 1.6hp 1.6Nm torque more than the previous-gen). Matted to a six-speed manual transmission, riders will be able to hit a top speed of around 105km/h.

Other highlighted specs include:

Radial-mount 4-piston caliper and ‘hubless’ 296mm floating front disc
Rear 220mm disc + single-piston caliper
Dual-channel ABS + Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
Rear monoshock (preload adjustable)
Full LED lighting system
LCD meter
17-inch wheels
10.1-litre fuel tank + more

This is the new 2021 Honda X-ADV

Written by: Sep Irran
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Piaggio And Zongshen Working On A New 150cc Scooter Engine

The collaboration between Piaggio and Zongshen has proven fruitful in China.
Zongshen is currently Piaggio biggest motorcycle partner in China and has since helped the Italian brand expansion in Asia by assembling the company motorcycle range including Aprilia.
In the latest report by Chinese publication Mega China Motor, Piaggio and Zongshen have worked together in developing a new 150cc scooter engine that could soon make its way to Asia and Europe.
The new powerplant is designated the G150S and makes 15hp and 14.9Nm.
Interestingly, the G150S is compatible with a host of modern features including keyless starts, silent start and idling stop, similar to the one available on the Yamaha NMax and Honda Vario.
The new motor is likely to be introduced in upcoming scooters scheduled for launch in 2022.
(Source: chinamotorworld)
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Norton V4 Superbike teased again

Upcoming Norton V4 Superbike teased yet again as more details surfaces.

Resurgent British motorcycle marque Norton has been hard at work over the past year in developing its new Norton V4 Superbike model.
Nevertheless, it appears that the marque is now a step closer to making it a reality after releasing this new teaser video recently. On top of that were several new details of the model as well.
Image source: MCN
Citing insider sources, credible reports online indicate that not one but two versions of the Norton V4 Superbike will be made. Leading the range will be a flagship 1,200cc version, followed by a smaller 650cc ‘baby’ version alongside.
The high-end 1,200cc Norton V4 Superbike model will heavily underpin the brand’s TT racer. It will feature a 72-degree V4 engine with a targeted output of about 200hp as well.
Image source: MCN
For the 650cc base model, Norton says it will unveil this version next year. The firm is reportedly targeting for the bike to weigh in at just 100kg whilst offering roughly 100hp as well. This should, according to Norton, see it handle and perform like an old school 250cc GP bike.
Image source: MCN
Both the 1,200cc and 650cc version will be designed in partnership with renowned engine experts Ricardo. Notably, the chassis will be made out of aerospace-grade aluminium with the range-topping 1,200cc bike’s package getting Öhlins suspension and carbon wheels built by South African firm BST.
Other notable features the range-topping Norton V4 Superbike model will have include selectable riding modes, data-logging capabilities, as well as rear-facing cameras instead of mirrors that will project images on the bike’s full-colour HD instrument display.
Stay tuned for more updates surrounding the Norton V4 Superbike come EICMA 2016 next month in Milan, Italy.
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