2018 Ducati Panigale V4S Test & Review

The new Ducati Panigale V4, V4S, V4 Speciale mark the manufacturer’s departure from their trademark V-Twin sportbikes.

The Panigale V4 is set to bring the Superbike World Championship title back to Italy.

We tested the Panigale V4S during the Ducati Racing Experience (DRE) at SIC.

Standing before the Ducati Panigale V4S in the Sepang Circuit pitlane, am having trouble inserting my earplugs. It had seemed like my ear holes constricted in the last 30 seconds.

I looked at my hands. They were quivering, while the blood red Ducati seemed to squint and taunt, “Ride me if you dare.”

It’s probably a well-known fact to the extent of being passé now. The Ducati Panigale V4 is the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer’s weapon for reclaiming the coveted Superbike World Championship title.

Ducati had dominated the production-based championship with the V-Twin engine. Beginning with Raymond Roche’s first title win on the 851 in 1990 and the last by Carlos Checa on the 1098R in 2011, Ducati won 14 rider and 17 manufacturer titles during those 24 years.

However, rule changes in the series had swung the favour back towards 4-cylinder motorcycles. Current Ducati riders kept finding themselves outgunned on many occasions and had resorted to over-committing to compensate for the lack of power.

Well, Ducati isn’t one to sit still while allowing their supremacy being stomped on.
In terms of out-and-out power production for a specific capacity, the V-Twin had reached the end of its development path. Ducati had probably tried all the possible solutions in wringing the last bit of performance over the years, apart from retaining the engine format as a signature, but there’s just no way to push on something that will not yield.
So, turning to their race winning experience in MotoGP, Ducati decided to go the V-Four route.

There will be two engines, one for road use and another for racing which will be unveiled later for the 2019 SBK season. The former which we tested here is hence called “Desmosedici Stradale” meaning Desmodromic 16-valves (“sedici” in Italian) Road.

The Desmosedici Stradale displaces 1103cc and produces a whopping 214 bhp @ 13,000 RPM (226 bhp with race kit) and 124 Nm @ 10,000 RPM. That’s a great 3,000 RPM spread between peak torque and horsepower, meaning that the engine has a flexible power curve, instead of being peaky like the 1299 it replaces.

Being a 90o V4 means it has a natural balance it and doesn’t incur power and weight penalties from using balancer shafts. It also makes the engine much more compact, allowing the engineers to place the engine for more optimal weight distribution within the frame.

The crankshaft counter-rotates, spinning “backwards,” opposing the rear tyre’s rotation. This is a direct influence from Ducati MotoGP’s bikes. The spinning and reciprocating masses inside and engine create their own inertia and gyroscopic effect, adding to the rear tyre’s. Having a counter-rotating crank hence negates some of these forces, resulting in a bike that is easier to turn and rein in that raw power from inducing wheelies. GP aficionados will tell you that Honda did exactly this on their NSR500 two-stroke GP beast.

Ducati calls the new engine’s firing order “Twin Pulse” as it fires first the left bank of cylinders, then the right, replicating a V-Twin’s. It gives the bike a unique aural and handling character.

Ducati wanted a compact engine despite gaining two extra cylinders, so they turned to magnesium alloy covers for the cylinder head, clutch, stator and oil sump. They ended up with an engine that’s only 2kg heavier than the V-Twin 1285cc Superquadro.

Other features include variable length intake funnels, dual injectors per throttle body and oval throttle bodies.

The chassis department has also received changes, accordingly.

Instead of the monocoque design used by earlier Panigales, there is a now an aluminium “beam frame.” But it only extends a short way from the headstock.

A peek inside sees the engine being rotate upwards (by 42o). As such, the entire engine could be moved further forward, allowing for a longer swingarm. A longer swingarm promotes stability by keeping the front tyre on the road longer, allowing the bike to hug the chosen line even when power is applied.

Since this is the “S” version, it uses the electronically-controlled Öhlins suspension front and rear. The system monitors suspension movements and damping up to 100 times per second. Sure, that’s what most electronic suspensions do these days, but here’s the main difference. Instead of just letting the ECU choose the rates based on ride mode, the Panigale V4S’s system lets you work on objectives i.e. what do you want to achieve. For example, you could specify more stability under eye-popping hard braking, plus more stability in mid-corner, less rearward weight transfer under hard acceleration, etc. On a “manual” suspension, on the other hand, you could only tune the suspension for one, maybe two characteristics while the rest are compromises at best.

The rear shock has been moved to the traditional central position, since there’s more space.

The front brakes use the latest Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers that are 70g lighter per caliper, yet more rigid. They grip massive 330mm discs.

Enough. Enough of tech talk (yaaawwwnn), let’s ride.
I took a long hard breath to calm my nerves and stuck the earplugs in, at last. Riding a sub-200 bhp superbike is already crazy enough, this one is above 200 bhp.
Sitting position is bang-on Panigale, so you won’t feel out-of-place if you switched over from the V-Twin. The seat was much suppler, however.

The V4 fired up and sounded… wait, have DRE put me on the wrong bike? Why did it sound like a Twin? I looked down and my gaze met a massive aluminium structure below the top triple clamp. Owh, it was the V4. When Ducati said the engine fires like a V-Twin times 2, they weren’t joking. The ride mode was set to “SPORT.”

My group’s Ducati Racing Experience (DRE) instructor, one uproarious Spanish racer named Carlos Serrano flashed a thumb’s up and we were underway.
The bike pulled hard but err… smoothly from the pit exit and we leaned into Turn One without touching the brakes. Turn Two had always scared me due to the bumps at the braking point/entry and the blind apex, so I approached it with some trepidation, but the Panigale V4S ran over those bumps and holes like a sport-tourer. What the…? I had expected to be bumped around the seat and my arms punched into the shoulder sockets.

Through the faster turns, i.e. 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 13, I had already gone faster than I even did before, but it was as if those were just straights with the bike leaned over. I fed in power smoothly as on other bikes but the bike actually yawned!

There were still a few wet patches hugging the inner parts of the turns but the bike flew over them as if they weren’t there.
Down into hard braking areas such as Turns 1, 4, 9, and 15, a single-finger pull on the brake lever was enough to haul the bike down from insane speeds. I found myself constantly over-braking and too early in the first session.

And did I mention the bike actually felt… comfortable? Where were the mid-corner bumps in Turns 2 and 9? Did SIC resurface the track last night?
I felt disoriented as we headed into the pit entrance after 5 laps.
As with every DRE, critique and instructions followed after every session. Serrano commented that we were turning into corners too early. One participant commented that aiming for the apex that late meant that we had to quick flick the bike, risking losing the front. Serrano smiled, closed his eyes and wagged his head, “No, no, don’t worry, this bike can do it. Just snap it over.”

He also mentioned that we were slow in getting back on the throttle. All of us spoke up that it’ll either cause the bike (read: other than the Panigale V4S) to overshoot or slide the rear tyre. Serrano repeated his smile-close-eyes-wag-head routine, “Don’t worry, just open.”

Okay. Flick in late, open throttle early. Got that.
Out on track for the second session, all of us “just open.” Oh my. The bike picked up so much speed in mid-corner that would have other bikes jumping the curbs and headed to KLIA in a hurry.

And I was still braking too hard, too early! Grrrr! I didn’t matter if we were blasting down the back straight at 280+ km/h, braking just after the 200m marker was a waste of time. I had to get back on the throttle by the 50m mark. Besides that, I’d usually trail the rear brake a little to keep the rear in check, but it was optional on the Panigale V4S.

I was upset at myself for being so slow when we went back in again. Truth is, I was sure I had gone faster than ever before yet, I just couldn’t find the limits of the bike. It actually boiled down to being too used to sportbikes that are akin to holding onto The Rock as he thrashes around.
No, it wasn’t about lack of feedback on the V4, for there was plenty. But it was how compliant it felt that fully confused me. Make no mistake, this is a positive point for regular sportbike riders and track day junkies. As opposed to other bikes, the Panigale V4S doesn’t wear you down.

I switch to race mode for the next session. This time, the bike’s acceleration was absolutely brutal, even in mid-corner! Don’t get the wrong impression, though, because while it accelerated like rocket sled, it was incredibly smooth, unlike something which left your brain 100m behind. Now you know why I was confused.
I was confident enough to trail brake into the corners and the feedback at the brake lever and handlebar was solid. The bike waggled a little as I sat up for Turns 15 and 1 but it never ever felt like things were going to get out of hand. Forget the internet, this was way more entertaining.

But we only had the morning session and I almost did an extra lap during the last session as I have having so much fun. I walked away feeling a little unsatisfied, however, as I never managed to sniff, much more explore, the bike’s astronomical limits.
The conclusion I could safely draw is this: The Ducati Panigale V4S is easily the fastest superbike out there, but it’s also the easiest to ride (super) fast.

For more pricing details and to view the bike, please visit Ducati Malaysia.

PICTURE GALLERY

				Aluminium has replaced the monocoque structure on the Ducati Panigale V4

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Switzerland To Reconsider Speeding Fines And Motorsport Ban

Switzerland might be home to beautiful roads but the country is notorious for its crackdown on speeding motorcycles and cars on public roads.
Back in 2010, a driver was slammed with a USD1 million fine after he was caught speeding at 290km/h, which was 170km/h over the speed limit. The fine was a record at the time.
In Switzerland, speeding fines are calculated based on the seriousness of the offence and the offender’s wealth, and considering the driver did it with his Mercedes SLS AMG, a 1M dollar fine was deemed relevant.
However, according to a report by Motorrad, the national legislators are considering changing the current fines on speeding vehicles.
If the changes do apply, it could well have a significant impact on riders across Europe.
On another note, Switzerland is also considering its ongoing motorsport ban since 1955.
The country imposed a ban on motorsport racing ever since a single worst crash in motorsport history occurred at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
During the catastrophic event, Mercedes driver Pierre Leveh and 84 spectators were killed, and in the wake of the incident, Switzerland decided to ban motorsport racing until today.
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PETRONAS is Exclusive Moto3 and Moto2 Fuel Supplier in 2020

Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin, President & Group CEO, PETRONAS with Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports

PETRONAS will be the exclusive fuel supplier to the Moto3 and Moto2 classes in 2020.

The deal will last until 2022.

It includes racetrack advertising.

PETRONAS will be the exclusive fuel supplier to the Moto3 and Moto2 classes beginning 2020. The deal is set for three years, ending in 2022.
The deal was announced by Dorna Sports, the organiser of the MotoGP World Championship.
Besides supplying fuel, the agreement also covers track advertising, which will see the PETRONAS brand displayed at race tracks around the world. These moves will increase visibility and awareness to the brand to billions of race fans around the globe.
The Malaysian petroleum giant is currently the sponsor and technical partner to the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team in MotoGP and the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team in both Moto2 and Moto3.
Despite being the teams’ first season, Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli has done exceptionally well to win five pole positions and finished on the podium six times, with one race to go.
In the Moto3 class, John McPhee captured two poles positions, won one race and finish on the podium twice in another two. His teammate Ayumu Sasaki took one pole position.
The PETRONAS-backed teams have just completed their homecoming race at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday. The MotoGP had also won the 2019 Independent Teams Championship at the round.
Will we soon see our national petroleum brand taking over as the title sponsor of the Malaysian MotoGP in the near future?
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Rieju Aventura 500 Legend Breaks Cover – 30L Fuel Tank, 47hp

The middleweight adventure motorcycle segment is growing especially those in the 500cc range.

The Rieju Aventura 500 is equipped with a massive 30L fuel tank.
Features Honda’s trusted 471cc parallel-twin engine manufactured by Loncin.

Latest to join the rank is Spanish brand Rieju with the Aventura 500 Legend that was recently showcased at the EICMA show in Milan.
The company was founded in 1934 and begin producing bicycles for before entering the motorcycle market in 1953.
More than 20 years later, Rieju established itself as a notable presence in the enduro racing scene.
However, the Aventura 500 is the company first attempt at moving away from its enduro and supermoto heritage.
That said, the Rieju Aventura 500 features the biggest engine in the company portfolio.

A closer look at the 471cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine and you’ll notice that it shares similarities with the same engine found in the Honda CB500X.
That’s because the engine is under license by Honda and is manufactured by Loncin for Rieju.

As a result, the Rieju Aventura 500 makes the same 47hp and 43Nm.
However, unlike the CB500X, the Aventure 500 is fitted with spoked 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, making it more off-road adept than the former.

Nevertheless, the most jaw-dropping features on the ADV is the 30L fuel tank that’s fitted above the engine and another within the rear subframe.
In other words, the Aventura 500 potentially has a range of more than 950 kilometres.
Currently, further details remain undisclosed but we’ll keep an eye on any update regarding this exciting middleweight ADV.
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TESTED: Modenas Elegan 250 ABS – “Modest Maxi”

Let’s face it, driving to and from the office is a pain in the behind, especially when you work in bustling cities like Kuala Lumpur. Those times wasted in traffic jams and toll fees do add up at the end of the month, which is why a lot of folks are opting for two-wheels like maxi-scooters.

If you’re tight on budget but still want a decent 250cc scooter that can handle the task of daily travels, the latest and most affordable option right now is the Modenas Elegan 250 ABS. We took it out for a spin, and here’s what we really think about this budget maxi-scooter after riding it for a few days.

Starting with the looks, the new Elegan 250 ABS still carries that instantly-recognisable maxi-scooter look and feel with some changes from the previous-gen model. The most obvious change is its front projector headlights with daytime-running lights which give the scooter a more modern and slightly aggressive façade.

They light up the roads nicely, no matter day or night. The multi-functional speedometer looks just like the previous-gen model but Modenas stated that they’ve worked with the internal lighting to make sure that you can check out all the necessary info without being a distraction, especially when riding at night.

As you look closer at its lower front end, you’ll notice that the 260mm disc brake is equipped with ABS and you’ll find the same configuration at its rear 240mm disc. For RM15,315 (minus insurance, road tax & registration), this is actually quite a bargain.

So, it looks great, but how does it ride? Its 250cc single-cylinder SOHC engine with dual valves produces around 22hp and 22.4Nm of torque. On paper, the Modenas Elegan 250 ABS is not the most powerful in its class but it’s adequate enough to tackle everyday rides.

Smooth and comfort have always been the go-to highlights when it comes to maxi-scooters, and the Elegan 250 ABS is no exception. Acceleration is decent, power delivery is smooth while handling, and seating position is very comfortable and plush (despite its 195kg kerb weight).

The seating position is quite plush and relaxed in our opinion, but if the hump can be move slightly towards the back, it’ll be even better. Anyone who’s below 170cm in height (or have normal length legs) can ride this well without customising the seat cushion. The handlebar is also nicely positioned where you can extend your arms, unlike the Kawasaki J300 which is quite close to the rider (and not very comfy).

Power delivery is all well and good until you exceed 110km/h. To be brutally honest, the Elegan 250 ABS is a darling below or at that particular speed with little to no vibrations whatsoever (seriously smooth, guys and gals) but above that, that’s when things start to get a bit rattly.

Remembering its price tag, we try to keep our expectations at a fair level and we were honestly impressed with how it performed under and at the Malaysian highway speed limit. However, the vibrations that present themselves above 110km/h might shock a few folks due to how quickly and drastic it comes into play.

It’s not as rough as you would think, though. In fact, it’s probably at a similar level to a lot of scooter models here in Malaysia (apart from Vespas which are notoriously known to be extremely smooth no matter how hard you push it when brand new). It’s just how different it feels within such a small speed difference.
100km/h? Smooth like warm butter. 110km/h? Okay, got a little vibration. Above 110km/h? Trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr~~~~

This can be forgiven due to its price but if you want to get rid of these vibrations, some extra work is needed. You might want to rebalance the wheels, play around with the variator or roller weights, or find some aftermarket bushings to further absorb those rattles. Try these methods in that particular order as it starts with the cheapest method to the not-so-cheap-but-still-affordable way.

How about stopping? Well, the brakes are good in our opinion. The feedback is nice with just enough freeplay and the ABS kicks in at the right level without alarming newer riders. The rear ABS is a bit intrusive than the front (you’ll feel the pulsations on the brake lever during hard braking), but they’re still very smooth. No complaints in this area.

Let’s talk storage. Like most maxi-scooters, you can store a whole lot of cargo under the seat. For single riders, a full-face helmet like my Shark Ridill can be stored with some riding essentials like a rain suit and others. If you’re riding with a pillion, you can store a full-face helmet and a demi-jet lid under the seat with no issues.

A gas-strut helps to hold the seat up so you can access your belongings easily. When it gets dark, there’s an LED light to help you locate smaller items that you’ve stored (very useful when you arrive home at night).

There’s a smaller storage space under the left handlebar which also comes with a USB charger. You can store things like your phone and wallet there BUT don’t forget to take them out once you’ve parked because anyone can access this compartment without using a key.

At the end of the day, the Modenas Elegan 250 ABS is a relatively comfortable 250cc scooter that ticks most of the boxes especially its price tag (good enough to forgive all of its slight drawbacks). You won’t get the usually 250cc top-end performance, but you will get a comfortable and functional scooter that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

In fact, it’ll probably save you a whole lot of money compared to driving to the office. You save time not being stuck in traffic jams and there’s no need to waste cash on tolls and parking. The Elegan 250 ABS is a damn good investment if you’re tight on budget. In conclusion, it’s cheap yet functional with decent specs.

Written by: Sep Irran
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Gallery: Custom VR46 Ford vehicles

Custom VR46 Ford vehicles are made for the ultimate Rossi fan and collector.

The VR46 merchandising arm of racing superstar Valentino Rossi has continued its partnership with automaker Ford by releasing a series of limited edition custom VR46 Ford vehicles recently.
The range consists of the award-winning Ford Ranger pick-up truck and the ever-popular Ford Transit commercial van, all dressed up in a special livery inspired by Rossi’s VR46 brand.

We’ll start with the blacked-out Ford Transit Tourneo that’s limited to just 460 units. Besides a sports suspension and sports exhaust kit, this special Transit also gains with OZ Racing wheels all-round.

On board, the exterior’s blacked-out theme is replicated in the cabin trims. It also boasts VR46 inscriptions and stitching on the seats along with a new steering wheel and leather upholstery.

Moving on to the Ford Ranger that’s also limited to just 460 units. The cabin trims are similar to that in the Ford Transit Tourneo’s whilst its exterior is dressed in a matte black scheme with Rossi’s famed ‘46’ racing number decals sprawled across both sides.

Mechanical details are scarce but it appears this custom pick-up truck appears to have a beefed up suspension and wheels setup. Other notable additions here include the extended wheel arches and a roof-mounted LED rack.
Reports indicate that the custom VR46 Ford vehicles will only go on sale in the UK and Europe at undisclosed prices. Check out more images in the gallery we’ve prepared below.

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MV Agusta-based Motul Onirika 2853 Concept bows in Verona

MV Agusta Brutale 800 takes on a different persona as the Motul Onirika 2853 Concept.

Another bike that’s stealing the limelight away from the Ducati draXter concept during last weekend’s annual Verona Motor Bike Expo 2016 is this, the Motul Onirika 2853 Concept.
The “Onirika 2853” name, as Motul explains, refers to dreaming or imagining of what Motul could look like after a millennia from the company’s founding year of 1853.
The French lubricants brand’s Italian arm commissioned the concept’s build, of which the duty was bestowed upon designer Luca Pozzato from the Officine GPDesign design firm. The concept sees Pozzato using an MV Agusta Brutale 800 as the basis of the project, but the final output sees just the base bike’s 798cc triple-cylinder heart, frame and swingarm assemblies untouched.
As for the rest, much of which was specially fabricated for this special project, leading to the final design straying away from the usual traits that MV Agusta is renowned for. Pozzato opted to give the roadster a more menacing look, merging together the vibes of a ‘rat rod’ with post-apocalyptic lines, a mild touch of retro road-racing design and perhaps light elements of cyber-art.

Other details like the metal seat, which features large and raised rivets, and the odd disc-like wheels, further adds to the concept’s gritty industrial design approach. The fuel tank and tail section also gets the same treatment as they feature monochrome art design, injecting an urban feel into the concept.
The Brutale’s round headlamp also gets traded for a pair of twin-box units which, presumably, sees one tasked as the low-beam and the other as the high-beam. Overall, the concept’s seemingly dark tone is only broken by the Motul brand’s logo donning the tank’s sides.
Whilst the rivalling Ducati draXter concept is tasty indeed, this MV Agusta-based concept is slowly creeping its way into our hearts too.

Sources: Asphaltandrubber and AutoEvolution
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MotoGP: KTM confirms both Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro for 2018

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team has confirmed that both their current riders Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro will continue their MotoGP efforts in 2018.
Both riders including their test rider Mika Kallio will continue to develop their KTM RC16 MotoGP machinery to be more competitive come next season.
The best result that they had so far was with Mika Kallio as a wildcard entry during the Austrian GP where he finished in the top ten.

KTM has released a press release regarding the future of their current MotoGP riders Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro. They have confirmed that both riders will continue their MotoGP efforts with the Austrian factory squad for another season in 2018.
Image source: Jari Heikkila
KTM has also mentioned that Mika Kallio will remain as their main test rider for 2018 as well. After months of rumours and uncertainty, this move has brought some closure and relief for both riders and the rest of the squad.

It can be seen with a superb qualifying session this past weekend where both riders made it into Q2 despite harsh weather conditions at the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. Both riders also managed to qualify their best positions yet in P7 and P8.

The race results however could have been better with Pol Espargaro finishing the race in P11 whereas Bradley Smith was way down the order in P17. This is still quite acceptable considering that this is still their first year in the premier class on board the all-new KTM RC16 MotoGP machinery.

To check out the race results of the Motul Grand Prix of Japan from yesterday, CLICK HERE.
The entire season was seen more of a testing and developing the KTM RC16 which has been struggling to compete with other bikes in the field. The best result that they had was at their home race in Red Bull Ring. Even then, it was their test rider Mika Kallio who was a wildcard entry that finished in the top 10.

Although they are still quite behind, we are sure that with their resources together with a respectable team that they will obtain more positive results come 2018. Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates. One thing that we know for sure is that when it comes to KTM, they will go all out to make sure that their riders and machines are “Ready to Race”.

Photo source: MotoGP
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Passenger Safety: Gear Up!

Courtesy of cravelonline.com

Study confirms that passengers are more prone to injury.

It’s the rider’s responsibility to ensure the passenger is fully geared up.

At least a good helmet is necessary.

Remember that video which went viral? Most riders already knew that it’s the passenger who usually comes out the worse in the event of an accident.
Unfortunately, we still see many riders who don’t equip their passengers adequately when riding. The rider may be cladded in armoured jacket and pants, a good helmet, gloves and boots, but the passenger looks like he or she just got back from the beach, and wearing a helmet seemingly made when Allahyarham Tun Hussein Onn was Prime Minister.

Hope this research changes your mind.
Published in Reuters Health, it is confirmed by researchers that passengers are likely to suffer more traumatic injuries compared to riders.
Even with helmets on, 36 percent of the passengers suffered traumatic brain injury, compared to 31 percent among riders.
Dr. Tyler Evans of the Indiana University School of Medicine said, “We believe that in certain accidents, the passenger is more likely to be ejected from the motorcycle.” This is the likely scenario why passengers face a higher risk of brain injury, he added.
You can read the source of the report here.
While riders face lower risks since they could hold on to the handlebar and fuel tank, and protected by the windscreen in some cases, passengers don’t have such luxury since they have little to hold onto. This is especially advantageous for the riders since they know what’s happening and could brace themselves.
Courtesy of freemalaysiatoday.com
In Malaysia, there were 39,744 deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents between 2005 to 2014.
The knowledge gained from this study means that the rider should always provide the best helmet and riding gear he or she could afford for the passenger. Come to think of it, the passenger should be better equipped than the rider!
Courtesy of says.com

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KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro 2018 ready for Sungai Petani

The first round of the KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro 2018 will kick things off on 21 April 2018 in Sungai Petani, Kedah.
A total of RM10,000 of prizes will be given away to participants competing in five different categories.
All are welcome to the newly-ready KTM Off-Road Track (next to Amanjaya Mall) for a whole day of an off-road extravaganza.

Calling all off-road and motocross fans in the North, this is one is for you! The first round of the KTM Malaysia Orange Enduro 2018 is set to explode this coming 21 April 2018 (Saturday). Interested participants can enter five different categories with the hopes to take home the grand prizes but more importantly, bragging rights of being the best in the national motocross business.

This event has been organised following KTM Malaysia’s major success when they held the KTM Malaysia Fun Enduro 2017 back in 2017 at the Sungai Buaya Off-Road Track in Rawang. The series is actually open for all motorcycles of different makes which will then be divided into five different categories; Open, Veteran, KTM Enduro, CKD, and Cubcross.

In collaboration with Elf Lubricants Malaysia, EDT Printing, Gracshaw Helmets, Amanjaya Mall, and yours truly, Bikes Republic, the event is said to be one of the biggest programs planned by KTM Malaysia for this year.

With this latest Orange Enduro 2018 series, KTM Malaysia hopes to uncover and develop great Malaysian talents in the world of motocross and off-road riding. Through the organised event, they also hope to increase the exposure to the sports segment and therefore widen its audience and followers all across Malaysia.

To make sure that this is not just a one-time event, KTM Malaysia went out of their way to build their brand new off-road track located right next to the Amanjaya Mall in Sungai Petani, Kedah. There’s also the major support coming from the northern KTM Dukers owners group during the event day.

There will be many activities planned for both participants and attendees. From popular vendors to tantalising food trucks, there’s something for the whole family for a great sunny day out mixed with some fun dirt action. There will also be special discounts and promotions on some cool KTM PowerWear items to look forward to.

Those who are interested to join the series, CLICK HERE to find out about the registration fees as well as to download the registration form. See you guys there!
Why you should pay attention to KTM’s fuel-injected two-stroke motorcycles

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Going Too Fast Into A Corner – What Do You Do?

Going too fast into a corner happens to every biker.

But you can get away with it.

Practice these steps and you’ll come away with more confidence.

A corner looms ahead. It looks like a fast one, so you line it up and steer in. Only to find that the apex is actually further inside. Much further.
The road seems to double-back on itself and here, you’re in the outside 1/3 of the corner and just tipping the bike in.
What should you do? What can you do?
The fundamentals
There are five basic skills that every biker MUST possess: 1. Steering; 2. Vision; 3. Throttle control; 4. Brake control; 5. Body positioning/control. Not necessarily in that order, but these skills need to be invariably present.
Let’s keep these five points in mind as we take you through a butt-clenching ride.
Don’t panic
This is the most important. Panicking will exacerbate the situation; making it worse when you could actually make it home to your loved ones.
The first thing to happen is your body tenses up when you panic. A tense body will lock your limbs in position and cannot provide effective steering forces anymore.
Look through the corner
The best way to overcome this panic or impending panic is to turn your head into the corner along with your eyes (they must be inclusive). Remember that the bike goes where you look. Force yourself if you have to and flick your head to the side and get those eyes focused on the corner’s exit.

More steering input
Remember how to countersteer. Push on the inside and pull on the outside parts of the handlebar in a quick manner. Doing so will snap the bike over quicker.
Countersteering – Courtesy of sPEEDY pADDY
Control that throttle
Should you shut the throttle? Open the throttle? Hold the throttle steady?
The answer is don’t do anything. If you’ve closed the throttle from the corner entry, keep it closed. If you have it slightly open, keep it there and don’t roll off or open it any further.
Any change to the throttle at this point will cause weight to shift, changing your chassis balance.
If you chop the gas, weight will transfer to the front tyre and force the bike wide. Yes, wide. You’d expect the bike to steer better but the opposite happens as the front tyre’s footprint widens, creating a large patch of resistance. Steering becomes heavy.
Throttle control – Courtesy of dreamtime.com
Conversely, weight transfers to the rear when you add more throttle. The front tyre becomes light as the contact patch becomes smaller. That smaller footprint may not react enough to steering forces. Consequently, the bike goes straight. Yup, just like if you chop the gas.
But if you maintain the present state, the motorcycle’s chassis is in its current state of equilibrium. At least, you know that steering effort is still consistent.
If really need be, you can roll off the gas. Roll off as in turning the throttle down smoothly, NOT chopping it.
Once you’re on your line to the exit, apply throttle to balance the bike and blast out.
Stop treating the throttle as an on/off switch. Instead, use it as a tool to control not only the bike’s speed but its chassis balance and grip levels.
Wee bit or no brake
The first track exercise carried out by all California Superbike School students is the “one gear, no brake” drill. We went out there, set third or fourth gear, then control the throttle as we went into and out of corners.
Yes, it’s about throttle control, but it also showed us about how modern bikes and tyres can perform beyond our expectations and fears. Make that 99% of us.
Now, you’re in too fast and room is running out fast.

If you’re already leaned over, touching the front brake now spells disaster. Conversely, dab on the rear brake. Doing so will 1. Create a resistance behind the bike’s centre of gravity; 2. Flatten the chassis. The bike will tighten its line.
The rear brake technique is used by virtually all MotoGP riders.
In the case that you’re just about to turn in, you can apply the front brake but not by grabbing it like you’re trying to crush a rock. Instead, squeeze it to feel its bite, then smoothly let out the pressure as you lean the bike over. Once you’ve seen the exit and off the brake, apply the throttle.
Conclusion
So, that’s it. It all starts from not panicking but do practice the five skills above as soon as you have the opportunity. I do so everytime I’m on my bike. I’d like to add that these drills don’t have to be carried out at high speeds. In fact, you’ll discover that you learn a lot more when you don’t rush yourself into things.
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KBS MAM Kapcai Endurance Series Rd 3 @ Speedway PLUS

After a two-month Ramadhan and Aidil Fitri brake, the KBS MAM Kapcai Endurance series returned with a bang for its third round last weekend in the Speedway PLUS Circuit, Subang.

Despite the long break, it  did little to hamper the weekend’s high-level of energy, testosterone, and excitement. The Kapcai Endurance Series’ third round of the year was also supported with the third round of the inaugural KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia one-make series as its support event. (Read more about the ‘Orange Fever’ that made its own waves during the weekend)

As always, the weekend began early on Saturday morning with registration and scrutineering, followed the practice and qualifying sessions that filled most of the day. Once again, youths from as young as 13 years old coming from all over the nation donned their gears to conquer the 1km-long circuit situated in Subang. While several sizable dark clouds did threaten to unleash itself, all sessions on both Saturday and Sunday remained dry fortunately, giving participants ideal conditions to pit their skills amongst each other in the four categories competed.

But like any race weekend, it all concludes late on Sunday afternoon where three teams from each category rightfully earn their spots on the podium, as well as their entry into the series’ finals scheduled for later this year. Besides their trophies, top three teams and riders also end the weekend with sizable prize money rewards, plus accessories and gifts from sponsors such as exhaust pipes and motor oil.

Taking the top honours in Class 1 were riding duo Ahmad Nur Effendy Bin Alidza and Muhammad Farriz Bin Ahmad Faizal representing the MBM-GM Racing Team 1 outfit.

Astride their Yamaha SRL race machine, the pair finished the two-hour enduro with 115 laps completed. Taking the category’s second podium spot were team Brotherhood Motor Club 2 and its riding pair of Muhd Shukri Bin Shamsuddin and Muhammad Hafizuddin Aziz. The category’s final podium spot was claimed by TSR-SMW Racing Team and its four-strong rider line up comprised of Mohd Azizi Jamaluddin, Mohd Amirrudin, Mohd Radzi, and Amir Zafry Bin Yaacob.

Friends for just about a year, 17-year-old Farriz and 15-year-old Effendy showed good chemistry at conquering the weekend in their category – a remarkable feat given that this is their first year actively competing in the series. “I feel very happy and excited to have won this weekend with my teammate (Effendy), and we are looking forward to the finals later this year,” said Farriz when we spoke to him shortly after the podium ceremony.

Moving on into the Open Class, top honours was claimed by team Sham Amat Yam Motor and its riders Mohamad Azhar Bin Abdul Jalil and Shafiq Rasol after successfully completing 95 laps in the two-hour stint.

Placing second just five laps behind were Team Rayyan Motor’s duo of Hazrul Azli and Zaidi Bin Mohd Zaifaral. Team MK Possum riders M. Shazalee Md. Radzi and M. Kanafi Bin kamaruddin wrapped up the Open Category’s podium with a strong third place finish.
No stranger to the local racing scene, Shell Cup rider Shafiq Rasol was definitely at the top of his game. We caught up with the soft-spoken 18-year-old Malacca native and got some of his thoughts about his weekend. “This is my second KBS MAM race this year, and I am extremely happy to win this weekend. In my last entry earlier this year, I had to retire after the bike I was racing suffered mechanical issues while I was leading. This victory is special for me,” said Shafiq, who entered the weekend with an older and much more experience teammate Azhar. Shafiq also shared that the KBS MAM acted a good training ground when not astride the Shell Cup’s Honda NSF250R machine.

“To be honest, I felt very honoured to have a Shafiq as my teammate this weekend. We learned and taught each other a lot throughout the weekend, and our top step result could not be a better reward,” said Azhar, who currently races in Cub Prix as well. Azhar and Shafiq will ride again in the finals later this year, with aims of clinching another victory as well.

Winning in Class 2 were team FFS Bikes 1 after riders Muhammad Aqip Bin Jumali and teammate Muhammad Nadzin Bin Rahman completed 118 laps in total, completing the most laps in any category in the process. And finally, team Moto Deria Amat Ayam clinched the winner’s title in Class 3 with riders Muhd Muzakkir Bin Mohd and Mohd Aliff Aiman Bin Tumiran crossing the line to complete a total of 95 laps.

The KBS MAM Kapcai Endurance series will gear up once again next month for its fifth and sixth rounds. Round 5 is scheduled to take place in the Dato’ Sagor Circuit, Perak on September 6 and 7 whilst Round 6 will be held towards the end of September in Pekan, Pahang on September 27 and 28.
Check out the thrills, spills, and close racing action from the weekend in the gallery below.
2014 KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurance Seires Rd 4 @ Speedway PLUS
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KTM 390 Adventure coming soon?

Word on the internet grapevine is that KTM will soon be unveiling a baby Adventure model, the KTM 390 Adventure.
Indian motoring website, motorbeam is reporting that the new 390 Adventure will be unveiled at this year’s EICMA show in Milan, and will be manufactured at the company’s Chakan plant in Pune, where the Duke and RC 390 models are already being assembled.
Hailed as the dual-purpose, dual-sport version of the Duke 390, the 390 Adventure will be based on the Duke 390 but will come with stronger and longer suspension, dual-purpose tyres and a larger fuel tank.
As for power, the 390 Adventure will have the same 373.2cc single-cylinder engine with a 6-speed transmission. As with the bigger Adventure, the riding position will be upright to make it more comfortable for long distance rides.
The frame is said to be KTM’s trellis frame while ABS will be offered as standard.
There is no word yet on whether or not the 390 Adventure will be offered in Malaysia, but judging from the success of the smaller capacity, commuter KTMs, there really is no reason for it not to be offered here.
There is already a Facebook fanpage dedicated to the 390 Adventure, and there is already a rendering of the bike shown below imagined by Dehradun Motor Heads. Expect the global launch to happen sometime early 2015.
Cool rendering of the 390 Adventure by Dehradun Motor Heads, but we expect the real bike to offer street tyres. Motard fans look away!
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Triumph tests new 765cc Moto2 engine + VIDEO!

Triumph has begun their efforts to develop their 765cc Moto2 engine after being appointed as the main engine supplier for the MotoGP intermediate class in 2019.
The 2019 Moto2 Championship Engine Development Prototype race machine has been put through its phase of ongoing R&D and track session with the help of Moto2 rider, Julian Simon.
Triumph’s 765cc engine has been modified extensively from custom cylinder heads, titanium valves, race kit alternator, race slipper clutch, race ECU and many more.

The 2019 Moto2 Championship is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated race categories as Triumph begins developing their 765cc three-cylinder engine in their efforts to become the main engine supplier for the MotoGP intermediate class.

The 2019 Moto2 Championship Engine Development Prototype race machine is actually a based on the Daytona’s chassis. Paired with the race-bred 765cc engine, this makes this particular bike the first ever Daytona 765. Exciting times ahead for Daytona enthusiasts, perhaps?

Together with the help of Moto2 test rider Julian Simon who happens to be a former 125cc World Champion and Moto2 runner-up, Triumph has started their circuit testing phase over at Aragon a couple of weeks ago.

Based on the video, we know for a fact that Triumph is developing both the 765cc Moto2 race engine and a brand new chassis to accommodate all that power. What the British manufacturer is trying to accomplish is developing the engine with good performance as well as durability.

Just to give you guys a heads up, the 765cc engine has been modified extensively from custom cylinder heads, titanium valves, race kit alternator, race slipper clutch, race ECU and many more to further elevate the already versatile power plant.

We’re also hoping highly to see the next generation Triumph Daytona to be released from all this testing and development. For now, we can have a taste of how good the 765cc inline-three engine from Triumph’s latest Street Triple series.

We’ve tested the top-of-the-range Triumph Street Triple RS recently at the Sepang International Circuit. To know more on how the bike performs in track conditions, CLICK HERE.
Source: Triumph Motorcycles
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MotoGP: How’s Franco Morbidelli doing in Italy right now?

The recent outbreak of Coronavirus or COVID-19 has been wreaking havoc all across the globe but none more so than Italy, the worst country to suffer at the hands of the infectious virus outside of China. With a lot of MotoGP races cancelled and postponed, fellow Italian Franco Morbidelli, shares his insight on dealing with the current situation in Italy (credits to Petronas Yamaha SRT).

How is the situation in your country? Which are the restrictions?
“At the moment in Italy we have to stay at home, the restrictions are mainly that you don’t leave your house unless it is to buy food or for some other important matter. This has been since last Monday, so it is over a week now, but I hope that the situation is going to end soon.”

How are you training and keeping fit for the restart of the season?
“I am training in the only way possible at the moment, at home. I’m trying to stay in shape but without leaving my house. I can go running if I stay within the land boundaries of my household, so I am doing that, but not much more. Of course, it is not my usual training routine that I do at the gym, but I am staying in shape and staying sharp.”

Apart from training, what are you doing?
“I cannot follow the plan that we had but having this much time at home means I can try things I had to put to one side because of all the duties that I have during the racing season, that I didn’t have time for. I have some instruments and I am trying to learn to play them. It’s not easy!! I need to practice a lot! Maybe by the end of this thing, I will be able to play the harmonica and ‘cajon’.”

Did you watch the first Moto2 / Moto3 races of the season?
“I did watch the races in Qatar, John was awesome! He had a great race and was able to get the second spot, so that was good. It was nice to be able to follow Xavi and Jake in Moto2 and also John and KIP in Moto3 but was also a bit sad, as I wasn’t there. It was nice because I could also follow my friends and cheer for them, without the pressure of the race there. Was mixed feelings though as you have the feeling that you are supposed to be there.”

What would you say to everyone in Italy and other people that are living the same situation as you?
“My message to all the Italian fans and people in the same situation around the world is to stay calm, take it easy, and respect what the World Health Organisation says. We should try to enjoy the time we are at home and get the maximum from it. We can do things at home that we usually don’t have time to do.”

And to the MotoGP community?
“For all the MotoGP fans: we are having a little bit of a rest right now but hopefully we will be on track soon. When we are, we’ll be able to go back to doing our thing with even more power and energy than before!”
10 Things you Can do During Covid-19 Restricted Movement Order

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The HJC RPHA 11 Gets Toothless, Green Goblin And Punisher Graphics For 2022

HJC has established itself as one of the top brands in the motorcycle industry thanks to the firm vast array of helmets.

The HJC RPHA 11 now comes in Toothless, Green Goblin and Punisher graphics for 2022.
The RPHA 11 is HJC’s most popular and highly seek helmet thanks to its menacing designs like Venom, Carnage and Joker.

However, what sets HJC apart from the rest is perhaps the multitude of graphics to pick from. The Korean-based company is famous for its themed helmets from the likes of Marvel, DC, Disney and Pixar.
Currently, the company’s flagship RPHA 11 helmets comes in Captain America, Deadpool, Monster Inc, and, not to forget, Star Wars graphics.
This time, the already impressive repertoire of cartoon and superhero characters will join by three new graphics.

Marvel characters, Green Goblin and Punisher, including Toothless from the movie How To Train Your Dragon, are the latest lineup for 2022.
The Green Goblin showcased the most vibrant graphics among the three new designs, combining the classic green and purple colours associated with the iconic villain from Spiderman’s franchise.

While the Toothless graphics look cute and clean, the iconic Skull logo from The Punisher is robably our favourite. The overall design looks neat and, most importantly, bad-ass.
Currently, there’s no word when will all three new graphics make its way to our shores but once they do, we be sure to let you know about it!
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Jedi Motor Vision K750 Concept Unveiled In China – 68hp, 67Nm

The Chinese motorcycle market is currently undergoing a revolution in terms of styling, technology and quality.
CFMoto and Benelli/QJMotor are among the brands that are currently pushing themselves as an establishment that could really go up against other major brands in the world.
However, the recent CIMA show in China is slowly proving to be an ideal platform for Chinese-made motorcycles to ditched the preconceptions that Chinese-made motorcycles are low-quality machines.

Among the brands that caught people’s attention was Jedi Motor, which unveiled three concept bikes, the Vision K750, GTR750 and JFR750.
Like us who are not familiar with the company, Jedi Motor previously supplied bikes for the Chinese police force and security services. However, their latest move is to enter the consumer market.
The Vision K750 looks well built, balance and modern on par with a Japanese or European bike. Underneath the futuristic fairing sits a 730cc parallel-twin engine that delivers 68hp @ 7,500rpm and 66Nm @ 6,500rpm.

The same engine also powers the GTR750, a sport-tourer concept that features cast aluminium chassis, USD fork and Brembo brakes.

Meanwhile, the JFR750 comes in two variants, a scrambler-ish model with semi-knobby tires with spoke wheels; another features lower bars, alloy wheels and street tires.

Despite dubbed as a concept, Jedi Motors will soon unveil all three models as a production bike.
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2022 Yamaha NMax Gets New Colours – RM9,498

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) introduced a new colour for the 2022 Yamaha NMax 155 scooter.

Gets two new colourways; Matte Blue and Matte Green.
2022 Yamaha NMax 155 is now priced at RM9,498.

The 2022 NMax now features two new colourways, Matte Blue and Matte Green and is priced at RM9,498 (excluding road tax, insurance and registration), a RM500 increase from the previous model.
Nonetheless, powering the 2022 NMax 155 is a 155cc single-cylinder SOHC VVA engine fed by EFI. Power output is claimed at 14.9hp @ 8,000rpm and 14.4Nm @ 6,600rpm with a CVT gearbox and final belt drive.

Also available on the 2022 model are an LED headlamp, LED taillight, digital LCD display, USB port and idle start-stop function.
Other notable features include:

23.3L under seat storage
7.1L fuel tank
telescopic front fork
twin shock absorbers

Braking is done with a single hydraulic disc brake at the front and rear mated to a 230mm disc.

The 2022 Yamaha NMax comes with a 2-year or 20,000km warranty. According to HLYM, the 2022 Yamaha NMax 155 is available at all authorised dealers.
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Mad Macau – Taming the Guia Street Circuit on a Bike

Macau’s Guia street circuit has always been known to be extremely challenging, some have paid with their lives trying to tame the road circuit. Here’s a short clip of Didier Grams who races a BMW trying his best to put down a good time, and despite his seemingly god like riding skills, he still placed 8th place at the 47th edition of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.

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BMW Motorrad Malaysia unveils two models

BMW Motorrad Malaysia has unveiled the new BMW F 700 GS and the BMW F 800 R.
Built in Rayong, Thailand, both models are aimed at new riders, according to BMW Motorrad Malaysia.
It is said that both models draw their power from the liquid-cooled 798cc, four-valve two-cylinder engine with electronic fuel injection, which is paired to a six-speed gearbox.
Producing a maximum output of 75hp and 77Nm  of peak torque, the new F 700 GS now comes with ABS as a standard feature. It is also available with a low seat option (790mm).
Available in four colours (Alpine White, Blackstorm, and Racing Blue), the F 700 GS is priced at RM56,900 (OTR without insurance).
The F 800 R on the other hand, which is also powered by the same engine as the F 700 GS, delivers an output of 87hp and a maximum torque of 86Nm.
Similar to the GS, the F 800 R is also made available with a low seat option as standard, which allows customers to lower the seat to height of 780mm.
According to BMW Motorrad Malaysia, those who opt for the Sport variant will get additional safety features such as the ASC (Automatic Stability Control) and ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment).
The BMW F 800 R Sport also features a unique RDC (Tyre Pressure Control) system with a gradient monitor which provides riders with reliable information on the current tyre pressure.
Other notable features on the new F 800 R Sport include rear LED lights, an engine spoiler, and two colour schemes – Racing Blue Metallic and Light White.
The new BMW F 700 GS and the new BMW F 800 R will be featured at the BMW Motorrad On Tour Pop Up Store at the MotoGP Malaysia this weekend, from 23rd to 25th October 2015.
Price (On the road without insurance):
The new BMW F 700 GS                  –           RM 56,900.00
The new BMW F 800 R                     –          RM 49,900.00
The new BMW F 800 R Sport          –         RM 53,500.00
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KTM 890 Duke R And 890 Adventure Lands In Malaysia – From RM75,800

KTM Malaysia has officially launched the new KTM 890 Duke R and 890 Adventure for the local market.

The KTM 890 Duke R and 890 Adventure gets a host of upgrades.
Both motorcycle features moden electronic package and the same 890cc parallel-twin engine.

KTM 890 Adventure – RM96,800

The new motorcycle made its global appearance when the world was in the midst of Covid-19 madness back in October 2020.
At the time, KTM unveiled the 890 Adventure and the 890 Adventure R Rally but only the former is available for our market, for now.

Nevertheless, the KTM 890 Adventure runs the 889cc parallel-twin engine which has significant upgrades from the previous 790 generation. They’ve also upgraded other things like traction control, ABS, and electronics to make them more ‘wholesome’ for everyday riding.

They’re also coming in hot with a new set of fully adjustable WP XPLOR 48mm front forks while the rear is handled with the WP XPLOR PDS unit. This combo offers separate compression settings for low and high speeds, so you don’t have to mess with it too much once you get off the highway and onto the dirt.
KTM 890 Duke R – RM75,800

Also joining the Malaysian market is the new KTM 890 Duke R retailed at RM75,800.
As usual, the 890 Duke R offers a weird yet perfect contrast of colours, which only KTM can deliver.

First introduced in 2020, the KTM 890 Duke R continue to be the undisputed champion of the middleweight naked bike category.
Underneath the fancy paint sit s the famous 890cc parallel-twin engine that boasts an impressive 121hp and 99Nm.

The KTM 890 Duke R remains a no-nonsense middleweight naked bike, equally capable of tackling twisty corners on normal roads as it is on the racetrack.
Dubbed The Super Scalpel due to its lightning-fast steering geometry, the KTM 890 Duke R continue to feature a tubular steel chassis and adjustable WP Apex suspension.
Also available on the 890 Duke R is a pair of
Brembo Stylema callipers with 320mm front disc, and adjustable Brembo MCS master cylinder to counteract the enormous power.

The 890 Duke R also features a host of electronics wizardly, which includes:

Cornering ABS
Cornering MTC (traction control)
6D lean-angle sensor (roll, pitch & yaw)
Riding mode (Rain/Street/Sport and Track)
9-levels adjustable traction control slop
anti-wheelie
throttle control settings

As always, a full range of KTM PowerParts has been developed to allow owners to personalize the 890 Duke R accordingly.

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Harley-Davidson Resuming Production After Temporary Shutdown In May

Harley-Davidson is resuming production of its motorcycles as of June 6, 2022, ending the two-week production halt.

the company issued a production shutdown of two weeks due to a regulatory compliance issue.
the temporary halt lasted a few days longer than expected.

Harley-Davidson officially shut its production line for two-weeks beginning May 19, but it lasted a few days longer than its initial plans.
Despite no official announcement from the American company, sources in Wall Street Journal claimed that the factory is back in operation.
The resumption of production is said to be happening at both Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and York, Pennsylvania.
On May 19, 2022, Harley-Davidson stated that the company is officially suspending all motorcycles (excluding LiveWire) assembly and shipments due to supply chain issues.
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Ducati Desmosedici GP7 – Ducati’s finest GP machine

Understanding what worked for the highly successful 2007 Ducati Desmosedici GP7 race machine.

In this part of our week-long Ducati special, we take the time to understand how Ducati charted its greatest ever MotoGP success during the 2007 season. Two key factors were in play here, first being a brilliantly developed machine and secondly, having the right riders to tame it.
Upon re-entering Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing in 2003, Ducati showed its competitiveness almost immediately by ending its debut season as runner up in the manufacturers championship.

However, its greatest success only came in 2007 that was fuelled by the Ducati Desmosedici GP7 machine plus the performances of riders Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi.
Here what transpired in 2007 and how the famed scarlet Italian marque’s racing team turned it into its finest year ever.
2007 – The 800cc ruling
2007 marked the introduction of a new 800cc ruling in the premier MotoGP class. Unlike the 990cc machines raced in the previous season, the smaller capacity meant that engines were lighter, making the bikes themselves even lighter and faster as well.

Though the 800cc engines had less power than the 990cc iterations they replaced, the lighter weight it held meant that a bike could brake later and carry more speeds through corners. The fact was proven when 800cc machines began setting new lap records with significant improvements over its 990cc predecessors during initial tests.

Ducati somewhat saw this coming beforehand and began development of its 2007 machine early in 2006 and reportedly had 20 new 800cc double L-twin engines completely built by August 2016. Unlike its rivals, Ducati and its partner Bridgestone responded to the off-season rule change quickly, which resulted in the winning product that was the Ducati Desmosedici GP7.

Besides the engine, Ducati engineers opted to retain plenty of components and parts from the GP6 predecessor. These include things like the wheels, brakes, suspension, transmission, clutch and rear swingarm. This kept both development time and costs low, allowing Ducati engineers to focus on developing other critical areas of the bike like the electronics chassis geometry.
New machine and a new rider
What worked for Ducati in its 2007 MotoGP campaign was the brilliantly executed early development program of the Desmosedici GP7 machine. Its most crucial aspect was its high output of 225hp from the new 800cc double L-twin engine powering it, which saw it chart speeds above 330km/h.
Capirossi (left) with Stoner (right) astride their respective Desmosedici GP7.
However, the GP7’s high power output and speed package came at a price whereby the bike became tricky to handle in corners, especially in some of the calendar’s more technical circuits. But these worries quickly faded away when Ducati signed Australian rider Casey Stoner to ride alongside Italian veteran Loris Capirossi in 2007.

Despite being in his first season with the factory Italian team, the Australian prodigy quickly got accustomed to things in the garage. More importantly, his riding style was compatible with the new GP7 machine as opposed to Capirossi who had difficulties adjusting to it.

As the season kicked off and progressed steadily, it became very clear that Ducati had an unbeatable combination – the Desmosedici GP7, Bridgestone tyres and winning rider Casey Stoner.
Stoner’s successes
Having honed his skills as a dirt flat-track racer early on in his career, Stoner was no stranger to riding wild and difficult handling machines. Stoner was able to tame the GP7 through corners and maximised its high-output nature that favoured speed above all else.

Throughout 2007, Stoner took 10 race wins in total plus four podiums finishes with the Ducati Desmosedici GP7 race machine. And when not on the podium, Stoner also had a consistent string of point-scoring finishes that kept his – and the team’s – point scores up.

Stoner’s worst finish of the season came during the Japanese Grand Prix where he finished sixth. Nevertheless, that was all he needed to be crowned as the 2007 MotoGP riders champion with just three races left. He later won the Australian and Malaysian GPs that followed before ending the season with a second place finish in Valencia, bringing in a total score of 367 points.
Capirossi’s contribution
Despite struggling in his last season with the Italian factory team, veteran Italian rider Loris Capirossi also played a huge yet secondary role towards Ducati’s successful year. His four retirements aside, Capirossi did chart one race win in Japan plus three podium finishes with the Ducati Desmosedici GP7.

With Capirossi’s and Stoner’s results combined, Ducati scored a total of 394 points, allowing it to claim the title as the 2007 season’s manufacturers champion. Ducati not only beat second place winner Honda by 81 points, it also became the first European manufacturer to win the title in 33 years – the last being MV Agusta in 1974 with British rider Phil Read.
Legacy
Amongst all of Ducati’s MotoGP machines, only the GP7 stands out as it took Ducati’s only first and only riders and manufacturers titles in MotoGP to date, making it one truly special race bike in its racing history.

None of the GP7’s successors have come close to charting the 11 race wins it took in the 2007 season, and it looks like it will take Ducati a while before it returns to its winning ways. Until then, the Desmosedici GP7 will remains as a benchmark for the team’s future successes.
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Motorcyclist gets RM300 fine from Department of Environment

It seems that the Department of Environment of Malaysia (Jabatan Alam Sekitar) has the power and authority to fine motorcycle owners if their bikes produce excessive levels of carbon monoxide (CO). One Facebook user shared his story on Facebook on how it all went down for him.

Amirul Azhar and his beloved Yamaha LC 135 was flagged down by authorities from the Department of Environment during one of their roadside operations. Their job is to check out how much carbon monoxide your bike produces using one of their high-tech probes.
Vehicles that produce carbon monoxide at 4.5% or lower pass the inspection, but for bikes that exceed that threshold, a fine of RM300 will be issued to the owner/rider. For Mr. Amirul Azhar and his 135cc kapcai, the level was at 9.93%, which is why he got the fine.

The good news is that the Department of Environment will give a 50% discount on the penalty amount IF you go through a couple of steps before making the payment. Owners will need to go a workshop to remedy the CO emission levels (keep the receipt, please).
The owner will then need to take his or her bike to PUSPAKOM to verify that the CO emissions levels are at 4.5% or lower before heading to the Department of Environment to pay for the fine. Don’t forget to bring the necessary documents from the workshop and PUSPAKOM, or else you won’t get the 50% discount.
Car on Federal Highway motorcycle lane causes accident

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2018 Aprilia RSV4 RF Factory Works– Now with WINGLETS!

The latest 2018 Aprilia RSV4 RF Factory Works which will be available sometime next year will come with some MotoGP tech, particularly winglets.
Powered by a 999.6cc V4, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine, this particular RSV4 RF Factory Works produces 215hp thanks to new pistons, heads, ECU and full-racing exhaust.
Almost 10kg of extra weight has been shaved thanks to a brand new lithium-ion battery, fuel tank, exhaust and a few other carbon and aluminium parts.

It’s all a matter of time before the latest MotoGP technology drips down the manufacturer’s production bike and looks like Aprilia is the first one to deliver the opening uppercut. From their Aprilia RS-GP race machine to the 250hp RSV4 R FW-GP, they will now offer the 2018 Aprilia RSV4 RF Factory Works fitted with winglets. YES, WINGLETS.

Powered by a 999.6cc V4, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine, this particular RSV4 with the Factory Works Kit  punches out a hefty 215hp to any track or race enthusiasts looking for that extra edge. Those who are asking about the winglets, they are indeed race legal. Imagine showing up to the circuit with one these babies.

Dubbed “aerodynamic appendages”, it is obviously develop by Aprilia’s MotoGP effort for the past couple of years, you too acquire the same levels of aerodynamics and downforce found in the one of the highest levels of motorcycle racing.

Their latest RSV4 racing kit conjured up by the Aprilia Factory Works program has also fitted the 2018 bike with new pistons, heads, control unit and a brand new full-racing exhaust which explains the increased horsepower to 215hp.

If you opt for the race package, it’ll come with a strict weight loss regiment where almost 10kg of weight are stripped out thanks to a brand new lithium-ion battery, fuel tank, exhaust and a few other carbon and aluminium parts found all over the bike.

Good bike? Indeed. Price? Should be super expensive. Should you get one if you have the money? ABSOLUTELY.

To check out the latest 2017 Aprilia RSV4 RF launched just last month here in Malaysia, CLICK HERE.

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OFFICIAL: MV Agusta To Unveil Two New Adventure Bikes At EICMA

MV Agusta is set to make a return to the adventure bike segment, with two new models set to be unveiled at EICMA on November 23.
The official announcement was made via the company press release shared earlier today.
Interestingly, both models will be available for online pre-booking from November 23.
Meanwhile, the Varese-based motorcycle manufacturer also announced the Lucky Explorer project, a multi-faceted initiative aiming at gathering passionate lovers of rally raid and off-road racing.
“I am excited about the launch of this very special project.
“The Lucky Explorer concept is not just about bikes, it’s about a comprehensive world of emotions, memories, values and a way of being.
“A long-awaited return for all the fans of Made-in-Schiranna, but also a new beginning and a leap into the future: no matter where life takes us, we know where we’re from,” said Timur Sardarov, CEO MV Agusta Motor.

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Energica Receives Record-Breaking Order From Taiwan, Worth RM4.1 Million!

Energica Motor Company managed to secure record-breaking order from Taiwanese importer, Russ Tiger Enterprise Co. Ltd.
The order is the highest in the Italian company history, including all the Energica line-up models, for a total of EUR836,000 (RM4.1 mil).

Taiwan has seen a massive demand for electric mobility.
It is estimated there are over 91,000 electric-powered motorcycles in the country; hence, it comes with no surprised when Energica commercial partner, Russ Tiger is seeking to promote the Italian brand in Taiwan.
“Electric vehicles are the trend because of environment protection. Besides, the weather and Taiwan environment are also suitable for electric bike riders,” explained Russ Tiger Enterprise CEO, Russ Tai.
According to Russ, Energica status as a Moto3 supplier is one of the factors behind the high demand of the brand in Taiwan.
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MotoGP: Sky VR46 team fires Romano Fenati

Italian Moto3 rider Romano Fenati fired from Sky VR46 team.

After initially being suspended from the Austrian GP last weekend, Italian Moto3 rider Romano Fenati has been booted by the Sky Racing Team VR46 team.
According to the team, Fenati was formally released from his contract for behavioral issues. The 20-year-old Italian had reportedly been abusive towards members of the team, more specifically towards technicians and mechanics.
The problem reached its peak when Fenati berated the Sky Racing Team VR46 staff after the Austrian GP Qualifying session last weekend. This eventually led to his immediate suspension by the team where he missed out on Sunday’s race.
Currently, Fenati ranks third in the Moto3 championship standings with 93 points. Fenati won the Grand Prix of the Americas race in Texas and later took second place in the French GP as well.
Fenati’s initial deal of moving up into Moto2 with the Sky Racing Team VR46 outfit next year has been cancelled as well following his exit. His fate this season remains unknown for now but rumours indicate that Aki Ajo has an interest for the Italian rider.
Fenati’s vacant seat at the Sky Racing Team VR46 garage will be taken up by Lorenzo Dalla Porta. Coming fresh off the Spanish CEV championship, Dalla Porta joins alongside Andrea Migno and Nicolo Bulega in the Moto3 squad.
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ZAQHWAN IS THE YOUNGEST ARRC CHAMPION

Zaqhwan Zaidi snatched the SuperSports 600cc crown from the grasp of Katsuaki Fujiwara and Yuki Ito to become the youngest rider to win the premiere class in a thrilling PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship season finale at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar on Sunday.The Musashi Boon Siew Honda Racing rider was third in the standings with a 22-point disadvantage heading into the final round but was able to secure the title having finished second in Race 1 and Race 2 as champion thanks to teammate, Zamri Baba who held off his immediate title rivals.
Retiring Katsuaki Fujiwara (BEET Kawasaki Racing) who initially led the standings missed out on what could have been his second Asian title after he completed both races outside top-10 following technical difficulties with his front-end suspension.

It was a dramatic end to an enthralling season and gave Honda, who sealed the SuperSports 600cc team awards with Zaqhwan’s victory at the floodlit desert circuit, their third riders’ title after Ryuichi Kiyonari (2012) and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (2013). The final standings had Zaqhwan on top with 170 points, one point ahead of Yuki Ito (PETRONAS Hong Leong Yamaha) in second and 15 above retirement-bound Katsuaki Fujiwara (BEET Kawasaki Racing) in third place.

“You dream about being champion and dedicate your whole life to it, so when it comes true it is very special and amazing! I’m just really happy to make my country proud,” said an emotional Zaqhwan after the race.
He added, “Honestly we did not expect to win because this is only my third year racing in the premiere class. But when we saw Yuki and Fujiwara finish outside top five in Race 1, it became clear we actually stood a chance so Zamri and I cooked up a strategy together.”

“I owe it to Zamri, Without him holding Yuki and the rest of the field back, it would have been impossible to win and personally I think he is the man of the match. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the team, sponsors, family, friends and fans for believing and supporting me all this while.”

In an intense battle that saw the leaders swap positions on multiple times, Zamri aced Race 1 in 31’37.305s followed by Zaqhwan second and Yudhistira (Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki) third with 31’37.371s and 31’37.529s respectively.
Zaqhwan signed off the season with his second premiere class victory to secure the SuperSports 600cc title in Race 2, wrapping up the grueling 15-lap battle in 31’24.717s while Yuki fought courageously to finish second with 31’25.097s. 31-year old Zamri came in third with 31’25.119s.

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2018 KTM 790 Duke coming soon to Malaysia?

Some rumours have been going around that the 2018 KTM 790 Duke will be arriving soon in Malaysia.
Dealers have already begun accepting bookings for the bike which is said to be officially launched within a few months.
Based on reliable sources, we can confirm that the 790 Duke will be made available in Malaysia within the first half of the year.

Ever since the official launch of the 2018 KTM 790 Duke last December during the EICMA show in Milan, folks from all over the world have been wondering on how and when this magnificent machine will make its way to their respective countries. It’s the same case here in Malaysia and some dealers have already begun accepting bookings for this very impressive middleweight.

CA Cycle Advance from Kajang is one dealer in particular who has begun accepting bookings from as low as RM1,000. Though the official price has not been revealed by KTM Malaysia just yet, we’re guessing it’ll land somewhere in the ballpark of RM60,000 to RM70,000. This is to ensure that their package is not considered too expensive when compared to some of its biggest rivals from Japan and Europe.

What we can confirm is that the 2018 KTM 790 Duke is coming and fans won’t have to wait that long for it. Based on some very reliable resources, the middleweight naked performance machine is expected to make its official debut within the first half of the year. Our educated guess would be somewhere around June or July (which was around the same time when the 1290 Super Duke GT was launched back in 2016).

Known as “The Scalpel”, the KTM 790 Duke is fitted with a 799cc LC8c parallel-twin engine that is said to produce a whopping 105hp and 85Nm of maximum torque. Equipped with the latest KTM electronics, riders will have specs like lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, launch control, auto-blipper, bidirectional quickshifter, slipper clutch, multi-colour TFT screen and many more at their disposal.

Another thing that we can confirm is that once the 790 Duke reaches here in Malaysia, it will be the machine that will change people’s overall perceptions towards the brand that’s widely associated with a national railway operator. From that moment on, people will associate the manic 790 Duke when the letters KTM is mentioned.
2018 KTM 790 Duke launched at EICMA 2017 – Meet “The Scalpel”

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Let’s Go Camping with the Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride

The grand finale of the Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” ride will take participants camping.

It will be held from 13th to 14th July 2019.

The ride will begin from Juru Auto City to Cameron Highlands and finally the Rimba Valley Motorcamp for camping.

The Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride reaches its grand finale next weekend. To end the epic program on a high note, Modenas has something grand in store for the participants.
For this edition, the ride will begin in the early morning of 13th July 2019 from Juru Auto City, Perai then head to Cameron Highlands for some cooling air. The convoy will then head down towards Bentong via the beautiful Cameron Highlands – Sungai Koyan road. The ride will finally end at the Rimba Valley Motorcamp site in Janda Baik where the participants will camp beside a crystal-clear stream and beneath the stars.

The Rimba Valley Motorcamp is also the site of the Rimba Raid event a week later.

Refreshments, food and lodging costs are provided by Modenas, while riders pay for fuel only.
The “Explore the Unexplored” initiative began not long after the Modenas Dominar D400 was launched in Malaysia. As the name suggests, it isn’t merely a single model ride to exotic places around Peninsular Malaysia. It also allows riders who ride there to share the locations with international Dominar 400 riders, as well.

As for the Malaysian Dominar owners, there is a contest for the best picture captured. Also, participants get to participate in fun and games at the destinations and win attractive prizes.

Please register by sending an email to safrin@modenas.com.my. Please note that only riders are allowed to enter, thus pillions are not allowed.
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TVS Motor Company And BMW Celebrate 10 Years Of Successful Partnership

The practice of western motorcycle manufacturers teaming up with Indian brands to expand their reach is nothing new. We’re seeing it quite a lot these days, especially with the recent launch of bikes like the Harley-Davidson X440 in partnership with Hero MotoCorp, and the Triumph Speed and Scrambler 400 in partnership with Bajaj.

BMW and TVS to continue their strategic partnership for years to come.
The success of the G 310 GS, G 310 R and G 310 RR is a result of a successful cooperation between BMW and TVS.

BMW is a brand that’s been doing this for quite some time – 10 years to be exact. Those of you familiar with this partnership would know that the G 310 series is the fruit of this joint venture, and it’s been quite a success for both brands thus far.
In fact, the G 310 R, G 310 GS, and G 310 RR  made up 90 percent of BMW Motorrad India’s motorcycle sales in the first half of 2023. In total, the German brand sold more than 4,000 G 310 motorcycles in the first half of 2023 alone.

In a press release, Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad, stated, “This 10th anniversary is an impressive proof of the success and strength of the collaboration between BMW Motorrad and TVS Motor. What began 10 years ago has developed into an extraordinary success story.
“Our strong synergies have led to the development of impressive offerings in the sub-500cc segment. Since the launch, BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS single-cylinder models continue to enjoy unrivalled popularity and have become a key pillar of BMW Motorrad’s worldwide success.”

Apart from the massive success that is the G 310 model range, TVS and BMW continue to work together to develop new platforms and technology to shape the future of mobility.
In particular, the recently unveiled BMW CE 02 electric motorcycle was indeed a model co-developed and designed by TVS.
In the same press release, Mr. KN Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO of TVS Motor Company said, “With the extension and expansion of this partnership towards future technologies and sustainable mobility solutions, we are also in discussions to expand our manufacturing network beyond India to cater to our future growth under this partnership, including the recently unveiled BMW CE 02.
“We look forward to working closely on developing platforms targeted towards the global urban centric markets and the uber-cool next generation of consumers,” he said.
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2017 Aprilia RSV4 RF and Aprilia Tuono 1100 V4 Factory launched! From RM104,251

Naza Premira Sdn Bhd has just launched the latest 2017 Aprilia RSV4 RF and Aprilia Tuono 1100 V4 Factory yesterday.
The launch was held at the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini meet and greet session with their MotoGP rider, Sam Lowes.
The 2017 RSV4 RF is priced at RM127,571 while the 2017 Tuono 1100 V4 Factory is at RM104,251 (basic prices with GST).

In conjunction with the upcoming Shell Malaysia MotoGP round which is happening this very weekend, Naza Premira Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Aprilia motorcycles here in Malaysia took the opportunity to launch two of their latest motorcycles in their current line-up. These bikes are none other than the 2017 Aprilia RSV4 RF and Aprilia Tuono 1100 V4 Factory.

The launch was held during the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini meet and greet session last night at the Sama-Sama Hotel right next to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The unveiling of the bikes were done by their MotoGP factory rider Sam Lowes together with the team manager in front of fans and Aprilia owners.

2017 Aprilia RSV4 RF – RM127,571 (basic price with GST)

Considered by many as one of the best superbikes in the world, the latest RSV4 RF is a prime example when it comes to sports design and performance. Taking the essence from Aprilia’s rich history and success in the world of racing, their latest RSV4 offering is the pinnacle of road-going motorcycles packed with state-of-the-art racing goodness.

Powered by a 999.6cc V4, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine, the RSV4 RF churns out a massive 201hp at 13,000rpm primed with all sorts of gadgets and gizmos. Ride-by-Wire, selectable riding modes, fully adjustable Ohlins suspension package, light forged wheels and Superpole graphics are just some of the things that make the new RSV4 RF so mouth-watering.

Having received the award for the 2017 Best Sportbike of the Year from Motorcycle.com, the 2017 Aprilia RSV4 RF is priced at RM127,571 (basic price with GST). To know more, CLICK HERE.

2017 Aprilia Tuono 1100 V4 Factory – RM104,251 (basic price with GST)

Prefer things to be slightly ‘naked’ when it comes to bikes? Don’t want to sacrifice any of the power and exhilaration from the RSV4 RF? The latest 2017 Aprilia Tuono 1100 V4 Factory is here to sweep you off your feet.

Equipped with the same racing technology used to build the RSV4 RF, it is primed with a 1077cc, V4, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine which produces 175hp at 11,000rpm and 121Nm of maximum torque at 9,000rpm.

Primed with same fully-adjustable Ohlins suspension package, the new Tuono 1100 V4 Factory has been further refined with Aprilia’s latest electronics package. This includes the APRC system (Aprilia Racing Performance Rid Control) which consists of traction, wheelie, launch and cruise controls plus electronic up and down gearbox, pit limiter, cornering ABS and many more.

Priced at RM104,251 (basic price with GST), the latest generation Tuono 1100 V4 Factory is considered by many as one of the best naked/streetfighter bikes around with multiple awards to back up the claim. To know more about the 2017 Aprilia Tuono 1100 V4 Factory, CLICK HERE.

2017 Aprilia RSV4 RF gallery

2017 Aprilia Tuono 1100 V4 Factory gallery

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Royal Enfield Owners Announced Strategic Partnership With Stark Future SL

Eicher Motors Ltd, the parent company of Royal Enfield, made a massive step towards electrification after announcing a strategic partnership with Spain-based Stark Future SL.

Eicher Motors Ltd has acquired some stake in Stark Future.
Stark Future is a Spanish-based electric motorcycle company.

The collaboration involved an equity investment of EUR50 million, which entails to 10.35 per cent stake in Stark Future. The acquisition also puts Eicher Motors Ltd to have a director seat on the board.
All business matters aside, the partnership will explore the vast opportunity of electric mobility, which Stark Future was vying for when the company debuted its first high-performance motorcycle, the Stark VARG electric motocross.
That said, it will be an exciting development between the two companies as Stark Future already has several patents while Royal Enfield is also working on its electric motorcycle concept called Electrik01.
One thing is for sure, Eicher Motors Ltd Managing Director Siddartha Lal is excited about the new partnership.
“We love the vision, passion and focus of the amazing team at Stark Future. Leisure motorcycles do not easily lend themselves to EV technology at this stage, due to challenges like the battery range, packaging, weight and cost.
“This has resulted in stunted growth of this segment till now. Stark Future has been able to understand and harness the potential of EV technology by dramatically outperforming ICE offerings, without compromising on range, weight, packaging and cost.
“They have created an absolutely astounding motocross motorcycle – the Stark VARG as their entry into the EV world. We believe that Stark Future has the highest potential for real breakout growth in the EV leisure space with this model, and the potential to use this strong base to extend into other contiguous segments and beyond,” he said.
The Stark VARG has quite an interesting spec sheet, particularly the electric motor that’s capable of producing 80hp and 938Nm and can be ridden up to six hours.
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Ducati DesertX To Feature Turn-By-Turn Navigation In 2023

Ducati has announced that the DesertX will be equipped with Turn-by-Turn navigation in 2023, making it the first Ducati to have the feature.

The DesertX is Ducati first ever fully-capable off-road motorcycle.
At the heart sits the 937cc Testastretta 11-degree Desmodromic engine capable of producing 110hp @ 9,250rpm and 92Nm @ 6,500rpm.

The DesertX is the Italian’s most outstanding bike since its introduction in 2022, as it is Ducati’s first real foray into the off-road arena.
According to the Italian motorcycle company, the DesertX will display the Turn-by-Turn information on the bike’s TFT dash. Unfortunately, the new feature does not come as standard but as an added option.

Another update to be carried out for 2023 is a new paint option dubbed the “RR22” livery. The same livery applied to Danilo Petrucci’s DesertX that he rode in a demo last year in Sardegna.

Meanwhile, the same Turn-by-Turn navigation system will also be available on the upcoming Diavel V4.
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CONFIRMED: Ducati is NOT FOR SALE

Rumours of Ducati going up for sale to cover some losses and costs under the Volkswagen Group has finally been put to rest after its latest press release stated that the Italian premium bike manufacturer will remain under their management for the next few years.

The Volkswagen Supervisory Board concluded its latest meeting with a few goals in mind – management positions, reorganization, and a stronger focus for future costs. Luckily, Ducati together with Lamborghini will remain under their helm as agreed by the board.

The press release is a bit long, but the very last bit of that is the most important and compact statement regarding the future of Ducati and Lamborghini in the VW Group. The statement is as follows.
There is agreement on the Board that Lamborghini and Ducati will remain part of the Volkswagen Group. In the course of the reorganisation, it was further resolved that the Bentley brand will fall within the management responsibility of the Audi brand as of 1 March 2021 in order to allow for synergies to be achieved as part of the electrification strategy of the two premium brands.

For such a huge company like Ducati and Lamborghini, one sentence is all it takes to cement their future under the VW Group. We would’ve thought that the statement could’ve been longer, but that’s Volkswagen for you.
MotoGP 2020 – best season yet for Red Bull KTM

Written by: Sep Irran
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The Prodigy Frontman and Biker Keith Flint Passes Away

The vocalist and frontman of The Prodigy, Keith Flint has passed away.

He was also a biker, racer and team manager.

He owned a number of bikes in his lifetime.

The Prodigy frontman Keith Flint has passed away at age 49. It’s a news which shocked everyone around the world and us. He was found dead in in his Dunmow, Essex home.
The Prodigy give us awesome techno/rave hits in the mid-90s, going on to registering seven No. 1 albums and a string of Top 10 hits. But Flint was also a biker and motorcycle racer. Various magazines featured him test riding new bikes and covered his exploits on the racetrack.
His first bike was a Yamaha FS1-E, before moving up the Yamaha RD80LC and RD400. He went further up the scale to a Suzuki GSX-1100 EFE, which he modified to 1190cc.
Flint bought the Honda CBR900RR Fireblade when it came out in 1992 and had it painted to the Repsol colours since he was a Mick Doohan fan. He sold the ‘Blade and bought another for trackday use.

His first taste of a race bike when he tried Sean Emmett’s Red Bull Ducati in 1998. It got him hooked and started racing in a few Superbike rounds. A heavy crash brought his aspirations to a stop since the band was in the middle of working on the Firestarter album. Firestarter went on to become The Prodigy’s best-seller.
He joined Hottrax four years ago as a manager in endurance racing and scored some great results. The team finished fourth in their first year, won it the next. They moved up to the national series in 2017 and won the series in 2018.
Another team competes in British Supersport, with rider James Ripsoli.
The last bikes Flint owned was a KTM 350 EXC for enduro riding and a TTR150 for flat-track riding at the back of his house.
Rest in peace, Keith Flint.
Source: MCN
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Malaysian Cub Prix: Kasma Daniel takes fourth win ahead of 600cc wildcard debut

Round 6 of the 2017 Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix belonged to race winner Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin which makes it his fourth victory this season.
This win is a definite morale boost ahead of his first 600cc Supersports wildcard appearance next week in the Idemitsu Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in Indonesia.
Kasma leads the CP150 premiere class championship with 100 points; 17 points ahead of Ahmad Afif Amran (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha – CKJ)

The Malaysian Wonderboy quickly on the rise in the motoring world Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor) has taken his fourth victory in Round 6 of the 2017 Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix. This fourth win out of six races is indeed a welcomed morale boost for the young rider who will be making his 600cc Supersports debut this coming weekend.
As stated above, Kasma will be heading to Indonesia as a wildcard entry in the SuperSports 600cc class of the Idemitsu Asia Road Racing Championship the following weekend.

The Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju rider clocked 17’18.875s, and crossed the finish line with a four-second margin ahead of second placed team mate, Mohd Ramdan Rosli. Petronas Sprinta Yamaha-CKJ’s Ahmad Afif Amran rounded up an all-green top three with 17’22.664s.
“It took me quite a few laps to shake off the chasing group. The rest of the field had definitely improved by now and I was eager to carve out some daylight between my position with the second group. Luckily, they were soon embroiled with fighting for P2, leaving a clear run for me to the finish line,” said Kasma regarding the race.
This win puts him in the lead of this year’s championship of the premiere CP150 class with 100 points; 17 points clear of second place sitter, Ahmad Afif Amran.
Final Race Results – CP150

Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (JHR) PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor 17:18.875s
Md Ramdan Rosli (SGR) PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor 17:22.579s
Ahmad Afif Amran (TRG) PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha – CKJ 17:22.664s
Md Fitri Ashraff Razali (SGR) PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha – CKJ 17:23.210s
Md Azhar Abd Jalil (SGR) Motul Zeneos Yamaha YY Pang Racing 17:27.281s

CP115 – Azroy Hakeem Anuar emerged as Champion of Round 6

Azroy Hakeem Anuar survived a spill and a red flag to clinch his second consecutive win of the season. The lucky GiVi Honda Yuzy Racing rider had originally crashed out on Lap 3, but his campaign in Melaka was saved by a red flag brought out by an unrelated incident elsewhere on the track.

When the race continued, Azroy was able to get back on the grid and went on to score a win with a time of 12’36.249s. Ahmad Syukran of PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha-CKJ and Tengku Amirul Haffirudin of team Motul Zeneos Yamaha YY Pang finished second and third respectively.

Final Race Results – CP115

Azroy Hakeem Anuar (KUL) GiVi Honda Yuzy Racing Team 12:36.249s
Ahmad Syukran Aizat (TRG) PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha – CKJ 12:38.581s
Tengku Amirul Haffirudin (TRG) Motul Zeneos Yamaha YY Pang Racing 12:42.460s
Md Fareez Afeez (JHR) Motul Zeneos Yamaha YY Pang Racing 12:43.263s
Md Haziq Md Fairues (SGR) PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor 12:46.821s

WIRA – Mohd Syafieq Aiman takes maiden win
After two consecutive podium finishes in Rounds 4 and 5, Mohd Syafieq Aiman of team Elf Koyoko KC Racing finally netted his first win with a time of 10’52.455s. Privateer rider Mohd Izam Ikmal Izamli was equally impressive when he finished second with 10’52.577s. Team PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha-AFB Tech’s Mohd Danial Syahmi crossed the finish line in third place.
WIRA – Final Race Results

Md Syafieq Aiman (JHR) Elf Koyoko KC Racing Team 10:52.455s
Md Izam Ikmal Izamli (KUL) Privateer 10:52.577s
Md Danial Syahmi (PRK) PETRONAS Sprinta Yamaha – AfB Tech 10:59.774s
Md Faiz Zekri Sabri (PNG) TKKR Racing Team 10:59.930s
Md Syarifuddin Azman (SGR) Idemitsu Kozi Yam Honda Racing 11:00.561s

The next round of the 2017 Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix will be heading to Kelantan for Round 7 on the 8 and 9 September 2017.
Source: Malaysian Cub Prix
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State Railway of Thailand (SRT): No Motorcycles Above 125cc

Photo from goawaygarage.blogspot.com

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) no longer transports motorcycles above 125cc.

The ruling takes effect from 1stFebruary 2019.

There are Malaysian bikers who transport their bikes to Chiang Mai before riding to Mae Hong Son.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced that they will no longer transport motorcycles above 125cc. The ruling took effect from 1st February 2019.
There are Malaysian bikers who transport their motorcycles by rail through Thailand to their favourite destinations or jump-off points before continuing on their journeys. One popular destination is the northern city of Chiang Mai, from where they ride to Mae Hong Son (the infamous 1000 Corners).
Photo credit www.riderchris.com
Besides that, the bikers could relax or even sleep onboard the train instead of needing to spend 12 hours or more on the road. Doing so also saves from accruing fuel and accommodation costs along the way.
SRT did not assign reasons for the new ruling. Therefore, your speculations could be the same as ours.
This writer personally transported a BMW R 1200 GS on an SRT train in 2018. We boarded the overnight train in Bangkok bound for Hatyai. The porters weren’t friendly at all on that day for some reason and they had to lift the nearly 240kg beast into the cargo car by hand. We had to dismantle the luggage boxes and windscreen and brought them into the passenger car with us.
The news was conveyed through www.riderchris.com. Please follow this link for more information on Thai train services https://www.riderchris.com/info/transporting-motorcycle-thailand-train/
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OFFICIAL: 2022 Suzuki GSX-R150, GSX-S150 & Raider R150 Fi Now In Malaysia – From RM8,173

The highly anticipated 150cc motorcycle from Suzuki Malaysia is finally here, in the form of Suzuki GSX-R150, GSX-S150 and Raider R150 Fi.
The three new models is the first small capacity range from Suzuki Malaysia after the changed of ownership.

Despite all three bikes offers something different than one another, the GSX-R150, GSX-S150 and Raider R150 Fi shares the same power mill.
All three features Suzuki 147.3cc single-cylinder DOHC with liquid-cooled engine.
However, while the GSX-R150 and GSX-S150 makes the same 19hp @ 10,500rpm and 14Nm @ 9,000rpm, the underbone Raider R150 Fi pumps 18hp and 13.8Nm at lower rpm (500rpm less).
Nevertheless, all three models features telescopic front fork, 17-inch wheels, single petal disc (front and rear), LED lights, GSX-S1000-inspired digital LCD instrument cluster, hazard lights, and electric starter with one push function.

The GSX-R150 is also the heaviest at 131kg – 1kg less on the naked GSX-S150 – while the Raider R150 Fi weighs at just 109kg.
While the GSX-S150 and Raider R150 Fi gets new shutter key system, the GSX-R150 features smart key function (keyless).
According to Suzuki Malaysia, the GSX-R150, GSX-S150 and Raider R150 Fi is priced at RM11,329, RM10,289 and RM8,173 respectively.
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Thai govt suspends MotoGP round in Buriram

More bad news announced at the start of the MotoGP 2020 season as the Thai government stated that they’ll be suspending the OR Thailand Grand Prix which is scheduled to take place from 20-22 March 2020. This decision was made due to the recent Coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak which has been plaguing several countries around the globe, including Thailand.

The announcement was made by Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, earlier today. According to his statement in the Bangkok Post, “It is necessary for us to postpone the OR Thailand Grand Prix 2020 in Buri Ram scheduled for late March for an indefinite period since Covid-19 has been declared a dangerous communicable disease which has sent a world-wide impact. This is to reflect the government’s seriousness in tackling the problem. The prime minister has been informed about this.”

Motorsports fans in the region will definitely be disappointed with this news as the season opener in Qatar this weekend will also be missing the premier class race due to Qatar travel restrictions placed for people coming from Italy. The Moto3 and Moto2 races will still take place at the Losail International Circuit as the teams and riders are already there after wrapping up their final pre-season testing last weekend.
MotoGP: Premier class race CANCELLED in Qatar

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Introducing Etran Myra, Thailand First Electric Motorcycle

Thailand-based mobility company Etran has launched Myra, the country first electric motorcycle explicitly designed for food delivery.
According to the company statement, Myra was designed, developed, and manufactured in Thailand with the support of big players in the country consists of ND Rubber, Summit Auto Body, Pioneer Motor, and Nostra Logistic.

Interestingly, the electric motorcycle allows riders to travel longer and can support cold-chain refrigerators.
It also features a fleet management system for road data analysis.
Etran will also set up seven power station in Bangkok to allow riders to swap batteries easily.
Etran’s Executive Chairman, Archawat Chareonsilp, said that despite the world is struggling with Covid-19, it also provides a window to venture into something new.
“As disruptive as it is, Covid-19 created the so-called ‘techcerellation’ where technology adoption happens at an accelerated speed.
“Myra is built for times like these, and we see the clear launch window into the fast-growing online food delivery sector,” he said.

Etran will also announce a partnership with the country top food delivery app by the end of the year.
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