New 2021 Suzuki models to be launched on February 5th?

Suzuki Motor Corporation will launch its latest Suzuki Motorcycle Global Salon on 5 February 2021, a virtual platform for fans of the brands to view all its latest models and offerings on their smart devices. Will we witness the launch of the new 2021 Suzuki bikes? We sure hope so.

Suzuki has been on a high after winning the rider’s and team’s championship titles in MotoGP last season. Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Joan Mir took home his first premier class title, while Alex Rins put on quite a performance to help the team win the team’s title onboard the Suzuki GSX-RR.

Last year also marked the manufacturer’s 100th anniversary and we were expecting the launch of new models, but COVID-19 obviously pushed those plans back. With this upcoming Suzuki Motorcycle Global Salon, we might just get what we’ve been anticipating since the start of 2020.

We’re not entirely sure what the models will be, but Suzuki has stated that they will launch some brand-new models on this online platform next month. Will it be a new GSX-R? Hayabusa? SV650? So many potentials, but we just have to wait for a couple more weeks for confirmation.

For those who are interested to know more, CLICK HERE. Registrations for the virtual platform starts on 28 January 2021 before the grand opening on 5 February 2021. Stay tuned for more updates.
2020 Ducati Hypermotard 950 RVE available in Malaysia – RM80,900

Written by: Sep Irran
--Ads--


Riding with earphones is a really bad idea! (Warning: Graphic Images)

Young Aussie teen biker nearly gets his head decapitated in freak accident whilst riding with earphones on.

Image source: DailyMail.co.uk
Bradley Willoughby, a 16-year-old from north Queensland, had the fright of his life when he was almost decapitated in a motorcycle crash while wearing his earphones. The teenager was reportedly using iPhone earphones during the crash and it cut deep into his throat as the cable got snagged on a fence he crashed into.
The incident happened when he was practicing jumps at the family farm in Queensland. He was wearing the earphones inside his helmet at the time.  The cause of the crash was a heavy landing that jammed the throttle and launched the 16 year old straight into a barbed wire fence.
Image source: DailyMail.co.uk
The main culprit that caused the nasty lacerations on his neck was a thin copper wire inside the earphone cable. Although the cut was very deep, it stopped right before it could reach the boy’s windpipe.
Bradley also suffered a badly broken ankle and nasty lacerations to the body caused by the barbed wire fence. His mother, Angie, found him and called for help. Bradley’s father pulled out the copper wire from Bradley’s neck upon inspecting the injury to his neck.
Image source: DailyMail.co.uk
According to the mother who reported to the Cairns Post: “Bradley had his iPhone in his pocket and had his earphones in and as he’s gone through the fence, the fence has grabbed the earphones and, because they were up inside his helmet, the barbed wire pulled the earphones straight across his throat.”
Emergency assistance flew Bradley in a rescue chopper to a hospital in Cairns where he needed stitches for the six-inch gash on his neck and also surgery to mend his severely injured left foot. Bradley is definitely lucky to come out alive from this horrific event.

This is a clear and stern message to motorcyclists who enjoy riding with their earphones on to listen to some music during the ride. Most of us would think that this is just a harmless act but we don’t realise that the fine copper wire in the earphones can lead to serious harm in an emergency situation such as a crash.
Apart from the physical dangers of the earphones wire cutting into our throats, listening to some tunes while riding is also very dangerous in the sense that the riders are oblivious to their surroundings. This is definitely not ideal for anyone on the road.

Take this incident in Australia as a public service announcement. Listening to music using earphones while riding is indeed a dangerous act. It should be avoided whenever operating any sort of heavy machinery, including motorcycles.
Instead of using wired headphones, consider investing in dedicated wireless systems. For instance, the Shark Helmets brand offers its own solution called Sharktooth. There’s also other third-party systems available such as the Headwave TĀG.
--Ads--


Wunderlich Adventure now makes Pan America 1250 accessories

New Wunderlich Adventure division sees German brand expand accessories line beyond BMW bikes starting with the Pan America 1250.

Wunderlich expands with new ‘Wunderlich Adventure’ division for non-BMW bikes.

The division debuts with a wide array of accessories made for the Pan America 1250.

Highlights include on- and off-road accessories, touring accessories, and more.

Wunderlich Adventure plans to expand with more accessories for other brands too.

Utter the name Wunderlich and, without missing a beat, many will already associate the famed German moto accessories marque with BMW Motorrad. Well, that’s about to change thanks to the brand’s newly established Wunderlich Adventure division.
Effectively, Wunderlich Adventure is a new label that sees itself dedicated to non-BMW branded motorcycles, and it starts with the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250. The division has readied a variety of accessories for the American brand’s ground-breaking adventure bike.

“Owners of the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 will be the first to be offered a rich assortment of high-quality components made in Germany under the Wunderlich Adventure label. They will be top notch in every aspect and represent everything that customers know and expect from Wunderlich,” said Wunderlich brand manager Herbert Schwarz.

True to its name, Wunderlich’s initial range of accessories for the Pan America are sizeable indeed. There are both on-road, touring-oriented, off-road, and adventure-oriented accessories present. Options include engine protection, a wider foot for your side stand, a variety of seat rack and bags, bar risers, lower footrests, comfort seat saddles, as well as windscreens.

Adding to the excitement, Wunderlich Adventure also kicked off a special introduction campaign called Come On: Bolt On! especially for Pan America owners. This sees the company giving away vouchers valued between €50 and €1,000 that can be used to purchase some of Wunderlich Adventure’s new Pan America accessories.
To enter, simply fill an online form over at the Wunderlich Adventure site and submit a creative photo of your Pan America.
--Ads--


MotoGP: Marquez wins Japanese Grand Prix and 2016 title

Marc Marquez crowned as 2016 MotoGP world champion after winning Japanese Grand Prix.

What was supposed to be the start of a thrilling triple-header of fly-away races came to a climactic – or anti-climactic for some – conclusion in the twin Ring Motegi during last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

MotoGP – Crowning of a champion
For the lead factory Yamaha duo of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, the Japanese Grand Prix was perhaps the last chance for either to give Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez an adequate challenge for the 2016 crown.

As the lights went out to start the 24-lap race, Lorenzo had the initial advantage as he started from third on the grid. But perhaps the pain from injuries sustained during practice earlier in the weekend proved too much to bear as he gave up the race lead back to Marquez on Lap 4.

Though battling fatigue and jet lag, Rossi tried his best to keep the title race somewhat alive. He had the upper hand with his pole position start initially, but Marquez’ pace was simply too quick for the veteran Italian to match.

The turning points came when Rossi fell first on Lap 6 whilst in second place. Next came Lorenzo’s crash on Lap 19. With both factory Yamaha riders low-siding out of contention, the race and the title belonged to Marquez.

Not only did Marquez finally broke the Twin Ring Motegi’s ‘curse’ upon him by taking his first GP win at said track, he also took a sensational home win for the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) as it celebrated its 50th anniversary of competing in MotoGP.

Joining Marquez on the podium was Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso who finished second astride the lead factory Ducati machine. Completing the rostrum was young Spanish sensation – ironically called the next Marquez – Maverick Viñales who finished third astride the Team Ecstar Suzuki factory machine.

And to sweeten things further, Marquez had all the points he needed to secure the 2016 world title with 273 points in hand. He now stands as the sport’s youngest ever rider to score three MotoGP world titles at the tender age of just 23 years old.

Along with his previous two MotoGP titles from 2013 and 2014, as well as his 2012 world Moto2 title and 2010 world 125cc title, Marquez is now credited with five world championship crowns altogether. He’s also dubbed as the sport’s youngest and most successful multi-title winner at that too.

With the 2016 rider’s title secured, the remaining battle for the constructors’ and team’s awards, not to mention the runner up and second runner up positions, will continue in Australia, Malaysia and Valencia.

Moto2
In the supporting Moto2 race, it appears that the fight to become the class’ first repeat champion is still alive for Frenchman Johann Zarco. The Ajo Motorsports rider took pole position after Saturday’s qualifying and eventually settled for second place in Sunday’s race.

The win belonged to Garage Plus Interwetten team pilot Tom Lüthi. The Swiss rider won in sensational fashion after storming up the lead from second on the grid and commanded the race until the chequered flag. Completing the podium was Italian rider Franco Morbidelli who rode the Marc VDS machine into third.

With both his rivals Sam Lowes and Alex Rins crashing out in Motegi, Zarco looks just about ready to successfully defend his class title before leaving for MotoGP. Zarco leads the standings with 222 points while Rins is second with 201 points. Lüthi now moves up to third with 179 points.

A photo posted by BIKES REPUBLIC (@bikesrepublic) on Oct 15, 2016 at 8:50pm PDT

Moto3
Last but certainly not least came the thrilling action from the lightweight Moto3 class. Though this year’s champion was already crowned in the last round, it did little at extinguishing the class’ renowned thrilling battles.

Taking a deserving victory by just a whisker of 0.017 seconds was Italian rider Enea Bastianini astride the Gresini Honda Moto3 machine. Settling for second was 2016 Moto3 world champion Brad Binder who rode his Red Bull KTM Ajo bike into second place.

Taking the final podium spot initially was Japanese rider Hiroki Ono who rode his Honda Team Asia machine sensationally up to third. But stewards later disqualified him after he was found to be underweight in the post-race weigh in.
Instead, officials awarded Italian rider Nicolo Bulega of the KTM-powered Sky Racing Team VR46 outfit with third position.

In the standings, champion Binder extends his lead further at 269 points so far whiles Bastianini ranks second with 164 points. Spanish rider Jorge Navarro sits in third with 143 points.
Round 16 – Phillip Island, Australia
Coming up in less than seven days is the second of the fly-away triple-header, this time in the revered and technically challenging Phillip Island circuit for the Australian Grand Prix.
One of the top favourite circuits amongst many riders, this is one race not to be missed. Sunday’s raceday broadcast begins with Moto3 at 10:00am, followed by Moto2 at 11:20am and the premier MotoGP class at 1:00pm.
(All times stated are local Malaysian time. Refer to your local broadcaster for more info)
--Ads--


Officially official: Lorenzo moves to Ducati!

After weeks of speculation, it is officially official, reigning MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo will leave the Yamaha MotoGP team at the end of this season. The destination for Lorenzo is the Ducati factory team.
The following is an excerpt from Yamaha’s statement:

“Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announces that its partnership with Jorge Lorenzo will be discontinued at the close of the 2016 MotoGP season, when Lorenzo will move on to new racing challenges,” read a Yamaha statement.
“Since Lorenzo joined the Yamaha Factory Racing Team in 2008, Lorenzo and Yamaha won three MotoGP World Championships (2010, 2012 and 2015), clinched 41 race wins and have been on the podium 99 times out of 141 races contested.
“Yamaha is extremely grateful for Jorge’s contributions to its racing successes and looks forward to sharing more memorable moments during the remaining 15 MotoGP rounds of 2016, their ninth season together.
“Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. wishes Lorenzo the very best in his future racing endeavours and reconfirms the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team’s full support on his campaign to achieve his fourth MotoGP title.

Ducati issued the following statement:
“Ducati announces that it has reached an agreement with Jorge Lorenzo thanks to which the Spanish rider will take part in the MotoGP World Championship in 2017 and 2018 aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Ducati Team.
“Lorenzo, born in Palma de Mallorca on 4 May 1987, has won five world championship titles throughout his racing career (250cc in 2006 and 2007 and MotoGP in 2010, 2012 and 2015).”
Why suddenly?

Ducati fishing for Lorenzo to don the colour red is nothing new, in fact the Italian team has been at it since 2009 but were turned down multiple times.
Now seems to be the right time for the greatest Spanish racer of all time to make his move.
Many feel that Lorenzo has achieved his best onboard the Yamaha M1, and that Lorenzo is not being perceived with the greatness he deserves.
The Ducati however seems to be primed to win, with both Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone having claimed podium finishes and pole positions, despite lacking the ‘racing sparkle’ that separates the Greats from the podium finishers.
Apparently Lorenzo also feels slighted that Rossi’s contract extension was announced first, instead of the reigning World Champion’s. This is being perceived as Yamaha placing more importance on The Doctor than on Lorenzo. The fact that Yamaha just announced a partnership with Rossi’s VR46 Riders Academy may also have a part to play in Lorenzo’s departure.
The musical chairs begin

What that means is that someone will have to take over his seat at Yamaha, and one of the Andreas at Ducati will have to vacate their seat.
Andrea Iannone won no favours when he took out both himself and Dovizioso just metres away from a podium finish for both riders in Argentina. And Dovi is also being perceived as the more cool headed one among the two Italians, so it is Dovi that is tipped to stay at Ducati.
Yamaha on the other hand has made no announcement or hinted at the rider to take over from Lorenzo, but it is the upcoming star at Suzuki, Maverick Vinales that is being tipped as the favourite to ride for Yamaha.
Can Lorenzo do what Rossi couldn’t?

There is no doubt that Lorenzo is one of the all-time greats, in his prime even Rossi was tested at almost every race. Lets not forget that this is the same guy who claimed a podium and second place finish on his debut race in 2008, and in 2010 won six races and never finished a race lower than second. He claimed the title with 383 points, a feat yet to be emulated.
Rossi on the other hand has a galaxy of achievements to his credit as well, but he couldn’t tame the Ducati before returning to Yamaha. If Lorenzo manages to win a race and more at Ducati, he could just clinch the coveted “Mr Popular” title that Rossi has had tor decades.
With the new Ducati Desmo race machine already showing signs of greatness, it seems likely that Lorenzo could just do what even the great Rossi couldn’t – tame a wild Ducati MotoGP race machine.
It is unlikely that Lorenzo will speak openly about Ducati until the end of the season, but if there is one thing for sure, the 2017 MotoGP season is going to be awesome!
Image Credits: MotoGP
--Ads--


Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R recalled in the US – air suction valves may cause fire

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US has posted a very important recall for a number of Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R superbikes produced in 2019 and 2020. A total of 1,529 units are affected in the US where the issue revolves around the possibility of damaged air suction valves that may increase the risk of bike catching fire.

Variants of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R that are affected by this recall are the standard model, ABS, and the KRT Edition. The cause of it all seems to be faulty programming of the ECU which ‘may cause the engine to backfire when the quick shift function is used under high engine load, possibly resulting in damage to the air suction valves.’

In simpler terms, riding the ZX-10R hard while using the quickshifter causes the bike to backfire resulting in a huge force of combustion in the exhaust that can lead to the air suction valves melting or even worse, catching fire.

Kawasaki Motor Europe realized this particular issue late last year and was later confirmed in February by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Kawasaki Japan). To remedy the problem, Kawasaki will contact all affected owners to reprogram the ECU and inspect to air suction valves for any damages (free replacement will be given if necessary).

Currently, there’s no word from Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMSB) regarding any ZX-10R units affected here in Malaysia. You can be sure that if there’s any update regarding the matter, we will let you know.
Source: NHTSA
Here are some cool upgrades for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R

--Ads--


Video Review of The New Ducati Diavel 1260S We Tested in Spain!

The Ducati Diavel 1260S is more than just a fast bike, it is quite intelligent as well.
The Diavel 1260S offers award winning looks and an engine that puts out enough power to shame superbikes.
But it is the Pirelli tyres and Bosch electronic brain that create some real magic.
But there were some false neutrals, we asked Ducati why and they explained it perfectly in a video featured in this article.

Reviewing the new Ducati Diavel 1260S reminded me of the original 1200. It was some time back in 2011 that I found myself at the World Expo Centre in Shanghai, staring at the then brand spanking new Ducati Diavel 1200 (below).
I remember being wide eyed. Completely awe struck.

The Diavel tore apart the conventional understanding of a cruiser, and Ducati quite literally stuck it to the motorcycling world with the Diavel.
Every cruiser since then has, in one way or another, been influenced by the Diavel. Maybe in power, handling, braking power or electronics, but the Diavel set the standards pretty high as far as power cruisers are concerned.
The Ducati Diavel 1200 Diesel.
I didn’t get to ride it much, probably about 3km around a square building which served as our “test-track”.
But it was enough for me to believe that Ducati had a winner in their hands, and that the era of the “power cruiser” had arrived.
10 Things You Need To Know About The New Ducati Diavel 1260S!

Nine years later, I am at the coastal town of Malaga and staring at the almost all-new Ducati Diavel 1260S.
It is still a stunning bike as it always has been. In fact, the Diavel recently won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award, click here to read about that.

What’s new?
I say “almost all new” because despite the new 1260 looking very much like the 1200 at first glance, only three things have been carried over from the first Diavel – the headlight, the tail light and the dash.
Ducati says 90% of the bike is new!

It is still a fantastic looking bike, and that 240 section rear tyre will never go out of style. It is just a cool bike but unlike other cruisers, this one has the performance to put sports riders to shame.

Riding Modes
I found this out after switching from Touring to Sport mode (the other mode is the sedated Urban mode, which I very quickly got bored of and I am sure you will too).

I had been riding in Touring since leaving the hotel, over highways and part of the coastal mountains. The roads ahead were wide with fast flowing corners, perfect!

Switching modes requires just two clicks of a switch with your left thumb, and about 3 seconds later and a quick roll off the throttle and the bikes goes from mile munching cruiser to F-15 fighter jet mode.

Power is instantaneous and the new 1262cc Testastretta DVT engine responds to the throttle at millimeter precision.

The engine features the Desmodromic Variable Timing (DVT) technology which made its debut on the XDiavel (click here to read more about DVT technology).
It offers a more direct response to your right hand and you feel it immediately.

Couple this to the new Ducati Quick Shifter and you have a bike that accelerates so hard that it takes your brain some seconds to register the onslaught, at which point you would already be traveling at over 200km/h.

Speaking of the DQS system though, there were a couple of time where the gear didn’t kick in, resulting in a false neutral. We did ask Ducati why this happened though and their reply is in the video above.

In Sport mode, the new Diavel needs your fullest attention. But it is not just the riding mode that makes it quick, in fact the Diavel 1260S represents the perfect harmony of superbike performance and cruiser like coolness.

Suspension
The suspension is supplied by Ohlins all round, though not electronically controlled but fully adjustable 48mm upside down front fork and a shock absorber for the rear.

Massive Braking Power
Brembo’s M50 monobloc are some of the best in the business this side of professional racing. Featuring face warping abilities, the front is managed by twin 320mm semi-floating discs with radially mounted 4-piston calipers, while the rear is kept in check by a 265mm single dish with a dual-piston Brembo floating caliper.

Of course, there’s a sprinkle of electronic magic here as well with smart electronics working behind the scenes to keep you safe.

The Electronic Brain
Backing up the Brembo braking hardware is a Bosch 9.2MP cornering ABS control unit. It has three intervention levels with Level 1 being the most sporty with zero cornering and rear wheel lift detection. If you like backing it into a corner, this is the level you want.

The ingenious electronics package consists of – Ducati Traction Control EVO, Ducati Power Launch EVO, Ducati Wheelie Control EVO and Cornering ABS EVO.

The brains of it all is a 6-axis Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit that measures roll and pitch angles as well as speed. You can also fully control the level of interference for each parameter – the traction control and wheelie control for example have eight different interference levels.

Sticky Tyres
But despite its power and cleverness, the Diavel 1260S relies on its tyres to deliver every bit of its power. And the tyres are more than a match to the Diavel’s brain and powertrain.

Pirelli’s high-acclaimed Diablo Rosso III are tasked with grip management. And measure in at 120/70 at the front and 240/45 at the back.

This huge variation in tyre section makes the bike feel nervous to lean at first, a typical character of fat-tyre cruisers – the front always seems keener to lean than the rear.

But after a while you get to really dig deep into the tyres for some massive lean angles.

The tyres are dual compound – soft on the outside and hard on the inside.
Despite some damp patches and cold weather, I was able to get on the throttle mid-way of the corner, much earlier than you would on other cruisers.

The Diablo Rosso III is known to have one of the wildest amount of grip, and it complements the character of the bike perfectly well.

So how does it ride?
Comfort is top notch because of the suspension and the wider and perfectly contoured seat that clasps your bum perfectly. No sore bum after that long ride through the mountains and in wet and dry conditions.

The sitting position is sporty with its centre mounted controls, while the X-Diavel is and will be with the new XDiavel 1260, more reminiscent of a cruiser with its forward controls.

The engine and the tyres are really the centrepiece of the new Diavel.
The engine for its mad power and instantaneous response to the slightest input and the resulting massive explosion of power. And the tyres for their ability to keep up with the engine’s brute power.

The electronics are there for check and balance and also for safety that requires thousands of calculations at a fraction of a second. And it is this combination that makes the Diavel feel like a superbike in a cruiser’s clothing.

Our test route was about 220km long along some beautiful roads, a mix of wide, fast and winding and tight and challenging.

The Diavel made mince of it all – of the distance, of the road, of the corners, and even the sections of rain we experienced.

I was too chicken shit to go balls out in Sport mode in the rain, and that too while riding on the wrong side of the road, so it was back to Touring mode, which I find to be the best balance for the Diavel.

Criticisms? Limitatios? I don’t have anything to criticise but some say that there is one limitation you would probably face if you buy the Diavel, and that would be that massive rear tyre. Suffering a rear puncture in a remote area could be a nightmare.

Well, having some experience with touring with the Diavel 1200 during the Ducati China Strada ride in 2013 (pictured above), the tyre never gave way during the near 3000km ride (read about our trip with Ducati in China by clicking here).

In fact, the only problem we faced with the Diavel during that ride was it bottoming out around the off-road section. But that’s to be expected though.

The first-generation Diavel was already fantastic to begin with. A good combination of everything, and the new Diavel 1260S just takes it to an all new level of awesomeness.

Sure it may have taken eight long years for Ducati to improve it, but it is so good, that I actually believe that Diavel 1200 owners may not recognise its riding character.

The new Ducati Diavel 1260S is due to be launched in Malaysia at some point in April or early May of 2019.

--Ads--


Why It is Important to have a Certified Technician Working on Your Bike

Trusting your bike to a certified technician is a no-brainer.

There are great “traditional” mechanics out there but motorcycles are getting more complex.

A certified technician invariably means official training, discipline and knowledge.

Before we go on, surely you have experienced a horrific visit or two to a motorcycle workshop. You have ridden motorcycles for decades, but there always seem to be something to surprise you.
We had written about this earlier, please click on the link below.
Bad Mechanics: Horror Stories for Your Bike

As we mentioned before, there are a few great mechanics around. These ‘otais’ cut their teeth in motorcycle maintenance and repairs usually from when they were very young. However, the key to their businesses surviving for so long is not due to offering cheap parts and accessories; instead, it is due to their passion in applying proper workshop practice and techniques. Visit one and you may see a good workshop manual or two in the office.

But how about the younger generation coming into the job market? It was something of an eye-opener for us when the TOC Automotive College launched their Superbike Technician Course a few weeks ago.

To recap, the TOC Automotive College (TOC) launched their Superbike Technician Course. Also during the launch, TOC signed an agreement with the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association (MMSDA). To summarize, the agreement will see students of TOC’s Superbike Technician Course be sent to MMSDA affiliated workshops to undergo industrial training as part of their curriculum and find job placements there when they have completed the course.

Mr. Wee Hong, Chairman of MMSDA iterated that there is a pressing need for qualified technicians at member workshops. (Please click on the link below for more details.)
TOC Automotive College Launches Superbike Technician Course

So why the need for qualified technicians over those who were self-taught? (Again, we stress that not all self-taught technicians are bad.)

Therefore, the benefits of having your pride and joy looked after by a certified technician are:

Proper workshop practices such as using the right tool for the right job. For example, using a torque wrench rather than whacking away with the pneumatic impact driver.
TOC, for example, requires a passing mark of 80% for each subject. That means their graduates have already been ingrained with most, if not all, knowledge about motorcycles.
Again, TOC does not compromise with students who missed any class more than twice per subject in a semester. This sort of training inculcates not only skill and knowledge but also discipline.
Discipline translates to ownership and responsibility. We’ve had some great experience visiting a few workshops whose technicians performed superbly, despite their young age.
Being certified means the technician is able to understand English. Now, it is not that we are ostracizing non-English speakers, but the cold, hard fact is that workshop manuals, owners’ manuals for imported motorcycles, guidebooks, most technical publications and videos are in English.

Motorcycles are getting ever more complex, especially in terms of electronics. The new crop of technicians is trained to diagnose these problems with the help of electronic testers.

While the above may not be 100% representative of the real world, at least it is better than having your bike’s CAN-bus worked on by a pokok ceri mechanic. Think of it this way: Would you visit a doctor or your neighbour (because he has a hot daughter) to diagnose your illness?

To know more about TOC’s Superbike Technician Course, CLICK HERE!
--Ads--


Build your own origami Yamaha YZF-R1M

Always wanted to own your favourite superbike but can’t seem to spare the cash and space at home for one? Then the downloadable Yamaha YZF-R1M origami paper craft will surely bring out the hobbyist in you.

For the uninitiated, Yamaha has made some of its rear world creations available as home-buildable paper craft models for quite some time now, and the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1M superbike is the latest addition to that. The best part about this is the fact that you can download the model’s build scheme for free online this dedicated microsite.

The built-up model featured in the images is a 1:5 scale replica of the acclaimed superbike, measuring 41cm end to end. This being part of Yamaha’s ‘Ultra Realistic’ range of models, you’re going to need a few things starting with a good quality colour printer, followed by a copious amount of A4-sized paper, as well as a basic set of home stationeries (glue, scissors, ruler, etc.)

Since it’s the holidays, this could perhaps be the perfect gift that you can build for your budding riding buddies or relatives. What better way to celebrate one’s passion for two-wheels by fuelling said passion further, albeit in a smaller yet more interactive way indeed.

You can visit the microsite to download the full schematics for the Yamaha YZF-R1M paper craft, as well as its construction manual.

Source: Yamaha via Visordown
--Ads--


US ‘mat rempit’ try to escape from police caught on camera!

Image source: Clevescene
A recently uploaded YouTube video showed a group of US ‘mat rempit’ trying to escape from the police.
Street riders from the US are popular with doing insane stunts of public roads with their dirt bikes and ATVs.
Everything was caught on camera from one of the riders’ action camera mounted on his/her helmet.
Image source: Boston Herald

In every country, there’s always a group of motorcycle riding hooligans that enjoy the chaos of riding wildly on city streets. Here in Malaysia, we have ‘mat rempit’ but in the United States of America, they take things to whole new level (including the police who try to apprehend them).

A YouTube channel called JustPoliceVideos recently posted a group of rowdy individuals trying to escape the Boston Police on the highway. Everything was caught on camera from one of the individuals who recorded everything on his action camera mounted on his/her helmet. How this person escaped was nothing short of spectacular (which goes to show the incredible things people can do when they’re in desperate situations).
Image source: NPR
Riding their dirt bikes and four-wheeled ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), these motorcycles are very popular amongst street hooligans in the US for their ability to perform riding stunts effortlessly. When they have the numbers of bikers sometimes in the hundreds (and even thousands), they sometimes take to the streets and even close down highways.
Image source: Baltimore Sun
So when the Boston Police decided to conduct a huge operation to catch some of these American ‘mat rempits’, chaos followed quickly as they try to escape. With most of the dirt bikes and two-stroke scooters being very light, they simply picked their bikes up over the highway dividers and rode off away from the officers (but not everyone was spared as some were taken into custody).
Image source: Fiveprime
Our Malaysian counterparts have been seen performing similar acts sometime last year. In an effort to run away from the roadblock organised by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), these young Malaysian individuals decided to throw caution into the wind and risked their lives (and other road users) by going to the centre of the highway and climbed the road divider to get to the other side.

Breaking the law is something that we here at Bikes Republic are fully against. We urge everyone to think of the safety of all road users and the lives of others before doing anything remotely dangerous. A summons or ticket will cause you some money but it’s not worth risking your lives (and others) to escape from it.
Ride safe, everyone!
Ride safe and responsibly, everyone!
Wilayah International Motofest 2018 thunders down Kuala Lumpur

--Ads--


Kawasaki Ninja GPZ900R making a comeback?

1984 GPz900R

The folks from Kawasaki just posted a very interesting video showing the evolution of the extremely iconic Kawasaki Ninja GPZ900R. It’s basically a morphing video showing all 16 models of the GPZ900R since its launch back in 1984 all the way up to the last one released back in 2003. The question that keeps playing in our minds is, why would Kawasaki post up this video just last week?

It’s true that this particular model is well known for its movie appearance in one of the most iconic Hollywood films of all time, Top Gun. Tom Cruise riding along ride next to a fighter jet taking off was something every biker kid wanted to do and with the new movie coming up, Top Gun: Maverick, the trailer also showcases the re-emergence of the classic GPZ900R.

We also know that Tom Cruise will be piloting a Kawasaki H2R in the new Top Gun movie and this show the strong foothold Kawasaki has in this very iconic movie. With that being said, does Kawasaki has the intentions to release a new version of the GPZ900R anytime soon? Will we see it in the new Top Gun movie?

There are also rumours going around regarding the new version of the Kawasaki Z900RS looking more like the GPZ900R. So far, any other regarding the return of this iconic bike is still pretty much in the dark but Kawasaki knows how to throw some mystery into the whole mix. Are we excited about the prospect? Yes. Should you? Heck yes!

Kawasaki Buys into Bimota, Unveils Bimota Tesi H2 at EICMA 2019

--Ads--


All-New Honda ADV 350 Set To Debut in Thailand in March!

Great news to wake up to, though it is unlike to make it to the Malaysian market, but we could just get lucky.
Word on the internet grapevine is saying that the all-new Honda ADV350 is set to be launched in Thailand in March of 2022.

The Honda ADV 350 was first shown at the EICMA show in 2021, but it went quiet since then, until now.
You can read our full report of the Honda ADV 350 here.
The all-new Honda ADV 350 is based on the Honda Forza 350 with the same eSP + engine, but with a twist.

Handling is managed by a 37mm Showa upside-down front fork with twin Showa rear shocks, while the ADV 350 also gets better ground clearance than the Forza 350.
There are also other amenities that add comfort and safety such as hand guards, a height-adjustable windshield, LED lights, a full LCD display screen.

There’s not all, there’s also a USB Type C charging connector, HSTC system and a RoadSync smartphone connectivity that displays all key information from your smart phone onto the LCD screen.
As for power, the ADV 350 is powered by Honda’s single-cylinder 330cc liquid cooled engine with fuel-injection. It also comes with Honda’s Smart Power + with Honda’s Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and outputs 28.9 horsepower.

In typical Honda fashion, RideApart reports that the ADV 350 comes with three colours for starts – Spangle Silver Metallic, Mat Carbonic Gray Metallic, and Mat Carnelian Red Metallic finishes.
There is no news on whether it will make it to Malaysia as yet, but it could just be the case since this is the perfect opportunity for Boon Siew Honda to plug the gap in between the smallish ADV 150 and the pricey ADV 750.

--Ads--


“AAM Consistently Broke the Rules” – KBS Explains Why

Photo credit ESPN.com

The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) explained why the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) was booted out as the sanctioning body for motorsports.

KBS recommended to the FIM that the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) take AAM’s place.

According to the FIM’s Sports Commissioner, “The AAM consistently broke the rules.”

The Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM)/Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) saga riles many feathers and had many racing enthusiasts talking about it. In the latest twist, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS – Youth and Sports Ministry) joined the ring, calling for AAM to be booted out of role as the country’s authority on motorsports.
The minister of the department, Syed Saddiq said, “AAM has been suspended by the (FIM) Sports Commission for consistently breaching the provisions of the Sports Development Act 1997. Many warnings have been given out before.”
“It is important for international regulatory bodies to be aware of this and take whatever action as necessary. We do not dictate what they should or should not do.”
On the other hand, “MAM has always been registered with the Sports Commissioner under the Sports Development Act 1997 to carry out national motorsports events.”
He added that this was in effect from many years ago, even before he became a minister.
Malaysian Insider had previously claimed that Syed Saddiq sent a letter to the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) in September last year. The letter sought to recognize MAM as the sole Malaysian motorsports authority.
Photo credit malaymail.com
According to the FIM’s Sports Commissioner’s Office, it cancelled AAM’s status as a sports body in late 2018 after the latter “broke the rules.” AAM did not submitted their year-end report and amending their own constitution.
AAM chairman Tunku Mudzaffar Mustapha, on the other hand, said that they had been in constant communication with the FIM, but was suddenly deregistered on 30thNovember 2018.
AAM is the only sporting body in Malaysia sanctioned by the FIM, International Automobile Federation (FIA), and International Carting Federation (CIK). Hence, participants need to apply for their racing license and insurance from AAM if they compete overseas.
Tunku Mudzaffar warned that international motorsports events such as MotoGP will be jeopardy since AAM is the sole sanctioning body.
Our take
Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali had said that the SIC MotoGP teams registered their riders including Hafizh Syahrin directly with the FIM without the involvement of AAM or MAM.
But if the FIM accepts MAM as the sanctioning body in Malaysia, international motorsports events ought to continue, which contradicts AAM’s statement.
The reality is this: The AAM has long been reviled by Malaysian racers on both four wheels and two wheels. To them, the body had only been charging high premiums for the racing license and insurance but have done nothing to promote the country’s motorsports. “AAM is beyond reproach,” they said.
These grouses were aired to this writer when he was covering the FIM Asia Supermoto Championship from 2015 and many other motorsports events.
Karma?
--Ads--


2019 Kawasaki Z250 ABS, Kawasaki Z400 SE ABS Launched (from RM 21,998.00)

Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) launched the 2019 Kawasaki Z250 ABS and Kawasaki Z400 SE ABS.

Both are high-performance lightweight motorcycles.

They are priced very competitively.

The Kawasaki Z250 ABS and Kawasaki Z400 SE ABS were launched tonight. They are priced at RM 21,998.00 and RM 28,755.00, respectively.

The new models were launched during Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.’s 30thAnniversary Gala Dinner. The guest of honour was Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin bin Haji Muhammad Yassin, the Home Affairs Minister of Malaysia.

2019 Kawasaki Z250 (From RM 21,998.00)
The 2019 Z250 is a facelift model to the previous Z250, to lengthen the model’s lifespan.

Highlights:

Following the Sugomi design concept, the bike has multiple slated panels.
The fuel tank is now more muscular.
New steel trellis frame that’s 4kg lighter, and inspired by the Ninja H2.
Wider handlebar for better leverage.
Raised tail section.
New LED taillight.
New LED headlight.
Semi-digital instrument panel (meter) inspired by the Z650.
Single front petal brake disc and petal rear brake.
Dual-channel ABS.
The engine is a 249cc, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve, parallel-Twin.
It produces 37.7 hp (38.2 PS) and 23.5 Nm of torque
The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with assist and slipper clutch.
Offered in Green colour scheme.

1 of 6

2019 Kawasaki Z400 SE ABS (from RM 28,755.00)
As with the Z250 which is the naked version of Ninja 250, the Z400 is the therefore the naked version of the Ninja 400.

Highlights:

The design also follows the Sugomi concept.
The fuel tank has muscular side panels.
New steel trellis frame that’s 4kg lighter, and inspired by the Ninja H2.
The handlebar and seating position is more upright hence more accessible to a wider range of riders.
Raised tail section.
New LED taillight.
New LED headlight.
Semi-digital instrument panel (meter) inspired by the Z650.
Single front petal brake disc and petal rear brake.
Dual-channel ABS.
The engine is a 399cc, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve, parallel-Twin.
It produces 48.3 hp (49 PS) and 38 Nm of torque.
New fuel injectors.
The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with assist and slipper clutch.
Offered in Grey colour scheme.

1 of 9

--Ads--


Brixton BX 150 Get Styling Updates For 2021 – From RM10,488

MForce Bike Holdings, the sole distributor of the Brixton Motorcycles in Malaysia, has updated the BX 150 range for 2021.
The BX 150, BX 150X and BX 150R received minor styling updates consist of new colours and appearance.

Nonetheless, all three variants are equipped with the same 149cc, 4-stroke, SOHC engine capable of producing 11hp @ 8,000rpm and 11.9Nm @ 6,000rpm mated to a five-speed transmission.

Other features include:

telescopic front fork
rear twin shock absorbers
280mm single disc (front)
220mm single disc (rear)
Combined Braking System (CBS)
14L tank
an analogue meter with a digital speedometer

The selling price starts from RM10,488 for the base BX150, followed by RM10,788 for the BX 150X Scrambler and RM11,088 for the BX 150R.
Customers will enjoy a 2-year warranty of 20,000km (whichever comes first) with every purchase of the BX 150 range.
--Ads--


12 Useful Math Formulas and Conversions

It’s useful to know a few math formulas and conversions.

They could come in handy whenever the situation arises.

Math isn’t scary, they can be downright fun instead.

You may have pulled up at a petrol station to inflate your tyres and the measurement unit on the air pump left you scratching your head. Or you’ve travelled a certain distance in a given time but uncertain on how to calculate the average speed. Or how many c.c.’s (cubic centimetres) is that 114 cubic inch Harley engine?
Fret not, because we’re here to help. We work with these numbers on an almost daily basis.
1. Pound-per-square-inch (psi) to kilopascal (kPa)
We’re familiar with these two pressure measurements as tyre pressures. While kilopascal is more widely used, there are still many pumps that still measure in pounds-per-square-inch.

To convert, multiply by 6.9 kpa. For example, 32 psi X 6.9 = 220.8 kPa.
What about bar? You just need to multiply the number by 100 to obtain the kilopascal reading i.e. 2.5 bar X 100 = 250 kPa.
2. Distance (km), speed (km/h) and time (hr.)
These three are interlinked. The easiest way to remember the formulas among them is to draw a triangle and place Distance (D) on top of Speed (S) and Time (T).

Say if you travelled at a steady 110 km/h for 3 hours and 15 minutes:
Distance = 110 km/h X 3.25 hours = 357.5 km
Conversely, to determine your average speed after covering a known distance in a certain amount of time, say from the Rawang R&R to the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration Checkpoint (441km) in 3 hours, 25 minutes:
Speed = 441 km ÷ {[(3 hrs. X 60 minute) + 25 minutes] ÷ 60 minutes} = 441 ÷ (205 ÷ 60) = 441 km ÷ 3.42 hours = 128.95 km/h
Finally, say you’re planning a convoy and need to estimate the amount of time you’d spend in covering a distance at a certain speed. Again, let’s assume the 441 km distance at an average of 110 km/h.
Time = 441 km ÷ 110 km/h = 4 hours
3. Engine Displacement / Capacity (cc)
The formula is: Displacement = Pi X radius2 X height = P X (½ X bore)2 X stroke

As an example, let’s use the Triumph Tiger 800 which we tested recently. The bore’s 74.0 mm and stroke’s 61.9 mm. However, since we seek the result in cubic centimetres (cc), we have to first convert milimetres to centimetres. Hence, the bore and stroke are 6.19 cm and 7.40 cm, respectively. Let’s plug in the numbers.
Pi X (½ X 7.40)2 X 6.19 = 3.14 X (3.70)2 X 6.19 = 3.14 X 13.69 X 6.19 = 266.08 cc
That’s the displacement of one cylinder. Since the Tiger 800 is an inline-Triple, we multiply 266.08 by 3. Therefore, the engine displacement of the Triumph Tiger 800 is 266.08 X 3 = 798.26 cc, which is rounded to 800 cc.
4. Cubic Inches (c.i.) to Cubic Centimetres (cc)
As we mentioned earlier, Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycle engine capacities are published in cubic inches; such as the Milwaukee-Eight 114 and Thunder Stroke 111, respectively.

To convert, multiply cubic inch by 16.387. Therefore, 114 X 16.387 = 1868.12 cc, rounded to 1870 cc.
5. Kilowatt (kW) to mechanical horsepower (hp)
Certain manufacturers publish their products’ power output in kilowatt (kW), but we are more familiar with horsepower.
To convert, multiply kW by 1.34. Hence, 70 kW X 1.34 = 93.8 hp, or rounded to 94 hp.
6. Metric horsepower (PS) to mechanical horsepower (hp)
PS is known as metric horsepower, while HP is known as mechanical horsepower.
To convert, multiply ps by 0.986. Thus 35 PS X 0.986 = 34.5 hp
7. Foot-pound (ft. lb.) to Newton-Metre (Nm)
These two units concern torque, usually used to quote the engine’s “pulling power.”
To convert, multiply ft. lb. by 1.36. Hence, 90 ft. lb X 1.36 = 122.4 Nm
8. Miles-per-hour (mph) to kilometres-per-hour (km/h)
To convert, multiply mph by 1.61. Thus, 60 mph X 1.61 = 96.6 km/h
Similarly, 1 mile is equal to 1.61 kilometres.

9. Foot (ft.) to metre (m)
To convert, multiply by 0.30. Thus, 30 feet X 0.30 = 9.00 metres
10. Inch (in.) to milimetre (mm)
To convert, multiply by 25.4. Hence, 3.5 inches X 25.4 = 88.9 mm
11. Pound (lb.) to kilogram (kg)
To convert, multiply by 0.45. Thus, 410 lb. X 0.45 = 184.5 kg
12. Fahrenheit (F) to Celsius (C)
Do bear in mind that the Fahrenheit scale is 32o when the temperature is 0o Celsius. So, in order to determine the temperature in Celsius, you need to take the Fahrenheit reading, subtract 32 and multiply by 0.5556.
For example: 90o F = (90 – 32) X 0.5556 = 58 X 0.5556 = 32.2o C

--Ads--


MotoGP: Karel Abraham continues with Pull&Bear Aspar Team for 2018

Both seats on the Pull&Bear Aspar Team for 2018 after the announcement of Karel Abraham signing for yet another season with the MotoGP squad.
The return of Abraham back on the MotoGP grid so far has been quite positive with constant top 10 finishes and even a front row start from the 27 year old from Czech Republic.
Abraham will continue his MotoGP efforts next season alongside his current Spanish team mate, Alvaro Bautista.

After the recent breaking news of Takaaki Nakagami moving up to MotoGP next season as the second LCR Honda rider after signing a contract with HRC, another seat has been filled for 2018. Karel Abraham has been confirmed to continue riding for the Pull&Bear Aspar Team for yet another season.

Following a return back into the MotoGP series this year after an unfruitful career in the WorldSBK, Karel Abraham returns with a goal to become better than ever. With constant top 10 finishes and even a front row start plus appearances in Qualifying 2, it seems that Abraham has brought some positive vibes back into the Aspar squad so far.

Despite having to race on a Ducati Desmosedici GP15, he managed a best finish of P7 back in Assen which shows that Abraham has what it takes to fight against the factory riders. Abraham will race alongside his current team mate, Alvaro Bautista for yet another season. Bautista signed his extension just last month.

To know more about Alvaro Bautista signing with the Aspar Team for 2018, CLICK HERE.
According to Jorge Martinez, General Manager of the Aspar Team, he stated “For the Aspar Team it is a source of satisfaction to renew with Karel Abraham. When we signed him last year we felt he could do a good job but the results he has achieved have been a very positive surprise.”

“He has done much better than we expected, right from preseason, and as the races have gone by he has continued to improve and achieve great results. We think we can continue to improve with him in the future. It is a simple choice, he is happy with the team and we are happy with him, so we are going to continue in the same way and chase even bigger goals.”

As for the rider himself, Abraham stated “I am very happy to have re-signed with the Aspar Team and to continue with the same group of people is very important to me. I am very happy, I am already looking forward to a new challenge next season but right now I need to concentrate on the rest of this season, which is the most important. As I said, I am very happy, but we have to focus on the here and now.”

Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more MotoGP updates.
Source: MotoGP
--Ads--


Shell Advance #Advance2Langkawi Ride in 60+ shots

A collection of photos from the Shell Advance #Advance2Langkawi Ride that we organised recently.

Loyal readers would know by now that our friends at Shell Malaysia held a special consumer campaign late last year through its Shell Advance brand called the Shell Advance #Advance2Langkawi campaign. (Read about it here)
The campaign was a special social media-based photo contest where more than 700 entries were submitted using the campaign’s #Advance2Langkawi hashtag.

From that, Shell Malaysia chose just seven winners in the form of Keith Ow, 29, from Penang; Ng Yao Ding, 29, from Ipoh; Zahed Abdul Rahman, 43 and wife, Hamidah Hassan, 43, from Rawang; Koong Wai Hoong, 32, and Shamsul Ridzuan Idris, 42, from Kuala Lumpur; and Miazil Jores, 28, from Johor Bahru.
Each of the seven winners was rewarded with an all-expenses paid biking road trip to Langkawi Island and back. On top of that, each winner was also treated with a complimentary service and oil change using Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology facilitated by our friends at Moto Aladdin.
And in case you were wondering, Shell Malaysia got the BikesRepublic team to organise and manage the group ride. While it wasn’t an easy task, we were fortunate to have a few key partners that helped us along to way.
In total, the ride covered approximately 1,200km across a span of five days. Of course, words do little at explaining how things went, so here’s a collection of images we snapped whilst riding up to Langkawi island and back with the winners.

Our editor Keshy Dhillon took up the daunting job of being the ride’s lead marshall and sometimes as fuel pump attendant too. By the way, all winners had their bikes fuelled up using Shell’s V-Power 97 premium fuels throughout the ride.

One last safety briefing before everyone geared up.

Being an experienced rider himself, Zahed Abdul Rahman @ Abang Zed was more than keen in sharing his wealth of experience to the other winners as most have never done long-distance overland rides before.

Riders being flagged off from the Shell Station just off the Nortbound Jalan Duta toll plaza leading towards the PLUS North-South Expressway.

One of the ride’s key partners was Isuzu Malaysia who kindly loaned us three Isuzu D-Max 3.0 V-Cross pick-up trucks. From ferrying luggages, cargo and crew, these trucks were key logistical assets in our ride.

We also roped in the folks from Motobike Bulance for this ride. Having such a service for a major group ride offered great peace of mind.

Winners having lunch together with the team from Shell and our crew in Ipoh, Perak.

Hamidah Hassan, who is also Abang Zed’s wife, proved that a ‘small’ capacity bike like her Kawasaki Ninja 250 had no problems in covering long distances.

Abang Zed enjoying the view astride his prized Kawasaki Versys as we charted across Kedah.

Winner Miazil Jores enjoying the view and ride astride the Victory Vegas 8-Ball which packed a massive 1,731cc V-twin engine!

Errr, Thailand’s actually further up Abang Zed!

One of the biggest challenges in this ride was the daunting pre-ride work, especially in preparing the necessary documentations for all the bikes and crew vehicles to enter Langkawi.

All seven winners together with the Shell Malaysia team posing for a photograph after reaching one of Langkawi Island’s famed landmark, Dataran Lang.

Participants, crew and the folks from Shell Malaysia tentatively listen to the comical stand up from one of our lead crew members who occasionally moonlights as a stand up comic.

Back on the ferry leaving Langkawi Island for the next leg of the ride to Penang Island.

Not only did winner and Penang native Keith Ow had it easy covering the miles on his Kawasaki Versys, he also got got a good homecoming of sorts as in the ride’s Langkawi to Penang leg.

Our editor Keshy Dhilon had quite a blast astride the new KTM 1050 Adventure. The Austrian marque’s entry-level adventure-styled tourer proved to be the perfect bike when tasked as the lead marshall’s ride of choice.

Who would’ve thought that the perfect convoy sweeper bike was a maxi-scooter!

Winner Shamsul Ridzuan Idris enjoying the view astride his Triumph Street Triple as we cruised along the Second Penang Bridge back towards the mainland.

Lastly, we’d like to thank everyone that made this ride possible. You can check out more images in the gallery we’ve prepared below.
Shell Advance #Advance2Langkawi Ride

--Ads--


Is this the new 2019 BMW S 1000 RR?

Rendered photos of what looks like the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR have been circulating online.

Based on the photos, the 2019 model carries a whole new design which is smoother and more fluid.

Sources also indicated that the bike will have more power embedded with MotoGP-inspired technology.

Rendered photos of what possibly will be the new 2019 BMW S 1000 RR have been circulating in the World Wide Web and a lot of folks are saying that this will be the next “game changer” in the world of superbikes. Based on the leaked patents, there’s a huge possibility that it might as well just do that.

Looking closely at all the CAD renders now widely spread online, we can see that there are a lot of changes being planned for the next-generation superbike from BMW Motorrad. With an all-new design built from the ground up, we can see that there’s a huge change up in the S 1000 RR’s facade especially its iconic dual front headlights where it is now symmetrical.

The rendered photos also showcased a much smoother design compared to the current model available with its sharp and aggressive look. The rear subframe also looks more round on the 2019 model which gives the bike a more subtle and more ‘Japanese’ appeal like the older versions of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

From what we know based on our test ride session with the 2018 BMW S 1000 RR, do not judge a book by its cover especially with the amount of firepower readily available once you open that electronically-controlled throttle wide open. Sources have indicated that there will be a brand new and even more powerful 1,000cc inline-four engine planned for the 2019 machine. Hubba hubba.

This can be seen by the new engine case design indicated in the rendered photos which also suggests that BMW Motorrad is most probably going to inject some MotoGP-inspired technology into the highly-volatile and exhilarating engine package such as a counter-rotating crankshaft. This means that the 2019 model will be able to tackle corners better and improved performances in traction control as well as power delivery.

A new exhaust package can also be seen in the photos which suggest that BMW Motorrad is working on something that will possibly increase the engine’s power output but at the same time conform to the ever-growing strict emissions regulations.

These assumptions are only based on the rendered photos readily available at the moment but knowing how BMW Motorrad functions, the new 2019 BMW S 1000 RR will carry more evolutions in the package from the inside out where it’ll be ready to conquer the streets as well as the track. Whatever the case may be, we just have to wait until at the end of the year for the official unveiling either at EICMA or INTERMOT.
Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates.
BMW Motorrad Malaysia Releases Prices with SST

--Ads--


Yamaha MT-15 Spotted in Malaysia

The long-awaited Yamaha MT-15 was spotted in Malaysia recently.

A photo showed the bike being ridden on the North-South Expressway.

The bike may be launched in January 2020.

The long-awaited Yamaha MT-15 was spotted in Malaysia recently.
According to our friends at Pandu Laju, a reader sent in the photos of the bike being ridden on the North-South Expressway. From the picture, we could see that it bears a trade plate and wore no camouflage. It could well be tested for homologation purposes.
Although touted as the MT-25 in their website, our take is that the bike is the MT-15. The photo isn’t clear at all, but there is a piece of bodywork poking out in front of the rider’s right knee. As the MT-25 doesn’t have radiator shrouds (check out the main picture), it narrows down to the MT-15.
Photo credit pandulaju.com.my
Anyway, If it’s indeed going through homologation, it means that we’ll probably see it being launched soon, but most probably in January during the annual Hong Leong Yamaha Dealers’ Convention, usually  held at Genting Highlands.
Also evident in the photo are some elements of the bike’s styling. Its rear end and exhaust silencer are carried over from the fully-faired YZF-R15. In fact, the MT-15 is the naked version based on the popular YZF-R15 platform, thereby running the same mechanicals.
We shall see if it’s actually the MT-15 or MT-25 later, but Malaysian motorcycle fans will have something awesome to look forward to next year!
Source and photo: pandulaju.com.my
--Ads--


Say hello to the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT

 If you thought that BMW’s S1000XR is as wild as an adventure-tourer can get, let us assure you that something crazier is on its way. Meet the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT, a tourer that is based on the manic 180hp 1290 Super Duke R. Expected to be unveiled officially at the upcoming EICMA International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan in, Italy in October, the bike is still wearing the camouflage present in the earlier sightings.  From what we can see, it features an orange frame, a black sub-frame, a black exhaust heat shield, and comes with a lower and longer rear subframe than the R. As much as the engine is concerned, we can expect the GT to share the same 1301cc LC8 twin that’s in the Super Duke R, only with different engine mapping to make it more suitable for long distance riding, as well as to help it meet Euro 4 regulations. Other gizmos that are most likely to be offered on the bike include heated grips, semi active suspension with four modes, cruise control and self-cancelling indicators. We believe it’ll have a quick-shifter as standard and Sport, Street and Rain riding modes.  Sources have also reported that it’s highly likely to have KTM and Bosch’s MSC (Motorcycle Stability Control) cornering ABS system, which will feature four settings – Street, Sport, Rain and Supermoto. It’s also said to have a hill start feature called Hill Hold Control (HHC) and a system called Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) which improves engine braking when climbing. Now, how is that for an adventure-tourer? Excited yet?
--Ads--


Brembo official statement released on PR16 master cylinder recall

After the recall issued by Ducati and Aprilia in the US regarding the PR16 front radial master cylinder unit, a Brembo official statement has finally been released.
Brembo has stated that the manufacturers that are affected are Aprilia, Ducati, KTM, MV Agusta, TM Racing, Moto Morini and Horex.
Models from 2015 to 2017 which uses the PR16 front radial master cylinder are typically used with Brembo M50 callipers.

It was only a few days ago at the beginning of the year where news broke out regarding a possible recall for a Brembo master cylinder unit. Manufacturers in the US like Aprilia and Ducati have since released official notices to owners with bikes that use the Brembo PR16 front radial master cylinder unit which is typically used with the Brembo M50 calliper package.

The master cylinder unit mentioned is quite a popular model which has been used all over the world by a number of different manufacturers. After a week of uncertainties on whether other bike manufacturers using the same PR16 part are affected, Brembo finally broke its silence with an official statement.
Position statement
Brembo SpA, a leader in the production of disc brake systems for vehicles, following the recent publication of some articles by the international press, mentioning wrong information, points out that:
-Thanks to the constant quality monitoring over its production processes, it has uncovered the possibility of defects to the piston of the front radial master cylinder (diameters 15mm and 16mm), sold between 2015 and 2017 and mounted on some motorcycle models.
-The only manufacturers affected are:
Aprilia
Ducati
KTM
MV Agusta
TM Racing
Moto Morini
Horex
-The recall does not affect other manufacturers nor other master cylinders, or master cylinders sold as Aftermarket kits through the Brembo distribution network.
Brembo promptly informed the manufacturers of the problem so that the owners of the aforementioned bikes could be informed and invited to have the part replaced at the nearest dealership.

As you can see, there were no indications in the statement as of how the particular part can cause failure but on the bright side, we now know which manufacturers are affected. Currently, there is still no news on whether the models here in Malaysia are affected.

Once we have any information, we will inform you as soon as we can. In the mean time, you can check with your preferred authorised dealer regarding the matter.
To know more about the PR16 front radial master cylinder unit recall in the US, CLICK HERE.
--Ads--


No more Penang Bridge motorcycle toll IF Barisan Nasional wins

Barisan Nasional (BN) has announced their pledge to stop collecting the Penang Bridge motorcycle toll if they win the state in GE14.
The announcement was made yesterday by BN Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak.
BN has pledged many improvements and upgrade if they retake the Penang state back in next month’s general election.

With the upcoming general election coming up next month, a lot of folks from several parties have been throwing around a lot of pledges and promises regarding their plans to make the country a better place. The latest pledge which caught our attention was the one made by Barisan Nasional (BN) in regards to their future in the state of Penang.

According to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, the toll for motorcyclists on the Penang Bridge will no longer be collected if they retake the state back after GE14. The promise was delivered by the man himself during the ‘Balik Pulau bersama Perdana Menteri’ yesterday at SMN Seri Balik Pulau.
Image source: Malay Mail Online
“There will be no toll for motorcycles if Barisan wins the state. There will be more if Barisan wins and you must ensure our victory,” stated the BN chairman during his campaign in the state. Apart from the bike toll, he also pledged for other grand initiatives involving the upgrades for the state’s medical and health departments.

Currently, those who are travelling to the island on a daily basis have to pay RM1.70 per entry. This translates to RM51 per month and RM612 per year. That’s a lot of savings, especially for the low-income earners. So, who’s your vote for? Wait, don’t tell us!
2018 Kawasaki Z900 ABS now with new colour!

--Ads--


2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR & ZX-6R now in Malaysia! From RM79,900

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (KMSB) has officially launched the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR and the Ninja ZX-6R.

The launch was held at KLIMS 2018 together with the introduction of the Kawasaki Genuine Oil.

Both the new ZX-10RR and ZX-6R are priced at RM159,900 and RM79,900 respectively.

The good folks from Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (KMSB) have successfully conducted one hell of a show-stopper earlier today with the launch of the all-new 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 (KLIMS).

Held at MITEC Kuala Lumpur, the two new bikes which were just recently launched globally have made their way to Malaysian shores in order to bring total superbike supremacy to this part of the world. Both the ZX-10RR and ZX-6R have been substantially-updated with better power delivery as well as handling on the open road and closed circuits.
2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR – RM159,900

This baby has been specifically-developed for superior performance based on the race machine used by Jonathan Rea and the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) in WorldSBK. This multiple-championship-winning machine gave Rea four straight championship victories in the premier class and now, 500 lucky owners around the world are able to enjoy the same feeling.

Powered a powerful 998cc inline-four engine, the new 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR now produces 201hp but with better overall performance thanks to new titanium parts and a redesigned crankshaft plus a rise in the previously flat torque curve. This means that the ZX-10RR is able to produce more power but at the same time offer better rideability for those looking for the ultimate precision machine.

Other top end features include KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System), ABS, horizontal back-link suspension, KLCM (Kawasaki Launch Control Mode), IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), electronic throttle valves, KCMF (Kawasaki Cornering Management Function), S-KTRC (Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control), power modes, Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP rubbers, and more.

As stated earlier, the new Ninja ZX-10RR is limited in production to just 500 units worldwide and KMSB is targeting in getting the biggest allocation for the Asian region. According to Dato’ Jeffrey Lim Chee Sing, General Manager & Director of KMSB, they’re planning to bring in around 10-20 units here in Malaysia if all goes well.
2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R – RM79,900

Those who prefer something specifically-designed to reign over the Supersports bike category can opt for the latest 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. The 636cc Ninja powerhouse has been further updated for a stronger low-to-mid end torque range whilst increasing its usability for everyday riding.

The major highlights of the new 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R are:

Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) as standard
New styling with twin LED headlights and taillight
“High-grade” instrumentation
Euro4 emissions-compliant engine tuning
Optimized gear ratios to improve low-end power

Talking about power, the base 636cc inline-four engine has gone through minor updates to ensure that the machine complies with the strict Euro-4 emissions regulations. Producing a monstrous 127hp at 13,500rpm and 70.8Nm of maximum torque upon hitting 11,000rpm, the ZX-6R offers “greater performance across the rpm range is welcome when sport riding, both in the hills and on the racetrack.”

Other major highlights of the new Ninja ZX-6R are:

Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS)
Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC)
Radial monobloc brake package
Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 sport tyres
Showa Separate Function Fork – Big Piston (SFF-BP)
Assist & Slipper Clutch

In conjunction with the launch of the two new superbikes, KMSB also took the opportunity to launch their brand new Kawasaki Genuine Oil via a new technical partnership deal with Idemitsu. The introduction of Kawasaki Motors Malaysia 4T Semi and Fully Synthetic Genuine Oils are all about providing maximum power and protection whilst keeping the overall maintenance costs down.

According to Mr. Ahmad Faez bin Tan Sri Yahaya, Executive Chairman of KMSB, “The 4T Semi Synthetic Oil is a superior performance synthetic motorcycle oil that’s specially-blended for high-performance engines and offer maximum protection. While 4T Fully Synthetic Oil is a premium quality and specially-blended formulation that provides optimum power and engine performance.”

Both of the engine oils from Kawasaki offer outstanding oil consumption and control, gearshift quality, and wet-clutch performance. They are also excellent with low-temperature flow characteristics which help in reducing overall engine wear and assisting during cold start-ups.

The 4T Genuine Fully and Semi Synthetic Oil 10W-40 SL JASO MA2 are priced at RM39.90 and RM29.90 respectively for a one-litre bottle. To know more, head over to www.kawasaki.com.my.

--Ads--


HLYM introduces new Yamaha Ego Avantiz scooter with a tentative price tag of RM5,700.

Malaysian Yamaha motorcycles assembler and distributors Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd (HLYM) updated its model line up after introducing the new Yamaha Ego Avantiz scooter model earlier today in Kuala Lumpur.

The new entry-level scooter was launched in conjunction with this weekend’s Yamaha Automatic World Motorshow that’s taking place in the popular city centre shopping haven of Berjaya Times Square.

The Yamaha Ego Avantiz boasts a stylish modern new design that’s complemented by an LED headlamp unit – one of the first in its segment to offer said feature.

Designed as a scooter for all kinds of users, the Ego Avantiz underpins a lightweight underbone chassis with a rear swingarm construction and boasts a light claimed weight of 97kg. Like most other underbone scooters in its segment, it features the typical telescopic front forks and rear monoshock suspension setup as well.

Underneath its pretty new skin, the new Yamaha Ego Avantiz is powered by an air-cooled, four-stroke 125cc single-cylinder SOHC engine that’s primed with fuel injection and an electric starter. Paired with the mill is a V-belt automatic transmission that features a wet multi-plate clutch assembly as well – a rather typical transmission setup in this segment as well.

More importantly, the mill adopts the Japanese powerhouse’s BLUECORE tehcnology’s fuel efficiency doctrine and features an Eco lamp that will allow riders to fully maximise every drop of fuel from the 4.2-litre fuel tank. On top of that, the mill healthily outputs 9.4hp @ 8,000rpm and peak torque of 9.6Nm @ 5,500rpm.

Other notable features include a large 14-litre ‘jet’ design underseat storage bin, a hydraulic single front disc brake unit paired with a drum-type unit at the rear, not forgetting the wheels and tyre size combination of 70/90-14M/C 34P at the front and 90/80-14M/C 49P at the rear.
HLYM will offer the new Yamaha Ego Avantiz with three colour scheme options. The scooter will go on display during the Yamaha Automatic World Motorshow throughout this weekend before it hits showroom sometime in August.

As for the price, HLYM has indicated a tentative basic sales price of RM5,700 (including GST) for now pending approval from the government. The final price will include HLYM’s standard offer of a one-year or 10,000km warranty plan.
Check out more images and materials of the new Yamaha Ego Avantiz in the galleries we’ve prepared below.
Yamaha Ego Avantiz Launch @ Berjaya Times Square

Yamaha Ego Avantiz features

--Ads--


Top reasons why the Art of Speed Malaysia 2017 was AWESOME

The Art of Speed Malaysia 2017 saw a huge crowd turnout to show their support, love and dedication to Malaysia’s home-grown ‘Ol-Skool’ and ‘Kustom Kulture’ scene.
This year’s event that happened the past weekend was bigger than ever with much participation from big manufacturers to small garages to showcase their amazing machines from brand new motorcycles to the super rare transportations.
A lot of special invited guests made their way to AOS 2017 from countries like Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, US, Japan and many more.

The custom scene for anything with wheels like motorcycles, cars, bicycles or even skateboards has been growing rapidly. Once a small scale section in this ever-growing motoring industry, one particular gathering has gained massive following and attention not just from Malaysians but other countries as well. We are of course talking about the annual Art of Speed Malaysia ‘Ol-Skool’ and ‘Kustom Kulture’ festival.

What started as a small meet up for motoring enthusiasts as shopping mall car parks has turned into a massive annual gathering so huge that the organiser and founder, Mr Asep Ahmad Sastrawidjaja or simply known as “Asep” had to find a much bigger venue to accommodate every single one of them.

For the past few years, the annual Art of Speed Malaysia festival has been held at the massive Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) near Putrajaya. This past weekend saw a massive takeover of not just the main hall in MAEPS but also a secondary hall plus outdoor space that covers an area of over eight acres. That’s almost 350,000 square feet of space dedicated to cars, bikes, test rides, stunt shows and anything related to rolling wheels!

Even big time bike manufacturers have chosen this annual custom festival to showcase and launch their new bikes, showcase their goods and setup the most outstanding booths that can rarely be seen out of events such as the AOS. Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia had the amazing honour of winning the “Best Booth” award with their multi-level display area which also exhibited their one of their latest 2017 models, the Bonneville Bobber.

Ducati Malaysia also took this grand opportunity to launch their latest Ducati Scrambler offerings which are the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer and Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled.

To know more about the two new Ducati Scramblers, CLICK HERE.

Even Kawasaki Motors Malaysia participated by showcasing all their amazing motorcycles but to make them different from other manufacturers, they even organised a exceptional test ride session for all their 2017 models like the Kawasaki Z900 ABS, Z650 ABS, Ninja 650 ABS and Versys-X 250.

Boon Siew Honda also decided that this year, they’ll be involved in the custom universe in a big, BIG way with a their own invitational biker’s build-off where a total of five guest builders were given the opportunity to go all out with their crazy ideas and inspiration on two different Honda motorcycles, the Honda EX5 Fi and the Honda MSX 125. They even officially launched their latest 2017 Honda Rebel 500!

To know more about the 2017 Honda Rebel 500, CLICK HERE.

The folks from Legend Racing Garage, District Shop & Gallery, CLM Custom Works, Backwheel Bitches (BWB) and a fifth surprise addition from Shawn Seelan Creations went to town in coming up with the craziest and coolest fully-customised Honda EX5 Fi and Honda MSX 125. There will a be another exclusive feature on these bikes later on Bikes Republic so stay tuned for that.

AOS Promotion Video
BSH buat julung kalinya akan menyertai AOS. Mari sertai kami untuk memeriahkan lagi event ini! The 6th Annual Art Of Speed Malaysia 2017  29 & 30 July 2017  MAEPS SERDANG    #GayaKami #RoadToAOS2017 #aos2017 #jiwakustom #aosxbsh #boonsiewhonda #honda #malaysia
Posted by Honda Motorcycle Malaysia on Isnin, 19 Jun 2017

The Art of Speed Malaysia 2017 is probably one of the biggest motoring-related events here in Malaysia where a lot of invited guests have made their way to the gathering together with their specially-made custom vehicles from countries like the US and even Japan. This year even saw special guests from the ever faithful folks from Mooneyes Japan and Hot Wheels to show their support and love for the Art of Speed Malaysia 2017.

Apart from major industry players, the AOS2017 is special in its own way when it comes to paying tribute to the little folks that not only stuck to their guns when it comes to the ‘Ol-Skool’ and ‘Kustom Kulture’ scene but also helped them launch the festival’s fame into the stratosphere.

10 different private builders were invited to showcase their ultimate two-wheel creations which were proudly displayed at this year’s “Moto Circus”. The folks who were responsible for these beautiful creations are none other than Beard Brothers Cycle (Singapore), Big Cat Motor Art (Ampang, KL), Chopper Ministry (Bangi, Selangor), Garaj Besi (Johor Bahru, Johor), Gimme Shelter (Petaling Jaya, Selangor), Kerkus Motorworks (KL), Rotten Motorcycles (Baganland, Penang), Rachun Motorcycles (Kota Bharu, Kelantan), Abah & Sons Motorworks (Penang) and finally the whole shot winner of this year’s AOS bike build-off, The Rusty Factory (Ipoh, Perak).

To keep things rolling and upbeat, special performances from great local bands like Oh Chentaku gave their all on Day One of AOS 2017. The second day saw a very special appearance from a Japanese rock & roll band, Johnny Pandora and a killer closing to the 2017 Art of Speed Malaysia by Malaysia’s very own local band, Hujan.

This year also highlighted on a very special giveaway sessions (yes, plural) that happened on both days. To make sure that there were no elements of gambling in the lucky draws, three people were chosen and given a task to complete and the grand prize winners were chosen by the audience based on their applause.

One lucky folk took home a brand new CMC XY400 on Saturday and on Sunday, another lucky man took home this year’s ultimate prize, the twin-engine RXZ drag bike dubbed the “RXZ Twinboss”. Harley-Davidson also joint in on the fun by having their own special raffle with their new Street 750 as the big giveaway.

At the end of the day, it was probably one of the best (and probably the largest) gatherings ever organised on Malaysian soil when it comes to a large selection of different vehicles. Beautiful machines, great people, awesome activities and a very overwhelming turnout. What more can you ask for?

Written by: Zarul Faiz
--Ads--


Third #GETDUKED Teaser Video for 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R

Photo credit rideapart.com

KTM has released the third #GETDUKED teaser video.

It shows a motorcycle being blatted around on a racetrack.

It should be the new 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R.

KTM has released the third #GETDUKED teaser video for what should be the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R.
The previous two videos showed a motorcycle being built then prepared for a test on the racetrack in this video.
It shows a motorcycle blasting around a track interspersed with the typical seizure-inducing flash cutting footages of the bikes parts, including what we saw as Brembo Stylema front brake calipers, fitted to a Showa BPF-like fork lowers at 0:14. Does this mean the new Super Duke R will be more track-focused? KTM has no plans of building another fully-faired sportbike since axing the RC8 years ago.
But while the rest of the video is your standard new bike teaser fair (which is too many these days, by the way), it’s good to hear the glorious roar of the V-Twin engine.
A noteworthy feature of the 2020 bike is the aerodynamics. Taking a cue for their MotoGP efforts and also that of upcoming supernakeds, the it’ll have winglets on the radiator flanks. There were spyshots earlier and the prototype uses the kind of aluminium seat subframe first seen on the 790 Duke.
The new Super Duke R will have some stiff competition to dethrone it as the King of Supernakeds.
The video ends with the date 5th November 2019, which is the opening day of EICMA 2019.
--Ads--


Team Malaysia @ Qatar GP 2016

A round up of how Malaysian riders and teams fared out in the Qatar GP race weekend – Asia Talent Cup, Moto3 and Moto2.

The action-packed Qatar GP race weekend was a busy one, especially for a number of Malaysian riders and teams competing across several categories.
MOTO2

Leading this charge in the World Moto2 class was the all-Malaysian combination of the Petronas Raceline Malaysia team and rider Hafizh Syahrin in the Moto2 class. A foul up with the bike’s setup saw Hafizh managing only to qualify in 16th position on the grid, but a quick fix allowed him to carve up the order and cross the line in fifth position before being elevated up to fourth thanks to a technicality that resulted from the high number of jumpstarters ahead.

Shortly after the race, Hafizh expressed:
“I tried hard and pushed all the way. About four laps to go, my right hand went numb and I could not feel anything. It was difficult to maintain the same lap time towards to the end but I tried my best to maintain my position. I am thankful things worked out well and I will definitely give my best for the whole season.”

Adding to that was Petronas RacelineMalaysia team manager Barry Leong. He states:
 “If not for the numbness that he felt on his hand, who knows what would have happened. We are happy to see this kind of result and this will boost everyone’s confidence to push harder for the upcoming races. Thank you everyone for believing in us and we will strive to do better.”

Hafizh now sits in fourth position of the championship standings after earning himself 13 points from his fourth place classification.
Further down the order was Spanish rider Efren Vasquez astride the JPMoto Malaysia team’s Suter bike, who was the last classified finisher in 22nd place.
MOTO3

In the World Moto3 Championship stage, the Drive M7 SIC racing team celebrates yet another strong performance from lead rider Jakub Kornfeil. Despite the challenges of mastering the team’s new Honda machinery, the young Czech rider was able to pull himself up the order to finish in a respectable 10th position.

Shortly after the race, the Czech rider expressed delight by stating:
“I really enjoyed riding! It was a beautiful race because we had so many battles and so much passing every lap. I’m happy that I won the fight in my group.”

For rookie Adam Norrodin, who comes straight off the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup series, the Johore-native was simply elated to have completed his first World Moto3 race without a hitch. Adam started from 27th on the grid and was able to move up the order as well to finish in 20th.

The youngster further added:
“I knew it would not be easy starting from 27th place, so I prepared so much last night and this morning about how to be in the race. Warm Up went really well and I finished the session in 16th; I felt a lot more confident and comfortable with the bike. The team did a really good job with the set-up today and I must thank them. I hope to continue my progress and improve more every round.”

Adam isn’t the only Malaysain rider debuting in the World Moto3 stage this year as fellow countryman Khairul Idham Pawi who rides for the Honda Team Asia outfit joins him on the grid. Khairul Idham also completed his first outing in the world championship without a hitch, classifying himself not far off Adam’s pace in 22nd place. The youngster had previously proven his mettle in the CEV Junior World Moto3 category with a few podium finishes to his name, so we can expect him to progress further up the order this season.

ASIA TALENT CUP

Ahmad Idham Khairuddin and Izam Ikmal represent Malaysia in the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup feeder series this year. In Qatar, Idham was able to finish in 14th position in Race 1 on Saturday and he improved on it slightly with a 13th place finish in Race 2 on Sunday.

Ahmad Idham current sits in 15th position in the series’ standings with 11 points scored after four races. Having already raced in the series as a wildcard last year for several rounds, Ahmad Idham’s progress this season is one to look out for in the series.

Next up comes rookie Izam Ikmal. Even for an established Malaysian MiniGP champion, the pint-sized youngster is having a tad bit of a tough time adjusting to the competition level here. Izam still hasn’t scored a point and he will be looking to change that come May when Round 3 gets underway alongside the Malaysian leg of the World Superbikes Championship (WSBK) in Sepang.
Gallery – hafizh Syahrin & Petronas Raceline Malaysia Suter @ Qatar GP 2016

				Image credit: Petronas Motorsports

Gallery – Drive M7 SIC Racing Team @ Qatar GP 2016

--Ads--


2021 Vespa Sprint S 150 Lands In Malaysia – With TFT Screen, RM19,900

Vespa Malaysia has just unveiled the 2021 Vespa Sprint S 150 for the local market, priced at RM19,900.
While the new Sprint S 150 comes in two distinct colourways, Bronzo Antico and Nero Opaco, it is also the first Vespa to feature a 4.3-inch TFT-LCD instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity.

The new feature allows the rider to access functions such as answering calls, receive notifications and music player.

Putting aside the new feature, the Vespa Sprint S 150 continues to offer 12.7hp @ 7,750rpm and 12.8Nm @ 6,500rpm from its IGET single-cylinder 154.8cc engine.

Other technical specifications include:

single shock absorbers (front/rear)
200mm front disc
mechanical drum rear brake
single-channel ABS
12″ rim
7L tank

--Ads--


MOTOGP: Johann Zarco to KTM factory team in 2019?

Image source: MotoGP
It seems that MotoGP rider Johann Zarco is set to make his move to the KTM factory team in 2019.
The latest rumour has indicated that the Frenchman has reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with the Austrian manufacturer.
If this is true, Zarco will be a KTM factory rider and will ride their latest KTM RC16 MotoGP bike in 2019 and 2020.

A recent report made by Motorsport.com has stated that current Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Johann Zarco is ready to make his move to KTM next season. The French rider has long been associated with the Austrian manufacturer even since his current team confirmed their move to KTM machinery next season.

During the last round in Austin, Texas, news were circulating regarding Zarco reaching a ‘verbal agreement’ with Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director and Thomas Uberall, Red Bull Motorsports Manager for the KTM factory squad.

If this is all well and true, Johann Zarco will be a factory rider for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team. Once everything is formalised, we will see Zarco on the KTM RC16 for 2019 and 2020. The bad news? Bradley Smith might get the boot as the other current KTM rider Pol Espargaro has already collected eight points in the 2018 championship compared to Smith’s zero.

The other speculation of Johann Zarco moving to Repsol Honda has apparently been swept under the rug (for now). The Frenchman once expressed his interest to join the Honda’s ‘dream team’ and rumours were certainly pointing towards that direction.

If this happens, this would also mean that Dani Pedrosa will be kicked off and Zarco will be Marc Marquez’s new teammate (unless they pull off another crazy three-rider factory squad as how they did in 2011 with Dani Pedrosa, Andrea Dovizioso, and Casey Stoner).

This, however, did not sit well with Zarco. Some reliable sources have stated that being Marquez’s teammate is something that is ‘not easy to accept’. It is understandable as Honda prefers Marquez’s bike setup compared to Pedrosa’s since he has won four MotoGP crowns in his five years of racing in the premier class.

With KTM still having a lot to prove this season (and not being where they need to be at the moment), do you think that Zarco is making the right choice? Whatever the case may be, a MotoGP factory seat is certainly an interesting offer.

As for Zarco’s current teammate and national rider, Hafizh Syahrin, things are still a little too early to tell. So far, he is doing well with sitting in P13 with nine points in this year’s championship ahead of other high-profile riders like the Espargaro brothers, Jorge Lorenzo, and eight other riders below him. If all goes well, he might actually retain his seat in the new Monster KTM Tech 3 squad in 2019.

Image source: MotoGP
--Ads--


Great Malaysian effort at BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2020

The Malaysian team recently completed the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2020 with competition against the best BMW Motorrad off-road riders from around the globe. It was a tough yet fruitful experience for the national representatives, Norizuan Abdullah, Chan Kiang Wei and Mohd Zulfakar bin Mohd Alghaus.

Out of 23 teams who participated, the Malaysian trio finished in 18th place ahead of Team India, Team North Africa, and more. Contestants from 40 different nationalities went head-to-head in an exhilarating 3,000km adventure which many have regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious premium adventure motorcycle competition.

According to Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, “The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy is the world’s most prestigious premium adventure motorcycle competition with diverse participants from across the globe coming together to celebrate Make Life a Ride. We are proud to see our local team at the competition, representing not just Malaysia but all of Southeast Asia as well for the very first time – making a name for themselves on the global stage.”

Owen Riley, Head of BMW Motorrad Malaysia meanwhile said, “What a ride the past weeks have been at the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2020 as well as on our BMW Motorrad social media channels. Our three local riders managed to push the boundaries to show what Malaysians can achieve as a team in their very first outing at the trophy. This truly is the spirit and camaraderie that International GS Trophy aims to create!”

Norizuan Abdullah, member of Team Malaysia said, “It is a huge achievement for us to represent Malaysia in the International GS Trophy this year. Even though we had a bumpy start, we worked hard and came out better riders. I believe this is what the GS is about, bringing people together through the thrill of the ride, despite the challenges we have to face. It takes true grit to make it to the finish line and I am so proud we did it. Thank you for believing in us, Malaysia!”

To know more about the International GS Trophy 2020, head over to www.bmw-motorrad.com/en/experience/stories/adventure/gs-trophy-2020.html.
--Ads--


Updated 2016 Triumph Tiger Sport debuts

2016 Triumph Tiger Sport

Refreshed 2016 Triumph Tiger Sport debuts in the UK.

After being teased earlier this month, the new and updated 2016 Triumph Tiger Sport has finally been unveiled in the UK. As expected, the adventure sport model gained with several mild revisions over its predecessor, most notable of which being its powertrain.

Underneath, the 2016 Triumph Tiger Sport comes powered using the very latest version of the brand’s venerable 1,050cc in-line three-cylinder engine as used in the revised 2016 Triumph Speed Triple naked. Besides Euro 4 compliance, Triumph also claims that the triple-cylinder mill has improved fuel efficiency and torque figures as well.
Typically, Triumph have yet to fully reveal exact power and torque figures. Such data will only be available just before the model hits showroom floors in the UK and subsequently worldwide later this year.

On board, the new Tiger Sport’s update treatment is rather similar with the Speed Triple too. Highlights here include a new ride-by-wire throttle, selectable riding modes, multi-level traction control, as well as a slipper clutch unit. Also present on board is a cruise control feature, making this adventure sport bike more touring friendly too.
Other changes include a revised exhaust system, improved footpegs, an adjustable windscreen that is also tinted, as well as a pair of new and redesigned side mirrors.

Check out more of the new 2016 Triumph Tiger Sport in the gallery we’ve prepared below.
2016 Triumph Tiger Sport

				2016 Triumph Tiger Sport

Source: MCN / Asphaltandrubber / Visordown
--Ads--


Yamaha 250cc adventure bike in the works?

A new trademark filing by Yamaha Motor India has indicated that they might be working on a 250cc adventure bike of their very own. Labelled as the Yamaha FZ-X, it’ll most likely be based on the current Yamaha FZ 25 platform. Interesting? Most likely.

Judging by the name, the Yamaha FZ-X could be any bike as it was filed under the “motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds, three-wheeled motorcycles, three-wheeled motor scooters, three-wheeled mopeds and parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods.” In other words, it could be anything, but the X in itself has almost always indicated an adventure-style something.

Experts in India have also indicated that the current Yamaha FZ 25 isn’t doing so well in terms of sales, and they think that the FZ-X will be the future replacement for the FZ 25. Fitted with a 250cc single-cylinder unit, the FZ 25 produces close to 21hp and 20Nm of torque.

It also comes with dual-channel ABS, LED lights with DRLs, an LCD meter panel, and a wet weight of just over 150kg. To turn this into an exciting adventure bike shouldn’t be too hard as the base specs are admirable, but they must include something to ensure that the upcoming FZ-X has several unique selling points, especially if they want to do well in countries like India and the rest of Asia.
PDRM suggests 70cc bikes for Malaysian youths by 2025

Written by: Sep Irran
--Ads--


Harley-Davidson’s next electric bike is called the Revelation?

Harley-Davidson has just filed a trademark application under the name Revelation.
The trademark applied at the USPTO is for batteries for vehicles and drivetrains for both electric motorcycles and vehicles.
The Revelation sounds more like the technology H-D will use to power their next electric bike instead of a brand new one.

Some interesting news from the United States of America has been going around in regards to Harley-Davidson and their next electric motorcycle. It seems that the manufacturer has just filed for the latest trademark application for the name Revelation at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The trademark application consists of two different things under the Revelation name. H-D is trying to trademark their batteries for vehicle use and also drivetrains for both electric motorcycles and vehicles. Most people who got to know about this might think that the Revelation will be their next electric motorcycle but this might not be the case.

The trademark suggests that it is not an entire motorcycle but instead, the technology that Harley-Davidson will use to power their next upcoming electric bike (and other electric vehicles). In other words, the next electric H-D cruiser OR production version of the LiveWire will most probably be powered by the ‘Revelation’ technology.

The trademark application also signifies that the American bike manufacturer is that much closer to getting their electric motorcycle into the production stage. It might not be something right now but it’ll sure be something huge once everything is ‘revealed’.
Harley-Davidson electric bike coming in 2019!

--Ads--


Refreshed 2016 Honda MSX125

The popular Honda MSX125 mini bike has received a well-deserved update for 2016.
Also known as the Honda Grom in other markets, the update grants the mini bike with a facelift that gives it a more streetfighter-like looks. The top half has been restyled with the fuel tank and side panels now integrated to create sharp and angular lines in the process. Up front, there’s also a new set of stacked LED headlights to give the Honda MSX125 a more current outlook.

Besides that, the updated 2016 model also receives a new exhaust that’s slung underneath plus a restyled tail unit that is now upswept with a higher pillion seat height. The raised seat height was also made possible with the adoption of a new frame structure courtesy of its steel mono-backbone frame.

The updated 2016 Honda MSX125 will be offered in four colour schemes and it includes this funky-looking ‘Lemon Ice Yellow’ scheme pictured.

				Will wee see a Blind Spot Warning System integrated in Honda models soon?

Source: Visordown / AutoEvolution
--Ads--