Zaqhwan finishes ninth in debut SSP race

Malaysian wildcard World Supersport (WSSP) entry Zaqhwan Zaidi ended the weekend with a respectable ninth place finish on Sunday in Sepang.

Zaqhwan, who qualified seventh on the grid, had a tough fight on his hands against some of the world’s best supersport riders. At one point, the youngster, astride the SIC Racing Team’s Honda CBR600RR, was struggling for a bit, dropping down to twelfth position halfway through the gruelling 14-lap race. A crash that took out three riders ahead saw Zaqhwan climb back the order up to eight on lap 11.
Though he put out his best efforts, Zaqhwan couldn’t fend off the relentless charges of experienced American rider Patrick Jacobsen in the final lap, meaning he had to settle for ninth by the time the checkered flag was waved.

Nevertheless, the ninth-place finish saw Zaqhwan fulfil the mission he and the SIC Racing Team had set for the weekend, which was to finish within the points. Zaqhwan earned himself seven WSSP championship points as a result, ranking him 21st in the series’ championship standings.
Post-race, Zaqhwan stated that he aimed to capitalise on the experiences gained over the weekend into his on-going Malaysian Cub Prix and Asia Road Racing Championship campaigns.
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Moto Guzzi lifestyle store coming soon at IOI City Mall Putrajaya

Didi Resources, the official distributor of Moto Guzzi and other Piaggio brands here in Malaysia (Vespa & Aprilia) is looking into expanding its business in the lifestyle department. Our recent outing to the IOI City Mall in Putrajaya saw that a Moto Guzzi lifestyle store will be opening soon at the shopping complex.

The Moto Guzzi brand is not just about providing some of the world’s best-looking modern-classic bikes. They’re also into promoting the lifestyle that comes along with owning one of its beautiful two-wheelers through a huge selection of apparel and merchandise.

Catering to both men and women, you’ll be able to purchase some very nice jackets, gloves, t-shirts, pants, workwear, and many more. Before this, you can only find a small selection of these at The Gasket Alley Petaling Jaya, but after this, you’ll be able to acquire them at the Motoplex Petaling Jaya as well as this Moto Guzzi lifestyle store at the IOI City Mall Putrajaya.

We’re guessing that the whole range of accessories and gadgets will also be available at this lifestyle store from caps, leather belts, bracelets, mugs, and many more. There’s no indication of when this store will be launched, but it probably won’t be long now.

The Moto Guzzi lifestyle store will be opened on the Lower Ground floor of the IOI City Mall Putrajaya, close to Tesco (opposite Watson’s and Caring Pharmacy). Stay tuned for more details.
New Shell Advance engine oils launched – ‘Long Ride’ & ‘Power’

Written by: Sep Irran
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BMW G 310 GS Test & Review

The BMW G 310 GS is the adventure-tourer of the G-family.

It is more offroad-oriented than the G 310 R.

It is suitable to veteran, returning and new riders.

When people discover that part of my job is to test and review new motorcycles or every kind, their first words would be, “Oh, how lucky you are.”
And then I’d brace myself for the next questions, which invariably includes, “What’s your favourite bike among those you’ve tested?” Uh oh. That’s like the missus asking whether she should go on a diet.
Now, it’s not that I mind sharing my personal Top Ten Bikes (which consists of Triumphs, KTMs, BMWs, Yamahas, Ducatis, et al – not necessarily in that order), nor am I afraid of being called biased and risk angering our advertisers, instead I dread the prospect of having to debate (read: argue) about my choices for two hours. And there’s no place for contravening views or dissent these days – everyone wants to be right and you’re always in the wrong.
On the other hand, there are bikes that are truly worth defending.

When BMW Motorrad launched the G 310 R, the whole world went ga-ga over the prospect of owning a BMW that’s accessible to a wide range of audience, judging from the point of unintimidating power output and of course, price (story of the G 310 R launch here).

Sure enough, BMW Motorrad was inundated with overwhelming orders, justifying their decision to build a small capacity motorcycle. However, the G 310 R couldn’t shake its “BMW for beginners” assumption., although it isn’t by a wide margin.
Then, BMW Motorrad pulled the wraps off the G 310 GS at the Malaysian MotoGP in October this year (story of the launch here). Many took an instant liking to it especially for its looks which consists of many styling cues from its F 800 GS and R 1200 GS brethren.

But the questions from the market are “Good no cheap, cheap no good, right?” based on the Chinese saying of, “Yat cham chin yat cham for (1 sen for a 1 sen good).” The second question is, “Has BMW Motorrad compromised on their quality?”
Okay. It’s time to address these queries.
First up, yes, the G 310 GS is based on the G 310 R (R for roadster), which means both share many common components, including the 313cc, DOHC, 4-valve, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. It’s worth mentioning that the cylinder block is rotated by 180-degrees for the exhaust to face the rear and throttle body to the front. The whole block is also tilted backwards into the frame, for better mass centralization and lower center of gravity.

Another positive consequence is a much more compact power and drivetrain unit, since there isn’t the need to create a space if the exhaust was up front. From this, BMW Motorrad could use a longer swingarm for more stability, while still maintaining a short wheelbase for agility and front wheel feel.

The frame of the G 310 GS is similar to the roadster’s but the suspension has gained extra travel by 41 mm up front and 48mm out back, to a total of 180 mm on both ends. The front is suspended by non-adjustable upside forks, while the rear shock is adjustable for preload only. Seat height is 835 mm.

But how does it perform since it’s wearing the infamous “GS” (for Gelände/Straße – offroad/road) moniker? Does the G 310 GS deserve that honour?

Approaching the bike for the first time, it looked pretty much like any of BMW’s adventure-tourer bike, especially the R 1200 GS. Its profile is slim and tall, with many wedges in its lines. Getting on confirmed that it was tall, but it wasn’t difficult to lift off the sidestand since its super light (170 kg wet weight).

The single-cylinder engine fired up without fuss, but it needed some revs to get going. Out there on the road, the long travel suspension was supple leaning towards soft and soaked up every bump. Slamming the bike into fast corners produced a perceptible compression while the Metzeler Tourance tyres dug into the road. But there was hardly any wobble. However, the front forks dived quickly under hard braking. Those Bybre brakes are good!

With maximum revs is at 10,000 RPM, 130 km/h comes up at 8,000 RPM. At this juncture, you’re reminded by the buzziness in the handlebar and footpegs that you are riding a single. It didn’t numb my hands, but I believe the addition of dampers to the handlebar mount would be sweet. Torque is commendable, although you need to be in the correct gear.

But oh my, the bike was really agile. The biggest fun about riding it on the daily commute was the enjoyment of sitting high up over traffic, giving you a view far ahead. Besides that, you could actually swing the Baby GS in and out of traffic. Ah, the joys of a lightweight bike. The seats are pretty comfortable too.

We’ve tested its Strasse capabilities so it’s now over to the Gelande part.
Where’s the best place to do some offroading? At Oh Kah Beng’s Most Fun Gym, of course. We had also wanted “Foreman” Oh or KB, as some call him, to ride the G 310 GS and provide his feedback since he’s the Sifu. KB had also trained his nephew, Oh Jin Sheng who went to qualify second on the first day of the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy Asia Qualifier.

But KB was caught up at the bank when we arrived so we decided to go ahead and ride the bike around the basic flat-track course.
I started out gingerly since the tyres were 50/50 offroad/road, compared to knobbies. Apart from that, the seat is rather far behind compared to a pure-bred motocrosser, hence I had some reservations if I could really lean the bike into dirt corners. (Cornering in the dirt calls for the rider to sit as up front as possible and stick out his inside leg to put more weight on the front tyre.)

But as soon as it hit the first berm it was apparent that the G 310 GS was setup towards offroading. Standing up on the straights the bike exhibited a totally natural balance at both ends. I went faster and faster, even did a couple of small jumps as confidence picked up.

The track’s surface was dry with loose soil and sand, but the tyres surprisingly slipped very little. I had to kick my leg further out to displace my weight and give it lots of throttle to slide the rear around. Otherwise, it was as if the bike has traction control (it doesn’t, it only has ABS).

While the suspension soaked up the bumps on the road, on the offroad course it was magic! It ran over those offroad bumps as if they weren’t there. It suddenly didn’t matter that the fuel tank was tall and slightly long, the G 310 GS was amazingly well-balanced whether I was seated or standing up (as I’ve mentioned earlier).

The only gripe I had with running it offroad was the road-oriented rear sprocket size. For true offroading, a 4-teeth bigger sprocket would provide the punch out of corners by rear wheel slide-steering.
KB showed up a little later in the afternoon, a bit agitated from his experience at the bank.
But his expression lit up as soon as he saw the G 310 GS, “Whoa, that’s a beautiful bike! Really looks very close to the R 1200 GS.”

He didn’t waste time in suiting up and hopping on. “The seat’s a little tall for most Malaysians, but the rear shock compresses when you sit on it, like a motocrosser’s.”
As soon as he hit the corner berm, he remarked, “Wow! The balance!” He proceeded to traverse down a steep slope. Both of us wanted to find out about the ground clearance. Nothing touched down.

Next, KB rode the bike down a trail behind the “pit building.” A trail that I would never for the life of me ride on. He just kept going, “Wow this is really good,” and continued on up the hill to the Expert’s Course. He kept riding steadily without jumping, “I don’t want to risk bottoming out the suspension and injuring the bike,” he explained.

And he just kept going and going, with a smile underneath his MX helmet, while I chased him around to grab a few shots.
When he finally pulled in, there were nothing but superlatives from him. “This bike is truly amazing. It soaked up the bumps, it steered beautifully, gripped a lot, and the throttle was very smooth.” (A smooth throttle response is of utmost importance when riding offroad or on slippery surfaces.)

His conclusion was, “It may be an affordable bike at 29K, but it felt like something way more expensive. Plus, it’s really pretty. BMW should extend a test bike at MFG so those who visit MFG could take a look at it. It’s capabilities and quality.”

If a racing legend and super coach who has done it all, seen it all says that, then the G 310 GS is truly special. The bike truly caters to both new and veteran riders. It’s practical for the daily commute, comfortable for long-distance rides and fully capable when the paved road disappears.
Just like in the opening story, the BMW G 310 GS is one bike worth defending – not because it’s a BMW.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, single-cylinder

Compression ratio
10.6 : 1

Bore X Stroke
80.0 mm X 62.1 mm

Displacement
313 cc

Fuel system
BMS-E2 electronic fuel injection

Maximum power
34 bhp (25 kW) @ 9,500 RPM

Maximum torque
28 Nm @ 7,500 RPM

TRANSMISSION

Clutch
Cable-operated, multi-plate, wet clutch

Gearbox
6-speed synchromesh

CHASSIS

Front suspension
41mm USD forks, 180 mm travel

Rear suspension
Single shock, adjustable for preload, 180 mm travel

Front brakes
Single 300 mm disc, single four-piston radially mounted Bybre caliper

Rear brake
Single 240 mm disc, single-piston floating caliper

ABS
BMW Motorrad ABS

Front tyre
110/80-R19

Rear tyre
150/70-R17

FRAME & DIMENSIONS

Frame
Tubular steel

Swingarm
Solid die-cast aluminium

Trail
98.0 mm

Rake
26.7 degrees

Wheelbase
1420 mm

Seat height
835 mm (unladen)

Wet weight
169.5 kg (ready to ride)

Fuel capacity
11.0 litres

PICTURE GALLERY

				“Foreman” Oh with the BMW G 310 GS

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Yamaha MWT-9 concept bound for production?

Sources report that the Yamaha MWT-9 concept three-wheeler will head for production within a year or two.

Showcased during the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show last October, the Yamaha MWT-9 concept three-wheeler grabbed a lot of attention. It wasn’t just an extreme-looking three-wheeler, it was also one that was powered by the Yamaha MT-09 naked’s manic 847cc triple-cylinder.

				Yamaha MWT-9 concept

				Yamaha Tricity

What was also eye-catching about the concept was its complicated yet intricate front suspension setup. A closer study reveals that the setup is based off the Yamaha Tricity – a leaning-three-wheeled scooter model Yamaha launched not too long ago. (Read our launch report here)

Despite the mixed reception for the concept, sources are reporting that Yamaha will put MWT-9 concept into production. This will undoubtedly expand Yamaha’s three-wheeled line-up with the road-going MWT-9 concept set to join alongside the Tricity scooter. Reports further suggest that the road-going Yamaha MWT-9 concept will debut within a year or two.

The rationale for this move is simple. In some markets like America and Europe, many consumers perceive motorcycles as a motorised recreational tool. A three-wheeler like the Yamaha MWT-9 concept will likely offer said consumers with a slightly different experience, and it will also engage a different new desire that’s growing amongst many new riders.

				Yamaha MWT-9 concept

Sources: Asphaltandrubber / Visordown
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Modenas organized the Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride to let Dominar D400 riders experience their bikes as sport-tourers.

The first ride was from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.

The convoy stopped at a number of attractions to allow the riders to shoot pictures for the #motography project.

There’s no doubt that Malaysia has many attractions that are unique; and the best way to enjoy not only these destinations is by riding a motorcycle, which makes us motorcyclists a lucky lot. Consequently, this is what Modenas sets to do when they organized the Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh yesterday (19th August 2018).

The ride was also part of Bajaj and Modenas’s #motography project whereby the pictures snapped by the participants are shared as a database of sorts for other Bajaj owners around the world who wished to ride in Malaysia.

Apart from those, the ride was catered to the Modenas Dominar D400 owners, since the bike is branded as a sport-tourer.

A total of 12 riders signed up for this first ride and showed up at 6.30am for registration, breakfast and briefing. The organizers handed out a special T-shirt and sticker to each participant to commemorate the ride. They were then briefed about the #motography project and the ride.

True to the sport-touring spirit, a few had mounted larger windscreens and GIVI panniers and top cases.

The convoy pushed off from Modenas’s HQ and made onto the PLUS Highway toward their way to the Sungai Buaya exit for a short ride to the Selangor Dam at Kuala Kubu Bahru for the first photography stop. The convoy progressed in a smart fashion and the marshals made sure not to get in the way of other road users.

The sun started to shine down as the participants looked for the best angles to shoot the best pictures of their bikes.

From Kuala Kubu Bahru it was another short ride back onto the highway via Serendah as the group headed to the Tapah R&R to refuel. They got going after the short stop and rode to Ipoh for lunch.

A sumptuous lunch was organized at the multiple award-winning Indulgence Restaurant.

Based on the grounds of a pre-war bungalow, the restaurant’s ambience and food was a welcomed comfort from the blazing sun.

The haze had thankfully dissipated by then to a clear blue sky.

The organizers invited the riders to join in a fun game was organized in the restaurant’s compound.

The first required the riders to ride as slow as they can for 50 metres to test their skills in motorcycle control and balance.

The second game involved riding with a pillion. The passenger needed to throw a water balloon over a length of tape raised across the “track” and re-catch it without breaking it, while the rider must ride as slow as he can.

The winners received a RM50 Petronas fuel card each.

The ride got back on the road and headed to the last stop at Kellie’s Castle. Here, the riders took another round of pictures to be uploaded to the #motography mini site. The riders dispersed from this point afterwards.

There will be many other such rides coming up in the future, so please make sure to join if you are a Modenas Dominar D400 owner. Also, please follow the official Dominar Malaysia Facebook page for the latest updates.

PICTURE GALLERY

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WSBK Malaysia 2016:Sykes rules Superpole with new lap record

Kawasaki Racing Team leads WSBK Malaysia 2016 as Tom Sykes rules both Superpole sessions with new lap record.

WSBK Malaysia 2016 gets underway in Sepang today on a higher note and faster pace. After the morning’s final Free Practice 3 session, the scheduled Superpole shootouts took place just after the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup supporting Moto3 race.
In Superpole 1, it was former world champion Tom Sykes that led the timing board and elevated himself up into Superpole 2. There, Sykes went even faster and claimed pole position with a blistering time of 2:02.246.
Sykes’ fastest time effectively broke the lap record of 2:03.002 set by Sylvain Guintoli back in 2014. Astride the Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R, the Brit was more than a second quicker than the previous record, thus perhaps proving that the newly resurfaced and re-profiled Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is indeed faster now.

Joining Sykes on the front row of the grid is Alex Lowes astride the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team YZF-R1. Interestingly, Lowes’ fastest lap time in Superpole 2 saw him matching Guintoli’s 2014 lap record of 2:03.002.

Last but not least comes Sykes’ Kawasaki Racing Team teammate Jonathan Rea. Though equally fast, Rea’s pace was still not as quick as Sykes as his fastest time of 2:03.21 sees him lining up third on grid.
Race 1 will take place later in the afternoon at 4pm. Stay tuned as we bring you more trackside updates from WSBK Malaysia 2016 in SIC.

WSBK Malaysia 2016 Starting Grid

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MotoGP: Donington Park will host 2015 British GP

British GP leg of MotoGP moves to Donington Park next year.

The MotoGP calendar for 2015 gets a slight revamp as the British GP leg moves to its new venue in Donington Park, Leicestershire. The announcement came this week following a deal inked between the Circuit of Wales management and MotoGP organisers. MotoGP’s current venue deal with the iconic Silverstone circuit has reached its end. Silverstone has hosted the annual British leg of the world championship from 2010 until this year. The event is set to move to the new £315 million Circuit of Wales, but the facility’s construction hasn’t reached completion yet. Until the Welsh circuit’s build is completed, Donington Park will host the British MotoGP races in the meantime. The circuit, arguably UK’s second most famous modern racing venue, previously held the British MotoGP race from 1987 until 2009. All that remains now is for Donington Circuit’s management to undergo a mandatory inspection by Dorna and FIM, and carrying out necessary upgrades to meet the standards of both bodies. Source: Asphaltandrubber
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10 things you need to know about the supercharged Kawasaki Ninja H2

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Kawasaki is well known to make excellent sports and road-bikes. From an engineering perspective, the Ninja H2 and H2R present a new level of greatness.
This fastest accelerating motorcycle ever is achieved by its state-of-the-art supercharged engine, where the differences between the street-version H2 (200hp) and the track-only H2R (320hp) engine are only the camshafts, head gasket, clutch and ECU settings (LINK to Kawasaki Ninja H2R Review)

Here are 10 things you should know about these supercharged Ninjas.
1. It carries the Kawasaki “River Mark”
Dating to the 1870s, founder Shozo Kawasaki created a flag from the character ‘river’ for his then shipping business. Consequently, the “River Mark’ was adopted by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) representing the group’s technology, originality and innovation.

Fittingly, the H2s carry this heritage as they were developed with contribution from sister companies within the KHI Group, such as the Gas Turbine & Machinery Company, Aerospace Company, and Corporate Technology Division.
2. Supercharged 998cm3 in-line four engine
Supercharging is not something new to Kawasaki. Their recent applications can be seen in their JetSkis where prolonged boosting has to be endured by the superchargers. This forced-induction technology and knowledge is further developed and made available to motorcycles.
The powerplant has been designed to handle 2x greater stresses than a conventional or naturally aspirated (NA) engines. This highly efficient, motorcycle-specific supercharger pumps over 200 litres of air/second, while maintaining a relatively low compression ratio of only 8.5:1.
3. Space-age Aerodynamics
Unlike the old days where wind-tunnels were heavily used, the H2s were designed by Kawasaki’s Aerospace company using the latest Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis technology to optimize downforce, high-speed streaming as well as heat dissipation.
The mirrors on the H2 are replaced with carbon fiber (CFRP) winglets and spoilers on the H2R to effectively reduce turbulence and generate additional downforce and stability at ultra-high speed.
4. Silver mirror paint
This is the first time “black chrome” is offered on a mass-produced within the automotive and motorcycle industries. Developed specifically for the H2s, the glass-like surface is created with a chemical process involving silver ions to form a uniform metallic layer of pure silver with four layers of paint and coats being applied manually.
These intricate processes produce an effect similar to what we see on McLaren’s F1 cars.
5. MotoGP and F1 dog-ring transmission
To ensure a seamless and quick gear-shifting, a dog-ring type transmission as found in MotoGP or Formula 1 was developed for the H2s with feedback from the Kawasaki Racing Team. Unlike a conventional motorcycle gearbox, this motorsport transmission have less moving parts for quicker transitions.
To match this superior design, a contactless-type quick shifter comes as standard (a first for Kawasaki bike), coupled with an adjustable back-torque limiter (components by Brembo) which acts like a slipper clutch.
6. Racing Suspension, Brakes and Dynamics
The fully adjustable and low friction Kayaba suspension (AOS-II) on the H2 and H2R was based on the Air-Oil separate cartridge fork developed for motocross racing. This 43mm fork offers smooth initial action followed by strong damping at the end of the stroke.
This is coupled with Brembo 4-piston monoblocs and massive 330mm Brembo semi-floating discs (5.5mm thickness) to ensure adequate braking force. Furthermore, the electronic steering damper (jointly developed with Öhlins) adjusts damping according to the bike’s speed and acceleration.
7. Bespoke wheel and sticky rubbers
With more than 10 years experience supplying rubbers to MotoGP, Bridgestone has developed the RS10 220mm tyres (also OEM for Yamaha YZF-R1M). This is mounted on the star-pattern 5-spoke Kawasaki wheel to provide optimum rigidity and balance for high speed performance.
This wheel technology is derived from World Superbike (WSBK) with knurling on the inside of the rear wheel rim to prevent tyre-rim slippage due to massive torque at wide open throttle (WOT).
8. Kawasaki’s first single-sided swingarm
The swingarm pivot mounts directly to the engine, saving weight from otherwise conventional cross members found in double-sided design.

Through this optimisation, Kawasaki has also managed to mount the exhaust silencer closer to the bike centerline, resulting in a better weight distribution, more ground clearance and higher lean angle.
9. Seat and Ergonomics
The Ninja H2s are designed to be ridden at high speeds hence the monoposto configuration. To help support the rider during hard acceleration and mid-turn hang-off, a pair of hip-supporting pads flank the rear of the seat.
These hip support are adjustable (15mm) to provide optimum anchoring points for the pilot.

10. Electronic Rider-Aid
This upgraded Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) used on the Ninja H2s offers the best features of Kawasaki’s earlier systems. This latest KTRC offers multiple settings and different riding modes (plus the Rain Mode) which correspond to different levels of electronic intrusion to manage power output in various riding conditions and to suit rider’s style.
Not to mention the Kawasaki Engine Brake Control (KEBC) allows more advanced riders to reduce engine braking when riding on the circuit.

So what’s the point of these highly engineered hyper-bikes?
Perhaps it’s Kawasaki’s platform to showcase their technology and capability to produce efficient power out of smaller and more compact engines, paving a roadmap for affordable street-production bikes in the future?
Imagine Ninja 600cc supercharged, or 250cc sc’d.. Hmm.. Fingers crossed!

** Thank you to Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Ninja H2 – RM153,900 (inclusive 6% GST, excluded OTR expenses )
Ninja H2R – RM299,900 (inclusive 6% GST, excluded OTR expenses )
#Photos by Eugene Ong and Adam M.
Adam M.

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WSBK Malaysia – Scorching Saturday in Sepang

Aprilia rider Sylvain Giuntoli dominates Superpole timesheets to clinch pole position ahead on Sunday’s Malaysian leg of the World Superbike Championship (WSBK).

The frenchman, astride the works Aprilia RSV4 Factory race machine, clocked in a best time of 2:03.002. Not far off behind in second was crowd favourite and defending world champion Tom Sykes. The Brit had put on a valiant fight but could only manage the day’s second fastest time at 2:03.108 with his Kawasaki ZX10R. Rounding off the grid’s first row is Italian rider Davide Giugliano of Ducati with a best time of 2:03.137.

While most of the riders were generally unfamiliar with the Sepang Circuit, some such as Toni Elias and Marco Melandri made full use of their past experience here in MotoGP. Both Elias and Melandri qualified fourth and fifth respectively, securing their spots on the grid’s second row.

In the meantime, check out our extensive gallery below of the action on track and in the pits.
2014 SBK Malaysia – Saturday
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Kawasaki Malaysia roadshow offers free test rides and other goodies – Happening this Sunday!

Calling all Kawasaki owners and fans! Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (KMSB) will be organising a test ride roadshow as well as a service campaign for all Kawasaki enthusiasts and current owners. The special event will take place this Sunday (14 May 2017) at Bulatan Bazarena, Stadium Melawati Shah Alam from 10am to 6pm.
2017 Kawasaki Z900
The event is called Kawasaki “Always Close to You” Roadshow, and KMSB will also be showcasing their latest 2017 models, including the new Kawasaki Z650 ABS, Ninja 650 ABS, Z900 ABS and Versys-X 250. Fans, current owners and potential owners will all be given an opportunity to test ride these models to get a first-hand experience.

KMSB will be setting up a specially arranged course designed to allow riders to feel the agility, maneuverability, versatility and light-weight handling of all the new Kawasakis.

As for current owners of Kawasaki motorcycles, all Kawasaki riders will get a chance to get their motorcycle serviced during the event with no labour charge. The service will be carried out by highly trained Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre (KESC) Glenmarie personnel.

KMSB has also planned other activities with its partners; Nestle Malaysia will be offering free Nescafe drinks for coffee lovers while other participating partners from Alpinestar Malaysia, Shoei Malaysia and Bridgestone Malaysia will display and offer their own range of products. AEON Credit Services and Tokio Marine Insurance will also be on hand to advise and offer their products to potential customers.

The roadshow activity is a part of KMSB program to reach out to their customers and the public. Kawasaki enthusiasts can stay tune for more updates from KMSB as they have planned for more roadshows. This is part of KMSB’s commitment to provide the best customer experience in-line with their roadshow tagline, Kawasaki Test Ride Roadshow “Always Close To You”.
Event : Kawasaki Test Ride Roadshow – “Always Close to You”
Date : 14 May 2017, 10am to 6pm
Venue: Bulatan Bazarena, Stadium Melawati Shah Alam
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Ducati Malaysia Welcomes Two New Scramblers From The Land Of Joy – From RM68k

The 2022 Ducati Malaysia Premier also witnessed the launch of two newest addition from the Land of Joy, the Scrambler 1100 Tribute PRO and the Scrambler Urban Motard.

the Ducati Scrambler 110 Tribute PRO pays homage to the brand first twin-cylinder engine.
the Scrambler Urban Motard is heavily inspired by the previous generation Urban Enduro but offers rebellious features.

The two models represent a different approach, with the Tribute PRO pays homage to Ducati’s first twin-cylinder engine while the Urban Motard offers a younger expression.

The Scrambler 1100 Tribute Pro took us back to the first twin-cylinder Ducati to go on sale in 1971.

Clad in a unique ‘Giallo Ocra’ yellow, the Tribute PRO also features the Giugiaro-penned Ducati logo that elevates the classic element of Ducati’s historical era.

Meanwhile, underneath the black trellis frame sits a 1,079cc L-Twin with Desmodromic Distribution, air-cooled engine capable of pumping 86hp @ 7,500rpm and 88Nm @ 4,750rpm.

It also features the PRO riding modes and Ducati Traction Control.

On the other hand, the Ducati Scrambler Urban Motard offers refreshing and more rebellious features.

Dressed in a red and white livery, the Urban Motard is a mixture of the Nightshift and the Desert Sled models with a side-mounted number plate, flat seat and a front beak.

The Urban Motard is powered by an 803cc L-Twin capable of producing 73hp @ 8,250rm and 66.2Nm @ 5,750rpm.

Other features include:

tubular steel trellis frame
41mm Kayaba USD fork
Kayaba rear shock (pre-load adjustable)
spoke aluminium wheels
330mm front disc with radial 4-piston callipers
245mm rear disc with 1-piston callipers
BOSCH Cornering ABS
LCD display

According to Ducati Malaysia, the Scrambler 1100 Tribute PRO and Scrambler Urban Motard is priced at RM85,900 and RM68,900 respectively.

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Honda Impian X – Boon Siew Honda’s first major step for 2018

The first ever Honda Impian X showroom was recently launched last month in Johor.
The new showroom concept gives a whole new meaning and experience towards buying small capacity motorcycles here in Malaysia.
Boon Siew Honda plans to change the whole game with Impian X as their first step followed by the Honda BigWing Centres.

After the recent introduction and launch of Malaysia’s first Honda Impian X showroom in Johor, many of us were impressed by the showroom’s concept where the entire bike buying and after-sales services have been further enhanced for the benefit and comfort of all of Boon Siew Honda’s customers.

The Honda Impian X concept showroom is all about taking the sales and after-sales processes onto the next level by providing customers with something that most small-capacity bike showrooms and workshops don’t offer. Customers are made to feel welcomed and at home upon entering the Impian X showroom thanks to its modern lifestyle facilities.

We’re talking complimentary beverages, comfortable waiting lounge with air-conditioning, a clear view of the service area where customers can observe and keep a close eye on their bikes to ensure ease of mind and best of all, free WiFi! The Impian X is all about a comfortable yet extraordinary experience.

We managed to sit down with Dato Seri Datuk Wira Tan Hui Jing, Deputy Chairman & Deputy CEO, Mr Nobuhide Nagata, Managing Director & CEO of Boon Siew Honda, and Mr Ker Sie Lian, Chairman of Swee Seng Heng Motor Sdn Bhd (Impian X) to know more about their plans with Impian X and 2018.

All of these three great individuals echoed the same thing when it comes to explaining the Impian X’s concept; comfort, extraordinary and ease of mind for the small capacity market here in Malaysia. In fact, the showroom is the first of its kind to provide such levels of facilities for the small capacity motorcycle community here in country.

2018 is going to be a very special year for Boon Siew Honda where they will be introducing more Honda Impian X showrooms in Pahang followed by other markets across the country. The Impian X showroom is solely focused on the manufacturer’s motorcycles up to 300cc in terms of sales and after-sales services. What the Impian X is offering for this particular market is unprecedented and will definitely improve their place greatly among small bike owners here in Malaysia.

With 14 new models planned to be introduced for 2018 in Malaysia, Boon Siew Honda has big plans on moving forward in the field. Their Impian X concept showroom is just the first step which will be closely followed by the Honda BigWing Centre that’ll focus on all of Honda’s big bike range. The first BigWing Centre will be launched next week in Kuala Lumpur.

Both the Impian X and BigWing showrooms have one thing in common; providing nothing but the best to each and every customer no matter the type or capacity of the bike. Rest assured that when it comes to 2018, it’ll indeed be a very big year for BSH and its customers both old and new.
Boon Siew Honda launches new Honda Impian X concept showroom

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AGV unveils world’s first full carbon fibre flip-up helmet

AGV has unveiled the 2018 AGV Sportmodular, the world’s first full carbon fibre flip-up helmet.
Weighing in at just 1,295grams, the new AGV modular helmet is designed with the highest level of safety, design and functionality.
Being as safe as their top-shelf AGV Pista GP R, the helmet is priced at $749 (around RM2,896) in North America.

To celebrate their 70th anniversary, Italian premium helmet manufacturer AGV has unveiled the world’s first full carbon fibre flip-up helmet. The 2018 AGV Sportmodular launched in the North American market was designed as the world’s new standard for the modular or flip up/flip front helmet segment that pushes the elements of safety, functionality, and comfort to a whole new level.

Through extensive research and development in motorsports especially MotoGP, the latest AGV modular helmet is one of the lightest and well-balanced lids that sits just at 1,295grams. Its design highlights the highest levels of safety in a super compact package. AGV also stated that this baby is as safe as their top-shelf AGV Pista GP R worn by the nine-time MotoGP world champion, Valentino Rossi.
Image source: MotoGP
With AGV known for pushing the boundaries of helmet evolution, their latest Sportmodular is the first and only flip-up helmet made entirely of carbon fibre including its chin guard. Thousands of hours were spent in the wind tunnel to provide excellent soundproofing, ventilation as well as high-speed stability.

It’s more common for touring riders to sport modular helmets but with the development of touring machines with enough power to rival any sports bike, the AGV Sportmodular ticks all the boxes when it comes to the perfect helmet. We imagined that it would fit right in with the supercharged 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX.

Other features include improved aerodynamics, extended field of view, pressure-free interior fit, integrated anti-scratch internal sun visor, and a titanium double-D ring are all included in this super lightweight flip front helmet.

Those who are interested should know that it is priced at $749 (around RM2,896) in the North American market and there are seven different colour schemes to choose from. To know more, head over to https://www.agv.com/gb_en/sport-modular/.
Rossi goes old school with 2018 AGV Pista GP R

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BMW Concept Path 22 – Motorrad’s Scrambler fighter

BMW Concept Path 22
BMW Concept Path 22 previews Motorrad’s upcoming R nineT-based Ducati Scrambler rival. Hipster bikers rejoice.

According to recent sales figures, Ducati has clearly hit the right note with its hip and cool Scrambler range. And, it appears that BMW Motorrad wants a slice of the hipster cake as well following the unveiling of the BMW Concept Path 22.

Unveiled during a custom bike festival recently in France, the BMW Concept Path 22 is essentially a BMW R nineT that has undergone a scrambler-styled makeover. While it is no secret that the Bavarian two-wheeled brand has been at work over the last few months in developing an R nineT-based rival to the Ducati Scrambler, this concept is indeed clear proof of that.

Whilst the Ducati Scrambler appears to favour a skateboard to compliment it, BMW Motorrad has gone a step further by pairing its Concept Path 22 bike with a surfboard instead. The concept was showcased with a special mounting to carry the popular watersport item during its debut in France.

A quick scrutiny of the images released would easily show you of the concept’s R nine T’s underpinnings. Notably, the R nineT-derived 1,170cc boxer twin-cylinder mill gains a new set of valve covers that bear its designer’s logo initials – Roland Sands Design (RSD).
That’s right, BMW Motorrad spared to expense on this concept, employing one of the custom motorcycle scene’s most celebrated artisan to work on a concept. We see it as a very just move, especially when you consider the eventual production bike’s main rival (read: Ducati Scrambler).

Besides the stylish and outrageous colour scheme it dons, the concept also boasts several other tasteful tweaks. Highlights here include the scrambler-esque leather seat, Gilles rear-sets, and the base bike’s twin instrument dials swapped for a compact singular digital unit sourced from Motogadget. Completing things are the Akrapovic twin tailpipes.
As it is, the BMW Concept Path 22 is giving us a clear preview of what to expect when BMW Motorrad releases its upcoming R nineT-based Ducati Scrambler rival. At the rate things are going with this concept, we are undoubtedly excited.
BMW Concept Path 22
Sources: Visordown and AutoEvolution
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Ducati DesertX Now Available In Malaysia – RM112,900

The all-new Ducati DesertX has finally landed in Malaysia exactly a year after its global introduction back in December 2021.

The DesertX is Ducati first fully-capable off-road middleweight adventure bike.
Features the tried and tested, Testastretta 937cc 11-degree Desmodromic engine.

Coming in at RM112,900, the Ducati DesertX is the latest contender in a competitive ADV category which includes the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally, Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin and the upcoming MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 9.5.
Catch our review of the 2022 Ducati DesertX in Italy:

According to Ducati, the DesertX is heavily inspired by the rally raiders that competed in the Paris-Dakar Rally during the 80s and 90s.
Dressed in an all-white with red accents, the DesertX appears in a heavy off-road elements combines with a distinctive twin circular LED headlights with DRL (Daytime Running Light).

The Ducati DesertX is built around an all-new steel trellis frame, aimed to improve rigidity especially in rough terrain. It also come equipped with a dedicated long travel suspension settings paired to a 21″ front and 18″ rear wheel.

The suspension system is handled by a full-adjustable Kayaba 46mm upside-down front forks and full-adjustable Kayaba monoshock with preload adjustment.

Other standard features available on the DesertX includes:

Wheelie Control
Engine Brake Control
Ducati Quick Shift
Cruise Control
Ducati Brake Light
USB power Socket
Steering damper
21L tank (with additional 8L tank as optional)

Meanwhile, braking is done by 320mm aluminium flange semi-floating disc paired to a Brembo M50 callipers and assisted by Bosch Cornering ABS.
At the heart sits the 937cc Testastretta 11-degree Desmodromic engine capable of producing 110hp @ 9,250rpm and 92Nm @ 6,500rpm.

However, in respect to the same engine used on the Monster and Hypermotard, Ducati has updated the powerplant with lighter components.
In turn, the new Testastretta on the DesertX is now 1.7kg lighter, contributed by a new sound absorbing covers, new clutch, new clutch cover, revised gearbox and ignition stick coils.

According to Ducati, the engine has also been tweaked to allow for more seamless low-speed changes.
Ducati also optimised the riders seat, to ensure comfort on-road and off-road with an adjustable saddle. The pillion seat can also be remove.

Taller dashboard also allow riders to to see the 5″ TFT dash while standing up.
The DesertX offers six riding modes comprising of Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro and Rally. Riders can also adjust the power modes accordingly.
In addition, Ducati Malaysia also brings a wide range of accessories and DesertX-themed apparel for every Ducatisti.

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Ducati drops mic with 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 Speciale

Together with the introduction of the new 2018 Panigale V4 and V4 S, Ducati dropped the bomb with the unveiling of the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 Speciale.
The 2018 Panigale Speciale produces 226hp and weighs only 165kg thanks to its Akrapovic full-system titanium exhaust and magnesium wheels.
Only 1,500 units of the 2018 Ducati Panigale Speciale will be made for the entire world.

Apart from the jaw-dropping launch of the new 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 in conjunction with the EICMA Milan show, Ducati again dropped the mic on us with the unveiling of the beautiful and limited 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 Speciale.

What’s so special about the Panigale V4 Speciale? Well, Ducati announced that there will be only 1,500 available for the entire planet. Compared to the standard and S model of the Panigale V4, it is by far one of the lightest and most powerful Ducati production superbikes in existence. We’re talking about 226hp pushing a bike so light you can actually bench press it if you’re a regular at the gym.

The 12hp increase is made possible thanks to a brand new Akrapovic titanium full exhaust system. This new exhaust is applicable to the entire Panigale V4 range which will help in cutting off 10kg and adding that extra power. So yes, lighter and more powerful.

Another premium feature that is actually optional are the magnesium wheels which also helps in shaving off some weight compared to the other two Panigale V4 models. If you have the money to buy the Panigale V4 Speciale, you want to get these magnesium wheels for premium bragging rights.

Other aspects of the bike are similar to the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 S from its suspension to brake packages apart from some special carbon fibre and aluminium elements unique to the Speciale. The brake and shocks can be fine-tuned instantaneously just like you would on a MotoGP or WorldSBK race machine.

To know more on the standard and S model of the 2018 Panigale V4, CLICK HERE.

Other features of the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 Speciale are all-round Öhlins electronic suspension package, lithium-ion battery, forged aluminium Marchesini wheels, and a subframe made with magnesium which you can also find on the 2018 Panigale V4 S.

Got some cash to splash? Better be quick about it because like stated in the beginning, only 1,500 units will be made and we’re pretty sure the price will only go up from here on. WHAT.A.BEAST.
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2020 SYM VF3i 185 Pro (V3) launched in Malaysia – RM9,338

MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of SYM motorcycles here in Malaysia, has officially unveiled the third generation of the VF3i, the 2020 SYM VF3i 185 Pro (V3) for the Malaysian market. Carrying over the same specs as the VF3i Limited Edition model, the VF3i Pro (V3) also carries the same price tag – RM9,338 (excluding insurance, road tax & insurance).
CLICK HERE to watch the live presentation of their official Facebook page.

With new graphics and three colour options, the 2020 SYM VF3i Pro comes with the same 183cc single-cylinder engine that produces 19.7hp at 9,000rpm and 17.4Nm of torque at 7,500rpm. Just like the Limited Edition model, the Pro model also has LED daytime running lights, combination speedometer, adjustable brake and clutch levers, and front ABS (the only one in its class to have this).

Going to the colour options, customers can choose from three different options – a combination of black with either red, blue, or gold. All three colourways will come with the same set of 17-inch gold rims wrapped with 90/80 (front) and 120/70 rubbers. A seven-litre fuel tank sits under the seat for longer distance coverage.

The front ABS unit works in unison with its single 250mm disc brake while the rear is covered with a 200mm single-disc unit. For those who are interested in getting one for yourself, the 2020 SYM VF3i Pro (V3) will arrive at all SYM Malaysia authorised dealers starting 15 October 2020. The bike comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty or 20,000km (whichever comes first).
CLICK HERE to watch the live presentation of their official Facebook page.

Written by: Sep Irran
2020 SYM MAXSYM TL 500 now available in Malaysia – RM35,888

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MotoGP: Valentino Rossi cleared to race this weekend

The penultimate MotoGP round in Valencia will take place this weekend and after a scary month for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider, Valentino Rossi, the nine-time world champion has been cleared once again to get on his beloved Yamaha M1.

Rumours of him unable to ride for this second final round came when his COVID-19 PCR test on 10 November 2020 was ‘marginally positive’ but in the thoughts of many, that’s a positive. Rossi then took two more tests on 11 and 12 November 2020 where both of those came up negative.

This also means that we won’t be able to see Garrett Gerloff riding the Yamaha M1 after a stunning debut during last week’s European GP in both the FP1 and FP2 sessions. As of now, all eyes are on Joan Mir (Suzuki Ecstar) who has the chance to win the 2020 championship crown if he crosses the chequered flag on any of the podium spots on Sunday.

Suzuki also has the opportunity to bag the constructor’s championship title if their riders are able to score 18 more points compared to the Ducati riders. If they’re successful, it will their first crown since 1982, and what a way to celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary.
Kymco to release a Honda X-ADV challenger?

Written by: Sep Irran
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Video: Watch the BMW Motorrad HUD concept in action

BMW Motorrad HUD system for bikes could potentially make riding easier and safer as demonstrated in a special video.

Loyal readers would remember our report of BMW Motorrad showcasing its HUD and laser headlight technologies for bikes during CES 2016. Now, you can see for yourself how one of the two innovative concepts shown could make biking both safer and easier.

The head-up display or HUD technology isn’t new for the BMW Group as the tech is fitted in a series of premium BMW models over recent years. But when adapted for motorcycling use, especially in the form of the concept’s helmet integrated system, riders of the near future will need not worry about gaining various information on the go.

As previously reported, BMW Motorrad plans to develop the in-helmet HUD technology further over the next few years. It will start off offering basic data such as speed and bike condition. The German manufacturer will include more data in the future such as navigation, speed limit warnings and road sign reading abilities amongst others. Beyond that, the tech will also include a multitude of interactive features such as action-cam recording and convoy communications.

The video posted above demonstrates the potential of the technology brilliantly, and it is leaving many (us included) anxiously awaiting its arrival in the next few years.
Source: BMW Motorrad @ YouTube
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Tips for Riding in the Haze

Just as we thought we’re riding out the heat, here comes the haze!

Here are a number of tips for riding in the haze.

Reduce your exposure as must much as you possibly can.

There seems to be no respite for us Malaysian motorcyclists when it comes to the weather, is there? First it was the superheated days and now the haze is back with a vengeance. What’s next?
But here are a few tips to ease our daily battles with the environment.

Wear a balaclava. Wearing a balaclava covers your nose and mouth and filters out particulates. As a bonus, it keeps dust out and protects your neck, too. While not as effective as a surgical mask in filtering out smoke, a balaclava is made to fit inside a helmet.

Riding mask/Surgical mask. This is the best option. There are many types of masks, including activated charcoal-infused ones and, the N95 type for the ultimate filtration. Try and see which is best for you. The drawback is that the mask becomes displaced when you pull on your helmet.

Hydrate. Drink plenty of fluids. Water is the best in this case with the haze. Being inert means you can wash your face with it, too. On what liquids are the best for bikers, please refer to our earlier article.

Eye drops. Get a bottle and keep it in your pocket. It truly helps to keep your eyes from getting irritated, cutting down the chance of squinting while riding.

5. Quit smoking. We know, this is a long shot of a request. The haze presents the best chance of cutting back or even quitting altogether.

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Shell Malaysia “Anda Beli, Kami Derma” Raya Charity Campaign Raises RM 1.92 Million

Shell Malaysia’s ‘Anda Beli, Kami Derma’ Raya Charity Campaign 2019 ran from 30 May to 8 June 2019 to spread festive cheer during the ‘balik kampung’ season.

The recent Shell Malaysia “Anda Beli, Kami Derma” Raya Charity campaign raised a total of RM1.92 million.

It was the fifth year of such campaign, which ran between 30 May to 8 June 2019.

Mastercard also joined Shell Malaysia this year in contributing to the funds.

The Shell Malaysia “Anda Beli, Kami Derma” Raya Charity campaign raised a total of RM1.92 million. In its fifth year, the campaign ran for ten days between 30 May 2019 to 8 June 2019 in an effort to spread the spirit of caring and sharing during the balik kampung season.
During the campaign period, Shell donated 1 sen (RM0.01) for every litre of Shell fuel pumped and 1 sen (RM0.01) for every RM1.00 spent at Shell SELECT stores to the National Cancer Society Malaysia, Food Aid Foundation, and Malaysian Nature Society. Mastercard joined this effort as a valued partner for the second consecutive year and contributed 1 sen (RM0.01) to the Food Aid Foundation for every litre of Shell fuel pumped and every RM1.00 spent at Shell SELECT stores paid for with any Mastercard credit or debit cards.
ShellMalaysia’s‘Anda Beli, Kami Derma’campaign raised a total of RM1.92milfor three (3) organisationsthis year –The National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Food Aid Foundation, and Malaysian Nature Society.Photo 2-From L to R:1. Mr. I.S. Shanmugaraj, Executive Director of Malaysian Nature Society2. Dr. Muralli, Medical Directorof National Cancer Society of Malaysia3. Yang Berbahagia Datuk Muez Abd.Aziz, Secretary General, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA)4. Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of ShellMalaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd5. Devesh Kuwadekar, Vice President and Head Market Development, Mastercard 6. Rick Chee, Founder of the Food Aid Foundation7. Hayati Ismail, Operations Director of the Food Aid Foundation
This year, motorists were given the option to donate to the organisation of their choice. Additionally, Shell’s agencies and partners came together to support this initiative through contributions in the form of media advertising and resources.
Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn. Bhd. and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd applauded the collection this year and shared, “We are once again humbled by the generosity and support of our Malaysian motorists, in helping us raise a total of RM1.92mil for the organisations in just 10 days. We wish to thank all our customers and partners for contributing to this cause. In line with our mission to make life’s journeys better for all Malaysians, we hope this initiative will continue to inspire others to extend a helping hand for those who are in need.”
Photo 3-From L to R:1. Zharin ZhafraelMohd,National Sales Manager of Shell Malaysia2. Dr. Muralli, Medical Director of National Cancer Society of Malaysia3. Yang Berbahagia Datuk Muez Abd.Aziz, Secretary General, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA)4. Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd5. Devesh Kuwadekar, Vice President and Head Market Development, Mastercard5. Rick Chee, Founder of the Food Aid Foundation6. Mr. I.S. Shanmugaraj, Executive Director of Malaysian Nature Society
Perry Ong, Country Manager of Malaysia and Brunei, Mastercard said, “This partnership has been instrumental in encouraging Malaysians to use cashless payments for their everyday purchases, while at the same time, giving back to the community and impacting the lives of the less privileged. Contributions made through this campaign will support local causes, including the provision of meals for children in need. Driven by its philosophy of ‘doing well by doing good’, Mastercard is committed to collaborating with partners like Shell who share the same philosophy.”
The continuous support and generosity of Malaysian motorists has encouraged Shell to run this campaign annually to impact more lives. In the spirit of caring and sharing, the funds collected from this year’s ‘Anda Beli, Kami Derma’ campaign will go towards supporting the organisations’ efforts in building a brighter future for the communities they serve.
For more details, please visit: www.shell.com.my/CSR
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Countdown Begins for the 25th Phuket Bike Week

Phuket Bike Week

The countdown to the 25th Phuket Bike Week begins.

It will be held from 12th to 14th April at Patong, and 19th to 20th April at the Phuket Boat Lagoon, this year.

50,000 visitors are expected.

It’s almost April and enthusiasts know it’s almost time for the pilgrimage to the Phuket Bike Week (PBW).
The annual event is extra special this year as it celebrates its 25th anniversary and is dubbed “World Ride Together (sic).” Hence it promises to be the biggest ever than an already largest motorcycle gathering in Asia.
The organizers and tourism authority expect more than 5,000 motorcycles of all types, and 50,000 participants and visitors from more than 30 countries including Thailand. They also project that the event will draw in THB 500 million in revenue.

As per tradition, the PBW will be held in two locations on the island of Phuket on two subsequent different dates. The first chapter will be held at Loma Park, Patong Beach from 12thto 14thApril. The second will be held at the Phuket Boat Lagoon from 19thto 20thApril.
Do note that this year’s PBW coincides with the Songkran water festival, which starts from 13thApril and ends on 15thApril, thus visitors can expect an even merrier fun quotient.

Activities include motorcycle exhibitions, custom bike contest, Miss Phuket Bike Week contest, charity ride. Rock bands and performers include the legendary Thai band Carabao who shot to fame with their song “Made in Thailand;” our very own Wings and many more.
So, start planning now for your convoy to the north!
Please refer to www.phuketbikeweek.com for more information.
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Honda CBR650R and Honda CB650R Launched – From RM43,499

The 2019 Honda CBR650R and 2019 Honda CB650R were launched today.

Both bikes were first unveiled at EICMA 2018.

Both models have been extensively upgraded yet priced close to their predecessors.

The eagerly awaited 2019 Honda CBR650R and 2019 Honda CB650R were launched today (watch video below).

The bikes were launched by Boon Siew Honda Malaysia (BSH) at the Malaysia Autoshow 2019, at MAEPS Serdang. Fans and enthusiasts can view the new bikes between 11thto 13thApril 2019.

Mr. Keiichi Yasuda, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BSH launched the bikes. In his speech, Mr. Yasuda said, “In 2018, Boon Siew Honda successfully launched 7 models of high performance big bikes in Malaysia. We are happy to have received overwhelming response from the market. And, we shall also look into the middleweight segment demand. Therefore, today we launched the all-new CBR650R and CB650R.”

2019 Honda CBR650R (from RM 45,499)
For the last time, the CBR650RR is NOT from the CBR600RR’s lineage. Clear? Good. And who said it was going to cost in the vicinity of RM 75,000 to RM 80,000?!

The CBR650R replaces the pervious CBR650F as Honda’s middleweight sportbike.
In line with the “CBR” designation, the 2019 model is made sportier to distance itself from its naked brethren, the naked CB650R. So, the CB650R is no longer a CBR650F without clothes.

Highlights:

New styling inspired by the CBR1000RR Fireblade superbike. The single “diamond” headlamp makes way for twin aggressive LED headlamps; and the fairing’s rear part is extended further back.

Revised rider ergonomics. The handlebars are repositioned 30mm forward to put more weight on the front wheel plus for a sportier riding position. Similarly, the footpegs were moved 3mm back and 6mm higher. Yet, seat height remains at an accessible 810mm.

Higher engine power. The inline-Four now revs to 1,000 RPM higher. Consequently, there is a 5% percent gain in maximum power from 90 to 94 HP at 12,000 RPM.

Assist and slipper clutch. The assist function allows lighter clutch lever operation. The slipper function, on the other hand, minimizes rear tyre hop when downshifting aggressively.

New running stock. The forks are now 41mm upside-down Showa SFF (Separate Function Forks). Braking duty is handled by a pair of Nissin 4-piston calipers that are radial-mounted.

Lower weight. The new bike is 6kg lighter.
New features. Such as full LED lighting; A new LCD instrument panel which includes gear position and shift indicator.
Traction control. The Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) traction control strategy finally makes its way into the model.
Two colours. Grand Prix Red and Matt Gun Powder Black Metallic.

Priced from RM 45,499 (basic selling price).

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2019 Honda CB650R (from RM 43,499)
The 2019 CB650R replaced the CB650F as the middleweight naked sportbike. Besides that, the new CB650R completes Honda’s Neo Sports Café line-up, which already consists of the CB250R and CB1000R.

Highlights:
Modern and minimalist design. As part of the Neo Sports Café family, the bike’s styling mixes classic and modern elements. Honda calls it the “compact, trapezoid” effect.

The round headlight and sculpted tank form the front and “backbone,” respectively while the engine hangs below in full view.

Higher engine power. The engine is shared with the CBR650R. Revisions to the intake, cam timing, compression and exhaust yielded a 5% increase in power to 94 HP.

Relaxed ergonomics. The riding stance is more relaxed compared to the CBR650R’s.

Shared specs with CBR650R. Suspension, brakes, assist and slipper clutch, LED lighting, HSTC traction control are shared with the CBR650R.

Two colours. Candy Chromosphere Red and Graphite Black.

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Priced from RM 43,499 (basic selling price).
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2020 Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark – is it already here?

There’s no denying this, we simply adore Scrambler Ducatis. The 2020 models have been a huge hit around the globe and the latest addition to the family comes in the form of the 202 Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark, BUT, is it already here in Malaysia? If you ask the ‘Magic 8 Ball’, it’ll say “Signs point to YES!”

It was only yesterday when we posted about our speculations regarding what new models Ducati Malaysia will launch in the coming weeks. The timeline suggests the arrival of the Ducati Streetfighter V4 and judging at how they love to unveil several models in one go, we assumed that the Hypermotard 950 SP will be one of those models.

Now, a new addition might join the party which we strongly believe that it’ll be the Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark. It’s essentially the same as the 2019 Scrambler Icon which we tested in Italy back in late 2018 but with a special paint offering. The Scrambler Icon Dark has been ‘stealth’ out with blacked-out parts and paint job to further amplify the overall sexiness of an already sexy bike.

So, what’s new with this beauty? For starters, it comes with the new Matt Black colour option with machine-finished aluminium belt covers. This goes exceptionally well with the blacked-out 803cc L-Twin engine that punches out 73hp at 8,250rpm and 67Nm of maximum torque at 5,750rpm. The rest is the same as the original Scrambler Icon, which is available in Atomic Tangerine and 62 Yellow.

As for pricing, the original Scrambler Icon is priced at RM52,900 when it was launched back in June 2019. For the Icon Dark, we’re probably guessing that the price won’t differ as much. If it’s lower or higher, it won’t venture too far from the RM50,000 mark. Head over to the nearest Ducati authorised dealer to find out more.

TESTED: 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon – “True Italian Spirit”

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Hesketh 24 revealed

British purveyor of hand-built motorcycles, Hesketh Motorcycles, revealed its latest exotic creation recently called the ‘24’.

If the name sounds familiar, the firm is indeed the brainchild of Lord Hesketh the Third, the same person behind the Hesketh Racing F1 team that gave legendary British playboy driver James Hunt his grand prix racing debut. Lord Hesketh founded the Hesketh Motorcycle firm in 1980, spawning its first creation, the V1000, that same year. Since then, things have been relatively quiet until recently with the unveiling of the 24.

Ending the brand’s three decade-long hiatus, the 24 could only be described as one truly exotic bike. Powering it is a liquid-cooled 1,950cc S&S X-wedge 56° V-twin motor. The motor, tweaked by UK performance tuning firm HPE, outputs a total of 125hp and 189.6Nm of maximum torque to propel the exotic sportster via a five-speed overdrive Baker gearbox with a ‘KingKong’ cable-actuated clutch commonly found in Cadillac cars.

The mill also features two exhaust cams and one inlet cam that allows it the ability to spin up to 6,500rpm throught the transmission. The powertrain also adopts a chain drive, to which the firm states was a needed system due to the package’s high-torque nature – a belt drive would’ve altered the 24’s nature into a cruiser instead.

Elsewhere, the 24 features a large 19-litre fuel tank running from the top to a metal tank placed in the belly pan. It also features a ‘top of the line’ Ohlins telescopic suspension all-round, a Beringer twin disc brake setup, BST carbon fibre wheels, and a leather-covered seat that sits 820mm high. All this is then encased in a frame specially designed by Racing Innovations.
Only 24 examples of the exotic single-seater will be produced and sold to buyers who can muster its £35,000 price tag for each. Said price includes a two-year extended warranty offer as well.
After the 24, the firm indicated plans of a sports tourer similar to its V1000 model, as well as a two-seater version of the 24.
Hesketh Motorcyles 24
Source: Hesketh Motorcycles via Visordown
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Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia London Adventure – Imperial War Museum, London

We visited the Imperial War Museum, London at the end of Day 2 of the Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia London Adventure.

The Imperial War Museum displays exhibits that many of us had only seen on TV or read about.

It was full of with important modern warfare exhibits.

Continuing on the Day 2 of the Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia London Adventure, I was getting blown away by how just awesomeness of London. I came across the Imperial War Museum by blind luck.
(Please click here for the Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia London Adventure Day 1 at Tower of London and The Bike Shed, Day 2 Part 1, here for Day 2 Part 2)
Coming off Westminster Palace (The Houses of Parliament), I consulted Google Maps for my next destination. I was thinking of the British Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral, but something else popped up at the edge of the screen: The Imperial War Museum.
It’s not that I like war, but warfare intrigues me. Unfortunate as it is, warfare is where human emotions are at its rawest. There’s also a saying that “No one is an atheist in the trench.”
However, warfare pushes the boundaries of technologies the hardest. For example, it was the US Department of Defence who created the precursor to the Internet. So was the GPS (global positioning system). Titanium was first widely used in the Northorp SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance jet. Many of the technologies or solutions available to the public resulted from research and development in the military.

Along with my late-Dad, we’ve watched and read so much about the conflicts in antiquity (Rome, Greece, China, et al), World War 1, World War 2, communist insurgency in Malaya and Malaysia, Vietnam war, and every subsequent one in recent times.
St. Paul’s Cathedral and British Museum will have to wait.
Getting there
The Imperial War Museum has facilities divided among many locations throughout London and the United Kingdom. But this one at Lambeth is the main facility; a “short” 1.4-km (0.9-mile) walk across the Lambeth Bridge from the MI5 Security Service building.

My calves started to burn as I got to within 700m of the destination, but I kept pushing on. London has this magic of compelling you to keep moving, instead of squirrelling into the nearest café at the road side. Believe me, there are just so many cafés and restaurants anywhere you go around the city.
“We will never surrender,” as Winston Churchill said.
Soon, the courtyard of the museum appeared. Children running around the garden in multicoloured jackets confirmed it. The museum moved here in 1936. The building was originally the Bethelm Royal Hospital.
The compound
Alhamdulillah for the cool weather. I arrived without feeling like I’ve just completed a walkathon.
My eyes spotted a large yellow-colored shells and the barrel of a long gun. “Ya Allah! This is what I want to see,” my lips uttered involuntarily. (I’ve totally forgotten that I’ve not had lunch or any drink since breakfast at this point of time!)

I almost ran up to those guns. These are the BL 15-inch Mark-1 naval guns that I’ve read so much about! I suddenly felt a chill and goosebumps rose on my skin out of excitement. These were the best naval guns produced by the Royal Navy, hence serving from 1915 to 1959. The 15-inches referred to the gun’s bore (circumference of the tube, not length), while the length is at 16.52 metres long.
The gun was capable of shooting shells of 879kg with 222kg (490 lb.) supercharged cordite to a maximum distance of 27.3 kilometres, at 20o barrel elevation (such as on the HMS Hood). The HMS Vanguard’s maximum 30o elevation mounting increased the gun’s range to 34.6 kilometres. The guns were also employed as coastal defence guns in Singapore during WW2. At maximum elevation, the range was 40.3 kilometres.
Both are identical guns, except that the one on the left belonged to the HMS Ramilies and the other to the HMS Roberts.
These weren’t the biggest naval guns, by the way. That distinction belonged to the 18-inch behemoths fitted to the WWII Japanese battleships Yamato and Musashi.
Foyer and atrium
This particular Imperial War Museum does not charge an entrance fee. However, visitors are welcomed to drop some money into a donation box. Perhaps more importantly was photography and videography are allowed!

If those guns outside were interesting, I almost went complete bananas inside. Because, hanging from the ceiling (front to back) are a Harrier GR9 jump jet, V-1 flying bomb, V2 rocket and Spitfire fighter. These, all these fangled war machines were in those books and documentaries, but I didn’t for the life of me ever imagined seeing them up close and personal.
V-1 Flying Bomb
The V-1 (Vergeltungswaffe1 “Vengeance Weapon 1”) flying bomb was the first operation cruise missile of WWII. It was used by the Nazi Germany regime to terror bombing London. The first was fired at the city on 13thJune 1944, exactly after Allied troops landed at Normandy. A total of more than 9,500 V-1s were aimed at London.
However, the V-1 was primitive that it could not avoid anti-aircraft fire or fighter aircraft, and many were shot down that way.
V-2 Rocket
So, the Third Reich worked on Vergeltungswaffe2, better known as the V-2 rocket. The V-2 was the first proper intercontinental missile and the first manmade object which crossed into space.

Unlike the V-1, there’s no defence against the V-2. A survivor of a V-2 attack attested to seeing an entire block of London building lifting a metres into the air before exploding. More eerily, a double crack sound followed after the explosion. The “cracks” were the result of the bomb passing the sound barrier. The BBC reported that nearly 9,000 civilians and military personnel were killed by the rocket bomb.
Nazi Germany had been working hard on a nuclear program (they invaded Norway for the supply of “heavy water”) but they didn’t succeed in weaponizing that technology, thankfully. Otherwise, all of Europe would probably be speaking German now…
Another interesting fact was that the chief designer and engineer of the V-2 Werner Von Braun and his team surrendered to the American forces at the end of the war, rather than to the Soviet Union.
Von Braun and his team would go on to create the Saturn V rocket which carried the first humans to the Moon.
T-34-85 WWII Tank
The T-34 Soviet medium tank was widely regarded as the best battle tank in World War 2. Despite being outgunned by the excellent German Panzer and Tiger heavy tanks, the Soviets produced so many more T-34s to counter their losses. In fact, 44,900 T-34s were lost – the most in the war.

The secret to the T-34s success was its simplicity, which in turn meant easier and cheaper production. A total of 84,070 we built. By May 1944, they were producing 1,200 units of the T-34-85 variant per month.
Reuters Land Rover
The beat-up Land Rover was wearing the bright white paint and multiple “TV PRESS,” “REUTERS,” “FOREIGN PRESS,” etc. notations when the Reuters crew were covering the conflict in Gaza in 2006. Yet, an Israeli helicopter launched a rocket at it. The rocket went through the roof and exploded in the gearbox. Journalist Sabbah Hmaida was injured badly in his legs but his cameraman Fadel Shana suffered minor injuries.

Sadly, Shana was killed later when he was shot by an Israeli tank. The tank opened fired the second time, destroying the SUV he was travelling in. Eight other unarmed Palestinian civilians aged between 12 to 20 lay dead or dying from the blast.
As a journalist, it truly angered me that the Israelis actually shot vehicles with “PRESS” prominently emblazoned on their sides and roofs! What stank even more was when the Zionis regime exonerated the soldiers who fired the shots, through some incredulous reasoning.
You can read the full report here https://cpj.org/blog/2008/08/-in-the-gaza-strip.php
Rolls-Royce Merlin III Aircraft Engine
You would definitely hear about the iconic Rolls-Royce Merlin engine if you’re an aviation/history fan. It was installed in almost every British warplane including the Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire, de Havilland Mosquito, Lancaster heavy bomber, etc. etc.

This particular Merlin III engine was a 27,000cc (27-litre), 60oV-12 with single-stage, single-speed supercharger, producing 1030 bhp. The later Merlin XX produced 1,240 bhp.
According to the IWM, it powered the Hurricane Mk. 1 flown by Squadron Leader Tom Gleave of 253 Squadron. The squadron was protecting the Biggin Hill airfield on 31 August 1940 when they intercepted a formation of German Junkers Ju 88 bombers. Gleave hit two bombers but a shell hit his starboard wing fuel tank. His planes burst into flames, but he managed to bail out. The plane crashed at Mace Farm, east of the airfield. This engine was recovered by a local flying group in the 1960’s.
The American Packard Motor Car Company produced the Merlin 28 under license and designated it as the V-1650-1. It was this engine which went into the early North American P-51 Mustang. The later Merlin 66 became the Packard V-1650-7 which powered the P-51D variant. It was this plane which helped cripple the Luftwaffe fighter arm in the skies over Europe.
Enigma Machine
Radio messages in the military have to be codified (ciphered) to avoid the enemy from knowing your intentions.

Great Britian was in the process of being starved out and deprived of military materiel from America by Hitler’s U-boats (submarines). The U-boats meanced the Atlantic Ocean and sunk merchant ships of the Atlantic Convoy at will. Something had to be done quickly and one way was through breaking the German’s radio code.
The Germans used a machine called the Enigma to cipher their messages. The machine looked like a typewriter, but it actually replaced each letter typed with another letter through a “code” which only the sender and receiver know. Let’s say we typed in “Guten Morgen” on our end, the receiver will receive “XOGAT NQLRZ.” Therefore, the message is gibberish to anyone who intercepted it without the code.
The Allies made concerted efforts to capture the Enigma and break the code. It was finally broken by a British mathematician named Alan Turing. From then on, the U-boats were either avoided altogether (the Convoy charted other routes) or ambushed by the Royal Navy.
The cracking of the Enigma code remained Top Secret in the UK until the 1970’s.
Krupp Flak 8.8cm Flak
This is another piece of weaponry that Call of Duty players should know. It’s better known as the “Flak 88,” or “eighty-eight” in English and “acht-acht” in German.

It started out as a Flugzeugabwehrkanone, German for “anti-defence cannon.” The term “flak” is a contraction of that word. These cannons shot flak shells that are pre-set to explode at the chosen altitudes. The explosion throws out metal shrapnel in all directions. This method of anti-aircraft defence was for high altitudes where smaller shells could not reach. Remember this was World War 2 and SAMs (surface-to-air missiles) have not been developed yet.
The mechanisms of the gun was so well designed that later modifications adapted it to other roles such as artillery and anti-tank. That 8.8cm Flak KwK 36 version was fitted to the Tiger I heavy tank and it outranged every Allied tank on the battlefield. The later PaK 43 was fitted to the Elefant and Jagdpanther tank destroyers and lastly, the KwK 43 was fitted to the Tiger II.
Avro Lancaster Heavy Bomber
The Avro Lancaster was the backbone of the British Bomber Command in WW2.

It was used primarily in night bombing missions. But the true strength of the “Lanc” was its ability to be transformed quickly to carry almost any payload or mission. Its most famous missions include the bombing of German dams on the river Ruhr with “Upkeep” bouncing bombs, besides the fire-bombing of Hamburg.
The IWM displays the forward fuselage of a Lancaster christened as “Old Fred.” Old Fred served with the 467 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force. It flew in 49 missions in enemy territory, marked by the 49 “mission marks” below the canopy.
Japanese Katanas
One level up and it begins with the Pacific Theatre of WW2. Displayed here are a number of katanas (Japanese Samurai swords) that were issued to Japanese military officers. The katana gained its notoriety during this period as they were used to behead prisoners of war. Truth is, the katana is a weapon of chivalry and honour, as was the samurai spirit of Bushido. But war corrupts many things.

Mitsubishi A6M3 “Zero” Fighter
The Japanese Zero was the most feared fighter plane in the Pacific War’s early stages. It was instrumental in leading the attack on Pearl Harbor. As it was built light, it could outclimb and out-turn any American fighter, initially.

Fortunately, the Americans discovered an intact crashed Zero in Akutan Island, Alaska. It was shipped back home and experimented on. The US then developed the F6F Hellcat and new tactics to counter the Zero. The Zero was relegated to kamikaze attacks in the latter stages of the war.
M4 Sherman Medium Tank (refer to the video above)
Just as the Soviet T-34, the M4 Sherman Medium Tank was built in great numbers in WW2. Furthermore, it also had the sloped armor similar to the T-34.
Being built simple and easy to maintain, the Sherman were ubiquitous in the battlefields of both European and the Pacific. The chassis served as the platform on which the Allies could build specialized machines including the amphibious DD (Duplex Drive) M4 which “swam” from the landing ships to the beaches, Zippo flame throwing tank, T34 Calliope rocket launcher, anti-mine tank with steel chain flails, and more.
Some 49,234 were built from 1942 to 1945.
Battle of Berlin
At the end of the European theatre, the Allied forces USA, Great Britain and Soviet Union were racing toward the seat of the Third Reich – Berlin. While none of the nations admitted it, whosoever reached and conquered the city first would most probably have the biggest say after the war.

The Soviets made almost suicidal efforts to finally conquer the city, and it was costly for both sides. The Soviets Red Army also committed many atrocities towards Berliners, especially the women. As word spread, more Germans decided to surrender to the Americans, including Werner Von Braun.
These were the main infantry small arms of the Red Army.
BMW R75
The BMW R75, especially with a sidecar attached is probably one of the most enduring images of the Great War. The Wehrmacht (German Army) used it in Africa and Russia extensively. The sidecar’s wheel is attached directly to the motorcycle’s rear wheel. A locking differential and selectable road/off-road gear ratios could be selected. There are also gear for reversing. The engine was a new 750cc, OHV, Boxer which produced 26 bhp.

BMW’s rival Zündapp also had a motorcycle during the war called the KS750. However, the Army urged both manufacturers to standardize their parts for the sake of simplicity in the field. It resulted in both the R75 and KS750 sharing 70% of their parts.
It was the R75’s success that prompted the American Army to demand for a motorcycle of their own, resulting in the Harley-Davidson XA. The XA became H-D’s first shaft-driven model.
The R75’s story didn’t end there. In producing the legendary movie “The Great Escape,” the producers dressed up four Triumph TR6 Trophies to mimic the R75 for the jump sequences.
Field Marshal Montgomery’s Humber Super Snipe Staff Car and North African Campaign Map
This Staff Car was called “Old Faithful” and was used by Montgomery as his personal chauffeur-driven transport while commanding the British Eighth Army in North Africa. He used it to visit his troops in the field and gave them his famous “pep talks” from it.

Montgomery was the commander who led his troops in pushing German Field Marshal Edwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps all the way to Al Alemein, Tunisia and out of North Africa, opening the way for the Allies to invade Sicily, Italy. The Italian campaign knocked out the Fascist Italians, depriving Hitler of an ally.
It also turned out that the first shots in the Battle of Al Alemein were fired by the British on 23rd October 1942, exactly 76 years ago when I visited this museum. What a coincidence! The British troops had lost and surrendered in one battle after another, including Dunkirk, Norway, Tobruk and Singapore before this, so the Battle of Al Alemein was the turning point for the British.
Willys MB Jeep
The Jeep was another symbol of WW2. Simply put, it was the first 4X4 SUV. The troops loved it as a multirole vehicle that could do just about everything.

This particular Jeep was used by the Red Cross Homes in La Selva and Cuvia, Italy and Klagenfurt, Austria. The Jeep’s windscreen can be folded forward flat on the hood, thereby making it ideal as an ambulance. This particular unit was also used to deliver supplies to the Casualty Clearing Stations in those theatres. The Red Cross didn’t want to keep the Jeep after the war and handed it back to its former owner, Joan Whittington, who drove it back to England from Austria.
The Jeep were jointly built by Willys-Overland (MB) and Ford. The former produced 359,489 units while the latter built 277,896. It was used extensively in WW2, the Korean War and Vietnam War.
Little Boy Atomic Bomb Casing
This was one of the five actual spare Little Boy atomic bomb casings.

Filled with 64kg of enriched uranium-235, “Little Boy” was the atomic bomb dropped in the history of mankind. It flattened the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6thAugust 1945. The bomb which was dropped on Nagasaki on 9thAugust 1945 was called the “Fat Man,” on the other hand.
The “bombs” hastened the Japanese military to surrender to the Allies, thereby ending the war in the Pacific and WW2, overall.
BAe Harrier GR.9
The Harrier attack/fighter was the first operational vertical/short take-off (V/STOL) and landing aircraft when it was introduced in 1969. Vertical take-off means the plane could get off the ground without needing to sprint down a runway. Instead, it goes up like and hovers like a helicopter. The engineers did this by aiming vectoring jet nozzles on the fuselage.

The carrier-borne version called Sea Harrier distinguished itself against the Argentine Air Force in the Falklands War in 1982. Although slower, the Harriers shot down 20 Argentine aircraft with no loss. Only 2 Harriers were brought down by ground fire.
Harriers were license built in the US for the Marine Corp as a close-support aircraft, called the AV-8B.
This particular Harrier started out as a GR.5, before being upgraded to the GR.7 and ultimately the GR.9. Great Britain had stopped flying the Harrier since 2010, replacing them with the American-made Lockheed F-35 Lightning II.
One Last Look
There were more which I videoed on that day but too numerous to be included in this already too long article.

There were sections on the Korean War, Cold War, War on Terror, UN Peacekeepers, and many more. Besides those, the museum also had a resource centre which was stocked full of books and videos for researchers. Its shop was like a toyshop combined with a bookstore!

In fact, I didn’t have much time to spend at the museum, unfortunately, as it was already 4pm. I didn’t have the luxury of reading each info card of the exhibits. Almost the all notes here were from my prior research. However, touching the V-2 rocket had my senses tingling. This was something significant out of history.
The only I could do at that sad moment was vowing to return some day. Like General McArthur.
Before I close, there’s something that I feel strongly about mentioning. It was heart-warming to see so many parents who patiently read the cards and explained it to their children. That’s what my late-Dad did for me.
On the other hand, I’ve seen so many Malaysian parents shrugging their shoulders and saying, “I dunno, let’s go” instead of teaching their kids. I hope these parents can take a cue from the English and educate your children.
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Used bike tips – How to spot a lemon

A quick guide on how to spot a lemon when shopping for used bikes.

Shopping for used bikes, whether privately or from a dealer, can be a frustrating and worrying experience. Without a bit of expert help it’s so hard to know you are making the right decision.
Let us show you how to go into a deal knowing what to look for, which questions to ask and how to prepare yourself mentally.
Wheels
Potentially lethal cracks, splits and dents are often hidden with filler and a coat of paint. Run your finger over any discolored or suspicious areas.

Scratched or chipped paint because of countless tyre changes can mean the bike’s been raced or been to the track a lot.

Forks
Weepy fork seals can be disguised with a bit of tissue under the dust cap. Check the stanchions for scratches and pitting. Lift the dust cap and inspect.

Fairings/bodywork
Stickers, frame guards, non-standard paintwork and crash bungs. They don’t always mean a bikes has been dropped, but look closely and ask questions.
Head bearings
Loose head bearings are often the price of heavily-landed wheelies. Feel for notchiness when the bars are turned.

Electrics
Check that the indicators flash at the correct rate, the headlights and tail lights work, that the horn sounds and the start-up sequence is normal.
Check the headstock and front fairing for tape or zip-ties. Most accident bikes are put back together almost never fitted with the OE reatainers that keep the wiring loom tidy and out of sight. Common with bikes that have been raced or suffered a frontal crash.

Aftermarket parts
OE parts are expensive to replace-a standard exhaust will often cost at least as much as the priciest aftermarket item. If the potential bike is fitted with a host of aftermarket goodies, ask for the OE parts to be included. If it doesn’t, ask why not. Check everything. Bars, bar ends, screen fittings, exhaust can, mirrors, seat unit and wheels.

Most aftermarket paint schemes are there to cover up damage. OE stickers are expensive, so you’ll find that people use lower quality aftermarket ones. They are of a lower grade and are almost never in the right place.

Frame/swingarm
Polished frames and swingarms look the part, but they can also hide scratches that would make the bike an insurance write-off.
Equally, dented frames can be covered up with filler and then sprayed up to mask the damage.
Frame Lock stops
Look at these if you suspect the bike’s been down before. Situated on the frame, the headstock, and lower yoke they’re the little bits of metal that prevent the bars from trapping your thumbs on full lock. It’s easy to see if it’s been welded back on or been replaced by a screw. A missing one suggest frontal damage. Stay away.

Brakes/discs
Examine the discs for warping. Lift the front and spin the wheel. It should rotate freely with no scuffing noises, which could indicate a warped disc. Feel the edges for lips. Check the surface of the discs also for scoring marks, a telltale sign of pad neglect, which will tell you a little bit about the owner.
Wheel bearings
Lift the wheels off the floor one at a time. Rock the front wheel side-to-side and the back up and down. Any free play means bearings or bushes need replacing.

Tyres
Check they’re not mis-matched, bald, scalloped (front), cut, punctured or incorrect size for the machine (180-section tyres on a 160-section rear for instance).

Chain/sprockets
Check the chain is in good condition and correctly adjusted. Check for tight spots by rotating the rear wheel. If the chain lifts on the top run then it’s worn and you’ll feel surging on a constant throttle. Worn sprockets have hooked teeth. Make sure there is plenty of adjustment left. If you can pull the chain off of the back sprocket by more than half a tooth’s depth at its furthest point, it needs replacing.

Engine
Check the level and colour of the oil, it should be a nice golden colour, not thin and black. Check for blue smoke on start up from cold (and check that the engine really IS cold) – it could mean a top end overhaul. Check the clutch action is smooth, no coolant leaks and oil leaks.

Frame
Get someone to hold the bike upright with the bars straight. Step back, get on your knees and check the trueness of the frame. If the wheels are out of line then the frame’s bent. Stand up and you should also be able to see if the subframe’s in line. Also check steel subframes for heat and stress marks suggesting it’s been twisted back into line.
So there it is, take your time and best of luck in finding your bike. Remember; people will go to any lengths to cover up problems.
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First look: 2016 BMW G310R – the baby beemer!

After numerous spyshots and being teased as a stunting concept, the worldwide wait for the new small capacity BMW bike is finally over.

Meet the all-new BMW G310R, BMW Motorrad brand’s first ever sub-500cc model that was developed in partnership with Indian manufacturer TVS.

Unveiled online just recently, the new ‘baby beemer’ enters the ever-growing yet lucrative lightweight bikes segment, and will surely stand as a strong rival against segment favourites like KTM and the usuals from Japanese powerhouses. Here’s what we’ve managed to garner so far about this small yet feisty new made-in-India BMW.

As previewed in the concept, the BMW G310R is powered using a newly developed liquid-cooled DOHC 313cc single-cylinder heart with four valves. Unique traits here are its 80mm x 62.1mm bore x stroke figures, followed by its backward-tilted cylinder in open-deck design with the cylinder head turned by 180 degrees, making it possible to position the intake tract at the front.

As a result, the mill develops 34hp at 9,800rpm and peak torque of 28Nm at 7,500rpm. All that power is channelled to the rear wheel using a six-speed constant mesh transmission primed with a wet multi-plate clutch and a chain drive system.

The powertrain is encased within a Tubular steel frame design that was built with a grid structure whilst having a bolt-on rear frame and a long swingarm assembly made using cast aluminium. Up front sees a pair of 41mm telescopic inverted forks that are combined with steering geometry honed towards safe and predictable handling, offering 140mm of fork travel too. The wheelbase stands at 1,374mm with the adjustable rear shock mounted directly whilst boasting 131mm of travel as well.

Next comes a set of lightweight yet strong 17-inch five-spoke wheels front and aft that are shod in 110/70/17 (front) and 150/60/17 (rear) tyre sizes. Anchors come in the form of single discs all round measuring 300mm up front and 240mm in the rear, radially-mounted four-piston caliper in front, as well as the BMW Motorrad ABS suite primed as standard.

Notably, the BMW G310R also gets a decently-sized 11-litre fuel tank, a low unladen weight of 158.5kg and a standard seat height of 785mm. Despite its size, BMW further claimed that the new G310R is capable of reaching a top speed of approximately 145km/h as well.

BMW did mentioned that low and high seat heights are available with optional accessories ranging from 760mm through to 815mm. Other additional accessories available include luggage, top boxes, a centrestand, LED indicators, a 12-volt charging socket and heated grips too.

As far as the design goes, much of the G310R’s lines are inspired by the bigger S1000R streetfighter. The basic paint scheme on offer is a black and white combination with silver highlights, followed by a more premium metallic blue and grey scheme plus a Pearl White option as well.

Excited? So are we, and the news just gets better as insiders at BMW hints at more variants to come soon based on the G310R. That includes a half faired and ‘adventure’ bike versions slated to debut at a later stage.
The new BMW G310R will be debuting at EICMA later this month with markets sales set to commence early next year. We are not sure when it will arrive locally, but all signs indicate that this is one BMW worth waiting for indeed. Check out the extensive gallery we’ve prepared below to see the bike in full detail.
2016 BMW G310R (static)

2016 BMW G310R (action)

Sources BMW Motorrad / Visordown, MCN and MoreBikes
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2022 Dakar: Danilo Petrucci Ends Stage 4 At Third Place

Former MotoGP rider, Danilo Petrucci managed to overcome his frustration to complete the fourth stage at third place.
The Italian had to sit out the second stage of the race after his KTM 450 Rally suffered mechanical problems.
He then bounced back to complete the 3rd stage at 22nd place before securing a podium in stage four of the race.

The ex-Ducati and KTM rider secured a third-place finish behind Pablo Quintanilla and Joan Barreda, who came out on top with his Honda.
The result saw Petrucci emerge as the best rookie of the day despite crossing the finish line with a 7-minute gap to Barreda.
Nevertheless, in terms of overall standings, Sam Sunderland (GASGAS Factory Racing) retains his lead of the race ahead of Matthias Walkner (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Adrien van Beveren (Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Team).
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Modenas Power Store – Best aftersales service in town!

If you happen to own any of the Modenas bike models like the V15, Pulsar NS160, NS200, RS200, or the Dominar D400, finding authorised aftersales services might be a hassle if you happen to live in locations where you have to travel the distance. Luckily for you, the Modenas Power Store, conveniently located in the heart of Kota Damansara, has the solution for you.

Aftersales and services are a huge part of bike ownership and like most owners, you would want the best to work on your bikes. At the Modenas Power Store, we’ve acquired one hell of a master mechanic which goes by the name of Mr Mohd Faisal Abdul Rahman aka “Faisal”.

With 10 years of experience working at Modenas, this man knows all the ins and outs of Modenas bikes. Officially labelled as a true expert in the field, Mr Faisal is also the only master mechanic in Malaysia to be certified by Bajaj. He’s not only a master mechanic but also a certified master trainer bestowed by Bajaj, so for those who are looking for the best, Modenas Power Store has him at your service.

Worried about the origins of your parts? At Modenas Power Store, we only carry original parts from Modenas and Bajaj and Mr Faisal wouldn’t want it any other way. If there’s a fake part or product near this master mechanic, he would know (and probably throw them in the trash bin before recommending the original stuff like a pro that he is).

He’s also an expert in offering ECU check-ups, updates, and diagnostics for all Modenas bikes brought in from Bajaj. If there’s something amiss with your beloved bikes, it won’t take long for the man to detect the issue and remedy it with his so-called ‘magical hands’.

If you want peace of mind when it comes to aftersales services regarding your Modenas bikes, you can be confident to send it over to the Modenas Power Store with Mr Faisal ready and waiting to offer you whatever expertise he has earned during his many years of training.

For more info, you can call the Modenas Power Store at 03-67323217, WhatsApp 012-8003470 or head over to the store at:
Sunsuria Avenue, 3A & 3G Street Wing,
Persiaran Mohagani, Kota Damansara,
47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Financing (Loan) is Now Available at the Modenas Power Store, Kota Damansara

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Special Suzuki test ride at Sepang International Kart Circuit, 29 & 30 July 2017

Suzuki Assemblers Malaysia will be organising a special Suzuki test ride session this weekend on 29 to 30 July 2017 at the Sepang International Kart Circuit.
Those who are interested can try out some of Suzuki’s flagship big bike models such as the latest GSX-R1000, GSX-R1000R, VStrom 650 ABS, SV 650 ABS, GSXS 750 ABS, GSXS1000F and Burgman 400 ABS.
The event will be happening this weekend from 10am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday with other brands taking part like Arai Helmet, Bike World, Autobacks and many more.

Suzuki Assemblers Malaysia will be organising a very special Suzuki test ride session for all their latest 2017 motorcycle models this weekend. The Sepang International Kart Circuit has been chosen as the Venue and the public has the golden opportunity to try out some of their flagship models including the Suzuki GSXR1000R.

On the 29th and 30th July 2017, the offer is extended to anyone who’s interested in finding out how Suzuki motorcycles perform in a safe and controlled environment that is the Sepang International Kart Circuit. There will be quite a few Suzuki models available for testing such as the latest GSX-R1000, GSX-R1000R, VStrom 650 ABS, SV 650 ABS, GSXS 750 ABS, GSXS1000F and the highly-recognised Suzuki Burgman 400 ABS.

Those who have a B full license can try out any of the stated models while B2 have to chance to test out the new Burgman 400 scooter. Do take note that those who are interested have to wear their own helmets, gloves, jackets, trousers and riding shoes. For more information on the test ride event, CLICK HERE.
2017 Suzuki Burgman
As an extra bonus for those who attend, there’ll also be special appearances by the folks from Arai Helmet, Bike World, Autobacks and of course, us from Bikes Republic. Those who have their own Arai lids can opt for cleaning service provided and also premium motor cleaning products from IPONE.

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MotoGP: Tito Rabat’s 2014 Moto2 championship bike STOLEN!

Image source: MCN
A recent report made by the Marc VDS team has stated that their Kalex Moto2 that Tito Rabat rode to win the 2014 Moto2 championship was stolen early this morning.
The bike which was displayed at the Marc VDS workshop located in Gosselies, Belgium was the only thing stolen when the thieves broke into the workshop at around 2am of 16 August 2017.
The 2014 Kalex Moto2 bike features the team’s 2014 livery and also the number 54 that Tito Rabat used during his 2014 Moto2 season.
Image source: www.motorsport101.net

According to a recent report made by the Marc VDS, Tito Rabat’s Moto2 bike which he rode to win the 2014 Moto2 world championship was stolen just hours ago in Gosselies, Belgium.

Apparently, thieves broke into the Marc VDS workshop and headquarters which in the early hours of the morning on 16 August 2017 and took away the championship winning 2014 Moto2 Kalex machine.

The workshop was broken into at around 2am and the Kalex Moto2 bike was the only thing stolen at the time. The bike was on display in the workshop reception area.

Those who are unfamiliar on how the bike looks like, the Kalex Moto2 machine features Marc VDS’s 2014 livery as well as the number 53 which Tito Rabat ran with during the 2014 Moto2 season.
Rabat, Spanish Moto2 2014
Those who are any sort of information regarding the bike, please do not hesitate to call +32 (0)71 35 69 32. The folks over at Marc VDS assure that all calls will be kept confidential.
Source: Marc VDS
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