WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Up With Malaysian Tech Consulting Company

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team welcomes Malaysian technology consulting company, Telcowin for the 2022 MotoGP season.
Telcowin has put pen to paper on an one-year deal with WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP team which also marks a historic milestone as the team embarks on a mission in bringing Malaysian brands to the international stage of two-wheel racing.

Meanwhile, Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Teamm, welcomes Telcowin to the team ahead of the new season.
“We are proud and excited to welcome our new Malaysian partner Telcowin to the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team.
“Obviously being a Malaysian, I have a strong affinity for Malaysian companies who are interested in collaborating with the team as a platform to achieve their international presence and aspirations,” he said.
Despite Telcowin’s humble start in Malaysia, Razlan’s expressed his satisfaction towards the Malaysian company rapidly growing ambition of making it big.

“From our first meeting, I am excited to be working together with such a dynamic team who started from humble beginnings here in Malaysia, but have grown tremendously and are ambitious to expand their business internationally.
“Align with Telcowin’s aspirations, we are both venturing into a new chapter and aim to push to our highest potential and win together.
“With Telcowin as our partner, we can look into new technology solutions to assist the team in the digital front especially for marketing and enhancing customer
engagements.
“I would like to thank Mr. Hafiz Izwan Mohd Ariffin, the CEO of Telcowin and his team for their trust and support as they take their next big milestone to enter the MotoGP World Championship for the first time with us, ” he added.
Telcowin was established in 2007 as a digital asset management vendor providing solutions and implementation for document digitisation services.
The company made significant progress in 2012 by delivering cloud computing solutions using the no.1 CRM brand in the world.
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New 1,250cc Custom Harley-Davidson confirmed: Could this be the new Sportster?

New Harley-Davidson Custom is part of Harley-Davidson’s plans for the next 5 years.
It is confirmed for production and could be introduced next year as a 2020 model year.
It is powered by a new 1,250cc engine.

We would be bluffing if we said we didn’t drop our jaws at what could be the all-new Harley-Davidson Sportster for 2020. It looks like something Wolverine would ride right into the heat of battle. Whatever it is, the new Harley-Davidson 1,250cc Custom is stunning.
It features the classic cruiser design lingo with a low and long stance that gives it a hardcore roadster like stance. And powered by a 1,250cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin engine, you can expect this bike to be quite a beast.
Harley-Davidson has not released much details besides this photo and some information regarding its engine such as the fact that the engine uses a 60-degree V configuration. The cylinder heads are also unusually large and our source suggests that the engine could feature a dual-overhead-cam valve train. Also from the photo you can tell that the cylinders do not have any fins for cooling, which means the engine relies on a water-to-air radiator to keep the engine running at its ideal temperature.

The engine may look visually similar to the 975cc unit powering the Streetfighter (click to read about the new Streetfighter), but the displacement is obviously different, suggesting that Harley-Davidson could be building two variants of the same engine.
Watch Harley-Davidson’s promotional video below, showcasing its past, future plans, and the 4 new models it plans to introduce next year.

Just like the Streetfighter, the engine is mounted inside a blacked-out tubular steel frame, with multiple engine-mounts located in front and behind the cylinder heads. The swing-arm has obviously been stretched and elongated to accommodate the massive 16-inch Pirelli tyre. The rear suspension is kept out of view but the front is obviously managed by an inverted fork with a 17-inch front rim kept in check by a pair of hydraulic disc brakes.
The sitting position appears to be a mix of performance and comfort, suggested by the forward-mounted foot controls and the tracker-style handlebars.
From the photo, you can also make out other aesthetic features such as the cable-actuated clutch, Fat-Bob style LED headlights, and dropped mirrors positioned beneath the handle bars.
Harley-Davidson has confirmed that it plans to introduce this bike as a production model in 2020 alongside the Pan America and Streetfighter.
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Updated: BMW Malaysia lowers bike prices

In conjunction with the first ever BMW World Malaysia, BMW Malaysia yesterday introduced the latest S1000RR and the much awaited R1200R. Two of the most loved bikes in the world.
The S1000RR is powered by a water and oil cooled, four-cylinder, 999cc engine. The lightweight engine produces 198hp at a screaming 13,500rpm and 113Nm of torque at 10,500rpm. It offers super advanced electronics to for maximum performance and safety, and is hailed as BMW’s Panigale killer.

The R1200R on the other hand is the ultimate naked tourer with classic good looks, and now with sporty riding dynamics. It is powered by an air and liquid cooled four stroke flat twin engine, with double camshafts and one balance shaft. It puts out 125hp at 7,750rpm and 125Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. It too features a host of electronics, but this time, it has been better suited for touring comfort and safety.
Not only are these two of the finest bikes from the Motorrad stable, but at this post-GST time in Malaysia, the two represent something special – lower prices.
The S1000RR previously retailed for RM118,000 for the base model, with extra for the Competition Package and the Tricolor (updated). The new S1000RR (model code: OD10) however can now be yours for RM108,900.
The legendary R1200R tourer, with its stylish, sporty good looks is now priced RM91,900. It was previously priced at RM108,000.
The price reduction does not quite extend across the board though, with some models being only a couple hundred ringgit cheaper. You can refer to the old and new price list below:

And this is how much you would need to fork out monthly to own a BMW Motorrad machine:

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BREAKING: MForce To Distribute QJ Motor Brands In Malaysia

Chinese motorcycle company QJ Motor (Qianjiang Motorcycles) will soon distribute its range of motorcycles in Malaysia via MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd.
According to a statement, MForce is currently testing out a few models which are set to be on sale beginning Q2 2022.

For those who are not aware, QJ Motor is the holding company of Benelli and Keeway motorcycles that produces a range of motorcycles under the QJ Motor badge.
SRK 350

The entry of QJ Motor into the Malaysian market will subsequently expand the two-wheels market by offering a quality build motorcycle at an affordable price.
MForce is expected to distribute the SRT800, SRK600 and the QJ Race 250 next year.
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Perak state approves Menora Tunnel bypass highway construction project

Image source: Bernama
Perak state government approves plans to construct Gopeng-Kuala Kangsar highway to bypass Menora Tunnel stretch.

Perak state approves plans to construct new highway to bypass Menora Tunnel stretch on PLUS highway.

The RM5.75 billion project will see a new 64km highway that run from Gopeng to Kuala Kangsar.

This will allow motorist to avoid the PLUS highway’s hilly and notoriously accident-prone Menora Tunnel stretch.

Said new highway will also include a dedicated motorcycle lane on top of a three-lane carriageway.

Heads up riders, there will soon be a new route for you to consider should you be heading northbound of the peninsular. Bernama reports that the Perak state government had recently approved plans to construct a 64 -kilometer highway stretch from Gopeng to Kuala Kangsar.
This planned new highway will bypass the existing Menora Tunnel on the North-South Expressway (PLUS). The matter was confirmed by the Menteri Besar of Perak, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, who also said that the project had been approved in April.
Though this route is longer, a shorter travel time is expected considering that it bypasses the hilly areas, which in turn should mitigate accident risks too.
The existing route on the PLUS that spans through the Menora Tunnel has garnered a notorious reputation due to its twisty and hilly nature causing frequent road accidents and deaths. Recently, five university students were injured after a car they were driving involved in an accident with two lorries near Kuala Kangsar.
According to Bernama’s report, the construction of the new highway is set to incur a cost of RM5.75 billion. Notably, the plans also indicate that it will house three main lanes and, crucially, a special motorcycle lane as well.
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Ride Home Safely with Kawasaki and Waze

For this Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) would like to take this opportunity to remind all motorcyclists to do maintenance and service their motorcycles before heading to their respective hometowns.
Kawasaki has collaborated with popular navigation app Waze to help locate all of the selected Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre (KESC) and Kawasaki Pit Stop (KPS) near the user’s area.
Kawasaki would also like to remind all motorcyclists to wear proper safety riding gear to ensure added safety during the Hari Raya journey back home to be with families and friends.

For the upcoming major Malaysian holiday that is the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (KMSB) has collaborated with the world’s most popular navigation app, Waze, to help fellow motorcyclists locate any nearby Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre (KESC) and Kawasaki Pit Stop (KPS) within the app itself.

The collaboration between Kawasaki and Waze has started on 24 April 2017 where all KESC and KPS across the country will be pop up in the Waze navigation app as one of its Waze Pins. The pins will pop up whenever the app user is within the vicinity of any the selected KESC and KPS centres.

This is a good initiative to help motorcyclists as well as Waze users to get their beloved bikes serviced and checked to ensure safe journey back to their hometown to be with families and friends. Here’s how it would like once you tap on one of the KESC of KPS Waze Pins in the app.

Alternatively, you can search specific KESC and KPS centres nationwide via the list below to further assist in keeping your Kawasaki motorcycles in pristine condition for that long journey back for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday.
Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre (KESC)

Motormatic Motor Enterprise (Johor)
Bikers Gallery Sdn. Bhd (Kedah)
CBK Motor Sport Sdn. Bhd. (Kuala Lumpur)
Zen Sports Sdn. Bhd. (Melaka)
XL Motor Sdn. Bhd. (Negeri Sembilan)
Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor)
SC Premium Bikes Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor)
Serdang Motorcycle Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor)
Welly Advance Bikers Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor)
Wilhin Motor (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor)

Kawasaki Pit Stop (KPS)

Ann Seng Motor (Kluang) Sdn. Bhd. (Johor)
Hon Loeng Motors Sdn. Bhd. (Johor)
K Max Motor (Kelantan)
Kelbikes Sdn. Bhd. (Kelantan)
Ban Guan Thye Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. (Kuala Lumpur)
Darma Motor Sdn. Bhd. (Kuala Lumpur)
Motorsim Sdn. Bhd. (Kuala Lumpur)
Takong Sdn. Bhd. (Kuala Lumpur)
Zong Heng Motors Sdn. Bhd. (Melaka)
Ming Motor (Negeri Sembilan)
KK Superbike Sdn. Bhd. (Pahang)
Brightwill Trading Sdn. Bhd. (Penang)
EL Chong Motor Trading Sdn. Bhd. (Penang)
Linja Motorcycle Centre Sdn. Bhd. (Penang)
Era Superbikes Sdn. Bhd. (Perak)
Guan How Superbike (Simpang Pulai, Perak)
Nam Seng Motors (Perak)
Perusahaan Motor Sek Chuan (Perak)
Ghee Hua Co. Sdn. Bhd. (Sarawak)
Kapar Motors Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor)
Pantai Motor Enterprise (Selangor)
RA 81 Motorbikes Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor)
Soon Chye Motors (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor)
ND Moto-CT Sdn. Bhd. (Terengganu)

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia has come up with this very special initiative in hopes that the number of road accidents where the majority involves motorcycles can be reduced significantly. One of the ways that can be done to cope with the increased road accident statistics gained from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) from 1997 to 2016 is by making sure that the motorcycles are in good running conditions.

KMSB wishes that all motorcyclists can place extra emphasis of safety among Malaysians and their transportation especially motorcycles to get everything checked before starting the journey. That is also why Kawasaki Motors Malaysia would also like to emphasise the importance of wearing proper riding gear for overall safety amongst all road users.

While road accidents can and do happen due to a number of different reasons from negligence to lack of proper vehicle maintenance, KMSB would to remind all road users especially those travelling on motorcycles to take all necessary precautions to avoid any unwanted incidents during your journeys. Together, we can help ensure the safety of ourselves and other road users to always “let the good times roll”.

For more information, do visit Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Facebook page or stop by any of the Authorised Premium Dealers and Service Centres. After all, finding them has been made a lot easier thanks to Kawasaki’s collaboration with Waze.
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Moto2: Thomas Luthi signs with Onexox TKKR SAG for 2021

Looks like the Onexox TKKR SAG Team is here to stay in Moto2 for 2021 after closing the deal with one of the best Moto2 riders in the business, Thomas Luthi. Despite facing some major issues this season, the team has high hopes to be super competitive in the upcoming season, especially with the very experienced Tom Luthi.

If you’re not familiar with the name, Thomas Luthi was one of the favourites to win the Moto2 crown last season. He finished in third overall behind the world champion, Alex Marquez, and Brad Binder. Luthi was only 12 points behind Marquez at the end of last year’s intermediate class championship.

With 17 victories so far under his belt, Luthi together with the Onexox TKKR SAG Team is looking to prove all their doubters wrong, even with the exit of Remy Gardner who has signed with the Red Bull KTM Ajo for 2021. As for now, they’re getting ready to conquer its home GP today in Catalunya.

Remy Gardner will be starting today’s race from P10 while his teammate, Kasma Daniel, will have to fight the crowded grid all the way back from P27. Stay tuned for more motorsport’s news. Today’s race will be scheduled to take place at 6.00 pm (Moto3), 7.20 pm (Moto2), and 9.00 pm (MotoGP) Malaysian time.
Written by: Sep Irran
MOTOGP: Valentino Rossi joins Petronas Yamaha SRT in 2021

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Kenstomoto Jū racer – 2004 Kawasaki ZX-10R turned ultimate naked track machine

The folks over at Kenstomoto displayed their latest creation during the 2017 Art of Speed Malaysia festival which is the Kenstomoto Jū racer, a fully customised 2004 Kawasaki ZX-10R.
The brains behind all the design and fabrications are none other than Kenny Yeoh, the founder of Kenstomoto as well as a proud member of the Custom Cartel.
The end result is a super awesome track machine that has bagged several awards at this year Art of Speed Malaysia gathering.

To those who always said that “You can’t teach and old dog new tricks” obviously have no acquaintances whatsoever in the motorcycling industry. While some folks would either revive their seasoned motorcycles by restoring it back to their former glories, the folks over at Kenstomoto took theirs to whole new different level.

The name Kenny Yeoh might appear here and there in the custom motorcycling scene here in Malaysia. Together with his workshop called Kenstomoto which specialises in design, custom and bike works, Kenny took his work to a whole new level with his latest project.

Presenting the Kenstomoto Jū racer, a bike that started out life as a 2004 Kawasaki ZX-10R. When looking at the bike especially in person, it’s hard to believe that this bike is actually 13 years old. So what drove Kenny into this very special project?

 The before and after as usual. tell us how you feel about Ju.
A post shared by Kenstomoto (@kenstomoto) on Jul 30, 2017 at 9:19pm PDT

Previously, the bike has had a rich history of making its former owner happy especially going on weekend rides and track days. Sadly, the owner passed away in an unfortunate incident with a different bike and this Kawasaki ZX-10R was left unattended for quite some time.

The younger brother of the owner then approached Mr Kenny Yeoh and after hearing the story, Kenny felt that the bike deserves to arise like a phoenix once again but it won’t just be like the day it rolled out of the showroom. it’ll be better. MUCH BETTER.

We met with Kenny at the recent Art of Speed Malaysia 2017 festival when he showcased a few of his amazing creations including this awesome-looking ZX-10R. The very first thing that Kenny told us is that this is going to be a full-on track bike.

It took him over four months to get the bike ready. Three out of the months were spent just on finalising the design and overall outcome on how the bike was desired to look like once ready for the big show at the 2017 Art of Speed Malaysia gathering at MAEPS, Serdang. Hence why the honeycomb air intake at the front looks super wicked.

To check out the highlights of the 2017 Art of Speed Malaysia, CLICK HERE.
The design however did not come easy for Kenny. It took him seven different renditions before Kenny was truly satisfied on how the bike should look like. The first thing that he worked on was removing the front fairing to give it a “super naked” look.

While most folks would agree that a super naked ZX-10R is already a stunning idea, Kenny wanted a more aggressive look. Hence why you will notice a wing-like half fairing which houses a pair of LED headlights for illuminate the way when passing through unfortunate riders that stands in its way.

The entire subframe was removed to make way for a customised aluminium subframe to fit one rider perfectly when tearing up the track. The entire riding ergonomics have been further enhanced so that anyone brave enough to ride this baby around the circuit can actually hunker down to get the best body position when putting their head down especially when blasting down the front straights.

While the engine remains fairly stock, the Kenstomoto team decided to garnish the bike with some add-ons such as a new piggyback ECU, quickshifter unit, AHM exhaust and of course a pair of racing slicks to give the best grip when going through fast corners.

The result? One the most muscular, aggressive and modern-looking Kawasaki ZX-10R we’ve seen in our lifetime that won a couple of award at the AOS 2017. The overall cost of over RM20,000 was more than enough to bring this baby back to its former glory and straight into the life its meant to live, wild in the track with super grippy racing slicks.

To know more about Kenstomoto and their amazing creations, you can check out their Facebook page by clicking HERE. We here at Bikes Republic would like to congratulate Mr kenny Yeoh and the Kenstomoto team for this amazing creation and hope that there will be more to come in the future!

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Yamaha MT-10 Tracer: New trademark confirms this beast exists?

Back in March of 2016, we ran a report that Yamaha had officially ruled out any hope of there ever being a touring version of the MT-10. Back then, our report and those circulating the grapevine said that any chance of there ever being a MT-10 Tracer was quashed when Yamaha introduced an option touring pack that included “a tall Tracer-like windscreen plus luggages, which should complement the MT-10’s standard-equipped electronic cruise control feature.”

Well, tides and markets are constantly changing – and now there are new reports around the net suggesting that a mysterious new trademark has revealed that a Yamaha “Tracer GT” is supposedly on its way to global markets.
Yamaha has never spoken of a “Tracer GT”, so there is a chance that it could be one of two things – a more extensive touring kit for existing Tracer models with panniers and taller screens perhaps?

Or it could just be the highly anticipated MT-10 Tracer? Why not actually? There is already the MT-07 Tracer as well as the MT-09 Tracer (above), so a MT-10 Tracer would fit right in? Right? Well, on the flip side, maybe not.
The MT-10 is based on the manic R1, so putting on a screen and slapping on panniers would in effect, as some online reports suggest, create a R1 Tourer.
But before we completely rule it out, consider for a second that BMW created touring version of the S1000RR superbike and called it the S1000XR and almost immediately the bike was selling better than the RR in some markets. And Ducati almost single-handedly created the Sports Touring segment with the Multistrada 1200S, so there is an established market for it already and Yamaha knows that.

The Japanese company has previously offered a MT-10 Tourer Edition early 2017. The touring MT-10, shown in the photos above and below, featured soft panniers, a pannier frame, touring screen, GPS bracket, hand guards and a comfort seat.

Having already tested the market with the Tourer Edition, it would come as no surprise then should a MT-10 Tracer appear. At this year’s EICMA perhaps?
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2021 Honda Forza 350 launched in Thailand – RM23k

COVID-19 might’ve hit Thailand’s tourism industry hard, but that won’t stop them from launching new bikes for the market. A.P. Honda has unveiled its latest 2021 Honda Forza 350 during the recent Bangkok Motor Show and we’re loving at what we’re looking at right now.

While the current Forza 300 here in Malaysia is fitted with a 279cc single-cylinder SOHC engine with around 24.8hp and 27.2Nm of max torque, the 2021 Honda Forza 350 gets a cool upgrade in the form of a new-gen 330cc eSP+ unit that is assumed to have more power and torque (figures unconfirmed yet).

Built with the concept “Only for The Greatest”, the new Forza 350 is built to be more efficient than its predecessor. Higher performance is the name of the game and apart from the new and bigger engine, Honda also looked into the overall package like moving the radiator to the front, more efficient exhaust unit, and more.

Other highlighted features of the 2021 Honda Forza 350 are:

Adjustable front windscreen
ESS emergency lighting system
In-Console USB Charger
Honda smart key remote unit
Front ABS
Large underseat storage space
Bottle Holder

Those living in Thailand can get their very own Forza 350 at 173,500 baht (around RM23,402 after direct conversion). Four colours are available for purchase – Black, White/Blue, Red/Black and Blue/Black.
2020 Honda CBR400R unveiled in Japan – RM32,168

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KTM Malaysia Gifts Orange Carnival Grand Prize

The KTM Malaysia Orange Carnival held last month drew in a huge crowd.

A lucky draw was among the many activities held that day.

The lucky winner had picked up her Grand Prize, a 390 Duke at KTM Malaysia’s Lifestyle Showroom.

The recent KTM Malaysia Orange Carnival held on 28th July 2018 was a great success, despite overlapping with many other motorcycle events in West Malaysia.
The one-day event organized at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, attracted thousands of attendees consisting of KTM owners, bikers of every brand and families.
KTM Malaysia Orange Carnival Begins in Johor on 28th July

Activities included test rides of KTM’s latest motorcycles, a Fun-Hana competition, service campaign, stunt shows, promotions and lucky draw. Besides those, the 2018 200 Duke Evo S was also launched during the carnival.
KTM Malaysia Launches 2018 KTM 200 Duke at KTM Orange Carnival

As for the lucky draw, KTM Malaysia offered a brand new KTM 390 Duke as the grand prize. This new model boasts the most powerful engine as well as being the best equipped in the sub-400cc category with a 5” TFT screen, WP upside-down forks and shock, radially-mounted 4-piston caliper.

The lucky winner was picked out during the carnival and the prize was handed over on 10th August 2018 at KTM Malaysia’s Lifestyle Centre in Kota Damansara.
Winner, Ms. Hayatun Nufus Binti Hoddri was present with her husband, Mr. Mohd. Firdaus Bin Ithnin.

“I couldn’t be happier, Alhamdulillah,” beams Hayatun, “I had just followed my husband to the Orange Carnival to look see, as he wanted to test out the new bikes and never expected to win the Grand Prize!”

Mohd. Firdaus reflected his wife’s joy, “It was the same for me. I still couldn’t believe it. I went to the carnival because I’ve always wanted to test the 1290 Super Duke R. I prefer naked motorcycles, KTM’s in particular, over the Yamaha YZF-R1 that I currently own.”

Will Hayatun be an addition to KTM Malaysia’s Dukers community? “Although we’ve travelled to many places on our current motorcycle, I can’t ride,” she admitted, “Although, I would love to learn to do so in the future, with my husband’s permission.”
The couple rode the new bike all the way back to Johor Bahru after the handover ceremony.
The Orange Carnival is slated to be held throughout the country, so stay tuned for the  next date!

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Triumph-Bajaj Retro Motorcycles Set For Global Launch On June 27

Triumph, the British motorcycle manufacturer, is set to launch its first affordable, single-cylinder models on June 27 in London.

Triumph-Bajaj partnership set to reveal first bike in London.
According to reports, two models have been caught testing in Europe.

The retro-styled street bikes have been developed in partnership with Indian manufacturer Bajaj and mark a significant turning point for Triumph, which hasn’t produced an entry-level, single-cylinder bike since the early 1990s.
The bikes will be available worldwide and will join the current Triumph product portfolio, distributed by the Triumph-led dealer network.
Two models have been spied on test, a retro-style roadster and a 1960s-inspired scrambler, both of which share the same DOHC single-cylinder engine.
The launch event will be global, organized by Triumph, and the bikes should be available at dealerships in India from the second quarter of this financial year.
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2018 Suzuki GSX-R1000 MotoGP replica unveiled!

Suzuki has announced the 2018 Suzuki GSX-R1000 MotoGP replica bikes together with the Suzuki GSX-R1000R.
The launch was in conjunction with the launch of the new livery for their 2018 Suzuki GSX-RR MotoGP machines in Sepang.
The UK market will be able to get them at £13,599 (around RM74,281) and £16,099 (around RM87,937).

In conjunction with the recent unveiling of Suzuki’s latest MotoGP GSX-RR machine with new livery just a couple of days ago, the Japanese manufacturer also announced that their 2018 Suzuki GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R will be available in the MotoGP replica colours.

The unveiling was done prior the start of the 2018 MotoGP preseason testing in Sepang where it’ll commence until the end of today. For 2018, both the Suzuki GSX-RR MotoGP bike and its replica street machines will be running a brand new livery that includes Suzuki’s trademark blue with neon yellow and stealth black highlights.

The similarities between the MotoGP and street bikes are not just the colours, folks. The 2018 Suzuki GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R have inherited the same VVT technology as the bikes that Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins will be racing this year.  This ensures a strong performance from low to midrange while allowing great power delivery at the high end.

Other similar features include a finger-follower valve train, stacked intake funnels, multi-stage electronics package, lean angle-sensitive traction control system and launch control, plus cornering ABS and a bi-directional quickshifter and auto-blipper. In short, it’s fun as hell.

No news on when the 2018 machines will be available here in Malaysia but for the UK market, the 2018 Suzuki GSX-R1000 is priced at £13,599 (around RM74,281) while the GSX-R1000R comes at £16,099 (around RM87,937). We’re guessing that the price will be closer to the RM100,000 once they’re here.

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MotoGP: Lorenzo rules drama-filled Mugello race

Defending MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo charts third win of the season in drama-filled Italian MotoGP.

The sixth round of the MotoGP world championship got underway last weekend under the Tuscan sunshine in Mugello Circuit, Italy. As the weekend progressed in one of MotoGP’s fastest circuits, fortune initially favoured the front-runners from Saturday’s qualifying. But as Sunday came, the results were a contrast to what many had expected.
MotoGP

Defending MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo took a well-deserved win – his third one of the season – after an epic last lap dual against Spanish compatriot Marc Marquez.
Astride the factory Yamaha machine, Lorenzo was able to make a perfect launch during the start from fifth on the grid and overtook pole-sitter and rivalling teammate Valentino Rossi to control the race. Despite Rossi’s charges, his weekend came to a disappointing end when his Yamaha’s engine blew up on Lap 8, invoking heartbreak in many fans that filled the grandstands.

Lorenzo commanded the race from then until Marquez, who was astride the factory Honda machine, arrived in the closing stages of the race. The two Spaniards then engaged in a duel that kept everyone on their feet, leading to the final dash and photo finish as the chequered flag waved.

Lorenzo subsequently won, but only with a 0.019 seconds advantage ahead of Marquez. Coming in third was Italian rider Andrea Iannone astride the scarlet factory Ducati machine as he brought some pride back into the home crowd in Mugello after Rossi’s early retirement.
Jorge Lorenzo leaves Italy with the championship lead still with 115 points so far, whilst Marquez ranks second with 105 points – just 10 points behind. Rossi, on the other hand, remains in third with 78 points.

Moto2

There was plenty of drama in the supporting Moto2 race as well. A crash that damaged an air-fence forced the race to be red-flagged halfway. The race was restarted after repairs were completed with just 10 laps left.
Like Lorenzo, Frenchman Johann Zarco was struggling for pace all weekend too. But the Ajo Motorsports rider got his rhythm back in the re-started race and charged his way up the order to take the race lead and won. It was clear that the Frenchman reasserted his prowess as the defending class champion.

Italian Lorenzo Baldassarri astride the Forward Team machine claimed his second Moto2 podium in front of a jubilant home crowd by scoring second place whilst British rider Sam Lowes astride the Federal Oil Gresini machine took third. Lowes’ podium finish didn’t come cheap as he had to battle against Swiss rider Tom Luthi and Malaysian rider Hafizh Syahrin whilst racing for third.

However, the British rider does leave Italy with his lead in the standings intact at 98 points, but only by a slim margin of just two points ahead of Alex Rins in second with 96 points. Luthi ranks third with 82 points, followed by defending champion Zarco in fourth with 81 points.

Moto3

Lastly came the epic and dramatic six-way battle that took place in the Moto3 class. Featured in this melee that lasted into the final lap were Brad Binder, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Francesco Bagnaia, Nicollo Antonelli, Fabio Quartararo and Malaysian rider Khairul Idham Pawi.

Sadly, Khairul Idham crashed out just a few corners left on the final lap, leaving the rest to duel amongst themselves for the photo finish. Eventually, it was South African rider Binder astride the Red Bull KTM Ajo machine that stole the win, followed by Italian ace Di Giannantonio in second astride the Gresini Team’s Honda machine and Bagnaia in third astride the Mahindra Moto3 machine.

Binder still leads the Moto3 standings still with 127 points and looks set to take the title this year if he continues his pace. Sitting in second is Jorge Navarro who has amassed 78 points, followed by Italian rider Romano Fenati in third with his total of 67 points.

Round 7
MotoGP will head back to Spain once more for its seventh round in less than two weeks, this time for the Catalan GP in the famed Catalunya circuit from June 3 to June 5.
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KTM 250 Duke and RC 250 launched – From RM17,888 and RM18,888!

KTM Malaysia CKD expands its line up by introducing new KTM 250 Duke and RC 250 models with starting prices of RM17,888 and RM18,888.

Malaysian B2 license holders rejoice, there’s now a pair of new KTMs with the magical numbers of ‘250’ in our market! That’s right, our favourite Austrian brand’s CKD arm, KTM Malaysia CKD, has just launched the new KTM 250 Duke and RC 250 models for the local market this evening.

Present during the press introduction were Datuk Seri Syed Badlishah Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, Chairman of Eurotech Manufacturer Sdn Bhd. Accompanying him were Maria Ossenberg, regional PG&A coordinator of KTM-Sportmotorcycle Singapore PTE LTD, as well as Goi Seong Keong, operation manager of Eurotech Wheel Distribution Sdn Bhd.

The two new quarter-litre singles were introduced earlier this evening in KTM Lifestyle Centre, Kota Damansara. First debuting in Japan sometime earlier this year, the new Malaysian-flavoured KTM 250 Duke and RC 250 are assembled locally by KTM Malaysia CKD in its Kedah-based plant.

As previously reported, both the KTM 250 Duke and RC 250 share plenty of common parts with its 200- and 390-badged brethrens. These include the steel trellis frames, the digital instrumentation, the inverted WP 43mm front shocks and rear monoshock, as well as the BYBRE-sourced all-round single disc brakes with the Bosch two-channel ABS suite.
As the digits on the fairings would tell you, the new 250 Duke and RC 250 comes powered using a new twin-cam liquid-cooled 248.8cc four-stroke single-cylinder primed with electronic fuel injection engine that generates 31.3hp at 9,000rpm, and peak torque of 24Nm at 7,250rpm.

This new mill is in fact a down-sized version of the 390-seires’ 373.2cc mill. The bore and stroke has been changed from 89mm x 60mm to 72mm x 61.1mm instead. The mill is paired with a six-speed transmission that’s primed with a slipper clutch as well.

Like its 200- and 390-badged siblings, the new 250 series Duke and RC will be offered with a full range of optional KTM PowerParts items. Check out more details in the spec sheet provided below.

Available for orders now via authorised KTM dealers nationwide, the new KTM 250 Duke and RC 250 carries starting price of RM17,888 and RM18,888 respectively (basic selling prices without GST, insurance, and registration fees).
KTM Malaysia CKD execs have set a monthly sales target 250 unit for the 250 Duke naked, and 150 units monthly of the sport-bodied RC 250.

Check out the gallery below and our official Facebook page for more pictures of the new KTM 250 Duke and RC 250.
KTM 250 Duke and RC 250 launch @ KTM Lifestyle Centre, Kota Damansara
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MotoGP: Major issues with 2020 Honda RC213V?

The final MotoGP pre-season testing has just concluded in Qatar where Yamaha riders seemed to dominate throughout the three days sessions. They’re well on their way to bringing the fight over to Honda, who’s currently suffering from major issues concerning their 2020 Honda RC213V.

The combined timesheets for all three days showed that Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), and his teammate, Fabio Quartararo all sitting comfortably at the top of the timesheets. The fastest Honda, however, was Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) who concluded the final testing session in P7.

Splitting the top three Yamaha riders and Honda’s multiple world champion are Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), and the other Suzuki rider, Joan Mir. While Sepang concluded that Marquez was suffering due to his injuries, Qatar opened up a more serious issue in the Honda camp.

It seems that all the riders are having trouble finding cornering stability with the 2020 Honda RC213V. Handling issues seemed to be a major factor in not being able to push the bikes the way they wanted to. Both the Marquez brothers and Cal Crutchlow met with the gravels during the Qatar testing and with the first round only two weeks away, Honda is in hot waters.

Marc Marquez was also reportedly seen ‘borrowing’ Takaaki Nakagami’s 2019 machine to compare with their current setup. The chassis for the 2020 Honda RC213V looks to have an issue that might not be able to fix in time for the first round. If that is the case, we might just see all the Honda riders switching back to last season’s bikes in order to be competitive.

According to Alex Marquez, “We are suffering all the Hondas. We need to turn the bike and find stability at the entrance of the corners. There is still a lot. In the fast corners, we lose a lot. The circuit was something that could be expected, but I didn’t expect it to be this much. I don’t feel very good on the bike, especially in the middle of the corner. Let’s see if we can change the set-up.”

With that being said, the Losail International Circuit isn’t really a track that favours the Hondas. One thing is for sure, betting against Marquez has its risks but if he is able to fully recover, there’s no doubt that he’ll be there at the front fighting for the championship. With this current issue, Honda will hopefully develop a bike that suits a wider range of rider instead of the Spanish ‘alien’ who dominated MotoGP last season.
Source: MotoGP
MotoGP: Marc Marquez extends Honda contract until 2024!

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Adiva AD3 400 Launched (from RM38,800)

The Adiva AD3 400 three-wheeled scooter has been launched.

It features two front wheels and a foldable roof.

The AD3 is used by the Singapore Police since 2014.

The Adiva AD3 400 was launched over the weekend to a warm reception.
It is the latest 3-wheeled motorcycle to hit Malaysian roads, but it was not just the case of slapping a roof and trunk over a standard scooter. We discovered that the mother company had performed a great amount of engineering before offering the AD3 400 to the market.

Highlights of the Adiva AD3 400 are:

2-wheeled front end with wishbone struts and independent suspension.

Retractable roof, which folds into a compact size and stored in the trunk.

Large windscreen protects the rider from UV rays, the weather and debris.
A windscreen wiper with integrated windshield cleaner fluid jet.

90L trunk can accommodate two helmets, rider gear and bag (when roof is deployed).

Powerful 399cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, OHC, 4-valve, single-cylinder engine.
The fuel injected powerplant produces a healthy 36.7 bhp (27.4 kW) at 7,250 RPM and 38.1 Nm at 5,500 RPM.
Power is transferred to the rear wheel via a constantly variable transmission (CVT).

Dual analog gauges with central LDC screen.

The Adiva company began in Italy in 1996 and began production in 2001. It then started a production in Taiwan in 2008, while the HQ and R&D facility remains in Italy. A Japanese distributor was established in 2015. Two years later, in 2017, Adiva opened another manufacturing base in China. Finally, the company opened a manufacturing facility in Malaysia in 2018 to support sales in the Asian region.

Of note, the 2001 to 2006 Adiva were considered to handle better than BMW’s C1 roofed scooter. In 2014, the AD3 was acquired by the Singapore police, while the AR3 was adopted by the Singapore postal service.

That means the Adiva AD3 is not some fly-by-night novelty. Instead, it is an established model in other countries before making its way here.

The launch on Saturday, 24thNovember was witnessed by its official dealers. They were given the opportunity to test ride the bike and their feedback was positive. Adiva Distribution (M) Sdn. Bhd. had also employed the services of a Japanese stunt rider to demonstrate the AD3 400’s agility.

The base Adiva AD3 400 is priced from RM 38,800 (basic selling price, not on-the-road). Front sport rims are a RM 1,650 option.

We hope to take the bike out into the real world soon, so stay tuned!
PICTURE GALLERY

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Now Our Malaysian Rider Loses Bike in London

Paul Wong - Photo from his Facebook page

A Malaysian rider lost his bike in London.

The city was his last stop after reaching a other destinations.

We wish him the best and hope he has a way out soon.

A Malaysian rider who aimed to ride around the world lost his bike in London recently.
Paul Wong began his solo ride on 28th September to various destinations and London was his last stop. He parked his BMW S 1000 XR sport-tourer in front of a restaurant before it went missing, believed to have been stolen.
The red coloured bike bears Malaysian number plates, with a doll dog attached to the rearview mirror.
We hope Paul can be reunited with his bike soon or there’s a way for him out of this hardship.
The theft is in contrast with a number of foreign bikes that were tampered with or had their front brake calipers stolen in Malaysia. Brake caliper thefts may be rampant in Malaysia but not entire bikes, especially large capacity bikes.
It’s the reverse in London where motorcycle theft is an epidemic. The local police has got their hands full in trying to stamp out the crime, while vigilante groups have cropped up to “assist.” The police and insurance companies have advised motorcycle owners to install GPS trackers on their motorcycles lately.
Perhaps we should install such system in Malaysia soon, too.
Source: Careta.my
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Triumph Reveals 2021 Bonneville Range Updates

Triumph has updated the entire Bonneville range with the T100, T120, Street Twin, Speedmaster and Bobber.
Whereas other manufacturers decided to kill off specific models due to Euro 5 regulations, the British marque decided it is the best time to update their Modern Classic line.
Not just to meet Euro 5 standards but also to introduce a series of upgrades.
Triumph T120 and T120 Black 2021

For 2021, Triumph updated the 1200cc High Torque twin-engine to meet the Euro 5 standards, and what you get is more responsive and lower emissions.
According to Triumph, the T120 has been specifically tuned to deliver high torque and delivers 80PS at 6,550rpm and 105Nm at 3,500rpm.
The engine mass has been reduced significantly by using a lighter crankshaft, optimised clutch, and balancer shafts, all of which have reduced inertia and the overall weight of the bike.

The use of new aluminium wheels helps the bike to weight 7kg less than the previous model.
The T120 is available in three colour scheme; Jet Black, Cordovan Red and Silver Ice, Cobalt Blue and Silver Ice with a hand-painted gold lining.
Meanwhile, the T120 Black is available in Jet Black or Matt Jet Black and Matt Graphite with silver coach lining.
Triumph T100 2021

The 900cc High Torque engine now produces 10PS more than the previous T100 due to the engine tweak to meet Euro 5, while the bike has also shed 4kg in weight.
The use of a new crank and aluminium wheel rim contributed to the significant weight loss.
The motorcycle also gains other upgrades with revised cartridge forks, Brembo twin-pot brakes, traction control and ABS systems.
Triumph T100 is available in three colours – Lucerne Blue and Fusion White scheme, single tone Jet Black option, Carnival Red and Fusion White.
Triumph Street Twin 2021

For 2021, the Street Twin received comfort upgrades with a 10mm thicker seat and new foam padding for a more comfortable ride.
The 900cc High Torque twin-engine retains all the power but now meets Euro 5 requirements, producing lower emission and excellent fuel efficiency.
The motorcycle now achieves incredible torque from low down, right through the rev range for thrilling acceleration anytime it’s needed, with 65PS peak power arriving at 7,500 rpm and with 80Nm peak torque 3,800 rpm.

Triumph also offers a Gold Line limited edition model of the Street Twin limited to only 1,000 units worldwide.
It features a Matt Sapphire Black paint scheme with Triumph heritage logo and hand-painted gold lining.
Triumph Speedmaster 2021

The Speedmaster also received extensive upgrades with the 1200cc Euro 5 engine producing 77hp and 105Nm.
Triumph claimed that 90 per cent of its torque is available up to 5,750rpm.
The new Speedmaster also gain better handling thanks to new 47mm Showa cartridge forks replacing the 41mm KYB found on the previous model.
To better suit a long-distance ride, the Speedmaster also received an 11mm thicker pillion seat.
Triumph Bobber 2021

The Bobber received beefy suspension via 47mm non-adjustable front forks, while the new Euro 5 engine now produces 105Nm and 77hp.
Triumph also ditched the 9L tank and opted for more range via 12L tank, which Triumph claimed to achieve 33 per cent more range than the previous Bobber.
The new generation Bobber comes in three colour options, Matt Storm grey and Matt Ironstone, Cordovan Red and classic Jet Black.
More to come..
Triumph will also reveal the 2021 Scrambler 1200 XC and XE and Street Scrambler on the 13th and 20th of April.
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KMOG and KTM Malaysia Adventure Weekend with Chris Birch (Day One)

KMOG and KTM Malaysia put together an adventure weekend with world enduro pro and champion Chris Birch.

Day One consisted of an intensive off-road riding clinic coached by Chris Birch ad Chris Whitehouse.

The participants went away with some great wisdom and experience.

Stepping up their charter to bring the best to their members and customers, KTM Malaysia Owners’ Group (KMOG) and KTM Malaysia organized an off-road clinic and weekend adventure ride featuring the world’s enduro pro rider and coach extraordinaire, Chris Birch.

That’s one of the best thing about having a world champion as your brand’s factory rider. However, Chris Birch is of a different ilk which only a small number champions who could teach and impart his experience of many years effectively to plebeians like you and me. Besides that, Chris is still competing actively, ensuring that the experiences she shares aren’t from 1972.
The KMOG/KTM Malaysia Adventure Weekend with Chris Birch event drew at total of 20 participants. KTM Malaysia introduced Chris Birch and his assistant, Chris Whitehouse at Lifestyle Showroom in Kota Damansara to a rousing welcome. Many of the participants couldn’t help themselves but requesting for selfies and autographs with the “rock star.”

The Chris superduo introduced themselves and KTM Malaysia’s Nor Iman took over to brief the participants on the itinerary of the three-day program. We then mounted our bikes and rode to KTM Malaysia’s off-road and MX course in Sungai Buaya, Rawang.

Day One consisted of a riding clinic coached by Chris (Birch) and assisted by Chris (Whitehouse).

The first lesson taught by Chris was on setting up the bike for offroading. The bike’s controls such as the handlebar, hand levers and foot levers were adjusted to offer better accessibility while riding.

Chris also shared his experience about using the correct tyre pressures for offroad duty. He then adjourned the students to perform the necessary adjustments, but instead of standing by and lording over them, Chris and Whitehouse actually got their hands dirty to assist.

However, before the participants were allowed on track to ride, they were called back to the tent for a briefing about body position, particularly on how to stabilize the lower body by clamping the feet, legs knees and thighs to the bike, while allowing the upper body to ride loose. Standing up the footpegs is the hallmark of off-road riding, so additionally, we were also taught on the correct technique of standing up and how to position the body for optimal weight distribution. Weight distribution affects the bike’s chassis balance hence traction and control.

Chris then showed how it’s done by riding on the 1290 Super Adventure S out on the course. He broke the participants easy by having them trail him around the course, before setting them loose while he and Whitehouse instruct from the sidelines. We were called in a for critique a result from what both instructors saw and sent back out again to practice. (The clinic operated this way throughout the day.)

The weather had gotten really hot at that point and the clinic stopped for lunch.
Instruction continued afterwards, moving on the techniques of turning the bike. Getting a bike around a corner in the dirt is different from doing on tarmac. Whereas road-centric riders lean their bodies into a corner, off-roading calls for sitting up on the highside and pushing the bike down into the corner. It’s done so to place the rider’s weight onto the tyres for more traction. Apart from that, it’s much easier to control a slide. By the way, the sharper turns are taken sitting down, while the rider could choose to either sit down or remain standing for the gradual stuff.

But more importantly, Chris stressed on the need to look ahead to where we intended to go, instead of just in front of the bike. Target fixation – whereby the rider keeps staring at an obstruction or dangerous situation – will ironically cause him to hit that very object he wanted to avoid. “Look where you want to go,” is something which every motorcyclist must practice.

Next on the card was how to balance the rider’s weight on the outer footpeg when when standing up to negotiate slow turns and control the bike.

Chris stressed that the rear brake should be used in off-road riding, rather than using the front only. The rear brake is used to stabilize the bike, while the front is used to slow it down.
Progressing to the next stage, we were instructed on how to clear obstructions such as an extra slippery (read: muddy) section or logs. The technique is to look as far forwards as possible, then power before the offending section, and rolling off to let the bike’s momentum carry it through. Chris first demonstrated on one particularly deep mud patch before moving over to the tyre ramp.

Participants powered up the leading face then rolled off their throttle just as they’re about to ride over.

With this lesion covered, we moved over to the hill climb. There’s a steep hill at the near end of the Sungai Buaya course. Chris presented four different body positioning techniques that one could use for different situations. However, before letting the participants to ride up, he demonstrated on what one should do if the bike stalled on the way up. It was an eye-opener for everyone from the newbies all the way up to the experts.

The hill climb was the final lesson of the day. There were a few get offs but the paramedics stayed under the tent marvelling at the type of riding everyone did and the bikes.

In conclusion, all the four aspects of good riding habits were taught i.e. body positioning and control, throttle control, brake control, and vision.
We bedded down for the night at the beautiful Ratu Rening Residency resort. Everyone was upbeat, despite having ridden in first hot weather then under heavy rain. Riding with and learning from a multiple champion has a tendency to do that.
Watch this space as we go trail riding tomorrow!

PICTURE GALLERY

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2020 Suzuka 8 Hours postponed to November

The COVID-19 pandemic has been wreaking havoc all over the world, including the motorsports calendar. The latest victim to fall under the race cancellation/postponement list is the 2020 Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race, which was set to take place in July 2020 at the iconic Suzuka International Racing Course aka Suzuka Circuit.

The official announcement was posted on the official Suzuka Circuit website which can be read down below.
Postponement of “Suzuka 8 hours”
Mobilityland Corporation has decided to postpone the 2019-2020 FIM Endurance World Championship Round 3, the 43rd “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race, which was originally scheduled to be held at Suzuka Circuit from July 16th (Thu.) to 19th (Sun.) 2020. The new dates for the event will be from October 30th (Fri.) to November 1st (Sun.) 2020.
In light of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan and overseas and the preventative measures being enacted in each region, we have carefully studied the situation. And based on the fact that this race is a round of the FIM World Endurance Championship series and one that many foreign teams mainly from Europe participate in, and also considering the recent prohibition of large-scale events attracting large numbers of people and the fact that travel restrictions are expected to continue to expand in Europe and many other countries around the world, the decision has been made to postpone the race.
We extend our apologies and regrets to all the fans who were looking forward to attending the Suzuka 8 Hours and all of the other stakeholders involved in this event and ask for your kind understanding regarding this unavoidable postponement and cancellation.

Riders and teams will have the extra time to prepare for the iconic race, which is now set to take place in Autumn where a new challenge will be presented – colder temperatures. They’ll be battling each other as well as the elements which are projected to fall under 15°C. Imagine riding at full whack for eight hours straight.
Image credit: FIM EWC
Plans for Malaysian MotoGP round still underway

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OFFICIAL: John McGuinness Returns To Honda, To Ride Onboard The 2022 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

John McGuinness will compete in the 2022 road racing with Honda Racing Team alongside TT newcomer, Glen Irwin.
The announcement coincides with Honda’s 30th anniversary of the Fireblade which has been upgraded for 2022 including a stunning retro anniversary paint job.

“What can I say really, it’s like coming back home to the family! I’ve been in talks for a while with Neil and Harv and it’s just something that feels right; it’s the 30th anniversary of the Fireblade, I’ll be 50 years old and also celebrating my 100th TT start, so it feels like it’s meant to be.
“I’ve enjoyed a lot of success on the roads with the Honda and worked with Harv back in the day with HM Plant Honda, so I’m looking forward to getting back into the set-up and getting going.
“I had a little go on the Fireblade earlier this year and was impressed with it on track, so looking forward to getting on the roads and seeing how it goes. It’s going to be a special year with everything going on and also just getting back to the North West 200 and the TT and everyone racing there again – I can’t wait to get stuck in!” said McGuinness.

Meanwhile, McGuinness will be joined by NW200 winner, Irwin who is set to make his debut at the Isle of Man TT.
“Finally, I’ll be making my long-awaited TT debut with Honda! We’re now more familiar with the new Fireblade and the team is more familiar; I like to have home comforts as such and continuing with the bike and the same team I think puts us in a better position with a frame of mind,” said the 31-year old.
McGuinness and Irwin will compete in both Superstock and Superbike category with the TT scheduled to run from May 28 to June 11.
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SIC to Host FIM World Endurance Championship and FIA World Touring Car Races Double-Header Excitement in December

The Sepang International Circuit will host round 2 of the FIM World Endurance Championship and FIA World Touring Car double-header.

The event will take place from 13th to 15th December 2019.

Malaysian riders and drivers will take place in both motorcycle and auto races.

The Sepang International Circuit will host two international race events back-to-back in December 2019. The FIM World Endurance Championship and FIA World Touring Car Races double-header will end under the floodlights at the circuit.
As announced earlier, the prestigious FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) is set for its debut on Malaysian soil. This is the best opportunity to see your favourite superbikes being hammered to the limits for hours on end.
The 8 Hours of Sepang, as the event is called, will play host to the best Asian motorcycle endurance teams fight to qualify for the infamous Suzuka 8 Hours Grand Finale alongside regular EWC teams and riders.
The signature ferris wheel at Suzuka – courtesy of fimwec.com
Sepang is the 2nd round of the 2019–2020 FIM EWC calendar; preceded by the Bol d’Or and superseded by the 24 Hueres Motos. The schedule is part of Eurosport Events’ reworked winter calendar.
In case you didn’t know, there were Malaysian riders who took part in last year’s Suzuka 8 Hours race. Zaqhwan Zaidi teamed with Indonesian Andi Farid Izdihar and Australian Tory Herfoss in the Honda Asia-Dream Racing Team to finish 7th. The team is set to race in the event again this year.
There will be more Malaysia riders at the Sepang round this December. SIC CEO Dato’ Razlan Razali said that they will field the riders from the just-launched PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team and Khairul Idham Pawi from the Petronas Sprinta Racing Team.
Endurance racing is different from the usual “sprint” races from the aspect of the unknown, from which drama springs. For example, the leading bike may suddenly find the radiator leaking and the crew clamoring like madmen to fix the problem. Fans can expect to see the riders riding as if possessed to make up for lost positions.
But that’s not all. One the very next day, the FIA World Touring Car/OSCARO (WTCR) super-finale takes place under the floodlights for the inaugural time.

Razlan Razali, CEO, Sepang International Circuit, said: “With the departure of F1 in Malaysia, we were tasked to look into other world-class events to include in our annual calendar. Through fan voting and further feasibility study, FIM EWC and FIA WTCR were the top two selected events, both promoted by Eurosport Events.
“This special collaboration with Eurosport Events will make the race exclusive and one of a kind which will create history for Malaysia to host two world championships together in one weekend.
“Both races will take place until sunset and the chequered flag will be waived under the new SIC Circuit Lights. Tickets are now available for purchase through SIC’s website and we encourage all fans to come and witness these exciting world-class championships as they make their #RoadToMalaysia.”

Dato’ Razlan made the statements during the recent Petronas SIC Motorsports Association of Malaysia Award 2018.
Tickets for the FIA WTCR and FIM EWC double-header event are now on sale. Prices start from RM275 for the main grandstand and more information is available from the SIC website by following this link: https://www.sepangcircuit.com/ticketing/wtrc-ewc.
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TESTED! Respro Pollution masks.. and they’re awesome!

We all love biking, but the one down part about urban motorcycling is the exposure to the elements. Pollution to be exact. We have all been behind a fume spewing bus or truck, or worse still, stuck behind either while waiting for a light to change. We have been there, we know.
And if you are Malaysian or Singaporean, there is the devilish annual haze fest. Millions of acres of forest is annually burnt down in Indonesia, and all that smoke, spills over to us. It does not only make breathing difficult, but simply stepping out is dangerous. Let alone riding a bike.
There are ways around it though.
Meet Respro, a British company that develops masks for almost all uses; anti-pollution and reflective safety gear or race support products. These guys have been in the business since 1993 and lay claim to the title of ‘the original and the best’. And we believe them.
We were shipped three models of Respro masks towards the end of last year, which has given us enough time to test them out. And yes, they work. Though it does take some getting used to, but once all is nice and tight, it just makes sense to wear one while riding.
We were given three models – the ‘bandit’ (our favourite), the ‘City’ and the Foggy anti-fog, breath guard.
Unfortunately there is no dealer for any of these products in Malaysia as yet, but you can buy them online by visiting: www.respro.com

The City
The City anti-pollution mask is arguably one of the meaner looking masks in this trio. It is made of hypo-allergenic Neoprene and is “wrapped” around your head and is held in place by a contoured design.
It may look like just another hardcore looking mask, but it is actually quite intelligent. It features an activated charcoal filter with particle filter liner, a particular matter rating of PM10 and two Techno exhalation valves. The inner filter is replaceable.

It was designed for cyclists, motorcyclists, walking and for those who spend a lot of time outside in polluted areas.
It takes some time to get used to it but once the stretch gets comfortable and the material loosens up, you won’t even notice that it is there.
Price: GBP 26.99 (RM147)

Bandit
The Bandit Scarf is our personal favourite. It looks great and unlike the City, it does not look very intimidating. You should see the faces of some drivers who suddenly see you next to them in a City mask.
But the Bandit does have its drawbacks. Because it’s a scarf, it requires you to really tie it up tight, or risk the chance of it loosening while riding. It however, works a charm too.

Utilising strategically placed filters, the Bandit scarf screens against nuisance dusts and odours. And because it is made of cotton, it is perfectly comfortable too. There is a drawstring that you can tighten around your chin area to give it a perfect fit.
Unlike the City, the Bandit will eventually expire. According to Respro, the Bandit has been made to last for at least six months, while the filter is fully washable.
Truly one of the better face masks in the market today.
Price: GBP 19.99 (RM108.48)

Foggy Mask
The Foggy Mask is unique, but we never truly got to test this mask properly. Reason being that it is mostly suited for cold weather riding. Breathing out of it in our humid Malaysian weather was difficult and ultimately tiring.

The Foggy mask works to prevent your visor from fogging up, which can be a major problem for a lot of us. It works first by strapping one end to the inner side of the cheek pad of your helmet, and the other to other inner side of your helmet. According to major reviews and user comments on this product, it is supposed to work excellently. Even ResPro says that it is 99.9% effective.

Sadly it was just too hot to use here, but if you are looking to ride in a cold weather country then this could just be the product for you. It does not require any gel, film and is easy to strap on.
It works for most major helmets like Shoei, Arai, Shark, AGV, Bell, HJC and others.
Price: GBP 19.99 (RM108.48)
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3,691 Triumph bikes recalled in the US – same brake pad issue

As expected when the National Highway Traffic and Safety Association (NHTSA) posted up a recall for the very rare Ducati 1299 Superleggera, the same element of recall has now been made for over 3,600 Triumph motorcycles in the US. The culprit? A rough batch of brake pads produced by Triumph’s brake supplier, Brembo.

In short, the brake pad friction material is not really protected against corrosion and when they do rust, they can pop off from the backing plate rendering the brake pads as defective. This is all caused by three major factors, which are:

High concentration of Nickel in the compound does not favour the sintering process on the backing plate (consequently causes a reduction of the adhesive area percentage)
High porosity of the compound that allows infiltration of salt and water at the interface between the compound and backing plate
Micro-fractures on the backing plate copper surface which promotes the penetration of salt and water

23 Triumph Motorcycle models from various years of production are affected in this particular case, which are:

Street Triple RS (2018-2020)
Tiger 1200 XCx, XCa, XRT, XR, XRx, XRx LRH, Alpine Edition, Desert Edition (2018-2019)
Speed Triple S & RS (2019-2020)

So far, we haven’t received any news from Brembo itself regarding the extent of this botched up batch of brake pads or whether it’s affecting any other markets around the world. So far, only the US has been posting up the recalls but if there’s any news affecting locally, we’ll let you know. Stay tuned.
Ducati 1299 Superleggera recalled – brake pads may corrode

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Toprak Razgatlioglu Wants WorldSBK Title Before Moving To MotoGP

WorldSBK rider Toprak Razgatlioglu is not thinking about MotoGP yet as he prioritises becoming a WorldSBK champion first.
The Turkish rider was heavily linked with the Sepang Racing Team MotoGP to replace the retiring Valentino Rossi.
It is understood that the offer to move to MotoGP with SRT was on the table for the 24-year-old rider before he decided to extend his stay in WorldSBK for two more seasons.
According to Razgatlioglu, his current objective is to become a World Champion in WorldSBK.

“Normally, my plan would be to be Superbike World Champion and maybe after that move up to the MotoGP paddock, and I don’t know.
“Now I’m just focused on being a Superbike champion, and I like the category paddock.
“I remember being here in 2013 and 2014 at the Rookies Cup, and this is a completely different paddock.
“Everyone has the dream of being in MotoGP, I know that, but I repeat, I haven’t had that dream for many years now because I know that for me MotoGP is like a galaxy, and maybe I could have a bike, but for me personally I think it’s better to be champion in Superbikes, that’s the dream and what I’m following and after that maybe we can come here,” he said.
Despite finishing the 2020 season at 4th place, the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK rider is just three points behind Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea in the overall standings, thanks to five wins from the last ten races.
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2018 HJC RPHA 90 modular helmet introduced

HJC Helmets has introduced the 2018 HJC RPHA 90 modular helmet.
The RPHA 90 has been designed with the highest levels of protection, comfort, and functionality in mind.
The US market has priced the next-level modular flip-up helmet at $459.99 (RM1,778)

With more and more riders getting into the world of sport touring motorcycles, the demand for a helmet that can perform in all riding conditions is also on a rise. HJC Helmets took notice of this and introduced their brand new 2018 HJC RPHA 90 modular helmet to fit into this particular segment.

Designed to perform just like a full-face lid in terms of dimensions, weight and appearance; the new RPHA 90 offers something a bit extra with its modular helmet functionality. Constructed from HJC’s Premium Integrated Matrix (P.I.M.+) shell material (which is the same as the RPHA 70 and RPHA 11), the RPHA 90 is said to be one of the strongest and lightest modular helmets to date thanks to its enhanced shock resistant performance and superior aerodynamics while maintaining comfort for riders.

To make sure that the glaring sun won’t get in your way while riding, HJC has included their all-new Sun Glide inner-sun visor system. Easily operated using an adjustable wire, the anti-fog plus anti-scratch visor which is now longer and wider offer superior sunlight eye protection.

There also the HJC Seal Secure shield system which will help keep water and dust out while dramatically reducing the noise for all sort of weather conditions. Combined with its noise cancelling interior material, riders can remain comfortable without affecting their focus on the road.

As for ventilation, new vents are strategically placed in high-pressure areas that’ll help to increase air circulation in the lid. A large top vent paired with another located near the mouth plus rear exhaust vents will help feed cool and crisp air to the rider’s head to keep it dry, cool and comfortable all day long.

Those who worry about installing their communication systems to the new HJC RPHA 90 should rest assured as the helmet has been integrated with a speaker pocket space plus ease of wire channelling thanks to its removable interior. Other features include:

Premium Integrated Matrix / P.I.M. Plus: Reinforcement materials, including Carbon and Carbon-Glass Hybrid fabric, provide enhanced Shock-Resistant performance, more comfort, and lightness of helmet.
Sun Visor with Wider-Vision: Better peripheral vision, helps to reduce eye strain and excellent sunlight blocking. Anti-Fog and Anti-Scratch.
Full Metal Micro Buckle System: High durability 100% stainless steel HJCs new fastening system with extra strength.
RapidFire 3 Shield Replacement System: Simple and secure shield ratchet system provides ultra-quick, tool-less shield replacement system.
Low-noise interior: 3D engineered, ergonomic interior is focused to reduce noise significantly.
Multi-cool interior with advanced anti-bacterial fabric provides enhanced moisture wicking and quick drying function than the previous generation.
Crown and cheek pads are removable and washable.
Anti-fog lens prepared shield and includes Anti-fog insert lens.
Eyeglasses and sun glasses friendly EPS design.

As for the chin bar, it can be lifted into the modular position with just a simple operation. The new HJC RPHA 90 will ensure that riders are kept as comfortable as possible no matter the riding distance. From long journeys across the globe to short trips with frequent stops (like to and from work), the new RPHA 90 is all about safety, comfort, convenience and functionality.

The 2018 HJC RPHA 90 is DOT approved and available in several markets around the globe at $459.99 (around RM1,778 after direct conversion). As for the Malaysian market, HJC Helmets Malaysia will inform us in due time regarding its local availability and pricing in the near future.
HJC introduces latest RPHA 70 Black Panther helmet!

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New Colour for the Honda PCX and NSS300 – Candy Caribbean Blue Sea!

Boon Siew Honda (BSH) has launched a brand new colour for their premium scooters of Honda PCX and Honda NSS300 that is the Candy Caribbean Blue Sea.
The Honda NSS300 is premium scooter that’s powered by a 279cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces 25hp and 26Nm of torque.
The new NSS300 is priced at RM30,727.28 while the smaller yet stylish PCX sibling is at RM11,658.94 (basic prices with GST).

Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd (BSH) has announced that their premium range of scooters which consists the entry level Honda PCX and the high-spec mid-sized scooter, the Honda NSS300 will now be available in an exciting new colourway; Candy Caribbean Blue Sea. The new colour combined with the luxury scooters from BSH not only offer great style and looks but also premium riding experiences for all scooter enthusiasts in the country.

Honda NSS300 – From RM30,727.28 (basic price with GST)

With its tagline of “My Life, My Story, My NSS300” is the sleekly styled, easy ride daily commuter with excellent comfort and value. This premium-styled scooter offering has been around in the Malaysian market for a while now but the new colour gives it a brand new breath of freshness and chic.

The NSS300 is all about injecting some prestige and ride quality to your daily commute which looks as good as it rides. Inspired by the most recent and contemporary background, the entire facade of the NSS300 is a great option for professionals and executives to commute to and from work even with a nicely-tailored suit.

The sleek fairing is equipped with twin halogen headlights to provide ample illumination when riding at night. The comprehensive metering cluster showcases vital information to the rider that features a speedometer, clock, dual trip-meters plus fuel and temperature gauges and oil level warning light to increase the NSS300 level of practicality.

According to the Managing Director and CEO of BSH, Mr Nobuhide Nagata, he stated “Since the NSS300 made its world debut 17 years ago and was launched in 2014 in Malaysia, it has evolved to exceed riders’ expectations about what a scooter can be. We want to position the NSS300 as the premium scooter for both new and veterans riders that look for a practical but sporty ride.”

Together with style, the NSS300 comes with sporty performance combined with safety all combined in the best value-for-money premium scooter package. The 279cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine churns out around 25hp at 7,500rpm and 26Nm of torque at 5,000rpm giving the NSS300 a quick yet exhilarating riding experience throughout the entire rpm range.

Safety is not compromised with its Combi Brake System as standard. There’s also the optional combined ABS package for an even more controlled stopping power to avoid any unwanted incidents in case of emergencies.

Another great feature of the NSS300 is its huge under-seat storage that can store two full face helmets easily. There’s even some leftover space to store your belongings or even your rain gear for those rainy days which has been a frequent daily event here in Malaysia. The Honda NSS300 is one of the best premium scooters in the market to date.

The NSS300 comes in three colours: one new colour – Candy Caribbean Blue Sea and existing colours Pearl Himalayas White and Seal Silver Metallic. Those wanting to own one of these babies will only need to spend from RM30,727.28 (basic price with GST) which also comes with a two year or 20,000km manufacturing warranty (whichever comes first).

Honda PCX – RM11,658.94 (basic price with GST)

The all-new Honda PCX is also now available in the ‘Smart in Blue’ colourway which give an entire different appeal and persona to the already all-rounder scooter from BSH. The PCX focuses on the best aspects of convenience, handling and performance all bundled up in an n exciting 150cc package.

The overall look of the PCX is also suited for professionals and executives looking for a great option to travel to work instead of taking the car and getting stuck in traffic jams day in and day out. With the new colour option available for the PCX, it now has a higher level of style and appeal combined with its already impressive performance and fuel efficiency specifications.

When asked about the PCX, Mr Nobuhide Nagata commented that “BSH would like our customer to be part of a smarter choice in terms of selecting their ride. This new colour reflects the understanding of BSH towards the trends and fashion of the scooter range. We hope through this model, our customers will be able to experience the smarter and better via the new PCX.”

Apart from the new colour option for the PCX, the other two colourway of Asteroid Black Metallic and Pearl Metalloid White are still available for the 150cc premium scooter from BSH. The new PCX is priced at RM11,658.94 (basic price with GST) which like the NSS300 also comes with a two year or 20,000km manufacturing warranty (whichever comes first).

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Italjet Dragster 125 And Dragster 200 To Launch In Malaysia This Weekend

Malaysian media were given a special preview of Italjet’s latest scooter, the Dragster 125 and Dragster 200, ahead of its official launch this weekend.

The Italjet Dragster 125 dan Dragster 200 is the most premium and exclusive scooter ever built.
The Italian built scooter features unique bodywork and components.

As previously reported, the Dragster 125 and Dragster 200 share similar bodywork and design language; the primary difference is the engine displacement.
The Dragster 200 features a 181cc single-cylinder DOHC engine, while the 125 trim gets a 124cc single, Euro5 compliant powertrain.

Power output is claimed to be 17.2hp @ 8,000rpm and 15.5Nm @ 7,750rpm for the Dragster 200, while the Dragster 125 makes 9.2hpp and 10.5Nm.
Meanwhile, power is delivered to the rear 13-inch wheel via an automatic gearbox with belt drive.

The Italjet Dragster is suspended by a unique independent steering system (ISS) at the front that separates the steering and suspension components. The new feature allows better manoeuvrability for city riding.
Coming in standard on the Dragster twin is two-channel ABS, Brembo hydraulic callipers mated to a single 200mm disc at the front and 190mm disc at the rear.

Other notable features on the Dragster include bright LED headlights (80,000 lumens to be exact), a 9L fuel tank, a USB port and 140kg kerb weight.
Meanwhile, Chear Global – the authorised distributor of Italjet’s Dragster in Malaysia – will announce the official price for the two scooters on October 8, 2022.

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MotoGP: Vinales snatches 500th Grand Prix Win for Yamaha in France; Marquez and Rossi DNF

Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) ran a brilliant race yesterday during the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France in Le Mans which makes it three out five wins this season.
Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) crashed out of yesterday’s race dropping them down the world standings.
Vinales now leads the 2017 MotoGP championship with 85 points, Dani Pedrosa second with 68 points and Rossi in third with 62 points.

After a difficult weekend for most of the high-profile riders from top factory teams all weekend, Maverick Vinales from the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP squad came out on top with yet another win at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France in Le Mans. This third win of the season puts him in ahead in the world championship with 85 points.

However, the spotlight was actually on the hometown hero, Johann Zarco of the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad. The 27 year old local from Cannes fought brilliantly throughout the entire race including leading the first leg of his home race.

What looked to be a first MotoGP podium finish in third for the Frenchman turned out the second when Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) crashed out while battling for the win with his team mate in the very last lap. Due to the crash, Rossi now drops to third overall in the world championships with 62 points; 23 points behind Maverick Vinales.

Dani Pedrosa also benefited from Rossi’s late race crash that put him in the last podium position finishing the French GP in third place. The Spaniard struggled at the beginning of the race fighting with other riders in the middle of the grid but made significant progress with many crashing out or retiring in Le Mans. Pedrosa is now in second spot of the world standings with 68 points.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) gave a good show to the French crowd with a few overtakes in the race but DesmoDovi emerged as the victor of that battle finishing the race over two seconds ahead of the Brit. Dovi’s team mate, Jorge Lorenzo also had a good race finishing in sixth considering that he was dead last in one of the free practice sessions due to difficult weather and track conditions.

Another MotoGP rookie from the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider also improved quite a bit with a finish in P7 with Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) not too far behind in P8. Eighth for Miller is actually considering the horrific high speed crash he suffered on Saturday which left him bruised and battered. Andrea Iannone (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR) completed the French GP top 10 finish with over 48 seconds behind race winner, Maverick Vinales.

Things are clearly heating up in the MotoGP universe and the next round could heat things up even more. Mugello is around the corner and the MotoGP boys will have to duke it out once again in 2 June 2017 is Rossi’s territory for the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley. What do you think Rossi’s special helmet will look like? Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates.

Photo source: MotoGP
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Another Revolution Max Powered Harley-Davidson To Be Unveil

Pan America Cut-Away-Engine

Just months after successfully unveiling the all-new Pan America, Harley-Davidson plans to introduce another new model.
The new model will be launch on July 13 as the next in line to be powered by the all-new Revolution Max engine.
*Harley Davidson Pan America 1250
According to Harley’s CEO, Jochen Zeitz, while the Pan America is an ADV behemoth, the new model will be on the sportier side.
“Following the successful launch of our first adventure touring motorcycle, the Pan America, we are excited to reveal another all-new motorcycle, built on the Revolution Max platform in the sports segment, showcasing unmatched Harley-Davidson technology, performance and style.”
There is no confirmation on how the new model will look, but we can assume it will portray the company’s DNA of making it a “proper” Harley-Davidson.
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Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup – 14 year old Japanese wins!

The first round of the inaugural Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup got off to an exciting start at the Losail Circuit in Qatar.

Japanese rider Yuta Date took the victory after a hard fought battle which saw him drop down to fifth place at one point in the race. He was also almost beaten to turn one of the circuit after the green light by the only female rider in the series, Mulkada Sarapuech of Thailand.

The race developed into two packs of riders, one was clearly quicker than the other with obviously more race experience with the bikes. The other was obviously slower and making the mistakes expected of raw teenagers with talent but little experience.

The first time racers faced a challenge in the form of a strong head wind blowing down the front straight. To overcome this, riders must have a good knowledge of using their gear changes, and the one rider who constantly got it right was Date who consistently charged from fourth or fifth place to lead into turn one.

Also vying for a podium spot was two Thai riders Sarapuech and Atiratphuvabat and two Japanese riders Kitami and Kunime. However, hopes were dashed when Malaysian rider Ibrahim Norrodin got crossed up at the end of the straight, crashed and took out Sarapuech who was in third place at that time.

That crash gave Date the room he needed to lead until the finish line, but the action was behind him where Kitami and Altiratphuvapat exchanged place three times in the final lap with the Japanese rider getting to the chequered flag faster. Atiratphuvabat was also stripped of third place when Japanese rider Ayumu Sasaki caught hold of his slipstream and passed him by just 0.05 seconds.

Date takes the championship lead into round two, which takes place at Sentul, Indonesia on the 11th May.

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KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia Rd. 4 @ Perak

KTM 390 Duke Battle intensifies with drama and tension during its fourth round in Perak.

Injecting the KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurance weekend in Perak with the colour orange, the KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia once again offered intense racing and high drama.

Given the Dato’ Sagor Circuit’s long sweeping corners, plenty of riders fell victim to the 390 Duke race bike’s apparent lack of height clearance in a lean. As a result, there were plenty of low-siding incidents, while some suffered damaged shifters that left them stuck in third gear.
Clearly, the two races held on Sunday morning and afternoon was challenging for most of the 15 riders that lined up the grid.

Race 1 saw rider Muhammad Fairuz Zain Salleh crossing the line in first, fenidng off the charges and advances of second place rider Mohammad Khairi Zakaria. Claiming third in Race 1 was Mohd Reffe Mohd Kamar.
Tensions rose in Race 2 after Race 1’s winner Muhammad Fairuz Zain Salleh was disqualified from the second race. This then allowed rider Mohammad Khairi Zakaria to claim the win for Race 2.
Riders Mohammad Firdaus Jaffer and Shahil Hafiz Mohd Sajahan completed the podium in second and third places respectively.

Collecting enough overall points from two races, Khairi Zakaria was crowned the weekend’s champion, whilst Firdaus Jaffer and Shahil Hafiz took second and third places respectively. Both Khairi and Firdaus also earned their spot in the series’ final race scheduled towards the end of this year.
The fifth round of the KTM 390 Duke Battle will be held alongside the fifth round of the KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurace series in Muar, Johore, later this month.
Check out the official Bikes Republic Facebook page for more from the KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia weekend in Perak.
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Buck’s guide to border crossing to Thailand with your bike – Part 2

So we’ve covered the official part of the travelling but how about the other parts? Here I share what I learned over the years about travelling in Thailand or other countries.
Though I may have not gone around the world like some world famous travellers or overlanders had done but I do have my fair share of travels and learned a thing or two. Of course this is apart from the usual stuff like making sure your bike is road worthy and what not.
Safety
This may sound boring but one small mishap will not only ruin your holiday but get you in serious trouble, so best that you take this seriously.
First thing to not do is not to speed, this is for several reasons. The first one is that Thai roads seems to be a bit more pack (as in hardness) and not as grippy as our tarmac. Maybe its for longevity as their roads seems to be almost pothole free though not being resurfaced as often as ours would be. Its gets worst when it rains, so slow down and be extra careful when it rains.
Secondly is that the Thais (due to various reasons) are not used to high speeds. Most of them can’t comprehend how fast a big bike can move and assume they will have enough time to cross the road or make that u-turn as you approach them.
And there is a junction everywhere or somewhere, why I say this? Its because even on the “highway” you’ll noticed that there are houses at the sides. Its where they live and we as a visitor better respect that.
Moving off the roads and on to the people, the Thais are generally nice and friendly. I can leave my stuff tied to my bike while on a toilet or coffee break and no one will disturb it. Back home its too often that I experienced that whenever I park my bike and leave it for five minutes, just to find someone had played with the buttons and fiddled with my GPS/phone holder.
Ever helpful, some will actually go out of their way to help you. But as with any country there are some bad apples and you could look up the internet on how to avoid getting scammed.
Packing
Pack light, say you’ll be on the road for four days, two on the way there and on the way back with two days at the ride destination. That means you’ll be away six days, you only need to bring three undies, three tshirts, a short and jeans, a pair of sandals, toiletries and thats it in the bag.
Wash those undies and tshirts on the third night you are there and dry it off on the fourth day. Ready to be worn on the fifth and sixth days as you ride back home.
Why so little? Well apart for the tshirt and undies, the rest of the time you should be in your riding gear. Bring a rain coat if you don’t like being wet, to me it makes not much of a difference and prefer something that dries off quickly. Though I do pack a windbreaker to cut off the cold, pick a bright one, easier to spot in bad weather.
Nothing says safety than safety orange
If things gets too hot then don’t fret and just wet yourself, not by peeing but pour some water on your riding gear and as you ride the water will evaporate with the moving air and heat and in the process cooling you off just like your sweat. However unlike your sweat, its clean water and you’ll feel a lot less sticky than just by sweating it off.
Try not to use a backpack, no matter how light it is over a period of a few hours on the road that lightness will feel like a heavy burden. Securely strap the stuff securely on the backseat if you don’t have hard or soft panniers.
Food
Moving on to food, so far what I’ve noticed is that the Thais are also as clean as most Malaysians when it comes to food preparation. You don’t have to really worry about getting stomach aches unless you cant handle spicy stuff. Too bad then as somehow the tomyum tastes a lot better that side of the world.
Still, be careful and mind what you eat, you don’t want a stomach ache to ruin your riding. Thats not just annoying but also yucky. Imagine having to “go” while riding, all that riding gear on, a real nightmare.
And halal food is not a problem especially down south of the country, don’t be surprise that sometimes could even order in “kelantanese”.
In other parts of the country, generally there will surely be a halal shop or “gerai” wherever you go. You can spot them with the crescent moon and star logo apart from the halal word or “muslim food” written on the signboard.
If all fails and you can’t seem to find any halal food around you, then go find a mosque. Most likely there will be a Muslim community in that area and thats also your best bet (pardon the saying) to find halal food.
Also as an added advice, which works in all countries is to keep pictures of animals and food in your smart phone or tab, they may not speak the same language as you but everybody understands pictures.

You can either show them what you want to eat or what you don’t, saves you the embarrassment of making farm animal sounds in the middle of a restaurant. Yes, been there and done that.
Connections
Talking about phones, roaming is expensive even with the cheapest roaming package. I suggest go local and get a local sim card. In Thailand you can get the “Happy Tourist” pack for RM35 or so by DTAC, apparently their biggest telco company.

What you get is a few minutes of talk time and 1gig of data or unlimited data at a slower internet speed for one week. Either way your whatsapp works and you can still be in contact. Topping up is easy and available at every 7-eleven which in Thailand means everywhere even in the small “kampongs” and sometimes theres two of them in one city block.
And since you have data with DTAC which covers most places in that country, you can also use your phone as your GPS either on Google maps or Waze depending on your preference.
Fuel
There is no problem with locating a petrol station to fill up, but you do have to watch out for there things, price, RON and quality.
As with an open market system the fuel prices will vary from station to station, sometimes just a few cents (1 or 2 cents) but there are times where it can vary as much as 80cents and that makes a big difference when you are filling up a big tank. So make sure if possible to check the pricing before you fill.
You must be wondering Ron and quality? Isn’t that the same? Well no but we’ll look into that in a different article.
RON95 is widely available but some stations will have that as the highest RON at the pumps. If your bike needs more than RON95 to run, best bring some RON boosters.
Quality wise is a bit harder to say, but generally go to a station that has a lot of turnovers. Look at the traffic flow, you can see a pattern in just five minutes of standing at the side for a quick breather before deciding to pump there or move on.
There are cases where the small stations with slow business have questionable fuel which either has been mixed with kerosene or literally dirty fuel as it contains impurities that will clog up your fuel filter or worst case scenario, jams your fuel pump.
Getting around
Now you have reached your destination, may it be Krabi, Koh Samui or Phuket, again its best to go local as in rent a small bike. A apart from giving your bike a rest for that long ride back, its easier to go around on a small bike in these places and not to mention its far cheaper to fill up a smaller capacity bike than what you might have ridden there. And like my recent adventure, it also gives you the opportunity to sample what we don’t get back in Malaysia.
So there you go, hope this helps for the first timers planning to cross the border and maybe something new in there that even seasoned riders could pick up. It may look scary at first but one you don’t it suddenly the world is a bigger place.
Maybe you too can share your experience or something that you have picked up on your travels in the comment box below. Till the next time, keep calm and ride on.
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Motorcycle rider killed after collision with bicyclist

Motorcycle rider killed after colliding with bicyclist travelling along highway emergency lane, causing the victim to fall into path of oncoming car.

Motorcycle rider killed after apparent collision with a bicyclist in the emergency lane.

Resulting collision caused victim to slip and fall off motorcycle and get struck by oncoming car.

Bicyclist survives, suffers broken right leg only.

Police investigating bicyclist’s motive for travelling along highway emergency lane.

A motorcycle rider was killed after an apparent collision with a bicycle, which caused the victim to fall and subsequently get struck by an oncoming car.
According to local daily Harian Metro, the incident occurred last night around 7:50PM in Bagan Serai, Perak, specifically along Kilometre 198.2 of the North-South Highway heading north.
Kerian District Police Chief Superintendent Mazuki Mat said the victim, 22-year-old Nurul Izzah Abdul Wahab, died at the scene while the cyclist suffered a broken right leg.
Initial investigation revealed that the motorcycle ridden by the victim, who was heading towards Semanggol fom Kamunting, believed to have collided with the bicycle in the emergency lane ridden by a man whose identity remains undisclosed.
“As a result of this collision, the victim and the motorcycle fell and slipped into the left lane. At the same time, a car travelling from the rear tried to avoid the victim but failed and hit the victim. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and the body was sent to Parit Buntar Hospital for autopsy,” said Superintendent Mazuki in a statement.
According to him, the investigation of the incident is still underway and police are still trying to ascertain the bicyclist’s motive for travelling along the highway emergency lane. The case is reportedly being investigated in accordance with Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Image: Harian Metro
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Guy Martin is going to race again!

Guy Martin plans to re-enter the world of road racing again this year.
The 36-year-old Brit rider will be participating in the Cookstown 100 and Tandragee 100 road racing events next month.
Racing in the Forgotten Era class, Guy is going to pilot his very own classic BSA motorcycle.

To all road racing fans, this one is for you. It seems that popular racing figure Guy Martin is planning to put on his racing suit again this year. News has broken out and it has been confirmed that the 36-year-old Brit rider will be participating in the Tandragee 100 and Cookstown 100 Irish road races.

Happening on 27 April 2018 (Cookstown 100) and 5 May 2018 (Tandragee 100), there are two of the top road racing events riders will participate in before heading for the Isle of Man TT. There is, however, a twist to the story. Guy Martin won’t be racing on any superbike in the Cookstown 100. Instead, he will be riding his own BSA in the classics category.

Called the Forgotten Era class, Guy Martin together with BSA will certainly make headlines as soon as he’s on the way to the road circuit. With several podiums under his name, he is indeed a crowd puller and favourite amongst the many great names of road racing.

The Cookstown 100 will be happening on 27 April 2018 while the Tandragee 100 will run its course the weekend after. After that, the North West 200 race week comes into play from 13 to 19 May 2018 before the whole circus heads to the Isle of Man TT for the world’s greatest road racing event.

The question now is, will we see Guy flying around the Mountain Course again?
Mugen Shinden Nana Isle of Man TT title defender launched

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