EXCLUSIVE: Max Biaggi says “I Would Ride the Aprilia Tuono if I Live in KL”

Aprilia Malaysia hosted multiple Grand Prix and World Superbike champion and Aprilia brand ambassador Max Biaggi tonight for a meet and greet session with Aprilia owners and fans.

The event was held in conjunction with the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix, which begins tomorrow.

BikesRepublic.com and our sister site, MotoMalaya.net was given an exclusive interview with the GP legend and also the new Aprilia Racing Team CEO Massimo Rivola.

Multiple Grand Prix and World Superbike champion Max Biaggi says he would ride the Aprilia Tuono if he lived in Kuala Lumpur.
Aprilia Malaysia hosted multiple Grand Prix and World Superbike champion and Aprilia brand ambassador Max Biaggi tonight for a meet and greet session with Aprilia owners and fans. The event was held in conjunction with the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix, which begins tomorrow.

Held at The Beach Club, Kuala Lumpur, the event was attended in masse by the Aprilia Central Riding Club (ACRC) who organised a convoy there. They were rewarded with Q&A, autograph and photography sessions with the GP great and WorldSBK legend.
BikesRepublic.com and our sister site, MotoMalaya.net was given an exclusive interview with the GP legend and also the new Aprilia Racing Team CEO Massimo Rivola.

We spoke about Aprilia and the factory’s effort in MotoGP, plus other things, but also we felt that there ought to be a connection from the Aprilia track bike to the road bikes.
Here’s the transcript of the interview:
BikesRepublic.com (BR): You’ve been to Malaysia many times. How often do you visit the country nowadays?
Max Biaggi (MB): I normally only visit once every year. In the past it was two, three times a year because also we did Winter Tests.
BR: What do you think about the country?
MB: It’s cool, you know. It’s one of my favourites since when we were racing in Shah Alam (the Batu Tiga Circuit) a long time ago. It was really, really one of my favourite places.
Even Sepang (International Circuit) which is a much bigger track, it’s a nice place to be.
BR: How has Malaysia changed, in your opinion?
MB: Big difference. Motorsports has really stepped up. I remember 24 years ago, there were no more than 20,000 to 30,000 people watching. But now, the weekend last year was over 100,000. I know there’s a big investment in motorsports and you can see the results now.

BR: Do you come here for holidays?
MB: No, normally for racing activities in January or February to work with Aprilia Malaysia.
BR: How has 2019 for you with your venture into Moto3 (race team)?
MB: This is another part of my life. To be on top of this thing (running a Moto3 team), the first time in the World Championship was very new for me. But I have good people and I can work with them, and we have one of the best riders in Moto3. So, we have an excellent year one. We didn’t win the title, but I didn’t expect that, really. But I see good performances for the rider and team so I’m looking forward to 2020.
BR: If you could’ve done anything differently, what would it be, since it’s the end of the season?
MB: It’s difficult to change something when the thing’s already done. A few changes here and there but nothing really big. Next year will be two riders and again a new story. We’ll see.
BR: We have one very important question — some of our readers are curious to know. If you were living KL (Kuala Lumpur), what motorcycle would you ride?
MB: Whoa, very difficult question! Here I don’t see big bikes very often. Maybe (I’ll ride a scooter). Scooters can be one of the possibilities (the Piaggio group produces many models of scooters – Editor).
But maybe the future here would change and become more like European cities. So, big scooter, big size motorcycles.
BR: If you could choose just one model?
MB: If it was up to me here in KL, I would use the Tuono (Aprilia Tuono V4). It’s because the handlebars are higher, straighter riding position, easier to ride, nice torque. This would be my favourite.

BR: Since you’re not riding competitive anymore? Do you still ride as a leisure activity?
MB: Yes, I use the Aprilia RSV4 X. Aprilia only produced 10 of them. It’s one of the most fun bike to ride — it was the closest to the RSV4 World Superbike but you can use it. When it ride the bike, I ride it only on the track because that’s what I like the most.

BR: Most professional competitive riders don’t ride on the road but they are really fast on the track. Why do you think it’s so?
MB: Maybe it’s because when you became a pro rider, you know the street is not that safe and safety is important. The track has a permanent track, you know the people who you are riding with. Of course it’s nice to travel on a bike. I would use the bike to go travelling far away.
BR: Compared to when you were racing 20 years ago,  how has motorsports changed?
MB: Big changes. Here we are it’s gone from two-strokes to four-strokes and bigger bikes, and now the world of electronics. A lot is controlled by electronics. A good electronic system can make difference performance from one bike to the other. The lean angle now is near 70 degrees (from vertical) which 20 years ago you cannot imagine going near that far. But it nice, they do a lot of trick. New riders, new technique but you can always see the same speeds. They compete for the title but are very close.
BR: So, riding has changed and not just the bikes?
MB: Riding style has definitely changed and it’s changed in a good way because they can go faster. If they used the old style, they couldn’t. Also the tyres have changed. Everything’s changed.

BR: A question for (Massimo) Mr. Rivola. How has 2019 been in your opinion?
Massimo Rivola (MR): 2019 has been an interesting year. Really challenging. But I have to say overall it’s a positive year. The good thing that I can say for sure is that I feel a lot of respect for Aprilia. I feel that more and more the respect is increasing.
The history of Aprilia is quite unique and nobody has our history. Thanks to Max, in fact. There’s a hope that our history can come back. My mission is that one, actually.
BR: Coming to Malaysia from four wheels to two wheels (racing), is it the same or is it different… How do you experience Malaysia differently?
MR: My first time in Malaysia was in 2000. It was when the new track was open for Formula 1 racing. In the beginning at the Sepang track the grandstand was not fully occupied and that now, yes. The spirit around MotoGP is even more passionate than Formula 1.
I think motorbikes are closer to spectators and public. The spirit is different. Formula 1 and MotoGP are different but the latter is more special from this point of view.
BR: Maybe it’s because Malaysians love their motorcycles more than their cars?
MB: Yeah maybe almost everybody here rides a scooter or moped or motorbike, but yes it’s something you can see the riders on the bikes up close.
BR: One last question for Max. We are now seeing many riders in Malaysia. Is there any advice that you can give to our riders — those who are casual riders (not racers)?
MB: You can more and more people using bikes in this part of the world than 20 years ago. I see many people come to MotoGP so they passion for the sport. I hope to see them riding big bikes in a few years because this is the way to go up. In Europe and America the bikes are 600cc, 1000cc. They need to try these bikes. If they try they will surely like.
Interview conducted by: Keshy Dhillon
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Grab is Hiring Motorcycle e-Hailing Riders

Grab is hiring motorcycle e-hailing riders.

The GrabBike pilot programme will last for six months from January 2020.

Interested riders need to sign up by 2nd December 2019.

Grab is hiring motorcycle e-hailing riders in view of the Ministry of Transport’s decision to greenlight the service for a pilot programme.
As we published earlier, the programme will run for six months beginning January 2020. It will be carried out in the Klang Valley only in order for the ministry and e-hailing operators to collect data.
Interested riders can sign up by 2nd December 2019. Successful applicants will be notified within 5 working days or by 9th December.
Conditions to fulfill include: The motorcycle must not be more than five years old; the rider has a valid motorcycle license; he or she above 18 years old; and no outstanding summonses with the police or Road Transport Department (JPJ).
GrabBike drive-partners are also expected to deliver food (except for cake and pizza). As such, they will each be provided with a smaller food delivery bag and special training. Also, riders are not allowed to turn off requests for ferrying passengers, although they can do so for food deliveries.
In terms of renumeration, the operator will charge a 20% commission for their cash wallet.
GrabBike also says that for the first month only, riders in the Klang Valley will receive special incentives, a riding jacket and helmet for the pillion.
Please click on the link below if you are interested: https://www.grab.com/my/blog/driver/grabbike-beta-program-perintis-perkhidmatan-pengangkutan-baru/

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MotoGP: 2020 season will restart in August?

Sit tight, folks. The MotoGP 2020 season might be going for a long holiday as rumours have indicated that it’ll only restart as late as August. Putting everything into consideration related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the next few rounds are all located in countries where the Coronavirus outbreak is currently on a high.

Members of the media were given the opportunity to join an online interview session with the Team Principal of Petronas Sepang Racing Team (SRT), Dato’ Razlan Razali. A lot of questions were asked regarding the state of this season but one of the most interesting things that were discussed is the possibility of the season restarting as early as August. Or no 2020 season at all.

According to Dato’ Razlan Razali, “They (DORNA, IRTA & teams) are talking to restart the championship as late as August. From August to November, they will try not to continue all into the middle of December. We’re looking at between 10-15 races, that’s what is being discussed. At the moment, they will not discount the fact that it can a two-races per weekend concept like WorldSBK. But it’s going to be a crazy calendar from August until the first week of December.”

With the French round confirmed to be postponed, the next few rounds are also in jeopardy as it involves Mugello, Catalunya, and Sachsenring (May & June) where the numbers of infected cases in these countries are rising to worrying levels. Travel restrictions are also a key determining factor related to the possibility of the first MotoGP race happening in August and no earlier.

If this is all finalized, the MotoGP 2020 season will probably be one of the craziest in terms of calendars, but when this question was presented to the Petronas SRT’s Team Principal, his answer was simple, direct, and very much understandable. “We don’t mind, we just want to race!”

MotoGP: FIM slaps Andrea Iannone with 18-month ban

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Malaysian Cub Prix 2016 Round 3 race results

Kasma Daniel keep title hopes alive after dominating 2016 Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Round 3 in Kangar, Perlis.

Round 3 of the 2016 Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix championship got underway over the recent Labour Day weekend in Kangar, Perlis. The year’s third round comes just a fortnight after hosting its second round in Penang.

As always, the weekend began with a full day of practice shootouts throughout Saturday before progressing into the Qualifying and Race shootouts on Sunday.
CP130

Despite dealing with a fever caused by the recent heat wave, rider Kasma Daniel soldiered on and took top glory in Perlis. Having started from pole position, the Johore native was able to ride his Petronas Yamaha Maju Motor race machine perfectly in Sunday’s race.

Kasma took his second win of the season with a convincing gap of 1.556 seconds ahead of Mohd Adib Rosley in second position astride the Motul Zeneos Yamaha YY Pang bike. Harian Metro SCK Honda rider Mohd Hafiz Nor Azman finished in third and took the final podium spot in the premier CP 130 class.

With his win, Kasma has kept his title hopes alive by scoring vital points. The 16-year-old rider is just 8 points down of veteran rider Ahmad Fazli Sham who leads the standings with 58 points.
CP115

The weekend’s supporting CP115 category, on the other hand, saw Motul Zeneos Yamaha YY Pang rider Tengku Amirul Haffirudin snatching the race win away from the other front runners. Starting from second place, Amirul stormed ahead and took the race lead on Lap 3, controlling the race from then on until the chequered flag was waved.
Joining Amirul on the podium was Petronas Yamaha CKJ’s Ahmad Syukran as well as Petronas Yamaha Maju Motor’s Md Akid Aziz in second and third respectively. With his win, Amirul scored his third podium finish in a row so far this season, and his consistent performance has resulted in his unchallenged gith for the title for now.
Amirul leads the CP115 standings with 70 points, which is a good 19 points clear of second place rider Md Harith Farhan Baharin who has 51 points, and a solid 32 points advantage over third place rider Md Fareez Afeez and his score of 38 points so far.
Wira

Last but not the least came the triumphant performance of Idemitsu Kozi Yam Honda Racing rider Shafiq Ezzariq in the sophomore Wira class. Shafiq’s only challenge came in the form of Helmi Azman astride the IUGB AFB Tech machine. Both Shafiq and Helmi are no strangers to each other as both have competed together in the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup Moto3 series previously.

Helmi managed to steal pole position away from Shafiq in the qualifying shootout, but Shafiq’s impressive race pace was unbeatable. The race win in Kangar also marked Shafiq’s first career hat-trick record as well. Helmi took second place whilst rider Md Idil Fitri Mahadi finished third and claimed the final podium spot in the Wira class.
With three wins in a row, Shafiq now has the maximum score of 75 points after three rounds and leads the Wira class standings with a significant margin of 41 points ahead of Saiful Azhary Muhamad in second with 34 points. With seven rounds still left in the season, Shafiq’s dominance is already looking difficult to beat for the rest of the Wira class teams and riders.
Round 4 – Pasir Mas, Kelantan
The Malaysian Cub Prix championship will resume once more in Pasir Mas, Kelantan in just a fortnight’s time. Round 4 in Kelantan will be held on May 21 and 22.

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New Ducati Desmo 16 GP debuts

Ducati Corse MotoGP team officially unveils new 2016 Ducati Desmosedici GP aka Ducati Desmo 16 GP.

The famed Italian motorcycle institution that is Ducati have taken the wraps off its newest GP machine for the 2016 MotoGP season, the 2016 Ducati Desmosedici GP @ Ducati Desmo 16 GP.

The Ducati Desmo 16 GP is an evolution of the Ducati Desmosedici GP15 piloted by riders Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso last year. As you can clearly see in the pictures, Ducati have given the new bike an extensive update in its aerodynamics. We’ve seen wings on GP bikes before, but none were as striking or as extensive as the sets primed on this new Ducati Desmo 16 GP.

Of course, there are other updates too that lie out of sight. Underneath, the electronics have been updated to comply with the revised 2016 regulations as it features the new and unified spec electronics package.

Besides that, the Ducati Desmo 16 GP also gets an Akrapovič exhaust system that has been changed slightly. The new and low mounted side-exit exhaust is now tucked away neatly into the bellypan, giving the Ducati Desmo 16 GP a neater profile on its right side.

Lastly comes the revised 17-inch wheels that are now wrapped in new Michelin tyres. The French tyre brand is the new spec-tyre supplier for MotoGP following Bridgestone’s exit at the end of last season.

Expectations are running high on the new Ducati Desmo 16 GP machine for it to finally claim Ducati’s first MotoGP race win in a long while. Much of which is fuelled by the fact that Ducati is celebrating its landmark 90th anniversary this year as well.

Based on reports from the recently concluded pre-season tests in Phillip Island, Australia, Ducati Corse engineers have finally granted this bike with the sharp handling abilities it sorely needed to complement its abundance of power. Still, Ducati Corse has plenty more to do before entering the season-opening Qatar MotoGP weekend next month.

Check out more photos of the new Ducati Desmo 16 GP in the extensive gallery we’ve prepared below.
2016 Ducati Desmosedici GP @ Ducati Desmo 16 GP

				It’ll also come with biplane wings from this GP16

				The wings on the GP16 looked incredibly smaller than the Superleggera V4

Source: Ducati Corse via Asphaltandrubber
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Pirelli Tyre Seminar returns for Round Two

The Pirelli Tyre Seminar returns to Passion Shop Malaysia for a more extensive look into the world of motorcycle tyres.
The intermediate level seminar focused more on types of tyre damages and what caused them.
Knowing the conditions of your tyres like uneven wears or external damages can help you determine the causes and how to remedy them effectively.

After several Pirelli Tyre Seminars conducted for a number of bikers and mechanics at Passion Shop Malaysia, the tyre masters returned to pass on their tyre knowledge for a selected group of individuals who joined the beginner’s seminars last year.
Exclusive tyre knowledge sharing session at Pirelli Tyre Seminar

The Pirelli intermediate seminar focused on a much more complex aspect of tyre knowledge and maintenance which is tyre diagnostics. Last Saturday, Mr Soo and Mr Justin returned once again to educate us on issues related to tyre conditions, failures and how to avoid them.

After a quick refresher on the beginner’s seminar and general construction of the tyre, Mr Soo showed us an assortment of tyre damages and what causes them. There were over 20 different cases in total and each of them tells a story on what has happened based on their conditions.

Most road users will tend to head back to the workshop that fitted the tyres in the first place to repair, replace or file for a warranty claim if they feel that the damaged tyre is not their fault. The folks at Pirelli will take them into consideration but will also ultimately look at a few listed points before taking it into consideration.

Things such as tyre fitness to the vehicle type, usage, tyre pressure, style or nature of riding, bike’s mechanical condition, load, routes direction and condition, and speed of travel just to name a few are taken into account.  All Pirelli authorised workshops will look at three different criteria; tyre performance, tread, and sidewall issues.

Most end users would focus more on the condition of the tyre tread. The most usual tyre issue is uneven tyre wear and surprisingly, almost all uneven wear issues are caused by either wrong tyre pressure, weight overload, or suspension-related factors. Keeping your tyres constantly inflated with the right recommended pressure is just one of the things you can do to prolong the life of the rubbers.

Mr Soo also touched on tyre storage condition by both workshops and end users. In some cases, some superficial cracks on the tread may appear due to how the bike is kept (probably prolonged exposure to the elements like hot sun).

Most tyre manufacturers will tell you that the tyres can still be used in some cases but extra monitoring is required from time to time. This is because that the damages are only on the surface and the rest of the rubber is still protecting the carcass. Other aspects like bumps, external cuts, and impact damages should be looked at by professionals for further advice.

When it comes to the side walls, that’s where things get a bit more interesting. End users should know that any damages caused by improper fitting or mounting to the rim can be claimed for compensation from the dealer or workshop. Most of the time, tyre fitting issues are normally caused by improper use of tyre mounting lubricant.

Based from the tyre manufacturer, tyre fitting must only use water or plant based lubricant to avoid damage or slippage and not soapy water and definitely not oily substance. Any harsh chemicals and oil-based products used on the tyre during fitting or mounting can cause damage in the long run.

At the end of the day, knowing a bit more on what connects you and your bike to the road will indeed help anyone to become a better rider. With the knowledge presented by the Pirelli Tyre Seminar and Passion Shop Malaysia, one can save money on tyre maintenance but more importantly keep you safe while out and about on your beloved bikes.

We here at Bikes Republic would like to thank the Pirelli masters and Passion Shop Malaysia for the invite to the eye-opening tyre seminar. Stay tuned to the Passion Shop Malaysia official Facebook page to know more about future tyre seminars.

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Up Your Game With The Ducati Panigale V4 Racing Accessories Kit

The Ducati Panigale V4 is a beast on and off the track with its 214hp and 124Nm.
Despite the fact that it already boasts a monstrous power, the wonderful people at Ducati decided that there is no such thing as enough power. This brings us to the Bologna-based motorcycle company latest product, the Panigale V4 Racing Accessories Kit.

The kit features a variety of racing-oriented components, including an Akrapovic Titanium Full Race Exhaust that increases peak torque and horsepower by six per cent.

Not only that, but the full-system exhaust also shed 5.4 kilograms off the V4.
However, the installation of the race exhaust requires an update on the engine mapping.

Moreover, the racing kit also offers an assortment of carbon fibre components, including a swingarm cover, clutch cover, chain guides, crankcase protector, and many more.

The looks of your V4 will look even more menacing with Rizoma mirror plugs and a tail tidy.

For those who are interested, the Panigale V4 Racing Accessories Kit will only cost you around USD8,200 (RM33,700).

(source: motociclismo)
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Video: Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup in Sepang

New Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup ‘Ride The Future’ video series from its last round held in Sepang, Malaysia.

Our friends from Dorna and the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup series have released a new episode from its ‘Ride The Future’ web video series. As you can tell, the video above depicts the recent round held in the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia.
While the video would fill you in on what happened, don’t forget to check out our comprehensive race reports (Race 1 / Race 2) and exclusive photos at the official BR Facebook page.
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Six new MV Agusta models planned this year

MV Agusta will reportedly unleash a volley of six new models this year in both sport and naked forms.

A credible source is reporting that Italian motorcycle artisans MV Agusta have major plans for 2016. The report indicates that the Varese-based brand will unleash a total of six new models this year comprised of three new naked bikes plus three new sport-bodied bikes as well.
2013 MV Agusta Brutale 675
We are certain of one of the three new naked bikes already, which is non other than the updated 2016 MV Agusta Brutale 675 that is slated to debut in the second quarter of this year. The report indicates that the new Dragster 800 and Brutale 800 RR models will be released soon after the refreshed Brutale 675 triple.

Ascertaining this is the fact that all three will be powered by MV Agusta’s updated Euro 4-compliant 798cc triple-cylinder mill, which will debut in the revised Brutale 675 later this year.

Adding to this, another credible source reports that the first of the three new sport-bodied models is none other than the MV Agusta F3 Solar Beam concept that was revealed last year.

The concept sees the MV Agusta F3 supersport donning a special ‘Solar Beam’ yellow paint scheme that comes from the brand’s key shareholder, the Mercedes-AMG performance division. The production-bound iteration of the concept will reportedly stand as a special and limited edition offering.
Given that MV Agusta have updated both its 800cc and 675cc versions of the Brutale with Euro 4 compliance, it is believed that updated versions of the model’s full-faired F3 675 and F3 800 counterparts stand as the remaining two.

MV Agusta haven’t confirmed anything else beyond the updated Brutale 675 at this point, so only time will tell. And, without any doubts, this is one brand to keep an eye out this year.
Sources: Asphaltandrubber and AutoEvolution
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Bosch ‘Help Connect’ App offers faster emergency assistance

It’s a fact that motorcyclists are at a greater risk when it comes to accidents, no matter who’s in the wrong. When the crap hits the fan, getting medical assistance as soon as possible is vital in ensuring the survival of riders involved in accidents. This where Bosch wants to help out with their latest app called ‘Help Connect’.

The latest Bosch app is a digitally connected emergency call system that uses an ‘intelligent crash algorithm’ connected directly to the bike’s inertial measurement unit (IMU). If the system detects a crash, the smartphone app will automatically send information directly to the Bosch Service Centre, including location.

Emergency response units will be dispatched faster and with the reduced amount of time in getting in touch with them, there’s a higher chance of the fallen rider surviving the whole unfortunate incident. The Help Connect app also sends medical data to the first aid responders to further assist in your recuperation as soon as they arrive.

The app is currently being deployed and tested across several European countries. With more and more advancements in the motorcycling industry, it is possible that the latest safety services by Bosch will make their way to other parts of the world. In the meantime, ride safe and always be aware of your surroundings.
2020 Yamaha YZF-R6 20th Anniversary unveiled by YART – RM96k!

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Great deals on Harley bikes this weekend

Harley-Davidson of Kuala Lumpur is organising a weekend of great deals on its bike and fun times for your family.
The weekend of the 23rd and 24th of April, H-D KL is celebrating the Harley-Davidson “Mania Carnival” at its headquarter in Petaling Jaya, and it is open to everyone from 10am till 6pm.
In a statement to the media, H-D KL says fans of the H-D brand and its lifestyle are strongly encouraged not to miss the two-day event as there will be great deals on H-D bikes with special offers on some very special bikes.
There will also be special prices for H-D merchandise and accessories for H-D bikes.
There will also be special entertainment areas for the family and for the kids with refreshments, cotton candy and balloons.
The Harley-Davidson “Mania Carnival” is definitely something not to be missed by Malaysian H-D fans.
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MotoGP: Marc Marquez signs with Repsol Honda until 2020!

Marc Marquez has signed a new deal with Repsol Honda which will see him race with the squad until the end of 2020.
The four-time MotoGP world champion first came with Repsol Honda in 2013 and has only lost one championship in 2015.
This contract renewal shuts down all other gossips about Marquez moving to other teams in 2019.

Four-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has announced that he will be staying with the Repsol Honda team until the end of 2020. The 25-year-old Spaniard signed a two-year deal with the factory Honda squad which means that he has guaranteed his seat on the factory Honda RC213V for a total of eight seasons until the end of his contract.

Coming into his sixth season now in 2018, the young and very talented Marquez moved up to MotoGP back in 2013 and impressively won four out five titles in his first five seasons racing at the premier class. He only lost once back in 2015 to Jorge Lorenzo which was the last year Lorenzo rode for the Movistar Yamaha squad before making his move to Ducati.

According to Marc Marquez himself, “I’m excited to continue to race for Honda’s factory team in the MotoGP class. I’m proud to race as a member of the Honda family, and I appreciate how Honda and the team always do their best to provide me with everything I need. I would also like to thank everyone who has given me such warm support over the years.”

“The first two official tests went well and, with my contract renewed, I can focus on racing in the new season. I will continue to enjoy racing, share my joy with everybody and do my best to reach our shared goals. Thank you!” added Marquez.

The MotoGP convoy is already making their way to Qatar as we speak for the final pre-season testing where the teams and riders will finalise their 2018 machines ahead of the season opener. Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates.
Source: MotoGP
MotoGP: Repsol Honda launches 2018 Honda RC213V in Indonesia!

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Triumph Motorcycles To Continue As Moto2 Engine Supply For Three More Years

British motorcycle manufacturer, Triumph Motorcycles has been given the nod to continue as the Moto World Championship engine supply for at least three more years.
Triumph was recognized as the official Moto2 engine partner since 2019, taking over from Honda, who supplied a 4-cylinder CBR6000 engine from 2010 to 2018.
Moto2 then opted for the Triumph 3-cylinder 765cc engine, and the decision has proven to be a success with 14 different riders won a Grand Prix race, including 34 new lap records.

With the current deal set to expire at the end of the 2021 season, the 3-year extension will see the British marquee continue supplying the 765cc engine to the end of 2024.
Triumph Chief Product Officer Steve Sargent said in a statement,” I’m very pleased to announce the signing of a new three-year contract where Triumph will continue to provide the power behind Moto2.
“This has been a success for Triumph in every dimension, and you’ll be pleased to hear that we are committed to developing the performance of the 765cc Triple Moto2 engine, and we have improvements planned for the engine for 2022 and 2023.
“So, we hope from that you will continue to see the breaking of more lap records, top speeds, and we’re going to see Moto2 as the exciting racing spectacle that it truly is.”
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Furygan and Shark MotoGP riders meet & greet

Winmaster Sdn Bhd hosts exclusive meet & greet with Furygan and Shark riders from MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 ahead of 2015 Malaysian MotoGP weekend.

Our friends at Winmaster Sdn Bhd, the sole Malaysian distributor of Furygan apparels and Shark helmets, held a special and exclusive meet & greet session with several of the brands’ MotoGP riders earlier today in Laundry Bar @ The Curve, Mutiara Damansara.
The event was organised to promote both the French apparels and helmet brand carried by the distributor ahead of this weekend’s 2015 Shell Malaysian MotoGP.

Amongst the riders present were newly crowned Moto2 world champion Johann Zarco, current Moto2 rider and former World Supersport champion Sam Lowes, MotoGP rider and former 125cc world champion Mike Di Meglio, as well as current Moto3 rider Jules Danilo.

The two-part event organised by Winmaster Sdn Bhd began with an exclusive session with all four riders who are ambassadors of the Furygan brand. All four riders took part is a special Q&A session with press members, local Furygan dealer representatives, as well as a guests exclusively invited by distributor Winmaster Sdn Bhd.

Shortly after, all four riders took part in special photo-op sessions with guests present, posing astride specially prepared Mini GP bikes donning replica liveries of each respective rider’s race bike. The riders also undertook a special session to sign autographs on a wide variety of memorabilia items for guests present.

Later on the same day, Winmaster Sdn Bhd held another session, this time focusing more on the Shark helmet brand. Present here were Shark ambassadors Zarco and Lowes who were more than happy to be welcomed by invited members of selected local bike clubs. Again, guests were able to interact with both riders whilst taking photos and having their memorabilia items autographed as well.
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New Malaysian Bike Introduced: Ottimo VIZ 110 – RM4,288

Ottimo is a home grown Malaysian brand.
The Ottimo VIZ 110 was designed in Malaysia with 70% of parts coming from China.
The Ottimo VIZ 110 seems to be a good bike, but is it priced too steep?

Mount Jerai of Kedah was ground zero for a historic day for Malaysia. The mountain, which is the highest in Kedah and offers stunning views of the Kedahan coast, was the venue for the launch of the newest Malaysian motorcycle brand – Ottimo.

Ottimo, which is Italian for ‘great’ – was established in January of 2018 by a group of visionaries and passionists. The CEO of the company is an accountant by training but has spent a great deal of his career in the manufacturing business. He is supported by a experienced team of engineers and executives, almost all of who have spent a great deal of their careers at Malaysia’s first motorcycle builder.

In just within a year, Ottimo Technologies Sdn Bhd (OTSB) has put together and launched their very first motorcycle, the VIZ110 step through commuter (kapcai).

As a first attempt, the VIZ110 has quite a lot to offer. It’s slim and sleek design is reminiscent of a certain Japanese model, but looks great anyway. It is powered by a Chinese-sourced single-cylinder, SOHC, air-cooled 107cc engine. The four-stroke engine puts out 5kW@8000rpm and 6.9Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. The carbureted engine can be brought to life either by a push-start button, or a more traditional kick-starter.

The engine is fed by a 3.6-litre fuel tank, which according to OTSB, is capable of travelling 180 kilometres before it needs to be refuelled again. Power is managed by a 4-speed gearbox.

Both wheels measure in at 17-inches, and the suspension consists of a regular telescopic fork up front while the rear offers a standard dual-shock suspension. As for the brakes, the front features a single disc with a twin-piston calliper, while the back features a conventional drum brake.

While all of this may seem pretty regular, the Ottimo VIZ110 does also offer some genius touches like a USB port and a slot to keep your phone while it is being charged. There are LED daytime running lights that not only aid road safety, but also makes the bike look really cool. Even the turn signals are made up of LED lights.

From what we saw at the launch ceremony, the VIZ110 seems to be a bike that has great potential. If the bike proves to be reliable, then the sky is the limit for OTSB. The VIZ 110 may be a partially Chinese made bike with 30% localisation with local parts, but it is very much a Malaysian product. OTSB showed us the early sketches and even the CAD files, so yes, the Malaysian team had a lot to do with the bike you see here.

And judging by the few hours we got to poke and prod around the bike, there are only three things that go against what seems like a good bike. First is the fact that it has very little under seat storage area. Secondly is the price, at RM4,288 before road tax and insurance, the price of the VIZ110 is quite steep and puts it square against the likes of Modenas and Benelli. And the price is only temporary, there will be a price revision after the first 500 units have been sold, so it may go down or worse. And finally, the VIZ110 is only available in Northern Malaysia, specifically Penang, northern Perak, Kedah and Perlis, so if you are anywhere else and want an Ottimo, well you can’t, yet.

OTSB says that it is adopting such a strategy to offer better quality control and better after sales support to its owners during the initial stages. With a sales target of 300 bikes a month for the first year, it is understandable that the company wants to keep the buyers closer to the headquarters, which is located in Sungai Petani. That way it can immediately offer support and also learn how their first motorcycle is handling real-world situations.

Also, in addition to having its manufacturing plant and spare parts centre in Gurun, Kedah, the company also plans to open a 3S centre in Sungai Petani by February 2019.

The Ottimo VIZ110 is now available in Northern Malaysia with two colour variants – Syinta Red (top) and Syantik Blue (bottom).

Photos from the launch ceremony and close ups of the VIZ110.

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Motorcycles that Defined the 1990s – Part 1

The 1990s say clearer distinction between types of motorcycles.

However, the decade was the golden age of sportbikes.

Almost all manufacturers vied for the World Superbike title.

As 90s dawn, excess during the 1980s started to give way to multiculturalism.
Factors such as the fall of world communism and the beginning of the World Wide Web brought the world closer, despite the 90s being sometimes called the deadliest decade since World War 2.
But the fall of communism opened new markets and saw capitalism expanding faster than before. Companies strived to conquer emerging markets, seeing them pushing innovation to even greater heights. It was also during this decade that the European Union (EU) was created to open up trade and share defence capabilities.
Similarly, motorcycles in the 1990s started to be segmented along clearer lines. However, no one can deny that it was the golden era for sportbikes as WSBK (before the series was sold to Dorna and became WorldSBK) started gaining more popularity than the World Grand Prix Series.
Click here to read: Motorcycles that Defined the 1970s
Click here to read: Motorcycles that Defined the 1980s – Part 1
Click here to read: Motorcycles that Defined the 1980s – Part 2
So, here we go: The Motorcycles that Defined the 1990s
Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy (1990)
Fat Boy used in Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Let’s start with the Harley that became a cultural phenomenon.
The Motor Company had been bought back by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughn Beals from AMF in 1981. By 1984, they had created a new engine called the 1340cc Evolution (better known as Evo) and the first Softail framed bike, the FSXT Softail.
But Harley needed something to drop a bomb and create and explosion, so to speak.
After a couple of years of riding around on prototypes, they revealed the FLSTF Fat Boy in 1990.
It was quite a revolution at the time: trimmed back but with large and imposing styling, including those “disc” wheels. Some thought the name was a combination of the Fat Man and Little Boy atomic bombs dropped on Japan. Likewise, they likened the grey paint scheme and disc wheels to the B-29 Stratofortress bomber that carried those bombs. This was later dismissed as an urban legend.
But sales truly exploded after the bike was used in the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Suzuki DR650 (1990)
This is the 1991 DR650
The DR650 shows how a simple, reliable machine can last for ages. Using an air-cooled, carburetted single-cylinder engine, it was a dual-purpose bike that truly went anywhere. It was so simple that one could strip it down in the bush (just ask our friend Rob). That’s why it’s so popular that it was once the best-selling bike in Canada. In fact, Suzuki is selling it next year. With a new paintjob.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 / ZZ-R1100 (1990)
1990 ZZR1100 (ZX-11)
Kawasaki wanted to put the fastest production bike title out of reach hence they introduced the Ninja ZX-11.
The 1052cc, DOHC, 16-valve, inline-Four put out 145 bhp and 106.8 Nm of torque, and featured ram air induction the first time on any production bike. Those figures took the bike to 283 km/h. Not only that, it blasted through the quarter mile in 10.43 seconds at 211.45 km/h.
The ZX-11 would hold on to the record for another six years.
Britten V1000 (1991)

We don’t want to include race bikes here but the Britten V1000 was a work of genius that can’t be ignored, nor should ever be forgotten.
John Britten was enamoured with the lack of parts for his Ducati in New Zealand and that it didn’t handle well, causing him to crash at a race.
So he and his friends decided to built their own bikes, in the den of his home’s backyard! Heck, he even heat cured engine parts in his wife’s pottery kiln. They laid their own carbon fibre parts.

The result was the V1000 superbike racer. It boasted everything modern race bikes have and more. It used carbon fibre almost everywhere; the radiator was located under the seat; double  wishbone front suspension (carbon fibre, of course); frameless design and data logging for the first time; titanium valves; titanium conrods; among others.

The engine produced 166 bhp, while the bike weighed only 138 kg, giving it a top speed of 303 km/h.
It went on to win the Battle of the Twins and other races.
Unfortunately, John passed away from cancer not long after, leaving his dream with the V1000. Only 10 (plus one prototype) were ever built.
Ducati 888 (1991)

While the Ducati 851 won the manufacturer’s first WSBK title, the 888 sounded the alarm bells in the Japanese factories.
Truth is, the 888 wasn’t innovative as liquid-cooling, four-valve heads and electronic fuel injection made their appearance in the 851. The 888 was the 851 with enlarged capacity and revised suspension.
The engine Desmoquattro V-Twin made only 94 bhp and 80.5 Nm compared to the Japanese bikes that made over 100 bhp at the point. However, Ducati claimed the race bike made 134 bhp and weighed on 142 kg, dry.
But that was enough to win Ducati and Doug Polen the 1991 and 1992 WSBK titles.
Aprilia RS 125R  Extrema (1992)

This well-known bike came out this year alright and gave the Cagiva Mito a run for its money. But the truly popular model with the bulbous bodywork came out later in 1996. The two-stroke single produced 34 bhp and 24 Nm of torque, and could hit around 180 km/h. Traffic light GP was the best during the era.
BMW R1100RS (1992)

This BMW Motorrad sport-tourer was the first to use the new air-cooled Boxer with oil-cooled heads, hence popularly known as the “Oilhead.” It superseded the air-cooled “Airhead” engines that were in use since the R32 in 1932.
The Oilhead became the Boxer for the manufacturer for many years to come and was enlarged to 1200cc, before being superseded by the “Wasserhead” in 2013. But the 1200cc Oilhead is still used in the R nine T.
The R1100RS also used the engine as a stressed member, a design that’s adopted until today. It was also the first BMW motorcycle which uses the Telelever front suspension set up.
It proved immensely popular and there are still many running today.
Honda CBR900R / CBR900RR Fireblade (1992)
We thought we’d leave the best of 1992 (and of future generations to the last).
While sportbikes gained more power and technology since Suzuki’s GSX-R750 in 1985, they also gained more and more weight and heft. But the CBR900RR proved once again that light is right.
Interestingly, the project had started out as the CBR750RR to compete in the 750cc sportbike class. But project leader Tadao Baba protested that if Honda made a bike that was powerful, light and easy to ride, people will buy, 750cc be damned.
So Honda enlarged the inline-Four engine to 893cc to find the balance between the 750’s agility and 1000’s power. But the engine was still shoehorned into the original 750cc-sized frame. Tadao’s team then pared away all superfluous parts and weight in a typical Japanese OCD fashion.
What they ended up with was truly groundbreaking — the bike weighed only 185 kg dry, 205 kg wet. That’s just 2 kg more than the Honda CBR600F2. The next lightest over-750cc bike was the Yamaha FZR1000 which was 34 kg heavier!
It was also agile as Honda used a 16-inch front wheel.
Suffice to say, the CBR900RR wiped the showroom floors with the other sportbikes, until the Yamaha YZF-R1 came out in 1998.
Triumph Tiger 900 (1993)

Let’s start the year with this one, which was the grandaddy of the current Tiger Sport 1050.
Fans called this bike the “Steamer” and it was made during the time when the Paris-Dakar Rally was at its zenith — the hunting grounds of the Honda Africa Twin, Yamaha Super Tenéré, BMW G/S and Cagiva Elefant.
The 885cc, DOHC, 12-valve, inline-Triple made 85 bhp and 82 Nm. That doesn’t sound a lot, correct, but the Steamer was the fastest adventure bike of the time, hitting 210 km/h when its competitors struggled to reach 180 km/h.
It may look big and unwieldily, but in truth it weight only 209 kg and was nimble — a trait of all Triumphs.
The engine went on to 955cc, powering the er… Tiger 955i and finally the Tiger Sport 1050. By then it had become more road-oriented, as Triumph decided that the new Tiger 800 would be the true dual-sport model. The Tiger 800 had a different developmental path, as a result.
Yamaha YZF750 (1993)
1993 Yamaha YZF750 SP
The YZF750 was one of the best 750cc sportbikes ever made but largely underrated as it was sandwiched among the Ducati 888, Kawasaki ZX-7R, and later the Honda CBR900RR Fireblade and Ducati 916.
But it was the sweetest handling sportbike when it was introduced and served until 1998. In fact, there were owners who shoehorned the YZF1000 engine into the YZF750’s chassis!
Yamaha also built the SP version for WSBK homologation. (It didn’t get the OW02 designation, though.)
Ducati Monster (1993)

The Ducati Monster went on to popularise the naked sportbike category, but it was meant to be a parts bin special at the time of its inception. The manufacturer had wanted to create a bike that cheaper to produce and sell, compared to the expensive 888 sportbike.
But it turned out to be a special alright, as discovered by Ducati’s test riders. Despite looking something like a cruiser, it had the propensity to lean way over and pull wheelies out of corners. Consequently, they dubbed it “Il Monstro” (“Monster” in Italian) and the name stuck.
The Monster would be the bike that saved Cagiva (owners of Ducati at the time) from bankruptcy, and see many revisions and iterations until today.
BMW R1100GS (1993)

The BMW R1100GS was released a year after the R1100RS received the Oilhead Boxer. It was also the model to break away from the R80G/S and R100GS’s styling mould, and lead the way to how the future GS models would look like.
Other features included Bosch Motronic fuel injection, Telelever front suspension, Paralever rear suspension which incorporated the driveshaft and ABS as an option.
BMW F650 (1993)

The F650 was also revolutionary in BMW Motorrad’s history as the first single-cylinder bike since the 1960 R27. It also has the distinction of being the first chain-driven BMW.
An interesting fact was the F650 was co-designed with Aprilia, who produced the Pegaso 650. Now you know why both bikes looked similar! The 654cc engines for both the BMW and Aprilia were made Rotax. Now you know why they sounded alike!
The single-cylinder F650 would be produced all the way to 2000, in different variants. It was superseded by the F650GS in 2000; then the parallel-Twin 798cc F650GS in 2008; before being reverted to single-cylinder and called the F650GS in 2009 (G650GS for the US market).
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R (1994)

Okay, let’s start 1994 with the Ninja ZX-9R because it was the year when a certain bike revolutionised the sportbike segment until today.
Kawasaki was actually blindsided by the Honda CBR900RR. The former and all Japanese manufacturers had stuck to the 750cc for agility and racing, and the 1000cc open-class for power.
So, they had to respond against their long-time nemesis with this bike.
But rather than going the Honda way of building a light bike, they decided to bring the bike closer to the big bore end. It resulted in a bigger bike which weighed 215 kg dry – a whole 30 kg more. Granted, it had 125 bhp which was 10 higher than the CBR900RR but it couldn’t challenged the class leader directly.
As such, Kawasaki called the Ninja ZX-9R an alternative to the CBR.
Honda RVF750 RC45 (1994)

Honda was contesting the WSBK title with the VFR750R RC30 but it was starting to show its age and beaten by Ducati, Kawasaki and Yamaha. Honda was the company who took losing like a katana to the belly.
In fact, their mantra is “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” and it’s founder Soichiro Honda who said, “Racing improves the breed” despite “The Power of Dreams” tagline.
The RVF750 was redesigned from the VFR750 RC30, using the RVF endurance racer’s technology. It’s made for one sole purpose: To win the WSBK title again.
As such, it was a race bike from ground up and hand-built by HRC (Honda Racing Corporation). Only 200 were made.
But it struggled in WSBK, especially against the next bike on this list. On the other hand, the RC45 was dominant at the Isle of Man TT with Joey Dunlop and Jim Moodie; AMA Superbike and Daytona 200 with Miguel Duhammel and Ben Bostrom; FIM World Endurance from 1988 to 1998 (shared with the RC30); and the Macau Grand Prix with Michael Rutter.
It made nearly 200 bhp in its final racing form, more powerful than Honda’s own all-conquering NSR500 two-stroke GP bike.
Triumph Speed Triple (1994)

If the Ducati Monster popularised naked sportbikes (although they claimed it began the street fighter revolution), it was the Triumph Street Triple showed the way for factory streetfighters.
Two versions were offered, initially, the 900 and 750. The former used the 855cc, inline-Triple engine shared with the Trident, Daytona and and Thunderbird. It produced 98 bhp and 79.8 Nm of torque.
That was good to provide the rider with an enthralling ride. Wheelies, stoppies and burnouts were included in the package.
The Speed Triple was continuously updated and has reached the 1050cc beast now, along with the superb Street Triple 765 (whose engine is the base for Moto2 engines). There may be a more powerful one soon.
KTM Duke 620 (1994)

The Duke 620 is an important bike in history because it was the Austrian manufacturer’s first venture into road bikes.
The 609cc, SOHC, 4-valve, single-cylinder engine produced a healthy 55 bhp and 60 Nm, which goaded riders into riding on the borderline of irresponsibility and insanity. Although the factory marketed it as a naked bike, it was the smaller streetfighter to the Triumph Speed Triple.
Ducati 916 (1994)

Sorry to keep you waiting. Here it is, the bike that turned sportbike design and engineering upside down. Designed by the late Massimo Tamburini, it would become the most beautiful bike of all time. Its looks were backed up by performance which completely dominated the WSBK field.
The engine evolved from the 888’s and hit 114 bhp with 91 Nm of torque.
It wasn’t about grunt which made the 916 such a dominating bike. Instead it was the overall package which was shrink wrapped into the size of a 250.
The single-sided swingarm was made for quicker wheel changes. The underseat exhausts gave the bike a clean, lean and purposeful look. The thin midsection let riders clamp the tank easier and gave the feeling of sitting in the bike as one, rather being perched precariously on it.
It was from advent of the 916 that sportbikes look the way they do now. It was also the bike that truly made “Ducati” a household name. That was why Ducati commemorated the 25th anniversary of 916 recently with the Panigale V4 S 916 25th Anniversario edition.
One journalist put it best, “1994 was the year the Ducati 916 came out. No one remember what else did.”
End of Part 1
Let’s take a break here. Just like the 80s, the 90s gave birth to bikes whose legacy continues until today. There are still five years to go until the end of the decade. We’ll continue with what else came along.
In the meantime, please check out these previous features.
Click here to read: Motorcycles that Defined the 1970s
Click here to read: Motorcycles that Defined the 1980s – Part 1
Click here to read: Motorcycles that Defined the 1980s – Part 2
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MotoGP: 2014 provisional calendar released

The FIM and Dorna, MotoGP’s ruling bodies have released the provisional 2014 race calendar. Thought most of the dates remained the same, several changes were made for the Malaysian, Australian, and Japanese grand prix race dates.
The three aforementioned races will now have new dates, but remain in the same month of October. The order of MotoGP’s Asian flyaway tripleheader will start with Japan first in Motegi on October 12, followed by Australia in Philip Island a week later on October 19, whilst the Malaysian leg in the Sepang Circuit will take place on October 26, slightly later than usual.
Still in provisional state, the recent changes may not be final just yet. Some reports suggest that the new Brazillian GP circuit venue in Brasilia won’t be ready in time for its scheduled date on September 28, and that the Motorland Aragon race scheduled for September 21 would be pushed back by a week to September 28.
We will bring you reports if more changes are made. For now, here is the still provisional 2014 MotoGP race calendar with the new changes highlighted in bold.

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit

23 March
Qatar (night race)
Doha/Losail

13 April
Americas
Austin

27 April
Argentina
Termas de Rio Hondo

04 May
Spain
Jerez de la Frontera

18 May
France
Le Mans

1 June
Italy
Mugello

15 June
Catalunya
Barcelona- Catalunya

28 June
Netherlands (Saturday race)
TT Assen

13 July
Germany
Sachsenring

10 August
Indianapolis GP
Indianapolis

17 August
Czech Republic
Brno

31 August
Great Britain
Silverstone

14 September
San Marino & Riviera di Rimini
Marco Simoncelli Misano

21 September
Aragon
MotorLand

28 September
Brazil (STH)
Brasilia

12 October
Japan
Motegi

19 October
Australia
Phillip Island

26 October
Malaysia
Sepang

09 November
Valencia
Ricardo Tormo-Valencia

Source: Asphaltandrubber
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MotoGP: Petronas SRT Kick-Start New Season With Rossi & Morbidelli

Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) enters their third successful season in MotoGP with Franco Morbidelli and Valentino via virtual team presentation today.
Petronas SRT recorded stellar performance in 2020. Morbidelli finished the season as vice-champions in the premier class after accumulating 158 points, while Fabio Quartararo, who moved to the Yamaha factory team this season, finished 8th last year with 127 points.

The two secured six wins last season and helped the team clinched Top Independent Team and Top Independent Rider.
For 2021, Morbidelli will join his mentor and 8-time world champion, Valentino Rossi, to continue the team effort to battle out the world championship title.

Rossi will carry the “Factory-spec” Yamaha YZR-M1 while Morbidelli will continue with his reliable “A-spec+” machine that has proved fruitful last season compared to the ever-established factory bike.
Meanwhile, Razlan Razali expressed his desire to keep pushing for the upcoming season.

“We are proud to represent Malaysia and PETRONAS on the world stage in MotoGP for a third season as PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team.
“We are looking forward to the season ahead, eager to give Franco and Valentino the best opportunity. For Franco, it’s a fabulous opportunity to achieve even better things than his stellar season in 2020. For Valentino, we’re hoping the new team will give him the best opportunities to harness his talent and expertise.
“2020 was an incredible year for us, but we are mindful that there are always areas where we can improve. We expect another tough fight on track over the season ahead and we will be pushing at every step to support Franco and Valentino and ensure they have all the tools at their disposal,” he said.
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2020 Yamaha MT-15 price revealed – RM11,998

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) has announced the official price for the 2020 Yamaha MT-15. Launched together with the 2020 Yamaha MT-25 back in September, the MT-15 will be arriving at showrooms this week with a price tag of RM11,998 (excluding insurance, road tax & registration).

For those who are looking for a budget yet fun naked bike, the 2020 Yamaha MT-15 should be high up on your list. Powered by a 155cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled SOHC engine with Yamaha’s Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technology, this beauty produces a respectable 19hp and 14.7Nm torque.

As the engine and transmission are based on the Yamaha YZF-R15, the MT-15 also gets a six-speed manual transmission as well as an assist/slipper clutch. Other features include gold USD front forks, rear monoshock (preload adjustable), dual disc brakes, 17-inch wheels, and 10.4-litre fuel tank.

Just like the MT-25, the 2020 Yamaha MT-15 comes in two different colour options; Yamaha Blue and Ice Fluo. Judging by how much fun we had riding around town on the Yamaha YZF-R15 and Yamaha MT-25 (review coming up soon), we’re confident that the MT-15 will be just as fun to ride no matter the occasion.

We need this 2021 Yamaha Tracer 7 GT here in Malaysia

Written by: Sep Irran
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MV planning Diavel rival?

In a list of 2014 vehicle homologations recently released by the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), it seems MV Agusta looks set to introduce a new ‘Brutale 800 Dragster’ model next year.
While the EPA list’s constantly updating nature does not tell much, it is a sign of a possible shift within the MV Agusta brand to offer other models besides its regular supersports and nakeds. Sources speculate that this could be MV’s rival to the highly popular and much loved Ducati Diavel supercruiser.
According to the EPA list, the so-called ‘Brutale 800 Dragster’ will utilise the same mechanical heart as the F3 800 supersports. The fact that it does not need to be re-certified suggests that the powerplant will remain unchanged from the F3 800’s 798cc three-cylinder specification, with the list indicating that the Dragster generates 97hp at 11,600RPM.
Presumably, the ‘Dragster’ name suggest that the bike would at least have several visual changes rather than changes in power and performance. This could in turn replicate the formula adopted by Ducati in relation how the Diavel is to the 1198. MV’s ‘Dragster’ iteration could be placed in the same manner to its F3 800.
Nothing is official as yet, but we are pretty sure the ‘Dragster’ would be revealed at the EICMA show in Milan later this year. For now, your guess is as good as ours.
Source: Visordown
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“You can be angry at the Minister of Transport” says YB Anthony Loke

Minister of Transport Anthony Loke - Courtesy of mole.my

Minister of Transport, YB Anthony Loke insists on no discounts for JPJ summonses.

Such measure seeks to educate road users and not let offenders off lightly.

He may also talk to local authorities to not provide discounts for traffic offences.

It is very evident that the Minister of Transportation, YB Anthony Loke is determined in revamping the transportation system and lowering accident rates in Malaysia.
Consequently, he is aware that certain quarters of the Rakyat will feel angry at his measures. “You can be angry at the Minister of Transport if you want to,” he said during the launch of Ops Bersepadu (Integrated Ops) and Road Safety Campaign 2019 in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, at the southbound Dengkil R&R.
The Minister made the remark after insisting that no discounts will be considered for the summonses for traffic offences issued by the Road Transport Department (JPJ – Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan).

He justifies the decision as a move to reduce traffic accidents hence deaths among road users. To him, the attitude of waiting for discounts gives the impression that the summonses are unimportant, instead of educating road users to road safety.
“We don’t want road users to take the summonses lightly,” YB Anthony said.
He further added that he knows the measure will incur the ire among road users in the country.
“You can be angry at the Minister of Transport, if you want. But my task is to lower the accident rates in the country. That is part of my Key Performance Index (KPI),” he said.
He also said that he will intends meet with local authorities to not provide discounts for traffic summonses.
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Awesome retro-inspired renders by Speedjunkies

Retro-inspired renders of modern bikes by Speedjunkies are both cool and nostalgic.

Retro is cool. You don’t have to take our word for it, just look at the amount of new retro-styled machines being churned out by both custom builders and big time manufacturers of late.

But if you’re the type who fancies merging the new with the old, like dressing up a current generation superbike as a classic of yesteryear, then you need to check out these renders recently published by Speedjunkies.

Though these rendered bikes don’t exist yet – we emphasise on YET – they’re still quite cool to look at. Seeing modern beasts like the Ducati Panigale, Suzuki GSX-R 1000 and the Kawasaki Ninja H2 getting the retro treatment does look and sound rather dashing if you asked us.

Perhaps these renders by Speedjunkies are telling us something. The thought of seeing more and more custom builders being inspired by 1980s era sports and race machines will undoubtedly spark a lot of nostalgia, especially for those who lived through the era.

We’ve already seen a prelude to this in the form of the custom-built Praëm BMW S1000RR retro racer from earlier this year. Surely, we know that this is a trend many fans will welcome with open arms when it catches on.
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Ducati 916 Belonging to Massimo Tamburini On Display in Ducati Museum

Massimo Tamburini’s personal Ducati 916 prototype is on display in the Ducati Museum.

It is one of three which he developed into the production model.

The display commemorates the 25th anniversary of the model.

The late Massimo Tamburini richly derserves the title as the best motorcycle stylist. It was his work in producing the Ducati 916 which transformed how all bikes look these days.
Now one of his three prototype Ducati 916 is on display in the Ducati Museum at Borgo Panigale.
Tamburini took six years to develop the bike. The aerodynamics and chassis were all done through personal expertise and experience on the roads around Rimini, besides the Mugello and Misano circuits He never used the wind tunnel once. Tamburini was one of the founders and partners at Bimota and brought his speciality in designing the frame and chassis.
No one in the wildest dreams could probably think such a machine could dominate the World Superbike Series, given the way it was developed. And it was the 916 which secured Ducati’s name as a prestigious motorcycle manufacturer.
Sadly, Massimo Tamburini passed away in 2014 before the 25th anniversary of the Ducati 916. Ducati produced a limited run of the Panigale V4 25th Anniversario 916 to commemorate the historic model.
His legacy lives in this machine displayed in the museum. It’s of the 916 SP version which features the top-shelve components such as Brembo Gold Line brakes, Ohlins suspension, five-spoke magnesium wheels, carbon fibre Termignoni exhaust silencers, lightened single-side swingarm, etc. The bike has only a tachometer and water temperature gauge.
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Vespa Unveils The New GTV 300 At EICMA

Vespa has given its iconic scooter, the GTV, a significant makeover for 2023.

Features the Faro Basso headlight design similar to the Sei Giorni.
Equipped with the 300 HPE engine, Vespa’s most powerful powertrain to date.

The GTV has been making waves since 2006 and will continue to do so in the coming years with the new 2023 model year.
Although much of the profile is retained, the GTV clearly received an upgrade to meet modern standards.
The most significant upgrade is the engine which now features the single-cylinder 278cc 300 HPE fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine that makes 23.8hp on tap.

The GTV is also equipped with ASR electronic traction and ABS as standard.
Similar to other 300 HPE ranges, the GTV also features a fully-digital LCD instrument cluster that displays max speed, average speed, fuel consumption, range and battery charge status.
The instrumentation also incorporates the Vespa MIA connectivity system that allows riders to connect their smartphone to the motorcycle dash.

In terms of styling, the GTV have a lot in common with the Sei Giorni 300 but with an added splash of funky colours. That said, the GTV Faro Basso – low headlight design – accentuates the sportiness of the scooter.
Meanwhile, the GTV features a removable seat cowl cover that matches the colour of the body. When removed, the GTV can comfortably seat two people.
Other notable features include:

full LED headlight
keyless ignition
five-spoke alloy wheels

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Is the KTM E-Speed electric scooter being revived?

‘New drivetrain system’ development stated in annual report could suggest the revival of the KTM E-Speed electric scooter concept for production.

It appears that the KTM E-Speed electric scooter concept could be revived. According to the Austrian firm’s recently released annual investors’ report, it states that KTM spent some time last year in developing a ‘model equipped with an alternative drivetrain system to meet the requirements of urban mobility scenarios’.

KTM states that the model in question has only reached its concept development stage and remains coy about targeted production date or what exactly is the ‘alternative drivetrain’ is comprised of. But given the way it was worded as an ‘urban mobility’ vehicle, not forgetting KTM’s interest in electric power, all signs point towards the KTM E-Speed electric scooter concept.

The KTM E-Speed electric scooter concept was first shown back in 2013. The E-Speed features a 4.36kWh battery pack and liquid-cooled electric motor system with 14.75hp that is derived from the KTM Freeride E electric dirt bike and its Freeride E-SM electric supermoto offshoot.

				KTM Freeride E-SM

				KTM Freeride E

The concept was envisioned to have a top speed of at least 85.3km/h and a maximum range of roughly 60km whilst the battery would’ve taken less than 2 hours to recharge. Being a KTM, the E-Speed also boasted much of what the marque’s other bikes had too such as WP suspension all round, ABS brakes and single-sided front and rear wheel linkages.

Initial plans revealed that the KTM E-Speed scooter was destined for production in 2015 but KTM cancelled the plan in 2014 and concentrated more on its core models instead. The statement in its annual report likely suggests that the E-Speed could be revived, or at least its original concept being reworked for something brand new with the same direction.

Besides this, the firm also confirms in its annual report that it is also developing an ‘innovative lighting systems in LED technology to increase the level of safety and durability under extreme conditions’ as well. We could perhaps see this much sooner given the fact that its recently spotted prototypes undergoing tests have their front fascias covered up heavily, building suspicion that KTM will be fitting new LED technology into its headlights.
Whilst the possibility of the KTM E-Speed electric scooter concept being revived remains to be seen for now, the new LED tech could in fact make its way into the refreshed 1190 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure models for 2017. These, as well as the new 890 Duke and refreshed 390 Duke models, could be revealed during either INTERMOT or EICMA later this year.

				KTM Freeride E

				KTM Freeride E-SM

Source: Visordown
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Piaggio To Help First Responders With MP3 Three-Wheeled Ambulance

Motorcycle has always been the best transportation that could get you to any destination faster than a four-wheeled vehicle.
This is why according to Piaggio, the MP3 three-wheeled motorcycle could be a life saviour mechanism as a first-response tool to deliver first aid and medical supplies in rural or hard-to-reach areas.
Despite not having the carrying capacity of a conventional ambulance, with a trained responder behind the wheel, it could help increase the chances of the person in need of help.
The Piaggio MP3 can carry as many utilities as a small car while maintaining the agility of a motorcycle.
Moreover, the MP3 offers more stability than the conventional two-wheeled motorcycle.
Currently, more than 500 units of the MP3 has been used by the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as a first-responder vehicle.
(source: Emergency Live)
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Helpmet – saving lives through intelligent automation

Innovative Helpmet aims to save the lives of motorcyclists by automatically reaching for help.

Autonomous rider safety has been on the rise lately. Besides the spearheading efforts of major manufacturers like BMW Motorrad, other third party entities are also furthering cause, with Helpmet being one such initiative of the latter.
We know very little about who is behind the Helpmet project except for the assumption that they are based right here in the ASEAN region. Fuelling this is the fact that the promotional video featured sees the Helpmet being presented and co-developed with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

Whilst the overall shell design is a tad bit dull, it is what it packs underneath its seemingly unassuming skin that counts for the most. The amount of intelligent technology it packs, which by the way was all designed to save lives, could perhaps but many other OEMs to shame to say the least.
Basically, the helmet incorporates the basic architecture of a smartphone into its design with functionalities such as mobile SIM card use that grant its connection to local mobile phone networks, as well as an on-board GPS feature. Equally as crucial here are the strategically integrated impact sensors and a set of rechargeable batteries.
How Helpmet works is rather similar in concept with the BMW Motorrad’s Smart SOS system that was showcased recently. Helpmet’s rescue system only activates with its impact sensors are set off in an impact measuring 95g or higher, provided that each and every Helpmet wearer signs up online upon acquiring the kit and fill up all the necessary data required.

In the event of a crash that registers more than 95g in the on board sensors, Helpmet will automatically contact emergency services via its mobile network as granted by the on board SIM card port feature. At the same time, Helpmet will also send necessary personal information including blood type and medical allergies to emergency responders on top of the precise GPS location data too.
The autonomous system as featured through holds high potential, especially after considering that many severe motorcycle accidents today have resulted in riders falling into a state of unconsciousness or high injury that prevents them from reaching help themselves.
Presently, Helpmet is still undergoing developmental stages in Thailand and isn’t available in the mass market anywhere. But, based on the featured video that highlights its capabilities, we reckon it wouldn’t take long for the kit’s Thai-based developers to get things running perfectly.
Sources: Helpmet via Visordown / YouTube
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Indonesian president now owns a Royal Enfield custom bike!

The president of Indonesia has just purchased a Royal Enfield custom bike just yesterday.
The 350cc Royal Enfield powered custom chopper was built by Indonesia’s very own Elders Garage.
It was inspired by the short local semi documentary film called “Chopperland”.

It’s not every day that a person of power that can ultimately change an entire country excites us bikers on a personal level. Like any other rare occasion, it impresses us quite a bit every time these things happen. The latest Facebook post by a particular Indonesian president got us first for the year 2018.

Saya akhirnya punya sepeda motor hasil rancangan dan kreasi anak bangsa sendiri. Sepeda motor bergaya chopper dengan…
Posted by Presiden Joko Widodo on 20hb Januari 2018

Apparently, President Joko Widodo is a motorcycle enthusiast and last night, he posted that he had just purchased a custom chopper from a local builder. Powered by a 350cc Royal Enfield engine, the bike build was commissioned by Indonesia’s very own Elders Garage and their crew. The bike was inspired by a semi documentary short film called Chopperland (scroll to the bottom of the article to watch the film!).

Based on the Facebook post, different parts of the bike were sourced from several places like the seat from Bandung and the frame coming in from Jakarta. Painted in luxurious gold colour scheme, President Joko Widodo seems to admire the entire setup as it showcases some of the finest Indonesian talents and of course, raises its overall value.

This is not the first time the Indonesian president has got the entire world excited over something that’s non-political. He is also a diehard metal fan and wore band t-shirts like Metallica, Napalm Death and Led Zeppelin throughout his campaign period.

Even the Danish prime minister gifted him with a signed Metallica: Master of Puppets album just a couple of months ago. What a boy.

He finished off the online post with a joke stating that his son has already contacted him to borrow the bike even before he tried it himself. Considering that he is also a hard rock and metal diehard fan, is Joko Widodo worthy of the title “Coolest President of All Time”? He’s close, though. Just need him to hop on a superbike to seal the deal.

To know more about the origins of the bike and Chopperland, check out the short film below.

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Spotted! Aprilia Tuono 660?

We know for a fact that Aprilia plans to launch at least two more 660cc models following the launch of the Aprilia RS 660. As we’ve expected, the second model in the 660 line-up will be the Aprilia Tuono 660, which has been caught testing on city streets just recently.

2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 is spied pic.twitter.com/LzBtUfhyQz
— LivingWithGravity (@dolas_akash) December 22, 2020

Aprilia has mentioned in the very recent past that they’re planning to unveil the Aprilia Tuono 660 sometime in the second quarter of 2021. That’s not that far from now, which is why spyshots of the bike going through its paces on the open road have been surfacing online.

Judging by this particular shot, we can see that the possible Aprilia Tuono 660 still retains that front headlight setup and those aero-fairings on the sides, minus some bits between them and the belly pan. The side mirrors on this thing seem to be longer as well, compared to the RS 660, and mounted on the handlebar rather than the smaller front fairing.

We’re still waiting for the arrival of the RS 660 here in Malaysia, but Aprilia Malaysia has assured us that it’ll indeed arrive sometime within the first quarter of 2021. As for the middleweight Tuono, the Europeans will get to enjoy it first as always. Stay tuned for more updates.
MotoGP: Marc Marquez’s Honda RC213V tail pipe for sale – RM13,000!

Written by: Sep Irran
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We Are Unable To Repair The V4SS – Norton CEO

Norton Motorcycles have informed owners who received the V4SS from the previous owners that they are unable to fix the bikes.
The announcement came after Norton Motorcycles, under the new CEO, Robert Hentschel, revealed the company found many faults than its initial inspection.
*Norton Motorcycles CEO Robert Hentschel
In an official letter sent to the owners, Hentschel clarified that since discovering 35 individual faults with the V4SS built by the previous company, the new ownership has been trying to find the best way forward for the bikes despite having no legal responsibility to do so.

Previously, Norton offers to repair the V4SS, but after identifying more material defects, Hentschel suggests the best option is for the owners to file a claim against NMUL, currently in liquidation.

According to Norton, they cannot source all of the parts needed to repair the existing V4SS to meet the safety standard.
In a previous statement, Hentschel also revealed that it is not safe to ride the V4SS in its current state.
Nonetheless, Norton will continue to build the V4SS but will completely reengineer the motorcycle and not continue the one produced by NMUL.
Production is expected to begin by the end of 2021.
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Ten Motorcycles Named After Racetracks (Part 1)

Honda CB900F2 Bol d'Or - Courtesy of www.motorcyclespecs.co.za

There was a time when manufacturers liked to name their sportbikes after racetracks.

They did so to commemorate race victories or to allude to the bikes’ character.

Here’s Part 1 of Ten Motorcycles Named After Racetracks.

There was a time when sport motorcycles had great names (some not so great, fair enough) rather than the invariable bowl of alphanumeric soup like “CSRXY1000RSSRR,” for instance. Boring. Looks more like a serial number.
Manufacturers used to name their bikes to commemorate their wins at certain tracks. There were also those named in such fashion as a… well, fashion statement, but hey, it was cool. There thankfully a few that still do these days, so we’ll get to them later in this list.
So, here are the Ten Motorcycles Named After Racetracks.
10. Honda FT500 Ascot
Honda FT500 Ascot – courtesy of cx500forum.com
Honda had never named their motorcycles after racetracks, except for one in 1982 called the FT500 Ascot. “FT” stood for “flat-track” and Ascot is the dirt oval in California. But while the name eludes to great riders powersliding the rear tyre, the FT500 was meant to be a “street tracker.” The 497cc, single-cylinder engine was derived from the XL and XR dirtbikes and produced an anemic 36 hp. Not surprisingly, it went out in a whimper. Perhaps this is why Honda doesn’t want to name its bikes after racetracks again?
9. Ducati 750 Imola

The Ducati that Paul Smart rode to the infamous victory at Imola in 1972 was actually based on a touring bike. We’ll let that sink in for a moment.
Yep, it was adapted from the Ducati 750 GT and was the first Ducati to feature their signature Desmodromic valve actuation. Smart beat everyone on the bike, including one Italian racer by the name of Giacomo Agostini on his MV Agusta.
Ducati immediately released the replica of Smart’s bike and called it the “750 Imola.”
8. Laverda Jarama
Laverda Jarama – Courtesy of rmsothebys.com
The Laverda Jarama was named after the infamous Spanish racetrack when it was imported into the US, although it was the same bike as the 3CL sold in Europe. However, Laverda was also selling the Jota at the same time and the latter was more successful, prompting dealers to upgrade the Jarama to the Jota’s higher specs, hence what some call it “Jarota.”
7. Laverda Montjuic
Courtesy of Moto Borgotaro
In the Jarama’s fashion, the Montjuic was also named after a racetrack in Spain. However, the Montjuic wasn’t a pretty road bike with a pretty name, as it started as a Formula 500 racing motorcycle. Laverda decided to sell the bike to the general public on the encouragements of the British importer to produce the road legal version and was christened the “Montjuic.” It was the most exotic middleweight of its time.
Honda CB900F2 Bol d’Or
Honda CB900F2 Bol d’Or – Courtesy of www.motorcyclespecs.co.za
Okay, okay we’re cheating because the Bol d’Or isn’t a racetrack but the 24-hour endurance race in France.
Still, how could we ignore this awesomely beautiful motorcycle? Built to replace the single-cam CB750F, the CB900F and CB900F2 were sold in Europe instead of the US and has more in common with the CBX1000 six-cylinder superbike. That fairing still allows the engine to be seen while being protective, and the design went on to inspire the Windjammer fairings.
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Motonation Roadshow Edition 2 is coming! 26 August 2017 @ National Art Gallery, KL

The Motonation Roadshow Edition 2 is heading over to the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur this 26 August 2017.
Dubbed the Motonation “Motoring Art Festival”, motoring enthusiasts and the rest of the family members can come and have a great day filled with awesome vehicles, good music and fun activities.
The Motonation Roadshow will be going around Malaysia to promote their major event which will be happening on from 1 to 3 December 2017 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

Mark your calendars, people! The Motonation Roadshow Edition 2 dubbed the “Motoring Art Festival 2017” is coming to town next week and it is going to be EPIC! In conjunction with the Merdeka Day celebrations, the Motonation Roadshow will be making their next pit stop at the National Art Gallery over at Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur on 26 August 2017 (Saturday).

From 10am to 10pm, all motoring enthusiasts will be very much entertained. Even more good news is that you can bring the entire family for some good family fun and activities planned for an awesome day. Music fans can also get together for some great music from our local indie legend, OAG.
There are also lucky draws, prize giveaways, graffiti competitions, modern and classic vehicle showcases and many more!

SUPERB BizPitch MotoNation roadshow
Come and join SUPERB BizPitch MotoNation roadshow at National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, 26th August 2017. Stand a chance to be top finalists and to compete in the final program in December, at the main event of MotoNation at PICC. // Thank you Qi Razali @ OAG#TERAJUSuperb #Motonation #Roadshow #Edition2 #NationalArtGallery
Posted by Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera – Teraju on 16hb Ogos 2017

In promoting this event in December, Motonation is going nationwide with their road shows which finally kicked off last week, with Kota Bharu as the first destination. More than 350 cars and 25 bikes joined the event and occupied the parking area of Tesco Kota Bharu where it was held.

Besides cars and motorbikes displays, there was an array of activities which consisted of a colouring contest in conjunction with the National Day month that was just started, as well as live performances from a ‘dikir barat’ group and buskers during the night. All the live performances took place on the 40ft- Transformer Truck that also acted as the main stage throughout the event.

Those who are new to the name Motonation should know that they are well on their way to becoming one of the biggest motoring industry movers in the Malaysian scene. With plans to organise one of the biggest automotive events in Malaysia, they will cater to both Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumers (B2C) platform.

This gigantic Motonation event will be conducted for three days from 1 to 3 December 2017 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) which is the official venue partners. All attendees and participants will occupy both the indoor and outdoor areas.

The carnival which promises to be the biggest show in Malaysia is expected to be a gigantic hosting hub for various parties such as modern cars and bikes manufacturers, automotive parts accessories suppliers, support and service suppliers (road tax, RoadAssist etc.), tools and workshop suppliers, cosmetic supplies spa, including wrap and tinted suppliers and also raw material suppliers.

As an added bonus, Motonation will host an array of sectors including education, banking and insurance including related ministries and government bodies.

Besides the comprehensive related parties in the automotive chain, Motonation 2017 will be joined by private garage owners, performance clubs (Drift, Drag, Racing), a list full of car and bike clubs, engineering companies together with an astonishing collection of automobiles by collector’s, VIPs and royalties.

The outdoor areas will be filled with lots of activities that will open from 10am till midnight. The programs includes concerts and stage performances, inflatable kid’s playground, kids Go-Kart, wall climbing, drift taxi experience by professional drifters, motorbike stunt and RC car races, motocross show, virtual reality experiences, food trucks and many more.

If you missed out on all the excitement and fun in Kota Bharu, don’t forget to head over to the next Motonation roadshow this 26 August 2017 at the National Art Gallery. To know more about the Motonation roadshow or the main event happening this December, head over to www.motonation.com.my or the Motonation Official Facebook Page.
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BMW Motorrad Officially Unveils New 2019 R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT

BMW Motorrad are quick to officially roll out the new 2019 R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT.

Both bikes will receive the new 1254cc Boxer with Shift Cam.

Both models will also see a number of upgrades besides the engine.

(Pictures courtesy of BMW Motorrad.)
Yes, as we had published earlier, BMW Motorrad decided to unveil the R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT even before the Intermot show.
So, what is all the bru-ha-ha with these two bikes, you ask?
The BMW R 1200 GS is simply the world’s best-selling motorcycle and is the cash cow for the Bavarian manufacturer. But other manufacturers are starting to encroach into BMW’s market share and it is time to move the yardstick. The obvious part to start with is obviously the liquid/air-cooled Boxer engine which began production in 2013.
As we had reported earlier, the new 1254cc Boxer is now equipped with Shift Cam, BMW’s variable valve timing apparatus. The powerplant now yields 136 bhp and 143 Nm of torque. 136 bhp is still behind the likes of the 160 bhp KTM 1290 Super Adventure among others, but according to BMW, even 125 bhp was enough.

Anyway, let us get on with a few details of the new models.
2019 BMW R 1250 GS

The 2019 GS is looks outwardly similar to the current R 1200 GS except for a few changes.

2019 R 1250 GS in Granite Gray

Standard equipment will include Road and Rain riding modes, ASC (automatic Stability Control), HSC (Hill Start Control) and ABS Pro (Cornering ABS).
An optional Riding Modes Pro package which adds Dynamic riding mode and Dynamic Traction Control (DBC).

2019 R 1250 GS in Cosmic Blue

Specifically for the R 1250 GS, the package further adds Dynamic Pro, Enduro and Enduro Pro.
There is also Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) which prevents unintentional acceleration when braking.

2019 R 1250 GS in Exclusive paint scheme

The R 1250 GS will get a new 6.5” full-colour TFT display. Vehicle and connectivity functions are controlled via the standard BMW Motorrad Multi-Controller wheel.
LED lighting is standard, while LED DRL is optional.

2019 R 1250 GS TFT screen

Optional “Next Generation” Dynamic ESA is available for the GS. ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment).
As with the current ESA and ESA Dynamic systems, the suspension load and damping characteristics can be selected with the press of a switch, but adds a number more modes such as “Dynamic” and “Dynamic Pro,” plus “Enduro” and “Enduro Pro” just for the GS.

2019 BMW “Next Generation” ESA Dynamic

The new R 1250 GS will line up includes an off-road oriented R 1250 GS HP.
The HP is loaded up to the gills with off-road equipment. Optional for HP is the sports suspension with extended travel.

2019 R 1250 GS HP

There are four new colour schemes – two basic and two in striking style.
The basic versions are Blackstorm metallic and Cosmic Blue metallic. On the striking side, one is the Exclusive which combines Blackstrom metallic and Night Black.

2019 R 1250 GS in action

The other is the HP, finished in BMW’s racing colours and emphasizes off-road capabilities.

2019 R 1250 GS HP in action
2019 BMW R 1250 RT

Much of the updates to the R 1250 GS were carried over to the R 1250 RT.
The new RT looks similar to the current R 1200 RT at first glance but there are a number of distinguishing differences, apart from the cylinder head covers.

2019 R 1250 RT in Alpine White

The front brake calipers have been uprated, there are engine spoilers underneath the stator cover, the exhaust downpipes curve further back, and of course, the R 1250 RT badge.

2019 R 1250 RT in Elegance paint scheme

The engine tuning, performance and gearing ratios are unchanged from the GS.

2019 R 1250 RT in Sport paint scheme

There are also two riding modes, “Road” and “Rain” besides ASC (automatic Stability Control) and HSC (Hill Start Control) as standard.

2019 R 1250 RT in Option 719 Spezial colour scheme

The RT gets a 5.7” full-colour TFT display, flanked by analog speedometer and tachometer, but no connectivity options yet.

2019 R 1250 RT instrument panel

Owners can upgrade to “Next Generation” Dynamic ESA; an option unavailable on the current R 1200 RT.

2019 R 1250 RT view of the office

LED headlights and LED DRL are optional.

2019 R 1250 RT in Option 719 Spezial colour and optional brown seat

Colour options are basic option in Alpine White, Option 719 Spezial in Blue Planet metallic and Sparkling Storm metallic, Sport option in Mars Red metallic, Elegance in Carbon Black metallic.

2019 R 1250 RT in action
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Anita Yusof appointed as new GIVI Brand Ambassador

Renowned local lady adventure rider Anita Yusof becomes new GIVI Brand Ambassador.

Leading motorcycle accessories brand GIVI has appointed renowned local lady adventure rider Anita Yusof as its new brand ambassador. The announcement was officially made last weekend in the GIVI booth during the 2016 Shell Malaysian MotoGP race weekend.
Anita’s appointment as the new GIVI Brand Ambassador was officially marked with a signing ceremony with Hendrika Visenzi, GIVI’s vice president of sales and marketing director. Also present here was special guest GIVI LCR MotoGP team principal Lucio Cecchinello.
Upon her appointment, Anita said, “I am truly honoured to be chosen as an ambassador as I believe that bikers need quality and confidence in their rides and GIVI provides more than that”.

Earlier this year, the Ipoh-based lecturer completed her ‘Global Dream Ride 2016’ solo round-the-world ride on a Yamaha FZ150i. The iron adventure lady was supported by the leading Italian motorcycle accessories brand for said ride plus a majority of her past overseas rides as well.
GIVI’s overseas operational director Joseph Perucca added that selecting Anita was only “natural progression” for the brand. He continued by saying, “Anita Yusof best embodies the value and brand personality of GIVI. She has direct experience in using GIVI products and bringing valuable testimonials and feedbacks to our company.”
Now Anita Yusof is a household name within the circle of overlanders and adventure riders. She has travelled to more than 89 countries and still counting. She is also believed to be the first Muslim woman to have completed a solo motorcycle ride around the world.

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The Aprilia RS660 Now Available In Malaysia – RM59,900

You can now get your hands on the all-new Aprilia RS660 in Malaysia at an introductory price of RM59,900.
The RS660 is Aprilia new take on the mid-segment sports bike with the promise of offering an excellent riding experience for daily riding on the road and track.

The Aprilia RS660 is powered by a 659cc parallel-twin engine that produces 100hp @ 10,500rpm and 67Nm @ 8,500rpm.

For the Malaysian market, the RS660 is offered in two colour options, Apex Black and Lava Red.

				RS660

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Honda Teases New Entry-Level 200cc Adventure Motorcycle, Launching Soon

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India have uploaded a teaser claimed to be an all-new small-displacement adventure motorcycle.
Rumours about the new motorcycle emerged earlier this year, as Honda registered the NX200 in India with reports suggest that the new model is build based on the existing Hornet 2.0.
The major giveaway is the front headlamp, which looks similar to the Hornet 2.0, including the gold front fork.

Nonetheless, the video revealed other apparent details such as a tall windscreen, hand guards, wider handlebars and bigger fairing to complete the ADV look.
Power is likely to come from the same 183.4cc single-cylinder engine available on the Hornet 2.0, capable of producing 17hp and 16.1Nm mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
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Petronas and MAS Cargo partner with Borneo International H.O.G. Rally

One of the biggest motorcycle events in Malaysia, the Borneo International H.O.G. Rally Malaysia 2017, or simply BIHRM, will take place from 30th September to 9th of October.
Predictably, the logistics of managing such a large event is arduous at best. So, to help manage some of the functions in executing a successful event are two companies that are synonymous with the Malaysian business landscape – Petronas and Malaysia Airlines.

Petronas as the Official Fuel Partner, and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Cargo, as the Official Logistics Partner for the rally.
The partnership between the Harley-Davidson Owners Group, KL Chapter was officiated today at the Harley-Davidson Showroom in Petaling Jaya.

“BIHRM 2017 started with an idea to ride from the Kota Kinabalu International Bike Week to the Kuching International Bike Week,” said T.J. Roslan, Director of the Harley Owners Group Kuala Lumpur Chapter, Malaysia.
“The idea became into an awesome collaboration with the local H.O.G.® members in Sabah and Sarawak. The result was the making of BIHRM2017.” he added.
The Borneo International H.O.G.® Rally Malaysia (BIHRM) 2017 will be gathering Harley-
Davidson owners and enthusiasts from around the world for an epic 1,450km ride from Kota Kinabalu to Labuan then down to Brunei before Miri, Bintulu, Sibu and ends in Kuching while experiencing the beauty and the culture of Borneo.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Cargo has agreed to be the Official Logistic Partner of the Borneo
International H.O.G.® Rally Malaysia (BIHRM) 2017, providing rapid air freight to transport the motorcycles to Kota Kinabalu for the start of the rally and from Kuching at the end of the rally.
A special promotion video will be recorded in order to show how meticulous transporting a
motorcycle by air can be.
Along the way, the rally will visit several locations where Petronas Dagangan Berhad will hold its ‘Water for Life’ programme to provide local community access to clean water supply and its ‘Streetsmart’ programme to educate the public on basic road safety.
The Borneo International H.O.G.® Rally Malaysia (BIHRM) 2017 aspires to benefit both Harley-Davidson owners as well as the local tourism industries by making BIHRM2017 as a benchmark to inspire more motorcycling events in Borneo in the future.
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2022 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Lands In Malaysia – RM62,900

The 2022 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone has launched in Malaysia courtesy of Didi Group as the official distributor of the Moto Guzzi brand in the country.

2022 Moto Guzzi now features a high performance 850cc engine that produces higher horsepower and torque.

80% of the torque already available at 3,000rpm.

the new V7 is faster and more powerful than ever.

Priced at RM62,900, the V7 Stone features a new high-performance 850cc engine capable of pumping 65hp @ 6,800rpm and 73Nm @ 5,000rpm, a significant increase from the previous 52hp and 60Nm.
The new engine also delivers more than 80% of the torque as early as 3,000rpm.

Other major changes include a more mature aesthetic thanks to the larger engine built, larger cardan final drive and wider rear wheel, plus a robust pair of Kayaba shock absorbers.
The Moto Guzzi V7 Stone also features stylish side panels, a shorter rear mudguard and a new exhaust system.

The Mandello-based company also claimed that the seat had been revised for better comfort with the addition of a new rider footpeg support.
Other changes include:

new full LED light setup
new instrument cluster
aluminium wheel with a wider 150/70 rear tyre

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Shell renews sponsorship for Malaysia MotoGP

Multi-national oil firm Shell renews title sponsorship for Malaysia MotoGP.

Dutch multinational oil firm Shell has renewed its title sponsorship deal with Dorna Sports SL for the annual Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (Malaysia MotoGP). The renewed partnership sees Shell continuing its support as the title sponsor for the annual racing event for both its upcoming 2015 and 2016 editions.
The annual Malaysia MotoGP race weekend will be held in the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from Oct 23 to Oct 25. This year marks the event’s 17th continuous appearance in the circuit and tickets are already on sale via SIC’s official website.

Shell has been supporting the annual Malaysian MotoGP race weekend since 2009, marking its sixth year as the title sponsor this year as well. In a statement released to the press, Shell’s general manager of global marketing for consumer lubricants Andrew Herpher states, “This round of the MotoGP World Championship – held at the Sepang International Circuit – is one of the most exciting on the calendar and we are very pleased to continue our support of this event, which dates back to 2009, in a region that is very important for Shell.”

Furthermore, Andrew also noted that the deal aligns perfectly with Shell’s positions as the technical partners to the Ducati Corse MotoGP team and the ever-growing Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup regional Moto3 championship.
More information about the upcoming 2015 Shell Malaysia MotoGP race weekend can be obtained via the official MotoGP site and SIC’s official site as well. Additionally, more information about Shell can be obtained via the firm’s official Malaysian website.
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