Hakim Danish lands brilliant podium in European Talent Cup

Rising Malaysian two-wheeled racing star Hakim Danish scores sensational podium during last weekend’s European Talent Cup season-opener in Estoril, Portugal.

15-year-old Hakim Danish is the first Malaysian to land a podium finish in the European Talent Cup Moto3 feeder series.

His heroic ride saw him score second place in Race 2 during last weekend’s season-opener at Estoril, Portugal.

This is Hakim’s first Moto3 success on European soil following his recent heroic wins in the Asia Talent Cup series.

Just about a year ago, then 14-year-old Hakim Danish was merely sitting in the sidelines observing and learning as much as he could from the season-opening FIM European Talent Cup race weekend at Estoril, Portugal.
Fast forward to last weekend and the now 15-year-old Terengganu native finds himself on the podium, becoming the first Malaysian to do so in the highly competitive Moto3 feeder series. The historic moment came on Sunday afternoon after Hakim finished second in Race 2 scheduled for the day.
The podium finish marks a strong comeback for Hakim after just missing out on the rostrum following a mistake in Race 1 held earlier in the day – he finished fifth in said race. Undeterred, Hakim had a point to prove as Race 2 got underway later in the afternoon, to which demonstrated his brilliance.

Though the both races saw domination by rising Spanish youngster Joel Esteban, Hakim’s podium and fifth place finishes were enough to see the Malaysian rank second in the European Talent Cup championship standings with 31 points – 19 points shy of Esteban.
Notably, this podium effort on European soil follows up from Hakim’s previous heroics in the Asia Talent Cup where he took back-to-back wins during the series’ Indonesian round last month. Hakim presently leads the Asia Talent Cup championship standings too, albeit with a slim 1-point lead.
Without doubt, this is one Malaysian wunderkid we’ll be keeping a very close eye on over the coming months…
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A few German roads have banned motorcycles due to noise complaints

Noise complaints sees motorcycles banned on several German roads, prompting protest by German bike groups.

Noise complaints by residents in Germany’s Feldberg region leads to motorcycles being banned on its roads.

The ban will be enforced every second weekend of the month to serve as a “noise break” for Feldberg residents.

In response, German biker group BVDM has put a call out to bikers to attend demonstration against the ban next month.

Motorcycles have been banned on several roads by authorities in Germany’s Feldberg region. This ban reportedly stems from numerous noise complaints by residents in said German region, and the restriction is set to last from this month until at least October this year.
The local authorities are said to be treating this restriction as a test of sorts, where they will study if an outright ban on motorcycles in certain roads is sustainable over the long term. What isn’t clear here are the exact parameters of the restrictions, including its application to electric motorcycles or not.
According to an article published by the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations, motorcycles will be banned on certain roads in the region “every second weekend of the month, from April up to and including October.”
The implemented bans on motorcycles every other weekend aims to serve as a “noise break” for residents in said region, who seem fed up with the noise of two-wheelers zipping by. This decision wasn’t unanimous as some residents in the region rely on motorcycles to both commute and treated as valuable recreational activity.
Aptly, a number of motorcycle groups in the region are irked by this move, and reports indicate a demonstration is being organised on May 14 in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe. Leading this is a German motorcyclists’ organisation called BVDM, and you can read their rally call posted online here.
Whether this planned protest will lift the Feldberg authorities to lift its ban on motorcycles through its roads remains to be seen, though this should serve as an example that sometimes an outright ban on things may not be the right solution…
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Dubai Police Gets Ducati Panigale V4 R

The Dubai Police have added eight Ducati Panigale V4 R to their fleet.

They already own a stable of luxury cars.

The bikes will allow them to zip through traffic easier.

Forget about Miami Vice or Bad Boys, it’s the Dubai Police who have the hottest fleet of vehicles, now that’ve added eight units of the Ducati Panigale V4 R.
In case you don’t know, the Panigale V4 R is the homologation model for the Ducati WorldSBK race bike. In other words, it’s a street-legal superbike racer. Although at 1000cc compared to the V4 and V4 S’s 1103cc, the V4 R’s Desmosedici Stradale engine produces more power, rated at 221 bhp in stock form. The race ECU and Akrapovic exhaust bumps it up to 234 bhp.
Yes, it’s the most powerful 1000cc superbike.

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Thoughts on Abu Dhabi’s new Ducati V4R fleet?? ?  Remember when you thought you could runaway, think twice now ?  @ducatiuae great job ? #ducati #v4r #ducativ4r #policefleet #policemotorcycle
A post shared by  HISH (@dubaibikerboys) on Dec 1, 2019 at 2:33am PST

The Dubai five-o (Police Department) already owns a fleet that’ll make millionaires jealous, consisting of the Audi R8, Lamborghini Huracan, Nissan GT-R; various Bentleys, BMWs and a Bugatti Veyron. That’s not all, a Lykan HyperSport also joined the force in May this year.
However, the Ducatis allow the cops to zip through traffic much easier compared to the cars. The tweet shows that a Formula 2 car was also pressed into service along with the Ducatis.
So, there’s absolutely no way of “shaking the cops like this by keeping that Porsch in fifth” (borrowing the words from a Sir-Mix-A-Lot song).
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BMW Celebrates 1 Millionth GS With Boxer Engine

BMW Motorrad proudly announced the production of its 1,000,000th GS motorcycle equipped with a boxer engine. The momentous occasion took place at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin-Spandau, as the impressive R 1250 GS rolled off the production line.

BMW Motorrad reached latest milestone by delivering the one millionth GS.
BMW Motorrad celebrates its 100th years this year.

For over five decades, BMW motorcycles have been manufactured in Berlin, with the GS models featuring boxer engines captivating riders since 1980. These exceptional motorcycles have been favored by adventure enthusiasts, embarking on daring journeys to far-flung destinations and exploring the most remote corners of the planet.
Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad, expressed his enthusiasm for this milestone achievement, stating, “The BMW GS with boxer engine became an icon, achieving global success in this segment. Its outstanding talents, such as dynamic riding performance, brawny off-road qualities, superior long-distance comfort, and enormous robustness, have since been continuously developed by BMW Motorrad.”

The 1,000,000th BMW GS motorcycle, a striking R 1250 GS in Triple Black Style, was celebrated during a special works meeting at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin-Spandau today.
As BMW Motorrad commemorates “100 Years of BMW Motorrad” this year, the production of the one millionth GS motorcycle with a boxer engine serves as a significant milestone in the corporate history of the BMW Group.

The achievement of producing one million GS motorcycles further solidifies BMW Motorrad’s position as a leading manufacturer of exceptional motorcycles, blending road, off-road, and long-haul capabilities to deliver unforgettable riding experiences.
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10 GP Bikes That Were “Different”

Courtesy of lastflag.com

MotoGP is where manufacturers develop new technologies and ideas.

A few GP bikes were different, resulting from the development.

Why is MotoGP so important, anyhow? MotoGP and its 500cc GP forebear are the apex of prototype motorcycle racing, where manufacturers explored different ideas and technologies to trump their competition. In growing markets, MotoGP is a very important outlet for branding in order to sell more bikes on Monday.

And since MotoGP is the platform where new technologies are tested, some of those will trickle down to consumer bikes sooner or later. In fact, technologies such as ride-by-wire, traction control, fuel injection, suspension, tyres, chassis, bodywork and aerodynamics; right down to lubricants, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, were all derived from lessons learned in MotoGP at one point or another.

Here are ten GP motorcycles that went against the grain and we regarded as being “different,” so as to speak.
1. Honda NR500 (1979)
Honda has always been the purveyor of new ideas in GP racing. They had wanted their return to 500cc GP racing with a bang. As the regulations limited machines to a 500cc ceiling, regardless if two-stroke or four-stroke, other manufacturers had chosen the two-stroke route for higher specific power output. Honda, on the other hand, had always preferred four-strokes.
Courtesy of motorcyclenews.com
In order to compete toe-to-toe with the two-stroke beasts, Honda devised the NR500 four-stroke V4 with oval pistons, eight valves per cylinder and two conrods per piston; in order to mimic a V8. The engine revved to a manic 20,000 RPM. It didn’t end there as the frame was a monocoque where the lower fairing panels we actually structural mounts for side radiators.
The bike was over-complex and didn’t do well despite valiant efforts by Freddie Spencer. Honda resorted to the two-stroke format in 1984. The oval piston technology went on to power the NR road bike (click here for our article on the Honda NR).
2. Kawasaki KR500 (1980)
The Ducati Panigale’s frameless technology, called the monocoque, wasn’t the first bike to utilize the technology. The concept had begun years before in 1980 with Kawasaki KR500. The steering head and swingarm pivot structures were welded directly to the aluminium fuel tank which was effectively the bike’s main structure. The idea continued into 1981 before Kawasaki settled on a massive aluminium backbone and conventional fuel tank from 1982.
Courtesy of www.rallystar.net
So, you could probably say that the monocoque idea couldn’t work for GP and MotoGP bikes. A hard lesson learned by Ducati 20-odd years on.
3. Honda NSR500 (1984)
The revered “NSR500” name may have won a great number of races and championships, but it didn’t have an easy start. The first NSR500 in 1984 had its fuel tank mounted under the engine and the exhausts were routed over the top.
Courtesy of wikipedia.org
Honda wanted the bike to have a lower centre of gravity and that the bike’s handling remained linear as the tank emptied. Factory rider, Freddie Spencer had to wrestle with the bike, although he did win the bike’s second race. He returned to the previous year’s 3-cylinder NS500 for the rest of the 1984 season.
4. Elf-4 (1987)
Fans of 500cc GP in the 80’s would surely remember a black bike with the word “Elf” emblazoned on it, between 1984 to 1988. However, it wasn’t the logo that was most attractive, it was because the bikes had no conventional forks for the front end.
Courtesy of lastflag.com
Instead, each of the Elf-Hondas had a hub-centre steering swingarm at the front. The project was born to explore the technology in place of hydraulic forks. The most notable iteration was the 1987 Elf-4 which Ron Haslam rode to fourth place in the championship.
5. Aprilia RSW2 (1994)
The small Noale-based manufacturer, Aprilia, had much success in the 125cc and 250cc two-stroke GPs, it was inevitable that they stepped up to the 500cc GP class in 1994.
Aprilia saw that the qualifying times of 250cc bikes were often faster than those of the 500cc bikes, and the company figured that they could be competitive if they ran a 410cc V-Twin racer, called the RSW2. Being less than 500cc meant that the RSW2 would qualify for a minimum weight of 105kg, compared to 130kg for the 500cc bikes.
Courtesy of speezilla.com
It seemed like a great idea, but the RSW2 riders soon found themselves outgunned down the straights by the fierce 500s, before being blocked at corner entries.
Aprilia responded by increasing the capacity to 430cc, then 460cc and finally 498cc but they could never challenge the outright grunt of the four-cylinder 500cc bikes.
6. Aprilia RS Cube (2002)
Having dropped out of 500cc GP after 2000, Aprilia decided to try again in MotoGP with the advent of four-strokes in 2002.
Honda had gone the V5 route with their RC211V in 2002, while the other manufacturers stayed the course on inline-Fours. Aprilia, being the “rebel” jumped in with a 990cc, inline-Triple which was developed by Cosworth.
Courtesy of visordown.com
Cosworth is a tuning house that’s developed some very powerful and famous engines for the car racing fraternity, including Formula One. Hence, The Aprilia’s engine featured technologies derived from the top class of car racing. They included the then new developments for motorcycles such as ride-by-wire throttle, traction control and pneumatic valves.
7. Honda RC211V (2002)
The RC211V four-stroke carried on what the NSR500 two-stroke had done earlier: Winning.
When Honda showed off the V5, no one outside the factory had any idea how or if it would work. Honda has never revealed the secrets of the V5 until this very day, including how they overcame crank balance problems.
Courtesy of yudibalang.com
Apart from the engine, it was the RC211V which started the “mass centralization” revolution that we see on virtually every sportbike nowadays. The first road bike to claim direct lineage to the RC211V was the Honda CBR1000RR, popularly known as the “Rabbit” in Malaysia. Compare the CBR’s frame and how mass is centralized to the RC211V, and you’ll see the picture.
8. Proton KR5 (2003)
Kenny Roberts’ team held on to the KR3 500cc two-stroke triple for 2002 and scored some astonishing top 10 finishes against the new more powerful 990cc four-strokes. But the dominance of Honda RC211V prompted Roberts to develop his own four-stroke V5 engine for his 2003 bikes called the KR5.
Courtesy of motogp.com
The venture turned out to be a vertical curve and the KR5 didn’t even match the KR3’s results. Roberts turned to a KTM V4 engine to no avail, until they were supplied the real Honda V5 engines in 2006. The KR5 went on to score two podiums, but that was the last year of the 990cc machines, as MotoGP resorted to 800cc machines in 2007.
9. Blata V6 (2005)
When four-stroke GP bikes were made their debut in 2002, the regulations were a little more “lenient” compared to how they are now.
Courtesy of motogp.com
In view of this, the Czech manufacturer, Blata, better known as a mini-moto maker, worked on a V6 MotoGP engine for the WCM team. Unfortunately, the project was beset with difficulties and numerous delays. The project was deep-sixed eventually, forcing WCM to compete on old Yamaha-derived 1000cc inline-Four engines.
2005 was also WCM’s last season in the championship.
10. Ducati Desmosedici GP17 (2017)
Casey Stoner may have won the 2007 MotoGP championship on the GP7, but it was the GP17 which truly turned the Italian manufacturer’s fortune around after a decade-long drought.
Courtesy of foxsports.it
Ducati had developed “winglets” for the 2016 Desmosedici GP16 to combat front wheel lift (the wheelie) when exiting corners. A “wheelieing” bike loses forward momentum causing the bike’s traction control to cut power, especially at corner exits. But the idea hit a brick wall when other manufacturers protested.
So, Ducati went back to the drawing board and created the “aero body” for the GP17. Andrea Dovizioso guided the GP17 to six race wins and was the title contender right down to the last race of the season.
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2017 HJC RPHA 11 Monster Energy helmets now in Malaysia – RM2,429!

HJC Helmet Malaysia has also brought in some limited edition 2017 HJC RPHA 11 Monster Energy helmet series into the Malaysian market.
The Monster Energy series is the first ever official helmet collaboration with the energy drink brand and the designs came from the very famous helmet designer, Drudi Performance.
There are only a limited number of units in Malaysia and each of the HJC Monster Energy series is priced at RM2,429.

Along with the special HJC RPHA 11 Star Wars limited edition helmets, HJC Helmet Malaysia also brought in a pair of very special helmets to add to their every growing collection of top of the line full face helmets. For the first time ever, HJC has collaborated with Monster Energy to come up with their official HJC RPHA 11 Monster Energy series.

The pair of specially-designed helmets with the Monster Energy decals targeted to motoring enthusiasts around the world with the fondness for great racing and arguably one of the most associated energy drink brands associated to the high octane world of motorsports.

There are two different versions available; the HJC RPHA 11 Monster Energy Military Camo and HJC RPHA 11 Monster Energy Military White Sand. These two liveries are not just any design taken from the Monster Energy universe. In fact, the designs came from a very, VERY well-known helmet designer, Drudi Performance.

Those who are involved in any sort of way when it comes to MotoGP should know that Drudi Performance is the main force behind all of the helmet designs for one nine-time MotoGP World Champion, Valentino Rossi. Drudi is the only person entrusted to design all of Rossi’s helmets and these HJC RPHA 11 Monster Energy lids are on a league of their own.

The Military Camo comes with the iconic Monster Energy logo. The combination of the green with matte black finish on top of the dark camouflage design brings out the racer in you every time you put on the helmet.

All in all, the RPHA 11 only weighs a light 1,400grams. With a helmet this light plus all of the performance enhancements from the previous generation RPHA 10, you can never go wrong with the new RPHA 11. Some might say that the matte colour is a bit difficult in terms of cleanliness maintenance but HJC again has got you covered with the RPHA 11 Monster Energy Military White Sand livery.

The Military White Sand colourway comes in the gloss finish which makes it slightly easier to wipe clean after a those long days of riding. The design also reminded of the time when Ben Spies was racing with the MotoGP Yamaha factory squads and that alone is enticing enough for us to really consider getting one for ourselves in the very near future.

If you feel that the RPHA 10 is a great value for money package for sport bikes and track day goers, the RPHA 11 is one an entire new level with better aerodynamics, ventilation, design and other criteria as stated below:

Advanced P.I.M. Plus (Premium Integrated Matrix Plus) Fibreglass aerodynamic shell structure for extreme performance at maximum speeds
Fibreglass composite shell made from a blend of carbon fibre, fibreglass, and aramid to create a unique woven blend that is both strong and noticeably lighter
Wider eye port provides better peripheral vision for riders
Optimized shell design for air flow ventilation system
Max airflow top vent six-stage variable airflow is adjusted by glove-friendly dials on each intake vent
ACS Advanced Channelling Ventilation System full front-to-back airflow flushes heat and humidity out of the interior
MultiCool Interior advanced anti-bacteria fabric provides enhanced moisture wicking and quicker drying function than previous generation
Crown and cheek pads are fully removable and washable
Eye glasses and sun glasses friendly EPS shape
Rapidfire II Shield Replacement System is a simple and secure shield ratchet system that provides ultra-quick, tool-less removal and installation for efficient operation
RPHA 11 Pro cheek pads are interchangeable throughout all shell sizes
Pin-Prepared HJ-26 Shield is optically superior 2D face shield and provides 95% UV protection
Centre one-touch open/close locking system is a superior automatic shield locking system with spring-controlled lever
Enhanced shield dual lock system for high speed racing conditions
Emergency cheek pads for safe and quick rescue in an emergency situation
Built-in communication speaker pockets
Breath guard and chin curtain included
Includes both clear and dark smoke shields and anti-fog insert lens
DOT and ECE approved (Note: Only ECE approved helmets are allowed to be imported into Malaysia)

The HJC RPHA 11 Monster Energy series is priced at RM2,429. Only a limited number has been brought into the Malaysian market and if you’re interested to get one of your very own, head on over the HJC Helmet Malaysia Facebook page for more details.

You can also opt to visit any of their authorised dealers across the country to check them out for yourselves. Do take note that since both these helmets are very limited in numbers, not all HJC authorised dealers in Malaysia will have them in stock.

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EMOS expands local Kawasaki brand service network

EMOS expands its local Kawasaki brand service network, and it now has a total of 20 authorised service outlets nationwide.

Edaran Modenas Sdn Bhd (EMOS) increases number of authorised Kawasaki service centres to 20.

New centres were added and it includes new additions that will serve customers in Sabah and the Central Region.

Notable new addition is former brand distributors via its new KMSB Solutions Sdn Bhd banner.

As the new appointed Kawasaki brand distributors, Edaran Modenas Sdn Bhd (EMOS) have expanded its network of service centres in several locations around the nation this week.
According to the firm, this latest expansion of its network covers the state of Sabah, as well as the Central and Northern regions of the peninsular. Altogether, EMOS’ network of Kawasaki dealerships now totals at 20 nationwide.

Notably, former Kawasaki distributors (who have now switched to Suzuki) have been included in this recently expanded network under its new KMSB Solutions Sdn Bhd banner. They were announced as one of the newly added service centres within the peninsula’s Central Region.
“We are pleased to have KMSB Solutions as one of the authorised service centre representatives for the Central region. Surely, this former Kawasaki motorcycle distributor is more knowledgeable and experienced in handling the brand’s models,” said Modenas CEO Roslan Roskan.
The exec further notes that the inclusion of KMSB Solutions Sdn Bhd will ensure some much-needed continuity in their efforts to meet the needs of the Japanese brand and its customers in Malaysia.

Here’s the full list of EMOS’s Kawasaki authorised service centres, now updated to include the new additions:
Northern Region:

Bikers Gallery – Alor Setar, Kedah
EL Chong Motor – Sungai Bakap, Pulau Pinang
Sheng Fatt – Georgetown, Pulau Pinang
Hot Bike – Georgetown, Pulau Pinang

East Coast:

KK Superbike – Temerloh, Pahang

Central Region:

Eang Chun Motor – Setapak, Kuala Lumpur
Apex Motorsports – Batu Caves, Selangor
Serdang Motorcycle – Seri Kembangan, Selangor
Seri Gading – Seksyen 7, Shah Alam, Selangor
Chear Motor – Seksyen 15, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Soon Heng Bikers – Cheras, Kajang, Selangor
Motorsim – Batu Caves, Selangor
Puncak Alam – Petaling Jaya, Selangor
KMSB Solutions – Glenmarie, Shah Alam

Southern Region:

Zong Heng – Bukit Baru, Melaka
BZ Top Automobile – Durian Daun, Melaka
Qbee Superbike Centre – Kawasan Perindustrian Tiong Nam, Johor
Tong Ban Seng Motor – Kulai, Johor

Sabah & Sarawak:

Ghee Hua – Kuching, Sarawak
Inti Deras Motors – Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

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Bespoke Furygan Lara 800 custom bike by Viba

Furygan teams up with custom builders Viba for one-off Lara 800 custom bike.

Leading French riding apparels brand Furygan recently teamed up with French custom bike builders Viba to create special one-off version of the latter’s MV Agusta-based Lara 800 custom bike.

The project sees Furygan showcasing an exclusive line of women’s jacket to match the bespoke Lara 800. The specially tailored jacket is matched with the special leather detailing primed on the bike’s radiator covers and seat that took 50 hours for the French apparel brand’s craftsmen to complete.

Included in this bespoke package is a ladies’ bag (or clutch if you will) to match the jacket and custom leather upholstery. The bag is easily attached to the bike’s cap, giving said chic fashion accessories a biker-friendly ease of use.

Just to sate your curiosity, the Lara 800 built by Viba is powered using an MV Agusta 798cc triple-cylinder heart – likely lifted from the Brutale 800. Encased in a custom frame design, the mill generates roughly 125hp with Viba also priming it with a custom handmade three-into-one exhaust system.

This bespoke Furygan edition of the Viba Lara 800 custom bike made especially for ladies rightfully commands an equally bespoke asking price €32,300 before taxes. Said price includes the matching jacket and bag too.

For your information, Winmaster Sdn Bhd – the same folks tasked as the authorised distributor of Shark helmets – distributes the Furygan brand in Malaysia. You can check out our review of the brand’s Ted D30 casual riding boots by clicking here.

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KTM 390 Adventure Ready for Production?

Image source: MCN

New spy shots show the KTM 390 Adventure looks ready for production.

Will there also be an off-road centric “R” model?

It should be launched at EICMA in November.

New spy shots show the KTM 390 Adventure looks ready for production. Please click here for the pictures.
Spy shots that appeared in MCN shows a bike that’s almost identical to the just-launched 790 Adventure. This is the closest it looks to being in a production-ready state since the first spy shots broke cover two years ago.
There will be almost no competition to the 390 Adventure in Malaysia as there is no other manufacturer who has such a bike, except for the BMW G 310 GS and Royal Enfield Himalaya.
The 390’s Adventure’s engine may probably be updated to provide for off-road applications, as was the 790’s LC8c parallel-Twin. Tractable torque is the name of the game for adventure/dual-purpose bike engines. Besides that, all manufacturers are preparing for the upcoming Euro 5 regulations.
However, will the new bike also include rides modes such as the 790 Adventure’s? Or more specifically, Rally Mode which allows the rider to select the level of engine response in addition to the traction control level on-the-fly.
MCN reported that the prototype is currently rolling on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cast aluminium wheels. Will there be an off-road centric “R” version like most KTM road models? If there is, it may just be equipped with 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels.
The KTM 390 Adventure should be launched at EICMA in November.
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Is Hafizh Syahrin really the first Malaysian MotoGP rider?

Image source: MotoGP
Some folks have been asking about Hafizh Syahrin being the first Malaysian MotoGP rider.
After the MotoGP Thai test, it can be safely said that Hafizh is the first Malaysian to ride a modern-day 1,000cc MotoGP bike.
The final confirmation will come from Monster Yamaha Tech3 on whether Hafizh Syahrin will become the first Malaysian MotoGP rider to race in the premier class this season.
Image source: MotoGP

It has been quite an amazing week for all Malaysians as Hafizh Syahrin was selected to join the MotoGP pre-season testing at the Buriram International Circuit. Riding the Yamaha M1 for the Monster Yamaha Tech3 squad, Hafizh Syahrin ultimately became the first ever South East Asian rider to ride a proper 1,000cc modern day MotoGP bike.
Image source: MotoGP
The question of whether Hafizh Syahrin is the first Malaysian GP rider came to mind as a lot of people have been asking this. Whether this is true or not, it doesn’t really matter because what Hafizh has accomplished is nothing short of magnificent. To clarify, let’s go through time and Malaysia’s rich history in the world of motorcycle racing.
Oh Kah Beng racing against Keiji Kinoshita in Batu Tiga,1980. (Image source: Facebook)
When it comes to the golden eras of GP racing, there were many great Malaysian talents but two names came to mind. The first name is none other than Oh Kah Beng aka “Foreman Oh”. With a rich racing career dating back between the 1960s and 1980s, Oh Kah Beng together with other great riders like Kuan Huah Chin aka “Bulldog Kuan” dominated the national GP racing scene.

Oh Kah Beng also had his fair share of racing on an international level when he took part in races like the Indonesia GP and Macau GP where he was fortunate enough to race alongside a few great names. One of his biggest accomplishments was back in 1982 when he finished second behind Australia’s legendary rider, Wayne Gardner.
Most Interesting Biker –Oh Kah Beng

Unfortunately, Oh Kah Beng couldn’t continue his racing career due to several major injuries and therefore was never enlisted in the MotoGP series. His road racing days drew to a close in 1991 where he won his final national racing championship before joining Proton. With that being said, we move on to the next rider in mind which is none other than Shahrol Yuzy.
Image source: Yamaha Motor
Shahrol Yuzy is a well-known name in Malaysia’s motorcycle racing scene and he is currently active in running his own racing team in the Malaysian Cub Prix series. His glory days started in the 1990s where he had great success in a few FIM sanctioned races such as the Asian Road Racing Championship, Spanish Championship, and European Road Racing Championship.

It all started in 1996 when he competed in the 250cc MotoGP category which at the time was the intermediate class (or modern day Moto2). Racing alongside names like Max Biaggi, Shahrol got a few wildcard appearances but his major big break came in the year 2000 where he raced full time in the 250cc category with the Petronas Sprinta Yamaha TVK squad for three years.
Shahrol Yuzy during the 2002 Malaysian MotoGP (Image source: MotoGP)
At the time, there were three race categories, 125cc, 250cc and the premier 500cc where Kenny Roberts Jr. was crowned the 2000 MotoGP world champion. He was closely followed by a young Valentino Rossi and his biggest rival at the time, Max Biaggi. Technically, Shahrol Yuzy did race in MotoGP but it was in the 250cc intermediate class.
Shahrol Yuzy during the 2002 Malaysian MotoGP (Image source: MotoGP)
After going through history, we arrive in the present time to Hafizh Syahrin and his maiden appearance on board the Yamaha M1 handed down by the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP squad in (which we all know comprises of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales). When it comes down to a modern-day MotoGP bike used in the premier class, there’s no doubt that Hafizh is the first Malaysian to ride such machinery.
Image source: MotoGP
So far, only SIC has confirmed that Hafizh will be racing in 2018 with the private MotoGP team alongside a very talented teammate, Johann Zarco. The Tech3 squad has only stated that Hafizh was enlisted for the MotoGP Thai test in Buriram but looking at how Hafizh performed, there’s a big chance that he might be absorbed full-time and ultimately be labelled as the first Malaysian MotoGP rider.

All the best to you and your future endeavours, Pescao! Malaysia has your back!
MotoGP: Hafizh Syahrin happy with first day progress

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A day in the life of a Superbike Technician during race day

If you’re reading this then there’s a pretty good chance you wouldn’t mind getting paid to work with superbikes.
There has been a recent rise in demand for superbike technicians, amid the lack of qualified technicians in the market.
TOC Automotive College is now offering a Superbike Technician Course that aims to equip technicians with the proper qualification. Get more info here.
The course includes working with a full-fledged race team in order to get the necessary experience from real-world scenarios.

The world of motorcycle racing or any other motorsports for that matter is all about one thing; TEAMWORK. Racers can’t win by themselves and bikes can’t be maintained to their optimum performance without all of the team members and crews.

This is where a dedicated group of individuals comes to play. From team bosses, pit crews to race mechanics and technicians, each person has a huge role to play in obtaining the best possible results during race day.
For superbike technicians, there’s nothing like witnessing your motorcycle racer crossing the finish line and finishing on the podium. Despite the celebrations, all of the work that has been put through in order to achieve the results for your riders however, does not start the night before. Here’s a look into a day in the life of a superbike technician during race day.

After at least a week’s worth of preparation prior to the race weekend, teams as well as their race machines and racers make their way to the track on Friday or Saturday depending on the race series format. Witnessing them functioning as a well-oiled singular unit is nothing short of amazing.

After scrambling through practice and qualifying sessions, it’s time for race day. People often mention the ‘calm before the storm’ but it’s only a temporary silence before the race bikes are fired up and superbike technicians are seen getting everything ready in an organised manner despite all the chaos.

The TOC HKM Racing Team currently competing in the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship is a great example of how superbike technicians are trained and develop their skills in the art of motorcycle racing.

It’s all down to one thing and one thing only; getting the bike at its most optimum performance for the rider. From getting the right tyres, fitting the tyre warmers, checking fuel and fluid levels, and everything else in between, it’s a breathtaking sight once you see that high-performance machine ready to blast down the straights and carve through corners as fast as the rider can ride it.
As most of you may have heard, the TOC Automotive College has recently launched their first-ever Superbike Technician Course and part of their program is to get future superbike technicians involved in motorcycle racing as part of their curriculum.

Race days are not just about getting the race bikes ready to battle it out on the track but also provide real-world situations to the superbike technicians from swift maintenance to emergency parts replacements. Maintaining a cool head in a stressful environment will make any person grow and if they are able to practice their craft in the scenario, the results are certainly impressive. This is what the TOC Automotive College is all about.

In other words, TOC’s involvement in motorcycle racing will broaden their students’ knowledge as well as motor skills where some things can’t be obtained by working in garages and workshops. Their recent collaboration with the Malaysia Speed Festival also gave birth to the MSF Motor Racing Study Course which further elevates their dedication in bringing nothing but the best for future superbike technicians.
When it comes to becoming the best Superbike Technician, TOC Automotive College provides the best program catered to any passionate individuals wanting to start their career with motorcycles whether at the workshops or race track.

To know more about TOC’s Superbike Technician Course, CLICK HERE!
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Motodock: the ultimate anti-theft gear for bikes (with videos)

A look into the ingenious Spanish product called Motodock that promises to be the ultimate anti-theft equipment for bikes.

Bike theft is on the rise globally and securing your bike is now a top priority. Manufacturers have gone to great lengths to make stealing their products harder, but sometimes this is just not enough. Enter the Motodock, an ingeniously design product that hails from Spain.

Though we can’t fully understand the product’s official website and demonstration videos that’s presented in the Spanish language, it is relatively easy to see and understand how Motodock works. If it doesn’t already state it plainly in its name, Motodock is a bike docking solution engineered to accommodate a motorcycle’s front wheel and secure it in place.

An optional anchor can be supplied with the dock, which makes it even harder to steal the motorcycle. For many bikers, one of the key issues in securing their bikes to a firm object serving as anchor is that the would-be anchor is not as solid as initially estimated, or that the chain or U-lock many bikers tend to carry have weak points that can be easily cut and exploited by thieves.

What makes it even harder with Motolock is the fact that it has three securing devices incorporated in its design. This would allow bikers to secure their bikes better using more than one chain or U-lock.

When applied in conjunction with the dock, Motodock allows you to position the ground anchor in such a way that allow riders to run a chain through the rear wheel and over the swingarm or frame as well. Motodock’s anchor can be installed easily thanks to the presence of three strong bolts that can go into holes drilled in a sturdy surface such as concrete slabs popularly found in parking lots.

For added security, Motodock is also supplied with one extra bolt. Riders only need to drive the front wheels into the self-closing dock after setting it according to the dimension of the bike’s wheel. Once docked, riders will need to insert a rod through the special holes and the rim, thus securing the bike in place.

Additionally, the rod features keyed locking mechanism. Theives will find it virtually impossible to use chain cutters on the rod as it is designed in such a way to prevent thieves from inserting any cutting tool to reach it.

You can purchase Motodock online via its e-shop. The anchor is priced at €85 whilst the dock alone retails for €470. The full package is available and is selling at €498 instead. Though an expensive proposition, one really can’t put a price on the peace of mind you get from knowing that your prized bike is safe from thieves.

Motodock

Sources: Motodock via AutoEvolution / YouTube ( Link 1 / Link 2 )
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Singapore electric motorcycles ready to enter Southeast Asia market

Two Singapore start-up companies are currently in high gear to step up their efforts in producing the country’s first batch of electric motorcycles for the Southeast Asia market – Scorpio Electric and Ion Mobility. The news was reported as Singapore relaxed its ruling for electric bikes with more than 10kW to be allowed on the roads in their move to adopt environmentally-friendly vehicles.
Image credit: Scorpio Electric
Scorpio Electric, in particular, has a clear target to launch its very first model in the middle of this year which is already backed with proper facilities to assist in producing and assembling around 8,000 electric motorcycles per year. The best thing about their bikes is the inclusion of ‘artificial intelligence’ and data analytics for greater energy efficiency.

Starting with the Southeast Asia market as a testbed, the brand hopes to be a global brand in the near future, one that is up there with Apple and Tesla. With that being said, another Singaporean company looks to have its hand in the market as well – Ion Mobility.
Image credit: Ion Mobility
Their goals are somewhat the same with Scorpio Electric but with an addition of coming up with products that are affordable to match its overall performance. The market for consumer electric motorcycle, especially in the region is still a young one, and having a healthy competition allows for greater development not just for their products, but how countries can adopt these machines quickly and effectively.

In the past few years alone, we’ve seen great development strides in the world of electric motorcycles. One of the biggest is MotoE – MotoGP’s first all-electric race series that uses Energica bikes to compete in a one-make race.

Other brands already have a few samples in their arsenal but companies like Scorpio Electric and Ion Mobility are sure to make products that are more affordable for the masses, especially in developing the economy.
KTM electric scooter to go into production by 2022

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#MakeYourMarq – See you at the Red Bull Marquee

Marquez, Japanese MotoGP 2014

It is that time again for motor heads to congregate at Malaysia’s capital of Motorsports, Sepang International Circuit for the biggest race of the year, the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2014.

Red Bull has a huge presence in the sport through various endorsements of riders and teams not to mention the current reigning Champion Marc Marquez and our Local Hero Zulfahmi Khairuddin. Not only that, we are well known for throwing some of the best parties around the world.

Last year, fans of the sport made a bee line to the Red Bull marquee for the drinks, the party and most importantly, the music. The marquee is the only place at the circuit during MotoGP where fans can enjoy an air-conditioned setting with music and various drinks, while waiting for Red Bull Rider’s autographs.

This year, Red Bull’s marquee will be back again but with stronger highlights for fans and also for the riders. There will be a host of KL’s top DJs spinning all day long on Saturday and Sunday. And fans listen up, 3 of the world’s top riders will be meeting their fans at the marquee in the afternoon during race day.
So if you are at Sepang International Circuit, for the Malaysian round of MotoGP, you should stop by the Red Bull marquee if you want to take it up a gear!
Follow Red Bull on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.
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Twin-test: KTM Duke 390 vs KTM RC 390

KTM Duke 390 vs KTM RC 390: We pit KTM’s Duke 390 naked against its RC 390 sports twin to see what the hype is all about.

It is a known fact that KTM makes bikes that offer the most amount of fun for relatively little money. Fuelling this is the fact that some of its more popular models, like the Duke naked and RC sport bikes, are assembled locally in Jitra, Kedah, by its local assembly arm KTM Malaysia CKD.
Suffice to say, if you had just under RM30,000 to spend on a new bike, and you wanted a proper European flavour to it instead of a Japanese one, all you are left with is KTM’s 200-series and 390-series Duke and RC models. Obviously, if you seek better power and performance, the 390-series will likely fulfil this desire.
So, which of the two is best suited for you? Well, with a little help from our colleague in sister site MotoMalaya.net, we managed to secure ourselves a weekend with these two monstrous singles to find out just that.

Duke 390
In more ways than one, the Duke 390 is a staple product from the Austrian brand. With this ABS-equipped model carrying a basic selling price of RM24,716.98 (excluding GST, Insurance, etc.), this affordable naked has got it all – style, power, and presence.
Marketed as a sporty naked or ‘roadster’, the Duke 390 is powered by KTM’s venerable fuel-injected 373.2cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder mill that makes 43hp@9,500rpm and peak torque of 35Nm@7,250rpm. All that is sent to the rear using a six-speed chain-drive manual transmission, and effortlessly propels this Duke’s 139kg (unladen) weight up to speeds.

Being a standard naked, the Duke 390 dictates a more upright riding position, and this is supported by the high and wide handlebar position. That, plus the more relaxed position of the footpegs, makes riding the Duke 390 a fairly easy and comfortable affair, whilst the low 800mm seat height welcomes just about anyone to astride it.
The downsides to this naked are relatively few and predictable. These include the lack of wind protection, plus the excess engine vibration felt in the handlebars, footpegs, and seat. Let’s also not forget the embarrassing soundtrack of that stock under-swept silencer exhaust, and this single-cylinder mill’s relatively high amounts of heat getting into your legs sans fairings.

Besides that, this is one Learner-friendly bike after all, boasting a taut and compliant suspension setup for a decently comfortable ride. Newbies would be glad to know that it is fairly easy to modulate the Duke 390’s ABS-equipped single disc brakes front and aft. And, unlike the supersport-bodied RC390 twin, the Duke 390 is less of chore to ride should you adopt it as a daily commuter.
If the inaugural KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia held throughout last year has taught us anything, the Duke 390 is no slouch when in the right hands of a race rider. If anything, that combination of the seemingly neutral riding position, taut and compliant suspension, and that thumpy single-cylinder mill’s torque-rich nature of the Duke 390 is something many riders would appreciate as it stands as the perfect starter base to hone one’s riding skills further.

Overall, it isn’t a bad naked in its own right, sporting slightly better performance and abilities as compared to a similarly priced twin-cylinder 250cc Japanese-made naked rival. However, if you looking for all-out speed and performance, the Duke 390 naked simply won’t cut it. Literally. This is where the Duke’s sport-bodied twin, the RC 390, comes into its own prime.

RC 390
The RC-series is relatively new to our market, having been launched sometime late last year. Like the Duke, it can be had in RC 200 or RC 390 forms, sporting the same 199.5cc and 373.2cc single-cylinder powertrains found in the Duke 200 and Duke 390 respectively. In this case, our RC 390 shares a similar powertrain package as the Duke 390 naked.
Again, the Duke’s winning formula at being an affordable, relatively powerful, and stylish product is replicated in the RC series. The ABS-equipped RC 390 featured here carries a basic sticker price of RM 25,660.38 sans GST, Insurance, etc. – roughly RM1,000 more expensive than the equalling Duke 390.

However, unlike the Duke 390, the sport-bodied RC 390 boasts a stylish fairing design, coupled with a pair of twin projector headlamps up front, plus LED daytime running lights and tail lamp. The difference between the 390-series Duke and RC are pretty stark, especially when you take note of the different front suspension’s angle, taller seat, slimmer profile, and the unmistakable sport-style handlebars and footpeg position.

If you thought the Duke 390 was already quick to begin with, then the RC 390 takes things a few notches higher thanks to its faired body design being more slippery when cutting the air. The sport-style riding position does mean that one needs to beef up with upper body strength and support should you wish to commute daily with it.
Daily commute astride the RC 390 isn’t impossible really, but it is something we’d highly not recommend because of its raised seat height of 820mm, the harder spring and dampers, not to mention the apparent amount of vibration coming through the footpegs and seat. Instead, the RC 390 literally lives up to the Austrian brand’s “Ready To Race” motto, and comes into its prime when unleashed out on the open roads and twisty B-roads.

In a sense, the RC390 feels pretty much like a track-ready bike. In RC 390 form, the Duke 390’s qualities as an agile and nimble handling bike its sharpened further, with this RC 390 feeling a lot more chuck-able in the bends. In all honestly, this is one bike that begs you to clip each and every corner apex it meets with your knee ¬¬– it really is a lean, mean, orange cornering machine. If you’ve always wanted a starter track bike for the weekends, then this is it really.

The only other issue to deal with here besides the less comfortable sport-style riding position is again that embarrassing soundtrack of the under-swept exhaust silencer.
Verdict
Both bikes meet their respective purposes brilliantly, making choosing between the two even harder really. But, if you preferred an easier ride for daily urban commutes without loosing out on power, then the Duke 390 naked is the one to have. But if you don’t mind the slight back pain every once in a while for something fast and extremely nimble in the bends, then the RC 390 will satisfy your needs to knee-down at every corner it meets.

Check out our extensive gallery below, or visit the official BikesRepublic.com Facebook page to see more photos from out KTM Duke 390 vs KTM RC 390 twin test.
Also, don’t forget to check out what our colleague at MotoMalaya.net has to say about the RC 390.

BikesRepublic.com test-rider’s gear provided by Winmaster Sdn Bhd

 Shark S700 full-face Guintoli replica
Furygan Skull Vented riding jacket
Furygan AFS-110 racing gloves
Ryo riding sneakers
Sol riding backpack

KTM Duke 390 Specs

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Race Replica Motorcycles with the Best Paint Schemes

Racing paint schemes highlight the manufacture’s brand and sponsors.

Factories then build race replica motorcycles to “commemorate” the racing.

Here are a few great looking race replica bikes that we’ve singled out.

Are they a way for manufacturers to charge more or are they artifacts resulting from reminiscence of old time fans? There are many race replicas resplendent in similar or even sometimes identical paint schemes and decals, but there are only a few that looked truly good, and we’ve picked out the best. Did we miss any? You be the judge.
1. Any Yamaha with Speed Blocks
The yellow and black “Speed Blocks” are so anonymous with Yamaha that you could remove all the brand’s stickers and emblems and people still would not mistake one as any other brand. It started in 1972 as a racing branding exercise and it was on “King” Kenny Roberts’ exploits that made it one of the most – if the most – enduring paint schemes. (Roberts was the AMA Grand National Champion in 1973 and 1974, and Motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion from 1978 to 1980).

Yamaha “issued” the Speed Block design on the RD400 in 1977, and certain special models later on, but the design is so popular that Yamaha owners, regardless of type of bike, would regularly makeover their bikes in that scheme.
2. MV Agusta F3 657 RC and F3 800 RC
MV Agusta had a good run in the World Supersport Championship (WSSP)  in 2016 on the three-cylinder F3 and decided to market the F3 657 RC and F3 800 RC (RC for Reparto Corse loosely meaning racing department in Italian) race replica models.
But it was the revised for 2018 graphics that were the real beauty. Every strip was designed to either highlight or complement the F3’s svelte yet aggressive lines and wedges. The Tricolore scheme was tastefully done with enough restraint that one could not mistake the bike for its Italian heritage yet not ashamed as being “overly Italian.”

3. Ducati 900 MHR (Mike Hailwood Replica)
If you looked at a colour wheel, red and green are complimentary colours. Well, they are the primary colours of Christmas, after all. However, they somehow do not seem to agree in automotive applications. Except if you are of Italian origin. We are not talking about the classic Italian flag’s Tricolore scheme with a little bit of the three colours throughout here, we are pointing to the huge panels of red and green motif.
Ducati 900 MHR – Photo credit Pinterest.com
But it worked great on the 1979 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica (MHR), which Ducati created after Mike the Bike’s emphatic win at the Isle of Man TT. It sure did not look like a something Santa would ride does it? Try the same scheme on a Panigale and see what happens.
4. Honda RC30
The 1987 Honda VFR750R – better known as the RC30 –  was produced by the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) as a homologation model for superbike racing. Hence, the 750cc V-4 bike was a rolling technological wonder, echoing Honda’s desire to conquer the championship. It was consequently a damn expensive motorcycle when it was launched. Fred Merkel rode it to the inaugural World Superbike Championship in 1989.
Honda RC30 – Photo credit half-mag.com
But as much as the bike was fast and laden with cutting edge technology, it was how Honda painted the bike that made it so achingly beautiful. The combination of large swaths of white, blue, red then white again with those snowy white wheels became legendary. The bike still looks fresh at after 31 years. Only 3000 were ever built.
Let’s not mention the Castrol livery though.
5. Rothmans Honda
Smoking is a nasty habit. Okay, we’ve got that out of the way.
The heydays of Honda’s racing dominance were on bikes painted in Rothmans colours. So many bikes and champions came from the era when tobacco money bankrolled racing, such as Freddie Spencer, Wayne Gardner, Eddie Lawson, Mick Doohan on Honda machinery in the 500 GP. But it wasn’t only motorcycle racing, as Rothmans covered many over racing championships too including the Porsches in Le Mans and Paris-Dakar Rally.
The sponsorship theme was channeled down to race replica road bikes as well, including that famous NSR250R SP in the Hong Kong movie Full Throttle starring Andy Lau.
Honda NSR250R SP – Photo credit CMPixels.com
6. Lucky Strike RGV250
More of tobacco advertising but those were the best-looking bikes by far. Or is it this writer’s age?
Lucky had started their foray into 500cc World GP by sponsoring the Yamaha factory team in which Wayne Rainey and Kevin McGee were riders. Rainey won the 1990 championship.
Suzuki RGV250 Lucky Strike – Photo credit motorcyclespecs.co.za
But the even more famous was when Lucky Strike sponsored the Suzuki team, and the rider was none other than Rainey’s fiercest rival, the lanky Texan Kevin Schwantz. Although Rainey was the most successful rider in their contest by being crowned champion three years in a row, Schwantz was the wild one, providing the best entertainment to millions of spectators the world over and made a lasting impression on a future multiple world champion, Valentino Rossi.
The Lucky Strike colours stuck with Schwantz throughout his career, through his 1993 championship-winning year and his retirement in 1994.
Suzuki had stopped producing the gob-smacked powerful RG500 many years earlier and the closest two-stroke was the RGV250 Gamma. So, the Hamamatsu based manufacturer did the right thing by lucky-striking the bike from 1992. Just as the Speed Blocks were invariably tied to Yamaha, so was the Lucky Strike paint scheme to Suzuki, so much so that so many Suzukis bore those two words in a golden-brown circle. Needless to say that many RGV250s were painted by owners to mimic Schwantz’s bike.
7. Kawasaki Z1000R ELR
Aw, nevermind the Kawasaki Z900RS. Yes, yes it’s the soul successor to the legendary 1972 Z and a wonderful bike, but the most beautiful race replica Kawasaki has to be the 1982 KZ1000R.
The story started in 1981 with many unsold KZ1000J (a beefed-up Z1). But Eddie Lawson had just won the AMA Superbike Championship and Mike Vaughn, Kawasaki’s Marketing Director in America suggested to Kawasaki to build an Eddie Lawson race replica. Kawasaki agreed and they built the KZ1000R from the KZ1000J as the base model with parts added from the GPz1100.
Kawasaki KZ1000R ELR
But long story short, the KZ1000R ELR (for Eddie Lawson Replica) looks just so right in air-cooled superbike glory, topped off with Kawasaki’s signature lime-green paint with white and blue stripes; along with the dished seat and black 4-into-1 Kerker megaphone. And it’s this theme that Kawasaki carried over the new Z900RS Café Racer.
8. BMW R90S
BMW had a problem in the early 1970s. The buying public painted the image of BMW motorcycles as being staid (a gentle word compared to boring), belonging to those with a predilection for “cigars and slippers.”
BMW turned to Hans Muth to design a sportbike. (Hans Muth would go on to create the Suzuki Katana in 1979, the bike made production in 1981.)
The result was the R90S in 1973.
BMW R90S – Photo credit MCN
BMW then took it up a step further by entering the bike in the inaugural AMA Superbike race at the Daytona International Speedway in 1976 where Steve McLaughlin won, followed by Reg Pridmore. Pridmore followed up by capturing the 1976 AMA Superbike Championship. BMW took to producing the R90S in the Daytona Orange paint scheme to commemorate the win.
By the way, a total of 17,455 R90S were sold between 1973 to 1976. Indeed, the R90S served as the inspiration to then BMW’s design chief Ola Stenedard and Roland Sands who came up with the Concept 90, which led to the BMW R nineT in 2013. But the real successor was of course the 2017 R nineT Racer.
9. Barry Sheene Suzuki
Barry Sheene was Britain’s last Grand Prix champion up to Danny Kent in 2015. “Bazza” as he’s popularly known in England captured the 1976 and 1977 World Motorcycle Grand Prix titles onboard the Suzuki RG500.
Some of his exploits thrust him into the stuff of legends, such as the 280 km/h crash about the Suzuki XR11 at Daytona in 1975. He broke a femur, collarbone, arm, fractured several vertebrae and skinned his back. He came back to racing just seven weeks later and won his first ever GP race in nine weeks after the crash.

But it was the RG500 “XR14” and “XR22” which were as legendary as the man who rode it that’s high in race fans’ hearts. There were two base colours, red and white, outlines by yellow and black stripes. Suzuki never officially produced race replicas with those colour schemes for one reason or another but just as legends die hard, so do these colour schemes, as owners made their own Barry Sheene replica paintjobs.
10. Ducati 888 SP5
Although the Ducati 888 was not the first Ducati to break the Japanese manufacturers’ stranglehold in superbike racing, it was the last Ducati “squarish” (and loud!) superbike before they all went pointy with the introduction of the Ducati 916. While other racing motorcycles sometimes look garish with all the splashy graphics, the 888 SP5 race replica made do with large slab-sided fairings in blood red and a white number plate painted on its tailsection. The black carbon front fender offset all that red paint and that was it.
Who says simplicity is not beauty?

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This helmet will help riders detect ‘speed traps’

Australian start-up company, Forcite, has sold out its first batch of what is possibly one of the world’s most advanced motorcycle helmets. The MK1 model can do several things, but its main highlight? The ability to detect speed traps and potential police presence, wherever you go (in Australia, that is).

Forcite manufactured 1,000 units of the MK1 smart helmets and they basically sold out at $1,599 each (around RM4,838). That’s quite a hefty price to pay for any helmet but the fact that it was constructed using carbon fibre does justify, especially with its weight of only 1,550grams. And it’s ECE approved, even for track use.

With its patented Raydar™ system, the helmet user will be able to access vital riding information like directions, hazards, and alerts using the brand’s unique ‘optical + audio’ warning system without moving your eyes away from the most important part of riding – the road. There’s even a military-inspired Sony camera flushed near the chin to capture any clips while you’re riding.

The built-in system draws all the necessary information from traffic apps like Waze and Google Maps to help plan the best routes for the ride as well as warn the rider if there are any hazards up front. This includes speed cameras as well as randomly positioned officers with their speed-trap guns.

The system communicates with the rider via audio signals through its high-quality 8mm speakers on both sides of the lid but the one built-in feature that differentiates the Forcite MK1 with any other helmet is the colour-changing light strip positioned in the helmet just under the visor.

Truth be told, this lid is indeed very, very impressive to say the least. However, there is a much cheaper way to do all of this with the helmet you already own right now. Get a good quality helmet Bluetooth communicator like Cardo and connect it to your phone. That solves the communication and music parts. Directions and police? Turn on Waze. Job done. Just not as fancy.
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2018 Shark Helmets and Furygan riding gears unveiled!

The latest collection of Shark Helmets and Furygan riding gears were introduced yesterday at the Spartan Concept Store, Bandar Sunway.
Furygan also introduced their latest summer collection riding jackets which also include suits, gloves and boots.
Their star MotoGP rider Johann Zarco was also present to entertain his fans with a special meet and greet session.

The official importer and distributor of Shark Helmets and Furygan riding gear, Winmaster Sdn Bhd, has just introduced their latest Shark helmets and Furygan riding gears for 2018. The unveiling was made yesterday at the Spartan Concept Store located in Bandar Sunway, Selangor.

In total, there are three new additions to the Shark Helmet line-up which are the limited edition Shark Race-R Pro Carbon Zarco 2016, limited edition Shark Race-R Pro Lorenzo White Shark and the Shark Race-R Pro Lorenzo 2017.

The Race-R Pro Carbon Zarco 2016 is a super limited edition model with only 1,500 pieces produced for worldwide consumption. The design is based on Zarco’s back-to-back win Moto2 championship which was achieved last year. Johann Zarco remains the first and only rider to win the Moto2 crown back to back. The helmet is priced at RM3,290.

Another high-profile rider sponsored by Shark Helmets is none other than Ducati factory rider, Jorge Lorenzo. The Race-R Pro Lorenzo White Shark is also another limited edition piece with only 1,500 made worldwide. This was the helmet worn by Lorenzo last year during the Aragon GP where he came in second. Retailing at RM3,675, the rare piece comes with a free smoke shield and a pair of Skull Rider Shark Attack sunglasses which retails at RM230.

The final helmet launched yesterday is the Race-R Pro Lorenzo 2017 with the current design used by the rider. The helmet is more beautiful than ever with a matte finish and design to commemorate his momentous move to Ducati this year. The helmet is currently retailed at RM2,380.

French riding gear manufacturer Furygan also took the opportunity to release some of their latest gears yesterday for 2018.  They have expanded their summer collection to fit with the Malaysian weather and also other ASEAN countries. Designed with the maximum amount of airflow to cool the rider down rapidly, these items are all CE certified with D3O impact protection which is flexible and tough at the same time.

They latest summer jackets are the Furygan Speed Mesh 3D, Swirl Vented, Arrow Vented, WB07 Vented, Blast and Soho Lady. Priced ranges from RM695 up to RM1,700. Apart from the summer collection, Furygan is also happy to announce that they now offer custom colour with standard sizing for their Full Apex Perforated Suit. Interested with coming up with your own special design for a racing suit? Furygan can hook you up.

In conjunction with the launch, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 and Furygan plus Shark Helmet rider Johann Zarco made a very special appearance during yesterday’s launch for a meet and greet session with all of his fans.

There were the usual Q&A session, photographs with fans and autograph given away. The two-time Moto2 champion were happy to entertain each and every guest including trying some local fruits. However, his limitations were met when he was presented with some Musang King durians. He did however graced us with his famous winning routine that is the Zarco Flip.

 Last one for tonight, now watch the infamous #zarcoflip #johanzarco #bikesrepublic #motomalaya @johannzarcoofficial05
A post shared by BIKES REPUBLIC (@bikesrepublic) on Oct 25, 2017 at 8:03am PDT

To know more about the latest Shark Helmets and Furygan riding gear products, head on over to the Spartan Concept Store located in Bandar Sunway. To know more, CLICK HERE.

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2016 Kawasaki Ninja H2 – a dark sparkle

The supercharged monstrosity known as the Kawasaki Ninja H2 has gained a new paint scheme for its 2016 model year version. The new scheme, which Kawasaki calls “Mirror Coated Spark Black”, gives the Ninja H2 a much more darker stance as a result of the scheme’s blackened-out theme and nature.

Besides this dark new paint job, Kawasaki has not announce any further changes to its supercharged halo bike. Minus the new paint, it is highly likely that the model would remain mechanically unchanged from its current form.
Kawasaki has also yet to confirm if it would continue to offer the Ninja H2’s track-only sibling, the Ninja H2R, throughout 2016 as well.
You can check out the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja H2’s darkened new personality in the gallery we’ve prepared below.

Sources: YouTube, Asphaltandrubber and Visordown
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Mystery video shows top speed of the Modenas Pulsar NS200!

The Modenas Pulsar NS200 has been quite popular in Malaysia despite some people saying Modenas should be able to build its own bikes. Well, that’s a different story altogether but for what it is, the NS200 is a good bike for those looking for a cheap step up to bigger capacity motorcycles.

There are many reviews on the internet already, and we have also tested both the bikes with the review already in our draft board waiting to be published. Well, we were going to publish it today, but then we got hold of this video of someone taking the NS200 on a top speed run.

Well, the Modenas NS200 barely manages 151km/h, but some of our friends have seen 156km/h but it was on a downhill, so it doesn’t count. But that is not too shabby considering the price of the bike, we are just curious as to how stable the bike was at that speed. Watch for our review, meanwhile, enjoy the video!
Why is the Modenas Pulsar NS200 such a big deal? Click here to find out!

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MV’s new Brutale 800 Dragster debuts

After much teasing and numerous spyshots online this past few weeks, Italian bikesmaker MV Agusta has finally let the cat out of the bag, debuting its new Brutale 800 Dragster model.

As previously reported, the bike is based on the Brutale, sharing the same 798cc triple-cylinder layout that makes 125hp, followed by a dry weight of 167kg. Setting it apart from the regular Brutale, the Dragster boast a restyled exterior, sporting a prominent shortened rear tail, unique footrests and heelguards, as well as redesigned headlamps and mudguard.

On board, the dragster is laced with MV’s ride-by-wire throttle system, an eight level traction control system, as well as the brand’s Motor&Vehicle Integrated Control or MVICS that grant riders with Sport, Normal, Rain, and Custom ride modes. Ride modes can be changed on the fly via the instruments and handlebar switches.

Other notable highlights in the spec sheet include Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres with a rear section measuring in at 200, followed by fully adjustable Marzocchi front suspension and Sachs adjustable rear shocks.

The Dragster is only available in two paintjob options, and will come standard equipped with ABS brakes supplied by Bosch. Check out the gallery below to see more pictures of MV’s latest creation.
Source: Visordown
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Husqvarna ‘reunite’ with Husaberg

The troubled Husqvarna brand’s story has developed further as owners Pierer Industries AG announced the formation of Husqvarna Sportmotorcycle GmbH. The reorganised Husqvarna brand will now be based in Austria and would begin production utilising building technologies developed by Husaberg.
The press release states that the two brands would be ‘reunited’ for the first time after 25 years. Husaberg started out life first as an offshoot of the Husqvarna brand after it was acquired by Italian brand Cagiva. A new 2013 model line up for Husqvarna is reportedly in place and the first of these is expected to debut at the this year’s EICMA show.
The move could possibly bring the Husqvarna brand back on track towards profitability after its recent string of crippling problems. These included the firm’s labour issues, the discovery of vast unsold stocks, and the move by its parent company in terminating the development of the Nuda 900. It seems for now that Husqvarna is poised for a resurgent market return.
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BMW Motorrad Teams Up with Hedon

BMW Motorrad Hedon helmet

BMW Motorrad has teamed up with Hedon, the London-based luxury helmet maker.

The helmets will be based on BMW’s “legendary colours.”

The maker produces helmets for café racer and modern classic riders.

BMW Motorrad has teamed up with Hedon, the London-based luxury helmet maker.
The multi-year partnership will produce “a new premium range of open-faced helmets,” undoubtedly as the choice for BMW r nine T owners.
The helmet in the picture is apparently the only one at the moment. Hedon has iterated that they will produce helmets based on BMW’s “legendary colours.” This line-up is currently launched for the European market, but it should make its way to Malaysia soon enough.
If you’ve never heard of the name “Hedon,” that’s because they usually produce very high-end helmets for the modern classic and café racer communities. We’ve tried the Hedonist model(courtesy of Biker’s Garage) during the very first Ducati Scrambler Asia Pacific Media Launch in Thailand years ago and came away impressed at not just the colour and design, but the amazing quality, fit and comfort.
Like the Chinese proverb, “One sen price, one sen quality,” you get peanuts if you paid for peanuts. Hedon helmets aren’t cheap but they really mean it when they say “premium.” The quality has to be experienced to be believed.
Hedon’s open-faced and full-faced helmets are ECE 22.05 and DOT certified.
Hedon also makes Cortex bicycle helmets and are currently working on the Zenith helmet to pair with the Arc Vector electric motorcycle.
Source: RideApart
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Man Apprehended For Hitting His Wife With A Motorcycle Helmet

Police have arrested a man who was caught hitting his wife with a motorcycle helmet after a video of the couple went viral on social media.

A 35-year-old man is arrested in Kelantan after a video of him hitting his wife with a motorcycle helmet went viral.
The suspect also tested positive with Methamphetamine.

The 1-minute 47-second video shows a man shouting at his wife in front of an eatery before hitting her with his motorcycle helmet.
However, Gua Musang district police, Superintendent Sik Choon Foo, has confirmed that the 35-year-old man was arrested in a house at RKT Kesedar Paloh 2, Kelantan, on Saturday (28 January).
According to reports, the suspect claimed that the incident occurred because he did not allow his wife to work so she could take care of his ailing mother.
Nevertheless, the man also tested positive for Methamphetamine after undergoing a urine test.
The helmet used to assault his wife was also confiscated by the police.
Chon Foo said that the man will be remanded for four days until Wednesday, and the case is currently under investigation under Section 323/18 of the Domestic Violence Act 1994 and Section 15 (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
(source: Berita Harian)
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Traffic police officer punches motorcyclists caught on video

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is currently investigating a traffic police officer for punching a motorcyclist during a roadblock on the Federal Highway yesterday. The video went viral on social media, and all sorts of responses have surfaced regarding the matter.

Petaling Jaya OCPD, Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal, stated that the incident took place sometime between 8 am to 9 am yesterday morning during a scheduled roadblock on the Federal Highway KL-bound. His task force will be looking into the matter from both parties.

The rider and his pillion (wife) were allegedly trying to run away from the roadblock which was conducted on the main road. Ezanee also mentioned that in their attempt to do so, the rider accidentally ran over one of the officer’s foot who was on duty that morning.
That led to the physical confrontation and shortly after, the police fined the motorcyclist for a number of violations including not using the dedicated motorcycle lane, no motorcycle license, and an expired road tax. It also turns out that the motorcyclist had 58 prior summonses for all sorts of traffic violations. Dang.
58 prior summonses??
Investigations are currently underway between all parties involved, and hopefully, things will be solved accordingly. The moral of the story? Never ever run away from a police roadblock, it’s just going to get worse for everyone. Or better yet, get all your documents sorted and ride in confidence.
Remember the time when you got your license and actively search for roadblocks to ride through? It’s more fun when you’re on the right side of the law.
Sepang International Circuit to open for cyclists?

Written by: Sep Irran
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BMW F700 GS, F800 GS and F800 GS Adventure updated (mega gallery)

BMW F700 GS, F800 GS and F800 GS Adventure updated for 2017 with Euro 4 compliance and new ride modes.

BMW Motorrad has gotten itself in line for Euro 4 emission standard that takes effect starting January 1, 2017. With that, the firm has announced a sleuth of updated for the 2017 BMW F700 GS, F800 GS and F800 GS Adventure models.

New paint scheme options aside, much of the changes lie underneath the skin with all three middleweight dual sport bikes. Euro 4 complains means that both gas emissions and noise levels are significantly reduced, whilst the instrument bin now gains with a mandatory check engine light.

More importantly, the BMW F700 GS, F800 GS and F800 GS Adventure models have gained with selectable ride modes in their 2017 forms. A total of four modes are available – Rain, Road, Enduro and Enduro Pro. Rain and Road modes are standard across all three. However, Enduro and Enduro Pro modes are options exclusive to the F800 GS and F800 GS Adventure.

Eagle-eyed readers would’ve spotted the redesigned exhaust cans primed all three. This can be changed using a newly reworked HP sports silencer unit made by Akrapovič that’s officially offered as an optional item by BMW Motorrad.

And just in case you forgot, all three models come powered using the same a liquid-cooled 798cc parallel-twin unit. Whilst the F700 GS makes do with just 75hp and 77Nm, both the F800 GS and F800 GS Adventure offers higher outputs of 85hp and 83Nm instead.

Check out the extensive galleries we’ve prepared below to see the updated 2016 BMW F700 GS, F800 GS and F800 GS Adventure in greater detail.

2017 BMW F700 GS

2017 BMW F800 GS + F800 GS Adventure

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MV Agusta collabs with Alpine Cars for a new model?

MV Agusta is known to make some special models in collaboration with the four-wheel industry like AMG, Zagato, and even F1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Now, they’re planning to launch a new model with another renowned French car brand, Alpine Cars.

Based on what Asphalt & Rubber has posted, the brand has been left pretty much untouched for the last few years, but 2021 is where they’re planning to make a mark with plans to enter Formula 1 as well as this super-exclusive collab with MV Agusta. What kind of motorcycle model that they have plans for?

Our best guess that it has to be something spectacularly sporty, considering the rich racing history both companies have over the years. There have been rumours that it might be a new and very exclusive adventure bike model, but some experts reckoned that this new machine might be sportier in nature.

Experts are also confident that this new machine will be powered with MV Agusta’s latest 900cc inline-three engine. Expect this brand-new model between MV Agusta and Alpine Cars to be released before the year ends, and that’s only three weeks away. Stay tuned for more updates.

In the meantime, you can read about the very rare Superveloce 75 Anniversario which sold out within seconds (that’s right, seconds) after the online booking platform was opened last month.
MV Agusta Superveloce 75 Anniversario sold out within SECONDS!

Written by: Sep Irran
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Modenas officially launches 2017 Modenas Pulsar RS200, NS200 and V15 – From RM5,989

Modenas has officially pulled the covers off their latest additions to the 2017 line up, the 2017 Modenas Pulsar RS200, Modenas Pulsar NS200 and the Modenas V15.
As predicted, the Pulsar RS200 and NS200 share the same 200cc single-cylinder, SOHC, 4-valve, three-spark system engine that produces 24.5hp and 18.6Nm of torque.
The Modenas V15 comes with a new 150cc DTS-i power plant that produces 11.8hp and 13Nm of torque.

Modenas has finally revealed the highly-anticipated new bikes in the Malaysian market; the 2017 Modenas Pulsar RS200 sports bike, the naked Pulsar NS200 and the retro V15. The launch was held earlier today at the Setia City Convention Centre located in Setia Alam.
2017 Modenas Pulsar RS200 – RM11,342.00 (basic price with GST)

The new 2017 Modenas Pulsar RS200 which is based on the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 is Modenas first ever sports bike to be released in the Malaysian market. Looking at the overall aggressive and masculine design, the RS200 is simply superb in terms of looks.

Being their first ever sports bike, Modenas has definitely made the right choice with the Pulsar RS200.
From the front fairing design all the way to the tail and exhaust, it’s a bike that you’ll want to take a second look each and every time you’re done riding it. The main focus of the overall design is aggressiveness and masculinity.

Powered by a single-cylinder, SOHC, 4-valve engine with liquid cooling and fuel injection technology, the Pulsar RS200 produces 24.5hp at 9,750rpm and 18.6Nm of torque at 8,000rpm. The engines on both the Pulsar RS200 and NS200 are equipped with three-spark technology that ensures smooth and efficient combustion.

The suspension aspect of the RS200 is covered by a telescopic fork with anti-friction bush handling the front while the rear is equipped with a Nitrox monoshock system with canister. What’s more enticing about the RS200 is that it comes with a single channel ABS system that works in tandem with its front 300mm disc brake. Together with the rear 230mm disc, stopping the RS200 safely and efficiently is no issue.

The RS200 also comes with a 13-litre fuel tank which gives a total kerb weight of only 164kg. This makes the RS200 quite light in its category and also offers a light ride and nimble handling no matter the riding situation.

The 2017 Modenas Pulsar RS200 is said to be priced at RM11,342 (basic price with GST) and it’s available in two different colours; Black and Blue.
2017 Modenas Pulsar NS200 – RM9,222.00 (basic price with GST)

Fancy a naked bike instead? Fear not as Modenas also got you covered with the beautiful 2017 Modenas Pulsar NS200. The naked version of the RS200 is also powered by the same 200cc single-cylinder, fuel injected engine which comes with three-spark system that churns out 24.5hp and 18.6Nm of torque.

The suspension package remains the same but everything else from here on is unique to the NS200. For the brake setup, the NS200 comes with a hydraulically-operated 280mm front disc and a rear 230mm disc brake. No ABS offered on the NS200.

The NS200 comes with a 12-litre fuel tank but at an overall kerb weight of only 155kg, the NS200 is indeed lighter than the RS200 which makes it perfect of inner-city riding and weaving in and out of heavy traffic.

The all new 2017 Modenas Pulsar NS200 has been set at RM9,222.00 (basic price with GST) and it’ll be available in two different colours; Black and Red.
2017 Modenas V15 – RM5,989.00 (basic price with GST)

Looks like Modenas is also a fan of retro or modern classic bikes. This is proven with their latest 2017 Modenas V15. Looking at this beautiful piece of machinery, we can honestly say that it is indeed a fresh 150cc option for the Malaysian market that is filled to the brim with mopeds, kapcais and scooter. The Modenas V15 erfect for those looking for something a bit more special.

Powered by a brand new 150cc DTS-i engine, the V15 comes with twin spark technology that churns out 11.8hp upon reaching 7,500rpm and 13Nm of torque at 5,500rpm. The simplistic yet functional theme of the V15 can also be seen on the suspension package with front telescopic forks and rear mono shock absorber.

All that power is transferred down to the rear 16-inch wheel via a 5-speed gearbox with final chain drive. The front 18-inch wheel follows the retro theme that’s paired together with a single 240mm brake disc while the rear is covered by a 130mm drum brake kit.

The V15 also has an optional pillion seat cover to add more style whenever you’re riding solo. As for the price, Modenas is offering the V15 at an affordable RM5,989.00 (basic price with GST). Like the two previous bikes, it will also available in two colours as well; Black or White (both with red accents).

Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates on these three exciting new bikes. Prefer to read in Bahasa? Visit our sister site MotoMalaya by clicking HERE!

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Win your dream bike with Shell Advance

Starting from June 1 until August 15, Shell Advance motorcycle oils will be running its latest global campaign called ‘Win The Ride of Your Choice’ for its Malaysian customers.
The contest will be giving away three grand prizes in the form of three dream bikes. To enter the contest, simply purchase a 1-litre pack of Shell Advance 4T motorcycle oil and answer a simple question found on the back of the label via SMS. All Answers must be accompanied with the unique code found on the pack’s label as well.

The contest will let the three grand prize winners take home either a Honda CBR250RR, a Kawasaki KLX 250 dirt bike, or a Vespa GTS250IE scooter. Uniquely different from the regular bikes, all the grand prize motorcycles are finished in a special and exclusive Shell Advance livery as well. Besides that, RM1,000 cash prize will be also be given away to ten second place winners.
More information regarding the contest mechanics as well as its terms and conditions are available online at www.shell.com.my
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MotoGP: Valentino Rossi will miss home race this weekend

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) has been confirmed that he won’t be taking part in this weekend’s San Marino GP.
This means that Rossi will miss his home race due to injuries sustained to his right leg during an enduro training session just last week.
It has been advised that Rossi will need to sit out of two races to make sure that his injuries heal completely before being able to take compete again.

It is with sad news that Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) will not be taking part in the next MotoGP round which is going to be held in Misano this weekend. Due to his leg injury and successful surgery to repair the fractured bones, “The Doctor” will miss his home race which will also land a huge blow to his 2017 MotoGP championship effort.

To know more about Rossi’s enduro crash that led to a broken right leg, CLICK HERE.
Following an enduro crash suffered while training last week, the 9-time MotoGP world champion sustained fractures to his fibula and tibia in his right leg. Although the surgery to repair the injuries was successful, the 38 year old will have to sit out of the next two rounds to ensure that the wounds heal completely before he is truly fit to race again.

Due to short notice, the San Marino GP will see only one Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider taking part that is Rossi’s team mate, Maverick Vinales. Vinales currently sits in third place in the 2017 world standings behind Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso and Honda’s Marc Marquez.

While there’s no replacement for Rossi’s home race in Misano this weekend, there’s a big chance that another rider will step up in the next round which is going to be held in Aragon on 24 September 2017. All we can confirm now is that this unfortunate turn of events will make it impossible for Rossi to clinch his 10th MotoGP world title, at least for 2017.

We feel you, Rossi. We really do.
Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more MotoGP updates.
Source: MotoGP
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The Kawasaki Eliminator Returns!

Kawasaki has announced the revival of its iconic Eliminator series with the launch of the 2023 model. The motorcycle will be available in two trims, Standard and SE, and will sport a classic cruiser design that’s sure to appeal to bike enthusiasts.

Kawasaki has revived the Eliminator series with the launch of the 2023 model, which features classic cruiser design elements such as a round LED headlight, chopped fenders, a bulky fuel tank, and a side-slung exhaust.
The new Kawasaki Eliminator 400 is powered by a 398cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine, producing a maximum power of 46.9hp.

The new Kawasaki Eliminator 400 features a round LED headlight, chopped fenders, a bulky fuel tank, a single-pod instrument cluster, and a side-slung exhaust. The motorcycle also boasts a partially naked frame and alloy wheels, giving it a sleek and stylish look. The cruiser model is available in two standard colors, Metallic Flat Spark Black and Pearl Robotic White, while the SE variant comes in Metallic Matte Carbon Gray with Flat Ebony.

The Eliminator SE variant also features a headlight cowl, front fork gaiters, and a two-tone seat. It comes with a GPS-compatible drive recorder system and USB Type-C power socket, both of which are water-resistant.
The Kawasaki Eliminator is equipped with telescopic front forks and dual rear shocks, and its braking system comprises a single front and rear disc with ABS. The front wheel rides on an 18-inch alloy, while the rear one is mounted on a 16-inch alloy. The motorcycle has a low seat height of just 735 millimetres, making it one of the most attractive cruiser models.

The new Kawasaki Eliminator is powered by a 398cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine, producing a maximum power of 46.9 bhp at 10,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 37 Nm at 8,000 rpm. It is connected to a six-speed gearbox, and the motorcycle has a fuel economy of 25.7 kmpl. The 12-litre fuel tank gives the bike a range of more than 300 km on a single tank of petrol, as validated by the World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC).

Interestingly, just a few days after the global introduction in Japan, the Eliminator 400 also made an appearance at the Bangkok International Motor Show ’23. The retro cruiser is available for THB224,900 (RM29k).
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Leaked Images of the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS Retro Bike?

Image source: AutoBy
Renowned Japanese motorcycling magazine has released a rendered image of what has been claimed to be the new 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS retro bike.
The new retro bike from Kawasaki is rumoured to be powered by the same engine found on the 2017 Kawasaki Z900 ABS with styling inspirations from the legendary Kawasaki Z1.
The only current retro bike offered by Kawasaki is the W800 which is basic and slightly bland for some folks but the Z900RS looks like it can be a possible game changer in the modern retro bike category.
Kawasaki Z900RS rendered by MCN

According to well-known Japanese motorcycling magazine AutoBy, they have tastefully rendered what looks like the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS retro bike from the Japanese Team Green. The question floating in everyone’s minds is whether this is just another prediction that’ll flop or if it is indeed legitimate leaked images of Kawasaki’s latest retro bike which is based on the manic 2017 Kawasaki Z900 ABS.
2017 Kawasaki Z900 ABS
Those who have been following the motorcycling industry for quite some time will sort of agree that AutoBy has a reputation of more hits than misses when it comes to their ‘prophecies’ of new upcoming bikes especially from Kawasaki. The news has been circulating for some time now and we’ve actually reported on it back in September of last year which has its roots related way back to the early Z1.
CLICK HERE to read our previous write up on the Z900RS.
Another reason why the Z900RS comes to mind is the fact that the name has already been trademarked by Kawasaki a while back. The rendered image from AutoBy to us has all the ‘retro-ness’ without being too much or too little and when compared to the rendered images from the folks over at MCN, this new prediction from the reputable Japanese magazine seems to have more substance and style of how Kawasaki retro bikes should look like.
Kawasaki W800
Currently, the only modern retro offering from Kawasaki is their beautiful W800 which is powered by a 773cc air-cooled parallel twin engine that churns out a healthy 47hp at 6,500rpm and 60Nm of torque as low as 2,500rpm. Some say that it might even come with a supercharger (like the SC-02 concept below) but we reckoned that a normally aspirated version is more than enough to spark some fiery passion in motoring enthusiasts.
Kawasaki SC-02 supercharged concept
Priced from RM55,700 (basic price with GST), the W800 is a bit slow in picking up the pace here in the country but we have a reason to believe that the new retro bike powered by the smooth yet powerful engine from the Z900 ABS will turn heads faster than you can say “Is that really a retro bike?”

So, a retro bike with a 948cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, inline-four engine that has over 120hp and 98Nm of torque is quite a mouthful but in essence, it is going to be…legend…wait for it…dary. LEGENDARY! In the meantime, enjoy our video review of the super impressive 2017 Z900 ABS below.

Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates.
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Who was Malaysia’s First GP Rider?

With more Malaysian riders competing in international races around the world, the question of who was Malaysia’s first GP rider comes to mind.
There were many Malaysians racing in regional and national GP races back in the 1960s to 1980s from the legendary riders like Oh Kah Beng aka “Foreman Oh” and Kuan Huah Chin aka “Bulldog Kuan”.
The first modern-day GP rider is none other than Shahrol Yuzy who began his international GP career back in 1996 and retired in 2002.
Hafizh Syahrin

In this modern day and age, Malaysians are getting more recognition than ever especially in the motorcycle racing world. Currently, we have a total of three young Malaysians competing in the highest level of road or circuit racing that is MotoGP.
Khairul Idham Pawi (Image source: MotoGP)
These outstanding individuals are none other than Adam Norrodin (SIC Racing Team) competing in the 250cc Moto3 class, Khairul Idham Pawi (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) and Hafizh Syahrin (Petronas Raceline Malaysia) who are currently competing in the 600cc Moto2 category.
Adam Norrodin (Image source: Drive M7 SIC Racing Team)
With so many young lads making a name for Malaysia and letting the world recognize our ‘Negaraku’ national anthem played in other countries, the question of who was the first Malaysian GP rider to ever compete at this international level.
Shahrol Yuzy during the 2002 Malaysian MotoGP (Image source: MotoGP)
While there were so many legendary riders like Oh Kah Beng aka “Foreman” and Kuan Huah Chin aka “Bulldog Kuan” who started national GP racing back in the 1960s till the 1980s, the first modern-day GP racer is none other than Shahrol Yuzy (photo above).
Oh Kah Beng racing against Keiji Kinoshita in Batu Tiga,1980. (Image source: Facebook)
CLICK HERE to know more about Oh Kah Beng aka “Foreman” as one of the featured figures in our “Most Interesting Biker” segment.
Shahrol Yuzy during the 2002 Malaysian MotoGP (Image source: MotoGP)
Born in 1976 in the heart of Teluk Intan, Perak, he only started racing in the GP series back in 1996 when he was 20 years old but prior to that, he had amazing results competing in a few FIM sanctioned races such as the Asian Road Racing Championship, Spanish Championship and European Road Racing Championship.
Image source: Yamaha Motor
Shahrol Yuzy who is currently the owner of the Givi Honda Yuzy Racing outfit in the national Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix series first started to race in the international grand prix races back in 1996. Competing in the 250cc, he scored a wildcard entry in the 1996 Malaysian GP and another wildcard appearance in the 125cc the following year.
Image source: Yamaha Motor
After his wildcard appearances, Shahrol Yuzy was absorbed into the Petronas Sprinta Yamaha TVK for three seasons racing in the 250cc category. From 2000 until 2002, Shahrol Yuzy managed to score points in a total of fifteen different races on board the Yamaha YZR250. His best GP race finish was eighth back in 2002 in the Catalunya GP.
Givi Honda Yuzy Racing (Image source: Malaysian Cub Prix)
Some say that three years in relatively a short time in GP racing but Shahrol Yuzy decided to retire at the end of 2002 with a noble intention in mind; to nurture other young and talented riders in the Malaysian Cub Prix series acting as a mentor, coach and generally the good guy of Malaysian racing. Way to go in being on of the folks that’s keeping the Malaysian racing scene alive and well, Shahrol. Keep up the good work and full gas, always!
Image source: Malaysian Cub Prix
To know more about how his team is currently performing, CLICK HERE to check out the Malaysian Cub Prix website.
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Ducati introduces new Monster 821

Its finally here, Ducati has taken the wraps off its new Monster 821 middleweight naked, a model it slots below the range’s flagship new Monster 1200.

As you can plainly see, the design is typically distinctive and unmistakable of the brand’s Monster model, but it boast several refinements similar to its larger sibling the Monster 1200 (read our first impression of it here), right down to sharing a similar double-sided swingarm design as well. Tipping the scale at roughly 180kg (dry), the Monster 821 is only 2.2kg lighter than the Monster 1200.

More importantly, it now has a new liquid-cooled 821cc Testastretta 11° V-twin heart lifted from the new Hypermotard. In the Monster 821, the mill is rated at 112hp and 89.3Nm.

Elsewhere, the new Monster 821 is kitted out with Ducati’s three-level ride-by-wire system, along with a three-level anti-lock braking system, eight-way adjustable traction control, and what Ducati describes as “’High-spec brakes, excellent suspension and stylish componentry.”

Available in its traditional red, white, and a ‘Dark’ black-painted edition, the new Monster 821 will go on sale in starting July this year priced between £8,995 and £8,795 in the UK, and $10,995 in the US market.
Check out the gallery below to see more of Ducati’s brand new Monster 821.
2014 Ducati Monster 821
Source: Visordown and Asphaltandrubber
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MotoGP: Espargaro Impress With The RS-GP, Topping First Day Pre-Season Test

Aleix Espargaro shared his thought on the new machine onboard the all-new Aprilia RS-GP after clocking the fastest time on the first day of pre-season testing in Losail, Qatar.
“Yes, the bike doesn’t look like a revolution but to ride it is quite different.
“Especially regarding the stability, we made a big step forward as the bike is a lot more stable and also the aerodynamic side they did a big, big job. The bike is completely different. In acceleration, I feel that we made one improvement, and the bike has a lot more downforce, so the bike is physical, more than last season’s bike.
“It is more stable, so that allows me to accelerate better, which is more than welcome. We are paying a little bit on the top speed, so we still have to find the balance, and we still have to understand the bike to see the strong points and the weak points,” he said.

However, Espargaro was 15km/h slower than Ducati’s Jack Miller through the speed trap.
Nonetheless, the Spanish rider explained that they had to sacrifice speed to achieve better aerodynamics.
“t’s very, very low. It’s lower than our top speed from last season, and we are losing 15km/h to the Ducati, so there is room to improve there. But as I say, the aerodynamics allow you to turn better or not, to accelerate more or less, and to make more or less top speed,” he explained.
Espargaro clocked 1 minute 54.687s to emerge the fastest during the first day, followed by Stephan Bradle and reigning world champion Joan Mir.
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IMF Malaysia 2014 @ Bukit Jalil National Stadium preview

A preview of this weekend’s IMF Malaysia 2014 bike fest and supermoto race taking place in the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

One of Asia’s biggest motorcycling festivals, the IMF (International Motorcycle Festival) Malaysia 2014 will be taking place this weekend at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. One of the biggest highlights of the weekend is the EnduroX and Supermoto race events, which marks its first appearance in the region.

Some of the sport’s biggest names will be racing on Saturday and Sunday. These include 33-year-old Edgars Ivushkns, the 2007 Latvian National Supermoto Champion and 2013 Supermoto of Nations rider for Team Latvia. Next on the list is 22-year-old British sensation Lewis Cornish, the two time British Junior Supermoto Champion and reigning British Masters Supermoto champion.

We caught up with some of the riders and organisers earlier today in Bukit Jalil to see the progress of the track’s built. Present here were British Supermoto rider Jay Smith, as well as fellow Englishman and nine-time Birtish Supermoto champion Chris Hodgson.

Both Smith and Hodgson, as well as Latvian ace Edgars were present to get their first trials of the circuit. The trio were also on hand to assist organisers in fine-tuning the track’s built, which evidently was a challenge. The partial dirt track consists of two small jumps and one large one, which allowed the three to catch some impressive air-time in their tests.

For the riders present during our visit, this marks their first appearance in the region. Predictably, all the riders we spoke to had the same to about their main challenge, which was acclimatising themselves to our hot and humid weather conditions. The other challenge here was the need to adapt their riding skills to suit the soft soil used in the dirt part of the course.

Besides Hodgson’s truty KTM supermoto, rider two supermotos built by TM Racing was also present during the test. Perhaps this weekend will also mark these bikes’ first racing appearance on Malaysian soil.

Besides the EnduroX and Supermoto race events, the festival will also feature various vendors and manufacturers present in the carnival area. Amongst the notable big names present here include Prince Lubricants, Naza Bikes, and KTM. Suffice to say, there will be plenty to enjoy for all motorcycle enthusiasts present.

Adding further to the carnival are stunt riding demonstrations, as well as a stage where local rock legend Amy Search and local rock band Bunkface will be headlining.
IMF Malaysia 2014 will be held across three days starting from Friday, December 19 until Sunday, December 21. The event kickstarts itself at 11:30am on Friday until 7:30pm, and from as early as 10am until 7:30pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Entrance for the public is free and the show ground is just a five-minute walk from the Bukit Jalil LRT station.
More information can be obtained from the official IMF Malaysia 2014 website and Facebook page. You can also download the official event guide with the following link –> IMF Malaysia 2014 Guide.
Thursday @ IMF Malaysia 2014 – Bukit Jalil National Stadium
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