MotoGP: Fabio Quartararo back on top of the championship

After a month of hardship, Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) is back on the highest step of the MotoGP podium after crossing the chequered flag first at the Catalan GP. With this win, he’s once again in the lead of the 2020 championship title chase with a total of 108 points.

It wasn’t an easy race for a lot of riders, especially Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso. Unfortunately, he was taken out going into the second corner of the very first lap after Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing) lost control of his Ducati Desmosedici GP in reaction to Danilo Petrucci almost losing control of his.

Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) scored his third successive podium finish in MotoGP, which puts him comfortably in second place for the championship crown with only 8 points separating him and Quartararo. A strong pace at the very last laps saw him surging past Franco Morbidelli and that was soon followed by the second Suzuki rider, Alex Rins.

This is a historic finish for the Hamamatsu manufacturer as this is the first time they’ve experienced a double podium finish since 2007. Franco Morbidelli wasn’t able to fend off the forwarding Suzuki GSX-RRs, but was happy to concede in fourth position.
Alex Rins is the 13th rider to have stepped up on the podium this season so far
After a long and tiring triple-header, the MotoGP paddock will have a nice short break before the next round in Le Mans, France which is set to take place from 9-11 October 2020. Six rounds remain in the 2020 MotoGP championship, folks!
Written by: Sep Irran
Moto2: Thomas Luthi signs with Onexox TKKR SAG for 2021

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Buy Shell Advance motorcycle engine oil on Lazada Malaysia and you could Meet Jorge Lorenzo

Online shoppers stand to win exclusive meeting with the Ducati rider, MotoGP™ tickets and Oakley eyewear

Contest period from 3-29 October 2017

Buy Shell Advance Oil on Lazada Malaysia and Meet Jorge Lorenzo. Bikers nationwide can now purchase the complete range of Shell Advance motorcycle oils in full convenience from the Shell Malaysia Official Online Store on Lazada Malaysia, the leading e-commerce platform in the country.

Every purchase of the officially-sourced Shell Advance motorcycle oil will be delivered right to the customer’s doorstep in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. You can visit the Shell Malaysia Official Online Store on Lazada Malaysia by clicking here.
In conjunction with Shell Advance’s online debut and the upcoming 2017 Shell Malaysia MotoGP™, online shoppers and avid fans of MotoGP™ will have a chance to bag exclusive giveaways* with purchase of Shell Advance products:

From 3-20 October, purchase one pack of Shell Advance and two cans of Monster Energy Drink via Lazada Malaysia and be in the running for the Grand Prize of a special invitation to an exclusive meet-and-greet session with Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo on 25 October 2017.  Only 100 lucky winners will enjoy this privilege.  The First Prize is one (1) Hillstand ticket and a welcome kit at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) for 150 lucky winners while 20 winners will take home the Second Prize of one (1) limited edition Monster Recon backpack each.
Also from 3-20 October, purchase any of one pack of Shell Advance Ultra or Ultra Scooter and receive one (1) Hillstand ticket and a welcome kit at Sepang International Circuit (SIC), on a first-come-first served basis
From 25-29 October, purchase one carton of Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology or Shell Advance AX7 for a chance to win a pair of Oakley eyewear personally autographed by Jorge Lorenzo.

Shell Lubricants General Manager for Malaysia and Singapore, Baljit Singh, said that the company’s continued collaboration with Lazada Malaysia following the successful launch of Shell Helix passenger car motor oils in August was further proof that it was working hard to meet their customers’ needs.
“We are now providing convenience to bikers all over the country who want nothing less than complete protection for their bikes’ engines that only Shell Advance can offer. Buying from the Shell Malaysia Official Online Store, you can ’outride’ any unpredictability or uncertainty about the quality or authenticity of the product. Best of all, you could be rewarded with a memorable meeting with the Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo or tickets to the Hillstand at SIC that has been reserved exclusively for Shell this year,” he said.
Baljit also expressed delight that Shell Advance and Shell Helix products through its Shell Malaysia Official Online Store will be part of Lazada Malaysia’s Online Revolution shopping extravaganza this coming 11 November 2017.

The annual event is the biggest online shopping fest in Southeast Asia. Themed ‘Shop the Universe’, shoppers in six countries can look forward to millions of products from around the world at ‘out-of-this-world’ prices.  This year, for the first time, the offerings will include genuine, officially-sourced Shell Advance motorcycle engine oils and Shell Helix passenger car motor oils.
“We are thrilled to extend our collaboration with Shell Malaysia with the introduction of the Shell Advance range of motorcycle oils on our platform. Bikers across Malaysia can now enjoy unparalleled access to genuine products online with just a few clicks of the button. We look forward to the introduction of more products and services at the Shell Malaysia Official Online Store even we gear ourselves for the our biggest campaign in November, the Online Revolution,” said Hans-Peter Ressel, Chief Executive Officer of Lazada Malaysia.
Please click here to visit the Shell Malaysia Official Online Store on Lazada Malaysia.
You may also click here for our recent 3000km test and review of the Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology SAE 10W-40 Fully Synthetic engine oil by clicking here.

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MV Agusta signs deal with China’s QJ Motors

Last week, we got to know that QJ Motors, Benelli’s parent company in China, will be launching its own version of an inline-four engine where experts have said that they’ve acquired from MV Agusta. The news has finally been confirmed after both companies inked a new strategic partnership.

The most apparent part of this deal is that QJ Motors will be the sole distributor of MV Agusta bikes for the Chinese market. The other part of the deal will see an even more complex collaboration and industrial development that will most likely lead to a new fleet of QJ Motors premium bikes thanks to this new partnership with MV Agusta.

According to MV Agusta’s CEO, Timur Sardarov, “I am thrilled about this agreement with QJ for the second phase of our expansion into the Chinese market. It is a very ambitious long-term partnership that will make MV Agusta the number-one Italian premium motorcycle brand in China in the next five years.”

“QJ is one of the leading global players in terms of scale, market presence, and quality standards and I am confident that with such a solid partner we will reach, and possibly beat, all our commercial objectives very rapidly. We are also developing a further, important collaboration on the industrial front, which we will announce shortly,” added Sardarov.
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Aprilia RS 660 Concept Unveiled at EICMA 2018

We published the rumor of Aprilia working on a two-cylinder middleweight.

The Aprilia RS 660 concept was unveiled at EICMA 2018.

The engine is a parallel-Twin based on the RSV4 1100/Tuono 1100 V4.

We published a report on the rumors of Aprilia working on a two-cylinder middleweight model back in August, based on Asphalt & Rubber’s report. Well, it turned out that they’ve got a pretty good intelligence network; because Aprilia has unveiled the Aprilia RS 660 Concept EICMA 2018.
Rumours of Two-Cylinder Aprilia Middleweight Supersport Gaining Momentum

As per the rumours, the engine is based on the long-running RSV4 1100/Tuono 1100 V4 engine minus the two rear cylinders. The exclusion of the rear bank of cylinders turns the RS 660’s engine into a parallel-Twin.
The Truth About Parallel-Twins
Our market may frown upon the “bad perception” over the parallel-Twin in the previous Kawasaki ER-6 and Versys 650 models. However, the parallel-Twin engine is more compact and less complex than a V-Twin. It is also cheaper to produce.

A V-Twin needs a lot of space front-to-aft in the frame, thus necessitating a shorter swingarm to achieve a correspondingly short wheelbase. But a shorter swingarm begets more tangential forces from the chain which in turn causes the rear end to squat under acceleration and lift the front wheel. This means the rider cannot open the throttle early to avoid pushing the bike wide in corners. Look at how stubby is the Ducati Panigale’s swingarm.
Besides that, if you locate the front cylinder of a V-Twin closer to the front to put more weight on the front wheel, you may not be able to employ a steep steering angle. As you know, a steeper steering angle is necessary for agility. Sure, you can tilt the cylinders upwards. But now you don’t have enough weight on the front wheel. Besides that, the bike becomes taller to clear the top of the cylinder head covers.

A parallel-Twin (or any inline-engine), on the other hand, solves lots of packaging headache. There’s lots of room behind the cylinders to pack in the throttle bodies and shock absorber. You can tilt the cylinders towards the front wheel.
The benefits are:

More weight on the front wheel.
A longer swingarm still allows for a short wheelbase and less rear end squat.
The rear shock absorber is not exposed to heat from exhaust header(s) like on a V-Twin or V-Four.
Throttle bodies can “shoot” the air/fuel mixture straighter into the combustion chambers.
More efficient cooling.

A parallel-Twin has more efficient cooling as both cylinders face the airflow. That’s why the riders of V-Twins and V-Fours feel as if their inner thighs are being roasted to perfection.
Back to the RS 660, we hope Aprilia uses a different crankshaft spacing than the traditional 180o. The 270ocrank like that on the Triumph Bonneville mimics a 90oV-Twin in both engine vibration and torque characteristics.

Aprilia wanted a middleweight that is compact, light and agile hence a parallel-Twin makes perfect sense. Aprilia designed the RS 660 concept like their 250cc race bike. The (polished) aluminium frame uses the engine as a stressed member. The swingarm is also aluminium and curves over the exhaust on the right side. There is space for the rear shock to mount directly to the swingarm in the central position.
Aprilia also introduced the Aprilia Actice Aerodynamics (A3) concept on the RS 660. As the name suggests, the bike has the ability to change its front aerodynamic profile for the amount of downforce.

Aprilia says that the RS 660 will be produced for Europe, America and Asia.
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Zontes Coming to Malaysia?

With the current influx of Chinese motorcycles into Malaysia, will Zontes make its way over?

Zontes produces everything in-house, apart from ABS and fuel-injection systems.

The manufacturer is into innovation and their motorcycles utilize high-end features.

With the influx of Chinese motorcycles to Malaysia, we wonder if another maker, Zontes, could be on the way, as well.
The Zontes website lists six models of motorcycles. Three are 310cc and the other three 250cc models. The two engines act as the platforms for the different models.
The first, called 310T, looks like a BMW GS at first glance. Indeed, Zontes positions it as a lightweight adventure-tourer. From what we could gather, it features an electrically adjustable windscreen, TFT screen, upside-down forks, and crash bars.

A second model is listed as the naked sport 310R. It looks like the cross between an MV Agusta and Kawasaki Z800. Its most outstanding features are the twin slash-cut exhausts pipe tips and sharp tail with embedded LED taillights. It too, features a TFT screen.

The third model is what looks like a sport-tourer called the 310X. Apart from the same componentry of the 310R, it has an electrically-adjustable windscreen, as well.

Check out the video below.

All 310 models utilize TFT screens, LED lighting, Bosch ABS and Delphi fuel injection system. Suspension systems on all three bikes are the same: upside-down forks and rear monoshock.
Zontes is currently being sold in China, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Pakistan, among other countries.
Zontes is the result of foreign joint venture with Guangdong Tayo Motorcycle Technology Co., Ltd. and founded in 2003. The company currently boasts 1,600 staff members, with 60% of them holding college degrees and above.
Guangdong Tayo’s philosophy is grounded in innovations. As such, they hold 256 styling patents, 121 patents for utility models and 36 patents for inventions. The company has also received the Technology Innovation Award three times.
Apart from sourcing brake and ABS, and fuel-injection components, the company produces almost all parts of their motorcycles in-house, including the engine. This is due to the manufacturer’s employment of robots in their manufacturing processes.
The robots are used for:

Aluminum alloy high pressure casting.
Magnetic mold-replacing injection molding.
Four-axis positioner frame welding.
Four-axis positioner silencer welding.
Traceless roll welding for gasoline tank.
Aluminum alloy surface coating.
Totally enclosed robot painting.
Seat cushion internal foaming unibody.
Stereoscopic warehouse with ERP system integration.

Apart from the autonomous robots, there are is a semi-automatic man-machine high precision manufacturing department.
They are in charge of:

Four-axis CNC machining.
Gear mechining and thermal treatment.
CNC stretch forming for the gasoline tanks.
Aluminum alloy low pressure casting.
Aluminum alloy frame welding.
Motorcycle and engine assembly.
Electric car components manufacturing and assembly.

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Aprilia Rolls Out Special Edition RSV4 Factory And Tuono Factory At COTA

Aprilia has revealed two new limited-edition bikes at the 2023 MotoGP round at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, last weekend.

The special edition models features top-of-the-range components.
The RSV4 and Tuono gets striking graphics and colour scheme.

The RSV4 Factory Special Edition and Tuono V4 Factory Special Edition feature striking liveries that incorporate white, red, blue, and silver text.
The RSV4 Factory Special Edition boasts a 1,099cc V4 engine with 217 horsepower, while the Tuono V4 Factory Special Edition comes with a 1,077cc V4 that produces 175 horsepower. Both bikes feature a six-axis 11MP ECU, full ride-by-wire throttle, and the Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) operating system.

They also come with six customizable ride modes, three of which are for track use and three for road use. The bikes get a full semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension, Brembo Stylema brakes, and forged aluminum wheels.
Additionally, all lighting is LED, and the team worked to refine the aerodynamic design and optimize rider comfort.

These limited-edition bikes will be available in North American dealerships in May and June 2023.
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Honda goes retro with its latest H’ness CB 350

The Indian motorcycle market saw the official launch of the Honda CB 350 or its full and slightly weird name, the Honda H’ness CB 350. Hitting nostalgia right in the feels, the new Honda CB 350 is targeted to take on strong competition like Royal Enfield. Will it work?

Entering the neo-classic segment, the new Honda CB 350 is all about a retro-looking machine with some very modern features. Starting with the engine, the H’ness is equipped with a 350cc single-cylinder engine that is said to produce around 20hp and close to 30Nm of torque.
We’re not sure if that’s current because the current Honda CB250R here in Malaysia produces around 27.3hp and 23.3Nm torque. Anyway, the Honda CB 350 uses a five-speed manual gearbox tuned to take on the roads of India.

Other specs include:

Front telescopic fork
‘Roaring’ exhaust note
Dual-tone fuel tank design
Advanced digital-analogue meter display
Honda Selectable Torque Control (traction control)
Honda Smartphone Voice Control System (Bluetooth Connectivity)
LED lighting system + more

No details of the pricing have been revealed for the new Honda H’ness CB 350 just yet but experts are placing their bets at around Rs 1.9 lakh, which is around RM10,700 after direct conversion. There are also plans for the bike to make its way to markets outside of India in the future.
Written by: Sep Irran
TESTED: 2020 Honda RS150R V2 – “Smooth Operator”

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BMW Motorrad Working On Adjustable Width Seat

Most motorcycles saddle can be adjusted mainly the seat heights however BMW Motorrad has a slightly different ideas in mind.
Latest patent has confirmed that the German firm is currently working on an adjustable-width saddle, something that could really revolutionised the motorcycle industry and potentially becomes an interesting solutions for riders.

The patent suggest that the adjustability does not involved the narrow part of the seat instead relegated to the back section, the part where a rider’s cheek spend a lot of time on.
According to reports, the seat comes with two pivoting section that can be expanded (either manually or electronically) which increased the seat width.
Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see how BMW plans to incorporate the adjustable saddle and which model would received the treatment.

Personally, such innovation could do wonders on the R 18 which we think needs a better seat and better positioning footpegs, a story for another time.
However, further details is still uncertain and it could take years before such system could actually put to work.
Nonetheless, the idea itself is interesting and we are looking forward to it.
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Brembo Acquires Spanish Brake Company J.Juan For RM347mil

Brembo has expanded its brand family after announcing the acquisition of J.Juan.
The Italian company has signed an agreement to acquire a 100 per cent stake in J.Juan Group.

J.Juan Group specialises in developing a motorcycle braking system and currently runs two factories located in Spain and China.
For those who are not aware of J.Juan, the company is responsible is supplying the brake system for Benelli and Zero Motorcycle.
It is understood that the acquisition of J.Juan for EUR70 million (RM347mil)  allows Brembo to access the Spanish company research and development and manufacturing capabilities in the two countries.

Brembo currently owns ByBre, Marchesini and SBS Friction.
“We are proud to welcome J.Juan in the Brembo Group.
“This transaction is in line with our global strategy and follows the recent acquisition of SBS Friction in Denmark.
“We continue to invest with the aim of strengthening our motorbike core business. The addition of J.Juan is a great opportunity for us, as it reinforces our positioning as a company increasingly oriented to offering comprehensive, integrated and high-quality solutions to our customers,” said Brembo Chairman Alberto Bombassei.
Despite dominating the performance market, Brembo still facing a big challenge from Nissin and Beringer.
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Most Interesting Biker – Anita Yusof, GIVI Ambassador

Recently recognised by the Asia Book of Records as the first woman to ride around the world by herself, Anita Yusof has many interesting stories to share. Having met her in person, she does not seem the rough and tough type that could accomplish riding solo around the world. She is humble, gentle and polite, but calm waters run deep here as she is an extremely adventurous person. Having travelled the world by herself before, the backpacker and biker is also a lecturer at the Physical Education Department at a college in Perak.

We recently caught up with her when GIVI Malaysia recognised her efforts by presenting her with the awards certification that confirm her as the first woman to ride around the world. Read her responses to all our questions below:

What makes someone leave everything behind and embark on a solo ride around the world?
It has always been my dream to travel around the world. When I discovered the freedom of travelling on two wheels, I told myself that it’s now or never. I must do it while I’m still healthy and energetic.
How did you prepare for the ride?
By doing lots of research, reading overlanders and adventure riders’ blogs, asking questions in travel and overlander forums etc. From there, I plotted my tentative around-the-world route and started to do my preps on cargo to air freight my bike, visas, writing to MFA and embassies, getting sponsorships, purchased camping gears, did some add-ons on the bike, building networking and the list goes on. I did all of the preparations on my own except for the technical part for the bike.
What was the best advice anyone gave you about riding solo?
I can’t answer this question because I was never advised to ride solo. Normally, people will encourage me to go with at least one companion.
However, I can share the best advice about my route which was given by my idol, Tiffany Coates. During my earlier stage of plotting my route, I planned to skip Central America (after I’m done with Alaska, Canada & USA) and fly my bike from Miami to Bogota, Colombia. The reason was due to safety as Central American countries (Mexico, Guatemala and especially Honduras – the most dangerous country in the world) were famous for its mafia activities and drug cartels.
I posted my anxiety to a women riders group in Facebook. Many responded, some pros and cons, but Tiffany’s words were the ones that changed my mind. She said she had ridden solo or with a female partner doing around-the-world rides for few times but the best to her was her experience in Central America. She said that by all means, I must not skip Central America countries as the culture, colours and friendliness of the people couldn’t be found anywhere else in the world.  Because of her advice, I abandoned the plan to skip Central America but continue riding all the way to Panama, and yes, I never regretted it.
What was the best part of the ride?
Riding in South America. Every time I entered a new country, I will be wowed with beautiful and unique landscapes. The views in each and every country in South America are very different. You will never get bored with the sceneries. Even the view of the vast Atacama Desert which spanned from Peru to Chile amazed me.
What was the worst part about the ride?
Same as above, South America, especially in Chile and Argentina. The off-road, difficulty to get fuel, expensive prices of everything, and the worst – the wind.
Is there anything you regret doing?
Nothing!
Is there anything you regret not doing?
I regretted that my funds and my time were limited so I couldn’t really explore the countries fully. I also had to choose which paid attractions that I could afford. Many times, I couldn’t climb a trek, visit the National Parks, museums, see the penguins, take a night 4WD tour to see the remote Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, or other tours because I couldn’t afford to pay the fees which were too expensive for my wallet.
I also regretted not using off-road tires on my bike because of two reasons:

It’s difficult to find off-road tires which fit my rim size in South American countries and even when I did find it, the price is expensive and the quality of the tires are not good.
Due to my lack of funds, I welcomed any kind of help from others. Hong Leong Yamaha Motor offered to courier me the tires that I need, but the one for Yamaha FZ150 were street tires for normal roads. They didn’t have off-road tires for my bike. I have to make do with that to save some money.

Because of these reasons, I couldn’t ride on some famous off-road tracks such as the Yungas Death Road in Bolivia, and the route from Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama via the beautiful Lago Colorada. These routes were dangerous and difficult to ride even with off-road tires, let alone normal road tires.
Care to share some of the scariest moments of your ride?
The wind was my biggest enemy. I experienced crazy winds while crossing the Atacama Desert in Chile while riding 3,400km on Ruta 40 Patagonia, Argentina. The worst was while riding on the French Riviera when the ‘Mistral’ wind was blowing. My bike was swept to the opposite lane helplessly. In Chile, I was struggling to get back to my lane as a huge truck was approaching from the opposite direction. It was just mere seconds that I managed to get back on my lane.

At the French Riviera which was busy with traffic on both sides of the road, the Mistral wind caused my bike to skid onto the shoulder of the opposite direction. I thank god at the time as it was paved or else I will definitely have dropped the bike. It was very scary. The reckless driving attitude in Peru and Iran also endangered me many times.
When I climbed a mountain pass in Andorra, snow started to fall and the road became so slippery. I could only pray that God will protect me and keep me safe. Those were scary times.
What bike did you chose to ride and why?
Yamaha FZ150. This is the model of my first bike. The one I’m riding for my ‘Global Dream Ride’ is the latest version of this model. I chose this bike because it was a fuel efficient motorbike. It has 12-litre tank that can last for 400km. It’s also lighter than bigger capacity motorbikes, so it’s easier a bit to handle off-road especially for a woman with only three years of riding experience and very little off-road skill. Besides that, should anything go wrong, I can send the bike to any workshop for repairs. Unlike the high-end bikes which you must send it to its service centre. Spare parts for this bike are also easier to find and wouldn’t cost too much money.
Where will you be riding to next?
I have too many destinations in mind. On top of the list are the Himalayas and Pakistan. However, due to my job commitment, the fasting month falls on my semester holidays, and the geography of these places which are best to ride during summer means that I have to put it on hold at the moment. My best bet will be countries on southern hemisphere during my long holiday at the end of the year. So it’s going to be either Australia or New Zealand.
Any advice for those looking to embark on a global ride?

Do your homework. This is very crucial as failure to plan is planning to fail.
Choose your route carefully according to your budget, purpose and interest because you might not have this chance again.
Don’t announce your ride too soon because there will be more people who are ‘virtual overlanders’ that will scare you to death with the stories that they read on the internet (and might make you change your mind), than those who will lift up your spirit.
It’s a tough life on the road and the journey is not always filled with rainbows, so prepare yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. Bear in mind that there are many out there who love to see you fail than those who really support you.
After you have done all of your preparations, let God take care of the rest. Everything happens for a reason. Have faith in Him.

There you have it, folks. Our Most Interesting Biker, Anita Yusof.
PHOTO SOURCE: GIVI Explorer
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Suzuki GSX-R250 rumoured

Internet abuzz with rumour of a possible new Suzuki GSX-R250 quarter-litre model.
Rumour has surfaced online indicating the possibility of a new Suzuki GSX-R250 quarter-litre model coming soon.
This comes following a report published by a Japanese magazine that featured a rendered mock-up of how Suzuki’s new quarter-litre model could look like. What remains uncertain though is whether the supposed quarter-litre Gixxer would adopt a single-cylinder or twin-cylinder powerplant.

For Suzuki, entering the quarter-litre market would be a huge challenge. Rivals Kawasaki, Yamaha and Honda have already set a strong foothold in the segment.
Leading this pack is none other than Kawasaki as the brand offers both single- and twin-cylinder versions of its 250cc range – Ninja 250, Ninja 250SL, Z250 and Z250SL.Yamaha have also entered the foray with its twin-cylinder YZF-R25 model. Honda has its single-cylinder CBR250R model, but a recent rumour could see the mighty H-brand expand into the twin-cylinder quarter-litre front too.
Furthermore, all three rivalling brands offer larger 300cc versions of their 250cc models for the European market as well, which means Suzuki will need to follow in the same footsteps if it wishes to become competitive in this segment. For now, the quarter-litre entry-level bike category is a profitable segment in emerging markets such as Asia, and we suspect Suzuki aims to capitalise on this.
Sources did not report of a possible target debut date, but optimistic expectations suggest at least a concept or prototype of the Suzuki GSX-R250 to be shown at one of the bike shows scheduled during the autumn season this year.
Sources: Asphaltandrubber and Visordown
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Malaysian MotoGP a Driving Force for Tourists to Malaysia

The Malaysian MotoGP is an important driving force in bringing tourists to Malaysia.

It has brought in 1.81 million tourists from 1999 to 2018.

Teams and riders sponsored by Tourism Malaysia were present at a meet and greet event.

The Malaysian MotoGP is an important driving force in bringing tourists to Malaysia.
Director General of Tourism Malaysia Datuk Musa Yusof said that MotoGP had brought in 1.81 million tourists to Malaysia between 1999 to 2018. He presented the statement at the Meet & Greet Session with MotoGP Riders at MaTIC (Malaysian Tourism Centre), Jalan Ampang.

Riders from the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team, PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team, Red Bull KTM Ajo Racing Team, ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team graced the event. Riders present at the event were Franco Morbidelli, Adam Norrodin, John McPhee, Ayumu Sasaki, Khairul Idham Pawi, Brad Binder, Jorge Martin, Can Oncu, Remy Gardner, Tetsuta Nagashima.
The riders were asked about their experiences in Malaysia, as well as which tourism sites they would like to visit. They also carried out autograph and photography sessions.

The teams and riders sport the “Visit Malaysia” logo on their race bikes and race suit, visible to TV viewers the world over.
Viewers in Malaysia also feel proud to see the “Visit Malaysia” logo in the world’s premier racing classes and at the international stage. It also augurs well for next year which ties in with Tourism Malaysia’s “Visit Malaysia 2020” programme.

The 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix will be held from 1st to 3rd November 2019 at the Sepang International Circuit.
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Review: Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 – The lean, mean corner carving machine

The Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 is the latest addition to the popular Sportster family.
It builds on the Iron 883 but has a bigger 1202cc engine that offers over 30% more power.
With tall mini-ape handlebars, mid-set foot pegs and a big 19-inch front wheel, the Iron 1200 is an absolute brute when it comes to corner carving fun.

The Harley-Davidson Sportster is the oldest continuously produced motorcycle. It has been in production since 1957, and though a lot has changed, park new and original together and you will still be able to pick out some similarities through 60 years of evolution.

This is something the geeks in product development call ‘product continuation’, it is the retention of the DNA of a particular model so it can develop and evolve but yet stay true to the original. Sometimes in design, sometimes in purpose.

But the Sportster is special because it is one of the few motorcycles that is perfectly adaptable to being multiple versions of the same bike.

And that is what has made it immensely successful, because it can be a bike to ride up to the mountains or go touring with. It has spawned variants that were absolutely devilish in corners yet perfectly friendly for newbies to get started with.
The popularity of the Sportster grew at about the same time as the Triumph Bonneville’s, the Norton’s and the Enfield’s. The rise of today’s modern retro machine is considered to be a revival of this era, and the Sportster Iron 1200 is the perfect salute with its classic styling.
Fast and stylish with radical chopper styling, the Sportster Iron 1200 we rode in Croatia is everything Harley-Davidsons were meant to be from the start, fast and stylish.
To the uninitiated, the Iron 1200 may look just like an Iron 883 with taller mini-ape handle bars instead of the usual flat-bend handle bars on the regular Iron. But the Iron 1200 is not just the same motorcycle with a bigger engine, it is very much its own motorcycle.

It has plenty of style to begin, it could have been on the cover of U2’s Achung Baby and would have fit right in with the AMF-era tank stripes.
And just like the original Sportster intended, the Iron 1200 is brilliantly fun in corners. It shares the same chassis as the Iron 883 so it has the same frame, wheels, suspension and just about everything else. In fact, despite the fact that the it has a bigger engine and taller handle bars, it manages to be less than a kilogram heavier than the Iron 883, which is a feat by itself.

So the two are clearly siblings, just with different characters. You sit with your fists in the wind, the mid-set foot pegs giving you a perfectly adapted peg-scrapping sitting position, and the big 19-inch front wheel makes this Sportster one of the best handling in its class. It also has an amazingly comfortable seat, much much more comfortable than the 48 Special.

But it is that engine that suddenly makes this Sportster Iron everything it should have been right from the start. The Iron 883 was great but it was also very much an “entry-level” model at one point of time so it felt limited when it came to performance. The Iron 1200 obviously built around the fun package of the 883, but with heaps more fun.

So it all begins with a new air-cooled evolution engine which has 30% more capacity than the 883 and produces about 100Nm of torque. The engine is connected to the same 5-speed gearbox as the 883 though with different gear ratios. As with most Harley-Davidsons, the best way to ride the 1202cc engine is just to leave it in a higher gear and ride the mountain of torque is offers through the corners. Of course, you could bang down the gears and catapult out of corners too. Either way the Iron 1200 is happy to oblige.
But as fun as that sounds, there’s an unnerving feel as you get on the throttle though. Just as the bike piles on some speed, the front goes into a mini-wobble as the bike squats on maximum acceleration. It is not very noticeable but it is there everytime you blast out of a corner.

https://www.bikesrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/HD-Sportster-Iron-1200.mp4
And matching all the fun and power is some fantastic handling. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t have fun with Harley-Davidsons because the Iron 1200 is brilliant in corners. Purists will love the fact that it does not come with a lot of electronics like ABS (optional) and traction control. And the entire meter cluster has been flushed down to the bare necessities, giving you only the most important information. And don’t let that headlight cover fool you, it sucks at deflecting the onslaught of wind, the Sportster Iron 1200 is still very much a city bike than it is a highway cruiser.
But despite the new herculean engine, the brakes and suspension are the same as the Iron 883, which means the same dual-piston calipers front and rear with a single disc keeping you in check. But this just means adjusting your riding style to allow for more foot-peg scrapping fun as you get to carry more speed into corners.
https://www.bikesrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Sportster-Iron-1200-.mp4
And because there is no electronic interference to control the wheel from slipping, you have to be gentle with the throttle, ask for too much and you risk lighting up the rear on exit. Which can be fun in experienced hands, but scary for the rest.
We spent the entire day literally carving up mountain roads, scrapping foot pegs on both the Iron 1200 and the new Sportster 48 Special (which we will get to in a later article). There is no doubt that the Iron 1200 is one of the greatest Sportster’s to date, just a pity that it has not made it to the Malaysian market as yet, but when it does, pay attention as only a few bikes have the talent to back up good looks, and this Iron 1200 is more than just talented.
Do you prefer a bigger bike? How about something like a Road Glide? Click here to read our review and to watch a video on it. Or do you prefer the classic styling of the Street Glide? We rode that too! Watch our video review here.
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MotoGP: Mugello & Catalunya rounds POSTPONED

As we have predicted earlier during our online interview with Petronas SRT Team Principal, Dato’ Razlan Razali, the upcoming MotoGP rounds in Mugello and Catalunya have been postponed due to the growing concerns related to the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

MotoGP confirmed this by publishing the statement on their official website which goes as follows:
Italian and Catalan Grands Prix postponed
The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports regret to announce the postponement of the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley and Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, which were set to be held at the Autodromo del Mugello from the 29th to the 31st of May and at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from the 5th to the 7th of June, respectively. The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has obliged the two events to be rescheduled.
As the situation remains in a state of constant evolution, new dates for these Grands Prix, as well as the recently postponed French and Spanish GPs, cannot be confirmed until it becomes clearer when exactly it will be possible to hold the events. A revised calendar will be published as soon as available.

As of now, the folks over at Dorna are cracking their heads on how they can make this work into the 2020 calendar. Trying to fit in all these venues at the end of the year looks like an impossible task as there are already several back-to-back rounds being rescheduled.

Teams and riders are probably voicing the same opinion as the Petronas SRT team principal where they wouldn’t mind if they have to race back-to-back in a very compact calendar which is being discussed to start as late as August.

Dorna is also looking into other possibilities like running two races per weekend like WorldSBK or Ducati’s suggestion of running two race weekends at the same available venue back to back. As of now, the decision is still being considered where even the CEO of Dorna, Carmelo Ezpeleta, voiced his concerns of not even having a 2020 season at all due to COVID-19.
Ducati offers ‘unique solution’ to save MotoGP 2020

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KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Malaysian launch incoming

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT arriving in Malaysian market by end of July.

It appears that the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT will be launched into the Malaysian market far sooner than we initially reported. Instead of the fourth quarter, we can now confirm that KTM Malaysia will launch the highly anticipated new sport touring machine sometime later this month.
The KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is a brand new model for 2016 and stands as the orange Austrian brand’s first attempt in the sport touring segment. Based on the manic KTM 1290 Super Duke R supernaked, this touring offshoot shares the same chassis platform and thumping 1,301cc LC8 V-twin as its heart.

Previously, our source from within KTM Malaysia has confirmed that the new 1290 Super Duke GT model will be offered as a fully imported (CBU) model when it is officially launched later this month. There was no mention price, but we reckon it would sit in the same bracket as rivals like the BMW S1000 XR and Ducati Multistrada 1200 DVT – from RM109,900 and RM119,999 respectively.
KTM 1290 Super Duke R Special Edition

				KTM 1190 Adventure

				KTM 1190 Adventure R

				KTM 1290 Super Adventure

The same source also confirmed with us that KTM Malaysia aims to re-launch several other CBU models alongside the GT. These include the likes of the KTM 1190 Adventure and 1190 Adventure R twins, the range-topping KTM 1290 Super Adventure, as well as the new-for-2016 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Special Edition.

Stay tuned to our site later this month as we’ll bring you news from the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT’s scheduled official Malaysian launch.
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How Kawasaki Motors Malaysia is giving back to the community

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (KMSB) is known for being actively involved in several activities and program as a way to give back to the community.
Events from road safety campaigns to Hari Raya Open Houses, KMSB has organised a number of programs as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Kawasaki Malaysia is also very particularly active this year in organising a special test ride road show across the country where they offer test rides plus free bike inspections.

Most companies nowadays are focused on bringing in the best products to the market as their main method of earning an income. It’s no different for Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (KMSB) and their extensive list of outstanding bikes currently on sale. Apart from the bikes, did you know that Kawasaki Malaysia is also very active when it comes to giving back to the community?

Many companies around the world practise what’s known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and this year particularly, Kawasaki Malaysia has been going across the country doing just that. At the beginning of the year, KMSB organised a road safety campaign for all participating motorcyclists at the Sungai Besi toll plaza back in January.

Motorcycle owners were given a free helmet and high visibility vest to ensure that they’re always safe and visible on the roads especially during the long holidays when the roads are jammed pack. KMSB also organised the event to increase the awareness of proper motorcycle maintenance by giving out complimentary 16-point motorcycle checks by trained technicians and mechanics from KMSB.

To know more about the KMSB road safety campaign, CLICK HERE.
KMSB is also known for their generosity in all shapes and forms. Back in July, they organised a very special ‘Open House’ in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. Everyone from KMSB staff to members of the Kawasaki Owners Group Malaysia (KOGM) motorcycle club joined in the fun as they gathered at the Dewan Angkasaraya near the TUDM airbase in Sungai Besi.

As part of the holy Islamic celebrations, KMSB invited a few orphanages to join in all the celebrations as one of their ways to give back to the society. Lucky draw sessions and a variety of entertainments were setup to make sure that all attendees had a great time including a test ride session for all their latest 2017 bikes from the Versys-X 250, Z650 ABS, Ninja 650 ABS up to their Z900 ABS.

To know more about the KMSB Hari Raya Open House, CLICK HERE.
Prior to the Hari Raya Open House, KMSB’s generosity quadrupled in the holy month of Ramadan where over 100 participants were involved in a very special charity program where they helped with making and distributing over 3,000 packs of bubur lambuk (porridge) all around the Klang Valley area.

Everyone related to KMSB were happy to lend a helping hand from cooking the porridge from scratch all the way to giving them out to police station, fire station, orphanages and those who attended the nearby Bazaar Ramadan.

To know more about the bubur lambuk cookout during this year’s fasting month, CLICK HERE.

Kawasaki Malaysia is also very particularly active this year in organising special test ride sessions during their “Always Closer to You” road show across the country. They would visit different cities and provide test rides to those who are interested in becoming future Kawasaki motorcycle owners.

Apart from the test rides, KMSB also took the opportunity to provide free service and 16-point free inspection to all Kawasaki owners which were inspected by top hand service personnel when they come with their machines. It is clear that KMSB is very particular about the safety and wellbeing of their motorcycles as well as the owners themselves.

To know more about the Kawasaki Malaysia “Always Closer to You” nationwide road show, CLICK HERE.
KMSB is also known to show great support to local talents who are interested in the motorcycle industry whether it’s tearing up the tracks in races such as the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSC) or forming collaborations to help develop future Kawasaki motorcycle specialists.

It was only last month when KMSB exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GIATMARA Sdn Bhd. Today’s event serves to witness the exchange of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and officially launch the Superbikes Training Program, which is the result of the collaboration between GIATMARA and KMSB.

The collaboration between the two parties is aimed at enhancing the skills and entrepreneurial mindset for the Malaysian superbikes industry. GIATMARA is the ideal platform as a technical and vocational skills training institute which will enable trainees to gain valuable experience and expertise of KMSB in the field of superbikes.

To know more about the Superbikes Training Program between GIATMARA and KMSB, CLICK HERE.
As big part of the Malaysian community, Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is not just here to provide you with the best that Kawasaki has to offer when it comes to amazing motorcycles and after-sale services. They are also actively involved in making the society around them a better one by organising different activities and events as their way to give back to the society. Like the saying goes “Excellence is not about being the best, it is about doing your best.”
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Harley-Davidson Suspends Russia Shipments

Harley-Davidson has suspended the shipment of new motorcycles to Russia amid the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The decision supports America’s sanctions against Russia’s invasion of its neighbouring country.
2021 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special
Harley-Davidson officially joins various large companies in suspending their business with the country, including General Motors, Ford, BMW, and most recently, Volvo.
Although the Milwaukee-based firm has around ten dealerships in Russia, Chris Hodson, senior analyst at Edgewater Research, stated that the country is not an essential market for the brand.

“Russia is not that significant of a market, to begin with.
“Any units that have been earmarked for Russia can be diverted elsewhere,” he said.
Regardless, Europe still remains the second biggest market for Harley-Davidson, after the United States.
(Source: Reuters)
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2017 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Malaysia – Get your dapper on this September 24th!

This year’s Malaysian edition of the 2017 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride will take part in two locations; Penang and Johor.
The Penang edition will be spearheaded by local lads from Rotten Motorcycles and Riders Garage while the Johor Bahru side will be handled by Leftee Works together with the support from Art of Speed Malaysia.
The worldwide event which is happening on Sunday, 24 September 2017 will see over 70,000 riders from more than 600 cities to join in raising awareness for prostate cancer and men’s mental health.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is just around the corner. With Malaysia moving its way towards being more proactive in reference to DGR’s cause, our great country will once again take part in this very special ride on 24 September 2017, Sunday.

This year, there will be two main locations that’ll spearhead Malaysia’s DGR rides which are Penang and Johor. For the Penang side, the local lads from Rotten Motorcycles and Riders Garage will join forces in organising the DGR Penang edition with the great support from Art of Speed Malaysia.

Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Malaysia 2017 – PENANG edition

Motorcycle communities from the entire Northern side of the country like Perak, Kedah, Perlis and Penang will get all dapper up to take part in a massive convoy tour around Penang’s UNESCO Heritage City of Georgetown for the entire day.

The convoy will make their stops at a few heritage sites and building across the route for some very awesome time, photo opportunities as well as raising awareness for prostate cancer and also overall men’s mental health.

The main man that’ll be leading the whole Penang show is none other than 37 year old Penangite Wan Zamani Ahmad, founder of Rotten Motorcycles. Together with Jeremy Leong from Riders Garage, these folks will be the main support and management for DGR Penang 2017.

In line with the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride’s goal to raise funds and awareness as a non-profit organisation, these two individuals will volunteer is doing all they can to organise this event as a way to give back to the community.
Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Malaysia 2017 – JOHOR BAHRU edition

Those who are on the Southern side of the country, don’t worry about not being able to join the Penang side if it’s too far for you guys because this year, the great city of Johor Bahru will also join in for this great cause that is the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2017.

The movement in JB will be spearheaded by local 34 year old Johorian Muhammed Khairul Neezal Razali of Leftee Works, a local brass metal craftsman. Neezal will also rally all the riders from Johor and including Singaporeans to join this dapper ride in the southernmost state of Malaysia.

As a major force behind the ‘Kustom Kulture’ scene in Malaysia, Team Art of Speed Malaysia will also be taking part in the ride in Johor Bahru. With three great individuals running everything on the same day that is 24 September 2017, Team Art of Speed Malaysia will be lending their support via their vast experience and expertise in event organisations as well as marketing strategies to fully maximise awareness about DGR, prostate cancer  and men’s mental health.

If you’re interested in sponsoring any of the DGR events happening in Penang and Johor, you may submit your requests or enquiries to Asep Ahmed Iskandar (founder of Art of Speed Malaysia) via email artofspeedmy@gmail.com or call +6012-5639796.

This year, DGR 2017 is targeting over 70,000 folks to get all dressed up in their finest suits all around the world riding their previous classic and vintage style motorcycles all in the name of charity.

Folks from over 600 cities will take part in this one day event to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and mental health programs on behalf of official charity partner, the Movember Foundation.

DGR details include:

Founded in 2012 by Mark Hawwa, Sydney Australia.
Raised over $8M USD for charity since 2013
2017 target of $5M USD for prostate cancer and mental health programs on behalf of The Movember Foundation
70,000 registered riders to raise funds and participate within 600 cities across 95 countries during 2017
Global celebrity ambassadors
Major rewards for fundraisers and donors including motorcycles and luxury watches from major partners Triumph Motorcycles and Zenith Watches

To register, head on over to https://www.gentlemansride.com/rides/malaysia. Those who are unable to join the Penang or Johor Bahru side, you can also register under the great cities of Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Labuan, Melaka, or Miri.
Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more DGR updates.
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Yamaha Pushing For Self-Balancing Motorcycle

A self-balancing motorcycle is a technology that several motorcycle manufacturers have been working on in the last few years.

Yamaha developing Advanced Motorcycle Stability Assist System for road-legal machines.
AMSAS is regarded as a more relevant approached compared to Motobot and Motodroid system introduced in 2017.

Brands like Harley-Davidson, BMW, and Honda are all reportedly working on robotic technology.
However, Yamaha is the one brand pushing for innovation, beginning with the project Motobot, announced in 2015 before it was superseded by Motodroid two years later.
However, the Motobot and Motodroid have yet to make significant progress, until now.

In the latest development, Yamaha provides a glimpse into a new self-balancing bike that could soon make its way to production.
The standard-looking Yamaha R3 features an innovative self-balancing system called Advanced Motorcycle Stability Assist System.

Unlike the Motobot and Motodroid, the AMSAS system is bolted directly onto the R3 chassis. It features a six-axis inertial measurement platform that offers self-stabilisation at speeds below 5km/h.
Interestingly, the system works while the rider sits on the saddle but with no hands on the handlebars.

According to Yamaha, 70 per cent of bike crashes occur within two seconds after the initial moment of cause, allowing zero time window for riders to react to avoid a collision. This is where AMSAS will play a significant role in saving the day.
However, it remains to be seen whether the technology will find its way to street bikes soon.
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Small capacity BMW bike spotted testing in Germany

The internet bike sites are abuzz today with what looks like spy shots of a small displacement BMW being tested in Germany.
BMW Motorad had announced in 2013 that they will be working with TVS Motors, an Indian motorcycle manufacturer to develop sub-500cc bikes and targets 2015 as the year for the first roll out, which looking at these pictures that it might be a possibility.

According to the sites, the bike could be a 300cc liquid-cooled single and loosely based to its bigger brother the S100R Roadster. More models could be coming along as a spinoff from this bike including a sportsbike and adventure variant.
Highly possible that if ever the bike makes it here it might be a 250cc instead to suit our licensing, now who is excited for a mini GS?
Source: MCN.com and motorcycle.com
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Family Confirms Gino Rea In Medically-Induced Coma After Suzuka 8 Hours Horrific Crash

English motorcycle racer, Gino Rea suffered a crashed during the second free practice at the 2022 Suzuka 8 Hours, last Saturday.

Gino Rea sustained a serious head injury during the second practice round at Suzuka.
The rider was flown to the nearest hospital for immediate medical attention with doctors kept Rea in medically-induced coma.

Medical personnel rushed to care the FCC TSR Honda France rider, but due to severe injuries, Rea was airlifted to a local hospital.
The team had earlier confirmed that the rider sustained a serious head injury due to the crash and remained in critical condition.
As a result, Rea is put under medically-induced coma for days.
International media tried to get a hold of Rea’s condition but due to the injury’s severity, no recent updates were collected.
However, Rea’s family has shared an update regarding the situation.
“We couldn’t make a post earlier due to the Japanese culture, as they do not release any news to media without the direct contact with the family first.
“We arrived in Japan on August 8 and 8pm with many thanks to the EWC, FIM, Suzuka Circuit, British Consulate, and TSR Racing Team for all the help in arranging emergency visas for us,” said Rea’s family in a statement.
The statement also explained that doctors kept the rider in medically-induced coma as an effort to reduce the swelling on his brain.
However, according to the family latest update via Rea’s official Instagram account, the rider showed a sign of recovery with reduced swelling after undergoing CT-Scan.
“He is in a stable condition and recovering from the usual side effects from such a trauma. We are looking forward to a speedy recovery from him as we all know he is capable of it,” the statement read.
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2018 Ducati Panigale V4 gets TWO recalls

Ducati North America has issued two recalls for the latest 2018 Ducati Panigale V4.
All 692 units of the V4, V4 S, and V4 Speciale are affected by two issues related to its fuel breathing system and fuel tank cap.
Both recalls have been issued urgently as they may increase the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from the United States of America has issued not one but two different recalls for the latest and one of the most highly-anticipated motorcycles to date, the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4.

According to the recalls, the new V4-powered Panigale has been diagnosed with a ‘fuel leak from tank breathing system valve plug’ and ‘fuel sprays when cap is removed’. All 692 units of the V4, V4 S, and V4 Speciale that have been brought over onto the US soil are apparently affected by the two recalls issued together with the help of Ducati North America.

This is a very important recall and Ducati North America was very quick in handling the situation which may lead to unwanted consequences. It was only two months back when a viral photo of a Ducati Panigale V4 caught fire in Vancouver, Canada and we now know why and what may have caused the ‘heated’ situation.

The first recall revolves around the fuel tank breathing system valve plug where it may have been damaged during production. This may lead to the fuel leaking from the broken valve plug and the O-ring will be replaced by Ducati to remedy the fault.
To know more about the fuel tank breathing system valve plug recall, CLICK HERE.

The second recall affects the Panigale V4’s fuel tank cap where it may spray fuel upon opening due to the first problem related to the faulty fuel breathing system valve plug. The current fuel cap is unable to vent pressure developed within the fuel tank properly when the bike is presented with factors like external temperature, usage of bike, and fuel amount in the tank just to name a few.

To remedy this, Ducati North America will ‘rework’ the fuel tank cap to improve the fuel tank’s breathing capacity. To know more about the fuel cap recall, CLICK HERE.

As for the Malaysian market, the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 is close to its launch date. We’re confident that Ducati Malaysia will ensure that all units will be perfect by the time they arrive for excited customers across the country.
Termignoni exhaust for 2018 Ducati Panigale V4

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Get this Arai helmet to match your new Honda Fireblade!

The Arai RX-7V is arguably one of the most popular full-face helmets in the world. Whether it’s riding the streets or tearing up the tracks, this Arai full-face helmet has been the go-to choice for many riders. If you happen to be a Fireblade owner (or just a fan of HRC), this new Arai RX-7V is a collaboration with Honda’s latest 1000cc superbike, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade.

Available in three different colour options, the graphics are just stunning to watch whether you’re blasting down the front straights of Sepang or just letting it show statically on the café table when you’re having your coffee during your weekend rides. There’s the iconic red/white/blue combo, blue/white/black and black/silver combo.

The Arai RX-7V is a representation of what the Japanese company is capable of when it comes to making top-of-the-line racing lids with loads of cool features from superior ventilation, extreme comfort, as well as smooth aerodynamics. High safety features paired with all-day comfort are the main selling points of the RX-7V and judging by the number of riders seen riding with this helmet, it’s designed to fit most normal-shaped heads with no issues.

Arai UK is selling these bad boys at £789.99 a pop (just over RM4,300) which is quite a price tag but if you’re able to afford the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP here in Malaysia (RM198,800 without road tax & insurance), we’re guessing that a really good full-face helmet that matches your new superbike won’t really put a dent in your budget.
2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade Wins Red Dot Award

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Video: Cycling down a wet hill road backwards at 80km/h

Whilst many opt to tackle a twisty mountain road in a sports car or a sportsbike, a Norwegian bicyclist decided to take things up a few levels by cycling down one backwards.
The video posted shows cyclist Eskil Ronningsbakken attempting the insane stunt on a mountain road near the town of Trollstigen, Norway. Not only did Eskil perform the stunt whilst mounted backwards on his bicycle, the road was substantially wet as you can see in the video, not to mention the steep 10% slope gradient as well.
Nevertheless, Eskil went on his way with the act, reaching speeds of up to 80km/h in the process too. Check out the video below to see for yourself how this mad Scandinavian pulled off this stunt successfully.

Source:YouTube via Autoblog
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Honda Reveals Updated 2017 Africa Twin Rally

New upgrades with a weight reduction of around 7kg

Horsepower increase to 98hp

Revised bodywork with new parts

Honda has released their latest version of the highly successful CRF1000 aka the Africa Twin Rally. This news came to being after a European publication at www.moto.it revealed the somewhat leaked but highly probable news.

With a host of different upgrades and goodies, the Japanese manufacturer managed to cut down the weight from the previous Africa Twin by almost 7kg and increase its overall output to 98hp. As we all know in the world of motorcycle physics, less weight + more power = AWESOME.

A major rework has been done to the body as well with new parts for the front fender, windscreen, tail tidy, skid plate and a few carbon fibre components thrown into the mix. The most noticeable upgrade is the awesome looking Termignoni full system exhaust. These new additions however have not been finalised yet as it looks more for display purposes.

As we all know, the present Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L is currently powered by an all-new SOHC 998cc parallel twin unit. With an ingenious 270-degree crankshaft configuration, the engine performs like a V-twin with an overall output of 94hp and 98Nm of torque.

Another great specification that can be found in the present Africa Twin is a switchable ABS to off-road purposes. Combined with Honda’s very own multi-mode traction control system dubbed the Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), adventure riders consider this Honda machinery a darling to ride on.

The prices set for the European market is around €21,490 (around RM101,503 after direct conversion) for the standard model and €22,640 (around RM106,935) for the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) version. No actual news from Honda themselves yet but we’re hoping that it’s good news although the prices seems a bit steep with our present state of currency. For the time being, enjoy the video below showcasing Honda’s unique Dual Clutch Transmission technology.

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Should Malaysia change the minimum age for motorcycle license?

The current laws regarding the minimum age for motorcycle license are currently being revised.

In order to curb street hooligans and street racing, there have been voices saying that the minimum age should be lowered.

Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) has set up an online survey in order to collect information from the public.

Discussions and proposals are currently being submitted to the Ministry of Transport with the idea of increasing the overall safety of road users here in Malaysia. One of the said ideas is changing the minimum age requirement to obtain a motorcycle license.

It was only a few months back when the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry proposed that in order to curb the rising problems of street hooligans known as ‘mat rempit’, the minimum age for a B2 motorcycle license (250cc and below) should be lowered to 14 or 15 years old.

We’ve been hearing mixed feelings about this possible move and the folks from Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) has conveniently set up an online survey. This survey is hoping to get the public’s opinions regarding the current laws on obtaining motorcycle licenses and thoughts on revising it for the future.

We’ve met up with Transport Minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook earlier today at the 20th Yamaha Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign organised by Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM). Regarding the issue, he stated that they’ve been receiving a lot of proposals regarding the matter.

When asked about his own personal thoughts, he stated that he has none and any decisions made by the Ministry of Transport will be based on nothing but the facts. One of the ways they are obtaining the facts is through MIROS and their online survey.

If you’re interested in contributing your thoughts towards the minimum age for motorcycle license, do your part by completing the survey by clicking HERE. This will only take a couple of minutes to complete but your thoughts on the matter could be vital information in the future of road safety here in Malaysia.
TOC Automotive College Provides Funding for Superbike Technician Course Students!

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Alternatives to the Moto Guzzi V85TT?

Picture credit Moto Station/RideApart

The Moto Guzzi V85TT will form the platform for new models.

Piaggio have not announced their plans but a number of renders have shown up.

The renders used the bikes classic lines.

“The Moto Guzzi V85TT is just the beginning,” said Gianluca Fiume, Chairman and General Director of Piaggio Vietnam in the post-media ride interview. “There will be more models based on its platform.”
By platform Piaggio meant not just the 853cc transversely-mounted 90o engine alone (it’s already powering the Moto Guzzi V9 range anyway) but the entire engine and chassis. However, Fiume stopped short of revealing what the future models are.
Well, looks like there are artists who wish to demonstrate their ideas what the next bike will look like.
Picture credit Moto Station/RideApart
Oberdan Bezzi rendered a model which harks back to the most famous Guzzi – the Le Mans. The headlamp fairing and fuel tank are definitely distinctive, giving the bike a café/classic racer stance.
Another design turned the bike into a roadster/standard naked bike reminiscent of the V7 Racer mixed with elements of the V9 Roamer.
Picture credit Moto Station/RideApart
Lastly, an Old School Garage render turned the V85TT into a scrambler which they called the “85 Super Dingo,” complete with knobby-shod, large-diameter wired spoke wheels.
Picture credit Moto Station/RideApart
In our opinion, the Le Mans “replica” certainly looks delicious. What’s yours?
Piaggio have yet to announce the prototype based on the V85TT as they are probably too busy in keeping up with the orders.
Source and pictures: Moto Stationvia RideApart.com
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15 things you need to know about the Ducati Superleggera

The new Ducati Superleggera was recently previewed here in Malaysia and according to sources, up to 3 Malaysians have forked out the princely price associated with it. It is officially the most advanced Ducati ever built and is hailed as an ‘engineers dream’. The Ducati MotoGP team worked exclusively on the Superleggera during their downtime from racing.
This is everything you need to know about the new Ducati Superleggera:

At RM488,000 it is the most expensive new bike in Malaysia.
It weighs in at just 155kg dry and 177g wet. That makes it just 6kg heavier than the KTM Duke 390, and 17kg less than a Honda CBR500R.

The 1198cc V-Twin engine makes 200hp and 134Nm. That gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 1.29hp per kg, giving it the highest power-to-weight ratio of any production bike in history.
Only 500 units will ever be built.
Every screw on the Superleggera is made of titanium, and the radiator cap alone is 6 grams lighter than the one on the standard Panigale.

Every plastic bit on the Panigale has been replaced with carbon fibre
The front frame is made of magnesium alloy while the rear subframe is made of, you guessed it, carbon fibre.
The Superleggera is the lightest super bike ever built!

Ducati opted for the non WSBK-sped FSGR Ohlins suspension, opting instead for the Ohlins FL916 custom machined-billet fork bottoms.
The only part on the Superleggera that is actually heavier than the standard Panigale is the LED headlight.
It lapped the Mugello track at an amazing 1 minute 54.9 seconds. On street rubber!
The brakes are Brembo M50 monobloc.

The engine has new titanium exhaust valves and two-ring pistons.
If that is not hardcore enough for you, Ducati is offering a race kit. This gives you an Akrapovic exhaust system, which gives you 5hp more and reduces weight by a further 2.5kg.
The electronics package on the Superleggera includes a new wheelie control system, traction control and engine braking control. The Superleggera also records and displays lean angle.
2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera Specs:
Engine
Type: Superquadro: L-twin cylinder, 4 titanium valves per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled, titanium con-rods
Displacement: 1198cc
Bore x Stroke: 112 x 60.8mm
Compression Ratio: 13.2:1
Power: >200hp (149kw) @ 11,500rpm
Torque: 98.8lb-ft (134Nm) @ 10,200rpm
Fuel injection: Mitsubishi electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full ride-by-wire elliptical throttle bodies.
Exhaust: 2-1-2 system in titanium with catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes
Emissions: Euro 3
Transmission: 6 speed
Transmission Ratio: 1=37/15 2=30/16 3=27/18 4=25/20 5=24/22 6=23/24
Primary drive: Straight cut gears, Ratio 1.77:1
Final drive: Chain 520; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 41
Clutch: Slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch with hydraulic control
Chassis
Frame: Magnesium monocoque
Front suspension: Öhlins FL916 43mm with TiN, fully adjustable usd fork.
Front wheel travel: 120mm (4.72in)
Front wheel: 3-spoke forged in magnesium 3.50″ x 17″
Front tyre: 120/70 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP
Rear suspension: Fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36 unit with titanium spring. Adjustable linkage: Progressive/flat. Aluminum single-sided swingarm. 4-point adjustable pivot.
Rear wheel travel: 130mm (5.12in)
Rear wheel: 3 spoke forged in magnesium 6.00″ x 17″
Rear tyre: 200/55 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP
Front brake: 2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc M50 4-piston callipers with 19-21 MCS pump. Bosch 9ME ABS
Rear brake: 245mm disc, 2-piston calliper
Fuel tank capacity: 1L (4.5 gallon US)
Dry weight: 155kg (341.7lb)
Wet weight: 177kg (390.2lb)
Seat height: 830mm (32.48in)
Max height: 1100mm (43.31in)
Max length: 2075mm (81.69in)
Instrumentation: TFT
Ducati electronics: DDA+, DTC, DQS, DWC, EBC, LIB, Riding Modes
Versions: Dual
Additional equipment: Full race kit – titanium exhaust system by Akrapovič, dedicated dust cover, front & rear paddock stands, machined mirror fill-caps, removal kits for registration plate holder, sidestand
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History of the Ducati 916 – Celebrating 25 Years of the Icon

The Ducati Panigale V4 25th Anniversario 916 has just arrived on our shores.

Why did it pay tribute to the Ducati 916?

Why was the 916 so important?

The Ducati 916 was released in 1994, which makes 2020 its 26th anniversary. So why are we running this article as if it’s the bike’s 25th anniversary? Well, that’s because the Ducati Panigale V4 25th Anniversario 916 has just arrived on our shores.

Why pay tribute to the 916? What made the 916 one of the most iconic motorcycles of all time?
First of all was its revolutionary styling which went on to inspire how sportbikes would look until this day – including the Panigale. Sportbikes up to 1994 had either round or square headlamps, but the Ducati 916 was the first to utilize the now mandatory “squinting” headlamps. That break was due to the use of projection headlamps that had been introduce to cars in the 80s.
Part of the 916’s styling also made the bike more compact compared to its peers. The diminutive shape helped the rider in being integrated into the bike, which paid in spades in corners.
Secondly but perhaps more importantly, the 916 and its subsequent variants dominated the World Superbike Championship in the 90s. It’s considered a heroic effort for an underdog manufacturer to beat the world’s largest motorcycle makers including Honda.
The 916 wasn’t about power or low weight. Instead, it was about maximizing its strengths, which were cornering ability and hard acceleration out of corners. That 90-degree V-Twin had an irregular firing order which enhanced rear tyre grip so that riders could get on the gas sooner.
Ok, let’s look at its history.
In the beginning
Ducati had already won three consecutive WSBK (before it became WorldSBK) titles in 1990 (Raymond Roche on the 851), 1991 and 1992 (Doug Polen on the 888). However, they were beaten by Scott Russell on the Kawasaki Ninja ZXR-750 after a close fight.
Raymond Roche on Ducati 851
The late Massimo Tamburini was given the task to design a new superbike. But this time he was not only in charge of the design but also the technical aspects, as well.
Tamburini borrowed heavily on the designs of the Ducati Supermono race bike, penned by Pierre Terblanche. The Supermono had that pointy nose, slim waist and small tail profiles.
Ducati Supermono
The late maestro was also inspired by the Honda NR which debuted at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show. The V-Four bike had oval pistons and 32 valves which were derived from the NS500 racebike. It also boasted single-sided swingarm and underseat exhausts. (Before you jump on us for saying that the great Tamburini borrowed his design ideas from others, please be informed that he was the one who revealed these facts.)
Honda NR
As for the single-sided swingarm, Tamburini would say in later years that he wanted to give the impression of the rear wheel floating. But he also said that the single-sided swingarm will facilitate quick wheels changes in endurance races.
The Ducati 916’s underseat exhausts were a late addition. The original plans had a side-mounted pipe, just like the Cagiva Mito 125 EV. (The EV was penned by Tamburini before the 916 and it actually looked much more closely related to the Supermono.) The late changes also worked in tandem with quick wheel changes.
Cagiva Mito 125 EV
1994: Production began
The Ducati 916 was first revealed to the press at the 1993 Milan show but it only went into production in 1994. That’s because Ducati back then wasn’t a powerhouse like it is now.
Ducati was held by the Cagiva Group under the late Claudio Castiglioni and it was always on the precipice of financial collapse. Production numbers of the 916 was low despite the new demand, hence it was the M900 Monster which actually brought in the cash!
Ducati M900
The first 916 appeared in the Strada form with a single seat. The engine produced 114 hp, which was lower than its peers at the time. And it came with Dzus quarter-turn fast-release bodywork fasteners (as did all 916).
Ducati introduced the 916SP (also known as the SP1) later that year which utilized a twin-injector per cylinder set up plus race internals (titanium conrods among others), boosting the power to 126 hp. Supension was Öhlins and brakes were Brembo Gold Line with iron discs. This variant was the homologation model for superbike racing. Only 310 were built in 1994.
1994 Ducati 916SP
The bike was entered into WSBK straight away. Carl Fogarty won 10 races and finished second in four other races on the way to the title. This, in the bike’s first year of competition.
Carl Fogarty in 1994
1995: The Senna
The Strada was replaced by the dual-seat Biposto but the specs stayed essentially the same. The factory continued building the SP, too. Now dubbed the SP2, it shared the same specs at the SP1 but there were sources who claimed that Ducati replaced the titanium conrods with steel units. Another 401 examples were issued.

But 1995 saw one of the most famous variants, called the 916 Senna. Development began prior to the Formula 1 champion Ayrton Senna’s demise and it was intended to be higher spec’d and more powerful than the SP. However, when he was killed at the Italian GP in 1994, Ducati toned down the bike and gave it a black colour scheme with red wheels. Only 300 were built. The manufacturer continued that tradition with the Senna II and Senna III in later years.

1995 saw another WSBK title, courtesy of Foggy. He decimated the field this time around by winning 13 races and finishing second in another six. The second title gave rise to mutterings that he won because of the bike. Foggy would drop the bombshell by announcing his move to Honda for the 1996 season.
Image source: daidegasforum.com
1996: The 955
The Biposto remained unchanged while Ducati kept homologating the SP with new parts for racing.
The race engine capacity had gone up to 955cc. In order to race in the AMA Superbike series in the US, they were required to homologate a certain number of bikes with that capacity. This gave rise to the little known 955SPA (also known as the 955SP). The bore was enlarged by 2mm for the capacity bump. Only 50 were ever built, making it the rarest 916 and one of the rarest Ducatis.

On the WSBK front, Troy Corser stepped up and won the 916’s third consecutive title.

1996 also saw the takeover of 51% of Ducati shares by the Texas Pacific Group (TPG). The extra cash injection saw the Cagiva Group starting to concentrate on the MV Agusta brand side-by-side with Ducati.
1997: The SPS
The SP name was dropped and the SPS was introduced. The latter was meant to homologate the new 996cc engine, which brought it closer to the 1000cc limit for V-Twins in WSBK (four-cylinder engines were limited to 750cc).

Ducati found that the original 916’s crankcases had cracks and stress fractures when they went to 955cc thus new crankcases were produced for the SPS. Bore went up to 98mm while retaining the 66mm stroke. As such, the barrels and heads were new.
The Senna II began production.
Over to WSBK, Foggy came back to the Ducati squad but he had to contend with John Kocinski who had taken over his Honda RC45 seat. The former won four races but also had four retirements, compared to Kocinski’s nine wins and just one retirement. Nevertheless, he finished second overall.
John Kocinski on the Honda RC45 in 1997
1998: The Foggy Replica
The biggest news this year was the 916SPS Foggy Replica which paid tribute to the great racer. But it was also to homologate a new frame and airbox.

Foggy had complained that the 996 was vastly different when he returned in 1997, mainly bout the snappy throttle response. Instead of building a whole new engine or suspension like what Honda would do, Ducati worked on the V-Twin’s breathing and found that a larger airbox was the key for the increased capacity. It also increased engine power.
But the frame had to be modified to fit the new airbox, besides being lighter with engineered flex. This new frame was also known as the Kyalami Frame as it debuted at the South African circuit for the 1998 WSBK season.
Only 202 were built. One went to Foggy, one was kept in the Ducati museum while the other 200 were sold to the public.
Foggy put in a much more consistent performance this time around and won the championship. It’s his third and the 916’s fourth.

1998 also saw the complete takeover of the Ducati brand by TPG. It marked a new beginning for both Ducati and the MV Agusta brands.
1999: The 996 and 996SPS
The much “forgotten” Biposto finally got a substantial upgrade and took a capacity bump straight up to 996cc. The engine was the detuned version of the SPS, more like if the 996SPS was to comply with the US EPA standards. As such, it used more conventional parts like a standard ratio transmission, and heavier crankshaft and conrods. It shared the SPS’s pistons, valves, heads and crankcase, however.

The previous 916SPS (996cc) was now known as the 996SPS.
Foggy put in a stellar performance on the new bike by winning 11 races, finishing second in another six races, and third twice to wrap up the championship. It was his fourth and the 916’s fifth. Foggy held the record as the WSBK’s rider with the most titles for 20 years until it was broken by Jonathan Rea in 2019 with his five consecutive titles.
Although the Ducati 916 has now ceased to exist, the subsequent models were still considered the 916 as they shared the bike’s DNA.
2000: The Testastretta
The homologation and racing bike’s engine took another capacity bump to 998cc. This was when Ducati introduced the “R” designation in the 996R. It also marked the debut of the Testastretta (narrow head). The head narrows the valve angles to allow the bigger bore and larger valves for power increase. The Testastrettawas later adopted to all liquid-cooled Ducati road bikes.

Honda finally threw up their arms and debuted their own V-Twin sportbike and buried their favourite V-Four format. Called the VTR1000 (SP2 or RC51 race bike), it was a weapon in the hands of Colin Edwards. He beat out Troy Bayliss on the Ducati to win the title.

Bayliss would fight back in 2001 to clinch the title on the 996R. It was the 916’s final victory.
2002: The Final Edition
The 916’s run was coming to an end. With this, the now 998 received some design tweaks. It was also the year when the current Ducati’s model designation made its debut – the base 998, Öhlins suspended 998S, and the 998R homologation model.

There were four special editions including Ben Bostrom and Troy Bayliss replicas, green coloured 998 Matrix (actually a 996 in The Matrix Reloaded) and 998 Final Edition (in 2004).

The 916’s legacy
Ducati would debut the 999 in 2003, designed by Pierre Terblanche, as Tamburini had stayed with Cagiva/MV Agusta. The 999 was maligned by many when it was unveiled, despite proving to be better than the 916. Its design was just too much of a culture shock for the Ducatisti, which prompted Ducati to return to the 916’s design cue in the 1098 in 2007.

Having learned their lesson, the manufacturer continued with the 916’s design character in the Panigale in 2011 and to the current V4.
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MotoGP: It’s Yamaha, Yamaha and Yamaha!

The Andalucia MotoGP round in Jerez, Spain yesterday saw Yamaha locking out all three podium positions for the first time since 2014 where Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) scored his second premier class victory, followed by Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), and his teammate, Valentino Rossi.

It was a tough race for a lot of the riders as track temperatures exceeded 60°C in certain parts. It would’ve been a complete Yamaha domination as Franco Morbidelli was on a good pace to fight for podium contention before suffering from a mechanical failure in the middle of the race.

It was expected for Quartararo to win and win brilliantly, but to witness three Yamaha riders on the podium, including the Doctor, was indeed special. Vinales sits comfortably in second of this season’s championship with just 10 points behind Fabio Quartararo while Valentino Rossi celebrated his 199th podium finish.

According to the nine-time world champion, “The start was crucial for me, I did a great start. I tried to follow Fabio but… you know, Fabio is a little bit faster but especially, he doesn’t stress the tyres. It’s like he’s on silk. I’m also sorry for Pecco and Fabio because they were fast, and Maverick – he was a bit faster, but I did a mistake and I let him go. Maybe if not I could have stayed in second, but I think he deserved because he was a bit faster. We still have to work on the last five laps, but now we’re not so bad in the other 20.”

The question now is whether Yamaha can carry this momentum through the entire season. With major reliability issues faced by the Yamaha M1, particularly the engine and how they’ve already used up all the concession in the first two races of the season, it’ll surely affect the upcoming races if any of its riders have to use the sixth engine and face the penalty of starting the race from the pitlane.

It’ll be two more weeks before the third round in Brno for the Czech Republic GP and one thing is for sure, we’ll definitely witness more drama and spectacular racing action from 7-9 August 2020. Stay tuned for more MotoGP updates.
Image source: MotoGP
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Self-Balancing Honda Gold Wing In The Works

Honda has filed a patent for a new self-balancing system that will be used in the next-generation Gold Wing and other models. The system is not as advanced as the Riding Assist concepts but still uses the same technology to make it easier to push the bike around.

the system will allow big bikes especially the Gold Wing to be push around easily.
The DCT version of the Gold Wing already has a “walking speed mode,” and adding a steering assist to this mode will make it easier to prevent low-speed toppling.

The main component is a steering actuator that will keep the bike tilted toward the rider and prevent it from getting out of control.
The system is designed to reduce the weight that the rider has to hold up while pushing the bike. The steering actuator is connected to a computer that takes signals from an onboard tilt sensor. If the bike leans too much toward the pusher, it will steer closer to them, making itself more upright to reduce the weight they’re holding up. If the bike gets completely vertical, the steering will turn the other way to prevent it from falling away from the pusher.
*while pushing the bike, the actuator located at the handlebar will steers the bike closer to the rider to stand it up if it detects the bike is leaning too much.
The DCT version of the Gold Wing already has a “walking speed mode” that allows it to move forward or backward at low speeds under its own power. Adding a steering assist to this mode will make it easier to prevent low-speed toppling. The existing sensors and computers used for traction control and ABS systems can already monitor the bike’s lean angle, so adding the steering servo to the system would be easy to adopt.
Honda has filed many patents for a next-generation Gold Wing, which is at the center of a large R&D project. It’s not clear when we’ll see the results, but Honda will want to establish itself as a tech pioneer sooner rather than later since rival brands are already offering rider-assist technology that Honda doesn’t have yet.
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CONFIRMED: Hayabusa Is Coming This February – Check Out This Teaser!

Suzuki is confirmed to bring back the iconic Hayabusa for 2021 after releasing a short teaser on YouTube.

The 25-sec clip provides a glimpse of what we can expect once Suzuki officially introduces the Hayabusa this coming 5th February.
The first clue we gathered was the Hayabusa comes with an analog meter paired with a small TFT screen in the middle.
The small TFT is neat and compact, but under our watchful eyes, we can see that it offers major electronic updates, mainly the Suzuki S- DMS Engine Management Systems consisting of various riding modes.
The screen also features a quickshifter function that can be turned on or off!
Suzuki will unveil the new Hayabusa this coming 5th February, and yes, we are excited!
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2019 Yamaha Lagenda 115Z GP Edition unveiled – RM5,580

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor has unveiled the latest 2019 Yamaha Lagenda 115Z GP Edition in conjunction with the final round of the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. This very limited edition was launched to celebrate the success of Malaysia’s first-ever MotoGP team and their successful maiden season in the premier class, the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT).

Dressed in the same livery as the Petronas Yamaha SRT squad’s Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bikes ridden by Fabio Quartararo (2019 MotoGP Rookie of the Year) and Franco Morbidelli, the 2019 Yamaha Lagenda 115Z GP Edition comes in the matte dark grey and Petronas green colour combo together with all the sponsorship stickers to match.

Powered by a 115cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the Yamaha Lagenda 115Z produces close to 10hp (7.4kW) at 7,750rpm and 9.9Nm of maximum torque at 6,500rpm. Perhaps the biggest difference that can be seen on the GP Edition model (compared to the 115Z model) is the twin gas shock absorbers mounted at the rear for better overall handling and riding experience.

HLYM has announced that this particular model will be a limited run and each unit comes with a certificate of ownership. The 2019 Yamaha Lagenda 115Z GP Edition is priced at RM5,580 (basic price without insurance & road tax) and will be available at all Yamaha authorised dealers starting mid-December.

2020 Yamaha NMax 155 launched in Indonesia

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FIRST LOOK: 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide & CVO Road Glide

Confidential and Embargoed until 6/7/2023, 10:00AM CST - 2023 Location Photography. CVO
Harley-Davidson is raising the bar for the motorcycle riding experience with the introduction of two premium 2023 models from Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO).

The new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models not only showcase advanced technology but also enhance rider comfort and deliver dynamic performance, thanks to the powerful new Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 engine.
These exclusive models present a transformative revision of the iconic Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring platform.

Jochen Zeitz, the Chairman, President, and CEO of Harley-Davidson, expressed his excitement about the new models, stating, “With the all-new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models, our mission is to advance every aspect of the Grand American Touring motorcycling experience. These models set a new standard for Harley-Davidson performance, technology, and style, accelerating the evolution of the world’s most desirable motorcycle brand.”

The new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models feature stunning designs that have evolved from the classic shapes of previous Grand American Touring motorcycles. Integrated venting and LED signature lighting with integrated turn signals are incorporated into the fairings of both models.

Notable design elements include a trimmed front fender, a distinctively beveled 6-gallon fuel tank, and saddlebags that harmonise with the fairings and fuel tank with their three-dimensional shape. The bold custom statement is further reinforced by the new Combo Cast Laced wheels, featuring a black machine-cut cast-aluminum rim and laced spokes. Each model will be available in two highly detailed finish options.

Setting a new benchmark for factory-installed torque and displacement in a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle, the new 121-cubic inch V-Twin Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 engine delivers exceptional performance. It features optimised liquid-cooled cylinder heads with a new cooling system, variable valve timing, a redesigned intake tract, and a performance exhaust system. The development of the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models carefully considered every aspect of design to enhance overall performance and comfort.

These models weigh significantly less than their predecessors, with a reduction of 31 pounds for the CVO Street Glide model and 35 pounds for the CVO Road Glide model. High-performance front and rear SHOWA suspension components provide confident handling and greatly improve rider comfort compared to previous CVO models, with rear suspension travel increased by 50 percent. Premium Brembo braking components ensure outstanding braking feel and performance, enhancing rider confidence.
*2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide
A notable feature of the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models is the introduction of selectable Ride Modes – Road, Sport, and Rain – which electronically control power delivery, engine braking, Cornering-Antilock Braking System (C-ABS), and Cornering-Traction Control System (C-TCS) settings.
*2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide
The models prioritize aero and thermal comfort through all-new fairings with a “floating” windshield design and adjustable air-control vanes. In wind tunnel testing, these improvements resulted in a 60 percent reduction in subjective helmet buffeting compared to equivalent 2022 models. The new engine cooling system further enhances thermal comfort for riders compared to previous CVO models.

Embracing cutting-edge technology, the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models introduce an all-new suite of infotainment technology powered by the Skyline OS. Replacing analog instrumentation and most switches, a customizable 12.3-inch TFT color touch screen offers three distinct view options and is compatible with Apple and Android devices.
Confidential and Embargoed Until 6/7/2023; 10:00AM CST – 2023 Key Features. CVO Street Glide.
Wireless connectivity through Wi-Fi enables riders to connect their devices seamlessly, while a built-in Bluetooth receiver facilitates wireless headset use. These models also feature expanded media storage compartments with a USB-C connection point. A premium Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate Stage II four-speaker audio system, boasting a new 500-watt RMS amplifier, enhances the overall riding experience.
The CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models will make their U.S. public debut during the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee from July 13-16, 2023. Authorized Harley-Davidson dealer showrooms worldwide will have both models available in mid-July.
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SM Sport 110R Updated With New Colours For 2021

MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd has updated the SM Sport 110R with new colours and graphics for 2021.
Firstly introduced in 2017, the SM Sport 110R is powered by a 110cc engine capable of producing 6.04Hp at 7,500rpm and 7.0Nm at 5,000rpm, making it ideal for daily use.

Despite the small size, it carries a 10L storage and a 4L fuel tank making it a practical motorcycle.
Priced at only RM4,018, the SM 110R also comes with LED and DRL lights and a front disc brake for better braking and tubeless tires.

You also get a USB port, making it suitable for those using their smartphone as a navigation tool while riding.

Customers will also enjoy a two-year warranty or 20,000km (whichever comes first) with every purchase of the SM Sport 110R.
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Review: Black Hammer Riding Boots

If you are looking for a wear-it-all-day-long riding boots but at a very affordable price, then you might want check out the BH 4884 riding boots by local safety footwear manufacturer, Black Hammer.
We got our hands on a pair and had a go at it for the last few months. What we found is that Black Hammer have blended the versatility of a walking boot with the protection of a safety boot and round it up with some extra features that can usually be found on a riding boot like a shifter pad.
The boot is made out of genuine leather, tough enough for rough wear but also soft enough to be comfortable. Apart from the steel toe cap and steel plate in the mid sole, some areas have been beefed up for added protection like on the heel and shin areas.
A double lock stitch means the boot won’t be separating from its non-slip sole while a double zip, one on each side of the boot provides easy access for your foot to go in or out. Though not waterproof, the boots held up nicely as it remained dry in a drizzle or being hit by those irritating splashes you get while riding after the rain.
As mentioned, the boots are comfortable enough to be walked in all day albeit being on the slightly heavy side, probably thanks to all that steel in them. And with all that steel, we found that you can trip those magnetic sensors built into the road for the traffic light to turn green on your side.
They also worked fine while riding and we had no problem shifting gears in a few bikes that we tried it on.
The boots retails at RM289 and can be found at many shoe stores or even some hardware stores nationwide.
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Adventure Bike Continue To Dominate The Italian Market

Italy’s two-wheeled market has reported a significant upswing in Q1 2023, with March alone recording impressive sales figures for both scooters and motorcycles.

Italian motorcycle market recorded a surge in sales for the month of March 2023.
BMW R 1250 GS, Honda Africa Twin and Benelli TRK 502 continue to dominate the market.

According to the National Association of Cycle Motorcycle Accessories (Confindustria ANCMA), the country’s two-wheeled market posted a 26.7-percent spike in March, translating to growth of 27.6 percent in Q1 2023.
In March, scooter sales amounted to 17,777 units sold, representing a 31.5-percent increase, while motorcycles recorded 18,221 new registrations, reflecting a 25.8-percent boost. The surge in sales has been welcomed by dealers, who are looking to build on the growth gained at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023.

The Confindustria ANCMA has also broken down the top-selling motorbikes in Italy for March 2023. Moto Morini’s X-Cape 650 adventure bike made it into the top ten list with 283 units sold, followed by Honda’s NC750X with 303 units moved.

Meanwhile, Yamaha’s Tracer 7, Moto Guzzi’s V7, and Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 round out the top ten, with Honda’s new CB750 Hornet cracking the top five with 401 units sold.

The top three places go to the Honda Africa Twin, BMW R 1250 GS, and Benelli TRK 502, respectively, with Italian consumers registering 674 Africa Twins, 621 R 1250 GSs, and 600 TRK 502s throughout March 2023.
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A Mechanic In Italy Build This R9M Based On The Tracer 900 GT

Yamaha recently revealed the 2022 YZF-R7 after months of speculations.
Despite the R badge, the R7 is actually an MT-07 clad in a full-fairing body panel as the motorcycle shares the same CP2 689cc engine and offer the same 72.3hp and 67.9Nm.

However, before the dust settled, fans already asking about the possibility of an R9, powered by the CP3 889cc engine found on the MT-09.

While there is no confirmation Yamaha even considering a bigger version of the R7, a mechanic with a Yamaha dealership in Veneto, Italy, decided to build his own R9M using the Japanese CP3 powerplant.

Jacopo Marzaro took the Tracer 900 GT and stripped the sport tourer down to its bone before constructing a new subframe and upgrading the suspension with Ohlins fork legs and Ohlins monoshock.

Marzaro completes the R9 with a new Akrapovic exhaust system and ECU modifications to fit the R image, instantly boosting the power from 115hp to 140hp.

Interestingly, the fairing kit and livery were all done by hand in an effort to custom fit the Tracer 900 GT chassis.

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ALERT: Suzuki GSX-R global recall

We are sure some of you have already heard about the global recall for selected Suzuki GSX-Rs made from 2004 to 2013, but we feel it is necessary  to bring the word to those who have not here on our site.
Suzuki issued a worldwide recall sometime last week, alerting of a possible fault within the GSX-R’s brake master cylinder. This affects ALL GSX-R600 and GSX-R750 models manufactured since 2004, as well as GSX-R1000 models made from the year 2005.
To be more specific, a press statement released by Suzuki UK has detailed the specific model ranges affected:
• GSX-R600 – K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, L0, L1, L2, and L3 model types
• GSX-R750 – K4, K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, L0, L1, L2, and L3 model types
• GSX-R1000 – K5, K6, K7, K8, K9, L0, L1, L2, and L3 model types
We strongly recommend all BR readers and followers who own Gixxers of the aforementioned model types produced in the years stated to have their bikes checked the soonest possible with your respective mechanics. After all, we at BR only wish everyone would take great efforts towards riding safety, and this as many would know, starts with proper maintenance of your beloved machines. Live free and ride safe. – BR
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