Honda CRF300L & CRF300 Rally updated for 2021 – lighter, more powerful

Honda has launched the heavily-revised 2021 Honda CRF300L and Honda CRF300L Rally in their lightweight dual-purpose motorcycle offerings and according to the stats, they are now lighter and more powerful than the previous generation, and by a significant amount, too.

We’ve seen the teaser photos before and both models carry that ‘Dakar’ racing appeal in both their designs and colour schemes. Although the looks are fairly new, everything with these two dual-purpose bikes has gone through quite an evolution.

Starting with firepower, both the CRF300L and CRF300 Rally carries the new 286ccs single-cylinder DOHC liquid-cooled engine that produces around 27hp at 8,500rpm and 26.6Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. In other words, the new models produce 10% more power and 18% more torque than the previous-gen units.

The overall weight for both machines has been considerably cut down as well thanks to a new steel semi-double-cradle frame, aluminium swingarm and bottom yoke. This resulted in a 4kg drop, which is roughly around 13% improvement in the power-to-weight ratio department.

The transmission unit has also been improved with reworked gear ratios for better power and torque delivery throughout the low and mid-range and that is further amplified with the addition of an assist/slipper clutch for 20% less load on the clutch lever.

Other updates include longer travel suspension, higher ground clearance, revised steering geometry and riding position improve all-terrain handling and agility. Both models also get a shiny new LCD display and a bigger fuel tank for long-distance travels (7.8 litres for CRF300L and 12.8 litres for Rally).

Written by: Sep Irran
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MotoGP: Valentino Rossi to sign with Petronas Yamaha SRT this weekend?

Rumours of Valentino Rossi finally signing with the Petronas Yamaha SRT squad for the 2021 MotoGP season are stronger than ever as they get ready to tackle Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. It seems that all parties have finally agreed with the terms and it’s just a matter of putting the final signature down for the nine-time world champion.

Valentino Rossi also stated that everything has been verbally agreed between Yamaha, Petronas SRT, and himself back in Jerez. With a very lengthy contract to go through, all related parties took their sweet time to ensure that everything is crystal clear, especially with the ‘long contract’. Right after Misano, Rossi himself stated, “The situation is very clear; I will race with Petronas next year.”

The agreement points toward the 41-year-old Italian riding a factory-spec Yamaha M1 but most of us are still relatively in the dark regarding other aspects like which team member Rossi will be transporting over to the Petronas Yamaha SRT garage. That was also one of the major concerns when the same question was posed to Team Principal, Dato’ Razlan Razali.

It is said that Rossi will be bringing in three crucial team members into his 2021 season, which are crew chief David Munoz and two of his faithful mechanics, Alex Briggs as well as Brent Stephens. This hopefully won’t upset the balance that the Petronas Yamaha SRT has setup going into their second year in MotoGP. Stay tuned for more updates.
Written by: Sep Irran
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Ducati SuperSport S spied during WDW 2016

New Ducati SuperSport S leaks online from its exclusive private preview during WDW 2016.

There was another bike that stole headlines during last weekend’s World Ducati Week 2016 (WDW 2016) celebrations other than the Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario. Here’s our first glimpse of the new Ducati SuperSport S model destined to debut later this year.
Just like the Scrambler Ducati range, Ducati opted to preview its newest model in a private viewing session for fans that attended WDW 2016 last weekend. But of course, like the Scrambler’s leak during WDW 2014, someone managed to sneak a camera in to give us a glimpse of what Ducati has tried to keep under wraps.

Ducati is indeed reviving its SuperSport sport-touring nameplate that was last seen back in 2007. Known internally as Project 1312, the Ducati SuperSport S is expected to enter the brand’s line up as a 2017 model.

From the leaked spyshot circulating around the web, we can see that the Italian marque’s new sport-tourer has an exterior design that resembles closely to its Panigale superbike models.

However, rumours indicate that underneath, the model underpins the Ducati Monster 1200 platform instead, perhaps explaining why the displayed bike had a single-sided swingarm assembly.
As you can probably guess from the ‘S’ letter, the bike previewed at WDW 2016 is likely a range-topping variant, so we can expect a ‘standard’ SuperSport variant to arrive alongside it as per the brand’s model norms.

Credible sources online reports that the Ducati SuperSport S will be powered using the brand’s updated and Euro 4-compliant Testastretta 11° 937cc liquid-cooled V-twin lifted from the updated Hypermotard 939 and Hyperstrada 939 models.
Reports further highlight that Ducati has modified up to 80% of the mill to make it suitable for the SuperSport and will offer 110hp. There’s no word if the standard SuperSport will be powered using the same mill, but we cannot rule out the possibility of Ducati fitting this base variant with a smaller 821cc V-twin from the Monster 821 instead.
The bike previewed during WDW 2016 came fully loaded with plenty of notable features. Highlights include adjustable Öhlins suzzies all round but had no electronic assistances, two floating 320mm discs up front grabbed by Brembo M4.32 monobloc quad-piston calipers plus a single 245mm rear disc grabbed by a dual-piston caliper, ABS and multi-level traction control, as well as three selectable ride modes – Sport, Touring and Urban.

The seemingly ‘analogue’ Öhlins suspension primed in the Ducati SuperSport S sees the marque keeping in line with the ethos of the original SuperSport model. It was, for all intensive purposes, an uncomplicated road-focused bike, and this new successor likely retains that DNA.
We can expect more details as soon as the Ducati SuperSport S debuts officially later this year, most likely during EICMA 2016 in November or perhaps earlier in October during INTERMOT 2016 instead.
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CFMOTO 700CL-X Expected To Launch In Malaysia Soon?

The CFMOTO brand is undeniably getting bigger and bigger, especially in Malaysia, with its wide range of 250cc up to 650cc motorcycles.
The 250SR quickly gained attention when CFMOTO launched the motorcycle in Penang back in 2019, with the brand already making its mark previously with the 400NK and 650MT.

During the launch, CFMOTO informed us that the all-new 700CL-X would also arrive in Malaysia in 2021 before it was put on hold due to the current pandemic Covid-19.
Nevertheless, it is rumoured that the new cafe-racer-type machine will reach shores at the end of 2021.

When it was unveiled at 2019 EICMA, three variants were on display: Heritage, Adventure, and Sport with the motorcycle powered by a 693cc parallel-twin engine that punches around 74hp and 68Nm of torque.

The 700CL-X boast with variety of features which includes:

41mm KYB USD front forks (fully adjustable)
Rear KYB single shock (preload & rebound adjustability)
Retro-looking front LED headlights (all-round LED lighting system)
17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels + Pirelli MT60 RS tyres
Slipper clutch
Selectable riding modes, cruise control + LCD dashboard
Continental ABS

Although no official price has been revealed, we expect it to be sold at around RM30,000 to RM35,000, which we think is an excellent price for a motorcycle that packs with all the latest goodies.
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Energica unveils new Experia electric sport-tourer

All-electric and mile-munching new Experia model sees Italian electric bikes brand Energica baiting the sport-tourer crowd.

Energica unveils new Experia all-electric sport-tourer offering during Italian GP weekend.

It boasts the largest battery capacity ever fitted in any electric motorcycle, rated at 22.5kWh.

Said battery is Level 3/DC Fast Charger-compatible, allowing 80% charge in just 40 minutes.

It packs an all-new PMASynRM electric motor that outputs a respectable 102HP and 115NM.

Energica claims a maximum travel range of at least 246KM, or up to 420KM in urban areas.

Unveiled during last weekend’s Italian GP in Mugello, the Experia model featured here sees Italian electric bikes firm Energica baiting sport-tourer fans. This might be the first all-electric sport-tourer of its kind to enter the market in fact.
Unlike the bulk of its road bikes, the Energica Experia sees its chassis constructed from an all-new tubular frame. Perhaps this was warranted considering the scaffolding now encases a new motor/battery/controller setup designed especially for this model.
At the heart of things is an all-new PMASynRM electric motor. It combines the benefits of both a brushed and brushless motor design into one single unit seamlessly. It’s also mounted in a new position in the Experia, and it now tips the scale lighter than its predecessors according to Energica.

Crucially, this ‘leccy heart is potent, but not as peppy as previous Energica models. Nevertheless, it still boasts a respectable claimed peak power output of 102HP plus peak torque 115NM. Sure, these figures aren’t close to that of Energica’s Ego and Eva naked, but it does help the Experia in delivering much better range – Energica are claiming 153 miles (246KM), or 261 miles (420KM) in urban areas.
Packing a 22.5kWh battery pack, which is the largest of all on any electric motorcycle, Energica says it can be charged from 0-80% at a Level 3/DC Fast Charger in 40 minutes at a top rate of 24kW. There is also the option to charge it using conventional 240V and 120V plug-in points for either longer stops or overnight charging.

Electric powerplant aside, the Energica Experia packs a respectable amount of kit and hardware too. Highlights include Sachs adjustable 43mm forks and rear shock, both offering 150mm of travel. There’s also Brembo braking hardware led by dual 330mm rotors and radially-mounted quad-piston calipers up front.
Additionally, said anchors work in conjunction with an ABS suite governed by a Bosch 9.3MP ECU that also dictates the lean-sensitive traction control present. Crucially, the Experia offers riders with four selectable ride modes (Eco, Urban, Rain, and Sport) plus four selectable regenerative braking maps (High, Medium, Low, and Off), as well as slow speed forward and reverse parking assistance.

Other features present include two USB ports in the dash, plus an additional two in a waterproof lockable storage compartment. Energica says that the accessories menu will be expanded over time. At its debut, Energica readied a ‘Launch Edition’ of the Experia, which adds bar ends and bolts finished in black, the addition of heated grips, along with aluminium wheels adorned with red detailing accents.
As for price, it remains TBC at the time of launch and writing, but details are expected in the coming weeks as the Energica Experia begins market sales in the EU region.

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New Honda ADV 160 Inbound, Teaser Confirms

The latest teaser from PT Astra Honda Motor has confirmed that a new Honda ADV 160 is set to roll out in Indonesia.

The new ADV 160 will get a bigger powertrain than the previous generation.
The ADV 160 will feature revised bodywork and features.

Rumours about a new generation ADV 160 have been around since the introduction of the PCX 160, Vario 160 and the recently launched Air Blade 160.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PT. Astra Honda Motor (@welovehonda_id)

 However, the latest teaser by Honda distributor in Indonesia, PT Astra Honda Motor, via its official Instagram account has confirmed that the ADV 160 is on its way.
While the teaser was faintly visible, the motorcycle silhouette is similar to the ADV 150 but with a slight change in the bodywork.
Nevertheless, the new ADV 160 will feature the same 156.9cc eSP+ engine found in the PCX 160 that makes 15hp @ 8,500rpm and 13.8Nm @ 7,000rpm, a bump from the previous 14.5hp and 13.9Nm.
Meanwhile, the upcoming ADV 160 will also feature several upgrades in terms of design and mechanics.
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Isle of Man TT 2017 – Michael Dunlop wins Senior TT on board new Suzuki GSX-R

Image source: MCN
Michael Dunlop has the final Senior TT race in the Isle of Man TT 2017 yesterday on board of the brand new Suzuki GSX-R.
With Ian Hutchinson crashing out of the race in Lap 2which led to a break in the race, Dunlop was able to make necessary changes to the bike’s setting which gave him the ultimate TT race win.
Peter Hickman (Smiths BMW) and Dean Harrison (Silicone Engineering Kawasaki) again scored impressive podium finishes in second and third respectively.
Image source: MCN

Michael Dunlop took his 16th TT win in the Isle of Man TT 2017 premiere race, the Senior TT. Not only he won the most memorable race of the entire Tourist Trophy series, he did so yesterday on board the brand new Suzuki GSX-R.
Image source: Ultimate Motorcycling
Throughout the two weeks at the legendary Mountain Course, the two names who kept being mentioned were Michael Dunlop and Ian Hutchinson. With Hutchinson’s two recent wins in the Superstock and Superbike races, it looks like the two will go head to head once again.

That reality of the two giants going at it once again was shattered when Ian Hutchinson went down in Lap 2 took him out of contention for the premiere 2017 TT crown. He was taken to the hospital via helicopter with a broken femur but in stable condition. The crash caused the race to stop which gave Dunlop the golden opportunity to change the GSX-R’s new rear shock which led to his win.

The change of setup during the race break gave Dunlop a huge advantage when he crossed the chequered flag ahead of runner-up, Peter Hickman. The Smith’s BMW rider finished the race in second place with a gap of over 13 seconds on board his BMW S1000RR.
Peter Hickman
Dean Harrison scored yet another podium finish on board his Silicone Engineering Kawasaki ZX-10R. Harrison finished the race in third with a gap of over 10 seconds behind Peter Hickman. With the Senior TT race over, that marks the end of an interesting two weeks of high-octane action on the legendary Mountain Course.
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Upcoming Yamaha E01 Electric Scooter Caught Testing

Yamaha upcoming electric scooter, the E01 has been spotted doing its trial run in Japan, signalling the Japanese marquee EV plans for 2022.
According to reports, Yamaha organized a test ride session with media companies in an effort to get inputs on the electric scooter.

Despite being heavily wrapped up in camouflage, the silhouette is clearly similar to the E01 concept showcased at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.
Nevertheless, we could see the tiny almost circular twin headlamps at the front similar to the one available on the R1 and the Tracer 9 GT.

Meanwhile, the dashboard features an all-digital LCD display which could also feature the Y-Connect system once the production model is out.
The Y-Connect function allows riders to connect the instrument cluster to a smartphone which displays turn-by-turn navigation.

The E01 also gets disc brakes (front and rear), twin shock absorbers, 13-inch wheels, ABS, keyless ignition and riding modes.
The Yamaha E01 could make its way to Europe and the Asian market soon.
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Modenas Let’s Talk — Building Smarter Motorcycle Owners

The sixth Modenas Let’s Talk event was held at the pioneer Modenas Power Store in Kota Damansara earlier today.

The event seeks to build more informed and smarter Modenas motorcycle owners.

Attendees were given tips on maintaining their bikes.

The sixth Modenas Let’s Talk event was held at the pioneer Modenas Power Store in Kota Damansara earlier today.

Aptly named, the event seeks to build more informed and smarter Modenas motorcycle owners. That objective is achieved through better understanding of their bikes specifications wise and also about maintenance requirements.

Approximately 300 Modenas V15, NS200, RS200 and Dominar D400 owners participated in this edition. They were provided with lucky draw tickets and other goodies upon registration, along with a questionnaire on their thoughts regarding their motorcycles.

Attendees were also given the opportunity to test ride different models of motorcycles.

At the same time, Modenas provided trained mechanics to carry out a service campaign. Besides having their oil changed, the mechanics also carried out safety checks on the motorcycles.

The owners were provided with genuine Bajaj DTSi engine oil that’s specifically formulated for their bikes.

Afterwards, Tuan Haji Yusmey Yusoff from Modenas briefed the assembled crowd about the program.

He also highlighted on the Modenas Master Mechanic Competition which began last month. Mechanics from Central, South, North regions of Peninsular Malaysia and those from East Malaysia competed to determine one best mechanic. He/she will then be sent to Bajaj in India to compete against mechanics from 70 other countries.

Apart from that, the company will start a loyalty club for Modenas owners. Members receive will many perks including enjoying spare parts and accessories sales on BikesRepublic’s online shopping portal. They will also be entitled to free 120km (return) towing service, up to a maximum of four times per year.

Tuan Haji Yusmey also talked about Modenas’ desire to work with Giat Mara to supply mechanics to Service Plus workshops in more areas in the country.
Lastly, he promised that Modenas will set up a customer careline by year end.
The representative from Bajaj, Mr. Jagnesh Adlakha spoke about the importance of engaging the owners on a personal scale. Bajaj and Modenas are aware that:

Owners require good aftersales service. As such, there will be a total of 60 Service Plus workshops by year end.
Owners want to share their thoughts, ideas and feedback with the manufacturer, hence the Modenas Let’s Talk events.
Spare parts are in demand, but they are needed quickly. Consequently, Modenas has set up an inventory of parts worth RM 500,000.
Modenas received feedback that different shops are charging different prices for parts. Therefore, the company will soon introduce a price list.

Mr. Jagnesh then fielded questions to the participants. The questions pertained to specifications and maintenance requirements of the Modenas V15, NS160, NS200, RS200 and Dominar D400 motorcycles. Some of the questions were “What are the tyre pressures for you motorcycle?”

The correct answer earned the participant special prizes.

Mr. Keshy Dillon from BikesRepublic.com then spoke about the company’s new online shopping portal which lists all the genuine parts from Modenas/Bajaj. There will also be accessories, but these were carefully chosen to not void the bikes’ warranty.

Buyers can now pay for their chosen products via bank transfer, but other methods of payment will soon be added in Phase 2 of the portal’s development. Those in West Malaysia could expect to receive their package within 3 days, while those in East Malaysia should receive theirs in 5 days from when the order was placed.

The biggest difference for the new portal is that buyers have a direct point of contact, rather than through an automated system.
Buyers can expect the prices to be Modenas’ recommended retail price plus postage fees.

Representatives from Modenas and Bajaj then handed over prices to owners of the best-maintained bikes, by specific models.

A lucky draw was held before the day concluded. Attendees walked away with genuine Modenas service packages, accessories, action cameras, helmets and 2019 Shell Malaysia MotoGP tickets.

PHOTO GALLERY

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2020 Harley-Davidson Models Revealed

2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Tri-Glide

2020 Harley-Davidson modesl were revealed recently.

The CVO and Touring models will feature the RSDS electronic rider assistance systems.

2020 marks the return of the Low Rider S.

We reported yesterday that 2020 Harley-Davidson Touuring and CVO models, in addition to the LiveWire will receive rider assistance electronics. The announcement accompanies the Motor Company’s reveal of their 2020 models.
2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Tri Glide
2020 Harley-Davidson CVO Tri-Glide
The 2020 CVO Tri Glide trike features the Milwaukee-Eight 117 (1917 cc) V-Twin as all CVOs.
2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S

The Low Rider makes a return! Now called the Low Rider S, it uses the Softail instead of Dyna frame. Likewise, it’ll be equipped with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 (114 cubic inch equals 1868 cc) V-Twin. The Low Rider S is all “blacked-out” to look dark and aggressive.
2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited

The 2020 Road Glide Limited replaces the Road Glide Ultra in the luxury touring line-up. A new Black Finish Option is added.
2020 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic

The 2020 Heritage Classis is all about glimmer. As in shiny chrome as per its er… heritage. Mechanically, it remains the same as the current and outgoing model but shinier. Available in Vivid Black, Billiard Burgundy. Two-tone options include Silver Pine and Spruce, and Blliard Red with Vivid Black.
As mentioned earlier, the new Reflex Defensive Rider System (RSDS) is only available on the CVO (including the Tri Glide), Touring and LiveWire models. The system includes lean-angle sensitive traction control and ABS. We believe the Softail line-up will be equipped with it in short order.
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2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Test & Review – “Little Red Chili”

The 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250 is all-new.

The new engine produces 38.2 bhp –  the most powerful 250cc, four-stroke roadgoing engine.

It is priced from RM 23,071 (basic selling price).

Testing the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250 kinda reminds me of having my favourite tomyam.
However, the first I’d do when it’s served is to locate and remove the cili padi (called “bird eye chili” in English, but that doesn’t sound good as a title, does it?). Then again, I’d sometimes miss a little flake and chewed it. Oh, the horrors! How could something so little cause so much “excitement”?
Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (KMMSB) launched the 2018 Ninja 250 at the Art of Speed 2018 in July and it’s since garnered lots of excitement.
2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250 official launched at AOS 2018 – RM23,000

Being used to bigger bikes, my initial inclination was, “Beautiful bike, but how fast can it go?” Okay, let’s come back to this later.
I’ve always referred to the 250cc segment as the “Game of Thrones” category. Being the most affordable higher capacity motorcycles after sub-200cc bikes, manufacturers fight tooth and nail for a piece of the pie. Yes, Kawasaki wants to dominate this sector, hence the 2018 Ninja 250 is new from the ground up.

First, the design. Kawasaki are styling their bikes to reflect a family identity. As such, one could very well mistake the new bike for the ZX-6R or even ZX-10R at first glance.

There are plenty of sharp angles at the front alone, especially on the “chin spoiler” below the headlamps alluding to more downforce at high speeds. The fairing flares outwards by the time it reaches the knee cutouts, making the bike look like a bigger capacity model.

The 249cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve, parallel-Twin is all new and has been tuned to produce 38.2 bhp at 12,500 RPM and 23.5 Nm of torque at 10,000 RPM. It’s apparent that the engine is a screamer. The assist-and-slip clutch is retained.

Other changes include:

Reworked radiator fan shroud which directs hot air away from the rider.
Improved ergonomics.
Single 310 mm floating disc clamped by a 2-piston caliper.
41 mm telescopic forks.
14-litre fuel tank.
164 kg wet weight.

The seating position was sporty beyond doubt. The clip-on handlebars may look tall but it feels much lower when you’re seated on the bike; due to the compact fuel tank which puts you right up front. Such arrangement is good for mass centralization. The clip-ons are also angled downwards for a more comfortable riding position at high speeds.

The new engine is much quieter when idling, too. Gone is the loud ticking from the valvetrain of its predecessor. Blipping the throttle sends the needle flying up the rev counter.
First gear in, added some throttle, clutch out and… CLACK! The engine cut out. Lucky for me no one was looking. You need to slip the clutch a little more to get going.

Acceleration was much, much smoother than I had anticipated. But the engine felt rather benign below 5000 RPM. More gas then. The rev counter’s needle swung up, up, up and the bike took off when it hit 8000 RPM. The exhaust note changed to a howl, accompanied by a guttural growl from the airbox underneath the tank.
Once, I let rip on the Ninja 250 to teach an MT-07 rider a lesson he won’t soon forget. Pinning the throttle, the “Little Red Chili” picked up speed surprisingly quickly for a 250, until we hit 179 km/h with 1000 RPM before the redline. Mr. MT never dared to re-approach.

I related the experience to fellow journalists and one guy who’s smaller and lighter than I am recounted that he hit 192 km/h!
That’s almost unheard of for a stock 250cc four-stroke road bike.
Of course, none of that speed would mean anything if the bike couldn’t handle.

Steering was close to being effortless and you could swing the bike from side to side even while accelerating at full throttle. Yet, it was uncannily steady like a long wheelbase big bike in a straight line.
The suspension’s well-tuned for the war on corners. Here’s a tip: To maximize the Ninja 250’s corner speed, brake early followed by early brake release.

The slipper clutch’s nicely tuned to provide a degree of engine braking but it still allows the bike to freewheel into corners. Yes, like a two-stroke. Fun!
Riding a lightweight bike such as the Ninja 250 in traffic is a breeze as the bike changes directions quickly. The brakes are pretty strong, too. Another thing which I appreciated was the lack of hot air from the engine cooking certain organs. I do want another child, you know.

So, back to “Beautiful bike, but how fast can it go?” You see, the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250 isn’t about just top speed. Instead, Kawasaki has done a great job in reinventing the sporting 250 by infusing awesome handling and speed seamlessly, and wrapped in a beautiful bodywork.
And yes, small things can cause great excitement, just like the “Little Red Chili” here.

2018 KAWASAKI NINJA 250

ENGINE

ENGINE TYPE
4-stroke, DOHC, 8-valve, liquid-cooled, parallel-Twin

DISPLACEMENT
249 cc

BORE x STROKE
62.0 mm x 41.2 mm

POWER
38.2 bhp (39 PS) @ 12,500 RPM

TORQUE
23.5 Nm @ 10,000 RPM

COMPRESSION RATIO
11.6:1

TRANSMISSION
6-speed

FUEL SYSTEM
Electronic fuel injection with dual ø 32mm throttle bodies

CLUTCH
Multiple-plate wet clutch, cable-operated

CHASSIS

FRAME
High tensile steel trellis

FRONT SUSPENSION
ø 41 mm telescopic forks

REAR SUSPENSION
Bottom link Uni-Trak, gas-charged monoshock, adjustable spring preload

FRONT BRAKE
1 X Two-piston caliper, ø 310 mm disc

REAR BRAKE
1 X Single-piston caliper, ø 220 mm brake disc

TYRE FRONT; REAR
110/70-17; 140/70-17

STEERING HEAD ANGLE
24.3o

TRAIL
N/A

WHEEL BASE
1,370 mm

SEAT HEIGHT
795 mm

FUEL TANK CAPACITY
14 litres

KERB WEIGHT
164 kg

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Triumph bikes in the new Marvel’s Ant-Man movie?

The latest trailer for the new Marvel’s Ant-Man movie features a collaboration with Triumph Motorcycles.
A number of Triumph Thruxton R bikes can be seen in the trailer chasing after Ant-Man and his new sidekick, the Wasp.
The new Ant-Man movie will be released in July 2018.

Marvel Studios just released a trailer for the brand new Marvel’s Ant-Man movie. This time around, it’ll be Ant-Man and The Wasp kicking some super villain’s butt but with the addition of a brand new bike manufacturer thrown into the mix; Triumph Motorcycles.

In a surprising turn of events where almost all previous marvel movies will feature a Harley-Davidson bike (the most popular would be Black Widow’s LiveWire from the Avengers: Age of Ultron), the upcoming addition into the Marvel cinematic universe showcases a Triumph Thruxton R in a high-speed chase.

It wasn’t fun to see the bad guy dropping the bike but then again the heroes threw a giant Hello Kitty Pez candy dispenser towards the guy so we understand the so called ‘life and death’ situation.

In one of the chase scenes, we can clearly see not one but six Thruxton R’s blasting pass a pimped out Cadillac to go after Ant-Man and his newly-confirmed sidekick, The Wasp.

Expect the new Marvel movie to be released in July this year. For now, you can head over to any of Triumph’s authorised dealers across the country to know more about the beautiful Triumph Thruxton R which is priced from RM91,900 (basic price with GST).
Triumph Thruxton R – The Gentlemen Racer is Now in Malaysia – RM91,900

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Toba leads strong outing for Asia Talent Team in CEV

Kaito Toba leads strong performances for Asia Talent Team during FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship 2016 in Le Mans, France.

Also making waves during last weekend’s French MotoGP weekend was the second round of the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship 2016. Taking centre stage here was the Asia Talent Team – a team comprised of current and past Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup alumni riders.
Leading the team’s positive charge last weekend was Japanese rider and 2014 Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup (SAATC) champion Kaito Toba. Despite it being only his second time in Le Mans, Toba was able to pilot the Asia Talent Team’s Honda machine to qualify in second position on Saturday.

Toba used his front row start to great advantage during the race on Sunday. Despite the tough battle on his hand, Toba was able to finish the race in a strong second place, allowing him to score crucial championship points. He now sits third overall in the standings after scoring a total of 51 points.

Worthy of praises here too were the performances of Toba’s four other teammates – 2015 SAATC champion Ayumu Sasaki, current SAATC rider Kazuki Masaki, Thailand’s Nakarin ‘Chip’ Athiratphuvapat, as well as Indonesia’s Andi Farid.

Despite a difficult start from seventh and dropping down the order, Sasaki would go on to finish in a respectable 10th place. Chip, on the other hand, finished higher in seventh after fighting his way up from starting in 13th, followed closely behind by Masaki who finished eighth after starting from further back in 16th. Indonesian Andi Farid however had to settle for 17th and just missed out on scoring points.
With four of the five riders having successfully scored points in Le Mans, the Asia Talent Team is poised to repeat its strong performance as the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship 2016 heads for its third round later this month in the famed Motorland Aragón circuit in Spain.

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Honda CB-F Concept – the most beautiful modern classic yet?

One of the best ways to design a big bike is arguably by combining modern tech with some cool 80s vibe. Honda seems to a master at this and their latest Honda CB-F Concept is arguably one of the best looking modern classic concepts we’ve seen, and we definitely want it to go into production (and soon!).

Based on the iconic Honda CB900F, the Honda CB-F Concept works its magic around the CB1000R Neo Sports Café model. From what we understand, the 998cc inline-four engine is relatively the same with 141hp (delicious) but with different cosmetic touches to carry more of that classic vibes around the bike.

Honda is able to do so by including a single-side stainless steel exhaust that looks quite similar to the Kawasaki Z900RS, another great example of a modern classic Japanese muscle bike. To ensure that it really pays homage to the CB900F, the Honda CB-F Concept is also fitted with black footrest hangers, handcrafted fuel tank, new subframe and side panels, minus the radiator shrouds.

The CB-F Concept also comes with a one-piece seat finished in two tones and arguably its most eye-catching feature of all, that front LED headlight. That halo-styled front unit brings the whole look together and fits perfectly well with its clean white/silver finish.

To know more about this beautiful machine, you can check out the official video presentation by Honda when you CLICK HERE (skip to 5:10). Will it go into production? We sure hope so!

2020 Honda CBR250RR to get power upgrade + quickshifter

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Harley-Davidson Streetfighter to be unveiled in 2019?

New Harley-Davidson Streetfigher is set to expand on the American bike maker’s middleweight range of products.
It is the first model to be introduced as the 2020 range of bikes.
Powered by a new liquid-cooled 975cc engine.

It may still be over a year away, but Harley-Davidson has confirmed that this prototype will make it to production for the 2020 model year, which means the production version will be unveiled around the second or third quarter of next year.
Called the Streetfighter, the new Harley-Davidson is powered by a new multi-purpose engine that will power at least three other models.
The water-cooled V-twin engine has a capacity of 975cc and features a 60-degree V configuration with large cylinder heads that hide a pair of double overhead camshafts. As you probably already figured, this will help provide the power and performance that has come to be expected of modern Harley-Davidson’s.
The Harley-Davidson Streetfighter is said to utilise a tubular steel frame that is said to be similar to the new custom and roadster models. However, the massive swingarm is unique to the Streetfighter and is in charge of ensuring the bike is manoeuvrable in corners with masses of grip during fast-paced rides. You don’t expect a bike called Streetfighter to perform poorly around the bends now do you.

Though it may be different on the production model, but the prototype rolls on 17-inch spoke alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tyres measuring in at 120/70-17 at the front, and 180/55-17 at the rear.
Keeping performance in check are a pair of cross-drilled discs up front with a radial-mounted Monoblock callipers from Brembo. The rear on the other hand is managed by a Harley-Davidson branded opposed-piston caliper and single cross-drilled rotor.
As is visible in the photos here, this prototype uses a belt final drive. While suspension set up consists of an inverted fork up front and a vertically mounted shock absorber at the rear.
The new Streetfighter is a more aggressive bike ergonomically with rear-mounted foot controls and a tallish handlebar with rearview mirrors perfectly integrated into the ends of the handlebar. And what is most visible here is the deep cutout on the fuel tank for the rider’s knees, giving riders something to grip on to with during heavy braking.
We will share more information about the new Harley-Davidson Streefighter as it becomes available.

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Harley-Davidson Owners Group PJ (HOGPJ) Udang Galah Ride

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya’s owners group chapter, HOGPJ organized a ride for some great food over the weekend.

Nearly 100 participants showed up to the ride to Segamat, Johor for the famous udang galah (crayfish).

The ride was expertly marshalled from start to finish.

Things are up and fully for Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) and their riders’ chapter, Harley Owners Group PJ (HOGPJ).
Harley-Davidson owners can always look forward to many fun activities that are organized by HOG and their respective dealerships. So far, there’ve been many such rides that started from HDPJ based at The Gasket Alley.

But as Malaysian bikers, there are two things that we love: Motorcycle and food. Not necessarily in that order. As such, HOGPJ organized a “food ride” this weekend. Called “HOGPJ Udang Galah Ride,” the participants rode to the sleepy town of Segamat in Johore for the famous udang galah (crayfish) lunch.

The organizers had targeted 75 participants, but the number swelled to nearly 100 just prior to the pre-ride briefing. While most riders are experienced in convoy riding, the HOG marshals knew they had their job cut out for them and they took their tasks seriously. Harley-Davidson and HOG are nothing if not for their expertly organized rides.

After the marshals were briefed, it was the participants next. The briefing was quite detailed as compared to other rides we’ve covered, but the main difference was the Head Marshal leading the participants in a warm up session. They guided through some stretching and deep breathing exercises.

From HDPJ it was a straight ride to the Ayer Keroh RnR for the Sportsters to fill up their peanut tanks. The participants were disciplines and adhered to HOG’s recommended convoy etiquette.

Refueling was a fast process as the marshals ran a “pit stop” refueling style: The owner left his/her bike with the marshals, went to pay for the fuel, and the marshals filled up the bike.

We continued our way to Segamat by exiting the North-South Expressway at the Tangkak exit. The pace was good as it kept us cool despite the sun particularly hot on this day. We were also escorted by the Traffic Police thus we didn’t have to stop and get hot. Indeed, we were told during the briefing that HOG will always notify the police prior to their rides.

We reached RZ Restoran just in time for lunch. Participants parked their bikes quickly to get out of the sun and helped themselves to the iced drinks.

The restaurant had already set out the food for us in the air-conditioned section, consisting of the all-famous udang galah in fried, sambal and lemak styles, plenty of tasty vege, crispy fried chicken, fried fish, and much more. A few Harley riding friends of this writer once remarked that the Malaysia HOG unofficial mantra is “Eat to Ride, Ride to Eat,” certainly in relation to our love for great food, and that passion to ride to faraway places just for a meal. Can’t argue with that.

We rode back the same way we came from after lunch and the customary group photos. Again, the group kept the formation as tight as possible on the highway until the Seremban RnR before we went our separate ways.

To find out more about Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Harley Owners Group PJ, please visit Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya’s official Facebook page or visit them at the location below.

PICTURE GALLERY

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MotoGP: Marc Marquez’s Honda RC213V tail pipe for sale – RM13,000!

HRC announced that they’ll be selling off a limited number of Marc Marquez’s Honda RC213V tail pipe as part of its Racing parts collectibles. That’s right, you can actually own a part of the world champion’s bike BUT it won’t come cheap and there are only a few of them to buy.

Taken straight from the 2018 and 2019 championship-winning Repsol Honda RC213V, these tail pipes come together with a serial number laser-etched on an aluminium plate, pedestal, acrylic case, official certificate, product specifications, as well as the 2018/2019 HRC season book.

There are only seven units of these bad boys on offer (4 units for the 2018 RC213V & 3 units for the 2019 RC213V) with a price tag of 330,000 yen including tax. That’s close to RM13,000 each, but we’re guessing that hardcore Marc Marquez fans will be willing to spend that amount of dough for some very interesting bragging rights.

Due to COVID-19, all sales will only take place online and the applications will start on 11 January 2021 up to 24 January 2021 via a dedicated application form on HRC’s official website. HRC knows that there will be more than seven applicants, which is why they will conduct a lottery to determine who will get to buy these tail pipes. To know more, CLICK HERE.
Here’s a sweet Akrapovic exhaust for your Aprilia RS 660

Written by: Sep Irran
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2021 Aprilia RS125 And Tuono 125 Officially Revealed

Despite the global pandemic, it’s been a busy year for Aprilia since releasing the RS660 last year.
The Noale-based company has officially launched the Tuono 660 and recently revealed the refreshed RSV4 1100 and Tuono 1100.
*Aprilia Tuono 125
However, the Italian company did not ignore the smaller segment as they officially introduce the 2021 RS125 and Tuono 125.
*Aprilia RS125
For 2021, the two motorcycles have a sharper front-end and a sleeker finish on the fairing.
*Aprilia RS125
The 125cc bikes also borrowed design cues from the SXR160 scooter, such as the LED headlight and the digital display.
*Aprilia Tuono 125
Nonetheless, the 125cc models missed out on the DRL (Daytime Running Light) found on its bigger siblings, the RSV4 1100 and Tuono 1100.
*Aprilia Tuono 125
According to Aprilia, the significant changes comes from the single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that is now Euro 5 compliant and produces a healthy 14.75hp @ 10,000rpm.
*Aprilia RS125
Aprilia also claimed the RS125 and Tuono 125 received the ‘best in class’ ABS, including the new Marelli ECU, to help improve the riding experience.
The Aprilia RS125 and Tuono 125 is priced from GBP4,500 (RM25,700).

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Video: 2016 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 in detail

After making its highly anticipated debut during EICMA 2015 last month, the new sixth generation Suzuki GSX-R 1000 superbike looks set to become a force to be reckon with.

The new bike, which carries the new ‘L7’ chassis code, sees the Hamamatsu-based Suzuki brand taking a few notes from rivals Yamaha and Kawasaki as well.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, the new GSX-R 1000 L7 sees Suzuki tying the superbike up more closely with its MotoGP efforts, as proven by the similar livery scheme that both the new bike and the GSX-RR MotoGP bike don. Fuelling that further is the appearance of both its GP riders Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales putting the new litre-class superbike through its paces in the video posted above.

Backing that up is the fact that the new sixth-gen Gixxer Thousand sports plenty of new metal and electronics all-round. First comes the new chassis, to which Suzuki claims it to be the lightest Gixxer it has ever built, followed by the presence of a new and powerful 999cc in-line four-cylinder screamer primed with both the Suzuki Exhaust Tuning-Alpha (SET-A) and Suzuki Top Feed Injector (S-TFI) systems.

Other notable features include the Showa BFFF (Balance Free Front Forks) making their second production bike appearance after debuting in the new 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. Complementing that are the twin range-topping Brembo anchors primed up front, as well as a host of new electronic rider aids. Offered here are three selectable riding modes, followed by other features such as a quick-shifter, auto-blipper, 10-level traction control, as well as launch control and ABS.

The new 2016 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 is expected to hit markets sometime next year. Given its array of new and improved features as shown in the video, we can expect this new Gixxer Thousand to stack up well against its core segment rivals such as the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 and the new 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.
Source: YouTube via Visordown
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2018 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 and Forty-Eight Special unveiled!

H-D has just launched the 2018 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 and Forty-Eight Special.
The two new additions to the Sportster line-up come ready with H-D’s 1,200cc Evolution V-twin engine.
The Iron 1200 is priced at $9,999 (RM39,131) while the Forty-Eight Special is at $11,299 (RM44,218) in the US market.

The folks over at Harley-Davidson have launched two new models into their current Sportster line-up with the 2018 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 and Forty-Eight Special. Both models come equipped with the manufacturer’s latest 1,200cc Evolution V-twin Sportster power plant.

Inspired by the custom bike scene, both the Iron 1200 and Forty-Eight Special are fitted with some very beautiful parts such as mini ape handlebars and intricate fuel tank graphics. Coupled with the Sportster series compact size, power delivery and unique characteristics, the two new additions will be very appealing for a wider range of motorcycle enthusiasts.

According to Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson V.P. of Styling & Design, “A Sportster is a relatively easy bike to strip down and reinvent. What we’ve done to create the new Iron 1200 and Forty-Eight Special is what Sportster owners have been doing with their own bikes for generations.”
2018 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 – $9,999 (RM39,131)

The first impression of the Iron 1200 most people would get is the Iron 883 fitted with a much bigger engine. H-D assures everyone that it is more than just a 36% power upgrade. As stated earlier, the new mini-ape handlebar offers a more open riding position that goes exceptionally well with the single headlight design.

The most prominent feature has to be its 12.5-litre fuel tank with a unique shape and bright graphics. A cafe racer-inspired single seat follows the motorcycle’s design flow and customers have the choice of different colour options (Vivid Black, Twisted Cherry and Billiard White).

There are however some similarities to the Iron 883. The classic blacked out engine together with chrome pushrod tubes plus the spoke wheels all pay homage to the cruiser’s custom bike scene as well as portraying the iconic Sportster appeal.

The 2018 Harley-Davidson Iron 1200 is available in the US market at $9,999 (RM39,131). How we wish the Malaysian price could be the same figure. The bike might be priced between RM80,000 to RM90,000 if the option is made available here in good ol’ Malaysia.
2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special – $11,299 (RM44,218)

Just by the looks, we can tell that this baby would be more appealing to the younger generation. It’s no surprise that H-D is looking for a way to reach the younger target market and the Forty-Eight Special might just be the one to do it.

The 2018 Sportster Forty-Eight Special shares some similar qualities to the standard Forty-Eight. The most visible spec is its beefy front 49mm forks fitted a 130mm wide aluminium wheel wrapped with some quality Michelin Scorcher 31 rubber.

What’s definitely different from the standard model is the Tallboy handlebar which gives the Special a more straightforward riding ergonomics which most folks will find comforting especially during long rides. Chrome engine covers and exhaust shields are fitted instead of the blacked-out parts found on the standard Forty-Eight.

The Special’s 8.3-litre “peanut” fuel tank comes with horizontal black stripes adjacent to the H-D logo. Like the Iron 1200, the Forty-Eight Special is also available in three different colourways; Vivid Black, Wicked Red and Billiard White.

The 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special will be available in the US market at $11,299 (RM44,218) which is said to be the same figure as the standard Forty-Eight. Although we won’t get that price once the bike arrives here in Malaysia, it should be around the RM100,000 range as the previous Sportster Forty-Eight came at RM106,000 (basic price with GST).
Who knows, they might be cheaper once they’re here!

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Shell & BonusLink offer great support to COVID-19 frontliners

Malaysia’s frontliners of the COVID-19 pandemic are having a difficult time with not just having to deal with the deadly virus face to face, but also spending some extra time away from their loved ones for the country they love. For that, Shell has offered several methods of support, not only for the frontliners but also the overall effort to fight COVID-19 here in Malaysia.

A series of outreach initiatives were carried out by Shell such as donating essential items such as hand sanitizers, mineral water, food and beverages to Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, and Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun in Ipoh.
Making use of their many petrol stations nationwide, Shell Malaysia also contributed some very much needed items to the local authorities to perform their duties like supplying electricity, lights, fans, temporary tents, as well as food and drinks.

Apart from that, they’ve also partnered up with BonusLink where their members can contribute to the COVID-19 Fund set up by the Ministry of Health Malaysia’s (MOH). Cardholders can donate as low as 100 points (equivalent to RM1) where it’ll help MOH to purchase some critical medical equipment for the frontliners to use. Head over to www.bonuslink.com.my or the BonusLink app to donate.

According to Mr Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, “The act of caring for others, and looking out for each other is essential for all of us as Malaysians to survive, and thrive through these uncertain and certainly testing time. Shell is committed to the well-being of the communities where we operate, and we want to do everything we can to help our frontliners in the fight against this global pandemic. We recognize the challenges faced by these brave Malaysians and we hope these care packages, made up of essential items will give our frontliners some needed support”.

“We also have our very own Shell frontliners who are on the ground, every single day, taking care of our customers’ needs, and ensuring the nation’s heroes can get to work and do what they need to for the safety of every Malaysian. As one of Malaysia’s essential service, we are helping to fuel the nation through the dedication of these very frontliners. We are also ensuring care packages are provided to them as our gesture of thanks for their courage in ensuring Shell stations remain open and ready to continue serving customers. They are all our heroes,” added Mr Shairan.
For more information, head over to www.shell.com.my.
Shell Malaysia takes extra steps to make petrol stations safe

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Hoversurf: The World’s First Rideable ‘Hoverbike’?

The Scorpion (S-3) Platform Hoverbike

Made by Hoversurf Inc. from Russia

Combination of motorcycle and a quadcopter drone

Is this the future of riding? Is this what we have been dreaming about since the 70s of people flying around as the main mode of transport? Introducing the Scorpion Hoverbike from Hoversurf Inc. all the way from mother Russia. It works by ‘surfing’ the air with changing the altitude and direction thanks to the four mini helicopter blades (that are a bit too close to the rider’s limbs, if you ask us).
If the words above don’t make any sense to you, you can watch the video made by the company to showcase what their Scorpion hoverbike can potentially offer for the future of riding.

The concept of the Scorpion-3 is actually a combination of a motorcycle and quadcopter drone all in one technological package. The single-seat machine powered solely by electric (because it’s the future, of course) is targeted for both amateur and professional navigators and riders.

According to the Russian company, they stated that riders won’t probably need a motorcycle or pilot’s license to operate this rideable mini helicopter but we doubt that it won’t ‘fly’ here in Malaysia (Fly, get it?) . Considering the fact that to operate any drones in and around the country will require a special permit, it is highly probable that one will need higher clearance to get this thing off into the Malaysian skies.
E-Volo
The SCORPION platform has been around for quite a while now with their previous inventions seen on several social media platforms like Jetpack by Malloy, Aerofex, A. Duru, E-Hang, Bye Gravity and E-volo. According to the manufacturer, the hoverbike was designed for “extreme conditions and employs in-house custom software for full manual and automated control resulting in a thrilling flight experience.”
E-Hang
They are currently starting a crowd funding effort to get this hoverbike off the ground and flying but best of all, you can actually pre-order one right now! CLICK HERE to know more about Hoversurf Inc.
PHOTO SOURCE: Hoversurf Inc.
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RIP Massimo Tamburini

One of the most celebrated figures in the motorcycling industry, Massimo Tamburini, has passed away at the age of 70 due to lung cancer.
Born on 28 November 1943 in Rimini, Italy, Tamburini is a name most celebrated in the two-wheels front, designing some of the most iconic and revered machines for some of the biggest Italian names.

“I have always had a huge passion for motorcycles — my mother used to complain about it when I was a little boy, calling it my obsession! I have never had any desire to design anything else.” – Massimo Tamburini

In his career spanning nearly four decades long, his credentials included the Bimota DB1, Ducati’s 916, 996, and 998, Cagiva Mito, and more recently, MV Agusta’s F4, Brutale, and F3 675 – quite a journey since his first creation, the revised MV Agusta 750 Sport in 1971.

Tamburini lived in San Marino whilst working nearby at MV’s subsidiary CRC (Centro Ricerche Cagiva) prior to his retirement in December 2008. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in November last year after which he received intensive chemotherapy treatment. Tamburini’s health continued to deteriorate after, leading to his death early in the morning of Sunday, 6 April 2014.

Source: Asphaltandrubber and Cycle World
Main image: Asphaltandrubber
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HDPJ Honours HOG PJ Riders Who Rode to Phuket Bike Week 2019

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) held a special dinner for the Harley Owners Group of Petaling Jaya (HOG PJ) riders who rode to the the Phuket Bike Week 2019 (PBW 2019).

They were also gifted an exclusive and special pin for the ride.

This was the first such program and HOG PJ looks forward to more.

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) held a special dinner over the weekend for the Harley Owners Group of Petaling Jaya (HOG PJ) riders who rode to the the Phuket Bike Week 2019 (PBW 2019).
Formally called the “Phuket Mileage Program Appreciation Dinner” HOG PJ also awarded an exclusive and special pin for the ride.

According to Juan Chow Wee, the General Manager at Didi Resources Sdn. Bhd., “Whether it is an afternoon getaway or a transcontinental journey of a lifetime, every ride you take brings us all a little closer together. With HOG, you get rewarded for doing what you already love: Riding your Harley-Davidson.”

“To appreciate our members who joined the ride to Phuket, Thailand, we hosted this dinner and award them Phuket Bike Week pins to recognize the miles traveled.”

A total of 30 HOG riders took part in the ride.

Chris Ruxton, Assistant Director of HOG PJ added, “The following program is the first to be rolled out where we provide recognition to our members clocking in the miles in an official ride. We hope to do organize more of such programs.”

Malaysian Harley-Davidson riders and HOG members have a long history of visiting the PBW (and Songkran festival). The PBW is arguably the most prestigious bike week in the region.
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QJMotor Launch New SRK400 Entry-Level Naked Bike In Europe

Chinese motorcycle giant QJMotor has launched its latest entry-level motorcycle, the SRK400, in Europe.

QJMotor ready to compete the entry-level naked bike segment with the all-new SRK400.
The SRK400 features 400cc parallel-twin engine and is equipped with modern equipment including ABS.

The naked-style motorcycle is set to please new and young European riders thanks to its sporty and aggressive design and nifty equipment.
Mechanically, the SRK400 is equipped with a 400cc parallel twin-cylinder with a liquid-cooled and fuel-injected engine that makes 41.5hp @ 9,000rpm and 37Nm @ 7,000rpm.
The power figure puts the SRK400, on average, in the entry-level segment, making it a good option for new riders seeking that extra kick.

In addition, the SRK400 also features dual-channel ABS for added safety.
However, similar to other QJMotor ranges of bikes, the SRK400 tips the scale at 176kg, making it the heaviest among its rival.
That said, the bike might not offer the best handling and acceleration due to its longer and taller dimension.
Nonetheless, the standout part of the SRK400 is the price tag, coming in at just EUR5,790 (RM27.1k).
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2018 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black unleashed!

The 2018 Triumph Bonneville Bobber black was also introduced together with the rebirth of the Speedmaster.
Coming in with all blacked out colour scheme, the 2018 Bobber Black also comes with a host of new upgrades especially on its front end.
A set of 47mm Showa cartridge forks is attached to a new 16-inch wheel with a pair of 310mm disc brakes modulated by a set of Brembo two-piston axial-sliding calipers.

Together with the launch of the new 2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster, Triumph Motorcycles again blew our minds with the introduction of the all-new 2018 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black. Following the massive success of the Bobber, the Bobber Black comes with a host of new upgrades for 2018.

Like the name, the Bobber has gone through a major makeover where almost anything and everything has been blacked out for a super cool, sleek and badass look. Once you’re done drooling over how good the 2018 Bobber Black looks, you’ll start to notice the spec difference with the standard Bobber especially the front end.

Compared to the Bobber’s standard 41mm KYB front forks, the Bobber Black is equipped with a pair of non-adjustable 47mm Showa cartridge forks. This bigger set of fork allows for greater performance and riding feel which in turn adds more riding confidence.

While the standard Bobber rolls around on a 19-inch front wheel, the Bobber Black goes for the ‘fat’ look with a much beefier 16-inch rim wrapped with Avon Cobra rubber. This in turn gives the Black a much more iconic look that reminisces the golden days of the Bobber.

To make sure that stopping power is something that no rider should worry about, the Black has been blessed with a pair of 310mm front discs modulated with a set of Brembo two-piston axial sliding calipers. Compared to the standard Bobber which comes with a single 310mm disc with a twin-piston Nissin caliper, the Bobber Black offer a substantial improvement when it comes to braking performance.

The 2018 Bobber Black also comes with some DRL-enabled LED headlamps that are complimented with LED indicators to match. Another new feature found on the Bobber Black is Triumph’s super simple three-touch cruise control system for better riding experience while cruising down highways.

No news on the price just yet but the 2018 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black will start making its appearance in showrooms around the world starting March 2018. We expect a slight increase from the price set for current 2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber at RM74,900 – RM75,900 (basic price with GST).

To know more about the current 2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber, CLICK HERE.

FEELING LUCKY? Want to win your very own 2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber? CLICK HERE to know more!

Source: Triumph Motorcycles
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New Honda CBR600RR-R to be launched at MotoGP Thai round?

It wasn’t too long ago when the motoring world was ignited with what possibly will be the return of Honda’s middleweight sports bike, the Honda CBR600RR. Japan’s Young Machine posted that the new model will be called the Honda CBR600RR-R and it might make its official public debut in October at the MotoGP Thai round in Buriram.

The Thai round of MotoGP has been postponed to 2-4 October 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we’re not really sure why Honda would choose Thailand as the venue to launch the new Honda CBR600RR-R. Will it be produced there? Is it catered to the ASEAN market? Why not the MotoGP round in Motegi, Japan aka “The Home of Honda”?

Anyway, the last generation of the Honda 600cc sports bike was discontinued back in 2016 with a drop in sales as well as needing to conform to newer and stricter compliant and regulations (which they initially decided not to be bothered about it by going through the trouble of updating its engine). Honda even pulled out as the sole engine provider for the MotoGP’s intermediate class, Moto2.

It seems that Honda wants to go all in and create a completely new middleweight CBR instead of just updating the old one. With sales dropping around the globe for its particular segment, Honda plans to reignite it with the brand-new Honda CBR600RR-R. Will it succeed? Or has everyone moved on to bigger capacity middleweights?
Honda CB4X Concept one step closer to production

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Devilish new Ducati Diavel Diesel – just 666 units

Ducati and Diesel teams up again to create limited edition Ducati Diavel Diesel.

Following a previously successful partnership, Ducati and clothing brand Diesel have teamed up once again for yet another special edition model. Meet the devilish new Ducati Diavel Diesel that’s limited to just 666 units globally.

Unveiled during the recent Milan Men’s Fashion week, the Ducati Diavel Diesel was the fruit of a partnership struck between the Ducati Design Centre and Andrea Rosso, Diesel’s Creative Director. Like the Ducati Monster Diesel from before, the Diavel Diesel has got several unique traits.

What catches the eye immediately is the brushed stainless steel tank cover with visible welding and rivets. The LCD dash display gets illuminated in red instead while the exhausts gets treated with black ceramic Zircotec coating.

The custom leather seat is a unique design while the red front Brembo brake calipers and Diesel logos on the insides of the air intake adds more flair in the details. The end result is a special bike with a raw and edgy stance that make it stand out quietly.

What isn’t so quiet though is the base Diavel’s 1,198cc Testastretta 11-degree V-Twin engine that remains unchanged in this special. You’d still have 162hp available on tap, meaning you’d best be feeding it with premium high-octane fuel if you buy one.

You can check out the devilish new Ducati Diavel Diesel special in the extensive gallery we’ve prepared below.

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Meet Johann Zarco at the Spartan Concept Store, Sunway this 25 October 2017!

Image source: MotoGP
The Spartan Concept Store located in Sunway will be organising a special meet and greet session with their MotoGP rider, Johann Zarco.
The meet and greet will happen at their store on 25 October 2017 from 7pm – 10pm.
Those who come before 8pm with their motorcycles will stand a chance to win a brand new Shark helmet, Furygan jacket and other amazing prizes.
Image source: MotoGP

Attention to all Johann Zarco and MotoGP fans here in Malaysia! The Spartan Concept Store is proud to announce that they’ll be organising a special meet and greet session with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider, Johann Zarco on 25 October 2017!

In conjunction with the 2017 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix in a couple of weeks’ time, the Spartan Concept Store which is one of the official resellers of Shark Helmets and Furygan riding gear is bringing down their MotoGP rider to meet with all the fans this October 25th from 7pm to 10pm.

The Spartan Concept Store is located in the heart of Sunway  at 15, Jalan PJS 11/16. There’s no better time to meet with the two-time Moto2 World Champion, folks! Those who come with their motorcycles will be entitled to one entry into the lucky draw where one lucky individual will take home a brand new Shark Race R Pro Carbon Replica Johann Zarco helmet worth RM3,290!

Other great prizes includes a Furygan Spark jacket worth RM775 and other goodies. To participate in the lucky draw, make sure to come BEFORE 8pm. See you guys there!
To know more about the meet and greet with Johann Zarco, head on over to the Spartan Concept Store Official Facebook Page.
Image source: MotoGP
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Video: Honda RC213V-S hand-built production process in detail

Video released on social media shows off the intricate processes and approach undertaken when hand-building the Honda RC213V-S hyperbike.
A video has surfaced on social media showcasing the Honda RC213V-S and its seemingly meticulous building process. The video, which was posted on the Honda Motorcycles Hong Kong official Facebook page, gives many a rare glimpse into the mighty Japanese marque’s specialised production line for the road-legal GP bike.
RC213V-S first customer handover (4)
Just to refresh your memory, the Honda RC213V-S was released by Honda’s racing arm, HRC, sometime last year for customers and collectors. Despite the varied tuning specifications that resulted in vastly different power output figures depending on country, the RC213V-S was reportedly well-received, with many destined to end up in the hands of collectors worldwide.
Being based off the race- and championship-winning Honda RC213V MotoGP machine, you’d probably expected bike to undergo a very detailed production regime by the mighty red wing-marque. One example of the specialised process that you can see in the video is the chassis welding and frame pieces sanding processes being performed by hand, all in the name of creating highly precise parts that fit perfectly with each other.

You can check out the video above or by visiting the Honda Motorcycles Hong Kong’s official Facebook page as well.
Sources: Honda Motorcycles Hong Kong official Facebook via Asphaltandrubber and AutoEvolution

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Michelin Power 5, GP, Cup 2 & Slick 2 launched in Malaysia – From RM423

Michelin has brought in four new motorcycle tyres for the Malaysian market from the latest ‘Power’ family. The four new Michelin Power products are the Power 5, Power GP, Power Cup 2 and the sweet, sweet Power Slick 2. Should be some great fun around Sepang Circuit, eh?

The new range of hypersport and race offerings from Michelin are catered to those who want that extra performance and feedback on the road as well as on the track. Big bike riders can do so with the street-friendly Michelin Power 5 and Power GP and for the circuits, opt for the Power Cup 2 and Power Slick 2.

According to Ross Shields, Michelin 2-Wheel Commercial Director for Asia, “Since Michelin’s return as the official sole tyre supplier for MotoGP in 2016, the company has continued to use the technical advancements developed from fitting the world’s most exclusive and premier motorcycle racing championship, to advance the performance of tyres sold to riders around the world. This latest launch of our 4 newest hypersport and race tyres is a clear manifestation of such an endeavour.”
Power 5
“All 4 new products are targeted at speed lovers, which serve as a core segment of our two-wheel customers. Looking for a sporty look, tread design, stability, and superior performance at high speed, this target group is sure to be satisfied with the MICHELIN Power range, where all motorcycle tyres are dedicated to enhancing the sensations, performance, and pleasure of riding,” revealed Mr. Shields.
Power Cup 2
In essence, the new Michelin Power range additions are as follows:

Power 5 – 100% road tyre for ‘maximum enjoyment in the dry and safety in the wet’
Power GP – 50% road, 50% track tyre
Power Cup 2 – 10% road, 90% track tyre
Power Slick 2 – 100% track tyre

Power Slick 2
All of these share the same characteristics in terms of ACT+ tyre architecture, 2CT+ dual compound treads, and computer-optimized tread designs, as well as the brand’s patented ‘Premium Touch Technology’ which offers that black and velvet sleek exterior look and feel.
Priced from RM423 up to RM706, the new Michelin Power range is already available at all authorised dealers nationwide. To know more, head over to www.michelin.com.my.
2020 CFMoto 250SR ready for launch in Malaysia

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OFFICIAL: 2021 Honda CBR150R Now Available In Malaysia – Rm12,499

Boon Siew Honda has officially unveiled the 2021 Honda CBR150R for the Malaysian market.
Marketed as the new baby brother of the Honda CBR250RR, this 150cc sports bike comes with a number of big-bike parts with a reasonable price tag.
Design-wise, the 2021 Honda CBR150R does carry the CBR250RR cues, especially its front headlight setup.

All LED lights from front to back gives the bike a more modern and aggressive appeal while its fully digital meter display further amps its sporty look and feel.
Underneath all that jazz lies a 150cc single-cylinder DOHC PGM-Fi engine that produces around 16hp (12kW) at 9,000rpm and 14.4Nm of torque at 7,000rpm.

All that power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual transmission with the addition of an assist/slipper clutch.

Just like the CBR250RR, the 2021 CBR150R also comes with upside/down front forks, which are becoming more common on entry-level bikes nowadays.
Interestingly the 2021 CBR150R is equipped with a dual-channel ABS model and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) for added safety.

There are two colours available namely Mat Charcoal Gray Metallic and Candy Scintillate Red.

The 2021 Honda CBR150R is available for a price of RM12,499.

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Limited edition Ducati Pikes Peak replica kits

Ducati commemorates Pikes Peak Hill Climb’s 100th anniversary with limited edition replica kits for the Multistrada Pikes Peak.

In recent years, the storied Italian marque that is Ducati has been strongly linked with the infamous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event. Having won the event numerous times since 2010, Ducati also holds the course record as well with the Ducati Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak.
Just in case you were wondering, the 20km-long hill climb ¬ – also known as the ‘Race to the Clouds’ – features over 156 turns with racers climbing 4,720 ft whilst racing to the finish line. Ducati became the first manufacturer to break the course’s 10-minute mark in the motorcycle category back in 2012 when rider Carline Dunne set a time of 9:52.819 astride a his Multistrada 1200S race bike.
With all that in mind, it was no surprise really to learn that the brand has released a special and limited edition replica kit for the Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak to celebrate the Pikes Peak Hill Climb’s 100th anniversary.

The replica kit is being offered exclusively in the American market through authorised dealers. Furthermore, just 400 units will be available and each kit is packaged together when purchasing the new 2016 Ducati Multistrada 1200S Pikes Peak model.
Here’s a list of what’s primed in this kit:
– Personalized Pikes Peak “100” race number plate
– Motorcycle fairing partner logos
– Numbered crank-case cover badge with Pikes Peak 100th Anniversary Logo
– Spider Grips PEAK grip specifically developed from the race program
– Pikes Peak Squadra Alpina Decal Pack
– History of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb advance release DVD
– Pikes Peak Squadra Alpina Team Hat
– Pikes Peak Squadra Alpina Team Glossy and Poster, signed by the team, all champions of the Mountain: Carlin Dunne, Micky Dymond, Gary Trachy and Greg Tracy

The special and limited edition kit will complement some of the notable standard features already primed in the Multistrada 1200 Pikes Peak that was launched last year during EICMA 2015. Highlights include its full-LED headlights, Bosch cornering ABS, 8-level traction control, Öhlins suzzies, as well as a Termignoni exhaust system.
Source: AutoEvolution
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Ducati To Complete The 2022 Range With Three New Models

Ducati is set to unleash three new models at the upcoming Ducati World Premier 2022 web series, with the first episode will go on air on 17 February.
The three models will join the Multistrada V2, Ducati Scrambler Urban Motard, Scrambler 1100 Tribute PRO, Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak, the Streetfighter V2, Streetfighter V4 SP, Panigale V4 and the all-new DesertX presented last year.

The three episodes will be visible on Ducati’s dedicated website and official YouTube channel.
Interestingly, Ducati keeps mum on what the three models could be, unlike last year when all seven episodes have their title, making our job easier while digging for clues.

Below are the three new appointments of the DWP 2022:

February 17, 2022 – episode 7
March 3, 2022 – episode 8
March 10, 2022 – episode 9

Meanwhile, you can catch the previous seven episodes of the DWP 2022 aired last year below:
Special Episode | Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary – “Tribute to our Hero”

Episode 1 | Multistrada V2 – “Your everyday wonder”

Episode 2 | Ducati Scrambler family – “Mark your roots”

Episode 3 | Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak – “Rule all Mountains”

Episode 4 | Streetfighter Family – “A new Fighter in Town”

Episode 5 | Panigale V4 2022 – “The Evolution of Speed”

Episode 6 | DesertX – “Dream Wilder”

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2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory: Ten Things You Should Know

Didi Resources launched the 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory today.

It’s the most powerful normally-aspirated and non-race homologation superbike.

It’s also the lightest of the lot.

Didi Resources launched the 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory today. The price is from RM 159,900 but Didi Resources will include the optional carbon fibre front brake ducts worth RM 4,000 for the first batch of buyers.
While eyes are on another Italian bike, the 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory promises to be even faster and focused on outright performance.
But rather than bore you with a long write-up, here are ten things you should know about this bike.
1. 10th Year of the RSV4

The 2019 RSV4 1100 Factory actually commemorates the 10th year of the Aprilia RSV4. The 2009 bike won a number of accolades including Best Sportbike of the year not only for its power and performance but also the groundbreaking APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) electronic suite.
2. Most powerful sportbike

The RSV1100 Factory is 100cc up from previous models. The 1078cc 65-degree V-Four powerplant sees the increase of 16 hp and 6.8 Nm to 217 hp at 13,200 RPM and 122 Nm of torque at 11,000 RPM. That makes it the most powerful normally-aspirated and also non-homologation special sportbike.
3. New APRC package

The APRC rider aid package has been expanded to include extra features to rein in those 217 horses. Together, they are Aprilia Traction Control (ATC), Aprilia Wheelie Control (AWC), Aprilia Launch Control (ALC), Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) and Aprilia Pit Limiter (ALC). These features were brought over from the RSV4 RR.
4. The lightest
It is also the lightest among its peers (apart from the race-homologated Panigale V4 R). The RSV4 1100 Factory weighs 5 kg lighter than its predecessor, resulting in a lithe 199 kg, fully fueled and ready to ride.
5. Weight-loss regiment
A Bosch lithium-ion battery and Akrapovic exhaust system contributes to the low weight.
6. Special Akrapovic exhaust

Speaking of the exhaust, the system was specially designed developed together with the famed maker, Akrapovic. The new system is not only responsible for the power increase but also yielding smoother power and torque curves.
7. Redesigned frame

The aluminium frame has been redesigned for even more cornering prowess that Aprilias are famous for. New steering bushings steepen the rake angle by 2-degrees. Additionally, there is a 2mm less offset of the triple clamps for less trail. The changes to the steering geometry results in a 4mm shorter wheelbase. Aprilia also stiffened the swingarm. These changes ought to make the bike even more nimble.
8. Öhlins, of course

The bike is suspended by fully-adjustable Öhlins NIX forks and Öhlins TTX rear shock. The forks have 5mm more travel. They are non-electronic, however.
9. “Stylo” Brembo Stylema

Hauling the RSV4 1100 Factory down from speed are Brembo’s latest Stylema brake calipers. These are smaller, lighter yet stiffer for a better feel at the lever. (Make sure you secure them!) As we mentioned earlier, owners can fit the optional carbon fibre ducts to channel cooling air to the calipers.
10. MotoGP-inspired aerobody

There are two spoilers mounted on each side of the fairing. They generate up 8 kg of downforce at 300 km/h to keep the front tyre on the road.
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Single-Cylinder Ducati Motorcycle To Debut Soon?

Ducati has revealed three new motorcycles since the start of the 2023 Ducati World Premiere thus far.

Latest VIN decoder reveals a new single-cylinder motorcycle on its way from Ducati.
The 659cc single could be the final piece of Ducati’s 2023 World Premiere.

The 2023 DWP kicked off with the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini, followed by the new top-of-the-range Monster SP and, recently, the new Multistrada V4 Rally.
So far, we know that an all-new Ducati Diavel V4 is on its way, along with a new Scrambler and Panigale V4 R. That alone completes six out of seven DWP web series.
While most of the bikes launched are already known to us beforehand, Ducati might have something up its sleeve for the final episode. Thanks to latest reports by Motorcycle.com, we now know for sure Ducati plans to unveil an all-new single.
On September 22, 2022, Ducati renewed a vehicle identification number (VIN) document at the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
That particular document revealed a liquid-cooled, four-valve, 659cc single-cylinder engine. While a single-cylinder Ducati powertrain sounds alien to some of us, the Borgo Panigale factory is no stranger to a single-cylinder machine.
In fact, Ducati’s Scrambler of the ’60s and ‘70s runs on a single-cylinder thumper.
Also, the ultra-limited Ducati Supermono manufactured in the ‘90s features a 500cc single capable of generating 75hp @ 10,000rpm.
The question is, what kind of motorcycles could use the new 659cc single? While it is likely to power a new scrambler-type bike, it could also signal new entry-level two-wheelers from the Italian firm.
There’s one way to find out, and that is to keep your eyes on the upcoming episodes of the 2023 Ducati World Premiere.
(source: Motorcycle.com)
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Kawasaki Motors Malaysia reaches out to Society

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMSB) has started their first CSR program of the year with a very special charity program yesterday dubbed the “Gotong-Royong & Agihan Bubur Lambuk Kawasaki”.
The Kawasaki management group together with 60 bikers from Kawasaki Owners Group (KOG) and over 100 participants helped out in distributing the over 3,000 bubur lambuk all around Klang Valley.
The delicious Ramadhan porridge packets were given out to a number of orphanages, fire and police stations and patrons of a nearby Bazaar Ramadhan in Shah Alam.

During this holy fasting month of Ramadhan, Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (KMSB) has decided to help the less fortunate with their special outreach program as part of their plans to get closer with the public. The management group together with the help from 60 bikers from the Kawasaki Owners Group (KOG) and over 100 other participants, they carried out a very special program dubbed the “Gotong-Royong & Agihan Bubur Lambuk Kawasaki”.

The program ran its course yesterday which started at the Masjid Al Muhajirin located at the TUDM Shah Alam started the gotong-royong which was led by Tuan Razali, a chef and also a member of the Kawasaki Owners Group (KOG) which brought the group to the mosque on board his beloved Kawasaki Z800.

The entire team managed to prepare over 3,000 packets of delicious bubur lambuk in the morning and packed the entire batch for distribution around the Klang Valley area. The majority of the Ramadhan porridge was mainly distributed to orphanages like the Teratak Nur Barakah, Shah Alam, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim/Anak Miskin, Klang (PENYAKIN), Rumah Amal Al Firdaus, Shah Alam and Persatuan Rumah Perlindungan Hajah Kamariah, Petaling Jaya.

Some were also distributed to the Taman Anggerik Fire Station in and the Bukit Jelutong Police Station as well as at the one of the biggest Bazaar Ramadhan in Selangor located at the Stadium Melawati, Shah Alam. It’s not every day you can get free porridge from the Managing Director of KMSB himself, Dato’ Jeffrey Lim.

Besides the delicious bubur lambuk, KMSB and members of the KOG also gave out donations to the orphanages as part of their first CSR program which will be followed by many more in the coming months. With this effort to make the public a more positive, Kawasaki hopes that the encouraging gesture will create a ripple effects of good deeds to continue to ‘Let the good times roll’.

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SURPRISE! It’s the new 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R!

KTM decided to surprise everyone by launching the new 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R in the midst of all of this COVID-19 madness. There’s also the Rally Edition, which is a limited-edition run where only 700 units will be produced for global consumption.

Two models were revealed which are the KTM 890 Adventure R and the KTM 890 Adventure R Rally. Both models run the 889cc parallel-twin engine which has significant upgrades from the previous 790 generation. They’ve also upgraded other things like traction control, ABS, and electronics to make them more ‘wholesome’ for everyday riding.

They’re also coming in hot with a new set of fully adjustable WP XPLOR 48mm front forks while the rear is handled with the WP XPLOR PDS unit. This combo offers separate compression settings for low and high speeds, so you don’t have to mess with it too much once you get off the highway and onto the dirt.

As for the KTM 890 Adventure R Rally edition, this beauty comes with some extras such as

Higher-spec cone-valved WP XPLOR Pro Components suspension
Special Akrapovic exhaust
Flat racing seat (910mm seat height)
Bi-directional quickshifter (optional for the 890 Adventure R model, standard for Rally)
KTM Rally’s footrests, windscreen, winglets
Carbon fibre tank protector + more

Global bookings via the website will be opened on 2 November 2020. If you want one here in Malaysia, better get in touch with folks from KTM Malaysia because with all limited-edition models, they’ll most likely sell out within the day. No prices yet, though.
Written by: Sep Irran
‘KTM Gang’ busted for stealing over 100 bikes

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SHARK Ridill 2.0 Breaks Cover – ECE22.06 Certified

Shark Helmets, the renowned French manufacturer of protective gear for motorcyclists, has recently unveiled its latest offering, the Ridill 2.0 helmet.

The Ridill 2.0 boast an array of cutting-edge safety features at an entry-level price point.
The new generation meets the latest ECE22.06 certification.

The Ridill 2.0 full-face helmet showcases a host of external safety enhancements, such as an injected Lexan polycarbonate shell that provides superior protection. With the advantage of two shell sizes, the helmet ensures a better fit for a wider range of head sizes. Its multi-density EPS liner further enhances impact absorption and dissipation capabilities, raising the bar for safety standards.
In terms of optical features, the Ridill 2.0 does not disappoint. It comes equipped with an optical class 1 anti-scratch screen, offering excellent clarity and durability.

To combat fogging in diverse weather conditions, the helmet incorporates the Pinlock 70 anti-fog film, ensuring clear visibility. Additionally, the helmet features an anti-scratch and anti-fog sunscreen that protects against harmful UV rays while maintaining a clear view.
Adjustability and ventilation are made easy with the screen lock and air net position, allowing riders to find their ideal comfort level effortlessly. The tool-free screen disassembly feature facilitates quick and hassle-free maintenance.
Comfort and practicality have not been compromised in the design of the Shark Ridill 2.0. The interior lining is not only removable but also washable, ensuring easy maintenance and hygiene.

The helmet incorporates chin and front air inlets, along with rear extractors, for optimal ventilation and airflow. Specifically designed grooves accommodate glasses, catering to riders with visual aids. The chinstrap is equipped with a micrometric buckle, and the helmet includes a nose guard and anti-swirl flap, reducing wind noise for a more enjoyable riding experience.

More importantly, the Ridill 2.0 meets the latest ECE R22.06 certification. In addition, the new model tips the scale at just 1,470g for size M and is compatible with the Sharktooth intercom system.
The Shark Ridill 2.0 full-face helmet comes in various colour options, including black, matte black, white, and a selection of graphic versions. With sizes ranging from XS to XXL, it caters to a wide range of head sizes, ensuring a comfortable fit for all riders.
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New Triumph Rocket III Spied – Expect 2500 to 2800cc, 180 to 200 bhp

Photo credit motorcycle.com

The new Triumph Rocket III has been spied testing.

A new 2500- to 2800cc, 180- to 200 bhp engine is expected.

The new bike looks more modern and aggressive.

We reported earlier that a new Triumph Rocket III may be on the way. It is now confirmed as the prototype has been caught testing without camouflage.
Triumph was forced to stop production of the previous Rocket III due to Euro4 regulations. It is still being sold in the United States, however.
Possible New Triumph Rocket III Leaked

As with the leaked photo, the new bike features a new styling. The new design updates the Rocket from a classic to a thoroughbred power cruiser. Triumph had wanted to compete with the Ducati Diavel and Harley-Davidson V-Rod, so the new look is in the ballpark.
What We Can See from the Photos
The new Rocket III prototype seems ready for production.
The engine cylinder head cover looks new, but the starkest detail are the exhausts. There is a new 3-into-1-into-2 piping with slash-cut tips.
The engine definitely looks bigger and the capacity should see between 2500 to 2800cc. As such, we expect the power output to fall between 180 to 200 bhp.
Photo credit motorcycle.com
The frame also appears to be new. As for the chassis, there is now a rear monoshock while the forks are upside down. Final drive is still shaft drive but the swingarm is now single-sided. Radial-mounted Brembo Monobloc calipers clamp on superbike discs.
In the styling department, the dual headlamps are retained but they are now LED. The taillight has been redesigned and it is also lit by LEDs. Besides that, the new bike looks beefier and more aggressive than its forebear.
Photo credit motorcycle.com
If you look closer at the top of the handlebar, you can see the new TFT display which first appeared on the 2019 Scrambler 1200. In which case it ought to feature Bluetooth connectivity and GoPro camera controls.
One last note. We would love to see people’s reactions when we tell them the engine capacity is 2500cc/2800cc.
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2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade Previewed in Malaysia!

Honda gave an exclusive preview of the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade today.

The new bike is set to spearhead Honda’s challenge in production racing.

To rehash, it produces 215 hp and 113 Nm of torque.

Boon Siew Honda gave an exclusive preview of the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade today. The event is in conjunction with the 8 Hours of Sepang FIM Endurance World (FIM EWC) Championship round and announcement of the Honda Asia-Dream Racing team.

Designed to spearhead Honda’s assault in the WorldSBK, Endurance World Championship, and all other race series the world over, the 2020 bike is all-new.
Honda doesn’t like getting beaten. As such, it was designed and developed hand-in-hand with the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC).

Since production racing means that the bikes must not deviate much from er… production bikes, the road bikes have to be built to incorporate whatever “race winning” technology the manufacturer can cram in.
First and foremost, it’s a great departure from the road-friendly character of the CBR900RR all the way up to the 2019 CBR1000RR. Honda had specifically made it clear that this Triple-R is “track focused.”

To retouch, the new 999cc inline-Four shares the same 81 mm x 48.5 mm bore and stroke of the RC213V-S. That’s a 5.0 mm overbore and 6.5 mm understroke compared to the 76 mm x 55 mm architecture. This was done in the interest for more top-end power, something which Honda WorldSBK and EWC riders complained about lacking in the older model.
Other changes include DLC-coated camshafts that actuate finger-followers compared to the previous shim-under-bucket set up. Honda claims that this reduces drivetrain friction by 35% and inertial weight by a whopping 75%. A timing gear on the crankshaft turns the camchain, hence camshafts in the opposite direction of the crankshaft in order to reduce inertia.

The new connecting rods are titanium, halving the weight of the old chromoly steel ones. New forged pistons are made from another type of aluminium alloy that are 5% lighter. The piston skirt is coated with Ober while the pin clip grooves are coated with nickel-phosphorous.
There are other changes as well, in fact too many to list. But all these changes and new stuff lets the engine liberate 215 hp at 14,500 RPM and 113 Nm of torque at 12,500 RPM.
Please go to this article for more technical details: 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade Debuts

Honda’s test riders are currently hard at work in adapting the bike to WorldSBK and EWC duties.
There are two models, of course – one base and the high-spec’ed SP version. No news yet of when it’ll be available in Malaysia, but we expect it to be officially launched something between May to August 2020.

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Zulfahmi ready to take on Phillip Island

National racer Zulfahmi Khairuddin excited and ready take on the season-opening World Supersport Championship race in Phillip Island, Australia.

Loyal readers would know by know about the switch made by national racer Zulfahmi Khairuddin to race in the World Supersport Championship (WSSP). (Read our report here)

The Banting native has completed pre-season tests astride his new Kawasaki Zx-6R WSSP race bike with Spanish outfit Orelac Racing and is anxious to get his new campaign started. WSSP is the supporting class of the FIM Motul World Superbike Championship (WSBK) series that will open its season in Phillip Island, Australia this weekend.
Zulfahmi is no stranger to the course as he has raced in Phillip Island a few times before during his World Moto3 Championship stints. In a recent pre-race interview, Zulfahmi sates:
“I have only ridden there before on a Moto3 bike, so I will have to learn how to manage my Kawasaki. Once I do that, I think it will be very enjoyable and a lot of fun.”

While it may seem like charting new waters, Zulfahmi is entering the season-opener with high confidence indeed. He further added his fondness for the famed Australian circuit by calling it a ‘real riders’ track’. He further adds:
“I don’t think that it is very technical, but it is the kind of track where you need to have really good control of the bike – especially in the fast corners. For me, it’s a real fun track to ride and the scenery is beautiful.”
We’ll bring you more updates as Zulfahmi presses on with his WSSP campaign this year.

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MotoGP: We Had To Decide Between Lorenzo And Mir – Brivio

How the story of Suzuki dominance last year in MotoGP could have changed if former team manager, Davide Brivio, opted for Jorge Lorenzo in 2019.
Brivio, who recently left Suzuki and MotoGP to join Alpine’s Formula 1 team explained the reason behind the Japanese marque decision to pick Joan Mir in 2019 which consequently led to the team first-ever premier class world championship since 2000.
Lorenzo was ousted from Ducati in 2019 after a difficult start in 2017 and continue to struggle the following season.
Suzuki was eyeing the former three-time world champion but according to Brivio, their attention was swayed towards Mir later on.
“Winning 10 races (in 2017) and being a Moto3 champion is something that caught our attention.
“At that time we had the option of signing Jorge Lorenzo. In the end, we had to decide between Lorenzo and Mir.
“It was not a choice between two riders, rather it was choosing a philosophy and the direction that we wanted to take in the future: take a veteran rider like Lorenzo or develop young talent.
“The more we got to know Joan and the more we learned about him,” explained Brivio.
Mir had an option to sign for Honda in 2019 but only for satellite placement.
Mir was a no brainer for Brivio who maintain a philosophy of signing young talent, having done so with Maverick Vinales in 2015 and Alex Rins two years later.
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Next-Gen KTM RC390 Spied Again – New Headlamps, TFT Screen!

It has been a few months since the first spy shot of KTM new RC390 makes its way online.
Nevertheless, the Austrian outfit managed well in hiding the details except for the noticeable change of the headlamps.
However, the latest spy shots reveal a very detailed look at the bike that is expected to launch soon this year.
The headlamps and the turn-indicators clearly using an all-LED unit, arranged in two columns much like the one on 390 Duke and 390 Adventure.
The RC390 also mounts newly designed rear-view mirrors.
From another angle, it shows that the motorcycle comes with a new set of clip-on handlebars, redesigned fairing with the riding ergonomics slightly updated.
Much like the latest 390 Duke and 390 Adventure, the next-gen RC390 also received full-colour TFT screen which operates the ride-by-wire, switchable ABS, and KTM MY Ride function which opens up to various features.
The bike is expected to receive bigger disc brakes paired with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
The next-generation KTM RC390 is expected to powered by a single-cylinder 373cc, liquid-cooled engine that churns 44 PS and 37 Nm, mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox.
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How to Read a Dyno Chart

Credit Brisan Motorcycles

A dyno chart shows an engine’s character.

From it, we can determine if the engine is torquey or peaky.

Please also read Torque Versus Horsepower: What’s the Difference.

A dyno chart – a graph which shows the engine’s torque and power curves – gives us an idea of how the bike performs when we open the throttle.
But how do we interpret those two lines? Do we only look at the peaks? Or just the peak horsepower?
Let’s use the chart below as an example.
The X-axis (the horizontal line below) represents engine RPM, the left Y-axis shows the engine’s horsepower, and the Y-axis on the right represents the engine’s torque.
2018 Ducati Panigale V4 S dyno chart – Credit motorcycle.com. The little dips in the curves denote gearchange
The curved line which climbs the highest is usually the horsepower, while the line below is usually the torque. Why “usually”? Because high torque engines like those big V-twins on Harley-Davidsons, Indians and other cruisers typically produce more torque than horsepower.
In any case, the torque curve is usually flatter than the horsepower curve as the latter requires the engine to be spun up and increases in a steeper curve.
Read: Torque versus Horsepower: What’s the Difference
So far so good?
Okay then, what do we look for? Or more specifically, how do we “read” an engine’s character?
Referring to the graph above, the torque curve looks like a plateau and is considered “flat.” There’s already 86 Nm of torque available at 4,750 RPM, while the peak of about 118 Nm is delivered at 11,250 RPM. Thus, the dyno shows that the engine is already producing 73% of its maximum torque at 4,750 RPM.
We can therefore deduce that this engine will give the impression of power everywhere in the engine range. In the real world, opening the throttle at any time will punch the bike forward rather than needing to be revved like crazy. An engine which allows for hard acceleration anywhere in its rev range is called “torquey” (although most people will wrongly say “powerful”). For the rider, he doesn’t have to keep shifting gears to get going.
As for the horsepower curve, you can see that’s linear in its progression and that makes for easier riding because the bike doesn’t bog and blast forward suddenly as if hit with a NOS injection.
Another thing to note is how many RPMs separate peak torque and peak horsepower. This Desmosedici Stradale V-four’s torque peaks at 11,250 RPM while horsepower does so at close to 13,250 RPM. That gives us 2,000 RPM of separation between the two. This is good as while the torque tapers off, the engine continues to produce power. This is what we call a wide powerband.
However, if the two peaks are close together like in a two-stroke (as little as 500 RPM separation), the powerband is considered “peaky” or “thin.”You need to rev the engine to high RPMs and maintain that high RPM for acceleration. Dropping out of that certain RPM range means you’re stuck with no meaningful acceleration unless you work that left foot like a Riverdance performer.

Note here that four-stroke racing engines tuned for outright power can be peaky. It’s not much of a problem at the racetrack but it’s irritating when such an engine character is present on a road bike.
This is why cruiser riders swear by their engine’s torque as the bike accelerates anytime in any gear, as well as being relaxed (turning at low RPM) when er… cruising down the highway. However, the engine begins to run out of breath as it reaches peak torque, since there’s not enough horsepower to produce higher speeds.
Harley-Davidson Fat Bob dyno chart – Credit cycleworld.com
Lastly, there’s another thing to note. Notice that the dyno’d torque and horsepower figures are lower than claimed by the manufacturer. That’s because manufacturers use bench dynos that are fitted directed to the engine’s output shaft thereby reading the crankshaft torque and horsepower. Dyno-ing a bike through its rear wheel results in approximately 15% power loss through the transmission, final drive and tyre. So, don’t panic if you see lower figures if you dyno your bike.
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