Top 10 Triumph motorcycles of recent times

We list down 10 of the best Triumph motorcycles of recent times.

This week, we decided to celebrate the famed British motorcycle marque known as Triumph. Founded as Triumph Engineering Co Ltd initially in 1885, the brand enjoyed some stellar success in the 1960s.
However, as the 1970s rolled in, trouble loomed with the arrival of modern and highly reliable machines from the Land of the Rising Sun. At a time when most other British bike brands were shuttering, Triumph persevered through the decade, but the inevitable came in 1983 when the firm went into receivership.

				2002 Triumph Daytona 955i.

				2008 Triumph Street Triple 675.

				2011 Triumph Tiger 800

Triumph’s saviour came in the form of businessman John Bloor who bought the marque in 1983. Having renamed it to Triumph Motorcycles Ltd, Bloor opted not to re-launch the brand immediately and took the time to rebuild the brand first.

After what seemed like an endlessly long, uphill battle, Triumph eventually flourished under Bloor’s leadership. Not only did he keep a celebrated name alive, Bloor also brought the marque into the modern era. With that in mind, here’s our list of the 10 best motorcycles churned out by House Hinckley since its revival and why they are loved by fans worldwide.
1. Speed Triple
We start off with the first new bike Triumph released under Bloor’s ownership, the Speed Triple. Inspired by the Speed Twin from the late 1930s, the Speed Triple was first released in 1994. Soon, its popularity would simultaneously shape the modern streetfighter genre as we know it today.
2000 Triumph Speed Triple.
Starting out with a carburetted 885cc iteration of the Triumph Triple engine platform, the Speed Triple underwent plenty of evolutions towards becoming the powerful and intelligent 1,050cc machine we know and love today. What changed here too was its design, namely its distinctive twin headlamp cluster.

				2016 Triumph Street Triple R.

				2016 Triumph Street Triple S.

Regardless of generation, the Speed Triple’s ethos remained unchanged, that being the offer of a light, agile and powerful naked bike that had the killer looks to match. Simply put, Triumph wouldn’t be what and where it is today had it not been for the success of this iconic streetfighter.
2. Street Triple
Next comes the Street Triple. Though the larger and more powerful Speed Triple garnered legions of fans, there were an equal number of those that wanted the same package, only smaller and lighter, resulting in Triumph’s decision in creating the Street Triple.
2008 Triumph Street Triple 675.
First released in 2006, it was dubbed as the ‘baby’ Street Triple thanks to the similar styling it had, not forgetting the smaller 675cc offshoot of its sibling’s 1,050cc three-pot. It didn’t take long for the Street Triple to replicate the successes of the Speed Triple, this time by shaping the modern middleweight streetfighter genre instead.
2016 Triumph Street Triple.
Even with a smaller engine and subsequently lower output, the powertrain was just as perky as the larger sibling’s 1,050cc version. More importantly, the Street Triple’s lower weight made it equally as agile, and thus allowed it to garner just as much fans as its bigger brother.
3. Thunderbird
Under Bloor’s leadership, Triumph attempted to enter a number of segments such as cruisers. Triumph’s first attempt here came in 1995 with the Thunderbird 900 model. It featured the 885cc version of the brand’s signature Triple engine that was packed into a classic cruiser design and frame.
2001 Triumph Thunderbird 900.
The original Thunderbird 900 also spawned a racy Thunderbird Sport model in 1997. It had more power and an aggressive styling inspired by the 1970s era Triumph X75 Hurricane model. Though not as popular as its rivals, the Thunderbird 900 and Thunderbird Sport stood as left-field favourites until production ended in 2004.

				2013 Triumph Thunderbird.

				2013 Triumph Thunderbird Storm.

The Thunderbird name was revived once more in 2006, this time with either a 1,600cc or 1,700cc parallel-twin mill paired with a belt final drive setup instead of a chain type as used by its predecessors. It was still rather left-field, but the Thunderbird quickly garnered acclaim for Triumph in a segment largely dominated by American and Japanese contenders.
4. Daytona
Another area where Bloor’s leadership boldly brought the revived British brand into were sports bikes, and this was done through the marque’s Daytona series. The first of which was the Daytona 955i that arrived in 1997 featuring a revolutionary 955cc triple-cylinder powertrain that was designed by Lotus.
2002 Triumph Daytona 955i.
The Daytona 955i was a left-field alternative against the crop of litre-sized in-line four-cylinder bikes produced by the Japanese brigade as production lasted until 2006. Triumph then tried its luck in the supersport segment in 2005 when it released the Daytona 650 model.
2005 Triumph Daytona 650.
Success finally came with the Daytona 650’s replacement, the Daytona 675. Released in 2006, the Daytona 675 was more compact and featured a 675cc triple-cylinder powertrain instead that proved to be world-beater when paired with the model’s lightweight chassis.
2013 Triumph Daytona 675R.
Not only did it obliterate rivalling Japanese 600cc four-cylinder machines, the Daytona 675’s handling prowess earned its top spot amongst trackday warriors worldwide. This really is the supersport bike that could outperform any litre-sized or bigger rival, especially on technical courses that favour handling over outright speed and power.
5. Rocket III
The plucky British marque then went completely bonkers in 2004 when it released the gargantuan known as the Rocket III in an attempt to create the ultimate cruiser for the American market. The Rokcet III arrived with larger-than-life looks plus a massive engine to match.

This behemoth is powered by a huge 2,294cc triple-cylinder that offered big servings of torque channelled to the rear using a shaft drive setup. Despite its size, the Rocket III was still available in a variety of guises from classic roadster, to bagger to semi-streetfighter in fact.

				Roadster variant.

				Current bagger variant

Though not a commercial success, the Rocket III instead became a cult favourite. The winning draw perhaps lied in its gigantic size and looks plus the car-like engine, with all of which commanding lots of attention wherever it goes.
6. Tiger Sport
First introduced in 2007, the Tiger Sport can trace its roots back to the Tiger 900 and Tiger 955i models that preceded it. The ethos remained the same in all three, that being the adoption of Triumph’s signature Triple powertrain into a go-anywhere dual-purpose package.

The Tiger Sport received a major update earlier this year where its unique 1,050cc triple-cylinder powerplant was significantly updated. Nevertheless, it still offered the perfect balance between performance and versatility and, unlike its predecessors, a very stylish design to boot as well.
2016 Triumph Tiger Sport
Though it lacks a Paris-Dakar Rally win in its life, it still stood as a very sound left-field alternative against the segment’s usual suspects.
7. Tiger 800
Triumph really got its dual-sport mojo going when it introduced the Tiger 800 series since 2010. Heavily revised for 2015, the Tiger 800 boasted impressive abilities and versatility yet again when compared against segment-leading bikes like the BMW F800GS.
2011 Triumph Tiger 800
The Tiger 800 is offered in two main variant lines starting with the road-focused XR series followed by the off-road-ready XC line. All share the same 799cc triple-cylinder heart that’s now complemented with a bevy of intelligent electronic wizardries such as selectable ride modes and ride-by-wire.

				2016 Triumph Tiger 800 XC.

				2016 Triumph Tiger 800 XR.

For the avid overland adventurer, the Tiger 800 ticks all the right boxes as far as middleweight dual-sport bikes go. Its rapid rise to popularity in its segment truly showed that Triumph was a versatile marque.
8. Tiger Explorer
The flagship Tiger Explorer introduced in 2012 stands as the marque’s ultimate expression of what adventure tourers ought to be – the Triumph Tiger Explorer.

The firm clearly had the BMW R1200GS Adventure in its crosshairs, explaining the model’s adoption of a unique 1,215cc triple-cylinder engine paired with a shaft drive. After being updated for 2016, the Triumph Tiger Explorer was refined yet again with enhanced performance and electronics.

Though it still hasn’t given its German rival a run for its money, the Tiger Explorer again stood as the perfect alternative to it, making it a hot favourite amongst the world’s elite adventure riders.
9. New Bonneville
No list of greatest modern Triumph bikes is complete without the inclusion of the all-new Bonneville range. Essentially, Triumph extensively updated one of its most iconic and longest-running production models for the modern era with plenty novel new bits.

Highlights include a new range of liquid-cooled parallel-twin powerplants with displacement ranging from 900cc to 1,200cc – a huge leap forward over its predecessor’s classic air-cooled unit. With its new heart, Bonnie, as many fondly referred to it, now offered greater performance and enhanced fuel efficiency as well.

Also noteworthy was how the new Street Twin and Bonneville T120 had their modern ancillaries blended in without ruining its classic feel and appeal. Highlights here include the ride-by-wire suite, multiple ride modes, LED lighting, as well as the all-important underseat USB charging port that each variant gets.

				The Triumph Bonneville T120 Black.

				Triumph Street Twin.

Simply put, the Bonneville finally got the replacement it deserved, and its brilliance as a hip modern retro bike is perhaps second to none.
10. Thruxton
We’ve saved the best for last and it comes in the form of the original café racer bike itself, the Thruxton. In Bloor’s era, Triumph unleashed the Bonneville-based Thruxton 900 in 2004 that came with an air-cooled 865cc twin-cylinder powerplant underneath its stylish retro exterior.
2004 Triumph Thruxton 900
This was also another cult favourite model, especially amongst retro bike enthusiasts worldwide. Things got even better in late 2015 when the New Bonneville was revealed, spawning the new generation Thruxton R that packs a brand new liquid-cooled 1,200cc heart.
2016 Triumph Thruxton R
As far as café racers go, few have stood to shape and define the genre, with the Thruxton R being one of it.
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Kawasaki To Launch The E2 And E2-R Electric Motorcycle Later This Year

Kawasaki arguably among the major motorcycle manufacturers pushing for electrification.

Kawasaki to launch two new electric bikes in November.
The E2 and E2-R will be Team Green first electric range.

The Japanese firm  also went on to showcased its electric and hybrid two-wheelers at Suzuka 8 Hours. The hybrid looks somewhat like the Ninja while the electric looks much smaller and looks like the firm’s Z250.
At the time, there’s no words regarding the launch date but according to British Motorcyclist Federation (BMF), Team Green plans to launch its first electric range in November.

Also, BMF claimed Kawasaki’s upcoming motorcycle will be called the E2 and could produce a peak power of around 30hp. That puts the E2 around 14hp less than the Ninja Z400.
Interestingly, BMF also reports that there will be a fully faired version of the E2 and potentially will be called the E2-R albeit sharing the same peak power.
While Kawasaki is yet to release any further info on its upcoming E2 and E2-R electric motorcycle, the latest report looks encouraging from the marquee.
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2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 Launch in Just a Week’s Time

Triumph Scrambler 1200 spy shot Image source: MCN

Triumph has released another 2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 teaser video.

It shows the bike being ridden on the road and off-road.

The launch happens on 24th October 2018 (UK time).

The countdown has begun to the launch of the 2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200.
Triumph Motorcycles has also released another teaser video, the fifth and perhaps the last, ahead of the grand event.
This latest video also showcases the versatility of the new bike. There are shots of it being ridden two-up on a tarmac road besides being pushed hard off-road.

Triumph was one of the leaders of off-road racing in the 60’s. The new Scrambler 1200 would return it to its off-road legacy with the promise of “never before seen levels of dual-purpose capability.” Indeed, the video shows the 1200 scrambling in the dirt; with the dust hiding the bike, of course.
Piecing together all the teaser videos revealed a little bit more about the bike. It will definitely feature the classic Triumph Bonneville silhouette, straight handlebar, flat saddle and high-mounted dual exhausts. It will be similar to its smaller 900cc Street Scrambler, but we are sure there will be many other differences to make it off-road worthy.
The Scrambler 1200 may even come ready with an underbelly skid plate and knobby tyres.
Its engine should very well be based on the High Torque (HT) version of the 1200cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-Twin with 270o crank.
We could also very well expect traction control, ride-by-wire throttle, ABS and LED lighting. The suspension will definitely be updated.
The launch is happening on early morning, 25th October 2018 (Malaysian time). Bikes Republic hopes to bring you the event “live.” If you can stay up for the English Premier League, you ought to stay up for the launch, too.
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New Yamaha TMAX variants coming soon

2016 TMAX
Also up for expansion is the Yamaha TMAX maxi scooter as the marque files trademarks for two new variants.

2016 TMAX
The motorcycle market trend appears to be shifting towards mirroring trends common in the cars market by having multiple versions of the same machine on sale at different price brackets to meet different target owners. One example of this can be seen in Yamaha’s move at filing trademarks for two new Yamaha TMAX variants – TMAX SX and TMAX DX.
If you didn’t now already, the Yamaha TMAX maxi-scooter is powered by a DOHC 530cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin that develops nearly 46hp and 52.3Nm of torque. The mill is paired with Yamaha’s V-belt automatic transmission whilst the chassis features inverted front forks and dual disc brakes up front.

The move suggests that Yamaha intends to split its segment-defining Yamaha TMAX maxi-scooter model with several offshoots. However, there are no clues just yet as what the TMAX SX and TMAX will turn out to be. Our initial guess is that one would be developed as a more ‘basic’ entry-level variant to complement the T-Max in its current form.

But the fact that there are two variants have also fuelled speculations that Yamaha intends to mirror what rivals BMW Motorrad have done with its C series twins – the BMW C 650 Sport and GT (pictured above). We could see Yamaha fielding a comparable rival against each of the two BMWs, with one set out as a sporty variant and the other as a touring-focused version.
Based on the timing Yamaha usually takes from filing trademarks and patents to product materialisation, we can expect the Yamaha TMAX SX and TMAX DX to debut during INTERMOT or EICMA later this year.

				2016 TMAX

				2016 TMAX

				2016 TMAX

				2016 TMAX

Source: Visordown
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MotoPlex Butterworth Opens In Penang, The Ultimate Destination For Bikers Up North

Moto enthusiasts and Italian biking aficionados, get ready to rev up your engines because Didi Group has just announced the grand opening of MotoPlex Butterworth – the ultimate destination for all your two-wheel vehicle needs!

This exciting new showroom offers not one, not two, not three, but FOUR premium brands under the Didi Group umbrella: Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, and Moto Guzzi. And it’s all located in Penang, making it the go-to destination for Malaysian riders seeking the ultimate Italian biking experience.

But it’s not just the impressive lineup of brands that make MotoPlex Butterworth stand out. This dynamic concept store is also designed with Italian aesthetics in mind, reflecting the innovative vision of the Piaggio Group. With a total space of 3,200 sqf, the showroom area covers 2,600 sqf, while the service centre takes up 600 sqf. And with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and a team of well-trained motorcycle technicians and mechanics, superior customer service and access to high-quality spare parts are guaranteed.

For Didi Group, the launch of MotoPlex Butterworth is a remarkable milestone as it becomes the second MotoPlex in Malaysia, and the first in Penang. Mr. Rewi Hamid Bugo, Chairman of Didi Group, expressed his excitement saying, “Penang is one of the most vibrant states in Malaysia. I would like to thank GB Motorcycles for introducing this global concept of MotoPlex to the dynamic landscape of Penang, which will help us to further strengthen our positioning and boost our presence in Malaysia.”
The MotoPlex concept offers an exciting overview of the entire Piaggio Group, making it the house of Piaggio’s iconic brands. And with all of these premium brands under one roof, potential customers seeking an enriching Italian two-wheel experience backed by style, technology, superior performance, and rich heritage, will not be disappointed.

Mr. Kheoh Hock Seng, Director of GB Motorcycles, summed it up perfectly saying, “We are committed to serving riders with passion and dedication in our 3200 sqf concept store complete with a service area that is staffed by highly skilled two-wheel technicians. We don’t just make vehicles. We change the way people move.”
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Akrapovic Unveils New Slip-On For Suzuki’s Latest V-Strom 800DE – RM4.6k

Suzuki Malaysia officially launched the 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE middleweight adventure bike for the Malaysian market held at Soul’ed Out, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

The V-Strom 800DE joins the likes of BMW F 850 GS and KTM 890 Adventure in Malaysia with the introductory price of RM60,800 for the first 50 bookings.
As usual, one of the first thing that we tend to change on a new bike is getting a new exhaust system. If you’re planning to get your hands on the new parallel-twin powered V-Strom 800DE, you are in luck as Akrapovic has just released a new slip-on for the adventure motorcycle.

Ideally, Akrapovic new slip-on not only creates better exhaust note but also improves extra performance from the engine. According to Akrapovic, the new slip-on exhaust completely homologated to ECE and meets the latest Euro 5 standards.
Also, the slip-on exhaust increased the power delivery up to one horsepower and one newton-meter of torque.

The slip-on exhaust is made entirely from titanium and carbon fiber, like majority of the brand’s exhaust system. The system is also easy to install thanks to its slip-on nature.
As for pricing, the new slip-on system is said to be around the USD1,000 (RM4.6k) mark. Perhaps it’s best for you to start saving now!
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Indian Motorcycle Officially Unveils Custom FTR By Tank Machine And WRC Champ Sebastien Loeb

Indian Motorcycle’s latest giveaway for riders living in Europe, the United Kingdom, and South Africa has generated quite the buzz.

one of the custom built FTR is up for a special giveaway.
the custom built FTR is purely aesthetic.

The prize includes one of two FTRs designed by custom shop Tank Machine and nine-time World Rally Championship champion Sébastien Loeb, with the matching bike remaining in Loeb’s possession.
At the time of the announcement, only renders of the FTR Loeb design were available. But as of April 27, 2023, Indian Motorcycle has officially released photos of the completed FTR Loeb design, which are now available for viewing.

The changes in this design are purely aesthetic, with the custom saddle featuring contrasting red stitching and a discreet French flag, along with the stylized numeral ‘9’ on the front headlight cowl and the tail cowl at the rear. The two fenders have Tank Machine’s name under the Indian Motorcycle logo against a chunky carbon fiber background, with a bold blue Loeb logo that darts from the middle to the tip of each fender.

If you’re eligible and interested in entering the contest, there’s still time. The drawing is currently open and will remain so until May 15, 2023. Eligible riders from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom can visit the official Indian Motorcycle webpage in their country and fill out the FTR Loeb contest form.
To enter, riders must also head to their nearest Indian Motorcycle dealer and take a test ride on an FTR, with no purchase necessary.
One lucky winner will be chosen at the end of May 2023 to win their own FTR Loeb and receive a VIP trip to Wheels and Waves 2023 in Biarritz, France. There, they will meet both Tank Machine and Sébastien Loeb, who will present the FTR Loeb to them in person.
Don’t miss your chance to enter this exclusive contest and possibly win the ride of a lifetime.
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Valentino Rossi Will Race at Aragon

Valentino Rossi is fit to race at the Aragon GP

Rossi had just tested his fitness at Misano

Rossi broke his lower leg in two places in an enduro accident 21 days ago

Valentino Rossi will race race at Aragon this weekend, after all. In a news that surprised everyone, perhaps even Rossi himself, the nine-time World Champion has been deemed fit to race.
Mandatory medical exams were carried out by MotorLand Aragon’s Chief Medical Officer, Clemente Milan. Rossi will take part in tomorrow’s FP1 session.
Rossi’s leg broke in two places in a freak, low-speed enduro accident just 21 days ago (click here to read about it). He has even said that such injury would normally take at least 40 days to heal, due to a similar injury back in 2010, which Jorge Lorenzo won his first MotoGP championship.

LATEST: @ValeYellow46 passed FIT to ride at the #AragonGP! pic.twitter.com/yaHSqmctGj
— MotoGP™??? (@MotoGP) September 21, 2017

Rossi took to the track on a Yamaha R-1M street bike at Misano (click here for our coverage) to test his fitness and came away saying that he will try to race this weekend (click here for the full story).
Professional racers have long had a certain determination to get back to racing despite injuries that would sideline any mere mortal. Heroes past and present, such as Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner, Mick Doohan, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson, Freddie Spencer, in fact almost all of them would come back to ride and sometimes even win in spite of their injuries.
Rossi currently lies fourth in the 2017 MotoGP Championship with 157 points. Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso are jointly leading on 199 points, while Rossi’s teammate, Maverick Vinalez is in third with 183 points. Aragon GP is the 14th round of the 18-round 2017 championship.
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Starting April, Malaysian Motorcycles Must Adhere To Singapore’s Latest Emission Standards

Motorcyclists traveling from Malaysia to Singapore for work or other purposes are required to comply with the latest emission standards, which will be enforced starting from April 6th.

Malaysian motorcyclist must meet the latest emission standard in Singapore.
The new emission standard is set to take place from April 6th.

This recent development is important to note, especially for those who frequently travel to Singapore. According to a report by Paultan.org, every motorcycle in Singapore (including those from Malaysia) must adhere to the latest carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emission limits.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has set the latest CO limit at 4.5 percent, while the HC limit is set at 7,800ppm for 2-stroke motorcycles and 2,000ppm for 4-stroke motorcycles.
To ensure smooth enforcement, NEA will conduct emission inspections at the Singapore border checkpoints. Motorcycles found to be non-compliant with the emission regulations will be immediately issued a fine of the same amount as those for Singaporean motorcycles.
(source: Paultan.org)
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KTM Issued Worldwide Recall For KTM 690 & Husqvarna 701 Due To Slave Clutch Issue

KTM has finally acknowledged the common slave clutch issue affecting most of the KTM LC4 690cc single-cylinder engines.
The Mattighofen factory has issued a worldwide recall of KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles that feature the LC4 engine.
The matter at hand focused on the gasket on the clutch slave cylinder that may have been damaged at the manufacturing stage.

The affected gasket could cause the clutch to become malfunction when the clutch lever is pulled in.
However, we are a bit surprised that it took this long for KTM to react despite acknowledging the problem since 2018.
According to the documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US, the recall involved certain 2018-2020 models which includes:

KTM 690 Duke (2018-2019)
KTM 690 Enduro (2018-2020)
KTM 690 SMC R (2019-2020)
Husqvarna 701 Enduro LR (2020)
Husqvarna 701 Supermoto (2018-2020)
Husqvarna 701 Enduro (2018-2020)
Husqvarna Svartpilen 701 (2019-2020)
Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 (2018-2020)

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UPBEAT ZAMRI CALM AHEAD OF ARRC OPENING LEG

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A lean and confident Mohd Zamri Baba said he is calm ahead of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship opening round as he attempts to battle for the SuperSports 600cc podium at the Sepang Circuit this weekend.

The Musashi Boon Siew Honda rider has been earmarked as Malaysia’s best hope to retain the coveted SuperSports 600cc crown following reigning champion, Zaqhwan Zaidi and 2013 winner, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman’s move to the World Moto2 Championship.
2014 was a year to forget for the 32-year old Zamri as he commenced his campaign with a pre-season injury that saw him limping in the first four rounds. The injury was made worse by another crash at the Suzuka Circuit that forced him to withdraw from the race.

It was not until the final round in Qatar, Zamri had fully recovered and he rode to the best of his abilities to help Honda retain the rider and constructors awards for a third consecutive year.
Despite a roller-coaster campaign, Zamri remained a serious threat as he took three victories and three podiums, including a double win at Sepang while using crutches and on painkillers.
“2014 did not go too well but this year everything is different. I’m fighting fit and we have a good base setup from the pre-season test between me and Yuki Takahashi. Even so, I do not want to set unrealistic targets for this weekend because it would put a lot of unnecessary pressure. Not to mention our rivals have gotten a lot more stronger from last season so it’s quite hard to anticipate what will happen this weekend,” said Zamri.

He added, “So my aim is to do my very best and try to finish on the podium – for myself, the team, family, friends, for the fans, for Malaysia and for all who had supported me. I want to make everybody proud and if I get lucky and somehow win the race, that would be a bonus.”
The practice sessions for Round 1 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will start on Friday followed by the Qualifying sessions on Saturday and the final race on Sunday.
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Introducing Brembo G Sessanta Concept Brake Callipers – With RGB LEDs!

In celebration of its 60th anniversary, renowned braking system company, Brembo, has unveiled its G Sessanta concept brake calliper.
The G Sessanta is not your typical high-end calliper; instead, the G Sessanta concept comes equipped with customizable RGB LEDs!

By customizable, we meant that you could adjust the LED colours around the callipers with the help of your smartphone.

According to Brembo, the design of this prototype emulates the company first-ever motorcycle calliper produced in 1972 but with the added LEDs. The innovation helps increase the visibility of the motorcycle and assist in locating the bike.
Catch Brembo’s pitch on the G Sessanta Concept in the video below:

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Bimota Bids Final Arrivederci (Goodbye)?

Bimota BB3

Bimota has shut the doors at Rimini.

The signage has also been removed from the Rimini facitlity.

The BMW S 1000 RR-based BB3 project has officially stopped.

Bimota Tesi 3D Naked

Bimota, the small Italian motorcycle maker of revolutionary motorcycles has shut it doors again, probably for good this time.
Bimota YB1
The company started in 1973, its name being the amalgam of the two last letters of the three owners’ last names: Valerio Bianchi, Giusepper Morri, Massimo Tamburini. Wait! Tamburini? The late-Tamburini who designed the Ducati 916 and MV Agusta F4?
Yes.
The late-Tamburini with the MV Agusta F4 and Ducati 916
It was at Bimota that Tamburini sought to perfect the motorcycle, by delivering technical and styling excellence through hard work, often times with his own hands. He had cut, bent and welded chrome-moly steel tubing for the advanced frames. The same designs would later be seen at Ducati.
Tamburini welding a frame section
A fall-out with Giuseppe Morri forced him to quit unceremoniously, leaving Bimota bereft of the technical and design genius the company was famous for. Valerio Bianchi had already left by then. But karma seemed to reign as Morri was himself forced out a few years later.
Bimota DB5-R
The brand is currently owned by Daniele Longoni and Marco Chiancianesi, Italians who are residing and operating from Switzerland. However, rumours surfaced in as early as January this year that Longoni was buying time to sell off all stock and what remains of the stillborn BB3 project. Based on the BMW S 1000 RR, it was to be Bimota’s superbike to reclaim their prestige.
Bimota BB3
While some say Bimota isn’t closing much to anything, since the factory near Rimini has been empty for a while, the signage has also been ominously removed. The only hope left for this unorthodox motorcycle manufacturer is investors. But let’s hope these future fund managers truly understand what the Bimota stands for, otherwise the brand is forever doomed as a failed genius.

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World’s first smart helmet launched in Malaysia!

The world’s first “smart helmet’ has been officially launched in Malaysia. The Jarvish Smart Helmet is distributed by RT Ride Tech Motorsport, which is the sole distributor for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

The Jarvish Smart Helmet features a built in 2k 120 degree wide angle video recorder, voice activation command, ability to receive and to reject phone calls, and it is compatible with Apple Siri and Android’s Google Go. This feature allows riders to check on the weather, location of nearby petrol stations and location of food stalls, all through voice commands. This allows the rider to keep both hands on the handle bars.

The helmet even has its own applications, which needs to be downloaded to a smart phone. This app enables the rider to download a video to his phone via wifi, or to a computer via a USB cable. It is said that the application will soon be able to offer live streaming to the riders Facebook account.

The device is operated by battery which can last up to 5.5 hours with continuous recording. Jarvish says that the battery is made of a solid state lithium ceramic military grade material and is thus an anti-explosion battery, even under extreme conditions such as piercing, collision, rupture and such, the battery stays stable, and will not leak, smoke, or burn.

The smart helmet even has its own crash sensor, and will automatically save a video recording into a “black box” when the sensor detects an impact. The helmet supports SD memory card with up to 256GB memory, which roughly sums up to about 3 days of recording.

Future plans includes a crash sensor that will be able to call out a specific phone number during emergencies, and in Europe, the helmet will be able to link up to rescue units and also insurance companies.

Jarvish Smart Helmet Specification:

Waterproof level: IPX5
Voice command: After the mobile phone Bluetooth is connected to the intelligent helmet, voice commands can be used to control the functions including camera recording, telephone answering, volume adjustment, music playing, etc.
Recording function: 1920 X 1080P, traveling dynamic status can be recorded via the recording function.
Safety certificate: ECE R22.05 (Regional), DOT(Regional), CNS 2396, CNS 13438, CNS 13439, NCC-CCAM17LP0170T2.
APP: Wi-Fi connection, videos can be downloaded and the system status of the intelligent helmet can be viewed. The navigation function allows the input of destination address before each trip and voice commands for navigation can be transmitted to the earphones of the intelligent helmet via Bluetooth connection. (Satellite navigation may have errors and it is recommended for reference usage only).
Helmet shell material: The helmet shell uses a carbon fiber composite material characterized by high stiffness, high stength and light weight.
Battery features: Use a solid state lithium ceramic military grade material anti-explosion battery. Under extreme conditions, such as piercing, collision, rupture etc., the battery is maintained to be safe without the occurrence of battery solution leakage, smoke or burning, etc.
Ventilation features: The mouth portion and forehead portion are equipped with two-stage adjustable air inlets in conjuction with the design of additional three air outlets in order to ensure air ventilation inside the helmet. The two areas of the lower rear portion are provided with heat sinks.
Quick-removal inner lining: The inner lining is of a removable design along with anti-bacterial and mite-proof treatments; the inner lining is also washable.
Model: MONACO EVO S
Importer: JARVISH Inc.
Materials, net weight, quantity: Carbon fiber composite material, Styrofoam, metal buckle, fabric inner lining
Rated voltage (V) and rated frequency (Hz): Rated voltage 3.8 ~4.4 v, 60 Hz
Rated total power consumption or rated input current: 0.65A
Certifications: ECE R22.05 、 DOT、 CNS 2396、CNS 13438、CNS 13439、NCC
Product name: Enhanced flip-up protective helmet for motorcycle riding (applicable for use in non-competition motorcycles above 125C.C.)
Product type: Enhanced type, applicable to light or heavy motorcycles and large heavy-duty motorcycles.
Main materials: Composite carbon fiber helmet shell, EPS, Styrofoam, metal buckle, fabric inner lining.

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Pedrosa on Pole for 2017 Shell Malaysian MotoGP

Dani Pedrosa will start from pole tomorrow.

The thrilling 15-minute session saw championship leader Marc Marquez crashing.

1st to 10th spots covered by less than one second.

Dani Pedrosa captures pole position ahead of tomorrow’s Shell Malaysian MotoGP 2017 after an edge-of-the-seat qualifying session.
Run under the sweltering hot sun, the riders put the hammer down to post some blistering times, which saw the coveted position switch hands multiple times before it was settled at the very last moment.

There was plenty of drama too, when championship leader Marc Marquez crashed at the last turn on his very first flying lap, apparently after hitting the turn way too fast. He had just saved himself from crashing during FP4. Marquez frantically restarted his bike to ride back to his pits for his spare bike. He came back in again just minutes from the end of the Q2 session for his first bike, but the best he could do was seventh on the grid.

While everyone was hooked up on Marquez’s crash, Johann Zarco snuck in pole position. Zarco had won the Moto2 race in Malaysia for the past two years.
Behind the Frenchman, Maverick Vinalez, Valentino Rossi, Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo, and Andrea Dovizioso (who’s chasing his first world championship and 33 points behind Marquez), vied for the top spot.
Rossi was the first man to displace Zarco from the top to an immense cheer from the capacity crowd, only to be immediately outgunned by Dovizioso. But while the cameras focused on “Desmo” Dovi, Pedrosa posted his fastest time of 1’59.212.

Then Zarco improved on his time and relegated Dovizioso to third.
Positions 1st to 10th were covered by less than 1 second. But more telling was the third fastest time posted by Dovizioso in third, just 0.024 seconds from pole.
If there’s one thing about the Malaysian MotoGP, one could never know how it’s going to end, and if today’s qualifying session was an indication, we’re in for an amazing race tomorrow.
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BMW E-Power Roadster Concept – The future of BMW Motorrad?

Electric power is without a doubt the future of mobility and BMW Motorrad has been working in closed quarters regarding their latest project, the BMW E-Power Roadster Concept. With years of R&D, this is the bike that’ll most likely go into production compared to the other electric concepts the brand has introduced in the past years.

From a designer’s perspective, its looks greatly resemble the BMW S 1000 R, BMW’s very powerful litre naked bike. Based on MCN, the resemblance in anything but as the only the front end looks like the naked bike whereas the rear drive was inspired by the ultra-versatile BMW R 1200 GS paired with a custom frame to hold everything together.

The BMW E-Power Roadster Concept is a pool of everything BMW where even the drivetrain is supposedly ‘borrowed’ from their cars segment. The electric motor comes from a 7-series whereas the battery pack was taken straight from a 2-Series PHEV model. It sounds like a Frankenstein project but judging by the end result, the electric bike certainly looks factory ready.

This, however, does not make the bike light in any way. In fact, it’s actually around 290kg (which is a whopper for a naked bike in any segment) but don’t let that fool you. With 162hp and a torque count of close to 200Nm, this thing pulls like a beast. According to BMW Motorrad, it’s only 0.2 seconds slower off the line (0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds) compared to their top-of-the-line BMW S 1000 RR.

When it comes to charging, BMW is very well known for its fast-charging capabilities. On paper, the BMW E-Power Concept can be charged fully in less than an hour. BMW has stated that their goal for the production version will be somewhere around the 6km for every minute of charging. So, a short 10-minute break for toilet and coffee will extend the range to an extra 60km (if there’s a charging facility nearby). More than enough to continue with your daily ventures.

According to Christoph Lischka, Head of BMW Motorrad, “This E-Power Roadster is a sporty bike for someone who wants to ride in the mountains and really enjoy the ride. For this person the bike needs to have 200km of range, so we won’t be releasing a bike like this until it’s capable of 200km-300km of real riding. Right now, the market and the infrastructure to support such a machine isn’t ready.”
Image credit: MCN
Dog ‘eats’ BMW S 1000 RR

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Is this the official 2021 CFMoto MT800?

CFMoto might have revealed the official photo of its 2021 CFMoto MT800 adventure-tourer after months of teasing and spyshots all over the internet. The one that you’re looking at here is the more ‘off-road’ oriented variant with spoke wheels and slightly knobby tyres to tackle minor off-road situations.

As we have reported before, the 2021 CFMoto MT800 will most likely come in two different variants. The other one looks like a more road-going version that’s fitted with cast wheels and sport-touring rubbers. Those gold spoke rims sure look amazing from our perspective.

Their partnership with Austria’s KTM will also see the use of the KTM 790 Adventure’s 799cc LC8 engine used in this upcoming model. Power output might slightly differ from KTM’s 95hp output, but we will only know for sure once the MT800 is officially launched.

We know for a fact the CFMoto Malaysia is keen to bring this model in as soon as its globally launched. However, restrictions placed around the globe due to COVID-19 (including Malaysia’s Movement Control Order) might cause a few delays.

There’s no indicator of the price range either, but knowing how competitive CFMoto can be, we won’t be surprised if this baby falls within the ‘I think I can afford that’ category. Stay tuned for more updates, folks.
Ducati Panigale V2 ‘White Rosso’ arrives in Malaysia – 2 units available!

Written by: Sep Irran
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Art Of Speed 2022 Witness Another Successful Year In Celebrating ‘Kustom’ Culture

Thousands of Malaysian flock to Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) to witness Art Of Speed (AOS) 2022 on its return after two-year of absence.

AOS 2022 wraps up in full fashion at MAEPS.
two EV conversion Vespa was awarded to two lucky winners.
Elders Elettrico and 405 Industries signed an MOU to expand the EV conversion in Malaysia.

It was another successful year for AOS, with the annual motorcycle and car culture returned to full blast for the 10th time.
In typical fashion, fans alike were allowed to meet some distinguished guests, including Emi Suganuma, Sunny Yano, and Michi “NATQQ” from Mooneyes Japan, Scott Johnson from Mama Tried Motorcycle Show USA, Warren Heir Jr. from Flat Out Friday USA, Australian Chopper artist Russel Murchie, Dino Dalle Carbonare from Speedhunters.com, Yasuo Sekijima and Satoru Ise from Vibes Magazine Japan, Indonesian pinstripe artist Mil from Millart, and Aekalak Kitdusitpong a diecast modeller from AKARA; Thailand.

Meanwhile, seven talented builders across the nation competed in the AOS Invitational Bike Build-Off 2022 for an RM10,000 cash prize (jury selection) and RM5,000 cash prize (public choice).
SKATECTURE from Sarawak walked away with RM10,000, while MOTO BURUK GARAGE from Penang took home RM5,000 after successfully stealing the public’s hearts.

As always, Hot Wheels continue to bring its epic-ness to AOS, and this time around, a life-sized Bone Shaker Monster Truck was on display at the centre of Hall A.
AOS 2022 also played host to NoEqual.co‘s ‘NEAT FEST’ and ‘Hail Vintage’ workwear exhibition.

Newly introduced for 2022 are the ‘Off The Grid’ outdoor camping and lifestyle on display at Hall D, while this year’s Kustom & Koffee Talk featured Scoot Johnson (Mama Tried Motorcycle Show) and Warren Heir Jr. (Flat Out Friday). The two-panel and host Qhalis Najmi from NoEqual.co discussed the latest trends in bike and car industries.
Also, two lucky winners managed to walk away with an electrified Vespa scooter, fully restored by Kluk Klek Soul, while Indonesia’s Elders Elettrico did the EV conversion.

The bike went to Muhammad Khairul Anas Bin Rohani from Perak, while the second winner (Hausboom lucky draw) went to Muhammad Khairul Izwan from Selangor.
Last but not least, Elders Elettrico and 405 Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand the EV conversion market in Malaysia.

The newly established partnership will work hand in hand with the government in developing regulatory matters regarding EV conversions.
For those who missed out on this year’s event, worry not, as AOS will return next year on the 29-30 July 2023.
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Suzuki Assemblers Malaysia closing down for good?

It has been a while since we last heard about anything related to Suzuki here in Malaysia (apart from the lukewarm attempt to unofficially launch the new Suzuki Katana). Now, a letter from Suzuki Assemblers Malaysia is apparently going viral and it’s about them closing down operations for good here in the country. So, what’s going on?

So far, there’s have been no official announcements from any parties pertaining to this issue. The letter states that Suzuki Assemblers Malaysia will be terminating all contracts with official dealers of Suzuki bikes here in Malaysia starting 31 July 2020. As for bank guarantees and cash deposits, those too will be returned to all related parties by 15 August 2020.

What’s even more interesting is the fact that the letter also stated that all future businesses involving the brand will be taken care of by Suzuki Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SMSB). Those who are tied to the brand will be contacted by their reps in the near future, probably to iron out all the details regarding the matter.

We all know that COVID-19 and all stages of the MCO (Movement Control Order) have been really hard on a lot of businesses. For Suzuki Assemblers Malaysia, it’s has been especially hard in the past few years and we don’t blame them if they’re really closing down for good after suffering such a huge blow due to these unprecedented circumstances.
Top 10 Suzuki Motorcycles (Part 2)

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Check out these electric race bikes built by Dutch university students!

Dutch university students are behind this pair of excellently built electric race bikes that’s capable of 0-100KM/H in under 3 seconds!

These electric race bikes are the creation of Dutch university students.

They also got a little boost from partners such as Ten Kate Racing, Suter, and more.

The most powerful of which has 228HP, allowing for 0-100KM/H in under 3 seconds!

What you see here are a pair of electric race bikes were recently revealed by a team of Dutch university students from the University of Twente. The fact that both were developed in partnership with World Superbike championship-winning squad Ten Kate Racing should explain the high-quality build levels as pictured.
The students behind this project, called Electric Superbike Twente (EST), is a full-blown program in its own right. EST was set up by the university five years ago and is fully staffed by students. Engineering and design students work on the bike itself, as well as the communications and marketing efforts surrounding it, whereas management students help run the team.

Each year a new batch of students enter the project with aims of building on what has past students created prior. The first team in 2017/2018 created the Liion-GP with 90kW capable of 250KM/H whilst the second batch after them built the 110kW Eclipse-GP.
A 120kW creation called the Apex-RS arrived in 2019/2020, followed by a 150kW Delta-XE in 2020/2021. This year, the Apex-RS and Delta XE got upgraded cooling systems, new steering dampers and fresh livery whilst the latest Delta-XE saw its battery with new, higher voltage cables and connectors included.
EST says their mission is to “showcase the excitement and fun of sustainable mobility’ with the ultimate goal of ‘achieving MotoGP lap times with a fully electric superbike”. Given the specs revealed, these kids are serious indeed with said mission.

Of the two bikes these Dutch students built, the most powerful of which develops a claimed 228HP output figure. This, in turn, enables an impressive top speed of over 300KM/H on top of the ability to perform 0-100KM/H sprints in less than three seconds.
The serious speed is also matched with serious hardware as both electric race bikes built by EST feature Öhlins suspension, HEL brakes and Marchesini wheels. Additionally, besides Ten Kate, EST also worked with other top-flight tech partners such as Suter Industries and Bakker frames.
Surely, you’ll agree when we say that this is one electrifying student build…

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11 More AWAS Cameras Coming Up

Credit soyacincau

PLUS will add 11 more Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) cameras will be added along the North-South Highway.

The number adds to the 19 currently in place.

Priority will be given to the stretch near the Menora Tunnel.

11 more Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) cameras will be added along the North-South Highway (PLUS).
The installation will take place in phases. According to the Deputy Minister of Transportation, Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, the locations will be determined after studies by PLUS Malaysia Berhad and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research. Results from the research will be ready later this year.
The 11 new AWAS cameras will supplement the 19 currently in place. The sites chosen for the will consist of stretches that are accident prone and have caused many casualties.
Priority will be given to the Menora Tunnel near Ipoh, Perak. The hilly and winding stretch has seen many serious accidents and deaths over the decades.
There was an earlier talk about installing the system along the first Penang Bridge but there was no mention about it this time. The bridge has seen its share of fatal accidents including the recent one in which an SUV rolled over the barrier and crashed into the sea.
PLUS will undertake the costs of installation and maintenance, estimated at RM 3 million each.
Do note that AWAS cameras can detect motorcycles, too.
Please click on the link below to find out how an AWAS (previously known as AES) camera works.
How Do the AES Speed Cameras Work?

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Triumph Tiger Sport 660 Reintroduced In Malaysia – From RM50,900

Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia has reintroduced the Tiger Sport 660 for the local market.

Now under a new distributorship in Malaysia, the Tiger Sport 660 is now priced at RM50,900 excluding registration and insurance.
The Tiger Sport 660 is the latest entry level sports tourer introduced by the Hinckley factory.

Built on the same platform as the Trident 660, the Tiger Sport 660 features the same triple-cylinder engine as its naked sibling and is set to go up against the Kawasaki Versys 650, Suzuki V-Strom 650.
Like the Trident, the Tiger Sport 660 features two riding modes, Road and Rain, ride-by-wire with 6-speed transmission, and a slipper/clutch.

Braking is done by twin 2-piston Nissin radial callipers paired to a 310mm disc at the front and a 255mm disc at the rear. It also features dual-channel ABS that’s, unfortunately, can’t be turn off.

Other exciting features include:

41mm Showa USD front forks with 150mm travel
Showa rear monoshock with hydraulic preload adjustable
835mm seat height
17.2L fuel tank
LED lights with self-cancelling indicators
TFT display with My Triumph connectivity
Triumph Shift Assist up/down quickshifter (optional)
heated grips (optional)
under-seat USB charger (optional)
TPMS (optional)

In conjunction with the upcoming Merdeka celebration, Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia is running a special package for the Tiger Sport 660 whereby owners can enjoy a full accessories for an additional RM5,900 (previously worth RM9,542).
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Art of Speed (AOS) 2019 Powered by PETRONAS Set to Rock

The Art of Speed (AOS) 2019 Powered by PETRONAS will feature even more attractions for motorcycle nuts, car enthusiasts and the entire family.

It will take place at MAEPS, Serdang 27 July 2019 (10:00 am – 11:00 pm) and 28 July 2019 (10:00 am – 7:00 pm).

It will the biggest ever AOS, by far.

The Art of Speed (AOS) 2019 will feature even more attractions for motorcycle nuts, car enthusiasts and the entire family. It will be the biggest ever AOS event Malaysia has ever seen.
AOS has grown from just a small exhibition in a shopping mall’s open air parking lot to where it is now, due to the hard work put in by founder Asep Ahmad Iskandar and wife Deni, along with his partners and fellow exhibitors and vendors. AOS has now opened the eyes of not only the Malaysian public, VIPs and authorities, and media but also the international custom vehicle and its niche media communities.
Founder of Art of Speed Malaysia; Asep Ahmad Iskandar
Please don’t be put off by the terms “exhibitors and vendors” as AOS is nothing like certain bike weeks. The exhibitors here are automotive fans like you and I.
Art of Speed 2019 (AOS 2019) will once again take place at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park, Serdang (MAEPS), on 27 July 2019 (10:00 am – 11:00 pm) and 28 July 2019 (10:00 am – 7:00 pm).
Begin Press Release:
Art of Speed, Malaysia’s premier Old-Skool & Kustom Kulture event, returns for its 8th iteration in 2019, bringing with it a showcase of locally-built customised cars and bikes, art gallery, interactive activities and exciting lucky draw giveaways that visitors have come to enjoy.
With a high crowd expectation exceeding 40,000 visitors across two days, Art of Speed 2019 (AOS 2019) will once again take center stage at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park, Serdang (MAEPS), on 27 July 2019 (10:00 am – 11:00 pm) and 28 July 2019 (10:00 am – 7:00 pm).

A big highlight of Art of Speed is the support from international custom community and media including:

Shige Suganuma, Hiro “Wildman” Ishii & Masakazu “PAN” Sumi from MOONEYES.
Oliver Jones Grayson a.k.a. The Cutrate; USA (Winner of Born Free 2019).
Shaik Ridzwan a.k.a. The Mighty Motor; USA.
Geoffrey Douglas Baldwin from Return of the Café Racers; Australia.
Christopher Cooper Raymond from Fuel Tank Magazine; Australia.
Matthew Everingham from Speedhunters.com; Australia.
Marlon Slack from Pipeburn; Australia.
Makoto Watanabe from Chopper Journal Magazine; Japan.
Makoto Ukai from Model Cars & Let’s Play VW Magazine; Japan.
Daisuke Katsumura & Satoshi Furuuchi from Kousoku Yuen Magazine & Street VW Magazine; Japan.
Kanda Manabu from Kalifornia Look Magazine, Japan.
Yasuo Sekijima from Vibes Magazine; Japan.
Kengo Kimura from Heiwa Motorcycles; Japan.
Keiji Kawakita from Hot Dock Custom Cycles; Japan.
The Nash from Burnout Magazine; Japan.
Daisuke Sakon from Kustomstyle; Japan.
Kenichiro Kaneko from Truck Masters Show; Japan.
Kenji Hasegawa from Orion Ace; Japan.
G Tiki Art & Pinstriping; Japan.
Makoto M&K Custom Signs; Japan.
Ken Takano from Ken’s Art Kustom Garage; Japan.
Jeffrey Chang from MOONEYES Taiwan.
Lou Nozaki from Beetle Helmet; Japan.

Every year we aim to help inspire locals by bringing in highly modified ‘kustom’ vehicles from overseas, and AOS 2019 continues this tradition with several CQQL bikes and cars from Japan for the show. This year’s featured vehicles include:

HEIWA MOTORCYCLE (JAPAN) with their BMW R9T Custom, which was commissioned by BMW Motorrad.
MOON OF JAPAN 1961 Ford Falcon Sedan Delivery “PANTASTIC”.
HOT DOCK CUSTOM CYCLES (JAPAN) with their 1948 FL Harley-Davidson Custom “StG Nautilus”. The bike was awarded “Grand Champion” at S&S 50th Anniversary “World’s Largest Build-Off” in 2008.

Special highlights for AOS 2019 will include:

Art of Speed Invitational Car Build Off 2019 powered by PETRONAS, which will feature 7 builders vying for the RM10,000 cash prize (jury selection) & RM5,000.00 cash prize (public choice). The competing builders are:

The Classic Garage from Johor Bahru with builder Ravinder Singh
Naza College Motorsports Team from Shah Alam with project leader Jagjeet Singh together with 5 students
Carazee Artwork from Klang, Selangor with builder Ajie
WakSam Garage X RebanBlackbird from Subang with builders Odie & WakSam
Kazuto Garage from Klang, Selangor with builder Kazuto Soon.
Faroib Autosport from Klang, Selangor with builder Ismail Ibrahim
Garage 63 from Bukit Jalil, Selangor with builder Shawn Foo

The winning car of the Sabah Old School Mega Gathering 2019 will also be shipped in as special featured guest vehicle of the Invitational Car Build Off.
PETRONAS as Title Presenter for the 3rd consecutive year will also be releasing a once in a lifetime limited edition collectible in collaboration with Hot Wheels & Krome Bandits. Make sure to get yours at AOS 2019!

Hot Wheels will be at AOS 2019 with Global Hot Wheels Lead Designer (Premium and Collector Segments) Steve Vandervate. Coming all the way from the United States, Steve will hold a meet and greet at the event. He will be unveiling the Japan Historics 3 series, which will be released in 2020 under the theme “Legendary Japanese Cars”. Life-sized Nissan Skyline R31 and Honda City Turbo II along with prototype of the diecast will be showcased for attendees during the event. There will be a media walkabout at 10am so please register early at 9am for this exclusive experience!
Hausboom, in collaboration with Hot Wheels, will present an official 1:1 scale New Beetle Gen 1 as a prize give away for a lucky Hausboom consumer at the show. This official collaboration is the first of its kind in Asia. The Beetle will be designed and built by 405 Industries, the studio arm of Art of Speed Malaysia.

Azri Zahier, CEO Hausboom

VANS will be showcasing a tribute to “Era”, a line of shoes that goes back to 1976. This special exhibition will be featured in Hall A. VANS will also host a skate clinic and families with children can join to learn how to skateboard with equipments provided. This year Sound Circus is also proudly supported by VANS, which promises a line-up of A-list performers at this music festival.
Hail Vintage is back to AOS 2019 and will be hosted in Hall C, featuring a vintage work wear exhibition and 16 specialist vendors. This year’s exhibition will feature even more collectible vintage items to the tune of RM2 million.
Keshy Dhillon from Bikesrepublic.com will be this year’s host for our annual Kustom & Koffee Talk inside Hall A at 3pm on Saturday, together with overseas panelists Oliver Jones Grayson from The Cutrate and Matt Everingham from The Speedhunters. The forum will discuss the latest trends in bike and car industries.

Keshy Dillon (far left)
Other AOS 2019 activities include:

Roda Rumble 2019 – Two Wheels Gathering & Outdoor Festival supported by Retro Mania
Food Park featuring Food Trucks, Outdoor Marketplace & Vintage Flea Market
Strider Race for kids organized by Strider Kids Malaysia
MINI 60th Anniversary Malaysia Celebration
Scale Dicast Culture gathering (Hall C)
Hot Wheels Club Malaysia Custom Contest & Play Zone (Hall C)
MSF Solo Masters Round 2 (Parking Hall D)
Best Of British vintage bike showcase by The Return of The Café Racer & Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia. (Hall A)
Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IoT Institute showcase (Hall A)
Special Forum with YB Tuan Mohd Khairuddin Othman, the Exco for Youth, Sports & Human Capital Development for the State of Selangor sharing initiatives by the state government
The event will be officially launched by YAB Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor, Tuan Amirudin Shari at 2pm, Saturday 27 July 2019

With music being an instrumental segment of Art of Speed, the main stage of AOS (known as ‘Sound Circus’) will be moved outdoors in order to accommodate an ever-increasing music fanbase. This year’s Sound Circus* line-up will feature Hujan as the main headline together with upcoming bands Bittersweet, Masdo, Gerhana Ska Cinta, Kapow and many others on Saturday & Sunday featuring Asheed Def Gab C, Kid Search and headline, Blues Gang.
*Sound Circus on Saturday is strictly for ages 18 years old and above ONLY!
Completing the show on Sunday will be the highly coveted lucky draw giveaway where a lucky winner will go home with ONE (1) unit Mini Cooper fully customized by FNG Works with a Suzuki Hayabusa engine. The winners of Best of Show motorcycle and automobile categories will win package trips to the 28th Annual MOONEYES Yokohama Hotrod and Custom Show this coming December as the Guest of Honour.
Grand Prize for STRIDER CUSTOM COMPETITION
AOS 2019 will be introducing the Speed Lane ticket, which opens one hour earlier at 10am; priced at RM50 valid for both days. Visitors can enjoy one extra hour inside the main hall and Hall C. Speed Lane ticket holders are also entitled to enter Sound Circus outdoor concert. The regular weekend ticket (without Sound Circus outdoor concert) priced at RM20 will also be on sale. Online tickets are available at https://aos.qtic.my/
“Every year there’s a challenge which prompts us to aim further and raise the bar higher, but there’s also reward and satisfaction when you look at how far our local scene has come and how it continues to grow,” said Asep Ahmad Iskandar, Founder of Art of Speed Malaysia.
“As we continue to grow with the scene, so does Art of Speed as it enters its 8th year running. New and returning visitors can continue to enjoy this year’s show with an air-conditioned 150,000 square feet hall housing a Show and Shine competition for customs and classics in Hall A, NEAT Fest in Hall C in collaboration with NoEqual, the Sound Circus outdoor concert with line-up of A-list performers, Moto Circus art gallery featuring local and international artists, family-friendly activities for parents and children by VANS and many more at Art of Speed 2019.”
Asep with a few AOS partners
For more information about this event, please visit www.artofspeedmy.com or www.facebook.com/ArtOfSpeedMY/
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Police nab two youths for stunting with their bikes

Image source: NST
17- and 18-year-old youths were picked up by police in Kelantan for stunting with their bikes on public roads.

Youths ages 17 and 18 nabbed by police in Kelantan for ‘stunting’ on public roads.

They were part of a larger group spotted performing said reckless acts by officers on patrol.

Both have been detained for further investigations with their bikes also confiscated.

PDRM will continue similar efforts to counter resurgence of ‘Mat Rempit’ activities.

Two youths, ages 17 and 18, were nabbed by police officers in Kelantan, after they were spotted ‘stunting’ with their bikes on a public road, according to local daily New Straits Times.
Both youths were spotted performing their reckless acts by a police patrol along Jalan Gual Periok-Gual Tok Deh, near Rantau Panjang, last night. Both were part of a larger group spotted performing these acts on said road yesterday shortly before evening Maghrib prayers.
“A patrol car spotted the group performing the dangerous acts in the middle of the road about 7pm. Seeing the police, some of the motorcyclists fled. Police managed to detain the two for allegedly being involved in performing various dangerous acts including zig-zags,” said Pasir Mas police chief Assistant Commissioner Nasaruddin Md Nasir to New Straits Times about the arrests.
Nasaruddin also confirmed that both youths were nabbed as part of a special operation codenamed ‘Ops Samseng Jalanan’. This aligns with the recent announcement by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) that sees it ramping up efforts to curb ‘Mat Rempit’ activities as such.
Both youths have since been detained for further investigations and have had their bikes confiscated. “The case is being investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act for reckless and dangerous riding which could disturb other road users,” Nasaruddin added.
Lead image source: NST
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Liqui Moly employees get €1,000 ‘Corona Consolation’ bonus

Hard times are hitting every single company and manufacturer around the globe and across the board due to the current development of the Coronavirus or COVID-19. Instead of maintaining the business with short-time work or even worse, layoffs, Liqui Moly does the exact opposite – each of their employees get a €1,000 ‘Corona Consolation’ bonus!

Liqui Moly’s Managing Director, Ernst Prost, stated “Today, we have largely been able to ensure in all corporate areas that we are mastering this balancing act between preventive health care and continued work. Now, I can imagine that the current circumstances are not only time-consuming for you, but also involve additional financial expenditure. As a token of our appreciation, allow me to give you an extra EUR 1000 gross with your next salary payment – to a certain extent, as a financial corona consolation!”

The entire Liqui Moly administration team is currently working from home in hopes that it’ll protect them from the infectious virus while maintaining the flow of the company. Through great commitment and improvisation, the company is still able to run and make things work out.

Ernst Prost also stated that all employees worldwide will be getting the same amount of bonus. He added “In most parts of the world, the economic consequences are more severe, because the social network there is less robust or completely absent. Besides, spending money on the economy is exactly what we need right now to keep jobs.”
Liqui Moly Visor Cleaner – For Clear Vision Everytime

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Modenas releases Two More Teasers of their Upcoming Sports Bikes

Modenas has released two more photo teasers on their official Facebook page of their upcoming sports bikes which are planned to launch on 19 May 2017.
The two teasers looked like the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 and the naked variant NS200 with taglines “Power to Race” and “Power to Play”.

Modenas has released yet another set of teasers on their Facebook page of their new upcoming sports bikes which are planned to be launched on 19 May 2017. The enticing photos of what look to be like the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 and Bajaj NS200 are getting closer and closer to reality.

In the second set of their teasers, the bike model looks a lot like the naked bike Bajaj NS200 with a tagline “Power to Play”. Considering that the NS200 is powered by a 200cc, triple spark, SOHC, 4-valve engine with liquid cooling, we’re getting the impression that this new naked bike from Modenas will be a fun one as the original platform generates 23.17hp @ 9,500rpm and 18.3Nm @ 8,000rpm.

The full specification is still in the dark but we will know for sure in two weeks’ time. What we do know is that the Bajaj NS200 naked bike is priced in India at 96,453 rupees (around RM6,508 after direct conversion).

The second teaser released just moments ago showed what looks like a full-fairing sports bike resembling the Bajaj Pulsar RS200. Combined with the tagline “Power to Race”, it will probably be marketed as a good daily bike during weekdays and a fun machine to carve the mountain roads and circuits during the weekends.

CLICK HERE to know more about the possible sports bike from Modenas in our previous article.

Based on the specs stated for the Bajaj Pulsar RS200, the engine is the same as the NS200 naked variant but has been tuned to get 24.5hp at 9,750rpm and 18.6Nm at 8,000rpm. With a claimed top speed of 140km/h, riding around the ELITE circuit on a Sunday morning does indeed sound like a great way to pass the time.

Other features of the Bajaj RS200 include a digital speedometer, analogue tachometer, dual projector headlamps and an LED tail light. As for the price and full specification on what Modenas has in store for the Malaysian market, we have no choice but to wait until 19 May 2017. For now, the bike is sold in India at 124,523 Rupees (around RM8,407) for the non-ABS model and 136,738 Rupees (around RM9,231) for the ABS variant.
Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more Modenas updates. In the mean time, CLICK HERE to check out all of the current Modenas bikes on offer in our exclusive Bike Buyer’s Guide!

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HJC Unveils New RPHA 11 Pro Miles Morales Edition

HJC has once again captivated the motorcycle community with the release of its latest addition to the RPHA 11 Pro line. In a bid to enthrall Spider-Man fans worldwide, HJC has introduced the RPHA 11 Pro Miles Morales graphic, featuring a stunning design inspired by the beloved web-slinging hero.

The RPHA 11 Pro Miles Morales graphic showcases a vibrant red web pattern that adorns the entire helmet, paying homage to Spider-Man’s iconic suit.
A striking representation of Spidey’s eyes can be found near the top vents, accompanied by a Spider insignia at the rear and the Marvel logo on the spoiler. HJC’s recognizable RPHA logo is proudly displayed on the helmet’s sides.

Built on the foundation of the highly acclaimed RPHA 11 Pro, this sporty full-face helmet boasts a PIM Plus fiber shell for enhanced protection. The adjustable ventilation system allows riders to customize airflow through the chin, top, and rear sections.
Inside, the helmet features a removable antibacterial MultiCool liner, which can be easily washed for prolonged freshness. Additionally, the RPHA 11 Pro Miles Morales graphic is equipped with the RapidFire II screen for effortless visor removal and incorporates a Pinlock Max Vision anti-fog film.
Motorcycle enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the helmet is available in a comprehensive range of sizes, catering to riders from XS to 2XL. As for the price, the HJC RPHA 11 Pro Miles Morales graphic is offered at an affordable range of USD629.99 (RM2,600).
With the highly anticipated film “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” slated for release on June 2, 2023, HJC’s latest offering promises to delight fans and riders alike. Whether swinging through the city or cruising down the open road, the RPHA 11 Pro Miles Morales graphic allows enthusiasts to embody their favorite web-slinging hero in style and safety.
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Highlights from last weekend’s KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurance Series Rd. 8 held in the Sepang International Go-Kart Circuit.

Held over the recent weekend was the KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurance Series. The eighth round of the season was held in the Sepang International GoKart Circuit. As usual, things started off with the Practice and Qualifying sessions on Saturday. Two races were held on Sunday, one in the morning for Class 1 and Class 2 entries, followed by another in the afternoon for Class 3 and Open Class entries.

Keeping the excitement up on Sunday were the two KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia one-make sprint races held in between the two enduros as well. Despite the early morning shower delaying things, it did little at dampening the spirits of the many youths to compete in the first two-hour enduro of the day that started just before 10am.

Taking top honours in the first race for Class 1 were the Rexxo Accent Fatt Fatt team, followed by the TSR-SMW Racing Team 1 in second, whilst team Fast Run Garage 1 placed third. Class winners Rexxo Accent Fatt Fatt set the pace for their category, completing a total of 109 laps of the 1.247km-long Sepang International Go-Kart Track.

However, taking the overall win for Race 1 was the Maquzy Racing team from Class 2. The Maquzy Racing outfit riders were in top form, completing a total of 110 laps with a fastest lap time of 1:02.675. Completing the Class 2 podium were the Amat Ayam Pagoh Motocross team in second, followed by the I Bike & STP Motorsport outfit in third.

Shortly after the second KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia support race and a meal break, the second enduro of the day was flagged off at 1:23pm under the blistering heat of Sepang. Adding further to the challenge for all was the technically challenging layout of the 1.247km Sepang International GoKart Circuit – indeed a good albeit ‘miniaturised’ reflection of the 5.5km-long main circuit.

Taking both the Class 3 overall race wins was the PMP Motorsports team. The team and its riders managed to complete a total of 101 laps and set fastest lap time of 1:01.003 as well, making them the fastest team on track for the day too. Completing the Class 3 podium were the Akademi Permotoran Pagoh team in second, followed by the I Bike & STP Motorsports 2 team in third.

The open class, on the other hand, saw the PMC Cheetah Power 1 team take top honours after completing a total of 99 laps. Following closely behind were the second-placed Cheetah Power FX Racing team. Completing the podium were the WK Racing Team who finished just a lap behind the first and second place teams.

With the eight round concluded last weekend, it also marks the end of the series’ state-level rounds. The KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurance Series heads for its grand finale in the Sepang International Circuit in just a fortnight’s time.

In the grand finale, all the top three winners from each class who have earned their tickets to the finals in the state-level rounds will compete on the main circuit. All will be vying to be crowned as the series’ grand champion for this year.
Posted below are the complete results from the weekend, as well as an extensive gallery of the on-track action. Don’t forget to read our report of the KTM 390 Duke Battle Malaysia support races as well. More pictures are also available on the official BikesRepublic.com Facebook page.
KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurance Series Rd. 8 @ Sepang
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MotoGP: Repsol Honda One-Two in Aragon; Lorenzo Third

The 14th MotoGP round held in Aragon yesterday saw a one-two finish by the Repsol Honda boys, Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa
Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) showed tremendous progress finishing in third after leading the majority of the race on board his Ducati Desmosedici GP17.
Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) raced brilliantly and finished in P5 behind team mate Maverick Vinales despite a broken leg just 25 days ago.

It was a momentous MotoGP round at the 14th MotoGP round that is the Gran Premiro Movistar de Aragon where Repsol Honda duo Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa scored a one-two victory in front of their home crowd. Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) completed the all-Spaniard podium with an outstanding classic Lorenzo-styled riding on board the now comfortable Ducati Desmosedici GP17.

The beginning of the race saw Jorge Lorenzo pulled off his trademark riding during his Yamaha days where he slingshot to the lead and maintained the position up until the closing laps of the race. It was full of action and drama where it was further elevated even more with the presence of Movistar Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi.

The nine-time MotoGP World Champion who put up a valiant effort maintaining the second position before slowly ending the race ultimately in P5 behind his team mate, Maverick Vinales. Not bad for a 38 year old man who broke his right leg in three different places just 25 days ago.

To know more about Rossi’s report regarding the broken leg, CLICK HERE.
Another major breakthrough came in the form of Aleix Espargaro and his Aprilia Racing Team Gresini who finished the race in P6 behind “The Doctor” which placed him as the top independent rider and yet another Spaniard in parc ferme. This has been the best finish for the Aprilia RS-GP factory MotoGP bike yet.

Andrea Dovizioso who came into this round tied up in championship points with Marc Marquez couldn’t keep up with the front group finished in P7 despite all the issues faced by the Italian all weekend. He now sits second in the overall championship points with a total of 16 points separating him and the championship leader.

Alvaro Bautista (Pulll&Bear Aspar Team) performed valiantly yesterday with a respectable finish in P8. He was even giving Dovizioso a run for his money on board a machine which was considered the previous generation of the latest Ducati Desmosedici GP17 piloted by Lorenzo and Dovizioso himself.

Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completed the top 10 despite all the troubles and issues faced by both riders all weekend long.

The boys now rest until the next round which will be the three flyaway races run in three consecutive weeks which will be held in Japan, Australia and Malaysia.

Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more MotoGP updates.
Source: MotoGP
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Hafizh Delivers Season’s Best at Circuit of the Americas

Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah delivered his best performance since stepping into the Moto2 World Championship as he rode to a sensational sixth place finish in the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas on Sunday.
The jubilant youngster gave his Malaysian fans something to shout about when a rocket start and a close fought battle with reigning Moto2 champion, Tito Rabat, Franco Morbidelli and Mika Kallio saw him cross the finish line in 41’59.733s at the end of the 19-lap race, topping his best result of a seventh place finish at the Indianapolis Grand Prix last year. Meanwhile Speed Up Racing’s Sam Lowes bounced back from three large crashes earlier this weekend to secure the Moto2 chequered flag in 41’45.565s.

Coming in sixth is Hafizh’s best ever result on a dry track, benefiting greatly from a year of learning in 2014. He already has a reputation as a confident wet rider but could now become a regular top ten contender in all conditions.
“This is my best race so far. I am extremely happy with the results and many thanks to my crew who worked tirelessly round the clock on Friday night to fix my bike when I had handling issues with it. I always love racing in America as I have always done well since winning the Harley Davidson race two years ago. I shall try to keep the Malaysian flag flying in next round in Argentina,” said an elated Hafizh.

PETRONAS Raceline Malaysia’s manager, Barry Leong who was proud of Hafizh’s impressive race pace commented, “No doubt Hafizh Syahrin was awesome here and right from the start he locked himself with the front-runners. That was our strategy because we knew he could ride and stay with the leaders when the track temperature was low at the start.
“However, he made a slight mistake in lap 5, taking the last corner too wide and Franco dived in and almost took him out. That costly incident separated Hafizh from the top five. Fortunately, our boy fought courageously with the next group and emerged in front at the finishing line. This has been a great outing for the team. We worked hard over the winter break and we hope this is the beginning of more positive results to come.”
With this strong finish, Hafizh collected 10 points and moved himself to ninth overall in the Championship Standings.
Moto2 Race Results
1.Sam Lowes (GBR) 41’45.565s
2.Johann Zarco (FRA) 41’47.564s
3.Alex Rins (SPA) 41’50.187s
4.Tito Rabat (SPA) 41’54.540s
5.Franco Morbidelli (ITA) 41’58.541s
6.Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (MAS) 41’59.733s
RED BULL GRAND PRIX of AMERICAS
Date: April 12, 2015
Rd: 2
Circuit: Circuit of the Americas, Texas.
Session: Race day
Weather: Dry and damp spots.
Air Temp: 23°C
Ground: 26°C
Best Lap: 2:11. 663
Total time: 41.59.733
No of Laps: 19
Grid Position : 15
Finish Position: P6
Overall points : 14
Overall position : 9th
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KTM Investor Conference Confirms An All-Electric Duke Incoming

Pierer Mobility AG recent investor presentation reveals the company is currently working on an all-electric motorcycle.
Dubbed the KTM E-Duke, the electric motorcycle is similar to Husqvarna’s E-Pilen Concept unveiled in April last year.

According to reports, the KTM E-Duke will share the same powertrain as the E-Pilen, consisting of the 10kW electric motor and a 5.5kWh fixed lithium-ion battery.
The KTM E-Duke will also share the same platform with the E-Pilen, including a similar claimed range of 100km.
However, the presentation also revealed that the KTM E-Duke would not feature a swappable battery pack even though the company had signed the swappable battery consortium with Honda, Piaggio and Yamaha last year.
Meanwhile, the E-Duke is slated for launch in 2023 alongside the E-Pilen.
Nevertheless, while the E-Duke and E-Pilen offer an entirely different design, we expect the two models to feature the same chassis, specifications, and electronic components, just like the Vitpilen/Svartpilen are based on KTM’s Duke range.
(Source: BikeDekho)
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All you need to know about motorcycle engine oil

Basic types of engine oil explained.

Engine oil grading system, we help you understand the difference.

Lubricant brands are producing a plethora of different engine oils that if you don’t know what you are doing, it’ll cost you the ingredients of your wallet and maybe even your precious motorbike. Asking friends does not help either as they will tend to give you different answers on which is the best. We here at Bikes Republic will help you break down the mystery of engine oil for your motorcycles.

TYPES OF ENGINE OIL
The first basic thing every rider needs to know is the type of engine oil that they are using or planning to use. When it comes down to the materials of engine oils, there are only THREE basic types; Mineral Oils (MO), Semi-Synthetic Oils (SS) and Fully Synthetic Oils (FS). Below are the basic explanations for each individual type.
1) Mineral Oils (MO)
Mineral oils are essentially a product or by-product of petroleum processing. Essentially the most basic type of engine oil, it is highly recommended for smaller capacity engines which do not impose a lot of mechanical pressure while running. Most manufacturers will recommend new bike owners to use mineral oils as they offer good engine protection for the first few kilometres of running the engine in.

The upside of mineral oils is that they are very affordable and will not hurt your wallet for frequent oil changes. The downside of mineral oils is that they don’t last very long so you need to make sure to replace the oil at recommended intervals. Even with frequent oil changes, it is still considered as affordable to most folks.

2) Semi-Synthetic Oils (SS)
As the name goes, the semi-synthetic oil is a mixture between mineral oils and synthetic oils. Manufacturers have taken the best of both worlds; the high level of protection from mineral oils and high performance aspects from synthetic oils.
If you’re running a smaller capacity bikes upwards to 250cc which produces a healthy horsepower but still are not put under a lot of stress (like normal daily commutes to work), the semi-synthetic oil is the right choice for you. You will also hear recommendations to switch to semi-synthetic oil after the bike has been run-in using mineral oil.
Generally, all small capacity motorcycles can use this particular type but it will cost more than the normal mineral oil. If you’re using small mopeds below 150cc, mineral oil is more than enough for the engine to run efficiently.

3) Fully Synthetic Oil (FS)
The fully synthetic oils are considered to be the best of the best. Constructed out of pure polymers based of factory made oils, it is the exact opposite of mineral oil (you can say it is artificial and not made using any natural products). The best example of when to use this type of oil is for high performance motorcycles that are constantly put under a lot of stress. Superbikes and race machines are prime examples of machinery that require the help of fully synthetic oils.
The main benefit of fully synthetics oils is that they won’t degrade in terms of quality as they have constructed to have a very long life cycle. They won’t break down as fast as mineral oils or semi-synthetic oils. They also give the best lubricating performance which won’t break under pressure (providing that the right grade of oil is used). Some manufacturers would also state that they’re particular fully synthetic oil will increase performance but that is still a very subjective topic.
So now that we’ve covered the basic types of oil, the next most important thing everyone needs to know is the ENGINE OIL GRADE or grading system.

ENGINE OIL GRADING SYSTEM
So many times, a lot of us rely on mechanics and workshops to advise on what would be the best engine oil for our bikes. Looking at so many different brands with all those numbers and letters can be overwhelming for some like 5W40, 10W40, 15W50 and so on. So, lets break it down on the things you need to know about engine oil grades.
When looking at the engine oil grade, just pay attention to the number before and after the letter ‘W’. The numbers are called Multigrade. The letter ‘W’ stands for ‘Winter’ and the number that is stated BEFORE the letter represents the lowest performing temperature for the particular oil (NOTE: The temperature refers to OUTSIDE temperatures, not the engine). Check out the chart below to have a brief look at engine oils using the SAE grading system.
Lets use the grade 10W40 as an example. The number 10 represents the lowest point of temperature which the oil will hold its viscosity. The lowest operating temperature for this grade is usually -25°C. If you’re located in place where the outside temperature is lower than the grade, it won’t be viscous enough to provide sufficient lubrication when the engine is started or running.
So, the lower the number, the better the oil will hold its form and viscosity at freakishly cold temperatures. Thankfully, we don’t have to worry too much about this here in Malaysia.

Now, the number 40 which is located after the letter ‘W’ represents the suitability of the oil performance in higher temperatures. Other factors like high engine revs, engine cooling system and surrounding temperatures play a role as well. So, the 40 means that the oil will hold its shape and viscosity within the 40°C range.
If the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the oil will start to thin and lose its viscosity. When this happens, the oil will start to break down and won’t provide sufficient lubrication to the engine. A lot of people will recommend using 10W30 or 10W40 in Malaysia as the average temperatures in the country is usually around 28-30°C.

So there you have it, folks. When it comes down to engine oils, different manufacturers have different formulations using multiple additives that come with a variety of claims. Just keep it simple and understand the basics and you’ll be just fine. Knowing these basic criteria will give you a peace of mind, a happy wallet and happy motorbikes. Like the saying goes, “Happy bikes, happy lives”. Or something like that…

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Upgrade your Kawasaki Ninja 650 & Z650 with Akrapovic!

The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 & Z650 were launched back in January 2017, these are two of the most versatile bikes Kawasaki has launched to date.
Kawasaki Japan stated that there will be an Akrapovic full exhaust system for those who wish to have a performance upgrade.
The Akrapovic Racing Line (titanium) full system exhausts offer weight reduction for better handling and performance boost for more power and torque.

The 2017 Kawasaki 650 series has been around for almost a year now and we honestly have to say that they’re probably one the most versatile middleweight bikes we’ve seen especially for 2017. Both the Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS and Z650 ABS took us on some amazing journeys in both style and comfort.

When the bikes were launched or previewed back in January of 2017, we were promised some amazing things from Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMSB). Together with the 2017 Kawasaki Z900 ABS and Kawasaki Versys-X 250, all four of the 2017 models delivered brilliantly.

To know more about the top 10 things we like about the Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS and Z650 ABS, CLICK HERE.

Now, it is only logical that some aftermarket companies have released a few unique parts to take the Kawasaki 650 series to a whole new level. While there are many parts manufacturers out there, the most prominent figure is of course the folks from Akrapovic.

We know for a fact that when the new 650 bikes were launched, the Akrapovic option was readily made by Akrapovic for those who are interested to make a swift performance upgrade to their new bikes. In fact, they have two titanium full system exhausts which have been specifically designed for the Ninja 650 and Z650 to offer more than just a physical upgrade on the looks.

The first option that most of us can consider without having to worry about complicated installations or ECU remapping is the Akrapovic Racing Line (Titanium) S-K6R8-HEGEH model. This full system exhaust unit built with lightweight titanium and stainless steel headers with its carbon fibre exhaust cap offers a bump in performance and also a slight weight cut to the overall bike.

This plug-and-play unit offers a much deeper and sportier sound note that not only sounds good but it’s lighter by 2.6kg. In total, this baby gives the user and extra 3.8hp and 5.3Nm of torque upon installation. Not bad for just one upgrade.

If you prefer to take your Ninja 650 or Z650 into the track like Sepang, then you need the Akrapovic Racing Line (Titanium) S-K6R9-AFCRT which offers the full step up in exhaust upgrade. This bad boy offers a 4.0kg weight decrease compared to the stock unit and gives an overall performance upgrade of 4.1hp and a massive 5.7Nm of torque!

While both systems generally offer big weight reductions (for improved handling) and performance boosts (for improved performance), they are also plug-and-play units which do not require ECU remapping for both Kawasaki 650 bikes. Do take note that only the S-K6R8-HEGEH unit is EC/ECE type approved only with the use of a catalytic converter whereas the S-K6R9-AFCRT model is not due to its nature for optimum performance in the track.

Whatever your choice may be, both Akrapovic systems will work brilliantly with the either the Ninja 650 or Z650 ABS giving you a much beefier and sportier sound while offer better handling and power thanks to its lightweight construction and performance enhancement capabilities.

To know more about these bad boys, head over to any of the Kawasaki authorised dealers across the country for more information. Additionally, you can head over to the Akrapovic website to check out the complete details of the full system exhaust systems. Indeed a very good way to continue to ‘let the good times roll’.

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Calling Modenas Dominar owners, there’s an epic ride for you this weekend!

Do you often ride alone or just on regular commutes to work and back?
Are you a Modenas Dominar owner?
Have you been looking to go on an epic unforgettable ride with lots of fun and games with many prizes to be won?
If you answered yes to any of this then move quick to register for the Modenas Dominar Explore the Unexplored ride happening this weekend. The ride is open to just 20 Dominar riders.

Are you an owner of a Modenas Dominar? If so then we have an offer you may not be able to refuse.

Modenas and their partner Bajaj Auto Limited of India, would like to invite you to join them for a ride to Kuantan which is happening this weekend (13th and 14th of October).
The ride which is exclusively for Dominar owners only, will begin on Saturday morning at 7am from the Modenas headquarters in Glenmarie (EMOS) to Kuantan via some fun roads along the way.

You will spend a night in Kuantan where there will be a BBQ party, live music, and a chance to show off your singing skills.
The best part? It is an all expenses paid trip, well almost, the only thing you have to worry about is fuel and a change of clothes. Food and accommodation is covered by Modenas and Bajaj. There has been no better ride than this for Modenas owners.

On the next day (Sunday 14th of October), the convoy will then head back to KL via the East Coast Highway and you will be back in KL by the afternoon so you are able to spend the rest of your Sunday recuperating, and spending time with your loved ones.
The ride is part of the epic Modenas Explore the Unexplored adventure ride series that will take place all over Peninsular Malaysia. This ride to Kuantan is the third such ride to be hosted by Modenas and Bajaj and organised by Bikesrepublic.com, you can watch the videos from the first two rides below.

Participants will also get a chance to win many prizes with the Motography photo contest where you will need to upload your best Dominar moments to your social media with the #motographymalaysia hashtag. You stand a chance to win a Shark helmet or an Alpinestar riding jacket.
If you are interested to take part in this ride, click here to register your interest and Modenas will inform you if you have been selected. Be quick as space is limited to 20 riders only!

See you there!

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BMW R 1250 GS to be Released in 2019?

From riders.drivemag.com

The 1200cc Boxer engine and bikes that it powers have been revised through each generation.

With stiff competition from all corners, it is rumoured that BMW will debut the R 1250 GS in 2019.

A new R 1250 RT has been spotted undergoing road trials.

BMW’s venerable boxer engine has come a long, long way and there’s no end in sight for it. the German giant may produce the superb S 1000 RR inline-Four superbike, but what is BMW Motorrad if not for the flat-Twin or Boxer, as it’s affectionately known.
It is likewise the scenario for the Boxer-engine GS, since the first R80GS.
2018 BMW R 1200 GS Rallye
But the competition has been aggressive in the large-capacity adventure segment. KTM, Ducati and now Triumph are carving out large pieces of the pie and BMW has been updating the R 1200 GS with each generation.
And now we have received news via https://riders.drivemag.com that BMW may be working on a 1250cc Boxer.
From riders.drivemag.com
You see, the current wasser-Boxer produces 125 bhp of power and 125 Nm of torque but the competition has gone 160 bhp and 140 Nm thereabouts. While BMW owners will tell you that 125 bhp is enough, that is not going to cut it on the spec sheets.
It is also rumoured that the “new” Boxer will include variable valve timing. Along with other changes, it should be good for 140 to 150 bhp.
All this talk started when photos of a new R 1250 RT undergoing road trails surfaced in MCN. Looking at the photo below, you could see that it’s a new bodywork, but what is more telling is the appearance of a new engine.
From riders.drivemag.com
However, as BMW owners know, if there is a new RT, there is a large likelihood that a GS is also in store. Plus, since the GS is the flagship BMW Motorrad, it will be launched first than the RT.
2019 is just a few months away. Who is waiting with baited breath?
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Biker Volunteered his Yamaha R1 to Thai Cop in Chase

A biker volunteered his Yamaha R1 to a cop to chase down a hit-and-run suspect.

He decided to help after seeing the pickup driver smash through a police roadblock.

He and the policeman chased down the truck and stopped it.

In what seemed like a scene out of a action movie, a Thai cop chased down a hit-and-run suspect on a Yamaha R1 in Phang Nga, Krabi Province.
Ao Lueak Police Chief Col. Kritsanat Wongklaharn said that they received a call by the Phang Nga police that a pickup truck was fleeing to Krabi after a hit-and-run incident. The Ao Lueak police set up a checkpoint but the truck broke through the roadblock at Na Nuea.

A Yamaha YZF-R1 rider saw what happened and offered a policeman to jump on the back. The other policemen followed behind.

The pair on the R1 managed to chase down the truck and the policeman shot the front tyre but the former kept going. The policeman fired more warning shots and the driver was eventually stopped by police at the Seaboard Road in Krabi.
Drug tests on the 21-year-old suspect was came up positive. He told his captors that he had had an argument with his wife prior to the rampage.
He was subsequently charged with driving under the influence of drugs, driving with disregard for others’ safety, driving through stop signs and reckless driving.
The biker should receive a medal, in our opinion.

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Asia Talent Cup: Malaysian Azroy Anuar Placed Second in Race 1 of First Round in Thailand

#20 Azroy Anuar

18 year old from Kajang finished second in the opening round of the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup

14 year old Deniz Oncu won both races brilliantly at Chang International Circuit

#7 Deniz Oncu

It was good day last Saturday for 18 year old Azroy Anuar who finished in second position for the first round of the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup 2017 over at Chang International Circuit, Thailand. The season opener at Buriram was held together with WorldSBK which saw 14 year old Deniz Oncu from Turkey taking victories for both races. Check out the highlights of Race 1 in the video below.

The number 7 rider started both races in P7 but fought his way through the crowd after running wide at the beginning of the race but managed to break through the field and left everyone in his dust. He crossed the finish line with a half a second gap between him and Azroy Anuar in Race 1. Azroy finished the race in P2, the same spot he qualified on Friday. Things were not in his favour during Race 2 after he had to stop mid way in Race 2 due to mechanical issues.
Deniz Oncu
16 year old Ryusei Yamanaka had a wonderful weekend as well, finishing both races with a podium spot. The Japanese rider finished Race 1 in P3 and Race 2 in P2. This puts him in the second overall position with 36 points, making it a 14 point gap between Yamanaka and championship leader, Deniz Oncu who collected a perfect 50 points from both races.
#12 Ryusei Yamanaka, #9 Haruki Noguchi
Another Japanese rider who performed well this past weekend was 16 year old Haruki Noguchi. Qualified in fourth position, Noguchi lost a couple of spots in Race 1 where he finished in P6 but going into Race 2 saw the rider taking the final podium spot. Noguchi now has a total of 26 points, almost halfway from Deniz Oncu.

The next round of the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup will run together with the season opener of MotoGP in two weeks’ time over in Qatar. Under the floodlights of the Losail International Circuit, the boys will go at it again to become the next fastest rider of all time.
Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more Asia Talent Cup updates.
Photo source: Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup
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