Suzuki GSX1100SD Katana Race Bike from Team Classic Suzuki – WICKED!

The Suzuki GSX1100SD Katana will be competing in this year’s Endurance Legends race at Donington Park

Built by the factory-assisted Team Classic Suzuki racing outfit

The Katana race bike will be piloted by James Whitham, Steve Parrish, and Michael Neeves in the four-hour race

Team Classic Suzuki has built the very definition of a motorcycle enthusiast’s wet dream. Presenting the Suzuki GSX1100SD race machine that will compete in this year’s Endurance Legends event. Race teams with their classic race machines will go head to head in the UK’s only four hour classic motorcycle endurance race at Donington Park on the 6 May 2017.

CLICK HERE to check out the Endurance Legends official website.

As how most kids who have lived through the 1990s agree that it was the best of times converging into the technological era, those who have lived through the 1980s will tend to agree that it was the moment in the motorcycle industry. The general public could get their hands on high performance motorcycles, watch World Superbike and MotoGP races with some of the greatest racers of all time.

The Endurance Legends has brought out the best of Team Classic Suzuki with their Katana race bike. This factory assisted team pulled out all the stops in order to make this specific Katana a track warrior.

The exterior alone took our breaths away with its stunning and iconic look paired with Suzuki’s classic racing colourway. The combination of multiple blues, white and black parts surrounding the 1170cc engine look blistering fast at stand still.

Equipped with K-Tech front forks and twin suspensions at the rear, this Katana can probably go through corners like nobody’s business. On the hands of an expert racer, we would probably get our minds blown just watching him or her getting their knee (or even elbow) down mid corner.

The wheels were sourced from Dymag which were manufactured specifically for racing. They are manufactured in the UK and made out MAGNESIUM and wrapped with Continental race rubbers. Things just keep on getting better for this lovely Katana.

The engine has been worked on extensively by the team. The standard 1100gsx engine has been rebored to 1,170cc. Not only it has a bigger capacity now thanks to the big bore kit, the engine has received other big performance upgrades such as high lift cams, stainless steel valves and all of the other engines parts sourced from Suzuki themselves.

CR racing carburettors are used for maximum high performance efficiency as you can see in the photo below. The back end has been installed with a custom-made swingarm to increase stability and overall functions when the rider wants to serve some exhaust smoke during overtaking manoeuvres.

For the Endurance Legends race, the number 7 machine will be piloted by three well-known ‘vintage’ racers; James Whitham, Steve Parrish, and Michael Neeves. Don’t be fooled when we use the term ‘vintage’ for the bike or the riders. We’re more than confident that these guys will leave everyone in the dust easily.

To catch this Katana beast in action, the four-hour endurance race will be on the 6 and 7 May 2017 at Donington Park aka the home of British Motorsport.
CLICK HERE to check out all of the Suzuki big bikes that are available in Malaysia in our exclusive Bike Buyer’s Guide.
Photo source: Suzuki Racing

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H-D launches 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114 – 1,868cc, 92hp

The 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114 is the latest addition to the 2021 H-D Softail line-up that combines modern firepower together with the classic American cruiser styling that’s considered iconic to many folks around the globe. For the new Street Bob, the biggest upgrade has to be its Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine that bumps to capacity from 1,753cc to 1,868cc.

This bigger capacity v-twin engine now offers 92hp and 161Nm of torque, which H-D has stated to be 9% quicker from 0-100km/h and 13% faster from 100km/h-130km/h compared to the previous Street Bob 107. You’ll also get to enjoy this with your pillion as the 2021 Street Bob 114 comes with a pillion seat and footpegs (unlike the previous model).

Other features include stripped-down styling (bobber style + mini-ape handlebars), 13.2-litre fuel tank, rear underseat monoshock with preload-adjustability, dual-bending valve front suspension, digital instrumentation inset, keyless ignition, and exclusive paint schemes (Vivid Black, Stone Washed White Pearl, Baja Orange, and Deadwood Green).
2021 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114
H-D has also updated the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy for 2021, but the changes are fairly minor compared to the Street Bob 114. For 2021, the Fat Boy 114 comes with the same Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine, new ‘bright chrome’ parts, and an LED lighting system.

There are five additional models in the 2021 Softail range which include the Softail Standard, Low Rider S, Sport Glide, Fat Bob 114, and Heritage Classic 114. Understandably, the Low Rider, Deluxe and FXDR have received been axed from the list.
2020 Ducati Hypermotard 950 RVE available in Malaysia – RM80,900

Written by: Sep Irran
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Sayonara Suzuki GSX-R750 and GSX-R600

2018 Suzuki GSX-R750

The Suzuki GSX-750 set the template for the modern superbike.

But Euro4 regulation has stopped it and the GSX-R600 from being sold in Japan and Europe.

There is no foreseeable replacement for both models.

The first “superbike” might have been the 1969 Honda CB750, but the real superbike in the true modern sense was the 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750.
There have been a number of iconic models along the model’s 33-year history. Suzuki contested in the World Superbike Championship and other race series around the world.

The 1985 “Slabside” laid down the foundation of what is to be the quintessential modern superbike: twin-spar aluminium frame, four-cyliner engine, fully-faired bodywork, and race replica graphics.

1985 Suzuki GSX-R750

Three years later, Suzuki upgraded the GSX-R. It included the Mikuni BST36S carburetors which used vacuum operated slides. These slides resembled slingshots, hence the GSX-R750 “Slingshot” was born.

1988 Suzuki GSX-R750

In 1992, the bike started to be water-cooled and became the WN (“W” for water). This was also the year when the sleeved-down GSX-R600 was launched.

1992 Suzuki GSX-R750

The GSX-R750 SRAD (Suzuki Ram Air Direct) was introduced in 1996. It had an aluminium frame derived from the RGV500 GP bike. Suzuki put it on a diet resulting in a weight of only 179kg, which meant it was lighter than the GSX-R600.

1996 Suzuki GSX-R750

2001 saw the K1, the first of the K-series.

2001 Suzuki GSX-R750
While the bike did not find as much success in racing as the other brands, there was a steady stream of customers who knew that the 750 was the best compromise between the 1000cc and 600cc models.
Then, in 2003, the World Superbike Championship declared that all four-cylinder machines of up to 1000cc can compete in the series. The 750 started to fall by the wayside, but there were still customers driving its sales.
Other manufacturers kept building 750s for a few more years before abandoning them completely, yet Suzuki carried on stoically. It was probably that they wanted to maintain the heritage as the first manufacturer to begin the modern superbike revolution.
But no more. The 2018 GSX-R750 and GSX-R600 will not pass the Euro4 emissions standard. As with the Hayabusa, they are no longer available in Japan and Europe. They are being sold in USA until the end of 2019.
2019 Suzuki GSX-R750
Unlike the Hayabusa, however, Suzuki has no plans for the replacement 750 and 600.
Sayonara, Suzuki GSX-R750 (and GSX-R600).
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Naza Bikes expands into Cambodia

Malaysian automotive conglomerate Naza Gorup of Companies announced this week of its plans to expand the Naza Bikes brand presence and reach into the ASEAN region starting with Cambodia.

Nik Danial Nik Mahmood, Vice President of NAZA Two Wheels Division.
At a special press conference held this week, Naza Group’s joint group executive chairman Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin and Naza Two Wheels Division vice president Nik Danial Nik Mahmood announced that the first ever Naza Bikes 3S centre will open its doors in Cambodia’s capital of Phom Penh in August this year. The 7,000-square foot full-fledged sales and service facility’s build will se the group spending RM1.5 million as an initial investment. The centre will be headed by Naza’s Malaysian representative and operated by local Cambodian staff as well.

Naza Bike aims to capture 10% of the Cambodian bikes market over the course of three years. To meet the market’s demands for highly efficient and high performance bikes at an affordable price, Naza Bikes will be offering models such as the NZ 125 R, as well as the Blade 250 and Blade 650. Naza Bike’s market performance in Cambodia will stand as a benchmark for the group’s plans to expand further in and around the ASEAN region.

L-R: Nik Danial Nik Mahmood, Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, and NAZA Bikes Sdn Bhd operations manager Mohd Rishalizam Mohd Noor.
Explaining the move in a press statement, Datuk Wira SM Faisal said:
“NAZA Bikes began planning its venture into Cambodia two years ago. We chose Cambodia as the starting point for the brand’s international growth based on extensive research of its market, culture and the opportunities that the country presents for our business sustainability and future expansion. Cambodia’s market continues to thrive and the country currently has an estimated 1.8 million registered vehicles – some 300,000 are cars and the rest are predominantly motorcycles and trucks. An increase of 8 percent from 2011 to 2012 is a clear indication that the time is ripe for NAZA Bikes to invest in Cambodia.”
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FIRST LOOK: 2023 BMW M 1000 R

BMW has officially unveiled the all-new 2023 BMW M 1000 R just weeks after its trademark filings were submitted in Europe.

The M 1000 R makes 205hp and 112Nm.
Features wider handlebar, taller peak torque and unique electronic package.
The roadster/hypernaked machine is the second M-branded motorcycle introduced by BMW after the M 1000 RR.

While the M 1000 R makes used of the M 1000 RR 999cc powertrain, the engine has been reworked to provide a higher peak torque from 10,000rpm to 12,000rpm.
As a result, the engine is now quieter and with a higher redline of 14,600rpm,  well over the S 1000 R’s 12,000rpm limit.

The M 1000 R also features shorter gear ratios in 4th, 5th and 6th gear and shorter rear sprocket than the S 1000 R.
Also fitted as standard on the M 1000 R is BMWs Shift Assistant Pro, allowing an up-and-down clutchless shifts and can be adjusted from conventional gear to GP gear.

Electronically, the M 1000 R gets several riding modes including Rain, Road, Dynamic and Race with the addition of track-centric Race Pro 1, Race Pro 2 and Race Pro 3.
Other electronic features inlcude Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with 6-axis sensor and lean angle sensor. The DTC package includes wheelie-limitation function, pit lane limiter, launch control and hill-start control (HSC).

Of course, the most notable aspect of the new M 1000 R is the existence of aero winglets on the side panels.
BMW claimed that the winglets are not purely for aesthetic purposes but also adds 10kg of downforce at 218km/h.

The M 1000 R is suspended by an all-black 45mm upside-down fork (preload/compression/rebound adjustable) with 119mm of travel and a rear shock with 116mm of travel.
In addition, BMW also threw in the Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) (electronic suspension) as standard.

Braking is done with twin 320mm steel disc mated to a 4-pot callipers up front and single 220mm steel disc with aluminium single-piston floating callipers at the rear.
That said, ABS Pro comes as standard including Brake Slide Assist that allow riders to slide the M 1000 R into the turns.

Meanwhile, information is delivered to the rider via a 6.4-inch TFT instrument display with customizable display options.

Should you think the M 1000 R need more juice, BMW is offering the M Competition Package which includes the M GPS Laptrigger suite, carbon wheels, front and rear fenders, tank covers and a carbon chain guard.

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Moto2: Hafizh Syahrin in talks with two teams for 2021

Malaysian Moto2 rider, Hafizh Syahrin (Kipin Energy Aspar Team Moto2), is currently in talks with two other teams to continue his racing career for 2021 and beyond. This news came to light after the Aspar squad announced that they’ve signed with the current Moto3 rider, Albert Arenas, to replace the 26-year-old Malaysian for the 2021 season.

There are a lot of talks going on regarding Hafizh Syahrin and his racing career, but there’s no doubt that there are efforts from several different parties that are currently working to make sure that he’s able to continue racing in the MotoGP’s intermediate class beyond 2020. It’s also safe to say that the young Malaysian’s hopes are there, but not at its highest if we’re all being honest.

Currently sitting in P21 with only 18 points collected so far in the 2020 championship season, it’s definitely going to be a hard sell but we’ve come to know that he is in talks with two different teams that’ll most likely to take him on. We’re not sure which teams they are, but Idemitsu Honda Asia looks promising.

Rumours have also indicated that these two teams are backed by Honda as well as using Kalex machinery, a chassis that Hafizh has had more success with compared to the current Speed Up setup that the Aspar Team is using at the moment. More details will be released and hopefully, soon. Racing action will return this weekend in Aragon, Spain for the Gran Premio Liqui Moly de Teruel.
Ducati Streetfighter V4 now open for booking – RM120k

Written by: Sep Irran
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2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 to use new 1,158cc engine?

It won’t be long before Ducati unveils its latest adventure bike in the form of the 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4. Spyshots of the prototype have been going around online and the latest news related to it is the use of a newer and bigger V4 engine with 1,158cc displacement.

The particular evolution to the Ducati Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine will power this new Ducati Multistrada V4 based on reports posted by Motorcycle.com. They’ve managed to uncover a new Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) document submitted by Ducati to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US.

The latest engine code labelled under “V” is said to represent the 1,158cc V4 engine that’s going to power what they’re currently calling ‘Project 1706’. Ducati uses this code to represent the year and number of projects planned for the particular model. In other words, the idea of the Multistrada V4 was birthed as the sixth major project for the year 2017.

Not much else can be said about this new adventure-bike model, apart from the information that we’ve collected in the past few months. This includes the use of a double-sided swingarm, bigger 19-inch front wheel, the possible use of ‘radar technology’, and many more. Stay tuned for more updates.
Written by: Sep Irran
Ducati Multistrada V4 spotted testing in the wild

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Do you really need license plates for bicycles?

As of late, there has been a lot of heat coming from the world of our brothers and sisters, the one with no engines apart from the human body – bicycles. Apparently, someone in MIROS (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research) is looking at the need of putting license plates for riders riding bicycles.
Image credit: Cycling Plus Malaysia
This actually came from the head director of MIROS himself, Ir. Ts. Dr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim. Due to the rising popularity of bicycles amongst today’s trendy people, this ‘research’ is currently being conducted due to a number of rising safety concerns regarding a number of cyclists riding recklessly on open roads. But the kicker is that this matter has never been discussed with the Ministry of Transport.

Wee Ka Siong, our current Minister of Transport, made it clear that this has never been brought to his attention. In other words, it seems that everyone is not really connected with each other, just a bunch of people doing whatever they want without informing everyone else. Boy, this sounds all too familiar.

Utusan Malaysia, 16 September 2020 – “MIROS sedang mengkaji keperluan lesen dan nombor plat untuk basikal memandangkan…
Posted by MIROS on Selasa, 15 September 2020

Here’s the full statement released by the Minister of Transport himself regarding the issue of using license plates for bicycles on the roads.
In response to an Utusan Malaysia report that the Ministry of Transport will purportedly move towards requiring bicycles to be registered and equipped with licensed plates, I stress that this proposal has never been discussed at the Ministry. We strongly deny that there are any plans to implement such a proposal, nor had been any such proposal brought to my attention.
As with all policies governing the use of vehicles on our roads, many factors must be studied and taken into consideration at the Ministry’s level in the best interests of the safety and health of road users and pedestrians, which is a paramount concern.
At this moment, any comments made by MIROS as reported in the said report does not become policy until the due process has been carried out with my approval as Minister.
The agencies under the purview of the Ministry must produce all studies or proposals for the analysis and consideration of the senior management of MOT including the Minister’s office before any process is begun to implement any policies under the MOT’s jurisdiction. All premature policy announcements are barred without the express approval of the Minister.
In terms of road safety including for cyclists, the MOT through JPJ and MIROS continues to promote safety advocacy programmes with cyclists and other relevant associations on a continuous basis. These safety advocacy programmes will also be discussed and updated during the Road Safety Council meeting to be held this month.
Meanwhile, I advise all bicycle users to obey traffic rules and prioritise safety when riding their bicycles on the road as they are still bound by all relevant traffic rules under the Road Transport Act 1987.
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2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship: Round 1 Wrap-Up

Round 1 of the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) got off to a great start.

The long holiday did not deter teams from competing without much time for set ups.

Competition was close and exciting in a few classes.

The country may still be having a hangover from a people’s victory from the General Elections, but the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) got off to a rousing and positive start, nonetheless.

The General Elections and subsequent holidays had shortened the time available to the teams to set up their bikes for the race. Yet, all teams showed up and used the practice sessions to speed up the process.

But it was refreshing to see that it was very much a family-oriented race series. Most riders and team members had brought along their family along with their spouse and children to the paddock. They ate together. They shared the victories, defeats together. They prayed together.

There are four classes contested this year: Superbike, Superstock, Supersport, and Super 250. Each class is further subdivided into Open and Rookie categories, run together in each race.

Saturday had started warm and proceeded to being blistering hot even before the noon hour. The riders who came back after practice all look beat, yet there are fitter than most of us. There were a few teams that set up inflatable pools behind their pits as contingency in case their riders suffer heatstroke.

Qualifying was subsequently run in scorching heat, yet lap times were surprisingly quick. For example, Chia Motor PJ’s new signing, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman locked down the Superbike pole position with a time of 2:09.506, more than 0.8 second quicker than 2nd placed qualifier Ramdan Rosli of TOC HKMTOYO Racing Team.

Ex-MSBK champion, Rajini Krishnan who runs his own Team RACR now, returned to MSBK competition on a Yamaha R-1M qualified third with a time of 2:11.157.

Qualifying times in all other classes also followed the same template.
However, all the qualifying effort almost amounted to nothing for a few competitors on race day.

A heavy shower in the morning inundated had the track. With heavy cloud cover ahead, the track stayed wet for most parts of the day until later in the afternoon.

For anyone who had ever ridden or driven around the Sepang International Circuit before, the track may look dry as if unmolested by a single drop of rain, only to discover it’s actually soggy.

The first race of the day, Superbike Race 1 got under way under after been declared a WET RACE. While the leaders slipped and slid all over the track, there were six crashers behind them on parts of the track where there was no standing water.
Rajini pushed as hard as he could at the front and won the race commandingly from Ramdan Rosli and Azlan Shah.

Competitors in subsequent categories raced on a wet track, but it was the Race 1 of the Super 250 class which proved to be the most entertaining. The rulebook did not separate the single-cylinder and two-cylinder bikes but it was the former that were faster despite Sepang’s long straights. A six-way battle for the lead developed in the closing stages with some hard passes and kamikaze dives inside each other. And it was that which decided the final results at the last turn on the final lap, when one rider misjudged his brake marker and torpedoed the 2nd-place runner into the dirt. 16-year-old Indonesian rider Surya Narayana fought hard with all comers and came out tops in all three races. On a borrowed bike.

The track started to dry out by Supersport Race 2 and it was the first time that slick Pirelli tyres made their appearance of the day on the Superbikes. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of Hong Leong Yamaha Racing won Race 2, following his crash in Race 1. The team worked throughout the interim to fix his bike.

Azlan Shah showed the way in Superbike Race 2 as Ramdan ran into brake problems, while Rajini crashed at the start of Lap 3. Rajini managed to remount and fought his way back up to 5th at the flag.

In the Superstock 1000 races proceeding the superbike races, Azrol Hakeem of Fastthrottle Motorsports rode in commanding fashion to dominate both races.

In closing, it was a great weekend of great racing. Unfortunately, as many were still making their way back into the Klang Valley following the long holiday, there were not as many spectators as expected. They had missed a great spectacle.

Until Round 2 of the 2018 Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship, Selamat Berpuasa dan Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

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MotoGP: Peerless Pecco Bagnaia dominates Italian GP in Mugello

Pecco Bagnaia takes sensational Italian GP win in Mugello for Ducati ahead of defending MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo.

Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia bounces back to take sensational home win in Mugello for Ducati.

Defending MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo claims second despite his Yamaha’s power and speed deficit.

Aleix Espargaro continues podium streak by finishing third, scoring first home podium for Aprilia too.

Round 8 of the 2022 MotoGP world championship concluded yesterday with Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia taking top honours for Ducati. The 25-year-old Turin native put on a sensational performance, which resulted in a much-deserved win on home soil for him and the famed Italian factory.
Things didn’t come easy for Bagnaia who had to bounce back from a disappointing DNF in the French GP held just a fortnight ago – a race he could’ve won. Adding to the pressure was the less-than-ideal qualifying result he charted on Saturday which saw him line up fifth on the grid.

Despite dropping down as low as eight on the first lap, Baganaia pushed on and stormed past riders ahead of him before taking the lead by Lap 9. He stayed there for the remainder of the 23-lap melee and took the flag in first ahead of a defending world champion Fabio Quartararo in second.
Astride the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team’s factory-spec Yamaha YZR-M1, Quartararo’s charge towards the podium after launching from sixth on the grid was a Herculean feat on its own right too – he staved off no less than five Ducatis despite his Yamaha’s power and speed deficit.

Completing the rostrum was Aleix Espargaro in third who charts his fourth straight podium finish in a row and Aprilia Racing’s first podium on home soil. Clearly re-energised from his renewed contract, the Spanish veteran, renowned for wearing his heart on his sleeve, didn’t disappoint for the Noale factory.

Elsewhere, it was jubilation for the Ducati-powered Mooney VR46 Racing Team duo of rookie rider Marco Bezzechi and sophomore rider Luca Marini. Though both were unable to convert their front row starts from second and third respectively into a victory, both riders were still able to claim fifth and sixth respectively, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Seizing the honour as Top Independent Team Rider was Prima Pramac Ducati’s Johann Zarco. Despite suffering a poor race start that saw him drop from fourth on the grid to seventh, the veteran Frenchman clawed his way back up the order to finish fourth just 2.590 seconds behind Bagnaia.

As for title contender Enea Bastianini, this was a home GP to forget after crashing out on Lap 13. His Gresini Racing teammate, rookie Fabio Digiannantonio, who charted a sensational pole position result the day before, faltered down the order, only mustering to cross the line in eleventh aboard his Ducati.
With the Italian GP done and dusted, the championship standings still sees Quartararo leading things with 122 points, but Aprilia’s Espargaro is still hot on his heels with just 8 points separating both. Despite his home GP DNF, Bastianini stands third still, albeit with a larger 28-point deficit now.

As for Bagnaia, his title hopes have somewhat re-energised following his sensational win. However, he now sits fourth in the standings with 81 points, and it remains to be seen how he – and Ducati – plan to offset the 41-point deficit to current leader Quartararo.
Next up, all attention now focuses on the upcoming Catalan GP which stands as Round 9 of the 2022 championship. Things kick off at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in less than a week’s time from June 3 to June 5.
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Danilo Petrucci Headed To MotoAmerica After Dakar

Danilo Petrucci is making headlines in the 2022 Dakar Rally after finishing 13th overall after Stage 1B.
However, the former MotoGP rider had to be rescued by a helicopter after his KTM 450 Rally broke down, which effectively ended his bid for a good result in his debut.
Nevertheless, another rumour is going around that the ex-Ducati and KTM rider is heading to MotoAmerica for the 2022 season.

The Italian confirmed the news during an interview with Motosan.es.
“After MotoGP and the Dakar, I will go to MotoAmerica,” said Petrucci.
According to rumours, Petrucci will ride onboard a Ducati Panigale V4 R at the American series next season with the HSBK Racing team.
Despite no official confirmation from both parties, Petrucci impending arrival to MotoAmerica will certainly up the level of competition and the race profile of racing in the US.
(Source: MotoAmerica)
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2021 MV Agusta Brutale And Dragster RR Launched With Major Updates!

MV Agusta has officially revealed the updated Brutale RR, RR SCS, Rosso and Dragster RR for 2021.
The two triple-cylinder naked sportsbike have received extensive updates mostly focusing on the engine, frame and suspension.
*MV Agusta Brutale Rosso
The 798cc engine on the Brutale and Dragster are now Euro 5, thanks to the reworked done with the counter-rotating crankshaft to reduce friction.
*MV Agusta Brutale RR
The crankshaft and conrod now use micro-bored bearings, which require less oil than the conventional bearings, which leads to a lower amount of work the oil pump needs to do, which subsequently reduced energy wastage.
*MV Agusta Dragster 2021
Other improvement includes a new electronic control unit, reinforced clutch and 3rd-generation EAS semi-automatic transmission.
Both the motorcycle also received a redesigned frame that is now stiffer with the bikes also boast new suspension setup as standard including a more comfortable seat and a steering damper.
*MV Agusta Dragster 2021
Nevertheless, the iconic triple exhaust still presents, and in our books, that’s enough for MV Agusta to received an A-plus!
Other significant improvements are as follows:

43mm Marzocchi fork
newly improved 6-axis IMU
Continental MK100 ABS
front lift control
5.5″ TFT Screen with MV Ride App Connectivity System
launch control
MV Agusta Smart Clutch System (SCS) 2.0
LED lights

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Top 10 Best 750cc Bikes (Part 2)

1989 ZXR-750RR

750cc bikes became the hotbed for sportbikes in the late 80s and 90s as the Superbike World Championship heated up.

Thus, virtually every great 750cc bike was a sportbike.

The same applies for 1000cc bikes nowadays.

Please click here for Top 10 Best 750cc Bikes (Part 1).
750cc bikes became the hotbed for sportbikes in the late 80s and 90s as the Superbike World Championship heated up to its glory days. Manufacturers were throwing in everything they had this way as they saw that the premier production racing class was the way to promote their street bikes.
5. Suzuki GSX-R750(F) (1985)
1985 Suzuki GSX-R750
The first Suzuki GSX-R750 (F-model) may not break new technical grounds, but it’s the first big capacity racing replica motorcycle on the road. (The first was the Suzuki RG250 in 1983). Up till then, the performance bike scene was still pretty much dominated by UJMs (Universal Japanese Motorcycles). The Gixxer brought along the aluminium box-section frame (also debuted with the RG250) and other weight saving bits, plus an oil cooled engine also to save weight. Suzuki also gave it flatslide carburettors.
4. Honda VFR750R RC30 (1987)

The RC30 showed Honda’s determination in not only GP but also in other forms of racing. As such, the bike was built by HRC (Honda Racing Corporation): The same guys who build the GP bikes. The bike was pretty complex, indeed, with a V-Four engine, quad-cams, titanium conrods, beefy aluminium frame, etc. It went on to win the 1988 and 1989 Superbike World Championships besides other production racing series such as the World Endurance Championship (including the prestigious Suzuka 8-Hour), Isle of Man TT and Macau GP. Only 3,000 units were made.
3. Kawasaki Ninja ZXR-750/ZX-7 (1989)
1989 ZXR-750RR
Kawasaki also decided to enter superbike racing, after pulling out of the 500cc GP for many years. The Superbike series became hotly contested between four manufacturers i.e. Honda, Ducati, Yamaha and Kawasaki. The ZX-7 finally captured the manufacturer’s first crown in 1993.
2. Honda RVF750 RC45 (1994)
Honda RVF750 RC45
Just to show how stiff the competition and progress in Superbikes were, the RC30 was outclassed by the third year of its launch. A small Italian manufacturer called Ducati had kicked everyone’s butt by racing relatively simple bikes namely the 851, 888 and later 916. Honda responded the way Honda typically responds by upping their bike’s technology. Thus, when the new RVF750 RC45 was revealed in 1994, it had all the bell and whistles of modern bikes (except for traction control) including PGM-FI, close firing order V-Four, lightweight forged pistons, titanium conrods, ceramic and graphite impregnated cylinder liners, close ration gearbox, yada, yada, yada. It came close to beating Ducati to the title several times and finally doing it in 1997 in combination with John Kocinski’s talent. The RC45’s engine produced over 190 hp – higher than even Honda’s mighty NSR500 GP racer – in its final form. Only 200 RC45s were ever built.
1. Suzuki GSX-R750(T) SRAD (1996)
1996 Suzuki GSX-R750
The original Gixxer may have shown the way in terms of “light-is-right” but subsequent versions started putting on so much weight that negated their performance. One prime example was the WP model. This new Gixxer was lighter than even the company’s own GSX-R600 and some 20 kg below the nearest competitor. To boost engine power, Suzuki gave the bike an intake system called Suzuki Ram Air Direct or SRAD in short. And along with its distinctive “hornet” tail, the bike became an icon.
But is it in Number 1? It’s because like what we said in the beginning of this article: Suzuki is the only manufacturer who is currently building 750cc sportbikes. The DNA of the original GSX-R750 still lives in the current 2020 GSX-R750(L9) and it’s a very rider-friendly bike.
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Top Motorcycle Designers (Part 3) – David Robb

Courtesy of Cycle World

David Robb – Father of the F 800 series and R 1200 GS
David Robb was born in Boston, raised in Japan, and influenced by California. He graduated with honors from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California; whose other graduates included the current BMW Motorrad’s Head of Vehicle Design, Ola Stenegärd; Willie G. Davidson who’s the grandson of William A. Davidson, co-founder of Harley-Davidson; and one Miguel Angel Galluzzi.

Robb started out in Chrysler, then over Audi before joining BMW’s auto division in 1984, under another famous name, Chris Bangle. Bangle was the (in)famous for the controversial design of the E65 BMW 7-Series. It was Bangle who asked Robb if he take BMW’s motorcycle designs into a new direction.

When Robb took over in April 1993, BMW Motorrad had sold only 30,000 motorcycles worldwide. There were 19 models at the time, “They were all doing the same thing. Let’s quit copying ourselves,” Robb said in an interview.

What followed was an explosion of motorcycles that went on to become the stalwarts of the company, including the K 1200 RS, K 1200 R, R 1200 C, C1 (enclosed scooter), F 800 S, F 800 ST, F 800 R, F 800 GS and of course, the world’s bestselling motorcycle, the R 1200 GS.

It was Robb who also penned the S 1000 RR superbike, which took sport riding fraternity by storm.
Courtesy of Cycle World
BMW Motorrad sold almost 104,286 motorcycles in 2011, the year Robb retired.
Besides riding, Robb loves to fly and has even competed in aerobatic planes.
Courtesy of Cycle World
Robb’s brothers have interesting careers too, although unrelated to the motorcycle industry. Doug is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Hoobastank, while Tom was a bodyguard for Metallica.
Click here for Part 2: John Britten
Click here for Part 1: Fabio Taglioni
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MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo gets first win since August 2018!

The latest round of the virtual MotoGP race took place last night and in the presence of the only representative of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, Jorge Lorenzo. The latest online round saw the Spaniard getting his first ‘wildcard’ entry at Silverstone and ultimately dominating the field on board the digital Yamaha YZR-M1.

Set at Silverstone, the round was to pay tribute to the British GP as the latest news confirmed that the particular round won’t be hosting MotoGP this year, together with Phillip Island of Australia. Nevertheless, it was exciting to see the top-class riders picking up game controllers instead to provide some entertainment relief for the fans.

1295 days since his last win with Yamaha, @lorenzo99 does it again! ?
He WINS the #VirtualBritishGP! ? pic.twitter.com/kExfGpSQcQ
— MotoGP™?? (@MotoGP) May 31, 2020

It was an interesting virtual race indeed as Lorenzo crossed the chequered flag followed close by Reale Avintia Racing’s Tito Rabat, and Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Fabio Quartararo. Some of the crowd favourites like Honda’s Marc Marquez and Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales weren’t able to join the LAN party due to other arrangements.

According to Lorenzo after the race, “I was very happy to join this race. I’ve been a great fan of video games ever since I was very young, and little by little I acquired some skills, especially with motorsport games such as MotoGP, Formula1, and Rally. I think it was a great idea to start these virtual racing competitions during the lockdown, and now I‘ve finally been able to join in for my first virtual race. The MotoGP video game has become more and more realistic, and especially this year they made a big step. One of the coolest things are the updates that improve the riding realism and feeling.”
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First look: 2017 Honda X-ADV adventure scooter

First glimpse of the upcoming new 2017 Honda X-ADV adventure scooter.

More news from the front ahead of INTERMOT and EICMA, this time from the Japanese red wing marque. The firm released a final teaser image of the upcoming 2017 Honda X-ADV adventure scooter, and we’re excited.

From its last teaser video, we know that Honda will likely unveil its radical new adv scooter later this year during EICMA 2016. And the firm confirmed just that after issuing an official statement with the release of the final teaser image.
The firm promised that the 2017 Honda X-ADV will be revealed in Milan this November in its final production-ready state before it goes on sale. The latter will likely happen towards the year-end or sometime early next year.

Honda went further by stating the new X-ADV is in fact a ‘new breed of machine’ with ‘long travel suspension to handle the roughest road surfaces’. It even added that the model will offers the practicality of a five-stage adjustable windscreen and storage space for an off-road style helmet’ as well.

Previewed in concept form as the Honda City Adventure during last year’s EICMA, the 2017 Honda X-ADV is based off the brand’s existing NC750 platform that comes in NC750S street, NC750X adventure and Integra maxi-scooter forms.

Based on leaked patents, we already know that the X-ADV underpins the Integra maxi-scooter’s chassis architecture whilst the NC750 platform’s 754cc in-line four-cylinder will power it. It will also come paired with Honda’s signature dual-clutch transmission (DCT), giving it the twist-and-go ease.

The package of a go-anywhere, twist-and-go bike for both urban and non-urban use holds a really strong appeal, and we’re just as excited as you are to see the 2017 Honda X-ADV in the flesh. Stay tuned for more updates as its November debut date comes closer.
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FSR Technology rolls out the Tuneboss tuning ECU

From the same guys who came out with the programmable piggyback system for the Yamaha FZ150i, the local lads from FSR Technology are back and teasing Malaysians just last night with a small announcement on their FB page saying this time they have come out with a programmable standalone ECU.
Dubbed as Tuneboss, its going to be available in a month’s time starting with the FZ150i (2013 and older) and will be quickly followed by units for the Yamaha Lagenda 115Z fuel injection model with price starting at RM370 for now.
According to them, the TuneBoss will give owners wide parameters of tuning ability and quality like the more expensive aftermarket standalone ECUs from US or Europe but at a fraction of the price. From what we have seen in their previous work that claim is not just something that can be ignored, they really do know their stuff and that’s probably why it took them so long before they came out with TuneBoss.
More bike models will be covered soon as the boys have said they will release more information after the festive holidays.
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MotoGP: Maverick Vinales Wins First Round in Qatar

Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) drew first blood with the first round win at the Losail International Circuit

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) came at very close second on board the latest Ducati Desmosedici GP17

Valentino Rossi salvaged third podium after starting from P10

Maverick Vinales of the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP squad came out victorious last night at the opening round of MotoGP 2017 in Qatar. The dogfight between several other riders ended with the Spaniard crossing the line first but not without showcasing his raw talent to the crowd.

After a dramatic Saturday where the Free Practice 4 and Qualifying sessions were cancelled due to flooded tracks after a torrential rain, the grid was set according the riders’ best combined practice times in the previous sessions. What none of us expected was MotoGP rookie Johann Zarco from the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 outfit leading the race. What seemed like a fairytale story for the Frenchman ended up in disaster when he crashed out while leading with only 14 laps remaining.

The battle for podium throughout the race was between Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Andrea Iannone (Suzuki Ecstar) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda). With only 10 laps remaining, Andrea Iannone washed out from the race and Marquez slowly dropped his pace while Vinales and his team mate, Valentino Rossi made their way to the podium spots.

It was a hard fought battle between Dovizioso and Vinales who kept exchanging places for the rest of the race with the Yamaha M1 being consistently fast in the corners only to get beaten in the straight by the sheer power and speed of the Desmosedici GP17. Rossi stayed in third position to witness the battle the two riders in front of him.

Marc Marquez finished the race in fourth with his team mate Dani Pedrosa in fifth. It was an interesting battle as well for the Repsol Honda duo as they had to fend off a surprising opponent, Aleix Espargaro from the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini. They exchanged positions for a few times but Espargaro finished a very close sixth behind the factory Honda riders.

As predicted, Jorge Lorenzo had quite a hard time adjusting his riding style and pace to his newly acquired Ducati ride. Lorenzo only managed to place P11 behind another MotoGP rookie, Jonas Folger of the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad. CLICK HERE to check the full results of the Grand Prix of Qatar.

The next round will head to Argentina where the boys will duke it out again at the Gran Premio Motul de la República Argentina. The Termas de Río Hondo track will host the second round on 9 April 2017 in two weeks’ time. Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more MotoGP updates.
Photo source: MotoGP
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New SYM Maxi-Scooter Promises More Power – 26HP, 26Nm

Taiwanese scooter manufacturer, SYM Motors has expanded its product range with the new 2022 SYM Joyride 300.
The new Joyride 300 is the company latest response to the growing demand for maxi-scooter around the world.

According to SYM, the new model combines compactness, agility, safety and convenience making it the ideal choice for customers wanting a flat floor cruiser.
Interestingly, the Joyride 300 will replace the outgoing EVO 200.

The 2022 SYM Joyride 300 makes 26hp @ 8,000rpm and 26Nm @ 6,000rpm from its 280cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine.

The Joyride 300 rides on a 15-inch front and 14-inch rear wheel but can be upgraded with 16-inch front and rear wheels.

Interestingly, the maxi-scooter get a host of modern features which includes:

LED lighting
LCD instrument
keyless system 2.0
adjustable windshield
under-seat storage
glove box
quick charge 2.0

The new Joyride 300 is expected to arrive in Europe and Asia by early next year.

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Harley-Davidson Spin-Off Electric Brand, LiveWire Goes Live With One

Harley-Davidson recently presents the company newest electric initiative with LiveWire as a standalone brand that now focused on building electric mobility.
LiveWire will now take on the industry with its own LiveWire One, a full-blown electric motorcycle that carried Harley-Davidson legacy into the future.

Available for pre-order via LiveWire.com at a price of USD21,999 (RM92k), the LiveWire One offers all the latest features on a motorcycle.
Meanwhile, HD claimed that the One offers the same 105hp and 117Nm found on the 2020 LiveWire, followed by a top speed of 177km/h.

Underneath the chassis sits a 15.4kWh battery unit that offers a range of around 230km, which we think is commendable for an electric bike.
According to HD, it can charge from zero to 80 per cent in 40 minutes or 100 per cent within an hour with a DC fast charger.

Other exciting features include:

Show Big Piston separate function front fork
Showa balance free cushion-lite monoshock
17″ cast-aluminium wheels
dual 4-piston (radial) Brembo monoblock callipers (front)
2-piston single disc setup (rear)

Despite being an electric motorcycle, the bike is equipped with what Harley’s refers to as a ‘heartbeat, that sends a vibration to the rider to mimic the feel of a combustion engine. Pretty cool, eh?
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New Type-Approval Documents Confirms Upcoming Kawasaki Z650RS

Kawasaki recently dropped a teaser trailer with the tagline “Retrovolution” on what could be the next retro classic motorcycle by Team Green.
While the short video did not reveal anything except a glimpse of the bike’s side mirrors, there is an ongoing rumour referring to the highly rumoured Z650RS.

However, the latest updates have confirmed those rumours based on a new type of approval documents from Europe that officially list the Z650RS as Kawasaki 2022 range.
The documents unveil some critical facts about the upcoming motorcycle, including using the same 650cc engine from the existing Z650, capable of generating 67hp and 63.7Nm.

The Z650RS will continue to feature the same tubular steel frame from the Z650; however, it has a 5mm shorter wheelbase and longer handlebars. Another identical features with the Z650 are the use of a 17″ tyre.
More details on the new Kawasaki Z650RS will be unveiled soon.
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Honda will be organising a second Honda Asian Journey convoy across Peninsular Malaysia

After last year’s success with the first ever Honda Asian Journey trip from Thailand to the Sepang International Circuit, Honda has announced that there will be a second convoy planned for 2017.
This year’s journey will give participants a chance to test out some of Honda’s high performance motorcycles such as the CB500, CBR1000RR, Africa Twin, Goldwing and many more.
The four-day long 2017 Honda Asian Journey will be from 26 October to 29 October 2017 where participants will ride from Melaka all the way to Genting Highlands before heading back down to SIC for the MotoGP Malaysian round.

Honda has made an exciting announcement that the Honda group of companies in Asia and Oceania will organise the second ever Honda Asian Journey 2017. This time around, the Honda boys will be going on a 600km adventure across Peninsular Malaysia in a period of four days.

The Honda convoy will start its journey on 26 October 2017 and will end on 29 October 2017 with the final stop planned at the MotoGP Malaysian round at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) similar to last year. Last year’s event saw around 50 riders joining the first ever Honda Asian Journey with participants from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and also Malaysia.

Also similar to last year, all participants will get the golden opportunity to try out a number of different high performance Honda motorcycles throughout the four-day journey which models such as the CB500 range, CBR1000RR superbike, Africa Twin range and the super touring Goldwing.

Honda has stated that their newly planned route from Melaka heading up to Bukit Tinggi and Genting Highlands before heading back down to the infamous Sepang International Circuit for one of the world’s greatest motorcycle race events of all time that is the MotoGP.

The Honda group of companies below in the Asia & Oceania region will host the Honda Asian Journey 2017:

Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., regional headquarters for the Honda Asia & Oceania region
A.P. Honda Co., Ltd. (Thailand)
Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
PT Astra Honda Motor (Indonesia)
Honda Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Vietnam)
Honda Philippines Inc. (The Philippines)
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt., Ltd. (India)

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Rossi officially back at Yamaha – First pictures

After seeing out his contract at Ducati, Valentino Rossi is once again back in the colours of the team which he won four world titles with. We have also included a rather dull video of both Rossi and Lorenzo in Yamaha’s official 2013 leathers.

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Motorcycles for the Touring Season (Part 1: Dual-Purpose)

It’s touring season for Malaysian bikers again.

While one could tour with any bike, riding one which is designed specifically for the purpose would be perfect.

We start with dual-purpose (DP) machines.

Touring season is upon us Malaysian bikers head out to tour the country as well as to Thailand for Songkran, Phuket Bike Week and various our locations. As the saying goes, “Always use the right tool for the right job,” it applies to the type of bike, too. Of course, there are hardcore riders who tour all the way to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand on 1970s Vespas and Lambrettas or mopeds, but there’s nothing like riding purpose-built machines.

We’ve put together a collection of bikes that we’ve tested and a (very) few that we hadn’t. However, we start with dual-sports (DP) motorcycles in Part 1.
As the designation implies, dual-sport motorcycles are suited for rough road and off-road riding, hence you could safely handle difficult situations (such as broken roads, dirt from a previous landslide should they arise handle well even at low speeds. They are also able to carry lots of luggage in addition to a passenger with ease. Long travel suspension soaks up surface irregularities, contributing to rider comfort. Adventure-tourers usually have bigger fuel tanks too, for longer ranges. Many, if not all, feature lower engine compression ratios meaning they could accept lower octane fuel.

Please note that we’ve left out the enduro-style DPs as they have limited range and luggage carrying capacity for long-distance touring.
LIGHTWEIGHT
The lightweight DP motorcycle segment isn’t necessarily new if you include enduros and trail bikes; but the segment is now joined by the “mini” Versys and GS.
BMW G 310 GS
The G 310 GS is the adventure version of the G 310 R roadster. (Please click here for our full review.) BMW Motorrad intended the bike for the far-flung markets hence the affordability and simplicity of these models. The G 310 GS is commendably fast on tarmac and has a great balance when ridden off-road.

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, single-cylinder

Displacement
313 cc

Maximum power
34 bhp (25 kW) @ 9500 RPM

Maximum torque
28 Nm @ 7500 RPM

Seat height
835 mm (unladen)

Wet weight
169.5 kg (ready to ride)

Fuel capacity
11 litres

HONDA CRF250 RALLY
The CRF250 Rally is probably the best-looking bike in this lightweight group. (Please click here for our full review.) It features a handsome bodywork, along the lines of its CRF1000L Africa Twin bigger brother and will all the beautiful Honda quality you can shake a stick at. The engine is derived from the CBR250 and its got a nice set of LED headlamps. The CRF250 Rally is geared more towards relaxed off-road trail riding, hence it isn’t a real roadrunner. But if your holiday plan calls for riding off-road and camping, it’s hard to beat this bike.

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, single-cylinder

Displacement
249 cc

Maximum power
23 bhp (24.7 kW) @ 8500 RPM

Maximum torque
22 Nm @ 7000 RPM

Seat height
895 mm

Wet weight
157 kg

Fuel capacity
10 litres

KAWASAKI VERSYS-X 250
It could be said that the Versys-X burst onto the scene. (Please click here for our full review.) Here was a bike that resembles the popular KLR650, is very light and has a lively 250cc engine sourced from the Ninja 250. Kawasaki had given the Versys-X longer legs (presumably for off-road riding), incidentally making it a quick road bike. The suspension may feel a little simple but it gets the job done in absorbing hard bumps supporting the occupants’ weight plus luggage.

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, parallel-Twin

Displacement
249 cc

Maximum power
33.1 bhp (24.7 kW) @ 11500 RPM

Maximum torque
21.7 Nm @ 10000 RPM

Seat height
815 mm

Curb weight
173 kg

Fuel capacity
17 litres

MIDDLEWEIGHT
While the middleweight sport-touring segment is the most hotly contested, there are not many middleweight DPs except for BMW and Triumph in Malaysia.
BMW F 800 GS / F 800 GS ADVENTURE
The BMW F 800 GS and its Adventure variant has been around for some time. Slender cross-section and midsection, long travel suspension, ability to haul luggage, simplicity in maintenance and repair makes it the favourite among BMW riders who love to ride off-road. The model is slated for replacement by the new F 850 GS.

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, parallel-Twin

Displacement
798 cc

Maximum power
85 bhp (62.5 kW) @ 7500 RPM

Maximum torque
80 Nm @ 5750 RPM

Seat height
890 mm

Wet weight
229 kg

Fuel capacity
24 litres

*Specifications based on the F 800 GS.
TRIUMPH TIGER 800
The Triumph Tiger 800 had enjoyed splendid sales and following from the previous model and the Hinckley-based manufacturer had successfully updated the 2018 model to make it even better. (Please click here for our full review.) There were 200 revisions just to the engine and chassis, there’s a new TFT screen and switchgear lifted from the Street Triple RS, bigger and adjustable windscreen and comfy seats, among other things. Updates to the chassis has resulted in a surefooted, confident ride. Refined Ride Modes, traction control and smooth engine power delivery sets new standards. The Triumph Tiger 800 is currently the best 800cc DP.
Choose from two different lines and six specs: XCx and XCa are adventure oriented, while the XR, XRx, XRx LRH and XRt are more road-oriented.

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, inline-Triple

Displacement
800 cc

Maximum power
95 bhp (62.5 kW) @ 9500 RPM

Maximum torque
79 Nm @ 8050 RPM

Seat height
840 – 860 mm

Dry weight
205 kg

Fuel capacity
19 litres

*Specifications based on the Tiger 800 XCx.
HEAVYWEIGHT
This segment is populated by the technologically-laden heavy hitters. Everything from electronic suspension to lean-sensitive traction control and ABS are found here.
BMW R 1200 GS / R 1200 GS RALLYE / R 1200 GS ADVENTURE
What else could be written about the massively popular BMW R 1200 GS that hasn’t been? Long-range comfort, ability to haul everything apart from the house itself (216 kg permissible payload), goes anywhere, etc. etc., and it just keeps getting better and better.

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, Boxer-Twin

Displacement
1170 cc

Maximum power
125 bhp (92 kW) @ 7750 RPM

Maximum torque
125 Nm @ 6500 RPM

Seat height
850 – 870 mm

Kerb weight
244 kg

Fuel capacity
20 litres

*Specifications based on the BMW R 1200 GS Rallye.
DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200 ENDURO / MULTISTRADA 1200 ENDURO PRO
Although the Multistrada 1200 (and Multistrada 1200S) include an “Offroad” ride mode setting, it isn’t truly capable of taking on the gnarlier stuff other than a kampong (village) trail. Ducati knew they had a great sport-tourer but they were missing out on the go-anywhere territory, which is dominated by BMW and KTM.
Ducati revised the bike to give the Enduro more offroad capabilities such as the riding position, wheels, suspension, seat, handlebar, windscreen, gearing, traction control and a 30-litre fuel tank. The Enduro Pro version is fitted out with offroad accessories. The wonderfully smooth DVT-equipped engine is retained.

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, 90o V-Twin

Displacement
1198 cc

Maximum power
160 bhp (117.7 kW) @ 9500 RPM

Maximum torque
136 Nm @ 7500 RPM

Seat height
870 mm

Kerb weight
254 kg

Fuel capacity
30 litres

*Specifications based on the Multistrada 1200 Enduro.
HONDA CRF1000L AFRICA TWIN
The Africa Twin name is one which is synonymous with DP that many fans cursed and swore when production stopped from 2004. Its comeback in 2016 was hailed as one of the biggest events and it has been selling steadily since then. Honda’s quality is on every control and surface you see and touch, and it’s offered in manual or Honda’s proprietary DCT automatic transmission. It’s one of the easiest big bore machines to ride.

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, parallel-Twin

Displacement
998 cc

Maximum power
93.8 bhp (70 kW) @ 7500 RPM

Maximum torque
98 Nm @ 6000 RPM

Seat height
850 – 870 mm

Kerb weight
232 kg

Fuel capacity
19 litres

*Specifications based on the manual transmission option.
KTM 1050 ADVENTURE
The KTM 1050 Adventure is the model to entice new adventure riders into the Austrian giant’s adventure lineup.
Low seat height, low weight, easy handling are its core characteristics. It may not have as much technology such as the 1290 range but it holds its own with stuff like three Power Modes, assist and slip clutch, two-channel ABS, and a torquey engine. It may be a road-centric bike but all you need is a set of adventure tyres to ride both on and off-road.

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, 75o V-Twin

Displacement
1050 cc

Maximum power
93.8 bhp (68.8 kW) @ 6200 RPM

Maximum torque
107 Nm @ 5750 RPM

Seat height
850 mm

Dry weight
212 kg

Fuel capacity
23 litres

KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE R
There are two versions of the 1290 Super Adventure. The 1290 Super Adventure S is for the road (although it could do off-road too), while the 1290 Super Adventure R is geared for off-road riding. The 1290 Super Adventure lineup consists of technological marvels and are “fierce” bikes if you choose to ride fast (only 5 kg more than the 1050 Adventure but with 160 bhp on tap), but they are also civil when ridden at sane speeds. The new 1290 Super Adventure R also look great with that distinctive LED headlight. As we mentioned before there are so much technology to list down but the main ones are electronically controlled WP Semi-Active suspension, lean-sensitive traction control and ABS, five riding modes. Owners can opt for the Travel Pack which includes Hill Hold Control, Motor Slip Regulation, up and down Quickshifter+, KTM My Ride which turns the 6.5-inch LCD instrument panel into your communications centre. The 1290 Super Adventure R differs from the S-version in the wheels, windscreen and off-road traction control strategy.

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves, 75o V-Twin

Displacement
1031 cc

Maximum power
160 bhp (118 kW) @ 8750 RPM

Maximum torque
140 Nm @ 6750 RPM

Seat height
890 mm

Dry weight
217 kg

Fuel capacity
23 litres

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OFFICIAL: End Of An Era, As Suzuki To Discontinue The GSX-R1000

The day that we thought could never happen has arrived as Suzuki has officially announced the discontinuation of the iconic GSX-R1000 superbike in Japan and Europe.

Suzuki to stop producing and selling the GSX-R1000.
Strict emission standards in Japan halted the development of the GSX-R1000.

2021 Suzuki GSX-R1000R

The announcement came at the back of Alex Rins’ heartfelt win at the 2022 MotoGP season-finale in Valencia.
The end of the GSX-R1000 is as expected, considering the Hamamatsu factory decided to pull the plug from its racing initiatives, including MotoGP and EWC, to pursue other non-performance-oriented objectives.

Despite the sad news, the GSX-R1000 will continue to be on sale in very few markets, including in North America and the Philippines. However, we expect a similar decision to take place in both regions soon.
As previously reported, the most significant factor in play for the GSX-R1000 discontinuation is Japan’s strict emission standard.
That said, perhaps Suzuki didn’t see it fit to update the GSX-R1000 despite the firm already updating the Katana, Hayabusa, GSX-S1000, GSX-S1000GT and the V-Strom 1050.

Nonetheless, a Japanese publication, Young-Machine, suggest that this might not be the end of the iconic superbike as a report back in August claimed that the Japanese marque is already working on a new high-performance engine for the next-gen GSX-R1000.
However, before we wait for that to happen, the GSX-R1000 will be laid to rest for now.
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Look Out! 2nd Malaysia Bike Building Championship 2019 Happening from 24th to 27th October!

Photo from Motonation 2017

The 2nd Malaysia Bike Building Championship 2019 “Road to AMD 2020” is happening from 24th to 27th October 2019.

The winner will compete in the 2020 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building during INTERMOT in Cologne, Germany.

The 1st edition was won by Eatern Bobber and they were awarded third overall in the AMD finals last year.

The 2nd Malaysia Bike Building Championship 2019 “Road to AMD 2020” is happening from 24th to 27th October 2019! The contest will be held in conjunction with the Malaysia International Automotive & Parts Expo 2019 (MIAPEX19), organized by Motonation.
The winner will compete in the 2020 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building during INTERMOT in Cologne, Germany.

Remember Motonation Carnival 2017? It was when Eastern Bobber won the custom motorcycle contest. The contest was judged by none other than AMD Showmaster Neil Blaber. By winning the contest, Eastern Bobber builder Omar Jumiran and his creation Bone-X were sent all expenses paid to compete in the 2018 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building during INTERMOT in Cologne, Germany.
Eastern Bobber and Bone-X were awarded the third overall prize, beating out hundreds of entries from countries around the world.

Neil Blaber has seen plenty of custom bikes in his lifetime and he remarked that the entries at Motonation 2017 truly opened his eyes.
What he said was true: There’s no short supply of really good custom bike builders in Malaysia. Among the famous ones are FNG Works, Rusty Factory, Beautiful Machines, Hungry Ghost Custom Inc., Red Garage, KerkuS CycleS just to name a few!
There was no shortage of custom bikes in the recent Art of Speed Powered by PETRONAS, so let’s get together and show what Malaysia is capable of.
The Malaysia International Automotive & Parts Expo 2019 (MIAPEX19) organized by Motonation will be held at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC) from 24th  to 27th October 2019.
Please visit the Motonation Facebook pagefor more information.
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Jonathan Rea shows why you should buy an Insta360 One R

If you’re looking to up your action camera game, the Insta360 One R should be high up on your list if you’re keen on getting a GoPro. There are many reasons to buy this beauty, but instead of using words, WorldSBK champion, Jonathan Rea wants to show you himself.

During one of his test sessions onboard the new 2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR, the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK mechanics fixed a number of Insta360 One R cameras on this race prototype before letting the man loose at the Aragon Circuit in Spain.

The result? A 1:36 minute full of mind-bending shots and surreal angles of the world champion hard-braking the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR, bringing it low into every corner, and some tasty gear shifts and kneedowns along the way.

There are a number of other reasons why people would opt to get the Insta360 cameras, particularly its ability to become modular and customize according to what you need. If interested, you can head over to Slipstream Helmets in Bangsar, Ollie’s Race Shop in Sunway, or any other authorised dealers here in Malaysia.

Judging by a number of satisfied customers and their world-altering videos right out of the box, we’re confident that you’ll have loads of fun with this beauty as well. Don’t forget to buy some of those accessories as well to fit on your bike or helmet, don’t want to lose now, do we?
MotoGP: KTM retains Dani Pedrosa & Mika Kallio as test riders

Written by: Sep Irran
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Ducati restarts factory production in Italy today

After a temporary halt in operations due to COVID-19, Ducati is set back to ‘gradually return to normal’ as the main factory in Borgo Panigale restarts production today (27 April 2020). The factory will be complying with new regulatory protocols to ensure the safety of all its staff members at the Bologna plant.

The factory will start production in phases starting with workshop staff followed by engine assembly workers and motorcycle assembly staff. Other employees outside of the production lines will continue their ‘smart working’ from home, except for those who are physically essential to be present at the Ducati factory.

In other words, every single aspect of how the Ducati factory has been operating in the past is or will be changed to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. From work hours to production line setups and even canteen seating arrangements, Ducati is making sure that their workers are safe to work at the factory.

According to Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, “It is absolutely essential to pay close attention to strict compliance with safety procedures: the virus has not disappeared. The work done jointly with the Emilia-Romagna Region has been important. It will be an extremely difficult year but starting up again is still a beginning; we have a lot of orders for the Streetfighter V4, for the Multistrada GT and for the Panigale V2. The motorbike is a perfect vehicle for ‘phase two’: no parking problems and distancing guaranteed; safety and fun at the same time.”
Ducati offers ‘unique solution’ to save MotoGP 2020

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Zontes Malaysia and JPJ Selangor Send Hari Raya Message

Zontes Malaysia and the Selangor state JPJ (Road Transport Department of Malaysia) sent a safe balik kampung message ahead of Hari Raya Puasa.

Event was held at the Bukit Jelutong Toll Plaza.

Zontes, JPJ and Prolintas handed out packages to motorists.

Zontes Malaysia and the Selangor state JPJ (Road Transport Department of Malaysia) sent a safe balik kampung message ahead of Hari Raya Puasa.
The proceedings took place today at the Bukit Jelutong Toll Plaza, as it’s the gateway to the Guthrie Corridor Expressway. JPJ officers gave away packages by Zontes Malaysia, the Guthrie Corridor Expressway concessionaire Prolintas Sdn. Bhd. and JPJ themselves.

Drivers were wished Selamat Hari Raya and to drive safely during their journeys back home for the celebrations. They rather surprised that to receive such packages from the JPJ. Many had expression of doubt and even fear when they saw JPJ officers waiting at the toll booths.

Indeed, many motorcycles were using the main carriageway instead of the fully-functional motorcycle lane. A number of riders made illegal U-turns against the traffic upon seeing the officers. Some even sped past the officers when waved to stop to receive packages It was an embarrassing and frustrating scene for those present at the event.

However, those who did use the motorcycle lanes received the packages and a well-earned pat on the back by the JPJ officers, besides being wished a good journey.

PICTURE GALLERY

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Asia Talent Cup, Qatar – Japan dominates again!

The 2015 instalment of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup is proving to be one of the most exciting two wheel races.
In Thailand we saw multiple riders battling out for a podium finish until the last lap.
In Qatar for Round 2, Race 1, we saw up to four riders duking it out until the finish line. Just forty-three thousandths of a second separated the top four. You don’t even see that happening in MotoGP or any other race in the world for that matter.

The 14 lap race saw a group of nine riders break away from the rest of the field, with pole sitter Atiratphuvapat and Sasaki dicing at the front, as well as Japanese rider Masaki, who was the first to set a fastest lap, which also lowered the SAATC track record by 1.7 seconds.
Strong winds however brought top speeds down, which also meant that riders could not match the qualifying times they had set.

There was some drama when Malaysian riders Azman and Rostam crashed out of the leading group under braking at the first corner.
Rostam got on the brakes a little too late than expected, and ended up crashing into Azman. Rostam’s bike was also damaged beyond repair, which means he will be racing on a new bike for Race 2 today. Both riders walked away uninjured.

The leading group of Atiratphuvapat, Izdihar, Chantra, Kunimine, Masaki and Sasaki were constantly swapping positions and at times were six-wide in the braking zone. It was clear the race would come down to the very last corner.

On the last lap Sasaki made a break, with only Masaki sticking with the leader, but one of the characteristics of the Losail circuit is the long home straight, with the finish line a long way from the final corner. This means that the rider who exits the final corner first, is often not the one to take the race win as riders have a chance to take advantage of each others slipstreams.

So it was on this occasion, with Sasaki leading out of turn 16 onto the straight and Masaki on his back wheel. They were so close as they approached the line that they actually touched, and in fact were overtaken by both Kunimine and Chantra, who seemed to come from nowhere, to knock Sasaki down to third.

Despite missing out on the race win, Ayumu Sasaki remains the leader of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup after Race 3 of the scheduled 12. The Japanese rider has a lead of 10 and 11 points respectively over Atiratphuvapat and Chantra.

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2021 Aprilia RS 660 price revealed in Europe – RM54,000

The highly anticipated 2021 Aprilia RS 660 has been officially unveiled for the European market together with its full specs and price tag. Those living in that continent can book one of your very own at €11,050, which is around RM54,000 in our currency. Not bad at all, eh?

How did Aprilia manage to come up with such an impressive price tag for the 2021 Aprilia RS 660? It’s a tough task to carry out as the 100hp sports bike comes with a number of features available from its top-of-the-line superbike or ‘halo bike’, the RSV4.

Focused on delivering a more exciting riding pleasure into the rider’s everyday life, the RS 660 comes fitted with 659cc twin-cylinder engine (parallel-twin) that produces a very respectable 100hp at 10,500rpm and 67Nm at 8,500rpm. This is further amplified thanks to its dry weight of only 169kg.

Controlling all this power was tasked to its Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) electronics suite which consists of an advanced inertial six-axis navigation system that’s similar to the one found on the RSV4. Within the APRC includes traction control, wheelie control, quickshifter, cruise control, engine braking and mapping plus adjustable ABS.

Other features include:

Ride-by-Wire engine management
Six-speed manual transmission with Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) up and down
Five riding modes (Road and Track, 3 fixed and 2 customisable)
Front KYB 41mm stanchion fork (preload & rebound adjustable)
Rear aluminium asymmetric swingarm with adjustable monoshock
Dual 320mm front disc brakes with Brembo radial calipers
Single 220mm rear disc + more

We know that Aprilia Malaysia will be bringing the 2021 Aprilia RS 660 into the market as they’ve stated before the COVID-19 pandemic. We can also expect the price to be hiked up to over the RM70,000 mark thanks to import duties and taxes but we’ll just have to wait for its arrival. For now, you can just plan of which colour you want, Lava Red, Apex Black, or the newly introduced Acid Gold.
Written by: Sep Irran
Aprilia three-wheeler wants to fight Yamaha’s Niken?

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Chinese-Made Mitt 530TT Adventure Motorcycle To Debut In Europe

Mitt is a Spanish motorcycle company that offers affordable, entry-level machines for young and new riders, mainly in Spain and Portugal.

Mitt to offer the 530TT Adventure motorcycle in Europe by 2023.
The 530TT is the biggest and most powerful motorcycle from the company’s portfolio.

The company can retain its affordable price tag by manufacturing its product in China via Zongshen.
Thanks to its Chinese partnership, Mitt is ready to take it up a notch by introducing the 530TT Adventure motorcycle for the European market.

The 530TT Adventure is the biggest and most powerful model in the brand’s lineup so far, featuring a 476cc parallel-twin engine that makes 47.5hp and 43Nm.
That said, the 530TT Adventure will go head-to-head with the Honda CB500X and Benelli TRK502X. However, it remains to be seen if the 530TT Adventure will feature the typical 180-crank or the modern 270-crank.

Similar to its competitor, the Mitt 530TT Adventure also features a straightforward setup, including a simple ABS, adjustable inverted front forks and adjustable monoshock at the rear.
Completing the adventure looks is a pair of wire-spoked wheels shod with dual-purpose tires.

Other notable features include:

LED lighting
adjustable windshield
full-colour TFT instrument display
crash guard
radiator guard

The Mitt 530TT Adventure will be available in Europe by 2023 and is priced at EUR 7,905 (RM37.1k).
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Honda CBR750RR In The Works?

Honda recent introduction of the CB750 Hornet seems to be doing well particularly among motorcycle journalist who managed to get a taste of the bike.

Honda CB750 Hornet is the latest bike to features Honda’s newest parallel-twin mill.
The Hornet could spawn a fully-faired CBR750RR.

The Hornet is the second machine to be equipped with Honda’s latest parallel-twin 750cc mill after the XL750 Transalp. With that in mind, could the new platform make a good sportbike? Well, according to credible European and Japanese publication, that seems to be the case.
Moreover, looking at Honda’s tendency to introduce a fully-faired machine alongside a naked bike, the idea doesn’t seem far-fetched.

Also, with the market currently shifting towards middleweight sportsbike like the Aprilia RS660 and Yamaha YZF-R7, it is likely that Honda plans to take on the same route.
After all, the 750 mill is impressive as it is capable of cranking 91hp and 70Nm.
At the same time, Honda could easily make use of the Hornet’s lightweight frame as well as the adjustable inverted Showa forks for the fully-faired version.
Design wise, we expect that the 750RR to follow the same design language as the CBR500R and CBR650R.
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Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia launches Four New Motorcycles for 2017 – From RM63,900

Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia has finally brought in four new motorcycles for 2017; Triumph Bonneville Bobber, the Street Scrambler, the Bonneville T100/T100 Black and also the highly-anticipated Street Triple RS roadster.
The four new bikes from Triumph are priced from RM63,900 to RM75,900
All new 2017 bikes are readily available for booking at the Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia’s Petaling Jaya flagship store and other authorised dealers nationwide.

Brace yourselves, Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia has finally confirmed that all four new bikes of 2017 are available for viewing and booking at all of the authorised Triumph Motorcycle dealers across Malaysia.

These four new bikes are none other than the super sexy Triumph Bonneville Bobber, Street Scrambler, T100 or T100 Black and of course, the top-of-the-range Street Triple RS. Following the global introduction of these new 2017 Triumph machineries, Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd were quick in getting all them to our shores.
2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber

Being the modern classic experts that they are, Triumph literally shook the motorcycling world while simultaneously took people’s breaths away when they introduced the Bobber to the world. This thing of beauty looks as simple as it is sophisticated.

The minimalistic principles showcase muscular essence of what a genuine Bobber should look and feel like especially with its clean lines, low stance, single seat, wide flat bars, minimal bodywork and headlight, sculpted tank, wire spoke wheels, with wide rear wheel and that all important hard tail look.

Riding on a 1,200cc high-torque parallel-twin as found in the Bonneville T120 and T120 Black, the maximum power output is 76hp at 6,100rpm and 106Nm of torque at 4,000rpm for better low end performance. The engine also has liquid-cooling and multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection.

Adding a technological edge into the mix, the Bobber also features switchable riding modes for Road and Rain, traction control, ABS, LCD multi-functional instrument pack and also a torque-assist clutch system.

Feel like adding your own personal touch to make that Bobber even more special and unique? According to Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd’s Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Razak Al-Malique Hussain, “Perhaps the best part is that the new Bobber has been designed with customizing in mind, and that there are over 150 accessories available for more style, comfort, and performance.”

There are four colours available for the Bobber; Ironstone (with a matte finish), Morello Red, Stunning Competition Green and Frozen Silver, and Jet Black. Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia has set the all-new Bonneville Bobber between RM74,900 to RM75,900 (basic prices with GST).
2017 Triumph Street Scrambler

Looking for a scrambler with twist? Look no further than the 2017 Triumph Street Scrambler. Based on the Street Twin’s latest 900cc parallel twin engine with liquid-cooling, the new Street Scrambler produces 54hp upon reaching 6,000rpm and 80Nm of torque at 2,850rpm.

The unique tubular steel cradle frame with twin sided tubular swingarm is garnished with KYB’s 41mm front forks and twin shocks at the back. Stopping power comes in a package of all-round Nissin’s dual-piston floating calipers attached to its front 310mm and rear 255mm disc brakes.

Feel like a little bit of off-roading? The Street Scrambler rolls on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke wheels, wrapped with Metzeler Tourance dual-sport tires. Together with modern electronic assistance such as ABS and switchable traction control, we’re confident that the new Street Scrambler will be a lot of fun to ride on and off the road.

There’s also the LCD instrument panel which clearly indicates the speed, rpm, gear positions, fuel level, traction control settings and many more. “Following the trends and demands of today’s riders, the Street Scrambler was designed to be ready for customization, and Triumph Motorcycles will offer more than 150 accessories for the Street Scrambler that will accentuate its off-road character and everyday usability,” said Razak Al-Malique.

Like the Bobber, there are also four colours available for the new Street Scrambler; Jet Black, Matte Khaki Green and Korosi Red, and Frozen Silver. Prices start from RM65,900 to RM67,900 (basic prices with GST), depending on colour scheme.
2017 Triumph Bonneville T100/T100 Black

Searching for that “no muss, no fuss” kind of motorcycle? Trying to find something that’s pure and classic? Triumph has got you covered with the Bonneville T100 and T100 Black; a combination between the characteristics of the Street Twin and styling of the T120.

Powering the new T100/T100 Black is the liquid-cooled, eight-valve, 270-degree crank, 900cc High Torque parallel twin power plant. Both variants produce 54hp at 5,900rpm and 80Nm of torque at 3,230rpm.

Inspired by the iconic 1959 Bonneville with its classically sculpted tank, detailed engine plate, twin gauges and spoke wheels, the new T100 range also has ABS, traction control, Ride-by-Wire, Immobiliser and a USB power socket to help charge your gadgets and gizmos while cruising down the road.

The combination of brushed aluminium covers, bolt-on Triumph badges unique to these two models and an abundance of chrome on the mirrors, fender stays, handlebars and headlight bezel, the T100 range is as original as it gets.

The new T100 comes in three classically inspired paint schemes: Aegean Blue and Fusion White with hand painted coach lines, Intense Orange and New England White with hand painted coach lines, as well as Jet Black.

Feeling a bit on the ‘dark’ side? Embrace the darkness (in a very good way) with The T100 Black. Showcasing  blacked-out engine covers, peashooter exhausts and wheel rims, the T100 Black is available in gloss Jet Black or Matte Black bodywork.

Pricing for the new T100/T100 Black are from RM63,900 to RM65,900 (basic prices with GST), depending on colour scheme.
2017 Triumph Street Triple RS

To those of you who are in the know, the new Street Triple range has more variety that will fit any rider of any nature, skill or desire. The Speed Triple RS sits at the very top will all of the best goodies pushing the performance to the limit.

As the Street Triple with the highest horsepower, the liquid-cooled, 765cc, 12-valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder complete with a Ride-By-Wire system churns out a whopping 121.2hp at a spine-tingling 11,700rpm and 77Nm of torque at 10,800rpm.

Matted together with the aluminium beam twin spar frame, it’s further enhanced with fully adjustable Showa big piston fork front suspension and Öhlins fully-adjustable piggyback reservoir for the rear.

There are five selectable riding modes; Sport, Road, Rain, Rider and Track. Fun factor is elevated with Triumph’s quickshifter and slipper clutch thrown into the RS package as well. Going fast means that a good brake package is needed.

The RS has one the best Brembo M50 monobloc brake calipers manning the front twin 310mm floating discs and Brembo MCS span and ratio-adjustable lever, radial master cylinder complimenting the rear single 220mm fixed disc together with a switchable ABS system that can be customised according to the rider’s skill and preferences.

The Street Triple RS is the flagship of Triumph Motorcycle’s new third-generation Street Triple line-up, which includes the lower-spec ‘S’ and ‘R’ variants. The two other Street Triple variants will follow at a later date in Malaysia.

There’s also  the all-new 5.0-inch TFT screen that is customizable and informative. This TFT instrument cluster will also be seen on the R models of the Street Triple but not the other two lower end models. For those who are interested in the R or S variants, they will be available on a later this year.

Fancy your very own 765cc Speed Triple RS? You can get your hands on one at a very reasonable RM66,900 (basic price with GST). There are only two colours available for the RS; Matt Silver Ice and Phantom Black colour schemes.
For more information, visit any of the Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia nationwide or visit their official website for more details.

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Lino Dainese retains small share despite recent Carlyle Group buyout

Lino Dainese keeps a small share of the brand he founded which is now owned by Carlyle Group.

Lino Dainese confirms he keeps a “small share” in the Dainese despite recent buyout.

Dainese, along with the AGV and TCX brands its owns, was recently acquired by US-based Carlyle Group.

Despite main brand’s change of ownership, Lino will still run his D-Air Lab start-up separately.

Lino retains 75% ownership of said start-up, with the remaining 25% taken up by Carlyle Group.

Italian motorcycle apparels giant Dainese recently changed hands for a whopping €630 million – over RM2.9 billion. The brand, which also owns helmet makers AGV and boot-makers TCX, is now under the ownership of American private equity firm Carlyle Group.
With the ownership transfer, questions have risen as to where brand founder Lino Dainese fits in. That has been answered recently as Lino confirmed with sources online that he still retains a small share of the brand he founded, though the exact amount and figure remains undisclosed.
While Lino remains a part of the company that bears his name, the Italian entrepreneur also founded the D-Air Lab as a separate entity back in 2015. As a result, Lino will also hold on to his majority share of said tech startup, with the 25% holding taken up by the Carlyle Group following their acquisition of the main Dainese brand from previous stakeholders Investcorp.
“We will meet with Carlyle in the coming weeks to understand how to best collaborate. We are working on the search for human protection, but we have certainly not neglected the bike, we have many patents,” confirmed Lino as he spoke to Italian two-wheeled portal Moto.it regarding the matter.

In recent years, both brands have successfully integrated the groundbreaking D-Air airbag technology into countless Dainese products – the D-Air Smart Jacket and the D-Air Racing Airbag comes to mind. Hopefully, both Lino and the Carlyle Group can come to a mutually beneficial agreement that pushes their products forward whilst also retaining said Italian entrepreneur’s renowned spirit for innovation.
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Modenas Mobile Service now Available for Customers Nationwide

Modenas has launched their first ever Modenas mobile service for all Modenas motorcycle owners

The mobile service is available nationwide within 30km of the five official service centres

Customers can opt for this service for any repairs, breakdowns and even door-to-door service

National motorcycle manufacturer, Modenas (Syarikat Motorsikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd or National Motorcycle and Engine Company) has launched its first ever ‘Mobile Service’ for all Modenas motorcycle owners nationwide.
The mobile service arrangement has been set up for the sole purpose of dedicating its great after sales services to be more convenient for all current and future Modenas motorcycle and scooter owners. Those who are unable to bring their bikes over to the Modenas official service centre will benefit greatly from this latest after sales offering.

Apart from that, the mobile service also meets the demands of customers with broken down machines that requires immediate attention. According to the CEO of Modenas, Mr Amirudin Abd Kadir stated that this new service is to help support and offer assistance for the Modenas motorcycle owners.
“As a start, the service will cover a range of 30km radius from the five official Modenas Service Centres located nationwide. In addition, the owners can also book for a door-to-door service appointments as well if they’re are unable to come to the service centres themselves.”

This new service will are available on weekdays from 8am to 5.30pm. The service offers normal service package and also bikes that still under warranty. Those who want to opt for the door-to-door service, you can set up an appointment by calling their customer care line at 1-800- 880-181.

There will be an RM10 service charge imposed when customers opt for this service excluding spare parts and damages on the motorcycles. As of now, only cash payments are accepted and any spare part replacement or repairs will require consent and approval from both parties.
For further information, you can contact 1-80-880-181 or any of the Modenas official service centres at the numbers stated below:
Shah Alam (03 – 7848 3776)
Johor Bahru (07 – 236 1695)
Ipoh (05 – 249 8963)
Gurun (04 – 466 8236)
Kuantan (09 – 512 3380)
Interested in buying a Modenas motorcycle of your own? CLICK HERE to a look at our exclusive Bike Buyer’s Guide right here on Bikes Republic.
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Ducati XDiavel – Most beautiful bike of 2016?

Ducati XDiavel wins world’s oldest prize dedicated to design excellence.
It wouldn’t be too far fetched to say that the Ducati XDiavel is the best looking bike of 2016, there were very few bikes that awed us as much as the XDiavel did.

Ducati’s first ever “power cruiser” has proven to be a stand-out in international Design competitions, having already bagged the prestigious European “Red Dot Award 2016”. The XDiavel has now picked up another award from the “Good Design Award 2016”.
The Good Design Award was established in 1950 and is the world’s oldest prize dedicated to the most innovative and cutting-edge industrial products and graphic designs produced around the world. For the 2016 edition of the Good Design Award, the jury evaluated over 900 candidates from 46 countries. The products evaluated ranged from electronics to robotics, from furnishing to graphics and vehicles.

In the vehicles category, the XDiavel won thanks to its unique silhouette, one that is recognised as a style, innovation and performance icon.
Hailed by Ducati as a true “Technocruiser”, the XDiavel wasn’t just a redesign of the standard Diavel, it was meticulously redesigned down to the very last detail; combining futuristic exaltation of mechanics and state-of-the-art technology.
The Good Design Award 2016 prize-giving ceremony took place on 27 January at the New York site of the Chicago Atheneum.
The Ducati XDiavel has already been launched in Malaysia, click here for more information as well as the price of the XDiavel in Ringgit Malaysia.
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2018 Honda PCX Launched by Boon Siew Honda

Boon Siew Honda has launched the 2018 Honda PCX commuter scooter.

The new model incorporates a host of new features.

The 2018 Honda PCX is priced at RM 10,999 with 0% GST, without road tax, insurance and registration.

As promised, Boon Siew Honda has launched the 2018 Honda PCX urban commuter scooter.
The new PCX combines the luxurious feel, performance, convenience, ease of use and fuel economy of the previous model with a host of new features.
First up, the 2018 Honda PCX’s genuine good looks have been refreshed with new body panels for what Honda calls a premium, sharper and sportier look. Complementing the new appearance is a compact dual-LED headlight with integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRL). An LED taillight completes the new design.

The changes are not only skin-deep as the bike also receives an all-new and lighter steel duplex cradle frame, which results in a shorter wheelbase for improved manoeuvrability and road feedback. The suspension has also been improved and the addition of new 14-inch alloy wheels, 27o rake and 19mm trail should result in an easily controllable ride.
Hydraulically damped, telescopic forks support the front, while dual coil-over shocks suspend the rear and swing-mount drive unit.

The seat is a low 764 mm and the narrow waist gives easy ground access for manoeuvring at parking speeds.
No scooter will be complete without ample storage space. As such, there is a 25-litre underseat storage compartment. Not only that, the seat is propped up by a spring-loaded hinge to ease access. The compartment can accommodate a full-face helmet. There is also a glove box at the front which includes a 12-volt adaptor for charging electronic devices.

In keeping with the times, Honda has also given the new PCX a fully digital instrument panel. It displays every data a rider requires such as speedometer, digital clock, odometer, Idling Stop System indicator, oil change (service) reminder, fuel gauge and fuel consumption indicator.

Speaking of fuel consumption, it was the Honda PCX which set the bar on fuel economy. Firstly, the PGM-FI electronic fuel injection system delivers accurately metered amounts of fuel for optimised performance and economy. Secondly is the Idling Stop system which made its debut on our streets in the first PCX. The fuel injection stops the engine and fuel delivery after idling for three seconds while all electrical systems are still functioning. The engine is restarted when the rider twists the throttle. Honda claims the new PCX’s fuel economy could reach 51.2 km/l with the Idling Stop system activated. You can expect a good range with the 8-litre fuel tank.

The 2018 Honda PCX is powered by a 149cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine with a bore and stroke of 57.3 mm and 57.91 mm, respectively. The engine pushes out a healthy 14.5 bhp (10.8 kW) at 8500 RPM and 13.6 Nm of torque at 6500 RPM.
The power is sent through a Honda V-Matic Dry-Type Automatic Centrifugal Clutch transmission on its way to the rear wheel. The transmission has been revised to further the range of gear ratios, hence delivering smooth acceleration and stronger acceleration from mid- to high-speed ranges, which makes it ideal for overtaking.

Also making its debut is the SMART Key System which incorporates keyless starting, anti-theft and answer-back features.

The 2018 Honda PCX is offered in the popular Pearl Metalloid White, and new Euphoria Red Metallic and Radiate Grey Metallic.

Boon Siew Honda priced at RM 10,999, with 0% GST, exclusive of road tax, insurance and registration.

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Ducati Malaysia showcased ultimate MotoGP 2018 experience

Ducati Malaysia presented Ducati fans with the ultimate MotoGP 2018 experience during the recent Malaysian GP round at Sepang last weekend.

A special meet and greet session with Ducati riders, Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, was organised at the Ducati Booth.

Over 100 Ducati owners joined the annual convoy to SIC where they witnessed historic moments like the crowning of the Moto3 and Moto2 world champions.

It was only last weekend when the Shell Malaysia MotoGP 2018 round took place at the iconic Sepang International Circuit (SIC) where fans witnessed a number of historic moments. Ducati Malaysia took part in this momentous occasion by presenting Ducati owners and fans as well as specially-invited guests for the ultimate MotoGP 2018 experience.

First and foremost, a number of lucky individuals who were the lucky enough to win Grandstand tickets to the race courtesy of Ducati Malaysia and their ‘Ride and Win’ contest thoroughly enjoyed the entire race weekend. What’s even more amazing was that Ducati Malaysia organised a very special meet and greet session on Friday with Ducati factory riders, Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo, at their gigantic booth located at SIC’s Mall Area.

The fans were greeted by the riders and enjoyed taking photos as well as getting their merchandise signed by the world-class riders. Both Lorenzo and Dovizioso also presented the winners’ trophies to the winners of the TOC Desmo Cup 2018 riders who competed in conjunction with the Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSC) 2018 which ran its course throughout the year.

Great rebates on official Ducati merchandise items were also part of the extravaganza where MotoGP enthusiasts showed their support by donning official apparels of their favourite team as well as riders. The sale was on all weekend and by Sunday, the MotoGP experience finally peaked with all the exhilirating races.

On Sunday, over 100 Ducati owners gathered at Ducati Petaling Jaya as part of their yearly voyage to watch the MotoGP races at Sepang. Owners of different and amazing Ducati machines congregated before pushing off towards SIC where they received special parking and treatment at the Shell Hillstand overlooking the infamous Turn 13 and 14 as well as the back straight.

A number of historic moments were witnessed by the fans that day where the Moto3 and Moto2 champions were finally decided. Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) was crowned the 2018 Moto3 World Champion whereas Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) took home the Moto2 crown. Bagnaia will be joining the Pramac Ducati MotoGP squad come 2019 alongside his new teammate, Jack Miller.
Moto2 2018 World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Image source: MotoGP)
Together with Andrea Dovizioso and his new teammate, Danilo Petrucci, the Ducati squad is looking to thoroughly dominate the premier class next year with their Ducati Desmosedici GP19 machines as well as their updated rider line-up. Rest assured that Ducati Malaysia will be there again in 2019 to bring you the ultimate MotoGP experience. To know more, head over to Ducati Malaysia Facebook or Instagram pages.

2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R Debuts at World Ducati Première 2019

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2020 Yamaha MT-25 launched in Malaysia – RM21,500

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) has unveiled the latest addition into its naked bike offering here in Malaysia, particularly the MT family. The latest “Master of Torque” addition comes in the form of the “Rush of Darkness”, the 2020 Yamaha MT-25.

Starting with the bike that will seriously put up a fight against other offerings in the same category, the 2020 Yamaha MT-25 is one hell of a worthy contender. Inspired from its bigger and more powerful siblings, the MT-07 and the ultra-popular MT-09, the MT-25 carries itself with a 250cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled DOHC engine that puts out around 35.5hp at 12,000rpm and 23.6Nm of torque at 10,000rpm.

The 2020 model also comes with revised bodywork and its signature dual LED headlights up front to light up your way. Just like the MT-07 and MT-09, the MT-25 sucks in all the air into the engine via air intakes mounted on both sides of its 14-litre fuel tank.

Also similar to its full-fairing brother, the YZF-R25, the Yamaha MT-25 comes with front 37mm USD forks courtesy of KYB, preload-adjustable rear shock, and an updated multi-function and compact LCD instrument. In other words, it’s a definitely a naked version of the R25. Sweet.

If you fancy owning one of these babies, HLYM has put a very competitive price tag of RM21,500 (excluding insurance, road tax & registration). Better hurry up to the closest authorised dealer if you don’t want to stay in the waiting list for too long. Two colours are up for grabs – Ice Fluo and Yamaha Blue.

For those who are looking for something that’s a little bit more budget-friendly, HLYM has your back by previewing the MT-25’s little brother, the 2020 Yamaha MT-15. This beauty is equipped with the same 155cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled SOHC engine as the very fun Yamaha YZF-R15. That’s right, this beauty comes with Yamaha’s Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technology.

In other words, the 2020 Yamaha MT-15 produces around 19hp at 10,000rpm and 14.7Nm of torque at 8,500rpm. Not bad at all for a little dude. This is further enhanced when the power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual transmission equipped with an assist/slipper clutch.

The same set of USD front forks and rear single shock unit is fitted on this MT-15’s chassis, where it all adds up to around 133kg (kerb weight). That includes filling up its 10.4-litre fuel tank to the brim. Other specs include dual disc brakes, 17-inch wheels, 110/70 and 140/70 rubbers for good measure.

HLYM has yet to announce the pricing for the new MT-15 but we will get to know about it in October this year during its official launch. To know more, head over to www.yamaha-motor.com.my or even better, the closest authorised dealer. Go, go! Faster, faster!
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