Energica to build small-capacity e-bikes in Indonesia?

Back in April, we found out that the Energica Motor Company has signed a new distribution deal in Indonesia. The partnership with Utomocorp is set to fast-track the country’s target of putting more than two million e-bikes on the road by 2025.

This is all good and well, but the current line-up of premium Energica sports and naked bikes with high price tags will unlikely hit that two-million mark in the next five years. Hence why the latest gossip pointing towards Energica to produce some small-capacity models in the near future.

Its latest partnership with Dell’Orto is said to assist the brand in coming up with the new entry-level models, which hopes to be just as exciting as well as affordable. Their work has helped the development of the E-Power engine, which is meant for urban mobility, mainly scooters and mid-range bikes that can cover a significant distance.

Indonesia might just be the first market in Asia to sell these new electric bikes ranging from 2.5kW to 15kW, which is below the 20hp mark. This is more than enough for daily travels, including highway stints like the many examples we have here in Malaysia.
If this goes according to plan, it won’t be long before we see the Energica brand here on our shores as well.
PROMO: Buy the Ducati Panigale V2, get this RM28,000 Akrapovic exhaust!

Written by: Sep Irran
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Modclass Speedway introduces modern classics to SIC!

The very first Modclass Speedway track day session was held at the Sepang International Circuit.

Around 20 modern classic bike owners took their machines for some fun time around the track.

The Modclass Speedway was organised by Tiga Moto and supported by Moto Guzzi Malaysia.

When was the last time you witness a group of modern classic bikes tearing it up in the track? It is certainly a rare occasion and earlier today, the Modclass Speedway organised the very first outing for some enthusiastic modern classic bike owners around the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Organised by Tiga Moto and supported by Moto Guzzi Malaysia, almost 20 bikes consisting of bikes from the likes of Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, Ducati, BMW Motorrad, Suzuki, and Kawasaki was lead by a beautiful Moto Guzzi V7 Racer ridden by Moto Guzzi Malaysia’s very own Head of Aftersales, Idon Pang.

Most of you know that the current home of Moto Guzzi Malaysia is The Gasket Alley, Petaling Jaya. Along this alley which houses some very fine establishments, Tiga Supply Company resides ride in the middle of the alley.

Apart from selling some fine-looking riding gears and a number of clothing lines, Tiga Moto is also known for organising, hosting, and curating some amazing get-togethers including the Museumoto classic bikes exhibition at the recent Ram Jam Festival 2018 and the Ducati Streetfighter Malaysia Owners Community Iftar Gathering 2018.

Speaking to the main man of Tiga Moto simply known as Joe, Tiga Moto has big plans for the modern classic and vintage bike community here in the country. Their very first track day already attracted quite a number of owners and they’re hoping that their second one (which will be in December if all goes well) will round up a much bigger crowd of excited individuals for a great riding experience around the circuit.

What their ultimate goal from all this? Let’s just say that if the turn-up is better than expected this year, we might just witness Malaysia’s very first ‘modern classic cup’ organised at SIC in 2019! Some countries in Europe are known to race modern classic machines in multiple events and it is definitely an interesting prospect to see if this materialises here in Malaysia.

So, calling all modern classic bike owners! If you are interested to be a part of this, swing on by to the Tiga Supply Company located at the Gasket Alley and talk to the folks there to get more info. FYI, they’ll also be hosting their very own little chapter of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on 30 September 2018. To know more, head over to www.facebook.com/tigasupplycompany.

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Tested: Indian Scout

The Scout was designed to take on the Harley-Davidson Sportster and others in its class, and it does a stylishly good job too. Though whether or not it does a better job than the Sportster is still debatable.
Unlike some manufacturers that try too hard to take on Harley-Davidson, does not over do the chrome and bling.
To steal customers away from Harley-Davidson, Indian had to make a better bike, and that almost always starts with a grand engine, and boy what a grand engine it has.

Ask anyone about the first American cruiser that comes to mind and Indian will likely not be the first image in their heads. Though the brand is amongst the oldest in the world and one of a few with a history as colourful as Harley-Davidson, but the brand had all but disappeared off the Malaysian radar, until it re-emerged locally a few years ago thanks to importer and distributor, Naza.

Indian makes great motorcycles. They have perfected the cruiser recipe with a touch of smoothness, style and power. Take this Indian Scout for example, it was designed to take on the Harley-Davidson Sportster and others in its class, and it does a stylishly good job too. Though whether or not it does a better job than the Sportster is still debatable.

It has the right design and the right size for a bobber-ish cruiser. It also has the old school wheel size and style. And unlike some manufacturers that try too hard to take on Harley-Davidson, does not over do the chrome and bling. The latter being a really good thing, lets leave the chrome and bling to the big boys with their Road Glides and Chief Specials.

It looks about the same size as a Sportster 1200 but has a 32mm longer wheelbase, has a 83mm shorter seat, is slightly taller with 30mm more ground clearance and is 14 kg’s lighter than the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200.

It roughly rides about the same as a Sportster 1200 does too, and this comes from a owner of a 2014 Sportster 48. It may be shorter, lighter and yadi yadi yada, but Sportster owners will feel right at home on the Scout – it is familiar territory.

The footpegs are forward set and the seat, though gorgeous to look at in all its brown leather glory, isn’t particularly comfortable and gives a sore bum after about 100km. But it scores top points in visual appeal, and truly complements the bike’s gun metal grey colour.

To steal customers away from Harley-Davidson, Indian had to make a better bike, and that almost always starts with a grand engine, and boy what a grand engine it has.

The engine is a 1,130cc, liquid cooled v-twin that gives out 100hp and 97.7Nm of torque from 5,900rpm. Though slightly smaller than the 1,202cc engine of the Harley-Davidson, the Scout has just a little more torque (H-D does not disclose horsepower figures), but because the H-D offers all of its torque from just 3,500rpm, it feels more powerful. The Scout however has a lower lean angle of 31 degrees while the H-D only does 26 degrees. Naturally the Scout feels sportier than the Sportster, which feels more like a cruiser than the Scout.

And so, the bike from Spirit Lake, though quite a nice bike to ride, did not impress me all that much though. It was too small for my size and though my 48 is about the same size, I am in love with the raw character of the Harley, and speaking of engines, keeping the Indian at a constant boiling point can be a little tiring for a cruiser, low end torque is always King.

Generally, I liked the fit and finish of the Scout as it has a mix of Americana with the quality of a Japanese bike, but at RM114,800, it is quite pricey. It will be tough making a case for the Scout at the local mamak table when everyone else asks why you would rather buy a Scout over, say, a Sportster 1200, or even a BMW RnineT. All the best justifying that.

But if you want a cruiser but not a Harley-Davidson and want some heritage to boast about during weekend rides, the Indian Scout is the bike you want. Pricey it might be, but it has all of the appeal of a Harley-Davidson plus a livelier engine if you are the type that likes to work for your pleasure. There is also lots of metal parts and bullish power.
It is also an easy bike for beginners to start on as well, but hey, don’t just take my word for it, Naza has a Scout for you to test ride, so give them a call at 0162293123 if you want to give it a try. And don’t worry about the softish exhaust note, there is nothing aftermarket pipes can’t fix.
Find out more about this bike and other Indian motorcycles here!

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Cardo Latest Update Allows Cross-Brand Connectivity

Leading wireless communication systems provider, Cardo Systems, has unveiled a groundbreaking software update that allows seamless connectivity between their Bluetooth units and non-Cardo devices.

The company’s commitment to industry-wide Bluetooth standardization and bringing riders together has resulted in this game-changing innovation.
The new update was boosted by the introduction of Cardo’s Open Bluetooth Intercom.

The development of this software update was inspired by the launch of Open Bluetooth Intercom (OBi), prompting Cardo Systems to commission an independent international study. The study revealed that consumers desired a simple and intuitive process to communicate with fellow riders who use different communicator brands.
Despite Cardo Systems already offering cross-brand connectivity through the OBi standard and championing its leading Mesh technology, the company’s developers rose to the challenge of expanding compatibility with even more brands.

Dan Emodi, Chief Marketing Officer at Cardo Systems, emphasized the importance of customer feedback in driving this update.
“In a recent survey conducted with motorcycle communicator users across the globe, intercom connectivity with other brands was one of the most popular suggestions to improve their communication experience.
“With this update, we’re able to offer more independence for our users and friends using devices from other major brands, providing greater choice, freedom, and flexibility,” he said.
The software update, available via a simple Over-The-Air download, enables Bluetooth connectivity between current 2023 Cardo devices (excluding the PACKTALK SLIM) and devices from Sena, Midland, and Uclear.
Users can enjoy a seamless experience, similar to using the same intercom brand, without the usual complexities of pairing. This eliminates frustrations such as losing phone connections or sacrificing the ability to receive phone calls and navigation instructions. The only unsupported feature in this cross-brand connection is music sharing, which is also not supported between different generations of Cardo products.

To activate the functionality, Cardo users can download the latest software version directly from their Cardo Connect app with a simple Over-The-Air update—no cables required. As new versions and upgrades become available, the Cardo Connect app will automatically prompt users to install them.
Cardo Systems’ commitment to enhancing the communication experience for powersports riders sets a new standard in the industry. By enabling seamless connectivity with a wide range of communicator brands, the company is empowering riders with greater flexibility and convenience on the road.
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WATCH: Dubai Police Force Hover Bike Crash

The Dubai Police Force hover bike is undergoing trails.

But this one hit trouble and crashed.

Thankfully the pilot got away unhurt.

The Dubai made headlines when they announced the purchase a batch of hover bikes. But what many feared had come through in this crash video of the Dubai Police Force Hover bike.
The video shows personnel carrying out field tests of the Hoversurf contraption, which resembles a large man-carrying drone.
He first took off straight up, before punching the machine forward aggressively as if to simulate a pursuit. He let go of his right hand for some reason, looking more like a rodeo rider as the hover bike struggled to stabilize. According to other media sources, he was trying to signal that he was in trouble to the ground crew.

The bike then started losing altitude at a hurry and smashed tail-first onto the ground. The rider rolled away quickly from the machine, thankfully.
One other fear, besides falling from great heights, are the open rotors that spin at thousands of RPM. But they seemed to have broken in the crash. They are made of carbon fibre, by the way, and those things are stiff, unless the Hoversurf is equipped with a system to stop or release them during impact.

The Dubai Police Force purchased the Hoversuf at US$ 150,000 a pop for the intention of patrolling the city. A charge could last for 25 minutes at 70 km/h. The machine could be piloted by a human or via remote control.
Video from Videokings YouTube Channel
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Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki And Suzuki To Remove Up To 20 Models By End Of The Year

Japan’s impending emission regulations will trigger a major overhaul for the country’s Big Four motorcycle brand.

Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki will eliminate 10% from existing models.
the Big Four set to electrify its current line up by 2040 (Honda) and 2050 (Yamaha).

Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki are set to discontinue up to 20 models by the year’s end due to Japan’s updated emission regulation.
Worldwide emission regulations have forced many manufacturers to discontinue some models in recent years, with Yamaha ditching the street-legal R6 and for a track-only R6 Race, while Harley-Davidson had to remove its Evo-powered Sportster from the European market.

The trend is set to occur in Japan as the country’s emission regulations update will spell more models’ demise by the year’s end.
According to reports in Japan, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki will remove 10% out of 190 models currently offered by the country’s Big Four.
Honda will discontinue 10 out of its 80 models, with rumours circulating in the country suggesting that the iconic Gold Wing is also included on the chopping block. Honda recently axed the CB400 Super Four.

Meanwhile, Yamaha is set to retire the FJR1300 tourer, with Suzuki potentially reducing its volume by discontinuing five models, including the GSX-250R.
Despite the immense shake-up, Honda aims to recover by electrifying its lineup by 2040 with Yamaha, which shared a similar mission of zero-emission by 2050.

However, with the Big Four comprising 40% of the world’s two-wheel supply, eliminating 20 models could hugely impact the market. Not to mention, an electric motorcycle isn’t a cheaper option for the mass.
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2018 Honda Cross Cub 110 launched in Japan!

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motorcycles Japan) has officially launched the 2018 Honda Cross Cub 110.
The latest addition into the Super Cub family was introduced together with its smaller sibling, the Cross Cub 50.
No prices have been announced yet but they will be available in the Japanese market by the end of February.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motorcycles Japan) has just launched the 2018 Honda Cross Cub 110 for their local market consumption. The all-new Cross Cub 110 was launched together with its smaller but still very interesting 50cc brother, the 2018 Honda Cross Cub 50.

Revealed late last year during the annual Tokyo Motor Show, Honda plans to put get the sales going by the end of the month. This particular model as you can clearly see focuses on a much more rugged appearance with obvious off-road inspirations. Not an easy feat to pull off based on the super successful Super Cub which has gained legendary status over the years.

The entire front end has been reworked by ditching the classic leg fairings with a more robust appeal thanks to the front forks and lower positioned LED headlight for a more ‘rough and tough’ facade. It’s not every day you see a 110cc cub fitted with semi-knobby tyres wrapped around 17-inch wheels which tells us that it can probably tackle minor off-road situations. Sounds fun.

The 50cc version is more or less the same with the 110 apart from its smaller engine capacity and 14-inch wheels wrapped in normal road rubbers. This suggests that the 50cc is more suited for city riding whilst maintaining that rugged appeal some of us love. Thinking about the Cross Cub 50, it might just be the perfect tool to cover crowded areas filled with small streets in most major Japanese cities.

There’s no news on the official pricing just yet or whether these babies will be made available outside of Japan. One thing is for sure, the Cross Cub would make a fine addition into anyone’s garage for some good quality, small capacity fun.
Malaysia’s first Honda BigWing Centre launched in Setapak!

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Honda To Revive The Dax ST125 Minimoto Soon!

Yes, folks, rumours have been swirling around in Japan that the Dax ST125 could make a return soon.
After the success of the new generation Honda Monkey 125, Honda is reviving yet another classic minimoto from its past, the Dax ST125.
Japanese-publication, Young-Machine published the first speculative render image of what the revived Dax ST125 could look like back in March 2021.
Although it’s been a year since the image was first shared, the revival could well be on its way as YM shared an updated render image of the Dax ST125.
Moreover, there is an ongoing rumour that the next-generation Honda Dax ST125 could make an appearance at the 2022 Tokyo Mobility Show, which we think is an already unofficial confirmation that the minimoto is indeed on its way.
Looking at the newly updated render photos, we are pretty sure at this point that YM is sharing the production-ready version from Honda.
From the photos, it’s clear that, unlike the Monkey that caters to a single-rider setup, the Honda Dax ST125 features a saddle that can accommodate a pillion along with pillion footpegs.
While details remain scarce, the Dax ST125 could also feature the same transmission from the Monkey.
Anyway, if the rumours are correct, Honda might have an answer to all our questions in March this year.
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Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré (2015) Test & Review

The Yamaha Super Ténéré name is considered legendary.

It stands for a tough, reliable and go-anywhere adventure bike.

This is the 2015 model, the Super Ten has electronic suspension from 2016 onwards.

At the height of the Paris-Dakar Rally from the mid-eighties to the mid-nineties, large capacity, multi-cylinder motorcycles ruled the dunes of the Sahara. What BMW started off with the R80G/S had become an arms race among the manufacturers, as their machines took to the sand dunes to duke it out against one another in order to claim the title as the champion of the world’s most grueling rally. It was the place to prove the technology and reliability of their motorcycles.

There were many historic motorcycles resulting from their success in the rally, among them was the Yamaha Ténéré.
You see, the name literally means “desert” in the Tuareg language. The Ténéré is a 400,000 km sq. region of vast sand plains, stretching from Niger into Chad. Temperatures here typically hit 50o in the summer, with a maximum annual rainfall of just 15mm (that’s the just the tip of my pinky). In other words, it’s among the harshest locations on the planet. Although the Ténéré region formed just one part of the rally, it was the toughest stage for all the competitors; there were those who either perished or got lost altogether and were never found.

During its heydays, the rally consisted of motorcycles that were little more than modified enduros. Indeed, Yamaha scored their first two Paris-Dakar wins in 1979 and 1980 on the XT600Z Ténéré ridden by Frenchmen Cyril Neveu. It was as single-cylinder enduro overbored from the XT550.

As the years rolled by, the Ténéré got physically bigger although the engine size remained the same, until 1989 when Yamaha rolled out the XTZ750 Super Ténéré (notice the model designation).
Featuring a 5 valve-per-cylinder, liquid-cooled, parallel-Twin, the XTZ750’s YZE750 race version went on to win the Dakar twice, followed by another four titles by the 850cc version.

The success at the rally branded the Yamaha Super Ténéré as one of the most iconic dual-purpose motorcycles of all time.
The present form of the bike was released in 2010, called the XT1200Z Super Ténéré or “Super Ten” as it’s fondly called. Yamaha decided to go big bore in order to compete with the successful BMW R 1200 GS, while retaining the XTZ750’s template of a comfortable, long-distance adventure-tourer.

It was a technological tour-de-force during its launch, featuring a 4 valve-per-cylinder, liquid-cooled, parallel-Twin. But the differences here are the 270o crankshaft which mimics the firing order of a 90o V-Twin (first seen on the TDM850, Yamaha calls it “crossplane,” now ubiquitous with the Yamaha brand), YCC-T (Yamaha Computer Controlled Throttle) which was Yamaha’s ride-by-wire throttle, 3-way traction control and linked ABS.

Customers loved the Super Ténéré for its comfort, long range and ability to haul luggage. The bike was given only minor updates before electronic suspension made its debut from the 2016 model year.
Tested here is the 2015 Super Ténéré, which Hong Leong Yamaha Motors Sdn. Bhd. had brought into Malaysia to grace their gallery in the HQ at Sungai Buloh.

It was incidentally the same model we rode in the 2015 GIVI Wilderness Adventure in South Africa! I’ve always been curious about the Super Ténéré’s performance on Malaysian roads and this was the great opportunity to finally ride it in earnest.

First impression: No one ever said the bike was small, but the size of that tank and front portion of the bike has always impressed me. It had the stance of that bronze bull statue outside the KLSE. Yamaha claims the Super Ten’s wet weight as 261 kg.

Climbing on was surprisingly easy, without even having to mount it like a horse. My buddy Jeya thought me the technique on lifting tall and large bikes off the sidestand. Turn the handlebar slightly to the right, push on it while shifting your upper bodyweight over to the right. Done! That’s surprisingly easy.
Set to the lower position, I was able to tip-toe on both feet, despite the bike’s wide mid-section where the seat joined the tank. Getting going was easy too, without the sense of the bike trying to topple over.

Looking forward into the “TV screen” as the LCD instrument cluster is affectionately called, it’s chockful of information. The same screen adorns the MT-09 Tracer and provides the same data as well. As such, it was easy to familiarize oneself with the controls on the left handlebar, although I wished the switch to toggle the information is where the cruise control switch is, as I needed to push my thumb up there to flick through the menu.

Another thing I wish Yamaha would revise is the switch for traction control. The ride mode switch is on the right handlebar, but you would need to stretch all the way forward to reach the TCS button. Another gripe I have is that you can’t change riding modes and TCS levels while on the move.

Anyhow, the big amounts of torque made the bike relative easy to ride as it pulled smoothly through the gears without ever seeming to run out of steam. Up on the highway, the Super Ténéré is predictably fast without feeling labored. The suspension was commendably comfortable at sane speeds but the front went light at (much) higher speeds. This was especially noticeable when trying to steer the bike into corners at speeds above the speed limit. That’s attributable to the rear-weight bias of the bike, as the handlebar sweeps backwards putting the rider in a very upright riding position. As such, the weight remains between the arms and it never goes away for a small-sized rider like me.

But riding in that position is positive over long distances. The screen may seem small, but it deflected wind off your face and torso. The seat was wide and deeply padded.

However, I appreciated Yamaha eliminating “shaft jacking.” The rear end of a high torque shaft-driven motorcycle has the tendency to rise when accelerating but it wasn’t perceptible on the Super Ten. However, you would need to remember to enter corners as smoothly as possible, and usually in one gear higher to avoid the abrupt back torque. Done right, at the correct speed, the bike sweeps through long corners like a battleship cutting through the waves.

We had the opportunity to ride the Super Ten on a dirt road when we covered the Rimba Raid. Ridden at crawling speeds and rider standing up on the footpegs, the bike was planted, despite being shod with Bridgestone Battle Wing road-biased adventure tyres.

The engine’s torque meant that you could leave it second gear and you only need to slip the clutch without opening the throttle. Makes your work much easier when riding down a light offroad trail.

In conclusion, we do like this XT1200Z Super Ténéré. Although there’s nothing really “unfortunate” about it, and this being a 2015 model, it felt a little dated compared to the other big bore adventure bikes in the market these days. In its own right, however, it’s still a great bike to ride. The niggles we mentioned were just that: “niggles,” not complaints. It would be interesting if we could sample the latest XT1200Z Super Ténéré ES, “ES” being for “Electronic Suspension.”

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 8-valves, parallel-Twin, 270o crank

Compression ratio
11.0 : 1

Bore X Stroke
98.0 mm X 79.5 mm

Displacement
1199 cc

Fuel system
Electronic fuel injection with YCC-T

Maximum power
110 bhp (82.4 kW) @ 7250 RPM

Maximum torque
117 Nm (86.3 ft.-lbs.) @ 6000 RPM

TRANSMISSION

Clutch
Wet, multi-plate clutch

Gearbox
6-speed

CHASSIS

Front suspension
43mm USD forks (BPF), adjustable for preload, compression damping and rebound damping, 190 mm travel

Rear suspension
Monoshock, adjustable for preload and rebound damping, 190 mm travel

Front brakes
Dual 310 mm discs

Rear brake
Single 282 mm disc

ABS
ABS and Unified Brake System

Front tyre
110/80-R19

Rear tyre
150/70-ZR17

FRAME & DIMENSIONS

Frame
Steel tube backbone

Swingarm
Two-sided

Trail
126.0 mm

Rake
28 degrees

Wheelbase
1540 mm

Seat height
845/870 mm

Dry weight
261 kg

Fuel capacity
23 litres

PICTURE GALLERY

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Moto Guzzi Malaysia Launches Hari Raya Promotion

Moto Guzzi Malaysia aims to brighten up your Hari Raya Puasa.

They will soon launch the Moto Guzzi Hari Raya Promo.

The promotion runs from 21st May to 17th July 2018.

It is now the best opportunity to ride a new Moto Guzzi home for Hari Raya Puasa, as Moto Guzzi Malaysia has launched their “Hari Raya Promo”.

The promotion period is from 21st May 2018 To 17th July 2018. Owners who purchase their new Moto Guzzis may choose from one of three ‘Duit Raya” options:

Inclusive Insurance, registration and road tax.
Free 3 years or 30,000 km (whichever comes first) service and maintenance.
Parts and accessories combo.

Selecting any of the three options means that one will save lots of money which could be used to celebrate Hari Raya with a peace of mind.
Existing Moto Guzzi owners also enjoy the benefits of the of the Hari Raya Service Campaign. Please click on the link below for more information.
Hari Raya Special!: GB Workshop Service Campaign

In addition to the promotion, it’s also the best time to get a Moto Guzzi as prices are to be reduced due to GST being set to 0%, making the bikes even more attractively priced. Please click on the link below for more details.
Moto Guzzi Malaysia Publishes Prices with 0% GST

Furthermore, Moto Guzzi Malaysia has a fully equipped and operational workshop which is stocked with spare parts. Moto Guzzi Malaysia has also secured the services of Idon Pang as Head of Aftersales to oversee the workshop’s operations. He is well-known among the Piaggio brand circle as the go-to-guy for any technical matters. Please click on the link below for more details.
Moto Guzzi Malaysia Welcomes Idon Pang as Head of Aftersales

Please refer to Moto Guzzi Malaysia’s official Facebook page or visit them to test ride the latest Moto Guzzi.

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Singapore To Completely Ban Old Motorcycle By 2028

Enthusiasts Eddy Neo (L) and John Han (R) with vintage motorcycles owned by a group of Singapore enthusiasts on April 12, 2018. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY

Singapore will introduce a stricter emission regulation starting from April 1 2023, in an effort to reduce air pollution.
According to Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA), every motorcycle registered before July 1 2003, is affected.
“These motorcycles can continue to be used until June 30 2028, as long as they meet the tightened in-use emission standards,” said NEA in a statement.
The new ruling also applies to every foreign motorcycle.
“This is similar to current rules requiring foreign motorcycles to adhere to the same exhaust noise limit as local motorcycles and not to emit any smoke or visible vapour,” explained the agency.
However, motorcycle registered after July 1 is covered by the new regulations.
Nonetheless, every motorcycle registered before July 1 2003, will be banned from the road starting July 1 2028.
Meanwhile, the Singaporean government offers SGD3,500 (RM10,800) for owners who de-register their old motorcycle earlier.
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Schuberth Unveils New C5 Carbon Modular Helmet – RM7.4k

German helmet specialist Schuberth has announced the release of its latest flagship helmet, the C5 Carbon.

The helmet’s shell is entirely made of carbon fiber, making it 200 grams lighter than the standard version.
Shuberth plans to release only a limited number of the C5 each year.

The C5 Carbon is packed with cutting-edge technology, created by experts from the Schuberth Performance division who specialize in Formula 1 helmets. The helmet has dual P/J certification and satisfies the latest ECE 22.06 standard, making it suitable for both full-face and open-face riding while meeting safety standards.

Schuberth’s C5 Carbon is designed with multiple layers of laminated carbon, similar to F1 helmets. That said the helmet is durable and is incredibly lightweight, making it ideal for long-distance rides.

The helmet is available in seven sizes, ranging from XS to XXXL, ensuring a comfortable and snug fit for every rider.

The premium product comes with a hefty price tag of EUR1,499 (RM7,438), reflecting the helmet’s high-quality materials, manufacturing procedures, and exclusivity.
Schuberth plans to produce a limited number of C5 Carbons every year, making it a rare and exclusive purchase for motorcycle enthusiasts.

The C5 Carbon is a highly desirable helmet for many riders, with its seal to prevent wind noise, lightweight design, and cutting-edge technology. The helmet is now available for purchase at Schuberth dealerships across Malaysia.
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BMW R18 Engine Details Revealed

The BMW R18 is heading into production and will be revealed in 2020.

BMW Motorrad released the technical details of the engine.

At 1802cc, it’s the largest Boxer engine.

The BMW R18 is now heading into production and will be fully revealed in 2020.
While the running prototypes look great, it’s the engine that proves to be the biggest intrigue. That’s because at 1802cc, it’s the largest Boxer (horizontally opposed-twin) ever made, consequently how will BMW contain all that heft and make it work.
Wonder no more because BMW has released the technical specs.

First and foremost, the engine produces 91 bhp at 4,750 RPM and 158 Nm of torque at 3,000 RPM. Although oversquare in architecture with 107.1 mm x 100 mm bore and stroke, BMW claims that more than 150 Nm of that torque is already available from 2,000 to 4,000 RPM meaning that it’s made for cruising, not high-speed blasting unlike the Ducati Diavel. The cylinder bores are Nikasil coated (nickel matrix silicon carbide).
Each cylinder head houses two steels valves – one 41.2 mm intake and one 35 mm exhaust – in OHV (overhead valves) configuration. The camshafts sit higher on either side of the crankshaft and driven by a chain. The cam lobes operate the pushrods that pushe the rocker arms to open and close the valves, in turn. An OHC (overhead cam) design would make the cylinders even longer (since they’re laid down horizontally) and limiting lean angles.

With such huge pistons and conrods moving back and forth there’s bound to be vibration. BMW addressed this by bolstering the crankshaft with a central main bearing which cuts down on bending forces.

The powerplant is air and oil-cooled, as per the classic Boxers but also because liquid-cooling will add more heft. It already weighs 110.8 kg including the transmission and intake system. An oil-cooler is standard fitment.

BMW reverted to a single-disc dry clutch for the R18. It’s feature on all BMW Boxers prior to the wasser-head (liquid-cooled or “LC”) Boxer in 2012. However, the R18’s clutch is “self-reinforcing” (self-servo which compresses the clutch plate to the friction plate when running, resulting in softer clutch pull) and anti-hop (slipper clutch) functions.
But guess what? BMW offers a reverse gear option.

Apart from that, the manufacturer also revealed that the shaft final drive will be kept exposed just like the classic R-series bikes of yore.
There are many other details, of course but those above are the most common ones that most riders would like to know.
So apart from being a modern engine with classic touches, the design itself is pretty interesting. It looks really art-deco especially with that large cover up front and aerofoils on the cylinder head covers.
Photo credit MCN
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Everything you need to know about petrol

A guide to understanding petrol and how it provides power in your bikes.

Image source: revolutionfuel.com
After a couple of millions of years of heat and pressure, a pile of dead trees and plants buried deep in the earth gets broken down and transforms into crude oil. Many, many years later, a Texan comes along, pumps it out of the ground, then refines and separates the stuff down to its constituent parts. And every hundred miles or so, you fill up your bike’s tank with one of the liquids produced as a result.
The clear fluid we know of petrol is a combination of different hydrocarbons – compounds of hydrogen and carbon elements – ranging from 7 to 11 carbon atoms in length. Mostly, it’s octane (the hydrocarbon with 8 carbon atoms). Petrol contains huge potential energy – a gallon contains the equivalent of 31 million calories. That’s 63 Big Macs in food terms.
Image source: shreebykepoint.com
But this energy needs to be released. That involves mixing the petrol with air and squirting it into an engine’s combustion chamber to be ignited by the spark from the plug. The theoretically perfect mix of air:fuel, also known as the ‘stoichiometric ratio’, is 14.7:1.
Under these conditions, the hydrocarbons burn completely. Hydrogen atoms join with oxygen atoms, creating H2O (water) and all the carbon bits turn into CO2 (carbon dioxide). In practice it never happens that perfectly, thanks to the presence of other contaminants in fuel and air, but that’s the idea at least.

Before the spark plugs spark, the mix of air and fuel is compressed by the piston’s compression stroke. Cars typically run a compression ratio of about 8:1 where it squashes the gas into an eights of its volume. Bikes, on the other hand, run much higher ratios to generate more power at around 11.5:1 to 12.7:1 depending on the model.
The problem with high compression ratios is that heptane (one of the hydrocarbons found in petrol) doesn’t react well when it’s squashed. Its molecular bonds are weak, so compress it a little and it ignites spontaneously. The bonds in octane are far stronger, so it takes much more compression before it ignites. This is why ‘tuned’ engines run on high-octane petrol.

Octane Rating. What Does It Mean?
At the petrol pumps you’re often faced with two types of unleaded – regular (RON 95) or super (RON 97 or higher). RON means Research Octane Number, a measure of how resistant the fuel is to igniting under compression.
A fuel of regular RON 95 grade, such as regular unleaded, has the same resistance to compression as a mix of 95% octane and 5% heptane. Fuels of RON 100 grade and higer, on the other hand, are made by adding chemicals that are more resistant than octane.
Octane alone will not increase power. It only allows the potential for an engine to run a high compression ratio, and that’s what will increase power. Run a high-compression engine on low octane fuel and detonation occurs, which can easily destroy an engine.
Image source: blog.nulon.com.au
What Is Detonation?
Detonation – also known as knock – occurs after the spark plug has sparked. The spark starts a flame dead centre of the cylinder, which should spread out to the edges with a single flame front. But if gas at the edge of the cylinder ignites (due to high temperature or pressure) before the flame meets them, it causes multiple flame front in the cylinder. When these collide they create a sharp rise in heat and pressure.
Occasional, slight detonation isn’t a problem but constant, severe detonation will wreck an engine. Some BMW bikes with extremely high compression uses a knock-sensor. This detects frequencies in the cylinder and, if it registers those associated with knock, it will tell the engine management system. This will then retard the ignition advance (how far ahead of the piston reaching Top Dead Centre the spark plug fires).
Ignition advance is necessary because petrol takes time to burn, so igniting the mixture when the piston is already at the top of its travel is a waste of energy. As revs increase, the piston speeds up so more advance is needed. Retarding the amount of advance will reduce power but lower temperature and pressure, reducing the conditions that causes knock.

How Is Race Fuel Different?
Contrary to popular belief, race fuel isn’t super-high-octane juice. FIM regulations for MotoGP and Superbikes only allow fuels between 95 and 102 RON. They are really not a world apart from the octane of petrol we buy at the pump. In fact, race teams want to use the lowest octane fuel they can get away with, as a side effect of high octane is having slow combustion.
The big difference between race fuel and regular consumer petrol is that fuel companies work closely with race teams (such as Shell Advance with the Ducati GP team) to develop a bespoke fuel for a specific bike’s demands, which change from day to day. Regular unleaded petrol has to work in a variety of vehicles and conditions.
In other words, nicking a drum of Desmosedici fuel for your road legal steed won’t magically increase power. So stick to the manufacturer’s petrol recommendations which you’ll find in your booklet and save the extra cash for other things such as safety gear. Also, it’s safe to mix and match regular and super fuel if you want to or if you don’t have a choice.
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Govt: E-scooters banned from public roads in Malaysia

New enforcement by Ministry of Transport Malaysia sees micro-mobility vehicles including e-scooters banned from use on public roads.

E-scooters banned from use on public roads says Ministry of Transport Malaysia.

Besides e-scooters, this new ban also covers a variety of personal micro-mobility vehicles.

Bicycles and e-bicycles are exempted from this ban so as long as they meet specifications and guidelines.

Those failing to comply with this ruling will be handed a compound of RM300.

Image source: Bernama
The Ministry of Transport Malaysia have banned personal micro-mobility vehicles such as e-scooters on public roads. The announcement was made by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong earlier this afternoon.
According to reports by both The Star and FMT, this ban covers mopeds, personal mobility devices including electric scooters (e-scooters), devices with internal combustion engines or propelled by human power as well as personal mobility aids.
Wee further added that the Road Traffic (Prohibition of Use of Certain Microbility Vehicles) Rules 2021 had been enforced since Dec 17 last year. “We want to enforce this because more and more micro-mobility vehicles are being used on the road of late. This can pose a danger not just to the users but also to other road users,” he told reporters.
Press conference by Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong. Source: The Star
“The public can use these devices. But they cannot use it on public roads where these vehicles will mix with other motor vehicles and put everyone at risk,” he continued. The ban also extends to the use of certain microbility vehicles on roads in residential areas.
Effectively, the ban means members of the public can still use these devices, but not on public roads where these vehicles will mix with other motor vehicles, which will put everyone at risk.
As for electric bicycles, these are exempted from this ban specifically, but these must conform with Malaysia Standard MS2514: Electric Bicycles (electric pedal-assisted bicycles) specifications. Regular bicycles, on the other hand, are also exempted from this ban, and users must abide by regulations under the Road Transport Act and Road Traffic Rules.
Guidelines on safe use of bicycles have been issued by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), Wee said.
Offenders caught by authorities, be it police or JPJ officers, for not complying with this ban will be issued a compound of RM300.

While this is a step in the right direction, it’s surprising to note that a possible licensing scheme on e-scooters and micro-mobility vehicles as such, especially those capable of hitting 50KM/H and up, the ministry was reportedly mooting prior didn’t materialise.
Nevertheless, let’s hope this ban curbs the sight of e-scooters and micro-mobility vehicles from posing a risk to other road users and pedestrians as we’ve seen trending of late.
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Husqvarna 701 Supermoto Test & Review

The Husqvarna 701 Supermoto brings the excitement of supermoto racing to the streets.

Supermoto combines dirt riding with road racing styles, meaning a bike that’s super agile.

Riding it is the best fun one could have.

Uncle next door smiled and nodded his head. “So, what are you riding today?” as he walks closer while scanning the white, blue and yellow Husqvarna 701 Supermoto. He looks like he was leaving to meet his buddies at the coffee shop to discuss the ways on how the country should be run.

“It’s a supermoto, a Husqvarna 701 Supermoto,” I answered.
“Looks like it to a plantation for durian kampung, I suppose” he replied, obviously oblivious to what’s termed as a supermoto.
“Oh… How much is this thing?”
I told him the price and cringed as soon as I did. Because I knew what was coming next.
“WAHLAO EH! You might as well get a mini-SUV!”
“Yeah, but bikes are more fun.”
“Fun? What kind of fun?”
And that opens up the question. How does one define “fun”?

We’ve been salivating over the Husqvarna 701 Supermoto ever since it was unveiled to the public at the end of 2015. Although looks like a rebadged KTM 690 SMC R (KTM owns Husqvarna now), the bike was originally designed by Husky. It looked better in Husky’s white, blue and yellow livery, definitely.
But for 2017/2018, Husqvrna did the right thing to upgrade the engine like the one in this durian bike.

The engine is sourced not from the 690 Duke as most would believe but from the 690 SMC R

I first rode it around on the streets like I would on dirt-bikes: Gingerly. But it all changed as soon as I hit the first roundabout. But my road ridings habits took over subconsciously and I leaned into the corner. The Husky snapped over like a bicycle! I almost ran over the roundabout’s curb.
Now I let loose. For the next corner, I sat up on the outside, stuck my leg out and steered the bike. It responded immediately to the command, but the sole of my boot was still a long way from skimming the road surface.

While there are bikes on which you have to mind the throttle unless you want to discover how a Vellfire’s rear door feels like, the 701 Supermoto encourages to open up. And opening up on the throttle of the 701 Supermoto enriches your life.
That’s because the engine is incredibly smooth, regardless if you’re just trotting or on a last lap type charge. Speeds picks up quickly too but you are far from being intimidated and use it to blow away traffic like the bow waves behind a boat.

I’m sorry, did I say, “trotting”?
My bad, because the 701 Supermoto isn’t about trotting. It’s about summoning all your street, worries, grudges, and general unhappiness into one spot and blasting them away on this bike.

It’s not just about medium to long corners on the bike as you can readily chuck it into that pesky, off-camber corner at the intersection or even a decreasing radius corner, because changing lean angle is done without needing (too) much analysing.
In other words, it’s almost impossible to be a good boy on this bike. In fact, I got so guilty I handed the bike over to Sep and Oh Kah Beng for their turn of the fun.

“Man, it was so difficult to ride responsibly on this bike,” gushed Sep, “and it’s fast too. I grabbed some big throttle and it was off to more than almost twice the speed limit.”
Our MX-guru, “Foreman” Oh Kah Beng rode the bike at his Most Fun Gym facility on the standard road tyres. “We use road tyres in supermoto racing anyway,” he said.
“The Husky 701 Supermoto is just so much fun!” he exclaimed. “I could just do anything with the bike, whether it’s on the road of off.”

The fun factor also came from the engine which isn’t intimidating, which means you could ride the bike to its full potential. Sure a 160 bhp is faster but reaching its potential is often fraught with danger. The 701’s one bike which transcends the type of riding one would normally do, which needs lots of concentration. It allows you to ride any way you’d like, even sometimes pulling off impossible tricks like mad lean angles and the ability to square off any sharp corner.
In conclusion, the Husqvarna 701 Supermoto is just a wonderfully fun bike. Sure, it’s expensive but all that money is worth it.

So, how to define fun? Fun is when you don’t have to worry about the bike and riding to your heart’s content. It’s just you and the bike. Everyone else are in the weeds.
Oh Kah Beng, Sunny, William, Jack, Dato’ Eric, Dino, Marcus, Gabit, now I know why you guys are so happy all the time!
I wished Uncle Neighbour rides, because if he does, he’d ride the bike down to the coffee shop to meet his buddies and tell them what “fun” means over cups of kopi ‘o’ and half-boiled kampung eggs.
For more information, please follow Husqvarna Motorcycles Malaysia’s Facebook page, or pay them a visit at the location below.

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2020 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials CANCELLED

Image credit: garysusatour.blogspot.com

Looks like there will be no high-speed runs or records being broken at the Bonneville salt flats this year, folks. The organisers of the 2020 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials have announced that the event has been officially cancelled due to the outspread of COVID-19 in the country.
Image credit: motorcyclistonline
It’s heartbreaking news indeed as local organizer Deliciate Promotions LTT together with FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) and AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) made the joint decision to announce its official cancellation with ‘the health and well-being of our Land Speed Racing family is BMST’s top priority.’
Image credit: themotolady.com
A lot of folks have been looking forward to this year’s event at the Bonneville salt flats which was set to take place from 29 August to 3 September, purely due to the ideal conditions at its best in the past few years. Several floods and years of erosion threaten the likelihood of the event being cancelled for good, which is why a lot of effort has been put to make this year’s run a success.

With over 1.4 million infected cases and 80,000+ deaths alone in the US (highest in the world), travel restrictions have and will make it hard for participants to attend the event from all parts of the globe. On the bright side, the world seems to be somewhat healing itself to a certain degree (thanks to all the lockdowns) and we hope that conditions at the salt flats will greatly improve for 2021.
Isle of Man TT 2020 CANCELLED

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2018 Kawasaki Z900RS officially launched in Malaysia! RM67,900

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMSB) has unveiled their latest 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS.
Their latest modern-classic option is powered by the same 948cc inline-four engine found in the 2017 Kawasaki Z900 ABS.
KMSB has priced the Kawasaki Z900RS at RM69,900 for the Special Edition Orange paint scheme and RM 67,900 for Standard Edition. (basic price with GST).

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMSB) has officially unveiled their first new bike of the year which is the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS. This is Kawasaki’s first ever modern-retro bike since the Kawasaki W800 which was last manufactured in 2016 and it looks stunning for both current and old school riders alike.
Heavily inspired by the Kawasaki Z1 which was released back in 1973, the 2018 Z900RS marks “The Return of the Legend” into the 21st century. The highly-anticipated comeback was made possible with the inception of old-school styling and Team Green’s latest street riding technology. The Z1 was the fastest production motorcycle upon its introduction and was named as the “Motorcycle of the Year” by various publications for four consecutive years, hence the known as a legend.

Based on the powerful yet agile 2017 Kawasaki Z900 ABS, the Z900RS carries the same level of power and rideability but it has been made even more special thanks to its retro styling and timeless facade. The latest Z900 evolution is powered by the same 948cc four-cylinder engine found in the Z900 ABS which produces excellent low-to-mid range as well as a breathtaking top end speed.
As such, the Z900RS’s engine has been re-tuned to produce 110 bhp (82 kW) at 8500 RPM compared to 123 bhp (92 kW) at  9500 RPM. Maximum torque of 98.0 Nm is reached at 6500 RPM, compared to the Z900’s 98.6 Nm at 7700 RPM. Peak horsepower isn’t everything, instead, it’s how engine’s torque is spread out through the engine’s rev range — the 2000 RPM separation between maximum torque and horsepower is illustrative of that character.

Kawasaki has gone to great lengths to ensure that every single aspect of the Z900RS conforms to the modern-retro theme including the sound it produces. From the moment of ignition, a smooth yet powerful rumble can be heard thanks to its four-into-one double-wall exhaust pipe system specifically designed for this particular model.
As stated above, all of its stylings is heavily inspired by the Z1 from the front all the way to the rear end. The design, however, has been taken into the future with updated specifications like the multi-function LCD display neatly placed between its dual analog dials plus many more.

The modern and classic combination can also be seen from its all-around LED lights which help to further accentuate the bike’s retro appeal in this day and age. This ‘pure street’ machine comes with a fully-adjustable 41mm front upside-down fork which allows the rider to fine-tune the preload, compression and rebound for optimum riding experience.
Paired with its horizontal back-link swingarm shock absorber system, the 2018 Z900RS is said to have superb handling and rideability which rivals other major manufacturers in the market. All of these are located within the bike’s modern lightweight trellis frame that helps to provide flexibility, tactile response and seamless agility.

The braking package comes in the form of front dual disc brakes with radial-mounted calipers equipped with a radial-pump master cylinder together with a single rear unit which provide enough power to bring the Z900RS to a complete and safe stop whenever needed. They are also fitted with the latest dual-channel ABS system to further elevate the safety aspects of the new bike from Kawasaki. The Z900RS is also equipped with Kawasaki’s K-TRC traction control package as a safety net.

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia has priced the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS at RM69,900 for the Special Edition Orange paint scheme and RM 67,900 for Standard Edition (basic price with GST). To know more, head over to the Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Facebook page or any of its authorised dealers located across the country.
The Kawasaki Z900RS was launched at Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.’s Premium Dealers’ Annual Gala Dinner 2018: New Launch and Chinese New Year Gathering. The event and Z900RS were officially launched by Ybhg. Dato’ Seri Hamzah Bin Zainudin, the Minister of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-Operatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK); Encik Ahmad Faez Bin Tan Sri Yahaya, Executive Chairman, Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; Dato’ Jeffrey Lim, General Manager & Director, Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; and Mr Naoki Kawaguchi, Manager of Motorcycle & Engine Company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.

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GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 (Day Five – Part Two)

True to the GIVI Explorer spirit, we explored downtown Ho Chi Minh City after dinner.

Ho Chi Minh City is thriving with 7 to 7.5 million motorcycles.

The city’s main charm is the mix of classical and modern buildings, and rich heritage.

13th November 2017, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam – The GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 participants freshened up and boarded a bus specially chartered to transport us downtown for dinner.
GIVI did so to mercifully spare us the hassle of having to suit up again, and ride through that traffic.

Throwback to the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 in downtown Hi Chi Minh City. Bikes were everywhere. There are 7 to 7.5 million bikes to a population of 10 million. Ho Chi Minh City is *not* the capital of Vietnam, as mistakenly narrated, instead was the capital of South Vietnam, called Saigon. #TheGoldenTriangleAdventure #GIVIExplorer #Iamexplorer
Posted by Bikes | Republic on 6hb Disember 2017

A VIP had joined us by now. She was Ms. Hendrika Visenzi, daughter of GIVI’s founder, Mr. Giuseppe Visenzi (the first two letters of his name became GIVI). The Hevik sub-brand was under Ms. Visenzi’s charge (HEnrika, GIvi, Kappa). She rode with us from this point on.
Ms. Hendrika Visenzi
The local guide on the bus announced that the restaurant wasn’t far away and we had time to shop at the Takashimaya Mall nearby, before getting back together for dinner. That sounds great, maybe I could get something for family and friends back home.

As usual, it was already dark by 7pm and the roads seemed to be fully illuminated by the headlamps of the scooters and mopeds. There are 7.5 million motorcycles to HCMC’s population of 10 million.

It was explained that HCMC has a chronic parking problem, therefore the motorcycle was the perfect tool. The rich would have their drivers drop them off at their destinations and the driver would continue to drive around in circles until their bosses are done with their business. Hence if the city was a body, motorcycles are the blood cells. There were many Grab Bikes too!

It was also pointed out to us on how the bikes were parked – squished together as if they were bicycles. The owners of these motorcycles will park them inside their living rooms when they get home.

Shops lined the road, selling everything from foodstuff to house stuff.

In the meantime, mopeds kept zipping by. One fast guy swerved through everyone else and was closed to being squeezed like a bug between our bus and a car. Ronald, Enrique and myself were seated at the front and we started yelling. Man, that puckered us up real good.

Other impatient riders would hop onto the sidewalks, sometimes against the traffic.
Our guide was right, our makan place wasn’t far from the hotel, but even he miscalculated the amount of time we needed to get there.
I took us more than an hour to get to the restaurant and it was already too late to visit the mall, so we decided to foot it to dinner. Here’s another adventure: Crossing the never-ending stream called “the road.”

The trick was to see an opening, then step confidently onto the street and keep walking in a steady and predictable manner. That allowed the local riders to guesstimate where you’re headed so they could go around you. Ismadi and I said a prayer, and I almost had my eyes closed when we crossed en masse.
We made it!
We also noticed that all bikes were fully stock and most glaring of all, no bike had any luggage tacked to it (due to lack of parking space). Well, except for one scooter which carried a B32 top case! That was enough to send us all into a celebratory mood!

Dinner was at the 3T Vietnamese BBQ Restaurant on the rooftop of the Temple Club Restaurant. Superb food! I’m allergic to seafood so I hammered on the Vietnamese spring rolls and chicken all night.

A group from GIVI Vietnam had also joined us. Joseph explained that it was through these hardworking individuals that we were enjoying the exclusive line of riding gear during the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017.

Here’s a personal note to them (hope you guys are reading this): The gear were truly amazing. Both the new jacket and pants kept me cool when it was really hot. They fitted my body well and allowed lots of freedom of movement without flapping in the wind. Also, all the accessories worked. My favourites were the X-45 Fibre helmet, Hevik Lumbar Support belt, and the Technical T-shirt. Well done!

Now, where were we? Oh yes, dinner.
We went out on foot again after the thoroughly satisfying dinner and chartered every trishaw we saw at a square. Sure, we were swamped by traffic again at first, but we didn’t care by now as every GIVI Explorer was laughing and giggling like children. A few Explorers took to riding the trishaws instead of being ferried. GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 happened on three wheels, too! Hah!

It was only now that I discovered just how beautiful HCMC was! I was shooting pictures of the guys around when I spotted, first an M48 Patton tank with Vietnamese Army insignia, followed by the tail section of a Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter jet and Bell UH-1 helicopter in a compound! Being a military history buff, I asked the trishaw uncle, “Is that the museum?” He just smiled and shrugged. Then I heard, “Yes, that’s the War Museum” from behind somewhere. I looked around to see a young couple wearing surgical masks on a scooter to the left. “But it’s closed now,” said the rider in perfect English. I thanked him and they nodded. Whoa! I have to come back here!

It was during this time that it occurred to me how HCMC has thrived. HCMC, known as Saigon at the time was the capital of South Vietnam, and had been the scene of battles and bombings during the Vietnam war. Being the first “televised war,” there were many enduring images from Saigon, but perhaps the most famous was of choppers airlifting civilians from the US Embassy (Operation Frequent Wind) on 30th April 1975, which marked the Fall of Saigon and end of the war.

It’s been forty-two years since then and Vietnam, although remaining a communist country, had opened its borders to trade and tourism.
Our convoy of trishaws rounded an intersection and a large classical cathedral like those you’d find in Europe came into view. it turned out to be called Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, just like the one in France. It was built by the French in 1863 and completed in 1880.

On the other side of the street was a beautiful classical building, the Saigon Central Post Office. Completed in 1891, it was designed by the architect Gustave Eiffel, the French civil engineer who owned the firm which built the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

We stopped for a photograph session, then continued onwards past the river front of the Saigon River. Here, we saw European-styled luxury hotels, exactly like those you’d see in movies. And up the road was a large cruise ship at the Saigon River Dock. An ultra-modern skyscraper with an open-air deck shoots into the air on the opposite side.

That’s the charm of HCMC. Classical colonial buildings amidst modern buildings and modern lifestyles. We stopped at the Nguyen Hue Walking Street and continued on foot. This stretch encompasses more classical and old buildings converted to shops and hotels.

There was a concert here along the median between the lanes. The Explorers stopped for ice-cream at the foyer of The Reverie Saigon, HCMC’s most luxurious hotel. Wisnu and I spotted a brightly lit building about 500m to the north and decided to investigate.

The concert was over by now and the street was reopened to light traffic. Pretty Vietnamese ladies caught our eyes. We stopped opposite the Rex Hotel to shoot a few pictures when we spotted a Bentley Continental GT poking its nose out of a side street.

We kept walking and discussed about the ride as we hadn’t done so since this GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 first started. We were roomies during the GIVI Wilderness Adventure 2015 in South Africa. But we kept getting distracted by the Vietnamese girls. Oh yes, friends have warned us about this.

We arrived at the building. It was gorgeous, beautifully restored and maintained. It was the HCMC City Hall. We got busy photographing it when we heard the roars of sportscars. They were Ferraris and Lamborghinis and they charged down Nguyen Hue Street.

The group had finished their ice-cream and caught up with us there. They too started shooting the pictures of the City Hall. We continued walking and ended up at another prominent classic building, this time it was the Municipal Theatre of HCMC, but better known as the Saigon Opera House.

Built in 1897 by French architect Eugene Ferret, and restored in 1995, it was shaped like Opera Garnier in Paris. Right opposite was an old building, with a large “Louis Vuitton” signage on top of the entrance.

The left side of the building was boarded up as the authorities are building an underground MRT system.
From here, we took taxis back to the hotel in District 7 and called it a night. I regretted that decision as there’s so much more of HCMC to be discovered. For a few Explorers and myself who had been here the first time we vowed to return. The memory of the traffic had faded into oblivion.
Click here for Day Five (Part One) of the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017.
Click here for Day Four of the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017.
Click here for Day Three of the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017.
Click here for Day Two of the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017.
Click here for Day One of the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017.

PICTURE GALLERY

				Ms. Hendrika Visenzi

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New Suzuki GSX concept teased

Suzuki could preview next generation GSX-R model with newly-teased Suzuki GSX concept bound for this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.
  Whilst rivals Honda have already previewed a stellar line up of concepts for the upcoming 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, the mighty S-brand is also gearing itself up with at least one concept. Suzuki did not reveal much with the teaser image, but the GSX concept nameplate likely suggest that the Hamamatsu brand could preview its next generation GSX-R supersport model during the show.  The Suzuki GSX-R, better known as the ‘Gixxer’ amongst its legion of fans, has been around for sometime in its current form. An update is long overdue given the fact that its other Japanese rival Yamaha have already answered the calling with its new YZF-R1, whilst Kawasaki have confirmed plans for an improved new ZX-10R as well. The next generation Suzuki GSX-R will not come so soon though following confirmed reports that Suzuki will field a lightly updated GSX-R 1000 in the middle of next year. Our best estimate is that a brand new Suzuki GSX-R 1000 would only arrive as early as 2018. Sources: MCN / Asphaltandrubber / Visordown
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Shell Malaysia takes extra steps to make petrol stations safe

The Movement Control Order has put a halt on a lot of operations to battle the widespread of the COVIC-19 pandemic. Petrol stations are still open with limitations and Shell Malaysia wants to ensure its customers that they are taking extra steps and precautions to ensure that their petrol stations are safe and sanitized.

Petrol stations still remain a ‘high traffic area’ and with 950 Shell stations nationwide, sanitization plays a vital role in making sure that all high-touch areas are disinfected regularly. From petrol pumps, pin pads, door handles, pay windows, cashier area, and more, Shell petrol stations staff members will disinfect these areas every single hour of operation.

Food and store safety are taken to another level as only take-aways and delivery orders are allowed during the Movement Control Order. All high-touch areas near the F&B areas are also sanitized every hour to ensure that they’re clean and disinfected for other customers to use. The same goes for the Shell petrol stations’ toilets which are cleaned every hour as well.

According to Mr Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, “Safety and cleanliness of our stations are most important to us. With all the uncertainties brought about by the rapidly evolving situation around us, we want to give our customers peace of mind when they are at Shell stations. We assure Malaysians that Shell is committed to creating a clean and safe environment for customers at our stations.”

Social distancing and staff health are monitored at every shift to ensure that even Shell workers are healthy and unaffected by the pandemic. Safety is everyone’s number one priority at the moment and the same goes to the unsung heroes like Shell staff members who keep the country running during this challenging period.
Shell FuelSave RON 95 Euro 4M now available at selected stations

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Keeway-Based WMoto ES250i To Launch In Malaysia Soon?

MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd recently dropped a new teaser showing what could be an all-new maxi-scooter from WMoto making its way to Malaysia soon.
Despite no further details shared, it is now confirmed that the upcoming scooter will go by WMoto ES250i, as shown in a trademark documents leak online this week via Facebook user, Vanhoe Rage.

The trademark application was submitted to Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) on February 10, 2022.

Based on the name, it is safe to assume that the maxi-scooter will carry a 250cc engine and will go head-to-head with Yamaha XMax 250, Honda Forza 250 and Modenas Elegan 250.

Nonetheless, MForce is yet to announce the official release date for the new motorcycle.

According to reports, the WMoto ES250i will be based on the Keeway GT270 maxi-scooter launched in Thailand last year. However, the GT270 runs on a 278.2cc engine instead of 250cc.
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Turns out raising the speed limit can help slow people down…

French town discovers that the best way to keep people safe on its roads is by, ironically, raising the speed limit…

Small French town of Chapelle-sous-Geberoy solves errant speeding problem by raising its speed limit.

Raising the limit prompted the central French government to act by placing speed cameras, thus improving enforcement.

Effectively, this French town told people they can go faster, so that, in reality, they would actually go slower.

Chapelle-sous-Geberoy is a small little town that sits just north west of Paris. It reportedly found itself dealing with a familiar problem on its roads – outsiders blasting past its humble speed limit of 30KM/H. This of course led to growing concerns amongst the townsfolk, but they’ve found an unlikely solution.
Though the town enforced its 30KM/H speed limit to an extent, the use of speed cameras in such locations is really a matter of national French policy – a decision that’s not up to said town’s modest council but the bigger central French government instead.
Furthermore, because the town’s main road also doubles up as the main supply route for trucks heading to the nearby wind farm, speed bumps and other such ‘deterrent’ were not viable for safe implementation.
As a result, the 30KM/H speed limit gets frequently broken, causing much frustrated with the situation for the townsfolks. To mitigate this, said folks decided to think outside of the box to find a solution, which was to raise said speed limit to 50KM/H.
Though it sounds counter-intuitive, it’s perhaps a really smart move considering 50KM/H is the minimum speed limit required to prompt the installation of speed cameras by the larger French national government.
This, in turn, brought forth more effective enforcement with the new and raised speed limit of 50KM/H as opposed to older 30KM/H limit, and therefore people are safer too. Ingenious.
If anything, the story of Chapelle-sous-Geberoy shows a few things: big data-driven studies still forget small anomalies as such. More importantly though, the townspeople showed there remain ways to force the people who have forgotten, ignored, and overlooked you to take you into consideration.
In other words, this French town told people they can go faster, so that, in reality, they would actually go slower, thus improving its road safety predicament and mitigate errant speeders. Any chance that we’ll see this sort of out-of-the-box thinking to promote road safety here in Malaysia anytime soon?
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Yamaha opens orders for 270hp ELECTRIC motor?

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd (Japan) has announced that they’re opening orders for a range of high-performance electric motors designed specifically to power automobiles and other EV/PHEV vehicles of the future. It might look small, but Yamaha has stated that the electric motors can generate a buttload of power and we are definitely interested.

How much power? The prototypes consisting of interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSM) is able to generate between 35kW all the way up to 200kW. In horsepower, that’s around 45hp all the way up to 270hp. Now, that’s a lot of playing room for both cars and bikes, if you ask us.

This is all thanks to Yamaha’s ‘high-efficiency segment conductor and advanced casting and processing technologies’ which they’ve been developing for quite a number of years now. Production is on standby, ready and waiting for customers’ orders where Yamaha can essentially adapt to their wants and needs in between the said parameters.

While the Yamaha’s powerful electric motor is based on powering most likely four-wheelers of the future, there’s a huge potential of it making its way down to the brand’s two-wheel segment. Considering its compact size and high-power output, the possibilities are endless. Perhaps, a Yamaha YZF-R1E would a good fit? Which Yamaha model would go well with this particular electric powerplant?

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New Dainese D-Store Kuala Lumpur opens in Glenmarie, becomes first in region to offer services for D-Air race suits!

Heads up bikers, the Dainese shop had just moved from its previous location in Taman Tun Dr Ismail to a bigger showroom in Glenmarie.

In a grand launch event over the weekend, the new D-Store opened its doors to bikers with stunt shows, Lion dance and some good-ol-BBQ at the side and not forgetting a 20% storewide sale.

As mentioned the D-Store is now bigger with the type of riding gear split into two floors. On the ground floor you can find all the normal gear from touring to daily riding stuff and on the upper level is the racing gear and service centre.

The service centre is the first authorised service centre to handle Dainese’s D-Air and other Dainese racing suits outside of Europe. Which means it’s now faster, trouble free and more cost effective to be riding and protected with the Dainese D-Air suit for Malaysian bikers.

According to Dainese Malaysia, the whole Dainese product line-up is now available here including custom racing suit making service except for the winter gear logically.

Easily accessible from USJ, Subang and Shah Alam, the new D-Store is located at 23, Jalan Penguasa A U1/53A, Temasya Glenmarie, Shah Alam.
Check out the gallery below or our Facebook page for more pictures.
Dainese D-Stroke Kuala Lumpur Grand Opening
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Fancy a Suzuki GSX-R1000R in Team Classic Suzuki livery?

Team Classic Suzuki has unveiled a one-off Suzuki GSX-R1000R in their iconic livery.

The retro white and blue colour scheme exploded onto the scene when they introduced their Suzuki GSX1100SD Katana race bike.

Suzuki is currently monitoring the popularity of the colour online and if it’s popular, they might just make it into an official colour option.

Remember the epic moment when Team Classic Suzuki unveiled their super sexy Suzuki GSX1100SD Katana race bike? The bike that made its premiere in the Endurance Legends race at Donington Park last year gathered so many crowds, especially on how beautiful the colour scheme is on the beautiful beast.

This time around, Team Classic Suzuki unleashed yet another amazing piece of machinery in the form of a much more modern bike which is the Suzuki GSX-R1000R. Covered in the team’s iconic retro white and blue colour scheme with a tiny tasteful hint of red courtesy of Motul, there’s no doubt that this is one of the most alluring Gixxers we’ve seen to date.

This one-off design was made to promote the racing team but currently, the Japanese manufacturer is keeping tabs on how the public reaction would be. If the colour combination is a hit amongst the motorcycling community, Suzuki might just roll it out as an official colour scheme for a special edition!

Apart from the charming colours, this particular GSX-R1000R has been fitted with a few extra lovely bits from the official Suzuki accessory range such as:

Carbon fibre frame covers
Carbon fibre air intakes
Clutch and brake lever guards
Double-bubble race windscreen
Paddock stand bobbins
Pillion seat cowl

We love it and you should too but more importantly, Suzuki should just confirm this as one of its official colour options because it is simply stunning!

“Pelumba Malam” Suzuki GS1000E Reborn

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2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer & Desert Sled launched – RM68,899

Ducati Malaysia (Next Bike Sdn Bhd) has finally unveiled their latest Ducati Scrambler variants which are the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer & Desert Sled.
The launch was made earlier today at the Art of Speed Malaysia 2017 festival, Malaysia’s main home-grown Ol-Skool and Kustom Kulture.
Both new Ducati Scrambler variants have been priced at a very interesting RM68,899 (basic price with GST).

Next Bike Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Ducati motorcycles here in Malaysia has finally launched their latest Ducati Scrambler variants which are the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer and Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled. The launch was held at the annual Art of Speed Malaysia festival earlier today at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS).

The latest variants of the Ducati Scramblers were chosen to make their debut at Malaysia’s main home-grown Ol-Skool and Kustom Kulture event due to their custom appeals with the Italian manufacturer embedded in the very cores of the two new Ducati Scrambler additions.

“In line with the customisation scene, the Scrambler is a very popular model in Malaysia and we’re proud to announce that the much awaited Cafe Racer and Desert Sled variants are now available here”, stated Mr Fazli Hisham, Head of Next Bike Sdn Bhd.

Similar to the other Ducati Scrambler models apart from the Sixty2, both the Cafe Racer and Desert Sled are equipped with the 803cc, L-twin, Desmodromic engines which are able to produce 73hp at 8,250rpm and 67Nm of torque at 5,750rpm. In terms of styling, both the Cafe Racer and Desert Sled appeal to a wide range of audience and bike enthusiasts especially the in the ever-growing Malaysian custom scene.
2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer

The Cafe Racer variant pays great homage to a lot of legendary bikes that have came and went in the motorcycle world and this very special Ducati Scrambler is screaming with the sound of freedom, free spirit and the very essence of style. Inspired by the glory days of motorcycles in the 1960s, the ‘Black Coffee’ colour way seems fitting for the latest bike hailing from Ducati’s Land of Joy.

Like most appealing factors of a cafe racer motorcycle, the Ducati Scrambler version offer a variety of customisation options including interchangeable panels for that gorgeous teardrop fuel tank that will help add a personal touch to go along with the new seat.

Specially designed for the Cafe Racer, the brand new seat design comes equipped with a seat cover for the passenger for the days you feel like riding solo with extra style and substance. The handlebars and side mirrors were also inspired by a lot of race-inspired motorcycles from the 1960s and early 70s.

The most beautiful addition in our opinion has to be the Termignoni exhaust system with double silencer system which sends out a nice grunt and roar while barrelling down the highway and at the same time improves the overall performance of the new Ducati Scrambler.

Similar styling can be seen throughout the motorcycle form its headlight fairing, side plate number holder, and its 17-inch aluminium wheels wrapped in very modern Pirelli Diablo™ Rosso II rubbers for that extra grip and overall riding feel. Those who are looking for slightly darker side without losing any of the cool appeal will go very well with the new Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer.

Those who are interested in getting a Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer of their very own should be happy with the final pricing of RM68,899 (basic price with GST). All new Ducati motorcycles purchased from any of the Next Bike Sdn Bhd authorised showrooms are also entitled for the Ducati Smart Service Campaign where customers can enjoy great deals and offers for extra savings.

CLICK HERE to know more about the Ducati Smart Service campaign.
2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled

Those who demand something more rugged and tough can always opt for the beautiful 2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled. Hailing straight from the desert and mountains of California, the latest entry in the Ducati Scrambler range is an endure version inspired by off-road bikes that created history back in the glory days of the 1960s and 1970s.

Riding in deserts require some extra modifications and upgrades to the standard road motorcycles which was the main inspiration of the Desert Sled. Built for absolute toughness, the Desert Sled comes with a slightly different riding position thanks to its higher seating arrangement, reinforced frame and comes with fully adjustable suspensions for optimum riding pleasure.

The new Desert Sled also comes with some extra engine protection and a slightly bigger 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel wrapped with a pair of Pirelli Scorpion™ Rally STR tyres to give some extra grip on terrains don’t really offer much to begin with especially for normal road-going motorcycles.

The Desert Sled performs just as good on normal paved roads but to truly experience everything that this particular Ducati Scrambler has to offer, it demands to be let loose on off-road terrains where anyone can rip and shred with the style, substance and essence of bike made by Ducati.

The 2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled is also priced at RM68,899 (basic price with GST). Those who are in town or in the vicinity of the Art of Speed Malaysia 2017 festival can drop by to visit the Ducati Scrambler booth for some great offers and promotions.

Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer

Ducati Scambler Desert Sled

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This Vespa 946 X Dior is for sale at over RM100,000!

Dealers Vespa Kuala Lumpur have got a Vespa 946 X Dior up for grabs, provided you meet its asking price: over RM100,000!

Vespa Kuala Lumpur has an ultra-rare Vespa 946 X Dior for sale.

This limited-release scooter boasts plenty of unique Christian Dior design traits.

Potential suitors need to hurry and ready at least RM100,000 to acquire it from said dealers.

Got about RM100,000 to RM150,000 to spare and want something truly extraordinary to commute about with? Well, perhaps you ought to consider this stylish and ultra rare Vespa 946 X Dior that dealers Vespa Kuala Lumpur recently flogged on its Facebook page.

While Vespa Kuala Lumpur didn’t mention how many they have in stock, or if they have the matching optional accessories to go with it, we’re certain this is as rare as it gets when it comes to modern Vespa scooters.
Launched during spring last year, the Vespa 946 X Dior sees the iconic Italian classic scooter purveyors teaming up with the world-famous French luxury design maison. Aptly, the latter gave its own unique twist to the flagship 946 scooter model, resulting in one very eye-catching scooter indeed.

Highlights include the exclusive colour developed exclusively by Christian Dior and Vespa, gold accents, as well as a two-tone seat crafted using authentic leather dyed in blue that also features seams in matching shades plus Dior Monogram fabric.
There’s also handlebar grips made using the same blue leather matched with gold bar ends, a gold hook in front of the saddle adorned with the Christian Dior logo, as well as another Christian Dior logo motif emblazoned on the right-side rear wheel cover panel just above the exhaust.
Exclusive aesthetic design aside, the Vespa 946 packs an air-cooled 125cc single-cylinder powerplant that generates 11.4HP and 9.6NM that powers the rear wheel via a twist-and-go CVT automatic box.
Yeah, not a lot of power for the price, but you’re definitely getting bucketloads of style points here – more so if you can get the design-matching helmet and optional top-case.
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Energica Plans To Enter The Indian Market By 2024

Electric motorcycle manufacturer Energica Motors is set to enter the Indian market to expand its brand exposure whilst reaching for a bigger audience.

Energica to enter India by 2024 with a wide range of electric motorcycles.
Energica Motor will establish a partnership with an existing India-based motorcycle firm soon.

Although the Italian firm is still considered small compared to larger and established two-wheel companies, penetrating the Indian motorcycle market within the next two years is the most likely option to compete with more prominent players.
Considering India is the single most significant motorcycle market globally, seeking growth in the region makes sense for Energica.

That said, Energica Motor CEO Livia Cevolini admitted that it is essential for the company to seek the right partner and get the timing right.
According to reports, Cevolini already spoke to multiple potential Indian partners.
“We have a couple of very big manufacturers (from India) interested in working with us and we have also some other requirements for our own brands from importers.
“India is a very is huge it’s the biggest market so we want to be ready for that. We don’t want to rush and make mistakes, so we are taking our time to be sure that we are entering the market the right way and also have the right partners.
“You cannot go to a market like that (India) alone, if you are not from there.
“You need to have the right partner to be to have bigger shoulders and the good thing is that it seems that we like each other because we have many contacts in India and it is a really exciting partnership,” reveals Cevolini.
However, the biggest hurdle Energica needs to overcome is trying to sell high-performance and premium-priced electric motorcycle to a market that focuses on entry-level and smaller displacement two-wheelers.
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Triumph Motorcycles Reach Into The Darkside With The Limited Edition Rocket 3 R Black & Rocket 3 GT Triple Black!

The beastly Triumph Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT just get even meaner with an all-new limited-edition makeover.
Introducing 2021 Triumph Rocket 3 R Black and Rocket 3 GT Triple Black with production strictly limited to just 1,000 units worldwide with each motorcycle comes with a certificate of authenticity.
*Triumph Rocket 3 GT Triple Black
The limited-edition units maintain the great 2,500cc powerhouse capable of producing 165 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 221 Nm @ 4,000 rpm.

The Rocket 3 R Black features an all-black colour scheme with matt finishes and black Triumph badges and gloss black racing stripe on the tank and body panels. Meanwhile, the Rocket 3 GT offers a shinier paint job with a distinctive tripe black paint scheme.

The Rocket 3 R Black and Rocket 3 GT Triple Black also comes with a carbon fibre front mudguard specially made for the motorcycle, including black exhaust headers, heat shields, and end caps.

The rest of the motorcycle received black anodised components, including the handlebar clamps, rider footrests, brake and gear pedals, heel guards, pillion footrests, and hangers.

Malaysians interested in becoming one of the 1,000 units available can try your luck at Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd (the official distributor of Triumph Motorcycles in Malaysia).

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Ducati Ends 2021 With Record Sales – 59,447 Motorcycles Delivered Worldwide!

Ducati marks the end of 2021 with a strong sales figure after securing a record of 59,447 motorcycles delivered to customers worldwide.
The number of sales also saw an increase of 24% over 2020 (48,042) and 12% over 2019 (53,183).

The United States emerged as the leading market for the Italian brand with 9,007 units sold followed by Itali with 8,707 units and Germany, 6,107 units.
Meanwhile, the Ducati brand also shows strong growth in China, with 4,901 motorcycles sold, an increase of 21% than the previous year.

According to Ducati CEO, Claudio Domenicali, the extraordinary sales figure has never been achieved in the company 95 years history.
“2021 was a magical year for Ducati. We delivered over 59,000 motorcycles, a number never achieved before in 95 years of the company’s history.
“We also won the title of MotoGP Constructors’ World Champion for the second consecutive year, and we started the electric era of our company with the V21L prototype, which foresees the bike that will race in the MotoE championship from 2023.
“The pandemic, which is still underway, in addition to generating so much suffering, has also made activities more complex, forcing us to conduct a continuous internal reorganization,” said Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO.
Such success was obtained thanks to the new Multistrada V4, which came out on top as the most popular bike among Ducatisti in 2021 with over 9,957 units sold.

The Ducati Scrambler 800 range comes second with 9,059 units sold followed by the all-new Monster with 8,734 units sold.
Meanwhile, Ducati expects another strong growth in 2022, as expectations are high for the new DesertX.
“With the DesertX we will have from this year on an extremely attractive proposal for adventure fans, and other ambitious projects are currently in development.
“The core values of the brand – Style, Sophistication, Performance and Trust – are more current than ever,” added Domenicali.
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2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 and 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1M Launched

2020 Yamaha YZF-R1M

The 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 and 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1M were launched at the American World Superbike round.

The new bike has plenty of updates including the bodywork.

The new engine is Euro5-compliant with a number of updates.

We knew the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 and 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1M were bound to be introduced this year (probably at Intermot of EICMA). However, the manufacturer sprung a surprise and unveiled both at the Laguna Seca racetrack during the World Superbike round.
Its predecessor and variants were mostly-unchanged since 2015, while rival manufacturers had gone ahead and updated their existing or introduced completely new models.
Anyhow, the wait is over.
2020 Yamaha YZF-R1
The new R1 and R1M looks even more “GP-inspired” and is packed with a number of important new tech.
Highlights:

New more aerodynamic bodywork with is 5.3% more efficient in flowing air. The screen and fairing combine with the fuel tank.
Aluminium air duct behind the large central intake provides more rigidity to the fairing.
A titanium lower panel strengthens the lower fairing.
New LED headlights for the new fairings.
New Euro5-compliant engine.
The 998cc crossplane inline-Four engine produces 197hp.
Updated finger follower rocker arms and new cam lobes.
43mm fully-adjustable Kayaba forks.
Six-axis IMU-based Cornering ABS.
Brake pads with new materials for higher friction.
Three-mode Engine Braking Management (EBM).
The EBM monitors gear position, engine RPM, throttle position, throttle valve position. The ECU alters throttle position, ignition timing and fuel injection.
Updated launch control system which activates at 9,000 RPM.

The YZF-R1M, gets more goodies since it’s Yamaha’s alpha bike. It’s made in limited numbers, by the way.

Highlights:

Lighter bike due to carbon fibre fairings, mudguard and tail section, besides magnesium wheels and subframe.
Öhlins electronic NPX anti-cavitator gas forks.
Updated Öhlins electronic rear shock.
YRC Settings app.
New Y-TRAC app accesses bike’s Communication Control Unit (CCU) to download ride data.
The data can be viewed in Google Maps, displaying information such as acceleration and G-forces.
Engraved badge with production number.

Will we ever get to see the Yamaha YZF-R1 and Yamaha YZF-R1M officially imported in Malaysia? Your guess is as good as ours.

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BMW Concept Link Electric Scooter Unveiled

The super futuristic BMW Concept Link electric scooter was recently introduced during the annual Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy.
The Concept Link is a zero-emission vehicle that comes with great performance as well as high levels of intelligence to assist the rider while riding.
“The BMW Motorrad Concept Link, with its timeless and reduced style, is more than a concept – it is rather a symbol for a new era.”

BMW has unveiled its remarkable Concept Link electric scooter concept during the annual Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy. According to the German auto and bike manufacturer, the zero-emission scooter concept will change the general perception of how two-wheelers are used as a mode of transportation in and out of the cities.

The Concept Link is said to get its inspirations from the futuristic self-balancing Vision Next 100. As the concept bike clearly shows, the compact electric motor or engine is driven by a few large flat batteries positioned at the base of the scooter. This gives the Concept Link a very unique and sleek look with all of its weight and centre of gravity focusing at the lower centre portion of the bike.

According to the report made by MCN, Edgar Heinrich (Head of Design, BMW Motorrad) stated “The BMW Motorrad Concept Link, with its timeless and reduced style, is more than a concept – it is rather a symbol for a new era.”

BMW also stated that the bike’s overall design is perfect for inner-city riding on narrow roads and traffic congestions thanks to its low height for easy access. The electric engine also offers smooth yet fast acceleration together with effortless handling and manoeuvrability. As a plus, BMW also said that the Concept Link scooter also comes with a reverse gear.

Like most scooters, the seat of this BMW concept was designed for the comfort of the masses including a large compartment under the seat for ease of storage. Unlike most scooters, BMW has implemented a mix of covered and uncovered components of the machine to make it look tastefully futuristic. Things such as the drive unit, cooling ribs, single-sided swing arm, spring strut and tooth belt can all be seen in all of their glory.

Here the party trick of the Concept Link; the scooter can link the digital to the real world which in turn sort of makes it a communication device as well. Besides giving a nice ride, one can also perform online bank transactions as well syncing with your calendar and planner. It can even suggest the best route to your destination of choice as well as provide the right tunes instinctively to the rider.

All of these features can be controlled via its classic meter panel together with a heads-up display unit and also a secondary touch screen display located just below the handlebar. Like the future, everything can be customised according to the customer’s preferences.

So the question now is if the bike will ever go into production. The answer? No one really knows. To those who fear the uprising of artificial intelligence will go through all sorts of conspiracy theories to make sure that this won’t happen but on the other hand, the future is closer than we think. Instead of fighting the inevitable, we should embrace the future and decide what’s best for us all.
Interested in buying BMW Motorrad bikes that are actually on sale? CLICK HERE to check all of the available models in our exclusive Bike Buyer’s Guide!
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New Harley-Davidson engines and refreshed 2017 models

Harley-Davidson reveals new Milwaukee Eight big V-twin engines plus a range of updated 2017 models.

The famed bar-and-shield marque finally unravelled its long awaiting new big V-twin engine this week. Called the Milwaukee Eight, three versions were released along with a volley of updated 2017 models.
Milawaukee Eight – three versions

As previously reported, the Milwaukee Eight engine is pretty self-explanatory in its name. ‘Milwaukee’ pays homage to H-D’s spiritual home and ‘Eight’ stands for having eight valves in total – four per cylinder. This is H-D’s third all-new V-twin in 80 years and it is the brand’s most powerful creation yet.
The range boasts bigger displacements, more power and torque, plus improved fuel economy and cleaner emissions. H-D also claims improved heat management for both riders and pillions thanks to a new exhaust, whilst new rubber engine mounts and single internal counter balancer have reduced vibrations even further.

The first of the range is the Milwaukee Eight 107 base engine, with the ‘107’ standing for its displacement in cubic inches – 1,745cc. It retains the signature H-D 45° V-twin layout with oil-cooled cylinder heads. It will go on to power the Street Glide Special, Road Glide Special, Road King, Road King Classic as well as the three-wheeled Freewheeler.
Next up comes the Milwaukee Eight 107 Twin-Cooled. Unlike the base engine, this 1,745cc mill is a huge improvement over the standard engine as it reportedly generates 92hp. This engine will now power models like the Ultra Limited, Ultra Limited Low, Road Glide Ultra and the three-wheeled Tri Glide Ultra.

Lastly comes the Milwaukee Eight 114. Displacing a larger figure of 1,870cc, it now sits as the most powerful mill in H-D’s performance tree as it boasts 100hp @ 5,020rpm – the brand’s most powerful non-V-rod motor ever. Much of this boils down to the fact that it comes primed with liquid-cooled cylinder heads. This mill will exclusively power H-D’s CVO models like the CVO Limited and CVO Street Glide.
New suspension upgrades
Besides the new engines, Harley-Davidson also announced major suspension upgrades for the aforementioned 2017 models. For touring models, the rear setup now features new ‘emulsion-technology’ rear absorbers that offer 15% to 30% more preload adjustment via a single adjuster knob depending on model.
All these refreshed 2017 models however benefit with the same Showa Dual Bending Valve (SDBV) cartridge-style forks at the front. These now offer both linear damping and reduced weight as well, thus promising improved ride and handling as well.

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BMW Patents New Lightweight Frame For An Upcoming Three-Cylinder Engine?

BMW Motorrad is rumored to be developing a new lightweight frame that will integrate with a three-cylinder engine for an upcoming motorcycle.
According to Cycle World, the patent application shows a half-frame that directly bolts onto the engine using massive bolts that also connect the cylinder head to the block, resulting in a design that is lighter and more compact than conventional motorcycle chassis.

According to the patent images, the design features a conventional transverse engine, but instead of wrapping an aluminum or steel structure around it, a simple cast-alloy front chassis is attached directly to the engine. This provides a direct connection to the steering head, allowing the swingarm to pivot on the gearbox, with the engine serving as the stressed member.
The design aims to minimize the bike’s width, a common issue for bikes with transverse-mounted inline engines. It also reduces the parts count and weight, making the design more efficient. BMW’s patent hints at using this new chassis design for a three-cylinder engine, which will further reduce the bike’s width, making it more aerodynamic and less complex than bikes with V-twin or V-4 engines.
BMW has had successful four-cylinder engines like the S 1000 RR, but a three-cylinder engine would be narrower, providing an opportunity for the company to create a narrower bike. BMW has explored the use of three-cylinder engines before, notably in its MotoGP project in the early 2000s. The project yielded a prototype that was later dropped due to technical issues, but it provided the company with the knowledge base needed to develop the S 1000 RR.
Since then, rumors have circulated about a three-cylinder BMW sportbike, with little evidence to support them. However, this patent application, with its specific mention of a three-cylinder engine, provides the first real indication that such a motorcycle is under development.
(source: Cycle World)
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