INCOMING: HJC Helmet Malaysia 2020 Collection!

HJC Helmet Malaysia will be introducing their latest 2020 collection and you can expect a lot of good choices and varieties when they arrive at authorised dealers nationwide. Sometime after the second quarter of 2020, you can get your hands on the latest 2020 HJC F70, i90, i40, V90, and V30. That’s just the start as more new models will arrive in the coming months!

Starting with the HJC F70, it’s their latest compact full-face helmet made with the manufacturer’s latest fibreglass material, technology and manufacturing process. Specifically designed for sport-touring, the F70 is lightweight, comfortable, and offers a great fit for most common Asian heads. One rule that you can always rely on is that if it fits well, it’s safe.

It also comes with an internal sun visor with excellent sunlight blocking properties that won’t impair your vision from those anti-fog and anti-scratch exterior visor that also comes with anti-fog lens pin and insert lens.
2020 HJC F70 sport touring helmet
Other features include:

MultiCool interior pads with advanced anti-bacteria fabric
Interior grooves for those wearing glasses
Ready for SMART HJC Bluetooth (we’ll get to that later)

2020 HJC i90 sport modular helmet
Moving on, there’s the i90; HJC’s latest flip-up helmet offering ready with an internal sun visor that’s perfect for daily commutes in urban areas as well as long-distance touring. Constructed with the company’s ‘Advanced Polycarbonate Composite Shell’, the i90 is a more compact package with great versatility.

Just like the F70, the i90 also comes with MultiCool interior pads with advanced anti-bacteria fabric which not only helps to keep you cool but also feeling (and smelling fresh) thanks to its ‘advanced silver antibacterial fabric’. Now that’s cool, literally.

The i90 is also SMART HJC Bluetooth ready where you can essentially pair the helmet with the brand’s proprietary Bluetooth and action-camera systems co-developed with another very popular and huge brand, Sena.
2020 HJC V90 ‘vintage’ modular helmet
If you’re in the market for something ‘vintage’ but also don’t want to sacrifice any of the cool specs that you’ve read above, HJC has got you covered with the V90. Designed with an old-school façade, this beauty is actually a modern modular helmet (flip-up) with a bubble face shield!

The bubble face shield visor offers greater peripheral vision and if things get a bit too bright, the V90 is also fitted with an internal sun visor that’s easily deployed thanks to a new wire operation system and easy-to-reach lever position. AND it’s anti-fog coated AND the liners are made with advanced anti-bacterial fabric that wicks sweat away from your face.
2020 HJC i40 open face helmet
If open-face helmets are more your style, you can check out the latest i40 and V30. The i40 is a semi-jet urban motorcycle helmet that’s modern and stylish for all you youngsters while the V30 caters to a more ‘vintage’ enthusiasts that go together really well with café racers, custom bikes, choppers, low riders, and old-school machines.

The i40 comes with all the works seen in the brand’s mid to high-end offerings like Silvercool™ Interior, Integrated Sunshield, Anti-fog lens pin, RapidFire™ Shield Replacement System, and great ventilation to help cool things down during those hot blistering days. The micro buckle system provides added safety and convenience even when you have your glove on.
2020 HJC V30 ‘vintage’ open face helmet
Ending with the V30, urban riders can appreciate its three-step shield adjustment, speaker pockets dedicated for your Bluetooth devices (no more cutting out big chunks from the inside), Silvercool™ Interior, and finished with leather/suede combo + red stitching.

As for SMART HJC Bluetooth system, watch the video below!

Expect these helmets to arrive at authorised HJC dealers sometime in Q2. As for their new race-ready helmets, expect the arrival of the new carbon series, the RPHA 11 Carbon, RPHA 70 Carbon, and the RPHA 90S Carbon. Brace yourselves, HJC is coming in strong for 2020!
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Scorpio Electric X Model prototype unveiled in Singapore

Singapore’s Scorpio Electric has unveiled its first electric scooter prototype called the Scorpio Electric X Model. The country’s first fully-built electric motorcycle will be opened for pre-orders later in the year and will pave the way for many more exciting models in the future of electric mobility.

The X Model prototype consists of the brand’s three fundamental cores – design, technology, and performance. This ‘avant-garde’ façade offers the key to urban mobility that’s eco-friendly, but exciting at the same time. Not much else can be said about the looks apart from it being wicked awesome.

There’s no indicator on power output either, but Scorpio Electric plans to develop their X Model to be able to achieve a top speed of 100km/h with a range of around 200km for every full charge. According to Melvin Goh, Chief Executive of Scorpio Electric, “The future is electric. We believe we can make a difference by ushering in a new era of cleaner and more efficient way of transportation.”

Another major include smart connectivity via its mobile application platform, which can assist in security like vehicle whereabouts as well as optimizing riding operating efficiencies by learning from your daily rides on the electric scooter. It can even alert the user for any potential faults before it occurs. Smart.

We can also see other specs like gold upside-down forks, LED lighting system with daytime-running lights, super sleek rear LED brake lights, cast wheels, and disc brakes. There’s no indicator on the pricing just yet, but we sure hope it’ll be competitive enough to be absorbed into neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Written by: Sep Irran
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MotoAmerica: Jason Aguilar Dies Following Mountain Bike Crash

The world of motorsport racing was mourning over the death of promising young talent such as Jason Dupasquier and Dean Berta Vinales last year.
Both young riders lost their lives due to injuries sustained on the track.
However, we are hit with another sad news: talented MotoAmerica racer Jason Aguilar has tragically lost his life following a mountain bike crash on February 5, 2022.

Despite friends managing to help first responders to transport Aguilar to the Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Vieja, California, the 26-year-old unfortunately did not survive.
His father, Bob Aguilar, broke down the news in a Facebook post dated February 6.
“(Jason) was rushed into surgery to relieve bleeding in his brain.
“While the surgery was successful in stopping the bleeding, he went without oxygen to his brain for too long before the surgery.
“As a result of the lack of oxygen, he suffered catastrophic and irreversible brain damage.
“Jason is an organ donor, so the hospital is making arrangements for (the) donation of his organs and recipients of those organs.
“Once that is complete, Jason will be taken off life support. We hope that Jason will live on in your memories and ours and that the donation of his organs will allow his memory to live on in others, ” he said.
Aguilar’s most significant achievement was winning the 2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship with a personally funded team.
He later moved up through the ranks and into the SuperSport category, where he finished fourth overall in 2020.
The rider was fully focused on returning in the 2022 season after a botched sponsorship deal halted his plans in 2021.
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MOTOGP: Marc Marquez takes sixth straight win in Texas

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) took home his sixth consecutive MotoGP win yesterday at the Circuit of the Americas.
Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) got his groove back and finished strong in second place.
Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) gave Suzuki their first back-to-back podium finishes by finishing the race in third.

Despite receiving a three-place grid penalty which saw Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez starting the race from the fourth position, the defending champion and the Circuit of the Americas records holder showed everyone why he’s still the man to beat this year.

After an intense race, Marquez came up on top but it wasn’t as easy as previous years. This time around, it was Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) who benefitted from the race start and took the holeshot lead into turn 1. Marquez wasn’t far behind and quickly made his move to take the lead.

Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) kept his head down for the entire race before and after making his move on Iannone. He finished second behind Marquez followed by Iannone which happens to be their first podium finishes of the season.

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) put the pressure on his teammate on the earlier part of the race but maintained his position in fourth upon crossing the chequered flag. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) was the top Ducati rider in fifth followed by Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) in sixth.

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) impressively finished in seventh place even after a surgery for a broken wrist just last week. Two Ducati battles followed suit between Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) and Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing). Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) completed the top 10 finishers in COTA.

Our hometown hero, Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) unfortunately suffered a massive highside on Lap 9. He was in P11 at the time fighting in between Jack Miller and Aleix Espargaro. The good news is that Hafizh is okay and uninjured from the incident.

With the results at the Grand Prix of the Americas, Andrea Dovizioso is now the new 2018 championship leader with 46 points. He is followed by Marquez with 45 points and Vinales in third with 41 points. Only eight points are separating the top five and it’ll get even more intense once they reach Jerez, Spain for the Gran Premio Red Bull de Espana.

Image source: MotoGP
MotoGP: Maverick Vinales gets pole position in America

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Shell FuelSave RON 95 Euro 4M now available at selected stations

Shell Malaysia is proud to announce that their latest Shell FuelSave RON 95 Euro 4M is now available at selected stations ahead of the national ‘instructed’ debut on 1 January 2020. This new upgraded fuel follows the mandatory requirement by the Malaysian government in hopes to reduce pollution with better quality petrol.

The new Shell RON 95 Euro 4M petrol is a much cleaner fuel with reduced sulphur contents by up to ten times less than the current RON 95 2M offering which has been the most affordable choice of fuel here in the country. Through the process of internal engine combustion, the new RON 95 E4M creates lower emissions which is both good for the environment as well as the engine.

According to Mr Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, “Our Shell FuelSave 95 is designed to go further, and it just got better. It is now fully Euro 4M compliant and with our Dynaflex Technology that helps to reduce engine friction. With the sulphur content reduced by almost ten-fold, the new FuelSave 95 E4M has environmental quality care benefits as it reduces smoke production and provides cleaner engine maintenance.”

Shell Malaysia has not specified on which station is already offering the new Euro 4M RON 95 fuel but worry not as they’ve promised that by 1 January 2020, all Shell stations nationwide will have the new and cleaner fuel ready for purchase. To a better and cleaner future!
5 Reasons to Rely on Shell Advance Premium Lubricants

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Here’s a safety reminder by Captain Nik Huzlan to all Malaysian riding enthusiasts

Before you leg over into the hot seat for that ride you planned for this public holiday weekend, take a read of this safety reminder by Captain Nik Huzlan.

Undoubtedly, us motorcyclists are most vulnerable to danger on the roads. It really doesn’t take much to put us – as well as others – at risk. Unfortunately, that is the price we pay to enjoy this little passion of ours.
Every week, reports of fatal accidents involving motorcyclists are published in the news where victims are reported to be fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sometimes children too. We’re sure many of you can relate to losing friends through this too.

Recently, veteran rider and renowned motorcycling enthusiast Datuk Captain Nik Huzlan Nik Hussein took to his social media space to share a few reminders to all two-wheeled enthusiast in Malaysia. This is something we felt worth sharing to all of you in light of the long public holiday weekend that beckons.
Datuk Captain Nik Huzlan is, of course, someone who needs no introduction. He was formerly Chief Pilot for national flag-bearer MAS before retiring, but he’s most renowned as a hardcore ‘rider’. The latter is exemplified by his riding experience spanning over half a decade plus his renowned ownership of over 200 motorcycles of various genres too.

In this recent – and lengthy – Facebook posting of his, Datuk Captain Nik Huzlan shared some valuable pointers as a reminder to all motorcyclists in Malaysia to ride safely:

Always have an escape plan.
Reduce risk of injury by wearing safety gear.
But be reminded safety gear does NOT make one invincible.
Space out properly when group riding, especially with those you don’t know well.
If you have to try hard to catch up, DON’T. Real Biker Buddies will wait for you.
If you have to try hard to stay ahead, DON’T, there’s no trophy waiting for you.
Watch out for errant cars and lorries. Most drivers are ‘blind’ and ‘deaf’.
Large articulated vehicles are not agile, need space and have plenty of blind spots. Anticipate their moves always.
Be careful at junctions and U-Turns, even if it’s your “Right of Way”.
Never take a green light for granted, cross carefully.
Always check your 6 o’clock.
Reduce closing speed always.
Don’t ride faster that you can stop.
Extra caution on trunk roads with two-way traffic.
Armco barriers only helps cars but kill bikers, so be aware of their presence.
A pothole on a smooth road is more dangerous than a pothole on a bad road.
Oil on the road can appear anytime, anywhere.
Solid impact of just 5KM/H will be lethal.
Bad riding manners on a group ride can be hazardous to others.
Fatigue, lack of sleep, is the silent killer.
Be aware at all times.
The first five years of your biking life will be the most dangerous period. But that does not mean the rest will not be dangerous if you forget the few golden rules.
Enrol in an Accredited Safety Riding course, your best investment after buying your helmet.

Apart from these key points shared he shared, Captain Nik also warned that the first five years of riding a motorcycle are the most dangerous period.
Concurrently, he also reminds us not to just invest in expensive helmets, but also sing-up with an accredited motorcycle riding course for training and re-training – the latter is just as crucial as the former indeed.
The lengthy but insightful posting by Captain Nik is merely intended to serve as a reminder to motorcyclists in Malaysia who often face danger not only from others but also themselves.
“In the 50 years on (fast) two wheels I have had the tragic “privilege” of seeing friends crashing live, a few fatal, being at the scene of crashes involving friends, and hearing news of friends dying in accidents.”
“A few times I found myself waiting at the morgue for the family to arrive, something I will not wish upon anyone,” adds Captain Nik Huzlan in his posting.
We hope this serves as a solid reminder to all of you, our readers, and fellow passionate two-wheeled enthusiasts. Always keep these points in mind before you leg over and hit the road.
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Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2015 – Team Malaysia’s boosted return

Round 3 of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2015 sees Team Malaysia strengthening its presence with two additional riders.

As Round 3 of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2015 unfolds here in Sepang, Team Malaysia looks set to bolster is presence. The five young Malaysian riders enter the weekend with the addition of two more riders in the roster.

As previously reported, the grid welcomes Ahmad Idham Khairuddin as its first confirmed wildcard entry for the Malaysian round this weekend. And, we are glad to report to you that he is now joined by yet another home-grown talent on the grid by the name of 13-year-old Luth Harith Erwan.

Just like Idham, Luth makes his debut in the series as a wildcard. His credentials include stints in the Malaysian Cub Prix, as well as the MGP3 national-level Moto3 race series held by SIC last year.

With the guidance of his brother, national Moto3 rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin, Idham is showing good pace but has only managed to rank himself 18th fastest in both practice sessions today. Nevertheless, this is a respectable feat for someone who is handling a Moto3 bike for the first time. Luth, on the other hand, appears to be struggling after ranking dead last in both sessions. But as this is still the early stages of the weekend, we will know more when Qualifying unfolds tomorrow.

On the other end of the spectrum, Team Malaysia can rejoice with a good day’s result posted by Adam Norrodin. Adam was hot on the heels of Japanese rider Ayumu Sasaki in the first session where he ranked second fastest, but later improved and topped the time sheets in the day’s second session. Adam is by far the fastest of the seven and looks to be in a prime position of qualifying.

Rookie Azroy Anuar is still struggling after being ranked in the lower part of the standings in both sessions, but he has managed to show improved times in the second session.

The towering Fakhrusy Rostam is also enjoying a good day. The Pasir Gudang youngster ended the day ranked in sixth at the end of session two, improving on his time from day’s first session. Shafiq Rasol, on the other hand, seems to be struggling as he ends his day ranked in eleventh at the end of session two, having dropped from sixth in session 1.

But the news could not get any worst for Helmi Azman. Helmi’s performance today was hampered after discovering an injury during the first session, and was later forced to sit out the second session after race doctors deemed him unfit to continue. However, Helmi is hopeful in making it for qualifying tomorrow pending a final decision from race officials tomorrow morning.

With the exception of Adam Norrodin, it appears that Team Malaysia’s outing today was indeed a tough one, especially for Adam, Shafiq, and Azroy. But thankfully, all five riders plus the two wildcards joining them appear to be in high spirits. We can likely expect more from our boys come Qualifying tomorrow.
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Triumph’s Tiger 1200 Gets A Height Advantage With Active Preload Reduction

Triumph Motorcycles has rolled out a new feature for its popular Tiger 1200 range: the Active Preload Reduction.

The new advancement adds to the bike’s already advanced Showa semi-active suspension, aiming to give riders greater control.
The Active Preload Reduction allow riders to manoeuvre the Tiger better and confidently.

The feature adjusts the rear suspension preload as the motorcycle slows down, potentially lowering the seat height by up to 20mm when the bike is at a standstill. This allows for an easier reach to the ground, boosting riders’ confidence.
Current seat height options range from 850mm to 895mm depending on the model, but the new feature allows for even greater customisation.

To activate the Active Preload Reduction, new customers can simply press the ‘Home’ button on the switch cube for one second. Existing Tiger 1200 owners can avail of this update at their next dealer service.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer at Triumph, stated that this on-the-fly feature lowers the bike’s center of gravity at slower speeds, making it more accessible and increasing riders’ confidence.
The Tiger 1200, celebrated for its agility and maneouverability, further solidifies its standing in the competitive adventure motorcycle market with this addition.
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New Ducati MotoGP Engine in the Works

Danilo Petrucci (OCTO Pramac Racing) was given the chance to pilot the latest Desmosedici GP17 but at the same time help develop a new Ducati MotoGP engine.
No specific details were given on the new engine but Petrucci stated that the engine will be given back to the factory team once they’re done with all of the tests.
Petrucci also commented that the engine has roughly the same power as the current GP17 engine except for a few parts; most probably throttle body, exhaust, etc.

OCTO Pramac Racing MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci is currently developing a brand new engine to be used on the Ducati Desmosedici GP17. The OCTO Pramac racing team was given the latest Ducati MotoGP machinery with the condition of assisting in developing and testing new parts before handing the information back over to the factory team.

According to Petrucci, the new engine is very different from the ones used by Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso in the factory bikes. In a report made by Crash.net, he stated “I’m still working with this engine and we are still not ready to give it to the factory guys.”

For this highly-anticipated race weekend over at Mugello, Ducati test rider Michele Pirro will also participate in the race as a wild-card entry. He will also be running the new engine to put it in more testing time and race simulations. Petrucci commented on this by stating “Michele Pirro has a bike similar to mine, I don’t know which parts are same and which are new. For sure the engine is the new one, like mine. Dovizioso and Lorenzo will try something regarding chassis and electronics.”

Although what are the major differences between Petrucci’s engine and the boys over at the factory team still remains a mystery, Petrucci implied that the power plant will be handed back over to the factory squad after they’re done with all of the testing. Based on that and also MotoGP’s engine homologation rules, the base engine design is sealed until the end of the season apart from a few components like the throttle body or exhaust that can be swapped without breaking the rules.

Petrucci did not share specific details on the parts but he did comment “Following Jorge, the lap time was the same but the lines very different so it is hard to say exactly. He opened the throttle very early and was more flowing than me. If you open the throttle just two tenths earlier you gain all the way down the straight, so maybe for this reason there are some small differences with the engine. I have some different parts, but I think the power of the engine is the same.”
Image source: MotoGP
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Husqvarna 701 Enduro variant introduced

After much anticipation, Husqvarna has finally announced the addition of the 701 Enduro off-road variant to the 701 Supermoto model lineup.
All set to go on sale later this month, the Husqvarna 701 Enduro will be powered by the same 690cc single-cylinder engine in the supermoto version, which is capable of churning out a maximum output of 67hp.

Fitted with a 13-litre fuel tank, the Husqvarna 701 Enduro also comes with a chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame. As much as the damping department is concerned, there are the WP 4CS forks fitted in front, and WP shocks at the rear; both providing 275mm of travel.
A 21-inch front wheel and 18 inch rear wheel replace the 17 inch items on the 701 Supermoto, with Continental TKC80s providing the grip off road.

It is said that the bike will also feature a dual-spark ignition system, ride-by-wire with different riding modes, ABS system, the ATSC slipper clutch, and use a SOHC setup.
Expected to weigh between 140 to 150kg, the Husqvarna 701 Enduro, which is basically a rebadged KTM 690 Enduro R, is set to go on sale in Europe later this month.

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Razlan Expects Adam And Damok To Climb To Moto2 & Moto3 In 2022

Petronas Sepang Racing Team (SRT) and Petronas Sprinta Racing team principal, Datuk Razlan Razali, foresee two Malaysia riders to climb to Moto2 or Moto3 in 2022.
Adam Norrodin and Syarifuddin Azman @ Damok are most likely to represent Malaysia in 2022 Moto3, said Razlan Razali during a recent interview.

However, Adam and Damok must first claim their worth in this season FIM CEV European Championship.
“Next year, depending on how Adam and Syarifuddin perform in CEV this year, there is space for them in Moto2 and Moto3 next season,” said Razlan.
Adam, who represents LIQUI MOLY Intact SIC Junior Team in Moto2 FIM CEV, finished 7th overall last year.

Moreover, Razlan admits that they do not want to include a local talent simply because they are under pressure from local fans.
“We are always looking to develop young Malaysian riders, but it takes time and patience.
“We don’t want to put local riders just for the sake of it. I know fans don’t care how the riders perform, but we want to make sure our rider able to compete and achieve their targets,” he added.
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Ducati To Kick Off Episode One 2023 World Premiere With ‘The Unexpected’

Ducati will kick off its 2023 Ducati World Premiere web series with a special collaboration motorcycle.

Ducati to unveil seven new motorcycles at the DWP 2023.
episode one will feature a special edition Ducati Streetfighter V4.
The 2023 DWP is likely a lead-up to something even bigger at EICMA 2022.

According to the official teaser of episode one titled ‘The Unexpected’, Ducati is set to unleash a special edition motorcycle created in collaboration with Lamborghini.
The teaser photo only revealed a rear shot of a motorcycle likely to be the Streetfighter V4. The tail showcased a combination of Ducati scarlet red and a shade of fluorescent green featuring the STO nameplate.
The STO acronym stands for ‘Super Trofeo Omologato’, a reference to Lamborghini’s Huracan STO. Billed as a genuine race car, the STO is a V10 supercar capable of pumping 630hp.

Ducati and Lamborghini already worked on a special edition Diavel 1260 back in November 2020, and it is the right time for the two to work together again for 2023.
That said, the Streetfighter V4 makes the perfect model for both parties. Like the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini, the Streetfighter V4 STO will undoubtedly feature all exclusive components, including a special paint job.
Episode one of the web series will be streamed live from the Marco Simoncelli World Circuit paddock in Misano Adriatico, where the 14th round of MotoGP 2022 will take place this weekend.
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Malaysian Super Series 2013 – Round 1

With five Malaysian Super Series (MSS) Bikes titles already under his belt, Ahmad Nashrul Baharuddin made an excellent start to his 2013 season campaign last weekend.

Making his debut in the 1000cc Superstock Open Championship category, Nashrul won Race 1 under excellent weather conditions. He however had to settle for third place in the rain-plagued Race 2 that was red-flagged and later restarted due to the dangerous wet circuit conditions, giving Race 2’s win to Kelvin Chia.

Nashrul’s older brother on the other hand, three-time Superstock champion Ahmad Zamani also faired with similar results. Zamani took the win in Race 2 of the Superbike category after experiencing suspension setup issues in Race 1. Winning Race 1 of the Superbike category was three-time champion Yasuhiro Kuhara.

As it turns out, Nashrul and Zamani’s other sibling Ahmad Fuad Baharuddin scored a double victory, winning both races of the Supesports Championship category. Prior to entering the MSS Bikes race weekend, Fuad also took a double-win at the Petronas AAM Cub Prix’s opening round in Melaka.

Here are the categorical top 3 standings of last weekend’s races:
Superbike Open Championship – Race 1 (10 laps)
1.Yasuhiro Kuhara (Honda CBR1000) 22:37.556s
2. Steve Martin (Kawasaki ZX10) 22:41.684s
3. Luca Cassoni (BMW S1000RR) 22:14.900s
Superbike Championship – Race 2 (10 laps)
1. Ahmad Zamani Baharuddin (Kawasaki ZX10R) 28:10.727s
2. Eric Chia (Kawasaki ZX10R) 28:24.108s
3. Luca Cassoni (BMW S1000RR) 28:24.469s
Superstock Open Championship – Race 1 (10 laps)
1.Ahmad Nashrul Baharuddin (Kawasaki ZX10R) 22:33.845s
2. Nizam Fairuz Hassan (Honda CBR1000) 22:44.707s
3. Mohd Zairie Zaharuddin (Honda CBR1000) 23:03.801s
Superstock Championship – Race 2 (10 laps)
1.Kelvin Chia (Ducati Panigale) 28:11.685s
2. Nizam Fairuz Hassan (Honda CBR1000) 28:50.939s
3. Ahmad Nashrul Baharuddin (Kawasaki ZX10R) 29:04.546s
Supersports Open Championship – Race 1 (8 laps)
1. Ahmad Fuad Baharuddin (Kawasaki ZX6R) 18:21.890s
2. Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda CBR600) 18:29.126s
3. Stephen Ewan (Kawasaki ZX6R) 19:11.010s
Supersports Open Championship – Race 2 (8 laps)
1. Ahmad Fuad Baharuddin (Kawasaki ZX6R) 24:46.153s
2. Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda CBR600) 24:55.960s
3. Rey Retukore (Yamaha YZF-6R) 25:39.307s
Open 250 Cup – Race 1 (8 laps)
1. Muhammad Fazli Mansuar (Kawasaki) 22:00.549s
2. Stephen Ewan (Kawasaki) 22:04.621s
3. Mohd Adam Mohd Norrodin (Honda) 19:49.770s (7 laps)
Open 250 Cup (8 laps)
1.Muhammad Fazli Mansuar (Kawasaki) 22:15.263s .
2. Stephen Ewan (Kawasaki) 22:17.402s
3. Mohd Adam Mohd Norrodin (Honda) 22:17.998s
Check out the scene from Round 1, photos by Aiena.

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Ducati Issues Recall For 2023 Diavel V4 Due To Faulty Foot Pegs

Ducati has issued a recall for select 2023 Diavel V4 models due to a faulty passenger foot peg issue. The problem, which could cause the passenger to lose their foot support suddenly, increases the risk of a crash or injury.

a total of 145 units of the new generation Diavel V4 is affected by the recall.
The affected models were produced between February 16 and March 30, 2023.

Ducati North America identified the issue as a production defect on the part of the supplier of passenger foot pegs. The company notified the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the problem on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
According to the recall notice, up to 145 examples could be impacted by the issue.
Ducati has already distributed recall campaign instructions to its North American dealerships. The letter instructs service departments to inspect the batch stamping on the underside of each passenger peg. If the unit bears a “K22” code, dealers will replace the component free of charge.

However, right-side passenger pegs (PN.46520942AA) and/or left-side passenger foot pegs (PN.46520952AA) not designated within the “K22” batch will not be replaced.
The recall is a precautionary measure taken by Ducati to ensure the safety of its customers. The company advises owners of affected motorcycles to take their vehicles to a Ducati dealership as soon as possible for inspection and repair.
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Victory debuts in Malaysia

Marking a significant milestone late last week, the Naza Two Wheel Division expanded its portfolio further by launching its latest brand in Malaysia, Victory Motorcycles.

Present to open Victory Motorcycles’ first Malaysian outlet in Glenmarie were Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Haji Ahmad Haji Maslan, Naza Two Wheels Division vice president Nik Danial Nik Mahmood, and Naza World’s senior vice president of corporate strategic investment division Datuk Maruan Mohd Said.

For those of you who don’t know about Victory, the brand was founded in 1998 and is based in Spirit Lake, Iowa, USA. Though not as old as Harley-Davidson or Indian, the brand is known worldwide for producing a range of exquisitely designed easy-riders and cruisers that are powered by Victory’s own V-twin engines.

The Victory brand will be managed by Harmony Fabulous Sdn Bhd. Located in Temsya Square, Glenmarie, the first Victory Motorcycles 3S centre was built at the cost of RM5 million. Occupying 6,000 square feet of space, highly trained staff members and technicians man the centre, complimented with a full range of equipment and parts as well. Inside, the centre also houses Victory’s complete model range of 13 bikes, each offered with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty plan as well upon purchase.

For our market, the Victory Vegas 8-Ball model stands as the brand’s entry-level offering. Power comes from the brand’s signature 1,731cc Freedom V-twin engine that is paired with a six-speed ‘overdrive’ transmission. Making it very desirable, prices for the Vegas 8-Ball starts just below the RM100,000, and it comes with the aforementioned five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
More information regarding Victory Motorcycles can be obtained via the brand’s new Malaysian website and social media pages (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
Check out more photos of the new centre and the models available in the galleries below.
Victory Motorcycles 3S centre launch by Mediabond PR
Victory Motorcycles model range for Malaysia
Victory Motorcycles price list Malaysia

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MSC 2015 Rd. 1 – Promising start for Prince Lubricants Racing Team

Prince Lubricants Racing Team riding trio gears up to take on the season-opening weekend of the Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship 2015 (MSC 2015).

After undergoing a rebranding exercise earlier this year, the Malaysia Superbike Championship 2015 (MSC 2015) kick-started itself this weekend for its season-opening first round. And, making their return on the grid this year is the venerable black and yellow-liveried Prince Lubricants Racing Team.

This time round, the team competes on three fronts of the MCS 2015 series, specifically in the Superbike, Superstock, and Open 250 categories. Spearheading the team’s riding hierarchy is non other that Colin Robin. The 50-year-old Australian racing veteran is no stranger to the Malaysian domestic two-wheeled racing series and competes in the series’ premier Superbike category.

Accompanying Colin this year is yet another familiar face from the Prince Lubricants racing family is 14-year-old local riding talent Ian Robert Dublin who competes in the Open 250 category. Completing the brand’s two-wheeled racing roster is 35-year-old rookie Linggam Rammoo who marks his professional racing debut competing in the series’ Superstock (B) class.
As both Friday and Saturday concludes, things look promising for the outfit with all three of its riders making the grid is respectable positions. Despite facing some slight technical difficulties, 250 Open class racer Ian ends Saturday on a slightly more upbeat note, qualifying third on the grid after clocking his fastest time of 2:47.954.

“It was a bit tough for me today because it was a little difficult to catch up with the other bikes, but we’ll see tomorrow. I’m hoping to get a good start then,” said the 14-year-old when we spoke to him shortly after the day’s qualifying session. Despite the challenging start to the weekend, Ian remains confident that he can perform well for Sunday’s races.
Rookie Linggam also appears to be in good form as well, qualifying rather well in fifth place in the Superstock (B) category, clocking in his fastest time of 2:23.549 on the team’s ZX10R Superstock racer. The 35-year-old boasts an exceptional level of physical fitness, having performed long stint during the Practice session in both Friday and Saturday. One thing for sure is that this will be an advantage for Linggam to compete against the Superstock’s grid of 41 bikes.

“I am glad to be apart of a team like this, and I am excited and I know it will be fun,” said Linggam, showing no sign of nervousness at all. He further added, “The more laps I do, the more exciting it gets!” when describing how his first Qualifying session went, where the rookie stayed out on track for the entire session – an ability rarely seen in rookies.

One thing both Ian and Linggam share are their coaches, which is non other than teammate Colin, who has been giving them plenty of pointers and coaching throughout the weekend whilst racing himself. Like the two Malaysians, the Aussie veteran also ended Saturday on a good note, having shown good pace and qualifying fifth on the premier Superbike Category’s grid after clocking in his fastest time of 2:17.892 astride his Kawasaki superbike.
“I didn’t go as fast as I wanted to during the Friday practice sessions, but the times were relatively ‘comfortable’ for me and I know I can push harder,” said Colin on how the weekend began. He also noted on the improved pace of his category rivals, stating “One thing’s for sure, everybody here has raised the competition level for this year.”

All three riders will be vying to end the weekend on a high note come raceday on Sunday. Check out the gallery below, and our official BikesRepublic.com Facebook page to see more images of the team from Saturday in the Sepang International Circuit.

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SW-Motech Announces New Accessories For The Ducati DesertX

SW-Motech, a leading manufacturer of motorcycle accessories, has announced a new range of crash protection accessories for the Ducati DesertX adventure bike.

The new range follows the success of SW-Motech’s tank bag for the DesertX.
The new range puts SW-Motech in direct competition with Wunderlich, who launched a range of add-ons earlier this year.

The new range from SW-Motech includes the Upper Crash Bar, which is made from powder-coated steel tubing and protects the fairing panels, lower section of the fuel tank, and upper part of the engine. The Upper Crash Bar also features multiple mounting points, which spread impact forces.
The Engine Guard, which is a 4mm-thick aluminium plate, protects the sump, front cylinder casings, and exhaust header. The Engine Guard attaches via existing mounts, and also features a recess for the oil drain plug.

The Front Axle Sliders, which feature a reinforced core and replaceable polypropylene shells, protect the front axle of the bike.
The Water Pump Protector, which is CNC-milled from anodised aluminium alloy, fits to existing mounting points on the bike, and protects the water pump.

The Centre Stand from SW-Motech is made of powder-coated steel tubes and features an outrigger for easy operation. Finally, the Sidestand Foot Extender, which is CNC-milled from anodised aluminium alloy and stainless steel, provides additional support for the bike when parked on uneven surfaces.

All of the new range of accessories from SW-Motech for the Ducati DesertX adventure bike are available on the SW-Motech website. With the addition of these new accessories, SW-Motech has further established itself as a leading manufacturer of motorcycle accessories, providing riders with the peace of mind they need when taking on tough terrain.
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Azlan Shah takes delivery of Kawasaki KX450F for training

Azlan Shah took home a brand new Kawasaki KX450F today to help with his training for 2018.
The 2017 ARRC (Asia Road Racing Championship) champion is looking to defend his crown this year.
The Kawasaki KX450F is perfect for any rider looking to improve their fitness, endurance and agility.

One of our national racing heroes who happens to be the 2017 ARRC (Asia Road Racing Championship) champion that is Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman has ‘adopted’ a new member into his ever-growing bike family in the form of the Kawasaki KX450F.

In his latest Instagram post, the 33-year-old rider from Klang announced that he had just taken a brand new Kawasaki KX450F to further improve and elevate his training regime to make sure that he is on top of his game for this year’s racing extravaganza.

 A new bike for a new season! Brand new Kawasaki KX450F for training! Big thanks to Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) for the arrangement. It's like a dream come through to own one of these!  Full gas for Asia Road Racing Championship 2018! Thank you Kawasaki! ?? ??✊✊ Thank you @alwynfoohc for the photo #MANUALTECHKYTKAWASAKI  #BIKEART  #SANTAIBROOO  #KYT #KYTEUROPE #MOTOPARTSASIA #ALPINESTARS #SPEEDHUNTER  #25CLOTHING  #Chayanondesign #sonymalaysia #sonyactioncam #x3000 #THEPIRATE  #AS25  #OSAB #originalshahalamboys #twofiveracingschool #IMAGREENMONSTER #ARRC #ASIAPOWER #kawasakimsia #kawasaki #khi #kmi #teamgreen
A post shared by  AS25?????? (@azlanshah25) on Mar 8, 2018 at 7:56pm PST

Arranged by none other than Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (KMSB) together with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the new Kawasaki KX450F will definitely assist Azlan Shah in his training especially in terms of fitness, endurance as well as agility.

The KX450F is regarded by many as the top performing motorcycle in its class when it comes to its engine and chassis. Fitted with 450cc single-cylinder engine, the KX450F blasts against other rivals with some awesome extras like launch control, high-performance piston, factory race tuning, and selectable ride settings just to name a few.

Azlan Shah started off his 2018 campaign with a double podium in the opening round of the 2018 Asia Road Racing Championship. The first race was held at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand where the defending champion came in third for both Race 1 and Race 2. This puts him in second overall with just a mere 13 points behind championship leader, Anthony West (Webike IKAZUCHI Racing).

Together with the Manual Tech KYT Kawasaki Racing outfit, Azlan Shah is well on his way to become a back-to-back ARRC champion. Round 2 will kick things off Down Under in Australia at the Bend Motorsports Park circuit from 19 to 22 April 2018. All the best Azlan and #FullGas all the way!

First Ride: Kawasaki Z900RS

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Panigale Kingdom Mega Gathering 2018 rumbles through 3rd year

The third annual Panigale Kingdom Mega Gathering 2018 was held today at the Gold Coast Morib International Resort.
Over 50 Panigale owners from across the country gathered in Putrajaya before heading out for the family day in Banting, Selangor.
Ducati Malaysia helped mark this special occasion with a sneak preview at the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 and 1299 Panigale R Final Edition.

Over 50 Ducati Panigale owners gathered at the annual Panigale Kingdom Mega Gathering 2018 earlier today at the Gold Coast Morib International Resort in Banting, Selangor. The third ever gathering was sponsored by the likes of Ducati Owners Malaysia Club (DOCM), Ducati Malaysia (DCM), Madani Bikes (Ducati Kuala Lumpur) and many more.

The day started with the Panigale Kingdom members gathering in Putrajaya for breakfast and photo session. The convoy then headed down to Morib beach for lunch before checking into their rooms at the resort. The afternoon was filled with fun events for the whole family before the grand finale that is the barbeque dinner.

Apart from all the fun games and amazing lucky draw giveaways, Ducati Malaysia marked this momentous occasion by treating their loyal fans and followers with the Panigale V4 sneak preview together with the 2018 Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition as thanks for their years of support.

The 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 has already arrived on our shores and it is without a doubt one of the most highly-anticipated Ducati bikes yet. The Panigale V4 was officially previewed earlier tonight in conjunction with the Panigale Kingdom Mega Gathering where Vice President of Ducati Malaysia Mr Fazli Hisham gave the club members a taste of what the Panigale V4 sounds like in real life.

As for the 1299 Panigale R Final Edition, there are only two units which Ducati Malaysia has brought in officially and one of them was already sold before it even had the chance to get out of its shipping crate. Priced at RM339,900 (basic price with GST), it’ll be the last ever Ducati Panigale model powered by the V-twin Superquadro engine.

The latest generation Panigale V4 is powered by a brand new 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine which is said to be able to produce a whopping 210hp at 13,000rpm and 120Nm of maximum torque at 12,250rpm. This move is said to conform to the new rules of WorldSBK where the new 1,000cc maximum capacity rule comes into play.

There are three variants to choose from; the Ducati Panigale V4 base model, the mid-range Ducati Panigale V4 S and the super limited edition Ducati Panigale V4 Speciale (Note: Only two units of the Speciale will be made available in Malaysia). As for pricing, Ducati Malaysia has stated that the new Panigale V4 variants will be RM133,900, RM173,900 and RM359,900 (basic prices with GST).

Termignoni exhaust for 2018 Ducati Panigale V4

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2017 Treeletrik T-90 electric scooter now available for purchase – from RM10,494

Tree Movement (M) Sdn Bhd has finally announced that their first 2017 Treeletrik T-90 electric scooter is finally available for purchase.
The announcement was made earlier today when Tree Movement elected MyANGKASA as their official Malaysian distributor during the signing ceremony held at the Royal Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
The 2017 Treeletrik T-90 lead acid battery variant is priced at RM10,494 (basic price with GST) while the lithium-powered version will be announced very soon.

Local electric vehicle firm Tree Movement (M) Sdn Bhd has just announced that their flagship 20117 Treeletrik T-90 electric scooter is finally ready for public purchase starting from today. The announcement was made earlier today during a signing ceremony with the National Malaysian Co-operative (ANGKASA) as their main distributor here in the country.

Treeletrik has actually introduced their range of electric-powered scooters back in July 2016 when their made they made their first ever grand debut. With an entire range ready to lead the market share of electric motorcycles here in the country, their first ever Treeletrik T-90 is now ready and waiting at all of their authorised showrooms around the country.

CLICK HERE to know more about Treeletrik’s debut back in 2016.

There are two different variants for the T-90 with the current variant gets its juice from a lead acid battery whereas a lithium battery version will be announced in the near future. The 84-volt battery sends all the power to the 5000watt brushless motor which in turn drives the rear wheel that’s mounted directly on the rear hub.

It is claimed that the T-90 has a travelling range of around 80km – 100km for every charge when riding at average speeds. This in turn makes it a good substitute for those who live near city areas while at the same time reduce their carbon footprint dramatically as the T-90 produces no toxic fumes or even contribute to noise pollution thanks to its very quiet electric motor.

The lead battery alone weights a hefty 98kg but for every six to seven hour full charge, the T-90 is able to hit a maximum speed of 80km/h which is more than enough when you’re going through the hustle and bustle of city streets.

Treeletrik’s ambitious plans to sell over 100,000 units by the year 2020 comes from a very decent initial investment of RM10 million together with an overall estimate budget of RM50 million. Based on their calculations on the main benefit of using their flagship scooter, an estimated amount of RM5,684 is said can be saved in the period of three years as compared to using a small capacity petrol-powered motorcycle.

The 2017 Treeletrik T-90 electric scooter has been priced at RM10,494 (basic price with GST). The lithium-powered T-90 will be available in the near future. The premium-looking T-90 scooter comes in four different colour options; black/green, black/orange, white/blue and white/red.

Together with the launch was the MyANGKASA LIFECARE FASTLANE program where they are able to assist in emergency services to future Treeletrik motorcycle owners around the country. Both owner and machine will be able to get the assistance 24 hours a day to assist in any emergency situations such as accidents or breakdowns. Now that’s a proper after-sales service.

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The Benelli 752S Finally Lands In Malaysia – RM37,888!

Three years after the global launch in 2018, the Benelli 752S is finally here in Malaysia with a retail price of RM37,888.
The 752S is equipped with a twin-cylinder 754cccc that produces 76hp at 8,500rpm and 67Nm at 6,500rpm.

The bike also features upside-down front fork by Marzocchi, four-piston Brembo callipers paired with 320mm floating disc and 260mm at the rear, 14.5 L tank and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).

To add to the overall looks, the 752S comes with an all-digital TFT screen!

According to Benelli Malaysia, the 752S is already available at every dealership across the country and comes with two-year warranty or 20,000km (whichever comes first).

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MotoGP: No Czech GP in 2021?

There’s a big chance that the Czech GP MotoGP round won’t take place in 2021, folks. It seems that there’s a bit of an argument between the event organisers and Dorna concerning the issue of track upgrade amongst other things like hosting fees.

The Automotodrom Brno Circuit has been a staple of the MotoGP calendar each season as it attracts one of the largest numbers of spectators from nearby regions. This might not be the case in 2021 as Dorna wants the circuit to go through some serious facility overhaul that might cost around €3 million, which is around RM14.7 million.

This is a hard deal to agree on as the track is privately owned with shares being held by private investors as well as the country’s government. COVID-19 has been devastating for a lot of people around the world, and the amount is just not there to spend on upgrading this popular circuit.

According to Brno Mayor, Marketa Vankova, “Dorna insists on a complete overhaul of the track for 100 million crowns. Due to the COVID, we are not sure whether next year would go with the audience, or whether people will want to travel from abroad. At a time when we are addressing the main needs of the city so that we do not have to increase fees for waste or public transport, it would seem to me highly irresponsible to commit the city to such a commitment.”

In this case, MotoGP has set up three reserved GP venues in case any of the rounds get cancelled due to COVID-19. These venues are in Portugal, Indonesia, and Russia. Brno was never on the provisional list, but we suspect that it might run in the ‘to be decided’ slot at the end of July. Stay tuned for more updates from Dorna concerning the matter.
Make your very own Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade papercraft

Written by: Sep Irran
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Moto Guzzi @ EICMA 2014: New MGX-21 Prototype

Moto Guzzi shows off new MGX-21 Prototype cruiser bike on the floors of EICMA 2014 in Milan, Italy.

Meet the new Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Prototype revealed just hours ago at the on-going annual EICMA 2014 bikes show in Milan, Italy. Essentially, this prototype is a reworked Moto Guzzi California 1400 underneath its sleek, minimalist, and predominantly black exterior.
Clearly, the designers at Moto Guzzi were out to create a bike that could rival against notable American brands such as Harley-Davidson, Victory, and Indian. Much of the MGX-21’s exterior is a melting pot of carbon fibre, matte black paint, and several subtle red highlights.

What looks mighty impressive are the MGX-21’s carbon fibre disc wheel measuring 21 inches up front, followed by the Victory-esque sweeping tail design. What is unmistakably ‘Guzzi’ here is the brand’s signature longitudinally-mounted 90-degree V-twin engine placement.
Has Europe’s oldest motorcycle maker got what it takes to take on Harley-Davidson, Vicitory, and Indian? The MGX-21 seems as if it wants to.
Source: Asphaltandrubber
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EICMA 2015: Thumping new 2016 KTM 690 Duke

Though Austrian brand KTM have already made headlines with its new 1290 Super Duke GT adventure-sport, the firm also had a sharpened new 2016 KTM 690 Duke naked model that made its debut as well.

Previewed just weeks ago in prototype form, the new 2016 KTM 690 Duke boasts several enhanced new features and hardware starting with its powertrain. The heavily revised 690cc LC4 single-cylinder now thumps out a higher output of 73hp and 73.8Nm whilst gaining a powerband that is 1,000 rpm wider than before too.

Part of the major changes made in the engine included the revised intake camshaft that now doubles up as an additional balancer shaft, resulting in lower vibrations. KTM states that both the intake and exhaust systems have been also been optimised for Euro4 emissions compliance too, making it KTM’s first engine to comply with Euro4 as well.

Apart from that comes the addition of new a cornering ABS suite, making the 2016 KTM 690 Duke the first bike in class to feature it. The naked also underpins a newly redesigned chassis frame with increased handling stability, followed by the adoption of new and re-profiled seats, LED rear lighting, as well as a nifty new TFT instrument display.

Sitting at the top of the range is the racier 2016 KTM 690 Duke R variant. Besides the offer of a bigger 75hp punch, it is set apart from the standard 690 Duke thanks to its orange-painted frame and wheels, not forgetting the signature Akrapovič exhausts system added into the package as well.
As it is, this is one nutty middleweight that we know many around the world will be anxiously waiting for.
2016 KTM 690 Duke

2016 KTM 690 Duke R

Sources: Asphaltandrubber / MCN / Visordown
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BMW leaving WSB

Earlier this week, the BMW Motorrad Motorsports team announced their withdrawal from the World Superbike Championship (WSB) by the end of this season.
Citing the move to be “consistent with the strategic realignment” of its brand, General Director of BMW Motorrad Stephan Schaller did add that the firm will refocus itself on the international customer sports front and all its facets.
This has casted many doubts regarding the future of the Goldbet BMW Motorrad Italia and Feel Racing teams. Factory support is crucial for both teams if they so wish to press on in WSB next season. Also left with the same fate are riders Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri.
 Davies (left) and Melandri (right)
BMW’s departure also affects WSB’s current situation of not having enough teams and riders on its grid for next year. WSB’s ruling body and organisers now face the daunting task getting more teams to participate instead of leaving.
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2024 Kawasaki Z650RS To Feature Traction Control

Kawasaki is set to add traction control to its Z650RS for the 2024 model year, according to an executive order issued by the California Air Resources Board as reported by Motorcycle.com.

Kawasaki Z650RS to received minor upgrade in the form of a traction control.
The Z650RS retro-inspired instrument cluster is expected to be revised.

The update is expected to bring the retro-inspired model in line with Kawasaki’s other 650cc models, the Z650, Ninja 650, and Versys 650, which all received traction control updates in recent years.
The Z650RS was introduced in 2022 and is relatively new compared to its counterparts, which may explain why Kawasaki waited a year to add traction control. The retro-inspired instrumentation on the Z650RS also presented a challenge, as adding traction control would require modifying the dashboard to include new information.

The addition of traction control is a welcome update for the Z650RS, which already boasts an impressive 649cc parallel-twin engine and sleek, retro styling. Kawasaki’s decision to wait until the 2024 model year to introduce traction control will ensure that customers who purchased the first year of production won’t be left out.
Aside from the addition of traction control and a new dashboard, no other changes are expected for the Z650RS in 2024. Fans of the model can likely expect new color options, but otherwise, the bike is expected to remain largely unchanged.

Kawasaki’s move to add traction control to the Z650RS is just the latest example of the company’s commitment to providing riders with cutting-edge technology and performance. With its powerful engine and retro-inspired style, the Z650RS is sure to continue attracting attention from riders looking for a unique and exciting riding experience.
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Honda CB1000R Neo Sports Café updated for 2020

The Honda CB1000R Neo Sports Café was introduced into the Malaysian market back in 2018 and now, there’s and updated 2020 model that has just been introduced with minor changes to the package. We’ve tested the current Honda CB1000R Neo Sports Café and you’ll find our official review at the end for those who are interested to know more.

Going back to the 2020 model, the Honda CB1000R comes with subtle cosmetic changes to further elevate its ‘premium feel and commanding road presence’. What used to be silver accents in the 2018 and 2019 models are now replaced with all-black triple clamp and stem plus Metallic Matte Ballistic Black headlight surround.

These colour changes also included for the rear spring and front brake discs with striking silver racing stripes going up the middle of the fuel tank. The 2020 model is still available in Candy Chromosphere Red and Graphite Black, but there’s a new colour in town; Matt Pearl Glare White.

Every other aspect of the CB1000R Neo Sports Café remains the same, including its 998cc inline-four DOHC engine which produces a cool 107kW (143hp) at 10,500rpm and 104Nm of maximum torque at 8,250rpm (Boon Siew Honda’s page stated that the power reaches its peak at 8,500rpm but we’ll check up on that for confirmation).

Honda is also offering the Honda CB1000R+ which comes pre-fitted from the factory with premium accessories such as heated grips, aluminium front fender panels, aluminium rear hugger panels, flyscreen with aluminium inserts, single-seat cowl with aluminium inserts, radiator grille with CB1000R logo, and most importantly, a quick-shifter. Yippee.

Honda CB1000R Neo Sports Café Test & Review

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Video: The most epic drag bike race finish… ever

Watch one of the most bizarre drag bike race finishes ever recorded during the Australian 400 Thunder drag racing series.
This is perhaps one of the most bizarre, dramatic and epic race finished we’ve ever seen. The video starts off with two Australian drag bike competitors, Maurice Allen and Ryan Learmouth, getting to grips with their prized speed machines before undertaking their drag race contest.

VIDEO – the most bizarre drag race in history!Maurice Allen Racing literally had to OUTRUN Ryan Learmonth in Pro Bike! 400 Thunder#400Thunder #PerthMotorplex Pro Stock Motorcycle Association Inc. IHRA
Posted by 400 Thunder on Saturday, February 20, 2016

Both Learmouth and Allen are competing in the Pro Bike category of the Australian 400 Thunder national championship. Each of them had AUS$150,000 machine designed to complete the quarter-mile (400 metre) sprint in less than five seconds at speeds exceeding 270km/h.
However, what unfolds as soon as the lights go green was bizarre to say the least. Whilst Ryan Learmouth apparently stalled his bike before setting, off, Allen managed to get his red-painted crotch rocket going, but the bike soon began loosing power and speed before eventually spluttering to a halt as well.

What happens next is a true display of determination in doing whatever it takes to win. As the reigning series champion, Maurice Allen soon hopped off his bike and began pushing it towards the finish line. It did not take long for Ryan Learmouth, who was still far behind at the starting line, to do the same and attempt to catch up with Allen.
With a significant lead, Allen eventually crossed the finish line first ahead of Learmouth who also completed the bike-pushing race not long after. As a result of using their footpower to replace the absence of horsepower, both riders appeared slightly winded when race officials greeted them at the finish line.
Check out the video posted above to relive that bizarre yet epic moment that can only happen in motorsports.
Source: YouTube / Herald Sun / Facebook
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2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR Test & Review – “The Mean Green Leaning Machine”

The 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR is a homologation special for World Superbike Championship racing.

It’s limited to only 500 units.

We came away wide-eyed from testing it.

“You have to develop a war cry to fully unlock the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.”
“A war cry is a form of expression, usually shouted out loud, to strengthen one’s resolve in the face of adversity. We see in all war movies as the warriors give one big yell before charging their enemy’s position after being pinned down. Could you ever imagine how the greatest battles in history would’ve been like had they ran silently to the other side with bayonets fixed? It would look less than heroic.”

It’s elation when Sep Irran messaged me: “Bro, I’ve got something important on, so could you test and review the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR?”
Of course, I’d love to test it. This, the homologation machine for 5-time World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea’s campaign for world domination. On top of that, it’s one of only 500 ever built. If that’s not enough, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR had also dominated the 2019 Malaysian Superbike Championship.

For this 2019 version, the engine internals were changed, including Pankl titanium conrods which are each 102g lighter and valve actuation utilizing finger followers. The use of lighter conrods enable the engine to rev higher, resulting in 201 hp. Add in ram air and you’ll have 211 hp. Doesn’t seem a lot does it?
Other goodies include a six-axis IMU based traction control, Showa BFF forks, Marchesini forged wheels. But there’s no TFT screen and LED headlights, for RM 159,000. Then again it won the 2019 World Superbike Championship.
Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.
Initial impression

It was just after an overnight rain spell, so I picked up the bike in “L” (low) power mode. There are three steps, the other two predictably in “M” for medium and “F” for full. Flipping through the settings was a simple affair as am pretty used to the LCD screen by now since it’s on every Kawasaki apart from the H2 SX.
Gave it some power, slipped the clutch and the bike pulled away cleanly without trying to bog down.

Seeing a corner up ahead, I decided to speed up. Since the throttle felt soft in “L”, I gave it some more in third. The engine went “whooooooop” instantaneously and the bike just hurled forward. What the…!
The bike snapped easily into the corner but the front tyre tried to stand up. That’s the signal that I didn’t carry enough speed, given the front end’s very little 107mm trail. You see, a small trail lets the bike steer quickly, but requires more speed to hold the lean angle.
Up through midday USJ traffic and I was thankful for the bike’s agility in slicing through. I kid you not, it felt like a 600cc bike. Part of this was also due to the seating position. The seat isn’t super tall, and the handlebars weren’t too low. Using the core muscle to support the upper body, my elbows were just right at the sides of the tank. As a consequence, my worries about feeling tired were instantly allayed.
Full riding impression

I decided to test it the next day on the Karak Highway, where we always test our bikes.
I hooked up with a buddy mine at the Gombak BHP petrol station. It was choked full of bikers – thousands of them! Additionally, the road was full of traffic. It seemed like the population of the entire Klang Valley was headed trying to get out of town…

Time to go full power mode. The engine’s note changed to something raw. Fierce. Visceral. There was “GRRRRRRR” kind of sound in between my legs, I kid you not. Every millimeter of the throttle movement resulted in a mighty thrust forward that could be felt in the stomach. However, don’t get the wrong impression there as it obeys your right hand and was linear (no steps in the powerband).

But what really got my attention was the whizzing akin to a supercharger from the right side of the engine. Hey, did Kawasaki pull a fast one on us media by sneaking in the H2’s supercharged engine? And it pulled just as hard as the H2 in the lower and mid-range RPMs.
Sadly, there’s just too much traffic so we took it easy, riding around 120 to 140 km/h. The Brembo M50 monobloc brakes felt soft in their initial movement but they scrubbed off speed very quickly.

Traffic petered out on our return leg, but I still took it easy to learn the bike. However, the bike started to flow as speeds went up. It was at this point that I discovered that the bike liked to lean to counter that standing up sensation.
I cut loose after the tunnel.
I charged straight into the first left. When I gave it some balancing throttle, the bike tried to steer into the adjacent lane! Whoa! It’s the signal that the ZX-10RR can handle a lot more cornering speed.

So, through the next left-right combinations I just held the throttle open and threw the bike into them. I wasn’t looking at the speedo at that point until I got home and watched the GoPro footage: I was slamming the bike through those turns at 140 to 150 km/h.
The road opened up further ahead and the corners became high-speed sweepers.
I kept opening up the throttle and the whine and roar from the engine, plus the ram air intake intensified. Until suddenly at 8,000 RPM, they just disappeared. All I could hear was the rush of the wind past my helmet.
What the….!!!

Having grown up on two strokes, this was the point for panic and the left hand must work quickly to pull in the clutch lever. But a glance down at the tachometer showed that the engine was still working. (Good sense of Kawasaki to place the tachometer bar right at the top and it was bright too!)
At this very point, suspension and chassis became so benign. It seemed to fly over everything on the road. I was enveloped in a bubble of calm.

So more power! Everything seemed to slow down, thereby proving Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. On other bikes I’ve tested, things would become so discernibly fast that the brain couldn’t keep up.
Even better, leaning the bike into the corners required no effort at all. Seriously, no effort at all. It was like riding a 250cc bike: See the corner, line it up, steer. Credit for this goes to the lightweight Marchesini wheels and the bike’s 206 kg wet weight.
Now the best bit: Having leaned into the corner, it looked all the way past the exit and gave it more gas. The bike tracked so well that the corner looked… straight. What the…? I was thinking maybe the helmet was too tight for my head or something, so I tried it again for the next corner. The same happened… the corners just looked straight. And again and again.

It was only now that I noticed that traffic was just a blur as they went by. There wasn’t even a “whooooosh” as they normally did. I was still in that bubble of calmness. I sneaked another look downwards, at the speedo this time: 228 km/h. Just then, I threw the bike into another corner.
Then it registered: 228 km/h!!!!
I had been blasting through corners above 200 km/h. And it was calm. And it was effortless. And the bumps didn’t throw the bike off the chosen line even when cranked over on its side. And the corners became straight. No matter, I just yelled “BANZAI” and charged every corner that appeared.
We stopped after the Gombak toll, which was the customary RV point after a ride. It turned out that we had covered the distance between Karak town and the toll plaza in less than 20 minutes. I didn’t even feel tired or sore in the wrists or another part of the body. I was tempted to go a few more rounds but traffic was even heavier now. (But I did go back on Monday and the ride was even faster, which I won’t reveal the speeds here.)
I’d like to add that I tackled those corners within a single lane, instead of using the adjacent lanes to set up my cornering lines. I hate idiots who cross multiple lanes to complete corners.
Conclusion

I’ve ridden all sorts of bikes for more than 30 years and this was the first one that’s actually friendlier at high speeds. What’s magical about it was how it’s designed for insane mid-corner speeds and made it easy to exploit that strength. For example, that small trail made it easy to steer, then the chassis took over to hold the bike down in the lean angle.
It has to be said that I wasn’t even riding up to 80% of my personal limits. Compared to other bikes, they required more muscling to get them turned and hooked up in the corners by the time they got close to that level. So, imagine how the ZX-10RR would be if I had pushed it to 80% and beyond!
No wonder Mr. Rea destroyed all comers and won the WSBK crown 5 years in a row!

This was why I said that you need to concoct up your battle cry, because it’s your personal limits and resolve that stops you from exploiting the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR to its fullest. Think you’re too fast for a corner? Just yell “BANZAI” or “GERONIMO” or “KOWABUNGA’or whatever like and steer.
By the way, RM159,000 is worth it. Compare this to other superbikes: It’s limited to 500 units only. Other superbikes cost lower but they’re not limited edition. The next limited-edition homologation special is the Ducati V4 R which carries a price tag of RM 299,000. The ZX-10RR may not have LED headlamps and TFT screen, but those are dumped as soon as the bike hits the track anyway.
Hurry and order yours. There’s not many left, if there is any left at all.
Written by: Wahid Ooi Abdullah
TESTED: Kawasaki Versys 1000GT ABS – “Smooth Criminal”

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Gracshaw Malaysia Introduces Gennex Japan Edition Helmet

Gracshaw, a brand of motorcycle helmets manufactured in Malaysia and owned by Double Site Marketing Sdn Bhd, has formally introduced its Japan Edition line.

The Japan Edition helmet is based on the Gennex G535 helmet range.
A total of six design is up for grab with a recommended selling price of RM420.

The Japanese-inspired version, which features six distinctive designs (Kurita, Tsuru, Japop, Tengu, Oda, and Karasu), debuted at the most recent Terengganu Bike Week 2023 and was met with a strong welcome from bike aficionados.
The well-known Gracshaw Gennex model’s open-face, double-visor helmets are offered as the Gracshaw Japan Edition. Every helmet comes with an exclusive backpack for protection and portability and has a recommended retail price of RM420.

According to Farizan bin Md Akir, Marketing Division, Double Site Marketing, the Japan Edition was designed in Penang and manufactured in Jitra, Kedah, making it a truly Malaysian product.
“This is the most unique and exciting range yet from Gracshaw and took almost eight months to develop from concept to production. At Gracshaw, we see the importance of always wearing a good and fitting helmet when riding. Although some people may complain that helmets are just a ‘legal requirement,’ we see them as so much more. Our vision is to offer headwear that combines quality, comfort, and style to cater to sophisticated and fashion-conscious riders,” he said.

The Gracshaw Japan Edition Helmet designs are developed in response to the demands of riders that favor expressing their unique traits and riding style. The three main components of the design are extensions of personality, displays of individuality, and style statements.
The final six designs, each featuring exciting Japanese elements, can be categorized into three main themes: intriguing folk tales, exciting pop culture, and historical chronicles.
Intriguing Folk Tales:
The Kurita (クリタ) draws inspiration from a well-known Japanese folktale and features a giant octopus as one of the sea monsters assigned to retrieve the holy object Princess Tamatori, a pearl diver, stole from the Palace of the Dragon King. The katana sword, the pearl, the waves, and the flowers are additional design components.

One of the rarest cranes in the world, the red-crowned crane, is included in the Tsuru 鶴 (つる) design. It is commonly viewed as a sign of fortune, sturdiness, and faithfulness. This crane, known as the tanchzuru in Japan, is supposed to have a lifespan of up to a thousand years. According to the legend of Tsuru no Ongaeshi (the crane returning a favor), cranes are thought to bestow favors in exchange for deeds of sacrifice.
POP Culture:
The anime and manga-inspired Japop (ジャポップ) design will appeal to those who were raised on Japanese popular art. This is sure to spark a conversation because of the creative way traditional components like fish and animals have been combined with dinosaurs and the well-known manga character Astro Boy.

The Tengu 天狗 (てんぐ) design, on the other hand, will appeal to individuals who favor a more enigmatic concept. The Tengu, a cunning supernatural creature with extraordinary wind-controlling abilities from Japanese folklore, is the primary character. The Tengu is not someone to tangle with since he can wreak chaos with his red visage, long nose, robes, and wings.
Historical Chronicles:
Nobunaga Oda, a courageous Japanese warlord from the Sengoku era, is honored with the Oda 織田 (おだ) design. He was the formidable leader of the Oda clan who successfully united Japan in the 1560s by waging war on other feudal lords. The victory of Oda over an army ten times the size of his own at the Battle of Okehazama is recognized as one of the most important turning moments in Japanese history. A katana-wielding Oda with a menacing mask, his figure on a horse against a rising sun, and the spider lily are prominent design motifs.

Last but not least, the Karasu (カラス) design incorporates ninja-related weaponry such as the shuriken, kunai, and kusarigama. Tokugawa Ieyasu, a shogun who later ruled a united Japan, is said to have been saved from death by the legendary ninja Hattori Hanzo, who distinguished himself during his distinguished service to the Tokugawa clan. Hanzo led a group of 200 ninja warriors and was said to possess a number of mystical powers that rendered him invulnerable.
Gracshaw Japanese Edition helmets can be purchased online at https://shop.gracshaw.com, the Gracshaw Official Store on Shopee https://shopee.com.my/gracshaw.os, and through its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/gracshaw.
For more information on Gracshaw’s complete portfolio of products and the list of dealers, you may visit www.gracshaw.com.
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360° VIDEO: Marc Marquez on the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

Honda has been aggressively advertising their latest and road-legal superbike, the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. Pair that with their very own MotoGP world champion, Marc Marquez, it’s a definite recipe for success and this latest 360° video showcases what the new Fireblade SP is capable of at the hands of a true racer.

It’s no surprise that Marquez had his hands in developing the new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. With its enhanced features all around from its 215hp engine to aggressive riding ergonomics and even upgraded aerodynamics, it’s a bike with a lot of potentials. And we mean a lot.

Speaking of design, the new Fireblade SP also won the Red Dot Award for design excellence. Built to recapture the WorldSBK title back from its rivals, it’s both a beauty and beast when it comes to performance and looks.

Even Boon Siew Honda was quick to bring this new Fireblade into the Malaysian market with a price tag of RM198,800. That’s a lot of money for a litre superbike but once this MCO is done and over with, we will try to get our hands on one as soon as possible to answer the question; is it worth it? Early prediction says, “Hell yeah!”
2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP hits 299km/h in fourth gear!

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2020 Yamaha YZF-R15 now available in two new colours – RM11,988

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) has unveiled the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R15 updated with two new colour options. Starting this month, customers can opt for the new Race Blu or Black colourways at RM11,988 (excluding insurance, road tax & insurance).

The new Race Blu has a lot more of that iconic Yamaha blue compared to the previous colourway, which had some black decals. As for the new Black, the previous red highlights have been omitted from the bike’s graphics, which resulted in a much more aggressive and sportier look for the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R15.

As for the price and specs, those remain unchanged with this updated offering from HLYM. Fitted with a 155cc single-cylinder engine with VVA produces a cool 19hp and 14.7Nm of torque. Its six-speed manual transmission comes with an assist/slipper clutch for a better riding experience overall.

We’ve tested the Yamaha YZF-R15 back in 2019 and to know what we think about the bike, check out our full review in the link, below. The easiest way to explain what the R15 is all about is that great things come in small packages.

Yamaha YZF-R15: Test & Review – “Great stuff in a small package”

Written by: Sep Irran
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TESTED – 2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

The brand new 2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S can easily be a contender for the best adventure / touring bike available in the country.

Equipped with a 1,301cc V-twin DOHC engine that produces 160hp and 140Nm, it is one of the lightest and flexible power plant produced by KTM.

The overall riding experience is heightened even further thanks to the optional Travel Pack that includes Quickshifter +, KTM MY RIDE system, Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) and finally Hill Hold Control (HHC).

Following the recently launched 2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and KTM 1290 Super Duke R last Friday, KTM Malaysia swiftly organized a ride just the day after. Yesterday was indeed a treat for one of our writers as the planned ride was a day trip to Cameron Highlands. CLICK HERE to read up on the launch last Friday.

The planned route took us on 500km journey through small streets, sweet twisting roads up the hill, tight uneven roads with traffic heading down and even a short off-road (more like poorly paved roads) to one of our photo shoot locations. This half a day journey gave us a lot of feedback on how the new KTMs performed, especially the new Super Adventure S. The verdict? It is a beautiful and magnificent adventure tourer.

The brand new bikes together with a few older models left the KTM Lifestyle Showroom located in Kota Damansara at around 8am and headed to our first stop of the day, Lemang To’ki. There were 10 bikes, five were the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and only one 2017 Super Duke R as we rode to the famous breakfast spot located in Bentong, Pahang.

Let’s start with the looks. From afar, it reminded us of Yamaha’s Super Tenere but in our opinion, the Super Adventure S has a much cooler and badass facade especially the new headlights which constantly made head turns everywhere. The headlight design also reminded us of Marvel’s beloved superhero, Deadpool.

We were informed by the KTM crew that all of the new 1290 Super Adventure S are equipped with the optional KTM Travel Pack that includes Quickshifter +, KTM MY RIDE system, Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) and finally Hill Hold Control (HHC). The HHC was indeed handy when we had to stop at a steep incline to let traffic through a very narrow hill road.

With a ground clearance of 220mm and a seat height of 860mm, getting on the adventure touring bike is a bit of a challenge for this hefty 170cm, 80kg bike enthusiast. That all quickly dissipated as we rolled out onto the highway to get a feel of what this majesty had to offer.

The ergonomics felt awesome and comfortable even after hours of riding. Handling the Super Adventure S no matter the road conditions has been made easier than ever (and more enjoyable) for experienced and novice riders looking for a good time. The combination of absolute stability and total control have been dialled perfectly with various updates such as all-round WP semi-active suspensions, chrome-molybdenum steel trellis frame and a die-cast, open-lattice swingarm.

The engine on the “Groundbreaker” is the 1,301cc V-twin engine that produces 160hp at 8,750rpm and 140Nm @ 6,750rpm. The compact design using space-age materials makes it one of the lightest V-twin ever produced by KTM sitting at only 62kg. Not only is it physically light, the power plant is also nimble and flexible at ant rpm range and thanks to the Super Adventure’s total weight of 238kg (including 23 litres worth of fuel), the bike has exceptional power-to-weight ratio.

Going through the gears put a huge smile on our faces thanks to the Quickshifter + addition available in the Travel Pack option. This means it can go perform both upshifts and downshifts without using the clutch lever. Gear changes were smooth as butter and quick without any hiccups. With one less thing to do (using the clutch lever), hitting the twisting roads is indeed more fun and exciting.

The braking package is probably the most welcomed addition in the whole package when paired with the semi-active suspensions from WP. The hardware chosen for the front is a couple of 320mm Brembo four-piston brake discs with radial fixed calliper and a single 267mm twin-piston brake disc.

Everything is modulated with a super helpful electronic assistance such as the Bosch 9ME combined ABS which works for cornering and off-road use as well. Heading back down Cameron Highlands has helped a lot when tackling tight turning roads that are uneven, damped and full of traffic. If it were any other bike besides the Super Adventure S, we would’ve probably had a rougher and less enjoyable experience.

On the highway, the 1290 Super Adventure S is a darling to ride. The bike was so stable even at high speeds that it’s really hard to not love the bike. Aerodynamics and wind deflection have been further enhanced as compared to the older Super Adventure GT when referring to the adjustable wind shield and side mirrors which work and function brilliantly all throughout the half day journey.

All in all, we weren’t just impressed by the new offering from KTM. In fact, we were quite blown away at how good the bike looks and performed brand new right out the showroom. With KTM Malaysia pricing it at RM115,000 (basic price with GST) sans the optional Travel Pack, it is also competitively priced against other adventure tourers.

KTM has knocked this one right out of the ball park with this new 1290 Super Adventure S. We can literally go on with what’s good about the bike but at the end of yesterday, words can only do so little to express the true nature of the 1290 Super Adventure S. Visit any of the KTM showrooms nationwide and let the experience convince you because we love it and we’re positive that you’ll love it too.

CLICK HERE to check out the rest of what KTM has to offer in our exclusive Bike Buyer’s Guide right here on Bikes Republic. You can also check out the rest of the bike’s details at the KTM official website.
2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Gallery

				The latest TFT meter panel for the 2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

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Legend reborn – Honda EX5 FI

Boon Siew Honda had just launched the all new EX5 with fuel injection.
The bike company is cofident that the new EX5 FI will fullfil and even exceed its fan’s expectations.
At first glance the EX5 is unmistably the EX5 we have all grown up with but with distinct changes especially on the clear headlight and really big and visable rear light.

And instead of the rear repeaters being intergrated with the rear light, the new EX5 have its repeaters mounted on the sides of the rear assembly.
According to Boon Siew Honda, the bike have been tested on a normal japanese cycle ethod and the new EX5 FI fuel consumption is 40percent better.
The engine is 109.17cc and makes 6.23kw @ 7500rpm and 8.4Nm @ 6000rpm. The fuel tank takes 4.3L.
After the launch we were given a short test ride on the new bike and our first impression was that the new bike feels a bit more powerful.
Aceleration and throttle responce is also positive as we rode it pass 60km/h and 80km/h.

Another surprise is the ride quality, with 17inch wheels the new EX5 FI definately feels smoother to ride over rough surfaces compared to the older version.
We also spotted the favorite single or double preload adjustment on the rear shocks.

That said we do wish they had fitted disc brakes up front instead of a drum system.
While it does give a good initial bite, its not grippy enough to stop hard.
More about the bike as we get our hands on it for a slightly longer time.
For now the new EX5 FI comes in three colours, Euphoria Red, Vital Blue Metallic, Mariana Purple Metallic.
Apart from that you can choose between the kick starter model at RM4299 or electric starter at RM4529.
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2020 Honda RS150R V2 coming soon?

The Honda RS150R has been around the Malaysian market for quite some time now and its popularity has been at a major high with thousands of owners, followers, and enthusiasts since its maiden launch back in 2016. Now, news has been spreading around regarding the emergence of the 2020 Honda RS150R V2 (Version 2, not a moped with a V2 engine configuration) and we’re all excited about it.

After a number of years in the local market, it seems like the perfect time for Boon Siew Honda to begin the new year with a brand-new model that’ll confidently boost sales figures. The very model that has the potential to do so is the new version of the Honda RS150R. One question remains, will the looks change or remain the same?
Honda Supra GTR 150 (Indonesia)
Judging by a couple of models available in neighbouring countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, both of their Honda Winner X and Honda Supra GTR carry the same DNA as the Honda RS150R. The Winner X has a slightly different bulkier look while the Supra GTR is fitted with a lot more updated features in terms of equipment as well as engine tuning.
Honda Winner X (Vietnam)
Our best guess is that the 2020 Honda RS150R V2 will most likely carry the same design structure as Indonesia’s Honda Supra GTR. This includes an updated digital meter panel, bigger front forks, new generation 150cc DOHC engine, and more.
Talking about the Supra GTR’s power figures, it actually produces 12kW (around 16hp) and 14.2Nm of torque. Our current Honda RS150R is currently offering 11.5kW (around 15.4hp) and 13.5Nm of maximum torque.
Honda Supra GTR 150 (Indonesia)
Whatever the case may be, we’re definitely excited to see what the new version of the Honda RS150R will look like. The current model has already been considered successful by Boon Siew Honda considering the number of bikes seen on Malaysian roads to date and we’re pretty sure that the new model will be just as good, if not better. Stay tuned for more updates.

Honda Wave Alpha updated for 2020 – From RM4,339

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BHP Karak – Is this the Most Popular Petrol Station in Selangor?

Almost every rider or biker in Malaysia especially hailing from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor will know about this particular BHP Karak located right after the Gombak Toll Plaza.
Why is this petrol station one of the most frequently visited landmarks for most bikers, riders and drivers out for the weekend ride or drive?
To most folks, it’s the perfect meet up point before heading out with the rest of the convoy. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the reasons why this BHP station is so popular.

Almost everyone who is involved in the motorcycling scene in Malaysia will know about this particular place. The usual message sent out or received by all riders, bikers and drivers alike are either “Bro, meet us at BHP Karak” or “I’m heading to BHP Gombak Toll now”.

Yes, out of the thousands of petrol stations scattered across the nation, none is more popular than the BHP Petrol Station located just after the Gombak Toll Plaza. If you’re fortunate enough to be there early Sunday morning, you’ll witness hundreds of bikes and cars gathering at this petrol station right beside the main road.

The question is why do so many riders and drivers decide to meet at this specific location? For one thing, it’s the first petrol station available right after the Gombak Toll Plaza which means finding the place won’t be an issue for most folks. Because of this, the BHP Petrol Station has been turned into the perfect rendezvous point for most folks before heading out for their much anticipated weekend rides together.

Most riders would congregate at the petrol station to wait for the others to join them before starting their convoy to a few great riding destinations such as Bentong, Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands just to name a few. The BHP station marks the first landmark of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway after the Gombak Toll Plaza so it’s definitely hard to miss the bright orange building from afar.

The other reason (and a very practical one) is the fact that anyone can stop by the station to refuel their beloved machines. The BHP petrol station provide all sort of fuels to cater to all those with different types of vehicles. This particular BHP station offers four types of fuel: Infiniti RON95, Infiniti Euro4M Ron97, Infiniti Diesel and also the Infiniti Euro5 Diesel.

There are a few good things why fuelling up with BHP fuels is a good thing. The biggest reason is that all of their fuels contain the latest additive packages from Germany which are sourced by some of the world’s leading chemical companies. Their fuels actually contain the Infiniti ‘Advanced 2X’ where the fuels are treated with double the amount of powerful additives to make sure that your vehicles perform better, faster and cleaner.

We’ve personally been to the petrol station countless times to begin many great convoys to different riding locations but sometimes, waiting for others to arrive on time usually takes more time than expected. For most folks, riding out to Bentong for some good ol’ lemang and rendang breakfast at Lemang To’ki will almost always start with gathering at the BHP station first but hungry stomachs can’t wait now, can they?

For those who are unfortunate enough to have to wait for their friends to arrive, they have a few options to have some sustenance because no one wants to ride on an empty stomach. At the station itself, there’s the BHP Petromart where you can get anything from snacks, drinks and other necessities.

Those looking for something a bit different can opt for the great selection of glorious donuts available at Dunkin Donuts located on the right-hand side of the building. There’s also an Old Town White Coffee establishment located on the left-hand side of the building for those looking for that great caffeine fix before heading out on the road.

To conclude, there are so many reasons why the BHP petrol station located right after the Gombak Toll Plaza is considered as one of the most popular petrol stations in Selangor or the entire Malaysia.

For this particular writer, the best and biggest reason to head out to BHP Karak in early in the morning is to check out the most extensive collection of bikes that are available in Malaysia from premium superbikes like the Yamaha YZF-R1 to custom Harley-Davidson cruisers. The BHP Karak is indeed a magical place for those who are passionate about motorcycles and more. So, let’s “Race the rain, ride the wind and chase the sunset.”

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Moto Guzzi Malaysia launches 2017 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber! RM74,900

Moto Guzzi Malaysia has finally unveiled their latest 2017 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber in conjunction with the upcoming annual international Moto Guzzi Open House at Mandello Del Lario, Italy.
The new V9 Bobber is powered by a same 850cc Euro4-compliant transverse 90-degree V-twin engine that produces 55hp and 62Nm of torque. It’s priced at RM74,900 (basic price with GST).
In conjunction with the Moto Guzzi Open House in Italy, Moto Guzzi Malaysia will also organise a special riding trip for those interested in attending this year’s Moto Guzzi Open House located Mandello Del Lario, the home of Moto Guzzi.

Following Moto Guzzi’s launch of the new Malaysian distributor just a few days ago, Moto Guzzi Malaysia has finally confirmed that they are bringing in the new and exciting 2017 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber. The launch of the latest addition to the V9 family has been made in conjunction with Moto Guzzi’s annual Open House in Italy at the home of Moto Guzzi at Mandello Del Lario since its inception back in 1921.

The all-new V9 Bobber comes with the latest styling and technology that will once again bring the fun and excitement to the international cruiser scene especially here in Malaysia. The brand’s new distributor, Didi Resources, will be pulling out all the stops to bring back Moto Guzzi’s fiery passion in Malaysia with all their new bikes plus its new lifestyle centre cum showroom and service centre at the Gasket Alley, Petaling Jaya.
The 2017 V7 III Racer being showcased at the Moto Guzzi 3S Centre located at the Gasket Alley, Petaling Jaya.
Like the V9 Roamer, the Bobber is also powered by the same 850cc Euro4-compliant transverse 90-degree V-twin engine that churns out a good 55hp at 6,250rpm and 62Nm of torque at 3,000rpm. According to the manufacturer, the engine boasts a “surprising character and responsiveness, which contribute to a really exciting riding experience.”

All that power is driven down to the rear wheel via a six-speed dry plate clutch transmission plus a double-jointed drive shaft offset by the increased size and the bevel gear, which provides a “solid and reliable management of the powerful torque supplied by the twin engine.” A brand new swingarm has been manufacturer to accommodate the brand new engine plus oversized rear tyre.

Like the unique V9 Roamer, its Bobber variant also caters to a specific group of motorcycling enthusiasts who are looking for something to compliment their ‘wild side’ of riding. The nature and very design of the Bobber fits any rider who is looking for that easy-going cruiser but with that timeless yet badass facade.

The side panels and fuel tank are finished in the pitch black colourway with just a few graphic details in yellow or matt red. The exhaust unit, mirrors and both metal mudguards are painted in dark matte to give the Bobber a more menacing yet beautiful look. The rear mudguard has been carefully shortened and reduced in size, so as well as including a very compact optical unit, it makes a big contribution to the minimal look of the V9 Bobber. The matt black wheel rims, both 16 inches, are elegantly decorated with the Moto Guzzi logo in grey; the front rim is shod with a tyre that has an oversized shoulder (130/90).

In terms of design, the 2017 V9 Bobber has been injected with the same amount of high quality steel and aluminium while reducing the use of plastic to the very minimum. The most beautiful feature on the V9 Bobber has to be the teardrop fuel tank that is found on both the V9 Roamer and Bobber together with their new front and rear fenders.
The V9 Bobber carries the same iconic tear-shaped gas tank as the V9 Roamer
To know more about the 2017 V9 Roamer, CLICK HERE.
Looking closer at the Bobber, it carries a different characteristic with its matte black finishes and fat tyres to further heighten the features of the V9 Bobber by bringing it into the 21st century. Apart from being beautiful and a wonder to ride, the Bobber also comes with some safety specifications such as the standard advanced two-channel ABS, Moto Guzzi Traction Control and an immobiliser.

Those who are interested in purchasing one of these 2017 V9 Bobber for yourselves, Moto Guzzi Malaysia has priced it at RM74,900 (basic price with GST). The V9 Bobber is available in two colours, both with a completely matt finish: Nero Massiccio with a yellow chequered graphic on the mudguards and on the tank Grigio Sport with a red chequered graphic on the mudguards and on the tank.

To make sure that V9 Bobber are able to add their very own personal touches to their prized motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Malaysia will also offer a wide range of accessories for all their latest 2017 Moto Guzzi models that’ll definitely make each and every Moto Guzzi machine as unique as the owner.

In conjunction with the Moto Guzzi Open House in Mandello Del Lario, Italy, Moto Guzzi Malaysia is also going to run an international riding program for this year’s Moto Guzzi Open House which is held every September.

“We believe this program would open the eyes of many Malaysians to share their passion and love of the brand that has been in existence since 1921 with a global support community and make their ownership experience borderless. Compound with a walk through the historical alleys of the factory from the museum tour to the rides around the beautiful Lake Varese and discover the Swiss territory through the “Stelvio Pass”, “Pass of Santa Maria” and many more. We believe this experience in Italy would be a true ownership not to be missed” mentioned Rewi Hamid Bugo, Chairman of Didi Resources.

Over 25,000 Moto Guzzi motorcycle owners gathered at last year’s Open House and this year, Moto Guzzi Malaysia will be bringing the any interested Malaysian individuals to Moto Guzzi’s biggest annual gathering.  Those who participate in the Open House will have their bikes shipped over to Italy for the best riding experience going around Lake Varese and other iconic riding destinations.
To know more about the 2017 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber and this year’s Moto Guzzi Open House riding program, CLICK HERE.

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WorldSBK: Michael van der Mark signs with BMW Motorrad for 2021

After confirming his departure from the PATA Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team, Michael van der Mark was announced that he’ll be competing with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for the 2021 season. With vast experience on multiple manufacturers, the young Dutchman is set on bringing the fight with the latest BMW S 1000 RR.

BMW Motorrad made its return to the FIM World Superbike Championship in 2019. It wasn’t actually a dream return as their lead rider, Tom Sykes, only managed to place himself in the eighth position in the championship with four podium finishes and no race wins. It’s even worse for his teammate at the time, Markus Reiterberger.

After only one round in 2020 (followed by a long pause in the season due to COVID-19), Sykes is currently in the top 10 with 17 points while his teammate, Eugene Laverty, sits at 15th with five points. With the signing of Michael van der Mark for 2021, there’s still no news on which Englishman will be axed next season.

According to Shaun Muir Team Principal of BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, “We are delighted to welcome Michael to the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. He brings a wealth of experience and is one of the youngest, most talented riders on the WorldSBK grid. Securing Michael’s services emphasises the focus and determination we have to compete for top honours, and we will give Michael every chance to reach that goal.”
2020 BMW S 1000 XR now available in Malaysia – RM121,500

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