2016 Triumph Street Twin test-ride – The Beautiful Urban Machine

2016 Triumph Street Twin – The original cool retro bike gets better with a host of new-aged tech.

As it was, the Triumph Bonneville had little to no faults as far as any motorcycling fan was concerned. It looked cool without trying too hard whilst being a bike that almost anyone can hop on and ride away and look cool with easily. Crucially, it was THE bike that started the whole retro bike craze.
However, with ever-tightening emission laws taking effect, Triumph had no choice but to undertake the daunting task of bringing this much-loved and iconic classic up to date. This wasn’t a walk in the park, and the ‘new’ Bonneville had some pretty big shoes to fill as well.

But, as it went, Triumph received nothing short of overwhelmingly positive responses when it unveiled the new Bonneville range late last year, and that echoed right up until it was introduced locally not too long ago. So when exclusive Malaysian importer and distributors Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd offered us with the new 2016 Triumph Street Twin for testing, we just had to find out first hand to what Triumph did with its beloved icon.
By now, you ought to know that the 2016 Triumph Street Twin stands as the entry level or ‘baby’ model in the new Bonneville range. Having spent an entire weekend with it recently, we can honestly say that THIS IS THE HIP RETRO BIKE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR. Period.

On the surface, it is easy to see that House Hinckley has stayed true to the Bonneville’s original identity by keeping the classic looks alive with its reborn icon. No matter where we rode it, the Street Twin never fails to garner plenty of admiring smiles and glances, especially in some of the city’s most hip and upscale areas.

But, study the bike’s finer details and you’ll start to appreciate how Triumph have modernised this classic brilliantly without ruining it. For starters, there’s the full LED taillight and the alloy wheels, not forgetting that digital multi-info display that’s cleverly blended into a retro-styled single dial housing. And just in case you were wondering, there’s even a USB charging port under the seat too.

Adding to the Street Twin’s naturally cool looks further is the optional Brat Tracker Inspiration Kit outfitted on our test unit. Notable highlights here include the ribbed bench seat that was more comfortable than it looked, the blacked-out handle grips, the Scrambler-like brush aluminium sump guard, as well as the compact LED signal lights front and aft amongst others.

Looks aside, the Street Twin’s biggest trump card in its list of new-aged things – and for all its siblings too – is its new liquid-cooled twin-cylinder heart. All new Bonnevilles benefit with this as it replaces the previous model’s air-cooled iteration, allowing it to meet strict Euro 4 emission standards whilst offering improved performance and efficiency at the same time.

A video posted by BIKES REPUBLIC (@bikesrepublic) on Mar 27, 2016 at 7:06pm PDT

In the Street Twin’s case, you get Triumph’s new 900cc ‘High Torque’ unit that delivers 54hp at 5,900rpm and 80Nm of torque at 3,230rpm. All that is sent to the rear using a five-speed transmission primed with a wet multi-plate assist clutch and chain-drive setup as well.

With the Street Twin, setting land speed records isn’t in its forte. However, the adoption of liquid cooling has indeed granted this classic bike with performances mirroring any rivalling modern middleweight, not to mention a sweet new engine note too. Moreover, it is easy to master thanks to its light clutch lever pull plus the transmission’s silky smooth shift action.

With the Brat Tracker Kit, you also get to enhance the powertrain’s soundtrack further with a pair of twin Vance & Hines slip-on silencers. This option alone made the entire Brat Tracker kit worthy of its RM8,528.56 premium on top of the Street Twin’s basic asking price – more on this later.

In the ride and handling department, the Street Twin again felt really sweet here. Though the tubular steel cradle frame and accompanying tubular steel twin-sided swingarm assembly are somewhat ‘traditional’ so to speak, the Street Twin only tips the scale at 198kg dry – 11kg less than its predecessor in fact.

You still won’t be scraping knee sliders, but there’s plenty natural agility and nimbleness that will put any rivalling modern middleweight to shame really. Furthermore, the Street Twin’s seemingly compact dimensions made it a cinch to wiggle and manoeuvre about as well, especially in the concrete jungle and the mad traffic conditions that usually comes with it.

What deserved high praises here too were the Street Twin’s Kayaba-sourced suspension as it granted it with a very sublime and plush ride. Much of this comes from the high amounts of travel offered by the 41mm front forks and twin rear shocks with pre-load adjustability.

Again, don’t let looks fool you into thinking that single-disc anchors aren’t enough in slowing or halting this eager Brit on its toes. In fact, the twin-piston calipers grabbing the 310mm front disc and 255mm rear disc are easy to modulate at the lever – even for newbies! – whilst the standard-equipped ABS suite simply adds to that ease of control as well.

On that note, it is also worth pointing out that the other vastly improved area of the new Bonneville lies in its array of new electronics. Besides ABS, you’d be glad to know that the Street Twin also benefits with Traction Control and Ride-By-Wire throttle control as standard features too. Surprisingly, they didn’t feel too intrusive and, more importantly, not too ‘artificial’ either.

Perhaps the only areas where the 2016 Triumph Street Twin lacks are perhaps day-to-day practicality from the absence of storage spaces, and the limited touring ability resulting form the absence of a sixth gear.
You could remedy the former by perhaps adding a custom leather side-bag or a a soft bags set. Just don’t ruin things with a top-box – get a scooter if you’re seriously going to do that!

But as for the latter, it really isn’t a deal breaker thanks largely to the Street Twin’s compact and lightweight agility being perfectly suited for the urban condition.

It really is a beautiful urban machine that you could commute daily with, and one that would make you the King of Cool wherever you arrive, be it hipster cafés, the mall or even your office.
Of course, no one ever said that ‘cool’ was cheap. At RM55,900 (with 6% GST) sans insurance, road tax, registration costs, and those tasty Brat Tracker options, we’ll agree that the 2016 Street Twin is one expensive investment, especially considering the amount cheaper alternatives available at said price, not forgetting the new kid on the retro block that is the Scrambler Ducati.

However, said rivals don’t possess what the Street Twin, or any of its siblings for that matter, have, which is that unrivalled level of cool it owns as an icon. If you’re into all things hip, cool and retro, then this iconic British machine should be one of the things parked in your driveway.

Check out more images of the 2016 Triumph Street Twin in the gallery we’ve prepared below. Also, stay tuned as we’ll bring you our impressions of the Street Twin’s larger sibling, the 2016 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black, very soon.
2016 Triumph Street Twin – Specifications

ENGINE
Liquid-cooled, 8-valve SOHC
parallel-twin with fuel injection
and Ride-By-Wire throttle

TRANSMISSION
5-speed manual with
wet multi-plate assist clutch
+ chain drive

POWER
54hp @ 5,900rpm

TORQUE
80Nm @ 3,230rpm

CHASSIS
Tubular steel cradle
with tubular steel swingarms

SUSPENSION
Front:
Kayaba 41mm forks
(120mm travel)
Rear:
Kayaba twin shocks with
pre-load adjustability
(120 mm travel)

WHEELS + TYRES
Front:
100/90 R18
Rear:
150/70 R17

BRAKES
Front:
310mm single- disc with
Nissin dual-piston floating caliper
Rear:
255mm single-disc with
Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
ABS

SEAT HEIGHT
750mm

WEIGHT
198kg (dry)

FUEL TANK
12 litres

FUEL ECONOMY
3.7 l/100 km (claimed)

PRICE
RM55,900 (with 6% GST) excluding insurance, road tax, registration costs and options
Brat Tacker (as featured)
+RM8,528.56

FROM
Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd
(Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia)
http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com.my/

2016 Triumph Street Twin test-ride

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Harley-Davidson Buys Out StaCyc, To Introduce e-Push Bikes

Harley-Davidson acquired StaCyc and will introduce e-Push bikes to kids.

The bikes will duly be branded as Harley-Davidsons.

There two models for kids of different height.

Damn, wish they had this when I was a kid! Harley-Davidson acquired StaCyc, Inc., a company who specializes in producing EDRIVE push bikes for kids.
Getting your kid on a bike at an early age would most probably inculcate your love for motorcycles in them. Even better, start the love on a Harley-branded bike and have them riding one along with you.
The StaCyc EDRIVE bikes actually came out in 2016. The Motor Company’s acquisition means they will be rebranded as Harleys. There are two models called the 12e and 16e. The 12e has a smaller 12-inch frame, while the latter uses a large 16-inch from for taller kids. The 16e more powerful, as well.

The bikes can function in both electric driven mode and push mode.
Harley’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand, Heather Malenshek, says “We’re thrilled to have StaCyc become part of the Harley-Davidson family. The StaCyc team shares the same vision we have for building the next generation of riders globally and we believe that together, we will have a significant impact in bringing the fun and enjoyment of riding to kids everywhere.”
Malaysian riders can check with Harley-Davidson of Petaling to see if they are bring these cycles in.
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2020 Honda CBR400R unveiled in Japan – RM32,168

Honda has launched its latest 2020 Honda CBR400R for their local market and its more race-ish than ever before. Visually inspired by their range-topping Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, the 2020 Honda CB400R is targeted to strengthen the brand’s presence, especially in the country.

What’s different with the new 2020 model? Well, there’s a new CBR logo that’s the same with the CBR1000RR-R. And that’s about it, folks. It doesn’t mean that the 400cc sports bike is not a good bike to own. With a sharp and aggressive design, it also comes with Honda’s iconic dual front headlights, dual-barrel side exhausts, sculpted 17-litre fuel tank, and more.

The CBR400R is planned to fill in the gap between the brand’s 250cc and 500cc range which provides good riding performance, especially for touring. This is thanks to its clip-on handlebars that offers a sporty stance without being too sporty.

Fitted with a 399cc twin-cylinder DOHC liquid-cooled engine, the 2002 Honda CBR400R produces around 46hp at 9,000rpm and 38Nm of max torque at 7,500rpm. We’re guessing that this package might be good enough to compete against the likes of Kawasaki Ninja 400 and KTM RC390R in WorldSSP300 of WorldSBK (if anyone is brave enough to race on one).

Other specs include:

41mm telescopic forks
320mm single front disc (petal-type)
240mm single rear disc (petal-type)
Dual-channel ABS
Assist & slipper clutch

The Japanese market can get one for 808,500 yen (around RM32,168) with a choice of three different colours – Champion Red, Matte Gray and Pearl Glare White. We’re still not sure if this beauty will make its way here in Malaysia considering the fact that Boon Siew Honda has the 500cc range in stock, which includes the CBR500R.
New Honda CBR600RR-R to be launched at MotoGP Thai round?

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Reviewed: Harley-Davidson Sportster 48 Special – Retro good looks for the urban rider

The Harley-Davidson Sportster 48 is among the most popular Sportster models.
It gets its good looks from the iconic fat front tyre and a low profile.
But it’s smallish 8-litre tank makes it better suited for urban riding than long distance touring.
But if it is style you want then the 48 is the bike you need.
The 48 Special gets some retro touches such as chrome highlights and those AMF-era tank stripes.

So where the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 is the hardcore chopper with performance that could make a sports bike blush, the Sportster 48 is the chilled out cruiser with a design that looks like it came right off a 60s era vintage Harley.
That iconic fat front tyre, the low slung body, forward controls and single-passenger seat are all meant to make the bike look retro cool. And cool it definitely is.

I have always been a huge fan of the 48. I have a 2014 Sportster 48 and love every bit about it, especially because of its laid-back yet powerful character, and because of its classic good looks of course. So if the weather is not too hot and I am having an easy day, I usually take out the 48.
The Iron 1200 may have that iconic chopper like styling and the ergonomics of it makes you feel totally in control weaving in and out of corners. But the 48 is different, it encourages you to slow down and enjoy the ride, some call it a thinking-man’s bike, the man with a free spirit but yet has places to be and people to see.

The 48 is lower than the Iron, a little over an inch closer to the ground, with a little more rake and trail and a shorter wheelbase. Then of course there are the tyres with the 48 getting beefier 130 section front tyres and a smaller 16 inch rim while the Iron 1200 gets 100 section tyres and bigger 19 inch rims. Both share the same 150/80B 16 rear tyre.

https://www.bikesrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/48-close-up.mp4
The wheels and the sitting position are the only difference between the two bikes, but the bikes are far from the same. The Iron 1200 lets you carry lower lean angles into corners which means more speed and agility, while the 48 feels like it is hardly done bending over when the foot pegs meet the road.

The build of the bike gives it a heavy metal feel to it, you will come to appreciate the weight of the bike. Cables running down the handle bar and beneath the frame all suggest that this is bike that will give you plenty to customize later on in its life, so you may never get bored of owning it.

Living in Kuala Lumpur means you’re constantly surrounded by traffic, construction and buildings, and though the 48 felt at one with the roads carved into the cliff side roads of Split, Croatia, I will confess through experience that it is also perfectly adapted to life in the concrete jungle. It does not have a very good turning radius for tight u-turns, but at least you will still look cool while clumsily turning around.

And so, after spending some time with the Iron 1200, I hopped on to the new 48 Special. The Special variant gets some chrome highlights around the exhaust and other shinny bits. It also gets the same mini-ape bars as the Iron 1200 but not the headlight cover.
https://www.bikesrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/hd-close-up-2.mp4
At first ride both bikes offer about the same character, and why shouldn’t they as both are powered by the same air-cooled evolution 1202cc engine with the same 100Nm of torque. Even the gearbox and all of its ratios are the same.

But the similarities end at the first corner, each bike has its own unique character in a corner. There is an immediate feeling that the 48 is a little reluctant to bite in as compared to the Iron. This is because of the thicker front tyre, but once it settles in the front end feels more confident especially during the exit where the Iron can feel a little nervous as soon as it squats under power.

The Iron 1200 is also better to cover miles with. The 8-litre peanut tank of the 48 gives it a range better suited to city riding. And its outreached handle bars, foot pegs and smallish seat will kill your back after about an hour or so of riding. It becomes so uncomfortable that you simply want to get off the bike. It is a common problem with the 48, I suffered the same with my own bike and the solution was to get a bigger, more supportive seat. The seat on the Iron 1200 though is fantastic to say the least.

The 48 also comes with the same retro AMF-era paint job which just lends to its classic looks. The two new Sportsters, though visually different, are nearly identical in geometry yet completely unique in character. The 48 Special is obviously the more stylish sibling in the Sportster family.
https://www.bikesrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/waa-hd-48.mp4
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster 48 Special is yet to hit the Malaysian market but we hear that may happen towards the later part of the year, and when it does arrive, this is one Sportster that would be worth giving a look at the Harley-Davidson KL showroom at The Gasket Alley in PJ.
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Ducati CNY open house

Our friends at Ducati Malaysia (Next Bike Sdn Bhd) will be hosting a special Chinese New Year open house at its flagship PJ showroom this weekend.
The event will be held on February 8 and 9 (Saturday and Sunday) starting from 9am and ends and 7pm. Various festive activities have been organised for visitors and it includes a special lion dance performance, and the traditional lokam orange eating competition.

More importantly, Ducati Malaysia will be holding special sales offers on the Streetfighter and Diavel models. Lucky buyers will also stand a chance to receive Angpows in this offer, and the firm has specially prepared an 848 Streetifghter test unit exclusively for visiting customers to test ride.

More information is available via its official website, or its social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram).
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Aprilia to stop production for Shiver & Dorsoduro?

They say all good things will come to their end sooner or later, and it looks like Aprilia might be axing two very legendary names from their production line soon. We are of course referring to the Aprilia Shiver and Dorsoduro. Why? Euro5 emissions, that’s why.

So, what’s the deal with Euro5 and Aprilia? The current models for both the Shiver and Dorsoduro are only Euro4-compliant and to be able to continue to sell these bikes in the future, they have to go through the Euro5 evolution.

If there should ever be an indication of an updated Shiver or Dorsoduro, it should be around this time. Aprilia, on the other hand, is currently very occupied with its latest release, the 2021 Aprilia RS 660. There are also clear indicators that there will be a naked and touring version of the RS 660 in the future.

With a lot of efforts placed on developing new models based on the 660cc powerplant, there’s very little room left for the Shiver and Dorsoduro to take centre stage. They already have the RS 660 on sale and that will be followed by the Tuono 660 as well as what most people think is the upcoming Tuareg 660.

If you ask us, the Shiver has already gone through its golden years and it’ll continue to be a very capable bike. For the future of the brand, the 660 looks promising and it would be amazing if they can somehow adapt that for the supermoto-like Dorsoduro. That’ll get people talking, eh?
2021 Aprilia RS 660 – more sexy photos!

Written by: Sep Irran
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2019 BMW S 1000 RR Teaser Video Released and Spotted Testing

The 2019 BMW S 1000 RR superbike was caught undergoing road trials.

BMW Motorrad then released a teaser video a few days after that.

The new bike will be unveiled at the EICMA show in November.

BMW has announced that will launch nine new models for 2019 and a new 2019 BMW S 1000 RR is one of them.
There have been many speculations, as usual, plus a patent filing which was leaked but a Spanish BMW Motorrad dealer caught sight of the prototype undergoing road tests.

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SALIMOS DE #RUTA ??? SERA ASI LA NUEVA S1000RR??? ??✌?✌? #BMW #S1000rr #siono #pintaza #supersport #realofake #s1000rr2019 #bmwmotorrad #sbk #superbike #superbikes #awrsome #nice #epic #bikeporn #bmwmoto #bmwmotos #newmoto #newmotos #superbikesgram
A post shared by  Control94 BMW (@control94bmw) on Oct 3, 2018 at 10:35pm PDT

Referring to the photos, the design has definitely undergone some changes but still retains some of the S 1000 RR’s defining features.
The central air intake, “split” fairing panel, seats and fork bottoms are the dead giveaways of the old bike, but new are the symmetrical headlamps, front turnsignals that are integrated into the rearview mirrors.
The new engine is reported to produce 210 bhp but the biggest change is the counter-rotating crankshaft. There is also a possibility of variable valve timing on the cards.

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Heads up… Adrenaline incoming. #MakeLifeARide #bmwmotorrad #EICMA
A post shared by  BMW Motorrad (@bmwmotorrad) on Oct 2, 2018 at 7:28am PDT

There are also rumblings of the 2019 S 1000 RR with different options and trims for different needs. It is a good call, in our opinion, as not all riders are track riders and may not access every single function a bike provides. It represents some cost savings for them, too.
However, if the leaked photos caused a sensation, BMW Motorrad has also released a teaser video, “promising” to unveil the new bike at the EICMA show at Milan, Italy in November.

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KTM 390 Adventure Test Bike Spotted Again

Photo credit outlookindia.com

The KTM 390 Adventure test bike was spotted undergoing road tests in India again.

It’s apparent from the spy pictures that the bike’s styling follows the 790 Adventure’s.

There is also a TFT display like the 390 Duke’s.

The KTM 390 Adventure test bike was spotted undergoing road tests in India again.
The Austrian off-road and adventure juggernaut have filled the midrange and open-class categories, so it is ironic that they do not have one in the lightweight segment. Virtually every rival manufacturer has one.
It is thus of no surprise to see a 390 Adventure. The factory has not provided more details of the “new” bike. However, we could see from the pictures that the test mule uses upside-down forks.
The headlamp cluster’s styling also takes after the new KTM 790 Adventure, as do the seats and sidepanels covering the sub-frame beneath. The panels flaking the radiator looks similar to the manufacturer’s EX/C and Enduro lineup.
Photo credit news18.com
Apart from those, the fuel tank is in the traditional position as opposed to the 790 Adventure’s low-slung unit. We cannot judge the seat’s height from the photos, though. Also, we’d like to point out that the exhaust is mounted too low if this new bike is off-road capable. A revised version is in the works, perhaps? Or are there two versions: One more road-oriented “S” model and another off-road biased “R” model?
It’s apparent in the second picture that the bike has a TFT display identical to the 390 Duke’s. Will it feature the Rally mode first seen in the 790 Adventure?
Come what may, we’ve got our fingers crossed.
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Is the Honda CBR600RR getting axed?

Has tightening emission laws killed off the Honda CBR600RR supersports?

Whilst we rejoice at the recent news of the flagship Honda CBR1000RR superbike finally getting the radical replacement it deserves, questions are being raised now surrounding its supersports sibling the Honda CBR600RR.
According to various UK sources, the Japanese brand will reportedly cease production of its fabled 600cc supersport machine from 2017 onwards. The core reason behind this is the fact that the CBR600RR doesn’t meet tight Euro 4 emissions standards – a ruling that takes affect in the European market from January 1, 2017 onwards.

Reports further indicate that Honda felt that consumer demands in this segment are too low to warrant a replacement for the highly favoured supersport machine. Adding to that is the fact that the current Honda CBR600RR as we know it has been around since 2003.
Since its debut, the Honda CBR600RR has undergone a number of minor updates, the most significant of which performed on the 2007 model right before the global economic recession.

What isn’t helping here too is the fact that rivals Kawasaki and Yamaha have also yet to produce replacements for their respective Ninja ZX-6R and YZF-R6 supersports models.

However, the story outside Europe and the UK is starkly different. Presently, the Honda CBR600RR is still part of the brand’s official line up in other markets where Euro 4 emissions standards aren’t an issue such as America.
Still, there are several quarters that speculate that Honda will likely produce a CBR600RR replacement should the upcoming new CBR1000R replacement perform well. In this segment, Honda’s rivals have answered rightfully towards the new emissions standards and reaped in the benefits.
Chief amongst which here are the likes of the BMW S1000RR, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, the Yamaha YZF-R1 and the Ducati 1299 Panigale.

It seems more likely that the success of the upcoming new flagship Honda CBR1000RR will likely spur the development of a ‘baby’ supersport version to replace the Honda CBR600RR.
Sources: Asphaltandrubber / MCN
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FIRST LOOK: Indian FTR Sport  – 120hp, 117Nm

American motorcycle company, Indian Motorcycle introduced a new FTR Sport model that is set to replace the FTR S for 2023.

The FTR Sport replaces the the FTR S for 2023.
The FTR Sport sits under the FTR Carbon but placed above the FTR Rally and the base model.

Notable features on the FTR Sport include a new headlight cowl that also serves as a number plate, a chin fairing and a pillion seat cover.
The biggest addition to the 2023 lineup – including the Sport and R Carbon – includes an all-new 4-inch touchscreen TFT instrumentation with navigation system powered by Indian’s Ride Command technology.

Indian also improved other aspect of the FTR including a new clutch, reworked front braking which the firm claimed provide a firmer feel.
Also, the speedometer now placed slightly higher to improve rider visibility.

The 2023 FTR range also sport a new exhaust muffler.
Mechanically, the FTR Sport makes the same 120hp @ 7,750rpm and 117Nm @ 6,000rpm from its 1203cc DOHC, liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-Twin.

Other notable features include:

43mm ZF Sachs fully-adjustable telescopic cartridge forks.
ZF Sachs fully-adjustable piggyback IFP
Brembo brakes
15.4L fuel tank

Pricing and availability is yet to be announced but the Indian FTR Sport is available in White Lightning with Indy Red and Black Metallic accent as well as Black Metallic with Indy Red accents.
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MV Agusta to launch new 950cc engine & adventure bike

Looks like MV Agusta is getting ready to expand their current model line-up as their beloved CEO, Timur Sardarov, announced the possibility of launching a new 950cc engine AND an adventure bike in the near future.

It’s been a while since we last saw a totally brand new MV Agusta model. The recent unveilings have all been more or less limited or special edition models, but a new engine and model will certainly get things running in the right direction (provided that they can offer something ‘unique’ compared to the other manufacturers in the game).

The brand’s current adventure-like bike is the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce but that’s more sport-touring that can eat up the miles rather than going through some off-road action, considering its price, design and beauty altogether.

The premium Italian bike manufacturer is also currently testing the waters with a possible small-capacity machine between 350cc-500cc. They’ve also acquired Cagiva and sealed a deal with China’s Loncin Motor Company who will help fund MV Agusta for the next five years.

A 350cc street bike does some tempting and if they are able to price it just right, this could move the company from a limited production premium big bike segment to a full-scale quantity sales upgrade (and production). Hopefully, these new models and engines will bring a solid profit for MV Agusta to continue their mission of providing some of the world’s most beautiful motorcycles.
MV Agusta 350cc motorcycle coming soon?

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Boon Siew Honda Introduces New Colour for 2019 Honda X-ADV

Boon Siew Honda rolled out a new colour for the 2019 Honda X-ADV.

The X-ADV is a cross-platform motorcycle.

It features a 750cc engine and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).

Boon Siew Honda introduced a new colour for the 2019 Honda X-ADV line-up called Matt Moonstone Silver Metallic. It complements the present Grand Prix Red and Matt Bullet Silver colours.
The Honda X-ADV is a groundbreaking cross-platform motorcycle. It incorporates a number of features that are only found in individual motorcycles in the body of a scooter.

First up, the liquid-cooled, 745cc engine produces 54 bhp (40.3 kW) and 68 Nm of torque. It means that the bike isn’t a run-of-the-mill scooter.
Secondly, it is equipped with Honda’s proprietary Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). The DCT is a 6-speed manual gearbox but can be operated in Drive and Sport full-automatic modes or in fully manual model.
Thirdly, the X-ADV has a Gravel model for off-road riding, hence the knobby tyres. There’s no other scooter which boasts such capability. The front wheel is a 17-inch unit for tackling the rough.

With such engine power and capabilities, the Honda X-ADV makes for both a practical daily commuter and long-distance tourer. We have ridden the bike all the way to Kuantan and back in comfort. The adjustable windscreen it tall in its highest adjustment, keeping windblast off the rider’s torso.
The underseat storage compartment is large and supplemented by cubby holes up front.
The new colour is available from December 2019 onwards at Honda Big Wing Dealers. The Honda X-ADV is priced from RM 63,229 for standard colours and from RM 65,499 for special colours.
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Andrea Dovizioso Shows How Alpinestars Airbag Suit Works

Here’s Andrea Dovizioso testing the Alpinestars airbag suit off his bike.

The suit saved him and Fabio Quartararo in a horror crash in the British MotoGP.

The airbag works on a very sophisticated algorithm.

We wrote about how the Alpinestars airbag suit saved Andrea Dovizioso and Fabio Quartararo in a horrific crash at the start of the British MotoGP.
Alpinestars published the data recorded by both men’s suits, as well.
But in this video, Dovizioso stands in and shows how it looks like when the suit inflates. As you can see in real motion, the airbags inside the suit expand quickly in anticipation of an impact.
However, bear in mind that the airbag ECU has a sophisticated algorithm to inflate a single airbag or airbags to different capacities. The ECU also determines when is the best time to inflate.
For example, a lowside triggers the inflation of a single airbag, leaving the other as a spare. The rider may choose to carry on riding. The inflated bag will deflate in short order, as well.
At the Silverstone round however, the sensors would’ve picked up that Dovizioso was flying through the air and inflate the both bags a little later so that he’d have a softer landing. Inflating too soon would mean the airbags could be below optimum inflation.
We’re thankful that the FIM mandated that airbags are compulsory in all three classes.
Check out the video below.

Testing the leather airbag outside the track with @alpinestars @redbullmotors @VanessaCarlotta??#dovi04 #desmodovi #AD04 #missionwinnow #forzaducati #motogp #alpinestars #suomyhelmets #redbull #oldwildwest #biotekna #mondottica #DucatiEyewear pic.twitter.com/9mQuNEHt1b
— Andrea Dovizioso (@AndreaDovizioso) May 10, 2019

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Ducati concept bikes by Jakusa Design are out of this world!

Jakusa Design has released some interesting concept designs for some of present and older Ducati bikes with some pretty futuristic updates.
They’ve rendered a few concept mock-ups on some of the Ducati flagship models such as the Panigale, XDiavel, Desmosedici, Hypermotard, Monster and many more.
While most concepts tend to be too futuristic, the ones from Jakusa Design seems like they can be rolling out of the factory in the near future (at least, in our opinion).

As we slowly but surely move ourselves into the future, the thought of super futuristic modes of transportation are not just things we see on movies anymore. In fact, some great inventions and top vehicle designs came from motion pictures, animes and plenty other creations concocted by graphic designers and artists which started life purely as their wildly vivid interpretations of the future of transportation.

From the depths of minds of artists, they are put into concepts for other people to grasp and the ones conjured up by Jakusa Design are nothing short of extraordinary. Their latest project is a set of Ducati concept bikes based on their present line up such as the Ducati Streetfighter, Hypermotard, Panigale, Desmosedici and many more.

 PANX #jakusa #jakusadesign #thejakusa #rideout #instamoto #instamotorcycle #bikeexif #pipeburn #silodrome #digitalart #photoshop #ducati #ducatimotor #ducatimotorcycles #ducatimotorcycle #ducatipanigale #ducatipassion #ducatinsta #ducatilive #ducatilove #ducaticaferacer #caferacer #caferacerporn
A post shared by Jakusa Design (@jakusadesign) on Jul 19, 2017 at 4:34am PDT

The thing about concept bikes is that they can either be a hit of miss (most of the times, they’re misses by a long shot) but one look at some of the rendered images by Jakusa Design and you sort of understand that these images might carry some potential into possible two-wheelers that will roll out from the factories in the near future without being too distant (you know, like the ones that floats and powered by nuclear propulsion that can reach speeds up to 500km/h with just a drop of purified water taken from the Fountain of Youth).

So, just enjoy these beautifully rendered concepts courtesy of Jakusa Design. Who knows, maybe the top guns at Ducati will notice and bring some flair into their new range of bikes especially the upcoming V4-powered Panigale replacement.

Photo source: Jakusa Design

				Image source: Jakusa Design

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Power-to-Weight Ratio Explained – Why Light is Right

There’s a saying “light is right.”

Instead, we are always too engrossed with horsepower.

Let’s talk about power-to-weight ratio in this article.

We’re all so caught up by horsepower figures that we usually overlook many other areas of performance. One very important principle regards weight, or the lack of it, to be more specific which leads to the saying, “light is right,” which also corresponds to power-to-weight ratio.
That’s what all the brow-ha-ha over the likes of the BMW S 1000 RR HP4 Race and Ducati Superleggera V4 lies.
What does lightness bring

In Newton’s Law of Motion, the lighter an object, the less force is required to make it change direction of motion. It’s all in the equation: F = ma where F is force, m is mass and a is acceleration. As such, force has a larger figure when mass is higher, acceleration being equal.
For the rider in you and I, it means that it’s easier to make a bike change directions, accelerate and decelerate.
But an even easier term to understand is “power-to-weight” ratio. It’s a simple math by dividing the engine’s horsepower to the bike’s weight. Let’s show you a few calculations so you can see for yourself.
The Weight Loss Route

Let’s take a generic 1000cc sportbike, as an example. Let’s say that the engine produces 200 hp and the bike weighs 180 kg.
So, 200 hp/ 180 kg = 1.11 hp/kg
Now, say you managed to drop some weight by swapping out the stock exhaust system with a lighter aftermarket item, shaving 15 kg in the process.
200 hp / 165 kg = 1.21 hp/kg
Now, you drop even more weight after dumping the rear passenger’s seat and the footpegs. Besides those, you removed the entire tailsection and install a tail-tidy. (Note here that we’re not encouring you to modify your bike!) You shaved another 8 kg in the process.
The power-to-weight ratio now is:
200 hp / 157 kg = 1.28 hp/kg
The Brute Power Route

For comparison’s sake, let’s assume that you don’t want to swap anything out, thereby maintaining the bike’s stock weight of 180 kg. Instead, you look to push power higher by performing modifications to the ECU, injectors, etc., which nets you an extra 10 hp.
Thus,
210 hp / 180 kg = 1.16 hp/kg
That’s lower than if you had chucked out 10 kg of weight.
Let’s try to equal 1.28 hp/kg. To reach that ratio, you would’ve to modify the engine to produce:
1.28 X 180 kg = 256
Yup, your engine needs to produce a MotoGP-level 256 hp.
Conclusion
Triumph Daytona Moto2 765
As you can see above, the easiest route to making you bike go faster is by lightening it. It’s also much cheaper because you can remove superfluous parts on your bike, compared to installing go-fast stuff such as ECU, exhaust system, injectors, valves, pistons, conrods besides engine work such as porting and flow. You might as well just buy a homologation special superbike!
Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, your bike will be much easier to ride with lower weight. It’ll accelerate quicker, while saving much more engine power and fuel in the process. It’ll take less distance to brake too, saving your energy and causes your fingers and arms to tire less.
To wrap up, there’s another saying: “Losing weight is free horsepower.”
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2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R unveiled with MotoGP livery

Suzuki is celebrating its official 100th anniversary this year and to kick things off, they’ve unveiled their latest 2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R offering with MotoGP livery taken from their motorsports racing effort, Team Suzuki Ecstar.

We’ve said it before that the silver and blue colour combo presented on the Suzuki GSX-RR MotoGP bike was one of the nicest looking race bikes for this season. That cosmetic feature will be made available on their flagship superbike offering, the Suzuki GSX-R1000R.

Not much else has been said about their ‘updated’ bike in terms of performance. Compared to other litre superbikes in the same category, the Suzuki GSX-R1000R is one of the older models with no significant updates introduced (well, not yet).

With 185hp and 117Nm available on tap, it’s already a couple of steps behind other major 1,000cc superbikes, especially the Ducati Panigale V4 R, Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, and BMW S 1000 RR, to name a few.

Nevertheless, it’s a good-looking bike with a cult following from many folks around the globe. We would love to see this bike arrive soon on Malaysian shores but with the current lockdown imposed to combat the Coronavirus outbreak, it’ll be a while before anything exciting happens.
Suzuki celebrates 100th anniversary

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All events at Sepang Circuit postponed/cancelled until further notice

Last weekend was supposed to be one hell of a motorsports fest with Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF), Desmo Cup, and several track day events were supposed to take place but due to the worrying growth of Coronavirus or COVID-19 cases here in Malaysia, all events planned at the Sepang Circuit are either postponed or cancelled until further notice.

This move was made in accordance with the recent statement by our newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports (KBS), YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican. Therefore, Sepang Circuit has concluded that ‘any events involving mass gathering which includes sporting events that have been approved or to be organized by KBS or any agencies under KBS is to be postponed or cancelled according to suitability until 30 April 2020.’

This move will definitely help to curb the spread of the infectious virus but at the same time, events like the upcoming Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) Round 2 and Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) Round 1 have been postponed to a later date, presumably after Hari Raya Aidilfitri or when the Coronavirus outbreak has been fully controlled.

SIC also stated that guests that are required to be at Sepang Circuit during these trying times will be provided with facial masks and hand sanitisers as well as temperature checks all main entries of the circuit. Sepang Circuit will also be working closely with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Motorsports Association of Malaysia for further updates on the current situation.

Stay safe out there, ladies and gentlemen! Remember to always wash your hands and practise safe hygiene no matter where you are. As of now, you can never be too careful. Stock up on food at home if you need but the health of you and others around you should always be the number one priority.
How the Covid-19 Coronavirus is Taking a Toll on Biking

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BMW World Malaysia 2015: BMW Concept Roadster confirmed

BMW Group Malaysia is set to showcase the BMW Concept Roadster at the upcoming BMW World Malaysia 2015 event.

Our friends at BMW Group Malaysia have confirmed that it will be showcasing the BMW Concept Roadster in Malaysia during its upcoming BMW World Malaysia 2015 fair later this month.

This marks the concept bike’s first appearance in Malaysia and will surely be a treat for any BMW Motorrad fan and enthusiast attending. To refresh your memory, the Concept Roadster was believed to be the inspiration behind the German brand’s new R1200R and R1200RS boxer-powered naked bikes that debuted at INTERMOT last year.

BMW World Malaysia 2015 is happening in the Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort, Mont Kiara from April 17 (Friday) until April 19 (Sunday). Tickets are priced at RM18.00 per entry and can be purchased from the dedicated BMW World Malaysia 2015 microsite, with proceeds from ticket sales benefitting the Agathians Shelter charity organisation.
If you simply cannot wait to lay eyes on this beautiful concept, you can check it out first via the gallery we’ve prepared below.
BMW Motorrrad Concept Roadster
Source: Visordown
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2020 Yamaha Y15ZR updated with four new colours – RM8,168

Cyan

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM), the sole distributor of Yamaha motorcycles here in Malaysia, has introduced the updated 2020 Yamaha Y15ZR which now comes in four exciting new colours for the local market.
Red
Those who are interested should be glad to know that these four new colour options are Matte Titan, Cyan, Red, and Blue. These new offerings for the 2020 Yamaha Y15ZR are already available at all authorised HLYM showrooms nationwide with the same price of RM8,168 (excluding insurance, road tax & registration).
Matte Titan
As a bonus, each new purchase of the 2020 Yamaha Y15ZR will come with a complimentary Yamaha disc lock worth RM100 for added safety and peace of mind. Like the price, the specs for the very popular Yamaha 150cc moped remains unchanged.
Blue
Should you use MySejahtera app when pumping fuel?

Written by: Sep Irran
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Moto Guzzi Malaysia introduces limited edition V7 III Carbon – Priced at RM74,900

The Moto Guzzi V7 III Carbon has just been launched in Malaysia.
The Carbon variant features carbon-fibre components, red highlights and a unique alcantara leather seat.
Only 1921 units will be produced worldwide and you can book yours now.

Moto Guzzi Malaysia today introduced the limited edition Moto Guzzi V7 III Carbon. An aesthetically racier, more performance oriented variant of the popular V7 III.

The Carbon variant, which was introduced at the Moto Guzzi showroom at The Gasket Alley in Petaling Jaya, is distinguished by its carbon fibre components such as the shortened fenders and side fairings, as well as the Matt black colour with red contrasting highlights on the engine cover, logo and front brake caliper.

The seat (above) is also unique to the Carbon model and is made of water repellent Alcantara, leather. It too features red highlight stitching as shown below. In fact, the carbon features many such unique features, such as the tank cap made of anodized black billet aluminum, headlight frame, injector covers and the rear brake master cylinder.

The Moto Guzzi V7 III Carbon is made in limited number, 1921 to be exact, a number that recalls the year Moto Guzzi was established.

The series number of the model is identified by the plate on the handlebar riders as shown above. Also shown above is the dedicated single circular display, which is typical of variants such as the V7 III Stone, Rough and the Carbon. The V7 III Special, Racer and Milano variants on the other hand, have a second circular display for the rev counter.

At the heart of this Carbon model is a transversal V-twin engine, which is now in its third iteration since the original engine was first introduced back in 1967. The 744cc engine features twin valves with light allow pushrods and rockers as well as aluminium heads, pistons and cylinders that help to generate 52hp at 6200rpm and 60Nm of torque at 4900rpm.

Power is transferred via a six-speed transmission which was first introduced in the V7 II model, but with an updated, longer first and final gear ratio that are able to fully exploit the torque and power of the engine.

On the safety front, the V7 III Carbon comes equipped with a four-pot Brembo caliper up front gripping a 320mm disc brake, ABS braking as well as an adjustable traction control system called the Moto Guzzi Traction Control system, which can be adjusted to two sensitivity levels or turned off entirely. The rear brake consists of a 260mm disc with a twin-pot caliper and a master cylinder with built-in resorvoir.

As for the handling of the bike, the sitting position is commanding which is typical of modern-retro machines. The steel frame and the completely reworked front end of the third generation variant of the V7 is said to give the bike a steady feel at high speed and in corners.

As for the the shocks, the front features basic non-adjustable forks with 5.1-inch of travel which the rear is kept in check by a set up Kayaba shocks with 3.8-inch of travel at the rear, adjustable for pre-load and travel.

The limited-edition Moto Guzzi V7 III Carbon is priced at RM74,900 and is now available for viewing at the Moto Guzzi showroom at The Gasket Alley in Petaling Jaya.

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Superkip Racing Academy to Campaign in 2018 Cub Prix Season

Malaysian Moto2 star, Khairul Idham Pawi had set up his own racing academy.

The Superkip Racing Academy will enter riders in the 2018 Cub Prix season.

The team will be managed by Superkip’s father, Pawi Omar.

Young age and a busy schedule at MotoGP did not stop Malaysian Moto2 rider, Khairul Idham Pawi, from training young riders through his own Superkip Racing Academy.

In addition to training, the academy based in Kampung Gajah, Perak, also took a step further by campaigning in the national professional racing stage, namely in the PETRONAS AAM Malaysia Cub Prix Championship in 2018, in the CP115 and Wira categories.
Among the early riders of the SuperKIP Academy are Khairul’s younger brother Anuar Ibrahim Pawi, besides Honda Wave Alpha Challenge riders Md Afizat Supaat, Md Amer Rossi Amidi, Md Hazim, and Md Haziq Rosmaza.
“Selection of riders has been done since the mid-season of the Cub Prix 2017 Championship where we saw and evaluated potential rivals competing in the Honda one-make race series.

“After listing some riders, we invited them to undergo my training session as soon as the Cub Prix Championship ended in Johor, last November. We did different approaches where these riders did not only undergo intensive training, but also provided accommodation here. In addition to training on the circuit, they also underwent training such as fitness, cycling, and others according to the set schedule,” said the 19-year-old rider.
Commenting on the target against all riders, Khairul said, “This is the first year the team is competing at the Cub Prix while the riders are also competing for the first time in the higher classes. We did not set the target too high, we’ll be satisfied with top five finish, and would definitely be very happy if they could climb onto the podium.

“The competition will be fierce and they will be forced to face more experienced teams and riders, including my former team, Idemitsu Kozi Yam Honda Racing. The competition is certainly great and I hope the riders can gain useful experience this year.”
He added, “This team will be supervised by my dad as I’m in Europe a lot next year. Nevertheless, I will always watch them race live on social media when I’m not involved with racing and always get the latest updates from team management.”

Meanwhile, Khairul’s father, Pawi Omar, who will act as team manager, said the plan to set up the academy arose after Khairul won the Moto3 race in Argentina and Germany.
“In the early stages, the academy was created to provide guidance to local youths who are interested in racing before deciding to go further.”
“The way we formed Khairul all this time will be used to guide other riders. Most important is the support of the riders themselves. We are pleased that the families of the riders in the academy are fully supportive and willing to let their children live with us for training and preparation for the Cub Prix race, “he explained.
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GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 Day Three – Ipoh to Kuala Terengganu

Photo by Nikkasit Motography for GIVI

The GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 continues from Ipoh, Perak to Kuala Terengganu on Day Three.

The convoy covered 501 kilometres of Malaysian roads through three states.

It was heartwarming to see visitors enjoying the beauty of Malaysia.

The GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 continues from Ipoh, Perak to Kuala Terengganu on Day Three.
This leg was the longest of the ride, spanning 501 kilometres. While that distance doesn’t seem much for seasoned riders (there are plenty of them in the group), it’s the extremely hot and humid weather that’s got the organizers worried. Many had battled with exhaustion on the previous day’s ride and there’s a real concern that it will happen again today.

Thus, we checked out at 7.00am from the excellent Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat and were ready to roll by 8.00am. Many of us willed ourselves to leave the resort due to its amazing beauty and extremely courteous staff. It’s hoped that we would cover the majority of leg in cooler weather.
But it was a great decision to do so.
Because we were welcomed by hills covered in heavy mist from the previous night’s rain as soon as we exited the Menora Tunnel. Such sights just remind us of why we ride: Rather than viewing the scenery through a windscreen, we are actually part of the scenery when riding. (See main picture.)
The police escorts and marshals guided us safely to Xtream Craft Deco & Pottery in Kuala Kangsar.

The enterprise owner performed a demonstration on how to produce pots to the participants of the ride, then the participants took over. Of course, we ended up producing abstract art sculptures – to put it gently – which resulted in plenty of guffaws. Our handiwork will be cured and sent to us later.

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We couldn’t spend too much time there, unfortunately, as we planned to arrive at our destination before dark.
We rode to the Belum Rainforest Resort at Gerik for our lunch. The resort is built into the surrounding forest and hills on an island in the middle of the Temenggor Lake. The lake, which is also known as Banding Lake, on the other hand, is man made as the catchment area for the Temenggor hydroelectric dam. The area has seen some developments lately but most of the flora and fauna are maintained.

It’s perhaps customary for us, but the convoy rode to the Banding Lake Boat House for a photography session. The beauty of the surrounding areas and the bridges which seemed to connect the outside world to the Belum Forest Reserve wowed the riders.

From there, it was a refreshing ride through the many corners along this route to the Titiwangsa Rest Area. Here, one could view part of the Titiwangsa mountain range – the backbone of Peninsular Malaysia rolling into the horizon. There were corners stacked upon corners but the only things that kept our exuberance in check were the dips and potholes in the apexes.

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We kept pushing on toward the east coast. The sun was fully up by now. The Triumph 800 XR’s ambient temperature gauge showed 38oC. More and more riders could be seen standing up on their footpegs and sitting down along the way. The convoy was stopped as frequently as possible.
We were soon in the state of Kelantan. Now say what you want due to propaganda, but the locals were among the friendliest people we ever met. Kids and adults alike waved at us from the roadsides, and the men never hesitated to chat with us everywhere we stopped. the women, conversely, smiled and nodded their heads. The petrol station clerks thanked us twice for our business. And you could tell that their hospitality was genuine. Try that back in Kuala Lumpur.
Photo by Nikkasit Motographer for GIVI
Perhaps more importantly, our foreign friends were all smiles because of the hospitality they received. Imagine having ridden all day under our hot sun and humidity, and receiving sour faces by the locals.
The route we travelled was in good condition i.e. smooth and almost devoid of potholes. Or was that because the Tiger 800 XR’s suspension soaked up the patches? Thinking back, it was the latter. And thankfully, because the bike didn’t require to be muscled around despite being loaded down like a pack mule, thereby saving much energy.

Likewise, the GIVI equipment. They performed well beyond what was expected in terms of solid reliability to the point of being “invisible.” By invisible we meant that we didn’t have to worry about them at all. Our items were stored with confidence that they wouldn’t be damaged or go missing.
Anyway, we finally wound our way into the state of Terengganu, and we started seeing signboards pointing the way to Lake Kenyir.
Thankfully, the weather had started to cool by 5pm and we reached the Primula Beach Hotel along Pantai Batu Burok where the participants got their well-earned rest.

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The GIVI Malaysian Adventure participants will travel over to Pulau Redang tomorrow (23rd July) for some surf, sand and sea.
Please click here for Day Two of this epic ride.
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8 Reasons Slick Racing Tyres Should Never be Used on Public Roads

Slick racing tyres should never be used on public roads.

They pose more disadvantages and danger if they are.

Current street tyres are already better than some DOT race tyres from just 5 years ago.

We’ve written about it in just about every article about tyres and yet there are still some bikers who continue to use slick racing tyres outside the racetrack i.e. public roads.
Our friend Haizal Omar posted on his Facebook recently that he saw bikers equipping their bikes with slick racing tyres and riding them on the road. He also went to highlight why slicks are a bad idea on public roads.
Haizal is the lead instructor at his Alpha Track Academy and also an instructor at the Ducati Riding Experience (DRE). He’s also completed the instructor modules in the California Superbike School (in California, USA under the tutelage of guru Keith Code). So we listen when he talks.

So, why is using “slicks” such a bad idea? All the MotoGP and professional riders use them to win races, after all. That must mean they grip like crazy, right? They are expensive but they are a necessary part of riding quickly, correct? And since they grip really hard, it means that they also make riding much safer, right?
But before we carry on, what are racing slicks? The short answer is tyres that are exclusively meant for racing. They’re called slicks because they’re devoid of grooves on the carcass, in order to present an uninterrupted surface called footprint to the road surface. More footprint equals more grip.

But there are serious caveats why they shouldn’t be used on public roads. Unheeding these conditions will result in (touch wood) unwanted situations sooner or later.
By why? Let’s examine.
1. Temperature

This is the most obvious factor.
All types of tyres work at their optimum levels within a certain heat range. However, slicks work best around 100-degrees Celsius for the front and 120-degrees Celsius for the rear. That’s as hot and hotter than the boiling point of water at sea level.
This is why race teams wrap them in tyre warmers prior to a race.
The warmers are set at 90-degrees Celsius, for at least one hour.
Notice why the pro riders usually set their fastest race times after the third lap or in the middle of the race? Why do MotoGP riders keep talking about caring for their tyres?
The answer is temperature and how to maintain it within that range.
The point is, who carries tyre warmers to BHP Gombak for their “Karak Highway GP?” So firstly, the starting temperature’s already incorrect.

Secondly, running on public roads even without traffic will not build up temperature quickly enough, lest the biker rides like a total maniac, thereby endangering himself and innocent members of the public.
Thirdly, even if the rider is able to heat the tyres up to their optimum operating temperature, traffic, road, and weather conditions will conspire slow him down at some point, forcing the tyres to cool down to below their working temperatures.
2. Heat cycles

You will see this after you ride hard on the roads or the track — that blue/purple band on the edges of the tyres. The bands are indicative of the tyres releasing their oil after a “heat cycle.” This is natural as tyres DO contain oil as part of their compounds.
A heat cycle means the process of letting the tyres cool from working temperature back to ambient temperature. Depending on brand and compound, a racing slick lasts very few heat cycles, some as low as just 8.
That means even if you could work them up to working temperature, you could only use them for 4 daily commutes — assuming you riding to work and back home.
Regardless if you still have 99% rubber, those slicks are already useless after those cycles. In other words, no grip.
3. Cold shear

A biker once showed me his rear slick when I suggested that slicks shouldn’t be used on the road. On the edges were these bits of rubber not unlike what you get when you use a rubber eraser on paper.
Riders usually associate this condition to a grippy tyre but these were large and deep, instead.
It’s a condition called “cold shear.” As the name suggests, the surface is torn off due to being used below operating temperature. Instead of the tyre rolling across the road, it actually ploughs through. The tyre may even throw off chunks of rubber in extreme cases.
4. Weather conditions

This is the other obvious reason, apart from temperature.
Slicks are meant to work only in one weather condition: Dry. The grooves of a tyre help to evacuate water between the contact patch and road surface and provide grip. Conversely, the lack of grooves will cause the tyre to aquaplane.
To be fair, slicks can work on damp roads (provided they’re up to temperature) but not over standing water.
5. Suspension settings

Using different tyres need different suspension settings. However, it’s much less crucial in using street tyres than it is for slicks. On the other hand, using street settings for slicks may not put enough stresses to warm them up. Then again, resorting to track settings for the streets would result in an uncomfortable ride.
6. You’re trying to win… what?

If you really want to experience slicks at their optimum levels, there’s no better place than at the track. Here, your slicks will warm up quicker even if you don’t use a warmer. Just take it easy for the first few laps and then put hammer down when the tyres have warmed up sufficiently
7. Street tyres are awesome

Street tyres these days perform at levels we couldn’t even dream of two decades ago. Sport-touring tyres like the Bridgestone T31 and Pirelli Diablo Rosso III stick like mad in the dry and the rain.
In fact, we rode the Panigale 959 equipped with the Diablo Rosso III at the Buriram circuit during the bike’s launch and not one rider complained about lack of grip.
Our colleague Sep Irran tested the Bridgestone S22 at the Jerez Circuit on a cold day. Again, the tyres gave so much confidence.
In fact, the DOT street race tyres such as the Bridgestone R11, Pirelli Diablo Corsa SC1, Metzeler Racetec RR K3 and others offer so much grip on the latest superbikes we tested that we found them too good for the bikes!
So save your money and your skin and get the latest DOT race tyres. They warm up quickly, can last over many more heat cycles work in any condition, comfortable, and are definitely cheaper and easier to maintain than slicks.
8. Attend riding classes

Through the lessons learned at Most Fun Gym and California Superbike School, tyre and grip “problems” are usually the direct results of incorrect riding techniques. Those schools don’t talk about what bike you ride or tyre you use, instead they look at how you ride to make the most of what you have.
Conclusion
The advantages of using street tyres for public roads far outweigh what could be obtained from using slicks. Which is actually like 10 vs. 0.
We’re not criticising you if you do use slicks but give a thought to what we wrote and switch back to street tyres. You’ll be amazed at what you could do on them.
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Win RM20,000 every week with Shell Malaysia!

The new year is just around the corner and what better way to start things off than a huge bundle of cash, right? Well, Shell Malaysia wants to help you to ease some of that burden with their latest campaign called ‘Nak Ekstra RM20,000’ and the grand prize? You guessed it, RM20,000!

From 1 December 2019 until 9 February 2020, Shell customers have the grand opportunity to win RM20,000 from the campaign each and every week! Apart from the weekly grand prize, Shell Malaysia will also be giving out 20 consolation prizes in the form of RM1,000 weekly as well.

According to Mr Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, “Just like Shell FuelSave 95, a fuel that is designed to go further, we hope the extra RM20,000 cash prize will help customers pursue the things that matter to them.”

“Whether it is starting a college fund for your children, an Umrah trip, paying bills, or a down payment for a new car, Shell wants to give customers a chance to go a little further and start the year on a high note,” added Mr Shairan.

So, how can you participate in the ‘Nak Ekstra RM20,000’ campaign?  There are two simple steps that you can follow:
STEP 1 – Spend a minimum of RM40 in a single receipt at any Shell stations nationwide
STEP 2 – Submit your details & receipt via physical contest form OR online by scanning the campaign’s QR code

In addition to this, Shell is also offering additional rewards throughout the campaign period thanks to their partnership with Touch ‘n Go and BonusLink. Customers can enjoy an extra RM5 cashback whenever they spend RM40 minimum using the Touch ‘n Go eWallet app. Each customer can get up to two cashbacks per month (only for the first 300,000 transactions at all Shell stations nationwide).

For BonusLink members, you can enjoy 10x BonusLink Points for every litre of Shell fuel purchased from 4-6 December 2019. On 12 December 2019, customers can redeem their BonusLink Points at Shell to receive a 50% rebate. How cool is that? For more information, head over to visit www.shell.com.my.
Revisiting the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix

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Founder of Big Blue Taxi Apologizes to Indonesians and Gojek Riders

Big Blue Taxi founder - Photo credit The Star

The founder of Big Blue Taxi apologized to Indonesians and Gojek riders over his disparaging remarks.

Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail said that Gojek is only meant for “poor people” in Indonesia, Thailand, India and Cambodia in a video.

He claimed that what he said was based on a report on poverty in Indonesia.

The founder of Big Blue Taxi apologized to Indonesians and Gojek riders over his disparaging remarks.
Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail had previously remarked in a video that Gojek service is only for “poor” people in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, India and Combodia, while “Malaysians are rich enough to do without Gojek.”
CNN Indonesia reported that the video went viral in the country and sparked a firestorm of criticisms. It also led to Indonesian Gojek riders threatening to demonstrate in front of the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta by the thousands.
“I hope there are no demonstrations in the interests and relationship between both countries,” Shamsubahrin told reporters during a press conference.
He then went on to blame a report about poverty in Indonesia (although he did not cite which particular report). “My statement is based on reports. If they think I’m wrong, I accept it.
The brouhaha began shortly after Youth and Sports Minister YB Syed Saddiq Syed Rahman announced his intention on lobbying the Cabinet to approve the Indonesia-based Gojek service in Malaysia. The service was then given a go-ahead by the Cabinet.
While it was an approval by principle according to Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke, it ran directly counter against his stand in banning motorcycle taxi services. He had even succinctly directed Malaysian-based Dego Ride to shut down. He was defensive when approached by reporters on the “u-turn” by remarking that, “You don’t have to remind me.”
To Shamsubahrin, the decision to approve Gojek was politically-driven.
Source: The Star
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BMW says No to MotoGP

Image credit: WorldSBK
BMW Motorrad has clearly stated that they have no interest in competing in the highest level of circuit racing that is MotoGP.
Their exit from WorldSBK back in 2013 was rumoured as a preparation to join MotoGP but they clarified that they were refocusing on developing their road bikes at the time.
BMW Motorrad is currently racing in WorldSBK with the Althea BMW Racing Team together with their riders, Raffaele De Rosa and Jordi Torres piloting their BMW S1000RR.

With more and more factory teams partaking in the world’s highest level of circuit racing that is MotoGP, some folks are starting to wonder if there will be more manufacturers willing to give a shot at racing fame as well as showcasing they physical prowess when it comes to developing superb racing machines.

In the past couple of years, we have witness the return of Suzuki in the pinnacle of road racing with a factory team dubbed the SUZUKI ECSTAR. Aprilia and KTM are also testing the waters in the premier racing level with their respective Aprilia RS-GP and KTM RC16 machines. What about the other manufacturers like BMW? Don’t they want a piece of that sweet, sweet action too?
KTM RC16 (Image source: MotoGP)
According to a report made by MCN, it’s a definite no from BMW Motorrad when it comes to MotoGP. With millions spent on researching and developing their state of art BMW S1000RR, Stephan Schaller who is in charge of BMW’s motorcycle division stated that he sees no point in competing it in MotoGP.

The rumour has been floating around for quite a while now ever since BMW decided to opt out of the WorldSBK racing series back in 2013. That sparked a chain of gossips indicating that this might be a move to up their racing game into MotoGP. Instead, they re-entered the World Superbikes series and for 2017, it’s the Althea BMW Racing Team working together with Raffaele De Rosa and Jordi Torres piloting their S1000RR.

Schaller was clear about previously exiting the WorldSBK to focus on developing road bikes instead in which what we can see has paid off quite a bit with a range of great line up of premium motorcycles. Schaller also stated that they have more than enough funds to organize a spot in the MotoGP grid but they don’t see the point of spending all that money on just two guys to race a pair of prototype race machines. Bummer, eh?

Interested to know more about BMW Motorrad bikes available here in Malaysia? CLICK HERE to check ‘em out in our exclusive Bike Buyer’s Guide.
Photo source: WorldSBK
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Video: Marc Marquez rides the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin

Two-time MotoGP champion and Repsol-Honda rider Marc Marquez shares his experience of the all-new Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin in video.

Though he may have not been able to retain his MotoGP championship title this year, two-time world champion rider Marc Marquez is not one who shies away from taking a new adventure bike through its paces, especially when it is made by his principals Honda.

The Spanish wonderkid recently took the red-wing marque’s all-new CRF1000L Africa Twin through its paces, and shared his thoughts about the new ADV bike on video. In the video, Marc was clear in pointing out some of the best attributes of the new Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin from his perspective, and appeared clearly impressed.

So, if it is good enough for the two-time world champion, Honda’s new “True Adventure” bike, as it claims, is clearly good enough for just about anybody else that enjoys getting down and dirty charting across the less beaten path.
Source: YouTube via MCN
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Suzuki Turbocharged Sports Bike to go into Production?

Suzuki turbocharged sports bike has re-emerged once again in a patent recently filed in the United States by the giant Japanese manufacturer.
The turbocharged twin-cylinder machine is an evolution of the previous Suzuki Recursion Concept bike introduced back in 2013.
The final production bike will most likely run the much friendlier production-ready XE7 turbo engine unveiled at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.

Exciting times ahead, folks. Suzuki has filed new patents for their upcoming turbocharged middleweight sports bike. According to a report made by Australian Motorcycle News, the turbocharged twin-cylinder middleweight monster’s design will most likely be based on the 2013 Suzuki Recursion Concept bike introduced back in 2013.

It has taken Suzuki over four years to develop the concept and developing it to be production-ready and the patents has sparked a lot of interest in the motorcycle industry. Considering the fact that the middleweight sports bikes are slowly losing their grip in the in the motoring world (especially the 600cc four-cylinder supersports), this Suzuki with a turbocharged twin engine has the potential to revive it back to its former glory.

The patents also revealed that the power plant will most likely be based on the XE7 turbo engine introduced by the manufacturer during the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. This is because the engine is much more suited for mass production purposes apart from a few differences like the top mounted intercooler mounted on top of the cylinder head.

Unlike the 2013 Recursion, the frame of this ‘more than likely to go into production’ bike is a steel trellis instead of the previous alloy frame. The move to steel trellis design entails that it’ll have better access and space to mount the turbocharged engine together with all of the piping and works.

We’re still not sure on what the final figures will look like but the probability of it being a 600cc turbocharged twin-cylinder engine to produce somewhere around the 150hp and 100Nm of torque range will definitely give all the 1000cc bikes a run for their money.
Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates.
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5 Things to Expect from the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX

More excitement is inbound with the reveal of the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX.

Kawasaki has revised many aspects of the bike.

The H2 SX will be more practical for everyday riding and touring.

When Kawasaki unveiled the supercharged Ninja H2R at 2014 Intermot show and the Ninja H2 a month later, they went straight into history as the world’s fastest production motorcycles. Love them or loathe them, the duo will hold a special place in everyone’s hearts many years from now, just like how we still revere the 1969 H1 Mach III, 1972 H2 Mach IV, 1972 Z1, 1984 GPz900R Ninja, among many other Kawasakis.
The track-only H2R was nothing if not shocking with an engine produced 300 bhp. The street-oriented H2 produced 197.6 bhp, on the other hand. Both bikes were wrapped in a bodywork whose styling has never been seen before. Designed by the Kawasaki Aerospace Company, every wedge on the bike was to create more downforce.

However, the H2R and H2 were true sportbikes, so touring or commuting on them meant that the rider had to suffer. Many had pondered if the H2 could be made more practical.
Well, your prayers have been answered when Kawasaki took the covers off the H2 SX at the 2017 EICMA show. Kawasaki now has a supercharged sport-tourer, like how John McLain now has a machine gun. Ho ho ho.
Here are 5 things we’re expecting from the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX.

1. Revised Ergonomics
What is a sport-tourer if not for its accommodating ergonomics.
The H2 SX’s steel trellis frame is based on the H2, but has been strengthened and and lengthened. Along with a new passenger seat, they are thicker and wider. The handlebar has been raised higher for a more upright riding position.
While the styling is still unmistakable shouts H2, it’s now rounder, larger and has a taller windscreen.

Higher Load Capacity
Another benefit of the revised frame is the ability to carry a passenger and luggage. The H2 SX has been rated to carry 195.5 kg. The swingarm has been lengthened by 15mm for added stability, while the steering lock angle has been increased by a substantial 30 degrees on both sides to ease low-speed maneuverability.

Refined Engine
The H2R and H2’s manic engine has undergone some changes make it easier for both street riding and touring. The objective was to provide more low- and mid-range torque.
The supercharger’s impeller was completely redesigned, with new intake chamber, cams and exhaust. The engine’s thermal efficiency was also increased by upping the compression ratio to 11.2:1 from 8.5:1; along with new cast aluminium pistons, cylinders, and cylinder heads. Both intake and exhaust cam profiles were shortened for the requirements of street riding.
These changes still yield the exact same 197.6 bhp and 101 Nm of torque.

Further Range
Another important aspect for a sport-tourer is range, for you can’t expect to tour in a realistic manner if you have to stop for fuel every 200/250 kilometres.
The H2 SX now has a 19-litre fuel tank. The revisions to the engine’s character has resulted in a fuel mileage figure that matches the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 (Z1000SX) and Versys 1000.

New Electronics Package
The H2 SX will feature a new 2-mode LCD display.

Apart from that, it also utilizes electronic cruise control, all-LED lighting, 3-mode Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), Kawasaki Intelligent ABS (KIBS), engine brake control, three power modes, together with a 5-axis Bosch Inertia Measurement Unit (IMU) with an extra sixth-axis (yaw) calculated by Kawasaki’s own software developed in World Superbike.

The H2 SX SE adds full-colour LCD, LED cornering lights, a larger windscreen, Kawasaki Launch Control Mode which controls wheelie and wheel spin, quickshifter for both up- and downshifts, braided steel brake lines, heated grips and centrestand.

Both models are suspended by fully adjustable 43mm KYB forks and 40mm rear shock with revised Uni-Trak linkage.
Brakes are 320mm discs up front, squeezed by 4-piston calipers, although they aren’t Brembos.
Conclusion
We expect there’s a lot more than just specs when the H2 SX and H2 SX SE makes its appearance in Malaysia. Here’s to getting there quick so you’ve more time to enjoy your destination.
“Supercharge your journey,” as Kawasaki calls it.

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Is this the new 2018 BMW S1000RR?

2016 BMW S 1000 RR
There’s a photo going around that some people have already assumed is the latest generation 2018 BMW S1000RR.
Photographed by Motorrad Magazine, the suspected new sports bike from BMW Motorrad sported all-round new updates to the chassis, swingarm and other body panel.
Rumours have also been circulating regarding BMW’s super brand new four cylinder engine that they’re going to put in their next generation premium sports bike for the coming year.
Image source: Motorrad Magazine

There’s one very specific picture that’s currently making its way around the internet that shows what people are assuming is the next generation BMW S1000RR. Based on our findings, we can confirm that the people are not wrong when referring the photo you see above.
2017 BMW S1000RR
Motorrad Magazine posted the photo of this very different BMW S1000RR and from what we can see, it’s an entirely different motorcycle compared to any of the previous generations. In term of looks alone, the styling has gone through quite a few updates to bring the possible 2018 model appropriately progressive into the future.

Major changes to chassis can be clearly observed and it won’t be just for show. In fact, it appears to have done so to probably accommodate the brand new inline-four engine that BMW is rumoured to have been working on specifically for their flagship superbike.

As we study the photo closer, the prototype BMW S1000RR appears to come with a brand new swingarm, updated chassis design and body panels. The biggest change to the iconic motorcycle that we’ve never seen before is the matching headlights.

We can also expect a lot of electronic updates including a fully-digital and very hypnotising colourful TFT display for their flagship crotch rocket. Other features in terms of electronics would probably be things like a more complex and sophisticated package with launch control, cornering ABS and codes to a couple of nuclear warheads.
The latest TFT meter panel for the 2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
While it’s still very much too early to crack our heads on the next generation premium sports bike from BMW Motorrad, we’re confident that they sweep us off our feet when they finally introduce the newest 2018 BMW S1000RR at the end of the year.
2017 BMW HP4 Race
What we can confirm is that BMW Motorrad has all the capabilities needed to elevate the bike’s “RR” status into extraordinary heights and blow our minds right out of our tiny skulls. MIND BLOWN.
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BSA is making a comeback in 2021

After being dormant for a few years since being bought over by Mahinda in 2017, the BSA brand is finally making some waves for its comeback in 2021. Although they’re owned by the giant Indian automotive conglomerate, BSA will re-start in the UK with a host of different models in the works.

To start things off, BSA won’t simply just pick up where they were left off. Instead, they’re going straight to building a series of electric motorcycle starting in the UK market. There are rumours of its production facility being planned in Birmingham and will start operations sometime in the middle of 2021.

BSA’s revival was kickstarted thanks to a £4.6 million grant given by the UK government. With COVID-19 wreaking havoc, this plan will help to develop and build these bikes as well as provide hundreds of jobs for those living near the area.

The brand’s electric series will be leading the way and if it all goes well, BSA will also bring back its petrol-powered offerings in the future. We’re not quite sure how all of these will play out, but it’s good to see that some people are willing to invest in something that’s as iconic as BSA.
Motorcycles that Defined the 70s

Written by: Sep Irran
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500 Units Of The 2021 KTM 1290 Super Duke RR Sold Out In 48 Minutes!

If you plan to lay your hands on the limited edition KTM 1290 Super Duke RR, your luck has just run out.
This is because KTM took only 48 minutes to sell out all 500 units of the all-new 1290 Super Duke RR. Latest reports suggest the Austrian manufacturer received more than 500 orders for the RR.

In response to the overwhelming reception, KTM decided to open a waiting list in case of any cancellation from the 500 potential owners.

Although the 1290 Super Duke RR powered by the same 1,301cc powerplant produces 180hp and 140Nm found on the standard Super Duke R, the limited-edition machine is clad with carbon fibre bodywork.
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IGP suggests banning high performance kapchai bikes

Country’s top cop express concerns over wave of new high performance kapchai bikes in the market, suggests banning them altogether.

IGP Acryl Sani expresses concerns over high performance kapchai bikes and suggests banning them outright.

His concerns reportedly stems from recent viral reporting of a Suzuki Raider R150 Fi hitting top speed of 177KM/H on a dyno.

IGP says machines as such have “no relevance” given set national speed limit for highways stands at 110KM/H.

In a recent article published by local online news portal FMT, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Acryl Sani bin Abdullah Sani reportedly expressed his concerns over high performance kapchai bikes available on sale in our market now. He also suggested to ban these machines from the market altogether.
These concerns by IGP Acryl Sani reportedly stems from recent viral online reports of a Suzuki Raider R150 Fi hitting a top speed of 177KM/H whilst on a dyno testing machine – our sister site MotoMalaya.net was one of the first to publish such a report, which you can read about here.

To refresh your memory, the Suzuki Raider R150 Fi was recently launched as part of a major revival of the Suzuki motorcycles brand under new custodians Suzuki Motorcycles (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd – SMSB. Said model, which is classified as an underbone type or kapchai (cub) bike, retails from RM8,173.
It packs a liquid-cooled 147.3cc DOHC single-cylinder powerplant that thumps out 18HP and 13.8NM to propel its claimed weight of 109KG.

“Vehicles (kapchai bikes) like this must be banned in Malaysia (because) there’s no relevance for its capability to hit speeds of 177 km/h on our roads where the speed limit is set at 110 km/h (on the highway),” said IGP Acryl Sani to FMT.
“This (high performance kapchai bikes) is one of the contributors to the high number of accidents and deaths among motorcyclists and so-called ‘Mat Rempit’ riders,” he added further in said FMT article.
In response to these claims and ‘findings’, IGP Acryl Sani reckons it’s best to ban the sale of high performance kapchai bikes as such altogether.
At the same time, IGP Acryl Sani also urged for bodies like the Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute (Miros) to play a key role in studying the direction of motoring as well as formulating a safe motorcycle policy in the future.
(Lead image: MotoMalaya.net )
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Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition unveiled!

Finally, the Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition has been launched at the WorldSBK US Round at the iconic Laguna Seca race track.
The final edition dressed elegantly in the iconic tricolore livery is essentially a watered down Superleggera but still packs a punch with 209hp.
Priced at $40,000 (around RM172,000), the last ever V-twin powered Panigale will give way to the next V-4 powered Ducati superbike which will hopefully be introduced at the end of this year.

Ducati has finally taken the covers of the highly awaited Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition. As promised, the bike made its official debut at the WorldSBK US Geico Round at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca which is happening this weekend.

Simply dubbed the “Final Edition”, it has been properly honoured with the iconic tricolore livery which makes the last Panigale a very desirable and unique bike especially with that green tail section. It is said to be the final version of the V-twin powered Panigale as we speak before Ducati moves forward into their plans of unleashing their brand new V-4 powered superbike possibly at the end of this year.

CLICK HERE to read more on the V-4 powered Panigale.

The Final Edition share some similarities to the 1299 Superleggera apart the over the top use of carbon fibre, aluminium sleeved engine cylinders and sand-cast casings but it still packs some massive firepower.

The already monstrous 1,285cc Superquadro L-Twin with four Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder has been upgraded with a lighter crankshaft, bigger crank pin, tungsten balancing pads and titanium con-rods and valves.

Ducati stated that the Final Edition is able to produce a whopping 209hp which is the same class as the Superleggera. Another main factor that differentiates the two models is their overall weight where the Final Edition sits just over 190kg due to the use of conventional fasteners and materials used for construction.

With that being said, the Final Edition is only 0.45kg lighter than the 1299 Panigale S and almost 6kg heavier than the 1199 Panigale R but the Final Edition makes up for it with that extra 100cc. To know more about the power and weight figures, CLICK HERE.

Ducati has also mentioned that the US market will be selling the Final Edition at around the $40,000 mark (around RM172,000 after conversion), it is said to be quite pricey. Considering that it’s almost a Superleggera (and the fact that this might be the last V-twin Panigale ever), we reckoned that it’ll sell out even before it hits any of the showrooms.

Another interesting fact of the Final Edition is that it is not a limited edition but rather a numbered machine instead. Each bike will receive a special production number traditionally engraved on the triple clamp. Ducati however has not mentioned how many of the Final Editions will be manufactured but one thing is for sure, it won’t as rare as the road-legal Desmosedici RR.

To add a huge cherry on top of an already awesome cake, the Final Edition has been garnished with WorldSBK-styled exhaust used by the Aruba.it Racing on their Panigale R nicknamed “The Shotgun”. Courtesy of Akrapovic, the unbelievably light titanium exhaust can also be found on the 1299 Superleggera.

For tomorrow’s WorldSBK race, both Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri will be sporting off the same livery as the Final Edition. Now that’s a proper marketing strategy for a bike.

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BMW and Dainese to jointly develop safety gear

BMW Motorrad and bikes apparels brand Dainese have announced a long-term cooperation plan to jointly develop innovative safety clothing and riding gear for BMW Motorrad. First of which will be a new airbag-equipped riding suit.

Called the DoubleR RaceAir (pictured), the one-piece leather suit will feature Dainese’s groundbreaking D-Air Protect System developed for circuit use. The system features a series of 15 inflatable protectors that only takes an incredible 15 milliseconds to deploy fully.
The DoubleR RaceAir will be made exclusively for BMW Motorrad and is expected to debut at the EICMA show later this year. Also in the pipelines is a different suit that is optimised for street use that can be retrofitted to bikes. BMW Motorrad plans to offer the latter to its customers in the near future.
Check out how Dainese’s D-Air Protect System proved its worth with the video attached below shot in 2010.

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7 Used Bikes You Should Buy Right Now

We’re back with our monthly special on used bikes and here’s our top seven picks for this month.

Like we’ve said before, your budget doesn’t have to be big when it comes to starting your dream of riding on two-wheels. Fortunately for us Malaysians, the local second hand or used bikes market is a rich treasure trove of machines that can be had at bargain prices. Just read our last four specials here, here, here and here and you’ll know what we’re talking about.

This month, we’ve taken the time again to scour through the classifieds listed on both Bike Trader Malaysia – Malaysia’s leading motorcycle classifieds – and the ever-popular Mudah.my online classifieds in search of awesome bargains for you, our loyal readers and followers.
Here’s our top seven picks from the vast classifieds we’ve found listed on both sites currently that really deserves a look.
1. 2013 Ducati Monster 795 ABS

We start our list off with perhaps one of the most iconic Italian motorcycles ever produced, the Ducati Monster. Our interests ran high with this streetfighter in particular as it is the Ducati Monster 795 ABS model that was developed exclusively for the Asian market.

To refresh your memory, the Monster 795 marked a landmark move for Ducati as it was one of the first models to roll out of its Thailand assembly plant. It came powered by Ducati’s 803cc V-twin lifted from the Monster 796 but had a lower seat height for us Asians plus a double-sided swingarm instead.

(Click here to see the ad at Mudah.my)
A number of these have hit the used bikes market lately at seemingly affordable prices below RM40,000. This particular black-painted bike we found listed on Mudah.my is on sale at the bargain figure of RM38,800. That’s nearly half of theRM66,888 when new price it commanded, and you get a lot of Italian-styled motorcycling for relatively little money indeed!

PS: Read our special head-to-head test between the Monster 795 and Monster 796 to know more about the two by clicking here.
2. 2012 Triumph Daytona

The second bike in our list comes in the form of this famed British supersport, the Triumph Daytona. Very few of these have reached the used bikes market here and this one we found listed on Mudah.my was one of two stock units available and the only one priced below RM50,000.

(Click here to see the ad at Mudah.my)
Being a 2012 model, this gold-coloured Daytona isn’t too old in our books, and you’d still get a bike renowned for its ability to outgun litre-class superbikes in the bends. Besides that, you’d also get to enjoy Triumph’s signature liquid-cooled DOHC 675cc in-line triple-cylinder powerplant at its full potential in a sport-bodied bike like the Daytona.

If you’re the type who prides in being distinctively unique and different from the rest, then this bike’s bevy of accessories, striking gold paint, and the fact that it is a rare British offering should see you stand out easily during trackdays and meets. All that for just RM45,000? That’s a true steal indeed if you ask us.
3. 2008 Suzuki B-King GSX1300BK

Now lets say that you’d wanted the performance of the Suzuki GSXR1300R Hayabusa but you’d fancy a more relaxed and upright ergonomics of a streetbike. That was perhaps the premise to the Suzuki B-King GSX1300BK when it was launched in 2007 before being phased out in 2012.

Known by many to be the Hayabusa’s first cousin, it essentially was a streetfighter that came powered by the Japanese Peregrine Falcon’s monstrous 1,340cc four-cylinder screamer, albeit detuned slightly. Matching its powerful engine was the B-King’s aggressive styling that divided many fans to say the least.

(Click here to the see ad at Mudah.my)
Say what you will about the B-King’s looks – especially those tailpipes! – it is now regarded as a collectors’ item after production ceased in 2012. This 2008 model we found listed on Mudah.my appears to be in immaculate condition and comes with a set of Akrapovič twin tailpipes to.

Listed at a bargain of RM49,888, this Suzuki B-King needs to be bought quickly as it stands as a perfect edition for any Japanese performance bikes collectors!
4. 2011 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight

If you haven’t realised it already, we at BikesRepublic absolutely love the Harley-Davidson Sportster line up. In fact, our editor Keshy has a Sportster Forty-Eight himself, and it has been nothing but a joy to ride on weekends with his mates as we saw during our recent outing whilst testing the new Sportster Iron 883.

(Click here to see the ad at Bike Trader Malaysia)
Although the new 2016 model comes with a rich array of minor updates, the RM106,000 starting price it commands is undeniably steep. Thankfully, this not so old and used 2011 model should be the perfect alternative. Listed on Bike Trader Malaysia at RM70,888, you’re getting a slice of Americana that only the bar-and-shield marque can offer at a much more affordable price.

What you get here is that unmistakable taste of an American custom bobber, the thunderous sound and addictive high-torque delivery of an air-cooled 1,200cc pushrod V-twin, not forgetting the immense potential to customise it to your own unique liking and tastes from money saved as opposed to buying it new. This may just be the perfect American cruiser deal for many.
5. 2012 Yamaha YZF-R1

When it comes to litre-class superbikes from the land of the rising sun, the flagship Yamaha YZF-R1 has always stood at the very top of the list. And, unlike its rivals at the time, the R1 was perhaps the closest thing to a Yamaha GP bike in the marque’s production line up thanks largely to its ‘Crossplane’ four-cylinder heart.

(Click here to see the ad at Bike Trader Malaysia)
Case in point is this European-spec 2012 Yamaha YZF-R1 we found listed on Bike Trader Malaysia. Besides the GP-derived engine tech and its tasty matte black paint, this 2012 model also featured a rich array of electronic wizardries that made it the highly potent trackday warrior and backroad carver loved and respected by many.

Like we’ve said before with used bikes as such, all you need to do is to add on a full set of sliders, swap the tyres and perhaps prime it with some slip-ons to turn it into the ultimate trackday machine. To have such potential at the affordable asking price of RM83,888 is indeed a steal, especially when you consider that rivals like the new Kawasaki ZX-10R and BMW S1000RR costs upwards of RM100,000 brand new. This is indeed THE performance bargain you’re looking for.
6. 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure

If you’ve read our recent long-term test-ride report with the locally assembled KTM 1050 Adventure, you’d already know that Adventure or Adventure-style tourers are on a rage right now. One of the top leaders here happens to be Austrian brand KTM and its 1190 Adventure model. A few of these have popped up in the local used bikes market recently.

(Click here to the see ad at Bike Trader Malaysia)
This 2014 model we found listed on Bike Trader Malaysia is fairly recent iteration so to speak, and its appeal is easy to see – fast, nimble yet still comfortable to ride whilst offering plenty of versatility. Furthermore, this 2014 model come brimmed with plenty of new age electronics like the Bosch MSC and Cornering ABS suites, which makes it on par with may other modern rivals today.

What’s more is the fact that you get to fully bask in the 1,195cc version of Team Orange’s venerable LC8 V-twin that’s boasts perhaps the perfect balance between performance, versatility and efficiency. You’d probably need to spend a little more on panniers or a top-box, but this used unit’s RM90,000 asking price is still relatively affordable than buying it new where at RM100,000 and upwards.
7. 2014 KTM 1190 Adventure R

Now, should all-terrain capability be a top priority of yours, the 1190 Adventure R should remedy that need easily. The differences between the standard and R iterations are minimal, but they go a long way indeed.

You’ll get added protection through its additional crash bars and sump guard, better off-road ability with dual-sport tyres, not forgetting the longer suspension travel that’s also more comfortable when riding on road too. That’s essentially what the 1190 Adventure R stands to offer over its standard sibling. In short, having the extra protection and off-road capability on top of what’s already available in the standard bike is a huge plus.

(Click here to see the ad at Bike Trader Malaysia)
Sweetening this is perhaps the minimal increase of RM3,000 over the standard that this particular used 1190 Adventure R listed on Bike Trader Malaysia is asking for. But of course, the bigger picture here is the fact that all these talents of a modern large-capacity adventure bike can be yours at less than RM100,000. It goes without saying that this is one mile-munching, go-anywhere Adv that needs to be picked up and ridden away immediately!
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Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary Enters Production

The limited run of the Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary has entered the production phase, as confirmed by the Italian firm.
The special edition Panigale V2 was built to pay homage to Troy Bayliss careers at the Superbike World Championship.

The Panigale V2 is characterized by the combination of livery and graphics inspired by the 996 R that helped Bayliss clinched his maiden win in the 2001 WSBK.
According to Ducati, since the official presentation at WSBK in Assen, the company has received tons of orders, already covering a large part of the production for the coming months.

To better enhance performance on the track, the V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary is fitted with Öhlins NX30 front fork and TTX36 rear shock absorbers.

Moreover, adopting a lithium-ion battery and a single-seat configuration allows the bike to shed off 3 kilograms of weight.

Troy’s number 21 is added on the saddle in white alongside a red and green stripe that makes up the Italian flag.

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New BMW S 1000 RR to Debut at BMW Motorrad Night Fuel Malaysia?

The sixth edition of the BMW Motorrad Night Fuel Malaysia will be held on 22nd June 2019.

It’s set to take place at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base at Sungai Besi.

Will we see the new S 1000 RR, R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT?

The sixth edition of the BMW Motorrad Night Fuel Malaysia will be held on 22nd June 2019. It’s set to take place at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base at Sungai Besi.

The BMW Motorrad Night Fuel Malaysia event has toured across Malaysia since 2016. This 2019 event is a return to Kuala Lumpur.
Celebrating the Making Life a Ride spirit, the BMW Motorrad Night Fuel Malaysia event is one of the largest gatherings of premium motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country and is open to all BMW Motorrad owners.
Held on Saturday, 22nd June 2019 at The Base, Sempang Airport, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base along the Sungai Besi area, the event will host a night filled with great food, music, camaraderie.
Night Fuel Johor Bahru, 2018
And as usual, the introduction of new motorcycles from BMW Motorrad Malaysia as well as a lucky draw chance to win a BMW Motorrad GS model. Our guess are the new S 1000 RR superbike, R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT, among others.
Sensational line-up of live performances includes the TC Buskers, Arjuna Band and a special performance by a legendary Malaysian Rock Legend!
Details of the event:
Date                :           22nd June 2019, Saturday
Time               :           7:00PM to 11:00PM
Venue             :           The Base, Sempang Airport, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base, 57100 Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur.

Ticket entry to the Sixth BMW Night Fuel Event Malaysia 2019 is at RM 90.00 via online registrations from now until Monday, 17th June 2019 and at RM 110.00 for walk-in registrations during the event itself. Visit BMW Motorrad Malaysia’s website HERE.
More details are also available on BMW Motorrad Malaysia’s Facebook page or call BMW VOICE at 1800-88-3000.
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