Cardo System Introduces Audio Recording Function For PackTalk Edge And Neo

Cardo Fam, get ready to rev up your riding experience to a whole new level with the latest and most thrilling update from Cardo System – the Cardo Record Intercom Recording Feature.

This revolutionary addition brings a whole new dimension to your motorcycle journeys, allowing you to capture every exhilarating moment and preserve your epic conversations with ease.
The new feature is only available for the Packtalk Edge and Packtalk Neo.

The new feature designed to make your rides more memorable than ever before. Now, as you embrace the freedom of the open road, you can also create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. With just a tap of a button, you can record your rides in high-quality audio, ensuring that no thrilling moment is ever forgotten.
Imagine reliving that breathtaking mountain pass, the soothing coastal ride, or that adrenaline-pumping race track experience – all at the tip of your fingers. The Cardo Record feature lets you do just that, preserving the essence of your motorcycle adventures like never before.

The voice recording function also allows you to capture those memorable conversations with your riding buddies. Whether it’s sharing a good laugh, discussing life’s intricacies, or planning your next road trip, you can now save these moments and cherish them forever.
To enjoy the new feature, owners of the Cardo Packtalk Edge and Neo can simply download the latest firmware, and you’re ready to roll. Once installed, you can easily start and stop voice recordings with intuitive controls, ensuring you can focus on the road while capturing the magic.
Below is the step-by-step guide on how to operate the recording feature:

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This is the craziest Indian Scout Bobber in the world!

When it comes to Indian Motorcycle, the Indian Scout Bobber is certainly one of favourites bikes in terms of design but what happens when it is taken way over its limits? Well, that’s exactly what happened when they collaborated with Workhorse Speed Shop and unveiled the Appaloosa v2.0, the craziest Indian Scout Bobber in the world!

The bike will be taking part in Baikal Mile festival of speed where riders with titanium balls will attempt to set land speed records on a one-mile drag strip made of ice. This crazy event will take place this weekend at the frozen Lake Baikal situated in the heart of Siberia where temperatures can go down to -40°C at night -20°C during the day. One crazy bike for an even crazier event at the craziest place!

According to Brice Hennebert, creator of Baikal Mile, “I can’t believe we are actually here. What an amazing place. I am so pleased to finally reveal the new Appaloosa after weeks of hard work to get here. I can’t wait to see Sebastien blast down the 1-mile strip.”

Brice Hennebert, creator of Appaloosa, also shared the same sentiment by stating, “The feeling is crazy, it’s a bit like going racing on the moon. There’s absolutely no reference point, we go to a desert of ice in Siberia where it can be -40°C at night -20°C during the day. I’m super excited and a bit lost at the same time as we have no idea what to expect. With just a few days before the flight, I’m focussing on the practical aspects, but I know this journey will be one of the most insane experiences of my life.”

The heavily modified Indian Scout Bobber gets a lot of support from top-level partners such as Akrapovič, Beringer Brakes, Dunlop Europe, Evok3 Performance, Motorex, Öhlins and Flybike. For the particular ice event, the Dunlop SportSmart Mk3 tyres have been fitted with ice studs to make sure that the bike has enough grip to not slip on the super icy surface.

The Appaloosa v2.0 also has an upgraded Nitrous Express system for better power delivery and reliability. Sébastien Lorentz of Lucky Cat Garage will be the one to pilot this crazy bike during the Baikal Mile Speed Festival. Talk about crazy.

Randy Mamola to Race the IndianxWorkhorse Scout Bobber

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Auto Bavaria successfully organised Thailand convoy

Auto Bavaria, the official custodian for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad here in Malaysia, recently organised its first-ever overseas ride dubbed the Auto Bavaria Ride to Khao Yai. The six-day day was held in conjunction with BMW Motorrad Day in Thailand last month where 20 invited BMW bike owners travelled around 3,000km from Auto Bavaria Glenmarie showroom all the way to Khao Yai, North Thailand, and back.

A host of incredible BMW Motorrad bikes joined in the festivities from the R 1200 GS, R 1200 GSA, R 1200 RT, R 1250 GS, R 1250 GSA, and S 1000 XR. The convoy was flagged off on 7 November 2019 at 4.30 am and they managed to cross the Thai border on the same day at 11.00 am. The convoy got even more festive upon arriving at the Vista Hotel in Danok where they met up with the Auto Bavaria Penang team to continue their journey up north.

The entire Malaysian convoy went through many beautiful sights and sceneries of Thailand such as Route 41 Cowboy Town, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Suratthani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya before finally arriving at their destined arrival point, Khao Yai. That’s over 1,500km with no issues nor breakdowns. Talk about durability, eh?

The BMW Motorrad Day Thailand was organised at the 8Speed motor track to celebrate the glorious brand presence in the region. The night was followed by a gala dinner at the Nana Beach Resort in Chumphom as a show of appreciation for its loyal customers, dealers, and enthusiasts. Good music and great food amongst BMW Motorrad enthusiasts all around.

The Auto Bavaria Ride ended safely and successfully on 12 November 2019 when all the riders successfully crossed back into Malaysia and made their way back home. Rest assured that more awesome rides will be organised for all Motorrad customers in the near future. Owners and enthusiasts may visit BMW Motorrad Auto Bavaria Facebook or Instagram for updates.

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Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali Reconfirmed President Of Motor Valley Development

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, will continue his helm as the President of Motor Valley Development after he was reconfirmed for another two years during a recent shareholders’ meeting.

Ducati’s CEO, Claudio Domenicali reconfirmed as the President of Motor Valley for another two years.
The Motor Valley incorporates 16,500 companies and 90,000 employees.

“In recent years I have carried out the task of President of the Motor Valley Development association with pride and responsibility because I believe that enhancing the uniqueness of this territory is a duty for those who, like us, are part of it.
“It is an honour to be able to continue in this role in the next two years and I would like to thank all the partners and institutions for their trust”, he said.
According to Claudio, the association will continue its pursuit in promoting Emilia-Romagna brands of motors.
“The industrial, tourist and cultural region of the Emilia-Romagna Motor Valley deserves to be supported and promoted in all its components, continuing to give value to the prestigious universities, historical and artistic culture and unrivalled motoring and technological expertise.”
Motor Valley is a unique industrial region in the world, notably for housing 16,500 companies and over 90,000 employees that contributes to an annual turnover of EUR16 billion.
That said, the Motor Valley has become a strategic tourist asset for the region thanks to 13 specialized museums including the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, the Automobili Lamborghini Museum, the Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum, the Ducati Museum in Borgo Panigale and the Horacio Pagani Museum.
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New Royal Enfield Flagship Store opens in The Gasket Alley

New Royal Enfield Flagship Store located within The Gasket Alley, PJ, officially opens its doors.

New Royal Enfield Flsgship Store officially opens its doors last weekend.

Said flagship store is located within the grounds of The Gasket Alley, PJ.

Also introduced during the store’s opening were the Classic 350 and Meteor 350 models.

Didi Automotive Sdn Bhd confirms that all available Royal Enfield models are now open for bookings as well.

ICYMI, the Royal Enfield brand distributorship had undergone a change of hands some months back, and it saw the appointment of Didi Automotive Sdn Bhd into said role. Now, the local firm has stepped up its efforts for the popular retro brand by officially opening the new Royal Enfield Flagship Store.
The grand opening was held last Saturday on May 21st, and its ribbon-cutting ceremony saw the presence of Anuj Dua, Royal Enfield’s Head of Business for Asia Pacific, alongside top execs from Didi Automotive Sdn Bhd plus Rewi Hamid Bugo, chairman of Didi Group.

Located within the grounds of The Gasket Alley, PJ, the newly opened Royal Enfield Flagship Store is the brand’s first outlet of its kind established in the country. It also stands as the brand’s 146th flagship store to open its doors across the Asia Pacific region.
“This exclusive brand store and our evocative product range, available at accessible price points that will appeal to motorcycling enthusiasts. We are confident that the new flagship store will become a ‘Pure Motorcycling’ destination for riders of all calibers,” said Anuj Dua during the store’s launch.

As expected, the newly-opened Royal Enfield Flagship Store serves as a one-stop-centre for all things Royal Enfield, including official merchandise and apparels, as well as sales and service. On that last note, Didi Automotive Sdn Bhd also confirmed that all available Royal Enfield models are now available for bookings as well.

Moreover, the store’s launch also doubled up with the official introduction of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Meteor 350 models. Both harness an air and oil-cooled 349cc single-cylinder heart that outputs 20HP and 27NM, and paired with a five-speed chain-drive transmission.
As for price, the Classic 350, which comes in three variants and seven colourways, is tagged from RM23,500 onwards. The Meteor 350, on the other hand, which also comes in three variants plus two colourway options, sees its price tag start from RM24,300 instead.

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Is this the new Ducati Scooter?

The latest Youtube video posted by Mich Motorcycle stated that a new Ducati scooter might be launched by the end of 2018.
The rendered images showcased the possibility of the Ducati scooter injected with the Multistrada’s styling.
Ducati has announced before that they will launch a scooter and an electric bike by the year 2020.

There have been a lot of rumours revolving around the possibility of a brand new Ducati scooter. In the latest Youtube video released by Mich Motorcycle could be an indicator which quite a bold statement that goes “Ducati will soon be releasing the 500cc, 600cc and launch models in Italy by the end of 2018”.

Based on the video, the motorcycle is unlike any Ducati model we’ve seen before. By the looks of things, it kind of resembles a maxi scooter rather than their staple superbike, touring or sports-oriented machines. Judging by the date, the new Ducati scooter might just make its appearance at EICMA 2019 motorcycle show in Milan, Italy.

This is expected by the Borgo Panigale manufacturer as they did announce before that they will launch an electric motorcycle and scooter by the year 2020. Although the images in the video might look a bit rendered, the artist responsible for this (or maybe Ducati themselves, who knows?) did quite a tasteful job by including the elements of the Multistrada into the mix.

By the end of the video, the scooter seems a bit elongated suggesting that it might be a combination of both electric and automatic from the folks over at Ducati. Called the Ducati 849 Scootster S, it might not be the best looking scooter to date but the idea of a middleweight automatic Ducati scooter is certainly an interesting prospect worth looking into.

Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates.
2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 unleashed – S and Pikes Peak models included

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BMW Recalls 2019-2020 K1600 Models Due To Potential Suspension Failure

BMW North America (BMW) is recalling all 2019 and 2020 BMW K1600 GT, K1600GTL, and K1600B motorcycles.

According to its recall notice, BMW says that a supplier’s link strut that connects the rear suspension to the frame may not have followed specification, as a result of a heat treatment “anomaly”.
In essence, it may not have sufficient strength over time and could result in the motorcycle’s rear end to collapse and contact the rear wheel.
Besides, this will also affect the riding stability and control.

The affected models totals around 1625 units, though it is unlikely a problem to be replicated.
As mitigation, the Bavarian brand had apparently switched suppliers from whoever produced these particular problematic parts to avoid any circumstances in the future.
Registered owners of the affected motorcycles should take them to an authorised BMW dealer as they will replace the rear link strut free of charge.

BMW’s breakdown of bikes affected in North America is as follows:

2019-2020 BMW K 1600 GT: approximately 351 units produced between September 21, 2018 and December 28, 2019
2019-2020 BMW K 1600 GTL: approximately 352 units produced between December 4, 2018 and January 27, 2020
2019-2020 BMW K 1600 B: approximately 922 units produced between September 21, 2018 and February 18, 2020

There is no indication if models designated for Malaysia may be affected, but do contact your dealer if there is any concern.
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Video: 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400 TVC

Green is now reserved only for the Dominar 400

Bajaj have released the TVC for the 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400.

The 373.3cc engine now produces 39.4 hp and 35 Nm of torque.

There are also a host of other upgrades.

Bajaj have released the TVC for the 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400.
The highlights of the video include achievements of the Dominar 400, including the Polar Odyssey where three riders rode from the Artic to Antartica. The adventure covered some 51,000 km through 3 continents and took 99 days to complete. Other major adventures were also shown including the Dominar Trans-Siberian Odyssey, Dominar ASEAN Odyssey, and Dominar Austral-Asian.

The 2019 Dominar 400 has been updated further over its predecessor. The main headlamp features split LED banks, the forks are now 43mm diameter upside-down units, and the rear monoshock is softer for more touring comfort.
Its 373.3cc single-cylinder engine is uprated to produce 40 PS (39.4 hp) at 8,650 RPM and 35 Nm of torque at 7,000 RPM. Those figures take the bike into the KTM 390 Duke territory. Spent gases exit through a new exhaust system with dual silencers.
Apart from those features, a slipper is also added for smoother downshifting and corner entries.
On the electronics front, the split-LCD screens are retained, and incorporates mileage and gear position indicator, so forth.
The Auroral Green colour shown in the TVC is new, too.
When will it show up in Malaysia? We will know soon! Also, stay tuned for the next Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” rides in Malaysia.
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2019 Honda CB650R Price Released in UK

Honda UK has revealed the 2019 Honda CB650R price.

The new bike is almost entire new, besides its styling.

Honda UK is selling it at £6999 on-the-road.

Just as we are currently testing both the CB250R and CB1000R, Honda released the price of the new CB600F in the UK.

First making its appearance at the Paris Motor Show last year, CB650R is an almost total revamp of its CB600F predecessor. Styling wise, the new bike fits into Honda’s Neo Sports Café line-up which includes the two models we are testing.

We were impressed by the CB650F during our testing. We called it an all-rounder as it filled a number of roles comfortably. However, its styling hardly caught anyone’s eyes. Sure, it fitted in with modern motorcycle designs, but there was just something missing.
2018 Honda CB650F Test & Review: The All-Rounder

As such, Honda addressed that issue by redesigning the bike completely. It now has a modern retro styling, yet with modern twists, hence the “Neo Sports Café” designation.
Honda didn’t just perform a makeover, however. The new CB650R is almost entirely new.

Revisions to the frame, fuel tank and other parts lowered weight by 6kg. The frame itself is 1.9kg lighter with a stiffer headstock and more flexible side spars. The forks are now Showa SFF (Separate Function Forks) that are adjustable for preload and rebound damping. The front brakes consist of radially-mounted four-piston Nissin calipers. The rims are new, too.

The engine gains a 1000 RPM rev limit, besides revisions to the fueling and mechanical bits. The result is a 5% power boost from the inline-Four.

As for ergonomics, the riding position is now more aggressive. The handlebar has moved forward by 13mm and down by 8mm. Additionally, the footpegs have gone backwards by 3mm and up by 6mm.

The TFT screen is shared with the Honda CB500 range.

Honda UK quoted the 2019 Honda CB650R at £6999 (RM36,950.52 as of 15thJanuary) on the road. We expect it to cost between RM 45,000 to 52,000 in Malaysia.
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Strong Support from Women for the Moto and Gincu 2017 Ride

In conjunction with International Women’s Day 2017

More than 70 bikers joined in to show love and support

As we have mentioned in our article a few days back, Throttle Riot organised a very special ride called “Moto and Gincu” in celebration of women and bikers in the nation. As this was an event with a brand new concept, the initial start up managed to gather around 70 bikers for the event that happened last Saturday located at the Bee, Publika Dutamas.

The first meeting point was set at Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia (Fast Bikes) located in Petaling Jaya. (Quick note: The new Triumph Street Cup is already in the showroom!) At around 4pm, more and more women bikers started to show up in support of the event.

The brains behind Moto and Gincu is none other than cafe racer enthusiast, Raja Susrina. Raja is the founder of the motorcycling group Throttle Riot that was formerly known as GKL or “Gang Kak Long”.

We got the opportunity to speak with Raja herself to talk about the event and future of Moto and Gincu. Raja explained that her idea of organising such an event in Malaysia was a way to create a platform for this particular style of events in support of women. The idea is if the start up is proven to be successful, the direction of Moto and Gincu will go towards charity-like events in the future.

Another strong figure in the organizing the event was Hanis Hamdan. As you can see in the photo above, she rocks out the streets with her one-of-a-kind customised Honda CG125. The machine that started out life in the 80s was given a brand new and fresh outlook by Hanis.

Hanis explained that the event was a method to help create awareness about women and gender equality in the nation. With the help of a few friends to join in the ride like the Ipoh Road Clan, all riders and bikers had a few things in common; love and support for women and riding. Check out the support given by the lovely ladies from the Ipoh Road Clan below with one of the special guests of the event, Atilia Haron.

 Girls ??#motoandgincu  Thanks @atiliaharon
A post shared by Ipoh Road Clan Vespa Malaysia (@ipohroadclan) on Mar 4, 2017 at 7:19am PST

Around 5pm, the convoy started heading their way towards Publika the streets were lit up with the sight of strong and powerful women riders with bikes ranging from old school Japanese 80s scramblers to high performance rockets like the Ducati 848 EVO and BMW S1000RR.

Below is the deliciously-looking purple S1000RR we drooled over at a distance. There were a few blokes who joined in the fun in support of Moto and Gincu because at the end of the day, it’s all love.

 Plenty of love for this purple BMW HP4! #motoandgincu #bmwmotorrad #bmw #motorrad #bmwhp4 #bikerchick #bikesrepublic #motomalaya
A post shared by BIKES REPUBLIC (@bikesrepublic) on Mar 4, 2017 at 3:07am PST

Even the infamous “Puting Beliung” from Beautiful Machines made it to the scene to show some support and love!

We also managed to talk to one of the female riders, 21 year old Misha Rohaizat. She might look pretty and sweet but her weapon of choice that night was a 847cc Yamaha MT-09. Currently studying at Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology, she’s one of many perfect examples portraying the image of strong women.

 With abg #triumphmalaysia @nizanbinomar #motoandgincu
A post shared by Ipoh Road Clan Vespa Malaysia (@ipohroadclan) on Mar 4, 2017 at 5:37am PST

“People used to think that motorcycles are for men but they forgot one thing; women can also go riding and enjoy ourselves. I myself have six bikes and have been riding for a few years since secondary school. The event is cool! I think it’s good because we get to know about other women riders who are rarely seen on the road and track. It’s a good start and I hope there will be more events like this in the future,” explained Misha when asked about Moto and Gincu.

There were a few performances from The Fatalis, Skits Music and Kapow. After the event was over, we concluded that the event was a success in terms of highlighting International Women’s Day here in Malaysia. By the looks of it, women in the motorcycle scene will just get bigger and better from here on out. So ladies, Happy International Women’s Day from us here at Bikes Republic and #BeBoldForChange!
Photo Gallery from the Moto and Gincu Ride 2017 @ The Bee, Publika

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BMW Announces Intelligent Emergency Call Update To 2024 Models

BMW has recently unveiled its plans for the upcoming 2024-spec motorcycle models for the US market. While the highly anticipated reveal of entirely new models is scheduled for September 28 in Berlin, BMW enthusiasts have been treated to a sneak peek of what’s to come.

several 2024 models to gain Intelligent Emergency Call feature.
The new feature is set to enhance rider’s safety.

The 2024 lineup features a range of refreshed models, boasting new colors, option packages, and a groundbreaking addition, the Intelligent Emergency Call feature.
Among the motorcycles set to receive this cutting-edge technology are the R 1250 range, R 18 B and Transcontinental, S 1000 R and RR, and the CE 04. Furthermore, buyers of the F 900 R and XR will have the option to add the Intelligent Emergency Call system at an additional cost.

The highlight of this update is the introduction of the Intelligent Emergency Call system, which will now come standard on several 2024 models. This innovative feature is designed to enhance rider safety and provide a swift response in emergency situations. The system includes a prominent red “SOS” button located on the left-hand bar end, protected by a convenient flip-up cover.

In the event of an emergency, riders can simply press the “SOS” button to initiate a call to BMW Motorrad Connected Services. Once connected, riders will be in direct contact with an agent who can promptly contact the necessary emergency services if the situation requires it. The Intelligent Emergency Call feature can also automatically activate if the motorcycle detects a fall or crash through built-in sensors.
The introduction of the Intelligent Emergency Call system showcases BMW’s commitment to incorporating advanced technologies into their motorcycles to prioritize rider safety. By providing riders with a reliable and immediate means of requesting assistance in critical situations, BMW aims to enhance the overall riding experience and instill a sense of confidence and security.
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13-time GP champion Angel Nieto has passed away

Image source: www.elplural.com
13-time GP world champion Angel Nieto has passed away after succumbing to his injuries sustained in a road accident last week near his home in Ibiza.
He was riding his quad bike when a collision happened between him and another vehicle on the road.
Angel Nieto won 13 Grand Prix world titles prior his retirement in 1986 back when he was racing in the 50cc and 125cc categories. He was 70 years old.
Image source: MotoGP

13-time GP world champion Angel Nieto has sadly passed way after succumbing to injuries sustained following a traffic accident just last week. It was reported that his quad bike was involved in a collision with a car nearby his home in Ibiza, Spain.
Image source: MCN
Last week’s incident was so severe that Nieto had to put in an induced coma as he had suffered severe head injuries in the collision. The doctors over at the Policlinica de Nuestra Senora del Rosario hospital stated that he was making some progress in recovering but things turned for the worst yesterday due to several complications which led to him passing away.
Image source: www.masmoto.net
Angel Nieto was indeed a legend in the racing world with 13 world titles under his belt. Due to superstitious beliefs, he always referred to his 13 titles as “12+1” instead prior 1986 when he raced on 50cc and 125cc race bikes. His retirement in the late 1980s also marked a total of 186 GP race starts in which he won almost half of the races.
Image source: www.abc.es
Following his retirement, he continued his effort in the racing world by being a prominent figure in the race paddocks by helping his son and nephew to continue his racing legacy. He also assisted in team management with another fellow GP champion Emilio Alzamora.
Image source: MCN
We here at Bikes Republic together with our sister site Motomalaya.net wish Angel’s family our deepest condolences and hope that you’ll have all the support and love during this time of need.

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KTM Introduces Fuel-Injected Two-Stroke Engine for 2018

KTM’s “Transfer Port Injection” technology

Will be featured in three models for next year

After many rumours that have been circulated for the past few months, KTM has finally announced their plan to build a fuel-injected two-stroke engine that will be put into production. This new technology by the Austrian manufacturer is called the “Transfer Port Injection”.
Image source: KTM Malaysia Facebook
This fuel injection technology focusing primarily on two stroke models will be featured in KTM’s 2018 enduro line-up which will hopefully be revealed sometime in the coming months. According to KTM, the two main models that will feature this state of the art fuel injected masterpiece are the KTM 250 EXC TPI and KTM 300 EXC TPI. There’s also another model that will only be available in the US and Canada market which is the KTM 250 XC-W TPI.

We all know that fuel injection generally improves the overall performance and with the implementation into the two-stroke power plant, the hassle of pre-mixing their fuel with 2T oils will be left in the past. This also means that fuel efficiency will be greatly improved and also provide a brand new riding experience with better response and control.

According to KTM’s Product Marketing Manager, Joachim Sauer, he stated that “This is an incredibly exciting development for KTM. We have been developing two-stroke fuel injection for some time and our goal was to create competitive motorcycles with all the benefits of fuel injection, while fitting into our READY TO RACE mantra,”
“There has been extensive testing and considerations for our Research and Development team to take into account during this process, so we are very motivated by this next step and world-first in technology, as we take a major step forward in this segment.”
“We are certainly looking forward to unveiling the new 2018 KTM 250 EXC TPI and KTM 300 EXC TPI machines in May. In Europe the bikes will arrive at the dealer floors in early summer, and in the U.S. and Canada, the new 2018 250 XC-W TPI will be available in very limited quantities in late fall.”

 hard day in the lesotho mountains! was riding really good till the last difficult climb. there i got stuck in traffic and had to wait quit a bit… tomorrow is another day! 10th overall so far. #roofofafrica #hardenduro #nevergiveup ? @franziska_brandl_01
A post shared by Lars Enoeckl #19 (@larsenoeckl) on Dec 2, 2016 at 11:06am PST

There were also rumours flying around that the 300 models have been tested in the Roof of Africa race by KTM riders, Andreas Lettenbichler and Lars Enockl sometime late last year. Here’s a brief sneak peek at the bike in question.

 She is nearly ready to race the roof of Africa
A post shared by Andreas lettenbichler (@letti_189) on Nov 26, 2016 at 5:58am PST

Apart from the Austrian bike manufacturer, Honda has been putting in the works for a similar style engine since 2015. They’ve filed patent that year but there’s still no news on the whereabouts of that particular bike. Well, we for one can’t wait to see the KTM bike in action but unfortunately, we all have to wait until May to find out.

Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates.
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Bikes Republic attends World Ducati Week (WDW) 2012 – Misano, Italy

Attending the World Ducati Week in Misano, Italy, was probably one of the highlights of 2012. Here we look back at some of our favourite moments, bikes, and pictures from the event that attracted the largest gathering of Ducatisti from all across the planet.

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GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 (Day Three)

The GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 visited Angkor Wat on Day Three.

The Explorers visited the Tomb Raider Temple (Ta Prohm), Bayon and Angkor Wat.

We discovered the history, culture and unfortunate violence which enveloped Cambodia.

Siem Reap, Cambodia, 14th November 2017 – The GIVI Explorers (participants) took a break from riding today. As with every edition of the GIVI Adventure, there is one day allocated for an excursion to the main highlight of the ride. It was the Kruger National Park in 2015, when I last rode with the group, but for today, it was one of the Wonders of the World – Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat and the surrounding temple ruins in the Angkor region have been one of the main highlights in this year’s GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017, underlining Joseph Perucca, GIVI’s Overseas Operational Director’s philosophy about the GIVI Explorer’s spirit of adventure, exploration, discovery and learning about new histories, peoples and cultures. In fact, all the logos on our GIVI and Hevik riding gear and motorcycle equipment featured the pictogram of Angkor Wat prominently (among other famous structures).

GIVI had contracted a local tour operator to assist and guide us through the day. We boarded two mini busses after breakfast for the ticketing centre, not far from our hotel in Siem Reap (pronounced See-em Re-ap).
The guide on the bus presented some quick facts about Cambodia, and he was unambiguously affected by the Khmer Civil War between 1970 to 1975 and the subsequent Khmer Rouge (Red Khmers as in Communist Khmers) regime’s reign of terror between 1975 to 1979.

When the Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975, the regime’s leader Pol Pot called it Year Zero. Teachers, merchants, artists, intellectuals, professionals or anyone who wore glasses were purged, and all culture and traditions were erased to be replaced from ground up with an agrarian society. Schools, factories, banks, currency and even hospitals were closed. All religions were outlawed – the minority Cham Muslims were fiercely exterminated and as many as 25,000 Buddhist monks were executed. The atrocities escaped any form of humanity and even infants were not spared. Official figures of the genocides vary but it is estimated that as many as 3 million Cambodians were killed or missing (from a population of 8 million at the time).
For many, it was the end of the world as if Satan had come up from Hell.
The sign says it all. Good thing we didn’t visit the “Killing Fields”
The Khmer Rouge was deposed when their former allies Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1979, but the collapse of society, and loss of educators and guidance had taken the country back many decades, making the country one of the world’s poorest. There are still millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance uncleared in Cambodia.
There are still many mines and unexploded ordnance to be cleared in Cambodia but the efforts are ongoing
But! There’s a ray of hope.
It’s not even 10am and there was already a large crowd at the ticketing counter. The tourism industry is picking up in Cambodia and the government has plans to replace the current airport in Siem Reap to a larger one, 60km outside the city.

There were a few options for the number of days allowed to visit he sites, each with different pricing. For a one-day excursion, the price was USD 37. Yes, it’s expensive to us Malaysians due to our weak currency, while the GIVI Explorers from other nations happily paid up.
Check out the prices. But the funds go to the restoration and conservation of the ancient ruins
There isn’t just one large temple complex in Angkor i.e. Angkor Wat, instead there were tens of them scattered around an area collectively called Angkor Thom.

We boarded the buses again and headed to Ta Phrom, or better known as the Tomb Raider Temple, being the location for the movie. Built in circa 1186 CE, as part of King Jayavarman VII’s program of construction and public works, it was constructed for his mother and served as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university.

UNESCO has included Ta Prohm (and the other sites) on the World Heritage list since 1992. Conservationists came to the consensus that Ta Prohm should be left largely in the state that it was discovered. Still, much work have been done to stabilize the complex and provide access to the influx of tourists. As such, wooden walkways, platforms and roped railings have been built to avoid further damage.

The most distinctive feature of Ta Prohm is by far the trees growing out of the ruins, their roots coiling over the stones like reptiles.

Also, there’s an intriguing carvings here which seemed to resemble dinosaurs. Yes, dinosaurs. Experts say otherwise.

Remember I mentioned landmines? There was a band playing traditional Khmer music outside and the ensemble were the victims of those weapons.

As we alighted the buses for the next location, it suddenly dawned on me how lucky we Malaysians are. We battled the communist insurgents from the end of World War 2 all the way into the late 80’s, but we didn’t have a major civil war which wiped out everything. Let’s keep it that way, shall we?

Some of the peddlers here followed us around trying to sell their goods, and they even dropped the prices from US Dollars all the way down to Thai Baht, just so that they could make at least one sale. They weren’t trying to get rich, instead it was just for that one evening’s dinner for their families.

We drove a short distance to Bayon Temple.

We were blown away even before we entered the walls as we crossed the Siem Reap River on the ornately decorated bridge leading to the Victory Gate.
Bayon was a contrast to Ta Prohm. While the latter was almost overgrown by large trees, Bayon sits out in the clear and its rich decorations were apparent even from a distance. Known as the state temple for King Jayavarman VII, there were multitudes of serene and smiling faces on the towers that jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around the central peak.

We noticed a great number of corridors throughout the complex.

Bas-reliefs were a combination of mythological, historical and everyday scenes. There were depictions of the once-proud Khmer Army marching out to battle. Khmer was once an empire, (known officially as the Angkor Empire) encompassing modern-day Laos, Thailand and parts of Vietnam and Myanmar. And where was the capital of this empire? You got it, Angkor.

The weather was turning very humid and wore many of us down, so we headed back to the busses ahead of time. It was time for lunch.

We exited via the West Gate and decided to stop for pictures.

Most of the large restaurants in Siem Reap contain the name “Tonlé” or “Tonlé Sap” after the Tonlé Sap River and annually inundated Tonlé Sap Lake. Food items invariably include steamed rice, freshwater fish, fresh tropical fruits and morning glory (kangkong), although these major restaurants also offer foods from other countries at separate stalls.

It was a quick lunch as we rushed back to the main attraction: Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century, predating Ta Prohm and Bayon, by King Suryavarman II and completed by Jayavarman VII. It’s the symbol of Cambodia, featured prominently on the nation’s flag. Angkor Wat is actually its modern name, meaning “temple city” in Khmer. It is in fact the largest religious monument in the world, covering 1.6 million sq. m.

Other little-known facts:

It was constructed out of up to 10 million sandstone blocks.
Each block weighed up to 1.5 tonnes.
The entire city of Angkor used more stones than all the Egyptian pyramids combined.
Angkor occupies an area much larger than modern-day Paris.
Unlike the pyramids whose rocks were quarried 0.5 km nearby, those for the Angkor complex came from 40 km away at Mount Kulen.

The original stone causeway leading into the complex was closed for restoration works, so visitors had to cross the 190m moat on a pontoon (floating) bridge. The whole area was teeming with thousands of tourists.

As we approached the outer wall, it became clear just how impressive was the feat of putting this monument together. Those were huge stone blocks and they were somehow lifted into place. There were galleries that ran the length of this outer enclosure, supported by square pillars. The spaces between them were decorated with lotus rossettes.

Going past the wall brought us face-to-face with the long stone walkway to the central structure.

There were libraries on each side, a large pond, lush gardens (where a couple was having their pre-wedding shoot), although most places were under heavy vegetation.

From this walkway, the towers and overall form of Angkor Wat was starting to take shape as those we see in pictures, except that the palms on either side have since grown taller, obstructing some of the view.

But before seeing those towers up close, one has to go through a huge complex of galleries. In here, the remnants of artwork painted on the ceilings showed how beautiful this place would have been at its zenith. There were inscriptions and bas-reliefs on almost every column, but they reflected different scenes on each separate wing.

The central tower represents Mount Meru, the home of the gods. The flanking towers symbolizes the peaks of the mountain, while the wall and moat represents the mountain range and ocean respectively.

As we walked up the staircase into the central structure, we noticed that it was steel. We peeked underneath and discovered that the conservationists or authorities had installed these steps over the ancient stone steps to protect them. Good move!

A few Explorers queued up to climb the central spire but the line was so long, most of us decided to explore the temple by ourselves.

The GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 Explorers tried to take in a much as they could but it soon became apparent to us that there was just too much to absorb from this single visit, what more when other tourists keep walking past us while we were trying to study something or photograph them!

The guide advised us that the best way to study these structures is to visit early in the morning. Angkor Wat is open from 5am, while the others are from 7.30am. Good tip!

We didn’t have much time to discover more since we were short of time and the humidity was difficult to bear. We exited Angkor Wat, feeling that there’s still much to see and experienced at this magnificent location.

We looked behind to see the evening sun shining across the whole main façade of the monument, turning it gold! (Angkor Wat differs from other structures as it faces west.)

We left with heavy hearts, yet we were thankful that the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure Ride 2017 had actually brought us to one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Dinner that night was at another large restaurant and we didn’t miss the traditional Apsara dance show this time! One could see that it was heavily influenced by Hinduism, which predated Buddhism.

We called an early night as we’re riding to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, tomorrow.

Click here for the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure (Day Two).
Click here for the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure (Day One).
PICTURE GALLERY

				Check out the prices. But the funds go to the restoration and conservation of the ancient ruins

				The GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure in 2017

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Klang Valley Enter Phase 2 On Friday

Image source: Hype MY

Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya will enter Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan on Friday (Sept 10), as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
According to his Facebook post, cross-district movement between Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya will be allowed added that all roadblocks will be lifted accordingly.

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Interview with Khairul Idham Pawi – Super KIP

Our homeboy Khairul Idham Pawi made quite a statement when he won two races of the Moto3 class in Germany and Argentina. Having swept the field with his immense wet weather talent, the Perakian who hails from Kampung Gajah was the first Malaysian to win a Moto3 class race ensuring that history will never forget him.

We recently got the opportunity to sit down over dinner with the man who is affectionately known as KIP, thanks to Red Bull Malaysia. The following is the conversation we had over dinner.
Q: Hey Khairul. A lot of people are asking, why do you perform better in the wet than you do in the dry?
A: In the rain, I have more confidence when I’m on my motorcycle, so I feel I can ride it faster. It’s usually slippery and not slippery at the same time so I just have to control the throttle and manage it the best way possible.
Q: Did you learn to ride like this in the wet through experience?
A: Not really. Actually, I never thought I could be fast in the rain, and I have even raced in the rain before but never as fast as I am now. So I just need to have that level of confidence with the bike to make sure it’ll be easier to ride fast.

Q: Are the other riders friendly to a young Malaysian rider and are they willing to share their knowledge?
A: To me, my team and also my manager, Tadayuki Okada, have helped me a lot in terms of riding and much more. He has taught me a lot.
Q: Besides racing in Moto3, wanting to win races and the championship, what are some of the things you hope to achieve from this?
A: Of course all riders would like to reach the highest level of racing, which is MotoGP. So I will try my very best to reach a much higher level in racing.
Q: What have you learned so far from racing at this level?
A: Racing is definitely a sport with high risks, for example crashing out of the races and other things as well.
Q: One final question for Super KIP, do you have any special messages that you would like to send to your fans here in Malaysia?
K: To all my fans, thank you to all of you who have been supporting me throughout my career. Don’t forget to come to Sepang this weekend and let’s support all the Malaysian riders in the races on Sunday.
S: Alright, thank you so much KIP.
Q: Have you had any improvements in the past few races?
A: It was quite difficult for me especially after Germany. We didn’t get the right setup for the motorcycle, so now more or less I have a much better feeling with the bike. I will try my best to get the best feeling of the bike as soon as I can, just as I did in Catalunya, Italy and the other previous races as well.
Q: How do you control the pressure when it comes to racing at home here in Malaysia? I am sure you know that there are a lot of supporters hoping for you to win the home race this Sunday.
A: Well, maybe the support is not just for me alone. There are other Malaysian riders that are participating in Moto3 and also Moto2. Most probably their support is for all of the Malaysian riders.
Q: Do you have a personal goal or target to finish in the top 10?
A: Of course I will try my very best. I will try my to get the best position, if possible, a podium finish for all Malaysians who will come to support me in Sepang this weekend.
Q: Do you actually prefer wet races or you don’t really mind about any kind of weather?
A: To me, it doesn’t really matter if it rains or shines, I will still race and give my all for Malaysians everywhere.
Q: How familiar are you with the Sepang International Circuit with the new improvements to the pavement?
A: I like the race track very much. It’s just that I am still not used to it because of the new asphalt. So, in the first practice later, I will try to get a good feeling of it as I am still not too sure about the grain of the track.
Q: When was the last time you got to ride in the Sepang Circuit?
A: The last time was 2 years ago, back when I was racing for the Asia Dream Cup in 2014.
Q: Do you feel that you are satisfied with the season so far? Is it more than you have hoped for?
A: For my very first season in Moto3, I never thought that I would be on the podium! I thought that I would just collect a few points and gain experience in my rookie season.
Q: Is there a much bigger plan for you for the next season?
A: For now, I can’t really say much as I too have no idea. Maybe later, Honda will make the announcement about any updates regarding myself.
Q: So KIP, you were involved in a crash in Phillip Island last weekend, right? Care to tell us about your experience?
A: Yes, I did crash at Phillip Island that day. It all happened in the starting lap at the second corner. It was very disappointing but there were other riders who fell right in front of me and I couldn’t avoid them. I crashed and fell there.
Q: Final question, how to do feel about the home race?
A: To me, the home race is definitely making me more excited with high spirits. InsyaAllah I will give my very best!
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DIY 20,000mAH Solar Powered GoPro

Years of riding with a GoPro and always missing that key moment because of battery death has really annoyed the hell out of me. Not to mention buying expensive replacement batteries.
** Pics, words and brain juice by Pravin Menon, KTM CBU Malaysia & KTM WolfpackGroup

With the advent of the solar charging power bank the idea dawned on me to put this contraption together. Basically an Apple 30-pin USB adpater drilled through a battery pack housing hooked up directly to the solar power bank.

I got my water resistant and shockproof powerbank from Sweden. Works like a charm can power the GoPro forever, once the sun is gone you revert to battery power.
Now a new problem arises not having a big enough memory card. 64gb cards just don’t cut it anymore…… I’m gonna need 128’s from now on!

In terms of stability and weight, after experimenting with a few loactions on the helmet, have found the rear one to work the best, it doesn’t bother me anyway while riding more importantly, the powerbank is also shielded from objects banging into it like brush and it still can pick up the sun on a multitude of angles since I mounted it on a SP Gadgets phone mount at the rear.

A zip tie goes directly across for added insurance and 2 GoPro surf board lanyards make sure even if it is ripped from the mount by a fall or some weird object hitting it at an angle, it still won’t fly off. After a whole day shooting MONSTER ENDURO RIDE, it has definitely proven itself on its first Mk I field test…

I’m sure I’ll be tweaking it over time. But right now if you guys and gals want something that never runs out of juice…. you might want to give this a try. In the meantime, check out how this setup ‘took the staircase’ and survived!

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MV Agusta Is Lining Up Nine New Models

*Lucky Explorer 9.5
Thanks to a strong backing by KTM, MV Agusta is preparing to launch a range of new motorcycles, including upgrades to existing models and all-new machines.

MV Agusta is expanding its range for the new year thanks to a strong support from KTM.
MV Agusta in an official statement has confirmed that KTM AG now holds 25.1 per cent of the Italian company’s share.

The Italian company has filed documents with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in America which inadvertently revealed the names of the upcoming models.
The new models include upgrades to the existing three-cylinder Brutale and Dragster ranges, with the Brutale 950 and Dragster 950 expected to replace the 798cc versions.

The Lucky Explorer 9.5 adventure bike, which features a 931cc engine, will also be added to the lineup. The E1 line, which is the company’s first adventure bike range, will see the addition of two new models, the Lucky Explorer Premium and Lucky Explorer Orioli.
Meanwhile, the F1 range, which features MV’s sportier, faired triples, including the F3 and Superveloce models, may also get new additions, including the limited-edition Superveloce 98 Edizione Limitata.

The B7 models will also see new Superveloce 1000 S and Superveloce 1000 R versions.
With these new models, MV Agusta aims to meet the demands of motorcycle enthusiasts who are looking for high-performance machines with cutting-edge technology and sophisticated designs. With the backing of KTM, the company can now leverage its resources to develop new and innovative models that meet the evolving needs of the market.
(source: Cycle World)
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Brixton Motorcycles Set To Roll Out New Crossfire 500 XC

Chinese motorcycle manufacturer is certainly stepping up their game including Brixton Motorcycles.
Last year, the company showcased the Cromwell 1200 at EICMA 2021, which was deemed as a worthy rival against the Triumph Bonneville.
The Cromwell 1200 features 1,200cc parallel-twin SOCH liquid-cooled engine capable of making 80.5hp @ 6,500rpm and 110Nm @ 3,000rpm.

While the Cromwell shows Brixton capability to challenge the big bike segment, there is no denying that the biggest demand lies in middleweight motorcycles ranging from 400cc to 700cc.
In an effort to further meet the demand for mid-capacity motorcycles, Brixton is set to roll out the new Crossfire 500 XC.
Unlike the standard Crossfire 500 that is clearly a road-oriented motorcycle, the XC is built to ride in all kinds of terrain, including light off-road.
Brixton will introduce the Crossfire 500 XC later this year with some information about the motorcycle that is already available on the company official website.
The XC will feature the same 486cc parallel-twin engine that makes 47hp and 43Nm.
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All-New 2015 YAMAHA Y15ZR Launched in Malaysia!

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn. Bhd. (HLYM) today revealed to dealers and media representatives, its latest addition to their stable of premium motorcycles, the all-new Yamaha Y15ZR during a special luncheon at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

The all-new Yamaha Y15ZR features a new powerful single cylinder SOHC 4-stroke 4-valve liquid-cooled 150cc fuel-injection engine providing a fresh sense of acceleration to satisfy those who desire a sporty ride, coupled with a lightweight frame for excellent maneuverability on all types of road conditions.

“A new power has arrived onto our roads in the form of a compact and powerful Y15ZR. With power in hand and lightweight agility, I am confident this new bike will appeal to our performance-oriented riders” said Dato’ Jim Khor Mun Wei, Managing Director of Hong Leong Yamaha Motor at the launch.

The all-new Yamaha Y15ZR bike also comes with an array of features that include:
1) A multi functional and stylish meter panel incorporating a programmable LCD display.
 2) A pair of sleek modern looking LED Position Lights with 8 bulbs for a brighter light output.
 3) An anti-lock chain holder to keep the motorcycle chain in place for maximum safety.
 4) A larger front disc (245.0mm diameter) complementing the powerful braking system for added safety.
 5) A bold and sleek designed LED rear light that is brighter and more visible for both day and right.
 6) A sporty rear fender designed as per fenders featured on Superbikes.
 7) A pair of modern signal lights that emit strong bright lights for added safety.
 8) A 3.5” die-cast wheel with broad rear tyre (120/70-17) for maximum ground contact, for a sure grip and safe ride.
 9) A sporty exhaust system with 3 levels of mufflers providing a sporty sound for a more joyful ride.

The all-new Yamaha Y15ZR comes in a choice of 3 attractive and trendy colours and graphics in Black, Blue and Red with an estimated retail price of RM 8,000.00.
“With the many features made available in the all-new Yamaha Y15ZR it is our hope that it meets our consumer demand for a trendy yet powerful bike for everyday use. This complete bike has the potential to be our next bread and butter model of the near future” quipped Dato’ Jim.

The all-new Yamaha Y15ZR is set to hit our roads and will be available at all our authorised Yamaha dealers nationwide from end August 2015. The public will be able to view, touch and feel the all-new Yamaha Y15ZR at the Yamaha Motor Show 2015 currently being held at the Lower Ground floor, Berjaya Times Square KL from the 8 to 9 August.

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French Exclusive BMW R 1250 GS Spirit Of GS Edition Launched

Since its introduction, the Gelande Strasse nameplate has been BMW Motorrad’s most successful motorcycle.
 To this day, the GS is considered the most popular adventure motorcycle of the modern era while also setting a benchmark in the adventure bike segment.
That said, the R 1250 GS sits comfortably on top of the food chain despite numerous attempts by other manufacturer to try and have a piece of the throne.
Currently, the R 1250 GS is available in various trims and colours, but BMW up the ante with the latest rendition revealed at the Alpes Aventures Motofestival.
Exclusive to the French market, the BMW R 1250 GS Spirit of GS Edition is limited to just 1,250 units, all of which will be sold exclusively in the country.

The limited edition motorcycle set itself apart from the base R 1250 GS with several key features, notably the new colourway.
The Spirit of GS edition features grey and orange accents creating an eye-catching aesthetic.
Also, the bike gets black and orange side scoops, wheel accents and an aluminium handguard as standard. BMW also stamped the serial number on the handlebar clamp to remind you of its rarity.
Other notable features include a smoked windscreen, engine spoiler and engine crash guard.
The 2022 BMW R 1250 GS Spirit of GS Edition is priced at EUR27,990 (RM127k).
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Fulfil your motorcycling wishes with Moto Aladdin

A look at how KTM and Vespa super dealer Moto Aladdin started out and what it stands to offer its customers today.

Strategically located within the heart of Kota Damansara, Moto Aladdin Sdn Bhd (Moto Aladdin) has garnered quite the reputation for itself. But like any successful establishment, its successes didn’t come overnight.
We recently took the time and opportunity to have a quick chat with Moto Aladdin founder Idon Pang to find out how the establishment evolved into one of the leading Vespa and KTM super dealers within the Klang Valley, and what it stands to offer its customers today.
Pang’s journey of passion

For those who have followed the local motorcycling industry since the late 2000s, Pang is probably a name you’ve heard before. The 40-year-old married father of two and resident of Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, was one of the key individuals responsible at reviving the Aprillia brand in Malaysia.
In the late 2000s as the story went, Pang saw an opportunity when the Aprilia brand was transitioning from its previous distributors to Naza Premira Sdn Bhd. This led to the marque’s two-year hiatus in the local market, and the subsequent drought in spare parts and places that could provide services in its wake.

Being an Aprilia owner at the time (2008), Pang undertook the daunting responsibility to help his peers. “I decided to take up the responsibility in sourcing for parts and respectable Aprilia mechanics to help Aprilia owners in keeping their bikes running and road-worthy. I made some investments and bought some Aprilia spare parts. Soon, my name was frequently mentioned amongst workshop owners that were looking for Aprilia parts.”
It was this effort that led to Pang being headhunted by the mighty Naza Group, and he was soon positioned within its Naza Premira Sdn Bhd subsidiary where he served for 18 months. With Pang and a few others on board, the firm properly revived Aprilia in Malaysia along with its sister brands under the Piaggio Group banner – Vespa, Gilera, Piaggio and Aprilia. Key results here besides increased sales were the opening of the flagship Aprilia Kampung Baru showroom and later the Vespa Kota Damansara showroom in 2011 – the first full-fledged Vespa centre in Malaysia.
Moto Aladdin’s beginnings
Naza Premira underwent a transition as Pang was exiting the firm, and it subsequently led to the hand over of the Vespa Kota Damansara showroom into Pang’s hands by the end of 2013. After securing two shareholders and hand-picking his staff of four, Pang then set out on his new mission of turning Moto Aladdin into a place not just for Vespas.

By chance, KTM Malaysia (known as KTM Malaysia CKD then) was on the rise here in Malaysia following the establishment of its local assembly (CKD) program. Even with just the Duke naked bike range at the time, the potential the marque held was immense and a deal was quickly struck, resulting in Moto Aladdin’s status as an authorised KTM dealer since.
“Make a wish” – the premium experience
What inspired Moto Aladdin’s “Make a wish” tagline was the tale of Aladdin. To be more specific, the idea actually came from the wish-granting genie that the thief discovered. Pang states: “Anything that you desire from your motorcycling experience, we at Moto Aladdin can fulfil it.”
Essentially, Moto Aladdin stands to offer customers with a premium customer service experience unlike any other. The establishment occupies three 20×70 shoplots with two of which housing the main showroom area whilst the third houses an enclosed workshop – one of the first of its kind when it was opened and operated as Vespa Kota Damansara.

The enclosed workshop is not only brimmed with special tools and equipment for both Vespa and KTM bikes, it is also manned by Moto Aladdin’s own mechanics that have been certified by both Vespa and KTM as well.

Customers are able to see the works being done on their bikes by looking through the glass panel and glass door in front, which also acts as another tool of transparency for Moto Aladdin and its customers. More importantly, the workshop welcomes all bikes besides the Vespa and KTM brands as well, explaining the presence of non Vespa and KTM bikes you see coming in out of the shop daily.
Lifestyle is key

For Pang and his team, Moto Aladdin isn’t just about selling bikes. He highlights that the establishment also stands to offer customers the lifestyle that comes with it, which perhaps explains the premise’s richly decorated outlooks and premium amenities present like its customer lounge. “That (lounge) has since become a ‘clubhouse’ of sorts for our customers where they sometimes gather and hold group rides here, and watch MotoGP races live too,” Pang added.

This being the first full-fledged Vespa showroom prior, much of the iconic Italian scooter brand’s DNA remains in the design and décor. Besides the display of the brand’s models, Moto Aladdin also retails a rich collection of official Vespa accessories and lifestyle merchandises.

The same treatment is held with the KTM brand, resulting in the dedicated display area for the KTM brand’s model range within Moto Aladdin. Also offered here are a rich variety of KTM PowerWear lifestyle apparels and KTM PowerParts accessories, making it a decent alternative to the KTM Kota Damansara Lifestyle Showroom that is located nearby for fans to consider.
Services beyond its premises

Another crucial area of excellence for Moto Aladdin is the after-sales services offered beyond the premises itself. At the top of the list is Moto Aladdin’s peninsula-wide mobile breakdown and recovery service it grants to all of its customers, offering immense peace of mind in the inevitable event of breakdowns and accidents.
What really takes the cake here though is Moto Aladdin’s offer in performing house calls and on-site services. Regarding this service, Pang explained: “This is something we devised especially for a number of customers that bought their motorcycles as tools of leisure but wanted them to be maintained in excellence, as well as a number of expatriate customers who commute daily with their bikes but are unable to ride it here.”
Financial Services

As Pang puts it, “Just walk in with the desire to own any of our bikes and we’ll tailor the right plan for you within your capacities.” Pang states that Moto Aladdin works closely with AEON Credit Sdn Bhd in offering customers a variety of its financial plans.
Pang also highlighted that Moto Aladdin carries financial services offered by other firms too such as Naza Credit and Leasing, as well as a multitude of local banks. When we asked Pang again about the details, he cheekily smiled and reaffirms his promise by saying: “Let me worry about it!”
Finding Moto Aladdin
Moto Aladdin operates daily from 10am to 7pm on Mondays through Saturdays, and from 10am to 5pm on Sundays. It is located within the heart of the Kota Damansara district, specifically in the Sunsuria Avenue along Persiaran Mahogani. Here’s the full address and a map for your ease:

Lot 3AG, 3G & 3-1, Street Wings Sunsuria Avenue,
Persiaran Mahogani Kota Damansara, PJU 5
47810 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
You can reach Moto Aladdin by phone at 03-6142 4678 and fax at 03-6142 4678. Alternatively, you can also reach Pang direct via email at idon.pang@gmail.com. You can also follow Moto Aladdin on social media through its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

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Road-Focus Royal Enfield Himalayan On Its Way?

Royal Enfield updated the Himalayan range to meet the BS6 requirements in India earlier this year.
However, recent reports suggest the company set to introduce a road-focused Himalayan, confirmed by a series of spy shot photos and clay model images.

The new variant is likely to be called the Royal Enfield Scram and features a fork-mounted halogen headlamp with a headlight cowl and a smaller tank extension compared to the regular Himalayan.

Moreover, the Scram features a single-piece seat unit compared to the split seat on the Himalayan.
The Royal Enfield Scram is expected to be on sale at a lower price range than the Himalayan in India.
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Motorcycles Top Vehicle Theft List in 2018

Motorcycles were the most stolen vehicles in 2018.
A total of 26,779 motorcycles were reported as stolen.
In another news, fatalities from road accidents dropped by 2.4%.

Motorcycles top the vehicle theft, according to the statistics released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
The DOSM report stated that there was a total of 71,760 71,760 property thefts reported in 2018. Of that number, 50.1% represented vehicle theft.
Of that number, motorcycle and bicycles top the list with 26,779 stolen. This was a huge sum compared to 7,412 cars and 1,761 lorries/vans.
Is someone playing Grand Theft Auto in real life?

Most of crime cases in 2018 were related to property. The highest property crime was contributed by vehicle theft (50.1%).#StatsMalaysia#MyStatsDay#BetterDataBetterLives#LeaveNoOneBehind#SDG#HIES2019#MyCensus2020#DOSM70Tahun pic.twitter.com/xtaOZzOpnc
— DOSM (@StatsMalaysia) November 27, 2019

All we can say please lock up even if you’re stepping into 7-Eleven for a couple of minutes, or if the bike’s parked within your driveway. Thieves look for instances of vulnerability and won’t want to spend a long time trying to unlock that disc lock (for example).
On another note, deaths caused by road accidents in 2018 dropped 2.4% from the previous year, from 4,499 to 4,391.
While that number looks big, it represents only 1.1 percent of the total number of reported road accidents. Selangor registered the highest fatality rate of 1,046 cases, while Kelantan had the highest injury rate of 1,626.
Remember to gear up and ride safe. Like a public safety message once said, “Don’t become a statistic.”
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2018 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Scout Bobber unveiled!

The 2018 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Scout Bobber has just been revealed.
This is the third collaboration between Indian Motorcycles and Jack Daniel’s.
The 2018 Indian Scout Bobber Jack Daniel’s is limited to only 177 units and starts from $16,999 (around RM66,508) each in the US.

America’s first ever motorcycle manufacturer that is Indian Motorcycles has unveiled their latest and probably one of the most beautiful two-wheelers yet with the introduction of the 2018 Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Scout Bobber.

The third ever collaboration between Indian and Jack Daniels has led to the birth of this beautiful machine. Together with renowned bike customizer Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, the super-premium and very limited Scout Bobber was inspired by the Jack Daniel’s Fire Brigade.

In honour of the firefighters and first responders who have served the country over the years, the Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Scout Bobber is individually numbered from 1 to 177. That’s right, there are only 177 units available around the world. The bike’s most impressive feature has to be its two-tone matte black colour scheme with real 24-karat gold graphics embedded on the fuel tank and fenders.

Other features include:

Fully blacked-out in premium finishes with gloss black valve covers, hand levers, rear fender struts, and exhaust tips
Jack Daniel’s® Fire Brigade emblem on the tank and the Jack Daniel’s® “Bottles and Throttles Don’t Mix” reminder on the front fender.
Custom perforated genuine leather seat with “Jack Daniel’s®” embroidered in gold thread
Exclusive Montana Silversmith badge coated with real 24K gold and engraved with each bike’s unique number (#001-#177)
Custom foot controls, grips and pegs with Jack Daniel’s® “Old No. 7 Brand” emblem and features

To make things even more exclusive for each owner of the 177 units of the Jack Daniel’s Limited Edition Indian Scout Bobber, an authentic fireman’s axe with custom engraving on the wooden handle stating the owner’s name, motorcycle number and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can be found together with a Jack Daniel’s Fire Brigade logo on the axe head.

The limited edition 2018 Indian Scout Bobber Jack Daniel’s is available from $16,999 (around RM66,508) in the US market.

2018 Indian Chieftain Elite limited edition unveiled – “Silver Surfer”

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Moto3 World Champion Danny Kent is going to jail?

Image source: MotoGP

The first British Moto3 world champion since 1977 that is Danny Kent has surprisingly received a suspended jail sentence for carrying a knife in a fight together with brother and a 63-year-old man.
Danny Kent who is currently racing in the British Superbike Championship for the Bike Devil Sweda MV Agusta team has apparently pleaded guilty at the Cheltenham Magistrates Court.
Image source: Crash.net
The crime? Possession of a knife in a public area and involvement in an altercation with a 63-year-old man. Kent admitted of having a kitchen knife at the West Street car park in Tetbury, Gloucestershire on 7 March 2019.
Prosecutors stated that the 63-year-old man was walking his dog when he came across a commotion at the nearby flats. It was then that Danny Kent and his brother ran into the man and confronted him before Danny’s brother was taken to the ground. Danny came to assist his brother and apparently dropped the knife before being picked up by a witness.

Apparently, Kent informed the policed that both of them were collecting a debt and did not use the six-inch knife. As a result of that, Danny Kent has been sentenced to four months in prison where the serving period is suspended for the next 12 months.
Kent was also ordered to pay a compensation fee of £200 (around RM1,012) to the victim.
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CONFIRMED: 2020 Aprilia RS 660 is coming to Malaysia

The recently launched 2020 Aprilia RS 660 got a lot of positive feedbacks ever since it made its maiden public appearance at EICMA 2019 in Milan, Italy. We can now confirm that the latest Aprilia middleweight will be making its way to Malaysia sometime at the end of the year. Oh, what joy!

This very exciting news was confirmed yesterday when one of the esteemed media members forwarded the question to one of Piaggio’s big guns of marketing, Nicola Capello, during the preview of the extremely limited and powerful 2020 Aprilia RSV4 X here in Malaysia (the very first appearance in the whole of Asia).

The 660cc parallel-twin sports bike is said to produce around 100hp and combined with a dry weight of only 168kg, the new 2020 Aprilia RS 660 sits at the very top of the middleweight list when it comes to power-to-weight ratio.

Other impressive specs include:

APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) electronics suite
Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
Cornering ABS
Lean-angle-sensitive traction control
Wheelie control
Bi-directional quickshifter
Power modes
Active aerodynamics

Our best guess is that Aprilia Official Malaysia (Didi Resources) will bring in the new 2020 Aprilia RS 660 into the country sometime around the end of October when the Malaysia MotoGP round will take place.

2020 Aprilia RSV4 X previewed in Malaysia

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Ride For Jalil – A Charity Ride For Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation

The Ride For Jalil convoy will be held from 29 April 2017 – 30 April 2017

The goal is to create public awareness on cancer and raise funds for the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation

Over 700 big bikers targeted to join the convoy from Muar to Johor Bahru with five stops in between the two-day event

The ‘Ride For Jalil’ pre-event was launched yesterday in conjunction with the Johor Bike Week. The event and pre-event launch was graced even more with the presence of Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima Johor at the Pelangi Leisure Mall, Johor Bahru.

The ‘Ride For Jalil’ is actually a charity convoy which will run its course from 29 April 2017 to 30 April 2017. The charity convoy will be led by Tunku Panglima Johor himself in an effort to gather over 700 big bikers from all over the country to the Southern state in support of the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation (TLJCF), a foundation inspired by Almarhum Tunku Abdul Jalil Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Laksamana Johor.
The main objective of this charity event is to create public awareness on cancer and promoting TLJCF as an aided medium for cancer patients and their families as well as to raise funds for the foundation throughout the two days event.

The ‘Ride For Jalil’ convoy would involve a journey to 5 districts over a one day ride and would cover a total distance of about 273 km. The convoy will start their registration at Dataran Tanjung Emas, Muar before heading to Dataran Tasik Kluang through Parit Sulong, Pekan Yong Peng and Pekan Ayer Hitam. The convoy will continue their ride to Johor Circuit through Kota Tinggi. While in Johor Circuit, the riders are treated with a last lap experience in the iconic Johor Circuit before its final closedown for renovation.

Along the way, Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima Johor will stop to visit cancer patients at their homes to provide moral support and contribution to the patients. The convoy will then end at Dataran Bandaraya Johor Bahru.
Apart from the entertainment, the main objective of this event is to expose and share information with the public on cancer, as such attendees will be able to gain knowledge or contribute through the exhibitions on cancer, blood donation, free preventive healthcare checkup and free screening tests at TLJCF’s Gallery which will benefit the public especially cancer patients and their families. Public can also be part of this charity programme by contributing to the charity fun activities on site.
The following day, a charity luncheon will be held in the Grand Ballroom, Renaissance Hotel, Johor Bahru to celebrate all those involved with the ‘Ride for Jalil’ event and to raise funds through auctions which will further contribute to TLJCF.

“We are pleased to invite all our brothers and sisters of the two-wheel community to join us and participate for this charity ride. Apart from meeting new friends, enjoying the ride, we are also involved as part of our contribution to help raise funds for cancer patients under the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation,” said Mr Nageb Abd Majid at the soft launch in Johor Bike Week today.

He added, “We are here today to kick-start registration for the event, aiming to get 700 big bikers involved throughout the two-day ride. With a minimum donation of RM200, they will get so much more in return such accommodation, food, beverages, goodies bag and tax exemption. So don’t miss out, come join us in support of fighting cancer”.
For registration or more information please contact Secretariat of ‘Ride For Jalil’ at +6012 245 8857/+6012-588 5548.
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Safety Tip: How to Alight Children from Motorcycle

We don’t encourage riding a motorcycle with small children.

But we also know that’s unrealistic.

So, it’s better that we advise you to do it safely.

First and foremost, we’ll come straight out and say that we don’t encourage the carriage of children below certain ages on a motorcycle.
The reason is simple to see. A small child has nothing else to grab onto besides the rider’s waist, and even then, it’s not fully secure. Consequently, it’s very easy for him or her to fall off in situations where adults could still hang on.
But! We know that it’s not fully realistic to advise people not to carry children on their motorcycles. Driving your child to school in the car will have you stuck in traffic for hours, if you’re lucky.
So, if you’re going to do it anyhow, let’s do it safely.
However, the main subject of this article is about getting the child off the bike. Let’s watch the video below.

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Hati-hati bonceng anak di depan saat bawa matik. . #Honda #Vario #Kecelakaan
A post shared by  roda2blog.com (@roda2blog) on Mar 18, 2018 at 7:16pm PDT

When the parent set the child down, he did so on the right side of the motorcycle. The child needed to stabilize himself and the most obvious place to grab onto was the throttle. A twist sent them flying into the shop.
Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt in the accident.
We’ve seen another accident where such accident where unfortunately, mother and child fell into the path of an oncoming truck and were run over.
Always remember to lift your child up and put him down on the left side of the bike. It’s infinitely safer this way because there’s simply nothing dangerous on this side of the bike.
Also, always remember to switch into neutral, especially for moped riders. As a matter of fact, it’s better to just switch the engine off altogether.
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Ducati @ EICMA 2016 – Five new models bow in Milan

Ducati @ EICMA 2016: Ducati shines as the home team with five new models bowing in Milan.

That’s right folks, the BikesRepublic team are in Milan, Italy once again for the world’s biggest motorcycling show and we start appropriately with one of the home team’s members. Here’s our round up of Ducati @ EICMA 2016.

1299 Panigale Superleggera
This is excess in all areas as far as House Bologna’s special superbikes go. Meet the lightest, most powerful and most radically engineered Panigale to date dubbed as the Ducati 1299 Panigale Superleggera.

Succeeding the previous 1199 Panigale Superleggera, this special and limited edition model heavily uses carbon fibre in constructing its fairings, airbox, sub-frame, single-sided swingarm and wheels. Ducati claims weight has been shaved by 40% from the regular 1299 Panigale, with this special tipping the scale at just 156kg dry (167kg kerb figure).

Propulsion comes courtesy of a tweaked 1,285cc Superquadro L-twin mill that delivers a whopping 215hp, making this the most powerful production twin-cylinder ever built. Much of the tweaks are out of sight apart from the WSBK-styled twin exhaust of course.

Added control comes from the plethora of electronics primed on board. The list includes features like the Ducati Power Launch (launch control), cornering ABS, quick-shifter, engine brake control and wheelie control amongst others.

Supplementing the electronics are the lightweight 43mm Öhlins FL936 inverted forks up front and the Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber, with the latter featuring a titanium spring to boot. Anchors come in the form of 330mm twin Brembo front discs with M50 monobloc calipers and TT29OP1 brake pads controlled using the brake specialist MCS 19.21 radial pump unit.

Just 500 units of the Ducati 1299 Panigale Superleggera will be built. But before you sell a kidney to meet its €80,000 (approx. RM367,928.36) price tag, Ducati says all 500 units have already been sold prior to its public debut.

Multistrada 950
Moving on to something more affordable, the new 2017 Ducati Multistrada 950 also bowed in Milan with much fan fare. Essentially, this is the ‘baby’ Multistrada model for those that want a slightly smaller and much lighter version of the sport-adv.

Power comes from a Euro 4-compliant liquid-cooled 937cc Testastretta L-twin lifted from the Hypermotard series. All 113hp developed by this mill gets this baby adv and its claimed 227kg weight up speeds easily and it comes with four riding modes as well – Touring, Sport, Urban and Enduro – thanks to ride-by-wire.

It also gets a digital LCD dash displaying a rich amount of data to riders. Other standard electronics include a three-level Brembo ABS suite. This is paired with matching Brembo dual 320mm discs up front and a single 265mm disc at the rear with floating calipers.

Suspension duties are taken up by a pair of inverted 48mm forks up front with adjustable preload and compression plus a Sachs-supplied rear shock unit with the same adjustable parameters.

The new 2017 Ducati Multistrada 950 will also be offered with four optional guises – Sport, Enduro, Touring, and Urban – each packing various accessories such as panniers, knobby tyres and more.

Monster 797
Next up comes the latest addition into the Monster naked family called the Monster 797. This new entry-level model sees the current generation Monster returning to its original air-cooled form to become a more budget-friendly offering.

The Monster 797 shares the same Euro 4-compliant air-cooled 803cc L-twin as found in the Scrambler line up and develops a modest 75hp output to bring its claimed 193kg weight up and going.

The powertrain is encased in a signature steel trellis frame primed with Kayaba 43mm front forks and a Sachs adjustable rear shock. Notable standard features include a Bosch dual-channel ABS suite, full LCD dash and a USB power socket to boot as well.

This is as simple as it gets with the current generation Monster and expect this new entry-level version to sell well when it enters markets worldwide starting early next year.

Scrambler Café Racer
Ducati also expanded its Scrambler sub-brand range with two more additions and it start with the aptly-named Scrambler Café Racer variant pictured here. As expected, it retains much of the familiar chassis and air-cooled 803cc V-twin from its existing siblings.

It does benefit with new 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in road-focused Pirelli tyres. Notable café racer traits can be seen in its low handlebar and side mirror styling, not forgetting the customary side number plate too.

With its addition, Ducati has expanded the Scrambler sub-brand’s reach even further, and the same can be said about its new retro enduro-styled sibling launched alongside it.

Scramber Desert Sled
With a name inspired by the scrambler-style street bikes that raced in events like the iconic LA-Barstow-Vegas races of yesteryear, the Scrambler Desert Sled now adds another retro enduro flavour into the Scrambler line up alongside the existing Urban Enduro variant.

Unlike the Café Racer, the Desert Sled boasts more significant changes all-round. Notable amongst which include the 19-inch spoked front wheel and 17-inch spoked rear wheel wrapped in Pirelli Scorpioni Rally STR tires.

To make this a proper off-road machine, Ducati have strengthen the steel trellis chassis and primed it with a new swingarm assembly. These allowed it to accommodate the new fully adjustable Kayaba front and rear suspension hardware that rightfully offers high amounts of travel.
Check out more images in the gallery we’ve prepared below.
Ducati @ EICMA 2016 Gallery

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Triumph Motorcycles Reveal Hand-Finished Gold Line Special Edition For The Bonneville Range

Triumph Motorcycles has announced the Bonneville Gold Line limited edition range, which will see a combination of hand-crafted detail and bright colours.
The Gold Line Range is available for each model in the Modern Classic Bonneville line-up according to the British firm.
Apart from the already updated Euro 5 engine, the Gold Line special edition features hand-finished work by expert painters in the UK and Thailand.
The Gold Line is available as an option, but it is strictly available for one year only and not limited by numbers.
Bonneville T100 Gold Line Edition

Silver Ice fuel tank with Competition Green tank infill edged with hand-painted gold lining and elegant ‘gold line’ logo
Silver Ice mudguards and side panels with Competition Greenside panel stripes, unique new white and gold Bonneville T100 logo and hand-painted gold lining

Bonneville Speedmaster Gold Line Edition

Silver Ice fuel tank with Sapphire Black twin stripe design and brushed foil knee pads, all edged with hand-painted gold lining and elegant ‘gold line’ logo
Sapphire Black headlight bowl, mudguards and side panels with unique new gold and silver Bonneville Speedmaster logos and hand-painted gold lining

Bonneville Bobber Gold Line Edition

Carnival Red fuel tank and mudguards, with gold Triumph tank logos and elegant ‘gold line’ logo, Sapphire Black twin stripe design and brushed foil knee pads, edged with hand-painted gold lining
Sapphire Black side panels with unique new gold and silver Bonneville Bobber logo and hand-painted gold lining

Bonneville T120 Gold Line Edition

Silver Ice fuel tank with Competition Green tank infill edged with hand-painted gold lining and elegant ‘gold line’ logo
Silver Ice mudguards and side panels with Competition Greenside panel stripes, unique new white and gold Bonneville T120 logo and hand-painted gold lining

Bonneville T120 Black Gold Line Edition

Matt Sapphire Black fuel tank, front and rear mudguards, headlight bowl and side panels
Matt Silver Ice fuel tank infill edged with hand-painted gold lining and elegant ‘gold line’ logo
Matt Silver Ice side panel stripe graphics with unique new black and gold Bonneville T120 Black logos and hand-painted gold lining

Street Scrambler Gold Line Edition

Matt Pacific Blue tank with Graphite stripe, gold Triumph tank logos and elegant ‘gold line’ logo
Hand-painted gold lining alongside the tank stripe and around the brushed foil knee pads
Matt Jet Black front and rear mudguards and side panel with new gold Street Scrambler logo

Scrambler 1200 XC Gold Line Edition

Carnival Red and Storm Grey fuel tank with Aluminium Silver stripe, brushed foil knee pads, hand-painted gold lining, and elegant ‘gold line’ logo
Jet Black side panel and headlight bowl

Scrambler 1200 XE Gold Line Edition

Baja Orange and Silver Ice fuel tank with Pure White stripe, brushed foil knee pads, hand-painted gold lining and elegant ‘gold line’ logo.
Jet Black side panel and headlight bowl

Among the range, we just adored the Carnival Red of the Bobber and the Scrambler 1200 XE Gold Line with the Baja Orange. So be sure to pick yours quick as the Gold Line special edition is only available for a year.
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Moto Guzzi Malaysia Owners Ride to Melaka

After many rides to Melaka, it was Moto Guzzi Malaysia’s turn.

The convoy took the scenic route from Port Dickson to Melaka.

A great collection of Moto Guzzi motorcycles were present.

Owning and riding a motorcycle by yourself is fine, but there are times when you want to find out more about the brand you’re on from other owners. Perhaps to increase your number of friends in your network.

After a few successful rides from The Gasket Alley, it was the turn of Moto Guzzi owners to ride to the historic city of Melaka on Saturday, 5th May 2018.

As usual, the riders got together at Moto Guzzi Malaysia early in the morning for some light breakfast and catch up with old buddies or new friends.

The riders showed up on a good collection of Moto Guzzi motorcycles including the limited edition V7 III 50th Anniversario, V7 III Racer, California, Sport 8V, V7 III Special, V7 III Classic, V9 Roamer, and a Grisso 1200 SE.

The convoy travelled down the KL-Seremban Highway before turning off toward Port Dickson. They stopped at the Rezeky restaurant for refreshments and a break before turning south toward Melaka, riding along the coast for a more scenic route rather than droning mindlessly along the highway.

The ride passed many beautiful views of the sea along the way, including at Tanjung Bidara. The road continued through to Pantai Kundur at Tanjung Kling, and all the way into Melaka along Pantai Klebang where the group stopped for fuel.

From there it was a straight ride to the Straits Werx Café near Masjid Kampung Hulu, which is among the oldest masjids in Malaysia. The café also flanks the Melaka River so we saw passengers on the Melaka River Boat Ride taking pictures of us while we had lunch and coconut cendol. The cendol was a welcome as the day had gotten extremely hot.

The riders got to know one another better while chilling out after lunch, before adjourning for the ride home.

PICTURE GALLERY

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MotoGP Winter Test 2017 – Iannone Fastest in Day 2

Newly-appointed SUZUKI ECSTAR rider, Andrea Iannone, clocked in the fastest time on day 2 of the MotoGP Winter Test 2017

It was a slow start to the day as the morning session was only filled with four bikes total; three Ducatis and a Yamaha Tech 3 machinery. Due to heavy rain on Monday evening, the track was still a bit damp and most of the riders and team waited for the track to dry before heading out sometime around 2pm local time.
As more riders went out, the track slowly dried out and amongst of all them, Andrea Iannone of the Suzuki Ecstar MotoGP team set the fastest time at 1:59.452. Only a few riders managed to break the 2-minute barrier. The second rider who ran a sub 2-minute lap was the highly anticipated Movistar Yamaha’s latest addition, Maverick Vinales. He managed to lapped the 5.543km ciruit in 1:59.858, just four tenths slower than Iannone on his final lap of the day.

Out of all the high profile riders that went out yesterday, it was Alvaro Bautista from the Pull&Bear Aspar Team set the third fastest time of the day at 2:00.218. It was surprising and also refreshing to see Bautista being consistently fast for the past two days. It is also clear that Bautista is going to be one of the front runners of 2017 as he also set the fourth fastest time in the first day of testing.

The other Movistar Yamaha rider who is also a nine-time world champion, Valentino Rossi, managed to set the fourth fastest time at the closing stages of Day 2 with a time of 2:00.254. The Doctor clearly had a better day yesterday as compared to Day 1 when he only managed to only achieve P8 as he was a bit under the weather.

One of the MotoGP rookies who also happens to be the 2016 Moto2 World Champion, Johann Zarco, felt quite at home on board his new Monster Tech 3 Yamaha M1. Although fresh to the scene, he was quick to grasp the M1’s characteristics and set an impressive time of 2:00.343. That time was only 0.09 slower than Valentino Rossi. Quite impressive, indeed.

The man that made one of the biggest transfers in MotoGP history, Jorge Lorenzo, seemed to have some difficulties trying to pilot the Ducati Desmosedici in the first two days of winter testing. It is however understandable as Casey Stoner himself stated that the Desmosedici and M1 are polar opposites and Lorenzo will need some time to get accustomed to the Ducati’s unique feeling and characteristics. Lorenzo only managed to set eighth place behind his current team mate, Andrea Dovizioso.

Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more news on the MotoGP Winter Test 2017 and everything else motorcycling.
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BMW G 310 RR Makes Public Appearance

Courtesy of www.motorbeam.com

The fully-faired BMW G 310 made its appearance at the BMW Motorrad Days in Japan.

The concept looks like a smaller S 1000 RR, clad in carbon-fibre.

BMW should show off the production model at Intermot and EICMA.

It looks like the BMW G 310 range will gain a sportbike, called the G 310 RR.
The BMW G 310 R (roadster) and G 310 GS (adventure) versions were launched to a great reception, not only in Asia where they were first intended but also in Europe and the Americas. Heck, we even saw many G 310 GS entered in the recent GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling and they performed well. What is missing from the line-up though is the sport version.

While it has been rumored for some time that the German manufacturer is working on a G 310 RR, they have been very secretive about it, hence there were little news and pictures to reveal the bike.
Well, BMW has dropped a bomb on us. The fully-faired version made its first appearance at BMW Motorrad Days in Japan.
As evident from the photo, the G 310 RR concept’s styling is heavily influenced by its popular sportbike sibling, the S 1000 RR, including the headlamps and the sinewy fairing on the right side complete with the trademark shark gills. Yes, we are sure some may even all it the “Baby S.”
Courtesy of autocarindia.com
The exhaust has been moved from the side to underneath the seat, and all the bodywork is in carbon fibre.
Speaking about carbon fibre, we do not think the material will be used in the final production bike. Still, having one more entry to the 300cc single-cylinder in the market will definitely light up the lightweight sportbike wars.
The production model should make its debut at the Intermot show at the earliest, or EICMA in November. Let us hope the production model looks as great as this concept!
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MotoGP: Hayden on a Honda in 2014?

Outgoing Ducati Corse rider Nicky Hayden could possibly astride a Honda production race bike next season.

With Aspar team boss Jorge Martinez’ move to run two of the five Honda RCV1000R production race machines available next year, Hayden would most likely take up an offer from the outfit. The team’s current rider Randy de Puniet is most certain to take on the role of full-time tester for the returning Suzuki outfit and return with them in 2015. Many believe Hayden could take up this vacant Aspar seat next season. Not a stranger with Honda, Hayden won his sole MotoGP world championship back in 2006 riding the red wing marque’s machine.
However, Martinez has been reported to be in talks with several other riders as well including Hiroshi Aoyama and Yonny Hernandez. Outgoing Aprilia team manager Luigi Dall’Igna – bound for Ducati next season – on the other hand has recommended Eugene Laverty to Martinez as well.
The Aspar team could make an announcement of its 2014 plans sometime this week. More details regarding its riders line up, and perhaps the confirmation of Nicky Hayden’s 2014 seat, could be confirmed by then.
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Rumour: New Busa ‘almost ready’

Rumour has it that Suzuki are in the midst of finalising a worthy successor for the legendary and highly revered Hayabusa hypersports.

Believed to be a third generation iteration of the Busa, the bike will also reportedly make its debut appearance by year’s end or next year in 2015. Reports however indicate that the launch timing is determined by both its own development pace, as well as the development of Suzuki’s new GSX-R1000. The new Gixxer is rumoured to have a 2015 reveal date to coincide with Suzuki’s return into MotoGP.
If the new Gixxer appears first in 2015, then it is likely believed that the new third generation Busa’s unveiling would be held back as late as 2016.

Unless you are a Kwasaki ZX14 fan/owner, you will agree when we say that the Hayabusa is one of the greatest bikes ever made in the modern era. Given its cult-like status and following, as well as its highly acclaimed performance, it comes a bit of a surprise to note that the Busa hasn’t evolved much over the year.
The ‘Peregrine Falcon’ first came into view in 1999, carrying the designation ‘GSX1300R’. Since then, the Busa’s basic architecture has been retained while its exterior was restyled slightly in the second generation bike that came into the market in 2008, packing slightly more horsepower and kit. After that, the only other update came last year where the bike found itself primed with a set of uprated Brembo calipers and an ABS system.
In its current form, the Busa is belived to have in excess of 170hp churned out at 10,100rpm by its 1,340cc in-line four-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC heart. And, if you shift through the six-speed cog fast enough, you could harness all that power and 132.6Nm of maximum torque generated 7,600rpm to propel the bike from standstill to 100km/h in about 2.8 seconds, cover a quarter-mile in about 10 seconds, and reach a top speed of 299km/h.

We reckon that the Busa’s icoming 2015- or 2016-year replacement would at least match its current abilities, and perhaps feature several small yet slight improvements as well. As for now, we can only speculate and wait.
Source: Visordown
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How to Ride Through Flash Floods

Courtesy of visordown

Here are tips on how to ride through flash floods (or deep water)

Cardinal rule is to go slow

Throttle control and a cool head applies

The weather has been mighty unpredictable in the Klang Valley lately. The days invariably start with burning white sunlight and scorching heat, only to give way to sudden heavy downpours. If the downpours continue for more than two hours, we could find ourselves  caught in flash floods.
Courtesy of Astro Awani
While it’s safest to sit out from riding in pouring rain and flooded roads, there’s no escaping it at times, especially around flood-prone areas where the roads remain flooded even after rain has stopped.
Here are our tips for riding through flash floods (and deep puddles of water).
1. Stop and Inspect
It’s just like adventure riding. No sane adventure rider will just banzai headlong into an unknown body of water without first inspecting its depth, potential hazards underwater and exit on the other side.

While you may not have to get off your bike and walk through floods on the road you travel on each day, you do need to stop and look for clues. If there’s another vehicle pushing through the water, note how deep it is. Observe if there’s a strong water current from one side of the road to the other.
If the water’s too deep or current’s too strong, forget it. Just wait for it to subside.
If you don’t already know the location of your engine’s air intake, now’s the good time to start. Check if it’s high enough above the water.
2. Stand Up
Riding through floods is no different from riding through a river when adventure or trail riding, so stand for better low-speed stability, meaning there’s more control when you crawl ahead at 10 to 20 km/h.
Courtesy of twistedthrottle
3. Go Slow and Straight
This goes without saying.
Throwing up a big splash may look spectacular in pictures but it isn’t a good practice in real world situations. Hitting a deep body of water at speed would most likely have the water act as a liquid brake/barrier. The bike will cut through the first few metres easily before coming to a sudden halt and causing the rider to lose control (or even thrown off).
They need to go a little slower than this. Courtesy of thestar
Keep your speed as low as possible and steady to keep the water’s bow wake below the height of the engine’s air intake. Remember, you’re riding a motorcycle, not a jetski.
It’s also best to stay off the sides of the road and ride in the middle of the lane.
4. Keep Moving
Don’t pull in the clutch or slam the throttle shut.
Maintain a steady throttle and speed in the gear you are in right now, even if you should feel a tyre or tyres kicking loose when contacting something in the water. In fact, you should open the throttle a bit more if that happens.
Courtesy of visordown
Roll off the throttle smoothly if you need to slow down more and stay off the brakes.
5. Exiting
Don’t gun it immediately after exiting the flood. You may increase your speed, but don’t slam open the throttle, without first giving the time for the water or whatever debris collected on the bike to “drop off.”
Also, with the bike still moving, drag the brakes lightly to clean them.
Courtesy of ultimatemotorcycling
6. Kill It!
But what if you hit, for example, a pothole and the bike goes down?
Make the effort to kill the engine before you lay the bike down into the water. You’d most probability have the time to do so, since you were riding at a slow speed, right? Right? Regardless, the engine should be shut down as quickly as possible.
Courtesy of smugsmug
An internal combustion engine is basically an air pump which sucks in air, adds fuel to it, compresses the mixture and sets it alight. But water is incompressible and non-combustible (duh!), and therefore has the potential of causing catastrophic engine damage.
Do not immediately attempt to start a motorcycle that has been lying underwater. Instead, you should pull out the spark plugs and the airbox cover to check for water ingress. If the spark plug electrodes are wet, do not reinstall them, but turn on the bike’s ignition and crank the starter a few times to push the water out of the combustion chamber.
Reinstall only when it’s sufficiently dry.
Conclusion
Riding through a flood isn’t difficult but one should do it with care and logic, obviously. Sticking to the above steps will have you home way ahead of car drivers, instead of ending up swimming in that filthy water. Think of it as urban adventure riding.
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