More treats for SBK race fans

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has beefed up its efforts at promoting the upcoming inaugural Malaysian leg of the World Superbike Championship (SBK) race scheduled for next month.

SIC have activated a ‘Rovers’ team called the SIC SBK Rovers that will travel in a convoy of superbikers led by a specially-painted 4×4 cruiser and tricked-out LED truck that will tour in and around the nation. Besides the LED truck’s showcasing a special promotional video for the upcoming event, the rovers will also comprise of several grid girls that are tasked at giving away special freebies and exclusive official merchanides as prizes, plus selling main grandstand tickets discounted at 50% to the Malaysian round of the 2014 eni FIM SBK race.
The rovers will be touring as far as Penang and Johor Bahru up until June 1, and they will be stopping at selected mamak and food joints such as Pelita, Rasta, and NZ Curry House. The rover’s full tour schedule can be obtained online via SIC’s official website.
Besides that, SIC will also be offering fans the chance to purchase exclusive Paddock Access passes. Created especially for the upcoming SBK event, the passes will grant fans with access to the circuit’s newly-built Paddock Roof Top, as well as a chance to view SBK behind-the-scenes preparations from said paddock. SBK Paddock Access passes will also allow fans to watch the race from both the North and South Main Grandstands as well.
SIC will only offer these special Paddock Access passes for the first 1,000 customers only. Each pass will retail for RM500 only.
More information can be obtained via SIC’s official website or by calling its dedicated ticketing hotline at +603-87782222.
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Benelli is set to introduce new models

Chinese-owned Italian motorcycle brand Benelli is set for a rebirth with major plans in the pipelines for 2017.

Established in 1911, Benelli stands as one of the oldest motorcycles brands in existence today. Benelli can trace its roots back to its home of Persaro, Italy where six brothers and their widowed mother founded it.
Having studied engineering in Switzerland, two of the six brothers first established a garage that repaired motorcycles and bicycles in the days of World War 1 before building their first complete motorcycle in 1920. The brothers’ shared passion for hunting ultimately lead them into manufacturing shotguns since 1967 as well.

Though successful, Benelli’s firearms business has stood apart from the family’s motorcycling affair after it was acquired by Italian firearm giant Beretta Holdings. Back to Benelli’s motorcycling heritage and things weren’t as successful as making shotguns to say the least. Like many storied Italian firms, it went through several trials and tribulations, went bankrupt and changed owners several times before China’s Qiangjiang Group (QJ) finally acquired it in 2006.
In Europe at least, Benelli as a brand somewhat quietened down since QJ took ownership of it, but it appears this silence will end soon. Having spent all these years stabilising the Benelli marque and integrating it into its operations, QJ looks set to grant the storied Italian brand with the modern revival it needs.
Benelli’s general manager Haimei Yan (Image source: MCN)
In a recent interview with MCN, Benelli’s general manager Haimei Yan said:
“We have really big plans for Benelli in 2017 to expand our range to appeal to European tastes.”

The Chinese exec confirmed that QJ will expand the brand’s range extensively by adding new offerings alongside its current ones, carrying a range of engine displacements from 125cc right up to 750cc. Amongst them are new 500cc and 600cc models, and more crucially a new parallel-twin 750cc model as well that is aimed specifically for the European market.
Also in the pipelines are plans at injecting new life into Benelli’s signature range of 899cc and 1,200cc triple-cylinder engines as well.

Whilst all this sounds ambitious, it is worth noting that QJ is one of China’s biggest motorcycle manufacturers. It owns several other brands for the domestic Chinese market and produces over a million motorcycles annually. Of that million or so motorcycles, 50,000 units carry the Benelli brand but just 5,000 units are exported into Europe.
With that, it is easy to see that QJ has a complete portfolio of products that can easily be rebranded as Benelli products for export. Furthermore, its huge resource pool is equally as diverse in range, mirroring what rivalling Japanese giants Honda and Yamaha possess as well.

Though it has the resources to put this plan into action, the bulk of QJ’s production efforts are still based in China and could lead to a brand perception problem. Even with this revival, the question that remains is whether consumers in Europe, and elsewhere around the globe for that matter, would still view Benelli as an Italian brand?
Hiamen Yan responded by highlighting that all research and development, design works, as well as the production of Benelli’s flagship triples would still be done in Italy. QJ would simply manufacture the rest of the products in China instead. He further noted that QJ fully understood the importance of the Benelli brand heritage and reassures that it remains as an Italian brand as well.

The exec further added:
“All the new motorcycle technology is coming from Europe, especially Italy, and they have more creativity than the Chinese, but the Chinese are very good at manufacturing. That’s why Benelli works so well. We also believe that we can match the Japanese when it comes to quality.”

The interesting question revolved around the revival of a Benelli superbike model. Part of the brand’s success in the past lied in the world of racing thanks to the exploits of Antonio ‘Tonino’ Benelli – one of the six brothers – in both Grand Prix racing and the famed Isle of Man TT road race.
Hiamen Yan’s response indicated that that QJ has no plans for a new race-bred Benelli superbike for now, but he did state Benelli’s possible return into active racing when “the moment is right.”

On the local front, Benelli seems to be getting set for the introduction of a more diverse range of products. At a recent luncheon organised by Benelli Malaysia to introduce the latest General Manager Mr Low Kin Yong, the new company GM had in conversation with our editor Keshy pointed out that the company is gearing up to introduce more products for the Malaysian market. Though he confirmed that it is still going to take a while before the new products are launched locally, but the gears are already in place.
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Upgrading from kapcai to sports bike / naked bike

A lot of new riders today are quickly upgrading from kapcai to sports bike or naked bike.
Ranging anywhere between 200cc to 500cc, these entry-level motorcycles are getting a lot of demand and manufacturers are taking notice.
Sports bikes and naked bikes like the KTM RC390 and 390 Duke have become the ultimate riding choices even for veteran riders.

In this day and age, technology and advancements in the world of motorcycling have made more and more high performance motorcycles readily available for just about everyone and anyone. From small capacity Japanese cubs to European superbikes, one can and definitely will find the perfect bike for any occasion.

With the demand for more advanced lower capacity motorcycles from markets all over the world, more manufacturers are stepping up by innovating down towards smaller capacity machines that work just as well (if not better) as their bigger and more powerful options.

In the recent years, we are actively seeing a shift in the buying trend where those who just obtained their motorcycle license move from basic motorcycles below 150cc to entry-level sport bikes or naked bikes ranging from 200cc to 500cc. There are many prime examples from around the world consisting of Modenas, BMW Motorrad, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Benelli, KTM and many more.

In other words, the younger generation is not only looking for a reliable machine that can take them from point A to B but more on how the exciting the journey can be between the two places. Almost all motorcycle manufacturers see this rapidly-growing demand and they’re well on their way to filling it up with some of the best entry-level bikes.
Image source: www.1reason.com
When it comes to any form of transportation, the two most important elements that are taken into consideration have to be the overall purpose, use and budget. Budget nowadays is not really an issue considering financial services such as AEON Credit are able to provide suitable payment schemes for all sorts of financial plans.

So that leaves down to just the bike’s main purpose and use. The majority of riders are looking for something that can inject a huge dose of excitement in their riding experience so that their everyday journey wouldn’t be so mundane. Everyday riding in between the office, school, college or university and home is the usual scenario and this market is in hot demand in every corner of the globe.

There is a huge selection of bikes that first-time bike owners can look for but the main variants fall down between either the sports bike or naked bike. To explain further, we’ll be using the 2017 KTM 390 Duke and KTM RC390 as examples as they’re currently two of the most popular models in the entry-level naked bike and sports bike categories.

Bikes like the 2017 KTM 390 Duke is proof of how far manufacturers have invested in creating the perfect entry-level machine with top of the range specifications. From its revolutionary 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that’s both powerful and reliable to its futuristic and modern design, it’s without a doubt one of the best entry-level naked bikes currently available. It’s not every day you get to see a bike below 500cc that has a TFT screen, too.

Naked bikes are generally perceived as machines that can travel and manoeuvre flawlessly in between traffic and congested cities. Places like Kuala Lumpur and Damansara which are almost always congested with traffic are perfect habitats for naked bikes like the 390 Duke to blast through without raising your blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Relatively short distance travels that do not involve a lot of highway touring are perfect for naked bikes but if you’re planning to cover longer distances like from Nilai to Kuala Lumpur (and back again), then you can opt for something that has better aerodynamic performance. We are of course referring to the sports bike.

Apart from being able to cut through the wind more efficiently without consuming too much fuel or putting unnecessary stress on the engine, fully fairing sports bikes like the 2017 KTM RC390 is a good option for a first bike.

Thanks to its light and nimble handling, it’s also perfect for some weekend fun on winding mountain roads or better yet, the weekend track days at venues such as the Sepang International Circuit.

While sport bikes are technically designed to be more suited for the track and races like the KTM RC Cup, this does not mean that they are more fun compared to their naked siblings. In fact, we had so much fun when KTM Malaysia gave us the opportunity to try out both of their latest 2017 KTM 250 Duke and 390 Duke late last year.

All in all, more and more younger people (and the young at heart) are expanding their choices to these entry-level machines. Even those who used to riding bigger capacity motorcycles are now starting to downgrade to these entry to mid range motorcycles simply because the options available today offer so much excitement whilst keeping the cost of maintenance relatively down low.

So when it comes down to the ultimate choice, just think of the budget as well as overall use and we’re sure that any of you will find the perfect bike no matter if it’s a crotch rocket on the track or corner-eating deliciousness on winding roads to your favourite breakfast or lunch spots during your Sunday rides.
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Vespa Sei Giorni II Edition launched in Malaysia – RM34,500

Didi Resources aka Vespa Malaysia has officially launched the 2020 Vespa Sei Giorni II Edition here in Malaysia. The launch and preview for Vespa owners were held at the Lost City World of Tambun in Ipoh, Perak, in conjunction with the Vespa Day as well as Racing Sixties Tour.

Close to a hundred Vespa owners from the Vespa Club Malaysia attended the launch and preview of the Sei Giorni II model. This particular model holds a special place in the manufacturer’s heart as a tribute to the six days international rally call Sei Giorni Internazionale held in Varese, Italy back in the 1950s.

10 Vespas entered the race in 1951 and 9 received awards, which is why they came up with the special edition Sei Giorni model. Apart from the rich history this particular model carries, the latest rendition comes packed with Vespa’s latest 300cc HPE (High Performance Engine) single-cylinder engine that churns out 23.8hp at 8,250rpm and 26Nm of torque.

That’s 18% more power compared to the brand’s previous generation 300cc engine. Paired with its classic style from its low headlight placed on the front mudguard, analogue speedometer, bronze top fairing, blacked-out parts, and its most prominent feature, the special Grey Titanio colour scheme.

Other features include:

Spacious underseat storage
USB charging port
LED lighting system
2-channel ABS system
5-litre fuel tank
All-round disc brakes (220mm)
12-inch wheels + more

A limited number of the 2020 Vespa Sei Giorni II Edition will be brought into the Malaysian market priced at RM34,500 each (excluding insurance, road tax & registration). This price comes together with a Vespa GTS windscreen, 36-litre top box, and its top box bracket. To know more, head over to any authorised Vespa dealers located nationwide.
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Second Edition Of Ducati “We Ride As One” To Commence On May 6th

Ducati, is preparing for the second edition of “We Ride As One” on May 6th. This global event is designed to bring together Ducati owners and enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate their passion for the iconic red bikes.

Ducati dealerships and Ducati Official Clubs (DOCs) are organizing unique programs for each location, making the event a personalized experience for all participants. In Rome, riders will participate in a parade through the city center led by Gresini Racing Team MotoGP rider Fabio Di Giannantonio.
In Kawasaki, Japan, riders will ride together to the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum for lunch with a view of Mount Fuji. Meanwhile, in Rennes, France, participants will ride to the beautiful bay of Mont Saint Michel.

On the other hand, Ducatisti from Bogota and Medellin in Colombia will journey from their respective cities to have a dinner party together.
Ducati’s official Instagram channel will report the unfolding of events around the world in real-time, sharing the exciting images and videos of parades and get-togethers with the official hashtags #WeAreDucati #WeRideAsOne.

The first edition of “We Ride As One” was held in preparation for World Ducati Week 2022 and was a resounding success. This year promises to be even better as Ducatisti from all over the world come together to celebrate their shared passion for Ducati motorcycles.
All Ducatisti are invited to contact or visit their trusted dealer to find out about the local initiatives. To find the nearest dealer, the dealer locator is available in the dedicated section of the Ducati website. On May 6th, Ducatisti will unite to color the streets of their cities with a Ducati Red parade, creating a memorable day surrounded by a community with the same love for two wheels and for the red bikes of Borgo Panigale.
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New design update for 2020 Honda Vario 150 – RM7,499

Boon Siew Honda (BSH) has unveiled three new colour options and combinations for its super popular scooter, the 2020 Honda Vario 150. Updated with ‘futuristic and hexagonal grid design graphics’, the 150cc Honda scooter now carries a more modern image for today’s younger generation (or the young at heart).

Customers can choose between three colour options for the standard 2020 Honda Vario 150 which are Force Silver Metallic, Pearl Magellanic Black, and Sword Silver Metallic. If you want something that’s a lot more sporty-looking, they also offer the Honda Vario 150 in the Repsol Honda colours you can find in MotoGP.

The first three colour options are available at RM7,499 (price excluding road tax, insurance and registration). If you want the Repsol edition, that one is priced slightly higher at RM7,699. All 2020 Honda Vario 150 models are also offered with a two-year warranty or 20,000km (whichever comes first).

Some of the highlighted features of the 150cc scooter from BSH are:

150cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine with 13.1hp and 13.4Nm of torque
Honda Enhanced Smart Power (eSP) technology
Honda SMART Key System
Advanced Idling Stop System (ISS)
LED lighting system
LCD meter display
14-inch sporty wheels
18-litre underseat storage
Honda Combi Brake System (CBS) + more

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MotoGP 2020 – best season yet for Red Bull KTM

The MotoGP 2020 season presented a lot of challenges where a lot of teams and riders rise up to the occasion, especially the Red Bull KTM squads. With four riders piloting the highly-upgraded KTM RC16, 2020 was seen as the best season so for the Austrian manufacturer.

In total, they’ve managed to collect three race victories thanks to Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira. Pol Espargaro also contributed to another five podium finishes whereas Iker Lecuona showed amazing pace as the developing rookie.

Brad Binder became the first rider to win a race in all three classes using KTM machinery whereas Miguel Oliveira scored two amazing wins (also scored the second ‘KTM clean sweep’), an amazing feat which the Tech3 squad has been waiting for years. His second victory was even sweeter as it was done on home turf at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal.

It has been a challenging MotoGP season so far, but KTM proved that whatever they’ve been doing works, and they’ll continue to improve for the 2021 season. After 14 rounds, they’ve recorded the following.

3 wins (1: Binder & 2: Oliveira)
8 podiums (1: Binder, 5: Espargaro, 2: Oliveira)
3 Pole Positions (2: Espargaro, 1: Oliveira)
4 Fastest laps (2: Binder, 1: Espargaro, 1: Oliveira)
27 top ten finishes (5: Binder, 10: Espargaro, 3: Lecuona, 9: Oliveira)
5th in Riders Championship: Espargaro (highest yet for KTM)
4th in Constructors Championship (from 6, highest yet)
3rd in Teams Championship: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
7th in Teams Championship: Red Bull KTM Tech3
Rookie of the Year: Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Average points per round comparison won by KTM: 2019 = 9.26, 2020 = 26.71 (increase of 188.4%)

The Red Bull KTM squads is looking to break new goals in the 2021 season, but it won’t be easy as other manufacturers are also working hard to achieve the same thing – be the very best. After 2020, you can’t leave KTM out of that conversation anymore.

Written by: Sep Irran
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ARRC 2017: Taiga Hada Wins Race 2, Azlan Shah Second

Taiga Hada - RAMA Honda by NTS T.Pro Ten 10 (Image source: ARRC)

Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) latest 600cc race saw Taiga Hada impressing everyone yesterday with a Race 2 win after a podium finish in Race 1

Azlan Shah improved performance and decision paid off in Race 2 finishing in second

Race 1 winner, Zaqhwan Zaidi crashed out in the second lap of Race 2

Taiga Hada chasing Zaqhwan Zaidi (Image source: ARRC)

It was a rookie who stole the limelight in Race 2 of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) 2017. After finishing on podium in Race 1, Taiga Hada from the RAMA Honda by NTS T.Pro Ten 10 squad rode brilliantly to the finish line in the 16-lap race. Check out the race highlights below.

Rd1 Malaysia – SS600 Race 2 Highlights
[REPLAY] What a way for ??Tiger Hadataiga ?  to pick up his FIRST SS600 win ?SuperSports 600cc Race 2 Highlights – Rd1 MalaysiaRAMA Honda Racing – by NTS T.ProTen10#asiapower
Posted by Asia Road Racing Championship on 2hb April 2017

The 18 year old and his Honda CBR600RR crossed the finish line with a 5.089 seconds’ gap in front of runner-up, Azlan Shah from the Manual Tech Kawasaki Racing team. He kept his cool and his lead to clinch the first 600cc win of his career with a time of 24’51.787s. “My rear tyre was a bit slippy throughout the race, but apart from that, I have no other complaints. It was a thoroughly enjoyable race,” said Hada.
Azlan Shah – Manual Tech Kawasaki Racing
After a wrong tire choice yesterday made by Azlan Shah, the 33 year old rider from Selangor managed to recover brilliantly in Race 2 with a race finish in second place. After having fought brilliantly with the other riders on board his Kawasaki ZX-6R, Azlan Shah ended the battle in front of another 18 year old rider hailing from Indonesia, Irfan Ardianshah.
Image source – Astra Honda Racing Team
The Supersports 600cc category witnessed another rookie on podium thanks to Irfan Ardianshah from the Astra Honda Racing Team. What seemed impossible for the young rider starting in P12, the Indonesian rider quickly recovered precious positions throughout the 16 laps around the Johor Circuit. Irfan finished the second race on podium but due to the many battles with other riders, he crossed the finish line 13.141 seconds behind the race winner.

Round 2 of the 2017 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will take place at the Chang International Circuit on April 14 and 5, 2017. Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more ARRC updates.
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Death of Mohd. Hafiz Nor Azman a Wake-Up Call?

Condolences to Mohd Hafiz Nor Azman's family. Picture from Malaysian Cub Prix

Mohd. Hafiz Nor Azman passed away after crashing at the Cub Prix final race over the weekend.

The organizers promised a thorough investigation.

The tragedy was the second in the space of 18 months.

“What about runoff areas? See that food truck over there?”

The unfortunately incident and passing of Mohd. Hafiz Nor Azman at a motorcycle race ought to serve as a wake-up call.
This was the second death of a Cub Prix rider in 18 months. Two-time National Champion Norizman Ismail passed away at Kemaman, Terengganu in May last year when he slid into an air fence followed by his bike.
What happened
Hafiz paid the ultimate price at the final round of the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix 2018 Championship, held at Dataran Bandar Penawar in Johor on Sunday. He had been competing in the CP150 race.
Heading into a chicane, a rider in front of Hafiz had contacted a board at the side of the track, sending him to the ground. Hafiz ran over the rider and crashed heavily himself. According to NST’s report, he was unconscious and passed away at Hospital Bukit Tinggi.

The aftermath
The disaster sent shockwaves throughout all walks of life in Malaysia. Condolences poured in for Hafiz’s family. His team’s main sponsor, Petronas issued a press statement, announcing their sadness for the rider’s team.
However, shock gave in to dismay and people started to speculate about what happened in the same breath. What had caused the young rider’s demise has yet been determined, but there are already many Horatio Canes in Facebook. Here’s when fingers start pointing in every direction.
However, the paramount issue here is about safety. Hafiz’s grieving father queried, “Was the track safe or not? I felt the track was a little lacking in safety.”
Past champion and national rider, Wazi Abdul Hamid shared his views at the funeral.
Opinion
We are not criticizing the organizers for they have done the best they could. The air fences have certainly reduced rider injuries by a wide margin since their introduction many years back. On the other hand, the best needs to evolve to stay the best.
150cc cubs are already super-fast these days in stock form. We tested the Yamaha Y15ZR when it debuted in 2015 and it hit almost a 150 km/h top speed. Just imagine how much faster they are in race trim.
Having a fast bike where there’s lots of space isn’t much of a problem, but Cub Prix races are usually held on open air car parks. Car parks have high concrete curbs, typical deplorable surfaces and tight confines when converted into a racetrack. What about runoff areas? See that food truck over there?
Solution?
Is widening the track a better solution? That would seem good idea at first glance, but it would only create higher corner speeds. Faster crashes are not pleasant.
The obvious choice is to hold the races at purpose-built facilities. Yes, there aren’t many in Malaysia apart from the Sepang International Circuit (SIC). On the other hand, there are many go-kart tracks scattered throughout the country. Problem is, these go-kart tracks are situated in hard-to-reach areas. Conversely, large numbers of spectators present another challenge as some go-kart tracks usually lack exciting views. Currently, Cub Prix spectators stand behind fencing that’s right up next to the track.
But whatever is decided, it better be decided on by next year’s first practice. We Malaysians have an annoying obsession with the status quo until tragedy strikes. But what’s worse is that we start pointing fingers again.
Like the bereaved father said, “I hope the relevant parties will look into the incident and prevent another tragedy.”
Twice is once too many times. A third fatality, if due to lack of improvements to track safety is criminal.
Bikes Republic and our sister site MotoMalaya would like to extend our condolences to Mohd. Hafiz’s family. Al-fatihah.
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The Shop That Has It All – Sheng Fatt Motor of Penang

It is said that variety is the spice of life, and no where can it further from the truth (other than the obvious) than when shopping for motorcycle accessories and gear.
No one likes to travel to some place only to be offered limited options.
Ever walked into a helmet shop and walk out disappointed because they only offered a single brand and helmet type? It’s quite frustrating.

So then, let us tell you about a shop that is rumoured to be the most well stocked motorcycle shop in northern Malaysia.
It’s called Sheng Fatt Motor and it is located just a stone throw’s away from Komtar, on Penang Island.
It is so close you could almost have a regular conversation with someone standing on the Komtar side of the street.
So to debunk the myth, we decided to visit it ourselves.
Admittedly, we had visited it some years ago when it was first starting out.
It was a very different story back then, but a colourful story right now.

The shop, which also houses the Ducati Penang showroom and official merchandise area, also displays Aprilia and Moto Guzzi models.
That’s because Sheng Fatt Motor is the official dealer for Ducati, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi in northern Malaysia.

In fact, the company is also the company behind Harley-Davidson of Penang, which is located in Juru but is an entirely different story altogether. That’s context for you.
So we will say it here – it is true that Sheng Fatt Motor of Penang Island is very well stocked.
They offer 12 different brands and all of them original items. No pirated crap here.

The shop is the official outlet for Alpinestars merchandise and as such offers quite an impressive range of Alpinestars gear such as shoes, tshirts, riding suits, gloves, jackets and adventure gear.

They also offer GIVI merchandise, KYT helmets, Ixon riding gear, Five gloves, and even Quad Lock phone mounts and accessories.
Besides a vast array of helmets from Arai, ARC and HJC, Sheng Fatt Motor is also the only shop in northern Malaysia that is able to offer a customised fitting for Shoei helmets.

We learned that for a limited time, you can enjoy a customised fitting of any Shoei helmet that you purchase from Sheng Fatt Motor.
Why bother? Because there is nothing more comfortable than a helmet that perfectly hugs your head with zero pressure points. You should try it.

But besides that, the shop also prides itself in the fact that it is one of the only (or perhaps the only) shop in Penang that can “service” your helmet for you.
So this is how it works – you can send your helmet of whichever brand to Sheng Fatt Motor, they will then carefully take apart whatever it meant to be taken apart, wash it properly, dry it, and put it back in place properly.
And you have to admit that our helmets could do with a proper in and out wash. So why not let the pros handle that.

Sheng Fatt Motor is fast becoming the place to hang out and shop in Penang, not just for its product diversity but also because it has something for every type of biker no matter what bike they ride.
Want something today and pay for it later? Done. There is an easy payment program for every single item for sale in the showroom. Talk about convenience.
And if you can’t get to Penang, Sheng Fatt can come to you.
The company has an active social media and e-commerce team so you can check out their Facebook page here, and their Shoppee page as well as their Lazada page.

Looking for that GIVI rain jacket or looking for that custom Shoei? Or perhaps you want that latest Scandinavian riding bag from Point 65 that is well known for giving you perfect lumbar support and spine protection.
Give them a visit or call the team at Sheng Fatt Motor at 019 662 8932 or 04 227 8932.
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Ian Hutchinson releases limited edition Isle of Man TT Arai replica helmets

2017 British Superbike Championship, BSB R02, Brands Hatch Indy, Kent, UK. 15th April 2017.
Ian Hutchinson, Bingley, Tyco BMW Motorrad
16-time Isle of Man TT winner Ian Hutchinson has introduced his very own limited edition Isle of Man TT Arai replica helmets.
A total of 50 Arai RX7V helmets will be released to celebrate Hutchinson’s 16 wins which will come in five different hand-painted colours together with all the sponsor stickers.
Each limited edition Arai helmet is priced at £1199 (around RM6,755) and those interested will need to place a £200 (RM1,126) at www.5timesiomtt.com.

In celebration of winning his 16th Tourist Trophy victory at the infamous mountain course that is Isle of Man, Ian Hutchinson aka “The Bingley Bullet” has released a series of very special and limited Arai replica helmets.

50 hand-painted Arai RX7V helmets which come in five different colours have been manufactured to symbolize all the colours the 38 year old Brit has worn over the years competing at the Isle of Man TT races. All five colours (blue, red, green, orange and yellow) have been hand-painted and numbered by Paint Nation.

To make them even more special apart from the limited 50 piece run, each and every helmet will be signed by Ian Hutchinson himself and if you’re lucky, the Bingley Bullet will hand over the helmet to you himself to further add his personal touch to these already awesome lids.

Ian Hutchinson is known as one of the most successful Isle of Man TT races who ever lived. Currently sitting at fourth of the list of overall wins on the Island Course, Hutchinson is the only rider in existence who won all the solo races back in 2010 where he achieved the impossible; winning all five solo races.

Each limited edition Arai RX7V helmet is priced at £1,199 (around RM6,755 after direct conversion). If you’re interested, head over to www.5timesiomtt.com and place a £200 (RM1,126) non-refundable deposit. Remember, there are only 50 pieces so better hurry!

Source: MCN
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More Intrigues as Demak (DNC Asiatic) Goes into Receivership

Demak (DNC Asiatic) has gone into receivership as Maybank attempts to recoup the monies owed to them.

It is now learned that two directors and the general manager of the Banting plant could not be located.

Demak had been profitable for the last five years, despite some liabilities.

We reported in May this year that the DNC Asiatic, the manufacturer and distributor of Demak motorcycles had shut its factory and service centres, including the MV Agusta showroom and workshop.
However, no one could put a finger on why the company tanked so quickly after showing so much promise, especially after opening their new office building and factory in Banting, Selangor. The lack of a definitive answer meant speculations started flying.
Now there seems to be a revelation of what happened. The Edge had recently reported that the company has gone into receivership as DNC Asiatic Holdings Sdn. Bhd. as Maybank seeks to recoup the monies owed to them.
The Edge discovered that work halted at both the Banting and Kuching plants two months ago, following the disappearance of two DNC Asiatic directors and general manager six months ago.
The business paper also performed a check with the Companies Commision of Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia or SSM), the shareholders are Gao Rong (70%), Dato’ Seri Feona Sim @ Norjanah. The directors are Gao, Sim, Sharifah Nong Jasima Syed Junaidi and Hu Ying. Lim Boo Hing is the company’s secretary as well as General Manager at the Banting plant. Both Gao and Hu are Chinese nationals who have since become Malaysian citizens.
According to The Edge’s sources, Gao, Hu and Lim could not be located.
Dato’ Seri Feona Sim the spouse of former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. Sharifah, on the hand, is the couple’s daughter.
Contrary to popular belief, the SSM revealed that DNC Asiatic had been profitable for the last five years. In fact, revenues had more than doubled to RM 195.59 million in the financial year ended 31st December 2016, compared to RM 92.57 million in FY 2012. Accordingly, net profit rose to RM 10.73 million in FY 2016 as opposed to RM 8.17 million in FY 2012.

From that, DNC Asiatic’s accumulated profit was RM 73.38 million in FY 2016 with total liabilities of RM 129.33 million. Also, according to SSM, the company may owe Maybank as much as RM 54 million, besides other debts to Kuwait Finance House and Bank Islam.
However, DNC Asiatic announced that they had entered the Cambodian market and would be shipping 25,000 motorcycles and parts worth US$ 56 million by the second quarter of this year. This is on top of the motorcycles being exported to Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Executive Hu quoted that they had started to shift their focus towards the export market, with half of the annual 60,000 units produced at Banting being exported. Production capacity at the Kuching plant was also reported to be at 60,000 per year.
Additionally, DNC Asiatic had been building a plant in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as we have reported.
That was the report be obtained but again, we could only speculated about the missing directors and general manager. However, we now know that production had stopped after their disappearance.
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Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario debuts

Limited edition Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario unveiled as 90th anniversary special.

As previously reported, Ducati had two models debuting to commemorate its landmark 90th anniversary during last weekend’s World Ducati Week 2016 (WDW 2016). Meet the new and limited edition Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario.

Dubbed as the most advanced version of the Ducati 1299 Panigale to date, the special model was unveiled to loyal Ducatisti present at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli by Ducati MotoGP test rider Casey Stoner and CEO Claudio Domenicali on stage.

On the surface, it is plain to see that the 1299 Panigale Anniversario boasts a special anniversary livery scheme. Adding some contrast to the base red and white colours are black and grey accents plus a set of gold-painted wheels. Aesthetics aside, this special superbike also boasts a bevy of technical upgrades.

In the hopes of making this the closest thing in its roadbike arsenal to the superbike machine raced by Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano in the WSBK, the Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario stands as the debuting platform for the uprated ‘EVO’ version of the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) suites.

Both uprated rider aids make full use of the abundant data supplied by the Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that already primed on board. Also new here is a Slide Mode feature that riders can activate when DTC Level 1 is selected. Riders can slide or ‘drift’ the bike through corners by modulating the throttle with this mode.

The improved new DTC and DWC features will likely make their way into the rest of the Panigale superbike line up later on, but the Anniversario is the first and only one to have them primed.

As you could probably tell already, the gold-painted wheels are lightweight forged Marchesini units. Receiving the same gold treatment here is the titanium Akrapovič exhaust unit whilst a laser-etched engraving helps to indicate this bike’s status as a limited edition model.

Other changes in the Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario include the top triple clamps that and steering head inserts made from machines solid aluminium alloy. The inserts offer 5mm of adjustment room allowing this Panigale S to have a similar geometry as the racier Panigale R.

Weight is saved by 2.5kg thanks to the adoption of a lithium ion battery unit plus carbon fibre heel guards, rear mud guard and shock absorber cover.

Production of the Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario have already begun in Italy where each unit retails for €25,590 – €3,600 more over the regular Panigale S base bike. This special is in fact much cheaper than the Ducati 1199 Panigale Superleggera that retailed for €66,000. Said bike also fetched a RM488,888 asking price when it was launched locally back in 2014, but we reckon the Anniversario will retail at a much lower price, that is if it is launched here.
Check out more images of the Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario in the extensive gallery we’ve prepared below.
Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario

				Ducati 1299 Panigale S Anniversario

				DU 2016-05-30 PANIGALE ANNIVERSARIO

				DU 2016-05-30 PANIGALE ANNIVERSARIO

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Benelli Leoncino 800 Leaked

Photo credit Bennetts UK

Benelli Leoncino 800 picture was leaked from vehicle type approval submissions.

It will use the 754cc engine from the 752S.

The bike follows the Leoncino 502’s neo retro design.

The Benelli Leoncino 800 concept was unveiled at EICMA last year but the picture of a production ready prototype was leaked recently.
According to Bennets, the picture came from Benelli’s submission for vehicle type approval. The Leoncino 800 utilises the 754cc parallel-Twin from the 752S (not available in Malaysia), while retaining the neo retro styling of the Leoncino 502.
The engine produces 74 HP and the manufacturer claimed a top speed of 190 km/h. The document also listed its weight at 223 kg, ready to ride.
As the picture shows, the bike features the usual beefy forks clamped by equally thick triple clamps. Braking is handled by Benelli-branded calipers with large brake discs. ABS is standard as the sensor plate is apparent on the left disc.
But unlike the concept, the production bike uses cast instead of spoked wheels.
The bike should be launched officially soon and we shall see if it comes to Malaysia.
While built in China, Benelli motorcycles are designed and engineered in Italy. The brand has grown stronger over the years and the TRK502 is now the third best-selling motorcycle in Italy behind the BMW R 1250 GS and Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin so far this year.
Benelli is currently owned by Qianjiang Motorcycle Company. Recently, Harley-Davidson inked a deal with the company to produce smaller displacement models for China and Asia.
Source: Bennetts UK
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Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride returns for Round 4!

Attention Modenas Dominar D400 owners from Southern Malaysia, Modenas wants you to join their next “Explore the Unexplored” ride happening this Saturday on 12th January 2019! This ‘first come, first serve’ ride (via e-mail, details below) will start from Tebrau heading towards Mersing for a nice lunch (on them!) before making way to Kluang and back again.

Those who are interested should email your details to dominar@bikesrepublic.com (full name, bike registration plate number, IC, and mobile phone number) where the first meet-up point will be at Sayed Bistro Tebrau at 7 am for breakfast (again, on them!) and the ride’s briefing. All wheels will roll out at exactly 8 am where the first stop of the day will be the Tanjung Leman Jetty for the first Motography photo contest location.

What is the Motography photo contest, you ask? Well, those who participate in the ride can (and we highly encourage that you do) take part in the Motography photo contest where you’ll stand a chance to win a brand-spanking new Shark helmet and Alpinestars riding jacket!
There will be two more Motography photo locations throughout the day ride so make sure to take loads of photos of the scenery (plus your beloved Modenas Dominar D400) AND submit them to be eligible for the contest.

Everything will be covered by Modenas (except for fuel expenses) for the first-ever “Explore the Unexplored” ride of 2019. This epic ride series has been going on since last year where it has taken place around Peninsular Malaysia and this coming weekend, the fun is heading down South.

Those interested should email your full name, bike plate number, IC, and mobile phone number immediately to dominar@bikesrepublic.com as the number of riders allowed to participate is limited. So hurry and be part of this epic adventure courtesy of Modenas and Bajaj!
Modenas Dominar 400 Ride to Kuantan – “When Life’s a Beach”

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Next Bike Sdn Bhd launches new 2017 Ducati Monster 797 & Multistrada 950! From RM55,900

Next Bike Sdn Bhd (Ducati Malaysia) has launched their latest 2017 Ducati Monster 797 and Ducati Multistrada 950.
The two entry-level bikes from Ducati were launched earlier today at the NAZA Merdeka Autofair 2017 held at the NAZA Automall, Petaling Jaya.
The new Ducati Monster 797 is priced at RM55,900 while the new Multistrada 950 is at RM85,900 (basic priced with GST).

Next Bike Sdn Bhd, the sole importer and distributor of Ducati motorcycles here in Malaysia has launched two new entry levels bikes into their current line up.
These new bikes are the 2017 Ducati Monster 797 and Ducati Multistrada 950. The launch was held in conjunction with the NAZA Merdeka Autofair 2017 which is happening now from 10 to 13 August 2017 at the NAZA Automall, Petaling Jaya.
2017 Ducati Monster 797 – RM55,900 (basic price with GST)

Looking for that perfect bike which incorporates all the essence and spirit of the iconic Monster naked bike? This sporty, compact and versatile Ducati machine comes with all the sophistication and modern features into this entry-level package.

Paying homage to the glory days of Ducati Monsters in the 90s, the new Monster 797 has all the bells and whistle of a modern day motorcycle.

Powered by its air-cooled L-twin 803cc engine, the latest Monster powers out 75hp at 8,250rpm and 67Nm of torque at 5,750rpm.

The Euro4-compliant power plant has been tuned for awesome performance without being too overwhelming which makes it perfect for beginners as well as veteran riders.

As an added bonus for new riders, the Monster 797 also comes with Bosch ABS unit as standard that’s paired to the front dual 320mm and rear single 245mm Brembo disc brakes plus Brembo M4.32 radially-mounted callipers.

Whether you’re commuting to and from work or just having some good fun riding down mountain roads in the weekends, the Monster 797 is a complete package to excite anyone and everyone.

The 2017 Ducati Monster 797 is priced at RM55,900 (basic price with GST). There are three colours available for purchase; Ducati Red, Star White Silk and Dark Stealth.
2017 Ducati Multistrada 950 – RM85,900 (basic price with GST)

Together with the Monster 797, the new Multistrada 950 joins Ducati’s line up as the main highlight of the brand’s entry-level sports touring machine.

Being the smallest ‘multibike’ they’ve produced, the Multistrada 950 still packs a huge punch with its 937cc Testastretta twin cylinder engine that produces 113hp at 9,000rpm and 96.2Nm of torque at 7,750rpm.

Lighter than its bigger brother the Multistrada 1200, the new 950 has all the iconic Multistrada design and chassis geometry. Paired with its 840mm seat height, even the riding dynamics offers excellent overall performance.

Looking for something that offers both comfort and fun riding experience? The new 950 comes with 19-inch front wheel plus an outstanding suspension package which can be set according to the rider’s needs with its four riding modes; Touring, Sport, Urban and Enduro).

Worried about maintenance? Fear not as the maintenance internal is at every 15,000km or 12 months. In short, you only need to get it serviced once a year with normal average use.

To add more safety aspect into the brand new package, the Multistrada 950 comes with the Ducati Safety Pack which includes the Bosch 9.1 MP ABS unit and of course, the Ducati Traction Control (DTC).

The 2017 Ducati Multistrada 950 is priced at RM85,900 (basic price with GST). Two colours options are available, Ducati Red and Star White Silk.
To witness the bikes for yourselves, head on over to the NAZA Merdeka Autofair 2017 held from now until 13 August 2017 at the NAZA Automall, Petaling Jaya for great offers.

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Custom Honda EX5 Dream Fi by Shawn Seelan Creations – “God of Thunder”

During the recent Art of Speed Malaysia 2017, there was a very special custom Honda EX5 Dream Fi that was displayed at Boon Siew Honda’s gigantic showcase space.
Created by Shawn Seelan of Shawn Seelan Creations, the low, mean and beautiful custom Honda EX5 dubbed “Raijin” or “God of Thunder” was created in conjunction with the Honda EX5’s 30th anniversary.
Filled to the brim with one-offs and modern parts, the custom cub turned heads with its beautifully menacing facade which also pays homage to the great Honda C70 cub.

During the recent Art of Speed Malaysia 2017 custom gathering, we were blessed to have witnessed so many custom motorcycles built by passionate people hailing from all over Malaysia and even some from overseas.

Even big motorcycle manufacturers like Ducati, Triumph and many more joined in the “Kustom Kulture” mega get-together with new product launches and jaw-dropping beautiful machines.

One of the biggest involvements in this year’s Art of Speed was none other than Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd (BSH). Apart from the official launch of the 2017 Honda Rebel 500 cruiser, they’ve embarked on a very special journey to reach out to the custom and lifestyle scene here in the country.

AOS Promotion Video
BSH buat julung kalinya akan menyertai AOS. Mari sertai kami untuk memeriahkan lagi event ini! The 6th Annual Art Of Speed Malaysia 2017  29 & 30 July 2017  MAEPS SERDANG    #GayaKami #RoadToAOS2017 #aos2017 #jiwakustom #aosxbsh #boonsiewhonda #honda #malaysia
Posted by Honda Motorcycles Malaysia – Boon Siew Honda on 19hb Jun 2017

Together with the tagline “Ini Gaya Kami” (This is our style), they commissioned four major custom bike builders from across the country to go crazy in customising three Honda MSX 125 and one Honda EX5 Dream Fi.

While these custom creations drew massive crowds to Boon Siew Honda’s beautiful booth by showcasing what magical things that can be done to their already great bikes, they surprised everyone with another customised entry into the mix.

This “fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse” is actually a humble Honda EX5 Dream Fi but based on the photos, it’s hard to tell but in a very, VERY good way. This is all thanks a particular master builder that goes by the name of Shawn Seelan from Shawn Seelan Creations.
“Raijin” aka “God of Thunder”
Dubbed “Raijin” or “God of Thunder”, this EX5 was meant to turn heads (which it did) and still does to anyone who lay their eyes upon the beast lowered way down to the ground. The minimalistic approach coupled with fierce looks is what Shawn intended in order to create a big impact in the custom community.

When asked about this very special project, Shawn explained to us that he was inspired to create something different with the Honda EX5 Dream Fi but at the same time, he wanted to remind everyone about the classic looks associated with classic Honda cubs like the C70.

Motivated by the EX5’s 30th anniversary, Shawn already knew in his mind what needed to be done in order to turn his vision into reality. After three months of intensive customising, “Raijin” was born and it is arguably one of the most outstanding customised EX5 of all time.

To know more about the Honda EX5’s “The Joy of 30 years”, CLICK HERE.

Working from the ground up, Shawn decided that the EX5 needed to pay homage to the classic and iconic Honda C70 cub. Hence why you’ll see the round headlight embedded with LED honouring the C70 which is known by a lot of old timers as the “motor lampu bulat” or “rounded-headlight moped”.
Customised round LED lights to pay tribute to the iconic Honda C70 cub
The customisation did not stop there as the master builder himself wanted to inject more premium modern parts into the iconic machine. What better way than to fit an upside-down front fork that makes the bike look low, mean and lightning fast even at standstill.
Upside-down forks +Racing Boy wheel = beautiful
As we move along to other elements of the bike, Shawn explained that there were a lot of custom hand-made parts using the latest laser-cutting technology which have been fitted to further accentuate the premium look of this custom creation.

Out of all the parts, the most prominent that struck our hearts with joy has to be that suicide hand shifter. Such a simple mechanism but when done right, it is nothing short of stunning. To tie everything together, Shawn went with the black and gold colour scheme for the frame.
“Suicide hand shifter, bro…”
This awesome piece of rolling art however has a sadder side of the story to tell. Shortly after the event, Shawn Seelan announced that he’ll be putting his custom bike works on hold in order to pursue his studies abroad.
The sprockets are currently being manufactured in Asgard by Thor himself using fragments of his magical hammer, Mjölnir.
While the works of creating amazing one-off machines over at Shawn Seelan Creations have been put on standby due to other responsibilities and priorities, rest assured that someone like Shawn Seelan will be back in the game better than ever with more amazing machines.

When that happens, we here at Bikes Republic will be the first ones there because at the end of the day, you can’t keep a good man down especially with his level of passion, creativity and mad skills. To know more about Shawn Seelan Creations, head on over to Shawn Seelan Creations official Facebook page.

Posted by Shawn Seelan Creations. on 30hb Julai 2017

With luck and some cash, you can be a lucky owner of one his amazing creations which are open for purchase.

To all customers,friends and family the time has come for us at ShawnSeelanCreations to put up on sale our Honda…
Posted by Shawn Seelan Creations. on 14hb Ogos 2017

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Arlen Ness Passes Away (1939 – 2019)

Photo credit Wikipedia

Famed American motorcycle builder and designer Arlen Ness has passed away.

He was often referred to as the King of Custom Motorcycles.

He also designed the Victory and Indian motorcycles.

Famed American motorcycle builder and designer Arlen Ness has passed away. This sad news was confirmed by Ultimate Motorcycling.
Ness became a giant in the custom motorcycle business and was often referred to as The King of Custom Motorcycles. He built a number of award-winning bikes in his lifetime, earning him the Builder of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. He was also inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in America.

But he didn’t just build them, he also pioneered selling his custom parts and accessories through mail order. Just look around and see almost every Harley-Davidson has an Arlen Ness accessory.
Additionally, he was tapped by Polaris to design Victory and Indian motorcycles. The most well-known model was the Victory Vision Tour.
His empire also expanded to include riding gear in association Berik.
Ness’s son Cory and grandson Zack will succeed him in the business. They are notable custom builders themselves.
The motorcycle world has truly lost a patriarch.
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5 Reasons to Mount Your Device with OPTI-LINE

Need to mount your smartphone or devices to your bike?

Check out these products by OPTI-LINE.

They are of high quality without costing a bomb.

Mounting your smartphone or a GPS device on the bike isn’t a big thing these days. However, it’s goes without saying that we need to mount our all-important phone on sturdy and secure mounts, such as these from OPTI-LINE.
Here are the reasons why.
1. Sturdy mounting

Let’s start with the actual mounts – the part which is attached to the bike. There are a number of solutions here but let’s take the usual handlebar mount.
The clamp at the base is split in two, with the bottom part shaped liked an “U.” The upper part slots into the “U” to clamp onto the handlebar, while the shoulders carry the Allen bolts. Together, they form a solid base to carry phone mountings and case.

Furthermore, Allen bolts are not easy for thieves to loosen and steal the mount.
2. OPTI-LINE DUO-LOCK System

The innovative DUO-LOCK system allows you to attach and detach your OPTI-LINE phone mount quickly. Easy attachment and detachment mean you don’t have waste time in fumbling around. Easy detachment also allows you to remove the mount and store it somewhere safe when you park your bike.
Once the mount is locked on, it’s secure and won’t be blown off the bike.
3. Safety cable included for case and mount

OPTI-LINE phone case and mount include safety cables.
A clip hooks up to the case or phone mount, while the other end loops around the handlebar. That way, it provides extra security to keep the case or mount from falling off the bike altogether.

4. Many choices

OPTI-LINE offers many mounting choices and solutions. Apart from the usual handlebar mount, there are also the Stick Swivel which glues on directly to any surface; Opti Arm which mounts the base of the mirror; Screw Mount which utilizes to the handlebar clamp; Mirror mount with clamps to the mirror stalk.

There is also the handlebar-mounted USB charger which has a waterproof cover. It’s especially useful for keeping your device charged.

There are also high-quality cables for your devices including micro USB, Apple 8-pin and USB Type-C types.

				OPTI-LINE USB Type-C Spring Cable

				OPTI-LINE Micro USB Spring Cable

				OPTI-LINE Apple 8-pin Spring Cable

5. Good value for money
OPTI-LINE products are built to the highest quality in the interest of keeping your smartphone or device in place. But perhaps best of all is the price which are surprisingly affordable.

We have seen lower quality products that cost almost as much as OPTI-LINE products in the market, so why don’t you invest a little more for something that’s of much higher quality and it proven to work?
We have.
Where to buy
OPTI-LINE products are listed in our BikesRepublic.com e-commerce site.
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the Opti-Case Universal Smartphone Case.
Opti-Case Universal Smartphone Case
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the Opti-Case Air Flow Universal Smartphone Holder.
OPTI-LINE Opti-Case Air Flow Universal Phone Holder
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the Opti Action Cam Fixing Base.
OPTI-LINE Opti Action Cam Fixing Base
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the Opti Stick Swivel Adhesive Mount.
OPTI-LINE Opti Stick swivel adhesive mount
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the Opti Arm mount with flexible arm.
OPTI-LINE Opti Arm smartphone case mount with flexible arm
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the Opti Handle Bar Mount.
OPTI-LINE Opti Handle Handlebar Mount
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the Opti Screw Mount with M8 Screw.
OPTI-LINE Opti Screw mount
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the Opti Mirror Smartphone Case Mount.
OPTI-LINE Opti Mirror smartphone case mount
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the OPTI-LINE Handle Bar Mounted USB Fast Charger.
OPTI-LINE Handlebar mounted USB charging hub
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the OPTI-LINE Apple 8-pin spring cable.
OPTI-LINE Apple 8-pin Spring Cable
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the OPTI-LINE Micro USB spring cable.
OPTI-LINE Micro USB Spring Cable
Please click >>> HERE <<< for the OPTI-LINE USB Type-C spring cable.
OPTI-LINE USB Type-C Spring Cable
Please click >>> HERE <<< to visit the BikesRepublic.com e-commerce site.
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MotoGP: Alex Rins extends contract with Suzuki until 2022

MotoGP 2020 has not even started yet (due to all the cancellations and postponements announced due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and Alex Rins has already signed a new deal with Team Suzuki Ecstar which will see them racing together until the end of the 2022 season.

?BREAKING NEWS?
Suzuki and Alex Rins extend their partnership for 2021 and 2022! The announcement was made via a special Instagram Live event. The team are thrilled with the renewal, which sees Alex remain in Team Suzuki Ecstar colours for 6 years ? @MotoGP #SUZUKing @Rins42 pic.twitter.com/q6hOB7fRxZ
— Team Suzuki Ecstar (@suzukimotogp) April 19, 2020

Why? Well, not a lot of riders can bring the fight to reigning world champion, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) and Alex Rins is one of those people who can. His only issue is consistency and he’s able to remedy that soon, there’s no doubt that he’ll be a very hot prospect in MotoGP, especially with the powerful Suzuki GSX-RR which has proven to be very competitive.

According to Shinichi Sahara, Team Suzuki MotoGP Project Leader, “This renewal of two more years with Alex Rins makes me and Suzuki very proud because it represents a building block in our project to grow young riders and progress alongside them. With this extension, we have stayed with a young, talented, determined and fast rider like Alex for a total of 6 years, and this is exactly what we aimed for when we signed him the first time in 2017.”

As for Alex Rins, “My wish was to continue with Suzuki and finally this is what I did. I believe that the project has the potential to be a winning one, I have the desire to win, and so we match perfectly. It’s the perfect place for me, and we are working hard all together to get big results. I have always believed in the team and for this reason it was easy to get to the basic agreement very early on. Then we took some time to finalise the details and follow all the internal processes. Now we have to understand what’s going to happen with the 2020 season, we are ready to compete at the maximum level, as we already showed in the pre-season tests.”
Top Bike Prep Tips from a MotoGP Mechanic!

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Custom 2003 Ducati Monster 1000 by XTR Pepo

Endurance race-inspired made by XTR Pepo

Based in Madrid, Spain

Looks like we’ve been bitten by the custom bike bug and it is hitting us HARD. Our thirst for beautiful custom bikes led us to this beauty all the way from Spain. This stunning monstrosity was brought to life by Ducati expert and custom bike builder, Pepo Rosell from XTR Pepo. The custom shop is based in the capital of Spain.

The French-born used to be a fish biologist and once owned a different custom shop named ‘Radical Ducati’. After a one-year hiatus, he opened up his current shop called ‘XTR Pepo’. With the current shop, he now caters to a number of different bikes and owners who are looking for that special personal touch to their beloved machines.

Even though he has given himself more freedom, he turned once again to Ducati to create his greatest masterpiece yet to promote his new custom shop. After obtaining the donor bike from a previous customer, he started the project with only visions in his head on how the bike should turn out. No sketches, no master plans, none of that.

First, the Monster was stripped down and the engine went through a major overhaul. Fitted with new bearings, port work and a new flywheel for higher power band, Pepo then added an open clutch and belt covers for that extra spine-tingling sensation.

The fuel tank was swapped with a tank from the Ducati 749 for a slimmer profile. With endurance races as the main source of inspiration, Pepo then added a quick-fill fuel cap and lights similar to the ones found on the old 750 Ducati F1 factory race bikes. A solo seat was added after some modifications were made to the rear sub-frame together with a wicked-looking exhaust.

The bike was then fitted with a front fork taken from the Monster S4RS and a fully-adjustable Ohlin shock absorber took care of the back end.  Electronics proved to be quite a challenge when Pepo tried to install the Aviacompositi dashboard together with a Mycrotech ECU but Pepo being the Ducati expert that he is, it was nothing but a minor setback.

The end result? Glorious, glorious beauty. The boys over at XTR Pepo came up with something so unique and so gorgeous, it’s hard to get our eyes off of it. With its bright red and blue paintjob together will all the race-inspired stickers, it is as radical as it looks. This is a perfect example for a bedroom wall poster to stir any soul and rock any motorcycle enthusiast’s boat. Like the great Steve Irwin used to say, “What a beauty!”
To know more XTR Pepo, you can visit their Facebook page or Instagram.
PHOTO SOURCE: Pipe Burn
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Aprilia monopolise the podium with Guintoli on top

Aprilia gets 1-2-3 at Phillip Island World Superbike Race 1. It’s the second time that the manufacturer from Noale monopolise the podium (first one was at Nurburgring last year) with works rider Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) taking his 4th win of the career in his first race onboard the RSV4, ahead of team mate Eugene Laverty.
The race started with Eugene Laverty moving off well from second position, trying to run away from his opponents. The Irishman was able to keep the gap between himself and the rest of the field until he was caught up by Guintoli, who overtook Laverty on lap 15 and led the race until the chequered flag.

Later in the race Laverty had to deal with a confident Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), who closed the gap and had a shot at 2nd place. Laverty waited until the last lap to make the perfect move on the Italian at ‘Lukey Heights’. Right outside of top-3 is Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) who battled hard with fellow Englishman Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) up to the finish line, to end up ahead of his rival for just 0.051 seconds, with team mate Loris Baz to follow.
After a competitive first part of the race, Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) struggled a bit to keep the pace and eventually finished 7th ahead of team mate Jonathan Rea. Two potential contenders for the podium positions got out of the race during lap 13, as Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare), accidentally hit Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) from behind after outbraking himself, while entering Turn 4.
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Hard Knock Lessons (Part 1) – The Chicken Coop

There is always something to learn when riding.

Sometimes these hard knock lessons can be funny.

The important thing is to learn from them.

I’ve had my share of hard knock lessons over the years. Oh yes, the mistakes and subsequent crashes were painful when the blood starts oozing. Looking back, though, they were funny ones when I just learned to ride. But I thankfully walked away from them.
So, here are a number of funny and painful lessons I learned. Hope you can take away from knowledge from these.
The Chicken Coop

I was 11 years-old when my family and I visited my Mum’s ex-classmates in Padang Serai, Kedah. They had a chicken farm where they harvested the eggs.
One of her friends had an old Honda C90.
His 15-year-old son taught me how to ride on the loose pebble path next to the house which wound all the way into the farm. He showed me how to accelerate, shift gears, stop. The tricky thing was, the C90 had three gears arranged like on a big bike. Step the back of the see-saw lever for first gear, step to the front for second and third.
He told me that I may not be able to handle starting off in first, so it’s better to start in second (pressing forward). I rode around a couple of times and they were confident enough to leave me alone to enjoy my new-found toy.
I woke up the next day and looked out the window. The bike was there so I asked for the key and got it without question. And off I went up and down the trail. I didn’t even have breakfast.
There’s just something about the wind in my face and hair and body that I liked. So, like all self-respecting rider, I decided to go faster.
I twisted the throttle all the way, but the bike hesitated to go faster. Remembering the advice to shift gears I slammed my foot into the back part of the lever. I had forgotten the shift pattern, see. Thus, instead of going into third, I had downshifted into first.
As soon as that happened, the engine gave out a huge roar, the rear tyre slid on the pebbles and came around.
Both bike and I slid down the path, heading for a coop. I somehow stood up halfway through the slide, but the bike continued its path and went under the coop into a pile guano. I stumbled like a runner tumbling at the finish line and smacked into the enclosure.
When I opened my eyes, I was kneeling on the ground with my face on the wire mesh of the coop and eye-to-eye with a fat chicken that was flapping its wings like a mad feather duster, screaming its lungs out. I felt something wet and sticky on torso. I thought I was bleeding but it turned out to be fresh eggs smashed onto my chest. (Egg Boy had nothing on me!)
Everyone came out of the house upon hearing the commotion.
My Mum’s friends had a look of fright at first then started laughing. My friend was doubled over with laughter. My Mum, on the other hand, was yelling everything incoherent like aliens have just attacked the world.
Lesson learned that day: Always remember how the bike works. The C90 survived, by the way.
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2019 BMW S 1000 RR, 2019 BMW R 1250 RS, 2019 BMW R 1250 R Launched

The 2019 BMW S 1000 RR, 2019 BMW R 1250 RS, 2019 BMW R 1250 R were launched today at the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Only the S 1000 RR with M Sport Package is available at the moment.

The R 1250 R and R 1250 RS adds to BMW’s Boxer family.

The 2019 BMW S 1000 RR, 2019 BMW R 1250 RS, 2019 BMW R 1250 R were launched today at the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix.
2019 BMW S 1000 RR (from RM 138,500.00 for M Sport Package)

The 3rd-generation S 1000 RR has been long-awaited even before its official launch at EICMA 2018. Suffice to say that it was one of BMW Motorrad’s worst kept secrets!
It’s easy to see why BMW’s superbike is so popular these days. It’s one bike that would go fast as you dare and as slow as you want it to without complaining. It’s also a superbike that you could ride to track, whack off the mirrors and indicators, tape up the headlamps and taillamp, blast around the track, and ride it to work the next day.

The bike launched today is the M Sport Package variant.
Highlights:

999cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve, DOHC, inline-Four with ShiftCam.
The new lump produces 207 bhp (152kW) at 13,500 RPM and 113 Nm of torque.
The ShiftCam technology varies both valve opening timing but also lift.

Hollow-stem lightweight titanium intake valves.
This allows the bike linear and good spread of power.
But also good fuel consumption at 6.4 litres per 100 km.
Oil pump and water pump integrated as one — saves weight and width.

The coolant/oil pump

Suspension is handled electronically by next generation of DDC (Dynamic Damping Control).
The rear shock is moved further back, away from exhaust and engine heat.

A new frame called Flex Frame — with specifically tuned zones of stiffness — provides better grip in corners and feedback.
Leaner fuel tank, narrower midsection for better knee grip and support.

The bodywork has short overhangs — the entire bike sits between the wheels.

More compact dimensions are the goal including engine, frame, tank, bodywork.
Revised exhaust system, engine, and M-lightweight battery.

The M Sport package includes M sport seat, country-specific taillamp, M carbon fibre wheels and lightweight M battery.
The revisions cut weight down to just 193.5 kg from the standard bike’s 208 kg.

Standard electronic rider aid include Rain, Road, Dynamic and Race.
Options are the “Pro Modes” — Pro 1, Pro 2, Pro 3 which includes DTC, ABS Pro, DTC Wheelie Detection, engine torque and engine braking adjustments.

Also available are race assistance modes such as Launch Control and Pit Lane Limiter.
Signature S 1000 RR smooth gearshifts are handled by the HP Shift Assistant Pro (standard).
New 6.5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity.

BMW Motorrad Malaysia brought in the M Sport package as the introduction as the S 1000 RR is of limited stock worldwide. As such, BMW Motorrad Malaysia will send a bike to each dealer for customers to view and place orders.
The base S 1000 RR will arrive in Malaysia in 2020.
2019 BMW R 1250 RS (from RM 106,500.00) and 2019 BMW R 1250 R (from RM 102,500.00)
2019 BMW R 1250 RS
The R 1250 RS and R 1250 R completes the BMW Boxer family. The RS is the sport-tourer (the R 1250 RT is the luxury sport-tourer), while the R is the Roadster (naked street bike). We feel that the R 1250 RS’s smaller size will make it easier to ride as a daily commuter, as well.
2019 BMW R 1250 R
Highlights:

Features the new 1254cc Boxer with BMW ShiftCam technology.
Produces 136 bhp and 143 Nm of torque.

The engine is also economical, consuming only 4.75 litres of fuel per 100 km.
Two standard riding modes that adapt to riding style.

Automatic Stability Control is standard, as is Hill Start Control.
They also feature Riding Modes Pro which includes Dynamic and Dynamic Pro.

The Dynamic Traction Control ties in with the Riding Modes Pro selection.
New 6.5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity.

BMW Financing
BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia provides financing for these new bikes. You can ride the S 1000 R from RM 1,690 per month, R 1250 R from 1,250 per month, and the R 1250 RS RM 1,300 per month. These amounts are based on estimates 80 percent loan for 4-year tenure.

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Aprilia RS660 Patents Leaked

The Aprilia RS660 may just kick start the middleweight supersport segment.

Its patent filings have been leaked online.

The production-ready bike should debut at EICMA 2019.

The Aprilia RS660 may just kick start the dormant middleweight supersport segment. At least, that’s what the manufacturer hopes. But are they serious in putting the concept into production? Patent filings in Australia seems to indicate as so.
The CAD drawings show a bike which adheres to the concept’s silhouette, with some differences.

Firstly, the forks look to be Sachs instead of the Ohlins fitted to the concept at EICMA 2018. The front brake calipers look to be “regular” monoblocs instead of Brembo Stylemas. The main reason for these has to be about cost savings, making the bike more affordable to the masses.
But bear in mind that Aprilia usually offers different versions of their bikes i.e. standard and Factory variants. In the case of the RSV4 and Tuono V4, the Factory variants are fully kitted out in the chassis and electronics departments. It could also be true for the RS660.

Good news is, the fairings take on aerobody applications. Going further, there’s been talk that the bike features an Aprilia Active Aerodynamics (A3) system. But what it does and how it works still remains to be seen.
Anyhow, the production model is slated to be released at EICMA this year. Hope we get to test the bike for its media introduction.
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Add visibility with Halobelt

Being seen while riding at night might make the difference between life and death, Halobelt helps you to be more visible with its strip of flexible light and we get to play with it for about a month.
If you are like me then riding at night is a normal occurrence thanks to either work or late night teh tarik sessions, mostly the second. And one of the main worries of night riding is visibility, to see and more importantly, be seen.
While most rear light on a modern bike is bright now days, still statistically we all know the more visibility we have the better the odds of being spotted and avoided.
Reflective strips or stickers helps but its a passive system whereby it needs a source of light to work and additional lighting on the bike might not be the best answer to many for various reasons from legality, electrical or warranty issues.
So here is one simple solution, the Halobelt from America. As the name suggest its a belt or a loop with a simple clip and adjustment system to fit size 0 to 46.

Half of the belt is made of a stretchable material with a reflective paint and the other half is where the magic is located. You have a 17inch long strip of what looks like a flattened fibre optic with a reflective backing and a small rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack with built in LED at one end.
You can wear it in several ways but we had it on like a trap of a sling bag across the back and on one shoulder with the light facing backwards.
The battery pack has a switch and a mini usb port for charging, the switch feels ok but the usb port covering is a bit flimsy. Oddly enough instead of stamping its Halobelt brand name on the battery pack, it says rechargeable instead.

According to the manufacturer the electrics are water resistant which is good enough for riding in wet conditions unless you plan to swim with it. We had it go through a few light to medium showers while riding and so far it still fires up whenever we turn it on.
You have three choices of colours, blue, green and yellow and these can either be illuminated in Solid mode where its constantly on or Flash mode where the LEDs will blink at a quick pace.
We found that having it lighted on solid mode is good enough in all conditions and could easily be spotted about 500meters away in pure darkness. In “bright” conditions where theres streetlights a rider with a Halobelt stands out even in heavy traffic.
The Flash mode is too much of a distraction to other road users in normal conditions and maybe more suited in an emergency situation in case of a breakdown or something.

 As you can see how a rider looks with and without the Halobelt on.
While there is a circuitry to make the light blink, it doesn’t look like it has a steady light feature where it could keep the light bright all the way till the battery is flat. Instead the light will slowly dim as time goes by.
Luckily it stays bright as the battery power can last for several weeks with regular use of 30 to 40 minutes per night and its quick to recharge.
The belt weights only about 4.4ounces in total and most of the time we didn’t notice we had it on until its time to take off the riding gear.
And thats the best part for us, its a little less worry as a biker, its like having an angel right behind you while you ride.
Recommended retail price is RM150, small price to pay for added safety but better yet as for now its on offer at RM80, for more information call 01117604492
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Khairul Idham Pawi To Make Surprise Appearance At MSBK This Weekend

Former Moto3 rider Khairul Idham Pawi will feature at this weekend Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) with TKKR Racing Team.
The announcement was made via TKKR Racing Team Facebook page yesterday.
According to the post, the long-term plan is to prepare Khairul for the 2022 Asian Road Racing Championship (ARRC). However, MSBK will be a quick assessment for the 23-year-old.

TKKR Racing was previously photographed prepping a race bike with the no. 89 which hinted at the return of Khairul Idham Pawi.
MSBK will mark KIP returning to the grid after announcing his retirement last year after he part ways with Petronas Sprint Racing Moto3. The team then replaced KIP for the 2021 season with Darryn Binder.
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MotoGP: Rossi dominates Spanish GP

Valentino Rossi proves he is still MotoGP’s greatest by dominating Spanish GP race in Jerez.

MotoGP kicked off its European leg of the 2016 season on a high note with Round 4 in Jerez, Spain last weekend. The Spanish GP in Jerez celebrates its 30th anniversary lat weekend and hosted a record number of spectators surpassing the 200,000 mark.
MotoGP

The weekend began strongly for the Movistar Yamaha Factory Team after reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo dominated Friday practice session. But Saturday’s Qualifying belonged to his teammate and bitter rival Valentino Rossi after the Italian scored his 52nd career pole position. Lorenzo had to settle for second whilst fellow countryman and Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez qualified up third on the grid.

Sunday saw Rossi able to convert his pole position start into the race lead easily, but Lorenzo was keen to shake things up with his advances in the opening laps. But it didn’t take Rossi long to assert his authority over the race, with the Italian leading from start to finish from then on.

With a comfortable gap of 2.386 seconds over Lorenzo in second place, Rossi went on to clinch his record 113th career grand prix win – his 87th in the premier MotoGP class. Repsol Honda’s Marquez settled for third and finished 7.087 seconds behind Rossi.

The feat saw the Italian superstar proving all his doubters wrong and confirmed his intent for the title race this year. More importantly, this was a sweet vindication for Rossi after crashing out early in the previous race held in Austin, Texas.
With two race wins and two third place finishes, Marquez still leads the championship with 82 points. However, Lorenzo has injected some life in his title defence with his second place in Jerez sees him rank second with 65 points. Rossi, on the other hand, ranks third with 58 points.
Moto2

Also fuelling the excitement for the weekend was the close racing of the supporting Moto2 race. Taking a well-deserved victory was British rider Sam Lowes astride the Federal Oil Gresini Team’s Kalex bike. Lowes weekend began strongly as he dominated practice on Friday and scored pole position on Saturday.

With defending class champion Johann Zarco struggling, Lowes’ only challenger was German rider Jonas Folger astride the Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex machine. Folger managed to steal the race lead for a brief moment, but a mistake left the door open for Lowes to charge ahead and eventually take the win, keeping Folger at bay in second whilst Spaniard Alex Rins astride the Paginas Amirillas HP 40 Kalex took the final podium spot by finishing third.

Malaysian rider Hafizh Syahrin was dealt with a challenging weekend in Jerez astride the Petronas Raceline Malaysia Kalex machine. Having qualified 24th, Hafizh was able to pick his way up the order on raceday to finish in a respectable 11th place and collected some valuable points. Hafizh currently ranks 8th in the standings with 28 points.

With his race win, Lowes leads the Moto2 standings with 72 points, giving him a good 10-point advantage over Alex Rins in second and further 16 ahead of defending champion Zarco in third.
Moto3

Last but not least was the highly volatile World Moto3 race. Drama ensued even before the start as second place qualifier Brad Binder was penalised after a mistake by the Red Bull KTM Ajo team mechanics led to a technical infringement, relegating the South African rider to start from the back of the grid.

Another drama during the start came when Nicollo Antonelli’s Ongetta-Rivacold Honda machine stalled on the grid after the warm up, forcing him to start from the pits and delaying the start slightly. But all eyes were focused on both the lead group at the front and at the rear on Binder.

Binder’s was able to perform a sensational start, and it didn’t take the South African long to get into a rhythm that was only best descrbied as phenomenal. Binder picked his way up the order lap after lap, eventually reaching the lead group of four bikes by Lap 8.
The lead group, comprised of pole-sitter and 16-year-oldItalian rookie Nicolo Bulega astride the Sky VR46 Team’s KTM, Aspar Mahindra’s Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Honda’s Jorge Navarro and Binder. It only took Binder five laps to take the race lead and clear the pack whilst Navarro, Bagnaia and Bulega continued to fight for the remaining podium positions.
Binder eventually took his maiden Moto3 race win with a comfortable 3.336 second lead. Pole-sitter Bulega managed snatch second place ahead of Pecco in third place, with Jorge Navarro relegated to fourth instead.

Behind the lead group, there was a five-way battle for fifth that brewed throughtout the race. But it was Czech rider Jakub Kornfiel astride the Malaysian Drive M7 SIC Racing Team’s Honda that took the prime position and collected precious championship points too. His Malaysian teammate Adam Norrodin, on the other hand, settled for a 16th place finish having struggled with the tyres. Malaysian rider Khairul Idham Pawi fared better astride the Honda Team Asia machine and scored points by finishing in 14th place.

South African Binder however, still leads the standings with his score of 77 points – 15 points clear of Honda-powered rival Jorge Navarro in second with 62 points. Italian rider Romano Fenati sits in third with 47 points.
Round 5 – Le Mans, France
Next, MotoGP heads to the iconic French circuit of Le Mans for its fifth round of the season. Round 5 in France is scheduled to take place from May 6 to May 8. Round 6 takes place a fortnight after that in Mugello, Italy from May 20 to May 22.
(Image credits: MotoGP.com / Petronas Motorsports / Drive M7 SIC Racing Team / Honda Team Asia)
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Attention Kawasaki Versys-X owners, change your rear light now!

Notification from Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd on the Kawasaki Versys-X replacement for the rear light or socket assembly.
The rear light or brake light socket assembly has been found to become loose due to riding vibrations.
The vibrations may cause the tail or brake light to not light up which can effect overall riding visibility to other road users.

Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. has announced a proactive recall program of Versys-X 250 for replacement of the rear light or brake light socket assembly. Kawasaki had found that the tail or brake light may become loose by the riding vibration and will may cause the tail or brake light to not light up.

This activity will be performed free of charge and the time required to inspect and replace the tail or brake light socket assembly is approximately 30 minutes.
Only a certain batch of the Versys-X is affected, a highlighted below. Please refer to your chassis number before making your way to have the assembly checked by Kawasaki’s trained personnel.

Frame Number

JKALE250CCDA00171 ~ JKALE250CCDA01011

Kindly call Kawasaki Malaysia at 03-5566 5725 to arrange for an appointment.
Their customer service line is open on the following days and times:
Monday to Thursday:
9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m
2:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m
Friday :
9:00 a.m to 12:30 p.m
2:30 p.m to 5:00 p.m
Please also refer to http://kawasaki.com.my/index.php?cat=707&page=1656 for more information.
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Vespa Malaysia Expands 3S Concept Store To Johor Bahru

Didi Group proudly announced the opening of Vespa Malaysia latest showroom in Skudai, Johor in partnership with Ng Brothers Motor (Vespa Skudai).
The 3S showroom carries full range of the iconic brand which carries a comprehensive range of products including a customer service centre.

The launch of Vesa Skudai (Ng Brothers Motor) marks a big step into expanding the Vespa branding throughout the country as it is the first Vespa 3S showroom in Johor Bahru.
“I would like to thank and congratulate Ng Brothers Motor (Vespa Skudai) for introducing and carrying the Vespa brand in Johor, which will help us to further strengthen our positioning and boost our presence in Malaysia.
“The opening of Vespa Skudai also reflects the strengthening of the distribution network of Vespa in Malaysia” said Mr Rewi Hamid Bugo, Chairman, Didi Resources Sdn Bhd.
To celebrate the momentous occasion, a total of 150 Vespa owners also got together to celebrate the official launch of Vespa Skudai, that also adopted the new Vespa showroom corporate identity.

Vespa owners in Johor Bahru drop by Vespa Skudai located at 33, Jalan Pakis 1, Taman Sri Pulai, Johor Bahru, Johor.
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The Tuareg 660 To Spearhead Aprilia’s Rally-Raid Project

Aprilia is set to return to the off-road arena after announcing its “Back To Africa” rally-raid programme, with the Italian firm set to utilise its Tuareg 660 motorcycle.

Aprilia announced its return to off-road racing with the “Back to Africa” project.
Aprilia to develop a rally-raid machine with the firm’s latest Tuareg 660.

Italian rally raid and enduro rider Jacopo Cerutti will help to develop the new rally-raid version of the Tuareg 660 with the involvement of Romano Albesiano and Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola.
The project delivers a different challenge for Albesiano and Rivola, who have dedicated most of their lives to MotoGP. Nonetheless, Aprilia’s success in the world championship will provide a significant boost in developing a winning machine.

“With its ‘Back to Africa’ project, Aprilia Racing is returning to the world of off-road racing, to the races that forged the division.
“We want to keep growing in the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing and in on-track races. We want to discover new talent through our SP 250 Championship and the RS 660 Trophy, but we are also embarking on a completely new project with the extraordinary Aprilia Tuareg.
“It’s an additional sign of development for a racing division that has grown significantly over the past years, achieving results never before seen by Aprilia,” said Rivola.
According to Aprilia, GCorse – a company run by the Guareschi brothers – will also provide technical assistance. GCorse already worked with the Tuareg 660 in the Italian Motorally Championship 2022; hence their hands-on experience is crucial for the programme.

Aside from Cerutti – a multiple-time Italian and one-time European enduro champion – the rally-raid Tuareg 660 will also be piloted by Francesco Montanari.
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GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 (Day Two)

The GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 ride got on the road today.

The GIVI Explorers (participants) rode out of Pattaya City, Thailand into Cambodia.

The convoy stopped in the ancient city of Siem Reap.

13th November 2017, Siem Reap, Cambodia – The GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 epic ride has finally started today, leaving Thailand behind for the neighbouring Cambodia.

I said “finally” because Ismadi and I have ridden into Thailand since the 9th, hence it was time to release all that pent-up energy.

Participants were allocated their bikes last night after dinner. The convenience of having large-capacity GIVI side and top cases, besides tankbags and other storage accessories was not lost upon us, as we could carry virtually anything be brought in for this ride, with much space to spare.

We got together for the final briefing before the ride began. The 25 participants were split into four groups, each led by a Marshal. “Assistant Marshals” were also picked to help, especially at stop lights to keep the riders from straying and losing their way.

There were two support vehicles, one carrying tools, drinks and essential gear, the other as a medical vehicle.
We rode out of Pattaya and headed to the Thai-Cambodian border town of Sa Kaeo, 209 kilometres away.

The ride out was smooth, with traffic getting thinner and thinner the further we got away from the city. Thankfully, the day was overcast although it was still humid. Excitement and the freedom of the open road was apparent among the riders, smiling and laughing everytime we stopped.

For me who’s grown accustomed to Thailand, the scene at the Sa Kaeo border crossing kind of took me by surprise. There were many people pulling on large wooden carts in and out of Cambodia and poverty shows.

Anyway, the border crossing was painless as Trans Asia, the tour operator contracted by GIVI, had assured so well in advance.

We got our passports stamped and signed the paperwork for all the 25 bikes within 30 minutes and we were in Cambodia, although we had to stop at the Immigration Office a kilometer away for the officials to verify the details of the bikes we rode in.

We were advised repeatedly about what to expect in Cambodia, and how different it would be to ride here compared to in Thailand. We were told to watch out for Cambodian traffic, particularly how chaotic it would be. Traffic in this country is lefthand drive, by the way.
The road was rough at the border crossing but it was actually pretty smooth as we travelled further into the country, heading to our hotel in the ancient city of Siam Reap, 212 km away.

Traffic was thin, but true enough, bikes, car, trucks, even pedestrians will cross everywhere without looking closely. They’ll also pull out onto the road without thinking twice. We kept the group as tight as we dared to avoid being cut off.
The scenery in the countryside was natural and beautiful. Lush rice paddies stretched into the horizon like a green, plush carpet.
Our pace was much slower than in Thailand, although steady. It was dark when we reached Siam Reap, but the Aspara Angkor Hotel was thankfully not too far into the city.
We freshened up for dinner at a large restaurant called Tonle Sap not far away.  Here, there was a large selection of cuisines, Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean.
We split up as a group headed back to the hotel rest, while the rest visited the Night Market and Pub Street.

This is Siam Reap’s nightlife centre. There’s everything from pubs, restaurants, massage parlours, small hotels, bazaars, street food and just about everything else.

We soon called it a night, more than elated that Day One of the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure 2017 has been a success.
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Norton Commando returns to production line, VR4RR & Atlas to follow

After close to a year of inactivity, the Norton production line will be up and running once again after being acquired by India’s TVS Motor Company last April. The first model that’ll roll off the production line is the Norton Commando, and 40 units will be built to cater to backdated orders and a few extras.

The new Norton Commandos will be built at the brand’s latest facility in Solihull, England. According to Norton’s interim CEO, John Russell, “We want to change from a cottage industry to a credible motorcycle manufacturer. We have set up an interim factory in Solihull and are laying down the production lines now. Even though it is temporary, it will still probably be the best facility Norton has ever had.”

Once the first new batch of Commandos is produced, the manufacturing line will then focus on building the latest V4RR superbike and Atlas dual-purpose machines. This is due to the fact that these bikes still require some development in terms of components and suppliers.

It has been a tough year for Norton with all the drama and COVID-19, but the team remains positive with what they have to offer for the motorcycle industry in the near future. TVS Motor Company also showcased its interest in maintaining the brand’s heritage as well as expanding the current line-up without diverting away from its original image, a pure British engineering masterpiece.
MotoGP: Marc Marquez undergoes third surgery, out for another six months?

Written by: Sep Irran
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Honda Monkey Astro Boy Edition Storms Into Thailand Market

Honda and Tezuka Productions have teamed up with Cub House Thailand to create a limited-edition Monkey Astro Boy model to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the original manga and the 60th anniversary of the beloved series.

The Honda Monkey X Astro Boy is a limited edition motorcycle to celebrate the original manga 70th anniversary.
Honda and Tezuka Productions teamed up with Cub House Thailand for the special edition bike.

The Astro Boy manga was brought to television screens by writer Osamu Tezuka in 1963 and went on to lay the groundwork for the anime of today. The Monkey Astro Boy Limited Edition pays homage to the iconic character with a white fuel tank adorned with red and black graphics, red-painted frame, plaid leather seat cover, and semi-clear air cleaner covers with stickers imitating Astro Boy’s mechanic heart and control board.

Styled by Honda’s H2C Design team, the 300 Monkey Astro Boy units feature a serialized badge on the fuel tank, a stylized fuel lid, and a side panel flaunting a chrome coating treatment. Retailing for THB129,900 (RM16.7k), the limited-edition model also comes with a Monkey x Astro Boy-branded jacket, an Astro Boy-styled helmet, and a premium carrying bag.

Thai Honda Executive Chairman Shigeto Kimura expressed his excitement about the creation of the Monkey Astro Boy Limited Edition and emphasized that it perfectly conveys the fun DNA of both Monkey and Astro Boy together, creating a unique and delivering a different experience.

Cub House Thailand has a reputation for top-notch collaborations, having previously worked with Hot Wheels and One Piece. However, the latest joint project with Honda and Tezuka Productions is aiming for the stars. The limited-edition Monkey Astro Boy model is a perfect tribute to the classic anime and manga series and a must-have for die-hard fans.
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European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (EAMM) Says Automated Cars “Failed to Detect Motorcycles”

Autonomous cars and bikes - Photo credit gearpatrol.com

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (EAMM) published a report saying that the current technology in automated cars “failed to detect motorcycles.”

They found accidents that happened due to the car radars not picking up the bikes.

Certain manufacturers are making their bikes more visible to radar.

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (EAMM) published a report saying that the current technology in automated cars “failed to detect motorcycles.”
The alarming report was made after the association found that accidents in Europe and US on “autopilot” failed to locate a motorcycle in all situations.
Before continuing, let us see what it means by “automated cars.” Certain cars (especially the luxury ones) are fitted with radars to detect objects around it, especially in their blindspots besides the vehicles in front and behind them. An expended function is self-drive, which means the driver takes his hands and feet of the pedals. The car will move in a set speed and turn through long radius corners all by itself. When the radar detects an object in front, the control unit will apply the brakes to slow down or stop altogether.
Remote sensing system on an autonomous car – Graphic credit innovationdestination.com
It’s supposed to make driving safer. But it may not be safe for bikes.
There are two aspects that confuse automated driving systems.

Motorcycles have small cross sections, hence presenting very low visibility compared to cars and trucks. This is why we turn on our lights in daytime.
Motorcycles are much more agile and can change directions quickly. Notice how we can move a couple of meters to either side when we come to stop at traffic lights? (Okay some don’t stop at the red light, but that’s a different matter.)

We’ll give you another example. Presenting a small cross section to radars is exactly what a stealth fighter does. It’s designed to deflect radar waves away from itself so that there’s only a small return signature (some say the cross-section equivalent to that of a bird) to the receiving radar. (Stealth fighters also use radar absorbing material on their outer skins, by the way.) Consequently, radar operators couldn’t see the plane on their scopes.
The EAMM deduced that modern cars don’t have reliable enough equipment to detect bikes. In fact, they also highlighted such statements as “the system may not detect small vehicles like motorcycles” in some automated car owner’s manuals.
“(This) is simply not acceptable from a safety point of view,” they added.
To combat this, Suzuki submitted patents for a bikes which is fitted by multiple radar deflectors to increase its visibility to radars.
Graphic credit Suzuki Corporation
However, Ducati and KTM are reportedly developing self-riding motorcycles, too.
It doesn’t mean that the rider takes his hands and feet off the controls like car drivers do so they can continue playing PUBG. Instead, the system detects other vehicles and takes action quicker than the rider could.
Check out the Ducati Multistrada 1260 GT and KTM 1290 Super Adventure prototypes.
Graphic credit Suzuki Corporation
There may be another way around this conundrum in mixed traffic. Bosch and their rival Continental are working on a cloud-based traffic management system using 5G interconnectivity.
Each vehicle sends the data of its location, heading, speed and others to a central computer which then regulates its and other vehicles’ speeds for “better harmony.” Yes, just like what we see in movies of some utopian future.
While it’s a great way to save lives, many feel that it will impede on personal freedom to enjoy driving. Well, not in KL downtown on Friday nights, but you get what we mean. This solution faces an uphill task as it will require every single vehicle to be equipped with the system.
But you know they said that reaching the moon was impossible a long time ago.
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Belgium Designer Develops Exchangeable Electric Motor For Mopeds

A Belgian designer is working on an electric motor aimed at converting combustion engine to electric for mopeds.

E-Core is a swappable electric motor for mopeds.
features a small 3-5 horsepower equivalent to a 50cc four-strokes mopeds.

As the world is shifting towards electric, most small capacity electric two-wheelers offers the same power equivalent to a 125cc motorcycles.
That said, it is likely that the demand for small capacity electric motorcycle – with 15 to 20 horsepower – will increase significantly in years to come. Moreover, with oil prices showing an upward trend, switching to electric is an option.
However, Belgian designer, Benjamin Surain, foresee a feature of not just low-powered electric motorcycles, but also converting the existing combustion engine mopeds into electric.

According to reports, the electric motor, dubbed E-Core, is an exchangeable electric motor that could be swap with an old combustion engine.
The E-Core exchangeable motor is aimed at mopeds, which are popular globally.
Interestingly, the electric motor allow existing combustion engine to be ‘reincarnated’ as electric instead of discarding the entirety of the old engine which could damaged the environment hence defeating the purpose of sustainability.
Also, this means that people would not be forced into getting a new electric two-wheeler when they can just upgrade their existing petrol-powered mopeds which is potentially more cost-effective.
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