6 used bikes below RM20,000 for new riders

Want to start bike riding but don’t have a big budget? Worry not as we list down six best used bikes for all you avid newbies!

As the cost of living continues to rise, many working Malaysians are now feeling the pinch. Perhaps one of the best ways to solve this financial crisis lies in switching your mode of daily transport, and what better way to save cost than to downsize yourself from four to two-wheels.
The easiest way here is to get a B2 class license first, which is a relatively inexpensive investment. This grants you the opportunity to own and ride any bike with a capacity no larger than 250cc.
Fortunately, you’d be glad to know that the Malaysian used bikes market has a rich and healthy array of choices abound for both commuters and hobbyists. You can definitely kick-start your life as a biker on a budget, and here’s our list of some of the best starter bikes you can buy in the used bike market for less than RM20,000.
Commuters – Scooters and mopeds (kapcai)
Here’s an interesting fact: the small-capacity segment fuels 90% of all bike sales in Malaysia. So it is no surprise that there are as many of them in the used bikes market as well, with many of which being relatively inexpensive to own and run.
Also abundant here are the type of bikes available, but we’ll narrow it down to the two most popular genres, those being scooters and mopeds, with the latter type fondly referred to as kapcai bikes. Here are some of the best ones we found currently in the used bike market.
1. Yamaha 135LC & Nouvo LC

Standing as the two best-selling models offered by Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM), the Yamaha 135LC kapcai and its Nouvo LC automatic scooter-moped hybrid sibling has populated our roads in great numbers over the years.
Merging high reliability and low-cost maintenance with a slight dash of power from its 134cc mill, both models turned into top favourites amongst many Malaysians riders, especially newbies.
Good condition models that aren’t too old will cost anywhere between RM3,000 to RM4,000 on average. Here are some good examples we found on local classifieds Mudah.my that we reckon are worthy.
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2. Honda Super Cub

Fancy something that’s a little bit more timeless in its looks? Then look no further past the legendary Honda Super Cub. The brand that literally got Malaysians moving on two-wheels still has a solid reputation for some of its older Cub models such as the EX-5 and Super Cub.
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Bulletproof reliability and highly efficient, nothing else comes close to this modern classic. We found this example on sale through specialist bike classifieds BikeTrader.com.my that’s on sale for RM4,289. That may be a little steep for a classic moped, but its timeless outlooks will beg you to consider it anyways.
3. SYM VTS 200

Want something that’s both larger with some added practicality and comfort? Then you best pick yourself an entry-level maxi-scooter such as the SYM VTS 200 model. This particular Taiwanese brand has gained in popularity on our soil over recent years, with the VTS 200 being one of its best-sellers.
What makes this bike special is its offer of the practical and comfortable maxi-scooter package on a budget. Furthermore, its 171.2cc mill has also proven to be quite perky for short- or medium-distance hops on our major highways. This was something we discovered first-hand when we had one SYM VTS 200 amongst the team at BikesRepublic.com not too long ago.
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Though it is relatively inexpensive to buy it brand new, you can get good condition used ones at half price. One example is this 2013 model we found on Mudah.my that’s going for a reasonable RM6,500.
Starter fun bikes – sports, nakeds and scramblers
Of course, not all bikes are built with all-out commuter practicality in mind. Some offer a little bit of fun for the weekends without compromising too much when tasked as a daily workhorse. Though these bikes are small in capacity, there are big on fun factor levels, especially for many weekend hobbyists.
1. Kawasaki Ninja 250R series

For the B2 license holder, perhaps some of the best 250cc sport-bodied bikes comes from one brand – Kawasaki. Since the late 1980s, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R has been at the forefront in providing newbies with the thrill of speed and handling without breaking the bank.
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Even this pair of the previous generation Ninja 250R and EX250-J models we found on BikeTrader.com.my do not feel out of place amongst its current generation rivals. Packing a perky 250cc parallel-twin, both of these should suffice at being a solidly reliable commuter whilst doubling as fun weekend toy as well, making them worthy of their respective asking prices of RM11,800 and RM15,500.
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Even the current version of the Ninja 250 is abundant in the used bikes market too. Instead of paying its approximately RM25,000 when new price, good condition used ones with low miles are priced much lower like this example we found on BikeTrader.com.my that’s going for RM18,800.
With many of these being traded-in by owners upgrading to larger bikes, you can find plenty of good bargains with relatively low-miles and in excellent conditions as well.
2. KTM 200 Duke
 Want a stylish European starter supermoto with excellent handling qualities? Then look no further past the famed Austrian marque KTM. Since the brand began locally assembling its small capacity models in Jitra, Kedah, the KTM 200 Duke has garnered a strong fan-base here and flooding our market.
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With many owners upgrading to the larger 390 and 690 versions, you can find plenty of bargains for good condition used 200 Dukes on sale. This fairly recent 2013 KTM 200 Duke model we found on Mudah.my is one such example that is priced at a bargain of RM9,000.
Light, nimble and rather stylish, this pint-sized Euro still packs a decent punch from its thumpy 200cc single-cylinder heart. Though it runs out of breath when tasked with highway hops, the 200 Duke’s brilliant performance qualities in the urban commute and twisty B-road charges will convince you otherwise.
3. Kawasaki KLX 150

Lets say speed and handling isn’t top priorities for you, but the ability to go just about anywhere does. Your best option is perhaps a scrambler like the Kawasaki KLX150. With the newer version’s arrival in showrooms not too long ago, prices for the previous versions in good condition have dropped below the RM10,000 mark within the used bikes market.
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One such example is this 2010 model priced at RM4,000 we found on Mudah.my. Though it considerably lacks in the areas of practicality and range, the KLX 150 will go just about anywhere on any sort of surface easily. Furthermore, all it takes to convert this dirt-buster into an on-road supermoto is a just a mere tyres and wheels swap.
Perhaps such a bike is perfect for the serious hobbyist who doesn’t mind getting down and dirty whilst tackling the unpaved wilderness on the weekend whilst retaining a decently capable on-road bike for short daily commutes. This is dirt-biking on a budget at its best indeed.
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MotoGP: Valentino Rossi Questions Brad Binder Level Of Respect

“You have a lot of riders who are more clean and ride with a lot of respect for the opponents.
“You have some other riders like Binder, who ride a lot harder and don’t care about the rival,” said the multiple MotoGP world champion, Valentino Rossi, following a clash with Brad Binder during the season opener last weekend.
Binder slightly hit the Petronas Sepang Racing Team (SRT) rider in Qatar at Turn 1.
The 42-year-old rider then shares his opinion regarding the respect that current MotoGP riders have for their rivals this past few years.
“For me, it doesn’t depend very much on the position, but it depends very much on the different riders.
“Maybe, in this case, the word respect is too big, but it’s difficult to understand the limit because usually in the past sometimes you touch another rider, but you didn’t try to touch.
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Aprilia RS660 To Launch In Malaysia Soon – RM6X, XXX?

The highly-anticipated 2021 Aprilia RS 660 is heading to Malaysia soon after making wave worldwide since its launch last year.
We understand that the all-new motorcycle will arrive sometime between March and April this year after doing some digging. However, what catches our attention is that at a promotional price of RM6X, XXX is expected to be introduced.

The motorcycle was due to launch last year. However, due to the ongoing pandemic Covid-19, it had to be postponed to 2021.
Focused on delivering a more exciting riding pleasure into the rider’s everyday life, the RS 660 comes fitted with 659cc twin-cylinder engine (parallel-twin) that produces a very respectable 100hp at 10,500rpm and 67Nm at 8,500rpm. This is further amplified thanks to its dry weight of only 169kg.

Controlling all this power was tasked to its Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) electronics suite, which consists of an advanced inertial six-axis navigation system similar to the one found on the RSV4.

The APRC includes traction control, wheelie control, quickshifter, cruise control, engine braking and mapping, and adjustable ABS.

Other notable features include:

Ride-by-Wire engine management
Six-speed manual transmission with Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) up and down
Five riding modes (Road and Track, three fixed and two customisable)
Front KYB 41mm stanchion fork (preload & rebound adjustable)
Rear aluminium asymmetric swingarm with adjustable monoshock
Dual 320mm front disc brakes with Brembo radial callipers
Single 220mm rear disc + more

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Custom Scrambler Ducati specials steals Verona show spotlight

Two special custom Scrambler Ducati creations steal the spotlight at annual Motor Bike Expo in Verona, Italy.

Two very special custom Scrambler Ducati creations made their debuts and stole the show at the recent annual Motor Bike Expo held in Verona, Italy. Christened as the e Scrambler R/T and Essenza, the latter even won he Best in Show award from Italian magazine Motociclismo.

Starting off with the Scrambler R/T, this custom was built by Parma-based builders Avil Motociclette. Based off the new Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 model that features a smaller 399cc V-twin mill, this stripped down race scrambler took just 53 days to complete, hence the racing number it dons up front.

Builders Avil are renowned for their exquisite custom renditions inspired by the 1970s era, and they’ve even taken cues from the original Scrambler Ducati of said era with the Scrambler R/T. Everything but the frame was customised, but we’re loving the exquisite white leather seat and reshaped fuel tank.

Moving along to the Essenza, this café racer was the fruit of Milan-based custom garage called South Garage. The firm already has a number of customised Scrambler Ducatis in its strong rep, with the Essenza being the very latest addition to it.

The frame and suspension remain stock but most others were modified or changed. Taking a very Steam Punk-influences approach, the bike seems to sit right while the lines flowing through the fairing plus the custom twin-pipe exhaust all look exquisite.

The LED headlamp surround is neat too while the custom red leather seat and handlebar grips adds some colour to the whole bike. Overall, it is easy to see how the Essenza café racer custom snatch away the Best In Show crown during the Verona show indeed.

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Modenas Power Store opens for service starting 3 April 2020

The Modenas Power Store Kota Damansara will be opening its doors for service operations starting tomorrow (3 April 2020) from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. Following the current Movement Control Order, the service workshop will be operational at a ‘minimal rate’ to cater to Modenas bike owners in nearby areas.

To comply with the current rules placed under the MCO, the Modenas Power Store will start accepting appointments for those who would like to get their Modenas bikes serviced or repaired. The workshop will also take necessary measures to ensure the safety of bike owners and mechanics, from providing hand sanitisers to practising social distancing.

This is certainly good news for those who own any of the Modenas V15, Pulsar NS160, Pulsar NS200, Pulsar RS200, and the Dominar D400. The service centre is currently stocked with all the necessary lubricants, fluids, and spare parts for normal servicing. For major repairs, you may need to contact the number stated below for clarification.

For more information, you may call/WhatsApp 012-8003470 for more information or to book your slot for services. The Modenas Power Store is located at the address stated below:
Sunsuria Avenue, 3A & 3G Street Wing,
Persiaran Mohagani, Kota Damansara,
47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Modenas Power Store – Best aftersales service in town!

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Top 10 coolest classic Vespas ever

We list down the 10 coolest classic Vespas ever made in its 70-year history.

From our last feature, you’d know by now that Vespa celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. What started out as an idea to help the Italian people to travel easily and affordably way back in 1946 turned into a giant in the motorcycling industry as well as being a fashion icon.
Its 70-year tenure in the industry has led Vespa to produce a large number of different Vespa models. There are so many Vespas worth mentioning but here’s our take on the 10 most iconic and coolest classic Vespas ever made.
1946 Vespa 98
1. 1946 Vespa 98 – The very first
Introduced to the public on April 1946, the 1946 Vespa 98 was the strong foundation that appealed to the masses. The unique shape that resembled a ‘wasp’ (hence the name Vespa, which is ‘wasp’ in Italian) has stood the test of time.
Vespa 98 Corsa Circuito
Sales of the Vespa 98 were slow at first but it quickly took off when Vespa introduced payments via instalments; another important decision Vespa made to help the people of Italy to commute easily. Vespa even turned one of the 98 into a racer known as the Vespa 98 Corsa Circuito.
1949 Vespa 125
2. 1949 Vespa 125 – The 98’s successor
After a number of 125cc Vespas were sold in 1947, Vespa decided to discontinue the 98 and introduced the new Vespa 125 as its replacement. Major changes were made to the front suspension arm plus an engine cover that lifted upwards for easier access.
Vespa Circuito 125
If you have deep pockets (and are very, very lucky in finding one) you should be able to purchase your very own 1949 Vespa 125 but be warned, the price can range anywhere from RM60,000 and above (US based market price)! They even made one Vespa 125 for racing purposes called the Vespa Circuito 125.
1950 Vespa Monthlery
3. 1950 Vespa Monthlery – The record-breaker
As a fan of racing, Vespa was always active in promoting their brand in the field. The brand took a bigger step on April 7th 1950 with its streamlined and alloy-framed Vespa Monthlery that set numerous speed and lap records.
Vespa spent 10 consecutive hours acquiring 17 world records with it: over 1 hour (average speed 134 km/h); over 100 miles (average 129.7 km/h), 500 miles (average 123.9 km/h), 1,000 km (average 124.3 km/h), and over 10 hours during which the Vespa covered 1,049 km.
1951 Vespa Siluro
4. 1951 Vespa Siluro – The Torpedo
After the Monthlery, Vespa was bitten by the record-breaking fever and later decided to go for their most prestigious record yet, the flying kilometre. The machine tasked with this mission was another streamlined special called the ‘Siluro’ – Torpedo in Italian.
1951 Vespa Siluro
This special was built as a means to garner greater advertising impact for Vespa. Piloted by Dino Mazzoncini, the Siluro broke the flying kilometre record with an average speed of 171.02km/h that covered the 1km distance in only 21.4 seconds. Not bad for a scooter that was built in the early 1950s!
1955 Vespa 150 GS
5. 1955 Vespa 150 GS – A true beauty
Many Vespa enthusiasts regard this model as the most beautiful Vespa ever made. The 150 GS changed the market in the 1950s as it appealed to a younger crowd and with its sports credential thanks to the Piaggio racing team.
With this, Vespa was able to develop a new quieter engine with superb performance as well. Good luck in trying to find one these babies up for sale because those who own them know better to hold on to them for a very good reason. An un-restored or even a ‘survivor’ barn find GS can reach beyond RM10,000 (US based market price)!
1956 Vespa 150 T.A.C.
6. 1956 Vespa 150 Troupes Aéro Portées (T.A.P.) – The soldier
The Vespa 150 T.A.P. was born out of a request from the French Ministry of Defence. As a result, around 600 Vespa 150s were equipped with a whopping 75mm M20 recoilless rifle that fired anti-armour rounds. It was later known amongst fans as the “Bazooka Vespa”.
1957 Vespa 400 – a Vespa car!
7. 1957 Vespa 400 – A Vespa car!
Surprisingly, Vespa did make a car! One of Vespa’s founding engineers, Corradino D’Ascanio always wanted to design a car as he initial HATED the idea of a motorcycle. The car was launched in 1957 powered by a 393cc two-stroke engine, producing around 14hp at the wheel.

Only 30,000 units were made but stiff competition from the Austin Mini and the Volkswagen Beetle quickly made the Vespa 400 lose its public appeal. Today, the 400 is considered as a rare gem and is valued at around RM48,000 to RM61,000 in the U.S. That’s SuperSport track bike money for you.
1966 Vespa 90 Super Sprint
8. 1966 Vespa 90 Super Sprint – The cult favourite
The Vespa 90 Super Sprint (90SS) is highly sought after as it resembles the iconic 1955 Vespa GS.b It featured design improvements to front shield, top box and spare wheel placements, standing as a true collector’s piece. Although not as rare as some Vespa’s one-off specials, it is certainly a top fan favourite among hardcore Vespa enthusiasts due to its beauty and rarity.
1967 Vespa 125 Primavera
9. 1967 Vespa 125 Primavera – The next generation
An overall improvement in design and performance led to creation of Piaggio’s next success story, the Vespa 125 Primavera. As usual, the scooter was aimed specifically towards the youths of the 1960s with a very catchy slogan “With a Vespa you can be”.
The scooter had a longer chassis that made it easier to carry a pillion rider as well. Back in the day (and still is today) there’s nothing better than going around town on the cool Primavera with your significant other riding pillion.
1969 Vespa Rally 180
10. 1969 Vespa Rally 180 – The big boy
Over 26,000 units of the Vespa Rally 180 were built from the late 1960s to early 1970s. It had a brand new engine and chassis as well as a few cosmetic alterations that made it one of the most successful scooters at the time. With its 180cc, single-cylinder two-stroke engine, this baby can reach a top speed of 105km/h.
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LiveWire Targets 101,000 Sales By 2026

LiveWire is targetting an ambitious projection of 101,000 sales within the next four years despite selling only 387 units in 2021.
What began as Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorcycle, the LiveWire, then became the American motorcycle company spin-off brand.
While the bold move garnered a lot of attention, LiveWire got off to a slow start, with just 387 units of the LiveWire One sold globally last year.

However, under the new Jochen Zeitz administration, the company is confident the target of 101,000 sales is achievable with the help of an upcoming model, the LiveWire Del Mar.
The Del Mar – built in partnership with Taiwanese scooter manufacturer Kymco – will join the LiveWire One in the next few months, along with a third model, expected to be introduced by year-end.
While LiveWire retains a modest target at the end of 2024 with just 15,736 units, the company aims to sell more than 50,000 LiveWire models by 2025, leading to 100,000 units by 2026.

As a reference, the parent company, Harley-Davidson, sold more than 200,000 motorcycles in 2021.
At this point, we are unsure whether LiveWire can materialise the sales target, but it does measure the company’s commitment to electrify the future.
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KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 (Day Three)

The KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 entered entered Day Three.

We rode from Kundasang, through Ranau, to Sepilok before stopping at Sandakan.

Highlights included the Sabah Tea plantation and Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.

Kundasang, 3rd November 2017 – Day Three of the KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 started from the Mount Kinabalu Heritage Resort & Spa in Kundasang, for Sandakan. Today’s ride reminded us the meaning of “adventure riding.”
Click here for Day One of the KTM Malaysia Owners Group’s (KMOG) Borneo Ride 2017. Click here for Day Two of KMOG Borneo Ride 2017.

As usual, we got early for a simple yet hearty breakfast at the hotel. The exception though, was the crisp and chilly mountain air, which accompanied us. Almost everyone went outside afterwards to draw lungfuls of it.

As we arrived after dark last night, we couldn’t see what was beside the roads. Well, Kundasang didn’t surprise at the break of day. The hotel was situated on a hilltop tall and was surrounded by tall pine trees looked. Looking around below, were lush valleys, interspersed with little houses.

However, there was a pathway which led to a viewing platform just outside the restaurant, and there, we stared at Mount Kinabalu’s crown.

Ranau, the site of the devastating 2015 Sabah earthquake, was just 20km away. Looking up the side of the mountain, there were massive patches of light-coloured rocks, evidence of landslides due to the quake. Still, the mountain was beautiful and I could only wished we had scaled it to the top during this trip.

The KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 convoy pushed off at exactly 8.30am, the efficient marshals made sure of that.

It took just a few kilometres out of Kundasang for us to realize that the road was very narrow, much like the old Gombak-Genting Sempah road, without the landslides (and cyclists).
Traffic was wonderfully light, except for a number of big trucks we encountered.
However, the road’s condition increasingly deteriorated the further we rode. Many sections were uneven with plenty of potholes and patches thrown in. Legacy of the earthquake?
KTM Malaysia had graciously loaned the 1290 Super Duke GT to me for this ride. There was another GT ridden by Mr. Kan and we pulled away from the middle pack to enjoy the corners. I rounded a corner and came face-to-face with section which resembled a motocross double jump! I clamped down on the brakes hard and triggered the ABS but I was too close, so I the brakes go and yanked on the throttle, because I didn’t want the rear to kick up hard and endo me into road.
The bike flew but the “landing zone” was badly rutted. I caught a rut and it drove me to the road’s shoulder. I gave the bike some gas and the bike recovered itself smartly.

I had set the riding mode to STREET and the damping for the electronically-controlled semi-active WP suspension to COMFORT. However, the road surface was so bad it caused the bike to wallow in midcorner. Switching to STREET helped somewhat, it was too harsh in the rough sections. Going faster than 120 km/h, helped though.
I watched with jealously as the 1290 Adventure Duke T and the 1290 Super Adventure S’s suspension (also electronic) soaked up the bumps as if they weren’t there. A few riders could even relax one arm while riding.
We rode past the town of Ranau, but there wasn’t time to check out the view as we concentrated on the road and traffic.
We reached the Sabah Tea Resort Restaurant 36km away without incident. We got the real taste of freshly brewed Sabah tea.

It was lovely. Good aroma with a full body and just the right amount of acidity. Slightly sweet, slightly sour, but not bitter. With a great view to boot!

We rode back down the hill, whose road was a no-road. It was an unpaved gravel road with some big rocks. The GT did well, never threatening to throw away a tyre despite being more of a sport-tourer, with the emphasis on sport.
It was a straight shot to Sepilok from there.

We reached the Banana Cafe just in time for lunch.

The food was simple yet tasty, and enjoyed the great hospitality. The restaurant’s owner had even treated us to the “UFO tart,” unique to Sandakan.

From there, it was a quick jaunt to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.

The facility is located at the fringe of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, and as apparent from its name, it rescues orphaned orangutans and rehabilitate them for life in the wild.

It opens at certain hours to the public called, during feeding time. The orangutans are fed twice daily.

The facility features a boardwalk raised above the swampy land below. It leads to the main viewing area, where the orangutans get together for their meal time.

That done, we got back on our bikes and made our way to the hotel in Sandakan.

We were given a couple of hours to freshen up before we headed out to dinner at the famous Tai Lau steamboat restaurant.

“Dinner” was the inappropriate word for it. It was a 10-dish feast as KMOG had ordered a multi-meal course consisting of steamed fish, squid, mussels (lala), braised vegetables, kung pow chicken, stir-fried green vege, prawn platter, crabs fried with salted egg and fruits for dessert!
With our tummies full, it was time to fill up the bikes ahead of tomorrow’s long leg. The final stop is Keningau, but instead of riding back through the route we had come in on, we are going to ride south to Tawau, before turning west, over the Crocker Range. It promises to be the most epic part of the KMOG Borneo Ride 2017.
PICTURE GALLERY

				Outside the hotel at Kundasang

				Phillip Ho and his roaring 900R Adventure

				Mount Kinabalu. Note the evidence of landslides due to the 2015 Ranau earthquake

				Group photo before continuing on the ride

				Stopping at the Sabah Tea Plantation for tea

				…and pictures

				At a restaurant in Sepilok

				The owner of restaurant treated us to the UFO cake

				The guys couldn’t help monkeying around

				At the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

				Wefie time

				We were told to stay out of this guy’s way

				Waiting for feeding time

				The orangutan is waiting to be fed

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BMW Motorrad Malaysia Releases Prices with SST

BMW Motorrad Malaysia has published the prices with SST.

The SST (Sales & Service Tax) came into effect on 1st September 2018.

The rate is 10%.

BMW Motorrad Malaysia has released the new prices of BMW motorcycles following the re-implementation of the Sales & Services Tax (SST) which took effect from 1st September 2018.
As outlined by the Ministry of Finance, motorcycles under 250cc are exempted from SST, without other details. This meant that 10% SST is charged on motorcycles above 250cc regardless if they are CKD (completely knocked-down i.e. locally assembled) or CBU (completely built-up i.e. fully-imported).
Please refer to the table below.

Generally, prices have definitely hiked compared to when GST was set at 0% but they are perhaps more accurate if compared to the prices when 6% GST was implemented. Almost all models see price increases between RM 1,000 to RM 3,000 compared to when 6% GST applied but there are exceptions where the prices remained the same.
A check with BMW Motorrad Malaysia clarified that, “We wanted to make it affordable for everyone.”
Let’s take a look at a few key models.
In the Sports category, the prices of the ever-popular S 1000 RR superbike went up by RM 7,000 compared to 0% GST, but only increased by RM 1,000 over their 6% GST prices. The R 1200 RS went up by RM 2K.
2018 BMW S 1000 RR test & review – “German Masterpiece”

Price in the Touring range which includes the R 1200 RT and K 1600 variants however, increase between RM 2,000 to RM 3,000 compared to compared to 6% GST.
2018 BMW R 1200 RT Test & Review

The Roadsters, or “nakeds” for want of another definition, see their prices hiked by RM 2,000, except for the G 310 R, whose price remains at RM 26,900.
Over to the Heritage line-up, prices for the R nineT range see an increase of RM 1,000 except for the R nineT Pure and R nineT Racer variants.
BMW R nineT Racer Test and Review – Looks are Everything

As for the Adventure category where the R 1200 GS resides, the price of the G 310 GS remains the same at RM 29,900, while the rest see their prices increased.
BMW G 310 GS Test & Review

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KTM Five Mountain Santai Ride – Day Two

Day two of the KTM Five Mountain Santai ride saw us coming down Cameron Highlands to Gua Musang and up to Jeli before turning to Gerik and settling down halfway at the Belum Forest Resort on the Tasik Temenggor.
Before we left Cameron Highland we took a detour to Gunung Brinchang which is apparently the highest point on Cameron Hill. Getting to the top meant going through the Boh Plantation at Sungai Palas, we did stop at the Boh Station for a cup of tea n the way out.
Theres always time for teh tarik, especially when you are so close to the source
After clearing the jam in Cameron Highlad from hords of people buying strawberries and vegetables, the road towards Gua Musang featured long sweeping corners with quick elevation changes that makes it possible mostof the time to see how sharp the corner ahead is.
But if not for the occasional bumps on the road I would say its almost perfect to blast on, that fact didnt bother much on some of the rides in the group though.
Once we hit Gua Musang the roads changed to a scenic kampung feel as we cruise up towards Jeli. A quick fuel up and we were off again towards Gerik on the famous Gerik highway.
One of the oldest roads in Malaysia and its also one of the most awesome to ride on. At some point you’d be excused if you think you are riding in Europe.
At the highest point is Puncak where you can find the highest rest area in the country. Its a must to stop here for every traveler and have a teh tarik while enjoying the scenery and cold air.
The view is epic, not properly shown here though
A few sips, a few camera snaps and we were on our way down towards TasikTemenggor and to the Belum Rainforest Resort for a night’s rest. Another 300km plus coverd and for the next stage is to go to Gunung Jerai, the last mountain for us to conqour.
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Lotus Motorcycles announced

The iconic Lotus Cars brand, famed for making lightweight sports cars with brilliantly engineered handling, will soon lend its name to a motorcycle christened the Lotus C-01.
Lotus Cars however does not seem to have a direct involvement with the bike’s build. Instead, it is merely lending its name to a joint project between the Holzer Group, a racing team from Kodewa, Japan, and former Volkswagen designer Daniel Simon. These three entities have formed a new company called Lotus Motorcycles, and have released the teaser image above depicting a carbon fibre fuel tank adorned in the signature Lotus black and gold livery.
Describing the C-01 as a “hyper-bike with integrated racing technology”, the newly formed company ensure that its upcoming motorcycle will also use carbon, titanium, and aerospace-grade steel in its build. No details on its engine specifications were released, but Lotus hints it will have approximately 200hp.
The firm promises to release more pictures within the coming weeks. Designer Daniel Simon also previously worked for Bugatti, but his most notable creation was the futuristic Light Cycle used in the sci-fi blockbuster, Tron: Legacy.
We at BR are anxious to see this project’s iteration of a ‘hyper-bike’. We will follow the development of Lotus Motorcycles over the next few weeks and months ahead.
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2017 Benelli Leoncino 500 will arrive in Malaysia soon!

Benelli Malaysia has confirmed that the 2017 Benelli Leoncino 500 will be arriving on Malaysian shores later in the year

The retro-styled Leoncino 500 is powered by a 500cc, twin-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine that produces around 47hp and 45Nm of torque

Front 45mm upside-down fork with four-piston brake calipers and 320mm discs together with a rear swingarm and a laterally mounted shock absorber + 260mm disc with a single piston caliper

Benelli Malaysia (currently under Mforce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd) has confirmed that the new 2017 Benelli Leoncino 500 will be arriving on our shores sometimes this year. This plan has been put into play following a successful launches of the 2017 Benelli RFS 150i, TRK 502 and 302R.
CLICK HERE to read more on the three Benelli bikes launch.

The retro-modern motorcycle combines tradition, myth and passion that encompass the true spirit of Benelli with contemporary style, innovation and performance. The design alone is a balance between smooth lines and sharp forms as how they have taken a classic design into the modern era. The whole Leoncino 500 is packaged around a steel trellis frame that has been designed for high levels of versatility and manoeuvrability.

Powered by a 500cc, twin-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine, the Benelli Leoncino 500 is said to produce around 47hp at 8,500rpm and 45Nm of torque. This was achieved thanks to the use of double overhead cams (DOHC) together with four valves dedicated to each cylinder. All the power and torque from the fuel-injected power plant is transferred to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox with a hydraulic clutch mechanism linked to a final chain drive.

The whole ‘scrambler’ look is tied together with wire-spoked wheels; 19-inch for the front and 17-inch for the rear. The iconic lion of Pesaro is also clearly embedded on the seat and fuel tank together with modern-day techs such as ABS, digital instrumentation and all-round LED lights.

Although we are not really sure when the bike will actually arrive or the final price itself, we know that the same bike in India costs around 450,000 Rupees, which is around RM30,473 after direct conversion. Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates regarding the Benelli Leoncino 500.
CLICK HERE to check out the rest of the Benelli bikes available in Malaysia through our exclusive Bike Buyer’s Guide.
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MSC 2015 Rd. 1 – Ducati 899 Cup Qualifying

The Ducati 899 Cup Race Series Malaysia marks its debut as the support event to the Malaysia Superbike Championship 2015 (MSC) 2015 – Qualifying highlights.

The Malaysia Superbike Championship 2015 (MSC 2015) welcomes a new support event on its itinerary this year in the form of the inaugural Ducati 899 Cup Race Series Malaysia.

Organised by the Ducati Club of Malaysia (DCM), the series is supported by the brand’s Malaysian principal (Ducati Malaysia), and garners technical support from Shell Advance as well. The series features many first-time racers, and stands as one of the exclusive ownership experience for Ducati enthusiasts, or better known as the Ducatista/Ducatisti.
Whilst the series is called the 899 Cup, the grid for this first round features several other models, notable the 848 Evo, the 1198, as well as the 899 Panigale’s bigger brother the 1199 Panigale. Two categories are contested, those being the 899 Superstock, and the 1199 Superstock.
Synching itself with the MSC 2015 schedule, each weekend will see riders take part in three practice sessions held on Friday and Saturday, followed by a Qualifying session on Saturday. The culmination of the weekend will be the two scheduled races on Sunday lasting 8 laps each.
For this first round, up to 13 riders make up the grid, all vying to win the series’ coveted race winner’s cup. These 13 riders represent some of the most passionate Malaysian Ducatistis hailing from all over the peninsula, all sharing the same burning passion for speed and racing.

Taking pole position following qualifying on Saturday is Team Project X rider Erman Hassbulah Abd. Manan who clocked in a fastest laptime of 2:24.054. Forming up alongside him on the grid in second with the second fastest laptime of 2:26.047 is rider Muhammad Akhimullah Bin Zalani representing the Bike Armour Racing Team. Claiming the third fastest time of the session is rider Yuhasnan Bin Dollah who clocked in a laptime of 2:26.047.

BikesRepublic.com will be on the ground this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit covering our passionate friends in red in action. Stay tuned for more updates.

In the meantime, you can check out more photos in our extensive gallery below, or on our official Facebook page as well.

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Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Kuala Lumpur 2017 rocks the road with style

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Kuala Lumpur 2017 saw over 500 dapper participants joining the ride for a good cause.
Smartly dressed ladies and gentlemen rode prized motorcycles from vintage Vespas to custom cruisers from Triumph Fast Bikes Petaling Jaya all the way to IOI City Mall, Putrajaya.
The KL faction managed to collect over USD2,000 (around RM8,000) in donations to support the cause on men’s health and suicide prevention on both local and international platforms.

Over 500 smartly-dressed ladies and gentlemen got on their vintage and modern classic motorcycles for this year’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2017. The Kuala Lumpur faction organised by none other local outfit Naked13 where folks dressed in dapper rolled off from Triumph Fast Bikes Petaling Jaya all the way to IOI City Mall, Putrajaya.

As stated above, over 500 individuals registered for the KL DGR ride this year and collectively managed to collect over USD2,000 (around RM8,000) in donations for the caused supported by the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.

This once a year event couldn’t have been organised on a much nicer day where the sun was out and blue skies as far as the eyes can see. Motoring enthusiasts near and far dressed in their best clothing and rode the roads on board their prized machines from old-school Vespas, custom choppers to far-out cruisers.

It was indeed a sight to behold for DGR fans as well as spectators who were lucky enough to witness the massive convoy. It was indeed one of the most stylish charity events that is unlike any other here in good ol’ Malaysia.

In total, over 90,000 riders from across the globe participated in this year’s DGR and a total of USD4,285,236 (around RM17.9 million) have been collected which is not bad at all considering their target was USD5 million. These were also possible thanks to the major supporters of the ride, Triumph Motorcycles, Zenith Watches and Hedon Helmets.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride or simply known as DGR is an international charity event in support of the Movember Foundation men’s health program. All the proceeds are donated fully towards the research of prostate cancer on both local and international platforms. To make the funds even more useful, suicide prevention has been added under the list of support.

The founder of the ride, Mark Hawwa from Australia, was actually inspired by Don Draper from the TV series Mad Men. A photo of Dan Draper on board a classic bike while wearing his best suit started it all.

He organised this themed ride with hopes to change the negative stereotyping of men on motorcycles while at the same time connect motorcycle communities for a good cause. What a lad.

Check out the massive gallery from yesterday’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Kuala Lumpur 2017, below!

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Jorge Lorenzo set for MotoGP return?

It’s not even 2020 yet and already talks about the recently retired Repsol Honda rider, Jorge Lorenzo, making a MotoGP comeback for next season. We’re still not sure on what his new role will be in the MotoGP paddock but rest assured, it won’t be competing in the races (at least, not anytime soon).

According to a recent interview between Jorge Lorenzo and Red Bull TV, he stated “I will definitely be in the paddock again. There will be something that I can announce soon.” This comes to as no surprise considering his massive amount of success and talent throughout his colourful career filled with multiple championship titles as well as experience in piloting three different (recent) factory bikes.

While Lorenzo might look like he’s enjoying life to the fullest at the moment (check out his Instagram and try not to be too jealous), keeping a man with that amount of talent and passion away from MotoGP is pretty difficult. Just look at the likes of Casey Stoner, Max Biaggi and more. With that being said, what will Lorenzo’s new role be in MotoGP?

There are a lot of possibilities laid out for the Spaniard but the most probability lies in him landing a role as a test rider. It’s essentially the perfect role for retired racers like Casey Stoner who still wants to ride but don’t want any of the pressure related to racing. Developing a MotoGP bike and getting paid massive amounts of money with none of the pressure? Heaven!

The question now is, which factory squad will he be providing his assistance to? We’re pretty sure that HRC Honda is out of the question considering how the factory is already glued to the very particular riding style of Marc Marquez.

Yamaha might be in the picture considering that Lorenzo is stylistically perfect for the bike’s riding style. Then there’s also rumours surrounding him providing a supporting role for Aprilia. Our wildcard guess? Jorge Lorenzo will help develop the Suzuki GSX-RR. Many have said that the GSX-RR seems like the perfect fit for Lorenzo’s riding style and we’re pretty sure Suzuki has noticed that as well.

Whatever the case may be, Jorge Lorenzo will always be an integral part of MotoGP and we’re pretty sure that fans will be excited to know of his paddock return next season no matter the role. He’s genuinely a cool guy, despite his occasional witty remarks and brutal honesty when on the track, but that’s Jorge Lorenzo for you.
Image source: MotoGP
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KTM 390 Adventure rumour surfaces again

KTM 390 Adventure rumoured again, allegedly already undergoing road tests in India.

We have known for a while already (read here and here) that Austrian bike brand KTM has set its sights in expanding its small cc model range with the possible addition of an ‘Adventure’ model based on the firm’s already successful 390 Duke naked model (pictured above).
Now, it seems that the model could be coming very soon as rumours have surfaced indicating that the upcoming ‘KTM 390 Adventure’ is being road-tested in India. The specific location mentioned in this rumour sounds about right as KTM presently produces its small-displacement models in India.

Sources are reporting that the orange-liveried marque has already begun road-testing at least two prototypes of the KTM 390 Adventure, which reportedly bears the codename ‘KT22’. This R&D effort could indeed be a sign that the model will head into production very soon in the brand’s plant located in Bajaj, India.
The KTM 390 Duke platform, which weighs in at a very light 136kg dry, would indeed allow the creation of a very enticing lightweight Adventure (ADV) bike. The platform has already spawned a range of sports models we come to know as the RC range – read RC125, RC200, and RC390.
This particular market segment has seen a shift in its demand recently, with many buyers wanting a bike with a significantly lighter weight. The segment is presently dominated by larger and heavier offerings, with the BMW R1200GS sitting at the very top of the pyramid.
While this rumour is indeed exciting, KTM will likely debut its rumoured 390 Adventure sometime in 2016 at the very earliest.
Sources: CarTrade.com via Asphaltandrubber and Visordown
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Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2015 – Malaysian riders introduced

Five Malaysian youngsters competing in the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2015 introduced.

Asia’s premier Moto3 racing series marks its second edition this year, following its successful inaugural running last year. The Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2015 season will open next weekend at the Buriram Circuit, Thailand where it will be held as a support event to the second round of the World Superbikes Championship (WSBK).

This year, five Malaysians riders will form up the grid, with four them making a return form last year’s roster, accompanied by one new rookie. A special introduction ceremony was held earlier today. Amongst the guests present included Sepang International Circuit (SIC) CEO Datuk Razlan Razali, as well as Troy Chapman, Cluster General Manager, Shell Lubricants SEA.

Returning to grid this year are non other than Shafiq Rasol, Fakhrusy Rostam, Adam Norrodin, and Helmi Azman. Joining the foursome is newbie Azroy Anuar who made the cut from the selection process held after last year Malaysian MotoGP race weekend.

Azroy comes fresh out of the venerable Malaysian Cub Prix and KBS-MAM Kapcai Endurance series, just like the returning four riders. The youngster hailing from Kajang, Selangor has got the ambition to match his talent, with the hopes of one becoming a world champion.

Shafiq, the soft-spoken Malacca native, looks set on improving his 2014 performance. Shafiq was regarded as the best performing Malaysian rider in the series last year after becoming the first to break the all-Japanese podium domination, and the first non Japanese rider to score a race win. Shafiq also went on to end the 2014 season by placing 5th in the championship standings.

Adam Norordin, on the other hand, becomes the only Malaysian rider from the Asia Talent Cup Grid to expand his horizons. Alongside three other Japanese riders, Adam will compete in both the Asia Talent Cup series and the Spanish CEV Moto3 championship as well. Suffice to say, both Adam and Shafiq will be two riders to look out for once the season begins next weekend in Thailand.
BikesRepublic.com will be bringing you extensive coverage of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup 2015 season throughout the year. Watch this space for more. In the meantime, you can check out more photos from the recently held media introduction session with our national riders in the gallery below, or by visiting our official Facebook page as well.

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New prices and special offers from Triumph Malaysia

The beautiful Thruxton R
Triumph Malaysia lowers Bonneville T120 and Thruxton R prices and kick-starts Triumph Fuyoo sales campaign.

Exclusive Malaysian Triumph motorcycles importer and distributor Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd (Triumph Malaysia) have announced new and lower prices for the Triumph Bonneville T120 and Triumph Thruxton R models.

Starting this month, the Triumph Bonneville T120 (and T120 Black) goes on sale from RM72,900 (with GST)*, marking a reduction of RM7,000 from the original launch price of RM79,900 (with GST)*.

The flagship Triumph Thruxton R, on the other hand, enjoys an equally huge price reduction of RM8,000 as it goes on sale this month from RM83,900 (with GST)* instead of RM91,900 (with GST)* when launched.

Prices for the popular Triumph Street Twin entry-level model however remains unchanged at RM55,900 (with GST)*.
Triumph Malaysia also clarified that all premium paint scheme options will cost an additional RM1,000. This applies for the matt black schemes available for the flagship Thruxton R and the entry-level Street Twin models, as well as the Matt Graphite and two-tone colour schemes for the Bonneville T120.

In light of this price reduction, the firm has not neglected customers who have bought the Thruxton R and Bonneville T120 previously. Current owners of both models will each be rewarded with in-store credit voucher that is equal in worth with the models’ respective price difference.
That aside, Triumph Malaysia also announced the start of its new and two-month long Triumph Fuyoo sales campaign. Running until September 30th, the campaign will reward customers with plenty of discounts and savings for purchases of the Tiger 800 and Street Triple model.

Starting with the Tiger 800, the campaign sees the introduction of the new Triumph Tiger 800 XR variant into the firm’s line up. Powered by Triumph’s signature 799cc triple-cylinder powertrain and primed with ABS as standard, the new entry-level adventure sport model is on sale with an attractive introductory basic sales price of RM59,900 (with GST)* during this campaign.

As for purchases of the Tiger800 XRx and Tiger XCx variants (low ride height variants included), Triumph Malaysia will offer aluminium side panniers and brackets for just RM1,000 instead of the usual price of RM4,800. Alternatively, customers can opt for in-store credit of RM2,000 plus a Triumph Trek adventure riding jacket instead of the panniers as well.

Lastly comes the campaign’s offers on the Triumph Street Triple model. Each Street Triple purchased during the campaign will benefit with a RM3,000 cash rebate, RM2,000 in-store credit voucher, complimentary one-year insurance and road tax, as well as free tank bag.

Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd will also offer 40% discounts on all Street Triple accessories prior to each purchase’s delivery.
Visit the Triumph Flagship Store in Petaling Jaya to know more about the Triumph Fuyoo campaign and its offers.

BONUS: Customers visiting the Triumph Flagship Store in Petaling Jaya this weekend will be treated with a Durian Fest on Saturday from 3pm to 6 pm followed by a Lamb BBQ party on Sunday from 3pm to 6pm as well.
(* – Prices stated include GST but NOT on-the-road costs i.e. insurance, registration, etc.)
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MotoGP: Stoner returns in Honda tests

Casey Stoner

In the next few months, retired double world champion Casey Stoner will return in the hot seat of a MotoGP race bike for a series of tests with Honda.
The 27-year-old Aussie rider will take park in a series of four test session with Honda’s R&D team at the Motegi circuit. The tests is set to aid in the RC213V’s evolution, and to contribute in the development of the new production-based racer that Honda will supply to selected teams next season.
Honda insists that Stoner will not make a return to active competition in MotoGP anytime soon, ruling out the rumours of a wildcard entry either at Motegi or the Aussie’s home course in Philip Island this year as well. As many would know, Stoner has an undefeated winning record at the Philip Island circuit, winning the event in the last six years.
Adding to this, Stoner also reaffirms that he has no urge to return, citing his content over the decision to stop racing seven months ago. “Sometimes I miss riding my RCV, so I am happy that HRC asked me to do some tests in Motegi this year.” Stoner currently competes on four wheels in the Australian-based V8 Supercars Development Series.
Image: http://www.caseystoner.com.au
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Naza Premira Streamlines Sales and After Sales Operations

Piaggio, Vespa and Aprilia will all be placed under one roof in Naza Automall, Petaling Jaya

The new Piaggio Motoplex Concept Showroom and Naza Premira Technical Centre for after-sale services

Naza Premira Sdn. Bhd., the official distributor for Piaggio, Vespa and Aprilia products in Malaysia, has updated its operations by bringing all of the three brands at the Piaggio Motoplex Concept Showroom at the Naza Automall, Petaling Jaya. This effort was made to further boost the excellent sales experience for customers in terms of giving them a total overall view of the three brands, which are now housed under the same roof.

Naza Premira Sdn Bhd has also updated its After Sales Division for Piaggio Group products with the set up of the Naza Premira Technical Centre, situated within the Naza Automall, Petaling Jaya compound. Customers still have the freedom to choose to service their bikes at the authorized service centres available around the country.

All authorised service centres in Malaysia have been given a complete technical training from Naza Premira After-Sales Division and Technical Trainer from Piaggio Asia Pacific in Hanoi, Vietnam. These service centres are now equipped with an exclusive Piaggio Advance Diagnostic System (P.A.D.S) that can perform several technical analyses such as downloading the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) Data that can be reset and reprogrammed while remapping and checking error code for any trouble-shooting.

According to Mr Farouk Faisal, CEO of Naza Premira Sdn Bhd, “By streamlining the after sales division we have gained good support from our authorised service centres hence there is an increment of 200 percent for Piaggio brand parts sales nationwide. We are currently holding more than RM2 million worth of parts and accessories and our authorized dealers holding more than RM300,000 worth of parts and accessories.”

Mr Farouk went on by stating “With this initiative, we ensure that our customers will have an ease of mind when buying any of our products where we provide complete services via our Sales, Service and Spare Parts,”

The Piaggio Motoplex Concept Showroom will have its official launching in the second quarter of 2017. It will be a revolutionary new retail concept showroom that showcases the very best of Piaggio Group. The new setup offers visitors an option to discover what makes the Piaggio, Vespa and Aprilia brands worthy of owning right here in Malaysia.

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Introducing Tatamel Bike, The Convenient Foldable E-Bike

Japanese bike manufacturer ICOMA has unveiled Tatamel Bike, an electric bike that can be folded to fit into small spaces.
The Tatamel Bike measures just 700mm long, 680mm tall and 260mm wide when folded, making it the most convenient e-bike ever produced.

Equipped with a lithium iron phosphate battery, the e-bike can reach a top speed of 40km/h and is capable of getting around 50km range at full charge.
Interestingly, the rectangular side panels can also be customised with various colours and materials according to one’s liking.

According to reports, ICOMA is readying the Tatamel Bike for mass production with the official release and price set to be announced at a later date.
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PEKEMA Riders Club launched

Newly initiated PEKEMA Riders Club aims to consolidate all motorcycle owners who buy their bikes with members of PEKEMA.

The Persatuan Pengimpot dan Peniaga Kenderaan Melayu Malaysia, better known as PEKEMA, marked a major milestone over the weekend when the association launched its first ever PEKEMA Riders Club.

The launch, held on Saturday in the Saloma Bistro and Theatre Restaurant, KL, brought various clubs together, both big and small, to celebrate its initiation. These included our friends from the Ducati Club of Malaysia (DCM), as well as other prominent groups such as the Harley-Davidson Owners Group (HOG) Malaysia Chapter, and the Air Force Bikers Community. Also present were celebrity bikers Awie and Fauziah Latiff.

Through the club’s formation, the organisation aims to consolidate all motorcycle owners who purchased their bikes from PEKEMA member entities, regardless of bike brand, model, and type. Appointed as the club’s president is Datuk SM Zulkifli SM Amin. Datuk SM Zulkifli is also the managing director of SMS Auto World Sdn Bhd, Malaysian distributor and importer of Moto Guzzi motorcycles.

Several top-tier EXCO members of PEKEMA were present during the auspicious launch ceremony. Also present alongside Datuk SM Zulkifli during the ceremony was PEKEMA president Datuk Haji Zainuddin Abd. Rahman.

“This club was formed not to overshadow all other existing motorcycle clubs in Malaysia. Instead, the club would serve as a universal platform that allows all consumers to directly interact with their bike sellers who are members of PEKEMA,” explained Datuk SM Zulkifli during his opening speech. He further stated that part of the club’s activities besides group rides will involve acts of charity to benefit communities in need through PEKEMA’s very own charity arm.

A symbolic plaque signing ceremony was held on stage witnessed by many club and club members present, alongside PEKEMA’s own EXCO members, and a select group of journalists. Shortly after, Datul Zulkifli, alongside PEKEMA president Datuk Haji Zainuddin proceeded presenting donations and contributions to a few deserving non-governmental organisations and several folks in need.

Membership is open to all bikers in Malaysia, with a one-time membership payment fee of RM60. Registration form as well as further details can be acquired via PEKEMA’s official website.
PEKEMA Riders Club Launch @ Saloma Bistro and Theatre Restaurant, KL
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Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid Breaks Cover – Features 23L Twin-Tank

After months of leaks, patents and prototype photos, Yamaha has officially ready to take on the world with the new 2022 Tenere 700 World Raid.
First seen as a Tenere 700 Raid Prototype at EICMA last year, the Japanese later showcased the production-ready version back in January in the form of design leaks.

However, the finished version looks so much more spectacular, given it looks like something that just came off the recently concluded Dakar Rally.
While the World Raid shares the same front headlamp and a rear tail unit like the base Tenere 700, the new variants gained a bigger and more muscular fuel tank thanks to a twin-tank setup.

The twin-tank hangs on either side of the frame and engine, fed by side-by-side filler caps and fits the look of a Dakar Rally inspired machine.
Moreover, the twin-tank can carry 23liters of fuel, that’s 7liters more than the standard Tenere 700 and can take the bike up to 480 km of range.

Despite the twin-tank setup creating a more extensive front end, it also helps to fit in the motocross-style saddle, allowing riders to shift accordingly while riding off-road.
The new seat sits 890mm off the ground (12mm higher than the stock Tenere 700) to provide better clearance.

Other significant updates include:

new 5-inch TFT full-colour display (portrait orientation)
 USB socket
three-mode ABS
43mm KYB fork with 228mm travel (adjustable preload, compression and rebound)
rear aluminium piggyback shock (adjustable preload, compression and rebound)
taller front screen
new detachable side-deflectors
under-engine aluminium bash plate

Despite the bigger and taller setup, the Tenere 700 World Raid runs on the same 689cc parallel-twin CP2 engine.
According to Yamaha, the new Tenere 700 World Raid will reach a worldwide dealership in May.

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MotoGP Virtual Race happening this Sunday

The entire MotoGP circus is currently put on hold due to all the restrictions placed to combat the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. The organisers have been looking into other ways to bring some motorsports action for the fans and this Sunday (29 March 2020), the premier class riders will be facing off in their very first MotoGP Virtual Race!

All of the top MotoGP athletes have been invited to partake in this online Virtual Race from Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT), Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), and the reigning world champion, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda).

The riders will be going wheel to wheel on the official MotoGP videogame developed by Milestone. It’s the same game that the MotoGP eSport Championship will take place in 2020 so it’s definitely a good platform to keep these elite riders on their toes, especially track configuration and possible strategies for their upcoming physical races.

This Sunday, the riders will be facing off at the Autodromo del Mugello circuit with six laps planned after a five-minute qualifying session. Want to catch it live? Subscribe yourselves for free now (VideoPass Trial) on the MotoGP official website as the whole event will be live-streamed this Sunday at 3 pm GMT (11 pm Malaysian time) onwards on various social media platforms.

It’s a very good idea to get the VideoPass trial now as you watch all the premium MotoGP content such as documentaries, interviews, and all the classic races dating back to 1992. If you’re itching for some two-wheel racing or simply would like to know more about your favourite riders, the free VideoPass trial is the way to go. It’s free until the first race of the season!
Source: MotoGP
Bored at home? Watch MotoGP premium videos for FREE!

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Marvel x HJC special edition helmets for sale!

Helmets come in all sorts of designs, constructions, and endless choices. All the top brands are out there trying to market the best products and one of the best ways to do so is via collaborations with other big names. HJC helmets has got that down to an art and you can get these special edition models, available on our Bikes Republic online store!

Looking for a helmet designed for track riding and racing? Go for their top-of-the-range HJC RPHA 11 but not just any regular RPHA 11. Are you a Marvel fan? Have an unhealthy obsession or connection with their anti-hero, Deadpool? We have one in stock and it is definitely fire, especially with its carbon-fibre and Kevlar shell construction.

Some of the features you can find on all HJC RPHA 11 helmets are:

Optimized shell design for outstanding air flow ventilation system
RapidFire™ Shield Replacement System: Simple and secure shield ratchet system provides ultra-quick, tool-less removal and installation for efficient operations
Aerodynamic shell structure for extreme performance at maximum speeds
Emergency Kit (Cheek Pads) for safe and quick rescue in emergency situations
Wider eye port provides better peripheral vision for riders
Enhanced Shield Dual Lock System for high-speed racing condition
Multicool Interior with advanced anti-bacteria fabric provides enhanced moisture-wicking and quick drying function than the previous generation
Crown and cheek pads are removable and washable
Comes standard with both the 2D Dark Smoke Shield and the Anti-fog insert lens

If you’re a fan of Pixar animated movies, we’re pretty sure that you had a heart-to-heart moment when you watch the film, Cars 3. That old-school new-school rivalry between the legendary Lightning McQueen and the futuristic bad boy, Jackson Storm is the battle of the ages and we have a couple of HJC RPHA 11 special edition helmets in stock for both iconic characters!

If sport-touring helmets are the ones on your list, check out the HJC RPHA 70. In essence, it’s similar to the RPHA 11 which was designed for racing but in the case of the RPHA 70, more comfort has been injected without losing any of those safety aspects offered on their highest range model (and it’s still approved for race use!)

We have one special unit in stock with the special graphics portraying one of the most iconic Marvel superheroes of all time, the REAL leader of the X-Men (arguably), Mr Wolverine! Combining those iconic colours with the RHPA 70’s high levels of comfort and safety is a match made in heaven and it’s one hell of a beauty.

We also have other affordable options in stock which come in the form of the HJC i70 full-face helmets. This is a great way to elevate your riding experience with improved safety without breaking the bank. The HJC i70 is available in all sorts of colourway but we have two cool ones depicting the characters from DC’s Flash and Marvel’s Deadpool.

To know more about all these special edition HJC helmets, head over to our online store by CLICKING HERE. Other products are also on sale, including the Shark Spartan Carbon which is now going at 40% discount AND free delivery for those living in the Klang Valley area.
HJC i70 Helmet Test & Review

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Top Kawasaki Motorcycle Clubs in Malaysia

Looking for a Kawasaki group to join? Here are some of the top Kawasaki motorcycle clubs in Malaysia.
Some of the most active Kawasaki groups in the country are the Kawasaki Owners Group (KOG), Wilhin Motor Group and Welly Advance Bikers.
Other honourable mentions are the Kawasaki Lady Bikers, Z800 HaVoC, ZX-6R / ZX-10R Community Malaysia, Z250 Malaysia, Z900 Malaysia Owners and many more.
Image source: Wilhin Motor Group

Those weekend rides are never complete without a leisure ride to your favourite hangout spot to have some lovely breakfast or lunch. However, these places are nothing special without the companionship of all the lovely riders and bikers from the respective motorcycle groups.

It’s hard to deny that all rides are made better if you participate with a group of folks who have the same interest and style as you do, right? Today, we’re going to look at some of the top Kawasaki motorcycle clubs that have been established here in Malaysia.

One of the biggest and most active when it comes to rides and participation with the Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (KMSB) is the Wilhin Motor Group. These boys and girls are always coming up with fun and interesting things to do when it comes to motorcycles.
Image source: Wilhin Motor Group
Apart from the usual breakfast ride and TTS (Teh Tarik Session), they even organised a riding clinic focusing on proper basic riding techniques when it comes to big bikes. It’s not every day you get to see a Kawasaki authorised dealer being so proactive in their after-sales department.
Image source: Wilhin Motor Group
Another big group in the Malaysian Kawasaki scene is folks from the Welly Advance Bikers group. They are based on an authorised Kawasaki dealer located in Batu Caves where on any given Sunday no matter rain or shine, you are most likely to meet or see one of them cruising down the roads.
Image source: Welly Advance
Known for their charity work, Welly Advance is one of the more active groups that regularly participate in anything that KMSB has planned. From rides to help out multiple nations to organising Hari Raya open houses for orphanages, joining the Welly Advance family will ensure that you’ll enjoy yourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.

The Kawasaki Owners Group (KOG) is also a frequent participant in events conducted by the principal KMSB. From dinners to launches or anything Kawasaki related, the folks from KOG will make sure that they make their way to the event grounds no matter rain or shine.

One prime example was during the fasting month not too long ago where KMSB together with KOG cooked up a huge batch of bubur lambuk (savoury rice porridge) to be given out to orphanages, fire stations, police stations and the homeless around the Klang Valley area. They even managed to collect a huge sum of funds to be donated while cooking up the porridge!

To know more, CLICK HERE.

Feel like riding with a bunch of tough and amazing lady riders, instead? Have no fear because the Kawasaki Lady Bikers are here! Comprising of only ladies, these individuals ride a variety of Kawasaki machines. Some are known to ride just as fast (if not faster) during the many track days organised at the Sepang International Circuit.

There are many other established Kawasaki motorcycle clubs here in the country that are specific to the type of Kawasaki models you own or wish to own in the future. Some of the honourable mentions are the Z800 HaVoC, ZX-6R / ZX-10R Community Malaysia, Z250 Malaysia, Z900 Malaysia Owners and many, MANY more.

So if you’re worried about looking for a motorcycle club to go on rides, perform charities, ripping through the race circuits or just a nice relaxing Sunday ride to the local breakfast spot, rest assured that there is always one that’s perfect for you when you purchase a Kawasaki motorcycle.

Not sure on which bike to buy? New at big bikes? Go for the 2017 Kawasaki Z650 ABS or Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS and you’ll come out as a winner. To know more, CLICK HERE.

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How Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus will make Valentino Rossi richer

Cristiano Ronaldo just completed a big money move to Italian giants Juventus from Real Madrid.
The demand for Juventus apparel will soon spike as soon as Ronaldo’s new jersey hits the shops.
Valentino Rossi’s popular merchandising company, the VR46 Racing Apparel company, is the official supplier of all Juventus related merchandise, and other big name racers and companies.

It seems odd that Valentino Rossi will stand to profit from Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent move to Italian football club, Juventus. But that is exactly what is set to happen.

According to reports, the VR46 Racing Apparel company which belongs to Rossi, and one that specializes in the production of merchandise for popular athletes and companies, is in fact producing all merchandise for Juventus as well.

The VR46 Racing Apparel company produces all merchandise for some top MotoGP riders including Marc Marquez, but that ended in 2016. The company still produces merchandise for Daniel Pedrosa, Cal Crutchlow, Kevin Schwantz and others.
As for companies, the company produces merchandise for the Juventus football club, Yamaha, Monster Energy, KTM, Dainese, AGV, Oakley, GoPro and even Lamborghini.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 100 million Euro transfer to Juventus is expected to lead to a spike in demand for Juventus apparel, which would inadvertently result in more business for the VR46 Racing Apparel company.
The VR46 Racing Apparel is rumored to have closed the 2017 fiscal year with a profit of 30 million Euros.
And that is how Valentino Rossi will make money from Ronaldo’s transfer.
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More Supercharged Kawasaki Motorcycles coming soon?

Based on a few reliable sources, more supercharged Kawasaki motorcycles will emerged in 2018 to follow up with the success of the Kawasaki H2 and H2R.
Following rumours mainly fuelled by images rendered by Young Machine, the possibility of seeing more than one forced induction bikes from Team Green is higher than we think.
So far, 2018 is looking at either the Kawasaki R2, S2 or H2 GT with the R2 being rumoured to be a middleweight supercharged bike with the ZX-6R styling.

Ever since the revival of the manic forced induction Kawasaki H2 and H2R as the world’s first ever production supercharged motorcycle, there has been a lot more news and rumours pointing towards the possibility of more supercharged machineries coming out from the giant green Japanese manufacturer.

Looking at all the news and rumours especially the renditions from a famous Japanese motorcycling magazine Young Machine, they’ve rendered around three possible supercharged two-wheelers from Kawasaki; the R2, S2 and H2 GT.

Although none of these said bikes have been confirmed just yet, we’ve concluded based on our research and a few reliable sources that the hype is more real than we think. The most likely out of the three is the already patented R2 which is said be powered by a middleweight supercharged 600cc engine.

If this turns out to be true, we reckoned that it will spearhead the revival of middleweight sports bike in the motorcycling industry. With less and less demand for this sort of bikes in the market, the R2 will definitely add a much needed excitement especially when the said supercharged engine can rival any litre sports bikes (or even put them to shame).

Some folks are also saying that the R2 might belong in the ZX-R family. So, does that technically mean the R2 will actually be a supercharged Kawasaki ZX-6R? The idea sounds so enticing that it’s sending an exciting tingling sensation down this particular writer’s back.
CLICK HERE to know more about the patents filed for the Kawasaki R2.

Regarding the Kawasaki S2, there’s not much news surrounding it other than the rendered image from Young Machine. This is probably because it is said to be in the same category as the R2 with a supercharged 650cc twin engine similar to the Suzuki Recursion Concept project.

CLICK HERE to know more about the Kawasaki S2.

The other reason is the fact that patents were already filed for the R2 while the S2 is still an idea floating around but as history has turned out so far, never say never.
CLICK HERE to read more on the Suzuki Recursion concept bike.

Considering the super successful supercharged litre bike from Kawasaki that is the H2 and track only H2R, coming up with an updated version is inevitable. The question now is how do you make something that’s already so good and crazy even better and crazier?

We again refer to Young Machine and the possibility of a new and improved H2 based on patents filed earlier this year showing a bike that looks like an H2 but with a much longer front fairing and moveable winglets. The new aero package is said to provide even more downforce than the present H2.

The moveable winglets indicate that Kawasaki is playing around with the idea of active aerodynamics which again, has never been applied to any production motorcycles before. If all goes well, Team Green will again dominate the two-wheel market and elevate the technology of motorcycles straight into the stratosphere.
Stay tuned to Bikes Republic for more updates.
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Next-Gen Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade: Here’s What We Know So Far

Honda’s journey with its CBR series, starting from the 893cc CBR900RR in 1992, has been nothing short of revolutionary.

The newest 2022 CBR1000RR-R FireBlade showcases this well, incorporating technology directly from Honda’s MotoGP playbook.
The bike boasts an advanced engine with European performance figures of 213.9 horsepower and 112Nm of torque.

Despite minor dips in these numbers, largely attributed to adjustments to the catalytic converter, the motorcycle remains a technical marvel.
Updates for the 2022 model include a slightly longer wheelbase and an optimized air-box for smoother airflow. The engine continues to share design elements with the RC213V MotoGP bike, including a unique semi-cam gear train system for the valve train and friction-reducing DLC coating on the camshaft lobes.

What’s even more intriguing are the whispers about the 2024 model. Rumor has it that it may sport a broader tail and larger wings.
However, there’s also buzz about Honda implementing active aerodynamics technology that they patented in 2019. This could mean winglets that adjust in real-time to reduce drag, although Honda has yet to confirm this.

Despite emission regulations are getting stricter, but if anyone can rise to the challenge, it’s Honda. Their track record of technological innovation and performance optimization suggests that the 2024 CBR1000RR-R could set new standards, not just meet them.
Also, with the current production and factory bike getting a nasty beat down in both WorldSBK and MotoGP, the Japanese marquee could feel motivated to produce a potent superbike on par with it’s rivals. Could the rumoured CBR1000RR-R Fireblade set for launch in 2024 the that bike? We’ll find out soon enough.
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Cub Prix: Azroy Hakeem To Pilot The Honda RSX Ahead Of The 2022 Season

CP150 defending champion Azroy Hakeem Anuar is set to return to the Petronas Malaysian Cub Prix with a new machine.
The Honda Yuzy Idemitsu rider will ride onboard the all-new Honda RSX 150 that was recently launched in Malaysia at the end of 2021.

This will be the first time that the RSX will make its bow at the championship.
Meanwhile, Azroy is looking forward to defending his championship with the new motorcycle.

“My goal for this year is to maintain the champion title.
“The Honda RSX-150 will replace the Honda RS150 motorcycle which was used previously in the championship.
“We are confident with the abilities of the motorcycle and this season, we hope to not just maintain the title of champion for CP150 but also hail as team champion for the CP150 category,”  he said.

As a defending champion, the new Honda RSX 150 will also feature the #1, which was last used in 2014 by Zaqhwan Zaidi.
The 2022 Petronas Malaysian Cub Prix will kickstart at Sepang International Circuit from 12-13 March.
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Top Motorcycle Designers (Part 2) – John Britten

JOHN BRITTEN AND THE V-1000
I could still remember my exact feelings when I picked up the June 1992 issue of Cycle World Magazine from a kiosk in Lot 10. On the cover was a so radical that it looked like a hippie Xenomorph (the alien in the Alien movie franchise) in blue and pink. Or at least this would be the Xeno Queen’s ride if she’s into motorcycles.

But look at those front “forks”! Those exhaust pipes! That big yellow Öhlins shock absorber hanging in front of the engine!
The copy on the magazine’s cover shouted, “THE WORLD’S MOST ADVANCED MOTORCYCLE”.
I promptly paid for the mag and hurried to the Delifrance café to read more about this “Britten V-1100.”
It was then that I discovered that was actually homebuilt. Yes, built in a certain genius’ backyard!
That guy’s name was John Britten.

John Britten didn’t hail from Italy, Germany or Japan, instead, he was a humble guy born in 1950, in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Britten studied mechanical engineering at a night school. This wasn’t mentioned in the mag, but I only found out while researching for this article. John Britten suffered from dyslexia.
He went to work with ICI as a cadet draughtsman afterwards. It was here that he learned to design moulds, patterns, metal spinning and other engineering designs.

Britten then embarked on a short stint in England, where he worked with a renowned civil engineering firm to build links to the M1 and M4 motorways.
When he returned to New Zealand, he became the design engineer for Rowe Engineering’s offroad equipment. He also built glass kilns and went into business as a fine artist designing and making glass lighting by hand, before joining the family property management and development business.

But John Britten had a love for motorcycles.
He was an amateur racer in New Zealand. He wanted to make something more out of his classic bevel-drive Ducati, but the engine was unreliable and the chassis didn’t handle the way he liked. He turned to a Denco engine from New Zealand, but that too proved to be unfeasible. Furthermore, ordering parts from the outside world meant they would take too long to find their way to New Zealand at the time. (It was before the internet an eBay.)

In search of the perfect race bike, Britten thus decided to build an entire bike himself.
That bike soon came to be known the world over as the Britten V1000.
But Britten didn’t have sophisticated CAD/CAM and CNC machines, windtunnels and, an army of engineers like the major manufacturers did. All he did have was his home’s garage and a few good friends.
So how do you form the outline of a motorcycle then? Britten did it by cutting lengths of gardening wire and stuck them together with a glue gun. A clay model was then built around this frame which became the mould of the carbon fibre bodywork and other components.

The front wishbone “forks,” swingarm, bodywork and even wheels were made of carbon fibre!

Speaking of carbon fibre, Britten didn’t draw up the parts and had them made by specialist makers. Nope uh-uh, he and his mates painstakingly laid the carbon fibre material and moulded the parts themselves at home. And since this was during the late-80’s and early-90’s – the black stuff was used extensively only in Formula 1 at the time.

Homemade specials are usually the amalgam of the bodywork, frame, parts of the chassis, while the engine is usually sourced from existing motorcycles. But since Britten was frustrated by commercially produced engines and the lack of parts, the V1000’s engine would likewise be built from scratch.

Parts of the engine were hand cast and heat treated in Britten’s wife’s pottery kiln. There was a video of Britten extracting the oil sump from the kiln, then pouring water on it from plastic pails to cool it down. Some of the water came from the swimming pool.
The four-stroke, 8-valve, 60-degree, 999cc, V-Twin engine made 165bhp. Its ECU was programmable and also featured data-acquisition. Two versions of the engine were produced, one at 1000cc and another at 1100cc, as different race events allow different capacity caps. But most were 1000cc machines.

The innovations didn’t stop there. Everything on the bike conformed to the “design follows function” principle.
Britten didn’t like the way suspension systems of the day performed so he built the Hossack-style double wishbone front suspension system. The girders were attached to an Öhlins shock via linkages that allowed the rake and trail to be easily altered. This set up also isolated the front suspension from using up a good part of its travel during hard braking.

The large Öhlins shock behind the front wheel was in fact for the rear suspension, attached to the swingarm with linkages. Britten did so to isolate it from the rear exhaust’s heat which degrades a shock’s performance. Besides that, it made adjusting the shock much easier, compared to shoving hands and tools into a tiny space.

Speaking of the exhaust, those blue coloured, intestine-like exhaust downtubes took that form to achieve equal pipe lengths.

The radiator was mounted under the rider’s seat and intakes in the front of the fairing brought cooling air to it. It was done so to bring the front wheel closer to the engine to centralize mass and keep a short wheelbase, way before the major manufacturers had did anything about it.

The V1000 was essentially “frameless.” The front end and swingarm were connected directly to the engine, which was then connected to the tank as a fully stressed member, somewhat reminiscent of the groundbreaking Vincent Black Shadow/Black Lightning and the Kawaski KR500 GP racer. But those tanks were steel, unlike the V1000’s. The V1000’s frameless carbon fibre concept was later seen in the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 in 2009, followed by the Ducati 1199 Panigale in 2011.

The V1000 weighed in at 138 kg (that’s just 4 kg more than the KTM 200 Duke), and with 165 bhp, that equaled a magnificent power-to-weight ratio of 1.19 bhp/kg. Yes, current MotoGP racers and even some streetbikes do better than that but again, this was in 1991.

If these concepts were already mind-blowing to say the least, there’s probably no superlative to describe it as the V1000 was entirely home- and handmade.

But so what, if the concepts didn’t work right? The Britten V-1000 became a legend due to its performance on the racetrack.

The most lasting impression in most people’s minds was the V1000 pulling a wheelie while passing the factory Ducati at the 1992 Daytona Supertwins race, propelling rider Andrew Stroud into the lead. The V1000 led until the penultimate lap when it stopped due to a faulty rectifier – ironically sourced from a Ducati. (One of the cylinder liners had also cracked on the previous day. Another part not built by Britten.) But the V1000 had cemented its place in history, having run up front in its maiden race. It was the indisputable proof that John Britten’s concept was viable!

The V1000 went on to dominate in 1993 and 1994, winning multiple races and the New Zealand National Championship and the British European and American Race Series (BEARS). Britten and team had developed the bike along the way and it won the 1995 BEARS Championship in commanding fashion by finishing 43 seconds ahead of its closest competitor.

Britten had tested the V1000 against the FIM World Speed Records in the 1000cc and under category, too. The bike broke the flying mile record at 302.705 km/h, the standing mile at 134.617 km/h, the standing mile start at 213.512 km/h, and standing start kilometer at 186.245 km/h. It was the fastest motorcycle in its class!
It may sound like a scary bike to ride but eminent motojournalists Alan Cathcart and Nick Ienatch, among the lucky few to have ridden the V1000 reported it to be smooth and easy to go fast on.

There was no doubt the V1000 would have gone further but it was not to be. John Britten was diagnosed with inoperable malignant melanoma (aggressive skin cancer) in 1995. He passed away on 5th September that same year, at the age of 45.
There were only ten Britten V1000 ever built, in addition to the one prototype.
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Ducati Australia Initiates Urgent Safety Recall

Ducati Australia issued an urgent safety recall for a possible rear brake pad issue.

Models affected are Hypermotard 939, 959 Panigale, 1299 Panigale, 1299 Panigale Final Edition and the new Panigale V4.

Countries affected are Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand and Canada for the time being.

Ducati Australia has issued an urgent safety recall for several models. The recall is to check if the the rear brake pads are coming loose.
The campaign covers the models Hypermotard 939, 959 Panigale, 1299 Panigale, 1299 Panigale Final Edition and the new Panigale V4.
According to the official notice, the brake pad could separate from the backing plate: “If the brake pad separates from the backing plate, this can cause a failure of the rear brake.”
Letters are being sent to owners in Australia, with instructions to contact their closest Ducati dealer to set an appointment to inspect or replace the rear brake pads.
Ducati has been mired in safety recall campaigns recently.
First was for the Brembo front brake master cylinder, although it was not due to the motorcycle manufacturer’s fault. Then there was the recall for the Panigale V4 catching fire and defective fuel tank cap, while the Supersport S melted its fuel tank overfill hose because it was assembled too closed to the horizontal exhaust manifold.
2018 Ducati Panigale V4 gets TWO recalls

The recall seemed to affect Ducati owners in Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand and Canada for the moment.
Owners may check on the manufacturer’s website if their motorcycle is involved in any safety recall campaign by clicking on this link http://www.ducati.com/services/recall_campaigns/index.do and keying in your bike’s VIN (vehicle identification number, or chassis number as it’s known locally).
Anyway, in our opinion, safety recalls should not paint a manufacturer as being bad; instead it should be taken positively as the manufacturer caring for their customers’ well-being.
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Piaggio sold 611,300 vehicles in 2019

Piaggio closed off the sales year of 2019 with a bang as they celebrated a revenue increase of 9.5%. In total, they’ve managed to deliver a total of 611,300 vehicles worldwide of which 399,600 of them were from their collection of two-wheel brands.

It was notable that their biggest segment that saw the most gain was the motorcycle segment, where they saw an increase of around 25% thanks to their most popular model from Moto Guzzi of 2019, the V85 TT. Aprilia also played a huge role in the 25% increase thanks to their several updated models from the powerful RSV4 right down to the entry-level SX 125.

The scooter segment within Piaggio also saw a revenue increase of 8.1% which came from their top popular models, the Piaggio MP3, Liberty, and their wide selection of modern Vespa machines. Both segments gained an increase in popularity in the Asian-Pacific market as well as North America with a rise of 14.5% and 23.7% respectively.

2020 looks like it’ll be an even bigger year for Piaggio both in sales and motorsports with the arrival of updated models such as the 2020 Aprilia RS660 and of course their MotoGP metal stallion, the Aprilia RS-GP. Malaysia is no exception as the new custodian of the brands plans to bring the heat for the new year.
Aprilia All Stars – The biggest Aprilia event in the world!

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One Moto Electa Electric Scooter Launched In India – 150km Battery Range

Imagine an all-electric Vespa, which is the easiest summary of the latest product by British brand, One Moto.
While the majority of electric scooters and motorcycles tend to feature modern design, the Electa on the other hand took a different approach.
Its round headlamp, curved footboard, and classic-looking body panels resemble the Vespa range to some extent.

It also features a circular instrument cluster that can be connected to the smartphone via an app that allows owners to access geo-fencing and maintenance alerts.
However, the most impressive feature of the Electa is its battery range of 150km contributed by a 72V45Ah removable lithium-ion unit.
Despite the classic look, the Electa can reach a respectable max speed of around 100km/h.
The company also claimed that the Electa is capable of carrying a capacity of 150kg.
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Next Generation Kawasaki H2 SX To Break Cover At EICMA 2021

In November, Kawasaki is set to unveil the next-generation H2 SX at EICMA 2021, as confirmed by new type-approval documents.
While it may not unveil the design cue, it reveals several vital features, including the adoption of radar sensor technology by Bosch.
The technology will offer adaptive cruise control and blindspot detection, the same feature you will find on the Ducati Multistrada V4 S, KTM 1290 Super Adventure R and BMW R 1250 RT.

Elsewhere, the H2 SX continues to deliver 197hp from its supercharged 998cc engine.
However, according to reports, Team Green has reworked the engine to ensure a smoother and quieter power flow than its predecessor.
The Japanese firm is also rumoured to introduce three new models alongside the H2 SX at EICMA, possibly the new generation ZX-6R.
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New Ducati Multistrada and 1299 Panigale rumoured

Rumours indicate Ducati are preparing an all-new Multistrada and 1299 Panigale for EICMA.

Rumours have surfaced indicating that  an “all-new” iteration of its Ducati Multistrada dual purpose, plus a presumably more potent ‘1299’ version of the Panigale superbike are coming. Sources report that both bikes will bow during the annual EICMA show in Milan, Italy later this year.
Perhaps the impending arrival of the BMW Motorrad S1000XR has spurred the Bologna-based institution at creating a revised version of its Multistrada. There is also word alleging that Ducati have already shut down the Multistrada’s assembly line in its plant located in Borgo Panigale. Furthermore, sources are also reporting that parts for the Multistrada 1200 are no longer available some channels.
While those allegations remains unconfirmed, Ducati’s aggressive end-of-summer dealer promotion reported al over Europe suggest that the brand want its dealers to clear off old stocks of the current Multistrada to make way for a newer version.

Next comes the confirmation of a new ‘1299’ version of the brand’s Panigale superbike series.The 1299 is reportedly a stop-gap model purpose-built to take advantage of WSBK’s new rules for 2015.
This likely means that the 1299 Panigale will feature engine revamps designed to keep Ducati competitive in WSBK. Rumours indicate that these upgrades and overhauls will grant the 1299 with an additional 10hp over the current 1199 Panigale superbike.
Details beyond what we just put here are scarce, but all that is set to change in less than six weeks once these two make their official appearance at the annual EICMA show in Milan.
Source: Asphaltandrubber (Source 1 / Source 2) and Visordown
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Onexox TKKR SAG Team pulls out from Moto2 2021

There has been much heat and debate regarding several issues surrounding the Onexox TKKR SAG Team and their ongoing efforts in the two-wheel motorsports industry. Today, we learned that they will be pulling out their efforts in the 2021 MotoGP intermediate class championship, Moto2.

The announcement was made by the team principal, Datuk Bobie Farid Shamsudin, via livestream on Facebook. It seems that the SAG squad has received an offer that they couldn’t refuse from the newly-formed Indonesian Mandalika Racing Team (MRT).

Revisi Design Livery, Pit Box, Baju Balap Dll Membuat Nama Mandalika Racing Team Tertunda Masuk dalam List Sementara,…
Posted by Mandalika Racing Team – MRT on Monday, November 23, 2020

We’re not entirely sure what the details of this new alliance between MRT and SAG are, but it looks like they’ll continue to acquire the services of Malaysia’s Moto2 rider, Kasma Daniel. Kasma also announced on his InstaStory that his new teammate for next season will be Thomas Luthi.

We’ve also heard that Kasma might be replaced with an Indonesian rider, Dimas Ekky Pratama. Official announcements from MRT is yet to be made, but there are still two years left in the contract between SAG and Kasma Daniel.

The Onexox TKKR squad will continue their efforts in other championships like CEV Repsol, Asia Road Racing, Malaysian Cub Prix, and many more. Their presence is known to make races more exciting and we’re pretty sure that more good things will come out of their efforts, like Azlan Shah winning the ARRC crown last season.
TESTED: 2020 Yamaha MT-25 – “Rush of Darkness”

Written by: Sep Irran
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