Archive for Bikes

Tyre pressure is very important in cars but do you realise that it is even more important with motorcycles? The only contact between your bike and the road is two tiny patches of rubber.

Motorcycle tyres are already much thinner than car tyres, and there is only a fraction of that which is the contact patch. So it’s really important that you keep your tyres in good condition.

Here are some tips from a London-based non-profit organisation named TyreSafe which was set up to raise awareness of the dangers of defective, worn or incorrectly inflated tyres.

• Check your tyre pressures from cold at least once a week using an accurate gauge

• Inflate tyres to the level recommended in the manufacturer’s handbook
• Inspect tyres for cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded into the tread pattern and replace if necessary
• Use dust caps to keep dirt away from the valve core and to act as a secondary air seal
• If your rims are cracked or bent they should be replaced immediately
• Check that your tread depth is not below the legal minimum
• Replace old or damaged valve stems
• Select the correct type of tyre for your machine and riding style
• Check that both tyres fitted to the bike are made by the same manufacturer and have the same tread pattern
• Make sure that your tyre has been fitted the right way round by checking the directional arrows on the sidewall
• When replacing tube type tyres always use a new inner tube
• Make sure your tyre/wheel assembly is balanced correctly
• Keep oil and grease off your tyres using detergent if necessary
• If you are unsure on any aspect of tyre pressure or tyre condition take your bike to an approved fitting centre and speak to the experts.

Feel free to add more below in the comments!

Story by Mohan K.R.

I remember a time when 2 strokes were ubiquitous on the road. Their light weight, knife edge power bands, a power to H.P. ratio that wouldn’t look out of place on the specifications sheet of a 750 c.c. bike.

The minimalist chassis, coupled with a sub-150 k.g. weight, meant that 2 strokes were suited for kamikaze corner bashing, and head down antics in pursuit of top speed. But their rather anti social tendency to smoke unburnt 2-T lead to their swift banning in many countries around the world because of pollution concerns.

2 strokes are still with us, of course, in dirt biking, and in the GP 125 and 250 classes. Aprilia Malaysia recently launched the RS125 in this country at Sepang International Circuit. We had a go at it, so read our report after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Aprilia RS125 – The Razor’s Edge

Our favorite motorbike company turned sports car maker KTM arrived in Geneva with the X-Bow Superlight and the X-Bow ROC. The Superlight features motorsport-derived technologies such as a lightweight carbon composite monocoque that weighs only 90 kilograms, carbon crash box, inboard pushrod suspension and black body panels of visible carbon fiber. This range topping X-Bow also comes with limited-slip differential, lightweight lacquered alloys with a single central wheel nut and as well as a lap timer and more, all with a price tag of 79,980 Euros.

The Superlight features a 240HP 2.0 liter TFSI power plant from Audi, individually adjustable pedals, adjustable and removable multi-function steering wheel, ‘Keyless Go’ system, and of course a performance suspension, with adjustable compression and rebound rates, and with preload-adjuster.

The X-Bow ROC on the other hand is a limited edition model offered inline with the X-Bow’s recent involvement in the Race of Champions, where only 30 units will ever be produced. This exclusive model features weight-saving all-carbon body, sports exhaust which attracts special attention with its deep sound, specially painted light-weight alloy wheels with a central wheel nut, adjustable sports suspension, a removable multi-function steering wheel and lastly, exclusive ROC design on the body panels. This special edition model retails for 69,980 Euros. Continue reading to view an image gallery of both the KTM’s.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: KTM reveals the X-Bow ROC and X-Bow Superlight

BMW K 1300 R

BMW Malaysia is introducing a total of 7 new motorcycles this year, the BMW HP2 Sport, the BMW K 1300 S, the BMW K 1300 R, the BMW K 1300 GT, the BMW R 1200 R, the BMW F 650 GS and the BMW F 800 GS. BMW bike sales for 2008 represented a 36% increase over 2007 sales – a total of 183 units.

BMW K 1300 S

The BMW K 1300 S is the fastest BMW motorcycle ever in terms of acceleration. Under full hard acceleration, you can hit 100km/h in 2.8 seconds but achieving this requires far more skill than a car driver would need. This kind of acceleration is no joke, it is faster than either the M3 or the M5 and you aren’t sitting nicely in a sports bucket seat while experiencing it.

This is thanks to the bike’s 1.3 liter four-cylinder engine which puts out a total of 175 horsepower and 140Nm of torque. It revs up to a stratospheric 11,000rpm redline. The K 1300 S retails for RM 119,000 while the K 1300 R and the K 1300 GT is priced at RM120k and RM135k respectively.

BMW HP2 Sport

The limited edition BMW HP2 Sport is a limited edition bike and only 11 units have been allocated to Malaysia. The two-cylinder boxer-engine bike marked the return of BMW Motorrad to racing in the 2008 Endurance Championships and it is technically based on the R 1200 S. Its ABS system can be user-deactivated for the race track. Power output is 128 hp at 8.750rpm and 115Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. This baby is priced at RM 158,888.

BMW R 1200 R

The BMW R 1200 R replaces the R 1150 R and is a roadster motorcycle priced at RM 108,000. The bike’s twin-cylinder boxer engine of 1.2 liters in capacity uses a shaft drive and claims to be the first bike in the world with ASC Automatic Stability Control, though Honda actually offered some form of traction control on the ST-series in the 90s. Its engine puts out 109hp, a 28% increase over its predecessor, and 115Nm of torque at 6,000rpm.

BMW F 800 GS

The entry level bikes to the GS world are the F 800 GS and the F 650 GS, new enduro models which retail at RM 83,800 and RM 71,000 respectively. All of the models above include a 2 year warranty with unlimited mileage and are available from Auto Bavaria Bukit Bintang and Auto Bavaria Penang.

Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd has launched the new Honda icon in Malaysia, which is what Honda calls an “A.T. Motorcycle”, but of course the rest of us refer to it as a scooter. This new model joins Honda’s other Malaysian scooter offering, the Honda Click. The transmission system is Honda’s V-Matic belt CVT with a gear ratio of between 2.68 to 0.85. It’s engine is a 110cc 4-stroke air cooled unit (the Honda Click is liquid cooled).

Honda hopes the new model will help boost its scooter market share from the current 1% to 2% level up to 46%, which is a huge difference! The Icon is 100% assembled in Malaysia and will sell for RM4,688 OTR, which is cheaper than the Honda Click. It comes in five colours – pink, blue, red, white and black.

The Aprilia RS125 Challenge Cup is a one-make motorcycle race series using race-prepared Aprilia RS125 two-stroke motorcycles. One can participate by purchasing a rental package which consists of an Aprilia RS125, a set of Pirelli SuperCorsa tires (one set per round), pit support, fuel, lubricants and fluids as well as entry fees for all five rounds. It all costs RM25,000. There is also a RM5,000 crash and damage deposit. All of this can be paid via an affordable payment plan. Riders will have to supply their own racing equipment of course, such as helmet, back protector, gloves and transport, etc. An ownership package is also available where you can instead own the racebike.

The race is divided into two categories, a Junior Riders Cup for 13 to 17 year olds and Open Class for enthusiasts aged above 18. The series will be part of the Malaysian Super Series Championship and the first round will be held on the weekend of the 11th and 12th of April 2009. at the SIC, with a total of 5 rounds, including a support race at the Malaysian Motorcycle GP in October 2009.

Each round consists of 2 practice sessions, a qualifying session, and two races with a total of 12 laps. At the end of the season, two qualifying riders will be selected for a full sponsorship to participate at the “Red Bull Rookies 2009 Final Rider Selection” in Spain.

“The absence of a Regional rider development programme drives us to create this series. We need a platform for young riders within the Asia Pacific region to develop their passion, racing skills and career. We have presented this series to the various ASNs’ in the region and are tirelessly promoting for international entries to create the right environment where talent from across the region can directly compete with each other, compared and further developed,” said Moto Millia Managing Director, Razak Al Malique.

He added, “Out of a maximum grid of 25 riders we have reserved 15 slots for international participants. If we succeed in getting competitors from countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, China and so on, this will be a series where top racing teams will scout for talent. The entry cost has been kept at a bare minimum and it is unlikely that we will breakeven but for us successful implementation of the series is much more critical than gearing for commercial returns.”

Moto Millia also has a Junior GP Racing Dream program using the Aprilia RS50, which is an effort to find a MotoGP rider for Malaysia. A few riders have been selected and trained over the past 2 years and from what I hear they really are quite talented. I think this is a good effort by Moto Millia, but as you can see from the figures above, going further in the motorsports world really burns alot of money (RM25,000 for a rental package is no joke) and impossible to afford for many people without some form of sponsorship. It’s no wonder there are Mat Rempits out there as it’s very expensive to go legal with racing.

Honda has just revealed a new PGM-FI “cub” bike in Thailand. The new Honda Wave 110i joins its bigger engined sibling, the Honda Wave 125i in the Thai market, which has already been around for quite some time. Here in Malaysia our Honda Waves are still carburetted, but maybe Honda will introduce them soon to match their all-new “green” image, as the Honda franchise here has been taken over by the Japanese themselves.

The 110cc 4-stroke engine with PGM-FI fuel injection is said to be 18% more economical than the unit installed in the Honda Wave 100. At the same time it also provides 25% more power. It can use gasohol E20, a fuel that is sold in Thailand at the pumps.

The new Honda Wave is available in 3 series and 8 designs and colours. Features include a key shutter for the ignition, and easy starting without the need of a fuel choke thanks to the PGM-FI sytem. The bike either has disc brakes or drum brakes depending on the variant you pick. It goes for 34,000 Thai baht onwards.

Click here to read the rest of New Honda Wave 110i with PGM-FI launched in Thailand

Be very very careful what you upload onto YouTube! A random search on the popular video sharing site will easily reveal many “topspeed” tests recorded by amateur videographers, to show off or perhaps just as footage proof that said vehicles are truly capable of such speeds. But beware, if the road you’re on isn’t one without speed limits such as the Autobahn, you could be making it really easy for the law enforcement to track you down, as the video itself is evidence of sorts!

One YouTube user learned this the hard way. User jmm006, or Joel as his profile indicates, recorded videos of himself riding his Kawasaki Z750 through the streets of Canberra, specifically in a zone that had a 60km/h speed limit.

The coppers traced his YouTube account to his home and paid a visit with a search warrant. Among items seized were footage, a camcorder, a laptop and a hard drive. 20-year old Joel will face the court in a future date.

“We take these offences seriously. As a result of some good work from officers in traffic operations, this investigation was quickly concluded and it should send a message to anyone who seeks to glorify actions that place the lives of innocent people in danger, that they will not be tolerated,” said Superintendent Mark Colbran.

If you want to watch the incriminating videos, check them out after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Man to be charged for speeding 200km/h in a 60km/h zone, thanks to YouTube evidence!

The Honda Super Cub has been around for 50 years now with more than 60 millions of the motorcycle on the road worldwide. The Super Cub had a convenient automatic centrifugal clutch and a four stroke economical and clean engine even back in 1957.

When R&D was done, the motorcycle was so revolutionary at that time that Honda targetted sales of 30,000 units a month at a time where the total sales for motorcycles a month in Japan was 40,000 units. Today it is still very much relevant in the current economic situation with, close to 5 million units produced annually.

What’s next for the Honda Super Cub? Honda has produced a new global advertisement for the Super Cub and if whatever they are saying in the ad is true, they are determined to make a product that will open roads to a much larger success compared to the Super Cub.

Could this be an electric equivalent of the Honda Super Cub? It could be, as the commercial video shows two people riding what seems to be a bike… but the background is silent, as if the bike runs on a quiet motor.

Watch the video after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Honda Super Cub 50th Anniversary

This is the Proton Stingray, an experiment by the Proton Prototype Centre that took 2 months. Proton says they built the Proton Stingray to enhance skills and upgrade technical knowledge, but I fail to see what car-related skills could be gained from building a motorcycle from ancient parts such as the carburetted 12 valve 1.5 liter engine they used.

The front suspension bits are telescopic shocks from the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 together with the front brakes as well, while the rear uses S45C mild steel and a ventilated disc brake from a Proton GEN2.

Look after the jump for a hi-res gallery of the Stingray.

Click here to read the rest of Proton Stingray motorcycle using carburetted 1.3L