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• 2020 MSBK: Zaqhwan Zaidi a class above the rest, new MSBK150 race class features cut throat racing action

  In Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 29 September 2020 11:28 am / 0 comment

  

  After a much delayed start to the calendar, the 2020 Malaysian Superbike Championship (MSBK) resumed at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on the weekend of 27 to 29 September. Four classes were contested – MSBK1000 and 600, MSBK250 and new inclusion to the racing fixture, MSBK150 for underbone motorcycles.

  Racing this year has taken on a slightly different format, with the previous two-race weekend replaced by three races. Race 1 happens on Saturday after practice and qualifying in the morning while Race 2 and 3 are held on Sunday, with points awarded in each race.

  As expected, Zaqhwan Zaidi, riding for Boon Siew Honda Racing Team on a Honda CBR1000RR, stamped his mark over all three races. A much diminished field caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, including the absence of close rival Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, meant Zaqwan saw little, if any, competition.

  

  However, it was not all sunshine and roses for the 25-year old Selangor boy as he set himself a personal challenge to match his Asia Road Racing Championship race pace on what was essentially a stock motorcycle. “The bike we are using here at the MSBK is drastically different from what we had in the ARRC last year. Yes, it’s the same model, but this version is very close to standard. In effect, it’s a training bike and I used the opportunity to challenge myself to stay as close to ARRC race pace as possible,” Zaqhwan said.

  At the end of the weekend, it was Zaqhwan on top, followed by Mohd Farid Badrul Hisam of Horizon Racing Team on a BMW S1000RR and Ahmad Daniel Haiqal, also on a BMW S1000RR, riding for MME Racing Team Malaysia. Moving on the MSBK600 class, the grid comprised of only four riders, again with numbers much diminished due the travel restrictions.

  Mohd Ibrahim Mohd Norrodin, riding a Yamaha YZF-R6 for SIC Racing Team, emerged top of class after the weekend’s racing, followed by Arroyo Hakeem Anuar of Boon Siew Honda Racing Team and Mohd Helming Azlan of Hi-Rev SCK Honda Racing in second and third, both of whom were on Honda CBR600s.

  

  It should be noted that the MSBK1000 and MSBK600 classes were combined to the reduced number of competitors. Ibrahim Norrodin’s race times, despite being on a 600 cc race bike, were enough to place him third overall in the MSBK1000 class.

  Competition in the hotly contested MSBK250 class came down to Boon Siew Honda Racing Team’s Mohd Idlan Hakimi Raduan, SIC Racing Team’s Mohd Danial Syahmi and Hi-Rev SCK Honda Racing Team’s Mohd Izam Ikmal, who each scored wins during the weekend. Race 1 on Saturday saw Idlan take the win, with Race 2 going to Daniel Syahmi and Izam coming in first in Race 3.

  

  New for the 2020 race calendar, the MSBK150 class, saw very close racing on the grid, with racers going elbows and knees and rubbing bodywork across the six lap race. Race 1 on Saturday saw a tight group of five riders in a tight group, with two riders trading elbows, resulting in both careening into the pit wall and crashing after they had crossed the finish line.

  Ahmad Fazrul Sham of Cardinals Racing Team on a Y15ZR took honours at the conclusion of race weekend while Mohd Haziq Mohd Fairues of UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team and Ahmad Fazrul’s team mate Mohd Iqbal Amri Abdul Malek came in second and third in the standings.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: Quartararo back on form in Catalunya

  In Bikes, International Bike News, MotoGP, Motorsports / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 28 September 2020 5:19 pm / 0 comment

  

  Racing returned to Spain for the MotoGP circus and Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, riding for Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) reclaimed his position at the top of the world championship table. However, the lead is tenuous as Joan Mir of Team Suzuki Ecstar is close behind with 100 points to Quartararo’s 108 and Maverick Vinales of Monster Energy Yamaha is in third with 90 points.

  Racing at the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalunya in Barcelona started with Quartararo’s team mate, Franco Morbidelli, in pole position, with Quartararo and Valentino Rossi, on his 350th premier class start, making up the front row in second and third, respectively. Morbidelli, in his first ever MotoGP pole position, started strongly, with Jack Miller of Pramac Racing and Rossi getting good starts and slotting in close behind.

  

  Drama ensued on the very first lap as Johann Zarco of Esponsorama Racing low sided as he tried to avoid Danilo Petrucci of Ducati team, who lost control of his control of his Ducati, and caused a chain reaction that unfortunately collected Andrea Dovizioso of Team Ducati as well.

  However, the Suzukis of Mir and Alex Rins, were nipping at the heels of the lead trio, along with Pol Espargaro of KTM Red Bull Factory Racing. Near the halfway mark, the hard/hard front and rear tyre recommendations by Michelin were beginning to shows signs of fade, especially front, with Morbidelli having a near high side.

  

  At this point, with Quartararo in the lead and Rossi in second, both Mir and Rins took the opportunity to make a move on Morbidelli, relegating him to fifth. On lap 16, Rossi, who joins Morbidelli next year in SRT, slid out into the gravel, ending his hopes of a 200th MotoGP win in his 350th grand prix start.

  With Quartararo having a commanding lead, took the win ahead of Mir, in second 0.928 seconds behind and Rins, coming in third 1.898 seconds behind. In fourth place was Morbidelli, followed by Miller and Francesco Bagnaia, both of Pramac Racing.

  

  

  

  The race at Catalunya sees two Suzukis on the podium and the last time that happened was 13 years ago in San Marino. At the end of the ninth round in MotoGP, the championship standings are Quartararo on top, followed by Mir and Vinales, with Morbidelli fourth in the championship with 77 points and Miller sixth with 75 points.

  Racing resumes on the 11th of October at the Shark Helmets French Grand Prix in Le Mans. The grid is also awaiting the possible return of 2019 world champion Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda Racing, sidelined by injury and his presence sorely missed by Honda Racing Corporation who have provided less that a challenge in this year’s MotoGP.

  

  

  

  

  

  FRANCO MORBIDELLI ITA PETRONAS YAMAHA SRT YAMAHA MotoGP GP Catalunya 2020 (Circuit Barcelona) 25-27.9.2020 photo: MICHELIN

  
  

  

  FRANCO MORBIDELLI ITA PETRONAS YAMAHA SRT YAMAHA MotoGP GP Catalunya 2020 (Circuit Barcelona) 25-27.9.2020 photo: MICHELIN

  

  

  JOAN MIR SPA TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR SUZUKI MotoGP GP Catalunya 2020 (Circuit Barcelona) 25-27.9.2020 photo: MICHELIN

  

  FRANCO MORBIDELLI ITA PETRONAS YAMAHA SRT YAMAHA MotoGP GP Catalunya 2020 (Circuit Barcelona) 25-27.9.2020 photo: MICHELIN

  

  FABIO QUARTARARO FRA PETRONAS YAMAHA SRT YAMAHA MotoGP GP Catalunya 2020 (Circuit Barcelona) 25-27.9.2020 photo: MICHELIN

  
  

  

  FRANCO MORBIDELLI ITA PETRONAS YAMAHA SRT YAMAHA MotoGP GP Catalunya 2020 (Circuit Barcelona) 25-27.9.2020 photo: MICHELIN

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Rossi confirmed for Petronas Yamaha SRT in 2021

  In Bikes, International Bike News, MotoGP, Motorsports / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 26 September 2020 8:40 pm / 7 comments

  

  It is confirmed multiple world champion and fan favourite Valentino Rossi will be joining Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) in 2021. The announcement was made via SRT’s website and Rossi is designated to ride alongside Franco Morbidelli whilst current SRT rider Fabio Quartararo moves up to the Yamaha Factory team.

  Rossi has struggled to match the pace of the current crop of MotoGP riders but the 2020 race season saw him take a third place in Jerez at the Andalucian Grand Prix. Rossi is currently placed ninth in the world championship standing with 58 points.

  In a note on the SRT website, team principal Datuk Razlan Razali said, “it is an absolute honour to welcome Valentino Rossi – an iconic rider and legend into the team next year. His experience will be a great asset to the team as we move into our third season in MotoGP and we are sure we will be able to learn a lot from Valentino.”

  

  On the MotoGP race calendar this weekend is the Monster Energy Catalunya Grand Prix at the Barcelona Circuit. After today’s time’s in Free Practice 4, Maverick Finales, who won last weekend’s Gran Premio Tissot dell’Emilia Romagna e della Riviera di Rimini, is fastest with a time of 1’40.315.

  Second fastest is Pol Espargaro of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, clocking 1’40.335 while in third is Joan Mir of Team Suzuki Ecstar, who posted a time of 1’40.352. Rossi posted a lap time of 1’40.374 to stand in fourth place ahead of Qualifying and Race day tomorrow.

   

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• Harley-Davidson exits India motorcycle market

  In Bikes, Harley-Davidson, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 25 September 2020 1:19 pm / 7 comments

  

  As part of its global restructuring plan, dubbed “Rewire”, Harley-Davidson will be ceasing sales and manufacturing operations in India, as well as reducing staff count by 70. This comes after a turbulent start to 2020 for the iconic American brand, including the appointment of a new chief executive officer, Jochen Zeitz, and a new chief financial officer from outside the industry, Gina Goetter.

  In a press statement, reported by Indian website carandbike.com, Harley-Davidson India said its manufacturing facility in Bawal will be closed down, and the sales office in Gurugram will be significantly downsized. However, there was no significant information on how Harley-Davidson will support its existing customer base in India.

  

  There are currently 33 Harley-Davidson dealerships across the Indian sub-continent with the report saying each will have different contract terms although there was no clear indication of how existing Harley-Davidson customer would be supported in terms of service and spares.

  With Harley-Davidson’s exit, this will likely mean the demise of the Street 750 model which is manufactured in India. It is speculated the India market will be supported by Harley-Davidson’s plant in Thailand but there is no concrete information thus far.

  

  Harley-Davidson entered the India market in 2009, opening its first dealership in July 2010 and leading sales figures for the premium motorcycle market there for several years. Sales numbers there were lead by the Street 750 model, followed by certain CKD models that were assembled in its assembly plant in Haryana.

  In the last financial year, Harley-Davidson sold fewer than 2,500 units in India, and between April-June 2020, only about 100 Harleys were sold in India. This made the Indian motorcycle market one of the worst performing international markets for Harley-Davidson with the overall downturn in its international sales and the Cover-19 pandemic.

   

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• Vespa Primavera [RED] in fight against AIDS, RM19.5k

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Vespa / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 25 September 2020 10:41 am / 3 comments

  

  In a contribution to the global fight against HIV/AIDS, 100 USD (RM416) from the purchase of every Vespa Primavera [RED], priced at RM19,500 in Malaysia, will go to the [RED] fund. [RED], which began in 2006, provides each recipient of aid 500 days of HIV/AIDS medication.

  Based on the standard model Primavera S 150, the Primavera [RED] is finished in a striking shade of red with the [RED] logo on the front cowl. Additionally, a nubuck leather seat finished in a matching shade of red and similar to the unit used on the Vespa 946, is installed to set the Primavera [RED] apart from the standard model.

  Carrying a 155 cc air-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder I-Get engine with three-valves, the Primavera [RED] gets 12.7 hp at 7,750 rpm and 12.8 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. The Primavera [RED] use a CVT transmission and belt final drive to the rear wheel, as is customary for scooters.

  

  Front suspension is a swing arm with single shock absorber while the rear end is held up with a single shock absorber that has four preload positions. Braking uses a hydraulic calliper clamping a 200 mm disc while the rear brake is a mechanical drum, with the Primavera [RED] rolling on 12-inch wheels, painted red to match the body colour with a white pinstripe.

  Fuel is carried in a 7-litre tank and seat height is set at 790 mm. Weight for the Primavera [RED] is claimed to be 117 kg and it has a claimed top speed of 95 km/h. The base model Vespa Sprint S 150 retails in Malaysia at RM16,900 while the Primavera S 150 Special Edition is priced at RM18,300.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 Super Cub facelift now in Thailand, RM6,243

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 24 September 2020 5:11 pm / 11 comments

  

  Fresh on the market in Thailand is the 2020 Honda Super Cub, priced at 47,400 Thai baht (RM6,243). Despite outwardly resembling the previous Super Cub, calling the 2020 Super Cub merely a facelift is not quite accurate as there are some hidden improvements.

  Work has been done to lighten the frame as well as increasing strength and stiffness, resulting in a weight savings of 3 kg from previous, down to 98 kg. The shape of the body panels and over all shape of the Super Cub stays much the same but but the rider now has a choice of colours.

  A minor bump in displacement sees the Super Cub going from 109,17 cc to 109.5 cc, resulting in an increase in the compression ratio from 9.3:1 to 10.0:1. This gives the Super Cub a little more power with the four-speed centrifugal clutch gearbox having its ratios adjusted slightly to suit.

  

  

  

  Other mechanical equipment stays the same, including use of drum brakes front and rear. The Super Cub rolls on spoked wheels, shod in a 70/90 front tyre and 80/90 rear.

  Fuel is carried in a 4.2 litre tank located under the set. Aside from the new colours, an extensive catalogue of accessories and and parts is available for riders to customise their Super Cub.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2021 Yamaha MT-09 gets upsized engine for Euro 5?

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Yamaha / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 24 September 2020 10:43 am / 5 comments

  

  Is the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 getting an engine displacement increase for next year? This seems likely, going by documents filed with the Deutsche Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) or German Federal Motor Transport Authority in an application for type approval.

  With the coming into force of Euro 5 regulations in January, 2021, motorcycle makers are getting products into compliance with stringent emissions regulations. This usually means a slight increase in engine size to ensure emissions and noise toe the line, as has been done by other motorcycle manufacturers like BMW Motorrad, Triumph and Ducati.

  From documents submitted to KBA, the code MTN890D is mentioned, indicating an increase in engine size to 890 cc. This is based on the current model MT-09 with an 847 cc mill carrying the code MTN850, making it a reasonable assumption the 2021 Euro 5 model will follow Yamaha’s numbering nomenclature.

  

  Should this be the case, it is likely the same engine upsize will apply to other models in Yamaha’s catalogue which carry the same inline three-cylinder engine. These include the Yamaha Tracer and Tracer GT (RM58,888 in Malaysia), XSR 900 and Niken three-wheeler.

  The current model Yamaha MT-09 carries an inline-triple displacing 847 cc, producing 115 hp at 10,000 rpm and 87.5 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm. In Malaysia, the 2020 Yamaha MT-09 retails at a recommended price of RM48,920 excluding road tax, insurance and registration.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 BMW Motorrad M1000RR, pure race performance

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 23 September 2020 11:05 am / 2 comments

  

  Showing its intentions about the World Superbike Championship are deadly serious, BMW Motorrad has turned up the heat and issued the 2020 BMW Motorrad M1000RR (M RR) homologation special. The inclusion of a plethora of lightweight performance parts and aerodynamics aids serve to give the M1000RR an edge over its superbike rivals.

  Based on the inline four-cylinder mill from the base S1000RR, the M RR claims to get 212 hp at 14,500 rpm and 113 Nm of torque at 11,000 rpm. Use of two-ring forged piston for Mahle, a 13.5 compression ratio, titanium valves and lighter connecting rods from Pankl made of titanium gives the M RR a 15,100 rpm redline.

  According to BMW Motorrad, the M1000RR is more powerful than the S1000RR everywhere from 6,000 to 15,100 rpm, a very strong indication of where the boys from Munich expect the M RR to be spending most of its time. However, the use of BMW’s Shiftcam variable valve technology apparently allows the M RR’s engine to be flexible enough for sporty road use.

  

  

  

  Aerodynamics is also a feature of the M RR’s performance inventory, with the addition of the currently de riguer wings on the front fairing. Finished in clear coated carbon-fibre, the wings produce aerodynamic downforce that acts on the front wheel to minimise wheelies and increase traction.

  Further weight reduction is realised throughout the M1000RR, aside from the 12 gramme lighter pistons and 85 gramme lighter connecting rods. A full system titanium exhaust that weighs 3.36 kg is included with the M RR, along with M Sport carbon-fibre wheels and lightweight battery.

  For the first time in BMW’s two-wheelers, the M1000RR sports M performance brakes, just like the M cars in BMW’s catalogue, eschewing the use of the industry standard Brembos. BMW claims the brakes, finished in a fetching anodised blue with ‘M’ logo, were developed from its superbike racing efforts and provide fade stability and controllability.

  

  If the standard M1000RR is not enough, BMW Motorrad will sell you the optional M Competition package. This gives you a GPS laptrigger and activation code, milled parts package, additional carbon-fibre parts, a 220 gramme lighter swing arm, DLC-coated M endurance chain and passenger package including tail-hump cover.

  No word yet on pricing for the Malaysia market but we can assume it will not be cheap and probably available in a very limited quantity being a homologation special, with the base model S1000R going for RM108,500. Based on the price tags for competition such as the Ducati Panigale V4R (RM299,000), the Honda CBR1000RR-R SP (RM198,000), Aprilia RSV4 Factory (RM159,000) and Kawasaki ZX-10RR (RM159,000) as well as the limited edition BMW Motorrad HP4 Race (RM521,000), expect the price to be well above a quarter of a million Ringgit.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Valentino Rossi gets Sepang Racing seat in 2021?

  In Bikes, International Bike News, MotoGP, Motorsports / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 22 September 2020 10:30 am / 5 comments

  

  The on again, off again, saga of whether Valentino Rossi gets a MotoGP ride with Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) has taken a new twist with a Twitter post. From a post on Datuk Razlan Razali’s Twitter account, a photo of the reception area from Rossi’s camp at the ranch on Tavullia, Italy, was accompanied by the words, “great meeting!”

  However, the post was taken down a short time after but not before we managed to get a screen capture. While it is pretty much an open secret Rossi will be moving after his first team seat was given to SRT rider Fabio Quartararo who currently sits second in the MotoGP world championship, nothing has been confirmed.

  

  It is expected an announcement will be made in Barcelona, ahead of the Catalunya Grand Prix and Rossi himself said as much in a video interview discussing his move. Now aged 41, fan favourite Rossi has seen his fortunes decline over the past few years, eclipsed by riders such as Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda and Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati Racing.

  Should Rossi move to SRT, and we think it quite likely as there is still another year to go in his racing contract with Yamaha, he will likely bring his racing support crew with him. From other reports, it is likely Rossi will have a one year stint in SRT before making moves to his VR46 team, currently contesting Moto2 and Moto3, and a likely entry into MotoGP.

   

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• 2021 Benelli 1200GT launched for China market

  In Benelli, Bikes, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 22 September 2020 9:56 am / 3 comments

  

  After a period of producing middleweights and quarter-litre motorcycles for the budget market, Benelli is back in the big bike market with the 2021 Benelli 1200GT sports-tourer. Revealed at the China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition in Chongqing, largest of its kind in Asia, the 1200GT follows the footsteps of rival CFMoto’s police specific 1250J.

  Taking a leaf from the BMW Motorrad design book, the 1200GT follows the BMW R1250RT’s styling cues closely and from certain angles there would be little to differentiate the two sports-tourers. While price and final market specification have yet to be revealed, the 1200GT is expected to roll off the production line in the first half of 2021, reports newmotor.com.cn.

  The 1200GT uses Benelli’s three-cylinder mill, a design going back over two decades now, and last seen as an 899 cc engine in the Benelli Tornado Tre. However, the 1200GT’s power plant, as its name suggests, displaces 1,209 cc and produces 134 hp at 9,000 rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm.

  

  

  

  As a basis for comparison, the R1250RT’s boxer-twin puts out 134 hp as well but has 142 Nm of torque under its belt. Showing that it’s moving away from the budget-conscious end of the market, the 1200GT comes with a high level of equipment specification, including Brembo brakes and ABS.

  Inside the cockpit, a large TFT-LCD colour screen is flanked by a pair of analogue clocks displaying road and engine speed. Additionally, aside from riding comforts such as keyless start and powered windshield, the 1200GT also comes with electrically controlled wing mirrors that also fold and high-definition cameras located at the front and rear.

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MSBK: Team Hiap Aik Suzuki Racing launch

  In Bikes, Local Bike News, Suzuki Motorcycles / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 21 September 2020 11:14 pm / 2 comments

  

  A sudden release of a two-round fixture on September 4 for the 2020 Malaysian Superbike Championship (MSBK) has led to teams scrambling to prepare race bikes ahead of the first round. With the first round taking place on the weekend of 25 to 27 September, Team Hiap Aik Suzuki Racing held a team reveal beforehand, displaying its 2021 Suzuki GSX-R1000s in 100th Anniversary Edition livery.

  Having been competing in MSBK for the last five years, Hiap Aik Suzuki Racing riders Tee Wee Jin (#7) and Khoo Chee Yen (#66) have built up a depth of racing knowledge that they hope will give them an advantage for this year’s shortened racing season. “We have been racing as a team for five years and we have been steadily improving. We hope this will help us for our racing effort this year,” said Khoo, who is known to friends and family as “C.Y.” and finished third in the championship last year.

  

  Meanwhile, the other half of the team, Tee, or as he prefers to be known, “Jin”, is confident of his level of fitness for the upcoming race. Hoping to build on last year’s finish of sixth position in the 2019 championship, cut short due to injury, Jin prefers to ease into the 2020 season and take things a step at a time.

  For 2020, Hiap Aik Suzuki Racing is receiving sponsorship from lubricant partner Mobilub Trading and will be using Mobil1 Racing in its GSX-R1000s. Long time sponsors Shark (helmets) and Furygan (racing suits) continue their partnership with Hiap Aik Suzuki Racing, as does battery supplier Unibatt.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• China’s QianJiang in MV Agusta marketing partnership

  In Bikes, International Bike News, MV Agusta / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 21 September 2020 4:22 pm / 2 comments

  

  Makers of some of the world’s loveliest motorcycles and survivor of numerous brushes with financial instability, MV Agusta, has teamed up with China’s QianJiang Motor for a distribution and sales partnership in the China market. Previously in partnership with Fekon, MV Agusta sees this alliance as a long-term move in plans to distribute its motorcycles in the Middle Kingdom, reports visordown.com.

  The QianJiang name will be familiar to many as one of China’s largest motorcycle makers, located in Winling, Zhejiang province and owner of Italian brand Benelli. The distribution agreement will see QianJiang take over seven brand-name stores in China and plans are being made to open 21 stores in the next 12 months.

  

  “I am thrilled about this agreement with QianJiang for the second phase of our expansion into the Chinese market. It is a very ambitious long term partnership that will make MV Agusta the number one Italian premium motorcycle brand in China in the next 5 years,” said Timur Sardarov, MV Agusta’s chief executive officer.

  The marketing partnership lends credence to rumours that Benelli’s upcoming four-cylinder model is based on a previous generation MV Agusta engine used in the Brutale 1000. “We thank MV Agusta for choosing to establish a new strategic partnership with us. MV Agusta is a world-famous brand with a long history, and also an old friend and close partner of Qianjiang Motorcycle,” Dongshao Guo, general manager of QianJiang was quoted as saying.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: No respite in championship title chase

  In Bikes, International Bike News, MotoGP, Motorsports / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 21 September 2020 12:22 pm / 3 comments

  

  The 2020 MotoGP season is proving to be one of the best world championship title fights on record, with last weekend’s round at Misano yielding a sixth different winner in seven races. At the Gran Premio Tissot dell’Emilia Romagna e della Riviera di Rimini, Maverick Vinales of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP emerged victorious after Francesco Bagnaia of Pramac Racing riding a Ducati Desmoesedici crashed seven laps from the end, handing victory the Yamaha rider.

  While there were no massive incidents with flying motorcycles like in Styria, the racing at Misano was no less dramatic with Fabio Quartararo of Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team handed a three-second penalty for a track limit infringement, dropping him from his third place finish to fourth. This meant the eventual podium winners were Joan Mir of Team Suzuki Ecstar and Pol Espargaro of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in second and third, respectively, with Vinales on the top step.

  

  Mir put in a sterling performance for his second place finish with a daring overtaking manoeuvre on Quartararo three laps from the finish whilst both riders were chasing Espagaro. On the next lap Quartararo followed suit, leaving Espargaro to struggle with tyre issues on his KTM.

  Honda, missing their star rider Marc Marquez, had to contend with Takaaki Nakagami of privateer team LCR Honda Idemitsu coming in sixth, his best MotoGP finish ever. In doing so, Nakagami beat factory team rider Alex Marquez (Marc Marquez younger brother) of Repsol Honda Team who came in seventh just 0.8 of a second behind Marquez.

  

  Australian Jack Miller, riding for Pramac Ducati, started strongly, grabbing the hole shot ahead of Vinales. However, his efforts came to naught as a freak technical fault where Miller’s Desmosedici sucked Quartararo’s discarded visor tear-off into the air intake brought a halt to his race.

  In the championship standings, Andrea Dovizioso stands on top of the table with 84 points, followed by Quartararo and Vinales jointly tied with 83 points. The lead trio is followed closely by Mir with 80 points, leaving the MotoGP championship table top four separated by just five points, meaning the trophy is anyone’s game at this point with seven races left in the calendar.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 Honda ADV150 confirmed for Malaysia launch

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 15 September 2020 12:53 pm / 16 comments

  

  An SMS notification from Boon Siew Honda Malaysia seems to indicate the 2020 Honda ADV150 scooter will be coming to Malaysia, and fairly soon. While no real details have been made public, the SMS update says the ADV150 is confirmed as coming to Malaysian shores.

  As can be expected, no price numbers were provided, but we would hazard a guess at around the RM14,000 point. This is based on previous experience with the Honda Super Cub and Monkey, which were both priced at that level.

  This compares against pricing for the ADV150 in Indonesia where it goes for 33.5 million rupiah (RM9,332) while the ABS-equipped version is priced at 36.5 million rupiah (RM10,168). In the Philippines, the ADV150 was launched in January 2020 and retails for PHP 149,000 (RM12,750).

  

  

  

  The ADV150 is powered by a 149.3 cc, single-cylinder SOHC mill, producing 14.5 PS at 8,500 rpm and 13.8 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm with Idling Stop. Similar to the Honda PCX150, the ADV150 uses a CVT gearbox and belt final drive to get power to the ground.

  Suspension is done with 31 mm diameter Showa telescopic forks in front and twin Showa shock absorbers at the back, with 130 mm and 120 mm of travel, front and rear respectively. Braking uses a single 240 mm hydraulic brake disc on the 14-inch front wheel while the rear 13-inch wheel has a mechanical drum brake.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: Morbidelli takes maiden win at Misano

  In Bikes, International Bike News, MotoGP, Motorsports / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 14 September 2020 2:35 pm / 8 comments

  

  To say the 2020 MotoGP has been entertaining and amazing would be putting it mildly. In last weekend’s race, the Gran Premio Lenovo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini at Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Franco Morbidelli, “Franky” to fans, took his first ever MotoGP win for Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT).

  Morbidelli, starting from the front row of the grid, took the hole shot and led the pack all the way to the finish. As a graduate of Valentino Rossi’s VR46 riding academy, Morbidelli showed his mentor a clean pair of heels right up to the closing stages of the race.

  The start of the race was an all Yamaha affair, with pole position taken by Maverick Vinales of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, with Morbidelli in second and Fabio Quartararo, Morbidelli’s team mate and at the time the world championship leader, in third. Rossi, who showed strongly across free practice, was fourth on the grid.

  

  Quartararo who got off the line in fifth, chased the leading pack hard only to fall at turn 4. Re-entering the race right at the back, 15 seconds behind, Quartararo played catch up with the rest of the pack before pitting.

  On exiting the pit, with cold tyres, Quartararo ended pushing a little too hard and crashed again, putting an end to his race. Meanwhile, Jack Miller, riding the Ducati Desmosedici GP19 for Pramac Racing, was in third, chasing the lead pair of Morbidelli and Rossi.

  Miller’s team mate, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia was setting fastest lap times, one after the other, in an effort to tell in the leaders. By the halfway point of the race, Miller was beginning to fade, eventually finishing ninth, and both Pecco and Alex Rins of Suzuki Ecstar slipped through to take third and fourth respectively.

  

  The other Suzuki rider, Joan Mir, showed that he was not be forgotten as Bagnaia slipped past Rossi, Rins made a mistake that allowed Mir past. Losing no time, Mir had Rossi’s third place in his sights despite the fan favourite riding a highly defensive race with Mir showing his front wheel to Rossi entering certain corners.

  In a show of bravery and courage, Mir took Rossi on the last lap by a matter of inches, with Rossi following Mir three tenths of a second cross the line. At the conclusion of the San Marino Grand Prix, it was Morbidelli taking his first ever MotoGP winner’s trophy, followed by Bagnaia in second and Mir in third.

  

  With Quartararo’s double crashes and eventual DNF, he concedes the championship lead to Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati Racing, dropping to second with 70 points to Dovizioso’s 76. Third in the standings is Miller with 64 points, followed by Mir with 60.

  It should be noted just 28 points separates the tenth man on the table, Miguel Oliveira with 48 points, from the top place in the championship standings. Additionally, this year’s MotoGP has seen 12 different riders stand on the podium for first, second and third across six races in 2020, with eight races left in the calendar.

  The MotoGP circus stays in San Marino for this week with a day of testing on Tuesday. Racing resumes with the Gran Premio Tissot dell’Emilia Romagna e della Riviera di Rimini on the weekend of the 18th to 20th.

  

  

  

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