In a surprise reveal alongside the 2020 Yamaha MT-25, Hong Leong Yamaha Motors Malaysia pulled the covers off the 2020 Yamaha MT-15 sports naked. Expected to be in Yamaha dealer showrooms this November, pricing for the MT-15 is yet to be determined.
To be sold alongside the Yamaha YZF-R15, the MT-15 uses a 155 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled mill that produces 19 hp at 10,000 rpm and 14.7 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm. A six-speed transmission equipped with slipper and assist clutch and chain final drive gets power to the ground.
Gold anodised upside-forks hold up the front end while a pre-load adjustable monoshock holds up the rear. Braking uses a single hydraulic disc front and rear and the MT-15 rolls on 17-inch wheels with 110/70 and 140/70 tyres, front and back respectively.
10.4-litres of fuel is contained in the tank and weight is said to be 133 kg. A monochrome LCD instrument displays all the necessary information and LED lighting is used for the head and tail lights, similar in styling to the other MT-series bikes in Yamaha’s catalogue.
While pricing for the Yamaha MT-15 is not known as yet, in Indonesia, the MT-15 is sold at a price of 34.95 million Rupiah (RM10,162). For Thailand, the MT-15 goes for 98,500 baht (RM13,500).
Accompanying the Yamaha YZF-R25 in Malaysia is the 2020 Yamaha MT-25 sports naked, with a recommended retail price of RM21,500. Pricing does not include road tax, insurance or registration and stocks will arrive in authorised Yamaha Malaysia dealer showrooms from the end of September.
Following the “Darkness” theme of Yamaha’s MT-series motorcycles, the MT-25 is dubbed “Rush of Darkness.” Featuring the split LED headlights of the bigger MT bikes, the MT-25 comes with a 250 cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled DOHC engine, fed by EFI and a six-speed gearbox.
Power output for the MT-25 is claimed to be 35.5 hp at 12,000 rpm and 23.6 Nm of torque at 10,000 rpm. The MT-25’s tank has been redesigned and incorporates air intakes on the sides.
For the front suspension, the MT-25 is equipped with KYB upside-down forks, in 37 mm diameter and 7-step preload-adjustable rear monoshock. Braking is done with a single hydraulic disc front and rear and two-channel ABS is standard.
The LED headlight assembly is divided between the LED DRLs and a centrally mounted LED headlight . LED turn signals with hazard function is standard equipment and inside the cockpit is a full digital LCD panel that includes a shift timing light.
Weighing in at 165 kg, the MT-25 comes in two colour choices – Ice Fluo and Yamaha Blu and purchasers of Yamaha’s latest quarter-litre sports naked will receive a model specific pewter keychain by Royal Selangor. In Indonesia the Yamaha MT-25 is priced at 53.9 million rupiah (RM15,921).
Updated for this year in Malaysia is the 2020 Yamaha Lagenda 115Z, retailing at a recommended price of RM5,180. Distributed by Hong Leong Yamaha Motors (HLYM), pricing for the Lagenda 115Z does not include road tax, insurance or registration but does come with a two-year or 20,000 km warranty.
This compares to the previous price of RM5,683 inclusive of GST for the 2017 model Lagenda L115Z. For the 2020 model, three new colour schemes are available – Blue, Red and Matt Grey – and stocks will be available at authorised HLYM dealers from September.
Carrying an air-cooled, SOHC, two-valve, single-cylinder engine displacing 113.7 cc, the Lagenda 115Z is claimed to produce 9.92 hp at 7,750 rpm and 9.9 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. A four-speed rotary gearbox with centrifugal clutch gets power to the rear wheel with chain final drive.
Fed by EFI, the Lagenda 115Z carries fuel in a 4.0-litre tank and weight is listed at 100 kg, wet. Braking uses a single hydraulic disc on the 17-inch alloy front wheel and a drum brake at the back.
Suspension uses conventional telescopic forks in front and twin shock absorbers adjustable for preload in the rear. Another version of the Lagenda is the 2020 Yamaha Lagenda 115Z SRT GP Limited Edition, priced at RM5,580, launched during last year’s MotoGP at Sepang International Circuit.
For the quarter-litre segment, Yamaha has revealed new colours for the 2021 Yamaha YZF-R3. There are two variants on offer, the YZF-R3 in a bright electric teal and red scheme, and the MotoGP Edition which features the racing colours of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team.
Currently available for the US market, the 2021 model year R3 will be on sale beginning November 2020. Pricing for the base version R3 in electric teal is USD 5,299 (RM22,075) while the MotoGP Edition will be retailing at USD 5,599 (RM23,324).
The YZF-R3 comes with a 321 cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled parallel-twin with a power output of 42 hp at 10,750 rpm and 28.8 Nm of torque at 9,000 rpm. This compares against the 35.5 hp at 12,000 rpm and 23.6 Nm of torque at 10,000 rpm for the Yamaha YZF-R25 we get in Malaysia.
Standard on the YZF-R3 is two-channel ABS with a single 298 mm brake disc in front clamped by a two-piston calliper and single 220 disc on the back wheel with single-piston calliper. It should be noted the YZF-R25 in Malaysia does not come with ABS.
Suspension with a non-adjustable upside-down front forks and preload-adjustable monoshock in the rear. For Malaysia, the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R25 retails for a recommended price of RM19,998.
KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Dis — Anggota Penguatkuasa Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) mengadakan Operasi Khas Motosikal Ops Jalan Fasa 1 sempena Ops Krismas di Jalan Bangsar malam ini. –fotoBERNAMA (2016) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA
A total of 662 summons were issued by JPJ during Op Fancy, conducted at the 9th Mile toll plaza in Cheras. During the operation, which began at 4 p.m., 3,478 vehicles were examined during the joint operation held in collaboration with police, National Anti-Drug Agency, Malaysian Anti Corruption Agency, Department of Environment, Royal Malaysian Customs and highway concessionaire Grand Saga.
Out of the total of vehicles examined, 418 were summoned, of which 48 were lorries, 60 cars and 310 motorcycles. The summons were for various offences including 263 for not having a driving licence, 25 for no insurance, 44 for technical faults and 155 for miscellaneous offences, reports Harian Metro.
Seven vehicles were seized, including two lorries, one car and four motorcycles. Head of JPJ Selangor Enforcement Division Mohamad Hafiz Osman said aside from the summons and seizures, 11 individuals were detained after being tested positive for drugs.
In a separate question Hafiz said JPJ has conducted seven operations for the period January to August, 2020. “Based on the operations conducted, we have determined road users in this country are often summoned for dark tinted windows, HID lights in contravention of regulations, running red lights, not having wing mirrors and worn out tyres,” said Hafiz.
Constraints and limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic and Revised Movement Control Order have curtailed motorsports in Malaysia but the Malaysian Superbike Championship (MSBK) will go on. A severely curtailed racing calendar for this year will now have two rounds instead of the previously proposed four.
However, instead of only two races per round, there are plans to hold three races instead. This is possible if the number of race days per round is increased. Both rounds will be held at Sepang International Circuit with the first event taking place September 25 to 27 followed by the second round from October 16 to 18.
As a national championship, MSBK is a local professional motorcycle race series and provides a platform to groom and develop Malaysian talents and teams. New for this year is the MSBK150, to run on specifications similar to the regional Asian Road Racing Championship.
Differentiated from the Malaysian Cub Prix CP150 class which is reserved for elite teams, the MSBK150 is open to all teams and riders. With the inclusion of MSBK150, the MSBK championship now includes motorcycle racing for 150, 250, 600 and 1,000 cc racing machines.
More known for its range of hard-core motocrossers, Swedish firm Husqvarna is taking the road to electrification with the release of a design sketch it dubs the E-Pilen. Scheduled for a launch in 2022, details on the E-Pilen – pilen meaning arrow in Swedish – were shown in a shareholder presentation dated August, 2020.
Shown were a range of electric bicycles but of interest to riders were the E-Pilen and E-Scooter. Both look designed for urban mobility and short trips in built up areas, with the E-Scooter coming with a 4 kW (5.5 hp) motor while the E-Pilen has comes with two ratings, 4 kW (5.5 hp) and 10 kW (13.3 hp).
Styled along the lines of the Vitpilen/Svartpilen 401, the E-pilen looks to mounting the motor inside the frame, with belt or chain drive to the rear wheel. Meanwhile, the sketch shows the battery pack to be located above the motor and is likely a swappable modular unit.
As part of parent company KTM, Husqvarna is uniquely poised to bring electric motorcycles into the mainstream, a technology that remains niche for most motorcycle makers, unlike the car world. For its home market of Sweden, where a “green” lifestyle is the Normand electric charging infrastructure is well developed, it is likely the E-Pilen will gain widespread acceptance.
While the Honda CBR250RR will be in Malaysia this year, albeit for racing purposes only, we are now given to understand the 2020 Honda CBR250RR will also go on public sale in the local market. An unnamed source inside Boon Siew Honda told paultan.org Honda’s quarter-litre sports bike is confirmed as coming into the market, with pricing pending government approval as well as VTA signing off on the technical specifications.
Not the previous 2016 – 2019 model shown previously, the CBR250RR coming to Malaysian shores will be Euro standards compliant and thus meet local authority standards as well. We previously published an article stating that the CBR250RR will be coming in as a limited release model but this time, it is confirmed local sports bike riders will have another option to consider.
The CBR250RR is direct competition for the Yamaha YZF-R25 while we wait for word if the Kawasaki ZX-25R with its four-cylinder goodness will ever be released here. Other contenders in the quarter-litre sports bike arena include the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and CFMoto 250SR.
Carrying an eight-valve, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine displacing 249.7 cc, the CBR250RR in its second generation is claimed to put out 41 hp. A six-speed gearbox and chain final drive delivers power to the back wheel.
It has been a while since we have heard anything from Suzuki motorcycles in Malaysia but for our riding friends Down Under, Suzuki Australia has issued the Shogun and Samurai accessory packs for the 2020 Suzuki Katana. Priced at AUD$ 1,499 (RM4,543) for the Shogun pack and AUD$ 595 (RM1,803) for the Samurai, these accessory packs add a functional “dress up” touch to the Katana.
The pricier Shogun pack has more components, naturally, and carbon-fibre features prominently. The lightweight material is used to give a sporty touch to the front fender and clutch cover as well as the starter and alternator covers.
In addition, the Shogun pack lets the rider add a two-tone coloured seat and a smoked fly screen to the instrument binnacle. Included are sliders for the front and rear axles and a decal trim set to complete the look.
For the Samurai pack, the price reflects the smaller number of components involved. Aside from common components shared with the Shogun pack such as the seat, fly screen and decal trim seat, a carbon-fibre look-a-like tank pad and protective decals for the side covers, as well rim decals, are supplied.
The Katana carries a 999 cc, inline-four that produces 147 hp at 10,000 rpm and 108 Nm of torque at 9,500 rpm. In Malaysia, the Suzuki Katana retails for approximately RM78,000.
If you have ever felt the urge to go motorcycle racing, Boon Siew Honda has the perfect opportunity for you in the form of the 2020 Boon Siew Honda 250 cc Racing Support Programme. A sub-category of the Malaysian Superbike Championship (MSBK) 250 class, participation in this programme costs RM30,000, subsidised from the full price of RM50,000.
This gets you a 2020 Honda CBR250RR, prepared to race specification as well as race fees for a full season. The subsidised price from Boon Siew Honda (BSH) is via discounts from the principal and it is intended to uplift Malaysian motorsports at the entry level.
BSH has previously been active in grassroots and entry level racing, such as the Dash 125 Challenge in the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship and the 250 cc Racing Support Programme is for young riders wanting to step up into racing full-sized motorcycles. The programme draws on the BSH factory team competing in the Asian Road Racing Championship and comes in as a cost conscious alternative to professional racing.
There will only be 10 CBR250RRs available under the Racing Support Programme with an option for an increase in numbers should there be interest from amateur motorcycle racers. Deliveries to successful applicants will be made at the end of this year with the racing season starting April 2021.
To ensure that the programme identifies talented riders instead of technological advantage, the CBR250RR comes with the standard engine, a 249.7 cc parallel-twin that produces 41 PS and 25 Nm of torque. Racing components fitted include a spec ECU, exhaust system, upgraded suspension, racing tyres, racing seat cowl and race control console on the left handlebar.
New addition to the Malaysian middleweight cruiser market is the 2020 Honda Rebel, priced at RM32,899. Pricing excludes road tax, insurance and registration and there are three colour options available – Matte Armoured Silver Metallic, Graphite Black and new for this year, Matte Jeans Blue Metallic.
Also new is the 120 mm shotgun exhaust that is Euro 4 compliant. Tipping a hat to modders and customisers, the Rebel now has an easily removable pillion pad and rear pegs to ease custom work.
Carrying the 471 cc, liquid-cooled two cylinder from the previous generation Rebel, the engine is now tuned for more torque at low revs and falls under Euro 4 standards. Fed by PGM-Fi, the Rebel produces a claimed 45.59 hp at 8,500 rpm and 43.3 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm.
Revised is the front fork and the twin Showa shock absorbers which now come with nitrogen reservoirs and tuned for better ride comfort. LED lighting is used throughout, including the indicators.
The instrument panel is a minimalist 100 mm diameter LCD unit with white backlight and comes with gear indicator and fuel consumption readout. Braking is with a single hydraulic disc front and rear and ABS is standard.
An extensive range of accessories for the Rebel is available from the Honda catalogue and includes items such as alternate seats, saddle bags, pillion seat backrest, cowls and engine covers. The 2020 Honda Rebel is available immediately at all Honda Big Wing dealers in Malaysia.
A recent incident showing a collision between a car entering the highway emergency lane and a motorcycle has gone viral and elicited outrage amongst Malaysian road users. This has prompted the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) to issue a statement saying motorcyclists should not use the emergency lane.
According to road rules and regulations, no vehicle should occupy the emergency lane on any highway as it is reserved for the exclusive use of emergency vehicles and during accidents and breakdowns. Unauthorised use of a highway emergency lane is gazetted as an offence and subject to a summons or compound, a topic paultan.org touched upon before here, back in 2017.
MIROS Director-general Dr Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim has come out to say this also includes motorcycles. He further explained that in the context of safety, it is better for motorcyclists to be separated from larger and heavier vehicles, especially if they are forced to use the same lane.
“Thus, motorcyclists should keep to the left lane and if it is necessary, use the emergency lane,” said Khairil as quoted in a Bernama report. “However, this matter is still under deliberation,” he said.
He added leeway given to motorcyclists to use the emergency lane should be taken as a temporary measure in specific situations, such as congested traffic on the highway. However, riders should not assume the emergency lane is reserved for their exclusive use.
Additionally, Khairil said riders should ensure brakes on their motorcycles are in working order and if possible, ride a motorcycle that is fitted with ABS. “At the same time, riders should follow the posted speed limit and if necessary, be aware of road conditions and slow down,” said Khairil.
“We often hear of accidents involving motorcycle riders colliding with cars stopped in the emergency lane or of cars swerving suddenly into the lane,” he said. “This can be avoided if riders use the emergency lane with caution,” Khairil added.
Back in 2016, paultan.org conducted a video survey in response to riders stating their refusal to use the motorcycle lane on the Federal Highway due to the unsafe conditions. As a result, the author was contacted by both the Public Works Department (JKR) as well as the Road Safety Department (JKJR) in order to determine what measures could be taken to improve safety on the motorcycle lane.
After the launch of a range of electric scooters, Ducati, in association with MT Distribution, has released three electric folding bicycles as part of their urban mobility range. These are the Ducati Urban-E, while the SCR-E and SCR-E Sport come under the Scrambler Ducati brand.
A product of the Centro Stile Ducati design department, the Urban-E was a collaboration with famed Italian design house Italdesign. The Urban-E will be available from October while the SCR-E models are on sale now.
Showing an intent towards rugged use, the SCR-E and SCR-E Sport come with 20 x 4-inch wheels with the Sport variant coming with full suspension and alloy wheels while the SCR-E only has telescopic forks. A 0.37 kWh is integrated into the frame and gives up to 70 km of travel on a single charge for the SCR-E while the SCR-E Sport carries a 0.46 kWh battery and goes up to 80 km range.
Rear lights are integrated into the seat and an LCD display shows the necessary information such as battery charge and speed. A feature of the SCR-E is an ambient light sensor that turns on the lights automatically in response to lighting levels.
Coming in black or grey, the Urban-E has a 0.37 kWh battery and is painted red and styled to look like a fuel tank from one of Ducati’s full-sized motorcycles. An LCD display is integrated into the handlebars, displaying battery charge and controlling the integrated LED lights.
To be produced in a very limited run of only 10 units is the 2020 Aprilia Tuono V4 X, priced at 35,000 euro (RM173,762). The bad news is the entire production run of the Tuono X has been spoken for.
Designed for track use only, the Tuono V4 X sports the MotoGP inspired wings on the front fairing, with carbon-fibre bodywork used throughout. Like the Aprilia RSV4 X, priced at 39,000 euro (RM193,620), the Tuono V4 X takes Aprilia’s MotoGP technology and distills it into a “production” package, and we use that word loosely.
Lightweight magnesium Marchesini wheels shod in racing slicks confine the Tuono V4 X to closed circuit duty and a host of billet aluminium bits shaves weight. These include the clutch and brake levers, along with the crankcase guard, footrests and fuel cap, bringing the dry weight to 166 kg.
Taking the 1,107 cc V-four of the RSV4 1100 Factory, fitted with a race use only titanium Akrapovic exhaust system, the Tuono V4 X makes 217 hp, compared to the 208 hp of the Ducati Streetfighter V4. To put things in perspective, 217 hp is only 8 hp less than the 225 hp RSV4 X.
Ohlins provides the semi-electronic suspension and a quick shifter is fitted as standard. Brembo GP4-MS callipers are used, clamping Brembo T-Drive discs on the front wheel and combined with a 19×16 mm Brembo master cylinder.
After its launch back in 2017, the 2020 Vespa Sei Giorni II Edition is now in Malaysia, priced at RM34,500. The price excludes road tax, insurance and registration but for a limited time comes with a 36-litre Vespa top box and Vespa GTS windscreen.
Commemorating the 1951 Sei Giorni Internazionale race in Varese, Italy, the Squadra Corse Vespas competed in a gruelling six-day competition across unpaved roads. In that edition of the race, the Vespa team garnered nine competition medals, beating purpose built off-road motorcycles.
For the Sei Giorni II – Sei Giorni meaning “Six Days” – a slightly revised version of the Vespa 300 HPE engine is used, giving a 12% increase in power and an 18% increase in torque. The 278 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled mill puts out 23.8 hp at 8,250 rpm and 26 Nm of torque at 5,250 rpm.
Styling on the Sei Giorni II is differentiated form the standard 300 GTS by the mudguard mounted headlight and exposed handlebar as well as a bronze top fairing. A Grey Titanio paint job, along with the number “6” adorning the front cowl and right rear bodywork further sets apart the Sei Giorni II from the standard model.
Rolling on 12-wheels 120/70 and 130/70 rubber front and rear, respectively, the Sei Giorni II uses single hydraulic brake discs on the fort and back wheels, with two-channel ABS as standard. Fuel is carried in a 8.5-litre tank and a storage compartment is found under the 790 mm tall seat.
