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• Aeon Credit gives one month deferred loan payment

  In Bikes, Cars, Local Bike News, Local News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 31 March 2020 4:32 pm / 2 comments

  

  As a Non-Bank Credit provider, Aeon Credit does not fall under the current Bank Negara Malaysia ruling on the recent six month moratorium on loan repayments due to the Covid-19 crisis. However, Aeon Credit will be giving a one-month deferred payment for all customers except credit cards.

  This deferred payment option begins on April 1 and ends April 30, with payment on outstanding loans resuming May 1. Facilities from Aeon Credit covered by this are objective financing, personal financing, auto financing and motorcycle financing.

  There is a requirement the customer’s account should not be more than 90 days in arrears as of April 1 for the deferred payment to apply. No compounding interest will be charged on loans eligible for deferred payment and application is automatic with no extra charges will be imposed.

  Customers wishing to continue payments as normal can do so online at the Aeon Credit website. For customers who face financial difficulties after the deferred payment period, Aeon Credit is arranging a restructuring/refinancing package which will be available for online application after May 1.

   

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• GALLERY: Ducati Streetfighter V4S super naked bike

  In Bikes / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 27 March 2020 2:49 pm / 1 comment

  

  photo: Simon Palfrader©/Red

  It looks like the world has to wait a little longer for the public release of the 2020 Ducati Streetfighter V4S, with almost every country closing borders and imposing lockdowns. However, Ducati has released an image gallery of its premier naked sports bike, the Streetfighter V4S.

  Shown at the Ducati World Premier in Rimini, Italy, last year, the Streetfighter V4S takes the Stradale V-four engine from the Panigale V4 and puts it in naked sports clothing. It also takes the electronics suite from the Panigale V4 to give what Ducati calls, the “Fight Formula”.

  Continuing the successful formula of the Ducati Streetfighter 848, the Streetfighter V4S is essentially a superbike in naked clothing, a trend begun back in the late 80s when riders took GSX-Rs, stripped the fairings off and installed Renthal handlebars. In this case, the Streetfighter V4S has raised handlebars and a mid-mount footpeg position, placing the rider more upright.

  

  

  

  This does not mean Ducati has forgotten aerodynamics, claiming that the biplane aerofoils mounted on the sides of the fairing generate 28 kg of downforce at 270 kmph. Which rider would be foolhardy enough to attempt 270 kmph on a naked sports bike, we don’t know, but it’s there and Ducati says it helps prevent the front wheel from floating at speed.

  Motive power comes from the Desmosedici Stradale mill, displacing 1,103 cc and putting out 208 hp, the same as the fully-faired Panigale V4. In case a power to weight ratio of 1.17 is inadequate, adding the optional Akrapovic exhaust bumps power up to 220 hp with weight going from the standard Streetfighter V4’s 178 kg to 172 kg.

  Naturally power has to be controlled and this is done with 6D inertial measurement unit (IMU) that gives cornering ABS, Ducati’s EVO2 traction control, slide and wheelie control – we tried the Panigale V4’s slide control at Sepang circuit and can confirm it is a lot of fun – as well as launch and engine braking control. Three riding modes are available – Race, Sport and Street – controlled by buttons on the left handlebar pod and a full-colour TFT-LCD screen displays all the necessary information.

  

  For braking, Brembo’s road-going best, the Stylema Monobloc calliper, is used, clamping twin 330 mm discs on the front wheel. Suspension for the Streetfighter V4 uses a Showa Big Piston Front (BPF) upside-down fork and a fully-adjustable Sachs monoshock at the back with a Sachs steering damper keeping front wheel shimmy under control.

  Things in the suspension department are turned up a notch for the Streetfighter V4S, which comes with Ohlins NIX-30 front forks and Ohlins TTX36 monoshock, controlled by Ohlins Smart EC electronic suspension. Also setting the Streetfighter V4S apart from the base model is an Ohlins electronic steering damper and forged aluminium Marchesini Wheels.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

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• Honda CB-F Concept debuts – 999 cc retro naked bike

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 27 March 2020 10:43 am / 4 comments

  

  With the world in the grip of Covid-19, Honda will be having the world premiere of the 2020 Honda CB-F Concept online. The lockdown on international air travel has compelled many vehicle makers to launch their products online and the bike, scheduled to be shown at the Tokyo Motor Show and Osaka Motorcycle Show this month, will now be shown on the Honda Virtual Motorcycle Show website from today.

  The CB tag in Honda’s lineup dates back to the ’60s, with the initial range of small displacement single- and two-cylinder street machines culminating in the Honda CB750-4 from 1969 setting the mould for the modern superbike as we know it. For the CB-F Concept, Honda uses the same formula as the original CB750-4 – an inline, four-cylinder naked sports that pays homage to the CB900F of the early 1980s.

  The 998 cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC mill is taken from the Honda CB1000R and while no figures were published for the CB-F Concept, the CB1000R is rated at 143 hp at 7,500 rpm and 104 Nm of torque at 8,250 rpm. Mated to a six-speed gearbox, the distinctive thing about the CB-F Concept is the single-sided Pro-Arm swingarm, made famous from Honda Racing Corporation’s RC-series race machine and then on the VF-series road bikes.

  

  Decked out in a matte silver with very ’80s looking blue stripes, the CB-F Concept does follow the lines of the original CB900F, along with the CB1100F and CB750F four-cylinder engine variants. Suspension, one of the original CB900F’s shortcomings, has been updated with upside-down forks and braking improved with radial-mounted four-piston brake callipers.

  Honda’s Pro-Link rising rate rear suspension linkage is likely to be installed in the rear end and what looks to be a preload adjustable monoshock. Since the CB-F is still a concept design, things will likely change and following Honda’s trend of bringing retro machines from its catalogue back on the road, like the CB1100RS and the Neo Sports Cafe which became the CB1000R, we hope the transition from show bike to road bike does not take too long.

   

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• Review: 2020 Harley-Davidson Triple S media ride, Part 2 – Sport Glide and Heritage Classic, from RM113,100

  In Bike Reviews, Bikes, Harley-Davidson / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 24 March 2020 9:47 am / 0 comment

  

  So, Harley-Davidson (H-D) really wants you to buy a Harley and is using cross-platforming to do so. In Part 1 of this review on the H-D Triple S media ride in Antequera, Spain, H-D showed us a couple of street oriented Softails – the Street Bob and Fat Bob – giving us a day of riding around the mountains.

  To show the varied facets of the Softail platform, we were then given a pair of touring setups, the FLHCS Heritage Classic (RM122,800 base price) and FLSB Sport Glide (RM113,100 base price). Compared to the Street Bob and Fat Bob, the Heritage Classic and Sport Glide follow a more traditional styling, right out of a 1950s motorcycle gang exploitation movie.

  Image is what image image and if there is something H-D sells well, it is image. So, a pair of long-distance motorcycles, carrying the iconic V-twin in Milwaukee 8 configuration.

  

  

  Don’t get us wrong, we really do like the Milwaukee 8 mill which H-D has done a lot of work on. The vibration which H-D used to call ‘character’ and part of its market spiel is gone and while there is a certain rumble in the seat of the pants, the annoyance factor is gone.

  This is part of H-D’s efforts to reach a new market, leaving behind the traditionalists and purists who moan about “heritage” but unfortunately are not voting with their wallets and buying new Harleys, age and whatever else notwithstanding. Thus, part two of our Softail review, on the Heritage Classic and Sport Glide.

  Read the 2020 Harley-Davidson Triple S media ride, Part 2 – Sport Glide and Heritage Classic, after the jump.

   

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• Ducati posts RM245 million profit, 53,183 bikes sold

  In Bikes, Ducati, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 20 March 2020 12:34 pm / 0 comment

  

  With the coronavirus and Covid-19 hitting Italy hard, good news coming out of the region is minimal but Italian motorcycle maker Ducati has posted a 2.4% increase in global growth for 2019. This translates to a turnover of 716 million euro (RM3,378 billion) and an operating profit of 52 million euro (RM245 million).

  This compares against 2018’s figures of 699 million euro (RM3.29 billion) turnover and 49 million euro (RM230 million) profit. Similarly, operating margin for the Borgo Panigale firm sees a rise, from 7% in 2018 to 7.2% in 2019.

  Of particular significance is the turnover per unit sold, which for 2019 reached an all time high for Ducati of 13,500 euro (RM63,819). This reflects Ducati’s positioning in the premium segment of the motorcycle market in the 500 cc and above category, which, for 2019, showed a global increase of 1.4%.

  

  Ducati’s sales in 2019 were driven by the Panigale superbikes, which come in Panigale V4 and Panigale V2 versions, as well as the Multistrada adventure tourer. The Panigale was the best-selling super sports bike in the world for the second consecutive year, with a market share of 25%.

  A total of 1,655 people work for Ducati Motor Holdings and it has 720 dealers and service centres in over 90 countries. In Malaysia, Ducati is represented by Next Bike, a division of Naza.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• MCO: Johor to reopen Causeway with Singapore?

  In Bikes, Cars, Local Bike News, Local News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 18 March 2020 4:32 pm / 18 comments

  

  With the Covid-19 movement control order (MCO) in place, the Causeway between Johor and Singapore has been closed till March 31, in response to the Malaysian government’s directive to close all borders. However, the Johor State government is hoping to have its border to Singapore reopened within the next few days, reports The Star.

  Johor chief minister Datuk Hasni Mohammad said stringent health checks would be implemented on both sides of the Causeway as part of the state’s Covid-19 mitigation plans. This would allow those working and studying in Singapore, comprising a sizeable percentage of Johor’s population – some estimates place it as high as 400,000 – to resume their daily routines.

  “Among the categories exempted are those with work passes by Malaysia or Singapore, students studying in Singapore, those with specialised skills, businessmen, those involved in logistics and others that would be announced soon,” said Hasni. Hasni also said a special committee, headed by himself, would meet today and hold discussions with Singapore authorities before the matter is forwarded to the Federal government.

   

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• Kawasaki Malaysia closes operations through Mar 31

  In Kawasaki, Local Bike News, Local News / By Mick Chan / 18 March 2020 4:03 pm / 0 comment

  

  Kawasaki Motors Malaysia has announced that it will be pausing its operations from now through March 31, in compliance with the movement control order as announced by the prime minister on March 16 in order to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus around the country.

  The company will resume operations on April 1, which is when the movement control order is expected to lift. For more details on Kawasaki in Malaysia during this time, owners and the general public can visit the official Kawasaki website, here, or the official Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Facebook page.

   

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• 2020 Yamaha Majesty S 155 – for Japan market only?

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Yamaha / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 18 March 2020 2:09 pm / 0 comment

  

  For Malaysia and certain neighbouring countries, Yamaha only sells two scooter models with a 155 cc engine, the NMax and NVX 155. However, for Japan, there is another scooter in the 155 cc category, the 2020 Yamaha Majesty S – priced at 345,000 yen (RM14,037) in Japan – with the Majesty name not unknown to Malaysian scooter aficionados who will remember the Majesty 400.

  The Majesty S 155 comes with its own styling language and differs in dimensions from the NMax. The plush seat makes the Majesty S 155 tall, with a seat height of 795 mm compared to the 765 mm of the NMax. Overall weight of the Majesy S 155 also differs at 145 kg against 127 kg and fuel is carried in a 7.4-litre tank compared to the NMax’s 6.6-litre unit.

  Biggest difference between the Majesty S and the NMax is the rear suspension, with the Majesty S using a monoshock while the NMax makes do with conventional twin preload adjustable shock absorbers. With this difference in suspension design, Yamaha says the Majesty S gives a more comfortable ride compared to the NMax or NVX, especially when two-up.

  

  

  

  Braking on the Majesty S is done with single hydraulic disc brakes front and rear, although ABS is omitted for the Japanese domestic market. Of note is the size of the front disc brake, in this case a 267 mm diameter disc in a petal pattern versus the 230 mm piece fitted to the NMax.

  Engine fitment in the Majesty S is the same as the single-cylinder power plant fitted to the NMax, a 155 cc mill capable of producing 15 PS at 7,500 rom and 14 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. The Majesty S rolls on 13-inch wheels, fitted with 120/70 rubber in front and 130/70 at the back and is expected to make its Europe debut in 125 cc guise this June, lockdowns over Covid-19 permitting.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Isle of Man TT race cancelled due to Covid-19 fears

  In Bikes, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 18 March 2020 12:44 pm / 0 comment

  

  With the threat of Covid-19 spreading around the world, the Council of Ministers of the Isle of Man has taken the decision to cancel the race meet. Scheduled for this year between May 30 and June 13, the Isle of Man TT (IoMTT) runs on a closed course around the island in the Irish Sea.

  “The decision to cancel has not been taken lightly and all options including postponement and delaying the decision have been considered in detail. Representatives from the Isle of Man Government will now discuss the implications with all relevant businesses, stakeholders and individuals affected by this cancellation, which it recognises will be significant,” said Laurence Skelly, Isle of Man Minister for Enterprise.

  Having a reputation as “the world’s most dangerous motorcycle race”, the IoMTT has run since 1907, save the inter-war years, and is not sanctioned by FIM, the governing body for motorcycle racing. On average one racer dies every year at the IoMTT, with five fatalities in 2016 and the worst year being 1970, when six competitors died.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Hong Leong Yamaha Motor halts operations til Mar 31

  In Local Bike News, Local News, Yamaha / By Mick Chan / 18 March 2020 11:26 am / 1 comment

  

  Hong Leong Yamaha Motor has announced that it has halted business operations in view of the movement control order issued by the Malaysian government, as announced by the prime minister on March 16 in light of efforts to contain the Covid-19 coronavirus.

  This takes effect from now until March 31, and the temporary closure encompasses the company’s headquarters, branches and parts centres during this time. For more information, customers can head to the official Yamaha website for Malaysia, here or the official Yamaha Motor Malaysia Facebook page.

  Other local representatives of motorcycle companies that have also paused operations for this two-week period include Boon Siew Honda and Modenas Malaysia.

   

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• Modenas Malaysia halts operations until March 31

  In Bikes, Local Bike News, Local News, Modenas / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 17 March 2020 7:02 pm / 0 comment

  

  In line with the Malaysian government’s movement control order, Modenas Malaysia has temporarily ceased activities at all branches and service centres as well as its headquarters in Shah Alam. The shut down will be in effect from 18 March to 31 March, as per instructions from the authorities.

  Any new developments will be posted on Modenas’ webpage and official Facebook page. Modenas regrets any inconvenience caused.

  The prime minister announced a movement control order for the country last night, limiting all public gatherings and activities to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. This includes overseas travel restrictions for Malaysians, and the closure of educational institutions, non-essential public services and private sector operations.

   

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• Ducati Bologna plant shutdown extended to March 25

  In Bikes, Ducati, International Bike News, International News / By Mick Chan / 17 March 2020 4:55 pm / 0 comment

  

  Ducati has announced that it will be extending the shutdown of its production lines at its Borgo Panigale, Bologna plant in Italy from the initial suspension of production from March 13 to March 18 by one more week to March 25 due to the latest precautions against the spread of the coronavirus in the region.

  The initial production halt was for the manufacturer to implement ‘a series of works and actions on the production lines’ for its workers’ added safety, and for the introduction of a multi-shift work programme in order to halve to number of persons present on the assembly line at the same time, said Ducati.

  The postponment of the initial March 18 re-opening to March 25 is necessary in order to ensure full compliance with the new guidelines, which will require ‘a few more days of work’ and modifications to the structures, it added. Conversely, all activities relating to new product development and market support are ongoing in compliance with the rules of conduct against the spread of the virus, says Ducati.

  “For (the workforce), for their safety and for their security, measures and choices like the ones we are making are necessary and owed. However, all the support services for our customers are guaranteed, first and foremost the supply of spare parts,” said Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali. “We are organising ourselves to be ready for the restart and, even in this period of downtime we will not fail to provide support,” he added.

  Compatriots Lamborghini and Ferrari have also temporarily halted production until March 25 and March 27, respectively. Ferrari’s shutdown comes a week after its decision to continue factory operations despite a nationwide lockdown, however supply chain issues no longer allowed production at Ferrari to continue.

   

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• Triumph Malaysia shuts till March 30 for Covid-19

  In Bikes, Local Bike News, Triumph / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 17 March 2020 2:04 pm / 0 comment

  

  Following the movement control order issued by the Malaysian government, Triumph Malaysia is closing its sales and service departments in compliance from March 18 to March 30. This is in line with the government’s call to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 and safeguard public health.

  Any updates or additional information on Triumph Malaysia operations will be done via social media as well as the Triumph Malaysia website. Triumph customers are asked to check in regularly on the official Triumph Malaysia Facebook and Instagram for current information.

  On March 16, prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced a movement control order on Malaysia, curtailing all public activities in order to curb the spread of Covid-19. This included restriction on overseas travel for Malaysians and closing Malaysia’s international borders as well as the closure of educational institutions as well as non-essential public services and private sector operations.

   

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• 2020 MSF to run as closed event at Sepang on Mar 15

  In Bikes, Cars, Local Bike News, Local News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 13 March 2020 1:38 pm / 1 comment

  

  Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF), Malaysia’s home-grown race series, will be run as a closed event at Sepang International Circuit this weekend. This is based on the recommendation of the Sports Commissioner and taking into consideration public health and safety, an issue MSF takes very seriously.

  Thus, for the race on March 15, MSF will be closed to the public, including the grandstand area. Paddock access will only be given to teams with passes and team managers are required to sign a health declaration notice on behalf of their teams.

  

  Media and any other personnel or crew attending MSF will also be required to sign a medical declaration. Temperature checks will be conducted at entrances and hand sanitisers will be provided at specific locations.

  A strict hygiene policy will be practiced and physical contact should be minimised wherever possible. Should any person feel ill or show symptoms of fever, cough, flu, or difficulty breathing, please refrain from attending MSF and seek medical attention or self quarantine.

   

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• 2020 Benelli TNT135 SE colour update – RM10,088

  In Benelli, Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 12 March 2020 2:29 pm / 8 comments

  

  Updated for this year is the 2020 Benelli TNT135 SE mini moto, which now comes with a new fluorescent green colour scheme. Pricing for the TNT135 is RM8,198 for the base model while the TNT135 SE goes for RM10,088 recommended retail including accessories with all prices not including road tax, insurance and registration.

  Powered by a Euro 4 compliant 134.7 cc, air-cooled, twin-spark, single-cylinder mill, the TNT135 produces 13 hp at 9,000 rpm with torque at 10.8 Nm at 7,000 rpm, fed by EFI. A five-speed gearbox and chain final drive gets power to the ground while fuel is carried in a 7.2-litre tank.

  Suspension at the front is done with 41 mm diameter upside-down forks having 120 mm of travel while the rear end is propped up with a pre-load adjustable monoshock with 50 mm of travel. For braking the TNT135 uses a single hydraulic 220 mm disc in front clamped by a two-piston calliper while the rear wheel has a 190 mm diameter disc and single-piston calliper.

  

  

  

  Rolling on 17-inch wheels, the TNT135 is shod with 120/70-ZR12 rubber on the front wheel and 130/70-ZR12 at the back. Seat height places the rider 780 mm above the ground and the TNT135 is claimed to weigh 121 kg.

  Inside the cockpit is a combination analogue tachometer and monochrome LCD instrument panel displaying everything the rider needs to know. LED light is used throughout the TNT135. Distribution of the 2020 Benelli TNT135 SE with updated colour is expected to begin shortly to all authorised Benelli Malaysia dealers.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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