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• 2020 KTM 390 Adventure in Malaysia by mid-year?

  In Bikes, International Bike News, KTM / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 27 February 2020 3:35 pm / 1 comment

  

  Many Malaysian riders are awaiting the debut of the 2020 KTM 390 Adventure, companion adventure-touring machine to the naked sports 390 Duke. We have received word from a source close to the matter that it is likely the 390 Adventure will be in Malaysia by mid-year, definitely in the second half, give or take a few months for things like government approval of selling price and vehicle type certification.

  In the Philippines, KTM has launched the 390 Adventure at a price of 309,000 PHP (RM25,530), first off the 2020 KTM models off the line from the plant in Laguna, owned by the Ayala Corporation, reports Top Gear Philippines. Showroom deliveries are expected to take place in May and will be followed by the KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R as well as the Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen 401 along with the Svartpilen 200.

  The 390 Adventure comes with a single-cylinder, 373 cc, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled mill fed by EFI that produces 43 hp and 37 Nm of torque. Power gets to the ground via a six-speed gearbox with PASC mechanical anti-slip clutch and chain final drive.

  

  

  Suspension is done with a 43 mm diameter WP Apex upside-down fork with 170 mm of travel and a WP Apex monoshock at the back with 177 mm of travel. This compares against the 142 mm and 150 mm of travel, front and rear respectively, of the 390 Duke.

  Braking is done by Brembo’s house brand Bybre, with a radial-mount four-piston calliper and 320 mm brake disc on the front wheel and single-piston calliper on the 230 mm diameter rear disc. Standard equipment is Bosch 9.1MP two-channel ABS, with cornering ABS and off-road mode that disables ABS at the rear wheel.

  

  Fuel for the 390 Adventure is carried in a 14.5 litre tank, up 1.1-litres from the 390 Duke’s 13.4-litre unit. KTM claims the dry weight of the 390 Adventure to be 158 kg and seat height is 855 mm with two colour options available – orange and white.

  A separate source inside KTM Malaysia also informed paultan.org when the 2020 KTM 390 Adventure arrives in Malaysia, pricing will “probably be above RM30,000.” The 390 Duke naked sports currently retails in Malaysia for RM28,800 recommended retail without road tax, insurance or registration.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 130,000 Honda BeAT to be made in Philippines

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 26 February 2020 4:57 pm / 1 comment

  

  After news that it was shutting down its Santa Rosa plant, Honda Philippines (HPI) said it would be ramping up production of the Honda BeAT scooter. Manufactured at its Batangas plant, HPI said it forecasts a production volume of 130,000 units per year with scooters rolling off the line in March.

  Production is intended for Philippines domestic consumption, reports website Philstar Global. “We are excited to announce that HPI will manufacture the new BeAT to immediately address the fast-paced demand of the Filipino customers. Young riders are becoming more demanding in terms of their riding needs – from style to technology, which is why we want to prioritize this model as one of the high-selling AT model that suits the Philippine road traffic condition,” said HPI president Susumu Mitsuishi.

  Honda shut down its vehicle plant due to low production volume and the automaker wanting to make better use of its resources. The facility began operations in 1992 and currently produces BR-V and City models with a workforce of around 650 personnel.

  

  

  The Honda BeAT scooter comes in three variants in the Philippines – Premium, Street and Fashion Sport. Pricing for the Premium BeAT is 70,400 PHP (RM5,816) while the Street and Fashion Sport models share identical pricing at 66,900 PHP (RM5,527).

  For Malaysia, the Honda BeAT is priced at a recommended retail of RM5,365 with neighbouring Indonesia getting it at the equivalent of RM4,892 for the base model. The BeAT is powered by a Euro 3, SOHC, 109.5 cc, single-cylinder, eSP engine that produces 8.8 hp at 7,500 rpm and 9.3 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: Yamaha on top in final test at Qatar

  In Bikes, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 26 February 2020 10:57 am / 0 comment

  

  With the start of the 2020 MotoGP season happening on March 6 to 8 in Losail Circuit, Qatar, Yamaha had a lot to smile about after concluding the final Winter Test on February 21 to 23. A full 22-lap race distance was completed during the final Winter Test with the top 18 riders split by less than a second.

  Maverick Vinales of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP did a best lap of 1:53.858 with Franco Morbidelli of Yamaha Sepang Racing Team coming in just 0.033 behind, both riders on Yamaha YZR-M1 racing machines. In third was Alex Rins of Suzuki Ecstar and fourth was Fabio Quartararo, Morbidelli’s team mate, who shone during the Winter Test at Sepang.

  

  

  

  While winter testing does not really indicate how the 2020 MotoGP season will go, it is telling that current world champion Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda Racing and runner-up Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati MotoGP were outside the top five. Fastest Ducati on the day and only non-Japanese make in the top six was Jack Miller of Pramac Racing while fan favourite Valentino Rossi, who has yet to decide on his future in MotoGP, came in 12th fastest on the YZR-M1.

  “First of all it’s incredible because we are 15 riders in about half a second, it’s like Moto2! This is very good for the Championship and for the fans that will follow the races because there looks to be a lot of balance between different riders and different bikes,” said Rossi.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• REVIEW: Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle first ride – a sharp shock to the senses

  In Bike Reviews, Bikes, Harley-Davidson / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 24 February 2020 7:39 pm / 3 comments

  

  There has been much discussion over the internet, from pundits, fans, riders, the know-alls and know-nots alike, about that American motorcycle company and its plans for resurgence in the market. Part of those plans includes a foray into the world of electric motorcycles (e-bikes) and the Milwaukee firm’s offering, the Harley-Davidson LiveWire.

  E-bikes have not had the best of starts, with many commenting on things like range, charging infrastructure, the cost effectiveness and environment friendliness of battery packs and so on. The litany of nay-saying goes on and certainly, looking at things from the surface, there would be, for the “traditional motorcycle” rider, lots of things to say against the LiveWire.

  But Harley-Davidson (H-D) needs something. Catering to an aging crowd of adult cosplayers wearing leather vests and looking like pirates has a finite marketing life. If the riders who can afford the motorcycle you’re selling can’t lift it up without the help of a crane, then eventually you’re going to need fresh blood coming in and taking up the reins.

  

  And this is where H-D’s problem lies. Many young riders have no interest in the H-D lifestyle and the current crop of bikes in the catalogue does not necessarily attract the younger, faster rider with much less spending power.

  So, for H-D, it now looks to the future, teasing upcoming models like the Bronx and embracing new technology like e-bikes. For the LiveWire, it was a surprise sprung on us in Spain, where we were out riding the 2020 Softtails and doing a spot of hill climbing on Street 750s.

  What we thought of the Harley-Davidson LiveWire, after the jump.

   

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• Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) Superbikes welcomes Desmo Cup – Ducati racing class, three categories

  In Ducati, Local Bike News, Local News, Motorsports / By Mick Chan / 24 February 2020 5:04 pm / 0 comment

  

  Local Ducati club, Desmo Owners Club Malaysia (DOCM) has launched its 2020 race series, the Desmo Cup which will be taking place as part of the Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) Superbikes series this year, at the Sepang International Circuit. There will be three categories – Superbike, Supersports and Super Naked, rather than the conventional MSF Superbikes separation of contestants based on their lap times.

  Here in the Desmo Cup, the Superbike category will find participation from the likes of the Panigale 1199 and 1299 as well as the current Panigale V4 (both the 1,103 cc V4/V4S and the homologation 998 cc V4 R), while the Supersports category will attract ‘super-mid’ contenders such as the 848, Panigale 899 and 959.

  

  

  The third category, Super Naked, welcomes models such as the Monster (696, 795, 796, 797, 821, 1100 and 1200), Streetfighter 848 and 1098, Hypermotard and Hyperstrada (796, 821, 939, 950 and 1100) and Multistrada (1200 and 1260). In short, there are no model year restrictions across all categories for the model ranges stated; if you have a 916 or 748 that is fit for the heat of competition, these are also welcome.

  As for riders themselves, participants must be aged 16 or older, be a current member of Desmo Owners Club Malaysia and owner of a Ducati motorcycle, and be in possession of a current MAM motorcycle racing license. Over the season’s 2020 calendar, Desmo Cup racers will partake in various competition formats; these will include the sprint, super sprint and enduro races, in addition to more race formats which will be announced in due course. At launch, there are 30 confirmed full-season participants in the Desmo Cup.

   

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• Sepang Circuit RM3.32 million court claim allowed

  In Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 21 February 2020 4:39 pm / 0 comment

  

  A sponsorship deal gone sour has resulted in the High Court of Johor Bahru allowing Sepang International Circuit (SIC) a claim of RM3.32 million in unpaid sponsorship fees. The claim arose after M7 Racing, related to the Mutiara Motor Group of Companies, failed to honour the terms of a sponsorship contract.

  From an official source inside SIC, paultan.org was informed the contract was worth RM6 million across two years. During the contract period, five payments totalling RM600,000 were received from M7 Racing with no further payments, forcing SIC to initiate legal proceedings in January 2020.

  The sponsorship was for the Drive M7 SIC Racing Moto3 championship team for the years 2016 and 2017, during which Adam Norrodin of Malaysia and Jakob Kornfeil of the Czech Republic were primary riders. SIC Racing Team was started in 2014 by Johan Stigefelt and signed Malaysian Zulfhami Khairuddin to ride alongside Kornfeil for the 2015 Moto3 season.

   

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• Modenas to produce 1,000+ Kawasakis in 2H 2020

  In Bikes, Kawasaki, Local Bike News, Modenas / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 21 February 2020 4:06 pm / 9 comments

  

  During the showing of the Modenas Ninja 250 at the National Automotive Policy 2020 launch, Modenas chief executive officer Roslan Roskan said during a press conference the Modenas Gurun plant is ramping up for production of Kawasaki motorcycles. With an initial investment of RM5 million, the plant is scheduled to produce 1000-plus units of the Ninja 250 in the second half of 2020.

  Elaborating on production plans, Roslan said Kawasakis below 700 cc will be produced in Gurun and an announcement will be made later this year and there are eight models in the pipeline. This would mean Modenas will likely produce and rebadge the Ninja 650 sports bike and Z650 naked sports, two models currently in the Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMSB) catalogue, as well as the Versys 650 adventure tourer.

  With a target of up to 50% Malaysian content in the Kawasaki models it will produce, Roslan said RM5 million has been initially invested in setting up of a dedicated Kawasaki production line in the Gurun facility. This includes test rigs, research and development facilities and the like.

  

  Asked about the source of funds, Roslan told media the initial sum was raised internally with additional investment to be made in following years as necessary. Answering a question about Kawasaki’s financial contribution to the joint venture, Roslan said as a partner, there will be some contribution but did not mention any figures.

  As for KMSB, having represented and built Kawasaki as a brand in Malaysia for 31 years, its role in distributing Kawasaki products locally is still in limbo. Speaking to a source inside KMSB, it was learned no decision has been made as yet as to the disposition of KMSB assets or its distribution channel due to the uncertainty concerning Kawasaki Japan’s intentions.

   

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• Modenas Ninja 250 – rebadged Kawasaki shown at NAP 2020 launch, discussions still ongoing

  In Bikes, Kawasaki, Local Bike News, Modenas / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 21 February 2020 9:54 am / 28 comments

  

  After the announcement of Malaysian motorcycle manufacturer Modenas joining up with Kawasaki Japan to assemble motorcycles locally, the first fruit of the collaboration was shown at the National Automotive Policy 2020 launch. On display in the lobby of the MITI building was a Kawasaki Ninja 250 dressed in black bodywork.

  In Malaysia, the Kawasaki Ninja 250 is sold at RM23,071 alongside the Z250 naked sports at RM21,998. While no details are available from Modenas about the Ninja 250 they will probably be assembling and rebadging as a Modenas product, from previous history, we can surmise the quarter-litre sports bike will likely be sold at a discount under the current Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMSB) model.

  Discussions are still ongoing at high level in KHI and Modenas as to the roles and scope of work each partner will play in the Malaysian market. The role of KMSB is also yet to be determined although it has been said KHI will take a more active hand in Modenas operations.

  

  

  

  Kawasaki Heavy Industries currently has a 30% stake in Modenas, via a share purchase worth RM40.3 million to raise its shareholding from 19%. Modenas, established in 1995 and has an assembly plant in Gurun Kedah with its current catalogue consisting of rebadged two-wheelers from Bajaj of India and Kymco of Taiwan.

  The Kawasaki Ninja 250 comes with a 249 cc, DOHC, eight-valve, liquid-cooled parallel-twin producing 37 PS at 12,500 rpm and 23 Nm at 10,500 rpm. Power gets to the ground via a six-speed gearbox and chain final drive.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 GS Trophy: South Africa wins NZ off-road rally

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 20 February 2020 12:25 pm / 0 comment

  

  Across eight days of intense competition and covering about 2,500 km, South Africa has won the 2020 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, held in New Zealand (NZ). Garnering 394 points, the South Africans beat Team France with 382 points and Team Italy with 380 points.

  South Africa was represented by Cobus Theron (age 28), B J Vosloo (34) and Brandon Jason Grimsted (20), while Aurelien Szulek (32), Vincent Debitte (32) and Nicloas Bastin (41) rode for France. Meanwhile, flying the Italian tri-colore were Michele Pradelli (39), Alberto Ballardin (27) and Frederico de Angelis (42).

  First time competitors in the GS Trophy Team Malaysia, comprising of Norizuan Abdullah (32) from Perak, Kiang Wei Chan (38) from Sarawak and Zulfakar Mohd Alghaus (31) from Kuala Lumpur come in 18th place with 208 points. A total of 22 teams from 25 nations, including two all-female teams, participated in the off-road enduro race which emphasises riding skills, navigation and team work on the bike.

  

  

  Riding the BMW Motorrad F 850 GS, teams started from Napier Beach on NZ’s North Island with course distance of 400 km with a water crossing test and South Korea taking honours. The second day saw riders going 360 km from Napier Beach to Castlepoint, split into 180 km of road and 170 km gravel and five special test stages.

  Day four had GS Trophy riders transition from North Island to South Island, starting from Wainui on North island to Pelorus Bridge on South Island. France won the day’s 204 km stage, which included a “40 years of BMW GS” history quiz while riders were on the ferry during transition as well as a timed “Mezteler Challenge” for fastest rear wheel change.

  

  On day six, riders started gaining altitude with a 360 km stage from Pelorus Bridge to Punakaiki Beach with 180 km of riding done on mountain tracks. Team South Africa won this stage, followed by France and Italy.

  A mountain climb on day seven awaited rider, 375 km from Lake Tekapo to Mt Aspiring with 180 km of riding on mountain track and gravel. South Africa came out on top once again, followed by Italy and France in second and third respectively.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: The cost of doing business at the top

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 19 February 2020 4:31 pm / 3 comments

  

  There is an old adage which says that to make a small fortune from motor racing you first start with a large fortune. Most everyone knows the cost of racing in the top flight of motorsports – Formula 1 and MotoGP – is astronomically expensive but do you have any idea exactly how much?

  Multiple MotoGP world championship team Repsol Honda recently published on their media page a sampling of the costs of doing business at the pinnacle of two-wheeled motorsports and it is not for the faint of heart. Taking the example of a satellite team, where most racers start their career before moving into the factory teams if they’re good enough, leasing a complete MotoGP race machine costs up to 2 million euros (RM8.9 million) per rider for a season.

  This will give the team access to two race bikes plus any upgrades and improvements made to the bike during the race season but no spare parts. Should the electronics package need to be replaced, that will be 100,000 euro (RM449,237) to you, sir, including all sensors and cables with no electronic part costing less than 1,000 euros (RM4,492).

  Braking is, comparatively, not as expensive, only costing 70,000 euros (RM314,465) for a season – this figure is capped by the FIM, motorcycle racing’s governing body – and includes three pairs of calipers, three master cylinders, 10 carbon discs, and 28 sets of brake pads. If more brake parts are needed during a season, they have to be purchased at extra cost.

  

  As any rider knows, crashing during a race, or even a track day, racks up repair bills like no one’s business but at MotoGP level, be prepared for a heart attack. A low side crash which involves putting the bike on its side and sliding for a bit can cost somewhere between 15,000 to 20,000 euros (RM67,385 to RM89,847).

  If a rider high sides the bike, this could mean the team having to fork out 100,000 euros (RM449,237) to repair or replace stuff like tyres, wheels, discs and suspension. For a slow motion replay worthy viral video high side, the cost involved can easily reach 500,000 euros (RM2.24 million) to replace the fuel tank, swingarm, chassis, engine or electronics.

  Part of what makes up the high cost of racing in MotoGP is the materials used in constructing a race bike. For example, the carbon-fibre used in the bodywork and fairings costs two euros per 100 grammes, compared to steel which is a paltry 0.2 euro per 100 grammes.

  

  

  

  Those ultra light weight wheels used on MotoGP bikes? The author lifted a naked magnesium rear wheel at the MotoGP round in Motegi, Japan and was astounded at the weight or lack thereof. The cost? A jaw dropping 4,000 euros (RM17,969).

  This is mere pocket change compared to what the official tyre supplier, Michelin, has to pay to support every MotoGP round. For each race, for all the teams, Michelin spends 1.2 million euros (RM5.39 million) to supply tyres, wheels and technical personnel.

  Since MotoGP is a worldwide race series, with racing carried out on five of the seven continents, supporting costs for running a team are similarly large. For a team of 19 personnel, travel costs can go up to 700,000 euros (RM3.14 million) per year excluding the team principal, manager and riders, who more than likely will travel in a higher class or on a private jet.

  

  Add in catering and hospitality and your yearly team expenses go up another 600,000 euros (RM2.69 million). This does not include the cost of ground logistics, transport, vehicles and other miscellaneous items which can increase the team’s yearly budget by another 700,000 euros (RM3.14 million).

  If you were thinking competing in a lower class such as Moto3, with the thought costs might be lower, they are, but compared to campaigning a production class like superbikes, are still high. A complete Moto3 race motorcycle – without engine, dashboard or transponders – costs a minimum of 85,000 euros (RM381,851).

  You will need an engine to go with that Moto3 racer which costs 12,000 euro (RM53,908) per engine. However, the engine manufacturer will lease you a Moto3 engine package costing 60,000 euro (RM269,542) that gives you six engines, two throttle bodies and two gearboxes for one season.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

  In Bikes, International Bike News, KTM / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 19 February 2020 12:58 pm / 0 comment

  

  

  With the 2020 MotoGP racing season almost upon us, with the first race of the year taking place at Losail, Qatar on March 8, Austrian motorcycle maker KTM has unveiled its KTM GP16 racing machine. Also shown alongside the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team were the bikes being campaigned by the satellite team Red Bull KTM Tech3.

  The racing livery for the factory team looks much the same as the previous year but the Tech3 team has a colour scheme very different from last season. In the factory team, Brad Binder, age 24 of South Africa, and Spaniard Pol Espargaro, age 28, will be leading the charge for KTM.

  

  

  Binder comes to Red Bull KTM for his first season in MotoGP having finished second in the Moto2 World Championship in 2019 with Tech3 while Espargaro now moves into his fourth season with KTM. The KTM factory team had a somewhat controversial season last year, with rider Johann Zarco leaving the team mid-season, citing difficulties in getting the KTM GP16 to perform.

  Meanwhile, in the Tech3 satellite team managed by Herve Poncheral, the two KTM GP16 seats are filled by Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira, age 25 and Spaniard Iker Lecuona, age 20. Oliveira’s career highlight was coming in second in the Moto2 championship in 2018 with Finnish team Red Bull Ajo Moto2.

  

  

  As for Lecuona, he made his Moto2 debut in 2016 with the CarXpert Interwetten team riding a Kalex before moving to the Swiss Innovative Investors team on a KTM. He then did the 2019 Moto2 season with American Racing KTM before stepping up to KTM’s satellite team.

  Four years in development, the KTM RC16 has a V-four, 1,000 cc mill that produces over 265 hp and revs up to 18,500 rpm. Weighing 157 kg, the RC16 is capable of speeds in excess of 340 km/h.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 Kawasaki ZX-25R in Indonesia by April?

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Kawasaki / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 18 February 2020 4:59 pm / 7 comments

  

  After being unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019, the 2020 Kawasaki ZX-25R might get its inaugural sales launch in Indonesia as soon as April. This is because Kawasaki Indonesia has been showing a series of detailed teaser videos on its Youtube channel, seven as of this post.

  Although a four-cylinder, quarter-litre is not a new thing for Kawasaki – Malaysian riders will fondly remember the ZXR250 four-cylinder with air intakes referred to as “washing machine hoses” – what will set the ZX-25R apart from the competition is that is uses four pistons compared to the norm of two pistons or singles in this market segment.

  From what is known, the ZX-25R uses an inline four-cylinder mill with liquid-cooling and DOHC. However, from the video, a redline of 17,000 rpm has been revealed, putting it in company such as the 1985 Yamaha Phazer FZ250 with its 20,000 rpm rev limit.

  

  

  

  No numbers have been revealed for the ZX-25R but from historical data, something like 45 hp and 25 Nm of torque would not be out of the question for an engine configuration like this. Kawasaki says, in the video series, the engine is designed to spin up quickly and have sensitive throttle response as well as more torque in the lower and middle bands of the rev range.

  The electronics suite on the ZX-25R is also said to be up-to-date with features commonly found on larger capacity motorcycles costing a lot more. These include a quickshifter, selectable rider modes and traction control, items not usually found below the 500 cc threshold.

  

  Suspension is of similar quality, with Showa’s SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork – Big Piston) 37 mm diameter upside-down fork making an appearance in the small displacement arena as well as a Horizontal Back_link monoshock at the rear. This is to give the ZX-25R optimum track performance while still being suitable for daily riding.

  With the video series being released one by one, we can assume Indonesian riders are excited about the impending release of the ZX-25R, with the determining factor being the price. In Indonesia, competition for the Kawasaki ZX-24R comes from the Honda CBR250RR, Yamaha YZF-R25 and Suzuki Gixxer SF250.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 Yamaha YZF-R25 colour change, RM19,998

  In Bikes, Local Bike News, Yamaha / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 18 February 2020 2:19 pm / 13 comments

  

  Donning new colours for this year is the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R25, much favoured sports bike amongst the young Malaysian rider and priced at a recommended retail of RM19,998, excluding road tax, insurance and registration. The new colour schemes for the YZF-R25 are Matte Silver and Matte Blue.

  With new bodywork following the lines of the Yamaha YZF-R1 superbike, the R25 is said to be faster by 8 km/h in top speed. Mechanicals remains the same as the previous generation R25, with a two-cylinder 249 cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled mill mated to a six-speed gearbox producing 35.5 hp at 12,000 rpm and 22.6 Nm of torque at 10,000 rpm.

  The 2020 R25 comes with upside-down forks with gold-anodised fork tubes and at the back is a preload-adjustable monoshock that delivers better performance. Seat height for the R25 is 758 mm, down 22 mm from the previous model while fuel is carried in a 14-litre tank that resembles that on the R1.

  

  

  

  LED lighting is used both front and back for the R25 and inside the cockpit, the LCD instrument panel displays all the necessary information and includes a shift light. Braking is done with dual-piston callipers on a single disc on the front wheel and single-piston calliper on the rear wheel.

  Weight for the R25 is 166 kg. The 2020 Yamaha YZF-R25 is available at authorised Hong Leong Yamaha Motor dealers from February 17.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard launched in Malaysia – 1,746 cc, 150 Nm, RM132,400

  In Bikes, Harley-Davidson, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 17 February 2020 4:23 pm / 4 comments

  

  Now in Malaysia is the 2020 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard, priced at RM132,400 recommended retail. This standard touring cruiser strips the Electra Glide down to the essentials and omits luxuries such as the on-board entertainment and navigation system.

  Unveiled during a special media preview in Harley-Davidson PJ, the Electra Glide Standard is the most affordable of Harley-Davidson’s touring rigs. This is true compared to the similar models such as the Street Glide Special that retails for RM169,400.

  However, rider conveniences such as cruise control, preload-adjustable rear shock absorbers and 49 mm dual-bending valve front forks. Standard fitment is Brembo brakes on the 17-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels but ABS is optional to the Electra Glide Standard.

  

  

  

  The philosophy behind the stripped-down Electra Glide Special is to allow the owner to customise the bike to suit his or her own taste, with the only available colour choice being Vivid Black. Harley-Davidson does offer an extensive customisation catalogue, including a range of paint options, to suit every taste and budget.

  Powered by the Milwaukee Eight 107 V-twin, the Electra Glide Special’s mill displaces 1,746 cc and produces 150 Nm of torque at 3,250 rpm, mated to a six-speed gearbox. Overall, the Electra Glide Special weighs 372 kg including all fluids and fuel is carried in a 22.7-litre tank.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: Repsol Honda Team – brothers in arms

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 14 February 2020 6:06 pm / 7 comments

  

  Having its first world presentation last week in Indonesia, the Repsol Honda Team presents its racing livery for the 2020 MotoGP Season. During the Winter Test in Sepang, brothers Marc and Alex Marquez, race numbers #93 and #73, respectively, showed strongly.

  However, despite what is shown in the gallery below, the Spanish brothers’ RC213V may yet change configuration ahead of the first race in Qatar, notably in aerodynamics as well as technical specification. The first race of the 2020 season takes place at Losail circuit on March 6 to 8 but there is still one more test session to go.

  For this season, reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc is joined by younger brother Alex. Alex is a two-time champion in his own right in Moto2 and Moto3.

  

  

  

  According to Repsol Honda team manager Alberto Puig, it is still too early in the season to tell how the team will do. Marc has said his wish to is win the world championship but is aware the competition has improved over the previous year and closing in on his heels.

  Marc is recovering from a shoulder operation after aggravating a shoulder injury during the Jerez test in 2019. As for Alex, Puig said he is showing daily improvement which will, from his experience, be good for a sixth or seventh place in the championship although it is early days yet.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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