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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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• 2020 Honda EX5 kapchai – new graphics, RM4,783

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 13 February 2020 4:56 pm / 17 comments

  

  Evergreen icon on Malaysian roads, the 2020 Honda EX5 is back with new graphics. Now coming in Pearl Nightfall Blue and Pearl Magellanic Black, the graphics on this year’s EX5 harks back to the previous generation EX5.

  For both versions, customers can opt between the spoked rim version at RM4,783 or the tubeless alloy rim version at RM5,009, with prices excluding road tax, insurance and registration. Main difference between the spoked and alloy wheel versions of the EX5 is the alloy wheel model comes with chrome headlight surround and passenger grab rail.

  The EX5 is powered by a single-cylinder, air-cooled, 110 cc mill fed by PGM-Fi. Mated to a four-speed automatic clutch gearbox, the EX5 puts out 8.5 hp at 7,500 rpm and 8.62 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm.

  

  

  

  Fuel for the EX5 is carried in a 4.3-litre tank with drum brakes front and rear. Suspension is with telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers at the back with electric and kick starting as standard.

  Pricing as mentioned earlier is recommended retail and may differ from the dealer’s offer. The 2020 Honda EX5 comes with a two-year or 20,000 km manufacturing warranty.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: Team Suzuki Ecstar – 60 years of GP

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Suzuki Motorcycles / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 12 February 2020 1:16 pm / 1 comment

  

  Paying homage to its history in Motorcycle Grand Prix racing is Team Suzuki Ecstar with the unveiling of the 2020 Suzuki GSX-RR MotoGP race bike. Decked out in a silver and blue colour scheme, the race graphics hark back to Suzuki’s involvement in international motorcycle racing.

  2020 is the 60th year Suzuki is present in two-wheeled motorsports. It all began in 1960, when Suzuki participated in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (IoMT) with the first Motorcycle Grand Prix (GP) appearance happening two years later when Ernest Degner won the 50 cc championship.

  Fielding an all Spanish team with riders Joan Mir and Alex Rins, Suzuki hopes the GSX-RR will bring more wins in 2020. The previous season, Rins took fourth place in the championship standings while team mate Mir came in twelfth.

  

  

  

  “We have developed a new engine specification that is favoured by our test rider Sylvain Guintoli as well as riders Rins and Mir during our testing in Jerez. There is a great chance this configuration will be the base of the motorcycle we will test in Sepang and Qatar before the racing season begins,” said Suzuki team technical manager Ken Kawauchi.

  “During the winter season, we have come up with new solutions for the suspension and chassis, also the electronics. The fairing also plays an important role and we are testing several designs that we hope will provide overall improvement,” Kawauchi said.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: Petronas Yamaha SRT shows race livery

  In Bikes, Local Bike News, Yamaha / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 12 February 2020 12:34 pm / 1 comment

  

  During the recent MotoGP Winter Test at Sepang International Circuit, Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT), showed its 2020 racing livery. After coming in fourth overall in the manufacturer’s standings, Petronas Yamaha SRT has won the accolade of best privateer team.

  The team’s two riders, Fabio Quartararo from France and Spaniard Franco Morbidelli have also stamped their mark on the grid during the previous season, coming in fifth and tenth respectively in the rider’s championship. Quartararo was also crowned best rookie in 2019 as well as best privateer rider.

  For this year’s season, SRT is looking strong with Quartararo posting fastest test lap in Sepang at 1’58.439. Meanwhile, Morbidelli was more focused during testing on detailed aspects of the Yamaha YZR-M1’s performance, notably front end vibration.

  

  “In general I think the testing has gone well. Although we should not be focusing too much on the lap times. Psychologically, it is good to have the fastest rider and for the other racers to see this,” said Petronas Yamaha SRT team principal Datuk Razlan Razali.

  “We are working hard to improve on the bike’s top speed and we hope in Qatar we will be taking steps forward. My target for now has changed a little; we want to be faster over race distance as we know now, for one lap, we already have the speed,” said Quartararo.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 Triumph Street Triple 765R launched in UK

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Triumph / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 12 February 2020 11:09 am / 2 comments

  

  Updated for this year is the 2020 Triumph Street Triple 765R, following in the footsteps of the 765RS, launched last year. As per the RS, the 765R now comes with revised head cowl and the same LED headlight design.

  The 765 cc, three-cylinder power plant on the 765R is now Euro 5 compliant and produces 118 PS at 12,000 rpm with torque rated at 77 Nm at 9,400 rpm. This compares against the 123 PS at 11,750 rpm and 79 Nm of torque of the 765RS version with better engine response on the 765R coming from a 7% reduction in rotational inertia.

  

  

  

  Also part of the 765R’s standard equipment is an up-and-down quickshifter on the six-speed gearbox plus shift-assist clutch. Braking uses Brembo M4.32 four-piston callipers clamping 310 mm floating discs on the front wheel and a single-piston Brembo calliper at the back with two-channel ABS as standard.

  While the 765RS gets Showa BPF full-adjustable forks, the 765 R comes with 41 mm upside-down Showa SF-BPF forks with compression and rebound adjustment in separate legs. As for the monoshock, the 765R uses a Showa unit with adjustable compression and rebound damping and preload.

  

  Inside the cockpit, the 765R uses a combination monochrome LCD display with analogue tachometer and ride-by-wire gives three ride modes – Sport, Road and Rain – along with traction control. Along with the standard fitment Pirelli Rosso III tyres, the 765R also comes with low ride height option the brings seat height down to 780 mm from the standard 825 mm.

  Dry weight is claimed to be 168.4 kg, versus the 166 kg dry weight of the 765RS and fuel is carried in a 17.4-litre tank. There are two colour options for the 2020 Triumph Street Triple 765R – Sapphire Black and Matt Silver Ice. In Malaysia, the 2020 Triumph Street Triple 765RS retails for RM67,900.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Yamaha taking orders for prototype high-performance electric motors; for cars and bikes, 47 hp to 268 hp

  In International News, Technology, Yamaha / By Mick Chan / 11 February 2020 6:43 pm / 8 comments

  

  Yamaha announced last week that it has started taking orders from other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for its high-performance prototype electric motors for a variety of vehicles, including cars and motorcycles.

  The prototype interior permanent magnet synchronous motor is capable of ‘industry-leading power density’ thanks to a high-efficiency segment conductor as well as advance casting and processing technologies, according to the Japanese manufacturer, and it is capable of producing up to 200 kW (268 hp). The motor will be either water-cooled or oil-cooled, depending on its intended application.

  Yamaha will customise the prototype motor to the specific needs of individual customers ‘in short time spans’ using production methods that the company will adapt to various product groups, it said. The video footage below shows what appears to be an Alfa Romeo 4C being used as a test bed, and assuming the full 268 hp is used, this represents a 28 hp gain over the 1.8 litre turbo petrol engine the car comes with, as standard.

  

  The Iwata-based manufacturer is also working on more compact applications, with outputs starting from 35 kW (47 hp). Incidentally, 47 hp is the European output limit for A2 motorcycle license holders on the continent, which means that the majority of motorcycle sizes will be catered for in Yamaha’s development of the electric motors; the flexibility for different products should also fit other forms such as sport bikes and tourers.

  Yamaha has yet to state target output numbers for its bike application motors, though in terms of other electric bikes for comparison, the Energica Ego produces 145 hp and 200 Nm of torque, while the Harley-Davidson LiveWire produces 104 hp and 117 Nm of torque.

  The larger of the above prototype motors could go into, among other things, a high-performance cruiser type of bike; might Yamaha do an electric reprise of its V4-engined muscle bike and call it the ‘EV-MAX’?

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• GALLERY: Harley-Davidson Sykes Sportster Customs

  In Bikes, Harley-Davidson, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 11 February 2020 5:24 pm / 1 comment

  

  During a Harley-Davidson media ride in Antequera, Spain, recently to which paultan.org was invited, on the riding menu were a dozen custom Sportsters built by Sykes Harley-Davidson in the UK. The 12 Sportsters were actual customer bikes, road registered and built to specification.

  Styling for the Sykes custom Sportsters covered a range of styles, from the, compared to the other bikes, somewhat “normal” bobber to dragster style, ape hanger and flat-tracker. Each Sykes Sportster was unique, some having intricate paint jobs, others finished in bare metal.

  

  

  

  Others sported a variety of handlebars styles, from the aforementioned “ape hanger” to flat bars and everything else in between. Engines were similarly dissimilar, with the V-twin configuration adorned with cut-off exhausts, shorties, open pipes and the like.

  What was common amongst all the Sportsters that were ridden by the assembled media to dinner was all exuded that Harley sound. After two days of riding stock standard Harley-Davidson Softtails and another totally silent machine in the mountains around Antequera, was something of a welcome change.

  

  

  

  With the admonition that the bikes we were riding belonged to someone else and would have to be returned in the condition in which we received them, the ride progressed through the old part of the town of Antequera. Replete with cobblestones, steep inclines, pedestrian traffic and slippery manhole covers, the gaggle of journalists had a whale of a time cruising the streets.

  In Malaysia, the Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200 comes in Custom, Roadster, Forty-Eight and Iron flavours. Pricing starts from RM75,400 for the base model Forty-Eight and goes up to RM85,800 for the 1200 Roadster in Two-tone paint.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Yamaha / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 10 February 2020 6:26 pm / 0 comment

  

  For the 2020 MotoGP season, it appears that Monster Energy Yamaha will be using the same graphics as in the previous year. However, during an interview satellite team Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) principal Datuk Radzlan Razali, paultan.org was informed the 2020 YZF-R1 is an all new race machine, with new chassis and engine.

  This means factory team riders Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales are on all new bikes with carbon-fibre fairing and swingarm, as is Petronas SRT rider Fabio Quartararo, who posted fastest time in the Winter Test at Sepang. Meanwhile, Quartararo’s teammate Franco Morbidelli is riding a 2019 YZR-M1 with “improvements”, said Radzlan.

  With Rossi and Vinales still in the first team for 2020 and as is known, Vinales has signed on 2021, fan favourite Rossi is still undecided on his future plans. Rossi’s contract with Yamaha ends in 2020 and he has been quoted as saying he would wait till mid-season to decide his future in MotoGP.

  

  

  

  Rossi’s place in the Monster Energy Yamaha team will be taken by Quartararo with speculation that Rossi might move down to the satellite team, stay on as a Yamaha test rider or retire to concentrate on his VR46 race team. In other news, Jorge Lorenzo, who had a dismal and injury-hit season with Ducati on the Desmosedici GP19 – injuring his back with a bad fall in Assen last season – has come on board with Yamaha as a test rider.

  Last year, Vinales placed third in the overall rider standings while Rossi managed seventh. For Vinales, this is his fourth season with Yamaha, while “The Doctor” has been racing for Yamaha for 15 years.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 MotoGP: Winter Test Sepang Malaysia – Quartararo tops standings, 6 makes in the top 10

  In Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 10 February 2020 2:04 pm / 1 comment

  

  At the conclusion of 2020 MotoGP Winter Testing in Sepang International Circuit (SIC) over the weekend, Frenchman Fabio Quartararo of Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) topped the leaderboard with a time of 1:58.349, set in the first session of day three. Riding a 2020 factory spec Yamaha YZR-M1, Quartararo, aged 20, has been signed up to join the factory team in 2021, with Monster Energy Yamaha, replacing fan favourite Valentino Rossi.

  In second after three days of testing was Cal Crutchlow of LCR Honda Castrol with Alex Rins of Team Suzuki Ecstar coming in third. Crutchlow clocked a best lap time of 1:58.431 and Rins posting 1:58.450.

  Inside the top 11, all riders posted a sub-1:58.975 time and there were six manufacturers inside the top 10. Honda’s sole top 10 finisher was Crutchlow along with Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro while Yamaha, Suzuki and KTM had two riders each and Ducati having three.

  

  

  

  Surprise showing of the 2020 MotoGP Winter Test on day two was Dani Pedrosa, having retired from Repsol Honda and taken up duties as test rider for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Known as “The Bridesmaid” for always having shown strongly at MotoGP but never winning a championship like Randy Mamola before him, Pedrosa shut his critics up by posting a 1:59.599, indicating there is fight left in the old dog.

  Also getting in stride was Johann Zarco, riding for Reale Avintia Racing on a Ducati Desmosedici GP19, clocking 1:59.825 on day two. After a dismal 2019 with KTM Red Bull where he left the team suddenly mid-season, Zarco tested for Respol Honda but was passed over in favour of world champion Marc Marquez’s younger brother, Alex.

  Back on track was former world champion Jorge Lorenzo, after suffering an injury-hit season with Ducati. Now employed as a test rider for Yamaha, Lorenzo is focusing on developing the 2020 YZR-M1 and helping the engineers find the good and bad points of the point, also saying he not feeling any pain on the bike after injuring his back in Assen last year.

  

  

  

  Recovering from shoulder surgery, champion Marc Marquez posted 1:59.821 on day three, crashing on day two whilst chasing down his team mate and brother Alex. Meanwhile, the younger Marquez posted a best lap of 1:59:175 on day three of testing.

  Speaking one-on-one with Petronas Yamaha SRT team principal Datuk Radzlan Razali told paultan.org he is cautiously optimistic for chances of winning the championship this year. “Right now we are very pleased with what Fabio has done and it is still too early to tell. Certainly we hope this year to be standing on the top step of the podium, which will be a first for a satellite team after 20 years,” said Radzlan.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 Ducati Panigale Superleggera V4 – RM414,000

  In Bikes, Ducati, International News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 7 February 2020 6:34 pm / 13 comments

  

  The latest addition to the Ducati Panigale V4 range is the 2020 Ducati Panigale Superleggera V4, coming in at the top of the Borgo Panigale firm’s superbike lineup. To be produced in a limited run of 500 units, the Panigale Superleggera V4 is priced at USD 100,000 (RM414,000).

  The Panigale Superleggera V4 joins the Panigale V4, Panigale V4S, Panigale V4S Speciale, Panigale V4R and Panigale V4 25th Anniversario 916 in Ducati’s catalogue. According to Ducati, the Panigale Superleggera V4 is the epitome of its design and engineering prowess, being its most powerful and technologically advanced superbike.

  Setting the Panigale Superleggera V4 apart is the use of carbon-fibre in the frame, swingarm and wheels, and it is designed to be road-legal. Carbon-fibre is also used in the fairings and bi-plane wings, drawing on Ducati’s experience in racing aerodynamics in MotoGP.

  

  

  At 270 km/h, the Panigale Superleggera V4 produces 50 kg of downforce, 20 kg more than the Panigale V4 and V4 R. In standard trim and with the road-legal Akrapovic exhaust in place, the Panigale Superleggera V4 V-four, 998 cc mill is capable of producing 224 hp at 15,250 rpm and 118 Nm of torque at 11,750 rpm.

  Adding the race kit bumps this number up to 234 hp at 15,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 120 Nm at 11,750 rpm while reducing the Panigale Superleggera V4 power plant’s weight by 6 kg from the standard Panigale V4 engine, giving a power to weight ratio of 1.4 hp per kg. Overall, the Panigale Superleggera V4 weighs 159 kg dry, 16 kg lighter than the base Panigale V4.

  Naturally, the Panigale Superleggera V4’s electronics suite has been upgraded in line with its racing identity. Aside from the three ride modes, the rider has five custom modes available. This complements the lap timer which also stores GPS co-ordinates for five circuits.

  

  

  Lightness pervades throughout the Panigale Superleggera V4 with lightweight Ohlins suspension that uses a titanium spring in the rear monoshock. A special touch are the Brembo Stylema R front brakes with ventilation holes in the callipers. All in, the Superleggera V4 laps the Mugello circuit in the hands of Ducati factory rider Michele Pirro with a time of 1:52.45, or just under two seconds slower than the Panigale V4 R SBK World Superbike contender.

  Purchasers of the Panigale Superleggera V4 will get the chance to ride the actual Panigale V4 R used by the Ducati Corse team in the World Superbike Championship during the Ducati Superbike Experience, along with gifts of a carbon-fibre helmet and Dainese D-Air race suit, exclusive to the Panigale Superleggera V4.

  Meanwhile, 30 lucky customers who purchase the MotoGP Experience will, under the supervision of Ducati Corse technicians, get to sample the actual MotoGP Desmosedici GP20 as raced by Andrea Dovisioso and Danilo Petrucci.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Ducati Petaling Jaya now second-largest in Southeast Asia; relocated, showroom open seven days a week

  In Ducati, Local Bike News / By Mick Chan / 6 February 2020 7:39 pm / 0 comment

  

  With its refreshed look as part of updates to be in line with Ducati corporate identity, the Ducati Petaling Jaya showroom has been relocated slightly to the front of the row ahead of the Naza Automall facing the Federal Highway, giving it better prominence compared to its previous location at the end of the access road. This is now the second-largest Ducati showroom in Southeast Asia, says the company.

  This renovated facility also houses one of the largest Ducati service areas in Asia spanning 5,009 sq ft as part of Ducati Petaling Jaya’s built-up area of 16,339 sq ft, while the service centre features eight work bays in order to accommodate the service of 450 bikes a month.

  Customers and the visiting public are promised a premium experience from the refreshed setup that has been given a RM1.5 million update, where the latest Ducati corporate identity comprises experential sections including distinct areas for apparel as well as for accessories, while the Scrambler sub-brand also gets its own section dubbed the Scrambler Camp, also with the brand’s own range of apparel and accessories.

  

  

  

  

  In terms of future growth plans for the Italian marque, plans are afoot for the opening of a new flagship showroom at a prominent location, while further expansion plans include the opening of a new showroom in the Southern region by the second half of this year, said the deputy group CEO for the automotive group in Naza Corporation Holdings, Datuk Nik Hamdam Nik Hassan.

  The Ducati Petaling Jaya showroom is open seven days a week, albeit with different operating hours on weekends; this is open 9am to 6pm Mondays to Fridays and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and 10 am to 5pm on Sundays. The aftersales department operates 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays and a half-day on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, and is closed on Sundays.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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