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• 2020 Aprilia RS660 to enter Malaysia at year-end

  In Aprilia, Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 3 January 2020 3:25 pm / 4 comments

  

  During the special preview of the limited edition Aprilia RSV4 X in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, there was good news for fans awaiting the Malaysia launch of the Aprilia RS660 sports bike. Queried by paultan.org during the question and answer session, Piaggio’s Asia Pacific head of marketing, Nicola Capello, said the RS660 will be launched in Malaysia by the end of 2020.

  This middleweight sports bike was launched in EICMA last November and has yet to make its appearance in any market worldwide. However, interest in this sports bike has been high as it signifies Aprilia’s return to this sports motorcycle segment.

  Taking design cues from bigger sibling the RSV4 and powered by a 660 cc parallel-twin, the RS660 will produce about 100 hp and weigh only 169 kg, according to Capello. “The RS660 is designed to be a fun bike, for all riders, and we think it will be a hit, especially in Asia,” he said.

  

  

  Despite some aggressive styling, the RS660 is very much designed to be easy to live with on the road, with clip-on handlebars above the triple clamp centreline and foot pegs that do not fold the riders legs as far back as a pure race bike would. Lightness is also evident in the RS660 with a frame and swingarm made from aluminium alloy.

  For suspension, the 41 mm diameter Kayaba upside-down forks are used in front and a monoshock at the rear, all fully-adjustable. Brakes are from Brembo, using four-piston Monobloc callipers clamping 320 mm discs on the front wheel.

  

  Aside from ride-by-wire, the RS660 also takes its electronics and riding aids suite from the RSV4, as Capello explained. This includes Aprilia Traction Control, Aprilia Wheelie Control, Aprilia Cruise Control, Aprilia Quick Shift (up and down), Aprilia Engine Brake and Cornering ABS.

  Five ride modes are available to the rider – three for the street and two for the race track – giving clear intentions that Aprilia wants the RS660 to be a bike at home on street or circuit. In keeping with current motorcycle technology trends, the instrument panel is a full-colour TFT-LCD unit that includes connectivity to the rider’s smartphone.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Aprilia RSV4 X makes special appearance in Malaysia

  In Aprilia, Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 3 January 2020 1:55 pm / 2 comments

  

  To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Aprilia RSV4 superbike as well as seven championship wins in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK), Aprilia issued the limited edition Aprilia RSV4 X. Only 10 units were made and all were sold immediately at a price of 39,900 euro (RM183k) but one unit made its way to Malaysia.

  After announcement of the RSV4 X and its sale in March 2019, one RSV4 X made its way into the hands of former World Champion Max Biaggi. Biaggi will be testing the RSV4 X at Sepang International Circuit this weekend and is the first appearance of this limited edition race replica in Asia.

  Based on the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory which is priced at RM159,900 in Malaysia, the RSV4 X is lighter and more powerful. This was done by Aprilia Racing through its Factory Works programme and is intended for track use only.

  The original 1,100 cc V-four from the RSV4 is brought up to race spec and comes with different intake camshaft, valve return springs and caps, as well as revised cam profile. A Sprint filter is used in the optimised intake tract while the exhaust is a titanium and carbon-fibre unit from Akrapovic, for racing purposes only.

  

  

  

  As a result, the RSV4 X produces 225 hp with a claimed weight of only 165 kg. The weight reduction comes from the use of lighter materials such as carbon-fibre and aluminium in the fairing, wheel guards, brake ducts and intake with magnesium wheels from Marchesini.

  Of special note on the RSV4 X, Aprilia says it is the first production motorcycle in the world with neutral sitting below first gear, which it calls Aprilia No Neutral. The brakes are also racing-only units, the Brembo GP4-MS.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• VIDEO: 2020 Segway Apex Concept e-bike revealed

  In Bikes, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 2 January 2020 3:27 pm / 1 comment

  We’ve all seen security personnel cruising around shopping malls using two-wheeled Segway personal transport devices but the 2020 Segway Apex Concept electric motorcycle (e-bike) brings the US company into the world of on-road motorcycles. Currently owned by Beijing based robotics firm Ninebot, Segway currently has an electric dirt bike in its lineup (currently in crowd funding), along with kick scooters and other personal mobility machines.

  Scheduled to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in a few days, the video shows the Apex Concept put through the paces with the tagline, in Mandarin, “Accelerate for Passion.” There is also a large numeral ‘9’ on the fairing, which we presume is a nod to the e-bike’s investors and parent company.

  There are precious few other details available about the Apex Concept but we can assume given Segway’s experience in electric powered vehicles, some form of swappable battery, fast charging and smart energy management will be part of the package. From the video, the Apex Concept looks about ready to hit the market as a fast electric sports bike, joining rivals such as Energica and Zero Motorcycles, based in Europe and the US, respectively.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• First look at Lombok Indonesia MotoGP circuit

  In Bikes, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 2 January 2020 1:39 pm / 1 comment

  

  Scheduled to enter the MotoGP calendar in 2021, the Lombok, Indonesia circuit was shown as a 3D render in an Instagram post from MotoGP. Named Mandalika circuit, MotoGP’s newest track is located in the south of Lombok island on a 133.1 hectare plot and is part of a USD 3 billion (RM12.26 billion) state-backed economic development programme with USD 1 billion (RM4.08 billion) allocated to building the circuit.

  With a track distance of 4.32 km and 19 corners, Mandalika circuit will be a dual-purpose circuit, with the track being open for use as public roads and highways. The circuit is able to cater for 150,000 spectators, split between the 50,000-plus seat grandstand and other areas.

  Other amenities include hospitality suites that can cater for 7,700 people, 40 race paddocks, a conference and exhibition centre and shopping mall. The project will be split between the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), who will build the road and drainage infrastructure while France’s Vinci Construction Grand Projects will be responsible for the race track and supporting facilities.

  View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by MotoGP (@motogp) on Dec 27, 2019 at 5:00am PST

   

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• Dego Ride begins in 2020, wants more women riders

  In Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 2 January 2020 12:18 pm / 5 comments

  

  After reversal of a government ban and announcement of a pilot programme, motorcycle ride share service Dego Ride has commenced operations in the Klang Valley. With 700 approved riders, Dego Ride currently covers Putrajaya to Shah Alam with 4,000 rider applications undergoing vetting, reports The Star.

  The ride share service, alongside rival Gojek, were banned from Malaysian roads with authorities citing the high risk of accidents and death amongst motorcyclists. However, it was announced in November 2019 that both services would be allowed to operate under a six month long trial project beginning January 2020.

  Dego Ride is priced at RM3 for the first three kilometre ride and RM1 every kilometre after that, with users hailing a rider using the Dego Ride app. During the launch of the Dego Ride service and app, Nabil Feisal Bamadhaj, founder and chief executive officer of Dego Ride, said the service is also looking to increase its roster of female riders.

  Under its terms of usage, Dego Ride rider and passenger are matched according to gender. “We call on more women rider to join us, as there has been high demand from female passengers for their last mile connections,” said Nabil.

   

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• 2020 Honda RS150R V2 spotted in Malaysian dealer, five new colours, pricing starts from RM9,300

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 2 January 2020 11:46 am / 15 comments

  

  While Boon Siew Honda, the Malaysian distributor for Honda Motorcycles, has announced the launch of a new model in two week, there were no details about which model would be entering the local market. However, the 2020 Honda RS150R V2 supercub was spotted on the showroom floor of a Honda dealer in Subang recently.

  No official pricing has been announced, but from scrutiny of the price tags of the RS150R V2s on display, pricing starts at RM9,300 for the black/orange, blue/white, red/black and Tricolor version. Meanwhile, the Repsol livery RS150R V2 goes for RM9,500 with pricing not including road tax, insurance and registration. Malaysian pricing for the current model RS150R is RM7,999 for the standard and RM8,299 for the Repsol version.

  For the V2 version of the RS150R, the models on sale are the same as the face-lifted Honda Supra GTR150 launched in Indonesia in September last year. Malaysian riders, though, are anxiously awaiting the Honda Winner X model, launched in Vietnam mid last year, which boasts of bigger updates and improvements.

  

  

  

  The RS150R V2 now comes with a full digital LCD panel, a revised tail light that omits the translucent panels on either side and revised turn signals. It is assumed no changes have been made in the engine room, with a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder power plant displacing 149.16 cc putting out 15.6 PS at 9,000 rpm and 13.5 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm with six-speed gearbox.

  ABS is still missing from the supercub category in Malaysia and braking on the RS150R V2 is done with single hydraulic discs, front and rear. Cast alloy wheels are shod in 90/80-17 IRC tyre in front and 120/70 in the rear.

  In Malaysia, the current model RS150R is priced at RM7,999 for the standard and RM8,299 for the Repsol version. In conversation with the dealer, it was mentioned the RS150R in standard colours can be purchased for RM8,800, on the road including insurance.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Construct more designated motorcycle lanes – MIROS

  In Bikes, Local News / By Anthony Lim / 31 December 2019 4:48 pm / 23 comments

  

  The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) says that authorities should consider constructing more designated motorcycle lanes, as it believes that these have the potential to help reduce the number of road accidents involving motorcyclists and pillion riders. According to 2018 statistics, an average of 18 fatalities were recorded daily nationwide, with most involving motorcyclists.

  “MIROS is of the view that the construction of non-exclusive motorcycle lane (NEML) will reduce the accident rates involving two-wheel vehicles in the country. The implementation of this strategic proposal on the existing road system is possible if there is sufficient budget,” its road safety engineering and environment research centre director Dr Muhammad Marizwan Abdul Manan told Bernama.

  He said the lane could be constructed by paving the shoulder on existing roads to turn it into a motorcycle lane, adding that a proposal for the construction of the designated motorcycle lane would have to factor in the number of motorcyclists or the frequency of accidents in an area.

  

  On the proposal to limit the speed of low-powered motorcycles to a maximum of 70 km/h, he said that implementation of this should be carried out in line with the construction of the designated motorcycle lane, stating that the special lane would be able to help authorities monitor the speed limit.

  Earlier this year, motorcycle safety advocacy group Safety First urged the government to enforce a 70 km/h speed limit for kapchai or low-powered motorcycles, citing that speed was the cause of most fatal road accidents. The group also suggested that motorcycle travel be confined to the left lane to help reduce road accidents.

  What do you think of the idea of having designated motorcycle lanes, possibly coming at the expense of pedestrian walkways in some cases? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

   

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• New 70 km/h speed limit for kapchais being studied

  In Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 20 December 2019 12:10 pm / 50 comments

  

  Following calls for the banning of the ubiquitous kapchai on Malaysian roads, a proposal the speed limit underbone motorcycles be limited to70 km/h has emerged. However, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke has said such a proposal has to be studied from all angles and the extent of its implementation.

  “We know there are proposals to limit the speed of kapchais but in the Malaysian context it involves many motorcycle owners, perhaps as many as 10 million,” Loke said in a Bernama report quoted by Berita Harian Online. Speaking as a guest on a Bernama Radio show, Loke said he was not rejecting the proposal out of hand but any decision made (by the ministry) would have far reaching consequences.

  Previously, Loke had said banning kapchais on Malaysian roads would not be practical nor would they be barred from using toll highways. Calls for the banning and limiting the speed of kapchais had previously been made by an alleged motorcycle safety advocacy group named Safety First who appear to have the attention of the authorities despite not showing any provenance or credentials with respect to motorcycles.

   

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• 2020 Honda Airblade now in Vietnam, from RM7.3k

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 16 December 2019 4:43 pm / 5 comments

  

  After the market release of the Winner X, Honda Vietnam has sprung another surprise with the launch of the 2020 Honda Airblade scooter. Pricing starts at 41.19 million Vietnamese Dong (RM7,330) and goes up to 56.30 million Dong (RM10,035).

  The new Airblade is the fifth generation of this scooter design and has undergone a complete revamp. This includes the choice of 125 cc and 150 cc engines and other styling cues. In Vietnam, each version of the Airblade, either 125 or 150, will come in Special and Standard models, with differences in graphics and Combined Braking System (CBS) or single-channel ABS.

  Fed by Honda’s PGM-FI, both the 125 Airblade and 150 Airblade carry a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled mill with the 125 cc version producing 11.3 hp at 8,500 rpm and 11.68 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm while the 150 cc mill produces 12.9 hp at 8,500 rpm and 13.3 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm.

  

  

  Fuel is carried in a 4.4-litre tank with a 22-litre storage compartment under the seat with courtesy light and compartment divider that is large enough for two open-face helmets or one full-face. Rolling on 14-inch wheels, tyre sizes between the 125 and 140 differ, with the 150 getting slightly wider tubeless tyres.

  In front, the 2020 Airblade bears a resemblance to the Winner X with LED headlights that look similar but with the Airblade having a slightly longer LED DRL brow. At the back, the tail light is also an LED unit that comes with combined turn signals.

  Inside the cockpit, a new LCD display replaces the previous analogue instrument panel, giving the rider a simpler and neater readout. Also standard equipment on the Airblade is keyless start, USB charger and idling stop.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2019 FIM EWC Sepang: YART Yamaha takes inaugural race win, Yamaha Sepang Racing in seventh

  In Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 16 December 2019 3:14 pm / 2 comments

  

  Malaysia’s year end rainy weather saw a drastically shortened first ever FIM Endurance World Championship race in Sepang. Scheduled to run over eight hours, rain started falling at around noon and did not let up till the late hours of the evening.

  Start was delayed and after some deliberation with race officials and team managers, the EWC took off behind the safety car. After a stint on the very wet track, riders elected to pull in and after a riders meeting, the race was delayed to six p.m.

  YART Yamaha Racing with rider Niccolo Canepa in the saddle throughout took the race win in a time of 5:50:03.837 over a total of 80 laps, recording a team best lap time of 2:18:616 along the way. In second place was Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Showa with Malaysian rider Zaqhwan Zaidi, Thai rider Somkiat Chantra and Indonesian Andi Farid Izdihar, coming in with a total time of 5:51:53.549 and a team best of 2:20.692.

  

  

  

  Third place went to riders Ilya Mykhalchyk and Markus Reiterberger of BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, podium finishers at the EWC round in Bol d’Or, who raced a total of 79 laps in a total time of 5:50:35.678, one lap behind the race winner. Despite the wet conditions, the BMW team managed a team best lap time of 2:22.090.

  In the Superstock (SST) class, French team Moto Ain placed fourth overall and winning the SST race in a time of 5:50:46.957 and a team best lap time of 2:20.927. Second in category went to German team Gert56 by GS Yuasa on a BMW Motorrad S1000RR with a total race time of 5:52:22.086, who came in 14th overall.

  

  Race favourites Yamaha Sepang Racing team, crewed by MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli, Malaysian racer Hafizh Syahrin and World Superbike Championship rider Michael Van Der Mark, managed seventh place, despite dominating the early part of the EWC Sepang round. A mid-race collision between Van Der Mark on his Yamaha YZF-R1 and Mike di Meglio of F.C.C. TSR Honda France’s Honda CBR1000RR saw both riders hitting the tarmac.

  Pitting to repair crash damage, Van Der Mark resumed the race in 40th position, riding the Yamaha R1 hard to make up time in the shortened race. A series of sub 20-second laps by Morbidelli, including a stunning 2:17.817 in the wet, was only enough to bring the team within sight of the race lead by the chequered flag but to no avail.

  All photographs courtesy of Sepang International Circuit. Some photographs may have been resized.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R unveiled in Malaysia

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 13 December 2019 7:33 pm / 9 comments

  

  After its worldwide reveal at the 2019 EICMA motorcycle show in Italy, the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R was unveiled at Sepang International Circuit during the 2019 Races of Malaysia. The CBR1000RR-R replaces the CBR1000RR and features design and styling taken from Honda’s MotoGP racing motorcycles.

  Intended for competition in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) that is currently dominated by the Kawasaki ZX-10RR, the CBR1000RR-R uses a chassis and bodywork derived from the Honda RC213V-S race replica with 214 hp at 14,500 rpm and 113 Nm of torque at 12,500 rpm coming from the inline-four. Racing technology features in the CBR1000RR-RR with items such as titanium connecting rods, forged pistons and finger-follower rocker arms for valve actuation.

  The base model CBR1000RR-R displayed comes with Showa fully-adjustable front forks with Nissin brakes callipers while the SP version will come with Brembo Stylema callipers and Ohlins electronic suspension. Riding aids abound on the CBR1000RR-R with Honda Selectable Torque Control (HTSC), power, engine braking and wheelie control with the addition of launch control.

  

  

  

  The frame is all new and is designed to be stiffer in the vertical plane with increased torsional resistance but more compliant in the horizontal axis to boost grip and feel. Winglets now sprout from either side of the fairing as aerodynamic aids but we think its utility on the CBR1000RR-R for road use will be more cosmetic than functional.

  There is no pricing as yet for the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R in Malaysia and as to when it might be available for sale, Boon Siew Honda declined to commit to a date. However, a source inside Boon Siew said the CBR1000RR-R might make it to Malaysia “sooner rather than later.”

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2019 EWC Sepang: Yamaha Sepang Racing qualify 1st

  In Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 12 December 2019 9:14 pm / 0 comment

  

  At the inaugural round of the 2019 Endurance World Championship (EWC) Sepang 8 Hours Endurance Race at Sepang International Circuit, Yamaha Sepang Racing, entered as a wildcard, qualified on top for Saturday’s race proper. With riders Franco Morbidelli, Malaysian Hafizh Syahrin and Michael Van Der Mark, Yamaha Sepang Racing took over all qualifying in an average best lap time of 2:04.527 on the #21 Yamaha YZF-R1.

  Further cementing command for the upcoming EWC race at Sepang, Morbidelli, who currently rides for SIC Yamaha MotoGP team recorded a time of 2:04.647 from a single flying lap during the Top 10 Trial to start in pole position on Saturday with Somkiat Chantra of Honda Dream Racing with Showa in second and Josh Hook of F.C.C. TSR Honda France in third. The Trial is held for the fastest riders from the top 10 qualifying teams in order to determine pole position.

  Qualifying second was Josh Hook, Freddy Foray and Mike Di Meglio riding for F.C.C. TSR Honda France on the #5 Honda CBR1000RR with an average best of 2:05.146 while Broc Parkes, Fritz Marvin and Niccolo Canepa of YART-Yamaha on the #7 Yamaha YZF-R1 came in third with 2:05.830. Another Malaysian rider in this weekend’s EWC round, the last of the season, is Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi, riding for Honda Dream Racing with Showa on the #88 Honda CBR1000RR.

  

  

  

  Meanwhile, BMW Sepang Racing, mounted on the #48 BMW S1000RR, qualified in 10th place with a start position of eighth on Saturday, set by Malaysian rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman. Azlan is joined by fellow Malaysian rider Adam Norrodin and and Julien Da Costa.

  In the EWC Superstock (SST) class, Tone RT Syncedge 4413 BMW of Japan with riders Tomoya Hoshino, Kokoro Atsumi and Takeshi Ishizuka qualified first in class and 12th overall, riding a BMW S1000RR. In second and 13th overall for EWC SST qualifying were Roberto Rolfo, Robin Mulhasuer and Hugo Clere in the Moto Ain team on a Yamaha YZF-R1 while Gert56 by GS Yuasa with riders Stefan Kerschbaumer, Lucy Glockner and Pepijn BijsterBosch riding the BMW S1000RR

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2020 Yamaha Ego Solariz in four new colours – RM5.2k

  In Bikes, Local Bike News, Yamaha / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 12 December 2019 7:07 pm / 3 comments

  

  For 2020, the Yamaha Ego Solariz has been given a fresh look with four new colours while pricing remains unchanged at RM5,234 excluding road tax, insurance and registration. The four new colour choices for the Ego Solariz are Red, Blue, Gold and Cyan.

  The Ego Solariz was first launched in Malaysia in 2017 and given a refresh with new colours in 2018. For 2020, aside from the new colours, all other specifications remain unchanged.

  Carrying an air-cooled, single-cylinder SOHC 125 cc power plant fed by EFI and Yamaha’s Blue Core fuel efficient design technology, the Ego Solariz produces 9.4 hp at 8,000 rpm and 9.6 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. Transmission as is usual for scooters uses an automatic gearbox and belt drive.

  

  

  In front, conventional telescopic forks hold a 14-inch wheel shod in 70.90 tyre and disc brake while the rear end is propped up by monoshock equipped swingarm and stopped by a drum brake on 14-inch wheel wearing 80/90 rubber.

  A 10-litre storage compartment is found underneath the seat with an additional storage compartment under the handlebars suitable for miscellaneous items such as a water bottle. Fuel for the Ego Solariz is carried in a 4.2-litre tank.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Ducati Memorabilia: For the rider who has everything

  In Bikes, Ducati, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 10 December 2019 1:41 pm / 0 comment

  

  If you’re wondering what to get the rider who has everything for Christmas or a year-end gift, Ducati and its racing division Ducati Corse have got you covered with the Ducati Memorabilia Project. What this is means is you can purchase, for yourself or other significant person in your life, a piece of a Ducati racing motorcycle.

  Items include crankshafts, camshafts, pistons and con-rods, all used inside a Desmosedici or Panigale from previous racing seasons. While the cynical might question why such a thing is available for purchase, for the Ducatisti, it represents a piece of racing history.

  Cost, on the other hand, might be another issue but as they say, like motorcycle styles, one man’s meat is another man’s unjustifiable, absolute waste of money. Each piece of Ducati Memorabilia is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Ducati chief executive officer Claudio Domenicali and Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna.

  

  

  

  Encased in a plexiglass box, each Ducati racing component has a serial number and is clearly marked “For Display Only.” Purchase of Ducati Memorabilia items can be made at the Ducati Store in Borgo Panigale, selected Ducati dealerships and via online purchase at the Ducati website from 2020.

  In other news, French MotoGP rider Johann Zarco, who left KTM Red Bull Racing mid-season after dismal results, has signed with Ducati MotoGP satellite team Reale Avintia Racing. Replacing Czech Karel Abraham in the Spanish outfit, Zarco joins Spaniard Tito Rabat.

  

  

  DU 2019-11-14 MEMORABILIA

  

  DU 2019-11-14 MEMORABILIA

  

  DU 2019-11-14 MEMORABILIA

  

  DU 2019-11-14 MEMORABILIA

  
  

  

  DU 2019-11-14 MEMORABILIA

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Space for a big BMW Motorrad Boxer in your heart? Concept R 18 twin is BMW’s biggest boxer mill

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 9 December 2019 1:11 pm / 3 comments

  

  While the author reserves his comments on the trend for retro motorcycles – some of these are really well done, others should be taken out back and shot – BMW Motorrad has come up with its biggest boxer yet, the mill powering the Concept R 18 and Concept R 18/2. Displacing 1,802 cc, effectively some 901 cc per jug from the over-square 107.1 mm bore and 100 mm stroke, the “Big Boxer”, as BMW Motorrad calls it, is a torque monster as can be guessed from the specifications.

  Producing 91 hp at 4,750 rpm, the issue here is not one of power but torque, and stump pulling handfuls of it. The Bog Boxer produces 158 Nm at 3,000 rpm with 150 Nm available to the rider’s right hand from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm, making the torque curve flat as a pool table.

  It is obvious the market the boys from Munich is chasing is the “cruiser” and “power cruiser” segment. When Harley-Davidson used to dominate this niche, it’s market has been falling fast the past few years and this demographic has seen stiff competition from Indian Motorcycles, along with the newly released Triumph Rocket III and, having a following in its own right, the Ducati Diavel and XDiavel.

  

  The Big boxer is not to be rushed and point-and-shoot sports riders should look elsewhere. The opposed-twin engine weighs a hefty 110.8 kg complete with gearbox and intake and redlines at 5,750 rpm, idling at 950 rpm.

  For riders used to 13,000 redlines (like the author) this indicates the engine should, perhaps, be ridden at a rather more relaxed pace, using the engine torque to gently waft along the highway. Or, during the author’s Harley-Davidson period, taken on a footboard scraping, rear wheel chattering, pillion hanging on for dear life and screaming loud enough to be heard inside the helmet ride to Sungai Koyan.

  Technology does dominate the Big Boxer, BMW Motorrad has made sure of that. There is a limit to how far you can push this retro nonsense, after all, despite the amount of money you could make pushing 70’s engine design to soy latte sipping, drainpipe jeans wearing hipsters.

  What is retro is the air/oil-cooled engine which, to support the enormous pistons, comes with two outboard main bearings like the normal R-series twin but with an additional main bearing in the centre to carry the load. The quench and tempered steel crankshaft holds connecting rods and aluminium pistons with Nicasil coated bores.

  

  

  

  ‘Modern’ sensibilities include four-valves per cylinder in overhead configuration and twin-spark plugs. The camshafts are located above the crankshaft and driven by via a sleeve-type chain which BMW says shortens the pushrods and decreases flex and moving mass.

  Unfortunately, despite the size and bulk of the Big Boxer, valve adjustments are done manually, no hydraulic valve lash adjustment here, thank you very much. The benefit of having the cylinders sticking out on either side of the bike, though, is valve adjustments are easily done with screw adjusters.

  Completing the Big Boxer package is a six-speed transmission – gearbox sounds crude for a engine like this – with four shafts holding helical gears. Available as an option is reverse gear, driven by an intermediate gear and an electric motor which will, naturally add a few more kilos to engine weight but once you’ve crossed the 100 kg barrier, what’s a few kilos between friends.

  

  Besides the Concept R 18 and R18/2, BMW Motorrad has not revealed where the engine might sit in the current model line up but we think a series of big power cruisers will be in the offing. This make sense, considering the current R NineT Heritage series of retro styled motorcycles has seen keen interest from riders wanting something different from the current crop of retro sports bikes.

  What do you think, dear reader? Retro is as retro does or do we need more throwbacks to what some see as the “Golden Age” of motorcycling? Leave a comment with your thoughts and opinions below.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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