Home / Bikes (Page 162)

2022 Yamaha 135LC Fi V8 - from RM7,798

Latest Bike Stories

• MotoGP Winter Test: Pedrosa fastest, Hafizh 21st

  In Bikes, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 19 February 2018 1:08 pm / 1 comment

  

  At the conclusion of the third MotoGP Winter test in Buriram, Thailand, Dani Pedrosa (#26) of Repsol Honda posted the fastest time of 1:29.781. In second was Johann Zarco (#5) of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 who clocked 1:29.867 while team mate Malaysian Hafizh Syahrin (#55) posted a time of 1:31.537, putting him in 21st place for the winter test.

  Coming in third was Cal Crutchlow (#35) of LCR Honda, with a time of 1:30.064 while current MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez (#93) of Repsol Honda came in fourth, clocking 1:30.064. Highest placed Ducati rider during winter testing was Andrea Dovizioso (#4) of Ducati who came in seventh, clocking 1:30.192.

  Fan favourite Valentino Rossi (#46), riding for Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, was in tenth place with a time of 1:30.511. Dovizioso’s Ducati team mate, multiple world champion Jorge Lorenzo (#99) managed to get 22nd position with a time of 1:31.627.

  

  

  

  The 2018 MotoGP season looks to be a three-way fight between Pedrosa, Zarco and incumbent Marquez, with Dovizioso possibly being the spanner in the works. With Rossi being hit by injury last season, and Lorenzo still fighting to find his form on the Desmosedici GP18, this year’s MotoGP might see a new name making it into the roster.

  As for Malaysian racer Hafizh Syahrin, known to fans as “Pescao 55”, this is his first season in the top-flight, after leaving SIC Racing Team recently. Other Malaysian riders in the MotoGP circus are Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who replaced Hafizh in SIC Racing Team, and Khairul Idham Pawi (#89), also known as “SuperKIP”, riding for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia, in Moto2, with Adam Norrodin (#7) of Petronas Sprinta Racing in Moto3.

  Designed by German architect Herman Tilke, Buriram International Circuit opened in 2014 and will see MotoGP making its debut this season. The 4.554 km layout incorporates 12 turns and has seen the Superbike World Championship racing at the venue since 2015, with an audience capacity of 100,000.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  1 comment | Leave a comment?

   

• Malaysian Zulfahmi ready for Moto2 challenge

  In Bikes, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 15 February 2018 3:10 pm / 3 comments

  

  As reported earlier, Malaysian racer Zulfahmi Khairuddin will be mounting a challenge in the Moto2 category this year in SIC Racing Team, filling the space left by the departure of Hafizh Syahrin for Monster Tech3 Yamaha in MotoGP. Although this is the first time Zulfahmi has stepped up to the Moto2 category, he feels ready to campaign the season after testing in Valencia, Spain on the Kalex Moto2 race machine.

  Despite a test session shortened by bad weather to 70 minutes, Zulfahmi was able to get a feel for the bike, with another test session scheduled for this week at Sepang International Circuit. “The first test is concluded, and we have succeeded in fitting the bike to Zulfahmi. He is happy with his racing position, and that is a good thing,” said team manager Johan Stigefelt, “but, there is still more work to do.”

  “My first impression of the Moto2 bike is it is very light and the engine has good power. The hardest thing is getting used to the tyres,” said Zulfahmi. “We are adjusting the engine braking so that it feels comfortable under hard braking and entering the corners with good feedback,” he said.

   

  3 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Three-time MotoGP champ Lorenzo to take pay cut?

  In Bikes, Ducati, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 15 February 2018 2:44 pm / 0 comment

  

  After moving to Ducati for the 2017 MotoGP season, three-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo has been overshadowed by team mate Andrea Dovizioso. Spaniard Lorenzo’s past season has been less than spectacular, with Dovizioso posting six victories and coming close to wresting the championship title from Marc Marquez, against Lorenzo’s two third places and one second place.

  While Ducati intends to keep both riders for the 2018 season, Ducati sporting director Paolo Ciabatti said Lorenzo will have to accept a reduced salary, reports Autosport.com. Lorenzo was lured to Ducati from Yamaha in 2016, with a reported salary of 12 million euro (RM58.26 million), while Dovizioso, who has been with the team since 2013, is on a 2 million euro (RM9.71 million) annual stipend.

  

  As sponsor Telecom Italia has left Ducati, the team will have to look at revising rider salaries for this year, facing the fact that Dovizioso has had a much better 2017 season than Lorenzo. “What is evident is that the situation is very different compared to 2016. When we hired Jorge, he had a very important offer from Yamaha for two more years and was the current world champion,” said Ciabatti.

  Ciabatti has gone on record acknowledging Dovizioso’s efforts the previous season, and said the 31-year old racer from Forlimpopoli, Italy, would be rewarded. However, an increased salary offer to Dovizioso will impact what Ducati is able to offer Lorenzo.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  0 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob first ride in Malaysia

  In Bike Reviews, Bikes, Harley-Davidson / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 14 February 2018 6:23 pm / 13 comments

  

  As purveyor of iconic American iron, Harley-Davidson (H-D) has seen mixed fortunes of late, facing declining sales and an ageing rider demographic. Last year, the Milwaukee, US, company announced both a new engine, the Milwaukee 8, and an ambitious plan to release 150 new motorcycle models between 2017 and 2022.

  Considering that H-D was basically flogging an engine design from the 20’s in a chassis looking like it came from the 50’s, with riding dynamics from the 80’s, we were somewhat skeptical about its claims that the new machines were improved, and handled better than before. Before the H-D fanboys come piling on the author, do note that he has spent considerable time on a 1997 FLSTF and thus knows exactly what he’s writing about.

  Coming back to what’s new and improved on the 2018 range of H-D bikes, we did have a sample a while back, with the Iron 883. However, with the advent of the Milwaukee 8 V-twin, H-D is touting that its cruisers, bobbers and tourers are now firmly up-to-date, and designed to appeal to a younger crowd, as well as bringing things closer to developing markets with the establishment of an assembly plant in Thailand.

  

  For Malaysia, the H-D name has seen something of an upheaval of late, with the switching of its official distributorship in 2018, dissolving a business partnership it had with the previous distributor across 22 years. Thus, with a new distributor, we are expecting things at H-D Malaysia to be different, and better, going forward.

  In keeping with that, H-D Malaysia is currently awaiting the arrival of its showroom stock but did have a couple of the 2018 bikes on the floor, namely the CVO Breakout and Street Bob, and asked paultan.org to take them out for a spin. Unfortunately the CVO Breakout was not available, but we did take the 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob out.

  Read paultan.org’s First Look at the H-D Street Bob after the jump.

   

  13 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• 2018 Benelli TnT135 LE mini-bike launched – RM10,587

  In Benelli, Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 14 February 2018 12:02 pm / 6 comments

  

  Malaysian distributor for Benelli, MForce Bike Holdings, has launched the 2018 Benelli TnT 135 LE mini-bike, at a price of RM10,587, including GST, but excluding road tax, insurance and registration. Built in a limited production run of only 1,000 units, the LE version of the TnT135 comes with some extra goodies that set it apart.

  Power in the engine room comes from an air- and oil-cooled 134.7 cc, twin-spark, single-cylinder fed by EFI which is Euro 4 compliant. Rated at 13 hp at 9,000 rpm with torque at 10.8 Nm at 7,000 rpm, power gets to the ground via a five-speed gearbox and chain final drive.

  Suspension on the TnT135 LE is also taken from the standard model, with 41 mm diameter upside-down forks and a rear monoshock with pre-load adjustment. Braking is with hydraulic discs, with a 220 mm unit clamped with dual-piston callipers in front and 190 mm disc at the back.

  

  

  Rolling on 12-inch wheels, the TnT135 LE comes shod with 120/70 rubber in front, and a 130/70 in the rear. Differences for the LE to the base model are handlebar risers with bar protectors, engine and frame protectors, carbon-fibre exhaust cover, front and rear axle sliders, and anodised covers for the brake reservoir, engine oil filler cap and oil filter cap.

  There are three colour options for the 2018 TnT135 LE – Black, White and Red – with limited edition sticker stripes, along with a limited edition number. Availability for the TnT135 LE is at authorised Benelli dealers throughout Malaysia.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  6 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• 2018 Emflux One from India enters e-bike market

  In Bikes, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 12 February 2018 5:22 pm / 10 comments

  

  Inexorably marching on is the journey to electrification of vehicles, especially in the motorcycle world, with the launch of the 2018 Emflux One electric motorcycle (e-bike) from India. Indian start-up Emflux Motors is the brainchild of Varun Mittal, Ankit Khatry, and Vinay Raj Somashekar and their team of 25, producing an e-bike capable of going head-to-head with 700 cc motorcycles.

  Taking just under 18 months to go from inception to the rolling Emflux One concept seen on display at the Auto Expo 2018 India has every single component – except for the brakes, tyres and suspension – on the e-bike has been designed and engineered in-house. Housed in a trellis frame with a trellis single-sided swingarm, the 9.7 kWh battery pack powers a 60 kw electric motor coupled to a single-speed reduction gearbox.

  

  

  

  Bodywork on the Emflux One is fibre-glass, with all components located for best weight centralisation in the frame. Emflux plans to make just 199 units of the Emflux One for the Indian market and another 300 for the export.

  Two versions of the 2018 Emflux One will be produced, a standard version priced at USD 9,350 (RM 36,996), and an upgraded version with Ohlins suspension, forged alloy wheels and ultralight carbon-fibre panels at USD 17,150 (RM67,859). Emflux is also capable of designing and developing electric drivetrains including battery, battery management system, charger, motor controller and electric motor for two- and four-wheelers.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  10 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• KL residents should use bicycles as mode of transport

  In Bikes, Cars, Local Bike News, Local News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 12 February 2018 11:14 am / 57 comments

  

  City dwellers should use the bicycle as a mode of transport, said Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag. Speaking at the ‘Cycling Kuala Lumpur’ event in conjunction with World Urban Forum 9 (WUF9), Kaag said cycling is a common mode of transport in the Netherlands, with 36% citing cycling as their daily transport.

  “This high frequency of bicycle travel is enabled by excellent cycling infrastructure such as cycle paths, cycle tracks within the city and by making cycling routes shorter, quicker and more direct than car routes,” said Kaag. “Today, the Netherlands counts more bicycles than inhabitants and cyclists spend less time in traffic jams and their quality of life has improved,” she said in a Bernama report.

  Also present were Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizzudin Puta Jamalullail, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Tan Sri Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz and UN-Habitat executive director Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif. Maimunah said ‘Cycling Kuala Lumpur’ is a living testament of the steps to become a more sustainable and liveable city by investing in smart mobility solutions and cycling infrastructure.

  

  Maimunah said the cycling lanes recently laid out on Kuala Lumpur streets is aimed at promoting a healthier lifestyle and reducing the city’s carbon footprint. “It is also an alternative to complement the public transport system and reduce the use of private cars to minimise city pollution,” she said.

  The recent installation of the cycling lanes for WUF9 and future use by residents – as seen in the photo above by Cycling Kuala Lumpur – around the Kuala Lumpur city centre attracted controversy after road-users alleged the layout of the lane and the lane separators posed a danger. The lane separators were later changed to plastic poles, while DBKL said it would be conducting a safety audit of the lanes, along with a month-long study by safety institute MIROS.

   

  57 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• 2018 TVS Zeppelin Cruiser Concept unveiled in India

  In Bikes, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 8 February 2018 3:13 pm / 2 comments

  

  As BMW Motorrad’s manufacturing partner in India, TVS has been seen to capitalise on motorcycle concepts based on the G 310 series machines, such as the TVS Akula, launched in India last year. For the India Auto Expo 2018, TVS has taken the covers off the 2018 TVS Zeppelin Cruiser Concept.

  What is unique about the Zeppelin Cruiser is TVS claim it comes equipped with an integrated starter generator (ISG), which is said to give the bike a boost at startup. The system comes with a 1,200 Watt regenerative motor connected to a 48-Volt lithium-ion battery, which TVS calls E-Boost, adding 20% to the Zeppelin’s torque when activated.

  The Zeppelin carries a 220 cc single-cylinder engine, which TVS claims is good for 20 hp at 8,500 rpm and 18.5 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. Despite appearances to the contrary, the radiator housing on the front of the Zeppelin is empty, making this an air-cooled power plant.

  

  

  

  Belt-drive is mated to a five-speed gearbox for this power cruiser styled machine, and TVS says the Zeppelin is good for a 130 km/h top speed. Front forks, which look like they came off the G 310 R, are 41 mm diameter upside-down units, giving the Zeppelin a very beefy look when viewed head-on.

  Two-channel ABS is standard, and the front brake calliper is a radial-mount, clamping a single 300 mm diameter brake disc with a 240 mm disc behind. Wheel sizes on the Zeppelin are asymmetrical – a 17-inch spoked wheel in front and a 15-inch hoop in the back.

  Weight for the 2018 TVS Zeppelin Cruiser Concept is said to be 168 kg and the concept design comes with a “smart bio-key”, online connectivity and a HD camera mounted above the front headlight. Other details include a see-through cover on the left-side crankcase, exposing the alternator, as seen in photos from Indian Autos Blog.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  2 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• 2018 Yamaha YZF-R15 launched in India – RM7,620

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Yamaha / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 8 February 2018 1:13 pm / 13 comments

  

  Launched during the 2018 Auto Expo in Greater Noida, India is the 2018 Yamaha YZF-R15, a small displacement sports bike. With styling cues taken from its bigger sibling, the Yamaha YZF-R1 superbike, the R15 sports dual LED headlights and a two-step seat.

  Carrying a 155 cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder power plant, the R15 features variable valve actuation (VVA) and is fed by EFI. This produces a claimed 19.3 PS at 10,000 rpm and 15 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm, helped by the lightweight forged aluminium piston.

  Standard fitment is an assist and slipper clutch, mated to a six-speed gearbox. The frame is Yamaha’s Deltabox, with the swingarm pivot area thickened for added stiffness, as can be seen in photos courtesy of Indian Autos Blog.

  

  

  

  inside the cockpit is a fully digital LCD display, and a USB charging port is added for rider convenience. Fuel is carried in an 11-litre tank, and suspension is with a 41 mm diameter telescopic fork and pre-load adjustable monoshock in the rear.

  Braking is done with a 282 mm diameter disc with two-piston calliper in front, and 220 mm diameter disc with single-piston calliper in the back, and ABS is not available. There are two colour options for the R15 – Racing Blue and Thunder Grey.

  The 2018 Yamaha YZF-R15 is priced at 1.25 lakh rupees (RM7,620) ex-showroom, New Delhi. Deliveries are expected to begin in Yamaha India dealerships in March.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  13 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• KL bicycle lanes: DBKL conducts re-audit in 60 days

  In Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 8 February 2018 11:31 am / 17 comments

  

  After controversy arose over the lane separators installed on the Kuala Lumpur bicycle lanes, City Hall (DBKL) will re-audit the route within the next 60 days. This is to ensure long-term safety for road users.

  Elements in the bicycle lanes that need to be addressed are the bus, pedestrian and bicycle routes which were found to be over-lapping in certain areas, according to a The Sun Daily report. “For example in Jalan Raja Laut, bus routes are also used as pedestrian and bicycle paths … it is viewed as overlapping and is actually dangerous if the routes are used simultaneously,” said Tan Sri Mhd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz, Kuala Lumpur mayor.

  Nordin said this during the opening of the World Urban Village in conjunction with the World Urban Forum 9 (WUF9). “We actually have a master plan to improve the 11km bicycle route but first we need to get feedback from the public for re-auditing,” he said.

  

  Nordin added views would be sought from ambassadors and mayors from European countries currently attending WUF9 to suggest improvements to the bicycle lanes. Protests were brought forward over the implementation of the bicycle lanes arose after it was alleged the lane separators used were a danger to other road users, notably motorcyclists.

  Further controversy arose after it was incorrectly reported in a local daily that the lanes cost RM4 billion, instead of the estimated RM4 million. Meanwhile, DBKL has painted 140 bicycle bays on the pavement near the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, along Jalan Kia Peng and Jalan Pinang.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  17 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• 2018 Honda Cross Cub 110 and 50 go on sale in Japan

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 7 February 2018 5:19 pm / 14 comments

  

  As an evergreen model in Honda’s line-up, the venerable Honda Cub has gone through more make-overs and re-iterations that a B-list Hollywood actress. For this year, the adventure bike inspired 2018 Honda Cub Cross, in 110 and 50 versions, goes on sale in the Japanese Domestic Market.

  Taking the base Honda Cub, the front fairing and fork covers are removed, and a guarded round LED headlight replaces the handlebar mounted unit of the original. The standard air-cooled single-cylinder engine is retained, with a scrambler type chrome shield bolted to the exhaust.

  The two versions – 110 and 50 – differ in wheel size, with the 110 rolling on 17-inch hoops shod in semi-off road rubber. The Cross Cub 50 uses 14-inch wheels with more road-oriented tyres, as reported by Visordown.

  

  

  

  Braking for either Cross Cub is as basic as it gets, with drum brakes on the spoked front and rear wheels. Suspension is the same telescopic fork in front, and twin shock absorbers in the rear, with seating a solo affair supplemented by a parcel grid where the omitted passenger seat was located.

  The Super Cub 50 has a power output of 3.7 PS at 7,500 rpm, with torque rated at 3.8 Nm at 5,500 rpm, while the Super Cub 110 clocks in at 8 PS at 7,500 rpm and 8.5 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. No word on pricing as yet, but in the JDM, the Super Cub 50 retails for 232,200 yen (RM8,683) for the Super Cub 50, while the Super Cub 110 is priced at 275,400 yen (RM10,299).

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  14 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• 2018 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 – 150 PS, 117 Nm

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Triumph / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 6 February 2018 12:09 pm / 6 comments

  

  With the tagline, “The Ultimate Hooligan”, Triumph Motorcycles has released the 2018 Triumph Speed Triple in ‘RS’ and ‘S’ formats. Taking the previous generation Speed Triple, peak engine power has gone up by 7% to 150 PS at 10,500 rpm, and torque has been increased by 4% to 117 Nm at 7,150 rpm.

  Continuing with the changes made to its smaller displacement sibling, the Street Triple 765, the Speed Triple now comes with a full suite of electronics and riding aids, plus a full-colour TFT LCD screen. Using ride-by-wire, the Street Triple comes with five riding modes, traction control, switchable ABS and the user has a choice of three display themes for the ‘S’, and six in the ‘RS’.

  Where the Speed Triple deviates from the Street Triple is the inclusion of cruise control and cornering ABS, developed in collaboration with Continental. Also new for the Speed Triple is keyless start for the RS and illuminated switches for the handlebar pods.

  

  

  

  Inside the engine room, the 1,050 cc inline-triple has been reworked with over 105 new components, with redline 1,000 rpm higher than the previous Speed Triple. Upgrades include a lighter crank gear, aluminium cylinder liners, smaller starter and lighter battery and alternator.

  The gearbox and slip assist clutch have also been reworked to improve riding comfort and for the RS version, Arrow silencers are standard fitment. Brembo does the braking in front for the Speed Triple, with four-piston Monobloc radial-mount callipers, and a Nissin calliper is fitted out back.

  Showa suspension is fitted to the Street Triple S, with a 43 mm diameter upside-down fork in front and Showa monoshock at the back, both fully-adjustable. For the RS, it comes standard with an Ohlins NIX30 fork in front, and a TTX36 twin-tube monoshock at the back, fully adjustable, naturally.

  

  As for dry weights, the Speed Triple S weighs in at 192 kg, while the RS comes in at 189 kg, due to the use of carbon-fibre compoments, lightweight aluminium sub-frame and Arrow exhausts. Fuel is carried in a 15.5-litre tank and seat height for both the S and RS Speed Triples is 825 mm.

  The 2018 Triumph Speed Triple comes in two colour options, with bellypan and key-release pillion seat cowl. The Speed Triple S comes in Jet Black or Crystal White, while the RS is available in Crystal White or Matte Jet Black with red accents on the wheels.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  6 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Zulfahmi enters Moto2 with SIC Racing Team, Hafizh to ride for Yamaha Tech3 in MotoGP for 2018

  In Bikes, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 5 February 2018 6:06 pm / 15 comments

  

  After an earlier report Malaysian racer Hafizh Syahrin, also known as “Pescao 55” to fans, was on a short-list of possible replacements for German Jonas Folger in MotoGP, a report has emerged that the matter has been settled. A MotoGP.com report says that satellite team Monster Yamaha Tech3 has chosen Hafizh out of a few candidates.

  Folger had to pull out of the 2018 MotoGP season due to injury, and Tech3 were considering several replacements, including Hafizh. Team principal Herve Poncharal said earlier that nothing had been decided as there were different priorities to consider, but Hafizh will be testing in Buriram, Thailand, riding a Yamaha YZR-M1, on February 16.

  

  

  

  23-year old Hafizh will be team mates with 2016 Moto2 champion Johann Zarco, who himself has shown potential since joining Tech3. Hafizh has been competing in motorcycle Grand Prix since 2013, stepping up to the podium twice in 2017, at Misano and Motegi.

  Meanwhile, Hafizh’s slot in SIC Racing Team will be taken by Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who steps up to Moto2 from the Supersport World Championship, where he raced a Kawasaki ZX-6R with Orelac Racing. 26-year old Zulfahmi will have his first Moto2 test at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, on February 6.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  15 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• 2018 Honda Africa Twin at RM80k, X-ADV below RM70k, CB1000R at RM90k – in Malaysia soon

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 5 February 2018 4:49 pm / 6 comments

  

  During the launch of the Honda Big Wing Store in Kuala Lumpur, Boon Siew Honda (BSH) announced three new Honda motorcycle models will be launched in Malaysia by the second half of 2018. These are the 2018 Honda CRF1000L, with a provisional price of RM80,000, the Honda CB1000R Neo Sports Cafe at below RM90,000 and the Honda X-ADV at below RM70,000.

  Fully imported from Japan as CBU, these three motorcycles will be joined in the latter part of the year by another two big bikes, which might be the Honda CBR1000RR and the Honda Gold Wing. Both the Africa Twin and Gold Wing will have DCT gearboxes as added-cost options.

  The Honda X-ADV is an adventure-styled scooter, powered by a two-cylinder 745 cc power plant, liquid-cooled and putting out 54 hp at 6,250 rpm and 68 Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm. Power gets to the ground via a six-speed DCT gearbox, controlled by a toggle switch on the left handlebar.

  

  Adventure bike styling is brought to the fore with the X-ADV, with a 13.1-litre fuel tank, brush guards on the handlebars, sump guard and spoked wheels. Weighing 238 kg, the X-ADV comes with manually-adjustable windscreen, 21-liter under seat storage and keyless start.

  On the proper adventure front, Boon Siew Honda is bringing in the Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L, and in two versions. The base version comes with a six-speed gearbox, while the other model option is equipped with a six-speed DCT gearbox, controllable with a switch on the handlebars.

  Both Africa Twin versions are powered by a 998 cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin with SOHC, and for 2018, upgraded with a new airbox and exhaust internals, lighter balancer shaft, air pump in the clutch housing, lithium-ion battery, ride-by-wire. Also new is four ride modes and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) with seven settings, four more than the previous model’s three HSTC levels.

  

  The Africa Twin trips the scales at 232 kg, and fuel is carried in an 18.8-litre fuel tank. Up front is a pair of 45 mm diameter telescopic forks, and pre-load and compression adjustable monoshock in the rear.

  ABS is standard on the Africa Twin, with twin 310 mm discs in front clamped by four-piston callipers, and a single 256 disc in the back. The Africa Twin rolls on a 21-inch wheel in front and an 18-incher in the back.

  

  

  

  Cashing in on the current trend for retro bikes is Honda’s third new motorcycle model for 2018, the Honda CB1000R Neo Sports Cafe, with its 998 cc, inline-four, fed by PGM-Fi. The CB1000R is said to be putting out 143 hp at 10,500 rpm and 104 Nm of torque at 8,250 rpm, with power getting to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox.

  The CB1000R weighs in at 212 kg, and comes with 310 mm diameter disc brakes in front, and with a 256 mm unit in the back. Suspension uses upside-down Showa forks in front, with a Showa BFRC monoshock in the rear, with fuel carried in a 16.2-litre tank.

  GALLERY: 2018 Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  GALLERY: 2018 Honda X-ADV Adventure Scooter

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  
  

   

  6 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Honda Big Wing store opens in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 5 February 2018 3:18 pm / 4 comments

  

  In an effort to serve big bike customers better, and provide a one-stop centre for sales and service, Boon Siew Honda (BSH) opened its first Honda Big Wing centre in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. The Big Wing store will serve owners of Honda motorcycles 250 cc and above.

  Three more Big Wing centres are in the pipeline, located in Penang, Selangor and Johor. With the opening of Honda Big Wing centres across the nation, BSH is targetting an increase in sales of 30%.

  Managed by Ee Tiong Motorsports, the Kuala Lumpur Big Wing centre is housed in a 5,535 square foot facility located on Jalan Pahang. Big Wing customers will be given a free Big Wing card, which entitles them to a 10% discount on genuine Honda spares and accessories, special insurance package and technical advice from Honda specialists.

  

  During the opening of Honda Big Wing, BSH also displayed two new motorcycles models due to be launched soon in the Malaysian market. These were the Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L and the X-ADV adventure scooter.

  In addition, the Honda CB1000R Neo Sports Concept will also be in Malaysia. Expected launch for these three new Honda big bikes is in the second half 2018.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

  4 comments | Leave a comment?

   

Latest Fuel Prices