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  • 2017 Moto Guzzi bikes in Malaysia, from RM66,900

    In Bikes, Local Bike News, Moto Guzzi / By / / 21 comments

    Famed Italian motorcycle brand Moto Guzzi is now back in Malaysia, in a partnership between Piaggio Asia Pacific and Didi Resources, with an initial media unveiling of three models, the Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone, V7 III Racer and V9 Roamer. Prices for these three retro-styled models are RM66,900 for the V7 III Stone, the Racer at RM81,900 and the V9 Roamer at RM73,900, with all prices including GST, but excluding road tax and insurance.

    As the new distributor for Moto Guzzi, Didi Resources, together with Stronghold Cycles, has invested in the establishment of a Moto Guzzi 3S centre at Gasket Alley in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. “This not just where bikes can be serviced but is also a lifestyle platform where service, merchandise, accessories and food are available for Moto Guzzi owners,” said Rewi Hamid Bugo, chairman of Didi Resources.

    The initial release of the three aforementioned Moto Guzzi models will be followed shortly by V9 Bobber, which retails for RM74,900. For the V7 III range, the V7 III Special and the V7 III Anniversario at RM71,900 and RM80,900, respectively, will be released in due course, with the current shipment pending JPJ homologation.

    As the base model of the Moto Guzzi range, the V7 III carries an air-cooled transverse V-twin that displaces 744 cc, with power rated at 52 hp at 6,200 rpm and 60 Nm of torque at 4,900 rpm. Power gets to the ground via a six-speed gearbox, and Brembo does the braking with a single 320 mm disc in front grabbed by quadruple asymmetric caliper pistons.

    Carrying a 21-litre fuel tank, the V7 III Stone has a claimed wet weight of 209 kg, while the Racer did not have any weight figures published. Rolling on an 18-inch wheel up front and a 17-incher at the back, four colours are available for the Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone – Nero Ruvido (matte black), Azzuro Elettrico (electric blue), Verge Camouflage (camouflage green) and Giallo Energico (energetic yellow) – while the V7 III Racer comes in a special chrome finish in a limited production run of 1000 units.

    Not just a slightly bored-out version of the Moto Guzzi transverse twin, the V9’s air-cooled engine is all new, despite being only 100 cc more, displacing 853 cc and producing 55 hp at 6,250 rpm and 62 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm. Designed more for laid-back cruising, the V9 Roamer comes with a single brake disc in front fitted to a 19-inch wheel, while the rear carries a 16-incher, while the Bobber has 16-inch hoops front and rear.

    Both the V9 Roamer and Bobber come with a 15-litre fuel tank, and weight for both Moto Guzzi easy-cruisers is claimed to be 199 kg. Inside the cockpit is a combination analogue/digital instrument pod that displays speed with a needle and the rest of the bike’s information via an LCD display, with MG-MP, Moto Guzzi’s optional multimedia platform.

    MG-MP allows the rider to connect to the bike via smartphone and Bluetooth connectivity, and ride information can be shared online. All Moto Guzzis in Malaysia come equipped with Continental ABS as standard, as well as traction control, with self-cancelling turn indicators.



    GALLERY: 2017 Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer







    GALLERY: 2017 Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone







    GALLERY: 2017 Moto Guzzi V7 III Racer






     
     

  • VIDEO: 2017 Ducati XDiavel S Malaysian review

    In Bike Reviews, Bikes, Ducati / By / / 34 comments

    When we took the 2017 Ducati XDiavel S – RM161,000 including GST – out on review, we wondered if Ducati had lost its primary focus on producing some of the world’s premier sports bikes with this sports-cruiser. As we were to find out, the XDiavel S, along with the base XDiavel, is meant for the rider who emphasises the “sports” more than the cruising.

    With its 1,301 cc Testastretta 11-degree V-twin, the XDiavel S produces well over 150 hp, and 120 Nm of torque. Along with a lean angle approaching 40-degrees on either side, the XDiavel is capable of leaning a long way over.

    Coupled with top-of-the-line Brembo M50 Monobloc brake calipers lifted of the 1299 Panigale superbike, along with Pirelli Rosso II sports rubber, the XDiavel is capable of keeping up with modern sports bikes. This is coupled with ABS, ride and launch modes in the bike’s electronics suite, along with Bluetooth capability for connecting the bike to a smartphone and helmet headset.

    The XDiavel S paultan.org reviewed comes with machined highlights on the wheels and engine covers, as well as an accessory Termignoni exhaust, which is a RM14,000 option, two-leather seat and gloss black paint. The base XDiavel which retails at RM140,000 omits these items, and comes in a shade of matte black.

    A comprehensive list of optional accessories is available from the Ducati Performance catalogue, including items suchs as handlebars with differing reach, pillion seat back rest, different types of seat, and the like. Availability for the 2017 Ducati XDiavel S and XDiavel is immediate, and you can read the full review of the XDiavel S by clicking this link.

    https://paultan.org/2017/06/28/review-2017-ducati-xdiavel-s-the-devil-inside/

    GALLERY: 2017 Ducati XDiavel S
















     
     

  • VIDEO: 2017 MotoGP, the sound of racing, inline and V

    In Aprilia, Bikes, Ducati, Honda Motorcycles, International Bike News, KTM, Suzuki Motorcycles, Yamaha / By / / 8 comments

    If you are a regular spectator of MotoGP, whether at the track or via a screen, you are no doubt aware of the sound of a race-prepped engine howling down the front straight. But, did you know that each engine makes its own distinct sound, even with a similar number of pistons and layout?

    At the top-flight of motorcycle racing, MotoGP, there are 12 teams contesting the championship, supplied by six manufacturers. The makers of engines for MotoGP are, in alphabetical order, Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha.

    On the grid, the overwhelming majority of MotoGP race bikes use the V-four engine configuration, with Ducati running a 90-degree V4, while Honda, Aprilia and KTM use V-fours of varying degrees of angle between the cylinder banks. The traditional superbike engine layout, the inline-four, is campaigned by Yamaha and Suzuki.

    Where the engines start to sound different is in the crankshaft angle, which designers use to set the firing sequence of the cylinders in relation to the crankshaft rotation. Thus, in the case of the Honda RC213-V, two cylinders in the same cylinder bank fire simultaneously, making the engine behave like a big twin, known colloquially as the “Big Bang” firing order.

    Yamaha, naturally, uses its Crossplane configuration, with its uneven firing order giving the rider the greatest amount drive of drive out of the corner and allowing for fine control of the throttle, something at which Valentino Rossi is a master. However, with the advent of super- and turbocharging rumoured, the sound of motorcycle racing may yet change, and we may need to get used to strange whistling sounds coming from behind the fairing.




     
     

  • 2017 Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition unveiled

    In Bikes, Ducati, International Bike News / By / / 0 comment

    As its trademark engine configuration, Ducati’s V-twin has seen it go from strength to strength in the racing world, notably in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) where the Bologna, Italy, based superbike maker garnered 330 wins, not counting various national race series worldwide. Starting with the 851 and 888, then the legendary 916, 996 and 998, to the 1098, 1198, 1199 and today the 1299 Panigale, Ducati’s superbikes are renowned for power delivery and handling.

    But, all good things come to an end, as they say, and Ducati has unveiled the final edition of its superbike V-twin, the 2017 Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition. This final hurrah of the Panigales – Borgo Panigale being the region of Bologna where Ducati is based – will be superseded by a V-four superbike, based on the Ducati Desmosedici being campaigned in MotoGP.

    Using a variant of the Ducati 1299 Superleggera engine, the Panigale Final Edition pumps out 209 hp at 11,000 rpm and 142 Nm of torque at 9,000 rpm, all in a Euro 4 compliant package. Eschewing the use of the Ducati trellis frame, the Panigale Final Edition comes with an aluminium monocoque frame, suspended by top-drawer Ohlins suspension components.

    Wet weight for the last of the Panigales is claimed to be 190 kg, and fuel is carried in a 17-litre tank. As can be expected, Brembo does the braking for this collector’s edition machine, with top-of-the-line M50 Monoblocs in front and single caliper unit at the back.

    A full suite of electronics accompanies the Final Edition, with Ducati’s Safety Pack as standard, using Bosch ABS and Cornering ABS, with a Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) supplying the necessary data to the ECU. Ride and power modes – race, sport and wet – are available, along with Ducati Traction Control EVO (DTC Evo), wheelie control, engine braking, data analyser with GPS and lean angle, automatic tyre calibration and ride-by-wire.

    Inside the engine room, titanium con-rods and valves are installed, along with a balanced crankshaft to squeeze every drop of power. An Akrapovic full-system titanium exhaust comes in the package, homologated for road use.

    Rounding out the package are a pair of three-spoke forged light alloy wheels in red, harking back to the days of the 916, with a special edition tri-colore paintjob of red, white and green. No word from Ducati on what the 2017 Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition is likely to cost, but based on the author’s experience with the Ducati Desmosedici 12 years ago, you can safely assume the price will be nose-bleedlingly high.



     
     

  • 2017 Art of Speed sees RXZ Twinboss dragster debut

    In Bikes, Local Bike News / By / / 6 comments

    The custom motorcycle scene in Malaysia has grown by leaps and bounds, fuelled in part by the annual Art of Speed show, now in its sixth edition. The event showcases custom cars and motorcycles from both local and overseas builders, along with invited guests who are icons in the custom world.

    As part of this year’s event, a very special dragster-style machine will be making its public debut at Art of Speed, the RXZ Twinboss. Many paultan.org readers will no doubt be familiar with the RXZ name, it being Yamaha’s 135 cc, two-stroke sports bike much favoured with street racers in the late 80s and early 90s.

    Taking two single-cylinder engines, the RXZ Twinboss is built entirely with local materials and talent and is the brainchild of Art of Speed organiser Asep Ahmad Iskandar. Inspired by the “Digger” style of custom motorcycles, the Twinboss is low-slung and long, following the lines of dragster motorcycles.

    Building the RXZ Twinboss was a challenge, says Asep, because the idea for the machine only came to fruition in April this year, and many builders were reluctant to take the job due to the short time frame before the Art of Speed takes place on July 29. The challenge was accepted by Universite Teknologi Malaysia graduate Irwin Cheng from Ipoh, Perak, who runs custom engineering shop FNG Works part-time.

    Placing the two Yamaha engines in tandem position, Cheng uses a chain to mate the crankshafts together, with drive going to the gearbox and then to the rear wheel, also using chains. Asep pointed out the gearbox is currently not required to transmit power for the Twinboss, but was left in place due to time constraints.

    Everything superfluous to requirements on the Twinboss was removed, but sections of the frame and the front forks from the donor Yamaha RXZ were retained. This gives the machine a stripped down look, with the focal points being the extended frame and the massive water-cut steel plates cradling the engines.

    The Twinboss uses kickstarting to come to life, with the kickstart lever on the second engine retained only for cosmetic purposes. Asep said that while the Twinboss is not extremely powerful as far as custom motorcycles go, it does put out significantly more powe than the original 20 or so ponies coming from the original Yamaha RXZ.

    In keeping with the dragster ethos, the Twinboss omits the front brake, with all stopping power concentrated in the rear brake disc. With just over two weeks to the show, completion status of the Twinboss is now at 70%, according to Asep, with bodywork being performed at custom shop Beautiful Machines in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya.

    Cost for building this twin-engine dragster, according to Asep, consumed not far short of RM40,000. The RXZ Twinboss will be fired up in public during the Art of Speed show, and visitors will get the chance to hear the twin two-stroke engines crackle to life.




     
     

  • 2017 Yamaha NVX 155 cc scooter in Malaysia, RM10.5k

    In Bikes, Local Bike News, Yamaha / By / / 24 comments

    After its regional launch last year at Sepang International Circuit, Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia has launched the the 2017 Yamaha NVX scooter – also known as the Aerox in some countries – at a price of RM10,500. The price includes GST, but excludes road tax, insurance and registration.

    Designed in-line with Yamaha’s Blue Core philosophy, which promotes engine design efficiency, the Aerox is Yamaha’s first model to obtain the Energy Efficiency Vehicle (EEV) classification from the government. The NVX carries a liquid-cooled, SOHC four-valve single with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA).

    The 155 cc engine is rated at 14.8 hp at 8,000 rpm and torque is claimed to be 14.4 Nm at 6,000 rpm. Power gets to the ground via a CVT gearbox, and the NVX features bulkier styling than the Yamaha NMax, notably in the fairing and has keyless start, while front ABS is standard.

    An LCD screen graces the cockpit, displaying all the necessary information the rider needs. A 25-litre storage compartment can be found under the seat, and a USB port is located in a side compartment for charging electronics.

    As part of Yamaha’s promotion efforts for the NVX, a one-make race will be held during the Malaysian Cub Prix, with the aim of identifying talented young riders. The first public showing of the NVX will be at the Cub Prix round this July 15 at MAEPS, Serdang, and the Yamaha NVX one-make race will begin in round six.

    There are three colours on offer the NVX – Black, Blue and Red. The 2017 Yamaha NVX will be available soon at all authorised Hong Leong Yamaha dealers.







     
     

  • 2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled, Cafe Racer, RM69k

    In Bikes, Ducati, Local Bike News / By / / 4 comments

    As the latest variants in Ducati’s Scrambler series of retro motorcycles, the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled and Cafe Racer are now in Malaysia, at a price of RM68,999 including GST, but excluding road tax, registration and insurance. Launched internationally last year at the EICMA show, the Desert Sled and Cafe Racer that the “generic” modder’s platform of the Scrambler has now taken on a greater degree of customisation.

    Coming right off the factory floor set up to tackle two very different design and riding styles, the Desert Sled and Cafe Racer both carry the same 803 cc, air-cooled, Desmodromic two-valve engine that has seen service in one form or another in various Ducati models since the 1970s. Now fed by EFI with 50 mm throttle bodies, the V-twin in this case puts out 73 hp at 8,250 rpm and 67 Nm of torque at 5,750 rpm.

    The most obvious difference with the new Scrambler models is seat height. Compared to the standard Scrambler with its 790 mm seat height, the Cafe Racer comes with it seat at 805 mm, while the Desert Sled lifts the rider 860 mm above the ground.

    Not to worry though, if you have a somewhat short inseam. The Desert Sled has a low seat height option available from the catalogue, at 840 mm, while the Cafe Racer comes standard with a removable seat cowl, though there is a bench seat option if you prefer a less racy seating position.

    On the braking side, both machines come with Brembos clamping a 330 mm disc in front as standard, along with ABS. The Cafe Racer gets a proper Brembo M4-32 Monobloc radially-mounted caliper, while the Desert Sled makes do with a standard Brembo item, but also with a radial mount.

    Suspension on the Desert Sled and Cafe Racer are like chalk and cheese, as can be expected. Standing tall with 200 mm of suspension travel at both ends, the Desert Sled uses 46 mm diameter fully-adjustable upside-down forks, while its rear end uses a Kayaba monoshock, adjustable for pre-load and rebound.

    For styling, the Cafe Racer obviously follows design cues taken from Ducati’s racing machines from the 50s and 60s. The #54 on the side plates was Bruno Spaggiari’s racing number, used when he campaigned the Mototemporada Romagnola Italian road race in 1968 with a Ducati 350 cc single.

    Clip-on bars are used on the Cafe Racer, putting the rider in a de rigueur racing tuck. The Cafe Racer is finished in gloss black, with gold stripe highlights, and 10-spoke light alloy wheels.

    Sitting rather more upright in the saddle, the Desert Sled comes in white, with the Scrambler logo prominently displayed on the side of the 13.5-litre fuel tank. using straight-forward scrambler-style handlebars, the Desert Sled comes with spoked wheels shod with Pirelli Scorpions.

    Necessarily due to the differing design schools of the Desert Sled and Cafe Racer, both bike exhibit a marked difference in weight as well. The Cafe Racer comes in at 188 kg wet, while the Desert clocks a rather hefty 207 kg, a lot of weight for something meant to go off-road, but make no mistake, the Desert Sled will handle off-roading fairly well, as our colleague Durrani Shahrom from paultan.org’s Bahasa Malaysia section found out.

    Bookings are currently being taken for the 2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled and Cafe Racer, but there is no official word on expected delivery as yet. For a closer look at the Desert Sled and Cafe Racer, both machines will be officially launched at the Art of Speed Malaysia in MAEPS, Serdang on July 29 and 30.

    GALLERY: 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer










    GALLERY: 2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled








     
     

  • For Yamaha, the future is not just electric dreams

    In Bikes, International Bike News, Yamaha / By / / 5 comments

    While electric motorcycles (e-bikes) are not new, its adoption, and subsequent mass production, by mainstream manufacturers has been slow. Honda has previously shown its version of the EV-Cub, and now Yamaha seems to be jumping on the electric bandwagon.

    In an agreement between Yamaha Motor and Saitama City, Japan, e-bikes might soon be part of its city-scape. The agreement seeks to promote the use of e-bikes via a joint initiative called the E-Kizuna Project.

    The project aims to promote the spread of e-bikes through effective public relations methods as well as test rides, along with building new business models that leverage the use of e-bikes. A focal point of the initiative is the provision of electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities using existing infrastructure.

    Saitama City, in the form of its official vehicles, will be looking at using e-bikes for official duties. This will also involve the use of e-bikes for commercial purposes, such as small businesses and point-to-point deliveries within the city.

    Community involvement is also under consideration, in the form of e-bike test ride events, safe riding courses and the like. Yamaha Motor has previously shown two experimental e-bikes, the PES1 and PED1, at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, but there was no word on whether these designs would enter production.

    What do you think? Would such a project work in heavily urbanised areas like Kuala Lumpur or Georgetown, Penang? Leave a comment with your thoughts and opinions, below.






     
     

  • 2018 BMW Motorrad facelifted, Spezial customisation

    In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International Bike News / By / / 0 comment

    A model facelift is being applied across numerous motorcycles in BMW Motorrad’s 2018 catalogue, along with the introduction of BMW Motorrad Spezial, a customisation service for certain new models in the Munich firm’s range. Also being pushed forward in 2018 is BMW Motorrad Connectivity, which aims to provide fast and clear information for the rider with the least possible distraction from what is happening on the road.

    For customers of the BMW Motorrad R nineT – which comprises of five models, base, Scrambler, Racer, Urban G/S and Pure – BMW is offering a customisation programme called Spezial, giving a choice of design, performance-enhancing and exclusive customisation options, ex-works. Buyers of the R nineT can specify various customisation options at the point of ordering, with pricing reflected in the invoice, and parts fully-covered by the factory warranty.

    Customisation under the Spezial option, beginning in August 2017, can be done in two different ways – one at the point of order, where the parts and customisation is done at the BMW factory, the other via an authorised BMW Motorrad dealer, where options can be ordered in the future through a “Spezial World” catalogue.

    As BMW Motorrad’s biggest selling model worldwide, the R 1200 GS, in base and GS Adventure flavours, undergoes an extensive facelift for 2018. While the base GS and GS Adventure get LED auxiliary headlights, Connectivity and Emergency Call as options, the GS Adventure gets a very extensive makeover on the specifications list.

    Items changed for 2018 on the GS Adventure include Pro riding modes with additional “Dynamic” and “Enduro” riding modes, using an optional coding plug, which also includes Dynamic Traction Control, Hill Start Control, dynamic self-levelling, as well as Keyless Ride as part of the Touring option and Shift Assistant Pro in the Dynamic package.

    Read more after the jump.

     
     

  • 2017 Yamaha Y15ZR new colours, graphics – RM8,361

    In Bikes, Local Bike News, Yamaha / By / / 12 comments

    As a top-selling machine in the 150 cc supercub category, the 2017 Yamaha Y15ZR comes with new colours and graphics for the current year, and its price remains unchanged from RM8,361, including GST, but excluding road tax, insurance and number plates. The new 2017 colours are Blue, Red and Black, while the updated graphics give the Y15ZR a slightly “sporty” feel.

    The 2017 Y15ZR carries a 150 cc four-valve, four-stroke, liquid-cooled single cylinder engine fed by EFI, with power getting to the ground via a five-speed gearbox and chain final drive. Power output is a claimed 15.1 hp at 8,500 rpm, and torque is rated at 13.8 Nm at 7,000 rpm.

    Braking is with a single hydraulic disc in front and rear, grabbed by single-piston calipers. The under-seat tank carries 4.2-litres of fuel, with a very rider-friendly seat height of 670 mm.

    Total weight for the Yamaha Y15ZR is 115 kg, and suspension is with a standard telescopic fork in front, and monoshock at the back. In the cockpit, a large analogue speedometer sits on the left side, with an LCD display on the right, showing the odometer andfuel gauge.

    Availability for the 2017 Yamaha Y15ZR is immediate, from all authorised Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia dealers. The previous year’s colour and graphic schemes are now superseded.





     
     
 
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Last Updated 20 Jul 2017