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• We’re just giving Mat Rempit space to race – Ku Nan

  In Bikes, Local News / By Anthony Lim / 4 March 2016 11:07 am / 60 comments

  

  Federal Territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has reiterated that the idea behind holding motorcycle street races in KL is not to legalise Mat Rempit, but merely give them space to race, The Sun reports.

  “I’m not legalising them, but I’m just giving them the space. After giving them space, hopefully they will not race in neighborhoods. Maybe we can allow these races to take place monthly once or twice,” he explained, adding that parties that were against his suggestion didn’t understand his vision behind the plan.

  “They don’t understand because they don’t walk the streets like I do. Pity these Mat Rempit. Most of them race because they don’t have other entertainment,” he explained. He also said that aside from keeping them from racing in neighbourhood areas, the action will also curb the illegal betting that comes with illegal racing.

  

  He said that his proposal would be similar to car free mornings organised on Sundays every fortnightly in the city. “Maybe they can take similar routes and then end in Padang Merbok and have some entertainment activities there, like jamming sessions or something,” Tengku Adnan said, adding that he will be talking to JPJ, the police and Ministry of Transport to iron out the details.

  Last month, Tengku Adnan had mooted the idea of closing specific roads once a week to allow motorcyclists to race in legal fashion. Despite reservations – and criticism – from various quarters, the idea continues to persist, and there’s even the suggestion that the plan, if it comes about, may also be expanded to include cities in East Malaysia.

  City mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz has said that he is open to the idea and wanted bikers to submit proposals, adding that DBKL would assist in road closures and other matters. The police, however, have been more cautious on the matter.

  

  

  Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director Comm Datuk Muhammad Fuad Abu Zarim said a proper discussion with the federal territories ministry needed to be held. The Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, has stated he will meet with Tengku Adnan to discuss the matter further.

  Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said a detailed study on the topic – including looking into traffic congestion and accident risk issues – needs to be carried out. Meanwhile, the public doesn’t think very much of the idea – in an online poll, 97% of respondents said no to the government’s proposal to hold legalised motorcycle street races.

   

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• 2016 Kawasaki Vulcan S with Ergo Fit – fitting the motorcycle to you, and not the other way around

  In Bikes, Kawasaki, Local Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 3 March 2016 5:10 pm / 11 comments

  

  A question from paultan.org reader Ben Yap asking about fitting a motorcycle to a rider’s physique prompted a further question on which manufacturers actually do provide some form of adjustment to their bikes to fit riders of various body shapes and sizes. In the case of the 2016 Vulcan S, Kawasaki answers that question with Ergo Fit, a range of accessories that allow a rider to tailor the Vulcan S to suit.

  The Kawasaki Vulcan S is a 650 cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engined cruiser that emphasises sporty handling and ease of riding over the traditional American iron looks. Kawasaki is pushing the Vulcan S as a versatile bike designed to suit riders of various age-groups and skill levels, and realised that proper control over a motorcycle is key to building confidence.

  

  

  

  To that end, Ergo Fit is a system designed to fit riders from above 1.85 metres in height to below 1.68 metres using three different fits – reduced, mid and extended. Through the use of different handlebar and seat lengths, and position of the foot-pegs, the Vulcan S can be tailored to allow any rider to be seated comfortably, safely and most importantly, in control.

  With 61 hp and 63 Nm of torque, most riders will find the Vulcan S unintimidating, and easy to handle, with EFI allowing for smooth take-offs. The low standard seat height of 705 mm. Locally the Vulcan S comes in two colour choices – black or purple.

  

  A range of accessories is also available straight from the Kawasaki catalogue to customise the look of the Vulcan S. These range from a choice of two windshields, as well as a cafe racer chin fairing. Pannier bags are also available, along with passenger seats, back rests, luggage racks and the like.

  Retailing for around RM30,000 in Malaysia, the Kawasaki Vulcan S has proven popular amongst local riders, especially those looking for a easy-to-ride motorcycle.

  GALLERY: 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  GALLERY: 2016 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe ABS – US version
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2016 KTM 1290 Super Duke R becomes the Speed Bull

  In Bikes, International Bike News, KTM / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 3 March 2016 10:23 am / 2 comments

  

  The 2016 1290 Super Duke R from Austrian manufacturer KTM is already an awesome machine, earning the sobriquet “The Beast”, but it looks like German outfit Custom Wolf is about to turn the dial up to 11. Though existing only as a set of renderings at the moment, the 1290 Duke R concept, called the “Speed Bull”, is being worked on and will soon be finished.

  According to an autoevolution report, Custom Wolf, working together with KTM distributor Motoroox, are in the midst of bringing the concept to life, and it is expected to hit the streets within the next few months. Changes made to the Super Duke R to turn it into Speed Bull include a 240 mm rear tyre, and quite possibly extensive chassis work, something Custom Wolf are renowned for.

  In standard form the KTM 1290 Super Duke R has a V-twin, 1301 cc engine that puts out 173 hp and 144 Nm torque, with a dry weight of only 189 kg. With a power-to-weight ratio that low, the standard Super Duke is already a handful to ride, so just imagine what the Speed Bull must be like.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy Southeast Asia 2016 – Stage two and three in Mae Hong Son

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International Bike News, Motorsports / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 2 March 2016 6:09 pm / 1 comment

  

  The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy hit Mae Hong Son for day two of the race, with racers confronting an ascent to 1,686 metres on the “Helicopter Trail” marked by the wreckage of a crashed UH-1 Huey helicopter at the peak, near the Thai-Myanmar border. Teams then tackled a technical descent, with steep single-track that was only a tyre-width wide in critical sections.

  Three technical “tests” awaited competitors along the trail, with Team South Africa winning the first stage that rewarded aggressive and fast riding without crashing. A general knowledge test was given to racers about the BMW GS bikes they were riding, posing questions such as power ratings, weight and other statistics.

  The third test came at the end of the day’s racing, with teams required to push their bikes along a narrow trail marked by barrier tape, touch tyres at a dead-end, and return. Team Latin America took honours for this one. Team South Africa were in the lead on day two, with Team UK and Team Latin America coming in second and third.

  

  

  

  The third day of the GS Trophy dawned with a 255 km-long stage, broken into three sections. The first stage saw racers riding through parkland and terraced paddy fields, with numerous switchbacks and narrow tracks challenging their riding skills. A special test at the end of the first section saw competitors guessing the number of bamboo growing in a stand, and a team member was required to scale a 4 metre-tall stalk of bamboo to retrieve a secret message.

  A wide river crossing and cool forest greeted riders on the second section, with a speed and braking test. Team South Africa won this one, and the racers then headed into a 90 km tarmac section, tackling the undulating corners that Mae Hong Son is famed for, before entering Mae Sariang to camp over-night at Salawin national park.

  At the end of three days of racing, Team South Africa is in first place with 124 points, and Team Latin America and Team Germany in second and third with 107 and 102 points respectively. Team South East Asia is now in 16th place with 58 points.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Yard Built Fine Cut Yamaha XV950 – wood and metal

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Yamaha / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 2 March 2016 4:13 pm / 6 comments

  

  Yamaha’s Yard Built custom motorcycle competition has attracted custom-builders the world over, all with individual imaging of what a custom bike should look, feel, and sound like. This particular entry comes from Romania, and a team comprising of Madras Motoparts and Tridex put together a very unique combination of metal and wood that evokes a “steam-punk” vibe.

  Part of the rules of the Yard Built competition specify the bike has to be “reversible”, meaning that anything done to modify the motorcycle must be able to be reversed to bring the bike back to its original state. This means any major engineering surgery, like cutting, welding and the like, is out. Furthermore, the team were given a limited amount of project funds, with major accessories to be taken from the Yamaha catalogue.

  Starting with a base Yamaha XV950, SC Madras, as they are known for Yard Built, aimed for a fusion between technology and nature for Fine Cut. Using wood to accentuate the lines of the XV950, SC Madras threw in everything and the kitchen sink in terms of detailing.

  

  

  

  Alongside the hand-crafted wood components, copious amounts of brass and copper were used to add to the steam-punk feel of the bike. The brake system was re-worked using glass syringes as fluid reservoirs, and the front brake is actually a rear brake master cylinder modified for hand actuation.

  A unique touch to Fine Cut are the handlebar controls, which are wireless, and eliminate the cable clutter found on most bikes. Everything on the bike is tied together to Fine Cut’s ECU, which also allows for control of the bike’s lighting system.

  The Yamaha Yard Built competition is currently open for voting, and you can vote for your favourite custom-build there, according to a report from autoevolution.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R recalled for steering damper fix

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Kawasaki / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 2 March 2016 1:37 pm / 2 comments

  

  Kawasaki has issued recall notice MC16-03 for all 2016 ZX-10Rs for a steering damper fix. According to a report issued by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the steering damper bracket bolts may have been over-tightened and might cause the bracket to break.

  The recall only affects model year 2016 ZX-10R ABS and non-ABS models. According to reports, 804 bikes are affected in the US, while the number worldwide is unknown. The model types affected are; ZX1000RGFAL, ZX1000RGFL, ZX1000SGFAL and ZX1000SGFL, manufactured between October 2015 and January 2016.

  Owners of the affected ZX-10R models will be notified by Kawasaki and have the steering damper bracket bolts replaced, free-of-charge. The 2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R is yet to be officially released in Malaysia, although the launch is rumoured to be taking place before mid-2016.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Lazareth LM847 – madness on two, no, four wheels and powered by Maserati V8 with 470 hp, 611 Nm

  In Bikes, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 2 March 2016 12:59 pm / 12 comments

  

  Remember the Dodge Tomahawk concept motorcycle? Back in the early 2000s, Dodge shoved the Viper’s 8.3 litre V10 500 hp engine into a billet aluminium chassis rolling on four 20-inch wheels. Never intended for road use, hand-built examples did make their way into the US market, but in according to Dodge, the Tomahawk was “rolling sculpture” not intended to be ridden.

  French outfit Lazareth has taken that idea, and with typical European flair, produced the LM847, which uses a Maserati V8, as seen in the Maserati Quattroporte and Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, and created a rolling monstrosity. With 470 hp and 611 Nm of torque, the V8 drives a single-speed hydraulic coupling, eschewing a multi-speed gearbox. We doubt if a normal motorcycle-sized gearbox could cope with that amount of stump-pulling torque, anyway.

  Showcased at the Geneva motor show, the Lazareth LM847’s front suspension – designed by TFX – uses hub-centre steering, similar to the arrangement last seen on the Bimota Tesi. The rear-end features a rather interesting articulated shock absorber mounting, with rod-end bearings that appear to give some measure of movement to the rear swing-arms, presumably in a effort to allow the LM847 to lean.

  

  

  

  Braking is with rim-mounted discs, something seen on various concept and production bikes, the most successful of which would have been the Buell Lightning XB9S. Brembo eight-pot calipers grab the discs, and with a weight of 400 kg suspended on a 1.8 metre long wheelbase, it is wondered if this amount of braking power would be adequate.

  Lazareth is also responsible for other V8 powered creations such as the Wazuma GT and the mid-mounted, Range Rover V8 powered Renault Twingo Trophy. While putting V8s into custom-built motorcycle chassis isn’t new – Americans have been doing it to cruisers for decades, notably custom builder Boss Hoss – we feel there is a certain limit to how far we would go in the pursuit of power.

  Test ride, anyone?

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2016 Yamaha MT-10 Tracer not going to happen

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Yamaha / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 2 March 2016 10:29 am / 3 comments

  

  

  With the launch of the 2016 Yamaha MT-10, expectations were high that a Tracer variant of the litre-class de-tuned R1 engine would happen, based on the success of the of the 850 cc Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (sold in the US market as the FJ-09), but this is apparently is “just not going to happen.” Speaking to Motorcycle News, Jeff Turner of Yamaha UK said that there were accessories available in the Yamaha catalogue for the MT-10 that would turn it into a capable light-touring bike, without the need for the creation of a specific model.

  The Yamaha MT-10 caused a sensation at its recent launch announcement, with the engine of the claimed 200 hp Crossplane four-cylinder engine from the YZF-R1 detuned to 158 hp and 111 Nm of torque stuffed into a naked streetbike chassis. The 2016 MT-09, relatively unchanged from the 2015 model except for a new colour scheme, has a three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve 847 cc engine with 115 hp at 11,500 rpm with 87.5 Nm torque at 8,500 rpm.

  

  

  “We know 1,000cc bikes like the MT-10 often need to fulfil a bigger role than the smaller capacity naked bikes and we knew there was going to be a certain demand for something like the MT-09 Tracer but with the bigger engine. For this reason the accessory touring pack (for the MT-10) is available which adds a taller, Tracer-like windscreen and luggage for more rider protection. Cruise control is also standard on the MT-10 to add to that long distance capability,” said Turner.

  Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia has officially priced the 2016 Yamaha MT-09 at RM44,653, and available for order from this month. The Yamaha MT-10 is priced at 9,999 pounds sterling (RM59,200) in the UK.

  GALLERY: 2016 Yamaha MT-10
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  GALLERY: 2016 Yamaha MT-09
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  GALLERY: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Legalised Mat Rempit bike street racing proposal still on the table, to be expanded to East Malaysia – report

  In Bikes, Local News / By Jonathan Lee / 2 March 2016 10:20 am / 21 comments

  

  It seems that the idea of closing roads in the city to hold legalised motorcycle street races is resonating with others in the government, as The Sun reports that not only is the proposal still on the table, but it may also be expanded to include cities in East Malaysia as well.

  According to federal territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengu Mansor, who mooted the idea for such a plan to take place in Kuala Lumpur last week, the matter was among the issues discussed with members of parliament of other federal territories at a meeting at the ministry.

  “I have discussed the Mat Moto issues, and I want to solve the matter at hand,” he said, adding that he is looking to provide an avenue for motorcyclists to do activities that they are interested in, and that such a plan would also prevent illegal betting syndicated from using Mat Rempits for their own financial gain.

  Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng was more cautious, saying that the proposal has not been given the green light just yet. “However, when we were discussing about this, Labuan MP [Datuk Rozman Isli] offered for it to be held in Labuan,” he said.

  Tengku Adnan said last Monday that he was considering closing specific roads once a week to allow motorcyclists to race, adding that the objective was to prevent motorcyclists from speeding in housing areas.

  

  However, he explained that Putrajaya was not promoting illegal racing but was trying to curb it by encouraging alternative methods. His reasoning was not to encourage Mat Rempits to race, but to control the situation, adding that motorists needed to entertain themselves without harming the general public.

  In response to this, mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz said that he was open to the idea and wanted bikers to submit proposals, adding that DBKL would assist in road closures and other matters. However, the police were more cautious on the matter, with Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director Comm Datuk Muhammad Fuad Abu Zarim saying that a proper discussion with the federal territories ministry needed to be held.

  The Road Safety Department (JKJR) was also wary of the plan, raising concerns about traffic jams and the safety of people gathered on the pavement, as well as comparing it to the problems that arose from last year’s inaugural KL City Grand Prix. Soon after, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has said he will meet with the federal territories minister to discuss the matter further.

  What do you think of the idea of introducing organised street races in the city? Will it help in curbing the issue of illegal motorcycle racing, or will it make such bikers more brazen in their behaviour? Sound off in the comments section after the jump.

   

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• 2016 Honda NM4 Vultus now with 11 custom colours

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 1 March 2016 2:46 pm / 9 comments

  

  The 2016 Honda NM4 Vultus, the “feet-forward” super-scooter, shocklingly styled after character Tetsuo Shima’s motorcycle in Katsuhiro Otomo’s manga and anime “Akira“, has been up-dated for this year for the Japan market, andnow comes with two base colours, and 11 special-order paint schemes, ranging from red, gold and green, amongst others. The NM4 Vultus also receives some minor updates for 2016.

  New is a re-designed exhaust can, but little else. The original NM4 Vultus came out in 2014, brought to the market in a rather staid matte black that didn’t flatter its polarising looks. There were two versions in Japan, the NM4-01 and 02, with the 02 coming with hard panniers that somewhat improved the scooter’s looks, while the rest of the world made do with the MN4-01.

  The funky LCD instrument panel could also change colour to suit rider preference, cycling through a range of 25 shades, thus allowing the screen to match the paint-job. The adjustable rider back-rest allows for the rider to customise the seating position.

  

  The 2016 NM4 uses the 670 cc parallel-twin, eight-valve, liquid-cooled PGM-FI engine derived from the rest of Honda’s range of super-sccoters such as the Integra and CT series, and an automatic six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). A wet weight of 255 kg makes this a heavyweight as far as scooters go, and the 11-litre fuel tank is not going to go give a lot of range between fuel stops. ABS and Honda’s Combined Braking system come standard on the NM4.

  Never being a popular seller in the rest of the world, excluding Japan, perhaps this is the impetus the NM4 Vultus needs to boost sales for 2016, coming with a selection of colours, much the same way car manufacturers do it. The 2016 NM4 has a listed price of USD10,994 (RM46,000) and comes with optional accessories such as a taller windscreen and passenger backrest. The special colours adds approximately USD185 (RM781) to the retail price.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  GALLERY: 2014 Honda NM4-01 Vultus
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2017 KTM 890 Duke spotted testing on public roads?

  In Bikes, International Bike News, KTM / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 1 March 2016 12:04 pm / 0 comment

  

  Spain seems to be where everything motorcycle-related seems to be happening these days, and reports have emerged of the 2017 KTM 890 Duke being spotted during road tests. Rumours of a parallel-twin KTM engine have been floating around for a while now, and photos on the internet show a compact design twin, with liquid-cooling, contained in a trellis frame.

  No information on specific capacity, with KTM’s engine naming convention attaching a “90” to every model in their range, so this mill could be anything from an 800 to a 900, in terms of size. Since the 690 Duke is actually 690 cc, a logical guess would put this engine closer to 900 cc in capacity.

  Slotting into the gap between the 690 and 1290 Dukes in KTM’s range, the prototype appears to be close to the 690 Duke in terms of appearance. The wheelbase is super-compact, possibly making this a wheelie-weapon, something that has become a Duke trademark. The front forks look like WP up-side down units, which makes sense with WP being a KTM subsidiary company. An ABS sensor is also in evidence on the front wheel.

  Visually, the bike looks small, in keeping with the other Dukes that favour quick response and tight handling. If this 2017 KTM 890 Duke sees production, competition in this market segment is fierce, with the 890 Duke going up against the Yamaha MT-09 and MT-07, Triumph Speed Triple, MV Agusta Brutale 800, Ducati Monster 821 and Hypermotard 939, BMW F 800 R and Kawasaki Z800.

   

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• 2017 Suzuki SV650 facelift launched – full details, pics

  In Bikes, International Bike News, Suzuki Motorcycles / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 29 February 2016 4:37 pm / 6 comments

  

  First announced in November 2015, Suzuki is set to launch the revised and face-lifted 2017 SV650 today in Spain, according to a Motorcycle News report. The European public unveiling of Suzuki’s popular middle-weight is set to show the fourth-generation SV650’s new, angular body shape, a change from the swoopy curves of the 2009 model, called the “Gladius” in some markets.

  A number of changes have been made to the engine and bike itself, notably to reduce weight, with the body styling simplified, harking back to the days of the original design of the first SV650 introduced at the turn of the millennium. The 645 cc V-twin engine gets new pistons and rings, along with a revised cooling system and exhaust, that bumps power up to 75 hp, an increase of 4 hp, while torque remains the same, but the 64 Nm now kicks in higher at 8,100 rpm.

  

  

  According to Suzuki, the 2017 SV650 has 140 new or re-designed parts that help reduce to to 197 kg, from the out-going model’s 205. Now Euro 4 compliant, the SV 650 comes standard with ABS, as mandated by EU regulations. Electronic wizardry has been kept to a minimum, but the SV650 does come with low-rpm assist, a feature that eliminates engine stalling during low-speed take-offs.

  The other new feature on the 2017 SV650 is the single-push start button. Traditionally motorcycles have required the rider to hold the start button until the engine fires, but in the SV650’s case, all that is required is a press-and-release, and the bike looks after the start till the twin-spark engine is running.

  

  

  For those interested in fuel consumption, the 2017 SV650 claims 3.87 l/100km under test conditions, with a 14.5 litre fuel tank. The 2017 Suzuki SV650 comes in four colours – Pearl Glacier White, Pearl Mira Red, Metallic Triton Blue, Metallic Matte Black – and a range of accessories is available from the Suzuki catalogue.

  Going head-to-head with the 2016 Yamaha MT-07, it is rumoured that the 2017 SV650 will retail for 5,500 pounds sterling (RM32,222) in the UK.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy Southeast Asia 2016 begins in Chiangmai – Argentina takes first stage

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International Bike News, Motorsports / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 29 February 2016 1:06 pm / 2 comments

  

  The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy Southeast Asia 2016 kicked off yesterday in Chiangmai, Thailand. Starting at 8.30 am at the Rim Doi resort in Chiang Doi, Argentina took the first stage win, with 19 points. There are 19 teams taking part in this year’s edition of the race, comprising of riders of various nationalities, including an all-female team.

  Malaysia is represented by Mohd Faizal Sukree, 39, a businessman, who is racing under the Team South-East Asia banner. His team-mates are Peerapat Woratham from Thailand, 44, an engineer, and Tommy Lee Boon Jun from Singapore, also a businessman. The team is currently in joint 18th place with Team Alps with nine points.

  

  

  

  The first day of racing saw participants being challenged by 170 km of trail riding, with two special stages in-between. The first special stage, won by Team Germany, saw racers pushing their bikes, with engines running, down a track leading to the remains of a bridge, then push the bikes up and over an angled bridge section before lowering them over a metre to the ground below.

  The second special stage was a “slow race” that pitted riders against the clock, but for the slowest time to complete a sandy course, with each team lining up three abreast to literally take the longest time to ride from point A to point B. Points were deducted if the engine stalled, or feet touched the ground. Team South Africa took the honours for this stage.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Honda to produce X-ADV dual-purpose super-scooter?

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, International Bike News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 29 February 2016 10:24 am / 4 comments

  

  

  First shown at the EICMA show last year as the “City Adventure”, rumours are being reported that Honda will be producing the concept bike as the X-ADV. The X-ADV, heavily camouflaged, has been spotted running around the streets of an un-named Italian city.

  Based on the 745 cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine with eight-valves and a single overhead-cam used in Honda’s current model NC750 series and Integra scooter, the X-ADV will have 54 hp and 68 Nm torque fed into a DCT gearbox.

  The X-ADV appears to feature step-through styling, and dual-purpose patterned tyres that make it somewhat resemble the CRF1000L Africa Twin. This imagery is helped by the the up-swept exhaust, tall windscreen and hand-guards. Spoked wheels and long-travel suspension add to the illusion.

  This dual-purpose styled adventure super-scooter is likely to be a Europe-only model, where there is a demand for quirky designs that feed into day-dreams of crossing the Tunisian desert on two wheels. Nothing official from Honda on the existence of the X-ADV, but it might make it into the 2016 EICMA show.

  Would you buy one? Let us know what you think.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  GALLERY: 2016 Honda Integra
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  16YM Integra

  

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  16YM Integra

  

  16YM Integra

  

  16YM Integra

  

  16YM Integra

  

  
  

   

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• REVIEW: Benelli TnT25 – low-cost, stylish city riding

  In Benelli, Bike Reviews, Bikes / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 26 February 2016 5:47 pm / 16 comments

  

  Benelli Keeway Motorcycles (BKM) recently introduced the 2016 TnT25 in the Malaysian market. The name Benelli goes back a hundred years in Italy, as a maker of both firearms and motorcycles. Today Benelli makes a range of motorcycles under Qiang Jiang of China, while the firearms business continues as a separate entity.

  In November 2015, Benelli introduced the TnT25 in the region. Designed by the Benelli design office in Pesaro, Italy, the TnT25 is assembled in Malaysia by BKM at their factory in Bandar Bukit Beruntung in Selangor. Manufactured in China, the TnT25 is built to a price-point, and is designed for urban transportation as a proper motorcycle.

  The 2016 Benelli TnT25 is cheap at RM12,990, compared to other offerings in the quarter-litre class, such as the Kawasaki 250, Honda CBR250R and Yamaha R-25, which retail around the RM20,000 mark.

  

  

  But what the TnT25 shows isn’t necessarily cheap and low quality, which some perceive of made-in-China bikes. While many of the features we would expect from the major manufacturers are not there, the Benelli TnT25 doesn’t pretend to be anything more than it is, affordable city transportation.

  At first glance, the naked Benelli TnT25 borrows a lot from the DNA of its siblings, the TnT300 and TnT600. After feedback from local riders that a 250 cc bike was preferable to upgrading their licenses to ‘B1’ or full ‘B’ status, Benelli produced the 250 to fulfil demand.

  For the local market, BKM is targetting the Benelli TnT25 at the lower to mid-end motorcycle market. So, what is the 2016 Benelli Tnt25 like to ride?

  Click here for the full review.

   

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