Ducati has teamed up with eyeglass designer Italia Independent to launch the Scrambler Italia Independent. Limited to a production run of 1,170 units worldwide, this design collaboration was first shown at the contemporary art exhibition “Art Basel” at the Setai Hotel, Miami, Florida late last year.
Taking Ducati’s interpretation of its retro, 70s-inspired Scrambler, the bike has been given a special matte-black finish with “Night Copper” accents. The heart of the machine is still the 803 cc Desmodromic V-twin, descended from the 796 cc Monster engine.
Rated at 75 hp and 68 Nm of torque, the engine suits the laid-back nature of the Scrambler Italia Independent, where image is possibly more important that performance. The V-twin mill is coated black and accented with machined cooling fins, while the all-black exhaust pipes terminate in a pair of Termignonis.
Each 2016 Ducati Scrambler Italia Independent comes with a laser-etched plate carrying each bike’s edition number. Other add-ons are the copper-coloured trellis frame and wheels along with a ‘shorty’ front mud-guard and diminutive nose fairing.
There are also five models of eye-wear from Italia Independent that are inspired by the motorcycle. The Ducati Scrambler Italia Independent edition retails for approximately 9,377 pounds sterling (RM58,253) in the UK.
The 2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R was unveiled in Barcelona, Spain, in October last year, and Kawasaki has released a video of the bike’s unveiling along with feedback from its World Superbike championship (WSBK) riders and engineers. The 2016 ZX-10R incorporates more racing superbike technology than the previous model, and the Kawasaki Racing Team is intending to take the fight to its competition after narrowly missing out on winning WSBK in 2012 and 2014.
One of the biggest changes made to the 2016 ZX-10R is a heavily-redesigned cylinder head. The inlet tracts have been realigned to provide the intake charge a straight shot into the combustion chamber. The chamber itself has been redesigned to improve combustion efficiency.
The exit has also been reworked, with the exhaust ports polished and enlarged, mated to titanium exhaust headers. The intake and exhaust valves are now made out of titanium, and the new-for-2016 cams provide more power at the top-end of the rev range. The new electronic throttle bodies also contribute to the quest for more power, at the same time keeping the engine Euro 4-compliant for the road version.
Ninja ZX-10R ABS KRT Edition
Ninja ZX-10R ABS KRT Edition
Ninja ZX-10R ABS KRT Edition
A lower moment of inertia has been machined into the crank, with a reduction of 20% in the amount of power needed to spin it up or slow it down. This was apparently at the request of the WSBK boys, and the engineering change has made the transition to the road bike.
Working in conjunction with the 998 cc liquid-cooled inline-four DOHC 16-valve engine, the six-speed gearbox now comes with cassette gears that allow for changing of gear ratios without having to drain the sump. The gear ratios are a lot closer, minimising rpm jumps between gears, and providing better acceleration and less intrusive engine braking.
Kawasaki also brings a whole slew of electronics to the game. This includes a new 32-bit ECU that works with a Bosch inertial measurement unit (IMU), measuring the ZX-10R’s movement in six-axes. The new electronics suite now brings the bike on par with its rivals – the Yamaha R1, Ducati 1299 Panigale S and Aprilia RSV4 RF.
Ninja ZX-10R ABS KRT Edition
Ninja ZX-10R ABS KRT Edition
Ninja ZX-10R ABS KRT Edition
Other rider aids on the 2016 ZX-10R include Sport-Kawasaki TRaction Control (S-KTRC), three-mode launch control, Kawasaki’s KIBS ABS, and an electronic Ohlins steering damper. Also included are a quickshifter and engine braking control.
Showa provides the ZX-10R with its brand-new Balance Free forks, the first installation on a production motorcycle. The fork uses Showa’s Damping Force Chamber, which uses an external chamber outside the fork legs filled with pressurised nitrogen to adjust compression and rebound damping. This is claimed by Kawasaki to improve suspension movement and increase traction.
Braking is looked after by a pair of Brembo M50 4-pot monobloc calipers in front, similar to the units used on the Kawasaki H2 and H2R, coupled with braided steel lines. The bodywork looks similar to the previous model, but is actually slightly wider to provide more protection from the wind.
The 2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R is claimed to put out 200 hp – 210 hp with Ram-Air – and 113.5 Nm of torque at 11,500 rpm. Weight is 206 kg, with a fuel capacity of 17 litres. The Malaysian launch of the ZX-10R is supposed to be scheduled for the middle of this year, after completion of track re-surfacing works at Sepang International Circuit.
Some grainy catalogue shots of the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja 250R have been posted by Warungasep and TMCblog and the bike is expected to be launched in Indonesia some time this year. Rumour has it the Ninja 250R will come with a two-cylinder engine. The current Malaysian market Kawasaki Ninja 250 has a parallel-twin engine, while the 250SL has a single-cylinder thumper with both engines running EFI.
Given that its prime competitor in the quarter-liter class market is the Yamaha R25, which contains a parallel-twin, this isn’t that surprising. The rumoured Honda CBR250R replacement, the CBR250RR, is also said to be carrying a two-cylinder engine.
If this is a case, the current Kawasaki Malaysia line-up of the Ninja 250, and Ninja 250SL, might be superceded come 2017. However, going by past practice, Indonesia and Thailand tend to get the new models first, with Malaysia being between six months to a year late, sometimes more.
The Kawasaki Ninja 250SL retails for around RM17,689 without GST while the Yamaha R25 has an official retail price of RM20,206 inclusive of GST. The Honda CBR250R retails for RM19,999 for the standard Trico & Black and RM20,499 for Repsol – both without ABS. The CBR250R with C-ABS sells at RM22,999 for Trico & Black and RM23,499 for Repsol livery. The prices for the Honda CBR250R exclude GST.
Hong Leong Yamaha launched the 2016 NMax scooter at their annual Chinese New Year dealer appreciation dinner in Genting Highlands on January 17. Unveiled by Datuk Jim Khor, managing director of Hong Leong Yamaha, the 2016 NMax is positioned as a city commuter.
The 2016 NMax is designed as Yamaha’s “global scooter model”, and comes with the new ‘Bluecore’ engine. The engine is a 155 cc liquid-cooled, SOHC 4-valve single with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) and mated to a CVT gearbox with belt final drive.
Other features of the NMax include disc brakes front and rear, and a dual absorber suspension on the swingarm. The fuel tank is a large – for a scooter – 6.6 litre unit.
There is an LED headlight in front, and matching LED rear lights to provide optimum visibility. The seat is fitted with spring-loaded hinges to uncover a storage area large enough for most helmet designs.
Coming in two colours – red and grey – the 2016 Yamaha NMax is set for nation-wide release in April 2016. No official confirmation on pricing is available, but it is rumoured to be about RM10,000, placing it in the same class as the Honda PCX at RM11,990.
A picture of the facelifted 2016 Honda CBR150R has been leaked in Indonesia. According to cicakreatip, the picture was taken from a presentation showing changes made to the CBR150R.
Details include twin LED headlamps for the incoming model, as well as an all-new digital instrument cluster. Other changes include the exhaust, grab-rail, fuel tank and rear lights.
The engine is the same 149 cc liquid-cooled single with EFI. The claimed figures for this engine are 17 hp at 10,000 rom and 13 Nm at 7,500 rpm. No news on pricing, but the 2016 CBR150R is expected to be launched in Indonesia later this year. No word yet if the 2016 CBR150R will make it to Malaysia.
Hong Leong Yamaha yesterday issued a press release showing the facelifted 2016 135 LC. Listening to its customers, Yamaha has reworked the 2016 Yamaha 135LC with three new colour schemes – red, white and blue – with the white paint scheme coming with wheels in a contrasting shade of red.
Other changes to the 2016 135LC are LED pilot lights, a revised rear light design that incorporates a new high-mounted brake light and grab-rail, and a new chin visor. The engine of the 135LC stays the same for 2016, a 134 cc liquid-cooled single cylinder that puts out 12 hp at 8,500 rpm. Torque is 11.8 Nm at 5,500 rpm.
No word from Hong Leong Yamaha on pricing for the 2016 135LC, but it is confirmed the bike will be released in the Malaysian market at the end of February 2016. The 2015 price for the 135LC is RM6,318, and it is not expected the 2016 model will deviate much from that.
After showing it at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 6, BMW Motorrad has released a video showcasing the Connected Ride HUD (Heads-up display) helmet in action. We have no way to determine if this is an actual video or a very good simulation, but the information displayed on the helmet internal pop-up screen would certainly be helpful in some situations.
BMW has always been at the fore-front of integrating technology into its vehicles in order to improve safety and easing the driver’s or rider’s workload. While a HUD is good for keeping the rider’s eyes on the road, we wonder if having a multi-coloured display right in front of your eyes might not be a touch distracting.
The HUD helmet is currently in prototype stage, but BMW has said it has plans to put the helmet into production. Obviously it will only connect to BMW Motorrad machines, but the possibilities in terms of improved rider awareness and road safety are intriguing.
Manufacturers with iconic engine designs sometimes rue the day when their creation takes on a life of its own. One case is Porsche’s flat-six. When Porsche wanted to retire the 911 in favour of the 928 back in 1980, Porsche purists howled with dismay and refused to let the engine, and the car, die.
This happened to BMW in the same time period. Having reached what they thought was the end of the design lifespan of the nearly 70-year old flat-twin, they came out with the flat-four ‘K’ in 1984. You could hear the gnashing of teeth and rending of cloth from Munich to Melbourne.
The 2015 BMW R1200 R is today’s prime example of what some consider to be an obsolete engine design, ill-suited for motorcycles, that soldiers on into the future, and does a pretty damn good job of it. The ‘R’ is BMW’s classification for the boxer engine, going all the way back to 1923 with the R32.
While the twin is pretty much a mainstay with the GS adventure touring crowd, sports riders and those who favour ‘normal’ motorcycles tend to be eclectic in their engine choice. V-twins, fours, triples, there’s almost everything and the kitchen sink to choose from.
The R1200 R is BMW’s take on a standard motorcycle that riders can use as they wish. Coming as a naked, various customisation options are available for the bike to be configured as the rider wishes. The boxer goes against other nakeds like its sibling the S1000R, the Ducati Monster, MV Agusta Brutale, Yamaha FZ-09, Aprilia Tuono, Triumph Street Triple, Kawasaki Z1000 and KTM Superduke.
Approaching the R1200 R, two things stand out. The massive boxer engine, and the red trellis frame. The humped 18-litre tank adds to the overall impression of direct, functional brutality, perhaps a result of Teutonic engineering efficiency.
Now, ‘naked’ in BMW Motorrad parlance does not actually mean stripped down to the bone. The R1200 R we tested came fully-loaded with all sorts of riding and semi-active suspension aids, coupled with BMW’s motorcycle ABS that is the best in the business. GS riders will testify to this.
Let’s start with initial riding impressions. The R1200 R comes with Keyless Ride as standard for this market. Working like Comfort Access for BMW cars, Keyless Ride allows the rider to unlock and start the bike with the key fob in the pocket. Access to the fuel filler cap is also keyless, and the switchblade style key is only needed if the seat is to be removed.
Hong Leong Yamaha yesterday launched the 2016 NMax scooter for the Malaysian market. With a 155 cc liquid-cooled single cylinder engine, the NMax enters a market niche already occupied by the Honda PCX150.
The NMax’s engine is good for 14.8 hp and torque is claimed at 14.4 Nm at 6,000 rpm. ABS will not be included on the CKD NMax, but braking will still be with 230 mm diameter discs front and rear. Fuel injection will ensure optimum power and peak fuel efficiency.
Gearbox is a dry-clutch CVT going to a v-belt final drive. Hong Leong Yamaha has priced the 2016 N-Max at RM8,812 including GST, but excluding road tax, insurance and number plates, compared to the Honda PCX150 at RM11,990.
Mofaz Motosikal and Chear Motor launched four new MV Agusta motorcycles at the Chear Motor showroom in Klang on January 16. The models launched were the sport-touring Stradale 800 and Turismo Veloce 800 and Veloce Lusso 800 adventure-touring bikes.
Also on display was the MV Agusta F4 RC race replica, produced in a limited run of 250 units worldwide. Out of the 250 units, two have made it to Malaysia, of which one unit is already spoken for.
While none of the models are new, per se, having been launched much earlier overseas, their official showing here in Malaysia is indicative of the commitment being shown by Mofaz and Chear in developing the motorcycle industry locally.
The Stradale 800 is naked sports-tourer with a three-cylinder 12-valve engine that puts out 115 hp and 78.5 Nm torque. Shown with an optional pair purpose-built pair of saddle-bags that incorporate rear lights, the Straddle 800 is designed for the rider who needs a bike capable of multiple roles within the riding week.
Also unveiled were two variants of the Turismo, the base Veloce 800 and the Veloce Lusso. Carrying a variant of MV Agusta’s 800 cc triple, the engine has been de-tuned slightly for duty in the Turismo Veloce, putting out 110 hp. Torque, however, has been increased to compensate, as befits an adventure tourer carrying heavy loads long distances, at 83 Nm.
Some additional goodies are installed on the Turismo Veloce Lusso 800, including a GPS system, semi-active suspension, heated grips and a centre stand. Both Turismo models are available with optional saddle bags.
Lastly, the limited production F4 RC, the latest iteration of Massimo Tamburini’s vision of the perfect motorcycle that began with the Ducati 916 over 20 years ago. This four-cylinder 900 cc race replica comes with a full suite of electronics and active suspension. It is supplied with a sports kit that allows the owner to convert the F4 RC between road and track duties.
On the road prices, with six months road tax, are – Stradale 800 at RM99,917, the Turismo Veloce 800 at RM111,129, and the Turismo Veloce Lusso 800 at RM121,146. Price for the F4 RC is on application. Stay tuned for an in-depth road test of the Turismo Veloce Lusso 800 by paultan.org.
Ural motorcycles is a Russian company that makes sidecars. Based on the BMW R71, the design was licensed to Russia in 1939, after Russia decided to modernise its army. Today, Ural makes 750 cc two-cylinder sidecar rigs that are decidedly retro in design, and is now being imported into Malaysia by Reed Motorcycle Company, with the first batch arriving in March 2016.
Based in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Reed Motorcycle decided to expand their motorcycle import business by bringing in Ural sidecars. The rational for doing so was to sell a unique product, and expand the involvement of the rider’s family and friends, especially those who don’t ride, and are intimidated by standard dual-purpose motorcycles.
Mohamed Nik Faisullah Reed, managing director of Reed Motorcycle, said, “we first had the idea of importing Urals in 2014. After speaking to the Russians, and performing due diligence, we began the process of certifying the sidecar design with JPJ and obtaining the brand AP from the Ministry of Trade.”
According to Nik, the process has almost been completed, and Reed Motorcycle is currently awaiting the approval letter from the ministry before shipment is despatched from the Ural works in Irbit, Sverdlovsk Orbast. The JPJ type approval for Ural sidecars is as a motorcycle, and Nik said anyone with a full ‘B’ license can ride one of these rigs on the road legally.
The entire range of Ural sidecars is being shipped in, in both one-wheel and two-wheel drive forms. The price will range from RM80,000 to RM140,000 depending on model and specifications. Ural does not make solo motorcycles after finding demand did not justify production.
Motorcycle sales in Malaysia have dropped since the implementation of GST, according to Koji Onishi, chief executive officer of Boon Siew Honda.
Speaking at the launch of the Honda Wave Dash FI at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, today, Onishi said between April and December 2015, 261,851 motorcycles were sold in Malaysia, compared to 324,180 units for the same period in 2014.
This represents a 19.22% decrease in sales numbers. “Retail sales were slower in October, November and December, with an average 6,600 unit sales monthly. In a nutshell, the motorcycle market is shrinking due to the economic downturn,” Onishi explained.
The launch of the Wave Dash FI is part of Honda’s plan to revitalise motorcycle sales in Malaysia. “Honda is putting effort into developing new models in order to sustain competitiveness. Boon Siew Honda will be launching more new models as part of efforts to re-energise the motorcycle market and increase overall sales volume,” Onishi said.
Boon Siew Honda today launched the 2016 Wave Dash FI, touted to be safer, more economical (by a claimed 10%), and more powerful. The previous Wave Dash was no slouch in the under-bone (kapchai) market, being popular amongst the younger crowd due to its price and styling.
The updated Wave Dash comes, as its model name suggests, with Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), allowing for better fuel efficiency without losing anything in the get-up-and-go arena.
PGM-FI for small engines is not new for Honda, with the technology being present in their product range in other Asian markets from about a decade ago, but is now coming to the Malaysian market in a big way – it made its local debut on the Dream EX5 FI last year, and comes to the Wave range for the first time here.
The Wave Dash EFI has a 109 cc single-cylinder air-cooled four-stroke engine, mainstay of Honda’s kapchai range since, well, about the time of the dinosaurs. The four-speed automatic gearbox with centrifugal clutch is also a familiar fixture, and instantly recognisable to any young lad who climbs on the bike. Power is claimed to be 8.38 hp at 7,500 rpm with torque rated at 8.42Nm at 6,000 rpm.
Things have improved though, with the Wave Dash now coming with a four-litre fuel tank, reducing fill-ups. There are disc brakes front and rear to take care of stopping. A single element halogen light is front and center, and position lights are new in the front fairing. The rear lights have been redesigned, allowing for better visibility to other road-users both day and night.
The 2016 Wave Dash EFI comes in three flavours – the single disc brake Type S at RM5,299, the dual disc brake Type R at RM5,549 and the Type R Repsol Edition with race-inspired graphics at RM5,699. The Type S and R are available in four colours – Vivacity Red, Vital Blue Metallic and Pearl Magellanic Black. The Type R Repsol comes only in Luminous Orange.
Making its way to Malaysia is the 2016 Benelli TnT25, a 250 cc naked single that follows the mold of Benelli’s bigger motorcycles. Malaysian distributor Benelli Keeway Motorcycles (BKM) has brought in the TnT25 to claim its stake in the burgeoning 250 cc scene.
The single-cylinder engine puts out 25.2 hp at 9,000 rpm, and torque is 21.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm – perfectly respectable numbers for an engine this size. A six-speed gearbox drives a chain for the final drive.
Launched in Italy, India, Thailand, and Indonesia in November last year, the 2016 TnT25 is intended for the rider stepping up to a proper 250 cc motorcycle from the kapchai and scooter class, or a rider wanting a basic, but stylish bike for everyday use.
“The introduction of this model is to provide yet another choice to the end-users. Apart from that, BKM hopes with this model, it would be able to strengthen its market position and if it turns out to have a huge impact, than it will be a bonus to us,” BKM’s senior manager of business development Wan Najib Wan Daud said.
The 2016 Benelli TnT25 is priced at RM12,990 before GST. It comes in two colours, green and red, and will be available in motorcycle shops by the end of January. The TnT25 comes with a one year or 10,000 km warranty, and owners registering their TnT25 on BKM’s website will enjoy an additional three-month warranty.
Riding a motorcycle is a solitary sport, even when riding in groups. Some riders, to while the miles away, use ear-phones connected to a phone or mp3 player. German firm Headwave has come up with what they dub the “Concert Capsule”, that eliminates putting bud speakers in your ear and long cords leading to your player.
This externally-mounted vibration speaker fits to any helmet using adhesive tape. A special transponder inside the Concert Capsule produces vibrations and uses the helmet to resonate and amplify the vibration, transmitting sound and music to the rider’s ears.
The Concert Capsule is certified to IP67, meaning it is completely waterproof and will withstand substantial shock and impact. You can pair the Capsule with a smartphone, other Bluetooth devices and GPS devices.
Since the Capsule has no microphone, using it to make calls is not an option, but you can receive GPS instructions and the like. It has a USB rechargeable port, and is designed for one-button operation. Battery life is estimated at six to eight hours.
The Headwave TAG Concert Capsule is available for online purchase at a price of 299 euro (RM1,432) and ships worldwide.
