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• Kawasaki supercharges into the future with the SC-02

  In Bikes, Kawasaki / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 17 December 2015 3:36 pm / 0 comment

  

  Supercharging is apparently going to feature strongly in Kawasaki’s line-up. The unveiling of a sketch by Kenji Tomida, President of Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company at the EICMA show in Milan last month showed the SC-02 “Soul Charger” concept motorcycle.

  Complementing the Concept SC-01 which was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in October, the SC-02 features what Tomida calls the “scalability” of the supercharger in Kawasaki’s range of motorcycles. Following the launch of the H2 and H2R in the litre bike class in 2014, he said the design could be down-sized and applied to a smaller engine, perhaps 600 cc.

  Kawasaki’s concept bikes have usually been about performance, and the SC-02 is no different, showing an aggressive style meant for fast and short sprints. From the sketches, it appears the supercharger is fed by a fresh air intake from the left side, giving the bike a heavily asymmetrical look.

  

  

  Of note is the supercharger itself. The amount of air entering the charger is controlled by a shutter valve system, almost like the petals of a camera lens. At small throttle openings, the ECU restricts the amount of air coming in, improving rideability and fuel consumption.

  The styling is in the retro streetfighter look very much in vogue today, tied together by a silver, black and brown paint scheme. Tomida was silent if either the SC-01 or SC-02 would ever make it off the drawing board, but promised several new models would be forthcoming from Kawasaki in 2017 and 2018.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2016 Yamaha MT-03 takes aim at new and old riders

  In Bikes, International News, Yamaha / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 16 December 2015 4:39 pm / 8 comments

  

  Dropping neatly into the space between the MT-07 and the MT-125, the 2016 Yamaha MT-03 takes sight squarely on the entry-level, commuter market.

  Taking everything from its fully-faired YZF-R3 sibling, the MT-03 leaves its clothes off for the rider who wants a naked, lightweight and nimble motorcycle that does everything.

  The 320 cc liquid cooled parallel-twin engine as first packaged in the YZF-R3 is a four valve 48 hp powerhouse that should do sterling service as a daily rider. The chassis is also lifted directly from the YZF, giving a sporty, head-forward riding position. The assymetrical swingarm design is taken from its big brother, the R1, a nod to Yamaha’s racing heritage.

  Recognising the demand from the market for an easy-to-ride, rider friendly bike, the seat height is a mere 780 mm, putting the bike within easy control of all but the tallest riders, or those who are very long in the leg department. ABS comes standard, giving new riders confidence in MT-03’s handling, and letting old riders coming back to the sport overcome the re-learning curve.

  The 2016 Yamaha MT-03 will be sold alongside its fully-faired YZF-R3 sibling and is expected to hit Malaysian dealers early next year. No word on pricing as yet, but the MT-03 retails in Thailand at an estimated price of RM21,500.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2016 Ducati 959 Panigale now plays by Euro 4 rules

  In Bikes, Ducati / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 16 December 2015 3:35 pm / 3 comments

  

  The 2016 Ducati 959 Panigale carries on from the 899 Panigale with a host of changes to the engine and bodywork. The 959 Panigale was reworked to pass Euro 4 emissions and noise limits, which resulted in some major revisions over the 899.

  Most noticeable is the double-barreled exhaust, which was needed to pass the very stringent Euro 4 noise regulations. While many riders may like the howl of a straight-through V-twin exhaust, Euro 4 says no, at least not for road bikes.

  While the 899 Panigale managed to convey a svelte profile echoing Massimo Tamburini’s earliest iteration of the 916 Desmoquattro, expect to see more road-going machines with similar bulbous exhausts moving forward as manufacturers try to keep the noise down without sacrificing too much.

  

  What’s new for 2016 is the now regulation compliant Superquadro engine. The V-twin displaces 955 cc, producing 157 hp and 107.4 Nm torque. The additional 57 cc and 9 hp over the out-going 899 Panigale’s 148 hp was achieved by stretching the stroke from 57.2 mm to 60.8 mm. The bore remains the same at 100 mm, retaining the massively over-square design of the Superquadro.

  The short stroke of this engine is important, as it reduces the amount of friction internally, and allows the engine to meet regulations and reduce emissions.

  Ducati’s new Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating on the piston pins and a reworked piston top, combined with new cylinder heads and covers reduce engine noise, along with an all-new timing chain.

  

  The fly-by-wire throttle activates twin oval throttle bodies that now sport twin fuel injectors positioned above and below the butterfly. This helps maximise the efficiency of the fuel burn, while emissions are controlled with Ducati’s secondary air system.

  Ducatis have always been famous for their slipper clutches that prevent wheel hop during aggressive braking, but were never known for their “light” pull.

  The 959 comes with a new “self servo” that greatly reduces clutch effort without reducing the neccessary force required to transmit the engine’s power to the gearbox.

  

  Other changes to the 959 include a wider and taller fairing, based on feedback received from Ducati’s World Superbike team. Redesigned air intakes allow more air into the engine while the rear seat design now mimics the 1299 Panigale, as do the mirrors.

  The rest of the 959 Panigale follows Ducati’s MotoGP technology, including an optional data analyser. The LCD dashboard comes fully functional and track ready, including riding mode and stopwatch. The full suite of track gadgets comes standard, including ABS, traction control and quickshifter.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Naza opens new Ducati showroom in Phnom Penh

  In Bikes, Ducati, International News, Naza / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 15 December 2015 4:25 pm / 2 comments

  

  Ducati rolls into Cambodia with the opening of a new showroom in Phnom Penh. Ducati Cambodia, a company under the Naza World group of companies, is part of Naza’s plan to increase its presence in the region, after its initial venture into Vietnam.

  The showroom, located at No 96, St 110, Russian Boulevard, Sangkat Teok Laak 1, Khan Toul Kork, is a complete Ducati service facility, fully equipped with all the necessary tools and diagnostic equipment for Ducati motorcycles, and operated by 18 trained staff. The 2,700 square foot showroom also carries the current range of Ducatis – Diavel, Panigale, Hypermotard, Monster and Scrambler – and a line of Ducati apparel and lifestyle accessories.

  According to Datuk SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin, “The Cambodian market offers future growth potential especially in the premium and superbike category and we expect our entry to heat up the local superbike market. We welcome avid bikers and admirers of Ducati to visit the showroom, indulge their curiosity in these high-performance masterpieces and embrace the thrilling world of all things Ducati.”

  In conjunction with the opening of the showroom, Ducati Cambodia will also launch the complete range of the brand new Scrambler, together with the Scrambler Pop-Up-Club. The Scrambler has four variants – Icon, Urban Enduro, Full Throttle and Classic.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• 2016 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 L7, with bigger, badder balls

  In Bikes, Suzuki Motorcycles / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 15 December 2015 3:17 pm / 3 comments

  

  Suzuki’s litre-class GSX-R has always been known by Malaysian bikers as the “Highway King”. The latest iteration of the legendary motorcycle, designated the GSX-R 1000 L7, is all new for 2016, and is better and badder than ever, according to the manufacturer.

  Since the launch of the K5 model way back in 2005, the big Gixxer rapidly found itself outclassed by its rivals from Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki. With the advent of the L7, launched at the Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo e Motociclo e Accessori (EICMA) motor show in Milan last month, Suzuki has brought an all-new engine and chassis to the fight.

  Suzuki claims 200 hp for the GSX-R 1000 L7, packed into a 200 kg estimated weight. The engine is a 999 cc inline-four, with a steel ball-driven variable valve timing (VVT) system that acts on the intake cam by sliding the lobes along the shaft to alter the profile.

  

  Suzuki says this will produce top-end power without sacrificing anything lower down the rev range. The VVT uses centrifugal force to retard the intake timing with the throttle wide open, allowing for more valve overlap and thus increasing horsepower numbers at the top-end.

  This setup is designed to work with Suzuki’s Exhaust Tuning-Alpha (SET-A) header exhaust valves. These valves remain closed at low rpm, coming into play as the rider increases engine speed and allowing for a greater header flow volume.

  Lifted directly from Suzuki’s MotoGP efforts is the Racing Finger valve train follower rocker arm that allows for better cam actuation at racetrack speeds.

  While Suzuki has elected not to pursue high horsepower figures, they say they intend to provide a balanced package for the rider.

  The chassis is also claimed to be lighter and more compact, with Showa’s fully adjustable and race developed Balance Free front fork, coupled with the Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC) fully adjustable shock from the same manufacturer to keep the skeletal forged and welded swingarm in place.

  The big Gixxer comes with a full suite of electronics, as per its other rivals. Traction control, ABS, electronic throttle, launch control, and quick shifting are included into a package designed for the racer and serious track day rider.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• BMW R nineT Scrambler – an iconic bike, recreated

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International News / By Graham Chin / 18 November 2015 12:30 pm / 4 comments

  

  Drawing on the rich history of its Scramblers of the 50s, 60s and 70s, BMW Motorrad is bringing to the world the BMW R nineT Scrambler. Debuting at the Milan Motorcycle Show (EICMA), it’s a bike that the brand says is built for motorcycle fans who love things that are “purists, reduced to the essentials and non-conformist.” It’s a customisation-centric bike as well, according to BMW.

  Engine-wise, the new-age Scrambler features a 1,170 cc air-cooled, flat-twin boxer engine renowned for its design, torque and sound. It produces 110 hp at 7,750 rpm and 116 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. The new engine mapping and fuel system, which includes a carbon canister, meets the EU4 emissions standards.

  Behind, the Scrambler is designed to allow for the flat-boxer engine to resonate audibly, made possible with two vertically arranged rear silencers, fitted closely to the bike to give it a slim appearance. With that, the bike still adheres to the ECE R41-04 noise emission regulations. A large catalytic converter also makes for more effective exhaust gas cleaning.

  In line with the Scrambler’s customisation characteristics, the bike features a steel tubular space frame which consists of a front section with an integrated steering head and a rear section with a swinging arm mount. Uniquely, the passenger frame can be removed to allow it to sit two or the rider on its own.

  

  

  

  As standard, the bike also gets ABS. The front suspension is a telescopic fork with rubber gaiters and a spring travel of 125 mm. It is fitted with 19-inch light alloy cast wheels, four-piston calipers, steel-wrapped brake lines and 320 mm brake discs for the front.

  The rear, gets a 17-inch alloy wheel, Paralever single-sided swinging arm as the suspension, with damping carried out through a spring strut, while spring travel is at 140 mm. Brakes in the back are a 265 mm diameter single-disc brake with a two-piston floating caliper.

  Design-wise, the R nineT features a circular headlamp, a 17-litre sheet steel fuel tank with aluminium trim and R nineT inscription that flows across the air intake duct. The double-butted tubular handlebars comprises of aluminium forged parts that’s glass-bead blasted and then clear anodised. Additionally, the upright two-person seats are tapered and stitched in a Saddle Brown coloured leather.

  Available in Monolith metallic matte, it comes with black-coated components for the frame, swinging arm, wheels, fork slider tubes and engine housing. Optional cross-spoke wheels is also available for the bike. The BMW R nineT will feature at the Milan show together with the G310R and the eRR concept.

  See the full gallery after the jump.

   

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• Honda Wave Alpha 110cc kapcai launched, fr RM4,133

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, Local Bike News / By Danny Tan / 17 November 2015 2:54 pm / 38 comments

  

  Boon Siew Honda officially launched the Honda Wave Alpha motorcycle in Malaysia today. The new kapcai is basically an improved version of the Honda Wave 110 that was introduced here in May 2013. “The Urban Dominator” comes with updated and sportier styling plus improved performance over its predecessor.

  The 109.1 cc four-stroke OHC engine remains, but it now makes 8.43 PS at 7,500 rpm and 8.59 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. To compare, the old Wave 110 pushed out 7.67 PS and 8.32 Nm at 3,500 rpm. The Alpha has both kick and electric starters.

  The four-speed constant mesh gearbox remains, along with identical gear ratios. Two versions of the Wave Alpha are available – one with spoke wheels and a front drum brake and one with cast wheels and a front disc brake. The latter weighs 98 kg with a full tank, one kg more than the drum brake version.

  

  

  Boon Siew Honda highlights the following features: a “sporty contoured exhaust”, a “stylish leg shield”, the “cool and clear speedometer” and the underbone bike’s U-Box under the seat. “We believe the all-new Wave Alpha with its overall impressive performance and design will win the hearts of many Malaysian motorcyclists,” said Koji Onishi, the company’s MD and CEO.

  Buyers can choose from three colours – Pearl Magellanic Black, Vivacity Red and Pearl Metalloid White – and enjoy a two-year or 20,000 km manufacturer warranty. Prices start from RM4,133 for the drum brake/spoke wheels version and RM4,557 for the disc brake/cast wheels bike, with GST.

  Outside of the launch hall, Boon Siew Honda displayed a “racing version” of the Wave Alpha, which is not for sale. The tricked out bike has no headlamp and meter, and sports aftermarket suspension and exhaust systems, among other things. Small gallery below the main one.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  GALLERY: Honda Wave Alpha Racing
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• BMW Motorrad G310R – 313 cc bike for global markets

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International News / By Graham Chin / 16 November 2015 11:11 am / 11 comments

  

  A new two-wheel roadster has been introduced by BMW Motorrad. Called the BMW G310R, it’s the first bike by Motorrad to have a single cylinder, small displacement engine. Production of the bike will take place in India, in cooperation with TVS Motor Company.

  In total, the G310R’s unladen weight is 158.5 kg. Between those two wheels is a newly-developed single cylinder 313 cc liquid-cooled motor with four valves and two overhead cams with electronic fuel injection. The engine has a backward-tilted cylinder in an open-deck design.

  In addition to that, the cylinder head is rotated by 180 degrees, this allows for the intake tract to be positioned in front. As a whole, the engine produces 34 hp at 9,500 rpm and 28 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm. According to BMW, the new engine is designed for the global market – this means that it can run on all grades of petrol and still meet emission standards.

  

  

  

  Design of the G310R follows the S1000R closely, according to BMW. It’s much more compact with a short wheelbase and a low seat height measuring at 785 mm from the ground. It features a single headlamp, modelled fuel tank trim elements, while dynamic surfaces showcases its agile side profile. On top of that, it comes standard with a multifunction instrument cluster as well.

  The bike features a rigid tubular steel frame in grid structure with a bolted-on rear frame. Down the front, the suspension is a solid upside-down fork. The rear suspension consists of a long aluminium swinging arm with a directly-mounted spring strut.

  Along with those 17-inch wheels, a 300 mm single-disc brake with a bolted four-piston fixed caliper is fitted for the front wheel. In the rear, is a two-piston floating caliper together with a 240 mm disc brake. Safety-wise, ABS is a standard safety feature for the G310R.

  See the full gallery after the jump.

   

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• BMW Motorrad eRR – an experimental electric bike

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International News / By Graham Chin / 13 November 2015 10:58 am / 2 comments

  

  An experimental supersport bike from BMW Motorrad has emerged. The BMW eRR is based on the S1000RR, it’s jointly developed with the Technical University of Munich. According to BMW, it symbolises the idea of an electric-powered sports bike by the brand.

  Specifications will only be detailed at a later date, however in place of the S1000RR’s 1.0 litre four-cylinder engine with 195 hp and 113 Nm of torque, is an all-electric motor. BMW says that the electric drive is quite notable, because while it emits zero emissions, acceleration is also a lot better.

  The brand compares its electric C evolution with the S1000RR. While the S1000RR wins hands-down in terms of acceleration, handling and top speed, the electric scooter beats the sport bike when accelerating off the mark, to speeds of up to 60 km/h.

  

  

  Save for a different powertrain, the eRR experimental bike utilises the S1000RR’s chassis and design. A different paint scheme is used for this electric bike however – it sports white panels complemented by green accents, green stitching for the seat and plenty of carbon-fibre.

  Stephan Schaller, head of BMW Motorrad said, “we asked ourselves, what happens when combining a sport motorcycle and an electric drive? The experimental vehicle eRR brings the topic zero emission and electric drive on a new, more fascinating level.”

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• JKJR: 838 fatal accidents registered from January to October 2015, 612 fatalities involve motorcyclists

  In Bikes, Cars, Local News / By Graham Chin / 12 November 2015 5:02 pm / 13 comments

  

  A rise in fatal accidents have been recorded in the first ten months of 2015. From January to October this year, 838 fatal accidents were registered; out of that number, 612 involved motorcyclists, Bernama reports.

  During the same period last year, director-general of the Road Safety Department Abd Ghafar Yusof said there were a total of 588 fatal accidents involving motorcyclists on record. That’s an increase of 24 cases this year. Yusof said this after the Ops Cerah operation conducted on Monday night.

  Yusof said that in most cases, motorcyclists were not wearing helmets properly, while some crash helmets did not meet SIRIM specifications. In addition, he also noted that the motorcyclists involved were not wearing safety jackets, as recommended by Mohammad Fakhri Mansor, director of the Selangor Road Safety Department, previously.

  

  According to Yusof, a road safety advocacy campaign is important in reducing road accidents. Pointing to the index on fatal accidents, it showed a drop from 4.51 deaths per 10,000 vehicles in 2004, down to 2.66 deaths in 2014, as a result. Yusof said that the government is targeting to reduce it further to 2.0 deaths by 2020.

  Meanwhile, statistics gathered from Ops Selamat 7 conducted back in August recorded an increased total of 200 deaths involving motorcyclists, at that time. While the North-South Expressway (PLUS) had also registered a rise in accidents involving motorcycles, but fewer deaths compared to the year 2014.

  On that note, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) kicked off the myLesen programme back in September. However response has not been up to par, as of yet. The programme hopes to reduce accident rates among motorcyclists, along with helping some 3.35 million riders obtain a valid B2 motorcycle licence.

   

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• BMW Motorrad GS Trophy Southeast Asia Qualifiers

  In Bikes, BMW / By Danny Tan / 6 November 2015 12:07 pm / 1 comment

  

  BMW Motorrad Southeast Asia recently hosted the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy Southeast Asia Qualifier 2015, an adventure motorcycle rallye competition to select representatives who will compete at the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2016 competition in Chiang Mai next year.

  BMW Motorrad has organised the International GS Trophy every two years since 2008. In the event, BMW GS riders from across the world come together to engage in sporting competition. Previous locations were Tunisia, southern Africa, Chile-Argentina and North America. Next year, 19 national teams will represent their countries in northern Thailand, including a special all-womens team.

  

  

  Held over the weekend of October 30 to November 1, the Southeast Asia Qualifier was held in conjunction with the BMW Motorrad Days Thailand 2015 motorcycle festival. It sought to find one winner from Thailand, Malaysia and a representative from the combined countries of Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia to represent ASEAN on its home turf.

  Judged by a panel led by GS Trophy icon and organiser Tomm Wolf, participants were tested on their riding skills and strategies to successfully complete a series of obstacles over a specially designed Enduro course. Peerapat Woratham from Thailand, Mohd Faizal Sukree from Malaysia and Tommy Lee from Singapore emerged winners.

  Dr Suhaimi Bin Said, Dato Hamzah Bin Mazlan, Eimran Ben Jettey, Khaizatul Akmar Binti Zabidin and Mohd Aswade Bin Ali were the other Malaysian participants.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Tokyo 2015: Suzuki Feel Free Go! and Hustler Scoot

  In Bikes, International News, Suzuki / By Anthony Lim / 5 November 2015 11:31 am / 0 comment

  

  Suzuki also had two-wheelers on show in Tokyo, and the central displays were of two debutants, the first of which is the wonderfully-named Feel Free Go!, a motorised hybrid bicycle. This one has apparently come about from a desire to introduce more people to the joys of motorcycling, in an easy-to-master manner, so it goes.

  The bike, which measures in at 1,850 mm long, 685 mm wide and 980 mm tall, is powered by a 49 cc twin-cam, two-valve single-cylinder engine for those moments when pedalling is too much of a task. The automaker touts durability, quietness and exemplary performance from the newly-developed oil-cooled, four-stroke unit.

  The Feel Free Go!, which is named as a nod to the company’s first motorcycle, the Power Free, features a saddle-type seat help to make it as enjoyable to ride as a cross bike, and gear changes are performed using a shifter on the handlebar, as you’d find on a bicycle.

  

  There’s a full-colour touchscreen speedometer, which can be operated even while wearing gloves. The unit offers a rear-view display from a back-facing camera mounted below the seat, and it’s also equipped with a lighting system housed along the frame, which projects a beam of light onto the road surface for safer navigation along a path. Thoroughly neat, this one.

  The other primary premiere is called the Hustler Scoot, the company’s take on a what a fun scooter should be like. The concept is powered by a 50 cc engine, with plenty of storage space. Aside from a conventional underseat luggage bay, there’s a removable, square luggage case that mounts between the rider’s feet.

  If that’s not enough, there’s more room for luggage on the rear carrier and on the sides of the bodywork. Want to carry longer items previously unmanageable with a scooter? With the luggage case removed, the Hustler Scoot can carry such bits as a tennis racket. As for the bright, pop-art colouring, that’s a continuation of the theme propagated by the Hustler.

  GALLERY: Suzuki Feel Free Go! cross bike
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  GALLERY: Suzuki Hustler Scoot concept scooter
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Tokyo 2015: Honda Super Cub Concept and EV Cub Concept – leading the parade of two-wheelers

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, International News / By Anthony Lim / 4 November 2015 2:49 pm / 0 comment

  

  Cars weren’t the only items at Honda’s Tokyo Motor Show stand – there were a host of motorcycles to be found as well, and the two-wheeled displays were led by the Super Cub Concept and EV Cub Concept, both of which premiered at the show.

  The EV Cub is, as its moniker suggests, an electric bike; the battery in the short-distance personal commuter is mounted low in the centre, offering the bike a low centre of gravity as well as making mounting and dismounting an easier affair. The EV Cub’s detachable battery – which can be used to provide power for external applications – can be recharged via a household power socket.

  As for the Super Cub Concept, the petrol-based study is a nod to the original Super Cub design-wise, but given more flair. The Candy Blue Metallic and Light Blue Pearl colour scheme is also a homage to the Super Cub. Modern retro-looking kapchai, anyone?

  Other two-wheeled studies included the Light Weight Super Sports Concept, which hints at the design direction that will be seen in a next-generation super sport model as well as the GROM50 Scrambler Concept, presented in two variations called the One and Two. Also on display was the recently-introduced CRF1000L Africa Twin, which is due to make its market debut before the year is out.

  GALLERY:Honda Super Cub Concept and EV Cub Concept
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  GALLERY: Honda motorcycle display, TMS 2015
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Conference of ASEAN Road Safety 2015 – top experts gather to improve road safety of motorists in region

  In Bikes, Cars, Local News, Safety / By Jonathan Lee / 3 November 2015 2:58 pm / 9 comments

  

  

  The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) has officially opened the inaugural Conference of ASEAN Road Safety 2015 (CARS 2015), happening at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel from now until November 6. The event sees the meeting of minds of top experts from the region to improve road safety.

  Themed “Road Safety: Addressing the Bottom Billions,” the conference aims to up the safety standards of the low- and middle-income population. This group of individuals, MIROS says, are subjected to a higher risk of road trauma, as many of them are motorcyclists who are “less likely to be able to afford cars packed with safety features.”

  Over 300 experts consisting of policy makers, scientists, researchers, practitioners, law enforcers, academicians and organisations from the ASEAN region will participate in the conference, billed as the first ever road safety event in the region.

  

  “While each country has its respective road safety enforcement, advocacy and research agencies, we believe that by synergising our efforts and knowledge, we can achieve better results,” said deputy transport minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi. Efforts to improve road safety is no doubt a priority of all governments, as traffic accidents can result in damages to vehicles, injuries and loss of life.”

  In all, 63 research papers will be submitted and discussed here, centred on topics including road safety management, sustainable infrastructure, vehicle safety, road users, pre- and post-crash trauma, safety technology and motorcycle safety. A number of outstanding papers will be published in the Journal of Transportation Safety and Security under “Road Safety in Developing Countries” at the end of the event.

  “We will use CARS 2015 as a launch pad to establish a regional network of road safety experts,” said MIROS director-general Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon. “This synergy will allow for continuous cooperation and alignment of road safety efforts across the region.”

   

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• Tokyo 2015: Yamaha Sports Ride Concept unveiled

  In Cars, Concept Cars, International News, Yamaha / By Graham Chin / 28 October 2015 5:58 pm / 5 comments

  

  Teased earlier prior to its debut, Yamaha has unveiled its little sports car, billed the Yamaha Sports Ride Concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. The frame is built with the iStream car making process that’s based on Formula One technology, a process developed by McLaren F1 designer, Gordon Murray.

  Measuring in at 3,900 mm in length, 1,720 mm in width and 1,170 mm in height, the Sports Ride Concept is very light, coming in at just 750 kg. Yamaha says that it has taken the involvement and active feeling of riding a motorcycle, and implanted it into a vehicle with quintessential sports car proportions.

  The exterior of the Sports Ride Concept gets a very avant-garde design. The sleek headlamps, aero fins and bulging wheelarches at the front and the black roof give it that effect. In the back, the rear lamps are lined in thin strips, with a mid-quarter rear spoiler and high-mounted dual exhausts located in the middle.

  

  

  Inside, the brown-wrapped interior is the most striking feature. As for the dash panel, it seems to take on a very minimalist design, with just a few buttons in the middle, two air vents and a simple three-gauge instrument cluster on the driver’s side. The door handles are in the form of pull tabs, similar to race cars.

  Beneath that body is carbon-fibre tub, which contributed to its light weight. The structure is also said to give the vehicle impressive rigidity, and allows the vehicle to emit less carbon dioxide. No details have been disclosed about the Sports Ride Concept’s powertrain as of yet. However, it’s suspected to carry a 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine from the brand’s motorcycle range.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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