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• Tan Chong goes the motorcycle route in Laos

  In Bikes, International News / By Anthony Lim / 4 January 2012 11:20 am / 4 comments

  According to a report, Tan Chong Motorcycles Laos has been appointed the exclusive distributor, importer and after-sales service provider for SYM motorcycles and spare parts in Laos.

  The company, which is a Tan Chong Motor Holdings (TCMH) unit set up in March last year, has inked a three-year distributorship agreement with Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (VMEP), effective Jan 2, 2012.

  The distribution of SYM motorcycles in Laos by TC Motorcycles Laos is expected to commence in the first half of 2012, with showrooms set up in the Savan-Seno Special Economic Zone and Vientiane, TCMH said in its filing with Bursa Malaysia. It added that the total projected sales volume for the first three years of operation is 12,200 units.

  The Vietnamese manufacturer builds an assortment of SYM models, including the rather menacing sounding Attila Victoria, Attila Elizabeth and Shark, and has over 230 authorised 3S (sales, service, spare parts) centres in Vietnam.

   

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• LIVE from Tokyo: Retro liveried Honda RC-E is super sexy

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles, International News / By Danny Tan / 5 December 2011 11:31 am / 11 comments

  

  If only four-wheeled EVs are half as sexy. Honda revealed the RC-E concept at Tokyo to great response, thanks to evocative livery that recalls the glory days of the RC racers from the 1960s. Having seen the real vintage stuff days ago at the Honda Collection Hall, Twin Ring Motegi, this one made me drool!

  The RC-E is electric powered, so that fuel tank contains no liquid, but batteries. Not much details have been released, but Honda promises a powerful and smooth ride, and 600cc class performance in a 250cc class body. Should be a very strange bike experience – strong off the line EV style, but with no noise!

  

  We can see good stuff such as the Ohlins TTX suspension and Brembos. And part of the reason it looks good is because there’s no need for big headlights – the RC-E’s LEDs are nestled in the nose vent below the No.1. Also notice the plug sign at the bottom of the bike, hinting at what’s powering it.

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Next Bike targets 300% sales growth for Ducati in Malaysia

  In Bikes, Ducati, Local News / By Danny Tan / 21 November 2011 2:39 pm / 17 comments

  

  Next Bike Sdn Bhd, the sole importer and distributor of Ducati motorcycles in Malaysia, is looking at a 300% sales growth this year following good response for their latest model, the Ducati Monster 795. The latest Monster, aimed at Asia, had its world debut in Malaysia last month. The RM59,900 naked bike is powered by a 803 cc L-twin 2-valve per cylinder Desmodromic air cooled engine, producing 87 hp and 78 Nm.

  More than 200 units of the Monster have been sold just one month after its launch, a huge jump from the 50 Monsters Next Bike sold last year. In 2010, they shifted 120 units of Ducatis, bringing the total amount of Ducatis sold in Malaysia to over 1,000 units. This figure is expected to rise sharply with the relatively affordable Monster 795.

  
  EICMA 2011 debutant Ducati 1199 Panigale is open for booking, coming soon

  “We have planned out a variety of programmes to help boost the sale of Ducati bikes and within the next 12 months, more exciting Ducati models are expected to be introduced. One of the models is the 1199 Panigale that was recently launched in EICMA Italy and we have already started taking bookings,” revealed Naza Group Joint Executive Chairman, Datuk Wira Hj SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin.

   

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• 2011 BMW S1000RR updated with new features

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad / By Paul Tan / 28 October 2011 6:12 pm / 20 comments

  

  After its initial launch in 2009, BMW Motorrad has updated the S1000RR supersports bike. While there are no changes to the peak power output figures of 193 horsepower, there are quite a few new features to the technical update:

  • Optimised torque curve for improved ridability.
  • Expansion from two to three performance curves (one each for Rain and Sport modes and an additional one for Race and Slick modes); Rain mode now 120 kW (163 hp).
  • Reconfigured throttle for enhanced response (particularly gentle and sensitive acceleration in Rain mode, and immediately direct and spontaneous response in Sport, Race, and Slick modes).
  • Reduced twisting force and tighter twistgrip angle.
  • Smaller secondary ratio for boosted thrust.
  • Refined tuning between Race ABS and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC).
  • Enlarged cross sectional area of the intake air guide through the steering head for greater air flow efficiency.
  • Better handling, steering accuracy, and feedback.
  • Revised spring elements for an even wider range of damping forces.
  • Suspension geometry modified with new values for the steering head angle, offset, position of the swing arm pivot, fork projection, and spring strut length.
  • New mechanical steering damper adjustable over ten levels.
  • Forged and milled fork bridge in a new design and with a smaller offset.
  • Revised design with a leaner tail section, redesigned side panels, centre airbox cover with side aperture grilles, and winglets.
  • For new colour variants: plain Racing Red with Alpine white, Bluefire, Sapphire black metallic, BMW Motorrad Motorsport colours.
  • Revised RR logo.
  • New heel plates and leaner stabilisers on the passenger footrests.
  • Redesigned LCD engine speed display for better readability and with five dimming levels.
  • Instrument cluster with the new functions “Best lap in progress” and “Speedwarning”; deactivation of “Lamp” fault message when headlamp or number plate carrier removed.
  • Catalytic converters relocated, so no heat shield necessary.
  • Expansion to the optional extras and special equipment ex works.

  Look after the jump for a huge photo gallery and a video of the revised S1000RR.
  Read The Full Story ›

   

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• 2012 Honda Integra to come with 700cc engine and twin clutch gearbox – yes, it’s a bike not a car!

  In Bikes, Honda Motorcycles / By Paul Tan / 26 October 2011 5:49 pm / 58 comments

  

  Honda is bringing back the name Honda Integra to one of its products, but unfortunately it’s not the sports coupe with the screaming high-revving engine that we used to know and love. The 2012 Honda Integra is actually a motorcycle with a scooter-ish riding position which puts the rider’s feet further forward than a motorcycle.

  The new Honda Integra uses a 51 hp water-cooled 700cc inline-two engine, which Honda says offers the compact dimensions of an inline engine and the character of a V-twin thanks to a 270 degree throw crankshaft. It’s a long-stroke engine, with a 73 mm x 80 mm bore-stroke ratio for its cylinders, so this should generally mean an engine designed to provide lots of low to mid end torque instead of being a screamer, which should suit this kind of bike.

  

  The Integra also gets a second-generation Dual Clutch Transmission which is lighter and more compact than the version first used in the VFR1200F. It has a simplified hydraulic circuit, among other design enhancements. A learning function has been added to each selected running mode to detect a variety of riding environments from city streets to mountain passes and automatically performs the most suitable shift logic. You can also stick to a 6-speed manual if you want.

  Honda estimates a fuel economy of 27 km/L for the Integra. Being a bike instead of a car, the new Honda Integra will debut at the 69th EICMA International Motorcycle Exhibition instead of the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

   

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• Marco Simoncelli accident: Official Statement from Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir, Chairman of SIC

  In Bikes, Motorsports / By Paul Tan / 25 October 2011 5:43 pm / 30 comments

  

  The Sepang International Circuit sent out this press release today.

  On behalf of Sepang International Circuit (SIC), I wish to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Marco Simoncelli’s family members, teammates, fellow riders and the whole MotoGP family. We share the pain and shock of the tragic and heartbreaking loss of Marco Simoncelli on 23 October 2011.

  Marco will be remembered as a talented rider and a flamboyant character who never failed to put a smile on the faces of the racing fraternity and his fans with his cheerful demeanour. Above all, he was a great man and a competitor who was destined for even greater things both on and off the track. MotoGP and the racing world is now a lesser place without him.

  SIC would like to state that the decision to cancel the race was taken after considering the severity of the accident. The decision was agreed upon by SIC and Dorna Sports SL, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP. SIC made public announcements on the cancellation of the race and Marco’s death as soon as we were authorised to do so, with priority being given to officially inform Marco’s family members first. I hope that fans can understand the situation prevalent at the time.

  SIC would like to reiterate that all preparations and precautionary steps were taken to ensure we staged a safe race in accordance with FIM, AAM and Dorna safety requirements. However, the inherently dangerous nature of motorsports does not allow a race organiser or track owner to give a guarantee that nothing untoward will happen during a race.

  The Sepang International Circuit is acknowledged as having been designed to be a safe circuit and managed by a team of experienced personnel, on and off track, to handle race events professionally. We work to the highest safety standards and we will continue to ensure these standards are met at every race held at our circuit. At the race on Sunday, circuit personnel acted speedily and professionally to attend to Marco as soon as the accident happened. Despite all that was done, the medical team could not change the outcome of the situation given the severity of his injuries. In the aftermath of this sad tragedy, we will work with FIM and Dorna to see if there is anything else we can do to improve rider safety in races.

  We at SIC are honoured to have had Marco gracing our tracks with his dazzling skills and panache all these years. To Marco, may you rest in peace. You will be missed. Addio Super Sic.

  Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir

   

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• Marco Simoncelli dies in Sepang after MotoGP crash

  In Bikes / By Paul Tan / 24 October 2011 12:23 am / 155 comments

  

  Honda rider Marco Simoncelli died today in a horror crash during the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang. He was pronounced dead at 4:56pm today at the SIC medical centre.

  The accident happened just minutes after the race began where the Italian’s bike went into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi on turn 11.

  Everyone who saw the incident knew this was not going to be good when it was observed that Simoncelli’s helmet got knocked off in the collision. He suffered serious trauma to the head, neck and chest.

  “When our medical staff got to him he was unconscious. In the ambulance because there was a cardiac arrest they started CPR (cardiac pulmonary resuscitation). Immediately in the Medical Centre, with the help also of the Doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local Doctors, he was intubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax. The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 (local time) we had to declare he was dead,” said MotoGP Medical Director Michele Macchiagodena.

  Colin Edwards, who was also involved in the crash, had a dislocation of the shoulder and had it fixed under anesthesia. According to Macchiagodena, he is doing fine.

   

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• Petronas Motosports Carnival going on from now till Sunday @ KLCC – MotoGP rider Ben Spies dropped by!

  In Bikes, Local News / By Danny Tan / 19 October 2011 11:31 pm / 12 comments

  

  This is the MotoGP week, where the world’s finest riders make their annual visit to Malaysia. And in conjunction with the race this Sunday at Sepang, Petronas, sponsor of Yamaha Factory Racing, has something special in the city. The Petronas Motorsports Carnival is happening in the open area between the KLCC mall and the fountain, near Chinoz and Dome.

  We braved the big jam caused by the rain to pay the carnival a visit. Reaching at 5.30pm, I already saw a long line for the autograph session with Yamaha rider Ben Spies, who would appear half an hour later. Unfortunately, the 27-year old American rider’s star teammate Jorge Lorenzo couldn’t make it to Malaysia.

  

  The 2010 champ crashed in warm up in Australia and had to undergo surgery. Fortunately, the surgeon was able to save the nerves and tendons of Jorge’s injured fourth finger, as a result no functionality will be lost in either the finger or the hand. A get well soon book was at the signing session – before everyone got Spies’ signature, they put theirs in for Jorge. Sweet. Petronas will make sure that the book reaches the recovering rider.

  While waiting for the star to appear, I killed time by browsing the booths of Petronas (plenty of nice merchandise for sale) and Yamaha. Tried out the Augmented Reality game as well, and realised that I was completely hopeless at it. Petronas Motorsports has an online version as well – click here to play.

  

  The Petronas Motorsports Carnival happens till this Sunday, and besides the Augmented Reality game, activities include a trial bike showcase, fashion and dance shows and daily trivia. The bikes of Spies #11 and Lorenzo #1 are also on display. Here are some pics from our visit.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• UMW launches Repsol automotive lubricants in Malaysia

  In Bikes, Cars, Local News / By Danny Tan / 19 October 2011 2:18 pm / 13 comments

  

  The name Repsol is no stranger to the biking community and to those who follow MotoGP. I have to admit that I haven’t been following the premier bike series for a long time, but I fondly remember my favourite rider Mick Doohan battling it out with the likes of Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz. The Aussie rode a Repsol Honda, the same team that just powered Casey Stoner to the 2011 MotoGP title.

  Well, for those scratching their heads, Repsol is an oil and gas company from Spain with principal operations in Latin America, Middle East and North Africa. The brand is market leader in its home market and Argentina, and is quite big in South America. It operates in 30 countries and its products are available in 60 nations across the globe.

  Repsol is now officially available in Malaysia courtesy of UMW Lubricants International (ULI). The principal agency agreement with Repsol was signed in November last year at the Valencia MotoGP race. Since its introduction here in June 2011, ULI has imported over 530 tonnes of lubricant oil for passenger vehicles, motorcycles and diesel engines.

  

  ULI will start blending lubes according to Repsol specs at its Shah Alam plant from January 2012. The manufacturing of Repsol branded products has also begun at Lubritech’s plant in Guangdong, China. Lubritech is part of the UMW Group. Sales of Repsol lubes are expected to reach 20,000 tonnes per year within Malaysia and China by 2015. Locally, ULI is hoping to capture at least 3% market share bu end 2012. Promo activities will start from this weekend’s MotoGP race at Sepang.

  UMW also handles the Pennzoil lubricant brand in Malaysia. Repsol will be positioned above the American brand.

  “We would like to position Repsol as a premium quality lubricant. Given its long time association with MotoGP, we are going to aggressively promote Repsol products for the passenger vehicle market. We will appoint nationwide distributors and dealers, and target to have more than 200 outlets by the end of 2011,” said Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir, President and Group CEO of UMW Holdings Berhad.

   

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• Naza World brings in Indian Motorcycles – not from India!

  In Bikes, Local News / By Danny Tan / 18 October 2011 10:17 am / 45 comments

  

  There’s a new bike brand in town, and it’s Indian Motorcycles. Funny name, but think American Indian instead of India. Indian Motorcycles is an American brand focusing on easy riders and has a 110-year history of making two wheelers and was once the best selling brand with introduction of the first V-twin motorcycle in 1907. Currently, it’s more niche than mass and produces limited numbers from North Carolina, USA.

  Harmony Fabulous Sdn Bhd (HFSB), a company under Naza World, launched the brand at last weekend’s Bikepalooza 2011. HFSB is the sole distributor of Indian Motorcycles for both Malaysia and Singapore markets. Dato’ Razali Ibrahim, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports officiated the launch.

  

  HFSB is introducing four Indians locally, and they are the Chief Blackhawk and Chief Blackhawk Dark (Special Edition), Chief Vintage, Chief Classic and Chief Dark Horse. The Indian Chiefs are powered by a 1,721 cc air cooled pushrod PowerPlus engine with electronic fuel injection, linked to a six-speed transmission.

  The Indian Chief models are priced from RM225,000 to RM285,000, inclusive of three years free maintenance. A dedicated Indian Motorcycles showroom next to Naza Automall PJ is in the works and due for completion by February 2012. In the meantime, the bikes will be on display at Naza World PJ.

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Ducati Monster 795: Sneak peak available at Lot 10, KL

  In Bikes, Ducati, Local News / By Danny Tan / 12 October 2011 12:27 pm / 15 comments

  

  Next Bike Sdn Bhd, official distributor for Ducati in Malaysia, has been given the honour of launching Ducati’s latest model for the Asian market. The unveiling will happen on 20 October.

  In the meantime, they have set up a “Ducati Sneak Peek Box” placed outside the Lot 10 Mall on Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL. As its name suggests, members of the public can take peeks at the new model placed inside the box.

  

  “The new Monster is expected to further contribute to the growth of Ducati in Malaysia, this year alone the company has grown its sales volume by 100% where we expect to retail more than 200 units of Ducati. The introduction of Ducati Diavel in December 2010 had significantly increase our market share as we enter new market segments and with this new Monster, we expect to further capture more market share within the naked bike category,” said Naza Group Joint Executive Chairman, Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin.

  It’s more than just the box. Lot 10 is also hosting the Ducati Brand Experience Roadshow from now till 23 October. On show are Ducati bikes and merchandise. Visitors can also purchase MotoGP tickets (Malaysian GP happens on 23 October) from the Sepang Circuit booth at the roadshow. Next Bike says that roadshow visitors can earn themselves an opportunity to party with Valentino Rossi at the “Monster Party”.

   

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• Aprilia Tuono V4 APRC and Dorsoduro 1200 launched in Malaysia – new Aprilia flagship showroom opens

  In Aprilia, Bikes, Local News / By Anthony Lim / 25 July 2011 12:57 pm / 6 comments

  Amidst all the non-stop action from IIMS late last week was some local news on the motorcycle front, which we’re finally getting to here. Aprilia aficionados in Malaysia will be pleased to hear that there are two new models from the Italian marque to choose from as well as a spanking new venue housing all things Aprilia.

  The first of the two new bikes is the Tuono V4 APRC, the naked version of the RSV4 Factory – Malaysia is the first country in Asia to launch the model. The 1,000cc offering, which has 167.3 hp at 11,500 rpm and 111.5 Nm at 9,500 rpm for output figures and features Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC), is set to take the fight to the likes of Ducati Streetfighter S, KTM Super Duke R and the Triumph Speed Triple.

  The Dorsoduro 1200 is the other, and the Motard category offering, with 130 hp at 8,700 rpm and 115 Nm at 7,200 rpm, has an Aprilia Traction Control (ATC) system as standard fitment. The two bikes bring the Aprilia model lineup in the country to eight.

  

  Meanwhile, the new Aprilia flagship showroom in Kampung Baru was also launched along with the bikes. The 3S centre has a service area with eight bays, and the showroom features a Championship Corner where two almost exact replicas of championship racing bikes – a RSV4 Factory which was used by Superbike World Championship (SBK) winner, Max Biaggi in 2010, and a RS125R MotoGP bike – on display.

  The showroom will also have a merchandise store – opening next month – offering a wide range of Aprilia racing apparel and casual wear.

   

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• BMW Malaysia appoints Chear Motorrad as dealership

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, Local News / By Anthony Lim / 21 July 2011 5:17 pm / 1 comment

  

  BMW Malaysia has appointed Chear Motorrad as its newest BMW Motorrad dealership. Chear Motorrad is the sister company of Chear Motor (H.Q.), one of the largest distributors for motorcycles, accessories and parts in the country.

  Chear Motorrad is in the midst of establishing its new 4S (Sales, Service, Systems and Spare-parts) Motorrad dealership in Puchong, which is set to be ready for operation in September.

  With BMW’s motorcycle division in the country charting positive year on year growth since 2003, the latest dealership appointment is set to take things further. Last year, the company delivered 281 motorcycles, a 25% increase from the 225 motorcycles achieved in 2009.

  “This clearly shows that there is a growing demand for premium motorcycles in the country and with the appointment of Chear Motorrad, we will be able to meet and better serve this demand.” said BMW Malaysia MD Geoffrey Briscoe.

   

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• BMW Motorrad E-Scooter concept – electric path beckons

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, International News / By Anthony Lim / 4 July 2011 7:50 pm / 15 comments

  
  Click to enlarge

  The folks at BMW Motorrad have come up with an electric scooter concept called the E-Scooter, which offers a comparable performance to a conventional maxi scooter, but in much cleaner fashion

  Conceived as a future-oriented vehicle for commuting between urban areas and the city centre, the E-Scooter provides the necessary sustained output and maximum speed for safe and reliable operation on urban motorways and when asked to carry two people.

  While no output figures are provided, BMW says that the development study has the necessary juice to be able to achieve acceleration figures within the important 0-60 kph range, and this is at the level of current 600 cc maxi scooters.

  
  Click to enlarge

  The E-Scooter has an operational range of over 100 km, and its battery can be charged at regular household power sockets, so no special charging station is required. When completely flat, the charging period for the unit is less than three hours, with shorter charging times for batteries that aren’t completely out of juice, of course.

  The charging device includes a charge cable, and in addition to other components like an ISO insulation monitor, high-voltage indicator and a high-voltage distributor, a DC/DC converter is included with the E-Scooter – it’s required to change high voltage to low voltage power for the 12V power supply and especially for the control units.

  There’s no main frame with this one – the aluminium battery casing, which also contains the electronic system required for battery cell monitoring, takes over the function of the frame. The steering head support is connected to this, as is the rear frame as well as the left-hand mounted, single swing arm with a directly hinged, horizontally installed shock absorber.

  
  Click to enlarge

  The E-Scooter has no hub motor with direct drive or planetary gearbox – instead, the primary electric drive is mounted behind the battery casing, while the secondary drive is made up of a toothed belt from the electric machine to the belt, pulley-mounted coaxially on the swinging fork pivot with drive pinion. From here, power transmission occurs via a roller chain to the rear wheel.

  There’s energy regeneration too, when the E-Scooter is decelerated in trailing throttle or when braking, and this offers between 10 and 20% increased range, depending on the driving profile.

  During travel, the electric machine and power electronics are liquid-cooled, as is the charging device during charging. An electric coolant pump ensures coolant circulation through the radiator, though the battery on the E-Scooter features an air-cooled system, chosen to save space.

   

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• BMW Motorrad bikes to get Dynamic Damper Control

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad / By Paul Tan / 1 July 2011 11:08 pm / 3 comments

  

  BMW has rolled out dynamic damper control across nearly all their new cars recently, and now BMW Motorrad is doing the same with their bikes.

  Motorrad’s DDC is a semiactive suspension system which reacts automatically to manoeuvres like braking, accelerating, and cornering on various road surfaces and analyses the situational parameters provided by sensors to set the correct level of damping at electrically actuated damping valves.

  

  DDC is linked to the DTC and ABS systems. The system recognises the control activities by the other systems and adapts the damping as the situation requires. The adjustments to damping depend on whether the springs are compressing or rebounding, with each process being controlled separately.

  Look after the jump for a full explanation on how the DDC system works.
  Read The Full Story ›

   

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