Home / Bikes (Page 265)

2022 Yamaha 135LC Fi V8 - from RM7,798

Latest Bike Stories

• Geneva 2009: KTM reveals the X-Bow ROC and X-Bow Superlight

  In Cars, KTM / By Harvinder Sidhu / 6 March 2009 10:28 pm / 4 comments

  

  Our favorite motorbike company turned sports car maker KTM arrived in Geneva with the X-Bow Superlight and the X-Bow ROC. The Superlight features motorsport-derived technologies such as a lightweight carbon composite monocoque that weighs only 90 kilograms, carbon crash box, inboard pushrod suspension and black body panels of visible carbon fiber. This range topping X-Bow also comes with limited-slip differential, lightweight lacquered alloys with a single central wheel nut and as well as a lap timer and more, all with a price tag of 79,980 Euros.

  The Superlight features a 240HP 2.0 litre TFSI power plant from Audi, individually adjustable pedals, adjustable and removable multi-function steering wheel, ‘Keyless Go’ system, and of course a performance suspension, with adjustable compression and rebound rates, and with preload-adjuster.

  The X-Bow ROC on the other hand is a limited edition model offered inline with the X-Bow’s recent involvement in the Race of Champions, where only 30 units will ever be produced. This exclusive model features weight-saving all-carbon body, sports exhaust which attracts special attention with its deep sound, specially painted light-weight alloy wheels with a central wheel nut, adjustable sports suspension, a removable multi-function steering wheel and lastly, exclusive ROC design on the body panels. This special edition model retails for 69,980 Euros. Continue reading to view an image gallery of both the KTM’s.
  Read The Full Story ›

   

  4 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• 7 new bikes from BMW Motorrad Malaysia this year

  In Bikes, BMW Motorrad, Local News / By Paul Tan / 5 March 2009 9:07 pm / 44 comments

  
  BMW K 1300 R

  BMW Malaysia is introducing a total of 7 new motorcycles this year, the BMW HP2 Sport, the BMW K 1300 S, the BMW K 1300 R, the BMW K 1300 GT, the BMW R 1200 R, the BMW F 650 GS and the BMW F 800 GS. BMW bike sales for 2008 represented a 36% increase over 2007 sales – a total of 183 units.

  
  BMW K 1300 S

  The BMW K 1300 S is the fastest BMW motorcycle ever in terms of acceleration. Under full hard acceleration, you can hit 100km/h in 2.8 seconds but achieving this requires far more skill than a car driver would need. This kind of acceleration is no joke, it is faster than either the M3 or the M5 and you aren’t sitting nicely in a sports bucket seat while experiencing it.

  This is thanks to the bike’s 1.3 litre four-cylinder engine which puts out a total of 175 horsepower and 140Nm of torque. It revs up to a stratospheric 11,000rpm redline. The K 1300 S retails for RM 119,000 while the K 1300 R and the K 1300 GT is priced at RM120k and RM135k respectively.

  
  BMW HP2 Sport

  The limited edition BMW HP2 Sport is a limited edition bike and only 11 units have been allocated to Malaysia. The two-cylinder boxer-engine bike marked the return of BMW Motorrad to racing in the 2008 Endurance Championships and it is technically based on the R 1200 S. Its ABS system can be user-deactivated for the race track. Power output is 128 hp at 8.750rpm and 115Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. This baby is priced at RM 158,888.

  
  BMW R 1200 R

  The BMW R 1200 R replaces the R 1150 R and is a roadster motorcycle priced at RM 108,000. The bike’s twin-cylinder boxer engine of 1.2 litres in capacity uses a shaft drive and claims to be the first bike in the world with ASC Automatic Stability Control, though Honda actually offered some form of traction control on the ST-series in the 90s. Its engine puts out 109hp, a 28% increase over its predecessor, and 115Nm of torque at 6,000rpm.

  
  BMW F 800 GS

  The entry level bikes to the GS world are the F 800 GS and the F 650 GS, new enduro models which retail at RM 83,800 and RM 71,000 respectively. All of the models above include a 2 year warranty with unlimited mileage and are available from Auto Bavaria Bukit Bintang and Auto Bavaria Penang.

   

  44 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Honda Icon 110cc scooter launched in Malaysia

  In Bikes, Local News / By Paul Tan / 22 January 2009 12:29 pm / 55 comments

  Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd has launched the new Honda icon in Malaysia, which is what Honda calls an “A.T. Motorcycle”, but of course the rest of us refer to it as a scooter. This new model joins Honda’s other Malaysian scooter offering, the Honda Click. The transmission system is Honda’s V-Matic belt CVT with a gear ratio of between 2.68 to 0.85. It’s engine is a 110cc 4-stroke air cooled unit (the Honda Click is liquid cooled).

  Honda hopes the new model will help boost its scooter market share from the current 1% to 2% level up to 46%, which is a huge difference! The Icon is 100% assembled in Malaysia and will sell for RM4,688 OTR, which is cheaper than the Honda Click. It comes in five colours – pink, blue, red, white and black.

   

  55 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Aprilia RS125 Challenge Cup and Junior Riders Cup

  In Bikes, Local News / By Paul Tan / 14 January 2009 8:53 am / 17 comments

  

  The Aprilia RS125 Challenge Cup is a one-make motorcycle race series using race-prepared Aprilia RS125 two-stroke motorcycles. One can participate by purchasing a rental package which consists of an Aprilia RS125, a set of Pirelli SuperCorsa tires (one set per round), pit support, fuel, lubricants and fluids as well as entry fees for all five rounds. It all costs RM25,000. There is also a RM5,000 crash and damage deposit. All of this can be paid via an affordable payment plan. Riders will have to supply their own racing equipment of course, such as helmet, back protector, gloves and transport, etc. An ownership package is also available where you can instead own the racebike.

  The race is divided into two categories, a Junior Riders Cup for 13 to 17 year olds and Open Class for enthusiasts aged above 18. The series will be part of the Malaysian Super Series Championship and the first round will be held on the weekend of the 11th and 12th of April 2009. at the SIC, with a total of 5 rounds, including a support race at the Malaysian Motorcycle GP in October 2009.

  

  Each round consists of 2 practice sessions, a qualifying session, and two races with a total of 12 laps. At the end of the season, two qualifying riders will be selected for a full sponsorship to participate at the “Red Bull Rookies 2009 Final Rider Selection” in Spain.

  “The absence of a Regional rider development programme drives us to create this series. We need a platform for young riders within the Asia Pacific region to develop their passion, racing skills and career. We have presented this series to the various ASNs’ in the region and are tirelessly promoting for international entries to create the right environment where talent from across the region can directly compete with each other, compared and further developed,” said Moto Millia Managing Director, Razak Al Malique.

  

  He added, “Out of a maximum grid of 25 riders we have reserved 15 slots for international participants. If we succeed in getting competitors from countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, China and so on, this will be a series where top racing teams will scout for talent. The entry cost has been kept at a bare minimum and it is unlikely that we will breakeven but for us successful implementation of the series is much more critical than gearing for commercial returns.”

  Moto Millia also has a Junior GP Racing Dream program using the Aprilia RS50, which is an effort to find a MotoGP rider for Malaysia. A few riders have been selected and trained over the past 2 years and from what I hear they really are quite talented. I think this is a good effort by Moto Millia, but as you can see from the figures above, going further in the motorsports world really burns alot of money (RM25,000 for a rental package is no joke) and impossible to afford for many people without some form of sponsorship. It’s no wonder there are Mat Rempits out there as it’s very expensive to go legal with racing.

   

  17 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• New Honda Wave 110i with PGM-FI launched in Thailand

  In Bikes / By Paul Tan / 13 January 2009 2:22 pm / 22 comments

  

  Honda has just revealed a new PGM-FI “cub” bike in Thailand. The new Honda Wave 110i joins its bigger engined sibling, the Honda Wave 125i in the Thai market, which has already been around for quite some time. Here in Malaysia our Honda Waves are still carburetted, but maybe Honda will introduce them soon to match their all-new “green” image, as the Honda franchise here has been taken over by the Japanese themselves.

  The 110cc 4-stroke engine with PGM-FI fuel injection is said to be 18% more economical than the unit installed in the Honda Wave 100. At the same time it also provides 25% more power. It can use gasohol E20, a fuel that is sold in Thailand at the pumps.

  The new Honda Wave is available in 3 series and 8 designs and colours. Features include a key shutter for the ignition, and easy starting without the need of a fuel choke thanks to the PGM-FI sytem. The bike either has disc brakes or drum brakes depending on the variant you pick. It goes for 34,000 Thai baht onwards.
  Read The Full Story ›

   

  22 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Man to be charged for speeding 200km/h in a 60km/h zone, thanks to YouTube evidence!

  In Bikes, Videos / By Paul Tan / 1 January 2009 11:23 am / 17 comments

  

  Be very very careful what you upload onto YouTube! A random search on the popular video sharing site will easily reveal many “topspeed” tests recorded by amateur videographers, to show off or perhaps just as footage proof that said vehicles are truly capable of such speeds. But beware, if the road you’re on isn’t one without speed limits such as the Autobahn, you could be making it really easy for the law enforcement to track you down, as the video itself is evidence of sorts!

  One YouTube user learned this the hard way. User jmm006, or Joel as his profile indicates, recorded videos of himself riding his Kawasaki Z750 through the streets of Canberra, specifically in a zone that had a 60km/h speed limit.

  The coppers traced his YouTube account to his home and paid a visit with a search warrant. Among items seized were footage, a camcorder, a laptop and a hard drive. 20-year old Joel will face the court in a future date.

  “We take these offences seriously. As a result of some good work from officers in traffic operations, this investigation was quickly concluded and it should send a message to anyone who seeks to glorify actions that place the lives of innocent people in danger, that they will not be tolerated,” said Superintendent Mark Colbran.

  If you want to watch the incriminating videos, check them out after the jump.
  Read The Full Story ›

   

  17 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Honda Super Cub 50th Anniversary

  In Bikes, Videos / By Paul Tan / 26 September 2008 7:25 pm / 31 comments

  

  The Honda Super Cub has been around for 50 years now with more than 60 millions of the motorcycle on the road worldwide. The Super Cub had a convenient automatic centrifugal clutch and a four stroke economical and clean engine even back in 1957.

  When R&D was done, the motorcycle was so revolutionary at that time that Honda targetted sales of 30,000 units a month at a time where the total sales for motorcycles a month in Japan was 40,000 units. Today it is still very much relevant in the current economic situation with, close to 5 million units produced annually.

  What’s next for the Honda Super Cub? Honda has produced a new global advertisement for the Super Cub and if whatever they are saying in the ad is true, they are determined to make a product that will open roads to a much larger success compared to the Super Cub.

  Could this be an electric equivalent of the Honda Super Cub? It could be, as the commercial video shows two people riding what seems to be a bike… but the background is silent, as if the bike runs on a quiet motor.

   

  31 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Proton Stingray motorcycle using carburetted 1.3L

  In Bikes, Cars, Malaysian Makes, Proton / By Paul Tan / 7 August 2008 6:00 pm / 67 comments

  

  This is the Proton Stingray, an experiment by the Proton Prototype Centre that took 2 months. Proton says they built the Proton Stingray to enhance skills and upgrade technical knowledge, but I fail to see what car-related skills could be gained from building a motorcycle from ancient parts such as the carburetted 12 valve 1.5 litre engine they used.

  The front suspension bits are telescopic shocks from the Kawasaki Vulcan 800 together with the front brakes as well, while the rear uses S45C mild steel and a ventilated disc brake from a Proton GEN2.

  Look after the jump for a hi-res gallery of the Stingray.
  Read The Full Story ›

   

  67 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• DRB-HICOM increases Modenas stake to 70%

  In Bikes / By Paul Tan / 6 August 2008 3:17 am / 9 comments

  DRB-HICOM Berhad has purchased government investment arm Khazanah Nasional’s entire 15% (19.5 million shares) stake in Modenas for RM24 million, or RM1.23 per RM1 share.

  This move will increase DRB-HICOM shareholding in Modenas from 55% to 70%. The remaining 30% is held by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd (19%) and Sojitz Corporation (11%).

  Modenas is short for Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn. Bhd and uses Kawasaki technology and parts for its motorcycles. It also rebadges scooters from Taiwanese scooter company PGO.

   

  9 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Honda Japan takes over Malaysian bike business

  In Bikes, Honda, Local News / By Paul Tan / 31 July 2008 8:58 pm / 24 comments

  Honda Motor Co has stepped into the Malaysian motorcycle market, taking over the Honda motorcycle business currently run by Boon Siew Sdn Bhd like it did a few years ago with the Honda car business, moving Honda cars from a franchisee brand in Malaysia to one run by the principals.

  Kah Assemblers Sdn Bhd currently manufactures Honda motorcycles in Malaysia. Sales is handled by Boon Siew Sdn Bhd, 100% owned by the Boon Siew family. Honda will buy 50% of the shares of Kah Assemblers Sdn Bhd in September 2008, currently 100% owned by Oriental Holdings Berhad.

  The new company will be called Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd and will be a 50-50 joint venture between Honda Japan and Oriental Holdings. The sales function will be transfered to the new Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd in January 2009.

  Honda models produced in Malaysia currently include the Honda EX-5, Honda Wave100, Honda Wave125, Honda Click and the Honda CBR150R.

   

  24 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Proton defends MV Agusta decision

  In Bikes, Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Proton / By Paul Tan / 16 July 2008 5:10 pm / 25 comments

  Proton has responded to allegations/speculation that Proton’s disposal of its previously owned 57.75% shareholding in MV Agusta for a sum of 1 Euro was not carefully considered with an official statement today, following an announcement last week that Harley-Davidson was going to buy MV Agusta for 355 million ringgit.

  In the statement Proton said that due to the conditions and limited options available during that time it was in the best interest of the company to let MV Agusta go based on operational, commercial and financial consideration as at that point of time there was a real danger of MV Agusta falling into bankruptcy.

  The international investment bank appointed to advise Proton on its shareholding in MV Agusta had informed Proton that continuing to try to develop MV Agusta into a company with positive cashflow would require significant cash backing from Proton over a long period of time, which would result in the exposure of Proton to significant operational, financial and reputational risks.

  Proton also added that from an operations perspective it was advised that there was no way to integrate MV Agusta operations into Proton’s big picture.

  Related Posts:
  Harley-Davidson buys MV Agusta
  Proton disposes of MV Agusta for 1 Euro
  Tengku Mahaleel and Tun Dr Mahathir question MV Agusta sale

   

  25 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Harley-Davidson buys MV Agusta

  In Bikes, Harley-Davidson, International News / By Paul Tan / 14 July 2008 7:48 pm / 33 comments

  What does Proton and Harley-Davidson have in common? In a few weeks time, both would have been owners of the MV Agusta Group, which owns the MV Agusta and Cagiva motorcycle brands.

  Harley-Davidson signed an agreement last week to purchase 100% of MV Agusta for 70 million Euros, or roughly 355 million ringgit. This sum includes clearing existing bank debuts of about 45 million Euros, or roughly 228 million ringgit.

  MV Agusta will continue to be operated from its Italian HQ but a new leadership team including a new Managing Director will be appointed. Claudio Castiglioni will continue to serve as the group’s Chairman, and Massimo Tamburini will continue as the group’s chief designer. Harley Davidson will also use MV Agusta’s European dealership network to expand its Harley Davidson and Buell motorcycle sales.

  “Motorcycles are the heart, soul and passion of Harley-Davidson, Buell and MV Agusta. Both have great products and close connections with incredibly devoted customers. The MV Agusta and Cagiva brands are well-known and highly regarded in Europe. They are synonymous with beautiful, premium, Italian performance motorcycles,” said Harley Davidson CEO Jim Ziemer.

  Hat tip to Nahar ARS.

   

  33 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Mahindra acquires Italian motorcycle firm

  In Bikes, Cars, India, International News, Mahindra / By Paul Tan / 6 June 2008 3:07 am / 8 comments

  Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, a company popular for their SUVs and trucks is putting a firm foot into the opposite end of the vehicle range with their recent acquisition of Engines Engineering S.p.A., an Italian engine design and manufacturing firm.

  Mahindra through its unit Mahindra Systech will begin R&D of small and fuel efficient engines for cars such as the Tata Nano and the upcoming Nissan-Renault-Bajaj ULC. Engines Engineering S.p.A. started off designing motorcycles, and some of its motorcycle clients include Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha.

  Mahindra did not say if it already had any clients who are looking for small engines or whether it is already in discussions with potential clients, but if there are no takers Mahindra can always build a small car themselves, since it is all the rage now.

  Source

   

  8 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Naza Group gets Harley-Davidson franchise

  In Bikes, Harley-Davidson, Local News / By Paul Tan / 6 June 2008 2:41 am / 13 comments

  Naza Prestige Bikes Sdn Bhd is now the sole authorised dealer for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, clothes and accessories from the 5th of June 2008 onwards. The company plans to launch its flagship Harley-Davidson of Kuala Lumpur showroom by August 2008, with some of the first models to be made available are the limited edition range of Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary Models.

  “The Naza Group has always been committed in bringing luxury brands to Malaysia and today marks another milestone for our motor division, as we celebrate the arrival of the ultimate motorcycle brand into the family. We are honored by the recognition, trust and confidence that Harley-Davidson has shown in Naza. Harley-Davidson represents a lifestyle in its own category that has big growth potential in the years to come. Our mission at Naza is to provide a solid platform for this rapidly growing brand. We plan on further enhancement with new additions, innovative facilities, and services, all of which will significantly contribute to the success of Harley-Davidson in Malaysia,” said Naza group of companies chairman SM Nasarudin.

  “Harley-Davidsons choice of NAZA Group as its partner was based upon NAZA Groups long history of success in Malaysia, where they have consistently met our international standards. We are confident that ‘Harley Davidson of Kuala Lumpur will help us to maintain and further strengthen our presence within this region,” said Harley-Davidson Vice President for the Asia Pacific region, Rod Copes.

  Other than a motorcycle and merchandise showroom, the new Harley-Davidson of Kuala Lumpur showroom will be equipped with a large fully equipped and air-conditioned service centre which will be connected online to Harley-Davidsons worldwide dealer support database. No idea where it will be though.

   

  13 comments | Leave a comment?

   

• Tata to take up stake in MV Agusta?

  In Bikes, Cars, India, International News, Rumours, Tata / By Paul Tan / 11 May 2008 11:19 pm / 14 comments

  
  MV Agusta F4 Tamburini

  Apparently MV Agusta could have a new owner or at least a large shareholder in the form of Tata Motors, according to Italian bike magazine euroMoto. MV Agusta used to be owned by Proton and was disposed of a few years ago for a sum fo 1 Euro. Since then, MV Agusta’s new owners have not been able to do much with the company, and its ails continue, lacking funds to channel towards new product development.

  Source [ Translated ]

  Related Posts:
  Tengku Mahaleel and Tun Dr M question the sale of MV Agusta

   

  14 comments | Leave a comment?

   

Latest Fuel Prices