In an Instagram post, speculation is rife amongst his fans as to whether Malaysia Moto2 racer Hafizh Syahrin will be retiring from competition in the Moto2 class this year. Currently riding with NTS RW Racing GP, Hafizh initially competed with Tech 3 Racing, campaigning the YZR-M1 before team principal Herve Poncheral made a surprise move to the KTM stable after 20 years with Yamaha Factory Racing as a privateer.
The 27-year old Selangor boy reflected on his racing career over the past eight years in the Instagram post, starting with the Moto2 World Championship with Petronas Raceline Malaysia. “Eight years of bitter and sweet memories in the World Championship,” wrote Hafizh, “thanks to all who supported me to this point and helped me to this point.”
Saying that he will not forget his fans and supporters, Hafizh said new things await of which he will letting his fans know soon, reported local daily Berita Harian. In 2014, his first full season in Moto2, Hafizh placed 19th in the championship with a career best of ninth in 2017.
Moving up the ranks to MotoGP in 2018, Hafizh managed 16th in the premier class champions table in his rookie year, narrowly missing the Rookie of the Year prize after being bested by Franco Morbidelli. Losing his seat to Brad Binder at the end of the 2019 season, Hafizh stepped down to Moto2 with the Speed Up Aspar Team before moving to NTS RW Racing for 2021.
paultan.org has reached out to Hafizh for comment. This post will be updated should a reply be received.
Many Malaysian riders are anticipating the local market launch of the 2022 Ducati Monster, which paultan.org has reason to believe will happen as soon as mid-October. What is perhaps of more interest is the likely price of the new Monster which, pending final approval, will likely be at about RM75,000, or possibly a little lower.
Launched internationally in December 2020, the new Monster is a radical design departure for Ducati’s entry-level naked sports machine, commonly called “the bike that saved Ducati” in the mid-90s. For Malaysia, the Monster that will be sold in our domestic market will come fully-loaded along with up-and-down quickshifter, along with a full suite of riding aids – three ride modes and eight-level traction control – while the option of the Monster+ adds a small flyscreen and tailpiece cover.
The Euro 5 compliant Ducati Testastretta 11 V-twin pumps out 111 hp at 9,250 rpm and 93 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm which compares against the 109 hp at 9,250 rpm and 86 Nm of torque at 7,750 rpm of the previous generation Monster 821. Meanwhile, the famed Ducati trellis frame is replaced with a monocouque alloy frame using the engine as a stressed member with the swingarm bolting directly onto the rear of the engine casing.
Weight reduction is the order of the day with the new Monster, this middleweight sports naked weighing in at 188 kg wet, some 18 kg less than the previous Monster while the electronics suite now includes wheelie control, launch control and cornering ABS. There are three colour options available for the 2022 Monster in Malaysia – Ducati Red and Dark Stealth with black wheels or Aviator Grey with GP Red wheels.
Braking is done Brembo M4.32 Monobloc four-piston callipers on 320 mm discs while a single 245 mm disc and Brembo calliper stops the rear wheel. For suspension, a non-adjustable 43 mm diameter upside-fork with 130 mm travel holds up the front while the rear has a preload-adjustable monoshock.
The previous Monster’s monochrome LCD display is replaced by a 4.3-inch colour TFT-LCD displaying the style of the Panigale V4. A tachometer in the centre of the screen and Bluetooth connectivity is available via the optional Ducati Multimedia System module.
A big change is made in the headlight, now an LED unit incorporating DRL with LED lighting used throughout, including directional front turn signals incorporated into the lower half of the tank. Bodywork has also had a major redesign, with the new style 14-liter fuel tank more folded and angular than the old Monster hulking and visually distinctive tank.
What do you think? Is the 2022 Ducati Monster worthy of carrying on the vaunted Monster legacy while omitting the trellis frame that gave the Monster its trademark identity? What about the possible price for a Ducati Monster in Malaysia? Leave a comment with your thoughts and opinions below.
Giving Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) its 450th premier class victory at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Marc Marquez marked his return to the podium top step after 13 months away, winning the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. Starting from third on the grid, Marquez slipped past pole position Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati and Fabio Quartararo of Monster Energy Yamaha, taking the lead into the first corner.
Never looking back, Marquez extended his lead to 2.3 seconds over Quartararo with just over half the race done, romping home across the finish line 4.679 seconds ahead of the Frenchman at race end. Meanwhile, it was a battle of Ducati’s behind the lead Honda and Yamaha, with Bagnaia went past Ducati rider Jack Miller, being allowed through to bolster his world championship chances.
With Jorge Martin just ahead of Bagnaia and eight laps to go in the race, the question came down to if Bagnaia could improve his position and consolidate his championship standing against current leader Quartararo. Fortune seemed to smile on Bagnaia as Martin had to take a long lap penalty, giving Bagnaia third place.
This leaves Bagnaia second in the riders’ championship after COTA, 52 points behind Quartararo with three races left in the 2021 MotoGP Season. Third in the championship is Joan Mir of Ecstar Suzuki with 175 points, Miller with 149 and Johann Zarco of Pramac Ducati with 141.
After the announcement of Kawasaki Malaysia Motors (KMM), now known as KMSB, relinquishing distributorship of Kawasaki motorcycles in Malaysia, Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional or Modenas will be taking over the helm. This will be done via its distribution arm Edaran Modenas (EMOS) and is effective October 1.
The appointment from Kawasaki Heavy Industries Japan (KHI) covers wholesaling of the entire range of Kawasaki products including vehicles, spare parts and accessories. Additionally EMOS will provide customer service information involving technical service and recall activity information as required.
A transition period of six months has been put in place to enable current Kawasaki customers in Malaysia to obtain spare parts and technical service. Malaysian Kawasaki customers may still obtain such services from their current Kawasaki dealers where they made their purchase, or any authorised Kawasaki dealer or spare parts stockist during the transition.
A move by KHI to increase its stake in local motorcycle maker Modenas in 2019 from 19% to 30% at a cost of RM40.3 million allowed it to take an active role in Modenas manufacturing operations in Malaysia. News then emerged in early 2020 that Modenas would begin assembling Kawasaki motorcycles, notably in the middleweight and quarter-litre class but no further developments transpired, likely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since then, the only tangible result of the tie-up between Modenas and KHI in Malaysia was the display of a single Kawasaki Ninja 250 with Modenas badging displayed at the National Automotive Policy launch in February 2020. At the time an industry source close to the issue told paultan.org there was a plan for Modenas to assemble and distribute Kawasaki motorcycles below 650 cc in Malaysia, leaving the then KMM to support sales of large displacement Kawasakis.
Joining the Ducati Multistrada V4 (from RM135,900 in Malaysia) is the 2022 Ducati Multistrada V2 and Multistrada V2S which is lighter than the previous Multistrada 950. The two versions of the Multistrada V2 differ in level of trim and available accessories as well as colour options.
Mounted in a trellis frame, power for the Multistrada V2 comes from Ducati’s Testastretta V-twin, producing 113 hp at 9,000 rpm and 96 Nm of torque at 7,750 rpm, the torque figure dropping to 94 Nm at 6,750 rpm for the Euro 5 compliant engine. Power gets to the ground via a six-speed gearbox equipped with slipper clutch and chain final drive, while the Multistrada V2S comes with an up-and-down quickshifter.
In the suspension department, the Multistrada V2S comes with Skyhook electronic suspension for the upside-down front fork, adjustable for compression and rebound, while the rear has fully-adjustable electronic monoshock holding the double-sided swingarm. Meanwhile, the base model Multistrada V2 is equipped with a fully-adjustable upside-down front fork and a fully-adjustable monoshock at the back, with remote spring preload adjustment.
Brembo does the braking for both versions of the Multistrada V2, the front end getting a pair of radial-mount Monobloc four-piston callipers grabbing twin 320 mm diameter semi-floating brake discs while the back wheel is stopped with a two-piston Brembo floating calliper on a 265 mm disc.
Seat height for the Multistrada V2 and V2s is set at 830 mm as standard. There is a tall seat option with 850 mm seat height and a low seat at 810 mm, while a lowering kit is available which drops the seat height by a further 20 mm to 790 mm when combined with the low seat.
As for weight, the base model Multistrada V2 comes in at 222 kg ready to ride away, while the Multistrada V2S adds 3 kg for a curb weight of 225 kg with 20-litres of fuel in the tank. Weight savings have been gained in the engine, which weighs 2 kg less, of which 1.5 kg was shaved off the clutch assembly.
Further weight savings are realised in the wheels, which are derived from the Multistrada V4, now 1.7 kg lighter than before while spoked wheels are available as an option from the Ducati Performance catalogue. Minor weight savings include revisions to the wing mirrors and the front disc brake flanges.
Inside the cockpit, the base Multistrada V2 gets an LCD display while the V2S gets a 5-inch TFT-LCD display as standard. Both Ducati adventure-tourers get cornering ABS, vehicle hold control, traction control and four ride modes – Sport, Touring Urban and Enduro. Opting for the higher specification Multistrada V4S gets you cruise control, Led headlights with cornering lights the earlier mentioned quickshifter, hands-free connectivity and backlit handlebar controls.
Both the Multistrada V2 and V2S are available in Ducati Red with black wheels while the Multistrada V2S adds a Street Grey livery with GP Red wheels. There are two trim options available fitted at the factory – the Essential trim available for both the V2 and V2S and the Travel trim which adds panniers, heated grips and centre stand available only for the Multistrada V2S.
As of October 1, 2021, Kawasaki Motors Malaysia (KMM) will cease distributing Kawasaki motorcycles in the local market. This decision was brought about by Kawasaki Heavy Industry‘s (KHI) decision to increase their equity participation in Malaysian motorcycle maker Modenas in April 2019.
Subsequently a division with regards to the distribution of Kawasaki motorcycles in Malaysia, where Modenas would assemble and distribute models below 650 cc while KMM continued to distribute large capacity motorcycles in the Kawasaki range was seen by KMM management as untenable. KMM has now been renamed KMSB Motors after a 33-year relationship with Kawasaki and will enter new business areas going forward.
For current owners of Kawasaki motorcycles in Malaysia, they are asked to await an announcement from KHI regarding issues pertaining to warranty claims, after sales, service and spare parts. A request for comment from Modenas was made and paultan.org we were informed an official announcement will be issued in due course.
UPDATE – October 1: Distributing arm of Modenas, Edaran Modenas Sdn Bhd (EMOS) has been appointed the new official distributor for the Kawasaki brand in Malaysia effective October 1. This appointment entails all Kawasaki products including whole vehicles, spare parts and accessories, and to provide customer support where warranty and recall activity is required.
For a transition period of six months, EMOS will be assisted by KMSB, and owners of Kawasaki motorcycles may still liaise with any Kawasaki dealer or stockist for parts and technical service enquiries.
In a share swap deal, Indian motorcycle motorcycle maker Bajaj Auto has transferred its 46.5% share of Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM to parent company Pierer Mobility AG. This gives Pierer Mobility a 98.2% share in KTM from the previous 52% Pierer/48% Bajaj Auto split reports carandbike.com.
In return, Bajaj Auto, via Netherland’s based subsidiary Bajaj Auto International Holdings, gains a 49.9% share of PTW Holding, the majority shareholder of Pierer Mobility AG. The first phase of the transfer is complete, with the KTM shares under Bajaj control transferred as of today.
“In a second step PTW Holding will contribute the 46.5% stake in KTMAG to PMAG in exchange for 11,257,861 fresh shares in PMAG. This step approved by PMAG’s Management Board today is targeted for implementation before end of October 2021 on approval of the PMAG Supervisory Board,” as detailed in a press statement.
This share ownership transfer allows Bajaj to access other brands under the PTW Holding umbrella which includes Husqvarna, GasGas and Ramon. In India, Bajaj Auto builds both the KTM and Husqvarna brands at its Maharashtra facility while KTM has had a presence on the sub-continent since 2007.
First launched in the Malaysia market in 2017, the 2022 Modenas Pulsar NS200 has now been updated with three new colours while pricing remains unchanged at RM9,655 without road insurance and registration. The three new colour options are Plasma Blue, Burnt Red and Pewter Grey which come with a matte finish.
Mechanically, there are no changes in the engine room, with power coming from a liquid-cooled, four-valve, triple-spark plug, single-cylinder mill displacing 199.5 cc. Modenas claims a power figure of 24.5 PS at 9,750 rpm, and 18.6 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm from the thumper engine.
Other specifications such as fuel tank capacity at 12 litres and weight at 158 kg also remain the same. Single-channel ABS is also standard fitment for the NS200, which at the time of its stablemate’s debut in 2017, the Modenas Pulsar RS200, was a Malaysian market first.
For the front hydraulic brake disc, size has been increased to 300 mm from the previous 280 mm while the rear uses a single 230 mm diameter hydraulic disc. Suspension is done with conventional telescopic forks, non-adjustable, while the rear end of the NS200 is held up by a Nitrox monoshock, adjustable for preload.
The Modenas Pulsar NS200 is sold alongside the Modenas Pulsar RS200 sportsbike, priced in Malaysia at RM9,990. All Modenas motorcycles come with a two-year or 20,000 km warranty and stocks of the NS200 are expected to arrive in Modenas dealers nationwide beginning October.
Joining the Kawasaki Z900RS retro bike in the lineup is the 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS, with styling replicating the lines of the Kawasaki Z650 four-cylinder of the 70s. The Z650RS complements the current model Z650 and Ninja 650, rounding the trio of Kawasaki middleweight motorcycles.
Power comes from the parallel-twin mill used in the Z650 and Ninja, with liquid-cooling, DOHC and eight-valves producing 68 PS at 8,000 rpm and 64 Nm of torque at 6,700 rpm. Gearbox ratios are also identical to the Z650, with six-speeds and chain final drive.
Specifications for braking and suspension have yet to be confirmed for the Z650RS but we assume things will not stray far from the dual-piston brake callipers and twin discs used on the Z650. Accordingly, suspension will be similar, with non-adjustable telescopic fork and preload-adjustable monoshock as is typically found in middleweight motorcycles of this price point.
Fuel capacity is a little lower than the Z650, with the Z650RS carrying only 12 litres of fuel in the tank, compared to the 15 litres of the Z650. Seat height is a little taller, at 820 mm for the Z650RS compared to 790 mm for the Z650 naked sports.
There are three colour options on offer for the 2022 Kawasaki Z650 – Candy Emerald Green, Metallic mooniest Grey/Ebony and Metallic Spark Black. For Malaysia, there is no indication if the 2022 Kawasaki motorcycles will be brought into Malaysia, with little to no news of developments in Kawasaki distribution in this country after the takeover by Modenas in 2020.
Malaysian Ducati owners with motorcycle warranties ending in the months of August and September 2021 will get an three-month extension. This is to address any potential maintenance issues that may have arisen during the movement control order periods where bikes might have not been ridden in the interim.
The warranty extension will be extended after completion of a complimentary End Of Warranty Inspection, Service and Extension which can be performed at any authorised Ducati Malaysia service centre. Issues identified during this complimentary inspection will be repaired within the scope of the warranty coverage while out of warranty regular service items and consumables will be offered at a 15% discount.
Additionally, Ducati customers with scheduled service appointments for the warranty extension will also enjoy a 35% discount on the purchase of Ducati merchandise and apparel. The Ducati Malaysia warranty extension programme begins from 28 September until 15th October 2021.
As part of the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), there will be a focus on active mobility with a focus on pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. The emphasis will be on user-friendly, connected infrastructure that is safe and comfortable.
Measures to be implemented include traffic calming measures and natural shading for pedestrian walkways. This is part of the plan to enhance green mobility as an integral part of city and township development including low-carbon mobility.
A low-carbon mobility blueprint will be introduced to guide the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of green mobility initiatives in both urban and rural areas. Additionally, accessibility, connectivity, safety and reliability of public transport will be further improved, along with seamless micro-mobility services for first and last-mile connections.
Pushed back a week due to logistics and organisational consideration, Mandalika International Street Circuit, Indonesia, scheduled to hold a round of the 2021 World Superbike Championship (WSBK) on November 19 to 21. The postponement is to allow Mandalika to host the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup to allow the circuit some experience in hosting a motorsports event for the first time and avoid overlapping with the MotoGP round at Valencia on November 12 to 14.
The WSBK race marks the return of superbike racing to Indonesia after an absence of 24 years, the last WSBK race held at Sentul, Indonesia in 1997. The Mandalika round will the the curtain closer for the 2021 WSBK calendar organised by Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA), a subsidiary of a subsidiary company under state-owned corporation PT Pengembangan Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero) and the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).
The 2021 WSBK championship is currently led by Toprak Razgatlioglu of Pata Yamaha, followed Jonathan Rea of Kawasaki Racing Team in second and Scott Redding of Aruba.it Ducati in third. The next round of the 2021 WSBK will be held in Portimao, Portugal before heading the Argentina on October 15 to 17 and ending the season with Mandalika, Indonesia on November 12 to 14.
Coming into the 2021 World Superbike Championship round at Jerez with a slender one point lead, Toprak Razgatlioglu of Pata Yamaha strengthened his lead on the WSBK riders’ championship, ending the weekend with a 40 point lead. Winning both the weekend races, Razgatlioglu now has 449 points over incumbent multiple WSBK champion Kawasaki Racing Team Jonathan Rea’s 429, with three rounds left in the season.
In the first race, Razgatlioglu, starting the race in his first WSBK pole position of the year, beat Rea to the finish after taking the lead on lap 14. It was another flag finale in race 2, with Razgatlioglu this time battling Scott Redding of Aruba.it Racing Ducati, who mounted a strong challenge and briefly took the lead on lap 17 before Razgatlioglu fought back.
This makes 10 race victories for Razgatlioglu in 2021, and the current championship leader is confident heading into Portimao, Portugal on the weekend of October 1 to 3 for the next race. “I say every time that I am not looking in the Championship side of things; now, I learn that it is 20 points. I am just focused in every race and I try to win. I will try for the win in Portimao, and maybe in the last weekend, I will start to think about the Championship,” said Razgatlioglu.
However, tragedy struck on the weekend with a racing incident claiming the life of 15-year old Dean Berta Vinales of Vinales Racing Team. Riding in race 1 of the Supersport 300 category, Vinales, cousin to MotoGP rider Maverick Vinales, succumbed to head and thoracic injuries suffered in the collision.
Shakedown testing for the White Motorcycle Concept (WMC) WMC250EV has been completed ahead of its attempt at the electric-powered motorcycle record at Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni salt flat in 2022. Ridden by WMC founder and chief executive officer Rob White at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in the UK, the WMC250EV has satisfactorily completed a full system test and moves on to the next stage of testing, including high speed runs.
Designed to reach speeds in excess of 400 km/h, the WMC250EV relies on a revolutionary aerodynamic concept where air is channeled through a duct in the middle of the motorcycle, rather than around it. WMC says such a design reduces aerodynamic resistance by up to 70% compared to conventional vehicles.
The WMC250EV is driven by electric motors to both the front and rear wheels, allowing for an increased amount of regenerative braking. For early testing, the WMC250EV uses a low power 60 volt system producing 100 kW but the record attempt machine will feature a full 800 volt system, with WMC saying this its world speed record bike will be two-and-a-half times more powerful.
“We are delighted with the progress made so far with the WMC250EV,” said White. “We were encouraged by the great reception the launch of the bike received in June, and the high level of interest that the project has gained subsequently. This is a completely bespoke motorcycle, so for it to run cleanly straight out of the box is fantastic. We are taking a measured and controlled approach to our testing programme to ensure no stone is left unturned and given the results we have gained to date my confidence is building all the time that we will be successful,” White said.
Based in Northampton, UK, WMC is using the WMC250EV as a technology demonstrator and proof of concept, with the aim of translating designs and technology developed for use in road going vehicles. An announcement to this end will be made in October.
It has been a decade since the launch of the MV Agusta F3, first as a 675, then as an 800, and the 2022 MV Agusta F3 RR facelifts the Varese firm’s middleweight sportsbike with aerodynamic improvements. This takes the form of a new fairing with spoiler strakes hidden behind fairing side panels, which MV says generates an additional 8 kg of down force.
Other aerodynamic improvements include a taller windshield, new carbon-fibre fairing panels and a new mudguard that improves airflow to the radiator. Cooling efficiency has also been upgraded with a new oil cooler installed that is 5% more efficient than before.
The rear wheel on the F3 RR is approximately 10% lighter, 4.14 kg versus 4.56 kg previously, translating to 7% less moment of inertia when spinning the wheel up. Shifting with the Quick-Shift EAS 3.0 up-and-down quickshifter has been improved with a new sensor and a reinforced clutch hub improves shifting and reduces engine noise.
In the engine room, the 798 cc, inline three-cylinder produces 147 hp at 13,000 rpm and 88 Nm of torque at 10,100 rpm, fed by six fuel injectors that now run a higher 0.5 bar pressure. Riding aids include eight-level traction control and four ride modes.
Suspension is done with Marzocchi upside-down forks, 43 mm diameter and fully-adjustable while the rear end is held up with a Sachs monoshock, also fully-adjustable. Braking is by Brembo with twin Monoblocs on the front wheel clamping 320 mm floating discs and a two-piston Brembo calliper at the back with 220 mm disc.
A 5.5-inch TFT-LCD full-colour panel serves as the instrument panel, with launch control, cruise control and Bluetooth connectivity to the rider’s smartphone using the MV Agusta MV Ride app. Navigation mirroring from the smartphone is displayed on screen while the app allows for engine adjustment and riding aids setup.
The MV Agusta F3 RR is claimed to weigh 173 kg dry with 16.5-litres of fuel carried in the tank, while seat height is set at 830 mm. There are two colour options available for the F3 RR – Surreal White Gloss/Mamba Red Gloss and Fire Red Matt/Metallic Dark Grey Matt – while an F3 RR Racing kit comprising of an Akrapovic silencer, pillion seat cover, CNC machined tank cap, clutch and brake levers, and silencer cover is available, including an upgraded racing ECU.
