Joining the base model Ducati XDiavel are the 2021 Ducati XDiavel Dark and Black Star model variants. This pair of blacked out Ducati power cruisers are now Euro 5 compliant for relevant markets, as is the base model XDiavel.
The XDiavel Dark is a minimalist, visually stripped down version of the XDiavel, covered in matte black and omitting silverware and chrome. A frame painted Carbon Black and matte black wheels are part of the Dial Dark look, as well all black anodised side frame plates and radiator covers.
If required, the backrest and passenger comfort seat are available as options from the Ducati Performance catalogue. Also available for both the Dark and Black Star XDiavel variants are the Sport, Touring and Urban packs for user customisation.
For the XDiavel Black Star, a nod is given to sports car design with alternating grey and matte black accented with red, including the engine head covers painted red. Lightweight forged alloy wheels, painted gloss black, are supplied as standard equipment.
The Black Star’s looks are further enhanced with a model specific seat with dedicated Black Star upholstery, forged anodised side frame plate with machined accents and matte black aluminium belt covers on the gloss black engine. Standard fitment is a Bluetooth module for the infotainment system and management of calls, messages and music via the rider’s smartphone.
For 2021, the Testastretta DVT V-twin 1262 pumps out 160 hp at 9,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 130 Nm at 5,000 rpm, an increase of 8 hp and 2 Nm over previous. A new exhaust design, adapted from the Ducati Diavel 1260 and revised engine mapping to comply with emissions controls also contribute to the new power figures.
In Malaysia, the 2020 Ducati XDiavel S retails at RM161,900 with a source in the authorised distributor saying pricing might be revised upwards “at least three or four percent from current.” Meanwhile, the Ducati Diavel 1260 S is priced at RM RM139,900, excluding road tax, insurance and registration.
Following a series of underbone motorcycles in the Malaysian market, WMoto, a brand under Force Bike Holdings, has launched the 2020 WMoto V16 cruiser. Priced at RM15,988 excluding road tax, insurance and registration, the V16 comes with a two-year or 20,000 km warranty.
Styling for the V16 follows typical cruiser design with pull-back handlebars and feet-forward riding position along with a low-slung seat, looking a lot like a Yamaha Virago. Power comes from an air-cooled V-twin displacing 249 cc and fed by EFI.
Moto says the V16’s 60-degree V-twin puts out a claimed 19 hp at 8,000 rpm and 19 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. Fuel is carried in a 14-litre tank which, according to the specifications sheet, gives the V16 some 300 km of range.
Suspension at the front is with conventional non-adjustable telescopic forks while the rear end in held up with twin shock absorbers, adjustable for preload. A single 320 mm brake disc with two-piston calliper stops the 18-inch front wheel while the 15-inch rear wheel has a single 280 mm brake disc with single-piston calliper.
It should be noted the V16, while coming with the ABS brake rings for the wheel speed sensors, does not have ABS fitted as standard. Weight for the 2020 WMoto V16 is 165 kg while seat height is set at 700 mm and there are three colour choices – White, Blue and Black.
As part of its NEXTGen future vehicles initiative, BMW Motorrad has introduced the Definition CE 04 electric mobility scooter. Designed for urban in typical European cities like Madrid, Milan and Paris where journeys are short and frequent, the Definition CE 04 emphasises BMW Motorrad’s “plugged to life” philosophy on communication and transportation.
Electrification of two wheels is not new for BMW Motorrad, with the introduction of the C Evolution electric scooter in 2014. The C-series electric scooter can be seen as the genesis on the Definition CE 04, together with the Concept Link from 2017, what the Munich firm says is a “transition to production readiness with almost unchanged design.”
Departing from the usual design language of scooters, the Definition CE 04 has a long, low silhouette with a diagonally rising design line at the front end. A flat battery is located underneath the bodywork, giving rise to a new under seat storage solution.
Opening from the side, the storage space is illuminated and gives easy access to rider for putting away a helmet and other miscellaneous equipment. Locating the flat battery low also gives the Definition CE 04 a low centre of gravity, aiding handling in dense urban traffic.
“A practical everyday vehicle for driving from home to the office or meeting friends in the evening – simply a vehicle for every day in the city,” says Alexander Buckan, BMW Motorrad Head of Vehicle Design. “The urban target group mainly rides short distances of approximately 12 km per day. Long-distance comfort is therefore less important than variable ergonomics and easy accessibility,” Buckan says.
This led to the creation of a “floating” bench seat, allowing the rider to mount the Definition CE 04 from either side or from behind. Practicality and a user-friendly ethos pervades the Definition CE 04, including connectivity between the vehicle and the rider via the rider’s smartphone.
The connectivity concept extends to the rider’s apparel, in this case a casually cut warm hoodie suitable for everyday use. Waterproof and flexible, the Definition CE 04 clothing features integrated light guides in the sleeves and hood for greater visibility in traffic, along with the ability to change colour via sensors in the sleeve and an inductive charging field for the rider’s smartphone located in an inside pocket.
Saying the Definition CE 04 is a concrete preview of what a contemporary production vehicle could look like, Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design at BMW Motorrad, says, “electric mobility is a central drive system for the BMW Group and we are consistently relying on this technology in our sustainability strategy. Electric drives are also a current topic for BMW Motorrad, especially for the urban environment.”
In a mass launch for the European market, Honda has released the 2021 Honda X-ADV adventure scooter. Changes to the X-ADV are not just cosmetic but the X-ADV has undergone a comprehensive makeover down to the frame with this year’s model 3 kg lighter than the outgoing model.
Engine configurartion is the same as the first generation model, a liquid-cooled parallel-twin displacing 745 cc but power has taken a 4 hp bump, with the 2021 X-ADV putting out 57.8 hp at 6,750 rpm and 69 Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm. The X-ADV mill is also Euro 5 compliant, revving up to 7,000 rpm with revisions to the intake and exhaust.
In the transmission, ratios for the DCT six-speed gearbox with manual mode and push button gear changes has been revised to improve acceleration through the first, second and third gears. The upper ratios have also been changed to improve fuel efficiency with taller fourth, fifth and sixth ratios.
Control comes from ride-by-wire throttle and the rider can choose from one of five riding modes – Standard, Sport, Rain, Gravel and User. In the first four modes, power delivery, engine braking, traction control and ABS have presets while User mode also the rider to set the ride parameters to their preference while traction control has three levels and is switchable.
Styling wise, the X-ADV remains true to the original X-ADV concept but all new body panels give a more aggressive image, including the LED headlights complemented with LED DRLs. Seat design has also been changed to allow the rider to get his or her feet down easily with seat height set at 820 mm while the windshield has five manually adjustable positions.
Inside the cockpit, the 5-inch TFT-LCD colour screen displays all the necessary information the rider needs. An optional module allows for connection of the rider’s smartphone and headset (not provided) to the X-ADV and the Honda Smartphone Voice Control System manages calls, e-mails, navigation and music through verbal commands.
Beneath the bodywork the 2021 X-ADV gets a new frame that is lighter by 1 kilogram from previous and provides more storage space under the seat, 22 litres, large enough enough for a full-face helmet. A new glovebox inside the X-ADV’s dash gives a small 1.2-litre capacity cubby with the previous 12 volt socket replaced with a USB charging port.
Other riding conveniences include a smart key, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) that flashes the brake light under hard braking and self-cancelling turn signals. Fuel is carried in a 13.2-litre tank and a centre stand as well as hand guard complete the list of standard equipment.
On the 17-inch front wheel shod in a 120/70 tyre, braking is done with twin 296 mm discs and four-piston callipers, with 41 mm diameter upside-down front fork. On the 15-inch rear wheel, wearing 160/60 rubber, a 240 mm brake disc with single-piston calliper does the stopping, with a monoshock holding up the back.
Following the market release of the 2021 Yamaha MT-09, Yamaha Europe has now launched the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP, with a higher equipment specification. Among the upgrades over the base model MT-09, the MT-09 SP comes with brand name suspension and cruise control, plus other cosmetic enhancements.
TheMT-09 SP carries the same Crossplane 3 engine as the MT-09, an inline three-cylinder triple displacing 889 cc, giving the MT-09 a listed power output of 117.3 hp at 10,000 rpm and 93 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. The Euro 5 compliant mill is mated to a quick shifter equipped six-speed gearbox with assist and slipper clutch and chain final drive.
New to the MT-09 SP is cruise control, designed to ease long journeys at constant highway speeds. The cruise takes effect in fourth gear and above 50 km/h, and satin 2 km/h increments by the push of the cruise control button or in larger steps by a constant press.
Suspension for the MT-09 SP gets a major upgrade over the base MT-09 with the addition of 41 mm diameter Kayaba upside-down forks, fully-adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. Additionally, the forks also have low- and high-speed compression damping adjustments for for precise setting of the front suspension.
At the rear, the suspension receives a similar upgrade over stock with an Ohlins mono shock. Fully-adjustable, the Ohlins mono shock comes with a remote preload adjuster for quick changes in rear suspension settings.
Other enhancements to the MT-09 are on the cosmetic side of things with a double-stitched seat – shaped differently from the base model – and anodised brushed aluminium swingarm that complements the new Crystal Graphite frame. The MT-09 SP features paintwork influenced by the R1M super bike, which Yamaha calls Icon Performance, featuring a blue/black multi-toned paint scheme on the fuel tank and air ducts.
Anodised black handlebars and levers, as well as clear-smoked front and rear brake fluid reservoirs and a black drive sprocket round out the list of cosmetic upgrades. Delivery to Yamaha Europe dealers begins March 2021. For Malaysia, the 2020 Yamaha MT-09 retails at a recommended price of RM48,920.
Known popularly as the “Y-Suku”, the 2020 Yamaha Y15ZR now comes in new colours and priced at a recommended retail of Rm8,168 excluding road tax, insurance and registration. The new colour schemes are Matte Titan, Cyan, Red and Blue and stocks will be available in authorised Hong Leong Yamaha Motor showrooms in Malaysia this November.
This compares to the 2019 Yamaha Y15ZR price of RM7,888 for the standard model while the 2020 Yamaha Y15ZR GP Edition is priced at RM8,868. Aside from the new colours, the Y15ZR remains mechanically unchanged from the previous year’s model.
Carrying the 150 cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, the Y15ZR produces a claimed 15.4PS at 8,500 rpm and 13.8 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. Power gets to the ground via a five-speed gear box and chain final drive.
The Y15ZR uses conventional telescopic forks for the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the back. Braking is done with a single hydraulic disc front and rear and the Y15ZR rolls on 17-inch wheels shod in 90/80 rubber in front and 120/70 on the rear wheel.
With fuel carried in a 4.2-litre tank, the Y15ZR weighs 117 kg and the rider sits 780 mm off the ground. The 2020 Yamaha Y15ZR comes with a two-year or 20,000 km warranty, whichever comes first and every purchase gets a gift of a Yamaha brake disc lock.
After racing for 2020 disrupted by Covid-19 and the ensuing travel restrictions, Dorna has released the 2021 MotoGP provisional race calendar. For next year, there are 20 fixtures on the table, including new addition Kymiring circuit in Finland, subject to homologation.
Two other circuit are new to MotoGP, Mandalika in Indonesia and Igora Drive Circuit in Russia. However, these circuit, along with Algarve International Circuit in Portugal, are on the reserve venue list with Mandalika subject to homologation.
The season opener is slated for Losail International Circuit in Qatar, as is customary after the conclusion of Winter Test but it remains to be seen if international travel bans are lifted in time for racing to resume. The MotoGP circus then moves to the American continent with racing in Argentina and the US for April before moving back to Europe to start the European leg with Jerez Circuit in May.
MotoGP then stays in Europe for the summer with the new Kymiring circuit possibly making an appearance on July 11th. There is a slot in the calendar for a race yet to be decided right after that before racing resumes on August 15th at Red Bull Ring – Spielberg in Austria.
The MotoGP circus then moves to the Far East in October, with a race at Twin Ring Motegi, Japan on October 3rd. Thailand is next with a race in Buriram on October 10th, then moving to Philip Island on the 24th before ending October with the Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang International Circuit.
Closing out the 2021 MotoGP racing year is Valencia on November 14th, with the teams then moving on to winter testing before the end of year break.
With just two races left in the pandemic shortened 2020 MotoGP season, Team Ecstar Suzuki made it an emphatic one-two victory at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. Taking his maiden MotoGP victory, Joan Mir gained 37 point lead in the MotoGP World Championship, leaving him just having to win one of the two remaining races to clinch the title.
Following close behind to finish second was team mate Alex Rins, who was passed by Mir, then proceeded to fight off a challenge from Pol Espargaro of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing who finished third. The last time Suzuki had a one-two finish was back in the 500 cc World Championship days with a double finish by Randy Mamola and Virginio Ferrari in 1982, racing at Hockenheim, Germany.
It was a tragic for Fabio Quartaro of Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team, who lowsided early in the race and putting paid to his world championship ambitions for 2020. However, team mate Frankie Morbidelli stands fifth in the MotoGP riders standings with his eleventh place finish.
Making up for his unfortunate crash in Tereul two weeks ago where he started on pole, Takaaki Nakagami of LCR Honda finished in fourth place, followed by Miguel Oliveira of Red Bull KTM Tech 3 in fifth. Fan favourite Valentino Rossi of Monster Energy Yamaha Racing who was benched after testing positive for Covid-19 returned to racing for this round but crashed out.
Racing continues next weekend for the Valencia Grand Prix with Mir being the favourite to win the race and the world title with 162 points. Challenges come from Fabio Quartararo and Wins, tied with 125 points and needing to win both remaining races for a chance at the championship.
JOAN MIR SPA
TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR
SUZUKI
MotoGP
GP Europa 2020 (Circuit Valencia)
06-08.11.2020
photo: MICHELIN
FABIO QUARTARARO FRA
PETRONAS YAMAHA SRT
YAMAHA
MotoGP
GP Europa 2020 (Circuit Valencia)
06-08.11.2020
photo: MICHELIN
TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI JPN
LCR HONDA IDEMITSU
HONDA
MotoGP
GP Europa 2020 (Circuit Valencia)
06-08.11.2020
photo: MICHELIN
DANILO PETRUCCI ITA
DUCATI TEAM
DUCATI
MotoGP
GP Europa 2020 (Circuit Valencia)
06-08.11.2020
photo: MICHELIN
JOHANN ZARCO FRA
REALE AVINTIA RACING
DUCATI
MotoGP
GP Europa 2020 (Circuit Valencia)
06-08.11.2020
photo: MICHELIN
JOAN MIR SPA
TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR
SUZUKI
MotoGP
GP Europa 2020 (Circuit Valencia)
06-08.11.2020
photo: MICHELIN
JOAN MIR SPA
TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR
SUZUKI
MotoGP
GP Europa 2020 (Circuit Valencia)
06-08.11.2020
photo: MICHELIN
Reaching the end of the 2020 Moto 2 season with Angel Nieto Team, Malaysian motorcycle racer Hafizh Syahrin has signed to ride for NTS RW Racing GP. Hafizh will compete in the Moto 2 class fur the Dutch racing team with team mate 16-year old Belgian Barry Baltus.
“We are proud and happy to have signed Hafizh, who is not only an experienced and talented rider, but also a very kind and nice person”, says NTS RW Racing GP team manager Jarno Janssen. “… we are still developing the bike. The input and feedback of a rider like Hafizh is very important in that process,” Janssen said.
Hafizh welcomed the new contract, saying he was pleased to continue competing in Moto 2 with NTS RW Racing GP. “I know how much effort it takes to develop a new bike, but I believe in this project. NTS and the team have improved the bike a lot in a relatively short time, step by step. I hope that, with my experience and feedback, we can make big steps,” said Hafizh.
RW Racing GP was founded by businessman Roelof Waninge from The Netherlands, taking over the assets of Dutch 125 cc and 250 cc motorcycle racing team owned by fellow countryman Arie Molenaar in 2011. RW Racing competes in Moto 2 in a technical partnership with Japanese chassis builder NTS.
A new entry in Indian motorcycle maker Royal Enfield’s catalogue is the 2021 Royal Enfield 350, the first of a series of single-cylinder motorcycles. Designed to replace the Thunderbird 350, itself a 350 cc single, the Meteor 350 comes in three flavours – the base model Fireball at 175,000 rupees(RM9,780), the Stellar at 181,000 rupees (RM10,190) and Supernova at 190,000 rupees (RM10,611).
In keeping with the design language of Royal Enfield’s single-cylinder machines, the Meteor comes with an all-new engine design, a 349 cc, SOHC thumper fed by EFI that produces a claimed 20.2 hp at 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, reports carandbike.com. Royal Enfield says replacing the traditional pushrod engine design with an overhead cam and the addition of a primary balancer shaft combined with a five-speed gearbox lets the engine rev higher while minimising vibration.
The frame on the Meteor 350 is also new, a dual-downtube affair and the new Royal Enfield single is destined to be an international market model including countries such as Thailand, Europe and North America. Suspension is done with conventional 41 mm telescopic forks in front and twin shock absorbers at the back with six-step preload adjustment.
Weight of the Meteor is 6 kg lighter than the outgoing Thunderbird 350, coming in at 191 kg. Braking is with two-piston floating calliper clamping a single 300 mm diameter brake disc while the back uses a single-piston calliper and 270 mm disc with two-channel ABS as standard.
New to the Meteor 350 is a combination analogue and LCD instrument display with a secondary LCD display to the side. The secondary panel connects to the rider’s smartphone and allows for display of navigation information.
The Meteor 350 mounts a 19-inch front with 100/90 tyre and 17-inch rear with 140/70 tyre on alloy wheels while fuel is carried in a 15-litre tank. Seat height places the rider 765 mm off the ground while colour options are Yellow, Red and Black for the Meteor Fireball 350, Red and Blue for the Stellar variant and Brown and Blue for the Supernova.
A technical oversight on the part of Yamaha Motor Company has cost Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) 37 World Championship Team points. This drops SRT to second in the team championship with 198 points, handing the lead to Team Suzuki Ecstar with 242.
Penalties were also handed out to Yamaha Motor Company and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP for a similar infringement of the technical rules. This means Yamaha Motor Company is docked 50 points while Monster Energy Yamaha is penalised 20 points.
However, team riders – Fabio Quartararo and Frankie Morbidelli of SRT and Maverick Vinales of Monster Energy Yamaha – did receive any penalty, preserving their Riders World Championship positions. The sanction was handed out by the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel under Article 3.5.5 of the FIM World Championship Grand Prix regulations.
The Stewards’ sanction was in regard to technical infringements to the engine used in the Yamaha YZR-M1 where any modification to the race engine during the course of the season requires the unanimous approval of all members of the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association (MSMA). Early in the 2020 MotoGP season, Yamaha faced reliability issues with the YZR-M1’s engines which needed replacement valves of a new design, according to sources in the paddock.
For MotoGP, a control engine is scrutinised and sealed at the beginning of the season and race engines, of which each team is allowed to use a limited number, are then compared to the control engine during the racing season for technical compliance. In this instance, the procedure for notification of technical changes was not complied with by Yamaha Motor, resulting in the sanctions handed to the teams.
A total of 11 world records fell to the hands of multiple 250 cc world champion Max Biaggi, astride the Voxan Wattman electric motorcycle. The record speed of 366.94 km/h was set in the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) “partially streamlined electric motorcycle over 300 kilos” category between 30th October and 1st November at an airfield in Châteauroux, France.
The previous record of 329 km/h was set by rider Ryuji Tsuruta on the Mobitec EV-02A. Also taking records in the “non-streamlined” category, the Voxan Wattman established benchmarks for the quarter-mile flying and standing start class where there was no previous record, as well as the 1 kilometre and 1 mile flying and standing start categories.
During the multiple record setting attempt, Biaggi brought the Voxan Wattman to an instantaneous peak top speed of 408 km/h in semi streamlined form. Additionally, a peak top speed of 372 km/h was recorded for the non-streamlined Wattman.
Powered by a 270 kW – the equivalent of 362.1 hp – electric motor taken from a Formula E race car, the Voxan Wattman has a dry ice cooling system and 15.9 kWh battery. This is four times as much power as produced by typical electric motorcycles today such as the Harley-Davidson LiveWire but the Wattman depletes its battery in a matter of a few runs.
Entering its fourth generation, the 2021 Ducati Multistrada V4 has come a long way from the first design penned by Pierre Terblanche. Presented in Multistrada V4, V4S and V4S Sport flavours, the latest iteration of Ducati’s adventure-touring machines now comes with the V4 Granturismo engine, the “touring” version of the Bologna firm’s V4 Stradale mill.
The base version of the Multistrada, the V4, comes in Ducati Red and uses Marzocchi full-adjustable 50 mm diameter front forks and rear monoshock, giving 170 mm and 180 mm of suspension travel front and rear. Brembo M4.32 four-piston radial-mount callipers are used and a 5-inch full-colour TFT-LCD screen is installed in the cockpit, along with LED headlights and DRLs.
For the Mutistrada V4S, colour options are the aforementioned Ducati Red and Aviator Grey and comes standard with Brembo Stilema four-piston brake callipers. Equipment levels are taken up a notch with Marzocchi Ducati Skyhook electronic suspension – suspension travel is the same as the Multistrada V4 – with automatic levelling function, vehicle hold control, cornering LED lighting, keyless start, blind spot detection and cruise control.
Coming with all the equipment found on the Multistrada V4S, the V4S Sport adds an Akrapovic titanium and carbon-fibre exhaust and carbon-fibre front mudguard. Also standard on the Multistrada V4S Sport is a unique Sport livery featuring a white racing stripe bisecting the red and black bodywork and wheels painted gloss black.
Centrepiece of the Multistrada V4 range is the V4 Granturismo power plant, displacing 1,158 cc and producing 170 hp at 10,500 rpm and 125 Nm of torque at 8,750 rpm. As a touring engine intended to cover long distances, Ducati says the V4 Granturismo only requires oil changes every 15,000 km and the first major service, a valve clearance check, comes at 60,000 km, an industry first for motorcycles.
Eschewing the use of Ducati’s Desmodromic mechanical valve actuation system (still used in the V4 Stradale engine in the Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4), the V4 Granturismo is physically smaller and lighter, weighing 66.7 kilograms, 1.2 kg less than the 1260 Multistrada’s Testastretta DVT variable valve timing V-twin and 10 cm shorter in height and length while being just 2 cm wider despite having two more pistons with fuel carried in a 22-litre tank and weight claimed to be 215 kg.
As can be expected, technology abounds in the Multistrada V4 with riding aids including Bosch-Brembo 10.3ME cornering ABS, traction and wheelie control and vehicle hold control for starting on inclines. With the Skyhook electronic suspension, data from the inertial control unit is used to adjust suspension setting as well as auto levelling, complementing the standard settings of rider, rider with luggage, rider with passenger or fully loaded with passenger and luggage, while a tyre pressure monitoring system is available as an option.
More electronics wizardry is found in the LCD instrument display, which, in conjunction with the optional Ducati Connect System, allows for connection to the rider’s smartphone and display of navigation map inside the screen, negating the need for a separate navigation display. Also available with the Ducati Connect module is control of the phone and music functions, controlled via a joystick on the left handlebar pod with the phone itself stored in a compartment in the fuel tank that has a USB charging port.
Standard on the Multistrada V4S and V4S Sport (optional on the base model Multistrada V4) is Ducati’s Radar system. This module, developed in partnership with Bosch, provides adaptive cruise control, automatically self-regulating to the speed of the vehicle in front, and blind spot detection.
There are four ride modes listed for the Multistrada V4 – Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro. In Sport mode, the rider gets all 170 hp and for the Multistrada V4, suspension is automatically set to Sport mode, with traction and wheelie control set to low and ABS at level 2.
In Touring mode, the engine response is smoother and less direct while traction and wheelie control is set to maximum while in Urban mode power is reduced to 115 hp, useful for heavy traffic or wet roads. Combined with ABS set to level 3 and cornering ABS optimising front/rear combined braking, Touring mode is optimised for long distance riding comfort.
Enduro mode if for off-road riding, which, with the 19-inch front wheel on the Multistrada V4, it is fully capable of. In this mode, the engine deliver 115 hp and wheelie control is turned off, while ABS only functions on the front wheel at Level 1.
Attention has been paid to both rider and passenger comfort, with the Multistrada V4 spending time in the wind tunnel to improve aerodynamics and reduce wind noise while improving protection from the air flow. The wind screen is one-finger adjustable and comes with additional wind and hand deflectors while biplane spoilers mounted on the sides of the engine divert heat.
Seating arrangements on the Multistrada V4 is a two piece affair, with the rider’s seat cut narrow to allow getting both feet on the ground while the pillion seat is wider and plusher than before, increasing passenger comfort. The rider’s seat is a two-height adjustable affair, with 840 mm and 860 mm seat heights while a 810 mm low seat and 875 mm tall seat are available as extra cost options.
Rider comfort is further improved with rear cylinder bank deactivation when the Multistrada is at a stop. This, combined with the new front fairing featuring “shark gills” on the sides, reducing heat while improving fuel economy.
A range of factory packs is available for the Multistrada V4, providing the rider with a range of options to customise the bike to taste including spoked wheels if desired. These are the Travel Pack which comes with panniers, centre stand and heated rider and passenger seats, the Travel and Radar which adds cruise control and radar and the Sport Pack which consists of the Akrapovic exhausts while the Full Pack puts all the options on the Multistrada V4.
Fresh off the launch of the 2021 Yamaha MT-09, Yamaha has now taken the covers of the 2021 Yamaha MT-07, it’s middleweight twin. Seeing a similar range of updates to its larger capacity sibling, next year’s MT-07 is now Euro 5 compliant.
The Crossplane 2 mill in the MT-07 now produces 72.3 hp at 8,750 rpm and torque rated at 67 Nm at 6,500 rpm, with a six-speed gearbox getting power to the ground. From the specifications sheet, the 2019 Yamaha MT-07 (RM38,888 in Malaysia) got 73.7 hp at 9,000 rpm and 68 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, a minimal power loss caused by the mandatory Euro 5 emissions conformance.
In terms of styling, while the overall silhouette of the 2021 MT-07 resembles the previous generation model, the body lines are now softer. Biggest visual change comes in the form of the LED projector headlight, flanked by LED DRLs, similar in style to the new MT-09 and the exhaust note has been reworked for the rider’s aural enjoyment.
LED lighting is now used for the turn signals in the form of a slim single-element bar and the entire presentation of the MT-07 is now blacked out, including the brake and clutch levers. Inside the cockpit, a monochrome LCD screen is found, redesigned with coloured elements with white-on-black display instead of the inverse as found on the 2019 MT-09.
Fuel capacity stays the same at 14-litres with seat height at 805 mm and claimed weight is 184 kg, compared to the 179 kg of the outgoing MT-07. Front brake discs are now bigger, with twin 298 mm diameter discs against the 2019 model’s 282 mm brake discs in front while the rear 245 mm disc at the back is retained with two-channel ABS.
No change in suspension, the MT-07 coming with non-adjustable telescopic front forks and rebound-adjustable mono shock at the rear while handlebars are now 30 mm wider for a more aggressive riding position. There are three colour choices for the 2021 Yamaha MT-07 – Storm Fluo, Icon Blue and Ice Black.
Is the 2021 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S Softail coming to Malaysia next year? A tip off from a trusted source seems to indicate the FXLRS Low Rider S will join other Softails in Harley-Davidson’s (H-D) 2021 Malaysian lineup, with pricing estimated at “around or below RM120,000.”
When paultan.org attended the Softail Triple S media ride in Spain earlier this year, we were told by H-D Asia Pacific the Low Rider S would not be coming to Malaysia for the 2020 model year. However, this will change next year, according to our source, who expressed excitement at the big-engined V-twin coming to the local market.
The Low Rider S differs from the standard FXLR Low Rider in the engine room, the Low Rider coming with a Milwaukee 8 107 1,746 cc V-twin versus the 1,868 cc 114 engine variant carried in the Low Rider S. Power differs similarly, with the Low Rider S getting 93 hp at 5,020 rpm and 155 Nm of torque against the 86 hp at 5,020 rpm and 145 Nm of torque of the Low Rider.
Styling wise the Low Rider S comes in a completely blacked out trim, with Dark Bronze cast alluvium alloy wheels, 19-inch on front and a 16-incher at the back and flat drag style handlebars. A small bikini cowl surrounds the round LED headlight and the solo seating position – 690 mm off the ground – is upright with mid-mount foot controls compared to the more laid back position and two-seater arrangement of the Low Rider.
Braking is done with a four-piston calliper on fixed front twin discs while the rear wheel is stopped by a two-piston calliper and single floating disc. Fuel capacity is 18.9-litres and weight, in ride away condition, is 308 kg.
