Motosikal BMW sememangnya memiliki reputasi tersendiri terutamanya dalam aspek kualiti tetapi mereka juga tidak terlepas daripada senario memanggil semula beberapa jentera sebelum ini.
Kali ini, jentera yang dipanggil semula melibatkan model mampu milik dalam keluarga BMW.
Baru-baru ini, BMW Motorrad mengumumkan bahawa mereka memanggil semula model G 310 GS (2018-2020), G 310 R (2017-2020) serta beberapa model skuter C 400 X (2019) susulan kebimbangan piston di dalam kaliper brek jenama ByBre yang diguna pakai mudah karat.
Kaliper brek ByBre (atau dikenali ByBrembo) ini turut digunakan beberapa jentera lain antarnaya Bajaj dan KTM.
Untuk mengatasi masalah ini, pemilik hanya perlu ke pengedar BMW Motorrad terdekat untuk menukar ke kaliper brek yang baharu tanpa sebarang caj.
Panggilan semula ini dijangka akan berlaku awal Oktober tetapi mereka yang terkesan dengan isu ini boleh menghubungi khidmat pelanggan BMW untuk pengesahan lanjut.
Buat masa ini, tiada laporan bahawa panggilan semula ini juga melibatkan model G 310 GS dan G 310 R yang terdapat di Malaysia.
A recall campaign for the BMW G 310 R, BMW G 310 GS and BMW C 400 X has been initiated in the USA.
It pertains to the bikes’ brake calipers that may corrode.
It happens in the USA due to winter conditions.
We’ve just learned of a recall campaign for the BMW G 310 R, BMW G 310 GS and BMW C 400 X in the USA.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the front and/or rear brake calipers may corrode, leading to the caliper pistons sticking or drag in their bores. The corrosion is caused by winter riding conditions. We suspect the salt applied to roads during the season as it lowers the melting point of water, thus ice melts quicker. But it also corrodes metal.
The affected models are from 2017 to 2020 for the G 310 R, 2018 to 2020 for the G 310 GS, 2019 C 400 X.
BikesRepublic.com have sought confirmation from BMW Motorrad Malaysia over this matter.
The above recall affects bikes in the American market due to winter conditions, thus does not affect bikes in Malaysia.
However, BMW Motorrad Malaysia will inform their official dealers to carry out checks on the calipers of these three bikes in the interest of safety. BMW will also update us should there be further action.
We would like to add that recall campaigns are actually a good thing. It shows that manufacturers are being responsible, rather than hiding data and facts.
A German patent application showed that BMW is working on an electrically supercharged superbike based on the S 1000 RR.
An electrical supercharger boosts performance without sapping engine power.
Power and torque are boosted without needing higher RPM.
A German patent application showed that BMW is working on an electrically supercharged S 1000 RR.
Forced induction isn’t something new and neither is an electrically driven supercharger. but an electric supercharger offers more advantages than an engine-driven or exhaust-driven supercharger.
An electric supercharger has the potential to spool up quickly, thereby eliminating or reducing lag when the throttle is snapped open. The compressor should be driven by a motor which gets its power supply from a battery or capacitor.
On the other hand, engine-driven supercharger like the Kawasaki Ninja H2’s saps the engine’s power. The H2 may not lack power but the output could be potentially higher.
An exhaust-driven supercharger (or turbocharger) creates a blockage in the exhaust system and produces turbo lag. Another critical part is keeping the supercharger or turbocharger’s bearing oiled.
The document shows a simplified drawing of the system. The electric motor (24) drives the supercharger (28), which stuffs air into the combustion chamber (11).
Having a supercharger not only boosts top end power but also torque throughout the engine’s rev range. It certainly does away with needing tons of RPM. Besides that, engine emissions could also be reduced.
Will we see a supercharged S 1000 RR soon? Who knows, but remember that BMW patented a carbon frame and it resulted in the S 1000 RR HP4 Race.
We recently tested BMW Motorrad’s latest flagship adventure model, the BMW R 1250 GS. After concluding the fact that you can basically go anywhere and everywhere (including riding it as a daily bike), BMW Motorrad Malaysia gave us the opportunity to test its bigger and more badass version, the 2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure. (more…)
The 2019 BMW F 750 GS is the more road-biased model of F XXX GS series.
It uses the same engine as the F 850 GS but with a different tune.
The frame is the same but different forks.
It’s easy to skip over the fact that BMW Motorrad has many models of motorcycles in their line-up. Mention “BMW” and the very first image to pop up in people’s heads are the R 1200/1250 GS/GSA or S 1000 RR.
But how can we blame them? The bestselling motorcycle in the world was the R 1200 GS/GSA for many years, and soon to be taken over by its successor the R 1250 GS/GSA. The bestselling superbike – or at least among the bestselling – is the S 1000 RR.
In fact, we admit that we were rather surprised when we got the call to the test and review the 2019 F 750 GS. We know it exists but it’s so easy to overlook, even after testing the new 2019 F 850 GS. But let’s ride it anyway (since it’s a test bike – WOOHOO!).
But the main question that bugged us was why do you need a 750 when there’s already the 850?! Er…
And then get this: The F 750 GS is actually powered by the 853cc parallel-Twin which powers the F 850 GS. But the 750 uses a different tuning, resulting in 77 hp and 83 Nm of torque, as opposed to 95 hp and 92 Nm of torque. So, it’s an 850 but not an 850.
The F 750 GS’s silhouette is identical to its F 850 GS bigger brother, that’s for sure. But while the 850 seems very polished in its details, the 750 looks a little more spartan not unlike the previous F 800 GS. Or was it that I was biased…? Still, the build quality is typical of BMW.
The version we tested includes that large TFT screen found in the F 850 GS and R 12XX series, fortunately. The display has a very high resolution and scrolling through with the multifunction controller brings up all sorts of data, including “coffee break.” Great, now your bike knows how much time you spent at Starbucks Gohtong Jaya.
Electronic rider aids are the same, with a ride-by-wire throttle and two ride modes ROAD and RAIN.
Its seat height was much lower than that of the F 850 GS, as it wears a 19-inch front wheel, instead of a 21-inch wired wheel. The forks are conventional ones compared to upside down units on the 850. Ah hah, now there’s something really something different!
Okay, okay, let’s get going already.
The good news is it sounded just as good as the 850 since the crankshaft is offset by 270 degrees to mimic a 90o V-Twin. There’s a slight buzz at the handlebar when accelerating hard but you’ll soon ignore it.
And accelerate hard it did! It actually jumped forward harder and rawer than the 850 to a stonking intake sound from underneath the tank.
Having smaller wheels also meant that it was easier to flick the bike around. Combine that agility to the engine’s kick and you have a weapon that’ll terrorize other motorcyclists (which many dispatch riders learned the hard way). Flick, snap open throttle, brake, flick, snap open throttle, flick, repeat.
We’ve noted that the F 850 GS’s suspension was a tad too soft on the road. Traction was readily available, but the lack of feedback was disconcerting. However, the F 750 GS’s suspension was stiffer and had that feel that we wished we had.
It was only then that it dawned on me that the F 750 GS is the road-biased version, while the F 850 GS is biased more towards off-roading.
But doesn’t mean the 750 dares not venture where the road turns to muck.
We were testing another new adventure bike at the Rimba Valley Motorcamp that day. That particular bike was light and easy to handle, but every stone kicked the suspension here and there. It was controllable, but it the wheels hopped here and there.
When I got back on the F 750 GS to return home, I was surprise to discover that its suspension soaked up almost everything and the bike was super stable. Only one particularly large rock deflected the front wheel. I suspect that one could mount a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire spoke wheels and join GIVI Rimba Raid.
It was Karak Highway afterwards and the bike slid seamlessly into its sport-touring role.
Verdict
The 2019 BMW F 750 GS is a pretty good bike, surprisingly. But it truly shows that you don’t need tons of horsepower to have fun, and that’s the fun in itself.
Sure, there were some sore points. There’s that handlebar buzz around 5,000 RPM. But I’m sure no one will actually mind these minor negatives.
And yes, we will remember that there is actually an F 750 GS side-by-side with the F 850 GS from now on. Same same but different.
Teringat lagi saat BMW Motorrad Malaysia melancarkan BMW R1250 GS dan R1250 GS Adventure ketika BMW Night Fuel yang berlangsung di Bandar Malaysia, Julai lalu. Saat kemunculan kedua-dua model tersebut di atas pentas membuatkan bulu roma meremang tanpa kawalan.
Ketika itu, sesi monolog bermula,”Alangkah seronoknya kalau dapat menunggang dua kuda liar ini”. Lebih sebulan kemudian, dialog dalam hati itu seakan mendapat panggilan apabila BMW Group Malaysia menghubungi MotoMalaya – menerusi Wahid Ooi dari BikesRepublic – dan memaklumkan bahawa mereka ada dua jentera yang ingin kami uji.
Tidak lain dan tidak bukan, dua kuda liar yang asalnya sekadar angan-angan Mat Jenin kini menjadi realiti. Jentera ‘Adventure’ (ADV) ikonik BMW kini bakal menjadi ‘milik’ MotoMalaya untuk tempoh 168 jam.
Mata kedua-dua BMW R1250 GS dan R1250 GS Adventure yang disinari Daytime Running Light (DRL) menyapa penglihatan lalu menusuk ke jiwa. Sesi kedua monolog bermula,”Tak sabar aku nak jinakkan kuda liar ini di atas permukaan bertar dari Cyberjaya ke Kuala Lumpur. Tetapi mampukah aku?”
Hati mula gundah-gulana kerana ini adalah perjalanan sulung MotoMalaya dengan BMW R1250 GS atau GS secara amnya.
Demi memahami intipati dan jiwa jentera ikonik BMW ini, BMW R1250 GS jadi pasangan pertama dan ketepikan R1250 GS Adventure buat sementara waktu.
Perasaan pertama, kuda liar ini didatangkan dengan tangki 20 liter dan berat 250 kilogram dan angka itu mungkin mengejutkan tetapi bukan bagi mereka yang telah mentelaah salasilah GS sebelum ini.
Hakikatnya, GS dan muatan berat berpisah tiada tetapi berat itu menjadi ghaib saat nadi bersesaran 1,254 cc dihidupkan dan roda bersaiz 19 inci depan dan 17 inci belakang mula mengorak langkah.
Jentera bernilai RM116,500 – setanding dengan harga seekor kuda sebenar – bukan sahaja tampil lebih jinak malah mendatangkan aura seakan bersedia untuk beraksi dalam sukan ekuestrian.
Perkataan STABIL melompat keluar dari celah-celah membran otak lalu disampaikan ke lidah bagi mencetuskan sesi monolog ketiga,”Mana pergi berat tadi? Macam mana boleh jadi seimbang sangat?”
Sepanjang sesi tunggangan, BMW R1250 GS meperlihatkan keseimbangan yang mengagumkan umpama atlet gimnastik yang ‘menari’di atas apparatus batang titian.
Selain daripada peranan kedudukan enjin boxer, magis sebenar BMW R1250 GS berlaku dengan bantuan sistem baharu yang diberi nama teknologi ShiftCam.
Jika ahli silap mata lebih gemar berahsia daripada berkongsi magis mereka, BMW mengambil langkah lebih berani apabila meluahkan segala rahsia mengenai teknologi baharu ini.
Teknologi ShiftCam membuatkan peralihan daripada prestasi enjin yang rendah ke tinggi (partial load ke full load) tanpa sebarang perasaan tersengguk sekaligus mencernakan pergerakkan yang efisien dan lancar. Sifat yang jarang sekali ditonjolkan jentera ADV kini berada di dalam GS.
Entah bagaimana ahli sihir (jurutera) di kilang BMW melakukannya tetapi apa yang pasti teknologi ShiftCam memastikan piawaian Euro 5 berjaya dicapai tanpa perlu mengorbankan kuasa dan imej GS.
Saksikan video dibawah bagaimana magis ShiftCam berlaku:
Keterujaan itu kemudiannya disalurkan menerusi pulasan pendikit dan saat itu bukan satu, bukan dua tetapi 136 kuasa kuda dapat dirasai serta-merta yang disalurkan menerusi transmisi enam kelajuan.
Ketika ini, sesi meremang bulu roma buat kali kedua berlaku dan ketika sedang lemas dalam keterujaan, pandangan di hujung mata menangkap paparan TFT berukuran 6.6 inci yang dengan jelas menunjukkan kelajuan ketika itu telah mengjangkau angka haram di sisi Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Raya (JPJ) dan polis.
Selain daripada memaparkan maklumat penting seperti speedometer, odometer dan gear indiciator, paparan TFT – yang didatangkan secara standard bagi GS dan GSA – turut bertindak sebagai pusat hiburan mini. Sesuatu yang tidak akan dijumpai pada seekor kuda liar sebenar.
Paparan baharu ini membenarkan sambungan kepada telefon pintar yang boleh digunakan bagi memilih muzik, mengawal navigasi dan membuat serta menjawab panggilan telefon.
Meskipun 136 ekor kuda yang disumbat dalam enjin boxer kali ini tidak lagi digandingkan dengan brek Brembo namun penggunaan brek Hayes empat pot di bahagian depan – dijenamakan semula sebagai BMW – memberikan jaminan yang sama.
Hanya persoalan mengenai pertukaran daripada Brembo ke Hayes kekal menjadi teka-teki yang tidak dapat kami rungkaikan.
Tidak cukup R1250 GS dijinakkan dengan teknologi ShiftCam, BMW turut menyuntik Dynamic Braking Control (DBC) bagi menjaminkan keselamatan yang lebih jitu.
“Percayalah..” kata Siti Nurhaliza, sistem DBC amat diperlukan bagi mengendalikan jentera berat. Ciri keselamatan ini memastikan pendikit dilepaskan secara automatik dalam keadaan ‘panic-stop’.
BMW dakwa komputer mampu mengesan jika penunggang memegang pendikit dengan erat ketika sedang membrek dengan kuat. Tetapi kami pula dakwa ada ‘jin’ yang melakukan tugas tersebut kerana bunyinya agak sofistikated dan terlalu canggih!
Sementara itu, keselesaan tunggangan turut dirungkai menerusi penggunaan Dyamic ESA yang turut terdapat pada model sebelumnya – R1200 GS dan GSA.
Jika pemandu kereta manual risau gelongsor ke belakang ketika di bukit, apatah lagi bagi sebuah bas mini beroda dua dari Jerman ini dan kerana itulah BMW R1250 GS dan GSA didatangkan dengan Hill Start Control yang boleh diaktifkan dengan menekan brek depan dua kali.
Kesemua faktor ini membuatkan BMW R1250 GS layak digunakan sebagai kuda harian apatah lagi penunggang boleh memilih di antara empat mod – Rain, Road, Dynamic dan Enduro – bagi menyesuaikan jentera dengan cara tunggangan masing-masing.
Secara peribadi, kami jatuh cinta dengan mod Dynamic kerana berbanding Rain dan Road, mod ini menyerlahkan lagi kuasa sebenar GS.
Jika ada yang memiliki sifat ingin tahu dan bertanyakan ‘Kenapa tidak menggunakan mod Enduro?’
Jawapan kami, tiada kelapangan untuk membawa kuda liar ini ke permukaan ‘off-road’ tetapi selepas menyaksikan sendiri keupayaan model sebelum ini R1200 GS di GIVI Rimba Raid beberapa minggu lalu kami berpuas hati untuk hanya menjalankan sesi ujian di atas permukaan bertar.
Tidak dapat dinafikan BMW GS merupakan jentera yang mampu merungkai makna motosikal ADV. Meskipun didatangkan dengan harga yang tinggi tetapi kami jangka senario itu langsung tidak akan memberi kesan terhadap pemilik lama dan baharu untuk memastikan model ikonik ini akan terus memalingkan kepala setiap pengguna jalan raya.
BMW Motorrad confirmed their participation in the 2020 FIM Endurance World Championship (FEWC).
They will campaign the new BMW S 1000 RR.
The 2020 season starts next month with the Bol D’Or 24-hour race.
BMW Motorrad confirmed their participation in the 2020 FIM Endurance World Championship (FEWC) with full factory support. They will enter the new BMW S 1000 RR, of course.
BMW’s Big Four Japanese rivals, namely Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki are already enjoying much coverage in the series.
The German factory will join forces with the MRP team, who’ve an extensive record in working with BMW on the world stage. It’s also reported that the team will use Dunlop tyres. However, the rider line-up has yet to be announced. The FEWC is the currently the only world-stage motorcycle racing series which allows tyre manufacturers to compete.
The FIM Endurance World Championship seems to be gaining in popularity lately. This is because the series consists of bikes that are relevant to those you and I can buy at a dealership. Heck, the bikes even have working electric starters and working lights!
On the other hand, MotoGP bikes are fully prototype machines, like Formula 1 in auto racing. While much technology has trickled down to road bikes, components don’t have the same designs and may not necessarily use the same materials. The advertising copywriting may say, “Inspired by our extensive technology in MotoGP racing,” but that’s as far as it goes. Or they could produce something so exotic like the Honda RC213V, yet it’s way out of reach among 99.99999% of us mortals.
What about the World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK)? Forget it. They may look like, feel like and even smell like road bikes but their electronics rival MotoGP.
The 2020 FEWC season begins next month (September) with the Bol d’Or 24-hour race in France, followed by the Eight Hours of Sepang from 13th to 15th December. There will be another three races next year to complete the 2020 championship.
BMW Motorrad has teamed up with Hedon, the London-based luxury helmet maker.
The helmets will be based on BMW’s “legendary colours.”
The maker produces helmets for café racer and modern classic riders.
BMW Motorrad has teamed up with Hedon, the London-based luxury helmet maker.
The multi-year partnership will produce “a new premium range of open-faced helmets,” undoubtedly as the choice for BMW r nine T owners.
The helmet in the picture is apparently the only one at the moment. Hedon has iterated that they will produce helmets based on BMW’s “legendary colours.” This line-up is currently launched for the European market, but it should make its way to Malaysia soon enough.
If you’ve never heard of the name “Hedon,” that’s because they usually produce very high-end helmets for the modern classic and café racer communities. We’ve tried the Hedonist model(courtesy of Biker’s Garage) during the very first Ducati Scrambler Asia Pacific Media Launch in Thailand years ago and came away impressed at not just the colour and design, but the amazing quality, fit and comfort.
Like the Chinese proverb, “One sen price, one sen quality,” you get peanuts if you paid for peanuts. Hedon helmets aren’t cheap but they really mean it when they say “premium.” The quality has to be experienced to be believed.
Hedon’s open-faced and full-faced helmets are ECE 22.05 and DOT certified.
Hedon also makes Cortex bicycle helmets and are currently working on the Zenith helmet to pair with the Arc Vector electric motorcycle.
The new 2019 BMW S 1000 RR has yet to arrive in Malaysia.
The delay is due to the great demand for the M Package S 1000 RR worldwide.
BMW Motorrad is currently working on clearing the supply bottleneck.
Besides the just-launched new 2019 BMW R 1250 GS and GS Adventure, one has to ask where in the world is the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR?
Even we at BikesRepublic.com were hoping to see it launched during the BMW Motorrad Night Fuel Kuala Lumpur lifestyle event a few weeks ago.
Alas, the bike didn’t appear. So, we decided to post the question to BMW Motorrad Malaysia.
Apparently, it turned out that BMW Motorrad’s factory in Munich is overloaded with orders for the “M Package.” Based on the standard S 1000 RR, the M Pakcage adds motorsport paint, carbon fibre wheels, lightweight battery, M Chassis kit which includes rear seat height and swingarm pivot adjustment, sport seat and Pro Mode.
It has to be said that this is the first time BMW Motorrad is offering an M Package for their bikes. BMW cars have had the M option for a long time, in contrast.
It’s due to this demand for the M Package that reduced the number of the standard S 1000 RR.
This delay is worldwide and affects not Malaysia alone.
In any case, you can bet that BMW Motorrad is working to clear the supply bottleneck.
The BMW R nine T/5 commemorates the classic BMW /5 series which made its debut in 1969.
It also happens to be the 50th anniversary of BMW Motorrad’s Berlin Spandau factory.
There are many classic touches and a badge on the bike.
The BMW R nine T/5 commemorates the classic BMW /5 series which made its debut in 1969. It also happens to be the 50th anniversary of BMW Motorrad’s Berlin Spandau factory.
As such, the R nine T/5 is finished in Lupine Blue with white pinstripes and features many other classic touches. They include silver and black finishes smattered throughout the bike, such as the chrome mirrors, exhaust manifolds and silencer.
The seat is reminiscent of the BMW /5 with white lining, grab strap and embossing. The forks are covered with rubber gaiters. The aluminium silver wheels and spokes are definitely vintage looking. The footpegs and fork brace are anodized aluminium. The black knee pads on the fuel tank is a nice classic touch, too.
The R nine T is BMW Motorrad’s modern-classic line-up hence they are modern bikes, of course. There are heated grips, instrumentation that combines classic and modern features, ABS and ASC (Stability Control) are standard.
Sure, one could take a standard R nine T Pure and build it too look exactly like the R nine T/5, but the latter comes with a commemorative badge on the tank.
Baru-baru ini BMW telah mendedahkan perancangan mereka bagi kenderaan elektrik antaranya akan melancarkan 25 kenderaan elektrik menjelang 2023.
Pada masa sama, BMW turut memperkenalkan dua model EV konsep, motosikal Motorrad Vision DC Roadster dan kereta sport BMW Vision M NEXT.
Kedua-dua kenderaan ini ternyata mempamerkan rekaan futuristik dan seakan mendapat inspirasi daripada filem cyberpunk – tidak hairanlah jika kelibat dua jentera ini akan terlihat di beberapa filem akan datang.
Bagaimanapun, seperti semua sedia maklum EV tidak menghasilkan sebarang bunyi daripada enjin.
Justeru, BMW menggunakan khidmat komposer terkenal, Hans Zimmer – yang bertanggungjawab menghasilkan muzik untuk filem Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Interstellar dan Batman v Superman – bagi menghasilkan bunyi khas bagi setiap kenderaan elektrik.
Tindakan ini bukan perkara baharu kerana pengeluar lain, Jaguar atau Harley-Davidson telah pun menghasilkan bunyi khas bagi kenderaan elektrik mereka.
Zimmer bersama-sama pereka bunyi BMW, Renzo Vitale telah menghasilkan bunyi futuristik bagi Bagi BMW Vision M NEXT, yang seakan-akan menyerupai bunyi yang hanya boleh didapati ketika menonton filem Star Wars!
Dengar bunyi yang dihasilkan untuk BMW Vision M NEXT di bawah:
The US National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) published a list of 2020 BMW motorcycles and stirred some intrigue.
A number of popular models are omitted from the list.
They include the S 1000 XR, R nine T Urban G/S and the C 650 scooter.
The US National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) published a list of 2020 BMW motorcycles and stirred some intrigue.
The NHTSA compiles and list the models of motorcycles homologated for the American market in the coming year. But BMW Motorrad’s list seems to hint at upcoming models.
That’s because missing from the list is the S 1000 XR. It may not be seen much on Malaysia roads as the R 1200 GS Adventure and R 1200 GS (soon R 1250 GSA and R 1250 GS) are the most popular models. In America, however, the S 1000 XR is one of the most popular.
One way of seeing it is because the new S 1000 RR superbike has a new engine equipped with ShiftCam variable valve timing technology. As such, the new engine is expected to be grafted to a new S 1000 XR.
However, the naked sport S 1000 R remains on the list and unchanged for 2020. Will there be a new ShiftCam model? You can bet so but maybe for 2021. Or BMW could working on the bike right now and unveil it at Intermot or EICMA later this year.
Other models missing are the F 800 GT sport-tourer and F 800 R roadster. This was expected with the debut of the F 850 GS and F 850 GS Adventure. The two bikes have a new engine with revised firing order, besides being completely new from ground up. Rumours are still surrounding the 9Cento concept on whether it will turn out to be the new F 850 GT or F 850 XR. If there is an F 850 GT/XR, there will definitely be a new F 850 R.
But the omission of the R nine T Urban G/S couldn’t be explained sufficiently. Will the new 1800cc Boxer engine make an appearance in a new Urban G/S-like model?
The C 650 Sport and C Evolution Urban Mobility models (i.e. scooters) are also missing. It’s understandable that the American market doesn’t like scooters.
Anyway, 2020 will be a big year for all manufacturers with the advent of the Euro 5 emission standard. It’s going to be hectic at the Tokyo Motorshow, Intermot and EICMA.
