Max Biaggi and Voxan, an electric streamliner motorcycle team, have been busy last week in France as they went out and set (and break) several world electric speed records onboard the very powerful and very eco-friendly Voxan Wattman streamliner. (more…)
Electric bikes are not known for their ridiculous top speeds as compared to some of the latest superbikes like the BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati Panigale V4, or Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. This bike on the other hand called the Voxan Wattman wants to break that stereotype by breaking the land speed record for the fastest electric motorcycle in the world. (more…)
Sejak diperkenalkan pada Mac tahun lalu di Litar Mugello, kesemua 10 unit Aprilia RSV4 X terjual dalam tempoh beberapa jam.
Menggunakan RSV4 1100 Factory sebagai asas utama, versi edisi terhad ini menghasilkan 225hp dengan berat hanya 165 kilogram!
Jentera ini juga merupakan mesin dua roda sulung yang mengguna pakai gear neutral bawah gear pertama dan kaliper brek Brembo GP4-MS.
Lahir dengan DNA 54 kejuaraan dunia, RSV4 X dibina dengan satu objektif utama, menawarkan prestasi optimum di litar lumba.
Bagi merancakkan lagi penghasilan mesin agung ini, Aprilia turut memilih Malaysia sebagai destinasi Asia sulung untuk ‘tayangan perdana’ Aprilia RSV4 X.
Menariknya, Max Biaggi sendiri akan serlahkan kemampuan jentera istimewa ini di Litar Antarabangsa Sepang, hujung minggu ini.
“Para penunggang yang dapat merasa jentera ini akan menyedari keupayaan keseluruhan sebuah jentera yang lahir untuk litar lumba.
“Saya tunggang jentera ini secara peribadi dan jentera ini sangat-sangat berkuasa, anda akan rasa segalanya menerusi jentera ini.
“Terima kasih kepada jurutera Aprilia kerana menghasilkan mesin ini,” jelas bekas juara dunia MotoGP, Max Biaggi.
Max Biaggi’s Moto3 team, Max Racing, will campaign the 2020 Moto3 season with the newly-launched Husqvarna FR 250 GP.
Husqvarna has made a timely return to grand prix racing, given that the class is as hotly contested as before, and that Max Racing is heading into their second season with Romano Fenati and Alonso Lopez.
Fenati may had been a hothead, but he possesses streaks of raw talent evidenced by his 2nd overall placing in the 2017 Moto3 championship.
Anyway, the FR 250 GP is actually the KTM Moto3 bike. Hardware includes WP suspension and O.Z Racing wheels.
The blue, white and yellow Husqvarna brand is currently under the ownership of KTM through KTM CEO Stefan Bierer’s vision to consolidate two premium off-road brands into one.
While the differences between Husqvarna and KTM motorcycles are just skin (err.. paint) deep, the former does have a number of street models that differ from KTM’s line-up. Take the Svartpilen and Vitpilen, for example.
The biggest question is will we see a road version of the Husqvarna FR 250 GP? Perhaps a road-tuned version with lights. Oh, yes please!
Multiple Grand Prix and World Superbike champion Max Biaggi says he would ride the Aprilia Tuono if he lived in Kuala Lumpur.
Aprilia Malaysia hosted multiple Grand Prix and World Superbike champion and Aprilia brand ambassador Max Biaggi tonight for a meet and greet session with Aprilia owners and fans. The event was held in conjunction with the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix, which begins tomorrow.
Held at The Beach Club, Kuala Lumpur, the event was attended in masse by the Aprilia Central Riding Club (ACRC) who organised a convoy there. They were rewarded with Q&A, autograph and photography sessions with the GP great and WorldSBK legend.
BikesRepublic.com and our sister site, MotoMalaya.net was given an exclusive interview with the GP legend and also the new Aprilia Racing Team CEO Massimo Rivola.
We spoke about Aprilia and the factory’s effort in MotoGP, plus other things, but also we felt that there ought to be a connection from the Aprilia track bike to the road bikes.
Here’s the transcript of the interview:
BikesRepublic.com (BR): You’ve been to Malaysia many times. How often do you visit the country nowadays?
Max Biaggi (MB): I normally only visit once every year. In the past it was two, three times a year because also we did Winter Tests.
BR: What do you think about the country?
MB: It’s cool, you know. It’s one of my favourites since when we were racing in Shah Alam (the Batu Tiga Circuit) a long time ago. It was really, really one of my favourite places.
Even Sepang (International Circuit) which is a much bigger track, it’s a nice place to be.
BR: How has Malaysia changed, in your opinion?
MB: Big difference. Motorsports has really stepped up. I remember 24 years ago, there were no more than 20,000 to 30,000 people watching. But now, the weekend last year was over 100,000. I know there’s a big investment in motorsports and you can see the results now.
BR: Do you come here for holidays?
MB: No, normally for racing activities in January or February to work with Aprilia Malaysia.
BR: How has 2019 for you with your venture into Moto3 (race team)?
MB: This is another part of my life. To be on top of this thing (running a Moto3 team), the first time in the World Championship was very new for me. But I have good people and I can work with them, and we have one of the best riders in Moto3. So, we have an excellent year one. We didn’t win the title, but I didn’t expect that, really. But I see good performances for the rider and team so I’m looking forward to 2020.
BR: If you could’ve done anything differently, what would it be, since it’s the end of the season?
MB: It’s difficult to change something when the thing’s already done. A few changes here and there but nothing really big. Next year will be two riders and again a new story. We’ll see.
BR: We have one very important question — some of our readers are curious to know. If you were living KL (Kuala Lumpur), what motorcycle would you ride?
MB: Whoa, very difficult question! Here I don’t see big bikes very often. Maybe (I’ll ride a scooter). Scooters can be one of the possibilities (the Piaggio group produces many models of scooters – Editor).
But maybe the future here would change and become more like European cities. So, big scooter, big size motorcycles.
BR: If you could choose just one model?
MB: If it was up to me here in KL, I would use the Tuono (Aprilia Tuono V4). It’s because the handlebars are higher, straighter riding position, easier to ride, nice torque. This would be my favourite.
BR: Since you’re not riding competitive anymore? Do you still ride as a leisure activity?
MB: Yes, I use the Aprilia RSV4 X. Aprilia only produced 10 of them. It’s one of the most fun bike to ride — it was the closest to the RSV4 World Superbike but you can use it. When it ride the bike, I ride it only on the track because that’s what I like the most.
BR: Most professional competitive riders don’t ride on the road but they are really fast on the track. Why do you think it’s so?
MB: Maybe it’s because when you became a pro rider, you know the street is not that safe and safety is important. The track has a permanent track, you know the people who you are riding with. Of course it’s nice to travel on a bike. I would use the bike to go travelling far away.
BR: Compared to when you were racing 20 years ago, how has motorsports changed?
MB: Big changes. Here we are it’s gone from two-strokes to four-strokes and bigger bikes, and now the world of electronics. A lot is controlled by electronics. A good electronic system can make difference performance from one bike to the other. The lean angle now is near 70 degrees (from vertical) which 20 years ago you cannot imagine going near that far. But it nice, they do a lot of trick. New riders, new technique but you can always see the same speeds. They compete for the title but are very close.
BR: So, riding has changed and not just the bikes?
MB: Riding style has definitely changed and it’s changed in a good way because they can go faster. If they used the old style, they couldn’t. Also the tyres have changed. Everything’s changed.
BR: A question for (Massimo) Mr. Rivola. How has 2019 been in your opinion?
Massimo Rivola (MR): 2019 has been an interesting year. Really challenging. But I have to say overall it’s a positive year. The good thing that I can say for sure is that I feel a lot of respect for Aprilia. I feel that more and more the respect is increasing.
The history of Aprilia is quite unique and nobody has our history. Thanks to Max, in fact. There’s a hope that our history can come back. My mission is that one, actually.
BR: Coming to Malaysia from four wheels to two wheels (racing), is it the same or is it different… How do you experience Malaysia differently?
MR: My first time in Malaysia was in 2000. It was when the new track was open for Formula 1 racing. In the beginning at the Sepang track the grandstand was not fully occupied and that now, yes. The spirit around MotoGP is even more passionate than Formula 1.
I think motorbikes are closer to spectators and public. The spirit is different. Formula 1 and MotoGP are different but the latter is more special from this point of view.
BR: Maybe it’s because Malaysians love their motorcycles more than their cars?
MB: Yeah maybe almost everybody here rides a scooter or moped or motorbike, but yes it’s something you can see the riders on the bikes up close.
BR: One last question for Max. We are now seeing many riders in Malaysia. Is there any advice that you can give to our riders — those who are casual riders (not racers)?
MB: You can more and more people using bikes in this part of the world than 20 years ago. I see many people come to MotoGP so they passion for the sport. I hope to see them riding big bikes in a few years because this is the way to go up. In Europe and America the bikes are 600cc, 1000cc. They need to try these bikes. If they try they will surely like.
The Aprilia brand name has long been associated with GP racing and as such, Aprilia Malaysia will spice up the 2019 Shell Malaysia MotoGP from 1st to 3rd November even more.
The excitement will begin even before the Free Practice 1 kicks off on the track.
On Thursday, 31st October, there will be a meet and greet session with GP legend and Aprilia ambassador Massimiliano ‘Mad Max’ Biaggi. He will also host a an autograph and photography session for fans. The event will be held at The Beach Club, Kuala Lumpur starting from 7.30 pm.
It marks the first time an Aprilia meet and greet event will be held in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Besides that, members of the Aprilia Central Riders Club (ACRC) will convoy to the venue to show their support.
To further enhance Aprilia riders’ MotoGP experience, this year’s Aprilia Tribune is located at the prestigious Rooftop Paddock, where refreshments will be provided. The 200 tickets allocated to Aprilia riders have been sold out. The participants will convoy from the Gasket Alley to the Sepang International Circuit on race day, 3rd November 2019.
The Aprilia booth at MotoGP will be the first for the brand’s custodian in Malaysia. As such, there will be a welcome centre.
Fans will get the chance to meet and greet Aprilia MotoGP riders there:
The booth will also feature the full range of Aprilia merchandise such as shirts, caps, umbrellas, keychains, pass holders, backpacks and so forth.
What’s a booth without the bikes, right? Attendees will witness the new 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory and for the first time, the 2019 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory which features electronically-controlled semi-active suspension (SAS). Max Biaggi’s infamous RS250 and Sandro Cortesese’s RSA125 GP bikes will also be on display. Fans will also see Andrea ‘The Maniac’ Iannone’s HJC RPHA 11 race helmet for the first time in Malaysia.
Max Biaggi took delivery of the Aprilia RSV4 X and rode it immediately at the Mugello circuit.
“Tackling the corners at Mugello astride the RSV4 X is always a fantastic thrill. On this bike, the sensations are exactly like those of a racing bike and, as soon as I got on it, I felt like I had never quit racing,” said Biaggi in the press release. (Note the different swingarm on Biaggi’s bike.)
Aprilia is currently handing over the ultra-exotic and ultra-limited RSV4 X to only 10 lucky owners. Another MotoGP rider, Andrea Iannone is set to receive his shortly.
The RSV4 X commemorates Aprilia’s 10th anniversary in World Superbike (WorldSBK) racing, hence limiting it to only 10 units. But it isn’t just another lightly enhanced model with anniversary colours. Like Biaggi said, the bike is as close to a WorldSBK racer as you could get.
That heavenly sounding 1078cc V4 engine produces 225 hp hp and carries a bike that weighs only 165 kg (dry). that 1.36 hp to 1 kg in terms of power-to-weight ratio.
Aprilia engineers removed 26 kg from the RSV4 1100 Factory by lightening a number of components, fitting carbon fibre bodywork, installing a lighter fuel tank and utilizing a titanium Akrapovic exhaust system.
To increase power, the RSV4 X’s engine features new intake camshaft, valve return springs, bucket tappets and more aggressive cam profiles. The ECU was also updated.
But perhaps the most important feature is its gear shift pattern. Instead of the normal 1-N-2-3-4-5-6, the Aprilia uses a fully race N-1-2-3-4-5-6 pattern. Called the Aprilia No Neutral (ANN) shift, the manufacturer reports that it cuts the time to shift from 1st to 2nd gear and eliminates catching a false neutral. It’s the first time such a pattern is used in a roadbike.
Hey, how about featuring it in ALL roadbikes?!
Handling braking duties are the Brembo GP4-MS front brake calipers, clamping down on Brembo T-Drive discs.
The bike cost £39,900 (RM 205,225) a pop.
You lucky buggers!
Yes, THAT Max Biaggi. The ex-MotoGP and WorldSBK star will attempt to break the electric motorcycle speed record.
Biaggi will ride the Wattman (as in “Watts”, geddit?) by Voxan Motors. Voxan is currently preparing the bike for Biaggi to ride at the Bolivian salt flats.
The current record is held by Jim Hoogerhyde who rode the electric Lightning SB-220 (close cousin of the LS-218). Hoogerhyde took the Lightning to 327.608 km/h (203.56 mph). Voxan and Biaggi are aiming for at least 330 km/h (205 mph) to break the old record and set a new mark.
Biaggi is the ambassador to Voxan’s parent company, Venturi since 2018.
“When my friend Gildo Pastor (Venturi’s president) came to me with his plan for the world land speed record and the Voxan Wattman, I was obviously going to say yes. Gildo is both an expert and a pioneer in the field of electric mobility. Under his impetus, Venturi Automobiles has set a number of records and marked a host of world firsts,” said the charismatic race, also known as “Mad Max.”
Voxan is the direct competitor to performance motorcycle makers Lightning and Energica. They claim the Wattman as the most powerful electric bike in the world. The motor produces 200 hp and 200 Nm of torque, compared to the Lightning LS-218’s 200 hp and 228 Nm. The Wattman can hit 160 km/h in 5.9 seconds.
Even the beastly 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 needed 5.2 seconds to go from 0 to 160 km/h.
Other than brute power, the Wattman can charge from 0 to 80% in less than 30 minutes, and has a range of 180 km.
Multiple World 250cc GP and World Superbike Champion, Max Biaggi, witnessed the grand opening of the new Aprilia 3S Centre in Malaysia by Didi Resources Sdn. Bhd. The new 3S centre is located at The Gasket Alley.
The brand’s owners and fans alike will definitely welcome the launch, as they now have a new place to call home.
“We are honoured to be given the trust and responsibility to manage Aprilia, a renowned brand under the Piaggio Group of Companies. The trust comes one year after we re-introduced Moto Guzzi in Malaysia,” said Mr. Rewi Hamid Bugo, Chairman of Didi Resources.
Mr. Rewi continued, “We will continue to invest in aftersales improvements and value-added services to the ownership experience like trackdays, racing support, rides and gatherings that is niche and unique to the brand’s owners.”
The grand launch also witnessed the signing of MOU’s between three dealers and Didi Resources. They are Welly World Cycle (Sungai Buloh), Sheng Fatt Superbike (Penang) and Soon Hin Co. (Kuantan).
Afterwards, Max Biaggi would then unveil the Aprilia brand box later, before he was given a tour of the facilities. Aprilia and Moto Guzzi Malaysia’s Head of Aftersales, Idon Pang guided Biaggi through the workshop and showroom.
Festivities continued with Biaggi autographing the showroom’s plaque before continuing on to autographing items of interest for fans.
Current Aprilia MotoGP riders Aleix Espargaro and Scott Redding joined the party later and continued the autograph session.
The new Aprilia 3S Centre is located at The Gasket Alley, Lot 15, 13, Jalan 13/6, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
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