The Yamaha MT-09 has been a popular model for those who seek an aggressive bike and exciting riding experience ever since it was launched in Malaysia a few years back, and a facelift or upgrade has been expected to be forthcoming.
Well, wait no more because Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn. Bhd. (HLYM) has launched the new Yamaha MT-09 tonight. Dato’ Jim Khor, the Managing Director of HLYM calls the new bike, “The Ultimate Street Fighter.”
Looking even more aggressive and radical than when its predecessor first hit the roads., the new model was inspired by its bigger brother, the MT-10.
Dato’ Jim continued, “Arrival of the new MT-09 marks another significant milestone for Yamaha towards its aspiration of becoming the desired lifestyle and recreation motor vehicle brand.
The engine is still the proven liquid-cooled, 847cc, inline-Triple but has now been hotted up with:
The most striking features of the new MT-09 however, are the new LED headlights and taillights, leaner and sharper overall styling and components. HLYM will offer the new MT-09 in two colours called Night Fluo (Grey) and Tech Black. It will be available from Yamaha Big Bike authorized dealers from February 2018.
HLYM has set the selling price at a competitive RM 47,388 (inclusive of 6% GST but not on-the-road).
HLYM also previewed the Yamaha Xmax 250 during the event. It is slated to be officially launched in March 2018, and no price has been provided yet.
PICTURE GALLERY
Ask around about how to break in your new bike and you’ll come across 101 answers. Which correct? Which is wrong?
Let’s start with the owner’s manual.
It usually specifies that you shouldn’t ride above a certain RPM within the first 1000 km, while also mentioning that you should vary your engine speed, not ride at a certain speed for long periods of time, and drag the engine in a certain gear.
Honestly, there’s nothing wrong by what the manufacturer recommends, but the way it’s written seems to suggest that one should over-coddle the engine. One way to look at this is because the manufacturers want you to take it easy and learn the new bike’s traits. That’s true statistically, as most crashes happen to riders who have just taken delivery of their new bikes.
However, there are a couple of things one should do to really break the engine in correctly. All of us want the engine to last a long time, produce good power and not burn oil.
Idling the engine for many minutes is bad.
While it’s true that fuels these days are relatively low in sulfur, especially the Euro 4 RON 97M variety, some gaseous residue may be left over just as you shut off the engine. Left overnight, the combustion chamber cools down and a little bit of water starts to condensate on the metal parts inside the combustion chamber. This water will then mix with the sulfur gases and produce traces of sulfuric acid.
What does acid do to metal?
Idling will not produce enough pressure to blow this harmful mixture out. Plus, oil circulates better under load.
Additionally and contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend 10 to 20 minutes to warm it up since our climate’s ambient temperature averages 28o to above 30o C, unlike in Mat Salleh countries.
The best way, then, is to start up and ride off but do so gently. Remember, GENTLY. We’re breaking in the bike, not breaking it. To give it full throttle now will have your bike screaming “overhaul!”
Avoid using constant, droning throttle and speed for the first few hundred kilometres. Varying the amount of throttle will produce both positive and negative pressures in the combustion chamber to seat the piston rings properly.
Correctly seated rings will consequently provide a proper seal, reducing combustion gas blow by (leaking past the compression rings) and oil consumption (leaking past the bottom oil control ring).
I’ve personally met a couple owners who found their new bikes either 1) “eating oil” and smoking or 2) lacks power after breaking in. Both happen because they kept using constant throttle. Constant throttle will coat the cylinder walls with a varnish and couldn’t seat the piston rings. To address this, they will need to rebore their cylinders (overhaul!) and repeat the break in process.
It’s easy to think about not over-revving but you’d need to remember to no under-revving it, too.
You could ride through the gears up to 50% of the redline (i.e. 5,000 RPM if the redline is at 10,000 RPM) for the first 100 km, then up to 75% throttle for the remainder is good practice, in line with varying the amount of throttle you use.
Additional point: There are veterans and experts who recommended that you could redline the engine for the last 100 km just before the first 1000 km service. You may also apply this technique to allow the oil to flush break in debris into the sump.
Don’t ever miss the especially crucial first service, which is usually at 1000 km.
The oil will contain bits of metal shavings from the engine, transmission and clutch when they break in, which needs to be removed.
Do also keep in mind that the brakes and tyres similarly need breaking in, too. Vary your speed and loads to break them in, just like the engine. However, do keep a safe margin for the first 500 km.
Aprilia Racing Team Gresini properly unveils 2016 Aprilia RS-GP bike with new livery. (more…)
Rumour has it that Norton plans to bring to market a 200hp V4-powered sport bike, similar to the SG models that have been raced at the Isle of Man TT.
Adding to the good news is that the sketches of the bike are finally out, a few sources have managed to talk to Norton’s Head of Design, Simon Skinner, about the new model and Norton’s future.
According to Skinner, the new superbike will have a 1,200cc V4 engine that makes over 200hp. The machine is supposed to go head-to-head with the 1,285cc v-twin of the Ducati 1299 Panigale – though obviously won’t be sanctioned in any superbike racing class.
It is said that Norton’s engine will be developed by Ricardo Motorcycles, and will take cues from British car marques like Aston Martin and other designs in the British F1 corridor that Norton is situated in.
Besides this beast, other models in the pipeline according to Norton are a 650cc parallel-twin sport bike, which is said to re-think the segment, as well as a rumored electric model.
That said, we expect Norton to shed more light on the upcoming models in the near future. Meanwhile, let us feast our eyes on the sketch of the upcoming machine.
An Indonesian source is reporting that Kawasaki are developing a new performance-oriented 250cc four-cylinder engine with a supposed picture proving said rumour.
No doubt about it, 2011 Yamaha 135LC with 5-speed will definitely come to Malaysia soon. Very soon.
I have asked one of the management of Yamaha dealer in Malaysia about the 5-speed 135LC, and the reply is positive as he said that it is on test now. But, when I asked when it is going to be launched, he said that he don’t know about it yet.
One of my friend also have gone to HLYM in Sungai Buloh twice and asked about the availability of this bike, and again, the reply is positive as he said that this bike is on test.
Further last week, I have asked my friend at SCK Motor the same thing and he said that one of the SCK Motor rider in Malaysian Cub Prix has test this bike.
Today, I have found the pictures of the Yamaha 135LC 5-speed on test in PLUS highway at the best Yamaha 135LC forum page at yamahat135.com.
So, starts saving your money to get your hands on the first model of the 5-speed 135LC! I think at least RM2500 is needed for the down payment. Price is estimated(my estimation) at RM6900 for the auto-clutch. This bike is rumoured to be launched on Mac, April or May 2011.
My million thanks to whom who have taken this snapshot.
3 more pictures after the jump (more…)
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