KTM Malaysia CKD recently invited us, and our colleagues at BikesRepublic.com to join in on its special ride to Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. The ride took place on Saturday and was organised especially by the Austrian brand’s Kedah-based local assembly arm together with the KTM CKD Owners Club.

Up to 120 bikes took part in the mass convoy ride, comprised mostly of the Austrian brand’s two most popular CKD models – the Duke nakeds and RC supersport series. The firm had previously hosted plenty of group rides over the last few years, with this latest one to Port Dickson being its third for this year. Also present in this ride were the KTM Dukers club and its various chapters hailing from all parts of peninsula.  (more…)

Reigning Underbone 130cc champion, Gupita Kresna returned to his true form as the Indonesian rider blazed to the top of the Underbone 130cc timesheets. The Manual Tech Rextor representative logged the quickest lap of 1’21.624s on his second lap in the sixth session.

His compatriot, Ferlando Herdian (BKMS Indonesia Racing Team) was second fastest overall with 1’21.836s while Azhar Abdul Jalil (Yamaha YY Pang) recorded 1’22.144s.

Lastly Patis Chooprathet ended Day Two on a high as the Thai native claimed the best lap on Day Two in the Suzuki Asian Challenge. Patis recorded his best lap of 1’28.067s in the morning session ahead of his Indonesian rivals, Adhi Chandra and Andreas Gunawan who timed 1’28.109s and 1’28.201s.  (more…)

Akeno Speed Racing’s Makoto Inagaki got off to a rapid start as he opened Day One of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship pre-season test fastest ahead of Mohd Zamri Baba (Musashi Boon Siew Honda Racing) and Ahmad Yudhistira  (Manual Tech Kawasaki) at the Sepang Circuit.

The Japanese rider topped the SuperSports 600cc timesheets after logging in 1’06.139s in the first session, outpacing his Honda and Kawasaki rival by 0.012 seconds and 0.033 seconds respectively.

Wrapping up the top five for the day were Tomoyoshi Koyama (T Pro Yuzy Honda NTS) and M.Fadli (Astra Honda Racing Team) with 1’06.477s and 1’06.548s respectively.  (more…)

The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is set to get underway when the 2015 teams and riders converge at the Sepang International Circuit for the official pre-season test starting from April 1 to 3.

Following the three-month break since the 2014 season concluded last December, the upcoming test will give teams and riders the perfect opportunity to sample their respective machines and off-season developments, with hopes of finding better pace ahead of the opening round that will take place at the same circuit two-weeks after the test.

Adding on to the excitement, the 20th edition of the ARRC looks set to be the most exciting season yet as the championship will introduce two new classes to run alongside the existing SuperSports 600cc, Underbone 130cc and Asia Dream Cup categories.  (more…)