Motorcycle news, Motorcycle reviews from Malaysia, Asia and the world

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

New Ducati Panigale 959 Spied!

A new Ducati Panigale 959 was spotted undergoing road tests recently.
The new bike retains a V-Twin engine instead of a V-Four.
The test mule features a single-sided swingarm.

A new Ducati Panigale 959 was spotted undergoing road tests recently.

While all the ruckus and fanfare surround the Ducati Panigale V4, the Italian marque has not forgotten the baby Panigale 959.

It may sound like a broken record but updating the Panigale 959 is in time for Euro 5 which set to come into force in 2020. Spotting this test mule also confirms that Ducati is sticking with the 90^o V-Twin (which Ducati calls it “L-Twin”) instead of a sleeved-down V-Four.

The current 959 is already a hoot to ride, given its 157 hp and 168 kg dry weight, so the new bike should be even more awesome. Rumours has it that the new Superquadro engine ought to produce in the regions of 170 hp.

Its styling mimics the V4’s, with a more rounded nose and larger “eyes.”

However, the most apparent update is the conventional swingarm being ditched for a single-sided one.

We noticed another interesting thing about this test mule, too. It’s running without exhaust silencers! Now, don’t get your knickers in a knot because the production bike must have silencers.

We should able to see the new Ducati Panigale 959 at Intermot or EICMA later this year.

Source and photo: Ride Apart

Randy Mamola to Race the IndianxWorkhorse Scout Bobber

Grand Prix legend Randy will race this IndianxWorkhorse Scout Bobber in the upcoming Sultans of Sprint series.
Indian Motorcycle and Workhorse Speedshop modified an Indian Scout Bobber.
It’ll celebrate 100 years of the Indian Scout.

Grand Prix legend Randy Mamola will race this IndianxWorkhorse Scout Bobber in the upcoming Sultans of Sprint series.

The bike started out as an Indian Scout Bobber and transformed into the “Appaloosa” for the drag race. The collaboration aims to celebrate Indian’s 100 years of the Scout.

To achieve that end, Indian Motorcycle and Workhorse Speedshop installed a dustbin fairing besides installing a longer swingarm. The fuel tank was also modified to be slimmer hence holds only 2.5 litres – enough for a drag race.

The swingarm is controlled by Ohlins suspension items such as STX 36 piggyback shock absorbers. The forks are Retro 43.

There is also an increase in engine power thanks to an Akrapovic exhaust, racing ECU, Power Commander, direct intake and NOS. The bike is rated at 130 rear-wheel horsepower (approximately 150 hp at the crank). The belt final drive was swapped for a chain. A quickshifter has been added, too.

There are four 230mm brake discs utilizing the Beringer 4D system.

The Sultans of Sprint is basically a hooligan-style drag race series. It’ll be fun to see Randy Mamola competing on the bike, for sure.

GIVI Fields I. Jeremais in Rimba Raid

GIVI will field I. Jeremais in the upcoming Rimba Raid 2019 at Mat Daling.
He has competed in numerous editions of the Dakar Rally for HRC.
We will ride the new Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and XC.

GIVI will field I. Jeremais in the upcoming Rimba Raid 2019 at Mat Daling.

As Malaysia’s premier adventure and dual-sport event, Rimba Raid has grown from strength to strength due to the hard work of Dato’ Capt. Nik Huzlan and his team. As of last year’s rally raid event at Mat Daling, almost 200 competitors from around world signed up. It was also the first year in which GIVI played the role as the main supporter.

GIVI is repeating that role in this year’s Rimba Raid. However, it promises to be something more special as the Italian motorcycle luggage, accessories and rider gear maker is organizing their prestigious annual adventure here in Malaysia. The ride will tour West Malaysia and ending at Rimba Raid.

Jeremais will ride along with the participants in the adventure and continue on to join Rimba Raid as a competitor.

Jeremais hails from Chile, the site of the Dakar Rally in recent years. As such, he has competed in the world’s toughest rally in more than one occasion with the factory Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) team. His best finish was fourth place.

He will be riding the new Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE in the GIVI adventure ride, before switching to a specially-prepared Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC in Rimba Raid, resplendent in GIVI colours.

Ernie Vigil had just ridden the Scrambler 1200 XE to a fifth-placed finish among dedicated dirtbikes in the Mexican 1000 rally.

Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond Edition Coming to Malaysia

The Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond Edition will soon arrive in Malaysia.
The model commemorates the 60^thyear of the 1959 Bonneville T120.
Only 4 units are available from mid-June in Malaysia.

The Triumph Bonneville T120 Diamond Edition will soon arrive in Malaysia.

The model commemorates the 60^thanniversary of the legendary 1959 Bonneville T120. It replaced the equally legendary TR6 which won many races including the Baja rally and was the bike used in “The Great Escape.”

At the time, the Bonneville T120 was one of the fastest production motorcycles on the planet. It already hit 115 mph (185 km/h) in stock form while slight modifications would see 120 mph (193 km/h) or more. That was how its “T120” name was derived.

As such, the current Bonnie T120 Diamond Edition carries many important features, such as:

Premium one-off Snowdonia White and Aluminium Silver “Union Flag” paint scheme on the fuel tank.
Unique Bonneville T120 “Diamond” side panel branding.
Chrome 4-bar Triumph badges on the fuel tank.
Chrome engine covers and badges.
Chrome chain guard.

It’s not just a matter of a pretty paint scheme and chrome, however. Only 900 will ever be built. Each bike will be accompanied by a numbered certificate, signed by Triumph CEO, Nick Bloor himself.

Only four are available in Malaysia from mid-June 2019. Please follow Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia for more updates.

Shadowfax “Crossing the Borders” Ride – Harley-Davidson Group Rides to Vietnam

Shadowfax MC continues their adventures, this time to Vietnam.
The group will cross into Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
More than 30 Harley riders showed up at Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya to send off the group.

Shadowfax MC pushed off for their “Crossing the Borders” ride to Vietnam on the Harley-Davidson motorcycles yesterday.

We chatted with the President of Shadowfax Motorcycle Club, Dato’ Anand in March this year. Dato’ told us that the group is planning to ship their bikes to Japan to ride there this month.

However, the ride to Japan is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. But instead of wasting the time away, a number of members decided to ride to Vietnam.

Speaking to BikesRepublic.com, Dato’ Anand and several of his accompanying buddies told us of their plans. The ride started from Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya at The Gasket Alley. The riders will first cross into Thailand and into Bangkok, Thailand. From there, they will head east into Cambodia and visit Angkor Wat in Siam Riep for two days before riding all the way to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

“We will be visiting the local Harley-Davidson dealerships along the way. It’s a great way to show our goodwill,” said Dato’. “There will also be other bikers who will meet us and ride with us for some distance.”

What about the often-stormy weather these days?

“No problem, we are bikers and we will continue to ride in spite of whatever weather condition,” said Mr. Kumar.

The group will also ride without a support vehile. All the emergency tools and fixes are carried along.

BikesRepublic.com wishes the Shadowfax a safe and fun ride to and back.

MotoGP 2019: Marc Marquez Wins Honda’s 300th Victory

Marc Marquez rode a commanding race to claim the 300^thvictory for Honda.
He was challenged earlier by Jack Miller but never looked back after regaining the lead.
Honda had found more power in the engine.

Marc Marquez put on another dominating show at the French MotoGP 2019 to claim Honda’s 300^thvictory in the premier class.

Marquez had crashed multiple times over the weekend, including sliding off the track on Saturday after setting the pole position time in qualifying.

It turns out that Honda has given the four-time world champion more power from the engine wrapped in the 2019 chassis. According to the Spanish rider, it has allowed him to do away with risky late and hard braking. Consequently, he could use the softest tyre option in the race at the legendary Le Mans circuit.

“Last year we just tried to find the lap time on the brake point. This year maybe we lose a little on the brake point, but we gain in other areas and this is the right way because always the brake point means risk. And risk means it’s difficult to be constant,” he said when interviewed.

Jack Miller had challenged Marquez in the opening stages, but the Australian faded to finish third. Andrea Dovizioso moved in second at the finish line.

The world champion now leads the 2019 MotoGP championship table despite crashing out at Austin. Andrea Dovizioso is relegated to second ahead of Alex Rins.