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Tissot to be official MotoGP timekeeper until 2022

Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP announced yesterday that watchmaker Tissot will remain as the official timekeeper for the championship until 2022.

It is said that the partnership, which began in 2001, will allow Tissot to gain significant exposure at each race via trackside advertising and enhanced TV visibility across global media outlets, plus it will also benefit from a large presence in the MotoGP official social media pages and in the Hospitality area with special experiences.

François Thiébaud, Tissot President, said, “The spirit and focus on excellence that MotoGP embodies perfectly reflects Tissot’s spirit. We are therefore very proud to continue our successful partnership with MotoGP^TM. These new timepieces in tribute to them, celebrate this relationship and position as Official Timekeeper. We remain committed to providing absolute accuracy.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports Chief Executive Officer, said, “These new watches speak of the high quality of their work. We can always rely on our Official Timekeeper for perfect precision. At Dorna Sports, we are extremely proud to have extended MotoGP’s long and productive relationship with Tissot until 2022. It has proven to be the perfect partnership over the last 14 years, and we look forward to continue to develop and grow together until 2022.”

Currently, there are two timepieces which have been infused with the dynamism of the MotoGPrace – the Tissot T-Race MotoGP Automatic Limited Edition 2016 and the Tissot T-Race MotoGP Limited Edition 2016.

Video: New 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R in detail

After our extensive launch report, you’d think you already know everything you need to about the new and massively upgraded 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. However, Kawasaki doesn’t think so, explaining its newly released video below that details the brand’s flagship superbike in all its glory.

To cut things short, what Kawasaki have done was essentially taking the vast input from its World Superbike Championship (WSBK) team’s riders and engineers in the superbike’s development, resulting in the creation of one of its most potent machines ever.

You could say that the new ZX-10R has leaped ahead of its predecessors significantly, and you could perhaps measure that in lightyears if needed. But, lets not forget the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R’s core mission, which is to grant the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) with a strong machine to defend its WSBK title in the coming years.

The full upgrade package starts with an uprated powerplant that’s caged within a revised chassis that boasts built-in resonance chambers and a longer swingarm. The follow up to that is the redesigned exterior with improved aerodynamic stability as well.

However, one of its most critical new gains lies in its generously upgraded electronics, the icing of said cake though being the Bosch IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) that ties all the systems together.

Then comes some of the impressive new hardware starting with the production bike debut of the adjustable Showa Balance Free Front Fork system featuring gas-charged tubes. Complementing those further are the adoptions of new radially mounted Brembo monobloc calipers up front that grabs a pair of larger 330mm rotors that is tasked with the bulk of arresting this superbike to a halt.

Check out the video from Kawasaki we posted above and revel in this precision instrument of speed and aerodynamic in all its green glory. Alternatively, you could also read our extensive report here.

Source: Kawasaki via YouTube

BMW Motorrad concludes GS Trophy Southeast Asian qualifier

BMW Motorrad recently hosted the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy Southeast Asia Qualifier 2015, which was basically an adventure motorcycle rally competition to select the representatives from Southeast Asia who will compete at the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2016 competition in Chiang Mai, Thailand next year.

Held over the weekend of October 30th through to November 1, 2015, the competition was also organised in conjunction with the BMW Motorrad Days Thailand 2015 motorcycle festival.

Judged by GS Trophy icon and organiser Tomm Wolf, the qualifying round tested riders on their riding skills and strategies to successfully complete a series of obstacles over a specially designed Enduro course.

All participants were required to complete a total of 20 exercices, which were divided into two sessions. While the first session had 11 exercises, the second session had a total of nine.

This year, six Malaysian competitors took part in the Southeast Asian Qualifier of the GS Trophy. They were Dr. Suhaimi Bin Said, Dato Hamzah Bin Mazlan, Eimran Ben Jettey, Mohd.Faizal Sukree, Khaizatul Akmar Binti Zabidin, and Mohd Aswade Bin Ali.

After completing all the challenges, Mohd.Faizal Sukree, who rode a BMW F650GS, emerged victorious with the highest amount of points, followed by Dr.Suhaimi Bin Said who was astride an R1200GS. Coming in at third was Dato Hamzah Bin Mazlan, who was also riding a BMW F650GS.

However, only the highest scoring participant, Mohd.Faizal will be representing Malaysia in the global BMW Motorrad GS Trophy next year in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Joining the Malaysian from this region will be Mr. Peerapat Woratham from Thailand, and Tommy Lee from Singapore among other participants from other nations.

According to BMW Motorrad, the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy next year will have 19 teams representing their countries including an all-women special team.

The International GS Trophy, which has been organized once every two years since 2008 – has seen BMW GS riders from numerous countries around the world come together to engage in sporting competition not just on a motorcycle but in a wide range of other disciplines as well.

Win a free roadtrip for you and a friend with Shell Advance

Shell Advance has initiated a new and exciting social media-based photo contest tailored specifically for Malaysian bikers called the Shell Advance #Advance2Langkawi contest. In this contest, entrants will stand a chance to win an all-expenses paid biking road trip of a lifetime for both themselves and one lucky friend.

The winner and the friend will get to ride their own bike with a free service including the change of lubricants to Shell Advance products and the change of the oil filter.

The destination is the exotic island of Langkawi with some stops along the way.

Accommodation is of course provided and fuel throughout the entire journey will be juiced by Shell.

To participate in the Shell Advance #Advance2Langkawi contest, all you need to do is submit the most creative photo of your most memorable biking moment onto your social media handles during the contest period – 23 October 2015 to 31 December 2015. Here are the steps:

Step 1:
Snap of photo of your most memorable road trip moment.
Step 2:
Post your photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with a creative caption and tag it using the #Advance2Langkawi hashtag.
Step 3:
Remember to set your photo post privacy to “public” so contest judges can view it easily.

(Terms and Conditions applicable)

With these simple and easy steps, you might just win yourself the grand prize of an all-expenses paid biking roadtrip to Langkawi for you and a friend. The contest will reward just five winners for the grand prize so hurry and get your postings up.

Contest terms and regulations can be viewed via this link. Further information about the Shell Advance #Advance2Langkawi campaign and its other products and services are available via Shell’s official Malaysian website.

Video: Ducati teases mysterious new model

The annual EICMA show is happening later this month in just over two weeks, but this did not stop Ducati from releasing a new teaser video for one of its reported nine new models that will debut during the show. The dark and stylised video does not reveal much, but we can somewhat make out shape of the bike’s tank along with bits and pieces of its rear lights.

Despite the video’s dark silhouette masking, the visible tank shape has lead us to believe that this could be the rumoured belt-driven cruiser off-shoot of the brand’s Diavel supercruiser. Furthermore, the bike’s tagline of “This is style” suggest a non-performance edge with the product, and we assume it could be more of lifestyle bike if anything.

Nevertheless, we have no doubts that this is one of the nine new models the brand will reportedly showcase during the show. Amongst them are the new Monster 1200 R and the Diavel Carbon. Also rumoured to be part of this nine-model line-up are possibly two new Scrambler Ducati models.

EICMA 2015 opens its doors to the press later this month on November 17 and 18. However, Ducati will be hosting its on private premier on November 16. The brand will also the event online and you can the details here.

Sources: Ducati via Visordown and YouTube

Husqvarna 701 Enduro variant introduced

After much anticipation, Husqvarna has finally announced the addition of the 701 Enduro off-road variant to the 701 Supermoto model lineup.

All set to go on sale later this month, the Husqvarna 701 Enduro will be powered by the same 690cc single-cylinder engine in the supermoto version, which is capable of churning out a maximum output of 67hp.

Fitted with a 13-litre fuel tank, the Husqvarna 701 Enduro also comes with a chromium-molybdenum steel trellis frame. As much as the damping department is concerned, there are the WP 4CS forks fitted in front, and WP shocks at the rear; both providing 275mm of travel.

A 21-inch front wheel and 18 inch rear wheel replace the 17 inch items on the 701 Supermoto, with Continental TKC80s providing the grip off road.

It is said that the bike will also feature a dual-spark ignition system, ride-by-wire with different riding modes, ABS system, the ATSC slipper clutch, and use a SOHC setup.

Expected to weigh between 140 to 150kg, the Husqvarna 701 Enduro, which is basically a rebadged KTM 690 Enduro R, is set to go on sale in Europe later this month.