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

Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2025, Continuing the Tradition

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2025 continues its tradition in raising awareness for men’s health, here in Malaysia and the world over. DGR, in its short form, also continues to be sponsored by Triumph Motorcycles worldwide.

Several Malaysian cities took part, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Melaka, Johor Bahru, Bintulu, Kota Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Sandakan, Sibu, and also Genting Highlands.

The ride began on Saturday, 17th May when another group rode from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka. There were two groups on Sunday, 18th May: One congregated at Triumph Motorcycles Petaling Jaya, and another began from the Balai Seni Negara at Jalan Tun Razak.

The ride welcomed any motorcycle make and model, while most riders dressed up in the dapper gear. It was all for a good cause.

From there, both groups rode to the Xintiandi Genting parking lot. Some 207 riders registered formally and donated USD1,533 (RM6585). The event in Penang recorded 602 registrations, who donated a total of USD2,075 (RM8913.16).

We shall let the pictures do the talking and see you in DGR 2026.

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2025 QJMotor AX200 Launched, from RM7,988

Another motorcycle launched was the 2025 QJMotor AX200 scooter. Its selling price begins from RM7,988.00.

The AX200 is an urban scooter, with a sporty outlook, which rivals the Yamaha NVX.

Highlights:

175cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, 4-valve engine which produces 17.0 hp (13.0 kW) at 8,500 RPM and 15.2 Nm at 6,500 RPM.
Front suspension utilizes telescopic forks, while there are oil-damped twin shock absorbers at the back.

230mm single brake disc up front, 220mm disc at the back.
Dual-channel ABS and TCS are standard.

Both front and rear wheels are 14-inches.
10-litre fuel tank.

Curb weight of 127 kg.
LCD screen.

LED lighting.

The 2025 QJMotor AX200 is available in three colours namely Grey, Moon Blue, and Sand Brown.

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2025 CFLite 250NK Launched in Malaysia, from RM9,888

Another motorcycle launched last night was the 2025 CFLite 250NK, with an attractive selling price starting from RM9,888.00.

It is a lightweight naked/roadster from CFMoto, sharing the silhouette of its bigger NK cousins. There are some similar design cues of the KTM 250 Duke, too, since CFMoto shares the same design agency, Kiska, with KTM.

Highlights:

249cc, single-cylinder, DOHC engine which produces 27.5hp (20.5 kW) at 9,750 RPM and 22 Nm at 7,500 RPM.

Suspension consists of telescopic forks in front, and a monoshock at the back.
A single 292mm brake disc up front, serviced by a 4-piston caliper.

The rear brake uses a 220mm disc, with a sliding 1-piston caliper.
Dual-channel ABS is standard.

12.5-litre fuel tank.
158 kg curb weight.

795mm seat height.
LED lighting.

Type-A and Type-C USB chargers.

The 2025 CFLite 250NK is available in Bordeaux Red, Nebula Black, Nebula White, and Zephyr Blue.

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2025 SYM ADXTG 400 Arrives in Malaysia, From RM29,888

The 2025 SYM ADXTG 400 adventure scooter that we tested in Taiwan recently has been officially launched in Malaysia. MForce Bike Sdn. Bhd. set its selling price from RM29,888.

The bike boasts a whole range of features that would rival some bigger motorcycles, not to mention its peers in the same category.

Read about our SYM ADXTG 400 first ride review here.

Highlights:

399cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-valve engine with Hyper VVS, which produces 34.5 HP (27.5 kW) at 7,000 RPM, and 37.0 Nm at 5,500 RPM.
The Hyper VVS (variable valve system) provides optimum torque at both low and higher RPMs.

The engine features twin counterbalancers on the bottom of both sides of the cylinder block to rid of engine vibrations.
A new frame developed from the MAXSYM TL touring scooter, which allows for large luggage space in addition to a great handling motorcycle.

41mm upside-down forks up front with a centrally-mounted monoshock at the rear.
The monoshock acts through a linkage and is mated to a beautifully polished aluminium swingarm.

A single 275mm disc is up front, gripped by a radially-mounted four-piston caliper, while the rear is a 233mm disc.
TCS and ABS by Bosch are standard, and the TCS and rear ABS function can be deactivated for off-road use.

The front wheel is 15-inches, while the rear is 14-inches. They are beautifully cast and uses thin wall construction to save weight.
Other features include a bright and sharp colour LCD panel, which is just as good as a TFT display.

Reversible handlebar clamp, allowing you to set your preferred reach.
Smart key system.

32-litre underseat storage space, which can fit an XXL-sized full-face helmet.
The seat’s lock is at the front, and the seat flips up toward the back to allow for better access.

Adjustable windscreen, adjustable over 92mm in two positions.
Handguards and under engine bash plate.

Speaking of rivals, the 2025 SYM ADXTG 400 will definitely give the Zontes 368G a run for its money. Also in the same segment is the Honda ADV350.

The ADXTG 400 is available in three colours, namely Dark Grey, Grey, and White.

SYM ADXTG 400 First Ride Review

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Maserati Driver who Caused Motorcyclist Death Pleads not Guilty

The Singaporean Maserati driver who allegedly caused the death of a Malaysian motorcyclist had pleased not guilty in a Malaysian court. The 27-year-old man caused the fatal accident along the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Expressway in Johor, on 9th May.

The driver, Irshad Abdul Hameed, a civil servant in Singapore made his plea after his charge was read out in court. He was accused of driving his Maserati dangerously and causing the death of A. Vasanthraj, 32, at 6.40 pm on that day.

Thus, he was charged under the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving which caused the death of another individual. If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in jail and fined up to RM50,000 as this was his first offence under the Act.

The court set a bail at RM12,000 and revoked the defendant’s driving license. He is also required to check in at the nearby police station once a month.

Irshad was travelling towards Johor initially, but made an allegedly illegal u-turn towards Singapore. However, the car crashed into a metal barrier, causing the latter to protrude into the right-most lane.

The deceased could not avoid the barrier and crashed. He was confirmed dead on location due to severe head and leg injuries.

Irshad’s two lawyers insisted that their client did not attempt to make an illegal u-turn. Instead, the car had suffered problems causing Irshad to lose control and hit the barrier, and ended up stalling on the opposite side of the road.

Local motorcyclists who arrived later on the scene were said to have confronted Irshad and his passenger, besides vandalising the Maserati.

Hearing will recommence on 10th June.

Honda CB350RS Test and Review, The Ultimate Lighweight Retro?

The Honda CB350RS generated plenty of excitement when it was launched in Malaysia. Here it was, a handsome, big(ger)-cc, and possibly more importantly, affordable motorcycle for the masses. But of course, the main draw was its looks – who would want to ride an ugly bike, eh? (Ok, ok, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.)

What is the Honda CB350RS?

It is a modern-retro motorcycle, parked in the 350cc-400cc segment. Its design harks back to the standard motorcycle of the 60s and 70s, but is actually packed with contemporary features.

Power is provided a single-cylinder, OHC, air-cooled engine.
It produces a maximum power of 20.7 hp (15.5 kW) at 5,500 RPM and maximum torque of 30 Nm at 3,000 RPM.

Again, as usual with Hondas, torque is the main importance for street bikes.
The engine is mated to a assist and slipper clutch, then to a constant mesh, 5-speed transmission.

Fuelling is via PGM-FI injection.
A semi-cradle steel tube frame holds everything together.

Front suspension consists of non-adjustable telescopic forks, while a pair of shock absorbers are at the back.
19-inch front wheel, 17-inch rear wheel.

Braking is via a 310mm disc up front, and a 240mm disc at the back.
The instrument panel has a round, analog speedometer with an embedded LCD screen.

The LCD screen displays data such gear position, fuel level, odometers, fuel consumption.
LED lighting.

15-litre fuel tank.
Honda claims a lithe 178kg kerb weight.

As you can see, it is a (very) simple motorcycle and holds true to the adage of having an engine, a fuel tank, a handlebar, a seat, and two wheels. Purity of form and function.

Riding the Honda CB350RS

The first thing that surprised us in this day and age of Euro5+ regulations was the relatively loud exhaust. Not ear-splitting loud, but definitely a soulful rumble which you can hear in our video. Turn up the revs and it sounds even better but not the kind you get from modified exhausts. Cool.

The dimensions of the bike felt so right when we first climbed on. Small around the “waist” (where the seat meets the tank), low seat height, handlebar in the right position. Its low weight shone through even before we began moving. The bike was easy to push around while we were in the saddle. That was a plus point.

There was nothing to fiddle with like ride modes or power settings, apart from changing the odometer to real-time fuel consumption. Getting on a motorcycle and riding off immediately never gets old.

Its engine was pretty smooth, despite being a single-cylinder. Torque came in gradually, while the bike picked up speed handsomely. No tachometer? No problem, because we could feel the engine’s power tapering off as it revved past peak power. Hence, we never once ran into the limiter.

Gears 1 thru 4 were evenly and spaced closer together, but changing into 5th took us aback. We were accelerating quickly until we came upon the rising on-ramp to a highway. Snicking into 5th, the engine’s rev began to drop and the bike slowed down. Ah okay, so 5th is an extra tall, overdrive gear for long distance cruising and fuel saving. Indeed, we saw 5 litres/100 km while cruising at 130 km/h.

Then again… it does not mean that the bike could not be ridden with a little aggression, as it loved to corner due to its short wheelbase and low weight. And with low weight comes higher mid-corner speeds, reaped through a smoother corner entry style, rather than being chucked in.

Helping this was the suspension which proved to be nicely compliant even over potholes. Those forks look rudimentary but Honda did a great job of giving them street-oriented damping rates. But the rear shocks truly stood out we did not even remember running over bumps or through potholes.

One last thing, it may be a 350cc engine, but it started to run out of breath around 120 km/h. However, remember that trying to see the top speed on this bike is truly missing the point. The Honda CB350RS is built for riding around in a relaxed manner for you to destress after a long day/week. We did not give a toss about rempits revving at us or flying by. We were one with the bike in a state of zen. The engine’s maximum torque is higher than its maximum horsepower which made it easy to ride in the city, while 5th gear allows you to cruise on the highway. We like.

Conclusion

Simple motorcycles such as the Honda CB350RS reminds us of what motorcycling has become. Sure, modern motorcycles are better as they embody new technologies, but we do feel that these advancements have robbed some of the bikes’ pure soul along the way. Some may say that they would get bored of such simple motorcycles but we gravitate to them instead because we have grown somewhat enamoured with overly complex motorcycles. For example, forgetting to set the ride mode from RACE or SPORT to RAIN while it pours would result in a white-knuckled ride.

Let us not forget that it is a good-looking bike with some quaint details such as the old school fuel tank cap. It even has the classic Honda crankcase covers.

So, at just RM20,500, the Honda CB350RS is a wonderful little machine we would love to ride day in, day out, while leaving the 200hp superbike for the track, or Africa Twin for the weekends. Hey, you may even find yourself riding the CB350RS only, after a while.