The Art of Speed Malaysia 2019 or AOS 2019 is just around the corner, we can smell it! As you can tell, we’re pretty excited about this year’s extravaganza and we’re quite sure that most of you are feeling the same as well. Happening this weekend on 27 and 28 July 2019 at MAEPS Serdang, here are just some reasons why you should clear up your schedule and basically camp out at AOS 2019.
(NOTE: To check out the highlights, from last year’s Art of Speed, check out the link, below.) (more…)
The GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 kicked off yesterday, as the start of an epic ride around Peninsular Malaysia.
The 40 participants from 16 countries will cover 2500 kilometres at the finish on 29th July 2019. They will savour Malaysia’s amazing beauty and magic along the way, including the country’s unique flora and fauna, food, hospitality and the great riding routes.
Routes take the riders through Ipoh, Pahang, Terengganu, and Melaka. From Melaka, the convoy will turn back to Janda Baik, Pahang for GIVI Rimba Raid Janda Baik 2019. It will give the dealers an unprecedented view of the only large capacity adventure motorcycle race in off-road conditions.
Participants consists of GIVI’s worldwide dealers including those from all over South American, European, Asian and ASEAN countries.
The ride was flagged off from GIVI Asia’s headquarters in Bukit Beruntung, Selangor. the riders were given a factory tour by Mr. Joseph Perucca, the Overseas Operational Director for GIVI and Mr. On Hai Swee, the Managing Director of GIVI Asia. Also on hand was Dato’ Razak Al-Malique Hussein, the Chief Executive Officer of Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia who had supplied the Triumph Tiger 800 XCx, XRx and XR to the participants. Mr. Eugene Mah of Mah Pte. Ltd. also participates in the ride. His company supplied the Moto Guzzi V85TT.
The convoy will be escorted by the Royal Malaysian Traffic Police and marshals from Desmo Owners Club Malaysia (DOCM) all the way.
The entourage rode first to the leaning tower at Teluk Intan for photo opportunities and the famous Nasi Kandar Krisna on the way. They then continued riding to Kellie’s Castle outside Ipoh, before bedding down at the Banjaran Hot Springs Resort.
The resort was built into the forest, thereby preserving its natural surroundings. Hot spring water was piped into the villas.
Dinner was held in the world-renowed Jeff’s Cellar. The restaurant was built into a cave system with minimal fittings, again to not disturb the natural surroundings. We were served an 8-course western meal among the stalactites and stalagmites.
The adventure continues tomorrow (Monday) as the convoy heads to Gerik and finally, Kuala Terengganu.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP outfit boss Lin Jarvis dropped the bombshell during an interview with Motorsport.com. According to him, Valentino Rossi does not represent Yamaha’s future.
Rossi’s contract with the factory team ends in 2020. While Rossi is still very much revered by his fans and grudgingly respected by some of his peers, 2019 has proven to be the lowest point in his career. He had collected only 8 points from the last four races, with 3 non-finishes. He is currently behind his teammate Maverick Vinalez in the championship standings.
On the other hand, rookie sensation and satellite Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo has exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Jarvis said that Rossi had given Yamaha four championships in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009 before switching to Ducati in 2009. That had complicated things upon his return to Yamaha.
“He (Rossi) is now in a different stage in his life and career. With all due respect, I feel that Rossi does not represent Yamaha’s future in MotoGP,” said Jarvis.
However, the team boss was quick to add that the option is open for Rossi to continue from 2021 onwards. The decision will made after bilateral discussions.
At the moment, the 10thtitle still eludes Rossi.
Chilean Dakar Rally and off-road racer, Jeremais Israel is set to rock GIVI Rimba Raid at Janda Baik 2019 on the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE.
The rider was present at Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia this morning to receive the bike and prep it. He will be using the #09 number plate in the race. Jeremais was specially flown in by GIVI to compete in Rimba Raid. He will also conduct a special off-road riding clinic tomorrow morning at Ukay Perdana.
The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE is a true-blood off-road bike, dressed up in the classic Bonneville body. It’s inspired by the TR6 Trophy ridden by Steve McQueen and his stuntman Bud Ekins to a number of wins in the Baja 1000 Rally.
It features long-travel fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension, cross-spoke wheels, engine crash bars, under-engine skid plate, bark-buster style hand protectors as standard. The electronics are also geared towards off-road performance, although the bike rides pretty well over paved roads, too.
British stunt rider Ernie Vigil had proven the bike’s toughness and ability to duke it out with 450cc dirtbikes in the Mexican 1000 Rally recently. He finished fifth overall on a bog-stock bike.
Jeremais will also be riding a fully stock bike in GIVI Rimba Raid.
The Honda ADV 150 was unveiled at the 2019 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS).
Taking inspiration from its larger, 745cc brethren, the ADV 150 features similar lines albeit in a smaller package. The large front fairing contains the dual headlamps like the bigger bike but gives the bike an unmistakable identity.
The windshield is non-adjustable. The LCD screen underneath also looks similar to the bigger bike’s. We do hope that the ADV 150 has a larger storage space than the 745. There’s LED lighting all-around.
Powering the bike is a 149.3cc, SOHC, single-cylinder engine. It produces 14.7 hp at 8,500 RPM and 13.8 Nm 6,500 RPM. The figures appear suspiciously identical to those produced by the PCX150’s powerplant. Anyway, power is sent to the rear wheel via a v-matic transmission instead of the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) found in the 745cc X-ADV.
The ADV 150 is more road-biased. As such it uses normal telescopic forks and a pair of Showa gas shocks in the rear. Another indication of its road vocation are the 14-inch front and 13-inch rear cast alloy wheels.
Will it be launched in Malaysia? It would give the Yamaha NVX 155 should it be introduced here.
In keeping up with tradition, there will be a grand prize at Art of Speed Malaysia 2019 (AOS) by the name of MIZUKI.
But there is a major difference in the prize this year. AOS has pretty much given away motorcycles up to 2018. This year, the lucky person will walk away with car.
Well, car is over-simplifying it. It’s a specially-built 70’s-style drag car with a superbike engine. The project involves marrying a Suzuki Hayabusa engine to a Mini Cooper body, hence the amalgam of the names Mini Cooper and Suzuki, resulting in Mizuki.
Again, that only sounds simple because the work is exceedingly extensive instead of just plunking an engine into the husk of an old car.
AOS arranged a special field trip for the media to visit FNG Works in Ipoh. FNG Works was contracted to bring the ideas to fruition this year.
There, AOS founder Asep Ahmad Iskandar and FNG Work’s chief builder Irwann Cheng explained the work involved.
Asep wanted to contract a build for AOS and his boys found an old Suzuki Hayabusa engine. “When we met the seller to seal the deal, the seller offered us the rusted-out shell of a Mini Cooper. He and his friends have tried to get the project going but never got around to it,” explained Asep.
The items were subsequently brought to FNG Works for fabrication and assembly.
Since then, they have stripped out the car and installed a space frame to carry the engine in space behind the driver. The Suzuki engine is left stock, as with the chain final drive which connects to a Perodua Rusa differential, driving the rear wheels. The wheels are shod with fat, 10-inch wide drag racing tyres.
The stock driver and front passenger seats were swapped out for a pair of custom-made aluminium ones. The beautiful seats were fabricated by Saidi Racing Fabrications.
While it doesn’t look it in the pictures, the car is near completion. Asep and co have spent more than RM 30,000 for the build, thus far. “We hope that the new owner of Mizuki will actucally take it to the dragstrip and run against other dragsters. We always commissioned builds that are driveable, albeit not street legal.”
The project highlights the ingenuity of Malaysian talent in custom builds. FNG Works is well-known in their exploits, having won a number awards for their creations. “Part of AOS’s goal is to bring Malaysian talents to the fore,” said Asep. “Malaysia has plenty of great talents that just needs exposure.”
So, come down to the Art of Speed Malaysia 2019 Powered by PETRONAS on 27th and 28th July, at MAEPS Serdang and stand a chance to bring Mizuki home with you. You may also find more information in Art of Speed Malaysia’s official Facebook page.
Body shell: 1976 Mini Cooper
Engine: 1999 Suzuki Hayabusa
Rear:
Subframe: Replaced and reinforced with tubular spaceframe structure
Wheels: 13″ steelies with 10″ wide slick tyre
Axle: Modified Perodua Rusa axle
Drivetrain: Chain driven
Brakes: Modified Honda EG9 unit
Suspension: Ladder bar suspension with D2 Motorsport Hi Lo Soft Hard adjustable coilover+absorber
Interior: Stripped
Seat: Custom made by Saidi Racing Fabrications
Steering wheel: Original
Pedal box: Modified
Front:
Subframe: Original
Wheels: 12″ steelies
Suspension: Original
Brakes: Original disc brakes
Petrol tank: Mooneyes unit
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