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

New Colour for 2019 Honda CRF250 Rally

A new black colour option is added to the 2019 Honda CRF250 Rally.
The CRF250 Rally is a dual-sport motorcycle, compared to the CRF250L.
Both colour options are priced from RM 26,999.00 (basic selling price without insurance, registration and road tax).

There is an additional colour for the 2019 Honda CRF250 Rally. The new black colour is for riders who want something low-key yet neat in appearance, over the usual Extreme Red offering.

We’ve tested and came to like the Honda CRF250 Rally. Its great looks were borrowed heavily from Honda’s CRF450 Rally bike which is the basis for the manufacturer’s Dakar Rally effort. While the engine and chassis are shared with the CRF250L trail bike, the CRF250 Rally trumps in having a windscreen and larger bodywork. Thus, the Rally is a dual-sport motorcycle which allows the rider to seek adventures off the tarmac path.

Being a lightweight machine also means that the CRF250 Rally is easy to handle when situations turn tough. But the rider can rest assured of surviving those situations due to its Honda’s high build quality and reliability.

Three CRF250 Rally and the five CRF250L were entered in the punishing Rimba Raid Rally at Mat Daling in 2018. Two CRF250L occupied the first two spots on the podium, another in fourth and a CRF250 Rally rounded out the Top 5. The rest finished the race, too.

The CRF250 Rally is equipped with ABS on both ends, asymmetrical LED headlamps, fully-digital LCD clock, floating windscreen, Showa upside-down forks and 10.1 litre fuel tank.

Both Extreme Red and Black options are priced from RM 26,999.00 (basic selling price without insurance, registration and road tax).

New Colours for 2019 Honda CB250R Neo Sports Café

Boon Siew Honda announced a new colour for the 2019 Honda CB250R New Sports Café line-up.
Prices range between RM 22,999 and RM 23,499 depending on colour option.
The colour line-up consists of Candy Chromosphere Red, Graphite Black and Crypton Silver Metallic.

Boon Siew Honda announced a new colour for the 2019 Honda CB250R New Sports Café line-up.

The Honda CB250R is manufacturer’s entry into the 250cc single-cylinder naked bike category. As the Neo Sports Café name suggests, the bike is an amalgam of classic and modern design cues. The round headlight and front end are reminiscent of the classic CB silhouette, while the rest of the bike consist of modern styling elements.

It’s not all looks an no go. The CB250R is equipped with dual-channel ABS, full LED lighting, fully-digital LCD meter panel, Showa upside-down forks, adjustable rear shock. The fuel tank capacity is 10.1 litres which allows long riding distances due to the economical engine.

In our review, we found the bike easy to ride with good low- and mid-range punch. Handling was exact and agile. Hence it was a fun bike to ride around the city every day and in the twisties on the weekend.

The bike is available in three colours: Candy Chromosphere Red, Graphite Black and Crypton Silver Metallic.

The Candy Chromosphere Red option is priced from RM 23,499.00. Graphite Black and Crypton Silver Metallic colours are priced from RM 22,999.00. All prices are showroom prices without insurance, registration and road tax.

2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT has Arrived (from RM 124,800)

The 2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT has arrived in Malaysia.
It features many revised cutting-edge technologies and a new styling.
It is priced from RM 124,800 (basic selling price with 0% GST, not on-the-road).

The 2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT has arrived in Malaysia. KTM engineers made the new bike smoother and refined, while retaining its big performance character.

The highlights are:

Smoother engine power delivery:

The latest-generation 1301cc 75^oLC8 V-Twin engine is revised further for a smoother ride.
KTM added new resonator chambers, titanium inlet valves and a new mapping.
The revisions netted the same 173 hp and 141 Nm of torque.
But the engine is now smoother in low RPM and provides power everywhere.
The optional Quickshifter+ function can be added for effortless upshifts and downshifts with auto-blipper function.

New TFT screen:

New and improved 6.5-inch TFT screen.
The award-winning full-colour screen is visible even in direct sunlight.
Scrolling through the menus is easily performed through the illuminated menu switch on the left handlebar.
The cruise control switch was moved to the left handlebar, also.
KTM RACE ON remote key system, which allows keyless operation of the bike.

Lean-angle sensitive traction control:

IMU-assisted lean-angle motorcycle stability control (MSC) with combined ABS.
The IMU also allows for the cornering lights feature.
The rider can add the optional “Track” mode to unlock the full capabilities of the LC8 engine and chassis.
Also optional are hill hold control (HHC) and motor slip regulation (MSR).

Latest WP semi-active suspension:

The new sensors analyse more parameters now to adapt quickly and correctly to changing surface conditions.
The suspension’s preload (ride height and chassis balance) to suit rider, passenger and cargo weight can be adjusted via the push of a button.
The rider can also choose his preferred damping rate: Comfort, Street and Sport.

New styling:

The 2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT now features the instantly recognizable DUKE family “face.”
The central aluminium heatsink includes six ultra-bright LEDs.
Additional LEDs are utilized for daytime running lights (DRL).
There are also LEDs embedded in the fuel tank’s flanks to provide cornering lights to illuminate the inside of corners.

New KTM MY RIDE:

The optional KTM MY RIDE smartphone connectivity suite adds a navigation feature for on-screen turn-by-turn directions.
Navigation audio prompts in 5 languages via a separate app.
Other functions allow the rider to scroll through his favourite music playlist, besides receiving or rejecting phone calls.

Please click on the link below to watch the official video of Michael Rutter riding the 2019 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT around the Isle of Man.

The new 2019 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT is fully CBU and priced from RM 124,800 (basic selling price with 0% GST and not on-the-road).

Follow KTM MALAYSIA for the latest news and updates at https://www.facebook.com/ktmmalaysiaofficial/

Project TE-1 – Triumph Motorcycles to Build Electric Motorcycles

Triumph Motorcycles launched Project TE-1.
The two-year project seeks to build Triumph’s first electric motorcycle.
The project is a collaboration of four parties including Triumph, Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd. and WMG at university of Warwick.

As more and more countries mobilize their electric vehicle initiatives to reduce pollution (while Malaysians are still squabbling over car window tinting), motorcycle manufacturers are following suit. The latest effort is by Triumph Motorcycles who launched Project TE-1.

Project TE-1 (for Triumph Electric-1?) is considered a groundbreaking collaboration among Triumph and three other partners. They are Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), Integral Powertrain Ltd. (IPL), and WMG at the University of Warwick.

The two-year project is in turn supported and co-funded by the United Kingdom government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), via Innovate UK.

Each partner has specific tasks:

Triumph Motorcycles plays the role of Tony Stark – the leader – of the project. The maker will provide “advanced motorcycle chassis design and engineering expertise,” besides “manufacturing and pioneering functional safety systems besides electric drivetrain power delivery characteristics.”
Williams Advanced Engineering will provide industry-leading lightweight battery design and the means of integrating it. in other words, WAM will deliver battery management system and vehicle control unit. WAM is already the battery provider for Formula-E and many world-renowned EVs.
Integral Powertrain Ltd.’s e-Drive Division leads the development of power-dense electric motors and silicon carbide inverter. The two components will be combined in one motor housing.
WMG, University of Warwick will provide electrification expertise and vision to drive innovation from R&D to commercial impact. It will be carried out through modelling and simulation based on future market needs.

Triumph feels that collaboration is necessary in order to build a good – if not great – electric motorcycle. Working on something completely new is a huge undertaking in terms of cost and time, so getting it wrong would be disastrous.

Each partner specializes in the different areas of electric vehicles, thus that expertise will be integrated into a “sophisticated electric motorcycle” which “reduce mass, complexity and package requirements.”

In other words, the collaboration seeks to accelerate R&D in terms of packaging and safety of batteries, optimum electric motor sizing and packaging, integration of braking systems including regenerative braking, and safety systems.

So, how will Triumph’s electric bike look like? Wouldn’t we like to know too! How about an electric Rocket-E TFC? (Cue evil laughter.)

Honda MSX125 (Grom) Looks Great with Sidecar

A company called Industrial Moto created this Grom Utility Sidecar kit for the Honda MSX125 (Grom).
The sidecar expands the MSX125’s cargo carrying capabilities.
It’s not cheap but some enterprising Malaysian will definitely build one!

The Honda MSX125 or Grom in certain countries promises lots of fun. The diminutive bike just does everything you want and can go just about anywhere. While we don’t see much of it on Malaysian roads, it is certainly very popular in Thailand and even the United States.

The engine is a winner from the get-start hence it functions as the platform for two other Honda motorcycles – the C125 Super Cub and another playbike, the Monkey.

Photo credit – Asphalt & Rubber, RideApart

There may be those who think that the MSX125 is nothing but a plaything, but a US company called Industrial Moto thinks otherwise. They designed the Grom Utility Sidecar kit which bolts on directly to the bike and is easily removable, too.

Suddenly, you won’t have to limit yourself to three packets of food from bazar Ramadhan, when you could shop for the entire family. Or have your kid sit in it and send him or her to school (with a helmet on, of course). Or shopping for durians!

The kit isn’t cheap at USD 1,600 but these pictures should spurn our country’s resourceful talents in creating their own sidecars.

Source: Asphalt & Rubber, RideApart

Honda Patents Variable Riding Position for a Two-in-One Motorcycle

Honda submitted a patent for a variable riding position system.
It turns a sportbike into a sport-tourer and vice-versa.
Such an innovation ought to a good welcome.

Honda has submitted a whole slew of patents recently, but this one is probably the best of the lot. These pictures show a bike with variable riding position – a two-in-one motorcycle in essence.

While riding a sport-tourer, we wished for a sportbike when the road turns into a beautiful ribbon of asphalt or the track beckons. Conversely, we wished for a sport-tourer when we ride a sportbike to a faraway destination or into the neighbouring countries. Sure, a sport-tourer caters to both extremely well but there are times when the knees develop an itch that can only be scratched through sliders on the track.

Among the diagrams is one for the height-adjustable clip-on handlebars. They ought to be raised via a button.

Apart from the handlebars, there are also diagrams for an electrically-adjustable windscreen. The technology is not new, of course, but it adjusts to provide wind protection in sportbike and sport-touring guise. The scissor-type pivots push the windscreen into more upright positions, rather than just up or down.

Cars drivers have the luxury of adjustable seats and steering wheel for decades. We will have such amenity too, if Honda puts this patent into production.

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Latest News

A new black colour option is added to the 2019 Honda CRF250 Rally.

The CRF250 Rally is a dual-sport motorcycle, compared to the CRF250L.

Both colour options are priced from RM 26,999.00 (basic selling price without insurance, registration and road tax).

Boon Siew Honda announced a new colour for the 2019 Honda CB250R New Sports Café line-up.

Prices range between RM 22,999 and RM 23,499 depending on colour option.

The colour line-up consists of Candy Chromosphere Red, Graphite Black and Crypton Silver Metallic.

The 2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT has arrived in Malaysia.

It features many revised cutting-edge technologies and a new styling.

It is priced from RM 124,800 (basic selling price with 0% GST, not on-the-road).

The highlights are:

Smoother engine power delivery:

New TFT screen:

Lean-angle sensitive traction control:

Latest WP semi-active suspension:

New styling:

New KTM MY RIDE:

Triumph Motorcycles launched Project TE-1.

The two-year project seeks to build Triumph’s first electric motorcycle.

The project is a collaboration of four parties including Triumph, Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd. and WMG at university of Warwick.

A company called Industrial Moto created this Grom Utility Sidecar kit for the Honda MSX125 (Grom).

The sidecar expands the MSX125’s cargo carrying capabilities.

It’s not cheap but some enterprising Malaysian will definitely build one!

Honda submitted a patent for a variable riding position system.

It turns a sportbike into a sport-tourer and vice-versa.

Such an innovation ought to a good welcome.

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