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

Oberdan Bezzi Creates an Aprilia Tuareg 900 Concept

Italian designer Oberdan Bezzi created this Aprilia Tuareg 900 concept.
The concept is based on the Shiver 900/Dorsoduro 900 the platform.
Aprilia is presently without a dual-sport model.

Aprilia is one manufacturer that’s missing a dual-sport model. That’s why Italian designer Obedan Bezzi created this Aprilia Tuareg 900 concept.

Aprilia used to boast a complete line-up in the catalogue, from 125cc right up 1000cc superbikes. But they’ve got only four volume production models now, all sport-based. Let’s see, there’s the Shiver 900 and Dorsoduro 900, besides the Tuono V4 1100 and RSV4 1100.

The Shiver 900 is upgraded from the Shiver 750 which was in the market for an incredible 15 years. Part of its longevity was its simplicity of operations and reliability. Yes, the Shiver 750 was one of the most reliable big bikes. It fills the role of a naked sportbike truly well.

However, Bezzi thinks it could be developed into a DP, merely by sticking to its current platform and adding long-travel suspension to it. A beautifully curvy bodywork completes the package.

The designer christened his creation aptly as the “Tuareg” after the semi-nomadic people who live in the Sahara Desert. Saying that the bike is fixes your wanderlust.

The 900cc V-Twin produces 93 horsepower and 89.5 Nm of torque, putting it squarely as a contender in the middleweight dual-sport segment. Its competition are the sublime Tiger 800, new BMW F 850 GS, and newer KTM 790 Adventure. So, his concept really does make sense.

So, will Aprilia take this as a cue? Another marque under the Piaggio umbrella, Moto Guzzi certainly did so with the V85 TT, after all.

2019 Kawasaki Z250 ABS, Kawasaki Z400 SE ABS Launched (from RM 21,998.00)

Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) launched the 2019 Kawasaki Z250 ABS and Kawasaki Z400 SE ABS.
Both are high-performance lightweight motorcycles.
They are priced very competitively.

The Kawasaki Z250 ABS and Kawasaki Z400 SE ABS were launched tonight. They are priced at RM 21,998.00 and RM 28,755.00, respectively.

The new models were launched during Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.’s 30^thAnniversary Gala Dinner. The guest of honour was Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin bin Haji Muhammad Yassin, the Home Affairs Minister of Malaysia.

2019 Kawasaki Z250 (From RM 21,998.00)

The 2019 Z250 is a facelift model to the previous Z250, to lengthen the model’s lifespan.

Highlights:

Following the Sugomi design concept, the bike has multiple slated panels.
The fuel tank is now more muscular.
New steel trellis frame that’s 4kg lighter, and inspired by the Ninja H2.
Wider handlebar for better leverage.
Raised tail section.
New LED taillight.
New LED headlight.
Semi-digital instrument panel (meter) inspired by the Z650.
Single front petal brake disc and petal rear brake.
Dual-channel ABS.
The engine is a 249cc, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve, parallel-Twin.
It produces 37.7 hp (38.2 PS) and 23.5 Nm of torque
The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with assist and slipper clutch.
Offered in Green colour scheme.

2019 Kawasaki Z400 SE ABS (from RM 28,755.00)

As with the Z250 which is the naked version of Ninja 250, the Z400 is the therefore the naked version of the Ninja 400.

Highlights:

The design also follows the Sugomi concept.
The fuel tank has muscular side panels.
New steel trellis frame that’s 4kg lighter, and inspired by the Ninja H2.
The handlebar and seating position is more upright hence more accessible to a wider range of riders.
Raised tail section.
New LED taillight.
New LED headlight.
Semi-digital instrument panel (meter) inspired by the Z650.
Single front petal brake disc and petal rear brake.
Dual-channel ABS.
The engine is a 399cc, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve, parallel-Twin.
It produces 48.3 hp (49 PS) and 38 Nm of torque.
New fuel injectors.
The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with assist and slipper clutch.
Offered in Grey colour scheme.

Do-Do-Do Ter-Tam, Watch the Truck Go Blam

Watch as the motorcyclist applies his brakes just as the truck was starting to lose balance.
This is a great example of riding alert and smart.
Always ride alert and don’t daydream.

This happened in Thailand and watch as the motorcyclist brakes just in time for the truck’s container to tip over!=

The motorcyclist in the video was alert of his surrounds hence he applied the brakes as soon as he saw the truck going off-balance. He missed it with mere metres to go. Additionally, he looked around for other traffic and rode off to stop further down the road, instead of sitting pretty behind it and risk being rear-ended. Yes, he did all these despite the adrenaline pulsing through his veins.

We have often seen riders carrying on with their daydreams, possibly of dating Neelofah or Scarlet Johansson, and being completely oblivious of their surroundings. That’s how the suddenly find themselves right in the middle of the overtaking lane, being tailgated by a heavy vehicle.

Being inattentive also leads to prolonged reaction times. Needless to say, the outcome is usually not pretty.

So, be attentive and smart like this rider. It could be a matter of life or being pancaked into the road.

Source: Kenneth Hiew

Car Went into Motorcycle Lane and Causes Accident

A car went into the motorcycle lane at the Woodland Johor Causeway and caused an accident.
The Singapore-registered car was seen reversing in the lane.
A motorcycle rammed into the rear left side of the car.

A car went into the motorcycle lane at the Woodland Johor Causeway and caused an accident.

The Singapore-registered car drove into the motorcycle lane and eyewitness reported that the driver attempted to reverse it back out. But a Suzuki GSX-R1000 was caught by surprise and hit the left rear quarter. The crash threw the rider a few metres away. A photograph showed that he was bleeding profusely from his left ankle.

No other detail was furbished if the car driver drove into the lane by mistake or otherwise.

Such occurrences have happened in Malaysia. Although rare, there were times when motorcyclists were surprised to find a car blocking their way in the motorcycle lane. Often, this was due to confused drivers who mistook the openings at highway on-ramps as the interchange.

This writer encountered a Hyundai Getz occupying the Kesas motorcycle lane, just after the on-ramps to Puchong and Bandar Sunway. When confronted, the driver asked for directions to Bandar Sunway. She then had to reverse her car along that lane while shocked motorcyclists pulled off the road.

The only thing we could do is be vigilant at all times and keep scanning the road as far ahead as possible.

Source and pictures: SG Road Vigilantes – SGRV

Ernie Vigil to Race Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE at Mexican 1000 Rally

Ernie Vigil will now race the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE at the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally.
He was injured before the Baja 1000 Rally and the program was shelved.
The Triumph Scrambler 1200 line-up is the most off-road capable among all scramblers.

Ernie Vigil is back and will race a Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE at the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally.

Triumph announced their plans to return the Baja 1000 Rally following the launch of the Scrambler 1200 XE and XC as they were keen to show that the Scrambler 1200 line-up is the most off-road capable among all scramblers. This was why it is dubbed the “Real Deal”.

Additionally, the rally is a homecoming of sorts for the manufacturer as Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins won there numerous times on the TR6 Trophy.

However, an injury befell rider Ernie Vigil (who’s also Triumph’s stunt rider) and the plans were shelved.

But Vigil has now fully recovered and the program is back online. He has since trained on the Scrambler 1200 for more than 9,000 kilometres in off-road conditions.

The Scrambler 1200 XE that vigil rides will be mostly stock. The only additions are to make the bike safe for desert rallying such as a desert racing seat, lights, grips and extreme profile sand tyres. The suspension, engine, electronics are all stock.

While the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally doesn’t sound as glamorous as the Baja 1000 Rally, it actually uses the same route as the Baja Rally in Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. As the name suggests, it covers 1,000 miles (1600 kilometres) through the desert strewn with deep sand, rocks and quicksand.

BMW 1800cc Boxer Engine Cruiser Coming in 2020

A BMW 1800cc Boxer engine cruiser is confirmed for 2020.
The news was confirmed by BMW Motorrad.
The prototype engine is now used as the powerplant for custom bikes.

It’s confirmed. A BMW 1800cc Boxer engine cruiser is coming in 2020. The news was confirmed by Timo Resch, Vice President Sales and Marketing for BMW Motorrad.

Resch made the statement during the Handbuilt Show in Austin, Texas where Revival Cycles showed off a custom bike called Birdcage which features an 1800cc Boxer engine.

While we revel at the Birdcage’s welded titanium frame, the built was actually contracted by BMW Motorrad to tease the new engine. The massive pushrod engine will be the platform for an upcoming cruiser in 2020.

The Birdcage was the second motorcycle to use the 1800cc engine, following the Departed R18 built by Japanese Custom Works Zon.

“We will also be showing a BMW Motorrad developed concept bike featuring this engine in the first half-year of 2019. BMW Motorrad will present a series production motorcycle with the Big Boxer for the Cruiser segment in the course of 2020,” said Resch.

An 1800cc, air-cooled, pushrod valve actuation engine surely means that the German manufacturer is taking aim at Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles. However, riders of the two brands are fiercely loyal so it’ll be interesting to see how BMW Motorrad can win them over.

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

Italian designer Oberdan Bezzi created this Aprilia Tuareg 900 concept.

The concept is based on the Shiver 900/Dorsoduro 900 the platform.

Aprilia is presently without a dual-sport model.

Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) launched the 2019 Kawasaki Z250 ABS and Kawasaki Z400 SE ABS.

Both are high-performance lightweight motorcycles.

They are priced very competitively.

2019 Kawasaki Z250 (From RM 21,998.00)

Highlights:

2019 Kawasaki Z400 SE ABS (from RM 28,755.00)

Highlights:

Watch as the motorcyclist applies his brakes just as the truck was starting to lose balance.

This is a great example of riding alert and smart.

Always ride alert and don’t daydream.

A car went into the motorcycle lane at the Woodland Johor Causeway and caused an accident.

The Singapore-registered car was seen reversing in the lane.

A motorcycle rammed into the rear left side of the car.

Ernie Vigil will now race the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE at the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally.

He was injured before the Baja 1000 Rally and the program was shelved.

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 line-up is the most off-road capable among all scramblers.

A BMW 1800cc Boxer engine cruiser is confirmed for 2020.

The news was confirmed by BMW Motorrad.

The prototype engine is now used as the powerplant for custom bikes.

Archive

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

BikesRepublic