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

Allianz Motorcycle Plus Offers Extra Benefits at No Extra Cost

Allianz Motorcycle Plus offers protection for the motorcycle and accident protection for the rider.
One could look at it as a 2-in-1 insurance scheme.
The Comprehensive coverage also covers the bike for natural disasters.
The product is only available for motorcycles from 245cc and below.

Allianz Motorcycle Plus insurance will offer the additional benefits of a personal accident insurance under one package at no added cost.

“Traditional” motorcycle insurance covers only the vehicle in the case of accidents or theft. Vehicle owners purchase this insurance when he renews his road tax. However, that insurace does not cover for personal injuries, disability of death.

Thus, in order to protect oneself, the vehicle owner needs to purchase another personal accident insurance policy.

This is where Allianz Motorcycle Plus differentiates itself. One could call it a 2-in-1 product which insures the motorcycle as well as the rider. However, the premium (price) remains the same as the same insurance for your motorcycle only.

There are two types of cover, of course – Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive) and Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Third Party).

Aliianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive)

Accident Cover of RM 5,000 for permanent disability or death.
Hospital income of RM 50 per day for up to a maximum of 60 days.
All Special Perils Full Sum-Insured Protection which provides protection for flood, landslides and other natural disasters.

Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Third Party)

Accident Cover of RM 5,000 for permanent disability or death.
Hospital income of RM 50 per day for up to a maximum of 60 days.

What drew our attention was the protection for “acts of god” (industry speak for natural disasters). None – if any – insurance covers your motorcycle for natural disasters.

While the accident cover and hospital income aren’t as high as provided by personal accident insurance, Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive) makes it easy for riders to have such coverage. Many people, much less riders, in Malaysia aren’t covered by personal accident insurance or any type of insurance at all.

Including those benefits under one insurance also makes it easier for the policy holder to claim for injuries. There are many cases where the accident victim’s family members forget or are unaware of claiming from the insurance provider.

Allianz Malaysia will roll out Allianz Motorcycle Plus beginning 1^stMay 2019. The insurance covers motorcycles from 245cc and below, only.

Please visit https://www.allianz.com.my/ for more information.

Kawasaki Jumps on Radar Bandwagon

Kawasaki is the latest manufacturer to work on equipping their bikes with radar.
Their patent filings show a system with front and rear radars.
The system works together with the brakes and throttle.

Kawasaki is the latest manufacturer to work on equipping their bikes with radar.

It is learned that Kawasaki’s system will either warn the rider or engage automated braking if it senses an imminent collision. In their patent filing, the system utilizes a front and rear radar detector. In turn, the radars control the brakes and throttle.

The front radar will scan the road ahead and apply the brakes if there are hazards. The rear radar, on the other hand, will detect fast approaching vehicles and alert the rider to take evasive action.

Kawasaki isn’t the first maker to develop a radar system.

Suzuki is working on equipping their bikes with radar reflectors to make them more visible to radars in other vehicles. Whereas Honda may equip the next Gold Wing with automated braking. All 2020 Ducatis will have front and rear radars in addition to cornering ABS. KTMs will feature adaptive cruise control and blind spot awareness system by 2021.

Vehicle radar technology isn’t merely experimental, as all new European-made cars are mandated to be fixed with automated or emergency braking systems in 2020. The decision follows joint studies by European NCAP and Australasian NCAP that automated brakes can reduce collisions by 38%.

So yes, bikes will definitely be equipped with radars soon.

Honda is Developing a Facial Recognition Helmet

Honda submitted the patents for a facial recognition helmet.
It serves as the security “key” to the bike’s ignition.
How soon will we see this technology in the market?

First it was the mechanical key, then electrical key, followed by keys embedded with microchips and now, a facial recognition helmet. That’s what Honda is working on for motorcycle security.

It works pretty much like the current proximity key – or better known as the keyless system. The security system is available on more and more motorcycles from scooters all the way up to tourers.

But that still means we need to rely on remote key fobs. Worse, thieves have the ability to scan the signal propagating from the key to the receiver on the bike. (This writer’s car was broken into that way.)

The helmet has a camera embedded in the crown’s inner lining. The wearer looks into the helmet in the process of putting it on, the facial recognition camera sends a signal to a control unit in the helmet. From there, another signal goes to the motorcycle’s security control unit which unlocks the handlebar lock.

It’s a novel idea but it also means that you can’t lock your helmet under your scooter’s seat. Locking it inside a top case is fine since you use a separate key.

Will we see this tech soon? Who knows? Honda is pushing out new tech all the time and they make it to the market in short order from their introduction.

Convoy to a Vacation and… Robbing Rampage

Four friends rode in a convoy of Yamaha Y15ZRs for a holiday and robbing rampage.
A CCTV footage showed woman being dragged at high speed.
Three of the four were caught by the police.

Four friends rode in a convoy of Yamaha Y15ZRs for a holiday and robbing rampage.

The four buddies rode more than 100 kilometres from Cheras, Kuala Lumpur and Rawang, Selangor to Muar in Johor to commit their crimes. However, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) busted the gang in less than 72 hours.

PDRM caught three of the suspects, but the fourth perpetrator is still at large. PDRM revealed his name as 27-year-old Mohd. Fariezzuan Shah Che Arif, better known by his “Toncet” nickname. His last known address is at the Sri Kota Flats in Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras.

Chief of Police of the Muar District, Assistant Commissioner Zaharudin Rasip said that all four were involved in three cases of snatch theft in the district last Saturday. One of the incidences involving a woman at Jalan Pesta were caught on video and went viral in social media.

The police acted on public information and a detachment from the District Headquarters (IPD) in Muar launched two separate raids which netted a 22-year-old and 24-year-old male in Cheras on 15 April. Another raid in Rawang caught another 24-year-old suspect.

All three will are put on remand until 22 April.

Social media went wild after a video of a woman was dragged at high speed after her handbag was snatched. The footage was caught on CCTV and residents of Muar voiced their concern over the violent crime.

The police added that the four suspects rode their bikes in convoy to Muar for a holiday but switched their mode to a rampage of robbery upon reaching the city.

“The first case was at a petrol station in the city centre but the robbers obtained nothing. The second happened at Jalan Pesta in Bakri but they also achieved nothing. However, the female victim sustain minor injuries.”

“In their third attempt at Jalan Mega, Bakri, the suspects made off with RM 4,500 in cash.”

The police also stated that three of the four have criminal records of past crimes.

They will be investigated under Section 394 of the Penal Code and face 20 years in prison and fine or whipping.

Source: Harian Metro Online

First Women Riders in JPJ Motorcycle Enforcement Unit

The Kuala Lumpur Road Transport Department (JPJ) now has three women riders in their Motorcycle Enforcement Unit.
The department is starting out with three women riders.
The ladies underwent the same training as their male counterparts.

The Kuala Lumpur Road Transport Department (JPJ) has the distinction of being the first to include women in their Motorcycle Enforcement Unit (UPB – Unit Penguatkuasaan Bermotosikal).

The department starts with three women, Wah Moliz Bah, 28; Asma Shafie, 24; Siti Syazwani Hajizin, 27; in the UPB among an all-male force prior to this.

KL JPJ director Datuk Ismail Mohd. Zawawi felt it was time for women to join the UPB and called upon those in their ranks to join the unit.

Wah Moliz took on the director’s call as she had always wanted to ride large capacity bikes.

“The UPB consists of only had men so far, but now the JPJ has opened opportunities for female members to join. It also proves that women are just as competent in operating big bikes,” she told reporters after the 73rd Kuala Lumpur JPJ Day celebrations on Wednesday.

“The courses and training that we underwent were the same as our male counterparts, but the main challenge is the high level of stamina and strength we need because the bikes are heavy,” she said.

On the other hand, Siti Syazwani expressed surprise that she had the opportunity to join the unit.

“The thing that I remember most when I attended the course was when we were asked to lift the Kawasaki Versys 650cc motorcycle that weighs almost 200kg.” (It’s actually more than 200 kg – Ed.)

“We need to know how to lift the motorcycle and if it falls, we have to learn the technique of picking the machine back up. So far, we have been riding our motorcycles to Melaka but there will be more training and courses for us to strengthen and hone our skills,” she said.

Ismail added, “It was an idea that came up early this year and I challenge women to join the UPB because they can do it,” he said.

Source: The Star Online, Bernama

The Fine Art of Motorcycle Detailing – by Horus Detailing Studio, Glenmarie

Horus Detailing Studio is based in Glenmarie.
It specialises in car and motorcycle detailing.
Its products are fast becoming popular.
A Moto Guzzi V7 III Anniversario is one of the most difficult motorcycles to keep clean.
But the boys at Horus did a fantastic job at bringing out the shine to the acres of chrome on the bike.

Buying a motorcycle is one of life’s greatest pleasures. A motorcycle represents freedom, but in the modern sense that usually means freedom from getting stuck in traffic, freedom to go anywhere, and the spirit of adventure.

But what about maintaining the motorcycle? The mechanical parts are usually sorted out by a trusty mechanic or even the service centre from where the motorcycle was bought from.

But the aesthetics of the bike, well that is the owners prerogative.

Not too long ago, I bought a Moto Guzzi V7 III Anniversario, one of 1000 around the world. Being a limited edition model built to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary, the motorcycle is fully decked out in chrome.

Everything from the tank to the mirrors and the mudguards is 100% chrome. And then there’s the saddle which is made out of plush brown leather.

I knew from the start that maintaining it was going to be difficult, but I didn’t know how difficult.

A ride in the rain resulted in the entire tank being blotched by rain spots. And with dirt being kicked up from the road, the chrome quickly becomes a dull shade of silver.

Maintaining it was, simply put, difficult.

Then I got a phone call one evening from a long lost friend – Mark.

“Horus have just opened a detailing shop bro, it is something I have been working on for a while now, come check it out,” said the enthusiastic voice over the phone.

Mark has always been one of those guys who you don’t see very often but you know is always there working on something awesome and always has a cool story to tell.

“I’ll come by tomorrow”, I responded.

Located at Temasya Glenmarie, Horus Premium Tints and Detailing Studio, the Malaysian dealer principal for Horus, specialises in everything needed to bring out the aesthetic shine in your car.

‘We started off in Singapore and did rather well, and now we’re in Malaysia with our good friend Azmi and looking to expand,” explained Mark.

On the topic of motorcycles, Horus did a fantastic job at working on the chrome and all the tiny bits. Detailing motorcycles is unlike a car, a bike has hundreds of tiny sensitive areas which if not handled carefully can be catastrophic.

The talented team at Horus consist of experienced bikers as well says that the entire process began with a an inspection of the bike, and from there the team planned out which Horus product to apply.

A bath with anti-static biodegradable shampoo started off the process followed by the usage of clay to remove heavy dirt.

This of course needed to be washed and wiped off before anything else could be done, so the Anniversario was cleaned and dried with a microfiber cloth.

From there the entire surface of the bike was wiped down with an alcohol based solvent which removes any excess oil and dirt. This was a necessary step as the next step involves paint correction to remove any scratches.

“We do that by using a medium cut polish, this retains the shine and removes small microscopic scratches. After that we leveled out the paint using a fine cut polish, this ensures the shine is consistent with zero paint defects,” explained Azmi Ismail, Managing Director of the Malaysia’s Horus dealer principal and another long time friend of mine.

From there, the entire process involved polishing with medium compound and the usage of solvents to remove any dirt and grime that may be tucked away deep inside the nooks and crannies of the bike.

To cap it all off, each component of the bike is cleaned with a microfiber cloth and a generous amount of Horus premium hybrid coating is applied to that extra shine.

It has been about three weeks now since I collected the bike. I have ridden the bike in the rain (in fact it rained right after I collected the bike) and it is now covered with dust again. But a quick swipe of a microfiber cloth immediately brings out the shine again.

Detailing motorcycles is a long tedious process, and not everyone can do it as it requires knowledge of the internal electronics of the bike. Am I happy with the final result? Im ecstatic with it, and for a bike as unique as the Anniversario, every bit of shine matters.

Horus Premium Tints and Coating is located at 32-G, Japan Penguasa B U1/53B, Temasya Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Malaysia. And can be contacted at 0122749586.