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Moto2 2019: Thomas Luthi Wins at Grand Prix of the Americas

Returning rider Thomas Luthi wins the Moto2 race at the Grand Prix of the Americas.
His teammate Marcel Schrotter took second after battling with Alex Marquez.
Championship leader Jorege Baldassarri crashed out.

It was a day of redemption for Thomas Luthi as he won the Moto2 race at the Grand Prix of the Americas.

The Swiss rider gave up on riding in MotoGP after lackluster results and returned to the Moto2 with the Dynavolt Intact GP team.

It was his teammate Marcel Schrotter who took the holeshot at the start, followed by Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS). However, Marquez was able to force his way through a few corners later.

Marcel Schrotter – Photo credit MotoGP.com

But instead of managing to break away, he was hunted down Luthi who had overtaken Schrotter. Soon, the pair started trading places with Marquez. The latter even resorted to putting up some hard passes but Luthi preservered and made his move stick. Luthi didn’t book back from that point on and rode to his win.

Marquez began falling into the grasps of Schrotter. When the latter moved to overtake, Marquez responded with hard passes including bumping into Schrotter. But Marquez couldn’t defend anymore and Schrotter passed him to claim second.

Marquez kept fading and was eventually passed by Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up) who had Mattia Pasini (Flexbox HP 40) in tow.

Championship leader Jorge Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) crashed out after hitting the rear tyre of Jorge Martin’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) out-of-control bike.

Aaron Canet Wins Moto3 Race After Frantic Final Lap at GP of the Americas

Aaron Canet won the Moto3 race at the Grand Prix of the Americas after a frantic final lap.
Early leader Tatsuki Suzuki crashed, setting the pack loose to battle for the win.
Canet and Masia now both lead the championship.

Spanish rider Aaron Canet won the Moto3 race at the Grand Prix of the Americas after a frantic final lap.

The race began with a high-speed train of riders but Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) took the lead and soon opened up a large gap. Eventual winner Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) kept up the pursuit and cleared himself from the pursing group.

Tatsuki Suzuki – Photo credit MotoGP.com

But with eight laps to go, riders started to crash including the returning Romano Fenati (VNE Snipers). He was caught out by the notorious bumps in Turn 18. Jakub Kornfeil (Redox PruestelGP) had nowhere to go and collected Fenati’s bike, sending him off the track as well.

Turn 18 also claimed another victim in the form of championship leader Kaito Toba.

Up front, Suzuki seemed to have made a mistake with six laps to go, allowing the Canet to catch up, while the pursing group caught Canet in turn.

The pressure seemed to catch up with Suzuki. With just less than five laps to go, the Japanese rider entered a corner too fast and lost the rear end of his bike and crashed.

His misfortune set the pack free to battle among themselves. Andrea Migno (Bester Capital Dubai) overtook Canet into second while Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) slotted into third, followed by Jaume Masia (Migno’s teammate).

A frantic battle ensued among the four, which included contact between Masia and Rodrigo which sent the latter backwards.

Canet planned his attack to perfection and overtook Migno with two laps to go. He would escape the fracas behind when Masia, Migno and Rodrigo started chopping among themselves.

Gabriel Rodrigo – Photo credit MotoGP.com

In the end, Canet cross the line first, followed by Masia, Migno and Rodrigo. Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completed the Top 5.

The results mean Jaume Masia and Aaron Canet leads the championship with 45 points each, while Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Niccolo Antonelli both hold second and third with 32 points each. Kaito Toba falls to fifth with 31 points.

BMW Motorrad Option 719 Preview at Auto Bavaria

BMW Motorrad Auto Bavaria held a special preview for Option 719 last night.
Option 719 is part of the BMW Motorrad Spezial ex-factory customization program.
Option 719 is currently available for R nineT, K-Series and C-Series line-ups.

BMW Motorrad Auto Bavaria held a special preview for Option 719 last night. The special event was held in conjunction with their BMW Motorrad Fest.

Auto Bavaria unveiled four R nineT’s with various Option 719 paintjobs. A customer, Dato’ Ariffudin Mokthtar also took delivery of an R nineT Pure finished in Black Storm/Metallic Auburn.

It was appropriate to debut Option 719 on the R nineT series, since it was designed to be customized. It is perhaps high time to launch the program as the Option 719 has been around for some time.

Option 719 is part of the BMW Motorrad Spezial ex-factory customization program. Owners could specify the special options for their BMW motorcycles prior to them arriving at the showroom or order the parts later. Depending on model, customers could choose from a catalog full of components such as billet brake fluid reservoir caps, engine covers, hand levers and paint jobs.

Customization is carried out by BMW’s in-house artisans such as those who carry out pinstriping, polishing, billet machining, seat leather stitching and so forth.

Customizing one’s bike with Option 719 accessories also means that the bike’s warranty isn’t voided. Besides that, the customer is assured of work being carried out by trained personnel, hence his bike isn’t butchered.

Option 719 is currently available for the R nineT, K-Series tourers, and C-Series urban mobility (read: scooter) line-up, but there are plans to expand it to include the adventure (GS) and sport (S 1000 RR) series.

You may obtain more information about Option 719 by following the BMW Motorrad Spezial webpage.

Interested parties can view the bikes at BMW Motorrad Auto Bavaria. Please follow BMW Motorrad Malaysia’s Facebook page and BMW Motorrad Malaysia’s website for more information on BMW motorcycles.

PICTURE GALLERY

2019 Suzuki Katana has Arrived in Malaysia!

Suzuki Malaysia posted in their Facebook that the new 2019 Suzuki Katana has arrived!
However, there is no official pricing or further details.
A search in Mudah.my found posts from last month asking for RM 85,000.

Suzuki Malaysia posted in their Facebook page that the new 2019 Suzuki Katana has arrived on our shores!

Unfortunately, they did not include the price, nor did they announce of any media unveiling of the price. We contacted Suzuki Malaysia but they company if off for the weekend. We hope to receive a reply on Monda.

However, we did a quick search in Mudah.my and found a couple of postings from early April and late March 2019. Both listed the price as from RM 85,000. On the other hand, Suzuki UK listed its price at £11,399 (RM 61,741.80).

We are not certain if that is going to be the exact price, as it means the Katana will cost more than the GSX-1000S that it is based on.

Not having any details to go on is definitely annoying. There have been many complaints about Suzuki Malaysia not engaging the media to spread news about the products in the last two years. Not that we are expecting advertising (although we definitely welcome it!) or test rides, but there has not been one single press release, even.

Consequently, most enthusiasts in Malaysia could only count on IF the media ever produces any news about Suzuki’s motorcycles. We only keep pushing news to our readers because of our love for all bikes, otherwise everyone will be in the dark.

So, if you’re reading this Suzuki Malaysia, please send some details to us in the media.

Bajaj Pulsar NS250 Expected to Launch in 2020 in India

There are rumors of a Bajaj Pulsar NS250 for 2020.
It will take the manufacturer into the 250cc segment.
There is no detail yet, but the new bike ought to be better equipped than the 200 line-up.

Rumours are running amok that a Bajaj Pulsar NS250 will be launched in India in 2020.

If it is true, the development follows the cancellation of the Pulsar NS180. The introduction of a 250cc model will bring Bajaj into the fray currently dominated by the likes of Kawasaki and Yamaha. Suzuki is also slated to introduce their own 250 soon.

As with the NS200 and RS200 that are developed based on the KTM 200 Duke and RC 200, the NS250 should also benefit from Bajaj’s joint venture with the Austrian manufacturer. Consequently, the engine dimensions ought to similar, if not identical, to the KTM’s. However, the tuning between the Bajaj and KTM engine may differ.

The picture below shows a rendering by SRK Designs and published by Indian Autos Blog.

The new 250 should be equipped with a dual-channel ABS ex-factory, if the manufacturer wants to place the bike among the premium brands. Besides, in Europe, all motorcycles 125cc and above are mandated to be equipped with ABS. Doing so also differentiates the 250 from the 200 models.

Norton Breitling Sport Unveiled

Norton teams up with Breitling to create the limited production Norton Breitling Sport.
Only 77 will be built.
Both companies have long heritage in their respective fields.

Norton is the offensive as the owners seek to bring the brand up to glory. They have just collaborated with luxury watchmaker Breitling to produce the Norton Breitling Sport.

The model is based on the Commando 961. Only 77 examples will be built, so each bike will be numbered. The Breitling Sport will er… sport a different seat, paint and trim.

Since Breitling is a timepiece maker, we can expect a line of watches to match the special model. Both brands have strong heritage: Norton started building bike parts in 1898 before venturing into building complete motorcycles in 1902. Breitling, on the other hand, was founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling.

Norton boss Stuart Garner said of the partnership: “I’ve always said that the key to a company’s success is to let the brand be the brand. This has been essential both at Norton Motorcycles and Breitling. We haven’t tried to change the nature of our brands or deny their histories. In fact, we revel in those histories and take inspiration from them while focusing on the future.”

Georges Kern, Breitling’s CEO says that his brand’s parallels with Norton Motorcycles are striking. “Both companies are innovative, entrepreneurial and have powerful legacies.” he says. “At the same time, we are looking ahead toward what we at Breitling call ‘our legendary future’.”

Source and pictures: MCN

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Latest News

Returning rider Thomas Luthi wins the Moto2 race at the Grand Prix of the Americas.

His teammate Marcel Schrotter took second after battling with Alex Marquez.

Championship leader Jorege Baldassarri crashed out.

Aaron Canet won the Moto3 race at the Grand Prix of the Americas after a frantic final lap.

Early leader Tatsuki Suzuki crashed, setting the pack loose to battle for the win.

Canet and Masia now both lead the championship.

BMW Motorrad Auto Bavaria held a special preview for Option 719 last night.

Option 719 is part of the BMW Motorrad Spezial ex-factory customization program.

Option 719 is currently available for R nineT, K-Series and C-Series line-ups.

Suzuki Malaysia posted in their Facebook that the new 2019 Suzuki Katana has arrived!

However, there is no official pricing or further details.

A search in Mudah.my found posts from last month asking for RM 85,000.

There are rumors of a Bajaj Pulsar NS250 for 2020.

It will take the manufacturer into the 250cc segment.

There is no detail yet, but the new bike ought to be better equipped than the 200 line-up.

Norton teams up with Breitling to create the limited production Norton Breitling Sport.

Only 77 will be built.

Both companies have long heritage in their respective fields.

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