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

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

BMW Motorrad Will Enter BMW S 1000 RR in 2020 FIM Endurance World Championship

BMW Motorrad confirmed their participation in the 2020 FIM Endurance World Championship (FEWC).
They will campaign the new BMW S 1000 RR.
The 2020 season starts next month with the Bol D’Or 24-hour race.

BMW Motorrad confirmed their participation in the 2020 FIM Endurance World Championship (FEWC) with full factory support. They will enter the new BMW S 1000 RR, of course.

BMW’s Big Four Japanese rivals, namely Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki are already enjoying much coverage in the series.

The German factory will join forces with the MRP team, who’ve an extensive record in working with BMW on the world stage. It’s also reported that the team will use Dunlop tyres. However, the rider line-up has yet to be announced. The FEWC is the currently the only world-stage motorcycle racing series which allows tyre manufacturers to compete.

The FIM Endurance World Championship seems to be gaining in popularity lately. This is because the series consists of bikes that are relevant to those you and I can buy at a dealership. Heck, the bikes even have working electric starters and working lights!

On the other hand, MotoGP bikes are fully prototype machines, like Formula 1 in auto racing. While much technology has trickled down to road bikes, components don’t have the same designs and may not necessarily use the same materials. The advertising copywriting may say, “Inspired by our extensive technology in MotoGP racing,” but that’s as far as it goes. Or they could produce something so exotic like the Honda RC213V, yet it’s way out of reach among 99.99999% of us mortals.

What about the World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK)? Forget it. They may look like, feel like and even smell like road bikes but their electronics rival MotoGP.

The 2020 FEWC season begins next month (September) with the Bol d’Or 24-hour race in France, followed by the Eight Hours of Sepang from 13^thto 15^thDecember. There will be another three races next year to complete the 2020 championship.

HDPJ Honours HOG PJ Riders Who Rode to Phuket Bike Week 2019

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) held a special dinner for the Harley Owners Group of Petaling Jaya (HOG PJ) riders who rode to the the Phuket Bike Week 2019 (PBW 2019).
They were also gifted an exclusive and special pin for the ride.
This was the first such program and HOG PJ looks forward to more.

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) held a special dinner over the weekend for the Harley Owners Group of Petaling Jaya (HOG PJ) riders who rode to the the Phuket Bike Week 2019 (PBW 2019).

Formally called the “Phuket Mileage Program Appreciation Dinner” HOG PJ also awarded an exclusive and special pin for the ride.

According to Juan Chow Wee, the General Manager at Didi Resources Sdn. Bhd., “Whether it is an afternoon getaway or a transcontinental journey of a lifetime, every ride you take brings us all a little closer together. With HOG, you get rewarded for doing what you already love: Riding your Harley-Davidson.”

“To appreciate our members who joined the ride to Phuket, Thailand, we hosted this dinner and award them Phuket Bike Week pins to recognize the miles traveled.”

A total of 30 HOG riders took part in the ride.

Chris Ruxton, Assistant Director of HOG PJ added, “The following program is the first to be rolled out where we provide recognition to our members clocking in the miles in an official ride. We hope to do organize more of such programs.”

Malaysian Harley-Davidson riders and HOG members have a long history of visiting the PBW (and Songkran festival). The PBW is arguably the most prestigious bike week in the region.

VIDEO: Yamaha Gen Blu Festival Participants Involved in Scary Accident

A number of Yamaha Gen Blu Festival participants were involved in accident.
The scary crash was recorded on a dashcam.
The accident was caused by a car.

A dashcam video appeared on social media showing participants of the Yamaha Gen Blu Festival involved in a serious accident. It occurred on the LDP.

It appears that a black Myvi swerved abruptly from the right lane to the left. It’s front quarter struck another car which spun the Myvi around.

The impact caught a group of riders. The first rider almost it past but was caught by the bumper and thrown off. Two of his following buddies hit the car’s front and were flung over. A fourth rider probably took the biggest impact as he t-boned the Myvi, smashing his head and upper body into the car.

The riders were wearing the T-shirts handed out at the mega Yamaha event we covered earlier today.

There’s no explanation what caused the driver to drive in such a way. There’s also no news on the bikers’ condition.

Our hearts and prayers are with then to get well soon.

We are alarmed by the increase of such drivers these days. Worse, there were trolls who blamed the entire episode on the riders despite the incontrovertible proof!

Source: Info Roadblock JPJ/Polis

Yamaha Y15ZR V2 Doxou and Yamaha NVX Doxou Launched, Record 11,836 Yamaha Bikes at Yamaha Gen Blu Festival 2019

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) launched the limited edition Yamaha Y15ZR V2 Doxou and Yamaha NVX Doxou.
They were unveiled at the Yamaha Gen Blu Festival 2019.
The festival entered the Malaysian Book of Records with the largest number – 11,836 – of Yamaha motorcycles in one place.

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) launched the limited edition Yamaha Y15ZR V2 Doxou and Yamaha NVX Doxou at the Yamaha Gen Blu Festival 2019. The festival also saw the biggest attendance of 11,836 Yamaha motorcycles in one place thereby earning a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records.

The Y15ZR V2 Doxou and NVX Doxou represent not only lines of limited edition motorcycles, but also a complete lifestyle. That’s because the Doxou family encompasses a complete collection of official apparel and merchandise.

Additionally, each owner receive exclusive premium gift set which consists of specially-designed Doxou headphones and keychain. But more importantly, he/she also receives an exclusive certificate inscribed with the specific bike’s chassis and engine numbers. Great collector’s item and resale value, eh?

The Y15ZR V2 Doxou is priced at RM 8,868 (selling price) and will be available from dealers beginning mid-August. Pricing and availability of the NVX Doxou will be announced at a later date.

Meanwhile, the Yamaha Gen Blue Festival 2019 was a huge success. Apart from seeing the largest get-together, there were also a wide array of activities for both Yamaha owners and their families.

The attendees came in through convoys organised in different regions of the country.

To begin, the Yamaha Gallery showcased the 40 years of HLYM’s electrifying growth and success in Malaysia.

Bikes displayed include legends that ruled the Malaysian roads such as the RX-100, RX-Z, SRZ110, TZM150, 125Z, before progressing to the new bikes. There were also race classic race bikes such as the YZF-750, TZ-250, YZR-500.

HLYM also set up test rides, a bike clinic, NVX Challenge race, special sale of merchandise besides parts and accessories.

There was also a hotly contested custom bike competition. It was divided into different categories. The entries were dazzling. There were YZF-R25s dressed up like superbikes, a YZF-R15 which looked exactly like a YZF-R1M complete with wide tyres and Akrapovic race exhaust, Y15ZRs that were completely kitted out; superbly restored RZ-350LC Eddie Lawson Edition; the list goes on and on.

Many vendors also made their presence, providing a whole range of products and services.

Lucky draws were carried out by Hong Leong Yamaha throughout the day. A lucky soul went home with the Grand Prize of an MT-09.

Don’t despair if you missed this great event. Be prepared for an even bigger one in 2020. (But first, look out for the HLYM Malaysian MotoGP convoy!)

Ducati 916 Belonging to Massimo Tamburini On Display in Ducati Museum

Massimo Tamburini’s personal Ducati 916 prototype is on display in the Ducati Museum.
It is one of three which he developed into the production model.
The display commemorates the 25^thanniversary of the model.

The late Massimo Tamburini richly derserves the title as the best motorcycle stylist. It was his work in producing the Ducati 916 which transformed how all bikes look these days.

Now one of his three prototype Ducati 916 is on display in the Ducati Museum at Borgo Panigale.

Tamburini took six years to develop the bike. The aerodynamics and chassis were all done through personal expertise and experience on the roads around Rimini, besides the Mugello and Misano circuits He never used the wind tunnel once. Tamburini was one of the founders and partners at Bimota and brought his speciality in designing the frame and chassis.

No one in the wildest dreams could probably think such a machine could dominate the World Superbike Series, given the way it was developed. And it was the 916 which secured Ducati’s name as a prestigious motorcycle manufacturer.

Sadly, Massimo Tamburini passed away in 2014 before the 25^thanniversary of the Ducati 916. Ducati produced a limited run of the Panigale V4 25th Anniversario 916 to commemorate the historic model.

His legacy lives in this machine displayed in the museum. It’s of the 916 SP version which features the top-shelve components such as Brembo Gold Line brakes, Ohlins suspension, five-spoke magnesium wheels, carbon fibre Termignoni exhaust silencers, lightened single-side swingarm, etc. The bike has only a tachometer and water temperature gauge.

Hafizh Syahrin Eyeing Moto2 Seat in 2020

Hafizh Syahrin said that he is currently talking to two or three Moto2 teams for 2020.
He currently without a ride in the MotoGP class next year.
His hopes are either the KTM Tech 3 or PETRONAS SRT Moto2 team.

Hafizh Syahrin said that he is currently talking to two or three Moto2 teams for 2020.

His team Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing announced that current factory Moto2 rider Brad Binder will replace Hafizh next year. Unfortunately, all seats in the 2020 MotoGP season are taken, hence Hafizh had to look to the category from where he progressed into MotoGP.

Hafizh had progressed steadily in Moto2 before being tapped by the Tech 3 team in 2018. Back then, he and teammate Johann Zarco rode the Yamaha YZR-M1. Team principal Herve Poncharal decided to swith to KTM for the 2019 season after being promised factory machinery and support, something which Yamaha hadn’t done despite Tech 3 being their partner for more than 20 years.

Apart from Pol Espargaro who had been the KTM factory rider since the start, all three new signings namely Johann Zarco, Miguel Oliveira and Hafizh suffered. It was especially difficult for Zarco and Hafizh to accustom themselves to the aggressive KTM RC16 MotoGP racebike, given their super-smooth riding style.

He is now hoping to join either the KTM Tech 3 or PETRONAS SRT team in Moto2. The KTM team uses their own chassis, while the PETRONAS team uses the Kalex chassis. However, since there is currently only one bike in the PETRONAS team, it remains to be seen if they will add another bike or promote a Moto3 rider to the seat.