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Honda Promises “Secret Model” at AIMExpo 2019

Honda promised to unveil a “secret model” at the AIMExpo 2019.
They are secretive about it so we could only speculate.
There are a number of segments that we could look at.

Honda promised to unveil a “secret model” at the AIMExpo 2019.

While the AIMExpo takes place in the United States, no one is sure whether the new bike will be meant for specifically for the US or worldwide market.

The intrigue is due to Honda missing in number of segments, which their rivals have been running away with for some time. Additionally, the models that do occupy those core segments are due for upgrades.

Here are to name a few:

Lightweight sport

There were rumours suggesting that Honda will upsize the CBR250RR to 300cc and selling it worldwide. The current 250 is being sold only in Indonesia, Japan and Thailand.

Middleweight adventure/dual-sport bike

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin render – Photo credit MCN

This is a huge gap that Honda has yet to fill. They’ve the CRF250L and CRF250 Rally on the lightweight end and the CRF1000L Africa Twin on the heavyweight side, but nothing in between. The manufacturer has acknowledged this, lending to rumours that they will work on an 800cc Africa Twin. No, the CB500X is not a true-blood dual-purpose bike.

Middleweight sport-tourer

This segment is currently filled by the VFR800F. The bike still has a wonderful V-Four soundtrack but it’s kinda long in the tooth and doesn’t show up in buyers’ radars.

Heavyweight sport-tourer

The VFR1200F currently occupies this range. It’s the first Honda bike equipped with their proprietary Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). But like the VFR800F, it should be due for a replacement.

Superbike

Ah, the CBR1000RR Fireblade. The Fireblade used to be the most popular superbike on the planet. That was until BMW unleashed their S 1000 RR. While the current CBR1000RR is arguably the best handling 1000cc sportbike, it’s outgunned in terms of outright power (at least on the spec sheets). In the face of 200+ hp rivals, its 189 hp has pushed it into the background. Will the next-gen Fireblade be a V-Four? Or an inline-Four with more power and active aerodynamics?

X-Adv

The super scooter could make its debut in the US market. This would be great news for Americans but a kind of letdown for the rest of the world since the model is already available elsewhere.

The AIMExpo begins on 26^thSeptember and we’re eager to find out, too!

Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Enters 8th Edition to Build Future Champions

The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp enters its 8^thedition in the important step to build future champions.
Students include 16-year-old Yamaha Motor Malaysia’s Muhammad Alif Ashraf Bin Tahiruddin.
They were taught by champions from the very first day.

The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp enters its 8^thedition in the important step to build future champions.

Students include Yamaha Motor Malaysia’s Muhammad Alif Ashraf Bin Tahiruddin (16); among Yamaha Motor Thailands’s Sawapol Nilapong (16) and Suttipat Patchareetorn (18); Yamaha Motor Philippines’ McKinley Kyle Paz (18) and Yamaha Motor Canada’s Jake LeClair (18).

The first day held a special surprise for the students with PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team rider Franco Morbidelli, fitness trainer Carlo Casabianca, VR46 Academy Moto3 rider Andrea Migno, and multiple flat track champion Marco Belli helping them to ride faster.

The participants were elated to find Morbidelli and Migno waiting for them at the Fisio Gym. The riders showed the students the proper work out regime of professional racers including stretching, spinning, Pilates and trying out the race simulator.

“In the morning the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp riders and I did some stretching, which is what we usually do at the VR46 Riders Academy. It’s important to do this, so you feel better with your body. Being supple is always important,” said Morbidelli afterwards.

“At the end, we did some Pilates, which is again something that will make your body more flexible. It’s important to keep this up, because it helps prevent injuries.”

The riders went to the Bar, Ristorante e Pizzeria da Rossi in Tavullia and spent time in Valentino Rossi’s hometown. They visited the Official Fan Club Valentino Rossi Tavullia and were handed presents by the Vice President, Flavio Fratesi, and shopped at the VR46 Store.

It was back to training afterwards at the VR46 Mtor Ranch. Marco Belli is the three-time English Flat Track, two-time American and European Flat Track Champion. He taught the students on correct riding position and bike control for their first flat track session aboard the YZ250F dirt bikes.

“The first day is always used to teach the guys about the correct body position and how to control the throttle. We got some very good feedback from them. There were no crashes, nobody got hurt, we saw a lot of speed, and – most importantly – they listened to the advice they’ve been given and put it into practice, which makes all the difference. They all have a good starting level. Therefore, starting from the next flat track training session, we will be riding on the oval and the full track – so we’re really happy!”

You may follow the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp website, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP website, Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Facebook, Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Instagram, Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Twitter, and YouTube for the latest updates.

Source: Yamaha MotoGP

Will Ducati Corse Join with Ducati Panigale V4 R in the Endurance World Championship and Suzuka 8-Hour?

Will a Ducati Corse factory team join the Endurance World Championship and Suzuka 8-Hours?
The manufacturer is now supporting privateer teams in the championship.
Ducati didn’t shoot down the idea but outlined that it’ll be a large challenge should they decide to.

Ducati obtained significant results in their comeback bid in the WorldSBK with the Ducati Panigale V4 R (Alvaro Bautista’s cock ups notwithstanding) this season. But will a factory Ducati Corse team join the Endurance World Championship and Suzuka 8-Hours?

The designer of the Ducati 916, the late-Massimo Tamburini had envisioned to race his creation in endurance events including the prestigious Suzuka 8-Hours. That’s why he gave the bike a single-sided swingarm. In fact, he admitted that the 916’s swingarm was heavier than the regular twin-spar swingarms of its contemporaries, but it facilitates faster rear wheel changes.

The design became a Ducati signature and tradition which is carried on all the way to the latest high-end Panigales including the Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Point is, endurance racing is missing in Ducati’s motorsports dossier.

Italian magazine GPOne.com spoke to Ducati Corse Sporting Director, Paolo Ciabatti about such prospects. Ciabatti didn’t kill the idea outright but gave a “not yet.”

The 2020 EWC season has begun and Ducati will participate only in a supporting role.

“In my opinion, if we ever decide to participate in the Suzuka 8-Hours in an official way at Ducati, it will be our own project which will require a great deal of effort,” he told GPOne. “We have to plan test on the track when it is available; we have to field the best riders available in the Ducati family; and then we have to think that to win there, the Bridgestone tyres must be used.”

“A challenge in the challenge. It is fascinating, but if Ducati decides to participate, it will do so to fight for victory.”

What he meant by “our own project” means that it’ll be Ducati Corse factory effort and not in partner with endurance race teams.

Sources: GPOne via Asphalt & Rubber

Franco Morbidelli in PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team for Endurance World Championship Round at Sepang

MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli will join the PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team squad for the FIM Endurance World Championship round in Sepang International Circuit.
He will join two other riders namely Hafizh Syahrin and four-time Suzuka 8 Hour endurance winner Michael van der Mark.
The round will take place from 13^thto 15^thDecember 2019.

MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli will join the PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team squad for the FIM Endurance World Championship round in Sepang International Circuit.

Morbidelli’s draft ends months of speculation that he will be one of the riders for the Sepang stint. He will join two other riders namely Hafizh Syahrin and four-time Suzuka 8 Hour endurance winner Michael van der Mark.

The squad will be supported by the YART Yamaha EWC squad who were former winners of the EWC. As such, the three riders will play their parts in riding the Yamaha YZF-R1.

The 2020 EWC opens with the Bol D’or in France before heading to Sepang for the second round from 13^thto 15^thDecember 2019. However, the Sepang round has a large significance to the EWC as it will form the qualifying round for “irregular” EWC teams to qualify for the Suzuka 8 Hour race.

Additionally, the race also features an FIA World Touring Car Cup round back-to-back.

Morbidelli expressed his concerns about riding in an endurance race. “I’m curious to see how an endurance race format suits me, and am really looking forward to it.”

Team Principal Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali is confident about the team’s prospects given the two MotoGP riders in addition to a multiple Suzuka 8 Hour winner. “We have faith that Franco, Michael, Hafizh and YART will deliver and we’re targeting the very top step of the podium.”

Source: PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team

Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) Will Confiscate Illegally Modified Motorcycles

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) warned that they can confiscate illegally modified motorcycles.
Attention falls on the Yamaha Y15ZR or better known colloquially as “Ysuku.”
Not all, but there are many thoroughly modified Ysukus.

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) warned that they can confiscate illegally modified motorcycles.

“Illegally modified” in this sense means motorcycles that are modified without having prior or proper permission. PDRM did not say what proper permission means, but one can assume a permission or homologation from the Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ).

The statement was issued by Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department deputy director Mohd. Nadzri Hussain. He made a stern warning that the police will not hesitate to confiscate illegally modified motorcycles.

The attention falls on the Yamaha Y15ZR (some non-motorcycle media reported wrongly as “Yamaha 15ZR”) or better known colloquially as “Ysuku.” “Last time, motorcycles that were often modified were the Honda EX5 but not it’s the Ysuku. This is dangerous because these users like to modify the motorcycle for speed and it is not able to handle it,” said Datp’ Mohd. Nadzri.

The police are aware of this trend especially among the youth.

No one can doubt the model’s popularity which is good for the industry. But like what the cops said, we’ve encountered so many that were so thoroughly modified that they could tail superbikes easily. Adding fuel to fire, many of those caught in illegal races were riding Ysukus.

Sure, motorcycling and modifications are a way of life but if the objectives are to win illegal races and lord about being overtake big bikes, it’s not a lifestyle anymore. It’s a nuisance.

You have been warned.

BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and Tom Sykes to Continue in 2020 WorldSBK

BMW Motorrad WorldSBK will continue with Tom Sykes in the 2020 WorldSBK season.
The rider took the new BMW S 1000 RR to four podiums in its debut season.
He will be joined by Eugene Laverty next year.

BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and rider Tom Sykes will continue their cooperation into 2020 WorldSBK Championship (FIM World Superbike Championship).

While the tie-up has yet to yield a win this season, Sykes had done well to put it on the podium at Misano, Italy; Donington Park (UK); and Laguna Seca (USA).

Those results were truly impressive, considering that BMW Motorrad announced their intention to join the championship with the new BMW S 1000 RR in November 2018. That left the factory, Shaun Muir team, and riders only a few months to prepare.

2013 WorldSBK Champion Sykes will be joined by Eugene Laverty next year, replacing Markus Reiterberger.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers welcomed Sykes’s continuation with the team as it provides stability. “Continuity and stability are critical factors for the success of the project,” he said. “Tom Sykes has consistently moved in a forward direction with the new S 1000 RR.”

Continuity would mean that the bike will follow a steady and somewhat predictable development path as opposed to swapping riders all the time. As different riders have different riding styles, there will be too many variables to consider. There is no luxury of time for such ventures in world championship racing.