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

KTM 390 Adventure Ready for Production?

New spy shots show the KTM 390 Adventure looks ready for production.
Will there also be an off-road centric “R” model?
It should be launched at EICMA in November.

New spy shots show the KTM 390 Adventure looks ready for production. Please click here for the pictures.

Spy shots that appeared in MCN shows a bike that’s almost identical to the just-launched 790 Adventure. This is the closest it looks to being in a production-ready state since the first spy shots broke cover two years ago.

There will be almost no competition to the 390 Adventure in Malaysia as there is no other manufacturer who has such a bike, except for the BMW G 310 GS and Royal Enfield Himalaya.

The 390’s Adventure’s engine may probably be updated to provide for off-road applications, as was the 790’s LC8c parallel-Twin. Tractable torque is the name of the game for adventure/dual-purpose bike engines. Besides that, all manufacturers are preparing for the upcoming Euro 5 regulations.

However, will the new bike also include rides modes such as the 790 Adventure’s? Or more specifically, Rally Mode which allows the rider to select the level of engine response in addition to the traction control level on-the-fly.

MCN reported that the prototype is currently rolling on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cast aluminium wheels. Will there be an off-road centric “R” version like most KTM road models? If there is, it may just be equipped with 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels.

The KTM 390 Adventure should be launched at EICMA in November.

KTM European Q1 Sales Increase Surprised CEO

KTM unit sales in Europe increased by 10% in Q1 2019.
They moved a total of 261,000 bikes in Europe.
The result surprised even KTM CEO Stephan Pierer.

KTM unit sales in Europe increased by 10% in the first quarter (Q1) of the year. The result even took KTM CEO Stephan Pierer by surprise.

The Austrian giant moved 261,000 bikes in that period of time. In fact, the results not only the CEO but also us. There are many external forces that seem to force motorcycle sales down in the EU at the moment such as Brexit and political tensions. He also added that the news was “sensational.”

Given the buoyant news, Pierer wants to look to the future, which includes electric bikes. The manufacturer already has an electric in the Freeride E-XC but will sure tap into the non-offroad market as well. “E-bikes have become a huge market. As a large manufacturer, you have to there.”

Adding to the news, he also hopes that KTM can maintain the momentum and set a new target of selling 400,000 bikes worldwide by 2022.

They have has launched a number of new models recently, including the 790 Adventure, 790 Adventure R and 1290 Super Duke GT. We wonder how these models contributed to the number.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 Spotted Testing on Track

A Ducati Streetfighter V4 prototype was spotted being tested on a racetrack.
Ducati is expected to field a Streetfighter V4 prototype at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
The new bike will launched at EICMA.

A Ducati Streetfighter V4 prototype was spotted being tested on a racetrack.

The mouth-watering prospect began when Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali hinted that there will be more bikes built on the new Desmosedici Stradale V4 platform.

The grainy photos shared DDG magazine shows a bike with intakes taken directly off the Panigale V4. The headlights are mounted on pods ala Triumph Street and Speed Triple. Moving back, notice the tailsection is identical to the superbike, as well. The exhaust pipes are underslung, unlike the previous Streetfighter 848 and 1098.

But what’s more important is the engine. Or more specifically, how much power will the engine produce. The current KTM 1290 Super Duke R’s LC8 V-Twin engine makes 178 hp and is touted as the “most powerful super naked.” In view of that, we guess the Streefighter’s engine will be tuned to regions of 190 hp. That’s 23 hp down from the Panigale V4 but 213 hp for a naked bike is ridiculous.

The Streetfighter V4 is expected to make its first public appearance at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb starting 30^thJune.

It also ought to be officially launched at EICMA.

Hong Leong Yamaha recalls 2019 Yamaha YZF-R25 and Yamaha XMAX

Hong Leong Yamaha Motors has initiated a recall for the 2019 Yamaha YZF-R25 and Yamaha XMAX.
The campaign covers the replacement of the brake lever.
It begins in mid-July, 2019.

Hong Leong Yamaha Motors has initiated a recall for the 2019 Yamaha YZF-R25 and Yamaha XMAX.

The recall involves replacing the brake lever as a safety precaution. The decision was made by Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. (i.e. Yamaha Japan). The campaign first began in the United States when dealers found a number of levers of the YZF-R3 snapping during hard braking.

Brittleness is usually associated with the presence of impurities in the metal during the casting process.

The Malaysian recall campaign will commence from mid-July onwards by region. Hong Leong Yamaha will strive to contact the owners of the affected bikes.

In the meantime, please refer to the table below for the range of chassis numbers involved.

Model

Frame Number

Component

YZF-R25 2019

Units that within the following frame numbers

PMYRG1520K0000127 – PMYRG1520K0000166

PMYRG1520K0000207 – PMYRG1520K0000246

PMYRG1520K0000247 – PMYRG1520K0000286

PMYRG1520K0000287 – PMYRG1520K0000326

PMYRG1520K0000327 – PMYRG1520K0000366

PMYRG1520K0000367 – PMYRG1520K0000406

PMYRG1520K0000407 – PMYRG1520K0000446

Brake Lever 2

XMAX

Units that within the following frame numbers

PMYSG4010K0001727 – PMYSG4010K0001766

PMYSG4010K0001767 – PMYSG4010K0001806

PMYSG4010K0001807 – PMYSG4010K0001846

PMYSG4010K0001847 – PMYSG4010K0001886

PMYSG4010K0001887 – PMYSG4010K0001926

PMYSG4010K0001927 – PMYSG4010K0001966

PMYSG4010K0001967 – PMYSG4010K0002006

First Look: 2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT

The 2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT was unveiled to the Asian Pacific Media tonight (Monday).
The bike represents the company’s re-entry into the dual-purpose segment.
While it encompasses the company’s DNA, it’s a modern bike throughout.

The 2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT made (huge) waves since its launch. We were looking forward to its launch in Malaysia but received something even better: Attending the Asia Pacific Media Launch in Phang Nga, Thailand.

Before going further, Moto Guzzi did enter the Dakar Rally and Baja Rally many decades ago, but there was hardly any news about their involvement.

Those bikes were painted in yellow and white plus another in red and white. That is why the V85 TT includes two special paint schemes apart from three standard colours.

Anyway, listening to Moto Guzzi’s executives’ presentation made us realize that the manufacturer is also very excited (and hopeful) in introducing this model. To Italians, it would be described as passione (passion).

The bike is an entry into the middleweight dual-purpose segment. However, since Moto Guzzi is the “heritage” arm of the Piaggio Group, the V85TT gets a retro dual-purpose treatment.

The new bike’s heritage extends all the way back to the 1962 Lodola Regolarita, 1985 V65 TT Vestiti Baja, 1996 Quota 1000 and Stelvio 1200. Thus, the manufacturer describes the V85 TT as a dual-purpose with the Moto Guzzi’s DNA and identity.

However, rather than build an off-road-centric bike, the V85 TT was designed to be an all-rounder to fulfill the rolls of a tourer, leisure-bike, sporty bike and commuter. As such, the “TT” moniker means tutto terreno, Italian for all-terrain. (No, not that dude in Fast & Furious.)

But it is a modern bike throughout.

The electronics include three rides modes: Road, Rain and Off-Road (turns off the rear wheel’s ABS). There is also cruise control. The dash display uses a 5.3-inch TFT screen which looks shared with Aprilia. Lighting is LED all-around.

The engine is an 853cc, air-cooled, 90-degree transverse V-Twin which produces 80 hp (CV) at 7,750 RPM and 80 Nm of torque at 5,000 RPM. It’s adopted from the company’s V9 but has a different tune. Being a dual-sport, Moto Guzzi tuned the engine for a flat torque curve for better tractability rather than all-out horsepower. Other updates include titanium intake valves, a 30% lighter crankshaft, dual scavenging oil pumps. The pushrods are aluminium, actuated by roller tappets.

As for the chassis, the frame is made of steel tubes. The front suspension is adjustable for rebound only, while the rear piggyback shock is adjustable for preload and rebound. The front brakes consist of four-piston Brembo calipers.

Moto Guzzi was eager to highlight the engine’s efficiency, in terms of fuel savings. The 23-litre fuel tank is claimed to provide more than 400 kilometres of riding.

In a nutshell, the bike gives Moto Guzzi a dual-purpose/adventure-tourer after the discontinuation of the Stelvio 1200.

The bike looks handsome and much better up-close than in pictures. Stay tuned for our riding impression and full review.

PICTURE GALLERY

2019 TVS Apache RR 310 Launched in India

The 2019 TVS Apache RR 310 was just launched in India.
It now has a slipper clutch.
A new Phantom Black colour option is also added.

The 2019 TVS Apache RR 310 was just launched in India.

The bike had previously been thought as the “RR” version for the BMW G 310 series, but it turned out to be otherwise.

New for 2019 is a slipper clutch which is starting to be the standard equipment in bikes from 250cc and upwards. A slipper clutch avoids the rear wheel from locking up and hopping during aggressive downshifting. It also allows for smoother corner entries, hence higher mid-corner speeds – something which lightweight motorcycles need.

There was no mention of an assist function, however. Opposite of the slipper function, an assist function squeezes the clutch plates together during acceleration. Consequently, clutch pull is lighter.

A new colour is also available for the 2019 version called “Phantom Black.” The previous year’s paint scheme already includes a black option. However, the 2019 Phantom Black has red stripes, making the bike look racier.

The 312.2cc single-cylinder engine produces 34 hp and 27.3 Nm of torque. Pretty healthy for a single.

We’ve oft-wondered if TVS Malaysia will bring in the Apache RR 310. They ought to if there is enough demand.