From the introduction of the 2014 Kawasaki Z1000, the Sugomi design concept has been embedded by Kawasaki into all of their latest bikes in the Z family.
Sugomi means the embodiment or spirit of a predator on a hunt and ready to strike its prey.
The latest 2017 Kawasaki Z900 ABS carries that design spirit with its intense focus, low crouching position and superb performance with dynamic handling characteristics.
Ever since the introduction of the infamous 2014 Kawasaki Z1000, we’ve been introduced with a brand new design concept applied to motorcycles thanks to the folks over at Kawasaki. Together with the Z1000’s introduction was the tagline “Call of the wild”, Kawasaki went with their wildest motorcycle design concept yet called “Sugomi”. (more…)
I-Moto.my together with GB Workshop conducted a workshop on proper bike maintenance dubbed the I-Workshop.
Held at The Gasket Alley, the laid-back seminar targeted for Vespa, Scomadi, Benelli and Aprilia owners on how to properly maintain their bikes and what to look out for when it comes to servicing.
The workshop was successful in providing valuable knowledge and firsthand experience to the bike owners to ensure that their beloved bikes are always ready to ride.
Our dear friends from I-Moto.my conducted a very successful program earlier today dubbed the I-Workshop for a bunch of Vespa, Scomadi, Benelli and Aprilia bike owners and enthusiasts. With the goal of educating these bike owners regarding the importance of bike maintenance, the casual workshop / seminar was held at The Gasket Alley, Petaling Jaya with the help from the great folks over at GB Workshop. (more…)
HJC Helmet Malaysia will give away a brand new HJC IS-33 open-face helmet to one lucky individual who can come up with best comment in the final prize giveaway Facebook post contest.
The final topic has been posted on the Bikes Republic and Moto Malaya Facebook pages and the best comment will be chosen to take home the HJC IS-33 plus other mystery prizes.
The HJC Helmet Malaysia Final Giveaway contest will end on this Sunday (22 October 2017) at midnight.
In conjunction with the upcoming Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix which is going to be held from 27 October 2017 to 29 October 2017, HJC Helmet Malaysia has been running a month-long contest on our Bikes Republic and Moto Malaya Facebook pages. (more…)
When talking about the best practical sports bikes to buy now, there are a few options available with different specs and price tags.
The latest addition to this growing category is the 2017 Ducati Supersport S with features and performance to match.
To those who feel that it carries a huge price tag, here are some other prime examples when it comes to a bike that has both performance and touring capabilities.
In this day and age, motorcycle enthusiasts are constantly looking for the best motorcycle that is able to tackle a number of riding and weather conditions. The constant search for the ultimate balance between sports performance and comfort touring rideability is inevitable and manufacturers are beginning to take notice. (more…)
The 2017 Ducati 900 SuperSport has just been launched.
The Ducati SuperSport lineage is long and interesting.
Ducati now has a bike that’s sporty and practical.
Ducati Malaysia has just launched the 2017 Ducati 900 SuperSport tonight.
Also known as the SS , the SuperSport name is steeped in rich heritage. Here are Ten Things about the 900 SuperSport you should know.
1. HERITAGE
It all started in 1972, when Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari both rode the Super Sport prototype based on the 750 GT to victory and second place respectively, at the Imola 200. The desmodromic-valved V-Twin was designed by none other than the great Fabio “Dr. T” Taglioni (We wrote up about Fabio Taglioni in our Top Motorcycle Designers series).
Paul Smart at Imola 1972
The significance of these results meant that: 1. Ducati will forever be elevated into the ranks of superbike makers; 2. The use of the desmodromic (desmo) system in virtually every Ducati thereafter; 3. Ducati’s superbikes of that era were named Super Sport.
The desmodromic valve system
2. MIKE HAILWOOD
“Mike the Bike” came back to motorcycle racing in 1978 after an 11-year hiatus, joining the Isle of Man TT Formula 1 race, and rode the Ducati 900SS to an emphatic victory.
Mike Hailwood at the 1978 Isle of Man TT
The following year’s 900 Super Sport were painted in black with gold accents, but a limited-edition Mike Hailwood Replica was also produced, complete with green and red colours.
1979 900 Super Sport Mike Hailwood Replica
3. TAMBURINI’S 900SS
The “Michaelangelo of motorcycles,” Massimo Tamburini joined the Cagiva Group in 1985; Cagiva had already acquired Ducati by then.
Tamburini’s first Ducati was the Paso 750 which made its debut in 1986. It featured “boxy” front and rear ends, plus a bodywork which wrapped tightly around the mechanical parts of the bike.
1986 Paso 750
Taking cues from the Paso, he next designed the 851 superbike for 1987. The 851 was the Ducati which started the Italian firm’s dominance in World Superbike.
851 SP3
And from the 851’s design, the 900 SuperSport was reborn in 1988. It was during this time that the SS name had started to be promoted by Ducati. The engine was the 904cc, air-cooled, two-valve, 90-degree, “Desmodue” V-Twin based on the Pantah, with crankcases derived from the 851. This same engine also went on to power the M900 Il Monstro.
1991 900SS
But it was in 1991 that the 900SS found great popularity. Between 1991 to 1998, there were many special versions, including the SP (Sport Production), CR, and ultra-sexy SL (SuperLight). Although it was based on the design of the 851, the SS was far more practical for everyday riding and touring to some extent. The riding position didn’t fold the rider in half, instead it was more upright.
900 SS SuperLight
Sales of the 900SS started to decline in 1997, due to the popularity of the Monster and 916/996/998 superbike. Ducati offered the 900SS FE (Final Edition) in 1998.
1998 900SS Final Edition
Motorcycle enthusiasts of that era would still fondly remember the 900SS as the Ducati with a volcano-like exhaust rumble.
4. DECLINE OF THE SUPERSPORT
Tamburini had decided to stick with Cagiva who was now concentrating on the MV Agusta marque, leaving Pierre Terblanche to helm the design department at Ducati.
Terblanche designed the SuperSport for 1999, which was inspired by the Supermono he had penned years earlier. The design was too big of a departure from what the Ducatisti had been accustomed to and met heavy resistance in extreme cases.
1999 900SS
The SS saw an increase in engine capacity up to 1000cc ultimately, but continued poor sales saw the model axed in 2007.
5. ALL-NEW 2017 DUCATI SUPERSPORT
Ducati revealed the 2017 SuperSport at Intermot 2016.
While Ducati has an extensive lineup in almost every segment, there was a glaring void in the “everyday sportbike” department. Ducati has the Multistrada for both sport-touring and adventure-touring. Conversely, the Panigale as the all-out sportbike. The Monster is a more practical naked sportbike, but doesn’t tour well. The Scrambler is more of a modern classic. The Diavel is a power-cruiser.
The result is this bike. But what should it be called? Why, the SuperSport, of course!
6. RIDING POSITION
The main draw of the 2017 900 SuperSport is its riding position – sporty yet comfortable.
As highlighted above, Ducati heard the requests of the bike buying crowd and built a bike that’s practical for everyday riding, sporty for weekend canyon bombing, comfortable for long-distance touring, and fast enough for the odd trackday.
Just like the 1991 to 1998 900SS.
7. REWORKED POWER DELIVERY
The new 900 SuperSport’s engine is shared with the 939 Hypermotard’s 937cc Testastretta, but has been retuned for low-end and wider torque spread throughout the engine’s range. 80% of the 96.7Nm of peak torque is available from just 3000 RPM.
Low-down and midrange torque is what’s most important when you ride on the streets, as it makes overtaking easier, besides saving your concentration and energy from having to shift often. Additionally, torque is what allows a bike to haul a passenger and luggage easier.
While 113bhp doesn’t seem a lot on paper, it’s already more powerful than the 916 superbike in 1994.
900 SuperSport engine
8. DAILY RIDING/TOURING
It may look like the Panigale, but the clip-ons are high set, the footpegs are lower, and the windscreen is adjustable by 50mm. Ducati also offers the “Touring Pack,” which includes a pair of semi-rigid panniers, a larger windscreen and heated grips.
Panniers in the Touring Pack
9. SPORT RIDING/CANYON BLASTING
Ducati also offers the “Sport Pack,” which includes a carbon front mudguard, carbon fuel tank cover, articulated racing lever kit, and billet aluminium covers for the front and rear brake fluid reservoirs.
10. VERSIONS
The 2017 Ducati SuperSport is offered in two variants.
The SuperSport S is equipped with fully adjustable 48mm Ohlins fork and Ohlins rear shock. It also features a quickshifter that works on both upshifts and downshifts (the engine blips itself on downshifts). The clutch is therefore only used when starting and stopping. The SuperSport S comes in Ducati Red and Star White Silk. A colour-coordinated rear seat cover is included.
2017 900 SuperSport S
The base SuperSport model gets fully adjustable 41mm Marzocchi forks and Sachs shock that’s adjustable for preload and rebound only. It is available only in two-tone Ducati Red and Saturn Grey. Owners may install the quickshifter of the SuperSport S.
2017 Ducati SuperSport
However, both models feature front and rear ABS, ride modes and Ducati Traction Control as part of the Ducati Safety Pack.
Team PETRONAS RACELINE MALAYSIA has had a very successful relationship with Hafizh Syahrin, dating back to 2007, when the young rider made his debut at the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship. Barry Leong, the Team Principal then, first discovered the budding star when he was racing in the Pocket Bike League.
“It has been a wonderful journey, seeing Hafizh progress throughout his career from racing in the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix, moving up the different classes, and advancing on to the Asia Road Racing Championship. Hafizh, under Team PETRONAS RACELINE MALAYSIA, then participated in The Australian Formula Extreme Championship in 2011, before we moved on to race in the FIM CEV Championship in Spain” said Barry.
“It truly has been an honour and a privilege for us as a team, to have grown together with Hafizh. I have known and guided him since he was 12 years old, racing as a very talented boy, and now, a passionate young adult. However, for everything that has a beginning, there has to be an ending, and we have come to a natural and amicable one” he said.
“Malaysia still has a pool of untapped local talents that are waiting to be discovered. Moving forward, Team Raceline will continue to develop and groom these young talents in setting higher goals to fully maximize their potential” he added.
Hafizh Syahrin has scored a few podium finishes in Moto2, including two this year, one of them at Motegi last week. Syahrin picked up his “Pescao” nickname when he was contesting in the CEV Championships in Spain. According to the rider, because he had always done well in the rain, his crew called him, “Pescao,” meaning “fish” in Spanish. True to his nickname, his podium finishes were mostly from racing in wet conditions.
Since his full season debut in 2014, Hafizh has steadily improved on his overall standings – 19th in 2014, 16th in 2015, 9th in 2016, and is currently in 9th with three rounds to go.
