Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, Haojue, has unveiled its new naked motorcycle, the XCR300, at the China International Motorcycle Expo.
The XCR300 brings an all-new design, starting with the split LED headlamp reminiscent of the Yamaha MT-25. It also comes with a single-piece seat, twin exhaust and a full LED light setup.
Moreover, it also features an impressive 16L fuel tank, 41mm KYB USD fork, assist and slipper clutch, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and digital LCD.
Underneath the fairing sits a 298cc twin-cylinder engine capable of producing 28.4hp and 27.8Nm and mated to a 6-speed gearbox.
Meanwhile, braking is done by a single disc at both ends clamped with Nissin axial callipers. Interestingly, the XCR300 also comes equipped with alloy wheels wrapped in premium Pirelli Rosso 3 tyres.
According to reports in China, the Haojue XCR300 is priced at CNY28,000 (RM18.2k).
When an automotive company introduces a model that adopts the name Nürburgring, you probably expect it to feature top-notch components.
In this case, MV Agusta has just unveiled the Brutale 1000 Nürburgring Edition to celebrate the legendary circuit.
Limited to just 150 units, the special edition Brutale 1000 comes equipped with carbon fibre components such as BST carbon fibre wheels that adopt an innovative billet hub. The company claimed that the innovative feature allows the wheels to be lighter and stronger, hence increases acceleration and handling.
The bike also comes with a full titanium Arrow 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust system and features a longer manifold that helps achieve higher torque.
The Italian firm also redesigned the front headlight cowl, with MV Agusta claimed it helps increase aerodynamics, especially during high speeds.
You can also find a host of carbon fibre components around the rest of the motorcycle including the engine cover.
Anyway, with only 150 units available worldwide, it is safe to say that there’s no chance for any of us actually to witness this bike anytime soon.
Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, Lifan, has unveiled the KPT 400, an all-new 400cc adventure bike at the Shenzhen Motor Expo.
While it may look similar to the Harley-Davidson Pan America, we are surprised that the bike actually feature some decent specs.
The Lifan KPT 400 features a 400cc parallel-twin engine capable of producing 42hp @ 9,500rpm and 35Nm @ 7,500rpm putting it in the mix with the KTM 390 Adventure.
Meanwhile, a steel trellis frame sits underneath the fairing, with the front suspended by a USD fork and monoshock at the rear.
Braking is provided by twin 2-piston callipers at the front and a single-piston calliper at the rear.
Other exciting features include a full-colour TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, a full LED light setup and an 18.5L fuel tank.
Kawasaki is set to debut five motorcycles in the US and three more at EICMA in November.
While it could be a revised version of the current lineup, there is a bit of talk behind the scenes that we might see a heavily upgraded ZX-6R.
This is based on the photos by Kawasaki, showing eight models (including a jet-ski) that is scheduled to debut this year.
One of them is rumoured to be a new ZX-6R, and the exposed exhaust canister is a small giveaway of the motorcycle.
Kawasaki already launched the updated Ninja ZX-10R last year; hence it is likely that the next in line to receive the same treatment is in the middleweight supersport, namely the ZX-6R.
If this is true, it could mark as a bold statement from the Japanese firm as all of its competitors have decided to end the 600cc range mainly due to Euro5 regulations.
A debut in EICMA will also mean that the ZX-6R will be available for the European markets; thus, an updated engine to meet the Euro5 homologation is on the card.
However, there are also rumours that it could be referring to the ZX-4R, a 4-inline 400cc sports bike inspired by the success of the ZX-25R.
Whatever it may be, we are excited to see what Team Green has in store for us.
If you’re in the market for an all-capable motorcycle, you might find the answer in the all-new Triumph Tiger Sport 660.
Built on the same platform as the Trident 660, the Tiger Sport 660 features the same triple-cylinder engine as its naked sibling and is set to go up against the Kawasaki Versys 650, Suzuki V-Strom 650 and the Yamaha Tracer 7.
The triple powerplant delivers around 79hp @ 10,250rpm, and 64Nm @ 6,250rpm, with the British firm, claims 90 per cent of the torque is available from 3,600rpm.
Like the Trident, the Tiger Sport 660 features two riding modes, Road and Rain, ride-by-wire with 6-speed transmission, and a slipper/clutch.
Braking is done by twin 2-piston Nissin radial callipers paired to a 310mm disc at the front and a 255mm disc at the rear. It also features dual-channel ABS that’s, unfortunately, can’t be turn off.
Other exciting features include 41mm Showa USD front forks with 150mm travel ad Showa rear monoshock with hydraulic preload adjustable.
Looking at the success of the Trident, the Tiger Sport 660 will follow the same formula and expand to a broader audience that seeks comfort and practicality.
It could potentially become the best seller from the Hinckley factory.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has recently announced Kawasaki Motors Limited as a new entity in charge of its motorcycle businesses.
KHI decided to introduce the spin-off motorcycle company after the brand witnessed an increase of 80 per cent sales since 2017.
Customers demographics are increasingly younger as well, as the Japanese firm revealed a number of riders in their 20s had grown significantly by 60 per cent within the same period.
Even before announcing Kawasaki Motors Limited, the company has already pushing to expand their factory in the US, including spending around USD265 million in global expansion projects.
To celebrate the new corporate identity, Kawasaki Motors Limited is branding itself with a new logo or an old one previously used on the H2 range.
The company decided to adopt the iconic River Mark as the official corporate logo. The design was conceptualized with the Japanese kanji for “kawa”, which means “river”. The logo was originally flown on the flags of ships owned by Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard, which later became KHI.
The new logo is a clear statement of intent that will shape the company moving forwards.
Italian motorcycle company, Benelli, is set to unveil a new 650cc adventure motorcycle as confirmed by a new patent filed by its parent company, Qianjiang Motorcycle.
While Qianjiang Motorcycle also runs its own QJMotor brand, the new patent suggests that it will cater to both of the brands.
Interestingly, the leaked images revealed a different take on a middleweight adventure bike, with a shorter windscreen, a single pod LED headlamp flanked by twin DRL (daytime running light), a chunky side fairing and a handguard.
The absence of a signature front beak (similar to Aprilia’s Tuareg 660 and Yamaha’s Tenere 700) also puts the motorcycle on a different design spectrum than other modern ADV machines.
The saddle features a split-seat setup with a big pillion grab rail, a similar aspect found on big ADV bikes such as the iconic BMW GS range.
Meanwhile, the 650cc V-Twin powerplant is underpinned by a new tubular steel trellis frame and is expected to punch out around 70hp, putting it around the same class as the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT.
The bike is also fitted with 19″ front, and 17″ rear spoke tubeless wheels, allowing the motorcycle to tackle both road and off-road conditions.
Despite the lack of further details, we can assume that Benelli or QJMotor will reveal the new motorcycle later this year in EICMA.
Inspired by the iconic 2006 GSX-R1000 K6, the Hamamatsu factory has revived the Phantom legacy with a special edition GSX-R1000R.
The Phantom is not just your regular GSX-R1000R with a different nameplate and paint job; this special edition motorcycle is also fitted with the same variable valve timing system that’s available on Suzuki’s MotoGP GSX-RR machine.
The 199hp inline 4-cylinder engine also comes with a bi-directional quickshifter, launch control, lean-angle sensitive traction control, three riding modes and a Yoshimura exhaust.
Suzuki also enhances the GSX-R1000R with track-focused brake and clutch lever guards, tank pad, fuel cap trim and a smoke double bubble screen.
The contrasting gold wheels and gold Showa Balance Free front fork goes well with the overall matte black livery.
According to the Japanese firm, the Phantom edition is the most powerful GSX-R ever built.
Other highlights include all LED light setup and fully digital LCD.
For those who are interested, the special edition GSX-R1000R is available in the UK for GBP17,499 (RM99k).
Meanwhile, championship leader Fabio Quartararo took second place, which means he will have the chance to take the world championship title in Misano as his closest rival, Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia could only finish third.
Nonetheless, it was a sensational performance by Marquez, who took his second win of the season and reclaiming his title as the true ‘King of COTA’ with seven wins, seven podiums and seven poles in eight appearances at the Texan track.
The 28-year-old also delivered Repsol Honda 450th podium in the premier class.
MotoGP returns to COTA for the first time since 2019 as the track undergoing serious resurfacing work on around 40% of the track consisting of Turn 1-2, 9-10 and 16-19 in an effort to alleviate bumps.
MotoGP will return later this month for the second time in Misano.
Francesco Bagnaia recorded his third consecutive pole position after recording the fastest time at Circuit of the Americas, round 15 of 18 in the 2021 MotoGP World Championship.
The Ducati rider also ended Honda’s Marc Marquez perfect pole position record at Austin after clocking 2:02.781s during the later stage of Q2.
Championship leader, Fabio Quartararo, will start at P2 in a bid to retain his lead against Bagnaia, with the two separated by just 48 points.
Meanwhile, despite clocking the fast time during the earlier stage of Q2, Marquez was push back by Bagnaia and Quartararo to start at P3.
However, it was a positive result for the Spaniard, who returned to the front row 441 days later since the 2020 Spanish GP.
Pramac’s Jorge Martin appears as the second-fastest Ducati rider on the grid and will start at P4, followed by Honda’s Takaaki Nakagami (P5).
Surprisingly, Jack Miller, who was fast all weekend, could only manage the tenth place and was visibly furious at the end of the session.
As an effort to promote riders safety with Allianz Motorcycle Plus, Allianz General Malaysia is stepping up the game by offering the Honda CBR250RR for one lucky winner.
Riders who purchase the Allianz Motorcycle Plus or Allianz Motorcycle (Comprehensive or Third Party) policy between 1st October and 31st December 2021 will stand a chance to be in the running to win a Honda Wave Alpa or the grand prize, the 2021 Honda CBR250RR worth RM25,999.
The campaign will feature three draws; each draw will be held at the end of each month, October, November and December, with the grand prize winner to be announced in the final month.
Customers who purchase the Allianz Motorcycle Plus and Allianz Motorcycle Policy (Comprehensive) are entitled to three entries, while Third-Party policy permits one entry.
“We know it has been a tough year for everyone, and with everything that has been going on, we wanted to do something nice for the riders out there.
“We have seen a lot more motorcycles on our roads since the pandemic, and with riders being so grossly underserved, our focus was on doing things to change that. We enhanced our Allianz Motorcycle Plus to offer improved protection and even introduced free roadside assistance for motorcycles.
“Having the 111 Motorcycle Campaign is just a nice way to bring everything together and hopefully bring a smile to our customer’s faces said Sazali Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Sales Officer of Allianz General.
Ducati rolls out the first episode of the Ducati World Premier 2022 (DWP 2022) web series with the new Multistrada V2.
While it may look like the current 950S, the Multistrada V2 is a far technologically advanced motorcycle thanks to an all-new electronic package.
According to the Bologna-based company, the entire build was focus on ergonomics, weight reduction, and engine updates.
As a result, the new Multistrada V2 is equipped with the latest 937cc Testastretta 11° with desmodromic distribution and a water-cooled unit that delivers 113hp and 98Nm.
The twin-cylinder engine offers linear and manageable power at low-revs while also capable of pumping greater torque when needed.
Ducati claimed the engine has an extended maintenance interval, with a regular oil change at every 15,000km and Ducati Desmo service (valve clearance check) at every 30,000km.
This is contributed by using new connecting rods, a new 8-disc hydraulic clutch and an updated gearbox that guarantees better precision during shifting.
In order to achieve maximum comfort, the Multistrada V2 features a 19″ front wheel and Ducati Skyhook Suspension EVO semi-active suspension that adjust the suspensions settings according to the road conditions.
Shorter riders will also benefit from the shorter 830mm seat height and narrower saddle, allowing you to touch the ground with your feet easily.
Interestingly, the Multistrada V2 also features a new footpeg taken from its bigger cousin, the Multistrada V4 and a 5kg weight reduction compared to the current Multistrada 950.
Moving on to the best bits, the Multistrada V2 is packed with a host of electronics packages, beginning with ABS Cornering, Vehicle Hold Control, Ducati Traction Control, four Riding Modes and Ducati Brake Light System that flickers in the event of sudden braking.
Meanwhile, the S version gets you the Ducati semi-active suspension, Cruise Control, LED headlight with Ducati Cornering Lights, quickshifter, a hands-free system, and a 5″ full-colour TFT display.
