Honda India has officially commenced its new manufacturing plant in Gujarat, India.
According to the company, the new facility will manufacture only 250cc engines and above for the international markets.
Despite the engine details remaining scarce, the new manufacturing plant is set up to meet the increasing demand in markets like South East Asia, Europe, the US, Canada, Japan and Australia.
“As demand for mobility rises globally, Honda envisions further expansion of its exports footprint across the world.
“With the introduction of BSVI norms in India, we are a step closer to achieving this vision.
“Building products which are at par with global standards of manufacturing, this new expansion will allow HMSI to develop production capabilities to strengthen our direction of make in India, for the world,” said HMSI MD, President and CEO Atsushi Ogata noted.
Honda claimed the new facility is able to produce close to 50,000 engines in the first year and will eventually increase to meet global demand hence strengthening the Japanese brand in the market.
A few days ago, there were reports along with a spy shot photo as proof that KTM is working on another variant of the 390 Adventure.
However, latest development has debunked that allegation as it turns out the photos was actually by Turtle Tech, an aftermarket parts firm specialising in adventure components.
The 390 Adventure in the photo is fitted with Turtle Tech additional hardware which includes, rally towers, bash plates and ADV upgrades for motorcycles.
The rally tower is developed in collaboration with Monkey Auto Crafts, Motourenn and Barageness.
A recent post by Turtle Tech on the company Instagram page has confirmed that the photos were actually a standard KTM 390 Adventure fitted with the prototype kit.
“Last week has seen quite a lot of speculation with our test proto spy pics. We thought it’s about time we set the records straight.
“We are Turtle Tech and we are coming soon.
“A first of its kind Rally Tower for the KTM Adventure developed in collaboration with @monkeyautocrafts @motourenn @barageness and tested by @asadracing from @motorsportmagnum
“We are currently under beta testing for our 4th prototype. Preorders will start soon so make sure you follow the @turtletechx page and watch this space.
“So, there we have it, not a new model from KTM, although the rally-spec additions to the popular lightweight adventure bike will be pleasing to riders of a certain disposition,” said Turtle Tech.
While it is a disappointment, we do hope that KTM would seriously consider expanding the 390 Adventure range with a Rally variant.
Boon Siew Honda has updated the Honda CBR250RR and Rebel 500 with new colour options for 2022.
The quarter-litre sports bike is now available in Honda’s Trico colour scheme which replaces the Winning Red colour variants from the 2020 model.
The new Trico Edition features a combination of red and blue that resembles the colours available on the Honda CBR1000RR-R and CBR600RR.
Nevertheless, the bike retained its 249.7cc two-cylinder engine that makes 40hp @ 13,000rpma and 25Nm @ 11,000rpm.
Despite the new colour option which includes the already available Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic, the Trico Edition still maintain the same RM25,999 price tag.
Meanwhile, the Rebel 500 now features a new Pearl Organic Green paint scheme joining the already available Matte Jeans Blue Metallic and Graphite Black.
Priced at RM32,899, the entry-level cruiser makes 45hp @ 8,500rpm and 43.3Nm @ 6,000rpm from its 471cc parallel-twin engine.
Boon Siew Honda (BSH) proudly announced the 2021 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing for the local market.
The big cruiser now offers better usability with increased carrying capacity and improve pillion comfort.
The updated Gold Wing now features a bigger luggage capacity, from 11L to 61L (top case), a revised pillion backrest angle for better comfort and new audio with lightweight speakers. The new Gold Wing is also equipped with Android Auto on top of the already available Apple CarPlay.
Nevertheless, The GL1800 continue to make 125hp @ 5,500rrpm and 170Nm @ 4,500rpm from its liquid-cooled 1,833cc 4-stroke SOHC horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine.
According to BSH, the riding ergonomics has been adjusted further forward to create a better feel.
Braking is done by a combination of ABS and D-CBS (Dual-Combined Brake System) which contributes to better brake distribution to the front and rear wheels.
The 2021 Gold Wing also feature Throttle By Wire (TBW) which offers up to 4 rider modes, Tour, Sport, Econ and Rain.
Other electronics features include:
Hill Start Assist and Idling Stop – offers better control while improving fuel efficiency
Integrated Starter Generator – combines generator and starter motor into one, with the generator operating as the starter motor when supplied with reverse power
The 2021 Hoda GL1800 Gold Wing is available only in Pearl Glare White for a price of RM210,888.
Ducatistis in northern Malaysia now has one of a kind shopping experience where they can get anything from the latest Ducati motorcycles to original Ducati equipment as well as Ducati branded merchandise.
Ducati Penang has been the cornerstone of everything Ducati in northern Malaysia for about a decade now. Through the years, the company has gone through many changes, but the one thing that has not changed though is its passion for the brand.
It is through this passion that Ducati Penang had invested time and money to improve the shopping experience at its premises.
The premises offers an experience like no other. The spacious premises ensures that there is plenty of room in between motorcycles so that you can gawk at your favourite Ducati from every angle possible.
The premises also makes it easy to display all the original aftermarket accessories available for all Ducati motorcycles. Such as the original Termignoni exhaust kit, Termignoni mufflers, carbon-fibre accessories and the works.
For those who love to wear their favourite brand with pride, Ducati Penang offers a full range of merchandise for you to wear with pride. Not only that but there is also original Ducati riding gear such as the ultra-smart and comfortable Ducati Smart Jacket.
The Ducati Smart Jacket comes with an integrated airbag that deploys when the sensors built into the jacket detect a crash. This happens in milliseconds and is the first round of defence to keep you safe in an accident.
Ducati Penang has everything that fans and owners of the brand could possibly want, and the best thing is, they are even willing to come to you. So if you have a Ducati that needs to be serviced or repaired, give Ducati Penang a call and they will be at their doorstep.
Ducati Penang is located at No 26, Jalan Dato Keramat, 10150, George Town, Pulau Pinang, and can be contacted at 04-226 5932.
As we are about to march into the new year, motorcycle manufacturers have been busy updating their 2022 portfolio.
The conclusion of EICMA 2021 showcased a host of manufacturers proudly presenting their 2022 motorcycles, while some decided to rely on online presentation.
Despite each manufacturer’s wide range of models, the adventure segment is the one to look out for next year.
Here are the top seven all-new adventure bikes to look out for in 2022:
1 .Aprilia Tuareg 660
Aprilia’s officially unveiled the 2022 Tuareg 660 in November and instantly became a hit among ADV fans.
Weighs at just 186kg, the Tuareg is set to become a fan favourite thanks to Aprilia’sAprilia’s latest 660cc parallel-twin with a 270-degree crank engine.
Despite being detuned to make 80hp and 70Nm, it features a host of technological advancements, including Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC), traction control, riding modes, engine brake settings, and cruise control that can be accessed via a 5″ TFT display.
Equipped with a 21″ and 18″ front/rear wheel, the Tuareg 660 is definitely one of the top ADV bikes to look out for.
2 .Husqvarna Norden 901
The Norden 901 is definitely one of the most beautifully designed ADV bikes ever built by Husqvarna, despite its first attempt at building a dual-purpose motorcycle.
Underneath the sick fairing sits an 890cc parallel-twin engine (taken from KTM’sKTM’s 890 Adventure) that makes 103hp and 100Nm.
Despite sharing the same engine with the 890, the Norden features taller suspension travel from the WP Apex suspension setup, 215mm and 220mm, as opposed to KTM’s 200mm.
The Norden 901 also come equipped with traction control, cornering ABS, auxiliary LED lights and a quickshifter.
With a 19L tank, the Norden 901 is definitely should be on your list if you’re looking to get some range week in week out.
3. Benelli TRK 802
There has been no shortage of middleweight adventure bikes debuting at EICMA, and the upcoming Benelli TRK 802 is the most surprising.
Continuing the success of Benelli’sBenelli’s TRK 502 that debuted in 2015, the TRK 802 makes a good 76hp and 67Nm @ 6,5000rpm.
As usual, the TRK 802 is a bit underpowered and a bit overweight (dry weight rated at 226kg) to be a hardline competitor of the other European and Japanese models; however, it makes a strong offerings thanks to its design and ridiculously affordable price tag.
Moreover, you get decent specs, including Brembo’sBrembo’s brake, a full LED light setup with DRL and a fancy 7-inch TFT display.
4. MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 9.5 & Lucky Explorer 5.5
*Lucky Explorer 9.5
MV Agusta has officially announced its first attempt into the adventure-bike scene with the introduction of two near-production prototypes at EICMA 2021.
The Lucky Explorer 9.5 features a new 931cc 3-cylinder powerplant that makes 123hp and 102Nm, while the Lucky Explorer 5.5 is equipped with 550cc parallel-twin engine co-developed with a Chinese manufacturer, Qianjiang Motorcycles.
*Lucky Explorer 5.5
The two motorcycles also adopt the same Lucky Strike-inspired colours featured on the iconic Cagiva Elefant.
The 9.5 comes with two transmission types: a Rekluse automatic clutch and a semi-automatic electronic actuated transmission similar to the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin DCT’sDCT’s.
5. Triumph Tiger 1200
Triumph Motorcycles has officially unveiled its top of the line Tiger range with the heavily updated Tiger 1200.
According to Triumph, the construction of the new Tiger 1200 focused solely on creating lighter and much powerful ADV bikes with class-leading handling and specs on and off-road.
At the centre of the building is an all-new T-Plane crank engine that was previously introduced on the Tiger 900 range.
The all-new 1160cc powerplant now makes 147hp @ 9,000rpm (8.5hp increase than the previous generation) and 130Nm @ 7,000rpm (8Nm up).
The Tiger 1200 now features GT and Rally edition with the new Explorer version that boasts a 30L fuel tank, higher-spec kit, and added electronics.
The Tiger 1200 GT and GT Pro features semi-active Showa suspension and gets a 19-inch front and 18-inch rear cast aluminium wheel, while the Tiger 1200 Rally and Rally Pro are equipped with 21″ front and 18″ rear tubeless rims for superior off-road handling and ability.
However, the Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer gets an impressive blind spot detection system developed by Continental, which is considered to be a huge selling point for any ADV bike these days.
6. Ducati DesertX
If your 2022 vision is to dream big, we suggest you to ‘Dream Wilder’ with Ducati’s latest addition, the 2022 DesertX.
Heavily inspired by the rally raiders that competed in the Paris-Dakar Rally during the 80s and 90s, the DesertX appears in heavy off-road elements combined with distinctive twin circular LED headlights with DRL (Daytime Running Light).
Built around an all-new steel trellis frame, the DesertX features a fully-adjustable Kayaba suspension setup, Brembo M50 callipers and Bosch Cornering ABS.
At heart sits the 937cc Testastretta 11-degree Desmodromic engine capable of producing 110hp @ 9,250rpm and 92Nm @ 6,500rpm.
Despite being fitted with the same plant as the Hypermotard and SuperSport 950, Ducati has updated the powerplant with lighter components.
The DesertX offers six riding modes comprising of Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro and Rally. Riders can also adjust the power modes accordingly.
Looking at how Ducati saved the DesertX for the last after introducing the Multistrada V2, Streetfighter V2 and the updated Panigale V4 S, it is safe to assume that the Borgo Panigale factory is putting high hopes for the new machine.
There you go, folks, a complete look into what’s in store for you for 2022. If you like what you see, then perhaps it’s time to save up and get the adventure bike of your dream.
Looking back at the list, we expect 2022 to be a year full of adventure, in a good way.
If the RM249,500 BMW M 1000 RR is too much for your pocket, then you might want to consider the a more affordable BMW M 1000 RR LEGO Technic set.
According to BMW Motorrad, the LEGO Technic features a 1,920-piece set that makes a 1:5 scale to the original carbon-wheeled machine.
The set includes a gold chain, functional three-speed gearbox, forks, rear shock and a dashboard with three display options.
The BMW M 1000 RR is a special machine, as it is the first two-wheeled machine produced by BMW M Division.
“In the same way, the LEGO Technic team realised they needed to come up with something unprecedented to pay tribute to the M RR.
“The result is a motorcycle and a technical model that each represent the state of the art in their respective fields,” said Ralf Rodepeter, Head of Marketing and Product Management at BMW Motorrad.
Interestingly, the M 1000 RR LEGO Technic sete is USD150 more than the Ducati Panigale V4 R set that came out last year.
Moreover, the BMW Motorrad Technic set will only be available in January 1st.
In less than six months after its global launch, BMW Motorrad Malaysia has officially unveil the R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B cruiser motorcycle for the Malaysian market.
The R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B (Bagger) takes the R 18 range to new heights as a Grand American Tourer motorcycle.
Built based on the R 18 First Edition and Classic, the Transcontinental and Bagger are ideal for the long-distance ride thanks to the large batwing front fairing and taller windshield.
According to BMW Motorrad, while the Transcontinental offers the classic American motorcycle elements, the R 18 B, on the other hand, is designed as a “rider’s machine” delivering emotional riding pleasure and is ideal for cool touring and cruising.
Nonetheless, the R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B continue to be powered by the Big Boxer 1,802 cc engine capable of producing 91hp @ 4,750rpm and 158Nm @ 3,000rpm.
Meanwhile, a double-loop tube steel frame sits at the heart of the chassis, designed to continue the legacy of the iconic R 5.
Other interesting features available on the R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B includes:
49mm telescopic fork with fork sleeves
cantilever suspension strut (damping and preload-adjustable)
light alloy cast wheels
BMW Motorrad Full Integral ABS
twin disc at the front
single disc at the rear
48L top case (Transcontinental)
24L tank
While the R 18 First Edition and Classic missed out on the cruise control feature, the two new variants come equipped with Dynamic Cruise Control (DCC) as standard.
However, customers can opt for the Active Cruise Control (ACC) as an ex-works option.
The ACC allows relaxed gliding with distance control – without the rider having to adjust the speed to the vehicle in front.
To increase comfort, the R 18 Transcontinental feature a ‘mid-mounted footpeg’ and a comfortable seat with seat heating functions as standard, while the R 18 B comes with a slimmer seat bench.
The cockpit features classically designed round instruments and a 10.25″ TFT colour display with map navigation for convenient route planning and extensive connectivity as standard.
Other electronic features include:
three riding modes: Rain/Roll/Rock
Automatic Stability Control
engine drag torque control (MSR)
Hill Start Control
Marshall 2-way speaker
Marshall Gold Series Stage 1 & 2 (optional)
The R 18 Transcontinental and R 18 B is priced at RM198, 500 and RM186,500 respectively.
Ducati has offically unveiled the DesertX, the latest addition from the Borgo Panigale factory during the final episode of Ducati World Premier 2021 web series.
The DesertX is finally showcased in its production form, two years since the prototype concept was revealed at 2019 EICMA.
The Ducati DesertX is the latest contender in a competitive ADV category which includes the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally, Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin and the upcoming MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 9.5.
According to Ducati, the DesertX is heavily inspired by the rally raiders that competed in the Paris-Dakar Rally during the 80s and 90s.
Dressed in an all-white with red accents, the DesertX appears in a heavy off-road elements combines with a distinctive twin circular LED headlights with DRL (Daytime Running Light).
The Ducati DesertX is built around an all-new steel trellis frame, aimed to improve rigidity especially in rough terrain. It also come equipped with a dedicated long travel suspension settings paired to a 21″ front and 18″ rear wheel.
The suspension system is handled by a full-adjustable Kayaba 46mm upside-down front forks and full-adjustable Kayaba monoshock with preload adjustment.
Other standard features available on the DesertX includes:
Wheelie Control
Engine Brake Control
Ducati Quick Shift
Cruise Control
Ducati Brake Light
USB power Socket
Steering damper
21L tank (with additional 8L tank as optional)
Meanwhile, braking is done by 320mm aluminium flange semi-floating disc paired to a Brembo M50 callipers and assisted by Bosch Cornering ABS.
At the heart sits the 937cc Testastretta 11-degree Desmodromic engine capable of producing 110hp @ 9,250rpm and 92Nm @ 6,500rpm.
However, in respect to the same engine used on the Monster and Hypermotard, Ducati has updated the powerplant with lighter components.
In turn, the new Testastretta on the DesertX is now 1.7kg lighter, contributed by a new sound absorbing covers, new clutch, new clutch cover, revised gearbox and ignition stick coils.
According to Ducati, the engine has also been tweaked to allow for more seamless low-speed changes.
Ducati also optimised the riders seat, to ensure comfort on-road and off-road with an adjustable saddle. The pillion seat can also be remove.
Taller dashboard also allow riders to to see the 5″ TFT dash while standing up.
The DesertX offers six riding modes comprising of Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro and Rally. Riders can also adjust the power modes accordingly.
The 2022 Ducati DesertX is expected to be made available worldwide beginning May 2022.
Honda has upgrade its entry-level game in the Japanese market by updating the CB400X and CBR400R for 2022.
The 400cc motorcycle now gets a host of upgrades which in turn making them a better performing road-bike in the country.
The 400cc displacement is built specifically to cater lower displacement license owners in Japan who finds obtaining a license for higher-capacity motorcycle painstakingly expensive. This in turn, is why the CBR400R and CB400X is popular in Japan.
Nevertheless, the CB400R and CB400X received premium components for 2022, which includes a Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) forks similar to the one available on the CBR650R. The SFF BP improve handling and cornering remarkably well, hence traslate to an engaging ride.
Following the footsteps of the recently updated CBR500R and CB500X, the 400cc variants now features dual front disc brakes and radial mounter callipers.
The 2022 CB400X also follows the same design language as the CB500X which includes a taller windscreen, full LED lights and longer travel suspension, inverted front forks and dual front disc.
Despite rolls out with dual-purpose tires, the CB400X is a more road oriented bike.
Both models are powered by Honda’s 399cc, liquid-cooled, 180-degree parallel-twin engine that produces 45hp, more than enough for young and inexperience riders to enjoy the ride without getting into too much trouble.
Damon Motorcycles new HyperFighter Colossus is now open for booking but will only be available as a limited-edition model with just 100 units slated for production.
However, the worldwide orders for the HyperFighter Colossus are on a ‘first-in-line’ basis, meaning by the time this news is published, it is safe to assume the entire slot has already been taken.
Interestingly, none of the future owners will get to see the finished design of the HyperFighter Colossus during the reservation process.
Instead, the new machine can only be seen once it is put on display a the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas scheduled to take place on January 5 2022.
According to Damon, the HyperFighter Colossus makes 200hp and over 200Nm as well as a top speed of 273km/h with a 0-100km/h in less than 3-seconds. This is achievable with the help of Damon new HyperDrive powertrain.
The 20 kWh battery takes just 45 minutes to get to 80 per cent charge with DC fast charging, 2.5 hours to 90 per cent on a 240V outlet and 15 hours to 90 per cent on a 110V outlet.
Besides the impressive powertrain, the HyperFighter Colossus is equipped with Damon’s CoPilot system, which features a 360-radar camera and sensor that tracks up to 64 objects.
The bike also gets Damon’s Shift System, which electronically changes riding ergonomics on the go.
Damon says the HyperFighter Colossus will feature more top-notch electronics once it is officially unveiled in Vegas.
Other specifications include:
17″ front and rear wheels
32″ seat height
57″ wheelbase
Öhlins suspension
Brembo brakes
The Damon HyperFighter Colossus is priced at USD35,000 (RM147k), and you can reserve on with a USD250 deposit on Damon’s official site.
