MV Agusta recently launched the Superveloce lineup for 2021, with the new Superveloce S joining the range.
However, the Italian marquee will not stop there; instead, they are planning for another reveal on April 14 with the new 2021 Turismo Veloce.
The middleweight sports tourer was recently teased on the official company website.
The bike will receive a revised 798cc three-cylinder engine to meet Euro 5 standard; hence there will be slight changes to the current 107hp and 80Nm found on the previous model.
Based on the recently launched Superveloce S, the Turismo Veloce may also receive a full-colour TFT display and smartphone connectivity.
Catch all the details on the upcoming Turismo Veloce on April 14.
MotoGP promoters Dorna officially announced the inaugural Indonesia GP would only take place in 2022.
The Mandalika Circuit was initially due to held the MotoGP this year, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all parties involved agreed to hold the official race in 2022.
“Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, all parties involved agreed to hold the first MotoGP World Championship Grand Prix at the track in the first part of the 2022 season, in principle during March,” Dorna said in a statement.
Dorna and FIM recently flew to Indonesia to officially examined the track that is currently being built in Lombok.
“The visit to Lombok was very successful, and we can confirm that the Mandalika International Street Circuit will be one of the most important venues of the calendar in the future.
“Indonesia is a key market for Dorna, and for all the stakeholders of the championship,” said Dorna CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta.
However, the Mandalika Circuit is expected to host the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) on November 14.
Marc Marquez will return to MotoGP nearly a year after being sidelined with an injury sustained during the 2020 season opener in Jerez.
The Spaniards will take part in this month’s Portuguese Grand Prix, as confirmed by Repsol Honda.
The six-time MotoGP champion had undergone three operations on his right arm in a bid to return for the 2021 season opener in Qatar. However, the medical team had advised against the idea with test rider Stefan Bradl replaced Marquez on both occasions.
Nonetheless, the doctors have given Marquez all-clear to contest in the third round at Portimao on April 16-18.
“In the review carried out on Marc Marquez by the Hospital Ruber Internacional medical team, four months after surgery, led by Doctors Samuel Antuña and Ignacio Roger de Oña, and made up of Doctors De Miguel, Ibarzabal and García Villanueva, for an infected pseudoarthrosis of the right humerus, a very satisfactory clinical condition was found, with evident progress in the bone consolidation process.
“In the current situation, Marquez can return to competition, assuming the reasonable risk implicit in his sporting activity,” said Honda in a statement.
Marquez is yet to jump on the latest RC213V but was allowed to ride the Honda RC213V-S test bike at Barcelona and Algarve after doctors allowed him to intensify his training.
Marquez also shared his excitement on social media.
“I’m very happy. Yesterday I visited the doctors, and they gave me the green light to return to the competition. They have been nine difficult months, with moments of uncertainties and ups and downs, and now, I will be able to enjoy my passion again,” he said.
Before you asked, no, this is not a scam; instead, what you are looking at is actually a 2013 Benelli TNT 600 disguised as 2015 BMW S 1000 RR.
The owner is putting it up for sale on Facebook and asking for RM21,000.
Apart from some apparent giveaway, we are still amazed at how detailed the bike looks, especially since Benelli and BMW has an entirely different design concept.
The converted TNT 600 looks great donning the famous S 1000 RR fairing and other features such as the iconic front headlamp and the rear lights.
Nevertheless, the disguised S 1000 RR still maintains the same 600cc inline-4, liquid-cooled, DOHC capable of producing 80.46hp at 11,000rpm and 52Nm at 8,000rpm compared to the original BMW that offers 199hp at 13,500rpm and 112.5Nm at 10,500rpm.
Although there is a vast difference in terms of power and performance between the two, we are not here to judge; instead, hats off on the amount of time (and money) spent disguising this motorcycle.
MV Agusta rolls out the Superveloce range for 2021, consisting of the standard and the new “S” version.
While both the standard and “S” versions come equipped with the same 798cc powerplant, the latter takes attention to detail, characterised by a new white livery, brown Alcantara leather seat, and tubeless spoke wheels.
Engine
For 2021, the major renewal starts from underneath the fairings, the 798cc liquid-cooled DOHC engine now revised with Euro 5 homologation but still pumps out 147hp at 13,000rpm.
The upgrades consist of a new bushing, titanium valves and DLC-coated valve guides that help reduce friction and increase fuel efficiency.
The engineers at Varese also completely redesigned the exhaust system from the manifold to the silencer, all focusing on meeting Euro 5 standards.
Also revised is the control unit, which consists of engine management and control to create a more precise performance.
Electronics
The 2021 Superveloce also received an all-new six-axis IMU inertial platform that reads the motorcycle angle to provide precise and optimum control.
The new IMU also helps to manage front lift control instead of turning it off altogether, making the 2021 Superveloce a more enjoyable bike.
Meanwhile, braking is done by Continental ABS with specific mappings for MV Agusta, which also consist of cornering ABS and traction control.
The Italians also up the ante with a 3rd generation bi-directional Quick-Shift EAS 3.0, which improves the shifting with the help of a new sensor and a new launch control system.
Other major changes:
5.5″ TFT screen
MV Ride App connectivity
turn by turn navigation functions
Currently, MV Agusta has yet to release official pricing but safe to assume no matter what the price is, a beautiful machine like this won’t take up too much time in the market.
Rear-view mirrors don’t do much justice to a motorcycle’s overall look, especially if it’s supersport.
Ducati Panigale V4, BMW S 1000 RR, Honda CBR1000RR-R and Kawasaki ZX-10R are all great-looking machines except for their dull-looking mirrors.
In a mission to solve this conundrum, the creative people at Rizoma introduces the Stealth, a supersport mirror unlike any other.
The Stealth was designed to look as minimal as possible to keep it in line with the overall sportbike design, yet ensuring it provides excellent visibility as a side mirror.
According to Rizoma, the Stealth consist of two parts; a fixed mirror directly mounted to the fairing and a movable glass that acts as a mirror when rotated 90-degrees into the viewable position.
The movable element transforms into a winglet when it is rotated into a closed position. The Stealth is more than just a sleek looking mirror; instead, it also increases downforce for better grip at high speed.
Rizoma claimed the winglet generates 4 kilograms of downforce at a speed of 300kph.
The Stealth is currently available for Honda CBR1000RR, BMW S 1000 RR, Kawasaki ZX-10R, Suzuki GSXR-1000, Yamaha YZF-R1, Ducati Panigale V2, and Ducati Panigale V4.
SYM has just launched the updated version of its Maxsym 400 maxi-scooter in China.
While updates usually refer to the manufacturer doing slight changes to the motorcycle, SYM has completely redesigned the scooter.
Hence, SYM refers to the Maxsym 400 as an all-new scooter, replacing the previous model, which is undoubtedly lacking in styling and performance.
SYM claimed that the scooter had been fitted with a lighter chassis, resulting in an impressive 18.5 per cent weight reduction.
SYM R&D centre also rearranged the engine position, battery, and water tank, to increased handling flexibility.
The revised model also get a set of a telescopic fork at the front and standard pre-load adjustable rear shock, including a keyless ignition system, adjustable windscreen and traction control.
The Maxsym 400 is now powered by a 399cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine (Euro 5 compliance) capable in producing 34hp @ 6,750rpm and 39.5Nm @ 5,250rpm.
It was one of the most thrilling Moto3 race over the last few years, which saw 16-year-old KTM Ajo rider, Pedro Costa won his maiden victory in Qatar last Sunday.
However, the race was stained by a fight between John McPhee and Jeremy Alcoba.
The Petronas Sprinta and Gresini rider were a part of the lead group in Sunday thrilling encounter at Losail before they both involved in an accident at Turn 1 at the start of Lap 15.
Alcoba ran into Darryn Binder rear tyre and crashed out before the bike flicked and hit McPhee’s head and took out the rider from his machine.
McPhee, who endured the same fate a week before, lashed out at Alcoba in the gravel trap and managed to land a kick, with the latter also retaliated.
McPhee later issued an apology for the incident.
“I let my emotions get the better of me in Qatar, having been taken down for the second week in succession as a consequence of another rider’s mistake.
“I must apologise for my conduct – I didn’t react well to the incident.
“It is an adrenaline-fuelled sport, with obvious inherent danger; having a competitor’s bike strike my head triggered an out-of-character response, and I’d like to apologise to the fans, my team, Petronas and our partners.
“I accept the penalty and will move onto Portimao focused on the task at hand,” he explained.
Both of the riders were hit with EUR1000 fines for their behaviour and will start the Portuguese GP from the pitlane.
Alcoba will start 5s after the rest of the pack while McPhee is forced to wait for 10s before setting off.
Jorge Lorenzo always knows his way with words and never shy to drop a bombshell involving current and past MotoGP team and rider.
As a three-time MotoGP world champion, he has the right to express his opinions on the race’s important aspect.
In order to voice out his opinion louder, the former Yamaha, Ducati and Honda rider decided to become a YouTuber by launching his own YouTube channel, Jorge Lorenzo Official.
The channel shows the 33-year-old former MotoGP champion giving us a free and unparalleled insight into the sport.
Through a series named #99Seconds, Lorenzo gives us an unbiased prediction and post-race insight of the 2021 MotoGP season.
Although Lorenzo delivers his talks in Spanish, you can turn on the English subtitles provided.
Nevertheless, this just proved how well the Spaniard is coping post-MotoGP, which definitely will open a new path for other ex-racer to follow suit.
After presenting the all-new Hayabusa and the recently launched, Burgman 400, Suzuki continues to knock on 2021 with a teaser of another great novelty, the new GSX-S1000.
The 17 seconds video showed a glimpse of the naked machine features but reveal an all-new triple LED headlamp setup which expected to boost the overall look of the new model.
The new GSX-S1000 is expected to maintain the 999cc inline-four engine but updated to Euro 5 homologation in order to be allowed to sell in major parts of the world.
The previous generation launched six years ago, offers 145hp @ 10,000rpm and 106Nm @ 9,500rpm but we can safely assume a slight power change for the new generation.
The new Suzuki GSX-S1000 will be officially launched via online platform on April 26.
It was only 35 days ago since Johann Zarco was given a chance to test the Ducati GP21 at the pre-season testing in Qatar.
Who would have thought, the 30-year-old rider, who was in limbo after his surprise departure from KTM in 2019, now leads the championship with 40 points after securing back-to-back second place at Losail International Circuit.
The Pramac Racing rider finished 1.092s behind Maverick Vinales in the first race before losing out to race-winner Fabio Quartararo on Sunday.
Not only that, the Frenchman is currently top Ducati rider, edging Ducati factory rider Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller.
“I did not expect to be leading the championship when I came here 35 days ago to start testing and learn the Ducati.
“I still have things to control better, to feel more comfortable and have more options during the race. So if I can still grow up in that way and use the full potential of the Ducati, then I can enjoy myself also at other tracks”, Zarco said.
Zarco can breathe easily now, having made one of the hardest decision in his life, to quit a factory team (KTM) to pursue a better machine that suits his riding.
“What happened two years ago is part of life. I took some decisions, and I’m pretty happy now that I’m back with the top guys.
“The first two races were a lot of fun and it was such a nice feeling. So it’s not the time to think of redemption or something like that. Just live your time and right now is this moment with Pramac and Ducati.
“What I decided two years ago, it’s done. So, happy. I cannot say I took the right decision or not. I took a decision then I did my way and thanks to Ducati I’m here,” he added.
