Bikesrepublic

Amirul Azreen

Valentino Rossi concluded the five days of MotoGP pre-season test with Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) in Qatar.

However, the 42 year-year old could not get on his YZR-M1 on the final day due to strong winds which caused the track to be filled with sands.

Nonetheless, Rossi expressed his satisfaction towards his new M1, with the Italian feels he is 85% done heading towards the season opener in Losail.

Valentino Rossi, Qatar MotoGP test, 12 March 2021

“We wasted one day, but fortunately yesterday we did all the important work/

“It’s a shame because we have some other things to try, including a long run for a race simulation.

“But for the rest, the balance is quite positive because especially in the last two days, we improved a lot the bike, the grip, the feeling,” he said.

Rossi also showed some love to Yamaha after last season blunder with the factory-spec M1.

“The positive is that Yamaha worked cleverly during the winter, and they brought here some good things like the new chassis and aerodynamics.

“This is very important because we have a lot of problems to improve for me in the last years.

“he second positive thing is the feeling with the new team and with all my staff [at Petronas] is beautiful, the atmosphere is good. So these two things make me happy,” he added.

Marc Marquez is now allowed to kick-start his mobility recovery programme after his latest medical check.

The latest report suggests Marquez will soon gradually return to competitive racing; however, it remains a mystery whether the recovery will be quick enough for him to participate in the season-opener on March 28.

Since July last year, the Spaniard has been sidelined due to a broken right arm suffered in Jerez, which later required three operations.

Nonetheless, the latest updates do not suggest Marquez is allowed to jump on the bike. Instead, he can now intensify his gym training to build his muscle.

“From this moment on, Marquez can now intensify his strength and mobility recovery programme to return to competitive racing gradually,” said Repsol Honda in a statement.

Last month, a collector decided to put Kawasaki ZX7-RR and Ducati 1299 Superleggera up for sale with a price of RM224,500 and RM392,900, respectively.

While they sold the Kawasaki, the Superleggera is still available for those who want to get their hands on a rare motorcycle.

However, there is another rare machine up for grab, this time a 1999 Yamaha YZF-R7 OW-02.

The OW-02 is a race homologation motorcycle (limited to 500 unit) built by Yamaha in 1999 to compete in the Superbike World Championship and Suzuka 8 Hours.

The motorcycle offers between 106hp up to 162hp (with 749cc engine) depending on which performance kit you want it on

Nonetheless, the R7 up for sale is a zero-mile never been registered or used motorcycle!

The R7 is a remarkable machine with the chassis built from the data collected off the Yamaha YZR500 competing in MotoGP.

For those who are interested, the R7 is available for a price of GBP59,995 (RM345,300)!

The long rumoured KTM 1290 Super Duke RR was recently spotted on the street with the motorcycle expected to be introduced late this year.

The new variant is expected to come with the premium specification based on the latest spy shot photos.

Recent reports suggest that the Super Duke RR is packed with carbon fibre, titanium, and magnesium parts to help the motorcycle shed some kilograms than the standard 1290 Super Duke R.

The carbon-fibre can be seen at the rear subframe, front fender, flyscreen, chain-guard and brake ducts while getting rid of the pillion seat and footrest also helps reduce any unnecessary weight.

The RR can also be seen equipped with an Akrapovic exhaust system indicating it will offer a few extra ponies than the current 180hp found on the 1290 Super Duke R, with both expected to share the already powerful LC8 V-twin.

(source: Ride Apart)

But it is not the YZF-R6 successor, nor will it continues the previous R7 status.

Instead, the new R7 will come with the same 689cc parallel-twin engine that powers the current MT-07 motorcycle, as proven by the latest CARB filings.

Hence, making the upcoming R7 a fully-faired MT-07.

Last year, Yamaha announced their decision to discontinue the YZF-R6 due to the stringent emission rules.

The motorcycle instead continued to be sold as a non-homologated, track-only machine.

Nonetheless, rumours start to rife that Yamaha may be working on an MT-07 based Supersports, possibly called the Yamaha YZF-R7.

Japanese publication, Young-Machine even predicted the R7 before Yamaha decided to pull the plug on the R6.

(source: Motorcycle.com)

Scrambler Ducati announced the limited edition Desert Sled Fasthouse to celebrate winning the Hooligan class of The Mint 400 in 2020 with rider Jordan Graham.

The Mint 400 is the oldest and most prestigious off-race in America.

Using the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled as the base, the limited edition Fasthouse is distinguished by a special livery and graphic that replicates the motorcycle used in The Mint 400.

Limited to only 800 units, the plate bearing the motorcycle’s unit number is embellished on the Ducati Red frame.

Nonetheless, the Ducati Scrambler Fasthouse continues to be powered by the same 803cc L-Twin Desmodromic distribution, air-cooled that produces 73hp @ 8,250rpm and 66.2Nm @ 5,750rpm.

Collaboration between Scrambler Ducati and Fasthouse also includes a collection of apparel consisting of a short-sleeved t-shirt, long-sleeved t-shirt, jackets, and a trucker cap.

EICMA announced Honda Motor Company would participate in this year EICMA 2021, taking place on November 23-28.

The Japanese marque decision to attend this year exhibition seems like a positive outlook for other manufacturers to follow suit. However, BMW Motorrad has already announced pulling the plug on all motorcycle show due to the current pandemic.

Nonetheless, due to the rapid rise of Covid-19 vaccination rates, there is a reason to be cautiously optimistic.

Since November is 8-months away, other manufacturers can still make a U-turn if they ever decided to participate the event.

“It is a concrete and conscious approach to protect the value of the event, the public and the whole sector of reference involved, with the structure of EICMA S.p.A. and the manufacturers committed to facing up to the complexity of the organization of the event in a context in continuous development.

“The path towards EICMA 2021 is distinguished by a reasonable expectation and a more flexible vision compared to the past. Sharing this new orientation therefore implies a surplus of compactness by all the players involved and the positive confirmation of Honda, together with the other significant names which have already assured their presence, go in exactly this direction. We hope that we can soon communicate other confirmations.

“The common objective is that we can once again gather around our passion for the products of this industry and reconquer the freedom to do what EICMA has been doing for over one hundred years,” said explained EICMA in a statement.

The beastly Triumph Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT just get even meaner with an all-new limited-edition makeover.

Introducing 2021 Triumph Rocket 3 R Black and Rocket 3 GT Triple Black with production strictly limited to just 1,000 units worldwide with each motorcycle comes with a certificate of authenticity.

*Triumph Rocket 3 GT Triple Black

The limited-edition units maintain the great 2,500cc powerhouse capable of producing 165 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 221 Nm @ 4,000 rpm.

The Rocket 3 R Black features an all-black colour scheme with matt finishes and black Triumph badges and gloss black racing stripe on the tank and body panels. Meanwhile, the Rocket 3 GT offers a shinier paint job with a distinctive tripe black paint scheme.

The Rocket 3 R Black and Rocket 3 GT Triple Black also comes with a carbon fibre front mudguard specially made for the motorcycle, including black exhaust headers, heat shields, and end caps.

The rest of the motorcycle received black anodised components, including the handlebar clamps, rider footrests, brake and gear pedals, heel guards, pillion footrests, and hangers.

Malaysians interested in becoming one of the 1,000 units available can try your luck at Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd (the official distributor of Triumph Motorcycles in Malaysia).

The rumoured Pikes Peak Edition of the Multistrada V4 took place early this year, with US EPA documents suggest a new model of the Multistrada V4 is on its way.

Now, the rumoured motorcycle was spotted by Moto.it with the spied photo reveals a lot of exciting details.

The photo reveals an Ohlins suspension setup, Brembo Stylema callipers with 330mm disc (similar to the Streetfighter V4) and 17″ forged aluminium Marchesini wheels compared to the 19″ rims available on the Multistrada V4, V4 S and the V4 S Sport.

The image also reveals the Ducati iconic single-sided swingarm returns, which came as a surprise as the Italian marque seen determined with the new double-sided swingarm, which offers better durability for an adventure motorcycle.

The new edition is expected to be introduced as a 2022 model and as a sportier option than the current line-up.

(source: Moto.it)

A recent report suggests that Harley-Davidson’s first full-fledged electric motorcycle, the Livewire, received updates for 2021 based on a new certification filed in Australia.

The documents revealed that for 2021, the Livewire is slightly heavier and with lower power output compared to the 2020 model.

The documents revealed the 2021 Livewire is listed at 255kg and produces 101hp @ 10,500rpm.

Meanwhile, the previous Livewire offers 105hp @ 11,000rpm and weighs 249kg.

Although the numbers are a letdown, we can safely assume that a bigger battery contributes to this to increase the electric motorcycle range.

Nonetheless, anything is yet to be confirmed with the Milwaukee-based company is currently focusing its attention towards the recently launched Pan America 1250.

The 2021 Triumph Trident is set to wreak havoc on the middleweight segment after it was officially launched at the end of last year.

The 660cc triple-cylinder motorcycle is officially Triumph most affordable model coming out of Hinckley.

Nonetheless, for anyone looking to add something different to their Trident, perhaps in the form of a fairing kit, the guys at Arton Works might have something for you.

The Rome-based aftermarket parts designer introduced Project Neptune, a two-stage fairing kit for the 2021 Trident.

Project Neptune comes in two types of fairing; the Neptune S adds a half-fairing to the Trident, while the Neptune R builds on the S-kit to create a full fairing kit for the Trident.

The project was the work of motorcycle design instructor Davide Colombi, who is also the current automotive designer for Ferrari (so he knows what he’s doing).

Arton Works is a company specializing in aftermarket parts for various Triumph models, built to go straight on the bike without unnecessary modification.

Price is yet to be announced, but we suggest that you Arton Works on social media to catch the latest updates!

(source: ArtonWorks)

Pierer Mobility appears to electrified the future of Husqvarna Motorcycles by introducing an all-electric scooter in 2022.

Unlike the current model that combines modern and retro design, the expected electric scooter will offer a futuristic design.

Dubbed the E-01, the scooter looks like something that came out of the latest Cyberpunk 2077 console game.

Based on reports, Husqvarna plans to roll-out the new motorcycle this year; however, it was moved to 2022 due to apparent circumstances.

Rushlane reported that the E-01 would share the same platform with their India counterpart, the Bajaj Chetak.

Given KTM’s partnership with Bajaj, it is expected Bajaj in India will build the Husqvarna E-01.

The current Bajaj Chetak offers a friendly power output of 15hp.

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