Bikesrepublic

Amirul Azreen

In conjunction with the Malaysian MotoGP happening in October, Ducati Malaysia has a special treat for all Ducatisti in the country.

  • Meet and greet Ducati Lenovo Team riders at Ducati Showroom.
  • Take part in a special convoy with Bagnaia and Miller to Putrajaya. 

Ducati Malaysia is organising a meet and greet session with Ducati Lenovo Team rider Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller on October 20 at Ducati Showroom, Petaling Jaya.

That’s not even the best bit yet, as you will also get the chance to ride with Bagnaia and Miller from the showroom to the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya.

The meet and greet session including the special convoy is strictly for Ducati owners only.

*Jack Miller

Fellow Ducatisti can join in the once-in-a-lifetime experience by scanning the QR code. 

Bagnaia is currently just two points away from claiming his championship lead from Fabio Quartararo after securing a third place finished at Buriram Circuit on Sunday.

*Francesco Bagnaia

MotoGP is set to return to action at Philip Island on October 17 before making its way to Malaysia. 

Launched in 2020, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R was an instant hit in neighbouring Asian countries. 

  • Currently, the ZX-25R is only available in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
  • The Ninja ZX-25R makes 51hp and 22.9Nm of torque. 

Last year, the quarter-litre screamer got a new colourway in Indonesia, including Lime Green, Passion Red, Metallic Matte Graphene Steel Grey and Metallic Spark Black. 

Unfortunately, all other specifications remain unchanged. 

However, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R gets new equipment and electronic package for 2023, including a new RR trim, announced by Kawasaki Indonesia.

Priced at IDR129,900,000 (RM39k), the Ninja ZX-25RR features a new fully adjustable Showa SFF-BP 37mm front fork and adjustable horizontal back-link BFRC lite gas-charged shock. 

Also new on the 2023 model year is a new TFT instrument cluster replacing the semi-digital meter on the previous model. Thanks to the new dash, riders can now connect the bike to their smartphone via the Kawasaki Rideology app. 

In addition, Kawasaki also introduced a new exhaust system that now meets Euro 4 emission standards.

Other notable features include:

  • assist & slipper clutch
  • economical riding indicator
  • electronic throttle valve
  • KQS (Kawasaki Quick Shifter)
  • KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control)
  • power modes

Powering the 2023 Ninja ZX-25RR is an inline four-cylinder, liquid-cooled DOHC mill displacing 249.8cc that produces 51hp @ 15,500rpm (with Ram Air) and 22.9Nm @ 14,500rpm.

Power goes through a 6-speed transmission with a claimed max speed of 197km/h. 

The 2022 GIVI Rimba Raid witnessed hundreds of off-road capable motorcycle racing against one another at the Taman Negara, Kuala Tahan, Pahang, last weekend.

  • Fantic Motor to be distributed in Malaysia by Fantic Motor Malaysia.
  • The Fantic Caballero 500 Rally managed to secured a fourth place finished in Class C – DP Rally. 

Out of 223 participants, only a handful managed to cross the finish line, including a 500cc scrambler from Italy.

That particular motorcycle is Fantic Motor’s latest bike, the Caballero 500 Rally.

*Hazim Hayazi clocked the fourth fastest time in Class C – DP Rally onboard the Fantic Caballero 500 Rally.

From what we could gather, the appearance of Fantic’s Caballero 500 Rally is not purely for racing purposes; instead, the brand is using Rimba Raid as a platform to test the capabilities of the new motorcycle.

This is because Fantic Motor is coming to Malaysia under the newly established Fantic Motor Malaysia. 

While information is still scarce, we believe that AFY Mobility Industries Sdn Bhd (AMI) is the responsible party in bringing the Italian brand to Malaysia.

Fantic Motor has various motorcycles under its wing, ranging from 125cc up to 500cc. The Caballero 500 has four variants, including Rally, Explorer, Flat and Scrambler.

 

Powering the Caballero 500 Rally is a 449cc single-cylinder engine capable of producing 40hp and 42Nm.

While the new development is exciting for the Malaysian motorcycle market, further details can only be confirmed by Fantic Motor Malaysia. Nevertheless, we expect an official announcement to be made soon. 

AMI was also recently announced as the official distributor of MV Agusta in Malaysia, with the company set to assemble the Italian firm’s motorcycle in the country. 

India and Kazakhstan will make their debut on the MotoGP calendar in 2023. 

  • India and Kazakhstan announced as host for the 2023 MotoGP season.
  • Buddh International Circuit and Sokol International Racetrack selected as the 2023 host. 

India to host the world’s biggest two-wheel event at the Buddh International Circuit while Kazakhstan to begin their new five-year deal at the stunning Sokol International Racetrack.

Located just outside Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, Sokol is a brand new motorsport complex constructed in the heart of Central Asia.

Meanwhile, with over 200 million motorcycles on its roads, India is the perfect venue to host MotoGP as the Grand Prix of Bharat.

The new circuit is located in Uttar Pradesh to the south of New Delhi. The location is strategic as it allows for more access for the fans in the country. 

“We’re very proud to announce that Buddh International Circuit will be on the 2023 calendar. 

“We have a lot of fans in India and we’re excited to be able to bring the sport to them. 

“India is also a key market for the motorcycle industry and therefore, by extension, for MotoGP as the pinnacle of the two-wheeled world. 

“We very much look forward to racing at Buddh International Circuit and can’t wait to welcome the fans through the gates to see this incredible sport in person,” said Dorna CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta.

Ducati has revealed three new motorcycles since the start of the 2023 Ducati World Premiere thus far. 

  • Latest VIN decoder reveals a new single-cylinder motorcycle on its way from Ducati.
  • The 659cc single could be the final piece of Ducati’s 2023 World Premiere. 

The 2023 DWP kicked off with the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini, followed by the new top-of-the-range Monster SP and, recently, the new Multistrada V4 Rally.

So far, we know that an all-new Ducati Diavel V4 is on its way, along with a new Scrambler and Panigale V4 R. That alone completes six out of seven DWP web series. 

While most of the bikes launched are already known to us beforehand, Ducati might have something up its sleeve for the final episode. Thanks to latest reports by Motorcycle.com, we now know for sure Ducati plans to unveil an all-new single. 

On September 22, 2022, Ducati renewed a vehicle identification number (VIN) document at the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

That particular document revealed a liquid-cooled, four-valve, 659cc single-cylinder engine. While a single-cylinder Ducati powertrain sounds alien to some of us, the Borgo Panigale factory is no stranger to a single-cylinder machine. 

In fact, Ducati’s Scrambler of the ’60s and ‘70s runs on a single-cylinder thumper.

Also, the ultra-limited Ducati Supermono manufactured in the ‘90s features a 500cc single capable of generating 75hp @ 10,000rpm. 

The question is, what kind of motorcycles could use the new 659cc single? While it is likely to power a new scrambler-type bike, it could also signal new entry-level two-wheelers from the Italian firm. 

There’s one way to find out, and that is to keep your eyes on the upcoming episodes of the 2023 Ducati World Premiere. 

(source: Motorcycle.com)

BMW Motorrad has officially announced the new 2023 BMW S 1000 RR. 

  • 2023 BMW S 1000 RR gains major styling updates including M 1000 RR-inspired winglets.
  • New for 2023 includes revised electronic package and higher horsepower. 

The most notable change in the 2023 model year is the appearance of the M 1000 RR-inspired winglets at the front. According to BMW, the winglet adds up to 10kg of downforce at high speed.

Although the winglets are not as big as the M 1000 RR, which contribute to 16kg of front-end downforce, the new piece puts the 2023 S 1000 RR on par with the rest of the litre bike in its segment.

However, the 2023 S 1000 RR not only features styling updates and a lot of changes underneath the skin, including a revised chassis and a tweaked engine.

Despite retaining the same frame from the previous generation, BMW claimed that 2023MY allows for more flex due to adding more holes in the die-cast alloy frame. 

Also new for 2023 is the steering-head angle, now sitting at 23.6 degrees rather than 23.1 degrees. The wheelbase is now longer, from 56.7-inches to 57.4-inch.

Interestingly, BMW’s adjustable swingarm pivot, previously available on the M Chassis Kit, is now standard on the new S 1000 RR. 

BMW also added a new height-adjustable linkage for the rear shock and revised the wheel bushings and brake to allow for a faster tire change. 

Other changes include a bigger rear sprocket (up from 45 to 46) that helps to improve acceleration, a new airbox and shortened variable-height intake funnels, all taken from the M 1000 RR. 

Meanwhile, thanks to a revised 999cc ShiftCam four-cylinder engine, the 2023 S 1000 RR now makes 207hp @ 13,750rpm and 112Nm @ 11,000rpm. 

Electronically, BMW adds a Slide Control function to the existing traction-control system that estimates the bike’s drift angle after reading the information from the new steering-angle sensor. 

In addition, the 2023 S 1000 RR also features a Brake Slide Control function that allows the rear wheel to push out a step further under braking. 

For track junkies, BMW adds a new Slick setting for the ABS that works specifically when the bike is fitted with race tires.

Other key features include:

  • lightweight battery
  • UBS port
  • redesigned wiring harness
  • updated Shift Assistant Pro quickshifter

Meanwhile, thanks to the upgrade mentioned above, expect a significant price hike over its predecessor. 

Ducati has just unleashed the new Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally for 2023.

  • The 2023 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally features a new adaptive ride height function similar to the Harley-Davidson Pan America.
  • Equipped with longer suspension travel and a bigger fuel tank. 

Set to go head to head with BMW’s R 1250 GS Adventure and Triumph’s Tiger 1200 Explorer range, the Multistrada V4 Rally gets more range, better off-road capability and improved comfort.

However, the new variant is born for dirt, as the name suggests. 

New for 2023 is a longer suspension travel that now sits at 200mm, an increase of 30mm. 

In addition, the top-spec semi-active Showa Skyhook suspension also features self-levelling ability. 

Ducati also added a new power mode on the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally that allows for a better riding experience for extreme off-roading. 

The new Enduro Riding Mode reduced the power to just 114hp and adjusted the traction control switches to a lower intervention level. Wheelie control and rear-wheel ABS are also deactivated to adapt to off-road riding. 

However, peak power and torque remains at 170hp @ 10,500 rpm and 125Nm @ 8,750rpm.

The new Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally also comes with spoked wheels as standard, a feature that is an option on the V4 S.

Coming on to the best bits, the new Multistrada V4 Rally is slapped with a massive 30L fuel tank, pushing the bike’s range to about 370 kilometres. 

According to Ducati, the Granturismo V4 engine now features rear cylinder deactivation that’s not only operates during a standstill but also while riding gently. The new feature can help to boost the bike’s fuel economy.

Also new on the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally is the introduction of an adaptive ride height function similar to the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250.

The suspension will lower the bike’s height when the ignition is turned on, making it easier to get on and off the motorcycle. 

Spy shots from the next generation Yamaha Tracer 9 GT was circulated online in July and showcased the sports tourer getting a major upgrade.

  • 2023 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT to feature radar-assisted cruise control.
  • Patents confirmed the radar unit to sit between the front headlight. 

Reports from reputable media at the time, including CycleWorld indicates that the Tracer 9 GT will feature radar sensor technology. 

However, latest development has confirmed that the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is getting the  radar technology according to a new patent.

That said, this suggest that the Tracer would become the most affordable (or least expensive) motorcycle to feature the fancy radar-assisted adaptive cruise control and emergency braking systems.

More importantly, Yamaha did a great job to hide the ugly electronic unit as opposed to the Ducati’s Multistrada V4, KTM’s 1290 Super Adventure S and BMW’s R 1250 RT.

Based on the patent, the radar unit can be seen nestled between the Tracer 9 GT’s lower headlights.

Also, Yamaha fitted a thin cover in front of the hardware to ensure better protection from mud, gravel, water or insects from hitting the sensor directly.

In addition, if the thin cover is scratched or chipped, it can be cheaply replaced. 

Yamaha is likely to introduced the new technology to the 2023 Tracer 9 GT.  

We knew that a bigger version of Kawasaki’s ZX-25R is on its way and it will be called the ZX-4R.

  • Kawasaki Indonesia to launch a new motorcycle on October 1, 2022.
  • The motorcycle is likely the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R. 

We also knew that Kawasaki has filed a trademark application of the ZX-4R in various countries including in North America and Asia, signalling the arrival of the new motorcycle.

What we don’t know is that Kawasaki plans to introduced the ZX-4R much sooner than we predicted.

According to a new teaser video posted on Kawasaki’s Indonesia social media account, there is a new Ninja ZX on its way this October. 

To be fair, the 30 second video provides little hints aside from revealing the ZX nameplate.

So far, Kawasaki already updated its current ZX range, including the ZX-25R, ZX-6R and ZX-10R. 

That said, the new product launch is likely to be the upcoming Ninja ZX-4R inline-four motorcycle. 

If the reports are true, then we have something to be excited about for 2023. 

In conjuction with Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) achievement of producing five million motorcycles since 1979, the company celebrates the new milestone by introducing a special edition Yamaha 135LC Fi 5MRO Malaysian Edition.

  • HLYM rolls out 5 million motorcycles since 1979.
  • Limited edition Yamaha 135LC Fi 5MRO Malaysia Edition is priced at RM9,198. 

The limited run motorcycle features the Malaysian flag colourway while also fitted with special components including Yamaha Premium Basket similar to the one found on the 135LC Fi SE. 

According to HLYM, only 5,000 units of the limited edition motorcycle will be on sale beginning mid-October 2022. 

All units will come with a unique serial number from 5,000,001 to 5,005,000 and is priced at RM9,198 (excluding registration and insurance).

Meanwhile, Group Managing Director of Hong Leong Industries Berhad and Managing Director of HLYM, Dato Dr Jim Khor Mun Wei pointed out that this was HLYM’s fastest million-milestone ever achieved. 

That said, it is a strong indicator that the Yamaha is still the most preferred brand in the country. 

Meanwhile, every purchase of the new Yamaha 135LC Fi 5MRO Malaysia Edition is entitled to received Yamaha disc lock and a special commemorative 5MRO Bomber Jacket. 

Triumph Motorcycles has announced its plans to compete in the FIM Motocross World Championship starting in 2024.

  • Triumph Motorcycles to compete at the 2024 MX2 and 2025 MXGP.
  • Triumph set to unveil an all-new 250cc 4-stroke MX racebikes and 450cc bikes soon. 

The British brand will feature in the prestigious race with a factory race programme under an all-new Triumph Racing banner.

Ensuring Triumph Racing Team is up an running smoothly, the brand has teamed up with experienced team owners, Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni.

Triumph will also field two all-new 250cc 4-stroke MX bikes in the MX2 class followed by an entry into the 450cc MXGP class in 2025.

“Our new partnership with Thierry demonstrates Triumph’s long-term commitment to competing at the highest levels of racing. 

“We share a passion for delivering world-class performance, and the experience Thierry and his team bring will prove invaluable in our ambition to make our mark on a very competitive championship. 

“Our entry into the FIM Motocross World Championship with a Factory supported Triumph Racing team signifies a landmark moment at the beginning of our new top-tier off-road racing campaign,” said Nick Bloor, CEO Triumph Motorcycles.

Meanwhile, Chizat-Suzzoni are also excited about the upcoming project in MX2 and MXGP.

“Triumph have made a major commitment to build an MX bike and go racing in the FIM World Motocross Championship. 

I am happy that my team is going to be the official Triumph Racing Team in MX2 and MXGP. Nick Bloor and the Triumph Board of Directors have made their long-term ambitions for the project very clear and I see a huge amount of passion from everyone at the Factory. 

“I am happy with progress on the bike, it looks great, has speed on the track and Vincent and my staff are working with the engineers at Hinckley on building it into a competitive package for entry into the MX2 Championship in 2024. 

“MXGP continues to grow around the world, I am very happy to be back and looking forward to going racing with Triumph,” he said. 

MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd recently launched the new MForce Smart Shop SH Bikers showroom in Sri Kembangan.

  • Brixton Cromwell 1200 is to be available in Malaysia soon.
  • Features 1200cc two-cylinder engine capable of producing 80hp and 110Nm. 

During the launch, MForce also previewed the all-new Brixton Cromwell 1200 from Brixton Motorcycles.

For those not in the loop, Brixton Motorcycles is a brand owned by Austrian-based KSR Group. However, the manufacturing plant is located in China to ensure the brand remains affordable for the global market.

Nevertheless, the Brixton Cromwell 1200 (codename GK1200) first appeared at the 2021 EICMA show in Milan. 

The Cromwell 1200 is equipped with a 1,222cc parallel-twin SOCH liquid-cooled engine capable of pushing around 83hp @ 6,500rpm and peak torque of 110Nm @ 3,000rpm.

The retro machine adopts the same basic design as the iconic Triumph Bonneville, with a circular headlight, flat seat, spoke wheels and two long chrome exhausts running parallel to the ground.

Mechanically, the Cromwell 1200 features KYB suspension, Nissin brakes, Bosch electronics including ABS, traction control and multiple riding modes. 

It also packs with full LED light setup and a TFT display.

The bike is also fitted with cruise control, making it suitable for a long trip. 

According to MForce, the bike is still in testing stages and is currently undergoing an endurance test to ensure it passes all the requirements before being put on sale in Malaysia.

The Brixton Cromwell 1200 is said to be available for around RM50k once it is officially launched in Malaysia. 

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