Wahid Ooi, Author at BikesRepublic.com

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Wahid Ooi

Indian MotoGP 2024 Maybe Dropped due to Non-Payment

The Indian MotoGP 2024 round may be dropped.

Autosport revealed that the local promoter, Fairview Sports has not made payments to the “local vendors and MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sport.” However, Fairview is given time until 20 May to sort out the matter.

The Indian MotoGP 2024 was set to return the second time from 19 to 22 September. Its cancellation could very well mean Kazakhstan taking over the slot. The Kazakh round was to begin on 16 June but was postponed due to massive floods.

The 2024 MotoGP calendar will see a reduction back to 20 rounds should the Indian MotoGP gets cancelled. The Argentinian round was cancelled before the start of the season, bringing the total down to 21.

Last year’s inaugural GP in the country also saw difficulties as the Buddh circuit was only ready and certified at the last moments, but remained dirty when MotoGP arrived. Riders also raised concerns that the track’s undulating and flowing layout had inadequate run-off areas.

Speaking of arrival, several riders’ and team personnel’s Visa approvals were also delayed causing the riders to miss out on several promotional events.

India is currently the world’s largest motorcycle market hence is an important stop for the manufacturers and MotoGP.

8 Sebab Kembara Solo lebih Menyeronokkan

Berkonvoi bermotosikal ada keseronokkannya seperti kemesraan sesama rakan yang mempunyai minat yang sama terhadap motosikal. Namun, ada kalanya kembara solo lebih menyeronokkan. Lagipun, setiap orang perlu meluangkan sedikit masa untuk sendiri sekali-sekala.

1. Sendiri dengan pemikiran kita

Inilah sebab utama sesetengah penunggang motosikal suka menunggang secara solo. Sudah tiba masanya untuk menjauhkan diri daripada rakan hidup yang toksik, anak-anak yang menjerit, bos yang tidak menghargai kita, dsb. Menunggang secara solo menjernihkan fikiran dan siapa tahu, kita mungkin menemui jawapan kepada masalah suatu masalah yang merunsingkan kita.

2. Tiada tekanan daripada rakan

Tekanan daripada rakan semasa berkonvoi itu wujud, dan ia tidak terhad kepada menunggang secara laju sahaja, namun turut ketika menunggang terlalu perlahan. Ia bukan sesuatu yang luar biasa bagi penunggang yang lebih laju untuk mengejek penunggang yang lebih perlahan (atau yang memilih untuk menunggang secara santai), atau sebaliknya. Kita juga akan menjumpai penunggang lain suka mencabar untuk berlumba. Dinamik kumpulan sedemikian mewujudkan persekitaran menunggang yang berbahaya. Menunggang secara solo dapat mengelakkan kejadian seumpama ini.

3. Ikut rentak dan jadual kita sendiri

Menunggang solo bermakna kita menunggang mengikut rentak dan jadual kita sendiri. Tidak ada orang yang mengganggu kita jika kita memakai peralatan menunggang dengan perlahan. Atau kita hendak berhenti setiap beberapa minit. Atau terpaksa mengejar jadual orang lain.

4. Berhenti bila-bila masa kita mahu

Kita tentukan bila kita hendak berhenti. Atau berhenti apabila kita melihat pemandangan matahari terbenam yang indah. Atau sawah padi yang seperti permaidani hijau. Tiada siapa yang akan mengeluh.

5. Mulakan bila-bila masa kita mahu

Seperti mana kita suka mengambil masa kita sendiri, kita juga tidak suka mereka yang mengambil terlalu banyak masa untuk bersiap. Pelik tetapi benar, bukan? Kami SENTIASA akan mendapati seorang rakan yang mengambil masa untuk bersiap sedia (hanya untuk menghentikan keseluruhan konvoi kerana dia terlupa sesuatu). Atau seseorang yang perlu berhenti dan untuk membuang air setiap 15 minit. Atau kumpulan yang sentiasa berhenti makan walaupun sebelum enjin mula suam. Jadi daripada mengambil masa 4 jam untuk sampai ke destinasi yang anda inginkan, ia mengambil masa 8 jam. Jawapan? Ride solo.

6. Penunggang bodoh

Kadangkala menunggang dalam kumpulan menyebabkan ego penunggang tercabar untuk menonjolkan skill untuk membuat aksi ngeri. Atau mengusik wanita tempatan dan menimbulkan kemarahan penduduk (Ia sebenarnya berlaku ketika salah satu perjalanan kami ke Thailand!). Atau beberapa ahli konvoi yang memutuskan untuk mengikut jalan lain, dan akhirnya tersesat dan semua peserta konvoi yang lain terpaksa menunggu mereka.

7. Keselamatan

Aspek keselamatan ditingkatkan kerana tidak menunggang dengan penunggang lain yang seperti hendak menempah maut. Kita boleh mengurangkan risiko pada diri kita sendiri dan bukannya serahkan nyawa kita di tangan orang lain. Apabila kita menunggang secara solo, kita boleh menunggang dengan santai dan jauh daripada bimbang tentang keselamatan orang lain dan kita.

8. Perubahan fikiran

Bayangkan menunggang dan anda tiba-tiba mengidam makanan yang sudah lama tidak anda makan. Atau putuskan untuk bermalam di bandar yang menarik minat kita. Buatlah kerana tidak perlu berunding dengan sesiapa.

BONUS: Latih kemahiran menunggang anda

Percubaan melatih kemahiran anda semasa konvoi berkumpulan bukanlah satu perkara yang bijak kerana terdapat motosikal lain di sekeliling kita. Selain itu, ada penunggang lain yang akan menyampaikan nasihat yang salah dan yang akan memudaratkan perjalanan dan keselamatan kita. Menunggang solo membolehkan anda berlatih set kemahiran anda sendiri.

8 Reasons why Riding Solo is More Fun

It is true that riding in a convoy has its appeal such as camaraderie among friends who have the same love for motorcycles. However, there are times when riding solo is more fun. Everyone needs some time away, anyhow.

1. Alone with our thoughts

This is the main reason some bikers like to ride solo. It is time to get away from the toxic partner, the screaming kids, the unappreciative boss, etc., etc. Riding solo gives you a clarity of mind and who knows, you may discover the answer to that nagging problem.

2. No peer pressure

Peer pressure is real during group rides and it is not confined to riding fast, but also riding too slow. It is not uncommon for the faster riders to berate the slower ones (who chose to ride at a relaxed pace), or vice versa. We may even get riders who seem to challenge us to a race. Such group dynamics create a dangerous riding environment. Riding solo does away with peer pressure.

3. Our own pace and schedule

Riding solo means we ride at our own pace and adhering to our own schedule (or not). There is no one to harass us if we put on our gear slowly. Or stopping every few minutes. Or having to chase someone else’s schedule.

4. Stop whenever we want

We decide when we want to stop. Or pull over whenever you see a beautiful view such a sunset. Or a green carpet of paddy fields. Just stop, take in the view. No one will complain.

5. Start whenever we want

As much as we like taking our own time, we also hate those who take too much of our time. Strange but true, is it not? We will ALWAYS find that one friend who takes forever to gear up (only to stop the entire convoy because he forgot something). Or that guy who needs to stop and pee every 15 minutes. Or the group that constantly stops to eat even before the engine is anywhere near lukewarm. So instead of taking 4 hours to reach your intended destination, it took 8 hours. The answer? Ride solo.

6. Idiot riders

Sometimes riding in a group sets a rider’s ego loose to show off such as pulling wheelies. Or teasing the local ladies and earning the ire of the residents (It actually happened on one of our trips to Thailand!). Or some guys who decided to go another way, getting lost, and holding up the entire group by hours as we go look for them while they look for us.

7. Safety

The safety aspect is derived from not riding with idiots. We can mitigate our own risks instead of putting our lives and limbs in the hands of others. You may get one rider who constantly speeds up then slotting in, another rider who insists of riding several centimetres from you like as if it is a Blue Angels’ display. Ride solo and ride relaxed rather than worrying about the safety of the others and ours.

8. Change of mind

Imagine riding and you suddenly get a craving for food you have not eaten for some time. Or decide to spend the night in a nice town that appeals to our fancies. Just do it because you do not need to consult with anyone.

BONUS: Practice your riding skills

Trying to practice your skills during a group ride is not a smart thing to do since there are other bikes around. Also, we can bet there will be several others around to impart the wrong advice which would be detrimental to our riding and safety. Riding solo lets you practice your own skill sets.

Jualan Motosikal Suku Pertama 2024 di Malaysia Merosot 20 Peratus

Jualan motosikal Suku Pertama 2024 di Malaysia merosot 20 peratus

Angka itu dilaporkan dalam laman web MotorCycles Data yang menjejaki jualan kepada pelanggan, bukannya jualan daripada pengilang dan pengedar kepada kedai.

Sebanyak 135,717 motosikal telah dihantar pada Q1 2024, mewakili penurunan -20% berbanding tempoh yang sama pada 2023. Semua jenama utama mencatatkan penurunan dua digit. Sebaliknya, jualan untuk keseluruhan 2023 juga turun -11.9% daripada paras tertinggi pada 2022.

Jualan Yamaha turun sebanyak -18.3%, Honda menyaksikan penurunan -11.9%, dan jenama domestik utama seperti SM turun sebanyak -35.8% dan Modenas mencecah -51.0%.

Pengurangan jualan itu berkemungkinan akibat daripada banyak cuti panjang pada suku pertama, kerana Tahun Baharu Cina jatuh pada bulan Februari, diikuti oleh bulan Ramadan sepanjang Mac, dan Hari Raya Puasa pada bulan April.

Walaupun Bank Negara menjangkakan ekonomi akan berkembang antara 4 hingga 5%, justeru peningkatan dalam jualan, beberapa rancangan “rasionalisasi” subsidi (hanya perkataan fancy untuk “pengurangan”) pasti akan memberi kesan kepada kuasa membeli ramai rakyat pada bulan-bulan akan datang .

Angka jualan yang tinggi pada tahun 2022 sebahagiannya disebabkan oleh kerajaan pada masa itu membenarkan pengeluaran daripada akaun Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja pencarum. Inilah yang dikatakan oleh sesetengah pakar sebagai “memacu ekonomi palsu.” Kerajaan sekarang telah membenarkan perkara yang sama, walaupun melalui struktur pengeluaran yang berbeza. Adakah ini akan meningkatkan jualan motosikal untuk beberapa bulan yang singkat?

Malaysia adalah pasaran motosikal ke-13 terbesar di dunia. 3 teratas sekarang ialah India, China dan Indonesia. Sebenarnya, hampir semua pasaran melaporkan penurunan dalam jualan pada Q1 2024.

Q1 2024 Motorcycle Sales Dropped by 20 Percent in Malaysia

Q1 2024 motorcycle sales dropped by 20 percent in Malaysia.

The figure was reported in the MotorCycles Data website which tracks the sales to customers, rather than sales from manufacturers and distributors to dealers.

A total of 135,717 motorcycles were delivered in Q1 2024, representing a -20% decline compared to the same period in 2023. All major brands recorded double-digit decline. On the other hand, sales for the entire 2023 was also a -11.9% decline from the high in 2022.

Yamaha’s sales were down by -18.3%, Honda saw a -11.9% decrease, and the top domestic brands such as SM was down by -35.8% and Modenas hit -51.0%.

The downward trend was possibly a consequence of the many long holidays during the first quarter, as Chinese New Year was in February, continued by the month of Ramadan through March, and Hari Raya Puasa in April.

Although Bank Negara expects the economy to grow between 4 to 5%, hence an improvement in sales, several subsidy “rationalisation” (just a high word for “reduction”) plans will surely impact the spending power of many citizens in the months to come.

The high sales figure in 2022 was partly due to the government of the time allowing for withdrawals from contributors’ Employee Provident Fund accounts. This was what some experts called “spurring a false economy.” The present government has just allowed the same now, albeit through a different withdrawal structure. Will this improve motorcycle sales for several short months?

Malaysia is the 13th largest motorcycle market in the world. The Top 3 now are India, China, and Indonesia. Truth is, almost all markets reported a decrease in sales in Q1 2024.

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2024 Perancis, Hakim Danish Naik Podium Lagi

Pelumba muda Malaysia, Hakim Danish Ramli sekali lagi berada di atas podium Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, kali ini di Grand Prix Perancis. Ia adalah podium kedua beliau pada musim 2024, selepas meraih tempat kedua di Sepanyol, sebelum ini.

Pemain berusia 16 tahun itu telah mendahului banyak lap di dalam Perlumbaan 2 selepas bermula dengan baik. Dia juga telah menukar gaya tunggangannya, yang membolehkannya menyamai kelajuan kelompok hadapan.

“Kali ini saya menukar tunggangan saya, saya pindahkan badan saya lebih ke depan dan menolak siku saya ke bawah, dan saya mencecahnya melalui selekoh, serta cuba membuka pendikit lebih awal di selekoh dan ia terbukti dengan baik.”

Bagaimanapun, dia dipintas oleh pemenang Brian Uriarte dan penamat tempat kedua Màximo Quiles detik-detik terakhir perlumbaan. Quiles, yang merupakan pemenang Perlumbaan 1 sehari sebelum itu mendahului sebelum Uriarte menerjah masuk pada selekoh terakhir. Tindakan ini mengejutkan Quiles dan menyebabkan dia menggelongsor tayar depan motosikalnya. Quiles berjaya menyelamatkan keadaan dan dapat mengekalkan kedudukan di hadapan Hakim.

“Pada lap terakhir saya cuba mendahului tetapi dua orang memintas saya, dan saya cuba memintas semula. Di selekoh terakhir, saya hampir mahu mencuba memotong Maximo dan Brian namun saya terlalu jauh di belakang. Saya sudah memintas pelumba lain pada selekoh sebelum ini dan itu melambatkan saya sedikit, dan saya tidak dapat meraih kemenangan di selekoh terakhir,” sambung Hakim yang menduduki tempat ke-3.

Hakim telah menduduki tempat ke-6 dalam Perlumbaan 1 pada hari Sabtu, dan mengakui bahawa dia tidak dapat menandingi rentak kelompok hadapan. Namun, ia adalah keputusan yang positif secara keseluruhan kerana dia telah menyasarkan tempat podium dalam pusingan ini.

French Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2024, Hakim Danish on the Podium Again

Malaysia’s young racer, Hakim Danish Ramli was once again on the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup podium, this time at the French Grand Prix. It was his second podium finish in the 2024 season, after scoring a second-place finish in Spain, previously.

The 16-year-old had led much of Race 2 after a good start. He had also changed his riding style, which allowed him to match the front runners.

“This time I changed my riding, I had my body further forward and pushed my elbow down, I was scraping it through the corners and tried to open the throttle earlier in the corners and it worked very well.”

However, he was overtaken by the eventual winner Brian Uriarte and second place finisher Màximo Quiles just moments to the end of the race. Quiles, the winner of the Race 1 a day earlier was leading when Uriarte lunged inside at the final turn, surprising Quiles and caused him to slide his front tyre. Quiles managed to save it and finished just ahead of Hakim.

“In the last lap I tried to lead but two people overtook me, That’s OK I tried to overtake again. Into the last corner, I almost wanted to try a pass on Maximo and Brian but I was just too far away. I already overtook another rider the turn before and that cost me a little bit, I couldn’t go for the win at the last corner,” continued Hakim who finished 3rd.

Hakim had finished in 6th in Race 1 on Saturday, and admitted that he could not match the front runners’ pace. Still, it was a positive result overall as he had targeted a podium finish in this round.

Siapakah Lambretta yang Baharu?

Seperti yang kami siarkan sebelum ini, Lambretta kembali ke Malaysia dan sejak itu ia telah menunjukkan banyak minat, apatah lagi mencetuskan nostalgia di kalangan bekas pemilik dan peminat Lambretta. Malah, mendiang ayah saya menaikki Lambretta pada tahun 60-an dan dia seperti bintang rock di kalangan rakan sebaya ketika itu!

Walau bagaimanapun, ada satu komen membuat kami berfikir juga. “Adakah enjin itu dibuat di China?” salah seorang pengikut kami bertanya.

Jadi, kami memutuskan untuk mencari beberapa fakta.

Permulaan dan kemuncak Lambretta

Mari kita mulakan dengan sejarah Lambretta, kerana kita tidak tahu di mana kita berada dan ke mana kita pergi jika kita tidak tahu di mana kita telah pergi.

Itali mengalami kerosakan teruk semasa Perang Dunia 2, dan rakyatnya mencari bentuk pengangkutan yang lebih berpatutan pasca perang. Vespa adalah yang pertama mengenali peluang itu dan memulakan operasi pada tahun 1946. Setahun kemudian, Dr. Ferdinando Innocenti yang memiliki sebuah kilang besi dan jentera di Milan yang menghasilkan tiub keluli, menyedari bahawa ia sememangnya masa yang tepat untuk firmanya memasukki segmen itu. Beliau mengarahkan kakitangan teknikalnya bentuk kenderaan beroda dua untuk dihasilkan dengan kos yang rendah.

Oleh kerana tidak mahu mengikuti jejak Vespa, kakitangan Innocenti mendapat inspirasi daripada skuter boleh lipat Model Cushman 53 yang digunakan oleh tentera airborne Amerika dan British ketika mereka mendarat di Itali semasa perang. Oleh itu, rangka tiub tunggal digunakan bagi menyambungkan semua komponen lain.

Kini mereka memerlukan suatu nama dan dalam tradisi Rom/Itali lama, mereka memilih satu bidadari air mitos yang tinggal di sungai Lambro berhampiran tempat syarikat itu berada. Lambretta telah dilahirkan.Ini adalah zaman perintis dan setiap pengeluar mencari ciri yang membezakan, berbanding dengan budaya menyalin dan menampalnya seperti yang mereka lakukan hari ini. Sekali lagi, Lambretta tidak mahu mengikut kaedah Vespa seperti menyambungkan enjin terus ke roda belakang. Sebaliknya, mereka menghantar kuasa enjin melalui kotak gear tiga kelajuan dan rantai yang dilitupi. Enjin dan kotak gear diletakkan di sepanjang paksi bingkai.

Reka bentuk inilah yang memulakan kejayaan Lambretta dan persaingan sengit di antara peminat mereka dengan peminat Vespa. Penunggang Lambretta mengejek pembinaan Vespa di mana enjin terletak di sebelah yang menjadikan mereka “kelihatan seperti perahu layar.”

Jadi, untuk memendekkan cerita, Lambretta mengeluarkan beberapa model yang menjadi perintis seperti LD pada tahun 1950, diikuti oleh LD yang telah dinaikkan taraf pada tahun 1951, dan siri LI yang bermula pada tahun 1958 hingga 1973.

Beberapa Lambretta yang menarik termasuklah 175 TV Series 3 yang merupakan skuter pertama yang dilengkapi dengan brek cakera pada tahun 1962.

Kemuncak syarikat milikan Innocenti ini ialah pada tahun 1969 dengan 200 SX 200/200 DL Electronic, yang menampilkan pencucuhan elektronik, brek cakera, dan enjin 200cc silinder-tunggal dua lejang yang menghasilkan 11 hp. Ia adalah enjin yang paling berkuasa dalam skuter pada masa itu. Kalau nak dibandingkan dengan 2024, enjin Ysuku (Yamaha Y15ZR) hanya menjana 15 hp.

Kemorosotan Lambretta

Jenama itu sebenarnya lebih laris daripada Vespa selama beberapa tahun tetapi mengalami mula krisis apabila kereta murah seperti Fiat 500 mula menjadi lebih popular.

Vespa, sebaliknya, mengharungi detik kritikal ini kerana antara beberapa faktor ialah pemasaran yang agresif dan imej yang tidak berubah. Sebaliknya Lambretta berusaha untuk memasarkan motosikal mereka sebagai produk yang lebih canggih dan mewah, malah mengupah pereka terkenal di Itali seperti Bertone (yang mereka bentuk Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia, Citroën, antara jenama terkenal lain) untuk memperhalusi motosikal mereka. Walau bagaimanapun, ini hanya menambahkan kos, manakala majoriti pembeli masih mencari mod pengangkutan yang murah.

Innocenti menjual Lambretta

Fasiliti pemasangan dijual kepada kerajaan India, yang seterusnya mencipta Scooters India Limited (SIL), yang menggunakan nama Lambretta sehingga 1998. SIL menghasilkan derivatif LI 150, Lamby dan GP150 untuk dieksport. Kita dapat melihat banyak Lamby dalam filem Bollywood klasik.

SIL kemudiannya menjual Innocenti kepada BMC (British Leyland). BMC mula mengeluarkan Mini di Itali, tidak lama selepas itu. Pasaran Itali bertindak balas secara positif, dan BMC merancang pelaburan besar untuk meningkatkan keupayaan pembuatan.

Tetapi BMC tidak menyangka bahawa Fiat adalah taikor (abang besar) di Itali, yang menyebabkan kerajaan Itali menyekat projek BMC. Oleh itu, BMC Innocenti jatuh muflis.

Aset syarikat telah dipindahkan kepada seorang individu yang bernama Alessandro de Tomaso yang mempunyai hubungan dalam kerajaan Itali. Ya, Tomaso yang sama yang membuat De Tomaso Pantera yang legenda. Bagaimanapun, sama seperti firma de Tomaso yang lain, Lambretta menderita dan ditutup untuk selamanya.

Lambretta mendapat pemilik baharu

Tahun-tahun berikutnya menyaksikan jenama Innocenti dan Lambretta beredar dari satu mahkamah ke mahkamah yang lain kerana terlibat dalam perebutan pemilikan.

Akhirnya, seorang pemilik lama Lambretta dan pelabur daripada Belanda, Walter Scheffrahn, menjadi pemilik kedua-dua jenama itu. Beliau kemudiannya menubuhkan ibu pejabat operasi baharu bernama Innocenti SA di Lugano, Switzerland. Innocenti SA akhirnya melancarkan tiga Lambretta, V50, V125 dan V200 pada 2017 yang mendapat kejayaan dalam pasaran Timur Jauh.

Kejayaan ini membuka jalan kepada perkongsian dengan syarikat Gaoking di Thailand.

Jadi, untuk menjawab pembaca kami: Ibu pejabat Lambretta di Switzerland adalah pusat jabatan R&D mereka di bawah kawalan peribadi dan kepimpinan Scheffrahn. Rakan kongsi di Thailand pula bertanggungjawab dalam pembuatan.

Lambretta Kembali ke Malaysia

Lambretta is Back, but Who are the New Lambretta?

As we posted earlier, Lambretta is making a comeback to Malaysia and it has since showed lots of interest, not to mention sparking nostalgia among ex-Lambretta owners and fans. In fact, my late-Dad rode a Lambretta in the 60’s and he was like a rock star among his peers!

However, one comment had us thinking too. “Is the engine made in China?” one of our followers asked.

So, we decided to do some digging.

The beginning and peak of Lambretta

Let us start with the history of Lambretta, because we do not know where we are and where we are going if we do not know where we have been.

Italy was in ruins after World War 2, and her people were looking more affordable forms of transportation. Vespa was the first to recognise the opportunity and began in 1946. A year later, Dr. Ferdinando Innocenti who owns an iron and machinery works in Milan which made steel tubings, realised that it was indeed a great time for his firm to profit. He ordered his technical staff to design a two-wheeled vehicle to be produced at a low cost.

Instead of going the Vespa route, the Innocenti staff drew inspiration from the Cushman Model 53 foldable scooters used by American and British airborne troops when they landed in Italy during the war. Hence the single downtube frame to which everything else is connected to.

Now they needed a name and in the age-old Roman/Italian fashion, they chose one after the mythical water sprite that lived in the Lambro river near where the company was located. Lambretta was born.

This was the age of pioneering engineering and manufacturers looked for distinguishing features rather than copying and pasting them like they do these days. Again, Lambretta did not want to follow Vespa’s methods, such as connecting the engine directly to the rear wheel. Instead, they sent the engine’s power through a three-speed gearbox and a sealed oil-bath chain. The engine and gearbox were placed along the frame’s axis.

This designed was what started Lambretta’s success and their fan’s fierce rivalry with Vespa. Lambretta riders mocked Vespa’s off-centre construction (the engine’s to one side) which made them “look like sailboats.”

So, to make the story short, Lambretta released several groundbreaking models such as the LD in 1950, followed up by an evolved LD in 1951, and the LI series which began in 1958 until 1973.

Other great Lambrettas include the 175 TV Series 3 which became the first scooter equipped with a disc brake in 1962.

The peak of the Innocenti company was the 1969 with the 200 SX 200/200 DL Electronic, which featured electronic ignition, disc brakes, and an 11 hp 200cc two-stroke single. It was the most powerful engine in a scooter at the time. Heck, even the current 2024 Ysuku (Yamaha Y15ZR) does just 15 hp.

The decline of Lambretta

The brand actually outsold Vespa for many years but ran into a crisis when cheap cars such as the Fiat 500 started becoming more prominent.

Vespa, on the other hand, weathered this critical juncture partly due to aggressive marketing and unchanging image. Lambretta sought to market their bikes as more sophisticated and upscale products and even hired Italian designers such as Bertone (who designed Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Lancia, Citroën, amongst other famous marques) to refine their bikes. However, this only added costs, while the majority of buyers were still seeking cheap modes of transportation.

Innocenti sells Lambretta

The production lines to the Indian government, who in turn created Scooters India Limited (SIL), who used the Lambretta name until 1998. SIL produced the LI 150’s derivatives, Lamby and GP150 for export. We have seen many Lamby in classic Bollywood movies.

SIL then sold Innocenti to BMC (British Leyland), who began producing the Mini in Italy, shortly after. The Italian market responded positively, and BMC planned huge investments to increase manufacturing capabilities.

But it did not occur to BMC that Fiat is the taikor (big brother) in Italy, which had the Italian government blocking BMC’s projects. As such, BMC Innocenti went bankrupt.

The company’s assets were transferred to one Alessandro de Tomaso who had connections in the Italian government. Yes, the very same Tomaso of the legendary De Tomaso Pantera. However, just as other de Tomaso firms, Lambretta suffered and was shut down for good.

Lambretta has a new owner

The following years saw the Innocenti and Lambretta brands going around from one court to another embroiled in the fight for ownership.

Finally, a longtime Ductch Lambretta owner and investor Walter Scheffrahn got hold of both brands. He went on to establish a new operative headquarters called Innocenti SA in Lugano, Switzerland. Innocenti SA finally launched three Lambrettas, the V50, V125, and V200 in 2017 that received success in Far East markets.

This led to a partnership with Thailand’s Gaoking company. So, to answer our readers: the current Lambretta’s headquarters in Switzerland is home to their R&D department under Scheffrahn’s personal control and leadership. The Thai partners are in charge of manufacturing.

Lambretta Returns to Malaysia

26 Motorcycles Destroyed, 10 Damaged in UniMAP Hostel Fire

26 motorcycles were destroyed while another 10 were damaged due to a fire at the UniMap hostel early this morning.

Almost all the motorcycles were owned by students of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) and were parked in the basement of a dormitory block in Pauh Putra.

The incident is believed to have happened at 4.41 am at Block B, Pauh Putra Housing Complex (Residential College).

A spokesman for the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Perlis said that a total of six members led by Senior Fire Chief II, Megat Zairilnizam Ahmad from the Arau Fire and Rescue Station were deployed to the scene of the incident.

“When we arrived at the scene, we found that the fire had spread and destroyed and damaged 36 motorcycles parked there.

“Criminal investigation officers have already visited the scene for a preliminary investigation,” he said.

A victim of the incident said he was woken by a friend while he was sleeping who said that their dormitory block was on fire. “I live on the fifth floor. When my friend said there was a fire, I thought this dormitory block was on fire.

“So I took whatever items I could salvage including a laptop downstairs but when I stepped down, I saw my motorcycle, a year-old Yamaha Y16, engulfed in flames.

“I was unable to do anything to save my motorcycle because the situation there was hot and the fire was raging and I estimated the loss to be RM14,500,” he said.

His friend, Muhammad Muaz Mohd Sofi, 25, also did not have time to do anything to save the Honda RS150 motorcycle that he had been using for more than five years when the fire spread quickly.

26 Motosikal Musnah, 10 Rosak Dalam Kebakaran di Asrama UniMAP

Sebanyak 26 motosikal musnah manakala 10 lagi mengalami kerosakan akibat kebakaran di asrama UniMap pada awal pagi ini.

Hampir kesemua motosikal itu dimilikki oleh penuntut Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) yang diparkir di kolong sebuah blok asrama di Pauh Putra.

Kejadian dipercayai berlaku jam 4.41 pagi di Blok B, Kompleks Perumahan (Kolej Kediaman) Pauh Putra.

Jurucakap Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) Perlis berkata, seramai enam anggota diketuai Penguasa Bomba Kanan II, Megat Zairilnizam Ahmad dari Balai Bomba dan Penyelamat Arau dikerah ke lokasi kejadian.

“Apabila tiba di lokasi kejadian, kita dapati api sudah merebak sehingga memusnahkan dan merosakkan 36 motosikal yang diparkir di situ.

“Pegawai penyiasat jenayah sudah pun melawat tempat kejadian untuk siasatan awal,” katanya.

Seorang mangsa kejadian berkata dia dikejutkan ketika sedang tidur oleh rakannya yang mengatakan bahawa blok asrama mereka terbakar. “Saya tinggal di tingkat lima dan rakan saya mengejutkan saya mengatakan berlaku kebakaran, saya ingatkan blok asrama ini yang terbakar.

“Saya bawa barangan apa yang boleh diselamatkan termasuk komputer riba ke bawah tetapi apabila melangkah turun, saya melihat motosikal saya, Yamaha Y16 yang baharu setahun digunakan disambar api.

“Saya tidak mampu hendak berbuat apa untuk selamatkan motosikal saya kerana keadaan di situ berbahang dan api sedang marak dan kerugian saya anggarkan sebanyak RM14,500,” katanya.

Rakannya, Muhammad Muaz Mohd Sofi, 25, juga tidak sempat berbuat apa untuk menyelamatkan motosikal Honda RS150 yang sudah digunakan lebih lima tahun lalu apabila api marak dengan cepat.

Malaysia Needs Motoring Schools – Jorge Lorenzo

Three-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo said Malaysia needs motoring schools for two wheels to develop talent to compete competitively on the global stage one day.

Lorenzo said the schools needs to be guided by some former champions and also to organise a series of championships to discover and further develop talented riders.

“I think Malaysia and Indonesia need this school with some champions who can share their experiences and organise some championships for children.

“Only with this, they can improve because the organisation of the championship is not very strong and there is no champion who can give advice to the children,” said Lorenzo who is also the ambassador of the electric motorcycle brand Vmoto Brand, on last Wednesday.

Malaysia at the time is seen to be on the right track to produce good riders with grassroots programs such as the Malaysian MiniGP Series Championship run by former rider in the World Motorcycle Championship, Zulfahmi Khairuddin.