Bikesrepublic

Wahid Ooi

  • Triumph Motorcycles have completed the final revision of their Moto2 engine and will showcase it during the British GP.

  • The 765cc-triple engines will be supplied to Moto2 teams beginning 2019, replacing the 600cc inline-Four from Honda.

  • Triumph’s engine is expected to produce more midrange and peak horsepower.

Triumph Motorcycles will hold a parade lap during the British GP at Silverstone this weekend on a bike powered by their Moto2 engine. The event commemorates the completion of the Triumph engine which will be supplied to teams in the intermediate class beginning 2019.

The rider picked to ride the bike is two-time World Superbike Champion, James Toseland. He will ride the bike specially painted bike in the Union Jack theme.

The new engine has been warmly welcomed by Moto2 riders who have tested it as it has plenty of midrange grunt compared to the outgoing 600cc Honda inline-Four. It is also reputed to feature a quickshifter for both up- and downshifts, with an autoblipper. Additionally, an advanced Magneti Marelli ECU will be employed which bumped up the power output more than the current Moto2 engine, besides including traction control for the first time.

But do note that although it’s based on the Street Triple RS’s 765cc triple, only the engine will be supplied to Moto2 teams next year, instead of the entire bike which will perform the parade lap. This is because Triumph will not field their own Moto2 team. As per Moto2’s regulations, Triumph supplies the engines while teams such as Kalex, Speed Up, KTM, et al will produce their own frames to house the powerplant.

Triumph Motorcycles have also organized other activities such as a factory visit in Hinckley by Moto2 riders including Same Lowes, Danny Kent and Luca Marini, in addition to Moto3 rider John McPhee.

We hope this parade lap will be telecast “live” in Malaysia this weekend!

Source and pictures: MCN

  • The NHTSA had mistakenly uploaded the list of 2019 Kawasaki motorcycles on their website.

  • The list includes a new Ninja ZX-6R.

  • We expect the 2019 bike to feature a host of changes to go toe-to-toe with the Yamaha YZF-R6.

Kawasaki had issued a letter including a list of 2019 models which included the new Ninja ZX-6R to the United States’ NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) this week. Kawasaki had also stated, “AS the embargo lift date for these models is October 11, 2018, we request that this document not be posted on the NHTSA website until after the embargo lift date.”

Funnily, the NHTSA posted the list on their website anyway.

The 600cc supersport market is pretty much stagnant these days, but Kawasaki has decided to go ahead with the ZX-6R in the hopes of breathing some new life into that segment.

The 11th October date is when the AIM Expo show is held in Las Vegas, Nevada, US when it’s supposed to make its American debut, although the Intermot event in Cologne will be held a week earlier from 3rd to 7th October.

Although there was little technical detail in the list, it did show that the 2019 ZX-6R will be powered by the 636cc inline-Four which is found in the current bike and produces 127.4 bhp., a 2 bhp reduction compared to the current model being sold in Europe.

The reduction would have pretty much to do with the tough emissions regulations in the States. In fact, a document filed with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) showed that the new bike has a 3-way catalytic convertor instead of the existing oxidising catalyst. This new addition nearly halves the 2019 bike’s hydrocarbon, NOX and carbon monoxide emissions. That could also very mean that the bike may meet the new Euro 5 standard in 2020.

The full details may be sketchy, but we do expect the 2019 Ninja ZX-6R to go through an extensive makeover for it to beat the new Yamaha YZF-R6. Therefore, there will likely be a new styling, suspension and electronics package.

Stay tuned!

  • Didi Resources, the official distributor for Aprilia and Moto Guzzi, among others, is organizing a track day on 9th September 2018.

  • There are two categories, one for Aprilias and one for all modern classics in the “Modclass.”

  • You may rent your racesuit at the track, although you need to bring your own full-faced helmet.

When Didi Resources promised great things to rejuvenate the Aprilia brand in Malaysia, they were serious at it. The new custodian and authorized distributor of Aprilia motorcycles in Malaysia is organizing a track day for Aprilia owners at the Sepang International Circuit on 9th September 2018.

Piaggio Group Confirms The Appointment of a New Distributor for Aprilia in Malaysia

The Aprilia Track Day is open to all Aprilia owners of any model. Riders can choose between Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced categories, and there are two sessions allocated per category.

The entry fee is RM220, inclusive of track time, refreshments and door gifts.

It’ll be great to see and hear Aprilia’s V-Fours and V-Twin ridden in anger on the track again.

Also held on the same day are sessions for “Modclass” motorcycles, which is open to all modern classic motorcycles, although it is organized by Moto Guzzi Malaysia.

The entry fee is a little higher at RM250, but it includes a safety riding briefing and short training by “Foreman” Oh Kah Beng. Besides that, there is also a guided ride by certified marshals and motorcycle inspection by trained personnel. As with the Aprilia sessions, the Modclass fee also includes food and refreshments. Riders will also receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the day.

For the Modclass, it will be the best opportunity to settle the score among modern classics to see which is faster!

You need not worry if you do not own a racesuit as you can rent a set which includes the suit, gloves and boots at RM330 for the entire day. You will need to bring your own full-face helmet, though.

Please register quickly as there are limited slots and they are going fast! You may refer to this link https://goo.gl/forms/wd3bJSCrdXrGQm2R2 to register or get in touch with Liyana at 011-23008919.

See you at the track.

  • Ducati could be revamping the Hypermotard for 2019.

  • It should be ready for Euro 5 emissions standard since it will be implemented in 2020.

  • While it is not confirmed, there is speculation that the new engine will be equipped with DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing).

A revamped Ducati Hypermotard has been caught undergoing road trials. Could it be released for 2019?

Looking at the spy shot, the “new” bike looks to have a new engine, styling changes and twin underseat exhaust silencers.

According to MCN, the exhausts are the obvious sign that the new Hypermotard will comply with the Euro 5 emissions standards that’s set to be introduced in 2020. The new rulings are even tougher on carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and noise emissions.

Hence, the new Hypermotard’s exhaust system separates the baffles and catalytic convertor rather than having both in the same unit. The new Supersport and Multistrada may also follow this same route.

Speaking of the new Multistrada 1260, the Hypermotard’s engine may just be equipped with DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) too since the system allows for better efficiency throughout the rev range.

Other takeaways from the spy photo are a new steel trellis subframe which replaces the previous one-piece cast unit, the clutch and alternator covers beefed up for more sound-proofing, and Marzocchi forks and Sachs rear monoshock.

Expect the 2019 Hypermotard to be unveiled at EICMA.

  • Modenas organized the Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride to let Dominar D400 riders experience their bikes as sport-tourers.

  • The first ride was from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.

  • The convoy stopped at a number of attractions to allow the riders to shoot pictures for the #motography project.

There’s no doubt that Malaysia has many attractions that are unique; and the best way to enjoy not only these destinations is by riding a motorcycle, which makes us motorcyclists a lucky lot. Consequently, this is what Modenas sets to do when they organized the Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh yesterday (19th August 2018).

The ride was also part of Bajaj and Modenas’s #motography project whereby the pictures snapped by the participants are shared as a database of sorts for other Bajaj owners around the world who wished to ride in Malaysia.

Apart from those, the ride was catered to the Modenas Dominar D400 owners, since the bike is branded as a sport-tourer.

A total of 12 riders signed up for this first ride and showed up at 6.30am for registration, breakfast and briefing. The organizers handed out a special T-shirt and sticker to each participant to commemorate the ride. They were then briefed about the #motography project and the ride.

True to the sport-touring spirit, a few had mounted larger windscreens and GIVI panniers and top cases.

The convoy pushed off from Modenas’s HQ and made onto the PLUS Highway toward their way to the Sungai Buaya exit for a short ride to the Selangor Dam at Kuala Kubu Bahru for the first photography stop. The convoy progressed in a smart fashion and the marshals made sure not to get in the way of other road users.

The sun started to shine down as the participants looked for the best angles to shoot the best pictures of their bikes.

From Kuala Kubu Bahru it was another short ride back onto the highway via Serendah as the group headed to the Tapah R&R to refuel. They got going after the short stop and rode to Ipoh for lunch.

A sumptuous lunch was organized at the multiple award-winning Indulgence Restaurant.

Based on the grounds of a pre-war bungalow, the restaurant’s ambience and food was a welcomed comfort from the blazing sun.

 

The haze had thankfully dissipated by then to a clear blue sky.

The organizers invited the riders to join in a fun game was organized in the restaurant’s compound.

The first required the riders to ride as slow as they can for 50 metres to test their skills in motorcycle control and balance.

The second game involved riding with a pillion. The passenger needed to throw a water balloon over a length of tape raised across the “track” and re-catch it without breaking it, while the rider must ride as slow as he can.

The winners received a RM50 Petronas fuel card each.

The ride got back on the road and headed to the last stop at Kellie’s Castle. Here, the riders took another round of pictures to be uploaded to the #motography mini site. The riders dispersed from this point afterwards.

There will be many other such rides coming up in the future, so please make sure to join if you are a Modenas Dominar D400 owner. Also, please follow the official Dominar Malaysia Facebook page for the latest updates.

PICTURE GALLERY

  • A Mat Rempit died while a “spectator” was seriously injured in an illegal race.

  • The PDRM are now hunting for the other two “racers.”

  • The videos show the accident and aftermath.

A Mat Rempit killed another motorcyclist and injured another during an illegal race in Kota Bahru, Kelantan on Saturday (18th August 2018).

As shown the video, a large crowd had gathered to spectate an illegal race. Two bikes blew by followed by a third a few seconds afterwards.  The third bike then struck a pedestrian who had stepped onto the “track”.

The motorcyclist, Norazrin Azizan Abdul Aziz, 26, died while receiving emergency treatment at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian. The pedestrian, Mohd. Azhan Baharudin, 25, had both his legs broken and is now lying unconscious at the same hospital.

The Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) are now hunting for the other two illegal racers. Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik) Director, Datuk Sharul Othman Mansor said that the two were complicit in causing the death of Norazrin and bodily harm to Mohd. Azhan.

He continued, “The two motorcyclists are wanted for investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.”

Datuk Sharul made the announcement at a media conference codenamed as “Operasi Samseng Jalan (Operation Road Hooligans)” which he headed at Seremban last night.

  • The government is foregoing 3.1 million AES (Automatic Enforcement System) summons.

  • This decision is in line with the Cabinet (JPJ) taking over AES operations from 1st September 2018.

  • Transport Minister Anthony Loke stressed that this is a one-off deal.

The government has announced that they are nullifying speeding summons recorded by the Automated Enforcement System (AES).

Transport Minister Anthony Loke made the announcement during a press conference earlier today in line with the Cabinet’s decision to take over the operations of AES from two private companies beginning 1st September 2018.

“This is a one-off,” he said, “There will not be any more such offers or discounts.”

However, no refunds will be paid to those who have paid their AES summons earlier, to whom the Minister addressed, “I know those who have paid will feel it is unfair that we are cancelling unpaid summons. I would like to say thank you and sorry at the same time.”

Anthony Loke – Courtesy of mole.my

Only 690,000 AES summons were paid for since 2012, leaving 3.1 million unpaid worth RM430 million.

The agreement with the current operators is set to end on 31st August 2018, but the government has no plans to renew it. Instead, operations will be taken over by the Road Transport Department (JPJ – Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan). “Operations” means taking of photos and issuance of summons.

The decision to not renew the concessions agreement with Beta Tegap Sdn. Bhd. and ATES Sdn. Bhd. was “because the payment system to these two companies were lopsided and received public backlash. For every summon issued, RM16 was paid to them.”

“In 2015, the (previous) government had ordered Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) through its subsidiary Irat Properties to take over the operations of AES. RM555 million was paid to both companies for just 40 speed cameras along the highways,” revealed Loke.

  • The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) launched “Kempen Kembara PDRM” in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

  • The PDRM (Polis Diraja Malaysia) hoped it will bring them closer to the general public through the event.

  • The police seeks the cooperation of the public to stamp out crime.

A total of 60 senior officers and officers of the Royal Malaysian Police (Polis Diraja Malaysia) took part in an outreach event called Kembara Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) at the MyTown Shopping Centre yesterday.

The outreach program was an initiative to bridge the gap between the law-keepers and the general public in building a cooperation to combat crime.

Kuala Lumpur Police Chief, Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said that the program sought to increase public awareness about criminal activities besides providing an opportunity for the public to voice their thoughts regarding security issues.

The ride began from the Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters before making a total of seven stops including Dataran Putra at Putrajaya, Pusat Aktiviti Warga Emas (PAWE) Cheras, Restoran Pelita Ampang, Majid Al-Firdays Segambut Luar, Pasar Borong Selayang, KL Sentral and ending at the MyTown Shopping Centre.

It is also hoped that the program will spark the Merdeka spirit, prompting Malaysians to fly the Jalur Gemilang during National Day.

“We hope that the public will support us in this unique program,” said Datuk Mazlan.

Source: Utusan Online. Pictures: Sep Irran

  • Max Biaggi had won five of his six world titles his with Aprilia.

  • Also known as “The Roman Emperor” he was the one who first made the brand famous, more than any other rider.

  • It is natural for the Italian manufacturer to appoint him as the Global Ambassador.

Six-time World Champion, Max Biaggi has been appointed as the global ambassador for Aprilia.

Popularly called “The Roman Emperor,” he has had much experience in working with the Italian brand, from the beginning of his 250cc GP career in 1991 and won five of his six titles in 250cc GP and World Superbike on Aprilias. In fact, it was Biaggi’s exploits that launched the Aprilia name to the masses, way before Valentino Rossi.

Indeed, he was among the riders who helped develop the Aprilia RSV250 to a winning bike and by taking the 1994 title with 5 wins.

Max Biaggi in 1991 – Courtesy of www.daidegasforum.com

He stayed with the Chesterfield Aprilia team and winning the world title again for the next two years, by winning 8 races in 1995 and 9 races in 1996, before hopping to another team in 1997.

Max Biaggi in 1995 – Courtesy of motogeo.com

Biaggi moved up to the 500cc class in 1998 and campaigned in the premier category on Hondas and Yamahas until his retirement in 2005.

2007 saw him contracted to the Alstare Suzuki World Superbike (WSBK) team, riding the Suzuki GSX-R1000. He finished third overall at the end of the year.

Biaggi then changed camp to the Sterilgarda Go Eleven team to ride the Ducati 1098 RS for the following year. Finishing 7th, he had a famous falling out with the team.

Aprilia picked up the ball in 2009 when both parties reunited. Biaggi now had a new weapon, the Aprilia RSV4. It was a year of learning and the rider steered the bike to 4th overall at the end of the season.

In 2010, the factory Aprilia team became known as the Aprilia Alitalia team and Biaggi scored his 5th world title by dominating the series with a total of 10 wins.

Max Biaggi on the Aprilia Alitalia RSV4 – Courtesy of asphaltandrubber.com

2011 was an unlucky year for him when he was sidelined by a broken leg, but still finished 3rd overall. Biaggi came back strong in 2012 to wrap up the WSBK title in an ultra-competitive season, finishing just ½-point in front of Tom Sykes.

Will we get to see The Roman Emperor at Aprilia Malaysia anytime soon given the large number of his fans here? How about during the Malaysian MotoGP?

  • The inaugural FIM Enel MotoE World Cup for electric motorcycles will begin in 2019.

  • The riders will be riding the electric Energica motorcycle.

  • Sepang International Circuit will field a team with a single entry.

The inaugural FIM Enel MotoE World Cup electric motorcycle GP will commence in 2019 and the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) will also field a team.

The announcement was made during the third MotoE Team Committee at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. SIC’s participation in the series takes the grid to 12 teams with a total of 18 bikes, as there are teams that chose to enter one rider (such as SIC) or two. All teams will ride the same Energica MotoE bike.

The teams with one entry are:

  • Sepang International Circuit (SIC);
  • Marc VDS Racing Team;
  • Ajo Motorsport;
  • Pons Racing;
  • Dynavolt Intact GP;
  • SIC58 Squadra Corse.

Teams with two entries are:

  • Tech 3 Racing;
  • LCR Team;
  • Pramac Racing;
  • Esponsorama Racing;
  • Gresini Racing;
  • Angel Nieto Team.

The committee also outlined other details such as test dates, sponsors and technical partners.

All tests will be conducted at Jerez on these dates:

  • 23rd to 25th November 2018;
  • 13th to 15th March 2019;
  • 23rd to 25th April 2019.

Confirmed sponsors are:

  • Enel;
  • Energica;
  • Michelin;
  • DHL.

Technical partners include:

  • Dell’Orto;
  • Regina;
  • Brembo;
  • Marchesini;
  • Öhlins.

The full calendar for the inaugural FIM Enel MotoE World Cup is expected to be published during the San Marino GP, while the rider line-up will be revealed at the Aragon GP. The MotoE series augurs well with the development of electric motorcycles ahead of new petrol-powered vehicle bans in a number of countries within the next decade.

  • Building a custom bike doesn’t mean having to tear your pride ‘n’ joy into pieces.

  • The concept is demonstrated here by this BikeBiz build.

  • A good option for BMW R nineT and R nineT Racer owners, perhaps?

We’ve featured a number of custom bikes that’ve totally reworked the entire bike to something else but this BikeBiz BMW R nineT Sun Kist was built to augment the stock BMW R nineT and R nineT Racer.

One may argue that the work done on this bike was minimal, we believe it serves as an option for R nineT owners who don’t wish (read: too sayang) to have their bikes torn to pieces, since BMW did a great job of making the stock bike look plenty good out of the box.

There’s another reason to this bike looking rather stock, actually – warranty. BikeBiz is a motorcycle retailer and accessories supplier based in Sydney, Australia who supplies parts and accessories to owners to build the bikes themselves, besides selling ready-built customized bikes. Customers will not void their bikes’ warranty if they installed BikeBiz’s accessories or purchase ready-made customs.

Mark Condon of BikeBiz said, “Our team really know their bikes, so depending on the customer we can give some direction on design and performance, supply a BMW and parts and let them build it themselves, or we can really get hands-on and custom-build the whole bike from scratch.”

This R nineT Sun Kist, however, is a ready-built custom. Designer Alex Bianchini-Kometer worked together with BikeBiz’s Boris to come up with something out of the ordinary while still retaining the R nineT Racer’s original lines.

BMW fans will instantly note the gradated orange/silver paintwork, hence the “Sun Kist” name. It’s an homage to the legendary R90S’s “Daytona Orange” which commemorated the bike’s victory at the very first AMA Superbike race at the Daytona International Speedway in 1976. Additional red pinstripes on the bodywork and wheels were added to match the red frame.

The team replaced the stock Racer’s half-fairing with a larger classic half-fairing for a more retro look.

Other stock parts such as the fender/taillight/number plate holder assembly and turn signals were stripped to present a cleaner look. A custom-made 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust system ends with a pair of high-mounted mufflers to leave the single-sided swing arm and rear wheel in full view.

Other bits include Rizoma footpegs, mirrors, and turn signals while the clocks, brake system, wheels , seat, handlebars are all stock.

So there you go, a BMW R nineT that’s “different by same-same.”

Sourced from Return of the Cafe Racers. Photography by Saxon Shing

  • Rumours are starting to circulate that Ducati amy tie-up with HeroCorp.

  • Other manufacturers have started to produce more affordable smaller-displacement models.

  • The smaller models will appeal to a wider audience in the Asian markets.

Ducati has been in the middle of the rumour mills lately, including the recent VW statement about whether they should continue to invest or divest their interest in the brand. Now, a new rumour has surfaced that the Italian manufacturer may tie-up with HeroCorp.

VW Hints of Selling Ducati (Again)?

Fueling these rumors was also Ducati’s CEO Claudio Domenicalli’s statement that the Italian manufacturer is working on more affordable V4-engined models.

Ducati Working on “Cheaper” V4?

Ducati are among the few premium manufacturers who does not have an affordable sub-400cc bike in their line-up, except for the Scrambler Sixty2 (400cc V-Twin), while the rest have taken the initiative to produce smaller capacity bikes for growing market consumption, such as India and the rest of Southeast Asia.

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2

KTM were the first to tie up with an Indian manufacturer, Bajaj Auto Limited in this case, to produce the smaller 125, 200, 250 and 390 Dukes and RC models, and receiving the engines for the 200cc Pulsar and 400cc Dominar range in return.

2017 KTM 390 Duke – “Are you DUKE enough?”

Other manufacturers include Triumph Motorcycles Limited who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bajaj to explore the possibilities of producing 400cc motorcycles in the future. BMW co-operated with TVS to produce the popular G 310 R and G 310 GS models.

BMW G 310 GS Test & Review

HeroCorp is currently the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer and is no stranger to tie-ups with other brands, having co-operated with Honda and Buell in the past, although the Indian manufacturer has been producing commuter bikes.

If Ducati and HeroCorp do tie-up, the Italians could do the R&D while HeroCorp produces the bikes.

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