Wahid Ooi, Author at BikesRepublic.com

Gannet Moto Guzzi V9 – “Back to the Roots”

The Moto Guzzi V7 III and V9 line-ups are the obvious starting point for customizing.
This Gannet custom bike started as a Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer.
The builders aimed for a minimalist traditional racer style motorcycle.

One look at the Moto Guzzi V7 III and V9 ranges and your instinct will tell you that they are meant to be customized. Take for example this Gannet Moto Guzzi V9, which started out as a 2016 V9 Roamer ol’ school cruiser. Please click on the link below for our review of the Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer.

Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone and Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer Test & Review

Designed by Ulfert Janssen of Gannet Design along with Stefan Fuhrer of Fuhrer Moto, the pair sought to create a pure racer, by reducing the bike to its essentials, with some retro elements thrown in.

But first, a small introduction.

Stefan Fuhrer was the former mechanic for Dominique Aegerter (current Moto2 rider) and Tom Luthi (current MotoGP rider). It was Fuhrer who wrenched for Luthi when the latter became the 125cc GP Champion in 2005. Since his workshop is just 100m from Gannet, it was easy for both teams to communicate. Fuhrer and his team had the race experience and precise engineering skills.

Janssen started the project with some loose sketches around the 853cc Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer for a forward leaning café racer.

Janssen said, “First I worked on the stance and changed the frame angle from slanted backward into a forward leaning angle. I cleaned up the architecture and made a major diet of all the unnecessary parts. I designed a new strong retro racing tail section and new exhaust system as a signature which sweeps along the bike like a swoosh.”

“Once the overall direction was settled, I made detailed design renderings which we used as the base for the building process. I first modeled the racer’s new tail section out of hard foam to find the good proportions and it was then used as a template for the metal work,” he continued.

Artisan Bruno Bertschy shaped the aluminium tailsection was shaped entirely by hand. A new sub-frame had to be designed and built for a higher seating position, in order to put the rider in a racing prone. A thin brown kilted seat was then added to match the Biltwell handlebar grips.

Going fully ol’ skool as in what Gannet calls “back to the roots”, the fuel injection system was ditched for carburettors and this was a tremendous challenge. The wheel sensor track (also called the transmitter wheel) had to be adjusted for a different gearing, besides the electronics such as ignition, sensors such as those for the throttle and crank position had to be reworked. The intake air tubes were racing inspired.

The prominent round sweep of the exhaust pipes contributes to a strong visual impact and enhances the fast-forward dynamic of the bike even at a standstill. The twin pipes were bent and welded to smoothly blend into two Leo Vince GP Pro trumpets. They give off a distinctive exhaust note from the Moto Guzzi 90^o V-Twin when approaching. You can click on this link to hear the bike: https://www.instagram.com/p/BijrUoJg195/?taken-by=gannetdesign

A custom motorcycle looks as good as its finishing. In this case, Walter Oberli created a special combination of scrubbed and high-gloss shine. The tank looks rough from afar but is actually smooth when viewed up close. The tailsection and details were painted in a soft gradation of blue. Besides those, the cylinder heads and aluminium protection heads were also given the same blue. It was what Gannet termed as “Rhapsody in Blue.”

The frame’s lower portion was remade, cleaned up and CNC Racing (who supplies the Pramac MotoGP team) rearsets were installed for racier ergonomics. The gearshifter was modified to fit the Moto Guzzi’s gearing setup.

On the chassis front, the Öhlins forks were fitted with a shortened front fender. The forks were held to the bike with an IMA racing triple clamp and attached to via a custom headstock. ABM Fahrzeugtechnik sponsored the clip-ons and Synto Evo brake/clutch levers in silver, blue and black to fit the color scheme of the bike. Jetprime all-black racing control buttons round out the details of a race bike.

As for other items, Highsider sponsored the lighting system, while the gauges were supported by Daytona (Paaschburg & Wunderlich) that were then attached to custom-made brackets. Motogadget supplied the electrical components such as m-lock for keyless starting, handlebar-end turnsignals, m-blaze and m-unit for the control box.

Kineo specially made the 18″ front spoke wheel to fit the new fork travel of 210mm. The rear is also a 18″ Kineo spoke wheel which was fitted with aluminum cover plates. Rear shocks are two Öhlins Blackline.

Stefan Fuhrer surmised the build, “What I like best about this custom build is the coherence of the whole bike, where from the front wheel to the rear wheel the smooth transition from one component to the next passes through. It was important for me and Ulfert that we solve and adapt the individual components in such a way that they give a coherent overall picture.”

Ulfert Janssen: “What’s special about this conversion is that it’s a reduced and minimalist design at first glance, but at a second glance you can see many custom parts and special details. These remain discreetly in the background to give a pure and strong first impression. However, if you dive into the bike, you can discover the sophistication in detail. Special thanks as well to Bruno Bertschy (metal work) and Walter Oberli (paint) for their contribution and fine work.”

This bike will be at The Reunion in Monza, Wheels & Waves and Glemseck 101 among others.

PICTURE GALLERY

2017 New Motorcycle Sales Above 500cc

2017 had been a tough year for many industries, including motorcycles.
Not many brands posted growth for motorcycles above 500cc.
Let us hope 2018 will see a resurgence for the industry.

2017 was a tough year for motorcycle sales, what more for those above 500cc capacity.

Many motorcycle dealers cited the difficulty in obtaining financial loans for new motorcycles, although there was a steady stream of demand. Many speculations were rife about why financial institutions were reluctant to provide loans.

In the meantime, we have been provided some data pertaining to the number of motorcycle sales in from January to December 2017 (please scroll down for the table).

While it is easy to see which manufacturer sold more motorcycles, please bear a thought for which segment each brand occupy.

For instance, although Kawasaki and Yamaha led the way, brands such as BMW, Triumph, Ducati, KTM, Harley-Davidson and Aprilia are considered the premium segment. That means their motorcycles occupy the higher end in terms of pricing, compared to the Japanese bikes.

Indeed, only two brands showed growth: BMW and Triumph.

BMW’s sales has without doubt being pushed by the R 1200 GS and R 1200 GS Adventure, and the S 1000 RR. The lightweight G 310 R and G 310 GS have reportedly sold well, too, but their numbers are not reflected in this report. The R 1200 GS TFT has just made it to our shores and you can bet that it will continue to be the bestseller.

Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia have been performing well since their meteoric growth from 2015. With 17 models to offer, there’s one for a rider of any vocation. 2018 should see them grow even further with the introduction of the new Tiger 800 family, the Bobber Black and Bonneville Speedmaster.

Where to from here?

Whatever it was, 2017 is gone. We have a new government in place who promised that they will make it easier to apply for loans. 2018 has also been slow from the early parts of the year but the 0% GST ruling which took effect from 1^st June 2018 ought to spark a renewed growth in the large capacity motorcycle segment. As bikers ourselves, it is always great to see the latest bikes on the road.

BRAND	2018 ABOVE 500cc SALES (units)
Kawasaki	2,112
Yamaha	1,183
BMW Motorrad	978
Honda	755
Triumph	272
Suzuki	265
Ducati	238
KTM	171
Harley-Davidson	107
Aprilia	97

VIDEO: 100 Motorcycles Destroyed by Excavator in Philippine

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the destruction of 100 smuggled bikes.
The action represented his stand on smuggling and the drug trade on a wider scale.
Total value destroyed was approximately $ 640,000.

The Philippines government, led by President Rodrigo Duterte, continues their no-holds-barred war against the drug trade by crushing illegally imported motorcycles and other vehicles, valued over $ 640,000.

Approximately 100 motorcycles, including Vespas, a BMW, a Harley-Davidson and a Triumph were lined up for death by excavator. The executions of the bikes were carried out in the country’s capital Manila, while several luxury cars and SUVs were destroyed at Cebu city. The bikes have done nothing wrong of course, but Mr. Duterte wanted to send a clear message that crime doesn’t pay. That and taxes needs to be paid, of course.

The President is an avid rider himself and was present at the Manila site. He grimaced when the Harley was crushed, commenting, “When the excavator crushed the Harley it’s like I also got hit in my neck. What a waste.”

Then, why did he order the destruction?

The motorcycles could have been auctioned and the proceeds could go on to fund the Philippine government’s war chest on drug lords, after all. Or sell them as the same price as low-mileage demo bikes? He had come under much criticism for destroying the cash-convertibles since the destruction of 20-odd luxury cars in February.

Well, Mr. Duterte explained that the auction system is equally corrupt and the contraband or proceeds may just end back up in favour of the drug dealers.

But let’s be frank, Mr. Duterte is a showman, and he has to show that he is serious in carrying out his job, given how volatile Philippine politics is. He’s also sending the message that he fears no one, especially smugglers.

Click on the video below and let the pain flow.

Ten Fiercest Motorcycle Racing Rivalries (Part 2)

Here’s the conclusion to Ten Famous Motorcycle Racing Rivalries. You may click on the link below for Part 1.

Ten Fiercest Motorcycle Racing Rivalries (Part 1)

5. Carl Fogarty vs. Scott Russell, WSB, 1992 – 1994

There has never been such intense rivalry in WSB since Carl Fogarty and Scott Russell’s in the early 90s.

The two were WSB contenders, with the American Russell winning the 1993 crown on the Kawasaki Ninja ZXR-750, while Fogarty’s (more popularly called “Foggy”) reign started from 1994 on the new Ducati 916. The pair had even refused to shake hands on many occasions. Legend has it that Foggy named his pet pig after his No. 1 rival.

The intense hatred was even brought all the way to America in the 1994 Daytona 200 race which Russell won. They refused to look at each other on the podium and post-race press conference. When answering questions, they reached out to the microphone and yanked it away from in front of another.

4. Valentino Rossi vs. Max Biaggi, 500cc GP, 2000 – 2005

Valentino Rossi had moved up through the 125cc and 250cc GP ranks at a meteoric pace and moved up to the 500cc championship in 2000 and started playing mind games with anyone who had challenged him on track. While he built a massive army of followers worldwide through his on-track and off-track shenanigans, he’s only a friend on the track when results are going his way. It’s also due to his that tribalism exists among MotoGP fans: You’re automatically branded as a Rossi fan-boy if you criticized other riders.

By 2001, he was ready to challenge Max Biaggi after the defending champion, Kenny Roberts Jr. faded. Biaggi, known as the “Roman Emperor” had to show the young punk a who’s top dog.

At the 2001 Suzuka 500cc GP race, Biaggi elbowed Rossi onto the grass while the pair was travelling at around 220 km/h. Rossi repassed Biaggi on the next lap and saluted the latter with his middle finger. Both riders were fined and given a stern warning for “unsportsmanlike conduct.” The rivalry came to a head at Catalunya when the two scuffled on the steps leading up to the podium. When Biaggi was asked about the mark on his face, he replied that he was “bitten by a mosquito.”

3. Valentino Rossi vs. Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo – MotoGP, 2007 – 2011

2007 was the year of the 800cc four-stroke machines in MotoGP. Suddenly, it was Australian Casey Stoner on the Ducati who started beating Rossi. Rossi claimed that it was because of the Bridgestone tyres on the Ducati which let Stoner win. Stoner dominated the season by winning ten races and gave Ducati their first and still only MotoGP title.

But things flared up further when the pair battled hard at the 2008 USGP at Laguna Seca. Rossi made an aggressive pass into the famous Corkscrew chicane, causing Stoner to drop his Ducati. Further angering Stoner was Rossi’s comments after the race, “The fight was very funny,” although some thought the Italian meant “fun.” Stoner was of course more caustic in his reply, calling Rossi’s tactics dirty and dangerous.

Stoner moved onto the factory Honda in 2011 and this was the year of another interface with Rossi. At a wet Jerez race, Stoner had been following the late-Marco Simoncelli. Rossi, who was now on a Ducati, lunged up inside Stoner on the way into Turn One, skidded and took both men out. However, all the marshals ran over to assist Rossi while no one did so for Stoner. Again, the Australian went on TV to criticize Rossi, saying “Your ambition outweighs your talent.” Then fans of both camps got involved and it started a war of words on Twitter.

2. Kevin Schwantz vs. Wayne Rainey, AMA Superbikes and 500cc GP, 1986 – 1993

The rivalry between these two legends had begun way back even before we saw them on TV in the 500cc GP. Their intense dislike for each other had started when they were contesting in the United States and what we saw in the GPs was just a continuation.

They had hated each other so much that they openly admitted to barging into each other and riding dirty. Schwantz said, “We would ride each other right into the grandstands.” Their rivalry was so intense they couldn’t look at each other on the podium.

Things took a different turn when Rainey was paralysed by his crash at Misano in 1993. That accident force Schwantz to reflect upon on his own mortality. Besides, with his greatest rival gone, his reason for pushing himself hard was gone too. It was when both riders realized that neither knew why they hated each other.

Schwantz decided the best thing he could do was support Rainey through his hardship and both have become good friends ever since.

1. Valentino Rossi vs. Marc Marquez, MotoGP, 2015 and ongoing

Schwantz vs. Rainey would have been the Number 1 rivalry if not for this very intense and very current state of affairs.

Both riders have been good friends even when Marquez had dominated and won from his very first season in MotoGP. It had seemed that Rossi may have mellowed out somewhat because they remained affable with each other despite a few aggressive passes on-track. However, it all changed from 2015.

Rossi had been battling with Lorenzo all season long and the former led the standings going into the penultimate round in Malaysia. Marquez had been third up to that point and was out of a title shot. Marquez turned up the aggression during the race, passing Rossi in do-or-die situations, while Lorenzo disappeared at the front. Rossi even signaled to Marquez to back off at one point, but there was no end to chopping and cutting off. An exasperated Rossi then pushed Marquez wide, causing the Spaniard to crash.

Rossi would later accuse Marquez of helping Lorenzo to win the title; an allegation Marquez had consistently denied. Many had speculated that Marquez had felt that it was Rossi who had cost him the title that year and was out for revenge.

Rossi was penalized and sent to the back of the grid for the final race in Valencia. He fought his way up the order but lost the title to Jorge Lorenzo.

Both riders made amends at the Catalan GP in 2016. It was a move welcomed by the racing community and fans alike.

But, just as everyone thought that was the end, Marquez did a mistake during the 2018 Argentinian GP which knocked Rossi out. Rossi held a special press conference to call Marquez irresponsible, dangerous and damaging the sport as a whole.

Both riders have yet to talk to each other at the time of this article.

Ten Innovations by BMW Motorrad

Many of today’s motorcycle technologies were pioneered by BMW Motorrad.
They innovations included solutions for performance, safety, practicality, reliability and comfort.
These ten innovations by BMW Motorrad are only a small number of the total.

We’ve just completed a thorough testing of three BMW motorrad (motorcycles), all based on the S-Series inline-Four engine: S 1000 RR superbike, S 1000 R “roadster” (as BMW calls it, usually known as “naked” in the industry), and S 1000 XR sport-tourer.

All four carried out their roles superbly, of course. But before we roll out the video and full reviews, here’s a bit of filler about BMW motorcycles.

BMW Motorrad, just like their automotive division, had always been innovative in pushing out new technology for their motorcycles and most of these innovations found industry-wide implementation later on.

Here are Ten Innovations by BMW Motorrad, in chronological order.

10. R32 (1923) – BMW’s first motorcycle

BMW had begun in 1916, through the reorganization of Rapp Motorenwerke who produced aircraft engines in WWI. However, as the Luftwaffe (German air force) was banned in the Treaty of Versailles after WWI, the company produced industrial engines, air brakes, agricultural machinery, toolboxes and office furniture, instead, before turning to motorcycles and cars.

BMW then built a flat-twin (Boxer) in 1921 for motorcycles and were most notably used in Helios motorcycles. BMW then merged with the makers of Helios called Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1922, inheriting the Helios.

That led to the R32 in 1923. Unveiled at the Berlin Motor Show, it marked the beginning of BMW’s drive concept – air-cooled, twin-cylinder, four-stroke Boxer engine with a manual gearbox mated directly behind and a shaft final drive.

While the R32 didn’t break technological grounds, its engine served as the DNA for all Boxer-powered BMW motorcycles until today.

9. R12 (1935) – Hydraulic telescopic forks

Earlier telescopic forks consisted of just springs inside them without any “juice.” BMW debuted the hydraulically damped forks on the R12 and has since been adopted by every manufacturer now. Hydraulically damped forks have paved the way for the use of valves, orifices and cartridges to control damping rates in modern suspensions.

8. R90S (1973) – Headlamp fairing

Sure, other motorcycles have had fairings mounted around their headlamps before the R90S, but it was BMW who used it on a volume production motorcycle. The R90S was designed by Hans Muth, the same guy who went on to design the Suzuki Katana, while the two-tone Daytona Orange paint commemorated the bike’s inaugural win at the Daytona International Speedway in 1976. (Please click here for our feature on Race Replica Motorcycles with the Best Paint Schemes.)

7. R100RS (1977) – Full-fairing

As with the R90S, full-fairings were the mainstay of racebikes up until when BMW featured it on the R100RS. It was also designed by Hans Muth, but with the aid of a windtunnel. The R100RS’s headlamp cowl, side panels and belly pan were rigidly mounted to the bike, and the handblebar turned independently, something we’ve grown accustomed to today.

6. R80G/S (1980) – First adventure-tourer and single-sided swingarm

As we’ve written before in the R nineT Urban G/S’s full review (please click on this link to read more), adventure motorcycles prior to the R 80 G/S were based on enduros. While they’re great for blasting down trails, they lacked the range, luggage carrying capacity and comfort for extended off-road rides and the road leading there. BMW saw this vacuum and released the R 80 G/S in 1980, which gave birth to the whole new adventure-touring segment.

Apart from that, the R 80 G/S was also the first mainstream motorcycle to be equipped with a single-sided swingarm.

Yes, the R 80 G/S, which stands for Gelande/Strasse (Off-road/Road) was the granddaddy of the best-selling GS.

5. K100 (1987) – ABS brakes

ABS is compulsory on every new motorcycle in Europe now and it’s as indispensable as the brakes themselves. The first ever motorcycle ABS system was called ABS-1. It had that trademark pulsing at the levers when activated, scaring some riders who aren’t accustomed to its workings. The current 10^th generation ABS has improved by leaps and bounds since then.

4. R100GS (1988) – Paralever rear suspension

A drive shaft causes reactions that are peculiar to riders on chain or belt drive motorcycles. The tangential forces acting on the wheel hub causes the rear of the bike to jack up, instead of squatting under weight transfer during acceleration. BMW countered by installing an extra lever along the axis of the driveshaft, creating a parallelogram – hence the name Paralever. BMW engineers went on to further tune the Paralever to introduce some degree of squat associated with any vehicle when accelerating. The Paralever was also adopted to other shaft driven BMW motorcycles of different engine configurations, starting from the K1, also in 1988.

3. R1100RS (1993) – Telelever front suspension

Along with the Paralever rear suspension, the Telelever has become a hallmark for BMW motorcycles. We’ve also written about the Telelever at length (please click here for the full article) and its functions. But of important note is how normal the Telelever front end feels to riders who have never experienced it.

2. K 1200 S (2004) – Duolever front suspension

The Hossack-style Duolever front end detaches braking and cornering loads from the handlebar, thus allowing the rider to keep the bike turning, besides the given comfort. While the concept didn’t find widespread adoption in the industry, there was an extraordinary maker who used it to great results – Britten.

It was reported that BMW Motorrad had contemplated using the Duolever for the S 1000 RR superbike.

First fitted to the K 1200 S, the Duolever equips the K 1600 tourers now. The set up gives the huge bikes superlight and agile handling (no kidding).

1. K 1200 S (2004) – Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA)

We had to split these two innovations although they made their debut on the same bike, as the ESA was an extra option for the K 1200 S. It’s now a standard feature on the R 1200 GS lineup.

Fitted with it, the K 1200 S was the world’s first production motorcycle to feature an electronically adjustable suspension. Just as how it works now, the rider could select the preload based on load and damping based on his preference.

It was ESA which paved the way for ESA II, Dynamic ESA and DDC (Dynamic Damping Control) found on BMW’s S 1000 range we had just tested.

TOC Automotive College Provides Funding for Superbike Technician Course Students!

TOC Automotive College provides funding for students interested to pursue the Superbike Technician Course!
The Bina Bakat option funds up to 100% of the course fees.
Bina Bakat students only repay after they have secured employment after completing the course.

Education is one of the most important aspects of modern life, if not the most important. Lives are built based on education, and goals too are achieved through good education. Unfortunately education sometimes is out of reach for the regular person due to accessibility issues such as the costs associated with education.

While there are many scholarships available in the market, these are usually reserved for top tier students with near perfect results. Options are not as great for others, and that is what TOC Automotive College aims to change through a special financing program called TOC Bina Bakat Program.

Launched at the beginning of 2018, the TOC Bina Bakat Program which translates to Building Talents Program in English, works to provide financing to students who need it the most. It offers both apprenticeship programs and loan repayment plan for students where an education loan is provided for the enrolled courses and the students will only need to make the repayments through a monthly deduction from their salary or allowance. This deduction will only take place once the student obtains apprenticeship or a permanent job placement.

“With living costs increasing steadily, more parents and students find themselves struggling to pay for tertiary education cost. Our role as the pioneering educator in Malaysia’s automotive industry is committed towards overcoming external challenges which could deprive higher learning opportunities among the younger generation. Through the TOC Bina Bakat Program, we hope to bridge the financial differences and provide easier access to quality education for everyone,” said Adelaine Foo, Founder of TOC Automotive College.

Foo further added, “TOC Bina Bakat Program strikes long term mutual benefits for students and TOC’s Industry Partners as these students will be groomed in the very organization they hope to secure permanent placement with, be it in after sales-service or in the technical area.”

The TOC Bina Bakat Program also applies to the recently introduced Superbike Technician Course, which aims to provide certified training to students who want to pursue a career in superbike maintenance. What’s more is that TOC Automotive College has partnered with the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association (MMSDA), and through this partnership students who have undergone TOC’S Superbike Technician Course will be able to find almost instant employment among the MMSDA’s 5,000-member workshops.

Students who are interested to pursue this course will be able to secure a 100% loan to finance their education, repayable only when they secure a job.

Click here for more information regarding TOC Bina Bakat Program and the Superbike Technician Course.

Ten Fiercest Motorcycle Racing Rivalries (Part 1)

Motorcycle racing has always served up the most colorful characters.
When these characters get in each other’s ways, equally colourful rivalries flare up.
It’s these rivalries, among other things, that make motorcycle racing so interesting to watch.

The recent rivalry altercations between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez aren’t new, that’s for sure.

**Marc Marquez (93) rubbing Valentino Rossi (46)**

As PR-savvy as they are, professional motorcycle racers are humans too. And being humans, they are just as prone to emotions, or maybe even more so since they have their livelihoods and pride at stake. However, it’s this kind of rivalries that provide the colours for us spectators.

10. Neil Hodgson vs. Aaron Slight, WSB, 1998

You may have heard of both of these names, since they are both now motorcycle racing commentators, especially Aaron Slight in MotoGP nowadays.

Just before the start of the World Superbike race at Brands Hatch in 1998, the New Zealander Aaron Slight told Neil Hodgson to get out of his way since he wanted to challenge Carl Fogarty for the WSB title.

First of all, Hodgson and Slight are not teammates, and secondly, how could Hodgson give way when he’s riding on his own home ground. Neil ignored Slight’s “team orders” and raced the latter hard in the race. Slight got so furious and lashed out at Hodgson during the cool down lap. Both men then dropped their super-exotic race bikes for a boxing match. The track marshals pulled them apart before WSB organizers could organize a new category for boxing.

Wait! Was this the reason Aaron Slight talks so slow now?

9. Loris Capirossi vs. Tetsuya Harada, 250cc GP, 1998

**Capirossi (65) takes out Harada (31) – Courtesy of enoanderson.com**

Aprilia had fielded a 3-man factory team consisting of Loris Capirossi, Tetsuya Harada and newcomer Valentino Rossi. Capirossi had led the standings with a mere four points as they went into the final round at Argentina, but Harada was as determined to win the championship and was leading the race. Capirossi knew he had no real chance of passing the Japanese. If it finished this way, Harada would be crowned champion by just 1 point.

Capirossi knew what he had to do. He lunged inside Harada and took both of them out, and stole the title.

Aprilia was livid and so was Harada, understandably. The factory refused to extend Capirossi a contract for the next year although he was the 250cc champion.

8. Dani Pedrosa vs. Nicky Hayden (RIP), MotoGP, 2006

**Pedrosa knocks out Hayden – Courtesy of MotoGP.com**

The late-Nicky Hayden had been battling with Valentino Rossi throughout the entire 2006 season. The latter had won five races but was sidelined a number of times due to mechanical failures on other times, but was still able to claw his way back from a 51-point deficit to challenge Hayden at the last two rounds.

But even at this stage, Hayden’s teammate Dani Pedrosa was determined to not play the bridesmaid and was willing to go toe-to-toe with the American for a win.

At the penultimate round in Estoril, Portugal, instead of supporting Hayden, both teammates were locked in a fierce battle. Soon, the inevitable happened when Pedrosa stuffed his bike inside Hayden’s, taking them both out. (That brash move even sparked a meme.)

The Honda camp thought Hayden’s chance for a world title was a cooked goose.

However, Rossi crashed at the next and final round in Valencia. He remounted to in 13^th, handing the title to Hayden with a five-point gap, ironically reflecting the five points he lost to Toni Elias, the winner in Portugal.

7. Matt Mladin vs. Ben Spies, AMA Superbikes, 2000 – 2008

**Spies (1) leading Mladin (66) – Courtesy of AMA**

Australian Matt Mladin had dominated the American Superbike Championship but winning the title six years in a row, before a young upstart by the name of Ben Spies came along to show the way. Mladin felt humiliated and resorted to trash talking with statements such as, “He (Spies) still has his mom hanging around wiping his bum,” in the hopes of unravelling Spies.

But Spies took it all in his stride and won three titles in a row, before moving to WSBK to win the title in his rookie season, and then jumping over to MotoGP.

6. Kenny Roberts Sr. vs. Barry Sheene, 500cc GP, 1978 – 1982

**Sheene (7) leading Roberts (1) – Courtesy of otorcycleoftheday.blogspot.com**

Barry Sheene had been the 500cc World GP champion until the arrival of a mad Californian who rides his bike sideways. Kenny Roberts.

Both riders took an immediate dislike of each other. Sheene was asked what he thought about Roberts being a development rider to which he replied, “He couldn’t develop a cold.” Kenny Roberts retorted by saying that the only reason he got out bed every morning was to beat Barry Sheene.

Their rivalry reached its zenith at the 1979 British GP when Sheene flashed Roberts the middle finger after passing the latter. Roberts fought back immediately and started an epic battle before getting the better of Englishman to win the race.

Stay tuned for Part 2 as we count down to the fiercest rivalries in motorcycle racing!

Moto Guzzi Vengeance Challenge Ride

Called the Moto Guzzi Vengeance Challenge Ride, Moto Guzzi Malaysia organised the ride to Penang.
The fasting month did not stop Moto Guzzi riders from riding.
It was an fun ride as the riders got to enjoy their bikes in many different situations.

Many already know that the holy month of Ramadan is when Muslims observe the act of Puasa (fasting). But it goes beyond not eating during the daylight hours of the day. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and was the month when the Holy Quran was revealed. Fasting is the one of the Five Pillars of Islam, so Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and worship. Muslims are expected to increase their effort into following the teachings of Islam.

It the time to challenge our resolve as Muslims to resist temptation.

Hence this was the reason Moto Guzzi Malaysia decided to organize a special ride on 1st June 2018. Called the Moto Guzzi Vengeance Challenge Ride, it was planned as an iftar (breaking fast) ride over two evenings.

The destination this time was Penang. As usual, the participants congregated at The Gasket Alley first for iftar before riding north at night. Jeya Thevan was the head marshal this time, thus he conducted the pre-ride briefing.

Riding at night during the Puasa month is much welcomed as we didn’t have to bask under the sun. The group of 12 kept a tight formation from the start point.

However, it started to rain slightly as we passed Rawang, cooling the ambient temperature even further. At least it wasn’t the heat causing drowsiness.

We topped off our tanks at the Tapah R&R and got rolling again, under the rain, all the way to another stop at Sungai Perak. It was planned as a relaxing ride, so we took our time to enjoy the fresh cool air, the ride and the soft rumble of the Moto Guzzi 90^o V-Twin.

From there it was a straight shot to the Penang Island via the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (the new bridge). It was 2.30 am when we arrived at the toll plaza and there was no traffic to be seen. As a note to bikers, there is a motorcycle lane from the time you turn onto the bridge’s slip road and it’ll lead you to the toll plaza and all the way to Penang Island. However, please make double sure that you have a Touch ‘N’ Go card with you, especially at night as the counters are closed. Imagine having to turn around to get one or have some amount topped up into your IC at Juru.

Penang being Penang (it’s my hometown, by the way), turned left right, left, right, left countless times before reaching the Vouk Hotel Suites along Jalan Azlan Shah. At 3am.

Yes, we surely took our own sweet time. What’s the hurry, anyway? It’ll probably be even more tiring if we had blasted our way there.

We were given some time to freshen up and head back out to Nasi Kandar Line Clear for sahur (breakfast).

The group was given some free time until check out time at 1pm, but we’re not sure if anyone did go around Penang.

From the hotel, it was to Sheng Fatt Motor, Moto Guzzi’s authorized dealer in Penang, situated along Jalan Dato’ Keramat. The dealership provided top-class Penang hospitality, as the shop’s crew even helped us to park our bikes. Looks like Moto Guzzi owners now have a good home up north.

Mr. Sheng, Boss of Sheng Fatt organized a crew to lead us first to Fort Cornwallis for a goup photography session. The Guzzi’s looked especially great in that kind of setting.

Next, the Sheng Fatt boys ran point as they guided us to the first Penang Bridge to Harley-Davidson of Penang at Juru Autocity. The dealership is now fully operational for sales and aftersales.

We bade farewell and got back on the road again, this time towards our first stop at Sungai Perak. The weather stayed clear and hot all the way to that particular R&R before turning cloudy. That cooled down the air and road.

Although most of the riders fasted, none seemed to show signs of fatigue. Instead, they were smiling and laughing as they joked with each other.

It was over to the Foods Project Restaurant in Ipoh for iftar. We arrived ahead of schedule and that allowed us to rest up first. We kicked back a bit more after our dinner before getting on the road again, straight to the Tanjung Malim R&R.

A few riders went their separate ways from the R&R as they didn’t need to ride all the way to Moto Guzzi Malaysia. Not a single Moto Guzzi broke down or encountered any serious problem. But more importantly, everyone got home safe and sound without a single untoward incident.

In conclusion, it was a pleasurable ride. However, we didn’t visit many historic sites in Penang as it was just not practical to explore during fasting, then continuing with the ride after that. Moto Guzzi Malaysia has promised a ride which includes visiting places of interest in Penang in the near future, so stay tuned!

PICTURE GALLERY

2018 Yamaha XMAX 250 Test & Review

The Yamaha XMAX 250 is the biggest scooter officially sold by Hong Leong Yamaha.
It is more of a GT scooter compared to the NMAX and NVX.
The new basic selling price is at RM 21,225.00 with 0% GST.

Sure, scooters are the embodiment of convenient motorcycling, to the stage of being lazy – nothing else you need to do but to fill up, twist and go. Besides that, I don’t need to worry about slinging a backpack hence neckaches and backaches, since I could throw everything into the storage space under the seat.

But, I’ve never actually considered owning a scooter prior to this; due to the fact that their suspension gets hammered followed by my spleen over sharp bumps or potholes. If that’s not bad enough, their front tyres weave about when cornering. Those two factors alone had always put a damper on my enthusiasm.

But what about this new Yamaha XMAX 250? I was looking forward to testing the new MT-09 and was a little smitten when Hong Leong Yamaha Motor only had this XMAX available during the time. Well okay, for the benefit of our readers who do like scooters, I acquiesced to the offer.

WHAT IS IT?

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor is the one manufacturer who offers a wide selection of scooters in the Malaysian motorcycle market.

The XMAX 250 on the other hand, is powered by a 250cc, single-cylinder engine, making it the biggest scooter officially offered by HLYM. While the rest could be considered “city” scooters, the XMAX is of the maxi/GT type. As such, the XMAX is much larger in size, complete with a large windscreen and bigger fuel tank. The underseat trunk is also much bigger and you could fit a couple of helmets, or a helmet and a backpack filled with a 15” laptop.

WHAT FEATURES DOES IT HAVE?

There instrument panel is also large in size, dominated by a large speedometer and tachometer, flanking an LCD multi-display in between.

There are storage compartments on each side of the front panel – the left is locked with the ignition while the one on the right is unlockable. A 12V cigarette lighter type outlet is on the left, enabling you to charge your phone on the go.

The XMAX also features the SMART Key system first seen on the NVX. It needed a little figuring out at first, but it becomes second nature soon enough. Once you’re used to it, you’d swear that it’s the best motorcycle locking system. For example, it’ll warn you if you’ve forgotten to arm it.

The XMAX is one of the best-selling scooters in Europe, therefore it’s equipped with ABS and TCS (traction control) as standard equipment.

Those beautifully designed headlamps are fully LED with LED “positioning lights” (other manufactures call them daylight running lights). The taillights were equally good-looking and they were LED too. The turn signals remain as normal bulbs, though.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST IMPRESSION?

The seat was taller than it looked. Although the spec sheet described the seat height at a low 795mm, I had to move one cheek off the seat just to tip toe on one foot like I was on an adventure bike. The wide portion under the seat was the cause. And surely enough, the test bike had been dropped on one side.

The handlebar is placed lower than on most scooters and it felt sporty. That placement also meant that my view of the instrument panel wasn’t blocked at all.

The seats were definitely comfortable and supportive.

HOW DID IT PERFORM?

The 250cc, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine features Blue Core enhancements, including variable valve timing (VVT). It started up quickly every time and there was very little vibration for a scooter.

The fun of a twist ‘n’ go is of course the acceleration and the XMAX accelerated very quickly all the way to its redline. Hold on to it and you’ll hit a little more than 140 km/h. However, the bike was very economical. We managed to obtain 324 km from 11 litres of fuel despite our heavy-handed testing and we had to fill it up only once in the nine days that we had the bike.

But best of all, the XMAX 250 never once shook its handlebar when we blasted it through fast, sweeping corners unlike other scooters.

The handling was confidence-inspiring, and I didn’t hesitate in taking up to Genting Highlands. At night. On these roads, it was a joy to ride the XMAX as I could just swing it into the corners. It had plenty of cornering clearance and took lots of lean angle to scrape the centrestand. Even then, it never once threatened to chuck itself down the road (or off the mountainside) at full lean.

The brakes were superbly strong although they felt a little vague at full pressure, possibly due to the rubber hoses. However, that’s just a personal preference as I’m sure owners will find them pretty strong in standard trim. Another thing I noticed was the brake levers didn’t pulsate when ABS was triggered. Instead, the levers actually extended slightly to the front when that happened, allowing me to maintain maximum brake pressure.

The headlights were bright as a much-welcomed feature in the fog.

Down Karak Highway, I could ride the XMAX almost as if it was a normal bike, surprising a few car drivers along the way.

As for the suspension, it was a good balance between comfort and performance. Big potholes still translated to big hits but they were a lot more damped out than other scooters and mopeds.

CONCLUSION

The Yamaha XMAX 250 is a great scooter for the daily commute and also some touring. Its great looks is matched by its great performance, especially because it doesn’t wobble in corners, but also due to its practicality and economy.

So I guess I’ve found the scooter that I’ve been looking for.

Why MotoGP Bikes Don’t Use BMW-Style Telelever Suspension

The BMW R 1200 GS uses the trademark BMW Telelever front suspension.
The system separates suspension forces from steering forces.
In doing so it provides superb manoeuvrability and comfort.

A newfound friend and I were chatting about bikes and more, of course but let’s keep it to bikes here since this is Bikes Republic and not the Sarawak Report.

He owns a 2016 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, on which he had toured all the way to the Mae Hong Son loop and back a few times on it besides many other places.

Now, although I don’t own a GS, I’ve ridden one over quite some distance too. If you could recall the GIVI Golden Triangle Adventure in November last year, I had ridden a 2013 BMW R 1200 GS LC from KL to Pattaya and back, covering around 3200 km.

That trip firmly convinced me why BMW owners swear by it. It’s when you have to ride through treacherous conditions, or when your mind and body are exhausted, the R 1200 GS just keeps going. And going. And going.

A large part of that character is due to the bike’s Dynamic ESA /ESA II electronic suspension. It controls the damping electronically, removing bumps that would otherwise tire out the rider in a hurry.

However, as much as having a “smart” suspension, there’s no going around the Telelever’s basic setup at the front. The spring and damper are moved out of the fork tubes and placed at a separate location. The spring and fork tubes are then connected via an A-arm, also known as a wishbone to the frame. BMW did this to separate the damping forces from the steering. We wondered why the set up isn’t used in performance bikes. A little research revealed some interesting answers.

The traditional telescopic forks, whether “normal” or upside-down, suspend and also steer the bike. Let’s take a look at the picture below.

The forks connect to the frame via the headstock and forms a triangle. This makes the headstock as the weakest point in this connection, yet the forks and frame transmit loads into it.

Motorcycle frame headstock. This belongs to a custom bike and is very simple

Imagine the forces pushing up into the headstock from the rear tyre when accelerating, and the forces pushing up the fork under heavy breaking. At the same time, consider the bike’s and rider’s weights squashing down from above. All these forces threaten to split the fork-frame triangle like Jean-Claude Van Damme right at the headstock. This is why the front fork and wheel assembly comes off in some heavy accidents.

While this is happening, the rider steers the bike using the exact same components that are transmitting the forces to the headstock, frame, etc. Yes, those very same forces that threaten to tear the forks off the frame.

What that means is the forces you feel at the handlebar are the total, the sum, of all these forces acting in unison, plus the cornering forces such as camber thrust, weight, rolling drag torques, etc. That’s not necessarily a bad thing since that’s what riders call “front-end feedback.” The darker side, on the other hand, is when the rider lets off the throttle or applies the front brake abruptly in mid-corner, consequently transferring weight to the front and pushing the bike wide. That self-righting torque (the bike standing up) usually panics riders, causing them to think that they’ve run out of grip hence not forcing the bike back down to make the turn. This is why one overshoots a corner.

The Telelever and Duolever remove those forces from the steering; although the former still leaves some load through to the headstock and frame, while the latter completely isolates steering from suspension duties. The Telelever is the reason why the R 1200 GS is so easy to manoeuvre even extremely slow speeds, as exhibited by the tests in the GS Trophy. The Duolever system fitted to the K 1600 full-dress tourer line-up gives the bikes surprisingly light steering, despite their heft.

By if the Telelever is that good, why isn’t it used on performance bikes, much less in competition, say MotoGP? Part of the feedback is missing at full lean. It may be okay for road riding where speeds and tyre loads are much lower but not in racing where the rider needs to listen to the tyres.

TOC Introduces MSF Motor Racing Study Course

TOC Automotive College has just signed an agreement with Malaysia Speed Festival.
The collaboration launches the MSF Motor Racing study course.
Students will learn about racing management and technical aspects in the 20-week course.

Hot on the heels of the launch of the TOC Superbike Technician Course, the TOC Automotive College (TOC) has signed another collaborative effort with the Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) on 25^th May 2018.

TOC Automotive College Launches Superbike Technician Course

As we mentioned before, motorsports is the fast lane to a student’s real world experience. That is why the TOC Automotive College has a fully-equipped Motorsports Division, which caters to both auto and now motorcycle racing.

The partnership seeks to enhance the knowledge of TOC’s students in the cutthroat world of motorsports before they hit the workforce. More specifically, this collaboration with train a select group of TOC students as future leaders and workers in Malaysia’s motorsport industry through the new “MSF Motor Racing” study course.

In Adian Yein, MSF’s Principal’s speech, it was revealed that while the motorsport industry is still small in terms of budgets compared to the international team, it was still worth RM 2 million a few years ago. As such, there exists a need for more new blood to take part. Besides that, it ought to be time to concentrate not only on the drivers and riders, but also those in the background.

Mr. Liew Chin Hooi, MSF Superbike Representative, iterated in his speech, “The technical portion of motorsports has traditionally been relegated to the blue-collar status. We aim to change that through the tie-up with TOC.”

Ms. Adelaine Foo, Founder and CEO of TOC Automotive College, added that, “Everybody knows who the drivers and riders are, but what TOC has done is to bring a lot of focus to the people who made the machine for the drivers and riders to drive and ride. There is no Lewis Hamilton if there’s no technicians.”

“It’s about bringing respect to the people behind the scenes,” she added.

The topics covered in the 20-week course are:

WEEK	TOPIC	OUTLINE
1	Introduction to Motorsports and MSF Racing	· Introducing MSF. · Overview of the motorsports industry: Worldwide, US, Australia, Britain, Malaysia. · Importance of regulations and safety.
2	Race technical operations – Registration and Scrutineering	· Registration – license checking, sign in. · Scrutineering – safety checks, technical compliance.
3	Race Technical Operations – Race Control, Timing and Gridding	· Timing and gridding – results, labelling, gridding. · Race Control – race diary, incidents reporting.
4	MSF 2018 Round 3	· Event duties.
5	MSF Race Car Body Preparation and Safety Items	· Body lightening. · Body straightening. · Installing safety items.
6	MSF Race Engine Preparation – Top-end Modifications and Improvements	· Improving breathing and volumetric efficiency. · Improving ignition.
7	MSF Race Engine Preparation – Bottom-end improvements and Building	· Improving compression · Lightening · Building the bottom end
8	Race Technical Operations – Revision for all groups	· Briefing of responsibilities and revision.
9	MSF 2018 Round 4	· Event duties
10	Chassis and Suspension (Cars)	· Basic chassis and suspension design. · Understanding suspension.
11	Suspension – Basics and Setup (Cars)	· Introduction to vehicle dynamics. · Understanding damping. · Basic vehicle set up.
12	Suspension – Basics and Setup (Bikes)	· Introduction to bike suspension. · Understanding bike chassis dynamics. · Basic superbike set up.
13	Race technical operations – Revision for all groups	· Briefing of responsibilities and revision.
14	MSF 2018 Round 5	· Event duties.
15	Aerodynamics	· Understanding air pressure and movement.
16	Drivetrain	· Gearbox and gear ratios. · Flywheel and clutch.
17	Race Strategy and Testing	· Tyre and fuel strategy. · Effect of weather. · Communicating with the driver. · Objectives of testing and understanding the data.
18	Race Technical Operations – Revision for all groups	· Briefing of responsibilities and revision.
19	MSF 2018 Round 6	· Event duties.
20	Assessment

Industry players in Malaysia will also give talks from time to time. Confirmed partners are Fawster Suspension, K-Tech Suspension, Hankook Motorsports Malaysia and Proton-R3 Motorsports.

As you could see, TOC and MSF want to breed race team engineers or race officials that are intelligent with solid technical backgrounds, instead of mere grease monkeys.

You may refer to TOC Automotive College and Malaysia Speed Festival Facebook pages for more information on the MSF Motor Racing study course. You may also visit TOC Automotive College’s website.

PICTURE GALLERY

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya Releases 0% GST Prices

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya has likewise revised their motorcycle prices.
The new prices will make them even more desirable.
Harley-Davidsons will soon be available in Penang and Melaka, too.

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya has also published the prices of Harley-Davidson motorcycles with 0% GST.

We had recently snooped around the new Harley-Davidson dealership and found that they had revised prices of new bikes, parts and labour charges, making the bikes even easier to own than before. (Please click on the link below for more details.)

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya: Same Great Bikes, Now More Affordable

But now with this tax holiday, they are now even more attractive, since it is 0% GST not only for new bikes but also for accessories, spare parts and maintenance.

Please refer to the list below for the new prices. However, please ignore the typo that says “Effective Date as of 1^st January 2018.” The new prices will be effective from 1^st June 2018 onwards until further notice, depending on the Ministry of Finance’s decision to revert to SST.

We would like to bring your attention to a few models.

TOURING

It was Harley-Davidson who pioneered the full-dress touring motorcycles we see today, so it is only natural that the Motor Company continue with the tradition.

The Ultra Limited and there are three variants. Prices will start from RM 206,300.
As for the bagger version of the Electra Glide, called the Street Glide, prices start from RM 174,700.
There is also the new Road Glide as tested by Keshy Dillon in Croatia, with prices starting from RM 174,700.

SOFTAIL

The Softail lineup consists of motorcycles that are designed for maximum visual impact, but bear in mind that the new Softails are engineered for better riding, comfort and performance.

The new Street Bob starts from RM 107,200.
The “slammed” and “stretched” (meaning low and long) Breakout starts from RM 143,600 (107 c.i. model).
The iconic Fat Boy has gone through some changes but still remains unmistakably a Fat Boy. Prices will start at RM 138,300 for the 107 c.i. model.

SPORTSTER

Harley’s Sportsters have always been the best-seller among beginners, lady-bikers and those who seek performance. The new prices are interesting to say the least.

Price for the Iron 883 begin at RM 81,200.
The super-popular Forty-Eight’s new price begins at RM 92,800. There is also the Forty-Eight Anniversary which is priced from RM 99,800.

CVO

Of course, we cannot skip the CVO’s which stands for Custom Vehicle Operations, meaning that these are special factory customs. There are four models for 2018:

CVO Ultra Limited, priced from RM 328,900.
CVO Ultra Limited Anniversary, from RM 353,300.
CVO Street Glide, from RM 285,100.
CVO Road Glide, also from RM 285,100.

So, along with Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya’s focus on aftersales and customer knowledge, it is the best time to get one.

Bikesrepublic

Wahid Ooi

The Moto Guzzi V7 III and V9 line-ups are the obvious starting point for customizing.

This Gannet custom bike started as a Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer.

The builders aimed for a minimalist traditional racer style motorcycle.

PICTURE GALLERY

2017 had been a tough year for many industries, including motorcycles.

Not many brands posted growth for motorcycles above 500cc.

Let us hope 2018 will see a resurgence for the industry.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the destruction of 100 smuggled bikes.

The action represented his stand on smuggling and the drug trade on a wider scale.

Total value destroyed was approximately $ 640,000.

5. Carl Fogarty vs. Scott Russell, WSB, 1992 – 1994

4. Valentino Rossi vs. Max Biaggi, 500cc GP, 2000 – 2005

3. Valentino Rossi vs. Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo – MotoGP, 2007 – 2011

2. Kevin Schwantz vs. Wayne Rainey, AMA Superbikes and 500cc GP, 1986 – 1993

1. Valentino Rossi vs. Marc Marquez, MotoGP, 2015 and ongoing

10. R32 (1923) – BMW’s first motorcycle

9. R12 (1935) – Hydraulic telescopic forks

8. R90S (1973) – Headlamp fairing

7. R100RS (1977) – Full-fairing

6. R80G/S (1980) – First adventure-tourer and single-sided swingarm

5. K100 (1987) – ABS brakes

4. R100GS (1988) – Paralever rear suspension

3. R1100RS (1993) – Telelever front suspension

2. K 1200 S (2004) – Duolever front suspension

1. K 1200 S (2004) – Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA)

TOC Automotive College provides funding for students interested to pursue the Superbike Technician Course!

The Bina Bakat option funds up to 100% of the course fees.

Bina Bakat students only repay after they have secured employment after completing the course.

Motorcycle racing has always served up the most colorful characters.

When these characters get in each other’s ways, equally colourful rivalries flare up.

It’s these rivalries, among other things, that make motorcycle racing so interesting to watch.

10. Neil Hodgson vs. Aaron Slight, WSB, 1998

9. Loris Capirossi vs. Tetsuya Harada, 250cc GP, 1998

8. Dani Pedrosa vs. Nicky Hayden (RIP), MotoGP, 2006

7. Matt Mladin vs. Ben Spies, AMA Superbikes, 2000 – 2008

6. Kenny Roberts Sr. vs. Barry Sheene, 500cc GP, 1978 – 1982

Called the Moto Guzzi Vengeance Challenge Ride, Moto Guzzi Malaysia organised the ride to Penang.

The fasting month did not stop Moto Guzzi riders from riding.

It was an fun ride as the riders got to enjoy their bikes in many different situations.

PICTURE GALLERY

The Yamaha XMAX 250 is the biggest scooter officially sold by Hong Leong Yamaha.

It is more of a GT scooter compared to the NMAX and NVX.

The new basic selling price is at RM 21,225.00 with 0% GST.

WHAT IS IT?

WHAT FEATURES DOES IT HAVE?

WHAT WAS THE FIRST IMPRESSION?

HOW DID IT PERFORM?

CONCLUSION

The BMW R 1200 GS uses the trademark BMW Telelever front suspension.

The system separates suspension forces from steering forces.

In doing so it provides superb manoeuvrability and comfort.

TOC Automotive College has just signed an agreement with Malaysia Speed Festival.

The collaboration launches the MSF Motor Racing study course.

Students will learn about racing management and technical aspects in the 20-week course.

PICTURE GALLERY

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya has likewise revised their motorcycle prices.

The new prices will make them even more desirable.

Harley-Davidsons will soon be available in Penang and Melaka, too.

TOURING

SOFTAIL

SPORTSTER

CVO

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