Wahid Ooi, Author at BikesRepublic.com

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Wahid Ooi

Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and Ernie Vigil’s Awesome Result at the Mexican 1000 Rally

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and Ernie Vigil finished fifth overall at the Mexican 1000 rally.
The bike was stock apart from the necessary rally items such as headlamps, engine protection bars and seat.
Triumph and Vigil went up against dedicated 450cc rally raiders.

Remember Triumph Motorcycles entering the Mexican 1000 rally with the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE with Ernie Vigil Riding? They have just notched up an amazing result on a stock bike!

Triumph and Vigil had wanted to enter the “Real Deal” (nickname for the Scrambler 1200) in the Baja 1000 rally. The manufacturer was eager to show that they have a realscrambler over the other scramblers. However, they were forced to rescind the plan when the former was injured before the race.

The next best thing to do as entering in the Mexican 1000. The rally is a 1,307-mile (1659.2 kilometres), 5-day event where the competitors use the same route as the Baja 1000.

Triumph and Vigil finished fifth overal against dedicated 450cc dirt-bikes that were further “enhanced” for the event. Remember, the Scrambler 1200 XE was stock except for the necessary rally equipment such as engine crash bars, lights and seat. Also bear in mind that the Scrambler 1200 weighed in at 205 kg dry, while the Honda CRF450R race bike weighed only 112kg wet!

The bike suffered no mechanical failures, but an unfortunate failure with the Michelin BIB Mousse tyre filler. The filler is used to seal punctures during off-road riding. Luckily for team, their support vehicle wasn’t far behind to render assistance. Bike and rider were on their way after a tyre swap. They would’ve finished even higher up the order if not for the unfortunate occurrence.

While fifth wasn’t an outright victory, it is a victory in terms of technical excellence for a bike which is stock. It just goes to show that Triumph’s done the right thing in building the Scrambler 1200.

Source and photos: Ride Apart

KPNHEP Confiscated Fake Engine Oil in Raid

The Johor Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) raided a distribution company for attempting to sell fake engine oil.
A total of 4,524 bottles were confiscated.
The company touted the fake product at RM 10 cheaper than market prices.

A distribution company in Kawasan Perindustrian Selatan, in Senai Johor was raided by the Johor state’s Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna – KPDNHEP) for attempting to sell 4,524 bottles of fake engine oil worth RM 45,692.20, yesterday.

The department’s chief of enforcement, Zubir Hamsa said that the success of the raid was due to the department’s intelligence efforts following the tip off by the brand owner.

Six workers and the company’s proprietor were present during the raid.

The operation netted the aforementioned number of 1-litre bottles in 377 crates. The department also discovered that the company was attempting to distribute the fake lubricants at RM 10 cheaper than the market price. The stock has not been distributed to retailers.

According to the KPHNHEP, the packaging of the bogus products looked very similar to the genuine items. They added that only the brand owner and KPNHEP can spot the difference(s).

All items were confiscated under Section 8(2)(c) of the Trade Description Act 2011.

In our opinion, low lives who sell fake motorcycle items should be incarcerated for life, since it involves the safety of motorcyclists.

Source: Kosmo! Online

11 More AWAS Cameras Coming Up

PLUS will add 11 more Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) cameras will be added along the North-South Highway.
The number adds to the 19 currently in place.
Priority will be given to the stretch near the Menora Tunnel.

11 more Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) cameras will be added along the North-South Highway (PLUS).

The installation will take place in phases. According to the Deputy Minister of Transportation, Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, the locations will be determined after studies by PLUS Malaysia Berhad and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research. Results from the research will be ready later this year.

The 11 new AWAS cameras will supplement the 19 currently in place. The sites chosen for the will consist of stretches that are accident prone and have caused many casualties.

Priority will be given to the Menora Tunnel near Ipoh, Perak. The hilly and winding stretch has seen many serious accidents and deaths over the decades.

There was an earlier talk about installing the system along the first Penang Bridge but there was no mention about it this time. The bridge has seen its share of fatal accidents including the recent one in which an SUV rolled over the barrier and crashed into the sea.

PLUS will undertake the costs of installation and maintenance, estimated at RM 3 million each.

Do note that AWAS cameras can detect motorcycles, too.

Please click on the link below to find out how an AWAS (previously known as AES) camera works.

How Do the AES Speed Cameras Work?

New Colour for 2019 Honda CRF250 Rally

A new black colour option is added to the 2019 Honda CRF250 Rally.
The CRF250 Rally is a dual-sport motorcycle, compared to the CRF250L.
Both colour options are priced from RM 26,999.00 (basic selling price without insurance, registration and road tax).

There is an additional colour for the 2019 Honda CRF250 Rally. The new black colour is for riders who want something low-key yet neat in appearance, over the usual Extreme Red offering.

We’ve tested and came to like the Honda CRF250 Rally. Its great looks were borrowed heavily from Honda’s CRF450 Rally bike which is the basis for the manufacturer’s Dakar Rally effort. While the engine and chassis are shared with the CRF250L trail bike, the CRF250 Rally trumps in having a windscreen and larger bodywork. Thus, the Rally is a dual-sport motorcycle which allows the rider to seek adventures off the tarmac path.

Being a lightweight machine also means that the CRF250 Rally is easy to handle when situations turn tough. But the rider can rest assured of surviving those situations due to its Honda’s high build quality and reliability.

Three CRF250 Rally and the five CRF250L were entered in the punishing Rimba Raid Rally at Mat Daling in 2018. Two CRF250L occupied the first two spots on the podium, another in fourth and a CRF250 Rally rounded out the Top 5. The rest finished the race, too.

The CRF250 Rally is equipped with ABS on both ends, asymmetrical LED headlamps, fully-digital LCD clock, floating windscreen, Showa upside-down forks and 10.1 litre fuel tank.

Both Extreme Red and Black options are priced from RM 26,999.00 (basic selling price without insurance, registration and road tax).

New Colours for 2019 Honda CB250R Neo Sports Café

Boon Siew Honda announced a new colour for the 2019 Honda CB250R New Sports Café line-up.
Prices range between RM 22,999 and RM 23,499 depending on colour option.
The colour line-up consists of Candy Chromosphere Red, Graphite Black and Crypton Silver Metallic.

Boon Siew Honda announced a new colour for the 2019 Honda CB250R New Sports Café line-up.

The Honda CB250R is manufacturer’s entry into the 250cc single-cylinder naked bike category. As the Neo Sports Café name suggests, the bike is an amalgam of classic and modern design cues. The round headlight and front end are reminiscent of the classic CB silhouette, while the rest of the bike consist of modern styling elements.

It’s not all looks an no go. The CB250R is equipped with dual-channel ABS, full LED lighting, fully-digital LCD meter panel, Showa upside-down forks, adjustable rear shock. The fuel tank capacity is 10.1 litres which allows long riding distances due to the economical engine.

In our review, we found the bike easy to ride with good low- and mid-range punch. Handling was exact and agile. Hence it was a fun bike to ride around the city every day and in the twisties on the weekend.

The bike is available in three colours: Candy Chromosphere Red, Graphite Black and Crypton Silver Metallic.

The Candy Chromosphere Red option is priced from RM 23,499.00. Graphite Black and Crypton Silver Metallic colours are priced from RM 22,999.00. All prices are showroom prices without insurance, registration and road tax.

2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT has Arrived (from RM 124,800)

The 2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT has arrived in Malaysia.
It features many revised cutting-edge technologies and a new styling.
It is priced from RM 124,800 (basic selling price with 0% GST, not on-the-road).

The 2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT has arrived in Malaysia. KTM engineers made the new bike smoother and refined, while retaining its big performance character.

The highlights are:

Smoother engine power delivery:

The latest-generation 1301cc 75^oLC8 V-Twin engine is revised further for a smoother ride.
KTM added new resonator chambers, titanium inlet valves and a new mapping.
The revisions netted the same 173 hp and 141 Nm of torque.
But the engine is now smoother in low RPM and provides power everywhere.
The optional Quickshifter+ function can be added for effortless upshifts and downshifts with auto-blipper function.

New TFT screen:

New and improved 6.5-inch TFT screen.
The award-winning full-colour screen is visible even in direct sunlight.
Scrolling through the menus is easily performed through the illuminated menu switch on the left handlebar.
The cruise control switch was moved to the left handlebar, also.
KTM RACE ON remote key system, which allows keyless operation of the bike.

Lean-angle sensitive traction control:

IMU-assisted lean-angle motorcycle stability control (MSC) with combined ABS.
The IMU also allows for the cornering lights feature.
The rider can add the optional “Track” mode to unlock the full capabilities of the LC8 engine and chassis.
Also optional are hill hold control (HHC) and motor slip regulation (MSR).

Latest WP semi-active suspension:

The new sensors analyse more parameters now to adapt quickly and correctly to changing surface conditions.
The suspension’s preload (ride height and chassis balance) to suit rider, passenger and cargo weight can be adjusted via the push of a button.
The rider can also choose his preferred damping rate: Comfort, Street and Sport.

New styling:

The 2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT now features the instantly recognizable DUKE family “face.”
The central aluminium heatsink includes six ultra-bright LEDs.
Additional LEDs are utilized for daytime running lights (DRL).
There are also LEDs embedded in the fuel tank’s flanks to provide cornering lights to illuminate the inside of corners.

New KTM MY RIDE:

The optional KTM MY RIDE smartphone connectivity suite adds a navigation feature for on-screen turn-by-turn directions.
Navigation audio prompts in 5 languages via a separate app.
Other functions allow the rider to scroll through his favourite music playlist, besides receiving or rejecting phone calls.

Please click on the link below to watch the official video of Michael Rutter riding the 2019 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT around the Isle of Man.

The new 2019 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT is fully CBU and priced from RM 124,800 (basic selling price with 0% GST and not on-the-road).

Follow KTM MALAYSIA for the latest news and updates at https://www.facebook.com/ktmmalaysiaofficial/

Project TE-1 – Triumph Motorcycles to Build Electric Motorcycles

Triumph Motorcycles launched Project TE-1.
The two-year project seeks to build Triumph’s first electric motorcycle.
The project is a collaboration of four parties including Triumph, Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd. and WMG at university of Warwick.

As more and more countries mobilize their electric vehicle initiatives to reduce pollution (while Malaysians are still squabbling over car window tinting), motorcycle manufacturers are following suit. The latest effort is by Triumph Motorcycles who launched Project TE-1.

Project TE-1 (for Triumph Electric-1?) is considered a groundbreaking collaboration among Triumph and three other partners. They are Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), Integral Powertrain Ltd. (IPL), and WMG at the University of Warwick.

The two-year project is in turn supported and co-funded by the United Kingdom government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), via Innovate UK.

Each partner has specific tasks:

Triumph Motorcycles plays the role of Tony Stark – the leader – of the project. The maker will provide “advanced motorcycle chassis design and engineering expertise,” besides “manufacturing and pioneering functional safety systems besides electric drivetrain power delivery characteristics.”
Williams Advanced Engineering will provide industry-leading lightweight battery design and the means of integrating it. in other words, WAM will deliver battery management system and vehicle control unit. WAM is already the battery provider for Formula-E and many world-renowned EVs.
Integral Powertrain Ltd.’s e-Drive Division leads the development of power-dense electric motors and silicon carbide inverter. The two components will be combined in one motor housing.
WMG, University of Warwick will provide electrification expertise and vision to drive innovation from R&D to commercial impact. It will be carried out through modelling and simulation based on future market needs.

Triumph feels that collaboration is necessary in order to build a good – if not great – electric motorcycle. Working on something completely new is a huge undertaking in terms of cost and time, so getting it wrong would be disastrous.

Each partner specializes in the different areas of electric vehicles, thus that expertise will be integrated into a “sophisticated electric motorcycle” which “reduce mass, complexity and package requirements.”

In other words, the collaboration seeks to accelerate R&D in terms of packaging and safety of batteries, optimum electric motor sizing and packaging, integration of braking systems including regenerative braking, and safety systems.

So, how will Triumph’s electric bike look like? Wouldn’t we like to know too! How about an electric Rocket-E TFC? (Cue evil laughter.)

Honda MSX125 (Grom) Looks Great with Sidecar

A company called Industrial Moto created this Grom Utility Sidecar kit for the Honda MSX125 (Grom).
The sidecar expands the MSX125’s cargo carrying capabilities.
It’s not cheap but some enterprising Malaysian will definitely build one!

The Honda MSX125 or Grom in certain countries promises lots of fun. The diminutive bike just does everything you want and can go just about anywhere. While we don’t see much of it on Malaysian roads, it is certainly very popular in Thailand and even the United States.

The engine is a winner from the get-start hence it functions as the platform for two other Honda motorcycles – the C125 Super Cub and another playbike, the Monkey.

Photo credit – Asphalt & Rubber, RideApart

There may be those who think that the MSX125 is nothing but a plaything, but a US company called Industrial Moto thinks otherwise. They designed the Grom Utility Sidecar kit which bolts on directly to the bike and is easily removable, too.

Suddenly, you won’t have to limit yourself to three packets of food from bazar Ramadhan, when you could shop for the entire family. Or have your kid sit in it and send him or her to school (with a helmet on, of course). Or shopping for durians!

The kit isn’t cheap at USD 1,600 but these pictures should spurn our country’s resourceful talents in creating their own sidecars.

Source: Asphalt & Rubber, RideApart

Honda Patents Variable Riding Position for a Two-in-One Motorcycle

Honda submitted a patent for a variable riding position system.
It turns a sportbike into a sport-tourer and vice-versa.
Such an innovation ought to a good welcome.

Honda has submitted a whole slew of patents recently, but this one is probably the best of the lot. These pictures show a bike with variable riding position – a two-in-one motorcycle in essence.

While riding a sport-tourer, we wished for a sportbike when the road turns into a beautiful ribbon of asphalt or the track beckons. Conversely, we wished for a sport-tourer when we ride a sportbike to a faraway destination or into the neighbouring countries. Sure, a sport-tourer caters to both extremely well but there are times when the knees develop an itch that can only be scratched through sliders on the track.

Among the diagrams is one for the height-adjustable clip-on handlebars. They ought to be raised via a button.

Apart from the handlebars, there are also diagrams for an electrically-adjustable windscreen. The technology is not new, of course, but it adjusts to provide wind protection in sportbike and sport-touring guise. The scissor-type pivots push the windscreen into more upright positions, rather than just up or down.

Cars drivers have the luxury of adjustable seats and steering wheel for decades. We will have such amenity too, if Honda puts this patent into production.

2019 BMW F 850 GS Adventure Launched in India (approx. RM 91,318.15)

The new 2019 BMW G 850 GS Adventure was launched in India at a price of INR 15.40 Lakh, equivalent to RM 91,318.15
The GSA features more adventure options such as a larger fuel tank, among others.
It should be launched in Malaysia soon.

The new 2019 BMW F 850 GS Adventure was launched in India yesterday at a price of INR 15.40 Lakh, equivalent to RM 91,318.15.

BMW had built the new F 850 GS series with more refinements in terms of styling, engine performance, comfort, chassis dynamics and electronics over its F 800 GS predecessor. The same updates are brought over to the Adventure version, called the F 850 GS Adventure or just F 850 GSA.

Setting it apart from the F 850 GS, the F 850 GS Adventure (or just GSA) carries features for more serious adventure and off-road riding. First and foremost is the “extended” fuel tank which has a 23-liter capacity compared to the 15-liter tank on the GS. Other features are crash protection bars, aluminium engine bash plate and Comfort Seat as standard. The GSA also features the new TFT screen of the GS.

The additions add 15 kg to the GS’s weight to a total of 244 kg.

The engine is the same 853cc, parallel-Twin with 270^ocrankshaft, which produces 95 hp at 8,250 RPM and 92 Nm of torque at 6,250 The 270^ocrank mimics the firing order of a 90^oV-Twin for a better spread of power and torque throughout the rev range. It has lesser vibration that the previous 360o-crank engine in the F 800 GS, too.

The 2019 BMW F 850 GS Adventure ought to arrive in Malaysia soon, so stay tuned.

WHO: Malaysia is Third in Road Deaths in ASEAN and Asia

According to the WHO, Malaysia has the third highest rate of road accident deaths in ASEAN and Asia.
Malaysia recorded a 23.6/100,000 road accident fatality rate which equals 7,152 cases.
More than 60% were motorcyclists and pillions.

We published a report months ago about Thailand being the deadliest in terms of road accidents in ASEAN and Asia, but a new report shows that Malaysia is in third place. The report was based on the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety (2018).

But here’s another look, especially since Malaysia is the “third deadliest.”

Rate vs. number

There’s been concern about reports highlighting accidents as rates i.e. XX/100,000, compared to pure numbers.

For example, India has the most deaths due to road accidents in the world. The rate was a relatively low 22.6/100,000 (lower than even Malaysia’s 23.6/100,000) due to the sub-continent’s massive population of more than 1.3 billion. In actual fact, 150,785 were killed in 2016.

Another instance was Indonesia who recorded 31,282 road accident fatalities in 2016. However, it became one of the “safest” as the rate was an incredibly low 12.2/100,000 due to her 261 million population.

However, rates serve as a method of looking at the number of people among the population who is likely to be involved in a fatal road accident.

More Malaysian data

A report in The Star Online today has shed some light with some raw data.

Again, the WHO report in December 2018 includes data from 2016.

In 2016, there are:

A total of 27,613,120 vehicles in Malaysia.
13,123,638 were cars and four-wheeled light vehicles.
12,677,041 were motorized two- and three-wheelers.
1,191,310 heavy trucks.
59,977 buses.
561,154 other types of vehicles.

The writer also highlighted that a total of 91% of motorcyclists wear helmets, while 87% of their passengers did. There was still no concrete number of deaths involving motorcyclists, but it is a well-known fact that it constitutes to approximately 60% or higher.

But more alarmingly, the writer stated that only 75% of the motorcyclists killed wore helmets. We think that there may be some discrepancy in this number, but it could be that the victims involved must have lost their helmets due to improper fastening or wearing old and/or non-regulated helmets.

Motorcyclists bear the brunt

It’s no surprise that we motorcyclists bear the brunt of road accidents, regardless of the party at fault. But the motorcycle is the only form of transportation some of us could afford. The WHO acknowledges this by saying, “It is also a social equity issue with vulnerable road users bearing a disproportionate share of risk, injury and fatality.”

What needs to be done

The BikesRepublic.com team have been harping on the need to revamp our driver training methodology and syllabus for many years, even before the start of this magazine. This call has fallen on deaf ears.

Road users be they car drivers, motorcyclists, truck/bus drivers are taught on the procedures needed to pass their licensing tests and little more else. Yes, there’s the addition of theory lessons to the traditional highway code but how many actually remember even 10% of that? Every student is only looking forward to obtaining his license.

Thus, the best way to teach driving etiquette and skills is at the practical level. Which is unfortunately missing. This is what really should be done instead of setting everyone loose on the roads and them figure everything out by themselves. Worse, everyone blames everyone else.

Isn’t it better than subjecting the people to punitive measures while saying that you wish for accident rates to come down? It won’t happen automatically.

The authorities should look into this if they are really serious about lowering accident and fatality rates.

Source: World Health Organization and The Star Online

Silverstone to Undergo Resurfacing, Confirmed Through 2021

Silverstone Circuit will undergo full resurfacing for 2019 British MotoGP round.
Their contract was also extended to 2021.
Work will begin in June 2019.

The Silverstone circuit will undergo full resurfacing for the 2019 MotoGP round. At the same time, their contract was extended to 2021.

The move follows last year’s British MotoGP fracas. Fans waited for hours in the stands before the round was cancelled due to rain and standing water. Apart from that, the tarmac was previously smoothened to accommodate Formula 1 cars and their underbody skid plates.

The FIM demanded the resurfacing of the track in order to meet safety and homologation standards. In response, the circuit announced that full resurfacing will commence in June ahead of Formula 1 in July and MotoGP in August, this year.

Track work will be carried out by construction company Tarmac and overseen by consultant Jarno Zaffelli, who has overseen successful resurfacing jobs at Sepang and Termas de Rio Hondo, which have gathered praise since the last MotoGP races at the respective circuits.

Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle, who was the central figure in last year’s controversy, is delighted with both the resurfacing confirmation and the British MotoGP contract extension.

“Getting to this point has involved a lot of work by the staff at Silverstone but throughout it all we have been completely focused on making sure we make the right decisions to guarantee the future of our most important events with Formula 1 and MotoGP,” Pringle said.

Tarmac’s managing director Paul Fleetham is confident in delivering a high-quality resurfacing.

“We are exceptionally proud to be working with the team at Silverstone to resurface the iconic British race circuit,” Fleetham said. “It demonstrates both the quality of our people and our first-class track record in delivering high-profile, nationally significant schemes.”

MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta added: “The extension to the contract at Silverstone is a mark of the confidence we have in the circuit to host a successful MotoGP event over the next three years.”

Source: Crash.net

Bikesrepublic

Wahid Ooi

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and Ernie Vigil finished fifth overall at the Mexican 1000 rally.

The bike was stock apart from the necessary rally items such as headlamps, engine protection bars and seat.

Triumph and Vigil went up against dedicated 450cc rally raiders.

The Johor Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) raided a distribution company for attempting to sell fake engine oil.

A total of 4,524 bottles were confiscated.

The company touted the fake product at RM 10 cheaper than market prices.

PLUS will add 11 more Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) cameras will be added along the North-South Highway.

The number adds to the 19 currently in place.

Priority will be given to the stretch near the Menora Tunnel.

A new black colour option is added to the 2019 Honda CRF250 Rally.

The CRF250 Rally is a dual-sport motorcycle, compared to the CRF250L.

Both colour options are priced from RM 26,999.00 (basic selling price without insurance, registration and road tax).

Boon Siew Honda announced a new colour for the 2019 Honda CB250R New Sports Café line-up.

Prices range between RM 22,999 and RM 23,499 depending on colour option.

The colour line-up consists of Candy Chromosphere Red, Graphite Black and Crypton Silver Metallic.

The 2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT has arrived in Malaysia.

It features many revised cutting-edge technologies and a new styling.

It is priced from RM 124,800 (basic selling price with 0% GST, not on-the-road).

The highlights are:

Smoother engine power delivery:

New TFT screen:

Lean-angle sensitive traction control:

Latest WP semi-active suspension:

New styling:

New KTM MY RIDE:

Triumph Motorcycles launched Project TE-1.

The two-year project seeks to build Triumph’s first electric motorcycle.

The project is a collaboration of four parties including Triumph, Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd. and WMG at university of Warwick.

A company called Industrial Moto created this Grom Utility Sidecar kit for the Honda MSX125 (Grom).

The sidecar expands the MSX125’s cargo carrying capabilities.

It’s not cheap but some enterprising Malaysian will definitely build one!

Honda submitted a patent for a variable riding position system.

It turns a sportbike into a sport-tourer and vice-versa.

Such an innovation ought to a good welcome.

The new 2019 BMW G 850 GS Adventure was launched in India at a price of INR 15.40 Lakh, equivalent to RM 91,318.15

The GSA features more adventure options such as a larger fuel tank, among others.

It should be launched in Malaysia soon.

According to the WHO, Malaysia has the third highest rate of road accident deaths in ASEAN and Asia.

Malaysia recorded a 23.6/100,000 road accident fatality rate which equals 7,152 cases.

More than 60% were motorcyclists and pillions.

Rate vs. number

More Malaysian data

In 2016, there are:

Motorcyclists bear the brunt

What needs to be done

Silverstone Circuit will undergo full resurfacing for 2019 British MotoGP round.

Their contract was also extended to 2021.

Work will begin in June 2019.

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