The Ducati Panigale V4 R will lose 250 RPM in WorldSBK 2019.
While the Honda CBR1000RR will gain 500 RPM.
Ducati and Kawasaki are also not allowed to bring engine upgrades to their bikes.
It’s bound to happen as per Dorna and FIM’s rules. The Ducati Panigale V4 R is set to lose 250 RPM off its peak from the next round in Assen.
The decision was made after Alvaro Bautista won the first six races and three Superpoles of the season on the Panigale V4 R. Besides docking its peak RPM (to reduce peak horsepower), Ducati will also lose their concession to bring further engine upgrades for the rest of the year. Consequently, Bautista and teammate Chaz Davies, as well as Eugene Laverty will have to compete on a bike with the same specs as it started the season.
A reduction of 250 RPM will not make a difference to Bautista. In fact, his Aruba.it Ducati team had tested a bike with 250 RPM less in Aragon earlier.
On the other hand, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR will not have its revs cut but they are also not allowed the concession to upgrade their engine, since the gap between Ducati and Kawasaki are only 7 points (below the 9-point threshold).
Other manufacturers are allowed concessions, including BMW and Yamaha (who are racing), as well as Aprilia, Suzuki and MV Agusta (who are not racing).
As for Honda, the CBR1000RR will receive a 500 RPM upgrade. The increase will take effect over two rounds i.e. 250 RPM at Assen and another 250 RPM at Imola, Italy.
Such “revisions” is not new. Kawasaki had their ZX-10RR’s rev limit cut last year after Jonathan Rea’s dominance. The idea is to keep the field competitive for close-in racing.
The 2019 Honda CBR650R and 2019 Honda CB650R were launched today.
Both bikes were first unveiled at EICMA 2018.
Both models have been extensively upgraded yet priced close to their predecessors.
The eagerly awaited 2019 Honda CBR650R and 2019 Honda CB650R were launched today (watch video below).
The bikes were launched by Boon Siew Honda Malaysia (BSH) at the Malaysia Autoshow 2019, at MAEPS Serdang. Fans and enthusiasts can view the new bikes between 11thto 13thApril 2019.
Mr. Keiichi Yasuda, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BSH launched the bikes. In his speech, Mr. Yasuda said, “In 2018, Boon Siew Honda successfully launched 7 models of high performance big bikes in Malaysia. We are happy to have received overwhelming response from the market. And, we shall also look into the middleweight segment demand. Therefore, today we launched the all-new CBR650R and CB650R.”
2019 Honda CBR650R (from RM 45,499)
For the last time, the CBR650RR is NOT from the CBR600RR’s lineage. Clear? Good. And who said it was going to cost in the vicinity of RM 75,000 to RM 80,000?!
The CBR650R replaces the pervious CBR650F as Honda’s middleweight sportbike.
In line with the “CBR” designation, the 2019 model is made sportier to distance itself from its naked brethren, the naked CB650R. So, the CB650R is no longer a CBR650F without clothes.
Highlights:
New styling inspired by the CBR1000RR Fireblade superbike. The single “diamond” headlamp makes way for twin aggressive LED headlamps; and the fairing’s rear part is extended further back.
Revised rider ergonomics. The handlebars are repositioned 30mm forward to put more weight on the front wheel plus for a sportier riding position. Similarly, the footpegs were moved 3mm back and 6mm higher. Yet, seat height remains at an accessible 810mm.
Higher engine power. The inline-Four now revs to 1,000 RPM higher. Consequently, there is a 5% percent gain in maximum power from 90 to 94 HP at 12,000 RPM.
Assist and slipper clutch. The assist function allows lighter clutch lever operation. The slipper function, on the other hand, minimizes rear tyre hop when downshifting aggressively.
New running stock. The forks are now 41mm upside-down Showa SFF (Separate Function Forks). Braking duty is handled by a pair of Nissin 4-piston calipers that are radial-mounted.
Lower weight. The new bike is 6kg lighter.
New features. Such as full LED lighting; A new LCD instrument panel which includes gear position and shift indicator.
Traction control. The Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) traction control strategy finally makes its way into the model.
Two colours. Grand Prix Red and Matt Gun Powder Black Metallic.
Priced from RM 45,499 (basic selling price).
2019 Honda CB650R (from RM 43,499)
The 2019 CB650R replaced the CB650F as the middleweight naked sportbike. Besides that, the new CB650R completes Honda’s Neo Sports Café line-up, which already consists of the CB250R and CB1000R.
Highlights:
Modern and minimalist design. As part of the Neo Sports Café family, the bike’s styling mixes classic and modern elements. Honda calls it the “compact, trapezoid” effect.
The round headlight and sculpted tank form the front and “backbone,” respectively while the engine hangs below in full view.
Higher engine power. The engine is shared with the CBR650R. Revisions to the intake, cam timing, compression and exhaust yielded a 5% increase in power to 94 HP.
Relaxed ergonomics. The riding stance is more relaxed compared to the CBR650R’s.
Shared specs with CBR650R. Suspension, brakes, assist and slipper clutch, LED lighting, HSTC traction control are shared with the CBR650R.
Two colours. Candy Chromosphere Red and Graphite Black.
Pramac Ducati gets Automobili Lamborghini as their title sponsor.
The move follows the departure of Alma.
The riders and team staff get to use Lamborghinis over the MotoGP weekend in Texas.
Alma may be no more, but Pramac Ducati now has a new title sponsor with Automobili Lamborghini stepping in. The announcement was made ahead of this weekend’s MotoGP round at Austin, Texas.
Alma’s name and livery was removed in Argentina due to the tax allegations against the company.
The team members ought to enjoy the fruits of the sponsorship, too. Riders Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia will each receive a Huracán, while the team staff gets to use three Urus SUVs in America. All the vehicles will be personalized with Pramac Racing’s logos.
“Running a Grand Prix as important as the United States, with the Lamborghini logo next to the Pramac one on our fairing, is a source of great satisfaction for us,” said team principal Paolo Campinoti.
“We are proud to have Automobili Lamborghini as title sponsor of the Grand Prix of the Americas and this underlines that the relationship between Lamborghini and Pramac goes beyond the feeling of deep friendship that binds me to Stefano Domenicali”
Stefano Domenicali (not related to Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali), Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, added: “What better occasion than the Austin GP to confirm the important collaboration between Automobili Lamborghini and Pramac Racing.”
Pramac and Lamborghini have previously collaborated on a team launch at the Manifattura Lamborghini, a special livery for the 2018 Italian Grand Prix and the livery for the 2019 season designed by Mitja Borkert, director of the Lamborghini Centro Stile.
The famed sportscar marque had a stillborn motorcycle project before, but don’t worry, it’s just sponsorship and not their own bikes.
The annual Bonhams’ Spring Stafford Sale is back with more than 400 motorcycles for sale.
The sales is part of the 39th Carole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show.
Highlights include a Triumph TR6SS ridden by Bud Ekins and a Suzuki XR69 ridden by Mick Grant.
The annual Bonhams’ Spring Stafford Sale is back with more than 400 motorcycles for sale. The sales is part of the 39thCarole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show. It is also the UK’s leading pioneer, vintage and collectors’ motorcycle auction.
Apart from motorcycles, the sales also offers spares and memorabilia.
R. J. Gardiner Collection
Main attraction of the show is the R. J. Gardiner Collection which consists of mostly ex-works competition motorcycles.
Highlights include:
Triumph TR6SS Trophy. This particular bike was ridden by Bud Ekins and won a gold medal in the 1962 International Six Days Trial (the predecessor to the International Six Days Enduro). Ekins was the stunt rider who performed the iconic motorcycle scene in the movie “The Great Escape,” together with his friend and actor Steve McQueen. It’s estimated to sell between £20,000 to £ 30,000.
1946 works AJS Model 1916, ridden by Hugh Viney to win the 1947 Scottish Six Days Trial on his debut appearance. Estimated to sell between £10,000 to£ 14,000.
Jack Stocker’s 1951 International Six Days Gold Medal-winning works Royal Enfield Twin. There were only four built. Estimated selling price between £8,000 to £ 12,000.
Ex-works 1958 Ariel HT5 ridden by Ron Langston to that a Gold Medal in that year’s ISDT. Estimated to fetch between £7,000 to £ 10,000.
Works 1960 BSA C15T Trials. Two-time World Motocross Jeff Smith rode the bike and won the 1963 British Experts Trial. Estimated selling price between £6,000 to £ 8,000.
1961 Triumph Trials. Roy Peplow’s one-off unitary construction “500” works entry. Estimated selling price between £7,000 to £ 10,000.
Another important line-up is the European collection.
Highlights are:
1928 BMW R57. One of only 1,012 of this overhead-valve (OHV) roadster made. Estimated to sell between £55,000 to £ 75,000.
1926 Moto Guzzi C2V. Guzzi’s first purpose-built racing bike. Estimated to sell between £50,000 to £ 70,000.
Other notable racing motorcycles:
1928 OK Supreme race bike. Ridden by Frank Longman to win the 1928 Isle of Man Lightweight TT. It was the only TT victory by OK Supreme. Estimated to sell between £50,000 to £ 60,000.
1982 Suzuki XR69 TT Formula 1 racer. Ridden by seven-time IoM TT winner Mick Grant to victory in the 1982 North West 200. Suzuki gave this bike to Grant when he retired in 1985. Estimated to sell between £90,000 to £ 120,000.
“Sand-cast” Honda CB750. The first CB750s had sand-cast crankcases, while later examples had sand-cast ones. Estimated to sell between £24,000 to £ 28,000.
1976 MV Agusta 750S America. This bike was restored in 2018 and features a Magni chain final drive conversion.
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium is being upgraded to being MotoGP and EWC back.
The circuit still holds the record for the fastest motorcycle GP race.
The last motorcycle GP race held there was in 1987.
Belgium is working to upgrade the Spa-Francorchamps circuit for MotoGP and FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC).
The government of Wallonia region announced that the circuit had been granted a €29.5 million loan to make the circuit safe for motorcycle racing. The loan is part of an €80 million financial package to upgrade and modernize the track and bring international motorcycle racing back to Belgium.
The objective is to hold the WEC in 2022 and MotoGP in 2024.
According to sources, upgrading the track is a daunting task as the circuit winds through the Belgian Ardennes. The area is wooded and has steep hills. (The Battle of the Bulge in World War 2 happened in this vicinity.) As such, there isn’t much room for runoffs. Being a forest and highlands also means lots of rain. There is an average of 12 rainy days per month.
However, Spa-Francorchamps is famous for featuring high-speed racing. Eau Rouge, Radillon and Blanchimont are the fastest corners of all tracks. But there is little room for mistakes due to limited runoff areas.
In fact, Spa holds the fastest average speed in the history of Grand Prix racing. Barry Sheene lapped the circuit at an average of 220.721 km/h, when it was still 14.1 kilometres long.
The last time GP motorcycles raced at Spa was in 1987 after being held there for 40 times. The FIM deemed the track too dangerous after remedial works weren’t carried out. It has been a regular venue for Formula 1 since then.
A car driver in Singapore received a condom for his inconsiderate behavior.
The driver had parked his car in a motorcycle parking lot.
A note told the driver to not reproduce.
A car driver in Singapore received a condom for his inconsiderate behavior.
In the picture which has made rounds in the internet, a Mercedes-Benz was parked in a motorcycle parking lot. Someone got ticked off by the crass behavior and stuck a condom and note on the car’s windshield.
The note read, “This is a bike lot, you idiot. Here is a condom so you don’t reproduce.”
The report said that the picture “memo” received many positive comments from motorcyclists who often encounter such instances. They even uploaded pictures of cars that committed the same offence.
C’mon, just admit it. All of us felt like doing this to a car that’s parked in a motorcycle lot. There are so many of such cases here in Malaysia. We pull up to a parking area for motorcycles only to find it occupied by a car. Then we had to park elsewhere and ended up getting fined or worse, finding the city council minions had clamped the front brake lever. Yet cars, especially luxury ones get away scot-free.
This isn’t to say that motorcyclists are angels when it comes to parking. Many a time when motorcycles are slotted in between parked cars, marking life difficult for car drivers.
So, let’s all be considerate and park accordingly.
While the description says, “two or six cylinders,” we are quite certain it may be the Gold Wing flat-Six.
Surely Honda would like to steal the thunder away from the Yamaha Niken.
Honda may be working on a Honda Gold Wing powered leaning trike to challenge the Yamaha Niken.
The concept of a leaning trike is not new, as it was refined by Piaggio in the MP3 scooter. However, it was Yamaha who applied the concept to a performance bike and garnered lots of publicity in doing so. But that’s not all, as Yamaha is rumored to be working on a 1700cc trike.
Honda is not one to sit still when another Japanese manufacturer creates something groundbreaking.
The magazine RideApart dug up these patents to a Honda leaning trike. From the drawings, it is powered by a flat-Four engine. But the patent descriptions remarked, “The cylinder may be a two-cylinder type or a six-cylinder type.” But we are confident that it should be powered by the the GL1800 Gold Wing’s flat-Six, in view of Yamaha’s development of a 1700cc three-wheeler.
Sure, Honda debuted the NeoWing trike concept in 2016, but it was supposed to be powered by a hybrid engine. The NeoWing never made it to production, but it could well serve as the test bed for an advanced trike.
Honda NeoWing concept
The 1800cc flat-Six currently produces 125 hp compared to the Niken’s MT-09 triple which produces 113 hp. But the real goal here is torque since the trike will be heavier.
Will the concept be ready by the Tokyo Motorshow this year? We would like to see it!
But he fainted from exhaustion after being chased.
Jakarta police arrested him while he was still unconscious.
A motorcycle thief passed out after being chased relentlessly by the owner of the motorcycle he stole.
Tanah Abang Police Chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Lukman Cahyono said the thief had stolen a motorcycle outside a house.
The owner of the motorcycle had left the engine on while warming it up. The thief saw his opportunity and jumped on it and rode off.
But his thoughts of an easy score was dashed when the owner gave chase on another motorcycle. The chase kept up until Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta. By then the engine of the stolen motorcycle had given up and sputtered to a halt.
The thief got off and ran on foot, while still being hounded by the motorcycle owner. Finding himself cornered, he decided to jump into flood canal (a large storm drain) and tried to swim away.
However, he fainted from exhaustion after pulling himself up on the far bank.
The police arrested the GTA-wannabe while he was still unconscious. The owner of the motorcycle recovered his vehicle and brought it home.
Ex-MotoGP and WorldSBK star Max Biaggi will ride a Voxan Wattman to claim the electric motorcycle speed record.
Voxan Motors claimed the Wattman as the “fastest electric motorcycle in the world.”
They will carry out the attempt at the Bolivian Salt Flats.
Yes, THAT Max Biaggi. The ex-MotoGP and WorldSBK star will attempt to break the electric motorcycle speed record.
Biaggi will ride the Wattman (as in “Watts”, geddit?) by Voxan Motors. Voxan is currently preparing the bike for Biaggi to ride at the Bolivian salt flats.
The current record is held by Jim Hoogerhyde who rode the electric Lightning SB-220 (close cousin of the LS-218). Hoogerhyde took the Lightning to 327.608 km/h (203.56 mph). Voxan and Biaggi are aiming for at least 330 km/h (205 mph) to break the old record and set a new mark.
Biaggi is the ambassador to Voxan’s parent company, Venturi since 2018.
Max Biaggi as Venturi’s ambassador – Photo credit RideApart
“When my friend Gildo Pastor (Venturi’s president) came to me with his plan for the world land speed record and the Voxan Wattman, I was obviously going to say yes. Gildo is both an expert and a pioneer in the field of electric mobility. Under his impetus, Venturi Automobiles has set a number of records and marked a host of world firsts,” said the charismatic race, also known as “Mad Max.”
Voxan is the direct competitor to performance motorcycle makers Lightning and Energica. They claim the Wattman as the most powerful electric bike in the world. The motor produces 200 hp and 200 Nm of torque, compared to the Lightning LS-218’s 200 hp and 228 Nm. The Wattman can hit 160 km/h in 5.9 seconds.
Even the beastly 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 needed 5.2 seconds to go from 0 to 160 km/h.
Other than brute power, the Wattman can charge from 0 to 80% in less than 30 minutes, and has a range of 180 km.
Rumours of Dainese being up for sale is circulating again.
The premier Italian riding gear specialist is currently held by Investcorp.
The investment group may be looking to cash in on their 80% stake in the brand.
Rumours of Dainese being up for sale is circulating again.
The premier Italian brand is currently held by InvestCorp, and investment group from Bahrain. They are holding a controlling stake in Dainese S.p.A. and are looking to sell their shares, according to rumours.
It was also said that Investcorp have enlisted the assistance of asset management company Lazard. In turn, Lazard will begin looking for buyers of Investcorp’s 80% shares in Dainese.
Whether true or otherwise, time is ripe for Investcorp to cash in on their shares. The group has taken the brand to newer heights and higher profits since their takeover in 2014.
Prior to Investcorp’s involvement, Dainese’s turnover was € 117 million in 2013. It grew € 187.4 million in 2017, allaying initial fears of the brand being ruined by profit hunters. Employees increased from 609 to 757 in March 2018, too. The company earned € 30 million (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) in 2018 alone and is expected to grow to € 35 million by the end of this year.
Consequently, the company could be evaluated at nearly half-a-billion Euros.
Founder Lino Dainese holds the remaining shares and continues to be the President, while Cristiano Silei took over as CEO from 2015.
Since then, Lino Dainese founded the D Airlab, dedicated to research on applying D-Air technology not only to motorcycle riders, but in other applications such as aerospace, worker safety, sailing and the elderly.
ESA stands for European Space Agency
Dainese also continues to work with the Trauma Team at the Niguarda Ca’Granda Hospital in Milan as part of the Dainese Advanced Research Program. The program analyses the effects of motorcycle accidents in order to improve the design of protective gear.
The KTM 390 Adventure test bike was spotted undergoing road tests in India again.
It’s apparent from the spy pictures that the bike’s styling follows the 790 Adventure’s.
There is also a TFT display like the 390 Duke’s.
The KTM 390 Adventure test bike was spotted undergoing road tests in India again.
The Austrian off-road and adventure juggernaut have filled the midrange and open-class categories, so it is ironic that they do not have one in the lightweight segment. Virtually every rival manufacturer has one.
It is thus of no surprise to see a 390 Adventure. The factory has not provided more details of the “new” bike. However, we could see from the pictures that the test mule uses upside-down forks.
The headlamp cluster’s styling also takes after the new KTM 790 Adventure, as do the seats and sidepanels covering the sub-frame beneath. The panels flaking the radiator looks similar to the manufacturer’s EX/C and Enduro lineup.
Photo credit news18.com
Apart from those, the fuel tank is in the traditional position as opposed to the 790 Adventure’s low-slung unit. We cannot judge the seat’s height from the photos, though. Also, we’d like to point out that the exhaust is mounted too low if this new bike is off-road capable. A revised version is in the works, perhaps? Or are there two versions: One more road-oriented “S” model and another off-road biased “R” model?
It’s apparent in the second picture that the bike has a TFT display identical to the 390 Duke’s. Will it feature the Rally mode first seen in the 790 Adventure?
HJC helmets just introduced the HJC RPHA 70 ST Wolverine.
The graphics feature the popular Marvel Comics character and his trademark slash marks.
The RPHA 70 ST bridges sport-riding and sport-touring helmets.
South Korean helmet manufacturing powerhouse, HJC has introduced the HJC RPHA 70 ST Wolverine.
The HJC RPHA 70 ST is intended to bridge the gap between sport riding and sport-touring. As such, it is one of the very few sport-touring helmets that obtained FIM certification. The certification means that you could wear the helmet in FIM sanctioned races.
Being a sport-touring helmet, the lid has all the features associated with long-distance touring including a drop-down sun visor, large vents and anti-fog insert.
The RPHA 70 ST is BikesRepublic.com and MotoMalaya’s official sport-riding and sport-touring helmet.
Now, HJC brings you another creation from their collaboration with Marvel Comics. This time, the Wolverine gets his own design.
The graphics features sharp eyes above the brow and the trademark triple slashes from the character’s claw.
Highlights of the RPHA 70 ST are:
Advanced P.I.M. Plus (Premium Integrated Matrix Plus) construction: carbon fiber and carbon-glass hybrid fabric for enhanced shock resistance.
Intake and exhaust top vents for maximum air circulation.
Rear vent switch for easy control of air flow.
Anti-fog smoke tinted sunshield deploys quickly.
RapidFire shield replacement system: quick, tool-less shield removal and installation.
Emergency cheek pads removal.
Multicool interior with advanced anti-bacteria fabric provides enhanced moisture wicking and quick drying.
Crown and cheek pads are removable and washable.
HJ-26 anti-fog lens prepared shield.
Includes anti-fog insert lens.
Glasses-friendly EPS design.
ECE 22.05 approved.
Official licensed Marvel product.
HJC Helmet Malaysia informed us that the helmet is on the way to our shores. Please follow their Facebook page for more information.
