BMW Motorrad Malaysia rolled out exclusive aftersales programmes.
They are called Engine Oil Inclusive, Service Inclusive and Warranty Extension.
They offer BMW owners a complete peace of mind.
BMW Motorrad Malaysia introduced three new aftersales care programmes called Engine Oil Inclusive, Service Inclusive and Warranty Extension. The programmes cover new and existing BMW motorcycle customers in Malaysia.
BMW Motorrad Engine Oil Inclusive
This first ever Engine Oil Inclusive programme has two options i.e. three years (or 30,000KM) or five years (or 50,000KM). The programme offers regular engine oil services which also includes BMW ADVANTEC genuine oil and filter replacement for all new and registered BMW motorcycles dated under 10 years from first registration. The maintenance history of the motorcycles should be in accordance to the recommended service intervals and performed at authorised BMW Motorrad dealerships in the country for the programme to be valid.
BMW Motorrad Service Inclusive
The BMW Motorrad Service Inclusive programme offers an additional PLUS over and above the BMW Motorrad Engine Oil Inclusive programme. With Service Inclusive, customers are covered in terms of Valve Clearance Check, Fork Oil Check, Transmission Oil Change, Spark Plug replacement, Brake Fluid Change, Air Filter Change, CVT Belt Replacement, Fuel Filter Change and Rear Axle Oil Change.
Programme options are also over a period of three years (or 30,000KM) or five years (or 50,000KM), and is also available for BMW motorcycles under 10 years from its date of first registration. Prior maintenance history of the motorcycle should also be in accordance to the recommended service intervals and performed at authorised BMW Motorrad dealerships.
BMW Motorrad Warranty Extension
The BMW Motorrad Warranty Extension programme offers an added extension of the manufacturer’s warranty after the expiration of the statutory warranty period, including corrective work repairs with BMW genuine parts.
The add-on programme can be purchased as an additional one-year or two-year package above and beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, which was raised to a standard of three years for BMW motorcycles registered from January 1st, 2019.
The programme is available on offer for new and registered motorcycles dated 90 days from its first registration, but excludes the BMW Motorrad offering of the Roadside Assistance programme introduced earlier this year.
Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “A complete peace of mind ownership experience is the key to premium expression of a vehicle from the BMW Group. It is also how we differentiate ourselves to create value for our customers in the premium automotive industry.”
Hoelzl added that the ownership experience beyond the purchase of the vehicle is as important as the moment of truth in the purchasing decision process. He said, “This is the very reason we have the best ownership experience in the industry, from the best service and warranty programme to the best customer experience programme which can be seen in our monthly Net Promoter Scores (NPS).”
Owen Riley, Head of BMW Motorrad Malaysia said, “The new programmes are firsts in the Premium Motorcycle industry here in Malaysia.They are backed by the same standards we have for BMW Motorrad worldwide and are on offer at all our authorised BMW Motorrad dealerships. The aim here is to look after our customers in all the areas of maintenance so that they can simply Make Life a Ride!”
Recommended Retail Pricing for the First-Ever Service and Warranty Extension programmes are as per the attached price list. All programmes are also eligible to be financed completely from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia.
It also receives updated looks and lost some weight.
The 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS breaks cover after Triumph’s teases over the last couple of months.
The new bike retains the Street Triple’s classic silhouette, but it’s apparent that Triumph pared it down to look even more purposeful than ever. The headlamps were updated to look fiercer. There are new radiator flanks, exposing more of the frame. Triumph’s scalpel pared away excess weight, ending up with a bike which weighs only 166 kg dry. The manufacturer claims that it’s the lightest bike in its category.
Over to the engine. While the 2020 bike was revealed in preparation for Euro 5 emission, the engine gained power, courtesy of the lessons learned in Moto2 racing. (Triumph is the exclusive engine supplier to the championship.)
The three-cylinder architecture remains the same and includes two catalytic convertors. Despite that, it receives a 9-percent power boost. It now produces 121 bhp and 77.3 Nm of torque, compared to the previous 116 bhp and 76 Nm of torque. That doesn’t appear to be a lot on paper, of course, but you can look forward to a punchier midrange combined with a more responsive throttle (the previous bike’s throttle was already super responsive and smooth!). The gains and smoother powerband are the courtesy of a new exhaust cam, besides the high precision machining of the crankshaft, clutch and balancer.
The previous RS’s chassis and suspension are already in the ballpark, hence carried over to the new bike. The front forks remain the 41mm upside-down Showa BFF, while the rear mono shock is the Ohlins STX40.
Braking duties are handled by a pair of Brembo M50 monobloc 4-piston callipers gripping a pair of 310mm discs up front and a Brembo single-piston calliper out back.
And as we speculated, there is a new TFT screen armed with Bluetooth connectivity. Through the MyTriumph app, the rider can receive navigation prompts, manage music and calls and control his GoPro action camera. The five riding modes i.e. Track, Sport, Road, Rain and rider customisable are also enhanced.
The previous Triumph Street Triple RS remains the most fun bike we’ve tested to this point, so we can’t wait to test this new one!
He had won 8 races, finished 2nd four times and retired only once, so far.
It was his 8th world championship in total, 6th in the MotoGP class and the 4th consecutive.
You’d probably heard by now that Marc Marquez defends his title and is the 2019 MotoGP champion. But to put it in perspective, it was his 8th total world championship title, 6 in total in MotoGP and 4th consecutive in MotoGP. He is also the youngest champion to attain those records.
Marquez wrapped up his amazing season in Round 15 at the Buriram International Circuit in Thailand yesterday. He had trailed Fabio Quartararo from the start before making his move on the last lap. Quatararo retook his lead very briefly in the last corner but was overtaken by Marquez.
It was a fitting finish for the champion on his trusty Honda RC213V. Apart for just one retirement in Austin, Texas, the pairing won eight races and finished second in the other four. The are four rounds remaining to the season.
The victory is also a special occasion for Honda as they celebrate the 60th anniversary of Honda Racing.
Marquez had won the title during his first year (2013) in the premier class, making him one of only a handful to have carried such a feat. That win also cemented his place in history as the youngest MotoGP champion.
He went on the rampage in the following year by winning the first 10 rounds consecutively, and ending the year with 13 wins and MotoGP title No. 2.
Marquez would miss out the 2015 championship, but bounced back in 2016 and never looked back since, scoring MotoGP titles No. 3, 4, 5, and 6 yesterday.
Along the way, Marquez and Repsol Honda posted 61 pole positions and won 53 times.
“It is a great feeling to be World Champion with Honda again. 2019 has been one of my most consistent seasons. We fought hard when we had to and all of the team and Honda have done such an incredible job to bring us to this level. Celebrating Honda Racing’s 60th anniversary with the MotoGP title it a great honor and I am pleased I could do this for Honda. I want to thank everyone who has been involved in this season and the fans who always support us,” said Marc Marquez.
Yoshishige Nomura, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) President commended Marquez on his magnificent achievement. “Marc did a magnificent job once again to win his sixth MotoGP title on Honda’s 60th anniversary of World Grand Prix racing. I wholeheartedly salute his dauntless riding that mesmerizes his fans, supported by his persistent training and mature attitude towards racing. I’m grateful for all the support in winning the championship he had from the team staff, the many sponsors who support our racing activities, and MotoGP fans worldwide.”
Here’s the CFMoto 250SR production-ready prototype.
It’s a race bike based on the 250NK.
Sources say they are working closely with KTM for this.
No, we’re kidding. That’s not the CFMoto 250SR but an Italian bike. You’d believe that for sure. But no, it’s really the CFMoto 250SR from China.
This 250SR is the race bike (hence no lights) based on the CFMoto 250NK. And again, this photo was leaked courtesy of the company’s vehicle type approval submission.
As we’ve written before, CFMoto is on a roll as they’re working hand-in-hand with KTM. In fact, this Chinese company will produce the 799cc engine for all KTM 790 models. They’ve also signed a deal to build the large capacity LC8 engines. They are also on the cusp on releasing a new 700cc model.
Therefore, KISKA’s input on design seems to be part of the parcel. KISKA designs the entire range of KTM bikes.
Anyway, back to the 250SR, the 250NK-based engine produces in 26hp in stock form. It’s a 249, single-cylinder lump.
As for the chassis, the bike utilises a tubular steel frame, upside-down forks, LED lighting and J. Juan brakes. Yes, J. Juan, as in the brakes used on the KTM 790 series.
According to Bennetts UK, the bike weighs only 165kg ready to race… er… ride.
Another motorcyclist suffered a horrendous fate due to loose clothing.
A nurse wore her jacket backwards and it was tangled in the rear wheel.
She was saved by passersby who untangled her neck and administered CPR.
Despite countless accidents, there are still motorcyclists who choose to wear clothing too lose, or especially in this case, ride with the reversed jacket (turned backward).
We know, riding in this weather can get hot and wearing the jacket backwards with the zipper open allows for some cool air flow.
But stop and think about your actions as what happened here.
Caught in by the dashcam in a following car, the rider suddenly skidded out and hit the road.
But it was more serious than that. The nurse’s backward jacket was pulled into the bike’s rear wheel, which then wrapped around her throat and yanked her head downwards to the ground.
Passersby who stopped to help found her unconscious as the jacket was choking her. They worked furiously to untangle the jacket and performed CPR while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
She is currently recovering.
In January this year, child had his wedged between the rear wheel and shock absorber when his loose jacket was picked up by the wheel. That was just six months after the country was shocked in June 2018 when a 5-year-old lost her arm. Another occurrence in July saw a 7-year-old who lost her leg . Go back a little further and you’ll find a 35-year-old man and his 65-year-old father crashed the motorcycle they were riding on. The former passed away.
These were all cases of loss of limb and life due to loose clothing.
Please stop wearing your jacket backwards and take extra precautions when you or your pillion is wearing loose clothing.
The Cagiva company has had a long and storied history.
They even owned the Ducati and Husqvarna brands before.
Where are they now?
Cagiva. A name as hallowed in motorcycling as is storied. The brand’s history had so plot changes that it’ll turn viewers’ brains inside out if it was made into a movie.
They were even owned by our Malaysian automaker Proton at one time. Hey, wait a minute there! Wasn’t that MV Agusta? Yes, it was MV Agusta but it was also Cagiva. We can see question marks popping up everywhere around your heads now.
And where is Cagiva now?
Okay, okay, we’ll spare you the torture, and here we go (along with a pot of industrial-strength coffee).
The name “Cagiva” was actually derived from the founder’s name and the location of the factory: CAstiglioni GIovanni from VArese, Italy. It’s a norm among Italian companies and certainly among automotive companies there. For example, the later Bimota was an amalgam of BIanchi, MOrri and TAmburini.
Anyway, the company began in 1950 as a producer of small metal components.
The company was purchased by the sons of Giovanni in 1978 and they began producing motorcycles when they purchased the AMF-Harley-Davidson/Aermacchi factory, also in Varese. Thus the eight 125cc to 350cc two-stroke bikes were rebadged as Cagivas. Sales hit 40,000 units in 1979.
Cagiva SST 250
By 1983, they began using 350cc and 1000cc four-stroke Ducati engines.
Cagiva became one of the strongest companies at the time, which saw then grow to a conglomerate, like how KTM is today (which is probably like the Microsoft in motorcycling).
You see, Italy produced and still produces the most beautiful motorcycles that usually did well in racing, but the manufacturers inadvertently got mired in financial troubles, and ended up either bought out or folded up. Not so with Cagiva.
Within seven years of producing motorcycles, they bought the Ducati brand in 1985. The company decided that Cagiva and Ducati motorcycles were produced side-by-side since the latter’s name is more well-known outside of Italy.
The Group also purchased Moto Morini in 1985, followed by Husqvarna in 1987 and trademarks to MV Agusta in 1991.
The 1980’s was a heady time for the manufacturer.
They had produced dirt bikes and there began a massive campaign in North America to promote them. Their bikes were powerful and featured a number of innovations ahead of their time. Most notable among them were forks that was for preload in one leg while another controlled the damping. It’s only now we see “separate function forks” being popularised.
Armed with those weapons, Pekka Vehkonen and David Strijbos won the World MX 125cc titles back-to-back in 1985 and 1986. The company also secured the 125cc contractor’s title in 1987.
Cagiva 125 WMX
It was during this time that the factory made their forays into 500cc Grand Prix racing, employing Randy Mamola from 1988 to 1990. He achieved one podium finish. Eddie Lawson joined in 1991 and won the 1992 Hungarian GP. John Kocinski was the last addition in 1992, and rode the ever beautiful C594 to third overall in 1994.
Massimo Tamburini
It was also in 1985 that the most important motorcycle designer joined the Cagiva Group. His name was Massimo Tamburini.
Tamburini was one of the founders of Bimota. As with most designers in Italy, they are also engineers. But Tamburini was a hands-on guy as well, often welding the frames he developed at Bimota.
Tamburini welding a frame
He wasted no time and produced the Ducati Paso 750 in 1986. It may look ungainly (some likened it to a pregnant whale) with its fully-enclosing bodywork, but it went on to inspire other bikes which cemented Ducati’s name: The 851 and 888 superbikes, plus the 900 SuperSport/SS road bike.
1989 Ducati 750 Passo
The company set up the Cagiva Research Centre (CRC) in 1987, which Tamburini headed. This was why period Ducatis had CRC badges. There were also other well-known designers at CRC including Pierre Terblanche and Miguel Angel Galluzzi who joined in 1989.
1989 saw the birth of the first Mito. This zippy 125cc sportbike became the favourite of teens everywhere including one young Valentino Rossi. The model went through a number of iterations and became the main challenger to the Aprilia 125 Futura and then the RS125, albeit not on the tracks.
1989 Cagiva Mito 125
Cagiva kept a strong presence in the offload racing scene, contesting in the Paris-Dakar Rally. They were rewarded with a win by Edi Orioli on the Cagiva Elefant in 1990. The pairing would repeat the feat in 1994. The Elefant used a Ducati 90cc air-cooled V-Twin shared with the 900SS.
Cagiva Elefant 900ie
But the real domination period began when…… drum roll, please…. Ta-da! the Ducati 916 was unveiled in 1993 (for MY1994). The entire world went ga-ga, bananas and everything else in between! One journalist wrote that people only remembered the 916 in 1993/94 but couldn’t recall what else came out that year . The 916 would spawn the 748 a year later.
Ducati 916
While the 851 gave Ducati their first World Superbike title and was followed with two more by the 888, the 916 hit the tracks and dominated in the hands of a tempestuous and now-legendary rider, Carl Fogarty.
At the same time, Galluzzi designed the M900 which the factory’s test riders nickname “Il Monstro” (The Monster) due to its hooligan-inducing behaviour. It was thus known as the Ducati Monster henceforth.
But it seems that history has a knack for irony. While Ducati was kicking butts and taking names on the racetrack with the 916 and its later derivatives, they soon found themselves in financial trouble.
Sure, everyone had wanted a 916 but it was too expensive, hence the job of saving Ducati’s name fell to the Monster.
But it still wasn’t enough and soon, equity fund manager Texas Pacific Group Capital (TPG) bought 51% of Ducati’s shares from Cagiva.
While the 916 continued its form on the racetracks, Cagiva began to focus more on the MV Agusta brand. Cagiva finally sold the remainder of Ducati’s shares to TPG in 1996 and concentrated on MV Agusta. They also offloaded Moto Morini.
And in 1999, they released the show-stopping MV Agusta F4 Serie Oro (Gold Series), designed by none other than Massimo Tamburini.
1999 MV Agusta F4 Serie Oro
Since then, only the MV Agusta name was often used and the company itself went through many acquisitions, reselling and reacquisitions.
First, it was purchased by PETRONAS/Proton in 2004. But just a year later, Proton decided to let the brand go. Proton Chairman at the time Datuk Mohammed Azlan Hashim said that keeping MV Agusta would bankrupt the Proton. The company was sold it to the investment group GEVI for a token € 1.00 (excluding accumulated debts).
GEVI restructured the company and sold Husqvarna to BMW.
Harley-Davidson bought MV Agusta from GEVI in 2008 before being bought back in 2009 by Claudio Castiglioni.
But the Cagiva name lived on, contrary to popular belief, in the Mito which went on to the final model in 2012.
Fast forward to 2014, Mercedes-Benz purchased a 25% stake in the brand and marketed the bikes under the AMG banner, no doubt as to rival Ducati who are now owned by Lamborghini under Audi AG, which is itself under the VW Group.
But by 2016, the company was again in trouble which included a € 40 million debt while Mercedes absolutely refused to inject more capital into the venture. As such, Giovanni Castiglioni decided to buy back the shares but could not obtain the funds. The production line had stopped and there was no spare part for their customers. In view of this, the company filed for a temporary order to protect itself from creditors while attempting to look for investors.
Thankfully, the Black Ocean Group headed by Timur Sardarov (no “John Wick” jokes please, just sayin’) stepped in with the much-needed capital in 2016.
Since then, MV Agusta has grown from strength to strength and have just announced another round of investments recently. The company knows that only a select few could afford premium motorcycles hence tying up with the Loncin Motorcycle Company in China to produce bikes between 350cc to 500cc for the Asian market.
So there you go. While the Cagiva name is no more, MV Agusta is still Cagiva. And the other way around.
MV Agusta brand announced securing funding for the next five years.
The news also brought shake-ups in the company’s management.
The manufacturer is looking forward to invest more in the global network in the next two years.
Great new for the storied MV Agusta brand as it announced the securing of funding for the next five years.
The funding allows the oft-tumultuous brand to continue developing bikes into the near future. A new business plan is according drawn up and sees the manufacturer targeting an annual sales goal of 25,000 motorcycles next year.
They will continue to concentrate on premium motorcycles, but will add mid-sized bikes. The firm tied up with Loncin Motor Company in China recently to produce four motorcycles between 350cc to 500cc.
The plan also calls for “strong” investment in MV Agusta’s global distribution and service network over the next two years, focusing on the United States, Europe and Asia.
Following the news is also the announcement of a revision in the MV Agusta management line-up.
Giovanni Castiglioni will be moved to the role of an advisor after steadfastly holding on to the company’s helm for a number of decades. Timur Sardarov had taken over as Chairman of the Board and CEO in December 2018, since the funding comes from his family. He will be joined by Massimo Bordi and Paolo Bettin.
Massimo Bordi’s name should be no stranger to many. He was the father of the four-valve, liquid-cooled V-Twin engine for Ducati. It was he who challenged the convention put forth by Fabio Taglioni such an arrangement couldn’t be made.
Bordi will assume the role of Executive Vice Chairman. He had served as General Manager for MV Agusta and Cagiva during Claudio Castlglioni’s (Giovanni’s father) tenure.
On the other hand, Betting will be the new Chief Financial Officer.
Goh Brothers is now holding the role of official aftersales provider for MV Agusta in Malaysia. Will this plan also see them expanding to sales?
2020 Suzuki sportbikes are out, albeit with little fanfare.
All bikes will appear for one last year before being changed for Euro 5 in 2021.
Suzuki sportbikes are renowned for their agility.
The 2020 Suzuki sportbikes are out, albeit with little fanfare.
There are new colours and graphics, plus some updates but the bikes stay mostly the same as last years. We think it’s probably that Suzuki will roll out the Euro 5-compliant models soon for 2021.
1985 Suzuki GSX-R750
Still, Suzuki sportbikes are among those to die for given their performance mixed with civility. It was the Hamamatsu-based manufacturer who gave us the first real sportbike – the GSX-R750 in 1985.
2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R
The GSX-R1000R is Suzuki’s weapon for World Superbike racing. That’s why it’s the most technologically-laden. Only changes are the new graphics for next year. There are only two colour options in either Glass Sparkle Black/Pearl Mira Red or Metallic Triton Blue factory racing livery.
2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000
The GSX-R1000 is like the “normal” version. Most if not all sportbike manufacturers market a higher-spec’ed and a normal spec’ed models these days.
Hence the GSXR-1000 (without the extra R) is meant for the masses. It features minimalistic graphics for next year and in our opinion looks much cleaner. Suzuki brought over the bi-direction quickshifter from the GSX-R1000R.
Available in two colours also, called Metallic Matte Black No. 2/Glass Sparkle Black and the other Pearl Glacier White/Glass Sparkle Black.
2020 Suzuki GSX-R750
Suzuki is the only manufacturer that’s soldering on with the 750cc superbike. The segment was pretty much dead within years of the WorldSBK going to 1000cc inline-Fours, as well as MotoGP going the 990cc four-stroke direction.
But there’s something sweet about 750cc sportbikes as they fill the gap between the 600’s agility and the 1000’s power. The Suzuki GSX-R750, however, uses a bigger engine in the 600cc chassis.
Choose from either Pearl Glacier White/Glass Sparkle Black or Metallic Matte Black No. 2/Glass Sparkle Black.
2020 Suzuki GSX-R600
Speaking of the 600, here it is. Light and agile, it lets you hit the back roads and Ulu Yam with pleasure. Take it to the track and you’ll see that it’s easy to reach its potential. Real value for money.
Comes in Pearl Glacier White and Glass Sparkle Black.
We’ll take the white one.
2020 Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa
Ah hah! The bike which caused superbikes’ top speeds capped at 299 km/h since 2000. It’s the Hayabusa which holds the title of the fastest road bike when it hit 312 km/h in 1999. This was a time when road bikes had about 160 HP.
So, the model continues on after 20 years because it’s still fast and there is demand. The Hayabusa will soon be upgraded but the 2020 model remains sold in the USA.
It’s gone through a number of important updates during its lifetime, including the fitment of Brembo brakes, slipper clutch, larger radiator and so forth.
The Hayabusa will appear in its current design for one last year in 2020.
Offered in Candy Daring Red and Metallic Thunder Grey.
The 2020 Yamaha MT-03 has been launched for the US and UK markets.
It shares the same DNA as the MT-07 and MT-09.
Will it and the MT-15 reach Malaysia?
The 2020 Yamaha MT-03 has been launched for the US and UK markets.
As it shares the 321cc parallel-Twin engine as the Yamaha YZF-R3, it would known as the MT-25 in our market since it’ll adopt the YZF-R25’s 250cc engine.
Being a part of the MT-series the model shares the “Dark Side of Japan” DNA with its larger MT-07 and MT-09 siblings, such as the large faux air scoops. It features styling elements of the other two, plus an new and aggressive headlamp with striking LEDs.
A new 14-litre tank should see a range of up to a 300 kilometre range. There is also a new LCD screen.
But look a little closer and you can see a resemblance to YZF-R3 in terms of the tail section and frame.
Indeed, while the diamond-shape frame is from the R3, the suspension features a number of differences. The forks are now upside-down, while the new swingarm is longer and pivots closer to the centre of the bike. The rear monoshock has a stiffer springs in addition to revised preload and rebound damping rates.
The manufacturer sees the bike as a great offering to the younger segment of riders.
The big question if the MT-25 will ever be sold in Malaysia. The MT-15 and MT-25 are already sold in Thailand and Indonesia to big success.
Benelli Leoncino 800 picture was leaked from vehicle type approval submissions.
It will use the 754cc engine from the 752S.
The bike follows the Leoncino 502’s neo retro design.
The Benelli Leoncino 800 concept was unveiled at EICMA last year but the picture of a production ready prototype was leaked recently.
According to Bennets, the picture came from Benelli’s submission for vehicle type approval. The Leoncino 800 utilises the 754cc parallel-Twin from the 752S (not available in Malaysia), while retaining the neo retro styling of the Leoncino 502.
The engine produces 74 HP and the manufacturer claimed a top speed of 190 km/h. The document also listed its weight at 223 kg, ready to ride.
As the picture shows, the bike features the usual beefy forks clamped by equally thick triple clamps. Braking is handled by Benelli-branded calipers with large brake discs. ABS is standard as the sensor plate is apparent on the left disc.
But unlike the concept, the production bike uses cast instead of spoked wheels.
The bike should be launched officially soon and we shall see if it comes to Malaysia.
While built in China, Benelli motorcycles are designed and engineered in Italy. The brand has grown stronger over the years and the TRK502 is now the third best-selling motorcycle in Italy behind the BMW R 1250 GS and Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin so far this year.
Benelli is currently owned by Qianjiang Motorcycle Company. Recently, Harley-Davidson inked a deal with the company to produce smaller displacement models for China and Asia.
A supposed Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera was spotted undergoing tests.
Ducati is following their tradition of producing limited-edition super light superbikes.
The bike may be unveiled during the Ducati 2020 World Premiere.
A supposed Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera was spotted undergoing tests.
Maybe it was unexpected, but Ducati seems to be continuing with the Superleggera (super light) tradition, as they did with the Panigale 1199 and Panigale 1299.
Operating on the “light is right” principal, the test bike was spotted with generous amounts of carbon fibre. The main bodywork including the nose cone, front portion of the fuel tank, and seat unit are made of the lightweight stuff.
But we noticed that the bodywork’s styling takes after the Panigale V4 R’s complete with winglets.
Ducati seems to retain the front and rear mudguards, and belly pan in polymer. The swingarm is also non-carbon.
The rims share the same design as those on the Panigale 1199 Superleggera and Panigale 1299 Superleggera, however. It could very well mean that they are carbon fibre, too.
The exhaust muffler also looks different and could be of a lightweight design and material.
It goes without saying that the Superleggera will be much lighter than the regular V4. For comparison sake, the Panigale 1299 S weighed 190 kg, while the 1299 Superleggera tipped the scales at only 167 kg, making it the lightest production superbike.
Lower weight results in higher power-to-weight ratio and lower inertia. The bike accelerates faster, can hold higher mid corner speeds and brakes faster.
Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs announced that the proposal for petrol subsidy is ready.
The new subsidy plan hopes to help the B40 group.
The proposed subsidy will apply to owners of motorcycles below 125cc.
After more than a year deliberation, the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs announced that the proposal for petrol subsidy is ready.
If given the green light by the Cabinet, the government will employ a number of safeguards to ensure the that B40 group receives the subsidy. The measures proposed are in view of unreliable data which often plagues decision-making among government agencies in Malaysia.
The Malay Mail quoted sources who said that the government has a better database now. It is drawn up based on data from pension fund contributions, the applicant’s payslips, and vehicle ownership data with the Road Transport Department (JPJ). The Star reported that the government will also look at household electric bills that amount to between RM 100 and RM 200 monthly. Also, the assistance only applies to those whose monthly household income is less RM 3,900.
As for the amount of subsidy, the Ministry may be adhering to Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng’s proposal in November. The plan calls for subsidising owners of motorcycles below 125cc and cars below 1,500cc with a minimum of 30 sen per litre of RON95 petrol.
The total amount of subsidised petrol is 40 litres for motorcycles and 100 litres for cars per month. The subsidy amounts to RM 12 for motorcycles and RM 30 for cars per month. The amount will be transferred to the recipients’ bank accounts on a monthly basis.
The current price of subsidised RON95 is capped at RM 2.08 per litre. Prices would fluctuate according to a weekly float once the subsidy is removed and may see an increase to RM 2.49 per litre.
It was revealed that government currently spends an average of RM 133 million a week on fuel subsidies.
