Wahid Ooi, Author at BikesRepublic.com

Ketum Driver Killed Mother and Her Two Children

A car carrying ketum leaves collided with a motorcycle ridden by a mother sending her eldest child to kindergarten.
The collision killed all three motorcycle occupants.
Police discovered 150 kg of ketum leaves in the car.

A car carrying ketum leaves (kratom or Mitragyna speciose)collided with a motorcycle ridden by a mother sending her eldest child to kindergarten. Another younger child was also riding pillion at the time.

The high-speed front-end collision killed the mother Nor Zurita Shah Kadir, aged 26 and both children, Muhammad Adam Mukhriz Adnan, aged 5 and Siti Husna Qaisara, aged 4. Muhammad Adam’s kindergarten was only 3 kilometres away from home in Tanah Merah, Kelantan.

Investigators who arrived at the scene inspected the Wira Aeroback and discovered 150 kg of ketum leaves in the boot. They believed the product was on its way to be distributed in the Tanah Merah area.

Police deduced that the car had lost control while being driven at high speed, judging from the 50m-long skid marks on the road. The car then veered into the opposing lane and rammed the motorcycle. The Honda EX5 broke into two and was thrown into the bushes nearby, while all three motorcycle occupants were thrown 10m away.

The police also arrested the driver who tested positive for methamphetamine. He was a 25-year-old Thai national.

Source: Kosmo! Online

Vehicle Entry Permit Required for Foreign Vehicles Entering Malaysia

The Road Transport Department of Malaysia is implementing the Vehicle Entry Permit system for foreign-owned vehicles to enter the country.
It will be implemented in three phases.
Phase one covers vehicles entering from Singapore.

The Road Transport Department of Malaysia (JPJ – Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan) will require all foreign owned vehicles to register for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) to enter the country. The system will be implemented from October 2019.

The department will issue the VEP via an online “simple three-step action.” They also added that the program will be implemented in three phases.

Phase one commences from 1^stOctober 2019. It covers vehicles entering from Singapore through Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar in Johore. The VEP-RFID tag can be installed or collected at four designated areas in Johor Bahru:

Gelang Patah Southbound R&R;
Plaza Angsana open carpark;
Pandan R&R;
Lima Kedai Toll Plaza.

Phase two involves foreign-owned vehicles entering Malaysia from Thailand, while phase three covers vehicles entering through the Malaysia-Brunei border. These two phases will be implemented “in due course.”

Each VEP is valid for five years (RM 25), although drivers can apply for a one-off permit which costs RM 10.

The RTD aims to avoid cloned vehicles from entering and being sold in Malaysia. Additionally, it prevents vehicles with outstanding summonses from leaving the country.

Ultimate Barn Find Includes Six Vincent

Seven vintage motorcycles were found in a Los Angeles warehouse.
The discovery included six Vincent.
Vincents were renowed for the speed and quality.

You’re doing your laundry and checking through each pocket to make sure they’re empty. And suddenly, your hand pulls out a RM 50 note. Note the elation of that find. Now imagine discovering 7 rare vintage bikes – 6 of them being Vincent Motorcycles!

These following bikes were found in a Los Angeles warehouse after the passing of their owner. A liquidation firm has been nominated to auction the bikes and they told of an owner who had imported the bikes in the 1960s when he moved to the States. He also brought along a large cache of spare parts from the UK.

The Vincents discovered are:

1938 Vincent Series-A HRD Twin

Vincent stopped production of the Series-A in 1939 due to WW2, then resuming business in 1946. That makes this Series-A even rarer. Only 78 Series-A were ever made, with probably only 40 to 50 still intact.

1948 Vincent Series-B Rapide

What made Vincents so much sought after? Performance. The Series-B Rapide already had a top speed of 177 km/h right out of the crate! It was the world’s fastest motorcycle of the era. Remember that this was at a time when motorcycle tyres were just a little wider than those on bicycles. Company owner Phillip Vincent and his genius chief engineer Phil Irving modified the Rapide event further, resulting in the latter Rapide which hit 201 km/h.

1950 Vincent Comet (basket case)

The liquidation company reported this bike as a basket case.

1953 Vincent Series-C “Black Shadow”

The Black Shadow and its Black Lightning racing counterpart are probably the best-known Vincents. It was a groundbreaking motorcycle when it was launched, especially in terms of its suspension and detailed quality work that’ll make modern bikes cry. Check out the picture. Vincent made only 42 Series-C, reported each at a loss to the company.

1955 Vincent Victor (replica)

If you do some research on Vincent motorcycles, you’d find that the company’s true passion was pushing the boundaries of motorcycle technology. They already experimented with a full fairing back in 1955. There were three models: The Black Knight based on the Rapide, Black Prince based on the Shadow, and Victor based on the Comet.

The concept was too far ahead of its time, so Vincent made only 1 Victor. This owner probably couldn’t obtain one, thus he modified his Comet into this “Victor.”

1954 Vincent Rapide D/C

These were produced one year before Vincent went under. But that didn’t mean the bike was under-built for it was still imbued with Vincent’s legendary built quality, technology and performance. Vincent kept losing money because their bikes were expensive to build and were priced much higher than the competition.

Source: RideApart

MotoGP 2019: Jerez Marshall Returns Stolen Item to Alex Rins and Suzuki

A track marshal was caught stealing an item from Alex Rins’s Suzuki at the Spanish MotoGP.
The video was uploaded to YouTube and went viral.
He is now forced to return the item and apologize to Rins and team.

The Jerez marshal who stole an item from the Suzuki of Alex Rins at the Spanish MotoGP 2019 has returned the item.

Alex Rins rode another incredible race on his Suzuki GSX-RR in yesterday’s Spanish MotoGP. He qualified in 9^thand fought his way up the field to finish 2^nd.

But when he parked his bike at a barrier and got off to celebrate with the fans in the stands, a track marshall reached down into Rins’s bike and removed the sweatband covering the front brake fluid reservoir. The marshall then inserted the item into his pocket as he watched Rins finished his celebrations and rode back to parc fermé.

The marshall must have forgotten that MotoGP bikes are equipped with “live” action cameras. Soon, his face and act were circulated around the world.

Alex Rins laughed it off when he was asked about it. He even joked that it’s probably selling on Wallapop (the Spanish version of Lazada) for €1,000 by then and that he’d buy it back if he saw it.

Alex can his money since the race organizer has forced the marshal to return the item. Additionally, he is required to apologize to Rins and the Suzuki Ecstar team.

Motorcycle Drag Racing Video to Lighten Up First Day of Fasting

Motorcycle drag racing is fun to participate in and watch.
This video shows how fast modern bikes can be even in the hands of non-pro riders.
Some of these modified beasts hit 100 km/h in 1 second!

We know, the first day of Ramadhan is always the hardest shock to our bodies. But here’s a motorcycle drag racing video to cheer us up. Make sure you turn up your speakers!

There isn’t much description except for the models of motorcycles taking part in the ultimate contest of acceleration. But it appears to be a “run what ya brung” race, where competitors enter what they rode to the event. So, you can see a variety of motorcycles that are stock, modified, turbocharged, equipped with nitrous oxide system (NOS), “dropped ‘n’ stretched,” have anti-wheelie bars installed, etc.

Some of these modified beasts hit 100 km/h in 1 second!

But we would like to highlight a number of details here:

The timed length is 1/4-mile, which is equivalent to 400 metres.
There are timing and speed sensors at different intervals along the length of the track.
Those numbers displayed after the finish line are the elapsed time (ET) above and speed in miles-per-hour (mph). So, you need to multiply them by 1.61 for the km/h number i.e. 167 mph X 1.61 = 268.76 km/h.
The starting lights are called the “Christmas tree.”

In professional-organized races such as these, the riders “stage” their bikes before being released.
Notice the box with the three holes next to rider? There’s a light/laser beam coming out of the holes.
There are two lines on each lane. Crossing the first line will have the front wheel cutting off the light/laser beam. This is when the bike is “pre-staged” and the PRE-STAGE lights will illuminate on the Christmas tree.
Moving forward a little more to cover the second hole will trigger the STAGE lights, meaning the rider is ready to go.

Now the Christmas tree will begin its countdown.
The rider launches when the green light comes on (obviously).
The third hole detects whether the rider crossed the light beam and white line before or after the green light came on.
If the rider crossed the light beam before the green light, he will be disqualified (red light on the Christmas tree).
The beam provides an accurate way to determine if one or both competitors jumped the start.
The “RT” (reaction time) is calculated electronically as the time between when the green light illuminated and rider shot past the light beam.
The “ET” at the end of the run stands for “elapsed time” i.e. the time between the rider took off and crossed the finish line.

It sounds complex, but it’s pretty simple. Get going as soon as the green light comes on and hold on for dear life. Motorcycle drag racing isn’t as easy as it seems, because the bikes tends to wheelie when charging hard off the line. With the front tyre bereft of weight, it’s up to the rider to shift his weight around to control the bike’s direction.

Anyhow, enjoy the video and Ramadan Mubarak from us a BikesRepublic.com.

Video source: Wheels YouTube Channel

Spanish MotoGP 2019: Marc Marquez Wins, Shattered Dreams for Fabio Quartararo

Marc Marquez won the Spanish MotoGP 2019.
Polesitter Fabio Quartararo had gone as high up as 2^ndbut had to retire with mechanical problems.
Alex Rins finished 2^ndon the Suzuki.

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) won the Spanish MotoGP 2019 race convincingly, but it was a heartache for Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamah SRT).

Staring from 3^rdon the grid, Marquez blasted into the lead with the two Petronas Yamaha SRT riders, polesitter Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli trailing behind into Turn 1.

As Marquez controlled the race from the front, both satellite Yamaha riders followed closely. But on Lap 8, the reigning world champion upped his pace and started to drop the pursuing duo.

But it wasn’t long before Morbidelli’s started dropping into the clutches of his teammate Quartararo and Maverick Vinalez (Monster Energy Yamaha). Quartararo passed Morbidelli in the next lap and hunted down Marquez. Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar) once again rode his way up the field and passed Vinalez for 4^th.

Although the Frenchman was only 0.1s slower than Marquez, the latter had opened up a 2-second lead.

Suddenly, Quartararo’s bike began to slow on Lap 16 and he pulled off the circuit to a stop. It was revealed later that his quickshifter had broken. With no way to reset the system to manual shifting, his and the team’s dream evaporated underneath the Spanish sunshine.

In the meantime, his Petronas Yamaha teammate Morbidelli started to slow drastically down the order to 6^th. Rins had overtaken him by that point into 2^ndwhile Vinalez had to defend from Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati).

Maverick Vinalez – Photo credit MotoGP.com

Vinalez held on to his nerve and position at the flag to complete the podium positions.

Dovizioso finished 4^th, followed by his teammate Danilo Petrucci to complete the Top 5.

Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha) worked his way up to 6^thafter a disastrous qualifying which saw him starting from 13^thon the grid. Morbidelli finally crossed the line in 7^th; Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) in 8^th; his teammate Takaaki Nakagami in 9^th; and wildcard rider Stefan Bradl rounded out the Top 10.

It was a race to forget for KTM as the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Pol Espargaro came home in 13^thfollowed by his teammate Johann Zarco in 14^th. The Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing riders Miguel Oliveira took the flag in 18^thin front of Hafiz Syahrin in 19^th.

All pictures from MotoGP.com

Spanish MotoGP 2019: Quartaro and Morbidelli Qualify First 1-2 for Petronas Yamaha SRT

Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli qualified 1^stand 2^ndat the Spanish MotoGP 2019.
It was the first pole position and 1-2 qualifying result for the new Petronas Yamaha SRT team.
Quartararo also became the youngest rider to score a pole position.

Rookie Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli qualified 1^stand 2^ndfor today’s Spanish MotoGP. It was the first 1-2 qualifying result for the new Petronas Yamaha SRT outfit.

The results gave the fledgling team much to cheer about in just their fourth race. Both riders had been strong through the practice sessions, with Quartararo setting the leading pace.

In doing so, it was the first pole position in MotoGP for the youngster. Additionally, it reset the records as the youngest rider to achieve the feat, which was formerly held by Marc Marquez.ni

Speaking to MotoGP.com, Quartararo said that he had improved his braking from being his weakest point to his strongest.

Fabio Quartararo – Photo credit MotoGP.com

The Petronas Yamaha SRT team is using the same 2019 Yamaha YZR-M1 as the Monster Energy Yamaha factory team, but they are the B-spec bikes with lower rev limits.

Quartararo’s time of 1:36.880s was almost 8/10 quicker than the old record 1:37.653s set by Cal Crutchlow in 2018.

Morbidelli put in his fastest lap of 1:36.962s, followed by Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) at 1:36.970s, just 0.008s behind to round out the Top 3.

Andrea Doviziso (Mission Winnow Ducati) did well to qualify in 4^thwith a time of 1:37.018s despite the Ducati Desmosedici’s traditional dislike of the Jerez Circuit’s layout.

Maverick Viñalez (Monster Energy Yamaha) had struggled throughout the first three practice sessions but managed to qualify 5^th. The M1 still displaying a sensitivity to changing conditions. Qualifying was carried in cooler temperatures which benefitted the tyres.

Rounding out the Top 10 are Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati) Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda), Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar), Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Ducati).

The first 16 riders qualified faster than the previous year’s lap record, showing how far MotoGP progresses by the year.

Prototype KTM 390 Duke Caught Testing

A prototype KTM 390 Duke was caught testing on the road.
The pictures show revised frame and chassis.
It is believed to be the 2021 model.

The KTM 390 Duke is one of the most rip-roaring bikes we’ve tested. Small as it may seem, the 2018 model rode more like a 500cc bike rather than a 372cc single-banger.

There isn’t others like it as most of its peers are dual-cylinder machines. But KTM made the 390 Duke in their “Ready to Race” spirit, hence the ability to use it for the daily commute and at a trackday. Many riders agree and it is actually KTM’s best-seller throughout the world.

And while we don’t see a reason to upgrade it, the manufacturer thinks otherwise, apparently.

Recently, RideApart reported that the prototype of the 2021 version was spotted testing.

Check out the photo. There’s a new headlight and TFT screen up-front. The front turnsignals are attached to the meter’s mount. Look closer and you’ll see the new frame and the engine is mounted on V-shaped hangers rather the single “bone” we see on the current model. The lower triple clamp behind the headlight is massive, hinting towards a change in geometry. Further back, the swingarm is likewise different.

The seats look thicker and bigger in the picture but they are probably dummies used during testing.

Source and picture: RideApart

Triumph Rocket III TFC Officially Unveiled

The new Triumph Rocket III TFC has been officially unveiled.
The engine is now 2500cc, producing 167hp and 221Nm.
Its electronics, chassis and suspension are also upgraded.

After teasing us earlier this year, besides the launch of the Thruxton R TFC, the Triumph Rocket III TFC has been officially unveiled.

Besides wearing the TFC (Triumph Factory Custom) badge, the Rocket III also claims the record as the biggest volume-production engine. Triumph upped the capacity from 2282cc to a whopping 2458cc. Thus, the new powerplant produces 167 hp and get this: 221 Nm of torque! If you’ve never pitied the rear tyre, now’s the time to do so.

However, it wasn’t just the extra cubes that contributed to the extra ponies. The manufacturer also reworked the head and gave it titanium valves. The carbon-tipped Arrow silencers also helped.

Reining in that massive power is a new electronic suite consisting of lean-angle sensitive traction control and ABS, in addition to four ride modes. Oh, there’s also a quickshifter with auto-blipper.

Other electronics include hill hold control, cruise control, keyless ignition and tyre pressure monitoring. The full-colour TFT display/instrument panel is the latest which appeared on the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE. As such, it ought to include integration with not only your phone but also your GoPro camera.

The chassis and suspension have also been upgraded. At the front are 41mm cartridge Showa forks and a rear shock with piggyback reservoir. The front brakes consist of Brembo Stylema calipers, just like those on the Panigale V4 range.

The updates have turned the Rocket III into a serious power-cruiser to challenge the Ducati Diavel and Harley-Davidson V-Rod. Gone is the sedate-looking “old man’s cruiser” with a big engine.

Before we forget, Triumph will only build 750 units of the Rocket III, priced at £22,000 each.

But will there be a regular, non-TFC new Rocket III? We’d like to think so!

Aprilia RS660 Caught Testing at Imola

A video surfaced of an Aprilia RS660 being tested at Imola.
While it wears the RSV4’s bodywork, the video is titled as RS660.
Will we see the revival of the middleweight supersport class?

The upcoming Aprilia RS660 middleweight supersport bike garnered plenty of attention and anticipation since its unveiling at EICMA 2018.

As the Noale-based manufacturer said before, it’s basically an RSV4 minus the rear two cylinders. That turns the engine into a parallel-Twin.

Since then, Aprilia confirmed that the bike will make production and slated for 2020. That just leaves months to go before Intermot and EICMA 2019 for the purported official launch. So, there’s still plenty of work to do.

Lately, a video surfaced in the Aprilia Cup Facebook page claiming to be the RS660 prototype undergoing testing at the Imola racetrack. You can check out the video by clicking on the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/ApriliaCup/videos/2577483428964228/

However, we’d like to point out that the bike sounded a whole like a V-Four and the fairing is that of an RSV4. However, if you could spot a rough-looking parallel-Twin just ahead of the rider’s shin. Our conclusion is that it could very well be the test mule for the RS660. Furthermore, the video is titled RS660.

As the 1000cc superbike market keeps shrinking, we are hoping to see the revival of middleweight supersport class. Not only that they are cheaper than the 1000s, their level of power is more accessible to a wider range of riders. Fingers crossed for the RS660 to be priced reasonably.

Ducati Signs Deal with Vmoto to Produce Electric Scooters

Ducati has tied up with Chinese electric scooter and motorcycle manufacturer Vmoto.
The scooters will be rebranded as licensed products.
It will be a luxury version of the current Super Soco CUx scooter.

Ducati has tied up with Chinese electric scooter and motorcycle manufacturer Vmoto. The deal should see a Ducati-branded electric scooter before the launch of a fully-electric Ducati motorcycle.

The deal licenses Vmoto to build Ducati-branded Super Soco CUx electric scooters as “official products under the license of Ducati.” Soco is a sub-brand of Vmoto.

However, as expected, the scooters will not be any run-of-the-mill bikes. Instead, these will be a special luxury version of the CUx and sold at premium prices.

The deal also says that Vmoto will distribute the scooters to their distribution network. Ducati, on the other hand, will carry out the marketing duties.

If the upcoming scooter is based on the CUx, the performance figures ought to remain the same. Currently, the 2019 model uses a 3.75hp Bosch hub motor which gives it a top speed of 45 km/h. That isn’t a lot, of course, but it is applicable to the speed limit in heavily urbanized areas.

Its 1.8 kWh battery pack gives it a range of up to 75km. Other novel features include a built-in forward-facing camera for safety and sharing to social media purposes.

We are a little surprised by Ducati’s move, frankly. But the Italian manufacturer has also worked with a bicycle manufacturer and marketing the bike. Perhaps they are looking at a holistic approach, rather than just sticking to the big bike market only.

We shall see what they have in their sleeves by Intermot and EICMA this year.

Source and pictures: Electrek.co

200 Harley-Davidson Riders Gave Dying Man a Touching Final Sendoff

200 Harley-Davidson riders made a dying man’s last wish come true.
Jon Stanley was dying of cancer and wanted to hear the roar of a Harley V-Twin one final time.
A call to action brought 200 Harleys to his house, instead.

The general public may look at bikers, among them Harley-Davidson riders, as a rough and uncouth bunch, but truth is, bikers are just as human as everyone else. Think about it: Charity rides, toy runs, visiting orphanages, and the list goes on.

Jon Stanley was an avid biker who had recently purchased a Harley-Davidson Softail. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with terminal brain and lung cancer soon after and was forced to stop riding.

As he laid dying, he had one last wish: To hear the roar of a Harley-Davidson V-Twin through his window for one final time.

Stanley’s brother contacted a local Harley rider David Thompson in South Bend, Indiana through Facebook and relayed the man’s wish. Thompson acted immediately by setting up a call to action also in Facebook.

About 200 Harley-Davidson riders responded in less than 12 hours. They got organized and rode en masse to Stanley’s house.

Stanley’s family and bikers carried him into a sidecar and a collective 250,000cc of American V-Twin thundered in unison.

Stanley fought his last battle with cancer and passed away later that night.

Here’s a big cheer to David Thompson who made the call and the bikers who made Stanley’s finish wish come true.

Source: WBST-TV

Bikesrepublic

Wahid Ooi

A car carrying ketum leaves collided with a motorcycle ridden by a mother sending her eldest child to kindergarten.

The collision killed all three motorcycle occupants.

Police discovered 150 kg of ketum leaves in the car.

The Road Transport Department of Malaysia is implementing the Vehicle Entry Permit system for foreign-owned vehicles to enter the country.

It will be implemented in three phases.

Phase one covers vehicles entering from Singapore.

Seven vintage motorcycles were found in a Los Angeles warehouse.

The discovery included six Vincent.

Vincents were renowed for the speed and quality.

1938 Vincent Series-A HRD Twin

1948 Vincent Series-B Rapide

1950 Vincent Comet (basket case)

1953 Vincent Series-C “Black Shadow”

1955 Vincent Victor (replica)

1954 Vincent Rapide D/C

A track marshal was caught stealing an item from Alex Rins’s Suzuki at the Spanish MotoGP.

The video was uploaded to YouTube and went viral.

He is now forced to return the item and apologize to Rins and team.

Motorcycle drag racing is fun to participate in and watch.

This video shows how fast modern bikes can be even in the hands of non-pro riders.

Some of these modified beasts hit 100 km/h in 1 second!

But we would like to highlight a number of details here:

Marc Marquez won the Spanish MotoGP 2019.

Polesitter Fabio Quartararo had gone as high up as 2nd but had to retire with mechanical problems.

Alex Rins finished 2nd on the Suzuki.

Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli qualified 1st and 2nd at the Spanish MotoGP 2019.

It was the first pole position and 1-2 qualifying result for the new Petronas Yamaha SRT team.

Quartararo also became the youngest rider to score a pole position.

A prototype KTM 390 Duke was caught testing on the road.

The pictures show revised frame and chassis.

It is believed to be the 2021 model.

The new Triumph Rocket III TFC has been officially unveiled.

The engine is now 2500cc, producing 167hp and 221Nm.

Its electronics, chassis and suspension are also upgraded.

A video surfaced of an Aprilia RS660 being tested at Imola.

While it wears the RSV4’s bodywork, the video is titled as RS660.

Will we see the revival of the middleweight supersport class?

Ducati has tied up with Chinese electric scooter and motorcycle manufacturer Vmoto.

The scooters will be rebranded as licensed products.

It will be a luxury version of the current Super Soco CUx scooter.

200 Harley-Davidson riders made a dying man’s last wish come true.

Jon Stanley was dying of cancer and wanted to hear the roar of a Harley V-Twin one final time.

A call to action brought 200 Harleys to his house, instead.

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Polesitter Fabio Quartararo had gone as high up as 2^ndbut had to retire with mechanical problems.

Alex Rins finished 2^ndon the Suzuki.

Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli qualified 1^stand 2^ndat the Spanish MotoGP 2019.