Wahid Ooi, Author at BikesRepublic.com

Working with Certified Technicians: An Employer’s View

We spoke to Idon Pang, the Aftersales Manager for GB Workshop, the official aftersales service centre for Aprilia and Moto Guzzi Malaysia about certified technicians.
Idon iterates that there is a shortage of certified technicians in market.
Especially that motorcycles are now more and more complex due to electronics.

Since we have been posting about certified motorcycle technicians, we decided to speak to a well-known aftersales manager on his thoughts on the matter.

The person we spoke to was Idon Pang, who is known for his dedication to motorcycle aftersales, his resourcefulness, customer-centric ethics and experience in Moto Guzzi, Vespa and Aprilia motorcycles, among others.

Bikes Republic (BR): Hi Idon, we’d like to talk about your thoughts on certified motorcycle technicians.
Idon Pang (IP): Yes, sure. I have met some people and read about TOC Automotive College’s Superbike Technician Course recently and I think it’s a fantastic idea.

Certified Superbike Technicians are in demand!

I’ve been in the industry for more than ten years right now and my challenge in aftersales is having enough certified technicians to carry out the work. Many people don’t see it, but I think TOC have noticed this issue. There is a big gap between current motorcycle technology and the people who are certified to handle and maintain these technologies or making it even better. The gap is very big.

The European countries and also America have many certified technicians, called “engineers,” who are able to handle these new technologies.

Asia, on the other hand, is the fastest growing motorcycle market but the level of our workforce is very, very far behind.

That’s why I’m very happy to see TOC pick this up.

BR: What’s the difference in working with certified and non-certified technicians?
IP: I’ve been very fortunate to work with both throughout the years. In fact, I am a bit of both, as well.

I am certified for a number of motorcycle brands; as you know I’m more skilled towards Italian bikes. I learned through non-certified methods in the beginning. My sifus like the late Mr. Eddie Chia and later his sons, and a number of small motorcycle workshops taught me the tricks and tips of the trade. It’s from here that I saw both extremes.

Having certified technicians means that things had to be done to a certain standard. For example, Malaysia is now adopting standards for mechanics, so we are hopeful that this will provide better quality work for customers.

To be honest with you, certification alone isn’t enough as the student may study really hard just to pass exams, but they didn’t brush up on their practical skills they will lose them.

And I meant simple skills just as catching engine timing, using sensors to detect problems or troubleshoot, mechanical failures and so forth.

Why It is Important to have a Certified Technician Working on Your Bike

BR: Speaking about new motorcycle technology, how do you see the progress?
IP: It’s moving at a very rapid pace. Manufacturers are increasingly adding more new technologies every year to add value to their products.

The biggest thing now is of course electronics such as traction control, anti-wheelie, ABS. Things like APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control rider assist suite) have been around for about 10 years but it’s now being more and more prevalent throughout the industry.

But there are very feel few people who could understand, maintain and repair it. There are not more than two-handful of people who could work on these technologies currently in Malaysia.

So, certification in that area is very important. But that certification must also include practical training.

(Editor’s note: 70% of the TOC Superbike Technician Course consists of practical training, preparing the students for the real world.)

BR: How do you see the career paths of certified technicians?
IP: Firstly, it’s true that there are very good non-certified technicians who learned through the hard way and from the experience passed down through many generations. This is why there are motorcycle owners who send their bikes to them. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course.

But again, technology is outgrowing our skills. We are at this paradigm change in motorcycle technology and industry. And yet we aren’t churning out certified or skilled technicians fast enough.

Secondly, many of these experienced old-hands have retired or retired without passing on their knowledge to the new generation.

BR: What could the graduates of certified technicians expect in the market?
IP: The market is very lucrative. The aftersales market will keep growing regardless of the economy as owners will still need to maintain and repair their bikes.

We’ve seen this for many years. When the economy picks up, so do bike sales, consequently aftersales picks up too. When the economy slows down, bike sales will follow suit. However, instead of dropping, aftersales still picks up. That’s because instead of changing bikes, owners will maintain their bikes to make it last longer. Additionally, they will accessorize their bikes.

So what are you waiting for? If it has always been your dream to work in the motorcycle service line, or to start your very own motorcycle workshop, then this is the perfect platform to get you started on the path to achieving your dreams. Don’t wait, find out more about the TOC Superbike Technician Course at www.toc.edu.my or call (+603) 7960 8833 for more details.

CLICK HERE to know more about TOC’s Superbike Technician Course.

Study to be a Certified Superbike Technician at the TOC Automotive College

New KTM 1090 Adventure Spied

KTM is updating and introducing new models to most of their line-up.
Next on the list being updated is the 1050/1090 Adventure.
The new bike may get a boost to 1150cc besides other technological updates.

When KTM released the 1050 Adventure, it was intended to introduce newcomers to KTM’s world of adventure motorcycles. The biggest complained however was “not powerful” enough as it made “only” 95 bhp. KTM responded by offering the 1090 Adventure which produced 123 bhp.

KTM 1050 Adventure Travel Pack – Ready to Travel

However, the 1090 Adventure is essentially a tuned-up 1050 Adventure as they both share the same capacity. Besides that, the 1050/1090 design is getting a little long in the tooth. Factor in the upcoming 790 Adventure and you have a bike (the 1050/1090) that seems redundant, if not obsolete.

Lastly, KTM does not have a model which bridges the gap between the 1050/1090 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure models.

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Super Deal

With all this in mind, it is of no surprise that the Austrian behemoth seem to be testing a 1150cc-engined 1090 Adventure, reported MCN.

Sources close to MCN also reported that the upcoming bike should very well receive new electronic features to bring it up-to-date such as TFT display, lean-sensitive traction control and Cornering ABS, and perhaps a quick shifter.

The increase in capacity will equal an increase in power, naturally. It is speculated that it will be in the 130 bhp range or thereabouts.

Also, judging from the spy photograph, the new 1090 Adventure may also receive a fresh look similar to the 1290 Super Adventure for family resemblance.

The new bike should appear in 2019 for the 2020 model year, again, in time for the new Euro 5 emissions standard.

2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R: More Power!

Kawasaki has updated the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R to produce more horsepower.
Updates are centred on the valvetrain and reducing moving mass.
The updates show that Kawasaki intends to retain the World Superbike crown.

Horsepower. You can never have enough. Kawasaki has announced that the 2019 Ninja ZX-10R will receive a list of changes that will take its power output even higher.

Kawasaki may have won four World Superbike championships in 2013 with Tom Sykes, and 2015, 2016, 2017 with Jonathan Rea, while currently leading the series with the latter rider, they know that they will be under stiff competition from Ducati with the new Panigale V4 and possibly a new Honda CBR1000RR next year.

The new Ninja ZX-10R’s cylinder head has been redesigned to be more compact to aid quicker combustion. The valvetrain will now have the cams acting directly on finger followers, rather than on tappets, resulting in a 20 percent reduction in mass. It also makes it easier to install more aggressive cam profiles. Consequently, the engine can sustain high RPMs more reliably.

Finally, to mark the updated engine, the cylinder head cover will be painted in red.

There are three variants of the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R: Base, SE and RR.

Ninja ZX-10R

The base 2019 Ninja ZX-10R will have its power increased to 203 PS (200 bhp), without ram air. Expect to see around 210 bhp with ram air. It will receive the updated valvetrain and cylinder head cover. It will also feature the bi-directional Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) that was previously available on the SE and RR only.

Ninja ZX-10R SE

The 2019 Ninja ZX-10R SE is considered the flagship model as the RR is a race homologation model. Apart from the valvetrain updates, it will feature Kawasaki’s advanced electronic suspension (KECS) and forged Marchesini rims. Areas prone to scratches are covered with Kawasaki’s proprietary “self-healing” paint, as with the 2019 Ninja H2. Power is the same as the based Ninja ZX-10R.

Ninja ZX-10RR

The 2019 Ninja ZX-10RR will receive Pankl titanium connecting rods that save 400g over the standard bike’s, reducing the crankshaft’s inertia by 5% and yield a 600 RPM increase. Kawasaki quoted 201 bhp peak power without ram air. It will be available only in Lime Green and production is limited to 500 units.

A “Performance” variant for all three types are also available.

Urban Riders Ride Their Aprilia to Melaka for 5th Anniversary

Aprilia owners are starting to reap the benefits of the brand being under a new caretaker.
The owners under the Urban Riders club organized a weekend ride to Melaka for some fun at the beach.
The group got together and pushed off from Aprilia Malaysia at The Gasket Alley.

As with other brands under the care of Didi Resources, Aprilia riders are now reaping the benefits with more rides and programs, as promised by the new distributor. As such, the bike club Urban Riders celebrated the organization’s 5th anniversary by riding to Melaka, mostly on Aprilias.

The activity still managed to attract about 30 participants despite being organized in the middle of a long, 3-day weekend (Saturday).

The riders grouped at the new Aprilia Malaysia at The Gasket Alley, for a light breakfast and some catching up.

Two models were heavily represented, the Shiver 750 and Tuono 1000 V4.

Idon Pang, the Aftersales Manager for the Piaggio brands at The Gasket Alley welcomed the riders and thanked them for taking part in the convoy. He also iterated that new Aprilia bike sales will hopefully begin in October 2018.

He also reminded the riders of the inaugural Aprilia Track Day on 9th September 2018.

Didi Resources Organizes Inaugural Aprilia and Modclass Track Day

With that, proceedings were handed to the club’s president, Tok Uban to present the ride briefing. There was no police escort so the participants were told to buddy up and watch out for one another.

The group then departed from The Gasket Alley to head to the Shell petrol station after the Sungai Besi Toll Plaza to hook up with another group, before pushing to Chalet D’ Sayang at Pengkalan Balak, Melaka. They will put up for a night there before heading back to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow (Sunday).

PICTURE GALLERY

2019 Indian Motorcycles Big Twin Range Goes High Tech

2019 Indian big twins will receive a host of high-tech features.
All bikes with Thunderstroke engines will have rear cylinder de-activation.
They will also feature engine power modes for the first time.

When Polaris revived Indian Motorcycles and started the now-defunct Victory, the had wanted cruisers that were modern without sacrificing heritage and character. Well, their 2019 big twin range will definitely go high tech.

The biggest news of all is the Roadmaster, Springfield and Chief’s Thunderstroke engine will receive a rear cylinder de-activation feature. The system turns off the rear cylinder when the heat picks up during idling, sparing the rider from being sauna’ed. Both cylinders will fire when as soon as the rider twists the throttle, for a smooth and quick take-off.

It may be the first time that such technology is employed on a motorcycle, although it could be found on luxury cars for a decade. Car manufacturers use this feature for better fuel economy especially on the big capacity V6s and V8s, where a bank of cylinders is shut off during idling or steady speed cruising.

However, Indian Motorcycles have stated that their cylinder de-activation feature is purely to cut down on heat rather than to lower fuel consumption.

The 2019 models will also receive switchable sport, touring and standard engine power modes. An updated sound system and speakers are also added to the Roadmaster.

Ducati Australia Initiates Urgent Safety Recall

Ducati Australia issued an urgent safety recall for a possible rear brake pad issue.
Models affected are Hypermotard 939, 959 Panigale, 1299 Panigale, 1299 Panigale Final Edition and the new Panigale V4.
Countries affected are Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand and Canada for the time being.

Ducati Australia has issued an urgent safety recall for several models. The recall is to check if the the rear brake pads are coming loose.

The campaign covers the models Hypermotard 939, 959 Panigale, 1299 Panigale, 1299 Panigale Final Edition and the new Panigale V4.

According to the official notice, the brake pad could separate from the backing plate: “If the brake pad separates from the backing plate, this can cause a failure of the rear brake.”

Letters are being sent to owners in Australia, with instructions to contact their closest Ducati dealer to set an appointment to inspect or replace the rear brake pads.

Ducati has been mired in safety recall campaigns recently.

First was for the Brembo front brake master cylinder, although it was not due to the motorcycle manufacturer’s fault. Then there was the recall for the Panigale V4 catching fire and defective fuel tank cap, while the Supersport S melted its fuel tank overfill hose because it was assembled too closed to the horizontal exhaust manifold.

2018 Ducati Panigale V4 gets TWO recalls

The recall seemed to affect Ducati owners in Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand and Canada for the moment.

Owners may check on the manufacturer’s website if their motorcycle is involved in any safety recall campaign by clicking on this link http://www.ducati.com/services/recall_campaigns/index.do and keying in your bike’s VIN (vehicle identification number, or chassis number as it’s known locally).

Anyway, in our opinion, safety recalls should not paint a manufacturer as being bad; instead it should be taken positively as the manufacturer caring for their customers’ well-being.

Boon Siew Honda Launches New Vario 150

The new Honda Vario 150 automatic transmission scooter has been launched by Boon Siew Honda.
It represents an option for those looking for a Honda AT scooter other than the PCX150.
Priced from RM 7,199, for the standard edition and RM 7,399 for the Repsol Edition (basic selling prices without road tax, insurance and sales tax).

Boon Siew Honda Malaysia (BSH) has launched the new Vario 150 sporty automatic transmission (AT) scooter.

BSH calls the Vario 150 a “combination of sporty style, unstoppable performance and value-for-money.” The company had noticed a growing popularity for automatic scooters in Malaysia among younger riders who are taking up motorcycling. As such, the Vario offers an option for buyers who seek an AT scooter other than Honda’s own PCX150 luxo-scoot.

The Vario 150 may be priced competitively (read: affordably), but it does include many features found on more expensive bikes of the same category.

For starters, it uses the SMART Key employed on the PCX. This key system does not use a physical key to unlock or turn on the ignition, instead, the bike’s immobilizer and ignition responds to the key’s microwave signals. It’s similar to the one employed on the Yamaha NMAX, NVX and XMAX scooters but Honda’s system is much easier to understand and use.

Other key feature is the Combi Brake System (CBS). As the name suggests, either the front or rear brake will also activate the brakes on the other end. This is a great system which ensures front and rear stability under hard braking or when the bike is leaned over in a corner. First seen on the Honda Beat, the Vario’s CBS system works despite having a drum brake on the rear wheel, by using a simple yet ingenious pulley system. As an interesting note, the more complex CBS system is employed on Honda’s large-capacity bikes such as the VFR, CB1000R, Gold Wing, among others.

The Vario 150 also features a fully-digital LCD instrument panel, LED taillight and LED headlights. The main headlights are split into two, but Honda included another set of headlamps on top for maximum visibility.

Scooters need to be convenient, hence the bike has an 18-litre underseat storage space; enough for a helmet. There are two storage spaces and a hook on the panel beneath the handlebar.

The engine is based on the liquid-cooled 149.3cc powerplant found in the PCX150, with some of the same features. The cylinder dimensions are the same at a square 57.3mm bore and 57.9mm stroke. The Vario’s engine produces 13.1 PS at 8,500 RPM and 13.4 Nm at 5,000 RPM. Notice that there is 3,500 RPM range between maximum torque and horsepower, meaning the engine is very “flexible.” The word describes the availability of power anytime the rider opens the throttle.

Honda has included the Idling Stop switch for the Vario 150. The engine turns off a few seconds after coming to a stop, after riding faster than a certain speed. The feature helps to save fuel and vibration during extended stops at the traffic lights. The engine is automatically restarted when the rider twists the throttle.

BSH treated us media to a test ride after lunch, escorted by the Traffic Police. We concluded that the bike had smooth power take-up, great brakes and of course, flickability around the lunchtime traffic. The PDRM had also stopped us a junction for the Idling Stop function to kick in. The Vario 150 didn’t give a crazy hard kick once we twisted the throttle after the engine restarted, which is a welcomed feature. You wouldn’t want to end up in the back of a Vellfire once the lights turned to green, am I right? Another aspect we noticed was how the suspension soaked up bumps and potholes, which was surprising for a scooter. We also didn’t detect the front wheel wobbling when hitting fast corners.

Boon Siew Honda hopes to sell 1,000 units of the new bike per month. The four colour options are Pearl Magellanic Black, Pearl Nightfall Blue, Force Silver Metallic and of course, Repsol Edition. It will be available at Honda dealers immediately and comes with a 2-year or 20,000 km manufacturer’s warranty (whichever comes first).

Lastly, Boon Siew Honda specially airbrushed 14 Vario 150s in the colours of the national flag and flags of individual Malaysian states in conjunction with the National Day. These bikes will be travelling throughout Peninsular Malaysia.

For more information, please visit Boon Siew Honda’s official Facebook page and official website for more information.

2019 Indian Scout Range Announced

Indian Motorcycles have released their 2019 Scout line-up.
The updates include paint options and accessories.
The Scout, Scout Sixty and Scout Bobber should retain their competitive edge with the updates.

Indian Motorcycles have announced their updated best-selling Indian Scout range for 2019.

First and foremost, ABS (anti-lock braking system) is available for every model apart from the black Scout Sixty, Scout and Scout Bobber. Buyers of the Thunder Black colour version may opt for ABS or non-ABS. The Scout and Scout Bobber will also feature a USB charging port, located next to the speedometer for easy access to smart devices or GPS.

If already own the current version of the Scout, fret not, as Indian Motorcycles provides the USB Charging Port Kit which could be retrofitted to the 2015 to 2018 Scout or Scout Bobber and 2016 – 2019 Scout Sixty.

The 100-bhp, 69 cubic inch (1130cc), liquid-cooled V-Twin will now equip the Scout in Thunder Black, Deep Water Metallic, Metallic Jade, Indian Motorcycle Red over Thunder Black, and Willow Green over Ivory Cream colour options.

The 60 cubic inch (983cc), liquid-cooled V-Twin is blacked-out and will equip the Scout Sixty in Thunder Black, White Smoke, Ruby Metallic and Star Silver of Thunderblack colours.

Indian Motorcycles also offers a comprehensive accessories line-up. In the Scout touring accessories side, there are bags, passenger seats, windscreens. For upgrading the Scout’s performance, there are Fox Shocks, Stage 1 slip-on exhaust and air intake. There are also accessories to customize the Scout to reflect the rider’s personality such as seats, handlebars, foot controls and so forth.

The 2019 Indian Scouts will be released first in the US before making their way to the rest of the world.

Vespa Elettrica Production Begins in September 2018

Piaggio Group had initially planned for the Vespa Elettrica to go into production in late 2017.
It has now been confirmed that production is set to go in September 2018.
Piaggio will produce two models: One fully electric and the other a hybrid.

Piaggio Group had originally intended to start work on their electric Vespa, appropriately called Elettrica, in “late 2017” but unspecified delays had set the date back to September this year.

Vespa @ EICMA 2016: An electrifying future ahead

The Vespa Elettrica still maintains the iconic “wasp” design, ensuring that the bike will continue for many years to come.

Vespa claims the electric motor produces 4 kW (5.36 hp) of peak and 2 kW (2.68 hp) of continuous power. The manufacturer also added that the Elettrica has the least range of 96.5 km (60 miles). There is an onboard charger hidden in the fuel filler cap so you can charge the bike where you stop, say at work.

Vespa will also be producing a hybrid “X” model alongside the fully electric variant. The hybrid will have a gas generator which recharges the batteries, extending the bike’s range to 193 km (120 miles).

Breaking it down, the smaller battery in the hybrid version has a range of 48 km (30 miles) on its own, while the extra 144.8 km (90 miles) is available with the gas generator switched on. The battery is smaller as space is needed to accommodate the generator.

Vespa also says that the Elettrica’s performance should be similar to a 50cc scooter, but there are two power modes: “power” and “eco.” Additionally, the Elettrica features a reverse mode.

Last but not least, the new bike will also include a TFT instrument display and Bluetooth connectivity in line with the latest contemporary motorcycles.

No prices have been released at this moment. Sales will start in Europe, before moving to the States and Asia. Piaggio hopes the Vespa Elettrica will be available worldwide by November 2018.

Romano Fenati Picked to Ride MV Agusta Moto2 Race Bike

MV Agusta Reparto Corse’s Moto2 project has confirmed Romano Fenati as one of their riders for the 2019 season.
Fenati had done well in Moto3 in 2017 but currently struggling in Moto2.
As with the 2019 Moto2 regulations, MV Agusta will build the bike around the new Triumph engine.

We reported earlier that the famed Italian marque, MV Agusta will be joining the Moto2 grid from 2019, but the manufacturer did not announce the rider at the time. MV Agusta had finally announced that Romano Fenati will pilot the bike alongside a stablemate.

MV Agusta returns to MotoGP

Do note that all Moto2 bikes will use the new Triumph 765cc Triple engine next year, despite the bike is branded as MV Agusta. Triumph supplies the engine while builders such as Kalex, Speed Up, KTM and MV Agusta complete the rest of the bike.

The signing of Fenati is seen as something of great interest among fans. He was unceremoniously sacked from Valentino Rossi-backed Sky VR46 team in 2016 after being abusive to members of the team. Since then he had to carry the reputation of being hard to work with.

Marinelli Honda contracted him for the 2017 Moto3 season where he finished 2^nd overall. Fenati made the jump to the Moto2 class for 2018 but he has been experiencing a horrid season and is currently in 19^th position with just 14 points.

While MV Agusta has stated that their Moto2 involvement is for the long-term, signing Fenati on as rider could be a risk to them. But Fenati does have real talent and speed.

“I am very happy and honoured to take part in this prestigious project and to join such a cohesive and competent group as the Forward Racing Team is,” the fiery Italian said. “Driving the F2 will be a source of great pride for me and will be an important responsibility, so I will give all my contribution and my experience to achieve excellent results.”

Romano Fenati in 2018 – Courtesy of MotoGP.com

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman Planning “The Long Way Up”

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are now planning The Long Way Up for 2019.
There was no doubt that The Long Way Around and The Long Way Down popularized long-distance motorcycle touring.
The duo plans to ride from Ushuaia to Alaska for the new show.

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are planning a new series called The Long Way Up, after the documentary series The Long Way Around and The Long Way Down certainly opened the eyes of many – both riders and non-riders alike – to motorcycle travel and adventure.

To refresh our memories, the pair travelled from London to New York through Europe, Asia, flew to Alaska and subsequently rode to New York in, covering some 31,000 kilometres for The Long Way Around. The program was aired in 2004.

Next came The Long Way Down 2007 which documented the duo’s travels from Scotland through Europe and the African continent, and ending at Cape Town, South Africa.

Now, they are re-teaming with producer Russ Malkin with plans to ride from Ushuaia, Argentina (considered the southernmost city in the world) to Alaska. They will ride through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, North America and arrive at Barrow, Alaska (North America’s northernmost city) in 2019. Boorman reckons the trip will take “a few months.”

“We are very much in the early planning stages at the moment,” Boorman told MCN. “It will definitely take a few months, (as) South America is a beautiful continent to ride through so we don’t want to rush it.”

The Long Way Around was also famous for another aspect. McGregor had a liking for BMW motorcycles, while Boorman advocated that they rode KTMs. But when the producers approached KTM to sponsor the motorcycles, they were turned down by the Austrian manufacturer as the latter feared the team may fail. BMW stepped in by contributing three R 1150 GS complete with onboard navigation. As such, it could be argued that it was this very show which popularized the BMW R 1150 GS and its successor, the R 1200 GS Adventure which was used in The Long Way Down.

However, Boorman has since been made ambassador for Triumph Motorcycles and it will be great to see them on the new Triumph Tiger 1200 or Tiger 800. But, with the BMW R 1250 GS coming to fruition next year, it will be interesting to see which bike will be picked for the show.

MotoGP: Silverstone’s Drainage and New Asphalt to Blame for British GP Cancellation

The British GP was cancelled due to poor drainage and the new asphalt on the Silverstone circuit.
The smaller Moto3 and Moto2 classes were due to follow after MotoGP and were hence cancelled also.
This was the first race cancellation in 38 years.

You would probably be looking around for the MotoGP results from the British GP yesterday and find nothing but the headlines “British MotoGP Cancelled.” Despite what any party would have said, it’s the drainage and newly laid asphalt at the Silverstone circuit to blame.

It was the first race cancellation since the Austrian GP in 1980.

For MotoGP fans who spent agonizing hours in the rain and cold at the track, the only action they ever saw were the Safety Cars and sweeper vehicles going around and around, in a desperate attempt to find a respite to get the race going.

MotoGP Safety Car – Courtesy of Fox Sports

Sure, wet races had been held in the past at this circuit, but yesterday’s track was visibly different. Silverstone’s management had made a great effort to resurface the track to provide a consistent racing surface, but it somehow caused the track to be even bumpier. There was a slow-mo video sequence of Marc Marquez’s bike heaving up and down through a turn during practice which had never occurred anywhere else.

Then there was the incessant rain. It wasn’t the heaviest we’ve ever seen in MotoGP’s history – try Malaysia’s at the Sepang International Circuit. But the rainwater had nowhere to go and started to accumulate on the Silverstone track due to poor drainage

The race had been moved to 11.30am (local time), 90 minutes earlier but rain had started to fall midway through the Moto3 practice. It was then hoped to begin at 2pm but was again postpone. Unfortunately, at 4pm before Dorna, IRTA and riders decided to cancel the race. There was just too much standing water.

As the Moto2 and Moto3 classes were set to follow after MotoGP, both smaller classes were cancelled, too.

Now before anyone criticise the riders of being sissies, do consider that the riders had complained of aquaplaning (tyre floating on a film of water) with as little as 15% throttle. Sure enough, the conditions have sent Tito Rabat to hospital in the medical helicopter with broken femur, tibia and fibula in his right leg after being clouted by his teammate Franco Morbidelli’s Marc VDS Honda, while the rest into the gravel trap.

Yes, riders in the early years have ridden in the rain without traction control, they had no airbag suits, their bikes had wobbly frames and slinky tyres, but look at the cost. So many had been maimed and killed. Crashes are entertaining to spectators, but we should never be at the cost of human lives.

Earlier, there was talk of postponing the race to Monday (today) but MotoGP soon twitted that it was out of the question. First, news surfaced that some team managers were of the opinion that should’ve have been done, but now, there’s news that Dorna blames the team managers for shooting down the idea of postponing the race.

Repsol Hondas under rain cover – Courtesy of Asphalt & Rubber

There’s also a press conference in which Silverstone’s CEO blamed the entire matter of being taken out of his hands, and that they had done all they could to provide a great venue. On the other hand, the FIM’s safety officer, Franco Uncini and MotoGP technical director Mike Webb both pointed their fingers are the track’s bumps and standing water. A formal investigation will be launched.

We hope that the investigation will bring on a solution to the future British GP and avoid such an embarrassing show which cost many parties the loss of millions.

Bikesrepublic

Wahid Ooi

We spoke to Idon Pang, the Aftersales Manager for GB Workshop, the official aftersales service centre for Aprilia and Moto Guzzi Malaysia about certified technicians.

Idon iterates that there is a shortage of certified technicians in market.

Especially that motorcycles are now more and more complex due to electronics.

KTM is updating and introducing new models to most of their line-up.

Next on the list being updated is the 1050/1090 Adventure.

The new bike may get a boost to 1150cc besides other technological updates.

Kawasaki has updated the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R to produce more horsepower.

Updates are centred on the valvetrain and reducing moving mass.

The updates show that Kawasaki intends to retain the World Superbike crown.

Ninja ZX-10R

Ninja ZX-10R SE

Ninja ZX-10RR

Aprilia owners are starting to reap the benefits of the brand being under a new caretaker.

The owners under the Urban Riders club organized a weekend ride to Melaka for some fun at the beach.

The group got together and pushed off from Aprilia Malaysia at The Gasket Alley.

PICTURE GALLERY

2019 Indian big twins will receive a host of high-tech features.

All bikes with Thunderstroke engines will have rear cylinder de-activation.

They will also feature engine power modes for the first time.

Ducati Australia issued an urgent safety recall for a possible rear brake pad issue.

Models affected are Hypermotard 939, 959 Panigale, 1299 Panigale, 1299 Panigale Final Edition and the new Panigale V4.

Countries affected are Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand and Canada for the time being.

The new Honda Vario 150 automatic transmission scooter has been launched by Boon Siew Honda.

It represents an option for those looking for a Honda AT scooter other than the PCX150.

Priced from RM 7,199, for the standard edition and RM 7,399 for the Repsol Edition (basic selling prices without road tax, insurance and sales tax).

Indian Motorcycles have released their 2019 Scout line-up.

The updates include paint options and accessories.

The Scout, Scout Sixty and Scout Bobber should retain their competitive edge with the updates.

Piaggio Group had initially planned for the Vespa Elettrica to go into production in late 2017.

It has now been confirmed that production is set to go in September 2018.

Piaggio will produce two models: One fully electric and the other a hybrid.

MV Agusta Reparto Corse’s Moto2 project has confirmed Romano Fenati as one of their riders for the 2019 season.

Fenati had done well in Moto3 in 2017 but currently struggling in Moto2.

As with the 2019 Moto2 regulations, MV Agusta will build the bike around the new Triumph engine.

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are now planning The Long Way Up for 2019.

There was no doubt that The Long Way Around and The Long Way Down popularized long-distance motorcycle touring.

The duo plans to ride from Ushuaia to Alaska for the new show.

The British GP was cancelled due to poor drainage and the new asphalt on the Silverstone circuit.

The smaller Moto3 and Moto2 classes were due to follow after MotoGP and were hence cancelled also.

This was the first race cancellation in 38 years.

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**Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are now planning The Long Way Up for 2019.**

**There was no doubt that The Long Way Around and The Long Way Down popularized long-distance motorcycle touring.**