The 2020 Harley-Davidson Touring range has been introduced.
Almost all models feature the new Reflex Defensive Rider System.
Headlining the range is the new Street Glide Standard.
The 2020 Harley-Davidson Touring range has been introduced.
MY20 FLHR Road King
Harley’s tourers represent the sense of freedom on the open road while being accompanied by a big-cube, thumping engine. In fact, it was Harley who started the “bagger” and later on full-dress tourer tradition.
Model Year 2020 Asset Capture Photography. INTERNATIONAL ONLY
The 2020 Touring models are equipped with chassis/traction control which the Motor Company calls Reflex Defensive Rider System. It’s designed to match the bike’s performance to available traction during acceleration, deceleration and braking by utilising the latest chassis control, electronic brake control and powertrain technology. (Not available on the Electra Glide Standard and Road King.)
MY20 FLTRXS Road Glide Special
Heading the lineup is the new Electra Glide Standard which offers a “dressed down dresser” style for riders whose only wish is the raw, unbridled sensation of a motorcycle, unencumbered by other distractions. Available only in Vivid Black, it’s priced from RM 132,400.
MY20 FLHT Electra Glide Standard
Other models set to join it are the Road King, Road King Special, Street Glide Special, Road Glide Special and Electra Glide Ultra Limited.
MY20 FLHRXS Road King Special
“The passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Malaysia is growing and the new 2020 line-up will surely please those looking to hit the road with an impressive new machine,” said Mr. Johan Kleinsteuber, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson Asia Emerging Markets. “We leverage our unmatched ability to blend style, performance and technology in products designed to elevate the motorcycling experience. With our prices that start from RM62,800, we make discovering freedom easier than ever”.
This Ducati Panigale 1299 S Hybrid packs 300 bhp and 299.6 Nm of torque.
Efesto S.a.r.l. installed an electric motor to the engine.
The motor can work together in tandem or separate from the engine.
Want power? 205 bhp isn’t enough? 250, no? Okay how about 300 bhp then? Because that’s what this Ducati Panigale 1299 S hybrid is packing.
The stock 1299 S already produces 205 bhp and 143.7 Nm of torque, which is more enough for road use and perhaps on the track too. But since so many are obsessed with horsepower figures, it seems piddly, doesn’t it? What more with the Panigale V4 S which does 213 bhp.
So, Efesto S.a.r.l., a French-Italian firm who are “active in the design and development of turn key electric and hybrid powertrains” turned the 1299 S into a hybrid. The company had worked on the Panigale 1299 S for some time and introduced the prototype last year and the project has reached fruition.
Efesto Managing Director Luca Morfino explained that electric bikes are still heavy and limited in range. (Certain countries are still dragging their feet in expanding charging infrastructure.) In this case, their 200Novantanove hybrid powertrain makes perfect sense. As the name suggests, a hybrid “engine” combines the good ol’ (but polluting) internal combustion engine and an electric motor (non-polluting but not powerful, either).
The rider can switch between the two systems or let them run in parallel. Using the electric motor in traffic saves fuel and avoids getting a burnt crotch, then use both for planet-moving acceleration before switching to full petrol mode for corner blasting.
The battery is charged by the electric motor or regenerative braking, so it isn’t a plug-and-play kit. The set up also brings the bike’s weight up to 194 kg, up from 179 kg.
Still, how to argue with 300 bhp and 299.6 Nm? And don’t forget that it’s environmentally-friendly, too.
Registration to the 2019 KBS MiniGP Academy is still open.
40 participants will be selected to follow the programme.
Final selection is happening on 23rd November 2019, so register now.
Registration to the 2019 KBS MiniGP Academy is still open.
Did you know that Hafizh Shahrin began his racing career in miniGP? Look at where he is now.
In view of this, the 2019 KBS MiniGP Academy is an initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia (KBS – Kementerian Belia dan Sukan) to develop new talents in two-wheeled motorsports, with the objective of seeing them reaching the world stage.
The academy will be the starting point and stepping stone towards that goal for youths who are passionate about motorcycle racing.
The programme is open to all Malaysians aged 9 to 16 as of 2019. Final selection will be carried out in Tangkak, Johor on 23rd November. These 40 participants will then follow a one-month programme from end-November through December 2019.
Registration can be carried out online through www.kbsminigpacademy.com. The registrants will be contacted to attend the selection in Tangkak on 23rd November.
KBS MiniGP Academy CEO Dato’ Haniff Borhan said that the programme is a continuance since 2013, with the assistance of the KBS and Pitrides Motorsports. The academy has since given rise to a rider who is now racing in the FIM Spanish CEV Moto3 class.
The 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix was the best one yet.
Instrumental to the greatness was Shell Malaysia’s involvement as title sponsor.
They were the title sponsor since 2009.
The 2019 motorycle grand prix season is coming to an end with this weekend’s race at Valencia. It only makes the memories at the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix even more memorable since Malaysia is the last of the flyaway rounds and the penultimate race on the calendar.
While the race action on the track was the main highlight, it’s the overall atmosphere and events leading up to the race which added even greater emphasis on the greatest race on Malaysian soil.
For example, Shell Malaysia took the race to another level since being the title sponsor for 10 years since 2009. Back then, there was an enormous worry when tobacco companies were forced to withdraw their sponsorship from MotoGP. But it was Shell Malaysia who picked up the ball and ran with it. They certainly ran the entire marathon — look at the state of the Malaysian MotoGP now!
Let’s look at the activities Shell Malaysia organised this year alone.
It all began with meet and greet sessions at Shell petrol stations. The first was at the one near KLIA. The event also celebrated Ducati Corse’s (in MotoGP and WorldSBK) partnership with Shell since 1999.
Mission Winnows Ducati factory team riders Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci met Ducati owners and fans alike during the session, signing autographs on everything the fans brought, including on motorcycles.
Then Shell opened up the Shell Hillstand at the Sepang International Circuit.
Situated outside Turns 13 and 14, spectators witnessed just how fast and especially how low modern race machines could lean. Seeing it on TV was one thing, see it in real life was a different experience altogether.
The Hillstand also saw the first “Sunset at Hillstand” event where the fans met any MotoGP rider of their choice for photography (i.e. selfies) and autographs.
That’s not all. The Shell Hillstand area was a “mini MotoGP village” on its own with a Ducati booth at the entrance, two giant LED screens showing “live” footages of the race, food and beverage stands (including deli2go, Tea Live, Costa Coffee, food trucks, Monster Energy); plus a MotoGP PS4 Challenge, “Guess the Quantity” and “Super Sepak” games.
At the Welcome Centre, a mock up Ducati pit was set up complete with Ducatis and petrol pump islands.
Those who rode to the 2019 Shell Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix didn’t need to worry about parking as they are entitled to free parking with the purchase of Shell Advance lubricant at the Shell Advance Ride Thru Service. What’s more, the parking lot was guarded so there’s no worry about items getting stolen (some riders even left their helmets there).
So, while the 2019 season ends, the 2020 season beckons. We couldn’t wait!
1,300 Yamaha owners joined the 2019 Yamaha MotoGP convoy.
Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) co-operated with PETRONAS to organise a convoy to the 2019 Malaysia MotoGP.
The participants were given privileges at the Yamaha booth and PETRONAS Experience at SIC.
It is an annual tradition expected by Yamaha motorcycle owners in Malaysia. Once again, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) co-operated with PETRONAS to organise a convoy to the Malaysia MotoGP on 3rd November 2019.
Participants, 1,300 of them to be exact, rode in to the Klang Valley specifically to join the convoy. They rode in on every Yamaha model including the Lagenda 115, 135LC, Y15ZR, 125ZR, NMAX, NVX, XMAX, all the way up to the XJ6, MT-07, MT-09, MT-09 Tracer and so forth. It was here during the convoy that one can see just how numerous is HLYM’s lineup.
The huge group congregated at the TSI Arena in Cyberjaya since 6.30 am.
PETRONAS Vice President of Downstream Business, Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir was on hand to address the crowd. The attendees were expecting great results from the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team riders Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli, of course. The pair had qualified first and third on the grid, after all.
HLYM was represented by Managing Director Dato’ Jim Khor, who thanked the riders for choosing Yamaha.
The convoy was later flagged off by both Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal and Dato’ Jim Khor.
All riders rode in orderly fashion until the Sepang International Circuit. A specially-prepared parking area was allocated for the riders and was guarded by HLYM’s staff throughout the duration of the race.
Participants were welcomed at the Hong Leong Yamaha booth and the PETRONAS Experience “mini mall”.
The 2019 convoy was another huge success. We could only see an even bigger convoy next year.
The 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 is set to debut in early December 2019.
There will two new models called Tiger 900 Rally and Tiger 900 GT.
The rally is for off-road and GT for sport-touring.
We expected to see the 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 at EICMA 2010 but were surprised to not see it there. However, the manufacturer has released a teaser that it’ll be unveiled in early December 2019.
But it isn’t just an updated model for Euro5 compliance, instead pictures of the prototype do show an entirely new bike. Also, there are two new models, called the Tiger 900 Rally and Tiger 900 GT.
As the names suggest, the Rally will be more off-road oriented while the GT is more for sport-touring. This marks a departure from the XC and XR naming schemes.
From the pictures we saw earlier, the new bikes will feature LED headlamps and lighting. Also, we are certain that they will receive the new TFT screens, just like how the 2020 Street Triple RS has shown.
Other “updates” are abound, for example, the passenger footpeg carriers are no longer welded to the rear subframe. Off-road riders of the previous generation complained that the carrier will bend, sometimes along with the subframe should they encounter a hard fall. Kudos, seems like Triumph always listens to what consumers want.
The 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally and Tiger 900 GT are said to be unveiled on 3rd December 2019.
Jorge Lorenzo announced his retirement from racing.
The shock announcement was made together with Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.
The five-time world champion’s form has dropped after breaking his vertebrae in Assen.
Jorge Lorenzo announced his retirement from racing.
The five-time world champion made the shock announcement in an “exceptional press conference” just prior to the start of the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix. He was accompanied by Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.
While the announcement shocked some, it may not be so to others. Lorenzo switched over to the Repsol Honda team this year to replace the team’s long-time rider Dani Pedrosa.
He knew that it would be an uphill task to adjust his riding style to a bike which is suited to his teammate Marc Marquez, but maintained a positive outlook although he couldn’t finish higher than 11th.
However, Lorenzo was fast as soon as he found his rhythm in Catalunya. However, an over-enthusiastic lunge took out Andrea Dovizioso, Maverick Vinalez and Valentino Rossi along with himself.
Then, a huge tumble in the gravel following a crash at Assen during the Dutch TT fractured a vertebrae.
He made a comeback at the British MotoGP round exactly two months later, but the pain forced him to finish 14th. He would finish no higher than that position in the next five rounds leading to Valencia. He has collected 25 points after 18 races and lies 14th in the 2019 championship.
The rider apologised to Honda and team manager Alberto Puig for having to stop a year earlier than his stipulated contract. He cited that he had lost the motivation to compete. But before one criticises his move, breaking one’s back isn’t something anybody likes to do.
Lorenzo’s retirement opens up a spare seat at the factory team. There’s no word from HRC yet but Cal Crutchlow or Johann Zarco are heavily touted to replace Lorenzo.
The new D3O Ghost ultra-thin limb protector may just revolutionise protection for motorcyclists.
It features Impact Print technology for direct imprinting into fabric.
It allows for freedom of movement and breathability.
The new D3O Ghost ultra-thin limb protector may just revolutionise protection for motorcyclists.
Here’s a little bit of background on D3O. The company’s orange-coloured protectors are already pretty thin, malleable and soft compared to virtually all protectors in the market. That seems to fly in the face of convention where harder armour may be considered as providing better protection.
However, the protectors have a special property: The molecules close the space among them quickly at the point of contact to provide protection. We’ve seen the test where a man places his finger underneath a piece of D3O armour and whacking it with a large hammer.
Being soft and malleable provides comfort to the rider, especially to those who thinks that wearing protective gear is akin to wearing a medieval armour.
Now, the D3O Ghost does it a step better as it features Impact Print technology, which allows the material to be imprinted directly into fabrics and substrates.
The company has already imprinted it into black lycra to provide unrivalled and unprecedented freedom of movement. The fabric will be used for knee, elbow, shoulder and hip protectors for cycling and motorsports.
It bodes well for those who complain about the discomforts of protective gear because the new material is highly breathable. And since it conforms to the limbs and body, style-conscious riders can’t use the excuse of riding gear spoiling the silhouette of their perfect bodies.
No word yet of when it’ll be fully integrated into motorcycle gear but we do hope it’s soon.
There are a number of brands that currently employ D3O protectors (although not the Ghost yet) including Furygan, Klim, Fox, TCX, Held, Scott, Icon, Triumph, Mechanix, among others.
You can check out D3O-equipped Furygan jackets at our store. They will be available on online marketplace soon.
Malaysian rider Kasma Danial will contest in the 2020 World Moto2 season with the ONEXOX TKKR SAG team.
He will be the one of two Malaysians in the class next year.
He raced in the Spanish CEV Moto2 and ARRC 600cc SuperSport classes in 2019.
Malaysian rider Kasma Danial will contest in the 2020 Moto2 season with the ONEXOX TKKR SAG team.
The news was shared by team on their website tkkr.my recently. The 19-year-old rider, who the team calls “Dragon Boy,” will replace Tetsuta Nagashima who will join Red Bull KTM Ajo. It means Kasma will partner Remy Gardner, the son of former World 500cc Grand Prix champion Wayne Gardner.
ONEXOX TKKR SAG on the other hand, is a Malaysian team with race teams in the Malaysian Cub Prix, Malaysian Superbike, Asia Road Racing, Spanish CEV Moto2 and World Moto2 championships.
Kasma has been racing in the FIM Spanish CEV Moto2 championship in Spain with the Dynavolt SIC Junior Racing Team. The series is seen as the spawning ground for up and coming Moto2 riders on the world stage. Besides CEV Moto2, Kasma was riding in the 600cc SuperSport category in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship.
His participation in Moto2 brings the number of Malaysian riders to just two at the moment. But it is the highest class the country’s riders are in. The other rider is Hafizh Syahrin who has since signed up with the Angel Nieto team.
The Volkspod VW Minibike was build as an homage to the VW Beetle Type 1.
The creator took the fenders of VW and placed them over a minibike chassis.
It results in something cute and radical at the same time.
Remember the end of the movie “Cars” when the credits showed the characters in “A Bug’s Life” as Volkswagen Beetles? Well, the Volkspod VW Minibike definitely reminded us of that scene all too well.
The Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 enjoys a cult status shared among vintage car collectors and customisers everywhere. For Brent Walker it was an opportunity to unit both two sides into the VW Mini Bike, which he fondly calls “Volkspod.”
Photo credit yankodesign.com
Brent took the bulbous fender from each end of the car as the bodywork of the minibike. Each piece is equipped with both headlight and taillight, so it’s almost like a complete car when you put two Volkspod together.
There wasn’t much technical detail but the source quoted the engine at 79cc. It looks like one of those found in lawnmowers or gas-powered generators. The engine drives a chain final drive. Brent built a compact steel tube frame around the engine to tie all parts together and support the “bodywork.” There are also footboards and brakes. The creator thoughtfully installed the VW logo on the engine case.
Photo credit yankodesign.com
The result is something cool and a whole lotta cute. Hmm… the green one kinda looks like Mike Wazowski.
Boon Siew Honda announced new colours and stripes for the 2020 Honda Dash 125.
The Dash 125 is economical to own and maintain.
Prices start from RM 5,999.
Boon Siew Honda announced new colours and stripes for the 2020 Honda Dash 125.
The Dash 125 is a great bike to those who want economical and ease of ownership but with a slightly sporty edge. Equipped with a smooth 125cc engine, it may not be the fastest, but it certainly isn’t the slowest out there.
Honda calls the new graphics brings out a more striking appearance and makes the bikes look a lot sportier than a nondescript daily commuter.
There are two new colours, namely Clipper Yellow and Candy Scintillate Red. They join the now restyled Pearl Nightfall Blue. The current Repsol edition continues to be sold alongside, albeit in dual disc brake version only.
New features include LED headlight and new visor atop.
Prices begin from RM 5,999 for the single-disc brake edition for the three colours; RM 6,299 for the double-disc brake variant for the three colours; and RM 6,499 for the Repsol edition (dual disc brakes as standard).
Please visit Honda dealers nationwide or log on to www.boonsiewhonda.com.my for more information. Customers can also call Boon Siew Honda’s toll-free number at 1-800-88-3993.
PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) organised the inaugural Electric Vehicle Fluids Symposium in Turin, Italy recently.
The symposium discussed several issues including the sustainability of e-mobility and climate “challenge.”
Electric vehicles (including motorcycles) do require lubrication in several crucial areas.
PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) organised the inaugural Electric Vehicle Fluids Symposium in Turin, Italy recently.
Perhaps many are unaware, but electric vehicle motors and batteries do require lubrication, especially since the motor can speed up to 15,000 RPM. Hence, lubrication is crucial for cooling the motor, as well as in several areas such as the gear reducer (electric vehicle’s transmission).
These fluids have specific properties compared to the usual engine oil since they are subjected to high voltages and temperatures in places such as the coils. The fluid must protect them from corrosion and prevent short circuits.
Held at their Global Research and Technology (R&T) Centre, the one-day event saw the attendance of more than 120 participants consisting of industry-leading experts from across the world. The participants discussed and featured EV innovations to support a cleaner, energy-efficient and more sustainable e-mobility future. It was also a platform for these experts to share future EV technology trends, respective market relevance and the role of fluids in the evolution of e-transmission and battery technologies.
Additionally, the event aimed to encourage discussions on managing the climate challenge through EV technological developments and operational discipline.
Giuseppe D’Arrigo, PLI CEO & MD
“At PLI, we’ve pledged to double our investments and dedicate 75 per cent of our R&T expenditure in projects that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. PLI’s venture into the EV market that was announced earlier this year through PETRONAS iona range of e-fluids reinforces our commitment to the development and deployment of fluid technology. The EV Fluids Symposium is our next initiative to work together, deliberate possibilities and set a shared agenda towards a cleaner future,” said PLI Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Giuseppe D’Arrigo.
During the symposium, PLI also shared the findings of the industry’s first global study in EV Technology and Fluids focusing on Electric Drive Units and Batteries. The study, carried out in collaboration with FEV Consulting, concluded that innovation is crucial in advancing EV performance and durability, and continued improvement is needed to promote increased adoption rates of electric transportation by consumers.
Commenting on the state of the industry, Electric Vehicle Outlook Founder & Event Host, Roger Atkins said, “Change is a challenge, and with the rapid integration of electric vehicles into the global mobility eco-system, that challenge is being met with unprecedented and active collaboration between OEMs, academia, and the world’s smartest engineering teams. I am encouraged to see the focus and ambition here at the EV Fluids Symposium. The twin imperatives of climate change and air quality can only be tackled by truly maximising the efficiency of our planet’s mobility machines, amongst others.”
Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal, Vice President DOWNSTREAM Marketing PETRONAS and Chairman of PLI
At the PETRONAS Global R&T Centre, attendees enjoyed the opportunity to tour the productdevelopment laboratory and mechanical testing facilities to understand the experimental work that goes into developing PETRONAS e-fluids.
Since the introduction of PETRONAS Carbon Commitments in 2012, the company has decreased its monitored carbon footprint by 13% from 2017, which is a cumulative 12 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions reduction. PETRONAS is also collaborating with Daimler Automotive in green projects towards low-carbon fuel and vehicle emissions control.
More recently, PETRONAS’ efforts towards a sustainable future included the establishment of PETRONAS Carbon Commitments Guidelines and a New Energy unit to enhance capabilities in the renewables sphere.
Source and photographs: PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI)
