Yamaha has announced that it is recalling all 2015 YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M bikes sold so far in the US, UK and Canada to replace the gearbox following a number of failures on the new model.
It is said that there have been a small number of second gear ratio failures on racing and track bikes under extreme load and with mistimed gear-changes, which have led to the gearboxes seizing.
While Yamaha UK hasn’t explained what is happening in detail to owners, Yamaha USA has sent out letters with the necessary details to owners, explaining what the problem was and what needed to be repaired.
“In affected motorcycles, both second gear wheel and pinion gears in the transmission may break as a result of extremely high stress and/or improper shifting. This is due to inadequate component strength and stress concentration at the gear teeth bottom land. In addition, the third and fourth wheel gears may be deformed or break as a result of excessive stress caused by hard usage.
This is due to inadequate component strength. If gears fail, the transmission could lock up, causing loss of control that could result in a crash with injury or death,” said the letter.
BMW Motorrad rocked the motorcycling world when it finally decided to go big by going down-market. The firm has a strong foothold in the large-capacity segments already, so perhaps the creation of the all-new BMW G310R was inevitable.
It may be small, BMW has set its sights for world domination with its newest model. The firm recently released a promotional video that details some of the bike’s special traits and features in better.
If you didn’t know, the BMW G310R is the fruit of the German powerhouse’s partnership with India’s leading bike manufacturer, TVS. It comes powered using a newly developed 313cc single-cylinder engine with a claimed output of 34hp to propel a claimed unladen weight of 158.5kg (more details in our launch story).
Taking a few notes from Austrian rivals KTM, the BMW G310R is being mass-produced in India. The effort should see the baby beemer being priced similarly to its Austrian segment rival (read KTM 390 Duke). Suffice to say, this is one bike we are anxiously waiting for in 2016.
It seems that the cash flow injection by new shareholders Mercedes-AMG have done wonders for the MV Agusta brand. MV Agusta looks set to end the year on a high note after it recorded a 30% increase of its sales for 2015.
The firm reportedly sold up to 9,000 units worldwide this year, with much of the brand’s growth recorded outside of its Italian home market. The brand’s performance in its home market remain rather flat with a0.1% decrease this year compared to 2014, but elsewhere, the MV brand is thriving to say the least. One key market for the brand is the UK where it recorded a staggering 140% increase compared to 2014.
MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso 800
The firm states that revenue is up by 30% for 2015, which means it is enjoying larger-than-average contribution margin of 40%. Much of this is contributed by strong sales performance of several premium models, notably the likes of the Tursimo Veloce and Dragster RR.
MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800 RR
However, it is worth noting that MV Agusta did not unveil a new-for-2016 model during the recent EICMA 2015 show. Whether the brand is able to retain this momentum next year without a substantially new model remains to be seen.
Once again, KL Bike Week returns for its 2015 edition. Organisers Red Garage Malaysia is hosting the annual two-wheeled soiree in the grounds of Lanai MaTIC off Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. The two-day event starts today and will run until tomorrow (Dec 19).
Image courtesy of Red Garage Malaysia
This year, KL Bike Week 2015 organisers have arranged with city officials to have parts of Jalan Ampang leading towards the event grounds closed the hopes of making things easier for bikers coming in and out. Worry not as you can still visit the event by taking a train to either KLCC or Dang Wangi as both stations are just 10-minute walks from Lanai MaTIC. You can refer to the map we’ve attached below.
Another key highlight of the event this year besides the mass show of all things two wheeled are the presence of several local bands tasked at providing the event’s soundtrack from its main stage. Of course, the main highlight of the roster this year is none other than legendary local rock band Wings who will headline the stage on Saturday evening.
We took a tour in the early hours of the event earlier today to see what you can expect from KL Bike Week 2015 (#KLBW2015).
First of all, you’ll see plenty of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Much of the local Malaysian Harley-Davidson owners community will be present in full force.
KL Bike Week is also a mecca for many custom bike owners and enthusiasts. You’ll see them at every corner and perhaps resting under a tree like this threesome.
KL Bike Week is also the perfect place to hunt for bargains. Plenty of vendors are present here offering various things from souvenirs to apparels, as well as various bike parts, riding gear, not to mention services as well such as on-site bike detailing.
The amount of kits on sale are impressive too, and would please just about any DIY biker buff. What caught our attention today was this, the VOLO Advance Braking Indication system.
However, should you fancy some of the finer things the two-wheeled world can offer, you can also indulge in artisan crafts. This selection of custom-made helmets and wood paintings made by Indonesian bike artisans Riders Rules are one example.
Should you be the type who’s always carrying a cheque book in your pocket with a finer taste for bikes, then you might just find yourself oogling over some rarities up for sale by specialist importers present. We absolutely love this Ducati Paul Smart we found on display by specialist importers Sri Changgong Sdn Bhd.
Besides that, Sri Changgong’s collection also includes a range of classic Japanese GP-derived two-stroke sports bikes. The Yamaha RZV 500R and the two TZRs next to it have indeed reignited our love for two-strokers.
Sadly though, some bikes you’ll see on the grounds of KL Bike Week 2015 aren’t for sale, like this rare Honda NM4 Vultus maxi-scooter. Yes, you read that right, this blacked-out thing is a SCOOTER. And beleive it or not, it is taking all the limelight away from the blacked-out MV Agusta parked next to it.
Of course, KL Bike Week isn’t all about two-wheels. There are plenty of independent food vendors and stalls or gerai with a rich selection of F&B. Even bikers need to fuel up too, and so should you.
Our visit during the early hours today was short, so no sights of massive biker groups mingling around just yet. But this bloke walking around with a fiesty-looking parrot on his shoulder was interesting to say the least.
Also making an appearance is the 1Malaysia custom cruiser built by the famed Orange County Choppers. Was this budgeted using the hotly contested RM2.6 billion? Hmmm…
Got the need for speed? Well then, let BikesRepublic.com and Shell Advance remedy that for you virtually! Yes, we are present this year together with our partners Shell Advance Malaysia and you can win exclusive prizes in our simulator tournament just by visiting our booth!
So? What are you waiting for? Come on down tonight and experience some of the best of Malaysian motorcycling at its finest!
Uncertain about his future in the WSBK World Superbike Championship, rider Leon Haslam is all set to make a return to the MCE British Superbike championship in 2016.
Sources say that the 32-year-old will be teaming up with JG Speedfit Kawasaki, and will ride alongside James Ellison and Peter Hickman.
It is said that this will be the first Haslam will be riding a Kawasaki machinery in his career. And with a brand new bike closely developed with the factory team of Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes, it could be the chance that Haslam needs to finally bury his demons in the domestic series.
Although no official announcements have been made, Haslam did mention that he was looking at BSB options, and that interesting offers have already been made by certain parties.
Two of motorcycling’s biggest and leading apparels brands are tangled in a legal battle over a groundbreaking piece of safety technology. The two are none other than Alpinestars and Dainese, and the tech in question are their respective Tech Air and D-Air airbag technologies. (more…)
Red Garage Malaysia, the organisers of the KL Bike Week 2015, have announced that a part of Jalan Ampang, adjacent to the Malaysia Tourist Centre (MaTic) will be closed on the 19th of December (Saturday) from 10am to 10pm to make way for visitors and participating bikers making their way in and out of the event.
The KL Bike Week 2015, which will be held at The Lanai, Malaysia Tourist Centre (MaTic), will take place on this Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19.
KL Bike Week 2013
Set to feature an array of activities such as a custom bike show, classic bike show, custom helmet painting contest, live music performances, burnout competitions, and many more, the event is expected to attract thousands of bikers from not only Malaysia, but also other countries in the Asia Pacific region.
For more information, visit Red Garage Malaysia’s official Facebook page.
Less than a year after Kawasaki launched its first ever scooter (the J300), the brand has unveiled its second scooter – the J125 in Spain earlier this week.
Powered by an all-new water-cooled single cylinder 125cc four-stroke engine which produces a claimed 14bhp and 11.5Nm of torque, the J125 weighs 182kg and competes directly with models like the Suzuki Burgman and Yamaha X-Max 125.
Inspired by the J300, the J125 looks quite similar to its bigger sibling, and comes with under-seat storage big enough for a single full face helmet and A4 briefcase.
It is said that the scooter also comes with a small glove box at the front which has a 12v power outlet.
According to Kawasaki, ABS and an anti-temper anti-theft ignition switch is offered as standard.
All set to make its UK debut in January 2016, there has not been any official announcement on whether the J125 will be introduced here in Malaysia.
As far as classic bikes go, no other name carries its weight in gold as much as the famed Brough Superior marque. Famed for hand-building motorcycles, sidecars and motor cars for the wealthy elite from 1919 to 1940, the British marque’s motorcycles were dubbed by many as the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles in its heyday.
Founder George Brough, who was a famed British motorcycle racer, had a clientele list that many would envy as it included the likes of Lawrence of Arabia and George Bernard Shaw. In its 21-year history, Brough Superior successfully developed 19 bike models and produced 3,048 units before operations ceased, but reports suggest that only less than a third of those still exists in the hands of collectors today. However, a recent barn find in a village on Bodmin Moor, England, is about to increase that number, albeit slightly.
Dubbed the ‘Broughs of Bodmin Moor’ collection, a series vintage motorcycles were found partly buried under dust and machinery. At least three complete bikes were found including a rare four-cylinder version of the Brough Superior – one of only eight known to be built and the last to be accounted for. Also in the mix was an ultra-rare Brough Superior 750cc BS4 that features a peculiar twin rear wheel layout.
Experts have stated that this is perhaps the greatest motorcycle discoveries of recent times as their existence was thought to be mythical prior to being found. Adding to that is the fact that this could also be the last un-restored collection of Brough Superior motorcycles to be found.
With that in mind, it is easy to see how the ‘Broughs of Bodmin Moor’ collection was given an estimated value of £340,000 in its entirety – that’s roughly RM2.2 million. Leading this is the twin rear wheel model, which has been valued between £80,000 and £120,000 (approx. RM518,000 – RM777,000). Besides its rare layout, this particular bike’s value skyrocketed thanks to the fact that it once belonged to Hubert Chantrey, a friend of George Brough.
The collection is expected to meet its £340,000 estimated total value when each bike goes under the hammer with specialist auction house Bonhams April next year. Additionally, you can view the complete collection and details in this press release issued by the auction house online.
Scramblers have been all the rage lately, and believe it or not, even Ural is in on the action.
Presented at the recent EICMA show in Milan, Ural has fitted knobblies to its anachronistic Ranger sidecar outfit, renaming it ‘Scrambler’ and has given the bike a grey-and-yellow paint scheme.
The company mentioned that it plans to sell only 20 of them in by end of 2016.
It is said that since it’s based on the Ranger, it’s two wheel drive (the sidecar wheel is driven as well as the bike’s rear wheel), it has more off-road credentials than a lot of the other recent ‘scrambler’ launches, and the hefty tubular steel nudge bars around the side car mean it can probably stand up to some beating, even if the weight of them isn’t likely to help performance much.
For those of you who are wondering if this news is any relevant to our market, Ural is expected to make its presence known in Malaysia very soon, so, stay tuned for more updates.
Having unveiled the Ignition concept at last month’s EICMA show in Milan, Victory Motorcycles revealed another concept yesterday, called the Combustion concept at the ongoing New York International Motorcycle Show.
Powered by the brand’s Project 156 liquid-cooled 1200cc 60-degree V-Twin engine and chassis just like the Ignition concept, the Combustion was built by Zach Ness of Victory’s long time collaborators, Arlen Ness Motorcycles.
Looking quite close to being production-ready, the Combustion is said to have taken inspiration from muscle cars with a focus on high horsepower and low weight.
According to Victory, the Combustion uses the same rear suspension and swingarm as the Ignition, but the former’s fork is less beefy and not inverted like the previous concept’s front suspension.
Custom features included knurled grips, Wright spoke wheels with billet hubs and rims, custom-painted Brembo radial calipers and beveled brake rotors.
Gary Gray, Victory’s product director said, “This new engine offers the most versatility in American motorcycling. Both of the concepts – Ignition and Combustion, are intended to show what this motor is capable of in very distinct, visual forms. While the bikes are different, the powertrain is capable of delivering the performance in both cases.”
Victory says that the Combustion is its final 1200cc concept, following the Ignition and the Project 156 bike that raced at Pikes Peak.
Malaysian automotive conglomerate Naza World Group of Companies marked a major milestone this weekend when it announced the launch of Ducati Cambodia.
Not only a milestone for Ducati as it marks its debut into the Cambodian market, the launch also marks Naza World’s second success with its ASEAN region business expansion after Vietnam. This is also perhaps a follow up to the firm’s previously announced entry into the ASEAN nation with its Naza Bikes brand.
Ducati Cambodia operates out of its newly opened flagship showroom, dubbed Ducati Phnom Penh, located in the heart of Phnom Penh city at No 96, St 110, Russian Boulevard, Sangkat Teok Laak 1, Khan Toul Kork.
Measuring 2,700 square feet, the showroom is fully primed with Ducati’s modern service facilities complete with the brand’s special tools, diagnostic equipments and original spare parts as well. 18 full-time and fully trained employees are tasked at manning the centre, promising the same high standards of sales and after-sales services that the brand is known globally for.
File Photo: Scrambler Ducati @ Thai Motor Expo 2014
In conjunction with the brand’s entry and new centre launch, Ducati Cambodia also marked the launch of the Scrambler Ducati range as well. All four variants, which being the Scrambler Icon, Scrambler Classic, Scrambler Urban Enduro and the Scrambler Full Throttle, were introduced into the Cambodian market with the launch of the Ducati Cambodia.
