Harley-Davidson sold more than 2,500 units of the all-new Pan America 1250 in the USA last year.
The Pan America 1250 was the headline for Harley-Davidson ever since it was launched as a 2021 model.
The adventure bike was the company’s first-ever motorcycle that genuinely deviated from the company’s iconic cruiser lineup.
Not only the Pan America was dubbed as the company’s new future, but the motorcycle also took top honours in America last year.
While it may receive rave reviews in the US, the European press is less excited about the new bike.
Put it this way; we would rather have the BMW R 1250 GS or the Ducati Multistrada V4 in our garage before the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250.
Nonetheless, the sales figure shows that the customers are willing to shift to something new instead of relying on Harley’s typical American cruiser.
While the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 is an exciting bike, we believe that many aspects need some fine-tuning for the motorcycle to catch up against its rival in the segment.
Catch our review on the 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 below:
A proper riding boot will make your riding experience not only safe but comfortable in the long run.
Currently, there are tonnes of riding boots available in the market and choosing the one that suits your riding needs is sometimes a hassle.
If you frequently go for long-distance trips and occasionally take your ADV bike on an off-road adventure, you might want to check out Alpinestars latest RT-8 touring boots.
The multi-purpose boots are Alpinestars latest 2022 riding gear, ideal for those who like subtle aesthetics without compromising safety and comfort.
The new RT-8 touring boots are best suited for adventure riders who seek enhanced comfort while spending long hours on the saddle.
According to the Italian company, the new RT-8 riding boots use microfiber inner liner for added comfort and high-resistance synthetic textiles that offer better protection.
Most importantly, the RT-8 also incorporates a Gore-Tex waterproof and breathable membrane to ensure convenience in all weather and road conditions.
The new Alpinestars RT-8 riding boots are available on the official website for USD339 (RM1.4k).
LiveWire will soon expand its current range of electric motorcycles with the LiveWire Del Mar, joining the already available LiveWire One.
Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz officially said that the first LiveWire S2 middleweight electric motorcycle would roll out in Q2 of 2022.
According to reports, the S2 will pack serious power density and feature an integrated inverter and an onboard charger.
Moreover, it will also utilize LiveWire proprietary and scalable Arrow motor architecture.
Interestingly, LiveWire will also introduce the S3 lightweight two-wheelers soon and share the same but scaled-down version of the Arrow architecture.
The LiveWire S3 will be produced in partnership with Taiwanese scooter manufacturer KYMCO.
While further details remain scarce, the S3 could also be the company first electric scooter.
However, these are just speculation, but the prospect of Harley-Davidson having an e-scooter in the company portfolio would seem preposterous a few years ago.
Nonetheless, all we know for sure is that LiveWire has partnered with KYMCO in the development of the S3 lightweight motorcycle.
Pierer Mobility AG recent investor presentation reveals the company is currently working on an all-electric motorcycle.
Dubbed the KTM E-Duke, the electric motorcycle is similar to Husqvarna’s E-Pilen Concept unveiled in April last year.
According to reports, the KTM E-Duke will share the same powertrain as the E-Pilen, consisting of the 10kW electric motor and a 5.5kWh fixed lithium-ion battery.
The KTM E-Duke will also share the same platform with the E-Pilen, including a similar claimed range of 100km.
However, the presentation also revealed that the KTM E-Duke would not feature a swappable battery pack even though the company had signed the swappable battery consortium with Honda, Piaggio and Yamaha last year.
Meanwhile, the E-Duke is slated for launch in 2023 alongside the E-Pilen.
Nevertheless, while the E-Duke and E-Pilen offer an entirely different design, we expect the two models to feature the same chassis, specifications, and electronic components, just like the Vitpilen/Svartpilen are based on KTM’s Duke range.
Yamaha might just be bringing the all-new R9 soon as the firm has filed European type-approval documents for two unreleased machines under the code name “RN82” and “RN83”.
The documents did not reveal much, but a deeper investigation into the code name might uncover some interesting aspects regarding the Japanese firm new motorcycle.
Like other manufacturers, Yamaha also uses designated code names to reflect the bike’s range.
In this case, the first letter “R” refers to a street model (“V” for cruiser and “D” for adventure bike) while the second letter, “N” indicates that the motorcycle is between 750cc to 1,000cc.
If the second letter is “M”, the bike is between 600cc to 750cc, while “P” means a capacity of 1,000cc and above.
Understanding how the code name works, Yamaha currently has two engines in the “N” capacity, the 889cc CP3 engine (from the new MT-09, Tracer 9 GT and XSR900) and the 998cc CP4 (MT-10 and R1).
While we are still unsure which engine is set to be used on the RN82 and RN83, there were previously clear indications that Yamaha is set to be unveiled new bikes based on the CP3 engine.
Moreover, considering that Yamaha already trademarked the R9 name in Europe last year, it is a clear signal that a full-fairing version of the MT-09 is on its way.
Meanwhile, the other model could be the newly updated three-wheeled Niken.
The Niken is currently the last remaining Yamaha triple to use the original 847cc CP3 engine, and the bike needs the new 889cc to meet the latest Euro 5 emission rules.
Since Yamaha’s already submitted the two new bikes for type approval, it won’t be long until we find out about the two mystery bikes.
The 2021 FIM MiniGP World Series was a success, with Spain’s Izan Rodriguez Alvarez emerging as the world champion at the final MotoGP round in Valencia.
The championship is a part of an effort to grow future MotoGP riders and a race endorsed by FIM and MotoGP organizing body, Dorna Sports.
Unfortunately, it might seem that someone else has already held the MiniGP trademark since 2008.
Ryan Fleming founded the NJminiGP race organization back in 2008, proving that he holds the right to the MiniGP name.
“We have spent over a decade working to build a program that this sport is in dire need of,” Fleming explained.
“We have worked to create a sustainable instructional and developmental program that supplies top talent for the highest level of motorcycle racing.
“We have franchised this product up and down the East Coast successfully. Our name is everything that we are. We can’t lose our name.
“It’s who we are,” he said.
Moreover, the MotoAmerica Mini Cup series also goes by FIM MiniGP North America Championship; hence Fleming believed that Dorna is infringing the MiniGP name that belongs to him.
According to Fleming, he argues that the confusion could negatively impact his business despite the FIM-sanctioned race requiring Ohvale race bike while his NJminiGP rules include various bikes and models.
Despite the huge claims by Fleming, Dorna has yet to respond to the matter.
Triumph Motorcycles has officially unveiled the TE-1 electric motorcycle prototype, marking the company first step into an electrifying future.
You are no longer looking at a mockup drawing; instead, the beast in the photo is a fully working and operational prototype of Triumph’s first electric motorcycle.
While Triumph might apply changes in the coming months, other major components, including the attractive single-sided swingarm and exposed frame, will remain.
The completion of the project also marks the end of the collaboration between Triumph, Williams Advanced Engineering, Integral Powertrain Ltd, and WMG at the University of Warwick, funded by the Office for Zero-Emission Vehicles.
The TE-1 combines the industry’s various innovations with Triumph leading the pack with:
frame and rear-subframe
panels and wheels
final drive system including transmission
Gates Carbon belt drive,
Ohlins USD cartridge forks,
Ohlins RSU,
Brembo M50 monobloc callipers
Triumph Motorcycle control software
Meanwhile, Integral Powertrain Ltd provides the final powertrain with a scalable integrated inverter and combined motor with silicon carbide switching technology and integrated cooling.
WMG, on the other hand, ensure the project is on course to deliver the intended performance and durability.
According to Triumph official statement, the test result also exceeded the benchmark set by the UK Automotive Council for 2025.
The main objective behind Triumph’s TE-1 project is to develop a competent electric motorcycle that will become the company’s pillar in electrifying the future and subsequently enhance the credibility of British industry and design.
Triumph expected the test to be fully complete in the summer.
KTM will soon unveil its third generation of the parallel-twin Adventure model soon after the redesign KTM 890 Adventure recently spotted testing.
First came out as the 790 Adventure in 2019, KTM later spawned the higher-spec 790 Adventure R the following year.
The Austrian firm later replaced the 790 with the up-engined 890 Adventure and 890 Adventure R in 2021, maintaining the same original styling.
However, the 890 Adventure will finally get the design update it deserved for 2023, as confirmed by the latest spy shot photos.
The photos have also confirmed that KTM is adding a road-biased version that will sit alongside the standard 890 Adventure and 890 Adventure R.
While the styling looks similar, the new model has side panels that connect the nose to the distinctive fuel tank with two side-mounted tank sections that go all the way down on the flanks.
On the new 890 Adventure, the bash plate looks more significant with a combination of plastic and alloy that extends around the front to protect the exhaust, while the R variant gets an all aluminium bash plate.
KTM retains the same headlamp design on the 2023 model but with a redesigned windshield that extends to the side and upward.
We assume that the road-biased 890 Adventure will feature a lower windscreen than the standard R model.
The base model also retains the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel but gains the same high-mounted fender that was previously reserved for the R variant.
According to reports, the road-biased 890 Adventure allows the standard model to gain a more off-road look, previously available only on the R model.
The new variant will also get the same WP Apex suspension treatment as the base model, while the R model has a higher-spec WP Xplor kit.
Nonetheless, all three ranges will continue to use the same LC8 890cc parallel-twin engine instead of the widely rumoured 990cc.
The new engine will likely appear first on a newly designed 990 Duke that is already caught doing some testing in Europe.
I never had the honour of meeting him, but the heart always sinks when anyone loses their life in such a manner. My condolences go out to his family and friends.
Theories are abundant as to what caused the crash, we will never know for sure and I am not about to speculate.
A couple of weeks before that, an industry colleague of mine reported not remembering some of the last few kilometres in a recent 1,000km in 24 hours challenge organised by a local motorcycle brand.
It freaked him to his bone how he was able to take corners.
“I seriously don’t remember the ride past the Sungai Buloh Jejantas,” said the friend who I shall not name.
But this is not a new phenomena. In fact it affects many drivers and riders.
Not remembering the last kilometres is part of something called micro-sleep. And it is one of the most dangerous things a biker can experience without realising it.
According to The Sleep Foundation, micro-sleep “refers to very short periods of sleep that can be measured in seconds, rather than minutes or hours.”
A report on micro-sleep by the BBC cited a statistic published by a UK based road safety charity called Brake.
According to that report, 1,000 drivers were interviewed, and of that 45% of men admitted to experiencing micro-sleep while driving, as did 22% of women.
Micro-sleep is something many of us would have experienced but most likely do not remember.
It is a result of late nights, stress and anything that causes sleep deprivation.
And how would you know if you have experienced micro-sleep?
“You’re asleep for a few seconds, then wake up, often with a jolt.”
Many of us have experienced a sudden head jerk, and that is how you know that you have experienced micro-sleep.
But why don’t you remember it?
Professor Horne, who has studied driver tiredness for 10 years, says that for the brain to remember you just had a nap, sleep has to last beyond a minute or two.
“With micro-sleep, you are just left with a feeling of not knowing if you are coming or going.”
But that is not an excuse for any sort of dangerous driving or riding, since you will feel sleepy way before micro-sleep kicks in.
So the best thing to do is to park and freshen up, then get on your way again.
With the governments around the world talking about reopening borders again, it is only a matter of time before we get on our bikes for long distance riding again.
The next time you are riding and feel sleepy, remember this article and take a break.
Switzerland might be home to beautiful roads but the country is notorious for its crackdown on speeding motorcycles and cars on public roads.
Back in 2010, a driver was slammed with a USD1 million fine after he was caught speeding at 290km/h, which was 170km/h over the speed limit. The fine was a record at the time.
In Switzerland, speeding fines are calculated based on the seriousness of the offence and the offender’s wealth, and considering the driver did it with his Mercedes SLS AMG, a 1M dollar fine was deemed relevant.
However, according to a report by Motorrad, the national legislators are considering changing the current fines on speeding vehicles.
If the changes do apply, it could well have a significant impact on riders across Europe.
On another note, Switzerland is also considering its ongoing motorsport ban since 1955.
The country imposed a ban on motorsport racing ever since a single worst crash in motorsport history occurred at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
During the catastrophic event, Mercedes driver Pierre Leveh and 84 spectators were killed, and in the wake of the incident, Switzerland decided to ban motorsport racing until today.
But since then, a larger portion of the world’s population have been fully vaccinated and boosted as well.
This willingness of Thailand to re-open its borders to Malaysia and China comes a week after it reinstated its “Test & Go” travel project for all vaccinated travellers with Covid insurance. There is no need to quarantine.
However, Thailand is also facing a resurgence in Covid cases with the country recording 10,000 cases this past Sunday – the highest number in three months.
We look forward to riding in Thailand again, but we urge caution as well.
KTM begins its ‘Midweight NAKED February’ by unveiling the 2022 890 Duke R.
The new model year comes with an all-new Atlantic Blue base colour, lifted directly from the KTM 1290 Super Duke R.
The colour is also reminiscent of the palate used on the KTM RC16 MotoGP bike.
Nevertheless, the signature orange frame continues to offer a weird yet perfect contrast of colours, which only KTM can deliver.
First introduced in 2020, the KTM 890 Duke R continue to be the undisputed champion of the middleweight naked bike category.
Underneath the new paint job sits the famous 890cc parallel-twin engine that boasts an impressive 121hp and 99Nm.
The KTM 890 Duke R remains a no-nonsense middleweight naked bike, equally capable of tackling twisty corners on normal roads as it is on the racetrack.
Dubbed The Super Scalpel due to its lightning-fast steering geometry, the KTM 890 Duke R continue to feature a tubular steel chassis and adjustable WP Apex suspension.
The 890 Duke R is equipped with Brembo Stylema callipers, 320mm front disc, and adjustable Brembo MCS master cylinder to counteract the enormous power.
Meanwhile, the 890 Duke R also comes with Michelin Power Cup 2 tyres that ensure a reliable grip on every asphalt surface.
The 890 Duke R also features a host of electronics wizardly, which includes:
Cornering ABS
Cornering MTC (traction control)
6D lean-angle sensor (roll, pitch & yaw)
Riding mode (Rain/Street/Sport and Track)
9-levels adjustable traction control slop
anti-wheelie
throttle control settings
As always, a full range of KTM PowerParts has been developed to allow owners to personalize the 890 Duke R accordingly.
According to KTM, the 2022 890 Duke R will soon find its way to the dealership worldwide.
