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Futuristic Looking Yamaha Augur 155 Rolls Out In Taiwan – 14.7hp, 13.8Nm

Yamaha released an all-new scooter specific to the Taiwanese market called the Augur.

Yamaha Augur is the latest compact scooter to be made available in Taiwan.
Features the tried-and-test Yamaha’s 155cc single-cylinder engine with VVA.

At a glance, the 155cc scooter is the most futuristic-looking model manufactured by the Japanese manufacturer in recent years.

Interestingly, the Augur 155 also packs some tasty features, including a 4.3-inch TFT instrument display with smartphone connectivity, traction control and ABS.

However, the centrepiece has to be its radical design, highlighted by its angular section, creating a never-before-seen aesthetic.

At the front, the Augur gets an arrow shape headlamp that also features the nifty Y-LLA (Yamaha Lean Light Assist) or cornering lights.

What’s more extraordinary is that the user can change the LED headlight colour from bright white to warm white depending on weather conditions.

Despite the modern touch, Yamaha still retains the typical scooter functionality, including a wide saddle for comfortable riding, a flat floorboard and ample under-seat storage.

Powering the Augur is the same 155cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, and fuel-injected engine found in the NMax 155 and NVX 155.

Ducati Celebrates Double World Titles With Special Edition Panigale V4

Ducati ended the 2022 season of two-wheel racing on a high, taking home the MotoGP world title with Francesco Bagnaia and WorldSBK championship with Alvaro Bautista.

Ducati introduced two special series of the Ducati Panigale V4 to celebrate Bagnaia and Bautista world championship title at MotoGP and WorldSBK.
Only 260 unit (each bikes) will be available.

To celebrate the double victory, the Borgo Panigale outfit has created two special series of Panigale V4 bikes that was inspired by the Desmosedici GP and Panigale V4 R.

The special built motorcycle was showcased at the ‘Campioni in Piazaa’, an event that celebrates Ducati historic double win.

*Panigale V4 2022 Bagnaia World Champion Replica

According to Ducati, the two special series is made based on the Panigale V4 S and features the liveries of Bagnaia’s MotoGP bike and Bautista’s WorldSBK machine. The two bikes will also features Bagnaia and Bautista signatures.

Also, each of the motorcycle is only available for a limited run of 260 units, in honour of 1926, the year Ducati was founded.

*Panigale V4 2022 Bautista World Champion Replica

Similar to the race bike, the Panigale V4 2022 World Champion Replica comes in an only single-seat configuration and is equipped with a billet aluminium upper clamp with laser engraving that showcased the model name and progressive number.

In addition, both motorcycle is fitted with a range of goodies including nine-disc STM-EVO SBK dry clutch, Akrapovic silencer, Brembo Stylema brake callipers with Brembo MCS, Rizome billet aluminium adjustable footpegs and racing plexiglass.

Other notable features available on both of these bikes include:

carbon fiber exhaust manifold heat sheild
carbon fiber alternator cover
carbon fiber front and rear fenders
carbon fiber front brake ducts

According to Ducati, each bike will be handed to its respective customers in a packing case with dedicated graphics and a certificate of authenticity.

Voge Valico 525 DSX Adventure Motorcycle Lands In Europe

After successfully penetrating the European market with a beginner-friendly naked and neo retro motorcycle, Voge, a premium sub-brand of Chinese motorcycle manufactuer, Loncin, now breached out to middleweight capacity adventure bike, with the all-new Valico 525 DSX.

Voge Valico 525 DSX is an A2-compliant adventure motorcycle.
The Valico 525 DSX will go up against Honda’ CB500X and Benelli’s TRK 502 X.

The Valico 525 DSX features a 494cc parallel-twin with liquid-coole and fuel-injected engine that makes 47hp on tap, similar to the Honda CB500X.

That said, the Valico 525 DSX is designed as a A2-compliant motorcycle making it a suitable option for younger riders.

Similar to modern day ADV machine, the Voge Valico 525 DSX is fitted with inverted front forks with long-travel suspension at the front and adjustable monoshock at the rear.

However, while the rest of its competitors features alloy wheels, the Valico 525 DSX gets tubeless wire-spoke wheels measuring 19-inch front and 17-inch at the back.

In addition, the motorcycle also equipped with traction control and ABS – which can be switched off for off-road riding – selectable Eco and Sport mode and a full colour 7-inch TFT display with built-in navigation system.

This inadvertently puts the Voge Valico 525 DSX as a strong contender in the 500cc category, going up against the CB500X and Benelli TKR 502 X.

Triumph Motorcycles Announced Plans For The SuperMotocross World Championship

Triumph Motorcycles officially get things rolling with its motocross and supercross programme after announcing the team personnel involved in the factory team.

Triumph announced lineup for US factory racing programme.
Booby Hewitt and Steve Westfall to lead the Triumph motocross and supercross programme.

The British manufacturer announced their MXGP World Championship plans back in October, where they will compete in the 2024 season.

In a latest development, Triumph has lineup established names from MXGP history, including Bobby Hewitt as team principal.

Hewitt previously managed the Rockstar Husqvarna team that won the regional and national championship indoor and out including 250MX, 450MX and 450SX.

Also in the lineup is Steve Westfall, who is named as the factory team manager alongside Dave Arnold – former HRC team manager back in the 80s – who will take charge the chassis development.

Triumph also recruited Dudley Cramond who has worked on GP projects including with Honda and Aprilia to lead the powertrain development.

“I have no doubt, knowing the experience and capability shared between our dedicated in-house design and engineering teams, and Bobby’s hand selected team of racing experts, that this partnership will make an indelible mark on the history of this incredible sport and Triumph’s illustrious brand,” said Nick Bloor, CEO of Triumph Motorcycles.

That being said, Triumph is yet to reveal the race bike to take on the 250SX, 250MX and MX2 World Championship classes, but since the competition is one year away there’s still time for development.

One way or another, a competition ready machine will make its debut soon thanks to a fully committed and experienced recruitment.

Motori Minarelli Successfully Builds A Euro5 Compliant Two-Stroke Engine

Motori Minarelli made headlines at EICMA in Milan last month as the Italian motorcycle company unveiled an all-new two-stroke engine that meets the Euro5 homologation.

Motori Minarelli developed an all-new 300cc two-stroke engine that meets the latest emission standard.
The engine is build based on Yamaha’s 250cc two-stroke engine.

The engine is a single-cylinder 300cc unit designed and developed in-house based on the Yamaha YZ250 enduro engine and will soon make its way to the upcoming Fantic XE300 enduro machine.

The XE300 is expected to hit the European market sometime in the summer of 2023.

However, while the XE300 is still an off-road focused motorcycle, the engine could find its way to the street bike thanks to meeting the strict Euro5 emission standard.

That begs the question, how did Minarelli achieve this?

First and foremost, the engine features electronic fuel injection, an electric start, and an exhaust valve to optimise low and mid-range performance.

The engine also features a decompression system that helps to reduce mechanical momentum at start-up, allowing the bike to restart easily after a stall.

However, the fact that Minarelli managed to acquire Euro5 homologation means that there is a complex technology underneath the engine case.

As such, the engine might pump out less than 50hp than the rest of its two-stroke buddies in the same segment, but we can expect a smoother power delivery up the rev range.

One thing for sure, this could mark the return of street-legal two-stroke motorcycle in the future.

2023 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Gets Reworked Navigation And New Colour

The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S gets new updated visuals and reworked navigation for 2023.

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is the Austrian firm most potent adventure bike.
Features a big V-Twin engine capable of producing 160hp.

That said, the 2023 1290 Super Adventure S gets extra refinement for the new year including a revised aluminium subframe to allow seat height adjustability.

KTM also updated the navigation software with a new ‘Turn-by-Turn’ system.

In addition, the 2023 1290 Super Adventure S can also be upgraded with KTM’s Quickshifter+ and WP Suspension Pro.

Also, the 1290 Super Adventure S gets new colour options including an orange and black colour scheme and graded grey.

Powering the 2023 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is the Euro5 V-Twin LC8 engine capable of pumping 160hp and 138Nm of peak torque.

2023 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S key features:

turn-by-turn navigation system
lightweight ChroMo stainless steel chassis
WP Semi-Active Suspension
Bosch 6D sensor
radar-assist Adaptive Cruise Control

According to KTM, the 2023 1290 Super Adventure S will be available from January 2023 onwards.

Upcoming MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 9.5 Specs Revealed – 124hp, 102Nm

MV Agusta revival of the Cagiva Elefant 900 is set to roll out soon with the introduction of the Lucky Explorer 9.5.

MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 9.5 is the brand maiden adventure capable motorcycle.
Features an all-new 931cc three cylinder engine.

The Italian company first announced their Lucky Explorer project at 2021 EICMA and at the time no further details were revealed to the public.

However, with the official launch inching closer, MV Agusta was kind enough to share the specs.

Firstly, the Lucky Explorer 9.5 boast a 931cc three-cylinder engine that is derived from the 800cc mill found in the F3 800.

The 57kg engine churns out 124hp and 102Nm with a claimed max speed of 240kph.

MV Agusta also redesigned the crankshaft to improved handling by reducing the inertia.

Although efforts were taken to reduced the engine weight, the Lucky Explorer 9.5 is heavy, tipping the scale at 220kg (dry) and with a 20L fuel tank, expect the weight to bump up tremendously.

Nevertheless, stopping power comes in the form of a four-piston Brembo Stylema callipers with dual 320mm front disc and single 220mm rear disc. On top of that, the bike’s is also equipped with ABS.

Meanwhile, the engine is suspended by a double-beam steel frame design with a bolt-on cradle and a steel trellis subframe.

At the front, the bike is fitted with a 21-inch wire-spoked wheels connected to the frame via a 48mm Sachs USD telescopic forks with 220mm of travel while the rear gets an 18-inch wheels connected to single-sided aluminium swingarm and Sachs monoshock.

Other notable features include:

7-inch TFT display
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity
cruise control
launch control
eight-level traction control
GPS sensor
built-in immobiliser
full LED lighting

We expect MV Agusta to officially launch the Lucky Explorer 9.5 alongside the 5.5 early next year.

CONFIRMED: Didi Automotive Announced As New Triumph Distribution Partner In Malaysia

Didi Automotive has been announced as the new distribution partner for Triumph Motorcycles for the Malaysian market, effective from January 15, 2023.

Didi Automtive takes over Triumph Motorcycles distributorship.
New Triumph showroom facility will be set up in Petaling Jaya and Penang.

That said, Didi Automotive will manage the importation, sales and distribution of Triumph Motorcycles including expanding the British brand in the market.

Ensuring the brand will continue to grow, Didi Automotive will set up a new Triumph showroom in Petaling Jaya and Penang that offers state-of-the-art facilities, trained personnel and top quality Service, After Sales and Customer Care.

However, since the previous Triumph distributor has set the bar high, it’ll be a daunting task for Didi Automotive to established the same or better customer experience.

“Didi Group is glad to be entrusted with the representation of Triumph in Malaysia and we will do our upmost to deliver the best ownership lifestyle experience for existing and new owners in accordance with the Triumph standard with a local touch.

“At Didi, we believe in creating mobility lifestyle solutions beyond just selling and servicing motorcycles. We look forward to connecting with you digitally and inviting you to the doors of our new refresh network soon,” said Rewi Hamid Bugo, Chairman Didi Group Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Paul Stroud –Chief Commercial Officer, Triumph Motorcycles Ltd, United Kingdom is pleased with the new partnership with Didi Automotive.

““We are extremely pleased to be entering into partnership with Didi Automotive in Malaysia. This step will enable the Triumph brand to be even more accessible to motorcycle fans, and we look forward to welcoming more fans and customers in Malaysia to the Triumph brand,” he said.

Honda Working On Electric Racing Motorcycles

Honda recently revealed its Honda Racing Corporation plans for the upcoming 2023 season, including motorcycle and automotive racing series.

Honda actively developing electric motorcycles for racing.
Honda announced new motorsport plans for 2023.

Honda also announced its motor racing lineup for 2023, including MotoGP, WorldSBK and WorldSSP.

However, the announcement also revealed that the Japanese marquee is developing electric motorcycles for racing.

According to Honda director and senior managing executive officer Shinji Aoyama, the firm is pursuing a new mission in the motorsport arena.

“In the meantime, Honda has another critical mission to pursue in the area of motorsports.

“It is the realization of carbon neutrality. Honda has already been conducting research and development of technologies for carbon neutrality while proactively leveraging the field of motorsports.

“From now onward, we will further enhance our initiatives to put such technologies into practical use in our racing activities.

“Moreover, starting with motorcycles, we will explore possibilities of introducing electrified vehicles in actual races where we compete,” he explained.

Shinji’s speech certainly builds excitement around Honda’s electric motorcycle project. Furthermore, an electric racing motorcycle certainly means developing a powerful electric motor which could be applied to the firm’s future production of electric two-wheelers.

That said, we’re looking forward to Honda’s maiden electric race bike.

MBP T125 Dual-Sport Motorcycle Rolls Out In Europe

Starting on a 125cc motorcycle is the best way to kick-start your two-wheel journey, especially in Europe.

MBP latest T125 dual-sport motorcycle arrived in Europe.
The T125 is built specifically for A1 license holder.

That said, a dual-sport motorcycle is very popular among new and young riders as they allow you to enjoy riding beyond the paved roads.

Understanding the growing demand for small, lightweight motorcycles, MBP brings us the all-new T125 dual-sport machine.

Designed specifically for young riders with A1 licenses in Europe, the MBP T125 combines lightness and agility.

According to MBP, the T125 dual-sport features long-travel suspension and dual-sport tires – 19-inch front and 17-inch rear – allowing for some off-roading.

Regarding styling, the T125 mirrors a modern-day enduro, albeit compact in size. It gets a tall front fender, fork protector, headlight cowl, small windshield and an upswept exhaust system.

Powering the MBP T125 is a 125cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine that pumps out 15hp @ 10,000rpm and 10.5Nm @ 8,000rpm.

Surprisingly, the T125 is equipped with a six-speed transmission, thus making it more interesting to ride than the other competitors that run on a five-speed gearbox.

Brembo Builds Eco-Friendly, High-Performance Brake Pads

Brembo is ready to go green after successfully producing high-performance brake pads that are less harmful to the environment.

Brembo Greenance brake pads is less harmful to the environment.
Features lower non-renewable materials.

According to Sebastinio Rio, Chief Operating Officer of Brembo, the approach made is by reducing the use of non-renewable materials in construction and using eco-friendly manufacturing methods.

“We are adding a reduction in wear, so that is a green aspect as we are reducing consumption.

“Meanwhile, we have removed some components such as copper and nickel to maintain those components as green.

“Plus in the manufacturing process we have cut something like 60% energy consumption. It’s a combination of a green product and a green process,” Rio told MCN.

Interestingly, while saving the environment, the Greenance brake pads also claimed an increase in stopping power thanks to better heat resistance.

According to Brembo, the Greenance pads also meet European safety standards and feature NUCAP Retention System. Nevertheless, Rio stated that the company’s green efforts would continue to evolve.

“We are still working on trying and making our products more green every time.

“We are now having a look at recyclability, aluminium is recycled. We are working in a different environment with a reduction of waste and the utilisation of water in our factory, and the consumption of energy,” he added.

(Source: MCN)

OFFICIAL: Fast Bikes Ends Distributorship With Triumph In Malaysia, Switch To Honda

Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd, the exclusive distributor of Triumph Motorcycles in Malaysia, will end its distributorship with the UK brand on January 14, 2023.

Fast Bike ceases Triumph distributorship in Malaysia.
Fast Bike’s Petaling Jaya headquarters is to undergo two months of renovation beginning in January.

The announcement was made during a recent Triumph Ratpack Year-End Gathering and High-Tea session at Fast Bike’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

However, under the leadership of Dato’ Razak Al Malique, Fast Bikes will take on a new adventure in 2023 as a Honda Big Wing dealership.

Meanwhile, Fast Bike’s outlets in Penang, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu also end their Triumph operation on the same date.

That said, a new Triumph distributor for Malaysia has been appointed pending an official announcement.

While the news may be shocking, current Triumph owners continue to shower support on Fast Bike’s management for their support all these years.

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