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Brake Pads Ordered Online Found to Contain Asbestos

We have said many times over: Do not ever, EVER, compromise when it comes to safety-related components and products. This is especially true when ordering cheap parts from online sellers. Case in point, the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) have found brake pads that include asbestos being sold through AliExpress.

The brake pads and brakes shoes (for drum brakes) are produced by Tanaki and Zhangxingyue. All the products noted in the action are produced in China, and all of the products fail to meet REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations. These guidelines aim to protect consumers from coming into contact with harmful substances and to protect the environment.

The substance is great for absorbing heat therefore its use in brake pads, and is fireproof hence its use in fireproof suits, but its dust is dangerous when inhaled as it causes mesothelioma in the lungs. Mesothelioma is a cancer that starts as a growth of abnormal cells from a thin layer of tissue that covers many internal organs. Asbestos dust cannot be flushed out, hence will stay in the lungs for a long time to come.

The only advice we can provide at the moment is to insist on asbestos-free brake pads and shoes when you replace them. Apart from that, stay away and do not inhale brake dust when the mechanic or you clean your motorcycle’s brakes with compressed air.

Asbestos has been banned in many countries around the world, including the European Union and Malaysia since 1999. However, the bans cover different aspects of the usage of asbestos. For example, while the use of asbestos has been banned in the U.S. and Europe, Malaysia only banned the substance from building materials in government hospitals, clinics, schools, and buildings. As of 2025, the Malaysian authorities is still working towards a total ban.

QJMotor QJ700-8K Goes After the Big Boys

QJMotor has certainly been on the march in recent years by debuting more and more up-to-date motorcycles. Their scooter line-up has also been completely updated to include some very good products including, but limited to, the AX200s and Fort 250. Now, they are going after the big boys with the QJMotor QJ700-8K.

Before we go further, remember the Italjet Dragster 700 Twin? Well, that bike was designed in Italy and fitted with premium parts such as Brembo brakes, Ohlins suspension, Akrapovič exhaust system, manual 6-speed gearbox, and a 70hp single-cylinder engine. However, unbeknownst to many, it actually consists of many QJMotor-developed and made components. So, no, the the QJ700-8k is not a copy of the Italjet Dragster 700.

It is now QJMotor’s turn to market the bike with a design and spec sheet similar (not identical) to the Italjet machine. The manufacturer claims 75 hp, kerb weight of 205 kg, hand-operated manual clutch, 6-speed gearbox, and a top speed of around 200 km/h. Like its Italian counterpart, the QJ700-8K wears Brembo calipers, but has Marzocchi forks.

Being a QJMotor product could very well mean it will be much cheaper, too.

Oh, last but not least, while the engine performance certainly challenges the X-ADV’s, the QJMotor QJ700-8K is a fully road-biased sport scooter. And yes, it is a scooter due to its frame layout, and despite its manual gearbox.

2025 QJMotor AX200s Test & Review

BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2026 Heads to Romania

The bi-annual BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2026 will be held in Romania. And of course, part of the route includes the famous Count Dracula’s castle, Bran Castle.

“BMW Motorrad’s media release says, “After much sand and steppe, the event returns to the mountains.” “Dense forests, gravel roads, river crossings, and steep ascents and descents will characterise the upcoming International GS Trophy 2026 in Romania.”

The country is “deeply rooted in history and culture and is home to numerous medieval castles, fortresses and churches, including the famous Bran Castle, which is often associated with the Dracula legend,” continues the media release. “Overall, Romania offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness and adventure, making it an ideal destination for the International GS Trophy 2026 competitors.”

Taking place every two years since 2008, the GS Trophy will celebrate its tenth running in 2026, with previous locations including Namibia in 2024, Albania in 2022, New Zealand in 2020, and Mongolia in 2018.

Some 15 teams will take part in next year’s event, formed of participants from around the world. To join those teams, riders are required to perform GPS navigation exercises, off-road special stages, and technical tests. BMW says there will be nine men’s teams and six women’s teams.

The exact dates of the event have not been confirmed.

The official model this time will not be the R 1300 GS or even F 900 GS, but the R 12 G/S instead. Based on the 1170cc, air- and oil-cooled Boxer platform, the bike is an homage to the R80G/S launched in 1980. The R80G/S is the grandaddy of all modern dual-purpose/adventure tourers.

Italy Introduces Fines up to RM88,000 for Littering from Vehicle

The author recently visited a waterfall in Hulu Langat and found the area and the roadside littered with trash such as water bottles, plastic cups, food wrappers, cigarette butts, disposable diapers, and more. In fact, the stench of garbage hit our noses as soon as we opened the car door. It was disgusting and shameful.

However, this issue also occurs in several other countries, including Italy. As a result, the Italian government has taken steps to enforce a new law where offenders who litter from their vehicles can be fined up to €18,000 (approximately RM88,464.96).

This law applies regardless of whether the offender discards waste from a moving or stationary vehicle.

Furthermore, an offenders may also have his driver’s license revoked and/or face imprisonment if caught littering in natural reserves or other protected areas.

Italy had previously imposed fines of up to €1,188 (around RM8,843) for discarding items such as tissues, plastic bottles, and cigarette butts.

Offenders no longer need to be caught in the act or stopped by the police, as surveillance camera footage is now sufficient evidence for prosecution.

Litter is often carelessly tossed onto Italy’s roads, whether in urban areas, village streets, or highways. Even some roads in tourist hotspots end up looking like garbage dumps.

The new regulations also apply to foreign tourists.

For comparison, in Malaysia, fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000 can be imposed on those caught littering. Courts may also order offenders to perform community service. However, enforcement remains weak here, compounded by the mentality of some individuals who have no qualms about littering indiscriminately.

Special Edition Colour for 2026 Honda X-ADV

There will be a new special edition colour for the 2026 Honda X-ADV. Honda had also announced new colours for the Forza 750, but we shall focus on the X-ADV as the Forza 750 is not available in Malaysia anymore.

The X-ADV will receive a new Matt Pearl Glare White special edition accented with red and blue graphics inspired by the Honda Africa Twin and Transalp adventure bikes. It joins the existing Graphite Black, Matt Deep Mud Gray, and Pearl Glare White in the lineup.

Mechanically, the X-ADV remains unchanged – which is not necessarily a bad thing. Keeping things the same and updating or replacing them years later allows for the model to mature in terms of parts availability, serviceability, and resale value.

The engine is the torquey 745cc parallel-twin, paired with a Dual Clutch Transmission that was updated since the MY2025 model. Suspension remains the 41mm upside-down forks up front, and a Honda Pro-Link setup at the back. Front brakes are dual discs gripped by four-piston calipers.

Honda is also promoting sustainability with the X-ADV. The bodywork (the Forza 750’s, too) uses recycled and biomass-based plastics like Durabio, a plant-based material that doesn’t require paint thereby reducing the environmental footprint during production. It is part of Honda’s broader push to use only sustainable materials by 2050.

Triumph Thruxton 400 Launched (in India)

The promised Triumph Thruxton 400 has been launched in India, with other global markets to follow.

As the name suggests, think back to the the now-discontinued Bonneville Thruxton 1200, and we have a 400cc cafe racer complete with clip-on handlebars, sculpted tank, bullet passenger seat cowl. Interestingly, the 1200cc variant was sold without the front fairing as standard, but the it is standard on the 400cc variant. However, the Thruxton 400’s fairing is clearly inspired by the Speed Triple RR’s.

The Thruxton 400 is now the fourth variant based on the TR platform, in the footsteps of the Speed 400, Scrambler 400 XC, and Scrambler 400X. The engine is a 398cc, single-cylinder powerplant. It produces a maximum power of 39.5 hp but as with the 1200cc brethren, it has been hotted up to 41.4 hp for the Thruxton 400 to provide an “even more addictive top end” according to Triumph. Maximum torque remains the same.

Triumph did not provide the details behind the performance upgrade, but we can safely assume it is due to ECU remapping, plus airbox and exhaust revisions.

The Thruxton 400 weighs in at 183 kg, compared to the Speed 400’s 179 kg, due to the former’s extra bodywork.

Offered in four eye-catching colours: Lava Red Gloss and Aluminium Silver, Phantom Black and Aluminium Silver, Metallic Racing Yellow and Aluminium Silver, and Pearl Metallic White and Storm Grey, the Triumph Thruxton 400 sells for ₹2,74,137 (RM13,215.99) in the Indian market. By comparison, the Speed 400 retails for RM27,200, the Scrambler 400 X retails for RM30,200, and Scrambler 400 XC is priced at RM34,200.

We have tested and reviewed the Speed 400 and it was one of – if not the – best handling motorcycle we ever rode. It was full of character and sass, too, hence it won the Best Modern Classic (Below 500cc) category in the 2025 Allianz-BikesRepublic.com Motorcycle of the Year Awards.

Triumph Speed 400 – Modern Classic of the Year 2025 (Below 500cc)

BMW Big Coffee Boxer for Your Boxer and Caffeine Fix

Here is another product that makes us wish we were Wall Street bankers. If you love BMW motorcycles and real coffee, the BMW Big Coffee Boxer covers both bases.

The espresso machine is based on BMW’s air- and oil-cooled R 18 boxer engine, and created through the partnership between BMW Motorrad and ECM Espresso Coffee Machines Manufacture GmbH.

The front of the power unit which faces your guests is exactly like the R 18 engine, while the black gold making part is mounted behind it. There are two independent water circulation systems for simultaneous preparation of coffee and milk foam, with pipes that mimic oil lines.

BMW says that the machine includes “an extremely quiet rotary pump and a shot counter with a display of the preparation time.” As such, there is no Boxer roar and sideways “kick” when your coffee brews.

The machine is priced at €7,900 (RM38,597.82, as of today) and you can find out more about the coffee machine at exclusive ECM dealers. Only 80 will ever be built.

By the way, the R 18 powerplant is an 1802cc horizontally-opposed twin (easier to call it a Boxer) which produces 89 hp of maximum power and 163 Nm of peak torque. It is the biggest Boxer ever made.

2026 Honda CB1000F SE Unveiled at Suzuka

The much-anticipated 2026 Honda CB1000F SE has been unveiled at the Suzuku 8-Hour Endurance Race over the weekend. And yes, Honda won the race.

As we published earlier, it followed the concept which was unveiled at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show back in March, but with a headlight-mounted bikini fairing.

There is not much information about the bike, but we could clearly make out that it is based on the CB1000R/CB1000 (Hornet 1000) platform. The engine, frame, subframe, and swingarm are the same, thus the main difference is its bodywork.

The engine is a 1000cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, inline-four which produces 155 hp and 107 Nm. It was adopted from the 2017 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, albeit tuned for low- and mid-range torque.

As for the chassis, it is a steel tube frame. The CB1000F was shown with black forks and a monoshock with a black coil spring, unlike the gold forks and Öhlins TTX36 monoshock on the CB1000 (Hornet 1000) SE. Also, the CB1000 SE has Brembo Stylema brake calipers up front.

The bodywork of the CB1000F SE was unmistakably inspired by the CB900F which made its debut in 1979, 10 years after Honda introduced the groundbreaking, “first superbike” CB750 in 1969. However, its seat resembles the cut-down race seat on the race-ready CB900F ridden by Freddie Spencer in the AMA Superbike Championship. Apart from that, the CB1000F uses a 4-into-1 exhaust system which ends in a megaphone.

The pictures from Honda Japan also show a quickshifter, TFT screen, and the handlebar switchgear identical to the present CB1000 lineup.

The 2026 Honda CB1000F SE’s price was not revealed during the event. In any case, we cannot wait until it gets here!

Photo gallery

2025 Honda CB1000 SP Test & Review

New 2026 Suzuki GSX-R1000R M6 Debuts

Suzuki proudly announces the return of The King of Superbikes — the iconic GSX-R1000R, now reborn as the 2026 Suzuki GSX-R1000R M6. This latest evolution not only represents the cutting edge of motorcycle engineering but also commemorates an extraordinary milestone, the 40th anniversary of the legendary GSX-R lineage.

Since its ground-breaking debut in 2001, the GSX-R1000 has reshaped the sportbike world with performance that dominates both streets and racetracks. As the undisputed champion of production-based superbike, superstock, and endurance racing, the GSX-R1000 has captured no fewer than 15 FIM Endurance World Championship titles—a true testament to its legacy of reliability, innovation, and victory.

The 2026 GSX-R1000R M6 continues that heritage with updates that meet the latest emissions and noise regulations while enhancing rider experience through a host of advanced electronic control systems. These include rider-assist features designed to refine performance based on individual riding preferences and road or track conditions by ensuring that the GSX-R1000 remains synonymous with “Designed to Perform, Built to Thrill.”

To mark this historic 40-year milestone, the new GSX-R1000R M6 is available in three heritage-inspired livery options, each evoking the soul of legendary GSX-R colour schemes.

These striking designs are further commemorated with exclusive 40th Anniversary insignias on the fuel tank, side fairings, key mascot, seat cowl, and muffler. All of these shall be the proud visual tribute to four decades of supremacy.

Built for the street and born from the track, the 2026 GSX-R1000R M6 is the ultimate embodiment of Suzuki’s uncompromising pursuit of performance, a machine that continues to ignite passion and deliver exhilaration with every ride.

The Legend Returns. And it’s faster, sharper, and more thrilling than ever.

Photo gallery

CFMoto 150 Aura Retro Scooter Debuts (Overseas)

Retro scooters will always find a place in the hearts of enthusiasts everywhere. Although Vespa leads the way in this segment, just about every motorcycle manufacturer has a retro scooter model. Now, it is CFMoto’s turn, by debuting the CFMoto 150 Aura.

Its body’s silhouette may be reminiscent of a 1960’s Lambretta at first sight, but closer inspection reveals that the 150 Aura is packed to the gills with modern features.

Highlights

150cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine which provides 15.8 hp and 14.2 Nm of torque.
Transmission is CVT, of course.

Both wheels are 12-inches.
Disc brakes on both ends, supported by dual-channel ABS.

A rectangle 6.2-inch TFT screen with all the obligatory features including tyre pressure monitoring, plus full-screen navigation via the Motoplay app.
Front and rear built-in dashcam. The footage can be downloaded via the Motoplay app.

Ignition is not only keyless but via NFC i.e. your phone.
The under seat storage space accommodates a full face plus open face helmet.

The source did not specify the CFMoto 150 Aura’s price, but expecting it to be around RM7,000 would probably be in the ballpark. The question now is whether the Malaysian distributor, MForce Bike Holdings will bring this to Malaysia. We are quite certain that it will find a big following besides many customised units.

Shocking News! Dainese Sold for EUR1.00

The iconic brand Dainese has been sold for a symbolic EUR1 (1 Euro), after accruing a mountain of debt of around EUR300 million.

The sale was orchestrated by London-based funds Arcmont Asset Management and HPS Investment Partners (recently acquired by BlackRock), who took over from the Carlyle invesment fund. Carlyle, on the other hand, had acquired Dainese from Ivestcorp for EUR630 million in 2022.

The shocking news was reported by the Sport E Finanza magazine. However, Dainese themselves have not posted such news, and neither did Arcmont and HPS.

The Dainese brand had been struggling with debt after posting three consecutive years of losses, culminating in a EUR120 million deficit last year. That lacklustre performance saw its debt soar to EUR300 million over an EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of EUR20 million, which translates to a debt:EBITDA ratio of 15:1.

The new owners have stated their intention clearly: to strengthen Dainese’s financial structure and improve its flexibility after facing market challenges. However, there is yet news on the employees, suppliers, and customers of Dainese.

Only time will tell what the future holds for Dainese.

Source: Sport E Finanza

Petrol Motorcycles Banned in Hanoi from July 2025

The Vietnamese government will ban the use of petrol-powered motorcycles and scooters in the central area of Hanoi starting July 1, 2026. The order was announced by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The move is an effort to reduce the city’s worsening air pollution. Hanoi is often listed as one of the most polluted cities in the world. In addition to the dirty air, the city’s rivers are also reported to be polluted beyond safe levels.

However, the initial ban will only affect areas within Ring Road 1.

The Prime Minister also instructed the Hanoi People’s Committee to prepare a clear action plan to phase out fossil-fuel-powered motorcycles by mid-2026.

Implementation phase of the ban

July 1, 2026: The ban on petrol-powered motorcycles and mopeds will begin in areas within Ring Road 1 (i.e. the main city center).
January 1, 2028: The ban will be extended to areas within Ring Roads 1 and 2, including restrictions on the use of privately owned petrol cars.
By 2030: The restricted area will also include the 3rd Ring Road.

Preparing for the transition

The Hanoi government has been instructed to prepare a special plan called the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) by the third quarter of 2025.

Awareness campaigns will also be launched to help people adapt to the new regulations.

Focus on clean transportation

By the end of 2024, Hanoi recorded more than 9.2 million vehicles, including 6.9 million motorcycles and 1.1 million cars registered in the city itself.

In addition, about 1.2 million foreign vehicles also travel in Hanoi every day.

In place of gasoline-powered motorcycles, the city will expand the use of electric buses and trains, and build charging stations and maintenance centers for clean energy vehicles.

Other additional measures

Registration and parking fees for petrol vehicles will be increased in the city center by the end of 2025.
Single-use plastics will be banned in restaurants, hotels and eateries within the 1st Ring Road starting in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Polluting factories will be moved out of residential areas by 2028.
Rivers and drainage in the city will be cleaned through a special plan to be completed by the third quarter of 2025.
A modern and high-tech waste treatment plant will be built to reduce dependence on landfills.

Source: Vietnam Economic Times