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KTM 990 RCR Hitting European Dealers from November

The production-ready version of the KTM 990 RCR sportbike has been revealed. Factory assembly will begin for European customers this October, and expected to arrive in dealers from November.

The expected price in the UK is from £13,499 (MYR75,840.10). A track-only version will be launched in February 2026.

That pricing puts it in the middle of the current supersport segment, with the Yamaha YZF-R9 priced from £12,254 (MYR68,845.44) and Ducati Panigale V2 starting at £15,395 (MYR86,492.20). The Honda CBR600RR and Kawasaki ZX-6R are priced below £11,000 (MYR61,800.21), and the Ducati’s Panigale V2S sitting on top from £17,395 (MYR97,728.61).

The 990 RCR is powered by a 947cc parallel twin engine, shared with the 990 Duke naked. Final claimed performance is 128.2 hp at 9,500 RPM, and 103.1 Nm of torque at just 6,750 RPM.

The bike tips the scales at approximately 195kg ready to ride with a 15.7-litre fuel tank.

Suspension duties are handled by by 48mm WP open cartridge forks with 30 clicks of compression and rebound damping, plus a further three turns for preload. At the back, a WP monoshock provides three changes for high-speed compression, and 30 for low speed.

Rebound also gets 30-clicks, with 10 stages of preload adjustment for good measure. These feed down to a set of 17-inch rims taken from the 1390 Super Duke R, shod with Michelin Power Cup 2 trackday tyres.

Stopping power up front comes from the latest Brembo Hypure calipers. There are also pillion provisions.

The standard seat height is pretty high at 845 mm, but the footpegs are adjustable in three positions. Clip-on bars are non-adjustable, but mounted straight for comfort – with four ABS modes equipped as standard. Front/rear weight distribution being a claimed 52.5%/47.5%.

As for the electronics, the riding modes consist of Rain, Street, Sport, Custom – plus an optional Track setting. The latter includes two extra personalised set-ups.

Like many modern KTMs, there’s also the brand’s controversial Demo Mode, which gives the full suite of electronics for the first 1500km, before the customer must purchase their desired tech packs to keep.

No Free Parking at Malaysian MotoGP 2025, RM20 for Cars, RM10 for Bikes

MotoGP is one of the biggest events and attractions in Malaysia. Among the facilities provided were free vehicle parking areas connected by shuttle buses. However, the management of the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has now announced that free parking has been abolished for the 2025 Malaysian MotoGP.

Consequently, a new parking fee of RM20 for cars and RM10 for motorcycles will be levied, only once throughout the race week. The organizers said this increase is due to rising organizing costs, as well as for managing traffic control and improving the vehicle parking areas.

SIC also advised spectators to park their vehicles only in the designated areas. Vehicles parked outside the official areas risk actions such as fines or being towed.

This change has sparked various reactions from fans who were accustomed to the free parking facility. Some understand why the measure is being implementd, while at the same time, there are those who have expressed dissatisfaction because it signifies an increase in the already high cost of attending the Malaysian MotoGP.

Hafizh, Zahqwan Incident – JDT Racing Team and Honda Racing Close Ranks

The JDT Racing Team and Honda Racing Malaysia team have taken a professional approach by not prolonging the incident involving the two national riders, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah and Md Zaqhwan Zaidi, during Race 2 of the ASB1000 category in the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) yesterday.

In an official statement, Hafizh’s team informed that the incident has been thoroughly reviewed by the ARRC organizers, and appropriate penalties have been imposed according to the championship regulations.

“The incident was classified as unintentional, stemming from an intense and competitive racing atmosphere, an element that is common in the world of motorsports,” the statement said.

According to JDT Racing Team, both teams – JDT Racing and Honda Racing Malaysia – have resolved the matter amicably, thereby upholding the principles of mutual respect and professionalism between the riders and the teams.

“Integrity and sportsmanship remain our top priorities. We will continue to work closely with the organizers to ensure the highest standards are upheld at all times,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Honda Racing Malaysia announced that they have suspended team crew member for “improper behaviour” regarding the incident. The team also emphasized the importance of professional values and conduct within the team.

The statement was posted on Honda Racing Malaysia’s Facebook page.

Kedah Police Destroy 1,385 Confiscated Motorcycle Accessories

The Kedah Police disposed of 1,385 modified and confiscated motorcycle accessories valued at RM131,000 from 2024 until last month.

Kedah Police Chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said all the disposed components included modified exhausts, additional accessories not meeting specifications, and other components categorized as unsafe for use on the road.

“This disposal involved 546 exhausts, 574 swing arms, 15 carburetors, three Electronic Control Units (ECUs), 109 fork units, and 138 other items after receiving instructions from the magistrate under Section 407 of the Criminal Procedure Code, using a road roller for the disposal method.

“All these motorcycle accessories were confiscated and seized under Section 64(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

“There are many more seized items awaiting court instructions for disposal,” he said in a statement today.

Adzli said the police had previously made seizures of 21,811 modified motorcycle components that did not comply with specifications, with the largest quantity being exhausts, totaling 9,575 units.

According to him, owners can reclaim their seized motorcycles within 24 hours, provided they reinstall the original accessories.

Deepavali 2025 – 2.67 Million Vehicles Expected to Use Highways

A total of 2.67 million vehicles are expected to use the main highways on peak days during the Deepavali celebration on this October 20th, according to the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).

In its statement today, LLM informed that 2.2 million vehicles are expected to use the highways under PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS), while the KL-Karak Highway is expected to record 170,000 vehicles, the East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (90,000), the East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (40,000) and the West Coast Expressway (170,000).

“LLM anticipates an increase in traffic on the main highways as early as Thursday, October 16th, for users heading towards the North, South, and East Coast,” it said.

In facing the traffic increase, LLM has directed all highway concession companies to make thorough preparations to ensure highway users’ journeys are safe and smooth.

Among the measures taken include ensuring no lane closures from October 17th to 23rd except for emergency work, activating the ‘smart lane’ routes at 29 identified locations on the North-South Expressway (PLUS), and ensuring the toll collection system functions well to prevent congestion at toll plazas.

LLM also welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the tabling of the 2026 Budget yesterday regarding the granting of a 50 percent toll discount in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration.

Traffic Diversions for ASEAN Summit to Begin from 23 October

Traffic diversions will begin in stages from 23 October to ensure the smooth running of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from October 26 to 28, 2025.

The Director of the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, said that the initial traffic management planning so far involves motorcycle convoy rehearsal activities.

He said this will be carried out from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to hotels around Kuala Lumpur and to KLCC on October 23 and 24.

“Temporary traffic diversions will be implemented along the highways and main roads connecting KLIA to the capital city and the areas around KLCC.

“Meanwhile, the full deployment of JSPT personnel will begin from October 25 to 28 (the duration of the conferences) with the implementation of staged road diversions. This will involve the area within approximately one kilometer (km) of KLCC,” he said in a statement today.

He said that road diversions and traffic dispersal are necessary to ensure the smooth movement of delegates and the safety of all parties throughout the event.

He said that further information regarding the affected routes, specific diversion plans, and the full diversion schedule will be announced in the near future.

“The public is requested to give their full cooperation to the authorities and to support the government’s efforts in making this summit a success, thereby enhancing the nation’s prestige on the international stage,” he said.