Motorcycle news, Motorcycle reviews from Malaysia, Asia and the world

Schizophrenic Driver Drove Round and Round Hundreds of Times

A driver who circled his car hundreds of times around a roundabout in Kluang, Johor, has been confirmed to be suffering from schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects how a patient thinks, feels, and behaves. They may have difficulty distinguishing between reality and their own thoughts or imagination. Among the symptoms are hearing ‘commands’ or ‘conversations’ with non-existent people. (Similar to the movie The Sixth Sense.)

Kluang District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Bahrin Mohd Noh, said the car was driven by a man in his 50s with a valid B2 and D driving license until 2027.

However, he stated that the car belongs to the driver’s older brother.

“The driver had previously received treatment at Hospital Permai, Johor Bahru, in 2020 and 2021 for mental illness.

“Recently, he has been receiving treatment at Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom, Kluang, for schizophrenia.

“The patient is still undergoing treatment at the PSY Clinic and has a treatment card,” he said.

Earlier, he mentioned that the police received a report regarding the incident at 8:20 PM the previous night.

“The vehicle was successfully stopped by police officers about 10 minutes later. No accidents or injuries were reported,” he said.

At the same time, Bahrin advised the family not to allow the man to leave the house without family members and to prohibit him from driving.

A 57-second video went viral, showing a Perodua Axia driver allegedly driving around the Mahkota Roundabout here hundreds of times from morning until night.

The video clearly shows the car circling while flashing emergency hazard lights.

How did Synthetic Engine Oil Come About? (Part 1)

Synthetic engine oil is the way to go these days as they provide the best possible protection for your engine. Being synthetic as in ‘synthesised,’ means they do not have less or even none of the shortcomings while sharing the best features of the best petroleum-based i.e. mineral engine oils.

But where did it all begin? What was the impetus that drove engine oil manufacturers to create this kind of oil?

The basics – how is lubricating oil made?

Let us refresh.

The earliest and most basic engine oils until today is petroleum based. It starts with raw petroleum (crude) drawn from the ground. This crude, which contains many different substances such as sulfur, various heavy metals (no, none are called Metallica), nitrogen, oxygen, waxes, etc., is then refined through distillation. Heat and pressure is applied to the crude in a fractional tower, resulting in the crude breaking i.e. fractioning into different groups of petroleum based groups, hence ‘fractioning.’

The ‘lighter’ (more volatile) groups rise to the top of the tower such gases, kerosene, and gasoline. Medium weight molecules become the base for lubricants, and the heavier molecules such as tar pool at the bottom.

However, distillation does not remove impurities entirely. There will be waxes and even some sulfur in the base oil, and these will soon rear their ugly sides.

Early synthetic motor oil research

French chemist Charles Friedel and his American collaborator, James Mason Crafts, first produced synthetic hydrocarbon oils in 1877.

In 1913, German scientist Friedrich Bergius developed a hydrogenation process for producing synthetic oil from coal dust.

Forward to 1925, his countrymen, Franz Fisher and Hans Tropsch, developed a process for converting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons.

Over in America, the Standard Oil Company of Indiana tried to commercialise synthetic oil in 1929, but found lack of demand. However, the company’s researcher F.W. Sullivan published a paper in 1931 that disclosed a process for the polymerisation of olefins to form liquid products.

At about the same time, German chemist Hermann Zorn independently discovered the same process. Their discoveries laid the groundwork for the eventual widespread use of synthetic oil.

End of Part 1

As we said earlier, mineral engine oil began to show its weakness especially during the Second World War. We shall elaborate on this further in Part 2.

We shall also cover the basics on how the synthetic engine oil is made is Part 2, so stay tuned.

2025 Ducati XDiavel V4 Debuts, Gets V4 Power

The 2025 Ducati XDiavel V4 has made its debut and is now powered by a V4 engine.

Powertrain

The Granturismo V4 engine already powers the Diavel S and Multistrada V4 lineup. As such, the new bike boasts 168 hp (124 kW) at 10,750 RPM and 126 Nm at 7,500 RPM, compared to 160 hp (118 kW) and 127 Nm at 5,000 RPM of the previous 1262cc Testastretta DVT V-Twin engine. That is an 8hp peak power gain, although maximum torque has moved up the powerband by 2,500 RPM.

But maximum power is just part of the story, as the V4 engine features a counter-rotating crankshaft which promotes nimbleness. Additionally, the 2025 Ducati XDiavel V4 weighs in with a kerb weight of 229 kg, which is a whole 6 kg lighter than its predecessor. Yes, the V4 engine is actually lighter than the V2. So, more power, less weight equals a faster and more nimble motorcycle.

Chassis

Suspension duties are handled by 50mm fully-adjustable upside-down forks up front, complemented by a fully-adjustable monoshock at the back, acting on a single-sided aluminium swingarm.

Still about the chassis, the brakes consist of none other than Brembo Stylema four-piston monobloc calipers that grip dual 330mm discs at the front. The rear brake features a single 265mm gripped by a two-piston Brembo caliper.

The riding position has likewise been revised with the handlebar lowered and brought closer to the rider. The seat now features thicker material for better comfort.

Electronics

Over to the electronics, the 2025 Ducati XDiavel V4 has three power modes with four riding modes namely Sport, Touring, Urban, and Wet. Traction control, wheelie control, cornering ABS, cruise control, quickshifter, are all there.

A new 6.9-inch colour TFT has been fitted. It offers Bluetooth connectivity to pair the smartphone for calls, text messages and music, or use the turn-by-turn navigation system (only available as an accessory) via the Ducati Link App.

Colour options

There are two new colours for the 2025 Ducati XDiavel V4 called Burning Red and Black Lava, both metallic. The price has not been revealed.

2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R Handed over to First 100 Customers

MODENAS organised an event to handover the 2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R to the first 100 owners in the country today.

The event was held at the Sepang International Circuit, giving the owners their first feel of their bikes in its natural habitat.

The day kicked off with registrations and interviews with several owners. Next, a convoy consisting of the owners were guided around the track. However, perhaps the true highlight of the day was an exclusive track day for the media and owners who had brought their race suits along.

From the press release:

Motosikal & Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd (“MODENAS”), a subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Berhad (“DRB-HICOM”) rolled out the red carpet, or more accurately the racetrack, for the first 100 proud owners of the brand-new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R at Paddock 1, Sepang International Circuit. With 350 excited attendees including Kawasaki dealers, die-hard fans and the media, it wasn’t just a handover — it was a full-throttle celebration!

Leading the festivities was Yusaku Kashiwagi, Chief Marketing Officer of MODENAS, who personally handed over the keys and welcomed new owners to the Kawasaki family. “This is not just a bike delivery. This is the moment Kawasaki is fulfilling the passion of its fans who love performance and pure adrenaline. The Ninja ZX-6R is built for those who crave speed and precision, and today, our customers get to experience that firsthand on the legendary Sepang track,” said Kashiwagi.

And experience it they did! The new owners wasted no time revving up their engines and hitting the track for their first exhilarating ride on their brand-new supersport machines. Adding to the thrill, the media was also treated to exclusive test rides on the Sepang circuit.

The demand for the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R has been nothing short of phenomenal. When the pre-booking campaign kicked off in November 2024, MODENAS initially expected to secure 50 units. However, due to overwhelming demand, the number of units was doubled to 100 units — effectively selling out the first and second batches of deliveries in record time!

So, what makes the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R such a game-changer? Let’s talk specs! Powered by a 636cc inline-four engine, this beast delivers heart-racing performance with smooth acceleration and torque. It comes packed with advanced electronics, including a quick shifter, three-mode traction control, and multiple power modes to match any rider’s style. The Showa Separate Function Big Piston Forks ensure razor-sharp handling, while the 4.3” TFT dash with smartphone connectivity keeps you informed and in control, no matter where you ride.

And here’s the best part — MODENAS is offering the latest 2024 model at an unbeatable price of RM59,900, a massive drop from the previous 2018 model RM79,900 price tag thanks to the bike now being assembled locally in its plant in Gurun, Kedah. That’s power, performance, and value all wrapped into one thrilling package!

“This model is built for the track, but it’s also ready to dominate the streets. At this price point, the Ninja ZX-6R is the ultimate supersport machine for riders who want the best of both worlds,” Kashiwagi added.

With cutting-edge features, an aggressive design, and an unbeatable price, the Ninja ZX-6R is ready to redefine the mid-weight supersport category. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or looking for your next adrenaline rush, this machine is built to thrill.

Prices of Kapchais to Hike 20 Percent Next Year?

The prices of kapchais may go up as much as 20 percent from next year.

Motorcycle manufacturers and dealers say buyers will be affected by inevitable price hikes should the revised open market value (OMV) for vehicles is implemented.

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said in January the implementation of the revised OMV had been deferred once again after its expiration on Dec 31, 2024.

The OMV excise duty revision – officially known as the Excise (Determination of Value of Locally Manufactured Goods for the Purpose of Levying Excise Duty) Regulations 2019 or “OMV 402” – is now set to take effect in January 2026.

OMV 402 was originally scheduled to take effect in 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic had the Finance Ministry putting it on hold until 2021. It was deferred again for 2021. MAA lobbied the government to defer OMV 402 and was granted a two-year extension until 31 December 2024.

The revised regulations OMV calculation stated that the profit and general expenses incurred or accounted in the manufacture of a vehicle, plus also of its sale value.

This revision leads to higher the taxable value of vehicles, resulting in higher prices.

The Motorcycle and Scooter Assemblers and Distributors Association of Malaysia (MASAAM) and the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association (MMSDA) raised concerns that manufacturers may struggle to fully absorb the increased duties.

This will potentially drive up motorcycle prices by 10 per cent to 20 per cent, depending on the models, they claimed. As such, kapchais currently priced at RM10,000 could cost between RM11,000 and RM12,000 after the revision.

This is not good news, given that the Malaysia motorcycle market is ‘soft’ lately. According to the Motor Cycle Data website which tracks the number of motorcycles that were actually delivered to buyers, Malaysia saw a -19.9% drop in 2024 compared to the 2022 record year.

More than 107,000 Summonses Issued in Chinese New Year Special Operations 2025

The Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ) issued more than 107,000 summonses during the Chinese New Year Special Operation, which ran from 20 January to 10 February.

Offenses related to vehicle licensing, driver licensing, and technical violations were among the highest recorded. JPJ Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli stated that during this period, the department issued 107,014 notices for various offenses involving vehicles and drivers, following inspections of 429,423 vehicles nationwide.

Additionally, 724 vehicles were seized for various offenses, including no insurance, invalid road tax, and vehicles driven by foreigners without valid licenses.

“JPJ(P) 22 notices were issued for offenses such as expired Motor Vehicle Licenses (LKM) and no insurance coverage (29,994); driver licensing offenses, including no driving license and expired driving licenses (20,414); and technical offenses such as bald tires and faulty brakes (15,610).

Furthermore, 9,052 notices were issued for other offenses, including major offenses (3,994) and goods vehicle offenses (3,161).

“For public service vehicle (bus) offenses, 241 notices were issued, and 140 notices were issued for failure to comply with the goods vehicle driving ban,” he said.

The integrated operation also involved collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), and PLUS Malaysia.

Elaborating further, Aedy stated that technical offenses such as tire and brake issues are common in every operation, and he reminded all road users, vehicle owners, and company vehicle owners to regularly inspect their vehicles.

The operation also enforced a four-day goods vehicle driving ban on 27 January (before the festive period) and 1-2 February (after the festive period).

“JPJ detected goods vehicles that failed to comply with the ban, issuing 140 notices and detaining 21 vehicles under Section 59 of the Road Transport Act 1987,” he said.

However, the number of summonses issued during the 2025 Chinese New Year Special Operation showed a decrease compared to the previous year’s 207,127 notices.

“These statistics indicate an improvement in efforts to reduce road accident rates and fatalities through enforcement measures,” he added.

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Latest News

Schizophrenic Driver Drove Round and Round Hundreds of Times

How did Synthetic Engine Oil Come About? (Part 1)

The basics – how is lubricating oil made?

Early synthetic motor oil research

End of Part 1

2025 Ducati XDiavel V4 Debuts, Gets V4 Power

Powertrain

Chassis

Electronics

Colour options

2025 Kawasaki ZX-6R Handed over to First 100 Customers

From the press release:

Prices of Kapchais to Hike 20 Percent Next Year?

More than 107,000 Summonses Issued in Chinese New Year Special Operations 2025

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