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Sayonara Suzuki GSX-R750 and GSX-R600

The Suzuki GSX-750 set the template for the modern superbike.
But Euro4 regulation has stopped it and the GSX-R600 from being sold in Japan and Europe.
There is no foreseeable replacement for both models.

The first “superbike” might have been the 1969 Honda CB750, but the real superbike in the true modern sense was the 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750.

There have been a number of iconic models along the model’s 33-year history. Suzuki contested in the World Superbike Championship and other race series around the world.

The 1985 “Slabside” laid down the foundation of what is to be the quintessential modern superbike: twin-spar aluminium frame, four-cyliner engine, fully-faired bodywork, and race replica graphics.

Three years later, Suzuki upgraded the GSX-R. It included the Mikuni BST36S carburetors which used vacuum operated slides. These slides resembled slingshots, hence the GSX-R750 “Slingshot” was born.

In 1992, the bike started to be water-cooled and became the WN (“W” for water). This was also the year when the sleeved-down GSX-R600 was launched.

The GSX-R750 SRAD (Suzuki Ram Air Direct) was introduced in 1996. It had an aluminium frame derived from the RGV500 GP bike. Suzuki put it on a diet resulting in a weight of only 179kg, which meant it was lighter than the GSX-R600.

2001 saw the K1, the first of the K-series.

While the bike did not find as much success in racing as the other brands, there was a steady stream of customers who knew that the 750 was the best compromise between the 1000cc and 600cc models.

Then, in 2003, the World Superbike Championship declared that all four-cylinder machines of up to 1000cc can compete in the series. The 750 started to fall by the wayside, but there were still customers driving its sales.

Other manufacturers kept building 750s for a few more years before abandoning them completely, yet Suzuki carried on stoically. It was probably that they wanted to maintain the heritage as the first manufacturer to begin the modern superbike revolution.

But no more. The 2018 GSX-R750 and GSX-R600 will not pass the Euro4 emissions standard. As with the Hayabusa, they are no longer available in Japan and Europe. They are being sold in USA until the end of 2019.

Unlike the Hayabusa, however, Suzuki has no plans for the replacement 750 and 600.

Sayonara, Suzuki GSX-R750 (and GSX-R600).

WHO: Thailand Deadliest Roads in Asia, India the Highest in the World

A World Health Organization (WHO) report highlighted that Thailand has the highest road accident death rate among Asian countries.
However, India saw the most killed in road accidents.
Road accidents is now the Number 1 cause of death for children and adults up to 29 years old.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published their annual Global Status Report on Road Safety 2018. In the report, Thailand still has the deadliest roads in Asia while India saw the greatest number of lives lost in traffic accidents.

Although published in 2018, the report provides data collected from 175 countries in 2016.

Thailand’s status as the second deadliest roads in the world has improved to eighth with 32.7 deaths per 100,000 citizens. A whopping 74.4% (16,178) of the 21,745 killed were drivers/passengers of 2-wheeled vehicles. Traffic accidents kill an average of 21,491 persons in the country each year.

Risks of Renting a Motorcycle in Thailand and How to Insure Yourself

Eight African countries and one South American nation join Thailand in the Top 10.

In terms of pure numbers, however, the Indian subcontinent saw an almost unbelievable 150,785 reported deaths. Conversely, the WHO believes many more fatalities were probably unreported and as many as 299,091 were killed on India’s roads. The country’s population of over 1.3 billion people had the effect of lowering the rate to 22.6 per 100,000.

By comparison, China has the second highest total number of reported deaths from traffic accidents at 58,022 among her 1.4 billion citizens. Again, the WHO believes that an estimated total of 256,180 were killed in 2016. China’s road death rate was 18.2/100,000.

Malaysia’s road death rate is still high but has seen much improvements at 23.6/100,000 with a total of 7,152 reported cases. There was no official number in the report, but it is widely believed that some 60% of all traffic-related deaths involve motorcycles.

Our neighbor Indonesia reported 31,282 traffic deaths in that year. Fatalities on two-wheel vehicles contributed 73.6% to the total figure. However, they have a low rate at 12.2/100,000 due to their large 261 million population.

The WHO added that traffic accidents are now the leading cause of death among children and adults up to 29 years old, and 8^thhighest among people of all ages. At 1.35 million deaths each year, more die in road accidents than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and diarrheal diseases. The situation is worsening and a person is killed every 24 seconds somewhere in the world.

Sobering thoughts for 2019.

Source: World Health Organization

MotoGP 2019: Jorge Lorenzo says Honda Suits Him Better

Jorge Lorenzo has finally spoken about his first impressions on the Repsol Honda.
He rode it at the Valencia and Jerez post-season tests last year.
He joins Marc Marquez as part of Honda’s assault on the MotoGP championship next year.

Jorge Lorenzo says the Honda RC213V suits him better than the Ducati Desmosedici.

The five-time World Champion shocked almost everyone when he announced his switch from the Ducati MotoGP team to the Repsol Honda beginning this year. He took over Dani Pedrosa’s reins in the team after the latter announced his retirement from competitive riding.

Lorenzo has since ridden the Honda RC213V during the Valencia and Jerez post-2018 season tests. However, this was the first time he spoke out as his contract with Ducati expired at the end of 2018.

“Last season I rode a completely different bike, that was very big and very tall,” Lorenzo said. “Maybe it was a little too big for me. The Honda suits me better in terms of its dimensions. It is more compact, a smaller and lower bike, with which I can lean over better.”

“I felt a little more confident when entering corners, because the closer you are to the ground, the more confidence you have. The first impression was positive and I saw a lot of potential there.”

“In those moments your expression speaks for itself. It’s all very exciting, very new and enjoyable. Also, if the initial feeling is good, you can tell even more from your expression.”

Honda made a number of modifications to the bike for Lorenzo by the second test in Jerez.

It included a grippy fuel tank, which was similar to the changes made to the Ducati Desmosedici GP18. He won the Italian MotoGP immediately following the modification.

“One of the things that impressed me most was the ability of the Repsol Honda Team to react, providing what you ask for,” he said. “I was quite clear, Honda took note of all my indications and within a few days they had everything ready and we had a fuel tank almost one hundred percent to my liking.”

Lorenzo knows he has joined the most successful MotoGP team and looks forward to the opportunities that lay ahead of him. Indeed, the Honda team had won 15 riders’ championships, including Marc Marquez’s last year.

“Repsol Honda may be the most successful team in history,” he said. “They have the most victories and titles.”

“To compare them with a football team, they would be a Barcelona or a Real Madrid. There is no team with more titles and more importance worldwide than this one.”

The rider and his new teammate Marc Marquez are set for the first 2019 Winter Test at the Sepang International Circuit from 1^stto 3^rdFebruary 2019.

Source: Crash.net

Cal Crutchlow Signs with HJC Helmets for 2019 to 2020 MotoGP Seasons

Cal Crutchlow and HJC Helmets will partner for the 2019 to 2020 MotoGP seasons.
HJC hopes the rider will contribute towards product development.
HJC Helmets hail from South Korea.

Korean helmet manufacturer HJC Helmets has signed British MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow for the 2019 and 2020 MotoGP seasons.

The hard charging Brit came to the premier class in 2011 and continues to contest in the championship with Team LCR Honda in 2019. Crutchlow rewarded the team with three podium finishes, including a win at Argentina in 2018. Unfortunately, an injury from a heavy crash in Australia sidelined him from the final three races of the season.

It’s perhaps symbolic that his first MotoGP win came at the 2016 HJC Helmets Grand Prix České Republiky. In the helmet manufacturer’s press release, they hope Crutchlow could contribute more podium finishes, including at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix Deutschland 2019.

HJC also looks forward to the rider being a vital part of their racing program in contributing towards product development. HJC has been in business for 47 years and have been working closely with Marvel Comics lately.

“I am very pleased to announce my new partnership with HJC Helmets. They’ve grown their presence in the MotoGP paddock over the past few years, sponsoring races and I’m happy to join the family. Despite being a huge company, they haven’t lost the personal approach and relationship, and this means a lot to me. Their helmet is a great product and I’m looking forward to working with them to continue to develop and evolve their design,” Crutchlow said.

Mr. W. K. Wong, Founder and CEO of HJC Helmets said, “HJC is a family business, so when we welcome a new rider they become part of the family. Cal Crutchlow is a very competitive rider who maintains good sportsmanship on and off the track. We look forward to having him join the HJC family and representing HJC Helmets around the world.”

Malaysian Stranded in Thailand Needs RM 200,000

A Malaysian man is stranded in Thailand following an accident.
He needs to pay RM 200,000 to the deceased Thai pedestrian’s family.
He also needs to undergo further medical care for the injuries suffered in the crash.

Yesterday, we ran a story about the type of insurance you need should you rent a scooter or motorcycle in Thailand. We published the article when we heard about a Malaysian couple being pressed to pay RM 200,000.

It turns out that the rider, Abdul Wahab Yahaya, 56, is still stranded in Thailand as he needs to settle that sum of money before he is allowed to leave. His passport is currently withheld by the authorities.

Wahab and his wife were riding on their rented motorcycle on 19^thDecember in Krabi when they hit and killed a local pedestrian. Initially, the Thai’s family demanded a sum of RM 580,000 but lowered the amount to RM 200,000 after negotiations with Abdul Wahab’s lawyer.

According to Thai laws and customs, the vehicle operator bears the responsibility of running into a pedestrian, regardless of either party’s fault. Also, the vehicle operator must compensate for the death of the pedestrian.

According to Abdul Wahab’s son, Amirun, his father was discharged from hospital. However, he still requires follow-up treatments such as removing the sutures inside his mouth and surgery to remove the screw in his cheekbone.

Representatives from the Malaysian Consulate visiting Abdul Wahab – Picture credit Kosmo! Online

Abdul Wahab’s spouse has returned to Malaysia but requires further treatment as she suffered a concussion in the crash.

Furthermore, the Malaysian is required to attend court on 9^thJanuary. The family has since employed a lawyer in Thailand.

Amirun appealed to the Malaysian public on 31^stDecember for assistance in settling the RM 200,000 fee by setting up a fund. It has since collected RM 60,000 by 1^stJanuary. You may contribute by banking in donations to Hasanah Abdul Wahab’s Maybank account 512875516248.

Amirun thanked the Malaysian public for their kind assistance. He is also thankful to the Malaysian Embassy for assisting in the case and sending food to his father.

Let’s pray that Abdul Wahab Yahaya receives a fair hearing and for his quick return to Malaysia.

Source: Kosmo! Online
Picture credit: Kosmo! Online

Why Buy a Honda PCX Electric When You Can Rent it?

Honda Japan will lease-sell the Honda PCX Electric to corporations and sole proprietorships in Japan.
They are targeting lease-selling the bike across Southeast Asia, as well.
The PCX Electric uses two removable batteries.

The Honda PCX Electric will soon be available for lease sale in Asia.

The bike uses the popular PCX platform which has proven its worth in many countries across Asia. The scooter is well-known for its styling, comfort, reliability and fuel economy.

The PCX Electric, on the other hand, uses a 4.2 kW motor. The motor is fed by two 48V high-energy density lithium-ion batteries called Honda Mobile Power Packs, in turn. The batteries are removable for charging outside the vehicle. The owner may also charge with the batteries inside the bike. Honda says the charging time takes approximately 4 hours using the optional charger (batteries out of the bike), and 6 hours with the batteries in the PCX. A full charge provides a range of up to 41 km.

Honda targets corporations and sole proprietors for the lease sales project. Besides that, they are also looking forward to lease-selling the PCX Electric to other countries in Southeast Asia.

The manufacturer will also embark on a project to collect feedback from customers regarding their experience in using an electric scooter. Additionally, a bike-sharing service in the Tokyo district, besides a tourist destination bike-rental service experiment will commence in spring 2019.

Lease sales means one pays the monthly rental for a stipulated amount of time, and the manufacturer will provide a new bike upon the commencement of a new contract.

Vehicle lease sales is currently practiced in many developed countries but has not taken a firm hold in Malaysia.

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

The Suzuki GSX-750 set the template for the modern superbike.

But Euro4 regulation has stopped it and the GSX-R600 from being sold in Japan and Europe.

There is no foreseeable replacement for both models.

A World Health Organization (WHO) report highlighted that Thailand has the highest road accident death rate among Asian countries.

However, India saw the most killed in road accidents.

Road accidents is now the Number 1 cause of death for children and adults up to 29 years old.

Jorge Lorenzo has finally spoken about his first impressions on the Repsol Honda.

He rode it at the Valencia and Jerez post-season tests last year.

He joins Marc Marquez as part of Honda’s assault on the MotoGP championship next year.

Cal Crutchlow and HJC Helmets will partner for the 2019 to 2020 MotoGP seasons.

HJC hopes the rider will contribute towards product development.

HJC Helmets hail from South Korea.

A Malaysian man is stranded in Thailand following an accident.

He needs to pay RM 200,000 to the deceased Thai pedestrian’s family.

He also needs to undergo further medical care for the injuries suffered in the crash.

Honda Japan will lease-sell the Honda PCX Electric to corporations and sole proprietorships in Japan.

They are targeting lease-selling the bike across Southeast Asia, as well.

The PCX Electric uses two removable batteries.

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