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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.

Honda Officially Adds Honda CB1000F to Lineup

After revealing the Honda CB1000F as a concept during the Suzuka 8 Hour race in August, they have now revealed the ready product.

The CB1000F is the latest model in the CB family’s 65-year-old history. But more specifically, the CB1000F resembles the CB750F/CB900F from the 80’s. More significantly, it resembles the bike ridden by one Freddie Spencer to a Daytona victory, before he went on to be a 500cc world champion.

As we mentioned previously, it is based on the CB1000 platform, which has now expanded to three variants, namely CB1000R (Neo Cafe roadster), CB1000/Hornet (naked), and now the CB1000F.

Therefore, all three bikes share some basic architecture and features.

Highlights

1000cc inline-four engine, but retuned to produce 122 hp at 9,000 RPM and 103 Nm at 8,000 RPM, compared to the other two variants’ 155 hp @ 11,000 RPM and 107 Nm at 9,000 RPM.
It is clear here that this bike is intended for a more approachable, everyday riding experience, rather than an all-out street blasting.
Honda says it has been “developed under the conceptual target of creating the ‘Best Balanced Roadster’. The CB1000F handles like a middleweight but with big bike feel. And, with the ‘80s now proving such an influential decade in clothing, music, style, and more, the CB1000F is very much a bike ready for today.”

To achieve this goal, Honda revised the cams, lengthened the intake funnel from 50 mm to 140 mm, and a minimum diameter of 36 mm.
The exhaust system has the same 4-2-1 arrangement but gases exit through a three-chamber megaphone muffler.
Front suspension consists of 41mm Showa SFF-BP USD forks which are adjustable for spring preload and rebound/compression damping. (Non-adjustable on the CB1000/Hornet).

At the rear is a Showa shock that also allows for preload and rebound damping adjustments.
Nissin four-piston radial-mount front brake callipers grip 310mm floating discs up front, while out back is a 240mm disc that’s paired with a Nissin single-piston calliper
The CB1000F gets cast aluminium wheels with 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 front and rear tyres.

The CB1000F also receives wheelie control and cornering ABS, three riding modes which include Standard, Sport and Rain, and two customisable User modes for riders to choose from.
The dash features a 5-inch TFT screen, which has smartphone connectivity via the Honda RoadSmart app.

2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally Launched

The 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally has been revealed, featuring some revisions to the first version launched just 3 years ago.

Before we move on, let us draw a deep (and deeper) breath as the new bike is equipped with almost everything in the alphabet.

Highlights

Still powered by the madcap 1158cc, Granturism0 V4 engine, which produces 170 hp at 10,750 RPM and 121 Nm at 8,750 RPM.
Ducati says that it delivers “a particularly linear torque curve,” but we wonder that means they have addressed the engine’s slightly anaemic power delivery at lower revs and speeds.
As per the Panigale V4/V4 S, Multistrada V4/V4 S, and Diavel V4/V4 S models, the engine deactivates the rear cylinder bank while in a standstill and at low revs,to save fuel and cut down on emissions.
The Granturismo V4 features conventional valvetrain, as opposed to Ducati’s Desmo, thus valve clearance interval is set at 60,000 km.
As for servicing, the interval is every 15,000 km.
To boost off-road capabilities, the suspension on the Rally has 200 mm of travel for both front and rear axles, increasing ground clearance to 230 mm.

Speaking of suspension, the 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally boasts a new electronic semi-active Marzocchi suspension, called Adaptive DSS Evo.
It allows for adjustment of the preload and hydraulic compression and rebound damping of the fork and rear shock absorber.
Sensors can even tell if you are riding over a bump or into a pothole, and adjusts the damping accordingly. (Superb for Malayian roads!)
The suspension is equipped with a (switchable) Automatic Lowering Device (ALD) which drops the bike’s seat height when speeds go below 9 km/h – great for trudging in off-road conditions or riding through heavy traffic.
It then returns to the normal set height when you hit 20 km/h off-road, or 45 km/h on the road.
Suspension settings can be made while the bike is moving.

Its algorithm works in conjunction with the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which in turn sends data to the ABS, ECBS, EBC, DTC, DWC, ACC, BSD, BSW, FCW, BLE control units or servos. But wait, no karaoke function? (Just kidding.)
Other electronic features include Electronic Combined Braking System, and Adaptive Cruise Control which utilises the bike’s radar.
The radar also runs the blind-spot detection and forward collision warning features.
The TFT screen measures 6.5 inches and through it, you can select your riding modes, Ducati Connect, suspension control, and more.
Ducati pays a lot of attention to aerodynamic of course, not just for their MotoGP bikes. As such, the Multistrada V4 Rally has front wind deflectors that increase protection for the rider and passenger.
The windshield is also 40 mm wider and 20 mm taller.
Additionally, the pannier mounting positions have been revised to “provide ample legroom for the passenger.”
Wheels are spoked aluminium.
Last but not least, the bike is equipped with a 30-litre fuel tank.
Colour options are Ducati Red/Brushed Aluminium with black spoked wheels, and Jade Green/Brushed Aluminium with gold spoked wheels.

The 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally is priced from USD31,995 (MYR135,194.81)

Marc Marquez not Racing in Malaysian MotoGP

MotoGP champion Marc Marquez will not participate in the 2025 Malaysian MotoGP after suffering a fracture and ligament injury to his right shoulder in a crash at the Indonesian Grand Prix (GP), according to his Ducati team. He will also miss the race in Australia.

Ducati stated that Marquez: “Suffered a fracture at the base of the coracoid process and a ligament injury in the right shoulder.

“Clinical examination and radiological assessment ruled out any connection to previous injuries and confirmed there is no significant bone displacement.”

Marquez could still potentially compete in the Portuguese GP (November 7-9) and the Valencia GP (November 14-16), but he stressed that he will not rush the recovery process.

“My goal is to return before the season ends, but without rushing and going against the doctors’ advice,” said the Spanish rider.

“Both my personal and the team’s goals have already been achieved, so the priority now is to recover properly and return to 100% fitness.”

Marquez’s motorcycle was hit by Aprilia factory team rider Marco Bezzecchi during the main race at the Mandalika circuit in Indonesia. The collision caused both riders to be thrown onto the gravel trap at high speed, with Marquez appearing to be in pain after tumbling through the air before landing.

Marquez, who won his seventh MotoGP championship at the Japanese GP last month, was seen hunched over in pain at the side of the track for several minutes before slowly getting up while holding his shoulder.

This latest injury is to the same shoulder as the arm he broke at the 2020 Spanish GP in Jerez, an incident that forced him to take a long break and undergo a series of surgeries.

Yamaha LC135 Auctioned for RM150 in JPJ Auction

A Yamaha LC135 received a bid of RM150, while a Perodua Myvi received a bid of RM26,000 through the Public Auction Series 2/2025 organized by the Kuala Lumpur Road Transport Department (JPJ). These bid prices were the lowest and highest, respectively.

A total of 149 vehicles were successfully auctioned off, with total collections reaching RM257,100.

Kuala Lumpur JPJ Director Hamidi Adam said that 150 vehicles were offered in this public auction, which took place here today.

“This program is JPJ’s continuous initiative in managing seized assets transparently and with integrity.

“At the same time, it provides an opportunity for the public to own vehicles at affordable prices,” he said in a statement.

Hamidi said that of the 150 vehicles offered for auction, 128 were motorcycles, 13 were cars, three were vans, and six were rigid lorries.

“This public auction also showed keen interest and active participation from the public.

“Execution records also show an increase in terms of public participation and the effectiveness of the program conducted periodically,” he said.

According to him, during the Public Auction Series 1/2025 on May 21st, 124 vehicles were offered and all were successfully auctioned, with revenue collection of RM237,000.

He said it involved a highest bid of RM27,000 for a rigid tipper/dumper lorry and a lowest bid of RM200 for a motorcycle for scrap.

“JPJ WPKL records its highest appreciation to all participants and parties involved in making this program a success,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hamidi said the public is encouraged to follow JPJ’s official channels for the latest information on upcoming auctions.