After the recall issued by Ducati and Aprilia in the US regarding the PR16 front radial master cylinder unit, a Brembo official statement has finally been released.
Brembo has stated that the manufacturers that are affected are Aprilia, Ducati, KTM, MV Agusta, TM Racing, Moto Morini and Horex.
Models from 2015 to 2017 which uses the PR16 front radial master cylinder are typically used with Brembo M50 callipers.
It was only a few days ago at the beginning of the year where news broke out regarding a possible recall for a Brembo master cylinder unit. Manufacturers in the US like Aprilia and Ducati have since released official notices to owners with bikes that use the Brembo PR16 front radial master cylinder unit which is typically used with the Brembo M50 calliper package. (more…)
Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia has announced that the 2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster will come at an expected price of below RM80,000.
Triumph’s latest modern classic cruiser is a combination of the Bobber’s chassis and the T120’s 1200cc high-torque engine.
Expect the 2018 Triumph Speedmaster to arrive on Malaysian shores sometime in the first quarter of 2018.
Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia has announced on their official Facebook page that the highly-awaited 2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster will be available soon with a price tag of below RM80,000 (and also open for booking). The latest addition into the Triumph modern classic family was just launched globally just a few months ago in October 2017.
HJC Helmet Malaysia is now offering the limited edition HJC RPHA 11 Cars 3 full face helmets here in Malaysia.
The two helmets come in the HJC RPHA 11 Lightning McQueen and the HJC RPHA 11 Carbon Jackson Storm.
The recommended retail prices for the limited edition Cars 3 HJC lids are from RM2,729 to RM3,389.
Look alive, folks! The new HJC RPHA 11 Cars 3 full face helmets are here and complete with all sorts of excitement. If you are as big of a Cars movie franchise fan as we are, then these two babies are indeed something you should consider owning as fast as they race in the movie. (more…)
Yamaha Motor Japan has revealed that they have purchased some amazing three-wheeled motorcycle patents from Brudeli Tech.
The Norway-based company focuses a lot on automotive technology and their Brudeli Leanster vehicles are proof on how far they have come.
This purchase shows that Yamaha is indeed very interested in further developing their investment of their three-wheeled efforts following the Yamaha Niken launch at EICMA 2017.
Yamaha has revealed that they have purchased a bunch of patents from Norway-based Brudeli Tech who specialises in the leaning vehicle segment thanks to their Leanster bikes. The update was released soon after the launch of the Yamaha Niken or MWT-9 during last year’s EICMA show in Milan, Italy. (more…)
More excitement is inbound with the reveal of the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX.
Kawasaki has revised many aspects of the bike.
The H2 SX will be more practical for everyday riding and touring.
When Kawasaki unveiled the supercharged Ninja H2R at 2014 Intermot show and the Ninja H2 a month later, they went straight into history as the world’s fastest production motorcycles. Love them or loathe them, the duo will hold a special place in everyone’s hearts many years from now, just like how we still revere the 1969 H1 Mach III, 1972 H2 Mach IV, 1972 Z1, 1984 GPz900R Ninja, among many other Kawasakis.
The track-only H2R was nothing if not shocking with an engine produced 300 bhp. The street-oriented H2 produced 197.6 bhp, on the other hand. Both bikes were wrapped in a bodywork whose styling has never been seen before. Designed by the Kawasaki Aerospace Company, every wedge on the bike was to create more downforce.
However, the H2R and H2 were true sportbikes, so touring or commuting on them meant that the rider had to suffer. Many had pondered if the H2 could be made more practical.
Well, your prayers have been answered when Kawasaki took the covers off the H2 SX at the 2017 EICMA show. Kawasaki now has a supercharged sport-tourer, like how John McLain now has a machine gun. Ho ho ho.
Here are 5 things we’re expecting from the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX.
1. Revised Ergonomics
What is a sport-tourer if not for its accommodating ergonomics.
The H2 SX’s steel trellis frame is based on the H2, but has been strengthened and and lengthened. Along with a new passenger seat, they are thicker and wider. The handlebar has been raised higher for a more upright riding position.
While the styling is still unmistakable shouts H2, it’s now rounder, larger and has a taller windscreen.
Higher Load Capacity
Another benefit of the revised frame is the ability to carry a passenger and luggage. The H2 SX has been rated to carry 195.5 kg. The swingarm has been lengthened by 15mm for added stability, while the steering lock angle has been increased by a substantial 30 degrees on both sides to ease low-speed maneuverability.
Refined Engine
The H2R and H2’s manic engine has undergone some changes make it easier for both street riding and touring. The objective was to provide more low- and mid-range torque.
The supercharger’s impeller was completely redesigned, with new intake chamber, cams and exhaust. The engine’s thermal efficiency was also increased by upping the compression ratio to 11.2:1 from 8.5:1; along with new cast aluminium pistons, cylinders, and cylinder heads. Both intake and exhaust cam profiles were shortened for the requirements of street riding.
These changes still yield the exact same 197.6 bhp and 101 Nm of torque.
Further Range
Another important aspect for a sport-tourer is range, for you can’t expect to tour in a realistic manner if you have to stop for fuel every 200/250 kilometres.
The H2 SX now has a 19-litre fuel tank. The revisions to the engine’s character has resulted in a fuel mileage figure that matches the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 (Z1000SX) and Versys 1000.
New Electronics Package
The H2 SX will feature a new 2-mode LCD display.
Apart from that, it also utilizes electronic cruise control, all-LED lighting, 3-mode Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), Kawasaki Intelligent ABS (KIBS), engine brake control, three power modes, together with a 5-axis Bosch Inertia Measurement Unit (IMU) with an extra sixth-axis (yaw) calculated by Kawasaki’s own software developed in World Superbike.
The H2 SX SE adds full-colour LCD, LED cornering lights, a larger windscreen, Kawasaki Launch Control Mode which controls wheelie and wheel spin, quickshifter for both up- and downshifts, braided steel brake lines, heated grips and centrestand.
Both models are suspended by fully adjustable 43mm KYB forks and 40mm rear shock with revised Uni-Trak linkage.
Brakes are 320mm discs up front, squeezed by 4-piston calipers, although they aren’t Brembos.
Conclusion
We expect there’s a lot more than just specs when the H2 SX and H2 SX SE makes its appearance in Malaysia. Here’s to getting there quick so you’ve more time to enjoy your destination.
Thieves are now targeting ByBre calipers in addition to Brembos.
They are also removing the entire set including the master cylinder.
It’s no longer a secret that there’s been a whole spate of motorcycle brake calipers being stolen.
It started with lahanats targeting Brembo calipers, then moving on to especially Brembo Monobloc calipers, to the calipers and master cylinder, and just lately, Bybre calipers. (Click on the link below for our recent report.)
We don’t have say how troublesome if you lose the calipers, since you don’t have brakes, obviously. But there’s also the cost of money and time to source for a replacement, not to mention the unfathomed level of stress.
The thieves who were spawned at the bottom of the genetic cesspool notwithstanding, brake calipers are attached in a method to allow for easy detachment when the pads need changing or servicing the calipers. We hope that motorcycle manufacturers will look into ways to make it more challenging for thieves to remove the aforementioned parts, or offer tamper-proof bolts and nuts as options.
We’ve put together a few tips here that may help you secure your bike’s brake calipers and master cylinder. But do note that we said “may” because NOT ALL solutions are 100% foolproof. However, thieves usually act on opportunity, meaning that they target easy prey. They just want to remove the parts and cabut, rather than sticking around to borak-borak about where to ride to for the best nasi briyani gam. Unlike robbers, they don’t look for challenges.
Please be very certain that the replacement bolts and nuts are not only compatible in terms of tread depth and length but also that they are of the same or stronger strength. We don’t have to remind you that a lot of stress goes through those bolts and nuts holding the calipers in place.
1. Fill with putty
I came across this simple solution when I picked the 2017 Triumph Street Triple RS to review.
The ST-RS’s calipers are radially mounted, meaning the bolts screw right into the brackets on the forks’s lowers. Triumph Motorcycle Malaysia’s service crew got creative and filled the hexagonal socket space of the bolts with putty.
The would-be thief would have to dig some of that putty out before he could insert a hex key to turn the bolt.
This method is simple and cost next to nothing, however, it’s still relatively easy to defeat.
2. Custom bolts
Google “bolt and nut suppliers” and give them a call to see if they could customer a batch of bolts and nuts for you, complete with the unique key. Best to have a different bolt (and nut if applicable) on each mounting point to present a real challenge.
3. Anti-tamper bolts
Failing finding a company to customize bolts and nuts for you, you may google for tamper-proof or security bolts and nuts.
These fasteners feature “patterns” unlike those that are commonly available in the market, thus they need special keys to tighten and remove them. We came across many companies that offer this solution, however, most of them also sell the drivers openly.
More searching revealed an American company which makes fasteners that are unique only to each customer. Although the fasteners are based on certain templates, there are differences that make them accessible only to the customer who has the correct driver.
Again, mix the type of bolts and nuts to bring security up another level.
4. Grinding off the bolts and nuts
One of the safest way is to grind away the bolt’s socket/box pattern and/or nut’s box pattern. This results in having to tap or chiseling off the remainder of the fastener. However, we don’t recommend this method as grinding away the bolt or nut may weaken them.
5. Soldering the bolts and nuts
Apply some solder to bottom of the bolt head and tighten. It’ll make the bolt more difficult to turn once the solder solidifies, but it’s also relatively easy to beat.
This is another desperate method.
6. Befriend you neighbours
Don’t be friendly only to pretty girls or parents with pretty daughters.
This is especially important if you live in a condo, apartment or flat. If you hadn’t made friends with your neighbours plus the people closest to where you park your bike at night, this is the right time. Similarly, if your place is guarded, be friends with the security personnel.
Your friends and neighbours could keep an eye out on your bike. Imagine if they happened upon someone working on your bike:
Neighbour: “Hey, what are doing to that motorcycle?”
Lowlife: “I’m repairing my friend’s bike here.”
Neighbour: “Where’s your friend, the bike owner then?”
Lowlife: “He’s left me to work on it. He’s busy. Don’t worry, he trusts me.”
Now imagine if your neighbors don’t know you, or don’t like you because you appear langsi to them? Can you blame them?
7. Park the bike in the living room
This is the best solution. And the dream of almost all motorcycle owners, we suspect. There’ve been cases of thieves entering houses’ car porches and stealing motorcycles parked there.
Just lay down some newspaper on the floor in the house and push your bike in. Your spouse or housemates will understand. If they protest vehemently, make them sign an agreement to reimburse you should parts and accessories go missing. That’ll change their minds quick, trust me.
This works best for those living in landed properties, we understand. Most condominiums and apartments do not allow transporting a motorcycle in the elevator, so this is where you have to be friendly with your neighbours and fit tamper-proof fasteners.
8. Park the bike next to you
What if you ride somewhere and have to park the bike?
Do some research to see if you could park the bike within eyesight or right next to you. Malls are the worst when it comes to this, unless you pay for valet space.
Courtesy of H1K HP4 Malaysia
Conclusion
Whether you find these tips useful or otherwise, do remember to not take your bike’s security for granted. It doesn’t matter if your bike is a shiny new fastest production bike or a beat up and dirty daily commuter, being safe now is better than regretting it later.
