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Adventure Motorcycles for New Riders (2025) – Part 2

Alright, let us continue with part 2 of this Adventure Motorcycles for New Riders (2025). But before we proceed further, let us clarify that “adventure motorcycles” describe motorcycles that have more fuel capacity and long-range comfort, compared to enduro motorcycles. In other words, these motorcycles retain some off-road capabilities and can be used for touring. Hence they are also known as dual-sport motorcycles.

Let us also move up the scale a bit and into the sub-500cc range.

6. KTM 390 Adventure

There are actually two versions of this bike i.e the standard 390 Adventure and the (much) more off-road oriented 390 Adventure R.

Launched in 2021 with cast alloy wheels, it underwent a revision for 2023, featuring wire spoked wheels.

Then, at EICMA last year, KTM revealed the long-awaited “R” version which was pretty much a totally new motorcycle including a new engine, suspension, bodywork, frame, swingarm, 27-inch front wheel, electronics. Come to think of it, it is much more like the smaller version of the 790/890 Adventure R.

In any case, the 390 Adventure was a hoot to ride both on the road and off-road, thrilling both new and veteran riders. However, wait for the “R” version if you plan on more exploring and off-roading.

(Specifications for the KTM 390 Adventure)

373cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 44hp, 37Nm.
14.5-litre fuel tank, 159kg (dry).
855mm seat height.
Pros: Torquey engine, superb suspension, hard-edged.
Cons: Standard suspension tuning is a bit hard.
Selling price: RM33,800.

7. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

The Royal Enfield Himalayan offers reliability, toughness, simplicity, versatility, and affordability all at one go. However, that toughness has a price in terms of weight. The 450 is the new model and features a bigger engine and TFT screen with smartphone connectivity, and there are 4 trims.

452cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 40hp at 8,000, 40Nm at 5,500 RPM.
17-litre fuel tank, 191kg (dry).
825mm seat height.
Pros: Simple, reliable, versatile.
Cons: Rather heavy.
Selling price: From RM30,600.

8. CFMoto 450MT/450MT-X

A high-spec’ed motorcycle at a competitive price: Adjustable KYB suspension, TFT screen, J.Juan brakes, adjustable windscreen (although manual), switchable rear wheel ABS via a dedicated button, etc. This bike is gear more towards off-road riding with 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, but has a low seat height. Go for the MT-X version for just RM2,000 more and you will get three aluminium cases.

449cc, parallel-twin, 270º DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 44hp at 8,500, 44Nm at 6,250 RPM.
17.5-litre fuel tank, 175kg (dry).
820mm seat height.
Pros: Good features, light, low seat height.
Cons: Abrupt throttle action.
Selling price: RM28,800 (450MT), RM30,888 (450MT-X).

9. Triumph Scrambler 400X

Not as off-road oriented as the Scrambler 1200 but does a decent job with its longer travel suspension. But as with other Triumphs, the 400 platform is nimble, has a torque and entertaining engine, and superb suspension. And, the Scrambler 400 X comes equipped with a whole range of accessories, making it look really butch at a great price.

398cc, parallel-twin, 270º DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 39.5hp at 8,500, 37.5Nm at 6,500 RPM.
13-litre fuel tank, 179kg (wet).
835mm seat height.
Pros: Easy to ride, stylish, entertaining.
Cons: Very short 1st and 2nd gears.
Selling price: RM29,900.

10. Benelli TRK 502X

The TRK 502X is the adventure version with 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, while the TRK 502 is the sport-touring version with 17-inch wheels on both ends. Truth be told, this product lineup is kind of long in the tooth, although it was updated recently. But, you do get dual front brakes, and it is probably the best for long-distance touring among the group here.

500cc, parallel-twin, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 48hp at 8,500, 45Nm at 6,000 RPM.
20-litre fuel tank, 213kg (dry).
840mm seat height.
Pros: Well appointed for long-distance riding.
Cons: It is heavy and feels heavy.
Selling price: RM35,288.

Closing

So there you have it, 10 most appropriate adventure motorcycles for new riders. It has to be said that motorcycles have come a long way and even a 250cc adventure bike can do wonders plus saving you a few bucks to be spent on riding gear.

There are several models missing in our list, including the Honda CB500X and Fantic Caballero 500. These two are fantastic bikes, nonetheless so we will write further features about them in the near future.

16-Year-Old Driver Caused 5 Deaths in Road Accident

A road accident caused by a 16-year-old driver has killed 5 victims. The incident occurred in Kuching, Sarawak, yesterday.

Kuching District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said that four of the victims, aged between 16 and 45, including a woman, died at the scene.

He said that another victim, a 16-year-old boy, was confirmed dead while receiving treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

“The accident on Jalan Teo Kui Seng-Stutong Baru at about 12.50pm occurred when a car from Jalan Lapangan Terbang heading towards Jalan Seria Raja lost control and skidded into the opposite lane.

“The car then crashed into two motorcycles and two cars in the opposite lane,” he said in a statement tonight.

Mohd Farhan said the 16-year-old boy who was driving the Proton Saga that crashed into four other vehicles is still receiving treatment at HUS due to a neck injury.

“Three other victims who also suffered injuries are also receiving further treatment at HUS,” he said.

The four other vehicles involved in the accident were a Toyota Altis, a Proton Saga and two motorcycles, a Yamaha and a Modenas.

According to him, the boy, who does not have a driving licence, will be detained after he receives treatment at HUS.

“He will be detained for investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which is causing death by reckless and dangerous driving.

“If convicted, they can be sentenced to between five and 10 years in prison and a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not more than RM50,000,” he said.

He also appealed to the public who have information regarding the incident to contact traffic investigation officer, Assistant Superintendent Lucas Apin at 013-8246881 / 082- 259900 or any nearby police station.

Goodyear Sells Dunlop to Sumitomo

Goodyear has sold the Dunlop brand to the Japanese tyre brand Sumitomo, for a reported deal of USD701 million (MYR3.1 billion).

The entire deal is a little convoluted, as Sumitomo already owns the Dunlop brand since 1985 to produce Dunlop tyres under license for certain markets. However, Sumitomo did not buy the entire company. Then, in 2015, Sumitomo reacquired Dunlop’s entire motorcycle tire division from Goodyear.

The latest deal sees Sumitomo buying the entire Dunlop brand (including the car tyres) and their manufacturing facilities. The deal is part of Goodyear’s plan to streamline its operations, which it laid out in its ‘Goodyear Forward’ transformation plan. The plan has seen the closure of several factories around the world including in Malaysia, recently.

As well as the purchase price paid to acquire the brand, Sumitomo will also pay a “Transition Fee” and while it sounds like a lock, stock, and barrel purchase, in Europe at least, Dunlop will continue to manufacture, sell and distribute Dunlop branded consumer tyres until at least December 31, 2025. Furthermore, Dunlop will still supply certain branded tyres to Sumitomo for the European market for a five-year period, with quantities of 4.5 million tyres per year required to oblige the contract.

Speaking about the deal, Mark Stewart, Goodyear Chief Executive Officer and President, said: “This is another important milestone as we continue to execute against our Goodyear Forward transformation plan. We are optimising our portfolio and reducing leverage to drive sustainable and substantial shareholder value creation … Not only does the transaction deliver significant value for our shareholders, it better positions Goodyear to enhance our focus on the growth of our core brands.”

“Our team conducted a comprehensive process focused on maximising value for Goodyear through a divestment of our Dunlop Brand, and we are very pleased with the outcome achieved,” said Christina Zamarro, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “We are committed to working closely with SRI to ensure a smooth transition for customers of the Dunlop Brand.“

Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally Wins Africa Eco Race Again

As we published previously, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 surprised everyone when it won last year’s Africa Eco Race rally in maiden attempt. As such, the factory was more than keen to defend the title with the Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally this year.

Racing the bike to the top podium was Italian rider Jacopo Cerutti who beat Alessandro Botturi on the Yamaha Ténéré 700 by a mere 26 seconds. The duel was thrilling as the two riders took on the last stage with only 9 seconds separating them in the overall standings. The two Italian riders fought for every kilometre but Botturi, in addition to a navigation error, found himself stuck in a net that he dragged to the finish line.

Cerutti had not only conquered the gruelling race, but also several challenges such a gastrointestinal virus, issues with the mousse in his rear tire, and non-functioning navigation instruments. In the end, Cerutti defended his title all the way to the last kilometre, and taking five stage victories and another two podiums.

He said, “Winning the Africa Eco Race for the second consecutive year is a dream. We had an outstanding advantage in the sand, both because of my riding style and the performance of the Tuareg Rally, and I was able to exploit it fully. It was an edition where strategy was fundamental and, in the last two days, I accomplished an undertaking that even I did not think possible. Congratulations also to Alessandro Botturi, it was great to have an opponent like him and to fight to the end.”

Cerutti’s teammate and race debutant, Marco Menichini, took victory in the Junior Under 25 class and sixth overall, as well as third place in the multi-cylinder class, on the other Aprilia Tuareg 660.

Yamaha star Pol Tarres also competed in this year’s Africa Eco Race but crashed at Kilometer 111 of Stage 2 while fighting for the win. He lost consciousness for several minutes and had to be airlifted to safety. He is safe and recovering from his injuries.

The sixteenth edition of the Africa Eco Race began in Monaco and crossing over to the breathtaking landscapes of Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. The rally actually traces the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally’s and Thierry Sabine’s legacy, and as such, it has come to be known as “The Real Race to Dakar” in recent years. Spanning 14 days and 12 challenging stages, it covered roughly 6,000 km of unforgiving terrain.

AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 Launched

Suzuki Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., in collaboration with the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association (MMSDA), launched the AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 at Dataran Ilmu, Selayang Stadium, today.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah, Deputy Minister of Transport of Malaysia, together with a host of guests of honour.

The campaign, themed “Share the Road, Ride Wisely” in 2025, is being organised for the 2nd time by Suzuki Malaysia and the 8th time by AFY Mobility Industries (AMI). It aims to raise awareness of road safety among motorcyclists, vehicle drivers, and the general public.

In his speech, YB Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah highlighted the alarming road accident statistics: “Based on the latest statistics from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), a total of 5,939 deaths were recorded from 585,729 accident cases reported up to November 2024. Of this total, 67% or 4,014 deaths involved motorcycle riders and pillion riders, with the majority consisting of youths aged 16 to 35 years. This group is now the largest contributor to the number of deaths due to road accidents.”

Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi also stressed the importance of having a valid driving license for motorcyclists: “I would like to draw the attention of all parties to the critical need to have a valid driving license before being allowed to ride a motorcycle on the road. This basic step is important to ensure the safety of all road users.”

He also reiterated the government’s commitment through the safety and enforcement agencies under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia in efforts to address this challenge and improve road safety for all users.

Campaign Activities and Programs

The campaign also offers various interesting activities to visitors, including:

Free motorcycle inspection – ‘16-point check’ by certified Suzuki Malaysia mechanics.
Replacement of 400 units of new helmets to motorcyclists.
Giving out children’s helmets as a symbolic measure to protect young passengers.
Exhibition of motorcycles and safety accessories.

Yang Berbahagia En. Ahmad Faez Bin Tan Sri Yahaya, Executive Chairman of Suzuki Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Group in his speech emphasized Suzuki Malaysia’s commitment to continue supporting road safety initiatives, especially motorcyclists, for the well-being of the community.

Campaign Opening

The opening ceremony was concluded with a symbolic gong beating event by Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah, together with Yang Berbahagia Encik Yap Kiew San, Chairman of MMSDA, and Yang Berbahagia En. Ahmad Faez Bin Tan Sri Yahaya.

Closing and Hope

The AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 provides various activities and educational opportunities to increase road safety awareness. With the cooperation of all parties, this campaign is expected to contribute to reducing accident rates and creating a safer road culture in Malaysia.

Adventure Motorcycles for New Riders (2025) – Part 1

Adventure motorcycles are already known for their comfort and versatility, hence why the segment is still growing. While we ride 99.9% of the time on paved roads, adventure bikes still provide many advantages, including long-travel suspension is able to soak up bumps and irregularities, tall ride height which gives the ride great all-round vision, comfortable ergonomics, and the ability to be fitted with luggage and bags.

Then of course, there is ever present capability for off-road exploring although that potential depends on the specific motorcycle and rider.

Speaking of the rider, it is perhaps unwise for a new rider get the most powerful and fastest adventure bike, especially if you plan to do some off-roading. So, here are XX adventure motorcycles for new riders, which we have updated for 2025.

1. Honda CRF250 Rally

It all began with the CRF250L in 2013, then the CRF250L Adventure, before becoming the present CRF250 Rally. Built to look like the CRF450 Rally Dakar racer, this bike looks the part and is easy to ride. There is even a built-in tool space in the left underseat panel.

250cc, single cylinder engine, which does 24hp at 9,000 RPM, 23Nm at 6,000 RPM.
12.8-litre fuel tank, 153kg.
885mm seat height.
Selling price: RM28,599.
Pros: Easy to ride, lightweight.
Cons: Seat height may be too tall for new riders.

2. Modenas Versys-X 250

The Versys-X 250 is a popular model as it has a lower seat height, and is gear more towards a sport-tourer although it does have some off-road capabilities. But get this: Modenas equips the bike with a pair of side cases as standard equipment in Malaysia.

249cc, parallel-twin engine, producing 32.5hp at 11,500 RPM, 21.7Nm at 10,000 RPM.
17-litre fuel tank, 181kg.
815mm seat height.
Selling price: RM24,900.
Pros: Fast for a small cc adventure bike, low seat height.
Cons: Peaky engine (needs lotsa revs), rudimentary suspension.

3. Suzuki V-Strom 250SX

The V-Strom 250SX is a long-awaited model and had just been launched in Malaysia last year. All we can say is it was worth the wait. While the engine does not boost any new tech and looked underpowered on paper, it was full of low- and mid-range torque. And when coupled to a superb suspension, the bike was actually sweet to ride. In fact, it felt a lot like riding the KTM 250 Adventure, but at a much lower price. Build quality was the best even beating out the Honda.

249cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, two-valve, oil-cooled engine, producing 26hp, 24Nm.
12-litre fuel tank, 167kg.
835mm seat height.
Selling price: RM17,800.
Pros: Torquey engine, compliant suspension, great value for money.
Cons: No assist and slipper clutch.

4. KTM 250 Adventure

The KTM 250 Adventure is gear more towards the adventure side of purpose, hence you can hit the trails put of the box. However, it is also a practical bike everyday riding and touring. The suspension is also more supple compared to its 390 Adventure sibling’s. It is also much simpler.

249cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 29.5hp at 9,3000 RPM, 22.72Nm at 7,300 RPM.
14.5-litre fuel tank, 156kg.
855mm seat height.
Selling price: RM24,000
Pros: Torquey engine, compliant suspension, the most adventure-ready of the lot.
Cons: No assist and slipper clutch.

5. BMW G 310 GS

This bike always seems to escape everyone’s attention for some reason. Is it due to price? Maintenance costs? Reliability? Do let us know because we have reviewed it and found it to be a rather good all-rounder.

313cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 34hp at 9,250 RPM, 28Nm at 7,500 RPM.
11.5-litre fuel tank, 175kg.
855mm seat height.
Selling price: RM31,500
Pros: Torquey engine, compliant suspension, best all-rounder.
Cons: You tell us!

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Latest News

Adventure Motorcycles for New Riders (2025) – Part 2

6. KTM 390 Adventure

7. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

8. CFMoto 450MT/450MT-X

9. Triumph Scrambler 400X

10. Benelli TRK 502X

Closing

16-Year-Old Driver Caused 5 Deaths in Road Accident

Goodyear Sells Dunlop to Sumitomo

Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally Wins Africa Eco Race Again

AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 Launched

Campaign Activities and Programs

Closing and Hope

Adventure Motorcycles for New Riders (2025) – Part 1

1. Honda CRF250 Rally

2. Modenas Versys-X 250

3. Suzuki V-Strom 250SX

4. KTM 250 Adventure

5. BMW G 310 GS

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Castrol Power1 Ultimate Superbike 10W-50 Motor Oil Launched

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