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TVS Launches New TVS RT-XD4 Engine Platform

TVS has launched a new engine platform dubbed the TVS RT-XD4. It promises higher power and torque output, together with enhanced reliability.

The company produces the Apache 310 platform which also serves as the BMW G 310 series. That engine is 313 cc, water-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke unit which produces 34hp at 9,250 RPM and 28Nm at 7,500 RPM.

Start TVS Press Release:

TVS Motor Company (TVSM) – a leading global automaker operating in the two and three-wheeler segment – unveiled its next-gen TVS RT-XD4 engine platform on Day 1 of TVS MotoSoul 4.0. The TVS RT-XD4 is a new, transformative innovation that takes inspiration from the company’s racing heritage over decades. The platform delivers thrilling performance, unmatched refinement and precision, for a very comfortable ride.

Announcing the new engine platform, Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, said, “The TVS RT-XD4 is a major milestone, the result of our focus on creating unique, compelling, TVS-kind of riding experience. Conceptualised, designed and developed in-house, at our R&D Centre in Hosur, the TVS RT-XD4 is a demonstration of our engineering and research capability. Over the last several years, TVSM has been setting benchmarks in riding excellence, made possible by decades of exposure to the race track, extensive user insights, ahead-of-the-curve investments, and robust tech and digital capability. We will continue to bring about mobility solutions that can transform the quality of life of people across the world.”

The TVS RT-XD4 engine platform delivers racing thrill via 4 Dual Technologies :

Dual Overhead Cams with downdraft port that delivers high revs and superior peak performance.
Dual oil pump with split chamber crankcase that delivers optimum lubrication and all-range torque.
Dual cooling jacket cylinder head with water jacket on top and oil jacket below that further increases cooling, to increase performance output.
Dual breather system that effectively prevents oil contamination and reduces oil consumption, for consistent performance over long duration.

The engine comes with other features for refined performance and rider comfort:

Plasma spray-coating.
Superior thermal/heat management.
High inertia shell bearing crankshaft.
Helical gear driven balancer system.

This new-gen platform delivers high efficiency, while supporting ethanol-blended fuels, reduced emissions, and enhanced reliability.

Key Features of the TVS RT-XD4 Engine:

Displacement: 299.1 cc, single-cylinder, forward-inclined engine.
Power Output: 34.5hp 9,000 rpm, with 28.5 Nm torque @ 7,000 rpm.
Cooling System: Liquid-cooled with dual cooling (water and oil jackets).
6 Speed gear box.
Ride-by-wire throttle system.
Assist and Slipper clutch.

Day 1 of TVS MotoSoul 4.0:

A day of unique experiences, adventure and Records.

Day 1 of TVS MotoSoul 4.0 was a thrilling showcase of creativity, community, camaraderie and a celebration of engineering excellence. Custom motorcycle builds took center stage, with three extraordinary creations based on the TVS Apache RTR 310 and TVS RONIN, crafted in collaboration with Smoked Garage (Indonesia) and TVS Motor Factory Team (India). Dirt Track Races, Stunt Competitions, Obstacle Races, Slow Bike Races and Flat Track Training sessions kept the riders engrossed.

The creatively inclined, gravitated more towards the center stage to see artist performances, moto-art booths, caricatures and tattoo art, push-up competitions, game rooms and musical performances.

Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company said, “TVS MotoSoul 4.0 is a celebration of everything we stand for, as a premium motorcycle brand — creativity, innovation, and the rider spirit. Aside of our revolutionary performance engine platform that we unveiled, this year’s event also marks the assimilation of different cultures, biker communities and varied art forms. The showcase of custom motorcycles from some of the best builders in the industry, is a personal favourite. With captivating activities, thrilling racing formats, and electrifying performances, MotoSoul 4.0 sets the standard for motorcycling events.”

Adding to the excitement, TVS Motosoul 4.0 celebrated a record-breaking 6,300-kilometer ride on the Golden Quadrilateral, atop the TVS NTORQ. Two accomplished riders – Syed Asif Ali and Shamin Khan – now have recognition from the Asia Book of Records for achieving the feat.

The day was packed with dynamic experiences, including panel discussions, freestyle acts, interactive zones, and electrifying performances by Kalamkaar and DJs Akthar & Clement, setting the tone for the festival.

Triumph Rocket 3 Evel Knievel Limited Edition Pays Homage to the Legend

The Triumph Rocket 3 Evel Knievel Limited Edition has been launched as an homage to the stunt legend. The special edition is available for both the Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT variants.

Robert Craig ‘Evel’ Knievel may have been seen attempting his stunts on a Harley-Davidson XR750 in the latter years, but he had begun his career and had certainly performed some of his most famous stunts on a Triumph T120. It included the famous jump over the Caesar’s Palace Hotel’s fountain, although he crashed.

Knievel performed some 175 stunts, and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.

Back to the Triumph Rocket 3 Evel Knievel Limited Edition, each bike includes an individually numbered black and gold cam cover plate, laser-etched with the Evel Knievel signature logo. Owners will also receive an exclusive collector’s edition hardback book telling the story of Evel Knievel and his Triumphs, individually numbered to match their bike.

The two bikes remains otherwise the same. The engine is a 2458cc inline-triple, boasting 180hp at 7,000 RPM and arm-ripping 225Nm of torque at just 4,000 RPM. The frame and likewise single-sided swingarm are aluminium.

The suspension consists of Showa 47mm upside-down forks up front, and a Showa monoshock at the rear. Braking duties are handled by a pair of Brembo M4.32 Stylema monobloc calipers in front, gripping on 320mm discs. Cornering ABS is a standard feature.

Other features include a full-colour TFT which is controlled through a backlit joystick. The screen also features a unique Evel Knievel display upon start up.

Prices for the Triumph Rocket 3 Evel Knievel Limited Edition was not published.

2025 Honda XL750 Transalp Sees Many Revisions

As with many Honda models for next year, the 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp will see many revisions and new features. The Transalp 750 is important for the manufacturer to fill the midrange gap in their dual-purpose model line-up.

Highlights:

Redesigned front end which brings it closer to the Africa Twin, ridding of CBX500-like headlight. The 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp also has more powerful LEDs.
Revised upper fairing with a central duct to improve airflow around the rider’s helmet.

The new Durabio screen has a new profile to aid airflow around the rider’s body.
The suspension has likewise been revised, with softer compression and rebound damping in the Showa 43mm upside-down forks. Suspension travel remains at 200mm.

On the other hand, the rear Showa monoshock is firmer for better control on uneven ground, and carrying a pillion and luggae. Suspension travel is the same 190mm.
Wheel sizes are 21-inch front and 18-inch rear.

New optically-bonded 5-inch colour TFT screen, which includes iOS/Android smartphone connectivity.
Honda left the 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp’s 755cc, 270º crank, parallel-twin engine unchanged. It produces 90.5hp at 9,500 RPM and 72Nm at 7,250 RPM.

The 2025 Honda XL750 Transalp has two new colours called Graphite Black, and Pearl Deep Mud Gray, joining the Ross White option.
Honda has not released the price of the bike.

Kove RR500 Sportbike Nearing Production

It looks like the 400cc to under 500cc sportbike segment is heating up. There is currently only main player in the category, namely Kawasaki with their Ninja ZX-4RR and it will soon have company in the form of Chinese sportbikes. The latest will be the Kove RR500.

But wait, who is Kove? Kove is the high-end brand of Loncin. Loncin has been making engines for the BMW C- and F-series of motorcycles since 2005.

Kove had been aggressive in pursuing the off-road segment with entries in the Dakar Rally. Their investment has been successful so far, as all the three Kove bikes entered in the rally last year finished the race. Hence Kove became the first Chinese manufacturer to have all their bikes complete the rally on their first attempt. Mind you, the 2023 Dakar Rally was considered the toughest ever. Kove has since built dealerships throughout Europe.

Back to the Kove RR500, Voge revealed their four-cylinder RR660S in September, but apparently, the have another smaller 475cc inline-four engine which has just been approved for production. The bike, codenamed LX500GS-2 according to the type-approval document, will be marketed as the RR500. Engine power was revealed to be 76hp, matching the Kawasaki ZX-4RR’s. Claimed top speed is 220km/h.

Other details include a wet weight of 192kg fully fueled. The frame is steel with an aluminium swingarm. The forks have Voge branding. As for the front brakes, the two pictures show two different brake calipers: The orange bike wears four-piston Nissin calipers, while the yellow/blue bike has those that look like the Sumitomo calipers on the Yamaha R1.

The Kove brand is not in Malaysia at the moment possibly due to their off-road heavy lineup, but who knows what the future brings.

FMX Rider Backflips a Yamaha Ténéré 700

Let us face it: We are so used to seeing Freestyle Motocross (FMX) riders doing the backflip that it has become something ‘meh.’ But it was revolutionary when it was first successfully attempted by Jose Yanez in 1991. Soon, it became the double backflip, then the triple backflip. However, those were all done on lightweight MX bikes. Now, THIS guy, backflips a Yamaha Ténéré 700.

The rider is 44-year-old Jérémy Rouanet, who was a former professional FMX rider. He perfected the backflip on the bike after just several weeks of training.

Yeah yeah, we hear you. Another FMX rider, Sebastian Westberg had backflipped on the bigger and heavier Honda Africa Twin two years ago, but he landed in the safety of a foam pit. Rouanet, on the other hand, landed on solid ground.

Anyway, this particular Ténéré 700 had been lightly modified, mostly using the parts from Yamaha’s official racing arm, GYTR. The bike began as a Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally Edition and was prepped by the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team. Other aftermarket parts include Takasago Excel rims and a TracTive monoshock. The seat was cut down by 1.5cm.

Several components were removed to save weight including the mirrors, signal indicators, license plate holder, hand guards, passenger footpegs, kickstand and its circuit breaker, and ABS control unit. A lithium-ion battery was also fitted in place of the stock item.

So? Will there be double and triple backflips after this? And what bike next? The BMW R 1300 GS, perhaps?

2025 Yamaha NMax 125 Receives Tech Max Features in UK

The Yamaha NMax scooter is still popular, if not in Malaysia then overseas, especially in the UK and EU markets. However, its tech seems a little left behind compared to its siblings, so now, the 2025 Yamaha NMax 125 will receive the Tech Max features.

The updated bike also receives new dual-eye LED projector headlamps, 25-litre underseat storage space, keyless ignition, USB-C charging port (replacing the cigarette lighter type), and improved ergonomics.

Its 125cc, single-cylinder engine remains unchanged and produces 12hp, except that it is Euro5+ compliant now, perhaps with a new catalytic converter and exhaust system. Along with the stop-start function, Yamaha claims a maximum 298km range range from the 7.1-litre fuel tank. The fuel tank capacity is the same as the current model’s, so it may mean that the new bike retains the current bike’s frame and chassis.

Speaking of the chassis, it is still the standard scooter fare, with the NMax rolling on 13-inch wheels, offering non-adjustable forks and twin shocks out back. Braking is handled by 230mm discs front and back, with ABS as standard (maybe unavailable here). Traction control is also standard.

As for the Tech Max features, there is new 4.2-inch full-colour TFT dash with phone connectivity and Garmin navigation. The seat has gold stitching.

Sources in the UK say that the 2025 Yamaha NMax 125 will be available from May next year. It is priced at £3,900 (RM21,991.12), which is £178 (RM1,003.82) cheaper.