Motorcycle news, Motorcycle reviews from Malaysia, Asia and the world

Suzuki GSX-8T and Suzuki GSX-8TT Launched in Japan

We kind of wondered if the sublime Suzuki GSX-8S would platform will spawn more variants, and it came true with the GSX-8R. Now there are two more, fitting into what the manufacturer terms as “neo-retro” niche, called the Suzuki GSX-8T and and GSX-8TT.

Being based on the GSX-8 platform means both variants are fitted with modern features including the engine, chassis, and electronics. Both he GSX-8T and GSX-8TT share the same features, which we will get into.

Suzuki GSX-8T

Suzuki says the GSX-8T was designed to evoke the spirit of the Suzuki T500 which was produced from 1968 to 1975. Featuring a 492cc, parallel-twin, two-stroke engine which produced 47 hp, it was the Suzuki that cemented the company’s reputation of producing bulletproof (extremely reliable) engines. As such, some 100,000 units were sold during its production run.

The T500 was also a favourite among production racers, with Frank Whiteway winning the Production 500cc class at the 1970 Isle of Man TT. Stan Woods would follow up on that achievement in 1972.

It was the the T500’s engine which gave rise to the TR500 Grand Prix racer, which gave Suzuki their very first 500cc GP victory in 1971.

So, it is only right that Suzuki “reissue” the T500’s form in the GSX-8T.

Suzuki GSX-8TT

This variant on the other hand, evokes the styling of the 1970s road racers with its headlight-mounted “bikini” fairing. Other styling cues include a black body colour with black front forks and shrouds, and grey seat rails, along with sporty accents of the wheels and decals. The “TT” in the name stands for a combination of the base model GSX-8T with “Timeless”, signifying the revival of classic bikes in a modern context.

Highlights:

776cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 270° crank, parallel-twin engine which produces 82 hp at 8,500 RPM and 78 Nm at 6,800 RPM.
Suzuki Cross Balancer, the first primary balancer of its type on a production motorcycle, contributes to smooth operation and a compact, lightweight engine design.

Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS) with bi-directional quickshifter.
5-inch TFT screen.

Ride-by-wire throttle allows for 3 Suzuki Drive Mode Selector SDMS) riding modes, and 3 levels of Suzuki Traction Control System (STCS), which can be switched off.
Suspension consist of KYB upside down forks up front, and KYB monoshock at the back.

Front brakes are twin 310mm discs with radially-mounted calipers.
Dual-channel ABS.

16.5-litre fuel tank.
The European-spec GSX-8T has a kerb weight of 201 kg, while the GSX-8TT weighs 203 kg.

The net selling price of the GSX-8R was RM53,800, so these two variants may be cheaper. Let us look ahead to the Malaysian launch!

Photo gallery

Police Investigating Accident Caused by Grab Rider

A Grab rider who changed lanes suddenly caused a two-vehicle collision on Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), as seen in a recent viral video.

Ampang Jaya District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Azam Ismail, stated that police investigations revealed the incident occurred at 2:47 PM last Tuesday near a supermarket.

He said preliminary investigations found that all vehicles involved were traveling from Pandan Jaya toward Cheras.

“Upon reaching the location, the motorcyclist suddenly switched lanes from the middle lane to the left lane to turn into a junction on the left side of the road.

“This action caused the driver of a Honda Civic to brake abruptly to avoid a collision but ended up hitting the rear of a Perodua Ativa in front,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Azam added that all vehicles involved only sustained damage, with no injuries reported.

“Police advise the public to avoid making rash decisions while driving and to always exercise caution and obey traffic laws to prevent accidents.

“The case is being investigated under Rule 6(1) of the Road Traffic Rules 1959 (LN 166/59),” he said.”

Phone Snatching Rampant in London

A surge in mobile phone snatching is plaguing central London, with criminals predominantly using electric scooters or bicycles to snatch devices from unsuspecting victims.

Official reports indicate last year saw record numbers, with a staggering 81,000 cases recorded – representing a 20% increase from the previous year. Over the past four years, more than 230,000 phones have been reported stolen. Alarmingly, phone snatching now accounts for two-thirds of all street crimes in the capital.

Authorities believe the actual figures are significantly higher due to widespread underreporting. Police suspect organized crime networks are orchestrating much of this theft, either smuggling stolen devices overseas or dismantling them for parts, fueling a black market estimated to be worth £50 million (RM287.43 million).

Most thefts are carried out by criminals on electric motorcycles or pickpockets, targeting victims in busy areas such as Bloomsbury, Waterloo, and Regent’s Park.

According to the latest data from the Metropolitan Police (Met), an average of 37 people lose their phones daily in the West End, the central tourist and entertainment hub of London.

Proactive Measures by the City of London Police

Proactive efforts by the City of London Police to prevent phone theft this year have led to a nearly 30% drop in such crimes.

Figures released today show that reports of phone snatching in the Square Mile have decreased in the first four months of 2025 compared to the previous year.

These statistics were released as the police force announced Operation Swipe, a new initiative introduced in the City of London, involving more intensive law enforcement days.

Since the beginning of the year, 213 phones have been reported snatched or stolen in London. During the same period last year (January 1 to April 30), there were 294 reported cases.

Police officers will be deployed to phone theft hotspots to deter, track, arrest, and prevent robberies.

Police presence will be increased across the Square Mile, supported by specialized resources in the control room monitoring the area through the City’s extensive CCTV network.

The Police Cycle Team will seize illegal e-bicycles and e-scooters and will be joined by Metropolitan Police officers riding Surron bikes to demonstrate tactical capabilities. The City of London Police have confiscated over 500 illegal e-bicycles and e-scooters since July 2023.

2025 Honda CBR150R Special Edition Announced

Here is another popular motorcycle on Malaysian roads, the Honda CBR150R, but it is time for a refresh. So, Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd. launched the 2025 Honda CBR150R Special Edition, featuring a special livery.

The livery, dubbed ‘CyberRoar,’ displays the “fierce spirit of the Tiger” prominently. A roaring tiger’s head is surrounded by vivid orange stripes, on top of a vibrant magenta colour scheme.

Highlights of the 2025 Honda CBR150R Special Edition

150cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC four-valve engine, which delivers 12.0kW at 9,000 rpm and 13.7 Nm torque at 7,000 rpm.
Assist and slipper clutch, and six-speed transmission.

Inverted front forks.
Single disc front and rear brakes.

Dual-channel ABS.
Emergency Stop Signal (ESS).

All-LED lighting.
12-litre fuel tak.

Every buyer of the 2025 Honda CBR150R Special Edition ‘CyberRoar’ will receive a Panoramic Sport Camera and LED Reflective Bag. The Special Edition’s recommended retail price is RM14,399.00 (not on-the-road).

Also available are the Silver and Honda Tricolor liveries. These retail for RMRM13,399.00.

Boon Siew Honda offers two years or 20,000 manufacturing warranty, whichever comes first. For more information, please click https://boonsiewhonda.com.my/product/honda-cbr150r/ or visit the nearest Honda Impian X. Customers may also reach them via our toll-free number at 1-800-88-3993.

Honda E-Clutch Extends to CL250

The trick Honda E-Clutch technology will be extended to more models in the maker’s line-up. Besides the current CBR650R, CB650R, and Rebel 250, the next model is Honda CL250.

Granted, those two models are not sold in Malaysia (yet), it is good to see it being offered on more models, and who knows, to the entire line-up, those with DCT not withstanding. So how about bringing it to the CBR250RR?

The Rebel 500 is available in Malaysia but who knows, it may also gain the E-Clutch technology (do not quote us, though). The bike shares the same 471cc, parallel-twin with the CL500, NX500, CBR500R, and CB500 Hornet.

The E-Clutch allows the rider to shift into gear from Neutral without using the clutch lever. And it is active as long as we do not use clutch lever while riding. Following this procedure allows us to stop in gear without needing to pull the clutch lever. The system also allows the rider to customise the clutch and gear engagement speed, for upshifts and downshifts independently i.e. SOFT, MEDIUM, HARD. Besides that, unlike Honda’s DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) which allows for fully automated gear changes, E-Clutch retains the gear and clutch levers, and the rider still needs to change gears using the gear lever.

Do note that the E-Clutch system is entirely different from the centrifugal clutch found in small capacity motorcycles which allows for clutch-less shifting. The E-Clutch retails the standard multi-plate clutch but uses electro-mechanical actuators.

Honda’s E-Clutch technology also set forth the development and implementation of automatic clucth gearboxes in the industry, with several manufacturers developing their own systems: Yamaha’s Y-AMT, BMW Automated Shift Assistant, and KTM’s AMT. Ducati has also filing a patent for their automatic gearbox.

Castrol Partners with Honda for Malaysian Cub Prix and MotoGP

Honda racing motorcycles have adorned several famous liveries in the past, but there is one which is no less iconic: The Castrol colours. As such, the tradition continues with Castrol as the title sponsor of a Honda factory team. It extends to Malaysia as Castrol and Honda partner up for the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, besides extending their support to the Honda HRC Castrol Factory Team in MotoGP.

Castrol and Honda

Before going further, we are sure old-timer World Superbike fans fondly remember the Castrol liveried Honda RVF750 (RC45) battling in the World Superbike Championship in the mid-90s. John Kocinski then delivered a world title on that bike in 1997.

Colin Edwards would follow that feat with two titles, in 2000 and 2002, on the Castrol-liveried Honda VTR1000 SP1 (RC51). Those were arguably the Golden Age of Superbike racing.

Back to the present day

Coming back to the present day, Castrol and Boon Siew Honda Malaysia has collaborated to be the title sponsor of the CASTROL POWER1 HONDA YUZY RACING team, competing in the 2025 PETRONAS MAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship.

Over to the pinnacle of motorcycle road racing, Castrol and Honda are partners for the Honda HRC Castrol factory team.

From the Press Release

Castrol, a global leader in advanced lubricant technology, kicks off 2025 with high-impact developments in its motorcycle racing portfolio: a new rider lineup for the CASTROL POWER1 HONDA YUZY RACING team in the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship and an exciting global collaboration with the Honda HRC Factory MotoGP Team.

These parallel initiatives reinforce Castrol’s commitment to innovation, performance, and supporting talent on both local and international tracks.

Castrol will serve as the main sponsor and technical partner of the Honda HRC Factory MotoGP Team starting from the 2025 MotoGP season. Under this collaboration, Castrol will supply lubricants, fuels, and technical support, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing relationship between the two motorsport powerhouses.

The newly named Honda HRC Castrol team made its on-track debut at the MotoGP pre-season test at Sepang International Circuit on 5 February 2025, with the season having officially kicked off on 2 March in Buriram, Thailand.

“Castrol has a long history of using motorsport to showcase its technical capabilities and co- engineer new technologies. This collaboration is a great opportunity to connect even more closely with motorcycle racing fans and bike enthusiasts worldwide,” said Sandeep Sangwan, Chief Marketing Officer, Castrol.

“HRC and Castrol share the same vision and drive. We’ve had great success together in the past, and this renewed partnership is a natural fit,” added Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation.

Closer to home, CASTROL POWER1 HONDA YUZY RACING is proud to unveil its new rider lineup ahead of the 2025 Petronas MAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship, which kicks off on 19 and 20 April at Sepang (North) International Circuit, Selangor.

The team welcomes two new additions—Muhammad Haziq Hakimy Kamaruddin and Aisy Izz Hafiy Hairul Hafiz—who join returning rider Aqeel Danish Zaiermanhady to compete in the fiercely contested CP125 category.

Both Haziq Hakimy and Aisy bring proven credentials from the Honda One Make Challenge, with Hakimy placing third in 2022 and Aisy finishing runner-up in 2021. Their arrival signals a refreshed and ambitious push for podium finishes this season, following Md Haziq Hamdan’s third-place success in the ninth round of the 2024 season.

“We are optimistic about the new lineup this season and believe that all three riders can handle the job well and be main competitors for podium finishes,” said Shahrol Yuzy Ahmad Zaini, Team Manager of CASTROL POWER1 HONDA YUZY RACING. “Their recent training performances were impressive, and we’re confident this team will deliver exciting results throughout the season,” he added.

Keow Mei-Shan, Marketing Director of Castrol Malaysia & Singapore, added, “The new lineup reflects our commitment to nurturing young talents while continuing to strive for success on the track. We are thrilled to have Aqeel, Haziq Hakimy, and Aisy representing CASTROL POWER1 HONDA YUZY RACING. Their passion for racing and potential align with everything Castrol stands for.”

From the premier stage of MotoGP to the national circuits of Malaysia, Castrol POWER1 continues to be the driving force behind racing excellence—delivering superior engine protection, optimized performance, and confidence on every ride.

With its newly forged global partnership with Honda HRC and an energized domestic racing team, Castrol is poised to make 2025 a landmark year in motorcycle motorsports.