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Akrapovič releases greatest superbike tribute VIDEO of all time!

Akrapovič has released one of the greatest tribute videos for all the 2017 superbike models with their latest aftermarket exhaust line.

In the video, Akrapovič highlighted their latest Evolution line which comes in either carbon or titanium for the selected superbike models.

The amazing soundtrack features the latest 2017 Kawasaki ZX-10R, Yamaha YZF-R1, Honda CBR1000R Fireblade, Ducati 1299 Panigale, Aprilia RSV4, Suzuki GSX-R1000 and BMW S 1000 RR all fitted with some Akrapovič love.

While we’re sitting at our desks in front of the computer or lying in bed scrolling through our phones, we are bombarded with so many things making their way to the viral section of social media. While they’re all for fun, exhaust experts Akrapovič has released a spine-tingling tribute video in what we feel is one of the best made videos of the century. (more…)

2018 MotoGP Calendar

The provisional 2018 MotoGP Championship calendar has been published.
Thailand will host MotoGP for the first time.
The 2018 season will start one week earlier and end an extra week later than usual.

Dorna has released the provisional 2018 MotoGP calendar. The dates and rounds are as follows:

Round 1: 18 March Qatar* Doha/Losail
Round 2: 8 April Argentina Termas de Rio Hondo
Round 3: 22 April Americas COTA
Round 4: 6 May Spain Jerez de la Frontera
Round 5: 20 May France Le Mans
Round 6: 3 June Italy Mugello
Round 7: 17 June Catalunya Catalunya
Round 8: 01 July Netherlands TT Assen
Round 9: 15 July Germany Sachsenring
Round 10: 5 August Czech Republic Brno
Round 11: 12 August Austria Red Bull Ring
Round 12: 26 August Great Britain TBA
Round 13: 9 September San Marino & Riviera di Rimini Misano
Round 14: 23 September Aragon MotorLand Aragon
Round 15: 7 October Thailand Buriram
Round 16: 21 October Japan Motegi
Round 17: 28 October Australia Phillip Island
Round 18: 4 November Malaysia Sepang
Round 19: 18 November Valencia Ricardo Tormo-Valencia

As expected, Buriram, Thailand’s addition brings the total number of rounds to 19. Malaysia still hosts the penultimate round but the date has been bumped to 4th November, instead of the customary late-October slot.

The Thai round will be held on 7th October, with the next weekend off, before resuming the usual three rounds in a row – Japan, Australia, Malaysia – beginning 21st October.

It’s a wise move by Dorna to give space between Thailand and Malaysia, lest the crowd be split between two neighbouring countries.

The extra round means shuffling the customary dates. Qatar will begin a week earlier than usual, and hopefully miss the unexpected rainstorm which wreaked havoc on this year’s race schedule. The 4-week summer break between July and August will be cut to just two. The 2018 MotoGP Championship ends one week later at Aragon on 18th November.

The venue of the British round has yet to be confirmed, following the Circuit of Wales fallout.

A few riders had raised concerns about the championship featuring too many rounds, citing the possibility of not receiving enough rest between races. Finland is set to join the MotoGP calendar in 2019, bringing the total to a manic 20 rounds.

MotoGP: Michael van der Mark will replace Rossi in Aragon

Current WorldSBK factory Yamaha rider Michael van der Mark has been selected to replace the injured Valentino Rossi in the next MotoGP round in Aragon on 24 September 2017.

The 24 year old Dutch will be making his MotoGP debut on the Yamaha YZF-M1 for the very first time with the support of Rossi’s current team.

Rossi is expected to make his return at the beginning of the three flyaway races starting in Motegi, Japan.

WorldSBK Yamaha rider Michael van der Mark has been selected to replace the injured Movistar Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi at Aragon in the next MotoGP round. As Rossi continues his rehabilitation procedure following an enduro-related injury, the 24 year old from Netherlands who is the current factory Yamaha rider riding for the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team will be making his MotoGP debut. (more…)

Indian Motorcycles Unveil 2018 Lineup

Indian Motorcycles shows off 16 models for 2018
Lineup includes the new Scout Bobber, Chieftain Limited, Springfield Dark Horse and Roadmaster Elite.
Indian Motorcycles’ sales grew by 17% this spring alone.

Polaris axed its Victory brand in January this year in order to fully concentrate on its Indian Motorcycles concern, and the move has started to see positive results. It has been reported that Indian’s sales grew by 17% while Harley’s shrank by 7% in the past spring alone. Production has surged to more than 25,000 units at the time this article went live.

Indian Motorcycle’s 2018 lineup consists of 16 models, with 4 added to last year’s. Indian has added new features and new colours to several models.

2018 INDIAN SCOUT

There are three Scout versions, all sharing the same physical and mechanical features, except for engines and corresponding transmissions.

Indian Scout Sixty

The Scout Sixty is identical to the 2017 model, with the addition of two new colours and ABS corresponding to certain colours. Thunder Black and Polished Bronze are without ABS, while ABS is standard for Indian Motorcycle Red and Thunder Black over Titanium Metallic.

The Scout Sixty uses the 61 cubic-inch (999 cc) engine which produces 78 bhp, mated to a five-speed transmission.

Indian Scout

The Indian Scout received overwhelming response and was quickly sold out in Malaysia. For 2018, the Scout’s forks are upgraded to cartridge forks, Pirelli tyres are fitted and best of all, a leather pillion seat.

The Scout uses the 69 cubic-inch (1133 cc) engine which punches out 100 bhp, sent through a six-speed transmission.

Thunder Black and Metallic Jade colours are without ABS; Willow Green over Ivory Cream, Brilliant Blue over White, and Burgundy Red are with ABS.

Indian Scout Bobber

New for 2018, the Scout Bobber is styled as blacked-out and stripped down. The footpegs were moved moved back for a more cruiser style placement. The handlebars have been replaced with tracker style bars. The blacked out wheels are shod with knobby tyres and the suspension lowered by 25mm.

2018 INDIAN CRUISERS

Indian’s cruisers are distinguished from their bagger brethren by not having luggage fitted as standard.

Indian Chief Dark Horse

The Dark Horse comes only in matte black with blacked out detailing, accented by chrome. The valanced front and rear fenders are standard, of course. The Chief’s keyless ignition remains.

Indian Chief

The standard Chief comes in Steel Gray, has more chrome and cruise control compared to the Dark Horse.

Indian Chief Classic

The Chief Classic is distinguishable by the white walled tyres, spoked wheels and chrome hand controls. Plus chrome and more chrome.

2018 INDIAN BAGGERS

Baggers are motorcycles with baggage, whether saddlebags or hard panniers, and Indian’s lineup has more baggers than any other manufacturer’s.

Indian Chief Vintage

The Chief Vintage has standard leather seats, saddlebags and removable windshield. To complete the classic look, Indian gave the Chief Vintage whitewall tyres and spoked wheels. Removing the windshielf and saddlebags turn the bike into a boulevard cruiser.

Indian Springfield

Basically unchanged from 2017, there are new colours for 2018. Features such as the detachable hard panniers, detachable windshield, highway bar, keyless ignition, tyre pressure monitoring system and ABS remain standard.

Indian Springfield Dark Horse

The Dark Horse version is new for 2018, featuring matte black paint with gloss black detailing. Instead of the standard Springfield’s valanced front fender, the Dark Horse uses an open fender over a 19-inch cast wheel. It also includes a detachable windshield and hard panniers.

Indian Chieftain

The front end of the Chieftain has been replaced by the new open fender and 19-inch cast wheels. The windshield is powered and include driving lights. Other features include ABS, cruise control, keyless ignition, highway bar, hard panniers, and 7-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB input.

Indian Chieftain Dark Horse

The 2018 Chieftain Dark Horse comes with the fully loaded Ride Command infotainment system which includes GPS. The front end has also been replaced by the open fender and 19-inch wheel.

Indian Chieftain Classic

The Indian Chieftain Classic looks more traditional with the valanced fenders, 16-inch wheels and leather seat with fringes. But new for 2018 is the Ride Command infotainment system.

Indian Chieftain Limited

The Chieftain Limited is top model of the Chieftain family. The front end features a contrast cut 19-inch wheel with open fender.

2018 INDIAN TOURERS

Indian’s Roadmaster family is unmistakable, featuring saddlebags or panniers with large top cases. Best choice for long tours.

Indian Roadmaster Classic

The Roadmaster Classic is the entry point into the Indian touring family, yet it brims with all the necessary touring features such as luggage and the Ride Command infotainment system.

Indian Roadmaster

With hard panniers and top case, the Roadmaster looks more contemporary then the Roadmaster Classic. There are also hard wind deflectors ahead of the rider’s shins. The sound system is bumped up to 200 watts.

Indian Roadmaster Elite

The Roadmaster Elite is the Big Chief of Indian Motorcycle tribe.

It comes only in Cobalt Candy over Black Crystal, which is individually hand-finished in more than 30 hours. Real 23K gold leaf badging is then applied to the tank and engine components.

The Ride Command infotainment system packs a 300-watt punch. There are armrests for the passenger. The rider and passenger footboards are billet aluminium. A premium touring console tops the fuel tank.

2018 Yamaha X-Max 125 Debuts in Europe

2018 Yamaha X-Max 125 shows great looks and promise
The X-Max 125 is a worldwide best-seller
Part of Yamaha’s “MAX” scooter family

Yamaha has unveiled the new X-Max 125 scooter ahead of the release of their 2018 model line up.

While we do not see the X-Max in Malaysia, the model has sold more than 140,000 units worldwide.

The 2018 model will be EU-4 emissions compliant, hence the 125cc, single-cylinder engine is fed by electronic fuel injection which has low fuel consumption. Such prospects would make the X-Max popular in our country, due to the rising fuel prices.

Both the X-Max 125’s brakes feature ABS as standard. But it goes beyond that, as there is also traction control.

Yamaha has also upgraded the 2018 X-Max 125 to be even more practical. Case in point is the underseat storage space which could accommodate two full-face helmets. That large screen is adjustable, so are the handlebars. It also has a 12V power outlet, like in the NVX, which is fast becoming a pre-requisite.

Speaking of the NVX, the X-Max 125 also uses the Yamaha Smart Key as the former’s. The X-Max’s distinctive dual LCD instruments panels remain.

Yamaha has also started to imbue its family of scooters with a sense of familial ties through the design of their headlights and tail lights. One could instantly tell their make with just one glance.

Will the X-Max 125 ever make it here? Who knows. But it does show that Yamaha is serious about the scooter market.

But if you really want a scooter, check out the Yamaha NVX we tested recently. Click here to read the review of the NVX.

New Ducati Panigale V4 seen in all its glory

The upcoming Ducati Panigale V4 is not due to be official unveiled for another two months or so; Ducati will take the wraps off of it on November 5th, most likely during this year’s EICMA show. But because it is arguably the most anticipated motorcycle of the year, photos and teasers have already been hitting the internet for a while now.

The photo above was published in a few motorcycle websites and blogs, and shows what seems to be the full production ready machine.

This is not the only photo to hit the internet, just last week the photo below was uploaded, supposedly from a track test session. While the photo below is grainy and not does not show much about the bike, we do get the full view of the fairing while the photo above shows a clearer view of the rest of the bike.

The fairing is probably the biggest change to the new Panigale V4. The wordings on the side that clearly read Panigale V4 also confirm the fact that the new Ducati will retain the Panigale branding.

From these photos we can deduce that the new Ducati sports bike does not look all that different from the model it replaces. The headlights, seat and tail unit seem to be largely the same as the old bike.

But despite looking visually similar, the fairing is all-new, with the headlight recesses looking more like air ducts than headlight mounts. It is likely that the recesses will play a dual-role of channeling air to the radiators as well as headlight mounts.

Not much else is know about the new V4 except for the engine. According to Ducati, the new 1103cc V4 engine is derived from the race spec Desmosedici engine used in MotoGP. It produces 210hp and 120Nm of torque. There will also be another engine with less than 1000cc but producing more power. Ducati says that the engine will be used in the new Panigale R, and is already in advanced stages of testing.

Listen to the sound of Ducati’s new V4 engine in the video below: