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

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

Bonneville Salt Flats Needs Urgent Restoring

The Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA has been the site where countless speed records have been created and broken.
The salt has been disappearing since the 60’s until now.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has initiated a call-to-action lobbying campaign.

We’ve seen videos and pictures of motorcycles, cars and all sorts of vehicles roll over the pasty white salt that stick to their tyres and wheel on the Bonneville Salt Flats, on their way to set new speed records.

The ancient dried sea bed has been the site where countless land speed records had been set, usually during the Bonneville Speed Week.

But the surface has definitely been deteriorating over the last few decades. Experts believe the crust has been dissipating and lost some 50 metric Tonne of salt between 1960 and 1988 alone. It is indeed alarming to compare old and new satellite photos of the site.

Satellite picture of the Salt Flats circa 1970

While it’s somewhat true that the large number of vehicles running on the flats have caused the surface to deteriorate, the biggest contributor to its destruction is brine extraction for table salt production.

The experts had also suggested taking action, but those actions need to be carefully planned, given the fragile environment. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) informed that tests by BLM and a mining company have shown that pumping up to 2 million metric Tonne of brine back on the flats could restore its thickness.

Satellite image of the Salt Flats in 2018

The project needs lots of money and needs the Congress to approve. That is why the AMA is appealing to the American public and speed heads to lobby the government.

While it was racers who raced against time in the past on Bonneville, it is Bonnevilles turn to race against time. Let us hope the AMA and public’s lobbying works out.

Jorge Lorenzo Will Try to Race in Buriram, Thailand

Ducati MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo suffered injuries to his right foot from the crash in Aragon GP.
He was launched into the air and landed on his foot.
He announced that he will try to compete at Buriram, Thailand.

Ducati MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo announced that he will try to race in the next round at the Buriram Circuit in Thailand next weekend.

He made the announcement after another round of medical check-ups on his right foot.

Lorenzo was launched high into the air in a highside at the first corner immediately after the start of the Aragon GP last Sunday. He landed awkwardly on his right foot before being clouted twice (fortunately at low speed) by his own bike.

It was over before it began for @lorenzo99 at the #AragonGP ? pic.twitter.com/yqKHBiTmoT

— MotoGP™? (@MotoGP) September 24, 2018

He was stretchered off the track’s runoff area to the Clinica Mobile where he was found to have suffered a dislocated big toe and compound fracture in the second metatarsal of his right foot.

Lorenzo would go on to blame Marc Marquez for the crash through multiple tweets, although his team members disagreed with him (off the record, of course).

Ducati announced that the latest check-up revealed that he’s “recovering well,” although the foot was “still swollen.”

The triple MotoGP champion will assess if the pain is tolerable to race at Buriram.

Ducati report that the latest check showed Lorenzo’s injuries are ‘recovering.

TESTED: 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon – “True Italian Spirit”

The updated 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon was recently launched earlier this month.
Styling updates together with internal changes have turned the 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon into a more premium package.
We travelled to Italy to experience the updated Icon that is now safer and more comfortable without sacrificing any of the fun factors.

There are not that many things in life that most folks consider as ‘complete’. And yet when they are found, it brings a level of joy only known to the beholder no matter how big or small that thing may be.

From a simple delicious pack of nasi lemak with a whole egg inside or listening to the world’s most perfect song (it’s ‘Paranoid Android’ by Radiohead, if you’re wondering), this very feeling is massively difficult to replicate on a machine like the motorcycle. (more…)

What Motorcycles Does Deadpool Ride?

Ryan Reynolds, the superstar who portrayed Marvel Comics’ Deadpool is an avid biker.
He fancies café racers and customs.
He de-stresses by riding his motorcycles.

Okay, okay, it’s not what motorcycles Deadpool rides in the movies, but what superstar Ryan Reynolds who plays the (anti) hero rides.

Ryan Reynolds has actually been in the show business since 1991 but it was arguably the Deadpool franchise which made him an A-list celebrity. Anyway, it was revealed that he loved motorcycles more than cars in a number of interviews.

His character in The Hitman’s Bodyguard rode a Triumph Speed Triple, after all.

He told Men’s Health, “I love the fact when you’re on a motorcycle, riding a motorcycle is the only thing you’re doing.” Great advice on how to unwind from a busy schedule and parenthood.

Right, let’s take a look at what are in Deadpo… Reynolds’ collection.

Customized Triumph Thruxton

Reynold’s Triumph Thruxton is one of his most famous bikes and he was instrumental in the customization process. Triumph had presented the actor the bike but he wanted Kott Motorcycles of Los Angeles to build it to look like the old Thruxton.

Check out this short film called Invite the Unexpected.

Customized 1964 Triumph 650 “Nine O’ Clock Gun”

The Nine O’ Clock Gun is a naval cannon which fired every night at, you guessed it, 9pm everyday in his native Vancouver, Canada. It was designed and built by Factory Metal Works.

Triumph Bonneville and Triumph Tiger

Reynolds bought the modern Bonneville and the classic Tiger (not the Tiger 800 or Tiger 1200 adventure bikes) sometime in 2005.

If it’s not apparent yet, Reynolds loves café racers so these two were his first choices as he could customize them himself.

Speaking on Triumph’s For the Ride lifestyle microsite, he revealed that, “There aren’t many material things in life you can really invest in, but with a motorcycle it’s emotional. I’ve put a lot of time, energy and thought into my Bonnie.”

And he sure did put a lot of riding miles into the Bonneville, “My Bonneville is a bike that has taken me safety across the country on a least three occasions and there’s no substitute for the feeling that accompanies me on a long ride.”

Ducati Paul Smart Limited Edition

Reynolds had been spotted riding on a Ducati Paul Smart Limited Edition, the successor of the 1972 Ducati 750 Imola which commemorated the rider Paul Smart’s all-important victory at the Imola 200 race.

Although his collection isn’t as extensive as Jay Leno’s, who knows it may grow bigger soon.

Honda Monkey Makes a Comeback Priced from RM 13,999

The iconic Honda Monkey makes a comeback and is available in Malaysia.
The new Monkey looks retro but is a modern bike underneath.
Boon Siew Honda offers the bike in three playful colours.

Boon Siew Honda has launched the successor of one the most iconic motorcycles of all time – the Honda Monkey.

The Honda Monkey was officially called the Z50 when it was launched in 1963. It rolled on five-inch wheels, powered by a single-cylinder 49cc four-stroke engine.

The Z50 harked a shift in paradigm to small, inexpensive “playbikes” which everyone could just jump on and monkey around. If it surprised everyone in its Oompa Loompa-friendly size, its sales success was an even bigger surprise.

The Z50 became known as the Honda “Monkey” both affectionally and derogatively. The name was derived from how adult riders looked like when seated on the bike, with his back arched, knees and elbows sticking (way) out the sides. If your mind suddenly conjures up the image of an ape riding a tricycle in a circus, you’re right, my friend.

But that’s the real appeal of the Honda Monkey – being fun while different at the same time.

Honda Monkey riders unite – courtesy of wikimedia.org

The bike was so popular that Honda introduced a whole list of upgrades and updates throughout the years until the introduction of the MSX125. Also known as the Grom, it swept up multiple awards from overseas publications. It’s also immensely popular in Thailand.

Track test: Honda MSX 125 – Pocket rocket! (with video)

And now for 2018, Honda has thrown in some serious updates. The new Monkey may look no different from how it was 55 years ago, but you could spot a host of modern componentry upon closer inspection.

Say hello to the 2018 Honda Monkey!

For starters, 125cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine was sourced from the MSX125. It produces 9 bhp at 7000 RPM and 10.5 Nm of torque at 5500 RPM. Such power output makes it more viable as an everyday bike.

The rolling stock has also been upgraded to feature upside-down forks in front and preload-adjustable dual-shocks at the rear. Honda claims a 775mm seat height and 100mm of rear wheel travel. Both front and rear ends are anchored by hydraulic disc brakes.

Other updates include LED headlamp, taillamp and signal lamps, digital LCD meter, alarm system with Answer Back feature, and retro-style muffler.

The 2018 Honda Monkey comes in three colour schemes of shiny chrome and bright paintjobs including Pearl Nebula Red, Pearl Glittering Blue and aptly named Banana Yellow.

Boon Siew Honda recommends a basic selling price of RM 13,999.00 (with 0% SST and not on-the-raod).

Please visit Honda Motorcycle Malaysia’s official Facebook page for more details on the Honda Monkey and other products.

2019 KTM 450 Rally Replica for Your Rally Aspirations

KTM is building the 450 Rally Replica rally bike.
It is based on the bike which won the 2018 Dakar Rally.
Only 75 will be built for rally privateers.

Want to ace the next Rimba Raid rally? Or want to take it all the way to The Dakar? Here’s the 2019 KTM 450 Rally Replica for you.

The 450 Rally Replica is built from the same bike which Matthias Walkner won on in the 2018 edition of the Dakar Rally. However, it is meant for privateers – racers without the bottomless budgets of factory teams.

The 2019 model has been redesigned from the contact patch up with a new chassis to improve mass centralisation.

Additionally, the swingarm, shock linkage and shock, airbox, fuel tanks and seat are new. These items were also redesigned for the theme of mass centralization.

Just as with the Austrian manufacturer’s 2019 450 SX-F, the 450 Rally Replica’s cylinder head has been redesigned for extra power. The gearbox is also new, made to withstand the toughest conditions, according to KTM

As with all KTMs, the 450 Rally Replica is fitted with WP suspension. The front is suspended by WP XACT PRO 48mm forks with closed cartridge cone valve technology. Brakes are of course Brembo.

KTM says they will build the 2019 450 Rally Replica in small numbers – 75 – to be exact. But before you run off to KTM Malaysia to order one, every single unit has been pre-booked.