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

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

2020 Husqvarna FS 450 supermoto, Sexy in its Purity

The 2020 Husqvarna FS 450 supermoto has been unveiled.
It is the only race-ready supermoto direct from the factory.
Updates are in the suspension department, using WP’s top-of-the-line components.

Here’s the 2020 Husqvarna FS 450 supermoto – make that the ultra-sexy factory supermoto.

In fact, it’s the only ex-factory and read-to-race supermoto in the market. On the other hand, other brands of supermoto bikes taking part in competition were invariably modified from motocross or enduro bikes. As such, on could say they lack the FS 450’s purity.

However, changes on the 2020 FS 2020 are in the suspension department, since Husqvarna had done plenty of upgrades for the 2019 bike.

The new bike features 48mm WP XACT forks and rear shock and doing away with the WP AER items. Compared to the AER it replaces, the XACT forks units combines two of WP’s best technologies. Whereas the AER are air forks, the XACT forks use both cone valve damping and air spring systems.

As a race-ready supermoto, the bike is fitted with a 16.5-inch front and 17-inch rear Alpine wheels. The Bridgestone racing slicks are standard.

The engine is carried over from last year. It produces 63 hp of teeth clenching power. That doesn’t sound a lot to road riders but try riding one of these babies and you’d soon understand that big horsepower stands for naught. The Husqvarna FS 450 weighs only 102.8 kg dry, after all.

Oh, the anti-hop/slipper clutch is from SUTER, while the hydraulic unit is from Magura.

Electronics are pretty basic, of course. There’s launch control and traction control but don’t expect IMU-based strategies.

Will we see this bike in the FIM Asia Supermoto Championship? We hope so!

A Hydration Backpack Can Save Your Life (and Headaches)

Riding with a hydration backpack keeps you hydrated along the ride.
There are plenty of options to choose from.
Once you start using one, you’ll never stop using it.

We wrote an article with tips about staying hydrated when you ride. In it, we mentioned about a hydration backpack by the name of CamelBak.

I’ve always wanted one but I didn’t know where to find it. I know, you’re probably shouting “LAZADA!” now, but let’s come back to that

Then, KTM Malaysia sent me to Morocco to test ride the 2019 KTM 790 Adventure. KTM handed each of us a small Ogio backpack (in KTM colours, of course) and a 2-litre bottle of mineral water. It turned out to be that the backpack is a hydration pack! Yippeee!

I continued using it back in Malaysia and I swear by it ever since.

Hydration pack vs. stopping at petrol stations

Sure, there are plenty of stops along Malaysian highways and small towns if you use the trunk roads for your travels.

So okay, here’s the scenario. We stop at an R&R, charge into the petrol station’s shop like Genghis’s horde. Our faces flushing red like lobsters, tongues hanging out, and heads throbbing like it’s been under a hydraulic press. We shove everyone else aside at the chiller to pull out a bottle or can of cold beverage. Then we gulp the entire content down even before we reach the counter (oh yes, it’s happened).

We get back to riding.

An hour later, we have to stop again to relieve our bladders and for another bottle of water. There goes the fluidity (no pun intended) and rhythm of the ride… We’d feel even more tired from stopping too many times than the actual riding, instead.

A hydration pack on the other hand, allows you to sip on your chosen drink in small quantities at your own disposal. It’s more controlled. So that way, you could concentrate on riding for much longer periods of time. Compare that to suddenly feeling woozy due to dehydration and having no drinks at hand!

Hydration packs can keep you cool in another way.

Remove the water bladder from the backpack and store it in your jacket’s back protector pouch. You don’t have to remove the protector. That liquid you carry will keep your back cool.

What to fill with?

It’s entirely up to you. Personally, I choose between 100 Plus and Glucoline. But please don’t fill it up with beer or alcoholic beverages. Try not to drink Coca-Cola or energy drinks all the way, either, because sugary drinks will dehydrate you even faster. A can here and there is fine but do not replace water for it.

Oh! And don’t forget to wash the bladder and tubing once you’re done. Rinse and clean them with a set of special tools (not expensive).

Where can I buy a hydration backpack?

If you want the original and the best, go for a CamelBak. It’s expensive but there are endless numbers of spare parts for it, hence worth the investment. You can find them here.

Okay, now Lazada. There are plenty of options here, from the ridiculously cheap to the most expensive ones. There’s no guarantee based on price so rely on the customer ratings. One with a 1.5 or 2.0-litre bladder is good because it won’t be too heavy when you fill it up.

Conclusion

Go for one today, I promise that you’ll never ride without one again.

Let’s Go Camping with the Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride

The grand finale of the Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” ride will take participants camping.
It will be held from 13^th to 14^th July 2019.
The ride will begin from Juru Auto City to Cameron Highlands and finally the Rimba Valley Motorcamp for camping.

The Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride reaches its grand finale next weekend. To end the epic program on a high note, Modenas has something grand in store for the participants.

For this edition, the ride will begin in the early morning of 13^th July 2019 from Juru Auto City, Perai then head to Cameron Highlands for some cooling air. The convoy will then head down towards Bentong via the beautiful Cameron Highlands – Sungai Koyan road. The ride will finally end at the Rimba Valley Motorcamp site in Janda Baik where the participants will camp beside a crystal-clear stream and beneath the stars.

The Rimba Valley Motorcamp is also the site of the Rimba Raid event a week later.

Refreshments, food and lodging costs are provided by Modenas, while riders pay for fuel only.

The “Explore the Unexplored” initiative began not long after the Modenas Dominar D400 was launched in Malaysia. As the name suggests, it isn’t merely a single model ride to exotic places around Peninsular Malaysia. It also allows riders who ride there to share the locations with international Dominar 400 riders, as well.

As for the Malaysian Dominar owners, there is a contest for the best picture captured. Also, participants get to participate in fun and games at the destinations and win attractive prizes.

Please register by sending an email to safrin@modenas.com.my. Please note that only riders are allowed to enter, thus pillions are not allowed.

The Stolen Triumph Tiger 1200 Has Been Returned

The stolen Triumph Tiger 1200 test bike was been returned early this morning.
The bike was returned by the thief’s father and brother.
We were informed that he had done so on a number of prior occasions.

As a follow-up of the Triumph Tiger 1200 test bike stolen yesterday, Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia informed us that the motorcycle was returned early this morning. Triumph also wishes to extend their appreciation to those who shared the news.

The miscreant signed up for a test ride yesterday afternoon at around 3.46pm, but did not return after six hours. Thousands of netizens shared the news in social media.

We were then informed just after 1am that the thief’s father and older brother returned the motorcycle.

There were also netizens who pointed us to the person who rode off with the bike, and we were informed that this person Bro Superbike has done such a thing many times previously. His previous alleged crimes included driving off in his colleague’s car, plus a number of test bikes. Each time, his father and brother returned the vehicle.

His Facebook page shows him on a 2018 BMW S 1000 RR, and purporting to being affiliated to the S 1000 RR and Yamaha MT-07 owners groups in Malaysia and Singapore. There was only 1 posting in that FB account on 13^th June 2019, calling on buyers if they are interested in purchasing a superbike.

The case is now handled by the police.

In our personal opinion, provided that he committed the alleged crimes before, this man is a pathological thief and requires rehabilitation.

Chance to View the 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory and German MotoGP

Didi Resources will unveil the 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory this weekend.
The event coincides with the German MotoGP.
The event will be held at The Podium, Sungai Penchala on 7^th July 2019, from 6pm.

How about getting the chance to view the 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory and the German MotoGP at the same time?

Didi Resources Sdn. Bhd., the new custodian of the Aprilia brand in Malaysia will unveil the new bike to Aprilia fans and public alike. Events will continue into the evening with the viewing of the German MotoGP round.

The unveiling will commence from 6pm at The Podium, Sungai Penchala, on 7^th July 2019.

The Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory is the challenger to the Ducati Panigale V4. it’s now 1078cc V-Four engine produces 214 hp and 122 Nm of torque. A Bosch lithium-ion battery and Akrapovic exhaust cuts weight to only 199 kg, dry.

Apart from that, Brembo’s latest Stylema front brake calipers perform braking duties for the front. They are lighter yet more rigid than the outgoing Brembo M50 Monobloc. Gripping the discs are more aggressive brake pads. Look closely and you will notice air ducts for the front calipers.

Front forks are Öhlins NIX with 125 mm travel (5 mm more) for better cornering. An Öhlins TTX shock suspends the rear end.

The bike’s bodywork also features “aerobodies,” similar to those in MotoGP.

Truck Driver Volodymyr Zhukovskyy Who Killed Seven Bikers has History of Arrests

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, the truck driver who mowed down the group of bikers has a history of arrests.
He had records of arrests in five states for substance abuse, dangerous driving and accidents.
Seven riders were killed in the New Hampshire accident.

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, the truck driver who mowed down the group of bikers in New Hampshire, USA has a history of arrests.

A Boston Globe journalist did some digging and came up with a disturbing revelation concerning 23-year-old’s records. He had been arrested in six states before for DUI (driving under influence), dangerous driving, and accidents.

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy – Photo credit Don Treeger/The Republican via AP, Pool

Zukhovskyy is an immigrant from Ukraine. He was also involved in accident at 16 years old and was found to be driving without a license.
He committed his first offence not long after obtaining his driver’s license in 2013. He was arrested and charged for DUI in June that year in Massachusetts. The judge suspended his driving license.
Zhukovskyy was again arrested in 2014 for driving with a suspended license, providing false information and possession of drug paraphernalia, this time in Ohio. The Boston Globe journalist noted that the Ohio authorities didn’t communicate the arrest with their counterparts in Massachusetts.
In 2017, he then sought assistance for his addiction to alcohol, cocaine and heroin in Pennsylvania.
He obtained a commercial driving license a year later in 2018. But he didn’t stay out of trouble very long.
Police arrested him at 2am on 11^th February 2019, following reports of an intoxicated person. They found a crack pipe. However, he was given a deferment with probation and no record as long as he behaved. The probation was due to end on 14^th June 2019.
Just one week later, he was arrested in Iowa for improper lane usage and not complying with safety regulations. He paid the fine and went away a free man.
On 11^th May 2019, he was arrested in Connecticut for DUI. He posted bail, while awaiting his arraignment on 26^th June. When Connecticut’s authorities communicated the charges to Massachusetts where his license was issued, the two states blamed each other for not suspending his license following the 11^th May arrest.
Zukhovskyy’s driving record got more serious after that. On 3^rd June, he rolled over the Mack truck car hauler in Texas. He claimed that a car had swerved in front of him but the police found no signs of another vehicle. The police didn’t fine him plus, he wasn’t intoxicated at the time.
The authorities should’ve stopped him from ever driving again at this point but no one did. So, on 24^th June, Zukhovskyy drove into a group of Jarhead MC riders in New Hampshire, killing seven. The ex-US Marines had just left their bed and breakfast.
He has since been arrested and police found wax packets with heroin residue in his home.

But the accident also highlighted the failure of the authorities in keeping a dangerous and potentially life-threatening driver off the road. Massachusetts Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Secretary Erin Deveney took responsibility and resigned (at least she took responsibility, unlike some politicians in Malaysia).

The Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and the United States Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack promise to overhaul RMV for improvements. The US Immigration and Customs Department has also filed a request to detain Zukhovskyy, meaning that he could be deported back to the Ukraine.