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Is This the 2020 Honda CBR300RR?

A rendered photo of the 2020 Honda CBR300RR is making waves.
Honda currently has the CBR250RR but only for Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong.
The manufacturer is missing as a lightweight worldwide contender.

The rendered photo of what purports to be the 2020 Honda CBR300RR is making waves in social media.

If it rumours are true, the CBR300RR will see Honda putting in a serious fight in the lightweight sportbike category. Of the Big Four Japanese manufacturers, only Yamaha and Kawasaki are duking it out while the other two namely Honda and Suzuki seem contend to spectate from the sidelines.

Honda does have the CBR250RR which they dubbed “Lightweight Super Sports Concept” and was unveiled in 2015. However, the Big Red decided to sell the bike only in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong when the bike made production in 2017.

Malaysians have been crying out for crying out for the CBR250RR since, but it looks like a no-show in our market, possibly due to being too expensive to make an impact.

Still, if the little CBR goes to 300cc, that’ll put it in contention with the Yamaha YZF-R3 and Kawasaki Ninja 400. The current CBR250RR’s engine produces 38 hp so it should be upped to the mid-40’s should the 300 go ahead.

MV Agusta had also partnered with Chinese manufacturer, Loncin, to produce sub-500cc motorcycles for the Chinese and Asian market.

Honda meanwhile, is missing a lightweight contender.

Airbag Saved Andrea Dovizioso and Fabio Quartararo in British MotoGP Crash

It was airbag technology that saved Andrea Dovizioso and Fabio Quartararo when they crashed heavily at the start of the British MotoGP.
Alpinestars had released the Tech-Air data.
This type of crash would’ve resulted in permanent injuries many years ago.

It was the airbag technology that saved Andrea Dovizioso and Fabio Quartararo when they crashed heavily at the start of the British MotoGP.

Alpinestars had released the Tech-Air airbag data.

Quartararo’s airbag inflated completely within 0.060 second while he was flying in the air before his landing and absorbed the shock. It was also scary to see that his crash lasted 4.7 second. That’s an eternity in an accident.

Dovizioso’s suit data showed why he came away more banged up. The Italian’s airbag inflated completely within 0.145 second. It took longer because he was flying higher in the air.

Compare how Quartararo took one big impact to Dovizioso’s multiple impacts. Remember, it’s not how you crash but how you stop that causes the seriousness of the damage.

The Alpinestars Tech-Air system works on a complex algorithm which determines the best duration and type of inflation based on data from gyroscopes spread around the suit.

For example, a lowside crash results in the suit inflating the first stage. The rider could get back on his bike and continue as the bag will deflate itself later.

In the event of a heavier crash like this one, the algorithm fires the airbag completely.

We’re all thankful that both riders walked away without more serious injury. This type of crash would’ve resulted in permanent injuries before the advent of the airbag equipped racesuit.

We only wish the technology was more affordable to road riders.

Michelin Pilot Street 2 – MotoGP DNA for Street Performance

Michelin Pilot Street 2 is designed for scooters and small displacement motorcycles.
Rim sizes start from 10-inches though 14-, 16- and finally 17-inch.
It has superior wet and dry performance.

We’ve always said that what MotoGP teams use differ from what you and I can obtain for everyday riding. However, the gap has closed between “unobtanium” in MotoGP and what’s available to the general public. One of it is tyre technology, as these Michelin Pilot Street 2 can attest to.

It’s been two years since Michelin’s return to supplying the MotoGP teams and you can be that they’ve learned much since then. But also remember that Michelin used to supply tyres in MotoGP way before the other brands before dropping out for a few years. The company have also been around since 1889, exactly 130 years ago.

The Michelin Pilot Street 2 is designed for scooters and small displacement motorcycles. As such, rim sizes start from 10-inches though 14-, 16- and finally 17-inches.

These new tyres were designed to perform on both dry and wet roads.

To achieve this:

The front tyre features a circumferential groove to aid agility, while lateral grooves give good performance on wet roads.
The rear tyre’s central grooves optimizes water clearance while providing outstanding grip during the dry.

The tyre’s performance was tested and certified by TÜV Labs at Fontange, France. Equipped with the Michelin Pilot Street 2, the bike lapped the 2-km circuit 4.4 seconds faster than its rivals.

The tyres will be available at TYREPLUS and Michelin authorized dealers. They are offered in 19 sizes.

Indonesian Gojek Riders Demonstrate Despite Apology by Big Blue Taxi Founder

More than 400 Gojek riders and Indonesians protested outside the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta yesterday.
The demonstrations were held to protests against the disparaging remarks made by Big Blue Taxi founder Dato’ Shamsubahrin Ismail in a video.
They demanded that Shamsubahrin travel to Indonesia to apologize publicly.

More than 400 Gojek riders protested outside the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta yesterday.

The demonstrations were held to protests against the disparaging remarks made by Big Blue Taxi founder Dato’ Shamsubahrin Ismail in a video. Shamsubahrin said that the e-hailing service is meant for “poor” people like those in Jakarta, Indonesia, besides Thailand and Cambodia.

“This (Indonesia) is a poor country. We (Malaysia) are a rich country. If Indonesia’s youths are any good, they would not leave their country to look for a job,” he said in the video.

The video was circulated all the way to Indonesia where it infuriated Gojek riders. Gojek spokeswoman Theresia Ismiyanti demanded that Shamsubahrin travel to Indonesia to apologize publicly.

Shamsubahrin held a press conference on 30^thAugust to apologize but blamed a “media report” on poverty in Indonesia, instead. He also sent a letter to the Malaysian embassy in Indonesia. It was since handed to the Garda association of motorcycle workers by the Malaysian Police Attaché.

However, the riders and Indonesians were unsatisfied with the apology and continued their demand for Shamsubahrin to visit the country. They even raised funds for him to travel there.

Shamsubahrin spouted the claims when he protested against the government’s desire to allow Gojek to operate here. To his credit, he suggested that Malaysian-based Dego Ride should be given priority over Gojek.

SHARK 30th Anniversary Race R Pro GP

SHARK Helmets released three limited-edition SHARK 30^thAnniversary Race R Pro GP helmets.
All three make up a total production run of only 1989 helmets.
The 30^thanniversary models have more features on top of the already flagship Race R Pro GP.

French helmet maker SHARK Helmets launched three limited-edition SHARK 30^thAnniversary Race R Pro GP helmets.

They are available in 3 special colours, for a total number of 1989 units. They are Red Carbon Black, Black Carbon Pearl and White Carbon Black.

The SHARK Race R Pro is the helmet worn by MotoGP riders such as Jorge Lorenzo, Johann Zarco and Scott Redding.

The three models are named “Carbon” because they are built in carbon fibre. SHARK uses the next-generation Carbon on View and aramid (COVA) structure to increase compression and abrasion resistance. Because it’s made of carbon fibre, the helmet is also light to reduce neck muscle tension.

Its distinctive shape was derived through the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technology and gaining feedback from the riders. The result is a helmet that boasts the best possible aerodynamic efficiency at top speeds to minimize drag and vibration for maximum stability.

The large spoiler at the back of the helmet uses a “Quick Spoiler Safety System.” It detaches the spoiler in a fall to minimize the effects of secondary shocks.

Speaking of shocks, SHARK Helmets employ multi-density Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in different zones of the helmet for optimal damping.

The comfort lining uses new “3D morpho” cheek contours for maximum comfort and support. The lining is removable for washing and uses the “Alveotech” anti-bacterial treatment to prevent bacteria growth i.e. cuts down on smell.

SHARK helmets are known for their quietness. To do so, they employed memory-shaped ear pads, wrap-around neck protection plus the anti-fog breath guard which blocks background noise.

Last but not least, the Race R Pro GP has a “SHARK Racing Division” laser engraving on the visor mechanisms, neck protection and titanium-coated double-D ring strap. Besides that, there is a 30^thanniversary hologram behind the helmet.

Every owner of the SHARK 30^thAnniversary Race R Pro GP limited-edition helmets will receive a specially-designed “Racing Division” helmet box and “SHARK Racing Division” bag.

Adam Norrodin to Replace Khairul Idham Pawi at Misano

Ex-PETRONAS Sprinta Moto3 rider Adam Norrodin will be the latest replacement for Khairul Idham Pawi.
He is the latest substitute rider in the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team in Moto2.
Pawi is recovering from a hand injury.

Ex-PETRONAS Sprinta Moto3 rider Adam Norrodin will be the latest replacement for Khairul Idham Pawi.

Norrodin will take over the Moto2 reins in the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team at the Misano GP. Pawi is still nursing the injury to his right finger which had partly been amputated.

Norrodin used to race for the Sepang International Circuit team in the Moto3 class from 2016 to 2018, partnering Ayumu Sasaki. When the team became the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team for this season, Scottish racer John McPhee replaced Norrodin.

The Malaysian rider went to ride for the SIC Junior team, contesting in the European Moto2 championship.

Although he has experience riding a Moto2 machine, this will be his first time on the Triumph-powered Moto2 machine in the Moto2 World Championship.

“It’s a shame that KIP is not able to return to racing, but I’m really happy to have been given this opportunity; it’s like a dream come true,” Norrodin said. “There’s something new for me to learn, but it’ll be interesting for me – it’s a new chapter for my story and I need to say a huge thanks to Dato’ Razlan Razali and the team for still believing in me.”

Team Principal Dato’ Razlan Razali said “One of our objectives is to encourage and nurture Malaysian racing talent so with Khairul Idham Pawi still recovering, there was an ideal opportunity to give Adam Norrodin the opportunity to sample Moto2 at world championship level.”

Mattia Pasini, Jonas Folger and Bradley Smith have substituted for Pawi this season. As Smith will be representing the SIC team at Misano for the MotoE race, he will unavailable as substitute.