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

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

2026 Ducati DesertX V2 Launched at EICMA 2025

Four years after the model’s birth, the new generation 2026 Ducati DesertX V2 was unveiled at EICMA 2025. As the name suggests, it utilises the maker’s new V2 engine, besides introducing a whole host of technical upgrades.

Highlights:

As mentioned earlier, the engine is the new 890cc V2 with Intake Variable Timing (IVT), which replaces the current 937cc Testastretta.
The IVT valvetrain offers linear torque from down low to hard and quick sportbike-like engine performance at high RPMs.

Evidence to this is the availability of 70% of maximum torque at 3,000 RPM, before hiking up to 80% of maximum torque from 3,500 RPM.
Ducati says the engine produces the same peak power of 110 hp at 9,000 RPM and maximum torque of 92.9 Nm at 7,000 RPM as posted by the outgoing Testastretta.

Another big change is the rear suspension, where Ducati has installed a new progressive linkage arm that connects below the seat to the new and redesigned swingarm.
This sort of linkage was first seen on the Ducati 916 and brought over to subsequent sportbike models, but the new DesertX is the first off-road motorcycle to be fitted with it.

The 2026 Ducati DesertX V2 is also lighter by over 4 kg, bringing the bike’s wet weight (without fuel) down to 205.9 kg.
The new bike retains the current 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels.

Elsewhere, the overall silhouette is unmistakably the DesertX’s but the front DRL rings have their top and bottom cut off.
The new bike’s profile also looks slimmer, although the body was shrouded by camouflage.

The 7.95-litre spare fuel tank is also retained.
A new TFT screen was fitted to the prototype at EICMA, albeit set in a horizontal position compared to the vertical orientation on the original DesertX.

Other additions include a steering damper and GPS mounting bar.

Ducati said that they will unveiled the 2026 Ducati DesertX V2’s full specifications in February 2026, and the bike should be in overseas dealerships in May 2026.

CFMoto V4 SR-RR Superbike Prototype with 210hp++ Incoming

Maybe everyone knows by now that CFMoto is accelerating their model developments to the world market. Part of that relentless march is CFMoto V4 superbike which they say produces more than 210 hp.

CFMoto had actually displayed the prototype V4 engine at EICMA 2024. But the patents had been leaked a year prior to that. But an engine in nothing without a (good-looking) motorcycle and vice-versa, right?

So here is the complete prototype which looks production-ready.

The company has been racing in Moto2 and Moto3, while being missing from World Superbike, World Supersport, and of course MotoGP.

CFMoto has not indicated that the V4 SR-RR will be headed to WorldSBK, per se, but in any case, almost all motorcycle manufacturers place a superbike as their flagship model. This is because the superbike is the model that is packed with the latest features and technologies.

The first thing you may notice numerous winglets on the bike. Unlike those on its peers, the V4 SR-RR’s are active, meaning they change their angle of attack according to riding speed, conditions, and possibly even the selected ride mode. In fact, they already work together with the bike’s semi-active electronic suspension.

Displayed at EICMA 2025, the CFMoto V4 SR-RR was fitted with Brembo Hypure brake calipers and full-titanium exhaust system.

While CFMoto has not revealed the bike’s full specifications, there are pictures of it being ridden on a track. If you remember the Zoom and 675 SR, the manufacturer had also released such pictures just prior to the bike’s official debut. So, the V4 SR-RR may be coming real soon.

Öhlins Rolls out New Logo

There is one brand of suspension that everyone lusts over and it includes discerning car drivers, too. That brand: Öhlins. The Swedish brand has just rolled out a new logo.

The new logo now drops the umlauts (the two dots) on top of the letter “O”, while replacing the decades-old type font with a more modern, if not futuristic look.

“Today marks the dawn of a new era for Öhlins. Debuting a new visual identity, the Swedish suspension brand and global racing icon moves boldly into the future while honouring its past,” says their press release.

Öhlins was purchased earlier this year by Brembo, with the two forging a new partnership that better applies each piece of those companies’ technology in a more unified way for the end consumer. But, clearly, Öhlins wanted to better differentiate itself in its new era, and switched things up, though, thankfully, the iconic gold-plated visage that signifies the brand’s top-tier suspension setups remains.

“Over the past 50 years, Öhlins has built a brand synonymous with racing excellence and cutting-edge suspension technology,” said Mark Spelthaen, Managing Director, Öhlins Group, adding, “While we have strived to remain at the forefront of high-performance, premium suspension, the visual representation of our brand has not evolved at the same pace. As we enter this exciting new era for Öhlins, our new visual identity positions us to continue our legacy into the future. It reflects the forward-looking, innovative spirit at the core of our brand while opening new opportunities to connect with and inspire enthusiasts.”

New Colours for 2025 Yamaha Y15ZR, from RM8,998

As expected, there are new colours for the 2025 Yamaha Y15ZR. The rest of the bike remains the same.

The Yamaha Y15ZR soldiers on since its launch in August 2015. The decade-old model has seen several updates, but mostly confined to the colours and graphics. Hey, why fix what is not broken? And it continues to sell well, regardless of what detractors say. And this is one bike that has a huge aftermarket industry built in its shadow.

The engine remains the same 150cc, liquid-cooled, SOHC, single-cylinder unit, producing a maximum power of 15.1 hp (11.3 kW) at 8,500 rpm and 13.8 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm.

Back to the 2025 model, the three new colours are called Blue Spark, Aqua Violet, and Mecha Green. The new colour selection are already available at all authorised Yamaha dealers nationwide starting from 06th November 2025, with a recommended retail price of RM8,998.00, excluding registration fees and insurance coverage.

New owners of the Yamaha Y15ZR can enjoy additional benefit by receiving a Yamaha safety disc lock
worth RM100, with their purchase.

Photo gallery

Attempting to Bribe Singapore Traffic Police SGD50, Malaysian Man Faces RM348k Fine and 5 Years in Prison

A Malaysian man was charged in a Singaporean court on November 7 for allegedly offering a S$50 bribe to a Singapore traffic police officer.

Lee Keh Meng allegedly did so to persuade the traffic police, Sargeant Ahmad Hafiz Bin Abdul Sukur, to not report a case of unauthorised cross-border ride-hailing service on Oct. 23, 2025.

Sargeant Ahmad Hafiz rejected the bribe.

The case was subsequently referred to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) by the Singapore Police Force.

Lee faces one charge punishable under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for his attempt to bribe a police officer.

Any person convicted of a corruption offence under Section 6 of the Prevention of Corruption Act can be fined up to S$100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment not exceeding five years or to both.

By comparison, the fine for carrying out illegal ride-hailing services in the Republic would have been up to SGD3,000 and/or a jail sentence of up to six months. Additionally, the vehicle involved may be confiscated.

Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, CPIB said in a press release. – Mothership.sg

2026 Yamaha R7 Debuts with More Electronics, Updated Chassis

The 2026 Yamaha R7 has been revealed, now with better electronics and handling updates.

It is a good move on the manufacturer’s part, after seeing the R9 winning the World SuperSport’s manufacturer title in its inaugural season.

Highlights

The biggest update is the six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) which in turn offers lean-angle sensitive rider aids through three ride modes, and a new three stage traction control system with slide control.
Additionally, there are lift control, brake control, engine brake management, and launch control.
As mentioned earlier, there are three riding modes: Sport, Street, Rain. There are also two slots of Custom settings, which can be set through the Yamaha MyRide app.
The 2026 Yamaha R7 is also fitted with the Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (Y-CCT) system. It was the world’s first ride-by-wire throttle system when it was introduced on the R6 in 2006.
Yamaha’s third-generation Quick Shift System (QSS): Setting 1 allows “clutchless upshifts while accelerating and clutchless downshifts while decelerating, and Setting 2 permitting downshifts while accelerating and upshifts while decelerating to suit a wider range of both road and track scenarios”.

Updated frame with changed and optimised pipe layout, diameter, thickness and reinforcement.
The centre brace now uses steel plates with plastic covers, and a new triple clamp.
Yamaha has also changed the 41mm upside-down forks’ piston rods to aluminium, which saves 350g.
The forks are now fully-adjustable, by the way.
The rims are now Spin Forged to save some weight, too.

Riding position has also has been revised with repositioned handlebars and a redesigned fuel tank.
The seat is now 5mm lower and takes the appearance of the ones on the R9 and R1.
The engine remains unchanged, however.
Yamaha has added a colourway resembling the first R7 (which was an inline-four racebike) called Anniversary White, which celebrates the maker’s 70th anniversary.