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BMW Motorrad to Unveil Four New Bikes at EICMA

BMW Motorrad is set to unveil four new models at EICMA 2019.
They could be the R18, F 850 R/RS, S 1000 R/XR.
EICMA 2019 begins on 4th November 2019.

BMW Motorrad is set to unveil four new models at EICMA 2019 (Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori – International Exposition of Motorcycles and Accessories).

BMW unveiled nine new models at EICMA 2018 and throughout this year, which included those using using the new 1254cc Shift Cam-equipped Boxer engine, namely the R 1250 GS, R 1250 GS Adventure, R 1250 RT and R 1250 RS. So, what can we expect this time?

How about the R 1250 R? The R 12XX R is the most underrated Boxer in BMW’s line-up. We’ve tested the R 1200 R and found it wonderfully entertaining and joyful to ride. Sure, it may not look as butch as the latest naked bikes and supernakeds, but that isn’t the point. It’s more like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

The R18 cruiser, bagger and tourer will definitely debut at EICMA, as we wrote in a previous article. The bike will bring BMW back into the cruiser segment they’ve been missing from for the last 15 years.

What else?

The new F 850 R, perhaps? There’s already the new F 850 GS and F 850 GS Adventure, along with the F 750 GS (which if of the same capacity with lower power output). In this respect, there could either be the new F 850 R naked/standard or F 850 RS sport-tourer.

Okay, we’ve saved the best for last.

Two bikes that’ve been sorely missing are the S 1000 R and S 1000 XR. The new S 1000 RR have been receiving rave reviews everywhere (although they’ve yet to arrive in Malaysia) so it’s high time the R and XR are updated in terms of looks, performance along with Euro 5 requirements.

The S 1000 RR’s engine is fitted with a Shift Cam version for the inline-Four. We should see the same for the new bikes.

EICMA begins on 4th November. It’s going to be the most interesting as almost all manufacturers will debut new bikes ahead of the implementation of Euro 5.

New Yamaha Lifestyle Station Opens

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) launched the new Yamaha Lifestyle Station today.
The entire Sungai Buloh complex has been totally renovated.
It forms a new “lepak” place for customers and visitors.

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) launched the new Yamaha Lifestyle Station today.

The HLYM Complex in Sungai Buloh has been totally renovated to a facility that reflects the times and to cater for the new motorcycle lifestyle. Additional aftersales support infrastructures were also added to ensure that dealers, customers and even the general public will benefit.

For starter, there is a new service reception area, which affords a full view of the spare parts section. Customers can see spare parts being picked for their bikes.

The service area is now visible to the customers — separated by a glass panel, of course. There are 12 service bays equipped with hydraulic lifts in the covered area. The workshop is fully air-conditioned to provide a conducive working environment for the fully-trained technicians. Such an environment will benefit customers in the end as the technicians can concentrate fully on the work at hand. They are also provided with complete tools including the electronic diagnostic system.

In the waiting area, the previous hard chairs have been removed and replaced with comfortable sofas. There is also a section with multiple charging points for smart devices and laptops.

A few metres away is a Hong Leong Bank ATM machine, allowing customers to carry out their banking needs.

Customers step through a glass door into the showroom area. At 1208 sq. m. (13,000 sq. ft.), it is the biggest Yamaha showroom in the country. Yamaha management joked that they will expand it if they find another showroom which is bigger.

Here, customers will first see the Gen Blu Café which serves a mix of local, Asian, Japanese and fusion delights. There is also aromatic coffee for java lovers.

A friendly robot named Shila Sakura serves the floor. “She” is currently armed with a tablet showing the menu and directory but HLYM is currently programming her to take orders and receive payment for food and beverages in the future.

But the main highlights here are the Yamaha products on display including a collection of Yamaha motorcycles sold by HLYM since 1979, current CKD models and motorsport bikes classic and current.

There are also sections for Yamaha music instruments; outdoor products such as side-by-side buggy, off-road bike, portable generator; marine products such as the Waverunner jet ski and outboard engines.

A Yamaha museum will be added in Phase 2.

The corporate office and reception area were likewise renovated. There is a section for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), highlighting HLYM’s role in helping the less fortunate, besides road safety education.

On the corporate front, HLYM renovate level 2 of the building to expand on their training facilities. That includes adding more classrooms for theoretical and practical training, and a resource centre (library) called META for Motorcycle Education & Training Academy Centre. The library will soon be open to not only dealers and their technicians, but also students and the public.

HLYM also provides detailed training for new dealers right down to managing cash flow and one-to-one relationships with customers.

The new Yamaha Lifestyle Station will be the flag-off point for future convoys and events. As for customers and visitors, it is definitely a new place to lepak (chill out).

PHOTO GALLERY

Production Ready BMW R18 Spotted

The production ready BMW R18 was spotted.
It will bring BMW back into the cruiser market.
The engine is an 1800cc Boxer.

After teasing with custom builds and concepts, the production ready BMW R18 was spotted recently.

Eagle-eyed spotters saw the bike being loaded onto a truck under a blue tarp. When parts of the cover blew open, it revealed a BMW cruiser. And voila! It’s the new BMW R18.

This particular version is equipped with saddlebags and a wide front tyre, making it a bagger. It is rumoured that there will be three versions to the R18 i.e. a bagger, cruiser and tourer. All three will most probably be officially unveiled at EICMA beginning 4th November.

The bike in the picture looks pretty much like a production version rather than still at the concept stage. The exhaust pipes, brakes, wheels are the dead giveaway. But check out the shape of the double cradle frame’s downtubes. The fuel tank is also reminiscent of the classic/vintage BMWs.

But as classic as it looks, that engine is a huge 1800cc Boxer – the biggest Boxer BMW will make. The concept showed carburettors but the production model ought to use direct fuel injection.

BMW has been missing from the cruiser market for a couple of decades now since the last R 1200 C in 1997. Yes, the bike in the James Bond movie “Tomorrow Never Dies.”

Source: Ride Apart

Schoolteacher Arrested for Illegal Racing

Police arrested a schoolteacher for illegal racing.
He was riding a Yamaha YZF-R1.
His “opponent”, a cook, was riding an Aprilia RSV4.

Police arrested a school for illegal racing on a Yamah YZF-R1.

He was racing against a chef on an Aprilia RSV4 along Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu, near Bayan Lepas in Penang.

Both men were then arrested at intersection to the Kampung Jawa foodcourt at 2am.

Police revealed that the R1 rider is a secondary school teacher. Both men have made police bail but the police is in the process of completing their report to the deputy public prosecutor for further action.

The case will be investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Source: https://newmalaysianpost.com/2019/10/12/guru-sekolah-ditahan-ketika-sedang-berlumba-haram/

Johann Zarco Returns to MotoGP with Honda?

Sources say Johann Zarco may return to MotoGP this year.
He will ride for LCR Honda if he does.
LCR needs a substitute rider for the injured Takaaki Nakagami.

Johann Zarco may return to MotoGP on an LCR Honda.

Sources say that he will ride for the satellite team for the remainder of the season beginning the Australian GP. He will replaces injured Takaaki Nakagami.

Nakagami suffered a shoulder injury similar to Marc Marquez’s and will require surgery. The procedure was planned to take place earlier but the Japanese decided to carry it out after the Japanese GP.

Zarco, meanwhile, has been off the bike since he was unceremoniously removed from the factory KTM team after his announcement to quit his contract a year early. His seat was then handed over to KTM test rider Mika Kallio.

However, KTM MotoGP boss had allowed Zarco to test or ride another manufacturer’s bike in competition, despite the contract ending only at the of 2019.

It’ll be an important test for Zarco. Honda had wanted him for 2019 but he decided to follow Herve Poncharal’s move ill-fated move to KTM.

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Japan Celebrate 40 Years of Co-operation

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Japan celebrate 40 years of successful co-operation tonight.
Hong Leong Industries signed the joint-venture agreement with Yamaha in 1979.
The guess of honour was Yamaha Motor Japan’s President and CEO.

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Japan celebrate 40 years of successful co-operation tonight.

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) Managing Director Dato’ Jim Khor said that the objective of the joint venture was to produce motorcycles of high quality that are affordable to the people. To that end, HLYM has come a long way to build the brand to its No. 1 position in Malaysia.

The brand had grown regionally to cover other product segments such as marine applications, even to countries such as Vietnam.

For that, he thanked customers, dealers, business partners for their support, co-operation and contributions that led to the current success.

He also thanked the Yamaha Motor Co. for their passion in creating the best motorcycles, for it would not have been possible.

The guest of honour tonight was Mr. Hoshihiro Hidaka, the President and Chief Executive Office of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Japan.

Apart from thanking HLYM for the great work, he also stated that Yamaha finds that motorcycles are closest vehicles to people. Hence the company has always strived to create Kando (feeling of happiness and satisfaction) among their customers. To do so, Yamaha fuse cutting-edge technology with human sensitivities. This principle is reflected in the “Expanding human possibilities” tagline.

Both gentlemen hope that the co-operation will continue for the next 40 years and beyond.