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Moto Guzzi V85TT Launched in Malaysia – Special Promo from RM 79,888

The much anticipated Moto Guzzi V85TT is now officially in Malaysia.
The official Malaysian Moto Guzzi distributor, Didi Resources, launched the bike today.
You can test ride tomorrow from 8am.

The much anticipated 2019 Moto Guzzi V85TT is now officially in Malaysia. You may test ride the bike tomorrow.

Touted by Moto Guzzi as the first modern-classic travel endure, it retains the Guzzi DNA which has endeared the brand to those who sought something different. However, as classic as it looks, the V85TT is actually a very modern bike under its skin.

The 853cc, transverse 90^o V-Twin produced 80 hp at 7,750 RPM and 80 Nm at 5,000 RPM. It is tuned for a smooth and flat torque curve. That power is harnessed through modern electronics including ROAD, RAIN and OFFROAD riding modes. The Continental-based ABS is standard but the rear can be disengaged for offroad riding. The suspension is also a modern affair, consisting of upside-down forks and adjustable rear shock with piggyback reservoir.

But there’s only so much that the tech specs reveal for Piaggio made the bike to cater to 95% of riders in the real world. That means riders of any skill level and physique can find a sweet spot on the bike.

We have tested the bike during the Asia Pacific Media Launch in Thailand. Please click here for the full details.

The Moto Guzzi V85TT is priced at RM 87,888 for the standard colours (Blue Atlante, Grigio Atacama, Rosso Vulcano) and from RM 89,888 for the Evocative Graphics (which includes the yellow and white Sahara Yellow, and red and white Kalahari Red). However, Didi Resources is providing a special promotion from RM 79,888 for the standard colours.

The bike has generate more than 1,000 requests for test rides worldwide which converted to more than 80% sales. Consequently, the Guzzi production line is working overtime to keep up with the overwhelming orders.

Intrigue in US National Highway Traffic Administration List of 2020 BMW Motorcycles

The US National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) published a list of 2020 BMW motorcycles and stirred some intrigue.
A number of popular models are omitted from the list.
They include the S 1000 XR, R nine T Urban G/S and the C 650 scooter.

The US National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) published a list of 2020 BMW motorcycles and stirred some intrigue.

The NHTSA compiles and list the models of motorcycles homologated for the American market in the coming year. But BMW Motorrad’s list seems to hint at upcoming models.

That’s because missing from the list is the S 1000 XR. It may not be seen much on Malaysia roads as the R 1200 GS Adventure and R 1200 GS (soon R 1250 GSA and R 1250 GS) are the most popular models. In America, however, the S 1000 XR is one of the most popular.

One way of seeing it is because the new S 1000 RR superbike has a new engine equipped with ShiftCam variable valve timing technology. As such, the new engine is expected to be grafted to a new S 1000 XR.

However, the naked sport S 1000 R remains on the list and unchanged for 2020. Will there be a new ShiftCam model? You can bet so but maybe for 2021. Or BMW could working on the bike right now and unveil it at Intermot or EICMA later this year.

Other models missing are the F 800 GT sport-tourer and F 800 R roadster. This was expected with the debut of the F 850 GS and F 850 GS Adventure. The two bikes have a new engine with revised firing order, besides being completely new from ground up. Rumours are still surrounding the 9Cento concept on whether it will turn out to be the new F 850 GT or F 850 XR. If there is an F 850 GT/XR, there will definitely be a new F 850 R.

But the omission of the R nine T Urban G/S couldn’t be explained sufficiently. Will the new 1800cc Boxer engine make an appearance in a new Urban G/S-like model?

The C 650 Sport and C Evolution Urban Mobility models (i.e. scooters) are also missing. It’s understandable that the American market doesn’t like scooters.

Anyway, 2020 will be a big year for all manufacturers with the advent of the Euro 5 emission standard. It’s going to be hectic at the Tokyo Motorshow, Intermot and EICMA.

Honda CRF250L and Honda CRF250 Rally Recall, Boon Siew Honda Checking if Malaysian Units are Affected

American Honda has issued a recall for a number of models including the 2018 Honda CRF250L and Honda CRF250 Rally.
The issue concerns the transmission.
Boon Siew Honda is currently checking if the Malaysian units are affected.

American Honda has issued a recall for a number of models for issues regarding their transmissions. The recall include the 2018 Honda CRF250L and Honda CRF250 Rally, among others.

According to the circular, the models affected are the 2019 Honda CB300R, 2018 to 2019 Honda Rebel (CMX300), 2018 Honda CBR300R, as wells as the aforementioned 2018 Honda CRF250L and Honda CRF250 Rally.

Only the two CRF250s are being sold in Malaysia among the list.

BikesRepublic.com placed a call to the Malaysian distributor, Boon Siew Honda for further clarifications on the recall. While the Malaysian units may not be affected, Boon Siew Honda gave their assurance that they have taken the initiative to investigate the matter. They shall revert with the answers soon.

According to the American Honda recall, the circlip on the transmission’s main shaft may detach. It will cause gear misalignment should it occur.

The misalignment will in turn cause the transmission to shift into gear while in NEUTRAL during engine start. If the motorcycle is in motion, it may cause the transmission, hence the rear wheel to seize.

Stay tuned.

Police Rider Killed in Road Accident with Car

A police rider was killed in a road accident with a car.
Witnesses reported the driver of the car swerved into the path of the policeman.
Motorcyclists in Malaysia have to face such dangerous situations everyday.

Lans Korporal Mohamad Hanis Bin Zainudin, the police officer with the Unit Rondaan Bermotosikal (Motorcycle Patrol Unit) has passed away today after being involved in a road accident yesterday.

The accident happened in Kulai, Johor. Witnesses stated that a car from the opposite lane had cut across the officer’s path to enter the Shell petrol station. Being already at a short distance from the car, the officer couldn’t avoid and slammed into the front left door of the vehicle.

The impact threw the policeman off his bike. A video taken at the accident scene showed that the entire front portion of his Kawasaki Ninja 250 was smashed.

He was rushed to the hospital and listed as critical. However, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away this morning at 10am.

We wish to convey our condolences to his family.

Unfortunately, L/Kpl Mohamad Hanis will not be the last to die because due the impatience and indifference of other motorists towards motorcyclists. This writer himself encounter at least three close calls per day while commuting on his motorcycle.

But what truly makes us mad are certain groups and individuals who never fail to blame motorcyclists for every single accident which involves a motorcycle. To us, these people are both myopic and selfish. Sure, not every motorcyclist is an angel, but surely not every cause of accident is attributable to the motorcyclist. We really want to hear what they think of Allahyarham L/Kpl Mohamad Hanis’ demise.

Source:

CFMoto 700cc Model Leaked

Drawings for a CFMoto 700cc model were leaked online.
The new model shows that CFMoto has moved away from copying other motorcycles and building their own.
CFMoto has a tie-up with KTM.

Remember we published about CFMoto having a tie to KTM? Well, this CFMoto 700cc model may be the result of that co-operation.

The stigma over Chinese-made bikes in Malaysia is understandable. The influx began about a decade ago but the market soon discovered that the bikes were as good as scrap metal. However, given the Chinese industry in tying up with foreign and established brands since then, much has improved.

One of them is CFMoto, who have not only improved steadily but also released more advanced models. (Another manufacturer is Guangdong Tayo who makes the Zontes brand).

The early CFMoto 650NK in 2012 looked like a direct copy of the first-generation Kawasaki ER-6, especially in terms of the frame and engine. The bike had plenty of troubles.

But that was 7 years ago and CFMoto have improved so much that one would get a great surprise to see the new generation of bikes.

And now, they’ve taken it to another level with this 700cc model.

It may still resemble the new Kawasaki Ninja 650, somewhat – especially the camchain cover on the left side of the engine – but look closer and you can see that the steel frame is entirely of CFMoto’s own design. The upper portion looks like a hybrid of the Ducati Scrambler (headlight, speedometer, seat) and Yamaha MT-07 (fuel tank flank and intake), though.

The forks are upside-down that provide radial brake caliper mounting. The swingarm looks like a cast-aluminium unit, rather than welded steel sections.

Will this model prove to be the company’s world-beater? We’ll see if the CFMoto distributor in Malaysia lets us sample it.

Yamaha YZF-R6 20th Anniversary Unveiled in Japan

The Yamaha YZF-R6 20^th Anniversary was unveiled in Japan recently.
However, there was no additional data.
But it ought to be the same as the current R6.

The Yamaha YZF-R6 20^th Anniversary was unveiled in Japan during a YZF-R Owners Meeting at the Sugo racetrack recently.

There wasn’t any information accompanying the launch, unfortunately, except that the variant commemorates the introduction of the first YZF-R6 in 1999.

The R6 was a groundbreaking motorcycle when it was launched. It was the first production motorcycle to utilize ride-by-wire throttle, which Yamaha calls YCC-T for Yamaha Computer Controlled Throttle. It was from here that the technology was soon adopted throughout the industry. Additionally, it marked the beginning of rider selectable ride and power modes.

Anyway, Yamaha had introduced the R6 to challenge the Honda CBR600F and later CBR600RR’s supremacy in the middleweight class. Unlike the Honda, the R6 had an alloy frame. The engine was claimed to produce 120 hp at 13,000 RPM. While it didn’t sound a lot, it translated to the first production bike to measure 200 hp per litre. Besides that, it had the shortest wheelbase and lightest weight of 169kg dry in its segment.

Photo credit planetjapanblog.blogspot.com

The current YZF-R6 produces 117 hp at 14,500 RPM, probably because Yamaha revised the engine to provide more midrange rather than outright horsepower.

Anyway, let’s savour the pictures of this 20^th Anniversary special edition.