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Ducati Panigale 1299 S Hybrid — 300 bhp, 299.6 Nm

This Ducati Panigale 1299 S Hybrid packs 300 bhp and 299.6 Nm of torque.
Efesto S.a.r.l. installed an electric motor to the engine.
The motor can work together in tandem or separate from the engine.

Want power? 205 bhp isn’t enough? 250, no? Okay how about 300 bhp then? Because that’s what this Ducati Panigale 1299 S hybrid is packing.

The stock 1299 S already produces 205 bhp and 143.7 Nm of torque, which is more enough for road use and perhaps on the track too. But since so many are obsessed with horsepower figures, it seems piddly, doesn’t it? What more with the Panigale V4 S which does 213 bhp.

So, Efesto S.a.r.l., a French-Italian firm who are “active in the design and development of turn key electric and hybrid powertrains” turned the 1299 S into a hybrid. The company had worked on the Panigale 1299 S for some time and introduced the prototype last year and the project has reached fruition.

Efesto Managing Director Luca Morfino explained that electric bikes are still heavy and limited in range. (Certain countries are still dragging their feet in expanding charging infrastructure.) In this case, their 200Novantanove hybrid powertrain makes perfect sense. As the name suggests, a hybrid “engine” combines the good ol’ (but polluting) internal combustion engine and an electric motor (non-polluting but not powerful, either).

The rider can switch between the two systems or let them run in parallel. Using the electric motor in traffic saves fuel and avoids getting a burnt crotch, then use both for planet-moving acceleration before switching to full petrol mode for corner blasting.

The battery is charged by the electric motor or regenerative braking, so it isn’t a plug-and-play kit. The set up also brings the bike’s weight up to 194 kg, up from 179 kg.

Still, how to argue with 300 bhp and 299.6 Nm? And don’t forget that it’s environmentally-friendly, too.

Source: Moto.it

2019 KBS MiniGP Academy is Still Open for Registration

Registration to the 2019 KBS MiniGP Academy is still open.
40 participants will be selected to follow the programme.
Final selection is happening on 23rd November 2019, so register now.

Registration to the 2019 KBS MiniGP Academy is still open.

Did you know that Hafizh Shahrin began his racing career in miniGP? Look at where he is now.

In view of this, the 2019 KBS MiniGP Academy is an initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia (KBS – Kementerian Belia dan Sukan) to develop new talents in two-wheeled motorsports, with the objective of seeing them reaching the world stage.

The academy will be the starting point and stepping stone towards that goal for youths who are passionate about motorcycle racing.

The programme is open to all Malaysians aged 9 to 16 as of 2019. Final selection will be carried out in Tangkak, Johor on 23rd November. These 40 participants will then follow a one-month programme from end-November through December 2019.

Registration can be carried out online through www.kbsminigpacademy.com. The registrants will be contacted to attend the selection in Tangkak on 23rd November.

KBS MiniGP Academy CEO Dato’ Haniff Borhan said that the programme is a continuance since 2013, with the assistance of the KBS and Pitrides Motorsports. The academy has since given rise to a rider who is now racing in the FIM Spanish CEV Moto3 class.

So, don’t wait. Register now at www.kbsminigpacademy.com.

Revisiting the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix

The 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix was the best one yet.
Instrumental to the greatness was Shell Malaysia’s involvement as title sponsor.
They were the title sponsor since 2009.

The 2019 motorycle grand prix season is coming to an end with this weekend’s race at Valencia. It only makes the memories at the 2019 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix even more memorable since Malaysia is the last of the flyaway rounds and the penultimate race on the calendar.

While the race action on the track was the main highlight, it’s the overall atmosphere and events leading up to the race which added even greater emphasis on the greatest race on Malaysian soil.

For example, Shell Malaysia took the race to another level since being the title sponsor for 10 years since 2009. Back then, there was an enormous worry when tobacco companies were forced to withdraw their sponsorship from MotoGP. But it was Shell Malaysia who picked up the ball and ran with it. They certainly ran the entire marathon — look at the state of the Malaysian MotoGP now!

Let’s look at the activities Shell Malaysia organised this year alone.

It all began with meet and greet sessions at Shell petrol stations. The first was at the one near KLIA. The event also celebrated Ducati Corse’s (in MotoGP and WorldSBK) partnership with Shell since 1999.

Mission Winnows Ducati factory team riders Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci met Ducati owners and fans alike during the session, signing autographs on everything the fans brought, including on motorcycles.

Then Shell opened up the Shell Hillstand at the Sepang International Circuit.

Situated outside Turns 13 and 14, spectators witnessed just how fast and especially how low modern race machines could lean. Seeing it on TV was one thing, see it in real life was a different experience altogether.

The Hillstand also saw the first “Sunset at Hillstand” event where the fans met any MotoGP rider of their choice for photography (i.e. selfies) and autographs.

That’s not all. The Shell Hillstand area was a “mini MotoGP village” on its own with a Ducati booth at the entrance, two giant LED screens showing “live” footages of the race, food and beverage stands (including deli2go, Tea Live, Costa Coffee, food trucks, Monster Energy); plus a MotoGP PS4 Challenge, “Guess the Quantity” and “Super Sepak” games.

At the Welcome Centre, a mock up Ducati pit was set up complete with Ducatis and petrol pump islands.

Those who rode to the 2019 Shell Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix didn’t need to worry about parking as they are entitled to free parking with the purchase of Shell Advance lubricant at the Shell Advance Ride Thru Service. What’s more, the parking lot was guarded so there’s no worry about items getting stolen (some riders even left their helmets there).

So, while the 2019 season ends, the 2020 season beckons. We couldn’t wait!

Massive Turnout for 2019 Yamaha MotoGP Convoy

1,300 Yamaha owners joined the 2019 Yamaha MotoGP convoy.
Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) co-operated with PETRONAS to organise a convoy to the 2019 Malaysia MotoGP.
The participants were given privileges at the Yamaha booth and PETRONAS Experience at SIC.

It is an annual tradition expected by Yamaha motorcycle owners in Malaysia. Once again, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) co-operated with PETRONAS to organise a convoy to the Malaysia MotoGP on 3rd November 2019.

Participants, 1,300 of them to be exact, rode in to the Klang Valley specifically to join the convoy. They rode in on every Yamaha model including the Lagenda 115, 135LC, Y15ZR, 125ZR, NMAX, NVX, XMAX, all the way up to the XJ6, MT-07, MT-09, MT-09 Tracer and so forth. It was here during the convoy that one can see just how numerous is HLYM’s lineup.

The huge group congregated at the TSI Arena in Cyberjaya since 6.30 am.

PETRONAS Vice President of Downstream Business, Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir was on hand to address the crowd. The attendees were expecting great results from the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team riders Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli, of course. The pair had qualified first and third on the grid, after all.

HLYM was represented by Managing Director Dato’ Jim Khor, who thanked the riders for choosing Yamaha.

The convoy was later flagged off by both Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal and Dato’ Jim Khor.

All riders rode in orderly fashion until the Sepang International Circuit. A specially-prepared parking area was allocated for the riders and was guarded by HLYM’s staff throughout the duration of the race.

Participants were welcomed at the Hong Leong Yamaha booth and the PETRONAS Experience “mini mall”.

The 2019 convoy was another huge success. We could only see an even bigger convoy next year.

PHOTO GALLERY

2020 Triumph Tiger 900 to Debut in December 2019

The 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 is set to debut in early December 2019.
There will two new models called Tiger 900 Rally and Tiger 900 GT.
The rally is for off-road and GT for sport-touring.

We expected to see the 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 at EICMA 2010 but were surprised to not see it there. However, the manufacturer has released a teaser that it’ll be unveiled in early December 2019.

But it isn’t just an updated model for Euro5 compliance, instead pictures of the prototype do show an entirely new bike. Also, there are two new models, called the Tiger 900 Rally and Tiger 900 GT.

As the names suggest, the Rally will be more off-road oriented while the GT is more for sport-touring. This marks a departure from the XC and XR naming schemes.

From the pictures we saw earlier, the new bikes will feature LED headlamps and lighting. Also, we are certain that they will receive the new TFT screens, just like how the 2020 Street Triple RS has shown.

Other “updates” are abound, for example, the passenger footpeg carriers are no longer welded to the rear subframe. Off-road riders of the previous generation complained that the carrier will bend, sometimes along with the subframe should they encounter a hard fall. Kudos, seems like Triumph always listens to what consumers want.

The 2020 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally and Tiger 900 GT are said to be unveiled on 3rd December 2019.

Jorge Lorenzo Announces Retirement

Jorge Lorenzo announced his retirement from racing.
The shock announcement was made together with Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.
The five-time world champion’s form has dropped after breaking his vertebrae in Assen.

Jorge Lorenzo announced his retirement from racing.

The five-time world champion made the shock announcement in an “exceptional press conference” just prior to the start of the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix. He was accompanied by Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.

While the announcement shocked some, it may not be so to others. Lorenzo switched over to the Repsol Honda team this year to replace the team’s long-time rider Dani Pedrosa.

He knew that it would be an uphill task to adjust his riding style to a bike which is suited to his teammate Marc Marquez, but maintained a positive outlook although he couldn’t finish higher than 11th.

However, Lorenzo was fast as soon as he found his rhythm in Catalunya. However, an over-enthusiastic lunge took out Andrea Dovizioso, Maverick Vinalez and Valentino Rossi along with himself.

Then, a huge tumble in the gravel following a crash at Assen during the Dutch TT fractured a vertebrae.

He made a comeback at the British MotoGP round exactly two months later, but the pain forced him to finish 14th. He would finish no higher than that position in the next five rounds leading to Valencia. He has collected 25 points after 18 races and lies 14th in the 2019 championship.

The rider apologised to Honda and team manager Alberto Puig for having to stop a year earlier than his stipulated contract. He cited that he had lost the motivation to compete. But before one criticises his move, breaking one’s back isn’t something anybody likes to do.

Lorenzo’s retirement opens up a spare seat at the factory team. There’s no word from HRC yet but Cal Crutchlow or Johann Zarco are heavily touted to replace Lorenzo.