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Penang Bridge SUV Accident – It was the 5th Time!

The Penang Chief Minister has urged the Penang Bridge and Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (second bridge) concessionaires to review the safety standards of their guardrails.
An SUV went over the guardrails at the Penang Bridge and into the sea after being hit by another vehicle on 20^thJanuary.
It was the fifth case of vehicles and a motorcyclist who plunged off the bridge.

The Penang Chief Minister is urging the Penang Bridge and Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah concessionaires to review the safety standards of their guardrails, following a highly publicized accident.

An SUV went over the guardrails at the Penang Bridge and into the sea after being hit by another vehicle on 20^thJanuary. The subsequent recovery effort has grabbed the attention of the entire nation. The wreckage of the SUV and its occupant, a 20-year-old college student, has been located last night (21^stJanuary).

It was not the first accident which saw a vehicle crashing into the sea, by far. There were four other cases stretching back to 2010.

20^thSeptember 2010

A young married couple’s MPV hit a metal railing, send the vehicle off the bridge.

1^stNovember 2012

An accounting clerk’s vehicle hit a barrier, sending the car into the sea at kilometer-7.4 on the Penang island-bound side.

30^thOctober 2015

A motorcyclist was thrown over the bridge after his motorcycle scraped against another at kilometer-1.4., island-bound. Fortunately, he only suffered minor injuries as he landed in soft mud.

12^thNovember 2015

A driver lost control of his car before plunging into the sea at kilometer-0.6, Prai-bound.

20^thJanuary 2019

The latest case in which an SUV rolled and hopped over the barrier.

Although there was only one case involving a motorcyclist, steps should have been taken earlier. The view from the two Penang bridges are spectacular but one cannot deny how low the present barriers are. On the other hand, shutting the view off entirely would not sit well, either.

However, there is another dark side which we should consider: Suicides. There’ve been a number of cases of people jumping off the bridges to commit suicide. In fact, one attempt had occurred this morning off the second bridge while the recovery efforts of the SUV were still ongoing.

But we have always questioned why always act after tragedies? Why are our authorities so myopic? That is not the only problem. As we mentioned in another article, enforcement only goes on for about 3 months then everyone goes back to breaking the law.

Let’s hope something is done this time.

Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride goes down South!

The Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” ride returns in 2019 with more epic journeys.
This ride covered the state of Johor from Johor Bahru to Mersing and Kluang.
16 Modenas Dominar D400 owners took on this exciting ride for the #MotographyMalaysia initiative.

It was yet another successful and wonderful journey of the Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” ride as they explored the road down South. A convoy of 16 Modenas Dominar D400 owners took the streets from Mersing all the way Kluang for some good time under the sun and riding around the great state. (more…)

2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 Production Begins

Ducati has started production on the 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260.
The Diavel 1260 shares the 159 bhp 1,262cc DVT engine of the Multistrada 1260.
It also features lean sensitive traction control and Cornering ABS.

The first 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 has rolled off the production line in Bologna, Italy. It was greeted at the entire factory with a toast and official speech by CEO Claudio Domenicali.

The Diavel 1260 was just unveiled last year and it will be delivered to the first customers by February.

It is the second generation Diavel. Ducati claims it is now more comfortable for the rider and passenger alike, besides being designed for “mixed roads.” The main highlight is the 1262cc Testastretta DVT 90^oV-twin engine which it shares with the Multistrada 1260. It produces 159 bhp at 9,500 RPM and 129 Nm of torque at 7,500 RPM. The DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) gives the engine smooth and predictable power throughout its rev range.

Apart from DVT, Ducati has also equipped the bike with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The component enables the addition of lean sensitive traction control and cornering ABS.

As per Ducati’s tradition, the 2019 Diavel 1260 is offered in both standard and “S” model trims. The higher-spec’ed Diavel 1260S model features Öhlins suspension and Quick Shift Evo for up- and downshifts.

Both models still feature the Diavel’s signature 240mm-wide rear tyre.

Toby Price Wins Dakar Rally 2019 with Broken Wrist

Toby Price wins the Dakar Rally 2019 with a broken wrist.
It was his second Dakar win since 2016.
KTM has won at the rally 18^thtimes in a row.

Speaking of broken wrists, Australian Toby Price won the Dakar Rally 2019 despite riding with that injury.

Price came into the 10^thand final stage of the rally with a slender one-minute lead over Chilean Pablo Quintanilla. They had covered almost 5,200 kilometres up to that point.

However, Quintanilla crashed after a mere 10 kilometres into the 112-kilometre stage from Pisco to Lima. He injured his foot which cost him 19 minutes, dropping him to fourth overall. Quintanilla’s misfortune let Price romp home to win the stage win and the overall lead.

Price’s feat was heroic as he rode with a broken scaphoid. He had broken the bone a few weeks prior to the Dakar’s flag-off.

The Red Bull KTM factory rider had thought about just racing for two stages before pulling out. But he kept going as his team provided impeccable support in addition to some luck.

“Pretty much all I can say is that it feels like there are about five people driving a knife in my wrist now,” Price said. He had spent 10 agonising days of being jolted and bumped across the dunes and desert.

“It’s not very comfortable, it’s not very enjoyable. Now I’ll just wait and see what damage I’ve done to my wrist.”

It was Price’s second Dakar win since 2016, and KTM’s 18^thsuccessive victory.

KTM Dakar 2019 bike – Photo credit Enduro21

Jorge Lorenzo Fractures Wrist Bone

Jorge Lorenzo fractured his wrist bone (scaphoid).
He was undergoing training at a dirt track.
The rider needs surgery, but the scaphoid usually heals quickly.

Jorge Lorenzo fractured his wrist bone (scaphoid) and requires surgery.

The Spanish rider was due to join his new Repsol Honda team at their 2019 MotoGP season launch on Wednesday. He suffered the injury during his training at a dirt track.

MotoGP surgeon Dr. Mir will carry out the surgery. Dr. Mir also operated on Lorenzo’s new teammate Marc Marquez in November 2018.

The rider’s injury is at a bad timing since the first “winter test” at the Sepang International Circuit is just two-and-a-half weeks away. Hopefully, he will be fit by then.

The Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) will have something to worry about since Marquez is also recovering from a surgery to correct his dislocated right shoulder. Adding to that, Cal Crutchlow is reported to be still in some pain after breaking his ankle at Phillip Island, Australia last year. Hence none of their riders are 100% fit.

Lorenzo is not the first rider to break his scaphoid. Casey Stoner, the late Nicky Hayden, Stefan Bradl, Jack Miller, Kevin Schwantz have all fractured their scaphoids during their careers. Hayden’s were removed after they failed to heal and turned arthritic.

Scaphoid fracture is common as the human body automatically stretches out the arms and palms of the hand to break our fall. That is why motorcycle gloves are usually reinforced in that area.

Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Husqvarna Vitpilen 701, Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 in Malaysia Now

Husqvarna is venturing into the road motorcycle segment as well.
The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Husqvarna Vitpilen 701, Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 have arrived in Malaysia.
Each model line-up caters to a different sub-category, although they share the same engine platform.

Husqvarna is very much well-known for their dirt bikes, but the manufacturer has recently forayed in road motorcycles. The recently-launched Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Husqvarna Vitpilen 701, Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 have made their way to Malaysia.

The Swedish brand is now under the KTM umbrella. They produce their own motorcycle line-up, although their engines share the same architecture as KTM’s.

We found the bikes listed in Chia Motor PJ’s Facebook page. So please refer to the attached links for more information.

Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 (Selling price from RM 44,500)

Husqvarna calls the Vitpilen 401 as a fresh and simple approach to motorcycling. It is subtle and style focused, stripped of everthing superfluous.

Those are the company’s lines, produced by a copywriter. We see the bike as a modern interpretation of the evergreen café racer layout.

Highlights

373cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine.
The engine produces 44 bhp (32 kW) and 37 Nm of torque.
Bosch fuel injection engine management system (EMS).
Ride-by-wire throttle.
6-speed transmission.
PASC assist and slipper clutch.
Steel trellis frame.
WP upside-down forks.
WP monoshock rear suspension.
BYBRE front and rear disc brakes.
Bosch 9M+ two-channel ABS.
Spoked wheels.
148 kg dry.

Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 (Selling price from RM68,500)

As the name suggests, the Vitpilen 701 is the more powerful version of the Vitpilen 401. However, there are many styling and component differences between the two models.

Highlights

692.7cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine.
The engine produces 75 bhp (55 kW) and 72 Nm of torque.
Keihin EMS.
Ride-by-wire throttle.
Traction control.
Up and down quickshifter.
6-speed transmission.
APTC assist and slipper clutch, hydraulically actuated.
Steel trellis frame.
Fully adjustable WP upside-down forks.
Fully adjustable WP monoshock rear suspension.
Brembo front and rear disc brakes.
Bosch 9M+ two-channel ABS.
Cast wheels.
157 kg dry.

Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (Selling price from RM 44,500)

The Svartpilen 401 is the “scrambler” of the line-up, with a higher handlebar and knobby tyres. Its lines follow those of the Vitpilen 401 but with differences in the details. The seats are longer and lower, too.