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Countdown to the 2019 Dakar Rally

The 2019 Dakar Rally begins from 7^thJanuary 2019.
It is the world’s toughest off-road endurance race.
However, the rally sees its largest participation in its history.

The countdown to the 2019 Dakar Rally has begun. “The Dakar” is known as the world’s toughest off-road endurance race.

The Rally’s 41^stedition will begin on 7^thJanuary 2019. 534 competitors on motorcycles, cars, UTVs, trucks, SxS and motorcycles will then begin the 5000-km trek. They will climb from sea level to 5000 metres of elevation over sand dunes, rocks and everything in between. The distance includes 3000-km of intense special stages through extreme weather conditions. It’s all designed to test the riders’ mental and physical perseverance, besides machine endurance.

However, there is a change for the upcoming rally. Held in Peru only, and will not involve neighbouring countries of Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. On the positive side, such an arrangement avoids the border complications that have dogged the earlier editions.

The 2019 Dakar Rally breaks a number of its own records. The rookie class sees the largest number of participants. The women’s class is also the largest yet with 17 participants. The new “Original by Motul Class” has 34 entries. Originally known as the “Malle Moto class,” the entrants can only fix their vehicles with the limited amount of supplies that can fit into a small trunk. (Malle is the French word for trunk.)

A new addition is the “half marathon.” Cars, trucks and SxS’s that have pulled out earlier by the opening half will get a second chance to complete the race. The category begins after the half-time rest day but as a separate classification. The competitors will wear orange plates and will not be included in the top 25 starters.

Do check in with us from time to time as we bring you the happenings from this most-punishing race.

Marc Marquez Number One Crasher in MotoGP 2018

There were so many crashes over every race weekend in 2018.
But it was Marc Marquez who topped the MotoGP crash list.
However, it was Stefano Manzi who crashed most often over the three classes.

Marc Marquez may had captured his fifth MotoGP crown in 2018, but he also tops the crash list.

Marquez hit the ground 23 times last year, ahead of Alvaro Bautista who found the kitty litter on 21 occasions. The former would have destroyed many more bikes if not for his superhuman feats in saving sure crashes. However, 23 crashes are an improvement over the 2017 season during which he wiped out 27 times.

The world champion crashed mostly in practice sessions as he pushed his tyres and bikes to discover their limits. He will then know how much he could push during the race.

Other Top 5 crashers were Xavier Simeon (18), and Cal Crutchlow tying with Jack Miller at 17.

Malaysia’s Hafizh Syahrin fell 9 times.

However, Marquez’s number of crashes pales in comparison to riders of the other classes. Stefano Manzi (whose front brake lever was squeezed by Romano Fenati) went belly up 31 times in Moto2. Manzi was followed by Lowes (27), Marco Bezzecchi (24), Jorge Navarro (24), Gabriel Rodigro (22). Marc Marquez would have slipped in 5^thplace.

There were 303 crashes in MotoGP, 418 in Moto2 and 356 in Moto3. That totals up to 1,077. The number is a reduction from 1,126 in 2017.

More Ducati V4 Models on the Way

Ducati is looking forward to developing more V4-powered road bikes.
They will launch 29 new bikes in the next 5 years.
The new bikes will also cover segments in which Ducati is now absent.

Ducati’s CEO, Claudio Domenicali has revealed that more Ducati V4 models are on the way. Domenicali said it due was the Ducati Panigale V4’s success.

Ducati has planned to release 29 new bikes in the next 5 years, including in segments they are currently absent from. As such, the Italian manufacturer will utilize the V4 engine in different platforms.

Although they have not revealed where they will install the 213 bhp 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine next, many are of the opinion that Ducati are considering naked, touring and adventure bikes.

Domenicali also expressed surprise with the Panigale V4 R superbike racing homologation model. It uses a 998cc V4 engine instead of the 1103cc V4.

“The V4 R positively surprised us,” he said. “It was a difficult exercise already with the reduced capacity to keep the same horsepower, but the engine then responded quite strongly to the improvements that we made, so that by the end we found a bit more (power) than we expected. In many ways it is the most advanced bike we have ever developed.”

Wait a minute. Why is the V4 R “the most advanced bike” Ducati has ever created? That’s because MotoGP does not allow electronic package, winglets, electronic suspension and ABS.

2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Price Revealed in America

The 2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT adventure’s price has been revealed in America.
The V85 TT is full of features to rival other bikes in the category.
It is aggressively priced among its rivals.

The 2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT is the Italian firm’s foray into the still-expanding adventure market. Teased earlier and finally officially launched at INTERMOT this year. There is much enthusiasm for it since.

There are not much other details since then. However, we just learned that Moto Guzzi has revealed the V85 TT’s price in the United States of America.

Priced aggressively, it starts at USD 11,990 (RM 50,202.13) MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) for the grey paint option. On the other hand, the V85 TT Adventure, complete with red/yellow/white paint and panniers retails for USD 12,990 (RM 54,389.13).

Those are prices in the States, of course. Both bikes will be available in the US from May 2019. We will get confirmation if and when it will appear here.

The Moto Guzzi V85 TT is chock-full of features. Its new 850cc, 90^oV-Twin engine produces 80 bhp and 80 Nm of torque.

That price includes a TFT screen, LED lighting, Cornering ABS, traction control, and three riding modes. The suspension is fully adjustable with 170mm travel up front. Moto Guzzi claims the 21-litre fuel tank can return a range of up to 402 kilometres. The bike weighs in at 208 kg, dry.

Looks like the middleweight adventure market wars is heating up!

2019 BMW C 400 GT Introduced

The 2019 BMW C 400 GT was introduced at EICMA 2018.
It shares the same engine and frame as the C 400 X, but the GT is meant for touring.
It has many great features as dual front disc brakes, 6.5-inch TFT screen, etc.

The 2019 BMW C 400 GT was introduced at EICMA 2018 as part of BMW Motorrad’s Urban Mobility range.

The C 400 GT is geared as a grand touring (hence “GT”) maxi scooter despite sharing the same platform as the popular C 400 X. The latter has won many awards as the best scooter in European countries, by the way.

Its 350cc, SOHC, four-valve engine produces 34 bhp at 7,500 RPM and 35 Nm of torque at 6,000 RPM. It is mated to a steel underbone frame of the X, but the suspension is revised. The GT has more bodywork and a larger screen for protection against the elements. The seat is also larger for long-range comfort.

It uses 43mm telescopic forks that are mated to a 15-inch front wheel. The rear is suspended by twin shocks with a 14-inch wheel. The C 400 GT uses two 265mm discs in front, gripped by two four-piston calipers. The rear brake is also a 265mm disc but handled by a single-piston caliper.

Touring capabilities include improved storage spaces, consisting of two glove boxes and a flex-case under the seat. Other standard features are all-around LED lighting, keyless ignition, two-channel ABS, steel-braided brake hoses and stability control.

Of course, BMW Motorrad offers plenty of options. Customers can choose between the analog/LCD or 6.5-inch full-colour TFT instrument panel. The latter option hooks up multimedia functions such as your smartphone, music and GPS.

KTM RC16 MotoGP Racebike for Sale

KTM is putting up the former RC16 MotoGP racebike for private sale.
The owner will receive a number of attractive gifts in the process.
Only two are available at €250,000 each.

Step right up, step right up! Your wish of owning a MotoGP bike is now answered. Just place your entire life savings for this KTM RC16 MotoGP racebike!

KTM’s CEO Stefan Pierer did announce that a road-legal bike based on the RC16 MotoGP racer will be available someday. The Austrian factory has yet to launch one, probably pending success in the series first.

But! You can now own a KTM RC16 MotoGP racebike. The factory is selling two former RC16 for private purchase.

KTM will throw in a dream goodie bag. It includes a full set of riding gear from Pol Espargaro (racesuit, gloves, boots, etc.) and a signed AGV helmet.

Additionally, the owner can choose to be apart of the Red Bull KTM MotoGP factory team for one weekend of his or her own choice. Goodies include paddock tour, pitbox tour, meet and greet with Johann Zarco and Pol Espargaro, and a set of Red Bull KTM team apparel.

It is still a good deal because a special weekend pass like that could cost at USD 10,000 (RM 41,865.00). RC16 not included.

Interested? Please prepare €250,000 (RM 1,190,273.23). Oh, they’re not street legal, of course.