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Reports of Suzuki Hayabusa Death Greatly Exaggerated?

The internet went crazy when with the news of the “death” of the Suzuki Hayabusa.
The manufacturer is only stopping production of the Euro4-compliant ‘Busa.
It did not mean there is no more of the model in the future.

The internet went crazy last week with the “death” of the Suzuki Hayabusa. We decided to sit out the storm and see what actually happened.

Well, Suzuki Motor of America has issued a press release in the matter. “The news of my death has been greatly exaggerated,” said Mark Twain.

This was what they said:

“Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) has confirmed that U.S. market production of the Hayabusa sport motorcycle continues uninterrupted,”

“Production of the European-specification Hayabusa ceases due to Euro4 emission regulations. This situation, and resulting media reports, may have caused confusion and misunderstand among U.S. consumers, media, and dealers.”

It all started when Suzuki Japan’s website announced that they will cease production of the bike. Certain publications jumped on it, by assuming the worse. The “obituary” had circulated the globe about a kabizillion times before considering the backdrop.

The manufacturer is merely stopping production of the Euro4-compliant Hayabusa meant for the European market.

It’s not bad news at all, since they will definitely debut a Euro5-complaint ‘Busa for 2020. Some say it will feature turbocharging, 1440cc engine, IMU, active suspension, etc. and more rumours.

KTM CEO: Bajaj to Build New KTM 500cc Two-Cylinder Model

KTM CEO Stefan Pierer confirmed that a new 500cc two-cylinder model is coming.
He also said that Bajaj will build the new bike.
The Austrian firm wants to compete with the Japanese in this growing segment.

Rumors of a KTM 500cc two-cylinder road model circulated some time back, but it begot nothing thereafter. KTM CEO Stefan Pierer confirmed Bajaj will build the new KTM 500cc two-cylinder model during the recent interview with Speedweek. He had also expressed his interest in Ducati during the same interview.

Having Bajaj build the bike means it will be priced competitively. Pierer says it’s because KTM wants to compete with the Japanese in this perpetually growing segment around the world.

It should bode well with riders who want a KTM but finds the 390 Duke/RC too small while the 790 Duke/Adventure too big or expensive. a 500cc platform will most probably include both Duke and Adventure variants, as with the 790.

The new 500 could well be called the 490, going by the Austrian manufacturer’s tradition. But what can we expect?

The new generation 390 Duke features a TFT display, ride-by-wire throttle, ride modes, ABS, WP suspension, and such. The 790 Duke is also bedecked with those features. Consequently, we can safely assume that the new 500cc bike ought to include the same features.

As for the engine, KTM dabbled into a new direction for themselves with 790. Instead of being either a single or V-Twin, they went with a parallel-Twin called LC8c. Its 285^ocrankshaft timing mimics the 75^oV-Twin (360^o– 285^o– 75^o) in the manufacturer’s larger bikes.

Hence, we should be able to expect of the same in the 500cc model. The engine should be compact and lightweight such as the 790’s, although we don’t know if it’s sleeved-down from the bigger engine.

What happens to the 690 Duke then? KTM may just replace it with the new bike, since a two-cylinder 500cc engine should produce equivalent of more power than a 690cc single.

We’ll definitely bring you more so watch this space.

Special service campaign for Aprilia owners in Penang!

Aprilias are special machines and require special care.
Aprilia service centre in Penang is offering special discounts and gifts for owners.
Campaign to run from 24th of December till the 28th of December 2018.

Calling all Aprilia owners in Penang! The official Aprilia service centre in Penang is offering a special service campaign which runs from 24th of December 2018 till the 28th of December.

The Aprilia service centre in Penang (pictured above) is offering special door gifts for all Aprilia owners who service their bikes at the official centre. And besides that, Aprilia owners will also enjoy a 15% discount on spare parts, special price for oil service, as well as a special price on tyres.

So if your Aprilia is due for a service, or if you just want to enjoy the special privileges during this service campaign, then head on over to the Sheng Fatt Motor Sdn Bhd located at No 24, Japan Dato Keramat, Pulau Pinang, 10150, Georgetown. Or call 0194009339 for more information.

“This special service campaign was designed exclusively for Aprilia owners. As the official service centre for Aprilia, we want to be able to offer owners the complete Aprilia experience which includes fantastic aftersales service and all the right tools to service the bikes. Aprilia’s are among the best bikes in the world, and it is important to have the right knowledge and the right tool to have them performing at their best always,” said Kheoh Hock Seng, Managing Director of Sheng Fatt Motor Sdn Bhd (above).

By the way, just to further sweeten the deal, Aprilia of Penang will also throw in a special RM100 voucher which you can use to buy merchandise at the shop. Short of getting an Aprilia for free, good deals don’t get sweeter than that.

Showa and Brembo for Harley-Davidson LiveWire

The Harley-Davidson LiveWire will feature high-end Showa suspension and Brembo brakes.
The Motor Company is aware of what customers expect on a performance bike.
The bike should be available in 2019.

The upcoming production Harley-Davidson LiveWire should allay some fears of electric bikes being like golf carts. That’s because the Motor Company has announced that the LiveWire will feature high-end suspension and brakes.

“When we were looking at Project LiveWire, the feedback we received was clear: customers wanted a true motorcycle,” says Marc McAllister, Vice President of Product Planning and Portfolio at Harley-Davidson. “They weren’t willing to compromise the ride for an electric vehicle. We had to look at it as a motorcycle first. To deliver the kind of performance the bike allows, we chose Showa suspension, Brembo brakes and so on, to deliver the kind of ride people expect.”

Harley’s association with Showa and Brembo isn’t new. The manufacturer’s touring models utilize Show Dual Bending Valve forks, as well as Reflex ABS units.

On the other hand, Harley will equip the the LiveWire with Showa Separate Function Big Piston forks (SFF) and Showa Balanced Free Rear Cushion-lite monoshock out back. Braking duty is handlbed by Brembo Monobloc calipers. The suspension will be fully-adjustable.

In the electronics department, the bike will have four power modes, besides three user-adjustable ones.

Harley-Davidson also plans to nominate 250 electric motorcycle dealers next year.

Walt Siegel Motorcycles’ SBK – Panigales are Too Mainstream

Walt Siegel Motorcycles (WSM) are custom Ducati builders.
They built this retro model called the “SBK.”
WSM builds it with the air-cooled or liquid-cooled Ducati engines.

Always wanted a Ducati superbike but the Panigale’s too common for your tastes? You can seek out this “SBK” from Walt Siegel Motorcycles (WSM), then.

WSM is based in New Hampshire and hand-builds custom Ducati-powered bikes. Sticking to two-valve air-cooled Ducati engines previous, WSM now build bikes based on the four-valve liquid-cooled engines.

The SBK can accommodate either engine. The classic Ducati ladder-trellis frame is used, instead of the monocoque design of the Panigale. However, the geometry of WSM’s frame is identical to Ducatis in the World Superbike Championship, that are different to volume production frames.

This particular example was built around the 4-valve, liquid-cooled 1098 engine (dry clutch, woohoo!), built by Bruce Meyers Performance. However, it features a custom WSM ECU. This ECU in turn features traction control, clutchless upshifts, full interface dashboard with data acquisition.

It was due to the 1098 engine that WSM chose the frame and chassis geometry. The SBK uses Öhlins FGR World Superbike forks and Öhlins TTX shock, revalved to WSM’s specifications. Brembo Monobloc calipers and discs are obvious choices for the brakes.

WSM used carbon fibre to reduce the bike’s weight. Lots of it. The large fairing is entirely carbon, weighing an incredible 4kg. The tail section and its subframe are also made of carbon fibre, weighing a next-to-nothing 0.8kg. The airbox and its intake tubes are carbon fibre, too.

There are certain differences between the air-cooled and liquid-cooled SBK. The former uses BST carbon fibre wheels shod with Metzeler racing slicks, and Arrow titanium mufflers. It tips the scale at 154kg. The “LC” model, on the other hand, is fitted with OZ Racing wheels and Dunlop Q4 tyres. The muffler is from SC Project. It weighs 161kg due to liquid-cooling.

Great news for Harley-Davidson Sportster owners!

Harley-Davidson Sportster is one of the most fun motorcycles.
Maintenance if not done right, can be costly.
Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya and Penang are offering discounted packages with a buy one get one free promotion.

Do you own a Harley-Davidson Sportster? Or do you know someone who does? Then this would be a good time to pay attention as you stand a chance to save some serious cash on maintenance cost, or possibly even help someone save some cash.

What’s happening?

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) and Harley-Davidson of Penang (HDPG) are hosting a special Sportster service campaign specially for Sportster owners. It does not matter which year the bike is or where it was bought from, HDPJ and HDPG will be happy to welcome you and your Sportster for this service campaign.

When is it happening?

Now until 31st January 2019, HDPJ and HDPG are offering a special “buy one and get one free” service package.

Will it blow up my bank account?

No! What would usually cost close to RM900, is now available for just RM549. The package includes one Major Service (that involves a engine oil change, transmission oil change, filter change, a brake flush as well as a diagnostics and general inspection) as well as a Minor Service that also involves all of the above expect except for a transmission oil change.

If I buy the package now, do I have to use it immediately?

No! The best thing about this deal is that you can buy the package now or at any point before Jan 31st 2019, and use it anytime within 2019.

Wow, great deal! Where do I buy one of these packages?

Interested? For more information, you can call +60379559399 if you would like to visit Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya, or call +6045062200 for Harley-Davidson of Penang.