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Disabled Rider Nicola Dutto Disqualified from Dakar Rally

As the competitors started crossing the Dakar Rally finish line, we looked for Nicola Dutto’s name.
It turned out that he had been disqualified on Day Four.
The organizer did not fully explain their decision.

As the 2019 Dakar Rally ends, we searched for a name in vain. The rider is Nicola Dutto, the first paraplegic rider to compete in the rally. It turned out that he was disqualified!

As we wrote earlier, Nicola Dutto relies on a three-person team of “ghost riders” to assist him during the punishing 10-day rally. One rides ahead to choose lines and two as spotters in case Dutto needed to stop or drops the bike.

Nicola Dutto: First Paraplegic in Dakar Rally

On Day Four, the spotter Julian Villarrubia’s bike started to lose power. The team took three hours to get it going again, before failing again just minutes later. The team discussed the situation and left Villarrubia to ride on.

Unfortunately, Victor Rivera’s bike started running poorly. The team limped to the next checkpoint. They notified the officials that Julian and his bike needed to be recovered. Apart from that, they also asked if they could ride to the night’s camp on the highway, since Dutto has only one spotter. The team was prepared to receive a time penalty for not completing the set course.

Many calls went back and forth among the officials before Dutto and his remaining support riders was allowed to continue on the highway, provided they agreed on a time penalty.

“We followed the direction of the marshals,” says Nicola in a video posted by Vicair, one of his sponsors and special seat maker, “and when we arrived at the bivouac the race director said we were out of the race because we must follow all the tracks.”

Adding insult to injury, the organizing committee refused to explain the disqualification. Instead, they posted that Dutto and his team failed to start the day.

The heart-breaking news triggered a worldwide firestorm of criticism against the organiser’s director, Etienne Lavigne.

Needless to say, Dutto and his team were devasted as they had spent much time and money to participate in the rally. The riders many fans were also saddened to hear the news.

We hope the team could put this unfortunate episode behind them and come back stronger for the 2020 edition.

Opportunity for Khairul Idham Pawi in Petronas Yamaha Sepang MotoGP Team

Sepang International Circuit CEO, Dato’ Razlan Razali offers an opportunity to Khairul Idham Pawi to join the MotoGP team.
Joining the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team in MotoGP depends on Pawi’s Moto2 results in 2019 and 2020.
Pawi will be the first Malaysian MotoGP rider in a Malaysian MotoGP team should he make it.

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) CEO, Dato’ Razlan Razali offers an opportunity to Malaysian rider Khairul Idham Pawi in the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team in the MotoGP championship.

Datuk Razlan Ramli, courtesy of gpmalaysia

Khairul Idham Pawi shocked the world when he won two Moto3 races in his debut season in 2016. He was Malaysia’s first GP race winner in any category. Both wins came during wet races, but he didn’t score well in dry races. However, he was moved up to the Moto2 category in 2017 where he languished in the tail end of the field.

As for 2019, he signed up with the Petronas Sprinta Racing Team and remains in Moto2.

Dato’ Razlan told Crash.net that Pawi had been moved to Moto2 too early. On the other hand, he’s positive that Pawi had learned a lot in those two years.

“He came to visit our Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team in Valencia. We showed him around and said, ‘look, you have two years to do something because we want you to be our first Malaysian MotoGP rider in this team.’”

Dato’ Razlan hopes that “pep talk” will spur Pawi to perform his best during the 2019 season, as there is a path for progression in the team.

Besides Hafizh Syahrin riding for the Tech 3 KTM team this year, having a Malaysian rider riding for a Malaysian team will die the country’s fans much to cheer for.

Watch this space for the official launching of the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (MotoGP) and Petronas Sprinta Racing Teams in Moto2 and Moto3 on 28^thJanuary.

New Suzuki GSX-R1000 To Use New Variable Valve Timing

Suzuki looks poised to install a new variable valve timing system in the new GSX-1000.
The current system uses centrifugal forces.
The new system follows the trend of using hydraulically-activated VVT.

The current Suzuki GSX-R1000 is already employing variable valve timing (VVT), but the new generation will feature a newer VVT.

As of now, the Suzuki GSX-R1000 VVT technology is derived directly from the Suzuki GSX-RR MotoGP bike. MotoGP regulations forbid hydraulic, electric and electronic variable valve timing and variable valve lift systems. Hence, Suzuki worked around this restriction by designing and employing a mechanical solution since 2015. The system works by using centrifugal force generated by the camshaft as it spins.

However, Suzuki has submitted the patents for a “traditional” hydraulically-activated system for the road bike. According to the documents, it is an oil pressure-activated, cam-shifting system.

Like the VVT patents of Honda, Suzuki’s VVT will activate both intake and exhausts cams. The current Gixxer is great to ride, but there are limitations of the current VVT due to the weight of the springs and gyroscopic forces in the mechanism.

It is also different from the BMW S 1000 RR’s ShiftCam system.

We foresee more motorcycles will be fitted with VVT systems of sorts in the years to come. As we mentioned before, VVT is one of the best ways to combat exhaust emissions and fuel consumption while still providing loads of power.

BMW Motorrad Reports Eighth Record Year

BMW Motorrad sold a record number of bikes in 2018.
They reported a total of 165,566 units sold, an increase of 0.9%.
Germany continued as the biggest market, although China was the fastest growing.

BMW Motorrad has achieved another milestone as 2018 was another record year in terms of sales.

Global sales were up by a moderate 0.9% from 2017, with a total of 165,566 units sold.

The R 1200 GS and GS Adventure continues to be the most popular model, selling 51,000 units. The R nineT retro series also sold well, contributing 33,500 machines for a total of 84,500 R-series sold.

BMW’s second best-seller was the inline-Four S-series. 18,773 S 1000 RR, S 1000 R and S 1000 XR were sold.

Furthermore, BMW’s sales in America increased by 2.2% despite the overall downturn in the market. The upturn was due to the six-cylinder K 1600 B Grand America touer which sold 8,306 units out of the total of 13,842 units.

The manufacturer’s leading markets continue to be Germany (-11%, 23,824), France (0%, 16,615), Italy (-2%, 14,110) and Spain (0%, 11,124). 9,224 BMWs were sold in the UK.

Growth centres were China (35%, 7,561), Brazil (11%, 7,361) and India with 2,187 units sold there.

Meanwhile, BMW Motorrad Malaysia sold 1,130 motorcycles, marking a 7% increase over 2017. The R 1200 GS Adventure was the biggest contributor which more than 300 units.

BMW Motorrad is looking forward to another great year in 2019, what with the advent of the new models using the 1254cc ShiftCam boxer engine, new S 1000 RR, a return to WSBK, plus a few more models in the pipeline.

Will they achieve their 200,000 target in 2020?

Modenas Launches Modenas Pulsar Dareventure Reality Program

The Modenas Pulsar Dareventure reality program was launched today.
The program provides Malaysian motorcycle fans a unique experience on the Modenas Pulsar NS200.
It will be aired on Modenas’ YouTube channel.

Malaysian motorcycle manufacturer, Modenas (Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn. Bhd.) launched the Modenas Pulsar Dareventure reality program today.

Speaking at the launch, En. Amirudin Abd. Kadir, Chief Executive of Modenas said that the Pulsar Dareventure program was introduced by Bajaj in 2014. Since then, it had covered countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka and Peru.

On the other hand, Malaysia is the first Southeast Asian country to feature the program. Modenas will broadcast the program via their YouTube channel.

“10 participants were chosen from all over Malaysia. They will go up against the challenges we will set up,” he added.

“The Pulsar Dareventure program enjoyed a large number of viewership. We are confident that the Malaysian edition is just as popular. The program allows the chance for motorcycle fans, regardless if they are Modenas owners, to experience something unique.”

Mr. Anurag Sharma, Country Sales Manager of Bajaj Auto Limited was on hand during the launch.

He said, “The program seeks to highlight the Modenas Pulsar NS200’s versatility, reliability and abilities to handle different terrains other than just road riding.”

“Modenas Dominar 400 owners already have the Motography: Explore the Unexplored activities, so this is something for the Pulsar NS200 owners.”

Celebritiy Nurul Alis Aidil, better known as Kiki, will host the program.

The launch was held at the Proton Centre of Excellence. The media were given the opportunity to test ride the Modenas Pulsar NS200 on the Proton test track, which included running up on the banked turns.

Yamaha MT-07 Tracer Coming to Malaysia?

The Yamaha MT-07 Tracer is missing from Hong Leong Yamaha Motor’s lineup.
Could we see the model launched during the Yamaha Dealer Conference at the end of this month?
Or might we see the MT-09 Tracer GT, instead?

There is model which is currently missing from Hong Leong Yamaha Motor’s big bike repertoire – the MT-07 Tracer.

It’s near the end of January, which is time for another HLYM Annual Dealer Conference. The conference has always been held at Genting Highlands and welcomes Yamaha dealers from around Malaysia. Therefore, it’s the best opportunity to launch new models.

However, the MT-07 Tracer (or Tracer 700 in other countries) is nowhere to be seen in Malaysia ever since its debut in 2016.

On the other hand, The MT-09 Tracer is the sport-touring version of the MT-09 naked sportbike. In order to fulfill that role, it is equipped with a top fairing with dual headlamps, tall windshield, handguards and a flatter passenger seat.

Therefore, Yamaha gives the MT-07 Tracer the same treatment as its bigger cousin. As in top fairing with dual headlights, tall windshield, handguards and a flatter passenger seat.

The MT-07 is renowned for its low-down and midrange torque, ease of handling and low seat height. As such, it provides a great base for the sport-touring version.

However, there are other version to both Tracers called the MT-09 Tracer GT and MT-07 Tracer GT, respectively. These variants include colour-matched side bags (panniers), besides larger and adjustable windscreens.

Could we see the Mt-07 Tracer or both GTs at Genting? Watch this space!

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

As the competitors started crossing the Dakar Rally finish line, we looked for Nicola Dutto’s name.

It turned out that he had been disqualified on Day Four.

The organizer did not fully explain their decision.

Sepang International Circuit CEO, Dato’ Razlan Razali offers an opportunity to Khairul Idham Pawi to join the MotoGP team.

Joining the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team in MotoGP depends on Pawi’s Moto2 results in 2019 and 2020.

Pawi will be the first Malaysian MotoGP rider in a Malaysian MotoGP team should he make it.

Suzuki looks poised to install a new variable valve timing system in the new GSX-1000.

The current system uses centrifugal forces.

The new system follows the trend of using hydraulically-activated VVT.

BMW Motorrad sold a record number of bikes in 2018.

They reported a total of 165,566 units sold, an increase of 0.9%.

Germany continued as the biggest market, although China was the fastest growing.

The Modenas Pulsar Dareventure reality program was launched today.

The program provides Malaysian motorcycle fans a unique experience on the Modenas Pulsar NS200.

It will be aired on Modenas’ YouTube channel.

The Yamaha MT-07 Tracer is missing from Hong Leong Yamaha Motor’s lineup.

Could we see the model launched during the Yamaha Dealer Conference at the end of this month?

Or might we see the MT-09 Tracer GT, instead?

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