This coming 26 September 2017, KTM Malaysia will launch their new 2017 KTM 250 and 390 Duke into the Malaysian market.
These bikes are highly-anticipated around the world and have been regarded one of the most anticipated entry-level naked bikes this year.
Here are some reasons why you should be excited about the latest generation KTM Dukes.
As we all have been informed, KTM Malaysia has big plans this coming 26 September 2017 where it has been said that they’ll be introducing the latest 2017 KTM 250 and 390 Duke into the Malaysian market. These two models have been highly awaited by many people and here are the reasons why you should be excited about the new 2017 KTM 250 and 390 Duke. (more…)
Rossi broke his lower leg in two places in an enduro accident 21 days ago
Valentino Rossi will race race at Aragon this weekend, after all. In a news that surprised everyone, perhaps even Rossi himself, the nine-time World Champion has been deemed fit to race.
Mandatory medical exams were carried out by MotorLand Aragon’s Chief Medical Officer, Clemente Milan. Rossi will take part in tomorrow’s FP1 session.
Rossi’s leg broke in two places in a freak, low-speed enduro accident just 21 days ago (click here to read about it). He has even said that such injury would normally take at least 40 days to heal, due to a similar injury back in 2010, which Jorge Lorenzo won his first MotoGP championship.
Rossi took to the track on a Yamaha R-1M street bike at Misano (click here for our coverage) to test his fitness and came away saying that he will try to race this weekend (click here for the full story).
Professional racers have long had a certain determination to get back to racing despite injuries that would sideline any mere mortal. Heroes past and present, such as Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner, Mick Doohan, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson, Freddie Spencer, in fact almost all of them would come back to ride and sometimes even win in spite of their injuries.
Rossi currently lies fourth in the 2017 MotoGP Championship with 157 points. Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso are jointly leading on 199 points, while Rossi’s teammate, Maverick Vinalez is in third with 183 points. Aragon GP is the 14th round of the 18-round 2017 championship.
Motorcycle thief gang brought down by RM2 theft attempt
Stolen 17 motorcycles this year
Motorcycles stolen to feed drug habit
Whoever says there’s no divine intervention should think again.
A motorcycle thief was caught red-handed by he committee members of a mosque when he attempted to steal money from the donation box, which had only RM2.
He was later handed over the police. A background search soon revealed that he had been riding a stolen motorcycle. The suspect soon admitted to having stolen 17 motorcycles in Kuala Sungai Baru since February this year.
The bikes were subsequently sold drug dealers for RM500 to RM600 in Kampung Pinang, Sungai Udang and Kuala Sungai Baru (all in Melaka) to feed his drug habit.
The revelation led the police to arrest two more suspects, aged 33 and 35, who colluded with him to steal the motorcycles. They were also drug addicts.
State Police Chief, Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan said in a Press Conference, “We seized a Modenass Kriss, Honda Wave, Yamaha Y100 Sport from the first suspect, a Honda Wave from the second, and a Honda EX5 besides a mobile phone from the third.”
Picture for illustrative purposes. Courtesy of thestar.my
He added that the first suspect has prior records of drug cases and theft. He tested positive for methamphetamine.
The second suspect also has a drug record and tested positive for meth, while the third had no priors and was tested negative for junk.
Datuk Abdul Jalil added, “We have so far recorded 112 cases of motorcycle thefts in Alor Gajah out of 234 crime cases reported in the district from January till August this year,” he said.
Motorcycle thefts was a huge concern in the Alor Gajah district as it represents almost 50 per cent (47.9 per cent) of the total crime cases there, he further revealed.
The suspects were remanded until Sept 24 to assist in investigations under Section 379a of the Penal Code for theft of a motor vehicle.
Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology line of fully synthetic lubricants was launched in 2014.
What is PurePlus Technology?
What is Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) processing?
Shell’s Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology signifies a new breed of lubricants. But although lubricants may be slippery as they need to be, but it’s always a sticky subject amongst discerning motorcyclists. Truth is, there exists misconceptions, myths, half-truths and truths surrounding the subject of lubricants. We hope to put things right with this series of articles on the subject of lubricants.
Shell launched their new line of fully synthetic lubricants called Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology in 2014. What makes the new range interesting is the groundbreaking PurePlus technology. (Click here for our coverage of the launch and preview.)
The term “PurePlus” is derived crystal-clear base oil that’s more than 99% free from impurities, resulting from the process which created it.
See the TVC below.
Traditionally, a base oil is the resulting product of refining or synthesising crude oil or other hydrocarbon sources. The lubricant producer then adds their additive package to yield the desired properties of the end-product. But while the additives play the biggest role in determining the level of protection and longevity of a lubricant, the base oil plays a big role too.
How crude oil look like
Shell’s PurePlus base oil is derived from natural gas (the cleanest burning fossil fuel), through a process called gas-to-liquids (GTL). The GTL process produces a base oil that is closer to the end-product, without requiring to be refined further.
The first step in a GTL process is to convert the natural gas into syngas (synthetic gas). The syngas is then processed to remove harmful impurities such as sulfur, mercaptans, mecury, nitrogen, aromatics, resulting in a base oil that’s crystal clear and feels like wax at room temperature.
See the video below for Shell’s GTL process.
Having impurities in the base oil is undesirable as it may contribute to the oil breaking down quickly and even to engine wear and tear if taken past its oil change period. See how oils decades ago turn into sludge that gunks up the engine? Also, in the case of the oil being burned in the combustion chamber due to leaky piston rings or/and valve seal, the emission doesn’t harm the environment as much.
Check out this video below. Although it’s for the Helix Ultra, it’s also the result of Shell’s PurePlus Technology.
In other words, the base oil and additive package play important roles in ensuring a lubricant that fully protects your engine. A weak link on either side is a compromise.
Anyway, Shell then combines their proprietary Active Cleansing additives to the base oil to produce a clean, 100% fully-synthetic lubricant. These additives protect the engine by cleaning the engine of dirt, corrosion, sludge and byproducts of the combustion process such as carbon, water, sulfur from the fuel (which becomes sulfuric acid), among many others.
These are all important, even critical, aspects of motorcycle engine protection. Motorcycle engines have smaller capacities compared to the cars, but produce much higher power output. Consequently, motorcycle engines produce higher heat and forces.
An engine full of sludge
Shell’s aim for the Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology is to help maintain longer engine peak power through enhanced oil viscosity, maintaining oil performance not only in extreme temperatures but also in low temperatures. Oil needs to flow quickly during and immediately after start-up.
As for durability, Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology is claimed to last twice as long as other oils.
The GTL process has been in constant development for more than 40 years at the Shell Technology Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Shell built a pilot plant in Amsterdam in 1983 to study the feasibility of the GTL process further, before opening the first GTL plant in Bintulu, Sarawak in 1993. The Bintulu plant produces 14,700 barrels per day. 2011 saw the opening of the massive Pearl GTL plant in Qatar, which produces 140,000 barrels per day.
Shell Pearl GTL Plant in Qatar
Stay tuned for our review of the Shell Advance Ultra with PurePlus Technology soon!
Nine-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) will try to ride this weekend at the 14th round in Aragon, Spain.
The 38 year old Italian has had a very positive result following a fitness assessment on board the Yamaha YZF-R1M around the Misano World Circuit a couple of days ago.
After just three weeks since he sustained the broken leg, Rossi will need to convince MotoGP officials and medical staff if he plans to rejoin the 2017 MotoGP title chase this coming Sunday.
Our theories about motorcycle racers have been confirmed yet again, ladies and gentlemen. These folks are MENTAL. We found out that Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi will attempt to ride his competition Yamaha YZF-M1 at the 14th MotoGP round in Aragon, Spain this coming weekend. (more…)
Art of Speed (AOS) Malaysia traditionally holds lucky draws during their annual main event
The winner will walk away with a motorcycle, customized or stock
This year’s winner walked away with The Twinboss, a dual Yamaha RXZ-engined creation
Beautiful Machines, Sunway, Petaling Jaya, 20th September 2017 – Art of Speed (AOS) Malaysia presented lucky draw prize to the winner today.
Art of Speed (AOS) Malaysia have been organizing lucky draws on the final day of their amazing annual show.
Two years ago, the lucky walked away with a customized Triumph Bonneville, and last year’s winner went home with a new Triumph Street Twin.
Art of Speed celebrated its 6th annual show on the 29th and 30th July this year at MAEPS Serdang.
The bike on display during the Art of Speed Malaysia 2017
The process of determining the final starts with picking out three candidates via a lucky draw of ticket stubs during the weekend. A question is then directed at all three, and the candidate whose answer illicit the loudest cheer from the crowd is the winnder.
WIldman of MOONEYES applying pinstriping the tank
En. Mohd. Fadly bin Mohd. Zerain, 42, from Puncak Alam, Selangor won the prize this year.
Asep Ahmad (left) with the winner, Mohd. Fadly bin Mohd. Zerain
The prize is called “The Twinboss.” The bike is specially built around a pair of Yamaha RXZ 135cc, two-stroke engines, by FNG works. Fabrication of the frame, metal works and the rest of the tank and bodywork was performed by Beautiful Machines.
Twinboss’ builder, Irwann Cheng from FNG Works and Beautiful Machines’ owner, Rajay Singh were also present during the prize handover.
Twinboss’ builder, Irwann Cheng does a final shakedown run
The Twinboss specifications are:
Frame: Custom Special Construction (FEA tested)
Engine: Two Yamaha RXZ135
Exhaust: Made by Legend Racing Garage
Final Drivetrain: Chain
Front Wheel: 18″ alloy with Bridgestone safety tyre
Rear Wheel: 17″ alloy with Pirelli Slicks
Brakes: Dual piston disc brake (rear only)
Wiring: Custom
Primary Drive: Custom
Bodywork: Digger style. Tank and seat custom made by Beautiful Machines
Foot Control: Custom
Hand Control: Clip on handlebar with custom hidden throttle cable
Paintwork: By Slingshot
Pinstripe: Wildman, MOONEYES Japan
The Twinboss’ twin Yamaha RXZ engines
Also during the prize presentation, Asep Ahmad announced that Art of Speed will be touring under the name of “Gasolina Tour 2017”. Gasolina Tour 2017 will be held both as standalone and in support of local organizers to create quality content for their own community events.
Gasolina Tour 2017’s first stop was at the Port Dickson Bike Fest on 9 September and then Kelantan for the collaborative event called Speed Demon in conjunction with the Rugged Rachun Ride event organized by Rachun MC at Irama Beach, Bachok on 16 & 17 Sept 2017. Art of Speed Racing Division had also competed in the race. AOS also pick their AOS2018 VIP GUEST (AOS PICK) award at both events. AOS will then be heading to Johor to assist Leftee Works to co-host the annual global charity ride; the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride on the 24th September.
November will AOS invading Puteri Harbour in Johor as we participate in the yearly Iskarnival IP Kool Festival. The 5th Annual Art of Speed Johor will be bigger, better show with amazing content for bikers and car enthusiast at the three-day festival on the 24th, 25th and 26th November.
AOS will be heading to Japan to fulfill an invitation to attend the 26th Annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show 2017 on 3rd December. This year’s edition will see 20 participants from Malaysia & Indonesia taking part in the trip organized by AOS. More information about Gasolina Tour 2017 and our activities can be found on Art of Speed Malaysia’s social media pages on Facebook & Instagram.
PICTURE GALLERY
Twinboss’ builder, Irwann Cheng does a final shakedown run
