Boon Siew Honda will be providing assistance to all Honda bike owners that have been affected by the recent Penang flood tragedy.
BSH’s After Sales Service for Flood Relief Programme for Penang will be offering 40% discount on all genuine parts plus free labour charges for all services done within the selected dealers.
Honda bike owners who wish to enter the programme can just contact any of the selected dealers to schedule an appointment.
The recent flood tragedy that has befallen upon Penang has conjured up a tonne of rescue and assistance efforts from all across the country. One of the biggest bike manufacturers in Malaysia that is Boon Siew Honda which is also based in Penang is lending their helping hand by offering assistance to all Honda bike owners that have been affected by the flooding incident. (more…)
They are also specialized in making penetrant and lubricant products that are perfect for motorcycle maintenance.
WD-40 has also launched a whole range of motorcycle specific products called “Specialist Motorbike”
The name WD-40 has been so synonymous with motorcycle riders and mechanics that we seem to just reach out for the blue and yellow can and spray it on whenever and wherever we needed it, without much thought. (more…)
Day Five of the KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 took us from Keningau to Labuan.
We rode over the Crocker Range and on to Menumbok for the ferry to Labuan.
Labuan is the end of the first leg.
Keningau, Sabah, 5th November 2017 – We had thought we’d be allowed to sleep in today after yesterday’s “adventure”, but we were told the briefing will be at 7am.
The early flag-off time was because we had planned to ride over the Crocker Range in the early hours when it was covered in mist and possibly fog. Needless to say, riding here was an item in my bucket list.
I’ve heard much about riding across the Crocker Range from riding enthusiasts, so I dragged my ragged body out of bed at 6am into the bathroom to freshen up for breakfast. If anyone thought being a motojournalist is easy, consider the fact that I had slept at 4am in order to work on the previous day’s story. Plus, the food from last night’s dinner didn’t seem to be on agreeable terms with my stomach.Anyway, breakfast done, we loaded up our bikes for this beautiful day. But everyone took their time, no doubt still feeling the effect of yesterday’s hammering.
It seems that the Crocker Range was just in Keningau’s backyard (no wonder it was so cold in the middle of the night). We had travelled less than 10km before the road started climbing into the hills – and corners(!).
The road here was beautiful, a stark contrast from what we have ridden on so far. The road surface was smooth and grippy, but more importantly and surprisingly, the corners were positively cambered.
I’m sure everyone in the KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 smiled as we started sweeping through the curves, cool breeze in our helmets and through our riding gear.
We reached a vantage point and shot photos with the KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 banner. Hills in the yonder were clearly seen. The mist had started to lift.
We had so much fun covering this route that it was over before we had warmed up, especially for me on the 1290 Super Duke GT, and it was its natural home. It’s the first time I’ve switched to the SPORT Ride Mode and SPORT Damping.
With the cinnamon city (Keningau means “cinnamon” in the local dialect. It’s where the spice is grown and exported) and Crocker Range behind us, the heat started coming back first gradually, then to very hot. Yet, I didn’t feel sleepy or stuffy because the air around Borneo is pretty fresh.
We rode on until it was time for lunch. Pauline from Borneo Excursions had caught back up with us at Kuala Penyu town and we were led to Jonathan Freddy P. Bagang’s home at Kuala Penyu. Jonathan is Penang’s Director of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.
There to welcome us was a gamelan band and members of Jonathan’s family and friends, who had prepared a special lunch, which Bear Grylls would’ve been elated.
The lunch was special alright, which included what the locals called butod, the larvae of the sago tree weevil (beetles). These giant larvae were white in colour giving the appearance of monster maggots. They were alive and wriggling in a dish. There was another dish beside that had them fried in soy sauce. It’s a delicacy around here and a 100% source of protein.
Also shown to us was a large Horlicks jar containing a cow’s stomach, mouse deer embryo, pangolin embryos and other “stuff” soaked in a colourless liquid. That liquid turned out to be rice wine. The family had kept that recipe for 50 years, topping up the wine when it ran low.
Of course, there were other dishes too, including vegetables, fowl and fish. Fresh fruits were especially tasty, no doubt due to being grown in places of low pollution. I downed cup after cup of Sabah tea and Tenom coffee.
Jonathan’s neighbours Raineh and her husband also came by to assist and they invited the participants to take part in their traditional Sumazau dance performance.
Soon it was time to say goodbye. KMOG President Ong Ten Sun presented KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 memorabilia to Mr. Jonathan and family.
We rode on to the Menumbok Ferry Terminal and spent some time awaiting our turn to board the ferry to Labuan. It was quite a wait as the ferry operates on fixed intervals.
The ferry was large and could fit all 38 bikes at one go, and still had room for other large vehicles. There was an air-conditioned deck for passengers above the vehicle deck, where most of the participants retreated to.
The ferry ride took one-and-half hours. As we got closer to Labuan, we could see many ships of different fit outs, but the majority serving the oil and gas industry at Miri. Our hotel, Billion Waterfront, was situated right next to the sea.
Dato’ Chia Beng Tat, Chief Executive of KTM Malaysia had joined us for dinner that night. We sat at the table with Captain Ganesan, the tough pilot set a Guiness World Record by riding his motorcycle continuously for 5600 kilometres over four-and-half days straight! He had also ridden 1,500km from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu for the KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 briefing on 1st November! We are not worthy!
Labuan signaled the first leg of this epic journey, and it was also the location where a few of us had to say goodbye to the rest of the participants. I had to fly home on the 6th to prepare for another engagement on the 9th. The group stayed over for another night before departing to Miri through Brunei.
At the time this article went “live,” they had arrived safely in Miri.
The KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 had been an astounding success on many fronts.
Firstly, it provided an important activity for KTM motorcycle owners to experience the KTM lifestyle firsthand. Secondly, it would’ve extinguished any doubt about the reliability and capabilities of KTM’s motorcycles to not only the owners themselves but also to the world at large, since not a single bike broke down. Thirdly, it provided an enjoyment unlike any other, as participants experienced every aspect of riding and the environment in which they rode through. Fourthly, participants experienced the many wonders of Borneo, in terms of the roads, weather, environment, sights, culture, people, food.
But most of all, the KMOG Borneo Ride 2017 participants experienced the freedom of being on the road (and also off) on the orange-coloured machines from Austria.
The Ducati Panigale V4 made its long-awaited appearance at EICMA 2017.
Every aspect of the bike points towards form-follows function.
The Ducati Panigale V4 is the Italian maker’s weapon to reclaim the World Superbike Championship crown they once dominated.
Ducati’s V-Twins have finally been outgunned in the World Superbike Championship for a few years now, evidenced by the drought of a championship title since Carlos Checa’s domination and victory in 2011. Chaz Davies came agonizingly close in the past two years but there’s no hiding from the fact that Ducati’s V-Twins have reached the end of their competitively development.
So here it is, the new Ducati Panigale V4, which will spearhead Ducati’s assault on the championship to reclaim what has been traditionally theirs.
Styling remains along the lines of the Panigale 1299, except for many changes. Yet, it’s actually more compact than the V-Twin. The front is sharp, neat and features larger intakes underneath the aggressive headlamps.
The chassis is an evolved from the V-Twin’s cast aluminium monocoque structures, called “front frame.” It is now leaner and lighter, with more built in torsional and flexional rigidity to handle the power of the new Desmosedici V4 engine.
Rake is 24.5 degrees, with just 99 mm of trail for ultra-quick steering. Ducati claimed a kerb weight of just 195 kg. The Panigale V4 wears Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP shoes, 120/70-17 in front and a fat 200/60-17 at the back.
The standard Panigale V4 uses 43mm Showa forks and Sachs shock, both fully adjustable for preload, rebound and compression.
The Panigale V4 S, on the other hand, uses Öhlins suspension front and rear, forged aluminium wheels, lightweight lithium-ion battery.
The seat is trimmed in luxurious Alcantara leather, both fenders are carbon fiber.
The V4 weighs just 2.3 kg more than the 1299. The V4 produces 216 bhp, but Ducati offers an Akrapovic titanium racing exhaust which boosts the power to an eye-watering 226 bhp.
The engine is the definition of a big bore motor, at 81 mm, with a stroke of 53.55 mm. Lubrication is carried out by four oil pumps, two of them for crankcase scavenging.
Fuel-air charge is inducted via variable-length oval throttle bodies, corresponding to 52mm round units. Valves go up to 34mm intake and 27.5mm exhaust and compression ratio is 14:1.
The TFT instrumentation is also the latest technology, including the Ducati Data Analyzer and Ducati Multimedia System.
In terms of rider aids, the Ducati Panigale V-4 employs the latest in electronic warfare, and some named EVO: Cornering ABS EVO, Ducati Traction Control EVO, Ducati Slide Control, Ducati Wheelie Control EVO, Ducati Power Launch, Ducati Quick Shift EVO, Engine Brake Control EVO, Duacti Electronic Suspension EVO.
KYMCO launched the new XICITING S 400 at EICMA 2017.
The KYMCO XCITING S 400 features the best power in its class.
It will also have the first ECE-approved LED Daytime Running Lights for scooters.
Milan, Italy, 7th November 2017 – KYMCO has a good presence in Malaysia with their maxi scooters, but they also make motorcycles and ATVs. KYMCO has just added a new member to their family at EICMA 2017, called the XCITING S 400.
The KYMCO XCITING S 400 is the successor to the successful XCITING 400, which is renowned for its agile handling and the best horsepower in its class, apart from its smooth and quiet power delivery. The XCITING S 400 is designed in KYMCO’s “Win My Heart” spirit to surpass all that. KYMCO claims that it meets the stringent demands of riders seeking the best “sport touring scooter.”
The design of the new XCITING S 400 is built upon the “Powerful Simplicity” philosophy, combining the riding comfort and high-speed stability, perfect for the city commute and weekend excursions.
The new bike features the industry’s first ECE-approved Daytime Running Light for scooters to provide maximum visibility to other motorists, besides highlighting its identity.
The smoothly powerful engine produces 35.5 bhp (26.5 kW) and 37.7 Nm of torque. It guarantees responsive acceleration in urban traffic and high speed sprints.
Having a powerful engine also requires features to harness the power. KYMCO redesigned the hanger axle for a more rigid mounting point for the engine to the frame. The double bridge front suspension also increases rigiditiy. All these features add up to a maneuverable yet stable motorcycle.
There’s further proof of KYMCO’s desire to make the XCITING S 400 more accommodating.
The front seat tapers for easy feet placement during stops. The rear seat has a backrest to support the passenger. Instead of opening the entire seat to access the storage compartment underneath, the XCITING S 400 features a unique two-seat opening design. The windscreen is adjustable to accommodate different physiques and riding conditions. The handlebar is V-shaped to allow better line of view to the instrument cluster while riding.
KYMCO is also looking forward to adding the newly developed Noodoe Navigation feature upon the release of the XCITING S 400 next year. What distinguishes Noodoe Navigation from the rest is that it’s the world’s first rider-centric navigation system. Noodoe Navigation will be formally launced at the Tokyo Motorcycle show in March 2018.
Looking for a powerful retro? Look no further than the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS CAFE.
The latest entry into the cafe racer scene from Kawasaki comes with a beautiful design and livery that’ll excite both the retro and modern bike enthusiasts.
Its 948cc inline-four engine is able to produce a healthy 110hp and 99Nm of torque together with other electronic goodies.
The past few months, the world of motorcycling has been bombarded with news, predictions and anticipation for what seemed to be the rebirth of the Kawasaki Z1 which is considered as one of the most beautiful motorcycles of all time. The Z900RS delivered that hope when it was introduced at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show BUT Kawasaki then revealed their Royal Flush in Milan this week with the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS CAFE. (more…)
