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New 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS on the Way

A new 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS is one the way.
Triumph released a teaser video.
The new bike will be Euro 5 compliant and will feature new updates.

It’s confirmed: A new 2020 Triumph Street Triple RS is one the way.

As with the impending launch of new models, Triumph released a teaser video of the new Street Triple RS. Test mules had also been spotted a number of months earlier.

The video shows a heart-pounding run up to a corner while being accompanied by the triple’s distinctive and awesome soundtrack.

What we know is the new bike’s engine will be Euro 5 compliant but what we don’t know is what state of tune the engine will take on. As in our earlier report, the exhaust collector will house two catalytic converters.

There’s much speculation (hope, actually) that it’ll be fitted with some of the stuff from, or at least learned, from Triumph’s role as the sole engine supplier to the World Moto2 Championship. The current engine produces 121hp and 77.3Nm of torque. Will we see a hike to 135 horses? Please, please, please!

There will surely be updates in other areas, too.

The twin headlamps will take on a new look, there may be slight changes to the swingarm, and there’s a big chance that the instrument cluster will feature GoPro control a la the Scrambler 1200 XE.

The Street Triple RS remains this writer’s favourite all-time bike, so it’s interesting how the new bike will turn out on October 7th.

Aprilia GPR 250 Launched in China

The Aprilia GPR 250 was unveiled in China.
Its 249.2cc, single-cylinder engine produces 26.5hp and 22Nm.
Will it come to Malaysia?

Somewhat unexpected, the Aprilia GPR 250 was unveiled in China rather than in the traditional European markets first.

Aprilia has a long history with 250cc sportbikes, harking back to the glory days of the 2-stroke RS250 for the road. The bike capitalized on their outstanding success in the world 250cc GP in the hands of riders such as Tetsuya Harada, Loris Capirossi, Max Biaggi and one upstart by the name of Valentino Rossi.

However, their attention seemed to have shifted since they built the 1000cc Mille superbike, which culminated in the 1000cc RSV4 and finally the most recent RSV4 1100. Aprilia’s current MotoGP effort lends further weight to the RSV4.

But apparently Aprilia had not given up on lightweight sportbikes. They debuted the RS660 concept at EICMA last year and now this, the GPR 250.

One look and it’s apparent that it’s influenced by the RSV4 in many respects: The twin headlamps, swoopy bodywork, large twin-spar aluminium frame.

The 249.2cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine is claimed to produce 26.5hp and 22Nm of torque. The manufacturer claims a 150kg weight.

That power is on par with other 250cc single-cylinder sportbikes such as the Honda CBR250R, KTM RC 250 and TVS Apache RR 310. By comparison, two-cylinder machines such as the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and Yamaha YZF-R25 produce in the regions of 39hp and 36hp, respectively.

The Aprilia GPR 250 is slated for the Indian market soon. We wonder if it’ll ever come into Malaysia.

2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Breaks Cover

The 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin has broken cover.
The bike was unveiled in Europe ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show.
Changes centre on the engine, ergonomics and electronics.

Just as we were waiting for the 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin to be officially launched at the Tokyo Motor Show next month, the bike has broken cover in Europe.

The styling looks just like the photos leaked most recently. The new bike retains its predecessor’s silhouette but with a number of differences. The “goggle” headlights have been restyled to look more aggressive, the “nose” carrying the headlights is higher, the handlebars are taller, and the seat is slightly lower.

Speaking of seat height, height can be adjusted to a lower position and there will also be a low seat option. Honda will also offer a higher seat for taller riders.

The main subject is the new engine, of course, which sees displacement bumped to 1,084cc. the bigger capacity brings a 7hp increase to 101hp from 94hp. Torque is rated at 104.4 Nm. The increase in capacity is necessary in order to produce higher power while expelling lower emissions.

Other updates to the engine include direct fuel injection with twin-spark plug combustion chambers; aluminium cylinder sleeves; redesigned cylinder heads; new ECU settings; revised valve timing; split radiators.

Honda claims that the new bike is lighter than the outgoing model: The manual gearbox version weighs 226kg while the DCT-equipped version tips the scales at 236kg.

In terms of electronics, the 2020 Africa Twin includes six riding modes: Tour, Urban, Gravel, Off-Road and two user settings. There is a new 6.5-inch TFT screen (set horizontally now) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wheelie control and Bluetooth connectivity. Honda has also added cruise control (yippee!).

The manual gearbox version retails for USD14,399 in the USA.

PHOTO GALLERY

Yamaha YZF-R15 Monster Energy GP Edition Coming to Malaysia – From RM12,618

The Yamaha YZF-R15 Monster Energy GP Edition is coming to Malaysia.
Its livery is exactly as the Yamaha MotoGP works bike’s.

The recommended basic selling price is from RM12,618.

The Yamaha YZF-R15 Monster Energy GP Edition is headed to Malaysia. The livery is derived directly from the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP works team.

Yamaha has always transferred their MotoGP liveries to their motorcycles in many markets including Malaysia. That started long ago with the 135 LC, then the Y15ZR, YZF-R25 and now the YZF-R15 (R15).

The Monster Energy GP edition was launched in the UK on the YZF-R125 months ago and it was high time for our turn.

What makes it special this time is the Monster Energy livery which was replicated by enthusiasts on their own. It was said that the Monster Energy sponsorship in MotoGP was brought along by Valentino Rossi. The energy drink sponsored him since the Movistar days.

The bike is mechanically identical to the standard R15. We found the standard bike good enough already anyway, so there’s no sense in disturbing its equilibrium.

However, to those who’ve not ridden the R15, the upside-down forks, chassis and 155cc VVT engine produce a lively and entertaining ride. You could even knee down in corners if ridden well.

The recommended basic selling price is from RM12,618 (not including road tax, insurance and number plates).

Sikh Riders from Santana Riderz Malaysia Club Rides 16,000km to Raise Fund for Children with Cancer

A group of 17 Sikh riders from the Santana Riderz Malaysia Club will ride 16,000km to Pakistan.
The objective is to raise awareness and funds for children with cancer.
The ride is conjunction with the 550^thanniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, founder of Sikhism.

A group of 17 Sikh riders from the Santana Riderz Malaysia Club will ride 16,000km to Pakistan in order to raise funds for children with cancer.

The ride will see them travelling through five countries, and will raise awareness and donations for child cancer patients of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. The convoy is held in conjunction with the 550^thanniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, founder of Sikhism.

The ride is slated to be flagged off from Gurdwara Sahib Polis at Jalan Balai Polis, Kuala Lumpur on 25^thSeptember 2019.

They will then ride through Thailand, Myanmar, and India and finally arriving in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. Nankana Sahib is the birthplace Guru Nanak Devji.

“We hope we’ll be able to ease the hardship of families who are suffering both emotionally and financially. (That is) in line with the theme of our ride ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’ which means blessings for everyone irrespective of race or religion,” said club president Jas Pall Singh.

He also added that the club chose NCSM because they aim to help the children regardless of race, religion and background.

On top of fundraising, the group also planned a “550 Trees Planting Project.”

You may contribute to the funds through this websitehttps://www.peoplegiving.org/campaign/5-takhts-ride-to-india-for-cancer-charity-ride-2019.

Benelli 502C, Benelli 150S, SM Sport 110E Launched

Mforce Bikes launched the Benelli 502C, Benelli 150S and SM Sport 110E.
The Benelli 502C is a middleweight cruiser while the Benelli 150S is a 150cc standard road bike.
The SM Sport 110E follows the success of the SM Sport 110R.

Mforce Bikes Sdn. Bhd. continued with launched over the weekend, this time with the Benelli 502C, Benelli 150S and SM Sport 110E, after unveiling the new SYM JET14 200 and SYM MIO 110.

Benelli 502C

The 502C is the manufacturer’s foray into the middleweight sport-cruiser market, with a styling that resembles the Ducati Diavel.

Features:

Foot forward pegs and controls.
750mm seat height.
500cc parallel-Twin engine which produces 46.9 hp (35 kW) at 8,500 RPM and 46 Nm of torque at 5,000 RPM.
Electronic fuel injection with dual 37mm throttle bodies.
Benelli’s trademark steel trellis frame with steel plates.
41mm diameter upside-down forks up front and monoshock at the back.
Dual 260mm brake discs up front.
21-litre fuel tank.

The bike is available in Metallic Red, Matte Black and Metallic Black. It’s priced from RM31,588 (excluding road tax and insurance).

Benelli 150S

“The Benelli 150S prowls the streets of the dense urban jungle and stalks back roads, day and night,” according to them. Aside from the National Geographic reference, the 150S is a 150cc standard street bike.

Features:

149.88cc B3SP triple spark-plug engine.
The SOHC engine utilizes electronic fuel injection and produces 15.5 hp at 8,300 RPM and 12.5 Nm of torque at 7,000 RPM.
“Track-derived” and “GP-styled” (although Benelli doesn’t race) twin-spar chassis.
Upside-down forks and monoshock suspension.
260mm front brake discs.
LCD digital display.

It’s available in Lava Red, Space Black and Nixon Green. Priced from RM8,588.

SM Sport 110E

(No picture of the bike because the photos could not be downloaded from the press release.)

The SM Sport 110E means there’s an entry in the kapchaisegment for the distributor. According to the press release, the bike is a “110cc supercharger that saves especially on fuel usage.” Talk about overhype.