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  • MV Agusta brand announced securing funding for the next five years.

  • The news also brought shake-ups in the company’s management.

  • The manufacturer is looking forward to invest more in the global network in the next two years.

Great new for the storied MV Agusta brand as it announced the securing of funding for the next five years.

The funding allows the oft-tumultuous brand to continue developing bikes into the near future. A new business plan is according drawn up and sees the manufacturer targeting an annual sales goal of 25,000 motorcycles next year.

They will continue to concentrate on premium motorcycles, but will add mid-sized bikes. The firm tied up with Loncin Motor Company in China recently to produce four motorcycles between 350cc to 500cc.

The plan also calls for “strong” investment in MV Agusta’s global distribution and service network over the next two years, focusing on the United States, Europe and Asia.

Following the news is also the announcement of a revision in the MV Agusta management line-up.

Giovanni Castiglioni will be moved to the role of an advisor after steadfastly holding on to the company’s helm for a number of decades. Timur Sardarov had taken over as Chairman of the Board and CEO in December 2018, since the funding comes from his family. He will be joined by Massimo Bordi and Paolo Bettin.

Massimo Bordi’s name should be no stranger to many. He was the father of the four-valve, liquid-cooled V-Twin engine for Ducati. It was he who challenged the convention put forth by Fabio Taglioni such an arrangement couldn’t be made.

Bordi will assume the role of Executive Vice Chairman. He had served as General Manager for MV Agusta and Cagiva during Claudio Castlglioni’s (Giovanni’s father) tenure.

On the other hand, Betting will be the new Chief Financial Officer.

Goh Brothers is now holding the role of official aftersales provider for MV Agusta in Malaysia. Will this plan also see them expanding to sales?

  • 2020 Suzuki sportbikes are out, albeit with little fanfare.

  • All bikes will appear for one last year before being changed for Euro 5 in 2021.

  • Suzuki sportbikes are renowned for their agility.

The 2020 Suzuki sportbikes are out, albeit with little fanfare.

There are new colours and graphics, plus some updates but the bikes stay mostly the same as last years. We think it’s probably that Suzuki will roll out the Euro 5-compliant models soon for 2021.

1985 Suzuki GSX-R750

Still, Suzuki sportbikes are among those to die for given their performance mixed with civility. It was the Hamamatsu-based manufacturer who gave us the first real sportbike – the GSX-R750 in 1985.

2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R

The GSX-R1000R is Suzuki’s weapon for World Superbike racing. That’s why it’s the most technologically-laden. Only changes are the new graphics for next year. There are only two colour options in either Glass Sparkle Black/Pearl Mira Red or Metallic Triton Blue factory racing livery.

2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000

The GSX-R1000 is like the “normal” version. Most if not all sportbike manufacturers market a higher-spec’ed and a normal spec’ed models these days.

Hence the GSXR-1000 (without the extra R) is meant for the masses. It features minimalistic graphics for next year and in our opinion looks much cleaner. Suzuki brought over the bi-direction quickshifter from the GSX-R1000R.

Available in two colours also, called Metallic Matte Black No. 2/Glass Sparkle Black and the other Pearl Glacier White/Glass Sparkle Black.

2020 Suzuki GSX-R750

Suzuki is the only manufacturer that’s soldering on with the 750cc superbike. The segment was pretty much dead within years of the WorldSBK going to 1000cc inline-Fours, as well as MotoGP going the 990cc four-stroke direction.

But there’s something sweet about 750cc sportbikes as they fill the gap between the 600’s agility and the 1000’s power. The Suzuki GSX-R750, however, uses a bigger engine in the 600cc chassis.

Choose from either Pearl Glacier White/Glass Sparkle Black or Metallic Matte Black No. 2/Glass Sparkle Black.

2020 Suzuki GSX-R600

Speaking of the 600, here it is. Light and agile, it lets you hit the back roads and Ulu Yam with pleasure. Take it to the track and you’ll see that it’s easy to reach its potential. Real value for money.

Comes in Pearl Glacier White and Glass Sparkle Black.

We’ll take the white one.

2020 Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa

Ah hah! The bike which caused superbikes’ top speeds capped at 299 km/h since 2000. It’s the Hayabusa which holds the title of the fastest road bike when it hit 312 km/h in 1999. This was a time when road bikes had about 160 HP.

So, the model continues on after 20 years because it’s still fast and there is demand. The Hayabusa will soon be upgraded but the 2020 model remains sold in the USA.

It’s gone through a number of important updates during its lifetime, including the fitment of Brembo brakes, slipper clutch, larger radiator and so forth.

The Hayabusa will appear in its current design for one last year in 2020.

Offered in Candy Daring Red and Metallic Thunder Grey.

  • The 2020 Yamaha MT-03 has been launched for the US and UK markets.

  • It shares the same DNA as the MT-07 and MT-09.

  • Will it and the MT-15 reach Malaysia?

The 2020 Yamaha MT-03 has been launched for the US and UK markets.

As it shares the 321cc parallel-Twin engine as the Yamaha YZF-R3, it would known as the MT-25 in our market since it’ll adopt the YZF-R25’s 250cc engine.

Being a part of the MT-series the model shares the “Dark Side of Japan” DNA with its larger MT-07 and MT-09 siblings, such as the large faux air scoops. It features styling elements of the other two, plus an new and aggressive headlamp with striking LEDs.

A new 14-litre tank should see a range of up to a 300 kilometre range. There is also a new LCD screen.

But look a little closer and you can see a resemblance to YZF-R3 in terms of the tail section and frame.

Indeed, while the diamond-shape frame is from the R3, the suspension features a number of differences. The forks are now upside-down, while the new swingarm is longer and pivots closer to the centre of the bike. The rear monoshock has a stiffer springs in addition to revised preload and rebound damping rates. 

The manufacturer sees the bike as a great offering to the younger segment of riders.

The big question if the MT-25 will ever be sold in Malaysia. The MT-15 and MT-25 are already sold in Thailand and Indonesia to big success.

  • Benelli Leoncino 800 picture was leaked from vehicle type approval submissions.

  • It will use the 754cc engine from the 752S.

  • The bike follows the Leoncino 502’s neo retro design.

The Benelli Leoncino 800 concept was unveiled at EICMA last year but the picture of a production ready prototype was leaked recently.

According to Bennets, the picture came from Benelli’s submission for vehicle type approval. The Leoncino 800 utilises the 754cc parallel-Twin from the 752S (not available in Malaysia), while retaining the neo retro styling of the Leoncino 502.

The engine produces 74 HP and the manufacturer claimed a top speed of 190 km/h. The document also listed its weight at 223 kg, ready to ride.

As the picture shows, the bike features the usual beefy forks clamped by equally thick triple clamps. Braking is handled by Benelli-branded calipers with large brake discs. ABS is standard as the sensor plate is apparent on the left disc.

But unlike the concept, the production bike uses cast instead of spoked wheels.

The bike should be launched officially soon and we shall see if it comes to Malaysia.

While built in China, Benelli motorcycles are designed and engineered in Italy. The brand has grown stronger over the years and the TRK502 is now the third best-selling motorcycle in Italy behind the BMW R 1250 GS and Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin so far this year.

Benelli is currently owned by Qianjiang Motorcycle Company. Recently, Harley-Davidson inked a deal with the company to produce smaller displacement models for China and Asia.

Source: Bennetts UK

  • A supposed Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera was spotted undergoing tests.

  • Ducati is following their tradition of producing limited-edition super light superbikes.

  • The bike may be unveiled during the Ducati 2020 World Premiere.

A supposed Ducati Panigale V4 Superleggera was spotted undergoing tests.

Maybe it was unexpected, but Ducati seems to be continuing with the Superleggera (super light) tradition, as they did with the Panigale 1199 and Panigale 1299.

Operating on the “light is right” principal, the test bike was spotted with generous amounts of carbon fibre. The main bodywork including the nose cone, front portion of the fuel tank, and seat unit are made of the lightweight stuff.

But we noticed that the bodywork’s styling takes after the Panigale V4 R’s complete with winglets.

Ducati seems to retain the front and rear mudguards, and belly pan in polymer. The swingarm is also non-carbon.

The rims share the same design as those on the Panigale 1199 Superleggera and Panigale 1299 Superleggera, however. It could very well mean that they are carbon fibre, too.

The exhaust muffler also looks different and could be of a lightweight design and material.

It goes without saying that the Superleggera will be much lighter than the regular V4. For comparison sake, the Panigale 1299 S weighed 190 kg, while the 1299 Superleggera tipped the scales at only 167 kg, making it the lightest production superbike.

Lower weight results in higher power-to-weight ratio and lower inertia. The bike accelerates faster, can hold higher mid corner speeds and brakes faster.

We may see he new bike during the Ducati 2020 World Premiere on 23rd October.

Source: Ride Apart

  • Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs announced that the proposal for petrol subsidy is ready.

  • The new subsidy plan hopes to help the B40 group.

  • The proposed subsidy will apply to owners of motorcycles below 125cc.

After more than a year deliberation, the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs announced that the proposal for petrol subsidy is ready.

If given the green light by the Cabinet, the government will employ a number of safeguards to ensure the that B40 group receives the subsidy. The measures proposed are in view of unreliable data which often plagues decision-making among government agencies in Malaysia.

The Malay Mail quoted sources who said that the government has a better database now. It is drawn up based on data from pension fund contributions, the applicant’s payslips, and vehicle ownership data with the Road Transport Department (JPJ). The Star reported that the government will also look at household electric bills that amount to between RM 100 and RM 200 monthly. Also, the assistance only applies to those whose monthly household income is less RM 3,900.

As for the amount of subsidy, the Ministry may be adhering to Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng’s proposal in November. The plan calls for subsidising owners of motorcycles below 125cc and cars below 1,500cc with a minimum of 30 sen per litre of RON95 petrol.

The total amount of subsidised petrol is 40 litres for motorcycles and 100 litres for cars per month. The subsidy amounts to RM 12 for motorcycles and RM 30 for cars per month. The amount will be transferred to the recipients’ bank accounts on a monthly basis.

The current price of subsidised RON95 is capped at RM 2.08 per litre. Prices would fluctuate according to a weekly float once the subsidy is removed and may see an increase to RM 2.49 per litre.

It was revealed that government currently spends an average of RM 133 million a week on fuel subsidies.

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