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Johann Zarco Rejects Yamaha Test Role, Eyeing Honda Instead?

Valentino Rossi revealed that Johann Zarco rejected a test rider role for Yamaha.
Yamaha had been trying to bring him in.
Rumours now say the Frenchman might be eyeing a role for Honda, instead.

Although Johann Zarco was highly expected to land a test role with the Yamaha factory, Valentino Rossi said revealed that the Frenchman has decided otherwise. There are rumours that Zarco may be eyeing a position in Honda instead.

The situation seemed to have changed since Zarco’s been called to replace LCR Honda rider Takaaki Nakagami for the last three races of the season.

“It’s a shame,” Rossi told the media in Motegi, Japan. “It’s no secret that Yamaha was looking at Zarco for ten rider and he would have been important for us.”

“Now he’s close to Honda and we need to see what he decides to do for 2020, but it looks to me like we will have to find another fast test rider. It will be difficult to find someone like Johann.”

Indeed, Zarco has great experience in the Yamaha YZR-M1. He achieved six podium finishes and three pole positions in 2017 and 2018, while his ex-team Tech 3 Racing were tied to Yamaha. When Tech 3 moved to KTM, Zarco was promoted to the factory KTM team while his ex-teammate Hafizh Syahrin stayed behind in the Tech 3 KTM team.

But now rumours are starting that the French rider could be eyeing a position in Honda.

It is all due to Jorge Lorenzo’s lacklustre form in the Repsol Honda factory team. Honda had great hopes on the five-time world champion but the best he could achieve was 11th this year. There are also rumours that the manufacturer is not happy with the rider.

Lorenzo has said that he is not concerned about Zarco riding for LCR Honda beginning the Australian round, stressing that it is the satellite and not the factory team. Lorenzo’s contract runs through 2020.

It is without doubt that Zarco’s ride for LCR Honda will be considered an audition. Honda could extend a test role for Zarco next year, replacing Stefan Bradl. Bradl is reportedly working on the new CBR1000RR Fireblade which will contending for the WorldSBK title in 2020.

Art of Speed 2020 Invitational Build-Off Application Opens

Art of Speed has opened the application to the AOS 2020 Invitational Build-Off.
The winner from AOS 2020 will be entered in the 29th Annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show.
Interested parties are to submit their plans before 31 October 2019.

In order to support the growing quality of participants in the Art of Speed (AOS), the application for the organisers have opened the application to the Art of Speed 2020 Invitational Build-Off.

AOS intends to submit the winner from AOS 2020 to the 29th Annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show 2020, in Japan.

The motorcycle category is divided into two classes under the FreeStyle category, for motorcycles 250cc and below, and motorcycles 251cc and above.

Interested parties such as individuals or workshops are required to submit their plan to AOS before 31st October 2019.

Please refer to the Press Release below:

For #AOS2020, the current format of Invitational Build-off has been changed. To support the growing quality of participants, we intent to submit entry from #AOS2020 to The 29th Annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show 2020, Japan.

For this reason, we are opening applications for #AOS2020 Invitational Build Off.

The category as below

i) Motorcycles FreeStyle :

a ) 250cc and Below

b ) 251cc and Above

ii) Automobiles :

Open to all model, make, year and freestyle class.

Winner of each category will have their vehicle transported and entered as participant at The 29th Annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show 2020. Winner will also receive a package trip for ONE (1) to attend the show.

To all interested individuals or workshops, please submit design, briefing and build up planning to us for screening processing before

31st October 2019.

Please get in touch with Art of Speed through the contact details below:

Initium Sdn Bhd | Art Of Speed Malaysia

No. 29, Jalan PJS 11/14,

Bandar Sunway,

46150 Petaling Jaya,

Selangor Darul Ehsan,

Malaysia.

M +6019 373 6798 / +6012 204 0094

T +603 5622 2137

F +603 5613 2037

E art.of.speed.my@gmail.com

www.artofspeedmy.com

Legal Framework for Motorcycle e-Hailing Ready at Year End

The Ministry of Transport expects to establish a legal framework and the terms for motorcycle e-hailing by the end of the year.
The Cabinet had agreed in principle to go ahead with the service.
There is no specific date on when the services will begin again.

The Ministry of Transport expects to establish a legal framework and the terms for motorcycle e-hailing by the end of the year.

“The ministry will update the legal framework and terms of service once the review process has been finalised and approved by the Cabinet,” the ministry said in a written response posted on Parliament’s website today.

The Cabinet had agreed in principal to green light the service in August this year. The decision was made after Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq met with Go-Jek’s founder who had travelled from Indonesia.

It was an about turn for the Ministry of Transport and Cabinet who had carried on with the decision to ban motorcycle-hailing by the previous Barisan Nasional government.

That decision hit Dego Ride, the service which was started by a Malaysian company. The Ministry of Transport under the new government even issued a stern warning to Dego Ride to stop immediately.

However, Dego Ride proceeded to restart the service in August when the Cabinet agreed to go ahead with motorcycle e-hailing, but was told to cease their services again as the government had not set up a legal framework.

CFMOTO 650GT ABS Launched in Australia

The CFMoto 650GT ABS that was launched in Australia.
It’s among the cheapest 650cc bikes in the market.
CFMoto is benefitting from their tie-up with KTM.

Talk about bikes that should come to Malaysia. Check out this CFMoto 650GT ABS that was launched in Australia.

The third model in the 650 range, the 650GT is the “grand tourer” of the family. Reports state that it costs just AUD 8,490 compared to the 650NK at AUD 6,490 and 650MT at AUD 7,490. CFMoto in that country even throws in a set of hard side cases at that price.

The next cheapest model in the 650 range is the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, priced from AUD 8,440.

For that price, owners receive receive a large-sized TFT with auto-dimming function, adjustable windscreen, plus USB and 12-volt charging sockets for the rider and passenger.

The parallel-Twin engine produces 55.6 hp. That looks low for a 650cc engine but that’s because it’s limited by the authorities in Australia. Called “LAMS” for “Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme,” power output is limited for certain motorcycles deemed suitable to new riders.

On the chassis side, the CFMoto 650GT ABS is equipped with KYB telescopic forks and a cantilever shock. Like the KTM 790 Duke, the front brake calipers are made by Spanish brake manufacturer J. Juan.

The bike may look large but the seat is only 795 mm tall, making it accessible to all riders.

As we’ve written before, CFMoto is definitely benefitting from their tie-up with KTM. The deal also brought along long-time KTM stylist KISKA to design their bikes.

Really, shouldn’t this bike be in Malaysia?

Eligible Fuel Subsidy Recipients Can Check Status Online

Recipients of Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) who are eligible for fuel subsidies can check their status online.
Recipients may also update their status in the website.
Non-BSH recipients but who are eligible for the subsidy are not listed in the website.
Owners of motorcycles 150cc and below are eligible, subject to certain conditions.

Recipients of Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) who are eligible for fuel subsidies can check their status online.

The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has set up a website for such purpose. You may follow this link to do so at psp.kpdnhep.gov.my.

Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the recipients’ data were based on the information provided during application for the BSH aid scheme. “We also cross-checked vehicle ownership information with the Road Transport Department’s database and the ministry has identified 2.9 million individuals from the B40 group who are eligible for the fuel subsidy,” he said.

However, he admitted that the data needs further improvement and urged those in the B40 group to check their status. Those who could not find or wish to update their information may do so by filling out the appeal section in the website.

He also added that those in the B40 group who have just bought a vehicle that is eligible for the subsidy to apply with the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

The website does not list people who not BSH recipients but are eligible for fuel subsidy. The process to submit their application will be announced later.

Under the fuel subsidy scheme, eligible motorcycles must be 150cc and below. Those above 150cc must be at least seven years old.

As for cars, they must be 1600cc and below, or more than 10 years old for cars above 1600cc.

The subsidy will be deposited in the recipients’ bank accounts every four months. Motorcycle owners will receive RM 12 per month, while car owners will receive RM 30 per month.

Non-BSH recipients who are eligible will also receive a Kad95. The card allows for a discount of 30 sens per litre of RON 95 petrol; up to 40 litres per month for motorcycles and 100 litres for cars.

The public may also contact the ministry via 1-800-886-800, or email psp@kpdnhep.gov.my or WhatsApp 019-2786356.

2020 Triumph Thruxton RS Teaser Video

Another teaser, but it’s for the 2020 Triumph Thruxton RS this time.
The Thruxton R was one of the best bikes we’ve tested.
But it was the best factory café racer of all.

Here comes another teaser video. But oh dear, it’s for the 2020 Triumph Thruxton RS.

It’s a very short video, showing the Thruxton RS badge on a side panel and telling us to that it’ll be launched on 5th November. That’s the second day of EICMA 2019. No other detail was presented.

The all-new Thruxton RS – Launching 8.30am, 5th November 2019 pic.twitter.com/1FILKlgnN3

— Triumph Motorcycles (@UKTriumph) October 15, 2019

If there’s any indication of what’s new, the previous bike was called the Thruxton and Thruxton R. But the “R” was so good, so entertaining, so satisfying to ride that we don’t know what to expect of the “RS.”

The previous model had super smooth fuelling, predictable and linear throttle, and a punchy 1200cc liquid-cooled, 270-degree crank, parallel-Twin engine. The power plant is marked as “HP” for “High Power,” instead of the Bonneville T120 and T100’s “HT” (High Torque) variety.

And as with all Triumph’s the handling was superb right out of the box. The “R” version we tested had Öhlins shocks at the back and Showa BPF forks up front.

We wrapped up our tests by pronouncing the Thruxton R as the best factory café racer, bar none.

Triumph then followed up with the limited edition Thruxton R TFC. Clad in carbon fibre, only 750 were made.

We can’t wait for the new RS!