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German Court Rules Sikh Bikers Are Not Exempt from Wearing Helmets

A German court judge ruled that Sikh bikers in the country must wear helmets.
The decision was in response to an appeal for Sikh bikers to continue riding in their dastaar.
The judge cited safety concerns.

A German court has decided to rule that Sikh bikers are not exempt from the country’s helmet laws.

The ruling was in response to a Sikh man’s appeal that a helmet could not fit over his dastaar (the traditional turban worn by Sikhs).

Federal Administrative Court of Leipzig judge Renate Philip said that the law does not excuse a motorcyclist not wearing a helmet on grounds of religion. He also added that a helmet protects the rider and avoid head trauma. Additionally, riders who do wear helmets can assist others in accidents.

Several countries have exemptions for wearing a motorcycle crash helmet. Malaysia is one among other countries which includes India, the United Kingdom, et al.

Similar appeals have been made by the Sikh biker community in Australia in 2017, where even cyclists are required to wear helmets.

Over in the United States of America, the New York Police Department (NYPD) ordered the Sikh Motorcycle Club members to wear helmets during the Sikh Day Parade in 2017, although they rode a slow, parade pace. The club members decided to park their motorcycles and parade by foot. They cited that it served as a great way to educate children on riding with helmets.

Source: RideApart

Where is the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR?

The new 2019 BMW S 1000 RR has yet to arrive in Malaysia.
The delay is due to the great demand for the M Package S 1000 RR worldwide.
BMW Motorrad is currently working on clearing the supply bottleneck.

Besides the just-launched new 2019 BMW R 1250 GS and GS Adventure, one has to ask where in the world is the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR?

Even we at BikesRepublic.com were hoping to see it launched during the BMW Motorrad Night Fuel Kuala Lumpur lifestyle event a few weeks ago.

Alas, the bike didn’t appear. So, we decided to post the question to BMW Motorrad Malaysia.

Apparently, it turned out that BMW Motorrad’s factory in Munich is overloaded with orders for the “M Package.” Based on the standard S 1000 RR, the M Pakcage adds motorsport paint, carbon fibre wheels, lightweight battery, M Chassis kit which includes rear seat height and swingarm pivot adjustment, sport seat and Pro Mode.

It has to be said that this is the first time BMW Motorrad is offering an M Package for their bikes. BMW cars have had the M option for a long time, in contrast.

It’s due to this demand for the M Package that reduced the number of the standard S 1000 RR.

This delay is worldwide and affects not Malaysia alone.

In any case, you can bet that BMW Motorrad is working to clear the supply bottleneck.

VIDEO: Tiger Chases Motorcyclists

It’s not everyday that motorcyclists get chased by a tiger.
This video came from the Pambra, Wayanad region in India.
The region is surrounded by tiger sanctuaries.

This news may have gotten around somewhat, but it’s not everyday that motorcyclists get chased by a tiger.

In the video, the pillion spotted something moving in the bushes parallel to the road, which suddenly turned out to be the striped apex predator. You can hear him screaming in panic as the big cat lunges out onto the road and started chasing the motorcycle. They got away, fortunately, otherwise this would’ve been a real-life “found footage” news.

The video was shot in the Pambra, Wayanad region in India. The area is flanked by the Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve to the north, and the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National Park to the east. The former is reported to house 9 tigers for every 100 square kilometres, while the latter is home to another 231 of the majestic cats.

The Nagarhole Park is completely wild, meaning the animals are not caged and allowed to roam freely. This is why two-wheeled vehicles are not allowed to travel through. Instead, they need to go around the sanctuary. However, there are safari tours by jeep and boat.

We don’t know about how these guys felt afterwards, but we’d need new underwear if it were us.

BMW R nine T/5 Commemorates BMW 5 Series

The BMW R nine T/5 commemorates the classic BMW /5 series which made its debut in 1969.
It also happens to be the 50^th anniversary of BMW Motorrad’s Berlin Spandau factory.
There are many classic touches and a badge on the bike.

The BMW R nine T/5 commemorates the classic BMW /5 series which made its debut in 1969. It also happens to be the 50^th anniversary of BMW Motorrad’s Berlin Spandau factory.

As such, the R nine T/5 is finished in Lupine Blue with white pinstripes and features many other classic touches. They include silver and black finishes smattered throughout the bike, such as the chrome mirrors, exhaust manifolds and silencer.

The seat is reminiscent of the BMW /5 with white lining, grab strap and embossing. The forks are covered with rubber gaiters. The aluminium silver wheels and spokes are definitely vintage looking. The footpegs and fork brace are anodized aluminium. The black knee pads on the fuel tank is a nice classic touch, too.

The R nine T is BMW Motorrad’s modern-classic line-up hence they are modern bikes, of course. There are heated grips, instrumentation that combines classic and modern features, ABS and ASC (Stability Control) are standard.

Sure, one could take a standard R nine T Pure and build it too look exactly like the R nine T/5, but the latter comes with a commemorative badge on the tank.

2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory: Ten Things You Should Know

Didi Resources launched the 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory today.
It’s the most powerful normally-aspirated and non-race homologation superbike.
It’s also the lightest of the lot.

Didi Resources launched the 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory today. The price is from RM 159,900 but Didi Resources will include the optional carbon fibre front brake ducts worth RM 4,000 for the first batch of buyers.

While eyes are on another Italian bike, the 2019 Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory promises to be even faster and focused on outright performance.

But rather than bore you with a long write-up, here are ten things you should know about this bike.

1. 10^th Year of the RSV4

The 2019 RSV4 1100 Factory actually commemorates the 10^th year of the Aprilia RSV4. The 2009 bike won a number of accolades including Best Sportbike of the year not only for its power and performance but also the groundbreaking APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) electronic suite.

2. Most powerful sportbike

The RSV1100 Factory is 100cc up from previous models. The 1078cc 65-degree V-Four powerplant sees the increase of 16 hp and 6.8 Nm to 217 hp at 13,200 RPM and 122 Nm of torque at 11,000 RPM. That makes it the most powerful normally-aspirated and also non-homologation special sportbike.

3. New APRC package

The APRC rider aid package has been expanded to include extra features to rein in those 217 horses. Together, they are Aprilia Traction Control (ATC), Aprilia Wheelie Control (AWC), Aprilia Launch Control (ALC), Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) and Aprilia Pit Limiter (ALC). These features were brought over from the RSV4 RR.

4. The lightest

It is also the lightest among its peers (apart from the race-homologated Panigale V4 R). The RSV4 1100 Factory weighs 5 kg lighter than its predecessor, resulting in a lithe 199 kg, fully fueled and ready to ride.

5. Weight-loss regiment

A Bosch lithium-ion battery and Akrapovic exhaust system contributes to the low weight.

6. Special Akrapovic exhaust

Speaking of the exhaust, the system was specially designed developed together with the famed maker, Akrapovic. The new system is not only responsible for the power increase but also yielding smoother power and torque curves.

7. Redesigned frame

The aluminium frame has been redesigned for even more cornering prowess that Aprilias are famous for. New steering bushings steepen the rake angle by 2-degrees. Additionally, there is a 2mm less offset of the triple clamps for less trail. The changes to the steering geometry results in a 4mm shorter wheelbase. Aprilia also stiffened the swingarm. These changes ought to make the bike even more nimble.

8. Öhlins, of course

The bike is suspended by fully-adjustable Öhlins NIX forks and Öhlins TTX rear shock. The forks have 5mm more travel. They are non-electronic, however.

9. “Stylo” Brembo Stylema

Hauling the RSV4 1100 Factory down from speed are Brembo’s latest Stylema brake calipers. These are smaller, lighter yet stiffer for a better feel at the lever. (Make sure you secure them!) As we mentioned earlier, owners can fit the optional carbon fibre ducts to channel cooling air to the calipers.

10. MotoGP-inspired aerobody

There are two spoilers mounted on each side of the fairing. They generate up 8 kg of downforce at 300 km/h to keep the front tyre on the road.

Danilo Petrucci Confirmed at Ducati in 2020 MotoGP

Ducati confirmed that Danilo Petrucci will ride for the Ducati factory team in the 2020 MotoGP season.
The decision follows his consistent podium finishes and victory at Mugello.
Jack Miller will likely continue with Pramac Ducati.

Ducati confirmed that Danilo Petrucci will ride for the Ducati factory team in the 2020 MotoGP season, continuing his partnership with Andrea Dovizioso.

Petrucci did not have the expected start to the 2019 MotoGP season, hence rumours started circulating that Pramac Ducati rider Jack Miller may replace him for the 2020 season. Then everything took a 180-degree turn and Petrucci scored a victory at manufacturer’s home ground in Mugello. It was an emphatic first MotoGP win for the cheerful Italian.

It’s also a great thing for the team to continue with Petrucci’s services since continuity allows for easier development of the Desmosedici. As all riders ride differently, a new rider will only introduce a set of variables to the motorcycle’s development. And given MotoGP’s freeze of too many development throughout the season, the affair will turn into a difficult task.

Having Petrucci also opens up more funds for the factory and team. As reported by Asphalt and Rubber, Petrucci is earning between € 700,000 and € 1,000,000 per season, compared to the king’s ransom of € 12,500,000 paid to Jorge Lorenzo. That extra moolah could well be used for research and development, plus other things.

Jack Miller will like continue with his present team as well as Pecco Bagnaia. The duo will also receive the Desmosedici GP20 next year.