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Yamaha updates the FJR1300

Yamaha has officially taken the wraps off the 2016 version of the FJR 1300 sport tourer, featuring a number of improved cosmetic and technical upgrades.

The biggest change for 2016 is the addition of a new six-speed gear box, which will be replacing the outgoing five-speed transmission. Complementing the new gearbox is a new A&S slipper clutch, similar to the one that is fitted on the R1 to be exact, which promises to offer better riding dynamics.

The bike also gets a new instrument cluster which looks slightly more modern and sophisticated compared to the current unit.

In terms of cosmetics, Yamaha is now offering two new Matt and Silver paint schemes, a reshaped tail unit, as well as LED headlights and tail lights with adaptive cornering feature.

According to Yamaha, how the adaptive cornering lights work is that three aditional LEDs that are added above the left and right main headlights come on as the bike corners to help illuminate turns, using an inertial measurement unit to detect lean angle.

Unveiled yesterday at the Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham, UK, is expected to go on sale next year. However, Yamaha has not revealed any details on its pricing yet.

Kawasaki Malaysia Launched ZX-10R, J300 ABS and Z125 Pro

Kawasaki (Motors) Malaysia Sdn Bhd (KMSB) continues to develop motorcycles to meet customers’ demand around the world including Malaysian market, even with the weakened Ringgit and economic deterioration in China. (more…)

EXPANDED FOUR-DAY RACING SCHEDULE FOR ARRC FINALE IN BURIRAM

The 2015 season finale of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will see an expanded race programme as the Asian series head to Buriram, Thailand for the second time this year. (more…)

Casey Stoner returns to Ducati

Retired MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has left the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) to re-join the Ducati team as a test-rider and brand ambassador.

The move was officially announced recently and sees the Australian reconnecting with the team that granted him his first MotoGP world champion’s title back in 2007.

Stoner’s move away from HRC test-riding duties was long rumoured in the past few months, but both the Australian and HRC opted to officially announce his departure sometime just last week. In the process, the folks at HRC also stated their thanks and gratitude towards Stoner and his contributions over the last few years as a HRC test-rider.

After retiring from MotoGP in 2012, Stoner continued as a test-rider for HRC, but only rode sporadically since then, spending no more than a couple of days annually astride a Honda GP bike. Sources report that the move was made for two reasons, the first of which being the fact that the Australian kept good ties with the Italian team even after leaving it for HRC and secondly was the timely arrival of Gigi Dall’Igna as the head of Ducati Corse that made a return to Ducati even more attractive.

Presently, Ducati confirmed that Stoner will mainly focus on private tests and not riding in any of the official 2016 pre-season test sessions in Sepang, Phillip Island or Qatar. Whilst the prospect of Stoner returning on-track astride a Ducati GP bike for a wildcard outing appears to be slim, Ducati fans can instead rejoice at the fact he will be reappearing at next year’s World Ducati Week 2016 festivities in Bologna, Italy.

Sources: Asphaltandrubber and Visordown

Schuberth: Complete Rebranding Unveiled at 2015 EICMA

Schuberth changes its look. At the EICMA in Milan recently, the helmet manufacturer from Magdeburg, Germany showcased their new and updated brand design at the world’s biggest motorcycle trade fair.

The fact that the German company returned to the EICMA after years of absence can be seen as a clear signal for the implementation of the company’s growth strategy. (more…)

EICMA 2015: Updated MV Agusta Brutale 800 bows in Milan

MV Agusta has officially presented the updated MV Agusta Brutale 800 at the recent EICMA 2015 show in Milan, Italy.

Though it was revealed fully in a ‘teaser’ video not too long ago, MV did not release much facts and details surrounding its refreshed naked bike until its official presentation in the show.

Firstly, the newly updated and Euro4-compliant engine now churns out 116hp at 11,500rpm whilst peak torque has risen by 25% as well to 82.6Nm at 7,600rpm. Besides that, the Brutale 800’s slipper clutch has been updated with a new hydraulically-operated unit whilst gearshifts are now handled by MV’s electronic quick-shifter that works in both up- and down-shifts.

The bike still uses MV’s MVICS electronics package that includes a ride-by-wire throttle and eight setting traction control system.

Calling the new Brutale 800 ‘the most beautiful Brutale ever’, MV says it is ‘more muscular and streamlined’ when explaining the naked bike’s lightly refreshed styling. Highlights here include the sculpted tank and seat unit, as well as the restyled plastic panels at the side of the radiator.