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Fabio Quartararo and Petronas Sepang Racing Team Secures Second Pole in Catalunya MotoGP

Rookie sensation Fabio Quartararo put himself and his Petronas Sepang Racing Team on pole for tomorrow’s Catalunya MotoGP.
It’s the fledgling team’s second pole position in their very first season in the premier class.
There are four Yamahas in the Top 5.

Rookie sensation Fabio Quartararo put himself and his Petronas Sepang Racing Team on pole for tomorrow’s Catalunya MotoGP.

It’s the fledgling team’s second pole position in their very first season in the premier class. What made the French youngster’s feat even more astounding was his arm pump surgery just 11 days ago. On top of that, bear in mind that he’s riding the 2018-spec Yamaha YZR-M1.

It’s also noteworthy that this round seems to show Yamaha’s resurgence. Quartararo, Maverick Vinalez (Monster Energy Yamaha), Franco Morbidelli and Valentino Rossi made it 1-3-4,5 for Yamaha. Only Marc Marquez was cheeky enough to slot into second among them.

Marquez is the crowd’s home hero but had posted times no faster than 2^ndthrough FP4 and the beginning of Q2. But on the last flying lap of the session, he hung on to Rossi’s coattail for a tow reminiscent of his act of slipstreaming Andrea Dovizioso in Mugello two weeks ago. However, he made a mistake and hit a turn too fast, causing the front tyre to wash out. He saved the bike with his knee, but it ruined his chances of stealing the pole position.

It was visible that Maverick Vinalez was riding hard since Friday and he did enough to put himself in 3^rd, thereby saving the factory Yamaha team from being embarrassed by the satellite team (again).

Franco Morbidelli was also a hero for the Petronas SRT outfit. A heavy crash in the morning saw him stretchered off the kitty litter. That meant that he had to fight his way through Q1. And fought he did by going fastest in the session to be promoted to Q2. He then set the second fastest time behind Quartararo on their first outing together, before being relegated to fourth.

Valentino Rossi had his best qualifying session in a long time and after the disaster in his home race in Mugello.

Apart from Marquez, all Honda and Ducati riders suffered at the track. Catalunya features tight, decreasing radius turns that benefit bikes with mid-corner speed and ability to hold tight lines. This played into the hands of Yamaha and Suzuki.

Dovizisio (Mission Winnow Ducati) could only manage sixth on the grid, with his teammate Danilo Petrucci behind him in 7^th. Dovizioso had remarked many times that the Ducati Desmosedici doesn’t like to keep turning in mid-corner.

Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar) actually posted 0.200s faster than Quartararo after the third sector but crashed at Turn 10. Yet, he still qualified 8^thon the grid – his best starting position ever. His teammate Joan Mir also performed well this time around, starting tomorrow’s race from 11^th.

Cal Crutchlow ended the session in 9^th, while Jorge Lorenzo qualified in the Top 10 for the first time since he joined Honda.

Quartararo has shown that he has the speed in qualifying shootouts but has yet to convert his strong qualifying into podium positions. It all came down to the 2018 YZR-M1’s appetite in chewing up the rear tyre over a race distance. The 2019 YZR-M1, on the other hand, lacks top speed but Catalunya may just prove to be the venue to break their duck.

Police to Act Against Motorcyclists Who Don’t Use Motorcycle Lane

The Royal Malaysian Police will carry out more operations to nab motorcyclists who have “discipline problems,” including not utilizing the motorcycle lane.
Other offences include riding without a valid license and road tax.
They nabbed a motorcyclist who had 23 outstanding summonses and 9 arrest warrants two days ago.

The Royal Malaysian Police will carry out more operations to nab motorcyclists who have “discipline problems,” including not utilizing the motorcycle lane.

The police added that this wasn’t the only problem as they have stopped many motorcyclists who ride without (or expired) license and motorcycle road tax. They even arrested a rider who has 23 outstanding summonses and 9 arrest warrants to his name, besides not owning a riding license.

Additionally, the police issued 162 summoses within a two-hour period in just one traffic operation two days ago.

Indeed, this writer personally witnessed the recalcitrance of motorcyclists who chose to ride on the main highway instead of the motorcycle lane during a recent Hari Raya safety campaign at the Bukit Jelutong Toll Plaza. A number of riders chose to u-turn against oncoming traffic while others squeezed past cars, busses and trucks at the booths.

While we understand that the condition of motorcycle lanes isn’t exactly conducive to riding, we are required to use it by law. However, we implore the authorities to pay attention to provide a safer environment to motorcyclists, instead of going after silly policies that serve no purpose other than riling public anger.

Source: Sinar Harian

Russian Blogger Artem Boldyrev Killed While Steering Bike with Feet and Texting

A Russian moto-blogger was killed while he steered the motorcycle with his feet and texted on his phone.
Artem Boldyrev was riding with the bike in cruise control, while he sat in the passenger’s seat and steered with his feet and texted.
It was reported that his bike collided with a car on the highway.

We feel sad and even upset at times when hear about deaths in our riding community. But we don’t know how exactly we should feel about this case. A well-known Russian moto-blogger was killed while he steered the motorcycle with his feet and texted on his phone.

Artem Boldyrev shot to “fame” by performing stunts while reviewing motorcycles. He uploaded a video of himself riding a Victory Vision full-dress tourer last year, steering with his feet while perched on the passenger’s seat.

Given Russia’s appalling driving habits, it was an accident poised to happen.

He was riding a BMW K 1600 GTL and managed to send a video of his act just moments prior to the fatal crash. (Some mass media said “Harley-Davidson.” Jeez, learn something about motorcycles, will you guys.)

His last and not-so-famous words were, “Most problems arise due to the fact that I don’t give a f***…”

Boldyrev wasn’t the first Russian vlogger to perish. The “sexiest Russian motorcyclist” Olga Pronina was killed two years ago in a high-speed crash on her BMW S 1000 RR.

Our message is this: Please stop stunting for cheap publicity on public roads.

GIVI Rimba Raid 2019 is Open for Registration

Registration is now open for the GIVI Rimba Raid 2019 at Janda Baik.
The event will be held from 26^thto 28^thJuly.
Some 150 entries are expected for this event this year.

After last year’s massive success, the GIVI Rimba Raid 2019 returns to Janda Baik. The event will be held from 26^thto 28^thJuly and registration is now open for competitors, camping spectators and hotel spectators.

Before we go further, let’s recap on 2018. Rimba Raid was held in two locations namely Janda Baik and Mat Daling.

Rimba Raid Janda Baik featured a “test” style format where competitors navigate different sections and tests on Day One; scoring points accordingly. On Day Two, the rode through a short-distance rally in the surrounding jungles. 60 competitors signed up.

At GIVI Rimba Raid Mat Daling round, on the other hand, the format was that of a 120-km jungle rally on Day One and a jungle enduro/sandbank race on Day Two. A total of 105 participants from 10 countries including Malaysia took part.

A whopping number of 150 entries are duly expected this year.

It was also at Mat Daling that GIVI became the official sponsor of the event. Other vendors included BMW Motorrad Auto Bavaria, Ducati Malaysia, KTM Malaysia, Red Bull. There’s bound to be even more this year.

Additionally, the famed Italian motorcycles luggage and accessories maker, GIVI Asia celebrates their 25^thanniversary in Malaysia this year. As such, they will hold their annual GIVI Explorer “The Malaysian Adventure” ride on our shores this year to commemorate the silver jubilee. The entourage of GIVI dealers worldwide, plus the presence of ex-Dakar Rally HRC factory rider I. Jeremais will grace Rimba Raid for the proceedings.

Looking back, Rimba Raid stalwart Dato’ Captain Nik Huzlan started the series as the first off-road event for dual-purpose enthusiasts with machines above 650cc in Malaysia. That is why one could see heavyweights such as the BMW R 1200 GS, KTM 1090/1190 Adventure, Ducati Multistrada Enduro, et al bash it out in tough conditions.

As the event became more and more successful over the last few years, so does its reputation. So much so that the Thai competitors held a qualifying round in their country to determine the “representatives” to this year’s edition.

Along with the popularity came the need to expand the series to cover more types of bikes. Instead of being lumped together wholesale, they are now divided into three categories. A class for quads and ATVs is also added this year.

Speaking about grouping and classes, Rimba Raid splits the field into the Main Race (200 competitors), Enduro (50 participants) and Quads (20 participants). They are split further into sub-categories such as Class A, B, C, Quad/Side-by-Side (buggy), Enduro Open, Enduro Veteran, depending on motorcycle power-to-weight ratio, suspension travel, wheel size, recommended service intervals.

Success also started to attract pro riders such as Malaysian MX and Asian Supermoto Champion Gabit Saleh, 2004 Dakar Rally winner Mateo Graziani, Malaysian trial rider Acoi Pangkolo, multiple Rimba Raid winner Bee Wong and many more.

The location will also play a vital role in the success of GIVI Rimba Raid 2019. Dato’ Capt. Nik has developed the Rimba Valley Motor Campsite into a true eco destination. Nestled in a valley, there’s fresh air to clean out your city lungs a mere 55km away from Kuala Lumpur and a stone’s throw from Genting Highlands.

Anyhow, you can check out the details in Rimba Raid’s official Facebook page. You may also click here for the entry form.

Ducati Streetfighter V4 Pikes Peak Prototype Breaks Cover

The Ducati Streetfighter V4 Pikes Peak prototype finally breaks cover.
It wears the “pixelated” paint scheme used for prototypes.
The bike will be raced at the prestigious “Race to the Clouds” Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) on 30^thJune.

Ladies and gentleman, after months of speculation and nail-biting, the Ducati Streetfighter V4 Pikes Peak prototype finally breaks cover.

Truth is, we were also surprised by how it looks, specifically in its “paint” scheme. It wears the “pixelated” scheme we usually see on test bikes that are designed to cloak the prototype’s lines. For that matter, Ducati says that this prototype suggests “how the bike will eventually look.”

The bike doesn’t look highly modified from Panigale V4 from which it is based on. It appears that Ducati stripped the bodywork off, replaced the clip-ons with a tapered handlebar and installed a different headlamp cowl. But look closer and you’ll find winglets on the radiator cowls.

However, it is definitely a potent package, provided that they didn’t retune the 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale engine. That’s 213 hp and 124 Nm in standard tune, but adding the Akrapovic race exhaust brings it to 226 hp. We repeat: A 226 hp naked bike, yo!

As speculated earlier, Ducati decided to debut the Streetfighter V4 prototype at the “Race to the Clouds” Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) on 30^thJune. The PPIHC is the prestigious race which allows naked sportbikes. Carlin Dunne will resume his duty as Ducati’s factory rider, and you can be sure that they will aim for not only the win but a new outright record.

“The Streetfighter V4 will be one of the stars of the Ducati World Premiere 2020,” declared Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati. “Streetfighter V4 is the Panigale for road riding; so there was no better stage than the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for what will be the highest performance Streetfighter ever put into production.”

Druid Sorcerer Hybrid, 230 hp and AI-Powered

Druid Motorcycles broke another new ground with the Druid Sorcerer Hybrid and Sorcerer XEV.
The Sorcerer Hybrid combines state-of-the-art battery, AC electric motor and a 2-cylinder petrol engine to produce 230 hp.
But both Sorcerer Hybrid and Sorcerer XEV utilize Druid’s latest A.I. platform.

Druid Motorcycles broke another new ground with the Druid Sorcerer Hybrid and Sorcerer XEV. Druid calls it a total success in delivery bike-to-bike cloud connectivity.

But what’s even more mouth-watering is the prospect of a powerful new bike. The Sorcerer Hybrid combines state-of-the-art 14 kWh battery, AC electric motor and a 2-cylinder petrol engine to produce 230 hp. It even has a range of 200 miles (approximately 322 kilometres). Now you can have a part electric motorcycle which does sound like a petrol-powered one.

It’s not just all brawn and no brains, though. The bike utilizes the Druid Prophet A.I. (artificial intelligence) system. It continuously reads ride data in real time while learning algorithms adjust the bike for weather, hills and riding styles to optimize performance.

The prophet A.I. platform was developed hand-in-hand with engineers and mathematicians from Trencin Polytechnik Institut, a leading European university in the area of A.I. and space science.

“Druid is our dream of powerful and intelligent motorcycling come true.” says founder and lead designer Milan Svoboda. “I came to America years ago with only a vision. Today those ideas take shape and form the beginning of a new reality.”

The Druid Sorcerer Hybrid and Sorcerer XEV will be available for pre-order this May starting at a launch event in Austin, Texas. VISIT DRUID MOTORCYCLES for updates.

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

Rookie sensation Fabio Quartararo put himself and his Petronas Sepang Racing Team on pole for tomorrow’s Catalunya MotoGP.

It’s the fledgling team’s second pole position in their very first season in the premier class.

There are four Yamahas in the Top 5.

The Royal Malaysian Police will carry out more operations to nab motorcyclists who have “discipline problems,” including not utilizing the motorcycle lane.

Other offences include riding without a valid license and road tax.

They nabbed a motorcyclist who had 23 outstanding summonses and 9 arrest warrants two days ago.

A Russian moto-blogger was killed while he steered the motorcycle with his feet and texted on his phone.

Artem Boldyrev was riding with the bike in cruise control, while he sat in the passenger’s seat and steered with his feet and texted.

It was reported that his bike collided with a car on the highway.

Registration is now open for the GIVI Rimba Raid 2019 at Janda Baik.

The event will be held from 26th to 28th July.

Some 150 entries are expected for this event this year.

The Ducati Streetfighter V4 Pikes Peak prototype finally breaks cover.

It wears the “pixelated” paint scheme used for prototypes.

The bike will be raced at the prestigious “Race to the Clouds” Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) on 30th June.

Druid Motorcycles broke another new ground with the Druid Sorcerer Hybrid and Sorcerer XEV.

The Sorcerer Hybrid combines state-of-the-art battery, AC electric motor and a 2-cylinder petrol engine to produce 230 hp.

But both Sorcerer Hybrid and Sorcerer XEV utilize Druid’s latest A.I. platform.

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The event will be held from 26^thto 28^thJuly.

The bike will be raced at the prestigious “Race to the Clouds” Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) on 30^thJune.