Motorcycle news, Motorcycle reviews from Malaysia, Asia and the world

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

Modenas Dominar vs truck: Who do you think will win this showdown?

Priced at just RM13,788, the Modenas Dominar has proven to be a success story in Malaysia.
It is also hugely popular all around the world as it offers incredible value for money.
Comfortable and powerful, the Modenas Dominar is also incredibly well built as the photos below have proven.

When buying a bike, build quality is probably not up there on the priority list. Power, comfort, design, price and reliability will probably be the focus, and then build quality. But admittedly not always in that order.

Well, every once in a while though comes a bike that seemingly does it all and does it well. Enter the Bajaj Dominar 400, known locally in Malaysia as the Modenas Dominar.

It is a bike we rode in India last year and grew to be particularly fond of. It has a lively 373cc engine that gives you better power output than most bikes in its class. It also comes with Brembo brakes and an adjustable rear monoshock suspension. It features an LED headlight and a smooth-shifting 6-speed gearbox, in short, there is nothing much to complain about when it comes to the Dominar.

And then there is the build quality. Now quality is usually subjective as it is usually difficult to assess how well-built a bike is. Touch and feel is usually the only way to tell. But not anymore.

These photos have been circulating around the internet showing a Dominar that was rear ended by a truck. And as you can see, the bike won. If this is not a testament to the brilliant build quality of the Dominar, then we’re not sure what would be a good testament.

This accident supposedly took place in Kerala, India, and though we’re not sure who the photos belong to, we’re glad he or she posted them online. As is clearly visible here, the bike is stuck in the front grille and the front bumper of the truck, and that’s what is holding the bike upright.

Perhaps the owner got really lucky, but credit is due where it is deserved and we tip our hat to Bajaj for their solid build quality. Well done.

Managing Marquez and Lorenzo Likely a Challenge: Repsol Honda MotoGP

Honda MotoGP Team admits it will be “challenging” to manage the relationship of both riders.
The manufacturer will also have to build a bike which suits both riders.
Pundits are rubbing their hands together in glee to see how it works out.

Repsol Honda MotoGP Team, like everyone else knows it when they signed Jorge Lorenzo to partner Marc Marquez. It has always been known that different riders have not only different riding styles but also different personalities. Besides that, it obviously no secret how they demand for the equipment to suit their riding styles.

There have been many times when the manufacturer builds a motorcycle which favours the No. 1 rider – he who finished the previous season in a higher position than his teammate.

Marquez and his Repsol Honda MotoGP team

As such, many MotoGP pundits are wondering how Marc Marquez and Honda will cope with Jorge Lorenzo when he moves to the team next year from Ducati.

Although the signing of Lorenzo gives Honda two MotoGP title-winning riders in the same team since Eddie Lawson partnered with Wayne Gardner in 1989, Repsol Honda MotoGP team Boss, Alberto Puig admits that it’ll be a challenge to manage the mercurial pair’s relationship.

“Of course, not easy,” he said during the press conference at the Sachsenring, “But if wanted things to be easy, probably we wouldn’t run a team at this level. It’s complicated, but it’s a challenge.”

Marquez rides a V-shaped line – from MotoGP.com

On the rationale behind signing up Lorenzo, Puig replied, “The understanding is that the team wants to have the best riders, this is the principle. The possibility to sign him up was there and we took it. For Honda it’s important to prepare the best bikes we can and give them to the riders that are faster.”

Speaking about the “best bikes,” Honda will have their hands full in building a bike that suits the riding styles of both riders. Marquez rides a “V-shaped” line: Brakes late, snaps the bike over at the apex and stands it back up early, using the engine’s power to blast away. Lorenzo’s style is the opposite: He uses the traditional “long arc” of braking early and carrying more corner speed, hence he needs the most stability at the turn in and most lean angle.

Jorge Lorenzo carries more corner speed hence needs lots of lean angle – from MotoGP.com

“We don’t know Jorge, which kind of machine he wants,” said Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) General Manager Tetshuhiro Kuwata, “But of course we will try to adapt to his requirements. And also Marc has a lot of requests to us, and we try to achieve this.”

Kuwata-San rubbished claims that the current RC213V is developed entirely around Marc Marquez’s needs, “Now we are developing for Marc and also for Dani. It’s not only for one rider. So we will continue the same way next year.”

Honda and Yamaha to Introduce Hybrid Scooters in Thailand

Honda and Yamaha will promote hybrid motorcycles in Thailand.
Honda had released the PCX 150 Hybrid in Indonesia earlier this month while Yamaha will launch the Grand Filano hybrid in Vietnam, soon.
Although the new Honda PCX 150 was launched in Malaysia a few weeks ago, it is not the hybrid nor electric as we hoped.

Honda Motor Co. and Yamaha Motor Co., are confident in promoting hybrid scooters in Thailand as global attention shift to such motorcycles.

Honda has plans to launch the PCX Hybrid in August while Yamaha released the Yamaha Grand Filano Hybrid last week in the Kingdom. Both models are incidentally the first hybrid motorcycles for each manufacturer.

The 150cc PCX Hybrid is equipped with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, boasting fuel economy of 52.3 km/liter, and will sell for less than THB 120,000 baht (RM 14,600).

A.P. Honda Co., Honda’s Thai sales arm, is confident in selling 2,000 units of the PCX Hybrid per year.

On the other hand, the Yamaha Grand Filano starts at THB 55,500 (RM 6,700). Thai Yamaha Motor Co., plans to sell 7,000 units per month, on merit of a more competitive pricing.

The Thai domestic motorcycle market has around 2 million units, with A.P. Honda accounting for 80% share, and Thai Yamaha at approximately 15.2 percent, in the first half of this year.

The Thai government intends to shift the tax base for motorcycles from cylinder capacity to carbon dioxide emissions following a similar change for automobiles implemented in 2016.

The duopoly’s hybrid model launches could raise awareness of eco-friendly vehicles in the country.

Surapong Paisitpattanapong, a spokesman for an automotive group at the Federation of Thai Industries, said that demand for hybrid motorbikes in Thailand is expected to gradually grow, like hybrid passenger cars, as manufacturers need some time to raise recognition about the new technology.

Honda released the PCX Hybrid in Indonesia early this month and will start selling it in Japan on Sept. 14, while Yamaha plans to launch the Grand Filano in Vietnam.

Boon Siew Honda had just released the new PCX 150 in Malaysia a few weeks ago, but we are also waiting for either the hybrid or electric model.

2018 Honda PCX Launched by Boon Siew Honda

2018 Ducati Scrambler 1100 to Debut at Art of Speed

The Ducati Scrambler 1100 was first unveiled at EICMA 2017.
Next Bike will unveil it to the Malaysian public at Art of Speed 2018 this weekend.
The Scrambler 1100 range is set to bring more riders into the “Land of Joy”.

Ever since the 2018 Ducati Scrambler 1100 was unveiled to the public during EICMA 2017, Malaysian enthusiasts have been anticipating its arrival at our shores. (Please click on the link below to check out our report.) The good news is Next Bike Sdn. Bhd., the sole distributor of Ducati motorcycles in Malaysia will unveil both the Scrambler 1100 Special and 1100 Sport variants at the Art of Speed (AOS) 2018 exposition on 28^th July.

2018 Ducati Scrambler 1100 – The most powerful Ducati Scrambler yet

The Scrambler 1100 will expand the Scrambler’s “Land of Joy” range and it set to increase the ranks of Scrambler fans throughout Malaysia.

Powering the bike is a 1079cc, air-cooled, Desmodromic, 4-valve, L-Twin (90^o V-Twin) which produces 86 bhp @ 7500 RPM and 88 Nm @ 4750 RPM. That’s not all as the new models receive electronic rider assistance such as ride modes with 3 settings, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Bosch’s latest Cornering ABS.

The 3 ride modes are ACTIVE which offers full engine power and limited traction control (akin to SPORT mode), JOURNEY which offers full power and appropriate power delivery (akin to TOURING mode), and CITY which limits power to 74 bhp and provides the smoothest power delivery (much like URBAN or RAIN mode).

As for rolling stock, all three models (“basic”, Special and Sport) are equipped with Brembo 4.32 Monobloc 4-piston calipers, and adjustable suspension, although the basic model and Special shares ø45mm fully adjustable USD Marzocchi forks and Kayaba monoshock. The Sport, on the other hand, features ø45mm fully adjustable USD Öhlins forks and Öhlins monoshock. Additionally, both the “basic” and Sport share the same 10-spoke 17” allow rims, while the Special uses 17” spoked aluminium wheels.

Other details have also been updates to distinguish the 1100 from the 821cc and 400cc models. The headlamp now features a prominent “X” and a new LCD instrument cluster. Although the 1100 is air-cooled, there are aluminium “radiator” shrouds behind the forks.

However, the most distinguishing styling feature has to be the dual high-mounted exhaust silencers which the Italian manufacture says will produce the “pure Ducati V-Twin” exhaust note.

Next Bike is confident that the Ducati Scrambler 1100 Special and Scrambler 1100 Sport will steal the show from the many new bikes set to be launched during AOS, so be sure to visit the show this weekend.

Art of Speed 2018 will be held on 28^th to 29^th July 2018 at MAEPS Mardi, Serdang. Please refer to the map below.

PICTURE GALLERY

How Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus will make Valentino Rossi richer

Cristiano Ronaldo just completed a big money move to Italian giants Juventus from Real Madrid.
The demand for Juventus apparel will soon spike as soon as Ronaldo’s new jersey hits the shops.
Valentino Rossi’s popular merchandising company, the VR46 Racing Apparel company, is the official supplier of all Juventus related merchandise, and other big name racers and companies.

It seems odd that Valentino Rossi will stand to profit from Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent move to Italian football club, Juventus. But that is exactly what is set to happen.

According to reports, the VR46 Racing Apparel company which belongs to Rossi, and one that specializes in the production of merchandise for popular athletes and companies, is in fact producing all merchandise for Juventus as well.

The VR46 Racing Apparel company produces all merchandise for some top MotoGP riders including Marc Marquez, but that ended in 2016. The company still produces merchandise for Daniel Pedrosa, Cal Crutchlow, Kevin Schwantz and others.

As for companies, the company produces merchandise for the Juventus football club, Yamaha, Monster Energy, KTM, Dainese, AGV, Oakley, GoPro and even Lamborghini.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 100 million Euro transfer to Juventus is expected to lead to a spike in demand for Juventus apparel, which would inadvertently result in more business for the VR46 Racing Apparel company.

The VR46 Racing Apparel is rumored to have closed the 2017 fiscal year with a profit of 30 million Euros.

And that is how Valentino Rossi will make money from Ronaldo’s transfer.

Benelli Opens First BEST-Shop in Selangor

Italian motorcycle brand Benelli and their authorized dealer have opened their first ever BEST-Shop in Kajang, Selangor.
It is the fourth BEST-Shop in Malaysia, containing a showroom, service centre, accessories and spare parts counter.
The shop address is No. 2, Jalan Hentian 2, Hentian Kajang, Jalan Reko, 43000 Kajang, Selangor.

Benelli Malaysia and authorized dealer Kedai Motorsikal Tenaga Sdn. Bhd. have opened their first ever Benelli exclusive station called BEST-Shop in Selangor. It is also the fourth BEST-Shop in the country.

Located in Kajang, Selangor, the BEST-Shop is situated in a new-renovated corner-lot and houses a motorcycle gallery which showcases the full range of Benelli’s motorcycles, a state-of-the-art service centre, and a genuine accessories and spare parts corner.

“Benelli has received overwhelming response in Malaysia since the launch of few popular demand models including super cub RFS 150i, touring bike TRK 502 and classic Leoncino. Backed by this demand, an exclusive showroom and service centre in Selangor state will ensure all Benelli owners can enjoy the best-in-class ownership experience that our brand stands for.”, said En. Asri Ahmad, Operation General Manager of MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd.

En. Asri added, “Benelli Malaysia has recently been selected and appointed as the sole Road Test Center in South East Asia by Benelli Global. Therefore, all new motorcycles will be tested in Malaysia before launching in other ASEAN countries. This new milestone gives us immense pleasure and motivation indeed! In 2017 Benelli Malaysia was awarded the best in Global Sales, Network Sales Management & Product Launching, we are on track to achieve the feat again for 2018 and also en route to be the best in After Sales Service for the year 2018 as well”.

The shop address is No. 2, Jalan Hentian 2, Hentian Kajang, Jalan Reko, 43000 Kajang Selangor. Opening hours are from 9am – 7pm from Mondays to Fridays, 9am – 6pm on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays. For more information, please contact BEST-Shop Kajang at Tel 03-8737 2161, Fax 03-8741 0891 or log on to Benelli’s official website at https://malaysia.benelli.com/ or Facebook page at http://fb.com/malaysia.benelli