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New Colours for 2020 Suzuki SV650

The 2020 Suzuki SV650 will receive new colours.
The SV650 continues its run after 20 years.
Will the new bikes head to Malaysia?

The 2020 Suzuki SV650 will receive new colours.

This year is the 20^thanniversary of the Suzuki SV650. Production began in 1999 as the smaller engine brother to the TL1000S. But while the TL1000S (and later TL1000R) lived short lifespans, the 650 soldiered on.

It became the questionably-styled Gladius 650 at one point before Suzuki went back to the original naked sportbike/standard bike design.

Its strength is that smooth V-Twin engine which provides plenty of torque. Also, its light handling is the best in its class and only beaten by the earlier Triumph Street Triple 675 and current 765.

The engine also powers the V-Strom 650 adventure bike. Suzuki will continue with the V-Strom 650 while dropping the V-Strom 1000 in 2020. The 650 is much easier to ride and has better ergonomics hence its popularity in Europe.

So, for 2020, the SV650 gains three new colours including the beautiful silver bodywork with blue frame and wheels scheme, matt black with red frame and wheels, and the blacked-out gloss black with black frame and wheels.

Will Suzuki Malaysia bring in the new SV650? Your guess is as good as mine, given their sloppiness in spreading the news about their bikes.

BMW Motorrad Auto Bavaria – S1K Malaysia Track Day

Auto Bavaria BMW hosted the S1K Malaysia club for track day at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday.
The S1K Malaysia club consists of BMW S 1000 RR superbike owners.
Participants rode on beautifully prepared bikes.

Auto Bavaria BMW Motorrad hosted the S1K Malaysia club for track day at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday.

As its name suggests, the S1K Malaysia club consists of BMW S 1000 RR superbike owners.

The track day was to allow S 1000 RR owners the opportunity to utilize their bikes the way they were designed for. The racetrack is the best venue to find the the riders’ and the bikes’ limits, in a safe and controlled manner.

While it was a mixed brand track day, the S 1000 RR owners were the most heavily represented. Owners had shown up with bikes that have been customized with beautiful paintjobs, exhaust systems and even lightweight wheels.

Although the entire session was for three hours, it was apparent that they enjoyed the day out regardless of their pace. There were fast riders who dragged elbows and knees, and there were riders who didn’t drag anything, yet they all went away with smiling faces.

It was also visible that the S 1000 RR were extremely suited to track work and didn’t required the riders to fight with their bikes.

On the other hand, the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR has yet to make an appearance. Auto Bavaria BMW Motorrad informed us that BMW Motorrad is having their hands full in order to satisfy demand.

PHOTO GALLERY

Wah Motor Superbikes – the Latest Kawasaki Ninja Shop and Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre

Wah Motor Superbikes is now the latest addition to the Kawasaki Ninja Shop and Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre network.
It is the official Kawasaki dealer and workshop to service the Klang community.
It was launched on Merdeka Day.

Wah Motor Superbikes is now the latest addition to the Kawasaki Ninja Shop and Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre network.

Wah Motor was opened exactly 50 years ago to cater to scooter riders but has since grown to sell motorcycles of all capacities including large capacity ones. But the shop has been transformed to a Kawasaki Ninja Shop.

As an official dealer, it offers the latest Kawasaki models from the smallest capacity to the largest. Indeed, there were the Ninja 250, three Z 900 RS variants, Ninja ZX-6R, Ninja ZX-10R, Versys 650 1000, Vulcan 650, and Kawasaki’s crown jewel the Ninja H2. Customers can also buy accessories and riding gear here.

Additionally, the Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre is fully-equipped with top range equipment and tools. The mechanics are highly trained technicians. Kawasaki owners can also find the Kawasaki Genuine Oil engine lubricant here (both semi-synthethic and fully-synthetic).

Wah Motor Superbikes is also now the Kawasaki official dealer to serve the Klang community.

The launch was carried out on the 62^ndMerdeka Day on 31^stAugust 2019. On hand for the launching were Kawasaki Motors (Malayasia) Sdn. Bhd. Executive Chairman, Ahmad Faez bin Tan Sri Yahaya, Kawasaki Motors (Malayasia) Sdn. Bhd. Managing Director Dato’ Jeffrey Lim, Wah Superbikes Managing Director Lee Chee Hoong, Malaysian Motorcycles and Scooters Dealers Association President Wee Hong.

Millennium Welt BMW Motorrad – BMW Motorrad Club Malaysia Merdeka Ride

Millennium Welt BMW Motorrad hosted the BMW Motorrad Club Malaysia (BMWMCM) members for a Merdeka ride themed “Sayangi Malaysiaku” (Love My Malaysia).
The convoy rode to Muar, Johor.
About 150 riders and guests took part.

Millennium Welt BMW Motorrad hosted the BMW Motorrad Club Malaysia (BMWMCM) members for a Merdeka ride.

The ride, themed “Sayangi Malaysiaku” (Love My Malaysia) was held on the 62^ndMerdeka Day, 31^stAugust 2019.

It began from 7.30am with the arrival of approximately 150 riders and guests, in preparation for a convoy to Muar, Johor. Stops included the Bukit Kepong Muzium as a reminder to Malaysia’s stand against communist guerillas.

The staff from Millennium Welt handed over the ride t-shirts and also Malaysian flags to be placed on the participants’ bikes. The flags signified the riders’ patriotism and love for the nation.

Apart from patriotism, the ride demonstrated that Malaysians stand together as one in spite of race, religion or creed. Indeed, the representatives called for solidarity and to reject racism and fundamentalism.

The dealer also served a great Malaysian meal before the flag off. The national anthem “Negaraku” was sung by all and proceeded with the shouts of “Merdeka!” (independence) ringing throughout the Metal Bees Production House and surroundings in Sunway Damansara.

This was the first Merdeka ride organized by Millennium Welt BMW Motorrad and they promised more of such rides in the future. Attendees also had the opportunity to test ride the latest BMW Motorrad models.

PHOTO GALLERY

Is a New BMW S 1000 XR in the Works?

BMW Motorrad may be working on a new BMW S 1000 XR sport-tourer.
The new bike’s engine needs to be Euro 5-compliant.
It needs to contend with the Ducati Multistrada V4 and KTM 1290 Super Adventure.

We reported earlier that the BMW S 1000 XR was missing from BMW Motorrad USA’s submission to the air control board.

While we don’t see many S 1000 XR on our shores, the model is highly popular in Europe and elsewhere. In fact, it outsold the S 1000 RR sportbike in BMW’s four-cylinder line-up.

To kill the model outright would see the manufacturer lose out in a huge market, so that could only mean one thing: That BMW is working on a new model.

Again, almost all manufacturers must build Euro 5-compliant models by 2020 or 2021. Older models will have to comply by 2020 while completely new models can comply by 2021.

The new S 1000 XR will definitely feature an engine with the new Shift Cam technology, as already fitted to the new S 1000 RR. The technology allows the engine to generate the required horsepower and keeping emissions low.

Speaking of power, the current bike’s engine produces 165 hp. We wonder if we’ll see a power hike in the new bike since it has to contend with the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure and the rumoured Ducati Multistrada V4.

The new S 1000 XR may also feature radar-controlled auto cruise. KTM is reportedly testing it on the next generation 1290 Super Adventure.

Hafizh Syahrin in PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team for Moto2 in 2020?

Is Hafizh Syahrin confirmed as a rider in the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team for Moto2 in 2020?
A website listed his name next to new signing Xavi Vierge’s.
There’s no official word yet from Hafizh or team principal Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali.

Is Hafizh Syahrin confirmed as a rider in the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team for Moto2 in 2020?

The Hafizh saga started when KTM moved Brad Binder from Moto2 to MotoGP to replace Hafizh Syahrin in the Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing Team. Since there was no opening left in the premier class for 2020, Hafizh mooted to return to Moto2.

Hafizh Syahrin on the KTM RC16 at Qatar 2019 – Photo credit MotoGP.com

At this point, Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal offered Hafizh a place in the Moto2 team. But soon after, KTM made the decision to pull out of Moto2 in 2020. Poncharal followed KTM’s plan and dediced to withdraw as well.

Hafizh went dark (as in quiet) since then.

However, something caught our eyes today.

Motorsport.com reported that Xavi Vierge will leave the Marc VDS team and join the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team in Moto2 next year. With the latter team currently running only Khairul Idham Pawi, it meant that he is out.

But hang on!

The website also published a list of confirmed riders for 2020, and Hafizh Syahrin’s name was listed together with Vierge in the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team!

List of confirmed Moto2 riders in 2020 – Credit motosport.com

This is the only website we’ve seen this thus far. There’s no official word yet from Hafizh or team principal Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali.

As for Pawi, it’s been rumoured that he will join the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team in Moto3, replacing Ayumu Sasaki and will line up next to John McPhee.