Yamaha has announced that it is recalling all 2015 YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M bikes sold so far in the US, UK and Canada to replace the gearbox following a number of failures on the new model.
It is said that there have been a small number of second gear ratio failures on racing and track bikes under extreme load and with mistimed gear-changes, which have led to the gearboxes seizing.
While Yamaha UK hasn’t explained what is happening in detail to owners, Yamaha USA has sent out letters with the necessary details to owners, explaining what the problem was and what needed to be repaired.
“In affected motorcycles, both second gear wheel and pinion gears in the transmission may break as a result of extremely high stress and/or improper shifting. This is due to inadequate component strength and stress concentration at the gear teeth bottom land. In addition, the third and fourth wheel gears may be deformed or break as a result of excessive stress caused by hard usage.
This is due to inadequate component strength. If gears fail, the transmission could lock up, causing loss of control that could result in a crash with injury or death,” said the letter.
BMW Motorrad rocked the motorcycling world when it finally decided to go big by going down-market. The firm has a strong foothold in the large-capacity segments already, so perhaps the creation of the all-new BMW G310R was inevitable.
It may be small, BMW has set its sights for world domination with its newest model. The firm recently released a promotional video that details some of the bike’s special traits and features in better.
If you didn’t know, the BMW G310R is the fruit of the German powerhouse’s partnership with India’s leading bike manufacturer, TVS. It comes powered using a newly developed 313cc single-cylinder engine with a claimed output of 34hp to propel a claimed unladen weight of 158.5kg (more details in our launch story).
Taking a few notes from Austrian rivals KTM, the BMW G310R is being mass-produced in India. The effort should see the baby beemer being priced similarly to its Austrian segment rival (read KTM 390 Duke). Suffice to say, this is one bike we are anxiously waiting for in 2016.
It seems that the cash flow injection by new shareholders Mercedes-AMG have done wonders for the MV Agusta brand. MV Agusta looks set to end the year on a high note after it recorded a 30% increase of its sales for 2015.
The firm reportedly sold up to 9,000 units worldwide this year, with much of the brand’s growth recorded outside of its Italian home market. The brand’s performance in its home market remain rather flat with a0.1% decrease this year compared to 2014, but elsewhere, the MV brand is thriving to say the least. One key market for the brand is the UK where it recorded a staggering 140% increase compared to 2014.
MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso 800
The firm states that revenue is up by 30% for 2015, which means it is enjoying larger-than-average contribution margin of 40%. Much of this is contributed by strong sales performance of several premium models, notably the likes of the Tursimo Veloce and Dragster RR.
MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800 RR
However, it is worth noting that MV Agusta did not unveil a new-for-2016 model during the recent EICMA 2015 show. Whether the brand is able to retain this momentum next year without a substantially new model remains to be seen.
Once again, KL Bike Week returns for its 2015 edition. Organisers Red Garage Malaysia is hosting the annual two-wheeled soiree in the grounds of Lanai MaTIC off Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. The two-day event starts today and will run until tomorrow (Dec 19).
Image courtesy of Red Garage Malaysia
This year, KL Bike Week 2015 organisers have arranged with city officials to have parts of Jalan Ampang leading towards the event grounds closed the hopes of making things easier for bikers coming in and out. Worry not as you can still visit the event by taking a train to either KLCC or Dang Wangi as both stations are just 10-minute walks from Lanai MaTIC. You can refer to the map we’ve attached below.
Another key highlight of the event this year besides the mass show of all things two wheeled are the presence of several local bands tasked at providing the event’s soundtrack from its main stage. Of course, the main highlight of the roster this year is none other than legendary local rock band Wings who will headline the stage on Saturday evening.
We took a tour in the early hours of the event earlier today to see what you can expect from KL Bike Week 2015 (#KLBW2015).
First of all, you’ll see plenty of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Much of the local Malaysian Harley-Davidson owners community will be present in full force.
KL Bike Week is also a mecca for many custom bike owners and enthusiasts. You’ll see them at every corner and perhaps resting under a tree like this threesome.
KL Bike Week is also the perfect place to hunt for bargains. Plenty of vendors are present here offering various things from souvenirs to apparels, as well as various bike parts, riding gear, not to mention services as well such as on-site bike detailing.
The amount of kits on sale are impressive too, and would please just about any DIY biker buff. What caught our attention today was this, the VOLO Advance Braking Indication system.
However, should you fancy some of the finer things the two-wheeled world can offer, you can also indulge in artisan crafts. This selection of custom-made helmets and wood paintings made by Indonesian bike artisans Riders Rules are one example.
Should you be the type who’s always carrying a cheque book in your pocket with a finer taste for bikes, then you might just find yourself oogling over some rarities up for sale by specialist importers present. We absolutely love this Ducati Paul Smart we found on display by specialist importers Sri Changgong Sdn Bhd.
Besides that, Sri Changgong’s collection also includes a range of classic Japanese GP-derived two-stroke sports bikes. The Yamaha RZV 500R and the two TZRs next to it have indeed reignited our love for two-strokers.
Sadly though, some bikes you’ll see on the grounds of KL Bike Week 2015 aren’t for sale, like this rare Honda NM4 Vultus maxi-scooter. Yes, you read that right, this blacked-out thing is a SCOOTER. And beleive it or not, it is taking all the limelight away from the blacked-out MV Agusta parked next to it.
Of course, KL Bike Week isn’t all about two-wheels. There are plenty of independent food vendors and stalls or gerai with a rich selection of F&B. Even bikers need to fuel up too, and so should you.
Our visit during the early hours today was short, so no sights of massive biker groups mingling around just yet. But this bloke walking around with a fiesty-looking parrot on his shoulder was interesting to say the least.
Also making an appearance is the 1Malaysia custom cruiser built by the famed Orange County Choppers. Was this budgeted using the hotly contested RM2.6 billion? Hmmm…
Got the need for speed? Well then, let BikesRepublic.com and Shell Advance remedy that for you virtually! Yes, we are present this year together with our partners Shell Advance Malaysia and you can win exclusive prizes in our simulator tournament just by visiting our booth!
So? What are you waiting for? Come on down tonight and experience some of the best of Malaysian motorcycling at its finest!
Uncertain about his future in the WSBK World Superbike Championship, rider Leon Haslam is all set to make a return to the MCE British Superbike championship in 2016.
Sources say that the 32-year-old will be teaming up with JG Speedfit Kawasaki, and will ride alongside James Ellison and Peter Hickman.
It is said that this will be the first Haslam will be riding a Kawasaki machinery in his career. And with a brand new bike closely developed with the factory team of Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes, it could be the chance that Haslam needs to finally bury his demons in the domestic series.
Although no official announcements have been made, Haslam did mention that he was looking at BSB options, and that interesting offers have already been made by certain parties.
Two of motorcycling’s biggest and leading apparels brands are tangled in a legal battle over a groundbreaking piece of safety technology. The two are none other than Alpinestars and Dainese, and the tech in question are their respective Tech Air and D-Air airbag technologies. (more…)
