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Hafizh Syahrin: Looking Forward to Great Results with KTM

KTM organized a Meet the Fans session at the Sepang International Circuit.
There was also a special press conference.
Hafizh’s Tech 3 team has switched to KTM for the 2019 MotoGP season.

It was a shock when Tech 3 announced their move to the KTM after being associated with Yamaha for 20 years. The announced was made almost immediately after the signing Malaysia rider Hafizh Syahrin to the team when it was called Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha.

But Hafizh’s determination shone through in his rookie season when he very nearly captured the Rookie of the Year crown, instead of Franco Morbidelli.

For the 2019 season, the now Red Bull Tech 3 KTM team retains Hafizh’s services. He is set to partner Miguel Oliviera who stepped up from KTM’s Moto2 team.

Anyway, KTM Malaysia, the KTM regional office, dignitaries and Tech 3 teams members held a special conference for the Malaysian media featuring Hafizh Syahrin on the eve of the shakedown run which begins from 1^stthrough 3^rdFebruary 2019.

KTM motorcycle owners also supported the event, and were rewarded with Hafizh Syahrin and Pol Espargaro’s autographs.

The Q&A session was held between Hafizh Syahrin and the emcee.

It was apparent that Hafizh is a competitive person. When asked why he started racing, he replied succinctly, “Because I like to race. I’m determined to procure what I want so racing fits into my character.”

There were questions into his preferences, including his race number 55. “Personally, race numbers should mean something. My race number is actually my birthday – 5^thMay 1994.”

On his nickname El Pescao, “I was in the Spanish CEV series in 2012. I was very new and alien to what needs to be done. My first race was wet, and my crew was doing the best to replace the tyres. I started from the pits in 24^thposition but charged up the field to finish 5^th. The crew had trouble calling my name one of them decided to call me El Pescao, which means fish in Spanish.”

“I felt that El Pescao looked good when designed as graphics, so I decided to stick with that nickname.”

However, Hafizh is associated with another nickname recently called, “#BO55KU.” “It started in Sabah. I was training with the National Cycling Team and they kept using the term ‘Bossku’,” elaborated Hafizh. “It can mean ‘Bro’ and also ‘Boss’. I started using it a year ago and it’s now viral.”

Back to business, Hafizh was queried on how he felt about his 2018 season. “I didn’t expect to be in MotoGP in 2018. I’d like to say thank you to Dato’ Razlan (Razali, CEO of Sepang International Circuit) and also Hervé(Poncharal, Principal of Tech 3 Racing) for making this happen.”

Of course, the question we expected was asked, “What is the difference between the KTM RC16 and Yamaha YZR-M1 last year?”

Hafizh: “The KTM RC16 really looks good (he’s probably alluding to ‘if it looks good, it goes good).” He added, “The Yamaha felt soft when accelerating off corners but the RC16, being a V-Four has more torque at the bottom (of the RPM range). It feels more aggressive.”

“I did enjoy myself on the bike (during the Valencia and Jerez post-season tests) but I need more time to fully learn it.”

“It’s not easy for me and the team as they have been with Yamaha for more than 20 years. The bike itself is new, the chassis, suspension (WP instead of Öhlins). However, I’m happy to be with this team because they provide me with many things to understand the bike. The crew went to the KTM factory in Austria during the 2-month break to improve the bike.”

“I got some feedback from the team and can’t wait to try the bike beginning tomorrow, for 6 days (including the first pre-season test). 6 days may seem a lot but it allows use to work more on the bike.”

The question on everyone’s minds, Malaysian KTM fans in particular is whether there will be a “Hafizh Syahrin” replica. KTM Malaysia will issue a special liveried RC 390 which mimics the Winter Test bike. It will be announced later in the year and will wear Hafizh Syahrin’s colours.

“We have new colour that’s very nice. I think it’s different from everyone else’s. I hope you guys can wait until 12^thFebruary as we are launching the new MotoGP bikes in Austria.”

“Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me, including my fans. For sure I will do my best in 2019. I made some rookie mistakes last year which cost me some good positions. I’ve learned from my mistakes and hope not to repeat them.”

PICTURE GALLERY

FIM Petitioning International Olympic Committee to Include Trial-E

The FIM is lobbying the International Olympic Committee to include Trial-E riding.
Trials riders are supreme athletes in order for them to scale and clear obstacles.
If accepted, Trials-E will be the first motorsport in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The FIM (Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme) is lobbying to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include electric trial motorcycle competition in the Olympic Games.

Trial riding is an awe-inspiring motorcycle sport in which competitors are challenged to ride over seemingly impossible obstacles. As such the riders are true athletes who have gone through years of conditioning and training.

The FIM is already organizing their own E-Trial series as part of the Trial World Championship. The riders ride electric trial bikes in the E-Trial series, which began in 2017.

In view of this, the FIM hopes the IOC will include Trial-E in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Each Olympics games add new sports. For example, baseball, softball, surfing, sports climbing, karate and skateboarding will be added to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In order to enter a new sport, the IOC states that the activity must be youth-focused, allows both men and women to join, sustainable, spectacular, available on all continents and requires no new infrastructure. Trials riding does look like it meets all these requirements.

Jorge Viegas, FIM president, says “We are convinced that the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 represent a unique and historic opportunity to allow Trial-E to become the first motorsport discipline to be part of the Olympic Games. This great première will be the foundation for a strong relationship that will bring the FIM, the IOC and all the Olympic family closer together for many years to come.”

Trial-E will become the first motorsport in the Olympics if it is accepted. Malaysia has our own premier trial rider, Acoi Pangkolo.

“You can be angry at the Minister of Transport” says YB Anthony Loke

Minister of Transport, YB Anthony Loke insists on no discounts for JPJ summonses.
Such measure seeks to educate road users and not let offenders off lightly.
He may also talk to local authorities to not provide discounts for traffic offences.

It is very evident that the Minister of Transportation, YB Anthony Loke is determined in revamping the transportation system and lowering accident rates in Malaysia.

Consequently, he is aware that certain quarters of the Rakyat will feel angry at his measures. “You can be angry at the Minister of Transport if you want to,” he said during the launch of Ops Bersepadu (Integrated Ops) and Road Safety Campaign 2019 in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, at the southbound Dengkil R&R.

The Minister made the remark after insisting that no discounts will be considered for the summonses for traffic offences issued by the Road Transport Department (JPJ – Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan).

He justifies the decision as a move to reduce traffic accidents hence deaths among road users. To him, the attitude of waiting for discounts gives the impression that the summonses are unimportant, instead of educating road users to road safety.

“We don’t want road users to take the summonses lightly,” YB Anthony said.

He further added that he knows the measure will incur the ire among road users in the country.

“You can be angry at the Minister of Transport, if you want. But my task is to lower the accident rates in the country. That is part of my Key Performance Index (KPI),” he said.

He also said that he will intends meet with local authorities to not provide discounts for traffic summonses.

2019 Aprilia Shiver 900 Launched (from RM 72,200)

Didi Resources Sdn. Bhd. launched the 2019 Aprilia Shiver 900 today.
It features a number of redesigns, mechanical and electronic updates.
It also shares a number of components with the RSV4 and Tuono V4 1100.

Didi Resources Sdn. Bhd. launched the 2019 Aprilia Shiver 900 today.

The Shiver 900 marks the first model launched by the new Aprilia Malaysia, since their confirmation as the new distributor, their inaugural track day and opening of a new service centre at The Gasket Alley located in Petaling Jaya. Mr. Goh Kian Sin and Mr. Juan Chow Wee, the Managing Director and General Manager of Didi Resources Sdn. Bhd., respectively, unveiled the new bike.

Being a naked standard, the Shiver 900 should open the door to more Malaysian bikers to the Aprilia brand. It is undoubtedly more accessible than the RSV4 superbike and Tuono V4 1100.

Its predecessor, the Shiver 750 sold well in Malaysia and well-known worldwide as a supremely reliable motorcycle.

The 2019 Shiver 900 was introduced at Intermot 2018.

Highlights:

896.1cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8-valve, 90^oV-Twin engine.
The engine produces 95.2 bhp (70 kW) at 8,750 RPM, 90 Nm of torque at 6,500 RPM.
New more efficient exhaust system.

Pistons with reduced friction.
Semi-dry internal lubrication circuit reduces power losses.
More efficient fuel-injectors.
Automatic decompressor to ease starting when the engine is cold.
Redesigned clutch reduces lever effort by 15%.

The 2019 Shiver 900 enters its third year of production since 2017.
Ride-by-wire (rbw) throttle (the Shiver 750 was the first production bike to use that technology).
3 ride mode modes: Sport, Touring, Rain.
Marelli 7SM ECU shard with the RSV4 and Tuono 1100 V4.
Advanced traction control with three level and switchable.
Continental dual-channel ABS.
4.3-inch TFT screen (adopted from the RSV4 and Tuono).

The TFT features Aprilia MIA multimedia and phone connectivity, plus navigation (through the smartphone app).

Redesigned fuel tank side covers, side panels, tail and front mudguard.
Kayaba forks adjustable for preload and rebound damping.

Sachs rear shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping.
Offered in Challenging Red and Innovation Dark colours.

95 bhp may not seem much, but the most important factor here is the spread of 2,250 RPM between maximum torque and peak horsepower. This is what’s known as an engine’s “flexibility.” A wider spread means the torque curve is smoother, besides allowing the bike to accelerate quickly in any gear.

The Shiver 900 ought to inherit the Shiver 750’s great handling characteristic, since it retains similar chassis architecture.

The 2019 Aprilia Shiver 900 is fully-imported and priced from RM 72,000 (including SST but not on-the-road).

The bike is available from Aprilia Malaysia at The Gasket Alley, Welly World Cycle Sg. Buloh and Sheng Fatt Sdn. Bhd. in Penang. Please visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/apriliaofficialmalaysia/ and https://www.aprilia.com/en_EN/ for more information.

2019 APRILIA SHIVER 900
ENGINE
Engine type	4-stroke, DOHC, 8-valve, liquid-cooled, parallel-Twin
Displacement	896.1 cc
Bore x Stroke	92.0 mm x 67.4 mm
Power	95.2 bhp (70 kW) @ 8,750 RPM
Torque	90 Nm @ 6,500 RPM
Compression ratio	11.6:1
Transmission	6-speed
Fuel system	Electronic fuel injection with ride-by-wire throttle and 3 ride modes
Clutch	Multiple-plate wet clutch, hydraulically-operated
CHASSIS
Frame	Modular tubular steel frame fastened to aluminium side plates. Dismountable rear frame.
FRONT SUSPENSION	ø 41 mm upside-down forks, adjustable for preload and rebound damping
REAR SUSPENSION	Monoshock adjustable for preload and rebound damping, aluminium swingarm
FRONT BRAKE	2 X radially-mounted four-piston calipers, ø 320 mm floating discs
REAR BRAKE	1 X Single-piston caliper, ø 240 mm brake disc
TYRE FRONT; REAR	120/70-ZR17; 180/55-ZR17
STEERING HEAD ANGLE	25.9^o
TRAIL	109 mm
WHEEL BASE	1465 mm
SEAT HEIGHT	810 mm
FUEL TANK CAPACITY	15 litres
KERB WEIGHT	218 kg (with full tank)

Boon Siew Honda Aims to Be Top Brand in 2019

Boon Siew Honda wants to be the top brand in Malaysia in 2019.
BSH sold nearly 156,000 motorcycles in 2018.
As such, they hold 30% market share.

Boon Siew Honda (BSH) aims to put the Honda brand in top position in 2019.

BSH is confident in achieving this goal by setting the benchmark in each motorcycle segment through their range of models and brand positioning.

BSH Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Keiichi Yasuda said that their confidence was boosted by the company’s performance in 2018. The official Honda motorcycle distributor in Malaysia sold almost 156,000 units last year. It marks an outstanding 28.7% gain from the 121,000 units sold in 2017.

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BMW S 1000 RR Ready for 2019 WorldSBK season

The 2019 WorldSBK BMW S 1000 RR was unveiled in Portugal.
Details of the bike show some of the high-tech components.
However, there are a number of more interesting details.

BMW Motorrad unveiled their new S 1000 RR 2019 WorldSBK season contender in Portugal last night. However, they only released the picture Shaun Muir Racing (SMR) team and riders Tom Sykes and Markus Reiterberger.

Asphalt & Rubber, on the other hand, sent in their photographer Steve English to shoot the following details. Here they are in their full glory.

Thumb brake

The most interesting thing one could pick out is the thumb brake lever on Tom Sykes’ bike. Thumb brakes are becoming the norm in racing as more and more riders dangle their legs during hard braking. The only way to activate the rear brake while dangling the right leg is with a thumb brake lever.

Also, a thumb brake can allow riders to press it subtly while leaned over in a corner to tighten their lines. It may also be helpful in helping to control wheelies out of corners.

The multi-colored buttons on the handlebars control the bike’s electronics such the pit lane speed limiter, traction control, engine mapping, etc.

Swingarm

The swingarm on the S 1000 RR WorldSBK racer looks similar to the stock unit. However, the hollow space (where the Regina and Akrapovic decals are) has been filled in, most probably in the interest of adding rigidity.

The stock 2019 BMW S 1000 RR’s swingarm already looks like the race unit’s. It just shows BMW Motorrad’s commitment to winning the WorldSBK and other superbike racing crowns, by designing something that’s pretty much race-ready.

Nissin front brake calipers

The main surprise are the Nissin brake calipers instead of the usual Brembos. The Japanese brake manufacturer has been trying to break Brembo’s dominance in the racing fraternity. In any case, we hope Nissin will trickle down the lessons learned in WSBK to their road products.