BMW Motorrad Malaysia recently celebrated their annual BMW Motorrad Night Fuel event held at the Malaysia. There were many highlights of the night which included the launch of the all-new 2019 BMW R 1250 GS, R 1250 GS Adventure, and the F 850 GS Adventure. We got our hands on the latest R 1250 GS and we’re here to answer the question; can you ride it on a daily basis? (more…)
We wondered how we’d receive the 2019 Yamaha YZF-R25 when we picked it up from Hong Leong Yamaha Motor in Sungai Buloh.
After all, the 2019 R25 is cosmetically new while retaining the same engine and frame. The front forks are now upside-down, but basically that’s it.
That’s until we rode it.
The Yamaha YZF-R6/YZF-R1 inspired styling certainly gave the bike a fresher look in the bike’s mid-lifespan (wish that could happen with humans).
The fairing looks simple in pictures but there are some pretty nifty details to admire. Additionally, it gives the look of a larger bike. The fuel tank was certainly updated and looked like it was lifted off the YZF-R1M.
Yamaha retained the styling of the old bike for the tailsection.
There is a new LCD screen embedded behind the windscreen. It’s not exactly elegant but it provides the necessary data in an easy to read manner.
The headlamps have gone fully-LED.
It turned out that the forks aren’t merely there to look good. Yamaha seemed to have set the handlebars slightly more forward and down, which translated to a sportier poise. The previous YZF-R25 may look sporty, but it put the rider in a straight-up position.
We were surprised at how much better the new bike steers now. With more weight on the front wheel, there was better stability in mid-corner. Front tyre feedback and damping improved a lot as well.
The fuel tank helped a lot in cornering too. The edges supported our forearms much better when we hung off in corners.
We were surprised to find that the rear shock’s damping rate was revised as well. The old bike’s shock tended to squat and rebound, but the 2019 bike’s rear end stayed planted.
So now, you could really just pin the throttle slam the bike through fast corners with more confidence.
The engine’s character remains the same since it’s unchanged. Revs pick up progressively until the tachometer hits 6,500 RPM, pointing towards a fatter midrange rather than top-end power.
Speaking about power, perhaps Yamaha would draw more performance from the engine in the future. But we’ll have to see.
The 2019 Yamaha YZF-R25 is one handsome bike and handles pretty good. We would retain the frame and chassis if were building a Frankenstein 250cc bike. The engine needs more top-end rush but the midrange torque makes the bike easier to live with during the daily commute.
A new Triumph Tiger was caught undergoing tests recently.
It’s no secret that our favourite bikes include the Triumph Tiger 800 lineup (the 800 XRx and 800 XCx). The current third generation family features more than 300 revisions and new components from their predecessor, making it not only the best adventure bikes, but among the best of all motorcycles we’ve ever ridden.
We wondered what how Triumph could improve on the second generation during the third generation’s launch and we wonder again now as the fourth generation is being tested.
Well, the pictures (credit to RideApart.com) shows a bike which seems to be completely reworked, possibly from the ground up!
There are rumours circulating that the engine will be bumped up to 900cc. Such “displacement creed” is inevitable, given the new and more restrictive Euro5 regulations on emissions. Adhering to the current displacement would mean loss of performance. Also, Triumph’s rivals such as BMW Motorrad and now Moto Guzzi have introduced 850cc models into this highly competitive segment.
Let’s go back to the pictures. The styling retains the Tiger 800 DNA but the front has been made smaller, but the flanks around the fuel tank remain. Check out the new radiator shrouds.
We reckon the bike to be the flagship XCa configuration. The front Brembo brakes calipers and suspension definitely look high end.
Moving backwards, the whole bike seemed to have been revised.
The frame looks new and so does the subframe. The passenger footpeg looks more elegant and are attached to the subframe via bolts, rather than being welded on. That’s great news for off-road riders!
The seats look flatter and hopefully they are Triumph Comfort Seats. Those are the best in the ADV world. That passenger grab rail is huge and is a welcomed feature, especially if you install hard luggage and need to push the bike around.
Its tail end also has a new styling, breaking away from the dual vertical brake light tradition.
Moving downwards, the exhaust silencer looks similar to the current one but it certainly looks bigger on this bike. Remember, Euro5 doesn’t only put a cap on engine emissions but also noise. A bigger silencer er… silences better.
The swingarm is likewise new – the most visible feature being that slot. The rear brake caliper’s mounting is also different. The rear shock’s linkage remains the same for a more progressive damping characteristic.
Well, that’s as much conclusion as we could draw from a few photographs. The new Triumph Tiger ought to be unveiled at EICMA in November, earliest.
Source: RideApart
Day 8 of the GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 was scheduled to coincide with the GIVI Rimba Raid at Janda Baik 2019 from the very start.
There were a number of reasons for this. Firstly, it was the second edition of Rimba Raid with GIVI’s participation. Secondly, it was a great opportunity for the GIVI Explorers to witness the event first hand. Thirdly, it was GIVI’s 25th anniversary in Malaysia.
Rimba Raid has definitely grown from a hobbyist event set up by Dato’ Capt. Nik Huzlan just 5 years ago. Whereas last year’s GIVI Rimba Raid at Mat Daling drew in 105 competitors from 11 countries, this year’s had to be capped at 150 participants from 16 countries.
The overworked crews from Rimba Raid and GIVI had set up the event areas at Rimba Valley Motorcamp, ILMU and flag-off point extensively by the time we arrived from the National Elephant Sanctuary at Kuala Gandah.
Like at Mat Daling, the competitors convoyed to the flag-off area a short distance away from ILMU. There, they were let loose one at a time by Dato’ Capt. Nik, Joseph Perucca, and On Hai Swee.
We then rode to the finish line at Kampung GIVI at the Rimba Valley Motorcamp. The GIVI Malaysian Adventure marshals helped to ride our bikes in. It’s a much better solution rather than convoying in en masse on the dirt road as there was heavy traffic going in and coming out of the area.
We had spent about an hour at the flag-off point for pictures and such. The first finishers including Gabit Saleh, Bee Wong, Alex Wong and a few more were already at the parc ferme. (You guys are crazy!)
GIVI’s envoy in the race, ex-Dakar racer Jeremias Israel was there, too. However, it was a heartache for him and us GIVI Explorers as he crashed the specially-prepared Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE and retired. He had swerved to avoid a course marshal and went down hard. Thankfully, he was unhurt. It was hard to see the disappointment on his face. But that’s racing.
The Explorers had a great time mingling around with the riders and were moving about everywhere snapping pictures and selfies. Remember, the GIVI Explorers were from 14 countries so those images are circulated around the world.
At lunchtime, GIVI arranged for a number of dirtbikes for the Explorers to ride to a farm. The smiles under their helmets were very visible as soon as they got on! They were led by four marhsals, including one lady.
The farm consists of a few fish rearing ponds and the Explorers got right into fishing mode. Everyone caught one. GIVI somehow managed to convince the Rebung Restaurant to serve lunch in the jungle, so we ate while watching race competitors blast by.
We went back to Kampung GIVI to follow the rest of the race. Evidently, the course was much harder this time. Only 17 of 40 Class A competitors completely the race. A Thai rider nursed his cut hand and almost-destroyed bike back to the finish line and then shouted for the medic like in war movies. He actually finished fourth overall!
We stayed until the prize-giving ceremony. Dato’ Capt. Nik commended all those who joined regardless of where they finished.
I guess we could say that joining GIVI Rimba Raid itself was a personal victory in itself for each participant.
The Explorers were entertained not only by a basker band, but also by Sam Sharman who worked the mike and Joseph Perucca who played percussions!
GIVI Rimba Raid will definitely be bigger next year. GIVI’s white and red together with Rimba Raid’s green and yellow logos are now synonymous with each other, working symbiotically rather than merely alongside each other.
Let’s hope the adventure continues.
Please click on this link for our report on GIVI Rimba Raid at Janda Baik 2019.
Please click on this link for GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 Day Seven.
Please click on this link for GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 Day Six.
Please click on this link for GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 Days Four and Five.
Please click on this link for GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 Day Three.
Please click on this link for GIVI Malaysian Adventure 2019 Kick Off.
The Piaggio Group reported a 12% increase in consolidated net sales for the first half (H1) of 2019, compared to the same period last year. The conglomerate cited the Moto Guzzi V85TT as the main driving force for the uptick.
The increased net sales translate to € 817 million, up from € 729 million in H1 2018. Net profit after tax is up 29.6% at € 34.6 million, up from € 26.7 in the same period last year.
Piaggio Group (PG) owns several motorcycle brands including Aprilia, Derbi, Gilera, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio and Scarabeo. They also produce commercial vehicles. Apart from Aprilia and Moto Guzzi, the other brands produce mostly and scooters exclusively.
In any case, they shipped a total of 321,500 scooters and motorcycles in H1 2019, which a 5.7% increase from 304,000 in H1 2018.
Biggest growth was seen in the Asia Pacific region (up 20.2%), followed by a combined European and the Americas (up 6.7%) and India (up 0.5%).
PG further elaborated that the Vespa brand contributed to a 16% turnover growth. However, it was the three-wheeled Piaggio Mp3 which contributed the largest number “by more than 20%”
But there’s no hiding the success of the Moto Guzzi V85TT, which the group is using as an all-round performer against their rivals. Moto Guzzi contributed a 14% increase in revenue to the group. This is what they have to say, “…The Moto Guzzi brand… achieved a significant sales increase, generated in particular by the excellent results of the new Moto Guzzi V85TT, the all-terrain model that has enjoyed great success since it began shipping in February.”
Interestingly, PG had not published the sales performance of Moto Guzzi motorcycles prior to this. They had only stated MG sales as “encouraging” last year.
Source: Piaggio Group
BMW Motorrad confirmed their participation in the 2020 FIM Endurance World Championship (FEWC) with full factory support. They will enter the new BMW S 1000 RR, of course.
BMW’s Big Four Japanese rivals, namely Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki are already enjoying much coverage in the series.
The German factory will join forces with the MRP team, who’ve an extensive record in working with BMW on the world stage. It’s also reported that the team will use Dunlop tyres. However, the rider line-up has yet to be announced. The FEWC is the currently the only world-stage motorcycle racing series which allows tyre manufacturers to compete.
The FIM Endurance World Championship seems to be gaining in popularity lately. This is because the series consists of bikes that are relevant to those you and I can buy at a dealership. Heck, the bikes even have working electric starters and working lights!
On the other hand, MotoGP bikes are fully prototype machines, like Formula 1 in auto racing. While much technology has trickled down to road bikes, components don’t have the same designs and may not necessarily use the same materials. The advertising copywriting may say, “Inspired by our extensive technology in MotoGP racing,” but that’s as far as it goes. Or they could produce something so exotic like the Honda RC213V, yet it’s way out of reach among 99.99999% of us mortals.
What about the World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK)? Forget it. They may look like, feel like and even smell like road bikes but their electronics rival MotoGP.
The 2020 FEWC season begins next month (September) with the Bol d’Or 24-hour race in France, followed by the Eight Hours of Sepang from 13th to 15th December. There will be another three races next year to complete the 2020 championship.
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