Suzuki may fit more radar reflectors on their future models.
It makes the bike more visible to radars on autonomous vehicles.
Ducati and KTM are working on fitting radar to their bikes.
Do you know that autonomous cars are already in the market now? That’s why Suzuki wants their future motorcycles to be more visible to radar, reports Australian Motorcycle News.
An “autonomous car” means it “self-drives.” It drives without the driver touching the steering wheel and brake pedal. As in the case of a Volvo XC70 we rode in, the car identifies the road and other vehicles. It automatically steered through long corners and slowed down or brake when there is another vehicle in front.
However, motorcycles provide the biggest challenge. Bikes have much smaller cross sections and are much nimbler than your average family car. Consequently, the radars fitted to autonomous cars may find motorcycles harder to pick up.
This is why Suzuki wants to fit more radar reflectors on their bikes. It’s the opposite of stealth fighter jets that work on the principle of deflecting and/or absorbing radar waves. (Doesn’t sound good for speeders, though.)
These deflectors are something like “stick on” solutions, instead of being powered.
Suzuki isn’t the only manufacturer working on radar solutions. Ducati promised a radar-equipped model in 2020, while KTM is also working on one. Vehicle electronics component maker Bosch is reportedly working on an “off-the-shelve” solution for front and rear radar system.
We couldn’t provide clear photos of the Zontes models during the launch last week.
But we visited the brand’s factory in Guangdong, China.
Here are they are in the open.
Zontes Malaysia launced the new range of Zontes Motorcycles last week, but no one was able to grab clear photos due to the dark lighting condition in the hall.
But we had the honour of visiting the Zontes factory in Guangdong, China over the weeked. There, the manufacturer prepared the range of models for us to test.
They arranged the ZT310-T, ZT310-R, and ZT310-X models outside the factory. These are the initially models sold in Malaysia. There is also the ZT310-V power cruiser, which may make its way to our shores in the future.
By the way, the manufacturer, Guangdong Tayo Motorcycle Technology Co., Ltd. makes other brands of motorcycles, too. However, the Zontes brand is the flagship.
So, they are in all their glory.
ZT310-X
The ZT310-X is the sport-tourer of the family, hence the full fairing, and long wide seat.
This is the “GP” edition. The graphics cost more but makes the bike looks so much better
Aggressive look and stance
LED lighting all-around
The ZT310-X is distinctive even from behind
ZT310-T
The ZT310-T is the adventure/dual-sport model. Many have remarked that it looks like the R 1200 GS at first glance, but look closer and you can spot many differences.
The ZT310-T is easy to ride and not too tall. But there are two seat heights available
The windscreen is electrically operated
The beak and faux air intake give the appearance of an R 1200 GS, but look closer
LED lighting as well. The low and high beam are performed by the four central lights
The ZT310-T comes equipped with a steel crash bar
This rack is integrared
ZT310-R
What’s a motorcycle line-up without a naked sportbike?
The ZT310-R is about being muscular
Kinda looks like a robot
The tailsection is definitely distinctive
The “robot’s” face
Check out the quality. The plastics are shatter resistant
OTHER COMPONENTS AND FEATURES
Left hand switch block
The right hand side swtich block. Everything is at your fingertips
All Zontes ZT310 models feature Bosch dual-channel ABS
Check out the quality of the welding. It’s performed by robots
The HJC RPHA 11 Venom 2 design makes its appearance for 2019.
The new design is fiercer and more intimidating.
The RPHA 11 is the flagship model in HJC’s helmet line-up.
The HJC RPHA 11 Venom 2 helmet debuts for 2019 in the footsteps of the popular first RPHA 11 Venom.
The first Venom helmet made its debut alongside the RPHA 11 Spider-Man in 2016. Every unit of the former design was sold out to those who wore them all the time and collectors – price be damned. HJC dealers the world over couldn’t keep enough of them in stock.
HJC RPHA 11 Venom
However, as fierce as it was, HJC felt that the design could be more aggressive. Hence HJC continued their work with Starlite who designed the first Venom helmet. Starlite also designs and paints helmets for a number of MotoGP stars. They wanted something angrier, darker which resulted in the Venom 2.
The new design is destined to hit the US this spring. But HJC Malaysia have also prompted us about the helmet, meaning it’ll arrive here sometime soon.
HJC RPHA 11 Venom 2
The HJC-Marvel tie-up is a successful venture so far, resulting in the designs of our favourite heroes as such Spider-Man and Black Panther, besides anti-heroes such as Venom and Deadpool.
The helmet maker also tied up with Disney to produce designs from the Star Wars universe. We’ve seen Kylo Ren, the Stormtroopers, Rebel Alliance fighter pilot, and Darth Vader’s designs.
The HJC RPHA 11 is the Korean manufacturer’s flagship and premium line-up. The helmets are meant for racing with an aerodynamic shell. Its shell is made of what HJC calls Premium Integrated Matrix which combines carbon fibre and Kevlar weaves. That makes the helmet light and quiet even at high speeds.
We’ll keep you posted of the prices when it arrives.
Marc Marquez takes a spin on the Honda X-Adv while DJ Roger Wid records all the sounds.
The sounds were then turned into a techno song.
The Honda X-Adv became Europe’s best-selling motorcycle.
Just as Suzuki released the video of ex-GP rider Nobuatsu Aoki taking the new Suzuki Katana out for a spin, now Honda has MotoGP champion, Marc Marquez takes a ride on the Honda X-Adv and gets the sounds turned into music by DJ Roger Wid.
Every of Marquez’s move was recorded and turned into music, including zipping up his jacket, unlocking the bike, opening the seat to retrieve his signature Shoei helmet, flipping up the passenger footpegs.
The rider then proceeded to whip the bike into a smoky rolling burnout while it pirouettes around him, while sound technicians hold the microphones to the action.
At the end, all those sounds you and I have grown so familiar with on a daily basis were turned into techno music by the said DJ.
The X-Adv is powered by the 745cc twin-cylinder engine which is also fitted to the Honda NC750X. However, the X-Adv uses Honda’s proprietary Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). The DCT is actually a manual gearbox without a clutch lever.
We’ve tested and reviewed the bike months ago and found it entertaining, although on the more expensive side. But here’s a bit of trivia, the Honda X-Adv became Europe’s best-selling motorcycle, even dethroning the might BMW R 1200 GS.
Ducati opened a state-of-the-art training facility at its factory in Rayong, Thailand.
Called the Ducati Asia Pacific Training Centre, it will host a great number of training programs.
The programs will further enhance customer experience and immerse them in Ducati’s World.
Ducati opened its newest and state-of-the-art training centre at the Ducati factory in Rayong, Thaiand.
The Italian manufacturer aspires to enhance the level of customer experience in every aspect in their dealerships in the Asia Pacific region. all brand trainings, Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) certifications and technical trainings will be conducted at this Ducati Asia Pacific Training Centre henceforth.
Dominique Cheraki (Ducati Asia Markets Director) commented, “The best training program in the world is worthless without the will to execute it properly, consistently, and with intensity. With our new Training center we have now state-of-the-art facilities that will enable us to deliver strong brand andtechnical trainings to all personnel from the whole Asia-Pacific Ducati network.”
Ducati APAC started deploying the Genius Program last year as part of this goal since 2016. The program consists of a series of courses and trainings that not only certifies the knowledge and skills of Ducati’s technicians, but also draws a career path for them based on different level of expertise and certifications achieved.
The Ducati APAC Training Centre will also host brand training to further enhance customer experience in Ducati products, in addition to the Ducati world which is composed of the factory’s current and heritage in racing, online and offline communities, lifestyle and brand immersion.
Alberto Strada (Ducati Motor Thailand Managing Director) also commented, “With this brand new facility, Ducati Motor Thailand becomes even further the Ducati hub for the Asia-Pacific region. Founded in 2010 as a production plant for the ASEAN community, the Thai facility has been hosting the Sales, Marketing and After Sales departments since 2011 and now we have the pleasure to add the Ducati Asia Pacific Training Center, as additional milestone to develop and reinforce the Ducati brand throughout the entire region”
The Ducati APAC Training Center, which was awarded Board of Investment privileges, covers more than 200sqm and, thanks to its modular layout, can host multiple training sessions simultaneously. In addition, thanks to the availability of augmented reality technology, training-engines and training-workshops, in 2019 more than 230 technicians and 100 dealers’ employees will be enabled to provide Ducati customers with a 360-degree experience all over the region.
“Ducati keeps raising the bar in terms of sophistication on its products and it is fundamental for us to ensure that our network is always technically prepared and updated to provide the best service possible to our customers. On the other hand, we can’t forget about our collectors’ motorcycles and that is why we also have 14 training engines that we use to train our network on every Ducati model produced since 1980 until now ” stated Luca Stasi, Ducati APAC After Sales Director.
Operations have already started and groups of Ducati personnel from Thailand, India, China, Korea etc. are scheduled to be experiencing this state-state-of-the-art facility in the next weeks.
Moto Guzzi Malaysia built the Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer Custom to demonstrate the customizable “spirit” of the bike.
The built didn’t sacrifice the rideability and soul of the V9 Roamer.
Instead, it enhanced the bike’s character and charm.
In the world of biking, factory custom-jobs on existing bikes are always a hit or miss venture. You see the thing about ‘custom bikes’ is that they’re very personal in terms of styling, seeing as how all bikers have their own desired tastes and ideas as to how their bike should look if they’re going to customise it. As such, a ‘factory custom’ bike is a risky affair to undertake, but that didn’t stop the creation of this Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer Custom.
Painted an absolutely amazing shade of “Gister colour-concept”, which is blue and orange akin to GULF Oil Racing colours, the V9 Custom is a sight to behold. Based on the Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer, the Custom sports the same 853cc V-Twin that churns out 55bhp and 62Nm of torque, however visually for starters, the Custom benefits from chromed engine rocker-covers.
Other notable differences from the regular V9 include a petrol tank from a V7, shorter front & rear fenders, a custom double-seat on a shorted frame wrapped in dark aged brown leather, a custom “Sunny” exhaust system with bracket, custom mirrors & headlight, custom scrambler type handlebars and a rear loop-seat handle.
The best thing about the Moto Guzzi V9 Custom though, is that unlike some custom-bike jobs, this bike is an absolute delight to ride. It possesses the same phenomenal low-end torque as its V9 regular sibling, with the added benefit of aural pleasure as well. Those custom exhaust pipes emit an incredible exhaust-note that you have to hear ‘live’ to believe.
The V9 Custom also provides a comfortable riding position thanks to those custom handlebars, and while the seat could use a bit more padding and support – under hard acceleration you might slide all the way to the back – the position is relatively upright. At higher speeds the characteristic engine ‘sway’ from that transverse V-twin engine is all but eliminated, as the counter-balancers work best at speeds above 100kmh.
That being said, performance-figures mean very little when it comes to the Moto Guzzi V9 Custom by Goh Brothers @ Gasket Alley, nobody buys a custom bike like this to look at a spec sheet (but just in case, it’s appended below), no, this bike will sell on looks alone. Period. Nobody needs it, but everybody wants it. That’s the hallmark and definite success story for a custom bike. And this one really does tick all the right boxes.
