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BMW 1800cc Boxer Engine Cruiser Coming in 2020

A BMW 1800cc Boxer engine cruiser is confirmed for 2020.
The news was confirmed by BMW Motorrad.
The prototype engine is now used as the powerplant for custom bikes.

It’s confirmed. A BMW 1800cc Boxer engine cruiser is coming in 2020. The news was confirmed by Timo Resch, Vice President Sales and Marketing for BMW Motorrad.

Resch made the statement during the Handbuilt Show in Austin, Texas where Revival Cycles showed off a custom bike called Birdcage which features an 1800cc Boxer engine.

While we revel at the Birdcage’s welded titanium frame, the built was actually contracted by BMW Motorrad to tease the new engine. The massive pushrod engine will be the platform for an upcoming cruiser in 2020.

The Birdcage was the second motorcycle to use the 1800cc engine, following the Departed R18 built by Japanese Custom Works Zon.

“We will also be showing a BMW Motorrad developed concept bike featuring this engine in the first half-year of 2019. BMW Motorrad will present a series production motorcycle with the Big Boxer for the Cruiser segment in the course of 2020,” said Resch.

An 1800cc, air-cooled, pushrod valve actuation engine surely means that the German manufacturer is taking aim at Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles. However, riders of the two brands are fiercely loyal so it’ll be interesting to see how BMW Motorrad can win them over.

Viral Video: Singaporean Bikers Refused to Stop Smoking at Petrol Station

A video showed Singaporean bikers smoking at a Petron station at the Pagoh R&R.
According to the person who posted the video, he had told them to stop smoking.
However, the group retorted that he couldn’t do anything against them.
But equally worse were Petron and PLUS workers not wanting to assist.

A viral video surfaced in which a group of Singaporean bikers refused to stop smoking at petrol station despite being told to. The incident took place at the Petron station at the Pagoh R&R.

In the video, a biker was seen smoking in the petrol station’s compound directly beneath a “No smoking” sign. The person who posted the video went by his Facebook account name as Thiagarajah Nesan. According to him, he had admonished the group for smoking in a petrol station but was told the group retorted that Thiagarajah could not do anything against them and continued with their dangerous act.

But what happened next was equally shocking.

Thiagarajah informed the workers at the station, but they told him that the manager was away at the time and it was not their responsibility.

Failing to raise any concern with the station staff, Thiagarajah reported the incident to PLUS workers. The PLUS workers also told him that they could not do a thing about it. However, they suggested that Thiagarajah video the offence and share it on Facebook.

Now, the surely the bikers know that smoking at a petrol station is dangerous. But Petron and PLUS should also answer for their workers’ “inability” to act. The government was serious in fining smokers at eateries and prohibited areas, but why couldn’t anyone act against these miscreants?

Source: Thiagarajah Nesan

Allianz Motorcycle Plus Offers Extra Benefits at No Extra Cost

Allianz Motorcycle Plus offers protection for the motorcycle and accident protection for the rider.
One could look at it as a 2-in-1 insurance scheme.
The Comprehensive coverage also covers the bike for natural disasters.
The product is only available for motorcycles from 245cc and below.

Allianz Motorcycle Plus insurance will offer the additional benefits of a personal accident insurance under one package at no added cost.

“Traditional” motorcycle insurance covers only the vehicle in the case of accidents or theft. Vehicle owners purchase this insurance when he renews his road tax. However, that insurace does not cover for personal injuries, disability of death.

Thus, in order to protect oneself, the vehicle owner needs to purchase another personal accident insurance policy.

This is where Allianz Motorcycle Plus differentiates itself. One could call it a 2-in-1 product which insures the motorcycle as well as the rider. However, the premium (price) remains the same as the same insurance for your motorcycle only.

There are two types of cover, of course – Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive) and Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Third Party).

Aliianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive)

Accident Cover of RM 5,000 for permanent disability or death.
Hospital income of RM 50 per day for up to a maximum of 60 days.
All Special Perils Full Sum-Insured Protection which provides protection for flood, landslides and other natural disasters.

Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Third Party)

Accident Cover of RM 5,000 for permanent disability or death.
Hospital income of RM 50 per day for up to a maximum of 60 days.

What drew our attention was the protection for “acts of god” (industry speak for natural disasters). None – if any – insurance covers your motorcycle for natural disasters.

While the accident cover and hospital income aren’t as high as provided by personal accident insurance, Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive) makes it easy for riders to have such coverage. Many people, much less riders, in Malaysia aren’t covered by personal accident insurance or any type of insurance at all.

Including those benefits under one insurance also makes it easier for the policy holder to claim for injuries. There are many cases where the accident victim’s family members forget or are unaware of claiming from the insurance provider.

Allianz Malaysia will roll out Allianz Motorcycle Plus beginning 1^stMay 2019. The insurance covers motorcycles from 245cc and below, only.

Please visit https://www.allianz.com.my/ for more information.

Kawasaki Jumps on Radar Bandwagon

Kawasaki is the latest manufacturer to work on equipping their bikes with radar.
Their patent filings show a system with front and rear radars.
The system works together with the brakes and throttle.

Kawasaki is the latest manufacturer to work on equipping their bikes with radar.

It is learned that Kawasaki’s system will either warn the rider or engage automated braking if it senses an imminent collision. In their patent filing, the system utilizes a front and rear radar detector. In turn, the radars control the brakes and throttle.

The front radar will scan the road ahead and apply the brakes if there are hazards. The rear radar, on the other hand, will detect fast approaching vehicles and alert the rider to take evasive action.

Kawasaki isn’t the first maker to develop a radar system.

Suzuki is working on equipping their bikes with radar reflectors to make them more visible to radars in other vehicles. Whereas Honda may equip the next Gold Wing with automated braking. All 2020 Ducatis will have front and rear radars in addition to cornering ABS. KTMs will feature adaptive cruise control and blind spot awareness system by 2021.

Vehicle radar technology isn’t merely experimental, as all new European-made cars are mandated to be fixed with automated or emergency braking systems in 2020. The decision follows joint studies by European NCAP and Australasian NCAP that automated brakes can reduce collisions by 38%.

So yes, bikes will definitely be equipped with radars soon.

Honda is Developing a Facial Recognition Helmet

Honda submitted the patents for a facial recognition helmet.
It serves as the security “key” to the bike’s ignition.
How soon will we see this technology in the market?

First it was the mechanical key, then electrical key, followed by keys embedded with microchips and now, a facial recognition helmet. That’s what Honda is working on for motorcycle security.

It works pretty much like the current proximity key – or better known as the keyless system. The security system is available on more and more motorcycles from scooters all the way up to tourers.

But that still means we need to rely on remote key fobs. Worse, thieves have the ability to scan the signal propagating from the key to the receiver on the bike. (This writer’s car was broken into that way.)

The helmet has a camera embedded in the crown’s inner lining. The wearer looks into the helmet in the process of putting it on, the facial recognition camera sends a signal to a control unit in the helmet. From there, another signal goes to the motorcycle’s security control unit which unlocks the handlebar lock.

It’s a novel idea but it also means that you can’t lock your helmet under your scooter’s seat. Locking it inside a top case is fine since you use a separate key.

Will we see this tech soon? Who knows? Honda is pushing out new tech all the time and they make it to the market in short order from their introduction.

Convoy to a Vacation and… Robbing Rampage

Four friends rode in a convoy of Yamaha Y15ZRs for a holiday and robbing rampage.
A CCTV footage showed woman being dragged at high speed.
Three of the four were caught by the police.

Four friends rode in a convoy of Yamaha Y15ZRs for a holiday and robbing rampage.

The four buddies rode more than 100 kilometres from Cheras, Kuala Lumpur and Rawang, Selangor to Muar in Johor to commit their crimes. However, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) busted the gang in less than 72 hours.

PDRM caught three of the suspects, but the fourth perpetrator is still at large. PDRM revealed his name as 27-year-old Mohd. Fariezzuan Shah Che Arif, better known by his “Toncet” nickname. His last known address is at the Sri Kota Flats in Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras.

Chief of Police of the Muar District, Assistant Commissioner Zaharudin Rasip said that all four were involved in three cases of snatch theft in the district last Saturday. One of the incidences involving a woman at Jalan Pesta were caught on video and went viral in social media.

The police acted on public information and a detachment from the District Headquarters (IPD) in Muar launched two separate raids which netted a 22-year-old and 24-year-old male in Cheras on 15 April. Another raid in Rawang caught another 24-year-old suspect.

All three will are put on remand until 22 April.

Social media went wild after a video of a woman was dragged at high speed after her handbag was snatched. The footage was caught on CCTV and residents of Muar voiced their concern over the violent crime.

The police added that the four suspects rode their bikes in convoy to Muar for a holiday but switched their mode to a rampage of robbery upon reaching the city.

“The first case was at a petrol station in the city centre but the robbers obtained nothing. The second happened at Jalan Pesta in Bakri but they also achieved nothing. However, the female victim sustain minor injuries.”

“In their third attempt at Jalan Mega, Bakri, the suspects made off with RM 4,500 in cash.”

The police also stated that three of the four have criminal records of past crimes.

They will be investigated under Section 394 of the Penal Code and face 20 years in prison and fine or whipping.

Source: Harian Metro Online

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Latest News

A BMW 1800cc Boxer engine cruiser is confirmed for 2020.

The news was confirmed by BMW Motorrad.

The prototype engine is now used as the powerplant for custom bikes.

A video showed Singaporean bikers smoking at a Petron station at the Pagoh R&R.

According to the person who posted the video, he had told them to stop smoking.

However, the group retorted that he couldn’t do anything against them.

But equally worse were Petron and PLUS workers not wanting to assist.

Allianz Motorcycle Plus offers protection for the motorcycle and accident protection for the rider.

One could look at it as a 2-in-1 insurance scheme.

The Comprehensive coverage also covers the bike for natural disasters.

The product is only available for motorcycles from 245cc and below.

Aliianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive)

Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Third Party)

Kawasaki is the latest manufacturer to work on equipping their bikes with radar.

Their patent filings show a system with front and rear radars.

The system works together with the brakes and throttle.

Honda submitted the patents for a facial recognition helmet.

It serves as the security “key” to the bike’s ignition.

How soon will we see this technology in the market?

Four friends rode in a convoy of Yamaha Y15ZRs for a holiday and robbing rampage.

A CCTV footage showed woman being dragged at high speed.

Three of the four were caught by the police.

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