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Hafizh, Zahqwan Incident – JDT Racing Team and Honda Racing Close Ranks

The JDT Racing Team and Honda Racing Malaysia team have taken a professional approach by not prolonging the incident involving the two national riders, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah and Md Zaqhwan Zaidi, during Race 2 of the ASB1000 category in the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) yesterday.

In an official statement, Hafizh’s team informed that the incident has been thoroughly reviewed by the ARRC organizers, and appropriate penalties have been imposed according to the championship regulations.

“The incident was classified as unintentional, stemming from an intense and competitive racing atmosphere, an element that is common in the world of motorsports,” the statement said.

According to JDT Racing Team, both teams – JDT Racing and Honda Racing Malaysia – have resolved the matter amicably, thereby upholding the principles of mutual respect and professionalism between the riders and the teams.

“Integrity and sportsmanship remain our top priorities. We will continue to work closely with the organizers to ensure the highest standards are upheld at all times,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Honda Racing Malaysia announced that they have suspended team crew member for “improper behaviour” regarding the incident. The team also emphasized the importance of professional values and conduct within the team.

The statement was posted on Honda Racing Malaysia’s Facebook page.

Kedah Police Destroy 1,385 Confiscated Motorcycle Accessories

The Kedah Police disposed of 1,385 modified and confiscated motorcycle accessories valued at RM131,000 from 2024 until last month.

Kedah Police Chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said all the disposed components included modified exhausts, additional accessories not meeting specifications, and other components categorized as unsafe for use on the road.

“This disposal involved 546 exhausts, 574 swing arms, 15 carburetors, three Electronic Control Units (ECUs), 109 fork units, and 138 other items after receiving instructions from the magistrate under Section 407 of the Criminal Procedure Code, using a road roller for the disposal method.

“All these motorcycle accessories were confiscated and seized under Section 64(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

“There are many more seized items awaiting court instructions for disposal,” he said in a statement today.

Adzli said the police had previously made seizures of 21,811 modified motorcycle components that did not comply with specifications, with the largest quantity being exhausts, totaling 9,575 units.

According to him, owners can reclaim their seized motorcycles within 24 hours, provided they reinstall the original accessories.

Deepavali 2025 – 2.67 Million Vehicles Expected to Use Highways

A total of 2.67 million vehicles are expected to use the main highways on peak days during the Deepavali celebration on this October 20th, according to the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).

In its statement today, LLM informed that 2.2 million vehicles are expected to use the highways under PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS), while the KL-Karak Highway is expected to record 170,000 vehicles, the East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (90,000), the East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (40,000) and the West Coast Expressway (170,000).

“LLM anticipates an increase in traffic on the main highways as early as Thursday, October 16th, for users heading towards the North, South, and East Coast,” it said.

In facing the traffic increase, LLM has directed all highway concession companies to make thorough preparations to ensure highway users’ journeys are safe and smooth.

Among the measures taken include ensuring no lane closures from October 17th to 23rd except for emergency work, activating the ‘smart lane’ routes at 29 identified locations on the North-South Expressway (PLUS), and ensuring the toll collection system functions well to prevent congestion at toll plazas.

LLM also welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the tabling of the 2026 Budget yesterday regarding the granting of a 50 percent toll discount in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration.

Traffic Diversions for ASEAN Summit to Begin from 23 October

Traffic diversions will begin in stages from 23 October to ensure the smooth running of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from October 26 to 28, 2025.

The Director of the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, said that the initial traffic management planning so far involves motorcycle convoy rehearsal activities.

He said this will be carried out from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to hotels around Kuala Lumpur and to KLCC on October 23 and 24.

“Temporary traffic diversions will be implemented along the highways and main roads connecting KLIA to the capital city and the areas around KLCC.

“Meanwhile, the full deployment of JSPT personnel will begin from October 25 to 28 (the duration of the conferences) with the implementation of staged road diversions. This will involve the area within approximately one kilometer (km) of KLCC,” he said in a statement today.

He said that road diversions and traffic dispersal are necessary to ensure the smooth movement of delegates and the safety of all parties throughout the event.

He said that further information regarding the affected routes, specific diversion plans, and the full diversion schedule will be announced in the near future.

“The public is requested to give their full cooperation to the authorities and to support the government’s efforts in making this summit a success, thereby enhancing the nation’s prestige on the international stage,” he said.

Honda Officially Adds Honda CB1000F to Lineup

After revealing the Honda CB1000F as a concept during the Suzuka 8 Hour race in August, they have now revealed the ready product.

The CB1000F is the latest model in the CB family’s 65-year-old history. But more specifically, the CB1000F resembles the CB750F/CB900F from the 80’s. More significantly, it resembles the bike ridden by one Freddie Spencer to a Daytona victory, before he went on to be a 500cc world champion.

As we mentioned previously, it is based on the CB1000 platform, which has now expanded to three variants, namely CB1000R (Neo Cafe roadster), CB1000/Hornet (naked), and now the CB1000F.

Therefore, all three bikes share some basic architecture and features.

Highlights

1000cc inline-four engine, but retuned to produce 122 hp at 9,000 RPM and 103 Nm at 8,000 RPM, compared to the other two variants’ 155 hp @ 11,000 RPM and 107 Nm at 9,000 RPM.
It is clear here that this bike is intended for a more approachable, everyday riding experience, rather than an all-out street blasting.
Honda says it has been “developed under the conceptual target of creating the ‘Best Balanced Roadster’. The CB1000F handles like a middleweight but with big bike feel. And, with the ‘80s now proving such an influential decade in clothing, music, style, and more, the CB1000F is very much a bike ready for today.”

To achieve this goal, Honda revised the cams, lengthened the intake funnel from 50 mm to 140 mm, and a minimum diameter of 36 mm.
The exhaust system has the same 4-2-1 arrangement but gases exit through a three-chamber megaphone muffler.
Front suspension consists of 41mm Showa SFF-BP USD forks which are adjustable for spring preload and rebound/compression damping. (Non-adjustable on the CB1000/Hornet).

At the rear is a Showa shock that also allows for preload and rebound damping adjustments.
Nissin four-piston radial-mount front brake callipers grip 310mm floating discs up front, while out back is a 240mm disc that’s paired with a Nissin single-piston calliper
The CB1000F gets cast aluminium wheels with 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 front and rear tyres.

The CB1000F also receives wheelie control and cornering ABS, three riding modes which include Standard, Sport and Rain, and two customisable User modes for riders to choose from.
The dash features a 5-inch TFT screen, which has smartphone connectivity via the Honda RoadSmart app.

2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally Launched

The 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally has been revealed, featuring some revisions to the first version launched just 3 years ago.

Before we move on, let us draw a deep (and deeper) breath as the new bike is equipped with almost everything in the alphabet.

Highlights

Still powered by the madcap 1158cc, Granturism0 V4 engine, which produces 170 hp at 10,750 RPM and 121 Nm at 8,750 RPM.
Ducati says that it delivers “a particularly linear torque curve,” but we wonder that means they have addressed the engine’s slightly anaemic power delivery at lower revs and speeds.
As per the Panigale V4/V4 S, Multistrada V4/V4 S, and Diavel V4/V4 S models, the engine deactivates the rear cylinder bank while in a standstill and at low revs,to save fuel and cut down on emissions.
The Granturismo V4 features conventional valvetrain, as opposed to Ducati’s Desmo, thus valve clearance interval is set at 60,000 km.
As for servicing, the interval is every 15,000 km.
To boost off-road capabilities, the suspension on the Rally has 200 mm of travel for both front and rear axles, increasing ground clearance to 230 mm.

Speaking of suspension, the 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally boasts a new electronic semi-active Marzocchi suspension, called Adaptive DSS Evo.
It allows for adjustment of the preload and hydraulic compression and rebound damping of the fork and rear shock absorber.
Sensors can even tell if you are riding over a bump or into a pothole, and adjusts the damping accordingly. (Superb for Malayian roads!)
The suspension is equipped with a (switchable) Automatic Lowering Device (ALD) which drops the bike’s seat height when speeds go below 9 km/h – great for trudging in off-road conditions or riding through heavy traffic.
It then returns to the normal set height when you hit 20 km/h off-road, or 45 km/h on the road.
Suspension settings can be made while the bike is moving.

Its algorithm works in conjunction with the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which in turn sends data to the ABS, ECBS, EBC, DTC, DWC, ACC, BSD, BSW, FCW, BLE control units or servos. But wait, no karaoke function? (Just kidding.)
Other electronic features include Electronic Combined Braking System, and Adaptive Cruise Control which utilises the bike’s radar.
The radar also runs the blind-spot detection and forward collision warning features.
The TFT screen measures 6.5 inches and through it, you can select your riding modes, Ducati Connect, suspension control, and more.
Ducati pays a lot of attention to aerodynamic of course, not just for their MotoGP bikes. As such, the Multistrada V4 Rally has front wind deflectors that increase protection for the rider and passenger.
The windshield is also 40 mm wider and 20 mm taller.
Additionally, the pannier mounting positions have been revised to “provide ample legroom for the passenger.”
Wheels are spoked aluminium.
Last but not least, the bike is equipped with a 30-litre fuel tank.
Colour options are Ducati Red/Brushed Aluminium with black spoked wheels, and Jade Green/Brushed Aluminium with gold spoked wheels.

The 2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally is priced from USD31,995 (MYR135,194.81)