Ducati has started production on the 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260.
The Diavel 1260 shares the 159 bhp 1,262cc DVT engine of the Multistrada 1260.
It also features lean sensitive traction control and Cornering ABS.
The first 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 has rolled off the production line in Bologna, Italy. It was greeted at the entire factory with a toast and official speech by CEO Claudio Domenicali.
The Diavel 1260 was just unveiled last year and it will be delivered to the first customers by February.
It is the second generation Diavel. Ducati claims it is now more comfortable for the rider and passenger alike, besides being designed for “mixed roads.” The main highlight is the 1262cc Testastretta DVT 90oV-twin engine which it shares with the Multistrada 1260. It produces 159 bhp at 9,500 RPM and 129 Nm of torque at 7,500 RPM. The DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) gives the engine smooth and predictable power throughout its rev range.
Apart from DVT, Ducati has also equipped the bike with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The component enables the addition of lean sensitive traction control and cornering ABS.
As per Ducati’s tradition, the 2019 Diavel 1260 is offered in both standard and “S” model trims. The higher-spec’ed Diavel 1260S model features Öhlins suspension and Quick Shift Evo for up- and downshifts.
Both models still feature the Diavel’s signature 240mm-wide rear tyre.
Toby Price wins the Dakar Rally 2019 with a broken wrist.
It was his second Dakar win since 2016.
KTM has won at the rally 18thtimes in a row.
Speaking of broken wrists, Australian Toby Price won the Dakar Rally 2019 despite riding with that injury.
Price came into the 10thand final stage of the rally with a slender one-minute lead over Chilean Pablo Quintanilla. They had covered almost 5,200 kilometres up to that point.
However, Quintanilla crashed after a mere 10 kilometres into the 112-kilometre stage from Pisco to Lima. He injured his foot which cost him 19 minutes, dropping him to fourth overall. Quintanilla’s misfortune let Price romp home to win the stage win and the overall lead.
Price’s feat was heroic as he rode with a broken scaphoid. He had broken the bone a few weeks prior to the Dakar’s flag-off.
The Red Bull KTM factory rider had thought about just racing for two stages before pulling out. But he kept going as his team provided impeccable support in addition to some luck.
“Pretty much all I can say is that it feels like there are about five people driving a knife in my wrist now,” Price said. He had spent 10 agonising days of being jolted and bumped across the dunes and desert.
“It’s not very comfortable, it’s not very enjoyable. Now I’ll just wait and see what damage I’ve done to my wrist.”
It was Price’s second Dakar win since 2016, and KTM’s 18thsuccessive victory.
Jorge Lorenzo fractured his wrist bone (scaphoid).
He was undergoing training at a dirt track.
The rider needs surgery, but the scaphoid usually heals quickly.
Jorge Lorenzo fractured his wrist bone (scaphoid) and requires surgery.
The Spanish rider was due to join his new Repsol Honda team at their 2019 MotoGP season launch on Wednesday. He suffered the injury during his training at a dirt track.
MotoGP surgeon Dr. Mir will carry out the surgery. Dr. Mir also operated on Lorenzo’s new teammate Marc Marquez in November 2018.
The rider’s injury is at a bad timing since the first “winter test” at the Sepang International Circuit is just two-and-a-half weeks away. Hopefully, he will be fit by then.
The Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) will have something to worry about since Marquez is also recovering from a surgery to correct his dislocated right shoulder. Adding to that, Cal Crutchlow is reported to be still in some pain after breaking his ankle at Phillip Island, Australia last year. Hence none of their riders are 100% fit.
Lorenzo is not the first rider to break his scaphoid. Casey Stoner, the late Nicky Hayden, Stefan Bradl, Jack Miller, Kevin Schwantz have all fractured their scaphoids during their careers. Hayden’s were removed after they failed to heal and turned arthritic.
Scaphoid fracture
Scaphoid fracture is common as the human body automatically stretches out the arms and palms of the hand to break our fall. That is why motorcycle gloves are usually reinforced in that area.
Husqvarna is venturing into the road motorcycle segment as well.
The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Husqvarna Vitpilen 701, Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 have arrived in Malaysia.
Each model line-up caters to a different sub-category, although they share the same engine platform.
Husqvarna is very much well-known for their dirt bikes, but the manufacturer has recently forayed in road motorcycles. The recently-launched Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Husqvarna Vitpilen 701, Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 have made their way to Malaysia.
The Swedish brand is now under the KTM umbrella. They produce their own motorcycle line-up, although their engines share the same architecture as KTM’s.
We found the bikes listed in Chia Motor PJ’s Facebook page. So please refer to the attached links for more information.
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 (Selling price from RM 44,500)
Husqvarna calls the Vitpilen 401 as a fresh and simple approach to motorcycling. It is subtle and style focused, stripped of everthing superfluous.
Those are the company’s lines, produced by a copywriter. We see the bike as a modern interpretation of the evergreen café racer layout.
Highlights
373cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine.
The engine produces 44 bhp (32 kW) and 37 Nm of torque.
Bosch fuel injection engine management system (EMS).
Ride-by-wire throttle.
6-speed transmission.
PASC assist and slipper clutch.
Steel trellis frame.
WP upside-down forks.
WP monoshock rear suspension.
BYBRE front and rear disc brakes.
Bosch 9M+ two-channel ABS.
Spoked wheels.
148 kg dry.
Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 (Selling price from RM68,500)
As the name suggests, the Vitpilen 701 is the more powerful version of the Vitpilen 401. However, there are many styling and component differences between the two models.
Highlights
692.7cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine.
The engine produces 75 bhp (55 kW) and 72 Nm of torque.
Keihin EMS.
Ride-by-wire throttle.
Traction control.
Up and down quickshifter.
6-speed transmission.
APTC assist and slipper clutch, hydraulically actuated.
Steel trellis frame.
Fully adjustable WP upside-down forks.
Fully adjustable WP monoshock rear suspension.
Brembo front and rear disc brakes.
Bosch 9M+ two-channel ABS.
Cast wheels.
157 kg dry.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (Selling price from RM 44,500)
The Svartpilen 401 is the “scrambler” of the line-up, with a higher handlebar and knobby tyres. Its lines follow those of the Vitpilen 401 but with differences in the details. The seats are longer and lower, too.
Highlights
373cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine.
The engine produces 44 bhp (32 kW) and 37 Nm of torque.
Bosch fuel injection engine management system (EMS).
We have long known that riding motorcycles reduces stress.
However, there was no real result to show non-believers.
Now a research concur that riding is really beneficial for health.
There is a meme which says “Therapy: You never see a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrist’s office.” Every serious motorcyclist knows there’s nothing more pleasurable than riding a motorcycle. However, there was no empirical result to show non-believers.
Now, a group of researchers from UCLA’s Semel Institue for Neuroscience and Human Behavior has just confirmed it as a fact. The research was funded by Harley-Davidson and to be presented later this year.
50 experienced riders took part in the study. They wore a mobile electroencephalogram (EEG) which looks like a shower cap covered with electrodes to detect the brain’s electrical activity. Their brain activity and hormone levels were recorded before they got on a bike. They were then set loose on a motorcycle and a car afterwards.
The results were:
Riding a motorcycle reduces cortisol stress biomarkers by 28%.
Riding a motorcycle for 20 minutes increased heart rates by 11% and adrenaline by 27%. The readings were similar to a light exercise.
Sensory focus was enhanced while riding a motorcycle compared to driving a car.
Brain activity suggested increased alertness while riding compared to driving.
UCLA Professor and senior team member, Dr. Mark Cohen said that no lab experiment could duplicate the feelings a motorcyclist has on the open road.
“The differences in participants’ neurological and physiological responses between riding and other measured activities were quite pronounced,” continued Dr. Don Vaughn. “This could be significant for mitigating everyday stresses.”
So, there you have it. Whoever created that meme was right.
The Tour Melaka 2018 Ride was held to promote Melaka as a fun destination for bikes as part of the Visit Melaka 2019 campaign.
As such, the organizers invited riders from Thailand and Singapore.
The ride took the participants to the most famous places and activities around Melaka over two days.
The Tour Melaka 2018 Ride was held in December last year as part of the state of Melaka’s promotion.
The ride was organized by Fast Bikes Club (FBC) with the Chairperson of the state of Tourism, Heritage and Culture Board of Melaka’s.
It was organized to promote the Visit Melaka 2019 promotion. As such, the Melaka Tourism, Heritage and Culture Board hopes that the state will become a destination for bikes from around the region.
As such, bikers from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand joined the ride. The event was sponsored by KTM Malaysia and Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ), among others.
Day 1
A number of participants began the ride from HDPJ. The sky opened up as the convoy got going but everyone reached the Ayer Keroh R&R safely. Another group was waiting at that location to join up.
The group then rode to the Mudzaffar Hotel near the Melaka Planetarium and just off the busy Ayer Keroh main road.
Participants regrouped later that evening for dinner. They were escorted by the Traffic Police to the Halia Inc. restaurant just opposite The Stadthuys at Bandar Hilir (city centre), and not far from Jonker Walk.
The chief organizer, Cik Nini, welcomed the riders and briefed everyone on the mission of the ride. They were given the opportunity to experience what Melaka has to offer to visitors, namely the heritage, culture and fun activities.
Afterwards, dancers came on stage to present traditional Malay dances.
After the dinner, participants were taken to the Melaka River Cruise jetty to board the ferries. A guide skillfully presented the history and culture of Melaka as they cruised on the river, enjoying the cool air and awed by the sights.
Day 2
Another day of fun awaited the riders the next day. It kicked off with the Mudzaffar Hotel launching their own brand of ikan asam pedas(sour and spicy sauce fish). Next, the CEO of the Taming Sari promoted the tower, when he also chastised the media for not promoting his facility.
The ride was flagged off from the hotel afterwards and headed to Masjid Lama Rumbia. There, the riders worked hand-in-hand (gotong-royong) to clean the mosque’s grounds.
From there it was off to lunch (asam pedas again) before heading to the Taming Sari for a ride. The viewing lifted off ground level to about 100 metres to offer the occupants a bird’s eyeview Melaka city.
The riders were then escorted to Klebang for a taste of the original coconut shake. The location was busy as heck, as usual but they received their drinks in the end to cool off.
After that, the convoy was escorted to Kampung Sungai Petai for another community service and games with the vilagers.
The ride committee and villagers held traditional games such as tarik upih, tiup tepung, bowling using coconuts, “football” with a coconut replacing the ball while the participants wore sarung, and musical chairs.
Lastly, prizes were handed out to the villagers and a lucky draw was held which included the villagers and ride participants.
