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You knew it was coming, following the launch of the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4. Here is the 2025 Ducati Streetfighter V4 with more engine power, revised chassis, updated aerodynamics, and better electronics.

This time, Ducati did not hold back as they have removed the fairings of the Panigale V4, gave the Streetfighter V4 S higher handlebars, and kept the engine power almost the same. The only difference for the 1103cc Demosecidi Stradale engine on the Streetfighter is a different airbox intake to deliver a stronger power delivery throughout the rev range.

Apart from this, the cams have higher lift profiles, the alternator and oil pump are shared with the Panigale V4 R, and the gear drum from the Superleggera V4. The Streetfighter V4’s engine also has variable-length intake trumpets.

The chassis is almost identical with the Panigale V4’s but is an all-new design, 1kg lighter than the previous bike. Just like the Panigale’s the front frame and double-sided swingarm offer less lateral stiffness: 37% in front and 42% at the back for better grip when the bike is leaned over plus improving feedback.

The 2025 Ducati Streetfighter V4 has 0.5º more rake, and 1mm more trail for better straightline stability. Forks are Showa Big Piston, and the rear monoshock in a Sachs unit for the standard variant, while the S variant gets electronic Öhlins NIX/TTX suspension.

The bi-plane winglets generate 17kg of downforace at 270km/h. Oh, Ducati claims the Streetfighter V4 S has a kerb weight without fuel of only 189kg, giving it a 1.13hp/kg of power-to-weight ratio, while the standard variant has a kerb weight without fuel of 191kg.

And of course, no Ducati is complete without a raft of electronics features that will rival the Space Shuttle. There are four ride modes (Race, Sport, Road, Wet), wheelie control, Cornering Traction Control, Cornering ABS, slide control, launch control, quickshifter,.

New is the predictive algorithm-based Ducati Vehicle Observer (DVO) system comes included to precisely estimate the amount of electronic intervention needed, as does a five-level Race eCBS – a combined braking system that can automatically modulate rear pressure without rider input to mimic the cornering techniques used by professional racers.

The electronic features are all controlled through a new 6.9-inch TFT screen. And a partridge in a pear tree.

But it is comforting to know that Ducati did not forget rider comfort. The area where the seat meets the tank is revised to offer more room for taller riders, as well as better grip when braking and cornering. The handlebar and footpegs were repositioned to provide long-distance comfort while still offering a sporty ergonomic.

Last but not least, there are internal deflectors to er… deflect hot air from the engine away from the rider’s legs.

Prices in the UK are £21,295 (RM120,211.52) for the standard variant, while the 2025 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S is £26,195 (RM147,872.31). Prices in MYR are direct conversions, thus the price may be (much) higher when it arrives in Malaysia.

The 2025 Royal Enfield Scram 440 was launched at the manufacturer’s largest annual motorcycle gathering, Motoverse 2024, which was held in Goa, India. The Scram 440 is updated from the current Scram 411.

Starting with the engine, Royal Enfield (RE) bored out the current anaemic 411cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, air/oil-cooled powerplant to 443cc. The added cubes upped maximum power to 25.4hp at 6,250 RPM and torque to 34Nm at 4,000 RPM. It is a model update from 24.3hp at 6,500 RPM and 32Nm at 4,250 RPM. Why RE did not go for even higher outputs in the 30hp region is beyond us.

Next up is the transmission, to which RE added a 6th gear to address highway cruising woes. Apart from that, the maker claims clutch pull is lighter now.

The frame is strengthened to accommodate heavier loads and top box, which the chassis remains the same. The wheels are wire-spoked 19-inches front and rear 17-inch rear, tubed type. Alloy tubeless wheels are optional.

Brakes are also upgraded as a response to present owners who found their braking power inadequate. The dual-channel ABS is now switchable, letting the rider turn off the rear wheel’s ABS for off-road use, akin the RE Himalayan.

Several new colours have been added for the 2025 Royal Enfield Scram 440 and will be released in India from January 2025.

The 2025 BMW R 12 S has been launched, and it is a beautiful homage to the 1973 BMW R90S.

Why was the R90S such an icon? BMW says that the R90S “set an exclamation mark for BMW Motorrad with 67 hp, a top speed of 124 mph (considered the ‘sound barrier’ for motorcycles at the time),  double disk front brakes and sporting riding dynamics.” Putting that PR agency spiel aside, the R90S was the bike which moved BMW away from the “old man’s motorcycle” stereotype and into the performance bracket. Indeed, Reg Pridmore won the 1976 AMA Superbike Championship on it. Cycle World called it the motorcycle which started the sport-touring revolution. It was also designed by Hans Muth, the guy who designed the original Suzuki Katana.

The R nineT range is been the brand’s modern classic range and has seen several beautiful iterations of the bikes of yesteryears, especially the R nineT Racer. But this one takes the cake in our books.

Based on the R 12 nineT, the BMW R 12 S uses the same 1170cc, air/oil-cooled Boxer which produces 109hp and 115Nm. However, the R 12 S is blinged out with Option 719 Wheel Classic II wire-spoked rims, black handlebar, and fork tubes. The engine also features several black accents.

The paint scheme is called N42 Lava (the original was called Daytona Orange) and includes red pinstriping and brushed aluminium accents on the fuel tank and rear seat cover. And don’t forget that old-school headlight fairing, as the R90S was the first production motorcycle to sport one.

Other features include Hill Start Control, Gear Shift Assist Pro, Cruise Control, heated grips, Headlight Pro.

Price is USD21,590 in the US before tax. Oh, now I regret for not being a stock broker…

The British shock absorption specialist, D3O, has come up with a solution in the form of D3O vibration dampening insoles for footwear.

One thing that never goes away when riding a motorcycle is vibration from both the road and the bike itself. Road vibrations is something we can address by tweaking the suspension or changing the tyres, but that high frequency buzz from some bikes can cause our legs and feet to go asleep especially when riding for long distances.

But who and what is D3O…?

Putting D3O aside for a moment, let us look at other motorcycle gear armour: If it is comfort you want, let us say for daily riding, the armour is soft and may not be able to absorb high impact forces. You can wear the jacket or pants as casual clothing.

On the other hand, if you want more protection, comfort is sacrificed because the armour is usually harder and larger. You will look like a cyborg if you want to wear that jacket around and the hard armour can be uncomfortable and limits mobility.

Enter D3O. D3O’s armour is made of substances that result in  non-Newtonian properties. Non-Newtonian solid do not exist but there are non-Newtonian fluids. One good example is tomato ketchup which flows easier when shaken.

So, D3O’s signature armour is malleable and soft to the touch, allowing for great mobility and comfort, but the molecules will instantaneously together and stiffen to absorb large impact forces. And that is really all there is to it.

As such, D3O armour sees a wide variety of uses including in military helmets, bicycle helmets, the aforementioned riding gear, and shoes such as several models in Stylmartin’s line-up.

Back to the new D3O insoles…

The D3O vibration dampening insoles were developed from Formula One teams. These insoles are engineered distribute impacts and vibrations evenly across the soles for improved comfort.

There are three levels of protection: ‘Minimalist’, ‘Standard’, and ‘Loaded.’

Across all three, the main protection is afforded to the midsole area, where the foot meets the peg. The more premium versions feature additional damping material over larger areas.

The product is much welcomed, given that some of us riders have sought many ways to damp our bikes’ vibrations. D3O says it will be available in 2025.

An investment bank has raised their automotive sales forecast for this year to 800,000 units from the previous 760,000 units.

The Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB Research) forecast has the potential to break the all-time high total industry volume (TIV) of 799,731 units recorded last year.

The revision by the investment bank reflects a significant backlog of orders for PERODUA and robust sales efforts by various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the fourth quarter of 2024.

In October, TIV rebounded month-on-month by 20.3 per cent to 69,900 units, driven by PERODUA’s full production schedule and year-end sales boost by other OEMs.

However, TIV in October actually represented a 9.1 per cent decline compared to the same month last year, due to lower backlog of orders.

Total vehicle sales in Malaysia in October 2024 increased by 20 per cent compared to September to 69,859 units.

TIV for the period January to October 2024 was 2.4 percent higher at 664,002 units compared to 648,130 units in the same period in 2023.

In the 10-month period, passenger vehicles recorded sales of 608,225 units, an increase of five percent compared to 581,672 units in the same period the previous year.

For commercial vehicles, sales declined by 16 percent to 55,777 units compared to 66,458 units.

“We expect sales volumes to remain stable in the coming months due to the still high backlog for PERODUA and more aggressive sales campaigns launched by various OEMs.

“We also see more aggressive launches by Chinese OEMs with attractive pricing and features, which will provide stiff competition to existing OEMs,” he said in a research note.

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) also raised its TIV forecast for new vehicle sales in Malaysia to 800,000 units for 2024.

The new forecast is equivalent to an increase of 35,000 units compared to the forecast made last July of 765,000 units.

Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan raised the issue of employing sexily-dressed female models in MotoGP because it contradicts against Islamic teachings and the Rukun Negara.

He requested the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kementerian Belia dan Sukan/KBS) to stop the practice during the Debate Session of the Supply Bill (RUU) 2025 at the Committee Level for KBS at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (November 27).

We recently watched the Sepang 2024 MotoGP competition in early November.

So I would like to raise the issue that apart from the event being well-executed, there are several things that could be improved.

I want to share about the issue of the tradition of displaying sexy female models throughout the event.

If we see it as contradicting the teachings of Islam and our fifth Rukun Negara, which is Modesty and Morality, it is very inappropriate for a motor sport that is enjoyed by men and is popular with various levels of society to be presented with such things, and many visitors even complained,” he said.

Therefore, he requested KBS to take the matter seriously, such as taking action to improve the issue of alcohol delivery during Formula One (F1) races, previously. (Formula One has also stopped the service of umbrella girls for several years. – Editor.)

So I request that KBS take this view into account as we have done before.

If we look at the F1 sports category, there was a ceremony where alcohol was given on the podium, but in recent years, before SIC was not activated, we have seen that alcohol was not given.

This is a good thing and may be practiced in our country, especially in the issue of conspicuous women,” he said.

Earlier, Muhammad Fawwaz also agreed to the cooperation agreement signed between the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and Petronas.

I agree with the agreement between SIC and Petronas to work together for three years to reduce SIC’s dependence on the government.

In fact, the string of these agreements if we see many vibrant programs being implemented at SIC,” he said.

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