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Taxi Slammed into Motorcycle, Killing 11-Year-Old

A taxi slammed into a motorcycle, killing an 11-year-old girl and injuring her older brother.
The accident happened in Bangsar early this morning (23^rdJanuary).
We do not know what actually transpired, but we recommend that all motorcyclists ride with a sense of paranoia that other vehicle drivers do not see us.

A taxi slammed into a motorcycle, killing an 11-year-old girl.

According to The Star, 11-year-old Athierah Batricesya was riding pillion with her 18-year-old brother along Jalan Maarof, Bangsar at about 7am.

A taxi then rammed into them at a junction, throwing both occupants onto the road. Athierah suffered severe head injuries and passed away on the spot, while her brother received bruises to his left leg. The girl has been sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for a post-mortem.

Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department head, Assistant Commissioner Zulkefly Yahya confirmed the accident when contacted by the newspaper. He also said that Athierah was a student at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Bandaraya.

“The taxi driver was unhurt. The case falls under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1087 for reckless driving,” he added.

We do not know what actually transpired this fateful morning, but we as motorcyclists must always have a 360-degree awareness around us at all times. Always ride with a sense of paranoia that no other vehicle drivers see us, much less stopping or giving us the right of way.

2019 Triumph Thruxton TFC Launches Triumph Factory Custom Line-up

The 2019 Triumph Thruxton TFC breaks cover.
It also kickstarts the Triumph Factory Custom (TFC) range.
The Thruxton TFC is not just a repainted Thruxton R.

Triumph Motorcycles have launched the eye-popping and stunning 2019 Triumph Thruxton TFC. In doing so, Triumph formally launched their Triumph Factory Custom range at the same time.

The Thruxton TFC prototype was spotted undergoing road tests just earlier this month. But here it is, ready to turn heads and melt the toughest moto-hearts like diamonds to ladies.

At the same time, the Triumph Factory Custom creates custom bikes without the owners voiding warranties, having the bike butchered, spaghetti-bowl wiring, and ending up with impractical and unrideable Frankensteins. It means TFC bikes will hold their values, if not appreciate.

Styling highlights

Carbon fibre racing “bubble” cowl, front fender, seat cowl, heel guards and exhaust silencer.
Details included billet top triple clamp, tinted windscreen, leather seat with stitching, billet oil filler cap.
LED headlight and taillight.
Blacked out colour scheme with gold pinstriping. (Remember JPS, anyone?)
Triumph didn’t just take a standard Thruxton R and repaint it, instead, the Thruxton TFC features a whole list of upgrades.

Performance upgrades

Lighter engine components, high compression pistons, revised ports, higher profile cams, Vance & Hines silencer add 9.8 bhp to 105 bhp. Torque is up at 115 Nm.
Weight is dropped to 198 kg with the carbon fibre bodywork, besides the revised engine internals.
Additional weight loss came from the aluminium engine cradle rails, removal of the rear mudguard, and lighter battery.

Handling upgrades

Fully-adjustableÖhlins NIX30 forks, an upgrade from the Showa BFF.
Adjustable Öhlins piggyback rear shocks.
Brembo M4.34 Monobloc brake calipers.
Updated ride modes, traction control and ABS.
Metzeler Racetec RR tyres.

Special package

Only 750 will ever be built. Each bike is individually numbered.
TFC handover pack and certificate signed by CEO Nick Bloor.
Personalised custom build book.
TFC motorcycle cover.

We can’t wait to see the bike when it arrives at Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia! The “standard” Thruxton R is already the best cafe racer we’ve had the pleasure to test, so we can’t imagine how the Thruxton TFC is like!

PICTURE GALLERY

How Do the AES Speed Cameras Work?

PLUS will propose to install more AES speed cameras on all their six highways.
If approved, installation will include the Penang Bridge.
But how does the AES speed camera work?

In the news

PLUS (Projek Lebuhraya Utara Selatan Berhad) will submit a proposal to the authorities to install more AES (Automated Enforcement System) speed cameras.

The concessionaire is thinking of installing more of the speed cameras on all six highways under their charge. If the proposal is approved, the cameras will also be installed on the Penang Bridge.

AES camera – Courtesy of NSTP/ASYRAF HAMZAH

Speaking to The Star, PLUS Managing Director Datuk Azman Ismail said the proposal is to ensure road users obey traffic laws and create road safety awareness.

Datuk Azman made the statement at the launching of Ops Selamat 14. The operation will be held from 29^thJanuary to 12^thFebruary in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.

How Does the AES Work?

We’ve heard some motorcyclists say that covering the motorcycle’s speedometer will avoid the AES snapping the speedometer. We didn’t know if we should laugh or cry.

The AES trigger works by determining how much time it took the vehicle to travel through a set distance. Remember the formula Speed = Distance/Time? (Please click here if you don’t.)

There are two types of sensors:

Piezo or inductive loop sensors embedded in the road. These are to detect “slower” speeds over the limit. This system is also used to detect traffic at some intersections.
A radar detector attached on the outside of the camera housing. This detects vehicles that travel at higher speeds.

For the road detectors, a pair are embedded some distance before the camera. The earlier the vehicle passes both, the faster it is travelling.

Radar works by bouncing microwaves off an object. The faster the waves return to the detector, the nearer the object is to the detector. The processing unit calculates the time difference between when the first wave was returned to the subsequent waves. The faster they come back, the faster the vehicle is travelling.

For example:

Let’s assume the two detectors or radar waves are 20 metres apart, and the car crosses in 0.5 second.

Speed = 50m/5 second = (20/1000) km/(2/3600) hr = 0.02 km/0.00014 hr = 142 km/h

CLICK! Check in MyEG for your summons.

Troubleshooting Suspension Symptoms (Part 1) – Preload

We’ve put together a guide to troubleshooting suspension symptoms.
A troubleshooting guide is easier to remember and use.
We start with preload adjustment.

We touched on the basics of suspension set ups some time ago (click here for the article). We decided that a guide on troubleshooting suspension symptoms is easier to understand and remember.

Please refer to the previous article below for the basics on what suspension preload, compression damping and rebound damping.

Suspension Explained (Part 1) – Prologue

Preload adjustment

Virtually all motorcycles are fitted with it, hence it’s where we should start.

To recap, preload affects your suspension’s sag. “Adding” preload causes that end of the motorcycle to rise, and vice versa. However, it DOES NOT adjust the suspension’s stiffness. The “stiff” impression when you crank up the preload is due to the reduced the sag. Think of sag as “freeplay.” Remember, sag DOES NOT affect the spring rate, either.

Preload adjustment affects your bike’s ride height hence chassis geometry. For example, you can have the bike turn into corners quicker by having more preload at the back or less in front. Conversely, you use less preload at the back or a little more in front for more stability in corners.

The blue bolt is the preload adjuster. The more preload you add, the fewer lines it shows

Too little preload (Front)

The front ride rides too low.
The forks bottom out too easily during hard braking or when contacting a bump.

Too much preload (Front)

The front rides high.
Feels harsh.
Overwhelms damping.
Bounces back after hitting bumps.
Weight is shifted to the back wheel causing sluggish turn-in.

Too little preload (Rear)

Bottoms out quickly, especially when riding with a passenger.
Causes the front to ride high.
Sluggish to turn in as weight is off the front wheel.
Front feels light under hard acceleration.
Bike tends to push wide in corners when the throttle is opened.

Too much preload (Rear)

The rear rides much higher than supposed to.
Damping is overwhelmed.
Feels harsh and bounces back hard after contacting bumps.

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow.

Penang Bridge SUV Accident – It was the 5th Time!

The Penang Chief Minister has urged the Penang Bridge and Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (second bridge) concessionaires to review the safety standards of their guardrails.
An SUV went over the guardrails at the Penang Bridge and into the sea after being hit by another vehicle on 20^thJanuary.
It was the fifth case of vehicles and a motorcyclist who plunged off the bridge.

The Penang Chief Minister is urging the Penang Bridge and Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah concessionaires to review the safety standards of their guardrails, following a highly publicized accident.

An SUV went over the guardrails at the Penang Bridge and into the sea after being hit by another vehicle on 20^thJanuary. The subsequent recovery effort has grabbed the attention of the entire nation. The wreckage of the SUV and its occupant, a 20-year-old college student, has been located last night (21^stJanuary).

It was not the first accident which saw a vehicle crashing into the sea, by far. There were four other cases stretching back to 2010.

20^thSeptember 2010

A young married couple’s MPV hit a metal railing, send the vehicle off the bridge.

1^stNovember 2012

An accounting clerk’s vehicle hit a barrier, sending the car into the sea at kilometer-7.4 on the Penang island-bound side.

30^thOctober 2015

A motorcyclist was thrown over the bridge after his motorcycle scraped against another at kilometer-1.4., island-bound. Fortunately, he only suffered minor injuries as he landed in soft mud.

12^thNovember 2015

A driver lost control of his car before plunging into the sea at kilometer-0.6, Prai-bound.

20^thJanuary 2019

The latest case in which an SUV rolled and hopped over the barrier.

Although there was only one case involving a motorcyclist, steps should have been taken earlier. The view from the two Penang bridges are spectacular but one cannot deny how low the present barriers are. On the other hand, shutting the view off entirely would not sit well, either.

However, there is another dark side which we should consider: Suicides. There’ve been a number of cases of people jumping off the bridges to commit suicide. In fact, one attempt had occurred this morning off the second bridge while the recovery efforts of the SUV were still ongoing.

But we have always questioned why always act after tragedies? Why are our authorities so myopic? That is not the only problem. As we mentioned in another article, enforcement only goes on for about 3 months then everyone goes back to breaking the law.

Let’s hope something is done this time.

Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride goes down South!

The Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” ride returns in 2019 with more epic journeys.
This ride covered the state of Johor from Johor Bahru to Mersing and Kluang.
16 Modenas Dominar D400 owners took on this exciting ride for the #MotographyMalaysia initiative.

It was yet another successful and wonderful journey of the Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” ride as they explored the road down South. A convoy of 16 Modenas Dominar D400 owners took the streets from Mersing all the way Kluang for some good time under the sun and riding around the great state. (more…)

Bikesrepublic

Latest News

A taxi slammed into a motorcycle, killing an 11-year-old girl and injuring her older brother.

The accident happened in Bangsar early this morning (23rdJanuary).

We do not know what actually transpired, but we recommend that all motorcyclists ride with a sense of paranoia that other vehicle drivers do not see us.

The 2019 Triumph Thruxton TFC breaks cover.

It also kickstarts the Triumph Factory Custom (TFC) range.

The Thruxton TFC is not just a repainted Thruxton R.

Styling highlights

Performance upgrades

Handling upgrades

Special package

PICTURE GALLERY

PLUS will propose to install more AES speed cameras on all their six highways.

If approved, installation will include the Penang Bridge.

But how does the AES speed camera work?

In the news

How Does the AES Work?

There are two types of sensors:

For example:

We’ve put together a guide to troubleshooting suspension symptoms.

A troubleshooting guide is easier to remember and use.

We start with preload adjustment.

Preload adjustment

Too little preload (Front)

Too much preload (Front)

Too little preload (Rear)

Too much preload (Rear)

The Penang Chief Minister has urged the Penang Bridge and Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (second bridge) concessionaires to review the safety standards of their guardrails.

An SUV went over the guardrails at the Penang Bridge and into the sea after being hit by another vehicle on 20thJanuary.

It was the fifth case of vehicles and a motorcyclist who plunged off the bridge.

20thSeptember 2010

1stNovember 2012

30thOctober 2015

12thNovember 2015

20thJanuary 2019

The Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” ride returns in 2019 with more epic journeys.

This ride covered the state of Johor from Johor Bahru to Mersing and Kluang.

16 Modenas Dominar D400 owners took on this exciting ride for the #MotographyMalaysia initiative.

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The accident happened in Bangsar early this morning (23^rdJanuary).

An SUV went over the guardrails at the Penang Bridge and into the sea after being hit by another vehicle on 20^thJanuary.

20^thSeptember 2010

1^stNovember 2012

30^thOctober 2015

12^thNovember 2015

20^thJanuary 2019