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BMW Malaysia

The unfortunate deregistration of the BMW Motorrad Club Malaysia (BMWMCM) has members and former members reeling in sadness and anger. Leaked images of show cause letters issued by the Malaysian Registrar of Societies shows that the club was mismanaged for a few years, leading to its untimely demise. You can read the full report about what transpired over here.

We reached out to former President, Minesh Doshi, widely credited for building BMWMCM to be voted as the best BMW Club in the world in 2014, for a comment. Minesh was generous with his time and came up with the following statement, and for that we are grateful. (more…)

All good things must come to an end, so they say. But there are some you expect to last for some time, perhaps even longer than you. And when it does not turn out that way, it comes as a shock that is felt by all that hold it dear.

The year 2023 was bittersweet for some, particularly fans and members of the iconic and perhaps even legendary BMW Motorrad Club Malaysia (BMWMCM). As 2023 drew to a close, rumours started circulating that the club had to be disbanded.

But it is difficult to believe rumours in this day of misinformation, so it was disregarded. And then images started circulating of official letters from the Registrar of Societies. And then the disbelieve turned to shock and for some, utter disappointment. (more…)

Sukar untuk percaya bahawa BMW Motorrad telah berjaya meningkatkan S 1000 XR apabila ia sudah begitu baik sejak awal. Tetapi kini ia dikatakan lebih baik daripada sebelum ini, berikut adalah 17 perkara yang perlu anda ketahui mengenai S 1000 XR baharu!

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1. Enjin S 1000 XR baharu 5kg lebih ringan berbanding sebelum ini. Enjin empat-silinder sebaris yang baru dibangunkan adalah berasaskan unit yang memacu S1000 RR tetapi telah dioptimumkan dengan kuasa sederhana dan gradasi transmisi baru untuk gear keempat dan keenam.

2. Kuasa dan tork kini dinilai pada 165hp @ 11,000rpm dan 114Nm pada 9250rpm.

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3. Ia mempunyai Flex Frame baru di mana enjin lebih berintegrasi ke dalam rangka, menjadikannya sebuah unit penahan beban. Rangka belakang adalah baru dan 9% lebih ringan daripada sebelum ini manakala struktur komposit keseluruhan rangka utama, rangka belakang, dan lengan ayun dihitung semula untuk mencapai kombinasi optimum kaku dan fleksibiliti – oleh itu dinamakan Flex Frame.

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4. Dynamic ESA kini ditawarkan sebagai standard manakala Dynamic ESA Pro dengan dua mod pelepasan (Jalan, Dinamik) dengan pampasan beban automatik ditawarkan sebagai option.

5. Lengan ayun kini 19% lebih ringan dan mempunyai penstabilan suspensi yang berhubung secara langsung untuk tindak balas yang lebih sensitif.

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6. Bantuan Brek Dinamik dengan Kawalan Brek Dinamik ditawarkan sebagai piawai.

7. Berat keseluruhan telah dikurangkan sebanyak 10kg dan kini pada 226kg.

8. Sistem ekzos yang sepenuhnya baru yang lebih ringan dan mematuhi standard EU5.

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9. Kawalan Traksi Dinamik kini adalah standard.

10. Hill Start Pro yang memastikan motosikal tidak bergolek semula di atas bukit adalah standard.

11. HP Shift Assistant Pro untuk peralihan gear kopling ditawarkan sebagai standard.

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12. Kawalan pelayaran elektronik boleh didapati sebagai pilihan.

13. Terdapat skrin TFT 6.5-inci yang baru dengan empat paparan yang boleh disesuaikan.

14. Badan motosikal telah direka semula sepenuhnya untuk reka bentuk yang lebih dinamik dengan perlindungan angin dan cuaca yang lebih baik. Lampu depan contohnya telah direka semula.

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15. Terdapat empat mod pemanduan: Rain, Road, Dinamik dan Dinamik Pro kini ditawarkan sebagai standard.

16. Roda aloi ringan 17-inci adalah sama seperti yang digunakan pada S 1000 RR, yang bermaksud beratnya hanya 1.8kg, atau 17% lebih ringan daripada sebelum ini.

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17. Terdapat ciri Kawalan Brek Dinamik baru yang mengelakkan pergerakan throttle yang tidak disengajakan semasa brek. Contohnya, apabila sensor bersempadan mendetek perlahan dan kemudian mendetek input throttle serentak, sistem ini menganggapnya tidak masuk akal dan memberitahu throttle valve untuk tetap ditutup.

Siaran akhbar rasmi dari BMW Motorrad adalah lebih dari 40 halaman, tetapi di atas adalah 17 perkara yang telah disederhanakan untuk anda. Terdapat banyak lagi untuk diketahui jika anda berminat dengan aspek teknikal, kami mencadangkan untuk melawat pembekal BMW Motorrad tempatan anda untuk maklumat yang lebih lengkap.

BMW Motorrad telah memperkenalkan strategi rangkaian model M pada tahun 2018 yang membawa model M yang mendebarkan ke dunia motosikal, lengkap dengan kelengkapan istimewa M dan bahagian prestasi M. Di antara model-model cemerlang ini, BMW M 1000 XR menjadi tambahan ketiga, mengikuti superbike M 1000 RR dan roadster dinamik M 1000 R. BMW M 1000 XR adalah motosikal sukan jarak jauh yang mewakili falsafah dinamik huruf terkuat di dunia, “M.”

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Dibangunkan untuk Prestasi Cemerlang:

BMW M 1000 XR dikuasakan oleh enjin berbaris 4 silinder yang bertenaga, sejenis dengan unit kuasa S 1000 RR. Enjin ini menghasilkan kuasa mencengangkan 201 tenaga kuda (148 kW) pada 12,750 rpm, menjadikannya 31 tenaga kuda lebih kuat daripada S 1000 XR yang baru. Tork mencapai 113 Nm, dicapai pada 11,000 rpm. Dengan kelajuan enjin maksimum 14,600 rpm dan nisbah gear sekunder yang lebih pendek dicapai dengan gegelung 47 gigi, motosikal ini menawarkan daya tarikan roda belakang yang lebih baik dalam semua gear, menghasilkan daya cengkaman yang diperbaiki, pecutan, dan daya tarikan.

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Aerodinamik Mengejutkan:

Aerodinamik memainkan peranan penting dalam reka bentuk BMW M 1000 XR. Penambahan winglet di panel sisi depan meningkatkan prestasinya di trek lumba dan stabiliti pada kelajuan tinggi. Winglet ini mula mencipta beban roda depan sekitar 100 km/jam, mencapai kira-kira 12 kg beban roda depan pada 220 km/jam.

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Sistem Suspensi dan Rangka Canggih:

Sistem suspensi dan rangka M 1000 XR didasarkan pada reka bentuk S 1000 XR, dengan rangka jambatan aluminium. Ia dilengkapi dengan garpu terbalik dengan diameter tiub geser 45 mm di bahagian depan. Ciri baru adalah penyesuaian tambahan pangkalan per litar garpu bersama dengan strut suspensi Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) standard. Motosikal ini juga dilengkapi dengan jambatan garpu atas dengan penjepit batang stereng yang dihasilkan secara elaboratif serta batang stereng aluminium hitam yang lebih menjulur ke hadapan dengan tulisan “BMW M 1000 XR.” Cermin hujung stereng yang boleh disesuaikan dan sebuah alat penstabil stereng yang boleh disesuaikan adalah elemen baru dalam M 1000 XR. 

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Prestasi Brek yang Ditingkatkan:

M XR mempunyai sistem brek M, langsung dipengaruhi oleh brek perlumbaan BMW Motorrad yang digunakan dalam Kejuaraan Dunia Superbike. Pencaliper brek M ini mempunyai lapisan anod bersama logo M yang terkenal. Bersama-sama dengan dua cakera brek berdiameter 320 mm, pam brek tangan radial baru dan pembawa cakera brek aluminium anod hitam, sistem brek ini menetapkan standard baru dalam sistem yang sah di jalan raya.

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Pakej Pertandingan M:

Bagi penunggang yang mencari lebih lagi dari M 1000 XR mereka, Pakej Pertandingan M menawarkan pelbagai komponen yang telah diperbaiki, menjadikan motosikal lebih ringan sebanyak 3 kg. Ia termasuk roda M Carbon, bahagian M Carbon seperti penutup roda belakang dengan perlindung rantai yang terintegrasi, panel sisi, penutup roda hadapan, penutup dalaman dan penutup kunci pencawang pendidikan, serta sistem penstabil kaki penunggang M yang sepenuhnya boleh disesuaikan, penstabil kaki penumpang, dan MGPS Laptrigger (kod kunci buka).

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Prestasi Enjin Luar Biasa:

M 1000 XR berkongsi enjin berbaris 4 silinder berpendingin air dengan M 1000 R, memberikan 201 tenaga kuda pada 12,750 rpm, peningkatan sebanyak 31 tenaga kuda berbanding S 1000 XR yang baru. Dengan kelajuan enjin maksimum 14,600 rpm, M XR hebat dalam julat putaran lebih daripada 10,000 rpm, memberikan pecutan dan daya tarikan yang lebih baik.

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Mod Motosikal yang Boleh Disesuaikan:

M 1000 XR menawarkan dua dunia mod pemanduan: satu untuk jalan raya dan satu lagi untuk trek lumba. Mod pemanduan standard termasuk “Hujan,” “Jalan Raya,” “Dinamik,” dan “Perlumbaan,” dengan mod “Perlumbaan Pro” tambahan. Kawalan Traksi Dinamik (DTC) dengan sensor 6 paksi, fungsi wheelie, dan ciri-ciri penyesuaian gegelung membenarkan pengalaman pemanduan yang bersesuaian.

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Suspensi Diperbaiki:

Dilengkapi dengan suspensi Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) yang dikawal secara elektronik sebagai standard, M 1000 XR menawarkan tetapan asas DDC yang berkaitan dengan mod pemanduan dan penyesuaian suspensi individu. Motosikal ini juga membolehkan penunggang menyesuaikan tetapan suspensi berdasarkan beban, sama ada menunggang bersendirian atau dengan penumpang.

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Roda M Carbon:

M 1000 XR dilengkapi dengan roda aluminum terpacu yang ringan sebagai standard, dengan roda M Carbon yang sangat ringan boleh didapati sebagai pilihan tambahan. Roda M Carbon ini, kira-kira 1.5 kg lebih ringan daripada roda standard, meningkatkan kecekapan motosikal dan kemampuan pengendalian, berkat pemusatan masa putaran yang berkurang.

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Papan Muka yang Canggih:

Papan muka M XR dilengkapi dengan paparan TFT 6.5 inci yang menawarkan paparan skrin yang boleh disesuaikan untuk pelbagai tujuan. Ia menyediakan

 maklumat penting, termasuk kelajuan, putaran seminit, mod pemanduan, tetapan ABS Pro, tetapan DTC, dan lain-lain. Untuk peminat trek, papan muka menawarkan masa litar, maklumat kelajuan tertentu, sudut lereng, dan data berkaitan prestasi lain.

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Elektronik Canggih:

Elektrik dan elektronik M 1000 XR sebahagian besar berdasarkan sistem terbukti S 1000 XR. Namun, dengan prestasi tertinggi yang difikirkan, M XR mempunyai bateri yang ringan dengan berat 1,288 g dan kapasiti 5 Ah. Ia juga dilengkapi dengan soket cas USB di bahagian belakang kenderaan sebagai standard, yang memberikan arus cas maksimum 2.4 A. Ia juga mempunyai kawalan pelayaran elektronik dan grip panas sebagai standard.

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Semua unit cahaya M 1000 XR menggunakan teknologi LED terkini. Ini termasuk lampu hadapan utama yang ikonik dengan logo M yang diterangi, lampu kedudukan, lampu penunjuk sisi depan, unit lampu belakang, dan papan muka dengan lampu kawalan. Lampu hadapan LED dengan cahaya putaran adaptif juga memberikan M XR penampilan yang sangat dinamik dan menyinari jalan dengan sempurna.

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Jika M 1000 XR dalam konfigurasi standard masih tidak mencukupi untuk anda, Pakej Pertandingan M dan cat hitam metallic asas bersama dengan warna M motorsport menawarkan gabungan komponen yang telah diperbaiki untuk peminat teknologi perlumbaan dan penunggang yang peka dengan estetika. Pakej Pertandingan M termasuk roda M Carbon, bahagian M Carbon seperti penutup roda belakang dengan perlindung rantai yang terintegrasi, panel sisi, penutup roda hadapan, penutup dalaman, dan penutup kunci pencawang pendidikan, serta sistem penstabil kaki penunggang M yang sepenuhnya boleh disesuaikan, penstabil kaki penumpang, dan MGPS Laptrigger (kod kunci buka).

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BMW M 1000 XR adalah sebuah kuasa yang memenuhi segala aspek, menggabungkan prestasi tinggi, teknologi terkini, dan reka bentuk yang menakjubkan. Sama ada anda adalah penunggang berpengalaman atau peminat yang mencari motosikal sukan jarak jauh terunggul, M 1000 XR memenuhi semua ciri. Ia adalah mahakarya dari rangkaian model M BMW Motorrad yang ditetapkan untuk menentukan semula pengalaman sukan jarak jauh.

BMW Malaysia has formally introduced the all-new 2023 BMW M 1000 R for the Malaysian market more than six months after its global introduction back in October. 

  • The M 1000 R makes 205hp and 112Nm.
  • Features wider handlebar, taller peak torque and unique electronic package.
  • The roadster/hypernaked machine is the second M-branded motorcycle introduced by BMW after the M 1000 RR.

While the M 1000 R makes used of the M 1000 RR 999cc powertrain, the engine has been reworked to provide a higher peak torque from 10,000rpm to 12,000rpm.  As a result, the engine is now quieter and with a higher redline of 14,600rpm,  well over the S 1000 R’s 12,000rpm limit. 

The M 1000 R also features shorter gear ratios in 4th, 5th and 6th gear and shorter rear sprocket than the S 1000 R.  Also fitted as standard on the M 1000 R is BMWs Shift Assistant Pro, allowing an up-and-down clutchless shifts and can be adjusted from conventional gear to GP gear. 

Electronically, the M 1000 R gets several riding modes including Rain, Road, Dynamic and Race with the addition of track-centric Race Pro 1, Race Pro 2 and Race Pro 3.  Other electronic features inlcude Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with 6-axis sensor and lean angle sensor. The DTC package includes wheelie-limitation function, pit lane limiter, launch control and hill-start control (HSC).

Of course, the most notable aspect of the new M 1000 R is the existence of aero winglets on the side panels.  BMW claimed that the winglets are not purely for aesthetic purposes but also adds 10kg of downforce at 218km/h. 

The M 1000 R is suspended by an all-black 45mm upside-down fork (preload/compression/rebound adjustable) with 119mm of travel and a rear shock with 116mm of travel.  In addition, BMW also threw in the Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) (electronic suspension) as standard. 

Braking is done with twin 320mm steel disc mated to a 4-pot callipers up front and single 220mm steel disc with aluminium single-piston floating callipers at the rear.  That said, ABS Pro comes as standard including Brake Slide Assist that allow riders to slide the M 1000 R into the turns. 

Meanwhile, information is delivered to the rider via a 6.4-inch TFT instrument display with customizable display options. 

The 2023 BMW M 1000 R is arrives in Sole Lightwhite  and  M Motorsport colour scheme.

The final day of the three day two night ride, we head back to KL from Penang.

But because it is a relatively straightforward ride, the participants suggest to check out the new highest highway in Malaysia (at 61.5 meters above ground, the Paya Terubong to Ayer Hitam road takes over from the Rawang bypass as the highest highway) – this though turned out to be a disaster of traffic proportions.

Disaster is probably an overstatement, because we ended up in an absolute hellish traffic crawl through the market in Ayer Hitam, Penang.

Everything and everyone was stuck in that traffic, from the guy on a bicycle, to a cute Vespa and even a bus amongst the many cars.

And in the midst of it all were us! On gleaming BMWs with mega engines protruding out the sides, slowly inching along traffic, trying not to scratch the engine or get a dent on that beautiful body work.

If there is one thing that this epic traffic jam revealed was just how good the R18s were in slow traffic.

The low speed balance of the bike was fantastic, and only at extremely low speeds did we need to tripod it around traffic.

I know this is not a big deal, but keep in mind that the massive twin 1,802cc boxer engine keeps pushing the bike from side to side, so keeping this thing steady at low speed can be a workout. The fact that the R18 does it so effortlessly is genius.

We didn’t actually reach our destination, because we were stuck in traffic for quite a while and then lost our way, so we decided to get on to the second bridge and head south.

And this time I was on the R18 Classic, and boy am I glad for that.

Riding at about 160km/h on a shieldless cruiser is like holding onto a pole at hurricane level winds.

According to the Beaufort Wind Force Scale (a scale used to describe nautical wind speed), any wind that is stronger than 118km/h is enough to devastate a coastline.

So the next time you see anyone riding a cruiser faster than 110km/h, give his arms the due credit.

On the highway, the cruise control function available solely on the R18 Classic is a welcomed feature. Especially on long distance rides where the constant throttle input can become tiring.

The abundance of torque though lets you glide effortlessly. Even when you need to overtake.

Having said that, I did find myself downshifting a gear or two when I needed to get out of the way of an idiot in a fast moving murder machine aka Myvi.

Later I hopped on to the R18 Pure because a media colleague wanted to try out the Classic, because he saw that I was a lot more comfortable than anyone else was.

The R18 Pure can be brutally uncomfortable at anything above 120km/h. But that’s also the case with any shieldless cruiser such as a Harley-Davidson Fatboy or anything of that sort.

But on the long sweeping corners after Kuala Kangsar towards Ipoh was when the R18 Pure came together nicely.

BMW R18 Malaysia

From the vantage point of the rider, the engine looks like it’s just a few centimetres off the road. And this creates a psychological barrier when cornering for fear of scrapping the engine covers.

But get over that and you will notice that the R18 Pure really does like to corner. The R18 Pure at least.

It doesn’t take much to scrape the foot pegs, but it is only the brave that can keep scraping without fear. A quick check between my legs tells me that the size of my nuts doesn’t allow for that.

We reached Ipoh a little after noon, for lunch at The Andersonian Club.

Being an Ipoh boy myself, I have to say that this is not the finest that Ipoh has to offer, but there’s no arguing against a good banana leaf lunch.

But that made the ride back to KL a little more arduous because we all know what happens after a banana leaf lunch at noon.

But I was back on the R18 Classic for that part of the journey. The screen shielding me from the wind, the cruise control taking on the throttling duties, and that fat front wheel soaking up bumps better than the 70 profile Michelin on the R18 Pure.

I have said this before in the previous diary entries over the past two days – the R18 Classic is the better highway cruiser. While the R18 Pure is better and more stylish around town.

But the other thing that I truly enjoyed was the ride itself.

BMW R18 Malaysia

Riding in the cool Cameronian breeze. Carving the many corners of Sungai Koyan. The yummy food in Penang and the stay in G Hotel in Gourney drive. And especially the company.

I enjoyed it all. Everything was beautifully put together and the people and the R18’s made it better.

BMW R18 Malaysia

But this is not a journey that only a select few can enjoy. You too can sign up for this at a little over RM3,000.

I received a message from a friend saying that it didn’t sound like a good deal – I didn’t understand that.

BMW R18 Malaysia

The bike rental alone costs RM1,000 a day (if you can find one) while a stay at the G Hotel in Gourney comes in at over RM500 per night.

You can’t really put a value to not having to line up at Nasi Kandar Deen Maju. And that sunset cruise was a classy touch – typically BMW. But just so you know, the cruise alone costs RM4,500 for three hours.

BMW R18 Malaysia

For RM3,350, you get an all expenses paid trip. Even the petrol is covered and you don’t even have to worry about carrying your own bags because there will be a support car to manage all of that.

All you have to do is ride. And perhaps just like it did for me – your soul too can be fuelled.

Visit www.fsadventures.com.my for more information!

Our riding yesterday didn’t just end after we arrived at the Century Pines hotel in Tanah Rata.

In fact, right after I had published yesterday’s entry, we jumped back on the bikes and headed to one of the oldest hotels & restaurant in Cameron Highlands – The Smoke House.

The ride there was chilly. If there is one good thing that Covid did, it stopped people from over visiting some key landmarks in the country, like Cameron Highlands.

This allowed the environment to somewhat heal, and the cool weather Cameron Highlands was once known for is thankfully back.

We rode in 18 degrees Celsius yesterday. And that was at 730pm. I hope it stays that way for good now. Fat chance I know.

Anyway, as I had mentioned it had rained earlier and that meant we were riding in the dark on wet roads.

I didn’t bother changing the ride mode and kept the bike in Roll (as I mentioned yesterday, the R18 has three riding modes – Rock, Roll and Rain)

Throughout the many corners between Century Pines and The Smoke House, never did the traction control light blink.

Power was easily manageable thanks to the masses of torque, so you don’t really need to downshift when entering a corner.

I did try the Rain mode on the ride back, but that just made the throttle feel too lazy. I reckon that would be best left for riding in torrential rain.

On the ride down from Cameron Highlands, I swapped the R18 Classic for the R18 Pure. I found the 16 inch front wheel a little too heavy and un-obliging when I wanted the front end to be where I wanted it to be.

So swapping the 16 inch front wheel for the 19 inch front wheel of the Pure should sort that out, in theory at least.

The Pure is also about 5-8 kilograms lighter than the Classic since it does without the windshield and cruise control and a lighter front wheel.

At first, the tight corners of Cameron Highlands had me huffing and puffing to manage the 350 kilograms of the R18.

It is a heavy bike and there is no sugar coating that fact.

KK Wong, the BMW certified trainer then pulled me aside and reminded me of something I had already known all this while – just be in the right gear and look where you want to go, and let your right hand manage the throttle and ultimately the weight of the bike.

And then it all flowed nicely.

Sometimes we all need a cool three minute talk to remind us of what is already in our entrenched memory.

From then on, the R18 Pure proved to be perfectly tractable in tight and long corners.

That front end was obliging anytime I needed it to move away from a pothole.

But the joy of riding the R18 Pure ended at the corners around Cameron Highlands, because as soon as we came down from the hills and hit the highway, I found myself wishing I was still on the R18 Classic.

Northbound on the highway heading towards Penang, we had the perfect opportunity to feel how the R18 is like on the open roads.

The 1,802cc engine and the 158Nm of torque were perfectly at home on the open highway, all you ever need to get up to speed is to gently squeeze the throttle and you would reach jail term speeds in about 200 meters or less.

There is no denying the power of the engine.

But there is also no denying the well known fact that a cruiser with no windshield and open handle bars can be extremely uncomfortable on the highway at high speed.

And I reiterate the now very important point that the first thing that needs to be done when you buy a R18 (Pure or Classic) is to change the seat for something more comfortable.

But if there is one thing that I learnt today, it would be the fact that the R18 Pure is quite capable in corners and can be quite fun too, which is amazing for such a heavy bike.

It would however need some aftermarket accessories to make it more comfortable on the highway.

A BMW representative nailed it on the head when he said, “The R18 is not a long distance tourer, it is a mid or short range tourer”. And you can’t blame them for that either, because they have the RT or the GS for those who want to go far comfortably.

After reaching our destination of the day, we ended up in what could just be the most difficult nasi kandar to have in Malaysia, and that is simply because of the long lines that the shop almost always seems to have.

I am talking about Deen Maju Nasi Kandar in Penang. For those not in the know, this joint always seems to have a long line that snakes out and around the shop. It is quite normal for people to wait upwards of an hour to have a meal.

But of course, in another stroke of pure class, BMW simply reserved a room and we trudged right in for lunch.

And about two hours after lunch, we hopped onto a catamaran for a relaxing sunset cruise under the Penang bridge.

Though quite common in islands like Langkawi, I never knew that you could charter such cruises in Penang. I suggest that you check them out at the “Straits Quay Sunset Cruise” Instagram and Facebook page.

Or you could simply email them at stratsquaysunsetcruise@gmail.com

What happens tomorrow?

Tomorrow is sadly the last day of the R18 Getaway.

But not before some cruising around Penang Island, and a spot of banana leaf “lunching” in Ipoh.

This could just be your adventure too.

BMW R18 MALAYSIA

You too can join the BMW R18 Getaway Ride Malaysia at just RM3,350 which includes all that I have mentioned including the cruise and even the BMW R18 motorcycle itself. And if you would like to bring a pillion along, you just have to add a further RM2,200 to that.

Seems like a steal doesn’t it? Consider this, the yacht trip alone costs RM4,500 for three hours. And you simply pay RM3,350 for the entire ride.

This is the ultimate motorcycle tour bargain, if there ever was one.

Visit www.fsadventures.com.my for more information.

It has been about seven years since I had last attended an official BMW Motorrad ride. The year was 2015 and the destination was somewhere in Spain.

The model that was introduced back then was the much loved BMW S1000XR – Munich’s first ever salvo at the Ducati Multistrada. That is of course an entirely different story.

Fast forward to 2022, and I write this lounging at the Century Pines Hotel in Cameron Highlands, after completing day one of the first ever BMW R18 Getaway.

This is a unique event put together by BMW Motorrad Malaysia for R18 owners or those who would like to experience the R18 and the lifestyle it offers.

The ride costs somewhere in the RM8,000 region, but you could have it for a little over RM3,000, owner or non.

To be able to offer this, BMW Motorrad Malaysia partnered with a company that could just be the authority on BMW motorcycles in Malaysia – FS Adventures which owned and run by BMW fanatics Faisal Sukree (above) and KK Wong (below).

FS Adventures is a company that specialises in putting together adventure rides for BMW owners in Malaysia and around the world.

Faizal is also a contestant in the extremely demanding GS Trophy, while KK is a BMW road riding trainer.

We had interviewed Faizal in depth some time ago and spoke to him about his rides and adventures. He is a man of many tales, like how he once rode off a snow cliff in Alaska because he couldn’t see the road ahead in the thick snow.

You can read about Faizal and his adventures here.

So what happened on Day One?

The ride started after a brief at Bungalow 37 in Bangsar. The destination for the day was Cameron Highlands.

It wasn’t too far of a ride but the roads were beautiful.

After a quick splash and dash at the famous BHP station at Karak, we headed towards Century Pines hotel in Tanah Rata via the secluded but much loved Sungai Koyan – Cameron Highlands road.

Lunch was served at a quaint cafe and guest house called Tiny Boutique.

When Faizal told us that the cafe serves some of the best pizzas in Malaysia, I dismissed that. Almost everyone says that about pizza at some cafe.

But after trying it out for myself, admittedly it is one of the best I’ve had. Even the soup served as a starter was made of five different types of mushrooms, Alaskan snow crab and mussels. It was unique and a must visit.

We reached the hotel at about 330pm for some downtime before riding back out for dinner later at 7pm.

How were the bikes?

Both the BMW R18 Pure and R18 Classic was on offer in the morning, but I chose to start with the classic.

Why? Well, it came with a windscreen and cruise control, which is not available on the Pure.

The windscreen offered some protection from the wind blast at illegal speeds, while the cruise control provided some comfort after about an hour and a half of my arms being stretched out to grip the handle bars.

The R18 Classic came with a bigger front tyre as well. Measuring in at a chunky 130/90 16 while the Pure offers a slimmer Michelin tyre measuring in at 120/70 R19.

This made the front end feel a little less eager to turn especially around the winding rounds of Sungai Koyan and up Cameron Highlands towards Tanah Rata.

More saddle time should fix that issue.

Talking about saddles, the seat on the R18 could be better. My bum was absolutely murdered after about two hours of riding.

But that isn’t too surprising though, BMW does after all offer a selection of aftermarket seats, and there’s even more from BMW’s aftermarket partner – Mustang Seats.

This is a strategy seen in other cruisers such as Harley-Davidsons as well.

The BMW R18 is after all supposed to be a blank canvas for you to customise according to your taste. To create your own custom BMW according to your whim and fancy.

It is a very capable canvas too.

That 1,802cc engine is a masterpiece, not only to look at but the way it delivers its power as well.

The controls are mid-set with no option of forward set controls simply because the mammoth of an engine gets in the way.

It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful engines ever to grace a motorcycle.

It puts out 91hp at 4,750rpm and about 158Nm of torque from just 3,000rpm.

This means that on the highway and around fast bends, you can simply ride the torque wave without downshifting.

But when the corners get tighter, you need to adopt the regular riding style of downshifting or risk the bike running wide.

There are also three different riding modes, and in typical BMW fashion, are called Rain, Roll and Rock.

As you would probably expect, Rain dumbs down all the electronics and power to keep you safe when the roads are wet.

Roll is for regular dry road riding with maximum power available at a squirt of the throttle.

While Rock is what we regular folks would usually call Sport. This is when the bike is at its liveliest and gives you full beans.

So what’s next?

Tomorrow we head to Penang with some corner carving on the way down from Cameron Highlands and some highway time on the north south highway.

I will bring you more about the R18, and also hope to spend some time with the R18 pure.

For now though, I need a whisky.

BMW Malaysia perkenalkan buat julung kalinya BMW X3 M Competition dan X4 M Competition di Secret Garage @ M Town, hari ini.

BMW X3 M COMPETITION

BMW X3 M Competition dan X4 M Competition mengembangkan lagi portfolio BMW X bagi segmen Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) dan Sports Activity Coupe (SAC).

Kedua-dua model ini didatangkan dengan enjin 3.0L M TwinPower Turbo straight-six yang menawarkan 510hp dan 600Nm pada 2,600 – 5,950rpm dan membolehkan pencapaian kelajuan maksima sekitar 250km/j dan 0-100km dalam 4.1 saat.

BMW X4 M COMPETITION

Kuasa kemudiannya disalurkan menerusi penggunaan transmisi 8-kelajuan M Steptronic dengan Drivelogic dengan tiga mod pemanduan ditawarkan, ‘Efficient’, ‘Sport’ dan ‘Sport Plus’.

Bahagian chasis turut ddipertingkat dengan komponen spesifik-M yang bukan hanya meningkatkan prestasi malah kawalan dan dinamik keseluruhan jentera.

Ruang dalam X3 M dan X4 M Competition memfokuskan kepada keselesaan dengan suasana kokpit ikonik M yang diperlihatkan di bahagian entry sills, stering, butang M Drive dan butang Start/Stop.

BMW X3 M Competition ini turut menawarkan ruang letak barang yang luas dengan kapasiti 550L yang boleh meningkat kepada 1,600L sementara X4 M Competition menawarkan 1,430L – dari 525L – jika kerusi belakang dilipat.

Kedua-dua model didatangkan dengan pelbagai ciri inovasi tinggi antaranya:

  • Head-Up Display
  • Parking Assistant Plus – Surround View dan Remote 3D Service
  • Skrin Kawaln 10.25 inci
  • BMW Gesture COntrol
  • BMW ConnectedDrive
  • Driving Assistant Plus
  • Parking Assistant Plus
  • Comfort Access
  • Sistem bunyi dari Harman Kardon dengan kuasa amp 600W

Bagi yang berminat, BMW Malaysia menawarkan enam pilihan warna yang merangkumi Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Donington Grey, Phytonic Blue, Sophisto Grey dan terbaru, Toronto Red.

BMW X3 M dan X4 M Competition boleh didapati di seluruh pengedar BMW bermula 14 Ogos ini dengan harga berikut:

BMW X3 M Competition : RM886,551.58
BMW X4 M Competition : RM904, 276.60

BMW Malaysia melancarkan M8 Coupe dan M8 Gran Coupe di Secret Garage @ M Town, hari ini.

Kedua-dua model tersebut merupakah ahli terbaru dalam keluarga jentera berprestasi tinggi segmen kereta mewah BMW.

BMW M8 Coupe

BMW M8 Coupe merupakan model yang julung kali diperkenalkan dalam varian 8 Series yang dilengkapi dengan enjin paling berkuasa – 4.4L V8 dengan teknologi TwinPower – yang menawarkan 600hp dan 750Nm pada 1,800 – 5,600rpm.

BMW M8 Gran Coupe

Enjin diberi nama S63 ini merupakan paling berkuasa pernah dihasilkan BMW dan mampu merekodkan 0-100km/j dalam masa 3.3 saat dan mencatat kelajuan maksima 250km/j.

BMW M8 Gran Coupe

BMW M8 Coupe turut menawarkan 10.4L bagi setiap 100km manakala M8 Gran Coupe menawarkan penjimatan lebih baik dengan 10.7L bagi setiap 100km.

BMW M8 Coupe

Kedua-dua model didatangkan dengan tiga mod pemanduan daripada unit V8 tersebut menerusi ‘Efficient’, ‘Sport’dan ‘Sport Plus’.

Segala kuasa itu kemudiannya disalurkan menerusi transmisi 8-kelajuan M Steptronic dengan Drivelogic yang mudah dioperasikan melalui gear selector atau secara manual menggunakan paddel di belakang stereng.

Bagi menawarkan pengalaman pemanduan yang mengujakan dan unik, M8 Coupe dan Gran Coupe disertakan dengan Sound Control yang bertujuan mengawal bunyi dihasilkan sistem ekzos M Sport.

Pemanduan juga boleh dilaras mengikut cita rasa pemandu; dari 4WD kepada 4WD mod Sport, atau 2WD (rear-wheel-drive) untuk kegunaan di litar lumba.

Ruang dalam juga boleh dilaras secara elektronik dengan tetapan tempat duduk disertakan dengan Memory function bagi memudahkan pelarasan dilakukan.

Tempat duduk belakang juga menawarkan keselesaan dengan kemasan kulit Merino didatangkan secara standard.

BMW M8 Coupe menawarkan ruang letak barang berkapasiti 420L sementara Gran Coupe, 440L.

Antara ciri menarik lain ditawarkan:

  • BMW Operating System 7.0 dengan skrin 12.3 inci
  • Control Display 10.25inci resolusi tinggi
  • Actie Cruise Control dengan fungsi Stop&Go
  • Driving Assistant Profesional
  • Parking Assistant Plus
  • Lane Keeping Assistant
  • Lane Change Assistant
  • Crossing-traffic Warning dan Reverse Assistant

Manakala BMW ConnectedDrive menawarkan servis berkualiti menerusi Connected Package Profesional yang merangkumi Remote Services, Teleservices, Intelligent Emergency Call, Apple CarPlay dan Concierge Service.

Tujuh warna ditawarkan bagi kedua-dua varian antaranya Alpine White, Brands Hatch Grey, Marina Bay Blue, Motegi Red, Black Sapphire, Donington Grey dan Barcelona Blue.

Bagaimanapun, bagi yang mengejar perbezaan, terdapat satu unit eksklusif BMW M8 dengan pilihan warna Individual Frozen Bluestone yang boleh dimiliki dengan harga tambahan RM30,000.

Orang ramai yang berminat boleh mendapatkan kedua-dua model ini pada harga berikut:

BMW M8 Coupe : RM 1,452, 960. 88
BMW M8 Gran Coupe : RM 1,455, 145.25

  • BMW Motorrad first introduced the R 18 some months back to the global market. 
  • The limited-edition BMW R 18 is now available in Malaysia.
  • The limited-edition model will only be available at 3 dealers nationwide. 
    Online bookings have started.

BMW Motorrad is the latest player in the cruiser market with the launch of their super seductive BMW R 18 a couple of months back.

To make its debut even grander, the first limited edition batch called the BMW R 18 First Edition will only be made in limited numbers. You can book yours online now via BMW Motorrad Malaysia! (more…)

Jenama BMW Motorrad sememangnya popular di kalangan peminat dua roda di Malaysia jadi tidak hairanlah lebih 1,125 unit berjaya diserahkan kepada pelanggan pada 2019.

Menariknya, BMW kekal pilihan peminat segmen adventure (ADV) tatkala 600 unit daripada jumlah tersebut membabitkan motosikal ADV antaranya R 1250 GS, R 1250 GS Adventure, F 850 GS dan F 750 GS.

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure menjadi peneraju utama dengan lebih 200 unit berjaya dijual tahun lalu sekaligus menyaksikan segmen ADV premium masih lagi menjadi perhatian peminat dua roda dalam negara.

Senario ini menyumbang kepada penjualan seluruh dunia BMW Motorrad – 175,162 unit.

Sementara itu, kami menjangkakan penjualan BMW Motorrad akan terus kukuh bagi tahun 2020 tatkala BMW S 1000 RR 2020 – RM138,500 – dijangka mendarat dalam tempoh terdekat.

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