EICMA motorcycle show brings you all the latest and upcoming production models to get you excited for the forthcoming year.
Ducati Diavel has been crowned the most beautiful bike at EICMA.
The Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S and Fantic Caballero 700 took second and third place, respectively.
The best part is, at the end of the event, visitors are required to pick one bike to be crowned the most beautiful motorcycle of the event.
A reputable Italian publication, Motociclismo is the responsible party behind the voting and has been doing so since 2005.
*Ducati Diavel V4
That said, for 2022, visitors of EICMA have voted the all-new Ducati Diavel V4 as the most breathtaking bike above all else.
The Diavel V4 took the win with an impressive 36.3 per cent out of 22,880 total votes collected. Meanwhile, another Italian Moto Guzzi comes second with 13.2 per cent with the all-new V100 Mandello S.
*Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S
Surprisingly, the Fantic Caballero 700 took the third spot with 11.1 per cent of the vote.
The remaining seven are as follows:
Triumph Street Triple 765 R
Honda XL750 Transalp
Benelli TRK800
Suzuki GSX-8S
Vespa GTS 300
Moto Morini X-Cape
Brixton Cromwell 1200
*Honda XL750 Transalp
On that note, the award has always gone to an Italian-made motorcycle, with Ducati winning it ten times, followed by MV Agusta (five times).
Do you agree with the result? Do drop us a comment and share your thoughts.
Despite finishing second in Race 2 of round 6 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup at Mandalika Circuit, it was enough to deliver Hakim Danish his first ATC championship winning medal.
Hakim Danish is the 2022 Asia Talent Cup champion.
His tally of 187 points was enough to put him ahead of Japan’s Shinya Ezawa to claimed the 2022 title.
The 15-year-old Malaysian started the race as the championship leader, with six points ahead of Japan’s Shinya Ezawa.
Despite falling behind Ezawa during the early stage of Race 2, Danish aggressiveness saw him overtook the front row to lead the race ahead of home favourite, Veda Ega Pratama.
Both Danish and Pratama were neck and neck towards the final 10 laps which resultedthe two riders opening a five second gap during the remaining 6 laps.
However, with 3 laps to go Danish seems content with his position and started to only continue his race pace without bringing the fight to Pratama.
As a result, Pratama claimed his back-to-back race in front of the home crowd with Danish improving his Race 1 result with 2nd place in Race 2, while Ezawa completed the podium at 3rd place.
Second place was enough for Danish to claimed his maiden ATC championship with 187 points, 10 points ahead of Ezawa while Pratama took third spot in the championship standing.
The highly anticipated Honda CL500 has arrived in a retro-style motorcycle that features the same powertrain as the CMX 500 Rebel.
From rumour to realitiy, Honda brings the CL nameplate back to modern times.
Features the highly-capable 500cc parallel-twin engine found in the CMX 500 Rebel.
If the CL nameplate sounds familiar to some of you that’s because the motorcycle was quite popular back in the day with its 125 to 450cc range.
Nevertheless, the CL nomenclature has made a comeback in the form of the new CL500.
Firstly, the CL500 features some similar specifications to the CMX Rebel, although the low-sub sub-frame has been replace with a rear-end that pays homage to the original CL-series including a high slung exhaust.
As you can expect, powering the CL500 is the same 471cc parallel-twin cylinder engine found in the CMX Rebel that produces 45.9hp and 43.3Nm peak torque.
However, new on the CL500 is a shorter final drive for more power from the get go and an updated fuel injection settings.
Meanwhile, the power is delivered to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual transmission mated to an assist/slipper clutch for seamless clutch feel.
Honda claimed the retro motorcycle tips the scale at 192kg which is an extra kilogram heavy than the Rebel.
Other notable features include:
41mm telescopic forks
rear twin shocks with 5-step preload adjustment
2-piston calliper (front) with 310mm disc
single piston calliper (rear) with 240mm disc
19” front wheel, 17” rear wheel with Dunlop Mixtours tires
12L fuel tank
In addition, the CL500 gets a new riding ergonomics thanks to its scrambler-style bodywork. That said, the seat height remains at 790mm.
To complete the retro look, the CL500 is equipped with a reverse LCD display.
Honda officially expand the Rebel 1100 range with a new bagger variant that adds a fork-mounted fairing and color-matched hard panniers for 2023.
Honda Rebel 1100T joins the Rebel lineup for 2023.
Features similar specification with the base Rebel including cruise control, 16.3L fuel tank and Showa rear shocks.
Typically, the fairing is an added protection against road elements including the wind and debris while the lockable saddlebags adds 35L of storage.
Despite the ‘touring packge’, the Rebel 1100T still feature the same 16.3L of fuel tank as the base Rebel. Hence, we expect the same 240km of range.
Also the additional storage adds to the bike’s overall weight to 245kg for DCT model , that’s 14kg more than the standard Rebel.
Mechanically, the Rebel 1100T is pretty much similar to the Rebel 1100 DCT, including the same 1083cc parallel-twin engine derived from the Arica Twin and NT1100 that makes 86hp and 97Nm.
The Rebel 1100T is suspended by a telescopic fork at the front with 140mm of travel and dual Showa rear shocks with adjustable preload and 93mm of travel.
Braking is done by a four-pot radial-mount hydraulic callipers with 330mm floating rotors at the front and a single-piston callipers with 258mm disc at the rear.
Also similar to the standard model, braking is regulated by a dual-channel ABS that comes as standard including traction control, wheelie control, engine braking control, cruise control and three riding modes.
The Rebel 1100T is available in two colourways, Metallic Black and Bordeaux Red Metallic.
Honda has officially rolled out the all-new XL750 Transalp after months of speculation and spy shot that took place in Japan and Europe.
The Transalp features the same parallel-twin engine as the Hornet.
Fitted with Showa’s suspension at the front and rear with Pro-Link swingarm.
The Transalp nameplate returns for 2023 with the middleweight adventure motorcycle set to go up against the Yamaha Tenere 700 and KTM 890 Adventure.
The engine
Mechanically, the Honda XL750 Transalp features the all-new parallel-twin powertrain as found in the recently announced Honda Hornet.
That said, the XL750 Transalp makes 90hp and 75Nm slotting in between the 74hp Tenere and 105hp 890 Adventure.
Power is delivered via six-speed transmission combined with a slipper clutch with FFC Leaning Segment disc. Honda claimed that the new clutch design helps to reduced clutch drag torque by 30% allowing for a lighter and smoother gear shift.
23YM XL750 Transalp
Similar to the Hornet, the XL750 Transalp features a 270-degree crank and a new airbox which Honda claimed to offer a low-end beat and top-end howl.
However, the ride-by-wire system has been tuned specifically to best suit the bike’s touring and off-road ability.
The electronics
Electronically, the XL750 Transalp gets four riding modes (Sport, Standard, Rain and Gravel and User) with each of them can be selected while on the fly thanks to a lefthand switch cube.
Meanwhile, the User mode allow riders to adjust the bike’s electronics to meet their requirements. All of these features can be access via the bike’s full-colour TFT display.
Other electronic features include:
four levels Engine Power (EP)
three levels Engine Brake (EB)
two level ABS
five level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
wheelie control
In addition, both the rear ABS and HSTC can be disabled altogether for better off-road contro.
The chassis
As you can expect, Honda developed an all-new steel diamond design chassis with integrated subframe for the Transalp. As a result, the new frame tip the scales at just 18.3kg which is lighter than the CB500X.
Also the wheelbase is set at 1560mm with the rake and trail is at 27-degrees and 111mm respectively.
The bike is suspended by Showa’s 43mm separate function cartridge-type front forks and remote rear shock that runs through a Pro-Link type swingarm.
Braking is done via a two-piston callipers at the front mated to a 310mm wavy disc and a 256mm disc at the rear paired to a single-piston calliper.
In addition, the Transalp is shod with a 21” front wheel and 18” rear wheel with Metzeler Karoo Street/Dunlop Mixtour tires.
Kenan Sofuoglu took the term ‘start them young’ to a whole different level as the ex-MotoGP and WorldSBK rider recently let his three-year-old son, Zayn Sofuoglu, take the Honda Gold Wing for a spin!
The Honda Gold Wing is a 1800cc motorcycle that weighs more than 300kg.
The Gold Wing featured in the video is equipped with Honda’s DCT transmission.
Before we show you the video, it’s probably wise to remind you not to let your kids take on a bike as massive and heavy as the Gold Wing, especially if he’s been around for only 1,095 days.
In the video posted on Sofuoglu’s son’s Instagram account, we can see his kid approaching the Gold Wing, which is evidently taller and way bigger than him.
Zayn continues to fire up the bike as if he is not bothered by the bike’s size before taking it for a spin under the watchful eyes of his dad.
A quick scan through Zayn’s social media accounts shows that he’s ridden several motorcycles, including the Yamaha TMAX, Italjet’s Dragster and a Honda Ruckus.
So for someone who was born in April 2019, it’s a surprise that a kid at that age can ride a full-size motorcycle.
However, perhaps the video somehow proves how easy it is to ride a Gold Wing, even for a kid who can’t even reach the footpegs to ride it.
But then again, we wouldn’t advise you to try this with your kids.
Royal Enfield recently recorded a staggering 145 per cent worldwide sales increase in September 2022 compared to the same period last year.
Royal Enfield sold more than 80,000 motorcycles in September 2022.
India remain as the biggest market for Royal Enfield.
That’s certainly a significant boost to the Indian motorcycle company, especially as we are nearing the end of the year.
However, if you ever wonder what could be the major contributor behind those high numbers, look no further ahead than the company’s Hunter 350.
According to the firm’s sales report, Royal Enfield sold 18,197 units of the Hunter 350 in August and 17,118 units the following month in September.
To put it in perspective, the Hunter 350 outsold Honda’s H’ness 350 by a considerable margin, with the latter recording just 3,980 units in September.
Despite the H’ness 350 being launched in India some time ago, the Hunter 350 garnered higher demand in a shorter period.
Several factors are in play, including how the Hunter 350 is priced lower than the H’ness 350. Also, since the H’ness 350 are only available in India and Japan, it is to be expected that the numbers will be lower.
Nonetheless, it also indicates an upward trend for Royal Enfield’s bike in the global market, especially for the Hunter 350.
Honda’s latest patent filings have provided us with the opportunity to take a peek at what’s in store for us for the upcoming Honda XL750 Transalp.
The Transalp is likely to share similar specification with the Hornet 750.
The middleweight ADV will share the same 755cc parallel-twin engine.
This is the first time such details are revealed to the public just weeks after the middleweight adventure bike was spotted during a promotional exercise.
So far, we know that the XL750 Transalp is fitted with the same 755cc parallel-twin engine featured on the recently revealed Honda Hornet 750.
Also, thanks to the Hornet’s global unveiling, we know the engine makes 92hp and 75Nm. However, whether the Transalp will feature the same power band still remains to be seen.
Nonetheless, we expect Honda to revise the parallel-twin engine for more grunt in the low-to-mid ranges to suit the adventure bike character.
Despite the differences in characteristics, the Transalp will share the same frame as the Hornet. Such effort is common for Honda, especially for its 500cc and 11000cc range.
Based on the previous spy shots, we can also confirm that the Transalp and Hornet will share a similar front headlamp and tailpipe.
According to the Italian publication, Motoclclismo, it is likely that the two will also share similar electronics, including the TFT instrument cluster, riding modes and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
However, the Transalp is fitted with a longer swingarm and 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, and longer suspension travel. As expected, the seat is also taller and wider.
Currently, there is no word from Honda on when the Transalp will make its official debut, but one thing is for sure it will happen soon. Stay tuned to find out!
Honda’s flagship naked motorcycle, the CB1000R, is finally getting a worthy power hike and revised bodywork for 2023.
The next-generation CB1000R will feature a more powerful engine.
The CB1000R is will feature aero winglets similar to its rival.
Although Honda remained relatively quiet on the future of the CB1000R, the latest patent suggests that development is currently underway.
The patent design, as revealed by Moto.it showcased an outline design of the upcoming CB1000R.
From what we could gather, the CB1000R will feature aerodynamic winglets, following the trend of another high-performance naked motorcycle in its segment, like the Ducati Streetfighter V4.
*Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade
The winglet is placed behind the front fork and just above the radiator.
Just like its rival, the aero winglet will not only serve as an aesthetic feature but also indicate that the CB1000R will get a significant power hike thanks to the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade engine.
The 2018 CB1000R makes 143hp and is lacking behind Ducati’s Streetfighter V4, which pumps out 200hp.
*Ducati Streetfighter V4
However, with the new CBR1000RR-R engine, the next CB1000R could finally hit the 200hp benchmark similar to the Kawasaki Z H2 and the Streetfighter V4.
As for when the new CB1000R could make its debut, only Honda has the definitive answer, but we expect the Japanese marquee to make a surprise unveiling at the EICMA show in November.
Malaysia antara negara Asean yang dibanjiri motosikal dengan lebih 13 juta motosikal direkodkan setakat hujung 2021.
Jadi tidak hairanlah Malaysia menduduki tangga ke-4 dunia dengan 83 peratus isi rumah memiliki motosikal selepas Thailand, Vietnam dan Indonesia menurut WorldAtlas.
Namun begitu, itu tidak bermakna Malaysia ditawarkan dengan motosikal pelbagai model sebaliknya terdapat beberapa model yang kami harap dipasarkan di sini.
Berikut lapan motosikal yang kami harap akan masuk Malaysia pada masa akan datang:
Kawasaki KLR 650
Antara motosikal paling popular Kawasaki sejak diperkenalkan pada 1987, KLR650 kembali bagi tahun 2022 selepas kali terakhir dikemas kini pada 2008.
Menariknya Kawasaki mengekalkan enjin satu silinder 652cc DOHC dengan penyejukan cecair sama seperti generasi sebelumnya namun menaik taraf kepada sistem suntikan bahan api EFI menggantikan karburator.
Meskipun model ini tidaklah berkuasa seperti model Kawasaki 650 lain namun KLR 650 dikenali dengan tahap ketahanan tinggi di samping mampu meredah permukaan yang ekstrim.
Kawasaki W175
Selain daripada pasaran Filipina dan Thailand, Kawasaki baru-baru ini telah melancarka W175 di pasaran India.
Motosikal gaya retro ini pastinya akan mendapat tempat di pasaran Malaysia apatah lagi motosikal gaya klasik kini bukan sahaja diminati golongan berusia malah remaja.
Kumpulan motosikal seperti Hikari Riders – yang diketuai Noh Hujan – dan acara seperti Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride menjadi daya penarik kepada anak muda terlibat dengan motosikal retro.
Untuk rekod, Kawasaki W175 ini dikuasakan enjin satu silinder 177cc yang menghasilkan 13hp dan 13.2Nm. Meskipun kuasa enjin agak rendah namun motosikal ini tetap nampak bergaya.
Honda Trail 125/Hunter Cub 125
Sebuah lagi motosikal yang kami harap dapat dipasarkan di Malaysia adalah Honda Trail 125 (Eropah) atau Hunter Cub 125 bagi pasaran Jepun.
Menariknya, model ini dikuasakan enjin sama yang terdapat pada Honda Super Cub 125 yang dipasarkan di Malaysia.
Bagaimanapun, Honda Trail 125 ini lebih menarik perhatian ekoran menawarkan gaya dan reka bentuk lasak.
Rekaan keseluruhan Trail 125 ini diinspirasikan daripada model Trail 110 era 70an terutamanya reka bentuk ekzos yang ditempatkan di bahagian sisi penunggang.
Honda Trail 125 ini menawarkan 9.65hp pada 7,500rpm dan 10.4Nm pada 6,250rpm dan digerakkan transmisi 4-kelajuan. Meskipun kurang sengat namun model ini pastinya sesuai digunakan sebagai motosikal harian oleh semua jenis peringkat umur.
Yamaha XSR 155
Walaupun Yamaha XSR 155 ini cukup popular di Thailand, Indonesia dan Filipina namun model ini tidak dipasarkan di Malaysia sehingga kini.
Selain XSR 155, versi 900cc juga tidak dipasarkan disini oleh Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM).
Seperti Kawasaki W175 dan Honda Trail 125, Yamaha XSR 155 ini juga datang dengan gaya retro dengan penggunaan lampu bulat di depan, kerangka terdedah, panel meter digital LCD bentuk bulat dan tempat duduk gaya klasik.
Menariknya, Yamaha XSR 155 ini dikuasakan enjin satu silinder 155cc SOCH dengan VVA yang sama terdapat pada Yamaha R15M.
Honda Ruckus
Secara peribadi, kami berasakan Honda Ruckus merupakan skuter kompak paling cantik pernah dihasilkan Honda dan sukar ditandingi pengeluar lain dalam kelasnya.
Manakan tidak, rekaan keseluruhan Ruckus ini tampak unik dan luar biasa.
Walaupun hanya bernadikan enjin satu silinder 49cc dengan penyejukan cecair namun dengan reka bentuk terdedah dan ;ampu bulat berkembar menjadkan Ruckus sebuah skuter yang sangat menarik perhatian.
Menariknya, Ruckus dilengkapi dengan tangki sebesar 4.9L dan sesuai digunakan sebagai motosikal harian.
Skuter ini sangat popular di Amerika Syarikat terutamanya bagi budaya kustom di negara itu.
Yamaha Tenere 700
Sudah bertahun kami harapkan Yamaha Tenere 700 dibawa masuk ke Malaysia namun sehingga kini masih tiada jawapan dari HLYM.
Tenere 700 merupakan sebuah jentera ‘adventure’ pertengahan yang terbukti menawarkan kemampuan meredah permukaan lasak.
Baru-baru ini di Rimba Raid 2022, tiga jentera Yamaha Tenere 700 mendominasi podium bagi Class B.
Pihak penganjur juga menharapkan HLYM membawa masuk model itu ekoran sudah terbukti kemampuannya.
Untuk rekod, Yamaha Tenere 700 digerakkan enjin parallel-twin 689cc DOHC yang menawrakan 72.4hp pada 9,000rpm dan 68Nm pada 68Nm.
Honda Super Cub 110
Ketika ini, Boon Siew Honda (BSH) hanya menawarkan Honda Super Cub 125 untuk pasaran negara.
Walaupun model gaya klasik itu menarik perhatian namun tidak dinafikan harga yang ditawarkan sekitar RM13,999 adalah agak tinggi bagi model sebegitu.
Namun, lain kisahnya jika BSH memasarkan Honda Super Cub 110 yang ketika ini dipasarkan di Jepun dan beberapa negara jiran.
Menampilkan ciri klasik seperti varian 125, Super Cub 110 dipasarkan di Jepun pada harga hanya JPY280,500 (RM8.9k) berbanding JPY440,000 (RM14k) bagi sebuah Super Cub 125.
Ini bermakna, sekiranya dipasarkan di Malaysia permintaan Super Cub 110 pastinya lebih tinggi.
Untuk rekod, Honda Super Cub 110 dikuasakan enjin 109cc 4-stroke, SOHC dengan PGM-FI yang berupaya menghasilkan 7.8hp pada 7,500rpm dan 8.5Nm pada 5,500rpm.
Meskipun kurang berkuasa namun gaya yang ditampilkan cukup menarik perhatian di samping berpeluang untuk dikustom dengan pelbagai cara oleh pengguna.
Di antara semua model yang disebut di atas kami menharapkan Yamaha Tenere 700, XSR 155 dan Honda Super Cub 110 antara model yang harus dipertimbangkan untuk pasaran tempatan kerana pastinya terdapat permintaan yang tinggi mengikut demografik masing-masing.
Minum air tanpa ‘straw’ atau penyedut minuman adalah antara daripada inisiatif manusia dalam menjaga alam sekitar yang ketika ini berdepan masalah longgokan plastik.
Selain daripada kempen tolak ‘straw’, syarikat besar dunia lain juga mengorak langkah sama dalam lapangan masing-masing.
Tidak terkecuali dari usaha itu adalah pengeluar kereta Jepun, Honda yang mula memperkenalkan beberapa model ‘hijau’ agar lebih selamat untuk alam sekitar.
Sebagai contoh, Honda HR-V RS e:HEV terbaru tawaran Honda Malaysia merupakan antara model yang mesra alam sekitar.
Ini kerana varian ‘flagship’ dalam keluarga HR-V 2022 itu dikuasakan enjin hibrid sekaligus menawarkan tahap kecekapan minyak yang lebih baik di samping menghasilkan tahap emisi karbon yang lebih rendah.
Untuk rekod, Honda memaklumkan bahawa HR-V RS e:HEV menghasilkan hanya 122g karbon bagi setiap kilometer dan hanya memerlukan 5.4L/100km.
Menariknya, motor elektrik akan mengambil alih bergantung pada situasi pemanduan sekaligus menyumbang kepada tahap kecekapan minyak yang lebih efisien.
Pastinya bagi yang menyokong usaha ‘hijau’ dunia ketika ini, Honda HR-V RS e:HEV wajib ada dalam senarai kereta untuk dibeli.
Bagi yang skeptikal, kami sendiri jadi saksi selepas terlibat dalam acara Media Drive Honda HR-V dari Kuala Lumpur ke Kuala Terengganu, baru-baru ini.
Sebagai seorang yang lebih meminati enjin petrol sepenuhnya, kami berasakan Honda HR-V RS e:HEV ini adalah platform terbaik untuk merasai secebis daripada masa depan yang akan tiba tidak lama lagi.
Bercakap tentang masa depan, HR-V RS e:HEV ini juga datang dengan pelbagai ciri berteknologi tinggi.
Jadi bagi anda yang gemar ikuti perkembangan teknologi masa kini, suka tukar peranti iPhone setiap tahun maka HR-V RS e:HEV bolej jadi pelengkap harian anda.
Pertamanya, varian RS ini dilengkapi dengan ciri keselamatan berkelas dunia terutamanya Honda Sensing. Namun, ciri kami paling suka adalah Honda LaneWatch yang berfungsi dengan kamera di cermin sisi menyiarkan rakaman sebelah kiri bagi memastikan tiada kenderaan lain sebelum menukar lorong.
Tak cukup dengan itu, fungsi Adaptive Cruise Control membolehkan pemanduan beroperasi secara autonomi tanpa perlu menekan minyak. Menariknya, kenderaan akan perlahan secara sendiri jika mengesan kenderaan lain di hadapan.
Fungsi Low Speed Follow pula membantu sewaktu dalam trafik sesak yang mana kereta akan mengikut kelajuan kenderaan depan tanpa pemandu perlu menekan brek dan pedal minyak berulang kali.
Namun, terdapat satu ciri yang cukup unik ada varian RS iaitu ‘power tailgate’ dengan fungsi ‘walkaway close’.
Selain pemandu boleh membuka ‘boot’ belakang dengan hanya menggunakan kaki dan menutup secara elektronik dengan menekan butang, fungsi ‘Walkaway Close’ adalah yang paling ‘fancy’.
Ini kerana dengan hanya menekan satu butang khas, ‘boot’ belakang akan menutup dengan sendirinya apabila mengesan pemandu telah berjalan jauh daripada bahagian belakang kereta.
Ciri ini sangat memudahkan terutamanya jika tangan kiri dan kanan sudah sesak dengan barangan dapur yang dipesan orang rumah.
Walaupun ciri ini sebenarnya bukan satu keperluan pada sebuah kereta SUV kompak seperti HR-V baharu ini namun pujian harus diberikan kepada Honda kerana memikirkan ciri yang menawarkan satu kemudahan ekstra pada pemilik.
Mengambil kira semua faktor diatas, kami ternyata kagum dengan ciri ‘hijau’ dan berteknologi tinggi yang ada pada Honda HR-V RS e:HEV ini.
Jadi jika anda mahu melengkapkan diri dengan sesuatu yang premium dan berteknologi tinggi seperti iPhone 14 di samping mesra untuk alam sekitar seperti kempen tolak ’straw’ minuman, maka Honda HR-V RS e:HEV ini wajib ada dalam senarai.
Untuk rekod, Honda Malaysia menawarkan HR-V RS e:HEV ini pada harga RM140,800.
