As we all have been informed, KTM Malaysia has big plans this coming 26 September 2017 where it has been said that they’ll be introducing the latest 2017 KTM 250 and 390 Duke into the Malaysian market. These two models have been highly awaited by many people and here are the reasons why you should be excited about the new 2017 KTM 250 and 390 Duke. (more…)
Day Two of KTM Malaysia Owners Group’s (KMOG) Defensive Riding Program (DRP) Vol. 2 activities continued at the Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Circuit further up north from Jitra.
The day’s programs included hard braking, emergency avoidance and high-speed riding techniques, necessitating the move to the circuit.
KTM Malaysia’s support crew were on-site and brought along an air compressor. They performed checks on KMOG participants’ motorcycles to ensure that they were in the proper riding condition on the track. They also lowered the tyre pressures on the participant’s bikes for high-speed riding later in the day and re-inflating them before the riders rode home (hence the compressor). KMOG had also called upon an ambulance and paramedics to standby at the track.
The rearview mirrors on the motorcycles were turned to face forward, to avoid the KMOG participants from glancing behind while tackling the circuit.
The day started off with the program briefing by Ong Soo Yong, before proceeding to the Emergency Braking module.
The term emergency braking will surely bring back memories of our motorcycle license exams. We were taught to slam down on the rear brake only to skid the tyre to a stop, without applying the front brake and without an explanation to its purpose. Conversely, DRP’s module taught the riders to lock up their brakes to activate their motorcycles’ Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) to familiarize themselves to the sensation of a pulsing brake lever and pedal.
The class adjourned to another section of the track afterwards for the Emergency Avoidance portion.
The drill called for the riders to follow a pre-marked line into a corner, where two mannequins were placed further into the curve, directly in the motorcycles’ path. There was a final marking on the road before the dummies where the rider could only brake and swerve away at the point.
This exercise illustrated the techniques of braking and avoiding unexpected hazards on the road. It was appropriately carried out after the emergency braking session, as they could then apply the lessons learned.
Next was the module named Analyzing Apex, Entry & Exiting Turns, Acceleration & Braking Points. As the name suggests, it sought to hone the participants’ skill of determining the correct lines they should take through corners, besides how to accelerate when exiting and brake as they approach corners. The UniMAP Circuit was a great setting for learning this set of skills as it featured corners of every type, plus elevation changes.
The plan called for the factory riders Ahmad Idham and Muhd. Izham to lead the riders, and Gabit in the trailing position. The participants will then trace the riders’ braking points, lines through the corners and acceleration points. To provide equal opportunities for the participants, the group of 17 were broken into 3 groups. Participants trailing the leaders were rotated by letting the last two overtake to the front of the pack, behind the factory riders.
But first, Gabit, Ahmad Idham and Muhd. Izham hit the track for a demonstration run. It was an awesome display of speed and riding skills, while serving as a practice session for them, since this was the first time they’ve visited the track.
KMOG’s riders went out on track after lunch. Each group was allotted five laps per session of the circuit.
Gabit Saleh then went on track to perform in a stunt show, wowing everyone with his variety of incredible burnouts, stoppies and wheelies.
The track was reopened for free practice to allow the KMOG members to familiarize themselves to the track and apply the lessons learned throughout the previous sessions. The participants were apparently fast riders and went increasingly faster as the session wore on. There’s no better pleasure than the opportunity to ride around a windy piece of tarmac where there are plenty of space for mistakes, and no road hazards such as wayward traffic, pedestrians, animals. Only a racetrack could offer such luxuries.
They were soon called back to the paddock for a rest before the last event of the day, known as the KMOG-GP began.
Another round of briefing followed prior to the KMOG riders were let loose on the track. Although named KMOG-GP, it was to see who could complete the most laps in the allocated 30 minutes. It was hence an endurance rather than an all-out sprint “race.” KTM’s factory riders also joined in.
While seeing large capacity motorcycles screaming around a racetrack is a common sight these days, watching tall, relatively heavy adventure bikes achieving gruesome lean angles was a sight to behold. Perhaps DRP also successfully highlighted KTM’s Ready To Race mantra, by accident or design.
Prior to the end of festivities, prizes were awarded to the participants, although everyone received the gold-coloured course completion sticker.
There was much anticipation, laughter and enjoyment among the KMOG participants throughout the event. The KMOG riders were a friendly lot. Perhaps it is not wrong to say that not only did they improve on their riding skills, but also their camaraderie.
It was also revealed that KMOG members will be expecting a ride in Borneo, from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to Kuching, in Sarawak in September 2017. If so, KMOG’s Defensive Riding Program will surely equip the riders with fresh sets of skills and confidence to tackle the ride.
KTM Malaysia Owners Group (KMOG) organized this program to keep their members’ riding skills sharp.
KTM Malaysia pitched in with professional riders and logistical support.
Day One consisted of slow-speed programs and maneuvers.
There is no doubt that modern motorcycles are continuing to be ever more powerful. For comparison, the groundbreaking inline-six Honda CBX1000 in 1978 produced 105bhp but weighed a massive 272kg wet. The 2017 KTM 1090 Adventure, on the other hand, produces 123 bhp, and weighs a lithe 228 kg wet.
Corresponding to the increase in engine power and performance, rider training and skills become even more critical. While it’s true that most modern big capacity motorcycles feature rider aids such as ABS, traction control, stability control, electronic suspension and so forth, but the basics and dynamics of riding a motorcycle remains the same as riding one produced forty years ago. A mistake may risk the rider being thrown off, or worse.
In this sense, it’s only right that manufacturers and rider groups take proactive steps in promoting advanced rider training.
KTM Malaysia Owners’ Group (KMOG) have been organizing events for their buddies ever since its inception. They have just completed an offroad training clinic and ride not long ago, and are now following through with a riding clinic on tarmac.
Called the Defensive Riding Program (DRP) Volume 2, the event was held over 18th to 19th August 2017 weekend. As the name suggests, the clinic seeks to improve the riding skills of KTM owners even further, through the understanding of their bikes’ capabilities and correct basic motorcycle handling skills.
KTM Malaysia recruited three special guests for the event. They were the 2016 FIM Asia Supermoto Champion, Malaysian MX Champion, and KTM Malaysia’s factory rider, Gabit Saleh; and the top two 2017 KTM RC Cup Asia contenders from Malaysia – Muhd. Izham, better known as Boi-Boi; and Ahmad Idham Khairuddin, the younger brother of Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin. The crew at KTM Malaysia also pitched in to assist in the program. KTM Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Chia Beng Tat was also present throughout the day to lend is support.
Day One was held at KTM Malaysia’s factory’s compound in Jitra, Kedah.
A total of 18 participants showed up on various KTM motorcycles, including the 1050 Adventure, 1190 Adventure S, (the previous) 1290 Adventure S and Super Duke R, 1290 Super Duke GT, the newly launched 2017 1290 Adventure S. There was a rare 990 Adventure also, and the currently one and only 2017 1290 Adventure R in Malaysia.
The day started with the program introduction and briefing by KMOG committee member, Ong Soo Yong; alongside KTM Malaysia’s Mohd. Nor Iman and Gabit Saleh.
First lesson was called Bike Balance. Or more specifically, balancing a static motorcycle by holding it up with just one hand. Each participant was taught to grab or hold any one point of his motorcycle to feel the machine’s point of balance. Armed with that knowledge, the rider will know where he should position his body for the optimum weight distribution when the bike is in motion, especially at crawling speeds.
Next on the program was called Full Steering Lock Turn. The participants were taught on how to position their bodies and to riding loose when performing sharp turns with their steering turned to full lock at slow speeds. This skill is indispensable when performing U-turns and slipping through traffic. A box was marked on the ground and the riders need to complete their turns inside it.
The Show Maneuver Techniques program was next. Participants rode up a set of wooden shipment pallets, arranged as a zig-zag shaped platform. It taught the owners how to balance their bikes while moving at slow speeds.
Lastly, all the techniques learned throughout the day were incorporated in the Time Trials. The owners started by riding over the platform and into the full steering lock turn area, to complete the “course.” Although it called a time trial, the objective was not to find the fastest rider. The slowest rider wins.
All the lessons emphasized slow-speed handling, because the motorcycle is more stable when its speed picks up due to the gyroscopic forces in the moving wheels, like what racers say, “When in doubt, give it gas.” However, it is through slow-speed riding and maneuvering that riders learn finesse and dexterity to enable them to ride better when travelling at higher velocities.
There were a few spills throughout the day, but the owners didn’t dwell on scratching their beautiful KTMs. Instead, they just laughed it off. Everyone had a great time and no one was hurt.
KMOG Defensive Riding Program Volume 2 continues tomorrow (Saturday, 19th August) at the Unimap circuit, where the riders will be taught hard braking techniques, cornering line selection and more.
Surely, everyone is looking forward to it!
PICTURE GALLERY
The KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is the very definition of what some people like to call a crotch rocket – it is fast, somewhat comfortable, looks great, and it is makes you feel like a hero. Despite all that it does not look like your typical mentally fast bike. It is a cross between a track bike, a supermotard and an adventure bike and though it is KTM’s first attempt at making such a bike, they have done a super job because the bike is fantastic where ever and how ever you ride it. So if you have RM125,080 and want a fast touring machine, go out and buy this bike and you will be happy for a very long time.
If motorcycle reviews were simple straight to the point articles, that would be how I would review the 1290 Super Duke GT. It is such a brilliant bike that there is almost no point in beating around the bush with it, you should buy it if you have the money and want versatility more than anything else. It has electronics that truly make you feel like a hero, it is so fast that you could hunt down R1’s, RR’s, Panigale’s and the other usual suspects. It is also good enough to ride long distances with and is quite versatile. What else could you actually want in a motorcycle?
But motorcycle reviews do not work that way and so I will explain why the 1290 Super Duke GT deserves your precious dollar.
It is a handsome motorcycle for starters. It really is. That edgy overall design makes it look like it is going somewhere quick even when it is standing still. You know it is a serious machine simply from its stance alone, the way you know a cruise missile will create some serious destruction just from the way it looks.
But the idea of a bike like the 1290 Super Duke GT is nothing new, it didn’t create this sport touring segment but it is currently the best at creating a sports touring machine.
Ducati and BMW both have bikes that bridge the gap between superbikes and touring machines, and both do it really well, but this KTM is just pushing the boundaries of what is capable with bikes in this category.
The engine is a 1301cc masterpiece that also powers the 1290 Super Duke R, the latter fondly known within the industry as ‘The Beast’. The engine puts out an almost mental 173hp and 144Nm of torque, which is a lot for a bike in this segment. Fast is this bike’s first nature, and just in case you were wondering, it produces more power than the ‘already very fast’ BMW S1000XR and the ‘also very fast’ Ducati Multistrada 1200S.
But it is the combination of the engine and electronics package that allows this bike to do what it does. And though I did not try it for myself, but this is a bike you could slide into corners and come out sideways with. It even has a riding mode dedicated to riders who like to lock their rear wheels and slide around, the ‘Supermoto Mode’ allows the rider to lock the rear wheel for a deliberate slide. KTM makes some of the best supermoto’s and superbike’s in the industry, it is rather normal then for them to try to combine the two into a touring package, and the result is simply superb.
There are other intelligent electronics like the Motorcycle Traction Control that calculates the lean-angle of the bike to the rotational speed of the rear wheel and immediately kicks in should it detect something amiss. It does so by intervening at the throttle valve level to minimise engine output. The rider too can decide how much electronic interference there should be by selecting one of three modes – street, rain or sport. And of course, because people who build KTM’s are supposedly wild riders, you can trust them to include the option to completely turn off the electronics package. And yes it shuts off completely.
The electronic wizardry continues with the Motorcycle Stability Control with C-ABS, the latter stands for Cornering-ABS. It is the world’s first lean-angle sensitive cornering ABS that applies just the right amount of ABS by calculating the lean angle. And both front and rear brakes are also connected, meaning that when the front brake lever is actuated, the rear brake is automatically applied to keep the bike steady under braking. This system too can be switched off.
Then there is the Motor Slip Regulation (MSR) that works in the opposite way of the Traction Control. The MSR works by minimising or eliminating rear wheel lock or drift when the rider performs quick downshifts, a move which usually locks the rear wheel. The MSR however is also connected to the Stability Control system, and is thus also lean-angle sensitive.
So the Super Duke GT has a bunch of electronics that keep the rider safe and lets the bike perform some ridiculous tricks with relative ease (read: come out of a corner sideways with the rear wheel smoking). But it is not just the many acronyms that help it achieve that.
There is the WP Semi-Active suspension as well, the electronics package adjusts the nature of both the front and rear suspension – makes it soft for more comfort, and stiffens it up for better handling, all at the push of a button. There are three different suspension set up available for the rider – comfort, street and sport. Once that has been chosen, the suspension can then be micro-tuned via the Suspension Control Unit to adjust the damping rate in real-time depending on the situation. It gives you the option to adjust damping to accommodate a pillion, or a pillion with baggage, just the rider, or just the rider with baggage. It then adjusts the suspension to the different weights and to give you the best control possible. All at the push of a button as well.
Also contributing to the phenomenal handling is the frame and subframe. The trellis frame is made from laser-cut, chrome-molydenum steel. Smart welding concepts make this frame extremely stable while the choice of lightweight metals contribute to a frame weight of only 9.8 kilograms. This helps the bike tip the scale at just 228 kilogram’s fully fueled and ready to ride.
This KTM also comes standard with a steering damper, grippy Pirelli Angel GT tyres and a lightweight single-sided swing arm which also happens to be the lightest in its class.
Despite all of the technology and a manic engine, the 1290 Super Duke GT can be gentle and docile on the road. Because it has huge power, you just have to squeeze the throttle a little to get past traffic, no need to bother with a downshift. But should you need a sudden burst of power, there is a quick shifter that lets you bang home gears super quick.
Besides the manic engine, the suspension is the other best part about this bike. When it’s soft it is really soft, plush even, and does really well at soaking up bad roads, but it is a little too soft for corners and makes the bike feel wobbly. On the flip side, it adopts a completely different character in Sport mode where it stiffens up the entire package and the bike responds to the slightest input. Street was just the right setting as Sport becomes a little too racy and even throws you off the saddle should you not be careful over bumps and such.
Complaints there are none, well maybe the seat could do with better cushioning and the standard equipment like the plastic oil reservoir could do with better quality, or you could opt for something out of the optional aftermarket KTM Power Parts catalogue, some of which are shown in the gallery below like the front caliper protector, and the brake oil reservoir.
I have a few complaints but there is a lot about this bike I love, like the cruise control system for example, it is one of the most simple and straightforward systems in the industry, and is arguably the best too. Then there are the brakes, twin 320mm discs gripped by Brembo M50 four-piston calipers that automatically grip the rear 240mm disc via a two-piston Brembo caliper. Speed retardation is amazing on this bike, seriously the stopping power is so immense it threatens to rip off your eyebrows. And ABS does not even rear its head unless it is the most serious of conditions.
But seriously, the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is one of the best motorcycles we have ever ridden. It is crazy fast, and yet it is perfectly happy on a slow ride along the country side. It is the type of bike that lets you get your knee down on a fast circuit on one day, and will happily take you to Phuket the next day.
If fast is synonymous with this KTM 1290 Super Duke GT, then versatility is its middle name.
[button color=”” size=”” type=”round” target=”new window” link=”https://www.bikesrepublic.com/comparison/mOQ15cx5rycV22y/”]Now click here to see how the 1290 Super Duke GT compares against its competitors from BMW and Ducati![/button]
Following the recently launched 2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and KTM 1290 Super Duke R last Friday, KTM Malaysia swiftly organized a ride just the day after. Yesterday was indeed a treat for one of our writers as the planned ride was a day trip to Cameron Highlands. [button color=”” size=”” type=”round” target=”blank” link=”https://www.bikesrepublic.com/featured/ktm-malaysia-unveils-2017-ktm-1290-super-adventure-s-rm-rm/”]CLICK HERE[/button] to read up on the launch last Friday. (more…)
KTM Malaysia has finally brought in their first 2017 models to Malaysian shores. The two new 2017 models are none other than the 2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and 1290 Super Duke R. KTM had previously unveiled the Super Adventure S (along with R and T models) during last year’s INTERMOT in Cologne, Germany and the 1290 Super Duke R at EICMA 2016 in Milan, Italy. (more…)
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