I saw this spark plug on display at GTMax Motor at Shah Alam with the great red packaging that is unusual compared to the yellow box normal NGK spark plug packaging.

This NGK Yamaha spark plug is much more expensive compared to the normal NGK spark plug. This one cost at MYR8, whereby the normal NGK B8ES is just at MYR5. The red packaging really attracts my attention here and with the parts number that relates to the RX-Z model of 5BU and 5XK, I really think that I have bought a correct spark plug for my Yamaha RX-Z.

When you ask to get a spark plug for your RX-Z, the shopkeeper usually handed you the BP8ES, which can also be used . But sometime, you might also get BP7ES or even BP9ES. The different number on the spark plug relates to the heat transfer of the spark plug to minimize the carbon deposit that usually stuck at the spark arcing area of the spark plug. I have wrote a little bit about NGK Spark Plug Reference Model for Yamaha.

13 more close up pictures after the jump (more…)

I was at the SCK Motor shop when I saw many pieces of Maxxis MA-3D tire arrived at the shop. I asked the mechanic about it to know how good this tire is.

This MA-3D from Maxxis is better, IMHO compared to Duro HF-918 and Michelin during taking corners. This is due to the fact that it has the diamond shaped groove at the side of the tire. The grip of MA-3D is handled by this diamond shaped groove when the bike is slanted more than 45 degree. This gives riders more confident and lower attack angle. 60% of the center groove are designed for high speed riding with the usage of simple groove and a water channel groove in the middle for maximum speed in dry straight line. The groove also makes this tire a balanced characteristic during dry condition and works well through wet tracks.

I was thinking how long the diamond-shaped would last since the groove is not deep enough to be abused all day, but in the end, for normal ride, we don’t usually ride more than 45 degree to the left or right unless we are doing 100km/h on the round-about. So, based on my opinion, it can last as long as the tire center groove before you need to replace it.

It is not that Duro HF-918 or Michelin is not good, but in terms of cornering, MA-3D is much better doing laps. Michelin is a high quality tire that is very good on dry and straight line, but riders needs to be careful when using it for taking corners during wet condition. The thread and groove of Michelin and Duro are simple and looks more like slick tires for high speed dry straight sprint.

8 more pictures after jump (more…)

This nicely modded Honda EX5 belongs to Hafizi. His bike also being featured in Kapcai magazine, which is one of the great magazine that covers about motorcycle under 250cc.

Here are the modification details:

Engine: Standard

Make: 1996 (more…)

SPECIFICATIONS

Transmission (more…)

Indonesians got to see the all new 2011 Yamaha Jupiter MX (135LC) launched at the 2010 Jakarta Motorcycle Show.

Jupiter MX is as good as what we have been expected with features includes rear disc brake as standard, 5-speed transmission and new radical design.

What Yamaha Indonesia surprise us is the usage of wide front and rear rim that is 2.00 x 17″ for front wheel (or is it 2.15 x 17″ as the technical specification suggested?) and 2.50 x 17″ for rear wheel. Wider tyre give better ride and handling with great improvement on cornering. The rear wheel also got improvement in the chain tensioner department whereby it is now replaced with a new version just like the Yamaha FZ-150i (Vixion).

Also, it got 25mm carburetor (previous was at 22mm)! That is just 1mm less than The Boss (Yamaha RX-Z 135 2-stroke) at 26mm Mikuni VM.

Power figures are up to 12,52 Ps @ 8.500 rpm for the new Jupiter MX (previous is at 11.49ps/8500rpm) and  1,24 kgf.m torque @ 6.000 rpm (previous is at 1.19 kgf.m torque @ 6.000rpm).

Check out the previous model technical specification here and compared it yourself for better view on the improvement areas.

Also in the show are Yamaha Jupiter MX World Champion Jorge Lorenzo Edition that has the decals to match the Jorge Lorenzo 99 YZF-M1 bike. His bike (YZF-M1) are also on the show.

Along in the show, Yamaha also tease with Yamaha Lexam which is going to be introduced early 2011 there.

Great news to Indonesian bikers, but a painful wait for bikers in Malaysia.

To see larger picture, click the image from the image gallery after the jump (more…)