Bikesrepublic

Amirul Azreen

A few months ago, it was rumoured that Brixton is working on an all-new retro-twin 1200cc motorcycle based on the concept model introduced back in 2019.

It turns out the rumour was true, as confirmed by a new design patent that shows a 3D rendering of the final production model.

While the previous rumour and concept model did not reveal the engine capacity, the 3D renderings clearly show 1200 badging on the side panels, confirming the company intention of competing with Triumph’s iconic Bonneville range.

Codename M31, the bike is designed entirely in Austria by Brixton but will be manufacture in China by Gaokin. The same approach is taken by Triumph, whereby all mass models, including the Bonneville, is manufactured in Thailand.

Nevertheless, the M31 shows a daring resemblance to the Bonneville, including the frame design.

Other similar aspects include a vertically mounted radiator behind the front wheel and a SOHC cylinder head with a rocker-operated valve.

However, it remains to be seen whether the M31 will offer the same engine performance as the current Bonneville range, but if they do, it would be something worth looking out for.

Nonetheless, it is safe to assume that the M31 will not feature top-notch specifications than the Bonneville to offer a more affordable price range.

Brixton likely intends to unveil the new motorcycle later this year as a 2022 model.

Harley-Davidson of Petaling Jaya (HDPJ) has emerged as the Best After Sales In Asia Emerging Markets for the second time this year.

The award proves that H-D of Petaling Jaya once again offers the best technician competency in providing the best after-sales to all H-D owners in Malaysia.

The success was a continuation of H-D of Petaling Jaya achieving the Dealer Aftersales Award for Q1.

According to Goh Kian Sin, Chairman of Goh Brother Group, the award is something that the team at H-D of Petaling Jaya should feel proud about.

“H-D PJ will continue to strive to be the best, to offer all our H-D customers the ultimate ownership experience, regardless of the age of your Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

“Our motto has always been “Let us win your trust” from the incorporation of our dealership since 2017.

“The current dealership is under the supervision of Mr Lau Chye Wang as Dealer Principal and the After Sales is led by Ahmad Fikeri.

“H-D PJ has proved its top-notch after-sales service by winning the After Sales award for the second time in the second quarter of 2021 amongst the Asia Pacific dealers. This is something that we can be proud of as we make Malaysia stand out on the global map,” he said.

Meanwhile, in other news, Harley-Davidson of Penang secured the “Best Dealer of Quarter Two” award against the rest of the dealers in Asia emerging markets.

The award recognised H-D of Penang’s capabilities of handling customer issues and relationships while adhering to the brand standards and trademark.

The success of both H-D of Petaling Jaya and H-D of Penang prove received high praise from Goh.

“It is indeed a double celebration for the Goh Brothers Group as two of our dealerships in Malaysia received the recognition from H-D this quarter, one being the Best Dealer and the other for Best After Sales.

“I would like to thank my business partner Mr Kheoh Hock Seng for the dedication and tireless effort of him and his team to be number one in Asia and putting our dealership H-D of Penang on the global map,” he added.

Earlier this month, Vespa Malaysia launched the 75th Anniversary Series comprised of the Primavera 150 and GTS 300.

The special edition Vespa is to celebrate the Italian brand 75 years of producing more than 19 million units since the spring of 1946.

Feature in “Giallo 75th” original metallic yellow, the two models also comes with the number 75 displayed on the side panels and at the front mudguard.

It also comes with a special nubuck leather saddle, grey piping and wheels with a diamond finish and a host of chrome-plated details.

Meanwhile, both the Primavera and GTS are equipped with a 4.3″ TFT colour display, including the Vespa MIA smartphone connectivity.

To round things off, customers will enjoy a Welcome Kit that includes a vintage Vespa plate, personal Owner’s book and eight collector postcards with every purchase of the 75th series.

The Vespa Primavera 75th Anniversary and Vespa GTS 300 75th Anniversary are available for RM23,500 and RM38,900, respectively.

However, please take note that the 75th series is only available for 2021, so be quick before they ran out!

Kawasaki Motors drop a new teaser video with the title ‘Retrovolution Is Coming’ across its social media channel, including YouTube.

However, the 16 seconds video did not reveal much apart from showing two riders on a bike having a circular shape side mirror, which could be lead to believe is the next RS range.

Moreover, the word ‘Retrovolution’ is a good enough hint to refer to the smaller displacement of the Kawasaki RS family rumoured to be the Z650RS.

But, it could also be something else, considering the teaser video is so vague.

It looks like all we have to do is wait and see the next update from the Japanese marquee.

After more than a year since Suzuki Assemblers Malaysia Sdn Bhd cease all operations in Malaysia, the Japanese brand officially returns with Suzuki Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SMSB).

Led by Group Executive Chairman Ahmad Faez Tan Sri Yahaya and Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Jeffrey Lim, the General Manager and Director of Suzuki Malaysia Sdn Bhd; SMSB is now the new sole and exclusive importer for Suzuki motorcycles, ATV, spare parts and accessories.

2021 Suzuki GSX-R1000R

According to Dato’Jeffrey, SMSB is fully committed to offering Malaysian the best experience.

“This is an exciting new beginning for Suzuki. We are not just back, but we are here with an even bigger commitment, one that will not only offer customers the very latest and most advanced motorcycles Suzuki has to offer but to elevate their riding and ownership experience to an even higher level,” he said.

*2021 Suzuki V-Strom 650XT

Meanwhile, he also explained the reason behind the delay of the announcement.

“We understand that many Suzuki fans were eagerly waiting for the launch of these new models. Suzuki Malaysia had plans to release the products earlier into the market, but due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to do so,” he added.

*2021 Suzuki SV650

For starters, SMSB announced six new models for 2021, along with more than 70 dealers and an after-sales network.

“Suzuki Malaysia will have three categories of dealers to serve the market, but for the time being, we are commencing the business by selling the fully CBU models. We will be announcing a more exciting range of products soon,” said Dato Jeffrey.

*2021 Suzuki GSX-S750

Meanwhile, the six CBU models are as follows (include price):

  • Suzuki GSX-R1000 – RM99,289.00
  • Suzuki GSX-R1000R – RM110,289.00
  • Suzuki Katana GSX-S 1000S – RM77,989.00
  • Suzuki GSX-S 750 – RM40,989.00
  • Suzuki V-Strom 650XT – RM37,989.00
  • Suzuki SV 650 – RM37,289.00
*2021 Suzuki Katana

According to SMSB, all six models come with a 2-year or 20,000km warranty and are available for viewing at Suzuki Big Bike World and Suzuki Station Plus.

Ducati has announced the return of Alvaro Bautista for the 2022 WorldSBK season.

Bautista will replace the outgoing Scott Redding, who is set to join Michael van der Mark at the Shaun Muir Racing-run BMW in 2022.

Bautista joins Aruba.it in 2019, where he recorded 16 victories (24 podiums in total, before finishing second in the championship standings.

However, he decided to move to Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) a year later before the two face many difficulties caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

*Alvaro Bautista

Nonetheless, the former 125cc world champion in 2013 will return onboard the Panigale V4 R in a bid to challenge the 2022 championship title.

Meanwhile, RC Presiden, Shinya Wakabayahsi, expressed his gratitude towards Bautista for his commitment for the last two years.

“At the end of 2021, our collaboration with Alvaro Bautista will draw to a close.

“The last two years have been intense, characterised by the unexpected and imposing challenges posed by the global pandemic and by the significant work involved in a fledgling project like ours.

“We would therefore thank Alvaro and wish him the very best for the future.”

Thanks to a new Apple product, the AirTag has helped an owner recover his stolen motorcycle.

For Android users (such as myself) who are not in the loop, Apple’s new AirTags works as a tracker, which updates the location of the AirTag to the iCloud service by anonymously connect to nearby Apple devices via Bluetooth.

The airbag was developed to help locate small items such as keys, bags and pets from getting lost, but Apple owners have begun experimenting with bigger things, in this case, a motorcycle.

According to reports, Brandon could locate his Kawasaki Ninja using the AirTag after it had been stolen last week.

Brandon decided to hid one AirTag in his motorcycle after having his previous bike stolen earlier this year.

He managed to locate the motorcycle using the Find My app and drove to the location before finding his beloved machine abandoned by the thieves.

The owner then proceeds to file a statement to the police and recover the bike without any damage.

According to Brandon, the thieves might have abandoned the motorcycle after receiving notification that a tracker was following them. (The AirTag notifies anyone with an iPhone that it is travelling with someone that isn’t the owner).

(Source: AppleInsider)

Suzuki Malaysia officially announced the availability of the 2021 Katana at the local dealership.

The hyper-naked motorcycle now joins the arrival of the 2021 GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R in Malaysia.

Suzuki Malaysia has yet to release the pricing, but our initial survey at Suzuki’s dealership reveals a price tag of RM77,989.

The 999cc Katana produced 147hp @ 10,000rpm and 108Nm @ 9,500rpm mated to a 6-speed transmission.

While the original Katana was based on the GS1100E, the new generation Katana is built upon the proven of the GSX-R1000 and GSX-S1000.

The 2021 Katana offers smooth shifting and engine braking thanks to Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS), a technology borrowed from the GSX-R1000R.

Other exciting features include:

  • twin-spar aluminium frame
  • fully-adjustable KYB suspension
  • Suzuki Advanced Traction Control
  • twin Brembo monobloc callipers
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

The interested party can take a closer look at the 2021 Katana at Suzuki Malaysia authorized dealers nationwide.

Suzuki Malaysia has announced that 2021 GSX-R1000R and GSX-R1000 are now available in Malaysia and open for viewing at every local dealership.

While Suzuki Malaysia is yet to unveil the official selling price, other dealers have made an extra effort to release what could be the official price for the two motorcycles.

According to Wilhin Motor (M) Sdn Bhd, the GSX-R1000 and the GSX-R1000R is available for RM99,289 and RM110,289, respectively.

If the price is accurate, this puts the two GSX-R1000 as the cheapest brand new litre bike available in the market right now.

The 2021 GSX-R1000R makes 199hp @ 13,200rpm and 118Nm @ 10,800rpm from its 999.8cc inline-four, liquid-cooled engine mated to a 6-speed transmission.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen when will Suzuki Malaysia intends to introduce the sub-150cc motorcycle (GSX-R150 and Belang 150), however considering that teaser photos are still available on their Facebook page, we can assume that the two models will make their way anytime soon.

Adam Norrodin will return to Petronas Sprinta Racing Moto2 this weekend as a replacement for Jake Dixon, who will be making his MotoGP debut with Sepang Racing Team (SRT).

The 23-year-old Adam will get to see some familiar faces considering returning to the same team he joined in 2016 at Moto3, where he racked up seven top 10 finishes and fifth place at the 2018 Argentina GP.

Adam currently competing in the FIM CEV Championship in the Moto2 category.

Meanwhile, SRT boss, Datuk Razlan Razali, looking forward to seeing Adam at Silverstone.

“It is with great pleasure that we can welcome back Adam Norrodin to PETRONAS Sprinta Racing. Adam has been performing well in the FIM CEV championship, where he is currently fifth in the standings and has enjoyed podiums this year.

“He is perfectly placed to take advantage of the vacant Moto2 seat brought about by Jake Dixon’s promotion to MotoGP for this weekend and we look forward to seeing him out on track in the team’s colours at Silverstone.

“This is the objective of having a structure like ours and, when the situation arises, we are able to position our young Malaysian talent in the team.

“This is a timely opportunity for Adam to further develop and benchmark himself against other riders in the Moto2 World Championship.

“Furthermore with the unfortunate news that the MalaysianGP is cancelled, this could be the only time this year for Malaysian fans to watch another of their fellow countrymen in Moto2,” he said.
in the team.

“This is a timely opportunity for Adam to further develop and benchmark himself against other riders in the Moto2 World Championship.

“Furthermore with the unfortunate news that the MalaysianGP is cancelled, this could be the only time this year for Malaysian fans to watch another of their fellow countrymen in Moto2,” he said.

Italian automaker Piaggio Group wants to strengthen the company brand in India and international markets by introducing a mid-size motorcycle.

According to reports, the company plans to produce a 300cc motorcycle that will carry the Aprilia brand name.

While it remains to be seen what type of bikes would carry the 300cc engine, Chairman and Managing Director of Piaggio India, Diego Graffi, confirms the new plan.

“It will be a mid-sized bike of above 300-cc engine capacity and will be under the Aprilia brand.

“It will not only be for the India market but also for global markets, and expected to come out in 2-3 years,” he said.

Interestingly, Graffi expressed his confidence that the factory in India can produce and export a product for the international markets.

(Source: LiveMint)

American motorcycle company Buell Motorcycle officially makes a comeback by unveiling the 2021 Hammerhead 1190RX.

The story of Buell to make a return came up earlier this year in February, as the company formally starts its production in America with ten performance models to be introduced by 2024.

It looks like Buell is finally holding on to its word by introducing the Hammerhead 1990X in the United States.

Nonetheless, the Hammerhead 1190X looks menacing, thanks to its ‘fish gills’ located on the side of the fairing, a curvature front (side-view), and an expose subframe.

Underneath the new motorcycle sits a 1190cc V-Twin, liquid-cooled engine, capable of punching out a 185hp @ 10,600rpm and 137.8Nm @ 8,200rpm.

While the Hammerhead might advertise as a 2021 motorcycle, the foundation is heavily based on the 2014 EBR 1190RX.

However, the company promised a batch of “brand-new” motorcycles, with the next in line rumoured to be a Sports Tourer version of 1190. Hopefully, that could be the model to put forth the Buell Motorcycle brand in the same pot as its fellow American competitors.

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