Amirul Azreen, Author at BikesRepublic.com

Wottan Storm-V Adventure Scooter Rolls Out In Europe – 125cc, 14hp

Spanish company, Wottan has entered the adventure scooter segment with the all-new 125cc Storm-V scooter.

Wottan enters the adventure scooter segment with its all-new Storm-V.
The Storm-V features features a single-cylinder 125cc engine.

Priced at just under GBP3,500 (RM18.3k), the Storm-V features a similar design concept as Honda’s X-ADV 750, including a tall windshield and a long travel suspension.

Mechanically, the Wottan Storm-V is equipped with a 125cc, single-cylinder, DOHC and liquid-cooled engine that makes 14hp.

Despite the small mill, the Storm-V is fitted with a 12.5L fuel tank. Wottan also claimed that the scooter is powerful, efficient and environmentally friendly.

Suspending the scooter is a 37mm telescopic fork at the front and double rear shock absorbers at the rear.

Meanwhile, braking is done via a 4-piston ABS/CBS calliper at the front with a 260mm disc and a single-piston ABS/CBS calliper at the rear with a 220mm disc.

As a practical scooter, the Storm-V also features two glove compartments at the front and an ample under-seat storage that can fit a full-face helmet.

The 2023 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally Enters Production

The newest family member of the Multistrada, the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally has entered production and is set to arrived global dealership from February.

The 2023 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally features a new adaptive ride height function similar to the Harley-Davidson Pan America.
Equipped with longer suspension travel and a bigger fuel tank.

The Borgo Panigale factory announced the off-road-focused edition late in 2022 with the production only to begin this year.

While it carries the same Granturismo V4 engine as the base model, the Multistrada V4 Rally offers greater off-road capabilities thanks to an increase of 30mm of wheel travel on the Showa Skyhook suspension.

Also new on the Rally edition is an off-road specific mode that cuts the peak power to just 114hp – from the 170 peak power – which also reduced the electronic intervention particularly the traction control. This allows the Rally to offer better slip and slide while off-road.

In addition, the Rally also features a massive 30-liter fuel tank and low-speed deactivation of the engine’s rear cylinder bank.

Nonetheless, the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally feature much of its equipment from the standard Multistrada V4 including a 6.5-inch TFT display.

According to Ducati, the Rally comes in three variants; Adventure Radar, Adventure Radar & Travel and Full Adventure.

The 2023 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally are available in ‘Ducati Red’ and ‘Brushed Aluminium and Black’ colour scheme.

KTM Working On Leaf Spring Suspension

The common leaf springs system has been around for centuries and the technology barely changed right until the early 1900s when car companies introduced shock absorbers.

KTM developing a new leaf spring suspension for future motorcycles.
The package is similar to Yamaha’s 1992-93 YZM250 0WE4 but with a different layout.

The same system is still applied today mainly for heavy vehicles such as lorries and pickups.

However, leaf springs have been applied to motorcycles before, particularly on modern motocross machines such as Yamaha’s 1992-93 YZM250 0WE4.

The bike used a single composite leaf at the rear with its front end clamped under the engine and the rear bolted on a linkage below the swingarm.

It looks like KTM is likely to bring leaf spring suspension into its upcoming motorcycles as confirmed by the latest patent application reported by CycleWorld.

Based on the images, the package is almost similar to Yamaha however it adopts a different layout.

That said, the leaf is in a nearly vertical orientation and is near the engine. The patent also confirms that a conventional damper will be used to control the rear suspension.

In addition, the system also allows for adjustability, whereby changing the length of the linkages can alter the suspension characteristic.

While the news might sound exciting but we could never tell whether the concept could make its way into production anytime soon.

(source: CycleWorld)

Risk Of Broken Gearbox Input Shaft, BMW Announced Recall For All 2019-2023 R 1250 GS

BMW North America has issued a safety recall for all 2019-2023 BMW R 1250 GS, R 1250 GS Adventure and R 1250 RTP due to the potential risk of a broken gearbox input shaft.

The massive recall involved the bike’s gearbox input shaft that could potentially broke due to overload.
The safety recall involved all 2019-2023 BMW R 1250 GS/GS Adventure and R 1250 RTP in North America.

The safety recall was announced on January 18, 2023, whereby the gearbox input shaft could break if become overloaded in certain situations.

According to BMW, all 18,489 units of motorcycles in North America are affected by the recall including 6,812 units of R 1250 GS, 9,401 units of R 1250 GS Adventure and 2,276 units of R 1250 RTP.

The recall was established after BMW received a complaint from a GS owner back in 2020 that his bike suffered a broken gearbox input shaft which also subsequently blocked the rear wheel.

Two similar incidents emerged not long afterwards.

However, the most concerning incident came in 2022, whereby two riders got into an accident due to similar instances with one of them suffering an injury.

The incident triggered BMW to intensify its analysis of the matter and determined that due to an abrupt difference between the engine speed and the rotational speed of the final drive component, the gearbox input shaft could overload and eventually break.

However, it is yet to be determined whether the incidents affect the same model currently on sale in Malaysia.

Liqui Moly Introduces New ‘Motorbike Detailer’

Liqui Moly has introduced a new product called the Motorbike Detailer, which functions exactly as the name implies.

Liqui Moly to display the new Motorbike Detailer at the 2023 Motor Bike Expo in Verona.
The new product not only add shine but also protects the paint for weeks.

The German brand also officially announced its presence at the 2023 Motor Bike Expo in Verona this weekend.

According to Liqui Moly, the ‘Motorbike Detailer’ helps minimise the effort required to achieve a good clean of your motorcycle without damaging the paint.

That said, the product can protect the paintwork for “several weeks” after its application. Also, the Motorbike Detailer not only adds shine, it also tackles dirty jobs, including dust, paw marks and even bird droppings.

The application is simple; the Motorbike Detailer is applied via a spray bottle. Interestingly, the product can be sprayed on dry and wet surfaces.

Alongside the Motorbike Detailer, Liqui Moly also introduced a ‘Polishing Microfiber Cloth’.

The Liqui Moly Motorbike Detailer and the Polishing Microfiber Cloth will be on display at the 2023 Motor Bike Expo in Verona, Italy, beginning today (27 January).

Bajaj Chetak Electric Scooter To Enter Europe In 2024 – KTM AG

The Bajaj Chetak electric scooter will go on sale in Europe in 2024 through KTM dealerships.

The Chetak electric scooter is Bajaj’s first attempt at electric two-wheelers.
The Chetak is currently on sale in 27 cities in India.

The confirmation news came from the top man in KTM AG, Stefan Pierer.

“We will be launching Chetak in 2024. It may hit roads post-March, as it is a starting time for the on-road season.

“The price point will be very competitive, and it will be taking on products from Chinese and Taiwanese companies. It will be across all central European markets,” said the CEO.

Interestingly, Pierer confirms that the electric scooter will continue to carry the Chetak brand due to its rich history.

“The second generation is a very nice product. We will use it as Chetak, it is a known brand, and we will be saving money on marketing and digitalisation.

“Secondly, Chetak stands for its famous history in India, and it will help us too,” he added.

Meanwhile, KTM is also developing its own 48-volt electric motorcycle alongside Bajaj.

However, detailed information regarding the project is still unavailable.

MotoGP: Jorge Martin Unveils All-New Alpinestars Helmet

Pramac Racing rider Jorge Martin showcased his all-new Alpinestars helmet ahead of the 2023 MotoGP season after making the switch from Shark Helmets.

Ducati’s Jorge Maritn has ditched his Shark Race R-Pro GP helmets for a brand-new Alpinestars lid.
Alpinestars is yet to released an official announcement regarding the FIM-approved helmets.

Although the Italian motorcycle gear company is no stranger to manufacturing motorcycle helmets, this is the first time that Alpinestars has designed and built a specific headgear for motorcycle racing.

Nevertheless, this isn’t the first time the new helmet appeared after MotoGP retiree Andrea Dovizioso was seen testing the pre-production model last year.

However, this is the first time the helmet has snapped in a full-finished and liveried-up version.

Although Martin’s helmet is packed with vibrant colours and graphics, the new helmet can be seen sporting a sizeable top-mounted air inlet. There’s also a large front-mounted chin mount flanked by air exhaust fitted on each side.

Interestingly, the side profile looks similar to Shoei’s X-Spirit III, although the brand’s new X-SPR Pro is replacing the former.

Unfortunately, Alpinestars has yet to release the official information regarding the new helmet, but with MotoGP to kick-off soon, beginning with the Sepang Test in February, we expect the brand to make an official announcement soon.

2024 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy To Take Place In Namibia

The 2024 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy is set to take place in Namibia.

Namibia chosen as the official venue of the 2024 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy.
A total of 16 men’s teams and six women’s teams will compete for the ultimate prize.

Namibia also marks the event coming to a full circle, having been held on all continents around the globe after it first started in 2008 – Africa.

The off-road adventure will take GS owners through a remarkable landscape and unique flora and fauna in line with the Spirit of GS.

“After Tunisia, South Africa, Patagonia, Canada, Thailand, Mongolia, New Zealand and most recently Albania, BMW Motorrad was again on the lookout for perfect GS terrain – and found it in the beautiful country of Namibia.

“Countless off-road kilometres with challenging route profiles passing through marvellous landscapes with fascinating flora and fauna once again ensure an exciting GS Trophy,” said Dr Ralf Rodepeter, Head of Brand Management BMW Motorrad.

According to BMW Motorrad, there will be 15 national qualifying events and one international qualifying to take place worldwide.

Each participant is required to perform a series of tasks to secure a spot on one of the 22 national teams, including; a GPS navigation exercise, off-road rides and a technical test.

In addition, the women’s teams that succeed at the national level will win a trip to the international female qualifying round. Six women’s teams will be selected to fly to Namibia with the 16 men’s teams.

The qualifying rounds for the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2024 are as follows; Brazil, China, Germany, France, Italy, India, Japan, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Columboa, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Mexico, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, UK and the US.

CFMoto 1250NK In The Works

CFMoto has successfully utilised its partnership with KTM in the last few years mainly by employing the same LC8c parallel-twin mill into its range including the 800MT and the 700CL-X.

CFMoto working on a KTM-powered 1250NK.
The 1250NK is a naked-style motorcycle powered by KTM’s LC8 1,279cc V-Twin engine.

The same powertrain will also be powering the upcoming 800NK naked motorcycle. Not to mention, CFMoto also builds the 790 Duke and 790 Adventure for the Austrian OEM.

Nevertheless, CFMoto plans to expand its naked bike range by introducing the 1250NK.

According to reports, CFMoto intends to used KTM’s LC8 1,279cc engine – which currently powers the Chinese brand 1250 TR-G grand tourer – for the 1250NK.

Currently, the LC8-powered TR-G makes 140hp but it is likely that the V-Twin mill will be revised for a higher peak power to feed the 1250NK.

Borrowing much of the design concept as KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R, the 1250NK also sports single-sided swingarm.

While it may share some design traits including a similar steel trellis frame, the 1250NK features its own unique identity. More importantly, the 1250NK borrows much of its design from the firms’ upcoming 800NK which is set to debut soon.

With that in mind, the 1250NK might not hit the road anytime soon therefore we expect some design change between then and now.

(source: Bennetts)

Chinese-Made Harley-Davidson X350 Confirmed For The US Markets

Harley-Davidson held a huge event just last week to celebrate the firm’s 120th anniversary.

The Chinese-build Harley-Davidson X350 is heading to the US.
The X350 is equipped with a parallel-twin 353cc engine similar to the Benelli 302s but with a bigger bore.

The American motorcycle company took the opportunity to announced it’s 2023 lineup, including the Nightster Special and the Breakout.

Unfortunately, the highly anticipated Chinese-build X350 and X350RA was not included in the announcement.

However, latest report suggest that the X350 and X350RA, a product of Harley-Davidson’s partnership with China’s Qianjiang Motors is also heading to the US as confirmed by new VIN information.

Interestingly, Motorcycle.com managed to obtained o copy of the X350 owner’s manual and an image of the motorcycle.

According to reports by Dennis Chung, the owner’s manual disclosed some of the bike’s information including the powertrain. That said, powering the Harley-Davidson X350 is a 353cc parallel-twin with eight-valve liquid-cooled mill.

However, while the X350 makes 36hp the X350RA power output is restricted to just 26hp.

The VIN information also confirms that the X350 is equipped with analog speedometer with small digital display, damping adjustable inverted front fork, ABS and dual-petal disc brakes.

Also, the X350 runs on 17-inch front and rear wheels shod with Pirelli’s Angel CT tires with 120/70-17 up front and 160/60-17 at the rear. However, the X350RA is equipped with slimmer wheels, 110/70-17 at the front and 150/60-17 at the rear.

The X350 also claims a weight of 199.5kg and 12.8 litres of fuel tank.

(source: Motorcycle.com)

CONFIRMED: Upcoming Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R Heading To The US

The all-new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R will make its way to the US as confirmed by latest type approval documents filed in the USA.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R is due for launch in February.
The 400cc inline-four is expected to makes 70hp.

More importantly, the NInja ZX-4R is likely to be launched on February 1st, 2023 based on the latest teaser shared by Kawasaki USA, recently.

While the documents don’t disclosed the bike’s styling in general, it is widely reported that the bike will look similar to the Ninja ZX-25R currently on sale in Asia.

The documents also denotes ZX400PP and ZX400SP which possibly refers to the model type, in this case with and without ABS as claimed by Motorcycle.com.

One thing for sure, we don’t have to wait for too long as the official launch is happening soon.

The talk of a 400cc inline-four screamer has been around for some time, particularly after the introduction of the high-revving ZX-25R in 2020.

There is no talk regarding how much power the ZX-4R might produce but reports suggest that it could hit around the 70hp mark, putting it on par with the Yamaha R7.

2023 CFMoto 700CL-X ADV Price Announced In Europe – From RM35.8k

Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, CFMoto has officially introduced the 700CL-X Adventure, becoming the third variant from its neo-retro scrambler range.

the ADV features larger 19-inch wheels and raised beak.
powered by the same 693cc two-cylinder engine.

Joining the already available 700 CL-X Heritage and Sport, the 700 CL-X ADV features a more rugged and aggressive bodywork than it siblings.

The 700 CL-X ADV finally make its way to production, three years after it was presented as a prototype at the 2019 EICMA.

Coming in at EUR7,590 (RM35.8k), the 700CL-X ADV is only available in Aurora Blue colour scheme.

Despite the robust look, the ADV variant is not a serious off-road capable machine compared to the brand 800MT motorcycle, but it does have a resemblance akin to a Scrambler.

That said, the 700 CL-X ADV gets a larger 19-inch front wheel, dual-purpose tyres, wire-spoke wheels and a raised beaked typically found on a scrambler.

Nonetheless, majority of the 700 CL-X ADV still retains the same signatures, including the X front headlamp.

In addition, the 700 CL-X ADV also fitted with panels to install panniers.

Mechanically, the ADV version gets the same 693cc two cylinder engine producing 74hp @ 8,500rpm and 68Nm @ 6,500rpm.

While no official price is mention yet, we expect the ADV to priced slightly higher than the Heritage and Sport.

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Amirul Azreen