Auto Bavaria BMW hosted the S1K Malaysia club for track day at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday.
The S1K Malaysia club consists of BMW S 1000 RR superbike owners.
Participants rode on beautifully prepared bikes.
Auto Bavaria BMW Motorrad hosted the S1K Malaysia club for track day at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday.
As its name suggests, the S1K Malaysia club consists of BMW S 1000 RR superbike owners.
The track day was to allow S 1000 RR owners the opportunity to utilize their bikes the way they were designed for. The racetrack is the best venue to find the the riders’ and the bikes’ limits, in a safe and controlled manner.
While it was a mixed brand track day, the S 1000 RR owners were the most heavily represented. Owners had shown up with bikes that have been customized with beautiful paintjobs, exhaust systems and even lightweight wheels.
Although the entire session was for three hours, it was apparent that they enjoyed the day out regardless of their pace. There were fast riders who dragged elbows and knees, and there were riders who didn’t drag anything, yet they all went away with smiling faces.
It was also visible that the S 1000 RR were extremely suited to track work and didn’t required the riders to fight with their bikes.
On the other hand, the 2019 BMW S 1000 RR has yet to make an appearance. Auto Bavaria BMW Motorrad informed us that BMW Motorrad is having their hands full in order to satisfy demand.
Wah Motor Superbikes is now the latest addition to the Kawasaki Ninja Shop and Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre network.
It is the official Kawasaki dealer and workshop to service the Klang community.
It was launched on Merdeka Day.
Wah Motor Superbikes is now the latest addition to the Kawasaki Ninja Shop and Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre network.
Wah Motor was opened exactly 50 years ago to cater to scooter riders but has since grown to sell motorcycles of all capacities including large capacity ones. But the shop has been transformed to a Kawasaki Ninja Shop.
As an official dealer, it offers the latest Kawasaki models from the smallest capacity to the largest. Indeed, there were the Ninja 250, three Z 900 RS variants, Ninja ZX-6R, Ninja ZX-10R, Versys 650 1000, Vulcan 650, and Kawasaki’s crown jewel the Ninja H2. Customers can also buy accessories and riding gear here.
Additionally, the Kawasaki Exclusive Service Centre is fully-equipped with top range equipment and tools. The mechanics are highly trained technicians. Kawasaki owners can also find the Kawasaki Genuine Oil engine lubricant here (both semi-synthethic and fully-synthetic).
Wah Motor Superbikes is also now the Kawasaki official dealer to serve the Klang community.
The launch was carried out on the 62nd Merdeka Day on 31st August 2019. On hand for the launching were Kawasaki Motors (Malayasia) Sdn. Bhd. Executive Chairman, Ahmad Faez bin Tan Sri Yahaya, Kawasaki Motors (Malayasia) Sdn. Bhd. Managing Director Dato’ Jeffrey Lim, Wah Superbikes Managing Director Lee Chee Hoong, Malaysian Motorcycles and Scooters Dealers Association President Wee Hong.
Millennium Welt BMW Motorrad hosted the BMW Motorrad Club Malaysia (BMWMCM) members for a Merdeka ride themed “Sayangi Malaysiaku” (Love My Malaysia).
The convoy rode to Muar, Johor.
About 150 riders and guests took part.
Millennium Welt BMW Motorrad hosted the BMW Motorrad Club Malaysia (BMWMCM) members for a Merdeka ride.
The ride, themed “Sayangi Malaysiaku” (Love My Malaysia) was held on the 62ndMerdeka Day, 31st August 2019.
It began from 7.30am with the arrival of approximately 150 riders and guests, in preparation for a convoy to Muar, Johor. Stops included the Bukit Kepong Muzium as a reminder to Malaysia’s stand against communist guerillas.
The staff from Millennium Welt handed over the ride t-shirts and also Malaysian flags to be placed on the participants’ bikes. The flags signified the riders’ patriotism and love for the nation.
Apart from patriotism, the ride demonstrated that Malaysians stand together as one in spite of race, religion or creed. Indeed, the representatives called for solidarity and to reject racism and fundamentalism.
The dealer also served a great Malaysian meal before the flag off. The national anthem “Negaraku” was sung by all and proceeded with the shouts of “Merdeka!” (independence) ringing throughout the Metal Bees Production House and surroundings in Sunway Damansara.
This was the first Merdeka ride organized by Millennium Welt BMW Motorrad and they promised more of such rides in the future. Attendees also had the opportunity to test ride the latest BMW Motorrad models.
BMW Motorrad may be working on a new BMW S 1000 XR sport-tourer.
The new bike’s engine needs to be Euro 5-compliant.
It needs to contend with the Ducati Multistrada V4 and KTM 1290 Super Adventure.
We reported earlier that the BMW S 1000 XR was missing from BMW Motorrad USA’s submission to the air control board.
While we don’t see many S 1000 XR on our shores, the model is highly popular in Europe and elsewhere. In fact, it outsold the S 1000 RR sportbike in BMW’s four-cylinder line-up.
To kill the model outright would see the manufacturer lose out in a huge market, so that could only mean one thing: That BMW is working on a new model.
Again, almost all manufacturers must build Euro 5-compliant models by 2020 or 2021. Older models will have to comply by 2020 while completely new models can comply by 2021.
The new S 1000 XR will definitely feature an engine with the new Shift Cam technology, as already fitted to the new S 1000 RR. The technology allows the engine to generate the required horsepower and keeping emissions low.
Speaking of power, the current bike’s engine produces 165 hp. We wonder if we’ll see a power hike in the new bike since it has to contend with the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure and the rumoured Ducati Multistrada V4.
The new S 1000 XR may also feature radar-controlled auto cruise. KTM is reportedly testing it on the next generation 1290 Super Adventure.
Is Hafizh Syahrin confirmed as a rider in the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team for Moto2 in 2020?
A website listed his name next to new signing Xavi Vierge’s.
There’s no official word yet from Hafizh or team principal Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali.
Is Hafizh Syahrin confirmed as a rider in the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team for Moto2 in 2020?
The Hafizh saga started when KTM moved Brad Binder from Moto2 to MotoGP to replace Hafizh Syahrin in the Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing Team. Since there was no opening left in the premier class for 2020, Hafizh mooted to return to Moto2.
Hafizh Syahrin on the KTM RC16 at Qatar 2019 – Photo credit MotoGP.com
At this point, Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal offered Hafizh a place in the Moto2 team. But soon after, KTM made the decision to pull out of Moto2 in 2020. Poncharal followed KTM’s plan and dediced to withdraw as well.
Hafizh went dark (as in quiet) since then.
However, something caught our eyes today.
Motorsport.com reported that Xavi Vierge will leave the Marc VDS team and join the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team in Moto2 next year. With the latter team currently running only Khairul Idham Pawi, it meant that he is out.
But hang on!
The website also published a list of confirmed riders for 2020, and Hafizh Syahrin’s name was listed together with Vierge in the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team!
List of confirmed Moto2 riders in 2020 – Credit motosport.com
This is the only website we’ve seen this thus far. There’s no official word yet from Hafizh or team principal Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali.
As for Pawi, it’s been rumoured that he will join the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team in Moto3, replacing Ayumu Sasaki and will line up next to John McPhee.
You’ve probably heard of the term “CE-approved” protection or armour.
What does that mean, actually? Here’s a short description for your knowledge and to avoid confusion.
What is “CE”?
Let’s start with what “CE” means. The letters stand for “ConformitéEuropéene” in French, which translates to “European Conformity.” However, you’ll find a large CE marking on an armour, plus the smaller “EN” mark followed by a code. The letters “EN” stand for “European Norm.”
The “CE Marking” is mandated by directive 93/68/EEC in 1993.
What do the markings say?
However, the markings on a piece of CE-approved armour will read as, for example, “EN1621-1 S/H TYPE A.” That’s in the case of the shoulder armour from the RS Taichi RSJ709 Frontier adventure jacket. Other manufacturers may mark their shoulder armours as “EN 1621-1:2012 S TYPE B”
You should find “EN1621-2 B (or FB) TYPE A (or B)” on a back protector.
Let’s take the second mark:
EN 1621-1:2012 S TYPE B
EN – The marking means the armour conforms to the CE standard.
1621 – The armour is meant for motorcycle applications.
1621-1 – The armour is for anywhere but the back i.e. shoulder, elbow, forearm, hip, knee, shin.
1621-2 – You can find this code only on back protectors.
2012 – The year the armour was certified.
S – This letter means the armour is meant for the shoulder. Please refer to the list below for other parts of the body.
TYPE A – Smaller coverage area but more specialized application.
TYPE B – Means normal coverage.
There are also two levels of protection:
Level 1 – Maximum transmitted force must be below 18 kN (kilo-Newton), equivalent to 1835.5 kilogram-force (kgf).
Level 2 – Maximum transmitted force must be below 9 kN, equivalent to 917.75 kgf.
This means Level 2 protection allow less forces through, hence providing better protection.
List of codes for different parts of the body (EN1621-1 protectors):
S – Shoulder
E – Elbow
H – Hip
K – Knee
K + L – Knee plus upper and middle tibia
L – Front of leg
KP – Knuckle protection (for gloves)
List of codes for back protectors (EN1621-2):
B or FB – Full back protector for the central back and scapulae
CB – Central back
L or LB – Lumbar
The accompanying information card must also specify:
Performance Level 1 or 2
Abrasion resistance Level 1 or 2
Impact cut resistance Level 1 or 2
Burst strength Level 1 or 2
CE Certification for other motorcycle protective gear:
The certification is mandated by directive 89/686/EEC.
The codes are:
EN13634 – Boots
EN12594 – Gloves
EN1621-3 – Chest
EN13595-1 – Protective motorcycle clothing i.e. jackets, pants, one-piece suit, two-piece suit. Note that while most clothing have CE-approved armour, the clothing itself may or may not be EN13595-1 certified.
The FIM have unveiled the 2020 MotoGP provisional calendar.
The championship will have 20 races next year.
The Thai round will be in March and the new Finland round will be in July.
The FIM have unveiled the 2020 MotoGP provisional calendar. The championship will have 20 races next year.
While most venues and dates look similar, the Thai round in Buriram will be moved from October to March. The schedule will also see the addition of Kymiring in Finland in July for the first time.
Credit MotoGP.com
The Thai MotoGP race takes over from WorldSBK. The latter series saw a large drop of spectators since MotoGP was introduced to the country.
So, instead of the usual opener in Qatar followed by the two races in the USA and Argentina, Thailand slots in after Qatar.
The campaign continues in Europe with the Spanish round in May, continuing afterwards with France, Italy, Catalunya, Germany, Netherlands, the aforementioned Finland. The riders and teams get a well-earned 3-week break before continuing in Czech Republic, Austria, Great Britain, San Marino and finally Aragon.
The next three fly-away rounds are familiar to followers i.e. Japan, Australia, Malaysia in November and ending in Valencia.
There will be two winter testes for the MotoGP field. The first will be in Sepang from 7th to 9th February. The second test is in Qatar, one week before the 2020 season kicks off.
The state of Michigan, USA is teaching motorists how to spot motorcycles in traffic.
The campaign uses visual aids to remind motorists about the presence of motorcycles.
We wish such a campaign is carried out in Malaysia.
The state of Michigan, USA is teaching motorists how to spot motorcycles in traffic.
How many times have we been cut off (colloquial: pangkah) by other vehicles on the road? In a flash of anger, we think these motorists are either blind or doing it on purpose. Truth is, no one wants any trouble. It’s usually because motorcycles are difficult to spot given the bike’s small cross section coupled with the abundance of blind spots in other vehicles.
A small cross section makes it hard to estimate the bike’s closing speed. A driver who glanced once at bigger vehicles can pretty much process its closing speed but not a motorcycle’s.
That’s why the campaign is called “Look Twice. Save a Life.”
The campaign features videos being circulated at gas stations, billboards and “tip cards” throughout the state. Michigan is also one of only 17 states in the US which has anti-distraction laws.
We wonder why such a campaign can’t be carried out here in Malaysia. Yes, there’s a public service announcement ad about the perils of using the phone while riding but there’s no concerted approach in teaching motorists on looking out for motorcycles.
Instead, the Transport Ministry, Public Works Department and MIROS are intent on listening to advice from a group who has no experience about motorcycles but has plenty of self-vested interests. As a result, motorcyclists may be punished instead by being relegated to the left lane.
Heck, even the motorcycle lanes along the Federal Highway have not been completed.
The founder of Big Blue Taxi apologized to Indonesians and Gojek riders over his disparaging remarks.
Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail said that Gojek is only meant for “poor people” in Indonesia, Thailand, India and Cambodia in a video.
He claimed that what he said was based on a report on poverty in Indonesia.
The founder of Big Blue Taxi apologized to Indonesians and Gojek riders over his disparaging remarks.
Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail had previously remarked in a video that Gojek service is only for “poor” people in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, India and Combodia, while “Malaysians are rich enough to do without Gojek.”
CNN Indonesia reported that the video went viral in the country and sparked a firestorm of criticisms. It also led to Indonesian Gojek riders threatening to demonstrate in front of the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta by the thousands.
“I hope there are no demonstrations in the interests and relationship between both countries,” Shamsubahrin told reporters during a press conference.
He then went on to blame a report about poverty in Indonesia (although he did not cite which particular report). “My statement is based on reports. If they think I’m wrong, I accept it.
The brouhaha began shortly after Youth and Sports Minister YB Syed Saddiq Syed Rahman announced his intention on lobbying the Cabinet to approve the Indonesia-based Gojek service in Malaysia. The service was then given a go-ahead by the Cabinet.
While it was an approval by principle according to Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke, it ran directly counter against his stand in banning motorcycle taxi services. He had even succinctly directed Malaysian-based Dego Ride to shut down. He was defensive when approached by reporters on the “u-turn” by remarking that, “You don’t have to remind me.”
To Shamsubahrin, the decision to approve Gojek was politically-driven.
PETRONAS Yamaha SRT Principal Dato’ Razlan Razali said that many thought Fabio Quartararo was the wrong choice before the start of the season.
Fabio is currently returning unexpectedly great results to the team.
The PETRONAS Yamaha SRT outfits will be the home team in the Malaysian MotoGP round.
Things definitely looked different when the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) CEO and PETRONAS Yamaha SRT Principal, Dato’ Razlan Razali announced plans for Malaysian MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 teams last year.
Now the MotoGP team is performing not just beyond expectations, but no one would’ve dared to even give a thought about where the PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team is now. The scene was telling during the Yamaha Motorsport Launch at SIC just after the winter tests and prior to the season opener in Qatar.
While every journalist fielded questions to the factory Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP squad (mostly to Valentino Rossi, actually), Dato’ Razlan and his two riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo put up their best smiles while sitting quietly in between the factory and PATA Yamaha WorldSBK teams.
Because journalists know that the answers would’ve been, “We do not expect great results from the year ahead. We hope to finish every race and learn along the way.” Or anything to that effect.
Oh, how things have changed. Now every hack wants an interview with Dato’ Razlan and co.
The driving force is of course the super rookie Fabio Quartararo’s exploits. He’s been a consistent frontrunner and not afraid to mix it up with the Big Boys.
Photo credit – MotoGP.com
“When we announced him as our second rider, a lot of people told us we made the wrong choice – but now everyone agrees we made the right decision!” Dato’ Razlan said in an interview.
“There’s no way we expected to be in this fantastic position after only twelve rounds of the 2019 season. We were hoping for Franky to deliver top six performances and for Fabio to target rookie of the year. We didn’t expect both of them to do what they’re doing and we’re extremely happy and satisfied with them. To be able to deliver such strong performances for our title sponsor is key, and we’ve achieved even more than what was desired based on the targets we set at the start of the year,” he continued.
Dato’ Razlan is quick to credit the team, saying that the riders wouldn’t have performed so well without support. The team has since grown to 48-strong and enjoys good ambience and chemistry. But he is also quick to acknowledge that the team is young and nothing is 100%. Still, there’s no reason for him to feel proud.
“I also couldn’t be more proud as a Malaysian to finally have our own Malaysian MotoGP team. We can tell fans and media from across the globe that we’re Malaysian and we can act as our country’s ambassadors. We’re proud of that role and I’m honoured to be able to represent the country in the paddock.”
Speaking of the Malaysian MotoGP round, he added that, “The Malaysian Grand Prix is our home race, it’ll be the first time our MotoGP team will compete at Sepang, and we expect the riders to do well in MotoGP and Moto3, and if Pawi can come back in Moto2, then he can do well too!
“We’re already anticipating a bumper crowd with 200,000 spectators over three days, and 115,000 on race day. It’ll be a huge event for us, and we can’t wait.”
Dato’ Razlan concluded the interview by iterating that both Quartararo and Morbidelli will continue with the team in 2020.
The MODENAS KR3 500cc GP racer graced the world’s racetracks from 1997 to 2002.
It was mean to revolutionize GP bikes.
MODENAS stood to learn from the project.
Do you remember the MODENAS KR3 500cc GP racer?
The bike had a very interesting story: It was meant to revolutionize 500cc Grand Prix racing and remains well-loved for its spirit among many long-time Malaysian and worldwide GP fans.
The name “KR” stemmed from a legendary name, Kenny Roberts. As in Kenny Roberts Sr., the three-time 500 GP World Champion, the man who popularized the knee-down cornering technique and all-around cowboy (read: rebel).
On the other hand, the number “3” stood for three-cylinders.
CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – APRIL 14: Kenny Roberts during the Americas GP at Circuit of the Americas on April 14, 2019 in Circuit of the Americas, United States of America. (Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images)
How did it come to this?
KR managed GP teams, all of them on Yamahas, from 1984. But his ventures in the premier class started showing promising results when he signed Wayne Rainey in 1988.
It was in 1990 that KR secured Marlboro’s sponsorship and his team became the factory Yamaha squad in both 500cc and 250cc categories. Also in that year, Rainey won his first 500cc GP title and John Kocinski won the 250cc title.
Rainey would deliver another two titles in 1991 and 1992. He was on his way to fourth championship in 1993 but a crash at the Italian GP paralyzed him from the chest down. His bitter rival Kevin Schwantz of Lucky Strike Suzuki was crowned champion instead.
As the years ticked by without Rainey, a plucky Aussie by the name of Mick Doohan took over the reins.
KR stuck it out with Yamaha, but he was constantly unhappy with the progress of their bikes. He even complained many times publicly that the factory took no heed to his feedback on improving their bikes.
So, in 1996, KR made an announcement that surprised everyone – he was breaking away from Yamaha after 25 years in the 1997 season (like how Herve Poncharal would do in 2019). But he wasn’t moving to another manufacture. No, not “King” Kenny. He was going to build his own bikes.
Enter the MODENAS KR3
It was during this time that our very own fledgling (it started in 1995) Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn. Bhd. (MODENAS) decided to step in and work together on the project. It was hoped that some of the technology would eventually make their way into MODENAS’s future models, besides placing the brand in the pinnacle of motorcycle racing.
KR decided to move base to the “Motorsport Valley” in England where the Formula 1 and race car teams are based and began working together with Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR).
They decided on a three-cylinder, two-stroke, 500cc machine as the rules gave three-cylinder machines a 10kg weight advantage over four-cylinder bikes. The lower weight allowed the bike to be more agile and carry more midcorner speeds, like what KR saw with Freddie Spencer’s Honda NS500 in 1982 to 1983. This was also deemed as an advantage as the racetracks during the time had more corners than long straights for the four-cylinder machines to utilize.
But they knew that a three-cylinder would make less horsepower compared to a four-cylinder one. So, the team focused on improving volumetric efficiency (how much fuel-air mixture the engine could induct).
Engine design was supervised by Bud Askland, the father of the team’s manager Chuck Askland. They ended up with a 498cc powerplant with “square” dimensions i.e. same bore and stroke figures of 59.6 mm x 59.6 mm. The Vee-angle between the cylinders was set at nearly 180o with two cylinders down below and one up top.
Anyway, the frame was designed to give the bike better handling characteristics. KR worked with TWR and French chassis maker FTR to result in an aluminium twin-spar “deltabox” that’s smaller and lighter than the Japanese. The headstock featured eccentric carriers to allow adjustments of the steering’s rake angle and trail. There were also eccentric carriers in the swingarm mount to adjust the height of the swingarm pivot. These were unheard of at the time.
Even fueling was ahead of its time. The KR team adopted electronic carburetors without float bowls which used ducted air to atomize the fuel, much like a fuel-injection system. Such a setup avoided the fuel from emulsifying from intense vibrations. Arrow custom made an exhaust system for the engine.
This first engine produced 160 hp and went on to develop 180 hp in 2002.
The bodywork, it was designed to wrap tightly around the frame for a smaller frontal profile. Consequently, the radiator was moved to under the seat where ducts supplied cooling air to it.
Kenny Roberts Jr. on the MODENAS KR3. He would go to Suzuki and win the 2000 500cc GP title.
The MODENAS-KR team found an uphill (more like up-mountain) task ahead of them in the 1997 season.
It was initially thought that the engine’s layout gave the engine good self-balancing inertial forces (of the pistons going up and down and the rotating crankshaft), so it was sans a balancer shaft. However, the engine suffered many breakdowns due to crankshaft cracking.
Additionally, there was no controlled-tyre ruling back then, thus the tryes were manufactured to each specific bike in the paddock. The new and small team had to use old tyres or those designed for other bikes. Sometimes both. It meant that they could not capitalize on their handling.
But the KR3 was supremely fast in midcorner and there were other riders who commented that they were led into entering corners too fast behind it. But when the situation was reversed, the KR3 riders found themselves blocked by the slower four-cylinder machines and then outgunned at the corner exits.
The KR3 project persisted until 2002 when the two-stroke 500cc GP formula gave way to four-stroke 1000cc machines. The FIM allowed two stroke bikes a grace period during that year and they could race together. Jeremey McWilliams qualified the MODENAS KR3 on pole at the 2002 Australian GP.
With the new formula, the KR3 project built a four-stroke, V-5, 1000cc bike called the KR5. Now Malaysian car maker Proton funded the project until the end of 2004.
Legacy of MODENAS KR3
While the MODENAS KR3 didn’t win races, it left a lasting legacy in MotoGP. Later, Aprilia would attempt with their own three-cylinder Cube racer. BMW had actually worked on a MotoGP prototype which also had – you guessed it – three cylinders. BMW’s stillborn project would eventually end up gaining one more cylinder and became the S 1000 RR.
In any case, we would love to see a MODENAS KR3 up close again.
A recall campaign for the BMW G 310 R, BMW G 310 GS and BMW C 400 X has been initiated in the USA.
It pertains to the bikes’ brake calipers that may corrode.
It happens in the USA due to winter conditions.
We’ve just learned of a recall campaign for the BMW G 310 R, BMW G 310 GS and BMW C 400 X in the USA.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the front and/or rear brake calipers may corrode, leading to the caliper pistons sticking or drag in their bores. The corrosion is caused by winter riding conditions. We suspect the salt applied to roads during the season as it lowers the melting point of water, thus ice melts quicker. But it also corrodes metal.
The affected models are from 2017 to 2020 for the G 310 R, 2018 to 2020 for the G 310 GS, 2019 C 400 X.
BikesRepublic.com have sought confirmation from BMW Motorrad Malaysia over this matter.
The above recall affects bikes in the American market due to winter conditions, thus does not affect bikes in Malaysia.
However, BMW Motorrad Malaysia will inform their official dealers to carry out checks on the calipers of these three bikes in the interest of safety. BMW will also update us should there be further action.
We would like to add that recall campaigns are actually a good thing. It shows that manufacturers are being responsible, rather than hiding data and facts.
