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New Colour for 2025 Yamaha R15M

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor has introduced a new colourway for the 2025 Yamaha R15M, called Signature Black.

The Yamaha R15 was first launched way back in 2018 in Malaysia, before the R15M reached Malaysia in 2022. Following its bigger brother, the YZF-R1M, the “M” means the variant has better features. As such, the R15M has a quickshifter, traction control, Yamaha Y-Connect, LED lights with DRL.

Additionally, the R15M’s design and colourways are inspired by the R1M, including this year’s edition.

However, the 2025 Yamaha R15M retains the same 155cc, single-cylinder, SOHC with VVA engine capable of producing 19hp (14.2kW) peak power at 10,000rpm and 14.7Nm of peak torque at 8,500rpm. The engine power is sent through a assist and slipper clutch, and a six speed gearbox.

To reiterate, the fuel tank capacity is 11 litres and Yamaha claims a kerb weight of 140kg.

The recommended selling price remains at RM14,988. Buyers will receive a Yamaha disc lock worth RM100.

2025 Yamaha R15M Picture Gallery

2025 Honda CBR650R and 2025 Honda CB650R with E-Clutch Arrive in Malaysia

The 2025 Honda CBR650R and 2025 Honda CB650R equipped with the Honda E-Clutch electronic clutch technology have arrived in Malaysia at long last.

The E-Clutch system retains the clutch lever and gear lever, thus allowing for manual gear shifting without utilising the lever in all aspects of riding such as while idling, moving from stop, and while the motorcycle is in motion. It basically turns a big bike into a big kapchai with automatic clutch. The clutch lever is retained and can be pulled manually by the rider should he desires so, for example when he wants to half-clutch when riding through traffic, etc. The technology is different from Honda’s own Dual-Clutch Transmisson (DCT). We will run a feature about this later.

Highlights of 2025 Honda CBR650R and 2025 Honda CBR650R

The Neo Sports Café roadster of the CB650 range, while the CBR650R is the sportbike.
Both are powered by a 649cc, four-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve engine, which delivers 94hp (70kW) at 12,000 RPM and 63Nm of torque at 9,500 RPM.

Front suspension consists of 41mm Showa Separate Function front Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks.
Rear suspension consists of a monoshock adjustable for preload.

Updates include a new TFT screen, LED lighting, a USB Type-C charging port.
The TFT screen connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. The rider can access navigation and music streaming functions via the Honda RoadSync app.

Electronic rider assistance include Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and 2-channel ABS.
The 2025 Honda CB650R is offered in new colours called Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic, Matte Laurel Green Metallic, and Candy Chromosphere Red, at the selling price of RM47,999.

The 2025 Honda CBR650R is offered in Grand Prix Red, and Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic, at the selling price of RM49,999.00.

2025 Honda CBR650R Picture Gallery

2025 Honda CB650R Picture Gallery

How to Tell if Your Riding Gear is Genuine (Part 1) – KOMINE

Certain brands place a lot of emphasis and create copy-proof measures at great expense. We are therefore starting this series of articles to look at how these brands protect their customers and intellectual property, starting with Komine.

The saying goes, “Imitation is the best form of flattery.” In other words, a brand is considered to be “there” when it is copied. But is it really? Of course it is not good – even destructive – for a the original maker’s reputation and bottom line, but it can also be dangerous to wear fake riding gear.

***Fake gloves sold at a ridiculous price. It’s too good to be true***

Why is it dangerous to wear fake gear?

There are standards governing motorcycle gear, from head to toe, starting from the helmet, to the padding in jacket, gloves, pants, and footwear. These standards ensure that the products are tested and proven to protect against injury. Manufacturers who wish to sell their gear must conform to these standards.

The most common standard is the European CE standard, which is adopted in more than 60 countries around the world. Certain European countries mandate that motorcyclists wear CE-approved gear, and the rider could be fined or his insurance claim voided (if he is involved in an accident) should be found not wearing CE-approved gear.

Not so with fakers. Their product may look the same, feel the same, even smell the same, but they are not the same because they are not tested to these exacting standards. Some tests carried out by bloggers and authorities have found that these copycat gear actually endanger the wearer instead of providing any form of protection.

Who is Komine?

The Komine brand he company was founded in 1947 by Komine Shunsuke, a motorcycle enthusiast. Komine products are known for being affordable, high quality, and safe. The company is now based in Tokyo, Japan.

They make many forms of riding gear, including helmets, and are the main suppliers to the Japanese traffic police.

Komine places rider safety and security above other concerns and as such, most of their jackets and pants feature CE-Level 2 protection padding.

How do you tell if the Komine product is genuine?

Every Komine’s wearable product i.e. jacket, gloves, pants, footwear, leather racing suit feature a hologram tag. To verify if it is genuine:

Turn off your phone’s macro lens feature (the flower symbol).
Bring the camera close to the hologram tag.
You should see at least one “OK” mark. The mark does not appear sharp but it is done so by design.

Fake Komine goods in the market may feature such hologram tag, too, but the “OK” mark does not show.

Conclusion

The issue of fake products is exacerbated by online shopping platforms where unscrupulous sellers claims that their products are “100% genuine.” However, it may be easy to tell when the item is offered at ridiculously cheap prices, sometimes with the excuse of “stock clearance” or “factory price”, so remember that it may be too good to be true.

Do buy from official channels for your own safety and a peace of mind.

Okay, that is all for Part 1 now. Stay tuned as we track down other brands.

2025 BMW R 12 Launched in Malaysia

The latest BMW R 12 (2025) has been launched in Malaysia. It is the successor to the R nineT series which has been in the market since 2013.

The BMW R 12 (2025) is a cruiser-style motorcycle for relaxed riding. The front wheel measures 19-inches while the rear wheel measures 16-inches.

Highlights:

As an “R” series model, it uses the flat-twin Boxer engine that is synonymous with BMW motorcycles.
The R 12 engine is the same as the R nineT’s, which is a 1170cc type that produces 95hp at 6,500 RPM and 110Nm at 6,000 RPM. There is also a different engine performance tuning for the R 12 nineT model that has not been launched here, which is 1170cc, 109hp at 7,000 RPM and 115Nm at 6,000 RPM.

BMW says the motorcycle can accelerate from rest to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 200 km/h.
New airbox.
New 6-speed gearbox with Shift Assistant Pro for clutchless gear changes.

A single-piece steel frame replaces the previous two-piece frame. BMW claims that the new frame is lighter and gives a cleaner look.
The suspension consists of 45mm upside-down forks up front, while there is a monoshock with adjustable preload and rebound damping. As is typical of the “R” range, there is a Paralever swingarm.

The front brakes use two 310mm brake discs and four-piston calipers. The rear brakes use a single disc with a 2-piston brake caliper.
BMW Motorrad ABS Pro is standard.

Electronic features include 2 riding modes, Rock and Roll.
There is also Cruise Control.

Dynamic Traction Control, as well as Engine Drag Torque Control which controls engine torque so that the rear wheel does not hop when downshifting aggressively.
This motorcycle is also equipped with the Hillstart Control feature which provides the best control when the motorcycle stops on a slope.

In addition, there is also the BMW Intelligent Emergency Call feature that makes an emergency call if the motorcycle is involved in an accident.
The LED lights are combined with Adaptive Headlight Pro and Dynamic Brake Lights.

Classic round speedometer.
The BMW R 12 (2025) is available in Aventurine Red Metallic.

New stainless exhaust.

The selling price starts from RM123,000.

Photo gallery of BMW R 12 (2025)

Adventure Motorcycles for New Riders (2025) – Part 2

Alright, let us continue with part 2 of this Adventure Motorcycles for New Riders (2025). But before we proceed further, let us clarify that “adventure motorcycles” describe motorcycles that have more fuel capacity and long-range comfort, compared to enduro motorcycles. In other words, these motorcycles retain some off-road capabilities and can be used for touring. Hence they are also known as dual-sport motorcycles.

Let us also move up the scale a bit and into the sub-500cc range.

6. KTM 390 Adventure

There are actually two versions of this bike i.e the standard 390 Adventure and the (much) more off-road oriented 390 Adventure R.

Launched in 2021 with cast alloy wheels, it underwent a revision for 2023, featuring wire spoked wheels.

Then, at EICMA last year, KTM revealed the long-awaited “R” version which was pretty much a totally new motorcycle including a new engine, suspension, bodywork, frame, swingarm, 27-inch front wheel, electronics. Come to think of it, it is much more like the smaller version of the 790/890 Adventure R.

In any case, the 390 Adventure was a hoot to ride both on the road and off-road, thrilling both new and veteran riders. However, wait for the “R” version if you plan on more exploring and off-roading.

(Specifications for the KTM 390 Adventure)

373cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 44hp, 37Nm.
14.5-litre fuel tank, 159kg (dry).
855mm seat height.
Pros: Torquey engine, superb suspension, hard-edged.
Cons: Standard suspension tuning is a bit hard.
Selling price: RM33,800.

7. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

The Royal Enfield Himalayan offers reliability, toughness, simplicity, versatility, and affordability all at one go. However, that toughness has a price in terms of weight. The 450 is the new model and features a bigger engine and TFT screen with smartphone connectivity, and there are 4 trims.

452cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 40hp at 8,000, 40Nm at 5,500 RPM.
17-litre fuel tank, 191kg (dry).
825mm seat height.
Pros: Simple, reliable, versatile.
Cons: Rather heavy.
Selling price: From RM30,600.

8. CFMoto 450MT/450MT-X

A high-spec’ed motorcycle at a competitive price: Adjustable KYB suspension, TFT screen, J.Juan brakes, adjustable windscreen (although manual), switchable rear wheel ABS via a dedicated button, etc. This bike is gear more towards off-road riding with 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, but has a low seat height. Go for the MT-X version for just RM2,000 more and you will get three aluminium cases.

449cc, parallel-twin, 270º DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 44hp at 8,500, 44Nm at 6,250 RPM.
17.5-litre fuel tank, 175kg (dry).
820mm seat height.
Pros: Good features, light, low seat height.
Cons: Abrupt throttle action.
Selling price: RM28,800 (450MT), RM30,888 (450MT-X).

9. Triumph Scrambler 400X

Not as off-road oriented as the Scrambler 1200 but does a decent job with its longer travel suspension. But as with other Triumphs, the 400 platform is nimble, has a torque and entertaining engine, and superb suspension. And, the Scrambler 400 X comes equipped with a whole range of accessories, making it look really butch at a great price.

398cc, parallel-twin, 270º DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 39.5hp at 8,500, 37.5Nm at 6,500 RPM.
13-litre fuel tank, 179kg (wet).
835mm seat height.
Pros: Easy to ride, stylish, entertaining.
Cons: Very short 1st and 2nd gears.
Selling price: RM29,900.

10. Benelli TRK 502X

The TRK 502X is the adventure version with 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, while the TRK 502 is the sport-touring version with 17-inch wheels on both ends. Truth be told, this product lineup is kind of long in the tooth, although it was updated recently. But, you do get dual front brakes, and it is probably the best for long-distance touring among the group here.

500cc, parallel-twin, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 48hp at 8,500, 45Nm at 6,000 RPM.
20-litre fuel tank, 213kg (dry).
840mm seat height.
Pros: Well appointed for long-distance riding.
Cons: It is heavy and feels heavy.
Selling price: RM35,288.

Closing

So there you have it, 10 most appropriate adventure motorcycles for new riders. It has to be said that motorcycles have come a long way and even a 250cc adventure bike can do wonders plus saving you a few bucks to be spent on riding gear.

There are several models missing in our list, including the Honda CB500X and Fantic Caballero 500. These two are fantastic bikes, nonetheless so we will write further features about them in the near future.

16-Year-Old Driver Caused 5 Deaths in Road Accident

A road accident caused by a 16-year-old driver has killed 5 victims. The incident occurred in Kuching, Sarawak, yesterday.

Kuching District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said that four of the victims, aged between 16 and 45, including a woman, died at the scene.

He said that another victim, a 16-year-old boy, was confirmed dead while receiving treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

“The accident on Jalan Teo Kui Seng-Stutong Baru at about 12.50pm occurred when a car from Jalan Lapangan Terbang heading towards Jalan Seria Raja lost control and skidded into the opposite lane.

“The car then crashed into two motorcycles and two cars in the opposite lane,” he said in a statement tonight.

Mohd Farhan said the 16-year-old boy who was driving the Proton Saga that crashed into four other vehicles is still receiving treatment at HUS due to a neck injury.

“Three other victims who also suffered injuries are also receiving further treatment at HUS,” he said.

The four other vehicles involved in the accident were a Toyota Altis, a Proton Saga and two motorcycles, a Yamaha and a Modenas.

According to him, the boy, who does not have a driving licence, will be detained after he receives treatment at HUS.

“He will be detained for investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which is causing death by reckless and dangerous driving.

“If convicted, they can be sentenced to between five and 10 years in prison and a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not more than RM50,000,” he said.

He also appealed to the public who have information regarding the incident to contact traffic investigation officer, Assistant Superintendent Lucas Apin at 013-8246881 / 082- 259900 or any nearby police station.

Goodyear Sells Dunlop to Sumitomo

Goodyear has sold the Dunlop brand to the Japanese tyre brand Sumitomo, for a reported deal of USD701 million (MYR3.1 billion).

The entire deal is a little convoluted, as Sumitomo already owns the Dunlop brand since 1985 to produce Dunlop tyres under license for certain markets. However, Sumitomo did not buy the entire company. Then, in 2015, Sumitomo reacquired Dunlop’s entire motorcycle tire division from Goodyear.

The latest deal sees Sumitomo buying the entire Dunlop brand (including the car tyres) and their manufacturing facilities. The deal is part of Goodyear’s plan to streamline its operations, which it laid out in its ‘Goodyear Forward’ transformation plan. The plan has seen the closure of several factories around the world including in Malaysia, recently.

As well as the purchase price paid to acquire the brand, Sumitomo will also pay a “Transition Fee” and while it sounds like a lock, stock, and barrel purchase, in Europe at least, Dunlop will continue to manufacture, sell and distribute Dunlop branded consumer tyres until at least December 31, 2025. Furthermore, Dunlop will still supply certain branded tyres to Sumitomo for the European market for a five-year period, with quantities of 4.5 million tyres per year required to oblige the contract.

Speaking about the deal, Mark Stewart, Goodyear Chief Executive Officer and President, said: “This is another important milestone as we continue to execute against our Goodyear Forward transformation plan. We are optimising our portfolio and reducing leverage to drive sustainable and substantial shareholder value creation … Not only does the transaction deliver significant value for our shareholders, it better positions Goodyear to enhance our focus on the growth of our core brands.”

“Our team conducted a comprehensive process focused on maximising value for Goodyear through a divestment of our Dunlop Brand, and we are very pleased with the outcome achieved,” said Christina Zamarro, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “We are committed to working closely with SRI to ensure a smooth transition for customers of the Dunlop Brand.“

Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally Wins Africa Eco Race Again

As we published previously, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 surprised everyone when it won last year’s Africa Eco Race rally in maiden attempt. As such, the factory was more than keen to defend the title with the Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally this year.

Racing the bike to the top podium was Italian rider Jacopo Cerutti who beat Alessandro Botturi on the Yamaha Ténéré 700 by a mere 26 seconds. The duel was thrilling as the two riders took on the last stage with only 9 seconds separating them in the overall standings. The two Italian riders fought for every kilometre but Botturi, in addition to a navigation error, found himself stuck in a net that he dragged to the finish line.

Cerutti had not only conquered the gruelling race, but also several challenges such a gastrointestinal virus, issues with the mousse in his rear tire, and non-functioning navigation instruments. In the end, Cerutti defended his title all the way to the last kilometre, and taking five stage victories and another two podiums.

He said, “Winning the Africa Eco Race for the second consecutive year is a dream. We had an outstanding advantage in the sand, both because of my riding style and the performance of the Tuareg Rally, and I was able to exploit it fully. It was an edition where strategy was fundamental and, in the last two days, I accomplished an undertaking that even I did not think possible. Congratulations also to Alessandro Botturi, it was great to have an opponent like him and to fight to the end.”

Cerutti’s teammate and race debutant, Marco Menichini, took victory in the Junior Under 25 class and sixth overall, as well as third place in the multi-cylinder class, on the other Aprilia Tuareg 660.

Yamaha star Pol Tarres also competed in this year’s Africa Eco Race but crashed at Kilometer 111 of Stage 2 while fighting for the win. He lost consciousness for several minutes and had to be airlifted to safety. He is safe and recovering from his injuries.

The sixteenth edition of the Africa Eco Race began in Monaco and crossing over to the breathtaking landscapes of Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. The rally actually traces the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally’s and Thierry Sabine’s legacy, and as such, it has come to be known as “The Real Race to Dakar” in recent years. Spanning 14 days and 12 challenging stages, it covered roughly 6,000 km of unforgiving terrain.

AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 Launched

Suzuki Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., in collaboration with the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association (MMSDA), launched the AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 at Dataran Ilmu, Selayang Stadium, today.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah, Deputy Minister of Transport of Malaysia, together with a host of guests of honour.

The campaign, themed “Share the Road, Ride Wisely” in 2025, is being organised for the 2nd time by Suzuki Malaysia and the 8th time by AFY Mobility Industries (AMI). It aims to raise awareness of road safety among motorcyclists, vehicle drivers, and the general public.

In his speech, YB Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah highlighted the alarming road accident statistics: “Based on the latest statistics from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), a total of 5,939 deaths were recorded from 585,729 accident cases reported up to November 2024. Of this total, 67% or 4,014 deaths involved motorcycle riders and pillion riders, with the majority consisting of youths aged 16 to 35 years. This group is now the largest contributor to the number of deaths due to road accidents.”

Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi also stressed the importance of having a valid driving license for motorcyclists: “I would like to draw the attention of all parties to the critical need to have a valid driving license before being allowed to ride a motorcycle on the road. This basic step is important to ensure the safety of all road users.”

He also reiterated the government’s commitment through the safety and enforcement agencies under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia in efforts to address this challenge and improve road safety for all users.

Campaign Activities and Programs

The campaign also offers various interesting activities to visitors, including:

Free motorcycle inspection – ‘16-point check’ by certified Suzuki Malaysia mechanics.
Replacement of 400 units of new helmets to motorcyclists.
Giving out children’s helmets as a symbolic measure to protect young passengers.
Exhibition of motorcycles and safety accessories.

Yang Berbahagia En. Ahmad Faez Bin Tan Sri Yahaya, Executive Chairman of Suzuki Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Group in his speech emphasized Suzuki Malaysia’s commitment to continue supporting road safety initiatives, especially motorcyclists, for the well-being of the community.

Campaign Opening

The opening ceremony was concluded with a symbolic gong beating event by Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah, together with Yang Berbahagia Encik Yap Kiew San, Chairman of MMSDA, and Yang Berbahagia En. Ahmad Faez Bin Tan Sri Yahaya.

Closing and Hope

The AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 provides various activities and educational opportunities to increase road safety awareness. With the cooperation of all parties, this campaign is expected to contribute to reducing accident rates and creating a safer road culture in Malaysia.

Adventure Motorcycles for New Riders (2025) – Part 1

Adventure motorcycles are already known for their comfort and versatility, hence why the segment is still growing. While we ride 99.9% of the time on paved roads, adventure bikes still provide many advantages, including long-travel suspension is able to soak up bumps and irregularities, tall ride height which gives the ride great all-round vision, comfortable ergonomics, and the ability to be fitted with luggage and bags.

Then of course, there is ever present capability for off-road exploring although that potential depends on the specific motorcycle and rider.

Speaking of the rider, it is perhaps unwise for a new rider get the most powerful and fastest adventure bike, especially if you plan to do some off-roading. So, here are XX adventure motorcycles for new riders, which we have updated for 2025.

1. Honda CRF250 Rally

It all began with the CRF250L in 2013, then the CRF250L Adventure, before becoming the present CRF250 Rally. Built to look like the CRF450 Rally Dakar racer, this bike looks the part and is easy to ride. There is even a built-in tool space in the left underseat panel.

250cc, single cylinder engine, which does 24hp at 9,000 RPM, 23Nm at 6,000 RPM.
12.8-litre fuel tank, 153kg.
885mm seat height.
Selling price: RM28,599.
Pros: Easy to ride, lightweight.
Cons: Seat height may be too tall for new riders.

2. Modenas Versys-X 250

The Versys-X 250 is a popular model as it has a lower seat height, and is gear more towards a sport-tourer although it does have some off-road capabilities. But get this: Modenas equips the bike with a pair of side cases as standard equipment in Malaysia.

249cc, parallel-twin engine, producing 32.5hp at 11,500 RPM, 21.7Nm at 10,000 RPM.
17-litre fuel tank, 181kg.
815mm seat height.
Selling price: RM24,900.
Pros: Fast for a small cc adventure bike, low seat height.
Cons: Peaky engine (needs lotsa revs), rudimentary suspension.

3. Suzuki V-Strom 250SX

The V-Strom 250SX is a long-awaited model and had just been launched in Malaysia last year. All we can say is it was worth the wait. While the engine does not boost any new tech and looked underpowered on paper, it was full of low- and mid-range torque. And when coupled to a superb suspension, the bike was actually sweet to ride. In fact, it felt a lot like riding the KTM 250 Adventure, but at a much lower price. Build quality was the best even beating out the Honda.

249cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, two-valve, oil-cooled engine, producing 26hp, 24Nm.
12-litre fuel tank, 167kg.
835mm seat height.
Selling price: RM17,800.
Pros: Torquey engine, compliant suspension, great value for money.
Cons: No assist and slipper clutch.

4. KTM 250 Adventure

The KTM 250 Adventure is gear more towards the adventure side of purpose, hence you can hit the trails put of the box. However, it is also a practical bike everyday riding and touring. The suspension is also more supple compared to its 390 Adventure sibling’s. It is also much simpler.

249cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 29.5hp at 9,3000 RPM, 22.72Nm at 7,300 RPM.
14.5-litre fuel tank, 156kg.
855mm seat height.
Selling price: RM24,000
Pros: Torquey engine, compliant suspension, the most adventure-ready of the lot.
Cons: No assist and slipper clutch.

5. BMW G 310 GS

This bike always seems to escape everyone’s attention for some reason. Is it due to price? Maintenance costs? Reliability? Do let us know because we have reviewed it and found it to be a rather good all-rounder.

313cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 34hp at 9,250 RPM, 28Nm at 7,500 RPM.
11.5-litre fuel tank, 175kg.
855mm seat height.
Selling price: RM31,500
Pros: Torquey engine, compliant suspension, best all-rounder.
Cons: You tell us!

Vespa 946 Snake Limited Edition Launched in Italy

The new Vespa 946 Snake limited edition has been launched to celebrate the Lunar Calendar’s Year of the Snake celebration. Vespa had also released the 946 Dragon to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, in 2024. In any case, the Vespa 946 snake is limited to just 888 units.

Vespa says the design is “inspired by icy landscapes”: Simple yet eye-catching, the model features a series of accessories, and has been created with particular attention to design and functionality.

Snake-inspired details are evident in the handlebar grips and the seat, which mirror the reptile’s characteristic skin texture, while there are chrome elements featured across the fuel tank and mudguard to complete the model’s aesthetics.

Additionally, Vespa has a helmet with a removable interior and smoked visor along with a very stylish Bomber jacket specifically made to suit the model. By contrast, the 946 Dragon had a jacket only.

Vespa is planning to implement an international retail strategy through pop-up stores in various locations. The tour for the 946 Snake will begin in Rome, at Rinascente Tritone, followed by Galeries Lafayette on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. This is already ongoing and will end on 5 February. The itinerary also includes stops at flagship stores in Milan, Vienna, Beijing, Istanbul, Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi, and Jakarta.

Pre-orders for the new Vespa 946 Snake began on 8 January with further information on the official Vespa website.

70-Year-Old KTM Controlled Foundry goes Bankrupt

A 70-year-old KTM controlled foundry has gone bankrupt.

The Austrian foundry, called Vöcklabrucker Metallgießerei Dambauer GmbH (VMG) was a family business and Pierer Beteiligungs GmbH took over 70 per cent of the business in 2022. The news outlet OÖNachrichten (OON) reported that the company had 150 employees and a turnover of €32 million at the time of the takeover.

Half of VMD’s sales was to KTM, while the other half came from other clients, including some from BMW.

OON further reported that KTM Components AG had promised VMG’s bosses that the former will keep the foundry afloat by providing funds including for the workers’ salaries, despite KTM’s struggles.

Unfortunately that did not come to pass as there seems to be no plan to restructure the company. It is a big blow to the staff, who are reported to be still owed wages, and also for the family that built the company. VMG was slated to celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2025.

A spokesman from the creditors’ protection association KSV1870 said, “We assume that the debtor company will be closed in bankruptcy court as quickly as possible after a prior examination by the insolvency administrator and that the remaining assets will be utilized in the best possible way.”

In other words, the creditors are keen to be repaid and VMG’s assets will be sold off.

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