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2024 BMW CE 02 Launched in Malaysia

BMW Group Malaysia launched the 2024 BMW CE 02, 2024 BMW F 900 GS, 2024 BMW R 1300 GS and 2024 BMW S 1000 XR, today at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024.

Benjamin Nagel, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “We are thrilled to unveil our latest lineup of exceptional motorcycles here at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, featuring the highly anticipated All-New BMW CE 02 alongside our newest offerings in the Adventure segment. This showcase reflects our steadfast dedication to redefining the riding experience in the country. Each motorcycle epitomises innovation, seamlessly integrating electrification, premium performance, and cutting-edge design. As we embrace the future of mobility and continue to Make Life A Ride here in Malaysia, we invite all riding enthusiasts to join us on this exhilarating journey with BMW Group Malaysia.”

The all-new 2024 BMW CE 02

Let us start with this one.

BMW Group Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to electrification in the Urban Mobility segment with the unveiling of the all-new 2024 BMW CE 02. This eParkourer boasts an exceptional electric drive while embodying outstanding technology and style, encapsulated in a futuristic design destined to captivate the Malaysian youth.

Tailored for urban environments, this premium e-motorcycle features large wheels designed for durability and promises exhilarating rides across diverse terrains. Sporting a sleek aesthetic, the vehicle showcases a black frame, wheels, front fender, and triple clamp fairing at the top, complemented by a granite grey metallic matt engine cover. Arriving in Style HIGHLINE Cosmic Black, the BMW CE 02 possesses a dynamic contrast between matte and high-gloss that adds an alluring visual dimension to the exterior of the premium vehicle.

Main highlights:

Hydraulically damped telescopic forks at the front.
Single-sided swingarm and directly pivoted shock absorber at the rear.

The vehicle’s wide tyres are mounted on cast light alloy wheels in a striking disc wheel design
Disc brakes front and rear ensure secure deceleration.

This premium e-motorcycle weighs only 132 kg for great dynamic riding and agile handling.
It measures a compact 1970mm in length, stands 1140mm tall to its windshield, making it perfect for urban landscapes.

Let us talk performance, shall we? The motor has an output of 11 kW (15 hp) and 55 Nm (!) of torque.
Notice that the torque is much higher than maximum power, which is the hallmark of electric motors, which ensures an instant rush when you need to overtake other vehicles.

The 2024 BMW CE 02 goes from 0 to 50 km/h in approximately 3 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 95 km/h (it is an urban bike!).
It is equipped with a 6 kWh lithium-ion battery, giving the bike a range up to 100km.

A 900W external charger is included, enabling charging from standard household electrical sockets.
The bike has a quick charge capability up to 1500W, which charges the batter from 20% to 80% in 1 hour:40 minutes, and charging from 0% to 100% takes 3 hours:30 minutes.

The 2024 BMW CE 02 features a 3.5-inch TFT colour display with extensive connectivity through the BMW Motorrad Connect Application.
The app provides riders with arrow navigation, real-time vehicle status and insightful statistics.

There are also three driving modes, namely ‘Flow’, ‘Surf’ and ‘Flash’.
‘Flow’ mode optimises settings for relaxed riding in urban environments, ‘Surf’ mode delivers a dynamic riding experience, and ‘Flash’ mode gives a sportier riding experience.

Other convenience features include a USB socket, keyless ride, reversing aid, and a cradle mode within the BMW Motorrad Connect Application.
Cradle mode allows riders to access additional displays options via the handlebar keypad and includes a smartphone holder as a standard.

Financial Services

Ownership of the all-new 2024 BMW CE 02 starts from RM 578.00 with the Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia. This estimate is based on Balloon Financing with a 90% loan over a 4-year tenure.

Owners can also enjoy additional benefits with the Industry-Leading Premium Malaysia Engine Oil Inclusive, Service Inclusive and Warranty Extension Programmes by BMW Motorrad Malaysia. For more information on the programmes, please visit https://www.bmw-motorrad.com.my/en/service/service-inclusive.html.

The retail price (on the road, with BMW Motorrad Malaysia’s All-New 3-Year Warranty and 3-Year Roadside Assistance Programmes, without insurance) for the all-new BMW CE 02 is RM 38,500.00.

To learn more about the 2024 BMW CE 02, visit http://www.bmw-motorrad.com.my/ or contact your preferred authorised BMW dealership.

All-new 2024 BMW CE 02 Photo Gallery

6 Tips for Riding at Night

Riding at night can be a lot of fun.

Several friends, myself included, prefer to ride at night for several reason. Among them, there is less traffic to contend with, the air is cooler, and no one calling you about work.

Unfortunately, most road accidents happen at night. But there are ways to mitigate the risks. Here are several tips that could make your night-time ride safer and more enjoyable.

#1. Visibility to others

Forget about those motorcycle ads that show a rider clad in all-black gear riding a black motorcycle at night.

Motorcycles have smaller cross-sections thus the headlights are closer together. A car driver who has never ridden a motorcycle could easily misjudge a motorcycle’s. It is therefore important to wear gear that enhance our presence, from a brightly coloured helmet, to a fluorescent yellow safety vest with large reflector panels, and several pieces of well-place reflective stickers on the bike and around the rims.

Trust us when we say that other road users will take better care when they see a human figure on a motorcycle, rather than just the rear light which makes them dismiss it as “just a soulless machine.”

#2. Visibility for us

Make sure you replace the headlight’s bulbs every couple of years or so (except if they are LED). Even the best halogen lightbulbs deteriorate over time, but they do so very progressively at an unnoticeable rate.

There are riders who say there is no issue with replacing the halogen bulbs with LED bulbs, but there are also who found the LED bulbs damaged their headlamps and/or electrical systems. As such, do approach this with care.

We understand that some motorcycles’ headlights are dimmer than a torchlight’s. However, installing auxiliary lights i.e. spotlights is against the law in Malaysia, but use them responsibly if do install them anyway. Make sure they are pointed down the road and not upwards into traffic and blinding other road users.

#3. Do not stare into oncoming headlights

The headlights on cars and even some motorcycles are awfully bright these days, most probably due to misalignment. Staring into bright lights will degrade your night vision, and your eyes will need time to readjust. This is especially dangerous if you are riding around curvy roads.

Avert your eyes from oncoming headlights and concentrate on your path ahead. Let the vehicle pass you if its headlamps are blasting into your rearview mirror, or turn the mirrors to different angles for a moment.

#4. Slow down

This may be further down the list but it is no less important. Riding at night like you do during the daytime just increases the risks as it is much harder to spot hazards. At the same time, open up your other senses such as smell to pick up scents of rubbish water or fuel spills.

#5. Scan your surroundings

Make sure you scan your surroundings all the time. You can never know if another vehicle is approaching you at a high speed without lights. Do not just rely on the mirror – also look over your shoulders from time-to-time.

#6. Stay comfy

Make sure your jacket is sufficient in keeping out the cold, especially when you are riding after a rain spell, on a country road or up a mountain. Shivering in the cold robs you of your concentration and you need 100% construction every time we ride, especially at night.

2024 Vespa Sprint and 2024 Vespa Primavera Previewed at Grazia Malaysia 1st Anniversary

The 2024 Vespa Sprint and 2024 Vespa Primavera were previewed at the Grazia Malaysia 1st Anniversary party.

These two models are dubbed the Vespa “small body,” and represent the youngest and most urban spirit of the brand. The 2024 models are completely revamped in terms of style and technical features, while retaining the same engine, dimensions, and concept.

Didi Group had collaborated with Grazia Malaysia 1st Anniversary event to showcase the Vespas. As such, the collaboration merges fashion and mobility, leveraging Grazia’s influence in the fashion industry. It also firmly places Vespa as a fashion icon.

However, a motorcycle is still a motorcycle and hence the 2024 Vespa Sprint and 2024 Vespa Primavera will be officially launched at the Malaysia Autoshow, happening at MAEPS, Serdang from 22nd to 26th May 2024. The Vespa pavilion will be Hall B.

PHOTO GALLERY

GWM Souo S2000 GL Eight-Cylinder Tourer Revealed

Remember GWM’s eight-cylinder engine which we published? GWM was working on a grand tourer to rival the Honda Gold Wing. So, here it is, the GWM Souo S2000 GL eight-cylinder tourer.

Okay, we admit that it does look like its rival, but GWM’s reasoning is that if they wanted to do something, why not just aim at the top? Thus, that puts the Gold Wing squarely in their crosshairs. Come to think of it, so is the BMW K 1600, although it does not use a flat engine.

As such, the GWM Souo S2000 GL is complete with a large top box and a backrest for the passenger. On the other hand, the S2000 ST variant only has side boxes, like the Gold Wing F6B. The S2000 has a Hossack type front end, similar to the Honda and BMW.

But the rest of the spec sheet are higher in spec. For instance, the Gold Wing’s flat-six engine displaces 1833cc, while the S2000’s flat-eight is 2000cc. The Honda has a 7-speed, semi-auto dual clutch transmission (DCT), while the S2000 has an eight-speed DCT. GWM’s engine has DOHC, and the Honda’s has SOHC.

While its styling points to copying the Gold Wing’s, GWM says it is inspired by the traditional Chinese lion. That can certainly be seen in the headlights, intended to evoke a lion’s eyes, which are set in a reverse-raked nose that gives the bike a prominent brow above them.

Other features include radial-mount four-piston Brembo brake calipers, stereo with Bluetooth connectivity, electronic parking brake, automatic headlights, TFT screen, adjustable screen height, voice control, cruise control, and of course, electric reverse gear.

GWM, or Great Wall Motor in full, is the world’s 19th largest auto maker in terms of market capitalisation with USD 28 billion. That is in the regions of Kia, and ahead of Subaru and Nissan. Other brands under GWM are Ora, Haval, Wey, Tank, and Great Wall, that are marketed internationally. Souo marks their first venture in the motorcycling segment.

GWM 8-Cylinder Motorcycle Engine Breaks Cover!

Ducati Monster Senna, a New Homage to the F1 Legend

The Ducati Monster Senna debuts as the latest homage to the late F1 legend, Ayrton Senna.

Ducati had previously produced the 916 Senna, 996 Senna, and 1199 Panigale Senna so it is only fitting to return to this iconic variant. Ayrton’s first motorcycle when he moved to Monte Carlo was a Ducati Monster, anyhow.

However, unlike the superbikes that were painted in stealthy colours in respect to his untimely passing, the new Monster Senna’s livery was styled in the Centro Stile Ducati and took inspiration from Ayrton’s bright yellow, blue, and green race helmet, which represented his Brazilian nationality.

This theme is not only present on the bodywork but extends to the yellow Brembo Stylema front brake calipers, blue seat, and yellow bands on the Termignoni (yay!) exhaust mufflers. The Senna logo is also present on the tank.

Only 341 units will be built, in accordance to the 3 F1 championships, and 41 wins achieved by Senna. There is a “Racing is in my blood” caption on the back of the fuel tank.

Main features of the Ducati Monster Senna:

Plate with model name and progressive number (XXX/341).
Dedicated animation on dashboard ignition.
Sports seat with logo.
937 cc Testastretta 11° engine, producing 111 hp at 9,250 rpm, and 93.2 Nm at 6,500 rpm.
Termignoni silencers with yellow stripes.

Aluminium front frame.
Rear subframe in lightweight GFRP.
Machined from billet aluminium footrests.
Aluminium swingarm.
Öhlins steering damper.
Fully adjustable Öhlins NIX30 front fork.
Fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock.
Forged aluminium wheels (-1.86 kg) with two-tone yellow/green/blue tag.

Carbon fibre front and rear mudguards.
Engine guard in yellow.
Full LED lighting system with sweeping technology direction indicators.
3-inch colour TFT instrumentation.
Riding Modes (3 settings) calibrated to benefit from the new chassis, new Wet Riding Mode.
ABS Cornering adjustable on 3 levels with front only mode.
Ducati Traction Control (DTC) with 8 levels, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) 4 levels.
Launch Control adjustable on 3 levels.

Brembo front brakes with 320 mm discs, monobloc Stylema® calipers painted in yellow.
Hydraulic clutch with radial pump.
Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) for up and down shifting.
Lithium ion battery.
Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres.
Windshield.
Passenger seat cover.
Dedicated motorcycle cover.
Certificate of authenticity.

Fairstreet Sports Denies the Cancellation of Indian MotoGP 2024

Fairstreet Sports has denied that the cancellation of Indian MotoGP 2024.

The denial was issued by the sport’s local promoter after “news” of the cancellation spread like wildfire around the world and back at the speed of light. Autosport.com was the first to report that the Indian round would be dropped as Fairstreet is yet to disburse funds to MotoGP rights holder Dorna Sports and several vendors.

That also led to speculation that the postponed Kazakhstan GP, which was originally intended for 16 June, will take the 20 September slot upon cancellation of the Indian MotoGP 2024.

Now Crash.net was told that payments were held back due to India’s Model Code of Conduct. It is a regulation which restricts spending public funds when elections are near. The GP’s funds comes from the government of Uttar Pradesh where the Buddh International Circuit resides. In any case, the funds have been approved to be disbursed on 4 June.

Fairstreet Sports CEO Pushkar Nath Srivastava told The Times of India on 15 May that the race is still on. “The race is very much on,” he said. “These are just rumours floating around. All of the contractual obligations will be met in June.” The reports had earlier stated that Dorna had given Fairstreet a dateline of 20 May.

Dorna signed a seven-year contract with Fairstreet Sports in 2022 to organise the Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit from 2023 until 2030.

What are the 5 Main Functions of Engine Oil?

The first thing that comes to mind when engine oil is mentioned is lubrication, keeping moving parts from grinding each other into dust. Part of that image is reinforced by ads that show oil circulating around the pistons and cylinders, and nowhere else.

However, the engine oil plays other equally important roles, like the amazing co-stars of a movie that were overlooked.

So, here are the 5 main functions of engine oil.

#1: Lubrication

Okay, this is the main use for engine oil. As we mentioned earlier, the oil film separates two surfaces, to keep them from coming into contact. Without oil, the surfaces, especially moving surfaces such as bearings, cam lobes, piston rings, etc. will scrape against each other, create intense heat, and seize.

#2: Cooling

Oil was the cooling medium before liquid-cooling became the in-thing. Oil has the capacity to absorb heat, lots of it. However, the liquid used for cooling an engine only circulates around the engine block and head, but does not reach the nether regions of an engine such as the crankshaft, camshaft, transmission, clutch (for motorcycles). These are moving parts and they are exposed to the heat from fuel combustion. So, it is the oil’s job to lubricate and cool them.

#3: Cleaning

How do you clean soot on the cylinder walls that resulted from fuel combustion? You cannot design a piston with brushes on its side. So, it is the oil’s job to carry this soot away and into the sump. This is one reason why an oil turns darker.

#4: Preventing oxidation and rust

Oil keeps parts from rusting which is a layman word for oxydation. The oil film keeps oxygen and water vapour away from the metal’s surface.

#5: Sealing

The oil film plays an important role in sealing gaps among certain engine components, such as between the piston rings and the cylinder wall. Without this 1 molecule thick oil film, combustion gases will blow straight through into the crankcase, resulting in power loss.

Oil is also a great seal for gaskets so that the oil itself does not leak out.

BONUS: Lubricating the clutch

This only applies to motorcycles, the majority of which uses the “wet” clutch. The engine oil is circulated around the clutch pack to keep the plates from having too much friction, therefore making them cooler and lasting longer.

No Plan to Make Dashcams Compulsory Yet

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said there is yet a plan to make dashcams or dashboard cameras compulsory for all vehicles in the country.

He said his ministry needs to consider various aspects including the costs that the people will have to bear if it is made mandatory.

“However, we encourage the installation of dashcams especially on new vehicles directly from the manufacturer. If they can install (dashcams) together with new cars, we highly encourage that, but so far we have not made it mandatory.”

Loke also encouraged bus operators to install the device so that it can recorded and the footage used as evidence if the vehicle is involved in a road accident.

“The installation of a dashcam and its footage can be used as proof in the event of an accident to find out who is at fault or who should be held responsible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Loke said last year’s road accident statistics recorded 600,000 accidents resulting in the death of more than 6,500 people.

“If we look at the statistics, the average is 15 to 17 people die every day and this number is a big number.

“Every person who died, for us this is a tragedy that does not need to happen because this road accident can be avoided if every driver takes a cautious attitude and obeys the rules of the road,” he said.

Therefore, Loke hopes that the public can be prudent drivers, always aware and careful to reduce the risk of road accidents.

Police Investigates Group Cooking at Petrol Station

The police have opened investigation papers on a group of individuals cooking at a Petron petrol station in Genting Highlands. A video showing their actions has gone viral which drew criticism from many quarters.

Bentong District Police Chief, Superintendent Zaiham Mohd Kahar said the police received a complaint regarding the matter at 12.35 yesterday at the Bentong Police Station.

He said that the police report was based on a viral video where the act of cooking at the gas station caused concern and anger in the community because it was dangerous.

“The result of the police investigation found that the video recording was uploaded in the X (formerly Twitter) social media site.”

In relation to that, he said the police opened investigation papers and the case will be investigated according to Section 268 of the Penal Code, for the offence of causing general annoyance to the public. The investigation is also conducted in accordance with Section 336 of the Penal Code, for acts endangering the life or safety of others and oneself.”

In the meantime, Zaiham said his party will carry out integrated operations around the location of the gas station, especially on weekends and public holidays.

“This is because the police received information and complaints about the location often being the focus of vehicle owners gatherings and activities that disturb public order and other road users who pass through the location,” he said.

The approximately 50-second video clip features a group of Honda Jazz owners consisting of men and women hanging out while cooking instant noodles using a portable gas stove and dining at the gas station.

Do You Change the Engine Oil Filter at Every Service?

Every four-stroke engine is equipped with an engine oil filter. Question is, do you change it during every oil service?

We brought this up as there are owners who say they only do so during every alternate service or it depends on the type of use oil they use i.e. mineral, semi-synthetic, fully-synthetic.

Let us take a look at what the oil filter does before we proceed further.

The functions of the engine oil filter:

As its name suggests, the filter traps impurities and foreign agents in the engine oil. It does so that these foreign objects are not circulated around the engine together with the oil.

Oil is pumped through the filter and the filtered oil exits it to continue circulating around the engine.

The sources of impurities and foreign objects include:

Metal shavings due to surface interactions of moving parts. Some of these shavings may be very fine or even microscopic for the eyes to detect.
Carbon, soot, acidic compounds resulting from combustion of fuel. This is one reason why the oil turns dark.
Fine dust that made its way through the air filter.

What happens if the filter is not replaced?

An old filter will get clogged from too much dirt, impurities, and foreign objects.
Consequently, oil flow gets blocked from flowing through the filter.
Loss of engine power since there is not enough lubrication.
Some of the impurities end up being sent around the engine, resulting in accelerated wear.

When to replace the filter?

It is best to adhere to the recommended intervals set by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Besides, the old oil left in the old filter will corrupt the new oil, resulting in less protection for your engine and the new oil breaking down quicker.

Conversely, the oil and filter must be changed regardless of mileage if you take your bike out for an extreme excursion, such as a race, trackday, or off-road riding.

Do not overlook the importance of the oil filter. And do use a genuine filter. It does not cost as much as an engine rebuild.

Diesel Price Expected to Increase 71% after Subsidy Removal

The price of diesel fuel is expected to increase by 71% when the government removes its subsidy completely.

A simulation by SME Bank shows that diesel price could be between RM3.25 to RM 3.67 per litre as the global price of petroleum remains high, when the government reverts to a free-float mechanism based on global oil prices. The current price is RM2.15 per litre.

They also said that an increase of 1% in diesel price contributes to a 0.1% rise in Consumer Price Index (CPI), hence elevating inflation by another 7.1%. Producer Price Index (PPI) is also expected to rise sharply, although it was not mentioned in the report.

Both CPI and PPI constitute domestic retail prices affected by inflation.

All these fancy words mean that businesses and industries will find higher operating costs across all sectors and industries especially transportation, construction, retail, agriculture, and manufacturing.

While some companies are expected to absorb some of this rise, it is more realistic to expect them passing the costs down to consumers.

SME Bank, in their conclusion, expects the removal of diesel subsidies to be partial to allow the M40 and B40 groups to continue using subsidised fuel, that the total removal only affects diesel users for now as it accounts for 44% of fuel subsidies, and that Sabah and Sarawak are excluded from the removal.

Brembo Hypure Caliper to Debut

The new Brembo Hypure caliper is set to debut later this year.

What is there to say about the brand, Brembo? Even non-motorcycle enthusiasts already know the brand, so much so that some even refer to ANY brake caliper as “Brembo.” So, we might as well just skip the brand introduction and go right to this product.

The Brembo Hypure is fully intended for high-end supersport bikes. Conversely the earlier Stylema had been used on all types of bikes from supersports to even dual-purpose bikes. As such, what the Hypure delivers is a combination braking power, better feel at the lever, and light weight.

Highlights of the Brembo Hypure:

10% lighter weight than the competition. Weight savings in this area means your bike has less unsprung mass, hence less inertia to contend with, resulting in better handling.
Brembo says this was achieved by their experience and new design tools to distribute aluminium in the right places.
Consequently, stiffness remains the same despite lower weight, and improved cooling.
Reduces pad wear through a new spring, pad, and pin system, besides a specially crafted bearing surface between the caliper and pads.
The company says that with this system, the pads move without resistance toward the disc at the start of braking. When the lever is released, the pads move away quickly from the disc to reduce friction.

The Brembo Hypure was teased at EICMA last year and will be fitted as original equipment to a new and upcoming supersport motorcycle. Speculation is it will either be on the 2025 KTM 990 RC R or Yamaha YZF-R9, or even both.

Anyhow, our advice is to use special locking bolts for your motorcycle’s brake calipers.

KTM 990 RC R Incoming!

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