Global News Archives

F1 Owners Liberty Media is Nearing Purchase of MotoGP

F1 owners, Liberty Media is said to be nearing the conclusion to buying MotoGP from the current rights owner, Dorna for more than €4 billion (RM20.5 billion).

The Financial Times reported that both Liberty Media and Dorna are in exclusive talks to unit the worlds’ premier car and motorcycle racing championships under one umbrella.

Liberty had won out against other bids including one from TKO who owns UFC and WWE. There was another another bid from the Qatar Sports Investments who owns the Paris-Saint Germain football club, who held talks with Bridgepoint.

Bridgepoint, along with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board are the shareholders of Dorna, in which Carmelo Ezpeleta works as the CEO. Dorna owns not only MotoGP, but also MotoE and World Superbike.

However, the deal will be scrutinised by competition regulators should it come to pass. The European Union has a competition law in place to prevent companies from creating cartels and monopolies. (Malaysia has the The Malaysian Competition Act, 2010 which came into force on 1 January 2012, but no one seems to enforce it.)

A silver lining for MotoGP perhaps is that Liberty Media have helped with F1’s growth since taking over from CVC Capital Partners 2017.

Some of their programs include the Netflix series ‘Drive To Survive’ which grew the sport’s fanbase further, besides acknowledging and using the power of social media. The F1 calendar has also grown under to include races in Las Vegas, Miami, Jeddah and Doha.

The Financial Times reports that F1’s operating profit in 2023 was USD392 million (RM1.85 billion), a 64% growth from 2022. Revenue grew from USD2.5 billion (RM11.84 billion) to USD3.2 billion (RM15.15 billion).

By contrast, Dorna’s revenue was €483 million (approximately RM2.5 billion) in 2023.

Suzuki Developing VVT for Small Engine

Suzuki is developing a VVT (variable valve timing) system for a small engine.

VVT and variable valve lift (VVL) are not a new technologies as many manufacturers are already employing it in their products, but Suzuki’s system appears to be for a 250cc engine. This bodes well as there are either large capacity and small capacitiy motorcycles employing it but not the 250cc segment.

Suzuki’s system is basically similar to Yamaha’s VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) used on the NVX scooter, Y16ZR moped, and YZF-R15. It uses a camshaft with two cam lobe profiles, one for normal low end, low demand application, while locking on a higher lift and longer duration cam lobe at high speeds or big throttle openings.

As such, it is the best of both worlds: Good low and midrange RPM torque with high maximum power. Engineers have to pick one characteristic: low RPM torque, midrange torque, or high end horsepower without VVT and VVL. Using VVT also allows the engine to produce cleaner emissions as it cuts down on unburned fuel.

As aforementioned, Suzuki’s development centres around the parallel-twin 248cc engine. Patent applications show an engine with an unchanged bottom end, a cylinder head with a single camshaft driven by a centrally mounted chain. It is the same engine used on the GSX-250R and V-Strom 250.

The same engine, enlarged to 298cc is also in use by Suzuki’s partner Haojue in China. Haojue is the firm responsible for producing the V-Strom 250 and GSX-250R.

Suzuki current does not have any models in between GSX-R125 and 650cc models (V-Strom 650, SV650) in the United States due to emissions control, so a range of 250cc bikes with VVT will fix that.

QJMotor SRT600 to Replace SRT550, Will we See a New TRK?

QJMotor is one of several brands under the Qianjiang empire that keeps churning out model after model of bikes, some of which become Benelli, or at least share platforms. Case in point, the QJMotor SRT600 which is set to replace the SRT550.

The SRT550 was based on an important platform. As we mentioned earlier, its engine and chassis are the same as the Benelli TRK 502’s. The TRK 502 has since stopped production but is still available in Malaysia. This platform is also used by the MV Lucky Explorer 5.5, as the result of Qianjiang and MV Agusta’s coorperation.

But here’s something a bit confusing. Although the type-approval documents is for the new QJMotor SRT600, it uses the same 554cc capacity. However, there is a large increase in power, kicking up from from 47 hp to 60 hp. Looking through the catalogue, we find that power level in the SRK550RR and RS sportbikes, meaning the “new” SRT600 engine is actually the higher-spec unit.

One welcomed relieve (if the bike becomes Benelli and is sold in Malaysia), is weight reduction. The document lists 220kg, against the exhuastive 234 kg of old.

The SRT600’s design is also another welcomed change, breaking away from the cheap GS beaked look. Instead, QJMotor redesigned the bike to a more familial bond with the V-Twin powered SVT650 adventure bike.

Other features apparent in the pictures are Brembo radial-mount front brake calipers. Tyre sizes are 110/80-19 for the front and 150/70-17 at the back.

Will this be the new Benelli middleweight to replace the overstayed TRK 502? Time will tell.

2025 Triumph Trident 660 Special Edition – A Tribute to IoM TT Trident

The 2025 Triumph Trident 660 Special Edition has been revealed, as a tribute to the IoM TT (Isle of Man TT) Trident which won the races from 1971 to 1975.

Being a special edition, it is resplendent in the historic white, blue and red paint scheme with graphics, complete with number 67. This colour scheme was the colour on the TT-winning bike, dubbed “Slippery Sam.”

However, it is not just a paint scheme as Triumph has added some goodies that are otherwise only available as options. First, there is a colour matched flyscreen on top of the headlamp. Next, an aluminium belly pan underneath the engine, and Triumph Shift Assist quickshifter with auto blipper, as standard.

Other mechanical parts of the 2025 Triumph Trident 660 Special Edition remain unchanged. The engine is a 660cc triple which produces 80 hp at 10,250 RPM and 63.7 Nm of torque at 6,250 RPM. That is a huge 4,000 RPM spread between maximum torque and horsepower, meaning the engine pulls well anywhere in the RPM range!

The forks are still Showa upside-down, non-adjustable members, while the Showa monoshock at the rear is adjustable for preload only. Dual two-piston Nissin calipers up handle braking up front. Even the tyres remain unchanged from the Michelin Road 5.

Electronic features include ABS as standard, ROAD and RAIN riding modes, colour TFT screen, switchable traction control, immobiliser key security system.

Pricing starts from USD 8,595 (RM40,645.76) which is the same price as the standard Trident 660. However, there is different pricing in other countries, as it sells at a slightly higher price in Canada.

2025 Triumph Trident 660 Special Edition or also known as the 2025 Triumph Trident 660 Tribute will definitely make its way to Malaysia.

Only question we have is: Why didn’t Triumph launch a Daytona 660 Tribute instead?

Cargo Ship Hit Bridge, 20 Vehicles Plunged into River

A cargo ship hit a bridge and causing it to collapse, in Baltimore, USA. Reports estimated some 20 vehicles plunged into the river below.

A video making rounds on the internet showed the ship, Dali, losing power twice hence losing control. It was also apparent in the video that there was a large pall of black smoke from the ship’s smokestack when it came back to life after blacking out the first time, presumably due to the vessel’s pilot attempting to slow it further by hitting reverse in full power.

However, the Dali collided with one the Francis Scott Key Bridge’s supports, causing the bridge to snap in several sections.

There were also reports that the pilot aboard the ship had radioed a mayday to the port authorities stating that the ship was out of control. Unfortunately, authorities did not have enough time to respond to the emergency by shutting down traffic and clearing the bridge.

A pathway map published in The Virginian Pilot showed that the ship had travelled at a a mere 7 knots (13 km/h).

The tragedy occured at around 1.30am, local time, fortunately hours before the busy morning commute.

Search and rescue efforts are being carried out, but so far, only two people from a construction crew had been pulled out of the chilly water with six still unaccounted for.

The Dali left the Port of Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka under the Singaporean flag. It is owned Synergy Marine Group and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. but chartered by the Danish shipping conglomerate Maersk to carry their customers’ cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were on board.

Opened in 1977, the bridge is named for the writer of America’s national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner” and is a major roadway spanning the Patapsco River.

All pictures by AP.

Husqvarna’s Global Sales Dropped in 2023

Husqvarna had been performing well in terms of sales since its acquisition by Pierer Industrie AG in 2013. So it is surprising and perhaps perplexing that Husqvarna’s Global Sales dropped in 2023 – the first time in a decade.

They recorded selling a total 47,008 units worldwide, representing a -1.2% drop.

The largest decrease was recorded in India, followed Latin America (-13.9%), China (-10.6%), and the ASEAN region (-8.7%).

However, the brand continued to grow in non-Asian regions, especially in new markets such as Slovenia (+119%) and Cyprus (+58%). Another two countries that registered double-digit sales were Ireland (+33%) and Spain (+19.1%). Sales in the European continent grew +7.7%, overall.

There was also a +2.0% increase in North America.

The figures were revealed by the Motorcycles Data website. The track new vehicle sales according to registrations (going to customers) rather that vehicles invoiced (sold to dealers by manufacturers). However, they only track sales in 80 countries instead of the using the figures provided by the manufacturers.

About Husqvarna

Husqvarna was founded in 1689 in the small town of Huskvarna in southern Sweden, now the city of Huskvarna, Småland province. Husqvarna was originally a mechanical company, producing guns for the Swedish army. In 1903, the company entered the motorcycle industry with its first product, the Husky.

Husqvarna was acquired by Italian motorcycle company Cagiva in 1987 and became part of parent company MV Agusta Motor. A group of managers and engineers in Husqvarna were unhappy with the future under Cagiva. They founded Husaberg AG, a new motorcycle manufacturer in Sweden and later acquired by KTM AG.

In 2007, BMW Motorrad acquired Husqvarna in a deal worth €93 million. But in 2013, the Swedish motorcycle company changed hands again when Pierer Industrie AG bought all shares of the company from BMW Motorrad.

In 2013, the shares and patent rights of the Husqvarna brand were sold by Pierer Industrie AG to KTM AG, Husqvarna Motorcycle GmbH has since been established.

There are also Husqvarna branded power tools, but these are in a separate entity to Husqvarna motorcycles.

Singapore’s Former Transport Minister Handed 35 Graft Charges

Singapore’s former Transport Minister S. Iswaran was handed eight more charges taking the grand total to 35 charges today.

The additional charges involved allegations of obtaining valuable items worth about SGD18,956 (RM66,582.50), in the capacity of a minister from an individual who had dealings with the Ministry, said the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

According to the charge sheet, the items included bottles of whiskey, golf clubs and a Brompton bicycle worth SGD$7,907.50 (RM27,784).

The business transaction involved a contract between Lum Chang Building Contractors (Lum Chang) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), for the addition and renovation of Tanah Merah Station and the existing viaduct.

The firm had also secured multi-billion dollar civil, building and infrastructure projects in Singapore including being the prime contractor for the Bukit Panjang station along the Downtown Line.

The case has gripped Singapore, as a major Asian financial hub that prides itself on a squeaky-clean government rarely involving corruption.

Iswaran, 61, denies the charges according to local media reports.

He was initially arrested in July last year and alleged to have obtained kickbacks worth S$384,340 (RM1,349,813.96) from property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, partly to advance Ong’s business interests.

Charge sheets show the favours included tickets to football matches, musicals, a flight on Ong’s private plane and tickets to the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix. Iswaran was advisor to the Grand Prix’s steering committee, while Ong owns the rights to the race.

Marquez-Bagnaia Clash a Racing Incident says Stewards

The FIM Stewards had decided that the clash between Marc Marquez and Franceso “Pecco” Bagnaia at the Portugese MotoGP was a racing incident. As such, no penalty will be handed out.

The incident saw Bagnaia losing the front of his bike underneath Marquez, thereby taking both of them out of the race, with just 3 laps to go.

While he accepted the FIM Stewards’ decision, Marquez also felt it was at the ‘very limit’ of such a description, on the grounds that Pecco had made a ‘mistake’ in launching the ‘optimistic’ re-pass attempt.

The incident occurred moments after Marquez had outbraked the fading factory Ducati rider for fifth place into the Turn 5 hairpin at the Algarve Circuit in Portimao. As the Spaniard then drifted slightly off line at the apex, Bagnaia retaliated by diving for the gap but the pair promptly collided and crashed.

What Marquez said:

“Just an impact on the shoulder, but nothing important,” said Marquez, who remounted to finish in 16th and out of the points.

“But it was a mistake because we were fighting for 5th, 6th position. Two more points, two less. And he was suffering a lot with the tyres, especially with the rear tyre. So in the end, when 3 laps remain, you know that you will lose the position, so it’s not necessary to come back in that aggressive mode. But, he decided like this. The consequence to Ducati is 0 points.”

Suzuki Returns to Suzuka 8 Hour with Something Different

Suzuki returns to the Suzuka 8 Hour endurance race, albeit with a difference. The Japanese manufacturer had announced their departure from the sport but has decided to participate in the prestigious race using sustainable fuel for their GSX-R1000.

The Suzuka 8 Hour is part of the FIM Endurance World Championship calendar, and features an Experimental Class within the race. This category is meant for motorcycles that do not conform to engineering norms. However, the Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the race does conform to norms but will use a fuel that is only partly of non-fossil origin.

Instead, the factory will use the Elf Moto R40 FIM, which consists of 40% bio-sourced fuel. Interestingly, the Suzuki MotoGP team had begun using the fuel during their last season in the championship in 2022, as stipulated by FIM and Dorna for the class.

The fuel may does not seem to cause any drop in performance as demonstrated in the first 2024 MotoGP race in Qatar, where some bikes were 14 seconds faster than those in 2023.

Suzuki has not confirmed their rider lineup, as yet. Their long-time endurance championship winning rider, Sylvain Guintoli has since signed with the BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK team as a test rider.

Suzuki will enter the race under the Team Suzuki CN Challenge banner, also a departure from their long-time Yoshimura SERT Motul Suzuki partner. However, Yoshimura Japan will continue to be the factory’s technical partner and seeks to use the platform to develop sustainable technologies in areas such as the muffler, tyres, oil, fairings, and brakes.

The 2024 Suzuka 8 Hours is scheduled for 19 July 2024.

KTM Drops Toby Price as Factory Rally Rider

KTM drops Toby Price as factory rally rider. Price is a two-time Dakar Rally champion, both times with KTM.

The legendary Aussie rider said that the Austrian factory dropped him after the the 2024 Dakar Rally. “Everyone has been asking me about what events I’ll be riding in this year, but in some personal news, KTM has decided to not renew my contract so Dakar 2024 was my last event with them,” he announced on social media.

This sad news marks the end of a 14-year racing career with KTM. KTM drafted him in 2010 when he competed in Australian rally championships. Price went on to a successful career in North America and Europe with KTM, then to Dakar in 2015. He won a stage and finished third overall on that very first attempt.

He came back even stronger the next year and dominated the rally and took to the overall victory. He was the first Australian to achieve the feat.

Price would repeat his performance in 2019 but again, in another amazing circumstance, he did so with a broken wrist!

However, results had not been the same since then due to Honda’s resurgence. Price took two podiums and a last stage win in 2022, with no overall wins. Honda overpowered KTM in 2024, pushing Price to a fifth place finish. And KTM decided to axe him after the rally.

Price continued, “I do feel like I’m still in my prime and going out there fighting for wins, especially at Dakar so it’s unfortunate to not have that opportunity to do it in 2025 but I’m really appreciative of the support they gave me in my career,” says Price. “We’ve been able to do some great things together like win two Dakars and get a couple podiums, a World Championship and our success in Australia too.”

He has natural talents and has many fans the world over. This writer also met him during the KTM 790 Adventure Media Launch in Morocco and he is a very nice, down to Earth bloke. We are sure that many factories will now court him and we wish him the best.

KTM 790 Adventure and KTM 790 Adventure R Test & Review

Ducati Revenue Increased Despite Lower Sales in 2023

Ducati reported an increased revenue to over €1 billion despite lower sales in 2023.

To be more precise, the Italian manufacturer posted a revenue of €1,089 million, for a net profit of €112 million (10.5% increase over 2022), although they sold 57,224 bikes compared to more than 60,000 in 2022.

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, said:

“The results obtained by Ducati in 2023 confirm the validity of the strategic decisions and self-financed investment policy that we have been pursuing for several years. We closed the fiscal year with a revenue that once again exceeded one billion euros and a record operating result, to which must be added the successes in racing which saw us become World Champions in MotoGP and WorldSBK for the second consecutive year”. “ Strengthened by the goals achieved, we look to the future with determination and continue with the development plan of the brand and the product range, with the desire to expand our presence towards new segments, speak to new motorcyclists and grow the community of Ducatisti. The entry into motocross planned for this year is proof of this.”

The record results show for Ducati’s charge into several into different segments with several new bikes. For one, the DesertX was launched for the off-road adventure market and has found a strong following since then. Also, there is the Hypermotard 698 Mono, bringing the maker into the single cylinder supermoto fold. Other models also did well such as the sport-tourer (some call it the hyper-tourer) Multistrada V4 RS.

2024 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm Range Launched

The 2024 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm range has been launched, in both R and GT guises.

The Rocket 3 is famous for two things: One, it has the largest engine in production, and two, the engine’s massive torque will straighten your arms like a er… rocket. But make no mistake: Triumph has sold 18,000 Rocket 3’s since the remake in 2019.

And, Triumph knows that mo’ power is always better.

Here are the highlights of the 2024 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm range:

The 2,458 cc (yes, bigger than most cars in Malaysia), 3-cylinder powerplant now punches out 180 hp at 7,000 RPM and head-snapping 225 Nm of torque at 4,000 RPM.
That is a bump of 15 hp and 4 Nm.

Power is sent through a Torque Assist Clutch, the buyer can purchase the optional quickshifter.
The frame continues to be aluminium, which made its debut in 2019. Better to keep the weight down.
New, 10-spoke cast aluminium wheels to reduce unsprung weight by 2 kg. Reducing 2 kg is a lot when the wheels spin up, giving quicker handling as there’s less gyroscopic forces.

The front has massive Showa 47 mm forks, adjustable for rebound and compression damping.
The rear shock is a Showa RSU monoshock with piggyback reservoir.
Brembo Stylema calipers are up front, clamping on 320mm discs.
At the back, a Brembo M4.32 monobloc caliper grabs a huge 300mm disc (since the bike’s weight is rear biased).
Taming that power are rider aids like TC, ABS, and four power modes.
There are also lean-angle sensitive ABS, and well as optimized cornering traction control.
There is now Hill Hold, which prevents the motorcycle from rolling backward by applying the rear brake.
Cruise control comes as standard on both models, and you can activate it at the touch of a button and adjust it up or down in 1 mph increments.
All of the tech features should be easy to interact with via the full-color TFT display and five-way joystick.

Both R and GT variants deliver a blacked out, if not sinister, attitude.
The R has a sportier stance, with mid-mounted adjustable footpegs, while the R has forward footpegs and more laid-back riding position.

How much?

The 2024 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R is USD 24,995 (RM 118,501.30) and Rocket 3 Storm GT is USD 28,995 (RM 137,465.29). Of course, prices in Malaysia will be much higher (along with everything else).

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Global News

F1 Owners Liberty Media is Nearing Purchase of MotoGP

Suzuki Developing VVT for Small Engine

QJMotor SRT600 to Replace SRT550, Will we See a New TRK?

2025 Triumph Trident 660 Special Edition – A Tribute to IoM TT Trident

Cargo Ship Hit Bridge, 20 Vehicles Plunged into River

Husqvarna’s Global Sales Dropped in 2023

About Husqvarna

Singapore’s Former Transport Minister Handed 35 Graft Charges

Marquez-Bagnaia Clash a Racing Incident says Stewards

What Marquez said:

Suzuki Returns to Suzuka 8 Hour with Something Different

KTM Drops Toby Price as Factory Rally Rider

Ducati Revenue Increased Despite Lower Sales in 2023

2024 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm Range Launched

Here are the highlights of the 2024 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm range:

How much?

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