Global News Archives

Ducati and Bentley Team Up To Create Special-Edition Model Priced at MYR340,000!

Ducati is known to create special-edition builds and sometimes does it with car brands like Lamborghini. Now though, Ducati has joined forces with Bentley to build an exclusive edition of their Diavel V4 muscle cruiser.

Limited to a mere 500 units and dubbed the ‘Ducati Diavel for Bentley,’ this premium motorcycle comes with a hefty price tag starting at £58,000 (MYR340,000).

Built upon the foundation of the standard Diavel model, it houses the formidable 1158cc V4 Granturismo engine, boasting a claimed 166bhp at 10,750rpm.

Unveiled during Art Basel week in Miami Beach, this collaboration marks the first-ever partnership between the renowned motorcycle and Bentley.

Additionally, 50 ‘Ducati Diavel for Bentley Mulliner’ models have been reserved exclusively for existing Bentley customers.

Retaining the core features of the standard Diavel, including the cast aluminum monocoque chassis, advanced lean-sensitive electronics, and a distinctive side profile, the special edition distinguishes itself through design elements inspired by the exclusive Bentley Batur.

The color ‘Scarab Green,’ sourced from Bentley Mulliner, adorns the bodywork, while bespoke forged rims finished in ‘Dark Titanium Satin’ emulate those found on the Bentley Batur.

The two-tone front grill, fairing, and upper tank elements take cues from Bentley’s powerful production car. The four-exit exhaust of the standard bike has been replaced with elongated, flatter tips.

Carbon fiber accents grace elements such as the headlamp covers, engine covers, radiator covers, and the rear bodywork, which can be interchanged between double and single seat designs.

This collaboration echoes Ducati’s previous venture into luxury car partnerships, exemplified by the release of the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini in 2020.

Both Bentley and Lamborghini are part of the Volkswagen Group, hinting at potential future collaborations with Audi or Porsche.

Adding an extra layer of exclusivity, 50 ‘Diavel for Bentley Mulliner’ bikes will be exclusively produced for existing Bentley customers, offering them the epitome of garage luxury at a price of £71,000 (MYR420,000).

These buyers can personalize their motorcycles in collaboration with Ducati’s Centro Stile styling team, choosing different colors for the seat, front brake calipers, carbon components, and rims. For a matching aesthetic, the bodywork can be painted in the same color as their Bentley car.

Each of these special Ducatis comes with a certificate of authenticity, featuring the model’s name and production number engraved on a plate on the right side of the bike. Upon startup, a special animation graces the TFT dashboard.

For those who prefer display over ride, the bike will be delivered in a personalized wooden crate. A matching jet helmet and jacket are also available, with further details at ducati.com.

Foreign Motorcycle Gangs Are Terrorising Pattaya, Thailand

In a recent report by The Nation, a Pattaya resident raised concerns about gangs comprising mainly Arabian tourists aged 17 to 25, engaging in high-speed bike races along Soi VC Residence Hotel and Soi Yensabai.

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Independent Test Shows Women’s Riding Gear Do Not Provide Adequate Protection

Australia’s pioneering motorcycle riding kit safety testing initiative, MotoCAP, has uncovered a concerning trend in the protection provided to women riders. A recent study revealed that seven out of ten pairs of motorcycle leggings scored a mere half-star out of five for protective capabilities.

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New Triple Cylinder Engine By CFMoto Will Power A Range of Bikes

Chinese motorcycle manufacturers were once relegated to the lower echelons of the industry, relying on affordability rather than innovation to secure their market share. However, significant transformation has taken place, and brands such as Zontes, Moto Morini, Benelli, and now CFMoto have elevated their products to amazing new heights.

The key to their newfound appeal lies not only in improved product quality but also in the cutting-edge hardware embedded within their motorcycles. While these manufacturers once depended on strategic brand partnerships for technological advancements, they have now emerged as independent innovators.

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Discontinued Aprilia Shiver 900 To Be Rebadged As A Gilera?

The Gilera brand, part of the Piaggio Group, has a rich history but has been somewhat overlooked compared to its sister companies like Moto Guzzi and Aprilia. However, there’s a new effort to revive Gilera in China through a joint venture with Zongshen Piaggio Foshan. This collaboration aims to bring back the Gilera name on a range of motorcycles.

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Indian Motorcycles Working On Wirelessly Heated Clothing Apparel

Undoubtedly, contemporary advancements in heated apparel, coupled with innovations such as heated seats and grips, have significantly enhanced the comfort of cold-weather riding compared to previous decades. Despite these improvements, Indian Motorcycle is pioneering a breakthrough approach to elevate on-bike comfort even further through the incorporation of wireless, inductive power transfer technology.

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Philippines Is The First Market Outside Of China To Get The CFMoto 450 CL-C

Officially introduced at EICMA this year, CFMoto has now launched the CL-C in the Philippines, making it the first market outside of China to welcome the new bike.

As a counterpart to the 450 SS and the 450 NK, the 450 CL-C stands out as the cruiser of the trio, embracing the winning combination that made the SS and NK lines so widely embraced: a blend of sleek design, quality hardware, and an attractive price tag. Priced at 287,900 PHP in the Philippines, roughly US$5,200 or RM24,299 based on the current exchange rate, this model offers a compelling option in its class.

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Honda Invests $3 Billion To Develop Electric Motorcycles!

Honda’s recent press conference unveiled ambitious plans for the future, signaling a substantial investment of $3.4 billion in the development and production of its electric motorcycle lineup.

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Kymco Electric Bike With Manual Gearbox Still In Development Phase

In recent years, electric motorcycles have witnessed significant advancements, yet for some enthusiasts, the allure of traditional petrol-powered two-wheelers remains unmatched. Kymco, the Taiwanese motorcycle giant, has been at the forefront of blending technical innovation with the inherent charisma of combustion engines.

Back in 2018, Kymco unveiled the SuperNex, an electric motorcycle featuring a manual gearbox. A year later, the company introduced the RevoNex, applying a similar principle but in a naked bike design. Although absent from the Kymco stand at the 2023 EICMA show in Milan, the RevoNex continues to capture attention.

Allen Ko, Chairman of Kymco, shared insights at EICMA 2023, expressing the company’s ambition to lead the electric evolution. When questioned about the RevoNex, Ko affirmed its ongoing development, acknowledging the challenge of infusing thrill into electric bikes. Despite the difficulty, Kymco is dedicated to enhancing the personality of their electric motorcycles, striving to make them more exhilarating.

While Ko remained cautious about divulging too much information, he confirmed the continuation of the RevoNex project. Originally slated for production in 2021, the showroom-ready version is yet to make its debut as of 2024. Ko’s remarks strongly suggest that the RevoNex is progressing towards becoming an available electric motorcycle for the public.

What sets the RevoNex apart is its inclusion of a manual gearbox, promising a more engaging riding experience compared to its competitors. Despite potential interruptions in power delivery due to the gearbox, the RevoNex is anticipated to be exceptionally fast. Previously disclosed figures for the concept indicated an impressive 3.9 seconds for 0-100 kmh and 8.7 seconds for 100-200 kmh. As Kymco continues to navigate the challenges, the RevoNex holds the promise of being one of the most thrilling electric motorcycles on the market when it finally arrives for public purchase.

UK Employers Reported To Be Discriminating Against Motorcycle Riding Employees

It is difficult to imagine a world without motorcycles. Not only do they save time and money but they are also awesomely fun.

But according to reports out of the UK, there are some employers who are discriminating against their motorcycle riding employees for riding their bike on world-related journeys.

Well, believe it or not, the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) is sounding the alarm on exactly that.

According to Alex Parsons-Hulse from the BMF, they’ve caught wind of ‘several’ companies putting the brakes on employees using motorcycles for work-related trips. We’re talking about legitimate stuff here – visiting suppliers, meeting clients, or attending a conference. And to add fuel to the fire, there are instances where employers are saying, “Sorry, leave your bike at home,” when it comes to the daily commute. Smells a bit like discrimination based on transportation choices, doesn’t it?

The BMF isn’t sitting idly by; they want the scoop. They’re urging people to come forward and spill the beans on these situations. So if you are reading this from the UK and your boss has ever pumped the brakes on your bike for work trips or made you ditch it for the daily grind, the BMF wants to hear your tale.

It is difficult to imagine such a thing happening here in Malaysia, in fact there is no chance of it ever happening here. So our hearts go out to our motorcycle riding brethren in the UK.

Fantic Imola 125 Marks The Resurgence Of The Sport Bike Segment

The renowned Italian brand Fantic, recognized for its off-road machines and retro scramblers such as the Caballero 700, has taken a distinctive turn towards a track-focused venture with its latest unveiling at EICMA.

Named after Italy’s iconic racing venue, the Imola introduces a lightweight and advanced sports bike, featuring a Yamaha heart and high-end chassis components. Powering the Imola is a 125cc, four-stroke, four-valve engine akin to the one found in Yamaha’s MT-125 and YZF-R125. With 15bhp, making it learner license-friendly, the engine is only one facet of this exciting new bike.

Fantic’s foray into Moto2 racing in 2023 has significantly influenced the Imola’s design, especially in the construction of its frame. The Imola 125 boasts a hybrid frame incorporating both steel and aluminum, with a full aluminum swingarm. The bike’s suspension is fully adjustable at both ends, complemented by high-performance Brembo brakes. Enhancing safety features, the advanced IMU control system provides cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control, notable additions in the 125cc category.

However, the Imola’s status as a ‘track concept’ raises uncertainty about its potential production version. The final specifications and features of the road-ready model may differ significantly from the showcased concept.

In addition to the Imola, Fantic presented a more practical option at the exhibition, known as the Stealth (Above). Sharing the same frame and engine platform as the Imola, the Stealth presents a more production-ready appearance. As depicted in the images released by Fantic, the Stealth offers a glimpse of a mature and refined machine, potentially setting a new standard in its category.

CFMoto CL-C Low Ride Concept Uses Old Tech & May Make It To Production

Chinese company CFMoto has introduced its inaugural cruiser model, the 450CL-C, this year, showcasing its potential evolution at the 2023 EICMA show through the CL-C Low Ride Concept. This captivating bobber ingeniously incorporates numerous standard components, hinting at the likelihood of a future production model. Notably, it features a revamped iteration of the classic girder front fork.

Girder forks, a vintage form of motorcycle front suspension predating telescopic forks, are commonly associated with motorcycles from the 1930s and earlier, perfectly aligning with the bobber style of the Low Ride. CFMoto has innovatively reconfigured the spring and shock arrangement to achieve a more streamlined package.

In traditional girder forks, the front wheel is suspended between sturdy castings known as ‘girders,’ exceptionally robust in the fore-aft direction to withstand braking forces that might flex a telescopic fork. CFMoto’s design retains this characteristic strength but introduces a departure from tradition by positioning the single front shock horizontally and transversely, running across the front of the bike below the headlight.

Unlike the Hossack-style forks found in some other models, CFMoto’s setup involves wishbone-shaped links that pivot on the girders both at the front and on brackets attached to a conventional steering stem. When the bars turn, the entire wishbones and shock move, reminiscent of the pre-war girder forks.

An intriguing aspect of CFMoto’s design is the position of the single front shock. Instead of the conventional vertical placement, it is mounted horizontally and transversely below the headlight, necessitating the use of a sophisticated suspension linkage. This configuration employs rockers or bell cranks and a pull-rod system with Öhlins front shock, offering advantages in terms of a more compact layout and the ability to create a rising-rate effect for a progressively stiffer suspension.

Despite these advantages, the girder fork does introduce more un-sprung mass compared to telescopic forks. The Low Ride concept integrates seamlessly with the mechanical components of the existing CL-C 450, including the frame, swingarm, and a 40hp, 449cc parallel-twin engine. This suggests that a production version of the bike could be realized without significant challenges, making it an exciting prospect for the future.