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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).

2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 Launched (Finally)

The 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 has officially and finally been launched after years of rumours and several rounds of teasers.

It is now the biggest Svartpilen/Vitpilen model by utilising the KTM 790 Duke’s LC8c engine. Comparatively, the Norden 901 remains the largest Husqvarna by way of engine capacity, as it uses the KTM 890 Adventure’s engine, but it was tuned for torque, rather than horsepower, resulting in 103hp.

Highlights of the 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801:

Powertrain

799cc, parallel-twin, DOHC, liquid-cooled LC8c engine makes 77 kW (103 hp).
Engine power is sent through a six-speed gearbox with a PASC assist and slipper clutch. There is an up-and-down quickshifter, too.
Service interval for the Svartpilen 801 is 15,000 kilometers.
Fuel consumption is claimed at 4.5 liters/100 kilometers.

Chassis

Chromium-molybdenum tubular steel frame with tuned flex and rigidity.
Adjustable WP Apex 43 front forks with 140mm travel.
WP Apex monoshock at the back, offering 150mm of travel.
The wheels are 17-inch alloy, wearing Pirelli MT60 RS rubber.
Up front, J. Juan radially mounted four-piston calipers clamp on 300mm brake discs.
The rear brake consists of a single two-piston caliper and a 240mm brake disc.
Bosch ABS is standard with Supermoto ABS mode.
The fuel tank holds 14 liters of fuel.
Husqvarna claims the Svartpilen 801 weights 181 kg, dry.

Electronics

A five-inch TFT dash and connectivity unit fitted as standard.
The rider can pair with TFT via the Ride Husqvarna Motorcycles smartphone app, for navigation, calls, and music.
There are three ride modes: Street, Rain, and Sport. The owner can purchase the optional Dynamic Pack which adds the Dynamic ride mode, Cruise Control, ten levels of traction control, and five levels of wheelie control.
LED lighting is also standard.

How much?

The 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 sells for USD 10,899 (RM 51,650.36) and will begin to enter several global markets by June. Might as well be the end of year or early next year for us.

KTM, Pierer Mobility Acquires Controlling Stake in MV Agusta

We recently ran a story about how MV Agusta may be in financial trouble after a dismal performance in 2023. We also mentioned that MV’s CEO Timur Sardarov was adamant in not relinquishing control of the company to the giant Pierer Mobility Group (KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas). Well, news just broke that Pierer Mobility has indeed acquired a controlling stake in MV Agusta.

Pierer Mobility Group (PMG) has made clear that they wish to acquire a controlling stake in MV since their initial 25% purchase in 2020. The finalisation of the agreement sees PMG as the controlling shareholder when they issued a call option, increasing their share in MV to 50.1%.

The deal also sees a shakeup in MV’s day-to-day business. Hubert Trunkenpolz replaces Timur Sardarov as the CEO and Chairmon of the Board of Director. (Hubert is the nephew of Hans Trunkenpolz, who co-founded KTM, hence the “T” in brand’s name.) Sardarov will remain with MV in the role of Vice-Chairman. Apart from that, PMG is planning to expand MV’s headquarters at Varese, Italy.

Sadarov said:

“MV Agusta embodies passion and a unique sense of romance that captivated me, a seasoned entrepreneur, from day one. The personal challenge of guiding the company out of crisis and steering it towards success through innovative business strategies, team expansion, and new product developments has been conquered. It is an honor to play a role in shaping MV Agusta’s legacy. Over the past five years, both the company and I have evolved significantly. Our growth together is a testament to the transformative journey we’ve shared. My time with MV Agusta has been a pivotal chapter in my life, filled with mutual joys and challenges. As I continue to serve as a dedicated Vice-Chairman, I am committed to supporting the company and its ongoing success.”

So what now? It is going to really interesting to see what kind of products that this new venture will produce. KTM, for one, has stated unequivocally that they did not wish to produce anymore sportbikes since the RC8’s production ended. As for nakeds, KTM already have their bases covered with the 890 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R. In fact, KTM, GasGas, Husqvarna have covered many segments among them, more so KTM.

Or will PMG continue with putting out the existing lineup of MV Agustas?

Time will tell.

MV Agusta In Dire Straits (Again)?

New 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Debuts

When Harley-Davidson announced their returning models, two of them has received significant upgrades, namely the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide and 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. Both these models got many of the same styling, suspension and electronics upgrades, that were previously only available on the limited edition (read: expensive) CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide.

But let us talk about the Street Glide first.

Highlights of the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide:

The heart of the Street Glide is the bigger Milwaukee-Eight 117 (that is 117 cubic inches, or 1917cc to us in the metric world).
The new cylinders utilise liquid-cooled heads, along with a new colling system.
It is a major upgrade from the previous Milwaukee-Eight 107 (1753cc).
The 117ci engine produces 105 hp and 176.3 Nm of torque, which is much healthier than the 86 hp for the 107ci powerplant.

Sure, 105 hp from 1.9 liters is not a lot, but consider the engine turning over below 1,500 RPM when cruising at 110 km/h and you will get the idea.
However, the 117ci engine does not have the VVT of the CVO’s 121ci (1982cc) engine.
Addition of a new infotainment system, with a powerful 200-watt amplifier, powering a pair of fairing-mounted speakers.

A huge (ok, gargantuan) 12.3-inch TFT colour touchscreen (the Apple iPad 2’s screen is 12.9-inches for comparison).
Riders can select riding modes (Rain, Road, Sport, Custom), interact with the infotainment system, etc. via the TFT screen as the analog buttons on the handlebar have been deleted.
Of course, H-D upgraded the bike’s styling too, to well, make it more contemporary, although the fairing retains the legendary batwing and shark nose profiles.
The fuel tank has a new shape.
The one-piece seat’s padding is improved for long-distance touring.

How much?

The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide sells for USD 25,999 (RM 123,053.27), although the mind-numbing number of taxes will likely drive the price way up.

And my friends wonder why I wish I were rich…

Victorious First Outing for Ducati Desmo450 MX

It was a victorious first outing for the Ducati Desmo450 MX in its competitive debut in the Italian Motocross Prestige Championship.

Alessandro Lupino rode the Ducati to the MX1 class pole position on Saturday. Lupino, a former MXGP (Motocross World Championship) Champion converted the pole position to a win in the first moto (first race) on Sunday. Unfortunately, he made a bad start in the second moto (second race) to finish in 7th. The result meant that he could only secure 2nd overall.

There is understandably a lot of vibe surrounding the Ducati Desmo450 MX. The Italian factory was able to “lure” former MXGP legend Antonio “Toni” Cairoli over from his long-time home, KTM to act as the development and test rider.

Also, the bike is an effort to diversify into another segment different from the expensive sport-oriented bikes they are synonymous with. We can look forward to a Ducati MX bike, and sure enough, an enduro in the coming years.

Apart from that, the single-cylinder 450cc engine is an interesting development, again, moving away from their multi-cylinder offerings.

It has to be said that Ducati is hot on the heels of another European factory – Triumph – in building dirtbikes. However, the latter’s TF 250-X is a 250cc machine and is now racing in the American Supercross series. It had achieved great results in its opening race, as well. Additionally, the Triumph is already on sale.

CFMoto Ibex 450 – Will it Come Here?

The CFMoto Ibex 450 was launched last month in the US, and with a very attractive price tag to add. So, question is will it come here?

CFMoto first showed off the 450MT sport-tourer at EICMA in November 2023, and followed up by renaming it to the Ibex 450 soon after. The US market will receive it as a 2025 model.

By the way, an “ibex” is a wild mountain goat with thick long horns that are found in Central Asia and Ethiopia. So as the name suggests, the CFMoto Ibex 450 is a lightweight adventure motorcycle.

Highlights:

449cc parallel-twin engine, shared with the 450SS sportbike, 450NK naked bike, and the upcoming 450CL-C cruiser.
The powerplant produces 44 hp at 8,500 RPM and 44 Nm of torque at 6,250 RPM.
Being tuned for adventure and touring duties, that maximum power figure is 6 hp lower and peaks at 1,000 RPM lower compared to the 450SS and 450NK.
The engine also uses the now ubiquitous 270-degree crank configuration and dual counterbalancers.
Power is sent through a slipper clutch and six-speed gearbox.
The engine is carried by a chromoly steel tube frame.
Long travel KYB suspension provides a generous 203mm of travel.
Conversely, the seat height is only 820mm.
The front suspension is fully adjustable and the rear monoshock is adjustable for preload and rebound.
A four-piston, radially-mounted J.Juan caliper grabs a single 320mm disc in the front.
The bike rolls on spoked 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels.
Bosch ABS is standard for both fronts, but the rear can be turned off.
The traction control system is also governed by a Bosch ECU, and it can be turned off or off from the dash.
A 5-inch curved TFT display with smartphone connectivity, and wirelessly updated.
Other features include an adjustable windscreen, LED lighting, an aluminum skid plate, fold-away mirrors, and a USB-C charging point.

The bike was designed by Kiska, the same folks who designed KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas motorcycles, since CFMoto is in partnership with KTM anyway.

In closing, we do hope that this bike gets here since the adventure and touring market is still growing.

Honda Tops Global Sales in 2023, Yamaha Highest in Malaysia

While European manufacturers such as BMW, Ducati, Triumph et al continues to announce their “record breaking” sales each year, it is still Honda who tops global sales in 2023; continuing their dominance for the last 50 years.

According to the Motorcycles Data website which collates data from 92 countries, Honda sold a total of 18.4 million motorcycles globally. The figure represents an almost 700,000 unit increase (4.3%) from 2022.

It is not such a surprising revelation, given that Honda dominates the cub and scooter segments in ASEAN markets (except for Malaysia alone). The ASEAN region consists of motorcycle-centric countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines. In fact, they have cornered almost 1/3 of the entire world’s motorcycle market.

In Number 2 was Hero Motor from India with 5.6 million motorcycles sold, an 5.4% increase. Hero’s bikes are sold not only in their native country, but also exported to several other countries.

Third in the ranking is Yamaha, who moved 4.6 million units (0.9% increase). However, their overall market share has dropped by 5% to 7.5%.

Yamaha was however Numero Uno in Malaysia, consolidated by a hefty sales figure of 652,850 units. This result is the second best ever, being just 4.0% lower than the highest record. Malaysia is still the 12th biggest market for motorcycles globally.

Continuing the list, Bajaj Auto saw 3.6 million sales (up 8.7%) due to strong domestic demand.

In fifth is TVS Motor, selling 3.4 million bikes (increase of 19.8%).

Shanghai-based Yadea sold 2.5 million electric scooters in 2023. Although they are in sixth place in this list, it is actually a 3-place drop due to a 49.7% decline in sales compared to 2022. Yadea makes premium electric scooters and is selling in Malaysia under MForce Bike Holdings.

Suzuki resurged to seventh place, with 1.9 million sales (7.1% higher).

Three Chinese manufacturers namely Haojue, Loncin, and Zhongshen round out the top 10.

2024 KTM RC 8C Launched, More Limited, More Expensive

The 2024 KTM RC 8C has been launched and interested parties can pre-order online from Wednesday, 20th March.

Although the spec sheets point to a bike that is similar to the 2023 model, the 2024 models will be £2,000 (MYR12,003.16) dearer. However, KTM will build only 100 of the 2024 model, compared to 200 of the previous.

So what do you get for £36,999 (MYR222,057.57)? As before, the bike is built in collaboration with Krämer:

The same 889cc LC8c engine from the 890 Duke R, albeit tuned to 135hp at 12,000 RPM.
Top spec WP APEX PRO 7543 forks and WP APEX PRO 7746 shock.
MotoGP-esque carbon aero wings.
Race-spec Brembo 19RCS Corsa Corta radial master brake cylinder, Brembo Stylema calipers, and brake discs with aluminium rotors and titanium screws.
Lightweight aluminium Dymag wheels.
AIM MXS 1.2 RACE dashboard and data logger with built-in GPS functionality, displayed on a 5″ TFT screen with continuous data recording.

Customers who secure a 2024 KTM RC 8C with a £900 (MYR5,401.59) deposit on the day will get an invite to a handover event at Portugal’s Portimao race track which includes a track setup session, dinner, meet and greet, and an exclusive track day experience with ‘KTM Race Royalty’.

So, remember to place your orders, okay? Make Malaysia proud.

American Honda Halts Sale of Three Models

American Honda halts the sale of three models, pending the completion of recalls. They are 2017-2024 Gold Wing, 2018-2020 CBR600RR, and 2018-2019 CBR1000RR.

Honda America’s letter to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the company had been supplied with potentially faulty fuel pumps. The impeller of these pumps may warp when exposed to petrol due to improper moulding. Should this happen, the pump becomes inoperative hence causing the engine to not start at all, or worse, stall while the motorcycle is under way.

Possible symptoms include intermittent loss of power, engine stalling, or the engine has difficulty being started or not at all. The pump was supplied by Denso International America.

Honda says 17,374 bikes may be affected. These represent about 10% of the total number of the three models.

The company began receiving reports of such problems way back in August 2019. Dealers had reported that their new bikes could not start up during setup, prompting Honda to investigate. By February 2024, 142 warranty claims had been registered.

American Honda soon instructed its national dealership network to halt the sales of the aforementioned models, regardless new or used, until they replace the affected fuel pump.

A check in the Honda Big Bike website in Malaysia makes no mention of the issue nor recall campaign.

Triumph TF 250-X Achieves Immediate Podium in MXGP

The new and highly awaited debut of the Triumph TF 250-X achieves an immediate podium in MXGP.

Rider Mikkel Haarup rode to a 5th place finish in Moto 1 (race 1) and 2nd in Moto2 (race 2) for a 3rd place overall in the MX2 class of the Argentinian MXGP.

Both Triumph riders had achieved podium finished in the preseason races, but those races were considered shakedown and warmup races, rather than the real thing.

Haarup made had two crashes during the Qualifying Race which put him 19th place for the start. The Dane rebounded during the two races on Sunday and even led the race in Moto 2.

Haarup said post-race: “Yeah, it’s been a really amazing start to the season! A podium is perfect and a great way to start the year for myself, and Monster Energy Triumph Racing.

“My qualifying race was not so good, but I knew that I had the speed to run in the top three today.

“All through the off-season we have been building and building and what we’ve achieved today is the result of a lot of hard work by everyone involved. I felt comfortable on the bike all weekend and that was really important on a tricky track like this. Today we’ve shown what this bike is capable of and overall, I’m really happy with my performance.”

Haarup’s Triumph teammate Camden McLellan took 11th and 6th-placed finishes to finish 9th overall in his first World Championship race as a factory rider. He said: “That’s the weekend wrapped up in Argentina and it’s safe to say that there were a lot of nerves and a lot of excitement all weekend.

Needless to say, this achievement is important for Triumph as they venture into another segment which they had no prior experience. Very few manufacturers could claim such a dream debut, what more in this age where the margins of performance are so small.

The Triumph TF 250-X is already on sale, from USD 9,995.00 (RM 46,776.60) in several markets.

2024 Yamaha TMAX 560 Launched in Japan

The 2024 Yamaha TMAX 560 has been launched in Japan with some minor updates.

The Yamaha TMAX is arguably the scooter which started the maxi-scooter class when it first was first released in 2001, taking over from the 250cc Majesty. Popular in Europe, the bike has continued it 23-year run with updates after updates to bring it up to snuff. It still promises performance and tech without compromising on praticality and comfort.

Therefore, it is not a surprise that Yamaha updated the TMAX further to keep up, if not stay ahead, of its rivals.

The engine stays the same: A 562cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected parallel-twin. It produces a healthy maximum power of 48 hp at 7,500 RPM and 55.7 Nm of maximum torque at 5,250. That is a good spread of 2,250 RPM between maximum torque and power, ensuring fast roll-on acceleration.

However, the main updates lie in the electronic features. For starters, there is now cruise control which is a welcomed addition for long distance rides. The full-colour 7-inch TFT display now has built-in Garmin navigation. Keyless ignition, traction control, ABS are retained. The Japanese model has heated grips and seats.

Other features include a tall windscreen, comfy seats, huge underseat storage space and more. 2024 Yamaha TMAX 560 owners in Japan can opt for saddlebags and top case, but they may not be available for our market. But one thing for certain is it will take quite some time to arrive here.

Is the KTM Brabus 1400 R being Developed?

A KTM Brabus 1400 R is reportedly being developed and will utilise the new KTM 1350cc engine.

Previously, KTM announced that production of the KTM Brabus 1300 R came to an end after two years. But it turned out to be because KTM had introduced the new engine via the 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke. The new engine replaces the old 1301cc LC8, found in the KTM 1290 Super Duke Evo.

So, of course the new Brabus will be based on the 1390 Super Duke Evo. That new LC8 V-Twin packs 188 hp and 145 Nm of torque. It powers the 1390 Super Adventure and the upcoming 1390 Super Duke GT, too.

Although KTM and Brabus did not reveal the project, a German motorcycle magazine sighted an application by Brabus to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to register several names. More specifically, Brabus had registered the trademarks “Brabus 1400 R Tailor Made”, “Brabus 1400 R Rocket”, and “Brabus 1400 R Signature”.

So, instead of just one variant with two different colour schemes, the new bike will have three different variants. Perhaps “Tailor Made” refers to a made-to-order form, while “Rocket” signifies eye-popping performance, and “Signature” stands for luxury.

If this piece of news is true, we can expect to see the new KTM Brabus 1400 R by the end of the year.

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

How much?

Highlights of the 2024 Husqvarna Svartpilen 801:

How much?

Highlights of the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide:

How much?

Highlights:

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