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Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, Benda, has just launched a new cruiser in its home market.

  • The BD500 V4 is the latest middleweight cruiser from Benda.
  • The motorcycle features a 496cc liquid-cooled V4 engine. 

Dubbed the BD500 V4, the cruiser-style motorcycle features an appealing design and a unique engine configuration.

That said, the Benda B500 features a 496cc, liquid-cooled V4 motor that pumps out 55.5hp @ 10,000rpm and 45Nm @ 8,000rpm. That’s ten horses more than the Honda Rebel 500. 

Unfortunately, the BD500 V4 tips the scale at 241kg compared to the Rebel’s 185 kilograms. 

Nevertheless, the BD500 looks the part with the chunky bodywork, long profile, beefy USD forks, fat tyres and a distinctive flat exhaust.

Unlike some Chinese two-company that tends to copy other established bike designs blatantly, we certainly praised Benda’s originality.

Meanwhile, the Benda BD500 rides on 17-inch wheels and is suspended by upside-down forks and dual shocks. Braking is done by a single disc front and rear and regulated by a dual-channel ABS.

GasGas is set to launch a new motorcycle called the RX 450F Replica as confirmed by new type approval documents.

  • GasGas RX 450F Replica could be based on Sam Sunderland RC 450F.
  • The motorcycle to feature 449cc engine similar to KTM’s 450 Rally Replica. 

The new model is likely to be based on Sam Sunderland’s RC 450F that he rode to victory in the 2022 Dakar Rally.

The RX 450F Replica appeared on an updated list of vehicles approved in Germany, hinting that the new motorcycle is ready for launch, soon. 

Despite bearing similarities to Sam’s RC 450F, it is not a perfect match. 

Nonetheless, it is safe to assume that the upcoming GasGas RX 450F Replica is a rally-type motorcycle as it listed a similar information to KTM’s 450 Rally Replica.

Considering KTM’s 450 Rally Replica has been in the market for a few years now, it makes sense that GasGas wants its own version in the market, after winning the 2022 Dakar Rally title.

Unfortunately, not many details were unveiled by the latest type approval document a part from it is powered by a 449cc powertrain, features a single saddle setup and classified as an enduro motorcycle. 

Nevertheless, it is likely the RX 450F Replica to be based on the KTM latest 450 Rally Replica introduced in June. 

(source: Motorcycle.com)

Honda officially announced the return of the Dax to its MiniMoto range back in March 2022, joining the already available Monkey and MSX125 Grom.

  • The ST125 Dax officially makes a comeback and further expanding Honda’s MiniMoto portfolio.
  • The lifestyle motorcycle features a 124cc SOCH air-cooled engine. 

Less than six months after its global introduction, the ST125 Dax has now made its way to Indonesia for IDR81.5mil (RM24,600).

The ST125 Dax returns with a 124cc SOCH air-cooled motor that makes 9.25hp and 10.8Nm.

While power is delivered to the rear-wheel via a four-speed gearbox, the bike also comes with a centrifugal clutch.

The Dax weighs 107kg and gets a 31mm upside-down fork, twin-rear shocks, 12-inch mini bike wheels wrapped around with balloon tyres and a full LED light setup.

Other notable features include an LCD and chrome handlebars.

Despite the miniature size, Honda fitted the Dax with a pillion grab rail since the bike is designed from the get-go to support up to two people with the help of the steel frame.

Additionally, the 2023 ST125 Dax comes with single-channel ABS paired to a 220mm front disc, 190mm rear disc and hydraulically-operated brake callipers.

The ST125 Dax is available in two colour options; Pearl Nebula Red and Pearl Cadet Grey.

Coming in new for the Malaysian market is the 2022 Honda CB250R that now features Showa Separate Fork Function Big Piston (SFF-BP).

  • The Honda CBR250R gets new Showa 41mm SFF-BP front forks.
  • The new CBR250RR is available two new colours; RM23,999. 

The ‘neo-sports cafe’ motorcycle finally received a proper update for 2022 after its last revision in 2019. 

The 41mm Showa SFF-BP USD front forks feature a separate damper in one tube and a spring mechanism in the other capable of delivering better dampening performance.

Together with a larger-sized piston, the front-end feel of the motorcycle is significantly improved, thus enhancing the riding experience.

Meanwhile, the rear shock offers a 5-stage of spring preload adjustment.

Other notable improvements include a new fully digital LCD that features a clearer gear indicator than the previous generation. 

Mechanically, the 2022 Honda CB250R continue to draw power from its 250cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that produces 27.2hp @ 9,500rpm and 23.4Nm @ 7,750rpm. 

Other features include:

  • Bosch ABS (dual-channel)
  • slipper clutch
  • full LED lighting
  • 10.1L fuel tank

According to Boon Siew Honda, the 2022 CBR250R is available in two colour options; Matt Gun Powder Black Metallic and Candy Chromosphere Red and are priced at RM23,999 (exclude registration and insurance). 

A Belgian designer is working on an electric motor aimed at converting combustion engine to electric for mopeds.

  • E-Core is a swappable electric motor for mopeds.
  • features a small 3-5 horsepower equivalent to a 50cc four-strokes mopeds.

As the world is shifting towards electric, most small capacity electric two-wheelers offers the same power equivalent to a 125cc motorcycles.

That said, it is likely that the demand for small capacity electric motorcycle – with 15 to 20 horsepower – will increase significantly in years to come. Moreover, with oil prices showing an upward trend, switching to electric is an option.

However, Belgian designer, Benjamin Surain, foresee a feature of not just low-powered electric motorcycles, but also converting the existing combustion engine mopeds into electric. 

According to reports, the electric motor, dubbed E-Core, is an exchangeable electric motor that could be swap with an old combustion engine. 

The E-Core exchangeable motor is aimed at mopeds, which are popular globally.

Interestingly, the electric motor allow existing combustion engine to be ‘reincarnated’ as electric instead of discarding the entirety of the old engine which could damaged the environment hence defeating the purpose of sustainability. 

Also, this means that people would not be forced into getting a new electric two-wheeler when they can just upgrade their existing petrol-powered mopeds which is potentially more cost-effective.

It’s going to be a busy year for Ducati as the Italian motorcycle company has already planned to introduce seven new launches between September to November. 

  • The 2023 Ducati Streetfighter V4 will feature a similar upgrade to the 2022 Panigale V4. 
  • Notable changes include higher gear ratios, bigger fuel tanks and lighter chassis. 

Based on the latest spy shots, we believe one of the upcoming motorcycles would be an updated Ducati Streetfighter V4.

According to these spy shots, the updated Streetfighter V4 might not change much from its predecessor, but upon closer inspection, some subtle changes are applied to the new model.

Firstly, the – black-painted – tank now features similar bodywork to the updated Panigale V4 superbike that was introduced globally last year.

That said, the 2023 Streetfighter V4 will feature a bigger 17L tank as opposed to the 16L previously available on the first-gen hyper-naked motorcycle.

 Also, we expect Ducati to introduce the same engine upgrades made to the fully faired bike a year ago, including the redesigned oiling system and exhaust. As such, expect a slight increase of power for the 2023 model.

Ducati also revised the Panigale V4 gear ratios for 2022; thus, the Streetfighter V4 will likely adopt similar changes. 

It is also relevant for the updated Streetfighter V4 to get a similar chassis upgrade to the Panigale, including a slightly higher swingarm pivot that helps reduce the bike’s squat under acceleration.

Lastly, it is safe to assume that Ducati will also introduce the higher-spec Streetfighter V4 S and the top-of-the-range V4 SP. 

(source: CycleWorld)

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