Kawasaki has introduced the traction control function on the 2023 Ninja 650 and Z650.
2023 Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Z650 gains traction control.
Retains the same 649cc parallel-twin engine.
While the same features are regarded as industry standard, this is the first time that traction control function is equipped on the Ninja and Z650.
The two motorcycle will feature three diferent Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) settings to meet the rider’s need.
In Mode 1, the KTRC system is more preserve while Mode 2 the intervention sets in earlier to deal with lower-traction situation especially riding on wet roads.
Also, users can turn off the traction control system entirely, allowing more fun factor especially on the track.
Riders can also access their preferred KTRC setting via the Bluetooth-enabled TFT instrument colour.
Nonetheless, the Ninja 650 and Z650 runs on the same 649cc parallel-twin engine capable of producing 67hp and 65Nm.
The bike is suspended by a non-adjustable 41mm telescopic fork and a horizontal back-link rear shock.
GASGAS officially unveiled the all-new GASGAS RX 450F Replica for 2023.
The RX 450F Replica is the closest thing to GASGAS Dakar-wnning racebike.
features 450cc SOHC single cylinder engine.
As mentioned a few weeks ago, the RX 450F Replica is based on the firm’s 2022 Dakar-winning race bike ridden by Sam Sunderland Daniel Sanders.
According to GASGAS, the RX 450F Replica is the closest thing you’re going to get to the actual motorcycle.
As predicted, the GASGAS RX 450F Replica is fundamentally the same as KTM’s 450 Rally Replica albeit some minor changes including colours and front fender.
However, the RX 450F Replica is fitted with WP Xplor Pro 7548 front fork and 7750 rear shock while the KTM is suspended by a XACT pro front fork and rear shock.
Nevertheless, the RX 450F Replica features theshares the same 450cc SOHC single-cylinder engine powering the GASGAS MC 450F racebike.
Other notable features include:
carbon fiber navigator tower
red anodized X-TRIG forged triple clamp
red Supersprox Stealth rear sprocket
Neken handelbar
Akrapovic exhaust
Hinson clutch cover
Braking is regulated by Brembo brakes with the bike running on Continental TKC 80 tires with black anodized EXCEL rims.
The Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX is a quarter-litre ‘baby’ dual-sport adventure motorcycle recently introduced in India.
All new Suzuki V-Strom SX is a ‘baby’ dual-sport packing the right style and features.
It harnesses the 250cc single lifted from the Suzuki GSX250R, offering 26HP and 22.2NM.
Key features include dual-channel ABS, digital dash with connectivity function, and more.
At the time, the baby V-Strom is an India-only motorcycle but the bike’s potential in similar Asian markets in undeniable.
That said, it is likely that the Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX could make its way to Malaysia soon.
We recently managed to witness the test mule on Malaysian road, indicating Suzuki Malaysia intention of introducing the baby V-Strom for the local market.
This is certainly an exciting development considering the 250cc market lacks ADV-type motorcycle.
Currently, the Benelli TRK 250 is the only contender in this segment in Malaysia.
For starters, it harnesses the same 250cc single derived from the Suzuki GSX250R, delivering about 26HP and 22.2NM of twist through a six-speed constant-mesh transmission.
The Suzuki V-Strom SX reportedly weighs in at about 167KG, which makes said output figures rather adequate.
The pint-sized V-Strom features a telescopic front fork with 120mm of stroke dialled in, and it’s paired with a rear swingarm-mounted rear shock offering seven-level pre-load adjustment.
The wheels, on the other hand, measure 19-inches un front and 17-inches at the rear. As for braking, it’s a single disc brake setup both front and aft, and both are tied to a dual-channel ABS suite as well.
Other notable features include a digital meter panel display brimmed with Bluetooth connectivity, USB charging port, all-LED lighting, as well as the novel Suzuki Easy Start System electric ignition suite.
In conjunction with Aprilia’s 30th anniversary of its maiden Grand Prix title, the Noale factory has introduced a specially built RSV4 Xtrenta.
The Aprilia RSV4 XTrenta is the first production bike to feature a MotoGP-derived under-wing (aka The Spoon).
The XTrenta makes a 230hp with 165kg.
The timing couldn’t be better as Aprilia is currently having its best season so far in MotoGP, with the likes of Aleix Espargaro winning the Argentinian GP followed by Maverick Vinales seizing his second podium of the season at Misano.
Jumping on Aprilia’s Grand Prix racing pedigree, the RSV4 Xtrenta features all the goodies from the firm’s RS-GP machine.
Firstly, the RSV4 Xtrenta utilized the same PAN Compositi process used by MotoGP teams. As such, the bike track-only motorcycle gets the same aerodynamic appendages and rear winglets similar to the RS-GP.
The XTrenta is also the first production bike to feature the swingarm-mounted MotoGP under-wing (The Spoon) that helps to regulate tire temperature.
Aprilia also revised the 1,099cc V4 engine on the RSV4 Xtrenta by increasing the compression ratio. Also, thanks to the newly-developed SC-Project titanium carbon exhaust system, the Xtrenta makes a whopping 230 peak horsepower.
Ensuring the engine runs at optimal temperature, the XTrenta features superbike-derived Taleo Tecnoracing water and oil radiators.
Other unique features available on the RSV4 Xtrenta include a specially-calibrated Magneti Marelli control unit, JetPrime racing panels, refined Ohlins suspensions and forged magnesium Marchesini M7R Genesi wheels.
Also, thanks to its lightweight construction, stopping is easier with Brembo GP4-MS billet monoblock callipers paired with a 330mm T-drive disc.
Limited to just 100 units, the Aprilia RSV4 Xtrenta will go on sale on 6 September for EUR50,000, which easily translates to RM222,400.
Ducati kicked off episode 1 of its Ducati World Premiere 2023 with the limited edition Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini.
The Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini is limited to just 630 units.
Inspired by Lamborghini’s Huracan STO.
Using the Streetfighter V4 S as the base and Lamborghini Huracan STO as the inspiration, the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini is limited to just 630 units worldwide.
That said, the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini features the special Verde Citrea and Arancio Dac livery taken from the Huracan STO.
Ducati also threw in Francesco Bagnaia’s number 63, which can also be found on the helmet and leathers available with the unique collaboration.
Also, Bagnaia became Ducati’s first ever MotoGP rider to win four consecutive GP races on Sunday, making the number a bit more special.
The Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini also sports the Huracan STO forged wheels design, including the similar titanium lock nut.
As expected, the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini also boasts carbon fibre components, with much being made to mimic the Huracan STO.
In addition, the special collaboration motorcycle is also fitted with Akrapovic titanium exhaust complete with a carbon fibre endcap.
Mechanically, the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini features the same 1,103cc V4 engine that makes 208hp @ 13,000rpm and 123Nm.
There is no denying the fact that motorcycles are a big part of our lives. We are surrounded by bikes. We feel that it is safe to say that almost every Malaysian has been on a motorcycle at least once in their lives.
Although two-wheelers have been around Malaysia since independence, their popularity grew massively only after the Honda Cub took over the world. Since the first ever Honda Cub, hundreds of bikes landed on our shores, but only a handful went on to become icons, thanks to either good design or downright reliability.
That said, below is our list of the top 10 iconic bikes that basically ruled our roads. In fact, some of them are still going strong today.
1) Honda Cub (Also known as the Honda ‘Bulat’)
Unveiled in 1958, the Honda Cub did not only rule Malaysian roads, but the whole world. It is in fact, the bike that was responsible for changing the image of bikes on a global scale. Just like how Air Asia made flying accessible to the masses, the Honda Cub was the first motorcycle to reach homes. First introduced as the C70, the Cub has gone through many generations, and is still going strong. We won’t be surprised if this bike, which is also dubbed as the greatest bike ever built by many, outlives many of us.
2) Honda EX5
The EX5, which is the Honda Cub’s “grandchild”, is without a doubt, the most popular bike to be on our streets. Unveiled in 1986, the EX5 was the first motorcycle for many Malaysians. Initially powered by a 97cc made in Japan, the EX5 was updated with a 110cc engine. Known for its durability and reliability, the EX5’s legacy is still going strong, and doesn’t seem like it will be slowing down any time soon.
3) Yamaha Sport 100
Photo courtesy of malaysianbikers.com.my
Also unveiled during the same era as the EX-5, the Yamaha Sport 100, which is also more commonly known as the “100 sports” by Malaysians, was the next most popular thing after the EX-5. Still being used by many riders, both young and old, the Sport 100, which is infamously known for emitting white smoke(it is a two-stroker), is still being widely used nationwide, 30 years after its debut.
4) Suzuki RGV 120
In the 1990s, the Malaysian ‘Kapchai’ market saw a new buying trend – the demand for two-strokers was on the rise. Younger riders were more interested in “radical” models, that came with a clutch, and could easily go past the speed limit, and looked more modern than bikes like the EX-5 and the Yamaha Sport 100. This was when the Suzuki RGV 120 came into the picture and took over the streets. Sought mostly by the youth back in the days, the first thing that will come to our mind when we see the RGV 120 is definitely the infamous modified screaming exhaust pipes. How can we forget that?
5) Yamaha RX 115
Photo courtesy of Yamaha RX 115 Fan Club Facebook
The Yamaha RX 115 was a naked 115 cc bare-boned motorcycle which made its debut in 1981. Besides Malaysia, the RX 115 is also very popular in Thailand, Pakistan, Turkey, Uruguay, Singapore and Colombia. Today, the RX 115 will surely be present at any and every retro motorcycle show or gathering held in Malaysia.
6) Yamaha RXZ
If there was one bike that was guaranteed to get you attention from the ladies back in the 1990s, it was definitely the Yamaha RXZ. Powered by a potent two-stroke 135cc engine with insane amount of torque, the RXZ was not only good looking, but packed quite a punch in terms of performance as well. Truth be told, it was arguably the best looking bike of its time.
7) Kawasaki KR-150 Series (KIPS)
First unleashed in 1990 by Kawasaki, the Kawasaki KR-150, which is also known as the KIPS, was one of the favourites among speed-demons of the 90s. Looking like a mini GPZ 600, the KR150 was among the most powerful and reliable tw0-strokers to rule our streets. Even though the glory days of two-stroke engines are long gone, we can still see a few running around our roads till today.
8) Yamaha TZM 150
Photo courtesy of Motomalaya.net
A legendary bike based on the TZR 250 that could kick out an impressive 35hp at 10,500RPM. Thanks to the powerful liquid-cooled, two-stroke engine with 59.0mm x 54.0mm bore and stroke setup, the TZM could rev to insane rpm. Complemented by 30mm Mikuni carbs, the engine was capable of propelling this bike up to 208km/h. How is that for performance?
9) Suzuki TXR 150 Panther
If there was one bike that could match, or outdo Yamaha’s RXZ in terms of styling and performance, it was none other than the Suzuki TXR 150 Panther. Some say that it could even outperform the TZM. First launched in 1982, the Panther’s production ended in 1991. Although the official production of the Panther didn’t go on for as long as some of its rivals, the bike has a massive cult following and still remains popular among retro bike enthusiasts.
10) Yamaha 125Z
The Yamaha Y125Z or better known as Yamaha Z (in Europe) is a 125 cc two-stroke underbone bike which made its debut in 1998 as a successor of the Y 110 SS. It is said that the 125Z was the first 2-stroke underbone motorcycle to come with a catalytic converter. Beside being sold in most Southeast Asian countries especially in Malaysia and Singapore, it was also sold in Greece.
