Motorcycle news, Motorcycle reviews from Malaysia, Asia and the world

FIRST LOOK: Made-In-India Harley-Davidson Motorcycle

Harley-Davidson has partnered with Indian two-wheeler giant Hero MotoCorp to develop a new motorcycle. Recently, images of the upcoming bike were leaked online.

The bike’s design and features show major differences from the previously debuted Harley-Davidson X 350.
The HD400 is likely compete with rival roadsters like the Royal Enfield Hunter 350, and Honda CB350.

The bike is expected to debut in July 2023 and is likely to be priced competitively, thanks to the partnership’s heavy localization.

The new motorcycle, dubbed the HD400, is a roadster style bike with a unique LED headlight bearing the Harley-Davidson branding. The TFT console displays basic information such as speedometer, odometer, tachometer, and fuel indicator.

The bike has a USD fork and gas-charged dual shock absorber setup, with axial ByBre calipers taking care of braking duties. Interestingly, the bike uses CEAT Zoom Cruz tires seen on the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650.

The engine on the HD400 is expected to be around 400cc, with an air/oil-cooled single unit that revs up to 8,000rpm. This is different from the liquid-cooled parallel twin unit on the Harley-Davidson X 350.

Based on the images, the HD400 is production-ready and likely in the final stages of testing.

The upcoming Harley-Davidson HD400 will compete with other roadster motorcycles in India such as the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and the Honda CB350RS.

Harley-Davidson’s partnership with Hero MotoCorp will benefit both companies, with the bike maker gaining massively from the partnership’s heavy localization. Overall, the HD400 seems to be an exciting addition to the Harley-Davidson lineup, and fans can’t wait for the official launch.

BMW Developing G R10 R-Sized Electric Motorcycle

BMW has been a pioneer in the electric two-wheeler industry for more than a decade, but it has yet to release a fully electric motorcycle.

powering the bike is the same batter and electric motor from the CE 04.
the new electric motorcycle is likely to have the same size as the G 310 roadster.

However, that may soon change as the company has been working on a small electric bike as reported by Cycle World. Patent applications reveal that BMW’s latest electric scooter, the CE-04, has provided the powertrain elements for the new bike, which is around the same size as the G 310 roadster.

The innovative design features a motor that is positioned at a 45-degree angle and the motor’s shaft running longitudinally, allowing it to be relatively large while remaining narrow enough to fit between the rider’s legs.

The battery is also at an angle, running parallel to the motor and just ahead of it. By moving the parts around and tilting them at an angle, the wheelbase can be shorter, and the center of gravity raised, providing sharper handling.

The battery and motor are from the CE-04, with a peak power of 42 hp and 63Nm of torque. The top speed is electronically limited to 120km/h, and the range is around 128km between charges.

The motor drives through a new reduction gearbox with a bevel gear to take drive to the front sprocket, and a belt final drive transfers the power to the rear wheel, reducing maintenance and noise compared to a chain drive.

The fuel tank area is left clear, providing space for storage, including a helmet, while several different models based on the same components could be made, including a GS-style adventure model and a full-faired bike.

That said, the plug-in roadster is still in an early stage and it could take a couple of years before we’re able to see the finish product. Nevertheless, we are excited to see how it could turn out.

Norton Opens First Flagship Store At The Bike Shed London

Norton Motorcycles has just opened its first retail store, the Norton Atelier, at The Bike Shed in London. This is a major milestone for the British brand, which has been steadily rebuilding after a period of tumultuous change.

The new flagship store to showcase the brand’s V4SV superbike and the iconic Commanod 961.
Norton also plans to establish showrooms at five other locations throughout the UK.

Norton’s new CEO and a £100 million investment have helped to revitalize the company, and the launch of the 2023 Commando 961 has shown that Norton is ready to compete once again.

The Norton Atelier showcases the V4SV superbike and the Commando 961, both of which are available for purchase or test rides. Additionally, the showroom features Norton apparel designed by Savile Row fashion designer Nick Tentis. Tentis has also played a significant role in designing the retail space, which he describes as reflecting the history and values of the Norton brand.

The launch of the Norton Atelier is just the beginning for the brand. The company plans to establish showrooms at five other locations throughout the UK, including Krazy Horse London, Crawley’s P&H Motorcycles, Sheffield’s Via Moto, Bodmin’s Thor Motorcycles, and Cheshire’s Oakmere Motor Group. All of these locations will offer test rides, maintenance, and parts and accessories.

Norton Chief Commercial Officer Christian Gladwell expressed his enthusiasm for the brand’s expansion into the marketplace. “More dealers mean more riders enjoying the results of the hard work and dedication that the entire team at Norton has contributed towards,” he said.

Triumph Announces Limited Edition Bonneville T120 Black DGR

Triumph, the British motorcycle manufacturer, has announced a new limited edition of its Bonneville T120 model in celebration of the 10th anniversary of its partnership with the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR).

only 250 units of the special edition Bonneville T120 is produced.
the bike features DGR branding and a black-and-white color scheme.

The DGR is an annual event that sees riders in over 800 cities around the world come together to raise money for prostate cancer research. The event has raised $37 million USD since its inception, with 90,000 riders taking part.

The new model, called the Triumph Bonneville T120 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited Edition, will feature DGR branding and a black-and-white color scheme that matches that of DGR. The motorcycle will be produced in 250 units and will come with gold detailing and a brown seat. Each motorcycle will also come with a numbered certificate signed by DGR founder Mark Hawwa and Triumph CEO Nick Bloor.

Mark Hawwa, founder and director of DGR, said that he was “beyond proud” to release the Bonneville T120 Black Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited Edition motorcycle, adding that “Triumph has become like a family to me and to The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.”

Triumph Chief Commercial Officer Paul Stroud said that the partnership between the two organizations is an “incredibly important partnership for Triumph and the thousands of Triumph DGR fans across the world,” and that the launch of the new limited edition model was a way to “mark this wonderful occasion with something truly special.”

The Triumph Bonneville T120 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited Edition is set to be a sought-after collector’s item for fans of the DGR and Triumph alike.

Only 250 units of the Triumph Bonneville T120 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Limited Edition will be produced worldwide.

The stylish motorcycle features a two-tone paint scheme inspired by the classic “dress suit,” with gold detailing that nods to dapper clothing accessories like pocket watches and tie-pins. The bike also has a brown bench seat with pillion strap, giving it a vintage look. Each motorcycle comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity, and edition number 001 will be given to the highest fundraiser for the 2023 DGR.

End Of The Road For Ducati Desmo Valve System?

Ducati, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer, may be moving away from their signature desmodromic valve system, according to a recent report.

the Desmodromic valves delivers the best high RPM power.
the all-new Granturismo V4 engine uses conventional valve springs.

The desmo valve system is a unique valve control system that controls the valvetrain via two cams and two actuators, resulting in high RPM power. However, the system has a downside – the dreaded “desmo” service.

This service is a big service that needs to be done between 24,000km and 30,000km depending on the bike and can be quite expensive.

Ducati is aware of the desmo service’s infamous reputation and has started to move away from this system. In 2020, they introduced the V4 Granturismo engine in the Multistrada V4, which replaced the desmo valve system with conventional valve springs and a more durable timing chain. This resulted in a massive 60,000km interval between valve checks, the longest in the industry.

Ducati is working towards updating their mid-level family of bikes such as the Monster to also move towards conventional valve springs. The Monster shares its 939cc L-twin engine with many other bikes like the SuperSport, Multistrada V2, DesertX and Hypermotard, so this change may be seen in these bikes as well.

However, the top-of-the-line performance bikes like the Panigale and Streetfighter families will still retain the desmo system since it is the best for high RPM power.

Although this change may benefit Ducati owners by reducing maintenance costs, it remains to be seen how it will impact the brand’s identity and reputation for high-performance bikes.

Ducati’s new-gen Scrambler still has a desmo-valved engine, so it may be a while before we see that change on Ducati’s most affordable offering. Ducati fans can look forward to the upcoming changes and the improved ease of maintenance they may bring.

Watch The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR Hit 253KM/H On Dyno

On March 27, 2023, Kawasaki Indonesia finally launched the ZX-4RR, revealing claimed power figures of 79.1hp at 14,500 rpm (with Ram-Air). The bike also boasts listed torque of 37.4Nm at 12,500 rpm.

the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR is the most powerful 400cc machine ever built.
powering the ZX-4RR is a high-performance, in-line four-cylinder 399cc engine with advanced racing-inspired technology.

While it’s not uncommon for OEMs to tune the same model differently for different markets, the Indonesian version of the ZX-4RR has a slightly higher peak torque figure than the US version.

In a latest video, Kawasaki Indonesia showcased how the new Ninja ZX-4RR is enough to get any adrenaline junkie’s heart racing. In the teaser video, titled “Top Speed Dyno Run,” features the ZX-4RR being tested on a dyno, reaching a top speed of 253 kilometers per hour in sixth gear.

Overall, the release of the ZX-4RR has been generating excitement among motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide.

The bike’s high-revving engine and affordable price point make it an attractive option for riders looking for a high-performance motorcycle that won’t break the bank.

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Latest News

FIRST LOOK: Made-In-India Harley-Davidson Motorcycle

Harley-Davidson has partnered with Indian two-wheeler giant Hero MotoCorp to develop a new motorcycle. Recently, images of the upcoming bike were leaked online.

BMW Developing G R10 R-Sized Electric Motorcycle

BMW has been a pioneer in the electric two-wheeler industry for more than a decade, but it has yet to release a fully electric motorcycle.

Norton Opens First Flagship Store At The Bike Shed London

Norton Motorcycles has just opened its first retail store, the Norton Atelier, at The Bike Shed in London. This is a major milestone for the British brand, which has been steadily rebuilding after a period of tumultuous change.

Triumph Announces Limited Edition Bonneville T120 Black DGR

Triumph, the British motorcycle manufacturer, has announced a new limited edition of its Bonneville T120 model in celebration of the 10th anniversary of its partnership with the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR).

End Of The Road For Ducati Desmo Valve System?

Ducati, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer, may be moving away from their signature desmodromic valve system, according to a recent report.

Watch The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR Hit 253KM/H On Dyno

On March 27, 2023, Kawasaki Indonesia finally launched the ZX-4RR, revealing claimed power figures of 79.1hp at 14,500 rpm (with Ram-Air). The bike also boasts listed torque of 37.4Nm at 12,500 rpm.

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