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

New Michelin Road 6 Tyre Range Now In Malaysia – Includes GT Variant

Michelin is expanding its road tyre range for the 2022 season with the new Road 6.

Other than being available in 18 sizes, the new Michelin Road 6 are also available in a specific GT variant.

Michelin claimed the new tyres offer 15 per cent more grip in wet, 10% longer lasting and improved performance in various weather.

The new Michelin Road 6 features a new tread compound and pattern which the company called Water Evergrip Technology that helps optimise the ratio of grooves to rubber.

Michelin also updated the new Road 6 with Amplified Density Technology that provides a highly dense and rigid compound.

Now available at all authorized MICHELIN tyre dealers in Malaysia, the new MICHELIN Road 6 tyre is available in six front and eight rear sizes.

Meanwhile the MICHELIN Road 6 GT tyre range is available in one frontand three rear sizes and provides fitments from small roadsters such as the KTM 390, through sports bikes and trail bikes, up to GT machines such as the BMW K1600 GT/GTL.

The KTM 790 Duke Returns To the Naked Bike Lineup For 2022

The introduction of the 790 Duke back in 2017 was a success with over 29,000 units sold within a short period.

However, new emission standard threatened the model’s future which prompted KTM to introduced the 890 Duke R in 2020 before subsequently replaced the 790 with the base 890 Duke a year later.

In a latest update, KTM has decided it is the right time to bring back the original Scalpel right where it left off for 2022.

While the 790 Duke retains the LC8 parallel-twin engine, the house of Mattighofen has upgraded the mill to meet Euro 5 emission regulations.

Despite the udpdate, the 2022 790 Duke now makes 105hp and 87Nm but restricted to just 93hp for the European market.

Nonetheless, the 2022MY gets premium components which includes the WP APEX suspension.

Moving on to electronics, the 790 Duke features:

Traction Control
Cornering ABS
Supermoto ABS
3 riding modes – Street, Sport and Rain
Quickshifter+
Motor Slip Regulation (MSR)
Track riding mode
cruise control
KTM My Ride

According to Team Orange, the 2022 Scalpel will return to Europe in June with a starting price of EUR8,999 (RM41k).

Although the 890 Duke remains avaialble, KTM believed that 790 Duke represents as a brige between the 390 Duke and 890 Duke.

Legendary Stunt Rider Chris Pfeiffer Passed Away At The Age Of 51

King of stunt on two-wheels, Chris Pfeiffer has lost his life against depression after reports emerged that the former BMW Motorrad and Red Bull rider decided to end his own life.

Pfeiffer retired from the professional stunt arena back in 2015 but still made some appearances later on.

The four-time Red Bull Hare Scramble winner won numerous awards spanning over 20 years.

While he won a significant number of professional stunt competitions throughout his career, he was also known to put a smile on everyone who came to see him.

BMW even dedicated a special F 800 R livery for him.

During his retirement in 2015 at the age of 45, he said that it was increasingly hard to ride at a top-level, and it was always on his mind that if he cannot get any better, it’ll be the time for him to quit the sport.

Since 1996, Chris Pfeiffer has been thrilling his fans worldwide, having toured in performed in more than 90 countries, including Malaysia.

Besides his four World Stunt Riding champion’s titles garnered in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009, Pfeiffer was also crowned as the European Stunt Riding champion in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

He also holds a world record for the longest ever long jump (bunny hop) without a ramp over 33 people lying down next to each other.

While he collected many accolades throughout his career, little that we know that he was also struggling with depression.

Pfeiffer is survived by his wife Renate and his children. The stunt legend will be buried on March 26 in Trauchgau, Germany.

On an important note, we urged everyone struggling with depression to reach out to someone you trust for help.

Despite the tragic end, Chris Pfeiffer will always be remembered as a great rider that has made the world of two-wheel an exciting place to be in.

Rest in power legend.

OFFICIAL: American Private Equity Firm Purchased Dainese For RM2.9 Billion

Investcorp has officially sold the Dainese group of brands to an American private equity firm for a reported EUR630 million (RM2.9 bil).

In a statement by the company dated 11 March 2022, Investcorp has reached an agreement on the sale of Dainese SpA to global investment firm the Carlyle Group.

The sale figure represents a nearly five times return that Investcorp spent when it purchased 80 per cent of Dainese SpA from founder Lino Dainese back in January 2015.

Under the Investcorp’s ownership, Dainese doubled its sales to EUR250 million. The Italian also evolved from product-focused business into a global standard for dynamic sport protection.

“Six years ago when we invested in Dainese, the founder Lino Dainese said he wanted a partner that shares his passion and ambition for his company.

“It’s satisfying to know that Investcorp have been that partner to Dainese, as under our leadership we facilitated EBITDA growth of more than five times and created a business well positioned for continued success.

“We will continue on our mission to support exceptional Italian brands in their journey to become world leaders. Gucci, Riva Boats and Dainese are just a few of Italy’s best that we had the honour to partner with and support – that mission shall continue at Investcorp,” said Hazem Ben-Gacem, Co-CEO at Investcorp.

Meanwhile, The Carlyle Group is looking to expand Dainese’s distriibution network by adding other brands into the group.

The new acquisition will also boost Dainese’s effort in increasing rider’s safety on and off the track typically in the airbag safety apparel market.

Harley-Davidson Introduces Wild One Accessories For The Sportster S

The Harley-Davidson Sportster S marks a shift of direction of the American motorcycle company.

First launched in July 2021, Harley-Davidson overhauled the Sportster platform with the all-new Sportster S.

The company’s oldest production model gets a liquid-cooled 1250 Revolution Max V-Twin engine that offers better performance at lower emissions.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to allow owners to personalize the Sporster S, Harley-Davidson has launched the Wild One accessories collection.

The Wild One accessories line consists of bolt-on parts that allow customers to add something extra to the new cruiser.

According to H-D, each piece features an anodized/gloss black finish along with machined aluminium components.

The Wild One accessories line includes:

Wild One Alternator Plug Cover
Wild One Mirrors
Wild One Hand Grips
Wild One Heated Hand Grips
Wild One Rider Footpeg
Wild One Timer Medallion
Wild One Sprocket Covers
Wild One Clutch Medallion

The Wild One accessories are retailed at USD49.95 to USD229.96.

2023 Honda ST125 Dax Breaks Cover – 107kg, 9.25hp

Honda has officially announced the return of the Dax to its MiniMoto portfolio alongside the Monkey and MSX125 Grom.

Japanese publication, Young-Machine, revealed the so-called ‘speculative’ render image back in February, but boy, the finished product looks suspiciously similar.

At this point, we firmly believe they have someone working on the inside.

Back to the bike, which has been missing from Honda’s lineup for more than 40 years, 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 will come 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.