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After years of waiting and months of teasing, Triumph has finally unveiled the all-new Daytona 660.

The new Daytona is set to carry on the character of its predecessor and promises an exhilarating sports performance experience coupled with top-notch quality, capability, and specifications, the new Daytona 660 also showcases a significant evolution of Triumph’s distinctive 660cc triple engine.

 

The revamped engine now boasts 95PS peak power at 11,250rpm and 69Nm of peak torque at 12,650rpm, offering a seamless, responsive, and linear delivery of power across the entire spectrum.

With a 17% increase in power and a 9% boost in torque compared to its counterpart, the Trident (which also uses the same engine), the Daytona 660 comes equipped with a fresh exhaust system featuring 3 into 1 headers and a compact underslung exhaust, producing a distinctive and unmistakable sports soundtrack.

The new bike’s chassis is described as well-balanced, combined with agile sports handling, and is said to ensure an unmistakable riding experience. Showa upside-down big piston 41mm forks, Showa preload adjustable monoshock RSU, and radial four-piston brakes with twin 310mm discs and braided brake lines enhance the bike’s performance. Michelin’s new Power 6 tires further contribute to the exceptional ride quality.

Boasting a rider-friendly design, the Daytona 660 features a 810mm seat height, narrow stand-over, and optimized bar and footpeg positions. Rider-focused technology includes three riding modes (Sport, Road, and Rain) that optimize throttle response and traction control settings, along with an Emergency Deceleration Warning system that activates hazard lights during heavy braking.

The bike’s multi-functional instruments include a color TFT screen integrated into a white-on-black LCD display, compatible with the My Triumph Connectivity System. This system enables turn-by-turn navigation, phone interaction, and music control, all easily accessible through the switchgear for added convenience while riding.

The Daytona’s iconic design DNA receives a fresh interpretation with a bold and aggressive stance, highlighted by distinctive twin LED headlights and minimal bodywork. The three available color options feature a striking ‘660’ race-inspired graphic, adding to the bike’s allure.

As expected from Triumph, the Daytona 660 offers more than 30 Genuine Triumph Accessories, allowing riders to tailor their bike for enhanced performance, comfort, style, and practicality.

With a 16,000-km service interval, a two-year unlimited mileage warranty, and strong residual values, Triumph ensures a competitive cost of ownership.

Speaking of cost, there is no word on pricing as yet.

Honda has recently unveiled significant technical updates for its 2024 CBR1000RR-R SP Fireblade, enhancing its performance capabilities. However, a new patent application suggests that the company is also working on visual revisions aimed at increasing downforce while minimizing drag.

One noticeable change to the 2024 CBR1000RR-R SP is the adoption of MotoGP-inspired hoop-style winglets on the front, replacing the previous side-mounted versions. While these winglets contribute to increased front-end downforce, they also introduce additional drag compared to a cleaner fairing design.


The patent application reveals a redesigned shape that aims to strike a balance between reducing drag and maintaining downforce. The innovative design relocates the winglets closer together in the bike’s nose, utilizing a system of intakes and vents to direct air over internal surfaces within the nose.

Honda’s patent explains that by incorporating inverted wing shapes into the front cowl, downforce can be increased without the need for additional wings, ultimately reducing aerodynamic drag. The result is improved motion performance, including maximum speed and acceleration, leading to enhanced fuel consumption performance.

Key visible components of the new design include prominent intakes on each side of the screen near the handlebars and a secondary set of intakes lower down inside the concave section just below the nose’s leading edge. The internal bodywork’s shape, revealed in one drawing in the patent application, showcases an aggressively angled wing profile.

Apart from creating downforce and reducing frontal area, the design claims to offer additional aerodynamic benefits by directing airflow more efficiently over and around the rider. The patent suggests that the discharged air serves as an air curtain, reducing wind protection for the rider and minimizing the bike’s frontal size when viewed head-on, resulting in further drag reduction.

While the patent drawings feature the CBR1000RR-R SP, Honda emphasizes the adaptability of this design for various supersport-style bikes. By securing a patent for this innovative approach, Honda aims to prevent competitors from replicating the same advancements in their designs.

Malaysian bikers, rejoice! KTM Motorcycles Malaysia has officially introduced the KTM 890 SMT, widely regarded as one of the naughtiest bikes on the planet.

The SMT continues on the legacy of the 990 SMT from 15 years ago, and is in essence an adventure bike in design but a supermoto at heart. This is the bike for supermoto riders who want to go on an adventure.

Powering the 890 SMT is the same engine as the 890 Duke R – the 899cc LC8c parallel-twin mill engine putting out 105hp at 8000rpm and 100Nm of torque at 6500rpm.

If you’re wondering, the 890 Duke R and 890 Adventure also run on the same engine, though with different state of tune putting out 119hp and 99Nm of torque.

In true supermoto spirit, the 890 SMT is a big, tall bike, with a seat that sits 860mm off the ground, and a ground clearance of 227mm.

Suspension duties are managed by WP Apex suspension all around with 43mm forks providing 180mm of travel with adjustable rebound and compression. The rear monoshock is adjustable for preload and rebound.

KTM says the 890 SMT was developed for sharp handling and this is partially achieved with trick suspension and also a high strength tubular chromoly steel frame with the engine acting as a stressed member to reduce weight and size. The smaller frame also allows for a longer swingarm that is said to improve traction and handling.

As for the subframe, KTM says it is fully loaded to attack the street. The steel trellis subframe was developed to be compact, lightweight and strong enough to carry load.

As for electronics, the new SMT comes with three riding modes – Sport, Rain and Street, a 5-inch TFT display, a standard quickshifter, heated grips and a slipper clutch. Traction Control is managed by a 6D Intertial Measurement Unit. Also standard is Cornering ABS, but being a supermoto at heart, it also has Supermoto ABS that allows the rider to lock the rear wheels when the going gets fun.

Braking duties are managed by J.Juan that grip 17-inch wheels using twin 320mm discs up front with 4-piston radially mounted callipers. At the rear, a 260mm disc is also gripped by a double-piston floating calliper supplied by J.Juan.

The 890 SMT is ultimately built for adventure and as such its 15.8-litre fuel tank offers a range of more than 300km. It is no wonder then that the new SMT is being hailed as the perfect cross between an adventure bike and a street fighter.

The KTM 890 SMT is now in Malaysia for RM101,800.

It is just the fifth day of 2024 but WMoto has hit the ground running by introducing its latest model, the RT2 maxi-scooter.

Powering the RT2 is a 246.9cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine that delivers 17kW at 7500rpm and 22.5Nm of torque.

The RT2 also offers premium features such as an adjustable windshield, front and rear cameras where riders can record their rides (like a car’s dash cam), a smart key system with Alarm Key Finding that lets owners find the bike in parking lot. (more…)

Gracshaw Helmets, a Malaysian made product, has launched a unique collection of helmets for fans of DC comics and movies.

The six limited edition Gennex line of helmets offer a unique homage to the most iconic DC super heroes such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash and The Joker. (more…)

The rumour wheels of the internet are running again with speculation that Kawasaki is preparing to introduce a baby RS called the Z400RS, or even Z4RS.

According to reports coming out of Japan, Kawasaki is set to continue with its usual model line up where the introduction of a new Ninja model will immediately be followed by a Z model, and in recent years, that will be followed up with an RS model.

It is also worth noting that this is not the first time that these rumours have floated, the first was in 2022, but considering that the ZX-4R has already hit some markets, this could just be the year the rumours come true.

Just as a refresher, Kawasaki introduced the ZX4-R early last year and even previewed it at the Bangkok Motor Show at the second half of 2023.

The ZX-4R is powered by a 400cc, inline 4-cylinder engine pushing 77PS. A naked-Z variant will soon follow with the same engine and suspension variant.

However, word on the grapevine is now suggesting that a retro naked model will also follow suite, ala Z900RS and the Z650RS.

Why would Kawasaki do that though? Well besides the fact that Kawasaki has been doing that in recent times already, Kawasaki has also done so before in the 70s with the 400-RS. Back then, the Zephyr and FX name plates were used.

Some Japanese media outlets are reporting that there is a 70% chance of the Z400RS (or Z4RS) being introduced sometime in quarter three of 2024.

So how does Modenas fit into this picture?

Lets not forget that Kawasaki and Modenas strengthened their relationship in Malaysia with Kawasaki increasing its shares in the Malaysian company. This happened sometime in 2021 with an official announcement made in 2022.

Besides the changing of Kawasaki dealerships, one of the key takeaways from that is a rebranding exercise.

In Malaysia, all Kawasaki bikes 650cc and under are rebranded as Modenas while anything above that will continue to carry the Kawasaki brand.

This is why models like the Versys are known as the Modenas Versys.

So with the imminent introduction of the Ninja ZX-4R in Malaysia, could we soon see a Modenas Z400RS?

If the rumours are to be believed, it is not a matter of if, but a matter of when.

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