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There is a rumour ongoing that Honda could be working on a more powerful Honda Fireblade for 2024 which is set to debut in Japan next year.

  • Honda’s rumoured to be working on a “full power” CBR1000RR-R Fireblade.
  • The new Fireblade could make public debut in October 2023 at the Tokyo Motor Show. 

Apparently, Honda wants to introduced a ‘final edition’ Fireblade before emissions regulations begin to tighten as reported by Webike. 

The latest generation Fireblade introduced in 2020 was considered at the time to be the most powerful, with 215hp on tap. However, the latest iteration was not considered successful as the CBR1000RR-R could not compete with Ducati’s Panigale V4 R, Yamaha’s R1M and Kawasaki’s ZX-10RR at the WorldSBK.

Evidently, Honda has not won a single race in the WorldSBK despite finding success in Japan including winning the Suzuka 8 Hours earlier this year.

That said, Honda wants to return to the front row with a new generation CBR1000RR-R Fireblade ready for 2024, with a public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2023.

However, the new machine still needs to adhere to the current Euro5 emission standard.

Nevertheless, these are just rumours and no confirmation coming from Honda just yet but it would make sense for Honda to actually working on an even powerful and capable sportsbike. 

Kymco has successfully established itself as one of the world’s best scooter manufacturer. 

  • Kymco CV3 now available in the UK for GBP11,999 (RM64.5k).
  • The three-wheeled scooter runs on the same 550cc parallel-twin engine found in the AK550. 

The Taiwanese motorcycle manufacturer recently took to EICMA show to showcased its 2023 lineup including the radically designed CV3, a three-wheeled maxi-scooter.

For starters, a three-wheeled tilting scooter is not a new thing as there are others that also offers similar design and practicality.

However, the Kymco CV3 goes beyond anything we’ve ever seen before, primarily due to its sharp styling and aggressive bodywork.

For instance, the CV3 sports a split LED headlight upfront and a large windscreen which significantly improves the bike’s capability to go for a long-distance touring. 

At the back, there is a big and comfortable space for the pillion including a back rest. 

Of course, the main highlight of the CV3 is the sophisticated front end that looks similar to Yamaha’s Niken that combines quad front forks – two on each side – and two 13-inch wheels. Meanwhile, the rear wheels is fitted wiht a 15-inch wheels. 

Mechanically, the CV3 is equipped with the same engine found in the high-performance AK550 maxi-scooter. That said, it runs on a 550cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine that makes 52.7hp @ 7,500rpm and 55.6Nm @ 5,500rpm. 

Other key features include a 6-inch full colour TFT instrument cluster, cruise control, keyless ignition and heated grips.

The Kymco CV3 is now available in the UK for a base price of GBP11,999 (RM64.5k). 

KTM has introduced a ‘factory edition’ version of the 2023 450 SX-F dirt bike by the Austrian brand’s US division. 

  • The 450 SX-F gets KTM’s factory treatment for 2023. 
  • Featuring two-time 450SX AMA Champion Cooper Webb graphics and livery. 

The introduction of the factory edition 450 SX-F is as expected after its fellow Pierer Mobility Group member, GasGas rolls out its own factory rendition, last week. 

Visually speaking, the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition features the same Red Bull graphics as the KTM team competing in the AMA Supercross and AMA pro Motocross series. 

 

That said, the dirt bike also features two-time 450SX AMA champion Cooper Webb #2 plates. 

In terms of power, KTM claimed the 450 SX-F Factory Edition makes 68hp however, several reputable media has rated the motorcycle to make around 55hp after putting it on the dyno.

Nonetheless, thanks to the bike’s quickshifter system, power delivery is smoother for a motocross machine.

According to KTM, the 450 SX-F Factory Edition also equipped with a series of other modification befitting a motorcycle that fight for title success.

Other key components available on the factory edition includes:

  • KTM factory racing seat
  • KTM factory wheels
  • Akrapovic slip-on pipe
  • semi-floating front disc
  • KTM factory racing front brake disc guard
  • KTM factory racing skid plate
  • KTM factory start device
  • ODI lock-on grey grop set
  • Hinson outer clutch cover
  • KTM orange sprocket

Unfortunately, the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition will only be available in the US. 

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM), the sole distributor of Yamaha motorcycles here in Malaysia, has introduced the updated 2023 Yamaha Y15ZR which now comes in four exciting new colours for the local market.

  • Yamaha Y15ZR now comes in four exciting colours.
  • The Y15ZR continue to feature 150cc single-cylinder SOHC engine that makes 15.4hp and 14.4Nm. 

Those who are interested should be glad to know that these four new colour options are Matte Green, Yellow, Silver, and Orange. These new offerings for the 2020 Yamaha Y15ZR are already available at all authorised HLYM showrooms nationwide with the recommended selling price of RM8,998 (excluding insurance, road tax & registration).

As a bonus, each new purchase of the 2023 Yamaha Y15ZR will come with a complimentary Yamaha disc lock worth RM100 for added safety and peace of mind. Like the price, the specs for the very popular Yamaha 150cc moped remains unchanged.

New for the Malaysian market is the 2022 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory, priced at RM73,900 as announced by local distributor, Didi Group. 

  • Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory brings higher power and better specs. 
  • The Tuono 660 Factory features the all-new 659 cc parallel twin-cylinder engine with a 270-degree crank. 

In terms of power, the Tuono 660 Factory is rated at 100hp, a 5hp increase from the base Tuono 660 but the peak torque remains unchanged at 67Nm.

That said, the Tuono 660 Factory also gets a shorter gear ratio for its gearbox plus all the electronic riding aids and APRC suite just like the RS 660 (traction control, wheelie control, cornering ABS, selectable riding modes, quickshifter, auto-blipper, etc.).

Despite the higher power than the base model that was introduced back in 2021, the Tuono 660 Factory is RM4,000 cheaper, making it very desirable among brand loyalists in Malaysia. 

Also, thanks to weight-saving improvements, including using a lithium-ion battery, the Tuono 660 Factory is 2kg lighter. 

The suspension is upgraded with a fully-adjustable 41mm Kayaba front fork and Sachs rear shocks. 

Other notable features include:

  • dual 320mm disc (front)
  • single 220mm disc (rear)
  • Brembo calliper
  • Aprilia LED (with bending light function)

The 2022 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory is only available in the Factory Dark colourway. 

Malaysian racer, Hafizh Syahrin will get another chance at the WorldSBK after he was handed a contract extension ahead of the 2023 season. 

  • Hafizh Syahrin to remain at MIE Racing Honda Team for the 2023 season.
  • Hafizh will partner Brazilian rider, Eric Granado on board the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade. 

Just five days after announcing the signing of Brazilian rider Eric Granado, MIE Racing Honda Team also officially extended its agreeement with Hafizh. 

That said, MIE Racing Honda Team thus completes its line-up for the 2023 WorldSBK season with two riders who are more than ready for action when the season kicks off in Australia on February 24-26.

Meanwhile, team owner, Midori Moriwaki, is pleased to secure Hafizh signature for the upcoming season. 

“I am extremely pleased to announce the contract extension with Hafizh who made his debut with us in the WorldSBK and has grown steadily throughout the season.

“I think he and Eric (Granado) will form a strong partnership and will help us to both develop our project with Honda whilst promoting the WorldSBK in South America and Asia,” she said. 

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