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Ducati is known to create special-edition builds and sometimes does it with car brands like Lamborghini. Now though, Ducati has joined forces with Bentley to build an exclusive edition of their Diavel V4 muscle cruiser.

Limited to a mere 500 units and dubbed the ‘Ducati Diavel for Bentley,’ this premium motorcycle comes with a hefty price tag starting at £58,000 (MYR340,000).

Built upon the foundation of the standard Diavel model, it houses the formidable 1158cc V4 Granturismo engine, boasting a claimed 166bhp at 10,750rpm.

Unveiled during Art Basel week in Miami Beach, this collaboration marks the first-ever partnership between the renowned motorcycle and Bentley.

Additionally, 50 ‘Ducati Diavel for Bentley Mulliner’ models have been reserved exclusively for existing Bentley customers.

Retaining the core features of the standard Diavel, including the cast aluminum monocoque chassis, advanced lean-sensitive electronics, and a distinctive side profile, the special edition distinguishes itself through design elements inspired by the exclusive Bentley Batur.

The color ‘Scarab Green,’ sourced from Bentley Mulliner, adorns the bodywork, while bespoke forged rims finished in ‘Dark Titanium Satin’ emulate those found on the Bentley Batur.

The two-tone front grill, fairing, and upper tank elements take cues from Bentley’s powerful production car. The four-exit exhaust of the standard bike has been replaced with elongated, flatter tips.

Carbon fiber accents grace elements such as the headlamp covers, engine covers, radiator covers, and the rear bodywork, which can be interchanged between double and single seat designs.

This collaboration echoes Ducati’s previous venture into luxury car partnerships, exemplified by the release of the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini in 2020.

Both Bentley and Lamborghini are part of the Volkswagen Group, hinting at potential future collaborations with Audi or Porsche.

Adding an extra layer of exclusivity, 50 ‘Diavel for Bentley Mulliner’ bikes will be exclusively produced for existing Bentley customers, offering them the epitome of garage luxury at a price of £71,000 (MYR420,000).

These buyers can personalize their motorcycles in collaboration with Ducati’s Centro Stile styling team, choosing different colors for the seat, front brake calipers, carbon components, and rims. For a matching aesthetic, the bodywork can be painted in the same color as their Bentley car.

Each of these special Ducatis comes with a certificate of authenticity, featuring the model’s name and production number engraved on a plate on the right side of the bike. Upon startup, a special animation graces the TFT dashboard.

For those who prefer display over ride, the bike will be delivered in a personalized wooden crate. A matching jet helmet and jacket are also available, with further details at ducati.com.

The rumours about Kawasaki and Modenas creating a super moped has been circulating for years with the photo above being the driving force behind it.

We are not sure who created the photo but it has been making its rounds around the internet for some time now.

But the rumours are getting stronger and the latest ones are that the bike in question is currently being developed in Europe.

There is no word about where in Europe it is being developed but apparently there are a few Modenas engineers that are currently stationed in Europe for the past three months.

They are apparently there to help prepare the super moped for an imminent local launch.

It is believed that their main area of focus is on the powertrain development as well as technical training.

According to reports from a few Malaysian outlets, the new super moped was designed in Malaysia, received technical input from the Japanese and is currently being developed in Europe.

Now you may be wondering why Europe since mopeds are not exactly popular in Europe.

A quick search online has revealed that Kawasaki actually has a few factories and offices scattered all around the region, particularly for Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

Interestingly though, there is a Kawasaki Motors division in The Netherlands which has offices in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

It is not immediately clear if these branches are sales outlets or also play a role in development though the former seems more likely considering that Kawasaki has booted out a few of its global dealerships in favour of an official presence. Case in hand being Kawasaki Malaysia.

But what if the rumours are true? Which engine would Kawasaki use since it does not have a small capacity engine in the local market? Well that is not exactly true.

Kawasaki India recently launched the updated W175 (seen above) for 2024. It has a 177cc, air-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine with an output of 13hp and 13Nm of torque. It is not a new engine and has been in the market for a while, which means it is tried and tested and is widely available.

In the spirit of the super moped, could this be the engine to power the highly anticipated bike?

As usual, it is all still speculative, just as it was for the past few years. But with a number of local outlets reporting on it, the rumour could be true, or it could be what it always has been – click bait.

If you understand Bahasa Malaysia, below is an video interview we did with the CEO of Modenas En Roslan not too long ago about this exact same topic:

In a recent report by The Nation, a Pattaya resident raised concerns about gangs comprising mainly Arabian tourists aged 17 to 25, engaging in high-speed bike races along Soi VC Residence Hotel and Soi Yensabai.

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Australia’s pioneering motorcycle riding kit safety testing initiative, MotoCAP, has uncovered a concerning trend in the protection provided to women riders. A recent study revealed that seven out of ten pairs of motorcycle leggings scored a mere half-star out of five for protective capabilities.

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Chinese motorcycle manufacturers were once relegated to the lower echelons of the industry, relying on affordability rather than innovation to secure their market share. However, significant transformation has taken place, and brands such as Zontes, Moto Morini, Benelli, and now CFMoto have elevated their products to amazing new heights.

The key to their newfound appeal lies not only in improved product quality but also in the cutting-edge hardware embedded within their motorcycles. While these manufacturers once depended on strategic brand partnerships for technological advancements, they have now emerged as independent innovators.

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The Gilera brand, part of the Piaggio Group, has a rich history but has been somewhat overlooked compared to its sister companies like Moto Guzzi and Aprilia. However, there’s a new effort to revive Gilera in China through a joint venture with Zongshen Piaggio Foshan. This collaboration aims to bring back the Gilera name on a range of motorcycles.

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