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The 2022 GIVI Rimba Raid witnessed hundreds of off-road capable motorcycle racing against one another at the Taman Negara, Kuala Tahan, Pahang, last weekend.

  • Fantic Motor to be distributed in Malaysia by Fantic Motor Malaysia.
  • The Fantic Caballero 500 Rally managed to secured a fourth place finished in Class C – DP Rally. 

Out of 223 participants, only a handful managed to cross the finish line, including a 500cc scrambler from Italy.

That particular motorcycle is Fantic Motor’s latest bike, the Caballero 500 Rally.

*Hazim Hayazi clocked the fourth fastest time in Class C – DP Rally onboard the Fantic Caballero 500 Rally.

From what we could gather, the appearance of Fantic’s Caballero 500 Rally is not purely for racing purposes; instead, the brand is using Rimba Raid as a platform to test the capabilities of the new motorcycle.

This is because Fantic Motor is coming to Malaysia under the newly established Fantic Motor Malaysia. 

While information is still scarce, we believe that AFY Mobility Industries Sdn Bhd (AMI) is the responsible party in bringing the Italian brand to Malaysia.

Fantic Motor has various motorcycles under its wing, ranging from 125cc up to 500cc. The Caballero 500 has four variants, including Rally, Explorer, Flat and Scrambler.

 

Powering the Caballero 500 Rally is a 449cc single-cylinder engine capable of producing 40hp and 42Nm.

While the new development is exciting for the Malaysian motorcycle market, further details can only be confirmed by Fantic Motor Malaysia. Nevertheless, we expect an official announcement to be made soon. 

AMI was also recently announced as the official distributor of MV Agusta in Malaysia, with the company set to assemble the Italian firm’s motorcycle in the country. 

India and Kazakhstan will make their debut on the MotoGP calendar in 2023. 

  • India and Kazakhstan announced as host for the 2023 MotoGP season.
  • Buddh International Circuit and Sokol International Racetrack selected as the 2023 host. 

India to host the world’s biggest two-wheel event at the Buddh International Circuit while Kazakhstan to begin their new five-year deal at the stunning Sokol International Racetrack.

Located just outside Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, Sokol is a brand new motorsport complex constructed in the heart of Central Asia.

Meanwhile, with over 200 million motorcycles on its roads, India is the perfect venue to host MotoGP as the Grand Prix of Bharat.

The new circuit is located in Uttar Pradesh to the south of New Delhi. The location is strategic as it allows for more access for the fans in the country. 

“We’re very proud to announce that Buddh International Circuit will be on the 2023 calendar. 

“We have a lot of fans in India and we’re excited to be able to bring the sport to them. 

“India is also a key market for the motorcycle industry and therefore, by extension, for MotoGP as the pinnacle of the two-wheeled world. 

“We very much look forward to racing at Buddh International Circuit and can’t wait to welcome the fans through the gates to see this incredible sport in person,” said Dorna CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta.

Ducati has revealed three new motorcycles since the start of the 2023 Ducati World Premiere thus far. 

  • Latest VIN decoder reveals a new single-cylinder motorcycle on its way from Ducati.
  • The 659cc single could be the final piece of Ducati’s 2023 World Premiere. 

The 2023 DWP kicked off with the Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini, followed by the new top-of-the-range Monster SP and, recently, the new Multistrada V4 Rally.

So far, we know that an all-new Ducati Diavel V4 is on its way, along with a new Scrambler and Panigale V4 R. That alone completes six out of seven DWP web series. 

While most of the bikes launched are already known to us beforehand, Ducati might have something up its sleeve for the final episode. Thanks to latest reports by Motorcycle.com, we now know for sure Ducati plans to unveil an all-new single. 

On September 22, 2022, Ducati renewed a vehicle identification number (VIN) document at the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

That particular document revealed a liquid-cooled, four-valve, 659cc single-cylinder engine. While a single-cylinder Ducati powertrain sounds alien to some of us, the Borgo Panigale factory is no stranger to a single-cylinder machine. 

In fact, Ducati’s Scrambler of the ’60s and ‘70s runs on a single-cylinder thumper.

Also, the ultra-limited Ducati Supermono manufactured in the ‘90s features a 500cc single capable of generating 75hp @ 10,000rpm. 

The question is, what kind of motorcycles could use the new 659cc single? While it is likely to power a new scrambler-type bike, it could also signal new entry-level two-wheelers from the Italian firm. 

There’s one way to find out, and that is to keep your eyes on the upcoming episodes of the 2023 Ducati World Premiere. 

(source: Motorcycle.com)

BMW Motorrad has officially announced the new 2023 BMW S 1000 RR. 

  • 2023 BMW S 1000 RR gains major styling updates including M 1000 RR-inspired winglets.
  • New for 2023 includes revised electronic package and higher horsepower. 

The most notable change in the 2023 model year is the appearance of the M 1000 RR-inspired winglets at the front. According to BMW, the winglet adds up to 10kg of downforce at high speed.

Although the winglets are not as big as the M 1000 RR, which contribute to 16kg of front-end downforce, the new piece puts the 2023 S 1000 RR on par with the rest of the litre bike in its segment.

However, the 2023 S 1000 RR not only features styling updates and a lot of changes underneath the skin, including a revised chassis and a tweaked engine.

Despite retaining the same frame from the previous generation, BMW claimed that 2023MY allows for more flex due to adding more holes in the die-cast alloy frame. 

Also new for 2023 is the steering-head angle, now sitting at 23.6 degrees rather than 23.1 degrees. The wheelbase is now longer, from 56.7-inches to 57.4-inch.

Interestingly, BMW’s adjustable swingarm pivot, previously available on the M Chassis Kit, is now standard on the new S 1000 RR. 

BMW also added a new height-adjustable linkage for the rear shock and revised the wheel bushings and brake to allow for a faster tire change. 

Other changes include a bigger rear sprocket (up from 45 to 46) that helps to improve acceleration, a new airbox and shortened variable-height intake funnels, all taken from the M 1000 RR. 

Meanwhile, thanks to a revised 999cc ShiftCam four-cylinder engine, the 2023 S 1000 RR now makes 207hp @ 13,750rpm and 112Nm @ 11,000rpm. 

Electronically, BMW adds a Slide Control function to the existing traction-control system that estimates the bike’s drift angle after reading the information from the new steering-angle sensor. 

In addition, the 2023 S 1000 RR also features a Brake Slide Control function that allows the rear wheel to push out a step further under braking. 

For track junkies, BMW adds a new Slick setting for the ABS that works specifically when the bike is fitted with race tires.

Other key features include:

  • lightweight battery
  • UBS port
  • redesigned wiring harness
  • updated Shift Assistant Pro quickshifter

Meanwhile, thanks to the upgrade mentioned above, expect a significant price hike over its predecessor. 

Ducati has just unleashed the new Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally for 2023.

  • The 2023 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally features a new adaptive ride height function similar to the Harley-Davidson Pan America.
  • Equipped with longer suspension travel and a bigger fuel tank. 

Set to go head to head with BMW’s R 1250 GS Adventure and Triumph’s Tiger 1200 Explorer range, the Multistrada V4 Rally gets more range, better off-road capability and improved comfort.

However, the new variant is born for dirt, as the name suggests. 

New for 2023 is a longer suspension travel that now sits at 200mm, an increase of 30mm. 

In addition, the top-spec semi-active Showa Skyhook suspension also features self-levelling ability. 

Ducati also added a new power mode on the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally that allows for a better riding experience for extreme off-roading. 

The new Enduro Riding Mode reduced the power to just 114hp and adjusted the traction control switches to a lower intervention level. Wheelie control and rear-wheel ABS are also deactivated to adapt to off-road riding. 

However, peak power and torque remains at 170hp @ 10,500 rpm and 125Nm @ 8,750rpm.

The new Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally also comes with spoked wheels as standard, a feature that is an option on the V4 S.

Coming on to the best bits, the new Multistrada V4 Rally is slapped with a massive 30L fuel tank, pushing the bike’s range to about 370 kilometres. 

According to Ducati, the Granturismo V4 engine now features rear cylinder deactivation that’s not only operates during a standstill but also while riding gently. The new feature can help to boost the bike’s fuel economy.

Also new on the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally is the introduction of an adaptive ride height function similar to the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250.

The suspension will lower the bike’s height when the ignition is turned on, making it easier to get on and off the motorcycle. 

Spy shots from the next generation Yamaha Tracer 9 GT was circulated online in July and showcased the sports tourer getting a major upgrade.

  • 2023 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT to feature radar-assisted cruise control.
  • Patents confirmed the radar unit to sit between the front headlight. 

Reports from reputable media at the time, including CycleWorld indicates that the Tracer 9 GT will feature radar sensor technology. 

However, latest development has confirmed that the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is getting the  radar technology according to a new patent.

That said, this suggest that the Tracer would become the most affordable (or least expensive) motorcycle to feature the fancy radar-assisted adaptive cruise control and emergency braking systems.

More importantly, Yamaha did a great job to hide the ugly electronic unit as opposed to the Ducati’s Multistrada V4, KTM’s 1290 Super Adventure S and BMW’s R 1250 RT.

Based on the patent, the radar unit can be seen nestled between the Tracer 9 GT’s lower headlights.

Also, Yamaha fitted a thin cover in front of the hardware to ensure better protection from mud, gravel, water or insects from hitting the sensor directly.

In addition, if the thin cover is scratched or chipped, it can be cheaply replaced. 

Yamaha is likely to introduced the new technology to the 2023 Tracer 9 GT.  

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