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

UK Motorcycle Group Wants The Government To Prove That Self-Driving Cars Are Safe For Bikers

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is demanding the UK government to show proof that self-driving cars is safe for motorcyclist in the country.

UK wants to fully allow self-driving vehicles on UK roads by 2025.
MAG demands a solid evidence that self-driving cars are safe for riders.

MAG believes that self-driving vehicles present a dangerous threat to riders if they are allowed on the road.

The UK government plans to fully allow self-driving vehicles to be on UK roads by 2025 as announced last week.

However, MAG is concerned that the safety of riders is not put into consideration during the decision making process.

“It is a source of great concern that – once again – the interests of motorcyclists are an afterthought.

“Years of development of these systems have not taken sufficient care of motorcyclists’ interests. Whilst the elimination of driver error may be a laudable goal, it is of no interest if that error is simply replaced by automatic incompetence.

“We will be holding the Government and authorities to account and demanding to see genuine evidence that these vehicles will not place riders at higher risk than human drivers do.

“Given that independent testing is yet to commence, I find it hard to understand how the [Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps] can be so confident that the roll-out is sensible at this time,” said MAG.

Based on a research conducted by the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) in 2016, self-driving cars struggled to adapt when there is a motorcycle riding close to the edge of their lane. The driver had to take control of the car to avoid contact.

(source: Visordown)

Nigeria To Impose Ban On The Use And Sale Of Motorcycles

Nigeria’s government is considering imposing a ban on the sale and use of motorcycles across the nation.

The ban is part of an effort to hamper terrorist group movement in the country.
Motorcycles is the primary mode of transportation for bandits in Nigeria.

In an unusual development, the government’s ban on motorcycles is an effort to stop terror attacks.

According to Nigeria’s Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, motorcycles is currently the primary mode of transportation used by the terrorist group in the country.

The banning would immediately hamper the group logistics.

“Placing a ban on the use of motorcycles and mining activities will cut the supply of logistics to the terrorists.

“This will be done in the national interest. We are Nigerians because Nigeria as a country exists and any issue that will translate into a threat to national security or the corporate existence of the country requires certain sacrifices,” he said.

According to reports, members of the terrorist group known as ‘bandits’ mainly use motorcycles to carry out their activities, including killings and kidnapping.

Just last week, Governor Bello Mattawale of Zamfara State announced a curfew for motorcycles in the town of Gusau.

He also directed his security personnel to shoot on sight anyone caught riding a motorcycle between 8 pm to 6 am.

While the nationwide ban is still under consideration, it would certainly have huge implications, especially for the majority of its population that depends on two-wheelers as a mode of transportation to go on their daily lives.

Nigeria is currently the world’s sixth most populated country, with an annual motorcycle sales figure of more than 500,000.

2023 KTM 200 DUKE Spotted Testing In India

KTM could introduce the next generation KTM 200 Duke as the motorcycle was recently spotted testing in India.

The next-gen KTM 200 Duke to feature revised bodywork.
Features a more prominent LCD display.

The next-gen 200 Duke should retain the same 199.5cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that makes 25.4hp and 19.5Nm.

However, KTM could likely implement minor tweaks to the engine without necessarily changing the power output.

Looking at the spy shot, it is clear that the new 200 Duke features a more aggressive silhouette with the addition of a full-LED split headlight and a new bodywork. We also noticed slight changes done to the subframe.

While the front USD forks appear similar to the current model, the monoshock is now offset. Also, the brake disc appears bigger, with the rims sharing similarities with the new RC 390.

In addition, the test mule is also fitted with a larger fully-digital LCD instrument cluster.

No words on when we could expect the new KTM 200 Duke to make its global introduction, but the announcement will likely be made soon.

Upcoming Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 To Feature Alloy Wheels

It looks like Royal Enfield is set to introduced alloy wheels to its Continental 650 GT motorcycle after the test mule was spotted recently in India.

The new alloy rims appears to be same 18-inch size as the current motorcycle.
Announcement to be made soon.

The alloy rims feature on the test mule sport a 7-spoke design and is likely to be same size as the 18” spoke wheels on the current Continental.

Also, this could mean that the Continental GT 650 will get tubeless tyres, as opposed to the current model.

That said, we expect that the 650 twin, the Interceptor 650 will also get the same update, which is likely to happen in the coming months.

Interestingly, the spy shot (which you can check out HERE) also revealed that the Continental GT 650 is fitted with a new round taillamp, replacing the rectangular unit found in the current model.

Looking at how RE not bother to cover the test mule with the usual camo paintjob, it is safe to assume the motorcycle compay will announced the minor upgrade soon.

(source: autocar)

Austrian GP: Bagnaia Claims First Three-Consecutive MotoGP Victory

Francesco Bagnaia ties Casey Stoner’s record as the only Ducati rider to win three MotoGP races in a row after claiming his fifth win of the season at the Red Bull Ring.

The Italian led into turn one after passing Gresini’s Enea Bastianini who started at pole position.

Keen to make a factory Ducati 1-2, Jack Miller went in front of Bastianini at Turn 3.

Bastianini lost another spot to Pramac’s Jorge Martin before retiring with the team confirmed that the Italian suffered a deflating front tyre.

Meanwhile, reigning champion, Fabio Quartararo begin to close in on Bagnaia, Miller and Martin.

Martin made a mistake after running wide on lap 17 and allow Quartararo to pass.

The Frenchman then produced the best overtaking of the season – at Turn 2(a)-Turn 2(b) – to grab second placed ahead of Miller.

However, the late charge from the world champion was not enough as Bagnaia managed to hold off Quartararo by half a second.

Meanwhile, Quartararo continue to lead the championship with 200 points, 32 points ahead of Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro while race winner Bagnaia sits third with 156 points.

MotoGP will be back in action in September at the iconic Misano circuit, the home of Ducati.

Race results:

Francesco BAGNAIA
Fabio QUARTARARO
Jack MILLER
Luca MARINI
Johann ZARCO
Aleix ESPARGARO
Brad BINDER
Alex RINS
Marco BEZZECCHI
Jorge MARTIN
Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO
Miguel OLIVEIRA
Maverick VIÑALES
Alex MARQUEZ
Andrea DOVIZIOSO
Pol ESPARGARO
Stefan BRADL
Raul FERNANDEZ
Lorenzo SAVADORI
Remy GARDNER

HLYM Previews Yamaha E01 Electric Scooter – 8.1kW, 100km Max Range

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) has officially showcased the Japanese motorcycle company first electric motorcycle, the E01.

It features a 4.9kWh lithium-ion battery and electric motor setup with 10.8HP and 30.2NM.
Yamaha claims a maximum range of at least 100KM and ability to hit speeds of 100KM/H.

The electric two-wheeler made its global appearance in January 2022 and was confirmed to make its way to Malaysia after the country was among the few selected to test out the motorcycle.

That said, Yamaha has already tested the E01 in Europe and Japan.

Nevertheless, we were given the opportunity to take a closer look at the E01 at the recently concluded Yamaha GenBlue Carnival, in Pantai Teluk Batik, Perak.

Notably, the Yamaha E01 sports proportions and dimensions similar to that of the Yamaha NMax scooter. But instead of a 155cc VVA-equipped single-cylinder and CVT box setup, the E01 features a that, according to Yamaha, is capable of generating 8.1kW (10.8HP) @ 5,000RPM and 30.2NM @ 1,950RPM.

Furthermore, the Yamaha E01 also offers a decent level of daily practicality thanks to the presence of a sizeable 23-litre under-seat storage bin.

Critically, as an urban scooter, the Yamaha E01 promises a maximum travel range of up to 100KM at least plus whilst also reaching speeds of 105km/h too.

As for charging, there are three options available:

Conventional charger (home) – 6 hours to full
Fast charger (distributor) – 1 hour to 80 percent
Portable charger – 13 hours to full

Pricing and availability of the Yamaha E01 is yet to be announce but it is understood that the new electric motorcycle will be priced similar to Yamaha’s XMax 250 scooter.