The Kazakhstan MotoGP has been postponed due to heavy flooding in the country.
A freak weather system had caused unprecedented flooding across Central Asia, while Kazakhstan was particularly heavily affected by flash flood in many parts of the country. Reports state that some 119,000 people were evacuated from the affected areas. Seven souls were lost due to the disaster.
As such, the FIM, IRTA, and Dorna Sports felt that it would be irresponsible and insensitive to carry on with the MotoGP round slated for 16 June 2024. “As our utmost priority, MotoGP sends our condolences and support to the people of Kazakhstan and all those affected by the flooding in Central Asia. We hope the nation, region and communities affected can recover as soon as possible.”
The organisations have not revealed the substitute track, nor when they will return to the Kazakhstan MotoGP.
It was due to be the Sokol International Racetrack’s debut in the world of MotoGP. The 4.495km circuit was designed by the same engineer and circuit designer, Hermann Tilke, who had also designed many new circuits globally, including the Sepang International Circuit. Sokol had hosted many international racing events and has many events for this year.
We have saved the best for last, and it is the 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke R which was also launched in Malaysia.
One can only use superlatives to describe the bike, being the most bonkers among the Orange Team. It still deserves “The Beast” moniker despite not holding the title of the most powerful supernaked. This is one serious motorcycle that will leave your brain struggling to catch up after you have whacked the throttle fully open.
In any sense, the 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke R represents the apex of 30 years of the Duke, hence getting a total revamp.
Highlights of the 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke R
The LC8 V-Twin engine’s capacity gets bumped up from 1301cc to 1350cc.
New camshafts, along with 4mm bigger throttle bodies kick maximum power to 190 hp at 10,000 RPM and 145 Nm of torque, from 177 hp and 140 Nm.
The frame was tweaked for better stiffness and flex characteristics by using thicker diameter tubes but with a thinner wall.
Up front are 48mm WP APEX Open Cartridge forks with full adjustability.
At the back is a WP APEX monoshock with separate oil and gas reservoirs, and also fully adjustable.
Front brakes consists of Brembo MCS master cylinder, with twin 320mm floating discs, and twin Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers.
New, 5-inch bonded glass TFT screen, which provides access to ride modes and the connectivity suite.
There are 3 standard ride modes, namely SPORT, STREET, and RAIN.
There are 2 optional ride modes: TRACK and PERFORMANCE.
The most apparent update is the bike’s styling, which the 990 Duke also shares.
Centred around a new headlamp cluster, the bike is made to look even more masculine, even beastlier than before.
The DRL and headlamp’s intensity varies automatically according to ambient light.
The new bodywork also allowed a 1.5-litre increase in fuel capacity, now totalling 17.5 litres.
KTM quoted the bike’s dry weight at 200.5 kg
The recommended selling price for the 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke R is from RM 151,300 (not on the road).
The 2024 Yamaha MT-15 is offered in two new colours.
Just like its bigger 2024 Yamaha MT-25 brethren, the two new colours are called Midnight Black, and Midnight Cyan. It goes to show how production is streamlined by sharing the same colours for two models.
The Yamaha MT-15 is another of Yamaha’s popular motorcycles hence its ubiquity on Malaysian roads. It serves as the replacement for the FZ150, by going one up in the performance and styling aspects.
Speaking of performance, the MT-15 is powered by the 155cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-valve engine shared with the NVX scooter and Y16ZR. Its main feature is the variable valve actuation (VVA) which ensures good low-end and midrange torque with high maximum horsepower.
Other aspects of the 2024 Yamaha MT-15 remains the same such as the 10-litre fuel tank, and 133kg weight.
The recommended retail price is RM 12,498, excluding registration fees and insurance. As usual, buyers will receive an exclusive Yamaha disc lock worth RM 100.
Another Yamaha motorcycle to receive a cosmetic makeover is the 2024 Yamaha MT-25, now with two new colours.
The MT-25 is another popular Yamaha model in Malaysia and can be seen almost everywhere. Along with the Y15ZR, one MT-25 will flash by every few minutes or so. So much so that it almost seems as if the MT-25 is the sole 250cc naked motorcycle on our roads!
Owners cite the bike’s futuristic design, which draws inspiration from its bigger MT-09 cousin, such as the multi-faceted headlamp unit that looks not unlike a Transformer’s face. Besides that is the midrange-heavy engine for easy riding and brisk roll-on acceleration.
Apart from the new colourways, all other aspects of the 2024 Yamaha MT-25 remains completely unchanged. The engine, frame, rear bodywork, right down to the wheels and tyres are shared with the fully-faired YZF-R5. As such, the now-familiar 249cc, parallel-twin, DOHC, liquid-cooled engine still produces 35.4 hp (26 kW) at 12,000 RPM and 22.6 Nm at 10,000 RPM. As we mentioned earlier, this engine has never been about peak power, but emphasises tractability and smooth throttle response.
The two new colours are Midnight Black, in addition to Midnight Cyan. The recommended selling price is RM 23,998, without registration fees and insurance.
As usual, buyers will receive an exclusive Yamaha disc lock worth RM 100.
Ducati kicked off their global event #WeRideAsOne to unite Ducati riders around the world, yesterday (6 May 2024). The Italian manufacturer called it the event which brings together the global community to celebrate the pride of belonging to the big Borgo Panigale family.
This year’s event was the third edition which served as the warm up for the even bigger World Ducati Week event, which is scheduled from 26th to 28th at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli.”
Official Ducati dealers around the world helped to put together #WeRideAsOne in collaboration with 347 official Ducati clubs. Each dealer created unique itineraries for each city to “guarantee an experience full of fun and in true Ducati style.”
This bore fruit as more than 18,000 Ducatisti from 50 countries participated. Some countries took to the track, while some went off-road, others went for a relaxing ride, but all celebrated the passion for Ducati.
horizons, from off-road adventurers to those who prefer more relaxing routes, the goal was only one: to celebrate and share the same passion for the Bologna-based manufacturer!
Once again this year, the long Ducati and Scrambler Ducati parade coloured the most emblematic places on the planet, leaving an indelible mark on every road travelled. Ecuador, New York, Palermo, as well as Glasgow, Warsaw, Rio de Janeiro, Hawaii, Ningbo, Medellín, Mexico City, Auckland, and New Delhi: these are just some of the cities that were the setting for the unique parade and which experienced the magic of #WeRideAsOne, a truly world-class event.
Ecuador
Ducati documented the activities that took place all over the world in real time, sharing photos and videos sent directly from the participants in stories in their official Instagram channel.
Ducati is the only motorcycle brand in the world to offer an international event of this size.In fact, since its very first edition, #WeRideAsOne has established itself as a unique format of its kind, becoming a fixed appointment in the Italian motorcycle manufacturer’s calendar and all enthusiasts for every first Saturday in May.
The event fully embodies Ducati’s mission to offer unforgettable experiences to all enthusiasts, combining fun on two wheels with stunning locations and conveying a sense of belonging to a vast community that embraces Ducatisti, Ducati Official Clubs, Dealers and Company employees. What distinguishes #WeRideAsOne is the ability to overcome geographical borders and, on the same day, make all enthusiasts feel part of the same big family, regardless of the city they are in or the time zone.
More Team Orange news: The much awaited 2024 KTM 990 Duke has arrived in Malaysia.
The “990 Duke” name is hallowed among long-time KTM fans, as it was the previous edition that unleashed KTM’s propensity for making bonkers naked bikes, paving the way for the beastly 1290 Super Duke.
So, although the 990 shares some of the underpinnings of the midrange Dukes, it is much closer to the big boss 1390 Duke.
Highlights of the 2024 KTM 990 Duke
The most eye-catching feature is the new styling, of course, which we admit splits opinion.
That light cluster is functional, nonetheless: The headlights adjust automatically to ambient lighting, flanked by DRLs.
The engine is the now-ubiquitous LC8c parallel-twin much like the ones on the 790 Duke and 890 Duke R.
However, the 990’s 947cc LC8c features new pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft, plus more aggressive cam profiles.
Coupled to a new exhaust system, the engine does 123 hp at 9,500 RPM and 103 Nm of torque at 6,750 RPM.
That power is sent through a six-speed transmission and the usual PASC clutch.
The powerplant is housed in a new steel trellis frame, while the subframe is aluminium and bolted-on.
Suspension is what else but WP, since the brand is owned by KTM. Up front are WP Apex 43 mm diameter upside-down forks with five levels of compression and rebound adjustments.
At the back is a WP Apex Monotube monoshock with a lighter spring, 10 levels of preload, and 5 levels of rebound damping adjustments.
The front brake system consists of dual 300mm lightweight discs, serviced by four-piston calipers.
The rear brake has a two-piston caliper and 240mm disc.
Cornering ABS is standard, of course, utilising the Bosch 9.3 MP system.
As usual, a ride-by-wire throttle enables riding aids, such as three traction control and three ride modes, while TRACK and PERFORMANCE modes are optional.
TRACK mode, as the name suggests allow for the rider to control levels of rider aid, besides activating launch control.
PERFORMANCE adds cruise control and Bluetooth connectivity.
There is a new 5-inch TFT-LCD screen.
KTM claims the bike weighs a lithe 179 kg wet, with 14.8 litres of fuel.
