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

Why Shell Stations Are Fast Becoming The Preferred Meeting Place For Malaysian Bikers

Petrol stations have traditionally been a stop and go destination. A place where you get fuel for your vehicle, probably buy a drink and a snack and leave. This is usually a 10 to 15-minute process. Why would anyone hang around at a petrol station?

But the entire petrol station experience is changing fast, and Shell Malaysia is leading the way. How? Through an initiative called the Shell Advance MotoCare Express or SAMCE for short (pronounced as SAM-SI).

Shell stations are fast transforming from places where you pump petrol, get a drink, have a ready-to-eat meal, purchase snacks/confectionaries, stock up on groceries, and everything you will need to start your day or that weekend ride with your riding friends.

You read that right. Selected Shell stations will now offer servicing options (lubricant and filter change) for your motorcycle. The objective is to get your bike serviced quickly without having to make an appointment at an affordable price. This is perfect for those of us who are always waiting for that one riding buddy who is always ‘on the way’ yet shows up an hour late. With SAMCE, you can get your lubricant changed quickly while waiting for that ‘always late friend.

This also gives you peace of mind because you don’t have to worry about fake lubricants. You can read about it here (https://www.bikesrepublic.com/featured/shell-malaysia-collaborates-with-malaysian-enforcement-agencies-to-combat-counterfeits/).

So far, there are 26 SAMCE sites across the country with more to come (you can view the complete list of SAMCE stations here) (https://www.shell.com.my/motorists/promotions/extra-rewards-motorcyclists.html).

As to what type of bikes can be serviced at SAMCE, the service centre accepts all kinds of bikes, including but not limited to bigger cc bikes. The process of an oil change will be the same, be it Kapcais or big bikes. And the basic 5 points check during an oil change is also applicable for big bikes. However, if the customer’s bike is still under warranty, they will need to send it to the relevant OEM for servicing, even if it’s Kapcais. Bikes out of warranty are welcomed for an oil change at SAMCE with the 5 points complementary check.

Of course, there would always be a concern about the mechanic’s skill that is carrying out the services. Shell highlights that the mechanics are properly trained to ensure oil change is carried out properly and professionally. And quite honestly, it is quite difficult to mess up something as simple as an oil change. Even so, it is comforting to know that the person working on your pride and joy knows what he is doing and is properly trained to do so.

The SAMCE initiative also perfectly addresses the age-old concern among Malaysian motorcyclists about fake engine oils. Since you’re buying directly from a Shell vendor, there is no worry about fake engine oils. On that note, even the disposal of your used engine oil is taken care of in a proper manner. Rather than simply pouring it down a drain, which is very illegal by the way and you should call the Department of Environment if you ever see your mechanic doing that, the SAMCE operators will dispose of your used engine oil by sending it to an official oil disposal site or a recycling site.

So, here comes the big question then – why should you even bother servicing your motorcycles at a Shell station when you are on a first-name basis with your mechanic?

Convenience and affordable price aside, there’s also points to be gathered and attractive prizes to be won.

Drinks and snacks are always necessary when going about your day or going for a ride with your friends. And that is exactly what you will get when you service your bike at the SAMCE.

All you have to do is buy a Shell Advance Moto Oil Synthetic Range, change your lubricant at the SAMCE, spend a minimum of RM10 at Shell Select, which is the shop located at every Shell station, and you will receive 500 BonusLink points (terms and conditions apply).

You can then redeem these points for a drink or a snack at Shell Select. A regular coke costs just 150 points, a Nescafe Tarik costs 200 points, and a Shell Select Keropok Ikan costs 200 points.

Or you can save the points and get drinks and snacks for the entire family later on.

Petrol stations are fast becoming more than just a regular fuel stop, and Shell is leading the way by not just providing fuel but also proper maintenance for your motorcycle.

For more information on Shell Advance motorcycle lubricants and SAMCE, click here. (https://www.shell.com.my/motorists/oils-lubricants/advance-for-motorcycles.html)

Revived Italian Volt To Roll Out First Production Unit In Q1 2022 – 147HP, 199Nm

Italian Volt gained attention when it first unveiled the Lacama electric motorcycle concept back in 2017.

However, the electric motorcycle startup wasn’t able to get it going for more than four years despite running numerous design studies and prototype tests of the Lacama.

Nevertheless, following Tazzari EV’s acquisition in January this year, the Italian Volt Lacama project is back on track after displaying the bike at EICMA 2021.

Interestingly, despite running late a few years into the game, the Lacama still boast a 15.1kWh capable of reaching 201km range in a single charge.

The Lacama makes 147.5hp and 199Nm from its liquid-cooled electric motor and capable of a reaching a max speed of 200km/h.

Meanwhile, handling and stopping power is handled by top-spec Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes.

While the specs sound exciting, the Lacama might come with a staggering price tag as the 2017 concept was priced at USD38,000 (RM159k).

FIRST LOOK: Royal Enfield SG650 Concept

Royal Enfield is finally stepping into the futuristic era with the SG650 Concept after deftly toed the line between modern and retro.

Presented at EICMA 2021, the Royal Enfield SG650 Concept represents the company bold move into the future.

“We are a company in transition.

“To celebrate this, we wanted to develop a project that really gave our design team an opportunity to stretch themselves creatively,” said Royal Enfield Chief of Design, Mark Wells.

The SG650 Concept combines a cruiser-like motorcycle with a cyberpunk element while running on the iconic 648cc parallel-twin engine.

The concept bike features an aluminium headlight nacelle, an inverted fork, low-rise handlebars, and aluminium switches.

Nevertheless, the SG650 Concept clearly borrows design cues from the 650 Twins (Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650).

We expect Royal Enfield to introduce a production version of the SG650 Concept in a few years to come.

2022 MV Agusta Superveloce Ago Voted Most Beautiful Bike At EICMA

MV Agusta latest motorcycle, the 2022 Superveloce Ago voted as the “Most Beautiful Bike Of The Show” at EICMA.

The Superveloce Ago took home the top prize after collected of 47.2% of the votes from a total of 12,567 attendees.

Meanwhile, Aprilia’s latest ADV bike, the Tuareg 660 came second with 19% followed by Moto Morini X-Cape at 3rd place with 7.9%.

The award was presented to MV Agusta during the last day of EICMA in the presence of Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta, Pietro Meda and Paolo Magri, President and Managing Director of EICMA and Federico Aliverti editor-in-chief and Paolo Patruno Managing Director of Motociclismo.

“The best bike of the show is another great award for us, and further recognition of all the energy and the resources MV Agusta is consistently putting in the development of new products.

“Winning this award for the sixth time is a cause of great satisfaction for all of us. I would like to dedicate it to all MV Agusta employees, who put incredible passion in their everyday work,” said Sardarov.

The MV Agusta Superveloce Ago is a limited edition motorcycle built to pay homage to Giacomi Agostini. With a limited run of just 311 units, every bike is numbered and signed by Agostini personally.

BSA To Make Grand Comeback In December

The news broke last week that the British marquee is set to make an official comeback to motorcycle manufacturing.

The Mahindra-owned company will be making its first appearance in December at the Motorcycle Live event in the UK.

Apart from the official comeback, BSA has confirmed that the company will also unveil a new production model which was previously caught undergoing testing last week.

“Over 100 years since the first BSA motorcycle hit the road, BSA is back – and the stage is set at Motorcycle Live for us to showcase our new motorcycle for the first time, as well as paying homage to the models that stamped an indelible mark on the world of motorcycling,” said BSA in a statement.

Mahindra bought the global rights to BSA in 2016 and has also brought back two defunct motorcycle brands, Jawa and Yezdi.

New SYM Maxi-Scooter Promises More Power – 26HP, 26Nm

Taiwanese scooter manufacturer, SYM Motors has expanded its product range with the new 2022 SYM Joyride 300.

The new Joyride 300 is the company latest response to the growing demand for maxi-scooter around the world.

According to SYM, the new model combines compactness, agility, safety and convenience making it the ideal choice for customers wanting a flat floor cruiser.

Interestingly, the Joyride 300 will replace the outgoing EVO 200.