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

2022 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Breaks Cover – With Öhlins Semi-Active Suspension

The V100 Mandello is not just another new motorcycle coming from Moto Guzzi, it also represents the brand bold move into the 21st century.

This is due to the fact that the V100 is the first production motorcycle to feature semi-active suspension, 6-axis IMU, cornering ABS, quickshifter and a liquid-cooled engine.

Basically, it is the first Moto Guzzi with everything modern and we are surprised that the V100 Mandello even has an adaptive aerodynamics package.

Nevertheless, as a sport-touring machine, the V100 Mandello still sport the classic element of a Moto Guzzi.

The V100 Mandello makes 115hp and 105Nm @ 3,500rpm from its 1,042cc transverse 90-degree V-Twin engine. The engine is also 103mm shorter than the V85 TT platform.

Thanks to a lower positioning of the drive shaft, the V100 Mandello offers a smooth ride during accelerating and decelerating on par to a bike with a chain drive.

It also features a 17.5L fuel tank and a large saddle comfortable for riders and pillion.

However, to increase comfort, the V100 is equipped with adaptive air deflectors located at the front fairing which extend to different degrees depending on the riding mode and bike speed.

According to Moto Guzzi, air deflectors can reduce wind disturbance up to 22%.

Moving on to the best bits, the V100 gets Öhlins semi-active suspension, traction control, three engine maps, and three engine braking that can be accessed via a 5″ TFT display.

The higher-spec V100 Mandello also features a quickshifter, heated grips, Moto Guzzi multimedia package and a smartphone connector.

FIRST LOOK: 2022 Honda ADV 350

Following the success of the Honda X-ADV 750 and ADV 150, the Japanese firm decided to expand the adventure scooter range with the 2022 ADV 350.

While waiting for the new ADV-ish scooter to make its way to Malaysia, let’s check out what the new motorcycle has to offer.

The ADV 350 makes 29.2hp and 31.5Nm thanks to the 330cc single-cylinder eSP engine and mated to a fully automatic CVT transmission.

It also features Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) that helps the rear wheel from breaking traction during acceleration.

Despite coming with a Showa 37mm inverted front fork, it is non-adjustable however the twin Showa piggyback offers spring-preload adjustment.

With an 11.7L fuel tank, Honda claimed the Italian-designed ADV 350 can take you up to 320 kilometres making it the best scooter for daily and touring purposes.

The ADV 350 also comes with a 15-inch front wheel and 14-inch at the rear combined with a dual-purpose tyre.

However, with just 5.7″ of ground clearance, we suggest that it can only tackle light off-road.

Other interesting features include:

adjustable windscreen
48L under-seat storage capable of fitting two full-face helmet
digital LCD dash with smartphone connectivity
USB Type-C port in the glovebox
dual-channel ABS

Yamaha Tracer 9 GT Price Announced – RM69,498

One month after unveiling the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) has finally announced the official price for the sports-tourer motorcycle.

Like the new 2021 MT-09, these Tracer 9 GT feature a new engine, electronics, and exterior design. In other words, it’s a completely new sports-tourer.

Starting with the engine, the 2021 Tracer 9 GT come with the same 890cc CP3 inline-three engine that was introduced earlier for the new MT-09.

Compared to the previous Tracer 900, this new engine features a longer stroke by 3mm, which upgrades its power output from 114hp to 117hp.

This new engine, although bigger in capacity, is actually more compact and lighter than the previous model. Housed within a new CF die-cast aluminium Deltabox chassis, the new Tracer 9 GT is said to be lighter and more agile than its predecessor. It’s also further refined with a new slipper/assist clutch and longer swingarm.

Also similar to the new MT-09 is the addition of a six-axis IMU plus lean-sensitive rider aids developed from the brand’s top-of-the-range superbike, the R1M. We’re talking three-mode Traction Control System, Slide Control System, Front Wheel Lift, Brake Control, and more.

For the styling department, the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is now more aerodynamic which offers one hell of a sexy look plus wind-cutting performance that allows for longer distance riding when paired with its 19-litre fuel tank. Fully fuelled, this baby can travel over 350km without having to stop to refuel.

As a sport-tourer, this bike is expected to be able to carry a lot of cargo. With that being said, it comes with a full three-bag luggage capability. Other features include all-LED lights, twin 3.5-inch TFT screens, lightweight SpinForged wheels, fully-adjustable 41mm USD forks, and an adjustable seat.

The 2021 Tracer 9 GT gets you a host of features which includes:

KYB semi-active suspension
Hard side cases
Up and down Quick Shift System
LED cornering lights
Dedicated colours and graphics
Grip heaters

The 2021 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT are now available in Malaysia for a price of RM69,498.

2022 MV Agusta Adventure Motorcycle Breaks Cover

MV Agusta has officially announced its intention of diving into the adventure-bike scene with the introduction of two near-production prototypes at EICMA.

The Italian brand latest ADV bike comes in two variants, the Lucky Explorer 9.5 and Lucky Explorer 5.5.

Despite MV Agusta yet to reveal any production date, reports suggest that the Lucky Explorer will be 2022 models.

Meanwhile, the larger Lucky Explorer 9.5 features a new 931cc 3-cylinder powerplant derived from MV’s 800cc range, while the Lucky Explorer 5.5 was born from the Italian firm partnership with a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Qianjiang Motorcycle, the owner of Benelli and QJ Motor.

The Lucky Explorer 5.5 features a 550cc parallel-twin that is said to be the basis of every entry-level MV Agusta’s bike in the future.

Lucky Explorer 9.5

Born from the Italian firm 800cc triple, MV Agusta has increased the bore and stroke and adopted a new crankshaft and cylinder head to build the new 931cc engine.

The engine has also been tuned to deliver better torque than power, with a claim of 123hp @ 10,000rpm and a 102Nm @ 7,000rpm.

While it may be in its prototype stage, the Lucky Explorer 9.5 resembles the upcoming Ducati DesertX.

Interestingly enough, the DesertX runs on 937cc Testaretta V-Twin, similar to the Lucky Project 9.5 931cc triple.

The bike also adopts the same Lucky Strike-inspired colours featured on the Cagiva Elefant, which is not a coincidence as both MV Agusta and Ducati were owned by the Castiglioni family back in the day.

The 9.5 will also come with two types of transmission, a Rekluse automatic clutch and a semi-automatic electronic actuated transmission similar to the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin DCT’s.

Other exciting features include:

aluminium dual-sided swingarm
21″ front wheels and 18″ rear wheels
1,580mm wheelbase

Lucky Explorer 5.5

Developed in collaboration with Qianjiang Motorcycles, reports suggest that the Lucky Explorer 5.5 prototype shares the same engine and frame from Benelli’s TRK 502.

However, MV Agusta developed the 550cc parallel-twin by increasing the bore and stroke to 70.5mm x 71mm from the TRK’s 69mm x 66.8mm.

Nonetheless, the overall design of the 5.5 is miles ahead of the TRK 502, and it also features higher specifications, including a top of line Brembo brakes.

Despite no announcement being made regarding the availability of the two motorcycles, we can safely assume that we are going to see them soon enough.

Dorna Announced New WorldSBK Logo

Dorna has debuted a refreshed brand for the WorldSBK Championship including a new SBK logo.

The WorldSBK also features a new tagline, “We Make Excitement” to reinvent the level of excitement after Toprak Razgatlioglu ends Jonathan Rea 6-year dominance in the championship.

According to reports, the brand refresh is an effort to appeal to a new generation of motorcycle racing enthusiasts and make the WorldSBK more appealing motorsport.

WorldSBK is currently the third-most-popular motorsport behind Formula 1 and MotoGP.

“The refresh of our brand identity has meant a step further towards times to come, along with our fans, whilst preserving our traditional brand image made of passion, energy and spontaneity.

“A brand refresh is a major undertaking and we’re pleased to have reached our goals: the need for a consistent and coherent visual language for all the channels our brand is present on was obvious.

“The evolution of our logo and overall Brand Identity remains true to our core values while assimilating the ways our fans interact with SBK, watching it on TV, playing it as a videogame or enjoying it on social media. More than ever, we make excitement,” Francesco Valentino, Head of WorldSBK Commercial & Marketing.

2022 ‘Track-Only’ Yamaha R6 Race & R6 GYTR Launched

Track junkies would be happy to know that the exciting Yamaha YZF-R6 continue to be offered as a track-only machine for 2022.

2022 Yamaha R6 Race

The R6 Race is basically a strip down street bike R6 to make it a track-only race bike.

In other words, the Japanese firm removed the headlight, mirrors and license plate holder to make it a ready to race track machine.

Despite being available in just an all-black colour scheme, the R6 Race maintains the same feature as the previous street-legal R6 which includes KYB suspension, 4-pot front callipers with 320mm disc and Yamaha’s electronic package.

2022 Yamaha R6 GYTR

The Yamaha R6 GYTR is for those wanting that little bit of extra as it is fitted with Yamaha’s wide range of accessories.

Other than it features a programmable superstock race ECU, the R6 GYTR is equipped with a host of racing parts which includes a cowling set, wire harness, interface cable, on/off switch, AIS plug set, ABS emulator, keyless fuel cap, seat cushion, adjustable race rear set, ECU set and most importantly, Akrapovic full race exhaust system.

It also features stainless steel brake line, shifting kit, sprocket protector, brake lever guard, DID gold race chain, paddock stand hooks and a paddock stand.