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Electric motorcycle manufacturer VMoto Soco is scheduled to unveil a limited edition JL99 electric scooter at EICMA.

Based on a teaser photo that shows the scooter silhouette, the motorcycle features Jorge Lorenzo’s signature JL99 lettering.

Lorenzo also recently shared a photo of him with the Vmoto Super Soco CPx.

However, according to reports, the JL99 editions scooter won’t be based on the CPx; instead, it looks like it’ll be based on the more petite CU Mini electric scooter.

Interestingly, Lorenzo’s unique collaboration started as a joke by the rider to the company management about a special edition scooter named after himself.

Funnily enough, it triggers VMoto to produce the limited edition model with the 3-time MotoGP World Champion.

The ex-MotoGP star is also scheduled to feature at EICMA with the scooter.

The CU Mini features a 600-watt electric motor with a 0.96 kWh lithium-ion battery that promises a range of around 60km with a max speed of 60km/h.

MV Agusta is set to make a return to the adventure bike segment, with two new models set to be unveiled at EICMA on November 23.

The official announcement was made via the company press release shared earlier today.

Interestingly, both models will be available for online pre-booking from November 23.

Meanwhile, the Varese-based motorcycle manufacturer also announced the Lucky Explorer project, a multi-faceted initiative aiming at gathering passionate lovers of rally raid and off-road racing.

“I am excited about the launch of this very special project.

“The Lucky Explorer concept is not just about bikes, it’s about a comprehensive world of emotions, memories, values and a way of being.

“A long-awaited return for all the fans of Made-in-Schiranna, but also a new beginning and a leap into the future: no matter where life takes us, we know where we’re from,” said Timur Sardarov, CEO MV Agusta Motor.

 

PT Astra Honda Motor has just unveiled the 2022 Honda CB150X at the 2021 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS).

The Honda CB150X is the smallest adventure tourer by the Japanese brand and shared most of its design cue from the CB200X launched in India a few months ago.

While the CB200X shares the same platform as the Hornet 2.0, the 2022 CB150X gets its 149cc powertrain from the Honda CB150R, which makes 16.5hp @ 9,000rpma and 13.8Nm @ 7,000rpm.

Nonetheless, the CB150X features ‘adventure’ bike elements such as middle-set footpegs, upright handlebar, tall windscreen, muscular fuel tank design and bash plate.

Despite missing out on Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and other electronic features, the CB150X still gets a full LED setup, 17″ alloy wheels, an all-digital display and Showa 37mm inverted forks at the front and monoshock at the rear.

Kawasaki and Yamaha have joined forces together with Mazda, Subaru and Toyota to discover the use of hydrogen fuel in internal combustion engines.

According to reports, Yamaha is in charge of internal components and parts, combustion studies and output performance, while Japanese ignition company Denso focused on developing direct injection injectors and spark plugs.

However, Kawasaki is miles ahead of the rest, considering the Japanese marquee already had an eye on hydrogen fuels since 2010 and is set to finalise the product by the end of the year.

Kawasaki already has a static engine that can run on hydrogen gas.

Interestingly, Honda and Suzuki will also join the project later.

The Dominar Rides takes over from the popular ‘Explore The Unexplored’ that took place in 2018 and 2019. It has been rebranded to follow suit with similar Bajaj organised rides taking place all over the world.

 

The first ride recently took place in Ipoh, Perak and is set to continue all over Malaysia.

The Meet-Up

 

The first edition of ‘Dominar Rides’ returns with a group of 16 riders taking on a 440km ride to Ipoh, Perak and back to KL.

The ride is part of Modenas initiative to encourage Modenas Dominar 400 and UG owners to properly enjoy the capabilities of the ‘sport-tourer motorcycles.

Riders met up at Circle Café in Kelana Jaya for breakfast before they were briefed on the day’s programmes and routes.

The Ride

The convoy begins at Circle Café and we make our way to North-South Expressway led by a dedicated ride leader who was supported by a sweeper, a support car and a paramedic.

The first stop was at Tapah R&R for refuel and refresh before heading to Ipoh for lunch.

Despite being a wet week, the ride to Ipoh was fortunately dry with the riders showcasing impressive alertness and attention during the ride to Ipoh.

The Arrival

The convoy arrived at Meru Valley Golf & Country Club for lunch and the riders were served various local delicacies and desserts.

Since the group of riders consist of both the old and new-gen of Dominar, the group took the time to mingle and exchange remarks about their motorcycles.

The Test Ride

After lunch, the owners of the Dominar 400 were given a chance to test ride the latest Dominar 400 UG, which was provided for by Modenas.

The riders then shared their thoughts on the new Dominar and collectively agree that the new-gen motorcycle is definitely the best affordable 400cc bike money can buy at the moment.

Up Next

The Dominar Rides is set to take place all over the country with a series of 10 rides planned. The next ride will head to Janda Baik for a spot of barbecuing and river wading as well as more test rides planned.

Wan Argyl Wan Hassan, a former head of policy and planning at the now-defunct Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), suggest that ‘kapcai’ (slang word for underbone motorcycle) should be phased out from the market.

“In Malaysia, the ‘kapcai’ is a killing machine that has caused a lot of deaths – at an average of 4,100 deaths a year over 12 years – and this is a loss in productivity to the country,” said Wan Argyl during a talk show on Astro Awani, recently.

He also mentioned that the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) findings showed that the country suffered a massive economic loss of RM18.15 billion from the deaths of motorcycle users from 2015 to 2017.

“This is a huge loss to the country. Do we still want to have this kind of motorcycle on the road,” he added.

According to statistics by the federal traffic police, a total of 79,916 motorcyclists were killed in road accidents from 2001 to August this year, while motorcycle users accounted for 70.2% of road fatalities up to August.

Meanwhile, Wan Argyl also highlighted that due to the nature of ‘kapcai’, the vehicle is also popular among underage kids.

“This kind of motorcycle is light and easy to handle, so young kids use it in rural areas to go to school or buy groceries. We need to think whether or not we want to maintain this type of motorcycle or slowly phase it out,” he said.

Two years ago, during the National Road Safety Council annual meeting, a senior police officer requested that the transport ministry draft a long-term policy to introduce a new licensing category for motorcyclists aged 16 to 25 to ride only small engine capacity scooters or low-powered electric motorcycles.

(Source: FMT)

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