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

The 2022 Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP Is Your Secret Carbon Fiber Fixation

Frankly, we thought that the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S was just too powerful for the road and too scary for inexperienced riders like us.

The V4 engine is a screamer with 205hp, yet here we are with a lighter version of the Streetfighter range, the not so subtle 2022 Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP.

Dressed in carbon fibre components, the V4 SP weighs at just 196kg, 3kg less than the Streetfighter V4 S.

The BST carbon fibre wheels are 1.4kg lighter than the forged aluminium fitted o the Streetfighter V4 S, and it also features Brembo Style R front brake callipers.

The Streetfighter V4 SP is also equipped with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 that offers adjustable damping capabilities while on the move according to the rider’s riding style.

Nonetheless, the lighter V4 SP makes 208hp and 123Nm @ 9,500rpm from its 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale engine. However, the SP gets slightly better treatment, thanks to the STM-EVO SBK dry clutch, which helps improve anti-hopping even in the most aggressive shift.

Other exciting features include:

aluminium CNC machined footpegs
carbon front mudguard
lithium-ion battery

2022 Ducati Streetfighter V2 Breaks Cover – 178kg, 153hp

The latest episode of Ducati World Premier 2022 witnessed the unveiling of the new Streetfighter V2.

The idea behind the new V2 is simple, take the Ducati Panigale V2, strip the fairing and boom! The Streetfighter V2 is born.

This also means that the Streetfighter V2 is powered by the same desmodromic Superquadro 955cc engine that makes 150hp and 102Nm.

However, the Streetfighter V2 is in a more approachable form for street riding compared to the Panigale V2.

It also features a longer single-sided swingarm, fully adjustable Showa Big Piston front forks, Sachs rear shocks (also adjustable) and Sachs steering damper.

Meanwhile, braking is done by the same Brembo M4-32 monobloc radial callipers with 320mm disc available on the Panigale V2.

Despite entering the market as a subtle version of the Streetfighter V4, the V2 still carries the entire Ducati electronic package which includes:

ABS Cornering EVO with ‘slide by brake’ function
Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2
Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVP
Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) EVO 2
Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO
three riding modes (Sport, Road, Wet)

Other exciting features include:

full LED headlights with DRL
4.3″ TFT display
Ducati Quickshifter
3-riding modes with 3-engine mapping

Despite not getting the iconic biplane wings as standard unlike its bigger siblings, owners can still get it as an added accessory that is designed to guarantee an additional downforce of 28kg at 265km/h.

New Yamaha Ego Gear Launched – RM5,418

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) launched the new Yamaha Ego Gear, priced at just RM5,418.62 (excluding road tax, insurance and registration).

According to HLYM, the Ego Gear is built to meet those constantly on the move, such as students, housewives, and even delivery riders.

Powered by a 125cc DOHC single-cylinder with Stop/Start function, the Ego Gear makes 9.38hp @ 8,000rpm and 9.6Nm at 5,500rpm.

Despite the small engine, it carries a 4.2L tank, good enough to take you around town or for daily commuting.

Moreover, thanks to a built-in charging socket, the Ego Gear is practical for those who need to charge their smartphone while on the go.

Suspension is handled by telescopic front forks and rear shock absorbers, while braking is done by a single-hydraulic disc at the front and mechanical drum brake at the rear.

Other exciting features include an LED front headlight, well-lit multi-function meter panel and hazard lights.

The new Yamaha Ego Gear is available in three colour options – Silver, Red and Blue.

2021 Yamaha MT-09 Price Announced – RM54,988

The 2021 Yamaha MT-09 is finally available in Malaysia for a price of RM54,988 (excluding road tax, insurance and registration).

The new price is a significant increase of more than RM7,000 than the previous generation MT-09.

Looking at the differences with the previous-gen model, it would be easier to say that the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 is a completely new model built from the ground up. Its key features are more power, less weight, and cleverer than ever before.

First and foremost, its firepower has been increased to 117hp and 93Nm of torque thanks to the newer and bigger 890cc inline-three engine. New upgrades to its pistons, conrods, camshafts, and crankcase also mean that this engine is lighter than its smaller predecessor.

In other words, the new 890cc unit is lighter but more powerful, even though it is now Euro5-compliant.

All this power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual transmission, which is now upgraded with the presence of a slip/assist clutch. All of this is now housed within a new diecast aluminium Deltabox frame matted to a new subframe and swingarm (which are also made out of aluminium).

In total, the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 weighs only 189kg (kerb).

Also new to the 2021 model is its braking package which consists of dual 298mm discs up front paired with Nissin callipers and radial master cylinders. The suspension comes in the form of a fully adjustable KYB front fork and a rear shock unit with preload and rebound adjustability.

The biggest upgrade for the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 has to be its electronic riding aids, which is inspired by the brand’s top-of-the-line superbike, the Yamaha YZF-R1. The MT-09 now features a six-axis IMU unit that works together with its lean-angle sensitive traction control, slide control, cornering ABS, and rear-lift mitigation features.

Other features include a 3.5-inch TFT screen, quickshifter, and auto-blipper for clutchless up and down gear shifts. The front headlight design now houses the main projector headlight and two sides DRLs that present a completely new presence for the new MT-09. Looking at the specs, we don’t mind the looks on a single bit.

According to Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM), the new models will make their way to the authorised Yamaha dealership beginning November 11.

CONFIRMED: Petrucci To Make 2022 Dakar Rally Debut With KTM

Danilo Petrucci will fulfil his lifetime dream switch to Dakar Rally after the 2021 MotoGP season concludes.

The Italian rider is a skilled off-road rider in enduro and motocross; however, he understands the discipline and demands of rally racing is on a different spectrum.

Petrucci has already begun his rally preparation with a little help from the experts, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s 2018 Dakar winner and recently crowned FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion Matthias Walkner.

Two-time Dakar champion Toby Price, and reigning Dakar champion Kevin Benavides will also help the former Ducati rider in getting the right mindset ahead of the 2022 Dakar Rally season.

“For me, it is a dream come true to race the Dakar. It’s an event I’ve always wanted to do since I was a child when I was watching videotapes of the Dakar Rally from the 80s and 90s,” said Petrucci.

“Now, thanks to KTM, this dream is coming true. First, I would like to thank KTM for this great opportunity; I think I will be the only rider that has competed in MotoGP and then the Dakar Rally in just over one month – so it is with great pride that I go there.

“My main target is just to finish the race and enjoy it. The first approach was to have some roadbook training with Jordi, he competed in the race many times and finished on the podium, so he has been great in helping me learn this special art,” said Petrucci.

Petrucci began his career in MotoGP with Came Ioda Racing Project in 2012 before moving to Pramac Racing three years later.

He was then promoted to the Ducati factory team in 2019, where he achieved his first premier class win at home before ending the season in 6th place.

Petrucci left Ducati at the end of the 2020 season after agreeing to join Tech3 KTM.

FIRST LOOK: 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S Arrived In Malaysia – RM92,900

From concept to reality in under two years, the all-new Harley-Davidson Sportster S now lands in Malaysia with a starting price of RM92,900.

Didi Resources, the sole distributor of the Harley-Davidson brand in Malaysia, recently unveiled the new Sportster S officially at Tropicana Grandhill Property Gallery in Genting Highlands.

We also had the opportunity to test out the new Sportster S; however, we will hold on to our thoughts until we have the bike for a proper review later.

Harley-Davidson first unveiled the 1250 Custom in July 2018, a concept motorcycle dubbed to be the heir to the throne of the ageing Sporster range.

Three years later, the Milwaukee-based company finally unveiled the finished product with the 2021 Sportster S.

The new Sportster S is set to take the world by storm thanks to the acclaimed 1250 Revolution Max, a liquid-cooled, DOHC, 1,252cc V-Twin powerplant capable of producing 121hp and 127Nm.

In an effort to make the riding experience even better, the Sportster comes with variable valve timing (VVT) and self-adjusting lifters, the same function available on the Pan America.

According to Harley-Davidson, the powertrain also function as a stressed member, thus eliminating the traditional frame, which significantly reduces motorcycle weight to just 227kg and results in a very stiff chassis that contributes to precise handling.

The Sportster also comes equipped with a preload-adjustable Showa (piggyback) rear shock connected to the steel trellis swingarm and a fully adjustable 43mm Showa upside/down fork.

A four-piston Brembo radial calliper handles the braking with a 320mm disc at the front and a two-piston Brembo calliper at the rear with a 260mm disc.

Harley’s even generous enough to fit the motorcycle with a six-axis IMU that offers cornering enhanced antilock brakes, enhanced traction control, Drag-Torque Slip Control System, and tire-pressure monitoring system.

To complete the 21st-century features, the Sportster S sport a spherical 4″ TFT instrument, all-around LED-lighting, three riding modes with two custom setups and Bluetooth connectivity.

Other notable functions include: