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

Lifan Enters Adventure Bike Segment With KPT 400 – 42hp, 35Nm

Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, Lifan, has unveiled the KPT 400, an all-new 400cc adventure bike at the Shenzhen Motor Expo.

While it may look similar to the Harley-Davidson Pan America, we are surprised that the bike actually feature some decent specs.

The Lifan KPT 400 features a 400cc parallel-twin engine capable of producing 42hp @ 9,500rpm and 35Nm @ 7,500rpm putting it in the mix with the KTM 390 Adventure.

Meanwhile, a steel trellis frame sits underneath the fairing, with the front suspended by a USD fork and monoshock at the rear.

Braking is provided by twin 2-piston callipers at the front and a single-piston calliper at the rear.

Other exciting features include a full-colour TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, a full LED light setup and an 18.5L fuel tank.

Heavily Updated Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R On Its Way?

Kawasaki is set to debut five motorcycles in the US and three more at EICMA in November.

While it could be a revised version of the current lineup, there is a bit of talk behind the scenes that we might see a heavily upgraded ZX-6R.

This is based on the photos by Kawasaki, showing eight models (including a jet-ski) that is scheduled to debut this year.

One of them is rumoured to be a new ZX-6R, and the exposed exhaust canister is a small giveaway of the motorcycle.

Kawasaki already launched the updated Ninja ZX-10R last year; hence it is likely that the next in line to receive the same treatment is in the middleweight supersport, namely the ZX-6R.

If this is true, it could mark as a bold statement from the Japanese firm as all of its competitors have decided to end the 600cc range mainly due to Euro5 regulations.

A debut in EICMA will also mean that the ZX-6R will be available for the European markets; thus, an updated engine to meet the Euro5 homologation is on the card.

However, there are also rumours that it could be referring to the ZX-4R, a 4-inline 400cc sports bike inspired by the success of the ZX-25R.

Whatever it may be, we are excited to see what Team Green has in store for us.

FIRST LOOK: 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660

If you’re in the market for an all-capable motorcycle, you might find the answer in the all-new Triumph Tiger Sport 660.

Built on the same platform as the Trident 660, the Tiger Sport 660 features the same triple-cylinder engine as its naked sibling and is set to go up against the Kawasaki Versys 650, Suzuki V-Strom 650 and the Yamaha Tracer 7.

The triple powerplant delivers around 79hp @ 10,250rpm, and 64Nm @ 6,250rpm, with the British firm, claims 90 per cent of the torque is available from 3,600rpm.

Like the Trident, the Tiger Sport 660 features two riding modes, Road and Rain, ride-by-wire with 6-speed transmission, and a slipper/clutch.

Braking is done by twin 2-piston Nissin radial callipers paired to a 310mm disc at the front and a 255mm disc at the rear. It also features dual-channel ABS that’s, unfortunately, can’t be turn off.

Other exciting features include 41mm Showa USD front forks with 150mm travel ad Showa rear monoshock with hydraulic preload adjustable.

835mm seat height
17.2L fuel tank
LED lights with self-cancelling indicators
TFT display with My Triumph connectivity
Triumph Shift Assist up/down quickshifter (optional)
heated grips (optional)
under-seat USB charger (optional)
TPMS (optional)

Looking at the success of the Trident, the Tiger Sport 660 will follow the same formula and expand to a broader audience that seeks comfort and practicality.

It could potentially become the best seller from the Hinckley factory.

Kawasaki Motors Begins Latest Chapter With New Corporate Logo

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has recently announced Kawasaki Motors Limited as a new entity in charge of its motorcycle businesses.

KHI decided to introduce the spin-off motorcycle company after the brand witnessed an increase of 80 per cent sales since 2017.

Customers demographics are increasingly younger as well, as the Japanese firm revealed a number of riders in their 20s had grown significantly by 60 per cent within the same period.

Even before announcing Kawasaki Motors Limited, the company has already pushing to expand their factory in the US, including spending around USD265 million in global expansion projects.

To celebrate the new corporate identity, Kawasaki Motors Limited is branding itself with a new logo or an old one previously used on the H2 range.

The company decided to adopt the iconic River Mark as the official corporate logo. The design was conceptualized with the Japanese kanji for “kawa”, which means “river”. The logo was originally flown on the flags of ships owned by Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard, which later became KHI.

The new logo is a clear statement of intent that will shape the company moving forwards.

New Patent Leaks Reveal Upcoming Benelli 650cc V-Twin Adventure Bike

Italian motorcycle company, Benelli, is set to unveil a new 650cc adventure motorcycle as confirmed by a new patent filed by its parent company, Qianjiang Motorcycle.

While Qianjiang Motorcycle also runs its own QJMotor brand, the new patent suggests that it will cater to both of the brands.

Interestingly, the leaked images revealed a different take on a middleweight adventure bike, with a shorter windscreen, a single pod LED headlamp flanked by twin DRL (daytime running light), a chunky side fairing and a handguard.

The absence of a signature front beak (similar to Aprilia’s Tuareg 660 and Yamaha’s Tenere 700) also puts the motorcycle on a different design spectrum than other modern ADV machines.

The saddle features a split-seat setup with a big pillion grab rail, a similar aspect found on big ADV bikes such as the iconic BMW GS range.

Meanwhile, the 650cc V-Twin powerplant is underpinned by a new tubular steel trellis frame and is expected to punch out around 70hp, putting it around the same class as the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT.

The bike is also fitted with 19″ front, and 17″ rear spoke tubeless wheels, allowing the motorcycle to tackle both road and off-road conditions.

Despite the lack of further details, we can assume that Benelli or QJMotor will reveal the new motorcycle later this year in EICMA.

Suzuki Rolls Out Special Edition GSX-R1000R Phantom – With MotoGP Tech, 199hp

Inspired by the iconic 2006 GSX-R1000 K6, the Hamamatsu factory has revived the Phantom legacy with a special edition GSX-R1000R.

The Phantom is not just your regular GSX-R1000R with a different nameplate and paint job; this special edition motorcycle is also fitted with the same variable valve timing system that’s available on Suzuki’s MotoGP GSX-RR machine.

The 199hp inline 4-cylinder engine also comes with a bi-directional quickshifter, launch control, lean-angle sensitive traction control, three riding modes and a Yoshimura exhaust.