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

Brembo GP4-MotoGP Caliper Wins Red Dot Award

The new Brembo GP4-MotoGP caliper has won the Red Dot Award for Design.

This new front brake caliper had just been launched in November 2023. Closely resembling the actual caliper used in MotoGP and WSBK, it is actually meant for sporting use and road riders who want the ultimate in braking performance.

So, what is different about this caliper, you ask?

Let us start with the oblique pad abutments that adds stiffness to the caliper, which is already machined from a solid piece of aluminium alloy (hence, monobloc). Doing so also adds to stopping power since the body of the caliper does not flex. Furthermore, it gives the rider much better feel at the lever, especially great when you are trail-braking into a corner.

Brembo also plated the four pistons with nickel to allow for better action. These pistons are designed to pull the brake pads off the disc’s face to reduce friction when there is no braking pressure. As such, the pads last longer and there is less parasitic power loss.

The fins you see at the front of the caliper, facing the inside, are as what they appear to be: cooling fins, just like on your air-cooled motorcycle engine. This is the distinguishing feature of the “civilian version” of the Brembo GP4-MotoGP compared to the its MotoGP and WSBK counterpart, as the racing version has fins at the back of the caliper, too.

Do we really need these for the road or odd trackday? Who cares! We WANT them!

63 Summons Issued, 6 Motorcycles Confiscated at SUKE

A total of 63 summons were issue to 53 motorcyclists, while 6 motorcycles were confiscated in an operation on the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) yesterday morning.

A total of 63 summonses were issued to the 53 riders, while the majority of seized vehicles involved those ridden by foreigners.

Ampang Jaya District Deputy Chief of Police, Superintendent Nazruel Ekram Abu Saare, said the operation started at 7.30 in the morning by a team from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division (BSPT) of the Ampang Jaya District Police Headquarters (IPD) on the motorcycle route.

“The motorcycle operation is aimed at weeding out road users who do not comply with traffic rules.

“The summons thatwere issued involved common offences including no driving licence, expired road tax, registration number not in accordance with specifications, no side mirror, and modified exhaust,” he said.

Nazruel said, his party also seized six Yamaha Legenda, Yamaha Y15ZR, Yamaha 135LC, and a Honda Wave.

He said, action was taken in accordance with Section 64(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 6(4) of the same act.

“Of the total of confiscated motorcycles, five were ridden by foreigners and the other one was ridden by a local due to the offence of modifying the exhaust.

“Motorcyclists are the major contributors to accident statistics every day, therefore it is advised that all motorcycle users in particular comply with the rules set for example wearing a helmet properly and certified by the Malaysian Industrial Research and Standards Institute (SIRIM Berhad),” he said.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: The authorities often overlook helmets with the approval of the ECE/UN R22 standard, although the authorities were the ones who approved the importation and sale. We have posted an article on this issue before but we will post it again to avoid confusion.

Official Report for TLDM Helicopter Crash Released

The official crash investigation report regarding the two TLDM (Royal Malaysian Navy) helicopter was released today.

The main factor that caused the accident was identified as of one of the aircraft was not at the specified altitude and course. The Fennec helicopter had entered the path of the AW139 helicopter which caused both to collide and crash.

The crash claimed 10 lives last April 23, at the TLDM Base in Lumut, Perak.

TLDM’s statement also mentioned another factor called channelized attention which caused the crew to on their course which limited their ability to react quickly to avoid a collision. (Note from the author: This factor also often occurs among motorcyclists and drivers called ‘target fixation.’)

“The Board of Inquiry carried out an investigation to identify the cause or factor that contributed to the incident in various aspects.

The investigation had studied all aspects that could potentially result in the accident.

“This included recreating the flight profile on the day of the incident by simulating that profile using a flight simulator as well as a real aircraft.

“In addition, assistance and views from Airbus Helicopters are also taken into account if there is data on the Fennec aircraft equipment that can help the investigation.”

According to report, after a comprehensive investigation, the Board of Inquiry found that the post-mortem report confirmed that there was no issue of ‘hypoglycemia’ (lack of glucose concentration in the blood) or fatigue for all the aircrew and no use of prohibited substances.

“In addition, no element of mental illness was recorded or identified with all the aircrew involved and they were medically certified as ‘fit to fly’.

“The deaths of all 10 victims were caused by multiple injuries due to aviation crash.

“The AW139 aircraft was confirmed to be free of technical problems based on the Black Box Analysis Report. The Fennec aircraft also did not have any technical problems based on the visual and sound analysis and documentation. The maintenance work of both aircraft was confirmed to be carried out in accordance with the procedures and routines set by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).”

“Oil, lubricant and fuel samples have been checked and confirmed to be normal by the Defense Science and Technology Research Institute (STRIDE).”

In fact, the weather conditions on the day of the incident was good and suitable for the flight.

“The Black Box Analysis Report of the AW139 aircraft was also used to assist the investigation. As for the Fennec aircraft, the proof of the flight profile was through a flight simulation using a real aircraft.”

Cooperation, expertise and views from OEMs namely Leonardo Helicopter and Airbus Helicopter were also consulted to assist the investigation.

“Airbus Helicopter confirmed that there was no Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) equipment on the Fennec aircraft which could assist the investigation.” (Note from the author: Data recorders or better known as black boxes are not required to be installed in helicopters.)

Kazakhstan Replaces Indian MotoGP 2024

The previously postponed Kazakhstan MotoGP round will replace the Indian MotoGP, from 20 – 22 September 2024.

The rights holder of MotoGP, Dorna Sport and FIM decided to postpone the Kazakhstan round at the Sokol International Circuit due to massive flooding in the country. On the other hand, the Indian round will take place in March next year. This in turn pushes Qatar Grand Prix as the season opener to a later date.

This is another twist for the Indian MotoGP, after the CEO of Fairstreet Sports, Pushkar Nath Srivastava, “confirmed” the event was still going ahead. Speaking on 15 May to The Times of India he said “The race is very much on […] These are just rumours floating around. All of the contractual obligations will be met in June.”

However, it was also known that Dorna had given the promoter up until 20 May to settle the matter.

Now, Srivastava told the Indian news agency, PTI “It was mutually decided to shift the race to March next year. We are looking at the first or second week of March … All the stakeholders including Dorna agreed that the September weather is not conducive for the race and it is tough on the riders and marshals as experienced last year.”

4,169 Summons Issued for Rempits in Penang

A total of 4,169 summons related to rempits (road hooligans) were issued by the authorities throughout Penang as of April this year.

State Youth, Sports and Health EXCO, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said, 150 operations were carried out during that period involving 14 identified ‘hot’ locations.

“Among them are the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, the Bayan Baru roundabout, Jalan Tun Dr Awang, Padang Kota Lama, the Butterworth Outer Ring, the North-South Expressway Project (PLUS) Sama Gagah Expressway and the Penang Second Bridge.

“Other locations are Jalan Bukit Gambir, Jalan Mayang Pasir, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE) and Taman Ilmu located in Seberang Perai Selatan.

“In this regard, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has carried out an integrated operation together with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Department of Environment (JAS) and the Local Authorities,” he said.

In the same development, he insisted that all parties take it seriously and are committed to working hand in hand in curbing and eradicating the problems involving mat rempit or street thugs.

“This includes inspection of shop premises that modify motorcycles and other enforcement in accordance with the provisions of the law in addition to conducting integrated operations every weekend, traffic patrols and roadblocks,” he explained.

New Colours for 2024 Yamaha EGO Avantiz

There are three new colours for the 2024 Yamaha EGO Avantiz.

The Yamaha EGO Avantiz automatic scooter soldiers on since its launch way back in 2016. There were several revisions, but all constrained to cosmetic updates.

Its engine is still the 125cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, SOHC unit which produces 7.0 kW (9.4 hp) at 8,000 RPM and 9.6 Nm of torque at 5,500 RPM.

As aforementioned, the chassis, suspension, bodywork, brakes remain untouched.

The three new colours are called Sky Blue, Dark Blue, and Purple.

The 2024 Yamaha EGO Avantiz is already available at authorised Yamaha dealers from 28 May 2024. The recommended selling price is from RM 5,998, excluding registration fees and insurance cover.

2024 Yamaha EGO Avantiz Photo Gallery