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

BREAKING: Vinales Will Not Race In Austria

Yamaha has decided to benched Maverick Vinales ahead of the Austrian GP happening this weekend.

According to Yamaha’s official statement, the decision was taken after an in-depth analysis of the M1 used by Maverick last weekend.

The data reveal that the Spaniards may have caused engine damage, putting his life and others at risk.

“Yamaha regrets to announce that Maverick Viñales’ entry to this weekend’s Austrian MotoGP event has been withdrawn by the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team.

“The absence follows the suspension of the rider by Yamaha due to the unexplained irregular operation of the motorcycle by the rider during last weekend’s Styria MotoGP race.

“Yamaha’s decision follows an in-depth analysis of telemetry and data over the last days.

“Yamaha’s conclusion is that the rider’s actions could have potentially caused significant damage to the engine of his YZR-M1 bike which could have caused serious risks to the rider himself and possibly posed a danger to all other riders in the MotoGP race,” explained Yamaha in a statement.

Despite the stern action, the team has decided not to replace Vinales at the Austrian GP with Fabio Quartararo set to be the only representative from the factory team.

Moreover, Yamaha hinted that the 26-year-old might also miss out on the rest of the season.

“Decisions regarding the future races will be taken after a more detailed analysis of the situation and further discussions between Yamaha and the rider.”

KTM Lands 2022 500 EXC-F Six Days Edition Ahead Of ISDE

KTM has unveiled the 2022 Six Days Special Edition of 2021 500 EXC-F just in time as Team Orange get ready to compete at the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE).

ISDE will return on August 30, after organizers had cancelled the 95th edition last year due to Covid-19.

While the standard 500 EXC-F is in its own right a complete enduro machine, the 2022 500 EXC-F Six Days Special Edition is nothing less than a celebration of the brand decades of success at the ISDE.

The Six Days Special Edition honours the ISDE with a distinct colour scheme and race-focused components.

The limited-run motorcycle offers a firmer chassis and a sportier WP fork and rear shock settings than the standard 500 EXC-F.

Other upgraded features include:

Exclusive SIX DAYS graphics
Rims with SIX DAYS logo
Skid plate
Front axle puller
Handlebar with SIX DAYS logo
Solid rear brake disc
Brake pedal safety wire
Floating front brake disc
Orange frame
Orange-anodized CNC-milled triple clamp
Exhaust with SIX DAYS logo
Orange chain guide
SIX DAYS seat

Price is yet to be announced; however, we assume it will be a couple of thousand more than the base model USD11,799 price tag.

Kawasaki Recall Several 2020 And 2021 Model Due To Faulty Installation

Kawasaki Motors Corporation U.S.A. has announced a recall on several 2020 and 2021 models due to an improper assembly.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall was initiated because the installed engine oil relief pressure valve could come apart during operation, which may lead to engine stalling and loss of oil pressure.

Reports suggest a total of 1,523 individual bikes is involved with the recall in the U.S., which includes:

2021 Kawasaki Z H2 S.E. (81 units)
2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR (50 units)
2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and K.R.T. Edition (391 units)
2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ABS and K.R.T. Edition (527 units)
2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+ (120 units)
2020/2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 and Ninja H2 Carbon (30 units)
2020/2021 Kawasaki Z H2 (342 units)

The recall will see authorized Kawasaki dealers to replace the valve on the affected models, free of charge.

Aprilia Ready To Take On New Adventure With The Tuareg 660

Earlier this month, Aprilia officially unveiled the Tuareg 660, a middleweight adventure motorcycle powered by the new 660cc parallel-twin found in the RS and Tuono.

Unlike the road-focus RS and Tuono, the Tuareg offers serious off-road capabilities thanks to a 240mm long-travel suspension, 43mm fork with single shock absorber and 1500mm wheelbase, making it a serious rival to the Yamaha Tenere 700.

While it may seem a bit far-fetched to compare the Tuareg to the established Tenere, the Noale-based company has equipped the new motorcycle with advanced riding aids.

Firstly, the Tuareg tops out at 80hp and 70Nm, that’s more than the 72hp found on the Tenere.

Moreover, the Tuareg weigh at just 187kg (dry), putting it within the same league as the Tenere 700.

Moving on to electronics, the Tuareg 660 gets Aprilia’s latest APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control), which offers four riding modes (two customisable), traction control, cruise control, engine mapping, and ABS, accessible via a 5″ TFT instrument.

Aprilia is yet to release the official price for the Tuareg, but we expect the Tuareg to make its way here in Malaysia soon.

Ducati Scrambler ‘Nightshift’ Now In Malaysia – RM65,900

After more than nine months since its global launch, the Ducati Scrambler Nightshift finally lands in Malaysia.

The Nightshift looks like a combination of the Icon, Full Throttle, and Café Racer rolled into one midnight-themed machine, and it is indeed a badass machine at first sight.

Finished in the new Aviator Grey colour scheme, the Nightshift certainly has the boldest look among the rest of its family.

According to Ducati, not only the rider will enjoy riding on a cool-looking Scrambler, but the pillion will also appreciate the comfort from its new Café Racer-style flat seat.

Other details include a wide handlebar taken straight from the 1100 Sport Pro, premium LED lighting system, spoke wheels with Pirelli MT60 tyres, and side number plates.

Firepower remains the same as the rest of the Scrambler 800 line-up in the form of the 803cc L-twin engine with 73hp and 66.2Nm torque (now Euro5-compliant).