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Schiranna-based motorcycle company MV Agusta will return to the 2021 EICMA in Milan.

The confirmation will see MV Agusta taking part in the 5-days exhibition scheduled to take place from November 23 to 28 in the pavilions of Fiera Milano.

According to Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motor, the 2021 EICMA is to look out for this year.

“The Milan show is an unmissable fixture for MV Agusta, a highly prestigious showcase in which to express the style and strength of our made in Italy products, made up of technology and engineering, avant-garde, but also of high craftsmanship and know-how acquired in 75 years of pure passion.

“Over the years, we have presented our most important innovations to the world at EICMA, and this year too we will not fail to surprise our fans and the industry experts,” he said.

MV Agusta now joins Honda and Yamaha alongside Suzuki for the 2021 EICMA.

Triumph Motorcycles is set to enter the motocross and enduro competition with a comprehensive range of models.

The announcement is a significant shift for the British company as they will go head-to-head against a more experienced brand in the segment, with the likes of KTM, Husqvarna, Honda and Yamaha.

*Ricky Carmichael

However, Triumph is in good hands as Motocross legend Ricky Carmichael and five-times Enduro World Champion Iván Cervantes have joined the Triumph family as active partners in both bike testing and preparation for racing.

*Ivan Cervantes

While no further details is disclosed, it is safe to assume that Triumph will unveil a wide range of Enduro and MX competition models, depending on the category.

KTM finally unveiled its mysterious track bike, the limited-edition RC 8C, in collaboration with Kramer Motorcycles.

According to KTM, the RC 8C allows new riders to enjoy a motorcycle similar to a race bike without having a specialized team for maintenance and tuning.

When they said the RC 8C is similar to a race bike, they meant it, especially when the carbon-reinforced fibreglass superstructures is heavily inspired by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MotoGP RC16 and only weighs 140 kilograms (that’s 26 kg lighter than the Yamaha YZF-R25)!

Underneath that vibrant-orange panel sits an 889cc parallel-twin LC8 DOHC with eight-valve (taken from the 890 Duke R) strategically place in a specially designed 25CrMo4 tubular steel frame and capable of producing 128hp.

The RC 8C gets a 43mm WP Apex Pro 7545 with a handmade closed cartridge front fork assembled by the same team responsible for making and maintaining the suspension of the RC16.

Meanwhile, the rear is managed by a WP APEX PRO 7746 monoshock equipped with separate compression and rebound adjustments to make the bike suits the need of every race-track on the planet.

Other exciting features include:

  • 16L tank
  • Dymag forged wheels with Pirelli SC1 slick tires
  • pair of Brembo Stylema callipers
  • 290mm floating disc at the front
  • 230mm floating disc at the rear
  • Brembo 19RCS Corsa Corta radial brake pump
  • Akrapovic titanium exhaust

The RC 8C also comes with an AIM MXS 1.2 RACE instrument cluster and a parameter recording device with an integrated GPS function, allowing riders to access data recording that can be analyzed in real-time in the pit with AIM Race Studio software.

While you might feel excited about the specs, we need to clarify that the exclusive race bike comes with a hefty price tag of GBP30,999 (RM178k).

Moreover, KTM only made 100 units of these bad boys, so you have to be quick if you plan to see yourself on the track with the most orange bike you can get on the planet. Just make sure you have a GBP2,500 (RM14k) for a deposit first.

1993 500cc champion Kevin Schwantz shared his take on Maverick Vinales possible switch to Aprilia for the 2022 season after the rider decided to part ways with Yamaha at the end of this season.

According to the 57-years old American, while Aprilia seems to be the only viable option for Vinales, it is not the best spot for the Spanish rider.

“I have no idea why Maverick would take the risk and accept such a thing. He must have been very unhappy at Yamaha.

“Aleix Espargaro always claims that Aprilia is close to the top, but then he finishes eight, so he’s not that close,” said Schwantz.

Besides the poor form this season, Vinales is also lacking behind his teammate, Fabio Quartararo, who is currently leading the championship with 156 points.

However, Schwantz believed that as a MotoGP rider, it is essential to have a strong mind.

“If the rider next to you is winning all the time and leading the world championship, you can easily become sad.

“But you have to stay focused on your work, do the best you can and deliver the best possible performance until the end of the year,” he added.

Nonetheless, Vinales is adamant about finishing the second half of the season with a strong result before leaving the Japanese marquee.

While Aprilia is seen as the most logical option, the Spaniard is yet to make any official announcement regarding his career next season.

The 2021 MotoGP season will return at the Red Bull Ring in August.

Norton Motorcycles is actively seeking ways to expand the brand reach ever since the takeover by new ownership, TVS Motor Company.

The British motorcycle manufacturer has spent the past 18-months restructuring the company portfolio after its disastrous downfall under former-CEO, Stuart Garner.

In the latest effort to drive away from the scandals that almost put the company in bankruptcy, new Norton CEO, Dr Robert Hentschel, unveiled plans to return to racing.

*Norton Motorcycles CEO Robert Hentschel

“For me, it’s very clear that racing is part of the story of Norton.

“I can confirm today that I intend for Norton to go racing again. I echo John Russell’s thoughts here, and we are completely aligned with regards to which step to take next,” he said.

However, Hentschel did not specify whether it’s the Isle of Man TT or jumping on a more mainstream competition such as the British Superbike Championship.

For the longest time, the accepted practice has been that if you buy a motorcycle, there is a very good chance that it comes with a free helmet.

Considered as common courtesy for shop owners from a time when it was generally assumed that it was your first motorcycle and that you are expected to ride it home.

Or where ever people go after they collect their brand-new motorcycle. Ergo, the helmet.

But that gesture has become less and less common these days. Most motorcycle owners have their own personal preferences when it comes to helmets.

There is just something about the design, the graphics and even how it feels on your head that speaks to you. In many ways, it kind of represents who you are.

However, with the sheer number of brands available in the market and the price disparity, buying a helmet can be an overwhelming experience.

This then begs the question whether you should spend more money on a top-end branded helmet instead of opting for a cheaper basic helmet, like the ones you get for free when you buy a motorcycle.

To answer that question, let’s first have a look at what you are getting when you buy an expensive helmet.

Quality and materials
While most basic helmets are constructed of thermoplastic resin, the outer shell of expensive helmets are mostly made of stronger – not necessarily harder – materials such as composite fibre or carbon fibre.

Premium brands tend to lean towards lighter weight in order to reduce neck fatigue without compromising on durability.

The soft inner shell styrofoam – most commonly known as expanded polystyrene (EPS) – can vary between helmets.

It is the same material used to make disposable cups or those coolers some mother’s sometimes bring to the fish market, but of much higher quality.

The EPS is designed to reduce and absorb impact energy transferred to the head. The difference in quality depends on the density of the EPS for structural integrity.

Homologation and relevant certifications
All helmets that have passed the standard SIRIM test, generally speaking, are road-worthy; that is they can be sold and worn legally.

The fact is any helmet sold around the world must be certified by some governing entities.

Whether it is by SIRIM, ECE (EU) or DOT (US), it is important to ensure the helmets are properly certified and homologated.

However, as you can imagine, not all of them provide the best cover for your head. Check out SHARP for more definitive helmet safety data and analyses.

Comfort
The liner is designed to firmly hold your head whilst keeping you comfortable (no pressure points around the head).

Most helmets these days – cheap or expensive – have removable liners for easy cleaning. But some helmets have liners that allow for customize fitting to ensure greater comfort.

Considering how hot and humid it is in Malaysia, it is also worth looking at helmets with improved airflow and breathability.

Effective vents will help cool your head as it is important to keep your concentration up.

Some cheaper helmets might have lots of vents that look great, but sometimes they don’t actually do anything. Keep in mind any holes cut in the outer (and inner) shell will significantly reduce the structural integrity.

You might also find expensive helmets offer reduced wind noise and aerodynamic lift when riding at high speed. This is mainly due to the design, as well as properly fitted liners.

Now, do expensive helmets provide better safety and protection? Should you consider spending a little bit more on brands that have been meticulously making helmets by hand for decades?

shark helmets
Helmet shown is the Shark Race-R Pro S.Guintoli used by the editor of Bikes Republic, it is made of carbon, aramid and special resin and weighs just 1310 grams.

Expensive helmets are not necessarily ‘safer’ than cheaper helmets. They won’t magically stop your head from hitting the ground in case of an accident.

But the mechanisms and features, to a certain extent, might just perform better under the circumstances.

It’s not a simple matter of saying one is better than the other. It depends on how well-made they are, and top-end brands have been designing helmets and making them ‘safer’ for decades.

Having good quality control processes and materials used to make the helmets also provide you with confidence and comfort, which is crucial for every person riding a motorcycle. In the end, we’ve only got one head and brain injuries don’t heal.

This feature article is the writer’s own opinion and doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of Bikesrepublic.com

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