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  • Body positioning on a motorcycle affects its handling.

  • It also affects the rider’s comfort.

  • Always remember to keep the arms and upper body relaxed.

We loved the Yamaha YZF-R15 when we reviewed the lightweight sportbike, only to hear that there were complaints that “it’s not comfortable” due to its riding position.

We were truly surprised by the remark as the R15’s clip-on handlebars are actually quite high up, comparing to those on larger-capacity sportbikes such as the Yamaha YZF-R1, and even more extreme Ducati Panigale.

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No holds barred might the right word to describe Aleix Espargaro.

He is not the type to shy away from giving an honest thought about something, especially when he thinks he is right.

*Aleix Espargaro

During a recent interview with Marca, Espargaro revealed his take on reports linking test-rider Andrea Dovizioso returning to MotoGP with Aprilia for the 2022 season.

*Andrea Dovizioso

“It’s difficult to evolve the bike because, when something new comes along, you have to test it.

“They (Aprilia) wanted me to do a couple of tests during the summer break and get in the wind tunnel.

“It would be helpful to have a stronger teammate or a satellite team.

“Dovizioso has done a couple of tests with us, but he hasn’t been very competitive so far and doesn’t seem to want to race.

“I’m a fan of his, but it’s hard to see him as my teammate,” said the Spaniard.

Aprilia will enter the 2022 season as a full-factory team, ending a 7-years partnership with Gresini Racing, who will continue their effort next season alongside Ducati as an Independent Team.

Dovizioso was heavily linked with Aprilia after being brought on board as a test rider to prepare a strong 2022 RS-GP.

*Maverick Vinales

However, with Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales decided to leave the Japanese marquee at the end of this season, the Spanish rider is rumoured to be Aprilia no.1 choice ahead of the 2022 MotoGP.

Based on Espargaro desire of having a stronger teammate, Vinales fits the bill.

Harley-Davidson recently presents the company newest electric initiative with LiveWire as a standalone brand that now focused on building electric mobility.

LiveWire will now take on the industry with its own LiveWire One, a full-blown electric motorcycle that carried Harley-Davidson legacy into the future.

Available for pre-order via LiveWire.com at a price of USD21,999 (RM92k), the LiveWire One offers all the latest features on a motorcycle.

Meanwhile, HD claimed that the One offers the same 105hp and 117Nm found on the 2020 LiveWire, followed by a top speed of 177km/h.

Underneath the chassis sits a 15.4kWh battery unit that offers a range of around 230km, which we think is commendable for an electric bike.

According to HD, it can charge from zero to 80 per cent in 40 minutes or 100 per cent within an hour with a DC fast charger.

Other exciting features include:

  • Show Big Piston separate function front fork
  • Showa balance free cushion-lite monoshock
  • 17″ cast-aluminium wheels
  • dual 4-piston (radial) Brembo monoblock callipers (front)
  • 2-piston single disc setup (rear)

Despite being an electric motorcycle, the bike is equipped with what Harley’s refers to as a ‘heartbeat, that sends a vibration to the rider to mimic the feel of a combustion engine. Pretty cool, eh?

Fabio Quartararo marks his way into the factory Yamaha seat with a strong display in 2019 with Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team.

Yamaha signed the Frenchman at the start of the 2021 season as a replacement for the veteran Valentino Rossi who had spent 15 years with the factory team, winning four of his seven premier class titles.

Despite coming in as a less experienced rider to teammate Maverick Vinales, Quartararo quickly carved his name as the no.1 rider for the Iwata outfit.

The 22-year-old rider currently in the best form of his career, securing 156 points thanks to winning four races in Doha, Portugal, Italy and the Netherlands.

Nonetheless, Quartararo admits there wasn’t any added pressure despite replacing Rossi’s spot on the M1.

“Yes, I think for me about the pressure, I think it becomes something normal.

“I think I had pressure all my life, and right now, I feel it’s something normal. So, let’s say I’m used to it.

“For sure, there will arrive a moment where it’s much more if you are fighting in one race for the championship, but, at the moment, I feel the pressure is the same and normal.

“And the responsibility is huge. Taking the place of Valentino, everyone was waiting for me to make great results and everything,” said Quartararo during an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com.

Quartararo will be back in action in August at the Red Bull Ring.

(source: Motorsport.com)

Less than a year after its global reveal, the 2021 BMW M 1000 RR is expected to reach Malaysian shores soon.

Based on what we gathered, a limited unit of the M 1000 RR set to arrive between September and October this year, with dealers already accepting bookings.

The M 1000 RR is expected to be priced at around RM290k, making it the most expensive BMW Motorrad motorcycle available here.

Build based on the success of the BMW S 1000 RR, BMW Motorrad decided it is time to inject the “M” into the German automaker two-wheel segment.

This road-legal BMW M 1000 RR carries an upgraded version of the S 1000 RR’s 999cc inline-four engine with new lighter forged pistons, intake ports, titanium valves, longer titanium conrods optimized intake system, and a brand-new Akrapovic titanium full-system race exhaust.

This resulted in an overall power increase to a whopping 212hp at 14,500rpm and 113Nm torque at 11,000rpm. With a kerb weight of only 192kg, you can expect some serious performance especially paired with updated suspension, electronics and braking systems designed to conquer the world of Superbikes.

Perhaps the most visible change to the BMW M 1000 RR or M RR is M Winglets and high windscreen that offers significant improvements to the aerodynamics department without compromising top speed.

Other specs include:

Launch Control with Pitlane Limiter
M Carbon Wheels
M GPS data logger & lap trigger
Lightweight M battery
Adjustable characteristic throttle curves
Shift Assistant Pro
New selectable riding modes + more

Everything is about breaking the world record when it comes to Voxan.

During last year Halloween weekend, the Voxan team set a total of eleven new records at the Châteauroux Airfield in France, thanks to Max Biaggi.

Breaking 11 world records already an impressive accomplishment for Voxan, considering the world was caught up in the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, there is a new competitor in town, namely the White Motorcycle Concepts, who plans to set a new electric speed record with their WMC250EV in 2022.

As a result, team Voxan has decided not to back down from the challenge and is currently busy optimizing its Voxan Wattman streamliner with Max Biaggi set to return the second time.

“Trying to set new speed records barely one year after obtaining the very first ones is exhilarating! I am fortunate to count on an inspired and inspiring team who made the Voxan Wattman the fastest electric motorcycle in the world.

“11 records (validated by the International Motorcycling Federation), that’s good but… not enough! I still want to help advance electric mobility,” said Gildo Pastor, Venturi-Voxan President.

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