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Glossary of Motorcycle Terms – “F”

Continuing with the series, we move on to the terms beginning with the letter “F.”

Fairing: The protective bodywork of plastic, fiberglass, or carbon fibre shells surrounding the motorcycle’s front end, including the handlebars, windscreen, and headlight. Fairings reduce wind resistance and provide aerodynamic benefits, especially at higher speeds.

Fatigue: A term describing the tendency of a material or part to fail under repeated use. Also for an extremely tired rider.

Feathering the Brake: Feathering the brake refers to gently applying the brakes on a motorcycle. Instead of abruptly grabbing the brake lever, the rider applies gradual pressure to modulate the braking force. Feathering the brake allows for a smoother and more controlled deceleration, especially when precise speed adjustments are needed, such as navigating tight turns or approaching a stop.

Flog/Flogging: A slang term referencing riding a motorcycle aggressively.

Flow: The movement of gasses and liquids. Also describes when a motorcyclist is riding smoothly, effortlessly.

Flywheel: Rotating weight used to dampen engine vibration or designed to improve the machine’s smooth operation between power strokes.

Footpeg/Footrest: Footpegs or footrests are part of a motorcycle where riders place their feet while riding. Footpegs are located on both sides of the motorcycle frame and provide support and stability for the rider’s feet. Some can be adjusted to accommodate different riding positions and preferences.

Fork: The front suspension system and assembly supporting the front wheel. It is responsible for absorbing impacts from the road, helping the front tyre to provide consistent traction, and contributing to the motorcycle’s overall handling and ride quality. Forks may look the same overall, but there are many technologies involved.

Four-Season Gear: Four-Season Gear: Four-Season Gear refers to specialized riding gear designed to provide protection and comfort to motorcycle riders and their passengers throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions. This gear is precisely engineered to withstand various weather elements and keep riders and pillions safe and comfortable during different seasons.

Frankenbike: A bike composed of parts from many motorcycles with no discernible make. It could be junk or a very nice, cobbled-together custom bike.

Repsol Honda Partnership in MotoGP Ends after 2024

It is official, the Repsol Honda partnership in MotoGP ends after 2024, bringing the most successful partnership to an end after 30 stellar years.

The Spanish petroleum giant will not only cease to be the factory team’s main sponsor, but will also stop supplying fuel and lubricants to the team.

Repsol had begun sponsoring factory Honda team in 1995 when Mick Doohan, Alex Crivillé, and Shinichi Itoh were the riders. Since then, the Repsol Honda venture had racked in 183 wins, 455 podiums, 10 teams titles, and 15 rider titles in the 500cc and MotoGP classes, through the exploits of Doohan, Crivillé, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, and Marc Marquez.

The split is not a surprise. In fact, there were rumours that Repsol had wanted out during every contract renewal. However, the rumours grew stronger at the end of last year when it became clear that Honda is struggling in MotoGP, but Marc Marquez’s departure from the team was the true catalyst. As such, it was rumoured that Repsol renewed their Honda sponsorship for only one last season, and at 50% cut (thus explaining the smaller Repsol logo).

News of Repsol’s departure had begun in May when HRC was seen trying to secure a title sponsor plus fuel and lubricant supplier. The factory needs a supplier quickly because of Dorna and FIM’s fuel requirements. The fuels in MotoGP bikes this season is 40% from sustainable sources, before reaching 100% in 2027, when the engines are switched to 850cc. Therefore, fuel and lubricants play a major role in engine development. At this high level, different fuels and lubricants will result in different torque and power characteristics, hence different engine mapping and even construction is required.

So, who will step up? Malaysian fans are certainly hoping Petronas will, since they are already sponsoring MIE Racing where Adam Norrodin and Khairul Idham Pawi are riders. They are riding the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade in the World Superbike Championship and the Honda CBR600RR in the World SuperSport Championship, respectively.

Four-cylinder Honda CBR400R Four on the Way?

Is a four-cylinder Honda CBR400R Four sportbike on the way?

For us old timers, there were several four-cylinder small capacity four-cylinder four-strokes back in the 80s and 90s in the market. They included the Honda CB250, Honda CBR400, Honda CB400 Four VTEC and VTEC II, Honda VFR400 NC30 (the RC30 lookalike!), and of course the Kawasaki ZXR250 with the signature “washing machine hoses.” Then, the manufacturers switched to singles and twins, most likely for ease of maintenance and lower upkeep costs.

More recently, Kawasaki sprung a surprise by releasing the Ninja ZX-25R, followed by the Ninja ZX-4R four-cylinder sportbikes

Is Honda, the world’s largest motorcycle maker going to let their rival in green run amok in the two segments? Of course not!

Truth is, Honda and Kawasaki both have 400cc four-cylinder models in the Japanese market, but Kawasaki took the step to launch theirs to the world market.

The Honda CBR400R in Japan has an engine derived from the two-cylinder CBR500R, which is available in Malaysia, too. However, its bore is reduced fro 66.8mm to 56.6mm, while leaving the stroke at 67mm. Doing so lowers the engine’s capacity from 471cc (twin) to 399cc (four).

As for Honda’s entry, Motorcycle.com said that they have sighted the company’s patent application in the U.S. marked as “Honda CBR400R Four.” While the patent documents may not necessarily translate to a final product, it does show that the company is somewhat interested in that segment.

Who would not want an affordable howling four-cylinder, right?

Dainese Penang Now Open For Business!

Dainese, the legendary Italian motorcycle protective clothing brand seems to be on a roll in Malaysia.

Now under the guardianship of Ten Thousand Holdings Sdn Bhd, the current importer and distributor of Dainese in Malaysia, the iconic brand is now more accessible to fans than it has ever been. (more…)

Hulala Bike Fiesta Returns For 2024 – Enjoy Big Discounts!

The Hulala Bike Fiesta 2024, hosted by GB Motorcycles Sdn Bhd and Sheng Fatt Motor, is back for 2024 and takes place this weekend (6,7 and 8th of September 2024) at the Penang Juru City Concept Hall. If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, this is the event you simply cannot afford to miss! (more…)

Why MotoGP Bikes Don’t Use ABS?

Do you know that MotoGP bikes have no ABS (anti-lock braking system)? In fact, the system is also not used in the Moto2 and Moto3 categories.

The short answer is ABS is banned by MotoGP’s governing body, the FIM. In fact, it is also banned in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK). On the other hand, ABS is allowed in the FIM Endurance World Championship. There are several reasons behind this, which we will describe here.

1. Braking should be a rider’s skill

Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa did experiment on the system as far back as 2014 and was proven to work especially well in wet weather.

However, the FIM decreed that braking action should be left as a rider and the respective team’s setup prowess, rather than having the rider grabbing the brake and letting the system take care of the real braking action.

See how far aerodynamics development has gotten in just a few short years? It has gotten to the stage that the riders have to ride their bikes like how their machines warrant them to, instead of how the riders want their bikes to “listen” to them.

2. Increased braking and stopping distances

Braking distance can be increased, given the ABS system’s on-off-on-off operation. So again, the onus of how to brake is shifted back to the riders and their teams.

3. To forbid overdevelopment

Although not succinctly stated, many MotoGP insiders have said that Dorna and FIM do not want the factories to develop ABS technology to the level where it supplements or even takes over from braking as a rider’s skill. Also, development will certainly cost a lot of money, which runs counter to Dorna’s wish of keeping the costs down in order to see more participation on the grid. Heck, a single carbon-carbon brake system in MotoGP already costs USD20,000.

So, there you are, the reasons why ABS is not allowed in MotoGP.

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Latest News

Glossary of Motorcycle Terms – “F”

Repsol Honda Partnership in MotoGP Ends after 2024

Four-cylinder Honda CBR400R Four on the Way?

Dainese Penang Now Open For Business!

Hulala Bike Fiesta Returns For 2024 – Enjoy Big Discounts!

Why MotoGP Bikes Don’t Use ABS?

1. Braking should be a rider’s skill

2. Increased braking and stopping distances

3. To forbid overdevelopment

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