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

WorldSBK: Danilo Petrucci Returns To Barni Racing Team Ducati

Danilo Petrucci is set to pilot the Ducati Panigale V4 R after inking a deal with Barni Racing Team for the 2023 WorldSBK season.

Petrucci to compete at the 2023 WorldSBK with Barni Racing Team.
The former MotoGP rider to ride the Ducati Panigale V4 R.

What started as a rumour is now confirmed that the Italian will race at the 2023 WorldSBK with Barni Racing.

Previously, Petrucci was linked with a move to the Ducati factory team at the WorldSBK before the factory team decided to renew Michael Ruben Rinaldi’s contract for the new season.

However, it turns out the ex-MotoGP rider will shift to WorldSBK with the Barni Racing Team riding the same Panigale V4 R as the factory team.

Interestingly, Petrucci s all too familiar with Barni, having raced with the team in 2011, finishing second place in the Superstock 1000 class before his big jump to MotoGP the following year.

“I’m really pleased to be back with Barni. 2011 was one of my best ever seasons, but, more importantly, I couldn’t say no to the chance to race in World Superbike with such a competitive bike,” said the 32-year-old.

Seeing the former Ducati and KTM MotoGP rider back on the grid at the WorldSBK is undoubtedly the news that the fans are hoping for. After all, we need someone experienced to take the fight to Alvaro Bautista, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea next season.

SPY SHOT: Moto Morini X-Cape 1200

The Moto Morini brand is growing thanks to the introduction of the middleweight adventure motorcycle, the X-Cape 650, back in 2021.

Moto Morini is to introduce the X-Cape 1200 soon.
The big V-Twin adventure motorcycle is powered by the firm’s V87 twin-cylinder Bialbero Corsacorta engine.

The X-Cape 650 is currently doing well thanks to its affordability, as all bikes are now manufactured in China after the acquisition of Zhongneng in 2018.

Back in September, Moto Morini was reportedly working on a bigger adventure-type motorcycle, later confirmed by a CAD sketch that revealed a 1200cc V-Twin engine.

However, fast forward to November, and the X-Cape 1200 has appeared in a complete form, as revealed on social media.

The motorcycle is reportedly powered by the firm’s V87 twin-cylinder Bialbero Corsacorta engine, which is found in the 2005 Corsaro and 2020 Scrambler 1200.

While further details remain scarce at the moment, Moto Morini is likely to make an announcement soon as the bike is already in a finished form.

Nonetheless, from the spy photos, we can see that the X-Cape 1200 is equipped with premium features, including Brembo callipers, upside-down forks, twin discs, tubeless spoke wheels and an aluminium sump guard.

Interestingly, the side profile, including the front headlamp design, looks similar to the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin.

Could the X-Cape 1200 make its way to 2023? We’ll find out soon enough.

Arai Unveils New Isle Of Man TT Special Edition RX-7V EVO Helmet

The recently concluded Motorcycle Live event witness a host of motorcycle manufacturers unveiling their new and upcoming motorcycle.

Arai celebrates the Isle of Man TT with a special edition RX-7V EVO helmet.
The IOMTT special helmet has been a hit since its introduction in 2007.

However, helmet maker like Arai also took the opportunity to revealed its latest product, the Isle of Man TT Special Edition RX-7V Evo helmet.

Arai teamed up with Dudi Performance to design the new limited edition RX-7V Evo to celebrate the 2023 Isle of Man TT event.

If you’re a fan of Arai then you would know that since it first edition in 2007, every special edition TT helmets is a must have for riders around the world.

Using the RX-7V as base, the Isle of Man TT special meets the latest ECE22.06 safety standard and offering the best sports and track riding features.

In terms of colours, the TT special RX-7V EVO comes in black, red and white colour combination along with some fluorescent yellow. Also features on the helmet is the Ellan Vannin text and TT logo.

“We so look forward to the TT! It was great to get back to the Isle of Man again finally this year and it’s an event that means so much, to us at Arai.

“We are very glad to reveal the 2023 IoM TT Limited Edition RX-7V Evo at Motorcycle Live, a highlight of our year. Drudi Performance has produced another beautiful design on our top of the range RX-7V Evo which combines the signature TT elements with fresh, flowing lines,” said Ingmar Stroeven, Arai Helmet (Europe) B.V Managing DIrector.

According to Arai, the 2023 IOM TT RX-7V EVO is expected to arrive in Q2 of 2023.

Scorpion Covert FX Retro-Inspired Helmet Breaks Cover

Speaking of helmets, brands like AGV, Shoei and Arai have cemented their status in the motorcycling industry, including protecting some of the world’s greatest motorcycle racers.

Scorpion introduces new Covert FX retro-style helmets.
The Covert FX meets the latest ECE22.06 homologation standards.

However, in recent times, Scorpion has also proven to be part of the elite, especially with the successful partnership with 2021 MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo and 2022 WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista.

Of course, a helmet brand doesn’t play a big part in a racer’s success on the track, but it indeed jumps on the bandwagon surrounding the racer’s achievement, thus making it widely known.

Thanks to the brand’s success in recent times, Scorpion has been able to release a new range of helmets called the Covert FX.

The Scorpion Covert FX is a retro-inspired helmet with similar vibes to Simpson and Biltwell.

Despite the retro-touch, the Covert FX meets the latest ECE22.06 safety standard thanks to its TCT fibre construct shell that offers excellent impact dissipation.

The Covert FX is also fitted with a Kwickwick3 inner lining with soft and hypoallergenic coating. Other standard features include a drop-down sun visor and adequate front, top and rear ventilation.

The Scorpion Covert FX will be available starting December 2022 for EUR249.90 (RM1.2k).

MODENAS Ninja 250 Gets The Ohlins Treatment – Only 180 Units, RM20,500

Coming in new for the Malaysian market is the new MODENAS Ninja 250 Ohlins edition.

The Ninja 250 (non-ABS) Ohlins Edition is limited to just 180 units.
Features the same 249cc parallel-twin DOHC, 4-valve engine.

Priced at RM20,500, the Ninja 250 Ohlins Edition features fully-adjustable Ohlins KA 744 STX 36 Supersport monoshock.

That said, the STX 36 monoshock is adjustable for compression and rebound. In addition, the Ohlins monoshock is fully covered by MODENAS.

Limited to just 180 units, the Ohlins monoshock is fitted to the non-ABS Ninja 250 only.

According to MODENAS, the Ohlins KA 744, STX 36 Supersport monoshock offers better stability and handling especially during cornering.

Nevertheless, other specification remains unchanged with the Ninja 250 Ohlins Edition continue to be powered by a 249cc, twin-cylinder, eight-valve, DOHC engine that makes 36hp at 12,500rpm and 23Nm of maximum torque upon hitting 10,000rpm.

Power is transferred down to its rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox enhanced with Kawasaki’s assist and slipper clutch for ease of riding.

Other highlighted aspects include:

164kg (wet weight)
14-litre fuel tank
Front 310mm single semi-floating disc brake with 2-piston caliper
Rear 220mm single disc brake with 2-piston caliper
41mm telescopic front forks

SHOEI Release Limited Edition Opticson Heads-Up Display Helmet

In April, we first saw SHOEI’s Opticson heads-up display helmet prototype at the Osaka Motorcycle Show 2022.

SHOEI Opticson is to be available in limited numbers in Japan.
The Opticson is SHOEI’s first futuristic helmet that features a heads-up display.

At a glance, the SHOEI Opticson looks like a regular helmet, but there is a vertically-adjustable display piece that sits in front of the rider’s right eye.

SHOEI also fitted a projection unit hidden neatly inside the chin bar, which can be connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth. The projection unit will display information such as navigation instructions on the display pane for the rider to look at while riding.

While the feature seems exciting, at the time, the Opticson is still just a prototype.

That is, until now, as SHOEI is offering a limited run of the Opticson exclusively in Japan. The helmet will only be available in three Shoei Gallery around Japan and is priced at JPY137,500.

Unfortunately, SHOEI has no plans to release the Opticson in a market outside of Japan.

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Latest News

WorldSBK: Danilo Petrucci Returns To Barni Racing Team Ducati

Danilo Petrucci is set to pilot the Ducati Panigale V4 R after inking a deal with Barni Racing Team for the 2023 WorldSBK season.

SPY SHOT: Moto Morini X-Cape 1200

The Moto Morini brand is growing thanks to the introduction of the middleweight adventure motorcycle, the X-Cape 650, back in 2021.

Arai Unveils New Isle Of Man TT Special Edition RX-7V EVO Helmet

The recently concluded Motorcycle Live event witness a host of motorcycle manufacturers unveiling their new and upcoming motorcycle.

Scorpion Covert FX Retro-Inspired Helmet Breaks Cover

Speaking of helmets, brands like AGV, Shoei and Arai have cemented their status in the motorcycling industry, including protecting some of the world’s greatest motorcycle racers.

MODENAS Ninja 250 Gets The Ohlins Treatment – Only 180 Units, RM20,500

Coming in new for the Malaysian market is the new MODENAS Ninja 250 Ohlins edition.

SHOEI Release Limited Edition Opticson Heads-Up Display Helmet

In April, we first saw SHOEI’s Opticson heads-up display helmet prototype at the Osaka Motorcycle Show 2022.

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