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

BMW SCRAMBLER TAKES THE FIGHT TO DUCATI

BMW Motorrad had one of the biggest stands at the world’s biggest motorcycle show, and for good reason too.

All eyes were on the German bike builder as it unveiled some of the most important bikes in its range but one stole the show, the R nineT Scrambler.

Another one for those who like a little ‘retroness’ to their bikes, the new R nineT Scrambler is based on, you guessed it, the R nineT.

Ducati may have been first to revive the Scrambler design and name, but BMW also has a strong history rooted in the Scrambler concept. It goes back as far as 1951 with the BMW R68 with the typical raised 2-in-1 exhaust. The R68 is a highly valuable post-war BMW Motored classic.

The new BMW Scrambler features a classic air-cooled, flat-twin boxer, 117cc engine which delivers an output of 110hp at 7750rpm and 116Nm of torque at 6000rpm.

The BMW Scrambler is a highly customisable bike and resourceful owners of the R nineT can also transform their bike into a scrambler. The most important part of the BMW Scrambler however are the raised exhausts with two vertically arranged rear silencers fitted closer to the body to reiterate the slim presence of the bike.

The frame plays a key role as far as customisation goes. The boxer engine of the BMW Scrambler works as a load-bearing element and consists of a front section with integrated steering head and a rear section with swinging arm mount. The rear passenger frame can of course be dismounted, thereby allowing the BMW Scrambler to be ridden one or two up.

As for the suspension, the front is in the form of a telescopic fork with rubber gaiters and a spring travel of 125 millimetres. Rear wheel suspension is taken care of by a Paralever single-sided swinging arm as used in other boxer models. Suspension and damping at the rear is carried out via a central spring strut with a spring travel of 140 millimetres.

Highlights of the new BMW R nineT Scrambler:

Purist design.
Classic colour concept.
Stitched seat in patinised leather look.
Workmanship with great attention to detail.
Air/oil-cooled 2-cylinder boxer engine with a capacity of 1 170 cc. Output  81 kW (110 hp) at 7 750 rpm, maximum torque of 116 Nm at 6 000 rpm.
Designed to be customised.
Modular frame concept with removable passenger frame offering a range  of variations.
Classic wheel suspension by means of telescopic fork at front and  Paralever at rear.
Large 19-inch front wheel as is typical of a Scrambler.
Upright seating position in classic Scrambler style.
Raised exhaust fitted close to the body with twin silencer.
Axially mounted 4-piston brake calipers, steel-wrapped brake lines,  320-millimetre brake discs and ABS.
Individually tailored special accessories in the familiar high quality typical  of BMW Motorrad.

Harley-Davidson of Johor Bahru officially launched

Naza Prestige Bikes Sdn Bhd, the authorised Malaysian importer and distributor of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, marked a major milestone when it launched its latest full-fledge 3S centre in Johor Bahru today.

The new Harley Davidson of Johor Bahru 3S centre now stands as a one-stop centre and dedicated hub that will cater to all Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners in the Peninsula’s southern region.

Present during the launch were several top tier executives of the Naza Group led by group executive chairman Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin. Also present here were Harley-Davidson Asia Emerging Markets’ managing director Peter Mackenzie.

Of course, no major milestone in the soutern state of Johore is complete without the approval of HRH Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, the Sultan of Johore. Sultan Ibrahim was present during a specially organised private launch ceremony and tour held prior to the scheduled press launch later in the afternoon.

The new Harley-Davidson 3S centre is located just next to Ducati Johore in the heart of Johor Bahru along Jalan Dato’ Abdullah Tahir. The two-storey facility measures roughly 470 square meters for each floor. Inside, it houses two state-of-the-art service work bays, a large showroom display area, a Parts & Accessories store, an official Harley-Davidson merchandise and apparels boutique, as well as customer waiting lounges.

The opening of Harley-Davidson of Johor Bahru was aimed at further enhancing the famed American brand’s presence in the peninsula’s southern region. It now joins in the brand’s Malaysian network along with the main Harley-Davidson of Kuala Lumpur flagship store in Petaling Jaya and Harley-Davidson of Penang.

Owners and customers can locate the new Harley-Davidson of Johor Bahru outlet via the following Google Maps link:

Harley-Davidson of Johor Bahru Launch

Moto Guzzi @ EICMA 2015: Four new models debut

Moto Guzzi has just unveiled four new bikes at the ongoing Eicma show, which are the V9 Roamer, V9 Bobber, and the Stornello.

In addition to the three bikes, the company also confirmed that the MGX-21 Flying Fortress will be a part of its 2016 product line up.

The new V9 Roamer and V9 Bobber

The V9 Roamer and V9 Bobber, which are the latest addition to the brand’s stable, share the brand’s new 850cc two-valve, transverse 90 degree V-twin engine.

While Moto Guzzi has not revealed the exact output figures, maximum torque readings stand at 62Nm at 3,000rpm.

According to the manufacturer, the Roamer is the conventional version of the V9, while the Bobber is the sportier version with its black bodywork.

Weighing at 200kg, both V9 variants come with ABS and adjustable traction control as standard (which can be disabled), and also feature an immobilizer, a USB port, and a single, circular dash.

Moto Guzzi says it will be offering a range of accessories for the bikes, including a system to connect the bike to the rider’s smartphone and options to personalize it according to their tastes.

MGX-21 Flying Fortress

Unveiled as a concept at last year’s EICMA show, Moto Guzzi has announced that the MGX-21 has entered production under the ‘MGX-21 Flying Fortress’ name, and that it will be a part of Moto Guzzi’s 2016 product range.

Powered by a 1,380c air-cooled V-twin engine which puts out a claimed 120Nm of torque which is transmitted to the rear wheel to using a cardan final drive, the production model also gets a ride-by-wire throttle, ABS, adjustable traction control, cruise control, and a 21 inch front wheel with carbon covering.

V7 II Stornello

Looking pretty similar to the V7 racer we have in Malaysia, the Stornello, which is basically a scrambler version of the existing V7 II, is powered by the same 744cc V-twin engine, but the bike is fitted with a new clutch and a six-speed gearbox.

Weighing at 186kg, the Stornello has been given a few trick bits including an Arrow exhaust, wire-spoked wheels with ‘off-road’ tyres. It’s also got aluminium mudguards, footpegs and injector bodies, plus three sets of number plate holders. Also standard is ABS and traction control.

As for the V7 II Racer, the company has given it an update as well, including revamped and updated matte finish graphics.

Battle of the teams in Pasir Gudang Cub Prix

After a nine year absence, the PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship will be making a return to the legendary Johor Circuit in Pasir Gudang for the finale of the 2015 season this November 20 and 21, 2015. (more…)

EICMA 2015: KTM 1290 Super Duke GT unleashed

After teasing us for months, the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT has finally been unveiled officially by the Austrian manufacturer at the ongoing EICMA 2015 show in Milan, Italy.

In terms of styling, KTM has ticked all the right boxes with the manic sport tourer. According to the brand, the bike’s aggressive design reflects on its characteristics, which focuses primarily on ‘speedy travelling’.

Powering the GT is a re-tuned version of the 1301cc four-stroke two-cylinder 75 degree V-twin engine found in the 1290 Super Duke R, which produces a whopping 173hp and 144Nm of torque.

It is said that the crankshaft, cylinder heads, combustion chambers, valve timings and injection mappings have all been given attention to deliver maximum power higher up the rev range.

In the suspensions department, the Super Duke GT is fitted with semi-active WP suspension both in front and at the rear, which can be toggled between three modes(Comfort, Street and Sport), via a suspension control unit.

Brakes on the other hand, comes courtesy of Brembo. Up front, there are two monobloc four-piston radial calipers biting on to 320mm discs, while the rear brake is a two-piston caliper with 240mm disc.

Since the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is a sport tourer, the Austrian manufacturer has fitted the bike with a few features that make it ideal for long distance riding, such as cruise control, tire pressure monitoring system, heated grips, LED cornering lights, and a 23-liter fuel tank.

Weighing at 205kg dry, KTM claims that the Super Duke GT has the best power-to-weight ratio compared to any sport tourer out there.

Other notable features on the bike include the riding assistance package from the 1290 Super Adventure, which comprises a lean angle sensitive stability control system, ABS, as well as traction control. It’s also got a quick shifter, and a supermoto mode for those who want to have some ‘naughty’ moments with the bike.

Ducati @ EICMA 2015: Nine new models revealed

In conjunction with its 90^th anniversary next year, Ducati has taken the wraps off nine new models for their 2016 range ahead of the EICMA show in Milan, Italy.

The nine models were:

Scrambler Sixty2
Scrambler Flat Track
XDiavel
Multistrada 1200 Enduro
Multistrada 1200 Pikes Peak Edition
Hypermotard 939
2016 Hypermotard SP
2016 Hyperstrada
Panigale 959

Present during the media preview to unveil the new line up were Ducati’s CEO Claudio Domenicali, three-time WSBK Champion Troy Bayliss, Ducati MotoGP riders Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso, as well as Ducati WSBK rider Davide Giugliano.

Scrambler Sixty2

The Scrambler Sixty2, which Ducati is targeting towards new riders and new markets, is powered by a 399cc, 41hp desmodromic air-cooled L-twin, with styling largely identical to its larger capacity siblings in the Scrambler range. Its Sixty2 moniker is drawn from 1962, the year of the first Ducati Scrambler.

Scrambler Flat Track Pro

Based on last year’s Scrambler’s 803, the Scrambler Flat Track Pro features a dedicated livery, side panel and seat along with a full throttle exhaust. Inspired by Ducati riders Troy Bayliss and Johnny Lewis at the 2015 American AMA Pro Flat Track championship, the model also comes with low variable section handlebars, a Termigoni exhaust and alloy wheels.

Multistrada 1200 Enduro

Designed to go against bikes like the BMW R1200GS and the KTM Adventure 1190, the new 1200 Enduro is a reworked machine that was built primarily for off-road use with 19 inch front and 17 inch rear spoked wheels, semi-active Sachs suspension and a massive 29-litre fuel tank, which Ducati is claiming will get up to 448km per tank. According to Ducati, the new Multistrada is its first full-fledged off-roader, and comes with a huge range of accessories designed exclusively for it, including all aluminum panniers and top boxes.

Multistrada Pikes Peak

The 2016 Multistrada line sees a continuation of the Pikes Peak nameplate, and the same style of upgrades on the DVT version of the Multistrada 1200. Notable features include an Öhlins fork and Öhlins TTX36 shock, Termignoni mufflers, a carbon fiber windscreen, red stitching on the seat, and stripes on the 3-spoke wheels.

XDiavel

Featuring an aggressive ground-up redesign from the 2011 Diavel, the XDiavel is the first Ducati to come with belt drive, and is aimed at those looking for a cruiser. The main highlight of the XDiavel is that its ergonomics are adjustable up to 60 different positions, with a standard fitment which includes an extended seat and passenger backrest. Power on the other hand, is supplied by a 1262cc Testastretta DVT (Ducati Valve Timing)-equipped L-twin that’s been tuned for massive low-rpm torque.

959 Panigale

The Ducati 959 Panigale is essentially the updated 899 panigale with bigger engine capacity, more power and some stylistic and feature related changes. Sharing the stylistic features with the bigger 1299 Panigale, Ducati claims that the 959 is a more useable everyday bike which is also a potent race track tool.

Hypermotard 939

For 2016, Ducati has fitted the Hypermotard with a larger, more powerful 939 motor which will also power the track-oriented Hypermotard 939 SP, as well as the touring-tuned Hyperstrada 939. All three bikes will have fully adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes with Bosch-backed ABS, adjustable traction control, and ride modes.