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EU lawmakers have proposed a 56 per cent trade tariff to be imposed on imported Harley-Davidson motorcycles from the United States.

Taking effect on June 1, the ruling is seen as a second major blow to Harley-Davidson as the EU already placed a 25 per cent total tariff in 2018 on motorcycles imported into Europe from the USA.

Previously, Harley managed to escape the higher levies place in 2018 by shifting some of its motorcycle production to Thailand.

This allowed the Milwaukee-based company to imports its motorcycle into Europe via Belgium at a lower 6 per cent tariff.

However, the European Commission said that the “loophole” would not work this time around.

According to Daniel Ferrie, the EU has requested Belgium to revoke the decision as Harley-Davidson production in Thailand fell foul of “Binding Origin Information” rules.

“This (Belgian) decision was examined by the European Commission, and it proved that the decision was incorrect. We have therefore requested Belgium to revoke this incorrect decision.

“The reason why it was proven to be incorrect was that there was a change in location of production of the motorbikes in question,” he said.

 

The 56 per cent tariff move couldn’t come at a worse time as Harley-Davidson is scheduled to introduce the all-new Pan America in the UK next month.

BMW Motorrad France has launched the F 900 R Force; an aviation-inspired model limited to just 300 units.

Exclusive to the French market, the middle-weight motorcycle still maintains the 895cc parallel-twin engine that pumps out 103hp @ 8,500rpm and 92Nm @ 6,500rpm.

However, the limited-edition motorcycle comes in a unique colour scheme by combining a striking San Marino Blue shade with a Fluorescent Yellow highlight.

According to BMW France, the colour evokes the design of a fighter plane.

Despite being a limited edition machine, the F 900 R Force also gets a host of optional upgrades, consisting of a windshield, belly pan, seat cowl, and rims with yellow highlights.

The F 900 R Force also gets a quick shifter.

Other than that, you get the usual full-LED lighting, 6.5″ TFT display and Brembo brake callipers.

MForce Bike Holdings Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor for SYM and WMOTO brand in Malaysia, has just revealed two new exciting scooters for the local market.

Introducing the SYM Jet X 150 and WMOTO Xtreme 150i, a 150cc scooter that offers two completely different experience.

SYM Jet X

The SYM Jet X is an urban city scooter that offers the latest features with a full LED lights setup, 7.5L fuel tank, digital LCD instrument and smart-key system (keyless).

The scooter is powered by a single-cylinder 149.6cc SOHC 2-valve engine capable of producing 12.3hp and 12Nm and matted to a CVT transmission.

You also get a huge 18L under-seat storage, USB port with 2.0 QC and adjustable (preload) twin mono-shock at the rear.

WMOTO Xtreme 150i

Since the introduction of the Honda ADV 150, the 150cc scooter segment has seen a considerable design change.

Following the footstep of the ADV 150, WMOTO introduces their own version of a 150cc adventure theme scooter, the Xtreme 150i.

This is not your regular Chinese made scooter; instead, the Xtreme 150i offers the latest features, including a dual-channel ABS, a key aspect usually found on a 250cc and above motorcycle.

The motorcycle is powered by the latest Euro 4 149.6cc engine offering 9.0kW @ 8,500rpm and 11.8Nm @ 5,000rpm.

Despite the lack of power, the Xtreme 150i comes with an 11L fuel tank with a (claimed) range of 400km.

The Xtreme 150i also comes with a complete LED light with Daytime Running Light (DRL), Smart/Stop function, full digital LCD instruments, 13L storage space, and two power outlets consisting of a USB port a 12V outlet.

During the official preview, MForce announced that the two motorcycles would be available around May and June with a price tag between RM8,000 to RM10,000.

Imagine controlling your motorcycle with a slight movement of your finger. Well, that is what BMW Motorrad is planning to do, as the latest patent reveals.

The patent drawings show what appears to be a set of sensors that is mount somewhere on the handlebar capable of detecting gestures from the rider’s fingers.

This new technology is expected to increase a rider’s mobility on the bike while navigating through a series of rider-aids, such as setting up cruise control and selecting riding modes.

According to reports, the sensors will read specific gestures to engage particular functions on the motorcycle. Who would’ve thought communicating with your bike is possible via sign language?

Modern bikes now come with an array of settings and buttons on the handlebar, which is sometimes a hassle to navigate around.

The gesture control system will set a benchmark for other manufacturers if it ever manages to materialise in the near future.

It’s no secret that Ducati is most definitely on every rider dream list. Not only because they look good, but they are every bit as ferocious on the racetrack.

However, they do come with a hefty price tag (obviously), with the Panigale lineup as the most attractive looking machine available from the Bologna-based company.

Understanding the demand for Ducati Panigale is always available, Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, Moxiao Motor, decided to launch the Moxiao 500RR.

Heavily “influenced” by Ducati, the Moxiao 500RR is everything you thought of, another Chinese knock-off attempt at selling the looks from a Panigale 959.

Personally, at a glance, it looks like the real deal thanks to the headlamp design, the shock absorber cover and the single-sided swingarm.

 

As the name goes, the 500RR is powered by a 471cc twin-cylinder liquid-cooled engine capable of producing 47hp @ 8,500rpm and 43Nm at 7,000rpm, 110hp and 64Nm shy from the 959.

Surprisingly, the Moxiao 500RR comes with a dual-channel ABS as standard, a 320mm upfront with radial callipers and a 260mm disc at the rear and a generous 22L fuel tank.

Despite the blatant copy of the Panigale 959, the 500RR does come with good specifications. If only Moxiao were diligent enough to come out with their own original design.

From time to time, we will find a unique machine being build in someone’s garage.

Most of the time, these vehicles are only in for the looks, but sometimes, a few turned out practical and works like a charm.

Introducing the HAMYAK ATV, an all-terrain motorcycle build by a Russian engineer, Eduard Luzyanin.

The HAMYAK or HOMYAK – hamster in Russian – was named due to the motorcycle ‘unprecedented mobility’ to occupy every sort of terrain with ease, especially in the snow, sand and mud.

Luzyanin previewed his latest inventions via a shared video on YouTube, and as you can see, the motorcycle does not feature steering.

Instead, the only way to turn the bike is by shifting the rider’s body, much like surfing on a skateboard.

The HAMYAK is powered by a 150cc engine capable of reaching a top speed of 43km/h (but with a recommended speed of 20km/h due to its lack of shock absorbers and suspension).

Weigh-in at only 83 kilograms, the HAMYAK can easily be fitted inside your average vehicle.

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