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

MotoGP: Marc Marquez Officially Confirmed For Portimao After Passing Medical Check

Marc Marquez is officially confirmed to make his return to MotoGP after passing his medical check on Thursday.

The sixth time MotoGP world champion will ride again on his RC213V, starting with the official free practice scheduled on Friday.

The Spaniards were out of action for almost a year since suffering from an injury sustained at the opening round of the 2020 season in Jerez.

The 28-year-old rider intensified his training by jumping on the RC213V-S test bike in Barcelona and Algarve after given clearance by the doctors.

Last week, Honda confirmed the rider received clearance to race in Portimao pending another medical check on Thursday (yesterday) which he also passed with flying colours.

Marquez could not hide his feelings after speaking to the press about his return.

“Of course it’s really nice to be back and be here with all of you because it was nine months away that was really hard, really difficult.

“Tomorrow it is time to make the most important step in my rehabilitation which is riding again a MotoGP bike. It is true that I’m nervous.

“I’m nervous, and I have some butterflies in the stomach that are not normal in me. But I know that after FP1 this will be gone, and now is time to enjoy being on the bike again,” he said.

SPOTTED: New KTM Duke With Fresh Design Spied Testing

The KTM Duke range has been around for almost 30-years now, ranging from a small single-cylinder to its big LC8 V-Twin.

Nevertheless, the most popular has to be their small-displacement motorcycle that has been the pinnacle of KTM sales in the last few years, especially in India and Asia.

In just six years since launching the 200 Duke in the second-most populous country globally, India overtook all other markets in 2019, with over 200,000 Indian riders choosing the motorcycle.

Hence, it came to no surprise that the Austrian manufacturer – despite the bike is made in India – has been spotted testing out the 125 and 250cc range.

According to reports, the two motorcycles will receive completely new hardware and will not carry any parts from the previous generation.

Despite no further details, we can identify some new features from the spied photos, evidently a new frame and a redesigned swingarms.

However, expect these motorcycle to only be available in the next couple of years.

(source: autoevolution)

All-New 2021 Honda CBR600RR Now Available In Malaysia – RM98,888!

The 2021 Honda CBR600RR finally makes its official debut in Malaysia with the new generation motorcycle comes with a host of upgrades and updates from the previous model.

Starting with the looks, the 2021 Honda CBR600RR carries more of the design DNA from the Fireblade series and we’re not complaining one bit. The biggest change has to be the front fairing where the CBR600RR enhanced with a set of winglets, making it the very first production middleweight model to offer them.

Dressed in the iconic HRC colours, the 2021 Honda supersport model still has the 599cc inline-four DOHC liquid-cooled engine but thanks to some upgrades, the new CBR600RR now produces a higher 121hp at 14,000rpm and 64Nm of torque at 11,500rpm.

This was done thanks to new camshafts, valve springs, and crankshaft as well as enhanced intake and exhaust ports for better efficiency. To manage all of its newly found power, the new CBR600RR comes with an updated IMU unit (inertial measurement unit) that keeps the ABS, traction control, ride-by-wire throttle, wheelie control, and engine braking all in check.

As for weight and dimensions, the new Honda supersport model is now around 5kg heavier at 194kg as Honda made some minor alterations to the chassis used from the previous-gen model. The new CBR600RR now has increased rake and trail as well as a slightly longer wheelbase for better agility and manoeuvrability.

Other notable specs include a full-colour TFT screen, selectable riding modes, slipper clutch, Showa Big Piston front forks, 18-litre fuel tank, Tokico callipers, optional bi-directional quickshifter and many more.

According to Boon Siew Honda, the 2021 Honda CBR600RR is available with a price tag of RM98,888.

2021 MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Breaks Cover With Latest Upgrade

After announcing the updated Superveloce range for 2021, MV Agusta now proceeds to unveil the Turismo Veloce sport-touring range, including the Lusso, Lusso SCS, RC SCS, and Rosso.

Spurred primarily to meet Euro 5 emission standard, MV Agusta also updated the overall package of the Turismo Veloce.

The Turismo Veloce maintains the familiar 798cc inline-three with a counter-rotating crank. However, it gets a new intake for better low-end and mid-range power with MV claimed the powerplant now makes 110hp with a 12 per cent increase torque between 3,000-6,000rpm.

According to MV, the gearbox has been revised for lower revs to reduce vibration and optimized fuel consumption.

Not only that, but the Turismo Veloce also gets the same upgrade as the Superveloce with EAS 3.0 quickshifter, DLC-coated valve tappets, sintered valve guides, a redesigned exhaust, and new fuel injectors.

In a move to reduce friction, MV also upgraded the engine with a new crank bearing, new piston rod bearings and countershaft bearing, increasing engine durability and reliability.

To make a point of the new Turismo Veloce capability, MV will attempt the new motorcycle with a 1900km ride within 24 hours, crossing 11 countries, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, France, Lichtenstein, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

Other significant updates include:

e-Novia 6-axis IMU
Cornering ABS and lean-sensitive control
5.5″ TFT display with MV Ride App integration
Sachs semi-active suspension (Rosso gets analogue suspension with Marzocchi 43mm
fork and Sachs mono-shock)
side panniers and a top case as standard on SCS
Smart Clutch System (SCS) *available on Lusso SCS and RC SCS

MV Agusta has been a little quiet for the last few years in Malaysia, there were rumours some time ago that the Italian brand will be revived in the local market but it remains to be seen. However, we do hope to check out these beautiful machines up close!

MotoGP: Ducati Wants To Continue Fielding Six Bikes Beyond 2021

Ducati wants to keep its six MotoGP machines beyond 2021 despite Avintia decision to quit MotoGP at the end of this season.

The Italian marquee is the only factory team currently supplying GP machines to two satellite teams in the premier class.

Pramac received full factory support with Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin riding on the factory-spec GP21 identical to Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia.

Meanwhile, Ducati supplied an older machine to Avintia, but the two riders, Luca Marini and Enea Bastianini, are contracted directly to Ducati.

Speaking to the press, Ducati Corse Sports Director, Paolo Ciabatti, revealed the team wants to keep the six bikes in 2022.

“In our case, the idea is to continue in the coming years with six bikes, i.e. with a second independent team.

“It is a system that we are very comfortable with. It is also a way of being able to keep some riders who we believe have earned the right to be in MotoGP,” he said.

The ongoing 2021 season will be the last for Avintia as the team decided to quit MotoGP at the end of last season.

Avintia slots are expected to go to Valentino Rossi owned VR46 team, which leave Ducati with Gresini Racing.

According to reports, Ducati has contacted Gresini Racing about a potential tie-up with the latter no longer attached with Aprilia next season.

However, Ducati-Gresini potential tie-up will also bank on Suzuki and Aprilia effort not to pursue their own satellite operations next season.

2021 Triumph Scrambler X Steve McQueen Revealed – Limited To 1,000 Units!

In admiring the iconic Steve McQueen barbed wire jump in the 1963 Second World War classic “The Great Escape” and the star association to two-wheels, Triumph introduced the all-new Scrambler 1200 Steve McQueen Edition.

The development of the limited-edition motorcycle was in partnership with the McQueen family.

With only 1,000 units available worldwide, each bike is individually numbered on the billet-machined handlebar clamp and comes with a unique certificate of authenticity stating the bike’s VIN number and carrying the signatures of Triumph’s CEO, Nick Bloor, and Chad McQueen, son of the legend, Steve McQueen.

Based on the standard 1200 XE specification, the Steve McQueen Edition comes fitted with:

engine protection dresser bars
laser cut and pressed aluminium radiator guard
premium brown bench seat

Triumph Motorcycles also pre-enabled the My Triumph connectivity system, allowing the rider to access phone calls, operate music, use turn-by-turn navigation, and manage a Go-Pro through the intuitive handlebar controls and TFT interface.