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KYMCO, a Taiwan-based motorcycle manufacturer known for its scooter lineup, has updated its biggest scooter available, the AK 500.

The AK 550 maintains the parallel-twin engine but now boasts Euro 5 compliance, making it on par with the famous Yamaha TMAX 560.

The motorcycle also received a revised exhaust system to meet the Euro 5 standards.

Although the AK 550 is 10cc lower than the TMAX, the engine produces a higher power, at 51hp and 55.6Nm compared to 47.5hp available on the Yamaha.

For 2021, the AK 550 also received modern electronics consist of a throttle-by-wire system that offers better finesse and control at low and high RPM.

Nevertheless, the AK 550 still maintain other goodies such as Brembo brakes, lightweight aluminium frame, upside-down fork and adjustable mono-shock.

The bad news is, the AK 550 is currently not available in Malaysia.

MV Agusta rolls out the Superveloce range for 2021, consisting of the standard and the new “S” version.

While both the standard and “S” versions come equipped with the same 798cc powerplant, the latter takes attention to detail, characterised by a new white livery, brown Alcantara leather seat, and tubeless spoke wheels.

Engine

For 2021, the major renewal starts from underneath the fairings, the 798cc liquid-cooled DOHC engine now revised with Euro 5 homologation but still pumps out 147hp at 13,000rpm.

 

The upgrades consist of a new bushing, titanium valves and DLC-coated valve guides that help reduce friction and increase fuel efficiency.

The engineers at Varese also completely redesigned the exhaust system from the manifold to the silencer, all focusing on meeting Euro 5 standards.

Also revised is the control unit, which consists of engine management and control to create a more precise performance.

Electronics

The 2021 Superveloce also received an all-new six-axis IMU inertial platform that reads the motorcycle angle to provide precise and optimum control.

The new IMU also helps to manage front lift control instead of turning it off altogether, making the 2021 Superveloce a more enjoyable bike.

Meanwhile, braking is done by Continental ABS with specific mappings for MV Agusta, which also consist of cornering ABS and traction control.

The Italians also up the ante with a 3rd generation bi-directional Quick-Shift EAS 3.0, which improves the shifting with the help of a new sensor and a new launch control system.

Other major changes:

  • 5.5″ TFT screen
  • MV Ride App connectivity
  • turn by turn navigation functions

Currently, MV Agusta has yet to release official pricing but safe to assume no matter what the price is, a beautiful machine like this won’t take up too much time in the market.

Rear-view mirrors don’t do much justice to a motorcycle’s overall look, especially if it’s supersport.

Ducati Panigale V4, BMW S 1000 RR, Honda CBR1000RR-R and Kawasaki ZX-10R are all great-looking machines except for their dull-looking mirrors.

In a mission to solve this conundrum, the creative people at Rizoma introduces the Stealth, a supersport mirror unlike any other.

The Stealth was designed to look as minimal as possible to keep it in line with the overall sportbike design, yet ensuring it provides excellent visibility as a side mirror.

According to Rizoma, the Stealth consist of two parts; a fixed mirror directly mounted to the fairing and a movable glass that acts as a mirror when rotated 90-degrees into the viewable position.

The movable element transforms into a winglet when it is rotated into a closed position. The Stealth is more than just a sleek looking mirror; instead, it also increases downforce for better grip at high speed.

Rizoma claimed the winglet generates 4 kilograms of downforce at a speed of 300kph.

The Stealth is currently available for Honda CBR1000RR, BMW S 1000 RR, Kawasaki ZX-10R, Suzuki GSXR-1000, Yamaha YZF-R1, Ducati Panigale V2, and Ducati Panigale V4.

SYM has just launched the updated version of its Maxsym 400 maxi-scooter in China.

While updates usually refer to the manufacturer doing slight changes to the motorcycle, SYM has completely redesigned the scooter.

Hence, SYM refers to the Maxsym 400 as an all-new scooter, replacing the previous model, which is undoubtedly lacking in styling and performance.

SYM claimed that the scooter had been fitted with a lighter chassis, resulting in an impressive 18.5 per cent weight reduction.

SYM R&D centre also rearranged the engine position, battery, and water tank, to increased handling flexibility.

The revised model also get a set of a telescopic fork at the front and standard pre-load adjustable rear shock, including a keyless ignition system, adjustable windscreen and traction control.

The Maxsym 400 is now powered by a 399cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine (Euro 5 compliance) capable in producing 34hp @ 6,750rpm and 39.5Nm @ 5,250rpm.

It was one of the most thrilling Moto3 race over the last few years, which saw 16-year-old KTM Ajo rider, Pedro Costa won his maiden victory in Qatar last Sunday.

However, the race was stained by a fight between John McPhee and Jeremy Alcoba.

The Petronas Sprinta and Gresini rider were a part of the lead group in Sunday thrilling encounter at Losail before they both involved in an accident at Turn 1 at the start of Lap 15.

Alcoba ran into Darryn Binder rear tyre and crashed out before the bike flicked and hit McPhee’s head and took out the rider from his machine.

McPhee, who endured the same fate a week before, lashed out at Alcoba in the gravel trap and managed to land a kick, with the latter also retaliated.

McPhee later issued an apology for the incident.

“I let my emotions get the better of me in Qatar, having been taken down for the second week in succession as a consequence of another rider’s mistake.

“I must apologise for my conduct – I didn’t react well to the incident.

“It is an adrenaline-fuelled sport, with obvious inherent danger; having a competitor’s bike strike my head triggered an out-of-character response, and I’d like to apologise to the fans, my team, Petronas and our partners.

“I accept the penalty and will move onto Portimao focused on the task at hand,” he explained.

Both of the riders were hit with EUR1000 fines for their behaviour and will start the Portuguese GP from the pitlane.

Alcoba will start 5s after the rest of the pack while McPhee is forced to wait for 10s before setting off.

Jorge Lorenzo always knows his way with words and never shy to drop a bombshell involving current and past MotoGP team and rider.

As a three-time MotoGP world champion, he has the right to express his opinions on the race’s important aspect.

In order to voice out his opinion louder, the former Yamaha, Ducati and Honda rider decided to become a YouTuber by launching his own YouTube channel, Jorge Lorenzo Official.

The channel shows the 33-year-old former MotoGP champion giving us a free and unparalleled insight into the sport.

Through a series named #99Seconds, Lorenzo gives us an unbiased prediction and post-race insight of the 2021 MotoGP season.

Although Lorenzo delivers his talks in Spanish, you can turn on the English subtitles provided.

Nevertheless, this just proved how well the Spaniard is coping post-MotoGP, which definitely will open a new path for other ex-racer to follow suit.

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