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

Saudi Arabia To Host MotoGP In Years To Come, To Develop 10 Circuits

Saudi Arabia is planning to host the MotoGP in years to come after unveiling plans to develop a state-of-the-art ‘city of motors’.

While other nations focus on building one circuit in the hope to join any motorsport calendar year, Saudi Arabia is making a bolder move by creating ten world-class circuits.

The ambitious plan is the brainchild of HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Abdullah Al Faisal, who is also the President of Saudi Automobile & Moto Federation.

The plan consists of building an entire city dedicated to motorsport racing consist of the rally, rallycross, cross country racing, motocross, and MotoGP.

“In Qiddiya, we will build an actual city of motors, with more than 10 circuits to host rally, cross-country, rallycross, motocross, because we want to host all the most prestigious competitions in the world.

“Including MotoGP, which is considered one of the sports here. Most important in the world,” he said.

According to reports, former Formula 1 driver, Alex Wurz, will help design the track.

MotoGP: Marquez Racing Against Time For Qatar GP

Marc Marquez is getting closer to full fitness after conducting his second outing on the RC213V-S at Portimao on Friday.

Apart from assessing his injuries, Marquez took the opportunity to learn the circuit, which was recently added to the calendar last year.

Portimao will host round 3 of this season MotoGP, after Jerez.

This is the Spaniard second outing on the RC213V-S after getting the green light from doctors to intensify his training since his horrific accident last July.

The Repsol Honda rider initially tested his right arm on a minibike before jumping straight on the RC213V-S at Barcelona after a brief trip to Qatar for his first Covid-19 vaccination.

According to reports, Marquez pushed the RC213V-S to its limits during the two tests, indicating a signal that we might be seeing him earlier than expected.

2021 Benelli TNT600 Revealed

One of Benelli key models, the TNT600 is making a comeback with a newly updated model, years after it was forced off-sale due to the strict emission ruling.

However, the Italian-Taiwan brand plans to introduce the revamp motorcycle this year based on China’s approval documents.

The front-end features the same headlight introduced in 2019, but it now packs with a full-LED light and a TFT colour screen.

Other notable features are redesigned side panels, an-all new seat unit with scooped-out mouldings, dual-channel ABS and 4-pot Brembo callipers.

Nonetheless, the 2021 model still maintain the “iconic” twin exhaust but with a more oval shape which suspiciously looks like it came straight from the Aprilia Shiver.

The motorcycle is powered by the same unit found on the QJMotor SRK 600, capable of producing 80hp.

Although the documents did not specify the launch date, we can assume it will be introduced sometime this year.

Ducati Sold 48,042 Units Motorcycle In 2020 Despite Pandemic

Despite the seven-week production halt in 2020 and other unforeseen circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ducati managed to deliver 48,042 motorcycle to its customers globally.

Although the number is lower than in 2019 with 53,182 unit delivered but the brand recorded sales growth in China (+26%), Germany (+6.7%) and Switzerland (+11.1%).

“2020 was indeed a challenging year, but we are satisfied with our financial performance throughout. Thanks to rigorous discipline, we were able to reduce fixed costs, thus limiting operating margin drop. At the same time, vastly reducing inventories had positive effects on cash flow, which is the best ever recorded to date.

“A heartfelt thank you goes out to the women and men of Ducati who, every day, with passion and dedication, contribute to the company’s strength and success even in this very complex and tough year,” said Claudio Domenicali, CEO Ducati Motor Holding.

However, Ducati is expected to achieve a more significant sales year for 2021 with the help of the all-new Multistrada V4, SuperSport 950 and the Ducati Scrambler Nightshift.

MotoGP: Morbidelli Consider Season Opener A Fight Between Yamaha, Ducati & Suzuki

2020 MotoGP title runner-up, Franco Morbidelli, shared his take on the upcoming 2021 season opener in Losail Circuit, Qatar, which he thinks will be a battle between Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki.

“We were able to improve our pace, even though the track was a little bit slower [on day 2 of 3] and felt more comfortable on the bike. So we improved what we needed, but looking at the other guys, everyone is improving.

“The Ducati looks strong; Suzuki looks very strong as well. The other Yamahas, also Vale, so the other three Yamahas were very fast. At the moment, it looks like it’s a Yamaha-Ducati-Suzuki battle,” he explained.

The Italian also thinks that Jack Miller will be a top contender in Losail.

“I didn’t follow Jack or see him on track. What I saw [from the timesheets] is that he’s really fast, has a really good pace and is really fast in a straight line,” said Morbidelli, who narrowly beat Miller for victory in Valencia then lost out to the then Pramac rider for second place at the Portimao finale.

“Moreover, Jack was fast last year and ended the season with a great rhythm, so for sure, he’s one of the top contenders for these next two races and this world championship,” he added.

Last season, Morbidelli secured a win at Valencia by narrowly beat Miller before losing out to the Australian for second place at Portimao.

Nonetheless, Miller already singled out Morbidelli as the Yamaha rider to look out for in 2021 despite remaining on an A-Spec YZR-M1.

Yamaha Y16ZR With All-New VVA Engine Launched – RM10,888!

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM) unveiled the much-anticipated Yamaha Y16ZR VVA (that’s what they call it) for local markets.

The all-new motorcycle features a variety of modern technology and safety aspects, making it one of the most advanced 155cc moped available in the country.

The motorcycle is packed with the same liquid-cooled 4-stroke, 4-valve, SOHC 155cc engine with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) found on the MT-15 and YZF-R15 capable of producing 17.7 hp@9,500 rpm and 14.4 Nm @ 8,000 rpm.

Not to mention, the Y16ZR is the only motorcycle in its class that comes with an assist/slipper clutch which improves gear changing while reducing the probability of a clutch slip.