2020 MotoGP World Champion, Joan Mir, will head into the 2021 season with his usual #36.
The Suzuki rider opted to stay loyal to his current #36 instead of using the #1 after winning the title last season.
“The number will be the same as always, the loyal one, #36.
“I think it would have been awesome to use the #1, a unique experience and a dream.
“But I believe that 36 is the number with which I’ve worked hard, and it has taken me to where I am now, winning two world championships [MotoGP and Moto3],” he explained.
The #1 was last seen in 2012 with Casey Stoner at Repsol Honda, while Marc Marquez and Valentino also kept the usual numbers with 93 and 46, respectively.
MV Agusta has officially revealed the updated Brutale RR, RR SCS, Rosso and Dragster RR for 2021.
The two triple-cylinder naked sportsbike have received extensive updates mostly focusing on the engine, frame and suspension.
*MV Agusta Brutale Rosso
The 798cc engine on the Brutale and Dragster are now Euro 5, thanks to the reworked done with the counter-rotating crankshaft to reduce friction.
*MV Agusta Brutale RR
The crankshaft and conrod now use micro-bored bearings, which require less oil than the conventional bearings, which leads to a lower amount of work the oil pump needs to do, which subsequently reduced energy wastage.
*MV Agusta Dragster 2021
Other improvement includes a new electronic control unit, reinforced clutch and 3rd-generation EAS semi-automatic transmission.
Both the motorcycle also received a redesigned frame that is now stiffer with the bikes also boast new suspension setup as standard including a more comfortable seat and a steering damper.
*MV Agusta Dragster 2021
Nevertheless, the iconic triple exhaust still presents, and in our books, that’s enough for MV Agusta to received an A-plus!
Other significant improvements are as follows:
43mm Marzocchi fork
newly improved 6-axis IMU
Continental MK100 ABS
front lift control
5.5″ TFT Screen with MV Ride App Connectivity System
Harley-Davidson potentially planning to introduce an all-new supercharged engine based on the latest patent.
The Milwaukee based company is looking to integrate a supercharger into its Big Twin lineup.
However, the patent does not specify whether the supercharger unit will be fitted in the current engine or future powerplants.
Nevertheless, the patent shows how Harley plans to apply the technology.
According to the documents, the crankshaft will power the supercharger via a covered belt drive.
Air will then enter the intake system, and the pulley-driven supercharger compresses the air before delivering it to the combustion chamber.
Currently, the Kawasaki H2 is the only supercharged motorcycle available in the market.
The H2 is an embodiment of power and speed, which then raises the question on Harley’s supercharger project, are they also trying the grasp the same idealogy?
BMW Motorrad Malaysia has launched the “40 Years GS Edition” F 850 GS for the local market priced at RM85,500.
The model offers new black and yellow colour schemes to further intensify the unique GS experience for owners old and new. They also come with expanded standard equipment that was previously offered as optional.
The major changes that can be found on the F 850 GS as standard are new tape designs with unique styling on the side fairings, LED signal lights, USB charging port, ABS Pro, and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC).
Customers will also get a windscreen adjustment mechanism and a 6.5″ TFT display as standard complete with the BMW Motorrad Connectivity.
The motorcycle retains its liquid-cooled 4-valve, 2-cylinder 853cc engine that produces 95hp at 8,250 rpm, and 92Nm at 6,250 rpm.
The BMWF 850 GS “40 Years GS Edition” comes with a 3-year warranty and 3-year roadside assistance.
Ducati MotoGP has presented its 2021 factory Desmosedici during the team’s official presentation with Lenovo as title sponsor.
The Italian outfit will start the 2021 MotoGP world championship with two new riders, Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia, replacing Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci last season.
The GP21 features a more dominant red, including the now painted aero winglet, which was in standard carbon black displayed last season.
Ducati also continues partnership with long-time sponsors, Audi, Givi, Flex-Box, and Riello.
*Jack Miller #43
For 2021, Ducati once again fields six machines on the track, with Miller and Bagnaia leading the pack alongside Pramac’s Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin and Avintia’s Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini.
#Pecco Bagnaia #63
Bastianini and Marini will kickstart the 2021 season with the GP19.
Luigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse, expect big things coming from the two new riders.
“The start of a new season is always a special moment, and this year even more, as we have a completely new team. We have two new riders with us, Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia. Both are extraordinarily talented, they’re young, but they already have a lot of experience on our bikes.
“Jack (Miller) and Pecco (Bagnaia) have great potential, and I think that together we can fight not only to defend the Constructors’ Title won in 2020, but we can also aim for the Riders’ Title,” he said.
Meanwhile, Miller and Bagnaia could not contain their excitement after witnessing the GP21.
“The emotions I felt seeing my all-red Desmosedici and wearing my new suit for the first time were incredible! I still have to realize that I’ll be part of the official Ducati Team this year.
“It’s taken a long way to get this far, and finally being “in red” gives me a great sense of satisfaction, but also the right motivation to continue working with commitment and dedication towards my future goals,” Miller said.
“This will be a significant season for me because, for the first time, I’ll be wearing the colours of an official team. I’m proud to have achieved this first goal, and this year I will set my sight on even greater results,” explained Bagnaia.
Miller and Bagnaia will taste the new GP21 during the official pre-season testing in Qatar next month.
Chief Presidential legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, plans to ban pillion riding to curb criminal activity involving motorcycles.
According to reports, authorities in the Philippines have been trying to find the best solution to curb motorcycle-related crime, and Panelo proposed an outright ban on pillion riding.
“Let’s ban another person from riding a motorcycle. Only one rider is enough,” he said during the launch of the Philippine National Police Tactical Motorcycle Riding Unit.
This is mainly because the pillion is primarily responsible for committing a crime while the rider assists in escaping.
Scooters and underbone motorcycles make for easy getaway vehicles, especially in the urban area where the traffic is high; hence become one of the leading transportation for criminals in the country.
Panelo also suggested the ban should also extend to family members.
“If we don’t outlaw riding-in-tandem, there will always be shootings because they can always pretend to be husband and wife, father and son,” Panelo concluded. – MotoPinas
