Just days before the official launch of the new Hayabusa 2021, a new leaked image of the new motorcycle makes its way online.
We can assume it was taken-off a product slide meant for dealers which explained the not so high-quality images.
Based on the image, the front end of the 2021 Hayabusa looks more muscular yet modern. The tail section seems to have been redesigned with sleeker shape and lines.
While the recent 25 seconds teaser revealed a TFT screen, we also expect the bike to gain Euro5 certification.
Full details of the 2021 Hayabusa will be revealed on the 5th February.
Ducati Malaysia seeks to bring joy for every Ducati fans in Malaysia by extending the Stay Safe, Ride Free campaign throughout the Chinese New Year celebration.
Initiated in January 2020, the campaign offers an assortment of privileges for every Ducatisti available at Ducati Centres nationwide.
Check out these four (4) incredible offers below:
1. Wide range of motorcycle with great offers
Ducati Malaysia is offering attractive ownership packages for selected bikes and customers can check them out via various online platforms available.
This is to ensure every Ducati customers can enjoy a detail look at every model available at the comfort of your home.
Enjoy complimentary Ducati Smart Jacket worth RM4,300 with every motorcycle purchased at Ducati Malaysia.
Ducati Smart Jacket offers a patented airbag system that protects the rider’s back by ensuring maximum shock absorption.
According to Ducati, the protection afforded is equivalent to that of 7 back protectors.
3. Lucky draw rewards worth up to RM1,999
Feeling lucky? Head to Ducati Malaysia Facebook store and purchase item worth RM210 and above in a single receipt and stand a chance to win exciting rewards up to RM1,999!
Participants will need to submit entries digitally and Ducati MY will announce the winners via social media.
4. Ducati On Demand: Breakdown? Worry not!
Aligned with the government SOPs, every Ducati owners looking to send their bikes for service and maintenance can do so by Ducati On Demand service.
With a low fee of RM100 (within Klang Valley), a representative from Ducati Malaysia will pick-up and return the customer bikes scheduled for service.
Aprilia has hit colossal success ever since the introduction of the RS660 end of last year and the recent launched of the Tuono 660.
Sharing the same 660cc platform, Aprilia seems to be proud with the new unit (now Euro 5) which is also scheduled to power the upcoming middleweight adventure bike, the Tuareg 660.
*Aprilia RS 660 2021
The RS660 borrows styling cues from the established RSV4 1100 while the Tuono 660 (you guessed it right) drawn from its bigger sibling, Tuono 1100.
However, to progress, the Italian marque looks set to axe two models from its Noale factory, the Aprilia Shiver and Dorsoduro due to Euro 5 emission.
*Aprilia Dorsoduro 900
Both Shiver and Dorsoduro are the only models with Euro-4 engine, and that means if Aprilia plans to continue putting this in every dealer in Europe, it has to be Euro-5 compliant.
It is impractical for Aprilia to update the 900cc V-Twin engine to comply with Euro-5 and the fact that they are preoccupied with the 660cc unit, shifting their focus anytime soon do not add up.
Which brings us to the question, will Shiver and Dorsoduro be born again with the same 660cc Euro-5 platform?
The RS660 is a middleweight sportbike however unlike the dedicated supersport segment, the RS (an acronym for RennSport) is not designed for competition; instead, it is made for the street.
*Aprilia Tuono 660 2021
Meanwhile, the Tuono 660 provides a much comfortable riding ergonomics with taller handlebars and fall within the ‘naked’ sports motorcycle.
With the two 660 portrayed as a street machine, there is very little room for Shiver and Dorsoduro to make their mark again.
Personally, Shiver and Dorsoduro had an incredible run, and if Aprilia decides to bring back either one of these, it might not be anytime soon.
At the moment, let us enjoy the new revolution of the Noale factory via the RS, Tuono and the upcoming Tuareg 660.
By the way, we heard the RS600 may be launching soon in Malaysia!
How the story of Suzuki dominance last year in MotoGP could have changed if former team manager, Davide Brivio, opted for Jorge Lorenzo in 2019.
Brivio, who recently left Suzuki and MotoGP to join Alpine’s Formula 1 team explained the reason behind the Japanese marque decision to pick Joan Mir in 2019 which consequently led to the team first-ever premier class world championship since 2000.
Lorenzo was ousted from Ducati in 2019 after a difficult start in 2017 and continue to struggle the following season.
Suzuki was eyeing the former three-time world champion but according to Brivio, their attention was swayed towards Mir later on.
“Winning 10 races (in 2017) and being a Moto3 champion is something that caught our attention.
“At that time we had the option of signing Jorge Lorenzo. In the end, we had to decide between Lorenzo and Mir.
“It was not a choice between two riders, rather it was choosing a philosophy and the direction that we wanted to take in the future: take a veteran rider like Lorenzo or develop young talent.
“The more we got to know Joan and the more we learned about him,” explained Brivio.
Mir had an option to sign for Honda in 2019 but only for satellite placement.
Mir was a no brainer for Brivio who maintain a philosophy of signing young talent, having done so with Maverick Vinales in 2015 and Alex Rins two years later.
It has been a few months since the first spy shot of KTM new RC390 makes its way online.
Nevertheless, the Austrian outfit managed well in hiding the details except for the noticeable change of the headlamps.
However, the latest spy shots reveal a very detailed look at the bike that is expected to launch soon this year.
The headlamps and the turn-indicators clearly using an all-LED unit, arranged in two columns much like the one on 390 Duke and 390 Adventure.
The RC390 also mounts newly designed rear-view mirrors.
From another angle, it shows that the motorcycle comes with a new set of clip-on handlebars, redesigned fairing with the riding ergonomics slightly updated.
Much like the latest 390 Duke and 390 Adventure, the next-gen RC390 also received full-colour TFT screen which operates the ride-by-wire, switchable ABS, and KTM MY Ride function which opens up to various features.
The bike is expected to receive bigger disc brakes paired with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
The next-generation KTM RC390 is expected to powered by a single-cylinder 373cc, liquid-cooled engine that churns 44 PS and 37 Nm, mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox.
The Milwaukee based motorcycle manufacturer recently rolled out an array of so-called new motorcycles for 2021 from the flagship CVO’s, Street Bob 114 and The Fat Boy.
*2021 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special
However, for someone who stayed 15,081 kilometres from Uncle Sam and had to stay up at 1 am just to witness one of Harley-Davidson biggest virtual launch, the end result was a tad disappointing.
It is not a secret Harley-Davidson is currently in flux, from Rewire to Hardwire before making a considerable u-turn and now shifting back their attention towards their core customers.
*Harley-Davidson Bronx streetfighter
2021 was supposed to be one of the most exciting years for Harley-Davidson when they introduced the all-new and modern motorcycles in the form of (streetfighter) Bronx and (adventure) Pan-America.
Scheduled for 2021, only Pan-America made it while Harley-Davidson under their new boss, Jochen Zeitz, decided to scrap Bronx entirely and other ‘future’ electric bikes.
*Harley-Davidson Pan America 2021
Although it was mentioned that the Bronx project might be revived, we have our doubt.
These two bikes (plus the all-electric LiveWire) could have ‘saved’ Harley’s future with modern design and advanced electronics instead of just ‘updating’ the existing models with more chrome and bling that comes with mouth-watering price tags.
Obviously, Harley’s do not fall under the ‘affordable’ category, nor it has any plan to do so under the new management even though they planned to introduce a 300cc motorcycle with China-based, Qianjiang Motorcycle when they were under the helm of Matt Levatich.
*Harley-Davidson 338R
However, that too seems to go up in smoke as the two parties, was initially rumoured to launch the Harley-Davidson 338R this year.
Nevertheless, it seems Qianjiang went ahead with the plans and might introduced these models under their own brands, QJ Motor.
*BMW G 310 R & G 310 GS
Every other premium brands have started to expand customer demographics by introducing more affordable options through small capacity bikes.
BMW teamed up with TVS and successfully reached out to a wider audience via 310 GS and the 310 R in India and South East Asia, Triumph Motorcycles plans to follow suit with Bajaj Auto.
*Aprilia RS150
At the same time, Aprilia did the same in India and China with affordable 150cc motorcycles and scooters.
*Harley-Davidson Street 750
With HD already pulled the plug on the 883 and the ever accessible Street 750, where do Harley-Davidson new riders coming from?
New riders equal new customers which lead to increase of fortune to ensure a company runs for many more years to come.
We all want Harley-Davidson to succeed as it embodies what motorcycle is all about but the year is 2021 and although not all the time, sometimes things need to change for the better.
The LiveWire seemed like a fantastic sports bike on a battery, the Pan America (albeit heavy) looks like a rhinoceros born off a Transformers movie and this two makes us excited and hopefully, Harley-Davidson will continue to do so soon enough.
