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Is the Honda CB500RS in the works, following in the footsteps of the intriguing CB350RS?

The 350cc version is currently unavailable in the US, perhaps prompting Honda Motors Corporation to develop a 500c model. The rumours follow trademark applications filed in the country for a GB500. The CB350RS is sold under a different name as the GB350S in some markets, including Japan.

However, the 500 looks different in Japan, as scooped by the Japanese magazine, Young Machine. Pictures show a truly retro design, compared to the roadster/cafe racer design of the CB350RS.

The magazine also mentioned that the engine could possibly be a 525cc, two-valve, single-cylinder, air-cooled unit.

Should it go to plan, the Honda 500cc range will now have a new addition to the current Rebel 500, CBR500R, and NX500.

Any BMW motorcycle with “GS” name means it is an adventure motorcycle. GS, in its original form was G/S which stood for Gelände/Straße meaning Off-Road/Road. However, that does not mean the BMW R 1300 GS and its predecessors could not be ridden aggressively on the road! So, from the aftermarket specialists Puig, here is the radical Puig Pista Kit which turns your BMW R 1300 GS into a racer.

The kitted out GS was shown at EICMA. Pista means track and the resulting bike became a big capacity supermoto like the KTM 890 SMT. BMW does have a fully-faired Boxer model, called the R 1250 RS (the 1300 model should be in the works) but it is a sport-tourer.

The Puig prototype was fitted with 17-inch Rotobox carbon fibre wheels that were shod with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres, Galfer 320mm brake discs, and Arrow exhaust system.

The most striking feature of the kit is the revised front end of the bike, looking more raptor-like, with hey! winglets on the sides. The windscreen is also Puig’s (of course), which the maker says reduces turbulence.  There are also side mounted deflectors which can be opened or closed to increase or decrease airflow to the rider’s legs.

Additionally, the kit includes a revised mudguard (to accommodate the smaller front wheel and tyre), tank cover, rear cowl, pillion seat cover, belly pan and lower spoiler.

And then there are the brake cooling ducts to channel cool air to the front brake calipers, painted in striking yellow.

The kit remains a concept but who knows Puig may produce it if there is enough demand to produce it.

All photos by Puig.

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) recalls vehicles for inspection by the relevant car manufacturers to ensure safety on the road.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said all recalls are official announcements from JPJ to vehicle owners.

He said that previously if there was a vehicle problem related to technical issues, the manufacturer would issue a recall notice. “However, vehicle owners usually ignore the announcement notice and think it is a trivial matter.

Now, we have stipulated that if there is a technical problem with the vehicle, the company must inform JPJ before the department will make an announcement to recall the vehicle for inspection.

Owners must be aware of every announcement regarding the matter and send the vehicle back to the workshop designated by the company with the cost borne by the company,” he said when met after officiating the Negeri Sembilan-level MyLesen Program at the Kuala Klawang Great Hall here today.

Also present were Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT) Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan and JPJ Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.

Anthony Loke said that owners face safety risks when using the vehicle if they ignore the recall process.

The 2025 Yamaha XSR900 has been updated. This is one model which some quarters have been asking for in Malaysia but unfortunately, it is available overseas only.

Anyway, the 2025 model sports a new 5-inch TFT screen, replacing the previous minuscule 3.5-inch item. Apart from that, the engine is now Euro5+ compliant.

The rest stays the same, being powered by the 890cc, three-cylinder engine shared with the Yamaha MT-09. It makes the same maximum power of 117.3hp at 10,000 RPM and 93.0Nm of maximum torque at 7,000 RPM.

2025 Yamaha XSR900

Its chassis is also unchanged, running on spin-forged wheels, suspended by 41mm forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Brakes consist the same Brembo master cylinder and dual 298mm discs up front. Seat height is 810mm and wet weight remains at 193kg.

It seems that the manufacturer has not updated the model in big steps as it is still extremely popular where it is available. Except that it is not here.

Price for the 2025 Yamaha XSR900 in the UK is £11,000 (RM62,114.66) and available in Legend Red, and Midnight Black colours.

There is still no news about the Yamaha XSR900 GP model.

The 32.1KM to 33.2KM (kilometre) stretch on the North-South Expressway between Jitra and Hutan Kampung has been reopened today.

The North-South Expressway Corporation (PLUS) Malaysia announced in a post on its Facebook page that the right lanes for both directions have been reopened for traffic. However, the left lanes for both directions are still closed due to flooding.

Northbound vehicles were diverted off the highway via the Alor Setar North Interchange and re-entered the highway via the Jitra South Interchange, during the closure of the route.

Several states in Peninsular Malaysia such as Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Melaka have experienced severe flooding since last week following the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon. The massive flooding has seen more than 300,000 residents in the affected states temporarily evacuated. More and more flood victims have been allowed to return to their homes, but the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of a monsoon surge expected to occur next week.

MetMalaysia Issues Monsoon Surge Warning from 8 to 14 December

A total of 4,225 candidates for the Class B Licence Transition Program have passed as of November this year.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that of the 5,477 candidates who sat for the transition programme, 23 per cent, or 1,251 candidates, failed in the testing process.

As of November 27, 177 driving institutes (IMs) out of 245 IMs have been involved in offering this transition programme,” he said in response to a question from Senator Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman on the ministry’s steps to ensure that driving licence centre operators receive and process applications that have been approved by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) for the programme.

Loke said his ministry and JPJ were constantly monitoring the implementation of the programme and action would be taken against any IM that had made a commitment to implementing the programme, but failed to process applications from the public.

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