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Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd (“HLYM”) launched its highly anticipated Yamaha PG-1 (Playful Gear 1) bike last month, redefining standards for adventure riding. The PG-1, which comes with a rugged yet classic look, is easily customizable with accessories to match the rider’s personalized style for an elevated riding experience. In an exciting twist, HLYM is pleased to introduce the four different personas of the PG-1 which reflect the diverse lifestyles and preferences of motorcyclists, emphasizing the bike’s versatility to cater to every kind of adventure.

Persona 1: Adventure Seeker

The Adventure Seeker craves the thrill of adventure beyond the urban landscape. When the weekend arrives, he swaps the city life for freedom on the open road, driven by a desire to explore nature. With the Yamaha PG-1, he explores off-beaten tracks, reconnects with the wild outdoors and immerses himself in the natural beauty of Malaysia’s tropical forests.

Persona 2: Urban Classic

The Urban Classic is dashing and elegant, effortlessly balancing a love for exploration with a commitment to style. The Yamaha PG-1 is more than just a mode of transportation to him; it’s an extension of his refined tastes. This modern gentleman looks forward to uncovering Malaysia’s hidden gems on the PG-1, confidently navigating through rural and urban landscapes with a sense of purpose and elegance.

Persona 3: Culture Vulture

A lover of art, fashion and culture, the Culture Vulture is always on the lookout for charming hideaways, cozy cafes and beautiful street art that tell a story. With the Yamaha PG-1 as her trusty travel companion, the Culture Vulture explores urban landscapes while sharing her adventures on social media to capture the beauty in everyday moments.

Persona 4: Street Adventurer

Embracing the excitement of the city after dark, the Street Adventurer embodies a unique blend of mystery and adventure. He effortlessly glides through the city on the Yamaha PG-1 as he seeks out cool destinations that are bustling with nightlife. Whether it’s a midnight ride through neon-lit streets or an exploration to uncover hidden spots, the Street Adventurer balances urban sophistication with a spirited sense of adventure.

In line with its tagline, “Be Free, Be You!”, the Yamaha PG-1 is designed for convenient customization to suit the rider’s personal style. Riders who are gearing up for an exploration adventure can now get their hands on the GIVI PG-1 Exploration Pack at RM700 (limited to the first 500 units) or the Yamaha PG-1 Expedition Pack at RM1,200.00 (limited to the first 300 units). For those who wish to personalize their PG-1 further, they may be interested to check out Prelova Studio or Taymen Airbrushing.

TYM Accessories:

Recommended Retail Price: RM1,200 (Value: RM1,800) – Limited to 300 units only.

• Hand Guard Kit;
• Hand Guard Cover Kit;
• Front Carrier;
• Sub Frame Kit;
• Leg Shield Kit.

GIVI Accessories:

Recommended Retail Price: RM700 (Value: RM1,200) – Limited to 500 units only.

• Side Bag;
• Handlebar Bag;
• Duffle Bag;
• Bracket for Side Bag;
• Rack for Duffle Bag.

The Honda RC164 racebike made its debut in 1964, breaking new grounds with its 250cc inline-six engine, and ridden by Jim Redman. So, to commemorate its 60th anniversary, Honda of Japan authorised the Swiss watchmaker Baresi & Caine to create just 60 pieces of this commemorative Honda RC164 Stella watch.

The watch has a stainless steel case, bezel and case back, along with a black Onyx dial and 18-carat yellow gold Honda ‘wing’ motif and rotor. The mechanism is an in-house BC102MR Automatic Micro Rotor, boasting 70 hours of power reserve, while the strap is completed with a stainless steel and 18ct gold clasp.

It has to be said that genuine Honda RC164s are valued at nearly £500,000 (RM2,751,086.53), therefore the watch from Baresi & Caine looks like a relative bargain coming in at just £28,000 (RM154,060.84). Those looking to invest in one will have to pay a £14,000 (RM77,030.42) deposit. Buyers will also get a copy of the beautiful Honda Six – Recreating a Masterpiece coffee table book worth £65 (RM357.64) when they place their order.

Interested parties can place an order at the official website. Hurry, there are only 60 pieces of the Honda RC164 Stella watch and while the Malaysian Ringgit is at its highest level at the moment.

Meanwhile, I will make do with my RM99.00 Casio watch (no, it is not a G-Shock).

The 2025 MotoGP calendar has just been released. It is going to be an extra busy year with 22 rounds, and 44 races.

Like the previous seasons, 2025 will kick off with a fly-away (non-European) round. However, Thailand will host the opening round at the Chang International Circuit, instead of the usual venue at Qatar. It also means that Thailand will not be held back-to-back to Malaysia, as in the case of this year.

Mid-season period takes place from April to September, with the championship returning to the European continent. The Brno circuit in the Czech Republic returns, no doubt will be much welcomed by riders and fans.

Argentina is provisionally scheduled after the Thai GP, although it was cancelled this year.

A new additional for 2025 is Balaton Park, Hungary. The 2.5-mile venue was only recently completed and will be an interesting test for the teams and riders who will have little to no data and experience of the track. The circus will be heading to the Hungarian venue between August 22 and 24.

There are two missing venues for 2025. First is the Sokol International Circuit in Kazakhstan. It had been cancelled due to bad floods in the country this year. The other is the now infamous Indian MotoGP which has been delayed until 2026 due to what Dorna and the FIM stated as “operational circumstances.”

Rounding out the 2025 season is the traditional showdown at Jerez, with the stunning circuit playing host to the championship between November 14 and 16.

Provisional 2025 MotoGP Calendar

Event

GP Date

Thai GP

March 2

Argentina GP

March 16

Americas GP

March 30

Qatar GP

April 13

Spanish GP (Jerez)

April 27

French GP

May 11

British GP

May 25

Aragon GP

June 8

Italian GP

June 22

Dutch GP

June 29

German GP

July 13

Czech GP

July 20

Austrian GP

August 17

Hungarian GP

August 24

Catalan GP (Barcelona)

September 7

San Marino GP

September 14

Japanese GP

September 28

Indonesian GP

October 5

Australian GP

October 19

Malaysian GP

October 26

Portuguese GP

November 9

Valencia GP

November 16

It is perhaps the worst kept secret that Aveta will launch two adventure models, namely the Aveta VTM250LX and Aveta VTM250M in October. On top of that, the bikes had been spied undergoing trials in the vicinity of Rawang.

Both variants were present in the tests.

The Aveta VTM250LX is geared towards off-road enthusiasts. Its higher ground clearance and dual-purpose tires suggest that this model is ready to tackle challenging terrains and light road riding. Ideal for adventurers who need a machine that can withstand the rigours of dirt paths and at the same time casual road riding. So, it is more of an enduro.

The Aveta VTM250M, on the other hand, appears to be more road-oriented, with a sleeker design and a lower seat height. While it still holds true to the adventure DNA, this model seems better suited for urban explorers and long-distance touring, offering a more comfortable ride on highways and smoother surfaces. It looks a lot like a supermoto.

Both bikes share the same 250cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve, oil-cooled engine. It produces 20hp (15kW) at 8,500 RPM and 18Nm at 6,500 RPM. It is clearly tuned for torque and tractability. The VTM250LX is said to weigh 125kg, dry.

With both bikes undergoing testing, it’s clear that Aveta is gearing up to deliver something exciting for both off-road adventurers and urban riders alike!

After more twists and turns than in a Bollywood movie later, the India MotoGP has been “delayed” to 2026. Dorna and the FIM have confirmed it officially with a press release.

The release did not mention the words “cancelled” or “postponed” and instead stated that the event will be “included on the 2026 FIM MotoGP calendar”. At the same time, they confirmed that the Indian venue will be a standby event for the 2025 championship season.

The full press release from the FIM and Dorna reads:

“The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports confirm that the Indian Grand Prix will be included on the 2026 FIM MotoGP calendar, moving to become a reserve event for 2025.

“Operational circumstances have obliged the event to be delayed from its initial slot near the start of the 2025 calendar. With no available dates towards the end of the season, MotoGP will therefore return to India in the early stages of 2026.

“Both MotoGP and InvestUP are working hard to bring MotoGP back to Buddh International Circuit with a world-class event, and are committed to confirming India as a destination for global sporting events.

“Our collaboration with InvestUP to bring MotoGP back to India continues to lay fantastic foundations for the future and MotoGP looks forward to racing in front of our incredible Indian fans as soon as possible.”

Autosport reports that the troubles are down to a lack of financial support from a local government investment agency linked to the region where the race is to be held. Invest UP (UP stands for Uttar Pradesh – the region in which the Buddh International Circuit resides) took over the promotion of the event from Fairstreet Sports, who promoted the inaugural event in 2023. It was believed that Fairstreet Sports had failed to pay Dorna and FIM for the rights to hold the event, in addition to the vendors.

Even that inaugural event in 2023 was fraught with difficulties on more than one occasion in the days leading up to it.

The 2024 was originally intended to take place last weekend, was first cancelled due to financial concerns although Dorna and the FIM did not specifically mention it. The round was subsequently moved to early 2025 due to “weather concerns” ahead of the season’s first round at Buriram, Thailand. It was hoped that the weather in the Uttar Pradesh region will be cooler during that time.

The postponement of the Indian MotoGP meant that MotoGP remained in Misano for two back-to-back rounds, instead.

Apart from the 2024 MODENAS Versys 650 SE, the 2024 Kawasaki Z900RS SE has also been launched in Malaysia.

The Kawasaki Z900RS SE is a captivating blend of timeless styling and modern engineering. Paying homage to the iconic Z1, this motorcycle captures the spirit of old-school bikes while seamlessly integrating contemporary features.

Notably, it features an Öhlins S46 rear shock—a hallmark of quality construction—that enhances grip and contributes to a suppler ride feel. The front suspension has been fine-tuned to complement the new rear shock, and a remote preload adjuster allows easy customisation for tandem riding or luggage. Eye- catching gold-coloured fork outer tubes match the Öhlins rear shock, adding to the bike’s allure.

And when it comes to stopping power, the Z900RS SE does n0t disappoint: it boasts 300mm Brembo front discs and M4.32 radial-mount monobloc calipers. Whether you appreciate heritage or crave performance, the Z900RS SE is a standout choice for riders who seek authenticity and excellence on the road.

The 2024 Z900RS SE is available in Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Matte Carbon Gray. Recommended retail selling price is RM73,300.

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