Ducati announced the introduction of Ducati Unica, a customization program dedicated to builders who wants to design a one of a kind Ducati motorcycle of their dream.
As a start, Ducati opens its Centro Stile Ducati doors to motorcycle builders who want to begin their journey by collaborating directly with designers and technicians to create unique machinery.
The initial sketches to the finished product will be documented and will see the involvement of Ducatisti with the support of Ducati professionals.
Thanks to the helping hand from the brand professionals, each step will be outlined, including precious materials, dedicated finishes, unique colours, and Ducati Performance accessories to ensure the builds meet a real Ducati’s criteria.
Builders who signed up for the program will be given a special pass to enter the Centro Stile Ducati in person to check on the progress, experiencing the first-hand level of dedication and attention to detail Ducati reserves for each project.
“Design is a distinctive element of our creations. For some time, we had been working on the launch of a project that would give Ducatisti the possibility of identifying themselves even more with their own bike, making it a direct expression of each person’s individual style.
“So we created Ducati Unica, a highly exclusive program that testifies to the excellence of Made in Italy of which Ducati is a representative in the world. An exciting and unforgettable experience of customization to be experienced directly within our Centro Stile,” said Andrea Ferraresi, Centro Stile Ducati Director.
According to Ducati, each Ducati Unica builds will be delivered to owners along with a certificate of uniqueness to ensure its non-replicability.
Loyal Ducatista Dave Enders has worked on the first Ducati Unica project with the number 500 of 500 Ducati Superleggera V4. Enders, who owned many of Ducati’s flagship models, said his Lamborghini Aventador SVJ inspires his Ducati Unica project.
Honda caused a stir last year EICMA after dropping a teaser of a brand-new mid-size motorcycle in Milan.
Although Honda stopped short of giving much away other than a CGI silhouette, Japanese publication Autoby has published what it believes is the finished look of the upcoming Honda CB 750 S (Hornet).
While it might be just another render, considering that Autoby has a reputation of ‘predicting’ the right design, the CB 750 S might turn out exactly as the rendered image.
The mid-size motorcycle will debut as CB 750 S and will continue Honda’s CB600F Hornet but will showcase the exact design blueprint as the Hornet 250cc currently sold in India.
The CB 750 S is expected to feature Honda’s typical naked bike design similar to the Neo Sports Cafe CB650 R but will adopt a sharper front headlight compared to the 650 circular headlamps.
However, the CB 750 S is expected to feature a new build-up engine as previously reported and not taken straight from the NC750 series.
The engine is rumoured to be the same platform set to be used on Honda’s upcoming Transalp, a potential challenger to Aprilia’s Tuareg 660 and Yamaha’s Tenere 700.
On that note, there is also a high possibility that the new engine could also translate into the development of a fully-faired CBR750 in the future to rival the Yamaha YZF-R7.
The final day of the three day two night ride, we head back to KL from Penang.
But because it is a relatively straightforward ride, the participants suggest to check out the new highest highway in Malaysia (at 61.5 meters above ground, the Paya Terubong to Ayer Hitam road takes over from the Rawang bypass as the highest highway) – this though turned out to be a disaster of traffic proportions.
Disaster is probably an overstatement, because we ended up in an absolute hellish traffic crawl through the market in Ayer Hitam, Penang.
Everything and everyone was stuck in that traffic, from the guy on a bicycle, to a cute Vespa and even a bus amongst the many cars.
And in the midst of it all were us! On gleaming BMWs with mega engines protruding out the sides, slowly inching along traffic, trying not to scratch the engine or get a dent on that beautiful body work.
If there is one thing that this epic traffic jam revealed was just how good the R18s were in slow traffic.
The low speed balance of the bike was fantastic, and only at extremely low speeds did we need to tripod it around traffic.
I know this is not a big deal, but keep in mind that the massive twin 1,802cc boxer engine keeps pushing the bike from side to side, so keeping this thing steady at low speed can be a workout. The fact that the R18 does it so effortlessly is genius.
We didn’t actually reach our destination, because we were stuck in traffic for quite a while and then lost our way, so we decided to get on to the second bridge and head south.
And this time I was on the R18 Classic, and boy am I glad for that.
Riding at about 160km/h on a shieldless cruiser is like holding onto a pole at hurricane level winds.
According to the Beaufort Wind Force Scale (a scale used to describe nautical wind speed), any wind that is stronger than 118km/h is enough to devastate a coastline.
So the next time you see anyone riding a cruiser faster than 110km/h, give his arms the due credit.
On the highway, the cruise control function available solely on the R18 Classic is a welcomed feature. Especially on long distance rides where the constant throttle input can become tiring.
The abundance of torque though lets you glide effortlessly. Even when you need to overtake.
Having said that, I did find myself downshifting a gear or two when I needed to get out of the way of an idiot in a fast moving murder machine aka Myvi.
Later I hopped on to the R18 Pure because a media colleague wanted to try out the Classic, because he saw that I was a lot more comfortable than anyone else was.
The R18 Pure can be brutally uncomfortable at anything above 120km/h. But that’s also the case with any shieldless cruiser such as a Harley-Davidson Fatboy or anything of that sort.
But on the long sweeping corners after Kuala Kangsar towards Ipoh was when the R18 Pure came together nicely.
BMW R18 Malaysia
From the vantage point of the rider, the engine looks like it’s just a few centimetres off the road. And this creates a psychological barrier when cornering for fear of scrapping the engine covers.
But get over that and you will notice that the R18 Pure really does like to corner. The R18 Pure at least.
It doesn’t take much to scrape the foot pegs, but it is only the brave that can keep scraping without fear. A quick check between my legs tells me that the size of my nuts doesn’t allow for that.
We reached Ipoh a little after noon, for lunch at The Andersonian Club.
Being an Ipoh boy myself, I have to say that this is not the finest that Ipoh has to offer, but there’s no arguing against a good banana leaf lunch.
But that made the ride back to KL a little more arduous because we all know what happens after a banana leaf lunch at noon.
But I was back on the R18 Classic for that part of the journey. The screen shielding me from the wind, the cruise control taking on the throttling duties, and that fat front wheel soaking up bumps better than the 70 profile Michelin on the R18 Pure.
But the other thing that I truly enjoyed was the ride itself.
BMW R18 Malaysia
Riding in the cool Cameronian breeze. Carving the many corners of Sungai Koyan. The yummy food in Penang and the stay in G Hotel in Gourney drive. And especially the company.
I enjoyed it all. Everything was beautifully put together and the people and the R18’s made it better.
BMW R18 Malaysia
But this is not a journey that only a select few can enjoy. You too can sign up for this at a little over RM3,000.
I received a message from a friend saying that it didn’t sound like a good deal – I didn’t understand that.
BMW R18 Malaysia
The bike rental alone costs RM1,000 a day (if you can find one) while a stay at the G Hotel in Gourney comes in at over RM500 per night.
You can’t really put a value to not having to line up at Nasi Kandar Deen Maju. And that sunset cruise was a classy touch – typically BMW. But just so you know, the cruise alone costs RM4,500 for three hours.
BMW R18 Malaysia
For RM3,350, you get an all expenses paid trip. Even the petrol is covered and you don’t even have to worry about carrying your own bags because there will be a support car to manage all of that.
All you have to do is ride. And perhaps just like it did for me – your soul too can be fuelled.
Italian luggage specialist GIVI has finally lined up a robust line of accessories for the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250.
The Pan America 1250 can now be fitted with GIVI top case and side panniers with the help of a new rear rack, offered in anodized aluminium made to fit GIVI’s Monokey top case.
Pan America owners can also pick and choose different panniers holders to fit a couple of other GIVI side case options.
There is also a special mounting kit to help owners to install GIVI’s Tool Box on the left-hand side. Owners who like to include additional luggage with GIVI’s Tanklock or TanklockED bags can now do so with the help of a new flange to lock it in place on the fuel tank.
Owners can also upgrade to a taller windscreen that is 46 cm high and 49.6 cm wide, and it is 4.5cm more elevated than the stock unit. However, owners need to purchase a different fitment kit to aid the installation.
GIVI also offers a black engine guard made of steel tubing with 25mm diameter. Do take note that GIVI advises that the unit should be installed by a professional.
We’ve taken the Pan America 1250 Special out for a ride, and the one thing that looks shabby is the stock side stand. Worry not, as GIVI has created a robust side stand sole made of aluminium and stainless steel with a wider footprint (thank God!) than the stock.
If you are planning to add more weight and luggage, we advise you not to put so much trust on the stock side stand.
Currently, there is no confirmation when will the new product range for the Pan America 1250 will be available in Malaysia. However, we suggest that the best check with local GIVI retailers for pricing and availability.
According to a recent report by Sky Sport Italia, Ana Carrasco is set to make a surprise return to Moto3 World Championship.
There were question marks over the future of the Spanish rider after she was omitted from the Supersport 300 World Championship entry list.
However, Sky Sport Italia reports that she will return to Moto3 with BOE SKX.
Looking at the 24-year-old latest Instagram updates, she’s currently undergoing a two-day test at Jerez as preparation for her return.
Despite no further confirmation from BOE, Carrasco reportedly will team up with rookie rider David Munoz.
Carrasco won the 2018 Supersport300 Championship back in 2018 and became the first-ever female motorcycling World Champion. Since then, she has added four more victories, including a win in Italy last season.
During a recent event held in Alor Setar, Kedah, MForce did a special preview of the Moto Morini X-Cape 650.
According to reports by Paultan.org, the Moto Morini X-Cape 650 will be available in Malaysia by mid-2022 with an estimated price of RM45k.
The X-Cape 650 features a 649cc parallel-twin engine that makes around 60hp @ 8,250rpm and 56Nm @ 7,000rpm. While the power is decent, the X-Cape 650 comes with premium components, including adjustable upside-down Marzocchi forks, adjustable KYB rear shocks and Brembo brakes.
The adventure-tourer also comes equipped with an 18L tank and a 7-inch TFT instrument display.
The X-Cape 650 is built around a steel trellis frame and paired to an aluminium swingarm to ensure its rigidity on and off-road.
