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Yamaha is definitely pushing toward an autonomous driving technology after making its third investment into Tier IV Inc, the lead developer of the Autoware open-source self-driving operating system.

  • Yamaha has invested more than JPY12.1 billion into developing autonomous driving technology.
  • The ‘self-riding’ system could feature on Yamaha’s electric bike range soon.

The Japanese firm first invested in Tier IV in 2017 before adding its second investment two years later.

However, the third investment that brings the total funds injected into Tier IV currently stands at JPY12.1 billion (RM396mil), further showcasing Yamaha’s commitment to autonomous driving technology.

According to Yamaha, the new technology is aimed at “low-speed automated driving under specific conditions.”

While the technology sounds too complex to work on a motorcycle, it is hard to believe that they would be investing heavily into something that would not become applicable to their products.

Nonetheless, the new technology could be a safety feature to include in Yamaha’s upcoming electric range, something like the Neo’s or an E01.

That said, the development is considerably still at an early stage. While it may not materialize anytime soon, it seems inevitable that ‘self-riding’ technology will make its way to motorcycles.

Spurred by the huge success of the affordable Benelli TRK502 and TRK502X in Europe, the Chinese-owned Italian brand is set to expand the TRK range with an upcoming TRK702, soon.

  • the Benelli TRK702 will feature a bigger 23L tank and built-in front and rear camera (dashcam).
  • powered by Kawasaki-sourced 693cc two-cylinder engine. 

After officially unveiled the TRK800 at EICMA last year, the Benelli is now working on a brand new TRK702.

While the TRK502 is an adventure touring motorcycle with light off-roading capabilites and the TRK800 is pitched as a sports tourer (despite the 19-inch wire spoked wheels option), Benelli plans to placed the TRK702 as a more off-road focused two wheeler.

This is supported by a latest patent leaked in China that showcased an upcoming 700cc motorcycle.

In a glance, the patent could be mistaken as the TRK800 but further observation notice a different engine layout.

Also the tank is larger (23L), which could means that the TRK702 is following the same trend set by the new Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid.

However, the patent also revealed something a lot more exciting. The TRK702 will feature front and rear cameras, which essentially means that the motorcycle is fitted with built-in dashcam.

While the bike’s development is still in an early stage, Benelli might display the concept model at this year’s EICMA show.

Chinese motorcycle company, CFMoto has unveiled the third variant from its middleweight 700 CL-X range with the introduction of the new ADV.

  • the ADV variants features larger 19-inch wheels and raised beak. 
  • powered by the same 693cc two-cylinder engine. 

Joining the already available 700 CL-X Heritage and Sport, the 700 CL-X ADV features a more rugged and aggressive bodywork than it siblings.

The 700 CL-X ADV finally make its way to production, three years after it was presented as a prototype at the 2019 EICMA.

Despite the robust look, the ADV variant is not a serious off-road capable machine compared to the brand 800MT motorcycle, but it does have a resemblance akin to a Scrambler.

That said, the 700 CL-X ADV gets a larger 19-inch front wheel, dual-purpose tyres, wire-spoke wheels and a raised beaked typically found on a scrambler.

Nonetheless, majority of the 700 CL-X ADV still retains the same signatures, including the X front headlamp.

In addition, the 700 CL-X ADV also fitted with panels to install panniers.

Mechanically, the ADV version gets the same 693cc two cylinder engine producing 74hp @ 8,500rpm and 68Nm @ 6,500rpm.

While no official price is mention yet, we expect the ADV to priced slightly higher than the Heritage and Sport.

BMW Motorrad recently introduced the new BMW G 310 RR sportsbike in India.

  • the G 310 RR is a rebadge from TVS’s Apache RR 310.
  • the G 310 RR puts out 33.5hp and 27.3Nm.

The G 310 RR joins the already available G 310 GS and G 310 R, with all of the models sharing the same 310cc single-cylinder engine built in partnership with India’s TVS Motor Company.

After the successful introduction in India, BMW will now bring the 310 RR to China, as reported by Rushlane.

BMW Motorrad has sold more than 50,000 units of the G 310 range globally, of which 15,000 units were recorded in India alone, making the country the biggest market for the small capacity BMW branded bikes.

Understanding the rise in demand for a small-capacity motorcycle in China, the G 310 RR could do well in a country that shares a similar number of population with India
.
BMW Motorrad Head of Asia, China, Pacific and Africa, Markus Mueller-Zambre, explained that India would start exporting the G 310 RR to China soon, with the official launch will happen in the coming months.

In addition, Markus revealed that the G 310 RR would only be manufactured in India at the TVS manufacturing plant.

Considering how quickly BMW is pushing to export the new baby RR, it could also mean that we might see the bike in Malaysia soon enough.

Despite no further details, the G 310 RR is expected to land in Malaysia, considering the other two G 310 range is also available here. The G 310 R (2021) is available for RM27,500, while the G 310 GS is priced at RM29,500.

If the G 310 RR lands in Malaysia, it could cost slightly above RM30,0000.

American electric motorcycle company Lightning Motorcycles is working on a new plug-in adventure bike to take on Energica’s Experia.

  • Lightning Dakar is the first electric plug-in off-road capable motorcycle.
  • Set to go head-to-head with Energica’s Experia tourer.

The company patent filing recently leaked in China and showcased the upcoming off-road focused ADV motorcycle bodywork.

The company’s founder and CEO, Richard Hatfield, submitted the application to the China National Intellectual Property Administration. Why China? This is because Lightning has a factory over there.

Despite the possibility of coming up against the Energica Experia, Lightning’s upcoming machine is more off-road oriented, which immediately distinguishes it from the Experia, which is fitted with 17-inch wheels.

Lightning also included the term Dakar in the filing, which is most likely to describe the bike’s design language.

Lightning made headlines in 2012 after claiming an electric land speed record of 350km/h with the 200hp LS-218 prototype.

The company proceeded to introduce the production version of the LS-218, named the Lightning Strike Sportster, in 2019, which is currently available for orders from USD19,998 (RM89.1k).

Nonetheless, the upcoming ADV boasts entirely different ergonomics thanks to a taller seat height, upright seating position, longer travel front suspension and rear absorbers.

The motorcycle also features wire-spoke wheels in 21-inch front and 18-inch rear compared to Energica’s 17″ road-biased alloy wheels.

The bike is also equipped with a tall, humped fuel tank, conventional ADV front beak, raised front mudguard and tall (but narrow) windscreen.

While there are no precise details on the performance, it is possible it makes the same 120hp as the 2019 Lightning Strike, with an engine and swingarm that appears identical to the sportsbike.

Swedish motorcycle company Husqvarna Motorcycles has partnered with Google and Unreal Engine to introduce a new configurator for the company FC 450 flagship dirt bike.

  • Husqvarna partners with Google and game engine developers Unreal Engine to produce a new configurator.
  • The configurator allow prospective owners to create a dirt bike that meets their need.

According to Husqvarna, the new configurator will allow its FC 450 riders to set up their prospective bike accordingly.

While motorcycle configurators are not new features, this will be the first addition to Husqvarna’s dirt bike range.

For those outside the gaming spectrum, Unreal Engine is a 3D computer graphics engine developed by Epic Games. They are also the game engine behind MotoGP, Ride, MXGP and Supercross videogames, allowing gamers to enjoy life-like graphics.

The configurator will allow riders to try out infinite combinations to create a suitable competition machine that meets their needs.

In addition, the configurator will allow prospective customers to choose from over 150 Husqvarna Technical Accessories.

Although the configurator is currently limited to just the FC 450, Husqvarna says they will add more models in the future.

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