Yamaha Nouvo LC got new decals and named Nouvo LX Limited Edition for 2011 version in Vietnam. Yamaha Vietnam knows how to satisfy the riders there and I hope they will always keep up the good work.

2 more pictures after the jump (more…)

This bike looks almost the same like the Yamaha Mio 125 in Thailand with exception for the front headlight.

I also got to know some rumors about this Mio 125 which is said to be launched in Malaysia soon with the name of Ego LC. I heard this when I check out bikes available at GTMax Motor and asked them about the 135LC 5-speed whether it is going to be launched in Malaysia. The salesman said that there are no news about it yet, but there are some rumors about the Ego LC. From my observation, Ego LC should be the same like the Mio 125 in Thailand, maybe with a little bit of front headlight change.

UPDATE (23/11/2010): The rumors are true. Ego LC is here: https://www.bikesrepublic.com/2010/11/22/2011-yamaha-ego-lc-in-malaysia/

2 more pictures after the jump (more…)

I saw this spark plug on display at GTMax Motor at Shah Alam with the great red packaging that is unusual compared to the yellow box normal NGK spark plug packaging.

This NGK Yamaha spark plug is much more expensive compared to the normal NGK spark plug. This one cost at MYR8, whereby the normal NGK B8ES is just at MYR5. The red packaging really attracts my attention here and with the parts number that relates to the RX-Z model of 5BU and 5XK, I really think that I have bought a correct spark plug for my Yamaha RX-Z.

When you ask to get a spark plug for your RX-Z, the shopkeeper usually handed you the BP8ES, which can also be used . But sometime, you might also get BP7ES or even BP9ES. The different number on the spark plug relates to the heat transfer of the spark plug to minimize the carbon deposit that usually stuck at the spark arcing area of the spark plug. I have wrote a little bit about NGK Spark Plug Reference Model for Yamaha.

13 more close up pictures after the jump (more…)

I was at the SCK Motor shop when I saw many pieces of Maxxis MA-3D tire arrived at the shop. I asked the mechanic about it to know how good this tire is.

This MA-3D from Maxxis is better, IMHO compared to Duro HF-918 and Michelin during taking corners. This is due to the fact that it has the diamond shaped groove at the side of the tire. The grip of MA-3D is handled by this diamond shaped groove when the bike is slanted more than 45 degree. This gives riders more confident and lower attack angle. 60% of the center groove are designed for high speed riding with the usage of simple groove and a water channel groove in the middle for maximum speed in dry straight line. The groove also makes this tire a balanced characteristic during dry condition and works well through wet tracks.

I was thinking how long the diamond-shaped would last since the groove is not deep enough to be abused all day, but in the end, for normal ride, we don’t usually ride more than 45 degree to the left or right unless we are doing 100km/h on the round-about. So, based on my opinion, it can last as long as the tire center groove before you need to replace it.

It is not that Duro HF-918 or Michelin is not good, but in terms of cornering, MA-3D is much better doing laps. Michelin is a high quality tire that is very good on dry and straight line, but riders needs to be careful when using it for taking corners during wet condition. The thread and groove of Michelin and Duro are simple and looks more like slick tires for high speed dry straight sprint.

8 more pictures after jump (more…)

This nicely modded Honda EX5 belongs to Hafizi. His bike also being featured in Kapcai magazine, which is one of the great magazine that covers about motorcycle under 250cc.

Here are the modification details:

Engine: Standard

Make: 1996 (more…)