Motorcycles Archives

Allianz General offers motorcyclists more than just insurance coverage

Just like drivers of cars, motorcycle riders are also users of public roads and they also pay roadtax. However, things seem different for them as everything from infrastructure and poorly maintained motorcycle lanes to a lack of roadside assistance appears to ignore their needs which are no different from drivers.

Furthermore, we see most insurance companies giving all the extra benefits to car drivers but most of the time, motorcyclists get just the basic coverage. Not anymore as last month, Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad introduced free roadside assistance for its policyholders who take comprehensive coverage for their motorcycles (below 250cc).

Nationwide value-added service

According to Allianz General’s CEO, Sean Wang, the company’s introduction of the roadside assistance service for motorcycles means that riders have everything to gain with heightened value-added service. The service, available to Allianz Motorcycle Plus (Comprehensive) and Allianz Motorcycle (Comprehensive below 250cc) policyholders nationwide, includes emergency towing assistance (free for up to 50 kms, round-trip), fuel delivery, battery, and flat tyre service. It will be provided by the Allianz Road Rangers.

“We have all seen motorcycle riders left stranded or worse, involved in an accident, and every single time, it is fellow riders that are at the scene offering assistance. Now, with our roadside assistance services, our own riders know that come rain or shine, we will be just a phone call away,” said Mr. Wang at the ‘Crash, Boom, Bang! Part II #Roger’ Allianz Media Roundtable today.

“As an insurer, we should be there for our customers. It is as simple as that. While many others have shunned away from such a service simply for not being financially lucrative, sometimes, there is no harm in giving a little more. This is our way of saying thank you to our customers and letting them know that we are here for them in times of need,” he added.

Allianz Road Rangers ready to assist

The Allianz Road Rangers service for motor comprehensive policyholders was introduced in the Klang Valley in 2017 as a first within the General Insurance industry. The following year, it was available nationwide.

Taking a leaf out of the existing Allianz Road Rangers service, Allianz General Head of Claims, Damian Williams, said there are the following touchpoints:

♦ 24-hour helpline assistance – in the event of an accident, policyholders can call 1-800-22-5542 to have a technician or tow truck dispatched to their location for assistance, repair work, or to provide towing services.

♦ Allianz Road Rangers Tow trucks – the Allianz Road Ranger will provide riders emergency towing assistance (free for up to 50 kms, round-trip), fuel delivery, battery, and flat tyre service.

♦ E-hailing vouchers – the policyholder will also receive e-hailing vouchers that they can use to get home from the accident site and back to their home (where the service is available).

According to Mr. Williams, it was crucial that the service was able to nullify a rider’s pain points and offer flexibility in terms of towing options. “Our goal was simple – provide quick solutions to common issues like fixing a flat tyre or delivering petrol that would allow riders to continue their journey and should the need arise, provide them with towing assistance to get them to a workshop or their preferred location and get them home safely,” he explained.

“Everything that we do at Allianz General, at the end of the day, is about our customers, and this service is solely about taking care of the rider. So we took extra care in ensuring that our touchpoints offer thoughtful assistance,” he added. “Plus, having an established towing assistance service in the Allianz Road Rangers meant we already have 190 tow trucks at our disposal and we could hit the ground running.”

How to lower motorcycle accident numbers

At the roundtable, there was also discussion about the best way to curb the high rate of motorcycle accidents is with rider attitude and cultural change, according to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). On top of being grossly underserved, motorcyclists also suffer the most accidents and fatalities in Malaysia. According to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) statistics for 2020, while road accidents dropped by 26% last year, largely due to movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet there were still 418,237 road accidents and 4,634 fatalities, with most accidents involving motorcyclists with 3,118 deaths.

MIROS Director of the Road User Behavioural Change Research Centre, Azhar Hamzah, revealed that on average, motorcycle accidents stood at around 20%, but motorcyclists and pillion passengers were most affected in terms of injuries, with more than 60% of the deaths each year. He also quoted a recent PDRM statistic which indicated that the highest percentage of motorcycle deaths, at 36% percent, involved riders aged 16-25 years old.

“Users (80.6%), the environment (13.2%), and vehicles (6.2% percent) are the three main factors involved in accidents. The changing of behavioural habits and heighten awareness of safety is the quickest way to get rides to be safer on the roads. Simple, doable changes such as speed control, adhering to traffic rules like stopping at red lights, and just overall riding etiquette can make a huge difference,” said Encik Azhar.

“Motorcycles provide very little physical protection. So, for injury prevention, protective equipment like a proper-fitting, SIRIM-approved helmet can safeguard the head on impact while, riding jackets and closed-toe footwear can help reduce injury risks such as abrasion. These are readily available items that riders should consider incorporating into their ride to keep themselves safer,” he said.

BIKES: Harley-Davidson Now Officially Open In Juru Autocity, Penang!

That’s right! Northern region HOGs can rejoice, for they now have a place to call home right in the middle of Juru Autocity, Penang, with the official opening of Harley-Davidson Penang!

But not only that, HDMP (Harley-Davidson Malaysia, Penang) also took the opportunity to announce the launch and introduction of 14 CKD models built in Bangkok, Thailand… one of them is the HD Fat Bob below…

Both the red and black bikes are identical models, but the former is made in Bangkok, while the latter is made in Milwaukee, USA. There is no telling them apart, both are identical in terms of specs, but the one made in Bangkok costs RM40,000 less. Yes, FORTY THOUSAND ringgit less than the one “Made in USA”.

HDMP is located at Juru Autocity, right next to the Ford showroom.

HDM Penang Official Opening Photo Gallery…

VIDEOS: Sunday @ KLIMS 2018! What A Crowd – Visitors To KL International Motorshow Are Back With A Vengeance [+Videos]

One of the things that was playing at the back of our minds in regards to KLIMS 2018, was how it was going to be insofar as crowd attendance was concerned. And with that in mind, we headed back to MITEC, the new venue of the KL International Motorshow, on Sunday 25th, technically the first weekend of the show. This is what it looked like! Wait for the surprise at the end…

Another big surprise was the appearance of the Proton R3 Racing Team (below), who’d just won the S1K, or Sepang 1000km Race the day before, and we managed to catch their full interview and meet-the-fans session at the Proton pavilion…

Of course as expected the crowd at the abovementioned Proton pavilion was massive, packed with those who came to see the new X70 SUV, which will be officially launched on 12th December (probably at KL Convention Centre) during which Proton will FINALLY reveal its price…

The 2-wheel section of KLIMS was participated by Kawasaki Malaysia, Benelli and Honda, who showcased the awesome new GoldWing Tourer, remarkable…

It was also heartening to see that Peugeot was getting quite a lot of visitors, many were enthralled by the new Peugeot 308 GTi…

Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, there is no official Supercar representation at KLIMS 2018, however, thanks to the ‘peripheral’ pavilions, there was still some eye-candy to ogle… we’re referring to the cars of course…

We’ll be visiting the show again before it ends on 2nd December 2018, so stay tuned for our wrap-up coverage!

Shell & MAI: Lucky Contestants Win A Bike & Car In Two Separate “Winners Announcement” Events On The Same Day!

It was a dream come true for technician Khairil Anuar Abd Rasol, 35, (above) when he found himself the proud owner of a brand-new Ducati Monster 797 motorcycle in the recent Shell Advance Buy & Win Consumer Contest. The contest, which ran from April 1 to May 31, 2018, was open to motorcycle owners who purchased any Shell Advance 4T motorcycle engine oil or gear oil worth a minimum of RM25 in a single receipt from authorised Shell Advance retail channels. An on that same day, Velu Kumar Suppan, 54, (below) won a brand-new Kia Picanto as the Grand Prize Winner of the lucky draw held in conjunction with the Malaysia Autoshow 2018 organised by Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI).

“My discipline did payoff. I have always only used fully synthetic Shell Advance Ultra as it goes further without impacting the performance and makes my bike feel lighter and more powerful. I was surprised when I received the call informing me of the good news. I am so thrilled as I did not expect to win the Ducati Monster,” shared Khairil, the Grand Prize winner and proud new Ducati owner. The Shell Advance Buy & Win Consumer Contest was aimed at rewarding passionate bikers who choose to trust Shell Advance for complete protection of their motorcycles’ engines.

As for Velu Kumar the winner of the Kia Picanto, he was one of the 215,853 visitors who attended the fourth edition of the annual Malaysia Autoshow at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from 26th to 29th April 2018. “The new Kia Picanto is timely as my current car is quite old. I look forward to using it as my daily commute to work in Subang Jaya,” he said. Mohd Sazali bin Mohamed Amin, Chief Financial Officer, MAI presented Velu Kumar the keys to his car during a prize giving ceremony at the MAI headquarters in Cyberjaya. Aside from Velu Kumar, 30 car buyers at the autoshow also won fuel vouchers worth RM1,000 each.

BIKES: What Were You Doing At 22? Henry Crew Is Riding Across The Globe On A Ducati Scrambler!

At just 22 years of age, Henry Crew is on his way to set a new Guinness World Record as the youngest person to circumnavigate the world, covering 35 countries over 35,000 miles on a motorcycle. Well-known for its durability and iconic style, it comes as no surprise for Henry to choose a Ducati Scrambler bike as his road companion.

Hailing from South London, Henry set off on his extraordinary quest on 3^rd April 2018 and has since visited 17 countries, including France, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, India, Thailand, and then Malaysia. He will be continuing his journey to Australia before crossing into Africa and heading up to the Americas before completing his journey home to England.

The inspiring young adventurer is also raising funds for the Movember Foundation; a global charity organisation that addresses some of the biggest health issues faced by men including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

Inspired by his own battle with mental health, Henry has been actively raising funds for the Movember Foundation. Since 2014, he raised a total of £4,300, with £2,430 raised from his current initiative of travelling 35,000 miles around the world.

To encourage Henry’s meaningful quest and to inspire other youths to be bold enough to achieve their dreams, Ducati is lending their full support towards Henry’s mission around the world with country distributors facilitating his journey in their respective countries. Ducati also presented Henry with the Scrambler Desert Sled that is accompanying him on his expedition.

The Scrambler Desert Sled was built for those with brave hearts who enjoy the travel lifestyle. With its reinforced light frame and build, it withstands harsh road conditions making it the ideal companion to circumnavigate the world. The self-expression, iconic style and flair for fun that the Scrambler brand stands for also perfectly complements Henry’s wanderlust personality and love for phenomenal challenges.

During his stay in Malaysia, Next Bike Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor for Ducati in Malaysia, serviced and checked Henry’s bike to ensure it stays in top notch condition for the rest of his journey. Next Bike also planned out his Malaysian travel route; navigating through Penang to Ipoh, Perak and Cameron Highlands before manoeuvring right down to Tanjung Piai, the Southern-most tip of Asia, then heading northwards to Kuala Lumpur.

Next Bike Sdn Bhd recently launched the Scrambler 1100 Special and Scrambler 1100 Sport retailing at RM83,000 and RM85,000 on-the-road without insurance (0% GST) respectively. Ducati Scrambler fans are encouraged to take advantage of the extended tax holiday and head over to the nearest authorised Ducati dealership to view the powerful and durable new Ducati Scrambler bikes.

To further enhance the premium after-sales experience for owners, Ducati offers the Ducati Smart Service Program, a two-year free service for parts and lubricants, or up to 30,000km including Desmodromic service. This free service program is additional to the current two-year unlimited mileage warranty and is available at all authorised Ducati dealerships nationwide.

BIKES: BSH Introduces New Vario 150 Scooter Priced at RM7,199

Boon Siew Honda (BSH) has just launched a new Honda Automatic Transmission (AT) model called the Vario 150. Boasting a combination of sporty style, high-performance and value-for-money features, the new Vario 150 is a “scooter-cub” bike (a.k.a. skuchai) an ideal option for bikers who seek a competent daily-commuter. In-line with its commitment to bring more joy to the customers, Boon Siew Honda has been continuously working to enhance customer satisfaction and evoke the creation of new value.

BSH noticed a growing popularity for AT models especially among young riders who wish to be pampered with quality features and specifications with an affordable price tag. Having understood the market demand, Boon Siew Honda saw great potential in the AT segment and decided to provide more options to Malaysians by introducing the Vario 150.

The advanced safety features of Honda AT Model provide peace-of-mind, while the automatic transmission makes them easy to handle. Other than the safety features and manoeuvrability, there is also an increased interest towards Honda’s smaller bikes with higher cc amongst Malaysian riders. The Vario 150 is powered by a 150cc liquid cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder engine that produces 13.1 PS at 8,500 rpm and 13.4 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. The 150cc engine is incorporated with eSP technology and advanced Idling Stop System (ISS) to provide an outstanding balance of riding performance and fuel efficiency. Riders will be able to enjoy the dynamic performance of the new AT Model that will exhilarate the riding experience to a whole new level.

The striking Honda AT Model offers many value-added features such as the Dual LED Headlight and LED Taillight, LCD Digital Meter Panel, Honda SMART Key System, Sporty Style Muffler with Aluminum End Cap, 14-inch Sporty Wheel with Wavy Disc Brake, 18-litre Under Seat Compartment and Double Inner Rack. Boon Siew Honda has also taken account of safety concerns into the AT Model design. The new model is equipped with a Combi Brake System (CBS) that helps to balance the braking system across the front and rear wheels to reach to an optimal standard.

Boon Siew Honda is targeting to sell 1,000 units per month and the company believes the standard of the AT segment will be elevated following the launch of this new model. Set to be the trendsetter in the AT segment, the Vario 150 (RM7,199) is available in four colour options, which are Pearl Magellanic Black, Pearl Nightfall Blue, Force Silver Metallic and the Repsol edition (RM7,399).

Available at all authorized Boon Siew Honda dealers from 30th August onwards, the Vario 150 comes with a 2-year or 20,000km manufacturing warranty (whichever comes first). In conjunction with the National Day celebration, a series of exclusive and unique Vario airbrushed with the flags of the nation and 13 states of Malaysia will be hitting the roads across Peninsular Malaysia. These special Vario by Boon Siew Honda embody the patriotic spirit of Malaysians.

For more information, please visit www.boonsiewhonda.com.my or call Boon Siew Honda’s Toll-Free number at 1800-88-3993 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, except for public holidays). You can download the official price list below:

Vario 150_Price

BIKES: Indian Motorcycles – Own A Piece Of American Heritage For As Low As RM79,000!

Harmony Fabulous Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of the legendary American motorcycle brand Indian Motorcycles in Malaysia, has been creating a formidable presence in this side of the world since their appointment to exclusive distributorship in 2011. As America’s first motorcycle company, the Indian Motorcycle brand traces its history from 1901, when it produced America’s pioneer motorcycle and swiftly rose to become the best-selling motorcycle brand worldwide with the introduction of the first V-twin motorcycle in 1907.

Backed by an illustrious legacy of over 100 years, it is one of the most famous, innovative and versatile bikes in history, reimagined with expert craftsmanship in producing exquisite streamlined machines which elude a timeless classic style. A contemporary yet classic interpretation of one of the motorcycling world’s most famous and coveted bikes, the Indian Scout are legendary bikes known to have conquered the infamous “Wall of Death” and carried the legendary “Indian Wrecking Crew” motorcycle race team to multiple victories. Over the course of 30 years of countless innovations, racing wins, world records and industry firsts, the Scout earned its reputation as a versatile, multifaceted bike that appealed to just about every rider and every riding style, with superior handling, balance, performance and craftsmanship.

Boasting advanced technologies, design and engineering innovations, the Indian Scout offers a breakthrough chassis design featuring a lightweight and rigid cast aluminum frame coupled with a low seat height for exceptional comfort, balance and manoeuvrability. Powered by liquid-cooled 1133cc 100HP V-Twin engine with 6 speed transmission, the Indian Scout generates a peak torque of 97.7 Nm at 6,000 rpm – deeming it a powerful yet approachable beast. Its low seat height, ease of handling and lightweight design makes the Indian Scout appealing to riders of various skill sets and abilities while the high horsepower and superior handling make it a bike that will thrill even the most experienced riders. This iconic cruiser is also equipped with ABS for front and rear wheels, gear primary drive and equipped with a 12.5-litre fuel tank.

Another of Indian Motorcycle’s most iconic style is the Indian Chieftain Limited, which delivers a ride like no other as it is powered by the award-winning Thunder Stroke 111 V-Twin engine delivering 161.6 Nm of torque. It also features ABS brakes, push-button power windshield, cruise control, remote locking hard saddlebags, keyless ignition and internally wired handlebars for the rider’s ultimate comfort. The Chieftain Limited is also fitted with superior functionality such as Ride Command™, an industry-leading infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen and premium 100-watt of audio system. Exterior-wise, the Chieftain Limited further features an innovative cast aluminium frame, sleek nineteen-inch contrast-cut wheels and sawed-off open front fender.

From now until 31^st August 2018, take advantage of the Merdeka Special tax holiday promotions, where fans of Indian Motorcyle can enjoy extra savings ahead of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) implementation. Enjoy special limited-time-only rates for:

Indian Scout (model year 2016) in Smoke Silver colour:
RM79,000 on-the-road without insurance at 0% GST (Normal price: RM111,000)
Indian Scout (model year 2017) in Brilliant Blue colour:
RM88,000 on-the-road without insurance at 0% GST (Normal price: RM111,000)
Indian Scout (model year 2018) in Willow Green colour:
RM99,000 on-the-road without insurance at 0% GST (Normal price: RM111,000)
Indian Chieftain Limited (model year 2018) in Thunder Black Pearl Graphics:
RM204,000 on-the-road without insurance at 0% GST (Normal price: RM233,000)

Every purchase of either the Indian Scout or Indian Chieftain Limited come with a standard two-year warranty package with unlimited mileage, five times free service maintenance worth RM2,500 inclusive of labour charge, free vouchers worth RM3,000 and an exclusive gift. View the entire Indian Motorcycle range along with accessories and apparel lines at the showroom at Naza Automall, Petaling Jaya from 9:00am to 7:00pm daily.

BIKES: FSR Technology TuneBoss “Win A Bike” Contest Winner Revealed!

We have a winner!!!

Getting well is easier when there is a new bike to look forward to, said 36-year-old Mohd Fairus Bin Abd Rahman. He won a brand-new Yamaha Y15ZR in the TuneBoss 2018 Lucky Draw Contest.

Hailing from Ipoh, Fairus was one of hundreds that tried their luck in the annual contest by FSR Technology, the manufacturer of TuneBoss, a high-performance programmable ECU for motorcycles.

Fairus explained that he was hospitalised on the lucky draw day and only switched on his handphone five days later, when he immediately received a call to confirm his prize.

“I bought a TuneBoss ECU in March this year from a TuneBoss dealer and it is fitted to my 2014 Yamaha FZ-150i to produce more power and I’m happy with the result,” said Fairus.

He further explained that he was considering to purchase a Y15ZR, to be used alongside his FZ-150i which had given him some wonderful memories.

“I rode that FZ-150i all the way to Krabi and Bangkok so it holds a lot of nostalgic value, thus I won’t sell that bike, but this Y15ZR will be my daily ride from now on.” Fairus’s Y15ZR will be fitted and tuned with the TuneBoss high-performance ECU before being handed over.

The 2018 TuneBoss Lucky Draw Contest was organised specifically for TuneBoss ECU owners unlike the year before that was open to the public, which was won by Muhammad Zulhanif Hamidon (below) who took home a TuneBoss equipped Honda RS150R.

FSR Technology is planning a 2018 year end giveaway with an even more exciting prize, so stay tuned!

For more information please visit tuneboss.co or call + 603-78315041 or drop a “Private Message” on the TuneBoss Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/TuneBoss.Malaysia/

BIKES: Aprilia Owners In Malaysia Have A New Place To Call Home!

“The Piaggio Group officially announces the appointment of Didi Resources Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, as the official distributor of Aprilia, one of the Group’s premium motorcycle brands”

It’s OFFICIAL!

Piston.my received this notice from the Naza Group Corp.Com recently:

Naza Premira Sdn Bhd announces that it will cease operating its Aprilia distributorship with effect from 31st July 2018 after a mutual decision with the Principal. This decision is the result of a brands rationalisation plan under the Naza Group’s overall corporate strategy to ensure long-term sustainability and profitability of other high-performing 4-wheel and 2-wheel brands, in line with current market demands. Naza Premira Sdn Bhd will continue to serve Aprilia customers in after sales, service, spare parts and warranty until 30th September 2018. Following this announcement, Naza Premira Sdn Bhd will continue to represent Piaggio and Vespa brands in Malaysia.

And mere hours later, we received this:

Didi Resources Sdn Bhd will manage Aprilia in substitution of the previous distributor, Naza Premira Sdn Bhd. The Piaggio Group wishes to thank Naza Premira for the continuous effort and support since 2013.

Mr. Gianluca Fiume, Chairman & General Director of Piaggio Vietnam & Executive Vice President Asia Pacific 2 Wheeler, said, “The appointment of Didi Resources is part of Piaggio’s business strategy to group the motorcycle brands of Aprilia and Moto Guzzi under a single entity to maximize efficiencies across all aspects of the business and reinforce customer commitment in Malaysia. With Aprilia and Moto Guzzi under one roof, we are able to better offer a wider range for potential customers who seek a unique Italian motorcycle experience backed by superior performance and rich heritage of these brands. We look forward to collaborating closely with Didi Resources to propel both Aprilia and Moto Guzzi to greater heights.”

Under the management of Didi Resources, the Gasket Alley at Petaling Jaya will house a dedicated showroom for both Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands, an aftersales and a service workshop with a new team equipped with specialized technical skills and expertise, fully trained by Aprilia. Customers are assured of a seamless transition in customer care and service support.

According to Mr. Rewi Hamid Bugo, Chairman of Didi Resources Sdn. Bhd, “We are very honoured to be presented with this opportunity to manage Aprilia, a prestigious Piaggio Group brand for the Malaysian market. This complements the Moto Guzzi range which we have established since August 2017 and completes our premium Italian motorcycle product range under Piaggio. Through this acquisition, Didi Resources is firmly committed to building the Aprilia brand through a dedicated aftersales support, strengthening of the Aprilia community and ensuring that engagement with the brand is continuous in the light of a competitive 2-wheel environment in Malaysia.”

The official appointment of Aprilia under Didi Resources will take into effect from 1 August 2018. A series of media and customer engagement activities and service support campaigns for Aprilia are currently in the pipeline to bolster brand building efforts.

BIKES: Yamaha X-Max & MT-09… A Classic Case Of Beauty & The Beast [+Videos]

I want both. Oh man, how I would have loved to keep them permanently. Of course it really didn’t help that I tested both the Yamaha X-Max 250 Scooter (below) and MT-09 Streetfighter (above) back-to-back, and for the first time ever, here were 2 bikes – well one bike and one scooter, but for the purposes of this article I’ll be referring to both of them as ‘bikes’ – that I really, really despised. Despised the fact that I had to return them of course.

It’s no big secret that I’ve been a biker longer than I’ve been driving cars, having cut my teeth on 2-wheelers long before I was even allowed to ride them legally (sorry, I was a bit of a juvenile delinquent in my youth, but hey I turned out fine….ish. Sorta…), and over the years I’ve owned a slew of high-performance machines, only to unexpectedly and inexplicably turn to the ‘retro’ scene about the decade ago, as well as the scooter scene around the same time.

I reckon the bike that caused this ‘turning-point’ in my biking life was the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 a.k.a. ZZR1400 which I reviewed many moons ago when it first burst onto the scene. Capable of an amazing 200bhp going to the back wheel (not a typo) with its infamous ‘ram-air’ induction system, and a top speed in access of 300kmh, this six-eyed monster was to me the epitome of everything that had gone wrong with the world of biking…

Although I must admit I thought the ZX-14 was (and still is) an incredible feat of engineering and admired the hell out of it for its sheer audacity and in-your-face disregard for political-correctness in an age where we’ve never been more so, I also strongly felt that bike makers had lost the plot completely when it came to biking, by constantly producing bigger, faster and more powerful 2-wheelers. Where would it end?

This incredible leap in technology also sent the price of big bikes rocketing through the stratosphere locally, seeing as how our taxation system for bikes over a specific cubic-capacity was thought of and introduced when the main mode of personal transport was a bicycle called the ‘Seven-up’. Google it… okay, I’ll save you the trouble:

So yeah it was in and around that time when I decided nope, no more insanely high-powered bikes for me, and decided to go retro, starting with a BMW K1100RS, and followed-up with the likes of old skool Suzuki GS’s, GSX’s, etc. etc. etc. and as mentioned I got heavy into scooters. In successive order I’ve owned a V100, VS125 (2 actually), Elegan 150, and a currently a Sym200 VTS.

I’ve toned-down a lot when it comes to biking, preferring instead to just cruise at moderate speed rather than ‘balls-to-the-wall’ type riding, and in that respect, I’ve found that as far as daily-commuting and the occasional scootour long-distance ride is concerned, there aren’t many scooters I’m comfortable on apart from my Sym, and I’ve always bench-marked any scooter I review against my own.

Thus far I’ve been content with the fact that my Sym suits me the best insofar as the riding position, comfort and long-distance capability is concerned; that is until this goddam Yamaha X-Max came along… Here’s my post-ride video that sums up my thoughts nicely:

And then, having returned the X-Max, it just so happened that the new Yamaha MT-09 was available if I wanted it for a few days, and of course I could not say no, because the MT-09 – to me anyway – does not belong in the Yamaha line-up; as a matter a fact, a bike like this shouldn’t be in any bike-makers line-up and here’s why…

The MT-09 is a Streetfighter through and through, and although there isn’t a badge, emblem or sticker that reads ‘Streetfighter’ anywhere on the bike that I could see, it definitely is one simply by virtue of the way it looks, the way it’s built and the way you ride it. And the reason a Streetfighter doesn’t belong in any bike-maker’s official stable is because it was created by bikers, not bike-makers, and purely by accident too, literally.

Streetfighters came about when sportsbike owners had crashes and sent their fairings in to be repaired. Since the bikes could still be ridden sans fairing, many did so after slapping on a straight handle bar to replace the inevitably damaged clip-ons, and the trend caught on around 20-odd years ago, when some realised that a sportsbike looked kinda cool with its kit-off, and owners started to remove their expensive fairings from their bikes on purpose – possibly to save them big bucks if they had an ‘off’ – and ‘lo and behold Streetfighters were born.

The moment I swung my leg over the MT-09 and spirited myself away from Hong Leong Yamaha in Sg.Buloh, I could tell this was a Streetfighter right away. The riding-position is possibly the biggest giveaway, because in typical Streetfighter fashion, the rider sits quite upright and very ‘forward’ with his franks and beans right up against the tank. It’s also a very short bike from nose to tail, allowing for incredible maneuverability. Here’s my post ride, jittery, shaky, adrenaline enhanced video…

The nimbleness of the MT-09 is only overshadowed by the unbelievable amounts of torque from it 847cc, 3-cylinder engine. On paper the torque is only rated at 87.5Nm, with a healthy 115Ps @ 10,000 rpm, in a bike that weighs less than 200kgs. You know what that means don’t you? Should I elaborate? Very well then…

This bike is insane. It is so quick you’ll not believe how fast it reaches triple-digit speeds from a standstill, especially since it’s equipped with a ‘Quickshifter‘ you won’t need to use the clutch after 1st gear or shut the throttle to upshift. Hard acceleration sees the digital speedometer become absolutely worthless because this bike’s acceleration is so brutal, it just becomes a blur of flying digital bars that look like they’re on flakka.

It really did remind me of the bikes I used to lust after in my youth, and as the song goes, it made me feel eighteen again. If only for a while anyway. The thing to remember though, is that even with all my years of riding experience, this was still a very hard bike to tame. It’ll take a much younger hand with an equal (or more) amount of riding experience to fully explore the capabilities and limits of this bike, something I was not prepared to do myself unfortunately. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t have a lot of fun on this thing…

So back to taking things slow. In a nutshell, if an easy ride is what you’re after, a fuss-free daily commuter that can easily double-up as an occasional long-distance tourer, the Yamaha X-Max 250 is by far one of the best options out there now at around the RM20k price ballpark.

However, if you have the inclination to step-up your game and swing a leg over something totally bonkers, the Yamaha MT-09 at around RM45k is definitely a bike worth considering. I’m still recovering from the adrenaline rush to be honest… – Chris Wee.

Yamaha X-Max & MT-09 Photo Gallery (MT-09 photos by Buck Saleh)…