Showing posts with label Bike Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bike Reviews. Show all posts

Saturday, 22 February 2014

Honda CRF 250L


It is quite long waiting for this bike. I think, the CRF 250L kept in Boon Siew’s store almost a year. Getting popular after served with Bond – Skyfall, the CRF 250L started capturing target segment’s eyes.

After a few times frustrated to get this bike until the day promised, keenly I headed to Boon Siew Honda Kepong branch. Completed all the documentation procedures, I checked the bike and there are a lot of scratches on some parts of the motorcycle.


CRF250L equipped with 21-inch rim at the front and 18-inch at rear. Sitting on it, riding position is comfort but not as I expected. I hope the handlebars would be wider. The suspension is too soft as I sat on it, the bike lowered down. But, from the positive side, this machine is quite suitable for the Asian and for the beginner. However, I like the wide and comfort seat. A very nice, simple digital instrumentation equipped with fuel indicators. From overall design, quality can be seen in terms body structure.


At the beginning of rides, CRF250 has a good engine response. The single cylinder was also used to the CBR250R. Coupled with six-speed gear box and it easily to handle with clutch provided. Although the performance not as sweet as the two-stroke engine, CRF250L could run smoothly without any jerking or tweaked power distribution.


Through the highway, I had to be extra careful with the wind. Sometimes I feel the rear of the bike swaying in a speed between 110 to 120 km/h.  Test this bike on soft sandy beaches, power from the engine is quite satisfactory, but may be a little exaggeration if I say this bike is too heavy to be used across the soft sand. I figured, it was built more likely to be used on normal roads.


Overall, handling CRF250L is good as it had telescopic front fork 43 mm. The fork is very soft and seemed to absorb all kinds of obstacles on the road. I'm happy to say, this bike is suitable for use on Malaysian road as there a lot if uncertain structure and uneven road surface. For me, the softness of the suspension system may be an advantageous to the jungle trekking enthusiasts. However, for extreme activities in dirt -track, the suspension system must be hardened for optimum handling.



Four-stroke engine with 250cc capacity probably may not the preferred choice to the extreme sports riders. Like me, I much more prefer a more powerful, aggressive engine and lighter body structure to achieve the required limit. Excellent on the fuel consumption, fuelling 7.7 litres petrol allowed me to travel almost 170 kilometres. Overall, I prefer to use the Honda CRF250L on normal road rather than off-road route. It was selling at RM22,688 and comes with a red color only.

MMW Rating:
Performance: 7/10
Handling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10
Design: 8/10
Features: 7/10
Fuel Consumption: 8/10
Value: 7/10

Specification Honda CRF250L
Engine: 249.6cc four-stroke single-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC
Transmission: 6 -speed
Power: 22.8 hp @ 8500 rpm
Torque: 22 Nm @ 7000 rpm
Suspension: Telescopic 43mm (front), 40mm Pro-Link (rear)
Price: RM22688.00









Friday, 21 February 2014

MV Agusta Revealed Brutale 800 Dragster

Last time, we shared a video of Dragster 800. And this one, we have more details on it as the Italian MV Agusta had revealed the specification. Of course, it had a 3-cylinder powerplant like other siblings - Brutale 675 and 800 engineered to provide riders experiencing true high-performance naked bike.
MV Agusta's press material:

Throttle wide open. Engine at the rev limit. The rear wheel spinning relentlessly trying to gain traction, surrounded by a cloud of white smoke, defenning tyre squeal, raw power, biting into the tarmac and devouring it metre after metre. The MV Agusta Brutale 800 Dragster is all this and much, much more. It is motorcycling reduced to the essence of pure riding pleasure. Emotional, freedom.

SPECIFICATIONS
In detail, the main features of MV Agusta Brutale 800 Dragster:
In-line three-cylinder engine, 798 cc
Bore 79.0 mm, stroke 54.3 mm
Maximum power 125 HP-EC (92 kW) at 11,600 rpm
Maximum torque 81 Nm at 8,600 rpm
Limiter at 13,000 rpm
Dry weight 167 kg
Power-weight ratio 1.34 kg/HP
Tyres Pirelli DIABLO Rosso II 120/70 - ZR 17 front, 200/50 – ZR 17 rear


ENGINE
Engineering at the service of manufacturing efficiency: the 3-cylinder MV Agusta platform demonstrates how conscientiousness at the concept and design stages can result in the development of completely original models from the same, shared technological basis. The new Brutale 800 Dragster is no exception to that rule, once again highlighting the versatility of the cutting-edge MV Agusta platform centred on the 3-cylinder engine - the power unit that has made the greatest developmental progress in its market segment.

The goals laid out in the project brief were highly ambitious: performance at the peak of their respective displacement categories (675 and 800), maximum elasticity, low fuel consumption and a torque curve spread evenly across the entire power range.

And unprecedented compactness: the three-cylinder MV Agusta engine, built to achieve all these goals, weighs just 52 kg, giving improved output flexibility and better load distribution on the axles, on both the new Brutale 800 Dragster and the other models that already possess this feisty in-line 3-cylinder Italian engine.

Key technical features include the shell-cast “closed-deck” crankcase with integral bore liners; the need for compactness has also imposed full integration of the water and oil circuits and the respective service pumps. Just as significant - and exclusive - is the choice of counter-rotating crankshaft, a solution with origins in the racing world where ride responsiveness has absolute priority, and the only judge of performance is the stopwatch. The counter-rotating crankshaft reduces inertia during changes of direction because it lowers that same inertia during deceleration; this enhances handling, the excellence of which is already a built-in top-priority feature of the MV Agusta chassis set-up. Compared to previous 3-cylinder configurations, the one specially developed for the Brutale 800 Dragster focuses on fast-response, linear power output, putting a mighty roar into this roadster.

The 125 HP power peak is reached at 11,600 rpm, while the maximum torque of 81 Nm comes at 8,600 rpm. Completing this highly sophisticated package is the removable 6-speed gearbox, with ratios designed to ensure awesome acceleration and a sports-category top speed should the bike be unleashed on the track.


ELECTRONICS
The new MVICS (Motor&Vehicle Integrated Control) injection-ignition system features the very latest software and an engine control strategy first implemented, with great success, on the Rivale 800 and now extended to the entire 3-cylinder MY2014 range. MVICS also features the Eldor EM2.0 engine control unit and a Mikuni Full Ride-By-Wire throttle body.

The fully integrated management allows, via the instruments and the handlebar switches, easy adjustment of numerous user-settable parameters. More specifically, the system lets the rider configure the torque setting with 4 different mappings. Three of these are set directly by the manufacturer and named according to the relative riding conditions (Sport, Normal and Rain) while the fourth leaves the rider free to define, within established limits, all the individual parameters: engine response, rev limiter, engine torque response, throttle sensitivity, engine braking. As one would expect, 8-level traction control (which can be disengaged) is also included: the relative algorithms have been tweaked to perfection for maximum precision, a must on a bike such as the new Brutale 800 Dragster as one of its defining characteristics is astounding acceleration.


CHASSIS SET-UP
The frame configuration, which has characterised the 3-cylinder platform since its inception, features an ALS tubular steel load-bearing structure, supplemented by lightweight aluminium alloy plates. This combination forms part of that production flexibility concept which inspired the 3-cylinder project and consequently allows the design of specially-developed frames for each model without disrupting the underlying look or essence. Note that this same set-up has characterised MV Agusta models since the launch of the astonishing F4: today's 3-cylinder Italian-built MV Agusta bikes offer up an even more highly evolved version of the concept. The front, tubular section employs a steel alloy with exceptional metallurgical qualities that, while extremely lightweight, provides outstanding torsional stiffness, especially in those areas most subject to stress, such as the steering head. The aluminium alloy plates close off the structure at the rear and act as the fulcrum for the single-sided swingarm.

A compact wheelbase of just 1,380 mm, identical to that of the Brutale 800, strikes a perfect balance, ensuring both excellent handling and stability; the 95 mm trail boosts the already outstanding front end performance, making for enhanced ridability and bike control. Another eye-catching feature perfectly in keeping with the Brutale 800 Dragster design ethos is the attentiongrabbing Pirelli DIABLO Rosso II rear tyre, having a width of 200 and a shoulder of 50.

The suspension system features fully adjustable units, allowing personalisation of compression and rebound settings, as well as providing a selection of spring pre-load options. The Ø 43 mm upside-down Marzocchi fork offers 125 mm of travel; the Sachs rear shock gives the single-sided swingarm - also in aluminium alloy - 125 mm of travel. The seat, with a height of 811 mm, has been redesigned to improve comfort and function: it also boasts a craftsman-like finish with stylishly stitched seams. The rider can also count on even more functional foot pegs and supports, and new heel guards which, just like the wheel rims, have been specially customised for the Dragster. Equipped with first class Brembo components, the braking system relies on a pair of Ø 320 mm floating front discs, equipped with 4-piston callipers (Ø 32 mm); the rear unit, instead, has a Ø 220 mm steel disc and mounts a 2-piston calliper (Ø 34 mm).

Dragster 800 is available in 2 color options: White & Matt Metallic Grey.

































Sunday, 16 February 2014

Kawasaki Z1000 2014


After done short time review 2014 Z1000 last month (January), I am pretending that I would not fall in love with such radical looks. However, after a friend at Kawasaki called me to have exclusive review on it, I just can’t refuse the chance given.


It is just first time I heard Comfortably Numb sang by Pink Floyd, I can’t even replay the song, but after several times I heard the song, then I replayed it more than once. Looked to the Sugomi styled, then it shows me how good Kawasaki seducing me.  


What? It is a fastidious revolution of the Zed range. Since the first Zed introduced in 1972, various reforms was developed until 2009. Then, the 2014 Z1000 introduced to have extraordinary design with some worth performance package.


The power-plant received improvement on the setting and new gearing ratios. The 1043cc attached to the aluminium frame that producing 140 horsepower (104.5 kW) at 10,000 rpm and maximum torque of 110 Nm at 7,300 rpm. It have longer stroke which would give a beauty mid-range torque. During the rides, it doesn't need to kick down the shift lever frequently. Even in the 6th gear, you still had a good response from the engine. Gear ratios have been shortened and the sixth gear designed to keep up the riding comfort-ability on the highway.


The 4-cylinder inline DOHC also obtained new electronic engine management system to provide perfect power distribution. In the aspect of handling, yes I do love it a lot - easy to manoeuvre, nimble and precise.


2014 Z1000 using adjustable lightweight Showa fork - Showa Separate Function - Big Piston Fork (SFF -BP) used by Ninja 636 before. Moreover, it is equipped with Tokico monobloc calliper with petal disc brakes to complete the handling capabilities.


I like the new digital instrumentation panel, it was a good job, creative and I hope I can attach it to my scooter. The Z1000 get LED headlight, the first ever Kawasaki bike using it. I heard that, the headlight set is quite expensive. However, in night test session, several road users felt irritated with the light spread as they retaliating high-beams after me passing them.



Overall, I love this bike, with the looks and performance package. Comparing to the previous Z1000, it is lighter, more agile and get smoother engine. For the price, it is worth to buy at RM76,900.


MMW Rating:
Performance: 8/10
Handling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10
Design: 9/10
Features: 7/10
Fuel Consumption: 7/10
Value: 8/10

Specifications
Engine: 4-inline 1043cc DOHC Liquid-cooled
Maximum power : 140 hp @ 10,000 rpm
Maximum torque : 111 Nm @ 7,300 rpm 
Transmission : 6-speed
Front Suspension: 41 mm inverted SFF-BP fork with stepless compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Rear Suspension: Horizontal back-link single shock with adjustable preload and stepless rebound damping
Front brakes: Dual 310mm petal-type discs with radial-mount four-piston monobloc calipers with ABS
Rear brakes: Single 250mm petal-type discs with single-piston caliper and ABS
Price : RM76,900 (Basic Selling Price)














Categories