Adventure Rider

Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Taming the wild Italian horse

Lucy enough, I was given a chance to review a brand new front tyre of Nankang few days ago. With that, I am able to tested the MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR for about one week, what a hooligan bike to be ridden. I had taken the bike up to highway and town riding. This is yet the most powerful bike I had ridden before, and yet the highest capacity bike so far.

Engine

The engine of this bike is crazily powerful, just a little throttle effort, I will send you sky high. At first I was amazed with the torque it delivered. Normally for a high capacity machine, by just releasing the clutch a little by a little, the bike can start moving at idealing RPM, make no difference the Brutale 1090RR make the same but even with full clutch released, it just pumping forward in a decent 15km/h, what a devil. You will be sorry if you control the speed by using the throttle without any clutch play at low speed. Once the throttle is open, even just a mere 1mm the bike started to jerk forward, clutch present is a must when navigating nuder the traffic, else you just need to play on the clutch without throttling. I have never seen a bike yet like this. After a few days of riding, I had get used to the behavior of the engine and can control it fluently. Well, I get the change to test out the Kawasaki Z800 in a gathering with some Z800 owner, the two is completely a different kind of animal, despite both are down tuned for more low-mid range torque and same inline 4 engines. With the Z800, throttle respond is mild and smooth, not to say Brutale is rough but it does not jerk you off your bike like once you open the throttle a little bit wide, in fact, I am able to even half open it. I will put it in a more simple way that Z800 will be easily ridden by newbie where Brutale require a decent understanding on bikes and experience to operate it nicely.

Handling

As many always said handling is a pride of MV Agusta. Without any doubt, I agree with their comment. The suspension tuning is near perfect, it is neither not too hard nor too soft, just right at the sweet spot that make you perfectly planted to the road at highway speed and soak up the uneven surface when crossing our country moon like surface at town. Weight of this bike is near 230Kg when fully fueled, cornering is stable and no sign of hesitation on the bike. Thanks to the wide handle bar, maneuverability is neutral and effortless. It also come with a stock steering damper, adjustable front & rear rebound & compress setting. All of the setting can be tuned perfectly to suit one rider style and weight to maximize handling ability.

Egornomic

Seating position on this bike is quite neutral and upright just a little bit down side for tall riders may find their legs be a little bit cramp after a few hours ride, the distance between the seat and foot pegs is indeed a little bit too near. Lack of accessories for MV Agusta always a downside for riders who are serious in making long distance travelling. I had not yet know any maker produce wind shield product for Brutale series, so as hard bags rack. This let down makes it always remain as a weekend bike rather then you can use it for day to day travelling.

Conclusion

Pro
Superb power delivery, extremely torquey and high HP engine( 144hp ).
Nimble handling at low and high speed.
Best hooligan bike in the market.

Con
Lack of accessories for luggage even tank bag can not be used on tank(plastic tank).
No wind shield available makes it useless after exceeding 160KM/H of speed.
High fuel consumption.

Motorcycle Provider : Chear Motor SDN BHD

TYPE

FOUR CYLINDER, 4 STROKE, 16 VALVE

TIMING SYSTEM

"D.O.H.C", RADIAL VALVE

TOTAL DISPLACEMENT

1078 CM3 (65.78 CU. IN.)

COMPRESSION RATIO

13:1

STARTING

ELECTRIC

BORE X STROKE

79 MM X 55 MM (3.1 IN. X 2.2 IN.)

MAX. POWER-R.P.M. (AT THE CRANKSHAFT)

106 KW (144.2 HP) AT 10300 RPM - REV LIMITER 11600 RPM

MAX. TORQUE-R.P.M.

112 NM (11.2 KGM) AT 8100 RPM

COOLING SYSTEM

COOLING WITH SEPARATED LIQUID AND OIL RADIATORS

ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

MAGNETI MARELLI 5SM IGNITION - INJECTION INTEGRATED SYSTEM WITH MIKUNI THROTTLE BODY;
INDUCTION DISCHARGE ELECTRONIC IGNITION;
SEQUENTIAL TIMED "MULTIPOINT" ELECTRONIC INJECTION

CLUTCH

WET, MULTI - DISC WITH MECHANICAL ANTI-SURGING DEVICE

GEAR BOX

CASSETTE GEARBOX; SIX SPEED, CONSTANT MESH

PRIMARY DRIVE

50/79

GEAR RATIO

FIRST GEAR: SPEED* 13/38 109.7 KM/H (68.1 MPH) AT 11600 RPM
SECOND GEAR: SPEED* 16/34 150.8 KM/H (93.6 MPH) AT 11600 RPM
THIRD GEAR: SPEED* 18/32 180.3 KM/H (111.9 MPH) AT 11600 RPM
FOURTH GEAR: SPEED* 20/30 213.7 KM/H (132.7 MPH) AT 11600 RPM
FIFTH GEAR: SPEED* 22/29 243.2 KM/H (151.0 MPH) AT 11600 RPM
SIXTH GEAR: SPEED* 19/23 265.0 KM/H (164.5 MPH) AT 11600 RPM

* TOP SPEED ATTAINED ON CLOSED COURSE

FINAL VELOCITY RATIO

15X41TYPE

FOUR CYLINDER, 4 STROKE, 16 VALVE

TIMING SYSTEM

"D.O.H.C", RADIAL VALVE

TOTAL DISPLACEMENT

1078 CM3 (65.78 CU. IN.)

COMPRESSION RATIO

13:1

STARTING

ELECTRIC

BORE X STROKE

79 MM X 55 MM (3.1 IN. X 2.2 IN.)

MAX. POWER-R.P.M. (AT THE CRANKSHAFT)

106 KW (144.2 HP) AT 10300 RPM - REV LIMITER 11600 RPM

MAX. TORQUE-R.P.M.

112 NM (11.2 KGM) AT 8100 RPM

COOLING SYSTEM

COOLING WITH SEPARATED LIQUID AND OIL RADIATORS

ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

MAGNETI MARELLI 5SM IGNITION - INJECTION INTEGRATED SYSTEM WITH MIKUNI THROTTLE BODY;
INDUCTION DISCHARGE ELECTRONIC IGNITION;
SEQUENTIAL TIMED "MULTIPOINT" ELECTRONIC INJECTION

CLUTCH

WET, MULTI - DISC WITH MECHANICAL ANTI-SURGING DEVICE

GEAR BOX

CASSETTE GEARBOX; SIX SPEED, CONSTANT MESH

PRIMARY DRIVE

50/79

GEAR RATIO

FINAL VELOCITY RATIO

15X41

MAXIMUM SPEED*

265.0 KM/H (164.5 MPH)

DRY WEIGHT

190 KG (418.9 LBS)

FUEL TANK CAPACITY

23 L (6.07 U.S. GAL.)

Friday, 21 December 2012

SYM T2 Review

Recently get a chance to review the SYM T2 250i. This bike was launch around April-May 2012, and Malaysia is the first ASEAN country to launch. Well honestly I do not know that SYM do have a 250cc street bike model apart of its scooter series.

Took it for a 320 KM test from Klang- Bentong - Fraser Hill - Ulu Yam- Batang Batu Dam- Batu Caves and back. The hole journey is a perfect blend of high speed curve, low speed curve, straight speedway, slippery mountain passage and country road.

Overall this bike is as brilliant as its scooters brothers and sisters. Quality of this bike is good but not excellent( do not compare it with Japanese CBU as it will be unfair). Power delivery is no question and it is in fact a little torquey. There is surprisingly no hesitation of power when climbing uphill- with pillion, yeah I just said that, with pillion. This bumble bee is a little heavy if you were to compare with Honda CBR250 or Ninja 250R as it is at a hooping 173KG dry weight.

The feature of this bike is of its fuel consumption, average 30km/liter which make its full tank capable of traveling 420KM or more at lower speed. Top speed around 120KM/H with the panel indicator showing 150KM/H ++, can not demand much seems the speed sensor is like most underbone - located at the front wheel instead of the front sprocket.

The only down side of this bike is a little bit soft suspension which make HIGH SPEED cornering a little wobbly. Stock tyre just cant keep up with those who are going for a spiritual riding, a better soft of dual compound tyre should be replaced. Braking is sufficient for this power plant and weigth.

Heard that SYM is selling for RM16+++k for this model, well at this moment I would said it is a little expensive as it has NAZA BLADE biting it ass at a much lower price and also HONDA attracting people with its brand name. Well, stay tuned on my detail review in next month WTR magazine.

Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Ko Lanta - Another Beach Paradise

I have been thinking for this ride for about half a year. Finally made it last week with several other riders friends. Originally location set was Phucket but I suggest to go for Ko Lanta which is less populated and commercialized. Should said a good decision seems Phucket which is 200+ KM more will be our next ride after this. By far, this is my longest cross border ride, 1700KM in total, took 14 hours for us to reach. We push off 4am sharp Malaysia time, made a lot of stop almost every 100KM, else the girls might go crazy, haha.

Although push off at early morning but we reach border around 11am and clear the immigration point in 2 hours, pretty long but heard some experience worst. In Thailand we also made a lot of stop mainly to refresh ourselves. 7-11 is really popular in Thailand, they are kinda populated the place, everywhere you see one.

8 Bikes at our first stop in Thailand

Group photo

Handsome Kenneth

CL complaining about the ride?

We finally arrived at our destination at 6.30 Malaysia time over there, not enough time to have fun at the beach, better just leave it to another day. We rally again at the lobby after 1 hour and head for dinner.


Night view of one of the beach

We went to bed after all sort of chitchatting, there is not much night life in Ko Lanta, a rather unpopulated place compare with Phucket, less commercialized and crowed indeed. This is where to relax and have a laid back holidays! The next morning we went down to the island and up after breakfast. Others choose to visit Lanta Old Town where I miss it, I spend the late afternoon time at one of the beautiful beach, nap, soak in the sea and swim .....nice!