Saudara Jauh Suzuki Thunder 125, Haojue HJ150-9

Ternyata motor asal China, Haojue HJ150-9 ini punya cerita yang enggak jauh dari pabrikan Jepang, Suzuki. Di China, Suzuki dirakit oleh Changzhou Haojue Suzuki Motorcycle Co., LTD, sebuah perusahaan gabungan Suzuki dengan perusahaan lokal.

Selain dijual pakai nama Suzuki, ada juga varian yang di luncurkan ke pasaran China dengan merek Haojue. Nah, khusus Haojue ini salah satu model yang baru tahun ini diperkenalkan adalah Haojue HJ150-9.

Secara dimensi dan platform-nya mirip Thunder 125, tapi yang ini nampak lebih sporty. Bodinya di hiasi sudut-sudut tajam. Mulai dari shourld di tanki yang mirip Yamaha New Scorpio Z hingga bagian buntutnya yang meruncing.

Mesinnya, 150cc satu silinder berpendingin udara. Mesin ini diyakini memiliki tenaga hingga 8,4 kW di 8.000 rpm. Sedang torsinya 11,3 Nm pada 6.000 rpm.

Teknologinya enggak juga lumayan, meski SOHC dan hanya 2 klep tapi sudah dilengkapi dengan roller rocker arm dan memiliki balancer di kruk as-nya.

Kelengkapan lainnya seperti speedometer juga sudah digital. Diskbrake di roda depan dan pelek palang depan-belakang. Harusnya desain ini yang dipakai Suzuki Thunder 125 baru ya? (motorplus-online.com)

Motor Adventure Berwajah Ninja 250R, Kawasaki KLR 650

Kawasaki memiliki varian trail enduro berjuluk KLR 650. Dan uniknya motor ini memiliki fairing dan batok lampu yang sepintas mirip dengan sport bike Ninja 250R yang beredar di Tanah Air. 

Tentu peruntukannya sebagai motor penjelajah nan tangguh membuat Kawasaki mengandalkan mesin dan sasis yang jauh berbeda dari Ninja 250R.

Dari tampilan, bodi samping KLR 650 memiliki airscoop besar di bawah tangki 22 liternya, serta bodi ala trail dengan pelindung knalpot di belakang. Bahkan, setang KLR 650 juga diberi pelindung, seperti  bagian bawah mesin yang memakai engine guard khas motor off road.

Kesan motor penjelajah juga tampak dari kombinasi ban kembang tahu berukuran 90/90- 21 (depan) dan 130/80- 17 (belakang). Ada pula pemakaian suspensi teleskopik panjang di depan dan monoshock di belakang.

Sedangkan urusan sumber tenaga, KLR 650 mengandalkan mesin tipe single silinder pendingin air bervolume 651 cc. Mesin yang dilengkapi sistem karburator Keihin CVK 40 mm, dan transmisi 5-speed berkopling basah ini dapat menyembur daya hingga 20,4 dk.

Tenaganya kok kecil? Eits, jangan anggap remeh. Tengok dulu torsinya yang menyentuh angka 40 Nm, atau dua kali lipat Ninja 250R yang bertenaga 30 dk. Oiya, motor ini diklaim cukup irit di kelasnya, sebab dengan 1 liter bensin dapat dipakai menjelajah sejauh 24 km.

Urusan harga, Kawasaki Kanada membanderol KLR 650 sekitar Rp 60 jutaan. Dan asiknya, motor berbobot 196 kg ini memiliki garansi hingga 12.000 km. (motorplus-online.com)

Riders in shock after Simoncelli death

 

The death of Italian Marco Simoncelli at the Malaysian GP on Sunday left motor sport in a state of shock for a second consecutive weekend. Simoncelli crashed after losing control of his bike on the second lap of the circuit in Sepang and appeared to be hit by Colin Edwards and then Valentino Rossi as he slid across the track.

The 24-year-old Gresini Honda rider's helmet came off in the collision and he was taken to the medical centre for treatment, but he was declared dead at 1656 local time.
Organisers cancelled the race as soon as the extent of Simoncelli's injuries became apparent.
Simoncelli's death comes a week after British racing driver Dan Wheldon, a two-time Indy 500 race winner, was killed in a 15-car pile-up at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa had a dispute with fellow factory Honda rider Simoncelli earlier this season, but news of his rival's death left last season's championship runner-up reeling.
Repsol Honda's Pedrosa said: "In a tragedy like this there is not much to say. I just want to give my condolences to his family and all the people who love him. I've been with his father and all we could do was to hug, nothing else matters.
"It was a fatal accident and everybody in the paddock remains in shock.
"Many times we ourselves forget how dangerous this sport can be and when you lose people on the way nothing has any meaning. It's clear that we all do what we like, what we love, but on days like today nothing matters."
Newly-crowned MotoGP champion Casey Stoner added: "I'm so shocked and saddened by the loss of Marco. When things like this happen it reminds you how precious life is, it makes me feel sick inside.
"All I can say is how sorry I am for Marco's whole family I can't imagine what they are all going through and our thoughts and wishes are with them at this time. I hope they all stay close and pull through this tragedy together."
Simoncelli's compatriot and Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso said: "I watched the images and I'm shocked: in a race you fight and push hard and disaster is often around the corner.
"Marco was a strong rider and he always pushed hard. We raced together since we were kids, I saw him always pushing to the maximum, he crashed many times, but without major injuries, he was seemed invincible. What happened today seems impossible."
Simoncelli, who won the 250cc world championship in 2008, clinching the crown in Sepang, stepped up to MotoGP in 2010 and he finished eighth overall last season.
His death was the first fatality in MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from his injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.
Speaking at a press conference following today's tragedy, medical director Dr Michele Macchiagodena said of Simoncelli: "Because of the crash he had during the race, in which he was hit by other riders, he suffered a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest.
"When our medical staff got to him he was unconscious. In the ambulance because there was a cardiac arrest they started CPR (cardiac pulmonary resuscitation).
"Immediately in the medical centre, with the help also of the doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local doctors, he was intubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax.
"The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 (local time) we had to declare he was dead."
Macchiagodena also confirmed that Edwards had suffered a dislocated shoulder in the crash but that it had been reset under anaesthesia and the American was "fine".
When asked about Simoncelli's helmet coming off, race director Paul Butler said at the press conference: "I think if I may reply, that will be for another occasion. Quite clearly the consequences and circumstances surrounding the accident will be thoroughly investigated."
Tributes poured in for Simoncelli from both MotoGP and the wider world of motorsport.
Formula One driver Mark Webber wrote on Twitter: "R.I.P Marco A special talent that will be missed... Thinking of your loved ones, and all the motogp paddock..mark."
Briton's Jenson Button wrote on his Twitter account: "R.I.P Marco... Such an exciting talent lost. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone involved in MotoGP. Motorsport can be so cruel..."
British MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow added on Twitter: "RIP Marco Simoncelli ! A great rider and all round nice guy. My thoughts are with all his family & friends. I will never forget today."

Tributes flow for Marco Simoncelli

The Italian media has paid tribute to MotoGP star Marco Simoncelli following his fatal crash yesterday in the Malaysian race.

The 24-year-old - nicknamed Sic - lost control of his Honda at turn 11 and swerved across the track, straight into the path of American rider Colin Edwards and compatriot Valentino Rossi.
Simoncelli's helmet came off in the collision and he was taken to the medical centre where he was declared dead.
A photograph of the Italian on his motorbike covers the front page of Gazzetta dello Sport with the headline: "Sic 1987-2011."
Gazzetta's editorial describes the pain felt by everyone who knew Simoncelli.
The Italian's death was the first fatality in the MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.
Coriere dello Sport has a photograph of Simoncelli with the headline: "Ciao Great Marco.
"Tragedy in Sepang. Simoncelli dies, a true champion but especially a wonderful man that will be missed by everyone."
Tuttosport focuses on Simoncelli's passion for the sport that took his life.
The Turin-based sports newspaper also leads with Simoncelli's death with the headline: "Sic love does not die."
National newspaper La Repubblica has a photograph of the accident on the front page followed by a caption which reads: "Moto shock, Simoncelli dies on the track."
The article adds: "Marco never liked losing, he always risked at the final turn."
La Repubblica's editorial also describes the risk taken by riders in the sport.
It reads: "Fractured vertebrae, a sign of a wheel on his neck, a heart that goes into shock, injuries to his head and thorax.
"That's how a MotoGP rider dies: run over by his sport brothers, by his most loved rider (Rossi), on a Sunday morning in which the rest of the world was sleeping."
Il Messagero newspaper also shows images of the accident on the front page.
"Tragedy on the track. Simoncelli dies. Valentino cries "he was like a brother to me".
The newspaper highlights Rossi's pain in the tragedy.
"Rossi's sense of blame. A friend of Valentino, Simoncelli finished underneath his wheels.
"But Rossi is not at fault. Simoncelli died because of electronics."
The newspapers suggests a technical fault may have contributed to the accident.
Simoncelli's crash will be investigated.

Simoncelli laid to rest in Coriano

Marco Simoncelli was laid to rest on Thursday in Coriano, the village where he was born and lived.

The Italian MotoGP rider died on Sunday after suffering fatal wounds during a crash on the Sepang track at the Malaysia event.
Simoncelli lost control of his Honda at turn 11 and swerved across the track, straight into the path of compatriot Valentino Rossi and American rider Colin Edwards.
More than 20,000 fans paid their respects yesterday, filing past his coffin at the Coriano Theatre.
Large crowds gathered outside the church in Coriano where the funeral was held to bid farewell to the 24-year-old - nicknamed Sic.
Members of the motorsports world, family and friends were present at the funeral while thousands watched it on national television, including those who saw it on big screens set up in Coriano's village square.
Among those present at the service was his close friend and seven-time world champion Rossi, Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo as well as Gresini Racing Team boss Fausto Gresini.
Gresini said: "We must do what we are doing, to be close to the family and honour Marco for what he has done.
"Perhaps we didn't consider just how much he was loved, we thought we knew it, but the number of people that have come here has been truly great.
"This is comforting even though we have a lot of pain inside."
Two of Simoncelli's motorbikes - a Gilera 250 and a Honda - guarded the coffin while his helmet with the number 58 was placed above the casket.
Red balloons with the number 58 were released outside the church and there were numerous banners.
One read: "Sic -58- you will remain always in our hearts."
Rossi took Simoncelli's Honda out of the church with Simoncelli's coffin, carried by his friends, right behind it as fans applauded outside the church.
The Italian's death was the first fatality in the MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.

Simoncelli's team to miss Valencia

Gresini Racing has withdrawn its MotoGP and Moto2 teams from the season-ending races at Valencia following the death of Marco Simoncelli at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Team boss Fausto Gresini also confirmed his riders would miss the end-of-season tests which follow on from the November 6 races.
"The only certainty is that my team won't participate in the upcoming Valencia Grand Prix and in the tests programmed after the race," Gresini told Corriere dello Sport.
The 24-year-old Simoncelli died in Sepang after losing control of his Honda at turn 11 and swerving across the track, straight into the path of American rider Colin Edwards and his fellow Italian Valentino Rossi.
Simoncelli, who had joined Gresini for his first season of MotoGP in 2010, suffered fatal injuries to his chest, neck and head during the crash.
Gresini said: "Everything happened so fast. I'm lost for words.
"I know our job is dangerous, that risk is part of the game, but you always hope nothing happens.
"When it does happen and you find yourself in the middle of it, everything changes, it's difficult to accept it.
"The crash was caused by a sequence of incredibly negative circumstances, the bike that moved towards the inside of the turn instead of the outside, being run over on the widest track of the season."
Gresini paid tribute to Simoncelli, who will be laid to rest in his home town of Coriano on Thursday.
"I have many images from these two years spent together resurfacing inside my mind," he said.
"Marco was spontaneous, he would always do what he thought, with a great heart and always radiant. I can't remember him getting angry even once.
"He was always honest with himself and with the others, a guy who loved challenges, and we, his team, were just an instrument to realise his dreams and to unleash his passion."

Perlu alat Ukur Suara Razia Knalpot Berisik!

Ditindak atau ditilang tanpa alat ukur, validitasnya dipertanyakan masyarakat

Knalpot racing masih jadi persoalan pengendara di jalan. Walaupun Undang Undang belum tegas mengaturnya, pihak kepolisian terus melancarkan razia  knalpot. Kok bisa?

Seperti Operasi Simpatik yang digelar petugas Kepolisian Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. Mereka melakukan operasi ketertiban dan kelengkapan surat-surat kendaraan. Termasuk persoalan knalpot bersuara bising ini.

“Kami secara rutin mengadakan operasi simpatik seperti ini. Tujuan kami agar masyarakat merasa nyaman, aman, lancar dan tertib berkendara di kota Yogyakarta ini. Apalagi Jogja sebagai Kota Budaya, Kota Pariwisata dan Kota Pelajar. Sehingga hal itu sangat dibutuhkan masyarakat pada khususnya dan wisatawan pada umumnya. Selain soal surat-surat yang kami tertibkan, juga soal kelengkapan kendaraan bermotor itu sendiri. Termasuk soal knalpot,” kata Kompol Bambang Sukmo Wibowo, SIK., M. Hum Satlantas Polresta Yogyakarta.  

Andi Maulana, pengendara Honda Tiger Jogja yang menggunakan knalpot racing harus mengganti knalpot motornya dengan yang standar, “Alasannya karena mengganggu ketertiban,” jelasnya.

Persoalan knalpot memang masih belum jelas. Pemerintah dalam hal ini Kementerian Perhubungan dan Kepolisian belum memiliki angka baku berapa kebisingan knalpot. Knalpot standar pabrikan berkisar antara 80-90 db. “Memang belum ada angka bakunya,” kata Eddy Gunawan, Kasubdit  Akreditasi dan Sertifikasi Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan Darat, Kemenhub.

Untuk itu, pihak produsen sangat mengharapkan pemerintah memberikan kejelasan soal aturan seberapa besar bising. AHRS produsen knalpot  berharap hal ini tidak berlarut-larut. “Pastikan saja angka yang diperbolehkan. Kami tinggal ikuti,” jelas Asep Hendro, bos AHRS yang  telah mendesain knalpot Silent Performance untuk menyiasati persoalan ini.

Selain itu, pihak kepolisian juga mesti memiliki alat standar yang bisa mengukur secara presisi kebisingan knalpot. Jika aturan sudah baku dan alat ukur sudah digunakan, silakan ditindak dan di hukum. Tapi, kalau tidak ada alat ukur yang pasti, dianggap mengada-ada. (motorplus-online.com)