Kawasaki will unveil a new naked version of the Ninja 250 this month, reports TMCBlog.com. The Malaysian Indonesian blog first published a sketch back in October of a new motorcycle believed to be a new model based on the Ninjette to be called either the ER250 or the Z250. TMCBlog.com now reports Kawasaki will be announced before the end of January, quoting Freddyanto Basuki, marketing manager of Kawasaki Motor Indonesia.

The ER250 appears to be more than just a rumor, as the model codename “ER250C” popped up on an Indonesian Ministry of Industry database of motor vehicle trademarks registered by Kawasaki Motor Indonesia. The name Z250 may still be used in other markets, considering the new model reportedly has more in common with Kawasaki’s modern Z family than it does with the ER-6n.

If the sketch is accurate, the ER250 will combine styling elements from Kawasaki’s Z1000 and Z800 with the mechnical parts of the Ninja 250. The sketch shows a headlight resembling that of the Z800 but the fuel tank, tail and exhaust resemble those of the 2013 Ninja 250 and Ninja 300. Continue Reading »

The Royal Malaysian Police has upgraded its motorcycle patrol squad with a fleet of police-spec 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 250 sportbikes.

The law agency’s Unit Rondaan Bermotosikal (Malaysian for motorcycling patrol unit) will receive 1000 units of the Ninja 250 which received a substantial update for 2013. Essentially, it’s the same as the Kawasaki Ninja 300 with ABS and fuel injection but with a 249cc engine.

The URB will use the Kawasaki Ninjas to patrol different hotspots around the country. The URB received an initial batch of 560 Ninjas from a total 1000 on order, and had a parade to celebrate the new fleet a few weeks ago (video below). Continue Reading »

Marco Simoncelli: January 20, 1987 – October 23, 1011.

[Source: Gresini Racing]

Continue Reading »

Ducati unveiled a new model to its Monster family specifically for the Asian market, combining the engine of the 796 and the chassis of the 696.

The new Ducati Monster 795 is powered by the same 803cc 90-degree V-Twin engine as found in the Monster 796, claiming 87hp at 8250 rpm and 58 ft-lb. at 6250 rpm. The chassis, double-sided swing arm and three-spoke wheels, however, appear to be identical to those on the Monster 696,

Continue Reading »

Ducati will unveil a new Monster model for the Asian market, expected to be called the 795.

The Italian manufacturer has a new micro-site (http://www.monster.ducati.com/) displaying the shrouded image above along with a countdown ticking off the days until the Oct. 20 launch event in Sepang, Malaysia. The event is scheduled to take place just before the MotoGP round in Sepang and Valentino Rossi is scheduled to appear for the unveiling.

Not much is being shown at this point, but the Ducati Philippines website claims the micro-site is teasing a new Monster 795 model. The new Monster will likely be built specifically for the Asian market from Ducati’s new factory in Thailand.

Continue Reading »

According to reports out of India, KTM Chief Executive Officer Stefan Pierer has announced the Austrian manufacturer will produce 200cc and 350cc versions of its youth-oriented 125 Duke. Unfortunately for us in North America, the two new Dukes will appear destined for emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia.

Speaking with the Indian press, Pierer says KTM is partnering with Bajaj Auto to develop the 200 Duke in 2012 with the 350 version to follow in 2013. Bajaj is one of India’s largest home-grown automotive manufacturers and a part-owner of KTM, and also helped develop the 125 Duke. Pierer says the 200 Duke will be introduced at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.

Continue Reading »