Test Drive: Invite the Honda HR-V RS Turbo to Dance at the Mandalika Circuit

 For the first time the Honda HR-V is available in the RS variant. This type not only looks more sporty, but is also equipped with a more capable performance package.

Honda HR-V RS is equipped with a 1.5 turbo engine. The engine is the same as that used by the Honda CR-V, Civic and Accord, only the output produced is not the same. Even so, the power of 177 PS @ 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 240 Nm @ 6,600 rpm is not a performance record that can be underestimated.

So when the opportunity came to try out the maximum performance of this car at the Mandalika circuit yesterday (23/5), I didn't waste it. All aspects of performance are seriously tested on the race track.

First I tried the acceleration ability. Interestingly, Honda has prepared the previous generation HR-V for comparison. The old version uses a naturally aspirated 1.8 liter engine. Its power is only 139 PS 6,500 rpm with a peak torque of 169 Nm.

Just from looking at the very significant difference in specifications, you can already imagine the difference on the track. Sure enough, the 240 Nm of torque from the latest HR-V turbo engine promises a much more optimal acceleration.

The Honda Civic RS guided me to dance on the Mandalika circuit. Alvin Bahar racer who became the instructor. The first round was an introduction to the 4.31 km circuit which has 17 corners.

The second round, already memorized the racing line and braking points. The third round just tortured its performance to the maximum.

If you have or even frequent track days at the Sentul circuit, it is guaranteed that the Mandalika circuit will provide even more fun. Because it not only presents beautiful natural scenery, but the layout is quite challenging.

Lucky Honda HR-V with the best performance package that became my dancing partner. But apart from the powerful turbo engine, I was honestly surprised by the quality of the suspension dings. The latest generation of Honda HR-V has a driving stability quality that is much more sporty than before. Why?

So, when you turn right at corner 2 and immediately bend left at corner 3, the symptoms of body roll are minimal. The car feels so gripped on the asphalt that the movement of the car body is not difficult to control.

Even when I went too fast and missed the braking point at corners 10 and 13, the car did understeer, but just adjust the speed and the steering wheel is easily corrected back on track.

Steering movement feels linear and accurate. Braking also works perfectly. Measured steering movement and promising braking give you the confidence to drive the new HR-V crazier than ever.

In essence, this car is not so difficult to tame. So it doesn't take long to have fun on the Mandalika circuit. Improved performance from a more powerful turbo engine and a sporty driving character successfully make the latest generation Honda HR-V RS more fun to drive.

So how does it feel to drive when used on the highway? My group and I who took part in the Media Test Drive of the Honda HR-V went to Bali (24/5). We were loaned a unit of Honda HR-V SE with a 1.5 liter non-turbo petrol engine and released it to explore the features of this car around the island of Bali. So wait for the review in the next article!

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Comparison of Daihatsu New Sirion vs Honda Brio RS, Who is the Most Interesting?

PT Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) officially introduced the New Sirion, Thursday (2/6/2022). The city car update is present in design, features and other comfort aspects.

As a city car, Sirion directly faces its rivals in Indonesia. One of them is the Honda Brio RS. Both of them offer a city car design that is favored by young people with a variety of additional features in it.

So what if the two were compared? we try to show the data on paper of the two products that just got this update. Let's see together.

Price

we start from the bid price of these two models. The New Sirion is now offered with a choice of two variants with one choice of D-CVT transmission. The 1.3 X variant is priced at IDR 227.6 million and the 1.3 R variant is priced at IDR 236.8 million. Both are on the road in DKI Jakarta.

Honda Brio RS comes with more diverse variants. There is an RS with a manual transmission at a price of IDR 216.1 million, an RS with a CVT transmission at IDR 226.1 million. The latest is the Brio RS Urbanite Edition variant which is also offered with a choice of manual transmission at IDR 225.9 million and CVT transmission at IDR 235.9 million. 

Regarding the price, the two models are slightly different. Of course the consideration comes from the discussion that we will reveal next.

Exterior Design

The external update on the Sirion comes from the front and rear bumpers, a more stylish headlamp and the rear-view mirror which now uses black. The headlamp has auto on, leveling adjuster and follow me home features. In addition, the Sirion has used a rear spoiler with high mount stop lamps, side stone guards and 15-inch alloy wheels and 185/55 R 15 tires. The appearance of the Sirion is now more energetic, in accordance with its target market.

In terms of dimensions, the Sirion offers a length of 3,895 mm, a width of 1,735 mm and a height of 1,525 mm with a wheelbase of 2,500 mm. The new Sirion offers a ground distance of 150 mm with a minimum turning radius of 5.1 meters. There are five color options available, namely lava red metallic, electric blue metallic, granite gray metallic, icy white solid and glittering silver metallic.

 Switch to Honda Brio RS. Sporty style is more emphasized in this Honda city car. A touch of black dominates some of the exterior such as the grille, and the mirror housing. Regarding lighting, the Brio RS already uses LED technology both at the front and rear of the vehicle.

Especially for the Urbanite variant, which just got a refresh last April, there is a large tailgate wing spoiler, 15-inch matte black alloy wheels with 185/55 R15 tires. There are still black door handles, front under spoiler, black side under spoiler and rear under spoiler with a diffuser on the back.

In terms of dimensions, the Brio RS offers a length of 3,815 mm, a width of 1,680 mm and a height of 1,485 mm with a wheelbase of 2,405 mm. Color options available include crystal black pearl, taffeta white, modern steel metallic, lunar metallic. Especially for the Urbanite variant, the phoenix color is pearl two tone, carnival yellow two tone, and new colors are taffeta white two tone and crystal black pearl.

From the dimensions, the Sirion offers a slightly longer size than the Brio RS. The dimensions of the two also have differences for people with certain city car tastes.

Interior Comfort Offer

As the newest product, the changes to the interior of the New Sirion are quite promising. The dashboard is still dominated by black with a touch of silver in the middle area. There is a new design on the steering wheel and a new stitching pattern on the fabric seats. The meter cluster is now equipped with a 4.2-inch TFT screen that contains various information about the vehicle. This steering wheel is added with a tilt steering feature for comfort settings.

In the middle area there are digital AC settings, front USB power outlets, seat power outlet drivers, seat height adjuster drivers and the presence of the engine start stop button. The head unit now offers direct connectivity with the driver's cellphone including mirroring. This head unit is also a place to see the rear camera which is equipped with a parking sensor. Not to forget, in the latest Sirion cabin, there are various places for storage in both the first and second rows and the presence of air purifier technology as standard in the top variant.

Regarding cabin flexibility, the latest Sirion also offers a fairly spacious luggage storage space. There is a seat arrangement to maximize storage space in the cabin with the second row seats fully folding. 

Moving on to Brio RS. A sporty touch is present on the black dashboard with orange details in some parts. Included in the meter cluster that comes with a MID screen with a variety of information. This orange detail can also be found on the fabric seat stitching which is equipped with an adjustable headrest. The steering wheel comes with an audio steering switch, tilt steering capability, Digital AC settings, and auto door lock by speed and power door mirrors.

The head unit comes with a 6.2-inch touch screen that is capable of connecting a smartphone with Bluetooth. The entertainment experience is better with the presence of a tweeter speaker. The carrying capacity of the Brio RS can also be increased by folding the second row of seats. Do not forget the various storage areas present in the first and second rows of the Brio RS for comfort while driving.

Performance and Features

The New Sirion's power offer comes from the 1 NR-VE DOHC Dual VVT-i 1,329 cc engine. This engine produces 95 PS of power at 6,000 rpm and 119 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. The transmission uses Daihatsu's D-CVT which is claimed to be more fuel efficient and provides a responsive driving experience.

Regarding features, the New Sirion gets additional comfort from the idle stop system which temporarily turns off engine performance when the vehicle stops. There is still a hill start assist to prevent the car from turning back when on an incline. The safety side comes from the airbags in the front and side of the first row, and now comes with ABS and EBD braking features as well as vehicle stability and traction control for driving stability.

Other mechanical systems, the new Sirion uses electric power steering, disc brakes at the front, drum brakes at the rear. The suspension uses Mac Pherson Struts with coil springs and stabilizer at the front and torsion beam with coil springs and stabilizer at the rear.

Moving on to Brio RS. In terms of performance, the Brio RS uses a 1.2L SOHC i-VTEC + DBW 1,199 cc engine. This engine produces 90 PS of power at 6,000 rpm and 110 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm. Transmission options are CVT with Earth Dreams technology and a five-speed manual.

Security comes from the use of the G-CON + ACE frame, dual front airbags, and the ABS EBD braking feature that is present in all variants. Brio RS already uses electric power steering and the presence of an ECO indicator to show how to drive fuel-efficiently in real time. There are still seatbelt reminders, seatbelt pretensioners, parking sensors, keyless entry, immobilizer, and an alarm system as standard.

Regarding other technical information, the Brio RS uses Mac Pherson strut front suspension at the front, H-Shape Torsion beam at the rear. Braking ability comes from the disc at the front and the drum at the rear.

Conclusion

The comparison above shows the advantages of each product in its segment. City cars with engines of 1,200 cc to 1,300 cc are mostly inhabited by niche products because this market is the residence of LCGC products.

For those who want a premium touch for a city car, they can glance at the latest Sirion which offers a powerful engine and complete safety features. For those who want a city car that looks sporty in the style of modification, the Brio RS Urbanite is very difficult not to glance at.

But the choice comes back to the respective funds provided. At a price of IDR 250 million and below, both are attractive choices thanks to the various advantages offered.

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Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition and GR Corolla RZ, the Most Sporty Variants

 Toyota has just introduced the Gazoo Racing (GR) Corolla RZ and GR Corolla Morizo Edition models. The Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition is an exclusive variant. While the GR Corolla RZ is a new trim.

The GR Corolla Morizo Edition model arrives in the United States. This car is the top trim that prioritizes the impression of driving, aka the sportiest of the GR Corolla models. This model was also developed directly by the President of Toyota Motor Corp., Akio Toyoda. Toyoda often races under the alias, Morizo. This is the reason why this model uses the name.

So what distinguishes the two models for these two different automotive markets? We're not going to talk too much about the GR Corolla RZ because it's actually a refinement of the existing model.

In terms of dimensions, the GR Corolla RZ and Morizo share the same size. It is 4,410 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,480 mm high. The height of the Toyota GR Corolla Morizo is slightly lower, at 1,475 mm. This car offers a wheelbase of 2,640 mm and weighs 1,470 kg (RZ) and 1,440 kg (Morizo Edition).

There is a significant difference in the Morizo Edition. Now the weight of the vehicle is reduced, engine torque is enlarged and the transmission is made more optimal. The sensation of speed in the corners is also made more perfect by the use of a monotube shock absorber and sport performance tires. These tires are 10 mm wider than the standard model to improve stability and braking performance.

The GR Corolla Morizo only provides two seats which makes it a pure sports car. The rear row is made empty which makes the vehicle weight reduced by 30 kg. Although strangely the shape of the four-door vehicle was maintained and Toyota replaced the second row with the addition of a frame-reinforcing structure.

Regarding the engine, the GR Corolla uses a 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbo engine coded G16E-GTS. For the RZ its power reaches 304 ps at 6,500 rpm and 370 Nm of torque at 3,000 to 5,550 rpm.

Morizo's power is the same as that of the RZ. But the torque is increased from 370 Nm to 400 Nm. This also makes the acceleration increase with available power at medium engine speed. This machine uses a six-speed manual transmission iMT. The transmission is made denser, especially in low gears to improve performance and driving sensation. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via the GR Four 4WD System, electronic multi plate clutch 4WD technology with three driving modes.

Both cars use the same technology. At the front uses an 18-inch aluminum ventilated disc with 4 calipers, while at the rear uses a 16-inch disc with two calipers.

Toyota also makes the rigidity of the vehicle body increase. This is done by adding 3.3 meters of adhesive material and strengthening the vehicle body. The interior uses a semi-bucket seat that will support the body comfortably while driving. This includes entering corners where the driver feels the great traction of the G-Force. Coloring the inside using black. Luxurious ultrasuede material is present for comfort on the sides of the steering wheel and center console.

Toyota only provides one exclusive color for this Morizo model, namely Matte Steel. In addition, consumers will also get Morizo's signature on the windshield to mark a special model developed directly by Toyota bosses. Other markers for the Morizo Edition are 18-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels with ornamentation on the Toyota GR logo hub and the use of 245/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

There is no information about the price of this GR Corolla model. But Toyota plans to start marketing it in the fall of this year. Especially for the Morizo edition, the units will be made limited and consumers who want it must enter the lottery to be able to take home this sporty GR Corolla.

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HOT! This Porsche 911 Color Inspired by Cayenne Pepper!

 In order to realize even deeper vehicle personalization for Porsche consumers, the manufacturer presents the Porsche 911 from the Exclusive Manufaktur division with a unique touch to its design. One of them is a Porsche with a distinctive Indonesian spice color accent, chili.

Porsche took the chili color element for a touch of color embedded in the exterior and interior of this exclusive product. Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur gives consumers the freedom to choose the look with 700 options available for all models. At its launch, there were nine Porsche Carrera S that got this unique touch and have been proposed by consumers in Indonesia.

The high interest of Porsche consumers for personalization has made this German car manufacturer present this program in several countries, one of which is Indonesia. Of all requests for the 911 model sent worldwide, twenty-five percent of them have gone through Exclusive Manufaktur to get a touch of personalization that is even more detailed. The Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur program is not available in every country. Luckily this program is in Indonesia.

"We are proud to offer the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur option in Indonesia with a strong demand for individualization among our passionate customers. Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur allows the creation of sports cars that are individualized, like a customer's fingerprint and we are pleased with the positive response to the collection made especially for Indonesia," said Michael Vetter, Managing Director of Porsche Indonesia.

The Porsche Carrera S uses a standard engine specification, a 3.0-liter twin turbocharged 6-cylinder mated to an 8-speed PDK automatic transmission. The engine package produces power up to 448 hp with peak torque reaching 528 Nm with a rear-wheel drive system.

There are a number of aerokit additions to the Carrera S body to suit the owner's wishes. Even so, this does not reduce or increase the level of aerodynamics significantly. The goal is that the driving experience offered remains in accordance with the standards of Porsche from Germany.

This is interesting, through Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur consumers can make some adjustments related to aerodynamics. For example, such as the addition of side intakes or other features. However, Porsche Indonesia still provides important considerations regarding the assembly time and costs that must be added to the request. So every vehicle that has been produced at the factory will go back through the personalization process at Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.

Every Porsche unit that wants to personalize at Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur will be given a hand crafted touch again with materials and appearances that suit consumers' wishes. However, Porsche Indonesia cannot explain in detail the time needed to build a Porsche unit that goes through the exclusive personalization process. According to Porsche, each vehicle and consumer has different demands and different manufacturing processes.

The Porsche 911 Carrera S itself is marketed in Indonesia with prices starting from IDR 4 billion off the road without an exclusive personalization touch. If consumers want to get a Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, an additional fee will be charged according to requests and additions made to the vehicle. Not only specifically for the 911 Carrera S model, the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur program can be applied to all vehicle models marketed in Indonesia. How? You want to order a chili colored Porsche too?

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Delayed by a few years, Mercedes-AMG One is ready for production this year

 Mercedes-AMG has finally completed their hypercar project which has been introduced since 2017, namely the AMG One. This year, the hypercar that adopts the engine directly from the F1 will begin production and be delivered to its customers. This German manufacturer also released official figures about the performance of the AMG One.

The production of the Mercedes-AMG One had to be delayed by several years, one of which was due to the global COVID-19 pandemic situation. In addition, the complexity of applying the same engine as their F1 car to a road car also requires a lot of research and development. You could say this is the first car in the world to be produced and marketed with the same engine as the F1.

The first hypercar from AMG was first introduced at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, under the name Project One. Not only the engine, the AMG One also brings sophisticated and intelligent aerodynamics, which can adapt to driving conditions and needs, including on the circuit. Its form is identical to the prototype style of endurance racing cars.

The 1.6-liter turbo hybrid V6 engine from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team was adopted directly into the AMG One with a number of adjustments. The combustion engine itself produces 574 hp, to drive the rear wheels and is supported by an electric turbocharger. Only this engine can scream up to 11,000 rpm. Impressive figures for an engine under 2,000 cc.

The AMG One hybrid powertrain relies on four electric motors, consisting of one unit in the crankshaft, one integrated turbo unit, and two units driving the front wheels. In total, the combination of the engine and electric motor produces power up to 1,049 hp, while the torque has not been announced. The presence of electric assistance in the turbo allows higher torque at low revs, coming from an 8.4 kWh battery.

Other features adopted to this car from F1 are the activation of the pit lane limiter and DRS (Drag Reduction System). The pit lane limiter is basically just a speed limiter that is used when the car is in the pit lane of the circuit. While DRS is an active aerodynamics that plays a role in reducing the level of downforce when needed, in order to achieve a higher top speed. Energy management can also be done when carrying the AMG One. Electric mode can be used to go as far as 18.1 km without gasoline.

The active aerodynamics that are present in the front fenders and rear wing can be positioned with three options, namely Highway, Track and Race DRS. While the brutal mode for driving is available with Race Safe and Race options. In the highest mode, the suspension drops 35mm at the front and 30mm at the rear, while the fender fins and rear wing are exposed for optimal handling and downforce.

The overall appearance still tends to be the same as the concept and pre-production versions. However, Mercedes made changes to the wheels which are now 10-spoke design and given a carbon fiber cover, to reduce air resistance around the wheels. The exotic look is represented by butterfly doors, a large water scoop above the cockpit and a shark fin above the hood.

The driver and passenger cannot change the seat position inside, because it has been maximized for the best point of gravity. But the driver can still change the position of the steering wheel and pedal box electrically. The shape of the steering wheel is like an F1 car, filled with many buttons for various functions. Two 10-inch digital screens adorn the dashboard for the instrument panel and infotainment system.

Only 275 units of the AMG One will be produced and all of them have already been sold worldwide. The car that rivals the Aston Martin Valkyrie and Gordon Murray T.50 will make its public debut at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, this month. Production and delivery to consumers will begin in the second half of this year.

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Motorcycle Maintenance and Checking Tips After Remote Use

 After the Eid holiday, motorbike users are required to carry out inspections, especially after being used out of town. After traveling long distances through various road conditions and long traffic jams, there is a possibility that the iron horse being ridden is no longer in prime condition. That is why, it is highly recommended for vehicle owners to check and maintain several components in order to optimize the motorcycle's performance again.

“For those who use motorbikes during Eid holidays and travel quite a distance, it is necessary to check and maintain. Because the condition of the motorbike is excellent, it is one of the factors supporting safety and smooth driving," said Antonius Widiantoro, Manager of Public Relations, YRA & Community PT Yamaha Indonesia Motor Mfg.

Here are tips for maintaining and checking motorbikes from Yamaha for vehicle owners after taking the Eid holiday trip.

Motorcycle Cleaning

The first step that needs to be done is to clean the vehicle. So that the dirt that sticks, such as dust, soil and also oil can be lost. If it is still attached, of course, it has the potential to hamper the performance of vehicle components or even make it damaged like rusting.

Check Engine & Transmission Oil

One of the important parts of a motorcycle that needs to be checked after traveling long distances is engine oil. Whether it's the volume, viscosity, or color of the oil itself. Engine oil that is still suitable for use usually has a thick and clear texture, and the volume does not decrease according to the standard. Ideally, oil changes are carried out every 3,000 kilometers or every 3 months.

As for how to check the quality of engine oil can be done manually. By utilizing the stick that is attached to the oil cap on the motorcycle engine, or if the rider uses a Yamaha motorcycle that is already equipped with connectivity features, it can be even more practical because the check can be done via the Y-Connect application. 

Meanwhile, for automatic type motorbikes, the driver must also do additional checks on the transmission oil and make sure there are no leaks in the rubber seals that reduce the volume. During normal and normal use, scooter owners are usually advised to change the transmission oil every 10,000 kilometers or every 10 months.

Check Battery / Battery

Another component that needs to be checked is the battery or battery, to ensure its condition is not weak or worn out so that the motorcycle's electrical function works properly, including the engine starter function to start the engine. Checking can be done in several ways, such as feeling the surface of the battery body and making sure it is not bulging which indicates that the condition of the battery has started to fail. Then also use a voltmeter to monitor the voltage of the motor battery which in normal conditions is in the range of 12.4 volts.

If you want to be more practical, checking the battery voltage can also be done by looking at the battery voltage indicator listed on the speedometer, or through the special Y-Connect application on Yamaha motorcycles that are equipped with connectivity features.

Check Air Filter

Air filter components are also considered necessary to be checked after long driving. The reason is, if the air filter is dirty and not cleaned immediately, then the motor will feel heavy and in more severe cases can make the engine stutter. This of course will also have an impact on fuel consumption which becomes inefficient.

How to check the air filter is quite easy, vehicle owners only need to open the air filter box with a screwdriver. Usually, air filter replacement is done every 15,000 kilometers or every 15 months.

Check Brake Pads

Eid holidays are synonymous with long trips accompanied by heavy traffic conditions or even traffic jams that tend to make brake performance more used. The impact is thinning of the front and rear brake pads. Indications of brake linings that are starting to wear out and need to be replaced are indicated by several things, such as a squeaking sound when braking, a deeper brake lever and a reduced volume of brake fluid.

Suspension Performance Check

After a long journey through various terrain conditions, including potholes, rocky and bumpy roads, it is very possible to make the suspension performance of the motorbike no longer optimal. Therefore, it is important to also check the condition of the suspension on the motorcycle. One way of checking that can be done is to press the suspension and see the reaction.

If the suspension quickly stretches to its original position and feels hard when the motorcycle passes through a pothole or bumpy road, it is likely that the volume of suspension oil in the tube has decreased due to a leak in the rubber seal. If this is the case, immediately take your motorcycle to the nearest authorized repair shop for further checking.

Check Tire Condition

Tires are also one of the important components that must be checked after traveling on Eid holidays. Considering its vital function in supporting the load of the motor and maintaining vehicle traction to the road surface, the round skin must also be checked.

Regarding tire wear, one way to check it can be by looking at the Trade Wheel Indicator (TWI) in the form of an arrow. If the surface of the tire has touched the arrow, it means that the tire rubber is thin and needs to be replaced. In addition, also pay attention to the wind pressure whether it is in accordance with the standards recommended by the manufacturer. So it is not too hard and deflated which of course affects the performance of the motor and comfort when driving.

Finally, when checking the tires, the rider can also monitor the condition of the engine fastening bolts and motorcycle legs to make sure everything is in tight condition. Because the vibrations that arise when driving long distances and passing through damaged roads can potentially make the bolts on the motorbike loose.

To maintain optimal motor performance, the rider is strongly advised to take the above maintenance steps. However, if it is difficult to do it yourself, motorbike users can immediately take their vehicle to the nearest authorized workshop. Especially for Yamaha consumers, they can take advantage of the My Yamaha Motor application to see the location of the nearest authorized workshop and make online booking services more practical and easier via smartphones.

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Unlike disc brakes, this is how to take care of drum brakes

 Brakes are devices that function to slow down to stop the vehicle. There are two braking systems according to the construction and use of the vehicle, namely hydraulic brakes (disc brakes) and mechanical brakes (drum brakes). Each has the same function, only different from the mechanical side.

Call it drum brakes which are usually used to perform rear braking. The operation of this brake uses a mechanical system with a brake hose/wire connected to the brake handle. So to perform maintenance on drum brakes is different from the hydraulic system.

"Considering the importance of having brakes on motorcycles, for example, regarding the drum brakes used, consumers need to pay attention to their maintenance. A good and well-maintained drum brake condition is certainly very helpful for motorcycle users in driving safety and participating in activities," said Muslian, After Sales Manager for Yamaha Main Dealer, PT Thamrin Brothers.

The following are tips for performing motorcycle drum brake maintenance:

Cleaning drum brakes

The first thing in drum brake maintenance, of course, must understand how to clean it. The implementation itself is a bit complicated. So, it is advisable to ask for help from a mechanic so that they can apply drum brake cleaning. Because it is necessary to open the axle and several bolts that are connected to each other on the drum cover.

After that, when the wheels are open, you can see the brake pads and drums that are densely dusty, sticky and sticking. Further clean using a brush and soapy water so that the dust that sticks to it is lost.

If necessary, also clean the brake pads using a wire brush/coarse sandpaper, this is intended so that the surface becomes rough which can trigger the clamping of the brake pads to the drum to be more grippy.

Check the drum brake system

Next is to always check the working mechanism of the brake handle, cable and brake lever. If the conditions for free movement of the brake handle are too far or beyond specifications when braking, immediately make adjustments by turning the nut on the brake lever on the drum.

Maintain and regularly check the condition of the wheel bearing performance

In addition, how to care for drum brakes to keep them durable and gripping, of course, must also take care of the condition of the wheel bearings. If the wheel bearings are not snug, it can trigger the drum brake lining to become uneven.

Therefore, always take the time to check the wheel bearings periodically or when dismantling the rear wheels. If necessary, apply grease to the wheel bearings so that the wheel turns smoothly. 

Immediately clean and rinse with water when it rains

During the rainy season, generally rain water mixed with dirt or sand and dust will also enter the gaps in the axles. This can affect the braking quality. If this condition is left for a long time, it can damage or reduce brake grip or make the brakes make a creaking sound when used.

It should be cleaned immediately with clean water so that the dirt that is carried when it rains is gone. Thus, the condition of the drum brakes is better maintained. This needs to be done every time the motorbike passes through a road that is flooded with rain or muddy water.

It is also necessary to understand that cleaning and checking the brake mechanical system aims to avoid jammed drum brakes.

Always check brake pads

Next, check the thickness of the brake lining by looking at the brake wear indicator “∆” (triangle) on the brake stem on the drum cover.

If indeed the thickness of the brake lining is beyond the provisions or has begun to thin, then you must replace the brake lining. Even when replacing it, it is necessary to use a complete set of brakes.

Therefore, it is recommended to replace the brake lining when servicing at an authorized workshop so that it can be handled directly by an experienced mechanic.

 

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