https://www.scmp.com/rss/500814/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com A former Merrill Lynch derivatives trader with a passion for Star Wars is preparing to take his flying motorbike start-up public in Japan. Tokyo-based ALI Technologies was founded by Shuhei Komatsu as a drone maker in 2016 before moving on to more ambitious ventures, opening sales of its Xturismo Limited bike in October. The US$777,000 single-person transporter can hit a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour (50 miles per hour) and travel up to 40 minutes per charge, according to the company.... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3173673/star-wars-fan-and-founder-flying-motorbike-start-prepares-take-his?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3173673/star-wars-fan-and-founder-flying-motorbike-start-prepares-take-his?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Apr 2022 04:00:12 +0000 Indonesia’s goal to revitalise its pandemic-battered tourism sector could take a leap forward this weekend when the island of Lombok gears up to host one of the world’s top motorcycle races, seen as an opportunity to showcase there is far more to the country than resort island Bali. Lombok is typically known among foreign travellers as an offshoot, getaway destination from the better-known and hugely popular Bali, which is less than an hour away by plane or two hours by fast boat. Jakarta hopes... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3170882/indonesia-revs-tourism-motorcycle-grand-prix-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3170882/indonesia-revs-tourism-motorcycle-grand-prix-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Mar 2022 01:00:23 +0000 Han Wei and co-driver Li Ma closed out stage six of the 2022 Dakar Rally in ninth position, edging closer towards China’s best result ever in the event. A veteran driver, Han made history for China two years ago by producing the country’s best result, finishing in tenth place. This year he teamed up with co-driver Li and the duo have been steadily improving over the course of the week. After a fierce battle for a top 15 spot earlier this week, the pair stormed through stage six and are now hot... https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3162719/dakar-rally-han-wei-track-break-own-chinese-record-he-edges-ninth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3162719/dakar-rally-han-wei-track-break-own-chinese-record-he-edges-ninth?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Jan 2022 11:15:15 +0000 Chinese competitors have been steadily improving on the Dakar Rally in recent years, but perhaps no driver looks better placed to mix it up with the very best than Han Wei. The 49-year-old made history for China in 2020, producing the country’s best result finishing in tenth place. After a 2021 Dakar campaign fraught with mechanical issues, Han has returned this year with an upgraded vehicle and clear ambitions that are already starting to pay dividends. Han and his new co-driver Li Ma, moved... https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3162198/han-wei-track-produce-chinas-best-dakar-rally-result-ever-he-moves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3162198/han-wei-track-produce-chinas-best-dakar-rally-result-ever-he-moves?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Jan 2022 07:15:11 +0000 The 44th Dakar Rally is under way in Saudi Arabia, and a handful of veteran Chinese drivers are looking to make their mark like never before. With coronavirus having kept the country’s top endurance racers out of Dakar for the past two years, a smaller contingent have made their way to Jeddah, with ambitions fine tuned and laser focused on setting some records of their own. Carrying China’s hopes is Zhang Guoyu, who enjoyed a superb Dakar Rally debut in the cars a year ago, sweeping to an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3161950/dakar-rally-zhang-guoyu-leads-chinas-hope-best-performance-ever?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3161950/dakar-rally-zhang-guoyu-leads-chinas-hope-best-performance-ever?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jan 2022 10:15:22 +0000 Bikers have been rumbling their way towards South Dakota’s Black Hills this week, raising fears that Covid-19 infections will be unleashed among the 700,000 people expected to show up at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the Midwestern US state. The rally, which starts on Friday, has become a haven for those eager to escape coronavirus precautions. Last year, the event hardly slowed down, with roughly 460,000 people attending. Masks were mostly ditched as bikers crowded into bars, tattoo parlours... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3143947/what-delta-variant-sturgis-biker-rally-expects-massive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3143947/what-delta-variant-sturgis-biker-rally-expects-massive?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Aug 2021 17:15:20 +0000 This article is part of STYLE’s Inside Luxury Column. In 2012, when I moved from Europe to the US, one of the first things I bought was a Harley-Davidson Softail Slim. It was a transformational purchase. It deepened my love of motorbikes. And it opened a new world – being the proud owner of a Harley. It was love at first sight. I did not plan to buy a motorbike, I was just curious to experience the legendary brand. When I entered the showroom on a weekday evening, I saw the bike and the desire... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3138555/harley-davidson-livewire-can-americas-most-iconic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3138555/harley-davidson-livewire-can-americas-most-iconic?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Jun 2021 06:02:43 +0000 China is currently the largest producer of automobiles in the world, according to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, and Chongqing is at the center of it. This industrial city in the country’s southwest is the Detroit of China. Several major automakers have factories there, including Ford Motor, whose largest production facility outside of Detroit is in Chongqing. Changan Automobile, the country’s second-most popular car brand, has its headquarters in the... https://www.scmp.com/travel/chongqing-china-motorcycle-capital/article/3010116?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/travel/chongqing-china-motorcycle-capital/article/3010116?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 May 2019 04:32:32 +0000