Full Story - A Visit To Naza Bikes Factory & Insight New 250cc Single

Affordable superbike.  Yes, Naza started this.  They did stirred the market for those who dreamed owning one.  I could still remember when I bumped to Kampung Baru showroom to witness this first affordable superbike. 
 
I saw these two superbikes. The blue 650 Naked and the black and red 250.  Immediately I was speaking to myself on how to ride this bike. The tank 17 litre tank is so huge and I cannot placed both my legs firmly to the ground.  I tried 650 Naked and to my surprise it felt much better than 250cc as the twin spar chassis makes me easier to reach handlebars.
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Then one of the staff started the engine.  Everybody was eagerly looking.  Once its rumble, I believe there are lots of motion and emotion running down the vein.  Positive and negative. I heard.  At least.

Now  in 2014 and almost a year after ownership, I got this opportunity, a rather exclusive opportunity to quick view how Blade is assembled in Naza plant Section 15, Shah Alam after soldering on for quite some time in Malaysia. How this invitation started? Actually,  I commented in their FB page and from there the story goes.

The Process.  The Assembly Line

Firstly, CKD’ed bike came in loose parts except for engine which has been fully assembled by the fellow S & T.  So the Koreans packed in a box (sorry, coz I forgot to snap the big box).  Localized products were present too such as Kayaba Malaysia and RK Malaysia.

 

Next they took out the engine and completed the chasis with wire harness. 

Then, they completed the installation parts by parts and equipment by equipment till it became a bike.

 

 

Lastly, they tested the bike speed accuracy/tolerance (+- 5kmh), braking force, on-bike wheel alignment and the awaited dyno test.

- Dyno and other tests done but I don't have pic, just video -

I was explained too regarding new exhaust, new rear brake caliper, new side stand, TBR CF series issues, TBR Asia linkage with Naza, plug cap, TBR stickers and few more.  In short, Naza did listen to its customers. It is an on-going quality improvement process and it is a common thing in an ISO certified company. They committed to what customer mentioned to them and communicated back to the Koreans for improvement.

With regards to plug cap issues, the S&T guys in Korea also wondering why Malaysia suffers this problem and not from all over the world such as Australia, Japan, Germany and others. I believe it is because of our weather and humidity. So, they are now testing with 3 types of suggested improvement plug caps and will be decided on which one to be fitted on assembly once data is finalized. Mine too is being tested now by myself due to my heavy mileage.

The Garage. The Store Yard

Once the how-to-assemble process is finished, I was “transferred” to the sea of hundreds of readily Blade waiting to be distributed.  There, I was given the chance to snap the newly shaded TBR guise of 650R and 250R. These new TBR versions will already in the distributor shop as you are reading this.

As mentioned above, TBR Asia is owned by Naza too.  As such, complaints regarding broken TBR CF series will be addressed.  They have studied the cause and surely this rectification will go along with newly production batch.  This is common in manufacturing practice.  I was informed that a new series of TBR namely Silver Series will be equipped too.  In my opinion, it looks cleaner than CF series.

 

 

Parts Updates On 2014’s Blade 250R – Further Explain

Exhaust system has been upgraded for lighter and more efficient flow.  The look is ‘cooler’ too. 

Rear brake caliper is new with single piston but the piston works in both directions as opposed to single direction for the previous TCIC dual piston rear caliper.  So, rear braking force and feel should improve compared to 2013 and circa model.

Tyre is from India and MRF is also OEM for 200cc Duke.  I do not have any inputs on how it behaves, so you could go to KTM 200 fb group.  But it does look sleeker than previous Shinko SR741. 

The last update is definitely almost unnoticeable.  The sides stand.  It is supposed to be easier to use and better in appearance too.

By the way, for those who like this new TBR shade, they may order it from Naza SC around RM500.  I was told that sticker installation for TBR is done by TBR staff and not Naza assembly boys.

Closing Chatting & New 250cc Single

In the very last minutes chatting with the officials, I was told that the new 250cc single cyclinder bike will be offered somewhere in this year.  This bike is not heavy due to durable light weight material use such as cast aluminium swing arm.  Further survey indicates that this bike also uses counterbalanced shaft, lightweight 10 spokes wheels, gas charged mono-shock, petal shaped disc, hollow brake line, fully digital wide panel LCD speedometer (see Honda CB500 series) and with radical design too.

Power output is 28ps/9,500 rpm with 2.46kgf.m/7000 rpm torque.  Fuel injected as usual coupled with 6 speed close ratio gear, low seat height of 790mm and caster of 23.5 degree signaling agile handling. Braking job is assigned to front 300mm petal single disc and 230mm rear disc. Front suspension is USD type and wrapped with 110/70 tyre.  Meanwhile, rear tyre folded with 150/60 tyre.  Fuel tank is quite small around 11 litres and a dry weight of 138kg.  So, eventhough the tank is small, you will still get good mileage because of its exceptionally tiny weight. 

In my opinion, this bike will rival Duke 200cc, Kawa Z250cc and Sym T2.  No doubt. For its exact appearance, you can check FB post as someone did snapped this bike while testing on highway. Remember my 10,018KM review when I commented that Hyosung (S&T) will produce totally new bike?

Can I have one for a test ride? A fairing one perhaps : )