…cos’ they’re busy partying. Singapore’s big motorcycle lifestyle event continues its move from fringe to mainstream
 
SINGAPORE
January 12, 2019 saw the fourth iteration of motorcycle lifestyle event/party, The Wicked Wallop.
First run in 2016, the Wicked Wallop has gained increasing prominence as perhaps the most high-profile motorcycle event here with a strong lifestyle bias.

MotoBuyer covered last year’s event, which was also held on the rooftop of Carros Centre in Sungei Kadut, and we noted its strong attendance, plus the presence of major motorcycle and motorcycle-related companies supporting it.

Present at this year’s show was BMW Motorrad, Harley-Davidson of Singapore, KTM, as well as under ‘mega dealer’ Mah Motor, the brands Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Triumph, Vespa, and  Victory.

All these brands had their model lineups on display, as well as open test rides at the event area.

BMW Motorrad took the chance to announce extended warranty coverage of three years (up from two years previously) for all of its motorcycles, with an even longer five-year warranty for its mainstay R 1200 GS and R 1200 GS Adventure models. That’s a move which should help improve the already good resale value of BMW motorcycles on the pre-owned market.

Triumph unveiled its all-new Scrambler model at the event. The Scrambler 1200 XE is related to the rest of Triumph’s modern classics line (including the Bonneville and Thruxton) and has a new engine derived from the racy Thruxton R model.

There are two variants, the XC and XE (shown here), with the latter being slightly more optimised for the real rough stuff. Both have selectable rider modes, but the XE’s IMU (inertial measurement unit) means it also has an additional Off-Road Pro mode, plus traction control and ABS that adjusts to angle of lean.

The 1200cc parallel twin engine makes 89hp and 110Nm of torque, with similarly high-spec chassis components including twin M50 Brembo front callipers, 45mm upside-down forks, and Ohlins twin rear shocks (both with higher suspension travel).
The XE has 47mm Showa front forks with more suspension travel, a longer rear swingarm, and Brembo MCS lever system for its front brakes.
The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC retails for $29,493, and the XE for $31,633. Price is on-the-road (includes road tax, registration, COE etc, without insurance).
Ducati was absent this year, likely because of the event’s overlap with the Singapore Motorshow, which was held on the same weekend, spanning January 10-14, 2019. It choose to premiere its new Hypermotard 950 and Multistrada Enduro 1260 at Suntec.


Like 2018, there was plenty to see and do: Food and drink from Cubanos sandwiches, Handlebar, Lion City Meadery, and more. Live band performances ran throughout the day, as well as a Custom Car and Bike competition.  There was also plenty to buy, with accessories from numerous boutique brands, as well as booths from Hodaka Motoworld, JR Pte Ltd, Shell petrol, and more.
As we noted in our previous coverage of the show, as it’s inspired by ‘kustom kulture’, The Wicked Wallop seems an unlikely premise for a motorcycle show in modification-averse Singapore.
Despite that, it has instead flourished as a vibrant expression of the increasingly mature motorcycle culture in the Lion City. According to the organisers, last year’s event drew roughly 4,000 attendees, and they expect a similar turnout for 2019’s edition.

That’s something supporters and sponsors at the show, especially those representing premium motorcycle brands, find increasingly valuable.

“The idea that we are selling a lifestyle, and not a product, is especially true when it comes to motorcycles,” said Mr Anthony Chaw, general manager of BMW Motorrad (Performance Motors Limited). “It’s not just about selling the customer a motorcycle, but also giving them plenty of options of what to do with the bike, such as ride aways and other riding events, rider training, and social events like these.”
BMW amped up its rider/customer interaction over the past two years with overseas ride events in Japan, Korea, and Europe, as well as holding its own motorcycle lifestyle event, Pure & Crafted 2018, plus a ‘live’ ride event/launch the BMW Grand Slam.  

“It’s really not so much about the number of customers walking in, or even sales figures, but being visible and present, and events like Wicked Wallop are good for that,” Mr Eugene Mah, the managing director of Mah Pte Ltd, told MotoBuyer at the event.