Motorcycle Apex

Honda spread its wings with the launch of their new 2008 CBR Fire Blade.

The first Fire Blade, 900RR, had rolled out in the year 1992 with more power, less weight & much better handling being its sole purpose. And recently Honda struck back with the launch of their new, straight out of the hell, 2008 Fire Blade CBR 1000RR model. This new machine has raised the bar in both performance and handling and also lives on in the true tradition.

Check out this video where it takes you for a virtual ride on the new 2008 Honda CBR1000. Watch it from a rider’s perspective and observe how he maneuvers along the track changing gears accordingly. This is no PlayStation guys but a real track video made at Losail, Qatar!

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Honda has launched its new 125cc sports bike, CBF Stunner, targeting the younger segment on July 21st in New Delhi, India. Priced between Rs 47,070 and Rs 51,655 (ex-showroom), CBF comes in three variants and four colors. It has a 11bhp engine and complements its existing model ‘Shine’ in the same category.

Yogesh in Indiaon2wheels says, “The 125cc Honda Stunner produces 11bhp at 8000rpm and 11nm of torque at 6500rpm. Honda claims the Stunner can achieve 60kmph from standstill in 5.2 seconds, which ought to make the Stunner one of the fastest 125cc motorcycles in India, if not the fastest.”

The company is also planning to launch two more new models this year. N K Rattan, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, Head (Sales & Marketing) said, “There will be one or two more new launches in this financial year. We also expect our bikes above the 800cc category to launch in fiscal year 2009 which will be priced above 10lakh.”

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Honda Silver Wing is truly one of the best high end scooters on the markets today. It is powered by a 582 cc parallel twin 4-stroke liquid cooled DOHC engine. Transmission is through an Automatic V-Matic belt drive. The front suspension comprises of a 41mm hydraulic fork while the rear houses a Swing arm with dual hydraulic shocks. The fuel capacity is 4.2 gallons, including 0.9 gallon of reserve.

The designing of the body is both stylish and graceful. The front end houses a wind shield offering good wind protection to the rider. The dual seating is luxurious, facilitating a comfortable ride, especially when cruising for long hours. With expensive fuel prices and increasing traffic congestion, many people are now looking at scooters as an alternative to traveling by cars. Both across America and Europe, the popularity of scooters is definitely seen to be on the up-swing.

Being a great combination of good designing, technical reliability and performance, the Honda Silver Wing would surely be a wise choice.

The Silver Wing is priced at $8099. Another variant of the Silver Wing, the Silver Wing ABS, comes with anti-lock brakes at an additional $500 price tag.

The Zoomer/Ruckus differs from the traditional scooters due its trendy and hip kind of styling and design characteristics. The chassis is a tubular industrial frame, which has a kind of unclothed appearance. The large twin headlamps and thick tires are the noticeable features.

It is powered by a 49 cc liquid cooled four stroke engine, which churns out 4.9 BHP. Transmission is through an automatic V-Matic belt drive. The front suspension is a twin-downtube fork while the rear has a single shock absorber. Braking is achieved through drum brakes. The maximum speed achieved is 70 Km/h. The fuel tank has a capacity of about 5 liters.

The Ruckus also has a big brother, called the Honda Big Ruckus, a 249 cc scooter with twin seating which was sold in the U.S. in 2005 and 2006 but was discontinued in 2007.

Touring can be a great experience and more so when one is saddled on a bike like the Honda Goldwing. It can truly be called a rider’s delight, a superb combination of power, luxury and technological sophistication. The Honda Goldwing Audio / Comfort /Navi /ABS is one of the premium models in the Honda Goldwing segment.

The power plant of the Goldwing is a 1832cc SOHC liquid-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. Transmission is through a five-speed gearbox which includes an overdrive and an electric reverse. It has Computer-controlled digital ignition with three-dimensional mapping. The power is transferred to the wheel through a shaft drive instead of a conventional chain drive.

The Goldwing has had the reputation of possessing one of the best motorcycle audio systems. The recent model includes rear speakers and a pair of front tweeters, a tuner and an 80-watt/channel power amplifier. It is also equipped with a six-disc CD changer.

The comfort package includes heated grips and a heated seat and passenger backrest connected to the electrical system which draws power from a 1,300-watt alternator. It also has an adjustable warm-air ducting from the engine to heat the feet.

The navigation system which is equipped with GPS technology and a color LCD screen is the best in the motorcycle segment today. It also comes with anti lock brakes to ensure optimum safety. Priced around $ 23,000, it could be said to be in the upper range but considering what one gets for that amount, a worthy investment indeed, for someone who values quality and technological finesse.

Jeremy Korzeniewski’s update Honda’s development activities… “Many motorcycles in today’s market feature anti-lock brakes, including models from Honda like the Interceptor and Silverwing scooters. Now, though, the red-winged manufacturer of motorcycles has announced a new system which completely removes the rider’s direct connection with the front and rear brakes. Instead of a cable connection, the system uses brake-by-wire technology and allows an on-board computer to apply pressure to both the front and rear brakes as it sees fit. This new system is expected to debut on sportbikes first, which raises some eyebrows in the cycle-riding community. The highest performing bikes have ridiculously powerful brakes which are capable of locking up the front tire very easily. Still, hardcore riders have proven very reluctant to give up any control to computers, especially on race tracks, where supersport bikes are expected to thrive. Being Honda, though, there is a prevailing sense that the technology will work. Expect the new combined ABS system to proliferate to all of Honda’s two-wheelers in the near future.”

Hyper sport bikes emphasize on top speed and acceleration. These bikes are typically powered by 1100cc engines, weighing around 227kg and attain speeds in excess of 180 mph (290 km/h). The top ones are lined up here…

Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird

Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird was the world’s fastest production motorcycle when it first appeared in late 1996. Blackbird has earned a solid reputation as a powerful, fast, smooth and very reliable sport-touring motorcycle. As an example of its reliability, Dale Wilson rode a Blackbird 1500+ miles a day for seven consecutive days in late spring of 2007, setting a motorcycle endurance record. The Blackbird name is an obvious nod to the Lockheed SR-71 aircraft.

Engine Type: 999cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder

Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed

Suzuki Hayabusa

In Japanese, Hayabusa means ‘Peregrine Falcon’, the bird capable of achieving speeds over 200mph or 322kmph. The name has a subtle reference to the competing Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird.

The GSX1300R, powered by a 1299cc inline-4 liquid-cooled engine was capable of doing quarter mile in 10.02 seconds at 143.7 mph. Acceleration was mind-blowing- 0 to 60mph in 3.13 seconds. Following heavy competition, Suzuki revised the GSX1300R for the 2008 model year. The engine size was increased to 1340cc to boost power output. Other notable features include a new 4-2-1-2 exhaust system meets Euro 3 and Tier 2 emission regulations, a slipper clutch, and redesigned bodywork.

The motorcycle in stock form is capable of doing quarter mile in 9.85 seconds at @ 149.7 mph while it can shoot from standstill to 60mph in 2.77 seconds and 180 mph in 18.9 seconds.

Engine Type: 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC

Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14

The Ninja ZX-14 is currently Kawasaki’s most powerful sport bike. It was introduced at the Tokyo 2005 Show. The Ninja ZX-14 is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60mph in 2.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically restricted to 186 mph (299 km/h).

Engine Type: 1352cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, inline-four

Transmission 6-speed

BMW K1200S

The K 1200 S can accelerate from a dead stop to 60mph in just 2.8 seconds. The K1200S features ABS brakes and a few other creative comforts.

Engine Type: Transverse mounted, 1157 cc, liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder, 167bhp

Transmission: 6-speed

Yamaha FJR1300

Engine Type: 1298cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder; DOHC, 16 valves

Transmission: 5-speed; Yamaha Chip-Controlled Shift (YCC-S)

Honda is all set to go retro in 2009 with the new design inspired by the ground-breaking CB’s of the 70’s. The CB750 turned the motorcycle world upside-down and went a long way. Considering the air-cooled engine, skinny “right-side-up” fork and dual shocks are carry-over pieces from the original design; the CB1100F would be anything but revolutionary in the sporting bike game today. That’s what makes it look retro.

The CB1100F was on display at the Tokyo 2007 – Tokyo Motor Show along with CB1100R, Forza Z ABS, DN-01, Pride Fighter Concept, EV06 Concept, CB400 Super Four Hyper VTEC Revo, CB400 Super Bol D’OR Hyper VTEC Revo , CB1300 Super Four, CB1300 Super Bol D’OR, CBR1000RR, CBR600RR, Goldwing…..

Honda announced the final production version of the unique and innovative Honda DN-01 sports cruiser this March. This large sports cruiser will be sold in Japan and UK but it is not known whether the bike will be sold in the U.S.A.

Honda developed the DN-01 with the aim of “creating new value” without being locked into any existing category of motorcycle. While the automatic model has been synonymous with the scooter and has made a clear departure from motorcycles, Honda presents the automatic sports cruiser “DN-01″ featuring Honda’s unique infinitely variable hydraulic mechanical transmission, the “HFT” (Human Fitting Transmission). The DN-01 is easy to operate and offers a sporty ride.

The styling is fiercely original and creative. Pushing forward to create new value, the design aims for a long and low, modern organic look. The image created by the long-nose front cowl is highly dynamic, while the undercowl-muffler and Pro-Arm rear suspension add a functional beauty to the overall design.

“The DN-01 is the result of thoroughly pursuing a style that is luxurious and relaxing, easy and individualistic”, says Honda.  They said that the remarkable transmission makes the DN-01 easy to operate, while providing the sporty ride quality.

The DN-01 is driven by a liquid-cooled four-stroke 680cc OHC V-twin 65HP engine, which delivers powerful and flat torque characteristics in both low-rpm and high-rpm ranges. A single-sided swingarm (Pro-Arm), acknowledged in the Goldwing and VFR, and a maintenance-free shaft drive with superior durability and quietness have been adopted for the drivetrain. Coupled to the V-twin is the ‘Infinitely Variable HFT Transmission’. This new-generation infinitely variable transmission delivers superb throttle response and stepless shifting, with no mid-corner shifting shocks. Riders can select from three shifting modes: Drive Mode, Sports Mode and 6-Speed Manual Mode. Moreover, the HFT offers the world’s first lock-up mechanism in an infinitely variable, hydraulic mechanical transmission, contributing to improve fuel economy during cruising.

The DN 01 offers a supremely comfortable riding position. The large seat is fitted with an adjustable backrest for plush comfort on long rides, while wide footboards allow maximum freedom of movement. Complemented by a low 680mm seat, the riding position is spacious and relaxing. Passengers are also comfortable, thanks to the ample and lengthy passenger seat. This new genre of motorcycle gives new enjoyment to both rider and passenger.

Coming to the brakes, the DN-01 features the Combined ABS, which is a combination of the Combined Brake System and the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), delivering powerful braking power.

Honda Ignition Security System, Honda’s unique anti-theft system uses an electronic interlock.  The device is lets the engine to start only when the IC chip built into the original key and the ID in the ECU of motorcycle matches. Furthermore, an original system has been established for the DN-01 to provide a higher quality service.  This new system functions with DN-01 dealer information network to manage the service history of the customer’s machine.

Pearl Sunbeam White, Pearl Amethyst Purple, Candy Glory Red and Graphite Black are the colors buyers can choose from.

Honda NAS motorbike concept was born in 1999 at Honda R&D Americas (HRA). NAS stands for New American Sorts. Majority of the sports bikes are designed for race track but Honda NAS was created with intention to try and offer another option to bikers, a sports bike built for the road.

The NAS Designers also wanted to create a machine with a different identity and more personality. NAS is not just about the new looks, some of the most ingenious engineering solutions in the motorcycle market are seen on this bike; the unique mono-arm suspension made of carbon fiber and aluminum, with the damper and spring neatly enclosed within a massive steering head.

“The organic skeleton theme echoes repeatedly throughout the New American Sports,” Tony Schroeder explained. “It begins with the front wheel and moves back to the frame, swing arm and rear wheel, just as bones connect segments in the human form. All of these structural elements combine thick and thin sections, just like a paired tibia/fibula in the lower leg. We intentionally blended this organic, sculptured look with the hardware and technology for a fresh appearance and aesthetic appeal.”