Having first tested the European market with the all-new 2008 DN-01, Honda now made public the fact of selling their futuristic model in the United States for 2009. The news was anticipated by the motorcycle press and surrounded by a fair share of controversy as the motorcycle buyer in the U.S. is more into the classic style rather than the one that the still strange looking bike tries to implement.
Addressed to people translating from cars to motorcycles, the Honda DN-01 makes riding easy for the respective category of riders. It is all due to the ingenious combination between a fully automatic transmission, a low seat and intriguing design.
Accommodated in an upright riding position and without the worry of shifting gears, a DN-01 rider can fully benefit of the 680cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve SOHC 52° V-twin’s performance. The engine is fed through a PGM-FI (programmed digital fuel injection) system, complementing perfectly for the lack of gears. Ok, so it isn’t just a combination between a cruiser and a sport bike, it has similar features to a state of the art maxi scooter.
With figures such as 60 bhp and 47 lb/ft, the bike won’t be hard to get accustomed with on the newly penetrated market, but it is expected to take its time until depleting stocks.
Two colors will be available for it in 2009: Black and Candy Dark Red under a $14,599 MSRP.
Apparently in an effort to reduce the effects of increased gas prices on customer pockets and that of global worming on Mother Nature, but actually a great way of staying strong on the market, Honda plans to introduce its first hybrid motorcycles until the beginning of 2011.
The system will be borrowed from the Honda Insight hybrid car and it will be implemented on motorcycles featuring 200cc and up to 1000cc traditional internal combustion engines. Engineers hope to squeeze car components on the future bikes and see the short way for this big evolutionary step.
Also, Honda will start production of smaller electric motorcycles in 2010, among which can also be found the successor of the Cub series. In this case, engines will be sized from 50 to 125cc and the bikes powered in such way are most likely to put the world of two wheels, like the first Honda Cub did.
Still, history won’t literally repeat itself as the new electric motorcycles will have a 30 kilometers range. Hopefully that’s enough to take you to and from work every day.
Remember the news about Michael Schumacher riding Team’s Ten Kate Honda Fireblade? Well, this is the video which completes it. Looks like the two wheels offer a whole new kind of excitement for a seven times F1 champion. Just look at him go around those corners!
Former F1 pilot Michael Schumacher had the opportunity to get a feel of the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade rode by Carlos Checa in the World Superbike championship and he made the most out of it. The bike is being tested on the French circuit of Magny-Cours by Checa and the Ten Kate team before the 3-5 Octomber round of the championship so that is where Schumacher tested the bike.
Having embraced motorcycle racing after he retired in 2006 as a seven times F1 champion, Schumacher raced a Honda CBR1000RR in this season’s IDM Superbike series so it was up for the challenge.
That is exactly what HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team manager, Ronald ten Kate, said: "I’m always a little nervous letting someone ride our bikes before the end of the season, but with Michael, I was happy to make an exception. He’s proved to be more than capable of handling the power of our CBR1000RR and he’s really a very good rider".
Schumacher said: "It was interesting to see how a professional superbike team works. It was difficult to understand the machinery fully with such a short amount of time but it was a great experience. It was also good to be a team-mate with Carlos who I have known for a number of years. I would like to thank Mr ten Kate for giving me the opportunity to try things out".
Having spotted the amazing opportunities that the electric powered motorcycles offer, Honda and Yamaha announce that they will introduce such two-wheeled machines for 2010, most lately 2011.
Yamaha’s electric motorcycle lineup is intended to be launched until the end of the year 2010. Expected to have a 60 miles range, to be easily rechargeable and very smooth and quiet operating, the environmentally friendly motorcycles will show other big manufacturers the way into the future.
Honda plans to introduce in 2011 motorcycle models which will base on lithium-ion batteries. Apparently, they plan on renewing Japan’s Post Service motorcycle fleet with their new bikes. With an order of 90.000 motorcycles (the number of motorcycles needed to be replaced), Honda will surely outmatch Yamaha, after getting a head start.
Prices of future electric Japanese motorcycles will start at $1900 and go as “high” as $3700.
It seems that lithium-ion batteries can make the difference in what concerns the performance of rechargeable cars and motorcycles, not only cell phones and laptops.
Companies such as Matsushita Electric Industrial, NEC Corp and GS Yuasa Corp have already established strategic partnerships with car manufacturers Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi, so the future has no color, but green…at least in the auto and moto industries.
Recently, Honda has made public the photos of the new CBR 1000RR, revealing only a host of new color schemes in appearance, but an ingenious braking system in essence.
The 2009 Honda CBR 1000RR ABS, an extension of the Fireblade, becomes an even greater and safer performer on the track thanks to the Combined ABS system that is also found on the 2009 Honda CBR 600RR ABS. Being electronically controlled, the ABS system manages to distribute the braking power in the most efficient way without locking the wheels.
Honda claims that the anti-lock braking system, which was especially created for being best valued on the racing track, significantly improves lap times compared with the ABS-free model. This is the result of tests that have undergone with professional riders on racing circuits. Apparently, the racing riders needed more than a few laps on the simple version in order to match the performance of the ABS-equipped model around the corners. So it is expected to see a notable difference when getting a feel of the new model.
But you haven’t heard the best of it yet. The C-ABS system doesn’t remove the braking task from the rider’s shoulders as it allows the brakes to be powerfully applied before intervening and making that small, but crucial difference. And when it does that, the bike’s stability isn’t affected so no worries about keeping a strong hand on that clutch lever.
While the engine and chassis remain unchanged for 2009, the fairing was slightly modified on the ABS model in order to mask the indeed small and compact system. An extension of the fairing covers the source of power situated next to the engine while a black cap underneath the seat covers the electronic unit.
The 2009 Honda CBR 1000RR ABS features brand new color schemes covering the matte black engine: the HRC edition, Repsol Race replica edition as well as Plated Black and Pearl Blue.
Honda has recently unveiled details related to the 2009 CBR600RR ABS, together with the first official pictures.
As the title says, the new bike aims at rider safety and complete thrust while piloting so the great addition is the brand new Combined ABS system which is electronically controlled not only for adjusting the braking power, but to prevent the wheels from locking as well as delivering optimum front and rear braking power.
Of course that Honda didn’t want to take the gestation off the rider so the system takes in consideration the supersport bikes characteristics and only makes a difference in the very last moment, just when the rider starts thinking about falling as strategically as possible. Honda claims that ABS and CBS functions will be offered as standard and they will intervene without outbalancing the new bike.
The 2009 model year, named Honda CBR600RR C-ABS, will be 10kg heavier than the present year’s model, a bike that weighs 184kg with fluids. The power to weight ratio is, indeed, a little bit affected, but the “sacrifice” is well worth from safety reasons.
Exclude that and the bike is mechanically unchanged except some slight modifications to the cylinder heads and the exhaust. It results in greater torque in the 8000-12000 rpm range, so the power to weight ratio we mentioned about won’t have that much to suffer after all.
Aesthetically, the shape of the fairing was slightly modified for dealing better with the air flow and reducing the noise at high speeds, but no modification will do the trick better than a brand new color range: Green/Black, Red/Black, White/Blue/Red and a limited edition model painted White/Blue and featuring awesome graphics. This version is called Pearl Sunbeam.
Ever wanted one of the motorcycle used by the Police force? Now is your chance. The United Kingdom Police is getting rid of their Honda ST1300 motorcycles.
There have been problems with these motorcycle in the past, due mostly to the heavy load carried by the cops. Communication gear, emergency gear, you name it added to much weight and made the Pan wobble at high speeds. After the death of one Police Officer, it was decided to take the Pan-European motorcycles off the Force, and sell them.
There are no problems for “normal” people riding them (honest). The center of gravity problem that made them unstable does not affect these bikes under normal circumstances.
Some of the motorcycles being sold are close to new, and have a low price, often 25% below list price.
The motorcycles are full Police spec: ABS, heated grips, electric screens, panniers and rear rack. The Police Service History is available for each bike.
They don’t mention if the coloring scheme has changed, but I think they will have. One thing is for sure, they will have removed the Police lights and sirens.
Under the motto “The Power of Dreams”, Honda caries on the legend of the Super Four, now with this CB1300SF.
Created for the Japanese TV, the ad can be promoted around the world as they don’t talk much, but the images do share information on the bike’s performance and life-long engineering. Don’t you simply forget about air flow when seeing a CB model?
When the lion is out to get your zebra neck, you’d better jump on the first Honda CBR929RR Fireblade and make your escape into the savanna. Better watch out for the threes as you don’t want to alert the leopard. In that case, you’ll be in for some stiff competition and you know how great the stake is. Actually, you’re the stake!
Cars Monday 1 January 2007 00:00
Do you belive that cars can go fast? Well I don’t. Cars go to fast there’s know way that people can control them it to fake. Example: Honda Cars there comercails are todally fake. Tell your dads that don’t be impressed by the fastness it’s all a spam. My dad was going to get a car like that but the Honda company was a spam to. I told him to buy the Cevorlet cars!!! If you don’t belive me you are getting SPAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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