Honda motorcycles

2012 Honda Rune

It’s very rare that a concept bike captures the heart of riders the way the Honda Rune did when it was introduced into the market. As a bike that draws its ancestry from the original Valkyries and the Gold Wings, the Rune’s introduction had a significant impact on the motorcycle market.

Taking all the set-up characteristics of the two bikes and combining them to form one package, Honda essentially made the Rune one of the most important bikes of its line-up. Its cutting-edge design and expansive powertrain capabilities took the model into uncharted territory, establishing new directions that no other manufacturer had ever attempted.

Suffice it to say, Honda accomplished that and more with the Rune. It’s not enough that it’s inspired by some of the most popular bikes Honda has had in the past, but it also takes all of the company’s technologies and wraps them up into one scintillating piece of touring awesomeness.

Find out more about the Honda Rune after the jump.

2012 Honda ST1300

Just like everything else, certain motorcycle models grow up and are bound to be replaced. That’s the case for the Honda ST1100, which ran for almost 12 years before its time clearly has come to pass. In the 12 years it’s been around, the ST1100 has earned a reputation as one of the best touring motorcycles around, but like we said, everything has an expiration date, and the ST1100’s date has already passed.

Now it’s time to give proper introduction to the eventual successor, the ST1300.

Just like every sports-touring bike on the market, the ST1300 plays double duty as a touring and sports bike. The bodywork, which was carefully built behind the science of wind-tunnel testing, sports all the characteristics of a long-distance hauler and a sports racer. The hard saddlebags on the rear, together with the removable saddlebag liner set, a scuff-pad set, and knee-pad set, comprise some of the ST1300’s touring characteristics. It also has a new fairing air-deflector set, a tank pad, and heated grips to round out the car’s exterior set-up.

As far as performance characteristics go, the ST1300 is powered by a 1,261 cc liquid-cooled longitudinally mounted 90° V-4 engine that’s complimented by a race-bred chassis and ABS technology. The new engine set-up produces 20% more power and 10% more torque than the ST1100, enough reason for this sports tourer to be considered a worthy successor.

Like most of Honda’s high-performance motorcycles, the new ST1300 features advanced aluminum composite cylinder sleeves that are not only lighter in weight, but also more resistant to wear and more effective at transferring heat than conventional iron sleeves.

Find out more about the Honda ST1300 after the jump

2012 Honda Gold Wing

Regarded across the board as the pinnacle of two-up motorcycling, the 2012 Honda Gold Wing is straight-up one of the premier tourers on the market today. The Gold Wing offers the perfect mix of power, performance, handling, and touring comfort with travel-oriented credentials that make it one of the most beloved companions in long-distance joy rides.

The Gold Wing is a renowned bike with a refined drivetrain, delightfully sporty handling and unparalleled comfort for both rider and passenger. The Gold Wing also brings upgraded styling, increased luggage capacity, greater protection from wind and weather, and revised suspension settings for enhanced ride compliance.

On top it being the classic tourer that we’ve all come to love, the Honda Gold Wing also includes plenty of the latest generation of sophisticated electronic amenities, starting with an innovative user-friendly navigation system with the capability to share favorite ride routes with friends and other riders. The Gold Wing also incorporates a new built-in MP3/iPod interface and an SRS CS Auto technology surround-sound system for a premium listening experience.

Find out more about the Honda Gold Wing after the jump.

2009 Honda DN-01

The Honda DN-01 only made its debut a few years ago at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, marking the first time the world saw Honda’s “comfortable sports cruiser." In the process, the DN-01 launched a completely new motorcycle category, one that featured bikes that delivered strong V-twin performance delivered through a continuously variable HFT transmission.

After years of testing and development, the DN-01 was officially launched for production in 2009, boasting of the same styling features it had during its 2005 debut while also carrying technological advancements from the concept version.

There are many things about the bike that scream one-of-a-kind. It’s not individual parts that do this, but the combination of all these parts that make for a completely exciting set-up. For starters, the low-slung, aerodynamic form hints at the bike’s sporting intentions and is reinforced by the three-piston, dual disc brakes in prominent view on the DN-01’s 41mm front fork and 17" alloy front wheel. In addition, the DN-01 comes with an impressive 680cc liquid-cooled four-valve V-twin engine that’s mated to a continuously variable HFT transmission with a hydromechanical design that features two automatic modes and a six-speed manual mode with push-button shifting.

Put everything together and its obvious that the DN-01 is a new-age bike for the new-age customer. Fans of cruiser bikes will love the flat, low saddle, the V-twin power and the shaft drive while technophiles will enjoy the bike’s programmed digital fuel injection system (PGM-FI), the anti-lock, combined braking system, and the modern digital instrumentation.

At the end of the day, the DN-01 is a motorcycle, one that Honda engineers clearly set out to create with the intent of revolutionizing the market. The bike’s overall tenet of combining a true sporting performance with a fully automatic transmission, a low seat height, and exceptional style all comes to life on the DN-01.

Find out more about full specs of the Honda DN-01 after the jump.

2012 Honda Big Red

The Honda Big Red MUV has been around the block a couple of times, but Honda has done a fabulous job in keeping the vehicle as fresh and useful as possible. For the 2011 model, Honda has upped the ante with plenty of new additions that allow the Big Red name to continue being one of the most popular MUVs on the market today.

For all the praise the Big Red has garnered for its superior handling, secure feel, and comfortable ride, the heart of the machine is still its 675cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected engine. Together with recently upgraded load carrying and towing capacities, a revised suspension, contoured bench seat for easier entry/exit and a Roll Over Protection Structure (ROPS) that meets OSHA requirements, the Big Red is once again front-and-center among the best MUVs around.

What sets Big Red apart from all the other vehicles of its kind is the fact that Honda’s focus on quality and convenience features allows the Big Red to offer a more enjoyable driving experience wherever you find yourself with an MUV in your hands.

Find out more about the Honda Big Red after the jump.

2011 Honda NSF250R Coming to the U.S.

America has waited enough, Honda. Now the Japanese company is finally dropping the wait after announcing the arrival of the 2012 HRC NSF250R. Developed for the FIM GP road racing competition in the Moto3 class, the NSF250R promises to live up to the hype - and so much more.

It’s powered by an all-new liquid-cooled single-cylinder 249cc four-stroke engine that has been specifically designed for racing. The sleek design features technical highlights that include a front-intake and rear-exhaust configuration with a high charging efficiency. To be able to generate strong power throughout the high-rpm range, the NSF250R also comes with titanium valves for both the intake and exhaust to reduce friction and lighten the valve train.

Furthermore, the NSF250R’s design reduces friction between piston and cylinder, improving the bike’s overall durability by offsetting the cylinder centerline and applying nickel silicon carbide (Ni-SiC) for the cylinder surface treatment. Lightweight and well-balanced, the NSF250R offers impressive power output and superb handling to achieve a great blend of high performance plus rider-friendly traits well suited to up-and-coming racers.

"This is a great opportunity for people who want to start road racing with a full-on track bike," said Keith Dowdle, Assistant Manager Honda Riders Club of America. "Now riders have the option of buying a purpose-built race-ready motorcycle right out of the box, as an alternative to modifying a street bike—all at a reasonable price of $28,599."

Orders for the bike are now open so if you’re planning to purchase bikes to race in 2012 moto-racing series, now’s the time do so.

2012 Honda ST1300P ABS

There are a few things in this world that make traffic violators squeamish more than the sight of a patrol officer in their rear view mirrors. Combining an imposing profile that draws attention to itself with police-ready performance and handling capabilities, the Honda ST1300P ABS will hold nothing in reserve as far as capturing bad guys are concerned.

The bike comes with a motor-driven adjustable windscreen that offers 7.4" and 13 degrees of adjustability for greater wind protection and touring comfort. It also has a new special patrol speedometer, an adjustable three-position dual-density solo seat, handlebars raised 25mm and width increased 13.5mm, specialized brackets for lights, sirens, antenna mount and radio/electronic equipment, rear component cover for electronics weather protection, left and right lower engine guards, right-handlebar-mounted multi-function switch controls, an on/off headlight switch, and 8mm side fairing air-deflector set.

As far as its performance and handling capabilities are concerned, the ST1300P ABS holds nothing back with its 1,261cc DOHC 90-degree V-4 longitudinal engine mounting that improves power flow and drivetrain efficiency. The engine is then mated to a cassette-type five-speed transmission with gear ratios that allow for quicker acceleration and excellent roll-on performance. In addition to the powerful engine, the ST1300P ABS also comes with a rigid aluminum upper triple-clamp and a 45mm Honda Multi-Action System (HMAS) cartridge front fork that provide excellent suspension control in a wide range of riding conditions.

Similarly, the bike’s rear suspension features a single shock that has been incorporated and mounted directly onto the swingarm, offering 1.2" of spring preload adjustability. Large 310mm stainless-steel floating front brake discs and a 316mm rear disc brake offers ultimate stopping power while the bike’s ABS system combines with Combined Braking System (CBS) for a wide range of braking and steering control. The ABS features an electric-motor-driven modulator that gives quick, precise braking-pressure adjustments and smooth ABS operation, a critical system that allows patrol officers to have full control of their bikes at all conditions.

Find out the full specs behind the Honsa ST1300P ABS after the jump.

2011 Honda FourTrax Rincon GPScape

All-terrain vehicles are always a fun way to escape during the weekend. Getting lost in a trail and just blasting off in just about every imaginable direction is a perfect way to unwind after a look week’s worth of work.

Suppose that picture just made you want to buy your own ATV, Honda’s new FourTrax Rincon with GPScape is about as good a choice as you can have. The ATV is powered by a 675cc liquid-cooled OHV semi-dry-sump longitudinally mounted single-cylinder four-stroke engine that delivers ample torque and exceptional performance on all terrains. The engine is mated to an automotive-style automatic ATV transmission that draws power through a hydraulic torque converter to drive three forward gears and reverse.

The FourTrax Rincon also features Honda’s fully independent ATV rear suspension for comfortable cruising over the toughest terrain and carries extensive weight-saving measures to keep the ATVs weight down. Among the items included to keep it as light as possible include the use of aluminum on the forged front upper control arms, rear upper and lower control arms, rear knuckles, and the front and rear wheels.

The ATV comes with a number of color schemes, including the popular Natural Gear Camouflage to go with the existing Red and Olive colors, as well as a new Blue paint finish.

Find out more about the full specs of the Honda FourTrax Rincon GPScape.

2012 Honda CRF250R

There’s a reason why the Honda CRF250R is considered one of the best bikes on the market. It’s got a pedigree unlike any other, as evidenced by its long history of racing success. It made its debut in 2004 and took its first-ever AMA Supercross win early in the season. Two years after that, Honda Red Bull Racing’s Davi Millsaps rode it to the 2006 Supercross Lites East Championship. In 2008, GEICO Powersports Honda rookie Trey Canard rode all the way to a Supercross Lites East Championship, and in 2009 Ashley Fiolek notched her second consecutive AMA/WMA Women’s Motocross Championship. The common denominator with all those wins is that all the riders rode a CRF250R.

The CRF250R offers superb handling and excellent power that has been a tradition for Honda’s 250 class. For the 2012 model, Honda upped the ante, offering plenty of new goodies, including a new cylinder head and a 46mm throttle body that produces a broadened powerband featuring more low-end and midrange torque. In addition, the bike now carries an entirely new chassis that centers on a twin-spar aluminum frame with Honda’s Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD), a forged aluminum steering head, stronger downtubes and a simplified removable rear subframe. The bike also has an updated front and rear suspension settings, offering improved tracking and more precise handling. New foot pegs are also part of the package, as are new front axle collars that add rigidity to the front end, increasing the bike’s steering precision. On top of everything else, the CRF250R also comes with Dunlop’s premium MX51 tires cap off championship-caliber credentials that make the CRF250R the bike to beat in 2012.

Find out more about the Honda CRF250R’s specs after the jump.

2011 Honda ST1300PA

Law enforcement agencies are fixing to find a new ally in their crime-fighting ways with the introduction of the Honda ST1300PA. Tapping into Honda’s newest technology while also enjoying the company’s renowned quality standards and reliability, the ST1300PA is expected to become a patrol officer’s best friend.

Among the features included in the ST1300PA include a motor-driven adjustable windscreen that offers 7.4" and 13 degrees of adjustability. There’s also a new special patrol speedometer, an adjustable 3-position dual-density solo seat, handlebars that have been raised 25mm and width increased 13.5mm for greater rider comfort, specialized brackets for lights, sirens, antenna mount, and radio/electronic equipment, a rear component cover for electronics weather protection, left and right lower engine-guards with built-in brackets for mounting accessories, and right-handlebar-mounted multi-function switch controls, among other things.

More than all the cop-friendly equipment, the ST1300PA is the picture of power and handling too. The bike is powered by a 1,261cc DOHC 90o V-4 engine that produces 125 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 85 lb/ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. Meanwhile, a rigid aluminum upper triple-clamp and a 45mm Honda Multi-Action System (HMAS) cartridge front fork was fitted into the bike, providing excellent suspension control in a wide range of riding conditions. Likewise, the rear suspension incorporates a single shock that’s been mounted directly on the swingarm, providing 1.2" of spring preload adjustability. Large 310mm stainless steel floating front brake discs and 316mm rear disc are also part of the bike’s overall package, providing the kind of stopping power law enforcement officials need.

Find out the full specs behind the Honda ST13000PA after the jump.