2003 Honda Gold Wing on 2040-motos

Honda Gold Wing tech info

Engine Size (cc):1,832 Type:Touring For Sale By:Dealer

Moto blog

Looking after number 1

There was a time when a rider’s number indicated his position from the previous season, with the ultimate accolade being the number 1 emblazoned on the front of the champion's bike. The rise of branding in MotoGP and a rider wanting to market themselves, born from Barry Sheene and his retention of no.7, saw riders decide against displaying their finish from the year before. Rossi, who on winning his numerous championships, stuck with his famous #46 in defence of his titles, instead of stamping a great number 1 on his bikes.

The future. But we can't have it

It's no secret that we motorcyclists are getting older. We're ageing because less people are passing their bike test each year (roughly 30,000 last year compared to 50,000 for the 10 years before the new two-part test) and so not only is the pool not growing it's not even being replenished and so the average age isn't being diluted down by yoof. When the going gets tough in any situation, you really get to see who's got their shit-sorted and who's light enough on their feet to adapt to change.

Moto2 needs more radical bikes

Makers of fine exhausts, Taylormade Racing have built a Moto2 racer that harks back to the innovative machines like the Elf Honda 500 and Britten V1000. Since Moto2's inception in 2010 the class has featured bikes with conventional chassis but the Taylormade bike, designed by Paul Taylor and John Keogh, has a radical design featuring a carbon-fibre monocoque frame, carbon-fibre swingarm, wishbone monoshock front suspension and an under-seat radiator. However, with such radical engineering the inherent problem is that it is a risk for teams to invest in such a project.