Honda Gold Wing Motorcycles in North Tonawanda, page #50

Moto blog

Toni Elias to Substitute for Injured Hector Barbera at Laguna Seca

Former Moto2 World Champion Toni Elias is back in the premiere MotoGP class, albeit on a temporary basis. The Pramac Racing satellite Ducati team has signed Elias to race at the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca in place of Hector Barbera who is sidelined with a broken leg.

The Bourne Legacy motorcycle chase

Motorcycle chases will play a big role in this year's two spy films, with James Bond riding a Honda and now a clip from the upcoming Bourne Legacy shows an action packed chase scene. The Bourne Legacy will follow a similar premise with a rogue CIA agent being hunted down by the agency, it is also the first film in the series not to feature Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, instead handing over the reigns to Avengers Assemble star Jeremy Renner. What's your favourite motorcycle chase on the silver screen?

Honda CRF250R Featured in Upcoming James Bond Film “Skyfall”

James Bond films are probably better known for their exotic cars but the British superspy does get to ride on motorcycles once in a while. The latest motorcycle to be featured in 007′s vehicle dossier is the Honda CRF250R. Honda supplied 20 CRF250R models for the upcoming James Bond film “Skyfall”, set to open Oct.

Marco Simoncelli tribute CBR1000RR

At Mugello Honda graciously gifted Simoncelli's father Paolo with Marco's RC212V race bike from last season, along with this tribute-livery Honda CBR1000RR in his honour and memory.Unveiled in a special and emotional ceremony the Fireblade was designed by Aldo Drudi and was inspired by the memorable Super-Sic colours. The bike will be auctioned off on eBay to raise money for the Marco Simoncelli Foundation. Mugello marked the first Italian round since Simoncelli was tragically killed at Sepang last year.

Repsol Honda Signs Marquez and Pedrosa for 2013 MotoGP Season

Honda Racing Corporation announced it has signed rising Spanish talent Marc Marquez to a two-year contract on its factory team. He will race alongside Dani Pedrosa who signed a two-year contract extension with Honda to race in the 2013 MotoGP Championship. Marquez currently leads the Moto2 Championship by 43 points for the Catalunya Caixa Repsol team after finishing second in the series in 2011.

Classic corner: Phillip Island turn 12

Ask any racer what corners they would choose for their perfect track and the long swooping left that makes up the final corner of Phillip Island would appear on quite a few designs. Here the Honda World Superbike riders Jonathan Rea and Hiroshi Aoyama, along with technician Chris Pike and Pirelli's Giorgio Barbier detail the classic corner from the Australian track.

Hero MotoCorp Launches 125cc Ignitor in India

Hero MotoCorp has launched the Ignitor, a 125cc premium model based on the CBF Stunner from former partner turned rival Honda. The Ignitor is one of the final models Hero will produce with technology licensed from Honda, and it is expected to bridge the gap before Hero introduces its own new models (with help from a gentleman named Erik Buell.) Like the Stunner, the Hero Ignitor is powered by a 125cc single-cylinder engine. Both models claim 11hp and 8 ft-lb., but the Ignitor reaches its peak torque at 5000 rpm while the Stunner has to spin up to 6500 rpm.

Honda to Compete in 2013 Dakar Rally

Honda announced it will enter a works team in the 2013 Dakar Rally‘s motorcycle class, returning to the event for the first time in 23 years. The Japanese manufacturer competed in the Rally from 1981 to 1989 when it was known as the Paris-Dakar Rally. Honda won five times during that period but then stopped entering its own team.

Win a Fireblade. Yes, really.

This weekend sees the launch of Honda's anniversary promotions for the Fireblade – marking 20 years since its introduction. The firm has created a prize-draw web page at www.honda.co.uk/fireblade and for a chance to win you just need to fill in your details, after which you'll be given a code which you must take to a participating Honda dealer on August 11 before 2pm. The winner will be announced at 3pm on the 11th, and if they've hung around in the dealership until then they'll also be given 10 tickets to Motorcycle Live 2012.

MotoGP Lifts Rookie Rule, Caps Factory Prototype Entries and Adjusts Other Regulations

As expected, MotoGP organizers have officially lifted the rule barring rookies from racing for factory teams, but the Grand Prix Commission also tweaked some other regulations including a cap on factory prototype machines. We’ve discussed the lifting of the rookie rule already, with the main impetus being to allow a manufacturer such as Honda to sign up-and-coming Moto2 star Marc Marquez when he is expected to move up to the premiere class next season. As of Jan.