Honda MR250 Motorcycles, page #48

Moto blog

Intermot 2012: Honda CRF450 Rally Unveiled

Today at Intermot 2012, Honda unveiled the CRF450 Rally, the machine it plans to enter in the 2013 Dakar Rally, marking the manufacturer’s return to the race after more than two decades. Honda has competed nine times from 1981 in the forerunner of the present Dakar Rally, the Paris-Dakar Rally. Cyril Neveu of France took Honda to its first victory in 1982, the race’s fourth year, and from 1986 to 1989 Honda won four consecutive titles for an overall record of five victories in nine years. The CRF450 Rally is based on Honda’s commercial CRF450X enduro racing model, and features electronic fuel injection, auxiliary fuel tanks in the panniers and lower side fairings, and the requisite navigation equipment located behind the windscreen.

Joey Dunlop on a V4 Honda at the '83 TT

Onboard video footage doesn't get a lot better than this: Joey Dunlop during practice at the TT in 1983 onboard a factory Honda RS850R. An 859cc ultra-short stroke V4 Honda that Joey mastered around The Island, later winning the TT Formula 1. Although the 'production' race, the RS850R stretched that to the limit.

Honda NC700X Recall Expands to US

As we expected, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall on the 2012 Honda NC700X. The recall announcement comes a week after the NC700X and the NC700S were recalled in Canada. As with the Transport Canada recall, the problem is a lack of proper heat treatment on the Honda NC700X’s  drive chain.

Magneti Marelli to Supply Electronics System to MotoGP Teams

It’s no secret that promoter Dorna Motorsports has been trying to push a standardized electronics control unit for teams in the MotoGP World Championship. The lack of a top-tier electronics package has been one of the biggest challenges faced by MotoGP’s claiming rule teams, and a spec ECU would narrow the gap between the CRT bikes and the factory prototypes. The manufacturers competing in the series, Honda, Ducati and Yamaha, understandably are resistant to the idea considering the effort they’ve put in to develop their electronics systems.

Long Live The Kings

This short film features a Honda and a pair of flat-twin Beemers customised by Paris-based Blitz Motorcycles. It was shot exclusively on super 16mm film and looks stunning. But more importantly, loads of fun.

Honda to Introduce Larger “New Concept” Models for North America

Honda announced it is following up on its NC700 series with a new large-sized model, with sales expected to begin in North America in 2013. Honda first announced plans for its NC700 models in at the 2010 EICMA show with a concept it called the “New Mid“, so it really shouldn’t be a surprise Honda would follow it up with a “New Large” series. The new models were announced in a presentation by Honda Chief Executive Officer Takanobu Ito alongside plans to develop a new MotoGP-derived sportbike.

Honda to Produce MotoGP-Derived V4 Superbike

Honda Chief Executive Officer Takanobu Ito announced plans to produce a new super sports bike derived from its RC213V MotoGP race bike. A V4 Honda sportsbike has long been rumored to be in development but it finally appears the project is getting the green light. Speaking about Honda’s plans for the next five years, Ito confirmed the sportbike is on its way, using technology from the company’s successful MotoGP program.

Misano Moto GP. Was it Divine Intervention?

I’m still buzzing from an amazing weekend of Moto GP in Misano. It took until Saturday lunchtime for the sun to get his hat on but from there on in the atmosphere at both the circuit and the nearby beachfront was first class. As usual on race day we had epic Moto 3 and Moto 2 races with respective champions elect Cortese and Marquez once again taking victories by just fractions of a second.

2012 Honda NC700X Recalled in Canada

Transport Canada has announced a recall for the 2012 Honda NC700X and (Edit: the recall now includes the NC700S, which is also available in Canada). At this point, the recall is only for the X model and only in Canada, but a similar recall may come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the U.S.-spec Honda NC700X. According to Transport Canada, the outer plates on the links of the drive chain may not have received proper heat treatment.

Tested: Dual Clutch Transmission

Been blasting all around the UK on my Crosstourer DCT this summer. The bike is mega in a Range Rovery-posh and grunty kind of a way. But it’s that engine and gearbox that transcend the normal into new realms of brilliance. I’ve been doing my best not to bore people too much about DCT but it’s hard.