Honda NighthawkS Motorcycles, page #48

Moto blog

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.

Rumored 2013 Honda CBR500, CB500 Captured in Spy Photos

Spy photos have emerged out of Thailand depicting two new Honda motorcycles reputed to be a new CBR500 and a second, naked version, possibly to be named a CB500. The photos were posted on the CBR250.net forum by someone claiming to have inside knowledge of the new 500cc Honda models which would be produced in Thailand where the CBR250R is currently manufactured. The faired version is equipped with dual headlights like the Honda CBR600RR instead of the VFR1200-derived Y-shaped light used on the CBR250R and its smaller siblings the CBR125R and CBR150 offered in some markets.

VP of American Honda Motorcycles Division, Ray Blank, to Retire in October 2012

From American Honda: Torrance, CA: American Honda announces that effective October 1, 2012, Senior Vice President of the Motorcycle Division Ray Blank will retire. Robert Gurga has been promoted to the position of Vice President, Motorcycle Division. “After nearly 30 years with the Motorcycle Division, I have made the decision to step down,” said Blank.

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.

Miguel Duhamel to Ride for Lightning-Barracuda at Le Mans FIM e-Power/TTXGP Race

Miguel Duhamel is returning to action to race in the FIM e-Power International Championship for Lightning Motorcycles. The five-time Daytona 200 winner will ride the Lightning Barracuda electric motorcycle for the joint FIM and TTXGP race at Le Mans , and Motorcycle.com had a role in setting up the connection. The topic of a rider for Le Mans came up during the preparations for Associate Editor Troy Siahaan‘s exclusive test of the Lightning race bike last month.

Honda Announces Returning 2013 Models with New Colors

As we mentioned in an earlier post about the Repsol edition CBR250R, American Honda has announced a number of returning models for 2013 featuring new color schemes. The returning models include the big touring Gold Wing, the Fury chopper, the 1312cc Sabre, Stateline and Interstate cruisers, the 750cc Shadow cruisers, the entry-level Rebel and the XR650L dual-sport. All model come back unchanged except for the paint, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

2013 Honda CBR250R Gets Repsol Edition

American Honda announced a number of returning 2013 models with new color options but the most eye-catching of the new paint jobs is the Repsol-edition CBR250R. Dressed to resemble Casey Stoner‘s and Dani Pedrosa‘s Honda RC213V MotoGP race bikes, the 2013 Repsol edition Honda CBR250R sports the Spanish petroleum company’s orange with red and white colors, the Honda Racing Corporation logo and the “One Heart” motto of Honda’s Indonesian joint venture which also sponsors the MotoGP team. Completing the look are the Repsol-orange wheels.