Moto blog
Honda’s V-4 History
Tue, 06 Oct 2009As Honda prepares its new VFR1200 for its official unveiling, the red-wing company has set up a website detailing its long involvement in V-4 engines. It began back in 1979 with the introduction of the NR500 grand prix racebike. Rather than fielding a 500cc two-stroke engine, Honda used a four-stroke oval-piston V-4 motor – essentially a V-8 with four cylinders that could be revved to 19,500 rpm!
Quick Impressions on the Honda NT700V
Thu, 01 Oct 2009UPDATE: Read the full review of the 2010 Honda NT700V now on Motorcycle.com It should be obvious, but one of the perks of being in the business of evaluating motorcycles is the opportunity to see and ride a huge variety of bikes. Recently, while returning a CRF230M to American Honda’s main offices I spotted the new-to-the-U.S. NT700V sitting amongst the gaggle of bikes set aside for the moto media.
Motorcycles at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show
Mon, 28 Sep 2009Two weeks ago, I took a break from my regular duties gathering news for Motorcycle.com to fly to Germany to cover the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show for our sister site AutoGuide.com. For two hectic days, AutoGuide editor Colum Wood and I scrambled across the massive 6.2 million square foot Messe Frankfurt trade fair compound, running from press conference to press conference to get the latest on exotic sport cars, futuristic concept models and international unveilings from the automotive world. It was heaven for car lovers, but for me, it meant fighting my way through hordes of photogs, auto-journalists and car show models to get the first photos of four-wheeled goodies from MINI, Ferrari and Lotus.
Wheelie with Guy martin at Hein Gericke!
Fri, 25 Sep 2009LINCOLNSHIRE NUTCASE and all-round top lad Guy Martin, will be making a special appearance at Hein Gericke Leeds on Saturday 26 September.The Hydrex Honda rider will be on hand from 2-5pm to mug it up for your camera and sign autographs. Guy is sponsored by bike-mad clothing brand Red Torpedo, and there’ll be special offers on their range of funky threads, as well on other items throughout the store. Freebie and prizes are up for grabs in a free prize draw, and Leeds Tyres will be there to answer all your ‘black ‘oop’ related questions, while shop partner Paul will be cooking up his famous five alarm chilli and other attractions are to be announced.Plus, you can experience the EXTREME WHEELIE MACHINE powered by Hein Gericke.
Honda CBR900RR Go Kart [video]
Mon, 31 Aug 2009J&D Fabrications located in South Florida has created a go kart with a Honda CBR900RR engine. With all that power behind it, I would say the go kart is doing a lot of drifting rather then driving but its fun to watch. Don’t be jealous Mario… Check it out after the jump. See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.
2010 Honda V4 Teaser [video]
Tue, 25 Aug 2009Based on the concept model unveiled last October at Intermot 2008, the new motorcycle is expected to be a sport-tourer powered by a 1200cc V-4 engine with variable cylinder technology which can allow it to run on only two cylinders to conserve fuel. There are also rumors that the motorcycle will have a semi-auto gear box which will give the rider the option of going manual or automatic. Honda has a dedicated website for the V4 where you can enter for a chance to win a spot to be one of the first to test drive the new bike, unfortunately, the contest is only open to Europeans. Hit the jump to see the new promo video (you can hear what the motorcycle sounds like!) and an interview with design project leader, Teofilo Plaza.
Honda V4 video, hear the new Honda V4
Tue, 25 Aug 2009Here's a new video from Honda, drumming up interest in their new V4. It's kinda nice, doesn't give much away but get to the end of the video (around 1m20secs in) and you'll hear Honda's new V4. So it's official, they've made it and it'll be out in 2010.
Visordown mag, issue 2 just landed
Fri, 21 Aug 2009The latest issue of Visordown mag just arrvied in the office, fresh from the printers. And it's looking great! This month we've got the new KTM 990SMT up against Suzuki's Kayabusa, Honda's VFR800 and BMW's K1300GT - which one is the daddy for sports touring?
Electric Honda Motorcycle to Debut Next Year
Tue, 04 Aug 2009According to Honda’s head of motorcycle operations, Tatsuhiro Oyama, the lithium-ion battery powered motorcycle will target corporate customers which may include Japan Post and delivery companies, the bike will debut in Japan next year. Oyama, made the announcement on August 1st at a test drive event in Motegi, Japan. Honda started building a battery factory earlier this year with joint-venture partner GS Yuasa, manufacturing batteries for Honda’s electric hybrid cars but Oyama declined to disclose the motorcycle battery supplier.
Top 10 Least Expensive (Cheapest) Scooters of 2009
Fri, 17 Jul 2009What is the cheapest scooter? We’ll show you! Cheap doesn’t mean bad, in fact due to tremendous competition in the 2009 market scooters are better and more affordable than ever!