Rocket Red Honda XR Motorcycles, page #27

Moto blog

Nicky Hayden Makes Aspar Team Debut Testing Honda RCV1000R

American racer Nicky Hayden made his first appearance with the Aspar Team, testing the Honda RCV1000R production racer at the official MotoGP post-season test at Spain’s Valencia circuit. Hayden completed 76 laps on the RCV1000R, posting a top lap time of 1:32.576, putting him 13th on the time sheet. The test time was 0.188 seconds faster than his top lap time in Sunday’s race at Valencia on the Ducati Desmosedici.

55th Anniversary Edition Honda Little Cub Announced for Japan

Honda revealed a pair of special edition versions of the 50cc Little Cub for the Japanese market to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the original Super Cub C100. The Super Cub is one of the longest continually-produced model series in the world, with Honda producing more than 85 million units since 1958. That averages out to about 1.55 million Cubs produced per year.

Jeremy Burgess Out and Silvano Galbusera In as Valentino Rossi’s Crew Chief

Valentino Rossi has parted ways with longtime crew chief Jeremey Burgess, ending a partnership that extended across 14 years and three different manufacturers while capturing seven MotoGP and 500cc Grand Prix World Championships. Burgess will be replaced by Louis CK lookalike Silvano Galbusera, a veteran crew chief and mechanic whose most extensive experience comes from World Superbike and Supersport racing. As crew chief and/or technical director, Galbusera has worked with an impressive roster of riders including Troy Corser, Noriyuki Haga, Cal Crutchlow and Ben Spies.

Italian Authorities Seize Alleged Knockoffs from EICMA Show – Again

In what’s become somewhat of a dubious EICMA tradition, Italian authorities have seized scooters from various show exhibitors because their designs allegedly infringed on the designs of other manufacturers. Back in 2011, authorities seized a three-wheeled scooter called the Yiben YB 250 ZKT because it was deemed to resemble the Piaggio MP3. Last year, authorities seized six models from five exhibitors that allegedly infringed on the trademarked design of Vespa scooters.

Honda RCV1000R MotoGP Production Racer Revealed

Honda Racing Corporation officially introduced its new RCV1000R production racer which will be sold to racing teams hoping to compete in MotoGP‘s new “Open” prototype class. The RCV1000R is based on Honda’s RC213V factory prototype, with the same chassis and a similar 90° V-4 engine claiming more than 234 hp at 16000 rpm. The key difference is the engine uses traditional spring valves whereas the valves on the RC213V are activated pneumatically.

EICMA 2013: 2014 Honda CTX1300 First Impressions – Video

From the moment we published the 2014 Honda CTX1300 Revealed story, virtually all the comments about the bike have been negative. From its looks to its engine and everything in between, it seems that many of you aren’t a fan of Honda‘s latest entry into the cruiser(ish) market. Of course, all this judgement is based on pictures.

EICMA 2013: 2014 Honda CBR1000RR First Impressions – Video

It may not have a fancy electronics suite like many of its rivals, but the Honda CBR1000RR has long been one of our favorite literbikes due to its light and nimble handling combined with strong, accessible torque. For 2014, Honda is upping the ante with the CBR1000RR SP edition. No, it still doesn’t have any electronic aids, but it does have a bevy of top shelf suspension components.

EICMA 2013: Honda NC700 Family Gets Upgraded to 750 – But Not in US

Honda announced at the 2013 EICMA show the NC700 series would get a number of upgrades including an extra 75cc in displacement. Unfortunately, it does not look like those upgrades will make it to the U.S. As Honda made its EICMA presentation American Honda announced a number of updates to returning 2014 models including the NC700X.

EICMA 2013: 2014 Honda Crosstourer

The Honda Crosstourer was launched in 2012 as Honda’s range-topping adventure sports touring motorcycle. The original design team set out to create a machine that gave the rider a sense of challenge and the facility to explore. Powered by a 1237cc V-Four, it became a unique contender in its class.

EICMA 2013: 2014 Honda VFR800F

Gracing the new 2014 VFR800F is traction control, ABS, heated grips, adjustable seat height and self-canceling blinkers. The V-Four-powered machine has been re-tuned  for greater low and mid-range torque, and also receives a new telescopic fork, Pro-arm swingarm, wheels, new, slimmer bodywork and styling. Starting with the 782cc V4-VTEC engine, Honda engineers focused mainly on cam timing and valve duration/overlap to increase low-to midrange power and torque, claiming 104.5 hp @ 10,250 rpm and 55.4 ft-lbs of torque @ 8,500 rpm. Bore and stroke is 72mm x 48mm, with compression ratio of 11.8:1. VTEC valve timing still operates one pair of inlet/exhaust valves per cylinder at low rpm, and then switches to four as revs rise. Honda’s single-mode Traction Control System (TCS) is fitted as standard equipment and is operated from the left handlebar.