1982 Honda Cb750sc Nighthawk on 2040-motos

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.

Looking after number 1

There was a time when a rider’s number indicated his position from the previous season, with the ultimate accolade being the number 1 emblazoned on the front of the champion's bike. The rise of branding in MotoGP and a rider wanting to market themselves, born from Barry Sheene and his retention of no.7, saw riders decide against displaying their finish from the year before. Rossi, who on winning his numerous championships, stuck with his famous #46 in defence of his titles, instead of stamping a great number 1 on his bikes.

Honda Reports Q4 2012-2013 Results – North American Motorcycle Sales Up 25%

Honda reported sales of 15.5 million motorcycles for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. That marks a 2.8% increase from the 15.1 motorcycles sold the previous fiscal year. Sales were particularly strong in North America where Honda reported a 25% increase in motorcycles sold.