2012 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 (vt750c2) on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Rossi Wins at Assen, but Lorenzo Is the Hero; Alpinestars Releases Crash Data

There’s only one thing left to say about Jorge Lorenzo’s 124 mph crash during a rainy practice session last Thursday while warming up for the TT Assen: It could have been a lot worse. The images are horrific, but thanks to groundbreaking protective gear, Lorenzo walked away with only a collarbone fracture and a heck of a tale to tell. Today, Alpinestars released a trace graph analysis of Lorenzo’s spill, thanks to data collected from his TechAir airbag suit.

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.

2010 Honda V4 Teaser [video]

Based 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.