Jumper: Matt Wadsworth

Like the avatar on his custom helmet, Englishman Matt Wadsworth is blind as a bat. From what I understood overhearing him describe the sensation, the accomplished lutenist sees only vague impressions of light when looking at the sun. Regardless, he is determined to set a 100-foot world record for distance jumping on his Honda CRF450R. Together with his trainer, two-time AMA Motocross Champion Micky Dymond, the two have developed a simple system of communication that already has Matt reaching just over 60 feet. There are no training wheels, no fancy balancing devices, no computer-assisted guidance system for the bike, just Matt and Micky talking over a two-way radio. Watching a few feet from the massive earth mound as they practiced, I felt like I was a kid in the ’60s witnessing some strange guy named Evel do the impossible for the first time. Click below for the feature.

Grant Ray. January 20th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (33)

Honda NC700X comes stateside

Starting at just $6,999 and available with an optional Dual-Clutch transmission and ABS, the 2012 Honda NC700X is going to be an extremely practical entry-level all-rounder. That’s $1,300 cheaper than its nearest competitor, the 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 and $900 cheaper than the Kawasaki Versys. Over the Suzuki, the Honda brings that optional transmission, as well as way-more-practical 17-inch wheels. This is a lot of bike for very little money, even if does make less power than either rival.

Update: The DCT and ABS package brings the price up to $8,999. :continue:

Wes Siler. January 20th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (35)

Retro: Honda CBR750RR

Back in the late 1980s, the sportsbike market was very different than it is today. Sure, there were 600s and 1000s, but bikes like the GPZ600R were more budget all-rounders than the high-end race-replicas of 2011 while large-capacity bikes like the GSX-R1100 were incredibly fast, but heavy and erred towards stability over agility. The race replicas of the period were the 750s — GSX-R, OW-01, ZXR — but Honda’s entry into that category was the etherial and expensive RC30. How could Honda combine power and handling for the street at an accessible price? Enter this Honda CBR750RR, a never-before-seen prototype that eventually birthed the Fireblade. :continue:

Wes Siler. January 5th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (27)

A letter from Soichiro

On March 20, 1954, Soichiro Honda addressed this letter to all employees of his motor company. In it, he announces his intention, for the first time, to go racing. It’s a moment in time. It’s history being made. It’s the world changing. Totally and forever. It’s also a call to action, asking his company to be inspired by his actions into elevating Japanese industry to new levels. :continue:

Wes Siler. December 29th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (39)

15 new photos of the Honda RC-E

Snapped by Flickr user 246-You at the Tokyo Motor Show, these photos bring us up close and personal with the Honda RC-E. Presenting a new twist on retro futurism that’s neither trad nor hackneyed, the concept presents an idea for an electric sportsbike with 250cc-equivalent performance that looks like 2011 and 1968 got together and had a motorcycle baby. :continue:

Wes Siler. December 20th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (16)

Superpole as seen by a mechanic

We’ve all seen on-board videos of fast laps, but we haven’t seen the POV of the mechanic making the bike do those fast laps. Here, 6’ 10” Castrol Honda mechanic Daniel Postmus straps a GoPro HD to his head while twiddling Jonathan Rea’s adjusters during Portimao qualifying. It’s a neat look into a part of the racing equation we too often take for granted. :continue:

Wes Siler. December 19th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (12)

Without traction control and down on power, can the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR still compete?

It’s easy to feel a bit sorry for liter bikes as 2011 slowly becomes 2012. They’ve reached some sort of pinnacle — without exception the entire class is now so impossibly fast that the bikes have become distinguished not by power or handling, but by the efficacy of electronic rider aids. Even while technology progresses exponentially, model cycles are stretching longer and longer and cash-strapped buyers are increasingly hanging on to perfectly good, five-year old motorcycles rather than upgrading every two years. Into that mess enters the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR, a minor facelift of a model originally introduced four years ago. A bike that’s not only down on power compared to every single one of its competitors, but lacking any sort of traction control, much less wheelie control, launch control or any other whizz-bang rider aid too.

Photos: Brian J Nelson

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Wes Siler. December 18th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (42)

Going home on a Goldwing

We’re finally setting out from Portland and it’s just after 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The spirit has shifted on our Honda Goldwing tour now that we’re half done and heading towards home, instead of away from it. Both of us are expected to be in front of our computers and online at 9am Monday morning, leaving just 64 hours to fit in all the sights we want to see traveling back South on an inland route. We loosely intend to head through Shasta, hit highways 49 and 89 and ride through Yosemite on our way to Los Angeles. Clearly there’s still adventure to be had, but the end is in sight. And just like always, the trip back seems to be shorter than the trip there.

This is Part 3 of Ashlee and Sean’s Goldwing tour series. Read all of the articles here.

:continue:

Sean Smith. December 15th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (69)

Custom: Ride for Kids CBR250 tracker

This Honda CBR250R was built for Ride for Kids by Gregg’s Customs. It’s difficult to pigeonhole the bike since it combines clip-ons with 19-inch flat track wheels and tires, but what it really demonstrates is how nice the little Honda can look shorn of its fairings and complete with a little cosmetic cut and paste. The best part? You could own this for just $5.

Photos: Sean Smith :continue:

Wes Siler. December 12th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (34)

2012 Honda Rubicon Utility ATV is working for the hoon

When Honda invited me last week to ride ATVs on the trails around Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino range, I didn’t hesitate. I thought it would be like past trips riding sport quads in Moab or Hungry Valley, so I didn’t care if the temps would be in the upper 20s with high winds and maybe snow. Then I got the itinerary listing Honda’s “ATV Utility” line. Ugh. Don’t get me wrong, my grandmother used to keep Hondas around the farm where she raised horses, and the first motorized vehicle I ever piloted was a red 3-wheeler out in the pastures. While that was great as a kid, a 2012 Honda Rubicon utility ATV couldn’t possibly be fun as an adult, could it? :continue:

Grant Ray. December 9th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (23)

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