Honda motorcycles top reliability study in the UK

Reliable or not, they don't make 'em like they used to...

In a survey conducted in the UK by bike magazine MCN, Honda motorcycles have come out on top as the most reliable of all bikes. Eight of the top ten positions were taken by Honda motorcycles, with the NT700V Deauville being voted as the most reliable of all motorcycles, followed by the CBR600RR, ST1300 Pan European, Honda’s CBR1100XX Blackbird, CBR1000RR Fireblade, VFR800, VFR800 VTEC and the CBF1000.

More than 12,000 riders voted in this survey, answering questions about their bikes’ build quality, reliability, handling, running costs, and engine and braking performance. We aren’t surprised Honda bikes were judged the most reliable, but we do believe Honda need to start building bikes that are a bit more exciting than the current lot. For inspiration, just look at the Aprilia RSV4 and the BMW S1000RR

Some of our all-time favourite Hondas...

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The Buell 1125R-based Magpul Ronin

The Buell 1125R-based Magpul Ronin looks totally cool...

The Colorado, US-based Magpul have taken the Buell 1125R and transformed it into an intensely stylish, lust-inspiring sportsbike – the Ronin. An ‘experimental motorcycle project,’ the Ronin is Magpul’s vision of what the 1125R could have been.

The Magpul Ronin, according to its creators, pays homage to classics like the Vincent Black Shadow and to the café racer and streetfighter cultures that so heavily influence its design. The bike’s most noticeable feature is its girder-style fork which, according to Magpul, has led to improvements in rigidity and tunability, and which provides a lighter and more responsive feel up front. And while that might be, we quite like the way it looks, along with the front-mounted radiator and the headlights that have been integrated into the girder fork.

The Magpul Ronin, which weighs about 22kg less than a stock 1125R, is currently an ongoing project and more changes may be incorporated into the bike as the project develops further. Also, there is no word on whether Magpul will ultimately produce a small batch of these bikes for those who may be interested in buying the Ronin. Either way, we have to say we love the way this bike looks. Very cool indeed!!

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Yamaha Announces 2010 ATV Models

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., recently announced the full 2010 model year ATV product line including a new sport ATV designed specifically with the trail rider in mind, the YFZ450X. In total Yamaha will produce 17 ATV models for 2010 including class-leading, best-selling models from its Grizzly utility line and Raptor and YFZ sport lines.

2010 YAMAHA SPORT ATV LINEUP

The YFZ450X is new to Yamaha’s line of top performing sport ATVs and replaces the original YFZ450 as the best new ATV for tight, technical woods and trail riding. This new trail machine is 46.1 inches wide (versus the MX track width YFZ450R introduced last fall) with optimized suspension, fuel injection, and Yamaha’s exclusive cast aluminum-steel hybrid frame. The light and nimble 450X is designed to carve through tight trails, over tree roots, rocks and almost anything else riders might encounter on a tough GNCC course or weekend trail ride. Both the new YFZ450X and YFZ450R feature the powerful 5-valve DOHC liquid cooled single cylinder 449cc engine and highest sport ATV performance technologies available.

The Raptor legacy continues in 2010 with four models providing a range of size and performance: the Raptor 700R (best selling big bore sport ATV*), the Raptor 350, the Raptor 250 (all-around best selling sport ATV*), and Raptor 90 (best selling youth ATV*).

Bridging the gap between pure sport ATV action and utility ATV capability is the Wolverine 450 4x4. The Wolverine is one of the most popular sport utility ATVs offering riders a nimble off-road machine with a sporty feel and push-button 4x4 capabilities.

2010 YAMAHA UTILITY ATV LINEUP

Yamaha’s Grizzly 700 FI EPS, which introduced the first ever Electric Power Steering (EPS) on an ATV, continues to be the best selling big bore utility ATV**. This leading utility machine has won numerous awards and shoot-out comparisons with leading features like Yamaha Fuel Injection, Ultramatic® automatic transmission and On Command® 2WD/4WD/4WD with differential lock – all set atop a comfortable ride with fully independent suspension.

The Grizzly 700 FI was the platform for the Grizzly 550 FI EPS introduced last year, which quickly became the best-selling 550-class utility ATV***. Other popular models in the Grizzly line include the Grizzly 700 FI (non-EPS), Grizzly 550 FI (non-EPS), Grizzly 450 4x4 IRS, Grizzly 350 4x4 IRS, Grizzly 350 4x4, Grizzly 350 2WD and Grizzly 125.

Yamaha’s Big Bear 400 4x4 IRS sets itself apart with ITP Mud Lite tires and a semi-automatic five-speed transmission allowing the rider to choose the right gear for the conditions.

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Harley-Davidson Enters Motorcycle Market In India

Photo Credit: Harley-Davidson

The Washington Post reports on Harley-Davidson, Inc. announcing plans to enter the motorcycle market in India in 2010. The company has established a subsidiary to be located in Gurgaon, near Delhi, and has begun the process of seeking dealers.

"As India continues to extend its global reach, so does Harley-Davidson," said Harley-Davidson Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer, Matthew Levatich. "We believe Harley-Davidson has outstanding opportunities for continued growth around the world."

The company's current approach is to import its motorcycles, accessories and riding gear, and it will continue to evaluate how best to evolve its approach to the market as Harley-Davidson's business in India grows.

"India is important to our long-term vision of being a truly global company," said Harley-Davidson Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Wandell. "We are committed to India for the long term, and we are focused right now on establishing a strong foundation."

India is the second-largest motorcycle market in the world, with sales dominated by small, inexpensive bikes used as basic transportation. However, India's rapidly growing economy, rising middle class and significant investment in construction of new highways have opened the door to leisure motorcycle riding.

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Honda Announces More 2010 Models

Honda Motor Company recently announced its third release of 2010 models, including the new 2010 NT700V.

Photo Credit: Honda

"We are very excited about announcing these four street bikes for 2010," said Powersports Press Manager Bill Savino. "Within this mix we have a new cruiser, a new lightweight touring bike and two CBR sport bikes. The cruiser offers a whole new look for Honda, our new touring bike delivers light weight, nimble handling, a stylish fairing plus saddlebags for the long haul or daily commute. The CBRs continue to set the standards of performance for the full-on sporting genre. This sets the stage for a great year in 2010 and there will be additional street model announcements later this fall."

Honda describes the NT700V as a light touring machine that's fun, easy to ride and ready to carry you to work and play seven days a week, equipped with full fairing, interlinked saddlebags, a strong 680cc V-twin engine and more.

Other features include...

• Powerful four-valve 680cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine for strong performance and economical operation.
  
  
• Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) delivers excellent throttle response over a wide range of throttle settings and riding conditions.
  
  
• Combined Braking System (CBS) with a triple-disc brake system plus the option of ABS for confident braking in varying conditions.
  
  
• Large-capacity saddlebags feature a pass-through space between the two sides to facilitate packing of longer items and provide additional carrying capacity.

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2010 Suzuki GSX1250FA unveiled

The 2010 Suzuki GSX1250FA, for those who want a touring-spec Bandit

Via Motoblog

Suzuki have released pics of the 2010 GSX1250FA, a sports-tourer based on the GSF1250 Bandit, but with a full fairing and racier ergonomics. The bike is fitted with the same 1255cc inline-four, suspension components and steel tube chassis as the Bandit, but the GSX-R-style nose, fairing and exhaust system are different. ABS is optional and specially designed hard luggage is available from the factory.

To be honest, we don’t like this bike very much. It looks like a dated, hodge-podge, parts-bin special. The new Bandit looks so much better. Anyway, the Suzuki GSX125FA is expected to cost a bit less than 10,000 euro (US$14,600) and will be launched early next year.

We're sure it's a competent machine, but did they have to make it look so dull

Source: Fasterandfaster

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2Evil: The Scooter from Hell

2Evil, a 50bhp, two-stroke 'scooter' from France...
Via MCN

The French have created their share of mad machines, ranging from gently eccentric cars to the devilish little scooter – named 2Evil – you see here. All right, it’s stretching the definition of what you’d call a ‘scooter,’ but MXS, the 2Evil’s creators, insist it’s a scooter and we’ll just go with that.

Fitted with a custom-built Gilera-based two-stroke engine that consists of two 86cc cylinders, the MXS 2Evil spits out 50 horsepower, which is transferred to the rear wheel via a CVT. This ‘scooter’ does the standing eighth-mile (200 metres) in 6.5 seconds and hits a top speed of 149km/h. Impressive, for something that’s only fitted with a tiny, 172cc engine.

For more information, visit the MXS website here

The little video snippet of the 2Evil in action

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Eight Sleight: Standbike V8 concept

A 690-kilo motorcycle, powered by V8 from GM. And yes, you can paint it green if want to...

For those who just won’t ride a twin, triple, inline-four/V4 or inline-six/V6, Standbike are working on a V8-powered motorcycle. And they have, apparently, already built a fully functional, ready-to-ride prototype that’s fitted with a 305 cubic-inch (5,000cc) V8 from General Motors.

According to the company’s website, the Standbike V8 concept bike took eight years to develop and uses various unique technical solutions that allow the V8’s power and torque to be suitably harnessed for extreme traction.

The bike’s steering, clutch and lean-control systems are managed by high-tech hydraulics and electronics – probably necessary with a bike that weighs 690 kilos and which has a 2615mm wheelbase, total lenth being 3210mm. The gearbox is a four-speed unit, with one extra gear for reversing the bike, and single-sided suspension is used at both ends.

The Standbike V8 concept actually rides on four 16-inch wheels – two each at the front and back – shod with 205/45 rubber. Cornering? Er…, no, we don’t think so, though straight line stability at 300km/h should be just brilliant

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Husqvarna gets new manufacturing, R&D facility in Italy

Under BMW ownership, Husqvarna can look forward to bigger, better things in the near future...

According to a report on Dealer News, Husqvarna (which BMW bought from Claudio Castiglioni, back in 2007) will be shifting to its new headquarters in Italy, by May this year. BMW, which wants to bring various Husqvarna units – including engine, testing, development, styling and racing divisions – under one roof, is adding to Husqvarna’s existing facility at Cassinetta di Biandronno, in the Varese district of Italy.

BMW hope to sort out Husqvarna’s problems with quality control and spare parts supplies in the near future. While Husqvarna only sold 12,000 bikes in 2007, BMW hopes to increase sales in a big way over the next 2-3 years. In fact, the new manufacturing facility will have the capacity to produce up to 40,000 Husqvarna motorcycles every year.

BMW intend to keep Husqvarna as an off-road specialist brand and use R&D inputs from the company to improve/develop its own dual-purpose and off-road machines.

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Just how fast are those WSBK bikes?

For now, at just 300km/h, the BMW S1000RR is the slowest of the lot...!

From left: Max Neukirchner (GSX-R1000), Max Biaggi (RSV4) and Noriyuki Haga (1098 F09)

From left: Tommy Hill (CBR1000RR), Makoto Tamada (ZX-10R) and Ben Spies (YZF-R1)

Ever wonder just how fast those World Superbikes machines really are? During practice yesterday, at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar, Max Neukirchner’s Suzuki GSX-R1000 hit a top speed of 314km/h, Max Biaggi’s Aprilia RSV4 did 313km/h, Noriyuki Haga’s Ducati 1098R F09 did 311km/h, Tommy Hill’s Honda CBR1000RR did 310km/h, Makoto Tamada’s Kawasaki ZX-10R also did 310km/h and Ben Spies Yamaha YZF-R1 did 309km/h. Troy Corser’s BMW S1000RR was way down the charts, at just 300km/h. But then, of course, the season has just begun

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