HOBNDA

It was a rainy night in Milan, but that in no way dampened the mood at Yamaha, which trotted out MotoGP star Valentino Rossi to ride the long-awaited 2015 YZF-R1 onto stage at the big launch party held the night before the EICMA motorcycle show opened. And what an impressive bike this new R1 appears to be, a seriously sporty new Yamaha flagship that goes on sale in February/March priced at $16,490. For that sum, you’ll be getting a potent and highly capable motorcycle that can throw down some fast laps at your local track day and then be ridden home. And it’s in that role as a street-legal race bike that the new R1 will almost certainly shine, thanks to a lightweight aluminum chassis (with a magnesium subframe) and an all-new 998cc four-cylinder engine that puts out “approximately 200 horsepower” at the crankshaft. Yamaha, of note, makes it clear that the 200 mark is reached without any ram-air effect. Also, good, linear to...

Speeding with a prestige motorcycle is one of the popular hobbies for the wealth. They’re proud to ride a fastest motorcycle and go anywhere with it. Usually the fastest motorcycle in the world has the same synonym as the most expensive motorcycle in the world. Maybe you want to own one and feel the rise of your adrenaline when you’re on high speed in a motorcycle. Let’s take a look at those fastest motorcycle and see how fast they can run Fastest motorcycles 10. Ducati 1098s: 169 mph (271 km/h) This fast motorcycle was an innovation of Ducati from Italy. It’s using L-Twin Cylinder Engine with 4 valver for each cylinder with Desmodromic and liquid cooled. The top speed that can be reached by this motorcycle is 169 mph (271 km/h) while the power of this Ducati can reach 119.3 kW (160.0 bhp) @ 9750 rpm. This Ducati 1098s is using 6 speed chain transmissions. Fastest motorcycles 9. BMW K 1200 S: 174 mph (278 km/h) This cool motorcycle is manufactured by BMW. It’s using 1...

YAMAHA INTRODUCES NEW 2015 MODELS The 2015 Yamaha FZ-07 might well be a stunter’s dream. Not that I’m a stunter of course; I barely even know how to wheelie. But I’m pretty sure this bike wants to teach me. With a tiny 1,400 mm wheelbase and a compact centre of gravity the FZ-07 thinks little of hiking the front wheel off the deck – the rear wheel, too if you squeeze those wave-rotor brakes in just the right way. Bikes like this, labelled “roadsters” by manufacturers and “naked sportbikes” by people like me, have been around for a while now. Simplistically, they’re a response to the modern streetfighter movement – a customization craze that saw riders transform race-replica sportbikes into aggressive, naked brutes. Often the factory headlights would be removed with the front fairings and replaced with a low-mounted light and shroud bolted to just in front of the forks. They’d also get higher flat bars in place of the clip-ons. Whether the conversion was triggered by fashio...

In early June, we were delighted to see the EBR 1190SX, a naked streetfighter version of the EBR 1190RX superbike, break cover. Although we knew the bike was in the works, we didn’t know much about the SX at the time. Now, though, Erik Buell Racing has released some information for the bike. Most notable: The 1190SX goes on sale this month, priced at $16,995. What’s more, it will be available in three colors: Frost Bite White, Galactic Black, or Racing Red. As expected, the 1190 SX is based on the chassis of the EBR 1190RX superbike, which means it has the same twin-spar fuel-in-frame setup. Rake and trail, as well as wheelbase, are unchanged. A new upper triple clamp accommodates a tubular handlebar for a more upright riding position. The V-twin engine is identical to the one in the 1190RX, which put out 161.2 horsepower and 87.1 pound-feet of torque on the Cycle World dyno, and we wouldn’t be surprised if all the electronics, including the 21-level traction control, remain the...

Yamaha will be launching the R15 Version 3.0 later this year and considering the R15 is almost perfect in what it offers currently, what can we expect in the next update to Yamaha’s flagship bike in India? A close look at the Yamaha R125 (pictured here) reveals as to what can be expected from the 2015 Yamaha R15. In fact the R125 has often pointed to where the R15 will head, case in point being the R15 Version 2.0 which like the R125 draws heavy styling inspiration at the rear from the R6. Yamaha recently gave the R125 a major update and we expect most of the changes to feature on the new R15 as well. On the styling front, one can expect minor changes to the design of the Yamaha R15 V3 as the bike is already a massive head turner. Yamaha might re-design the front headlights with a central air intake for a sportier appearance. The fairing is also expected to get minor revisions while at the rear one can expect a new tail lamp unit. The pegs should also get improvements. The old R125 ...

In recent new-model releases, Honda has covered an extensive span across all categories with more than 20 exciting new powersports products. This remarkably wide variety has impacted virtually all segments of the market, from lightweight, fun bikes such as the Grom™ and 500 series, to big-displacement trendsetters such as the Valkyrie®, F6B and CTX1300, from the innovative Pioneer™ side-by-sides to great new ATVs. What more can Honda possibly do for 2015? Plenty. “Honda has a deeply rooted drive toward innovation,” said Powersports Press Manager Bill Savino. “That’s something Honda has repeatedly demonstrated throughout its history in its role as market leader. For 2015, we’re pressing forward with more innovative new products, as well as updates to some of our most popular models.” 2015 Honda NM4 Product shot NM4: If you’ve ever wanted to transport yourself into the future, this is your machine. By design, the NM4 shakes up the status quo and explodes conventional barriers in...

The Honda CBR500R is one of the most popular sport bikes found on today’s streets. And there is no wonder why, because it’s reliable, affordable and rewards you with first class performances each time you jump on its back. This Japanese beauty is propelled by a 471cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with PGM-FI With 34mm throttle bodies. The unit is combined with a six-speed transmission. This setup is joined by an inverted 41mm fork and a sophisticated chassis with Honda Pro-Link rear suspension 4.1" of wheel travel. The 2014 Honda CBR500R also features front 320mm wave-style disc brakes and 240mm rear units which are ready to deliver a strong stopping power in every situation. The motorcycle sits on a pair of stylish, aluminum 12-spoke cast wheels shod in 120/70-17 front and 160/60-17 rear tires. The bike comes with a base price of $5,999 and the ABS model costs $6,499. Hit the jump for more information on the Honda CBR500R. Middleweight. Not Middle of The...

While we wait patiently for a new YZF-R1 to be unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan this November, Yamaha surprised us at AIMExpo 2014 by introducing a new entry-level model for 2015 called the YZF-R3. In most basic description, this new R3 is an affordable sportbike with Yamaha R-inspired looks. An all-new model that goes on sale in February, the $4990 Yamaha YZF-R3 is powered by a liquid-cooled 321 cc parallel-twin, a new fuel-injected DOHC four-valve powerplant with offset cylinders and forged pistons. The compression ratio is listed as 11.2:1, and peak power is produced at 10,750 rpm. Moreover, this new twin has a 180-degree crankshaft and a balancer, and its aluminum DiASIL cylinder dissipates heat well to reduce horsepower loss. The frame and swingarm of the new R3 are steel, and Yamaha’s Derek Brooks said the bike’s ratio of swingarm length to wheelbase is almost identical to that of the R1. That, together with an effort to centralize mass, helps make the R3 a good-handling ...

Since the inception of YZF-R15 in India, iy has been a hit with almost everyone. Some want to own it, while others are pleased praising it. Now, however, Yamaha will be giving Indians a third upgrade to their loved R15, it is codenamed Version 3.0 Before Yamaha could launch the YZF-R15 in 2008, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer wasn't doing well in sales. The pocket sports bike, however, change their playfield altogeter. The first gen or Version 1.0 of YZF-R15 was accepted by most enthusiasts, however, skeptics didn't like the skinny rear tyre. Most believed it didn't look like a sports bike from the rear section. The Version 2.0 from Yamaha was a visual pleaser, when launched in 2011. It still attracts people due to its big bike like looks. Many rider's loved this bike, however, complained it lacked power, which we don't agree too. So in an attempt to please its customer Yamaha will be upgrading their bike once again. The Version 3.0 will be coming to...

They’re both competent, sporty all-rounders, good for getting to work or getting a moderate shift on. They're both built to high-quality, Japanese standards. They're both great looking. Only £200 separates them in price. So which should you buy? Our Versus guides are here to give you a quick helping-hand through the trickiest buying choices, starting with: CBR500R vs Ninja 300 Reasons to buy CBR500R At 47bhp, it’s bang on the power limit for A2 licence holders At £5,099 on the road, it’s one of the cheapest middle-weight bikes you can buy Being a Honda, you can hope for a high level of reliability, build-quality and after-sales service It’s comfortable, with fairing and a fairly upright riding position It’s well-proportioned and pretty It handles well and can be pushed hard, with decent brakes and suspension. ABS is standard. There’s a pleasing, torquey response from the parallel twin engine It’s the official bike of ...

Yamaha YZF-R25 and Honda CBR 250R enter the battle ring in Indonesia to fight it out and see which one gets more fans and fanfare. Honda launched face lifted CBR 250R last week and Yamaha introduced its quarter litre debut YZF-R25 to the world yesterday, both in Indonesian market. We would like to present an on paper comparison between the two sports rivals. First impression – Yamaha R25 certainly pulls a WoW out of our mouths possibly because we have never seen Yamaha’s badge on a quarter litre sports bike before and Honda already had a 250 in their catalogue, that looked less exciting than Yamaha YZF-R15! So even though Honda has face lifted the CBR 250R and made it a full fairing dual head lamp sports bike, they are a bit behind the R25 when sharper styling gets to you. All said, Honda fans will still be more happy than ever with the new CBR 250R, especially with the three exciting liveries the company offers. Geeky statistics – Honda CBR 250R is more compact than R25...

WHAT would you guess were the UK's two top-selling supersports bikes? Kawasaki's ZX-6R and Honda's CBR600RR perhaps? According to industry figures, which include litre superbikes, 125s and all other capacities, it's the Honda CBR125R and Yamaha YZF-R125. And despite being £850 more expensive, the Yamaha is giving the Honda a convincing pummeling, with 1,419 YZF-R125s registered between January and October this year compared 782 CBR125Rs. But they're exactly the same capacity, almost exactly the same weight and make about the same power - so can the Yamaha justify the extra expense? Or have 637 people got it wrong this year? Don't decide before reading this.   Reasons to buy Yamaha YZF-R125                  You won’t find a better-looking 125.  But that’s obvious. You’ve got eyes. It doesn’t just look like a proper sports bike.  It stops and handles like one too. It’s right...