HOBNDA

Up-Close with the Honda RC213V-S Prototype I can’t decide whether to be elated or disappointed over the Honda RC213V-S prototype, which was debuted this week at the EICMA show in Milan, Italy. On the one hand, the RC213V-S lived up to the hype…literally a MotoGP race bike with lights, mirrors, turn signals, and a license plate. On the other hand, for all the waiting and consternation from Honda, what they brought to Milan was a fairly derivative and obvious design. Rumors of a true MotoGP-derived sport bike from Honda have been circling for several years now (closer to a decade, if you’re a reader of MCN), and the project borrows the ethos found in the Ducati Desmosedici RR project, another exclusive GP-bike-for-the-street motorcycle. Where Ducati took inspiration from its MotoGP program, kept the basic elements found there, and created an entirely new machine, the Honda RC213V-S prototype is quite the opposite. Honda has released zero, and I mean zero, information about the...

Yamaha FZ-S Version 2.0 Overview Naked bikes have always been a popular option for riders who like to flaunt their muscle on the streets rather than the racetrack. Globally naked bikes have been riding a crest of popularity and India is no exception either. The Yamaha FZ-S has been precisely that, a slickly designed product with just the right amount of muscle for the discerning rider looking for something in the 150-200 cc 2 wheeler market segment. Yamaha has recently updated the model and come up with an entirely new product aptly called as the Yamaha FZ S-FI. The chunky looking tank, aggressive side profile stepped seat etc. are still very much there but have been subtly redesigned while still borrowing elements from the model is replaces. This ensures that the bike’s look still reaches out to the hooligan within all of us. Yamaha FZ-S Version 2.0 Engine & Transmission The older 153 cc SOHC 4 stroke air cooled engine has been junked in favour of a newer albeit s...

Yamaha YZF-R15 Version 2.0 Review Overview Yamaha R15 was the first affordable sports bike in India which shared most of the styling bits with Yamaha’s much expensive bikes from R series. The looks and performance of this bike made it famous instantly and looking at its popularity and rising competition, Yamaha has launched the second version of this bike – R15 Version 2.0. Yamaha also launched the Racing Blue Edition and Grid Gold Edition of R15. Yamaha R15 Grid Gold has been painted in a striking Gold shade with all-new decals on both sides. Yamaha R15 Racing Blue Edition is inspired from the Grand Prix and looks awesome in blue and white. Yamaha R15 Version 2.0 features all-new design for engine fairing, new design for alloy wheels, split seat which is now better cushioned, new graphics and decals, fatter rear tyre - 130/70 - R17, bigger 220mm rear disc for better braking, all-new LED tail lamp which looks much better than 2010 model of YZF-R15, new ECU mapping for better pick-...

As you’ve likely heard, Yamaha recently jumped into the off-road market in an even bigger way with the introduction of two all-new machines: The WR250F, a trail-specific off-road model, and the YZ250FX, a GP variant of the hugely-popular motocross bike. Both machines are based on the YZ250F—Dirt Rider’s 2014 Bike Of The Year and a two-time 250F motocross shootout winner—although the WR is more of a trail bike in terms of temperament and personality. The YZ250FX, though, is a much more aggressive, closed-course competition racebike, and of all the Japanese off-road motorcycles it just may have the best chance at dethroning a KTM in a head-to-head comparison. Here are our thoughts on the YZ250FX, after riding it for the first time at Yamaha’s US press launch at Cahuilla Creek in Anza, California: To start with, the YZ250FX differs from the YZ-F by way of electric start, an 18-inch rear wheel, a six-speed transmission, a kickstand, suspension revisions, and frame mounts ready for...

Admit it: We all love the Grom, Honda’s compact 125cc bundle of fun that’s become the playbike of choice for a whole new generation of riders. But what would happen if you took a similar 125cc single, a simple air-cooled motor, and installed it in a larger, more conventional, chassis? Presto! You’d get the all-new 2015 CB125F, a Europe-only naked bike just unveiled by Honda. Although we haven’t ridden this new Honda, it looks like simple fun, a great learner’s bike that would also be a handy to have at a campsite or used around town like a scooter. Sure, Honda already has its CB300 and CB500 models here in the US, but the considerably lighter CB125 might be a better way of getting more beginning street riders in the saddle. Details: The electric-start 124.7cc engine—an air-cooled SOHC two-valver with fuel injection and a balance shaft—puts out a claimed 10.5 horsepower, along with 7.5 pound-feet of torque. The gearbox is a five-speed, and fuel economy—get this—is listed as an asto...

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 torque is reported throughout the rev band. Neat details aboun...

THIS is Yamaha's 2015 R1, with more power, less weight and a sophisticated new electronics package. The new version of the flagship sports bike makes a claimed 200hp and weighs 199kg wet, 18hp more and 7kg less than the current model. It gives the new R1 a power-to-weight ratio of more than 1hp/kg and one of the best available in any bike on the market. It's got a new crossplane engine with titanium fracture-split conrods, a 10.5-litre airbox, two-directional fuel injectors and a titanium exhaust. Highlights of the new eletronics package include banking-sensitive traction control and ABS, launch and lift control, power modes and a quick-shifter. A modified chassis features an asymetrical aluminium deltabox for compact dimensions and a short wheel-base. It's got a magnesium sub-frame, aluminium tank and cast magnesium wheels. The fairing design is influenced by Yamaha's M1 MotoGP bike with a central ram air take, according to the firm. Yamaha also unveiled a...

Yamaha has fired all cannons in the latest instalment of the World Superbike wars with the release of the new YZF-R1 and R1M. MotoGP gods Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo made an appearance at EICMA Milan to pull the covers off what Yamaha is calling “the most MotoGP-inspired motorcycle ever” – and while we’ll leave it to others to debate whether Ducati’s Desmosedici RR already took that title long ago, the new R1 looks like a very yummy piece of kit. In recent years it’s been European bikes setting the supersports agenda, with BMW’s S1000RR, MV Agusta’s F4 and Ducati’s Panigale beating each other over the heads with peak power figures around the 200-horsepower mark and the Japanese factories maintaining a dignified separation back around the 180 mark. 2015 seems to be the year Japan decided “enough!” Kawasaki struck first, a month ago, with the frankly silly H2R, packing 1,000 supercharged cubic centimeters of lunacy that’s said to peak out at 300 horsepower and is now availab...

2015 Yamaha FZ-07 Review Conquer the road... The newest member of the "FZ family", the all new 2015 FZ-07 is a motorcycle that brings fun, affordability and riding enjoyment back to the street. This versatile naked roadster offers deep engine torque and a comfortable riding position in a lightweight, easy to handle sports chassis. It's the perfect machine for both new and experienced riders alike who are looking for outstanding value. It all starts here. Introducing the ultimate naked sportibke under $7k. Huge thrills, exhilaration, fun and performance in a compact ultra-modern bike. Features a 689cc parallel twin, liquid cooled engine and incredibly light weight: just 397lbs wet. From the urban maze to the canyons, the all new 2015 Yamaha FZ-07 offers performance and value. 2015 Yamaha FZ-07 www.Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features 58 MPG /// Power All new, liquid-cooled, 689cc, inline twin has been designed to provide deep, powerful torque in the most freque...

Fans of motorcycles in the UK will have the chance to the new Honda NM4 vultus meet at the place where the usual two-wheeled not seen. The Honda decided to hold the premiere at the biggest European fair comics, London Komik Konu, a presentation will be attended by the designers of the motorcycle. The decision that a new model is introduced at an event that does not have anything to do with motorcycles, explained Dave Hancock, director of planning and development in Honda European branch. 2014 Honda NM4 Vultus Description And Technical Data NM4 vultus machine offers customers a unique identity and control characteristics. Its futuristic look is inspired by Japanese manga, so Komik Kon ideal environment for the premiere public appearance. Design NM4 vultus, except that it is extremely futuristic, offers improved ergonomics, and is powered by four-stroke two-cylinder OHC engine with water cooling, displacement of 745 cc, the DCT transmission and consumption of 3.5 liters p...

Yamaha has unveiled the latest 2015 YZF R6 sport model. This is one of the best and highest quality Yamaha models. It’s designed in recognizable Yamaha, sport spirit. The model has good four stroke engine with 106 horse power and it was presented for the first time back in 1998 for 1999 model year. However, it was restyled only in 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2008 and so, 2015 models is just fifth in a row. New Yamaha YZF R6 Design Yamaha YZF-R6 is sports motorcycle which is often used races. 2015 model has redesigned triangular-shaped headlights, characteristic for YZF models. This model has extended front bumper, larger mirrors and extended rear part of the seat. Exhaustion pipe is smaller compared the earlier model and now has a true cylindrical shape. New Yamaha YZF R6 Engine And Performance This model has new single cylinder four stroke engine with titanium valves, it develops 106 horse power and has displacement of 37 cubic inches which is around 600 ccm. The engine has...

Yamaha has released details and pictures of its updated R125 sportsbike The new YZF-R125 has been radically revised, for 2014 it gets a new front cowl inspired by the R6 and features an air intake located between the headlights. The bike now gets upside-down front forks and a redesigned triple clamp. Yamaha says the new front suspension ‘ensures better stability and improved front wheel feedback.’ It also has a redesigned rear suspension linkage system. A new fuel-injection system improves fuel efficiency by around 11% to increase tank range over the old model. A radial front caliper and floating front disc brake are now fitted as standard for extra braking power. They will be mounted onto newly designed alloy wheels with Y-shaped spokes, tyre size remains the same. The instrumentation also gets a fresh look. The backlit LCD dash unit features a digital speedo and tach, and a multi-function display on the left shows engine temperature, maximum speed, average speed and fuel c...

The time was right for a manufacturer to shake things up and force the Big Four to rethink their sportbike strategies. Japanese sportbikes went a bit stagnant in recent years and have relied on gizmos and gadgets over pure power for new model introductions. The second generation Hayabusa is living proof; the new engine makes only a few more horsepower than the older bike, but now it has selectable fuel mapping. Meanwhile, the latest R1 is down on power from the previous model but the engine's firing order has been redesigned-with debatable results. Honda's revised CBR1000RR found a lot of success after its introduction in 2008, and aside from its questionable styling it performs incredibly well. Its only shortcoming is that perhaps it does everything too well-meaning it's a little bit too vanilla for enthusiasts seeking a bike with major character. Kawasaki has made strides forward since introducing the ZX-10R in 2004, but for a company that's always had a reputati...

Pulling the throttle to the extreme red line I found out that when it comes to being fast and furious nothing can match the litre superbikes. Japanese makes Yamaha and Suzuki has decided to come one on one with their super sports Suzuki GSXR 1000 and Yamaha R1. Power plant Suzuki GSXR 1000 the premium super sports bike now has got a charismatic effect that will blow off the minds of Indian super Sports bike lovers. Even though this bike is marginally expensive, this bike has been segmented to the top of Indian biking market. The velocity of Suzuki with a 999 cc displacement motor will surely get a quack in your boots. This superb performer has got 16 valve, 4 cylinder, 4 stroke, DOHC power plant. This massive power plant is paired with 6 speed transmission (Constant mesh). This transmission has proved its responsiveness and on my very first test ride I experienced the soother gear shifts. The fuel injection system equipped with this speedy hunk allows good oil flow and...