HOBNDA

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...

Best Lap: 1:54.13 Honda CBR1000RR Honda certainly thinks so, which is why engineers didn’t feel the need to add traction control or make any major changes to the model for its 20th anniversary. Updates include new wheels and suspension, a restyled fairing, a new digital dash and a few fueling tweaks. Aside from that it’s the same bike, although emissions requirements and associated equipment have robbed it of 3.5 bhp and 2 lb.-ft. of torque and added 5 lbs. compared to the last example we tested. Even so, the CBR feels lightest and most powerful on the street, earning high praise from all of our testers. Compact and narrow between your knees, it looks downright diminutive next to the chunky Yamaha. The Honda’s smaller size finds you up on top of the bike rather than down in it, which is excellent for attacking corners and a characteristic that made it the favorite of our smaller testers. The CBR makes the most peak torque, spreads it on thickest and boasts more midrange horsepo...

Overall Indian biking scenario is witnessing a drastic change as customers are demanding more powerful and sporty bikes. We can witness a significant shift in customers moving from low-end commuter bikes to premium bikes. Yamaha was struggling with its bike line up but introduction of R15 and FZ series really turned the tables for Yamaha. Yamaha heralded a new era in Indian biking scenario with the launch of R15 as it was the closest thing to a true sports bike in the Indian market at that time. A whole new segment of premium sports bikes was created to cater the rising demands of Indian customers. To cash in on this trend Honda launched the CBR 150R in wake of the success of Yamaha R15. Looking at the popularity and rising competition Yamaha launched a refreshed R15 V2.0. Both bikes resemble their bigger siblings and are one of the most modern bikes on offer in this segment. Looks Yamaha R15 V2.0 has undergone some drastic changes compared to its previous version. The n...