As is the way with bikes these days Honda has released a further concept sketch of its new Crossover touring bike, now being referred to as the VFR800X.
It does looks pretty snazzy from the artwork and as with the CBR250R and CBR150R, it has been given the VFR1200 appearance which will be the distinguishing feature of Honda’s new range of machines.
At present there’s not much more to tell as no specs have been released but from the sketch we can tell this is a mid-range road focussed tourer, high on style, and hopefully high on tank range. It’ll be a V4 and some web pundits are predicting traction control, automatic gearing etc, but that would most likely put this way out of the cost bracket of competitors. The VFR1200 pricing is eye-watering enough, and Honda could very quickly kill the VFR800X with a mad price tag. The bike and full details of its specs will be released at the Milan show which is fast approaching, so it won’t be long to wait before we find out if they have a winner on their hands.
After the muted response to the VFR1200F, mostly due to the issue of its touring range, Honda seemed to be lying low while the likes of Ducati and Triumph dominate the headlines. That is however until now. It seems the Milan show will be Honda’s staging ground to retake the market lead with the CBR250R, its ‘Crossover’ the VFR800x, and a concept 1200cc machine.
Focusing on the CBR250R for now this looks to light a fire under just passed their test bikers everywhere, but especially in Europe where new regulations are due altering the size of engine new bikers can access. It looks to challenge Kawasaki’s Ninja 250 and most likely will be priced competitively at around the £4000 mark. Honda seems to have put a lot of thought into this bike to give it an all-round appeal and should be a huge hit. Given its VFR styyling Honda apparently want to give its range a stand out look which, like or loath the VFR’s new shell, it makes a change from the homogeneous sports bike look blighting a number of companies at the minute.
Honda says of its new bike;
What was on our minds during the development of new CBR? It was to realize an attractive quarter model that can meet the demands of the times to come and provide customers all over the world with joy and at an affordable price. What we aimed at was the ‘Sport Quarter for One World, CBR250R.’
Our passion is embodied in various aspects of this motorcycle such as its displacement, frame size, driving stability, and riding position. These features were optimized for riders of all kinds, from beginners to experienced riders, so that they can feel the fun of maneuvering, which is fundamental to motorcycle riding.
A sporty feel that riders get the moment they mount and ride the motorcycle is pursued without sacrificing ease of use, in search of the optimum balance between the two. Nimble acceleration that can be felt the moment the throttle is opened, a feel of smooth rev-up in the high-speed range, linear vibration characteristics that do not discomfort riders, and a variety of equipment features such as a rear grip that provides a sense of comfort when riding in tandem-with this list of features, we are confident that customers will be satisfied without exception.
Below are specs for the bike as well as Honda’s promotional video.
Now it all starts to make sense, Honda has a plan, a vision of things to come.
The upcoming ‘Crossover’, and new concept bike due to appear at the Milan show, which may be a new Pan European in the style of the distinctive VFR1200F, are apparently just the beginning.
Honda is applying the VFR look to a lot of its range starting with two new bikes to entice the new riders thinking of taking to two wheels.
Many bikes are availble in different markets around the world and the image below is of the CBR150R from the Asian market, which is rumored to be finding its way to Europe in 2011.
You can see it’s been ‘VFRed’ and a 25cc engine size drop will make it road legal for learners. Supposedly following on from that, and catering to a market that was all but crushed a few years back a 250cc version will be appearing as well. The only image of it seems to be from a magazine and was found by CMG Online (well spotted)
This bike would give a natural stepping stone for new riders restricted to 33bhp for two years, and will compete head on with Kawasaki’s Ninja 250.
So just as we all wondered what Honda is up to with sudden announcements and curious bike concepts, it seems it’s all part of the plan.
A few weeks ahead of its big debut at the Milan Motorcycle Show a hungarian web site has published a photo-gallery of Triumphs new adventure bikes, the Tiger 800 and Tiger 800 XC. This is the first real opportunity to study the bike’s details beyond spy shots and the single official Triumph image released a few days ago.
The Tiger certainly seems to be ticking all the design boxes for an adventure bike, and while many thought the Ducati Multistrada 1200 would be the GS challenger, it didn’t really dent the GS’s reputation as ultimate adventure bike. Triumph’s Tiger range and its upcoming 1200cc version could just be the silver bullet to BMW’s monster bikes.
A few pictures are below and you can find more on Motorinfo.hu here
Brammo has announced an updated Enertia, the Enertia Plus. The new bike will give 80 miles range on a charge and carrys a price tag of $8,995.
The extra range puts an extra $1,000 on the originals price but it’s still not bad compared to other electric bike manufacturers. General specs for the bike remain unchanged though optional panniers will give added functionality to this well put together commuter.
An extra insentive for existing users to upgrade when the bike launches next year is a $2,500 rebate, which is another plus for the Plus!
Check out the promotional video for the Enertia Plus below;
Two shots have emerged of Triumphs big break into the adventure market. First up is an official image of the new Tiger 800 XC ahead of its big debut and it’s looking good, now that we’re not trying to see it through holes in a wooden crate!
While the official image showcases the off-road version of the Tiger, a spy shot caught at a fuel stop, following a highway chase, features the road bias model of the bike. The telling feature between the two is the cast 19 inch wheels on the road preferring version as opposed to the 21 inch with spokes wheels for the dirt scrambler. Both bikes feature the same engine and other features and look to be fit challengers for the BMW F800GS.
The spy shot comes from George Edwards who tracked the Tiger until it stopped for fuel. George has an excellent web site of his and his wife Cathy’s biking adventures over at www.rtrider.co.uk check it out.
Just released from Honda HQ is a teaser image of what Honda insiders have apparently described as their new adventure tourer bike.
Now adventure means something different to different people but these days for bikes, it’s a rugged, expensive fairing free bike i.e. the new Triumph Tiger, BMW F800GS, Yamaha Super Tenere, and of course the king of adventure the BMW 1200 GS. The sketch Honda has released appears to be the much rumored Pan European replacement which did the rounds last year then promptly disappeared. One of the concept images MCN drew up is below.
This new bike is to be unveiled at the Milan bike show in November, and it’s supposed to be a V4, like the controversial VFR1200, but oddly not a 1200cc bike ….huh?
Another rumor is that Honda will show a concept bike designed to be a GS challenger, but it’ll be a concept far from production with 2012 being the target year. It would seem Honda have been caught out by the awesome efforts and innovations of Triumph, BMW, Ducati, and other Japanese counterparts this year.
Or perhaps they’ve caught the same virus as Harley Davidson : P
Triumph has released a flashy video showcasing models from its upcoming 2011 range. Included in the video are the new Speed Triple, Tiger adventure bike, models from the cruiser range, and more. Triumph have got a lot of good PR mileage out of the Cologne Motorcycle show this week, with the only hiccup being the new headlights on the Speed Triple. Next year is looking very good for the company’s finances, and ever growing popularity.
Triumph has been showcasing its new version of its hugely popular Speed Triple at the Cologne Motorcycle Show. Unfortunately if web chatter is to be believed it has met with a muted response due to one, some say iconic, detail.
Other specs have been welcomed such as it generates 130bhp with 111Nm of torque, and it’s lighter than before by 3Kg.
It’s sporting a new frame, swingarm, and five-spoke wheels supported by Showa suspension front and rear. However the new lights have got all the attention. Triumph have said this design change was decided upon early in the re-vamp, and the new angular twin set does significant;y alter the well-known look of the Speed Triple.
Some are saying it helps the bike stand out from immitators, others say it looks ‘squinty’ and weird. Would it put you off buying the new bike or is the overall package irresistible?
As is the way with bikes these days Honda has released a further concept sketch of its new Crossover touring bike, now being referred to as the VFR800X.
Ride The Wild Wind 