The New Honda ‘Crossover’

RTWW will admit confusion when the first details of this new bike from Honda were announced.  Orginally talked about as an adventure bike, though the drawing that came with that showed a bike not suitable for adventuring in the BMW GS sense.

Now Honda insiders are calling the bike the ‘Crossover’ and saying that it is a 800/900cc V4 bike, unique in its styling and ready to ‘crossover’ several motorcycle roles.  A bike for everyday use but not ignoring other qualities.

Suddenly it seems they may have something very tempting up their sleeves.  A new image of the front end of the bike is interesting to say the least showing a neat fairing,  stacked lights, and apparently a raised dash bringing instruments higher into the riders field of vision.

So it seems this bike is an all-round tourer and, should they fix the small fuel tank issue that has plagued and overwhelmed a lot of the good press around the VFR 1200F, Honda could be pulling the covers off something fantastic in Milan.

 

Honda’s official statement reads;

Honda today released a second design sketch of the mid-range crossover motorcycle that expands its V4 engine configuration offering.   The image shows the front face of the motorcycle, with a fairing design that improves high speed stability as well as engine cooling; and an innovative ‘floating’ instrument panel to put the gauges in the rider’s field of vision for improves safety.   This crossover is a midrange capacity motorcycle – Honda will also reveal at EICMA a new concept motorcycle using the 1200cc V4 engine first seen in the VFR1200F, to further prove leadership in this evocative and powerful engine configuration.

This mid-range machine is an exciting new approach – a crossover machine that represents the best aspects of two separate biking genres.   It will have the flexibility and exciting attitude of a Naked performance machine, with the more comfortable upright riding position and design cues inspired by adventure bikes.  With the low centre of gravity of a performance bike it is great fun to ride, and because of its wide handlebars and upright riding position it is both easy to manoeuvre and comfortable . Honda research had revealed that customers want a machine that has both a unique style and is also fun to ride in all conditions throughout the year.

Honda has delivered this customer request. The final production motorcycle will be shown for the first time at the EICMA show in Milan from 2nd November 2010, when pictures, the date for production and date of availability in dealer will be revealed.

Honda Teases its New ‘Adventure’ Bike

Honda Honda Honda, what are you up to?

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

BMW Motorad Concept 6 video..

BMW has a video of its 6-cylinder concept launched at the Milan Motorcycle Show this year.  I cant really say much other than WOW I want one!  Looks just awesome!

When I was a kid I loved the thought of living in the future with its jet packs, star ships, phasers, etc and have been sorely disappointed to find none of this came to pass.

However the one thing I can count on for a touch of futuristic indulgence is motorcycles, and this is a fine example : )

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The Milan Motorcycle Show 2010 Round Up..

Well, a little delayed I know but we got there in the end, here's a round up of news from last week's Milan Motorcycle Show…

First up was a few details of Rieju’s new RS3 sports 125, a
replacement for Rieju’s old RS2 Sportster. It's designed in
partnership with the UK-based Xenophya Design, and while looking good
owes a little more than a nod to Honda styling.

Powered by a Yamaha-Minerelli 125cc engine set in a composite
steel/aluminium perimeter frame it has some great specs and parts
list. Pricing TBC

The Multistrada looks impressive..

Ducati, Ducati, Ducati… Italy's
finest had an unfair home advantage in Milan and boy did they make
the most of it. They launched the undeniably hottest new thing, its
Multistrada 1200 (though the 200 mile at best tank range is still
bugging me) amongst several other new machines.

Ducati Streetfighter

A new 1100 Hypermotard Evo and Evo SP,
which are high class variations of the popular standard
specification 1100 model. According to the company these posher
versions are 7kg lighter and with a 5bhp power increase it should
bring the new bikes to 95bhp.

1198r Ducati Corse

Deep breath, and there's more… The
1198r Ducati Corse, which while you could say it's just a tarted up
1098, it's more of a high class call-girl version of the drool
inducing sports bike.

The upgraded 2010 BMW R1200GS

As mentioned in a previous post BMW launched their incrementally
updated GS and RT models. Not enough to steal the Multistrada's
thunder but perhaps enough (barely) to keep the legions of BMW fans
happy.

The upgraded 2010 BMW 1200RT

The company also revealed a concept bike which appeared to only be
there to showcase the engine, an across the frame 6-Cylinder 1600,
which according to sources within the company will power a new tourer
designed to compete with other mile munchers from Victory, Harley
Davidson, and Triumph.

Triumph Thunderbird

Oh and speaking of Triumph they revealed factory fitted big bore
kits on a limited run for the new Thunderbird giving torque and bhp a
boost. Also mentioned were new paint finishes for some of their
range, with the Thunderbird getting a metallic shimmer to add some
more class to an already great looking bike.

Moto Guzzi v12 Milan Concept bike

Moto Guzzi showed off its new V12
concept at the show, with its eight valve 1200cc engine.
Built to a design by Pierre Terblanche, the concept has a cast
aluminium frame, and apparently is the base from which a number of
bikes can be built upon. Keep your eyes peeled for a series of
production machines in 2010!

KTM 125cc 2010 machines

KTM had a small but significant showing
for its new 125cc learner bike. Hopefully the UK economy can support
the growing number of 'learner' bikes out there in the face of
falling sales and a huge drop in bike test registrations.

That's the update for this year's show, phew!  Roll on 2010 as it looks like we're in for some amazing new bikes…. start saving now!

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