It even looks cool.
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| 2016 Honda VFR1200X |
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| 2016 Honda VFR1200X Instruments |
Sunday, October 25, 2015
2016 Honda VFR1200X
Now that the news of the still-vaporware 2016 Honda Africa Twin has become old news, it is interesting to note that, even though the 1000cc Africa Twin is not available yet, Honda has published the fact that the USA will be receiving the 1200cc V-4 powered Adventure Touring "Crosstourer" model that the rest of the world has been enjoying for years. And even though it's a road bike that weights 600lbs, I can't get out of my head how cool it would be to take a big road ride on a comfy long-travel suspensioned V-4 Honda.
It even looks cool.
It even looks cool.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
2016 Honda Africa Twin Releaved, Mostly
After months of checking the motorcycle blogs every day for real info on the upcoming Africa Twin, finally Honda spilled the beans and the blogs caught on fast.
The verdict is US prices have not been revealed yet. The bike is coming in grossly overweight from expectations, but that does not want to stop me from grabbing one. The wet specs are 511 lbs for the ABS model and 534 lbs for the ABS/DCT version. This starts at around 60 lbs heavier than hoped for, but isn't the end of the world. Future iterations will hopefully get the weight down to near liter sportbike standards. If anything, a fancy aftermarket exhaust will heal part of that woe. And if weight really is a True Issue, just wait for the smaller Honda ADV bikes to emerge in the years to come (think new Transalp and perhaps an Elsinore).
The all-new 998cc parallel twin engine with a fortunate 270 degree crank sounds about right. Judging by the relatively low peak horsepower and high peak torque specs given, this thing is going to be a nice smooth stump-puller like the ol' 1998 - 2005 Honda VTR1000F Super Hawk was. The only semi-surprise here is the use of a single camshaft -- but then again the little CRFs have that too for simplicity's sake. Sure they sign-off early, and so will the Africa Twin, but this new one is, after all, a CRF! Feeding this thing is fuel injection and a 5-gallon gas tank. Sounds good... but isn't touring overkill like we all think we want.
America gets the "Rally" red/white/black and the silver color schemes. Elsewhere get the boring kill-me-dead black and the desirable white/red/blue "Tricolor" with gold wheels and handlebar that everyone is going to want. When the time comes, I'll just have to settle for the sedate "Rally" colored bike.
The verdict is US prices have not been revealed yet. The bike is coming in grossly overweight from expectations, but that does not want to stop me from grabbing one. The wet specs are 511 lbs for the ABS model and 534 lbs for the ABS/DCT version. This starts at around 60 lbs heavier than hoped for, but isn't the end of the world. Future iterations will hopefully get the weight down to near liter sportbike standards. If anything, a fancy aftermarket exhaust will heal part of that woe. And if weight really is a True Issue, just wait for the smaller Honda ADV bikes to emerge in the years to come (think new Transalp and perhaps an Elsinore).
The all-new 998cc parallel twin engine with a fortunate 270 degree crank sounds about right. Judging by the relatively low peak horsepower and high peak torque specs given, this thing is going to be a nice smooth stump-puller like the ol' 1998 - 2005 Honda VTR1000F Super Hawk was. The only semi-surprise here is the use of a single camshaft -- but then again the little CRFs have that too for simplicity's sake. Sure they sign-off early, and so will the Africa Twin, but this new one is, after all, a CRF! Feeding this thing is fuel injection and a 5-gallon gas tank. Sounds good... but isn't touring overkill like we all think we want.
America gets the "Rally" red/white/black and the silver color schemes. Elsewhere get the boring kill-me-dead black and the desirable white/red/blue "Tricolor" with gold wheels and handlebar that everyone is going to want. When the time comes, I'll just have to settle for the sedate "Rally" colored bike.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
It's official. It's coming. This is the moto I've been waiting for my whole life. It's almost a year off yet in the US, but it's definitely coming. It's not a question of if I'll be riding one, just a matter of when.
First CRF1000L Video:
First CRF1000L Video:
Monday, April 6, 2015
Honda CB500X
While still waiting for my beloved Honda CRF 1000 Africa Twin vaporware, I recognize I need in my life another good, fun, street/touring bike... something that doesn't cost a lot... something with a good brand name history... something to make great memories with.
A smaller, thrashable, trashable, certain run-of-the-mill, not too small, not too big, steed is now in order.
It's the Honda CB500X.
Perfect!
What does it need? For fun? Nothing. But gearing it down, putting some robust dirt bike handlebars on it, and perhaps some sticky sport rubber and a pipe and Power Commander would spice things up!
Just say yes, MotoBum. Just say yes.
A smaller, thrashable, trashable, certain run-of-the-mill, not too small, not too big, steed is now in order.
It's the Honda CB500X.
Perfect!
What does it need? For fun? Nothing. But gearing it down, putting some robust dirt bike handlebars on it, and perhaps some sticky sport rubber and a pipe and Power Commander would spice things up!
Just say yes, MotoBum. Just say yes.
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| A white Honda CB500X; I'll take it |
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| The Honda CB500X cockpit; a nice looking place to the spend the day |
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