Honda starting to flex it's muscles again?

[eatpasta]

We all know what Honda is capable of when it decides to flex it's muscles.

CB400F - first mass produced four cylinder to rev over 10,000 - first motorcycle with a sixth gear (I think)

CB750 - engine smoothness, first disc brake!

in the 90's, their cars were so many light years ahead, I can remember sitting in a Taurus that was newer than our family Accord and thinking - man this car is pathetic. Not to mention the 300k trouble free miles we put on that car.

NSR750 - super exotic, hand machined oval pistons!

RC30 - RC45 - need no introduction, whatsoever.

The S2000 - (at the time) highest red line of any production car, highest piston speed, most HP per liter of any normally aspirated car

over the years it's been some of the most exciting stuff we mortals can buy.... but for the last 10 years or so they seem to have been hiding somewhere. Yeah, the make pretty good dirtbikes, good touring bikes and very good sportbikes we really haven't seen Honda take any chances or do anything particularly exiting.

It looks like that's changing.

As many of you know they are making a road going RC213V - which to say the least is going to be incredible.

Also, they are building a prototype bike this year to compete at Dakar for the first time in 25 years.

it's nice to see Honda taking some chances and flexing again.....they have made and still make some really cool shit.

Is there a proper ADV bike in our futures? Why not?

[SteelJM1]

Originally Posted by eatpasta

The S2000 - (at the time) highest red line of any production car, highest piston speed, most HP per liter of any normally aspirated car

Except the S5 FC RX-7. 220hp/2.0l = 110, 160hp/1.3l = 123

;)

[MagyarMan]

If the RX-7 is a Mazda ,it has a Wankel engine not a piston engine ,so it can spin up to insane rpm with out self destruction.
So in all fairness the Honda has the most HP for a piston engine.

[eatpasta]

oh yeah.... forgot to put piston engine....

[Human Ills]

Originally Posted by MagyarMan

If the RX-7 is a Mazda ,it has a Wankel engine not a piston engine ,so it can spin up to insane rpm with out self destruction.
So in all fairness the Honda has the most HP for a piston engine.

[Ceri JC]

Dear Honda,

Thanks for the CRF250L. At last a cheap, reliable and easy to work on trail bike for people who don't need to pretend they're in the ISDE when they're bimbling along a green lane at 25mph (without having to resort to an older bike). The new Dakar bike is also a step in the right direction, so long as you don't just use it as a development platform for yet another 450 enduro/mx bike.

What I really want though, is a new Honda Africa Twin. Give me a contemporary, twin cylinder, Japanese big trailie, do it up in HRC colours and watch me throw my wallet at the screen.

Thanks,

Ceri

[100mpg]

Originally Posted by eatpasta

Is there a proper ADV bike in our futures? Why not?

why not? it won't come to the USA. Whatever cool bike it is...doesn't matter. We are not allowed to have fun.

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by 100mpg

why not? it won't come to the USA. Whatever cool bike it is...doesn't matter. We are not allowed to have fun.

Because if it came here as a 2013 model, there would still be 2013 models sitting on dealer floors until 2017.

[hooliken]

Originally Posted by 100mpg

why not? it won't come to the USA. Whatever cool bike it is...doesn't matter. We are not allowed to have fun.

Because the big four do not make enough money in the states on bikes that make sense.

Yet another liter class or above missile sure.
Yet another Harley clone that is better at doing everything a motorcycle is supposed to do except being a Harley.... Sure.

A comfortable, durable, go everywhere, do anything bike.....Not in this country.

The Strom has had good success......but have you seen it?
The Super Ten is decent...but how about a diet?

If Honda would bring something like this here I can see the ride reviews now:
1. Typical Honda high build standards and refinement.
2. Brakes are great.
3. Motor is Meh!
4. It weighs how much?
5. It costs how much?

[g®eg]

[LittleRedToyota]

just bring back the CR500!!!

[#46]

Ha Ha. We can get the Varadero here in Canada.

[eatpasta]

The GS is BMW's best selling bike and the freakin things cost nearly more than my new Passat. People are spending money on ADV bikes - that much is true. Honda just has to make a bike good enough to steal that top spot

[hooliken]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

just bring back the CR500!!!

No shit! With a modern frame and some of that bad ass Bombardier E-Tec FI!

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by hooliken

The Strom has had good success......but have you seen it?

There were 2-year old models still sitting on dealer floors.

THAT IS NOT GOOD SUCCESS.

Good success =/= year-end leftovers.