Of the twelve bikes confirmed for '11 so far, only the PCX scooter I reviewed a few months ago is all-new. In other news, the CRF250R and CRF450R motocross bikes receive a few mechanical updates, but apart from the Shadow RS's sweet new retro paint job (seen here, which is reminiscent of the 25th Anniversary VFR's red, white, and blue color scheme), we'll have to stay tuned for notable 2011 model releases from Honda.
To see what they've got brewing so far, take a look at this 2011 Honda Motorcycles Buyer's Guide, which will get updated with additional info as it becomes available.
Related:
Photo © Honda; click for 2011 Honda Buyer's Guide
2011 Honda Motorcycle Buyer's Guide: What We Know So Far originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 23:59:08.
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A Canadian news item recounts how an unidentified rider-- traveling at an estimated 180-190 km/hr (roughly 110-120 mph)-- was riding a "racing-style motorcycle" and weaving through traffic. We've all seen this sort of thing firsthand, no doubt, but what followed in this instance was nothing short of shocking.
I won't go into the gruesome details, but ask you to check out this CNEWS story and comment here on this unfortunate but obviously avoidable incident: what do you think would be fair punishment for this rider if he or she is captured by Canadian authorities?
Source: CNEWS
Photo © Manny Rodrigues, canoe.ca
Grizzly Motorcycle Wreck Rattles Toronto originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 04:14:11.
I enjoyed testing the G4 while putting around city streets, canyons, and two-lane highways... but I really want to know: will Capirossi and Bautista be jamming to Justin Bieber while touring Gold Wings in their spare time, or-- with the system's mile-long range-- will they chit chat about racing as they drag knees through the seven remaining races of the season?
Photo © Cardo; click to enlarge
Think MotoGP Racers Use Bluetooth? originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Monday, August 30th, 2010 at 18:54:39.
The universe has tilted dramatically since Laguna Seca; Rossi has announced he'll race for Ducati next year (who subsequently reported they're abandoning World Superbike), Spies has picked up a coveted factory spot on Yamaha's team, and Nicky Hayden has been fighting a wrist injury he sustained during qualifying at Brno.
The proceedings at Indy started on a tragic note, when up-and-coming 13 year-old Peter Lenz was killed after being struck by another rider during a warm-up lap of a United States Grand Prix Racers Union event aboard his Honda/Moriwaki MD250. Lenz was the youngest fatality at the 101 year-old track, and the first death since an IndyCar accident in 2003.
The main event saw Spies launch from pole position and maintain a lead until Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa closed in and took over for the remainder of the race. With Pedrosa taking the top spot and Spies attaining a best-to-date second place finish, Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo rounded out the podium, while Rossi crossed the finish line after Lorenzo. Americans Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden were heavily featured (and hyped) along with Spies during Speed TV's pre-race coverage, and Hayden finished a respectable sixth while Edwards dropped out, citing tire and handling issues.
Photo © Getty Images Sport; click to enlarge
2010 Red Bull Indianapolis Moto GP: Welcome to the New World Order [Spoilers Below] originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Sunday, August 29th, 2010 at 23:02:59.
Check out Nomad's trick, two-person Ténéré Expedition tent, which has a dedicated, enclosed "garage" for your motorcycle so your bike doesn't end up looking like this in the morning*. The whole thing packs up to a mere 13 pounds, 6 ounce package measuring 8 x 21 inches, and uses only three poles.
Though pricey at $400, the Ténéré Expedition should appeal to riders who take their motorcycle camping more seriously than the next.
Sources: Nomad, Gizmodo, Uncrate
* Note, however, that it's considered a 3-season tent.Photo © Nomad
Nomad Tent Offers Slick Shelter for Camping-Inclined Motorcyclist(s) originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Friday, August 27th, 2010 at 20:33:47.
For those on the fence (or simply in the market for a lid), I've compiled a breakdown of helmet types, which offers a visual guide with definitions of motorcycle helmet types.
This is the first of a series, so stay tuned for more safety gear overviews in the next few days.
Photo Montage © Basem Wasef; Click for Motorcycle Helmets 101
Motorcycle Helmets 101 originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, August 26th, 2010 at 23:42:10.
Follow About.com's Motorcycles Twitter feed by hitting twitter.com/aboutmotorcycle!
Logo © TwitterClick for motorcycles.about.com's Twitter page
Find us on Twitter! originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 03:01:31.
Cardo's Scala Rider G4 PowerSet (seen here, pointed out by a red arrow) is the next-gen Bluetooth system that replaces Cardo's G2, which I reviewed at the end of last year.
How does the G4 compare, and is this bundled pair worth the extra $100? Read my Cardo Scala Rider G4 PowerSet Review to find out.
Photo © Brian J. Nelson; click for review
Gear Review: Cardo Scala Rider G4 PowerSet Bluetooth System originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Monday, August 23rd, 2010 at 04:35:08.
But when an S1000RR test bike finally found its way to my garage, it turned out there were plenty of ways to experience BMW's sophisticated traction control system on public roads. Find out how in my 2010 BMW S1000RR Review, and see pictures in this photo gallery.
Photo © Basem Wasef; click for 2010 BMW S1000RR Review
2010 BMW S1000RR Review: Testing the Brash Beemer in the Urban Jungle originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Friday, August 20th, 2010 at 04:14:01.
Honda's issues are shared with the other three major Japanese manufacturers (Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha), and according to Milner, they "are losing huge money. And projections for the next two years are that they'll lose huge money." As we've mentioned here before, Honda's big picture is looking up thanks to the global sales of scooters and small displacement bikes, but the North American market remains in the doldrums due to diminished demand.
The situation in Canada is one of low inventory, aided by discounted prices which are also supported by a story we've previously run here about how Honda has slashed prices in Japan to levels that haven't been seen since 2000. But blogger Mark Richardson adds that Honda's image "sucks," and that "people expect Japanese bikes to be cheap, because that's the way it's always been. They'll pay more for Harleys and BMWs and Ducatis and Triumphs because of the lifestyle image associated with them, but in comparison, there really is not much of a lifestyle image associated successfully with any of the Japanese products."
How soon can Honda climb out of their Canadian sales slump, and do their problems relate to the U.S.? They've already brought much-needed, attractively priced bikes like Shadow Phantom and NT700V to the U.S. market, and expanded their lineup to include the PCX, Elite, and SH150i scooters. And while Honda's image is what it is (and it's extremely unlikely that they'd attempt to sell big dollar, low volume bikes like Harley's CVO models), the U.S. market still lacks beginner-friendly options like the CB125R-- which, incidentally, is Honda's best-seller in Canada, and the second-best seller up North behind the Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
Time will tell how quickly Honda's-- and the motorcycle industry in general's-- problems will disappear. But until then, chime in on ways you think Honda can make buying a new bike exciting again.
Source: Mark Richardson's Wheels.ca Blog
Photo © Basem Wasef; click for Honda Buyer's Guide
Senior Honda Marketing Manager: "Motorcycle Business (in Canada) is bankrupt. We've hit rock bottom..." originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 at 02:13:32.