HONDA'S NEW PROJECTS:Honda has unveiled a preview of the concept bikes it will show at the upcoming 40th Tokyo Motor Show on October 27th in Chiba, Japan.
The three concept machines to be shown are led by the stunning Evo 6 - a Goldwing flat-six-engine naked bike - the CB1100F and a stylish retro-race style version, the CB1100R. Both use a new air-cooled, inline four-cylinder 1100cc engine. Honda's motorcycle show will also exhibit examples of the Repsol Honda RC212V, which was raced by Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden in his year's MotoGP series , and one of the HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades, which successfully took John McGuinness to victory at this year's Isle of Man TT races. The Fireblade enabled McGuinness to record the first 130mph lap of the circuit and take the top spot in the Senior TT Race.
The show will also feature the world's first production motorcycle airbag system that is available on the new Goldwing bike. "Honda has gathered and analysed a wide array of data on the behaviour of motorcycles during collisions. The motorcycle airbag is the result and it can help lessen the severity of injuries caused by frontal collisions," according to a Honda spokesperson.
MANA 850 RAISES AUTOMATIC BAR
The pioneering automatic transmission Aprilia Mana 850 has gone into production and it could begin a new era in automatic biking. Automatic transmissions are commonplace in scooters and Aprilia has been using the same engine transmission combination in its large scooters. However, this 850cc 90-degree v-twin should provide plenty more power and poke than your average big scooter.
LAVERTY REPLICA ON SALE
If you're a big fan of Northern Ireland motorcycle racer Michael Laverty, you might be very tempted to emulate him and splash out on a replica of his triumphant Suzuki GSX-R600. Laverty took the 2007 British Supersport title at Donington Park last weekend, and to celebrate this super victory Suzuki has unveiled a special celebratory edition of his Relentless Suzuki by TAS GSX-R600.
"Following Michael's domination of this year's championship, we could not think of a better way to pay homage to him and the TAS teams extraordinary efforts," says Suzuki's Paul de Lusignan.
Available for a limited period, this bike features a special Relentless black and white paint scheme by Dream Machine.
The Relentless Suzuki GSX-R600 has a recommended retail price of £7,199, around €10,200, and can be ordered from any authorised Suzuki dealers in the UK.