The Fruit of Knowledge
Posts tagged riding position
Official: Honda stuns world by showing off surprise new Integra
Nov 8th
Filed under: Etc., Europe, Japan, Honda, Motorcycle
Only it’s not what you think. Acura won’t be rolling out a new performance hatch anytime soon. Instead, Honda Motorcycles has pulled the sheets off of a new two-wheeled Integra model at this year’s EICMA show. The vehicle is effectively an overgrown scooter with a 670 cc engine and an optional dual-clutch gearbox. Honda says the vehicle is meant to meld the motorcycle and scooter worlds with plenty of performance, great fuel economy and superior accessibility thanks to its feet-forward riding position. Buyers will be able to chose between two engine specifications, with most Integra models boasting somewhere in the neighborhood of 52 horsepower.
European buyers, meanwhile, will be able to opt for a slightly less potent variant with around 47 horsepower to meet 2013 European Union A2 licensing requirements. Honda says that both engines are specifically engineered for peak performance below 87 mph and 6,000 rpm, where the company says that 90 percent of riding typically occurs. All of which is well and good, but the name of this thing is a subtle jab to the ribs for those holding out hope for an affordable performance hatch from the Japanese brand. Check out the gallery and hit the jump for the press release.
Continue reading Honda stuns world by showing off surprise new Integra
Honda stuns world by showing off surprise new Integra originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Confirmed: Honda bringing Crosstourer Concept to production
Oct 21st
Filed under: Etc., Honda, Motorcycle
Honda has announced that the company will bring a version of the company’s Crosstourer Concept motorcycle unveiled at the 2010 EICMA Show to production. The final version of the adventure/sports tourer hybrid will be unveiled under the lights of the 2011 EICMA show next month. According to Honda, the Crosstourer will boast a 1200cc V4 engine borrowed from the company’s VFR1200F, which means the bike could boast up to 170 horsepower. Combined with a more upright riding position, off-road aesthetics and a long-travel suspension, Honda hopes that the Crosstourer will be a more versatile addition to the company’s stable. There’s also word that the production version will come equipped with a dual-clutch transmission.
The Crosstourer Concept wore styling that appeared to be heavily influenced by the BMW GS family, which certainly doesn’t bother us in the least. With its wire spoke wheels, near vertical windscreen and subtle skid plates, the bike looks to be a legitimate alternative to the rest of the adventure bike set. But, as we all know, looks aren’t everything. We’ll have to wait until we get our gloves on the final version before we can say one way or the other whether the bike can hold its fenders high against the likes of the Triumph Tiger and BMW GS lines. Hit the jump for the official press release.
Continue reading Honda bringing Crosstourer Concept to production
Honda bringing Crosstourer Concept to production originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rumormill: Ariel Atom makers to return to motorcycle building?
Jul 28th
Filed under: Motorcycle, UK, Rumormill
Calling the Ariel Atom a “car” is a bit of a stretch. After all, it comes with no roof, no doors, no windows. So for all intents and purposes, it’s basically a motorcycle with four wheels (plus two seats and a steering wheel). You’re gonna want to wear a helmet, and we wouldn’t recommend riding it in the rain.
Which makes sense, because the original Ariel was a motorcycle manufacturer. While the present-day automaker may have little to do with its namesake, Ariel Motorcycles was in business from 1902 through 1970, when it was folded into BSA, which in turn eventually became the Triumph we know today. Now it appears that the modern company is preparing to go back to its roots with a custom bike of its own.
The custom ride will reportedly be built around a Honda engine (much like the Atom) and be made entirely to order, giving buyers the choice of positions for the seat, pegs and handlebars to get the riding position just right. It apparently won’t be a superbike, but something “more usable and fun.” That’s usable, not accessible: word on the street is that the new Ariel motorbike will sell in the UK for some £20,000, or about $33k in equivalent greenbacks.
Ariel Atom makers to return to motorcycle building? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Harley-Davidson adds Sportster 1200 Custom, introduces H-D1 Factory Customization
Feb 3rd
Filed under: Motorcycle
Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom – Click above for high-res image gallery
Harley-Davidson has a knack for creating new models based on existing platforms by swapping out a matching set of components available from its own Parts and Accessories catalog. The tactic has worked well for years, but in today’s trying marketplace, the Bar-and-Shield brand has decided to let its customers do the picking before the motorcycle is even delivered.
Naturally, there are the requisite paint choices, which include seven solid colors, five two-tone options and two sets of custom graphics, and customers can also specificy if they want chrome or black engine covers and wheels in any of four options. That’ll keep the style-conscious buyer happy, but there’s plenty more customization where that came from.
H-D will allow the buyer to tailor the riding position of the 1200 Custom by offering three different handlebar options (standard Pull Back bars or optional Drag and Mini Ape bars) and a choice of mid-mount or forward controls. Finally, the buyer can switch from a two-up saddle to a solo seat, should they so desire.
The basic 1200 Custom platform comes with chunky Michelin Scorcher tires front and rear on 16-inch wheels, which necessitated wide-spaced front forks, and a 4.5-gallon tank. We’re pleased to see that H-D didn’t neuter the handling of the 1200 Custom by angling for an ever-lower seat height (28.5-inches unladed, 26.6 laden).
Also, though rear suspension travel is just 2.12 inches, there’s a reasonable 4.4 inches of ground clearance, which means normal riding won’t mean scraping hard parts on the asphalt. Lean angles are 26.2 degrees on the left and 28.3 on the right, for what it’s worth.
Check out the high-res pics in our image gallery below, and hit the jump for the full press release.
[Source: Harley-Davidson]
Continue reading Harley-Davidson adds Sportster 1200 Custom, introduces H-D1 Factory Customization
Harley-Davidson adds Sportster 1200 Custom, introduces H-D1 Factory Customization originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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