Fast Freddie who is the only rider in history to won both the 250cc and 500cc World championship in the same year, has decided to sell off these championship bikes. The bikes are so rare, that they’re the only ones in exsistence outside the Honda museum in Japan and are being sold off as a pair.

Source: RMDMotor.com

The CB1100 is designed very much as a vintage style bike and as such has modest performance stats. The four-cylinder DOHC engine produces 87 hp and 92 Nm of torque, ideal for this kind of cruising, retro bike. The focus on good looks is evident in the finished product of the CB1100 and that’s what this is all about – a stylish, good looking, retro run-around. See the pics and video for a closer look.

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This new facility in western Rajasthan is just one element in Honda’s plan to increase Indian production. Honda also expects to increase production at its Haryana plant in northern India from 1.25 million units to 1.55 million unit by the end of March, with a final goal of 1.6 million units by 2011.

This production along with the Rajasthan plant will bring Honda’s total production in India up to over 2 million units, if that gives you any idea how big the Indian motorcycle market is. Sales in India were up 19% in 2009 (9 million total units sold), despite being down elsewhere in the world. Compare that to China’s 15 million units in 2009.

For more discussion on Honda Motorcycle go to link

For more discussion on Honda Motorcycles go to link

Dovizioso was happy with his day’s work on Friday as he brought his time down by a further two-tenths of a second from the previous day, taking in 46 laps in the Malaysian heat as he completed a three-quarter race distance in the afternoon.

“If we consider the two days in total this second test session has represented a big step forward compared to the last time we came here at the beginning of February,” said Dovizioso, whose best lap time was 2’01.439. “I’m satisfied that we could lap consistently and for the race this is very important. We did a race simulation and the pace with race tyres was good.”

He continued: “Today I can’t be totally satisfied with seventh on the timesheets and this was because I wasn’t able to use the soft tyre at its best to improve the lap time. It’s something we’ll have to analyse because getting a good grid position for the race is important. Of course there is still work to do to get closer to Valentino and Casey, but anyway, all-in-all I’m very confident.”

Pedrosa, who completed 57 laps on Friday with a best time of 2’01.478, was just behind his team-mate on the timesheet as the eighth quickest rider and he outlined the aims for Qatar.

“We put in a lot of work today and tried many things on the machine to improve our pace,” said Pedrosa. “We made some progress with the feeling from the engine which is positive, though we didn’t really get the results we were looking for elsewhere, and some of the issues we had yesterday are still there. So, there’s plenty for us still to do before Qatar.”

He added: “The team is working really hard and we’re positive that there’s a lot more to come. Of course I can’t say that eighth is where I want to be on the timesheets at the end of this test, so we’ll definitely look to move things forward in Qatar.”

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Source: MotoGP

Two more days of testing for the San Carlo Honda Gresini team began on Thursday with Marco Melandri and Marco Simoncelli picking up where they had left off in the last session at Sepang three weeks ago.

Intense heat put the riders through a gruelling workout and both took to the track at 10am riding their RC212V machines, decked in the new 2010 Team San Carlo Honda Gresini livery. Work focused around setting up the new Honda RC212V, in particular the suspension and electronic settings, and both riders reported positive results at the end of the session.

Marco Melandri: “It has been a very tough day but also very enjoyable. With the data from the last test we knew we were going to able to work much better from the start today and begin to reap some of the rewards of our hard work. Now I am closer to the front guys and this is an important step forward. There is obviously still a lot of work to do but the results today give us a real confidence boost. Unfortunately I still don’t have a feeling that allows me to get the best out of the soft tyre otherwise we could have gone even faster. All in all I’m happy and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Marco Simoncelli: “I am continuing the learning process in MotoGP and I am pleased to work like this, without overdoing it. My objective is to continue to improve my lap times but at the same time find a better feeling with the RC212V. Today wasn’t easy, that’s for sure, because of the heat, which everybody knows I don’t like, but I think I can be happy. I’m starting to ride the bike how I want to and how my mechanics, who like me are new to this category, want me to and we’re making progress. We learn something new every day – I know we don’t have many days left until Qatar but I am sure that by then we’ll be holding our own.”

Press release courtesy of San Carlo Honda Gresini

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Source: MotoGP

With its handmade aluminium fuel tank, custom fabricated 4-2-1 exhaust system and long list of carbonfibre parts, the CB750 Café Type Motorimoda weighs 220 kilos – 15kg less than a stock CB750. We think the bike looks totally cool, though at 2.7 million Yen (US$29,700), it’s certainly not cheap! More details on the Motorimoda website here

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The two will cover 480 miles on their shortest day and 630 miles on their longest. They will set off on their Honda Transalps from Alexandra Palace in North London on February 27, during the 2010 Motorcycle Show.

I’ve owned a Honda Fireblade for the last ten years and it has never missed a beat, so in my mind a Honda was the only real choice for this trip due to their incredible reliability, quality and range which has something for all riding needs,” Hoskins said in a release.

“We looked at a few different bikes in their range as possibilities, but the Transalp is definitely the right machine for our challenge with its great adventure riding capabilities, comfy riding position, renowned reliability, good tank range and great luggage capacity.”

49 year-old Danny John-Jules is best known for his comic role in the classic hit TV show Red Dwarf, which is as popular as ever with a new series being filmed later this year.

“This is going to be no holiday, but it will be an incredible trip and experience where we aim to raise money for Sport Relief but also promote the fun and freedom of safe adventure motorcycling,” John-Jules said. “I love crazy adventures and there’s no better reason to do something like this other than to support a worthwhile cause and encouraging more people into motorcycling, which I’m passionate about.”

To follow their progress, both Danny and Graham will post a series of blogs and images from their adventure, which you can access the following link.

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We are doing an internal study on a second plant,” said Shinji Aoyama, president and chief executive of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt, which will reach its full capacity of 1.5 million units in 2010-2011.

“We cannot let our sales stagnate, we will take a decision soon,” said Naresh Kumar Rattan, marketing and sales head.

India is the world’s second-largest market for motorcycles and scooters, with annual sales of slightly over 8 million units. More than 15 million units are sold annually in China. Honda Motorcycle expects to sell 1.25 million scooters and bikes in the current fiscal year that ends in March, and 1.5 million units next year.

Last December, unlisted Honda Motorcycle made its entry in the popular 100cc bike segment, taking on Hero Honda in which Japan’s Honda has 26 percent and India’s Munjal family about 29 percent.

The company expects sales to rise 20 percent, powered by 110cc CB Twister bike, its first offering in this category that will compete with Hero Honda’s Passion and Splendor and Bajaj Auto’s Discover DTSi.

The 190 mpg machine was inspired by the Honda CB1000R in design, only powered by a 110 cc engine, delivering just 9 bhp. Tubeless tires, maintenance free battery, viscous air filter, short muffler and half chain are just a few attributes of Honda’s latest machine. The CB Twister is available in five colors, namely Yellow, Green, Black, Red and Blue.

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Former Tech 3 MotoGP and 2007 AMA Superbike Corona Honda rider James Ellison returns to the team focused and determined after finishing runner-up in 2009 following weeks of uncertainty over his BSB return when he was left without a ride. However, Swan Honda seized the chance to re-sign the Kendal rider who last rode for the team during the 2008 season. Ellison was the most consistent title contender in 2009 and was the only rider to score points in each of the 26 races taking 14 podium finishes, with four of those race victories.

Ellison said: “I’m so grateful to Shaun Muir and SMR for giving me the opportunity to race in BSB this year. I know the whole Swan Honda team have pulled out all the stops to give me this chance to fight for the title. It’s been a very difficult winter not knowing if I would be racing, as I was left in a really difficult position at the end of 2009. I knew that if I had any chance of winning the championship it was with this team, so my first phone call was to Shaun when I was left without a ride.

“The team was strong when I was with them in 2008, but they have moved on so much since then. This is all down to their work ethic and solid team structure, which is exactly what I need to go one better in the championship this year. I class the team as family and I know the Honda like the back of my hand, so I’m confident we will be strong out of the gates and I am really looking forward to working with my old crew chief Mick Shanley again. I want to thank my fans, friends, family and my wife Sarah for standing by me and always believing in me; I promise I won’t let you down this year!”

Team Owner Shaun Muir concluded: “To say I am delighted to have James back on board is an understatement. We were disappointed to lose him at the end of 2008, but James is determined and passionate about his racing and took his best opportunity at that time. He left us on good terms and for that reason have held him in high regard. He brings a real hunger and desire to challenge for the title and I have no doubts that Stuart and James will bring the best out of each other. The whole team have worked together for a number of years now and this is the first year where there is a real competition in our own garage, something that is vital in challenging for a championship. I am sure that it is going to be a great first year for Swan Honda.

For more discussion on Motorcycle Racing go to link