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Trade fair innovations Paris

happy end

Conditions like in paradise: At the Paris Salon, motorcycle manufacturers dropped the last covers. Now all the secrets are out.

It was not a fireworks display of novelties, as it was fired at the Milan fair, but one or the other bang was ignited anyway. For example from Honda. Outwardly very similar to the successful predecessor model, the 1998 VFR technically represents a big step towards the future. The frame, swing arm and spring elements are completely new. The engine, now with a displacement of 781 cubic centimeters and an injection system, borrows heavily from the engine of the RC 45 superbike. Around ten percent more power and, which Honda attaches even more importance to, a significantly improved torque curve, should give the sports tourer even more confidence. A regulated cat is a matter of honor.
The CB 600 Hornet is available for the less sensible contemporaries – a naked bike with a special fun factor. The athlete’s heart from the CBR 600 F should provide 93 hp. The top performance of the sports engine was cut by modified camshafts in order to strengthen the four-cylinder in the lower and middle range. A backbone frame made of steel forms the connection between the steering head and the aluminum swing arm. The bikes come from the CBR 900. The power bike will cost 11,999 marks.
In the same direction as the Honda Hornet, Yamaha marches with the FZS 600 Fazer. With the small difference that the Yamaha even promises 96 hp and is adorned with a cockpit fairing. The rest of the knitting pattern is the same. The engine base comes from the sports car YZF 600 R. The head and cylinder have also been optically adapted to the new application. And like Honda, Yamaha forego absolute top performance in favor of a better torque curve. A frame made of tubular steel, the tried and tested brakes of the YZF 1000 and an aluminum swing arm complete the picture. The tank is extremely narrow in the thigh area, and the low seat height also promises driving fun not only for tall people. The price has not yet been determined, but it will certainly be based on that of the Honda. Another new product from Yamaha is the off-road version WR 400 F. More on this on page 17.
MuZ also wants to prove itself in the rough terrain with the Baghira. With the help of the French importer, a purely French team of four will contest the Paris-Dakar Rally. The prototype of the rally machine consists mainly of series parts. Only the tank, exhaust, oil tank and cockpit were modified for material-killing use.
For the first time Kawasaki presented the revised ZX-6R to the public. Whereby revised is a slight understatement, because hardly any component of the athlete remained unchanged for the new season. The frame is completely redrawn. The distance between the steering head and swing arm mounts has been shortened, the steering head area has been reinforced, the steering head has been made steeper and the caster increased. A torsion-resistant 46 mm telescopic fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping springs at the front. In future, powerful six-piston calipers will be used for braking. Even the Keihin carburetors had to give way to Mikuni components. This is to get the problems with overflowing float chambers when racing the ZX-6R under control. Optionally there is a Kat version, which with 107 HP will produce around one HP less and weigh one kilogram more.
There are several optical delicacies to marvel at at the small French motorcycle manufacturer Voxan. In addition to the Cafe Racer and Roadster models already presented, there was a first appearance S.crambler on stage. Although the mighty two-cylinder for the three models is still being tested, the French are extremely optimistic that they will be able to start production of the Coffee Racer and Roadster at the beginning of January. From March 1998 they are to be sold for around 26,000 marks. They want to sell the noble pieces through selected BMW and Triumph dealers. If everything goes according to plan, the beautiful Scrambler will be launched in July. But only in the French.

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