News – First wave of Honda new products – Used HONDA

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First wave of Honda innovations

News - First wave of Honda new products - Used HONDA

Honda has just disclosed its first salvo of novelties for 2006, with on the agenda the evolutions of the CBR 1000RR, the VFR 800 VTEC and the indefatigable Goldwing … which will be equipped with an airbag in its version 2007 !

The most reworked motorcycle – competition requires – is undoubtedly the CBR1000RR (read). Even if the changes are minimal, they are nonetheless numerous, Honda resolutely seeking to shine in World Superbike !

On the VFR, the engineers looked at the engine approval and some aesthetic changes. As for the Goldwing, two new features should be noted: a new "comfort" version and the very first motorcycle airbag. !

CBR1000RR: Superbike mission !

Vermeulen proved it last weekend by achieving the double at Assen: the CBR100RR is a formidable weapon (read). But the Honda has a lot to face its Japanese cousins ​​who are constantly breaking power records despite their anorexia..

Honda engineers, like those of Yamaha for the R1 (read), have chosen to improve rather than innovate, in order to improve the "already very successful base of the current Fireblade"… And the world number one to conclude:"on the road, the result of this work translates into increased driving pleasure and even more complete control" while "on the circuit, the more advantageous weight / power ratio represents as much additional competitiveness to reach the highest level, in particular in Mondial Superbike".

The resemblance to the RCV211V is still in order, thanks to its sharp front and sides, its pot under the saddle and its backrest with characteristic vents. As many small touches that Honda wants to be synonymous with "performance and speed"And when it comes to performance, the CBR knows a thing or two about it. !

As you might expect, the engine that catapults the Fireblade gains even more power! It now develops 172 hp at 11,250 rpm for 115 Nm at 8,500 rpm. Among the modifications, we note an optimization of the shape of the cylinder head intake ducts, an increase in the volume of the exhaust ducts and a new shape of the combustion chambers bringing the compression ratio from 11.9 to 1 to 12.2 to 1. The change of the double concentric springs installed on the intake valves "determine more precise operation at high speeds, primarily used in racing"and results in a red zone now culminating at 12,200 rpm (instead of 11,650 rpm previously).

The gain in revolutions made it possible to install a larger crown (42 teeth compared to 40 on the old version), offering better performance while maintaining top speed "of better level", assure the Japanese. Honda also wants to be reassuring as for the reliability of the machine, the Japanese wizards having carried out a new crankshaft" in an even stronger steel alloy without being heavier".

All the little tweaks finally allowed the sacrosanct power-to-weight ratio to be increased by 3.3%, giving the new CBR "sharper acceleration and enhanced performance". In order to better cool the beast, a new radiator has been designed"large volume, thinner and lighter".

The cycle part has also undergone a slight refresh. The fork’s caster angle – unchanged – changed from 23 ° 30 ‘to 23 ° 45’, resulting in a reduction in drag from 102 to 100 mm and the swingarm was shortened by 5 mm. Thus, the wheelbase of the CBR1000RR now measures 1,400 mm compared to 1,410 mm previously. Finally, Honda highlights the "replacement of the steel spring preload adjusting nut with a lighter aluminum element". Bigre! According to the calculations of the Japanese firm, all these variations would offer"increased management responsiveness and improved overall behavior".

Finally, the brakes of the CBR – they can be used! – went from 310 to 320 mm "for more power and a better feeling of the lever"and their thickness has been revised downwards, from 5 to 4.5 mm. The last modification, still aiming to gain precious grams, concerned the pot which loses 1.480 kg and trades its three-piece tip against a monobloc element in resin "lighter and more aesthetic".

The CBR1000RR will be available in graphic black, "winning red" and "iron nail" silver. Its little sister, the CBR600RR with which Charpentier became the Supersport World Championship last weekend (read) inherits new colors but does not change.

A VFR800 with an improved VTEC system

Founded in 1986, the VFR is one of the sure values ​​of the sport / GT sector. The last (r) evolution of the model dates from 2002, which marked the increase in displacement from 750 to 800cc and especially the arrival of the VTEC. This distribution system, which alternates between operation with 2 and 4 valves per cylinder, needed to be improved: "the reactions of the V4 could be made less abrupt", recognizes Honda. And it is now done, naturally.

"During strong acceleration, the jerk generated by the engine when switching to the 4-valve drive has been reduced", explains the builder,"while at the same time the sound so characteristic and so exciting was preserved".

The transition speed was also changed from 6,800 to 6,600 rpm, "in order to be able to enjoy the performance of the 4-valve distribution even more pleasantly. This new transition regime was defined by superimposing the power and torque curves of each architecture (2 and 4 valves) and by choosing the precise moment at which these curves intersect.".

According to the Japanese, the transmission should be more pleasant. Likewise, the change – during deceleration – from 4 to 2 valves has been delayed, "which helps to widen the transition phase and to soften the behavior of the engine at this precise moment"Honda promises.

Aesthetically, the VFR receives some fine touch-ups such as its panel located between the headlights now in the color of the motorcycle, turn signals with tinted bulbs "for a more modern image and even more perfect integration with the casing", a new screen gradually tinted, a new finish for the silencers and a black tint of the rear shock absorber spring (formerly red).

The 2006 VFR has no other differences with the 2005 model: the "Pivotless" aluminum double beam frame and the suspensions remain unchanged, as does the Dual CBS braking system..

The VFR will be available in Candy Glory Red, Digital Metallic Silver and Cosmic Pearl Black.

Goldwing: "when the weather turns cool"

The 30-something continues her way and sees two of her systems evolve this year: the pollution control system probe and the alternator.

The lambda probe gives way to an LAF (linear air / petrol) sensor for "allow more precise management of the fuel supply and discharges based on an optimal calculation of the mixture according to the engine load and at all speeds"Without altering performance, it allows, according to Honda, to significantly reduce pollutant emissions from the six-cylinder – to a level."almost half that required by the very strict Euro-3 standards".

For its part, the alternator drive system with spring shock absorber becomes hydraulic. The new set weighs 500g less and should make less noise. The alternator also gains in power, which allows it to supply more accessories, such as those included in the new version of the Goldwing called "Comfort"…

For die-hard moaners who might have found the Goldwing lacking in comfort, Honda has enriched it with a few additional elements: new electric heated grips, new heated saddle system with independent adjustment for the rider and his passenger – whose resistors are arranged not only in the saddle but also in the backrest and armrests! – and new ventilation system for the feet. When will the air conditioning ?

The 2006 Goldwing will be available from December 2005, priced at € 26,500.

An airbag for the Goldwing 2007 !

Latest innovation from Honda laboratories: the motorcycle airbag! Naturally, the Goldwing will be the first to benefit from it, the option being available in early spring 2006 in the United States and at the end of 2006 in France on the 2007 Goldwing model..

The operating mode is as follows: four sensors – attached to the front fork – detect the acceleration undergone by the motorcycle. The on-board computer constantly analyzes the signals emitted by the sensors and decides – or not! – deploy the airbag located on the tank.

Between the moment when the motorcycle collides with an obstacle and the moment when the airbag deploys, 0.06 sec passes. "The purpose of this equipment is to decrease the speed with which the pilot is ejected from his mount", specifies Honda. An option which, according to the bad tongues, would have already been reserved by Ruben Xaus…

Note for cross-country enthusiasts that among the improvements made to Honda’s 250 4-stroke, the adoption of a split exhaust should allow " to centralize the masses and reduce the moment of inertia in order to improve general behavior".

Finally, Honda will present three other new products on the eve of the World Cup, including two major ones … !

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