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Honda Concept CB could replace the CB1100

First seen at the 2015 Tokyo Auto show, rumour has it that the Honda Concept CB is destined to make it to the production line as an updated CB1100 in the near future.

The concept, which was Honda’s only concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, is expected to take the retro-bike fight to machines like Triumph’s new Bonneville in the future.

Featuring a heavily sculpted fuel tank, new aluminium-effect side panels, new air-box covers with chrome flashes, a new seat and different castings for the foot-peg hangers, the Honda CB concept also comes with generous dose of chrome on the instruments and headlight, and the rails under the pillion seat are changed from aluminium castings to chrome tubes, too.

Under all that, the frame and engine are same as the CB1100 EX, where the motor is already Euro4-compliant, despite all other air-cooled four-cylinder engines having long since been abandoned by their makers thanks to difficulties meeting emissions rules.

Honda’s official line on the Concept CB is that it’s a ‘customised concept model’ intended to show what could be achieved by modifying an existing bike, but the components used look much more like production parts than anything a customiser would be likely to opt for.

Source: www.visordown.com

PART III: The Great Ocean Road

Hadi Hussein woke up early to ready himself for his next destination, Port Campbell. (Check out Part 1 and Part 2 here). His attempts to take as many pictures and videos of beautiful sceneries were let down as it was a cloudy day and temperature was around 10 Celsius, making it difficult to get clear shots. (more…)

Triumph profitable again in 2015

Famed British motorcycles manufacturer Triumph is ending the 2015 business year (which ended on 30 June 2015) on a high note after recording increased profitability compared to its performance in 2014.

Despite the challenging market climate, the British marque raised £10.3 million with its efforts, of which it recorded a £2.3 million in profits alone. This is a healthy recovery following a dismal 2014 performance where it recorded a loss £8 million. Reinforcing this is the fact that the brand also recorded healthy growth in 2015 in areas beyond its finances.

Firstly, the brand set out to enlarge its global footprint this year, and spearheading this was the revised Triumph Tiger 800 model that features six variants altogether. Also fuelling the growth was the introduction of four special edition versions of the outgoing air-cooled Triumph Bonneville classic bike.

The firm also released other special editions this year for models such as the Street Triple, Speed Triple and Speed Triple R, followed by the Thunderbird and the anniversary edition of the Rocket X. It is also worth noting that like the Bonneville, the Speed Triple series is being replaced with the updated new Speed Triple S and Speed Triple R models for 2016.

Beyond its model range expansion, Triumph also recorded a growth in several of its networks overseas such as India and Brazil. Presently, Triumph boasts a healthy India-based dealer network across 12 cities, resulting in the brand’s 13% market share growth there as well, followed by a 10% market share rise in Brazil too. Adding to this was the commencement of its sales and distribution in Thailand starting April this year, further cementing the Triumph brand’s overseas market presence too.

With a sleuth of new models set for market release in 2016, Triumph is expected to perform even better in the new year too. Leading this charge are several core models starting with new liquid-cooled Bonneville family, followed by the revised Speed Triple duo, not forgetting the updated iteration of its flagship Tiger Explorer range as well.

Source: MCN

Indian Springfield confirmed for 2016

Not long after the announcement and release of the Indian Dark Horse, the American Environmental Protection Agency’s documents have revealed yet another interesting name of a bike that is due to be sold in 2016. It is none other than the Indian Springfield.

While the Indian Dark Horse was discovered in the same way through EPA’s list and was officially announced soon after, we expect the Indian Springfield to be officially announced only next year.

As of now, the only information we have about the Indian Springfield is that it will use the same 1,811 cc V-Twin engine as used on the Chieftain, Roadmaster and Dark Horse. Like the Dark Horse, it’s quite possible the Springfield will be a single seat model as it was when it was last on sale around mid-2000.

The Springfield name references the location of the first Indian factory in Springfield, Massachusetts where it produced motorcycles from 1901 to 1953.

Video: Stunting with the all-electric KTM Freeride E

Who says electric power isn’t fun? Acclaimed French trials bike rider and Red Bull athlete Julien Dupont has proven so after releasing a video of him stunting and flipping the all-electric KTM Freeride E dirt bike.

Officially launched sometime last year, the KTM Freeride E sees the famed Austrian motorcycle manufacturer injecting a more extreme and dirt-busting flavour into the zero-emissions arms race.

Based on the brand’s venerable Freeride series of dirt bikes, the Freeride E adopts a liquid-cooled electric motor instead of a thumpy single-cylinder petrol engine, with the electric system able to generate up to 16kW or 22hp and 22Nm of peak torque. The system draws power from a removable lithium ion battery pack rated at 2600Wh, and can be fully charged in just 80 minutes.

Back to the video and you can see that the electric-powered dirt buster is capable of performing just as well as its petrol-powered siblings when in the right hands. The video not only sees Julien taking the Freeride E off-roading, he even goes to the extent of performing a backflip with the electric bike.

The video above again proves that you can have copious amounts of fun whilst being green and eco-friendly. You can check out more on the KTM Freeride E via its dedicated microsite, ktmfreeride-e.com. You can also check out Julien and his exploits via his official Facebook page as well.

Source: YouTube via MCN

Build your own origami Yamaha YZF-R1M

Always wanted to own your favourite superbike but can’t seem to spare the cash and space at home for one? Then the downloadable Yamaha YZF-R1M origami paper craft will surely bring out the hobbyist in you.

For the uninitiated, Yamaha has made some of its rear world creations available as home-buildable paper craft models for quite some time now, and the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1M superbike is the latest addition to that. The best part about this is the fact that you can download the model’s build scheme for free online this dedicated microsite.

The built-up model featured in the images is a 1:5 scale replica of the acclaimed superbike, measuring 41cm end to end. This being part of Yamaha’s ‘Ultra Realistic’ range of models, you’re going to need a few things starting with a good quality colour printer, followed by a copious amount of A4-sized paper, as well as a basic set of home stationeries (glue, scissors, ruler, etc.)

Since it’s the holidays, this could perhaps be the perfect gift that you can build for your budding riding buddies or relatives. What better way to celebrate one’s passion for two-wheels by fuelling said passion further, albeit in a smaller yet more interactive way indeed.