Rumour has surfaced indicating that Honda are working on two new superbike models bound for release in 2017. Credible sources are indicating that the two new models will likely come in the forms of a heavily updated CBR1000RR Fireblade, followed by an all-new RVF1000 model with a V4 engine configuration.
The twelfth generation Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade as we know last underwent an update in 2014 where it received a slight increase in power with mildly revised rider ergonomics, plus the addition of a racier ‘SP’ variant as well.
Sources report that if it is green-lit, the next CBR1000RR will be based on the current bike, but will sport a revised exterior with high chance of a revised new electronics package to stack up against its rivals. Furthermore, the rumour also indicated that the updated CBR1000RR will remain rather road-focused instead of being a machine for track use.
As for the RVF1000 model, the rumour did suggest that Honda would develop it as a proper track machine. If green-lit, the V4-powered new RVF1000 will see Honda likely targeting the likes of the new Yamaha YZF-R1, Aprilia RSV4 RF and the Ducati Panigale R.
However, Honda will likely take some time in figuring out the right specification and pricing for the new RVF1000 as how it was for the controversial RC213V-S road-legal GP bike. Based on recent leaked patent and design files, the new RVF1000 V4 will likely resemble closely to the aforementioned road-going GP bike besides sharing a similar V4 powerplant.
Honda would likely build the RVF1000 using cost-effective parts from the RC213V-S like its cast-aluminium frame whilst also retaining much of street-legal GP bike’s basic elements and design solutions. However, this rumour sounds somewhat slightly far-fetched as compared to the updated CBR1000RR rumour. Honda remains coy about this particular V4 project, so it is a case of waiting and seeing if this materialises.
Sources: Asphaltandrubber and MCN
In an effort to give thanks to its workforce and fans, Honda recently held its annual “Honda Racing Thanks Day” at the Motegi circuit in Japan.
The event saw Honda’s top stars being given opportunities to test some of the brand’s most iconic machines on the circuit, including both cars and bikes.
The biggest highlight of the event was of course, the presence of Repsol Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez, who had the chance to take Honda’s special NSR500 two-stroke Grand Prix machines to the track for the first time.
They were also given the chance to test Honda’s NSX supercar, as well as racing go-karts and CBR250s against other stars like F1 drivers Fernando Alonso, Takuma Sato, and Toni Bou, Suzuka 8-hour winner Takumi Takahashi, Hiroshi Aoyama and Kosuke Akiyoshi, as well as ten drivers from the Super GT series.
Speaking after testing the NSR500 Grand Prix bike, Pedrosa pointed out that his experience on the bike will be a special one, as this was the first time he had got his hands on one.
“It’s been a really good weekend! I had the chance to have some fun and behave like a kid once again, playing with some very special toys! We drove some great cars and also had a chance to ride the NSR500, whilst enjoying ourselves with other riders and drivers,” he added.
Marc Marquez, on the other hand, said, “It was good to hang out together, talk about our seasons and see drive Honda’s new and old vehicles! I’d like to take this final chance to wish all our fans a very Happy Christmas as well”.
It is bad enough that he could not extract the best out of Ferrari in the four years he was at the team, a feat Sebastian Vettel did so in just one year. Now the Spanish double world champion is having a torrid year at Mclaren.
There is news that he could take a sabbatical in 2016 or even race in the World Endurance Championship. But that may not be all.
Pictures have surfaced of Alonso taming the Honda RC213V, the same race bike that Marc Marquez raced in 2015.
But before you get all excited, you should know that it was all part of a program organised by Honda Japan as part of its annual end of season ‘Thanks Day’ at the Motegi race circuit. Alonso took on Marquez’s race bike, while Marquez straddled up to tame Honda’s new NSX Concept GT.
Also at the program was Indy Car winner Takuma Sato to drive Honda’s 1968 RA301 F1 car.
Alonso also drove Honda’s 1991 MP4/6, the same car driven by Ayrton Senna and Gerhard Berger.
There is no official video out yet, but the video below shows Alonso doing a great job on two wheels.
Remember Honda’s ‘City Adventure’ adventure scooter which was revealed at the recent EICMA show in Milan? (more…)
In its announcement, the firm confirmed that it would not be applying for a Moto2 constructor’s license for 2016.
For 2016, the firm did announce that all of its efforts would be concentrated on the development of the Mahindra Moto3 machine whilst supplying a range of parts for various outfits and factories in said junior class.
Suter’s withdrawal was a move many had expected after the firm declined to reveal as to how many bikes it would have supplied in the Moto2 class for 2016. This year saw just two bikes line up the Moto2 grid in the Qatar season-opener.
Suter has had several high points in the class starting with its three consecutive constructors’ titles won in 2010, 2011 and 2012, followed by one riders’ title claimed by Marc Mar quez in 2012. Despite this and several strong performances in 2014, the switch to Kalex bikes en masse by most teams was inevitable, leading to Suter’s decline and eventual resignation from the Moto2 class next year.
2016 will see just three constructors remain in Moto2, with the bulk of it comprised of Kalex bikes (26 entries in total) other alongside independent constructors Tech 3 and Speed Up.
Suter’s exit is in part down to its performance, however this is also a strong sign of the strong conservatism reigning within the paddock. It is more or less a clear case of most teams seeing other teams winning and trying to copy their success by acquiring the same, of not similar, equipment.
Another interesting thing to note here is how exactly will organisers and commercial rights holders Dorna intend to resolve the situation since the Moto2 class was conceived with the creation of a diverse environment in mind. A good reminder of that was back in 2010 when the class was held for the first time and saw up to 14 constructors that entered and scored points.
Sources: Suter Racing Facebook via Asphaltandrubber
Even though the cup is only two years old, it has already produced a world championship rider – Adam Norrodin.
2016 will once again see the championship contested over six rounds in five different countries each round hosting two races. Sepang will see the season kick off with two days of testing in February before the Cup heads to Thailand to race alongside the WSBK Championship.
Qatar will host races three and four from March, the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup racing alongside the MotoGP World Championship. Mid-May will see the Cup riders return to Sepang for their first races at the Malaysian circuit, once again alongside the WSBK Championship before heading to the Zhuhai circuit in China. This race will run with the highly popular Pan Delta event.
The final two rounds of the 2016 Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup season will see the youngsters follow the MotoGP riders to Motegi and Sepang in October for last four races. 12 races and ample practice time offer riders a chance to learn the tracks and continue to improve their race craft.
The riders who will be participating in the 2016 Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup are:
Tom Stewart William Edwards (Australia)
Ahamed Kadai Yaseen (India)
Irfan Aradiansyah (Indonesia)
Dwiki Hardhiana Suparta (Indonesia)
Faldhan Novayaser Mardani (Indonesia)
Alif Akbar Utama (Indonesia)
Basyiruddin Samhan Mashuri (Indonesia)
Riku Sugawara (Japan)
Yuki Kunii (Japan)
Shogo Kawasaki (Japan)
Muhammad Izam Ikmal (Malaysia)
Muhammad Khairul Ikhwan Bin Ajis (Malaysia)
Amirul Hakim Bin Mohd Rizal (Malaysia)
| Date | Event Type | Coinciding Event | Circuit | Country |
| 9 th – 10 th February | Test | None | Sepang | Malaysia |
| 11th – 13th March | Races 1&2 | WSBK Thailand | Buriram | Thailand |
| 17th – 20th March | Races 3&4 | MotoGP Qatar | Losail | Qatar |
| 13th – 15th May | Races 5&6 | WSBK Malaysia | Sepang | Malaysia |
| 16th – 19th September | Races 7&8 | Pan Delta | Zhuhai | China |
| 14th – 16th October | Races 9&10 | MotoGP Japan | Motegi | Japan |
| 28th – 30th October | Races 11&12 | MotoGP Malaysia | Sepang | Malaysia |
Having won the Senior TT category this year, McGuinness said that he aims to maintain the form this year as well. Meanwhile, Cummins, who also had a strong year with the squad culminating in a pair of superbike second places at the Ulster Grand Prix, says that there’s still room for improvement.
Speaking at the Motorcycle Live event, the duo said that besides the Isle of Man TT, they will also be participating in the North West 200 and Macau Grand Prix. Cummins on the other hand, will also be racing at the Ulster Grand Prix.
“2015 was a mixed season for me, I didn’t really get the results I wanted at the North West or the TT, but it all came together at the Ulster and leaving with two second-places was great. The Fireblade is a great machine and I’m so happy to be back with Honda Racing again for now my third year,” said Cummins.
According to Honda Racing Team, the ‘Morecambe Missile’ and the ‘Ramsey Rocket’ will participate in the Superbike classes at the North West 200 and also the Superbike and Senior races at the Isle of Man TT aboard the proven Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP. Cummins will also take part in the 2016 Ulster GP and both riders are scheduled to race at Macau later in the year
Organised and launched by WSF Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd back in September, this year’s running set out with several missions at hand whilst tying itself up with the monthly KL Car-Free Morning initiative.
The event this year is supported by several key partners including government bodies such as Tourism Malaysia, the Ministry of Youth & Sports (KBS), the Department of Road Safety (JKJR), the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), as well as the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and its youth squad called the ‘Skuad Muda JPJ Malaysia’.
The event is split into two areas of its venue, which is the CIDB Convention Centre, with one part held outdoors and the other being indoors.
A tour of the indoor section reveals the presence of several manufacturers and their key dealer representatives. Amongst them include big names such as Moto Guzzi Malaysia,BMW Motorrad Malaysia, Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia via autohrised distributors Fast Bikes Sdn Bhd, the newly consolidated KTM Malaysia represented by dealer Kamalia Motoworld Sdn Bhd, as well as Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (KMMSB) represented by its super dealer Wilhin Motor (M) Sdn Bhd.
Also present here were several OEM brands and representatives. Leading this pack were the UK’s K-Tech suspension brand and its local distributor Kratos Motorsports. The specialist distributor is holding a special sale that sees all K-Tech products it carries enjoying a 10% discount throughout the festival’s duration, so for those in search for the optimum suspension setup for your bikes, this could be a good time indeed.
(Read more about K-Tech in our feature here)
Moving along outside, there were several smaller vendors present here alongside a vast line up of F&B stalls too. However, all eyes were on the event’s main draw for Saturday, that being its Malaysia Book of Records attempt at organising the largest gathering of Yamaha RX-Z motorcycles.
The move was meant to celebrate the model’s 30th anniversary in Malaysia, and the turn out was indeed impressive. Besides owners from the greater Klang Valley areas, much of the gathering saw the arrival many Yamaha RX-Z owners from out of state too.
Despite the rainy season getting the best of most, the gathering was indeed a success as it charted a record entry with a total of 2,277 Yamaha RX-Zs in the gathering, securing its spot in the record books in the process too.
For those wanting to attend, the 2015 Malaysia 2Wheels Festival is happening until Sunday (tomorrow). Directions to the CIDB Convention Centre can be obtained in the map we’ve attached below.
