Boon Siew Honda (BSH) telah melancarkan skuter tebaharu mereka iaitu Honda Vario 150 2018.
Honda Vario 150 telah dilengkapkan dengan spesifikasi menarik seperti lampu LED, meter panel LCD, sistem kunci pintar dan banyak lagi.
BSH telah menetapkan harga Honda Vario 150 2018 dari RM7,199 hingga RM7,399 (harga asas tanpa insurans dan cukai).
Boon Siew Honda (BSH) baru sahaja melancarkan skuter 150cc terbaharu mereka iaitu Honda Vario 150. Model Transmisi Automatik (AT) terbaharu dari BSH merupakan jentera skuter yang menggabungkan reka bentuk ‘sporty’ yang agak maskulin bersama prestasi yang menarik di dalam pakej harga yang berpatutan kepada rakyat Malaysia. (more…)
Honda’s CBR1000RR Fireblade has been criticized by race teams and enthusiasts for lack of power in the open-class.
Rumors are circulating that Honda is working on a V-4 engine for the new bike.
Will the new bike get more power or Honda will stick with less weight?
It’s perhaps the relentless march of the competition or the manufacturer’s philosophy, but whatever the cause, it’s odd to see that the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade being outclassed for a long time. Affectionately known as the “Rabbit” locally, it is still very popular among sport riders.
2017 Honda CBR1000RR
Ironic isn’t it? For it was its predecessor, the CBR900RR Fireblade which made its debut in 1992, which showed the way to build superbikes. It outsold every sportbike all the way until Yamaha introduced the YZF-R1 in 1998. Yes, more people actually bought the CBR900RR despite Ducati stomping the World Superbike competition with the 916 from 1994.
But now that the CBR1000RR is eligible for Superbike (production-based) racing, it’s getting trounced by its rivals such as the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and BMW S 1000 RR.
Racing teams have complained about the Honda’s lack of power, top speed and front-end grip in high-speed corners. 187 bhp was awesome 5 years ago but it is now too large a gap. When the current Fireblade was reveled in 2016, project leader Masatoshi Sato said, “We could easily give the bike 200 bhp; we could give it 300 bhp if we wanted, but we think it’s the lack of weight people want to feel more.”
1992 Honda CBR900RR Fireblade
Ah, we see. It means the development team was adhering to the original CBR900RR concept of “light is right.” Indeed, the bike weighed 205 kg, just 2 kg heavier than Honda’s own CBR600F2 at the time. The next lightest 1000cc motorcycle (Yamaha FZR1000) was a whopping 34 kg heavier.
MCN has revealed that more power is on the cards for the new CBR1000RR which will be unveiled at EICMA later this year.
The rumour of a V-4 engine continues to circulate, although Honda is tight-lipped about it. It’s also speculated that the new bike’s aerodynamics may draw from lessons learned in MotoGP.
Till then, let’s keep our fingers crossed for the new “Rabbit.”
Boon Siew Honda has revealed the 2018 model year Honda RS150R.
The 2018 edition has a new colour called Pearl Magellanic Black.
The Black, Blue and Red editions are priced from RM 7,999 while the Repsol edition continues to be priced from RM 8,299.
Malaysian Honda motorcycle distributor, Boon Siew Honda (BSH) has introduced the 2018 Honda RS150R, with a new livery.
The new colour, called Pearl Magellanic Black, is BSH’s response to RS150R owners who have been customizing their bikes to reflect their preferences. In other words, a new colour that allows owners the flexibility of changing the looks of their bikes without being encumbered by racing stripes and colours such as those currently available.
“We realize that the RS150R is selected and even customized to suit its owners’ identity,” said Keiichi Yasuda, CEO of Boon Siew Honda. “Therefore, the latest colour for the new 2018 edition of the Honda RS150R needs to be more imposing to complement its aggressive yet sublime looks.”
The RS150R is currently enjoying a popular following, hence brisk sales since its introduction in 2016. Targeted at the sports cub segment, it is one of the best-selling motorcycles in the BSH’s lineup.
The bike is powered by a Euro 3-compliant fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke 149cc engine. The 11.3:1 compression ratio shows that the long-stroke engine is has sportier intentions, while Honda’s proprietary PGM-Fi fuel-injection system ensures optimum power delivery while being economical and environmentally-friendly at the same time. The engine is then set in a twin-perimeter welded frame, suspended by telescopic forks up front and a monoshock at the rear.
The new Pearl Magellanic Black complements existing RS150R colours, namely Trico Edition, Candy Scintillate Red, Pearl Nightfall Blue and of course, the Repsol Edition.
Pearl Nightfall BlueCandy Scintillate RedRepsol Edition
Zaqhwan Zahidi and his teammates steered their Honda Asia-Dream Racing Team to a well-deserved 7th place.
They finished ahead of many works factory teams.
The results meant they finished on position higher than they did in 2017.
Malaysian rider, Zaqhwan Zaidi and this Honda Asia-Dream Racing Team teammates Tory Herfoss from Australia and Andi Farid Izdihar of Indonesia achieved an incredible 7th position at the prestigious Suzuka 8-Hours endurance race over the weekend.
Troy Herfoss, Zaqwan’s teammate – Courtesy of fimewc.com
Suzuka circuit typically plays host to the final round to the FIM Endurance World Championsip (EWC). Since the circuit is Honda-owned, the Honda Asia-Dream Racing Team’s result was even sweeter.
But it was not easy as it seemed. The 5.821-km Suzuka Circuit is challenging in itself, featuring corners upon corners that lead into one another in combination with slow and fast sections, forcing the riders to be on top of their game without places to rest. Now throw in 63 other bikes into the mix.
If having to contend with that many man and machine on the track and pits wasn’t enough, the weather played tricks on the field this year by being unpredictable at best. There were top-class riders who crashed when they caught out by a rainstorm.
In fact, the circuit was lashed by a typhoon which brought 170 km/h winds with it the night before, but repair crews worked through the night to fix the damaged facilities. (Respect to the Japanese for their hardwork.)
Start of the Suzuka 8-Hours – Courtesy of fimewc.com
“It’s a lot harder this year due to unpredictable weather,” said Zaqhwan afterwards. Honda Asia-Dream Racing team manager, Zulhelmi Ahmad said he noted that the weather had impacted the team’s temperament, but it didn’t sway them from their determination of achieving a Top-10 position at the finish.
“It’s not an easy feat to get P7!” exclaimed the joyful 23-year-old Zaqhwan Zaidi. The team had started from 12th on the grid.
Into the R130 – Courtesy of fimewc.com
However, the aforementioned Zulhelmi Ahmad, who is also Boon Siew Honda’s Motor Sports manager, admitted that he has mixed feelings about the results, “I can’t say that I am delighted with the result today as we failed to reach our full potential.” The team could’ve finished on position higher if not for a botched pit stop. “But we cannot ignore the fact that the team did better this year in terms of overall timing and we finished one position above (last year’s P8),” he continued.
The Honda Asia-Dream Racing team finished the tough race with a total time of 8h00m:05.666s compared to the winner’s time of 8h00m:01.728s, with just 4 laps down. They will definitely do better next year.
The signature ferris wheel at Suzuka – courtesy of fimwec.com
Before we end, and before anyone starta slagging off the 7th place result and the Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance race, let us provide some background.
The Suzuka 8-Hours endurance race actually began in 1978 for prototype TT-F1 (Tourist Trophy Formula One) motorcycles, but as superbikes became more and more popular through the years, the FIM scrapped the TT-F1 class altogether to the benefit of a production-based race.
Also called the Suzuka 8-Hours, the race is an immense event all by itself, usually attracting between 85,000 to 100,000 race fans.
As such, motorcycle manufacturers pay lots of attention to the race and they will field top riders from MotoGP, World Superbike, All-Japan Superbike, and among other prestigious championships around the world to pair up as teams of 3 riders each. Check through the Suzuka 8-Hours history and you’ll come across great names such as Wes Cooley, Mike Baldwin, David Aldana, Fred Merkel, Wayne Gardner, Wayne Rainey, Scott Russel, Aaron Slight, Doug Polen, Noriyuki Haga, Colin Edwards, Mick Doohan, Carlos Checa, Casey Stoner, Jonathan Rea, and even Valentino Rossi (in 2001 when he partnered Colin Edwards to win the race).
Rossi at 2011 Suzuka 8-Hours – Courtesy of LAT Images
So what Zaqhwan Zaidi said is right, to come home in 7th ain’t easy, given the level of competition. The Honda Asia-Dream Racing team had actually finished behind F.C.C. TSR Honda France, who are the 2018 EWC Champion and one of the regulars in the GP scene; while finishing ahead of the Moriwaki and Yoshimura Suzuki works teams.
FCC TSR Honda France – Courtesy of www.honda.co.jp
The problem with many racing series around the world, apart from MotoGP, is due to lack of telecast in mass media, resulting in most people being misinformed. But keep in mind that it doesn’t mean the race isn’t prestigious if it isn’t televised.
Anyhow, let’s celebrate our national rider, Zaqhwan Zaidi and Honda Asia-Dream Racing team’s great result. We hope there will be more from the likable rider and team.
Honda held the record for the World’s Fastest Lawn Mower recently.
But was beaten by a Norwegian group.
Honda UK retaliated with the second machine powered by a CBR1000RR SP engine.
We at Bikes Republic cover every two-wheeled news but wait, this is a four-wheeler. But it isn’t a car or an SUV.
It’s a lawn mower. A what? Yes, a sit in lawn mower which cuts grass (so, it still means we don’t cover car news).
You see, Honda built the first Mean Mower which could hit 185km/h some time back and it rightfully earned them the World’s Fastest Mower record. All was happy, happy for the Japanese manufacturer.
Until some mad(der) Norwegians stuck a GM LS1 small-block V8 (a 5.7-litre is considered considered small for the Americans *rolls eyes*) in a Viking T6 lawn mower and it hit 215km/h.
You see, it doesn’t matter if you’re Honda Japan or Honda Timbuktu or Honda UK, Honda is Honda and Honda hates getting beat.
In the spirit of one-upmanship, Honda UK went on to build the Mean Mower V2 to reclaim what was theirs – the world’s fastest mower record.
They started with a Honda HF2622 lawn tractor (okay so now it’s a tractor), custom made the chassis, which saved some weight and also to harness the mower’s new power. A Scorpion titanium exhaust full-system was added. The ECU, clutch and transmission were transplanted over as stock from the donor engine. All four wheels are driven by chains.
Yes, the engine came from a CBR1000RR SP, complete with 189 bhp and 115 Nm of torque, pushing the “tractor” from 0 – 60mph (96km/h) in under 3 seconds.
But surprise, surprise, this new vehicle could still mow your lawn at a maximum speed of 80km/h. There are two electric motors that spin carbon fibre blades underneath.
Honda MotoGP Team admits it will be “challenging” to manage the relationship of both riders.
The manufacturer will also have to build a bike which suits both riders.
Pundits are rubbing their hands together in glee to see how it works out.
Repsol Honda MotoGP Team, like everyone else knows it when they signed Jorge Lorenzo to partner Marc Marquez. It has always been known that different riders have not only different riding styles but also different personalities. Besides that, it obviously no secret how they demand for the equipment to suit their riding styles.
There have been many times when the manufacturer builds a motorcycle which favours the No. 1 rider – he who finished the previous season in a higher position than his teammate.
Marquez and his Repsol Honda MotoGP team
As such, many MotoGP pundits are wondering how Marc Marquez and Honda will cope with Jorge Lorenzo when he moves to the team next year from Ducati.
Although the signing of Lorenzo gives Honda two MotoGP title-winning riders in the same team since Eddie Lawson partnered with Wayne Gardner in 1989, Repsol Honda MotoGP team Boss, Alberto Puig admits that it’ll be a challenge to manage the mercurial pair’s relationship.
“Of course, not easy,” he said during the press conference at the Sachsenring, “But if wanted things to be easy, probably we wouldn’t run a team at this level. It’s complicated, but it’s a challenge.”
Marquez rides a V-shaped line – from MotoGP.com
On the rationale behind signing up Lorenzo, Puig replied, “The understanding is that the team wants to have the best riders, this is the principle. The possibility to sign him up was there and we took it. For Honda it’s important to prepare the best bikes we can and give them to the riders that are faster.”
Speaking about the “best bikes,” Honda will have their hands full in building a bike that suits the riding styles of both riders. Marquez rides a “V-shaped” line: Brakes late, snaps the bike over at the apex and stands it back up early, using the engine’s power to blast away. Lorenzo’s style is the opposite: He uses the traditional “long arc” of braking early and carrying more corner speed, hence he needs the most stability at the turn in and most lean angle.
Jorge Lorenzo carries more corner speed hence needs lots of lean angle – from MotoGP.com
“We don’t know Jorge, which kind of machine he wants,” said Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) General Manager Tetshuhiro Kuwata, “But of course we will try to adapt to his requirements. And also Marc has a lot of requests to us, and we try to achieve this.”
Kuwata-San rubbished claims that the current RC213V is developed entirely around Marc Marquez’s needs, “Now we are developing for Marc and also for Dani. It’s not only for one rider. So we will continue the same way next year.”
