Honda have released pics and technical details on a range of updates to existing motorcycles, plus new machines for next year.

Amongst the highlights are a revamped VFR800, CBR1000RR Fireblade, (pictured ) a CBF1000 retro and a Silver Wing 400 touring scooter. Honda also have a CBF250 commuter, an updated Gold Wing 1800, Deauville 650 and a CRF250 off-roader in their line-up.

VFR800 GETS MIDRANGE TWEAK

The VFR’s variable V-TEC valve timing has been revised, with the full 4 valve per cylinder power delivery now kicking in at 6600rpm, instead of 6800rpm. Fuel injectors and an ECU from the CBR1000F Fireblade have also been used to hone the throttle response of the VFR800. Honda claim the fuel consumption has marginally improved too. The VFR has tweaked bodywork, with clear indicator lenses, a black painted rear shock spring and other detail upgrades.

FIREBLADE WILL PULL FASTER, HARDER, REV HIGHER

The CBR1000RR Fireblade has restyled bodywork, with front and side cowls redesigned for a sleeker, more curvaceous and more aggressive look that still maintains strong ties to Honda’s MotoGP racing motorcycles.

Detailed changes include a more pronounced indent in the front cowl and a slight redesign of the shape of the RR’s distinctive ‘Slimline’ headlights that combine to project a more aggressive forward visage.

The fairing’s new side cowls also feature more compact and rounded lines to lighten and accentuate its aerodynamic look as well as its high-speed handling, giving the ’Blade a stronger look of high performance. Honda also say that the new, lower exhaust ducts in the side cowls, effectively draw air through the radiator to greatly reduce the rider’s exposure to engine heat for enhanced riding comfort. There’s an new all black colour option for 2006 as well.

Honda have made the CBR1000RR engine lighter, from the crank to the camshafts, raised the compression, increased the redline to 12,200rpm and fitted a 42 tooth - up from a 40 tooth - rear sprocket. The radiator is also smaller and lighter, along with the ECU unit itself. Along with fuel injection tweaks to improve gasflow, Honda say the CBR1000RR will pull faster, and smoother, out of corners in 2006.

The swingarm is reduced by 5mm, the steering head castor angle is reduced by a quarter of a degree, but otherwise the suspension on the Fireblade is unchanged. Interestingly the front brakes are 320mm in diameter, up from 310mm, but are narrower, which results in another few hundred grams of dry weight being shaved off the Blade.

The exhaust system has been lightened too, with just over one kilo taken from its various sections.

There are a range of optional accessories for the 06 Blade including; motion-and vibration-sensitive AVERTO security, a locking moulded plastic rear cowl, a paddock stand, motorcycle cover, adhesive 3-piece tank pad, plus a taller windscreen and tamper-resistant barrel key U-lock.

Keep checking back at insidebikes.com for more details on Honda’s 2006 model range.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

The latest from BMW, who have a new 800cc twin to tempt bikers in 2006;

BMW’s surprise revolution – the new BMW F800 S twin-cylinder

BMW Motorrad has launched six new bikes in the past two years and the new range has been an unprecedented success, achieving popularity and approval from consumers and experts respectively. In four segments of the overall market, BMW’s lighter, more agile and powerful machines have quickly become established as the definitive choice and a desirable alternative to the conventional.

Having launched leading contenders in the superbike, enduro, touring and sports touring categories, BMW Motorrad has turned its attention to the highly competitive sports middleweight class. And, in true BMW tradition, the new contender has turned out to be something of a surprise package, revealing the first twin-cylinder, in-line engine in the history of BMW Motorrad.

Designated the F800 S, the new model will roll off the Berlin assembly lines in the first half of 2006. However, the machine’s nomenclature gives no hint of the new middleweight entrant’s break with BMW tradition. The F800 S has been designed around an 800cc parallel-twin engine, which has been produced in cooperation with Bombardier-Rotax GmbH and will be manufactured at the Austrian Rotax plant. It will be supplied to the Berlin line ready for assembly.

The four-valve unit has a high compression ratio of 12:1 and a combustion chamber based on that of the new K1200 S engine. With power output exceeding 80 bhp and strong torque characteristics, the result is effective low-emission combustion with fuel consumption well below the class average.

Mass compensation for the crankshaft helps to eliminate unwanted vibrations but still retain the strong characteristics of the parallel-twin configuration. A closed-loop three-way catalytic converter and state-of-the-art digital engine electronics ensure advanced environmental compliance with minimal loss of efficiency.

More details will follow of a sophisticated new suspension system that is designed to achieve top class handling and legendary BMW road holding. Other classic BMW virtues such as safety (optional ABS), highest environmental compliance, an ergonomic riding position, and comfort – even for pillion passengers – aim to define new benchmarks in the middleweight class.

A compact drive unit with integrated six-speed transmission has been designed for a balanced engine performance. Power is transmitted by BMW Motorrad’s easy-to-maintain and quiet toothed belt. Lighter than a drive shaft, the highly durable belt delivers superb performance, is long lasting, quiet in operation and maintenance free. It is also lightweight and a key contributor to the new bike’s low overall dry weight of less than 190kg.

The world premiere of the F800 S will be at the international motorcycle show (EICMA) in Milan on 15 November 2005.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.co.uk)

The word from Yamaha, after another win from Valentino Rossi, and more crucial errors by rivals like Melandri and Gibernau.

Just six days after lifting the MotoGP title with Valentino Rossi in Malaysia, the Gauloises Yamaha Team were celebrating again today as Valentino Rossi’s record-breaking tenth victory of the season secured the Teams’ World Championship at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Rossi became the first Yamaha rider ever to take his win total for a single season into double figures after an exhilarating last-lap battle with Marco Melandri (Honda), whilst his team-mate Colin Edwards boosted the team’s points tally to unbeatable status with a determined ride to fourth place.

Rossi’s 79th victory of his career came after 22 dramatic laps of the Losail International Circuit, with Loris Capirossi (Ducati) taking an early lead from pole position before Sete Gibernau (Honda) took over.

The Spaniard had built up a solid advantage by the halfway stage but he was eventually reeled in by the chasing pack and made a critical error with five laps remaining, running into the gravel when trying to repel an attack from Melandri.

With Nicky Hayden (Honda) in close attendance, Rossi closed in on Melandri and the two Italians went head to head in a gripping finale, Rossi taking the lead with three laps remaining and holding off one last attempt from Melandri just two corners from the end to secure victory. With the riders’ and teams’ titles now in the bag, Yamaha needs to be just 50 points clear after Phillip Island to clinch the Manufactures’ Championship.

Valentino Rossi (Gauloises Yamaha Team), 1st

“What a race! For me that was the best of the season, it was so much fun. I had bad memories from this circuit from last year so I really wanted to win and after practice yesterday I knew it was not impossible. I had two great rivals and all three of us showed that we were in very good shape until the end. We gave more than 100% and had a fantastic battle from the beginning to the end. I have to thank Yamaha and my whole team because my bike was very fast over the final few laps, which it needed to be because Marco Melandri was very strong and we had a great battle. He tried to pass me on the last lap but I was able to hold on and win - my tenth of the season. I am very, very happy.”

Colin Edwards (Gauloises Yamaha Team), 4th

“I felt we had the pace yesterday but we were looking for a little bit more rear grip to take that extra step and went with a different tyre this morning. It was the same as the other guys were using but my bike was set up around the tyre we had yesterday and I couldn’t turn the thing. It was pushing the front a lot in the corners and I kept having to run it straight. We need to figure out why that was and take the lesson to Phillip Island in a couple of weeks. I’m disappointed for my team today because I was confident I could be up there fighting for the win and in the end it just didn’t happen. On the up-side, my points today contributed to the teams’ championship, so that’s a good thing to take away from here.”

Davide Brivio - Gauloises Yamaha Team director

“Today we saw a fantastic race, scored another victory and won another title so of course we are delighted. Valentino clearly wanted to win the race after what happened last year and he came out on top of another incredible battle, so congratulations to him. Colin finished in fourth place, which is not what he had hoped for, but he scored some important points and closed the gap to second in the championship so we are happy for him. The team have worked extremely well since Thursday, finding the right set-up for both bikes early in the weekend and then just fine-tuning for the race. We’ve won the Teams’ Championship today and both riders have contributed to this, so congratulations to everybody. Both Valentino and Colin like Phillip Island so now we all looking forward to going to Australia in two weeks.”

(this article was taken from insidebikes.co.uk)

The word from Yamaha, after another win from Valentino Rossi, and more crucial errors by rivals like Melandri and Gibernau.

Just six days after lifting the MotoGP title with Valentino Rossi in Malaysia, the Gauloises Yamaha Team were celebrating again today as Valentino Rossi’s record-breaking tenth victory of the season secured the Teams’ World Championship at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Rossi became the first Yamaha rider ever to take his win total for a single season into double figures after an exhilarating last-lap battle with Marco Melandri (Honda), whilst his team-mate Colin Edwards boosted the team’s points tally to unbeatable status with a determined ride to fourth place.

Rossi’s 79th victory of his career came after 22 dramatic laps of the Losail International Circuit, with Loris Capirossi (Ducati) taking an early lead from pole position before Sete Gibernau (Honda) took over.

The Spaniard had built up a solid advantage by the halfway stage but he was eventually reeled in by the chasing pack and made a critical error with five laps remaining, running into the gravel when trying to repel an attack from Melandri.

With Nicky Hayden (Honda) in close attendance, Rossi closed in on Melandri and the two Italians went head to head in a gripping finale, Rossi taking the lead with three laps remaining and holding off one last attempt from Melandri just two corners from the end to secure victory. With the riders’ and teams’ titles now in the bag, Yamaha needs to be just 50 points clear after Phillip Island to clinch the Manufactures’ Championship.

Valentino Rossi (Gauloises Yamaha Team), 1st

“What a race! For me that was the best of the season, it was so much fun. I had bad memories from this circuit from last year so I really wanted to win and after practice yesterday I knew it was not impossible. I had two great rivals and all three of us showed that we were in very good shape until the end. We gave more than 100% and had a fantastic battle from the beginning to the end. I have to thank Yamaha and my whole team because my bike was very fast over the final few laps, which it needed to be because Marco Melandri was very strong and we had a great battle. He tried to pass me on the last lap but I was able to hold on and win - my tenth of the season. I am very, very happy.”

Colin Edwards (Gauloises Yamaha Team), 4th

“I felt we had the pace yesterday but we were looking for a little bit more rear grip to take that extra step and went with a different tyre this morning. It was the same as the other guys were using but my bike was set up around the tyre we had yesterday and I couldn’t turn the thing. It was pushing the front a lot in the corners and I kept having to run it straight. We need to figure out why that was and take the lesson to Phillip Island in a couple of weeks. I’m disappointed for my team today because I was confident I could be up there fighting for the win and in the end it just didn’t happen. On the up-side, my points today contributed to the teams’ championship, so that’s a good thing to take away from here.”

Davide Brivio - Gauloises Yamaha Team director

“Today we saw a fantastic race, scored another victory and won another title so of course we are delighted. Valentino clearly wanted to win the race after what happened last year and he came out on top of another incredible battle, so congratulations to him. Colin finished in fourth place, which is not what he had hoped for, but he scored some important points and closed the gap to second in the championship so we are happy for him. The team have worked extremely well since Thursday, finding the right set-up for both bikes early in the weekend and then just fine-tuning for the race. We’ve won the Teams’ Championship today and both riders have contributed to this, so congratulations to everybody. Both Valentino and Colin like Phillip Island so now we all looking forward to going to Australia in two weeks.”

(this article was taken from insidebikes.co.uk)