Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Honda signs on as Pikes Peak sponsor, race participant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/27/honda-signs-on-as-pikes-peak-sponsor-race-participant/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/27/honda-signs-on-as-pikes-peak-sponsor-race-participant/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/27/honda-signs-on-as-pikes-peak-sponsor-race-participant/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Honda plans to storm the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 30, entering ten cars in nine classes at the race to the sky, and signing on as a corporate sponsor. Part of the company's return to grassroots racing - if that's what you can call factory-backed efforts - the banners of Honda R&D and Honda North America will fly on these entries: a first-gen Acura NSX, an Acura TL SH-AWD, Honda CR-Z, Honda Fit EV, one CRF450R and two CRF250R motorcycles, a CBR1000RR motorcycle and a TRX450 ATV.

One more entry, details of which are to be announced later, will be driven by IndyCar pilot Simon Pagenaud of Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports. LoveFab (pictured above during practice last year) will be there with its new, NSX-based Enviate, but as a privateer entry.

Honda's been to the mountain before, with high-powered gear in 2012 and record-setting EVs in 1994 and 1999, but it's never made noise like this. Have a read of the press release below for more info.

Continue reading Honda signs on as Pikes Peak sponsor, race participant

Honda signs on as Pikes Peak sponsor, race participant originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuraacura nsxacura tlcbr1000rrcrf250rcrf450rhondahonda cr-zhonda fit evpikes peakPikes Peak International Hill ClimbSat, 27 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548784/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/27/honda-signs-on-as-pikes-peak-sponsor-race-participant/20548784/article-detail.xml 20548784 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/honda-pikes-peak-sponsor_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/honda-pikes-peak-sponsor.jpg <![CDATA[Highly modified Honda CBR1000RR hits 265 mph at Bonneville]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/18/highly-modified-honda-cbr1000rr-hits-265-mph-at-bonneville/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/18/highly-modified-honda-cbr1000rr-hits-265-mph-at-bonneville/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/18/highly-modified-honda-cbr1000rr-hits-265-mph-at-bonneville/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



While James Hoegh was running his Confederate X132 Hellcat Combat prototype to a record-setting 172.211 miles per hour at the BUB Motorcycle Trials on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Honda moto tuner Al Lamb was preparing his own attempt on a very different bike. His 400-horsepower Honda CBR1000 is a sit-on - as opposed to lie-down or fully streamlined in which the rider is hidden - but otherwise is about as faired as Hoegh's Confederate is naked.

Lamb ran a timed mile across the salt at an average of 265 mph, entering the mile at 264.647 mph and exiting at 265.795 mph. If that speed is ratified by the FIM oversight body, it would be a record for a sit-on bike. And even if it isn't, it's a serious chunk of wind-in-your-face speed no matter how much fairing is involved. The video proof is below, with fly-by shots that can only be classified as "ridiculous."

Continue reading Highly modified Honda CBR1000RR hits 265 mph at Bonneville

Highly modified Honda CBR1000RR hits 265 mph at Bonneville originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>al lambBUB Motorcycle Speed Trialscbr1000rrfimhondavideovideosvimeoworld recordThu, 18 Oct 2012 12:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20352170/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/18/highly-modified-honda-cbr1000rr-hits-265-mph-at-bonneville/20352170/article-detail.xml 20352170 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/allambrecord_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/allambrecord.jpg <![CDATA[Watch John McGuinness lap Le Mans in the dark on his CBR1000RR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/12/watch-john-mcguinness-lap-le-mans-in-the-dark-on-his-cbr1000rr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/12/watch-john-mcguinness-lap-le-mans-in-the-dark-on-his-cbr1000rr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/12/watch-john-mcguinness-lap-le-mans-in-the-dark-on-his-cbr1000rr/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The famed 24 hours of Le Mans is not the only endurance race that lasts a full day at the iconic French track. The final round of the Endurance FIM World Championship motorcycle race series took place at Le Mans last weekend with its very own 24-hour race.

The bikers do not race the full Circuit de la Sarthe, but rather battle it out on the Bugatti Circuit, which only incorporates the Dunlop Curve and Dunlop Chicane before turning toward the infield for the next eight turns and rejoining the main track just before the pits.

This explanation is a necessary prompt to the video above. John McGuinness took to the track in a Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR race bike. He has been known for some wild on-board videos, but tearing through Le Mans - any part of Le Mans - at night is worth watching.

McGuinness and the Honda TT Legends team finished fifth at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year and fourth overall for the season. Scroll below for the video of McGuinness on this historic track.

Continue reading Watch John McGuinness lap Le Mans in the dark on his CBR1000RR

Watch John McGuinness lap Le Mans in the dark on his CBR1000RR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugatti circuitcbr1000rrhondale mansWed, 12 Sep 2012 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20320665/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/12/watch-john-mcguinness-lap-le-mans-in-the-dark-on-his-cbr1000rr/20320665/article-detail.xml 20320665 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/le-mans-at-night-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/le-mans-at-night-628.jpg <![CDATA[Honda unveils 2012 CBR1000RR Fireblade]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/23/honda-unveils-2012-cbr1000rr-fireblade/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/23/honda-unveils-2012-cbr1000rr-fireblade/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/23/honda-unveils-2012-cbr1000rr-fireblade/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 Honda CBR1000RR Firelbade

It's been 20 years since Honda first unleashed the CBR900RR on the unsuspecting world, and to mark the occasion, the manufacturer has unveiled the 2012 CBR1000RR Fireblade at the Endurance World Championship at Le Mans and the 2011 World Superbike Championship in Imola, Italy.

The new bike packs a revised fairing, complete with a fresh nose and reworked tail section, but the really fun bits are still under the plastic. Honda has implemented an all-new rear shock design with dual-tubes that supposedly offer a smoother and faster response over the old hardware. Up front, the CBR1000RR works with 43-millimeter telescopic front forks.

Engineers also reworked the engine's fuel-injection mapping for a smoother idle and easier operation lower in the rev band. A set of new gauges and two 12-spoke wheels wrap up the changes over the 2011 model. Hit the jump to check out the full press blast.

Continue reading Honda unveils 2012 CBR1000RR Fireblade

Honda unveils 2012 CBR1000RR Fireblade originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 honda cbr1000rr firebladeCBR1000RRcbr1000rr firebladefirebladehondahonda cbr1000rr fireblademotorcycleFri, 23 Sep 2011 19:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20050949/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/23/honda-unveils-2012-cbr1000rr-fireblade/20050949/article-detail.xml 20050949 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/2012-honda-cbr1000rr-fireblade-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/2012-honda-cbr1000rr-fireblade-628.jpg <![CDATA[Honda shutters motorcycle production in wake of earthquake, commits to recovery]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/14/honda-temporarily-shutters-motorcycle-facilities-in-wake-of-earthquake/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/14/honda-temporarily-shutters-motorcycle-facilities-in-wake-of-earthquake/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/14/honda-temporarily-shutters-motorcycle-facilities-in-wake-of-earthquake/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Honda Motorcycles Honda has announced that it will temporarily suspend operations at both its Hamamatsu and Kumamato facilities this week. Both plants are responsible for producing the company's stable of motorcycles. The Hamamatsu plant, which builds the CBR600RR and CBR1000RR, has closed its doors today, March 14, while the Kumamato factory will be shuttered tomorrow. The latter facility is responsible for the Goldwing.

Both plants were far from the worst areas of earthquake and tsunami damage, but with massive power and parts shortages and a huge human toll, there's little sense in operating the plants at this time. The Kumamato facility is set to reopen on March 20th, but so far there's no word on when operations at Hamamatsu will resume.

Honda has committed to helping with the Japanese recovery effort by donating $3.9 million, 1,000 generators and 5,000 fuel canisters. Hit the jump for a look at the company's release on the disaster.

[Sources: Hell For Leather - sub. req, Visordown, Honda]

Continue reading Honda shutters motorcycle production in wake of earthquake, commits to recovery

Honda shutters motorcycle production in wake of earthquake, commits to recovery originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cbr1000rrcbr600rrearthquakegoldwinghondahonda motorcyclesjapanjapan earthquakejapan tsunamimotorcyclestsunamiMon, 14 Mar 2011 17:21:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19879062/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/14/honda-temporarily-shutters-motorcycle-facilities-in-wake-of-earthquake/19879062/article-detail.xml 19879062 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/honda-wing-250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/honda-wing-250.jpg <![CDATA[LusoMotors LM23: 150hp, Honda CBR-powered track car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/06/lusomotors-lm23-150hp-honda-cbr-powered-track-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/06/lusomotors-lm23-150hp-honda-cbr-powered-track-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/06/lusomotors-lm23-150hp-honda-cbr-powered-track-car/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for more shots of the LusoMotors LM23

Track cars powered by motorcycle engines are becoming increasingly popular as the superbike mills, usually mounted amidships, provide tons of power for their small displacement and low weight. Further evidence of this truth is seen in the LusoMotors LM23, a Lotus replica powered by a one-liter Honda CBR1000 engine making about 150 horsepower. Weighing just under 900 pounds, the power-to-weight ratio of this machine would be enough to scare just about any other car you are likely to meet at the track while its light weight would surely allow for plenty of grip in the corners. The high performance of the LM23 is fitting, as the Lotus 23B design on which its based was such a giant killer that it was banned at Le Mans in the early sixties for being too fast for its small displacement.

A quick glance at the chassis shows such track-ready details as inboard-mounted coilovers and a tube frame complete with integrated roll bar. The chassis sits under composite bodywork, just like the original Lotus, though the modern interpretation adds carbon fiber to the traditional fiberglass skin. It looks like we have another Lotus replica set to join the ranks of the numerous Seven variations already sitting in our fantasy garages.

Gallery: LusoMotors LM23


[Source: CarScoop]

LusoMotors LM23: 150hp, Honda CBR-powered track car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cbrcbr 1000Cbr1000cbr1000rrlotuslotus 23lotus 23bLotus23Lotus23blusomotorslusomotors lm23LusomotorsLm23track carTrackCarSun, 06 Jul 2008 20:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1246402/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/07/06/lusomotors-lm23-150hp-honda-cbr-powered-track-car/1246402/article-detail.xml 1246402 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/lm23_450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/lm23_450.jpg <![CDATA[Honda introduces the all-new 2008 CBR1000RR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/04/honda-introduces-the-all-new-2008-cbr1000rr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/04/honda-introduces-the-all-new-2008-cbr1000rr/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/04/honda-introduces-the-all-new-2008-cbr1000rr/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above image to view gallery of the new CBR1000RR.

If you're a fan of sportbikes, you're faced with more quality choices now than ever before. While that means that no matter what you choose you're not likely to be disappointed, it also means that researching your decision is also harder than ever before. Yesterday, we took a look at the new BMW HP2-Sport, which faces tough competition for your hard earned dollars from the Big Four Japanese manufacturers. Starting with Honda, which is the largest of the Japanese motorcycle companies, we have a brand new CBR100RR. Known as the Fireblade in Europe, Honda launched the bike last week at the Paris Motorcycle Show. Take a look at our gallery, and you are likely to have some strong opinions on the styling. The front end looks eerily similar to the new Ducati 1098, but much of the rest of the bike is a departure from the sportbike norm.

While many companies are featuring very edgy design themes, Honda seems to be smoothing out the lines of their newest liter-bike. The most controversial item is likely to be the new exhaust system. Following in the footsteps of the innovative Buell brand, most sportbikes are relocating their heavy exhaust cans to the underside of their bikes, which centralizes that mass. It also keeps the heat away from your posterior, which has been an ongoing problem with the underseat muffler designs. Honda has chosen to integrate the exhaust into the bodywork, likely making it difficult for the aftermarket to offer systems which improve on the performance of the factory system without degrading the finish. So, if you hate the exhaust... perhaps you should look elsewhere or you'll be stuck with it.

[Source: Honda, Motorcycle-USA]

Gallery: 2008 Honda CBR1000RR

Continue reading Honda introduces the all-new 2008 CBR1000RR

Honda introduces the all-new 2008 CBR1000RR originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 Honda CBR1000RR2008 Honda Fireblade2008-Honda-CBR1000RR2008-Honda-Fireblade2008HondaCbr1000rr2008HondaFirebladeCBRCBR 1000 RRCBR-1000-RRCBR1000CBR1000RRHondaHonda FirebladeHonda-CBR1000RRHonda-FirebladeHondaFirebladeThu, 04 Oct 2007 12:34:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1004919/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/10/04/honda-introduces-the-all-new-2008-cbr1000rr/1004919/article-detail.xml 1004919 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/cbr1000rr-pa_450_op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/cbr1000rr-pa_450_op.jpg -1 2