ROAD RANGE 2008 oichiro Honda founded the Honda Motor fi rst production turbo-charged motorcycle, Whatever trends infl uence our world in the next SCompany in 1948. Unable to get enough the CX500T Turbo. It was a decade when we 60 years, one thing will never change: Honda’s fuel for his car in post-war Japan, Soichiro received worldwide recognition: Freddie Spencer commitment to motorcycle technology, riding manufactured a motorised bicycle and was soon won Grand Prix World Championship titles for The Power of Dreams. making them for friends. Honda in both the 250 and 500 classes in 1985, a record that still stands; Wayne Gardner A dream had begun. By the mid-1950s, when won the Grand Prix world championship title in hula-hoops were a world craze, the Honda 1987; and Soichiro Honda was inducted into the Motor Company had become Japan’s largest USA’s Automotive Hall of Fame in 1989. manufacturer of motorcycles. In the same decade, Honda sold its fi rst C100 Super Cub, When the internet swept the world in the ‘90s, later to become the world’s best-selling vehicle Honda put the fi rst aluminum-framed MX bike (30 million sold to date). into production, the CR250R. Mick Doohan won a world-record 12 out of 15 races and earned In the 1960s, Honda turned heads when Mike his fourth-straight 500 title. In the ‘00s, Honda Hailwood won two Isle of Man titles in a row. has dominated motorcycle racing: Valentino And as the world danced The Twist, Honda put Rossi won our 500th FIM World Grand Prix; its CB750K onto the stage. With four cylinders Ricky Carmichael won two straight AMA 250 and a disc brake, it was Honda’s fi rst push into Supercross crowns; Nicky Hayden became the the big bike market. The following decade Honda youngest ever AMA Superbike champion; and invented an all-terrain motorcycle, the ATC90, Kent Stotz won two AMA Prostar Streetbike and the fi rst motorcycle with an automatic Shootouts in a row. transmission, the CB750A Hondamatic. While the world puzzled over the Rubik’s Cube in the 1980s, Honda introduced the THE DREAM LIVES ON 2 / \ 3 CB600FCCBR1000RRB600F HORNETHORNET FIREBLADE 0808 Head-turningHead-turninAustralia’s no.1g style selling and sportsbikeexhilaratingexhilaratin gis once performanceagainperformance set to clean come up together on and in off the the CCB600F Brace600 F Hornettrack. With like norefi nementsother bike all on round, thethe road.ro thead. best Overseas models shown. has just got better. TheAs the CBR1000RR undisputedundisputed carries pioneer a ofhost naked midsizedmidsmoothlysizeed down from top speedd foforr ofperformers, race-developed the Hornet technological has consistentlyconsi stentllwell-controlledy sesett corner entry withh innovationsthe standard including for brazen a PGM-DSFIstreetfistreetfi ghterg h te r llolooksremarkableoks precision. aanddualnd blisteringsequential riding fuel ffun.injectionun. system that features two separate The Blade’s entire rear suspensionsion setsSlimmer, of injectors lighter,lighter, programmedmore powerfulpowerrfu l andand eaeasierasystemssier is integrated into the bodyody to rideensure than optimal any other fuel bbikefeed,ike iin iitsts cclass,lass,of ththeh thee swingarm, which mountss combustionHornetHornet ggetsets effiits blasblastciencyt oof fand pperformanceeer formancce ffromrrotom the rear end of the engine theperformance same compactcom atpa allct engineengineenggine speeds.thatthat powerspowweerscases. thethhe This effectively isolates the frame and steering head fromom phenomenal CBR600RRCBR6000RR to dominationdominnation The bike’s chassis confi guration the stresses produced at the rearear on track and street,street, yyetet ttuneduned fforoor sstrongertronnger concentrates the weight and mass wheel during cornering at high midrangemidrange accaccelerationeleraation thatthatt keepskeeps thethhe of large components such as the speeds. CBR1000RR FIREBLADE engineHornet’sHornet’s and excitementexc fuelitemm tankent metermecloserteer runningru tounn ing high.high. the vehicle’s centremost rotating This system, along with a Hondada Fat,Fat, racy-lookingracy-lookinng tytyres,res, a ppointedointed ddualual axes to reduce inertia, resulting Electronic Steering Damper headlightheadlight andand cowl,cowl, andannd a slimslimm seatseat railrail thatthaat in lighter and sharper response to that assists in reducing suddenn seems to hhanganng iinn sspacepaace ooverver tththee rerearar ttyreyre steering inputs. fl uctuations in steering head complecompletete tthehee HHornet’sornett’s lolookok ooff agaggressivegresssiioperationvee during high-speed riding,ding, intent,intentWith a, anandgravityd aasassure sudie-castre yyouoou aluminiumooff ththee riridede ooff yyoyouroultimatelyuur llifeifife results in an extremelyely everyeframe,very ttime itheme youyFirebladeou climbclimbb alsoaboard.aboar offersdd. smooth ride. a high balance of rigidity and strength resulting in the kind of Over the years since its auspiciousus swift, responsive handling control debut, the Fireblade has won a required for conquering the circuit mountain of racing gold along as well as the roads. with a multitude of praise from satisfi ed riders and motorcycle Radial mount front brake callipers press alike the worldldd over. pull the Fireblade quickly and 4 / Overseas models shown. \ 5 CBR600RRR The 600RR comesmes in the Fireblade inspiredinspired Italian red with graphite black or graphite black paint schemes,hemes, and features the mostmost radical redesignn since its introduction fi ve years ago. The idea of achieving “Ultimate Fun on Winding Roads” played a big part in guiding the development team’s efforts in minimising extraneous weight and more effectively centralising the new machine’s overall mass. The concept of “True to Function” also played a decisive role in the complete redesign of the new CBR’s chassis extremities and bodywork to achieve not only a visible sense of lightness and speed, but also the most focused and competitive performance ever. The result is a machine that is powered by a whole new engine, a frame and bodywork that results in a smaller, lighter, more-powerful machine with a class-leading power-to-weight ratio and unparalleled performance. Additional features include a stainless steel four-into-one exhaust that also features an inline exhaust valve to control exhaust pressure for maximum performance. A new intake-air control valve (IACV) minimizes CBR600RR torque reaction and smooths response to small throttle changes through gradual reductions of air and fuel intake when the throttle is opened and closed. 6 / \ 7 CBR125R Honda’s popular CBR125R burst onto Europe’s 125cc-class motorcycle scene in 2004 as a full- featured super sport and is now available in Australia. It delivers all the handling capabilities It offers exciting new styling, state-of- one would expect of a Honda sportsbike the-art performance technologygy and an that’s been specially groomed to offer aggressive riding positiontion inin tune withwith the maximum power and performance the bikes ridden by thee world’s mosmostt available to young and novice riders in popular Grand Prix riders.ers. this class. All in all, the new CBR125R’s125R’s slimslim,, The CBR125R is not merely a comfortable proportions,ns, light weight, dressed-up commuter, the CBR125R fast acceleration, exceptionallyeptionally easeasyy attacks the street in full racer form, control and incredible value forfor boldly offering a full complement money make it one of the most of technological features, sporty appealing entry-level motorcyclesmotorcycles performance and stylish, high-quality on the streets of Australiaalia fforor a attention to detail that can be seen on broad cross section of riders,riders, Honda’s larger sportsbikes, but at an whether new to the sportport or affordable price that has proven to be experienced old handss atat an irresistible attraction. getting the most enjoymentyment with the least expense.e. It’s powered by a quick-revving liquid- cooled 4-stroke engine that starts at the touch of a button, and follows it up with a slick shifting 6 speed gearbox. Its quick response and smooth acceleration keeps the excitement running high; Honda’s smallest CBR is always fun to ride. A capable corner carver when called on to perform, its light and nimble handling soon makes young, new riders feel like knee- dragging champions of the world’s CBR125R racing circuits. 8 / \ 9 CBR1100XX SUPER BLACKBIRD ST1300ABS The CBR1100XX Blackbird celebrated its 11th Isn’t it time you set out on rides across the continent birthday at the end of last year, capping off a in both style and comfort? As seen from the plush, wonderful history for what is considered one of adjustable three-way seat of the swift and luxurious motorcycling’s modern legends. ST1300ABS, those roads stretching out over the horizon have never seemed so inviting. Since its launch in 1996, the machine From 2001, a catalytic converter, has been a cornerstone of Honda’s range, new digital clock layout and updated The ST1300’s elegant, aerodynamic In the cockpit area, the ST’s integrated offering power, performance, practicality, headlights and screen were also bodywork integrates a huge carrying instrument panel features a large precision and a quality unmatched by any introduced to keep it at the front of the capacity, allowing you to ride two-up, centralized speedometer and tachometer. of its sport touring contemporaries in the pack. Additional accessories such as CBR1100XX SUPER BLACKBIRD & ST1300ABS plus a full load packed into large volume Both engine and current