Motorcycle Monthly May 2018

GET UP TO SPEED

May 2018

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#143

WINGIN’ IT

GETTING YOUR KNEE DOWN

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H-D’s Sport Glide Moving the goal posts for cruisers

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Honda’s biggest is back and tech-ing it to the masses

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Traffic police use Stinger to stop motorcycle Honda Fireblade New publication tells its full story

Months ago the Metropolitan Police Force showed the mobile Stinger device that it planned to use in the ongoing battle against criminals getting around the capital on scooters – but now another UK force has used a tyre-puncturing Stinger to stop motorcyclists on the road.

The move is likely to divide opinion between those who see the biker’s actions during a Bank Holiday Monday meet as anti-social and those who think that deflating a tyre on a motorcycle is too heavy-handed.

More on Page 4

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NEWS 3

Suzuki registers new Katana logo and name protection. Reckon on a new Katana soon?

So this is going to interest/please a lot of people (delete as appropriate) – Suzuki has filed a new trademark application with a logo attached, and it’s all around the name and logo ‘Katana’.

There’s no other details to tell you other than the logo and trademark name were registered in the USA and the move is fuelling speculation that the Recursion project (see below), which was a turbocharged concept bike originally shown at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show in Japan, IS the bike that will form part of Suzuki’s 2019/2020 model line-up and will get the Katana name along with the funky new logo.

We’ve already brought you a sneaky photo of a Suzuki planning screen which shows a GSX700T (where the T stands for Turbo and the 700 fits in with the original concept Recursion’s engine size of 588cc, given a slight tweak here and there) being part of a model line-up soon from the Japanese

factory. And Suzuki recently filed a series of patents on the Recursion bike in very-finished, road legal form.

It’s worth pointing out that while this is all very exciting stuff, we might be picking up small snippets here and getting it all wrong. Suzuki previously revived the Katana brand in 2010 and nothing much happened that time… still, fingers crossed for something new, turbocharged and Recursion-y under the Katana name sometime soon.

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Another Suzuki patent shows turbo detail Guy Martin’s return to motorcycle racing

Another patent detail drawing for the upcoming Suzuki Recursion turbocharged bike has appeared.

We were the first to bring you all the details about Suzuki’s secret plans to take the concept bike into production for 2020 and this latest drawing of the project shows just how far along the production schedule the turbocharged 588cc parallel-twin has come.

What makes this particularly interesting is the routing arrangement for the air that’s outlined coming through the top half-cowl fairing.

Lincolnshire-based lorry mechanic and TV presenter, Guy Martin is set to return to motorcycle racing, competing in both Classic Race and Forgotten Era Class on board his 750cc BSA at Tandragee 100 – almost a year since his disastrous campaign at the 2017 Isle of Man TT. The North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club Ltd has confirmed that Guy Martin will be starting at the 58th ‘Around A Pound Tandragee 100’ on May 4 and 5. He’ll be competing in both the Classic Race and the Forgotten Era Class on board his Rob North framed 750cc BSA Triple, on which he set a new world speed record on a Wall of Death.

In items 122a and 122b you can see that the air is going to be channelled from open intake vents mounted either side of the headlight cluster and then routed underneath the mirror mounts to then be drawn out and onto the surface of the bike’s intercooler for the turbo.

This looks like the most clear and recent indication yet that the bike will appear with a turbocharger and intercooler system – the essential way to get 1000cctype performance from a small and narrow 588cc sporty roadster.

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In detail The Recursion has already been shown as a Suzuki concept but the production drawings gave us the clearest indication yet that the model was heading for production, something the president of Suzuki himself confirmed to us last year.

On some of the patents, no fairing is visible on the turbocharged bike,

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but the patent makes it clear that a surge tank for the supercharger is mounted behind a cylinder head. An intercooler is adjacent to the surge tank (behind the cylinder head, too) and there is a supercharger mounted in front of the intercooler.

Elsewhere the patent drawings for a narrower V-twin engine and exhaust that Suzuki is working on expose the level of detail that Suzuki has gone to in protecting what it considers to be a very important motorcycle in its near future. Filed with various patent outlets, the plans show a developed version of the current V-Strom motor but with a much more narrow layout and design. Speculation has been rife since then that this engine is to get a turbo fitted to it and spur on development of a new big, sporty roadster twin from Suzuki in the same vein as the iconic TL1000 range of the 1990s.

Editor Tony Carter Editorial design Fran Lovely Publisher Dan Savage Picture desk Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield and Angie Sisestean Production editor Dan Sharp Divisional advertising team leader Zoe Thurling 01507 529412 Advertising Lee Buxton 01507 529453 Kate Hayes 01507 529411 Advertising deadline for June issue May 1, 2018 Distribution 01507 529529 Marketing manager Charlotte Park

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The patents for the Recursion/Katana show the whole bike (1), the narrow engine (2), the motor’s layout (3 and 4). With these drawings you can see how serious Suzuki is about the punchy middleweight.

Supercharged Kawasaki Z900RS appears in Tokyo This new Z900RS Kawasaki has been customised by Japanese bolt-ons business Doremi and gone from road going retro to full-on throwback with a huge supercharger bolted onto the side.

The bike has been made as a Japanese ‘tribute’ to the Z1-R TC, a 1977 turbocharged Z1-R that was sold in the USA and Japan.

The gubbins for the supercharger intakes is hidden in the front of the petrol tank, which has been reduced in volume to allow the intakes to sit hidden at the front of the bike. The air intake is beautifully mounted on the left hand side of the engine and is a work or art all by itself.

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Ducati Panigale V4 bursts into flames

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Oh dear, how about this for when your Panigale V4 gets a touch TOO hot to handle.

These pictures have been posted on the DucatiForum.com by a user going by the name Nitrouz. Nitrouz says that the fireball happened as he was riding his 214bhp, 91lb-ft Italian beauty as normal through a city in the USA. According to the rider, he smelled something burning underneath him and pulled over for a look at the bike only to see flames already licking up the side of the machine.

4 NEWS

Police chief defends ‘first use’ of stinger on motorcycle

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RD350LC ‘Crazy Carbon’ Custom Endurance Racer

Essex Police has released a video defending an officer who used a stinger on a motorbike – for what is believed to be the first time on British roads – during the Southend Shakedown on Easter Monday.

A video that has appeared on social media shows a policeman on Southend seafront deploying the stinger to stop a motorcyclist who rode past him while he was stopping traffic to let a group of children on bikes cross the road.

Since its appearance, it’s caused a mass debate – with opinion split between whether it was a fair use of the stinger, or if it was dangerous.

And now Essex Police’s Chief Superintendent Rachel Nolan has defended their actions. She said: “Over the Bank Holiday, we policed a motorcycle event in Southend.

The vast majority of people who came to the event were responsible and enjoyed a great day out. A tiny number of people behaved antisocially or dangerously and it is our job to deal with that.

“As a result of some dangerous driving, I authorised a member of my team to use a stinger device. His photo has been posted on Facebook and abusive comments have been made about him from individuals and Essex businesses without any moderation. That’s unfair. He is a well-trained, experienced roads

policing officer. He has seen the devastation and trauma that road traffic collisions cause.

“He has had to knock on the doors of families and tell them that their loved ones have died on the roads. He has www.MoreBikes.co.uk been the first on scene when motorcyclists have been in collision through no fault of their own. He has shown dedication, respect and professionalism.

“The use of the stinger is evolving to deal with different challenges on the roads and I can confirm it is tested for safe use on motorcycles. While I am not here to defend its use, the fact some of those involved rode up and down the pedestrian footpaths on the cliff face immediately after the deployment is indicative of the driving displayed.

“The use of the stinger was authorised and endorsed right up the chain of command. It has been used harm. He didn’t want a tiny minority in other forces previously, including of people to ruin the day.

Essex, and will continue to be used as “He didn’t want children crossing a a tactic to deal with dangerous driving road to be put in harm’s way because that puts others at risk. Our officer a motorcyclist didn’t listen to an was acting in good faith to prevent order to stop. He took action. That’s

A lot of work has gone into creating this very special Yamaha RD350LC by its Spanish owner, Mike Navarro.

Its original engine has been restored, but has been prepared with special parts, including Wiseco pistons and a machined aluminium Cool Head with interchangeable heads. It also includes a special crankshaft with reinforced cranks, a closed gearbox and bigger radiator.

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SEARCH: Stinger

Here’s Mugen’s 2018 electric TT bike

what I think the public ask of us. We don’t expect everyone to agree with police action, but we do expect that people are able to disagree politely and with respect to the private lives of officers and their families.”

Team Mugen has confirmed it’ll be competing in the 2018 TT Zero races – with Bruce Anstey, John McGuinness and Lee Johnston riding its all-new Shinden NANA. The bike comes with a new front cowl, which works to offer better cooling efficiency, while its newly designed side and rear cowls help to improve the bike’s aerodynamics.

NEWS 5

NEXT-GEN HAYABUSA:

Suzuki patents semi-automatic transmission for bikes

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News has emerged Stateside of a series of patents from Suzuki that has the next-generation Hayabusa fitted with a semi-automatic transmission.

The patents have been filed by the Japanese company with three sets of the design being registered each in Japan, Germany and the USA. So the next Hayabusa, which will come with a supercharger to boost speed and is likely to be over 1400cc, will still have the familiar foot change with the patent for the semi-automatic system describing a ‘clicking mechanism’ to simulate the feel of a standard gear shift.

What the designs show is that the very-familiar outline shape of the Hayabusa will remain largely untouched – an aspect of a bike’s family heritage and a standard marketing ploy by Suzuki over the years (just look at the GSX-R sport bike range).

Yamaha Ténéré 700 closer to production

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1. Side view from the patent showing the semi-auto transmission in place.

2. That familiar Hayabusa shape, which is evident in the patent.

3. Close-up drawing of the new transmission.

4. Another view from the patent.

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Details from the top man Toshihiro Suzuki, the president of Suzuki, hasn’t been shy about talking up the future for the Hayabusa. In a recent interview the man at the top of the Suzuki tree opened up about the use of things such as turbos (and why Suzuki is going to use them on its motorcycles) and what is at the heart of the new Hayabusa when it appears at the end of 2018 to go on sale in 2019.

When asked if Suzuki was going to use a turbo to make an engine more fuel efficient and get mid-range performance from a small cc motorcycle, Suzuki said: “No, no! We do not think that fuel consumption is a major concern for motorcyclists.

Nor do the latter want to lower displacement.

“Our idea of using a turbo is more about the pleasure that we seek on a motorcycle.

A motorcycle with a turbo is a pleasure motorcycle that we develop, not a two-wheeled utility motorcycle.”

Suzuki also talked about that familiar Hayabusa look and why it’ll stay around for a while yet on the hyper-speed mile eater, adding: “The Hayabusa will have a descendant that will not go too far from the family.

“Our engineers are working on it now. It will be stylistically detailed with the familiar lines of the Hayabusa and it will have a lot of electronic assistance for riding fast.”

Yamaha president: “More three wheelers on the way” So it’s not just going to be the arriving-next-month, MT-09 powered Niken three-wheeler coming from Yamaha – there’s more tri-fun on the way and that’s been confirmed by company president and CEO Yoshihiro Hidaka.

Hidaka said: “Our company is working on various initiatives with the theme of the growing world of personal mobility in the current midterm plan. This is a product line up of LMW leaning multi-wheel.

“Since the launch of Tricity commuter in 2014 we continued R&D activities and in last year’s Tokyo Motor Show we have presented large size sports model Niken, which will be launched in the market this year.

“Not just limited to these two models we will be expanding customer base with new values of LMW.”

The news comes some months after we first told you about Yamaha buying the patents that underpin another leaning multi wheeler, the Brudeli Leanster (pictured).

It’s been a long wait for the arrival of the Yamaha Tènèrè 700 – but it looks like the wait is almost over, as the rugged rally-inspired lightweight adventure bike has been spotted tearing up the sand in Australia.

The T7 is powered by the same 689cc, two-cylinder Crossplane power plant as the Yamaha MT-07 – tuned for tractable and easy-to-use power.

Much like the original Yamaha XT600, and the first Tenere XT660, the new Tenere 700 is claimed to be much more capable off-road than your typical adventure tourer.

World’s fastest woman survives 343mph crash Women’s motorcycle land speed world record holder Valerie Thompson survived a horror crash in Australia last month when her streamlined bike crashed at 343mph.

Thompson was going for the overall two-wheel record of 376mph during the World Speed Trials on Lake Gairdner when something went wrong during her run and the bike fell onto its side, digging a deep trench into the salt flats and spreading wreckage for over a mile.

A report into the crash concluded that the rear end of Thompson’s ‘Bub 7’ motorcycle came off the ground before its parachutes brought it to a stop.

BMW’s city ride-share plan is revealed BMW is looking to start offering up the back seats of its motorcycles and scooters to help people get around congested cities.

Peter Schwarzenbauer, who heads BMW’s Mini, Rolls-Royce and motorcycle brands, said in an interview at the Geneva International Motor Show: “This is definitely an option, but we haven’t found the solution for the second helmet yet.

There’s the issue of sizing and then re-using helmets in the summer heat – it’s not ideal.”

6 NEWS

New Hailwood Race Replica announced

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Aussie firm will build 12 exact replicas of Mike Hailwood’s TT-winning Ducati.

This year’s Isle of Man TT will mark 40 years since Mike Hailwood’s famous comeback win in the 1978 F1 TT, following an 11-year hiatus.

And to mark the milestone, Western Australia-based Ducati specialist Vee Two Australia is producing 12 exact replicas of Hailwood’s Ducati F1 racebike, and the production run of a dozen track-only units will commemorate Hailwood’s #12 TT racing number.

Vee Two Australia has secured the original technical drawings for the Ducati’s 883cc 90º, V-twin, bevel-drive engine, as well as the casting moulds, chassis drawings and specifications to ensure the bike is an exact replica of the one which powered Hailwood to his historic 1978 victory.

“The engine used in Mike’s 900 F1 race bike was a prototype race engine designed by the Ducati factory in the mid 70s, of which only around eight units were made,” Andrew Cathcart, general manager of Vee Two, explained.

“When Mike won the TT in ’78, the factory had plans for the engine to power the next series of desmo Ducati sportsbikes but, due to its financial situation, the bevel-drive format was scrapped in favour of the belt-drive that was less costly to manufacture.

“This meant that this ultimate bevel-drive engine wasn’t produced and therefore never made it into the hands of the public. Picking up from where the factory left off, Vee Two are now in a position to offer the engine that powered Hailwood to his legendary victory.”

While the engine will be produced in-house, the chassis is being

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Bring a motorcycle mode to Google Maps built in Europe using the original drawings. The bodywork will also be an exact replica, right down to the famous Castrol and Sports Motorcycles stickers on the red-andgreen paintwork. John Keogh, the designer behind a number of Vee Two creations, is presently at its Nannup headquarters applying the finishing touches to the clay modelling which will form the basis of the bodywork.

While confirming the appearance and technical specifications of a 1978 TT Hailwood replica may seem relatively straightforward, the original bike actually changed numerous times during the two-week event and any number of combinations could be classified as ‘exact’.

“So many changes to the chassis, engine and exhaust system were made during the event,” Vee Two’s CEO Brook Henry said. “We aim to produce an exact replica of the bike as it crossed the finish line.”

Henry also revealed Vee Two will draw on the expertise of Steve Wynne, the man who sourced the original

900 F1 from the factory and prepared it for the 1978 race under the Sports Motorcycles banner.

“Being able to ask Steve about things we spot in photographs, and having him separate myth from fact is very exciting,” continued Henry.

Mike’s widow Pauline and his son David have already granted approval to use the legendary racer’s name and, in recognition of this, each of the 12 examples will bear Pauline’s signature.

In true TT fashion, it’s now a race against the clock to have the first bike ready in time for this year’s TT. The event will feature a host of celebrations commemorating Hailwood’s famous victory, and Vee Two plans to unveil its replica at the 2018 event where it will complete parade laps. The bike will also be on show at the IoM’s Classic TT in August.

Futuristic CF-Moto concept inspired by the KTM Duke 790 CF Moto recently joined forces with KTM – as the Austrian brand looks to begin production of a range of mid-capacity bikes for emerging markets. And following its partnership with KTM, the Chinese mega-brand has unveiled its new Dukeinspired V.02-NK Concept.

Visually, there’s no denying the similarities between the

CF-Moto and the KTM 790 Duke – and it’s no coincidence.

The design is the work of a team of ex-Benelli and exBimota designers, who have utilised the existing CF-Moto NK design (created by KTM’s designers Kiska). The similarities don’t end there though – with KTM also offering up its 990cc engine to CF-Moto – and there’s even talk of the Austrians’ 1080cc powerplant being used in the future.

The CF Moto V.02-NK Concept is also equipped with some high-quality components that are not typically found on machines manufactured in China. For example, it’s equipped with top-notch Brembo brakes and Öhlins suspension.

Although it is only a concept at this point, CF Moto has already suggested that a similar motorcycle will be making its way into production in the near

future – and there’s also talk that the twin-cylinder powerplant from the 790 will make its way into a few other CF Moto models.

Bikers set to invade Hastings this May Day Celebrating 40 years of the Locksbottom to Hastings May Day Run, Swinton Insurance has teamed up with bike1066 to run a family friendly festival of motorcycling over the bank holiday weekend, from May 5-7. The Mayday Run was started in 1979 by a group of biking mates who needed a destination for the first ever May Day bank holiday – and over the last 40 years, the event has grown and grown, and now attracts up to 40,000 bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts in a single day.

This year, it’s bigger and better than ever before – with Ken Fox’s Wall of Death, an Isle of Man TT Race

simulator, BIG screen BSB Racing coverage, a street custom exhibition, and a 12 hour rock music marathon.

Plus there will be hundreds of traders and exhibitors offering some fantastic kit at discounted prices.

Dan Agate of Swinton Bikes said: “The Mayday Run is a unique experience, it’s like this massive organic movement of thousands of people all driven by their passion for motorcycles and all heading for Hastings. Swinton are really pleased to have been invited to be a small part of such a unique biking experience.”

For more information, visit: www.bike1066.com.

Last year, Google Maps introduced a two-wheeler mode for motorcycles and scooters in India – and with talk of it making the move to other countries, insurance specialists Carole Nash has launched a campaign to bring it to the UK. Google Australia spoke publicly about the feature with communications manager Kristine Arnott suggesting that while India is currently the only country with twowheeler mode, that’s all set to change.

Video: how to build a flying motorcycle Log onto www.MoreBikes.co.uk and search ‘furze’ to watch a couple of brilliant videos from British inventor and science nut Colin Furze. He’s made a series of videos on how the build your own flying motorcycle!

The flying bike has been built using light alloy, which is resistant enough to support the weight and efforts of two Rotax engines used the power the machine. Once up in the air, it’s controlled using a series of weights, which move both side to side and back and forth. It doesn’t look easy to control, but if you can’t get it up in the air, you could always use it as a lawnmower…

Enfield going electric Most of the big players in the motorcycle world are beginning to invest in electric technology – and Royal Enfield is the latest to join their ranks, with its company president Rudratej Singh confirming there’s an electric RE in the works.

Singh said: “Royal Enfield has several projects in the pipeline and the electric platform is one of them.

We are in an investment phase in the project where we have a team that is working on different ideas and concepts with a long-term focus.

We will disclose our plans at an appropriate time.”

Pictured above is private conversion Enfield made in India. Pretty nifty.

8 WHAT’S ON

What’s On: the essential dates 2018 APRIL 20-22 National Youthbike Blues and Bikes. Cabourne Parva, off A46 near Caistor, Lincs. Email elliot.mitchell@ gmail.com. Tel 01522 869407.

20-22 A Newt in Shining Armour Rally Team Sober. Woolley Edge Campsite, Woolley Edge, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 2LS. www.teamsobermcc.co.uk.

Email rallysec@teamsobermcc.co.uk.

Tel 07919 846164.

20-22 World Superbikes – Round 4: Dutch Round. www.worldsbk.com 21 Rocket 3 Owners’ Club Meet. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 21 Scorton Auto & Bike Jumble.

Scorton, North Yorkshire Events Centre DL10 6EJ. Tel Bert 07909 904705.

21-22 The 38th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show. Staffordshire County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford, Staffordshire ST18 0BD. www.staffordclassicbikeshows.com.

Tel 01507 529529.

21-22 Brighton Jukebox Show & Retro Collectors Fair. Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 9XZ. www.jukeboxfair.co.uk Email info@jukeboxandretrofair. co.uk. Tel 0208 393 2444.

22 Custom + Cruiser Bike Day + London MAG. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 22 Royal Enfield Ride In. Sammy Miller Museum. www.sammymiller.co.uk 22 SBMOC The Engineerium Run. sbmoc.vpweb.co.uk. Tel 01243 820534.

22 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes. Beacon Fell Visitor Cent, near Garstang.

Tel 01772 782516.

22 Bike4Life Rideout & Festival.

RAF Museum, Cosford, near Wolverhampton TF11 8UP. Start from Meole Brace SY3 9NB. www. bike4lifefest.com. Tel 01902 376252.

22 MotoGP – Round 3: Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. www.motogp.com 27-29 VMCC (Essex section). Bluebell Weekend, Museum of Power, Langford CM9 6QA. Tel Pauline or Paul 01245 321573. Email pauline. hodkinson@btopenworld.com 28 VMCC (Somerset section) Autojumble.

Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN. Tel 01934 813638. www.vmccsomerset.co.uk 29 The British Two-Stroke Club (Leicester section). The Windmill Run, Wymondham, Leics.

Tel Eric Hathaway 0116 275 0532.

29 Italian Bike Day with IMOC. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 30 Salutation MCC Charity One Nighter.

Birch Coppice Social Welfare Club, Watling Street, Dordon, Tamworth, Staffordshire B78 1SY. www.salutationmcc.com.

Email Nigellast@hotmail.co.uk.

Tel 07772 482544.

MAY

3 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes. Bolton by Bowland, meet on village car park.

Tel 01772 782516.

3-5 RIDE Capitals Knievels 2018. Wales – Scotland –England. www.ridecymru. com. Email info@ridecymru.com

TO GET YOUR EVENT ON THESE PAGES EMAIL jclements@mortons.co.uk

5-7 Llandudno Transport Festival, Bodafon Fields, Llandudno, Conwy County, North Wales LL30 3BW. Tel 01492 517004. www.llantransfest.co.uk 5-7 British Superbikes – Round 3: Oulton Park. www.britishsuperbike.com 6 Autojumble. Sammy Miller Museum. www.sammymiller.co.uk 6 Hoghton Tower Sprint. Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, near Preston, Lancashire PR5 0SH. www.marshalsnorthwest.co.uk 6 Sunbeam MCC 8th Ixion Cavalcade.

Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. Email Ian Cockshullixion@sunbeam-mcc.co.uk 6 Yamaha Bike Day. DT & XS 650 50th.

Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 6 Ride 4 Rescue, The Return. Start venue: Street Bike, Dudley Road, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 3NS. www.happystaffierescue.org.uk.

Email events@happystaffierescue.org. uk. Tel 01299 513006.

6 Ancient to Modern Motorcycle Show.

Withington, Hereford HR1 3PP. www.lcmcc.uk 6 MotoGP – Round 4: Gran Premio Red Bull de Espana. www.motogp.com 6-7 Notts Classic Motorcycle & Car Show. Thoresby Park, Ollerton, Notts NG22 9EP. Tel 01484 667776. www.classicshows.org 7 Fleet Lions 35th Annual Classic Bike Rally. The Key Car Park, The Key, Elvetham Heath, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 1HA. Tel 07850 191820. www.fleetlions.org.uk 7-12 Scottish Six Day Trial. Fort William. www.ssdt.org 11-13 You’ve Been Nabbed. The Royal Cheshire Showground, Flittogate

Lane, Tabley, Knutsford WA16 0HJ. www.nabd.org.uk. Email office@ nabd.org.uk. Tel 0844 415 4849.

11-13 World Superbikes – Round 5: Italian Round. www.worldsbk.com 11-14 Sunbeam MCC Warwickshire Weekend. Kings Coughton. Contact Jenny Staple 01892 535671. Email jennybaz.staple@gmail.com 12 Despatch Riders Rally. Sammy Miller Museum. www.sammymiller.co.uk 12 Jeff Mountjoy’s Big Ride Out. Paulton Rovers Football Club, Winterfield Road, Bristol, Somerset BS39 7RF. Email dkloader3@gmail.com.

Tel 01761 417487.

13 BTSC Surrey Hills, Dorking Halls, Dorking, Surrey. Tel 01483 272765.

13 BMW Bike Day. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 13 LE Velo Lancs & S Lakes. Foulridge, near Colne. Meet by Canal.

Tel 01772 782516.

13 inSpire Ride 2018. International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick Hill, Lincoln LN4 2RF. https://inspirelincoln.org.uk.

14-29 Christchurch Arts Guild Summer Exhibition. Sammy Miller Museum. www.sammymiller.co.uk 15-17 British Superbikes – Round 4: Snetterton 300. www.britishsuperbike.com 18-20 Victory Rally. Huntly Arms Hotel, Charlestown Road, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire AB34 5HS. www. victoryrally.co.uk. Email Victoryrally@ btinternet.com. Tel 07562 442472.

18-20 The REALLY Rally. Elveden Village Hall, Elveden, near Thetford, Norfolk IP27 3TJ. Email reallyrall001@ gmail.com. Tel 07704 921974.

19 Southern Classic Motorcycle Show & Motorcycle Jumble. Kempton Park, Staines Road East, Sunbury-onThames, Middlesex TW16 5AQ. www.kemptonparkautojumble.co.uk.

Tel 01507 529529.

19 Scorton Auto & Bike Jumble.

Scorton, North Yorkshire Events Centre DL10 6EJ. Tel Bert 07909 904705.

19 Ridethecounty. Oxford Products, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 0YA. www.ridethecounty.org.uk.

Email info@ridethecounty.org.uk 20 Classic Motorcycle Show. Coach & Horses, Stevenage Old Town SG4 8DP. Tel 07963 609143.

20 Tiddler’s Tootle. VMCC, Tullibardine Distillery, Blackford, Perthshire PH4 1QG. Tel 01698 854390.

20 Romney Marsh Bikejumble. Marsh Road, Hamstreet, near Ashford, Kent TN26 2JD. www.elk-promotions.co.uk 20 Sunbeam MCC 1st Rose of Torridge.

Woolfardisworthy, North Devon.

Contact Nevil Barham.

Tel 01237 470514.

Email nevil2@btinternet.com.

20 Two-Stoke ‘Blue Haze’ Day. Ace Cafe, Ace Corner, N Circular Rd, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD. london.acecafe.com 20 Herts Auto Show. Stanborough Park, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL8 6DQ. www.hertsautoshow.co.uk.

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10 WORLD LAUNCH REPORT

WINGIN’ IT:

Honda’s 2018 Gold Wing It might be lighter and more powerful than what went before, but is that enough of a change for the Honda behemoth? Yes. Yes, it is.

WORDS: Mikko Nieminen, Motorcycle Sport & Leisure PHOTOGRAPHY: Kevin Wing

Since its initial launch back in 1975 as a 1000cc four-cylinder naked, the Gold Wing has undergone several revisions to keep it current – but boy has it been in need of something pretty radical recently.

Can you believe that the last big model update was all the way back in 2001? Okay, so there was a smaller revision in 2006 but that’s been about it for the big bike tourer’s big bike.

Things were looking a bit dated, to say the least.

So for 2018 Honda’s game plan was a simple one: take the classic Gold Wing and then completely re-imagine the bike from top to toe.

The latest incarnation of the Gold Wing remains the company’s topof-the-range earth shrinker, but also promises to be just as happy on an urban commute as it is on the open road. That’s a bold statement, but given that the bike has been totally redesigned from the ground up, it might not be as fanciful as it sounds.

With less weight, new looks, chassis, suspension, engine, geometry, and all the latest tech, this might just be the big do-it-all bike that Honda engineers wanted to create.

There’s a long line of shiny new 2018 Gold Wings parked outside our hotel in Austin, Texas. A beautiful sight, but there’s something wrong with the picture – I can see my own breath. Usually it’s around 20ºC around here, but a freak cold snap has forced temperatures down into minus figures.

Our grand departure on the bikes is delayed because of the weather

and I have a chance to look at the Wing in more detail. It’s impossible not to recognize the new bike as a Gold Wing, but there’s also an instantly obvious difference from the generations that have gone before.

The 2018 model bears all the family traits with the spacious seating arrangement, big built-in luggage, and the sheer size – but it looks like it has just returned from the motorcycle equivalent of a boot camp, appearing sharper, leaner and more athletic than its predecessors. And that’s no coincidence. Honda wanted to keep all that was good in the old model: the luxurious level of equipment, the torque-rich power delivery from the six-cylinder engine, and the feeling that there’s no trip too long for the bike.

But all that needed to be repackaged in such a way that it would work on shorter journeys too and appeal to a broader audience beyond the mega-mile tourers – not a simple task when you start with the 421kg tanker that was the old bike.

I can appreciate the work that’s clearly gone into shrinking the Wing as soon as I set off. I’m on a DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) automatic version, so slow riding is easy with no clutch to worry about.

From the start the new model feels better balanced and more stable at slow speeds – that diet has clearly

worked with the manual Gold Wing Tour weighing 379kg wet, and the DCT and airbag model tipping the scales at 383kg wet.

Getting out and about

As we hit the road, the first thing I notice is how much better the new third generation seven-speed DCT system is compared to the previous one. It links up with the ride modes (Sport, Tour, Economy and Rain) that the new ride-by-wire throttle has made possible, and works its way up and down the gears in an almost seamless fashion.

The difference between the DCT settings for each ride mode is now more pronounced than before and you can feel a real urgency in the engine performance once you dial the Sport mode in. Touring mode calms things a bit while still providing good performance, and Economy is fine for long slogs on the motorway. On dry roads the Rain mode feels gutless, but in the right conditions I’m sure it’s a welcome addition to the mappings.

In addition to power delivery and DCT settings, the ride modes also control the electric suspension, traction control and ABS settings.

I can’t say that I noticed much of a difference in the suspension performance between the ride modes.

I know that rebound and compression damping settings in the forks change

383

How much in kg the DCT model weighs wet

WORLD LAUNCH REPORT 11 TECH SPEC Honda GL1800 Gold Wing Tour (2018) Price: Tour manual £26,679 / Tour with DCT and airbag £29,699 Engine: 1833cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke 24 valve SOHC flat-6 Power: 125bhp (93kW) @ 5500rpm Torque: 125lb-ft (170Nm) @ 4500rpm Fuel tank: 21.1 litres Fuel consumption: 50mpg Clutch: (Manual) hydraulic, wet, multiplate with coil springs, assist slipper cam; (DCT) hydraulic, wet, multiplate with oil pressure Transmission: (Manual) 6-speed + electric reverse; (DCT) 7-speed + reverse Final drive: Enclosed shaft Frame: Aluminium die-cast, twin tube Wheelbase: 1695mm Caster angle: 30.5° Trail: 109mm Turning radius: 3.4m Seat height: 745mm Wet weight: Manual 379kg / DCT 383kg Suspension: (F) Double Wishbone with Showa shock; (R) Pro Link with Showa shock Tyres: (F) 130/70R 18; (R) 200/55R 16 Brakes: (F) 320mm discs with radial 6-piston calipers; (R) 316mm disc with 3-piston caliper.

Electronically-controlled combined ABS system Contact: www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles

between the modes, but with the roads in fairly good condition, the differences were academic.

Regardless of the settings the new double wishbone front suspension (it’s a bit like a BMW telelever setup, but developed by Honda in-house) seemed to provide a smooth and vibe-free ride. Honda says that it makes the front 30% more stable, and it certainly feels better than the old model’s suspension.

The double wishbone system is also one of the reasons behind the new bike being more compact.

It allows the front wheel to move up and down more vertically than before, enabling the Honda engineers to design the new diecast aluminium twin beam frame around it and push the more compact engine 40mm forward and the riding position 36mm forward too.

Rear spring preload is also electrically adjusted, but the settings are separate from the riding modes. Instead there are four options for preload depending on

8 That’s the

your load: single rider; rider with luggage; rider with pillion, and rider with pillion and luggage.

Rider comfort is a big thing for the Gold Wing, and although the new bike is more compact, there’s still plenty of space for both the rider and pillion. The bars are a little further forward while the pegs have moved in the opposite direction, but the riding position is still relaxed.

A big step forward is the new

amount of ‘gears’ the DCT model has

instrumentation and switchgear.

Nestled between an analogue speedo and tachometer, the 7in full-colour TFT display screen provides audio, navigation, phone (if connected through the USB port in the glove box or via Apple CarPlay), and bike settings info. While the screen on the old model often reflected sunlight, the new one was clear to read in all lighting conditions.

Switches have been moved from the side panels to the central console and the bars, making everything easy to see at a glance and to operate without reaching too far. The only problem

“With the Wing getting smaller and lighter, two victims of downsizing were the fuel tank and luggage space.”

I had with the left hand switchgear was that the combination of a lot of buttons and thick winter gloves made me hit the wrong buttons on a few occasions – more time on the bike would cure this faux pas, I’m sure.

The speakers on the bike are excellent. Honda says that they have been strategically placed to suit the new riding position, and they certainly worked well. I could hear the bike radio and music from my iPhone perfectly clearly at 70mph – and so could everyone else within a five-mile radius, I guess.

With the Wing getting smaller and

12 WORLD LAUNCH REPORT lighter, two victims of downsizing were the fuel tank and luggage space. The former has shrunk by four litres and now totals 21 litres, but Honda claims that the tank range has remained similar to the old model thanks to the lighter weight, improved aerodynamics and better fuel economy, now claimed to be 50mpg. On our ride the average mpg was in the low forties, but then again, we were testing the bikes and accelerating and braking a lot more than you normally would. The luggage space has been reduced by about 20%, now down to 110 litres of total storage capacity. There is still space for two full-face lids in the top box of the Tour model.

On the matter of performance

Compared to the 2017 model, the new engine feels a lot more lively.

That’s partly because of the reduced weight of the bike, partly because of the changes made to the six-cylinder Goliath of an engine. The 1833cc displacement hasn’t changed, but the engine has been completely revised.

The horizontally-opposed flat six now features a lighter, more compact valve train and four valves per cylinder.

The engine is 29mm shorter and 6.2kg lighter, partly because of the

new Integrated Starter Generator, which combines the starter engine and generator functions and reduces weight by 2.4kg in its own right.

Peak power of 125bhp arrives at 5500rpm, with peak torque of 125lb-ft delivered at 4500rpm.

During our Texan road trip, I had a chance to ride the manual version as well as the DCT. There are now six gears in the box compared to the old model’s five, so engine speed is a little lower when cruising in the top gear.

The manual setup was perfectly good, but because the new DCT system is so much better than before I preferred it to the manual box. It just makes life much easier, especially on a big bike like this.

After a few hours on the bike, cruising past roadside gun shops, vast plains, endless lines of pickup trucks and scrap yards the size of a small town, I was still perfectly comfortable on the Wing. And since the temperatures were still only around 5ºC according to the thermometer on the dash, I was happy that the seat and grips were heated.

Another pleasant surprise was the electrically adjustable screen.

When it was fully up I felt next to no buffeting and the wind noise died right down.

Wings of history 1975 GL1000

1979 GL1100

1985 GL1200

1988 GL1500

2001 GL1800.