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Honda's Sweet New Sportbike (Motorsports ping)
Business Week ^ | 2/4/06 | Rob Doyle

Posted on 02/04/2006 7:45:06 AM PST by voletti

Redesigned for 2006, the flagship CBR1000RR hits all the marks, trimming pounds but improving performance and looks

Whether on the track or on the street, Honda proposes the question: Was its new 2006 CBR1000RR redesigned to be the fastest bike for the ultimate rider or as a fast bike for the widest range of riders -- including those with a little less experience who are curious to get a glimpse of life in the fast lane? Honda (HMC ) claims to have done both with its new model.

I was invited along with a few other motojournalists for a firsthand experience of this newly redesigned motorcycle, Honda's flagship sportbike, on a track called Buttonwillow Raceway, located in Bakersfield, Calif. It was also my first experience of feeling like a MotoGP star. Not only because this particular model uses technology that has trickled down the R&D chain from Honda's definitive Grand Prix weapon, the RC211V, but also because of the royal treatment we received at the racetrack.

There were actually garages trackside, and four bikes in each stable. Plus, we had mechanics, tire warmers, and each got our own chair to relax in between riding sessions. Then, the icing on the cake -- each of the eight journalists there for the day got their names inscribed on the windshield of a bike.

(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: cbr1000rr; honda; hooligan; hooligans; mc; motorcycle; sportbike; sportbikes; wheelie
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To: Emmett McCarthy
once he got rid of all the old Lucas electrical parts

OK, you started this.

What do you call George Lucas (I believe I got the inventor of these parts' first name right)?

The "Prince of Darkness"

What is the Lucas factory motto?

"A good day's work and home before dark".

Why do the English drink warm beer?

Because they have Lucas refrigerators.

Pada bada bum tissshhh!!

61 posted on 02/05/2006 4:52:25 AM PST by Hardastarboard (HEY - Billy Joe! You ARE an American Idiot!)
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To: voletti

What ever happened to real headlights on Bikes"


62 posted on 02/05/2006 4:55:51 AM PST by usmcobra (I'm a Marine on currently on inactive status awaiting an eternal change of duty station)
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To: Bob Mc

Actually the stats give the safety nod to the land barges like the Goldwing or ElectraGlide Ultraclassic. At the end of the day, the greater visibility of one of those is more apt to save your ass than all the horsepower in the world.


63 posted on 02/05/2006 5:03:41 AM PST by Melas (What!? Read or learn something? Why would anyone do that, when they can just go on being stupid)
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To: Mr Rogers

Nah, the cruiser market is still larger than the sportbike market, and you can find reasonable priced cruisers from $5,000 and up. A Honda VLX makes a great commuter bike and it won't break the bank.


64 posted on 02/05/2006 5:04:51 AM PST by Melas (What!? Read or learn something? Why would anyone do that, when they can just go on being stupid)
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To: MarkL
And HD has done so well over the years, in racing...

And this matters why?

65 posted on 02/05/2006 5:05:53 AM PST by Melas (What!? Read or learn something? Why would anyone do that, when they can just go on being stupid)
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To: Blue Jays

Don't say the "B" word. For reasons unknown, there is a large FReeper contingent that absolutely hates bicycles.


66 posted on 02/05/2006 5:08:31 AM PST by Melas (What!? Read or learn something? Why would anyone do that, when they can just go on being stupid)
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To: Disambiguator
[[There was an even more interesting story about a guy who restored a 1969 Triumph, too.]] Triumph! Now you're talking. I have a 68 Bonneville that is completely restored. It's alomost too nice to ride. That's what my 03 Bonne is for. Solid bike, electric start, doesnt leak oil and has the retro look of the 60's Triumphs.
67 posted on 02/05/2006 5:49:37 AM PST by Buffettfan
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To: Buffettfan
I wish they still made the Thunderbird.

Triples make fun noises, too. ;-)

68 posted on 02/05/2006 7:06:11 AM PST by uglybiker (If a Liberal said something, and there was no one around to hear. Would it still be stupid?)
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To: Buffettfan

Except for that kickup exhaust pipe.


69 posted on 02/05/2006 8:23:05 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
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To: uglybiker; martin_fierro

The World's Fastest Indian is on my must see list. I have a Kiwi (shaggy eel) friend and his whole family loved it and they aren't even bike riders. :)

Next week or the week after.

Those homosexual guys weren't cowboys; they were sheepherders!!!


70 posted on 02/05/2006 8:30:08 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: Blue Jays
Hi Blue Jays ~ I've put lotsa time in on both dirt and street bikes over the years. It is and has been a blast!!


71 posted on 02/05/2006 8:36:58 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: Buffettfan
Speaking of retro Trumpets, here's a new one that I think is cool. It would also be very practical out here in the desert.


72 posted on 02/05/2006 9:01:46 AM PST by Disambiguator (Making accusations of racism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.)
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To: 230FMJ; 506trooper; 68 grunt; AdamSelene235; angry elephant; archy; Askel5; baddog1; baltodog; ...

Visit the FMH Swag Store & support FR!
Send FReepmail if you want on/off FMH list
The List of Ping Lists

73 posted on 02/05/2006 10:13:04 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: voletti

Any bike with more than one "R" in the name is way too uncomfortable to ride more than 10 miles. This one has three.


74 posted on 02/05/2006 10:28:27 AM PST by Poser (Willing to fight for oil)
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To: uglybiker; blackie

Yup, think I'd actually go see that movie. Or at least rent it on DVD in 4 months.


75 posted on 02/05/2006 10:31:06 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: popdonnelly
Looks great, but not at my age.

My gut would rub the paint off the gas tank. < |:)~

76 posted on 02/05/2006 10:32:41 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
"I briefly owned a Kawasaki H-1 3 cylinder 2 stroke bike in 1972"

I had the 1970 model of that bike (the black one). It was a rocket with no brakes. It was the worst death trap I have ever owned.


77 posted on 02/05/2006 10:36:31 AM PST by Poser (Willing to fight for oil)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

Looks like I'll have to build another turbocharged Buell to straighten this crap out (again).

The last one made 225hp at the rear wheel with a stock bottom end. That was back in the steel framed Buell days.

Does anyone have a used Firebolt for sale?


78 posted on 02/05/2006 10:39:21 AM PST by 308MBR (The only time four doors look cool are when they are on two cars.)
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To: martin_fierro

The last Honda I owed went thru a brick wall at 98mph.





With me on it.


79 posted on 02/05/2006 10:54:15 AM PST by JoeSixPack1
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To: JoeSixPack1
The last Honda I owed went thru a brick wall at 98mph. With me on it.

Explains a lot.

80 posted on 02/05/2006 10:56:01 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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