Adventure Sports Africa Twin arrives to Ireland

A new version of Honda’s definitive full-size adventure machine is ready for Adventure Sports in 2018, with a larger fuel tank for a range of over 500km, higher riding position, greater ground clearance, heated grips, extended fairing plus longer travel suspension. It also has Throttle By Wire with 3 riding modes, expanded Honda Selectable Torque Control parameters and revised intake and exhaust. The original Africa Twin’s 30th anniversary is celebrated with a unique paint scheme.

Key Features:

    • Longer travel suspension, flatter seat and more upright riding position
    • Extended fairing protection and taller screen
    • Heated grips as standard plus AC charging socket
    • Rider’s footpegs/pillion footpeg hangers designed for off-road use
    • Stainless steel spokes offer durability and ease of care
    • Emergency Stop Signal function for rear indicators
    • Throttle By Wire (TBW) brings with it 3 rider modes to tailor engine character and traction
    • The riding modes are comprised of different levels of Power (P), Engine Braking (EB) and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
    • HSTC now has 7 levels and OFF
    • New intake design and exhaust aid mid-range response
    • New exhaust also designed to improve engine note
    • New lighter balance shaft weight
    • New lithium-ion battery saves 2.3 kg and enhances durability
    • Power is smooth and consistent, with linear torque delivery
    • Assist/slipper clutch helps upshifts and downshifts
    • Super-fast, seamless gear changes in Manual Transmission (MT) or Automatic D mode
    • S mode (with 3 levels) revs higher and downshifts sooner, for aggressive riding
    • G switch improves rear wheel traction when off-road
    • Incline detection adapts shift pattern depending on road gradient

The Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports is now available from €15,900.00 in any Irish Honda Motorcycle Dealer. 

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Solid sixth place for Camier in Thai WorldSBK Race 2

Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team’s Leon Camier capped off a strong showing in Thailand with a sixth place finish at Chang International Circuit, while Jake Gagne was back in the points after taking fourteenth place on the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

Camier started on pole position in Race 2 courtesy of his fourth place in Race 1 and although he got the holeshot and led into the first corner, a fierce battle in the lead group resulted in him ending the first lap in P5. Showing consistent pace throughout the race, Camier was embroiled in the fight for the top five with Jonathan Rea and Xavi Forés and although he closed in on Forés in the final laps, he ultimately finished in sixth place.

Bouncing back after a tough race yesterday, Gagne had a strong start and in the opening exchanges fought his way up to ninth position. As the contest entered the final stages, Gagne found himself caught up in a five way battle for the top ten and despite a valiant final push was unable to make up positions and ended the race in P14.

After two rounds Camier is eighth in the WorldSBK standings on 42 points, while Gagne is sixteenth overall with 9 points. The series now heads to Europe where the Red Bull World Superbike Team will contest the Aragon WorldSBK round on April 13-15.

Honda Forza 300 gets radical makeover for 2018

The Forza name has long been a powerful force in Honda’s two-wheeled line-up. Its history as a premium mid-size scooter goes back to the year 2000: the first model set the template, delivering a lively ride, plenty of storage room and an innovative combined braking system. It was well received throughout Europe, where owners found its multi-role capability useful in every aspect of daily life.

The 2018 Forza 300 has a crisp, sporting new look and much tighter, sharper dimensions than the previous design. Its wheelbase and length are reduced, while it’s also narrower, but with a higher seat height for improved visibility. Even with a new larger diameter rear wheel, it is 12kg lighter thanks to a revised chassis and redesigned frame, which boosts acceleration, top speed and fuel efficiency.

Smoothly adjustable, the new electric screen provides maximum wind protection at speed­ or ultimate freedom around town. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) has been added and can be switched on and off from the left handlebar.

Revised instruments serve up extra information digitally, in support of the analogue dials and all lighting is LED. The Smart Key offers control of the optional 45-litre top box.

The Forza 300 is not yet available in Ireland. It is anticipated to arrive late Summer/early Autumn 2018. In the meantime check out it’s little brother the Honda Forza 125.

Lee Johnston Positive after Debut Test with Honda Racing

The 2018 campaign started in earnest last week for the Honda Racing roads team as they embarked on their first pre-season test at Monteblanco in Spain, with its new rider line-up of Ian Hutchinson and Lee Johnston. Although not riding at the test, as he still continues his recovery, ‘Hutchy’ was present for all three days and worked with the team as Johnston got to grips with the Fireblade SP2.

Plagued with intermittent weather over the three days, track time was limited and it wasn’t until the final day (Wednesday 7 March) that the team and Johnston were able to get their teeth stuck into the testing programme. With Hutchy not able to ride his machine, it was over to ‘The General’ who tested both his and Hutchy’s Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2s back-to-back, as well as Johnston aboard the Honda Superstock machine. Although not riding, Hutchy was able to work with the team with feedback from Johnston on the set-up of his right-hand gear shifter.

Johnston has history already with the SP2, as in 2017 he was a reserve 24 Heures Motos rider for the Honda Endurance Racing team, but with three riders to cater for the machine set up is very different to his Fireblade for the road racing season. Working on the set-up of the bike and making it feel like his own, the team and Johnston finished the test positive with over 100 laps of the 2.76-mile circuit completed. With lap times a second quicker than previous tests at the circuit, the team are ready to continue its testing programme later this month back on UK soil at Castle Combe.

The Honda EU20i is replaced by the EU22i

Honda has an upgraded, bright, shiny and new domestic generator – the Honda EU22i.

The new generator became available in Ireland in February 2018 and it will become a firm favourite for domestic generator and commercial users alike.

Features:

  • Two main style sockets and a12V DC output for charging batteries
  • Maximum output: 2200W
  • Easy to carry – dimensions measure just 51.2cm x 29cm x 42.5cm
  • Lightweight: 20.7kg
  • Reliable signature Honda 4 stroke engine
  • Quiet – designed with auto muffler and insulated casings to minimise noise
  • Parallel option – double your power with the genuine cables, 2 identical generators can be linked
  • Ideal for sensitive devices such as laptops, TV’s & cameras
  • Ideal for portable use or after a power cut
  • Ideal for powering portable businesses or when on location

The EU22i is priced at €1,499.00 and available from Irish Honda Power Equipment Dealers nationwide. Find your local dealer here

Check out the full specifications and details on the EU22i here