Details released on the brand new Honda 2018 Monkey Bike

Details on the new Honda Monkey bike for 2018 have been released. Honda’s genuinely iconic mini-bike is re-imagined for the present day, with styling that draws heavily on the original, complemented by modern, premium touches such as USD forks, twin rear shocks, LCD instruments, IMU-based ABS and full LED lighting. Its 125cc air-cooled engine delivers 6.9kW power, and fuel efficiency of 67km/litre; wet weight is a mere 107kg.

 

Model overview:

  • Styling, paint and chromed parts draw heavily on the original
  • 125cc air-cooled engine delivers 6.9kW power, 11Nm torque and 67km/l
  • Steel frame, USD forks, twin rear shocks and 12-inch diameter tyres
  • Wet weight of 107kg, with wheelbase of 1155mm and 775mm seat height
  • All lighting is premium LED

 

After the modern-day success of the sharp-suited MSX125, which proved the desire for a funky, pocket-sized town run-around, it was time for the Monkey name to return, reborn and ready for life in the 21st century city.

Naturally the classic Monkey style had to provide the cues for the new model. A trapezoid silhouette highlights the compact length, while adding depth and substance to its stance. Simple, curved surfaces are designed independently of each other and feature throughout.

The glossy 5.6L fuel tank, finished in the same paint colour as the frame, swing arm and rear shocks, crowns the machine, and proudly wears a historical 3-D Old Wing design Honda logo. Chromed steel high-level front and rear mudguards – plus the evocatively-stamped exhaust shield, circular mirrors and high-rise handlebars – all pay homage to the original.

Modern technology is fully present within the evocative reincarnation of the classic look: a digital full-LCD circular meter features speedometer (which winks playfully when the ignition is turned on), odometer with two trip meters and six-segment fuel level indicator; all lighting is LED; the ‘wave’ pattern key (which also wears the Old Wing motif) features an ‘answer back’ system that makes the lights flash at the push of a button to allow easy location in crowded car parks; the single channel ABS system operates with an IMU to mitigate rear ‘lift’ under strong braking.

As for the power unit, true to its origins, the Monkey’s horizontal SOHC 125cc single-cylinder engine is simple, robust and tuned to deliver useful about-town performance. Air-cooled, with bore and stroke of 52.4 x 57.9mm and compression ratio of 9.3:1, fed by PGM-FI, it produces 6.9kW @ 7,000rpm and 11Nm @ 5,250rpm. The gearbox is 4-speed and the engine returns fuel economy of 67km/l (WMTC mode).

The Monkey’s steel backbone frame has been tuned for a suitable balance between rigidity and supple feel – perfect for the wide variety of conditions the machine is sure to be ridden in. Oval in cross-section, the swingarm echoes the circular design theme that runs through the bike.

Wheelbase is set at 1155mm, with rake and trail of 25°/82mm and a minimum turning radius of just 1.9m. Wet weight is a mere 107kg, with a seat height of 775mm. The plush seat is made of high-density urethane for maximum comfort.

USD front forks wear a premium Alumite finish and are matched by dual rear shocks with 104mm of axle travel. Maximum ground clearance is 160mm. A single 220mm front disc and 190mm rear provide secure stopping performance, managed by the IMU-based ABS. Fat 12-inch block pattern tyres make for a smooth ride and are sized 120/80-12 65J front and 130/80-12 69J rear.

The 2018 Monkey 125 will be available in three colour schemes:

  • Banana Yellow/Ross White
  • Pearl Nebula Red/Ross White
  • Pearl Shining Black/Ross White

The monkey bike is expected to arrive to us here in Ireland in mid -late summer 2018. Pricing will be announced prior to arrival.

Register your interest with your local dealer today.

 

Marc Marquez’s first victory for 2018

Marc Marquez scored an awesome first victory of 2018, moving himself into second position in the World Championship. Honda’s second victory of the year also extended the company’s advantage in the Constructors World Championship. During his victory lap Marquez carried a number 69 flag to pay tribute to Honda’s 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden, who last year lost his life in a cycling accident.

Following 2018’s season-opening three flyaway races in Qatar, Argentina and the USA, the MotoGP paddock packs up and heads to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez on May 6.

Gagne to lead the charge for Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team at Assen

The fast and famous TT Circuit Assen hosts round four of the 2018 WorldSBK season this weekend where Jake Gagne will lead the charge for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team at their home race.

Coming off the back of his best race weekend at Aragon, Gagne will be the sole rider for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team as Leon Camier recovers from injuries sustained in an incident in Race 1 at Aragon. The Assen round is very much the home event for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, who are based in Nieuwleusen in the Netherlands – just a short drive from the Assen circuit.

For Gagne, Assen is one of the venues on the WorldSBK calendar where he has enjoyed previous success, with the American rider winning a Red Bull Rookies race at the 4.5 kilometre long circuit in 2010. More recent experience came in the form of a private test at the circuit with the team last month, meaning Gagne is well prepared heading into the weekend.

The first session of the Assen WorldSBK round, Free Practice 1 starts at 0945 local time (GMT +2) with the two races taking place at 1300 local time on Saturday and Sunday. The current weather forecast suggest fine and warm weather for the entire race weekend.

Tune into Ireland’s DEEP ATLANTIC

If you’re a Honda marine fan you will want to tune into RTÉ One this Sunday, April 22nd 2018.

Ireland’s DEEP ATLANTIC sees underwater cameraman Ken O’Sullivan embark on a series of voyages out into the open North Atlantic in search of large whales, sharks and cold water coral reefs 3,000 down on Ireland’s deep seabed.

The two-part series will document many of these creatures’ behaviour for the first time in any TV programme and investigate the health of our deep Atlantic waters.

This is an area inhabited by the largest animals ever to have lived on Earth, by some of the most beautiful, strangest looking, resilient and fascinating life forms on the planet and ecosystems.

We’re very happy to say that 2 x Honda BF100 outboards were used in getting Ken and the crew out hundreds of kilometres offshore to film this groundbreaking series.

We’re looking forward to tuning in! Ireland’s DEEP ATLANTIC air’s Sunday 22nd & 29th of April at 9.30pm on RTÉ One.

See more information on the Honda Marine Range

Photo Credit: Seafever Productions/Ken O’Sullivan

Extracts from: https://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/955055-irelands-deep-atlantic/

The 2018 Honda Goldwing now available in Ireland

The wait is over! The all new 2018 Honda Goldwing is now available in Ireland!

The Honda Gold Wing, since its introduction as a naked 1000cc machine in 1975 has always been the ultimate in two-wheeled travel. And it’s a motorcycle that’s been very much on its own journey, growing in physical size and displacement over the decades, all the while creating an enduring and unrivalled reputation for luxury, quality and comfort.

Now, in response to the evolutions of demographics and the motorcycle market, the development team in charge of the bike’s future have decided on a radical departure from what would be a traditional update trajectory.

So for 2018 the GL1800 Gold Wing takes a new direction and is brand new from the wheels-up. It still has an evocative, flat six-cylinder engine that delivers an avalanche of torque and power, and it still remains Honda’s flagship premium tourer, loaded with features that allow two people to ride in style. Yet it’s smaller, much lighter and much more agile – very much a true ‘rider’s motorcycle’.

And as a result the new Gold Wing’s appeal is broader, reaching out to a younger generation of motorcyclists that may have overlooked – or simply not been aware of – the previous design. As happy on an urban commute as it is the open road, the Gold Wing is now a bike for all reasons, rather than just one.

Colours:

  • Candy Argent Red and Pearl Glare White Candy Argent Red
  • Darkness Black and Darkness Black metallic

Prices:

  • Price ABS: €32,500.00
  • Price DCT: €36,000.00

To order your own Honda Goldwing visit your local Honda Dealership, find yours here

Read more about the Honda Goldwing here

Cal Crutchlow wins MotoGP in Argentina

Cal Crutchlow, riding for LCR Honda on a CASTROL RC213V took MotoGP victory yesterday for the third time in his career. He secured Honda’s 750th Grand Prix victory at the end of a thrilling battle with Frenchman Johann Zarco and Spaniard Alex Rins at Termas de Rio Hondo.

The Argentine Grand Prix was less successful for Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team RC213V) and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team RC213V), who had dominated practice and were both expected to be in the battle for victory.

Pedrosa started from the front row, only to fall on the first lap, following an incident with Zarco. Marquez started from the second row and rode at an astonishing pace but finished outside the points after suffering several penalties.

The second round of Grand Prix racing’s 70th season was certainly worthy of history – it was a thriller from start to finish. The 24-lap race got underway late, due to changing track conditions that caused 23 of the 24 riders to leave the grid to switch to slick tires. The race finally got underway on a track that was still damp in many places from earlier rain. Marquez took the lead on the second lap, riding at amazing speed, despite the treacherous conditions. However, he was given a ride-through penalty for a grid infringement, which dropped him out of the fight.

That left a four-way contest for the lead between Crutchlow, Zarco, Rins and pole-starter Jack Miller, who later faded to leave the other three swapping positions until the very end. Crutchlow rode a superb race, saving his tires at the back of the group and only pushing forward in the final stages, when each of the trio took turns in the lead. His winning advantage over Zarco was just 0.251 seconds, with Rins a further two seconds back.

This was the 32-year-old Briton’s third MotoGP victory, all with Honda RC213V machinery, following his successes in the 2016 Czech and Australian Grands Prix.

 

40 years of the Honda Lawnmower

The Honda Lawnmower is 40!

2018 marks 40 years of the Honda lawnmower!

In the 1970’s when developing the Honda lawnmower engineers strived to create a machine that would last ten – twenty years, keeping up with the reliable high quality reputation Honda had for their motorbikes and cars already. They undertook a extensive study on lawnmower markets in Europe, the type of grass growing within European countries, what competitor models were available and how much they were.

The HR21, Honda’s first walk-behind lawn mower, was launched in August 1978 in overseas markets including the U.S. The high-quality lawn mower equipped with a vertical engine, which ensured quiet operation and significantly easier starting, received rave reviews for its outstanding performance, safety and durability. Sales were strong from the start, growing steadily to the point that in 1985, when sister models were introduced,

Today, in 2018 the Honda lawnmower range in Ireland has over 16 models available, with a wide range deck sizes, engine power and features. The range boasts reliable performance, low engine noise, easy starts and excellent after-sales service.

Here’s to 40 more!