We’re going APE for the Monkey Bike!

It’s finally arrived, and we couldn’t be more excited!

The 2018 Monkey bike has arrived in Ireland. The Honda Monkey bike is perhaps most widely known as a groovy icon of the 1970s, but it first saw the light of day in 1961. Originally developed as a 49cc child’s plaything for Tama Tech, an amusement park in Tokyo, it proved so popular that a road-going version was developed.

Its popularity was based on a cute, instantly-likable design, tiny dimensions and ultra light weight – which made it a whole load of fun around town.

By 1978 – a point that marked the start of real prime time for the Monkey – the machine had been re-styled with a teardrop style fuel tank, and became hugely popular with legions of RV (Recreational Vehicle) drivers in need of convenient transport to use once they were parked up. And this is where and when the cheeky Monkey really cemented its place in millions of hearts; with its 3-speed gearbox and centrifugal clutch (which needed no ‘traditional’ motorcycle skill to operate) it gave thousands of riders their first experience of twisting the throttle on a powered two wheeler.

Because it was so much fun, and so easy to ride, it did more to sell the concept of motorcycles to a wider public than perhaps any other machine. With its chunky tyres, mini-‘ape’ style handlebars, miniscule fuel tank and big, squashy seat the Monkey look is unmistakably of its time, but – just like the affection in which it is held – also timeless.

Now in 2018, 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.

2018 Monkey Features:

  • 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

The 2018 is available in three different colours:

Banana Yellow/Ross White

Pearl Nebula Red/Ross White

Pearl Shining Black/Ross White

 

The Honda Monkey bike is now available in your local Honda Motorcycle dealership, priced at €4400.

You can read the full specification for the Monkey here.

2018 Honda Forza soon to arrive in Ireland

Honda’s Forza 300 scooter is completely reborn in lightweight, compact, sporty form, with an enhanced specification including electrically adjustable screen, full LED lighting and optional 45-litre Smart Key-linked top box. It also gains Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) – a first for a Honda scooter – and smart new instrumentation.

The 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.

Key features:

  • Adjustable electric screen controlled from the left handlebar
  • Revised dash offers a mix of analogue and digital information
  • Room for two full-face helmets under the seat
  • Full LED lighting
  • Sharp new lines create a sportier, ‘svelte’ new look
  • Completely new tubular steel frame, 12kg lighter wet weight
  • Shorter in wheelbase with sharper steering geometry
  • Much more compact dimensions paired with raised seat height
  • Both wheels cast aluminium, the rear now 14-inch diameter
  • Faster acceleration, higher top speed and improved fuel efficiency
  • Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) standard equipment
  • Can be turned ON-OFF from a switch on the left handlebar

We are expecting the Forza 300 to land here in Ireland in August – September 2018, you can get yours at your local Honda Motorcycle Dealership once landed.

 

 

 

The history of Honda

Honda is now one of the most recgonisable brands worldwide. And we’re proud to be flying the Honda flag here in Ireland, but how did the company become so famous?

Let have a look at how Honda went from bicycles to jets, in ony 70 years:

Early Years:

  • 1906: Soichiro Honda is born. Born a blacksmith’s son in a small village near Mount Fuji, Soichiro Honda is fascinated by machines and helps out in his father’s bicycle repair business.
  • 1922: Soichiro Honda leaves school and heads to Tokyo where he is apprenticed as a trainee mechanic. After six years, he returns home and opens his own garage.
  • 1937: Honda’s first company – Tokai Seiki is founded by Soichiro to produce piston rings. It grows, but suffers the double whammy of a wartime bombing raid and a devastating earthquake in quick succession. The shattered remnants of the business are sold and with the proceeds a new company is founded: Honda Technical Research Institute.
  • 1947: Honda Type A – The original motor-bicycle is developed further. It is clever, stylish and popular. Within months, the Honda-designed motor is being built on its first conveyor line.
  • 1948: Honda Motor Company is born. Soichiro Honda takes on a business partner, Takeo Fujisawa, and together they create a new company. Socihiro will be the product developer and Fujisawa-san brings the necessary business nous. The company has 34 employees but one shared dream.
  • 1949: The first new Honda. The first motorcycle fully designed and developed by Honda from the ground-up is, fittingly, called the ‘Dream’ D-type.

The 1950’s – Going global fast:

  • 1955: Reaching number 1 – Honda becomes the biggest motorcycle brand in Japan. Today, it is the biggest motorcycle brand in the world with production facilities all over the globe.
  • 1956: Think global, act local. The guiding ideals that still shape Honda to this day are formed. The company principle is enshrined: “Maintaining a global viewpoint, we are dedicated to supplying products of the highest quality yet at a reasonable price for worldwide customer satisfaction.”
  • 1958: A Super-star is born. The Honda Super Cub is a simple, affordable motorcycle for the world. More than simply super by name, its direct descendent remains in production today. Bringing affordable mobility to the masses, it’s the best-selling motorised transport ever. Maybe also the most significant?
  • 1959: The American dream – The world’s biggest motorcycle brand begins sales overseas for the first time, in the USA. American Honda Motor Co. Inc. is established in Los Angeles.
The new Honda Super Cub – re imagined for 2018 but close to it’s roots.

The 1960’s – dreams lead to winning:

  • 1960: Researching the dream – A dedicated Honda R&D company is created as a sister company to the Honda Motor Co. Ltd. You might call it Soichiro’s dream factory.
  • 1961: TT triumphs – Soichiro said success is 99 percent failure. Our debut at the Isle of Man TT races is a disappointment, but we don’t give up. Two years later, we return, and dominate. It’s our first taste of international racing success, and far from our last: by 1965, we’re winning in F1 Grand Prix racing too.
  • 1962: Global production – Flush with TT motorbike success, we open our first overseas production facility at Aalst, Belgium, to meet growing demand for our motorcycles. We have been building in Europe longer than you think.
  • 1963: From two wheels to four – Honda begins selling cars and commercial vehicles. The tough T360 mini-truck is admired. The deft S500 sports car is swooned over.
  • 1964: Honda’s racing ambition – Only one year after becoming a car manufacturer, Honda takes the audacious step of entering the motor racing arena. The decision to make our own chassis and engine is soon rewarded and in 1965, in Mexico, Richie Ginther takes us to our maiden victory.
  • 1967: The tiny Honda miracle – So cute, so clever. The N360 city car, with its sweet-revving air-cooled engine, begins Honda’s passenger car success story.

The 1970’s – Keeping busy, very busy:

  • 1972: Right car, right time – The compact, front-wheel drive Civic is a car perfect for the 1970s. 10 generations and 24 million sales later, it remains as relevant and popular as ever.
  • 1973: Honda founders retire – Honda co-founders Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa retire after 25 years’ leadership and take up advisory positions on the board of directors. Soichiro would remain an eager observer of his company until his passing in 1991.
  • 1975: No smoking please – We launched the amazing CVCC engine in North America. Its combustion cycle is so efficient that it exceeds the tough, new clean-air regulations without the need for an exhaust catalyser. It’s a sensation.
  • 1976: Growing up- Honda’s first medium-sized car, the Accord, is revealed. It’s offered initially as a four-door saloon and three-door hatchback. Later, a five-door hatchback would follow, along with a coupe version, which we call the Prelude.
  • 1979: Building bridges – Honda commences a fruitful 15 year partnership with BL to share technology, co-develop and build cars in Europe. Other collaborations have followed, although we remain fiercely proud of our independent spirit and ‘no compromise’ original thinking.

The 1980’s – going high tech:

  • 1981: On the map – Did you know it was Honda that invented the world’s first map-based car navigation system? The Honda Electro Gyrocator is offered on Japanese-market Accords, more than a decade before GPS sat nav systems were introduced.
  • 1982: Living in America – Honda began producing motorcycles in the USA in 1979. In 1982, it becomes the first Japanese brand to produce cars in the US. The Ohio factory is later joined by plants in Canada and Mexico. Today the Ohio plant has now passed it’s 20 million vehicle mark.
  • 1986: Legend-ary – The first Honda luxury car is launched – along with, in the USA, a new brand to sell it under: Acura. This makes Honda the first Japanese car company to launch a standalone premium division.
  • 1988: A Honda F1 masterclass – Never before or since has anyone dominated an F1 season like this. The McLaren-Hondas win 15 out of 16 races, the team takes the Constructors’ Championship, Ayrton Senna is 1988 F1 World Champion and his team-mate Alain Prost is runner-up. Why not 16 out of 16? Well, nobody’s perfect…

The 1990’s – a decade of icons:

  • 1992: Built in Europe – Two new Honda factories in Europe open for business. The UK factory in Swindon builds the Accord and a plant in Gebize, Turkey begins production of the Civic. Today, Swindon has become the global home of the five-door Civic hatchback.
  • 1995: Four-wheel strive – An iconic Honda is launched: the CR-V, or Compact Recreational Vehicle. The pioneering compact SUV won instant acclaim and, today, is the world’s best-selling SUV. Honda follows it up in 1999 with the smaller HR-V – High-Riding Vehicle.
  • 1998: Happy birthday, Honda – We decide to build ourselves a birthday present, to mark our first half-century. What else could it be, but a two-seat sports car? The high-revving S2000 brings the S500’s original roadster spirit right up to date.
  • 1999: Insight into the future – Our engineers are not just focused on the past. The Insight was our first petrol-electric hybrid, a car with unbelievably low CO2. It was another Honda first: the first hybrid car offered for sale in Europe.

The 2000’s – Robots & racing: 

  • 2000: ASIMO waves hello – The first ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative MObility) humanoid robot appears and becomes one of Honda’s most famous celebrities.
  • 2001: R is for racing – The Civic Type R performance hot hatch is launched in Europe. Its reputation quickly grows, and word gets out. It is later exported to enthusiast customers all around the world. Three further generations have followed, with the latest debuting in 2017.
  • 2002: Joining the Jazz club – The clever Jazz supermini is launched. With a fuel tank in the middle, it offers unheralded space efficiency. Ingenious rear Magic Seats exemplify the Honda ‘man maximum, machine minimum’ philosophy in the most creative way.
  • 2003: Ad-vanced Honda – The Honda ‘Cog’ TV advert airs in Europe. It becomes one of the most highly regarded advertising films ever. It launches the new Accord which is offered with the i-CTDi engine, Honda’s first-ever in-house diesel.7
  • 2006: Honda’s hydrogen hero – Honda engineers have long dreamt of a hydrogen-powered future with its promise of no exhaust emissions and no need for recharging. The 2006 FCX Clarity was a landmark new car launch: the fist commercially available hydrogen fuel cell car.

 

Today – breaking records: 

  • 2014: Riding high – Total global sales of Honda motorcycles and scooters reach the colossal total of 300 million. The big numbers continue: just a year later, we take our 700th Grand Prix win in motorcycle racing.
  • 2015: Honda takes off – Soichiro’s ultimate dream is realised: the first production HondaJet takes to the skies. The six-passenger executive jet boasts a range of over 2,200km and, with a top speed of 782km/h, is the fastest Honda ever built.
  • 2016: Motoring milestone – Honda car production hits 100 million. Did Soichiro ever dream so many cars bearing his name would be built?
  • 2017: Advanced and Sporty – Honda reveals the new NSX, a high-tech supercar that, like the original, is ahead of its time. It’s a hybrid supercar with a V6 petrol engine and three electric motors. A few months later the NSX is joined by a new Civic Type R; It’s so quick and composed, it sets a new benchmark lap time around the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany.
  • 2018:  2018 marks 40 years of the Honda Lawnmower on sale and 70 years of the Power of Dreams.  Honda is 70. It’s been quite a story so far. Where will the next seven decades take us?

 

Credit: World of Honda UK. Images: Google images.

Marquez takes title at Sachsenring

Marc Marquez perfectly mastered a tactical race to take a stellar ninth straight win at the Sachsenring, after starting from pole position.

The reigning World Champion saved his tyres while following Danilo Petrucci and Jorge Lorenzo in the early phases, took the lead on lap 13 when he decided it was time to try and pull a gap and—in the latter stages of the race, when tyre consumption increased—managed his advantage.

Looking strictly at the numbers, today Marc took a second consecutive win from pole, his fifth victory this season, his 40th MotoGP success, and his 66th across three classes, extending his Championship lead over Valentino Rossi to 46 points with 10 races remaining. In addition, his ninth win at Sachsenring came after nine consecutive poles here, and in his 99th MotoGP race, at the season’s ninth round.

Never really comfortable with his bike’s setup during the weekend, Dani Pedrosa could only improve upon his starting-grid spot by two positions, ending the race in eighth place.

Now the Repsol Honda Team will enjoy a two-week break before heading to Brno for the Czech GP on 5 August.

 

Credit: HRC News

Dani Pedrosa announces retirement

Dani Pedrosa, of the Repsol Honda Team, has announced his retirement at the end of the 2018 season. At 4pm on Thursday 12/7/2018 at the German GP, the three-time World Champion ended speculation about his future and made the decision public, bringing his successful 18-year career to an end.

One of the most successful riders of all time, Pedrosa has the third most podiums, 54 wins and three World Championships to date before he prepares to hang up his leathers.

“Next year I won’t compete in the Championship, I’ll finish my career in MotoGP this season. It’s a decision I’ve thought about for a long time and it’s a hard decision because this is the sport I love but despite having good opportunities to keep racing, I feel like I don’t live racing with the same intensity as before and I now have different priorities in my life.”

“I would like to express how fortunate I feel to have had this experience and these opportunities in my life, it’s been an amazing life to have been racing for such an important team and in front of all the fans. I achieved way more than I expected and I’m very, very proud of what I’ve done in the sport. I’ve fulfilled my dream of becoming a racer and that’s something that I didn’t expect when I was a kid watching TV, watching riders in the World Championship. I would like to take this time to say thanks to Dorna and to Honda for giving me this opportunity way back in 1999, and to all my sponsors who’ve been with me throughout my career. I would like also to say thanks to my family, and to all the fans who supported me throughout my career and through the thick and thin, who helped me sending so many messages to overcome difficult things in the past.”

As we previously reported, Dani Pedrosa will be replaced by Jorge Lorenzo for 2019. 

For now we’ve got the German GP to keep us entertained. The action kicks off at Sachsenring this weekend.

Credit: MotoGP News

Keeping your Honda Marine Outboard in it’s best condition

You’ve invested in a Honda Marine outboard engine and you’re all set for the water, how do you keep that outboard in the best condition possible?

Follow our easy guide:

  • Correct service intervals: Read your Owners Manual and know when your outboard is due it’s regular service at the correct intervals. If you use your outboard engine in demanding or commercial conditions it may need more frequent servicing. Your dealer can tell you more about this.
  • Use the professionals: Your Honda Marine Authorised Dealer is best placed to maintain and repair your machine on a regular, ongoing basis. We advise that any maintenance or repair be performed by the dealer you bought the equipment from, because they know it better than anyone else.
  • Genuine Parts: To make sure you get the best quality and reliability, we recommend you use only new Honda genuine parts.
  • Always check the oil level before you start the outboard
  • Listen for irregular sounds upon starting.
  • Check that the water to be used for engine cooling is flowly freely
  • Check the propeller and cotter pin are secure
  • Check that all bolts and fastenings are tight and the engine is secured to the boat.
  • Check the anode
  • Check the fuel lines
  • Check the emergency stop switch
  • Check the tightness of the battery cable and connection
  • Check for coolant leaks after use
  • Always thoroughly rinse off, or flush out salt water with clean fresh water to stop corrosion.
  • Grease the engine lubrication points
  • If you’re storing the engine for a long time, disconnect the battery and drain any fuel that’s left in the tank.
  • If your Honda is for commercial use, long hours of work may determine more frequent maintenance checks.

There’s nothing better than heading out on the open water, make sure you don’t get caught out by following the list above. if you ever have any outboard queries your Local Honda Marine Dealer can assist you.

Explore the range of Honda Outboards here. 

 

 

A campsite in every county – a list of campsites in Ireland

No one has enjoyed the heatwave that we’ve had here in Ireland more than us here in Honda HQ. A couple of the team headed off camping last weekend and it got us thinking where would you go if you were headed on a camping weekend to Kerry, Waterford or Donegal?

We’ve complied a list of campsites for each of our twenty six counties that might be worth the visit, we’re planning ourselves as we type!

Carlow: 

Raven’s Rest, Ballysallagh Upper, Hacketstown, Co. Carlow

Cavan:

Wildflower Camping, Gartbrattan, Killykeen, Cavan, H12D993

Clare:

Strand Camping Doonbeg, Killard Rd, Doonbeg, Co. Clare

Cork:

Blarney Caravan and Camping Park, Curraghnalaght, Blarney, Co. Cork

Donegal:

Wild Atlantic Camp, Main St, Creeslough, Co. Donegal

Dublin:

North Beach Caravan Park, North Beach, Rush, Co. Dublin

Galway:

Clifden ecoBeach Camping & Caravanning Park, Claddaghduff Road, Leagaun, Clifden, Co. Galway

Kerry:

Glenross Caravan & Camping Park, Ring of Kerry, Curraheen Little, Co. Kerry

Kildare:

Forest Farm, Dublin Rd, Ardscull, Athy, Co. Kildare

Kilkenny:

Tree Grove, New Ross Road, Kilkenny, Co. Kikenny

Laois:

Laois Camping, Mountrath Rd, Clondouglas, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Leitrim:

Battlebridge Caravan & Camping Park, Lustia, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim

Limerick:

Adare Camping and Caravan Park, Drehidtrasna, Adare, Co. Limerick

Longford:

Bramblewick House Campground, Kilnashee, Drumlish, Co. Longford, N39 FW63

Louth:

Gyles Quay Caravan & Camping Park, Gyles Quay, Riverstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Mayo:

Belleek Park Caravan & Camping, Farrannoo, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Meath:

Loughcrew Caravan and Camping Park, Drumsawry, Oldcastle, Co. Meath

Monaghan:

Poor old Monaghan, nowhere to hit with the camper van or tent!

Offaly:

Lough Boora Discovery Park, Boora Leabeg, Lea Beg, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Roscommon:

Lough Key Caravan & Camping Park, Rockingham Demesne, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

Sligo:

Greenlands Caravan and Camping Park, Rosses Point Village, Rosses Point, Co. Sligo

Tipperary:

Ballinacourty House Caravan and Camping Park, Ballynacourty, Tipperary

Waterford:

Newtown Cove Caravan & Camping Park, Newtown Rd, Newtown, Tramore, Co. Waterford

Westmeath:

Lough Ree East Caravan And Campin, Ballaghkeeran Little, Ballykeeran, Co. Westmeath

Wexford:

The Trading Post, R741, Ballinamona, Ballaghkeeen Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Y21WIR8

Wicklow:

Moat Farm Caravan & Camping Park, Donard Demesne West, Donard, Co. Wicklow

Honda provide a full range of domestic generators ideal for camping. Ideal for charging portable electronics or powering the kettle to make the perfect cup of tea.

Visit your local Honda dealer to get yours.

The benefits of grass mulching

A lot of our Honda lawnmowers have in-built mulching capabilities, and you’ve heard on the grapevine that mulching is good for your garden – but how exactly? Let’s investigate:

What is mulch?

In the case of mulching lawn mowers, the mulch consists of grass clippings from the cut grass. The clippings are cut into fine pieces that fall easily to the soil surface. There, they can be rapidly broken down by soil microorganisms, which release nutrients from the mulched plant material back into the soil.

Why should I mulch instead of  using the grassbag ?

It’s good for your garden:

Mulching enhances the health and growth of the grass by reducing evaporation of moisture from the lawn and keeping soil temperature cooler. This coupled with our usual Irish climate means the grass becomes much healthier.

In addition, it has been estimated that mulched clippings, which are 85 percent water and five percent nitrogen, can provide up to 25 percent of fertilizer needs for an average garden.

It’s good for the environment:

Mulching keeps grass clippings out of landfills and dumps. In the USA Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the grass cuttings make up approximately 13 percent (or 28 million tons) of the national waste stream.

It’s good for you:

Mulching takes less time than collecting, because you don’t have to stop to empty the bag. This makes it much easier when doing the garden, particularly if you’ve a large area.

How do I avoid clumps?

Clumps aren’t the ideal look for your garden, and when left on the surface of the grass, clumps also can damage the growth underneath. Fortunately, Honda makes it easy to avoid clumping.

Honda’s exclusive twin blade systems cut grass clippings into tiny pieces. The blades make not one, but two cuts along each blade of grass. This results in smaller pieces that naturally mulch better.

Smaller clippings fall more rapidly to the soil surface and are less likely to clump. The smaller the clipping, the better your grass will look.

What about if the grass is too tall or wet?

This is a common problem. Wet or tall grass can result in clumping. Grass with a high moisture content can also have this problem at times.

Many customers find that they can mulch successfully when using a Honda mower, even in wet or tall grass. Honda mowers offer superior mulching design, and our twin blade system often makes a bag unnecessary.

If your garden conditions are really severe, try a Honda HRX mower. The HRX series offers our patented Versamow System, which enables you to both mulch and bag simultaneously. You can incrementally adjust the amount of grass being mulched until clumps disappear. While you may have to bag some clippings, you will still be able to get some of the benefits of mulching – and you’ll reduce the number of times you will have to empty the bag.

Versamow gives you the flexibility to mulch without sacrificing the appearance of your lawn.

For more information on the Honda Lawnmower range you can explore online or speak to your local Authorised Honda Lawn and Garden Dealer.

 

Repsol and Honda renew MotoGP alliance to reach 25 year anniversary in 2019

The Spanish energy company and the Japanese manufacturer extend their contract through to 2020 and consolidate the most successful relationship in motorcycle racing history.

Repsol and Honda have extended their contract in MotoGP for a further two years, thus consolidating an alliance based on technological collaboration and commemorating its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2019.

In 1995, Repsol and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) joined forces for a project that will be next year celebrating a quarter-century in motorcycle racing. Since then, the energy company and vehicle manufacturer have won 13 rider World Championships in the premier class and taken 163 Grand Prix wins, the most recent coming this past weekend at the Dutch TT through Marc Márquez.

Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Communications and the Chairman’s Office, Begoña Elices, and HRC President Yoshishige Nomura, signed the extension of the agreement, through which Repsol will continue to be the main sponsor of the Honda factory team in MotoGP and the supplier of the fuel and lubricant used by their bikes -unique prototypes to which technological excellence, products and the innovation of both companies is transferred.

For the 2019 season, current World Championship leader Márquez will team with Jorge Lorenzo. Between the two they have won seven of the last eight MotoGP titles, with the exception being that won by Casey Stoner with Repsol Honda in 2011.

The collaboration between Repsol and Honda goes beyond conventional sports sponsorship and is reflected in a close relationship between the Honda laboratories in Saitama (Japan) and the Repsol Technology Center, which is located in Móstoles (Spain).

This long term teamwork is an example of the enduring collaboration between two global companies that always seek to overcome challenges and aspire to excellence. Repsol and Honda have been able to make the most of their strengths and achieve a winning formula, which is based on the combination of bike, rider, fuel and lubricant.

In the 1990s, the collaboration began with the development of two-stroke engines and fuel, moving on to the challenge of developing the best four-stroke engines and fuels in the world.

More than half of the premier class world titles won since 1995 have gone to the Repsol Honda team. In addition, the Repsol-Honda collaboration has led to the winning of the Team Championship on seven occasions since the award was created in 2002. A record of 163 wins and 419 podiums in 500cc and MotoGP has been reached thanks to riders such as Mick Doohan, Álex Crivillé, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Marc Márquez.

The team with the most recognisable colours in the MotoGP World Championship will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Repsol and Honda’s relationship in 2019, an event that coincides with the 50th anniversary of the energy company as a sports sponsor.

 

Credit: HRC News 2018

The all new Super Cub 125

Honda has unveiled the all new Super Cub 125, the legendary machine dates back to 1958, when the original was designed by Soichiro Honda and his long-time business partner Takeo Fujisawa, its stated aim was straightforward: ‘to provide the joy of playing a useful part in people’s lives’.

The Super Cub C125 marks a new page in the unique story of a vehicle with such universal appeal that it has been sold in over 160 countries, and with such an instantly-recognisable look that it was the first vehicle in Japan to be granted a 3 dimensional trademark.

While the look does not deviate from the classic template, an increase in power and torque thanks to its 125cc engine helps keep the Super Cub ahead of city traffic; its automatic centrifugal clutch has also been upgraded to match the output boost and give ultra-smooth, quiet gear changes.

The steel frame too, has been optimised with a tuned rigidity balance that maintains the Super Cub’s famously welcoming usability. Longer travel front and rear suspension, 17-inch cast aluminium wheels and disc front brake deliver a supple, confident ride with strong stopping power. Full LED lighting brings a modern touch, the Smart Key day-to-day convenience.

Pearlescent paint highlights the evocative design of the Super Cub C125, which will be available in the following options:

  • Pearl Niltava Blue
  • Pearl Nebula Red

Features;

  • A subtle evolution of the classic clean and timeless Super Cub style, plus full LED lighting
  • Easy to use, with comfortable riding position and smooth, stable handling
  • Longer travel suspension, 17-inch front/rear wheels and front disc brake; single channel ABS
  • Honda Smart Key with ‘answer-back’ function for day-to-day convenience

 

The Honda Super Cub is expected to arrive in Ireland in Autumn 2018.

You can register your interest with any Irish Honda Motorcycle Dealership now!