Masterful Marquez takes first Thai win

It was another master-class race for Championship leader Marc Marquez, who took the first MotoGP win ever in Thailand in front of a cheering, enthusiast crowd of more than 100.000 spectators. Marc’s seventh victory of the season is also the 68th of his career, putting him equal with Jorge Lorenzo as the fifth-most winning rider across all classes. It was a hat-track weekend for the Spaniard, who earned pole position, set the lap record and earned the victory.

Marc’s win came down to the last corner of the last lap, thanks to a thrilling battle with title contender Andrea Dovizioso. The points scenario makes the next round, the Grand Prix of Japan, the first match point for the MotoGP Title.

On the other side of the garage, a crash at turn five on lap 18 was a true shame for Dani Pedrosa, as it ended what until then had been his best race of the season; Pedrosa was charging forward from the back, with hopes of launching himself into the podium battle.

Credit: HRC News

Lessons from Europe for Triple M Honda World Superbike Team

The Triple M Honda World Superbike team finished the European rounds of what is a rookie season for both team and rider in the WorldSBK Championship with important lessons learned for the final two rounds of the year.

The challenges of the Magny-Cours circuit were new for the Triple M team and PJ Jacobsen, and after Friday practice, Jacobsen qualified 17th of 21 riders on the grid, after Superpole 1 on Saturday morning.

The opening race took place at 13.00, the Sunday race at the new normal of 15.15, with each lasting for 21-laps of the 4.411km circuit in the very heart of the French countryside.

Moving up to 15th position in race one, a position he held from lap three to lap six; PJ would eventually drop down one place to finish 16th, and just one position away from scoring a championship point.

The second race, held in only slightly warmer conditions, saw PJ ride behind his countryman Jake Gagne for a time, ending up 17th and again just missing a championship point.

After 11 of the 13 rounds, PJ sits 19th overall in the championship standings.

WorldSBK will hold the next round in Argentina for the very first time, at the all-new El Villicum circuit, between 12th and 14th October.

October Savings from Honda Ireland

You can save big this October with Honda Ireland!

We’ve got discounts on our popular TRX500 Quad range and selected Lawn and Garden equipment!

Check them out below:

SAVE €2000 on the TRX500 Range

We’re currently offering €2000 off on the Honda TRX500FM6, TRX500FE2 and  TRX500FA6! Aswell as this lump sum we’re also offering 3% finance on the quad range giving you plenty of purchase options.

 

You can avail of these savings with any ATV Honda Dealership nationwide now!

 

SAVE €100 on selected Lawn and Garden Products 

We’re offering you savings on selected Lawn and Garden products in our end of season sale:

The Honda HRG536VYE was €899, and is now €799! 

The Honda HRG536VLE was €999, and is now €899!

The Honda UMK425ELE was 449, and is now €349!

You can avail of these savings with any Lawn & Garden Honda Dealership nationwide now!

T&C: ATV savings valid until 31st October 2018. Lawn and Garden savings valid until 8th October 2018. Valid only while stocks last.

Magny-Cours awaits the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team

The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team heads to France’s Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours this weekend and is targeting a return to form at the final European round of the 2018 season.

After a challenging round last time out at Portimão, Leon Camier and Jake Gagne are aiming for more consistent performance on their CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 machines in France.

Camier is a fan of the French circuit and after some notable performances there in recent years, the Briton is confident of a resurgence this weekend. Gagne is also in high spirits as the American has shown strong race pace and has prior track experience of Magny-Cours after being drafted into the team for the French round last season.

Magny-Cours is defined by a mix of slow hairpin corners and quicker chicanes and sweeping corners. Overtaking opportunities aren’t as widespread as at some other circuits, although the Adelaide hairpin after the very fast first sector is one prime overtaking spot.

The eleventh round of the WorldSBK championship commences with Free Practice 1 at 0945 local time (GMT +2) on Friday. Race 1 will start at 1300 local time on Saturday, while Race 2 on Sunday kicks off at 1515.

Source: Media @ Red Bull Team

Simple tips to avoid problems caused by stale petrol

As we approach the colder months leaving petrol in your Honda product can cause problems. Follow our simple tips below to avoid problems caused by stale petrol:

  1. Know which type of petrol you should use. Regular unleaded 98, 95, 95 E5 or E10 can be used in Honda products. (E5 or E10 contins 5% or 10% ethanol.)

2. Do not use any petrol containing more than 10% ethanol. This will cause corrosion damage to fuel system components.

3. If your Honda product is used intermittently, e.g. more than 4 weeks between each use, use petrol treated with fuel stabiliser, at the time of purchase.  Don’t forget that fuel stabliser has a shelf life and once opened has a shelf life of 2 years.

4. Don’t add fuel stabiliser to try reconstitute or reinvigorate stale petrol. It must be added when the petrol is fresh.

5. Store petrol for a maximum period of one month – it will deteriorate if stored for any longer.

6. Add fuel stabiliser to petrol that is likely to be stored for any longer than one month.

7. Only use clean, sealed, approved fuel containers. These will be designed specifically to carry and store petrol.

8. If you use a steel container to store petrol, for example a jerrycan, ensure there is no corrosion on the inside of the container.

9. Store petrol in cool place away from direct sunlight.

10. Turn the fuel tap on your Honda product off when not being used.

11. Before using your Honda product check the engine oil level is correct and the air filter is clean.

12. Before winter storage, drain the petrol from the carburetor and fuel tank, referring to your owners manual on best procedure to do so.

 

 

 

Unmistakably race-bred CRF450L coming soon

The excitement levels are high here in Honda HQ – the 2019 Honda CRF450L is set to arrive to Irish shores in October!

It is unmistakably a race-bred CRF – and looks it – but with the additions and modifications needed to make it both road legal and supremely useable in a trail environment. The CRF450L is a complete package, as happy roosting trails as it is linking them up on-road. And with Honda engineering and build quality at its core, is sure to do so for years to come.

A true dual-purpose motorcycle should be many things; off-road it needs to be light weight, with quality suspension and handling ability that keeps life easy as the going gets harder. Its engine has to make good power and torque from the bottom up – the sort that is supremely usable, allowing the rider to find all the rear wheel grip possible, whatever the terrain.

All the attributes that make it great fun off-road also enable it to be really useful around town; narrow and nimble, a dual-purpose machine slips through gaps, soaks up the hits from rough roads and stays well ahead of traffic thanks to smart, low-gear acceleration. It also needs to be turn-key reliable, with sensible intervals between major service work.

This much anticipated model will arrive to Ireland in October 2018 and will be available from your local Honda Motorcycle Dealership. Prices are currently not confirmed.

Marquez wins spectacular Aragon battle to take his sixth win this season

On a sunny and hot Sunday at Aragon Marc Marquez took a gamble and won, choosing a soft rear tyre over a more familiar hard spec, in the end winning a fantastic three-way battle with title contender Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Lannone and extended his Championship lead to 72 points with five races to go in the 2018 MotoGP season.

Today’s brilliant success is not only Marc’s fifth at Aragon and sixth win this season, but also his 67th career victory and 41st in MotoGP, meaning that he is now tied with Mike Hailwood (41) for fourth place on the list of riders with the most GP wins with Honda, behind Jim Redman (45), Dani Pedrosa (54), and Mick Doohan (54).

Dani Pedrosa took a solid result in fifth place, displaying a good pace during the entire race and finishing close to the front group.

In less than two weeks the Repsol Honda Team will fly to Thailand for the first race in the Country to be held at the Buriram International Circuit.

Credit: HRC News

All new Honda Forza 125 is here

Honda Ireland are delighted to announce that the all new 2018 Forza 125 is now available in Honda Irish Motorcycle dealerships nationwide.

The main ingredients in the successful Forza 125 recipe remain unchanged for 2018: a 4-valve engine that combines class-leading performance with 490km-tank range fuel efficiency and Idling Stop; a lightweight chassis that balances high speed stability with around-town manoeuvrability; and a rich specification that includes LED lights, Smart Key, two helmet storage capacity, and riding comfort for two. The production facility is also unchanged – Honda’s ultramodern factory in Atessa, Italy.

But there are significant new additions to the mix. The specification and equipment rises yet another level: a new electric screen adjusts seamlessly and provides full wind protection or a stripped-down view ahead while revised instruments serve up extra information digitally, in support of the analogue dials. Both front and rear indicators are now LED, underseat storage space increases by 5.5 litres, while the Smart Key now also offers control of the optional 45-litre top box.

And then there’s a new level of sophistication to the Forza’s unique aesthetic appeal. Originally designed by the same stylist responsible for the head-turning NM4 Vultus, the lines remain bold and eye-catching, but now offer an even more modern, slightly smoother, more mature appeal.

Features: 

  • Adjustable electric screen controlled from the left handlebar
  • Revised dash offers a mix of analogue and digital information
  • LED indicators complement the LED headlight and taillight
  • The Smart Key also now operates an optional 45-litre top box
  • Refreshed design lines further enhance the premium feel
  • Four valve engine features Honda’s eSP technologies plus Idling Stop
  • Powerful and efficient, with strong performance throughout the rev range
  • 42.7km/l gives range of nearly 500km between fill ups
  • Steel frame, 33mm telescopic forks and preload adjustable twin shocks
  • Wet weight of just 162kg aids agility and ease of use
  • Cast aluminium wheels, front and rear disc brakes with ABS

The Forza 125 is priced at €5,600 and is available now. Find your closest Irish Authorised Honda Motorcycle dealership here.

‘Shorts with Sean’ Episode 4: Why Honda?

In our final installment of our mini series ‘Shorts with Sean’, shot with Honda ATV Brand Ambassador Sean O’Brien, we explore why Sean chooses Honda ATV’s for work on his farm.

Sean has been a Honda ATV enthusiast since he was a child and relies on the quad daily when working his family farm in Tullow, Co. Carlow.

Watch below and don’t forget to visit our Facebook page to enter our latest competition to win a Ireland Rugby Top!

Autumn Lawn and Garden offers at Honda

The Honda lawnmower turns 40 in 2018 and we’re celebrating.

Save on your favourite Lawn & Garden products this Autumn with Honda.

The Honda HRG536VYE was €899, and is now €799! 

The Honda HRG536VLE was €999, and is now €899!

The Honda UMK425ELE was 449, and is now €349!

Since 1978 we’ve been manufacturing the best name on grass.

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,

Offers can be availed of in your local Honda Lawn and Garden Dealership.

Terms and conditions apply. Offer is valid from September 10th until October 8th 2018. Offer only while stocks last. Valid in Honda Authorised Lawn and Garden dealerships only. €100 savings only valid o HRG535VLE, HRG536VYE and UMK425ELE. Not valid on any other Honda Lawn and Garden products. Honda reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time and without notice