Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team aims for gains on American roadtrip

The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team head to Laguna Seca this weekend where hometown hero Jake Gagne returns to the circuit he made his WorldSBK debut, while Leon Camier gets his first chance to ride the legendary American circuit on the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

At approximately 3.61 kilometres (2.223 miles) in length, the Laguna Seca circuit is the shortest on the WorldSBK calendar however packs numerous challenges within its 11 corners, including the ultra-fast Turn 1 and the world-famous Corkscrew which plunges almost twenty metres from entry to exit.

This circuit is where Gagne made his WorldSBK debut with the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team in 2017 where the American rider grabbed a pair of point-scoring finishes in a fine performance. With half a season of WorldSBK racing experience now under his belt, Gagne is aiming for his best race weekend of the year at a circuit he loves.

For Camier, the Laguna Seca round comes off the back of strong performances at Donington and Brno and with the summer break fast approaching, the British rider is aiming to move closer to the front runners at a circuit where the sublime handling and braking stability of the Fireblade should prove advantageous.

The WorldSBK action at the United States round starts this Friday at 0945 local time (GMT -7) with Free Practice 1. Race start on both Saturday and Sunday is at 1400 local time.

Credit: Media Team @ Red Bull Honda Wordl Superbike Team

Guide to Honda Motorcycle Technology

New to motorcycling? Or been riding bikes for years but just never knew what some of those abbreviations we use in our Motorcycle brochure means?

Well look no further & check our ultimate guide to Honda Motorcycling Technology:

DCT

Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) is an automated clutch and shift operation system that retains the direct acceleration feel of a manual transmission with the ease of use of an automatic. It basically allows you to forget about the gear changes and concentrate on steering, turning, accelerating and enjoying your trip.

ABS

Anti-Locking Braking System reduces braking pressure by monitoring the wheel speed, preventing the wheels from locking up.

HESD

The Honda Electronic Steering Dampener minimises sudden steering changes at high speeds for enhanced riding ease and comfort.

PFI

Programmed Fuel Injection is a map-type computerised system that maintains strong power and responsive performance in
all conditions.

HSTC

If the Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) system senses an imminent loss of rear wheel traction it reduces torque to allow the tyre to grip.

CBS

The Combined Brake System actuates both front and rear brakes when the rear brake pedal (or lever) is engaged, for a smooth and confident balance of braking control.

ISS

The Idle Stop System automatically stops the engine running after three seconds at idle and restarts it instantly with a twist of the throttle, helping to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

HISS

The Honda Ignition Security system only allows the bike to be started by its original encoded keys to effectively protect against theft.

LED

LED lights featured on Honda are a brighter and more energy efficient than traditional bulbs, with no time delay and a longer life.

V-Matic 

V-Matic Transmission is a belt-converter transmission with advanced three-stage operation provides seamless shifting throughout a wide range of speeds delivered with twist-and-go ease.

Öhlins 

Öhlins Electronic Control Suspension is a Öhlins Objective Based Tuning Interface adjusts both the compression and rebound damping force of the front fork and rear shock.

Big Piston Fork

Offers more sensitive damping than a conventional fork, improving control in a wide range of riding situations.

Honda Evolutional Catalysing System 

Oxygen-sensing system maintains an optimal air/fuel mixture for the most effective catalytic reduction of exhaust emissions.

Smart Key

This innovative technology improves both convenience and security. As long as your key is in your pocket or bag, you can release the seat and start the engine. with the press of a button

Euro 4

Complies with latest EURO 4 emissions regulations.

Honda Multi-Action System 

Cartridge-type front fork and rear damper design ensures a confident balance of compliant damping and precise handling.

G Mode

Triggered by a switch on the instrument panel, G Mode improves traction and machine control by reducing clutch slip during gear changes. Only available on the X-ADV & Africa Twin in 2018 range.

S Mode

Available on Automatic (DCT) bikes, S- for Sport is a more relaxed driving style.

D Mode

Available on Automatic (DCT) bikes, D – for Drive is for relaxed city and motorway driving.

Pro-link rear Suspension

Monoshock rear suspension utilises a triangular linkage system to progressively increase damping force through range of rear swingarm movement.

Showa 

Showa Dual Bending Valve forks improve ride comfort and handling by delivering proportional rebound damping with firmer compression damping.

And that’s a wrap! As you can see our Honda Motorcycles are dripping with the latest technology. If you want to get your hands on any of our Honda Motorcycles you can visit one of our Honda Authorised Motorcycle Dealerships.

We celebrate, you save! Save €100 on the Honda IZY

2018 is a big year! We are celebrating 40 years of the Honda lawnmower! 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,

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.

To celebrate this momentous year in the Honda Lawnmower range we’re giving you €100 off the Honda IZY range!

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

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

Discounts are available until August 31st 2018, and can be availed of in your local Honda Lawn and Garden Dealership.

Read more on the evolution on the Honda Lawnmower 

Marc Marquez scores podium in Catalunya, Pedrosa fifth

Yesterday Sunday 17th June 2018 in MotoGP, Marc Marquez took an important second-place finish in Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló, Catalunya, Spain, which enabled him to extend his Championship lead to 27 points over runner-up Valentino Rossi.

With a great start, Marc got into and through the first turn ahead of Jorge Lorenzo, who passed him on the following lap. Marquez who, outside of two non-point-scoring finishes, has so far never finished worse than second this season, stuck to the countryman for the first 9 laps of the race, looking for a chance to fight for the win. After realizing that it was too risky maintaining Lorenzo’s pace, he settled for the 20 points and a second-place position.

After a good start from the fourth row, Dani Pedrosa was able to maintain a decent pace despite struggling with a lack of grip, defending fifth position over Maverick Vinales on the final lap.

Today Monday 18th June, the Repsol Honda Team will remain in Catalunya for a one-day testing session.

Ian Hutchinson digs deep in Isle of Man TT return

The Honda Racing team is signing off after a positive Isle of Man TT campaign; although the results do not reflect the performance of the riders Ian Hutchinson and Lee Johnston, the squad is leaving this year’s event pleased with progress and on-going development of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

Hutchinson continued to impress as he made his return to the TT after breaking his leg in an accident last year. With inspirational drive and determination the ‘Bingley Bullet’ completed a total of 39 laps aboard the CBR during practice and race week, just one month after having his external frame removed.

‘Hutchy’ improved his lap times and feeling aboard the Fireblade during each session and although he didn’t finish the Senior TT, feeling he wasn’t able to complete the full race distance after the second pit stop, the Honda team are proud of his efforts this week and know it’s only a matter of time before he’s back to full speed.

Meanwhile teammate Johnston went into today’s Senior TT confident after a six-place finish in Saturday’s opening Superbike race aboard the Fireblade. With glorious conditions once again around the 37.73-mile Mountain circuit, ‘The General’ had made his way into the top-ten. However at the end of the second lap he retired with a technical issue.

With the data and information collected from the TT, the team will now start looking towards the Ulster GP, which takes place 5-11 August.

Camier seventh, Gagne twelfth in roasting Race 2 at Brno

The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team concluded their Czech WorldSBK adventure with a double point-scoring finish as Leon Camier crossed the finish line in seventh place and a resurgent Jake Gagne took twelfth in hot conditions at Brno.

Camier started Race 2 in P6 on the grid but needed a couple of laps to find his feet, settling into P9 in the opening laps. As other riders struggled in the warm conditions, Camier adapted and was able to improve his pace to work his way ahead of his competitors and climbed to seventh place with five laps remaining, the position he held until the chequered flag.

Further back, Gagne got a good start from the seventh row of the grid and quickened his pace as the race went on, setting his quickest lap of the race on lap 9. A last lap push nearly brought the American his first top-ten finish in WorldSBK, but ultimately he just missed out although he still equalled his best result of the year with P12.

The Race 2 result sees Camier move up one place in the championship standings to tenth on 72 points, while Gagne stays in seventeenth overall but increases his points tally to 24.

The United States hosts the next WorldSBK round at Gagne’s home circuit of Laguna Seca from June 22-24.

Product Spotlight – The Honda Brushcutter range

For this week’s Product Spotlight we are focusing in on our Honda strimmer range. Also known as the Honda Brushcutter!

These handheld tools from Honda are equipped for heavy duty work, with the classic Honda 4-stroke engines.

They are powerful and robust, and come in 25cc and 35cc options.

Comfortable harnesses come as standard, allowing the brushcutters to be maneuverable with a dry weight of 5.49kg.

We supply several different options of handle bars, allowing you to choose the one that suits you.

The UMK425ELE comes with a bent loop handle and a tap& go Nylon head.

The UMK425ELE comes with a bent loop handle and two separate attachment options.

The UMK435EUE comes with a bike handle bars and two attachment options.

All models are easy to start with a lightweight flywheel, low noise and the lowest emissions in the industry.

The Honda strimmer range start at €329.00.

Find out more here:

UMS425ELE

UMK425ELE

UMK435EUE

All of these handy products are available at your local Honda dealership.

Camier and Gagne relishing WorldSBK return to Brno

The Czech Republic returns as a host nation for the FIM World Superbike Championship for round 7 this weekend, with Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team riders Leon Camier and Jake Gagne relishing the chance to ride the undulating Automotodromo Brno circuit again.

The Brno circuit is a technical 5.4 kilometre track characterised by its huge elevation changes where the difference between the lowest and highest points of the circuit is over 70 metres – the height of a twenty story building. These elevation changes, coupled with many left-right corner combinations split by a series of straights – including the steep, uphill straight in the last sector colloquially known as ‘Horsepower Hill’ – make the track a stern test for man and machine.

Camier has ridden the circuit numerous times during his illustrious WorldSBK career and although the Briton is still not 100% fit following his injury, given the progress he made during the Donington race weekend he is positive about maintaining his momentum on the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 this weekend at one of his favourite circuits.

Gagne has fond memories of the Czech circuit, with the American having won a race here during his time in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and is confident that his riding style and the sharp handling and braking stability of the Fireblade will help him secure a good result this weekend.

The first WorldSBK session of the #CzechWorldSBK round is Friday’s Free Practice 1 at 0945 local time (GMT +2). Race One and Race Two are set to start at 1300 on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Credit: Red Bull World Superbike Media Team

Pedrosa departs, Lorenzo signed

It’s been a busy 24 hours for the HRC team in the Moto GP.

Yesterday, June 5th, Dani Pedrosa and HRC announced that they will be parting ways at the end of the 2018 Moto GP season. Pedrosa has ridden for HRC for 18 years and the ending agreement was mutual.

Although their paths will diverge, HRC and Dani Pedrosa have enjoyed a successful relationship: since 2006, when the Spaniard joined the Repsol Honda Team, he has earned 31 victories and was runner-up in the MotoGP Championship on three occasions.

This departure left a opening for a new teammate for No.93 Marz Marquez. Today 6th June 2018 HRC announced the signing of Jorge Lorenzo, the three-times MotoGP World Champion. Lorenzo will join the Repsol Honda Team for the 2019 and 2020 season.

HRC are confident that bringing two great champions with great talent together will make a stronger team and contribute to the development of HRC.

Credit: Honda Racing Corporation

Solid sixth place for Lee Johnston in the Superbike TT

Honda Racing’s Lee Johnston secured a solid sixth place finish in June 2nd’s opening RST Superbike race at the Isle of Man TT, aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, while teammate Ian Hutchinson retired from the six-lap race.

With the Superbike race getting underway at a slightly later time than planned, due to fog and mist across the Mountain, the Honda duo set off at 1pm local time, with Hutchy fourth and Johnston 13th on the road.

‘The General’ had strong pace from the start and quickly settled into a good rhythm aboard the CBR around the 37.73-mile Mountain circuit. Coming into the first pit stop at the end of the second lap, Johnston had moved into tenth place.

With consistent, quick lap times and fast pit stops from the super-slick Honda crew, Johnston was able to make up places throughout the race, eventually crossing the line in sixth place with a race time of 1:47:42.014 (15 seconds from fifth place).

Meanwhile teammate Hutchinson retired from the race on lap four at Governor’s Bridge. Having got a good start off the line and looking strong in the opening stages of the race, he pulled in at the end of lap four having struggled with suspension set-up on the CBR machine.

The team will now prepare for the Superstock race on Monday 4 June, ahead of the blue riband Senior TT on Friday 8 June.

Credit: Honda Racing CBR Media Team