The CRF250R received a significant update for 2014, including a new frame and dual-exhaust setup first introduced in the CRF450R  which itself received a substantial update year. The current-generation CRF450R may only be a year old, but that didn’t stop Honda from introducing a couple of refinements for 2014.

For 2014, Honda had tweaked the engine, adding new intake and exhaust ports and a new dual-timing fuel injection setup. According to Honda, these updates combined with redesigned internal components to its two exhausts should offer more torque and increase throttle response. Continue Reading »

Honda has completely overhauled its CRF250R motocross bike for 2014, offering an all-new engine and an aluminum beam frame inherited from the CRF450R. With a claimed weight of 231 pounds, the 2014 model is actually 4 pounds heavier than the 2013 model, but the new updates are designed to improve mass centralization, with Honda claiming it to be more flickable and nimble than before.

According to Honda, the new frame weighs 20.6 pounds, while the main frame spars meet the steering head lower than on the previous frame, helping lower the center of gravity. Honda says the new frame offers more “tuned” flex, improving front-end traction and corner speed.

The 2014 Honda CRF250R is powered by a liquid-cooled 249cc four-valve Unicam engine. It uses a new cylinder head and piston and has a higher compression ratio (13.5:1 from 13.2:1) than the 2013 CRF250R. Also new is the twin-muffler exhaust system. Both mufflers are shorter and tucked in than the single exhaust on the 2013 model, contributing to mass centralization. Continue Reading »

We knew it was coming after seeing it receive certification from the California Air Resources Board, but American Honda has officially announced it will offer the 279cc Forza scooter for U.S. consumers. First announced at the 2012 EICMA show for the European market and Canada, the Forza fills a gap in Honda‘s U.S. scooter lineup between the 153cc PCX150 and SH150i and the 582cc Silver Wing.

The Forza uses a liquid-cooled 279cc single-cylinder engine with Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system with power delivered through a Honda V-Matic continuously variable automatic transmission. American Honda did not offer numbers but the European-spec model claims 25.5 hp at 7500 rpm and 19.2 ft-lb. at 5000 rpm. American Honda did claim a fuel economy of 68 mpg which, with a 3.0-gallon fuel tank, should translate to a range of about 204 miles. Continue Reading »

American Honda announced it will offer a new 125cc modern interpretation of the classic Monkey Bike to U.S. consumers as the Honda Grom. Originally announced in January for Asia as the MSX125, the new Honda Grom will arrive in the U.S. in August as a 2014 model. (UPDATED with video).

The compact Honda Grom is powered by a fuel-injected 125cc single-cylinder engine based on the powerplant used in the Honda Wave 125i scooter popular in Asia. American Honda did not release any performance numbers, but the parent company had previously claimed the MSX125 has an output of 9.7 hp at 7000 rpm and 8.0 ft-lb. at 5,500 rpm. The engine is paired with a four-speed transmission. Continue Reading »

Noted Honda tuning company Mugen has revealed the second generation version of its electric racebike which will race in the TT Zero at the 2013 Isle of Man TT. The Shinden Ni (“Shinden” meaning “God of Electricity” while “Ni” is the number two in Japanese) will once again be ridden by 19-time TT winner John McGuinness.

Mugen has been working on the Shinden Ni since last year’s TT Zero, using data collected in the race and during tests at circuits in Japan. Mugen worked on making improvements through optimizing motor output and increasing battery capacity. Mugen engineers also managed to remove a significant amount of weight. According to the specs sheet (see below) the Shinden Ni has a curb weight of 240 kg (529 pounds), which is 44 pounds lighter than the first Shinden. Continue Reading »

American Honda released a video teasing a new 2014 off-road model which will be revealed in May 14. The 2:21 video was shot with an action camera mounted along the top of the swingarm as the mystery model races around a motocross track.

The most obvious conclusion is the teaser is for the 2014 Honda CRF450R or CRF250R. Honda already updated the CRF450R for 2013, so it’s unlikely to be the model in the video, but the CRF250R hasn’t had a serious update since 2010 making it a more likely candidate.

Of course, it’s possible Honda may have something different in store. Why else would you hold a teaser campaign if there weren’t something unexpected? Perhaps Honda decided to follow KTM’s route and introduce a 350 model. Honda’s also ramping up its racing efforts by competing in the Dakar Rally again, so it’s possible this is a production version of its rally racer which itself is based on the CRF450X.

That being said, off-road motorcycle sales in the U.S. have been on a downward slope the last few years. The sales decline is only recently starting to flatten, but is this a good time to offer something drastically different? Continue Reading »

Saturday, May 4 marked the 5th annual Quail Motorcycle Gathering in Carmel, California. With such a diverse collection of historical, rare and outrageous motorcycles, the Quail is an event we thoroughly enjoyed attending last year. To commemorate the occasion, this year’s guest of honor was none other than three-time 500cc Grand Prix world champion, and local area resident, Wayne Rainey. Continue Reading »

Harley-Davidson dealers outscored dealers from other brands to take the top spot in the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index U.S. Motorcycle Industry Study for the second consecutive year.

The annual study measures the effectiveness of motorcycle dealerships, rating them on how they perform in different categories, such as inviting customers to sit on a floor model, offering demo rides and asking for a customer’s contact information. The study was conducted from July 2012 to April 2013 with data collected by 2,503 hired “mystery shoppers”.

We’ve included the full scores below as well as the scores from past years. One caveat however: Pied Piper PSI has rejigged its study questions and adjusted the weighting and scoring for the 2013 study to achieve an average score of 100. This resulted in a significant scoring changes compared to last year’s study and a wider range between the highest and the lowest scores.

Continue Reading »

Tom Sykes earned his first win of the 2013 season and came a hair short of a double victory at the World Superbike Championship round at Assen in the Netherlands.

Traditionally a fast starter and qualifier, Sykes started on the pole once again at Assen and had strong starts in both races. But unlike the first two rounds where he started strong before fading, the Kawasaki factory rider was able to remain at the front in both races at Assen and earn some valuable championship points. Continue Reading »

Honda reported sales of 15.5 million motorcycles for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. That marks a 2.8% increase from the 15.1 motorcycles sold the previous fiscal year. Sales were particularly strong in North America where Honda reported a 25% increase in motorcycles sold.

The company’s motorcycle operations generated net sales of 1.34 trillion yen (US$13.7 billion) for the year, down slightly from 1.35 trillion yen. You know you’re dealing with a big company when it counts its sales in billions of yen – and still needs to use a comma. Overall, including its automotive and power products businesses, Honda reports a net profit of 75.7 billion yen (US$772.9 million), up from 71.5 billion yen the previous year.

Honda did especially well in the North American market, reporting sales of 250,000 motorcycles (Honda includes scooters and ATV sales in this figure) compared to 200,000 in the previous fiscal year. New models such as the Gold Wing F6B, CRF250L and CRF110 helped spur on sales in North America. Continue Reading »