Spy photos have emerged out of Thailand depicting two new Honda motorcycles reputed to be a new CBR500 and a second, naked version, possibly to be named a CB500.

The photos were posted on the CBR250.net forum by someone claiming to have inside knowledge of the new 500cc Honda models which would be produced in Thailand where the CBR250R is currently manufactured.

The faired version is equipped with dual headlights like the Honda CBR600RR instead of the VFR1200-derived Y-shaped light used on the CBR250R and its smaller siblings the CBR125R and CBR150 offered in some markets. Continue Reading »

The trendiest segment in the industry at the moment is the adventure touring motorcycle. Spearheaded by the top-selling BMW R1200GS, the segment has seen a flood of imitators such as the Triumph Tiger Explorer, Yamaha Super Ténéré and the Honda Crosstourer. A recent report from the Motorcycle Industry Council found that scooter sales are also on the rise in the U.S., spurred on by soaring gas prices.

What better way to capitalize on both those trends than with an adventure touring scooter?

Pictured here is a design concept from Yamaha Motor Thailand from the 2012 Bangkok International Motor Show. The camo-painted scooter is based on the Yamaha TTX 115i scooter which was officially presented at the show.

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Honda Thailand unveiled a new prototype at the 2012 Bangkok International Motor Show showcasing the next generation of the Ruckus scooter.

Known as the Zoomer in other markets, the Honda Ruckus is probably best known for its non-traditional scooter styling, with the usual tiny tires and wasp-like body replaced by a fat rubbers and exposed tube frame.

The Honda Zoomer X maintains the original’s rugged-looking tires but instead of the exposed tubes, the Zoomer X has a boxy-looking structure, though like the original the space under the seat is exposed to the elements, so if you want to store something there you might have to break out the bungee cords.

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Honda and Yamaha announced relief aid for the people of Thailand affected by severe flooding that has swamped large parts of the country since late July.

Yamaha and its Thai subsidiaries are donating a relief package worth about 30 million yen (US$390,000) including 3,000 life jackets. Yamaha is evaluating what items to provide including outboard motors.

Honda and its subsidiaries in Thailand are contributing about 280 million yen (US$3.7 million) in aid. Honda is also donating 200 GX160 boat engines, as well as other items including pumps, high-pressure water sprayers and generators.

[Source: Honda, Yamaha]

 

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Flooding in Thailand Not Expected to Affect Honda Motorcycle Production

 

 

Ducati unveiled a new model to its Monster family specifically for the Asian market, combining the engine of the 796 and the chassis of the 696.

The new Ducati Monster 795 is powered by the same 803cc 90-degree V-Twin engine as found in the Monster 796, claiming 87hp at 8250 rpm and 58 ft-lb. at 6250 rpm. The chassis, double-sided swing arm and three-spoke wheels, however, appear to be identical to those on the Monster 696,

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Severe flooding in Thailand has disrupted Honda’s automobile production but the company’s motorcycle production is expected to proceed normally.

Hundreds have been died since July due to heavy flooding in Thailand and several provinces remain underwater as the Asian nation experiences its worst floods in 50 years. Heavy monsoon rains from multiple storm systems over the last few weeks have added to the problem, affecting millions in northern and central Thailand.

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Ducati will unveil a new Monster model for the Asian market, expected to be called the 795.

The Italian manufacturer has a new micro-site (http://www.monster.ducati.com/) displaying the shrouded image above along with a countdown ticking off the days until the Oct. 20 launch event in Sepang, Malaysia. The event is scheduled to take place just before the MotoGP round in Sepang and Valentino Rossi is scheduled to appear for the unveiling.

Not much is being shown at this point, but the Ducati Philippines website claims the micro-site is teasing a new Monster 795 model. The new Monster will likely be built specifically for the Asian market from Ducati’s new factory in Thailand.

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According to reports out of India, KTM Chief Executive Officer Stefan Pierer has announced the Austrian manufacturer will produce 200cc and 350cc versions of its youth-oriented 125 Duke. Unfortunately for us in North America, the two new Dukes will appear destined for emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia.

Speaking with the Indian press, Pierer says KTM is partnering with Bajaj Auto to develop the 200 Duke in 2012 with the 350 version to follow in 2013. Bajaj is one of India’s largest home-grown automotive manufacturers and a part-owner of KTM, and also helped develop the 125 Duke. Pierer says the 200 Duke will be introduced at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.

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Lawlessness, rampant sexual promiscuity, theft, gambling, drugs and being a general menace to society are the stripes motorcycle riders wear… 40 years ago! No doubt the image of motorcycling in the U.S. hit a low spot starting in 1947 with the infamous, and allegedly staged, photo of a Boozefighter motorcycle club member surrounded by empty beer bottles in the gutter, lying next to his bike. There’s more detail to that story, but this incident eventually became the premise for the Marlon Brando classic, “The Wild Ones.”

A couple decades later, during the ‘60s and ‘70s, the Hell’s Angels became the face of all that was wrong with motorcycling in the public’s mind. Since then it’s only been in the past 15 or 20 years that motorcycling seems to have largely made a full public image recovery. Though there’s still a faction or two that seem to keep biking with one foot in the grave. Regardless, in the U.S. the image of motorcycles and riding them has come light years from where it once was for a very long time.

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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) there are more than 100,000 motorcycle taxis operating in Bangkok alone. The motorcycle taxi, or “Motorsai” as it is known in Thailand, started operating back in 1981 but was controlled by gangs for many years. According to a story that was published in September 2002, it was estimated that Bangkok gangs were extorting at least 100 million Baht or about 2.9 million USD per month from the motorcycle taxi operators.

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