2008 Honda Cbr1000rr @2@ on 2040-motos

Moto blog

The future. But we can't have it

It's no secret that we motorcyclists are getting older. We're ageing because less people are passing their bike test each year (roughly 30,000 last year compared to 50,000 for the 10 years before the new two-part test) and so not only is the pool not growing it's not even being replenished and so the average age isn't being diluted down by yoof. When the going gets tough in any situation, you really get to see who's got their shit-sorted and who's light enough on their feet to adapt to change.

A Weighty Issue

For as long as I can remember, motorcycle manufacturers have been playing fast and loose with regard to what they claim for the weight of their bikes. The “dry weights” they foisted upon us had little basis in reality. The “dry” part of that claim meant that listed weights on a spec chart were the result of all fluids being MIA from the bike, including necessities like engine oil, coolant and fork fluid (not to mention fuel), but even that didn’t fully explain the overly optimistic specs.

First Look: Marotti Honda-engined trike

TAKE A HONDA VFR750 engine, a reverse trike chassis and some Batman-style aerodynamic bodywork and this is the result. Polish company Marotti have built this 100bhp prototype model using a 750cc Honda motorcycle engine. The company is now planning to frighten potential customers witless with a new 1.4 litre engine machine that will deliver a claimed power ratio of 397bhp/tonne.Oooh, yer bugger...