Honda RC-E Electric Concept

Late (again) with this news about the soon to show - at the Tokyo Motor event, of course - Honda RC-E electric superbike concept. The idea here is that the RC-E may actually reach production, though, so not so much of a concept as a prototype. Whether this is more than a rumor will only be known in time. Until it either becomes reality or burns out with the many others which came before it, we can let our eyes wonder over the curvaceous machine that is the Honda RC-E. She is sweet, no?

http://tinyurl.com/7fkt56e

Breaking News: KTM Will Go Electric & Jeff Ward Joins AMA Pro Racing

KTM has announced that they will be showing two electric motorcycles at the Tokyo Motor Show next week. They even leaked obscure photos of the machine - much like Honda's VFR1200F, Ducati's Multistrada 1200, etc. Anyway, it is very sweet to hear that the orange Austrian marque will actually consider producing electric enduro and supermoto models. If they produce them, I guarantee they will sell with the one caveat being the price. Take a look and watch for more Tokyo Motor Show news...

http://tinyurl.com/yzmkzm6

It has also been announced that Jeff Ward, a nine-time AMA Pro Racing Champion in motocross, supercross and supermoto, will be joining AMA Pro Racing as a rider liaison and advisor. The man is a living legend. He is in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, he competed in IRL events including the Indianapolis 500 - where he was voted Rookie of the Year - and it goes on like this...He will be a very valuable asset to both riders and the AMA Pro Racing owners, Daytona Motorsports Group. Maybe he can bring back some legitimacy...

http://tinyurl.com/ykqk6ke

The Future From The Past - 1985 Suzuki Falcorustyco

In November of 1985 at the Tokyo Motor Show this bike drew crowds like no other - and for good reason. I remember this bike (yeah, I'm old) when it made it into the American press. The hydraulic drive mechanism was really a bold idea, and it may rise again. Anyway, take a ride into the past and enjoy this design which remains interesting to this day - 24 years ago! The name, though, is Falcorustyco...sounds almost comic book - not bad.

http://tinyurl.com/ykd8s2k

Honda Displayed More Than Electric Concept Motorcycles at the Tokyo Motor Show

OK, what is this? Number 6 or 7? It's pretty interesting, actually. Honda put on display several petrol-powered motorcycles as well as the nifty EV-Cub. A lovely, wish we had it in the US, Red-White-Blue CBR1000RR (pictured at left). It's not actually gorgeous or anything, just very well done and it makes up for some of the so-called 'piecemeal' look of the fairing. The real beauty, though is certainly the CB1100 'Customize Concept' - the usual, "will it be produced or not" bike - and they had a VFR1200F as well. Another, we-will-not-get-it-in-the- US beast of a road burner has to be the 2010 CB1300 Super Touring. It could be an excellent sport-tourer as is, but the front fairing should be changed a bit, and it could use some more modern features (though I do not have specifications yet). It would be nice to see it compared to the ST1300...Anyway, have a look - pretty pictures follow the link - very shiny.

http://tinyurl.com/yldfg5h

Yamaha Unveils True Hybrid Motorcycle at Tokyo Motor Show - the HV-X

Yet another big announcement from the Tokyo Motor Show - I guess that the motorcycle part of the show IS important to them. Yamaha has announced a hybrid motorcycle which is a true hybrid - the gasoline engine will shut off when the vehicle is stationary, leaving the bike running on electric power. There is a sweet video attached to the site at the other end of the link. Unfortunately, Yamaha has not said when - or if - they will begin production. I sure hope they make a decision soon!

http://tinyurl.com/yfv6dg6

http://tinyurl.com/ygu9o8c

Suzuki Motor and Intelligent Energy Reveal the Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter

We were given a bit of a heads-up on this when Suzuki announced it would be attending the Tokyo Motor Show, but now we have the details. Intelligent Energy has teamed with Suzuki Motor Corporation to build - and soon mass produce - a Suzuki Burgman which uses hydrogen fuel-cells for its power. The neat part of this is that the fuel-cell engine built into the scooter could be easily mass produced, so this machine might actually be sold to the public! Have a look...

http://tinyurl.com/yzc252g

http://tinyurl.com/yhqrrjf

Supposedly, it is now been assured that the first hydrogen-powered mass market scooter will be produced very soon: http://tinyurl.com/yh7wa5s

Another Tokyo Motor Show Post - Honda CB1100

We have been expecting this to come out for a few months now. OK, to be honest, we have known about the model for some 3 years now. The new Honda CB1100 has been the star of the show at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, and you can see why. Now, exactly where it will be sold is unknown as of yet. Still, it is nice to see something new and old like this machine be produced, especially Honda.

http://tinyurl.com/yk2ynw9

2009 Tokyo Motor Show Shows Electric Motorcycles

At the Tokyo Motor Show in Japan - yes, another post on this - we have seen some rather creative new electric motorcycle models. Yamaha and Honda seem to be leading the way here, but there are some others in the field now. Have a look - as there are mostly just pictures - and see what may be at your dealer in the future.

http://tinyurl.com/yzfh2w3

http://tinyurl.com/yzgs5kw

Another Tokyo Motor Show Post

Yes, this is about the third or fourth post about the Tokyo Motor Show, but this is also a good article on the event - it actually only focuses on the motorcycle manufacturers present. Honda is probably the most impressive booth there, but the others aren't exactly sparse...

http://tinyurl.com/yfns38a

Yamaha Displays 'Super' Tenere Adventure Bike at Tokyo Motor Show

This is just in from MC (UK). Apparently, Yamaha is working on a larger and much more powerful version of their Tenere (no, the US does not get this model) - the Super Tenere. It will be equipped with a 1200c.c. parallel twin, shaft drive, traction control, ABS, and much more. I think they will be trying to take market share from the awesome BMW R1200GS. It may even enter production in the middle of 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yhprhcl

Up-Close Images of Honda's New VFR1200F

Want to look more closely at Honda's new for 2010 VFR1200F? Well, click the link below and have a look at the provided photos. They are not of the best quality, but if you are like me and too poor or just too busy to attend the Tokyo Motor Show or EICMA Milan, this will be the closest you get until Honda ships it to dealers.

http://tinyurl.com/yz49vgp

2009 Tokyo Motor Show Preview

Though it is mostly about automobiles and trucks, the Tokyo Motor Show does have a section dedicated to motorcycles. In fact, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Adiva, Harley-Davidson and Kymco will all be present in the special section of the show dedicated to motorcycles. Most of these manufacturers will also have demo fleets in attendance so that people attending the show can take the motorcycle of their choice for a ride around the parking lot...

http://tinyurl.com/yhaug7v

More motorcycle-centric look at the Tokyo Motor Show: http://tinyurl.com/yhomx7h

Kawasaki to Miss Tokyo Motor Show

Well, they are restructuring their business and they are still hurting from the terrible world economy, so Kawasaki will not be participating in the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Ironically, the Motor Show will - for the first time - have a special area for motorcycles and allow six (as of now) manufacturers to give demo rides!

http://tinyurl.com/ykzbpt8

Suzuki Releases 2009 Tokyo Motor Show Line-up

We already know what Honda is bringing to the show, now we hear from Suzuki. They will, of course, have their GSX-R series, the new Bandit 1250F ABS, the Gladius and more production machines. The interesting part is that we will get the first taste of the new 400c.c. V-twin Gladius ABS! That is a long-awaited model. Plus, they will also display a Burgman Fuel-Cell scooter which runs on hydrogen...

http://tinyurl.com/ycgj7j6

Honda Also to Show Electric Scooter and Electric Cub at Tokyo Motor Show

Honda has promised to enter the electric two-wheeled market within 2 years back in December of 2008. Well, they have done it, but no details have been released as to where it will be sold. The new electric Honda EV-Cub is quite lovely to look at, but the EVE-neo scooter looks much more normal. In either case, we are about to have a plethora of electric motorcycles to choose from...amazing!

http://tinyurl.com/ybrac9q

Honda Confirms VFR1200 and CB1100 for Tokyo Motorcycle Show

The constantly rumored and reported VFR1200F will be making an appearance at the 2009 Tokyo Motorcycle Show, which takes place 24 October - 4 November. Also, along with the new Interceptor comes the retro-styled CB1100 as seen at left...it just oozes nostalgia and yet it has very modern technology on board.

http://tinyurl.com/y9y9p7c