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

Crossover CRF450L to arrive in September

The long awaited Honda CRF450L will arrive to Ireland this September.

Honda had a desire to produce a dual-purpose bike that draws strongly on the fundamental performance of a race machine CRF450R, yet with much more ‘normal’ service intervals and high-quality road ancillaries, has taken its CRF450R moto-crosser as the base to start from, and created the new CRF450L.

It is unmistakably a race-bred CRF – and looks it – but with the additions and modifications needed to make it both road legal and supremely useable in a trail environment. As such, the CRF450L is a complete package, as happy roosting trails as it is linking them up on-road. And with Honda engineering and build quality at its core, is sure to do so for years to come.

The journey from full race to road legal trail was a detailed one for the CRF450L. Road legality required the engine to gain EURO4 compliance, while from a longevity and usability viewpoint, the power output and character, needed careful attention.

It’s still a CRF450R; just one that’s quieter, both mechanically from the chassis and engine, as well as its new exhaust. Both fuelling and ignition maps are now managed by 02 lambda sensor; compression ratio has been lowered and crank mass increased for improved drivability. The gearbox is a 6-speed – for longer legs on the road – and a cush drive has been added to the 18-inch rear wheel.

The plastics are lifted directly from the CRF450R and all lighting is LED, with the front headlight in particular throwing out a penetrating beam. Increased volume for the titanium fuel tank adds range and all the items that make the CRF450L ready to purchase as a licensed, road going machine – such as speedometer and horn – are present as standard.

Features:

  • Based on the CRF450R, with first major service at 32,000km
  • EURO4 compliant, with electric start
  • Greater crank inertia improves drivability and feel for traction
  • 6-speed gearbox
  • Drawn from the 18YM CRF450R, with minor adaptations for its dual purpose role
  • Full LED lighting, increased fuel tank volume and sidestand
  • Larger radiator volume, plus electric fan
  • Styling closely mirrors that of CRF450R

The CRF450L will arrive to Irish dealerships in September 2018. Keep an eye out for updates on it’s arrival and pricepoint.

Product Spotlight – HF2417 Ride on Lawnmower

Our product spotlight for this week is the HF2417HME ride-on lawnmower. This super reliable ride-on is our most popular model in the lawn tractor range, and it’s no wonder!

This bad boy is equipped with variable hydro static drive, and our unique Honda Versamow selective mulching. This allows you have super smooth control and with the use of a single lever, either create a natural fertiliser for your lawn or collect your cuttings neatly. The grass bag has plenty of room for the cuttings too, with a capacity of 300 litres.

The deck is 102cm, and gives you adjustable cut height options ranging from 30cm – 70cm,  ensuring you get the grass cut the way you like it!

As well as Versamow, the 2417 also has Honda Optiflow, our patented technology allowing you to get more ground covered before you have to empty that 300L capacity grass bag.

The HF2147 is powered by our pro spec GCV 530 engine, brought on the market from our years of reseach for cars and motorcycles.  The GCV has cast iron cylinder sleeves and crankshaft bearings for longer life, along with a larger air filter for improved performance. It’s the best 4-stroke you can ride.

The machine has synchronous blades, combined the synchronised timing belt, it allows the blades to spin together constantly at a 90˚ opposed angle, providing a smooth and effective cut and collection. The 2417 also has our Roto-stop system which allows you to stop the blades, without turning the engine off. Perfect when you need to hop on and off the machine quickly.

Equipped with a comfortable, padded seat you won’t get any aches after using this machine in your garden, pitch or field.

The HF2417 is priced at €4,599.00 and is available in your local Lawn and Garden Dealer

For more information click here