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New Honda DN-01 to be launched on March 7th in Japan

This bike made me sick the entire day. Its a spaceship from another World. Its sick!

Honda DN-01

I’m quoting from the Honda site as I’m speechless: ” From the “Low & Long + Modern Organic Body” design concept comes a truly individualistic style. The long-nosed front cowl incorporates dual projector headlights with overall front face shaped in sharp image. The integrated muffler bringing about a sense of unity with the under-cowl.”

“new automatic transmission, the Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT), that delivers superior throttle response for comfort even on long rides, and simple operation with no need for clutch use, allowing sporty riding.”

” The DN-01 takes its name from the phrase “Discovery of a New Concept,” after Honda’s desire to develop a new concept motorcycle.”

I’m going to call Honda Romania and see if there is going to be one available soon here for a test-drive. In the meanwhile, keep dreaming!

See the entire news about the Honda DN-01 launch.

Excellent review of the 2008 Honda CBF600S

Being a CBF 600s owner, I’ve spent quite a good time looking for reviews on my bike, and unfortunately found most of them to be deceiving. It looks like most of the journalists dealing with reviews evaluate the bikes based on how fast they go and their abilities on the track. Does it go with 300 km/h? No? Then is not good.

Here is a sample of deceiving review for the 2004-2007 CBF600 from MCM Motorcyclenews : “The Honda CBF600 is undoubtedly a supremely competent motorcycle but lordy, is it dull! Bulky and heavy for a 600cc motorcycle, the Honda CBF600 lacks any real “go”, despite being well designed and built. It’s a good, safe choice for a new biker but, for those with more experience, it’s unlikely to satiate your need for a rush. Once you’ve mastered the basics, the Honda CBF600 is unlikely to inspire you with passion. It really is a bit soulless.” .

My opinion is totally different as I wrote on my dedicated CBF600s site: “The Honda CBF600s is probably one of the last “classic conception” bikes, with carburetors, classic instruments and naked bike look. I bought it as being the most similar Honda bike to my old CB750 Nighthawk . As you guessed, I’m one of the guys that thinks a bike should be an engine on a frame and 2 wheels and nothing more.

The CBF600s is a motorcycle that looks like a motorcycle, runs like a motorcycle and sounds like a motorcycle. You can clearly see the naked engine (painted in black) and the 4 exhaust pipes, stating is a Honda inline four.

So bottom line, I’ve needed to find a third party positive review to back-up my sayings, and happily I found one in the 2008 Honda CBF600 s review on the TopSpeed site.

Here are the highlights of the 2008 CBF600 s as described by the reviewer:

  • “A lighter, more compact and higher-revving new fuel injected engine based on that developed for the 2007 CBR600RR and CB600F Hornet.”
  • “the new 2008 CBF600 emphasizes its new sculpturally lighter form with sleek and distinctively European style in a beautifully integrated form that shows elegant refinements to its original design.”
  • “Honda Access Corporation will be supplying the new CBF600 with a wide assortment of specially designed optional accessories to further extend its riding range and versatility while elegantly complementing its cosmopolitan style.”

Well, if you are into seeing how nice a CBF600 could be for you, and how cool a “Weekend” motorcycle can be, read the entire review here. Some pictures as well.

And for those thinking CBF is dull, read again the target for this bike as the reviewer (Anthony Kodack) says it so well: “The CBF also stands out as the perfect alternative for novices, weekend motorcyclists and returnees to the sport to gain a new-found feel for their own riding potential—at their own pace.”

More on the CBF600s site.

How about motorcycle restauration?

If you look at any bikers forum, you will get that there are 2 types of bikers: the new-comers and the ones that get back to motorcycling after a long gap. Chances are that the middle age “come backers” have wonderful memories about their first bikes probably from the ‘70 or ‘80.

Whenever one of this guys talk about their bikes from the past, you will see the passion, regrets and sweet memories about older bikes. The good news is that there are people out there that restore bikes!

Here are ones: MG Innovative Products from Pennsylvania- picked them from many others because they are a family business (Greg Mazza, Patty Mazza, Christy Mazza) - which shows a real passion for bikes in the family.

They say they specialize in “in Honda motorcycles from 1959 to 1978″ - I’d love to have a ‘69 CB750 in my yard and drive it every day (or maybe a ‘79 which looks even better) and:

* Rebuilds / Restorations
* Custom Engine Building
* Troubleshooting
* High Performance Upgrades
* Surface Refinishing
* Fin / Boss Repairs

Looking good to me. I’d love to spend a week in their garage and see how one of the oldies are getting back to life! Can you imagine the first start after a complete rebuilt?