Castle Combe Track Day

Last week's track day at Castle Combe on board a 1996 Honda VFR 750. Not the ideal bike for a track day, (the pegs kept folding up) but the old girl looked after me well.

CAV America Honda CB450 'Manx Tribute'

Johann Keyser of CAV America, usually builds rather tasty looking official Gulf livered Ford GT40 replicas. In his spare time he has now built this 'retro mod' Manx Norton tribute Honda CB450 you see above. Intending to offer economy in the style of a cafe racer, Keyser has produced something which looks great and has some fantastic features, but what I want to know is when was a cafe racer ever meant to be economical?

A good effort in my opinion but if he wants my advice, he should stick to his gorgeous GT40s and maybe look into producing usable, reliable Tritons. Just an idea Johann..

Honda 3R-C Concept

The Honda 3R-C is a three wheeled, all weather urban trike concept with electric, zero emission power. Even if you are tired of relentless future concepts that never come to fruition, it's hard for Mr Motor Tweeter to ignore this three wheeled car-bike crossover.

Designed by Honda's Research and Design facility in Milan the 3R-C incorporates an active wind shield that when parked covers the cockpit and when in motion provides enveloping protection from the elements. The driver, positioned low down in the vehicle would be well protected from London's big puddle filled potholes. Very clever Honda. All it needs now is the VFR1200 engine and I'm sold.

See the 3R-C on show at Geneva later in the year.

Source: Autoblog

ROAD TEST: 1996 HONDA VFR 750

The iconic V4 from Honda has been described as many things from 'as good as it gets' to 'positively sterile', but a certain Ron Haslam has his own point of view. Rocket Ron, who had misplaced his race bike, took on a field of factory race machines from the back of the grid, on a brand new VFR750 and came fourth! Incidentally, sales of these bikes over the years has been staggering, in 2006 Honda sold nearly 200 in January alone, this is the same story ever since its original release in 1986.

Once on the road this 13 year old albeit low mileage VFR is quick to impress. Finish and build quality are clearly attributes Honda understood in 1996, the classic black and white dials complementing excellent panel fit and precise controls. The NACA duct on the side of the fairing is fully functional, whilst also hinting at its racing pedigree, gives off an almost Ferrari vibe. Rifle-bolt gear changes encourage sporty riding styles although this pre-VTEC edition was the last of the carburettor fueled models and provides ample reserve for instinctive overtakes with no noticeable flat spots or peaks.

Smooth, torquey and with a seemingly endless power band, it just begs to be ridden and rewards smooth inputs. Sporting 105hp, the bike can reach 150mph with handling to match thanks to a clever single arm rear set-up and the low positioning of the engine. The crafted aluminium frame that cradles the compact V4 motor is very well made and once the tank is removed provides excellent access for maintenance.

The comfortable seat with removable pillion cover and effective wind protection suggest realistic touring capabilities and reliability of the V4 has been repeatedly impressive. The bike has an ability to simply lend itself to your mood at the time. Not a Jack of all trades but a master of many. What Honda have created is the perfect compromise for a keen rider who requires an accomplished speed machine, but needs to commute during the week, keep up with modern sports bikes at the weekend and visit the South of France for their holidays.

ROAD TEST: 2004 BMW 1200 GS

First impressions of the famed 'Round The World Bike' centre around its size. This is a big bike, I'm nearly 6"2 and throwing your leg over is still a tricky yoga move. Once aboard though, BMW have mastered a near perfect riding position with the GS. Wide, thin gauge bars provide such a delicate feel when seated that at first the GS belies its 200kg dry weight. The wide protruding cylinder heads remain distinctive but also add to the wind protection on offer.

The hand controls retain the BMW quality but still lack imagination when it comes to innovation (except the love 'em or hate 'em indicators), at this price.

Pulling away on a light clutch and selecting second rewards with a positive and reassuring clunk, and as the revs rise the 105hp flat twin immediately catches your attention with a torque rich surge through every gear all the way to illegal speeds. In fact, no matter what gear you happen to be in, a firm twist of the throttle sees you hunkering down and searching out the next planet to conquer.

Sheltered behind the adjustable windscreen, the effect of wind buffeting is highly reduced which in turn allows the innate ability of the GS to carry the rider at speed over less than perfect surfaces with consummate ease. The thought of riding the big BMW day after day is a pleasant one, which for me explains why this bike has been so popular. A bike famous not only for it's TV appearance but because it takes you places you never thought you could reach.