It’s that time of the year when we get treated to sneak peaks of next year’s models, and beyond. Running from March 19-21, 2016 is the 32nd Osaka Motorcycle Show 2016 at Intex Osaka, and coming right on Osaka’s heels is the famed 43rd Tokyo Motorcycle Show at Tokyo Big Sight.
Honda City Adventure Concept
Honda City Adventure ConceptThis is a cool-looking machine. It’s an adventure scooter, with high end details such as twin front discs with four-piston Nissin calipers, enduro tires, and a box-section swingarm. The angular styling is fully modern, and it looks like a lot of fun!
Honda CB1300 Super Bol D’or E Package Special Edition
Honda CB1300 Super Bol D’or EWith a liquid-cooled DOHC inline-4, the Honda CB1300 Super Bol D’or E looks ready for heavyweight superbiking, or long-distance sports touring. The abbreviated fairing is beautifully integrated into the styling, and nice details like the red-banded rims and aluminum footpeg hangers look great. If we don’t see this in the United States, we’re going to be very disappointed, as it’s slated as being planned for production after the Tokyo Motorcycle Show.
Honda CB1100 EX ABS Special Edition
Honda CB1100EX Special EditionThe CB1100 has disappeared from the American Honda lineup, but we’d would love to get this CB1100 EX Special Edition to replace it. Check out the air-cooled motor, oil-cooler, twin-shocks, wire wheels, lots of chrome, and rich two-tone paint. Pretty please, Honda!
Honda CB400 Super Bol D’or ABS Special Edition
Honda CB400 Super Bol D’or EOkay, we know that this sweet Honda CB400 Super Bol D’or E ABS Special Edition isn’t going to make it to the United States, as we rarely get these trick little 400s. Still, we can drool and hope to be surprised after the Tokyo Motorcycle Show closes. It’s a cool design with a modern liquid-cooled motor and dual discs with four-piston Nissin calipers, yet it has a retro taste with the shorter fairing and twin piggyback shocks.
Honda Grom
Honda GromIt’s a fairly new model in the United States, but the Honda Grom has been around a while throughout the world. It looks like we might see an updated Grom for 2017 with new plastic and graphics, plus a lower-slung exhaust. What do you think of this new Grom?
Honda CB1000 ABS Special Edition
Honda CB1100 Special EditionOh, yeah, we like this variation on the Honda CB1100 theme, with extra black paint, plus a checkered flag accent on the tank and sidecovers. The racier-over-retro styling also includes newer spoked wheels. The air-cooled motor and round clocks are still there, though.
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports Concept
Honda Africa TwinYes, we know that’s a photo of the standard Honda Africa Twin, but that’s all Honda is showing us right now, so you’ll have to book a ticket to go to the 43rd Tokyo Motorcycle Show. However, they are promising an Africa Twin Adventure Sports Concept, which certainly piques our interest. Honda is calling the Africa Twin Adventure Sports Concept “a concept model taking the adventurous spirt of its base, the CRF1000L Africa Twin, to a new level.” What that level might be, well, we’ll just have to wait and find out. Does “Adventure Sports Concept” mean something more street-oriented, or an even dirtier CRF1000L?
But Wait, There’s More!
In addition to what’s pictured here, Honda is also promoting two other concept bikes for the 2016 43rd Tokyo Motorcycle Show—the Concept CB and Concept CB Type II. According to Honda, these are “concept models stating a new direction in air-cooled CB models.” There will also be a Honda CRF250 Rally Prototype, which is expected to be produced in the future. Honda says the CRF250 Rally Prototype is an “adventure model based on the CRF250L with design cues from the CRF450 Rally featured throughout.” Yes, we’ll like to see that in America, along with a CRF450 Rally.
Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory + Steve ’Stavros’ Parrish
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly podcast—Motos and Friends. My name is Arthur Coldwells.
Our first segment features the new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. Senior Editor Nic de Sena brings us his report on the flagship version of Aprilia’s upright middleweight machine. He gives us insight into whether it’s worth spending the extra money on the Factory version, and also of course, whether this sporting Aprilia is really the motorcycle for you.
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The next guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In this segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with (arguably) one of the most interesting Suzuki race riders of all time. the iconic RG500 alongside teammate double World Champion Barry Sheene. The two were almost as famous for their exploits off-track, as for their success on it. Those were the days! Steve also raced the Isle of Man TT for about ten years where he won 13 Silver Replicas, and got a podium finish. His insight into that particular brand of mayhem are fascinating.
But there’s waaay more to Steve Parrish than his motorcycle racing. He is also the most successful Semi-Truck racer ever, and, little known piece of useless trivia—he’s my birthday twin: 24th February. He is a natural entertainer and you can’t miss his recounting of the world’s most entertaining—and arguably terrifying—double-decker bus ride ever. If any of you were actually on that hell-ride then we’d love to hear from you!