Honda’s new campaign encourages more people to give biking a go!

Honda’s new ‘Ride Free’ campaign aims to encourage more people to try riding motorcycles and they are also offering a free ride to anybody interested.

Honda knows that motorcycles and scooters are good fun, as well as great transport. To they have a simple and straightforward offer to those contemplating getting started on two wheels – ride a 125cc Honda motorcycle for free.

The Ride Free experience aims to introduce as many people as possible to motorcycling through the Honda Dealer and Honda School of Motorcycling network in an enjoyable, informative and no-pressure environment.

The Ride Free day is completely free and will provide training and sales specialists to help new riders toward a new motorcycle, scooter or full license. In addition, there’s a bonus £50 toward the cost of a CBT on purchase of a new 125cc Honda motorcycle or scooter and £500 off a new Honda motorcycle over 125cc if a full license is attained at a Honda-approved training school.

Ride Free is already in operation across the Honda dealer network, with placed ready and waiting to be booked over the coming months.

www.morebikes.co.uk

Honda DreamTech Roadshow - Brockenhurst 26 April 2025

 

Get ready to take Honda’s latest technology for a spin! The Honda DreamTech Roadshow is hitting the road for four weekends, starting at the end of April, bringing you the chance to test ride some of Honda’s most advanced motorcycles. Whether you're curious about the seamless E-Clutch system or the smooth performance of DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission), this is your opportunity to experience the next generation of riding firsthand.

I was really pleased to attend the Honda DreamTech Roadshow session at the stunning Rhinefield House Hotel, Brockenhurst on 26th April. Honestly - what a setting, in the heart of the beautiful New Forest! Honda had provided a number of demonstration bikes, including: NC750X, Africa Twin, NT1100, CB650R, CBR650R - the day was provided to experience their revolutionary gear shift technologies.

After a warm welcome, I spent the morning session riding a NT1100 DCT with Electronic Suspension. I've ridden a similar bike a year or two ago - and didn't gel with it, can't remember why though. This time - I loved it! Physically, quite a large motorbike (it has been referred to as a "baby Gold Wing"). However, as always, the weight disappears as soon as you start moving. Honda's latest generation of DCT makes for silky smooth gearshifts. I kept the bike in sport mode - which holds lower gears, and allows the bike to rev out somewhat. There's "paddles" to manually select gears too - on the admittedly fairly complex switch cluster. A really comfy ride, with a relaxed riding position. The parallel twin engine made a great sound, and had plenty of torque - picked up really well! I really liked this bike & believe it would make a fantastic sports tourer for Kim & me.

After a very tasty lunch (thanks Honda 👍) I took out the CB650R with E-Clutch. This bike is the little brother of my CB1000R - so I was looking forward to going for a spin! The E-Clutch allows you to ride this sporty naked motorcycle (sort of) like a twist'n'go moped - but with a manual gearbox! The E-Clutch handles up & down shifts sweetly - on or off the gas. I really liked the bike, but found the E-Clutch a bit confusing - my fault as I kept going for the clutch lever - which seemed to put the system back in manual gear shift mode. If I left the clutch lever alone, the E-Clutch worked really well. It's sort of like the quick shifter on my bike - but at a cracking price of £100 over the manual gearbox - honestly, why wouldn't you?

Thanks Honda - what a great day. The CB650R was fun, but the NT1100 was viable... Might have to make some room in the garage!

Click here to see some photos from this great day

The new version of my bike: Honda CB1000 Hornet. What a bargain!

Honda's Hornet family is complete, and the boss of the hive is here packing a sting in its tail. The new CB1000 Hornet loads a four-cylinder engine built to shred tarmac with naked class-leading punch. Throttle By Wire delivers precise control while the chassis arms with adjustable Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD forks and Pro-Link rear shock. Pure, bare-knuckle street fighting aggression is led by sharp twin LED projectors; a full-colour 5-inch TFT screen and Honda RoadSync connectivity brings the smarts. Ready for full attack?

All out attack: Nothing just for show. This is the motorcycle in its rawest form, tautly defined. Stripped for action the CB1000 Hornet’s uncompromising, streetfighter style is led by the piercing stare of super-compact twin LED projector headlights, tightly wrapped in a discreet nose fairing. The subtly blacked out frame brings a strong element of lithe design, underpinning the lines as does the trellis-style rear subframe. Adding menace, the engine, wheels and swingarm are also finished in black. And the Hornet-signature, broad-shouldered fuel tank tapering radically to the rear outlines pure performance.

Packing a punch: Thoroughbred racing DNA courses through the CB1000 Hornet. Its 999cc, DOHC four-cylinder engine pumps out an adrenaline-charged 112kW power @ 11,000rpm and 104Nm torque @ 9,000rpm. Tuned for smooth yet punchy low- to mid-range delivery and precise throttle control, with 11.7 compression ratio and newly developed die-cast pistons optimised it’s a huge buzz to ride, streetfighter-style and free in the city. And the gearbox ratios – tuned for instant acceleration – ensure the CB1000 Hornet simply destroys any set of corners.

All-round agility: It’s got the incredible engine. The hardcore streetfighter looks. But the CB1000 Hornet is also built to handle. From urban jungle to winding back road. The one-piece steel twin-spar frame uses mass-forward geometry to weight the front wheel and ups torsional rigidity by 70%, for agile corner entry and razor-fast side-to-side performance. It also mounts a Showa rear shock operating through Pro-Link for perfect suspension control, matched by the steering precision of adjustable 41mm Showa SFF-BP USD front forks. You’ve also got the sharp stopping power of Nissin four-piston radial-mount front brake calipers gripping 310mm floating discs. And the wide handlebars and riding position that join you, as one, with the bike.

Never miss a beat: The CB1000 Hornet has you. Throttle By Wire (TBW) puts all the engine’s stunning performance fully in your right hand and at your control. And the 5-inch, full-colour TFT screen serves up intuitive mode management via simple 4-way switch on the handlebar. You can select the default riding modes – Rain, Standard and Sport – or use 2 User modes to go fully custom with 3 levels of Engine Power/Engine Brake and 4 levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) plus Wheelie Control. The display also features Honda RoadSync connectivity, for on-screen turn-by-turn navigation and whatever else you need from your smartphone.

Honda CB1000 Hornet - from £8,999
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP - from £9,999

UPDATE REVIEW BY MCN 18th December 2024: Get the full SP for under £10k. Meet the new Honda CB1000 Hornet SP – a real-world super-naked at a bargain price.

www.honda.co.uk

Take Don's two fave bikes & blend them together - what do you get? The 2018 Honda CB1000R!

I have adored two Honda bikes for some time:

The CB1100RS - proper 80's musclebike vibe, with modern build quality.

The CB1000R - A retuned blade minus the fairing: modern & aggressive.

Honda have taken the best of both bikes & squished them into the all new CB1000R!

While Crescent Honda were running a MOT on my beloved Crosstourer (passed, flying colours), I took the opportunity to take out a new & very much improved CB1000R. The styling is a bit retro ("Neo Sports Cafe" - as Honda's marketing guru's would call it) while also feeling modern, just not muddled. The engine note is fabulous - free revving, and howling. A pleasure to ride fast & hard. Steering is precise & fast, suspension is firm - but not too hard. Riding position is sports business like, but not too angular for an old git like me. 143bhp - lots of power for a 212Kg naked sports bike. Engine modes - I tried "standard" - plenty quick, and "sport" - mad & brilliant! The bike is stumpy, light & fast - I love it!

Somehow Honda have taken two quite different bikes, and combined them to make something which has typically great Honda build quality, feels modern & yet nods to a retro aesthetic - so ticks all of my boxes! Take one for a spin, it's a wrench to hand it back... Dear Santa...

www.honda.co.uk

Honda RoadSync Smartphone Voice Control system

 

The Honda Smartphone Voice Control system links you to your Android™ device through Bluetooth® and the Honda RoadSync app. While riding, and hands-free, you can navigate easily to different places, make and receive phone calls, generate and respond to text messages. Also, you can listen to music via your favourite apps, as well as check the local forecast, and the weather at destination.

It’s intuitive to use, between voice recognition input, voice feedback and a 4-way toggle switch located on the left handlebar. With your phone safely in a pocket, you can stay connected and concentrate on the road liberating every ride, every day.

Using the latest Honda RoadSync app couldn’t be easier. When you’re on your Honda motorcycle or scooter equipped with the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system, connect your Android 7.0 (or later) smartphone with the Honda RoadSync app installed through your Google account. The app will also connect to your Bluetooth® helmet-mounted headset with audio input.

Looks fantastic! Available for (apart from other models) the CB1000R. The new one (2021) - not my one from this year. Bah Humbug!

www.honda.co.uk

MCN's top 10 new and used Honda motorcycles

There’s no bigger or more successful motorcycle manufacturer than Honda, and to prove that fact in 2019 the Japanese company announced they had built their 400-millionth bike since the company was founded back in 1948. The first was the 1949 Dream D-Type.

In the past 70 years many of our favourite bikes have worn the Honda badge, and whether you’re after the smallest, most basic commuter or the most advanced superbike, Honda has a bike for you.

Which Honda motorcycles are best for me? The choice of new and used Hondas is so great the only limiting factor is you. What sort of bike are you after? An A1-licence 125? Novice-friendly middleweight or full-bore superbike, adventure machine or tourer? Next, what’s you budget? This might dictate whether you’re better off buying used. Oh, and don’t forget Classic now out-of-production Hondas such as the Super Blackbird. Here’s our pick of the best new Hondas plus a couple of brilliant used buys and some ‘golden oldies’…

MCN's guide to the best Honda motorbikes:

GL1800 Gold Wing

CBR500R

CB1100EX

NC750X

X-Adv

CBR1000RR Fireblade 

VFR1200X Crosstourer

CB650F

CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

C90 Super Cub

Yup, you've got that right MCN - Honda's top ten bikes includes my beloved Crosstourer. Wanna know more? Apart from the short write-up in this MCN article, have a look at my blog post here. Fancy a powerful Adventure Tourer, which will munch up massive miles in 2-up comfort with luggage, but won't give you cramp as soon as you look at it? Look no further!

www.motorcyclenews.com

And now for something completely different! Crosstourer to CB1000R+

I bought Holly our Honda Crosstourer Highlander back in 2014. Kim & I have loved our trips out on her - many local, but also Ireland, Wales & our Camino. However to every thing there is a season, and I felt that it was now time for something different...

As you may have noticed, I like to test bikes from the various dealerships around us, and came to a shortlist of two models: Indian FTR1200 and Honda CB1000R+. Although the Indian was a fab ride, I decided that the Honda was the bike for me. The CB1000R is (sort of) a naked FireBlade - which makes it a "cheeky little number"! The "+" is a special tricked out edition with a quickshifter, heated grips, rear seat cowl & some added aluminium bling. Usually "+" bikes are only available in black, I have one of the only CB1000R+ bikes in stunning metallic "candy chromosphere red".

Discussions were had with four Honda dealerships, and Paul Styles at Doble Honda came up with the best package. So on a distinctly wet Wednesday (8th July) morning I rode up to Coulsdon & traded in our lovely Holly for a very shiny CB1000R+ in red! The ride back was also wet, which (literally) took the shine off my lovely new bike. 1st thing I did when I got home was hose down the bike & dry her off!

I managed to get out for a spin at the weekend - on a sunny, warm Sunday afternoon - and enjoyed every second. Of course this is a hugely different motorcycle from the Crosstourer: over 60Kg lighter, faster, lower centre of gravity, sticky sport tyres, etc. What a blast!

Kim & I are going to miss the comfort of the Crosstourer (and the ability to do big distances), but ironically, getting a faster sportbike might save my license! Wind protection is much better on adventure bikes, gearing is much higher, so it is very easy to end up going "quickly" without realising it. On a naked sportbike, any speed feels quick - which oddly enough tends to slow one down!

Holly's new owner will hopefully enjoy her as much as we have: ~19k miles of wonderful, trouble free riding (of course - it's a Honda!). Over my ~6 years of ownership, I tweaked her significantly from original spec - so Holly's next owner should be able to enjoy adventures as soon as they can turn the key!

I've Christened the new bike "Ariel", and have so far added ASV C5 clutch & brake levers a Givi tank bag (that allows my phone to double as a SatNav), more farkles to follow! Watch this space...

www.honda.co.uk

Honda FINALLY announces Android smartphone compatibility via a software update for 2018–2020 Honda Gold Wing motorcycles

American Honda has announced that its 2020 Honda Gold Wing luxury touring motorcycle will add Android software compatibility to its array of electronics. Riders who use Android 5.0 or later smartphones will be able to pair their phones to the motorcycle via the Android Auto app.

When Honda released its latest and greatest Gold Wing and Gold Wing Tour models for the 2018 model year, it curiously only offered smartphone compatibility with iPhone/iOS-users via the proprietary CarPlay app. Finally it appeases all phone users with this new update.

This allows Gold Wing owners to use many of the motorcycle's features including listening to music and making phone calls and/or text messages. The software update will apply to all 2018 and newer Gold Wings and will be released for June 2020.

Gold Wing owners will be able to download the software from the powersports.honda.com domain and apply the update using a USB flash drive drive.

www.motorcyclistonline.com

Honda have taken my fave CB1000R, added a smattering of 1980s CB900F & come up with this!

Honda has pulled the virtual wraps off a new concept version of its CB1000R – the Honda CB-F Concept – which draws inspiration from its original early 1980s CB750F and CB900F sportsbikes for a more retro nostalgic finish.

Using the CB1000R as a familiar naked base, the concept version gives it a cosmetic overhaul influenced by the model’s long lineage, which began way back in the 60s with the CB750 superbike and helped consolidate Honda’s status as the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer.

However, it is the Honda CB900F that shares most of the CB-F concept’s design traits, a machine introduced in 1979, with today’s CB1000R’s sharp, handsome looks given a retro refresh with a silver and blue colour scheme.

Further nods to its heritage include a single ‘megaphone’ exhaust, a simpler seat design and a cleaner tail and headlight design, plus a restyling of the engine housing.

Under the skin, the CB-F Concept retains the more modern aspects of the CB1000R’s engineering with a familiar water-cooled, four-stroke in-line four cylinder 998cc engine, together with the inverted fork, single-sided swingarm and single shock.

This looks fab! I used to love the CB900F back in the day - especially in it's Bol d'Or variant. Love to see this make production, but isn't gonna happen anytime soon - what with COVID19 knocking society for six. Even if Honda did make it, you wouldn't be able to / allowed to ride it anywhere... Here's to the future & normality all round! Blessings & health readers!

www.visordown.com

New Honda H’Ness CB350 model released - but only available in the Indian market. Great looking bike, terrible name though!

 

Honda is set to do battle with India’s biggest domestic manufacturer as the H’Ness CB350 does battle with Royal Enfield.

HONDA has pulled the wraps off the recently teased retro that will be doing battle in one of the globes most competitive motorcycle markets. The Honda H’Ness CB350 is a clear statement of intent that Big Red is aiming to steal a march on Royal Enfield, right in its own backyard.

The H’Ness (yes, it’s a bit of a naff name) or CB350 is a classically styled retro machine, featuring a twin shock design, telescopic forks, a single front disc brake, and a stylishly contoured fuel tank. At first glance the bike looks a bit like a small scale CB1100, yet with the upright single-cylinder thumper being reminiscent of classic singles like the Royal Enfield 350s and 500s.

While most of the bike screams retro, some of the features of the machine are distinctly modern, something that Royal Enfield will be no doubt paying a lot of attention to. The bike includes LED headlights, selectable torque control, Bluetooth connectivity, and Honda Smart Voice control system. The bike will be available in two versions, DLX and DLX Pro.

The bike has been designed specifically for the Indian market and with that in mind is designed to withstand the rigours of life on India’s roads. That said, Honda isn’t ruling out selling it elsewhere, although it has been confirmed that it will primarily go on sale there before any other market.

Pricing for the H’Ness is estimated to be IND Rupees 1.9 lakh or around £2,000.

www.visordown.com

Watch Tony Bou treat a 500-pound Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L - like a trials bike

 

Toni Bou is not a normal human being. He's historically unparalleled as a trials rider, undefeated in the last 28 indoor and outdoor FIM Trial World Championships.

Trials riding, for the uninitiated, is a highly technical form of competition in which riders work their way across difficult to impossible-looking terrain without letting their feet touch the ground. These are the guys you see hopping off a tiny stone and somehow ending up on top of a bus, or leaping from the top of one pole to another on the back wheel, or riding up a tree and then rolling back down.

It's magical stuff to watch, relying on a degree of skill, balance, co-ordination and courage that's utterly alien to most road riders. And it's all possible thanks to extremely specialized trials bikes: tiny things, with no seats and just a couple of liters of fuel. These 250-300cc single-cylinder machines are the mountain goats of the motorcycle world, weighing just 145 lb (66 kg) in competition trim and able to go just about anywhere in the right hands.

Honda's Africa Twin, on the other hand, is a vastly different beast. It runs a 1,100cc v-twin engine, it has rather a lot of seat and weighs in at a meaty 498 lb (226 kg) in standard trim. Terrific, I'm led to believe, for cross-country on-road/off-road touring, but not exactly ideal for trials riding.

I've spent a couple of days riding the previous incarnation of this bike (Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L) in 2016 at the fantastic Honda Adventure Centre, Wales. Sadly my skills in dirt are somewhere between non existent & beginner (LOL!), but I had a lot of fun, was physically challenged, learned lots & improved my meagre dirt skills no end. The Honda Africa Twin is a great bike, & very capable in skilled hands. In this video, Tony Bou is running the newer - bigger engined, more power, greater weight version: CRF1100L & riding it like a master! Enjoy!

www.newatlas.com

Trip report: David Silver Honda Museum

Jeff, Bri & I had a couple of days away to Leiston, Suffolk to visit David Silver Honda Museum.

Jeff needed to pick up some spares for his CB750 restoration project, and we all fancied a trip to the museum.

Went up on Thursday - a fair old trip - Denmead to Leiston! Got checked in to our hotel and went out for some beers & a great curry!

Next morning after a hearty breakfast at the really nice Tiffins cafe, we went to David Silver's. Honda spares dealer par excellence! Also fantastic collection of Honda motorcycles (on two floors) from the 1940s onwards. Everything from kids scooters, through engines for bicycles to Gold Wings & CBXs! I was fascinated by the collection of monkey bikes - they have loads! Unsurprisingly they have a CG125 - my 1st bike (1983, still love & miss that bike!)

After finishing there, we popped over to have a gander at the Sizewell reactors. Then a trip back down to Denmead - wait for it - on the Friday before a Bank Holiday! Amazingly the traffic back in our direction was relatively light, but was horrible in the other direction especially on the A12.

So, if you are a bike fan, and especially if you're Honda nut - a trip to Suffolk is highly recommended!

www.davidsilverhondacollection.co.uk

Don rides the 2018 Honda Gold Wing - a Tour de Force!

Today Bri & I went up to South Coast Honda, in Chichester to try out the all new 2018 Honda Gold Wing DCT. Big thanks & Mikey, Nick & the crew.

The 1st thing that strikes you about this bike is it's big - not as big as they had become in latter years (Honda shaved about 50kg off this model!) - but big when compared to most ordinary bikes. Lets put it this way: my Crosstourer is no tiddler, but the Wing is over 100kg heavier! Sounds scary? Actually not at all: as soon as you sit on this fantastic bike, you notice the weight is so low down & well balanced - even putting the bike on & off stands (side & centre) is a snap. Amazing!

Riding is a joy - the 1800cc 6 cylinder powerplant is a dream. Loads of torque, smooth rapid acceleration, 4 riding modes, DCT gearbox (automatic - effectively), with wait for it: cruise control! Suspension is sublime: using a really clever double wishbone system, bumps and potholes are dealt with beautifully, but road feedback is great. Cornering is a joy: a big bike, but I could have it on its side round corners - didn't ground out either!

The spec sheet is unbelievable: fab sound system, electrically adjustable screen, heated grips & individually adjustable heated seats, airbag, keyless ignition, smartphone integration, loads of luggage capacity, forward & reverse crawler gears, the list goes on!

While playing around with the screen, I noticed on the A27 at motorway speeds, and with the screen at it's highest setting, wind totally misses the rider, but (somehow) gently pushes you forward, taking the load off your back - impressive for touring & long rides. While on that subject: when I engaged cruise control - oh what joy! Boy, wish I had that when we did our Camino...

I have to say this is a very special bike: I've ridden loads of different makes & models, but nothing like this! I've loved the Wing since the early 80's (Aspencade), but have never ridden one. I had a feeling that I'd ride it, bring it back & say: glad I got that out of my system. It wasn't like that at all - I loved it!

However, I see three slight problems:

1) The DCT model is just shy of £30k - ouch!

2) You'd need something smaller as well.

3) Need to get points 1 & 2 past the financial controller. Oh, well...

More photos here / South Coast Honda / Gold Wing

Japan’s Honda and Nissan to reportedly begin merger talks

Japanese automakers Nissan Motor and Honda Motor reportedly plan to enter into negotiations for a merger to better compete in the rapidly changing global automotive industry, the Nikkei newspaper reported Tuesday.

Honda and Nissan are considering operating under a holding company, and soon will sign a memorandum of understanding, according to the report. They also look to eventually bring Mitsubishi Motors, in which Nissan is the top shareholder with a 24% stake, under the holding company.

The combined Nissan-Honda-Mitsubishi enterprise would equate to more than 8 million vehicle sales annually, according to Nikkei. That would place the company among the world’s largest automakers, but still below fellow Japanese automaker Toyota Motor, at 11.2 million in 2023, as well as German automaker Volkswagen, which last year reported sales of 9.2 million vehicles.

UPDATE 5th Feb 2025 by Reuters: Nissan set to step back from merger with Honda, sources say. Hooray to that says Don!

www.cnbc.com

Don & Kim ride out to Bury Hill, Arundel

 

The good folks at Honda Motorcycles UK had a brainwave & sponsored several photoshoots with BikerPics - up & down the land (see below for details). Kim & I had a great ride out to Bury Hill, Arundel on Monday 30th Aug 2021 - for our local site. We stayed off the A27 dual carriageway for as much of the journey as possible but joined it around Chichester. Kim even had her first experience of filtering on her Grom - and really enjoyed it! Here are the photos - not only are they fab, but they were also FREE!

This Bank Holiday weekend, Honda Motorcycles and BikerPics are giving you a chance to get a picture of you on your Honda Motorcycle for free!

The locations, dates and times are as follows:

Saturday 28th

9am – 3pm A537 Cat and fiddle (Macclesfield)

9am – 4pm A686 Hartside Pass (Penrith)

2pm – 5pm A702 Dalveen Pass (Durisdeer Mill)

Sunday 29th

9am – 3pm A44 Worcester

9am – 4pm B6255 Hawes (Yorkshire Dales)

10am – 3pm A82 Tyndrum North

10am – 2pm B184 Fyfield, (Great Easton, Essex)

10am – 4pm A470 Brecon Beacons

Monday 30th

9am – 3pm A452 Horseshoe Pass (Llangollen)

9am – 4pm Snake Pass (Glossop)

10am – 2pm Bury Hill (Arundel)

10am – 4pm A470 Brecon Beacons

Please share and tag your Honda riding friends, so they don’t miss out.

Happy and safe riding from everyone at Honda Motorcycles UK!

photos.google.com

Honda CEO says 'we have no chance' against Chinese automakers

Competing with Chinese-made EVs has been the goal — and demise — of many an automaker from Europe to America and Japan. This includes Honda, which announced $15.8 billion in losses as a result of trying to keep up with China's cheap EVs. These losses were the result of a dramatic pivot in its EV strategy, which saw the automaker canceling its electric 0 Series vehicles and the EV it was developing with Sony. 

With China's automakers releasing cheap EVs that boast looks, interiors, tech, and features to rival those from outside brands, automakers like Honda have started to struggle with sales in the country. Honda's sales in China dropped from 1.62 million units in 2020 to just 640,000 units in 2025, and annual production volume in the country may fall below 600,000 by the end of 2026. 

Even the auto giant Honda can't compete against the Chinese competition. So - what are we all going to do? Save a few quid & destroy what is left of our car industry? Not Kim & me. BUY BRITISH - before it's too late!

www.slashgear.com

Try life on two wheels in a safe and friendly way: the Honda Ride Free Experience

Take to two wheels on a Honda motorcycle under the guidance of a Honda Approved Motorcycle Training Instructor. You’ll be taken through the first stages of motorcycling in a safe off-road area with your instructor alongside you all the way!

You'll be given specially selected motorcycles from our 125cc range and all the clothing and safety equipment that you’ll need. Ride Free Experience events will be taking place across the country throughout the year and will be held either at our Honda Approved Training Dealerships or at their partner training schools.

Booking a Ride Free session could not be easier. Click on the link below where you will see a list of our current events. Simply select a location and then pick your session time from the list. Completing the booking form is easy and then you are done! CLICK HERE TO BOOK

www.honda.co.uk

Honda GB350S - more of what the motorcycle market needs: affordable quality!

Honda has been showing a remarkable ability to undercut the competition with its new motorcycles over the last few years – with machines like the CB750 Hornet, Transalp and the new CB1000 Hornet all surprising with their combination of a low RRP and relatively high specification. The further down the market you more the more difficult it becomes to undercut rivals but Honda’s GB350S is doing its best to repeat the feat by coming in at under the £4k mark at £3949 when it reaches dealers in January 2025.

That puts it as close as makes no difference to its nearest rival, the £3899 Royal Enfield HNTR 350, and substantially undercuts the Enfield Meteor 350 or Classic 350 models. Given the sales success of those machines in recent years, Honda is well placed to cash in.

Well done Honda! We all like new shiny things, but I've been horrified by all the tech and huge price tags attached to bikes these days. We need a dose of realism in motorcycling! If the big manufacturers don't get that message & soon - some folks will get tempted to go to the dark side & buy into Chinese bikes. Yuk!

www.bennetts.co.uk

Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer (2016) Real world review

An interesting view on my bike - Honda Crosstourer VFR1200X (2014). I love my bike - fast, capable, all day comfy, but I can sort of see what he (Steve Rose) means. For most people my bike  might as well be invisible! In nearly 4 years, I have only had a handful of people say "Ooo, nice bike mate". However when I'm on Kim's bike - it's all compliments! Still, never mind, I love Holly!

Here’s a question. Does a motorcycle have to be exciting to be good? Here’s another. Is it possible that any 1200cc motorcycle that makes 130bhp and out-accelerates Ferraris can be anything other than exciting?

Honda’s Crosstourer is confusing me. This is the fourth one I’ve ridden. I remember on the press launch sitting next to the project leader and discovering that in his youth he’d been fascinated by two stroke race replicas and had owned a Suzuki GSX-R1100. He wanted to build a sporty adventure bike in the VFR tradition. Sounds good to me, but every time I ride one it takes a while for me to appreciate how much I like it.

And I do like the Crosstourer… a lot, but when I’m riding it, I feel confident, comfortable and glad I chose to commute by bike, but rarely emotional or excited. This is a bike that brings out the sensible in me. My journeys in the last few weeks have been calm and measured, without the usual eye-widening, sphincter-clenching overtakes or holding onto the throttle for an extra half-second just for the hell of it that makes two-wheeled winter riding worth doing.

And yet, this is a bike that makes more power than my old GSX-R1100, has a beautiful, smooth engine, flawless power delivery, traction control, ABS and suspension that does comfort and control like only Honda knows how to. Plus, it’s shaft driven, built to survive a journalist’s winter (non) cleaning regime and much more confident (and therefore quicker from A to B) in the cold, slippy January misery than any 287kg motorcycle has a right to be.

www.bennetts.co.uk

Honda’s self-balancing motorcycle!

At the Consumer Electronics Association exhibition in Las Vegas this week, Honda have unveiled a concept motorcycle that can do more than just not fall over. Despite resembling an NC750S this bike known as the Moto Riding Assist and uses Honda’s robotics technology to maintain balance which “greatly reduces the possibility of falling over while the motorcycle is at rest” reads the press release.

Rather than relying on gyroscopes, which add a great deal of weight and alter the riding experience, the Honda Moto Riding Assist incorporates technology originally developed for the company’s UNI-CUB personal mobility device.

The official video, shows technicians standing on the footpegs with arms out wide as the bike shuffles its front wheel to find the balancing spot. Try standing on one leg and you get the idea. The video also shows a technician demonstrating the automatic adjustment of the steering angle or geometry of the rake.