SPECIAL EDITION CRF MODELS RELEASED FOR 2013

The CRF has once again proven its racing credentials throughout the 2012 season with several high-profile victories across championships the world over. 

In the UK alone, Honda (UK’s) official off-road racing team, Buildbase Honda, have taken two national championships, winning the Red Bull Pro Nationals MX1 title with Nico’ Aubin aboard the CRF450R and the Red Bull Elite Youth Cup with Josh Gilbert aboard the CRF150R. 

Coupled with Evotech Stevens Honda and Neville Bradshaw’s championship victory in the Red Bull Pro Nationals MX2 class, it has been a year to celebrate for those aboard Honda CRF machinery.

For 2013 there are several additions to the CRF range – with an aim to continue that winning vein – including the much anticipated 2013 CRF450R, featuring mass-centralised chassis plus Kayaba air suspension USD front fork. Priced at £6,790 and with high initial demand, the new CRF450R is available on an order only basis in UK dealerships.

In addition to the new CRF450R, for the hardcore race fan and competitive rider, a selection of special edition 2013 motocross models are also due to be released. Further details of each of these models are listed below.

Geico Honda CRF250R
Specification: Geico Honda graphics kit, Stylised seat cover, Revised front fender, Holeshot device, Talon wheels, Talon hubs, Full Hinson clutch, Hinson clutch cover, Sump guard, Dave Thorpe race-tuned ignition, Full Yoshimura exhaust system
Price: £8,340

Buildbase Honda CRF250R
Specification: Buildbase Honda graphics kit, Stylised seat cover, Red Samco hoses, Holeshot device, Talon wheels, Talon hubs, Full stainless steel Akrapovic exhaust system
Price: £7,340

Geico Honda CRF150R
Specification: Geico Honda graphics kit
Price: £3,960

Two new road-legal enduro models – CRF250XRL and CRF450XRL - are also set to be released. Both machines feature an Aluminium fuel tank, Pro-Racing light kit (including ignition key), modified side stand and will be supplied with a Honda V55/1 allowing registration for road use. The CRF250XRL will be priced at £6,990 OTR with the CRF450XRL at £7,240 OTR.

CRF250XRL

The all-new 2013 CRF450R will be on show on the Honda stand at this year’s International Dirt Bike Show – held at Stoneleigh Park over 1-4 November – alongside prototype versions of the new special edition enduro and motocross models as listed above.

Honda unveils new sporty NSC50R, classic naked CB1100 and Dakar Rally race machine

Honda had reveal three significant new machines during the International Motorcycle, Scooter and Bike Fair in Cologne, together with a number of new colours.

NSC50R

The NSC50R is a new 50cc scooter designed to attract young newcomers to 2 wheeled transport with its combination of fuel economy, Honda build quality, security provided by Honda’s Combined Braking System, and stylish, aggressive looks. The machine is available in Pearl White, Grey Metallic and a Repsol colour scheme based on the Repsol Honda MotoGP machine.

CB1100

The CB1100: an exquisitely engineered mix of classic and naked styling that offers thoroughly modern and engaging performance with a timeless design. The CB1100 is powered by an air-cooled, in-line four cylinder engine and now makes its long-awaited European debut after quickly gaining a loyal fan base in both Japan and Australia.

The CRF450 Rally: Honda’s new challenger for the Dakar Rally. The first factory-backed Honda machine to enter the Dakar rally since 1989 is based on Honda’s production endure machine the CRF450X. Honda will be entering the Rally aiming not only to win for the first time with a production-based machine, but also to feed back lessons learned from the Rally into its production endure machines.

In addition, the following new colours and Special Edition will be on display at the stand:

Crosstourer

The Special Edition Crosstourer: new graphics and a matt black look, including front forks, fender and tail section, for the 1200cc adventure sports tourer that went on sale earlier in 2012. Offered with the option of Honda’s unique Dual Clutch Transmission technology.

CBR1000RR Fireblade 2013

CBR1000RR Fireblade 2013 colours: a new version of the popular Tricolore colour scheme, plus an all-new MotoGP inspired Repsol Honda colour.

CB600F Hornet

Matt white versions for two models built in Honda’s Atessa factory: the ever-popular CB600F Hornet, and the CB1000R naked.

CB1000R naked

First showing for Honda’s Dakar challenger

Honda unveils Dakar Rally model at International Motorcycle, Scooter and Bike Fair.

Honda recently has unveiled its CRF450 Rally model at the 2012 International Motorcycle, Scooter and Bike Fair in Cologne, Germany. The new machine will compete in the 2013 Dakar Rally to be held from January 2013. 

Honda competed nine times from 1981 in the forerunner of the present Dakar Rally, the Paris-Dakar Rally. Cyril Neveu (France) rode Honda to its first victory in 1982, the race’s fourth year, and from 1986 to 1989 Honda won four consecutive titles for an overall record of five victories in nine years.

Honda will compete in the upcoming Dakar Rally, the world’s toughest race, with the aim of putting the fuel efficiency and endurance technology developed for its commercial vehicles to new challenges and in turn use the technology acquired from the race in commercial applications.

The CRF450 Rally model, is based on Honda’s commercial CRF450X enduro racing model, but also features Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI*) electronic fuel injection system to ensure fuel efficiency and durability. Honda will be aiming for its first rally victory with a model based on a production machine.

11-time U.S. Baja 1000 champion Johnny Campbell (USA) will join the four riders already announced—Helder Rodrigues (Portugal), Felipe Zanol (Brazil), Sam Sunderland (United Kingdom) and Javier Pizzolito (Argentina)—to complete the five-man Honda team.

The CRF450 Rally model, currently under development, has already undergone testing in Japan, and will be ridden in its first race at the Morocco Rally from October 14th. The five riders set to compete in the Dakar Rally will ride the Morocco Rally mainly to gather data, identify any problems with the machine under actual race conditions, and pinpoint any operational issues.