Honda Motorcycles Australia has revealed pricing for its all-new 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Fireblade, which is due for arrival in the second quarter of next year.
The SP variant, to sole model to be brought into Australia in HRC-inspired Grand Prix Red and Matte Pearl Black colourways, will be priced at MLP $49,999, with pre-orders now being taken at dealerships across the country.
Heavily inspired by the RC213V MotoGP machine and its street-legal RC213V-S counterpart, the 2020 CBR1000RR-R SP is powered by the most powerful inline four-cylinder engine that Honda has ever made.
Sharing the same bore and stroke as the RC213V-S, the 2020 CBR1000RR-R SP delivers maximum power of 160kW at 14500rpm and peak torque of 113Nm at 12500rpm while tipping the scales at only 201kg.
It utilises a cutting-edge aerodynamic package – also influenced by HRC’s multiple championship-winning RC213V – works in tandem with a new Bosch six-axis IMU.
The SP model boasts a new 43mm Ohlins NPX front fork that replaces the NIX fork of the previous model and second-generation Ohlins Object Based Tuning interface (OBTi) offers finer control of settings front and rear. The front discs are larger in diameter and worked by new Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers while the ABS is adjustable for track riding.
Tweed Heads Local Court today set the date for charge certification and again denied bail to Belcher who was arrested at Brisbane International Airport at 2am the next morning as he was about to board a flight to Hong Kong.
NSW Police allege the unlicensed driver was in a rental car that did not give way to two motorcycles at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Tweed Valley Way in Tumbulgum near Tweed Heads, about 3.20pm on 2 September.
Crash scene
Scott Rose, 39, died at the scene and his riding partner, Barry Nolan, was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital with minor injuries. He later released from hospital.
Belcher failed to stop and his Hyundai rental car was later found abandoned at Terranora.
Multiple pleas
He was extradited to NSW on an outstanding warrant and was also charged with:
dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous;
fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death;
negligent driving (occasioning death);
cause bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle;
drive while licence cancelled;
not give way to vehicle (give way sign/line); and
driver fails/refuses to disclose his identity.
He will enter pleas on all these charges when he next appears in Tweed Heads local Court in February.
Bail has again been refused and he remains in custody.
Fundraiser
Scott Rose, wife Tenniel and his children Lacey and Nash fundraiser
The fundraiser page was started by brother-in-law, Codie Holliday, to raise money to support Scott’s wife Tenniel and his children Lacey, 9, and Nash, 6.
“As the sole income provider for his family, Scott’s tragic death is impacting his family in so many awful ways, including financially,” Codie says on the fundraiser page.
Scott was a maintenance technician at Movie World and Sea World.
Codie says Scott “loved riding bikes, fixing them, his kids both have bikes and I’m fairly sure the garage has a number of ongoing bike ‘projects’ always”.
Red light hit-run
In another hit-run case today, Blacktown Local Court listed Daniel Marjoribanks for mention in Parramatta Local Court on 29 January 2020.
Police will allege Marjoribanks was the driver of a Nissan ute that ran a red light and hit a motorcyclist on Windsor Road, Rouse Hill, on12 September 2019.
Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) privateer of the year Matt Walters will continue to be supported by Kawasaki Motors Australia in 2020 for an 11th season.
Walters experienced a strong 2019 campaign aboard the ZX-10RR, earning a front-row start at Phillip Island’s penultimate round which he later converted into a season-best fifth overall placing.
“[I’m] super happy to back with Kawasaki Motors Australia for my 11th year with the Japanese manufacturer,” said Walters. “Together we have won championships, and this year [we went] back-to-back Australian Superbike privateer [of the year].
“The small family-run team and I will be setting our sights straight for the podium and really looking forward to 2020 on my Kawasaki ZX-10RR at the season starter at Phillip island.”
Kawasaki Motors Australia national sales and marketing manager Robert Walker added: “2019 was a very strong year for Matt, taking out the ASBK ironman award and we were very happy with his result for the year.
“Each year Matt and the team have represented Kawasaki very well and improved on their results. We are eager to see how his 2020 season progresses on the Ninja ZX-10RR.”
The opening round of the 2020 ASBK season is scheduled for 27 February-1 March at Phillip Island, running in conjunction with round one of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).
Honda announced at EICMA that their entry level CMX 500 cruiser, also known as the Rebel in some markets, will receive a host of updates for 2020, including updated suspension, full LED lighting, a gear position indicator, slipper clutch and new seat for better comfort.
2020 Honda Rebel
Honda Australia are yet to confirm the local delivery schedule and any movements in pricing but are expected to do so early next year. The CMX has proved a winner as one of Australia’s most popular cruiser options, claiming the #8 position on the sales charts for the YTD as of Q3 in overall road motorcycles, as well as the #3 position in the cruiser category.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’
A 2020 ‘S’ model variant will also be available in some markets offering factory-fit accessories – as a styling option, and including a headlight cowl, blacked out fork covers and gaiters, plus a diamond-stitch seat. We’re yet to hear whether the S model will be available in Australia.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’ S headlight and cowl
The CMX retains the 471cc parallel twin-cylinder engine which is now Euro5 and produces a LAMS approved 34kW at 8500rpm, while peak torque is 43.3Nm reached at 6000rpm.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’
The CMX actually draws its powerplant from the CBR500R offering generous performance both for the segment and capacity, with PGM-FI fuel injection –further optimised – and valve and ignition timings revised to focus on bottom-end torque.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’ 471cc parallel-twin
A six-speed gearbox is also featured, with the new assist and slipper clutch lightening clutch lever operation by 30 per cent, while downshifting aggressively will remain smooth.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’
Part of Euro5 compliance necessitated a new LAF exhaust sensor, while the exhaust system is a 120mm shotgun-style affair.
The lean Bobber styling of the CMX is retained, but now includes full LED lighting including the indicators, for a premium feel, alongside the existing 11.2L fuel capacity and fat ‘bars.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’ LED headlight
The CMX has also had the black out treatment, with fork tubes and discs being the main areas not conforming. The taillight is also new and features mini-circular LED indicators, with a compact main light and die-cast aluminium mount.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’ LED taillight and indicators
The headlight is a compact 175mm item, with die-cast aluminium mount, and the LCD display now includes a new gear position indicator and fuel consumption reading. Ignition remains below the tank on the left side of the bike.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’ LCD dash
The pillion seat and footpegs are also easily removed, with Honda adding to the accessory line-up, as well as offering the S edition in a special Matte Axis Grey Metallic colour, with the accessories mentioned above.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’ seat and pillion seat
Suspension has seen both shock and 41mm forks revised, with new spring rates in both.
The Showa shock units are also now nitrogen charged, and feature reshaped damper rubbers, with Honda promising a firmer action as a result. The shocks are still five-step preload adjustable.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’
The 16inch front and rear wheels are retained from 2019, as is the 296mm front rotor and twin-piston caliper setup, with a single-piston rear caliper. Dunlop tyres are fitted in 130/90 -16 and 150/80 – 16 sizes. Two channel ABS is standard fitment.
2020 Honda CMX ‘Rebel’ forks feature new springs
The 2020 Honda CMX weighs in at 191kg at the kerb, with an ultra-low 690mm seat height and 1490mm wheelbase.
Cessnock Kawasaki’s Matt Walters will continue his campaign in the Australian Superbike championship (ASBK) into season 2020 with backing from Kawasaki Australia.
The Cessnock Kawasaki team… Matt Walters and dad Carl…. Mum is hidden in the background there working hard too!
Matt Walters
“Super happy to back with Kawasaki Motors Australia for my 11th year with the Japanese manufacturer. Together we have won championships and this year going back to back Australian Superbike privateer. The small family run team and I will setting our sights straight for the podium and really looking forward to 2020 on my Kawasaki ZX-10RR at the season starter at Phillip island.”
Matt Walters – #1 Australian Superbiker Privateer and Ironman award winner – TBG Image
Kawasaki Motors Australia National Sales & Marketing Manager, Robert Walker, is looking forward to another positive year.
Rob Walker – Kawasaki
“2019 was a very strong year for Matt, taking out the ASBK Ironman award and we were very happy with his result for the year. Each year Matt and the team has represented Kawasaki very well and improved on their results. We are eager to see how his 2020 season progresses on the Ninja ZX-10RR.”
The Cessnock Kawasaki ZX-10R on the podium at ASBK Round Six 2019, Phillip Island – Image Rob Mott
We stumbled across Mad Mick a fair while ago on YouTube and are only now getting around to sharing some of his exploits with you. We reckon he is a bit of a legend! I am sure that this is not exactly Honda engineers back in Japan expected people to be getting up to on the Africa Twin…
Mick is a skilled rider with over 40 years of experience and has done a great deal of adventure and enduro riding all over Australia. A few injuries have been sustained along the way like a smashed ankle and a broken collarbone while high-speed sliding around on a KTM 640, and more recently a messed up shoulder from a low-speed tumble on the Africa Twin.
Mick is known as Mad Mick for good reason. He is not scared of tackling anything on the Africa Twin and the bike is suprisingly standard. A cheap $60 eBay slip-on muffler, a bash plate, a Camel rear tank and some gearing tweaks are about the extent of modifications undertaken on this 2016 model.
Mick regularly rides with a group called MVDBR who put together this video of a few of his exploits. Enjoy.
Feel free to share any of your favourite videos with us here at MCNews.com.au as we start this new Video Of The Week series.
They believe it will be available in 2021. But just how safe is it?
How head-up display works
HUD is usually a system where a transparent periphery screen displays important information such as satnav turns and speed without the rider/driver having to look away from the road ahead at their instruments.
In some HUD systems, the display is projected on to car windscreens or helmets visors.
However, Bosch’s system uses a microelectromechanical scanner to bounce light off a holographic element built into the lens, directly on to your eye’s retina, not the glass lenses.
The glasses are completely transparent when turned off and the slim system does not need thick and bulky frames.
Bosch HUD glasses can be worn by drivers and all types of riders
They are similar to expensive and heavy Google Glasses, but are flatter, lighter (only 10g) and work in all lighting conditions.
Bosch Snesortec boss Dr Stefan Finkbeiner says the display image is sharp, clear and always in focus.
“The Smartglasses Light Drive System is currently the smallest and lightest solution on the market and can convert almost any normal glasses into Smartglasses,” he says.
“With such smart glasses, users receive a lot of undisturbed navigation information and short messages. This makes driving safer and replaces the constant staring on smartphones or smartwatches.”
Safety or distraction?
While we can see the safety aspect of displaying vital information without the rider/driver taking their eyes off the road to look at their instruments, we are concerned with the application of this tech.
Bosch says their device will display information currently available on your smartphone or smartwatch.
“It is ideal for applications such as navigation, calls, wake-up calls, appointment reminders and short message services such as WhatsApp and WeChat,” Bosch says on its website.
Great! Just what we need is motorists being distracted by messages and apps.
With phone distractions considered as dangerous as drink driving, the last thing we need is for superfluous information to be available to motorists.
As usual, legislation to prevent this will be a long way behind the technology.
And how would police patrol for such tech if the glasses look like normal glasses?
Bosch will debut their Light Drive smart glass technology at the CES 2020 consumer technology expo in Las Vegas next month and hopes to have it available for manufacturers in 2021 under the product name BML500P.
Check out a snippet from our exclusive interview with Jonathan Rea where he discusses what he likes to get up to over the festive season! The rest of this interview, as well as gift ideas, Christmas recipes, and things to do over the holiday season are all available in our ‘All Things Christmas’ supplement in our December issue – on sale now 😁🔥 Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
5⃣ World Superbike titles ✅
👨🎓 Honorary doctorate ✅ Jonathan Rea MBE received an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University, Belfast on Tuesday 👏 Read more ➡️ https://bbc.in/2REyFpD #bbcbikes Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
