The age of the automatic motorcycle is upon us. Aprilia got the ball rolling with the 850 Mana and Honda is finally set to introduce its DN-01 in the U.S. Both of these bikes use a shift-free transmission like a scooter but have motorcycle-like controls and looks along with a riding position not found on any scooter, regardless of engine size. Still these machine blur the lines between the largest of the maxi-scooters and motorcycles even further. In any case, the DN-01 for 2009 is powered by a 680cc V-Twin engine with 61 horsepower and is available in Candy Dark Red or Black for a steep $14,599. Big Red also has a new lightweight supermoto on hand for '09 called the CR230M that's based on the successful CRF230L platform. Equipped with 17-inch wheels and grippy sportbike tires, the handling is likely to outdo the 232cc air-cooled single cylinder powerplant. That little mill, along with a wet weight of just 276 lbs, should provide for extremely good fuel economy. Get one for $4,749. Rounding out the Honda cycle news for the new model year are the CBR sportbikes. We already looked at the technical side of the two new bikes, now featuring ABS brakes, and Honda has today released the U.S. color schemes for '09. Things are cool for the 1000RR, with Black, Pearl While and a Repsol Replica scheme plus an ABS-only Red model. For the 600RR, though, we're left scratching our heads. Black, Red/Black and a patriotic Red, White and Blue are fine, but what's with the Phoenix graphics and the Bright Green? Oh well, ABS models get either monochromatic Black or Red/Black options.
When it was introduced in 2008, the brand-new Honda CBR1000RR, known as Fireblade across the pond, won accolades from the the press and regular riders alike. Considering its market domination over the last year, we wouldn't be surprised if Honda simply left things pretty much alone for '09. There is one new feature, though, and it's a biggie: optional ABS brakes. This will be the first application of anti-lock brakes in a machine of this caliber, and early reports indicate that people are seeing improved lap times as a result. In addition to the brakes, expect to see some color changes and a Repsol race edition. Moving on to Honda's smaller-bore machine, the CBR600RR will also get optional C-ABS along with engine changes designed to improve torque right in the middle of the power band, between 8,000 and 12,000 RPM. Along with these changes comes revised styling with flashy colors pulled straight from the mid-'90s. Apparently, neon green and electric blue are back. Why didn't somebody tell us sooner?
What happens when you take the back half of a Honda literbike and mate it to the front half of a race car? According to Twisted Trikes, you end up with an Unidentified Driving Object. Still only a prototype at this stage, the Future Plans section of the website just says coming soon. Sure, this thing does defy classification, but we'll let that slide considering its laudable power-to-weight ratio, which nearly matches that of the original Honda CBR that the engine, transmission and rear swingarm were yanked from. We suspect that the ground-hugging machine is quite the handler as well, with its rack and pinion steering, coil-over shocks and wide, sticky tires all around. Because this machine has three wheels, it is classified as a motorcycle in most any state, so it doesn't need to meet automobile safety regulations. Regardless, we spot a roll bar to go along with the racing harness and form-fitting seat. Unidentified? Perhaps. Insanely fun? Definitely.
Motorcycle design has been evolving over the years to the point that sportbikes of old look almost nothing like what's currently on showroom floors today. Full fairings add an aerodynamic look to the modern sportbike, although the basic mechanicals underneath remain the same. What's most interesting, though, are front end and headlight designs, which are what often differentiates one bike from another and gives a bike its character. It turns out that this unique look is sometimes designed to make people think of the bike as human. For instance, Honda's latest CBR1000RR has headlights designed to look like eyes with an abbreviated "nose" in between. By establishing a human connection, other drivers are more likely to notice the motorcycle, which is definitely a boon for safety, and it also gives the rider a connection to the machine making him or her feel that it is an extension of themselves.
Some motorcycles are purposely styled to look aggressive or mean, intimidating the rider and reminding them that their lives are on the line. It's not often that we think of motorcycle styling as a safety measure, but it's something we can appreciate. Still, there is a part of us that appreciates the elemental mechanical look of classic bikes that much of the industry has lost today. Fortunately, choices abound on the market, so there is surely a bike out there that will appeal to each individual rider.
