2004 Honda CBR 1000RR Track Test

What is up with Honda lately? I am a fan and have owned them but the last few years some of their actions are unfathomable to me. Why would they not provide access for testing to a major online publication? It seems to me that MO's relationship is "upsidedown" with them. Their excuses, over time, start to sound more and more petty. Could it be that like the 919 and 600RR their newest can't win in most open, honest comparisons? Are they looking for the "Motortrends" of the industry, remember when the Caprice was named "Car of the Year"? Maybe it says alot that Honda isn't playing ball. I hope MO continues to give subscribers the truth without regard to the Manufacturers feelings. I can get the Honda information elsewhere but will take note that those with the courage to say the Emperor is naked don't seem to get the "Red" carpet treatment.

What is up with Honda lately? I am a fan and have owned them but the last few years some of their actions are unfathomable to me. Why would they not provide access for testing to a major online publication? It seems to me that MO's relationship is "upsidedown" with them. Their excuses, over time, start to sound more and more petty. Could it be that like the 919 and 600RR their newest can't win in most open, honest comparisons? Are they looking for the "Motortrends" of the industry, remember when the Caprice was named "Car of the Year"? Maybe it says alot that Honda isn't playing ball. I hope MO continues to give subscribers the truth without regard to the Manufacturers feelings. I can get the Honda information elsewhere but will take note that those with the courage to say the Emperor is naked don't seem to get the "Red" carpet treatment.

Doh! Double post, sorry.

Re: I was born and raised in Ireland and...

Our relatives from Eire (they live in Scowsie(sp?)) were here during the 2002 Olympics. We went downtown to buy some bobsled tickets from some scalpers (morally superior Utah temporarily allowed scalping in the vicintity of the "Olympic Walk"). We met a guy who was from Eire who had some bobsled tickets. As soon as he recognized that our relatives were not from Dublin (he was) he tried to double the price of the tickets, so we went to the next guy.

Eire is a great place to visit though. Just let someone else drive. It's too nervewracking trying to stay on the left side of the road.

I think it's safe to say that unless you're REAL good none of the new Liter-bikes will tolerate much Hamfistedness.

Well said brother Bass!

LOL! That was pretty funny EBass. But as I only have 17 days left I won't be around to read the reprint of the manufacturer's specs that you'll (and nearly evey other mag) publish and call journalism. But then you are a philosopher....



Take care,

Dave

Yep, maybe North of 1,000,000 to 1.

Re: Enough of this Political Correctness

Stop it KPaul! Every time you say something like this (ie. something that actually makes sense) it makes me second guess all the ill will and the general low opinion I have of you.

Re: Überbike

It seems Honda is similar to an expensive watch. Meticulous engineering, lots of expensive parts, great looks, and it keeps time just about as well as a Timex.

As for the "inevitable Overbite", is perfection defined as: we ain't competitive so to support our sales racing has to handicap everything with more than 2 jugs? Why not just race Supper Dyno-glides? Call it Jurassic GP?

Re: Hah!

Yet none can hold a candle to the Kawasaki Ninja 250.

Re: Überbike

Listen, Mr-my-sorry-ass-has-never-ridden-a-V-Twin, you can build vanilla bikes which most probably will succeed, or you can be an individual, try something new and have a chance of engineering something exceptional: Ducati did so with the 916 and have a legend on their hand, never mind it has the reliability of sunshine in the UK. I'd rather have a firm being unique (Aprilia & their Cube) than the Brit Gits with a 600 that's no different to the Japanese ricebowls (Triumph and the TT600).

Re: Überbike

Yes, but who else has Bavaria Munich, BMW and the Oktoberfest in one city? And you just watch out for BMW's GP entry....

You have once again missed the point entirely. I'm not going to explain it again. How bout kiss my butt MO.



Respectfully,

My entire Butt

Relax, dude. The SV650 long-term wrap-up will be along shortly to make you happy. I don't know where you ride, but here in the SF Bay Area, a racebike is exactly what I need.

Re: Enough of this Political Correctness

EGAD! You have Texan roots. That embarrasses me.

- Dan in Houston

Two Notes to Honda:



Item 1: I have three brand H bikes in the garage (90 Hawk, 00 XR650R and 03 CRF150). There will be no more Hondas until you stop this infantile behavior towards Motorcycle Online.



Item 2: Immediately fire the idiot responsible for keeping the red, white and blue CBR from coming to America. Who thought that those colors were unpopular here?

Steering damper

I have to wonder why they'd put an expensive doo-dad like the electronic steering damper on there if they didn't have to. Maybe their computer models showed instability in the front, who knows. But they could have OEM'd some stick dampers for pretty cheap, instead they came up with this techno-thing.

Or, it could be Honda just one-upping the competition again.

GS.

Re: Steering damper

Or, they could still be smarting from the recall they had to do on 954RRs for faulty steering head bearings...