Honda manufacturers launch new motorcycles

At the launch on Thursday in Lagos, Managing Director of the company, Mr Toshio Kuwana, said the introduction of the motorcycles is in response to the growing demand for it by numerous customers in the country He said the new package has been developed to maintain the function/performance required for a utility motorcycle. According to […]

At the launch on Thursday in Lagos, Managing Director of the company, Mr Toshio Kuwana, said the introduction of the motorcycles is in response to the growing demand for it by numerous customers in the country

He said the new package has been developed to maintain the function/performance required for a utility motorcycle.

According to him, the styling theme is contended as “Tough Looking”, expressing the sense of presence and strength by the simple, yet clear-cut surface structures and the unique character lines.

He also said the motorcycle has more space and comfort for rider and passengers, adding that thorough weight reduction of each part resulted in the reduction of curb weight of vehicle by approximately 10%.

While setting a high target for the environmental performance with an aim at a reduced weight and the compactness as well as adequately satisfying the basic performance requirements, we employed the OHC configuration featuring a simple cylinder head construction to allow for a weight reduction. By the CAE analysis of the centre tightening boss, we have determined a crankcase configuration that permits layout of the transmission close to the crankshaft while maintaining adequate rigidity, realizing the further compactness’’

Speaking on the structure of the motorcycles, the company’s boss said in order to reduce frictions from sliding of the piston in the cylinder, the oil grooves are provided on the piston surface as well as employing the offset cylinder (offset to exhaust side) design.

The employment of oil jet improves cooling of the piston.

On engine performance of the new product, he said the selected bore/stroke of φ52.4 x 57.9mm coupled with the longer-than-usual intake pipe after thorough analysis of the intake and exhaust systems realize such power output characteristics that feature high torque in the low and medium engine speeds.

On weight distribution on the front wheel, he said his company aimed at such handling characteristics that assure sense of security even when carrying a passenger or a cargo.

As well as employing a long wheel base (1,310mm), the compact engine is laid as close to the front of the motorcycle as possible to increase weight distribution on the front wheel even when two persons are on the motorcycle.

Also attained is the minimum turning radius of 2.04m that allows easy turning in a narrow space despite the long wheel base. Considering the rigidity balance with the frame, the telescopic front fork having Φ31mm fork pipes is employed for the front suspension. Maintaining the suspension stroke of 131.5mm, which is adequate for the needs of a utility motorcycle in Nigeria, the front fork ensures good road holding while realizing soft yet “not prone to bottoming” rides.

Considering the rigidity balance with the frame, the telescopic front fork having Φ31mm fork pipes is employed for the front suspension. Maintaining the suspension stroke of 131.5mm, which is adequate for the needs in Nigeria, the front fork ensures good road holding while realizing soft yet “not prone to bottoming’’

Speaking on the size of tyre, he said  80/100-18M/C is employed for the front wheel, 90/90-18M/C for the rear wheel, realizing the agile handling characteristics suitable for a utility motorcycle.