Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

rpm, though the rev-limiter will not intervene until 10,300. With the emphasis placed on being a fun street bike, the Super Hawk is fitted with a two-into-one-into-two stainlesssteel exhaust system with large-capacity mufflers tuned for midrange torque and power. Vandenberg was kind enough to start the bike for us and the sound is what you would expect from a V-twin of this type, only quite muted due to EPA sound requirements. Don't worry though, the silencers look to be very eas. i1y removed and we're sure the aftermarket will step forward with suitable replacement pieces. Peak output not being the main target leaves maximum (projected) output at a still-healthy 106 or 107 countershaft horsepower at 9,000 rpm; torque should be around 68.7 footpounds at 7,000. Front and rear suspension· components are the HMAS (Honda MultiAction System).,type similar to what was used on the last year's CBR900RR. The basic premise of HMAS is that the use of a smaller piston diameter (4Omm piston in the rear damper vs. what would typically be 46mm) promotes higher fluid velocity for better control by the damping unit. Rear suspension has rebounddamping and spring-preload adjustments; travel is 4.9 inches. Like the rear, conventional 41mm cartridge forks have preload and rebound-damping adjustment; travel at the front is 4.3 inches. Front brakes are 296mm, using eight mounting points on the aluminum carrier instead of 10 to save unsprung weight, as Honda has done on the 1997 CBR600F3 and CBRll00XX. A 220rnrn disc with a single-piston caliper is used at the rear. Cast, three-spoke aluminum wheels 17 inches in diameter are fitted front and rear; width is 5.5 inches at the rear and 3.5 inches at the front. The VTRI000 comes with Michelin Macadam tires made specifically for this model, the front a 120/70ZR17, the rear a 180/55ZR17. The single headlight is a multi-reflector unit done in a single continuous shape and is said to offer excellent performance for a single headlight. As an early-release 1998 model, the 426-pound VTRI000 is not due to be released until April of next year. Price is set at a competitive $8,999 Honda's stranglehold on the AMA 600cc Supersport class loosened a little last year - another brand actually won a race or two as Miguel DuHamel rode to his second consecutive championship. In response, Honda took what they felt was a very success£jJ1 package and aimed refinements toward increasing performance. First things first, there is more power. Peale output is now 105 horsepower, up from 100. This increase was achieved by improving intake and exhaust flow, decreasing internal friction and in the alteration of the 3-D digital ignition mapping. In addition to new mapping, ignition control for the cylinders has been divided to operate cylinders two and three independently from cylinders one and four so that spark can be introduced mOre accurately for the outer, cooler cylinders vs. the inner, hotter ones. The reduction in frictional losses was achieved with a lOrnm-deeper oil pan to reduce splash by the crankshaft, as well as a move to single valve springs from the dual-spring setup used last year. Airflow on the intalee side was improved with altered intalee funnels,- while for the exhaust, muffler capacity is now 6.6 liters, up from six. . Gutch feel has been altered by a new clutch-engagement ratio, while a new Talcing the place of the discontinued Shadow VLX is the '97 Shadow Spirit 1100. The chopper-style aui er moves into the position previously occupied by the VLX as the "standard" Shadow and has been altered to more resemble the ACE models with a number of styling changes. The Spirit uses the 87.5 x 91.4=, 45-degree V-twin used in the old VLX but it has received a thorough cosmetic update so that it mimics the ACE with its liberal use of chrome and staggered exhausts. The cosmetic cleanup of the engine is completed with mostly internalized (Above) Detail chllnges to the CBR600F3's In-line four bump output to 105 horsepower. (Right) The Shlldow Spirit 1100 repillces the stllndllrd Shlldow VLX that has been In the lineup since 1990. shift-drum detent star with more rounded profiles smoothes shifting. Final drive is now by a lighter-weight #525 O-ring chain. Like its larger siblings, the CBR600 now comes fitted with HMAS suspension. As on the CBR9OORR, Super Hawk and CBRll00XX, the rear suspension now uses a 40mm piston (and with it allnew valving). In addition, the link ratio has been made flatter and rear-suspension travel has been increased lOrnm to 120. A full compliment of adjustments js provided for. The 41rnrn cartridge fork gets the HMAS treatment as' well and allows for rebound-damping and springpreload adjustment. Cosmetic changes come in the form of a different tail section, a new front fender that reduces drag by three percent and new paint schemes. In addition to the new Smokin' Joe's and Erioninspired paint jobs, Honda has added an all-red version - you guess which shade. The CBR600F3 will cost $7,799, and dealerships should start receiving the bikes by December. For those riders who like to wear leathers, only the kind without knee pucks, a few new models grace Honda's cruiser lineup. The largest by far is the Valkyrie Tourer. The machine is so named because that's the audience toward which it is aimed - the touring buyer who wants a custOm style. It earns the name by coming with a pair of hard, non-detachable 35-liter weather-sealed bags and a windshield. As a result of these additions, dry weight is up by 33 pounds over the standard Valkyrie to 714. The Valkyrie Tourer will be available in black ($13,999), red/pearl white or pearl green/ pearl ivory ($14,499) and should hit the showroom floor in December. Joining the V-twin cruising line is the Shadow American Gassic Edition Tourer, a bike of much the same spirit as the Valkyrie Tourer, but aimed at the more traditional cruiser buyer who still wants a luggage-carrying, mile-eater. Though the ACE name suggests otherwise, t!:le single-pin crankshaft fitted to the 45-degree V-twin used in the standard ACE has been canned in favor of the offset, dual-pin crankshaft the engine used in the standard VLX. The rubbermounted engine works through a fivespeed transmission and is tuned to produce just under 70 horsepower, considerably more than the low-50s number produced by the single-pin ACE. The ACE frame is used, though the swingarm has been strengthened for the potentially higher loads the Tourer is expected to encounter. A windshield is standard, as are the same 35-liter saddle- (Above) The 1998 ACE Tourer uses the dual-oflsel crank-pin V-twin 01 the IItandard Shadow and produces Just under 70 smooth horsepower. (Below) The Vllikyrie Tourer Is basically unchanged from the s1andard model except for the addition of saddlebags and a windshield. \0 0\ 0\ rl -..D I-< bags used on the Valkyrie Tourer. Four color combinations will be available: black; green/ cream; black/ ivory; and pearl dark red/black. Being an earlyrelease '98 model, expect April availability. Price for the monochrome ACE Tourer is $10,999 and the two-tone models are $11,499. oil and coolant passages. Both the fuel tank and seat are similar to those used on the American Classic. The Spirit will be available in yellow /black, red/ pearl white, metallic gray /pearl white or black/pearl ivory color combinations for $8,899. Basic black will also be available for $8,599. CN OJ E OJ 6 z 19

• Cover