Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128130
35th Tokyo Motor Show Yoshimura Tornado S-l features the 300cc more capacity and more clear- first commercial use of BBS forged ance for a racing exhaust, stage one aluminum wheels, improved front camshafts, custom stainless-steel brakes (custom rotor carriers for bet- valve keepers to cope with a 1000- ter track performance, and special rpm increase in engine red-line, a Yoshimura brake pads), custom 0.2mm milled cylinder head to boost Ohlins 43mm road and track forks compression to 13.2, a three-way (internal valving revised for the per- engine map system controlled by a formance anticipated from the Yoshimura GSX-Rl000), Ohlins steering damper, Yoshimura triple clamps, custom fairing with HID projector lamps, custom oil pan with Fujlo Yoshimura poses next to one of the street-going replicas of the GSXR1000 raced in this year's Suzuka 8 Hours. Hiroyuki Yoshino is Honda's CEO and President. The following is his speech to media and VIPs at the 35th Tokyo Motor Show. "The global motorcycle market currently consists of 25 million motorcycles. Nearly 6 million of these are supplied by Honda to our customers all over the world. "At Honda, our strategy has always been to tailor our products to local markets. In Japan, the FTR, the Zoomer, and the Ape, which are great favorites with the younger riders. In Europe, we sell scooters, such as the SH 125 among other models. In North America, our GLX and VTX cruisers are designed for wide-open spaces. In Asia, our range includes many stylish variations utilizing our Super Cub engines. Wherever they are sold, our motorcycles always exceed the expectations of our customers. "The advantages of motorcycles are that they are accessible, economical, and highly maneuverable. They offer great fun and an exhilarating way to get around that can enhance one's quality of life. We are working to ensure that Honda's products always provide these benefits to the greatest extent possible. "For Honda, the motorcycle represents even more than dreams and exhilaration. It is the comerstone of our corporate existence. It is what makes Honda what it is. When starting production in an overseas market, we begin by gaining a local foothold through our motorcycle operations, thereby establishing a platform for the Honda brand. It is then that we begin rolling out our automobile and power product operations in that area. Following this process, we have succeeded by proceeding step by step to integrate our operations with the local community and work toward our goal of meeting all the needs of our customers. "In developing countries, particularly those in Asia, where the market is likely to expand even further in the long term, our motorcycle operations will become even more important as a spearhead for the Honda brand. "In China, where the population is said to have reached approximately 1.3 billion, our current joint venture, China Tianjin Honda Motors Co., Ltd. has already given us a greater presence in the market. We have now combined Tianjin Honda with a prominent local manufacturer, Hainan Sundairo Motorcycle Co., Ltd., to form a new joint venture named Sundiro Honda Motorcycle Co. Ltd. "Hainan Sundiro is an extremely vibrant young company, not unlike Honda in its early days. By combining Sundiro's distribution systems and strong competiveness in cost with Honda's technological resources and quality, and by sharing knowledge and expertise, we will make our motorcycles more affordable than ever. Fostering local operations such as this new company as well as the new plant in India that came online in April will help us to accelerate the development of our new global network. "One of the most important issues to be tackled in the course of our global development is that of environmental preservation. We are working as hard as ever to lower exhaust emissions even further. We are not content merely to comply with regulations; we continue to set our own, much more demanding standards. This is why we are the green· est manufacturer wherever we go. "In line with these aims, we are promoting the Widespread use of high-quality fourstroke engines, which are helping the motorcycle shed its old 'noisy and dirty' image, thanks to lower exhaust emissions, quieter running, and improved fuel economy. Most of our motorcycles throughout the world will have switched over to four· stroke engines by 2002. In Thailand, four-stroke engine models made up about 80 percent of our production at the end of last year. Thus, we have managed to slash our overall hydrocarbon emissions by more than 80 percent in the last five years. "Honda has always considered motorsports as the core of riding pleasure and our challenging spirit. Back in April, at the 2001 FlM Road Racing World Championship, Honda won our 500th Grand Prix victory, and we also captured this year's championships in both the 500cc and 250cc classes. The series kept us in suspense right up until the final race of the season, and the fans seemed to find it just as exciting as I did. "At the start of this year, we selected a new global slogan: 'The Power of Dreams.' The words express Honda's unchanging commitment to pursuing dreams, and making them come true. Honda will continue sharing the joy of riding and the thrill of racing. We are determined to ride out the competitive motorcycle market situation, and resolved to revitalize Japan's motorcycle market As befits our position as the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the world, Honda will continue to meet every challenge. "We look forward to your continued support. n handlebar switch, c1utchless shifter (ignition cut-out control), shift timing light on the dash, titanium exhaust pipe with carbon-fiber silencer, aluminum fuel tank embossed with the Yoshimura logo and twin filler caps, Yoshimura swing arm and linkage set, Ohlins rear shock, and many other goodies. Yoshimura claims 170 horsepower, 30 NOVEMBER 14,2001 • cue ... n e _ s and a weight reduction of about 25 pounds. Price is approximately $35,000. If you have to ask.. .. The next step down from there is a GSX-Rl000 Kenz K-l Edition, a largely stock GSX-Rl000 fitted with bodywork to replicate the X-Formulaclass-winning GSX-R 1000 from this year's Suzuka 8 Hours. Price and availability were not announced.