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/128342
2005 Hondas Unveiled In Nashville clamp allows for lighter weight; new swingarm assembly redesigned for lighter weight; and new two -piece shock design for improved performance and lighter weight. VTXI800F Th e cruiser segme nt has a new entry as well, in the form of the VTX 1800F per formanc e cru iser. The VTX 1800F adds a w hole new look to the VTX line for 2005. Th is sport custom boasts perfo rma nce- cru iser style thro ugh its many unique features, including: bobb ed -style front steel fender with straight-cut rear steel fende r to complement the drag racing styling; low 27.9-inch, two -piece gunfighter-style seat features a remo vable passenger section for an enhanced custom loo k; new, semi- sw e pt , high-rise alumin um handleb ar mounts provide a comfortable , upright riding position; chro med two-i nto -two stag- H onda intr oduced eight new motorcy- cle models at its annual dealer mee t- ing, w hich was held this year in Nashville, Tennessee. The new and updated mod els are highlighted by the brand-new CRF450X off-ro ad four-st ro ke , based on t he CRF450R. Additionally, the CBR600RR has been exte nsively updated for 2005, pr imarily in an effort to reduc e weight and further increase perform ance. The VTX IBOOF is a new ent ry in the VTX line aimed at the unicam varve t rain featu res a car buri ze d single camshaft th at directly act uate s t w o 35mm titanium inta ke valves; forged 12.0: I compression slipper piston is lighter than a conventional design, revving quickly while maintaining cylinder sealing and high-rpm powe r; 40mm Keihin FCR-type carburetor featur es four ro llers on the flat slide ; and increased mid-range pow er; new pisto n surface treatment for re duced friction; fuel injection flow increased to match intake and exhaust system changes; frame and sub-frame red esigned for lighter weight while maintaining super ior handling characterist ics; new bodywork more closely resembles RC21 1V and reduces weight; red esigned top triple- the new CRF450 X. Honda's e ngineers began with the world's prem ier big-bor e mot ocross machine, the CRF450R, and created a lightweight, powerful, open -class four-str oke off-road race r, including electric ventional one-piece design. st art ing. Features include : electr ic start system; C alifornia mo de l meets C aliforn ia Air Resources Board em ission standards; gas exhaust syste m uses a lightweight, stainless stee l exhaust header and muffler equipped with spark arreste r. The chassis highlights include: all-new, fou r th -generation tw in- spar aluminum ter; w ide-ratio five- speed t ransmission; sus- frame; lightw eight, 47mm invert ed Showa twin-chamber cart ridge fork; and a Pro- link pension and chassis tuned for off-road rid- single-shock rear suspension system, featur- ing; I S-inch rear w heel for greater flat-tire protection ; and rubber-mounted alum inum 8 ture chrome visors, clear lenses; and amber The VTX1800F engine features a 1795cc liquid-cooled, 52-degree V-twin that hammers out a claimed 106bhp at 5000 rpm and 120 lb./ft. of torque at 3500 rpm . It has fourinch cylinde r bores and the largest connecting rods and cylinders Honda has ever made, and the 4lA-pound forged ste e l crankshaft uses bolted weights, red ucing crankcase width nearly two inches and redu cing crankshaft weight 8.8 pounds compared to a con- The biggest surprise comes in the for m of ing a fully adjusta ble Showa rear damper. CBR600RR In the sportbike segment, the CBR600RR has been updated for 2005. It incorporates a host of next-generation upgrades including: radialmounte d front brake calipers; 4 1mm inverted front fork; new intake port shape and redesigned exhaust for lighter weight and U nicam engine ; lightweight. co m pact, internal auto decomp ressor system for cold-start ing and hot- start ing o perat ion; ment w ith hairline brushed finish for a cus- tom look; new bullet- style turn signals fea- te r, bar graph tacho me ter, odometer, trip met ers and a clock. Other bikes that have been updat ed or introduc ed includ e the VTX 1300R, ST 1300P (Police) , Shado w Spirit 750 , CR250R and CRI25R. CRF450X Renthal handlebars (971 bend). The e ngine highlights include : fourstroke 449cc liquid-coo led four-valve mirr ors; new custo m- style recessed LED tail and brake light; new billet -style rear fend er rails feature a slotted surface tr eat- flasher bulbs; and new tank-mou nted digital LCD instr umen tation includes a speed ome- perf orm ance cruiser market. tank capacity is 2.27 gallons; resettable , th ree-digit odom eter ; USDA-qualified muffier/s par k arrester; new 35-watt halogen headlight ; integrat ed LED taillight in rear fender ; a sidesta nd that's integrate d into left foot peg bracket and can be removed for competition events; easy-access air fil- ger ed exhaust system featu res five-bolt muffler tips and a deep exhaust not e; streamlined headlight featur es a smaller hoode d lens for a minimalist loo k; aggressive 10-spo ke racing-style cast wheels featur e a low-p rofile 130/5SR-18 radial front tire with an aggressive 180/55R-18 rad ial rear tire; large flangeless, 4.8-gallon gas tank featur es pin-stripe quality VTX decal badging; new custom-de sign wedge-shape SEPTEMBER22, 2004 • CYCLE NEWS 40th Annive rsa ry