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/209493
P34 IN THE WIND That tends to indicate that Honda is clearly aiming to enhance the image of its brand in the Chinese market. China is the largest motorcycle market in the world, with production of 27 million units in 2012. But even its largest company – Jiangmen Dachangjiang Group Co. Ltd. (which made 2.1 million machines last year) does not come close to Honda's global production. Last year Honda produced slightly in excess of 15 million motorcycles globally, matching the output of all the motorcycle manufacturers in India combined. It expects to build in excess of 17 million power two-wheelers this year. "Honda is exhibiting the world premier of the CBR300R, a global motorcycle model for which Honda is planning to begin production in Thailand in the near future," said Seiji Kuraishi, Honda's Chief Operating Officer in China. The new bike is an enlarged version of the CBR250R and the increased displacement is to allow the sweet-running DOHC, water-cooled, fuel-injected single to better compete with Kawasaki's strong selling 300 Ninja in world markets. To increase the engine displacement to 286cc, Honda has lengthened the stroke of the CBR250R from 55mm to 63mm while retaining the 76mm cylinder bore size it shares with the CBR1000RR. At the same time, Honda has changed the overall look of the bike with a new fairing that incorporates a twin headlight front-end, and a new cylindrical stainless steel muffler in place of the 250's slab-sided black exhaust. The increased displacement of the Honda results in peak power increasing from 19.4 to 22.7 kW, at the same 8500 rpm, while torque now peaks at 27Nm at 7250 rpm (up from 23Nm at 7000 on the 250). Mike Esdaile NEW TITLE SPONSOR FOR REED Chad Reed's TwoTwo Motorsports Team will now be called Discount Tire Racing thanks to a new threeyear agreement with the tire distributor. C had Reed's TwoTwo Motorsport Team says it has extended its relationship with Discount Tire. Not only has the team signed a new three-year agree- ment, but Discount Tire has also been named title sponsor of the team with the team name now Discount Tire Racing. "Discount Tire is proud to part- ner with TwoTwo Motorsports as the team's title sponsor," said a spokesman for the tire company. "Chad has been a great ambassador for Discount Tire and we look forward to working with him and Discount Tire Racing through many winning seasons." "I have been sponsored by companies since I was nine years old, but I have never enjoyed a relationship with a sponsor like Discount Tire," said Reed. "The respect the company shows for its employees, customers and also for the teams it sponsors is second to none, and I am proud to be considered a member of the Discount Tire family."