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HONDA SHOWS OFF SELF-BALANCING MOTORCYCLE
T
he world's biggest motorcycle manufacturer
loves to be a bit of a show off sometimes and the
start of 2017 is no different, as Honda unveils a self-
balancing bike at the Consumer Electronics Show
(CES) in Las Vegas.
Honda has released a cute video of a motorcycle
that not only balances itself with no side-stand but
also follows you around like a puppy—making your
analog bike look decidedly lazy in comparison. The
self-balancing feature, dubbed Moto Riding Assist
Technology, is achieved by having an electronically
variable steering head, which rakes out the forks and
moves the front wheel back and forth like a bicycle
rider at the lights.
Honda has applied the technology to their vener-
able NC750S, a twin-cylinder naked bike/scooter
crossover noted for using Honda's clutchless auto-
matic dual-clutch transmission.
"Since our founding, Honda has focused on creat-
ing technologies that help people," said Yoshiyuki
Matsumoto, President & CEO of Honda R&D Co.,
Ltd. "Our goal is to showcase a future technology
path that results in a redefined mobility experience."
This is the second self-balancing bike we've seen
from a major motorcycle manufacturer in under 12
months with BMW releasing the Vision Next 100
Concept in Los Angeles last November. CN
TOURATECH REVEALS R 1200 GS RAMBLER
B
MW's R 1200 GS has just come in for a serious
work-over from German ADV company Touratech
with this incredible machine dubbed the Rambler the
result.
Touratech has long been making factory-approved
custom ADV machines but this one takes it a number
of steps further, meaning this GS really does fulfill its
namesake as a go-anywhere machine.
Touratech actually used two bikes to make this
one—the engine and gearbox comes from the BMW
R 1200 R streetbike, with the chassis a highly modi-
fied GS version.
The Rambler's frame has been beefed up and
runs a telescopic fork setup, rather than the Tele-
lever system of standard R 1200 GS machines and
is designed for hardcore off-roading. Touratech
designed the bodywork and the 4.75-gallon gas
tank that extends under the enduro seat, plus fitted a
lighter, off-road-style single front disc.
Designed to be a modern interpretation of BMW's
iconic HP2, the new Rambler pumps out 125 hp and
is an incredible 110 pounds (claimed) lighter than a
standard 1200 GS.
Click here for more information. CN
