Honda preparing Dakar assault

[DruncleWill]

[QUOTE=too old;19655006]

Originally Posted by too old

[url]http://world.honda.com/news/2012/c120921CEO-Speech/index.

"With the best and brightest gathered from Europe, South America, the U.S. and Japan, together as one “works” team"

US? - now is that testing support or something else

I would think testing and development support for now. The very best Honda wrench twisters in the US run out of a shop in San Clemente California, that is well known for it's lack of public comment. This shop has a stable of young riders that will be doing thousands of miles of riding in north western Mexico between now and the middle of November. Sources tell me that the EFI system has been played with for over a year now.

[too old]

[QUOTE=DruncleWill;19655257]

Originally Posted by too old

I would think testing and development support for now. The very best Honda wrench twisters in the US run out of a shop in San Clemente California, that is well known for it's lack of public comment. This shop has a stable of young riders that will be doing thousands of miles of riding in north western Mexico between now and the middle of November. Sources tell me that the EFI system has been played with for over a year now.

seen Will's page on Planet Robby - plenty of speculation or knowledge? so 4 + 1 = 5, have you named the 5th?

Press conference in Germany middle of next week (oct) - Will all be revealed?

[Bluebull2007]

[QUOTE=too old;19655179]

Originally Posted by too old

http://solomoto.es/1348308274/enduro...r#.UF4BZ2thiK0

Got no Spanish, but 5 pilotos I can work out - who is #5???

The text is not clear, just that most notable of the five is Helder Rodriguez and that the Japanese designer is heading up the team - T. Yamazaki. With a name like that it sounds like he should be working for the Yamaha design team.

[barrier]

[QUOTE=Bluebull2007;19661244]

Originally Posted by too old

T. Yamazaki. With a name like that it sounds like he should be working for the Yamaha design team.

Yeah! Maybe a joint effort with Kawazaki!

[too old]

[QUOTE=barrier;19661375]

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Yeah! Maybe a joint effort with Kawazaki!

Well, with the CEO being Mr. Suzuki, there must be a relative of Mr. Honda somewhere?

[rmhrc628]

Bit clearer of doyles image

[Brodovitch]

Cool. I blew it up in photoshop (hence the slight pixelation)



The front fuel cell on the side appears to go under the cradle frame.. ? (the black & white one with the HRC logo),
then it joins the belly pan / engine protector seamlessly, so the 2 side fuel cells on the front share a single joint filler cap where mx/enduro bikes have theirs?

The side shrouds continue forward to shape into the front fender + windscreen fairing

Am I alone in thinking that this looks a lot like a Suzuki DR800?

And how the hell do you get to the engine behind all this bodywork?

Not impressed to say the least, it seems to me they are striving to do something innovative without thinking of the practicalities of a 14day race...

[Pete640]

Tried accessing the motor on a Ktm rallye??? No chance without removing the tanks or airbox

But being a Honda you really shouldn't have too!!! Just ride

[doyle]

Knowing Honda, a lot of the packaging could be quite practical, though I wonder if it's a single front tank that splays out from inside the frame to either side of the motor? Remove the motor to remove the tank? Doesn't seem too practical, but I am just speculating based off that photo.

[Brodovitch]

Originally Posted by Pete640

Tried accessing the motor on a Ktm rallye??? No chance without removing the tanks or airbox

But being a Honda you really shouldn't have too!!! Just ride

I know, this just looks more complicated than it has to be...

[Baja Dad]

What a bunch of Nit Pickers!!
This is just a concept Photo. IMO

1. Yes the front fender looks like the old DR 800 ( I like it for a High fender )
2. I like a LOW fender better!!
3. twin rear tanks???
4. 70 % Husaberg type Air filter??
5. low style Nav Tower!!!!

[gagnaou]

Have you guys seen this other bike developed by Arcarons based on the Honda as well?
http://www.enduro360.com/2011/07/21/...da-rally-raid/

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[doyle]

Originally Posted by gagnaou

Have you guys seen this other bike developed by Arcarons based on the Honda as well?
http://www.enduro360.com/2011/07/21/...da-rally-raid/

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

As far as I know, the HM Honda project never really went too far and Arcarons has since joined Bordone Ferrari as the team manager so I doubt he has any further input.

[Deadly99]

As others have mentioned it's just a concept photo.....IMHO it looks like an aftermarket kit instead of a purpose built rally bike. Disappointing from an esthetics point of view. My thoughts are that only mr Rodriguez will know if it's competitive against the factory ktm bikes and for that we'll likely not get an answer. The two rear tanks with the mx looking rear fender... tanks bolted onto a subframe.....old school. A front end that looks like n old Suzuki Mr Big

[Baja Dad]

Originally Posted by Deadly99

As others have mentioned it's just a concept photo.....IMHO it looks like an aftermarket kit instead of a purpose built rally bike. Disappointing from an esthetics point of view. My thoughts are that only mr Rodriguez will know if it's competitive against the factory ktm bikes and for that we'll likely not get an answer. The two rear tanks with the mx looking rear fender... tanks bolted onto a subframe.....old school. A front end that looks like n old Suzuki Mr Big

They are using up all the left over Honda CUB parts!!!