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COPYRIGHT 2005 Ehlert Publishing Group
The first wave of new motorcycle models for 2006 has been released from Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha, and it's looking like a banner year for sportbikes, with low-slung, mass-centralized mufflers and exhausts a new central theme. Rumor has it there's more to come from the first three, too. We'll have the scoop and the new stuff from the other European manufacturers in issues to follow shortly so stay tuned.
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HONDA
The Big Red rumor mill has been working overtime churning out speculation about 2006 being the year for an additional Gold Wing model or an all-new big-inch cruiser, but neither has so far materialized. What we do know, though, is that Honda sharpened its open-class scalpel, the CBR1000RR, to make slicing up the competition even easier.
The improvements start in the engine bay, where a new cylinder-head combustion-chamber shape raises the compression ratio, and a new intake cam lets the engine make more power at high rpm. New intake valves are now controlled by two springs each, instead of one, and the redline is higher to let you take advantage of all the top-end work. The engine exhales through a lighter exhaust system that flows better than before, and the intake's ram-air intake screen now sports a grid that reduces air resistance for better flow.
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The CBR's generator cover is made of magnesium this year, and deep in the transmission are new gears that provide improved engagement for those quick shifts. The clutch gets an upgrade, too, with new needle bearings that are more durable and improve the engagement feel.
Want better handling? You got it, thanks to improved chassis geometry. Both the front fork's settings and the rear shock's linkage are tweaked, too, for better performance and handling. The front brakes grow 10mm to 320mm, clamped by four-piston radial-mounted calipers. The bodywork is all-new, and the seat is even more comfortable, thanks to improved foam under the cover. Available colors are Candy Blue/Yellow, Red/Black, Silver/Metallic Silver and Black.
For 2006 Honda's smooth operator, the Interceptor, boasts a host of changes, most notably a revamped VTEC system that kicks in at 6,400 rpm instead of 7,000 for a smoother power transition. Clear front and rear turn-signal lenses look...
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