[humprabbit]

Im not going to say anything about this picture, Ill leave it for discussion but it is very interesting in my opinion.

Lets see if any of you can pick up on it

 

[AR_]

It's a production model.

 

[DHS]

thats ****ing awesome!!!

 

[scurban]

It's a production model.

Too Flexy for production

 

[spacemanspiff06]

nice!
what brakes are those?

 

[buildyourown]

What's different about it? I got to touch one this weekend at Masters.

 

[humprabbit]

Heres my take on it.

1. 'Mission case' is no longer carbon, To me it looks like high impact GRP, widely used in the automotive industry for wing mirrors etc and very durable, hence the lack of the latice support cage. It also seems to be two piece which would aid consumer servicing and replacement if damaged.

I beleive the metallic plate is just a model badge, but the white cap looks like a screw bung which seems to be in the area of where the gear cable would connect with the funky mech set up.

2. The Forks. These are also no longer carbon but regular ( well as regular as you would expect from Honda) material, lending itself to a more production freindly fork, Also the crowns are much more consumer finished.

3. The seat tower. No more carbon again, another sensible move for a production model.

4. Finishing components. Unbranded products are something that wouldnt be used on a prototype, and if my memory serves me right the cranks have never been anything but XT since day one. the brakes are Akiebono. Also the wheel package seems very market ready, gone are the Deemax and although its still a tubeless mavic it is one that can be replaced easily and cheaply if damaged.

Be interesting in the next 6 mths to see what news if any comes out of Honda, but I still reckon you wont see anything to buy until late 2006 if the way they release motorbikes has anything to do with it.

Price wise im going with at least £5500 (UK) and only 250 being made and that could be it then

Then again I could be wrong, just thought you lot over the pond might know something.

 

[caputo1989]

It's your $13,000 bike?

 

[stubby]

It says gas on the side of it?
it barley holds the seatpost?

 

[dw]

I think its stunning.

 

[humprabbit]

GAS is an Italian clothing manufacturer that has always been involved with honda making their team clothing etc...

 

[valve bouncer]

The white sign on the stand behind it is asking people to fill in a questionairre. Interesting...more market research.

 

[Rockland]

Am I seeing a sticker that says gas? Ahaha

 

[stubby]

actually the cranks have been xtr and the in house honda manufacturd cranks.

 

[stubby]

oh gas, like fuel clothing, ic

 

[ÆX]

What's different about it? I got to touch one this weekend at Masters.

i shot some pics of the production one at sunpeaks

still not home but i noticed it looked like a production

model too.

 

[Jimmy_Pop]

i love the looks of that bike, the geo looks like i could instantly feel comfortable.
i'd ditch that ghey front fender and probably loose the USD fork.

 

[Senôr Lopez]

I've been wating a long, long time for a Terminator T-1000 inspired bike! Now I just need to dig up around 10 grand to afford it! What a sweet rig!

 

[dhkid]

is it still using 28 inch wheels? i want those tires!!! well, just make it two of the front ones.

 

[AR_]

is it still using 28 inch wheels? i want those tires!!! well, just make it two of the front ones.

Just look like standard Mavic 823 tubeless.

 

[blt2ride]

That's pretty interesting. I remember at last year's national in Big Bear, one of the Honda Reps. was walking around getting people to do a survey. I think that's what they are doing here. They made a bike that looks like a production bike, and are using it for research and development.

BTW...that bike is a beauty. I'm guessing it will cost about as much as a slightly used Honda Civic--if it ever goes into production.

 

[bizutch]

ooooh....building my resume now.... HAH!

 

[RD]

gorgeous.

 

[Kevin]

Anyone wanna buy a v10?

 

[motomike]

ha, I just noticed the rear fender. sweet!

 

[ChrisKring]

i shot some pics of the production one at sunpeaks

still not home but i noticed it looked like a production

model too.

The guy riding the Honda bike at the Master's was the development engineer for Honda in charge of that bike. Iguess he used to be a big time pro MX racer. Anyway, he was stupid fast for being in the 45-49 year old bracket. He beat me and half the 30-34 year olds.

BTW: congrats to BCD on his podium finish.

 

[Transcend]

It is indeed the pro production model. There are bombs to be dropped about this bike shortly!

 

[partsbara]

The white sign on the stand behind it is asking people to fill in a questionairre. Interesting...more market research.

hey davo, do me a favour and ask around... what do they sell for in japo ??

PM me if ya want...

cheers

 

[Jeremy R]

It is indeed the pro production model. There are bombs to be dropped about this bike shortly!

If Honda was smart and used their money to sell these at a very reasonable price, they will not be able to make enough of them.

 

[Downhiller]

i was reading about that bike in Croatian T3 magazine...

it costs 45,000 EUROS i dont know how much is it in $

but if you wanna order it you must order directly from HONDA factory and you must talk with director of Honda...




too much money for that bike, i would perfere nicolai or somethging like that

 

[DHS]

i was reading about that bike in Croatian T3 magazine...

it costs 45,000 EUROS i dont know how much is it in $

but if you wanna order it you must order directly from HONDA factory and you must talk with director of Honda...




too much money for that bike, i would perfere nicolai or somethging like that

no, that was the first one.. the new one is going to be MUCH cheaper...

 

[Transcend]

If Honda was smart and used their money to sell these at a very reasonable price, they will not be able to make enough of them.

100% agree, if i didn't have a semi long termish deal with orange I would be all over it. It's just perdy.

 

[Repack]

Its got a purdy mouth!

I guess that Honda has decided that they would rather see Honda DH bikes at mtb races than 50's.

 

[seismic]

It looks like a very nice bike indeed - but kind of fragile....but ok....pure race.

 

[Transcend]

It looks like a very nice bike indeed - but kind of fragile....but ok....pure race.

fragile? have you seen what minnaar puts this bike through?

 

[bizutch]

down fraser, read his sig...he's an AVY fanatic...if it isn't burly, burly...he won't like it.

 

[neversummersnow]

If this bike goes for more than 4000 dollars it would boggle my mind. Honda has the manufacturing ability to run circles around the entire bike industry. They have more resources and assets than the rest of the guys put together. They have their hand in a lot more than just cars, bikes, small engines...

 

[WheelieMan]

Doesn't matter how capable Honda's manufacturing ability is. When you produce only 250 of something, it's going to be very expensive. (not sure who quoted that number or if it's even accurate)

Personally I am shocked that Honda is even bothering with mountain bikes. The money they will make from these bikes is peanuts compared to what they make from cars, lawnmowers, motorcycles, etc...

 

[Transcend]

If this bike goes for more than 4000 dollars it would boggle my mind. Honda has the manufacturing ability to run circles around the entire bike industry. They have more resources and assets than the rest of the guys put together. They have their hand in a lot more than just cars, bikes, small engines...

I agree, they also have some crazy partnerships setup, so it may be possible to get really nice stuff on this bike at a budget price.

I think we may be about to witness the beginning of the sane pricing spectrum for the gravity world. There is no reason besides lack of volume that a DH bike should cost more then a friggin' motorcycle. Honda is the only one who can able change that (in my opinion) at this point due to their manufacturing abilities.

oh also wheelie: when i heard initial rumours last year, it was for 2000-3000 frames. That of course is ridiculously high, but I am sure they will flood their dealers, and do many more then 250 bikes. Besides, they already have the tooling ready from their prototype bikes..why waste it? Better to produce 250 of something when the tooling is already done, and help pay off setup, then to do nothing at all.

 

[seismic]

fragile? have you seen what minnaar puts this bike through?

Well - but how long time does he has to ride the same frame ? The tear and wear from the private customer will be stretched over a much longer period - and then we will see what can hold up - and especially what can not...