HONDA
With the boom in adventure motorcycles, many brands have somewhat neglected the more versatile road motorcycle segment, which allows for comfortable travel, tackling winding roads at high speeds, and even confident city riding. The CB1000GT not only fills this gap, but also has more than enough qualities to lead this category.
The Hornet inherits the inline four-cylinder engine, originally from the 2017 CBR1000RR Fireblade, which has been tuned for a smoother initial throttle response. It also features the same diamond-type chassis, but the subframe and swingarm are longer, increasing the wheelbase for greater stability, more space for the rider and passenger, and room for standard luggage.
What varies significantly is the ergonomics, with wider handlebars in a higher position and more centrally located footpegs. This results in a more natural and less demanding riding position, with only a 3 mm increase in seat height (825 mm) and an 18 kg weight reduction (229 kg) compared to its naked version.
Much of its personality comes from the aggressive fairing positioned above the frame, with a bold and striking aesthetic, but which clearly identifies it as a Honda. Furthermore, behind this design lies meticulous aerodynamic work to offer ideal airflow efficiency at any speed.
The windshield also plays an important role in this aspect and is adjustable in five positions. Hand guards have been placed on both sides of the handlebars, contributing to refined aerodynamics and providing comfort during riding. The fuel tank has a capacity of 21 liters, which should guarantee a range of more than 300 km.
Another feature that distinguishes this GT from the Hornet is its Showa EERA electronic suspension, which offers the same 4+1 preset modes as the engine. This system adjusts damping in real time based on speed, lean angle, front suspension preload, and road irregularities. It reacts in just 15 milliseconds, providing a smoother or softer ride, with 130 mm of travel at the front and 144 mm at the rear, depending on these parameters.
In progress: total balance...Honda held the international launch of its new CB1000GT in Benidorm, which greeted us with intense cold, but with that brief, yet splendid, winter sun that made the day much more pleasant. Ahead of us, 140 kilometers of roads through the interior of Alicante to test the versatility of a motorcycle that, at first glance, already shows itself to be very well finished and with a premium touch.
As soon as you get on the bike, you immediately feel at home. Despite its size, the seat is narrow enough that you can easily reach the ground with both feet, making maneuvering while stationary much easier. And the weight doesn't get in the way in these situations. You need to keep an eye on the saddlebags, of course, but they are removable, and in any case, the widest part of the bike is at the handlebars, so take that into consideration when passing cars. The ergonomics are clearly well-designed, as the riding position is perfect. You immediately feel that it's the bike you've always known, and that's something few models achieve.
The engine's exceptional performance is combined with a perfectly tuned gearbox, which includes a slipper clutch and a smooth-operating bidirectional quickshifter, allowing you to forget about the clutch lever and providing precise gear changes, both up and down. The riding modes are clearly differentiated, and you can easily tell when you want a sportier ride or prefer a more relaxing experience, ideal for long trips.
The last stretch of the journey, back to Benidorm, was on the highway, testing the cruise control and putting the aerodynamic protection to the test. There, I discovered a disadvantage in a motorcycle that, by this point, had already completely won me over. The windshield was a little short for me, and I am of average height (1.77 m). The manual system is simple, to the point that it can be operated while moving with a lever and the left hand, but I preferred the lower position, because in the higher position it oscillated a little, without fully protecting me from the wind. The good news is that Honda sells a larger windshield as an accessory, which was installed on some of the test bikes, and with it, the windshield fit perfectly.
In addition to the standard version, Honda will offer its new CB1000GT with three packages: Sport, Comfort, and Urban. The Sport package includes lower fairing, tank decals, engine guard, and wheel decorations. The Comfort package features a high windshield, Comfort seat for rider and passenger, deflectors in various areas of the fairing, and fog lights. Finally, the Urban package includes a 50-liter top case with backrest and decorative panel, rear rack for the top case, and alarm system. Besides the packages, all Honda accessories will be available individually.
In all its versions, the Honda CB1000GT will be available in three colors: black ('Graphite Black'), red ('Grand Prix Red'), and gray ('Pearl Deep Mud Gray'). And now, good and bad news. The good news is that, although there is still no official suggested price, Honda has informed us that it will be around €15,000. The bad news is that it won't arrive at dealerships until June.
The wait will be worth it, because even before its official launch, it has already become a formidable competitor. Honda didn't have a motorcycle with these characteristics and decided to fully enter the sport touring segment, not only in terms of mechanical performance, which I've already mentioned is exceptional, but also with a price that, considering its level of equipment and quality, is more than reasonable.
Mundoquatrorodas
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário