Choosing Malaysia as its venue for unveiling three new flagship bike models, Honda aims to raise the bar for the premium motorcycle market and signify their confidence in the Malaysian market.
Boon Siew Honda chief executive officer and managing director Keiichi Yasuda said the decision to introduce these models was to further strengthen Honda’s big bike products on top of its current line-up. Yasuda remarked that “Our ability to offer these model align with our dream to excite the world”.
The biggest unveil was the premium tourer, the GL1800 Gold Wing. The 2020 model features improvements to the suspension system and its slow speed manners.
The flat six-cylinder engine delivers a peak power of 93kW @ 5,500rpm, with a peak torque of 170Nm delivered @ 4,500rpm. Four rider modes (Tour, Econ, Rain and Sport) are linked to Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Dual Combined Brake System (D-CBS) is standard.
Double wishbone front suspension and Pro-Arm rear provides progressive suspension action and comfort. Front and rear damping levels and rear spring preload are automatically adjusted to suit the riding mode selected.
The 7-inch full-colour TFT liquid crystal display provides infotainment-related information as well as integration with Apple CarPlayTM for iPhones. Full LED lighting, auto-cancelling indicators and LED fog lights are also standard along with the Smart Key control for both ignition and luggage locks.
Available in Pearl Glare White, the GL1800 Gold Wing is priced at RM 208,800.00.
The 2020 Africa Twins, both launched simultaneously, supposedly represents a major evolution and a sharper focus. The CRF1100L is a harder-edged, off-road machine via a lighter chassis, a slim rally-style bodywork and a revised riding position; weight is reduced by 5kg, while engine capacity is increased, boosting power and torque.
The parallel twin engine is now 1,084 cc giving 75kW peak power and 105Nm peak torque. The revised exhaust now features a variable Exhaust Control Valve (ECV). Six-Axis IMU-managed HSTC reveals an additional mode; Off-Road mode now joins the default riding modes of Tour, Urban and Gravel plus the previous two customizable User modes.
Three levels of Wheelie Control in addition with Cornering ABS with off-road settings, Rear Lift Control and DCT cornering lights are also new. The lighter frame, with a bolt-on aluminium subframe and a lighter, more rigid CRF450R-style swingarm improves rear wheel traction and feel.
A Multi Information Display (MID) 6.5-inch TFT touch screen is the information centre and also features Apple CarPlay®. There is also Bluetooth connectivity, Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and cruise control.
The 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports shares the frame, engine and riding position of the off-road focussed CRF1100L Africa Twin but offers riders real continent-crossing long-haul ability and practicality both on and off-road.
The main difference is a larger 24.8L fuel tank offering a potential range of over 500km, extended wind protection (from both the fairing and fairing side panels), height-adjustable screen, large engine sump guard, aluminium rear carrier plus tubeless wheels and tyres. ACC charger and heated grips are also standard. The Adventure Sports is also fitted with Showa EERA™ as standard.
Four default modes – Soft, Mid, Hard and Off-Road – cover every type of riding situation, and there’s a User mode for further fine-tuning. Rear spring preload can also be adjusted while stationary. Three-stage Cornering Lights managed by the IMU automatically adjust the field of illumination depending on the lean angle.
The 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin (Manual) is exclusively available in Grand Prix Red while the Africa Twin Adventure Sports (Manual and DCT) is exclusively available in Pearl Glare White Tricolour. The CRF1100L Africa Twin - Manual is RM 98,888.00, the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports - Manual is RM 111,888.00 and the CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports - DCT goes for RM 117,888.00.
The highlight of the launch was the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. Completely redesigned from the ground-up, the RR-R was built with an unwavering focus on circuit riding, with unprecedented levels of performance and control. Its inline four-cylinder engine draws heavily on the RC213V-S’s combustion efficiency and low friction technologies.
The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP’s 1000cc inline four-cylinder engine was designed with input from the HRC MotoGP development program. The powerplant now generates a peak power of 159Kw @ 14,500rpm and with a peak torque of 112.7Nm @ 12,500rpm, very much in line with offerings from rival manufacturers.
The Akrapovic end-can is constructed from titanium, contributing to mass centralisation. It features an exhaust valve (also designed by Akrapovic) to deliver both low-rpm torque and high-rpm power. The levels of electronic intervention is comprehensive; Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) gains slip rate control for smooth torque management over 9 levels.
Start Mode and quick shifter are as standard fitment with three default riding modes plus options to customize Power, Engine Brake and Wheelie control. A Bosch six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is responsible for accurate calculation of machine dynamic behaviour and precise control system and gains two switchable modes; Sport mode focuses on road-riding performance, with high brake forces and less pitching, while Track mode offers performance in braking due to much higher circuit speeds.
A new aluminium frame and swingarm change weight distribution, centre of gravity and rigidity balance for improved handling and traction and is suspended by a second-generation Öhlins Smart Electronic Control (S-EC) suspension system consisting of a 43mm Öhlins NPX fork and an Öhlins TTX36 Smart-EC monoshock unit.
New Brembo Stylema four-piston radial mount brake calipers are operated by a Brembo master cylinder and brake lever, gripping 10mm larger 330mm diameter discs. The rear brake caliper is the same Brembo unit used by the RC213V-S. Both brakes are managed by ABS with switchable Sport/Track modes. Showa’s new 3-level Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) is also controlled via the IMU.
Inner fairing winglets drawn from the RC213V MotoGP machine reduce wheelies under acceleration and improve braking stability and a lower fuel tank improves the rider’s position in the airflow.
A 5-inch colour TFT screen and simplified four-way left-hand switch offers intuitive control of riding systems and the Honda Smart Key adds convenience and simplifies top-yoke design. The Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP is exclusively available in Grand Prix Red and is priced at RM 198,800.00.
Boon Siew Honda offers a two-year or 20,000km manufacturing warranty (whichever comes first) for all its models. The new 2020 models will be available in all Honda Big Wing stores from second quarter of 2020.