MOTORCYCLE – Honda Shows New Gold Wing, NSF100
American Honda’s Motorcycle Division unveiled its 2006 powersports vehicle line-up during the company’s annual business meeting, held September 7 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
Honda has more than 70 motorcycle, scooter, ATV and personal watercraft models for 2006.
Dealers at the event – themed “The Power of Red” – saw all-new units, including the Gold Wing with airbag ($18,999-$22,799), CBR1000R ($11,299), Interceptor ABS/Interceptor ($10,499), 599 ($7,399), CRF150F ($3,099), CRF250R ($6,299) and track-only NSF100 ($4,999), the price for which has not been released.
In the road category, the 2006 Gold Wing receives satellite navigation, an 80-watt audio system, a cold weather comfort package, and the industry’s first fully integrated rider airbag.
A road bike designed for track-use only, the 164-lb. NSF100 features a 99cc four-stroke single producing 8.7hp. It’s a machine Honda calls “the ultimate roadracing starter kit.”
Rounding out the road line introduction, Honda says the CBR1000RR received extensive changes that sharpen handling, boost horsepower and reduce weight; the ’06 Interceptor has a revamped VTEC system and a plethora of styling upgrades; and back in the line for 2006, the 599 features a host of upgrades, including an inverted HMAS fork and two-piece mini-cowl with tinted flyscreen.
Off-road riders can look forward to a CRF150F with an all-new engine featuring push-button electric starting, new transmission ratios and new suspension settings; and a CRF250R now using a unique dual-muffler exhaust system.
REMAINING ROAD MODELS
Honda’s returning streetbike line-up includes the ST1300 /ST1300 ABS ($13,999-$15,099), police-issue ST1300P, the five-model VTX1800 line-up (starting at $13,199), RC51 ($11,999), CBR600RR ($8,999), CBR600F4i ($8,499), 919 ($8,399) and Nighthawk ($3,599).
The brand’s U.S. scooter offering for ’06 are the Silver Wing ABS/Silver Wing ($7,949-$8,449), Reflex ABS/Reflex Sport ABS/ Reflex Sport (starting at $5,499-$5,999), Helix ($5,299), Big Ruckus ($5,499), Elite 80 ($2,349), Metropolitan ($1,849) and Ruckus ($1,999).
– Guido Ebert
