New Harleys Roll

Newcastle Herald

Saturday July 30, 2005

GR

New Harleys roll

HARLEY-DAVIDSON has six reworked bikes waiting in the wings for a local launch as 2006 models.

Changes for the '06 variants include a new six-speed transmission for Dyna range and two new models, the stripped-down FXDBI Street Bob and limited-run FXDI 35th Anniversary SuperGlide.

New models will also be added to the Softail, Touring and VRSC families.

H-D-owned sports bike maker Buell will also add new models for 2006 with the Ulysses XB12X Adventure and Lightning Long XB12S coming into the family.

Leaner Hondas loom

HONDA wants to make its motorcycles more fuel-efficient and has come up with some interesting ways to achieve its goal.

The company says its plans include the introduction of fuel-injection systems across the board, the complete replacement of two-stroke engines with four-strokes and, longer term, low-friction engines for 100cc and 125cc bikes running two spark plugs per cylinder to improve combustion efficiency.

Bigger-engined bikes are likely to get a variable cylinder management (VCM) system with cylinder cut-off technology. .

Honda says it can improve large-bike engine economy by 30 per cent compared to current levels.

© 2005 Newcastle Herald

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