Honda facility at Twin Ring Motegi has Yamahas on display for Japanese MotoGP week

Yamaha bikes in the Honda hall at Twin Ring Motegi, and Italian-style pasta being cooked by a Japanese chef working in an Italian restaurant in Japan. Excellent!

This week, visitors to the Honda Collection Hall at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, in Japan, will get more than they bargained for if they tour the Japanese manufacturer’s historic collection of motorcycles and cars. On the occasion of this year’s Japanese MotoGP race week, Honda have allowed Yamaha to display their racebikes as well, which have been placed amidst Honda’s own collection.

Among the Yamaha machines now being shown at Motegi are Max Biaggi’s 2002 YZR-M1, Phil Read’s 1968 RD05A, Kenny Roberts’ 1983 YZR500, John Kocinski’s 1990 YZR250 and Wayne Rainey’s 1993 YZR-M1. Yamaha are celebrating their 50th year in Grand Prix racing this year and Honda have, very graciously, allowed them to display their racebikes at the Honda facility.

Honda develops new 670cc engine, next-gen DCT for midsize motorcycles

The 2012 Integra (above) will be the first bike that will be fitted with Honda's new 670cc parallel-twin and second-generation dual clutch transmission...

Honda have announced the development of a new 670cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin for midsize motorcycles. The new engine has been developed for applications that require strong torque delivery at low to medium speeds and a high degree of fuel efficiency. Along with the new engine, Honda have also announced the development of their second-generation Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) for motorcycles.

According to Honda, their new 670cc engine delivers up to 27km/l in terms of fuel efficiency and can either be combined with a conventional six-speed gearbox or the company’s new, compact and lightweight DCT, which is smoother and more efficient than the earlier dual clutch transmission that was fitted on some Honda motorcycles like the VFR1200F.