Honda XRE300 is smallest ABS Honda motorcycle

Honda is releasing its smallest capacity ABS-equipped motorcycle – the XRE300 trail bike – but only in Brazil.

The new Honda XRE300 is powered by a 25bhp air-cooled 291cc DOHC four-valve single-cylinder engine making 20lb-ft of torque, which is shared with the CB600F Hornet 600-alike CB300R, which was introduced recently.

It’s a relatively heavy machine weighing in at 144kg There’s also an ABS-equipped version with a three-piston caliper which adds 7kg of weight as well as bulky ABS components under the left hand rear side panel.

Astonishingly, it costs £5378 in Brazil – more than a Honda CBF600N costs here!

Even the standard-braked XRE300 costs £4500 – around the same as you can pick up a Suzuki Gladius 650 for in the UK.

There are no plans to import it in to the UK at the moment.

Source: www.motorcyclenews.com/

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New Skidmarx bodywork for Kawasaki ZX-10R

Best known for their racing screens, British firm Skidmarx has just released bodywork for the Kawasaki ZX-10R ... Scroll down for the full story

Best known for their racing screens, as used by the championship winners in the British Superbike, Superstock and Supersport series in 2009, Skidmarx also produces a range of race-ready bodywork. Its new kit for the Kawasaki ZX-10R has been developed for Bournemouth Kawasaki to use in the 2010 British Superstock series. Both the fairing and seat unit are manufactured in the UK and are designed to directly replace the original body parts, so they will be useful for track days as well as full competition use.

Produced from lightweight 450gm CSM material that is backed up with woven cloth, the fairing and single seat unit are pre-drilled to fit onto existing mounting points and the kit is supplied with quick-release Dzus fasteners. Unlike the road fairing, the race version has no headlight aperture or indicator mounting points, and instead has an enclosed belly pan with a catch tray to comply with ACU rules. Skidmarx produce their race bodywork in plain white, ready to be painted in team colours; the Race Fairing sells for £260.00 and the single seat unit (with integrated undertray) costs £110.00 (including VAT). A matching front guard is available too, priced at £47.00.

Completing the package is the Skidmarx race screen for the ZX-10R. Manufactured from 2mm acrylic for enhanced optical clarity, it is thinner and lighter than the road version. Standard race screens retail for £39.95 and double bubble version is £49.95.

Souece: http://www.superbike.co.uk/news/New_Skidmarx_race_and_track_bodywork_for_Kawasaki_ZX10R_motorcycle_news_292427.html

David Knight returns to KTM

Two-time WEC and GNCC Champ on factory-backed team for 2010

Former World Enduro and Grand National Cross Country Champion David Knight will race for a factory-supported KTM team in 2010.

Knight will race for the Farioli KTM team in the World Enduro Championship in the E3 class. The signing reunites Knight with the manufacturer with whom he earned the 2005-2006 WEC E3 titles and the 2007-2008 GNCC championships. Though Knight will not be a member of the KTM factory team, he will receive KTM’s backing.

“I’m extremely happy to be riding for the Farioli KTM team next year,” says Knight. “Knowing I will receive full factory KTM equipment, and be a part of what is a great team that I know well, means I'm really looking forward to the start of the new season. With the Farioli KTM team and support from my personal sponsors, I know I can re-establish myself at the top of the Enduro 3 World Championship. 2009 was a difficult year for me but I learned a lot and I’m even more determined than ever to win more WEC titles.”

David Knight had the most success in his career while riding KTM motorcycles.

In Nov. 2008, Knight was one of several high-profile signings by BMW’s factory WEC team. Mid-way through the 2009 season however, BMW and Knight parted ways after several poor results.

The Isle of Man native returned to the U.S. to compete in the Snowshoe, W. Va., GNCC round, winning the XC1 Pro class, riding a Kawasaki machine. Knight also returned to the WEC series, winning the Enduro 2 class at the Sept. 12-13 season finale in France. Though he is returning to KTM machinery, Knight thanked Kawasaki for supporting him through the second half of 2009.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Kawasaki that has supported me during the second half of '09, especially everyone at the Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team,” says Knight. “Claiming victory in the Enduro 2 class at the final round of the ’09 World Enduro Championship for Kawasaki is something that I am extremely proud of. I’d like to wish Kawasaki every success in 2010. During the coming weeks and months I’m going to be training hard during the winter both in the UK and in the States. I can’t wait for the start of the ’10 WEC series.”

Source: http://www.motorcycle.com/news/david-knight-returns-to-ktm-88993.html