ROAD NEWS
HONDA 500 / 4
Honda returns to the smaller capacity howling four-cylinder market with a stonking 500cc sportsbike that happens to fall into the cheaper registration class as well as giving all the entertainment that a light, nimble high revving little beast brings. If you want the sound, sensation but not the cost of the bigger units, this looks like a whole bunch of fun. Coming with Honda ' s E-clutch as standard
fitment, it will have broad appeal across the generations and that clutchless city riding function will be great for the urban dweller. No timing has been released yet but the good news is there will be a LAMS version( actually European A2 but that is the same as our LAMS deal) for the newer sportsbike rider. Fitted with all the neat kit from the bigger CBR range, we look forward to finding out for ourselves, no pressure Mr H ….…
PANIGALE WITH 218HP...
Okay, so not everyone is after those ontrack gains that average 0.4seconds but that is what the new 2027 Ducati Panigale has done over the previous model. Lifting the output to a massive 218hp, the new V4 Panigale is a beast. But it is a beast with decorum, manners and style. With 1103cc of displacement, 191kg ready to put fuel in( all other fluids in situ) and 218 ponies at the twist of a wrist, this is some motorcycle. For a smidgeon over $ 45,000 of our NZ pesos, it also smashes out over 120Nm of torque, all managed by an electronic suite that makes it easy to feel confident riding on the street or track, put your best Bulega forward
KIWI RIDER 19