Nik J Miles

Posts Tagged ‘Honda’

“Honda’s CBR250R: An excellent entry sportbike”

So, you’re thinking about taking up the sport of motorcycling, or perhaps you’re already a rider and would like to get a bike for a family member, so that they can share the enjoyment of the open road on two wheels. Where do you start your search for that just right ride?

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Honda tends to play the news and photos of upcoming products close to the vest, but today they released a photo of the all-new, fourth-generation CR-V set to go on sale in the United States by the end of the year.

“The 2012 CR-V Concept introduces the exterior styling for the more sophisticated and dynamic design of the upcoming production model,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “Long considered the benchmark for packaging and user-friendly design in the small SUV segment, the all-new CR-V will offer an added dimension of style, amazing interior versatility and Honda’s latest technologies for convenience and refinement.” Read the rest of this entry »

If a vehicle, like the Honda Odyssey, is one of the largest vehicles the company makes, with the exception of the Ridgeline truck and the new Honda Jet” aircraft, then why is it called a MINIvan?  Why isn’t it called a passenger van or station wagon or a “MAXI-van”.  The same goes for all the other brands of great big vans still under the misconception that they are “mini” vans.  Isn’t it time we start calling these people movers what they really are?

All new for 2011, the forth-generation Odyssey evolves from one of the top-rated vehicles of this type, having received dozens of awards and top ratings since it first appeared in 1995.  And like its predecessor, the new Odyssey is still one of the best. Read the rest of this entry »

The re-education of the minivan generation.

Minivans, as we know them today, first appeared in the mid-1980s with the release of vehicles like the Dodge Caravan. Having been born shortly after its release, I am part of–what I call–the minivan generation.

As strange as it might sound to some, I don’t know a world without them. Nearly every family on my block had one growing up. Most in shades of burgundy and tan, they dotted the suburban landscape. My family, however, refused to own one. Having once been hip (so she claims), my mother would have no part of the minivan movement. She instead stuck to turbo-charged European sedans. And I can’t really blame her. Read the rest of this entry »

“New Honda Civic lineup: To each their own”

Operating on a philosophy of “To each their own” Honda has fielded the ninth generation of their best-selling CIVIC with 6 specific 2012 models that certainly afford consumers the opportunity to make a choice that best suits their individual tastes and needs.

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“Honda Adds new standard features to Insight Hybrid”

Honda introduced the first Insight model in 1990, and it was the first gasoline-electric hybrid to be sold in the U.S. A lot has changed since then – the first Insight was a two-seater that was not unlike GM’s EV1 in its appearance. Motive force came from Honda’s original Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) powertrain that combined a lightweight and efficient gasoline engine with an ultra-thin electric motor that supplied low-end torque and power assist as needed. It claimed a possible 70+ miles per gallon. The first Insight also featured a special aluminum body that weighed 40 percent less than a comparable steel body.

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Modern technology capturing the excitement of the past.

My dad used to have a Honda Prelude. Actually, he’s had two. The first was stolen one fall night in the early 90s, joy ridden, and destroyed. Some kid drove it through a chain link fence, out onto a local golf course, and totaled it in a sand trap. Read the rest of this entry »

Honda Still Makes it Simple

With the speed of innovation in the auto industry, most new cars have a shelf life of only a year or two before the competitors have come out with something better.  The Honda Fit is one of the rare exceptions that has stayed at the top of its game and is still one of the best compacts on the market.

That’s actually pretty amazing considering some of the impressive new competitors like the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 and Hyundai Elantra that debuted in the last year. Read the rest of this entry »

Concept Civic Ready for Dealers in Spring 2011

In the first outing for the next generation Civic at the North American International Auto show in January, Honda showed the Si Coupe and sedan concepts. As a new interpretation of the current Civic’s  ”one-motion” mono-form shape, the upcoming, ninth-generation Civic conveys a more substantial, high-energy appearance.

The exterior styling of both Civic concept models showcases the sedan’s and coupe’s clean-yet-powerful lines with steeply raked windshields, wide stances and pronounced character lines along the profile. The lower character line on both models broadens toward the rear fenders to enhance the dynamic feeling of forward energy. The front fender surface treatments form a complex, three-dimensional look to further enhance the image of sophistication and structural depth against the deeply set headlights. Read the rest of this entry »

 “2009 Honda’s CBR600 RR: Technology abounds” 

For those who regularly peruse my reviews of two-wheeled transport, it’s certainly no secret that I’m a much bigger fan of standard motorcycles and of the cruiser genre than I am of all-out sport bikes. There’s nothing wrong with sport bikes mind you, but lately I seem to be getting more than my share of them to test and review. I’ve never had the likes of a Goldwing or Fury from the Honda lineup, both of which I would love to try on for size – and that’s where the rub comes.  Size is the culprit – at least my size is. I’m 6’4” and the majority of my height is in my legs. It’s not the fault of most sport bikes that I don’t fit well.

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