Acumen indicator relay for Hondas with hazard lights

Acumen electronics have developed a new plug-in device designed to ensure that aftermarket mini LED indicators flash at the correct rate on the latest Honda motorcycles that are fitted with hazard lights.

Fitting mini indicators is a popular modification, particularly on super sports machines like the CBR600-RR and 1000-RR, but this often results in them flashing too quickly, because the original relays are not necessarily designed to work with led lights. Not only is this dangerous, as it can confuse other road users, but it could result in an MOT failure or being pulled over by the Police, either of which could prove irritating and expensive.

Acumen’s new indicator flasher relay is designed specifically for the latest models of Honda that are fitted with 4-way ‘hazard’ flashers as standard. These bikes have a permanent power supply, so the rider can use the hazard lights when the ignition is off, which requires specific connectors and circuitry compared to regular relays.

This compact PLUG-AND-GO unit directly replaces the OE item and will handle anything from one LED to 100 Watts at a legal flash rate of 70 flashes per minute.

The Acumen plug-in wide-range indicator module for Hondas with hazard lights is supplied with straightforward instructions and sells for £35.00 including VAT.

Contact – Tel. 0870 240 32 57 – Web www.acumen-electronics.co.uk

Haslam takes debut 2008 win for HM Plant Honda at Knockhill

Leon Haslam finally got his first Bennetts British Superbike win on the board for HM Plant Honda at Knockhill today. The victory in race two made up for his retirement in the first race, which was due to a misfire. His team-mate Cal Crutchlow suffered a disappointing day. He crashed in race one, before having to start at the back of the grid for the re-start of race two. Despite this handicap the Coventry rider managed to scythe his way through the field to finish in seventh place. In the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race Steve Brogan toon his CBR1000RR Fireblade to yet another win – his sixth in eight races. He faced a tougher battle in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport event, where a bad start saw him way down the order. He managed to fight back to 11th place at the flag.

Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda

British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
RACE ONE: DNF
RACE TWO: 1st position

“That’s such a relief! It feels like I’ve got a monkey off my back, as this win’s been a long time coming! The team have worked so hard so it’s great to finally give them the reward for it. Obviously it wasn’t the way I wanted to win it, with Shane Byrne falling off, but I was reeling him in after he’d pulled a bit of a gap through backmarkers so I felt the win was mine. It also made up for the disappointment of the first race. I was slowing down to come into the pits when Shakey caught me and knocked me down at very slow speed. This fires me up for the rest of the season and I’m looking forward to Cadwell Park.”

Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda

British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
RACE ONE: DNF
RACE TWO: 7th position

“I’m very disappointed overall. In the first race it was a stupid crash in pretty dodgy conditions really – half wet, half dry. I hold my hands up to it as it was my mistake as I hit a wet patch. It was my fault! The second race was a lottery really with the conditions and on tyre choice and we made the wrong one. On the sighting lap I realised so we had about a minute to get onto the spare bike with slicks and unfortunately we were too late and had to start from the back of the grid on about the wettest part of the track. I carved my way through but was disappointed not to finish higher up, especially on a day when I so wanted to get a double win.”

Steve Brogan – HM Plant Honda / Honda (UK) Racing

British Supersport – HM Plant Honda CBR600RR — 11th position
British Superstock – Honda (UK) Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade — 1st position

“Another win in Superstock is great, but once again Jon Kirkham has finished second so I’ve not got as much advantage out of it as I would have liked. Still, it’s brilliant to win again on the 2008 Fireblade and we’re getting closer to having a two-race cushion in the points. In Supersport I’ve won before so it’s frustrating to finish 11th. I expected a win to be honest, but I got a poor start, which is my own fault. The tall first gear we run to get out of the hairpin doesn’t help and we bogged down off the line. That was pretty frustrating and it took me a lap or two to make up some ground. Between now and Cadwell Park I will be training hard to be in the best shape for the next round.”

Bennetts British Superbike Championship

Championship Points
1. Shane Byrne, Ducati – 332 points
2. Cal Crutchlow, HM Plant Honda – 222 points
3. Tom Sykes, Suzuki – 214 points
4. Leon Haslam, HM Plant Honda – 199 points
5. Leon Camier, Ducati – 179 points

HM Plant Honda chase successful foray north of the border at Knockhill

The HM Plant Honda team heads to Scotland for round eight of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this weekend. In the Superbike class, Cal Crutchlow – currently second in the overall standings – and team-mate Leon Haslam, fourth, will both be aiming for wins and podium finishes at the 1.27-mile circuit.

Steve Brogan is making a good recovery from breaking two metatarsal bones in his left foot in a crash at Mallory Park earlier on in the season, and he will be chasing victories in both the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 class and the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport series.

Knockhill marks the arrival of Exide Technologies as a sponsor of the HM Plant Honda team who will be on-board for the remainder of the season.

Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“I’m still desperately chasing my maiden win this year, but I’m confident it will come as we’ve been pretty consistent of late, battling for the podium positions in the races. I’ve also won before at Knockhill, so that’s a good sign. We know how tricky the conditions can be at Knockhill – well, we’ve seen them be tricky everywhere so far this season – but we just want to get our heads down from tomorrow onwards and get a good set-up for the race wet or dry.”

Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“I’m so fired up for this weekend. I want wins – nothing else. Knockhill is tight and twisty and it’s up-hill and down-dale but I do enjoy going north of the border. I’m hoping the sun will shine but we will do our best whatever the weather. This will be a special, but hard weekend for me, after one of my best mates – Craig Jones – passed away at the start of the week. I will be wearing one of his actual helmets that he wore this season for the weekend and I’ll be proud to do so and I hope my results will make him proud of me.”

Steve Brogan – HM Plant Honda
British Supersport – Honda CBR600RR
British Superstock – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“My left foot is still not 100% but it’s definitely not going to bother me on the bike this weekend. I have been training on it, and walking on it – but not running. Mentally I’ve been preparing myself for going out there to win both races. There’s no reason why I can’t do that. Knockhill is a short circuit, but it’s one of my favourites and I always seem to do well there. I’m hoping to qualify really well in the Supersport race – I’m desperate to win another 600 race this season, while in Superstock another maximum would stretch my lead over Jon Kirkham, which would be perfect. At this circuit it’s vital to qualify well and be on the front row. Worst-case scenario you really want to be on the first two rows. Either way, I’m feeling confident and want two good results.”

Check out http://www.honda-racing.co.uk for more on Honda’s racing activities and www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles for more on Honda’s extensive range of two-wheelers, including the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade and CBR600RR sports machines.

Honda extends three bike deals until end of September

Honda (UK) is extending three motorcycle deals until the end of September with the ‘Get Naked’, ‘Whatever the Weather’ and ‘Open Wide and Say RR’ deals.

Customers can ‘Get Naked’ with Honda by purchasing any one of ten popular naked Hondas for as little as 10% deposit with payments spread over 24 months at 0% APR typical. Models include the CBF250, CB600F Hornet and Hornet ABS, CBF1000 range and CB1300A and CB1300SA faired version.

‘Whatever the Weather’ is also extended to the end of September, meaning that customers who purchase a VFR800 or VFR800 with ABS will benefit from a colour-matched 45-litre top-box and pannier set, while buyers of a new NT700V/A Deauville will receive heated grips, in addition to the 45-litre colour-matched top-box and large pannier lid set.

Honda’s ‘Open Wide and Say RR’ campaign continues and offers Honda’s CBR600RR on three different low-rate finance schemes. Included in the scheme is the HANNspree World Supersport replica.

Honda (UK) customers can take advantage of all three of these extended deals until 30 September by visiting their local dealer. Honda Motorcycle dealers can be located by calling Honda on 0845 200 800, or by using the ‘Dealer Search’ facility within the motorcycles area on www.honda.co.uk.