I do love this bike. It's good to see someone is thinking of other ways of designing a frame such as use of casting and other machining processes. The fact that welding is eliminated proves that this frame is undoubtedly going to be strong. Also the I-section style framing is bound to be stronger and maybe even save a little weight. If I had the money i'd buy one over any other bike purely for these reasons. I however, am completely skint haha
the empire model is the ap1 , you have the ap1r ,with the cane creek double barrel , otherwise you have the ap1s ,with the rock shox ,the frame is the same ! www.froimport.it
for this complete bike , the weight is around 20 kg , is not cheapest sure , but this is not welded !! the frame is make by casting , and then ..........many CNC.
A little bit of sad news for you and all honda fans. About 2 or 3 years ago. Honda were talking about selling the rn01 to the public. At about £5000-£6000. But you did get the proper gear box as well. So sad they didn't I was saving for it. And a frame set as well.
Genova, Italy 
haroman666
(Mar 4, 2011 at 3:45)
