Honda is set to launch a new retro-classic roadster called the Hawk 11 at the Osaka Motorcycle Show in just under three weeks. Judging by the teaser video posted online, the Hawk 11 appears to be a top-of-the-line Neo Sports Café model.
According to Honda, the concept of the Hawk 11 is a heavy duty motorcycle that offers new values and a satisfying motorcycle life to new customers, especially experienced riders. The design has combined nimble ride with elegant styling, to express the depth and flavor of an engine that is not limited to specification alone.
“We will meet the diverse needs of our customers with a model that offers the joy of exciting manipulation, where you can fully feel the heartbeat and exhaust note of the engine,” Honda said in the announcement.
Honda hasn’t revealed more than this about the Hawk 11, not even if it’s only intended for the Japanese market, or whether it will also be marketed in Europe – and whether it will be under the same name – but we’re guessing from yes and that it will be powered by the well-known 1.084 cc parallel twin that is already the beating heart of the Africa Twin, Rebel 1100 and NT1100.
If Honda has indeed provided the Hawk 11 with the Africa Twin engine, we can say with certainty that a DCT version will also be released. According to Honda, more than half of models that are available with DCT are indeed sold with DCT.
Interestingly, unlike the other three models, the Hawk 11 name did not include “1100” in the name as a reference to the 1100 twin. The name could be a reference to the CB400T that was put on the market in 1977 under the name Hawk II.
With the launch of a retro-inspired Hawk 11, Honda would fill the void of the discontinued CB1100. For the exact ins and outs, we’ll have to wait for the bike to be unveiled on March 19th.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.