Honda Too Jumps On The Cafe Racer Bandwagon

Honda’s Neo Sports Cafe design was one interesting take from the Japanese bikemaker as it sought to tailor its naked offerings with a classical approach rather than an out and out sporty one. Alongside the production-spec nakeds at EICMA 2017, a concept motorcycle was also shown. The CB4 Interceptor was built by the company’s R&D centre based in Rome and was an instant hit at the show. But that was still a one-off. However, there seems to be some new activity in the neo retro space as Honda seems to be working on a new cafe racer.

According to Japan’s Young Machines magazine, Honda is set to revive the GB series of motorcycles with a large 1100cc parallel-twin motor. This is apparently the same motor that is said to power the next Africa Twin. As we have seen with other bikemakers, including Triumph, Ducati and Yamaha to name a few, Honda too is looking to set up a platform that can spawn multiple bikes.

Honda’s GB brand of motorcycles were the Japanese manufacturer’s British-motorcycle inspired bikes (GB for Great Britain, duh!) which were sold with a 400cc motor in Japan and Europe while America got 100cc more.

The styling of this new render matches the one of the CB4 Interceptor. It has been sanitised so that it can be turned into a road-legal bike but it still looks maniacal nonetheless. It retains elements such as high-spec Ohlins USDs, Brembo monoblocs and a single-sided rear swingarm from the CB4. But there are small changes nonetheless. The rims are spoked and not alloys. The underseat exhaust has made way for a slim side-slung end-can. Will all of this stay on the production-spec bike? We definitely hope so!

Image Courtesy: Young Machine

Source: zigwheels.com