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http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20140322-honda-builds-a-batbike
Honda has revealed a new motorcycle called the NM4 Vultus. While not
the most inspiring name, it does at least look really stealth. Cool
stealth. Batbike-level stealth.
It's not a Batbike, of course, but is instead inspired by
‘Japanimation' - that's anime and manga - both genres long interwoven
into the fabric of Japanese life and culture. Just last week we found
out how Toyota is now plumbing this as inspiration for the new Aygo.
Reference is made to a ‘stealth bomber silhouette', and it measures 933mm across the mirrors, while the seat sits at 650mm high. There are full LED headlights too, while everything else comes in black and stainless steel. Some concession to colour has been made: the digital dash changes depending on mood, ranging from white, through blue and pink and finally red.
Underneath there's a 745cc twin-cylinder engine canted forward, with a low centre of gravity delivering "strong low and mid-range power and torque". It produces 54bhp and 50lb ft, with twin balance shafts and a single 36mm throttle body. Honda reckons it's efficient, too, offering up 185 miles from a single 11.6-litre tank.
The engine is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and it's all mounted on a steel diamond frame that weighs in at just 245kg. So then, while no performance figures have been announced, it'll be fast; that power-to-weight ratio stands at around 225bhp per tonne (the same as an old Honda NSX, if we're not mistaken).
"The NM4 Vultus with its future-shock style presents a look that will not have been seen in any cityscape this side of an anime movie," Honda says. And yes, while we're not TopBike.com, Richard and James never stop talking about them, and it's certainly a cool bike, no? Though maybe not as cool as those Lotus-liveried bikes we saw a while back...
Reference is made to a ‘stealth bomber silhouette', and it measures 933mm across the mirrors, while the seat sits at 650mm high. There are full LED headlights too, while everything else comes in black and stainless steel. Some concession to colour has been made: the digital dash changes depending on mood, ranging from white, through blue and pink and finally red.
Underneath there's a 745cc twin-cylinder engine canted forward, with a low centre of gravity delivering "strong low and mid-range power and torque". It produces 54bhp and 50lb ft, with twin balance shafts and a single 36mm throttle body. Honda reckons it's efficient, too, offering up 185 miles from a single 11.6-litre tank.
The engine is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and it's all mounted on a steel diamond frame that weighs in at just 245kg. So then, while no performance figures have been announced, it'll be fast; that power-to-weight ratio stands at around 225bhp per tonne (the same as an old Honda NSX, if we're not mistaken).
"The NM4 Vultus with its future-shock style presents a look that will not have been seen in any cityscape this side of an anime movie," Honda says. And yes, while we're not TopBike.com, Richard and James never stop talking about them, and it's certainly a cool bike, no? Though maybe not as cool as those Lotus-liveried bikes we saw a while back...
