By Steve & Tamami Laser
The best way we can describe it is culture shock. Step off a plane at Narita Airport, catch a ride in a bus or taxi, and take a look at the vehicles in traffic. We often spot a Honda N-BOX, STEP WGN, or S660. Now, there’s a new Honda motorcycle, called Hawk 11, that’s sure to make plenty of heads turn.
Going on sale at Honda Dream dealers in Japan this month, the Hawk 11 is a road sports model that Honda says proposes “new values” and a “fulfilling motorcycle life” to customers, especially experienced riders. And it also looks super cool with retro road sports style.
As the latest addition to Honda’s huge lineup of motorcycles in Japan, the Hawk 11 is welcomed to the fold by big bike siblings, including an array of CB1100 and CRF Africa Twin models, the NT1100, Rebel 1100, and CBR Fireblade.
Honda says that the Hawk 11 was developed differently from the planning process used in normal mass-produced models for global markets. Product ideas are born from internal proposals, such as new technologies, products, or services, and presented in the Architecture Series Project (ASP). This adopts existing architecture (such as the frame, engine and suspension) for a new derivative model, in this case exclusively for the Japanese market.
The Hawk 11 is based on the frame and suspension of the NT1100, which is adapted from the body of the Africa Twin for on-road use. The side view highlights a horizontal line that extends from the front to the back, while the rider’s forward-leaning silhouette contributes to the custom character and sporty look.
The Hawk 11 receives a unique integrally molded FRP “rocket” cowl with a low silhouette for a sleek appearance. Compared to resin molding often used in mass production, FRP presents a seamless three-dimensional shape. Hawk 11 also gains a special top bridge, handlebars, mirror configuration, and step bracket.
Power is supplied by Honda’s SC84E, shared with the CRF1100L Africa Twin, delivering rich torque and parallel twin pulse. This 1,082cc, water-cooled, 4-stroke OHC (unicam), 4-valve, 2-cylinder engine with PGM-FI®, has an output of 75kW (102PS) at 7,500 rpm, and 104Nm (10.6 kgf) torque at 6,250 rpm. A 6-speed manual transmission and ABS are standard.
Hawk 11 features a semi-double cradle frame, 17-inch wheels, Showa’s inverted SFF-BP is employed for the front fork, with a swing arm type, pro-link at the rear. Front and rear suspension settings were changed to increase caster angle by 1.5 degrees, compared to the NT1100, and 2.5 degrees compared to the Africa Twin, for a nimble ride on the road.
A throttle-by-wire system contributes to direct throttle response. While a Riding Mode allows the driver to select preset output characteristics, according to driving conditions and preferences, of Sport, Standard, Rain and User; the latter saves a selected control level of the rider’s choice.
Hawk 11 shares its exhaust with the NT1100, for a deep bass sound. The fuel tank and air cleaner have also been changed to fit the dimensions of the bike, along with radiator width reduced 60 mm to match the rocket cowl.
Color choices include Pearl Hawk’s Eye Blue with silver accents, and Graphite Black. Honda’s planned annual sales volume for the Hawk 11 in Japan is 1,200 units.
Note: Features, specifications, prices and launch timing for Japan market models is subject to change without notice
News source and photos courtesy of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
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