This could be fun

[Chrisj CMA]

looks like it world work mild off road too
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/03/24/hondas-bulldog-citybike-concept-is-bruiser-with-storage-to-spare/?intcmp=features

[old2soon]

IF it goes into production wonder what the price point will be? A different kinda fugly!  RIDE SAFE.

[G-Man]

All the motored bikes I see in the city are scooters.  Most of the messengers and food delivery use them because they are small so they can ride up on the sidewalks and chain them to the bike racks or parking meters.

This would be too big for them.  Maybe a commuter bike.

[..]

 

[Dred]

Umm, she ain't ugly ... just practical.  And, Honda can sell the snot out of these here.  All they need is a write-up for a prepper audience and some traction for a name like bug-out; add a placement on Walking Dead and a 5plus gallon, 250+ mile range and they can ring the bell to the tune of their choice.  Almost forgot ... they'll need to sell'm cheap.

[Gryphon Rider]

A 400cc engine was likely chosen as it’s the maximum displacement for lower-tier licenses in Japan and other Asian countries, if the Bulldog ever sees the light of day and comes to the States, Honda should bump it to at least 500cc for us well-fed ‘Mericans and our 85mph Texas speed limits.

I guess you have to take their "Digital Trends" reporter with a grain of salt.  I don't think that "well-fed 'Mericans" are going to be much more tempted by a 500cc bike than by a 400cc bike.  I think the bike as they show it would be ideal as a second bike for burning back and forth to work.  Add a top-box that will contain a large laptop bag and a full-sized helmet (take out the bag to put in the helmet) and it would be perfect.  Someone who is regularly on 85 MPH roads is probably looking for a 750cc or larger bike anyway.  My first bike was a 400cc Honda twin, and it had no problem getting my (then) 160 lb. self and my 110 lb. girlfriend through low mountain passes.

[Jess from VA]

Looks a little like a midget BMW GS.  (John Deere  )

[cookiedough]

I think Honda sells the snot out of the Grimm and Ruckus, although I don't see why?  I think they are overpriced for what you get, but someone is buying them, not me.  I like the looks of the Grimm (modern looking), but the Ruckus, not so much.    Both are too small to go on the hwy..  The lowest cubic inch I feel comfortable on the hwy. doing 60 mph is a 250cc engine capable of 70 mph just in case you need to pass someone.  NO interstate 70+ mph though for sure since having any 250cc engine floored all the time is not good for it in the long run. 

I never knew Honda even made a 250cc Ruckus scooter at one time. 

I think the Ruckus and Grimm are pushing the 3 grand mark new (over 2500 for sure), NOT cheap, for what you get.  A 400cc would make a niche that I don't think Honda has right now as long as price point new is below 4 grand for sure, more like 3 grand or a tad over that, but doubt it will be that cheap knowing Honda. 

[Stormchase]

Looks pretty neat. Could be marketed as a "bug out" for sure. Maybe a little more for storage tho. Got to carry that Katana somewhere haha.

[ricoman]

great idea to me and it looks neat
I bet they could sell it as an adventure bike with lower than the 31 inch (or more) seat that
is typical. And having a lower seat & lighter, may be able to do better off road than the big boys.
It's not made for the highway any more than the Grom or Ruckus.
It's made for fun. Not everyone want 800 lbs of bike, no good off road and not always the best in town traffic.

[jimmytee]

Not going to be too adventurous with using the exhaust as a skid plate.

[oldskool]

I know this would never happen, but.... I would love to see Honda make a 500cc or larger Scrambler with very little plastic and capable of light off-roading.   

[ricoman]

I know this would never happen, but.... I would love to see Honda make a 500cc or larger Scrambler with very little plastic and capable of light off-roading.   

they are close with the CB500X
http://powersports.honda.com/2015/cb500x.aspx

[cookiedough]

great idea to me and it looks neat
I bet they could sell it as an adventure bike with lower than the 31 inch (or more) seat that
is typical. And having a lower seat & lighter, may be able to do better off road than the big boys.
It's not made for the highway any more than the Grom or Ruckus.
It's made for fun. Not everyone want 800 lbs of bike, no good off road and not always the best in town traffic.

I agree on all said except not made for the hwy. any more than the Grom or Ruckus.  I disagree since the Grom is under 150cc and the Ruckus 50cc so both are not capable of going 55-60 mph.  Anything 250cc and over is perfectly capably of hwy. use.   The tires on this bike might be a little bit too off road though to be too comfy cruising hwys., not sure on that?   Just look at all the Honda rebel and nighthawks both 250cc that can easily go on the hwy. all the time.  Not saying it will set any land speed records, but all 250cc engines go 70 mph or so top speed so driving normally at 55-65 mph is perfectly capable.  Am sure a 400cc engine can go 80 mph no problems all day long.  Not so sure I would want to, but even can go on the Interstate but would not be ideal.

When I bought my used 250cc scooter 2 years ago,  I was looking at and test driving the 150cc scooters being cheaper to buy and air cooled vs. liquid cooled and they all weighed about 250lbs. vs. 350lbs. for my 250cc scooter and smaller tires as well.  With my not so lightweight body on the 150cc scooters, I had them all floored on the hwy. doing top speed of 55-60 mph tops totally floored and going up hills, it would slow down to 50 mph and was not too safe driving like that the smaller scoots would shake a tad at that high of a speed.  Plus, when I took it back to dealer on that hot summer day,  the 150cc engine was SUPER hot felt like it was burning up and smelt like it as well.  Never had that issue on any 250cc scooter, was comfy and sure footed doing 60-65 mph top speed floored being 74 mph but was not great on it doing much over 65 mph, but in 90% of traffic conditions, was good enough on legal hwys. with speeds 55 mph speed zone.  I figure if the people behind me want to pass doing already 63 mph say, let them get the ticket.  My days of running much over 80 mph in anything are long gone, no sense in it.

Except interstate speeds of 65 mph and over,  most 250cc on up bikes are fine on most hwys. it all depends on how comfy you are on it in terms of ergonomics.   I would not travel though much more than 40 miles distance on the 250cc bikes, but for most commute to work situations is fine.  Definitely not though a long distance all day touring bike nor would a 400cc be as well for most.