It's back from Honda

[98valk]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2017/04/honda-nm4-coming-back-to-u-s-as-2018-model/

For its first on-road announcement of the 2018 model year, American Honda has selected the radical NM4. Ever since it debuted in concept form at the 2014 Osaka Motorcycle Show, Honda’s NM4 has been an attention-getter and conversation-starter, its provocative, futuristic design setting it apart as something completely different—to the point that a modified version is even featured in an upcoming major Hollywood science-fiction film! Though Japan-centric in conception, the NM4’s anime styling has developed somewhat of a cult following internationally, thanks in part to the fact that the outlandish looks are matched by solid performance.

[Savago]

I guess this is the kind of bike that is love it or hate it (I personally like the design, it is pretty bold).
:-)

But a 670cc V-twinkie? Why not a 1300cc V4 or something with more power?

[hubcapsc]

I guess this is the kind of bike that is love it or hate it (I personally like the design, it is pretty bold).
:-)

But a 670cc V-twinkie? Why not a 1300cc V4 or something with more power?

parallel-twin, the article said...

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

Price: $11,299

Lets see, two nice (1500) Valks or this thing?    Ummm...

[Alpha Dog]

I have sat on one.  It was more comfortable than I thought it would be.  It actually fit me quite nicely.
That said, unless one has over 11k to throw at glorified scooter,  I expect it will do as well in the states as the DN-01 did.  I do expect Europe and parts of the Orient that have money will readily accept it. If someone wants it in the US wait 2 years and you will probably get it for 7500.

[Savago]

@hubcapsc: thanks, I thought was a v-twin, not a parallel twin.

Still, why not make it with a better/bigger engine? :-)

[old2soon]

Eleven and almost a third G? Had THAT much I'd put it into savings for Phatt Ghurl service and future Inzanes!  NOT enamored of it.  Silver Wing replacement? RIDE SAFE.

[sleepngbear]

I will never, ever understand Honda's marketing strategy. They trot out the new Valkyrie for two years and the CTX1300 for one, give both of them zero exposure, sticker them ridiculously high, then discount the crap out of them when they don't sell. Two excellent machines that never had a chance because Honda has a bunch of morons for a marketing department, but now they bring this ugly-a$$ piece of crap back like it's going to do any better than the Valk or the CTX -- or than it did itself the last time. What the hell kind of customer research are they doing that backs up any of this idiocy? It just absolutely boggles my simple little mind.

[CajunRider]

How does anyone at Honda think THAT would sell better than the EVO 6 concept???

[cookiedough]

same size and pretty sure EXACT same engine as the honda ctx700dct and ctx700n and nc700x why do they need a total of FOUR cycles with the SAME exact engine? 

to me that means the engineers at honda are lacking in skill and true engineering just slapping a different body kit on the same old, same old engine.

oh wait, honda has done that for years, especially recent with the 1800 goldwing, 1800 f6b, and 1800 new Valkyrie. 

someone at honda is lacking in creative thinking and design, more so engine manufacturing. 

personally,  I think this new design is butt fugly and the worst of the 670cc parallel twin engine.  If I wanted a automatic 600cc range scooter, I would just buy a used honda silverwing instead and not look like a duphus on this contraption.  The price is out of line as well since have seen ctx700s in near new condition 1-2 years old under 4000 miles going for 4 grand.  Why would anyone with 1/2 a brain spend 11K for well more than double the price?

[sleepngbear]

same size and pretty sure EXACT same engine as the honda ctx700dct and ctx700n and nc700x why do they need a total of FOUR cycles with the SAME exact engine? 

to me that means the engineers at honda are lacking in skill and true engineering just slapping a different body kit on the same old, same old engine.

oh wait, honda has done that for years, especially recent with the 1800 goldwing, 1800 f6b, and 1800 new Valkyrie. 

someone at honda is lacking in creative thinking and design, more so engine manufacturing. 

personally,  I think this new design is butt fugly and the worst of the 670cc parallel twin engine.  If I wanted a automatic 600cc range scooter, I would just buy a used honda silverwing instead and not look like a duphus on this contraption.  The price is out of line as well since have seen ctx700s in near new condition 1-2 years old under 4000 miles going for 4 grand.  Why would anyone with 1/2 a brain spend 11K for well more than double the price?

I have no problem with them repurposing drive train technology -- that makes good financial sense. For example, I was ecstatic when they came out with the CTX1300 using the ST1300's mechanicals. I also think the tweaks to the Gold Wing platform are a good thing. I would never have bought a full dressed Wing, but I did take a liking to the Valkyrie, so that's a lot of engineering that didn't have to happen to create something else for other riders like me.

I just don't understand what drives decisions like reintroducing the NM4 here and other such bonehead moves. It's like the entire North American market is just a afterthought to Honda.

[cookiedough]

wanna bet Honda engineers are in their 20s trying to get the millennials on cycles which I think, at least around me, are becoming more rare the past decade and more.  In the 80s there were 3-5 of us in our small high school that had cycles driving to school and tooling around town.  I swear my kids generation say ages 16-28 I have not seen literally ONE cycle driven to school in past 10+ years.  This is coming from towns of 1-2000 population tops. 

Another reason I think, at least around me,  on why cycling is becoming near extinct for the 20-30 year old crowd is everyone wants NEW at that age and the price of 10K or over is not feasible.  For me, I will drive and buy a 20 year old bike for 2 grand over a new one like this one that is fugly for over 10K.  Young adults do not have 10-15K to blow on something driven 3-4000 miles tops per year, especially in the snow belt states that 6 months of the year you cannot comfortably drive cycles. 

[Jack B]

same size and pretty sure EXACT same engine as the honda ctx700dct and ctx700n and nc700x why do they need a total of FOUR cycles with the SAME exact engine? 

to me that means the engineers at honda are lacking in skill and true engineering just slapping a different body kit on the same old, same old engine.

oh wait, honda has done that for years, especially recent with the 1800 goldwing, 1800 f6b, and 1800 new Valkyrie. 

someone at honda is lacking in creative thinking and design, more so engine

Harley Davison being doing that for years,  One or two engines and about 30 different models. They recently painted all the chrome black on one of their touring bikes and big news the press is all over this bike. It's been in the paper and magazines. Same bike difference color. Big Deal!