Honda NM4
The Honda NM4 is a feet forwards motorcycle introduced by Honda for sale in June 2014.[1] Internal documents, such as the service manual, refer to it as NC700J or NC700JD. The motorcycle is sold in Japan, Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America.
Manufacturer | Honda Motor Company |
---|---|
Production | 2014–2019 |
Class | Feet forwards power cruiser |
Engine | 670 cc 8-valve SOHC parallel-twin with twin balance shafts 10.7:1 compression ratio |
Power | 40.3 kW / 54.8 PS |
Transmission | 6-speed hydraulic, dual clutch transmission |
Frame type | Steel diamond |
Suspension | 43 mm forks |
Brakes | Front: 1 × 320 mm wave disc, two-piston caliper Rear: 1 × 240 mm wave disc, single-piston caliper ABS |
Tires | Front: 120/70 ZR18 Rear: 200/50 ZR17 |
Rake, trail | 33°, 110 mm |
Wheelbase | 1,645 mm |
Dimensions | L: 2,380 mm W: 933 mm at the mirrors H: 1,170 mm |
Seat height | 650 mm |
Weight | 245 kg (540 lb) (curb weight) (wet) |
Fuel capacity | 11.6 L (2.6 imp gal; 3.1 US gal) |
Fuel consumption | 28.4 km/L (80 mpg‑imp; 67 mpg‑US) (WMTC mode) |
The NM4 was shown under the name "NM4 Vultus" as a concept motorcycle at the March, 2014 Osaka Motorcycle Show and Tokyo Motor Show.[2] In April, Honda dropped the "Vultus" name in some markets but the motorcycle continued to be called the "NM4 Vultus" in branding and marketing material.
Design
It has a feet forwards design compared to the motorcycle in the anime Akira.[2] Styling was provocative; critics described it as "front massive",[3] as a "scootercycle hybrid" similar to Honda's DN-01,[4] a "mashup",[5] and one said "it isn't pretty".[6]
The engine and dual clutch transmission were sourced from the production NC700 motorcycle/NC700D "Integra" scooter.[2] The concept NM4-02 variant had panniers; the NM4-01 had none.[6] The production NM4 will have 16 liter panniers.[7] The Honda website says the model is a "limited edition".[8]
References
Notes
- Bornhop 2014.
- George 2014.
- Cameron 2014.
- Madson 2014.
- Beeler 2014: "[T]he two designs, the Honda Honda NM4-1 (black) and Honda NM4-2 (white) are sort of a mashup between the company’s DN-01, Valkyrie, and the bike from the anime movie Akira."
- Ets-Hokin 2014.
- Roadrunner 2014.
- "2018 OVERVIEW - Honda".
- Top Speed 2014.
Sources
- Beeler, Jensen (March 20, 2014), 2014 Honda NM4 Vultus Debuts in Japan, Asphalt & Rubber
- Madson, Bart (March 21, 2014), Honda NM4 Vultus Concept First Look, Motorcycle USA
- Cameron, Kevin (March 21, 2014), HONDA NM4 VULTUS – FIRST LOOK: "Front Massive Styling" defines prototype parallel-twin motorcycle unveiled in Japan, Cycle World
- 2014 Honda NM4 Vultus, Top Speed, March 21, 2014
- Ets-Hokin, Gabe (March 25, 2014), Honda and Hero Showcase the Future … and It Isn't Pretty, Motorcycle Daily
- "Honda reveals NM4 Vultus at Osaka Motorcycle Show", HT Autoz blog, Hindustan Times–Autocar India, March 25, 2014, archived from the original on March 25, 2014
- George, Alexander (March 25, 2014), "Honda Goes Full-Blown Anime With Its Latest Bonkers Bike", Autoblog, Wired
- Bornhop, Andrew (April 1, 2014), 2015 HONDA NM4 – FIRST LOOK: Futuristic Honda joins the 2015 lineup. Is the US ready for such a motorcycle?, Cycle World
- 2015 Honda NM4: Welcome to the Future, Roadrunner, Apr 3, 2014