Honda NM4

Honda NM4 Vultus (NC700J)
NM4 concept at 2014 Tokyo Motor Show
ManufacturerHonda Motor Company
Production2014–2019
ClassFeet forwards power cruiser
Engine745 cc 8-valve SOHC parallel-twin with twin balance shafts
10.7:1 compression ratio
Power40.3 kW / 54.8 PS
Transmission6-speed hydraulic, dual clutch transmission
Frame typeSteel diamond
Suspension43 mm forks
BrakesFront: 1 × 320 mm wave disc, two-piston caliper
Rear: 1 × 240 mm wave disc, single-piston caliper
ABS
TiresFront: 120/70 ZR18
Rear: 200/50 ZR17
Rake, trail33°, 110 mm
Wheelbase1,645 mm
DimensionsL: 2,380 mm
W: 933 mm at the mirrors
H: 1,170 mm
Seat height650 mm
Weight245 kg (540 lb) (curb weight) (wet)
Fuel capacity11.6 L (2.6 imp gal; 3.1 US gal)
Fuel consumption28.4 km/L (80 mpg‑imp; 67 mpg‑US) (WMTC mode)

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.

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]

Specifications

The customized NM4 featured in Ghost in the Shell.

Specifications in the adjacent box are from Top Speed.[9]

References

Notes

  1. ^ Bornhop 2014.
  2. ^ a b c George 2014.
  3. ^ Cameron 2014.
  4. ^ Madson 2014.
  5. ^ 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."
  6. ^ a b Ets-Hokin 2014.
  7. ^ Roadrunner 2014.
  8. ^ "2018 OVERVIEW - Honda".
  9. ^ Top Speed 2014.

Sources