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
Specifications in the adjacent box are from Top Speed.[9]
References
Notes
- ^ Bornhop 2014.
- ^ a b c 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."
- ^ a b 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
External links
- Official website
- Vultus walkaround at 2014 Osaka Motorcycle Show on YouTube
- Vultus test-ride in Estonia on YouTube
