Honda's new turbo bike

[DJ Downunder]

News from the latest Motor Cycle News mag.

DJ

In other news, MCN reveals leaked documents from Honda suggesting that their new VTX “Techno Cruiser” will feature a turbo to give it a massive 50% power boost, plus how Guzzi plan to go head-to-head with BMW’s GS.

[wncbmw]

Hope they work better than the "good old days". I knew a guy that had an old turbo Honda and he crashed it serveral times, as did anyone who rode it much. Turbo coming on while leaned over is not good!

[sweatmark]

Turbo coming on while leaned over is not good...

Nor was Honda's placement of the turbo deep within the original CX500/650's bodywork and moto=entrails!

I loved that original CX Turbo! (at least the looks and concept)

Maybe turbocharging has come far enough to avoid some of its former pitfalls!

[JCsman]

I guess I'm missing the point here.

The turbo Honda will be the VTX cruiser, right? So, is the VTX really in need of more power (or capable of realistically handling 50% more power)?

Perhaps it's the term "techno-cruiser" that's throwing me off. Sounds like a H-D with a built-in Ipod and microwave to me.

I see more and more of what I call sport cruisers (the Yam MT-01 comes to mind). In that case the bike seems capable of handling bunches of power and corners well to boot.

But, if Honda is making that radical of a change, would they not come up with a new moniker than VTX (from a marketing viewpoint if nothing else)?

Was there a picture of the concept, DJ?

==========================
Oooops, my bad. I now recall the Honda pic from a recent bike show........ a different beasty indeed from the current VTX.....
Never mind.

[new2BMW]

JCsman,

Here is a link to a page with a pic. I couldn't find a bigger one. The bike isn't really like the current VTX, so you make a good point. A different name should be used.

http://www.motocorse.com/news/mercato/6 ... ruiser.php

Frankly, I think the front end is fugly, the rest of it is OK, but not for me.

As an MT-01 owner, I have to say that the MT is in no way like a cruiser except that it carries a big air cooled V-Twin. Handling is very similar to the Roadster, but with sport bike spec brakes, frame and suspension components. The MT-01 is more like a sport bike with lots of torque as opposed to being a cruiser with good handling. Come over here and ride it, you'll see.

By the way, here is Suzuki's attempt at a sport cruiser. This is what a lot of people think the MT is, but it isn't even close.



http://www.jhms.com/dlrindexsend_pg_nv_ ... +M109R.htm

This thing has lots of torque and nice HP, but it weighs a full 175 lbs more than the MT, is 7.5" longer and appears to handle like a freight train with that big a$$ tire. I suspect the VTX Techno Cruiser will be more similar to this.

[DJ Downunder]

So this might be it???

DJ

[new2BMW]

DJ;
That, and the page i posted is actually he prototype they releases more than a year ago. It is hard to say if a production model would look like this.

[DJ Downunder]

I think you're right..can't see any turbo.....looks kinda Rune'ish....I don't mind it.

DJ