Could Honda revive the GB400 TT in 1000cc form?
Patents filed by Honda in Japan have shown that Honda is looking at using the Africa Twin engine in multiple platforms – could this be them?
WE first reported on the news that Honda had filed some patents showing new applications for the Africa Twin engine a couple of weeks back. What they showed was that there were potentially two new frames in development that could make use of Honda’s parallel-twin.
Honda CBR1000RR-R SP video review
Two routes the factory could take to styling the bike have been investigated by Japanese magazine Young Machine. They’ve taken the patents we’ve already seen and looked at what machines Honda has either in its current range or back catalogue that might fit the bill.
One is a bike that many Honda will be asking for, a full-bore, full-size cruiser in the form of the Rebel 1000. Honda hasn't had a full-sized cruiser in their UK and EU line up for some years now and the compact styling of the Rebel could be just the ticket.
While the Rebel 1000 could be an ideal use of the super-smooth DCT system Honda has, the second rendering would definitely need a manual ‘box! It’s a semi-faired roadster that follows Honda Neo Sports Café design principle. The styling is based on the old GB400 TT (remember them?!) and mixes old-school charm with some CB1000R inspired lines in the fuel tank and seat unit.
Of the two bikes, this is the bike that really gets us excited in the office. Over 100bhp, extremely usable and tractable torque delivery, Öhlins and Brembo doubling up in the chassis department…
There is very little to dislike about the sound of that!
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
