Honda's US-only CTX700s come to Europe

Middleweight twist-and-go cruisers included in Honda's 2014 European line-up

HONDA'S 2014 European range includes two new middleweight cruisers, the naked CTX700N and half-faired CTX700.

The models share the tubular steel frame and outgoing parallel-twin engine from Honda's NC700 family of bikes, ranging from the adventure-styled NC700X to the NC700D Integra maxi scooter.

But while those get a capacity boost to 745cc for 2014, the CTX700s have their old 670cc engine.

The CTX700s have already been on sale in the US for a year.

With a claimed 47bhp, they make a new offering in Europe for A2 licence holders, who aren't permitted to ride anything more powerful. The NC700s' capacity increase has made them too powerful for the A2 licence.

However, it's not clear whether the models are bound for the UK.

Both CTXs come with Honda's Dual Clutch Transmission, with twist-and-go and six-speed semi-automatic modes.

They make smaller siblings to the new, similarly-styled CTX1300, which uses a DCT version of the ST1300 Pan European's engine.

The CTX700s make 42.5lbft of torque and Honda is claiming 78.8mpg.

Both are due to be displayed at the EICMA motorcycle show starting tomorrow in Milan. They are pictured only in black in the firm's 2014 European brochure. The half-faired version is shown with panniers.