Honda finally looks like it’s getting its mojo back with the unveiling of the CB4 Interceptor concept at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.
The bike is the result of design work out of their R&D facility in Rome.
Given the vacuum cleaner designs they’ve been coming up with in recent years, let’s hope there is more involvement from their Italian designers in future.
The CB4 Interceptor is a four-cylinder model, hence the CB4 moniker.
Yet it looks very much like the much-vaunted Ducati Pantah, except for the underseat exhaust.
It follows the recent release of their Neo Sport Cafe concept at the recent Tokyo Motor Show.
It is also an extension of their CB4 Concept shown at the 2015 EICMA, although a lot less ungainly.
2015 CB4 conceptHonda’s press releasse says:
The new concept model adds an evocative ‘Sport Endurance’ tone to the original design language of the CB4 Concept, creating a new perspective on the world of the Café Racer, on which the series is based.
The colour scheme is “total black”, combining elegance and sportiness while leaving room for a futuristic technology integrated into the flowing design lines. The front of the bike features a fan used to convert the motorcycle’s kinetic energy to power the touch-screen located on the tank. The screen provides constant connectivity, to allow the rider to follow the road through digital maps, make emergency calls or simply to connect devices.
The CB4 Interceptor is a glamorous blend of retro and future and there is a lot of the Husqvarna Vitpilen about it, especially the LED headlight.
The Husky has been promised for a couple of years and looks like it’s ready for production.
But there is no word about a production-model CB4 Interceptor.
Honda has instead extended its Neo Sports Cafe concept design language to its range of CB1000R, CB300R and CB125R naked bikes.
However, the new CB naked bikes are modern and minimalist and how ugly is that muffler?
Other Honda models on display include an updated Africa Twin and a more rugged Adventure Sport model, the GL1800 Goldwing which debuted last week, a more off-road X-ADV scooter and the Neo Sports Cafe concept which debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show last week.