American Honda has just announced 2013 models, go to www.SuperbikePlanet.com to see. Some cool bikes finally!

 

Like this - 1200cc V-twin...



http://img10.hostingpics.net/pics/121185DSC00373jpg.jpg

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/1...rinipp9nq8.jpg

 

A few months ago I was driving from Lake Elsinore back to Menifee on Bundy Canyon Rd, at the light on the 15 Intersection a silverish gray bike pulled in front of me.

It was some kind of sport-tourer with detachable bags and trunk, but it had a dual center up exhaust and I believe it was chain drive but can't swear to it. There were no badges or decals on the bike at all that I could see.

Knowing that Honda Research and Development loves testing in the area as it's less conspicuis than other areas I've been hoping to see some news of it online or in the press but no luck so far.

If it's a different make that's fine too but I simply can't identify it, I believe it was a twin but can't swear to that either....anybody know anything?

 

Wild guess-Motus maybe? Doesn't have undertail exhaust but it's the first thing that came to mind... Or an Aprilia Futura? Hey I'm guessing here... They're both made in all silver with very minimal badging.

 

Always had a soft spot for the MotoMorini, This Corsaro racing model looks allot like the Hawk, not sure if this one is in a production model as a street bike, as the street model with same engine and frame actually have underbelly exhaust and looks very different.

 

I don't see anything in the Honda lineup that excites me one bit. Maybe the 500, but that would be a long shot. Let's face it Honda has the best development in the world, just look at the MotoGP bikes. They just can't get that to the show room.

Yawn

 

Basically, you described a Ducati ST3S or ST4S, 2004-2007 model year. Comfortable, yet sporty ergos. Wet weight that is very reasonable. Nice EFI 1000cc vtwin, better brakes and better suspension. :-)

 

A fine bike that is, but with allot more maintenance like every 6,000 miles valve clearance... Oh yea the Desmo valves..... ehhh, I will stick to the Hawk

 

Nah I know ST3's and 4's it wasn't a Ducati. It totally looked Japanese.

 

I was addressing VTRSurfer....an Aprilia Futura would describe well a single undertail exhaust in a sport-tourer. It looks awesome, even though the design is 10 years old.

 

The Varadero is a much better match to the ST3S/ST4S than the hawk... I don't want either... I want an updated hawk...

 

I haven't not ridden a Varadero, but assume the ride would be similar to a DL1000 and not to an ST3. I have ridden an ST3 and can attest that without the S's Ohlins it handled very well, similar to my gen 6 VFR in many ways only feeling lighter. I think the ST3 is very underrated...a great bike in my opinion

 

The Varadero's I have seen that were imported to the states were tanks.

 

I'm not sure what years you guys got? But the newer years are defiently tanks... Older models was a bit lighter, and I'd say somewhere in between the ST's and the DL... Neither is very close to the hawk though... Probably a better comparasion with the Deauville or Transalp perhaps...

 

Honda MotoGP Racer Replica - Motorcyclist Magazine Up To Speed

 

While that's cool and I look forward to it, it's not the bike I saw by a long shot!