Motorcycle specifications Honda1100 Hawk 11 2022 On raptor territory

A Honda café-racer is almost an event. The last time this kind of machine appeared in its range was in.......... no idea (I must not have been born). Almost an audacious addition to the range, given that Honda seems to be the least extravagant manufacturer in the archipelago (and beyond). False impression, as Honda is certainly the most prolific when it comes to innovation (NR 750, Vultus, CB 750 Four, CBX 1000, X-Adv, Rune, DN-01, Dream, SuperCub, RC30, PC 800... and so many others).

But let's get back to this 1100 Hawk 11, a proud neo-retro sportsbike ready to roll up the charm with its big twin and elongated silhouette. With its sleek lines, feline allure and weathered nervousness, its presence and audacity are assured. But not its surprise. At EICMA 2017, a CB4 "Interceptor" concept showed a rather similar design and prepared the public for the arrival of the Hawk.

Its fork head is typical of the wave of classic sports bikes, as can be appreciated on the Superveloce, the fairing of the Thruxton RS, the front of the Speed Triple RR or theex Nine-T Racer. The headlamp can only be round, but that doesn't mean it can't be sophisticated. Daytime signature and multiple LEDs are part of the interior, which is very similar to (but different from) the CB 1000 R. Honda has pushed its creativity to the limit when it comes to positioning the mirrors. To place them as low as possible while still supporting the steering, their support rods follow a tortuous path, "straddling" the sides of the fairing.

Sporty features include half-guidelines anchored on the same horizon as the fork crown, a separate brake reservoir and a rear stern that's quite equivocal, if a little visually charged. The riding position promises forearm misery, but also a stimulus capable of putting you in the gentleman-racers' mood. The eleven-cent Hawk is also a remarkable demonstration of how a single base can serve a wide variety of purposes.

for beneath this streamlined machine, built for old-school excitement, lies the adventurous Africa Twin. Amazing, isn't it! From its big trail that laughs at trails and rivers, Honda manages to derive a tourer(NT 1100), a custom(1100 Rebel) and now a cafra. To propel them, 8 valves distribute the gas flow to two cylinders with a total cubic capacity of 1084 cm3. How much power will the Hawk 11 have? Most certainly the 102 hp and 10.7 mkg usually provided by this engine. Let's digress for a moment, as the twin-cylinder engine is downsized to 87 hp on the Rebel. Has Honda reserved a special, more responsive mapping for it? To be verified.

One thing 's for sure: the electronics are there for the taking. Riding aids include four riding modes (Sport - Standard - Rain - User), engine brake control, different power levels, engine brake management and multi-level traction control. Instead of the large TFT display of the NT and Africa Twin / Adventure Sports, the rider benefits from a more sober, circular instrument cluster. The LCD speedometer is taken from the CMX 1100 Rebel, featuring a good deal of information in a much more uncluttered environment than on the other screens. A pity... unless you prefer this sobriety.

one of the advantages of getting this engine is the option of choosing the DCT dual-clutch robotized gearbox. An increasingly impressive solution, allowing you to let the electronics manage the gears according to several modes, but also to leave you free to react to the moment's convenience. I say possibility, not certainty, as Honda has not specified whether this option will be available for the Hawk.

To take it for a spin, the frame holds a Showa SFF-BP inverted fork finished with radial brake calipers and a monoshock at the rear. It's still all a blur when it comes to settings, weight, tank size and precise specifications.
However, one piece of information stands out, and it's not here to please us: the Honda 1100 Hawk 11 is not intended for import into France. It doesn't look good to see it on our roads. Barring a craze that would make the manufacturer change its position.

The Hawk is, however, confirmed for the Japanese market, where it is priced at 1,397,000 yen, or just over 10,000 euros.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos