Honda NT 650

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Honda
1988HondaHawkGT-02.jpg
Honda NT 650 HAWK (modified)
NT 650 Hawk GT
Manufacturer Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
Sales description Hawk GT
Production period 1988 to 1994 (Bros MK2)
class motorcycle
design type Naked bike
Motor data
water-cooled V2 four-stroke engine
Displacement  (cm³) 647
Power  (kW / PS ) 37/50 at 7,500 rpm
Torque  ( N m ) 54 at 3,000 rpm
transmission 5 courses
drive Chain drive
Brakes Single disc brake, front and rear
Wheelbase  (mm) 2085
Seat height (cm) 77.8
Empty weight  (kg) 168

The NT 650 Hawk GT , model code RC 31, is a bare motorcycle with an aluminum frame, single-sided swing arm and 2-cylinder V-engine with approx. 50–60 hp. This Honda model was introduced in 1988 but was not officially marketed in continental Europe. In Great Britain the NT 650 was offered by Honda dealers as a sister model of the Honda NTV (Revere). In addition to Great Britain, the main sales markets were the USA, Canada and Japan.

In line with the concept, from 1990 onwards, models with improved details were primarily sold in Japan and Great Britain under the nickname Bros. Based on the Japanese driving license law, the Hawk and Bros were also available as a 400 cm³ model, with all the components of the large 650s being retained except for the engine.

German and Austrian vehicles are homologated as individual approvals in the course of " gray imports " . The motorcycle found a steady fan base from the late 1990s and is now sometimes traded at the original price at the time.

concept

The motorcycle as a concept carrier has elements of different motorcycle types and is considered a model for later vehicles such as the Suzuki SV 650 , the Honda CBF 500 and other light all-rounders. At the end of the 1980s, there was an increasing specialization of motorcycles. In addition to athletes, tourers, hard enduro bikes and real all-rounders, niche and specialization concepts have increasingly been brought onto the market. The Hawk combined the innovations and advantages of different classes:

  • Lightweight construction for athletes: aluminum frames
  • Ease of maintenance / racing: single-sided swing arm
  • Tourer: stable and low-maintenance engine with multi-valve technology.

The significantly reduced weight compared to competitor models due to the torsion-resistant aluminum frame, the maintenance-friendly single-sided swing arm and the extremely robust motor, which inherently made sporty seating posture and ergonomics as well as the tuning parts of the sportier motorcycles (CBR 600, VFR, RVF), which can be taken from the Honda modular system the motorcycle interesting for European racing series like BoT (Battle of Twins) and the multitude of North American racing series in the semi-professional and amateur area of ​​the 1990s.

construction

  • Aluminum frame with motor as load-bearing element, screwed steel subframe at the rear
  • Single-sided swing arm with chain drive on the same side
  • Front: telescopic fork
  • Rear: mono spring strut with direct support

Motor / drive

  • Liquid-cooled four-stroke V2 engine with a 52 ° cylinder angle
  • Double carburetor
  • 3 valves per cylinder
  • overhead camshaft (SOHC)
  • electronic ignition with 2 spark plugs per combustion chamber
  • Bore × stroke: 79 × 66 mm
  • Displacement: 647 cm³
  • Power: approx. 50–60 hp (varies depending on the individual approval certificate) at 54 Nm
  • 5 speed transmission
  • Oil bath clutch
  • Chain drive O-ring chain

landing gear

  • Showa telescopic fork, 41 mm standpipe diameter, no rebound or compression adjustment
  • Monoshock Showa, only adjustable spring preload
  • Front disc brake, double-piston floating caliper
  • Rear disc brake, single-piston floating caliper
  • Tire size front: 110/80 - 17 57H TL
  • Rear tire size: 150/70 - 17 69H TL

mass and weight

  • Total length: 2085 mm
  • Width: 750 mm
  • Height: 1075 mm
  • Seat height: 778 mm
  • Weight (dry): 168 kg
  • Weight (ready to drive): 184 kg
  • Payload: 156 kg
  • Steering head angle: 63 °
  • Trail: 111 mm
  • Wheelbase: 1430 mm
  • Tank capacity 12 l, of which 2 l reserve via fuel tap (manual operation)

Model history / variants

  • NT 650 Hawk GT RC31 (647 cm³) FIN JH2RC310… (US model)
  • NT 650 Hawk GT RC31 (647 cm³) FIN JH2RC311… (Californian model with secondary air system because of the stricter emissions regulations there)
  • NT 650 Hawk GT RC31 (647 cm³) FIN JH2RC312… (Canadian model with KM speedometer)
  • NT 650 Bros RC31 MK1 (647 cm³) (1988–1992)
  • NT 650 Bros RC31 MK2 (647 cm³) (1990-1992) (Changed tires and rim sizes: V 120 / 70-17 to 3.5 "× 17, H 150 / 60-18 to 4.5" × 18 / PGM ignition unit )
  • NT 400 Bros NC25 MK1 (399 cm³) (1988–1992)
  • NT 400 Bros NC25 MK2 (399 cm³) (1990-1992) (Changed tires and rim sizes: V 120 / 70-17 to 3.5 "× 17, H 150 / 60-18 to 4.5" × 18 / PGM ignition unit )

Strengthen weaken

Positive: The engine used in various Honda models and in successors such as the NTV and the Honda NT 650 V Deauville is considered to be the most stable drive unit from Honda. Mileage of 100,000 km without engine damage is not uncommon.

Negative: The damping elements, which are in need of improvement from today's point of view, are known to be weaknesses. Sports enthusiasts in particular will have to switch to progressive exchange springs or completely modified telescopic forks and rear dampers from the accessories program from Wilbers , Öhlins and White Power in order to be able to fully implement the performance potential .

Web links

Commons : Honda Hawk  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files