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2014 Honda NM4 Vultus

2014 Honda NM4 Vultus

2014 Honda NM4 Vultus

2014 Honda NM4 Vultus

2014 Honda NM4 Vultus

2014 Honda NM4 Vultus Review

2014 Honda NM4 Vultus on Totalmotorcycle.com

Japanimation on two-wheels…

A ground-breaking machine inspired by the desire to establish a unique riding experience and an identity not bound by standard motorcycle design, with strong echoes of futuristic bikes seen in Japanese movies. Created by a young design team who remained true to their original concept at every stage through to production, the NM4 Vultus brings radical style to the streets, with function from the future for a new breed of rider.

Honda announces the new NM4 Vultus, a ground-breaking machine inspired by futuristic machines seen in the anime and manga television and film styles, known collectively as “Japanimation”.

Created by a young design team who remained true to their original concept at every stage through to production, the NM4 Vultus brings radical style to the streets, with function from the future for a new breed of rider. The NM4 represents a machine capable of crossing traditional two-wheeled lines and reaching out to a wider audience.

Vultus is Latin for appearance, expression – or face. The NM4 Vultus, with its LED lights, future-shock style and stealth bomber silhouette presents a look that will not have been seen in any cityscape this side of an anime movie…

Underneath the brooding menace is a rock-solid chassis and engine package. Packed with low-friction technology, its 745cc twin-cylinder engine is canted forward, creating space and a low centre of gravity. Delivering strong low and mid-range power and torque for smooth acceleration coupled with excellent fuel economy, it’s also equipped as standard with Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), giving the rider options between automatic twist-and-go D and S mode – plus trigger-operated computer game-style manual MT mode. Intuitive and easy to use, it adds to the futuristic appeal of the NM4 Vultus and is the perfect complement to the engine’s gutsy, usable performance.

 

 

Introduction

Honda is founded on innovation. In keeping with this tradition, in recent years, from deep within the company came the desire to create a new machine that would push boundaries, with an identity, riding feeling and experience that could and would place it in a class of its own.

The visual creative spark was fired by the futuristic bikes seen in the anime and manga* television and film styles. Known collectively as “Japanimation”, in Japan both genres have long been very grown-up entertainment, woven into the fabric of life; now, the philosophy, attitude, fashion and feeling are worldwide and mainstream phenomena.

Another critical factor in the genesis of this new entity was a desire to create a machine capable of crossing traditional two-wheeled lines and reach out to a wider audience. The creative team of engineers who conceived, designed and put it together are in their 20s and early 30s. They were given a completely free hand. In that respect, the NM4 Vultus represents a leap of faith from Honda, one intended to appeal to and attract a new kind of rider.

And those that want it will want it now. They may well be aware of the great engine and chassis it’s built on, but what will really captivate them is the way it looks and how it makes them feel. The NM4 Vultus is real, like nothing else, and it is here.

Mr Keita Mikura, Large Project Leader (LPL) NM4 Vultus:

“Honda is a big company. We make every kind of motorcycle. It’s great that sometimes we make a certain machinesimply because we can and because we want to, not because we “should”.

The NM4 Vultus exists because of a passion from deep within our company. We wanted to create something special, not just in the two-wheeled world, but truly unique in the whole world – a machine that engages a human soul like no other.

Our intention was to make something that makes every moment feel cinematic, and we want riding it to be an event – guaranteed – every single time.”

*anime – Japanese abbreviation of “animation”.

manga – literally: impromptu drawings, sketches.

 

 

 

2014 Honda NM4 Vultus Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

The young social media-engaged urbanite lives a digital existence in a fast moving world. And they’re totally engaged by the new. Without question, the NM4 Vultus is just that. It is avant-garde in both the way it looks but also, and perhaps more importantly, in the detail work that has gone into creating a unique riding experience. The reactive dashboard – with colours that change depending on driving mode – and flip-up pillion seat that acts as rider backrest are just two examples.

Vultus is Latin for appearance, expression – or face. The NM4 Vultus, with its LED lights, future-shock style and stealth bomber silhouette presents a look that will not have been seen in any cityscape this side of an anime movie…

Underneath the brooding menace is a rock-solid chassis and engine package. Packed with low-friction technology, its 745cc twin-cylinder engine is canted forward, creating space and a low centre of gravity. Delivering strong low and mid-range power and torque for smooth acceleration coupled with excellent fuel economy, it’s also equipped as standard with Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), giving the rider options between automatic twist-and-go D and S mode – plus trigger-operated computer game-style manual MT mode. Intuitive and easy to use, it adds to the futuristic appeal of the NM4 Vultus and is the perfect complement to the engine’s gutsy, usable performance.

Matching the engine’s strength is a rigid steel frame, 43mm telescopic forks, rear monoshock with Pro-Link, large diameter disc brakes, 18 inch front and 17 inch rear aluminium wheels – with a fat, 200-section rear tyre – for street-bike levels of handling, feedback and stability.

 

2014 Honda NM4 Vultus Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

Styling & Equipment

It’s wide – 810mm up front, 933mm measured across the mirrors – low, and long; with seat height of 650mm. Drawn from all the overtones and billions of bytes that shaped its creators’ imagination, the manga andanime influences throughout the NM4 Vultus are obvious in every chiseled angle and evocative curve, especially from head on: its broad, angular ‘face’ will never go unnoticed. Behind it, the rider sits enveloped in a cockpit-like surrounding, with the digital instrument panel always in view.

Lighting is full LED with front indicators and mirrors integrated into the bodywork while the shaped headlight is framed with a blue LED definition line. Everything is blacked-out to the max – with carefully-placed glimpses of burnished stainless steel here and there – and only one paint option will be available: matt black.

The obvious question every NM4 Vultus rider will face is “what film was THAT in?”. Its looks are that bold. And as a machine that comes straight from the rapidly beating heart of Japanese manga culture, it was always going to be different. Having absorbed its striking presence, the thought that’s gone into the design becomes more apparent.

Storage spaces abound, concealed in the front bodywork. The lockable left compartment opens with the ignition key and features 1-litre of storage space plus a 12V DC adaptor to recharge what matters while on the move. The right compartment has 3-litres of storage and opens with a push of a recessed, triangulated button. Optional rear panniers integrate fluidly adding even more convenient carrying capacity.

And in one of those “how come this hasn’t been done before…?” moments, the rear pillion seat flips upright when not in use, locking to provide the rider with a secure backrest and almost fighter pilot riding position. Its angle can be adjusted through 3 positions and it slides back/forward 25mm through four settings, to fine-tune cockpit comfort.

The digital dash changes mood depending on the drive mode selected, with subtle colour changes from Neutral (white) through D (blue) to S (pink), ultimately to MT (red). Alternatively, the rider can choose one colour from five other tonal ranges of colour – 25 individual colours altogether – they want to live with on a day-to-day basis

 

Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)

In keeping with its avant-garde appeal, the NM4 Vultus is equipped as standard with Honda’s unique DCT, specially tuned for a smooth acceleration feeling.

DCT delivers consistent, seamless gear changes, and very quickly becomes second nature in use. It uses two clutches: one for start-up and 1st, 3rd and 5th gears: the other for 2nd, 4th and 6th, with the mainshaft for each clutch located inside the other for compact packaging. Each clutch is independently controlled by its own electro-hydraulic circuit. When a gear change occurs, the system pre-selects the target gear using the clutch not currently in use. The first clutch is then electronically disengaged as, simultaneously, the second clutch engages.

The result is a consistent, fast and seamless gear change. Furthermore, as the twin clutches transfer drive from one gear to the next with minimal interruption of the drive to the rear wheel, any gear change shock and pitching of the machine is minimised, making the change feel direct as well as smooth.

With extra benefits such as durability (as the gears cannot be damaged by missing a gear) impossibility of stalling, low stress urban riding and reduced rider fatigue, DCT’s acceptance and popularity is fast expanding.

Three modes of operation are available. MT mode gives full manual control, allowing the rider to shift with the handlebar trigger control buttons. Automatic D mode is ideal for city and highway riding, and achieves optimum fuel efficiency. Automatic S mode is sportier and the ECU lets the engine rev a little higher before shifting up, giving greater performance. It also shifts down sooner when decelerating for extra engine braking.

In either D or S mode, DCT offers immediate manual intervention if required – the rider simply selects the required gear using the up and down shift triggers on the left handlebar. At an appropriate time DCT seamlessly reverts back to automatic mode, depending on throttle angle, vehicle speed and gear position.

Furthermore, in D mode, the DCT system detects variations in rider input typical to certain environments, from busy urban streets to mountain switchbacks, and adapts its gear change schedule accordingly to create an extra level of riding compatibility. “Kickdown” gear changes are natural and intuitive.

 

Engine

The compact 745cc liquid-cooled, SOHC 8-valve parallel twin-cylinder engine driving the NM4 Vultus is a usable, fuel-efficient and clean powerplant. The fundamental design ensures a punchy low-to-mid range performance: relatively long-stroke architecture and specially shaped combustion chambers combine with the high-inertial mass crankshaft to produce large amounts of effortless torque from very low down in the rev range. Peak power of 40.3kW arrives at 6,250rpm, with a meaty 68Nm of torque at just 4,750rpm.

Bore is set at 77mm with 80mm stroke, plus compression ratio of 10.7:1. The engine features twin balance shafts, the effect of which counteracts vibration from high rpm inertia. So it manages to feel refined, yet retain the characterful ‘throb’ delivered by its 270° firing order. Where possible, components are made to do more than one job: the camshaft drives the water pump, while one of the balancer shafts drives the oil pump.

There’s a single 36mm throttle body and PGM-FI fuel injection system supplies the optimum amount of fuel/air mixture thanks to an oxygen sensor in the exhaust. Fuel consumption of 28,4km/l (WMTC mode) is particularly impressive, enabling a 300km plus range from the 11.6 litre fuel tank.

A high-absorption catalyser is located close to the engine – as a result the catalyst reaches operating temperature quickly after a cold start, further reducing emissions.

 

Chassis

The rugged steel diamond frame at the NM4 Vultus’s core delivers the high levels of rigidity required for agile, responsive handling in a variety of conditions from busy urban to open road. Rake is set at 33° with trail of 110mm, wheelbase of 1,645mm and front/rear weight balance of 49/51. Kerb weight is 245kg.

43mm telescopic forks feature 125mm stroke. The rear monoshock has 100mm travel and operates through Pro-Link for a soft initial stroke that deals with low-speed bumps. A lightweight aluminium swingarm improves suspension reaction and control.

The front 320mm wavy disc and two-piston brake caliper offer plenty of easy to modulate stopping power, matched by the rear 240mm wavy disc and single-piston caliper. Two-channel ABS helps greatly reduce the chance of wheel lock-ups on slippery or wet road surfaces.

Unique 10-spoke cast aluminium front and rear wheels – sizes 18 x 3.50-inch and 17 x 6.25 inch – and finished in black and wear 120/70 ZR18 and 200/50 ZR17 tyres.

 

Accessories

Accessories available for NM4 Vultus will include high screen, heated grips, panniers and alarm.

 

Press Release

Honda Exhibits World Premiere of New Concept Model “NM4”

TOKYO, Japan, March 21, 2014 – Honda held its press conference at the 30th Osaka Motorcycle Show 2014 today and unveiled the world premiere of two types of its new production model “NM4” as an exhibition model (planned for production).

NM4-01 (Mat Ballistic Black Metallic)zoomNM4-01 (Mat Ballistic Black Metallic)NM4-02 (Pearl Glare White)zoomNM4-02 (Pearl Glare White)
The NM4 was developed under the keywords of “the Neo-futuristic” and “COOL,” pursuing new, unique styling.

This NM4 was designed to realize two points; the design concept “the Front Massive Styling” and “the cockpit position” focusing on the sense of unity with the rider, that the rider can smoothly get into the vehicle. The low-setup cockpit position and adjustable backrest provide an enjoyable new riding feel. The instrument panel was designed to provide clear readability and the fun riding, as if the rider was experiencing part of a movie scene.

LED lamps are used on the headlight of the powerful-looking front fairing, the tail lamp and the turn signals. In addition, the utility boxes are set up on the right and left sides of the front fairing for small articles.

Two NM4 types were unveiled at the motorcycle show; the simply-configured “NM4-01” which emphasizes its wide, dynamic rear tire and attractive low silhouette, and the “NM4-02” which emanates a unique presence and features a prominent rear design (containing utility boxes on each side of the rear body).

The NM4 will also be exhibited at the 41st Tokyo Motorcycle Show from Friday, March 28 to Sunday, March 30 at Tokyo Big Sight.

•Key features of the NM4

·Length×Width×Height (mm) 2,380×810×1,170
·Seat Height (mm) 650
·Engine Type Liquid-cooled 4-stroke OHC inline 2-cylinder engine
·Displacement (cm3) 745
·Transmission Dual Clutch Transmission (standard equipment)
·Tires Front: 120/70ZR18M/C (59W)
·Rear: 200/50ZR17M/C (75W)

 

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2014 Honda NM4 Vultus – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $NA USD

Model not available at Press Time

 

 

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2014 Honda NM4 Vultus – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details
Canadian MSRP Price: $NA CDN

Model not available at Press Time

 

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2014 Honda NM4 Vultus – Totalmotorcycle.com UK/European Specifications/Technical Details
European MSRP Price: See Dealer for Pricing in GBP

ENGINE
Type Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve, SOHC parallel 2-cylinder
Displacement 745cc
Bore ´ Stroke 77mm x 80mm
Compression Ratio 10.7 : 1
Max. Power Output 40.3kW @ 6,250rpm (95/1/EC)
Max. Torque 68Nm @ 4,750rpm (95/1/EC)
Oil Capacity 3.9 litres

FUEL SYSTEM
Carburation PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Fuel Tank Capacity 11.6 litres
Fuel Consumption 28.4km/l (WMTC mode-Tested in D-Mode)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Starter Electric
Battery Capacity 12V/11.2AH
ACG Output 450W/5000rpm

DRIVETRAIN
Clutch Type Wet multiplate hydraulic 2-clutch
Transmission Type 6-speed Dual Clutch Transmission
Final Drive Chain

FRAME
Type Diamond; steel pipe

CHASSIS
Dimensions (L´W´H) 2380mm x 933mm x 1170mm
Wheelbase 1645mm
Caster Angle 33°
Trail 110mm
Seat Height 650mm
Ground Clearance 130mm
Kerb Weight 245kg

SUSPENSION
Type Front 43mm telescopic fork, 125mm stroke
Type Rear Monoshock damper, Pro-Link swingarm, 100mm travel

WHEELS
Type Front Multi-spoke cast aluminium
Type Rear Multi-spoke cast aluminium
Rim Size Front 18M/C x MT3.50
Rim Size Rear 17M/C x MT6.25
Tyre front 120/70 ZR18
Tyre rear 200/50 ZR17

BRAKES
ABS System Type 2 channel ABS
Type Front 320mm single wavy hydraulic disc with 2-piston caliper and sintered metal pads
Type Rear 240mm single wavy hydraulic disc with single-piston caliper and resin mold pads
INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS
Instruments Digital speedometer, digital bar-type tachometer, clock, bar-type fuel meter, two trip meters, gear position indicator, outside air temperature gauge and coolant temperature warning light.

Security System HISS
Headlight LED
Taillight LED

All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice.
# Please note that the figures provided are results obtained by Honda under standardised testing conditions prescribed by WMTC. Tests are conducted on a rolling road using a standard version of the vehicle with only one rider and no additional optional equipment. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on how you ride, how you maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tire pressure, installation of accessories, cargo, rider and passenger weight, and other factors.

Specifications, features and prices to change by manufacturer without notice. All information correct as of posted date.