2014 Honda NM4 Vultus

Today at the 30th Osaka Motorcycle Show, Honda is unveiling two new production models of the Honda NM4 Vultus, the NM4-01 and the NM4-02, as exhibition models. As you can see from the photos, the Vultus – which is a Latin word meaning “face” or “expression” – has a futuristic, stealth-like style looking more like a concept model than a production model.

The NM4 Vultus features a “front massive styling” inspired by the aesthetics of Japanese manga and anime. It was designed with long journeys in mind by a team of young engineers in their 20s and early 30s.

Besides has future-shock style and stealth bomber silhouette, the Honda NM4 Vultus is alsoequipped with a reactive, simple dashboard that features colors that change depending on driving mode (there’s 25 different shades), and a lighting system that is comprised entirely of LEDs including its sharp headlight that is framed by a thin blue LED light. Storage compartments are installed on the front, consisting of a left compartment with a liter of storage space plus a 12V DC adaptor, and the right compartment that has 3-liters of storage. The left compartment is opened by the ignition key, while the right opens at the push of a recessed, triangulated button. The NM4-02 version adds integrated panniers.

The 2014 Honda NM4 Vultus is powered by a 745cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 8-valve, SOHC parallel 2-cylinder engine – the same engine equipped on Honda’s NC series – that has a total output of 54 hp at 6250 rpm and 50 ft-lb. at 4750 rpm. Its twin-cylinder engine is mounted in a steel diamond frame and is linked to a dual-clutch transmission that offers automatic twist-and-go Drive and Sport modes plus a trigger-operated manual mode.

For suspension, the bike uses 43mm telescopic forks and a rear Pro-Link monoshock absorber. Breaking systems are handled by a 320mm disc up front grabbed by a two-piston caliper and a 240mm disc paired single-piston caliper at the rear. For enhanced stopping power, the NM4 is also equipped with a two-channel ABS system.

The 2014 Honda NM4 Vultus sits on an 18-inch front and 17-inch rear 10-spoke cast aluminum wheel that are wrapped in a 120/70 ZR18 and a fat 200/50 ZR17 tire, respectively.

Other highlights include a low 25.6-inch seat height, an innovative rider backrest that can also transform into a passenger seat, and tall windscreen.

No words on its availability and pricing.