Press a button, and like a spring loaded switchblade, this pro-street (or pro-drag) style bike will jump in action fully committed to precise performance. Conceived by designer Edward Birtulescu (Honda Research & Development Of Americas), Switchblade is designed from a Honda 2010 Sabre model platform and takes its styling cues from many body details found on Formula 1 racing cars and MotoGP motorcycles. Frame, VT 1300 engine and gas tank were kept as manufactured by the factory, the customization prowess focusing on body work and on adding performance custom parts.
Full dress is carbon fiber, while racing performance is provided by a 3-way adjustable suspension, racing spec. caliper and rotors on a pair of 18″ wheels, oversized top and bottom triple tree clamps, onboard GPS lap timer with data acquisition unit and an air box/cleaner conversion. Bike rear lines are largely improved by the use of a single sided swingarm and of a final drive 535 chain conversion (before shaft drive).Controls by Accutonix. A low center of gravity and a centralized mass reinforce the super sport assault appearance that all pro-street bikes should have. Now, show the street what you are made of… Honda Motorcycles. (pictures copyright and courtesy Honda R&D Americas, Inc. for Cyril Huze)
“No honey, I am NOT playng with my boys again. Just adjusting the ride height…”
I must admit, it’s beautiful.
I realize this bike has goodies you wouldnt put on a production model… but why is it Honda doesnt come out with bikes that look like this or the other examples Cyril posted. They are all very cool and would hit a large portion of the Harley market. They could seriously cash in $$$$$
WOW! Probably the most striking bike to ever come out of Japan, in my opinion.
I like it a lot! Just the painting could be more interesting.
don’t forget yamaha has a radical bike too! and its not the star
Amazing bike, congrats.
All kidding aside, this is simply on of the coolest bikes I’ve seen Honda do in decades. It was inevitable when you think about it-the marriage of their chopper styling with their race proven parts. A simple concept.
Now Honda-since it’s based on the Sabre, I’d love to see you ressurect the V4 (from the old school Sabre) concept, and throw it into a mimilar frame.
Great work…. to please a Harley rider.
John Nasi if your out there doesnt this Bike’s lines remind of the bike JIm built back in 2004?? for some magazine promotion? with S&S??
All these hondas on lately are like a dejevu of mid 2000 v twin bikes
With all the bikes that have been designed by builders over the last 15 years there has to be some similarity’s .
Thank you for not putting flames and skulls on it. When will those worn out designs / ideas go away
Emphasis on bike ” the point ” not paint as not to distract.
You just know that there’s someone out there saying why didn’t we think of this.
Thats not a negative statement . Is it ? LOL
Pretty slick! I agree with WP though, needs a vicious V4 powerplant to do that style & rear tire justice.
Looks great. Honda has been on a roll here lately. Obviously somebody at the top is making good steps in custom design.
100% awesome….. now make a frame and parts to support the builder and people may start buying…. also, don’t make cost a fortune… those days are long gone!.
Absolutely awesome bike though!
Eric
Nicely done…!
-nicker-
Gee guy’s I dont know there’s just not enough flat black paint here!!!!! I think to stay with the trend it should just be all flat black !!!!
Just kidding:) 🙂
Nice bike , I just cant lean over and reach the bars for my gut and then put my feet up that high.
SSDD; David
Yamaha Stars used to be the king of customized metrics. We have seen 3 amazing customs using the Honda platform here on the blog the last two weeks. Though to me that black honda bagger was by far the coolest!
I’d buy one.
Nice Lines and Sexy Attitude! Honda has some “All There” Designs. Their Concept Bikes need to become Inventory., another words they need to be Manufactured. Nobody mentions this 1300 CC Engine. I think it is a Dog in the HP game. The Engine is very smooth and their 1300 CC Bikes were designed for the Novice Cruiser Buyer or the Wife, who were not ready for the Larger VTX. I don’t think Honda will hit the Mark if they only build this Engine with 60 HP. We know they can make this a 90 HP Bike and then and only then will they have a Serious Following!
To “Sad America”. Man up. Publish your name and stop using a fake email. We know who you are in Montpellier. Want me to publish your comments with your name?
Wow- again, nice work by Honda- as above, would like to see their excellent prototype work translate a bit better into their production stuff, cause this is something I’d buy tomorrow, no question.
I really like the past three design exercises by Honda. I just wonder to what end they are pursuing? I seem to remember that they lost money on each Rune they actually built. After all, they are in business to make a profit. One reason many concept models never make it into production is because of the high MSRP of a finished product that was true to the concept or design exercise.
I like it. I immediately thought it was the Victory Jackpot with custom exhaust, cut down rear fender, and sport bike handlebars.
Imitation, they say, is the highest form of flattery.
Although it clearly wants to be in the sport bike category; it wouldn’t take much to make it a high tech custom bobber. Forward controls and apes would do it. Oh; and a kickstand. Of course; any other bobber-riding buddy’s would have no chance of keeping up. (wink)
Great bike. V-Rod would also look great done like this.
The coolest little change is the shaft drive to chain conversion. We had a VTX in ’06 that we used this on but it was really expensive & not availlable any more. It would be nice if Honda would produce it. The 13 is not a powerful engine but they are a blast to ride & extremely dependable. it’s 1 of our favorite platforms to customize. We offer a top end performance kit that adds 27% hp increase combined with in & ex.
thanks Cyril great job….
Cyril don’t let that wannabe Sad America bother you.
My neighbor has photos of him with a chicken . choking.
I can send those to you to publish.
Art in motion. Very beautiful! It’s nice to see people getting some things right!
Pretty Impressive!
i like all three Honda R&D America bike
It is going to kill me to say this, but I like this damn thing. Wish we could have seen something like this fom our HD group first. Would have restored some faith that they are looking ahead and have a grasp of how the market is moving. Good job Honda boys, you nailed this one (puke).
Looks like Walz Hardcore
Very nice, very nice indeed. I love customizing and now we get to see some great bikes in the metric division that are very well conceived.
keep up the great work guys.
I like the statement that is made with this design, “pro-street (or pro-drag) style bike”. Now, the only thing I have a problem with is why this motor? I fill like you are putting a minivan motor in a drag racing kit car. Honda needs to consider the real men that is looking to purchase this bike.
Nice metric machine!