Honda NM4 750 VULTUS 2015 — Specifications

When a Japanese manufacturer decides to design a motorcycle as if it were building a vessel for a sci-fi anime, the result is bound to divide opinion. The Honda NM4 750 Vultus, unveiled in 2014 and on sale from 2015, is one of those machines that leaves no one indifferent. You either love it or reject it, but there's no way to walk past without turning your head. In a motorcycle landscape where aesthetic consensus reigns, where every roadster looks like the last, Honda chose a clean break.

The Vultus's silhouette borrows as much from the world of manga as from 1980s science-fiction films. Massive shoulders, angular lines, a squashed stance that evokes a vehicle straight out of Gotham City more than a two-wheeler parked outside a café. It's hard to classify, for that matter. Neither roadster, nor custom, nor scooter, the Honda NM4 750 Vultus invents its own category, somewhere between a futuristic cruiser and a maxi-scooter with a flair for the dramatic. The riding position confirms this singular impression. The seat, perched just 650 mm off the ground, accommodates all body types, while the feet rest far forward on forward-set platforms that reinforce the laid-back attitude. The dashboard pushes the aesthetic extravagance even further with backlighting that changes color depending on the selected transmission mode, from white to red through blue and pink. Twenty-five lighting moods in total. It borders on gimmickry, admittedly, but the show works.

The problem is that beneath this sci-fi bodywork, the mechanicals tell a far tamer story. The 745 cc inline twin, taken directly from the NC family, delivers 58 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 67.7 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. Honest figures for urban or suburban use, but ones that struggle to feed the fantasies the design promises. It's a far cry from the firepower of a Yamaha MT-07 or even a Kawasaki Vulcan S, two potential rivals that offer more thrills for a lower price. The dual-clutch DCT transmission, fitted as standard, provides genuine riding comfort and appeals to those who want to ride without worrying about the clutch. But it also contributes to a total wet weight of 245 kg, paired with a tank of just 11.6 liters. Range therefore remains modest and fuel stops frequent.

On the chassis side, no miracles either. The diamond-type steel frame, the 43 mm telescopic fork with 125 mm of travel, and the rear mono-shock limited to 100 mm do the strict minimum. Braking relies on a single 320 mm disc up front and a 316 mm disc at the rear, both fitted with two-piston calipers. Adequate for a leisurely ride, a bit lacking when you need to slow 245 kg barreling down a country road. The 200/50-17 rear tire provides a wide footprint but doesn't turn the machine into a sportbike by any means.

At 11,599 euros on the price list, the Honda NM4 750 Vultus was clearly aimed at a clientele willing to pay the price of style. For a rider seeking pure riding thrills, the numbers don't add up. For a design enthusiast who wants every outing to leave a bold visual mark and who is content with smooth, flowing riding, the proposition remains unique on the market. Honda had already attempted the exercise with the DN-01 a few years earlier, without winning over the crowds. The Vultus met a similar fate, produced in limited numbers before quietly disappearing from the catalogs. A concept bike sold as-is, with its show-bike qualities and its production-machine limitations. Fascinating to look at, frustrating to exploit.