The Honda CB4 Interceptor, a Japanese concept that may never reach the market

What we see at motorcycle shows doesn’t always reach the market, so we’ll have to wait for the concept models that have caught our eye in recent months to get the green light and move into production. One of those concept motorcycles is the Honda CB4 Interceptor, which was shown at EICMA 2017 and which may never reach the road, although, judging by what we’ve seen, we’d love it to.

This model originates in the Research and Development department that the Japanese brand has in Rome. To create this motorcycle, the brand’s engineers worked on the Honda Neo Sports Cafe, which in turn was based on the CB4 Concept presented at the Milan Show in 2015. An evolution that has kept the proposal alive and adds a touch of Sport Endurance, drawn from the world of endurance racing, without losing its Café Racer essence.

The styling of this concept model is designed to be elegant and understated, in black with a very dynamic design, as you can see in the photos that show us this motorcycle. The tubular steel and aluminium frame, along with the 1,000 cc engine, producing 143 CV and a maximum torque of 104 Nm, come from the Honda CB1000R, although the prototype has swapped in higher-quality Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes.

At the front we find a circle of LEDs that leaves the central space free and gives it a very distinctive light signature. In addition, that free space is occupied by a turbine that uses wind power to generate electricity to run the electronic panel that sits above the handlebars.

This unit controls several connectivity features, allowing the rider to stay connected to the internet. An intelligent solution that provides the energy needed to operate without drawing on the battery. The rider can follow the route thanks to the GPS, making riding this motorcycle easier.

The fairing takes its cue from café racer models, while the rider’s seat joins the tail section to form a very distinctive line. The exhaust is attached to it, and the lights are integrated into it too. For now there are no plans to put this model into production, but several of its elements may appear in future variants of the motorcycle.