A few months ago the motorcycling community lit on fire with the news that Kawasaki was making a 600cc supercharged supersport. There were patent pictures, journalists quoting sources, and many people had accepted the rumor as fact. However, when examined more closely, the patents that were attributed to this new project might have actually been earlier plans for the critically acclaimed H2R. Now the rumor mill is buzzing again, and Honda may be the new target of forced induction hopefuls.
Is a Supercharged Honda Motorcycle in the Works?
Just like the supercharged supersport story, new patent images have surfaced of a Honda motorcycle that appears to have a supercharger mounted to the engine. There aren’t many clues as to displacement or even what style of bike this engine is meant for, but that hasn’t stopped speculation from going wild.
Considering Kawasaki’s H2R and Suzuki’s own supercharged project—the Recursion—it would make a lot of sense for Honda to be working on its own forced induction project. The improved fuel efficiency forced induction causes might also be a viable solution for the new Euro4 emissions standards rolling out in the EU. However, motorcyclists have been burned before.
Do you think Honda is really working on a new supercharged project, or is this a hoax? The Tokyo Motorcycle Show isn’t too far away, and it would be the perfect place for a big Honda announcement. Keep following the attorneys who ride on Twitter and Facebook to find out if this little rumor will actually pan out.