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Saturday, 20 September 2003 |
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Page 2 of 2
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The brakes are similar to Honda's own VTX . Don't dare call them linked, because they are not, they're combined. Basically it features two three-piston front calipers and a single two-piston rear caliper. Squeezing the front brake activates the two outer pistons of the front calipers and a stomp of the rear activates the two pistons of the rear caliper and the center pistons of the front calipers. |
There's more to it than that, but all you need to know is that it works mighty fine. You could finish a U-turn or a super tight corner quite nicely with a dab of the rear. No unsettling of any kind no matter how brutal the input. Oh, whilst on the subject, the brakes are the biggest on any production Honda - Naturally.
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The engine felt very similar to the Gold Wing (itself, no slouch) and although no official figures have been released or confirmed, felt around 105 to 110 for both horsepower and torque. It's the same 1832cc liquid cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder motor and it's fuel injected (of course) with six 32mm throttle bodies. Get up and go is instantaneous and the sound emanating from the very unique flared exhausts is pleasing to the ear - Think hotrod meets Valkyrie meets Mr. EPA.
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Styling is sensational too and from the cockpit offers a really attractive and symmetrical view to the front. With the headlamp so far "out there" it felt long and low (and it was). We had two versions available to us, one with the slightly shorter swept handlebar and the second a longer sweep some 50mm closer to you and 20mm lower. Being six-one, I preferred the shorter of the two but your mileage may vary. Instrumentation is pretty decent too with nice subtle (glare-adjustable) digital readout's for speed, fuel gauge, trip and odometer. It's tucked away in a nice recessed shroud on the tank and is in your face without being in your face. |
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The gas tank is a nice piece of sheet metal fabrication too, long low and seamless in construction, the paint seemed 68.9 inches deep too, with a very subtle (bordering on invisible) Rune badge on the side. It holds over 6 gallons too, so you can dodge the gas stations and concentrate on the boulevard cruising. Seating is only 27.2 inches high (low?) and is a nice gunfighter-style shape. Room for one, unfortunately - but you can't have it all ways.
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| More style features include flush LED's that are recessed within the rear fender. Beautiful 5-spoke chrome wheels. A nice chromed radiator cover reminiscent of an old 50's Bugatti racer or similar. The are also technological marvels abound with a built in security system and a trick remote automatically retracting steering lock. |
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The styling and build quality is unsurpassed and is everything one would expect from a $26K custom.
That styling got a resounding thumbs up from all who have seen it and judging by the Pied Piper entourage that we seemed to be collecting on our day trip, its going to be a success story. |
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Honda deserve to sell a bunch of these, it's a radical departure from those sensible people that we've grown to love.
Mike Emery
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| Specifications |
Model NRX1800 |
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| Engine Type |
1832cc liquid-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder |
| Bore and Stroke |
74mm x 71mm |
| Compression Ratio |
9.8:1 |
| Carburetion |
PGM-FI with automatic choke |
| Ignition |
Computer-controlled digital with three-dimensional mapping |
| Transmission |
Five-speed |
| Final Drive |
Shaft |
| Suspension - Front |
Trailing bottom-link; 3.9 inches of travel |
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Rear
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Unit Pro-Link with single shock; 3.9 inches of travel |
Front Brakes |
Dual full-floating 330mm discs with three-piston calipers |
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Rear Brakes
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Single 336mm disc with two-piston caliper |
| Wheelbase |
68.9 inches |
| Seat Height |
27.2 inches |
| Dry Weight |
769.6 pounds |
| Fuel Capacity |
6.2 gallons |
| Colors |
Illusion Blue, Double Clear coat Black, Candy Black Cherry |
| Price |
$25,499 and $26,999 depending on wheel spec.
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