If you have a crazy sharp memory (won't blame you if you don't), Honda had showcased an interesting concept called the 'CB4 Concept' at the 2015 EICMA. The concept showed us Honda's capabilities in making a futuristic motorcycle that still gave it a retro appeal.
Fast forward to 2017 and Honda has gone ahead and done just that on a production model, the CB1000R that was launched at the ongoing EICMA. Along with that, Honda has taken the CB4 nameplate and stuck it on another new concept that is futuristic for sure, but also has an evocative ‘Sport Endurance’ tone added to the Cafe-Racer silhouette.
Enter the CB4 'Interceptor'.
Developed in Honda's Rome R&D facility by a chap called Valerio Aiello, this Interceptor is based on the new CB1000R Neo Sports Cafe that has established the Japanese Red Winger's design acumen already.
Even with all that minimalism, there is a whole lot more going around with this CB4 Interceptor. The flowing designs on the “total black” motorcycle has both curves and sharp edges that trick your mind into believing that it comes from two separate worlds.
You see that bikini fairing at the front? It's not there just to give the bike the Cafe-Racer touch. What it is, is a futuristic technology that incorporates a fan that will power the bike's touch-screen that is embedded in the tank's design. It is underlying the inside of the tank just behind the start-stop button and the fuel lid.
I know. Mind=Blown right?
Lined by LED DRLs', the front looks like a piece from the 'Transformers' and rightly, so does the fan that rotates when the bike moves ahead. It converts the kinetic energy to supply power to the dash where the rider can tether his smartphone for navigation, music an all of that.
Low slung bars, steering dampers, single-sided swingarm, slick tires, solid iron front brake discs and an extremely sleek under seat exhaust gives the bike the ‘Sport Endurance’ acronym Honda likes to add to this CB4 Interceptor.
Seeing this on a production model is highly unlikely. No way that exhaust sticks to Euro IV norms. But we like the way Honda imagines.
