The motorcycles Honda never built

Honda has never been shy to introduce new technology – but now for the first time MCN can reveal some of the designs that were too far out for even Honda to give the green light.

This so-called Ground-effects bike isn’t the work of a lunatic, it was conceived 20 years ago by former HRC boss Satoru Horiike – the father of the RC45 and NR750.

And while it never saw the light of day it was the off-the-wall thinking they represent that has led to the success of their designers and to that of Honda’s more conventional current products.

See more on this and many more of Honda’s wacky bikes, including the Front wheel drive GP bike, Centre-hinged GP bike, Feet-Forward bike and  “Flying” bike in December 10th issue of MCN.