NEW V3 DETAILS ANNOUNCED

The prototype represents a bold step in Honda’s push toward what it calls the “Joy of free and fun mobility,” part of its wider 2030 Vision. The firm says the V3R 900 has been designed around the concept of a “Non-Rail Roller Coaster,” aiming to combine excitement with complete peace of mind.

Quite what Honda is benchmarking that performance comparison on remains to be seen. Honda currently has no 1,200cc bikes in its ranks, with the 100bhp NT1100 being the closest to the number used on pure capacity. 100bhp from a 900 is hardly groundbreaking stuff - the Yamaha Tracer 9 makes more than that from its own three-pot - so we think Honda could be looking further back in time.

The VFR1200F, which was discontinued in Europe in 2017, was the last big bike we can think of to use a 1.2 litre engine. In that bike, Honda managed to get a reliable and torquey 160bhp from the V4 configuration. If Honda can drag that kind of output from this much smaller (and presumably lighter) engine, it could be quite the pocket rocket!

Visually, the prototype stands out with asymmetrical side fairings and a fresh tank badge, introducing the new “Honda Flagship WING” design. This updated emblem will begin appearing on the company’s top-tier models starting in 2026.

Honda is pitching the V3R 900 E-Compressor Prototype as a milestone in its pursuit of new riding experiences. It’s a showcase of how advanced technology and bold engineering can work together to deliver both excitement and confidence, a blend that could well define Honda’s next generation of motorcycles - whatever they may be

 

Translation:

Look for a bike soon that is styled like this and has the Hornet 750 parallel twin.

 

What happened to engineers...and design teams? YIKES!

 

Lest we forget...the emissions regulations that production bikes must meet are not getting any easier. The electric forced induction/smaller engine may well be a way to get to a level of performance that provides mucho torque, a decent top end and moderate fuel consumption. As someone who has had a steady diet of European 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engines for my company vehicles for the past few years, I can vouch for the merits of the approach.

I'm glad to see Honda dabbling in this area at the same time that they are pumping out the low(er)-cost Hornet 750 and 1000s. The reality is that unless you are dabbling at the upper price end of the market (e.g. Ducati and Aprilia) producing an engine that has duplicated cylinder heads, cams and cam drives will not be cost effective against a simple twin or IL4, so my pick is that the V3 is going to be a pricey little beast by the time the electric supercharger and associated electrical system is factored in.

The engine architecture is pretty unusual, it looks to me like they have gone back to a vertically split crankcase with bolted on barrels. AFAIK all recent large Honda V engines have had horizontally split cases with integral barrels.

 

I see this only being offered in Southeast Asian countries with minimal emissions regs, if ever. Most new motorcycles run horribly from the factory as it is.

 

CONCEPT

Design cues and engineering influences for future models. Everybody calm your tits. Honda has a rich history of making concepts look near production-ready.

I still think it is cool stuff. Just remember it is Vision 2030 or some shit, whatever they called it.

 

The Yamaha 900 is one of the best powerplants they've ever mass produced...and it can be tuned/used in all segments. Maybe Honda will go this route?

 

Yamaha have been trying other things with the 900 triple for a few years now, I think they had a turbo concept bike, and currently there is talk of a hybrid as well.

 

This may turn your head..... fingers crossed it makes it to this side of the pond..... if it does, we'll get the boring grey version, lol.

https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles...26&bike=cb1000_gt&colour=r-380_grand_prix_red

 

Love the idea. Hate all of the electronics, but there's no way around that in new bikes. And sheesh are this class of bike really ugly. If it were this or my 5th gen...5th gen all the way.

 

The CB1000GT reminds me a bit of my MT-10SP which doesn't do badly as a sport-tourer aside from over-firm suspension. The MT has a belter of an engine.

 

EICMA 2025 is going on right now. Quite a few videos up on YouTube of what the factories are offering, what's new, what's improved, etc.