The verdict is US prices have not been revealed yet. The bike is coming in grossly overweight from expectations, but that does not want to stop me from grabbing one. The wet specs are 511 lbs for the ABS model and 534 lbs for the ABS/DCT version. This starts at around 60 lbs heavier than hoped for, but isn't the end of the world. Future iterations will hopefully get the weight down to near liter sportbike standards. If anything, a fancy aftermarket exhaust will heal part of that woe. And if weight really is a True Issue, just wait for the smaller Honda ADV bikes to emerge in the years to come (think new Transalp and perhaps an Elsinore).
The all-new 998cc parallel twin engine with a fortunate 270 degree crank sounds about right. Judging by the relatively low peak horsepower and high peak torque specs given, this thing is going to be a nice smooth stump-puller like the ol' 1998 - 2005 Honda VTR1000F Super Hawk was. The only semi-surprise here is the use of a single camshaft -- but then again the little CRFs have that too for simplicity's sake. Sure they sign-off early, and so will the Africa Twin, but this new one is, after all, a CRF! Feeding this thing is fuel injection and a 5-gallon gas tank. Sounds good... but isn't touring overkill like we all think we want.
America gets the "Rally" red/white/black and the silver color schemes. Elsewhere get the boring kill-me-dead black and the desirable white/red/blue "Tricolor" with gold wheels and handlebar that everyone is going to want. When the time comes, I'll just have to settle for the sedate "Rally" colored bike.
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