The Honda Hawk GT NT650 motorcycle

Motorcycle

A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...

 was designated as model RC31 and was designed by Toshiaki Kishi, and was the second Honda

Honda

is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...

 with "Pro-Arm" suspension bike after the RC30 VFR750R. The Japanese model was named the Bros. The RC model designation is for bikes up to 750cc, though the Honda Pacific Coast

Honda Pacific Coast

The PC800 Pacific Coast is a touring motorcycle made in Japan by Honda between 1989 and 1998 and named after California's Pacific Coast Highway. Over 14,000 were sold in North America, Europe and Japan, with a three-year hiatus between two production runs...

 (PC800) has an engine of more than 750 cc and a model designation of RC34.

The Hawk GT was one of the first modern naked bikes along with the Yamaha SRX

Yamaha SRX

The Yamaha SRX is a motorcycle that was manufactured from 1985 to 1997 by the Yamaha Motor Company.In an attempt to repeat the success of the SR500, Yamaha placed a more modern engine derived from the XT600 into a light, sporty street bike...

, which were both released several years before the Ducati Monster

Ducati Monster

The Monster is a motorcycle designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi and produced by Ducati Motor Holding in Bologna, Italy since 1993...

 and eventually the Suzuki SV650

Suzuki SV650

The SV650 and variants are street motorcycles manufactured since 1999 for the international market by the Suzuki Motor Corporation, featuring a mid-sized V-twin engine and medium performance components...

. The Hawk GT is often described as a cult bike.

North American model

The US model NT650, Hawk GT 647, RC31 was introduced in 1988 and produced through 1991. For the remainder of the bike's production run it was only sold in red. There are only very minor changes between the 1988 model year and the 1989-91 model years. In 1989, the front suspension damper rods were changed to have only 2 (rather than 4 for the '88) holes. The front brake calipers were also changed to have screw-on covers over the mounting pins. In 1991, the oil lines were run internally through the engine, rather than externally and only a handful of 1991 model year bikes actually made it into the United States, making the 1991 the rarest vintage Hawk in America. The Canadian model was identical to the US model except for the colors.

Europe model

A cousin to the Hawk GT, the Revere was available in Europe from 1988. The steel frame, larger petrol tank, main stand, and longer rear end differentiate it from the Hawk GT. The NTV650 replaced the Revere in 1993. It was a revised version of the early model with no main stand, different carburetors, tube handlebar and longer exhaust. The engine power from 60 hp. The NTV650 was replaced in 1997 by the Deauville

Honda Deauville

The Honda Deauville, also known as the NT650V and NT700V, is a mid-range touring motorcycle developed by Honda in 1998 for the European market, replacing the NTV650 Revere. Launched as the NT650V Deauville, the motorcycle was powered by a 52° 650 cc V-twin engine. In 2006, the engine capacity...

, basically an NTV650 with full bodywork and hard saddlebag

Saddlebag

Saddlebags are bags that are attached to saddles.-Horse riding:In horse riding, saddlebags sit in various positions, on the back, side, or front of the saddle. Most attach to the saddle by straps and ties. They can be made from various materials. Although leather was the traditional material, it is...

s - not too different in general appearance from the PC800.

Japan model

Named the Bros in Japan, the NT came in 400 cc versions. After Honda stopped exporting the Hawk in 1992, they continued the Bros in Japan for one more year. A close ratio gear box (which drops into the Hawk) different wheels, and lower clip-ons were the major changes. A MotorCycle News review said the Bros 400 is "heavy, underpowered and outdated, ... but surprisingly nice to ride – they’re well balanced, steer well and the engine is flexible, torquey and characterful given its 33bhp output. The Bros has a comfy, semi-upright café racer riding position" .