HONDA X 11

HONDA X11

HONDA X11 IN YELLOW BODY PAINT

The concept of a naked bike powered by Honda's Super Blackbird engine had seemed enticing ever since the ultra-fast 1137cc four's release in 1996. When the HONDA X l1 finally arrived three years later, it did so at considerable speed, if not quite with the style that had done so much to popularize unfaired machines from firms such as Ducati and Harley-Davidson.

Plain but entertaining

HONDA X11

In contrast to the best of those bikes, the HONDA X l1 was rather a plain-looking creation. Its liquid-cooled engine was partially obscured by a large grey plastic radiator shroud that had been added in an attempt to make the X-11 more stable than the average naked bike at high speed. But if the big Honda lacked a little in visual appeal, it certainly was fun to ride.

This bike was much more than simply a stripped-down Super Blackbird. Honda detuned the 16-valve engine with revised fuel-injection and a new exhaust, reducing peak output from 150bhp to a still impressive 134bhp at 9000rpm. Other changes include a single instead of twin balancer shafts, and a five- instead of six-speed gearbox.

The frame combined the Blackbird's twin aluminium main spars with a new cast central section at the rear. This was used to mount the swingarm, and was designed to introduce a small amount of flex into the frame. According to Honda, this gave the rider 'more of a feeling of slowly settling into corners'.

Honda also claimed that the radiator shroud not only helped feed the airbox but also created downforce on the front wheel, increasing high­speed stability. The small plastic instrument surround was also intended to divert wind from the rider at speed. All of which sounded improbable.






until you actually rode the HONDA X l1.

HONDA X11

There was enough top-end power for a maximum speed of 160mph (257km/h), and by naked bike standards the X-11 was superbly efficient at such velocities. Perhaps partly due to its radiator's downforce, the Honda remained rock solid when most unfaired bikes would have been verging on instability. Even the little instrument cover diverted enough wind to allow fast cruising in more comfort than on most unfaired machines.

Despite its size and weight, the bike was reasonably low, as refined as any Honda and really quite manageable at slow speeds. Its big four- cylinder engine was notably torquier and more responsive than the Super Blackbird's. Inevitably the HONDA Xl 1 didn't have the faired bike's thrilling top- end power rush, but in most situations the smooth surge of acceleration from low revs was very ample consolation.

For a big bike the Honda handled very well. Its steering was reasonably light, and the fairly basic suspension gave a firm ride while soaking up most bumps. The linked brake system, a tuned version of the Super Blackbird's Dual-CBS set-up, combined plenty of power with a reassuringly normal feel. Most people who rode the Honda loved it. The X-l 1 might have lacked the style of some naked rivals, but it was as fast and exciting as any of them.