Honda Nighthawk 750 from 1991

A lot of effort had been put in by the American Honda market research department to try to determine what type of machine the American public wanted to buy. The overall motorcycle market had been shrinking, and of the remaining sales, Honda's share had been eaten away by the other manufacturers. The Nighthawk 750 was an attempt to re-kindle the kind of successes the motorcycle market had seen in the glory days of the 1970's. Honda was prepared to lose money on the Nighthawk, and market the machine at an unbeatable price. Honda raided the parts bins to put the machine together, using the CBX750 engine and styling from the early to mid 80's Nighthawks. It was meant to be somehow 'familiar' to motorcyclists from the late 60's onwards. Price was to be sub $4000. Maintenance requirements were to be kept to a minimum. Power was to be broad band, with a very linear delivery. The design goals dictated by the focus groups were mostly achieved, but the press seemed to regard it as a bland piece of machinery, albeit at an unbeatable price. The public didn't come back to motorcycling in the droves Honda expected, and the machine became just another machine in the lineup. Power peaked at 62.6bhp@8500rpm, with torque of 40.5ft/lb's@7000rpm. Wet weight was 499lb's.

1993 model