Honda: New twin-cylinder engine for Hornet & Transalp / Products

Honda has had a two-cylinder engine with 750 cc since 2012: the one that Honda currently installs in the NC750X travel enduro and in the Forza 750 scooter. The engine with the cylinder bank tilts far forward, which is necessary so that it can also be installed on the 2012 NC700 Integra scooter. The disadvantage of this structure when installed in motorcycles is that it requires long wheelbases or a short swingarm that compromises traction.

It’s no secret that Honda plans to revive two models: the Streetfighter Hornet and the travel enduro Transalp. The Honda Hornet (Hornet) has been available since 1998 as the CB600F, and in 2002 it was joined by the Hornet CB900F Hornet. A feature of these barebones bikes are the four-cylinder engines and towed-back exhaust systems. Production of the 900 ended in 2005 and the 600 ended in 2013.

Honda has used the model name Transalp longer. The first XL600V Transalp was launched in 1987. After several model changes, production of the XL700V Transalp was discontinued in 2012. During the entire construction period, Transalp models were equipped with V2 engines.

Honda (justifiably) considered the current two-cylinder linear engine unsuitable for these two models, which is why a new, more compact engine was developed. The 755 cc two-cylinder short-stroke linear engine has a 270-degree crankshaft. Four valves per cylinder are state-of-the-art technology. For a compact design, the valve is controlled by only one camshaft. Honda already reveals performance data: 92 hp at 9500 rpm and 75 Nm at 7750 rpm.

Fuyuki Hosokawa, who was also responsible for the current CBR1000RR-R, was tasked with project management to develop this engine. In the press release, Honda writes about Unicam valve control. This is a special design Honda first used in four-stroke motocross cars in 2002. The overhead camshaft drives the intake valves directly via the bucket taps, while the exhaust valves are actuated via rocker arms. This allows sharp control times on the intake valves, but is more compact than the cylinder head with two overhead camshafts.

Without much risk of embarrassment, one can speculate that Honda will be showing off the new Hornet and Transalp at Intermot (maybe not) or at EICMA in Milan (maybe already), where the now on offer engine will be installed. Other models with this engine could follow later: a mild super sports car and a touring machine.