An Icon Born Too Soon - The Honda Hawk GT NT650

Рет қаралды 4,346

Күн бұрын

In this Rare Motorcycles documentary, we go into the history of one of the most influential yet at the same time forgotten Honda motorcycles ever made, the Honda Hawk GT which started life in 1988 and ended in just 1991.
This short lived mid range bike proceed to be a bit ahead of its time in its market positioning but it laid the groundwork for some of the most prolific motorcycles of the 21st century.
This video aims to provide a short history of these unique and rare motorcycles so you can learn about them in a quick, easy to digest video.
*Note, we are not historians. If you see an error in our research then please mention it in the comments!
For business inquiries or other inquiries, reach out to: rarecarsmedia@gmail.com
NOTICE: Clips used from other videos are fair use and fall under U.S. copyright law because this work is transformative in nature, and has no negative effect on the market for the original work. It is against the law to fraudulently claim a copyright on a video you do not own under the DMCA or to abuse KZbin’s copyright claim tool. Copyright concerns and takedown requests can be submitted to: rarecarsmedia@gmail.com

Пікірлер: 31

@MichaelKobler-yu6fy 6 ай бұрын

Come on, in what world is this a steel trellis frame? It is neither a trellis frame, nor made from steel. This was exactly what set it apart from the frame of the NTV (and saved 40kg). Also, you show a disc brake and call it a drum. Proper research is a blessing, do your homework.

@hagestad 3 ай бұрын

there are ton of wrong information in this video. 4:00 Single sided swing arm aiding in reducing unsprang weight? What? There is a reason competition bikes don't use those and if they do its just for marketing reasons.

@hagestad 3 ай бұрын

4:38 drum brake @ rear - camera proceeds to show rear disk brake.

@robertcabrera6232 2 ай бұрын

Additionally, he gave credit to Honda for the single sided swing arm when BMW first used it in their "K" series bikes in 1982. Six years before Honda.

@Porculus 6 ай бұрын

I've had 3 bikes: Yammie RZ 350, Yammie RZ 500, and then this Hawk GT 650. While the other two were fun, the RZ 500's V-four was brutally fast but suffered from sparkplug fouling on the two lower cylinder pistons. I always had to keep two spare sparkplugs and a plug wrench in my leather jacket pocket, lol! The Hawk GT 650 was hands down my favourite of the three. Refined, smooth, comfortable, an absolute dream to handle in the corners, and fast enough... just. Sold it back in 2001 and have regretted it since. This is the bike that inspired the Ducati Monster, followed by the Suzuki SV650. Thanks for bringing some love to this gem of a bike from the late 80s that was indeed well before its time. Gotta hand it to Honda, every now and then, they come up with visionary designs that are way ahead of the game. Couple oopsies in your video: twin spar aluminum frame, not steel trellis. Also, rear disc brake, not drum. Cheers!

@davapod 5 ай бұрын

The NT650(RC31) pro arm was always disk braked, and had an Alu frame.

@GPracer-ei8wj 6 ай бұрын

I stopped at 3:22 because too many facts were wrong (stock power output, frame description). And I LOVE the HawkGT. My '90 was my first streetworthy bike. Day 1 was a glorious day. I learned to ride on that bike and eventually tracked it (early 2000's CCS racing). It's been parked in race trim for 20 years. I'd love to put her back on the street.

@axl6298 8 ай бұрын

That's a disk on the rear not a drum.

@seeingeyegod 5 ай бұрын

probably because that particular example was upgraded.

@richardpascual5715 5 ай бұрын

Nope. Disc brakes all around. This was my first bike in 2003 and I still have it and ride it regularly.

@adammoeller9965 4 ай бұрын

They have discs front and rear standard. I have a 91!

@flechette3782 4 ай бұрын

I stopped the video there too. Mine has disks front and rear. Never saw one with a drum.

@marcbrasse747 5 ай бұрын

The frame is aluminum. A steel framed, shaft drive version exists and is called the NTV 650. It is however much havier.

@RalphNicolais 5 ай бұрын

I bought a Hawk GT in 1992. It was my 1st street bike. I really enjoyed it !

@billrhea 3 ай бұрын

I had an 89 all tricked out. I polished the wheels new exhaust. Man I wish I never sold it.

@Terry-hl5eo 2 күн бұрын

@@billrhea Amen! 89 in Grey first thing I bought when I got my first "real" job.

@billrhea 2 күн бұрын

@@Terry-hl5eo I miss my bike so much.

@robertangert5500 3 ай бұрын

Love my Hawk!

@alexguest9937 2 ай бұрын

Some idiot decided to call it the 'NTV 650'/'Revere' in the UK. And they wondered why it didn't sell. Why didn't they just call it the Hawk like in the US???

@geoffgreenleaf 7 ай бұрын

Alloy frame, disc rear brake.

@rickrigsby7620 Ай бұрын

All the mags of the day had it at about 35-37 rear wheel hp. That and its price kept it from selling well. Many riders thought you needed 65-70 at least to have fun. Sure wish I’d bought one