Honda has wheeled out a pair of concept bikes at the EICMA show in Milan to hint at future directions the firm’s models could take.
Both machines are the work of Honda’s Roma-based R&D department, which last year produced a brace of CB650F concepts and was also responsible for the new X-ADV production model.
This time around, they’ve got their hands on the updated CB1100 for 2017 and worked it over to become the CB1100TR Concept.
That TR stands for tracker, since the bike is a flat-track-style machine. Dubbed ‘King of Urban Flat Track Circuits’ the firm says it “exudes a pure racing spirit” but that its design “has more of the ‘street’ orientation favoured by European customers.”
In tribute to Honda rider Marco Simoncelli, the bike carries the number 58.
The second model is the Africa Twin Enduro Sports Concept, which is intended to show just how ‘off-road’ the Africa Twin can be with a few modifications.
It’s gained lighter weight chassis parts borrowed from Honda’s single-cylinder racing CRF models, plus an aggressive new look and paintwork.
Will either bike make it to production? It’s not likely. Instead they’re intended to inspire buyers of the stock models, perhaps encouraging others to make their own specials in a similar mould.
