HONDA NT650 (1988-1990) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Honda NT650 was a naked motorcycle manufactured from 1988 to 1992, also known as the Hawk GT and the RC31. The bike was designed by Toshiaki Kishi and was the second Honda motorcycle that featured a Pro-Arm suspension after the RC30 VFR750R.

The RC designation was usually for bikes up to 750cc displacement, but the Honda Pacific Coast PC800 model had higher than 750cc and an RC34 designation.

The Honda NT650 and Yamaha SRX models were the first modern naked motorcycles released several years before the Ducati Monster and Suzuki SV650 models. Also, the NT650 was often described as a cult machine.

The American NT650 model was introduced in 1988 and manufactured until 1991, featuring an aluminum box frame with a bolted rear frame, a chain drive, and a single-sided swingarm.

Between the 1988 and 1991 models, existed only minor changes to the front suspension, reducing from four to only two damper rods, the front brake calipers were changed from mounting cover pins to screw-on covers, and the oil lines were mounted internally through the engine rather than externally.

In the appearance department, except for colors, the US model was identical to the Canadian model. The 1988 US model was offered in Tempest Gray and Tanzanite Blue, while in following years, Bright Red was only offered in the US.

With a 647cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine, the 1990 Honda NT650 delivered a power output of 56 hp with a peak at 7,800 rpm and 57 Nm (43 lb-ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm.