New Honda 750 v-twin engine

[Whealie]

Honda has brought out a retro-classic VT750S with a new liquid-cooled, V-twin of 745cc. Could that engine form the basis of a new adventure bike?

The motor has Honda’s latest PGM-FI fuel-injection system that Honda claims gives economy and low emissions. But in keeping with the classic styling, the V-twin features finned barrels for that ‘air-cooled’ look. Honda says the motor was designed to give optimum performance in the low to mid-section of the rev-range.

Does this mean Honda has a new 750 engine that could fit in other bikes? "I am currently not aware of this engine being used in any other (new) bikes, sorry," was the answer.

So over to you, without the chrome, could it be used? Would it be any good?

[StumpyFingers]

I cannot see any reason that the engine could not be used in an adventure bike.

[BobA]

My immediate suspicions are that the engine is actually from the same family of V twins that power the AT and TA.

52 degree V twin
6 valves
5 gears
745cc (up from the RD07A's 742)
Exhausts exiting the heads on the right hand side.
Uses same spark plug

So it's potentially an Africa Twin engine with fuel injection I'd say, but Honda do claim 68.9mpg.

Even the black engine casing looks vaguely familiar. Pull all that chrome off and I'd bet it would slip straight into a AT or TA frame.

[Kjell Lindberg]

It would be interesting to investigate if the PGM-FI fuel-injection system would fit an Africa Twin.

[Twickers]

Surely a 750 is a bit too close capacity-wise to the current TA700 ? Given the next Vara is looking like it will use the new 1200cc engine, and given the existance of the GS800, would you really go with a 750?

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a new proper AT, just suspect this isn't the engine for it.

[davsato]

i dont see why not, but i also cant really see why?

they already got the TA700, theres no business sense in making another adv bike. they should think about a hardcore off the shelf travellers TA with RTW bells and whistles, big tank, chunky armour, decent luggage, like yam have with the 660Z, that sells well?

[StumpyFingers]

Maybe in the future there will be a TA750 to replace the 700, after the launch of the 1200 Vara.

[Lutin]

i dont see why not, but i also cant really see why?

they already got the TA700, theres no business sense in making another adv bike. they should think about a hardcore off the shelf travellers TA with RTW bells and whistles, big tank, chunky armour, decent luggage, like yam have with the 660Z, that sells well?

Well, the Africa Twin and Transalp were in the Honda model line up at the same time. No reason why there shouldn't be a "hard core" adventure model alongside the current Transalp.

[raymo]

shaft or chain?

had the opportunity to ride the my TA AT and My XLV lately and the AT is defo an XLV in a TA skin . shame the shaft did not come over in the deal

on where does the AT wirr wirr come from? the alp dont do it, and the XLV definatly not

[BobA]

It would be interesting to investigate if the PGM-FI fuel-injection system would fit an Africa Twin.

I'm sure it could easily be done Kjell.

The hardest part would be incorporating the high pressure FI pump, but the AT has such a huge tank, airbox, and carbs, that I'm sure there would be loads of space to fit it all. The FI pump is usually in the tank, so even with a bit of metal work and an obvious reduction in tank capacity, the improved economy should still see greater tank range I bet.

If I hadn't hit my current lean patch on work and money, I'd already decided to make a project out of my RD03 and fit the 700 fuel injected lump, along with the associated loom and CDI etc The only problem I'd anticiapted was if all the newer bikes had ABS, which I didn't bother investigating when the alarm bells on my bank account started ringing!!!

Fitting new running gear to the original outline of an AT would definitely make it a "Modern-Classic"