You may already spotted them at an International Motorcycle Show near you, but American Honda, in conjunction with Honda R & D North America has just divulged more information (and additional images) on the concept Furious, Slammer, and Switchblade machines that were revealed at the Long Beach motorcycle show this past December. The three concept bikes have already generated some industry buzz, and will be displayed at the seven remaining International Motorcycle Shows in 2011. (For a schedule and details on those shows, visit
http://www.motorcycleshows.com/).
The show bikes certainly cut a radical footprint on the show floor, but all started life as stock 2010 Honda VT1300s. Three young designers from Honda Reseach & Development Americas (in Southern California) were given the opportunity to build customs based on where their visions would take these Honda Fury, Stateline and Sabre models. Although the designers were given free reign, they were asked to stay true to the core of the production vehicle when making modifications. There were other rules too: the budget was limited, and Honda also requested that the bikes be full runners. To make things even more interesting, the designers had only three months to pen and complete their builds, from start to finish. Even without all those parameters in place, the resulting bikes are pretty remarkable. All three of them - the Furious (Chopper), Switchblade (Pro Drag) and Slammer (Bagger) - debuted at the Long Beach, CA International Motorcycle show on December 17th, 2010, and will continue on the nationwide tour through 2011.
2010 Stateline Slammer (Bagger)
Based on a 2010 Honda Stateline, designer Erik Dunshee (Honda R&D Americas) chose to go ultra-low. Fueled by elegance and power, the Slammer sports a fully adjustable air-ride suspension, NAV/Multimedia, a 10-inch subwoofer and 500 watts of audio power. The full front end conversion includes a lean 23-inch custom wheel; the designer achieved all this without frame or engine modification. Low has never looked so good.
Stateline Slammer Specs:
- Stock: Frame, swing arm, VT1300cc engine and tank
- 23-inch Spec designed front wheel
- Fully “Air ride adjustable” front and rear suspension; 6-inch ride height to 2.25-inch lowered
- Composite coated narrow track front rotor with 6 piston caliper
- Nav/Multimedia Head unit with GPS speed display
- 3-speaker (including a 10-inch subwoofer), 500 watt sound system
- Full custom bodywork including a leather drop seat
- Two- tone Satin metallic black and pearl black paint
- Custom Spec crossover twin pipe exhaust
- Air/Box/cleaner Conversion
2010 Sabre Switchblade (Pro Drag)
From the stock 2010 Sabre, designer Edward Birtulescu (Honda R&D Americas) conceived Switchblade, a race-inspired cruiser that took styling cues from Formula1 and MotoGP vehicles. With one look it's clear that Switchblade is committed to precision and performance. Full Carbon fiber dress, 3-way adjustable racing suspension and a single sided swing arm with a 535 chain conversion optimize the single focus of this design - speed. Switchblade has mass -centralized proportion to reinforce the super sport assault.
Sabre Switchblade Specs:
- Stock frame, VT1300cc engine and tank
- 3-way fully adjustable sport suspension
- Carbon fiber custom bodywork & spec seat
- 535 Chain conversion (Before shaft drive)
- Single sided swing arm conversion
- Race- spec calipers and rotors
- Carbon Fiber 18-inch rear wheel - Carbon Fiber 21-inch Front
- Onboard GPS lap-timer and data acquisition unit
- Oversize Billet Top and lower bridge
- Air/Box/cleaner Conversion
2010 Honda Fury Furious (Hardtail Chopper)
Based on the 2010 Fury, Nick Renner's (Honda R&D Americas) Furious machine introduces a bold blend of new and old-school flavor. Pounding the street with a 23-inch wheel up front and a 20 on the rear, Furious makes no apologies. A 45-degree rake and converted hard tail create a clean, pure statement that is simply chopper. Metal flake, variegated leafing, and diamond stitched seat contrast with the five spoke crushers and Fury tank. Long and low, clean and mean... Furious is an instant Neo-Classic.
Fury Furious Specs
- Stock: VT1300cc engine & tank
- Front 23-inch wheel; Rear 20-inch
- Exposed shaft drive
- Hard tail custom spec frame conversion (37-degree head pipe with an 8-degree fork angle offset)
- Custom oversize drag bars
- Custom Paint
- Straight pipe exhaust
- Custom Diamond stitched leather seat