On September 9, Honda officially unveiled the new parallel twin-cylinder engine for the new Hornet in Europe. A video showing the 755cc power unit and a development member explaining the new engine was released.
Twin engines with compact unicam heads produce 91.8 PS
I have been publishing articles on the new Hornet and the new Transalp on Webike Plus for some time now, and finally, the details of the new engine that will actually be installed have been revealed. Although many are expecting the Hornet to have a parallel four-cylinder engine, the announced engine is a parallel two-cylinder as per the information. The valve mechanism was also revealed to be a SOHC 4-valve unicam system.
The maximum output is 91.8 PS (67.5 kW)/9500 rpm and the maximum torque is 7.65 kg-m (75 Nm)/7250 rpm. 755 cc with an unequally spaced explosion by 270-degree phase crank. The fact that it does not use a DOHC head indicates that the main focus is on achieving strong torque characteristics in the mid-range rpm range, rather than simply aiming for maximum power output.
Fuyuki Hosokawa, the test project leader, said this in the video released to the public.
For Honda, the Hornet is synonymous with street fighter. We couldn't miss the high-revving power and power feel that is typical of the Hornet. At the same time, we wanted to maximize the low- and mid-range RPM torque feel and pulse feel, as well as the nimbleness, including in the city, of the new generation Hornet that is in tune with the current era. A completely new 750cc L-twin engine was needed to realize a new generation Hornet!
Lastly, the term L-twin is sometimes used to describe a straight-4 = L4, so it is not clear whether it is meant to refer to a straight-2 = L2 or a 90-degree V-twin engine as seen in Ducati and other models. However, both are correct, and a 270-degree crank parallel two-cylinder (straight 2) engine has virtually the same explosion interval as a 90-degree V2. You will also enjoy a thumping power feel.
The 755cc twin engine was unveiled by Honda. It is close in displacement and engine type to the NC750X's 745cc twin, but the upright cylinder head and compact front/rear length will allow for greater flexibility in chassis design.
This is the NX750X's parallel two-cylinder engine. The Hornet is announced as a short-stroke engine, so its output characteristics should be very different from the long-stroke NC series.
This is an image of the Africa Twin unicam head. The cam on the intake side is a direct push and the exhaust side is a rocker arm type. There are many advantages: the head is smaller, the number of parts is reduced, and the combustion chamber shape is as compact as that of a DOHC.
This is also the crankshaft of the Africa Twin. By shifting the pin position of the connecting rod's large end by 270 degrees (90 degrees), the explosion interval is effectively the same as that of a 90-degree V-twin engine.
New Hornet and new XL750 Transalp are likely to be announced at EICMA and will be released in Japan
The situation is such that a new series of parallel twin-cylinder 755cc engines with upright cylinder heads different from those of the NC750 is now certain, but it is not only the new Hornet that has been announced this time that will be equipped with this engine; the XL750 Transalp is also rumored to debut at the same time. Both models are likely to be officially unveiled at the Milan Show (EICMA) to be held in Italy in November.
The information on the Japanese domestic launch, which is of interest, is that only the XL750 Transalp will be released in Japan, and it appears that the new Hornet will not be introduced at this time. The Transalp will be launched in Japan in late 2023.
CG of the Transalp in the November 2021 issue of Motorcycle Magazine, an off-road-oriented adventure tourer with 21" spoke wheels up front that would compete with the Ténéré 700.
CG of the new Hornet, as seen in the February 2022 issue of Motorcycle Magazine. The CG is based on the shape of a mock-up by Honda.
Design sketch of the new Hornet released by Honda in Europe. It looks like it will have a very aggressive street-fighter style.
