Tops Speed

The concept of a naked bike powered by Hondas Super Blackbird engine had seemed enticing ever since the ultra-fast 1137cc fours release in 1996. When the X-11 finally arrived three years later, it did so at considerable speed, if not quite with the style that had done so much to popularize unfaired machines from firms such as Ducati and Harley-Davidson.

In contrast to the best of those bikes, the X-l 1 was rather a plain-looking creation. Its liquid-cooled engine was partially obscured by a large grey plastic radiator shroud that had been added in an attempt to make the X-11 more stable than the average naked bike at high speed. But if the big Honda lacked a little in visual appeal, it certainly was fun to ride.

This bike was much more than simply a stripped-down Super Blackbird. Honda detuned the 16-valve engine with revised fuel-injection and a new exhaust, reducing peak output from 150bhp to a still impressive 134bhp at 9000rpm. Other changes include a single instead of twin balancer shafts, and a five- instead of six-speed gearbox.

The frame combined the Blackbirds twin aluminium main spars with a new cast central section at the rear. This was used to mount the swingarm, and was designed to introduce a small amount of flex into the frame. According to Honda, this gave the rider more of a feeling of slowly settling into corners.

Honda also claimed that the radiator shroud not only helped feed the airbox but also created

downforce on the front wheel, increasing highspeed stability. The small plastic instrument surround was also intended to divert wind from the rider at speed. All of which sounded improbable... until you actually rode the X-11.

There was enough top-end power for a maximum speed of 160mph (257km/h), and by naked bike standards the X-11 was superbly efficient at such velocities. Perhaps partly due to its radiators downforce, the Honda remained rock solid when most unfaired bikes would have been verging on instability. Even the little instrument cover diverted enough wind to allow fast cruising in more comfort than on most unfaired machines.

Despite its size and weight, the bike was reasonably low, as refined as any Honda and really quite manageable at slow speeds. Its big four-cylinder engine was notably torquier and more responsive than the Super Blackbirds. Inevitably the X-11 didnt have the faired bikes thrilling top-end power rush, but in most situations the smooth surge of acceleration from low revs was very ample consolation.