Honda recently filed for the NX and NX500 trademarks in the European Union. A day later the nomenclature was registered on another trademark application in New Zealand. This suggests that the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer is developing a new metal horse. It is likely that the units offered will be identical to the NX Dominator series. Units that have been sold from the 80s to the beginning of the new millennium.
Manufacturers with the 'flap wing' logo have long been known to take a different approach when it comes to mid-range motorcycles. Unlike its counterparts, Big Red has always gone its own way in the 400 to 800 cc segment. It always has products that are technically unmatched in their respective categories. For example, the range of beginner-friendly models based on the CB500 platform, as well as for the 650 cc to 700cc class, it offers the CB650R naked bike and CBR650R sportbike.
The Honda NX was a popular dual-sport model produced from 1988 to 2002. It was offered in several engine capacities. And ends with the NX650 Dominator whose production stopped at the start of the new millennium. This iron horse adopts a lighter engine and is more versatile.
Because the enthusiasm of the tualang bike in all capacity classes continues to increase, his party wants to revive a product that was once famous. With a particular focus on machines inspired by the popularity of the Dakar Rally in the late 80's. It made sense for Honda to dig into that legacy. Moreover, Honda exhibited the trend of revival of old model names such as Hawk and Transalp. Both are built on existing platforms. With that, we can hope that NX also gets the same treatment.
While the previous NX models were widely known for the Dominator branding they wore. But it may not be the right choice for Honda. Because Norton already holds the trademark rights to the Dominator badge in most of the world. While the Dominator trademark was last registered with Honda, it was removed in 2019 because it was no longer used. As a result, the two-wheeled Japanese manufacturer will use the name 'NX'.
The iron horse from Honda that bears the NX name, including the old NX500 uses a single cylinder engine. However, it looks like the new NX500 will carry a parallel twin engine. The Japanese manufacturer is likely to use a liquid-cooled 471cc twin mechanical heart from the CB500 range as the base for the bike. It can produce a peak power of 47 hp at 8,500 rpm and a peak torque of 43.2 Nm at 6,500 rpm.
Indeed, the simplest way to create a retro-style dual sport in that capacity class is to reassemble the CB500X. It's just a matter of adapting the '80s-inspired plastic body, and aligning it more closely with the Africa Twin.
Honda's chances of taking that route were apparently backed by the fact that the company filed to trademark the name "NX400" in Singapore. It is a CB500X unit which is offered in 399cc form. Also sold in some Asian markets. Last year, it also filed for rights to the names "NX200" in India and "NX150" in Indonesia, indicating that smaller motorcycles with a similar appearance are being prepared for these markets. Again, that mirrors what Honda did in the past, as the old Dominator was offered in capacities ranging from 125cc to 650cc during its heyday.
The latest news, renders of the smaller NX has emerged. Information circulating will be the NX 200. This unit is expected to use hardware from the CB200X which has been marketed in India. The model is oriented off-road, such as the use of hand guards, exhaust under the tail, and bash plates. While the tires are only temporary.
Since they both use a similar architecture and style, the possibilities for extrapolating to NX are enormous. Therefore, it can be concluded that from the design renders the NX 200 will be given to the NX 500. But so far everything about the future of the NX is still pure speculation. We just have to patiently wait and see what Honda does in the future.
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