2016 Honda NM-4 Vultus ‘Bat Bike’. SN425

Looking like a stealth bomber inspired by Japanese Anime cartoons, the Vultus was a difficult machine to categorise right from the start. As far as Honda is concerned, the Vultus was a custom, yet at first glance it has more in common with a super scooter, full size wheels notwithstanding. The Vultus first emerged as a concept in 2014 and was then put into production as a limited edition model, sharing its 745cc twin-cylinder engine and DCT semi-automatic transmission with the NC750 Integra scooter. According to MCN: “an 18/17in wheel combo and fat 200-section rear tyre means this is certainly no wobbly scoot… Instead it’s rock stable, nimble enough to wriggle through traffic… and yet also a joy to carve and slice until the ground clearance runs out through the twisties.”

Equipped with the panniers fitted, these American spec models had panniers as standard whist they did not offer that option here in the UK.