Honda Stirs the Custom Bike World

As the custom motorcycle business adjusts to challenging market conditions, Honda is forcefully re-asserting its presence in the cruiser class. The early-release 2010 Honda Fury is the company's first venture into the high-neck chopper bazaar, featuring a 38-degree rake, a narrow 21-inch wheel, and the longest wheelbase ever on a Honda motorcycle-just a hair under six feet.

The Fury is intended to deliver the attitude and essence of a custom chopper, but with Honda's legendary reliability, and dealer network. Rather than living large and using  the VTX1800 motor, Honda tapped the VTX1300's long-stroke, 3 vpc, SOHC powerplant, and supplemented it with EFI. Liquid cooling remains, with the diminutive radiator surreptitiously slipped between the round frame downtubes. Internal wiring enhances the custom form; the turn signals and refl ectors are designed for easy and clean removal.

Being a Honda, it still must meet corporate expectations for suspension and handling. A conservative 200mm rear tire indicates that the Fury will be cooperative when it comes time to change direction, and the hidden rear shock (adjustable for rebound damping, and preload) controls 3.7 inches of rear wheel travel. In the front, 45mm forks have four inches of travel.

The drive train reveals Honda sticking with what it knows-a 5-speed transmission and shaft drive. Seat height is 26.7 inches and the claimed curb weight is 663 lbs. The riding position is roomy, but far from extreme.

Over the years, Honda's cruisers have been characterized as highly competent, but lacking in personality.The Fury is a full-frontal assault on that perception. FEBRUARY / MARCH 2009 ULTIMATE MOTORCYCLING

Read: Our 2010 Honda Fury Review