Honda motorcycles are not exactly the go-to two-wheelers for touring, but the Japanese bike makers hope to change that with the Bulldog, a concept bike that, in the company’s own words, aims to promote a new world of leisure with motorcycles. Based on Honda’s concept of “Loveable Touring Partner,” the Bulldog transcends conventional leisure motorcycle design and one that beckons riders to take on an active outdoor lifestyle. As we always like to say, those words are just marketing gurus way of enticing consumers. But as serious bike lovers and lovers of all-thing-beautiful, the Bulldog needs no such bulls to have us at hello. It looks radically different from Honda’s current and previous ride, and most importantly, it is a beauty. Call us superficial for all you want, but you know that it is a beautiful ride that had to be made.
The ride is pretty low slung, unusual for Honda’s bike and has a comparatively low seat at just 730 mm. Combined that with 15″ wide tires, it promised solid footing. Power comes from a 400cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC inline 2-pod unit, mated to a six-speed transmission and since it is touted by Honda as the leisure motorcycle, it is outfitted to match it status which includes a carrier fit for camping-touring and an accessory storage on the sides of the fuel tank. The Honda Bulldog Concept Bike was first introduced back in March at the 31st Osaka Motorcycle Show 2015, and subsequently made its appearance at the 42nd Tokyo Motorcycle Show later that month.
