Supersize Blackbird on 2004’s menu

Honda’s Super Blackbird will get a major overhaul for 2004 with a bigger capacity engine, possibly boosted further by the addition of the firm’s patented VTEC system.

For the full story, and a free guide to this year’s essential new bikes, you’ll need to pick up a copy of MCN, out on Wednesday, April 10.

The new machine will feature:

*ABS brakes, chassis mods and a refreshed front-end.

*Honda will respect the voluntary 186mph (300kph) top speed limit, so the factory can focus on giving the Bird more torque.

*The motor will go up from 1100cc to 1200cc, and Honda is considering adding a new version of the Hyper VTEC.

* It will make over 170bhp at the crank

The computer-generated picture shows how the bike is likely to look.

What do you think? Comment on the dedicated Honda Super Blackbird bulletin board in the Discussion & Chat section of motorcycle-news.com