2005 HONDA FMX650
List Price: ÂŁ4000
DONâT be at all surprised if this bike becomes a very common sight in London in 2005 â Hondaâs new FMX650 promises to be the perfect city bike and should cost just ÂŁ4000.
With tough supermoto styling, sticky tyres, a dirt cheap price tag and a virtually indestructible air-cooled engine, it should make an ideal bike for scything through traffic and carving up country lanes.
The Dominator-derived motor might only offer 35bhp, but the 160kg FMX should feel light and responsive, with plenty of grip thanks to 17-inch wheels and sports bike-sized 120/17 front and 150/17 rear tyres.
Honda hasnât released a price, but its straightforward design with a tubular steel frame and box-section swingarm, combined with the venerable four-stroke engine, means itâs got to be cheap.
That doesnât mean it isnât stylish, though.
The LED tail-light comes from the Blade, the exhausts are capped at the end, with the gasses exiting at the sides â giving a fruitier engine note. On top of that, you get 45mm upside-down forks, Nissin brakes and Renthal bars.
The engine might not inspire, but the estimated price tag means it should be ÂŁ900 cheaper than Yamahaâs XT660R and ÂŁ1500 less than the BMW F650 CS.
It might not have their power, but as cheap city transport you wonât be embarrassed to be seen on, it looks like a tough package to argue with.