Designed by Toshiaki Kishi (who would later go on to pen the VFR1200 and CBR1000RR), the Honda Hawk GT (NT650) was a naked V-Twin-powered sport bike that was ahead of its time. Released several years prior to Ducati’s iconic Monster, the NT650 was a solid bike, but the fact a few hundred more dollars got you the even sportier (and more powerful) CBR600F resulted in less than satisfactory sales numbers. Nonetheless, the GT Hawk went on to obtain something of a cult status, especially in the club racing scene.
Powering the NT650 was a liquid-cooled, 647cc, SOHC, four-stroke, longitudinal, V-Twin (with three valves per cylinder) — the same mill used in the XRV650 Africa Twin. Housing the 56hp 52-degree V-Twin was an aluminum twin spar frame developed by Honda’s race program and originally used on the firm’s 250cc GP racers. The aluminum chassis was paired with Honda’s Pro-Arm single-sided swing-arm which was developed by France’s Elf Racing.
This particular 1990 NT650 example has received a myriad of upgrades and cosmetic mods including a custom cafe tail made from an NT650 tank, CBR F2 front-end and brakes (with braided lines), Vortex clip-ons, Woodcraft rear-sets, adjustable Ohlins shock, Lithium ion battery, aftermarket lighting, Muzzy exhaust, fender eliminator, and a custom black sparkle paint job complimented by black powder-coated rims.
This Honda Hawk has around 29,700 miles on the clock and is currently on its second owner, who is responsible for the custom work, and just happens to be Los Angeles-based surf and motorcycle photographer, Heidi Zumbrun (who I had the pleasure of interviewing earlier this year). The bike has been well cared for and garage-kept only (which I can actually verify as I was neighbors with Heidi until recently and I’ve never seen the thing parked on the street). All the custom work was professionally done by LA-based shop, Charlie’s Place. It isn’t the most elaborate build, but I think it’s tasteful, stylish, and pretty much everything I look for in a daily rider.
You can find this custom 1990 Honda Hawk GT NT650 for sale here on Craigslist in Los Angeles, California with a price of $4,000.