Half-a-decade prior to Ducati’s release of its iconic naked Monster, Honda released its own stripped down, sporty V-Twin. The Hawk GT (NT650) may have been a little ahead of its time, and was something of a commercial failure in the US upon its release. With an MSRP of $3,600 (which translates to $7,850 in 2018), the GT was only a few hundred bucks cheaper than the flashier and more powerful (85hp) CBR600F — promoting a lot of customers to opt for the super sport. The Hawk’s lack of success hasn’t stopped the 650 from obtaining cult-bike-status in more recent years.
Designed by Toshiaki Kishi — the force behind Honda’s VFR1200 and CBR1000 — the Hawk GT was constructed around an aluminum twin beam chassis derived from the marque’s race program (specifically from Honda’s quarter-liter Grand Prix racers) designated the “RC-31”. The Hawk GT was also Honda’s second bike to feature the “Pro-Arm” single-sided swing-arm (supposedly developed by France’s Elf Racing).
At the heart of the Hawk GT was the same liquid-cooled, 647cc, SOHC, four-stroke, longitudinal, 52-degree V-Twin found in the rugged XRV650 Africa Twin. Despite Honda’s claim of the 650 making around 56 horsepower, the V-Twin was in reality good for a figure closer to 39hp at the rear wheel. On paper the GT doesn’t sound particularly impressive, but the naked Honda reportedly handles quite well. A popular modification amongst owners is swapping out the front-end with a unit from a CBR.
This particular 1990 model year NT650 has supposedly been very well cared after, and boasts an enormous amount of aftermarket components. Two Bros Black Series Full titanium exhaust, Ohlins HO847 Shock, Ohlins reworked front forks/Kiyo Watanabe, SuperBrace fork brace, custom-spec Corbin Gunfighter leather touring seat, Durbahn Composites Carbon Hugger, lithium ion battery, upgraded LED headlight, LED indicators, Woodcraft CFM Rearsets, Woodcraft CFM Clipons wrapped in ProGel Superbike grips, CRG Hindsight LS Mirrors, DID ERV3 520 race chain, EBC Clutch kit (heavy springs), QualityMachine lightened wave rotor, BraKing front Wave rotor (Ti hardware), Goodridge Stainless steel brake line, Goodridge Through-Swingarm Brakeline kit, Hiperform Chain Roller, Reload’s Mk.2 Breakaway frame sliders, WW Torsion Bar, Radiator Mount, Cowl savers, StrapHooks, and TidyTail, just to name a few.
On top of all the aftermarket goodies on this Honda, the sale also includes a vast array of spares, including a complete motor (with 11k miles), three “sets of carbs”, Hyperplate aluminum clutch plates, two spare top ends, OEM clutch kit, set of OEM wheels, complete OEM subframe/under-tail, OEM seat, extra rear-sets, turn signals, a complete front-end off a CBR929RR, and more. The seller also says all OEM parts that have been replaced (other than the rear shock and muffler) are included in the sale too.
The seller also says they have “many articles, magazines, HawkList mailings, data, setup notes, receipts etc. The type of things that pre-date forums and online information” as well as a “80lb box full of rarities and Hawk goodies that go with it”.
You can find this well-farkled 1990 Honda Hawk GT for sale here on Craigslist in Lawrenceville, Georgia with a price of $6,000.