2017 Honda Shaft Drive Motorcycle Line-Up

For the upcoming 2017 model year, Honda Motor Co remain the undisputed kings of shaft drive bikes by retaining more than a dozen shaft drive models in their lineup, based upon five distinct drive train configurations.

2017 Honda ST1300

In the touring segment, venerable GoldWing leads the charge in the guise of the GL1800 and F6C six cylinder models, while the Pan European model line offers the ST1300 and CTX1300 four cylinders.

The smaller 700cc tourers sadly now sport a drive chain, bringing an end to a popular chain-free small tourer line that included the very popular NTV and Deauville.



The cruiser segment features the ever-popular Shadow 750 in Aero, Spirit, Shadow specifications (with the 750RS sporting a chain); the 1300 V-Twin line with Fury, Saber, Stateline and Interstate and finally the GoldWing derived Valkyrie and F6B.

2017 Honda 1300 Interstate

Finally, the dying breed of shaft drive supersports has been given a much needed shot in the arm with a couple of very distinctive V-Four models - the street-focused VFR1200F and the adventure style VFR1200X.

It is good to see a mass market manufacturer offering such a wide palette of shaft drive machines, though unfortunately the smaller engine displacement segment below 600cc (where thousands of commuters yearn for easy to maintain chain-free motorcycles) remains empty.

2017 Honda VFR1200X

all images courtesey of Honda Motor Co