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.

Triumph Tiger 1200 - a Step in the Right Direction

The brand new Explorer 1200 is the flagship model of Triumph's Tiger range of adventure bikes. With a 1.2 liter 140 horsepower engine and 1 kW electric generator the bike is perfectly suited to long distance rides in excess of 1000 kilometres per day - and after 14 hours in the saddle, who wants to adjust a dirty greasy drive chain?
That's why Triumph sensibly fitted the Explorer with a shaft drive transmission - a first in the Triumph range of sporty across-the-frame triple cylinder machines. Maybe we can hope that this set-up will eventually trickle down to Triumph's road-oriented touring machines such as the Sprint ST. Hell, even the Speed Triple/Street Triple range would benefit from Shaft Drive - while they are fast motorcycles they hardly are race bred sports machines where chain drive would offer a real benefit.

official photo by Triumph Motorcycles Ltd