HONDA has launched its new CTX700 and CTX700N models ñ the first of a new generation of bikes that blur the line between commuter, cruiser and tourer.

Based on the existing NC700 machines, including the same parallel twin engine and optional dual clutch transmission, the CTX700N (naked) and part-faired CTX700 are going on sale in America first but are promised to be world-wide models in 2014.

Here's what Honda had to say about them:

CHICAGO, Illinois, U.S.A., February 8, 2013 - Honda today unveiled the CTX700N naked model and the CTX700 model equipped with cowls at the International Motorcycle Show in Chicago as the first motorcycles embodying Honda's new CTX (Comfort Technology Experience) concept.

The CTX series was developed from the new "Comfort Technology Experience" concept dreamed up by Honda. The CTX delivers maneuverability and comfort brought by coupling a low center of gravity with less tiring low-vibration characteristics to realize an uninterrupted stress-free ride even as the distance adds up. Excellence in both stability and cornering offers users quiet and stable high-speed cruising. On top of this, the super-controllable engine characteristics found in the CTX series realize a smooth launch, speed changes and decelerating combined with smooth power response. Honda has thus achieved a level of comfort never experienced before through its pursuit of super-controllability accomplished by the best-fitting engine characteristics for every condition.

The CTX styling inherits Honda's own "horizontal motive design" from its flagship model, the GL1800 (GOLDWING) - a model enjoying high acclaim worldwide. From the overall styling all the way down to the very details including the seat and silencer, the horizontal motive design melds harmony with functional beauty.

The CTX series incorporating Honda's technologies seeks to reduce susceptibility to variations in the riders' experience and body size and offers a comfortable ride for any rider. These models also give users the opportunity to experience a stress-free ride in a wide variety of uses, from long-distance rides to street transport.

Equipped with the liquid-cooled inline 2-cylinder 670cc engine designed for compactness and a low center of gravity, the CTX700N and CTX700 announced today are entering the market as the first CTX series.

These new models sprung from Honda's "Comfort Technology Experience" concept, and were developed under the keywords of "easy, comfortable and exhilarating." The models feature a compact, low-center-of-gravity engine full of torque and producing a delightful throbbing feel in the low- to mid-speed ranges together with a smooth high-quality controllability that remains true to the goals of superior fuel efficiency and easy handling, featuring the liquid-cooled, inline, 2-cylinder 670cc engine design.

Putting the compact engine to its best use, the CTX700N and CTX700 support a wheelbase of 1,530mm. Nimbleness and high cornering performance are attained by a centralized mass achieved by the placement of heavy components near the vehicle's center of gravity and by optimizing the front-rear weight distribution. Engine mount position and frame rigidity balance have also been optimized to reduce vehicle body vibration while lowering the weight and offering the reassurance of straightforward handling.

For the frame and suspension, Honda's original horizontal motive styling comes configured with a newly designed rear sub-frame (seat rail), resulting in only 720mm of seat height to provide a vehicle standard with a sense of security. A framework that exploits the toughness of steel pipes realizes a high degree of responsiveness and flexibility against ever-changing road surfaces. In addition to enjoying excellent riding stability and turning performance, the rider can enjoy the high-quality riding taste featuring the right amount of pleasing vibrations. Bringing these features all together, the CTX700N and CTX700 have been perfected as models that are less susceptible to the riders' experience and body size in order to offer a comfortable ride for all riders.

The riding position is set with a high degree of freedom in mind so that the greatest number of customers can enjoy riding in suitable positions accommodating the wider variety of physiques found around the world. Comfort is at hand in a diversity of situations including rides that start in a congested urban area or travel along a highway or outside the city. The seat also delivers a ride with a sense of security through optimized hardness and shape, while securing a low seat height of 720mm with good ground reach facilitated by the seat shape. Passenger movement is in no way hindered over the delightfully enjoyable, long comfortable rides. At the same time, a step position that allows the passenger to extend their feet forward brings even more improvement to the riding position's degree of freedom.

For styling, Honda's unique and stout horizontal motive design was selected in Honda's quest to give the rider a sense of freedom through the up-close feel embodying the world view of the GOLDWING (GL1800), known for nimble transport on the street and a stress-free ride. The models are nimbly configured with a low center of gravity using a shape that honors the horizontal motive design. The forward glare of the front face and the "front-massive form" convey an impression from the front of a mass so dense that no concept like this has existed before.

To enable the widest possible variety of customers to ride with a sense of security, model types incorporating more lightweight, compact and highly useful DCT (dual clutch transmission) will be available for both the CTX700N and CTX700. Also adopting ABS (anti-lock brake system) as standard equipment, these model types with DCT will offer the user an "easy, comfortable and exhilarating" ride so that a broad spectrum of customers can experience riding comfort in a simple and easy way.

The CTX700N and CTX700 make use of a diversity of comfort technologies thought up by Honda. We are bringing these models to market to give a wider variety of customers than before the opportunity to experience the appeal of stress free, exceedingly comfortable motorcycle.