Honda introduced this nameplate in 2013 as part of its new CTX series, presenting it as a comfort-focused cruiser with a relaxed riding position, low center of gravity, and a twin-cylinder engine developed for easy, stress-free street use. The model was first unveiled in the United States in February 2013, then launched in Honda’s Japanese home market later that year. It was positioned as a fresh alternative to traditional cruisers, aiming to blend everyday usability with a distinctive modern look and rider-friendly character.
The nameplate arrived in the U.S. as a 2014 model and remained part of Honda’s powersports lineup through at least the 2018 model year. During that run, Honda offered multiple versions, including manual and Dual Clutch Transmission variants, and the lineup evolved into deluxe and touring-oriented derivatives in some markets. The naked version was the more stripped-back interpretation of the concept, while related CTX models added bodywork or comfort equipment to broaden the appeal.
In Honda’s motorcycle history, this model is notable less for outright performance than for how it reflected the company’s effort to create approachable, low-stress cruisers with modern packaging. It sat in a niche between conventional midsize cruisers and more touring-oriented machines, and it helped establish the short-lived CTX family as a distinct chapter in Honda’s modern street-bike catalog.