We'll have to wait and see. Don't be surprised either if the XT1200Z is discontinued when the 700 arrives. They simply aren't selling (50 in the UK in 2016, considerably less than half of what they shifted in 2015) and nobody is going to want one at all when presented with the alternative option: a funky new lightweight 700 costing �3000-�4000 less.

The other interesting tit-bit of information I gleaned is that Honda are working on a reintroduction of the Transalp in a new 700/750cc parallel twin form, possibly in 2018. There are several patents (chassis, frame and suspension) they have applied for which would also seem to confirm such a model.

All this would tend to suggest that smaller and lighter 70-80hp adventure bikes are being perceived as the next 'big thing' by the Japanese manufacturers. Maybe the days of the uber-adventure bikes are numbered... and people are finally beginning to realise that 'biggest isn't always necessarily best'?

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