The 1988 Honda Hawk GT 647 from Japan was powered by a 647cc OHV V-twin producing 60hp at 8000rpm. Weighing 179.0kg (395 lbs) and with a seat height of 780mm, it was aimed at cafe racer riders.
The 1962 MV Agusta 600 Four, hailing from Italy, by contrast offered 591cc of DOHC inline-4 power, delivering 52hp at 8500rpm. Tipping the scales at 195.0kg (430 lbs) with a top speed of 175km/h (109 mph), it offered a distinct riding experience. 1980s motorcycles are the rising stars of the collector market. Early sportbikes and final-generation air-cooled models are gaining strong interest.
Specifications Comparison
| 1988 Honda Hawk GT 647 | 1962 MV Agusta 600 Four | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 647 cc | 591 cc |
| Power | 60 hp | 52 hp |
| Torque | 55.0 Nm | 46.0 Nm |
| Cylinders | 2 | 4 |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 175 km/h |
| Quarter Mile | — | — |
| Dry Weight | 179.0 kg | 195.0 kg |
| Wet Weight | 195.0 kg | 210.0 kg |
| Seat Height | 780 mm | 790 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1410 mm | 1440 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 13.0 L | 17.0 L |
| Gears | 5 -speed | 5 -speed |
The Verdict
These two machines serve fundamentally different purposes. The 1988 Honda Hawk GT 647 is built for spirited café-racer style riding, while the 1962 MV Agusta 600 Four targets long-distance touring with passenger comfort. On paper, the 1988 Honda Hawk GT 647's 60hp trumps the 1962 MV Agusta 600 Four's 52hp, but raw numbers don't tell the whole story in such different segments. Choose the 1988 Honda Hawk GT 647 if you value spirited café-racer style riding; pick the 1962 MV Agusta 600 Four for long-distance touring with passenger comfort. Parts availability is moderate for the 1988 Honda Hawk GT 647 and very difficult for the 1962 MV Agusta 600 Four — an important factor for any restoration project.
About the 1988 Honda Hawk GT 647
Honda released the 1988 Honda Hawk GT 647 in 1988 with a 647cc OHV V-twin powerplant making 60hp — a definitive cafe racer.
Full 1988 Honda Hawk GT 647 Profile →About the 1962 MV Agusta 600 Four
MV Agusta released the 1962 MV Agusta 600 Four in 1962 with a 591cc DOHC inline-4 powerplant making 52hp — a definitive touring motorcycle.
Full 1962 MV Agusta 600 Four Profile →