Let's enumerate 6 cylinders bikes: Honda CBX, Goldwing, Benelli Sei 750 and 900, and Kawasaki Z1300: we're back in the 70's.
The 2006 6 cylinder bike is a Suzuki: the Stratosphere gets a 180bhp, 1100cc, 6 cylinders inline, 24 valves engine. This engine is a real engineering masterpiece, as compact as a four inline. We can expect a smooth response and a huge torque. The 6 in 1 exhaust line ends in a GSX-R like muffler. The Stratosphere's gearbox can be switched from manual to automatic depending on the riders preference.
Its Katana inspired design is futuristic, and the bike gets many Hi-Tech stuff: LED headlights, electric windscreen, GPS navigation computer, color digital multi information display, and adjustable handelbars. The radiator covers are made from Damascus steel and the front cowling and tank are made from hammered aluminium. The upside down fork is adjustable and braking gets ABS.
This is just (for now) a concept bike; and as most of Suzuki's concept bikes, I guess the Stratosphere will (hopefully soon) join their product-line. Let's hope they won't kill the stratosphere as they killed the B-King...
The photo gallery is here
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