New 09 V5 Story & Pic

Think this version looks sport-focused enough? Shown next to the VFR1 GT for comparison. Note ram air just under the lower edge of the windscreen on the VFR1000F, but not the GT version. Also the handlebars are higher on the GT version and the airbox/tank on the two bikes are different, likely because the ram air on the sport version requires a CBR600RR/1000RR style tank/airbox design. This is why the sport version has a "higher-sitting" tank cover than the GT version (the tank cover on my RR sits notably higher than on my F4i).

It's these kind of details that make me think that these are production photos, and not Photoshoppery, my hypothesis is that it is very unlikely a Photoshop artist would be aware of these engineering-based design details.

VFR1000F

 

The only reason they are V4's is because the bikes are now 800cc; if they were still 990cc, the motor would still be a V-5. If the new V5-based VFR is for real, the design would have been started while the V-5 was being raced, and as the displacement is 1000cc, Honda likely feels the V-5 would still be the better engine configuration. Honda doesn't use a V-4 or V-5 just for the sake of it. When they were developing the RC211V, Honda examined a number of engine designs, including V-4 and V-5 designs. They concluded the V-5 would be the superior design for the original 990 cc displacement, probably because it would provide the best blend of horsepower (higher rpm possible due to smaller pistons, thereby allowing higher piston speeds), torque, and driveability off the corner.

 

I vote for a instant un-merciful beating to the next asswipe that posts the next "NEW VFR!!!!!!!" thread.

Seriously people, offer up some proof or save it.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

We're just having some speculative fun.

This is a forum, we can post what we want as long as it is reasonably on-topic and we remain civil to each other.

 

MD, your comments have captured my thoughts exactly. I've been buying and using Honda bikes for over 20 years now, and these photos look real to me; there are too many subtle design details that are uniquely Honda design cues and motifs that lead me to believe these are legitimate production photos. For example, the narrow headlights and frontal area is a consistent trend that Honda has been adopting, as well as the minimal rear tail design on the sport version. The way the front cowl joins the side cowl, the angle of the joint are exactly like on my CBR600RR. The mirror-integrated turn signals are subtly different on both bikes, with the sport version having a more aggressive styling. Even the mirrors and mounting stalks are different. The frontal air intake ducts at either side of the lights one the GT version and the direct air intake right under the windscreen on the sport one are key functional design differences that are exactly the type of thing that Honda would do. Note that there is a black plastic plenum on the GT version that runs from the front air intakes exiting from the front cowl into the airbox on either side of the tank; this is exactly the design that is on my F4i, where forced air enters the airbox from the sides of the front portion of the airbox.

The first bike posted in the thread looks like a mash-up; the sport and GT version photos look like the real deal.

It wouldn't surprise me if Honda built two versions; the VFR is very, very popular in Europe in the Grand Touring role. Honda has known that there always has been a contingent that has wanted a more sporting VFR, and a contingent that wanted a GT version. I'm hoping that they actually did something about it.

These photos are from MCN in Britain, if there is to be a new VFR, and there are going to be two versions, I am really praying that American Honda has the sense to bring both versions to the U.S., but I'm not holding my breath.
American Honda's marketing of late has been very poor.

 

i'm thinkin' it would be hard to fool PumaCat on photoshop since he's a PRO!

 

Going off on a slight tangent for a moment: There's rumors floating around that the current generation of the GoldWing and the current ST1300 will be replaced by a single bike in the future. More sports oriented than the current 'Wing, more touring oriented that the current ST.

To add fuel to Puma's hypothesis, the current 'Wing is currently available in four different versions. Maybe the motorcycle industry is headed in the same direction as the automobile industry - multiple versions of one basic platform instead of a multitude of different bikes. Fewer platforms, more versions. Makes economic sense from a manufacturer's standpoint.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to the manufacturer's trying to maximize their profit. They're not in the business to answer our whims unless it means more sales. They're in business to make $$$$$.

 

If these two versions of a new VFR are indeed in the works, I wonder if Honda might partly be aiming at BMW's K1200S and K1200GT customers? :unsure:

 

silly question, how would a V-5 work anyway? aren't engines /cylinders in even numbers for balance?

 

i would love to have a vfr 1000 if they make one

 

yep, that makes sense to me because here is honda's ultimate quandry.
on one hand to build a bike reflective of their Moto GP technology-which appeals largely to the sport sector whilst at the same time continuing to meet the requirements of an already developed, 'Sport tour' segment.

Having 2 versions makes sense as it satisfies both segments of the market,
doesnt compromise the base design one way or the other and ultimately probably allows greater potential unit sales.(what they really want)
the car guys have been doing this for years.

 

guys. i hate to say it, but those two bikes are definitely photo-shop jobs. That pipe that has a heat shield on it heading up to the seat is from the 6th gen and it brings the exhaust up to the dual underseat cans AFTER it is collected together under the right rearset. Therefore, unless this bike has a really great reason for sending the rear two cylinders exhaust waaaaay back under the seat and behind the rear shock, then bringing it back down to the collector, this is total BS. Im not saying a new one wont look something like this, but these bikes are not photos of real bikes.

We will all know on sept. 29th which is when HONDA is having their online "dealer show" (its not in person this year) and the new models will be showcased.

IMO, these new models will weigh a metric ton and be a literbike with the power of a 600 inline bike.

My money is getting spent on the 2009 CBR1000RR which, if the US gets (roughly) the same models as the UK, will come with optional ABS and a sick REPSOL paint job.

I love my 6th gen, the only future VFR i would give it up for would have to have at least 30 more horsepower and weigh the same. Lets see that!

Oh and this latest pic? Pleeeeeeeeaaaase haha. Maybe they are onto something. I am going to put a few extra exhaust systems on my bike, i hear it adds HP!!

 

The V5 has 3 cylinders in the front and 2 in the back. its really no differant than say, triumphs triple which also has an odd number of cylinders or for that matter any single cylinder bike.

balance is all worked out on the conrod and firing order so technically you can have any number of cylinders as long as it fits in the space provded
although as you add more engine you get more wieght & complexity which then affects other areas of the bikes design parameters.
i think what honda achieved is to put the maximum number of cylinders into the most practicable amount of space without compromise to the bikes other performance parameters.

a work colleague once had a straight 5 cylinder Honda accord(80's model)
it was just plain wierd? i had to go and count the spark plugs to confirm it had 5!

 

It's been a trend to create platforms; Triumph has been using this effectively for some time, and I think that the GSXRs are all one basic platform with engine and bolt-on bit differences (forks, wheels, brakes, etc).

With respect to the mfrs; while they are in business to make profits, to continue to do this they need to listen to the voice of their customers, and American Honda, in particular has been quite poor at this, at least in the 5-6 years.

 

Nope, more cylinders means the power pulses are closer together is all. Audi had (has?) an inline 5-cylinder engine in their cars.

 

Not in my inline 5cyl Land Rover Turbo Diesel...

 

My exact thoughts too. Look out BMW, here comes HONDA!!!!

 

Yes, it's clear BMW is selling to somebody in the U.S.; American Honda needs to understand that when it comes to sporting motorcycles, not everyone wants to ride a race replica (at least, all the time, anyway).