Interesting Articles and Pics - VFR 2010

Honda tries, people fail

Hondisti are always complaining that Honda is too conservative. They follow the market (sales driven). The Rune was one of the greatest looking and performing pieces of engineering known to man. It sank like a lead balloon. They tried to sell the TransAlp for 2 years in the US. 18 people bought one. (they were probably Europeans working here with green cards) Love the Fury. It will be a MOAB. All I want is some VARIETY from the Great Red One.
I like the front, I like the shaft, keep the exhaust underbelly to show off rear wheel. Some Honda cutting edge engineering would be interesting.
It does look more like an ST1300 market replacement. Don't like the displacement.
Does that mean they could come out with a lighter, performance oriented model further down in the same line-up?
Could a V-5 be possible with cylinder deactivation?
I've lost faith that Honda can make a decision that rings my bell (since Soichiro died), but life without hope is just death with a better view.
.02 you owe me

 

H'mmm looks like the announcment has been removed, wonder if its a deliberate tease by Honda.

 

The New VFR makes the 'blade feel flat ?

 

More info from Motorcyclenews on the new VFR1200: Yay no Auto on the new VFR

SHAFT DRIVE
Single-sided swingarm incorporates shaft-drive BMW-style for neatness and ease of maintenance. Using a shaft also confirms the new machine is no replacement for the firm’s flagship Fireblade sports bike.

FRAME
Substantially engineered conventional beam frame hints at the massive performance to come from the V4 motor. This replaces the futuristic ‘hidden’ frame of the concept bike that first revealed the engine’s ‘V’.

ENGINE AND GEARBOX
1200cc V4 is narrow enough to easily fit between the rider’s knees and has variable cylinder control. Performance from the all-new unit should be very impressive. The pic also shows a conventional gear lever, quashing any notion of Honda only using its new semi-automatic system, although this may well be an option.

BODYWORK
Swooping styling and the incorporation of ‘V’ motifs carry over from the V4 concept bike revealed in the autumn of 2008. The stubby nose and short side panels echo the manufacturer’s current Fireblade in design.

Honda V4: tech details of the VFR1200 revealed - | Motorbike reviews | Latest Bike Videos | MCN

 

Maybe finally it will come. Sure hope it doesn't look like that. Pheww!

 

As I have mentioned on here before, I'm thinking of adding the Connie (Concours 14) to my garage. This doesn't look as if the seating will be as comfy as the Connie. It'll be interesting to compare them, as I'm looking to buy next summer...

 

As luck whould have it MCN have just posted there is a VFR1200ST (the Pan European) Luxury model also on the way to compete against the Concours 14. :thumbsup:


Honda VFR1200 is the basis for new Pan European - | Motorbike reviews | Latest Bike Videos | MCN

 

Well, now we'll have to wait and see how it compares in the sport department... Should be interesting. I really don't wanna buy a Kawi...

 

That would be interesting, in the meantime MCN have made a functional looking photo mockup based on released Honda drawings on the ST1300 replacement. Wonder if it will be called a VFR and if so will it be added to this Forum ? :smile:




New VFR1200T Pan European-replacement revealed

 

Hi, not a scoop but try this link : jap tech, USA country style and Neapolitan assembling fantasy. An incredible mix !
Honda JOHN DEERE Italian Motorcycle Design - moto design

p.s. pics have been made on Naples Urban Highway.
Lamps !
Carmine

 

I know that, read/quote the rest of sentence.

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

 

And a rear view camera, hot/cold cup holder, automatic parking, fold out card table, captain's chair, on the fly Wi-Fi, gun rack, and a fish finder.

 

Its about time for an update to this thread:

Check out Honda Powersports website









Honda's new 2010 VFR1200F

I like it and intend to buy one as soon as they arrive here in the states.

Looks like the centerstand and heated grips will be an option and not standard Guess I'll have to pony up for those two items.

A Honda-branded Garmin Zumo GPS is in one of the pics on the Euro site as well.

The dual clutch transmission intrigues me, but since it is listed as optional it will probably cost more as well. If it was no added cost I'd consider getting that one.

If I did the conversions correctly it will be 170 HP and 587 pounds curb weight. A bit heavier than I like, but with plenty of power to overcome that.

 

Yeah - forgot this thread was out here...

AT/MT trans operation: YouTube - Honda Dual Clutch Transmission

Pics galore (medium res): Officially Official: Honda unleashes the goods on VFR 1200F — Autoblog

Undecided right now... Especially since my wife wants a wider and more comfy seat... Not one with a "vibe mound" in the middle.

I am drawn by techy stuff.. shaft drive and the AT/MT trans.

Styling is not really my cup o' tea.

-Stephan

 

The fuel capacity and range seem a bit low.
The euro site lists 18.5 liter tank (ie 4.88 gallons) and fuel consumption of 15.5 kilometers/liter or about 36 mpg...:frown:

Here's the accessories webpage...looks like it's Euro available...hopefully it will be USA also.

http://www.honda-access.com/268/en/news/honda_vfr1200f.jsp

 

I hear you brother.

First of all that bike first of all should be called a VFR, it should be a VF.

Second that bike looks like a bunch of major problems waiting to happen with that transmission.

Third why does that bike need over 1200cc when some bikes make that much power with 750cc like the Suzuki GSXR, I know they are different types of bikes but you would think 150 hp could be made with 900 or 1000! It seems like they just threw some displacement in and designed it to sell to 90 year olds that can't shift a bike anymore. Looks like the old days of building a sport or semisport bike are dead. I think its pretty sad that the VFR has turned into this. You might as well get the BMW K1300s with twice the performace of the VFR and a company that has been building this type of bike for a while.

 

As torn as I am about this machine, I'm going to wait and see what happens. I didn't like the looks of the new CBR 1000RR when it first came out, but it has grown on me. I don't mind the side view of the bike, but that headlight is just terrible in my opinion. I took my VFR in more of the sport direction, but I also know that I'm in the minority that does track days with their VFR. I don't do any 2-up riding, or cross country touring on it, never have, never plan on it. However this bike is something that appears to be able to do that. There are some very interesting technological advances on this bike, I'm also torn about that. I remember the days of the 2 stroke Moto GP races, wild bucking, sideways cornering bikes. Today, the electronics have made the bikes easier to ride, but there is still quite alot of rider skill involved in piloting those machines around. I suppose if it can make the bike easier to ride, well then it should be considered a good thing, but for me, you should have the choice to disable that device. I keep my chain clean, so I'm not really sure about the shaft drive. I suppose it's all about what kind of riding you want to do. It would be nice if there was a racy sport version...

 

With the 1200cc displacement, they were able to engineer a torque curve with a wide plateau of torque--much different than a high-revving sportbike--and still get the peak power they wanted.

It's consistent with other decsions they made, too. The staggered crankpin arrangement that gives the engine perfect primary balance with the 76° vee (which was basically a packaging decision) isn't ideal for high revs, so they have to make the desired peak power at lower revs, thus with more cc's. And the SOHC cylinder heads (another packaging decision) are likewise not the kind of design you'd put on a high-rev, big-valve motor.

Everything about the bike says that they were trying to build a full-function sport-tourer (good fairing protection in an upright seating position, comfy passenger accommodations, adquate luggage capacity, shaft drive) that would outperform the competition--i.e., the FJR, Concours 14, BMW K1300GT. Er, most everything. The 4.9gal fuel tank is a bit incongruous with that spec.

Engine performance that provides a wide, flat torque curve is part of the package. And in that respect it is very un-VFR-like. The 750s and 800s really didn't wake up 'til 6K in a rev band that went up to 11 (insert Spinal Tap joke here). According to the website, the 1200 makes peak torque of 90-some lb-ft at 8K and 90% of peak as low as 4K. So it's going to be a bike that doesn't have to be kept in the upper half of the rev range to get the most out of it.

 

Thanks Dan. Maybe Honda will send Dino one of the Moto-GP engines or even one of the old 500cc two-strokes. Or he can ask whoever owns that Yamaha beast that KR Sr. liked so much about the HP that one put out.

I wonder now if the model with the fish finder works in both fresh and salt water?

 

Honda has hit all it's marks (as usual...) with the new VFR1200.

The Kawasaki Concours weighs a whopping 679 pounds and costs $15,299 (with luggage and ABS)
The Yamaha FJR weighs 641 pounds and lists for $15,190
The Honda VFR 591 pounds Price yet to be announced.
BMW's K1300S 560 pounds and $15,500 (bags extra)

My only concern with the VFR is the smallish 4.9 gallon tank and low fuel economy, in the mid 30's according to the euro site...

Can't wait for Motorcycle Consumer News to do a Sport-Touring Comparison article on these...

I expect Honda's price without bags to be less than the others and with bags to be between the Kawi and Yamaha...

Prices should be released any day...