If I was in charge at HONDA

If I was making a new bike for this year this is what I would do.

I would make a gear driven cam 1200 with fuel injection. (with me so far)?

It would be a "naked" bike as you guys call it , that has the OPTION to add on a fairing if you wish.

But it would look good either way. Just like earlier year racing bikes.

IT would only have ONE clutch, all manual or option for hydraulic for those that may need it for some physical reason.

The transmission would have a plate on one side that would allow all the gearset to be removed WITHOUT taking the engine apart.

All items that need service would be easy to get to. HIGH PRIORITY.

I would not make you remove the gas tank,and carbs to get to a thermostat.

I would keep the motorcycle a simple as possible.

IT would have a throttle CABLE. no problems you cannot see.

It would have a steel tube frame NOT aluminum.

Engine cases would be quality castings that are slight thicker where possible.
Not thin and cheap.
I would have a transmission the same design as a Hodaka even if I had to buy the Patents.

I would use components that are already used on other popular Sport bikes where possible, and pick the designs that were the best. Not design new ones that are propietary.

Matter of fact I would tell engineers to use any part that was good that already exsisted if at all possible. Like RC51, or other racing parts etc.,.

CHAIN FINAL DRIVE...OR shaft drive. your choice. I know that can be done.

When you order the bike and if you DO want fairings, they would come any color you want and you could pick from computer designs offered or a solid color.

I would NOT have exhausts cannisters that look like space ships that cost $1500 each.
They would be as low cost as possible.

I would have advertisement that just shows the bike (nice side view),not a photo like the photographer was laying on the ground, and then it would tell you the cost of a new muffler under the photo. BEFORE you buy the bike.

I would have a OBDII type plug in that tells you if any black box is faulty, and the customer would get a new one on exchange basis if one fails.

All emission components like diverter valve and charcoal cannister would be mounted in one place if possible. Fuse box would be easy to get to in the dark and have a spare fuse ,AND it would be a fuse that you can get at ANY auto store, and when you open the lid it would have a light.

The oil filter and drain plug would be easy to get to.
An engineer would have to be able to change the oil.

Oh....One more thing, THat big muffler with the rearset footpegs built into it, has to go Cheeeeesssssshhhhh!!!!

 

I feel you but... if if's and but's were candy and nuts oh what a merry christmas we would have...

 

Donald is building my next bike, but I want belt drive, no lube, no maintenance, just replace that bitch!! BTW, anybody thought about doing a belt drive swap/mod for their VFR??? I've been contemplating this one lately but I ain't no engineer, just a wrench.

 

i RESPONDED TO EACH ONE ..i WAS GONNA USE A DIFFERENT COLOR BUT COULDN'T DO IT. SO I SOMEHOW DID A QUICK KEY CHANGE AND LOCKED MY CAPS LOCK ON... NOT YELLING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT SO DON'T TAKE IT THAT WAY

PEACE OUT


CRUSTY



If I was making a new bike for this year this is what I would do.

I would make a gear driven cam 1200 with fuel injection. (with me so far)?

OKAY LIKE THIS ONE

It would be a "naked" bike as you guys call it , that has the OPTION to add on a fairing if you wish.
WHY NOT JUST HAVE IT COME WITH FAIRINGS THEM TAKE THEM OFF AT HOME?

But it would look good either way. Just like earlier year racing bikes.
IF YOU LIKE THE NAKED LOOK

IT would only have ONE clutch, all manual or option for hydraulic for those that may need it for some physical reason.
AGREED SORT OF...PHYSICAL REASON? LIKE WHAT? ONLY THING i CAN THINK OF IS MISSING A LIMB....

The transmission would have a plate on one side that would allow all the gearset to be removed WITHOUT taking the engine apart.
OK...

All items that need service would be easy to get to. HIGH PRIORITY.
THE BIKE WOULD BE HUGE

I would not make you remove the gas tank,and carbs to get to a thermostat.
AGREED, BUT WHERE WOULD YOU PUT IT?

I would keep the motorcycle a simple as possible.
STRIP OFF ALL THE COMPUTERIZED STUFF LIKE FUEL INJECTION AND GO WITH A CARBED BIKE...FOLKS DON'T LIKE CARBS ANYMORE..

IT would have a throttle CABLE. no problems you cannot see.
WHAT? YOU DON'T LIKE FLY BY WIRE? ALL THE LATEST FIGHTER JETS HAVE FLY BY WIRE..... i AGREE WITH YOU LEAVE IT A CABLE

It would have a steel tube frame NOT aluminum.
PUMPS THAT WEIGHT RIGHT UP TO OH MY GOD THIS BIKE WEIGHS 800 FREAKIN POUNDS...... i SUGGEST LEAVING THE ALUMINIUM IN THERE..


Engine cases would be quality castings that are slight thicker where possible.
UH....OK.... HOW MANY ENGINES HAVE BLOWN FROM BEING CRACKED? YOUR TALKING ABOUT ADDING WEIGHT AGAIN...
Not thin and cheap.
I would have a transmission the same design as a Hodaka even if I had to buy the Patents.
HODAKA? THERE IS A BLAST FROM THE PAST. DON'T REMEMBER MUCH ABOUT IT OTHER THAN YOU COULD POUR SAND IN THE DAM THING AND IT WOULD STILL RUN.

I would use components that are already used on other popular Sport bikes where possible, and pick the designs that were the best. Not design new ones that are propietary.
AMEN

Matter of fact I would tell engineers to use any part that was good that already exsisted if at all possible. Like RC51, or other racing parts etc.,.
ANOTHER AMEN

CHAIN FINAL DRIVE...OR shaft drive. your choice. I know that can be done.
HOW ABOUT A THIRD OPTION ....BELT?.... AGAIN SHAFT DRIVE = MORE WEIGHT....
When you order the bike and if you DO want fairings, they would come any color you want and you could pick from computer designs offered or a solid color.
HOW ABOUT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK YOUR COLOR BEFORE YOU GET THE BIKE... BUT NOT COST EFFECTIVE.

I would NOT have exhausts cannisters that look like space ships that cost $1500 each.
They would be as low cost as possible.
A REALLY BIG AMEN TO THAT ....
I would have advertisement that just shows the bike (nice side view),not a photo like the photographer was laying on the ground, and then it would tell you the cost of a new muffler under the photo. BEFORE you buy the bike.
BEING A "PHOTOGRAPHER" MYSELF ITS ALL ABOUT WHAT THE CUSTOMER WANTS.. PROBABLY WANTED THE BIKE TO SEEM LIKE IT WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD LOOKING DOWN ON CREATION. AFTER BEING CREATED....OK i'LL STOP NOW BEFORE THAT WHOLE DANG SONG COMES BACK...

I would have a OBDII type plug in that tells you if any black box is faulty, and the customer would get a new one on exchange basis if one fails.
AGAIN NICE SENTIMENT BUT NOT COST EFFECTIVE...HOW ABOUT PUTTING IN ATHE LITTLE BLACK BOXES THAT JUST DON'T FAIL IN THE FIRST PLACE...AT LEAST TILL THE BIKE HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT?

All emission components like diverter valve and charcoal cannister would be mounted in one place if possible.
HMM THINK THAT WOULD MESS WITH THE BALANCE OF THE MACHINE?
Fuse box would be easy to get to in the dark and have a spare fuse ,AND it would be a fuse that you can get at ANY auto store, and when you open the lid it would have a light.
THERE'S MORE OF THE SIMPLICITY THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT GOING OUT THE WINDOW...I HEAR YOU ABOUT THE LOCATION BTW.. I LIKE WHERE MINE IS... ALL I NEED IS A PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER AND I HAVE ACCESS TO IT..(ITS RIGHT BY THE GAUGE CLUSTER) BUT THE LITTLE LIGHT? SOMETHING ELSE TO GO WRONG...
The oil filter and drain plug would be easy to get to.
HUH. THER ARE PRETTY EASY ONCE YOU REMOVE THE FAIRINGS... I RECOLLECT THAT THE 1200 HAS EASY ACCESS TO THE OIL FILTER AND DRAIN PLUG?
An engineer would have to be able to change the oil.

Oh....One more thing, THat big muffler with the rearset footpegs built into it, has to go Cheeeeesssssshhhhh!!!!
YOUR RIGHT..ITS A BIG FAT BLOCK OF STINKY LIMBURGER CHEESE..

NOW i'M NOT RAGGING YOUR IDEAS , JUST KINDA CALLING REALITY INTO PLAY.. THE REALITY OF IT IS IF ALL THAT COULD BE DONE THE COST WOULD DRIVE THE PRICE UP ON THE BIKE SO THAT ONLY THE ELITE FEW COULD BUY ONE. AND THEY AREN'T GONNA DROP THE PRICE DOWN SO THEY DON'T MAKE A PROFIT EVEN A THE TINIEST ONE. i MEAN YOU WOULD BE IN THE BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY RIGHT? HOW MUCH OF A PROFIT ARE YOU WILLING TO MAKE PER UNIT SOLD? LETS SAY THE BIKE COSTS 1000 BUCKS IN PARTS 300 BUCKS IN LABOR TO ASSEMBLE IT, 300 TO SHIP IT WE ARE UP TO 1600 ARE YOU WILLING TO SELL THE BIKE FOR 1800 BUCKS INSTEAD OF 3200?
JUST SAYING.... BUT YOUR IDEAS DO HAVE MERIT..

 

My money is on DB being in charge of Honda way before CR.

 

Actually, Crusty makes some very good points, many of which I was thinking myself but didn't take the time to go through each one. I think over all Donald would build an excellent bike, actually, I'm pretty sure he allready HAS. We need to brainstorm and make a VFRW exclusive one off moto, would be AWESOME!!

 

Don DID build an excellent bike and if his ideas could be put into production..... that would be cool... shoot I think everybody has ideas for wha tthe perfect VFR would be like. mine has a cd/gps/cell/dvd player combination built in. it comes down to one thing , really.... its all about the benjamins...

show me the quan!!!!!!!!!!

 

My money is still on DB.. Now I'm giving 10:1 odds.

 

"Just replace that bitch. " I don't think so. You have to remove the entire swing arm or at least a spacer on one side. IT is a garage job and you have to have a truck take your bike back home. If it was a chain then you just take your spare masterlink and needle nose pliers out of your pocket, put the chain on and continue your ride.

 

Only one thing..."STRIP OFF ALL THE COMPUTERIZED STUFF LIKE FUEL INJECTION AND GO WITH A CARBED BIKE...FOLKS DON'T LIKE CARBS ANYMORE.."

I did not say that it would have carbs.
Fuel injection is better just more expensive.

 

A lot of my ideas come from my past experience.

I have seen many of these ideas already. Just not in one bike.
As far as the bike coming WITH a fairing and then taking it off makes no sense because WHY should a customer have to pay for a fairing if they do not want one. Right??

The VF1000F and R had a thermostat that was easy to get to, but the Kawasaki 1500 has the best one. IT had a bleed valve built into it and it is integral with the filler neck and is easy to get to by just removing two screws.

Also as far as a steel frame weighing more than aluminum, I would bet the weight difference is not very much AND by getting rid of that space ship muffler with foot rest built in would make the difference.

A shaft drive weighs about 60 lbs. people. The rear "pumpkin is about 25 lbs by itself.

Kawasaki changed from shaft drive to belt drive on their new big cruisers.

 

The jackass that located the thermostat under the throttle bodies should be horse whipped.

 

Yes and he could get punished with the engineer or CEO at Kawasaki that made the oil pump drive gear out of plastic.
The one that failed on many bikes. Crazy!!!!


By the way -wait till all these new cars with the plastic intake manifolds bolted to a hot aluminum cylinder head crack.

I see it coming now.... Special aftermarket intake manifold gaskets to save your intake manifold.

 

Any of you guys ever seen what a rock will do to a belt on a belt drive? It ain't real pretty.

Yep, somebody already thought about shrouding both belt and chain drives.

The newest odds are now 20:1 even at the two dollar window.

 

This is the schematic of the Kawasaki Filler neck combo unit that has the thermostat,bleed valve and filler neck all in one.

 

CRUSTY's post, my comments



If I was making a new bike for this year this is what I would do.

I would make a gear driven cam 1200 with fuel injection. (with me so far)?

OKAY LIKE THIS ONE
** I like this too
It would be a "naked" bike as you guys call it , that has the OPTION to add on a fairing if you wish.

WHY NOT JUST HAVE IT COME WITH FAIRINGS THEM TAKE THEM OFF AT HOME?
**Naked isnt always a better looking bike in my opinion, so have the fairings come with it

But it would look good either way. Just like earlier year racing bikes.
IF YOU LIKE THE NAKED LOOK

** see above

IT would only have ONE clutch, all manual or option for hydraulic for those that may need it for some physical reason.
AGREED SORT OF...PHYSICAL REASON? LIKE WHAT? ONLY THING i CAN THINK OF IS MISSING A LIMB....
** I like the hydralic clutch system, like a cable it is simple, unlike a cable, its self adjusting

The transmission would have a plate on one side that would allow all the gearset to be removed WITHOUT taking the engine apart.
OK...
** though i like this idea, that means a seperate transmition, they kinda need to be that close unless you want yet anoth place for shit to break... like a chain or belt

All items that need service would be easy to get to. HIGH PRIORITY.
THE BIKE WOULD BE HUGE
** space is at a premium, if it needs grease then a simple extenion tube to move the nipple out to a conveinent loaction would do, else it means your stripping parts off to get to the insides anyways.

I would not make you remove the gas tank,and carbs to get to a thermostat.
AGREED, BUT WHERE WOULD YOU PUT IT?
**agreed!, put it on the rad housing, yes more plasitc, but better location, not better for getting the thing to open as ride cooling may close it, maybe another extender to get it out from under the intake.

I would keep the motorcycle a simple as possible.
STRIP OFF ALL THE COMPUTERIZED STUFF LIKE FUEL INJECTION AND GO WITH A CARBED BIKE...FOLKS DON'T LIKE CARBS ANYMORE..
** If you want simple, get yourself a 1920's era motorcycle or a old school harley, the FI system could be more user friendly, and use the O2 sensors properly( speaking of the 6th gen system here) since Honda uses a CAM bus system, making it OBDII compliant wouldnt be that hard(basicaly the same system, just a language change)

IT would have a throttle CABLE. no problems you cannot see.
WHAT? YOU DON'T LIKE FLY BY WIRE? ALL THE LATEST FIGHTER JETS HAVE FLY BY WIRE..... i AGREE WITH YOU LEAVE IT A CABLE
**humm fly by wire..... no give me the cable too, if the engine dies due to electrical or ecu failure then i stop, if fly by wire has an issue, 50/50 im zooming of to the sunset. though FBW does make cruise control an option.

It would have a steel tube frame NOT aluminum.
PUMPS THAT WEIGHT RIGHT UP TO OH MY GOD THIS BIKE WEIGHS 800 FREAKIN POUNDS...... i SUGGEST LEAVING THE ALUMINIUM IN THERE..
** good quality aluminum is fine, yes it ages, yes it gets brittle, but so does steel so i say go with the lighter material

Engine cases would be quality castings that are slight thicker where possible.
UH....OK.... HOW MANY ENGINES HAVE BLOWN FROM BEING CRACKED? YOUR TALKING ABOUT ADDING WEIGHT AGAIN...
Not thin and cheap.
I would have a transmission the same design as a Hodaka even if I had to buy the Patents.
HODAKA? THERE IS A BLAST FROM THE PAST. DON'T REMEMBER MUCH ABOUT IT OTHER THAN YOU COULD POUR SAND IN THE DAM THING AND IT WOULD STILL RUN.
** cracks do happen now and then, mostly due to stress, like overheating or something hitting it. adding the weight in my opinion will not save it, changing the material will. new alloys or mixtures have proven themselves to be far superior to the old spincast aluminum parts and in some cases lighter.

I would use components that are already used on other popular Sport bikes where possible, and pick the designs that were the best. Not design new ones that are propietary.
AMEN
** agreed, no point in redesigning the wheel on a set of levers

Matter of fact I would tell engineers to use any part that was good that already exsisted if at all possible. Like RC51, or other racing parts etc.,.
ANOTHER AMEN
** see above

CHAIN FINAL DRIVE...OR shaft drive. your choice. I know that can be done.
HOW ABOUT A THIRD OPTION ....BELT?.... AGAIN SHAFT DRIVE = MORE WEIGHT....
When you order the bike and if you DO want fairings, they would come any color you want and you could pick from computer designs offered or a solid color.
HOW ABOUT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK YOUR COLOR BEFORE YOU GET THE BIKE... BUT NOT COST EFFECTIVE.

** make it an option, chain or belt, the shaft is too heavy unless you plan on using a 1800cc engine with power to burn

I would NOT have exhausts cannisters that look like space ships that cost $1500 each.
They would be as low cost as possible.
A REALLY BIG AMEN TO THAT ....

**Im not a fan of the big single can off the oneside, I like the high n tight look, but there is no way there is 700$ of parts, design engineering and labour in a these cans, besides some of us are just going to strip them regardless. put some nice looking but cheap cans on it and let us change em if we want.,

I would have advertisement that just shows the bike (nice side view),not a photo like the photographer was laying on the ground, and then it would tell you the cost of a new muffler under the photo. BEFORE you buy the bike.
BEING A "PHOTOGRAPHER" MYSELF ITS ALL ABOUT WHAT THE CUSTOMER WANTS.. PROBABLY WANTED THE BIKE TO SEEM LIKE IT WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD LOOKING DOWN ON CREATION. AFTER BEING CREATED....OK i'LL STOP NOW BEFORE THAT WHOLE DANG SONG COMES BACK...

** simple yet effective advertisements dont include from ground up shots, great advertisments show the bike on a track leaned over. better still, pay google to advertise your bike.

I would have a OBDII type plug in that tells you if any black box is faulty, and the customer would get a new one on exchange basis if one fails.
AGAIN NICE SENTIMENT BUT NOT COST EFFECTIVE...HOW ABOUT PUTTING IN ATHE LITTLE BLACK BOXES THAT JUST DON'T FAIL IN THE FIRST PLACE...AT LEAST TILL THE BIKE HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT?

** shit happens, these lil black boxes should be covered for everything save rider error and system mods. these things can be rebuilt and repaired, so why not just fix what broke.

All emission components like diverter valve and charcoal cannister would be mounted in one place if possible.
HMM THINK THAT WOULD MESS WITH THE BALANCE OF THE MACHINE?

** ballance would be very upset, but making them serrviceable would be a plus

Fuse box would be easy to get to in the dark and have a spare fuse ,AND it would be a fuse that you can get at ANY auto store, and when you open the lid it would have a light.
THERE'S MORE OF THE SIMPLICITY THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT GOING OUT THE WINDOW...I HEAR YOU ABOUT THE LOCATION BTW.. I LIKE WHERE MINE IS... ALL I NEED IS A PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER AND I HAVE ACCESS TO IT..(ITS RIGHT BY THE GAUGE CLUSTER) BUT THE LITTLE LIGHT? SOMETHING ELSE TO GO WRONG...

** they have better ideas out now, called light-up fuse, if its blown it lights up to show you which one, and they make the lights different colors to tell you the value of fuse.

The oil filter and drain plug would be easy to get to.
HUH. THER ARE PRETTY EASY ONCE YOU REMOVE THE FAIRINGS... I RECOLLECT THAT THE 1200 HAS EASY ACCESS TO THE OIL FILTER AND DRAIN PLUG?

** um never had an issue taking my fairings off to change the oil, good time to clean under them. check things ect.

An engineer would have to be able to change the oil.
** thats too much to ask, they make enough so they dont have to.

Oh....One more thing, THat big muffler with the rearset footpegs built into it, has to go Cheeeeesssssshhhhh!!!!
YOUR RIGHT..ITS A BIG FAT BLOCK OF STINKY LIMBURGER CHEESE..
** your muffler should never have pegs on it! OMG what do they think we are, heat resistant?

though I like the ideas, Like Crusty im more practical, and no I dont like carbs!

 

Remove the fairings to get to the drain plug!!!!

Thermostat housing with filler neck just like the Kawasaki 1500.

The Husqvarna 450 already has removable gear set without having a seperate trans from the engine.
It is unit construction and removable gears.

I did NOT say it had to have carbs.

Steel light weight frame. Also double loop cradle frame so you CAN work on the engine. And it keeps weight down low. Swing arm would still be aluminum.

Trust me you can have all these features!!