Honda to discontinue after 07

I was the Toronto motorcycle show and I ran into a salesman from the Honda dealership. He said Honda will replace the 800cc engine with a 1000cc engine.

Regardless, I have the 5th generation and I am happy. I was looking into getting the 6th, but prefer the gear drive cam and the old analog speedometer on the 5th.

 

I think that a lot of this talk comes from a vague Honda Motor Corp statement or CW article that suggested the 25th anniversary Interceptor (which is what the VFR has been called for the last couple of years) will be Honda's last bike going by the Interceptor name. I haven't seen any credible evidence to suggest the incredibly popular VFR line is going anywhere. Remember, the VFR has technically not existed (in the US and Can) since 04' or 05' when Honda decided to go back full-time to using the name Interceptor.

I was also at the 06' Toronto Motorcycle Show where I was assured by Honda reps that the VFR is going nowhere. I also heard from someone attending this year's Edmonton show that similar comments were made. What does this mean? Another year of the 6th gen using the VFR name once again? A redesigned 7th gen (finally)? Or the long rumored VFR-RR...some type of 1000cc-plus supersport (or Blackbird replacement) using the beloved V4 motor?

Only time will tell, but I don't think that the basic VFR infarstructure that Honda has been developing since the early 80's is just going to be mothballed, especially considering that they will begin racing a 4-stroke V4 in MotoGP this coming season.

 

I don't know how unsmart they can be, as one of the leaders in the world motorcycle market, and constantly in the #1 or #2 spot for annual sales in the US - for something like 25 years. They can't be making too many bad choices and still getting it done.

 

The valkyrie and the blackbird were no longer selling very well, the nighthawk hadn't sold well in years. It doesn't make fiscal sense to update & refine a model that doesn't bring people into the dealer, never mind go thru government red tape of importation, plus stocking parts for the bikes. For the Blackbird, you had a bike that never sold that well outside of the US, and the thought that you couldn't really refine it and take the concept further, as to do so would risk bringing in regualatory restrictions from the EU.
And unfortunately, the cruiser market is the largest segment of the market in the US right now, so of course they will increase attention there.

 

That rumor has been around for a while, when the 5th was out, the 6th was supposed to be 1,000 - 1,100cc's. Not saying it can't finally happen, just saying I wouldn't bet on it. They don't want to get too close to the ST1300 either.
And do we really think that Honda is going to give exact information out to the dealers before releasing it pubically -- usually at the dealer show. The dealers are not Honda employees, and there are too many of them for corporate to keep track of. They absolutedly know that any information given to the dealers, will be on the web within hours.

 

I'm just saying they havent produced anything new in forever, I don't expect them to keep making unprofitable motorcycles. It would be nice, however, if Honda would at least try to come up with something original like they've done in the past, the distant past that is.
Seems to me Honda isnt even playing the keep-up game well right now. I'd take an R6 or a ZX-6r over a 600RR anyday, a ZX-10r or GSXR1000R over a 1000RR anyday, several cruisers over the 1800VTX such as a Stratoliner or Suzukis new power cruiser, an FZ1 or Z1000 over a 919, an FJR1300 over an ST1300, etc. etc. Honda's bikes are heavier, less powerful, and as much or more expensive in every class I can think of - it didnt used to be that way though - just the last few years it seems like they've given up trying to lead classes.
I'm too cheap to buy a new bike, but if I wasnt I wouldnt even look at Honda - 5 years ago I wouldnt have said that, I'm just happy to have a 2000 VFR and a Valkyrie bought used for very reasonable money - I'm done buying bikes forever unless I crash one.

 

Chest I agree totally, Last ' NEW' Honda was the Rune, before that , Fireblade about 14 years ago.

I think we're due something ( I'd think Hond DEALERS are not happy, nothing to bring in traffic. nothing.)
I'd even settle for ( as mentioned) a stripped, no fairing, no techno babble streetfighter VFR - Just frame and motor. upgrade brakes and susp., from say the 954 . . . yea, sure. Honda didn't even make ANY effort to improve the VTR - while much smaller Suzuki modded the TL 1000, came out with new design, SV 1000, and has made mods to the SV 1000 ( mostly minor, invisible) Honda did what to improve VTR ? - changed instrument panel, ( made it worse) and gave Euros a larger tank, but not enough larger to make any diff.
Honda . . . .