Honda V4: tech details of the VFR1200 revealed
By Ben Purvis
08 July 2009 14:50
The VFR1200 is set to take Honda into the next decade by attracting virtually every sort of rider – combining effortless touring ability, race-sharp handling and everyday practicality into a single package.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the bike’s clear position in Honda’s range. Far from superseding the Fireblade as an all-out sports tool as many have speculated, the new V4 is clearly set to take the place of the now-defunct Blackbird, offering bags of comfort as well as eyeball-popping performance. A second version will take the place of Honda’s long-lived Pan European, using the same chassis and engine but clothed in full touring bodywork.
The VFR1200 is set to take Honda into the next decade by attracting virtually every sort of rider
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.
Source: MCN
__________________
Follow Wrist Twisters on Facebook and Twitter
Argghhh, can't stand the front end.
Hating the shaft drive.
Will have to see if they do anything to manage the application of torque.
Shaft drive...meh, I don't want it.
Chains make the world go round the way god intended.
+1
I'm not sure what the heck Honda was thinking with the cyclop bulldog look. I appreciate the ease of maintenance of a shaft but it doesn't belong on a sport bike.
I think there must be a convention that says that the hot new bikes for the next decade MUST have ugly-arse headlights/front ends...but at least this one doesn't look like a transformer.
I like the chain drive on my 919 just fine, but I rode my old 85 shadow for five years without any real maintenance on it's shaft drive...that has definite appeal for me. I know there's loss of performance involved, but it's not a huge deal to me. I do like the look of that swingarm.
styling-wise, i kinda agree that it looks like it needs a bmw roundel on the side...but on the other hand, it has too many angles on the tank/fairing and not enough swoopy/soft gentle curves to be a bimmer.
Overall impression....I like it and want a test ride!!!! I wanna see specs!!! I want performance graphs!!!
Lastly, WTF is with that dude's humongous noggin inside that helmet! Holy cow! is he a mongoloid?
__________________
Well, fire the engines! Spur this iron space-pony on!
Take a good look at that shaft, what a total rip off of the BMW ! I'd almost say ti was a Guzzi rip off also , but, it doesnt have the anti-torque arms. Im gonna hold out till it actually hits the show circuits - if it actually does come stateside, 'bout time you did something new and fresh Honda !
__________________
" Any book is a childrens book , if the kid can read !"
Mitch Hedburg
According to our Honda Rep this thing is rumored to be 200 HP. I'll believe that when I see the dyno run. However, if its true, even with shaft drive that would put rwhp in the neighborhood of 160. I think I could probaby live with that. The other big question is how much will this puppy weigh?
According to our Honda Rep this thing is rumored to be 200 HP. I'll believe that when I see the dyno run. However, if its true, even with shaft drive that would put rwhp in the neighborhood of 160. I think I could probaby live with that. The other big question is how much will this puppy weigh?
I'm guessing between 550-600lbs. For a bike of this type, that's a perfect place. It's big enough and stable enough for the long-haul sport touring and light enough to be fun in the curves with a bit of effort. I'm guessing in usual Honda fashion ... a very easy bike to ride and create the hero factor.
__________________ It's better to have loved and lost than live with the psycho for life!
It pains me to see the VFR get bigger, fatter, and slower every year. I long for the '86 VFR750F. When it was a force to be reckoned with. I understand the need for a sport tourer in the line-up, but can't they make the ST sportier?
__________________
No plan survives first contact...but there's always a plan.
No comment about the shaft drive until I test Honda's new version.
As for the looks of the nose, to my eyes all the published picts so far look like the fairings have disguises (as is usual with new cars being tested). There seems to be black tape and/or fairing pieces that cover up the actual shape of the nose, side fairings and tail section.
All other published "photos" I've seen were of the photoshop variety, so useless.
I just hope the weight and price are not similar to the BMWs...
__________________ Up for a ride?
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
Winston Churchill
No comment about the shaft drive until I test Honda's new version.
As for the looks of the nose, to my eyes all the published picts so far look like the fairings have disguises (as is usual with new cars being tested). There seems to be black tape and/or fairing pieces that cover up the actual shape of the nose, side fairings and tail section.
All other published "photos" I've seen were of the photoshop variety, so useless.
I just hope the weight and price are not similar to the BMWs...
I hear that Honda is no longer going to sell to Canadians. So, you don't have to worry about it Max.
I would agree with you on the masking. The headlight looks to be covered and actually wraps around in a Gold Wingesque way.
__________________ It's better to have loved and lost than live with the psycho for life!
If a shaft drive is done right, its not bad - My old Guzzi sport 1100 has won me over , kind of. No noticable rise/dive on thier system. BMW's shaft, well, I friggin hate it, its kind of like the old Honda stuff, whack the throttle, rear end come up, shut throttle down, rear end dives -
__________________
" Any book is a childrens book , if the kid can read !"
Mitch Hedburg
I am sorry but that is one ugly b*tch. I would expect a better and smoother design from the gods of motorcycles. And it ain't no sportbike without a chain.
I am sorry but that is one ugly b*tch. I would expect a better and smoother design from the gods of motorcycles. And it ain't no sportbike without a chain.
i dunno... bmw has the k1300s............ 175 rwhp and a shaft....
As a rider of an '07 ST1300, I like it. Those of us over at ST-Owners.com are anxiously awaiting the official unveiling. Personally, the lack of maintenance that the shaft affords over chain drive is enough to justify it for my sport-touring needs. But, I'm not a terribly aggressive rider either.
Steve
__________________
Things are a lot more like they used to be than they are now...
MCN is not what I'd consider to be a flagship periodical either. Most of the other mags have sung high praises, heralding the new VFR as nothing less than a complete paradigm shift. Now, perhaps that's overstatement. But, if I had a nickel for every time MCN propagated half-truths and innuendo in their rush to break a story first, I'd have a heck of a bunch of nickels...
Steve
__________________
Things are a lot more like they used to be than they are now...
“As it stands, I’m reasonably impressed by, and have a good deal of respect for Honda’s new VFR, but I’m truly struggling to think of any compelling reason to want one or generate any true lust for it and that’s, surely, a tragic place for a flagship motorcycle to be.”
Seems about right to me... I've never been much of a VFR fan though....just a biased motorcycle writer most likely. Looks like a great bike just not my cup of tea and apparently not his either.
Got the new Cycle World in the mail last night and they seemed to be very impressed with the new VFR, including the Dual Clutch Automatic Tranny. They said that it worked very well even on the track. It automatically rev matches during corner shifts to maintain traction. I'm definitely a fan! And that red is SEXY!!
2010 Honda VFR 1200 Pictures and Information
It pains me to see the VFR get bigger, fatter, and slower every year. I long for the '86 VFR750F. When it was a force to be reckoned with. I understand the need for a sport tourer in the line-up, but can't they make the ST sportier?
Up for a ride?
Linear Mode
Chevy Camaro Forum
Ford Mustang Forum
Jeep Wrangler Forum
Volkswagen Touareg Forum
Land Rover Defender Forum
