New VFR1200 Planned - Worlds fastest bike?

[Biff]

mmmmmmmmmmm:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/nav?page=motorcyclenews.articles.articleCategory.a rticle&resourceId=1166298&articleCategory=NEWS_NEW-BIKES

[jrandom]

That's *ancient*. And probably either a figment of MCN's imagination or a hoax planted by some of the guys on uk.rec.motorcycles. Again.

[Biff]

Definately not a hoax - I've just had a chat with the local Honda shack and they're confirmed that Honda are planning on releasing a new VFR1200 and phasing out the Blackbird in 2006.

[vifferman]

Dat's old news. There was a previous one that said the V5 (derived from the RC-211V) would be a limited-edition hyper-sports bike with a price tag of a bazillion dollars. And the one before that said that the VFR800 replacement would be a V5 of 1000cc; instead we got a VTEC that had an engine no more powerful than the one it replaced.
But quieter.
And with VTEC.
That goes "WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!" when it kicks in at 7k rpm.
But makes no difference powerwise. :spudwhat:

So.
If the 2006 model does indeed prove to be a V5, AND isn't a bazillion dollars, AND doesn't have camchains, AND isn't too ugly, the vifferbabe may well let us buy one.:banana: (It's already pre-approved, in principle.)

[jrandom]

Wot's wrong with camchains?

Duck Hurty has gone and made a silly-money road bike with the V4 Desmosedici lump, so mebbe one day Honda will, in fact, fulfill the rumours and make a V5 road bike.

And until then, MCN will continue to issue random quarterly predictions From Factory Insiders along various similar lines.

[Biff]

I'm not too sure about VFR's with VTEC engines - I hear scary stories about people screaming around corners only for the VVT to kick in creating an almighty brown trouser moment.

Any comment/experiences Mr Viffer?

I love my bird and it'll be a shame to see her go.

[kerryg]

I'm not too sure about VFR's with VTEC engines - I hear scary stories about people screaming around corners only for the VVT to kick in creating an almighty brown trouser moment.

Any comment/experiences Mr Viffer?

I love my bird and it'll be a shame to see her go.


Where's Chritchurch?? :spudwhat:

[vifferman]

I'm not too sure about VFR's with VTEC engines - I hear scary stories about people screaming around corners only for the VVT to kick in creating an almighty brown trouser moment.

Any comment/experiences Mr Viffer?Nah, it's bollix / wishful thinking. It made absolutely no difference at all on the one I rode (apart from a silly noise), and some reviews I read (including those where they bothered to Dyno the thing alongside the previous model) said the same thing.
I tested this several times: accelerating gently, on and off the throttle, accelerating more vigorously etc. and it seemed to do nothing in the "kick in the pants" (and presumably the "fill your pants") department.
If you think critically, examine the facts, etc., it becomes clear that Honda adopted the VTEc to meet future noise and emission regulations. The VFR has tended to be the flagship as far as marketing latest developments go (gear-driven cams, swingarm pivoting in engine cases, DCBS, HECS, etc.) and this is another example of that. Dropping the gear-driven cams was supposedly for weight reasons, but they're bloody noisy on the 800, so hindered it meeting noise regulations.


I love my bird and it'll be a shame to see her go.I was going to have a test ride of one, but in the end, ran out of time / couldn't be bothered. I regret it now.

[vifferman]

Wot's wrong with camchains?Nothing. Except Honda is crap at them (or maybe it's just the CCTs they're crap at.)
Maybe it's just me - every Honda I've had with camchains (4) has had crappy, noisy ones.

[Coldkiwi]

where have you been? the 'fastest bike' competition got scuppered two years ago with the 2nd generation GSXR1300 and ZX12's coming on line and very public high speed crashes. Kawasaki, Suzuki and Honda all got together and limited them to 299kmhr to avoid forced to stop making them. Trying to go faster would cause public outrage (somehow 299 is ok!) and would root the hypertourer market.

[Two Smoker]

I was going to have a test ride of one, but in the end, ran out of time / couldn't be bothered. I regret it now.
Get out there and test ride one!!!! Shit loads of fun and extremely well balanced.....

[SPman]

The VTEC s, apart from going WAAAH at 8k , also sound and feel as though someone has tossed a handful of gravel down the intakes! - well, the new one I rode did!
Prefer the gear drive!

[Blackbird]

There's been some discussion about the costs of servicing a VTEC on the UK VFR website. Allegedly, it's significantly more than a conventional motor. anyone got any cold hard facts?

[marty]

Get out there and test ride one!!!! Shit loads of fun and extremely well balanced.....

i rode busa/blackbird/cb1300/gsx1400 back to back (same 60km loop each). the cb and busa were the pick of the bunch. 1400 too big and unwieldy, blackbird just....i dunno - just didn't light my fire.

[marty]

having said that, i also rode rsv/996/sv1000/tl1000r & s over the same loop. how can 5 v-twins be SO different?

[Bleck K6]

having said that, i also rode rsv/996/sv1000/tl1000r & s over the same loop. how can 5 v-twins be SO different?
Did you ride all these bikes before you bought your TLS?What made you choose the TLS over the others?

[Two Smoker]

i rode busa/blackbird/cb1300/gsx1400 back to back (same 60km loop each). the cb and busa were the pick of the bunch. 1400 too big and unwieldy, blackbird just....i dunno - just didn't light my fire.
yeah??? I found the blackbird to be awesome for touring, comfy and quick when you want it, and awesome handling..... scraps the pegs pretty quick..... would like to ride all the bike you have mentioned too....

[marty]

i didn't dislike the blackbird - just prefered the busa and cb1300. bought the tls as it had a full (after-market)fairing, and i reckoned it gave me the best bang for my buck. next choice is a busa,. but at $5000 more, $300 more to insure, just can't quite go there at the moment.

[gav]

Well the date on the MCN is August 2004, so hardly new news is it?

[marty]

i think the cb1300 would be my choice for lane splitting on the motorway though. REALLY comfortable, stump pulling torque, foolishly quick...

[Ray]

having owned an 02 VTEC for 8000k's now i'd say that there is no problem with the VTEC kicking in at 7K revs. It sounds great above that and like a vtwin below - and behaves a bit like it too. There is a bit of a flat spot around 5K that is of more concern than any kick at 7k. Having said that it does tend to get up and go over 7k. But it's never going to compete with 160hp of course. And is isnt as smooth as the turbine like blackbird that I've also ridden a couple of times

As to servicing costs havent hit the 16k yet so dont know. I'd be interested to know if other VTEC owners have stumped up on that.

I wanted a bike that did everything reasonably well and it is serving that purpose very well at the moment.

[Motu]

Just as well my step brother in law doesn't ride bikes anymore - he used to pour over the magazines in terror...when he found a new bike that was faster than his he'd go into panic incase he met one on the road - then he'd trade up to the new fastest bike in the world.He always owned the fastest bike,it's very important to some people,kinda like getting the tea towels all hanging nice and straight on the towel rail.....some things in life are important y'know....

[Biff]

Where's Chritchurch?? :spudwhat:


In Caterbury - duh!

Thanks!

[Biff]

where have you been? the 'fastest bike' competition got scuppered two years ago with the 2nd generation GSXR1300 and ZX12's coming on line and very public high speed crashes. Kawasaki, Suzuki and Honda all got together and limited them to 299kmhr to avoid forced to stop making them. Trying to go faster would cause public outrage (somehow 299 is ok!) and would root the hypertourer market.

I've had my ears open so don't fret my friend. As a pom and a subscriber to three brit moto b journals I've been aware of the self imposed 186MPH limit placed on the top speed of bikes for a number of years. If you follow the link in the thread and look at the response form readers you'll find every bugger bumping their gums about the very same thing.

[Devil]

Love the red/white CB1300, looks like a great beastie.

[Biff]

I've tried a Busa but found it too heavy which was a real problem at low speed filtering (splitting). I also found it impractical for what I wanted. Fast though, but in a boring kinda way (if that makes sense). The VFR I hired a few years ago was a real nice bike and was a very close runner as a choice of a new bike. But mates in the UK were absolutely horrified by it's servicing costs. I also rode an FJR 1300 and ZZR1200 when trying to decide what to buy, both very good bikes, but in my book the smooth immense power, responsiveness and panty wetting capability (the missis that is not me!) of the Bird combined with it's ability to munch miles were the clinching points for me.

The thing I notice with the power of my Bird is that you don't acually realise how powerful it is because it's so smooth. Give it some right wrist in 4th or 5th, then knock it down a gear or two and I promise you that the result will be a grin etched on your face for days. But make sure you lean over the tank if you do, otherwise the only thing you'll see is the clouds.

No it's no longer the worlds fastest- but I'm not after that, nor is it a balls out sports bike, fun on the track and the occasional short road trip around some twisties but literally a pain in the arse for everyday use and touring. The Bird has it all as far as I'm concerned, sleek looks, excellent touring capability and the power to hold it's own with pretty much anything else on the road if you're into that - which I'm not - honest, no seriously - oh ok, sometimes!

[manuboy]

i'd love to line up a few bikes like the 996 / RSV etc and ride them back to back with the SV. I know there would be obvious things i'd pick straight away - the RSV would pull a lot harder, the 996 would probably handle better but not b4 it had given me piles.... but it's the small differences i'd be interested in.

The BUSA on the weekend blew me away. I thought it was really light under me, and i expected it to feel sorta loose or wallowy but i guess most modern frame / suspension packages are a lot more sorted - it felt good. The acceleration just made me laugh out loud. But it was the sensation of speed (or complete lack of it) that got me. I could not tell within 30km/h what speed i was travelling at - whereas on the SV maybe because the sound of the mill is so much more gutteral i can usually guess within 5-10 km/h.

Jumping back on the SV the engine braking seemed almost extreme... sounds obvious but until you do it back to back its all just talk...

[Bonez]

Just as well my step brother in law doesn't ride bikes anymore - he used to pour over the magazines in terror...when he found a new bike that was faster than his he'd go into panic incase he met one on the road - then he'd trade up to the new fastest bike in the world.He always owned the fastest bike,it's very important to some people,kinda like getting the tea towels all hanging nice and straight on the towel rail.....some things in life are important y'know....Sorta like buying the most upto date PC hah? Never happens as there are always "improvements". Can't wait till the magnomegaracertourercomeadventuretrailcustomselfma intainingsuperretardsportbike that gets 10kms between tyre changes and 1km/l is released.