New VFR1200 Planned - Worlds fastest bike?

**Biff** · 15th December 2004, 15:19

mmmmmmmmmmm:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/nav?pa...NEWS_NEW-BIKES

**jrandom** · 15th December 2004, 15:21

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** · 15th December 2004, 15:23

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** · 15th December 2004, 15:26

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.

(It's already pre-approved, in principle.)

**jrandom** · 15th December 2004, 15:32

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** · 15th December 2004, 15:34

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** · 15th December 2004, 15:41

Originally Posted by Biff Baff

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** · 15th December 2004, 15:54

Originally Posted by Biff Baff

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.

Originally Posted by Biff Baff the Orniphile

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** · 15th December 2004, 15:55

Originally Posted by jrandom

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** · 15th December 2004, 16:13

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** · 15th December 2004, 18:23

Originally Posted by vifferman

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** · 15th December 2004, 18:42

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** · 15th December 2004, 18:48

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** · 15th December 2004, 19:16

Originally Posted by Two Smoker

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.