Honda V4 2010

[vifferman]

The only thing that surprised me over over the two decades of it's life was that Honda did not increases the capacity to 900 ish as was often requested. Maybe it was not a viable option for the engine.

Not so - you've forgotten about the VF1000 of the mid- to late '80s.
Also, I have a suspicion that the VFR1200 has been under development for the last 5 years at least. The VF/VFR has had a 4-year model cycle, up until the Vtec, but even that had somewhat of a minor refresh in 2006, with some changes made to the Vtec engagement. It kinda signalled one of two things: either Honda was about to dump the V4, or a major redevelopment was afoot. And this IS major: everything is new (completely new engine layout and size, new gearbox, new braking system, new frame, yada yada), apart from the rider dynamics: the seat-bars-footpeg triangle is almost identical to that of the Vtec.

The look is growing on me, but it's still not attractive. Apart from the 'dumbo ears' front confirminators (since replaced) and the fugly swingarm/hub, my bike looks great from most angles. The VFR1200 at least looks OK from the cockpit...

[BMWST?]

Not so - you've forgotten about the VF1000 of the mid- to late '80s.

if the engine is patch on that one,with half decent economy,and the handling is balanced/neutral I will still be tempted

[Swoop]

It will have to pass the pillion test.

That should be an easy test. Pillion seats on the Honda are very good, as one would expect from this sport/tourer.

[Pedrostt500]

The saber came out as a 1100 V4 it was marketed as the V65 sabre in the states.

[vifferman]

The Mrkns were very impressed by the journo testing they did in Japan.

[motorbyclist]

they already dropped the ball waaay back when they released the current vfr800 in 07(?)

What a silly statement. If it was that bad then why has it continued for 22 years?.

learn to read you twat.

i said '07, not '87!


just rode the 07 vfr800 again and reconfirmed my strong preference for the previous models - vtec is stupid (i want power ALL the time from my v4) - and it feels like i'm riding a car, not a bike.

then hopped back on my rvf400 and damn did i have fun

[motorbyclist]

The Mrkns were very impressed by the journo testing they did in Japan.

of course they are - anything that goes fast in a straight line will impress them



apparently there is no clutch lever or foot gear shift for a manual or even semi-auto mode. they use a bycycle sytem of "flappy paddle" gear shift like a car.

the vfr is officially a car.

fucking honda have fucked up BIG time.

[Danae]

Dammit Honda!

This only makes me feel slightly less disappointed.

[BMWST?]

of course they are - anything that goes fast in a straight line will impress them



apparently there is no clutch lever or foot gear shift for a manual or even semi-auto mode. they use a bycycle sytem of "flappy paddle" gear shift like a car.

the vfr is officially a car.

fucking honda have fucked up BIG time.

there is a manual version OR a dct version isnt there?

[vifferman]

of course they are - anything that goes fast in a straight line will impress them

apparently there is no clutch lever or foot gear shift for a manual or even semi-auto mode. they use a bycycle sytem of "flappy paddle" gear shift like a car.

the vfr is officially a car.

fucking honda have fucked up BIG time.

You're way off beam with these comments - check this out.
Here's a couple of salient comments:

"On the track is where it became obvious that the VFR1200F is a sportbike first, that just happens to be comfortable enough double as a touring machine."

And:

"Connecting the corners is a lot of fun with that big V4 purring, growling and making serious power across the rev range. No matter where I was on the track and whether I was riding the automatic (in S-mode) or the manual transmission bike, it is an absolute rocket. Now to be fair, there are probably a couple of faster sport-touring bikes available, but the VFR will give them a run for their money."

And:
"Don’t be misled into thinking the auto clutch is a snoozer. In S-mode the motorcycle is as fun as the standard version. To my surprise the bike shifts in a very intuitive manner, making both up- and downshifts precisely and effectively on the track to the point where I was comfortable letting the bike do the work while I focused on enjoying myself on the winding, twisty Sugo race track. The VFR never initiated an unwanted shift, and yet if you don’t agree with the gear it chooses then simply select a different gear with the paddle shifter. The bike reverts to manual mode as soon as you intervene."

Sounds pretty good to me.

Still don't like the exhaust, despite this comment:
"I found that it really does sound great, especially at the upper end of the rev range when the engine is at full song."

[R-Soul]

Well I reckon it looks great - it has the "iron man" superhero look like the CBR. *drool*

It will be interesting to see how it stacks up compared to other sports tourers/sportsbikes.

[nudemetalz]

Still don't like the exhaust, despite this comment:
"I found that it really does sound great, especially at the upper end of the rev range when the engine is at full song."

Is there anywhere where we can hear the VFR1200 at top revs?

[vifferman]

Is there anywhere where we can hear the VFR1200 at top revs?

There was a sound clip available before the official release, but it was just a repeated loop of someone giving the bike a bit of a rev.
I'll see what I can dig up...

[vifferman]

Here's what I dug up. Frankly I'm disappointed - it sounds like a boxer twin.

[nudemetalz]

Thanks, Vifferman.
Rather uninspiring sound, that's for sure.