Honda V4 2010

[AllanB]

I'd like to see it decked out with colour coded hard bags on the rear - pretty sure it will appeal more then. Presently the 'touring' front mated to a skinny sport arse looks out of place to me - a bit like those girls with really big boobs and skinny 'boy' hips - not right. And the muffler is crap - paint it wrinkle black please.

It will do well - the existing VFR is far from beautiful looking and has been in the Honda stable for how many years now?

I'll reserve visual judgement until I see one in the flesh as recently I've been wrong going by release photos only.

I'm interested to see how the engine preforms....hmmmm 1200cc V4

[vifferman]

I'd like to see it decked out with colour coded hard bags on the rear - pretty sure it will appeal more then.

And here's a "live" one (bigger image).

I'm interested to see how the engine preforms....hmmmm 1200cc V4

How does 172.72bhp at 10,000rpm and 85lb/ft of torque at 8,750rpm sound?

[Swoop]

I think some photoshop guru has been at your image VM. I wouldn't trust a centrestand that is almost vertical!!

[Wiki Drifter]

Honda VFR1200F Technical Specification

Engine
Type Liquid-cooled 4-stroke UNICAM 76° V-4 engine
Displacement 1.237 cc
Bore Stroke 81 60 mm
Compression Ratio 12 : 1
Max. Power Output ED: 127 kW / 10.000 min-1 (95/1/EC)
F: 83 kW / 9.500 min-1 (95/1/EC)
Max. Torque ED: 129 Nm / 8.750 min-1 (95/1/EC)
F: 115 Nm / 4000 min-1 (95/1/EC)
Idling Speed 1.050 - 1.250 min-1
Oil Capacity 4 litres

Fuel System
Carburation PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Aircleaner Oil-permeated, viscous-type paper filter
Fuel Tank Capacity 18,5 litres

Electrical System
Ignition System Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advance
Ignition Timing 6,4° -10,4° BTDC (idle speed)
Sparkplug Type IMR9E-9HES (NGK); VUH27ES (DENSO)
Starter Electric
Battery Capacity 12V - 11,6 Ah (YTZ14)
ACG Output 560 W
Headlights 2 x H7 (2x 55 W)
Tail-light 21 / 5 W dual-light

Drive Train
Clutch Wet, multiplate slipper type
Clutch Operation Hydraulic
Transmission Type Constant mesh 6-speed
Primary Reduction 1,738 (73/42)

Gear Ratios
1. 2,6000 (39/15)
2. 1,7368 (33/19)
3. 1,3636 (30/22)
4. 1,1600 (29/25)
5. 1,0322 (32/31)
6. 0,9393 (31/33)
Final Reduction 2,6990
Final Drive Shaft

Frame
Type Diamond; aluminium twin-spar

Chassis
Dimensions (LxWxH) 2.244 x886 x1.222 mm
Wheelbase 1.545 mm
Caster Angle 25° 5'
Trail 101,5 mm
Turning Radius 3.2 m
Seat Height 815 mm
Ground Clearance 130 mm
Kerb Weight 267 kg
Maximum permissible mass: 463 kg

Suspension
Type Front 43 mm HMAS cartridge-type telescopic fork with stepless preload adjustment, 120 mm axle travel
Rear Pro-Link with gas-charged HMAS damper, 7-step (stepless remote-controlled hydraulic) preload and
stepless rebound damping adjustment, 130 mm axle travel

Wheels
Type Front 5-spoke hollow gravity die cast aluminium
Rear 7-spoke gravity die cast aluminium
Rim Size Front: 17M/C x MT3.50
Rear: 17M/C x MT6.00
Tyre Size Front 120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear 190/55 ZR17M/C (75W)
Tyre Pressure Front 250 kPa
Rear 290 kPa

Brakes
Type Front 320 mm dual floating hydraulic disc with two 6-piston calipers, ABS and sintered metal pads
Rear 276 mm hydraulic disc with 6-piston caliper, ABS and sintered metal pads

==============================

Kerb Weight 267 kg I am disappoint......

Hope Honda will bring back a light sports tourer like the CBR600F some day...

[sAsLEX]

I think some photoshop guru has been at your image VM. I wouldn't trust a centrestand that is almost vertical!!

Shadows looks wrong on the stand as well

[vifferman]

I think some photoshop guru has been at your image VM. I wouldn't trust a centrestand that is almost vertical!!

Shadows looks wrong on the stand as well

What's your point?
Did you look at the link after that pic - the luggage (and centrestand) are real.

[AllanB]

See that looks the part with the luggage on - I am surprised at the sporty nature of the riders posture in that photo, I though he'd be a bit more upright.
Bet it will be a huge km eater.

Wondering about the fuel economy, as for a tourer the tank holds a few litres less than expected.

[cheshirecat]

Couple of things that stick out, first the braking power is increased bigtime because the new abs means you can really hammer it in all conditions (always good in my book even though I don't ride on my brakes), and second, new narrow engine seems significantly narrower and shorter giving all manner of benefits. The Honda guy says its almost as narrow as a v twin which is quite something. Now where's that spare 30 grand.

[Chrislost]

I see a lot of BMW K1300 style in it.
Not surprising, considering it's the direct competitor.

Give me a NC30 any day!
that thing is a beached whale!

[zadok]

I had high hopes for the new bike, seeing as it is possibly replacing the ST1300 as well.........but that exhaust! and more importantly, I can't see a pillion doing too many k's on that seat!

[Elysium]

Though it has a small badge on the fairing, I still think it needs the classic Honda Wings on the fuel tank.

[Swoop]

What's your point?
Did you look at the link after that pic - the luggage (and centrestand) are real.

Yup, looked at the link. The point was that it looks as though an "artist" has altered the photo slightly. The centrestand almost appears to be leaning forward. That would be just lovely... hopping off and walking away from it... then hearing a crunch...

new narrow engine seems significantly narrower and shorter giving all manner of benefits. The Honda guy says its almost as narrow as a v twin which is quite something. Now where's that spare 30 grand.

Quite so.
I wonder if this is an appeasement to the VTR riders...

More power from a lightened engine. Physically smaller engine. Simplified engine (sort of).
Nothing has been hinted at pricewise...



Also, why has it been released in three bland colours yet the promo bikes are black, which is not available?

[RavenR44]

I'm trying hard to like it but not succeeding as yet.

Random thoughts:

No mention of VTEC. Binned technology perhaps?
Front looks too 'heavy' for the rear.
The front of the fairing/lights reminds me of a Goldwing tourer rather than the 800's more sport oriented looks.
The muffler - lordy, what were they thinking. I'll bet the first thing they change when the facelift appears will be that can. Bleccch...
Too much decoration in the design. It's more about the form than the function I think, and that fussiness detracts from the bike's potential appeal.

Yep, it's only my opinion so it means now't, but it seems to be an admission by the designers that they missed the boat, in adding so much bling to the package.

Disappointing would be my summary. The current VFR certainly looks better to my eyes. But it might grow on me in time. Fair to add that I'm not going to be holding my breath though.

[AllanB]

No mention of VTEC. Binned technology perhaps?

I'd say it's gone - oddly enough it was a constant bitch in magazine reviews, in fact one of the latest NZ mags has a review on a white one and list in the negatives the VTEC kick at 6,000. I find this very odd, as reviewers typically bitch and moan at engines with no spunk - ie flat and uniform power all the way. I always though the VTEC kick was a nice sporty touch.
In reality it's probably just not required on a V4 1200 - there will be plenty of guts in the engine.

Price? who knows but there may be a run on the 800 soon if it is hellishly expensive as you can get them new for under $17k if you shop around.

[Swoop]

The muffler - lordy, what were they thinking. I'll bet the first thing they change when the facelift appears will be that can. Bleccch...

There is a rumour that it is designed to stimulate the aftermarket parts business...