New VFR1200

[Alpinestarhero]

Find out all about it, here (http://www.feelv4.com/en_GB/pages/mainpage)

looks like it could be ugly. But the new engine sounds like it could be brilliant.

However, with more technology, does it mean more to go wrong?

[zsv650]

there's no pic's but if it look's any like the concept i saw not really my cup of tea look's a bit like a jelly mold for me however i'm sure the engine will be great knowing honda.

[wyrdness]

there's no pic's but if it look's any like the concept i saw not really my cup of tea look's a bit like a jelly mold for me however i'm sure the engine will be great knowing honda.

No pics? There's 360 degree pics on the website that you can rotate to see just how ugly it is from all angles.

[zsv650]

i went to image gallery and it say's coming soon where are you looking.

[JamesMio]

Aren't Honda replacing the big Blackbird engine with a V4 too? Is this a merger of the two bikes?

[wyrdness]

i went to image gallery and it say's coming soon where are you looking.

Follow ASH's linky, wait for annoying flash vid to finish. Click on the countdown clock. Wait for annoying flash vid to finish. Click >> icon. Close introduction video. Click on 'Choose your VFR' in bottom right corner. Use mouse to spin VFR round and click buttons to change colour. Throw up at how fugly it is.

[Luckypants]

There is loads of pics. It looks like a tart's handbag! What have they done?

Plus 130BHP from 1200cc? 263KG weight? Shocking!

I can see the value of my 'real VFR' climbing already, that looks awful.

[zsv650]

aha just as i thought minger.

[SoulKiss]

Follow ASH's linky, wait for annoying flash vid to finish. Click on the countdown clock. Wait for annoying flash vid to finish. Click >> icon. Close introduction video. Click on 'Choose your VFR' in bottom right corner. Use mouse to spin VFR round and click buttons to change colour. Throw up at how fugly it is.

Unless of course you are running Firefox in Linux, through a Squid Proxy via an SSH tunnel, in which case you are spared the bike in favour of a never ending spinning logo...

[wyrdness]

There is loads of pics. It looks like a tart's handbag! What have they done?

Plus 130BHP from 1200cc? 263KG weight? Shocking!

I can see the value of my 'real VFR' climbing already, that looks awful.

The engine might be tuned for torque (I haven't looked at the figures). Agree that it looks like a tarts handbag.

[Alpinestarhero]

Agree'd it is one ugly bike - looks quite like it could be a BMW really.

The engine is definatly tuned for tourque and ease of use; this is emphasised alot in the videos on there.

I'm excited by the bike, despite its bad looks. Each new-model VFR brings with it more technology

[ophic]

The engine might be tuned for torque (I haven't looked at the figures). Agree that it looks like a tarts handbag.
Gets a lot more hp than a bandit 1250. Looks like Honda trying make a BMW imho. I don't find it that ugly but it certainly aint a stunner.

ASH - great minds ;)

[ophic]

the specs say 127kW and a kW is a much bigger unit than bhp.
Equates to about 170bhp - happy now? :p

[zsv650]

170bhp sound's ott for a sport's tourer.

[Alpinestarhero]

torque works out about 95-96 lbft (ftlb? one of those) max at 8,250 rpm

90% is avaliable at 4000 rpm. wow!

ZSV650...170 bhp it ott for anything, no ;) in any case, the overall max power is just a coincidence of the engines torquey nature (given the two are directly proportional)

[454697819]

wow honda crashed their VFR though the BMW design department and this was the outcome...

its awful

hth

just noticed im not the first to think it looks like a BMW...

[plowsie]

Looks a bit Concept to me, you know, too futuristic. Not my cup of tea, however, I said that about the latest Blade, and Oh my god, would I donate a testicle for that or what.

[zsv650]

torque works out about 95-96 lbft (ftlb? one of those) max at 8,250 rpm

90% is avaliable at 4000 rpm. wow!

ZSV650...170 bhp it ott for anything, no ;) in any case, the overall max power is just a coincidence of the engines torquey nature (given the two are directly proportional)
i dunno if it's a snarling beast of a bike and your going after what's gonna be your average tourer buyer who want's a nice relaxing comfortable ride it may put them off.

[Alpinestarhero]

i dunno if it's a snarling beast of a bike and your going after what's gonna be your average tourer buyer who want's a nice relaxing comfortable ride it may put them off.

Dosnt put me off. Remember all this power is only avaliable on full throttle. The engine willmake for a very easy bike to ride...leave it in top gear, and just cruise along as if it were a twist 'n' go. Whats more, it wont have a top end rush of power, like with sports bikes - its all ways just a linear increase (i would assume).





sorry if i seem defensive...I am in love with honda V4's

[zsv650]

i await suzuki's much better version when they get their **** in gear and make a new bike.

[JamesMio]

Unless of course you spent more time faffing around with your set up that it took to watch the animation, in which case you are spared the bike in favour of a never ending spinning logo...

;)

[Alpinestarhero]

i await suzuki's much better version when they get their **** in gear and make a new bike.

I dont think suzuki have ever done a big tourer...kawasaki have the GTR1400, which I guess is the big tourer for the person who still wants some fun and dosnt want a pan euro

[ophic]

Dosnt put me off. Remember all this power is only avaliable on full throttle. The engine willmake for a very easy bike to ride...leave it in top gear, and just cruise along as if it were a twist 'n' go. Whats more, it wont have a top end rush of power, like with sports bikes - its all ways just a linear increase (i would assume).





sorry if i seem defensive...I am in love with honda V4's
It's more or less the definition of "sports tourer" - comfortable enough to get there, with enough engine power to have fun once you're there.

I like it - i was after a busa but i might have changed my mind. It'll be very old by the time i've saved up though :?

[zsv650]

I dont think suzuki have ever done a big tourer...kawasaki have the GTR1400, which I guess is the big tourer for the person who still wants some fun and dosnt want a pan euro
do you know what your right the bandit's it for big tourer's wtf suzuki.:smt063

[Alpinestarhero]

I'd have one of these VFR's. With luggage and heated grips and a satnav. Fill it up with clothes, cameras, snacks fuel, stick maria on the back, and just go and ride and see what we can find.

For the first time, in a long time, I am excited about a new motorcycle. Not because of what it is, or what it looks like, but because of what it could enable me to do

[sinbad]

Yep, definite BMW styling cues in there, if fractionally less bulbous and chunky. I think it looks alright. What's wrong with it beside the headlight and the exhaust (welcome to 2009 they're all like that)?

It's just a hefty sports tourer with a bit of an unusual headlight. Put some '98 R1 headlights on there instead and people would think it looked awesome, although they'd complain that it looked too much like an R1. :)

Must be fairly tough to come up with something new as a motorcycle designer, and almost impossible to come up with something new that people aren't put off by because it doesn't look like the older bikes the designer is trying to distinguish the bike from.

[yorkie_chris]

the overall max power is just a coincidence of the engines torquey nature (given the two are directly proportional)

ASH. Go wash your mouth out with soap. What the devil gave you that idea?

[Alpinestarhero]

ASH. Go wash your mouth out with soap. What the devil gave you that idea?

all of this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_(physics)

[Alpinestarhero]

Yep, definite BMW styling cues in there, if fractionally less bulbous and chunky. I think it looks alright. What's wrong with it beside the headlight and the exhaust (welcome to 2009 they're all like that)?

It's just a hefty sports tourer with a bit of an unusual headlight. Put some '98 R1 headlights on there instead and people would think it looked awesome, although they'd complain that it looked too much like an R1. :)

Must be fairly tough to come up with something new as a motorcycle designer, and almost impossible to come up with something new that people aren't put off by because it doesn't look like the older bikes the designer is trying to distinguish the bike from.

good call. the newest fireblade - people didnt like that when it came out, because it was so differant from the pointy nosed things we'd all been used too since the 916 appeared in 1993

but when you see one, it now looks good because we're used to it

[yorkie_chris]

all of this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_(physics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_%28physics))

Max power =/= max torque.
SV, max torque at 8k? Max power at 9.


Broad brush, max torque is proportional to capacity, max power is proportional to valve area. (so long as the engine can turn sufficient revs to make use of it)

[Luckypants]

good call. the newest fireblade - people didnt like that when it came out, because it was so differant from the pointy nosed things we'd all been used too since the 916 appeared in 1993

but when you see one, it now looks good because we're used to it

Well I'm not keen on the new 'Blade either. I think the VFR 1200 is fugly but see that the power is not as I had read it, so that not so bad. Still a heavy mutha tho! I'll wait to see it in the flesh before I declare to be truly ugly though O:)

[sinbad]

all of this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_(physics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_%28physics))

I'm sure YC will offer a reply too, but it's not as simple as big torque = big power. RPM is part of the equation for calculating power (bhp) from a torque figure. An engine producing massive torque may make a relativly small bhp figure but these are invariably low revving large capacity engines.

[yorkie_chris]

Jawohl.

[Alpinestarhero]

I'm sure YC will offer a reply too, but it's not as simple as big torque = big power. RPM is part of the equation for calculating power (bhp) from a torque figure. An engine producing massive torque may make a relativly small bhp figure but these are invariably low revving large capacity engines.

I got that - I'm not so unclever that I didnt account for rpm :D I suppose its why a diesal engine dosnt make huge amounts of power; generally, they dont rev as high as a petrol counterpart. Still loadsa of looovveeerrrrllleeee torque

(i was just stating the general trend)

[plowsie]

good call. the newest fireblade - people didnt like that when it came out, because it was so differant from the pointy nosed things we'd all been used too since the 916 appeared in 1993

but when you see one, it now looks good because we're used to it

Ahem ;)

Looks a bit Concept to me, you know, too futuristic. Not my cup of tea, however, I said that about the latest Blade, and Oh my god, would I donate a testicle for that or what.

:smt040

[sinbad]

I got that - I'm not so unclever that I didnt account for rpm :D I suppose its why a diesal engine dosnt make huge amounts of power; generally, they dont rev as high as a petrol counterpart. Still loadsa of looovveeerrrrllleeee torque

(i was just stating the general trend)

I wasn't suggesting that you were! :)
My post just seemed to make a bit more sense with that in there too, even if it is something probably we all know.

[yorkie_chris]

But you are actually on about the complete opposite of the general trend!
Look at cruisers, a h*rl*y has absolute gobs of low end torque, but less peak power than my dog.

[JamesMio]

Ahem (I don't actually mind the way it looks...)

[ophic]

But you are actually on about the complete opposite of the general trend!
Look at cruisers, a h*rl*y has absolute gobs of low end torque, but less peak power than my dog.
My dog has loads of low end gob. HTH :cool:

[the_lone_wolf]

Why does it look like Honda styled their 2010 range by shelling out for Pininfarina to to the bodywork then riding them all into a wall at 30mph???

[the white rabbit]

There is going to be a big trailie with that enjin in it, so they do say.

[skeetly]

I love it :)
Mind , I like the look of the fireblades too :)

[the_lone_wolf]

There is going to be a big trailie with that enjin in it, so they do say.236kg in touring bike trim...:???:

Once they've fitted proper fuel tanks and off road suspension, tubed tyres and spoked wheels it'll be the wrong side of a quarter ton

Sod off road, it'll sink on a toasty day when the asphalt gets soft...;)

[Alpinestarhero]

Why does it look like Honda styled their 2010 range by shelling out for Pininfarina to to the bodywork then riding them all into a wall at 30mph???

Some of you may recall my attempt at makin my SV look like a fireblade. All that was needed was one citroen C5 pulling across my path...job jobbed!


RE: weight

yes, its very heavy :( Despite the claims of a more compact, smaller engine. Maybe the shaft drive accounts for a significant proportion in the weight increase over previous VFRS?

[Alpinestarhero]

My dog has loads of low end gob. HTH :cool:

dribbldey dribbldey goo

[the_lone_wolf]

Some of you may recall my attempt at makin my SV look like a fireblade. All that was needed was one citroen C5 pulling across my path...job jobbed!


RE: weight

yes, its very heavy :( Despite the claims of a more compact, smaller engine. Maybe the shaft drive accounts for a significant proportion in the weight increase over previous VFRS?
I wouldn't worry about the weight, my ADV is the wrong side of 200kg and very tall, but once you're moving it's more flickable than the SV ever was

If Honda have designed it right it should be OK in the twisties


The curvey SV, however, looks like you left it out in the sun too long...;)

[dizzyblonde]

Whats wrong with the massive weight?

ZZR1400 is around 250kgs...that doesn't have a problem throwing itself around like poo off a stick. Added to that a 14 stone bloke and a 10 stone woman ...weeeeeeeeeeeee :-)

Bit of a bugger to move around by hand tho

[Alpinestarhero]

Masss centralisation I suppose

The bandit i had was heavy to move about, but once riding felt quite light an nimble

[dizzyblonde]

mind you, just looked at the 360 view of this viffer.

The only thing nice I can see is its ar$e end:rolleyes:

[Bluefish]

I know nowt about engines, but have two dog's if that helps.

[Alpinestarhero]

I know nowt about engines, but have two dog's if that helps.

They could sit on the pillion seat

I think i want one of these VFR's. Although i have a suspicion its VTEC, although I'm not sure. I dont like the vtec idea. But i like the single cam idea operating the inlet and exhaust valves (operates the exhaust valves by, what looks like to me, a rocker arm)

[dizzyblonde]

ASH...you're a viffer nerd ain't ya ;-)

[Alpinestarhero]

ASH...you're a viffer nerd ain't ya ;-)

I have no idea what you mean

:smt017


















:love:

[wyrdness]

It's not really a Viffer, is it? It's a hyperbike to replace the Blackbird, rather than a replacement for the VFR800. Though from what I hear, Blackbird owners aren't too happy with it. I suspect that most VFR800 owners wouldn't really consider it to be a replacement for their bikes. Triumph might well sell a lot of Sprint STs to disgruntled viffer owners.

I'm thinking about going back to a sports tourer, as my Speed Triple has the luggage capacity of a gnats handbag and my dullville, whilst having huge luggage capacity, is not something that I enjoy riding. So if I do get another sports tourer, I'd probably be looking at something like the Sprint ST or the F800ST. I'd never consider getting one of these.

[Lozzo]

It's minging - even uglier than the ginger one in Girls Aloud and dare I say it... curvy SVs

[Lozzo]

there's no pic's but if it look's any like the concept i saw not really my cup of tea look's a bit like a jelly mold for me however i'm sure the engine will be great knowing honda.

You obviously don't remember the CB900F, VF750F and CB250 G5. Firestorms are known for knackering water pumps and camchain tensioners etc etc. The VFR800i was deemed a charmless bike after the 750, the 800 Vtec is a waste of time as a sports tourer. Need I go on?

Honda aren't any better than anyone else at developing new bikes, they just build them to a higher standard when they put them into production

[Alpinestarhero]

It's minging - even uglier than the ginger one in Girls Aloud and dare I say it... curvy SVs

you and I sir are heading in the direction of "enemies" :smt062

:p


:D

However, I share your sentiments on honda reliability...they really learnt their lesson after the VF bikes made them design the VFR750's properly, then I suppose they sort of forgot about that with the late 90's bikes. the pre-vtec 800's apparently have alot of electrical problems (including dashboard faliure) and the exhausts are going to rot through. Not if, when. Shame, because one went by me yesterday and it sounded great :D

Lets see how this VFR stands. Now i've slept on it, i'll wait a year from its launch in the shops before wanting one properly!

[STRAMASHER]

The most exciting bike of next year and the most anticipated.
The more I look at it the more I like it. And I hate the looks of the new 'Blade.

Big design step forward. Classy, tidy build. No visible bolts. Does not look too plasticy for me. Front takes a bit of getting used to but so did the VTEC, I thought that looked like a scooter.

I'm going for 145rwbhp+ but what I like the sound of more is biggish torque at 3k. That is what a viffer needs. 18 and a bit litre tank is a bit of a worry but maybe Honda have got it nearly as frugal as the BMW's.

Bit of weight works well on the road. I'll take the extra weight penalty of the shaft. Not as nice as the BM version but probably lasts longer than 10K. That fat exhaust would get dumped straight away of course.


Supposedly £12,000 and you don't get the real innovations( gearbox and cylinder cut out) till 2011. Probably get a black one then too. Silver and white?:confused:

They will still sell loads. Alas not to me at that kind of price. Old (rich)man bike.;)

[Gazza77]

Not keen, but might grow on me when I see one int he flesh. Sounds heavy though, in part perhaps due to the shaft drive? Seems to me like they are trying to mix the VFR, Blackbird and also pull some people away from the Pan European with one bike. Time will tell if it will work, or if it will just alienate all three potential markets.

[Alpinestarhero]

I think your right there gazza. It will be all the power of the blackbird, all the useability of the pan euro, but maybe less of the sportyness of the VFR?

I too can see triumph getting a few more sales. I also wonder how much the price of vfr800's will drop - if at all, people may still demand the 800 on the face of things like the weight and looks

[Gazza77]

I think your right there gazza. It will be all the power of the blackbird, all the useability of the pan euro, but maybe less of the sportyness of the VFR?

I too can see triumph getting a few more sales. I also wonder how much the price of vfr800's will drop - if at all, people may still demand the 800 on the face of things like the weight and looks

The Sprint in it's current form has been around since 05 (mine is one of the first ones), so it is also rumoured to be getting replaced in the next 12-24 months. Will be interesting to see if Triumph go down a similar route as Honda, especially given that in it's current form it was meant to be a replacement for both the previous model and the sportier Daytona 955.

I know what is meant by the fact that the weight can seem to disappear when riding a bike, but the new VFR still looks very lardy to me. I find the Sprint a fair old weight to haul around in and out of the bike shed compared to my SV, and the Viffer is another fair chunk on top of that.

Have prices been announced yet? I can see that alienating potential 800/Sprint owners too.

Wouldn't mind a go on one though...

[hindle8907]

i think it look kool.

[_Stretchie_]

FUGLY

It's not really a Viffer, is it? It's a hyperbike to replace the Blackbird, rather than a replacement for the VFR800.

It does not seem to be going down well in the world of BlackBirds either..

It looks more like a Pan European than a VFR. Pans are nice to ride, they can shift but not really a fun bike

can see the value of my 'real VFR' climbing already, that looks awful.

Alot of people are saying the same on the BlackBird forums

[ThEGr33k]

Stupid engine design... People dislike the 8 valves kicking in, never mind half the engine. If people want a parallel twin they would get a BMW.

Honda are going downhill fast tbh, there isnt one bike id have out of the entire range.

[Dave20046]

Didn't even realise the VFR was a twin - thought it was a v4 :scratch: ...runs off to google.

I don't like the exhaust, they've started doing that on all their bloody bikes now it the underseat looked sweet. Front end looks odd too.

[ophic]

Honda are going downhill fast tbh, there isnt one bike id have out of the entire range.
This doesn't surprise me - you only like v-twins. The only v-twins Honda do are cruisers :p

[_Stretchie_]

thought it was a v4 :scratch: ...runs off to google.



It is

; )

[ophic]

Didn't even realise the VFR was a twin - thought it was a v4 :scratch: ...runs off to google.
Someone's got confused already :D

[the_lone_wolf]

This doesn't surprise me - you only like v-twins. The only v-twins Honda do are cruisers :phttp://www.jeffreyhonda.com.au/photo_gallery/DN01.jpg

;)

[ThEGr33k]

This doesn't surprise me - you only like v-twins. The only v-twins Honda do are cruisers :p

Indeed. That certainly has something to do with it. I do love V4's too but tbh I dont much like the ones they make and the one here they are looking to make.

[_Stretchie_]

http://www.jeffreyhonda.com.au/photo_gallery/DN01.jpg

;)


I prefer that one

[ophic]

http://www.jeffreyhonda.com.au/photo_gallery/DN01.jpg

;)
that's some sort of cruiser/scooter hybrid. My point stands :p

[Dave20046]

Someone's got confused already :D
yep, sorry guys joined the discussion a little late confused my little head. Even had me googling whether they'd made the new 12 a v-twin#-o

I still think it's ugly, is the logic behind the exhaust; that they use it on the new blade and the blade's a sportsbike so therefore the vfr is incredibly sporty?

[ThEGr33k]

Reason I said parallel twin is cos they are making it so it can run as one "when the rider doesnt need the power". Sigh

[ophic]

Reason I said parallel twin is cos they are making it so it can run as one "when the rider doesnt need the power". Sigh
yeah i can see why it'd be no use to you Nick :p

[thedonal]

Looks- no.

New Honda 1200 V4 engine?

yes, yes, YES!

And I'm spent.

[Lucas]

headlight design inspiration

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t223/askanneka/Hot_Cross_m864931.jpg

[Lozzo]

The VFR1200 mings worse than the fat ugly burd I pulled last night. If it was a woman and you woke up next to it, you'd wonder what the hell you were drugged with the night before.

[Bri w]

The looks are sorta growing on me but I'm not fussed about a bike that big. Does remind me of a BMW.

Honda have said the VFR800 will stay in production. The B'bird has already ceased, and the Pan production will run for another year.

[fastdruid]

18 and a bit litre tank is a bit of a worry but maybe Honda have got it nearly as frugal as the BMW's.

2l down on 1986 and 450cc more, hmmmm. I wonder if it will manage 250miles to a tank[1]?

Bit of weight works well on the road. I'll take the extra weight penalty of the shaft.

A bit of weight yes but 40Kg over my 20 year old VFR and I consider that to be seriously overweight[2].

Druid

[1] Not that I get that on a regular basis but I have.
[2] Everything seems to be made rather heavy and solid, a lot of weight could be lost before you even got as far as the rather heavy lump that is the engine.

[Alpinestarhero]

2l down on 1986 and 450cc more, hmmmm. I wonder if it will manage 250miles to a tank[1]?



A bit of weight yes but 40Kg over my 20 year old VFR and I consider that to be seriously overweight[2].

Druid

[1] Not that I get that on a regular basis but I have.
[2] Everything seems to be made rather heavy and solid, a lot of weight could be lost before you even got as far as the rather heavy lump that is the engine.

40kg, thats 2/3's the weight of myself.

maybe not an ideal bike for filtering on? Mind you, i've seen handy riders on Pans and harleys in london

[jimmy4237]

Ugly as hell..... far too heavy and I'l bet it drinks fuel like it's going out of fashion...


All clever tech on it, but when it needs a service, or anything electronic on it goes wrong, it's gonna cost a fortune.....:pale::pale::pale:

I'll stick to my old tech ZX9R thank you.. It may be old fashioned, but it can still party, and parts for it are cheap...

[rowdy]

that's some sort of cruiser/scooter hybrid. My point stands :p
Yep, saw one of those in London, my wife described it as an Eton boys scooter.

[Paul the Newbie]

Ugly?? Looks like a Hayabusa that's been set on fire, then out out with a spade!

[Holdup]

Released this weekend guys and girls :thumright:

Friday is the official date and i have seen one in the flesh, havent had a proper look at it but the pictures dont really do it justice

[the_lone_wolf]

Released this weekend guys and girls :thumright:

I'll bring my wide angle lens and soft focus filter;):p8-[

[Alpinestarhero]

I've decided how I feel about the new viffer

and in two words

No Thanks.

[carternd]

Read about it in Bike or RiDE, can't remember which. It seems they're losing the hyperbike thing + the useful-sized sports tourer and gaining a baby Pan, which to my mind seems a bit Pants. Market swap with BMW considering the S1000R? Just looked plastic, chromey and try-hard to me. Love to be able to afford it though.

[yorkie_chris]

Love to be able to afford it though.

Me too, so I could buy something else!

[Holdup]

So then

Any one seen it in the flesh?

Its much more of a looker

[Sean_C]

Saw it today. Not as big as I expected, seat is quite low and comfortable. And it looks really quite good in the flesh, quite butch and mean looking.

[dyzio]

Saw it today. Not as big as I expected, seat is quite low and comfortable. And it looks really quite good in the flesh, quite butch and mean looking.
+1
looks better in the flesh

[wyrdness]

Kevin Ash in the Torygraph didn't like it much:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorcycle_manufacturers/honda/6966294/Honda-VFR1200F-review.html

Edit: Mind you, he gave it a better review on his own web site:

http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/honda-vfr1200f

[Lucas]

i like, but £12k :smt119

[Luckypants]

Saw one in the flesh today and out on the road also. Still mings! :(

[carternd]

I saw a grey one, Looked alright actually, but still, Honda could have done a lot better if the critics are to be believed. And 180 miles tank range is useless on a tourer.