New Honda V-4s?

Honda has quite a history when it comes to V-4 engined street machines. Not just with the VFR, either, but with agressive sport bikes.
While it was running the V-5 990cc MotoGP machines, rumors surfaced that a V-5 engined street bike was in development. Now, with the 800cc Honda MotoGP weapon being a V-4, guess what? New V-4 engined street bikes (perhaps, more than one) are rumored to be in development... perhaps to be introduced as early as this Fall.
Honda knows that it could dramatically increase sales of sport bikes powered by V-4 motors simply by offering consumers an alternative to the in-line, four-cylinder machines built by competitors. I think this is called "product differentiation", and Honda would have the added marketing boost of tying the engine design to its current MotoGP prototype racer. This could be an interesting Fall. I've always loved the sound of that V4 engine. A light, sporty, bikini faired 800 showing off the engine would be mouth watering.

My brother's first bike was a VFR400- he still really misses it (was written off when a John Lewis van decided to change lanes without looking/indicating- knocked my brother into the central reservation- still pending court as driver not accepting liability). It had a carbon end can and sounded sweeeeeet! Had a really special 'whine' to it...

Originally Posted by thedonal

Had a really special 'whine' to it...

It sounds like my Mother-in-Law...

Mr.Aprilia going to be launch V-4 Mille next year. This I thinking be very interesting. They putting lots of money in to that project as can be seen by very minor change to V twin MIlle for 2007 when compare to 2006 bike.

Originally Posted by thedonal

My brother's first bike was a VFR400- he still really misses it (was written off when a John Lewis van decided to change lanes without looking/indicating- knocked my brother into the central reservation- still pending court as driver not accepting liability). It had a carbon end can and sounded sweeeeeet! Had a really special 'whine' to it...

The VFR400s sound like sewing machines!!! A race can does make them sound meaner, but they still lack the scream of the IL4 or 'boom' of V2

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

The VFR400s sound like sewing machines!!! A race can does make them sound meaner, but they still lack the scream of the IL4 or 'boom' of V2

Last sunday there was this guy with a fightered VFR750 and it didn't sound like no sewing machine to me. If it did, I'd buy one for my wife to use instead of her Bernina as it sounded like thunder and F1 together! Beautiful. If ever I do a project bike it'll have that engine or an old Honda 750 four in it. Something special about that engine too.

I've had both a 400 and a 750, they are a unique sound, but not something I personally can get excited about ... its not just the firing order/timing, but the gear driven cams in the 400 that make it especially sewing machine like ...

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

I've had both a 400 and a 750, they are a unique sound, but not something I personally can get excited about ... its not just the firing order/timing, but the gear driven cams in the 400 that make it especially sewing machine like ...

You're nuts! I love the sound of the Honda V-4s. They're so much more interesting and sophisticated than a twin or an inline-4. The old VFRs have a really good machined noise, which seems to get better with age.

Modern bikes all sound so boring, which is why we have to resort to really loud exhausts to make them sound even slightly exciting.

Originally Posted by Bluesteel

You're nuts! I love the sound of the Honda V-4s. They're so much more interesting and sophisticated than a twin or an inline-4. The old VFRs have a really good machined noise, which seems to get better with age.

Modern bikes all sound so boring, which is why we have to resort to really loud exhausts to make them sound even slightly exciting.

I bet you like the sound of a parallel twin too!!! To me - yet another uninspiring configuration (sound wise).

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

I bet you like the sound of a parallel twin too!!! To me - yet another uninspiring configuration (sound wise).

Hehe, actually a rorty TDM overtook me the other day. I quite liked that noise. I have convinced my soon-to-be newly qualified friend to get A Kwak ER-6N, mostly because I know it will never sound as good as my SV!

Mu ha ha haaa