OK, what's the scoop on this V5 Honda?

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Dirtybill

18/08/2004 at 19:07

Some local has posted a link on a board here to the MCN story about the road going V5.

Sounds like a pile of crap to me. V5-1200cc......why? Traction control, ABS. IF it makes production and isn't just an attempt to boost readership at MCN, why would you want an overcomplicated, probably heavy, insurance expensive, costly to maintain bike? And knowing Honda, the purchase price would not be cheap.

Fruit'n'nut

18/08/2004 at 19:09

It's billed as a VFR1200 and replacement for the Blackbird.

Where can I donate blood?
© Everything I've written up there ^

Yaanufs

18/08/2004 at 19:09

Dirtybill wrote

why would you want an overcomplicated, probably heavy, insurance expensive, costly to maintain bike? And knowing Honda, the purchase price would not be cheap.

Maybe it would go very fast?

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Or as Friedrich Nietzsche put it, "In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule."

MotorcyclesFish

18/08/2004 at 19:15

'omologation innit. WSB anyone?

I hereby explicitly refuse permission for any content posted by myself or others under my authorisation using the "MotorcyclesFish" account to be used for any publishing purpose in any for-profit media without my express written consent. Furthermore, I assert my write to be made known the author of any such materials should my express permission be granted for the use of materials as described above. Materials posted before the acquisition of Visordown.com by Magicalia, posted as they were on a not-for-profit site with differing terms and conditions, will not be considered by myself to be covered by any subsequent or retroactive terms and conditions of use for this site, and any attempt to use them under the rules of these retroactive terms and conditions I will consider unlawful and act accordingly.

Dirtybill

18/08/2004 at 19:15

Yaanufs wrote

Maybe it would go very fast?

So the Gentleman's agreement of a top speed limit between the Japanese, is over?

I think Honda are grasping for anything that can make a bike sell, whether it's actuall all around performance will benefit from the techno gobbly gook they add, or not.

So what's the advantage of a V5 over a V4 or inline4 or inline6 or V6 in real world applications?

NONE, that I can think of. I dont see why Honda and others (Ducati has been doing it) make a Sport Tourer with removable panniers, with a characterfull V-twin engine that gets good range and mileage. If Ducati can make from what I've seen, a dependable ST2 and 4, it should be no problem for Honda.

You can cruise all day at 100mph on a Ducati sport tourer. So why do you need or want a V5?

Sid23

18/08/2004 at 19:15

Even though the story came from MCN it could be true. Maybe. I'd be surprised if they made the Blackbird replacement a "VFR". Honda typically cram all the newest technology into the VFR and use it as a production testbed.

Well what have we?

No mention of VTEC - hmmmm?

Blackbird going from I4 -> V5 hmmmm

Going V5 is a great marketing idea though (GP)

Linked braking continues...

Traction control?

Anti-crash electronics? WTF?

Initial impression is that the VFR800 will be no more. No point in cramming all this version 1.0 technology into two bikes and the VFR800 is due a replacement in 2006...

Yaanufs

18/08/2004 at 19:20

Dirtybill wrote

So the Gentleman's agreement of a top speed limit between the Japanese, is over?

I've no idea. Is 184 mph (or whatever the current limit is) not considered very fast then?

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Or as Friedrich Nietzsche put it, "In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule."

demographic

18/08/2004 at 19:21

Think Honda might be slightly worried because Yamaha have made a two wheel drive R1

whitebird

18/08/2004 at 19:22

They're making it because they've found their niche. People who buy bikes with the letters "VFR" painted down the side are enthused by pointless technology. You can tell, they buy GPS systems as well.

Dirtybill

18/08/2004 at 19:23

A guy I know sold his Vtec VFR and bought a used Blade. I dont know him well, just run into him now and again. He said he was having problems with the V-tec.

First I've heard of problems other than the laughable service cost for checking valve clearances

I dunno, maybe its just me, but the less crap they stick on a bike, the less can go wrong, unless it's a Harley

I've always liked the idea of a torquey twin for sport touring. Get into a nice rythm with the bike on mountain roads. Wonder how a slightly detuned SP1/2 engine would do in a touring type bike?

MildMatt

18/08/2004 at 19:24

Dirtybill wrote

So the Gentleman's agreement of a top speed limit between the Japanese, is over?

The BHP level agreement for Jap car manufacturers is now non-existant. Admittedly, it never really was in full swing, but I'd expect the speed limit one to go soon.

IMO, of course.

Dirtybill

18/08/2004 at 19:25

demographic wrote

Think Honda might be slightly worried because Yamaha have made a two wheel drive R1

I heard KTM will be showing up with at least one 2wd for this year's Dakar :smoke: Should be interesting!

MotorcyclesFish

18/08/2004 at 19:25

Sid23 wrote

Anti-crash electronics? WTF?

I can see it now: Sliding down the road shortly before parting company with your pride and joy, your flailing head takes in a glimpse of the dash. Between the now-lit oil light and the dark space where the neutral light is, a small LED glows saying this: [Crash Warning]

FJSRiDER.

18/08/2004 at 19:27

Sid23 wrote

Going V5 is a great marketing idea though (GP)

IF it happens this is the only reason.

V5's could well be Honda's next 'thing', sportsbikes, tourers even 400's! All cashing in on their MotoGP 'heritage' - does make 'em different to the other IL4 clones out there wouldn't it?

They could lob in whatever technology they like - been a few years since the NR750 (a V4 remember!), which was preceded by the CX Turbo's and the CBX6 - is it time for a 'new' celebration of Honda technology?

Dirtybill

18/08/2004 at 19:30

whitebird wrote

They're making it because they've found their niche. People who buy bikes with the letters "VFR" painted down the side are enthused by pointless technology. You can tell, they buy GPS systems as well.

GPS...ha ha ha! Don't get me started!

I recently had to correct (more than once) a rider who was using a GPS for an off road event we were doing. It had been a year since I was on these trails and over a year, terrain in the back country can change like you wouldnt believe. Couldnt believe my usual very bad memory remembered the turn offs. If we would have taken the GPS rider's directions they'd still be looking for us.

Really odd. I can remember land marks but street names, I forget those in about 2minutes

490

18/08/2004 at 19:31

Honda have had a V5 road bike ready for over a year. The guy who told me had actually ridden it in his capacity as a Honda tester but I can't name him as it may get him in trouble as he's not really supposed to have said anything.

What held it up is the fact that once it appears it means the end of the v5 GP bike (which can't have a road going derivative). Initially the GP bike was going to be replaced by a V6, which was well developed, but they've since changed their mind and now are developing an inline triple for MotoGP, which means the V5 has to stay a bit longer and the road bike has to wait.

Dirtybill

18/08/2004 at 19:32

MotorcyclesFish wrote

I can see it now: Sliding down the road shortly before parting company with your pride and joy, your flailing head takes in a glimpse of the dash. Between the now-lit oil light and the dark space where the neutral light is, a small LED glows saying this: [Crash Warning]

Ha Ha Ha

Sort of like.....

"What do you mean, check the oil? The light hasn't come on yet!"

Yaanufs

18/08/2004 at 19:33

490 wrote

What held it up is the fact that once it appears it means the end of the v5 GP bike (which can't have a road going derivative). Initially the GP bike was going to be replaced by a V6, which was well developed, but they've since changed their mind and now are developing an inline triple for MotoGP, which means the V5 has to stay a bit longer and the road bike has to wait.

This all sounds like the drunken ramblings of a homeless person you spoke to.
How do Kawasaki get away will selling a IL4 then?

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Or as Friedrich Nietzsche put it, "In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule."

Sid23

18/08/2004 at 19:34

whitebird wrote

They're making it because they've found their niche. People who buy bikes with the letters "VFR" painted down the side are enthused by pointless technology. You can tell, they buy GPS systems as well.

You're right of course.

I plead guilty to 'early-adopter's syndrome'.

Still, you wouldn't catch me with a Garmin or a GPS-linked camera-detector. Aside from being terribly sad and geeky devices, map reading and observational skills are underated...

Dirtybill

18/08/2004 at 19:34

490 wrote

Honda have had a V5 road bike ready for over a year. The guy who told me had actually ridden it in his capacity as a Honda tester but I can't name him as it may get him in trouble as he's not really supposed to have said anything.

What held it up is the fact that once it appears it means the end of the v5 GP bike (which can't have a road going derivative). Initially the GP bike was going to be replaced by a V6, which was well developed, but they've since changed their mind and now are developing an inline triple for MotoGP, which means the V5 has to stay a bit longer and the road bike has to wait.

I never knew that a GP bike couldnt have a road going derivative.

I thought GP would let you run a VFR if it made qualifying