World Exclusive Honda VFR V4 2010 riding shots

That is pig ugly
Posted: 24/06/2009 22:03

Is it shaft-drive?

Posted: 25/06/2009 00:04

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

Is it shaft-drive?

Does it matter...the styling department at Honda have already given it the shaft.

Posted: 25/06/2009 07:02

the stick wrote (see)

Does it matter...the styling department at Honda have already given it the shaft.

Ho-ho.  It's hard to tell what it looks like really - being all blacked up and all. 

I think it looks more interesting than the current munter.  At least they seem to have dumped the grim underseat pipes.

Posted: 25/06/2009 08:50

The headlight is just plain ugly. You can not really see the exhaust but it kind of looks like the one on the current fireblade -> that is the worst part of the fireblade imho...

well, I have been waiting for this bike, but if it is going to look like this I will just keep my 06 cbr... or get one vfr 800 on sale
Posted: 25/06/2009 09:03

Makers seem to insist on making things Bigger(engine),uglier?,heavier and more complex with every passing Year.this is progress? Why dontthey just refine things that work.
Posted: 25/06/2009 09:16

Andras Bartl wrote (see)

The headlight is just plain ugly.

I think it a test mule - and is a bit unfinished.  I'll reserve judgement 'till I've seen an example in metal.  But I they should think about bringing back a version of the twin lamp, single lens of the late 750/early 800's.  Fantastic light, and a 'fail safe' system if one bulb blows.

Andras Bartl wrote (see)

You can not really see the exhaust but it kind of looks like the one on the current fireblade -> that is the worst part of the fireblade imho..

A (large) 'stubbie' on the offside.  VFR's traditionally have single sided swing arms and this has the same - but the lack of drive chain is interesting.  Looks like a fully floating rear end.  Compact bevel box though. 

I like it - although suspect More Crap than News hinting at 'what must be approaching 200bhp potential' is a bit barmy.

Posted: 25/06/2009 09:20

twoeyedbob wrote (see)

Makers seem to insist on making things Bigger(engine),uglier?,heavier and more complex with every passing Year.this is progress?

I imagine it is the Blackbird's (long awaited) 'replacement' as well as the 'next' VFR.

twoeyedbob wrote (see)

Why dontthey just refine things that work.

I think that is exactly what they do.  The CBR XX is 13 years old.  The GL1500 lasted 13 years, the 1800 has been on sale for 8.  The current VFR800 has been selling for 7 years.  The engine in the Deauville has been 'refined' but can trace it's history back to FT500 of 1982!  

How long would you like them to continue unchanged?

Posted: 25/06/2009 09:27

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

I think it a test mule - and is a bit unfinished.  I'll reserve judgement 'till I've seen an example in metal.

I hope you are right, and there is still hope... after all we will see the final version in autumn.
Posted: 25/06/2009 09:36

It does look a bit....unfinished IMO.  It's shaft driven and that exhaust is god awful.  Gees I wasn't overly impressed with the last overhaul on the VFR800 think I'd rather have an older 750 if I was going to choose one at all. 
Posted: 25/06/2009 11:06

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

the stick wrote (see)

Does it matter...the styling department at Honda have already given it the shaft.

Ho-ho.  It's hard to tell what it looks like really - being all blacked up and all. 

I think it looks more interesting than the current munter.  At least they seem to have dumped the grim underseat pipes.

I always though underseat pipes on a bike with such a practical emphasis was a bit daft.
Posted: 25/06/2009 11:21

Surely going from 750/800 to 1200 isn't refinement. the blackbird ain't an allrounder same as the vfr ain't a continent crusher. One of the many good things abought the vfr is that it's a middleweight(nearly) that'll keep up with the big boys (mostly). Can't see me popping down the shops(2 minutes) on a 1200.
Posted: 25/06/2009 14:24

twoeyedbob wrote (see)

Surely going from 750/800 to 1200 isn't refinement.
the blackbird ain't an allrounder same as the vfr ain't a continent crusher.
One of the many good things abought the vfr is that it's a middleweight(nearly) that'll keep up with the big boys (mostly).
Can't see me popping down the shops(2 minutes) on a 1200.

The market has changed hasn't it?  The 1400 Kawasaki, the BMW 1300 and the Suzuki Fatarsebus are the new 'sports tourers' of choice - making the Blackbird and Viffer look a bit long in the tooth.

Makes sense for Honda to move the VFR up and drop the Blackbird and make a new big V-four to take the aforementioned on.  A loyal fan base and well respected bikes looking for a replacement.

Posted: 25/06/2009 14:33

But the VFR has always been more popular than the Blackbird, ZZR1400 and Hayabusa...so surely it would make more sense to at least keep the VFR running as an 800 as well?

I think the Blackbird is just too fast, expensive and heavy on fuel, chain and tyres to ever take over from the VFR...

The reason the VFR is so popular is because it's not too extreme...I'm sure a Honda hyperbike would be fairly moderate as far as hyperbikes go but 1200 still makes it a hyperbike...

Posted: 25/06/2009 14:42

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

Makes sense for Honda to move the VFR up and drop the Blackbird and make a new big V-four to take the aforementioned on.  A loyal fan base and well respected bikes looking for a replacement.

Not only does it make sense for Honda to drop the Blackbird and move the VFR up but also the strong styling clues from Honda's popular and successful FJS will go a long way in developing a strong following for the new bike.

 

Posted: 25/06/2009 14:45

the stick wrote (see)

Not only does it make sense for Honda to drop the Blackbird and move the VFR up but also the strong styling clues from Honda's popular and successful FJS will go a long way in developing a strong following for the new bike.

New one of them rumored to be coming too. 

Seriously though, I can't see this bike being cheap there will be much more profit in a larger 'sports tourer' then another mid-sized V-four - and they still have the excellent Deauville and CBF models for those with less of a fat wallet.

Posted: 25/06/2009 14:52

No, a VFR for 9 grand doesn't seem to make much sense these days.

If you can afford that I'm not sure why you wouldn't have a Blackbird.

Saying that Blackbirds are HUGE compared to normal sportsbikes...

If I had this kind of money for this kind of bike my money would easily be on the BMW K1300.

Posted: 25/06/2009 15:06

I'm not saying therye ain't a Market for a 1200 v four There is. But therye are alot of people looking for a replacement for the 750 And IMHO ,this ain't it. And for that matter neither was the vtec.
Posted: 25/06/2009 15:07

according to the weekly rag,it has shaft drive and single side swing arm. looks to be styled much along the lines of the fireblade,if it has a shorter wheelbase than the zzr/hyabusa and has the promised 200bhp i think it could tempt a lot of sports bike riders away from there 1000's, me included. price..i think about 12k?
Posted: 25/06/2009 15:08

Honda need a new bike at the top of the range. It wouldn't surprise me if the new VFR came in at £10k+.
Posted: 25/06/2009 15:09

twoeyedbob wrote (see)

 But therye are alot of people looking for a replacement for the 750 And IMHO ,this ain't it. And for that matter neither was the vtec.

I think you might be right. 

Sadly you will not be getting a 'replacement' for the 750 while Superbikes and the like are racing 1000cc's. There is no reason to try to make a 'class leading' 750 any more. 

The V-four engine had to be astonishingly expensive to manufacture and it can only have been worth doing that while 'racing' was bringing in the Yen.

Posted: 25/06/2009 16:19

harryt wrote (see)

 price..i think about 12k?

the stick wrote (see)

It wouldn't surprise me if the new VFR came in at £10k+.

My guess? Getting on for clsoe to £15,000 (perhaps 'only' £14.500) and that will be too expensive - but the DN-01 is £9k and that has fuck all 'technology' bolted on to it.  The 'Blade with C-ABS is best part of £11k already.

Posted: 25/06/2009 16:25

In your opinion as a man of much knowledge mr fsj . A .will the later 750,s become collectable. B is it viable to spend ,maybe a grand getting it back to good condition? or will I just spend my 3or4 grand on something else(Honda) that maybe doesn't suit quite as well.
Posted: 25/06/2009 17:32

Are these people sure its the new Honda?

I only ask because that shaft drive hub is identical to the ones on the current BMWs, doncha think?

Apart from that I think its about time Honda made a really good all - round big inch V4.

Posted: 25/06/2009 21:02

dont know what you ladies are complaining about, i think it looks great and i'd pick a shaftie over a chain any day of the week!
Posted: 25/06/2009 22:18

twoeyedbob wrote (see)

A .will the later 750,s become collectable.

For sure.  (Everything becomes 'collectable' eventually)

twoeyedbob wrote (see)

B is it viable to spend ,maybe a grand getting it back to good condition? or will I just spend my 3or4 grand on something else(Honda) that maybe doesn't suit quite as well.

If you like the VFR why not fix it up? New bearings, suspension and pair of tyres will make if feel like new.  A clean it up and replace anything that is 'tatty' will make it look like new.   Fit stainless fasteners, brake (and clutch) lines and get a stainless exhaust system and it'll last for ages too.
Posted: 26/06/2009 14:41

It looks a bit...bulky. Will undoubtedly be a fine bike, though. Just hope the fairing's not been signed off yet.
Posted: 29/06/2009 15:36

Ugly , bulky and just as dissapointing to look at as I expected.
Posted: 29/06/2009 20:03

 It's awful. Fugly at the front, BMW at the back. It'll cost a fortune and have more unessary baubles, whistles and bells than a Jap saloon car. Pants. Never thought I'd say this, but maybe a BMW 12 would be a better buy? After all, they're the ones with shaft drive experience. And they don't get the tea boy to design the fairing on their bikes..

Guess I'm keeping the Sprint then....

Posted: 30/06/2009 00:15

Gutted...I had set my heart on the new Honda, but it looks rubbish....soooo boring! Bet it's a peach to ride though
Posted: 30/06/2009 21:47

grundies wrote (see)

Bet it's a peach to ride though

Doubt it.

... and I bet it sounds like all their other sewing machines.

Posted: 30/06/2009 21:52

FJSRiDER. wrote (see)

If you like the VFR why not fix it up? New bearings, suspension and pair of tyres will make if feel like new.  A clean it up and replace anything that is 'tatty' will make it look like new.   Fit stainless fasteners, brake (and clutch) lines and get a stainless exhaust system and it'll last for ages too.

Agreed - Get the shock rebuilt by someone like maxton, new progressive fork springs and some new bearings will tighten up any old bike...and the VFR can do silly miles if looked after well.  Stainless headers are good but about £600 fitted I believe, but a worthy upgrade all the same.
Posted: 01/07/2009 08:05

blademansw wrote (see)

Stainless headers are good but about £600 fitted I believe,

HOW MUCH???? Eek!

Apparently you can get good ones from Sandy Bike Spairs for a couple of hundred quid and it is only an afternoon of fiddling to get them fitted. 

There will be rusty studs that could be a pain - but other than needing a 10mm 1/4" drive with universal joints and extension bars to get to the rear clamp nuts it is not going to be that hard..

Posted: 01/07/2009 10:58

PUG!

Posted: 01/07/2009 13:54