THE PODGY Honda VFR1200F might not seem the ideal basis for a go-anywhere dual-sport machine – but that's what the firm will use as it tries to create a machine to beat both the 150bhp Ducati Multistrada and BMW's market-dominating R1200GS.
Rumours of an off-road derivative of Honda's new V4 have circulated since long before the production VFR1200F was even shown, but now they appear to be confirmed as the company has registered the name “V4X” as a trademark. Since insiders reckon the bike has been dubbed VFR1200X during its development, that name appears to fit their description of the machine.
Although the VFR1200F's elephantine 267kg kerb weight is at odds with the idea of a dual sport machine – something that you'd expect to survive at least a low-speed drop, and you'd certainly want to be able to pick up single-handed if it did topple over – many of the bike's mechanical components are ideally suited to the role.
While the 1200cc V4 engine's 170bhp is overkill, even for the most ardent dual-sport enthusiast, with some judicious de-tuning it should still easily out-gun the 150bhp Multistrada, while leaving the 115bhp BMW trailing in its wake. And while its four-cylinder configuration contradicts normal big trailie practice, where twins rule the roost whether in parallel, vee or boxer format, the actual engine architecture is derived from the firm's CRF450, which introduced the clever Unicam system – with a single camshaft operating four-valves-per-cylinder via compact and lightweight rockers. That helps make the engine both lighter and more compact than its 1200cc capacity and four-cylinder layout would normally dictate.
More than a year ago, Honda insiders confirmed that a replacement for the Varadero was being worked on, and it appears from the new trademark registration that the new V4X is that bike. Its development has been relatively slow, even though the adventure-sport market has shown consistent growth during a period where other parts of the bike market have taken a nose-dive, as Honda was determined that the VFR1200F and VFR1200T – a soon-to-be-revealed replacement for the ST1300 Pan European – would be given priority over the off-roader.
Intriguingly, at the same time as it registered the V4X name, Honda also applied for a trademark on the name Crossrunner, covering exactly the same types of goods. Although this could be related to an entirely different project, it wouldn't be out of place if used on the new V4 trailie, since it certainly seems more relevant to the concept than “Varadero” ever did.
Our Japanese sources say that, while the new V4 trailie is coming, it's unlikely to appear as part of the 2011 range. Instead it's more likely to be an early 2012 model, potentially revealed first as a concept bike before making the transition to production – just like Honda's Concept V4 became the VFR1200F.
