Honda VFR1200F news

By Kevin Ash - 02/12/2009

Honda has finally released images of its extensively leaked VFR1200F, and in one of the most badly written press packs I‘ve seen for a while, basic details of the bike too. (One large but lazy well known UK website has simply reproduced the press pack in full - it should be offering prizes to any readers who manage to read all the way through...).

No sign here of the double clutch semi-automatic transmission predicted by some, nor the cylinder deactivation system supposed to help with fuel economy, although these could of course appear on later versions. But then they could appear on other bikes by other manufacturers...

Instead there is a conventional, single slipper clutch on the VFR, although the V-four engine is interesting for other reasons as unusually the two rear cylinders are set close together while the front pair are both outside them. Honda says this is to keep the upper rear of the engine very narrow to improve ergonomics. The power unit also features stepped big end pins, offset at 28 degrees. This gives the 76 degree V-four the balance characteristics of a 90-degree V-four, meaning it is smoother and with almost zero inertial torque (like Yamaha‘s 2009 R1). A similar idea is used on Honda‘s middleweight V-twins including the Deauville, which have narrow angle Vs with offset crankpins that behave in balance terms like a 90-degree V.

The engine also has a sealed crankcase designed to reduce pumping losses, a system used on Honda motocross bikes and the RC211V MotoGP machine, although there‘s no coherent explanation of how it works in the press release so I‘ll report on that later when I‘ve found out from other sources.

Single overhead camshafts are used for compactness (at the expense of high end horsepower), the throttle is a full fly-by-wire system, braking is taken care of by Honda‘s Combined Braking System with ABS, there are integrated luggage mounts and according to the specifications there is also ED-type mold. That‘s reassuring.

Power and torque figures are 170bhp (172PS, 127kW) @ 10,000rpm, and a healthy 95lb.ft (13.1kgm, 129Nm) @ 8,750rpm, although Honda also says that 90 per cent of the torque maximum (85lb.ft) is available at 4,000rpm, so there‘s a good spread.

Less impressive is the fuel tank capacity. Honda is pitching the VFR as the sports bike that can do all round duties too, in the spirit of the old VFR series, but at just 4.1 gallons (18.5 litres, 4.9 gallons US) and with a claimed thirst of 43.7mpg (15.5km/l (36.5mpg US, 6.45 l/100km), that‘s a range of 180 miles, which means the low fuel warning will be flashing at 140 miles or so, not really enough for touring. This is assuming you match Honda‘s figures too, and my experience of them is that while they‘re a good guide, generally I get around 10 per cent less in normal riding.

There‘s lots of guff about the styling: “The visible connects to the invisible and gives it shape. It is perhaps easiest to understand it in relation to music. If one thinks of the intrinsic importance of a measure of silence or the pause between movements in a classical symphony and the effect it has on the performance overall if someone accidentally applauds or disturbs that silence.”� (See, my job‘s not as easy as you think... I have to read through this stuff!). In essence though it clearly takes its cues from the Fireblade and has a sophisticated blend of lines, although it will still look like a depressed sea creature to some eyes (which adds significance to one of the colour options being called ‘Seal Silver Metallic‘). On balance though, pleasing and interesting if not beautiful.

Three colours are available: silver, red and white, each with stupid names.

Rising above the easy snipes at the press pack, it‘s clearly a very important bike for Honda and could well be a big hit with riders if the price is right. Honda appears to be pushing for exceptionally high quality with the VFR, something the old models were renowned for, and as a sporting all-rounder it slots into a sector where there appears to be increasing demand.

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