New Motorcycle/Review
 |
The New and Improved Honda VFR? |
By Nicholoas Frankl and Alexis Bachofen
I can’t imagine what Honda was thinking when they asked their engineers and designers to fashion a new motorcycle from the previous VHF. How does one improve on the best all rounder? In a class of it’s own, I can only assume that Honda’s designers didn’t like the look of their motorcycle so they decided to alter it.
However, Honda went one step further and not only improved on the VFR’s looks but built an entire new engine, new frame and many other new features into their new flagship, naturally with reliability as standard. In a word, they got it right! As Honda put it, "... This VFR is all new, but it’s role remains the same - to extend the boundaries of motorcycling excellence."
However, before I tell you how good the new VFR is, how it will destroy a 996 on the open road or get you up to 160mp/h, let’s get a couple of things straight. It sounds bloody awful. I’ve heard lawnmowers, which have gone to better elocution lesions. It makes me wonder why Honda creates such a near perfect bike and seems to forget about the sound coming out the exhaust. So my advice is to any potential buyers, think about an exhaust now.
But don’t get me wrong, I found little else wrong with the bike if anything at all. The seat is very comfortable and could be ridden for many hours without getting "sports-bike-crotch-strain". The pillion seat is also very accommodating and were it not for the ridiculous system of fairing hump/grab handle removal I’d say Honda got it just right. Unfortunately however Honda designers have insisted on a system where you can attach the grab handle or the pillion seat hump, but not both. Welcome to the European Union! Honda should know better after all they got it right on the Fireblade. Sort it out! But before I really get going let me tell you how right they got the display.
An all-new LCD display greets you when you turn the key. It’s like getting into a Ferrari F50. You immediately know how much fuel you have left, the temperature of the engine and air outside, in-case you were wondering why you were freezing, and my favourite, the time. And believe me that clock sure is handy. Ever been bundled up in leathers stuck on the motorway wondering what time it is. Well I have and I’m not exaggerating when I say the digital clock does it for me. If I had the money, I’d buy a VFR just for that clock. Aside from that the display is perfectly contemporary, like the faring, Jonathan Stark would be proud. The speedo is easy to read whilst touring down the motorway, big and bright numbers that you just can’t miss. However, I did find that the orange rev needle did seem to blend in with its white background, but hey I am colour blind. But Honda got it all spot on and I often found myself looking for the ‘James Bond’ machine gun switch for all those annoying four wheeled objects blocking my way.
The VFR has over the years been a favourite with individuals from all walks of life. This can be said of course for great many bikes, but those who buy a VFR are usually the slightly more mature and experienced riders. Indeed, my instructor who helped me passes my test rode a second generation VFR. I also know a that the VFR is a favourite with this countries police officers. That in it’s self should tell you all you need to know, the VFR is a reliable, fun and very fast motorbike, and one I highly recommend. That’s if you can afford to spend over £8,000. But you are getting a whole lot of bike for your money. If a Honda CBR is a BMW 3 series and the Blackbird is the 7 series; then the VFR would have to be compared to a Lexus. (Sorry Honda to mention your car rivals, but they don’t make bikes yet!)
The new VFR has been given the best from the best. Not only does now have Honda’s new Combined Brake System* from the Blackbird (See the Honda Press release below), it’s new computer controlled Programmed Fuel Injection V-four engine, with increased capacity, is adapted straight out of Honda’s RC45, one of the leading contenders in the World Superbike Series. This 781cc engine delivers a huge handful of low down torque and a maximum of 8.4 kg-m @ 8,500 rpm’s capable of propelling it’s rider at 100bhp into speeds in excess of 160mp/h. Don’t forget you’ll feel so comfortable you’ll be there before you know it. With a well-designed airflow around the new fairing, one never fells like having to hang on for your life. In fact due to the new fairing and "quiet" engine, I often found myself riding slower than I would usually. I seemed to be so comfortable and happy, surrounded by all my creature comforts including my clock, that I wasn’t bothered by the fact that I’d lost my mates.
The new brakes are good, fools would have you believe that they are dangerous in traffic, but don’t pay any attention to them. The VFR stops quickly and efficiently, in fact I felt that they added a little more, if possible, stability to the bike. They may not stop the bike as quick as say a GSX-R 750, but then they won’t scare you to death when you give them a good yank. Well done Honda!
On country lanes I found that the VFR turned into corners superbly smooth and one could be forgiven and feel that the VFR’s front end turns in a little too easily. But that’s only because we’re all used to bike’s which have to be forced through corners. It doesn’t have to be that way. Even with a pillion the VFR flows through corners with the steady ease of the best, better than a Duke does! I made the mistake of riding my editors Motor Guzzi for a short while and almost went straight off the road.
To sum up, the VFR is as damn near perfect as you can get, without the fun being removed. It handles like a dream, goes like a flash and with looks to kill. If Superman rode a bike he’d have the new Honda VFR! Shame about the sound......
For 99 Honda are releasing the VFR in three colours, Italian Red, Pearl Prism Black and new Pearl Shining Yellow. All colours seem to reflect Honda’s emphasis that the new VFR is to be considered a little more tourer, oops I mean sportier.
Honda is even releasing a limited edition 50th Anniversary colour scheme. Based on its classic RC racing colours that lead Honda to victory at the Isle of Man. A silver fairing and bright red fuel tank and seat cowl, carrying Honda’s make of racing history. Which Honda say will provide a strong appeal for racing fans around the world and become a much talked-about machine in years to come. Much laughed about it seems to me! Have you seen the scheme, hey it worked 50 years ago, but now, well maybe Clake Kent would have one, but I’ll stick to the one-tone, thanks.
The Following information is taken from Honda’s Press Information:
Anti-Theft Ignition System
Amidst growing concerns about motorcycle theft, Honda has made concerted efforts to help its customers protect their investments, including the addition of convenient carrying spaces for strong ‘U’-locks and chains and convenient, effective lock-down points built into a motorcycle’s frame and bodywork.
One of Honda’s more innovative devices, however, has been the Anti-Theft Ignition System, which prevents the engine from being started by any other than the motorcycle’s two original keys. This new anti-theft system features a special coded chip implanted in each of the keys supplied with the motorcycle and a coil antenna built into the ring surrounding the upper edge of the key switch that instantly detects the presence of an encoded key. This code is then transmitted to the ignition system’s CPU (central processing unit) and compared against the two code numbers (one for each key) that the CPU is programmed to recognise. If the code is correct, as indicated by a meter panel-mounted LED lighting up when the key is inserted and then extinguishing upon confirmation, the engine can be started normally. However, if the key is identical in every other way, the ignition remains switched off and the engine cannot be started. Likewise, since the engine is disabled at the ignitions ‘black-box’, it cannot be bypassed by either hot-wiring the ignition or exchanging the combination switch module. The system also features a more robustly constructed combination switch that more effectively resists damage from tampering.
While the Anti-Theft Ignition System cannot protect the motorcycle against every possibility of theft, it does effectively prevent one of the most common forms of theft - the motorcycle being ridden away - and in this sense does much to deter potential thieves and joyriders.
Combined Braking System (CBS)
Honda’s CBS is an easy-to-use brake system designed to improve confidence in riding control. Not merely a linked system that divides foot pedal braking force between the rear caliper and one of the front calipers, CBS features a set of uniquely designed 3-piston calipers connected to two independent hydraulic brake systems. These combine to provide an optimal balance of front and rear braking forces whenever the hand lever and/or the foot pedal is used.
Featuring no electronic control, the completely hydraulic system’s key component is an innovative hydro-mechanical linkage that uses the rotational torque exerted on the front calipers when they are engaged to transmit front caliper braking forces to a secondary master cylinder. This secondary master cylinder then applies a corresponding amount of pressure to the rear brake caliper.
The result is brake lever feel identical to that of conventional brake systems, but with a more progressive range of rear brake control for a better balance of braking capability.
Because the two systems are independent of one another, both foot pedal and hand lever can be used in any combination without resulting in excessive braking force or other unusual and potential dangerous response.
New Compact Dual Combined Brake System 1 Hand Brake Master Cylinder 5 Left Front Caliper 2 Delay Valve 6 Pedal Actuation 3 Right Front Caliper 7 Foot Brake Master Cylinder 4 Lever Actuation 8 Rear CaliperSpecifications VFR (ED-type) Price £8,500 Engine Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC 90° V-4 Bore ¥ Stroke 72 x 48mm Displacement 781.7cm Compression Ratio 11.6 : 1 Carburettor Electronic direct fuel injection Max. Power Output 110PS/10,500rpm (DIN) (81kW/10,500min-1) Max. Torque 8.4kg-m/8,500rpm (DIN) (82Nm/8,500min-1) Ignition Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advance Starter Electric Transmission 6-speed Final Drive ‘O’-ring sealed chain Dimensions (LxWxH) 2,095 x 735 x 1,190mm Wheelbase 1,440mm Seat Height 805mm Ground Clearance 130mm Fuel Capacity 21 litres Wheels Front 17 x MT3.50 ‘U’-section 6-spoke cast aluminium Rear 17 x MT5.50 ‘U’-section 5-spoke cast aluminium Tyres Front 120/70 ZR17 (58W) Rear 180/55 ZR17 (73W) Suspension Front 41mm H.M.A.S. cartridge-type telescopic fork with stepless preload adjustment, 109mm axle travel Rear Pro-Link with 7-step preload and stepless rebound-adjustable gas-charged H.M.A.S. damper, 120mm axle travel Brakes Front 296 x 4.5mm dual discs with Combined 3-piston calipers and sintered metal pads Rear 256 x 6mm disc with Combined 3-piston caliper and sintered metal pads Dry Weight 208kg Colours Italian Red Pearl Prism Black Pearl Shinning Yellow
