After all the hype and anticipation, Honda released the new VFR last night, but, for reasons that will become obvious, I’m going to refuse to use that terminology to describe the travesty that’s been foisted on us. Let’s look at the positives first.
1. 1284cc V4 engine, check.
2.Seamless torque through 90% of the rev range, check.
3. 170bhp, check
4. Slipper clutch as standard, check.
But, as Honda delights in flattering to deceive, let’s look at the negatives.
1. 267kgs wet weight, yes, you read correctly. That’s the same weight as the outgoing Blackbird.
2. Wheelbase 4cms longer than the ST1300. Yep, it’s a monster.
3. 18.5 litre fuel tank. Down from 21 litres for the current VFR. That means, using Honda’s own claimed fuel consumption figures of 15.5kms per litre, that it’ll be dry in 286kms. Again, for comparison, I can get over 400kms out of my 21 litre tank.
4. Shaft drive. Well, to be fair this could be a positive too, I guess, but it adds weight and complexity so I’m going to list it as negative.
5. The world’s ugliest muffler, well, perhaps equally ugliest with the new Kawa Z1000.
The bike looks big beacuse it is. It has a ghastly muffler and a “sit in it and don’t move around” seat that will be penitential on a trip.
Quite who Honda think they are trying to appeal to with this bike I really have no idea. The sports riders will hate it because it’s a lard-arse and the toruers will hate it because of the piddling fuel tank.
Either way, no matter how Honda try to promote it, it is certainly not the spirirual successor of the models that preceded it. It may say “VFR” on the side panel, but, trust me folks, this AIN’T no VFR.
To say that I am gutted is the mildest of understatements.
sanoptic says
Hi,
lets hope it looks better in the flesh [i wouldn’t bet on it] cause its looks very ugly in the pics.
admin says
And that’s just the start of it..
gearsau says
I agree with you. HONDA MOTOR CORP has lost the plot. They screwed up their F1 Racing Team, and their MOTOGP Team is getting better, but, nothing like it used to be. After all the pre-release publicity, that HONDA were leaking out, this thing is an abomination. I have been watching the VFR Discussions forum, and its obvious, that this thing is designed at the poor taste American market. I am amazed at some of the comments there.
I will be sticking with my badly designed, but, good looking VF1000R.. I bet I will get more comments on that bike when I finally get it going, compared to the new monster.