After all the bleating that has gone on for years and years about Honda’s refusal to update the VFR, it seems that finally they have decided to do something. However, being the perverse corporate entity that they are, it seems that we (VFR cognoscenti) might still not be getting our wish, if spy photos released during the week are any indication.
The pictures on this website are copyrighted so I am only providing the lin so that you can go there and look for yourself. There are more than just the 3 shown, you need to click on the “next” button on the top right to see the rest.
What they do show, along with the “scoop” photos regularly released around this time every year by MCN, is a large, long-wheelbased, shaft drive touring bike, a la BMW K1300. These photos were taken on the 23rd June while the bike was being heat tested by Honda US officials in the Death Valley, Dakota, so they are genuine pics of a genuine bike, make no mistake.
However, as with all “spy” photos, the actuality may be different, (let’s hope so) as prototypes are usually heavily disguised anyway. It does seem that Honda US got caught with their corporate pants down here, though, as apparently officials were furious that the photos got to be taken at all, so it wasn’t a “controlled” leak as sometimes happens.
Engineering-wise, it seems that Honda is determined to push ahead with the DCM function where 2 cylinders are de-activated when not needed. I always thought that DCM stood for “Don’t Come Monday”, perhaps Honda should change the acronym!
Anyway, you be the judge. The bike is slated for first official showing at the European show circuits later this year and customer release early 2010.
Let’s hope that Honda uses what will undoubtedly a great new engine in an S/T guise as well as the luxo-barge that this bike appears to be.