[65hemi]

Forty pounds I could live with. But the current VFR is about 100 pounds heavier than my '06 CBR 1000, and about 115 pounds heavier than the '08 CBR 1000. When you combine that with the fact that the VFR has about 55 less horsepower, and about 25 foot-pounds less torque than the '06 CBR 1000 (even though, admittedly, the VFR does make its torque at a lower rpm), that combination makes the VFR feel like a slug compared to the '06 CBR 1000. The power and weight differences are even greater when you compare the VFR with the '08 CBR 1000. Why has the CBR continued to receive significant upgrades on a very regular basis, which serve to make the bike lighter, more powerful, and have better handling, while the VFR has actually gained about 40 pounds, and the horsepower and torque have remained virtually unchanged since the late 90s? The bottom line is, the VFR weighs essentially the same as the '08 Hayabusa, but has about 75 less horsepower, and about 45 foot-pounds less torque than the Hayabusa. For me, that's an absolute no-brainer. Honda definitely needs to get their act together.

Originally Posted by Fassst51

Hmmmm. With regard to the sport twins, I'd have to say the overall rigidity of the casting is thicker, adding to engine weight; it has to be able to withstand that thump. Take for example my former '98 VTR, 00 RC51 and a friends Duc 996. They were all 40lbs+ heavier then say a 929 or R1, and it wasn't the body, frame or accessories, it was all excess engine weight. Ducati has dropped considerable weight from their current twin though..
So, I guess my real question is, how much more would this hi-perf. V-4 weigh in comparison to a modern inline 4?

[Fassst51]

Originally Posted by 65hemi

The bottom line is, the VFR weighs essentially the same as the '08 Hayabusa, but has about 75 less horsepower, and about 45 foot-pounds less torque than the Hayabusa. For me, that's an absolute no-brainer. Honda definitely needs to get their act together.

Kinda apples and oranges though, although technically they are both ST's, they really split that into 2 different market segments, those who want a Veefer, and those who want a land rocket, imo.

With regard to the 40lb difference between the vtwin sport and the inlines, it makes a big difference all around, but mainly only applies if your in the go-fast segment.

[65hemi]

No, it's not apples and oranges at all. If I wanted to putt around, I would get a cheap scooter. For me, motorcycles are about fun, adventure, freedom, ridability, handling, and acceleration, not necessarily in that order. I liked the handling and quality/fit and finish of the VFR, but it was significantly underpowered compared to my CBR 1000. I then rode an '08 Hayabusa, and fell in love with it instantly. Not just because of the awesome high rpm horsepower. It also handles very well, is comfortable (with handlebar risers), and rides better than my sport bike. And the tremendous torque at a much lower rpm than a sport bike means that you don't have to rev the crap out of it to feel some serious power. It pulls as hard at 4,000 rpm as my sport bike does at 7,000 rpm. The bottom line is that, even though it is bigger and heavier, it is a lot more fun around town than my sport bike.

There is no perfect bike out there, but the Hayabusa comes closest for me. The biggest drawback of the Hayabusa, for me, is its weight. I put a complete Yoshi exhaust system on mine and saved 35 pounds, which made a big difference. I highly recommend that mod to anyone who buys a Hayabusa. I had decided to buy the '08 CBR 1000 until I rode the Hayabusa. It instantly made a believer out of me.

Originally Posted by Fassst51

Kinda apples and oranges though, although technically they are both ST's, they really split that into 2 different market segments, those who want a Veefer, and those who want a land rocket, imo.

With regard to the 40lb difference between the vtwin sport and the inlines, it makes a big difference all around, but mainly only applies if your in the go-fast segment.

[kawalaser]

Originally Posted by 65hemi

No, it's not apples and oranges at all. If I wanted to putt around, I would get a cheap scooter. For me, motorcycles are about fun, adventure, freedom, ridability, handling, and acceleration, not necessarily in that order. I liked the handling and quality/fit and finish of the VFR, but it was significantly underpowered compared to my CBR 1000. I then rode an '08 Hayabusa, and fell in love with it instantly. Not just because of the awesome high rpm horsepower. It also handles very well, is comfortable (with handlebar risers), and rides better than my sport bike. And the tremendous torque at a much lower rpm than a sport bike means that you don't have to rev the crap out of it to feel some serious power. It pulls as hard at 4,000 rpm as my sport bike does at 7,000 rpm. The bottom line is that, even though it is bigger and heavier, it is a lot more fun around town than my sport bike.

There is no perfect bike out there, but the Hayabusa comes closest for me. The biggest drawback of the Hayabusa, for me, is its weight. I put a complete Yoshi exhaust system on mine and saved 35 pounds, which made a big difference. I highly recommend that mod to anyone who buys a Hayabusa. I had decided to buy the '08 CBR 1000 until I rode the Hayabusa. It instantly made a believer out of me.

A 5th gen VFR "putting around" with a competent rider will still hand the Hayabusa its ass on a plate in the twisties -- but it's a lame comparison between a 27 year old sport-bike design that's morphed into an ST and a bike that was purpose-built to be a straight-track superstar.

What the VFR lacks in sporting potential it certainly makes up for in build quality, handling, reliability, sophistication and sound.

[Gothy]

oh Now WHAT DID I TELL YOU ALL!

MCN August 6th Sample Issue

See for yourself.
A VFR1000f
And VFR1000GT

A V5 engine, single sided swingarm, shaft drive, push button gearchange, honda's new sports bike ABS.
Touring and sport versions available.

I'm buying one, as soon as its put into production.

[LoopyLee]

Yes but this has been released on the interweb today as a response to that issue of MCN..

Reporters have spoken to Honda UK regarding the front cover story of this week's Motorcycle News, which claims the company have TWO 1000cc V-five road bikes in the pipeline.
When asked about the rumours, Honda UK's General Manager for motorcycles, Steve Martindale, said:
"Neither Honda UK or Honda Europe have any plans in the pipeline for a V5-based VFR road bike." Mmmm, interesting. Which means MCN's computer-generated image of a 150bhp, push-button gearchange, rail-free chassis supersports tourer, are nothing but utter schoolboy fantasy.

[Gothy]

owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

Dont you just hate mcn sometimes.
Ahh but they didn't say anything about it being released in japan.
More Grey imports yay.

[bonham]

Originally Posted by slickwill

It provides a great combination of power and torque while still being narrow. Think of it as cutting a V-8 in half and only leaving half of the V.

The greatest part about it for me was the noise. It sounded like a small V-8 at low speeds, and closer to an F1 engine once you start revving past 10,000 rpms. My first bike was a gear-driven VFR.

[bonham]

Originally Posted by Gothy

well you only have to look at GP bikes, that use V4's which are light and durable. - they could use that technology and lightness in road bikes.
Yes i know they use lightweight expensive materials for the frames fairings wheels, but the engines would be lighter too.

There's nothing durable about a race engine. They get rebuilt extremely often so they're always operating at the top of their capability.

I definitely don't want a race engine on my street bike. I'd have to hire a pit crew to live in my garage.

[bonham]

Originally Posted by Gothy

A V5 engine, single sided swingarm, shaft drive, push button gearchange, honda's new sports bike ABS.

That article also mentions 'brake by wire'. You'll never find me on a bike whose brakes stop working when the lights go out. Sounds fishy to me.

[LoopyLee]

I found these on the interweb.. the last 5 years speculation of what a VFR1000 would look like.. I like the last french one pic 5

Pic 1 - 2004 ... Jap mag predicts the rise of a V5
Pic 2 - 2005 ... French mag's V5 concept comes in AA colours
Pic 3 - 2006 ... Jap designer beats his concept with the ugly stick
Pic 4 - 2007... MCN's V4 that will be on sale in 2008. Allegedly.
Pic 5 - 2008 ... French concept is the best looking yet
Pic 6 - The cover of MCN

[exit90a]

How do these guys get away with publishing stuff like this if it's not true? Honda VFR gets V5 engine - Motorcycle News

[-Z-]

V5, good.
Single-sided swingarm, good
Push-button gear changes, maybe
ABS, hell no
Shaft drive, hell no

As far as the weight goes....hmm. A V5 would be inherently more weight than an I4 because of the additional metal required. But why does the 6th gen VFR weigh so much? That's a ******* good question. Hell, they got rid of the venerable gear drive for the camshafts, so that SHOULD have saved a fair bit of weight. So why does the 6th gen feel so much heavier than my 5th gen? Seems like every generation of the VFR gets heavier, bigger in size...and dare I say it, uglier?

As for the pics, I like 1 best with 2 a not very close second, and the rest not at all. Hell, the 4th one looks like a close cousin of the Kawasaki Ninja 650R.

I want my VFR more sport, but without sacrificing the things about it that have led it to have it's legendary reputation for quality engineering (minus the regulator/rectifier). I'll gladly take a weight penalty for the gear drive, and I think I could be okay even with a banana seat with cowl cover like the 5th and 6th gen, but other than that, why so much ******* BS?

Okay, I'm ranting, but I'm tired, it's almost 3 AM, and I think this is something which really matters to a lot of us, but Honda doesn't want to listen to us....