Motorcyclist Online posted a very interesting review of the VFR with the dual auto clutch option. The writer has some really impressive things to say about it. After reading his description, it has me seriously thinking about getting one with that option. It's going to be really misunderstood at first, but it sounds like as more and more riders get it and the word spreads, this may very well be a seriously influential bike.
I never thought I'd say it, but I too would consider this clutch based on the reviews I've read so far. And if it's good for F1 cars, shouldn't it be good for a VFR?Originally Posted by aks801
"We're becoming more juvenile as a nation. The guys who won World War II and that whole generation have disappeared, and now we have a bunch of teenage twits." - Clint Eastwood (2009)
It's not just F1, that system is in Porsche production cars, as well as a few others I believe. I'm going to check out the article now.
What would be really great is for everyone to be on the same page. LOL! Knowing that this ain't gonna happen, a good start might be to link to a specific article.
Anybody know if this auto tranny clutch thing that is on this Honda bike and not some car, goes into freewheel like the old 750 4's with auto trannys did? Does it downshift too? How does it compare with the new BMW ignition interruption device or Dale Walker's air shifter or the modified auto trannys used by bracket car racers? Does it compare with Moto-Guzzi's auto tranny coupled to a shaft?
Anybody heard of anyone press or otherwise who has been on one of these bike for any more than just a few minutes?
Other than a slightly small fuel tank, I absolutely love everything I've read about the VFR1200F. If I had the finances I would order one without even test riding it.
Being a father of four children and working on adding onto the house, I'll be riding my 5th gen for at least a few more years. That's not a bad thing - in a few years there ought to be used 1200's on the market....
2001 VFR
Corbin Seat, Heli Bars, SOS Priority Plus Taillight Modulator, Blue Sea 5025 Fuse Panel, Symtec Grip Heaters, Stebel Nautilus Air Horn, Throttlemeister, Garmin StreetPilot 2720 w/ Ram Tank Mount, BLS Peg Lowering Blocks, BMW Sport Grips, Home-made Datel LCD Voltmeter
"If you have a pulse, these four gear-driven cams pushing 16 valves at 10,500 RPM will quicken it." Tim Carrithers, Motorcyclist Magazine - June 2006
Britt's Two Wheeled Blog
This new Honda dual clutch transmission is very similar to Audi’s pioneering DSG dual clutch set up. If you have not driven a DSG equipped Audi or VW, I can tell you they are magic, smooth instantiations shifts, no power robbing torque converted and ECU controlled engine blips on down shifting. You cannot manually shift faster than a DSG gear box, they are lightning quick. What is impressive about the Honda duel clutch gear box is it’s compact simplicity; it is no bigger than as standard six speed box and weighs not much more if any at all. This feature more than any other sets this bike apart from all others IMO.
The new transmission features a dual clutch transmission configuration in which independent clutches are employed for the odd gears (1st, 3rd, 5th) and the even gears (2nd, 4th, 6th), respectively. The two clutches operate alternately to effect gear changes. For example, when changing from 1st to 2nd gear, the computer detects the up-shift and engages 2nd gear, then releases the 1st-gear clutch while engaging the 2nd-gear clutch to achieve a seamless gear change. While some dual-clutch transmissions tend to be bulky, the new system employs original technologies such as dual input shafts, exclusive in-line clutch design, and concentration of hydraulic circuitry beneath the engine cover to achieve a compact design. Compactness and lightness is further enhanced through the use of a simple shift mechanism design based on that of a conventional motorcycle shift drum. Optimized shift scheduling achieves fuel economy equal to or better than that of a fully manual transmission, enabling Dual Clutch Transmission to deliver both sporty riding and environmental performance combined.
If I was going to get this bike the DCT touring version would be it. Wonder why it wasn't ready for 2010?
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Proud Member - Sixth Gen Militia - 1st VTEC Battalion
Excellent!!! Good job. I hope mine is mine come spring.
Watch this clip and when it gets to 5:34 the VFR1200 gets out of shape.
YouTube - HONDA VFR 1200 F: 172 CH SUR UNE SPORT GT ( moto journal )
Just as I suspected. The French designed the new VFR. I'm out.
Good video, to bad I don't know french, but one thing I did notice was just how long this vfr is, I've read it's like another 2+ inches longer in the wheel base, it looks longer than that. Seems to be able to hold it's lines.I've also read, like always the stock choice of rubber it comes with is on par to what we normally see, so I bet there's some huge gains by getting some sticky shoes on. all good info. Be fun to take one for a spin and find out just how weird it would feel not to shift.
I had heard it's longer close to 3" in the wheel base and 6" overall. I think it was a video at the press release in California that I heard it. I really don't think it's looks any bigger. I can't believe it's as small as it is really. But I think that's because I had an image of something more ST1300/FJR sized in my head. Watching that french video you can see how quick it flicks when they are on those public roads. From what I've read at MCN so far, it seems to make it track worthy you'll need better rubber and a brake upgrade at the least. The suspension actually seems really well sorted stock (from what I have read so far) so that may not need to be touched. But no matter how good the handling, the weight still creeps in and steals some of the fun away. There's got to be a way to get some weight off this pig. My biggest disappointment is that I don't think I could put lower handlebars on this bike. I have enough clearence problems with the VTR clip-ons on my '91. The fairing setup on this bike seems even less forgiving.
Last edited by jazclrint; 11-08-2009 at 07:12 PM. Reason: spelling
OMG! That engine!Check out the below link, has the most total collection of VFR1200F photos on one site I've seen so far.
2010 Honda VFR1200F - Pictures, pictures, pictures galore! - PNW Riders
good question jason, i'll put my cynical 'retailers' marketing hat on and say that it is most likely a phased rollout for this new model.
put the manual model out first, get the product into the market, build up some good press,get the bike seen, reviewed, guage public reaction & fine tune any production concerns etc...
builds momentum for the release of the DCT version the following year...now they can also upsell the DCT version to exsisting owners of the standard model(creates used examples for the market) as well as selling the DCT to potential new buyers.
also from a production view point it means the line can concentrate on producing that single variant before switching to the DCT variant.
plus theres also the T version to come as well....there plan is likely to have a 4 year or so vision.
Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. that way, when you judge him, your a mile further away and you have his shoes...
ummm... OMG...did any else see that DN 01 with saddlebags in the french video?
why wont that bike just go away...
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