RE: New(er) VFR? - Now Corporate Revisionism Holds Sway

Gidday Listers,

My apologies for being a little controversial; I reckon it pays to be a
purist at times. Otherwise we'll keep getting wrapped around the (BMW
electronic) axle even further as time passes and lose our way entirely
regarding motorcycles.

The shearing, gear-driven cam whine hooked me years ago (I can sense a
VFR miles away ;-)

The scissor-cam drive mechanism is what Soichiro regarded as a Japanese
face-saving, cost-is-no-option method to address a design compromise
(read disaster) and the ensuing loss of face.

Now we're stuck (as usual) with dollar-driven compromises. Cam-chains,
a short-term, low-cost consumer option driven by quantity surveyors.
IMHO the next best is (a) rubber band(s). We were the winners when
Soichiro exercised his authority and lost when we found ourselves stuck
with cam-chains, cat converters, (two!) Lambda sensors, VTEC, EFI and
auto fast-idle controllers et al - all emission controls disguised by
marketing as attractive enhancements when in reality they're
diametrically opposed to the spirit of motorcycling. But we forget and
corporate revisionism holds sway...

At least we still have the V4 and SSS (BTW, remember to (check the)
tension of the SSS pivot bolt at some time soon or maybe suffer
big-time).


See you in the soup,

Tom H.


-----Original Message-----
From: vfr-bounces@xxxxxx [mailto:vfr-bounces@xxxxxx] On Behalf
Of kurrremkarmerruk
Sent: Monday, 19 June 2006 3:14 AM
To: VFR List
Subject: Re: New(er) VFR?


I have a feeling those with an older VFR would say
it's better, and those who bought a newer one will say
the same thing.. ;o)

My first reaction would be to bemoan the loss of gear
driven cams, IMO the whole point of the VFR. Then I
realize it's probably a bias born from the fact that
the pre-gear cam interceptors had some problems that
were solved with the advent of the gears. I'm sure
these problems were not re-introduced with the v-tec
VFR!!

I think it just comes down to personal preference. I
prefer non-linked brakes, gear-driven cams, a single
front mounted radiator, and relatively simple valve adjustments. Also I
think the v-tech generation is butt-ugly. That's my opinion, and you're
welcome to it! :o)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

1996 VFR750F

1991 Prelude Si

2006 Flying Ford Anglia

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Tom Heron wrote:

>Gidday Listers,
>
>
>The shearing, gear-driven cam whine hooked me years ago (I can sense a
>VFR miles away ;-)
>
>
>
>
>
>
In a free-market economy, consumers vote with their pocketbooks. I'm
certainly not going to the polls to plunk down 4 months salary for a
chain-driven cam bike.

Nope, not me. I'll stick with the older bikes. Screw the chained cam,
VTEC and other emissions-driven garbage that just increases complexity
and maint. costs. But it is a free world. Anyone who wants one can go
spend their hard-earned money on one of the newer VFR's (or other new
crap they are putting out there) To me a $3-5K used VFR is a huge
bargain -and a better bike to boot!

-Jim
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.... or a cheaper, USED VFR!!

----- Original Message -----
From: "firefly"
>>
I'm certainly not going to the polls to plunk down 4 months salary for a
chain-driven cam bike.
>


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Oil Guy wrote:

>... or a cheaper, USED VFR!!
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "firefly"
>
>
> I'm certainly not going to the polls to plunk down 4 months salary for a
>chain-driven cam bike.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Heh, bad math I guess -I'm thinking after taxes and other government
suckage. 4-month's spending money that I actually get on the check -not
the FICA income tax and state income tax, medicare, social insecurity
pyramid scheme, property taxes, sales and other taxes that even things
out. Don't even bring up Union Dues...

4 months of actual green to green. New VFR's are like what now? $13K?
I'm not even interested so if I'm off by a few K that is why. If
someone here is clearing $40K/year after taxes on thier check I'm here
to pat you on the back.

-Jim
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Hi Tom,

I too am one of those people who holds the VFR's gear -driven cam whine
dear and considers it a part of the bike's traditional character. I
also hold dear the traditional simplicity of motorcycles in general,
even though VFR's full, expensive, fragile bodywork (with absolutely
pointless NACA ducts) seems entirely counter-intuitive in that respect.
But at least mine still has carbs.

That having been said...

> We were the winners when Soichiro exercised his authority and
> lost when we found ourselves stuck with cam-chains, cat converters,
> (two!) Lambda sensors, VTEC, EFI and auto fast-idle controllers et
> al - all emission controls disguised by marketing as attractive
> enhancements when in reality they're diametrically opposed to the
> spirit of motorcycling. But we forget and corporate revisionism

There are actually two issues involved here. One is the fondness for
obligatory technology, perhaps just for the sake of competition, i.e.
VTEC. You know the marketing wizards have a winner when the youngsters
start slapping VTEC emblems - laughably - onto their old mid-eighties
Civics, CR-X, etc.

The other issue is emissions. You make it sound as if the controls are
optional. This is not necessarily the case. The manufacturers are
being forced to meet certain goals. Not as much in Australia perhaps as
in the US and Europe, but since the emissions control stuff must be
jammed down our throats no matter what, it is crucial that the
manufacturer market this with a twist so that customers believe it's
actually a good thing.

And c'mon, it really is a good thing. I wouldn't mind EFI so much if it
weren't for the computerized mystery and myriad sensors required to run
it. It's more reliable over time than carbs have ever been or will ever
be. And it's selfish to exempt ourselves from our responsibilities to
protect what's left of our environment.

Seriously, we're lucky so far, the government hasn't focused more on
bikes' emissions (and off-road equipment, and gardening implements) than
it already has. California being a notable exception.

Hey, I'm still bitter that my RZ-350s have been legislated out of
existence. Oh well. It was so much fun blasting past CBR-600s, fogging
'em...

It's all relative. The spirit of motorcycling means different things to
different people. Just pit one of us VFR owners against a H-D
enthusiast or a fan of British bikes to see how that works.

-Brad

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