How many of you would buy a VFR 1000

News Flash

According to the spanish mag Motociclismo and as we have been speculating for a while Honda will announce a new 2009 VFR model in September.
It will replace both the VFR800 and Blackbird, and will sport a V5 1000cc, with gear-driven distribution and 150 to 160hp.
If this is true a week after just having bought a ZX14... F@#k me !

If your spanish is better than mine, here is the link :
Honda VFR 1000 - novedad - Motociclismo.es

 

Translation of rumored VFR

 

How has the reliability of Motociclismo's crystal ball been?
These rumors have been out before.

 

Yes I will believe it when I will see it in a showroom too. This being said how long can Honda keep a supposedly state-of-art cutting-edge model in their lineup without changing anything other than the color scheme? They will have to update (or remove) it at some point. With now 7 years between drinks it is long overdue.

 

Nope, not me... Why? Because like most things in this world more does not always = better. A VFR is by its very nature a 3/4 ltr (+/- a few CC's) bike bumped up in displacement over the years to cope with emissions and the heft of all the new technology tossed at it. Yes, I am aware that in the beginning Honda graced us with the VFR100R, which like many on this board sent me running to my local dealer just to say I had seen one. Honda has also graced us with a few smaller variants -- which i will come back to.

My issue with the concept of a 1000cc vfr is this -- Honda has a pure sport bike in this displacement already, which as most things Honda is actually quite comfortable for one-up touring. Honda has also turned the portly ST into a relatively flickable touring machine (Flickable in terms of a full touring machine) with more than enough comfort and storage for a cross country beer run. So where does that leave a possible vfr1000? Honda is not likely to build it to compete directly with the CBR1000 on show room floors which makes me believe they would push this bike more towards the touring side of things - read more heft!

Forgive me if I am off base here but do we really need a larger VFR, or would we be better served with a performance variant of the current VFR platform - think VFR818RR...

If Honda is in the mood to stoke the engineering fires under the VFR design team then lets have a look at the VFR500f of old - imagine a 1/2 liter bike with torque, light weight, sex appeal and fuel economy to boot! A bike that would fit both the commuter roll and the weekend fun machine. Honda has a real opportunity to bring a machine like this to market and once again establish the VFR as THE Gucci trend-setting platform that it deserves to be - not the also ran albiet slow and portly platform that it looks to become.

 

A VFR1000 would be a sport tourer in the same mold as the VFR now (right in the middle between a track-oriented 1000 inline four and a quite large, touring-oriented ST1100), but would have the power needed to compete with the other models in that market: the Sprint ST, K1200S, ST3, FJR, Connie 14... maybe even a few Busas. I think somewhere between the Blackbird and the VFR800 would be ideal for a VFR1000.

 

I'm with you here and understand the desire - trust me I do. Imagine a new power plant with enough power to over come the weight of the famous V, agile enough handling to make even GS owners envious and just the right amount of immaculately sculpted high tech bits to cause even staunch Ducati purists to take a second look at the "riceier" side of motorcycle engineering....

In reality hasn't that ship already set sail? Ducati has a capable offering and BMW offers multiple machines in this category but most importantly Triumph has stolen our lunch with the Sprint ST - a strong power plant, great handling and a stunning amount of design cues lifted right off the VFR's design room floor -- right down to the sculpted bodywork, single sided swingarm, even the frame and rear exit exhaust has a certain VFR flair to it. As for the FJ and the Bussa -- not even in the same league as the others. The Bussa looks like something "Rodger Ram Jet" would have owned and the FJ, while a great machine falls way short in the all important perceived quality and design departments.

for now I will stick by my statement that Honda needs to give us more power from our current mill without adding more weight (come on my '02, makes about the same power as my '93) and bring to market a potent middle weight contender ie, vfr525rr - A one-up machine, with a factory luggage option, give it the sound of an angry V4 and sculpt the body like you mean it....

 

2009 News from Honda Corporate

In the interest of being first, I offer you this evidence of the Honda corporate quest for a lighter weight VFR...

Modified from this -
Honda Media Newsroom Release: 2009 Honda Ruckus Features & Benefits

What could be cooler than an economical VFR? How about one with an extra dose of attitude. Call it the VFR®, Honda's bare-knuckle bike that sets a new standard for cool.

Features & Benefits
New for 2009
New colors include Red and Matte Gray Metallic.

Engine/Drivetrain
Lightweight 49cc four-stroke OHC liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine provides ample power for in-town riding.
Fuel-sipping constant-velocity (CV) carburetor with automatic choke.
Maintenance-free ignition system.
Starter system utilizes the engine's brushless alternator (ACG) for starting, eliminating the need for a separate starter motor. This simple design requires no maintenance and further reduces overall weight for even better fuel economy.
Electronic Control Unit (ECU) provides control for ignition timing, alternator regulator, ACG starter, electric fuel pump and automatic choke.
Lightweight, maintenance-free, magnetically driven water pump eliminates the need for mechanical seals.
Compact, engine-mounted radiator has aluminum fins for optimal cooling in all riding conditions.
Electromagnetic fuel pump is located adjacent to the fuel tank under the floorboard of the Ruckus.
Ultra-quiet exhaust system.
Automatic Honda V-Matic belt-drive transmission provides spirited acceleration and smooth operation.
Chassis/Suspension
Two-piece, die-cast aluminum front frame with upper steel rear frame.
Twin-downtube-fork front suspension provides 2.2 inches of plush travel for a well-controlled ride.
Single-side aluminum swingarm with single-shock rear suspension has 2.6 inches of travel for a compliant, comfortable ride.
Front and rear drum brakes offer predictable stopping.
Oversize tires offer a secure grip on the road.

O.K. so you probably now realize this is the new Ruckus, not the VFR, but they started releasing 2009 datasheets. keep your fingers crossed.

 

I didn't hold my breath last year, and I'm not about to hold it this year. I really want to see the new Aprilia and BMW WSBK machines. If they're $20,000.00 or below, I might be getting one of those...

 

trust honda ?{ sure can}... go look at your new vfr . absolutely beautiful .absolutely reliable . if u need something faster and lighter try the latest firebird or gsxr suzi.even in the rain and wind of nz. the vfr wins.
cheers jason ...

 

You will be hard pressed to find anyone on this board (or any Honda owner website for that matter) who will disagree with this statement.

 

I might be tempted to buy a new 1000cc VFR...but would probably shutter at the price. I would LOVE to hear it! Imagine the growl getting a bit deeper and nastier. However...I'm not going to stop looking for a gently used 05-07' model. 800 cc's in this configuration is quite enough. I got rid of this CBR1000RR before it got rid of me!

It was once thought that the VFR800Fi acted like a liter bike power wise....that is until liter bikes got serious.

 

.....yeah!

 

I would so buy a VFR 1000 tomorrow. I love my '03. The ergos are perfect. I do feel like it's underpowered though so I've been looking for alternatives. Everything I've riden either sacrifices looks, ride, utility (great sharp looking bags), or comfort. BELIEVE me I've tried them all, from BMW, Ducati, and Aprilla on down to the jap rides. Nothing satisfies like my viffer. Put a 1000cc engine in that perfectly refined frame, and I'll buy one before they hit the show room floor. I'd prefer a non VTEC that I can modify if I want to, but still, anything would help. With gas prices bringin' hords of comutters to the table lookin' for a real world, non race replica ride with usable bags, it would sell like hot cakes at a fat farm. How 'bout it Honda, you step up or what? :strong:

 

I was wondering if anyone would bring up the gas mileage factor. For me, that was a big factor in choosing a sport touring bike that was reliable & stylish. I don't need boatloads of power so a liter bike wasn't necessary.

With that being said, I know I'm in the minority.

As a buyer by trade, luckysrewz comments about how Honda merchandises their motorcycle lineup make a lot of sense. I had been wondering how many years Honda could afford to leave the VFR alone and still maintain respectable sales. In the world of automobiles, the good manufacturers (Honda & Toyota) usually redesign every few years to maintain their edge. That philosophy hasn't been applied to the VFR which makes you wonder how important it really is to Honda.

I wouldn't be shocked at all if Honda only tweaked the VFR slightly for 2009. Add a little power to maintain respectability among the sport bike enthusiasts. A new wheel design or something "crazy" like that. I didn't do any research to see how many Sprints ST's sell per year but that might be a key factor in the decision also. If that size sport tourer is a big enough piece of the pie, chances are Honda will push for a bigger slice. If those sales aren't huge, then I think they'll continue with the 800cc ST niche they've created. Or heaven forbid.......drop the model altogether to produce more scooters.

 

Yikes! For a second I thought I'd somehow ended up on a GoldWing forum :tongue:

 

Honestly I like my 6th gen, when I out grow this bike i'll probably look more for another 800 because in the 10 inbetween years when i may even be looking at another bike the 800's will be producing 1000's type power. If we pump up to 100 i think we would sacrafice some handaling in the corners and may end up with aheavy feeling bike.
I think they can make some performanace upgrades in the 800 range. This may also keep costs down.

 

I've been looking for a used VFR800 6th gen for weeks and can't find one in my local area (Fort Wayne IN) for love nor money so even if the VFR1000 isn't for me right now it would sure do something for the used VFR800 market - bring it on. Then a year later when the bugs with the VFR1000 ahve been ironed our (all new stuff has em) I can get me one.

 

A new 1000 VFR ...

This is a good question and the only answer I can think of is : why not ???
It depends on so many things (engine, look, ...)
I will only be able to answer when I'll see it and of course, try it

If this VFR is THE one that everybody is waiting for, then it will be mine in 2009 !

 

If I was looking for a new bike and was willing to pay new bike prices I would certainly consider a vfr1000. It would not by any means be a given sale though. I find my 6th gen to be plenty fast for my liking right now. Its fast enough to get me in plenty of trouble. If I wanted a super fast bike I would have bought one. There are plenty out there to choose from.