2024 VFR 800?

Have noticed a few videos popping up on you tube suggesting that there will be a new VFR model next year.
Is there any truth to this do you think or is it just the same old rumours. Seems odd that half a dozen videos popped up around the same time?

 

Yes I spotted several of those videos - which so far seem to be a mash up containing lots of video of the current 8th Gen VFR interlaced with a few still shots of a similar looking but upgraded VFR - with the main obvious differences being the brakes and wheels. Although one video states that the VFR 800 vtec engine has been tweeked to make it Euro 5 emission compliant.

I guess the delay until 2024 to release a 9th Gen VFR does make sense once you think back to what would have been Mr H's priorities after their only large motorbike factory was totalled by an enormous earthquake just as a huge production run of 8th Gen VFRs (mostly the standard version for the North American market) was ending.

I wonder if they ever cleared that inventory - or are there ex factory crate (almost new models) still in warehouses in the States and being slowly released to dealers to keep demand satisfied.

Inherently as H had such a massive inventory of new VFRs to clear, then it made sense that H would focus on first rebuilding the factory and then producing batches of other models with lower inventories (fireblade, Africa Twin, Goldwing). Hence the VFR would probably be among the last large motorbike they would decide to invest in fresh tooling to make further VFR batches. (I recall reading reports at the time that the original 8th Gen tooling was largely destroyed in the factory when the earthquake hit).

Once you ignore the 8th Gen images the are a few still photos of what may indeed be a 9th Gen VFR with white fairings overlaid with some fairly garish decals the sort car manufacturers often use to disguise a new model being road tested prior to release.

Pehaps those decals are however intentional misdirection by Honda as a white frame VFR could provide the base for batch of brand new RWB models.

 

I might have to trade in my Africa Twin for a brand new VFR soon. If there is a 9th gen arriving on scene I hope that the ergonomics return to what the 6th gen is and not similar to the 8th gen. I really wanted to get an 8th gen, but a test ride proved to me that I would not be able to do the long rides on it the way I could on my 6th gen.

One can only hope.

 

Pics?

 

I pulled the attached screen shot from one of the videos.

The obvious changes are the wheels, brakes and squinty LED headlight.



That seat looks different from my 8th Gen but my bike came with a custom seat so I have no idea if that is actually the standard Honda part.

 

If non-VTEC and gear driven cams, it should be a hit. Otherwise..it'll be like the others that haven't been very successful.

 

Oh my god... that is one of the worst renderings I have seen in a long time.

Tubular handlebars? That will instantly hit the fairing and/or mirror? Footpegs? Where did the wheel go behind the right fork and caliper?

Pure fantasy that doesn't even look good.

 

LOL, what is that rendering? The logos look like they were dragged into Microsoft paint from a quick google image search for "VFR logos". Considering dealers in the US were stuck with 2014's at deep discounts for years after that model's discontinuation I don't see Honda in a hurry to release a new VFR stateside.

If you want a 2024 V4 it's Ducati or Aprilia. If sounding good is part of the requirement, get the Aprilia.

 

Check out the front brake calliper? Someone is having fun.