The Honda VF and VFR series is a range of motorcycles first introduced in 1982 by Honda featuring V4 engines (hence the "VF" prefix).
The Honda VF and VFR series is a range of motorcycles first introduced in 1982 by Honda featuring V4 engines (hence the "VF" prefix).
In 1969 Honda revealed the CB750 superbike, establishing the template for the Universal Japanese Motorcycle with a range of transverse inline-fours. Relishing technological innovation, Honda unexpectedly moved on to adopt the V4 ("VF") configuration. However, some of the early VF models suffered mechanical problems, mainly as a result of poor quality camshafts (the "chocolate cams"). Honda, alarmed that they were losing their hard-won reputation for reliability, moved to introduce the VFR750 motorcycles featuring gear-driven ohc cams and a very high build quality. The first three or four iterations of VFR motorcycles re-established Honda's reputation for quality, and the motorcycles received almost universal praise from journalists and riders alike.
The VFR was originally a 750 cc, but became an 800 cc in due course. New models featured technological innovation, such as a single-sided swingarm, linked braking, ABS, and VTEC. The VFR1200 became the first motorcycle to feature a dual-clutch transmission. Not all of these innovations proved popular with riders, who often preferred the simple robustness of the earlier models.
Honda also developed a limited edition VFR, the Honda RC30, as a homologation racing platform. This motorcycle achieved some racing success, but the introduction of very light inline-four motorcycles by competing firms led Honda to downgrade its racing plans.
Honda's VF model lineup had engine capacities ranging from 400 cc to 1,000 cc. Another Honda, the shaft-driven ST1100 also featured a V4 engine, but this touring motorcycle does not form part of the VF series.
Prior to its adoption by Honda, the V4 design had been used only rarely for motorcycles, most notably by Matchless. [1] In modern times, the V4 configuration has been embraced by Aprilia, Ducati, Suzuki, Yamaha & Norton.
Compared to an in-line four, the advantages of a 90° V4 engine include compactness, narrow width, and perfect primary balance giving a smooth and nearly vibration-free operation. A disadvantage is that it is more expensive to manufacture, and, just like a V-twin, more difficult to locate ancillaries and inlet & exhaust systems.
In 1982 VF models were introduced to the public at the Cologne Motorcycle Show with a V4 engine mounted in a square-tube steel frame. [2] That very year, reliability and quality control problems arose, possibly due to new automated production equipment at Honda's plant in Hamamatsu, Japan.[ citation needed ] Regardless, Honda sold out its first year's inventory of Sabres and the Magnas were not far behind. 1983 saw the engine revised to correct the problems from the previous production year and the introduction of the V65 and the Interceptor. Cam-wear problems surfaced during 1984 in the larger displacement bikes, which, by the time it was corrected, led to eight factory cam revisions over the course of just one year.[ citation needed ]
The 748 cc VFR750F (RC24) was introduced in 1986, and was over-engineered in a bid to re-establish a reputation for reliability. It had an alloy beam frame, gear driven cams. This version underwent constant revision of the non-US models with later revisions including changing wheel sizes from 16" front & 18" rear to 17" front and rear, larger diameter forks and the fairing was slightly modified. After this was a series of VFR models which featured various innovations, including a single-sided swingarm, linked braking, ABS, and VTEC. In due course the geared cam drive was dropped in favour of cheaper chain-drive.
A total redesign of the engine to a new one based on the RVF750R (RC45) and a slight capacity increase led to later models being designated the "VFR800F".
A much larger capacity VFR model, the VFR1200F, was revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2009. [3] [4] The new 1,200 cc (73 cu in) narrow-angle SOHC V4 engine [5] does not use the V-Tec design of the smaller VFRs. It has an optional six-speed push-button operated dual clutch transmission with three modes: automatic, sport and manual. The modes are similar to those on the Honda DN-01 but with a conventional gearbox shifted automatically, similar to a "Tiptronic" system, and without a hand-operated clutch rather than a hydrostatic drive. [6] [7] [8]
To date, the VFR1200 has not sold particularly well, as buyers have tended to favour the smaller VFR800F (RC79).
Honda have permitted the Ariel Motor Company, British makers of the Ariel Atom sports car, to use the VFR1200's V4 engine in a new motorcycle, the Ariel Ace.
Honda developed the RC30 as a homologation racing version which was used from 1988 to 1993. It was the first large capacity motorcycle to use a single-sided swingarm.[ citation needed ]. The RC30 was succeeded in 1994 by the RC45.
The Honda Magna is a cruiser motorcycle made from 1982 to 1988 and 1994 to 2003 and was the second Honda to use their new V4 engine shared with the VF750S Sabre and a few years later a related engine was fitted to the VF750F 'Intercepter', the later models used a retuned engine from the VFR750F with fins added to the outside of the engine. The engine technology and layout was a descendant of Honda's racing V4 machines, such as the NS750 and NR750. The introduction of this engine on the Magna and the Sabre in 1982, was a milestone in the evolution of motorcycles that would culminate in 1983 with the introduction of the Interceptor V4. The V45's performance is comparable to that of Valkyries and Honda's 1800 cc V-twin cruisers. However, its mix of performance, reliability, and refinement was overshadowed by the more powerful 1,098 cc "V65" Magna in 1983.
VTEC is a system developed by Honda to improve the volumetric efficiency of a four-stroke internal combustion engine, resulting in higher performance at high RPM, and lower fuel consumption at low RPM. The VTEC system uses two camshaft profiles and hydraulically selects between profiles. It was invented by Honda engineer Ikuo Kajitani. It is distinctly different from standard VVT systems which change only the valve timings and do not change the camshaft profile or valve lift in any way.
The Honda VFR400 series of motorcycles were a related series of 399 cc V4-engined motorcycles, which were essentially scaled-down versions of the larger VFR race models of the day. They were mainly developed for, and sold in, the Japanese domestic market, in part due to the tougher motorcycle drivers' license restrictions in Japan at the time for bike exceeding 400cc.
The Suzuki GSX-R is a series of sport bikes made by Japanese manufacturer Suzuki. Current models are the GSX-R125 and GSX-R150 since 2017; GSX-R600 which was manufactured from 1992 to 1993, and then since 1997; the GSX-R750 since 1985; and the GSX-R1000 since 2001.
The Honda VFR800 (Interceptor) is a sport touring motorcycle made by Honda since 1998. The model was the successor to the VFR750F and shares the V4 engine configuration with the Honda VF and VFR series.
The Honda VFR750F is a motorcycle manufactured by Japanese automobile manufacturer Honda from 1986 to 1997.
The Honda VFR750R, model code 'RC30', was a fully faired solo seat only racing motorcycle created for homologation purposes for the World Superbike Championship by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). It was first released to the Japanese market in 1987, 1988 released in Europe then the United States in 1990. There were only 3,000 ever made and sold for $15,000 US - a very large amount for a production bike at the time.
The VF1000 is a range of motorcycles produced by Honda from 1984 to 1988. The VF1000 is named after its V-4 998 cc (60.9 cu in) double overhead cam 16-valve engine. There were three main models in the VF1000 range, the VF1000F, the VF1000R and the VF1000F2.
A motorcycle engine is an engine that powers a motorcycle. Motorcycle engines are typically two-stroke or four-stroke internal combustion engines, but other engine types, such as Wankels and electric motors, have been used.
The Honda RVF400R (NC35) is a sport bike manufactured by Honda from 1994 to 1996. It was powered by a 16-valve double overhead geardriven cam 400 cc 90° V4 four-stroke engine, and was known for its handling capabilities.
The Honda RVF750R RC45 was a fully faired racing motorcycle created for homologation purposes for the Superbike World Championship by Honda Racing Corporation. The RVF750R was the successor to the VFR750R RC30. Like its predecessor, the RVF750R featured a DOHC liquid-cooled V4 4-stroke engine with gear driven cams and a single-sided swingarm, but unlike the RC30 it utilized electronic fuel injection, in a setup very similar to the production 1992 NR750. The US spec engine had a 749.2cc capacity and was rated at 101 horsepower; the European version was rated at 118 horsepower. A simple rewire modification to the PGM-FI box increased power in the US engine up to the 118 hp. It was manufactured from 1994 until 1995 and sold in limited numbers, followed by the VTR1000R SP-1 RC51 in 2000. Unlike the VFR750R RC30 and VFR750F from which the engine was originally derived the gear drive for the cams was moved from the centre of the engine in between the cylinders to the one side allowing a slightly narrower engine.
The Honda Sabre was a motorcycle made by Honda from 1982 to 1985. Two years of the Sabre production run were part of a group of Japanese motorcycles that came to be known as "tariff-busters". The 1984 and 1985 models fell in this class because of the modifications made allowing those models to circumvent the newly passed United States International Trade Commission tariff that placed a heavy tax on import/foreign motorcycles with 700cc or larger engine displacement.
The Honda Africa Twin is a dual-sport motorcycle made by Honda in four versions, 1988 to 1989 as the 650 cc (40 cu in) V-twin XRV650, then from 1990 to 2003 as the 750 cc (46 cu in) V-twin XRV750T, then from 2016 to 2019 as the 1,000 cc (61 cu in) parallel-twin CRF1000L and from 2020 to present as the CRF1100L.
The Honda VF500F is a 498 cc (30.4 cu in) displacement sport motorcycle manufactured from 1984 to 1986. It is widely regarded as one of the finest handling motorcycles of the 1980s.
The Honda VFR1200F is the 7th generation Honda sport touring motorcycle from the VF and VFR line motorcycles powered by a transverse mounted V4 engine. The VFR1200F has several new technologies including the first dual clutch transmission offered on a motorcycle.
The Honda VF750F V45 Interceptor aka RC15 is a sports motorcycle produced by Honda from 1983 to 1985. Using a revised engine from the Sabre/Magna with chain drive and a five-speed gearbox the half-faired motorcycle was introduced with an 86-horsepower liquid-cooled double overhead cam (DOHC) V4 four-stroke engine in a steel perimeter frame.
The Honda NC700D/NC750D Integra is a motorcycle/scooter hybrid made by Honda since 2012. Known internally as the RC62, the Integra was originally unveiled as the New Mid Concept in 2010, before being presented in production form at EICMA 2011 in Milan. The Integra shares a platform with two motorcycle variants, the NC700S (RC61) and the NC700X (RC63). All three variants are powered by a 670 cc engine derived from the unit used in the Honda Fit automobile. The Integra will be available with two different power outputs, one version develops a peak power output of 38.1 kW (51.1 hp) at 6,250 rpm and 62 N⋅m (46 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,750 rpm, while the other has a lower output of 35 kW (47 hp) and 60 N⋅m (44 lb⋅ft) to meet 2013 A2 European licensing regulations.
The Honda NC700 series is a family of motorcycles produced by Honda since 2012. NC700 series was a 'new concept', being unlike conventional motorcycles, a bike designed for commuters, new or veteran riders. The series also includes the motorcycle/scooter hybrid NC700D Integra. The NC700 series is classed as a commuter model bike which has incorporated design and mechanical elements from various motorcycle types. The riding position is similar to standard bike styles. There is a helmet-sized internal storage in place of the traditional fuel tank, which in turn is located under the seat. The series is often marketed as fun to ride, easy to handle and very fuel efficient.
The Honda VF750F was a street bike designed by Honda from 1983 to 1985. It had an 86 hp (64 kW), liquid-cooled, V4 engine which sported dual overhead cams (DOHC). The V4's were started a year before with the 1982 Honda Magna VF750C and Sabre VF750S but were adapted for the VF750F in 1983 by reducing the six speed transmission to a five speed because of the change from shaft drive to chain. This reduced the available space in the transmission thus changing to a five speed.
