Vfr800

[gritsngravy]

I agree, if they continue on this trajectory they may be out of bikes in a decade.  

Everything that was interesting in any way shape or form is now gone from their lineup.  Some cool features that made somewhat boring bikes cool have been engineered out.

The older I get the less interested I am in Honda.  And I was a huge Honda fan.

Honda still makes a lot of nice bikes.................they're just not imported to the U.S.       You can still buy a cbr1100xx and rc-51 (aka SP-2) in the UK.     A nice sport touring alternative to the Interceptor is honda's CBF1000 which of course is not available in the states.   The sky isn't falling, just the american motorcycling market has changed and honda has become a global powerhouse that sells many different products to remain very profitable in the U.S.    

[Oilhed]

I'll take a Dull-ville in flat black, please!

[Rogue]

I thought MotoGP is going to limit displacement to 800cc?

So that means Honda will field an 800cc V4 in MotoGP?

If so they will come full circle.  

[Ian]

They have already limited it to 800cc, and Honda already has an 800cc V4.

[ctfz1]

I suspect the v4 is more expencive to manufacture than an equivalent inline 4. With the competition geting stronger and more diverse its harder to pay emissions, suspension, comfort, updates without overpricing. Money gets spent to lure customers and frankly the vfr doesn't suit my riding envelope, and believe more people see it that way. The all rounder has become narrow focus.

[Oilhed]

Yeah but the V-4 with gear driven cams just sounds awsume.  I wish I bought a 2000 VFR and kept it!

[Flightar]

A V-Four has some disadvantages when compared to an inline design. Chief in those is that they are heavier, more complex in their castings, taller, more expensive to make and harder to package. Now they do have some advantages too, such as they can be more narrow, the torque curve is usually flatter and smoother, castings are usually stiffer, radiators can be smaller, they are cooler, they are different, they sound good. they can be used in cruisers and touring bikes and will preserve the V-Twin look....a la the Yamaha Royal Star's.

The only scenario that makes sense is for Honda to merge the ST 1300 and the VFR using the same engine in different displacements for each. Bump the ST to 14-1500 cc while reducing the bore and/or stroke to say 1000 cc (while also hot Roding it) for use in the VFR...then use as many off the shelf parts as necessary to keep costs low. The only major issues would be a new frame for the VFR so the current orientation of the engine could be preserved and re designing the final drive for use in the VFR.

[DosEquis00]

the torque curve is usually flatter and smoother, castings are usually stiffer, radiators can be smaller, they are cooler, they are different, they sound good.

As Tony the Tiger would say the V-4 sounds great!

[Oilhed]

As Tony the Tiger would say the V-4 sounds great!

I agree, that older non-VTec, with gear driven cam.  They made the old V65 Magna/Sabre.  Surprised they never made one that size in the VFR.  I still want a VFR.

[ctfz1]

The less bikes sold, higher price per bike required, higher price harder sell. The VFR has always been pricey, and slow to revise/upgrade. Competition is worse.
The Suzuki Bandit 1250S and DL's take market, as do Triumph Sprints and Tigers.

[sagerat]

I know this is blasphemy to some, but what I loved about '02 Viffer is that it did not have that infernal whiney gear cam noise.  

[Oilhed]

I know this is blasphemy to some, but what I loved about '02 Viffer is that it did not have that infernal whiney gear cam noise.  

how do you feel about noisey Ducati clutches?

[sagerat]

Not a fan, but do love the L-twin sound.  

[googus]

$$ for Honda to produce?? They Love putting R&D into their bikes( I am not even going to go down the list) Honda is a very large company with alot of different directions (even jets). I am not a master by any means, but I can say what Honda does is for their reason. Not always best for our consumer base(Spec here in the US where selection is limited) but for their mastermind well being I am sure.

For One I went over to Triumph and bought a 07 Sprint St ABS. This bike is very close to the VFR ( and MOP is better than the VFR) for a grand Less with hard bags,2 yr warranty,ABS)..Plus insurance companies charge the VFR as sport bike. In turn it is about a grand more to insure. The Sprint is 510.13 Full with Rider in N.J.

Please do not get me wrong I love the VFR and I have owned 4 in three different generations(97,98,02.00) In Lew of my rant I think Honda is falling short of their drive to make us as consumers happy here in the USA. They have just grown too big (PWC,Cars,Generators, Lawmowers, Engines for Sears Etc.,Engines for boats, Bikes, and I am sure I misses some)and put their effort in the CBR line. The east is just a differnet story and we can't go there!

I do have to add that every Honda I have owned i have never had a major problem with them and I think their fit and finish is the best, plus their dealer network.

[Baz]

I am betting they are dead.

They are not selling much at all here, and are overpriced. When I was shopping last, I picked up my FJR (last year model still in the crate) for about $1,500.00 more than they quoted me for a fully equipped VFR.

I don't want to say bad things about the VFR, but it is dated.

You can get cruiser riders switching to an ST1300, but I don't think you will get many RR1000 riders switching to a VFR. It seems as though the VFR has turned into fringe bike.

With North America being into the Cruiser craze, I just don't see a future for the VFR. As the population gets older, the demand for ST1300's are going to outnumber the VFR Demand, and well we all know that the slow seller gets killed in Honda land.

[Rogue]

Honda still has the '08 VFR.  So I guess that answers the question on this thread.