HondaVFR1200F

Description

The Ultimate road-sports motorcycle
The VFR1200F has been developed in keeping with
previous VFRs; that have delivered a combination of
sports and touring capabilities using the latest
technologies. This motorcycle is, however, brand new.
A clean-sheet interpretation of the ultimate road-sport
machine – a concept driven by extensive
understanding of customer needs and the adoption of
state-of-the-art technologies.
In pursuit of heightened levels of control and feedback,
the VFR1200F adopts the latest race-track bred
technologies but adapted and evolved to create
a machine that can be many things to many riders.
The harmonic growl of the flexible and responsive V4
motor may rekindle the emotions inspired by previous
iconic VFRs, but its unique ‘heartbeat’ engine feel and
an unrivalled level of manageability sets the new VFR
apart, not only from its predecessors – but also from
every bike currently available.

Development concept
A truly international design team included three
Japanese members, one American and one European.
Guided by the infinitely experienced Kishi-san
(CBR1100XX Blackbird) and overseen by Hasegawasan,
the VFR1200F’s design team was not only
culturally varied but also spanned generations. Their
collective goal was to create a sports bike with longdistance
capabilities. To foster the right mindset
the designers imagined waking up to a perfect day and
deciding, impulsively, to ride 300km, effortlessly
devouring large stretches of highway before carving
through twisty canyon roads, just to enjoy lunch in
a beautiful location before riding home again.
The VFR1200F designers began sketching their ideas
in a remote hotel outside Rome. These sketches took
many forms and explored every possibility and rather
than refine these elements into one final design,
the team headed back to Tokyo with all their individual
drawings.
On the VFR1200F project, designers and engineers
worked in parallel, discussing and perfecting their
solutions as the clay model and sketches evolved.
European designer, Teofilo Plaza, described this six
month-long experience as one of the most intense and
passionate of his life. Once the basic design had been
agreed, another many months of testing and
development lay ahead – a period in which designers
and engineers continued to work in unison.
The first V4 Concept model was unveiled to a stunned
audience at the Intermot show in October 2008.
The radically styled show bike perfectly displayed
the free-thinking that had absorbed the design team
from day one of this revolutionary project.
Now, twelve months later, the VFR1200F is ready for
launch and whilst its V4 heritage may be patently
obvious, the reality is that this machine far surpasses
anything that has gone before.

Racing technologies
The VFR1200F utilises the UNICAM single overhead
camshaft cylinder head design from the world-class
CRF motocrossers. The logic was straightforward: in
an environment where space, performance and weight
are at a premium, this technology was perfect for
a project where mass centralisation and ergonomics
were prime design criteria. Also borrowed from
the CRF range and the RC211V is the sealed
crankcase system that reduces the pumping loss
created through piston movement, and air density.
This system has never been used on a road machine
before but the gains for the rider are identical – electrifying throttle response and improved fuel
consumption.

New transmission layout and groundbreaking shaft drive system
A compact new transmission layout contributes to highspeed
stability, better cornering and improved traction
capability.
The highly developed shaft drive system features an
offset propeller shaft and a pivot that expands vertically
as well as a sliding constant velocity joint that takes up
any variations in length during the rear wheel’s arc of
travel. At the output shaft a clutch damper absorbs
backlash effectively.
Thanks to the rigidity of the pivot, stability is improved
and throttle-to-drive delivery is much more direct.

Colours
New painting technologies, specially developed at
the hi-tech Kumamoto factory, have focused on
creating top-quality colouring with the most uniform
coverage. A deep clear-coat finish enhances
the bodywork colour, creating a luxurious, high-class
shine far above normal production standards.
The mirror-like surfaces create a sharp, memorable
profile that attracts attention even from a distance.
Three colour options were selected to emphasise
the highly-polished look, smooth texture and unique
shapes and layers of the bodywork.
In 2010 the VFR1200F will make its debut in:
• Candy Prominence Red
• Seal Silver Metallic
• Pearl Sunbeam White