Officially Official: Honda unleashes the goods on VFR 1200F
2010 Honda VFR 1200F - Click above for high-res image gallery
Finally, after what seems like years of rumor, innuendo, spy shots and speculation, Honda has unleashed the goods on its new 2010 VFR 1200F, and it's pretty much what we've been expecting. Buried beneath the dual-pane bodywork and vacuum-molded cast aluminum chassis lies a 1,237 cc V4 engine that reportedly puts out 172 hp at 10,000 RPM and 95 lb-ft of torque at a high 8,750 RPM.
A 43-millimeter upside-down fork is fitted up front and adjustable for preload, while a single shock featuring Honda's Pro-Link system and equipped with 25 positions of preload is mounted out back. With a claimed weight of nearly 600 pounds, the new VFR is certainly no lightweight, and the highly anticipated dual-clutch gearbox and cylinder deactivation technologies appear to be additional-cost options.
On the positive side, we like the fact that the bike has its own unique look, and the single-sided swingarm sports a shaft drive. Expect the whole kit-n-kaboodle to be released at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, including the bike's retail price and official sale date.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DblCltchLuvr 7:04PM (10/08/2009)
DIBS!!!
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Sea Urchin 7:15PM (10/08/2009)
If there weren't so many SUV maniacs on the road who do not care about anything but themselves the person on the phone and that coffee they are drinking, many more would be buying and driving these motorcycles rather than cars.
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Jeff Banks 9:10PM (10/08/2009)
Americans need to grow some balls. I commute to work everyday through heavy LA traffic. WAHH, CARS!
fmwso 9:21PM (10/08/2009)
I'm with you SU. I'd love to own a bike but traffic is pretty dangerous with those gigantic SUVs.
kfj 11:32PM (10/08/2009)
Sissies. This is the most BS reason to not buy a bike.
Willute 12:04AM (10/09/2009)
If you want to ride, Urchin, get out and ride! You can be killed in your 4 wheel cage as well. Nobody gets out of here alive.
Nice job Honda. Clean lines, good engineering, a little porky. I'll give it a ride at the bike show.
Stars Fan 12:28AM (10/09/2009)
I agree with the others. Go out and ride.
I used to commute every day in Dallas traffic until I was rearended by a drunk on the way home from work. I did substain a tramatic brain injury and lost some vision in my left eye. But that isn't going to stop me from riding again one day.
Glock23 8:35AM (10/09/2009)
Driving an SUV does not equal "dangerous". Your lame anti SUV comments are so old.
Kumar 10:33AM (10/09/2009)
Can't you split lanes in LA traffic?
In Indianapolis, there are far less riders, so drivers aren't looking out for them. The usual fatality around here involves someone pulling their car/SUV out in front of a bike.
I think that, more than SUVs, it's the distracted drivers that keep me from riding. Any sized car is bad news at the hands of someone yakking on a cell phone or texting away.
rocco 7:18PM (10/08/2009)
I dub thee "the gold(chain)wing"
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Samurai Jack 7:20PM (10/08/2009)
My problem with this is that it's now into ST1300 territory. Whither that bike?
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Redline 10:03PM (10/08/2009)
It's not exactly he same type of bike, the VFR competes more with bikes like the BMW K1300S, while the ST competes with the BMW GT. But I can see how people will get confused, they kind of "overlap".
Samurai Jack 6:48PM (10/09/2009)
I agree with you, but couple this with the factory available hard bags for the VFR, and the lack of an ST1300 in the line up for 2010... you have to wonder if Honda is thinking of covering both markets with a single bike.
My opinion is that this is too "sporty" to be a good sport tourer like the ST. Which is a shame as I'll soon be in the market to replace my aging ST1100.
futurama 7:24PM (10/08/2009)
This is a rather sweet looking bike! Has very automotive surfacing on plastics and graphics!
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mysanju1985 7:47PM (10/08/2009)
the looking of the bike is so nice.
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brgtlm 7:48PM (10/08/2009)
Maybe some of the motorcycle designers should help the Honda/Acura car designers. The Honda bikes look much better than their ugly stick cars.
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Nellydesign 10:25AM (10/09/2009)
Took the words right out of my mouth. These are the kinds of surfaces you normally only see on really cool concept cars. I love the interplay between the silver and red panels.
Falcom 8:06PM (10/08/2009)
Dual clutch gearbox on a bike? As in automatic f1 type? Or do they mean something like a twin-plate clutch?
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BoxerFanatic 12:45AM (10/09/2009)
As in similar to PDK, DSG, and other 2-clutch automated gearboxes. alternating clutch computer-controlled engagement, no manual clutch needed, and a computer-controlled automatic mode, but not hydraulically shifted. This isn't the old Honda-matic, nor is it a CVT scooter drive. This is the real deal.
This is the FIRST on a bike. Hopefully not the last. :D
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I think the VFR has grown a bit too much, though. It needed a displacement bump, but the whole bike has gotten significantly bigger, it seems. It certainly looks interesting, and better than the BMW R1200ST... but still well "out-there".
Nobody is building bikes of a moderate size anymore, anyway... it seems like either very small, or very large, with various capacity engines fitted to each.
FitFan 8:07PM (10/08/2009)
Nice. Just need to remove the rear fender and that ugly exhaust canister.
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