LEGEND Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Honda isn't going to make a front line sporting v4. The unfortunate cam problems of the early VF series were not the only things that turned off buyers. The Ninja 600 & 900 were far more popular and folks loved the simpler I4 arrangement and the full race look of the faired ninja's. As much as honda tried to dominate the world with v4 powered bikes in the 80's it was the I4 powered ninjas that actually sold well. Honda quickly brought the hurricane 600 & 1000 I4's to market, predecessor to the cbr series to capture some of Kawasaki's thunder. The VF series became the VFR, a heavier sport touring machine that found a consistent low volume following. The 2014 vfr continues the trend, it's not a sport bike but still a nice machine that given its mission is just fine as is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CornerCarver Posted March 23, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 23, 2014 Honda isn't going to make a front line sporting v4. The unfortunate cam problems of the early VF series were not the only things that turned off buyers. The Ninja 600 & 900 were far more popular and folks loved the simpler I4 arrangement and the full race look of the faired ninja's. As much as honda tried to dominate the world with v4 powered bikes in the 80's it was the I4 powered ninjas that actually sold well. Honda quickly brought the hurricane 600 & 1000 I4's to market, predecessor to the cbr series to capture some of Kawasaki's thunder. The VF series became the VFR, a heavier sport touring machine that found a consistent low volume following. The 2014 vfr continues the trend, it's not a sport bike but still a nice machine that given its mission is just fine as is. I am sure John Ashmead is very interested in hearing your take about how the 1986 VFR750F that he won the Daytona 200 on as a privateer in in 1989 against all the I4s (most of them newer than the VFR due to the 2 year model update life cycle required to be competitive in the RR class) was a "VFR, a heavier sport touring machine" and not a "front line sporting machine" just as you state. Can anyone here imagine if Honda had merely mirrored Suzuki's development of the GSXR750 over the past (almost) 30 years? That being said, I am looking for the successor to the RC30/RC45 as Honda did decide that it would go in a lower manufacturing cost direction with the CBR series to carry the Honda flag into production racing series the world over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer whitelightning Posted March 23, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 23, 2014 Can anyone here imagine if Honda had merely mirrored Suzuki's development of the GSXR750 over the past (almost) 30 years? Exactly! The GSXR750 just won the Cycleworld shootout against the new Ducati 899 and MV F3.... they stubbornly have refused to kill it, and it's paid dividends for decades! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer gll429 Posted March 23, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 23, 2014 Honda isn't going to make a front line sporting v4. The unfortunate cam problems of the early VF series were not the only things that turned off buyers. The Ninja 600 & 900 were far more popular and folks loved the simpler I4 arrangement and the full race look of the faired ninja's. As much as honda tried to dominate the world with v4 powered bikes in the 80's it was the I4 powered ninjas that actually sold well. Honda quickly brought the hurricane 600 & 1000 I4's to market, predecessor to the cbr series to capture some of Kawasaki's thunder. The VF series became the VFR, a heavier sport touring machine that found a consistent low volume following. The 2014 vfr continues the trend, it's not a sport bike but still a nice machine that given its mission is just fine as is. you think the sport bike guys of today have a CLUE about what happened 30 years ago?? most cant even tell you the name of the vice president from 10 years ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGEND Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Honda isn't going to make a front line sporting v4. The unfortunate cam problems of the early VF series were not the only things that turned off buyers. The Ninja 600 & 900 were far more popular and folks loved the simpler I4 arrangement and the full race look of the faired ninja's. As much as honda tried to dominate the world with v4 powered bikes in the 80's it was the I4 powered ninjas that actually sold well. Honda quickly brought the hurricane 600 & 1000 I4's to market, predecessor to the cbr series to capture some of Kawasaki's thunder. The VF series became the VFR, a heavier sport touring machine that found a consistent low volume following. The 2014 vfr continues the trend, it's not a sport bike but still a nice machine that given its mission is just fine as is. I am sure John Ashmead is very interested in hearing your take about how the 1986 VFR750F that he won the Daytona 200 on as a privateer in in 1989 against all the I4s (most of them newer than the VFR due to the 2 year model update life cycle required to be competitive in the RR class) was a "VFR, a heavier sport touring machine" and not a "front line sporting machine" just as you state. Can anyone here imagine if Honda had merely mirrored Suzuki's development of the GSXR750 over the past (almost) 30 years? That being said, I am looking for the successor to the RC30/RC45 as Honda did decide that it would go in a lower manufacturing cost direction with the CBR series to carry the Honda flag into production racing series the world over. Now let's see, a moment of glory versus showroom sales and profits. The v4 is a great design and all and it may have won a few battles but it's extremely clear to me the I4 sportbikes won the war. Yes I would tell John Ashmead the same simple truth as well, to his face, with a written transcript and braile if needed. l Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer gll429 Posted March 24, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 24, 2014 Now let's see, a moment of glory versus showroom sales and profits. The v4 is a great design and all and it may have won a few battles but it's extremely clear to me the I4 sportbikes won the war. Yes I would tell John Ashmead the same simple truth as well, to his face, with a written transcript and braile if needed. l yeah.. the companies marketed the I4.. thats all. every kid thats 12 and up wants a v4 ducati. cheaper crap breaks faster ,needs to be replaced faster. its all about the $$$ yes, honda makes awesome stuff. and will always out last the competition but race bikes are toys to go fast and get trashed. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted March 24, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 24, 2014 you think the sport bike guys of today have a CLUE about what happened 30 years ago?? most cant even tell you the name of the vice president from 10 years ago! What? He not only invented the WWW but also designed the 1st V4??? Wow................ PS "your" man has just landed in NL. You want him back? He will visit Amsterstam too, will he do a 420 you think?? Hmmmmmm I keep humming Wagner....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer gll429 Posted March 24, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 24, 2014 you think the sport bike guys of today have a CLUE about what happened 30 years ago?? most cant even tell you the name of the vice president from 10 years ago! What? He not only invented the WWW but also designed the 1st V4??? Wow................ PS "your" man has just landed in NL. You want him back? He will visit Amsterstam too, will he do a 420 you think?? :mellow2: ten years ago... the war profiteer.. the anti gay guy with a lesbian daughter the dude who shot his "best friend " in the face. dick cheney.. Al Gore never claimed to have invented the Internet. What he DID was stand up continuously to support and fund it. Without him we would not have the Internet as it is today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted March 24, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 24, 2014 Ah yes....... Cheney! Let me put my Eminem record on! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tightwad Posted March 25, 2014 Share Posted March 25, 2014 Al Gore never claimed to have invented the Internet. What he DID was stand up continuously to support and fund it. Without him we would not have the Internet as it is today. For the record his actual quote was "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer crazybrother Posted March 25, 2014 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 25, 2014 So... has anyone actually bought one yet? My original post... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer thor294 Posted March 25, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 25, 2014 The 1200 is a fail... 6th gen is much prettier... anyway, don't think anyone has it yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer crazybrother Posted March 25, 2014 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 25, 2014 That's funny. Because I've had two 6th gens. 2005,and 2006 with ABS really liked them both until the 06 was sold. Then came across a killer deal on my 1200 and it's much more than my 6th gens could ever be. I guess to each his own. I don't think the VFR will ever be a popular bike but that's OK with me. I will always love the V four engine, no matter what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted March 25, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 25, 2014 my local dealer will get the 1st delivered in 4 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer SAFE-T Posted March 26, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 26, 2014 my local dealer will get the 1st delivered in 4 weeks. Kind of hard to buy one and ride it if they are not even in the dealerships for another month, I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer crazybrother Posted March 26, 2014 Author Member Contributer Share Posted March 26, 2014 my local dealer will get the 1st delivered in 4 weeks. I think, they've been out in Europe for a couple of months now... But not sure. i can't wait to hear a ride review... Is it really any different than the 6th gen, better...? Would love to hear from one of us who have actually owned one and not just from the magazine editors... Who in my opinion are very bias anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer luvtoleanit Posted March 26, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted March 26, 2014 That's funny. Because I've had two 6th gens. 2005,and 2006 with ABS really liked them both until the 06 was sold. Then came across a killer deal on my 1200 and it's much more than my 6th gens could ever be. I guess to each his own. I don't think the VFR will ever be a popular bike but that's OK with me. I will always love the V four engine, no matter what. Yep, my guess most of that stuff is folks who haven't ridden one. The power alone is worth the upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspanglish Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 If there were hypothetically only 6th and 8th gens available, I would go the 8th gen hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soichiro Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I didnt like it at first. I still think the 6th gens are better looking. I love the vtec. I have no problem with it at all. I bought my 04 in 06 as a leftover. I got it for 7K usd. My boss got his a lattle later for 6k usd. I expect the same will happen for the new bike. I laugh at the price but all bikes are more costly now. Look at the cb1100, 10 garnd is a joke. I will buy one in 2 years for 40,60% percent cheaper. I really dont think it will sell well, I do listen to the gsxr crowd and am amazed with their comments. Everyone comment I have heard is that it looks awesome. I really like that its narrow. The wheels, brakes, swingarm, top triple clamp are gorgeous. However after an undertail exhaust everything else sticks out like a sore thumb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I was at my dealers on Saturday to pick up my new 1200, and there were 3 new 800's on the floor. They were all sold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 My modified 2004 is a better motorcycle. $4200 purchase price plus mods still comes in cheaper than this "new" motorcycle . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHvar Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Im waiting on my new red deluxe model 2014 VFR800 to arrive at the dealership, another few weeks, I put a deposit on it recently and got my (original owner from the same dealership) 2000 CBR600F4 appraised for a trade in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattie660 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Just bought one ! love at first sight. Was ready to upgrade my bike when this came out Well it is like this: Need a bike that can load a bit of luggage on, to take on long weekends and touring trips with a tent and some gubbins BMW adventure bikes are enormous, and expensive. I do not need a 1200cc bike with 12 inches of ground clearance and semi nobbly tires. I will not be going the "Long Way Round" I want a bike that is smart looking to be proud of, light, powerfull enough, a few modern gadgets (without auto tyre control suspension gadgets that just add cost). A bike with a low slung exhaust (rules out a Triumph Speed Triple) to make it easier to carry throw over luggage. A sporty 800cc is big enough (looked at the Kawasaki GTR 1400 which will do nearly 200 mph !) Manageable and fits me - do not want to be wearing a pair of shoes three sizes too big ! Bargain price for what it is. This thing ticks these boxes and it looks gorgeous, corners a dream. Lovely, a thing of beauty. Just happened to be an older version in the bike park on a day out. Pair of VFRs by 660 Mattie, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer FJ12Ryder Posted June 3, 2014 Member Contributer Share Posted June 3, 2014 That really looks nice. How about some side views? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattie660 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 That really looks nice. How about some side views? In bright sun the Red is sometimes overpowering in digital pictures ! Need to get some throw over bags. Hope you like the picture. VFR with luggage by 660 Mattie, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.