dancinkozmo Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 is this true ? according to this review the new viffers arent made in japan anymore...kind of disappointing given the price.... "Build quality is indistinguishable from other Hondas you’ll see in this price range, despite the bike’s Thai origins (yes, that’s right, the first character of the VIN is M, not J—a first for a VFR?)." http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2014/12/md-microtest-honda-interceptor/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted May 31, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted May 31, 2015 Interesting. Undoubtedly disappointing to some, but not surprising. It's been happening gradually with parts - my 6th gen's wiring harness has a sticker that says "Made in China" on it. The last 2 sets of Michelin tires I've received were made in Thailand. Ironically, after World War II up through the 1960's, anything that had a "Made in Japan" label was regarded as shoddy junk. Times change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatshoutybloke Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Not true for mine at any rate - I bought it in the UK last October and the VIN begins JH2RC79A4EK J = manufactured in Japan, H = manufacturer code for Honda Japan, 2 = motorcycle, RC79 = model code for 2014 version of VFR800, A = version code for 2014 Euro version of VFR800FE, 4 = algorithm-calculated check digit, E = code for year of manufacture 2014, K = plant code for Kumamoto, Japan. They may of course be manufacturing in more than one place but it would be a first for VFRs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattie660 Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Not true for mine at any rate - I bought it in the UK last October and the VIN begins JH2RC79A4EK J = manufactured in Japan, H = manufacturer code for Honda Japan, 2 = motorcycle, RC79 = model code for 2014 version of VFR800, A = version code for 2014 Euro version of VFR800FE, 4 = algorithm-calculated check digit, E = code for year of manufacture 2014, K = plant code for Kumamoto, Japan. They may of course be manufacturing in more than one place but it would be a first for VFRs. Same here - except mine has.......A6EK..... otherwise the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer windyrun Posted June 1, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted June 1, 2015 There's a 2014 red dlx I have been thinking about at a dealer in US that has the J as the leading digit. FYI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogman Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Mine is JHRC79U bought in Australia. The dealer told me that the CBR650F was made in Thailand, but the VFR in Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer fink Posted June 1, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted June 1, 2015 As above for me too. So wouldn't believe the article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinkozmo Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 i guess the article is wrong....maybe theyre building the lower spec "standard" model for the US in thailand and the "deluxe" in Japan ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer KevCarver Posted June 1, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted June 1, 2015 What about engines? Are there multiple plants for those, and is there a way to trace it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattie660 Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 i guess the article is wrong....maybe theyre building the lower spec "standard" model for the US in thailand and the "deluxe" in Japan ?? I notice BMW makes some of the F800 GSs in Thailand, according to this article: http://motorbikewriter.com/bmw-makes-f-800-gs-thailand/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatshoutybloke Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Wasn't the last CBR600F made in Japan but assembled in Italy, or something like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHvar Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Mine has a "J", I havent been able to find any source of information about them "supposedly being made in Thailand" but that single article, so I dont put much stock in that article. Entry level bikes such as the cbr300, 500, 650, scooters, etc are made in Thailand for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allyance Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 When Motorcyclist first reviewed the CBR250 & 500's, they explained that to SELL motorcycles in Thailand, they have to made there. I don't know if that means that being assembled there is good enough. The second benefit was cost obviously. A CBR500 is around $7-8K and CBR600 (Japanese) $12-13K. Cannot imagine Honda building the VFR in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer JZH Posted June 4, 2015 Member Contributer Share Posted June 4, 2015 What a howler. Never heard of Motorcycle Daily, and now I know why. Ciao, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHvar Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I was at my dealer getting state inspection and tires yesterday. The only cycles made in Thailand by VIN number were $8000 and lower, all VFRs, CBR600/1000, Goldwing, ST1300, etc etc are made in Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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