Honda commits to 2010 V4 Model production
Honda has just announced that it will build a production model based on the V4 Concept. Sales will start "in the first half of 2010." Underneath the crazy hubless wheels and bizarre headlight, the V4 Concept is a powerful superbike more focused on rider comfort and on-road ability than racetrack success. Hopefully, the 2010 Honda V4 will shed some of the current VFR's boring practicality, gaining speed and involvement in the process.Honda stated:
"The exciting news of the V4 production model is the result of overwhelming response from customers, media and motorcycle dealers across Europe following the debut of the V4 Concept Model at last month's Intermot show, where the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer chose 'New Beginnings' as its theme to celebrate Honda's 60th anniversary as a company, 50th anniversary of racing and 30th anniversary of the Honda's iconic V4 engine configuration.
"Building on this theme at this week's Milan Show, Honda highlighted the next stage of the V4 story and looked forward to the next 60 years of motorcycle production, with V4 technology forming a part of the marque's future direction in the coming few years, starting in just 18 months time with the introduction of the first V4 mass-production model in the first half of 2010."
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Wes Siler. November 05, 2008 — Permalink
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Looks like I'm waiting till 2010. I really want a V-4, but there aren't a ton of options out there. The current Interceptor doesn't quite do it and the Vmax really isn't my cuppa tea. C'mon, Honda... big money, no whammie!
Hey Ben, don't forget the new Aprilia. I'm not going to hold my breath on this Honda. "New Beginings," ha. I wish their marketing department would stop doing focus groups, and stop brain storming catch phrases. If they would stop asking inane question, and just listen to what people talk about, and desire, perhaps something interesting would appear. This word spun product focus is sad.
Good point, I did forget about that option. If Aprilia makes a naked version (Tuono?) of the RSV4, I'll be in line. Can't say that I have the budget or stomach to strip down a standard RSV4, though.
I just wanna see those wheels on the freeway. I love wheels that are attached to solid parts on the frame! Is that some new molecular shifting neutrino powered plastic? It'd make great knobbies!
Don't worry. Honda will not fail to disappoint us. Come 2010 it will be very mediocre, overweight, overstyled and underpowered. Its the Honda way. I think they should change their slogan to "maybe next year"
Hmm, those look suspiciously like ABS plastic wheels.
Your man Dave is right. The engine will be a blinder but they'll use it as a test-bed for some new four-letter acronym no one wants and there'll be something overworked about the lines that you can't quite put your finger on. And the headlight will be a stupid shape. 90s VFRs were perfect; they had everything you wanted, nothing you didn't and they looked dead suave.
It will be ridden onto the stage by Duke Nukem accompanied by a herd of wild Jackalopes.
Seriously, I'll believe it when I can go to the showroom and sit on it. And I'm not holding my breath on it being better than my 2000 VFR. I'll take gear driven cams over VTec any day.
Yeah, I have a '99 VFR800FI bought new back in the UK. Moved to Seattle, needed a bike, tried a few but the only thing I wanted was another original VFR. I found a mint '97 VFR750 from Salt Lake City, I've owned it now for 5 years. I am an Aerospace Design Engineer and these 2 bikes with their signature gear drive quad cams, v4 engine and single-sided pro-arm satisfy on every level.
As an Engineer the current VFR with it's redundant vtec system does nothing for me at all. Thank you Soichiro Honda for giving us these affordable wonderful bikes.
The bean counters have already taken over at Honda and unfortunately the Honda mystique died at the same time Soichiro-San did. I hope the next 2010 VFR will revive it but, sadly, I think it has been lost...forever.
Russ....