 |
|
| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | October 2009– |
| Predecessor | VFR800, Super Blackbird[2] |
| Class | Sport touring |
| Engine | 1,237 cc (75.5 cu in), SOHC, 76° V4 Throttle by wire |
| Bore / Stroke | 81 × 60 mm (3.2 × 2.4 in) |
| Compression ratio | 12.0:1 |
| Power | 127 kW (170 hp) @ 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 129 N·m (95 lb·ft) @ 8,750 rpm |
| Transmission | Manual sequential 6-speed or optional dual clutch gearbox Shaft drive |
| Suspension | Front: 43 mm telescopic fork, preload adjustable Rear: Pro-link with rebound and remote preload adjust, single-sided swingarm |
| Brakes | Front: 320 mm dual disc, 6-piston, Combined ABS Rear: 276 mm single disc, 2-piston, C-ABS |
| Tires | Front: 120/70 ZR17 Rear: 190/55 ZR17 |
| Rake, Trail | 25.5°, 101 mm (4.0 in) |
| Wheelbase | 1,545 mm (60.8 in) |
| Dimensions | L 2,250 mm (89 in) W 755 mm (29.7 in) H 1,220 mm (48 in) |
| Seat height | 815 mm (32.1 in) |
| Weight | 267 kg (590 lb) (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 18.5 l (4.1 imp gal; 4.9 US gal) |
| Oil capacity | 4 l (4.2 US qt) |
| Fuel consumption | 15.5 km/l (44 mpg-imp; 36 mpg-US) |
| Turning radius | 3.5 m (11 ft) |
The VFR1200F is a sport touring motorcycle from Honda, which has a 1,237 cc (75.5 cu in) V4 engine. It has the first dual clutch transmission offered on a motorcycle.[2][3][4]
Contents |
[edit] History
Honda announced the VFR1200F in 2009 and unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show. Production began in October 2009 and first models were delivered in early 2010.[4]
Previously, Honda had displayed a V4 concept bike in October 2008 at the Intermot show in Cologne.[5][6] It had distinctive design elements that were to appear in the production VFR1200F, in particular the X shaped headlights. Leaks and spy photos of a new Honda appeared in various places including online and print news outlets.[7][8] Honda created teaser websites in Fall 2009, in which parts of the a new V4 were shown tantalizingly, and a countdown timer was displayed.[9][10] In October 2009, Honda press materials for the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show announced that the company would display a new bike, the VFR1200F, at the show.[11]
[edit] Technology
[edit] Engine
The transverse-mounted V4 architecture is kept from previous models but the VTEC technology is discontinued.
Instead the new engine incorporates the single overhead camshaft distribution system called Unicam which has been already tested on Honda's offroad machines. This compact system reduces engine size which could be placed further forward in the bike's frame while lowering its center of gravity. A 28° positioning of crank pins and a specific firing order of the cylinders reduce vibrations. Therefore engineers avoid the need for a balance shaft and limit the weight of the engine. The throttle is electronic throttle by wire.
The configuration of the cylinders is also unique. The V4 has the rear bank of cylinders paired closely together, with the big ends of the connecting rods on the inner sides of the crank journals. The forward bank of cylinders is conversely set outboard of the rear bank, with the big end journals mounted on the outer sides of the crank journals. This design allows for a much narrower engine at the rear, which gives the rider a slimmer bike and allows an easier reach to the ground from the seat.
[edit] Transmission
The VFR1200F is available with either a conventional sequential manual transmission, or an automatic dual clutch transmission (DCT),[12] both of which are mated to shaft final drive. The DCT version, known in some markets as the VFR1200FD, has dual clutches, one operating 1st, 3rd and 5th gears, the other operating 2nd, 4th and 6th gears. The dual clutches are able to switch quickly between gears and can operate in one of three modes: 'D', which is a fuel-efficient fully automatic mode; 'S', a sports automatic mode, which changes gear at higher engine speeds; and manual mode, in which the rider changes gear using paddles fitted to the handlebars. This gearbox is the first of its type fitted to a large capacity motorcycle, although dual clutch transmissions are already used in automobiles. The DCT gearbox retains engine braking as with a conventional manual transmission.[3]
[edit] Brakes
The VFR1200F incorporates a combined braking system (CBS) as in previous generation VFR models, and anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard equipment.[3]
[edit] Criticism
The reduction in fuel tank capacity from 22 litres (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal) on the previous VFR800 down to 18.5 litres (4.1 imp gal; 4.9 US gal) on the VFR1200F has been the main complaint raised by motorcyclists, coupled with the new engine's higher than expected fuel consumption. On-road tests have shown a maximum distance from a single tank of less than 300 kilometres (186 mi),[13] with some press reviewers running out of fuel after just 240 kilometres (150 mi).[14]
[edit] References
- ^ New VFR promotion, Honda, http://www.newvfr.com/en_GB/pages/mainpage, retrieved 2009-10-08
- ^ a b Hill, Geoff (10 January 2010), "Oh, You Are Such A Little Tease; The Honda VFR1200F is fast, sexy and smooth - but not as brilliant as promised", The Sunday Times (London, England): 8
- ^ a b c Frank, Aaron (January 2010), "2010 Honda VFR1200F - Mr. Sophisticated Honda builds an automatic for the sportbike people", Motorcyclist (magazine) (Source Interlink Media), ISSN 0027-2205, http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/firstrides/122_1001_2010_honda_vfr1200f/index.html, retrieved 2010-01-30
- ^ a b Conner, Blake (January 2010), "Honda VFR1200F; Transmission transition: the gearbox you didn't realize you needed", Cycle World (Newport Beach, California: Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.): 10–14, ISSN 0011-4286, http://powersports.honda.com/experience/the-open-road/090111c080a9a2db/roundup_vfr1200f.aspx, retrieved 2010-01-31
- ^ Honda V4 Concept Model Shown At Intermot Cologne
- ^ MCN News Desk (7 October 2008), "Honda launches V4 concept bike", Motorcycle News, http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/October/6-12/oct0608-honda-v4-concept-bike/?R=EPI-103383, retrieved 2010-01-31
- ^ UK Exclusive: New Honda V4 spied in action, Motorcycle News (UK), June 24, 2009, http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2009/June/jun2409-honda-v4-spied-on-test/
- ^ Spy Shot! 2010 Honda VFR1200 / Honda's all-new V-Four caught in the act, Cycle World, June 2009, http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=1381
- ^ Honda promotional website: "Feel the V4"
- ^ Honda promotional website: New VFR (countdown clock prior to announcement)
- ^ Press release—"Honda Announces Overview of Display for the 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009", Honda, September 30, 2009, http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090930Tokyo-Motor-Show-2009/, retrieved 2009-10-06
- ^ Honda Announces the New Dual Clutch Transmission for Use in Large-displacement Sport Bikes
- ^ mcnews.com.au VFR1200 Around Australia Trip 2010
- ^ Ash, Kevin (14 January 2010). "Honda VFR1200F review". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorcycle_manufacturers/honda/6966294/Honda-VFR1200F-review.html. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
[edit] External links
- Official Honda VFR microsite
- Motorcycle Picture Book | Dual Clutch Transmission Honda's animated visualization of dual clutch transmission operation (Adobe Flash).
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