Honda V4 Statements From Milan

This week's AMCN magazine included the following article:

After years of speculation, Honda has confirmed that the radical V4 concept shown at the recent Cologne show in Germany will form the basis of an all-new V4 superbike that will be on dealership floors by 2011. Honda Europe's big wig Mark Davies said recently that an earlier release date wouldn't be out of the question if there's enough response from the market. "If the public reaction is positive and the people behind the project at Honda get together on this, a V4 production bike absed around this concept could be on the road within three years," said Davies. "That's the normal time between an idea and reality. It could even be quicker if need be." While AMCN sources have said the new bike won't replace the CBR1000RR on the superbike grid, it will replace the VFR800 and popular CBR1100XX Blackbird in the Japanese brand's lineup.

Whatever.

it's all blahhhhh... anyway I have a perfectly competent V4 already thanks!

"After years of speculation, Honda has confirmed that the radical V4 concept shown at the recent Cologne show in Germany will form the basis of an all-new V4 superbike that will be on dealership floors by 2011."

2011! Oh no, :ohmy: only 2 years to save my money for the new and improved, 160hp, variable valve, shaft drive, electric windscreen, heated grips, traction controlled, brake by wire ABS, factory bags, VFR1000.

;)

DDO-VFR

[image: View Post]kaldek, on Nov 17 2008, 03:49 AM, said:

This week's AMCN magazine included the following article:

After years of speculation, Honda has confirmed that the radical V4 concept shown at the recent Cologne show in Germany will form the basis of an all-new V4 superbike that will be on dealership floors by 2011. Honda Europe's big wig Mark Davies said recently that an earlier release date wouldn't be out of the question if there's enough response from the market. "If the public reaction is positive and the people behind the project at Honda get together on this, a V4 production bike absed around this concept could be on the road within three years," said Davies. "That's the normal time between an idea and reality. It could even be quicker if need be." While AMCN sources have said the new bike won't replace the CBR1000RR on the superbike grid, it will replace the VFR800 and popular CBR1100XX Blackbird in the Japanese brand's lineup.

Whatever.

Blah blah blah. I'll believe it when I see it. If it does come to pass, I hope that the bike isn't ugly like the concept. In the meantime, I'll keep myself amused with my 98 model.

[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on Nov 17 2008, 05:02 AM, said:

it's all blahhhhh... anyway I have a perfectly competent V4 already thanks!


Blasphemer!!


Don't screw it up for the rest of us.

Brake-by-wire is not new:
[image: Posted Image]
;)

Let's face it. We all want to see the new V4. Personally, I would especially like to see a replacement to the VFR as I may be ready to move on to another bike by 2011 just for the sake of change if nothing else.
I know that we all have been disappointed with the lack of progress over the past several years and many feel bitter and have lost hope (maybe a bit strong-a-word here, but you know what I mean :rolleyes: ). Hence the lack of any excitement in statements above.

The article clearly states that the big H is gaging public interest. And here we are, probably the best representatives (meaning the most representative ;p ) of the potential target market dismissing the whole idea and saying that we're not really interested :huh: .

I think with a 95% probability that H is looking at forums just like ours and probably ours is at the top of their list as part of their market study.
So, let's represent.

[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on Nov 17 2008, 06:02 AM, said:

it's all blahhhhh... anyway I have a perfectly competent V4 already thanks!

Sorry, I gotta agree with Vfr_steve. Of course that is untill we see it in production.

[image: View Post]CitizenOfDreams, on Nov 17 2008, 09:22 AM, said:

Brake-by-wire is not new:
[image: Posted Image]
;)

The also have that slick new Disc brake by wire also...

[image: View Post]thereisnospoon, on Nov 17 2008, 03:12 PM, said:

[image: View Post]CitizenOfDreams, on Nov 17 2008, 09:22 AM, said:

Brake-by-wire is not new:
[image: Posted Image]
;)

The also have that slick new Disc brake by wire also...

my god I take back what I said, I NEED this technology! ;p

.. yea it would be nice to have a bit more power, but I don't really need it, I probably will never stetch the limits of the VFR's handling capability and I don't want to, it's the perfect engine, chassis combo for the road period.

[image: View Post]Rice, on Nov 17 2008, 09:51 AM, said:

Let's face it. We all want to see the new V4. Personally, I would especially like to see a replacement to the VFR as I may be ready to move on to another bike by 2011 just for the sake of change if nothing else.
I know that we all have been disappointed with the lack of progress over the past several years and many feel bitter and have lost hope (maybe a bit strong-a-word here, but you know what I mean :rolleyes: ). Hence the lack of any excitement in statements above.

The article clearly states that the big H is gaging public interest. And here we are, probably the best representatives (meaning the most representative ;p ) of the potential target market dismissing the whole idea and saying that we're not really interested :huh: .

I think with a 95% probability that H is looking at forums just like ours and probably ours is at the top of their list as part of their market study.
So, let's represent.


:+1:

simple fact , Honda COULD , IF they wanted , design a killer 470 lb full of fuel VFR replacement. - what's the Fireblade weigh, fulll , 460 ?. Some folks been holding their breath fer what , 4 years. ?

at least this seems to be semi legit, has a name attached.

I don't think that it makes sense for H to create a V4 super bike. They already have one in this category - A CBR and wouldn't want to take anything away from it.
The only thing that really makes sense is an ST bike with a greater emphasis on S. (Wait a minute... I think we already have one :laugh: . ) Silver Wing as well as VFR have lost their sex appeal b/c they just got old - Funny how these things happen...
All that's needed is some fresh blood in the stable to generate the much needed excitement and They Will Come.

[image: View Post]CitizenOfDreams, on Nov 17 2008, 09:22 AM, said:

Brake-by-wire is not new:
[image: Posted Image]
;)
I couldn't disagree more, they haven't listened to the internet at all ever on how to build a better VFR. Although I got to admit they cam close in 2001.

If they replace the 250cc 2-stroke MotoGP class with 600cc V4's, and market them, I would be very tempted to buy one!

Would be nice to have a real suspension & awesome brakes right out of the box!

[image: View Post]Rice, on Nov 18 2008, 02:51 AM, said:

I think with a 95% probability that H is looking at forums just like ours and probably ours is at the top of their list as part of their market study.
So, let's represent.
Going on past experience, I think that there is a 95% probability that Honda is NOT looking at forums or finding out what their potential market wants. (Apart from maybe the Japanese market).

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Nov 17 2008, 08:13 PM, said:

If they replace the 250cc 2-stroke MotoGP class with 600cc V4's, and market them, I would be very tempted to buy one!

Would be nice to have a real suspension & awesome brakes right out of the box!

:+1: for sure - a 600cc V4 would be outstanding, sign me up too - I'm also hoping they take it up to 1000/1200 and package it in a bitchin' all-new, forward-thinking ST bike with an emphasis on the S side of performance. But please, not a lard-ass super scooter with nut warmers, auto shifting and cup holders, or a buggly-ass hallucinated transformer wanna-be. Innovate ferchrisakes... totally re-invent the VFR - set a new benchmark... blow the world away again... Honda, hello? Is there anybody OUT there? Soichiro sama werry, werry mad - he kick your a$$ in the otherworld if you don't get good V4 mojo going :ph34r:

[image: View Post]kaldek, on Nov 17 2008, 12:49 AM, said:

"If the public reaction is positive and the people behind the project at Honda get together on this, a V4 production bike absed around this concept could be on the road within three years," said Davies. "That's the normal time between an idea and reality. It could even be quicker if need be."
So, they have an idea, the fiberglass artwork and some conceptual drawings. Now the finance team will look at the cost of production and potential sales to see if H can really make any money on this, and they will take in to consideration the global economy tanking and taking the next few years to recover.

Meaning, don't hold your breath. It would be nice but I'm not expecting them to find their way any time soon. H seems lost and disorganized, they don't have a corporate vision any longer which would drive this. Hopefully that can change. :unsure:

Hey, this was post #1000 for me! Do I get a free raffle ticket for the new 2011 VFR1000F?? :biggrin:

Well I hope they get this going as it is 2009 now, so this only gives the first owner of my new to me 2011 VFR a year to break it in, fix the electrical gremlins and write a review to tell me if it is any good. I'll be ready for a new bike by 2012 or so. :biggrin:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Nov 17 2008, 01:13 PM, said:

If they replace the 250cc 2-stroke MotoGP class with 600cc V4's, and market them, I would be very tempted to buy one!

A 600cc V-4 supersport would be an awesome race bike. The minute one arrived at a dealer here, it would be headed for my garage. Bye, bye Gixxer. :)

Dirk

I bought my 5th gen in July of 01, a pretty yellow 2000 w/ just less than 7000 miles on it. I�ve watched w/ patience the 6th gen introduction and was impressed but not enough to trade up. I kept waiting, hoping to see maybe a lighter bike, more horsepower, and better suspension. Each year I kept seeing changes to the Super Sport bikes and but nothing for the VFR but BNG and clear lens.

I had earlier noticed this same trend w/ the Honda & Acura Automobiles, each successive year went by I liked the lines a little bit less. I didn�t understand the styling direction and final last year I bought a BMW 3 Series Hard Top Convertible.

Now I�m shopping more expensive KTMs and BMWs. I�ve found the adventure line of motorcycles gives me most of what I wanted from a new VFR. They aren�t as pretty but they can rail the back roads, have all kinds of luggage available and even get me off-road a bit. It is a shame that I would come to this conclusion but I�m tired w/ mediocre Honda introductions or the lack of them. I�ve ridden Honda�s since I was 14 years old on my Z50A Mini Trail and ten years ago would have told you you�re crazy if you think I�m riding anything but a Honda. But, times have changed and apparently so has Honda. Hopefully they will find that passion to be the true leader and innovator in the industry. Unfortunately by then I�ll be riding another brand, what a shame�

I'll have gone through 2 more bikes by the time they update it. Thought maybe they would have one out this year, but spring is time for me to buy another street bike and retire my 600RR to track only duty and no new VFR. I've put almost 16000 miles on my 600RR since I sold my VFR. Another 6000 miles or so on a vstrom.

[image: View Post]CitizenOfDreams, on Nov 17 2008, 09:22 AM, said:

Brake-by-wire is not new:
[image: Posted Image]
;)


I suppose that would be brake-by-cable :biggrin: . Brake-by-wire would be a wire that sends signal to a motor to operate the brakes. Just speculating beacuse throttle-by-wire on a car is just that...a wire that sends signal to an electric motor to open intake valve instead of a direct cable from the go pedal to the intake valve.

Again just speculating...

I am already on pins and needles waiting to see what fancy new color of VFR they release in 2010.

Seriously though, they can take their time because I am about 2 or 3 years away from a new bike anyway. If the economy stays on this tangent then maybe longer.

Everybody know the term- "Hurry up and wait!" Honda is using it to it's advanage. And Honda is tangling a carrot infront of everybody, waiting to see the results of WHO bites it.

Maybe they will wait until 2013 to release the new one. That way in 2012 we can have a 10 year aniversary version of the 6th gen! It'd have sweet new paint.

I think the term "superbike" from that quote is more marketing speech to attract US buyers and not an actual competitor to the CBR1000RR. Lets face it the vast majority of non enthusiast US buyers who are not buying a Harley want the best "race technology" even though they will never come anywhere close to using it. People who rely on advertising to make there bike choices will buy the new VFR???/? because its a "superbike" with race technology. Enthusiasts will buy it based on its actual spec sheet and pro/word of mouth ride reviews.

Funny - this week's CementHead blog had this article:

After years of speculation, CementHead has confirmed that he would purchase an all-new V4 superbike based on the radical V4 concept shown at the recent Cologne show in Germany which will form the basis of an all-new V4 superbike that will be on dealership floors by 2011. CementHead said recently that an earlier purchase date wouldn't be out of the question if there's enough response from the suppliers. "If the vendor reaction is positive and the people behind the project at Honda get together on this, a V4 production bike absed around this concept could be purchased within three years," said Head. "That's the normal time between an idea and reality. It could even be quicker if need be." ...