Honda VF1000
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The Honda VF1000 range of motorcycles was manufactured by Honda and was sold between 1984 and 1988. The VF1000 is named after its V-4 998cc double overhead cam 16 valve engine.
There were three main models in the VF1000 range, the VF1000F (also known as Interceptor), the VF1000R and the VF1000F2.
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[edit] VF1000F "Interceptor"
The first of Honda's 1000cc VF range, known as the 1000 Interceptor, was launched in the USA and Canada in March 1984.
The Interceptor had a 998cc 113 BHP 16 valve V-4 engine with double over head chain driven cams. The bike featured adjustable Pro-Link rear suspension with adjustable braced front forks, silver aluminium ComStar wheels (16 inch front, 17 inch rear), and an aerodynamic half fairing and lower cowl with single rectangular headlight. Three discs comprised the braking system with dual discs and twin piston calipers at the front and a single disc with twin piston calipers at the rear.
The Interceptor was available in Blue/White/Red (Candy Aleutian Blue with Shasta White), Black/Red/White (Candy Alamona Red with Pearl Shell White) or Black/Silver/White. The "Honda" and "Interceptor" striping across the tank and side panels were red or blue.
The 1000 Interceptor had the word "Interceptor" in white on red across the side panels and "VF1000F" stenciled in white on the seat, the "V-FOUR" graphic is outlined in red on the white cowl, later the "Interceptor" name is dropped and "VF1000F" appears in white on red across the side panels.
In Europe the "Interceptor" was launched as the FE model in 1984 and reported engine power output was increased to 116 horsepower. Features such as Honda's dive control system (TRAC) and adjustable suspension were still present with the biggest change being the colour schemes available in Red/White, Blue/White and Silver/Black the graphics are in red on a white background, the "Interceptor" graphic is replaced with VF1000F below the tank and the "Honda" tank graphic stretches across the half fairing. The aluminium Comstars are now black. The VF1000F was discontinued in April 1985.
The evolution of the VF1000F(1) to the VF1000F2 began in April 1985 with the VF1000FF (and subsequent rare FG) model. The styling of the bike changed with new side panels and grab rail. The 16 inch front wheel was replaced with an 18 inch wheel and the bike was available in Silver/Blue or Silver/Red. The "Honda" tank graphic appears in white and "VF1000F" is moved to the rear of the side panel in black.
The VF1000FF was sold in Europe, Australia and Canada and was discontinued in August 1987.
[edit] VF1000R
In March 1984 Honda introduced the VF1000RE in Europe. Its styling was a celebration of the V4's racing heritage and the VF1000R was a showcase for the technology Honda had developed on the track.
The super sports bike still featured the same 998cc V-4 engine in its rectangular section pipe frame but this was the first VF1000 to have [gear driven cams] that would become a trademark of future V4 Hondas, beginning with the VFR750. The VF1000R modifications increased the claimed output of the V4 engine to 122bhp or 125bhp (American Release).
The RE colour scheme was Fighting Red with Shasta White and Candy Aleutian Blue. The bike had a red front mudguard, fork legs, centre section, and seat. The upper fairing, fuel tank, and "1000R" stripe were blue and the lower fairing was white. Like the VF500 and VF750 the 1000R has the Honda wings on the tank.
The suspension system remains unchanged from the VF1000F but dual floating front discs and racing style piston calipers on the ventilated rear disc enhance the braking. The 16 inch front and 17 inch rear NS type aluminium ComStars came on quick-release axle holders, and other features such as the endurance racer style twin headlights, adjustable clutch and front brake levers, full fiberglass racing fairing and solo seat cowl made the R very desirable.
The RE was discontinued in April 1985 to be replaced by the VF1000RF. The bike was redesigned (losing the twin headlights) to satisfy the American market who had to wait a year before the bike was sold in the USA. The RF was produced in the same colour scheme as the RE but with revised decals.
In March 1986 the VF1000RG was introduced in the Rothmans Team colours with revised logo decals. This was discontinued in August 1987. Six months later, in February 1988, the VF1000RF was discontinued.
[edit] VF1000F2
Following the release of the VF1000FF in 1985, a fully faired version was introduced, and the VF1000F2(F) was launched in April 1985.
The powerful 1000cc V-4 had been packaged into two super sports bikes and it was now time to show that the VF could be a real sports tourer too.
The 116bhp F2 included the same styling changes we had seen in the VF1000FF but Honda added a more aerodynamic full fairing which covered most of the engine, and changed the seat design to improve comfort for rider and passenger over long distances.
The colour scheme available was Silver or Red with "VF1000" in black and "FII" in red appearing below the pillion seat to the rear of the side panels on the silver model, with the graphics on the red model all in white.
The F2 has the name of the French 24 hour endurance race "Bol d'or" across the top of the fairing behind the indicator, giving this VF it's Bol d'or nickname. An extra radiator is included to assist cooling and is integrated into the "wind tunnel" designed fairing. The fairing, designed to increase rider comfort and reduce drag, has a built in ventilation system and twin storage "pockets".
The cockpit was redesigned too with a centrally mounted fuel and coolant temperature gauge, new style speedometer and tachometer with yellow backgrounds. The twin headlights first seen on the VF1000R are also included on some models.
Suspension and braking specifications remain the same as the VF1000F/FE. Engine and frame modifications were carried over from the development of the R and FF models, but the F2 still had chain driven cams.
The VF1000F2-(F/G) was discontinued in May 1986.
