| 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) |
| Related | Honda Crossrunner |
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 |
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]
The engine and gearbox used on the VFR1200F were all new when the bike was launched. A slightly de-tuned version of the engine, and the same gearbox, have been used on the VFR1200X Crossrunner, a dual-sport motorcycle that was launched in 2011.[12]
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.
The VFR1200F is available with either a conventional sequential manual transmission, or an automatic dual clutch transmission (DCT),[13] 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]
The VFR1200F incorporates a combined braking system (CBS) as in previous generation VFR models, and anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard equipment.[3]
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),[14] with some press reviewers running out of fuel after just 240 kilometres (150 mi).[15]
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| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Standard | CG125 | CBF125 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CMX250C/Rebel | CMX250C/Rebel | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| CB500 | CBF500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| CBF600 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CB750/Nighthawk | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CBF1000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CB-1/CB400F | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CB400SF | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CB600F/Hornet/599 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CB900F/Hornet/919 | CB1000R | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| CB1100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| X11/CB1100SF | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | NSR125 | CBR125R | |||||||||||||||||||||
| CBR250 | CBR250R | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| CBR600F | CBR600F2 | CBR600F3 | CBR600F4 | CBR600F4i | CBR600F | ||||||||||||||||||
| CBR600RR | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CBR900RR | CBR919RR | CBR929RR | CBR954RR | CBR1000RR | |||||||||||||||||||
| RC51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| VTR1000F (North American sales ended 2005) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| CBR1000F | CBR1100XX (North American sales ended 2003) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Touring | VFR750F | VFR800/Interceptor | |||||||||||||||||||||
| VFR1200F | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NT650V/Deauville | NT700V/Deauville | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ST1100/Pan-European | ST1300/Pan-European | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gold Wing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dual-sport | NX250 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NX650 Dominator | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| XL125V Varadero | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| XL600V/XL650V/XL700V Transalp | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| XRV650/XRV750/Africa Twin | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| XL1000V Varadero | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crossrunner | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crosstourer | |||||||||||||||||||||||