Although Honda has been gradually releasing information about the new VFR1200 engine and dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission, we never got the change to actually hear that V4 running until now, when we’ve come across this video.
The engine has a healthy idle grunt and, although revved probably not higher than 3000-3500 rpm, it sounds insane. The fact is that no exhaust will ever replace a potent engine of large displacement.
If my guess is right, the motorcycle crying behind all that fur is a Yamaha FZR. What I cannot guess is why anyone would ever want to do something like this to a fully-faired motorcycle. Most likely a female motorcycle rider is trying to bring “the fluff factor” in the attention of the motorcycle press or this is simply some strange form of urban camouflage. Still, this is like wearing your overcoat during the summer.
Honda designers and engineers are busy working on the all-new VFR1200 sport-touring motorcycle, as the bike will be unveiled next month, and they’re no cheapskates when it comes to revealing technical information along the way. Last week, we found about the development of a dual clutch transmission that they’re preparing for this all-new model and now the Japanese company has released a video in which Honda senior engine manager Tsutomu Ishii takes us through the details of the 1200cc V4 engine.
The mastermind behind this motorcycle engine explains how they managed to achieve the width of a v-twin and the length of an inline-four, while the freshly created unit has a unicam head design, phase-pin crankshaft, 28° firing order and no balancer. Watch Honda’s official video after the jump.
Suzuki’s 2010 sportbike lineup gets a new member – the GSX1250FA. The new addition will sell in Europe and compared to the Bandit 1250, it only has an extra full fairing to brag about. Everything else, the engine and tranny as well as the chassis are all shared with the Bandit 1250S, while the fairing didn’t required much work or imagination either as it was simply inspired from now this bike’s smaller brother, the GSX650F.
The fact is that Suzuki plans to sell the all-new GSX1250FA as a cheap (price is yet to be announced though) and versatile sport-touring motorcycle. For that reason, they offer genuine accessories such as windshield, top case and side cases among others.
Colors available for the 2010 model year are Candy Indy Blue, Metallic Oort Gray and Pearl Nebular Black. We hope this bike makes it to the United States in a couple of years from now because we truly like it. Read the provisory specs and features after the break.
The fact that Honda is planning to launch an all-new VFR model powered by a 1200cc V4 engine in 2010 is no news for any of our readers, but the fact that the all-new bike will feature a dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission does sound fairly interesting even for those who aren’t that much into motorcycles.
Derived from a similar system used in the car industry for several years, Honda’s much more compact three-mode system is supposed to offer faster and yet smoother shifts. Riders of next year’s VFR will be able to select one of three different modes: two fully automatic ones and a manual (although not classic) shifting mode.
Having two clutches, it means that each one will be responsible for an equal number of gears among the six available.
We’ve attached Honda’s dual-clutch demonstration video as well as the press release after the break.
Honda America has released the photos and information of their first row of 2010 street models, which includes the Honda CBR600RR and CBR1000RR, the all-new Honda Shadow Phantom as well as the NT700V. In the supersport segment, there’s no revolutionary upgrade, but only engine changes for the CBR1000RR and new color schemes and graphics for both RRs.
While the US market is no stranger to the Honda Shadow and the Shadow Phantom model is nothing more than a black, custom version with a 750cc, fuel-injected engine, the NT700V comes as an entirely new and very interesting entry. A sporty commuter powered by a 680cc V-twin engine? Is this Honda’s attempt to turn the US market towards fuel efficiency, user-friendliness and clean sportbike looks? What happened to the DN-01?
Tom Miceli is a dedicated and hard working young man, who recently presented his own electric motorcycle at the Southern Energy and Environment Expo 2009. Tom has a BS degree in Industrial Design from the Appalachian State University in the US and the electric sportbike, that he designed and constructed in a single semester, features an 84-volt lithium-ion battery, which powers a three-phase AC motor that produces 105 lb feet of torque and 46 hp. The batteries offer the ION a 60-mile range, while the top speed is an estimated 80 mph.
After showing his creation to an impressed audience, Tom took the ION for a test ride, so here’s the video from the event.
After gaining popularity by racing the Enertia TTR sportbike at this year’s Isle of Man TT motorcycle race, Brammo announces that their bikes are now available at select Best Buy stores.
Brammofan blog was already interested in the subject and after reporting that the Enertia TTR racers were on display at select West Coast Best Buy stores, they started to dig deeper into it. So they went at the Cascade Station Best Buy in Portland, Oregon to take this picture of the bike and also to find out that there are three in stock. Those having a license with a motorcycle endorsement can take the electric bikes for a spin, but hopefully without trying to imitate the way professional racers rode the bikes back in June. Still, we’ve added a video of the Brammo Enertia TTR at the Isle of Man TTX GP in order to start your interest even more.
Buell’s 2010 lineup wouldn’t have been complete without the notorious Ulysses models, the XB12X sportbike and XB12XT sport-touring one. Both motorcycles are powered by the smooth, reliable 1203 cc air-cooled engine and feature the appropriate wheelbase and ground clearance in order to prove efficient both on paved roads and unpaved roads. At a first glance, the Ulysses XB12XT model stands out thanks to the standard side and top cases, but it also comes with heated grips and tall windscreen, like any touring motorcycle should. > More
It is very likely that no stunt rider has ever before tied his motorcycle, a Honda CBR600RR to a parachute and drag it over a lake with a speed boat while simulating his soil routine, but this is precisely what this guy (with plenty of help) does. Watch the actual video after the jump. > More
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