Honda was the first ever manufacturer to unveil a veritable production chopper. Yet, the public isn’t as surprised as initially expected not only because it managed to get a glimpse of the bike thanks to the different leaks, but also because the bike itself isn’t as innovative and mind-blowing as initially thought. Definitely not a disappointment, the Fury looks like a rocket taking off and if not towards your garage, you’re going to experience some sleepless nights.

2010 Honda Fury

Specifications

• Make: Array
• Model: 2010 Honda Fury
• Engine/Motor: liquid-cooled 52° V-twin, SOHC; three valves per cylinder
• Transmission: Five-speed
• [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Introduction

The Fury gets the wild side of Honda out for everyone to see and enjoy. No VTX or Shadow model has ever featured fuel injection and this mean machine takes the best (the engine) off its favorite sibling – the VTX 1300 – and feeds it through an advanced PGM-FI system.

Apparently that’s all that should surprise us, but something doesn’t fit the eccentric scenario created by Honda. You take a look at the bike and enjoy finally seeing a veritable Japanese custom motorcycle in front of your eyes and there’s that shaft final drive ruining it all. Why? The only explanation is the fact that Honda people couldn’t abstain themselves from delivering a product that is as reliable as they know they can deliver and simply said “the hell with belt drive” and the result isn’t bad at all, just a little hard to get used seeing.

The transmission is a five-speed unit, like on all veritable custom bikes, making the Honda Fury ideal both for boulevard and highway cruising although you can improve it with a short incursion in the Honda Genuine Accessories department.

What’s probably the best of it apart from the bulletproof engine and tranny package is the 38-degree rake. This makes the exposed frame and slim fork suddenly look good, but there’s plenty more to this bad boy and it involves style and attitude.

Competition

Honda’s move was a very calculated one and they entered the category in which they had the least chances to fail. For example, if they would have taken the VTX 1800 engine, fuel injected it and have it power a custom bike, the Star Raider and Raider S would have still enjoyed a big share of the market although I don’t doubt Honda’s abilities to make a change in that concern. On the other hand, the Shadow engine was simply too small and the Vulcan 900 Custom already present on the market.

Benefiting of the “class leader” statute even before being introduced, the Fury could have very easily been Fury 1300 as we reckon that an 1800cc and 750cc (or maybe 900cc) models will soon follow.

Exterior

If technically the Fury doesn’t radically stand out, stylistically, it is a trendsetter for the Japanese crowd. No other manufacturer before Honda has created a motorcycle that looks like custom made and yet be mass produced (and don’t think at Yamaha and Kawasaki because they deliver cruiser derived models, not choppers). Actually, I’m wondering if chopper builders in the United States would have pulled it through in such an outstanding manner.

As seen, designers had the simplest approach towards it and the Fury seems like being stripped down to its bare necessities although it isn’t a modified cruising motorcycle, but an all-new chopper. Like on all such motorcycles, the engine is the centerpiece. In this case, a 1,312cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin fully covered in chrome shines beautifully at the middle of the 71.24 inches wheelbase, the longest know of any production bike ever.

The right side two-into-two exhaust is nicely contoured around the engine and gearbox while the silencers try to create that illegal look while still meeting EPA (CARB in California) emission regulations. With the radiator positioned in between he frame’s A-shaped pipes, the Fury looks like featuring no space left unexploited, but what’s with that gap between the front cylinder and gas tank? Not sure what to think, but as long as it makes a point for the 38-degree caster angle, I totally dig it.

Everything from fenders and gas tank to the custom wheels, headlight and instruments as well as the seat feature incredible fit and finish, taking a little off the bike’s 663 lbs wet weight.

The shaft final drive doesn’t look that bad after all, but how could it when it powers a custom 18-inch wheel requiring a 200 mm rear tire? Up front, you’re working with a 21-inch custom wheel supported by a long fork with 4.0 inches of travel. The headlight is anything but outrageous and the handlebars are brought close to the rider even though they look damn short. Furthermore, the LED taillight is perfectly integrated into the fairly wide fender, creating a unified look.

Featuring a variety of colors available – Dark Red Metallic, Metallic Silver, Ultra Blue Metallic, Black, Matte Silver Metallic (2010 special color—limited production) – the Honda Fury is hard to pass unnoticed wherever you ride it.

-----

Press Reviews

"Straddling the Fury for the first time, a rider is greeted by surprisingly hospitable ergonomics. My 5-foot-8 bod appreciated the modest reach to the handlebars and the secure footing provided by the low 26.7-inch seat height." – motorcycle

"There's torque aplenty, so the bike launches easily, and it shifts as smoothly as any bike on the market. The fuel-injection calibration is so fine-tuned it makes the rider feel like he has the timing of a kung-fu champion. Although the bike weighs 663 pounds (or 681 when equipped with ABS), it steers and handles as if much lighter." – popularmechanics

"All of this is the result of an 89.5 x 104.3mm bore and stroke making for a 1312cc V-Twin engine, which sits at 52 degrees with a compression ratio of 9.2:1. Redesigned single overhead cams operate three valves per cylinder. Inside sits a single-pin crankshaft design to give that lump and character the cruiser crowd holds so dear – it’s one of the reasons people love Harleys." – motorcycle-usa

"Simply leaning one's body into the turn creates more clearance, but this is a chopper, not a sportbike, right? The Fury is extremely stable, both leaned over and in a straight line, yet retains acceptably light steering and easy handling. Turning around at a standstill takes some back-and-forth, but when rolling it's got a pretty decent turning circle." – motorcyclecruiser

"…the Fury's 71.2-inch wheelbase is the longest of any Honda to date (even the big, 1800cc flat-Six Rune's was only 68.9). So it isn't exactly nimble, and cornering clearance runs out quickly with the footpegs dragging even around moderate bends in the road." – cycleworld

"Methinks that the guy/gal who buys the Fury might be doing so because of the brand. Or at least because they want a "chopper" that starts every time they hit the ignition switch. But maybe that's just me." – cyclenews

Price

Looking like one of those OCC bikes, it’s easy to think that the 2010 Honda Fury is found somewhere well beyond the average cruiser buyer’s financial limits ($50, maybe even $60K). But the whole idea behind it is to address with success to precisely that category of riders that wouldn’t have normally afforded it. And this translates into a $12,999 MSRP.

Conclusion

Honda sure knew how to keep the motorcycle press and enthusiasts anxious about the Fury launch and in the end the bike didn’t disappoint in any matter. With a chopperesque look sustained by a potent engine, Honda is in with a winner which will most likely rule the streets until the other Japanese manufacturers will completely figure the recipe out.

-----

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine and Transmission

• Displacement: 1312cc
• Engine Type: liquid-cooled 52° V-twin
• Bore and Stroke: 89.5mm x 104.3mm
• Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
• Valve Train: SOHC; three valves per cylinder
• Induction: PGM-FI with automatic enricher circuit, one 38mm throttle body
• Ignition: Digital with three-dimensional mapping, two spark plugs per cylinder
• Transmission: Five-speed
• Final Drive: Shaft

Chassis and Dimensions

• Front Suspension: 45mm fork; 4.0 inches travel
• Rear Suspension: Single shock with adjustable rebound damping and five-position spring preload adjustability; 3.7 inches travel
• Front Brake: Single 336mm disc with twin-piston caliper
• Rear Brake: Single 296mm disc with single-piston caliper
• Front Tire: 90/90-21
• Rear Tire: 200/50-18
• Wheelbase: 71.24 inches
• Rake (Caster Angle): 38.0°
• Trail: 3.5 inches
• Seat Height: 26.7 inches
• Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gallons
• Curb Weight†: 663 pounds († Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride)

Other

• Meets current EPA standards.
• California version meets current California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment.

Features

• High-mount steering head complements the raked-out front end.
• "Hard-tail" styling.
• Long, slim 3.4 gallon seamless fuel tank mounts high on the frame for a true custom look.
• Slim radiator is mounted unobtrusively to accent the Fury's clean lines.
• Color-matched bodywork, frame and swingarm. (Matte Silver has a Black frame.)
• Minimalist front and rear fenders complement the Fury's chopper styling.
• Control lines and cables are specially routed for a clean, custom look.
• New low-maintenance slim-profile driveshaft provides smooth operation with no need for chain or belt guards and covers.
• Integrated handlebar-mounted chrome housing features a speedometer, an odometer/A&B tripmeter and indicator lights for the turn signals, high beam, neutral, oil pressure, coolant temperature and clock.
• Electric speedometer with easy-to-read numerals uses an electronic transmission speed sensor, which eliminates the front-wheel-mounted speedometer cable. This contributes to a clean, uncluttered look.
• Passenger seat and rear passenger pegs are easily removed to yield a clean, solo look.
• Maintenance-free battery.
• Transferable one-year unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.

Engine/Drivetrain

• 1312cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin delivers strong low-end and mid-range torque, with ample power for passing and relaxed cruising. Unique dual exhaust offers throaty exhaust note.
• Powerplant features a single-pin crankshaft to accentuate the engine's character.
• Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) incorporates a single 38mm-diameter throttle body (see 2009 Technology Section).
• Three-Valve Dual-Plug Combustion Chamber (see 2009 Technology Section).
• Five-speed transmission for exciting roll-on performance.

Chassis/Suspension

• All-new rear suspension system gives a clean uncluttered appearance.
• Single rear shock with adjustable rebound damping and five-position preload adjustment features an advanced internal valve system for a comfortable ride, and provides 3.7 inches of wheel travel.
• Large-diameter 45mm extended front fork provides 4.0 inches of plush, responsive travel.

Honda Genuine Accessories

• Leather Accessories: Custom Rider Seat (multiple designs), Custom Passenger Seat (multiple designs), Leather Front Pouch (Fury logo).
• Backrest: Low Sissy Bar, Passenger Backrest Pad.
• Chrome Accessories: Rear Fender Panel, Chrome Allen Bolt Inserts (5, 6, 8mm).
• Billet Accessories: Master Cylinder Cover, Oil Dipstick, Clutch Cover, Timing Cover, Upper Fork Bolt Cover, License Plate Frame.
• Additional Accessories: Braided Steel Lines for Brakes, Throttle and Clutch, Front Spoiler (color matched), Front Spoiler LED Light Kit, Boulevard Screen, Outdoor Cover.