What is it about V4s???

[Gary856]

IMHO, the 750 engine is much more fun to ride. I've had both the 750 and the 800.

There's enough difference between a 750 and a 800 that one is much more fun to ride? How's so? I said VFR"800" only because it's the "newer" V4 bike that I kind of know about, but I didn't know it'd be that different between different engines within the VFR V4 family.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

Great article.

I have read about the higher production cost part of it. BMW must have explored it, but decided to go with the I4, why exactly? Development is probably one, the rest, I don't know.

Low cost is the main advantage the I4 has over the V4... since BMW's
aim was only to capture 10% of the Sportbike market the lower cost I4
made more sense... but technically speaking they did ante up the best
engine architecture possible for WSBK racing... history shows us that
since 1988 the Vs... namely the V2s and V4s have dominated racking up
17 titles whereas the I4s have captured just 3 titles... so I won't
be surprised if BMW's 180º crank I4 proves to be a no hoper for a WSBK
title... however I believe they will move higher than 16th place in
the standings if they adopt something like crossplane crank because
the first lesson WSBK teaches you is that useable power is more
desirable by the rider than out right power...

It's also interesting to read that the VFR1200 engine is supposedly weigh the same (if not less) than the latest VFR800? Although the bike has become heavier, at over 600 lbs.

Yea supposedly but I'll believe that when I get my hands on the
official shop manual thats where Honda list actual engine weight...

I don't know any VFR owner that asked for 1200cc and more weight... what
they wanted was 1000cc and less weight...

But... I'm not one to complain about weight. As long as they're balanced properly and not too heavy. Kinda used to it.

Mercy Al... we should not only complain... we should kill the
manufactures on weight... because only if we harp about weight will
they take note... if we're happy about weight then manufactures will
continue to pile it on... just look at the history of the poor VFR...
every new one weights more than the old one... that ain't progress...

I think we all know that a lighter motorcycle will generally perform
better due to a superior power to weight ratio and because, all else
being equal, a lighter motorcycle will generally handle better than a
heavier one... In today's market lighter weight is associated with
advanced technology, good design, and more expensive and exotic
materials, while a motorcycle whose weight is greater than expected
can be perceived as lacking these good qualities...

 

[Foxhole Atheist]

What is it about V4s???

There are truthers, birthers, and tenthers. Now I guess we can add V4ers, a rather small group with an active keyboard.

 

[iehawk]

Mercy Al... we should not only complain... we should kill the manufactures on weight... because only if we harp about weight will they take note... if we're happy about weight then manufactures will continue to pile it on... just look at the history of the poor VFR... every new one weights more than the old one... that ain't progress...

I agree to a certain degree, because a bit more weight actually helps on the commute. My K1200R weighs about 520lbs. wet, it's nice and stable during commute while going through high cross wind, etc., the bike would just stay on track, no flapping or weaving left and right too much. And it's still fun enough to toss around in the twisties.

I personally prefer around the range of 450-470lbs wet; I also know that I start to feel it as a burden when it gets over 630lbs.

Of course, this is also dictate by the type of bike it is. You can't expect a sports touring bike to be light. Just like the case with the VFR1200. I'm really curious about that one since I've ridden something of a similar dimension... the BMW K1300S and K1300GT. They are built to carry more, but also knowing that the added weight will add to the comfort and stability.

But you're right that manufacturers can't just keep piling up the weight. We are already experiencing that in cars for a while now, where even sports cars now can weigh over 4000lbs. There should be a general range (a consensus) where it's acceptable.

As for a sports bike, just like a sports car, yup, it should be light and well balanced.

 

[frozenduc]

Larry, please don't listen to Rocky. Please stay here.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

I personally prefer around the range of 450-470lbs wet;

I agree... imagine if your K1200R was 450 to 470 wet... if you discover its too
light... add weight... if you discover its fine... you don't have to be burden with
extra weight...

 

[Sidewalk]

My 500+ pound Nighthawk was never an issue weight wise, even when loaded up with gear. That was 25 year old technology, I am sure newer models can handle the weight better.

 

[Silver788]

Hi Larry, How ya doing?

 

[Busy Little Shop]

Hi Larry, How ya doing?

Hiya George... I'm doing fine... whats new???

 

[JasonW]

What is it about V4s? You already know the answer to that one.

Why am I not riding one? Because the folks down at Honda have their heads up their collective asses. I damn near had a stroke when I saw the info on their new VFR.

Soichiro must be rolling in his grave.

Aprillia has a beautiful bike that I'd love to throw a leg over but the price tag is out of my reach.

I jumped ship, left Honda (after almost 20 years of proud and happy ownership) and the V motor for an inline of another brand. It's got an assload of power, doesn't handle quite right (yet) and sounds like, well, an inline. It's paid for and it's all mine. It's also up for sale as soon as Honda builds a proper V4 for the masses or until I strike it rich and build my own goddamn bike.

 

[Blacknblue]

My 500+ pound Nighthawk was never an issue weight wise, even when loaded up with gear. That was 25 year old technology, I am sure newer models can handle the weight better.

+1
I even did about 12 miles fully-loaded on a washboard dirt road in Nevada
and it did fine. I could stand on the pegs and just slide around a little.
Also, it rides well in heat all day and has direct drive, self-adjusting valves,
and fully adjustable suspension with anti-dive. It's still a nice bike-- kind of
like a classic rock song you know by heart.

 

[Removed 4]

There's enough difference between a 750 and a 800 that one is much more fun to ride? How's so? I said VFR"800" only because it's the "newer" V4 bike that I kind of know about, but I didn't know it'd be that different between different engines within the VFR V4 family.

Those experienced with the VF and VFR sometimes get a little picky between generations. Each gen has its own characteristics and quirks. You should have seen the uproar(some of it still continues) when the 6th gen(2002-2009) came along. People were screaming that it was not a real VFR and that the vtec killed the VFR.
I like the motor for what it is. I have come to appreciate all generations(even interested in the 7th gen).
I happen to have a 5th gen, and I love it the most because it is the one I have.

 

[VFRBenny]

Those experienced with the VF and VFR sometimes get a little picky between generations. Each gen has its own characteristics and quirks. You should have seen the uproar(some of it still continues) when the 6th gen(2002-2009) came along. People were screaming that it was not a real VFR and that the vtec killed the VFR.
I like the motor for what it is. I have come to appreciate all generations(even interested in the 7th gen).
I happen to have a 5th gen, and I love it the most because it is the one I have.

I'm one of those picky folks that feels Honda screwed up the VFR from 02 on.

I've been a big VFR fan from the 80's and the VFR made me a Honda believer in there ability to be the best. I'm not a very rich man, but if I were to hit the lotto today, I'd still be riding my 2000 VFR. Why? because I believe it was and is the best VFR ever made.

 

[Sidewalk]

+1
I even did about 12 miles fully-loaded on a washboard dirt road in Nevada
and it did fine. I could stand on the pegs and just slide around a little.
Also, it rides well in heat all day and has direct drive, self-adjusting valves,
and fully adjustable suspension with anti-dive. It's still a nice bike-- kind of
like a classic rock song you know by heart.

It is a good bike. But given the choice I would take my old 1000RR back in a heart beat for daily use