Drove: Honda VFR1200F
Test Drive MOTO

Drove: Honda VFR1200F

Last fall, the guesswork ended. V4 will be! The new unit has not been tested


premieres in the super sports CBR 1000 RR, also not in the fast XX 1100,


but in the new VFR 1200 F with a brand new and very interesting four-cylinder engine


with V-shaped cylinders at an angle of 76 degrees.

New technology


or a four-cylinder V-shaped heart - that's not all. They took care of fresh


a shape that pleases after the first impressions we have collected. Many


comments from passers-by or even motorcyclists we met


in this cold March weather, they were extremely positive. Motorbike


he is certainly unusual in appearance, but at the same time beautiful and, most importantly, harmonious


and clean lines of design. Even if you choose the color yourself, you would


instead of silver I chose dark red. But back to the technique,


The VFR 1200 F offers plenty.

If you ever wondered


what we've gotten from Honda's MotoGP race is now the answer here.


The four-cylinder engine is designed according to the same concept as the unit with which


racing Dani Pedrosa and the rest of the company. Small unit,


compact, with one camshaft in the head, which is called UNICAM - the same


as with RC211V or CRF 250/450 motocross model.

Volume


slightly larger than indicated on the label, namely 1.237 cm? what for such


the bike is more than adequate as it delivers 171 horsepower. Last but not least


it is a sports-touring motorcycle, not a supercar on which


they will fight on the race track with seconds and hundreds. May be


it is even more interesting than torque data than torque data. Enviable 129


It reaches Nm at 8.750 rpm, but even more interesting is that


that 90 percent of the torque is already achieved at 4.000 rpm!

this is it


there is already evidence that even the best car will not protect, let alone


motorbike. And you will say why so much is said and written about torque,


as "horses" should be counted in motorcycles, but they are not. Is on the road


torque advantage as it gives you a smooth ride and good acceleration from


bend, besides, the gear lever does not need to be interfered with


Transmission.

And the V4 engine does it all well. It's unusual


flexible with a very beautiful and constantly increasing power curve, right on the road


wandering the serpentines, he earns as much as ten. It was said that


the four-cylinder is advertised for a soft and above all different sound that tires you


under the skin. Namely, not as aggressive as in inline four-cylinder engines,


but it has the soft bass note typical of a two-cylinder engine.


Although, as mentioned, the engine deserves the highest rating, it can


we say that the fuel injection unit can be repaired by shade, but only


when adding gas from the lowest speed. Otherwise, gas is added through


computer and electrical cable.

Transfer of power completed


through an excellent six-speed gearbox, but for now with a single clutch


(dual clutch version expected late spring) on


a propeller shaft that drives the rear wheel. Cardan in sports Honda


we are not used to it, but Honda wisely followed BMW and succeeded


completed its task. The propeller shaft is practically inaudible, especially


nicely straight in adding gas and acceleration.

No pa


you can also forget about chain sprayers. Packarije, cost


maintenance and replacement and of course no need to worry about lubrication. To praise


we also need a perfectly working sliding clutch, which, with a sharp shift,


downshift prevents the rear wheel from blocking and slipping. Ob


First-class ABS plastic, cold, dusty and gritty


the covered asphalt came in handy, the safety was well taken care of.

Exceptional


the new VFR provides a good, safe and reliable feel even during


driving. Due to the low center of gravity or. centralization of the mass is close to


driving performance is exceptional. Despite everything but friendly driving conditions


the motorcycle fulfills the driver's commands with incredible calmness and balance. Ob


great engine, concern for safety and comfort, I dare say it


the biggest advantage of the new Honda. Also with driving position and with shape


the seats are painted black as the cornering feel is straightforward


wonderful. We know too well motorcycles to be driven.


bend, or those that behave strangely when adding gas or exits


from bends.

The first contact with the motorcycle makes us feel comfortable.


also surprised with thoughtful aerodynamics. However, Honda says that


learned (again) by racing in MotoGP, but with this bike they


you will also have to drive a few test kilometers as the VFR is very


quiet even at a speed of 260 km / h and does not require the driver to play sports, next to the tank for


fuel stuck. Up to 220 km / h in nature completely comfortable


upright driving position. But make no mistake, it's not about that anyway


supercar, as evidenced by the fact that the motorcycle is very beautiful and


calmly drives even at a speed of 50 km / h on city streets.

To summarize in


one suggestion: this is an exceptional motorcycle that perfectly retrofits an older model,


and if you are attracted to a sports trip, just enjoy it. Otherwise not


the cheapest considering the base model costs $ 15.990,


probably the price will not be the main criterion when buying. For half the money


Honda also has a very nice CBF 1000 motorcycle (but unfortunately not like that.


good like this PVP).

Face to face. ...

Matyaj Tomajic:


With this bike, Honda salted a strong muffin, especially the Bavarian K1300 Su, but at the same time offered more than the perfect compromise between a friendly liter CBF and a supersport CBR. The VFR 1200 F will definitely herald the motorcycle years to come, and it seems like all the good features we're used to at Honda are even more and pretty much enhanced on this bike.

Real-world driving performance is a little confusing for my liking with the forward-leaning posture, but in all areas it far exceeds the reasonable expectations (of course!) Of a mature driver. I highly recommend it to those for whom this type of motorcycle is painted on leather, as I seriously doubt this Honda can disappoint you.

MODEL: Honda VFR1200F

Test car price: 15.990 EUR

engine: It has a 76 °, 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled engine, one camshaft in the head, 4 valves per cylinder.

Maximum power: 127 kW (171 km) at 10.000 rpm

Maximum torque: 129 Nm at 8.750 rpm

Energy transfer: Wet multi-plate clutch, sliding clutch, hydraulic steering, 6-speed gearbox, propeller shaft

Frame: aluminum alloy bridge frame

brakes: two floating coils in front? 320mm, 6-piston calipers, single disc rear brake? 276, twin-piston caliper, C-ABS

Suspension: front adjustable inverted telescopic forks? 43mm, single-link rear swingarm and adjustable single-arm shock

Tires: front 120/70 ZR 17, rear 190/55 ZR 17

Seat height from ground: 815 mm

Fuel tank: 18.5

Wheelbase: 1.5455 mm

Weight: 267 kg (without fuel)

Representative: Motocentr AS Domžale, doo, www.honda-as.com

First impression

Appearance 4/5

We appreciate the courage for which they decided to draw the new lines so radically; they seem unusual at first glance, but over time they become more homely. We also experienced a presentation of the current CBR1000RR in a similar way, which is now good for us.

Motor 5/5

4 is the heart that we sincerely adore. The power increases smoothly and continuously with an exceptional soundtrack. It would be easy to introduce this device in a slightly more helical design in one of the next generations of the CBR 1000 RR.

Comfort 5/5

This is a bike for long journeys as it does not tire. The driving position is slightly forward-sporty, but not enough to compromise overall comfort. You will find out what the passenger is saying about the back seat during a lengthy test.

Price 4/5

Honda said the bike is primarily aimed at motorcyclists over 40 who are willing to deduct a little more for prestige reasons. Also in the package you get a three-year warranty, which is also a nice gesture from the importer.

First class 5/5

Lately, we often wonder where they will be with all this modern technology and if we need it at all. Then comes a motorcycle like the VFR 1200 F and we say, "Hallelujah, development and technology." Especially in the name of a more enjoyable and safer ride.

Petr Kavčič, photo: Aleš Pavletič, factory

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