Triumphrat

daytonacharlie · 10-14-2009, 03:45 PM

Not that I'm the slightest bit interested in buying the butt fugly beast but I'm always interested in seeing what new technology Honda/Japan-inc is producing. It seems all the latest designs from the Japanese are getting more and more whacked out. I know I'm not the target audience but space age scooters on steroids jest ain't my cuppa. Comments... discuss...

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1738/M...vid=1034575147

dc

HiDesert · 10-14-2009, 03:50 PM

Well, the Pontiac Aztec team had to do something for an encore... The VFR looked it's best in the 90s. It's been downhill ever since. It used to be one of the Great Bikes.

englane · 10-14-2009, 04:12 PM

I don't know why I feel I need to share this, but as a pilot I saw the title of this thread and thought I was going to learn a new regulation concerning Visual Flight Rules through a motorcycle forum...

LittleJoe · 10-14-2009, 04:17 PM

Yeah, it looks...not quite ugly, but unkept, maybe, I don't know. The snub nose aside, it just doesn't look like one motorcycle. The front and rear don't go together.

There are also rumors that with all the wiz-bang tech in the engine compartment, that the final street version may not have fully adjustable forks up front. Odd.

daytonacharlie · 10-14-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiDesert

Well, the Pontiac Aztec team had to do something for an encore... The VFR looked it's best in the 90s. It's been downhill ever since. It used to be one of the Great Bikes.

Catenaccio · 10-14-2009, 05:56 PM

I'll chime on the minority side. I like it with the exception of the tail section which I hope could be covered over with hard bags. Trying to find a corporate look in the 2-wheel world is tough, one of the reasons Triumph bugeyes are so appealing to some and revolting to others. Honda seems to be struggling for an aesthetic the world at large can like.

I think the technology in the VFR is outstanding. Its looks may be far removed from mainstream bikes, but I think dual clutch transmissions (auto select as an option) will be offered on many more bikes because of Honda's efforts. Ultimately, price will determine whether the VFR is a hit or a flop.

The VFR's main competitors will be the C14, the K1300S, and possibly the Hayabusa. Distinguishing itself will depend on some fairly outlandish parameters - acceleration and top speed being the two most obvious. It appears Honda has tried to blend Interceptor and Blackbird. I for one hope it works.

Let the uber super tourer wars begin...

Tbirdnz · 10-14-2009, 06:26 PM

Overall not bad but I certainly don't like the muffler, hideous, doesn't go with the rest of the bike.

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Ride on !

HiDesert · 10-14-2009, 06:35 PM

I believe the collective decision of the VFR-loving world was that the system for varying the number of valves was a solution in search of a problem, and tremendously complex to boot. But the V-4 engines have always been their own mark of distinction.

I'll take a '98 or '99, thanks.

iceman · 10-14-2009, 07:43 PM

...... not sure - but at this stage I couldnt say its attractive.

At least Honda cant be accused of just copying the others.

I'm sure it'll be a very capable bike though.

dogtired · 10-14-2009, 07:45 PM

It isn't that good, but it is certainly not the ugliest thing going round. At a glance it is not particularly eye catching, to me it is just another clone like representation of the Japanese design concept, and I wouldn't give it a second glance. Perhaps if someone photoshopped a decent colour scheme onto it peoples perceptions might change.

For serious ugly I will always defer to the French and their particular style of design that hit it's pinnacle with the DS Citroen. No one does ugly like the French. They have made ugly a science.

Now this is serious ugly.