Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Are you ready for the next one? The VFR-X Concept

When Honda release the V4 Concept bike in 2009, a few images leak on the internet and they reveal their concept bike at the INTERMOT motorcycle show in Cologne. These few pics may refresh your memory.



As it turn out, in 2010, Honda release this awesome VFR1200.


All the lines on the concept bike are being kept alive on this one. Even the rims are being closely replicated.

As what you can get from the net, the new V4 engines are to be shared on three VFR coded platforms, the VFR-S, which is the current VFR1200F and VFR1200D now, VFR-T, the rumored upcoming ST1300 replacement for sport touring machine, and the VFR-X, the one I would so much excited about, the reborn of the African Twin. There's a lot of VFR-T artist impression pictures on the net, but I myself would hate to see it if it's not the true one.

The current VFR1200 is a not a sports touring machine, if it is, it wouldn't come out like it is (it has a small tank and Honda would make it more ergonomic upright seating position to be in). The VFR should be in the hypersports section, where it is to compete with ZX14 and Hayabusa. I say you can put it as a Blackbird replacement - but the VFR have some advantages. One that I most like is, if you have the opportunity to take a seat on one, get your feet on the footpeg and move you crotch as near as possible to the tank, your sitting position is naturally relaxed as a sport tourer, if you move your crotch as far away as possible from the tank, you're then in the war mode, it's automatically position like a sportbike. Awesome design I must say.

Back to the VFR-X concept, here's what Honda giving us a clue for now :



I could only guess from the pictures... such as the headlamp wouldn't be a projection lamp like the Super Ténéré. Final drive would be shaft-driven, 6-speed, powered with V4 engine, they have to make less power out of this engine, yet tourqey and responsive. More Varadero oriented design. Will came out as a gold color. Blue signal lamp, not amber. (Just kidding). What ever it is, we can only imagine... but I can tell you the new V4 engine is one hell of an engineering marvels! Stay tuned!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

2010 Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré

If you going up north or planning a long stretch riding holiday, I can't think of any better bike than this.



It's tag for RM71k on the road, with another RM 2,000.00 for the side panniers. Not a great deal if you kept BMW F800GS or Kawasaki KLR650 on the same list. But I would say it'll be a better bargain comparing what this bike a design for. It would just do as what the GS would.


I like those alum finish side and top box. It's would look more authentic and classic when it aged with bumps, scratch and mud all over it.




You can pack 23 liter of fuel in here.


Single Cylinder, SOHC, 4 Stroke, 660cc producing almost 48bhp @ 6,000rpm. Requires 3 bottles of Motul 1L oil for next service with some spare for the lubing the chain.


This reminds me so much of Mospeada.


Brembo's caliper for front and rear. I didn't notice it uses the same brand for the pumps.











Tuesday, September 29, 2009

March 2010 is way too long!



Awesome details! This tribute uses the same engine on the upcoming GT5, so it definitely gets me jumping on my seat watching it.