Honda VF1000
Encyclopedia
The VF1000 range of Honda
motorcycles was made from 1984 to 1988. The VF1000 is named after its V-4
998 cc double overhead cam 16 valve engine. There were three main models in the VF1000 range, the VF1000F (also known as Interceptor), the VF1000R and the VF1000F2.
The Interceptor had a 998 cc 113 BHP 16 valve V-4 engine with double over head chain driven cams. The bike featured adjustable Pro-Link rear suspension with adjustable braced front forks, silver aluminium ComStar wheels (16 inch front, 17 inch rear), and an aerodynamic half fairing and lower cowl with single rectangular headlight. Three discs comprised the braking system with dual discs and twin piston calipers at the front and a single disc with twin piston calipers at the rear.
In Europe the "Interceptor" was launched as the FE model in 1984 and reported engine power output was increased to 116 hp. Features such as Honda's dive control system (TRAC) and adjustable suspension were still present . The VF1000F was discontinued in April 1985.
The evolution of the VF1000F(1) to the VF1000F2 began in April 1985 with the VF1000FF (and subsequent rare FG) model. The styling of the bike changed with new side panels and grab rail. The 16 inches (406.4 mm) front wheel was replaced with an 18 inches (457.2 mm) wheel
The VF1000FF was sold in Europe, Australia and Canada and was discontinued in August 1987.
The super sports bike still featured the same 998 cc V-4 engine in its rectangular section pipe frame, but this was the first VF1000 to have gear driven cams that would become a trademark of future V4 Hondas, beginning with the VFR750
. The VF1000R modifications increased the claimed output of the V4 engine to 122 bhp or 125bhp (American Release).
The suspension system remains unchanged from the VF1000F but dual floating front discs and racing style piston calipers on the ventilated rear disc enhance the braking. The 16 inches (406.4 mm) front and 17 inches (431.8 mm) rear NS type aluminium ComStars came on quick-release axle holders, and other features included the endurance racer style twin headlights, adjustable clutch and front brake levers, full fiberglass racing fairing and solo seat cowl.
The RE was discontinued in April 1985 to be replaced by the VF1000RF. The bike was redesigned (losing the twin headlights) to satisfy the American market who had to wait a year before the bike was sold in the USA. The RF was produced in the same colour scheme as the RE but with revised decals.
In March 1986 the VF1000RG was introduced in the Rothmans Team colours with revised logo decals. This was discontinued in August 1987. Six months later, in February 1988, the VF1000RF was discontinued.
The 116 bhp F2 included the same styling changes we had seen in the VF1000FF but Honda added a more aerodynamic full fairing which covered most of the engine, and changed the seat design to improve comfort for rider and passenger over long distances.
The F2 has the name of the French 24 hour endurance race "Bol d'or
" across the top of the fairing behind the indicator, giving this VF it's Bol d'or nickname. An extra radiator is included to assist cooling and is integrated into the "wind tunnel
" designed fairing. The fairing, designed to increase rider comfort and reduce drag, has a built in ventilation system and twin storage "pockets".
The cockpit was redesigned too with a centrally mounted fuel and coolant temperature gauge, new style speedometer and tachometer with yellow backgrounds. The twin headlights first seen on the VF1000R are also included on some models. Suspension and braking specifications remain the same as the VF1000F/FE. Engine and frame modifications were carried over from the development of the R and FF models, but the F2 still had chain driven cams.
The VF1000F2-(F/G) was discontinued in May 1986.
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
motorcycles was made from 1984 to 1988. The VF1000 is named after its V-4
V4 engine
A V4 engine is a V form engine with four cylinders and three main bearings.-Automobile use:Lancia produced several narrow-angle V4 engines from the 1920s through 1960s for cars like the Lambda, Augusta, Artena, Aprilia, Ardea, Appia, and Fulvia....
998 cc double overhead cam 16 valve engine. There were three main models in the VF1000 range, the VF1000F (also known as Interceptor), the VF1000R and the VF1000F2.
VF1000F "Interceptor"
The first of Honda's 1,000 cc VF range, known as the 1000 Interceptor, was launched in the USA and Canada in March 1984.The Interceptor had a 998 cc 113 BHP 16 valve V-4 engine with double over head chain driven cams. The bike featured adjustable Pro-Link rear suspension with adjustable braced front forks, silver aluminium ComStar wheels (16 inch front, 17 inch rear), and an aerodynamic half fairing and lower cowl with single rectangular headlight. Three discs comprised the braking system with dual discs and twin piston calipers at the front and a single disc with twin piston calipers at the rear.
In Europe the "Interceptor" was launched as the FE model in 1984 and reported engine power output was increased to 116 hp. Features such as Honda's dive control system (TRAC) and adjustable suspension were still present . The VF1000F was discontinued in April 1985.
The evolution of the VF1000F(1) to the VF1000F2 began in April 1985 with the VF1000FF (and subsequent rare FG) model. The styling of the bike changed with new side panels and grab rail. The 16 inches (406.4 mm) front wheel was replaced with an 18 inches (457.2 mm) wheel
The VF1000FF was sold in Europe, Australia and Canada and was discontinued in August 1987.
VF1000R
In March 1984 Honda introduced the VF1000RE in Europe. Its styling was a celebration of the V4's racing heritage and the VF1000R was a showcase for the technology Honda had developed on the track.The super sports bike still featured the same 998 cc V-4 engine in its rectangular section pipe frame, but this was the first VF1000 to have gear driven cams that would become a trademark of future V4 Hondas, beginning with the VFR750
Honda VFR750
The Honda VFR750F is a sport touring motorcycle produced between 1986 and 1997. The fully faired motorcycle featured a reliable 98 horsepower liquid-cooled double overhead cam V4 four-stroke engine. All generations of VFR750 since 1990 employ an ELF-designed single-sided rear swingarm...
. The VF1000R modifications increased the claimed output of the V4 engine to 122 bhp or 125bhp (American Release).
The suspension system remains unchanged from the VF1000F but dual floating front discs and racing style piston calipers on the ventilated rear disc enhance the braking. The 16 inches (406.4 mm) front and 17 inches (431.8 mm) rear NS type aluminium ComStars came on quick-release axle holders, and other features included the endurance racer style twin headlights, adjustable clutch and front brake levers, full fiberglass racing fairing and solo seat cowl.
The RE was discontinued in April 1985 to be replaced by the VF1000RF. The bike was redesigned (losing the twin headlights) to satisfy the American market who had to wait a year before the bike was sold in the USA. The RF was produced in the same colour scheme as the RE but with revised decals.
In March 1986 the VF1000RG was introduced in the Rothmans Team colours with revised logo decals. This was discontinued in August 1987. Six months later, in February 1988, the VF1000RF was discontinued.
VF1000F2
Following the release of the VF1000FF in 1985, a fully faired version was introduced, and the VF1000F2(F) was launched in April 1985 as a sports tourer.The 116 bhp F2 included the same styling changes we had seen in the VF1000FF but Honda added a more aerodynamic full fairing which covered most of the engine, and changed the seat design to improve comfort for rider and passenger over long distances.
The F2 has the name of the French 24 hour endurance race "Bol d'or
Bol d'or
The Bol d'or is a motorcycle endurance race, held annually in France. Originally, it was an automobile as well as motorcycle race. The automobiles were limited to 1100cc engine capacity until the 1950s when the limit was raised to 1500cc, and later to 2000cc...
" across the top of the fairing behind the indicator, giving this VF it's Bol d'or nickname. An extra radiator is included to assist cooling and is integrated into the "wind tunnel
Wind tunnel
A wind tunnel is a research tool used in aerodynamic research to study the effects of air moving past solid objects.-Theory of operation:Wind tunnels were first proposed as a means of studying vehicles in free flight...
" designed fairing. The fairing, designed to increase rider comfort and reduce drag, has a built in ventilation system and twin storage "pockets".
The cockpit was redesigned too with a centrally mounted fuel and coolant temperature gauge, new style speedometer and tachometer with yellow backgrounds. The twin headlights first seen on the VF1000R are also included on some models. Suspension and braking specifications remain the same as the VF1000F/FE. Engine and frame modifications were carried over from the development of the R and FF models, but the F2 still had chain driven cams.
The VF1000F2-(F/G) was discontinued in May 1986.