Honda VF500F
Encyclopedia
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
manufactured from 1984 to 1986.
It was part of Honda's
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...
family of first generation V4 engine
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....
motorcycles (Interceptor - VF400F VF500F VF700F VF750F VF1000F). The VF500F was derived from the Japanese market VF400F (400 cc engine). It is not simply an overbored and/or overstroked version of the VF400F. The engine as well as the cycle are entirely specific, with very few common parts. The Honda VF500 engine was also used almost entirely unchanged in the Magna V30 standard motorcycle during the same two years.
The VF500F was produced for the North American and European markets. The European market version also had a VF500F2 model which utilized a full fairing
Motorcycle fairing
A motorcycle fairing is a shell placed over the frame of some motorcycles, especially racing motorcycles and sport bikes, with the primary purpose to reduce air drag. The secondary functions are the protection of the rider from airborne hazards and wind-induced hypothermia and of the engine...
, whereas the VF500F had an upper half fairing with a lower cowl in front of the motor.
The VF500F utilized a skeleton square tubular steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
frame with front female slider forks and a rear mono-spring/damper suspension
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...
using a cast aluminum swingarm. It used a 16-inch front wheel with a 100/90-16 tire for reduced rotational inertia to make steering easier. The rear wheel is 18-inch with a 110/90-18 tire.
It was replaced by the CBR600F
Honda CBR600F
The Honda CBR600F, known as the 'Hurricane' in the US market, is a sports motorcycle made by Honda from 1987-1990, with an all new model of the same name released in 2011. The original CBR600F was Honda's first inline four-cylinder, fully faired sport bike. It had a liquid cooled DOHC 16-valve...
"Hurricane" motorcycle in 1987.