Monday’s Motorcycle: Honda VFR

One of the motorcycles I had in the past and truly enjoyed, was the VFR.  It uses THAT engine… that one that I just can’t help but to love… Honda’s V-4.  Lots of power at the low revs, lots of power in the middle, and lots at the top.   Honda has put this engine in the Magna, and made them in a couple different sizes… all good.
My first was a 500CC, then later a 750, and then an 800.  The 500 wasn’t my first bike, my first bike was also a V-4… the Saber.

But the Saber pretty much became a cruiser, and Honda used the badge on the Shadow line of bikes… pity… But the V-4 lived on the Magna… I’ve had a few Magnas.  One of each Generation.  The last was the best, undoubtedly.
The Intercepter though… that became known simply as the VFR.  And it’s lived it’s life as a dedicated sports bike, then went the path of the Sports Touring as Honda decided to bring the inline-4 out as the dedicated sports machine.  I used to hate the CBR because of that.  It’s Commercial Airliner looking fairings and Non-V-4 engine.  The VFR kinda became tired.  The sporty looking bike for Old Guys.  Well, now I’m an Old Guy.  And it’s looking good.  It’s looking really good.

It’s not a perfect Sports Touring Bike… It has it’s flaws.  But it’s got some great points.  A new double clutch system, that V-4 engine in a 1200 sized Value Pack of Moto-Goodness.  It’s also fairly heavy, and people are saying it’s not as powerful as it should be.  But I think this is forgivable giving the fact that the power delivery is low and mid-range designed for what it’s for… Sports Touring.

Engine type l-c V4
Valve train SOHC, 16v
Displacement 1237cc
Bore x stroke 81.0 x 60.0mm
Compression 12.0:1
Fuel system PGM-FI
Clutch Wet, multi-plate slipper or dual-clutch automatic
Transmission 6-speed
Claimed horsepower na
Claimed torque na
Frame Aluminum twin-spar
Front suspension 43mm Showa inverted fork with adjustable rebound damping
Rear suspension Single Showa shock with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping
Front brake Dual Nissin six-piston radial calipers, 320mm discs
Rear brake Single Nissin two-piston caliper, 276mm disc
Front tire 120/70-ZR17 Dunlop Roadsmart
Rear tire 190/55-ZR17 Dunlop Roadsmart
Rake/trail 25.3 deg./4.0 in.
Seat height 32.1 in.
Wheelbase 60.8 in.
Fuel capacity 4.9 gal.
Claimed wet weight 591 lbs. standard, 613 lbs. automatic
Color Candy Red
Available March
Warranty 12 mo., unlimited mi.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

The show is done now.  The final show was last night.  I have some of my freedom returned to me now!

But I’ll never forget the experience.  I was a part of something special… Especially the Friday Night Showing that we did.   There was some wind and rain… it rained through the whole show.  But it was the best show we did.

The dancing girls, wearing their thin white Egyptian costumes… dancing in the rain… arms raised, shoes kicked off… I witnessed the pure joy in those dancers, dancing in the rain like that… it was the most beautiful stage performance I have ever witnessed.  It was an honor to be there.   The audience must have thought so too because they didn’t leave.  The audience was just as packed at the end as at the start… they stuck it out in the rain, thunder, and lightning… and it was a fantastic show for everyone.

I’ll never forget it.

Worth

I’m writing this post to a certain woman I know who is unappreciated and mistreated by her husband.  You know I’m into bikes.  I love all motorcycles.  So forgive me the Moto-Metaphor.  Anyway.  One of my favorite brands out there are the Triumphs.  Classics, all of them.  The old ones, even more so, even more desirable because they are now rare.

I knew this guy once.  He had a great old Triumph.  But he ignored it.  He pushed it aside in his garage.  Eventually it ended up in the back with an old paint tarp thrown on it so he didn’t have to see it and it ended up with some junk piled on it.
What he didn’t know was that old Triumph was worth more than his newer bikes, even worth more than his house.  But he didn’t realize this and didn’t take the hints about it… and he only paid attention to his new flings.
Finally someone asked him for it and he gave it up… just to get it out of his garage.
The new owner knew what he had.  He cleaned it up.  Turned it up.  Restored, very easily and simply it to what it should have always been…  People saw this classic Triumph riding around town… Every biker would double take and rubber-neck looking at this fine machine.
The old owner was mad.  Demanded it back… but it was too late.  New owner just laughed and enjoyed his new Truimph.  He rode it everywhere… Just enjoyed riding that wonderful machine.

To the person I’m writing this too… You are a Triumph in every sense of the word and your husband doesn’t realize your worth.   One day he will.  And it will be too late and it will be his loss and not yours.  Don’t let him throw a tarp on you.

WTF, Rossi?

Rossi had me going there for a minute.

Oh, a Circuit Judge in .22 Magnum?  Okay, I’m down.  “It wont let leave you hanging.”  Oh, that’s good. Don’t want to mess with a Hanging Judge!  LOL, Rossi… Using your knowledge of Western Lore… Your Crazy.

Oh man… AND it can shoot .45 Colt and .410 SHOTGUN TOO!   It’s MAGIC!  Those Wacky Brazilians… They can do anything with Voodoo Magic these days.  Even turn a Kenyan into a Hawaiian.  You guys are crazy.
That’s it.  I’m ordering one.  Hell yes.  A .22 Mag than can also throw down some wicket .410… I’m in.  Give me one, Rossi!  I’m holding my breath over here!

DAFUQ?  Discontinued?  It’s the first featured product on your Web Page?  Discontinued!  WTF, Rossi? I want this!  What can I do?  I’m going to call customer service!

Wait.  What was I going to call them about?  Ah screw it… it will come to me… I’ll just stare at this picture of this adorable blonde girl while I try to remember.

SQUIRREL!