Motorcycle specifications HondaVFR 750 F RC 24 1988 True Road Fairy

after Suzuki's GSX-R upheaval, Honda was expected to respond with a muscular, virile machine. It's not a ground-to-ground missile replica, but a beautiful, elegant, almost timid sportbike. It's a bike that aims to replace the VF-F, but not only that. Its discreet, charming lines enable it to broaden its clientele beyond the pure sportbike clan, and its dynamic qualities also make it a formidable machine with breathtaking performance.

teasingly, it's a motorcycle in an evening dress that conceals a sexy mechanical underbelly. HRC's influence extends to the road machines, and you can tell. The perimeter frame is reminiscent of the RVF's, with its aluminum structure linking the steering column and cast aluminum anchor plates. The swingarm, also in aluminum, is classic in appearance. The race to arm and innovate almost had us hoping for a single-arm for a moment... What attracts the most attention, of course, is the engine. Derived from the VF-F but thoroughly reworked, this V4 is a little marvel. Its distribution is now ensured by a cascade of pinions, as on the VF 1000 R. The intake has been redesigned, with straighter ducts and 34 mm carburetors (+ 2 mm). The engine has also undergone a major weight reduction, the crankshaft timing has been modified (from 360° to 180°), a sixth gear ratio has been added, and the overall optimization has been thorough. As a result, the engine is not only lighter, but also more powerful, more mechanically accessible and more reliable. Created with great care, the VFR is an accomplished motorcycle, developing 15 hp more than the VF-F for around twenty kilos less. How does it stack up against the 3/4-liter competition? Exactly halfway between a Yamaha FZ and a Suzuki GSX-R. In use, the seats aren't really the same.

what's most impressive about this new Honda is its ease and adaptability to the urban environment. Not only is its mill admirably supple, but it also handles the city with superb ease. There's nothing to complain about, either in terms of its evolutions or its driving position. Much more natural than you'd expect, and even better than most sport bikes, it allows the rider to feel at ease. It's not every day you see a bike like this in the city.
Highly available, the engine's docility is welcome and much appreciated when weaving between buildings and cars. That's not to say it's lymphatic. For a 750, this block has a surprisingly wide range of use. Available from 4,000 rpm, it combines progressiveness and power up to 11,000 rpm, or 7,000 usable rpm. There's no idle time, and the engine doesn't overwhelm the rider, allowing for optimum driveability and use of the boiler. But here's the thing... While the power curve is nicely rounded, this polish doesn't really give the V4 any character. Of course, there's the noise, reminiscent at times of certain Italian twin engines. The Honda engine is enthusiastic in its availability and even outperforms the competition in terms of performance - it just lacks a touch of madness to make you feel intoxicated, and a little more promptness in gear changes. On the other hand, on a racetrack lap, it's always ahead.
And it's even better in terms of handling. We already knew that the VFR handled with disconcerting ease; now it proves to be royally safe. You can pull out all the stops, try to put it under heavy strain, take big curves at the speed of sound... the Honda doesn't flinch an eyebrow. And even in the event of a surprise, the bike always leaves plenty of room to improvise a life-saving exit. Want to play with it? She's the first to ask.
The only complaint about the new 750 Sport (apart from its lack of character) is the suspension set-up. It doesn't seriously affect roadholding, but it bumps over small bumps, it can move over big ones, and above all, it wrecks comfort. Mind you, it's not a piece of wood, but it's not in tune with the machine. Faced with so much talent and homogeneity, you'd think you were driving a sports car that doubled as a magic carpet. It's decent, but we expected better. Do you think I'm being flippant? Maybe you are. It's time to hide behind the bubble, protected by a fairing that's just right.

we imagined a sportbike to unseat the GSX-R - Honda has come up with a bike that will do even better. Efficiency, ease of use, versatility, all concentrated in an elegant machine that's both playful and serious, and above all very versatile... The VFR 750 is sure to make a name for itself.

n.D.L.R.: The rest is history. The VFR has become one of the most formidable sport-GTs in motorcycle history. It wasn't until the next generation, however, that it gained its true identity, notably with the introduction of the single-arm.

M.B
(internet photos)