Honda V4 not far away

[Freighttrain]

Originally Posted by TheX

Honda isn't known for producing game changers.

Couldn't tell if You were being sarcastic...
Honda has done it a few times...
'83 1000R...
'88 RC-30...
'92 CBR900...

These bikes changed things big time when they came out...
As far as the V-4 Superbike?
The first two years of WSBK said it all... Fred Merkel...
I believe it is coming... Johnny Rea kind of hinted to it when He re-signed for WSBK...
It is the bike that Honda has been doing their electronic homework for...

WSBK '14 ... To challenge the Panagale and Aprilia...

[JM1]

Originally Posted by TheX

Honda isn't known for producing game changers.

Yes they are.

[capt.america]

RC30 actually releaesd 1987. Still only a 750, so don't know if it was a game changer but the 92 CBR changed everything. Power to weight was ridiculous for it's time.

[Freighttrain]

To a point , I agree...
Perhaps "game-changer" may be a bit much for the RC-30...
But I will tell You... I owned a '86 GSXR 750 when it came out.. And I remember the first time I saw the GSXR LTD with a dry clutch..
Race bikes... Look and feel...

I know that Rainey, Merkel, and Shobert did well on the track with the modified VFR's... But it never seemed like a race bike...

Until I saw the RC-30... Which was not available in the states in '87...
Honda actually made a "race-bike" that was for the street...
The first Honda that I wanted... That I drooled over...
Then, at the "IOMTT"... Dunlop dominated on it...
A new series starts... WSBK... And Merkel won on it...

To me, the RC-30 was the first V-4 street bike that was built by Honda as a race-bike, that You could ride on the street.
And it was the first Honda that I ever wanted to buy... Especially after taking one for a spin...

Maybe "game-changer" is a bit much, but for me? The game that changed was in my head...
I , for the first time, wanted to own a Honda...
Still want one...and have never owned one... Referring to the RC-30.
And I still think that it is one of the most beautiful bikes to come out of the '80's.
And that V-4 sounds amazing...

I owned a CBR900 in '96... Loved it... But it still did not measure up when it sat next to an RC-30 at Laguna... At least for me...

Honda has built a V-4 two times in History for the purpose of Super-Bike Victory on the World Stage...

First... In the hands of Merkel...
Second... In the hands of Edwards...

I think that Honda will do it again... To beat Ducati... To beat Aprillia..
And to show Kawasaki , that Honda is the superior company from Japan... Not the green bike...
Time will tell....

[CBRyb]

Originally Posted by capt.america

My bride to be (one of them) can't decide.

KTM 1190 RC8 R
Ducati 1199 Panigale Tricolore
MV Augusta F4RR

Originally Posted by Aussiedc10

I'd go panigale... I've ridden all 3, and the panigale is by far my favorite...


Sent from my iPhone using Motorcycle.com Free App

Had someone who is a Duc mechanic tell me the 1199 was a "piece of shit" and there was a reason Checa wasn't on one. He might have been joking, but I think not.

NO data I've seen yet on the performance of the MV in racing.

I'd like to test ride a RC-8, because some results suggest it performs well: CMRA points leader rides one.

[capt.america]

Originally Posted by Freighttrain

To a point , I agree...
Perhaps "game-changer" may be a bit much for the RC-30...
But I will tell You... I owned a '86 GSXR 750 when it came out.. And I remember the first time I saw the GSXR LTD with a dry clutch..
Race bikes... Look and feel...

I know that Rainey, Merkel, and Shobert did well on the track with the modified VFR's... But it never seemed like a race bike...

Until I saw the RC-30... Which was not available in the states in '87...
Honda actually made a "race-bike" that was for the street...
The first Honda that I wanted... That I drooled over...
Then, at the "IOMTT"... Dunlop dominated on it...
A new series starts... WSBK... And Merkel won on it...

To me, the RC-30 was the first V-4 street bike that was built by Honda as a race-bike, that You could ride on the street.
And it was the first Honda that I ever wanted to buy... Especially after taking one for a spin...

Maybe "game-changer" is a bit much, but for me? The game that changed was in my head...
I , for the first time, wanted to own a Honda...
Still want one...and have never owned one... Referring to the RC-30.
And I still think that it is one of the most beautiful bikes to come out of the '80's.
And that V-4 sounds amazing...

I owned a CBR900 in '96... Loved it... But it still did not measure up when it sat next to an RC-30 at Laguna... At least for me...

Honda has built a V-4 two times in History for the purpose of Super-Bike Victory on the World Stage...

First... In the hands of Merkel...
Second... In the hands of Edwards...

I think that Honda will do it again... To beat Ducati... To beat Aprillia..
And to show Kawasaki , that Honda is the superior company from Japan... Not the green bike...
Time will tell....

Yeah sucked that only Japan got bike in 87. Brother had wait till 90 when it came here to get his. Couldn't stand his Hurricane.

[misterO]

To my ears, nothing sounds as good as a V4- I'd like to see this new superbike produced. From what I've heard, though, its price will be WELL OUT of my league...

[bidwell]

I'll eat my hat if Honda does produce it, and if they do, it will be expensive and neutered. There are wonderful bikes that can be purchased RIGHT NOW that are already better than what Honda MIGHT come out with. Granted they're expensive and European but their performance is second to none.

The only bike I wouldn't include in that category is the Panigale. I rode a demo at Roebling last month and thought it was the biggest POS I ever rode. Yes it was incredibly fast especially for a twin and beautiful to look at but from there it was all down hill. It was hard to start for some reason, then when it finally kicked over it smoked enough to kill all mosquitos within 50 yards. The chassis was so rigid it felt nervous and twitchy even on ultra smooth Roebling. Also, the throttle was like a light switch exacerbating the issue. I did not feel comfortable pushing it at all especially since I didn't want to bin a bike that doesn't belong to me. It is possible tweaking the suspension may help but I seriously doubt it would make enough difference to matter.

When I rode Nate Kern's S1000RR it was exactly the opposite, within three laps I was less than 2" off my best time at Roebling, I did a little write up here: http://www.s1000rrforum.com/forum/bm...s-s1000rr.html I was smitten enough that my next bike will be a BMW. The RSV4 is another potential candidate but parts and service are a little harder to come by. In any case I'm pretty sure my '10 CBR track bike will be my last Honda.

[booken]

Yeah, a V4 Honda liter bike would be sweet. People have been pleading with Honda to produce a race capable V4 for a long time and the only place the have one is in motogp. And it is quickest bike in the field. I have been hearing rumblings that Honda is going to produce a new liter bike to be homologated for World Superbike/British Superbike/CRT MotoGP. What type of engine that will be is still a mystery. I am sure Honda has done the research and knows what engine type is best for what ever use they need to apply it to. I could imagine Honda making a boutique bike just for racing homologation. It would be expensive for the consumer but with the success of Aprilia and Ducati and BMW with high priced race ready bikes Honda my come around. But again what engine they plan to put on the bike I guess we have to wait and see.