With the VFR, Honda has succeeded in creating the ideal Sport-GT. Playful, sporty, road-going, highly reliable, with a V4 that can be used for all purposes, this motorcycle has stood the test of time and enthralled many a rider. The first generations were powered by an engine derived from that of the RC 30. Initially pitted against the GSX-R and FZ of the time, it soon acquired the status of a more versatile motorcycle. Its single-arm design, introduced with the Carat generation in 1990, adds an undeniable touch of prestige. In 1998, the VFR was upgraded to 800 cm3, with a revised RC 45 block. In 2002, the look becomes sportier and sharper, without changing the bike's dynamic philosophy. The V4 loses its cascade gearing in exchange for a V-Tec system. This generation will last more than 10 years without major evolution. In 2014, a significantly redesigned VFR with upgraded electronics (traction control, optional shifter) will keep the name alive in a category in disuse. The Honda VFR will remain in the catalog until 2020, no longer able to resist the market's appetite for sport/touring SUV trails.
A 1200 version of the VFR will be available, but it will be very powerful, heavy and not very successful. This model will inaugurate the DCT dual-clutch transmission, widely used on many Honda models thereafter.
