Honda VFR800 - Fifth Generation

Fifth Generation

Rather than being a direct development of the previous carbureted VFR750F engine, the VFR800 engine was a detuned and longer-stroke power plant based on the fuel-injected RC45 race engine. The RVF750R RC45 engine, although a development of the VFR750R RC30 and originally derived from the VFR750F RC24, was very different as the gear drive to the cams was moved from the centre of the engine to the one side, similar to the CBR250. Tuned for road use in the VFR800, fuel injection provided excellent driveability and power was slightly increased over the VFR750. The most noticeable change, however, was that the torque figures were substantially improved from the previous model right up to the 11,750 rpm red line. All VFR800 models use fuel injection instead of carburetors for fuel-air mixing. In 2000, Honda updated the fifth generation VFR (RC46) with a catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, and an EFI system that would enter closed-loop mode under highway (cruising) operation.

The VFR800 bodywork covered a frame derived from the VTR1000 Firestorm. It incorporates the VFR trademark single-sided swingarm pivoted from the aft of the crankcase, using the engine as a stressed member of the frame.

Honda fitted its DCBS linked braking system, a departure from traditional independent front/rear motorcycle braking systems. In this system, the front brake lever applies pressure to four (in later models five) of the six front pistons. The rotational movement of the left caliper when engaged actuates a secondary master cylinder and applies pressure to one of the rear pistons. The rear brake pedal is directly attached to the remaining pistons (two in the rear, and one or two in the front).