Honda VF1000R Rothmans Replica
Honda VF1000R Rothmans Replica | |
Manufacturer | |
---|---|
Production | 1985 |
Class | Power Cruiser |
Engine | Four stroke, 90°V-four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder |
Compression ratio | 10.7:1 |
Top Speed | 149.0 mph |
Ignition | Inductive magnetically triggered |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Suspension | Front: 41mm center-axle with air-assist, 3-way rebound damping, anti-dive valuing Rear: Air-assist coil-over shock, progressive linkage, three-way rebound damping |
Brakes | Front: 2x 285mm discs 4 piston calipers Rear: Single 285mm disc 1 piston caliper |
Front Tire | 120/80 V16 |
Rear Tire | 140/80 V17 |
Seat Height | 810 mm / 31.8 in |
Weight | 236 kg / 520 lbs (dry), |
Recommended Oil | Honda GN4 10W-40 |
Fuel Capacity | 23 liters (4.5L) |
Manuals | Service Manual |
It could reach a top speed of 149.0 mph.
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, 90°V-four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder. The engine featured a 10.7:1 compression ratio.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 120/80 V16 front tire and a 140/80 V17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 285mm discs 4 piston calipers in the front and a Single 285mm disc 1 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a 41mm center-axle with air-assist, 3-way rebound damping, anti-dive valuing while the rear was equipped with a Air-assist coil-over shock, progressive linkage, three-way rebound damping. The VF1000R Rothmans Replica was fitted with a 23 liters (4.5L) fuel tank. The bike weighed just 236 kg / 520 lbs.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Honda VF 1000R Rothmans
Honda's enthusiasm for the V4
engine I layout in the early 1980s was such that by 1984 the VF range
comprised six models with capacities ranging from 400 to 1000cc. The fastest
and most glamorous was the VF1000R: a limited-edition super-sports machine
that was created, with little expense spared, to dominate production racing
in the way that the straight-four CB1100R had done three years earlier.
With its full fairing and racy red. white and blue paintwork, the VF1000R
looked every bit the street-legal competition machine. Its specification
list was mouth-watering, based on a liquid-cooled, 90-degree V4 engine that
incorporated gear-driven overhead camshafts and produced no less than 122 hp
@ l0000 rpm.
That peak power output was 6bhp up on that of the VF1000F, the standard 998cc, 16-valve V4 from which the R model was derived. The I000F, also released in 1984. was an impressively fast and sophisticated bike. Its styling was similar to that of the original VF750F sportster, which had promised much before suffering widely publicized engine reliability problems. The VF1000F handled well and its engine was flexible, powerful and reliable. The exotic VF1000R cost roughly 50 per cent more than the F. and oozed quality from every pore. Its fairing was reinforced with carbon-fibre, its adjustable handlebars were made from polished alloy, its streamlined seat hump fitted perfectly. Its engine's gear-driven cams allowed more precise valve timing at high revs, which accounted for some of the extra power.
Like the other VFs. the R had a frame of square-section steel tubes, but its chassis specification was decidedly upmarket. Big 41mm front forks incorporated air assistance, adjustable damping and TRAC anti-dive. Hinged fork bottoms allowed easy front wheel removal. The Pro-Link rear shock was easily adjustable: the impressive front brakes comprised sturdy four-piston calipers and large, floating discs.
Stability and power
For road riding the VF1000R was a seductively fast and comfortable companion. Its fairing combined with the racy riding position to give excellent wind protection. High-speed stability was absolute, and the engine was superbly powerful and torquey. The I000R cruised effortlessly at well over 100mph (161km/h). and surged smoothly to a top speed of 150mph(241km/h). The Honda's refined feel was marred by a snatchy transmission that became annoying in town, where the engine also had a tendency to heat up its carburettors, resulting in a misfire. But such problems were forgotten when the rider found the open road, and wound back the throttle to send the 1000R storming forward with a free-flowing feel from 5000rpm or below.
Handling was good at high speed,
where the VF's stability counted for much. But at lower speeds the Honda
suffered from a weight problem. At 5241b (238kg) dry it was more than 501b
(23kg) heavier than Kawasaki's GPz900R, and its handling was ponderous
despite its 16-inch front wheel. That was a problem on the racetrack, in
particular. Even Honda star Wayne Gardner just failed to take a bike that he
described as a marshmallow to victory in the prestigious Castrol Six-Hour
production race in his native Australia.
Unlike its all-conquering CB1100R predecessor, the VF1000R was rarely seen on a circuit, let alone in the winner's circle. That hit sales, especially as the V4"s price put it on a level with race-bred exotica from firms such as Bimota and Harris. It was fortunate for Honda that ill intended to produce only a small number. The VF1000R was fast, sophisticated and easy on the eye. but underneath that sleek bodywork it hid too much weight to be a success.
Source Fast Bikes by Roland Brown
Make Model | Honda VF 1000R Rothmans |
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Year | 1985 |
Engine Type | Four stroke, 90°V-four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder |
Displacement | 998 cc / 60.9 cu-in |
Bore X Stroke | 77 x 53.6 mm |
Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
Compression | 10.7:1 |
Induction | 4x 34mm CV type carbs |
Ignition | Inductive magnetically triggered |
Starting | Electric |
Max Power | 130 hp / 94.8 kW @ 10500 rpm |
Max Torque | 92.2 Nm / 8.8 kg-m / 63.7 ft-lb @ 8000 RPM |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Front Suspension | 41mm center-axle with air-assist, 3-way rebound damping, anti-dive valuing |
Front Wheel Travel | 155 mm / 6.1 in |
Rear Suspension | Air-assist coil-over shock, progressive linkage, three-way rebound damping |
Rear Wheel Travel | 123 mm / 4.8 in |
Front Brakes | 2x 285mm discs 4 piston calipers |
Rear Brakes | Single 285mm disc 1 piston caliper |
Front Tire | 120/80 V16 |
Rear Tire | 140/80 V17 |
Seat Height | 810 mm / 31.8 in |
Ground Clearance | 135 mm / 5.3 in |
Dry Weight | 236 kg / 520 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 23 liters (4.5L) |
Consumption Average | 36 mpg |
Standing ¼ Mile | 10.8 sec / 124.4 mp/h |
Top Speed | 149.0 mph |
Road Test | Group Test 1985 Motosprint |