Honda’s new VFR1200F in action at Sugo in Japan.

UPDATE: 2010 Honda VFR1200F Review -  First Ride Article

I’m here at the Sugo Sportsland racetrack in Japan, an odd place for what seems to be a sport-touring machine like the new VFR1200F. But my time at Sugo today was one of the most incredible riding experiences of my career.

First off, lets dispel the notion the VFR is a direct competitor to sports tourers like Yamaha’s FJR1300 or the Honda ST1300. It’s lighter and more nimble, with racier ergonomics. It’s also smaller in the flesh than it appears in photographs. More attractive, too.

As Honda prepares its new VFR1200 for its official unveiling, the red-wing company has set up a website detailing its long involvement in V-4 engines. It began back in 1979 with the introduction of the NR500 grand prix racebike. Rather than fielding a 500cc two-stroke engine, Honda used a four-stroke oval-piston V-4 motor – essentially a V-8 with four cylinders that could be revved to 19,500 rpm! The oval cylinder area was so large that it used eight valves in each!

Each oval-shaped piston in the NR500 utilized two connecting rods to support its lengthy cross-section. Eight valves per could flow a lot of air!

It should be obvious, but one of the perks of being in the business of evaluating motorcycles is the opportunity to see and ride a huge variety of bikes.

Recently, while returning a CRF230M to American Honda’s main offices I spotted the new-to-the-U.S. NT700V sitting amongst the gaggle of bikes set aside for the moto media.

Since the bike has yet to be formally introduced to all media, I certainly wasn’t able to ride, but I did saddle up to it and fiddle around, so I thought I’d pass on a few firsthand quick-take notes.

J&D Fabrications located in South Florida has created a go kart with a Honda CBR900RR engine.  With all that power behind it, I would say the go kart is doing a lot of drifting rather then driving but its fun to watch.  Don’t be jealous Mario…

Check it out after the jump.

Based on the concept model unveiled last October at Intermot 2008, the new motorcycle is expected to be a sport-tourer powered by a 1200cc V-4 engine with variable cylinder technology which can allow it to run on only two cylinders to conserve fuel.  There are also rumors that the motorcycle will have a semi-auto gear box which will give the rider the option of going manual or automatic.

Honda has a dedicated website for the V4 where you can enter for a chance to win a spot to be one of the first to test drive the new bike, unfortunately, the contest is only open to Europeans.

Hit the jump to see the new promo video (you can hear what the motorcycle sounds like!) and an interview with design project leader, Teofilo Plaza.

According to Honda’s head of motorcycle operations, Tatsuhiro Oyama, the lithium-ion battery powered motorcycle will target corporate customers which may include Japan Post and delivery companies, the bike will debut in Japan next year.

What is the cheapest scooter? We’ll show you! Cheap doesn’t mean bad, in fact due to tremendous competition in the 2009 market scooters are better and more affordable than ever! This list will give you a good idea as to what kind of scooter you can get for as little money as possible. Also, the find a better price link will put you in touch with dealers in your area. Of course there is always the full catalog of 2009 scooters on Motorcycle.com – in case you don’t find what you are looking for here. Now, go find a scooter for your crazy self!

It seems the idea that there is a “special edition” Honda Fury has achieved urban-legend levels.

Motorcycle.com recently spoke to Jon Seidel of American Honda to clarify some of the controversy generated in www.furyforums.com regarding a special edition Fury model.

According to Seidel, no mention was ever made to the media during the Fury’s press unveiling or in any press material or at any other time, “that any Fury color or specific Fury model was a special edition.”

Seidel stated that he also queried Honda’s product planning department about the existence of any special edition models and reported that no information had ever been released or implied from Honda Product Planning as to the existence of a Fury SE.

Honda have been releasing video documentaries on… well… everything!  Why?  Well to toot their own horn and remind you that Honda is crazy cool.

Actually, their videos aren’t that bad, although somewhat dramatic.  I hunkered down and watched their “Failure: The Secret to Success” video and it held my attention.

Their new video is titled “Dreams vs Nightmares”, which features a few notable people such as Clive Barker and Deepak Chopra.  I’m curious to see how they take this theme and use it to show how and why Honda creates and designs the products they make.

Interesting.

Check out the rest of the article for the trailer to “Dreams vs Nightmares”, debuting June 29th.  You can also head over to the Honda Dream website to check out the 3 already released movies

The Postie Bike Challenge started in 2002 as a one-off event in Brisbane, Australia to prove that small bikes can travel long distances over both asphalt, dirt, sand, or stony surfaces has turned into a 10-day charity event.  The entry fee is $4,000 but almost everything is taken care of, including:

• Late model Honda CT110 Postie bike (registered to you!)
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners
• All fuel for the trip
• One way air ticket back to Brisbane
• Support truck to carry equipment, clothing bag and mechanics
• Final celebration dinner and hotel accommodation

That’s right, you can keep the Honda CT110 Postie bike (designed for commercial and agricultural, also used by Australia Post) but the concept is to give the bike to charity in your name after the event is over, its up to you but more than 90% of the participants do give the bike back.

Hit the jump to see the video and for more info on this years trek.