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V4 Stories

V4 Sound File: This is how the Honda VFR1200F sounds
Visuals, technology, sound, feeling. The motorcycle works its fascination in the realm of the senses, and it is made up of numerous impressions and elements.

The visual presence of the new VFR1200F is familiar by now from photos and videos. The same goes for technical features. There are also some initial impressions in the meantime of how it rides. Although additional tests and road reports will have appeared and provided illuminating information by the time sales begin in the spring of 2010, bringing with it the possibility of test rides at the dealership.
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But what does the VFR1200F sound like? That's a good question, and one that we'd like to answer here. Ultimately, sound for many motor cycle riders, both male and female, is of paramount importance. Because it's not what you say, it's how you say it, Honda undertook extensive sound engineering in the development phase of the new V4 machine. The result more than speaks for itself. Click on the start arrow in the freeze-frame of the sound file and you can convince yourself here and now.

This racecourse sound file comes from Sugo in Japan. Just a few journalists from Europe had the first opportunity to ride the new VFR1200F there. When this sound document was recorded, no less than Honda's former GP rider and winner of the 8 Hours of Suzuka, Tohru Ukawa, was in the saddle. He acted as guide for the testers at the event.

If you listen closely, and can hear between the notes as it were, you'll notice how precisely the Japanese rider twists the drive-by-wire throttle grip – there's no half-hearted pussyfooting around, but decisive accelerating and braking, and the engine is wound out before the shifts.

Just as a matter of interest, the sound recording covered 11 laps all together, of which we took the third and fourth laps. For this reason the acoustic introduction is not in pit lane, rolling slowly away from a start, but at the start of the long straight – wide-open throttle right away. It goes without saying that the V4 engine was carefully brought up to operating temperature beforehand.

It's wonderful to hear how the V4 responds to the throttle, builds up revs and picks up cleanly from low rpm in the winding sections of the Sugo track. We particularly like the throaty, muffled V4 scream at high rpm, especially on the long straight when Ukawa winds it up in the gears. It's not only to the ears of the V4 webmaster that the VFR1200F sounds like a mixture of the RC30 and NR750 – that is to say: pretty electrifying.

Best of all, you be the judge. Enjoy your audiophile test ride over two laps of Sugo with the VFR1200F. Maybe you'd like to turn the volume up a bit louder? If you close your eyes and ride with a little imagination, the sound experience is even more intense. And don't be afraid of twisting the throttle in your mind. But with feeling, please. After all, you're holding 172 hp in your hand...   close

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V4 Stories Archive

  • 2010-08-25 - Progress – the VFR Drive Shaft Up Close
  • 2010-07-29 - Iron Butt adventure on a Honda VFR1200FD: 1,000 miles in 24 hours, passing through all the Federal states once
  • 2010-03-17 - Original Honda Accessories for the VFR1200F
  • 2009-12-18 - First excursion with the Honda VFR1200F
  • 2009-12-17 - Winter Greetings: A White VFR Instead of A White Christmas
  • 2009-12-15 - Video of the VFR1200F test rides in Loja, Spain
  • 2009-11-27 - Japanese Impressions, Part 4, Visit to the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi
  • 2009-11-13 - Japanese Impressions, Part 3: Visit to the Honda Kumamoto Factory
  • 2009-11-11 - V4 Sound File: This is how the Honda VFR1200F sounds
  • 2009-11-09 - Japanese Impressions, Part 2: VFR1200F Test Event in Sugo
  • 2009-11-06 - Japanese Impressions, Part 1: Tokyo Motor Show
  • 2009-11-06 - Video: Aaron Long introduces the VFR 1200F at the Tokyo Motor Show
  • 2009-10-09 - Official Launch of the New VFR1200F
  • 2009-10-05 - Ministory: Honda VFR, RC 46II, 2002 until today – The Fifth Generation
  • 2009-09-10 - First information about new transmission for the V4-Honda - with video
  • 2009-09-08 - NR750 from 1992: An Excursion with Honda's V4 Crown Jewel
  • 2009-07-28 - Ministory: Honda VFR, RC 46, 1998 to 2001 – The Fourth Generation
  • 2009-06-16 - Video – On board with Joey Dunlop at the TT
  • 2009-06-10 - Joey Dunlop – A Legend in His Own Lifetime
  • 2009-06-03 - Video of Superbike World Championship title win by John Kocinski 1997
  • 2009-05-30 - Ministory: Honda VFR750F, RC36, 1990 – 1993
  • 2009-05-28 - Ministory: RVF750R, model code RC45
  • 2009-05-20 - Ministory: The VFR750F from 1994 to 1997 - The Third Generation
  • 2009-04-30 - Honda Designer Mitsuyoshi Kohama
  • 2009-04-30 - Honda V4 Racing Video: 30 Years in 3 Minutes 37 Seconds
  • 2009-03-04 - RC30 Promotion-Video
  • 2009-02-27 - Graffiti à la nipponese
  • 2009-02-24 - Ministory: VF1100C – Bad News Travels Fast
  • 2009-02-02 - Ministory: Honda VFR750F
  • 2009-01-21 - Ministory: Honda NR750 Endurance Racer
  • 2008-12-18 - The Making of: Honda RC30
  • 2008-12-06 - LIVING IN A BOX
  • 2008-11-13 - V4 Revolution
  • 2008-11-12 - Shigeru Takagi, EICMA-Announcement
  • 2008-11-07 - V4-Diary, Entry 2
  • 2008-11-05 - V4-Diary, Entry 1
  • 2008-11-04 - In the rearview mirror: Honda at Intermot 2008
  • 2008-11-04 - Greetings from Honda President Takeo Fukui
  • 2008-10-29 - Now it’s your turn!
  • 2008-10-29 - Curious about upcoming information? Simply subscribe to the V4 Newsletter!
  • 2008-10-07 - Honda at the INTERMOT – today, tomorrow, yesterday
  • 2008-09-29 - Pure Inspiration
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