From Honda's 2010 VFR1200F press material
1982 V45 Sabre and Magna
- Honda introduces the sophistication of V-4 power to street-going motorcycles in two different forms
- The VF750S V45 Sabre® delivers lightweight Superbike performance to sport-oriented riders
- The Sabre’s 748cc DOHC V-4 engine with four valves per cylinder combines two downdraft carburetors and two sidedraft carburetors for stellar performance
- The VF750C V45 Magna® cruiser combines traditional cruiser styling with unmatched engine performance
- Compact engine dimensions help give the Magna a low seat height measuring less than 30 inches
1983 VF750F V45 Interceptor; VF1100 V65 Magna
- First-ever 750 Interceptor® rewrites the rules in the sportbike class, wins Bike of the Year awards from two magazines in the U.S.
- A radically new rectangular-section frame brings racetrack design to the street bike realm in a time when round-tube frames are the norm
- High-performance 748cc liquid-cooled V-4 engine makes the Interceptor the quickest 750 on the market
- The new V65 Magna defines the term “power cruiser” with its incredibly strong 1098cc DOHC
V-4 engine
- At the time, the V65 Magna is the quickest custom-style motorcycle ever built
- In addition to its prodigious power, the V65 Magna’s overdrive sixth gear allows this stylish bike to cruise with effortless ease
1982 VF750 Magna
1983 V65 Magna1984 VF500F 500 Interceptor; VF500C V30 Magna; VF700F Interceptor; VF700S Sabre; VF700 Magna; VF1000F 1000 Interceptor; VF1100S V65 Sabre
- Honda fills out its family of V-4 street bikes by introducing seven new models spanning a wide range of styles
- Like its larger 750 sibling, the 500 Interceptor sets new standards of performance, this time in the mid-sized sportbike class
- Barely topping 400 pounds, the 500 Interceptor immediately gains a reputation for exemplary sport bike handling
- The 1000 Interceptor instantly becomes the ultimate high-performance liter-class sport machine among all streetbikes
- Introduction of the 700cc and 1100cc Sabre models accelerates the pace of evolution among sport-touring motorcycles
- The high-tech V65 Sabre churns out 121 horsepower from its 1098cc V-4-an incredible feat for the era and enough to make it a long-distance mount par excellence
- The V30 Magna delivers strong V-4 power to the mid-size custom class while offering classic styling cues
1984 VF1100C Magna
1984 VF1000F Interceptor
1984 VF1100S Sabre1985 VF1000R
- Only a year after introducing the VF1000R Interceptor, Honda rolls out a new replacement derived from Honda’s FWS V-4 racer: the VF1000R
- The new VF1000R boasts gear-driven dual overhead cams and a higher compression ratio of 11.0:1 for more power
- Full bodywork gives the VF1000R extremely efficient aerodynamic properties, and the sophisticated rolling chassis provides state-of-the-art literbike handling
1986 VFR750F
- For the 750 Interceptor’s first makeover, Honda engineers create an all-new V-4 engine with gear-driven cams and an industry-leading chassis
- The VFR’s innovative race-inspired aluminum frame helps reduce curb weight by nearly 45 pounds, thereby creating an unbelievably agile sport bike
- Now dubbed the VFR750 rather than VF, the new Interceptor features a 180-degree crankshaft and a six-speed gearbox replacing the prior five-speed design
1988 VFR750R/RC30
- The European market receives a new VFR750R that is aimed at track use, which will later enter the American market as the RC30
1990 VFR750F; ST1100
- With the simultaneous introduction in the U.S. of the RC30 and the second-generation VFR750R, Honda’s 750 V-4 line splits in two for a more focused lineup
- The racier RC30, destined for Superbike and World Endurance racing, features super-sophisticated suspension components and elevated horsepower
- Titanium connecting rods, gear-driven camshafts and quick-release wheels were some of the items that earmarked the RC30 as a machine intended primarily for track use
- Second-generation VFR750F shares many features with the RC30, including a twin-spar aluminumframe and Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm
- Honda redefines sport-touring with the V4 ST1100, a long-range specialist that will become a legend in its own time
- The ST1100 features a liquid-cooled 90-degree V-4 displacing 1084cc that resides in a longitudinal layout, and the extraordinary torque output of this engine wins fans in the hard-core sporttouring market the world over
- Cycle magazine declares, “The ST’s mission is sharply and narrowly defined: comfortable highspeed, long-distance passage.”
1992 NR750
- Honda introduces a very limited production NR750 oval-piston street bike. It is the most exotic motorcycle ever offered by a manufacturer, and becomes an instant collector’s item
- Based on NR500 race-bike design, each cylinder boasts two connecting rods and eight valves to maximize valve-to-piston area, much like a shortstroke V-8 engine
- PGM-FI fuel-injection, carbon fiber bodywork, an underseat exhaust, magnesium wheels and Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm help make the NR750 a true factory-built exotic
1994 VFR750F; RC45
- Third-generation street-going VFR750F is almost 20 pounds lighter and reveals styling cues derived from the legendary oval-piston NR750
- The racing RVF750 begets the RC45, an all-new street-legal racing platform that improves on the RC30 in every way: it’s lighter, faster, more compact and ultra-sophisticated
- The RC45’s all-new engine incorporates Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) for more power and enhanced throttle response
- The redesigned RC45 twin-spar aluminum frame increases chassis rigidity and stability, and a more sophisticated suspension system delivers sharper handling
1998 VFR750F; RC45
- Completely redesigned for 1998, the Interceptor once again redefines street-going sport bike performance by infusing new racetrack technology
- Ultra-sophisticated features, including a pivotless Pro-Arm chassis, aluminum-composite cylinder sleeves and more, bring the Interceptor to the leading edge of motorcycle technology
- A boost in displacement to 781cc makes this first VFR800 an eminently adept choice as a do-it-all mount, and this status is confirmed when Motorcyclist magazine names the new Interceptor asMotorcycle of the Year
2002 Interceptor
- This new-generation sport bike introduces VTEC® valve train to the Interceptor’s V-4 engine, varying valve actuation for enhanced power characteristics
- VTEC allows the high-velocity breathing advantages of a two-valve head at low engine speeds while endowing high-flow four-valve breathing at high revs for a broad powerband
- New center-up exhaust increases cornering clearance and opens up the rear quarters for optional hard saddlebags
2003 ST1300
- An all-new V-4 powered ST1300 raises the stakes in sport-touring
circles with more power and distinctly sporty handling for effortless longrange riding
- At 1261cc, the new V-4 ST engine is 16 percent larger in displacement than the previous version, good for an impressive 125 bhp
- The new all-aluminum frame and swingarm alone shave 4.3 pounds compared to their previous steel counterparts and also help deliver next-generation handling characteristics
2006 Interceptor
- Next-generation tuning touches applied to the Interceptor’s VTEC system enhance the Interceptor’s broad-shouldered powerband
- A host of new styling upgrades give the Interceptor a fresh look to accompany its revamped power characteristics.