Honda V4 Concept Model
   
Three decades ago, Honda chose to develop a motorcycle
with a V4 four-stroke engine to mark its historic
return to Grand Prix competition and since then, V4
has played a key role within the Honda motorcycle
model range both on and off track. 2009 marks 30 years
since Honda debuted the NR500 - an innovative and
unique machine which featured a V4 engine configuration
with pioneering oval pistons, allowing the engine
to reach incredible revs. In the 30 years since the
NR500, the V4 configuration has been utilised in some
of the finest road and race machines that Honda has
produced.
On track following the NR500 came the RS1000RW in
1982 – running conventional (round) pistons
and fondly known as the water whale; the NR750 in
1987; VFR750R in 1987 – or the iconic RC30 as
it is better known; RVF – the legendary RC45
in 1994 and then, the pinnacle of Honda’s V4
technology - the 2008 MotoGP RC212V.
Road followed race with a similarly impressive line-up
of mass-market V4 Honda motorcycles, from the original
VF750S/F, through to the VF400, VF1000R/F, VF500,
VFR400, the legendary VFR750 in 1986, the NR 750cc
road bike and finally the ultimate sports-tourer –
the VFR800.
The exciting news of the new V4 production model
is the result of the overwhelming response from customers,
media and motorcycle dealers across Europe following
the debut of the V4 Concept Model at the Intermot
Show in October 2008. The World’s largest motorcycle
manufacturer chose ‘New Beginnings’ as
its theme to celebrate Honda’s 60th anniversary
as a company, 50th anniversary of racing and 30th
anniversary of Honda’s iconic V4 engine configuration.
Building on this theme at the Milan Show in November
2008, Honda highlighted the next stage of the V4 story
and looked forward to the next 60 years of motorcycle
production, with V4 technology continuing to form
part of the marque’s future direction in the
coming few years, starting in just 18 months time
with the introduction of the first new V4 mass-production
model in the first half of 2010.
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