Honda VFR400
Honda VFR 400 NC30 1992
|
|
| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | VFR400R NC21/NC24/NC30 |
| Predecessor | VF400 NC13 |
| Successor | RVF400R NC35 |
| Class | Sport bike |
| Engine |
399 cc 4-valve V4 |
| Transmission |
6-speed, chain drive |
| Frame type | Twin Spar Aluminum |
| Suspension |
Front tyre: 120/60R17 |
| Brakes |
Front: dual discs with 4 piston calipers |
| Wheelbase | 1345 mm |
| Seat height | 755 mm |
| Weight | 164 kg (dry) 182 kg (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 15 L including 3 L reserve |
| Related |
Honda CBR400 Honda RVF400 Honda VFR750 |
399 cc 4-valve V4
Bore x stroke: 55 x 42 mm
Power: 59 hp (44 kW) @ 12500 rpm
Torque: 40 N·m (30 lbf·ft) @ 10000 rpm
6-speed, chain drive
Front tyre: 120/60R17
Front: dual discs with 4 piston calipers
The Honda VFR400 series of motorcycles were a related series of 399 cc V4-engined motorcycles, which were essentially scaled-down versions of the larger VFR race models of the day. They were mainly developed for, and sold in, the Japanese domestic market, in part due to the tougher motorcycle drivers' license restrictions in Japan at the time for bike exceeding 400cc.
Outside Japan, the VFR400R (NC30) was officially imported to the United Kingdom for four years, but with a price tag of £5899 (similar to that of the 1000 cc bikes of the time and actually more than Honda's own VFR750F), failed to sell well. This model was also officially imported (in very limited numbers) and sold in Austria, France and Germany for a few years.
Although mainly produced for the Japanese domestic market, VFR400s have been popular as grey imports in other markets (especially so for the NC30 in the United Kingdom, and also for racing purposes in the United States) in the "mini" superbike segment.
VFR400 engines produce a noticeable whine when the engine is running, due to the cams being driven by straight cut gears, rather than chains or belts.
The first generation of VFR400R was the 1986–1987 NC21, which had replaced the VF400F when the Honda VF series was phased out (mainly due to reliability issues with the head and cam chain). This model had a full fairing, single headlight, a conventional dual-sided swing arm with single shock. The clutch was hydraulically actuated and the front forks featured Hondas TRAC (Torque Reactive Anti-dive Circuit) system. The engine was a 180° degree crank firing version, and had a rpm redline of 13000 rpm. It was offered in three colour schemes. The NC21 was also available as the VFR400Z, a semi-faired version, and as the VFR400P, a police-specification version. A small number of NC21s (VFR400R) were imported new into New Zealand in 1987.
The 2nd generation of VFR400R was the VFR400R NC24, produced for the 1987 and 1988 model years, the first production Honda motorcycle to utilize an ELF-designed Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm (which later became one of the trademarks of the Honda VFR series). Discontinued with this model were the hydraulically actuated clutch which was switched back to a cable system, and the TRAC anti dive system on the front forks. Styling remained close to the NC21, with the NC24 keeping the single large headlight and the exhaust silencer on the right hand side. This model also had a 180° deg crank firing engine as with the nc21, but redline was raised to 14000 rpm. The NC24 was available in three colour schemes in 1987 (including an official Rothmans replica), and one in 1988. Note that the rear wheel on the NC24 was held onto the hub with 4 bolts (sometimes hidden with a plastic 'fake' single nut).
...
Wikipedia