Will Honda (and the other Jap makers) release a new V-Twin?

[Zakalwe]

With the advent of the new (and damn sexy) Duke 1098
do you think that the japs will release new V-Twins to compete in WSB? After all, thats how the VTR100R was born..to compete with Ducati on level ground.

I would love to see a 2007/8 "SP-3" or even a decently revised Firestorm (1100cc, 130BHP, USD, decent rear shock, etc, etc).

[Kitch]

I think they'll make a V4 if they replace the Blade as their WSB bike.

With the RC212V being a V4 (allbeit an 800cc) I think they'll go that route if Ducati starts cleaning up with the capacity advantage in '08.

I think it's too much to develop a brand new V-twin from the ground up and the SP engine just wont cut it, so it's a brand new model, which to me means V4.

Honda have spent a lot of time developing V4 technology with the RCV 750, VFR 400 and 750, NSR and RC212 that it seems to be their best shot.

Have to wait and see how the Blade evolves first...

[Squiffythewombat]

like this you mean?



VTR1200F bring it on :-)

[Squiffythewombat]

o0o and it has USD's too, not that they will be any good but still...

[Zakalwe]

like this you mean?



VTR1200F bring it on :-)

Yep that would hit the spot-except it is a Photoshop fake....Shame

[JohnnyB]

If they do bring out a new faired v twin its bound to have "pointy" styling and probably an underseat exhaust. it would also be nice to see a naked version to go against the Aprilia Tuono et al (ok I admit im an ex hornet rider....)

What's the story with emmissions on the storm motor? It maybe that putting fuel injection and a Cat on the existing unit would simply not do the trick to get it through?
If Big H does go to the trouble, I reckon we'd see a sports tourer, a naked, a supersport and and "adventure" derivative carrying the new motor.

"Bring it on" - too right!

And yes, the pic above is from of MCN's photoshop department (the most prolific dept in the business!!)

[Zakalwe]

What's the story with emmissions on the storm motor? It maybe that putting fuel injection and a Cat on the existing unit would simply not do the trick to get it through?

Well the Varadero manages it (although it is de-tuned)! Also the Ducatis, SV1000 and the Aprillias all manage to meet emissions. Surely Big H can do the same.

I think they'll make a V4 if they replace the Blade as their WSB bike

You could be on the money here. Honda loves the V4 layout (look at the way that they have re-engineered MotoGP to get a V4 back in). The cost of the V4 engine is high though. Mind you, I would prefer a V4 to an IL4 any day!

[JohnnyB]

[/quote] You could be on the money here. Honda loves the V4 layout (look at the way that they have re-engineered MotoGP to get a V4 back in). The cost of the V4 engine is high though. Mind you, I would prefer a V4 to an IL4 any day![/quote]

True, and I'd prefer a v twin to a v four

I have seen talk that the 900 Hornet isn't being updated with the 600 as Honda are going v twin with the bigger naked and leaving the IL4 space to the CB1300....

[bluesman]

I am sure there will be no new V-twin. And I doubt we will see V4 sportbike. We might see redesigned VFR - that'll be nice, but I am sure Honda will not change approach of having IL4 nakeds and sportbikes and V4 tourers. Last few years Honda been horribly conservative, and I do not think in current climate of "as soon as new model released dump your old bike" any other less conservative approach will be financially reasonable. Real innovations just do not pay off - but pointy plastics and transormer-style design bits are "important" nowadays.
Which means by the time they will release Firestorm replacement I will be probably riding something like Suzuki Stratosphere or Africa Twin 2-up.
It'll be easier to send Storm engine to those boys in Germany to tune it and bore-out to 1200 cc as they do.

[Jaglifter]

Bluesman, Your comment abount Honda conservatism sound horribly like BSA/Triumph/Norton in the 70's. Whether thats good or bad I'm not sure!

I suspect you're right though.

[Squiffythewombat]

pity, i thought it looked cool!

ooo well

[sirch345]

It'll be easier to send Storm engine to those boys in Germany to tune it and bore-out to 1200 cc as they do.

Hi Bluesman, you've lost me there who's doing that

Chris.

[bluesman]

It'll be easier to send Storm engine to those boys in Germany to tune it and bore-out to 1200 cc as they do.

Hi Bluesman, you've lost me there who's doing that

Chris.

Here:
http://www.thiel-motoren.de/

You can send them engine and get it back all ready to pump out 136 bhp and 119 Nm from 1120 cc

[BarryH]

I'm liking the Fireblade 'rse end on the storm in that pic. If you ask me the rear end needs sorting and a bit of an update.
Had the thought of getting hold of the Skidmarx race fairing for the storm and retro fitting the 'blades seat unit. I think it would look pretty cool. Add a really antisocial satin black finish and you've a V twin phantom of a bike that rocks.......

[sirch345]

It'll be easier to send Storm engine to those boys in Germany to tune it and bore-out to 1200 cc as they do.

Hi Bluesman, you've lost me there who's doing that

Chris.

Here:
http://www.thiel-motoren.de/

You can send them engine and get it back all ready to pump out 136 bhp and 119 Nm from 1120 cc

Thanks Bluesman for the link, thats amazing

Chris.