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28-456: With its hard-shelled panniers, the Futura was intended to compete with the similarly styled Honda VFR800 , but poor sales and Aprilia's worsening financial position led to the Futura's demise. Production ended in 2003, although the bike remained in the range until 2005. The Futura incorporated an aluminium-alloy, double-parallel-beam frame with a single-sided swinging arm . Transmission is via

56-590: A development of the VFR750R RC30 and originally derived from the VFR750F RC24 , was very different from Honda's previous V4s as the gear drive for the camshafts was moved from the center of the engine to the engine's right-side (next to the clutch-pack). Another change was the two side-mounted radiators as opposed to one at the front of the engine front as on the VFR750. The engine was tuned for road use in

84-663: A new instrument panel, and revised aerodynamic bodywork with LED lighting, though the engine and chassis remain largely unchanged from the previous sixth-generation model. Continued from the sixth-generation model is also the 2006 refined version of the VTEC system. The side-mounted radiators were dropped in favour of dual front-mounted units. The model is sold worldwide. In the US market, it is available in two versions: Standard and Deluxe. The Deluxe version adds ABS, traction control, grip heaters, center stand, and self-canceling turn signals. Outside

112-423: A six-speed gearbox and chain-final drive. Other features included CDI dual ignition system using two spark plugs per cylinder, dry sump lubrication, mixed gear/chain timing, (AVDC) double-balance countershaft, and power-assisted hydraulic-controlled clutch, with a patented "Pneumatic Power Clutch" (PPC) to simulate a slipper clutch to control rear-wheel bounce during sudden deceleration. The Futura's dry weight

140-532: A valve in the top of the fork to stiffen the suspension. Quality forks have a flexible air tube between both fork tubes in order to balance the air pressure in both forks. Modern fork tubes have a method which employs a screw to compress fork spring to increase or decrease spring pre-load. Cartridge forks provide regressive damping. Self-contained cartridges within the forks contain spring-covered orifices regulating fork oil flow. The springs resist low forces and thus provide high damping rates. Higher forces compress

168-597: Is 210 kg (463 lb). The chief designer in charge of the project was Pierluigi Marconi . He would design the Futura around the same motor used in the Mille , a 998cc DOHC 60 degree V-twin. Among major changes from the Mille were the single side swing arm and undertail exhaust used to retain space for the hard sided luggage. Marconi also specified an increase in the electrical generator in order to cope with accessories that touring riders were sure to add. Electrical capacity

196-572: Is able, well-specced and potent". Honda VFR800 The Honda VFR800 ( Interceptor ) is a sport touring motorcycle made by Honda since 1998. The model was the successor to the VFR750F and shares the V4 engine configuration with the Honda VF and VFR series. The VFR800 name was given to three successive iterations of Honda V4 motorcycles: The VFR800 is only 34 cc greater in volume than

224-401: Is initiated by an electronically actuated oil spool valve, which sends oil pressure to the lifter actuators, which then move the engagement pins into place above the valve stem, allowing the remaining two valves to open. This design allows for variable valve timing as well, since the cam lobe profiles can be made different. After much criticism of the abruptness of power transition, Honda lowered

252-413: Is lighter than older designs using external components and linkage systems. Telescopic forks sometimes have gaiters to protect the fork tubes from abrasion and corrosion. A more modern (and more expensive) version of the conventional telescopic fork is the inverted or "USD" (upside-down) fork. BMW 's patented telelever front suspension appears at first glance to be conventional telescopic fork, but

280-425: Is therefore less aerated by it working in both directions, and it develops less heat while working, which causes a variation to the thickness of the oil, thereby adversely affecting the damping rate. On most modern motorbikes this system is inverted, with the "sliders" and the spring/damper unit at the top, clamped to the yoke, while the stanchions are at the bottom. This is done (1) to reduce unsprung weight by having

308-471: The fork tubes to the frame via steering head bearings, which allow the fork assembly to pivot from side to side, and therefore steer the motorcycle. Most bikes have upper and lower triple trees, providing two solid clamping points that keep the fork tubes parallel while also connecting the forks to the frame via the steering head bearings. With the tendency to employ fork tubes with single action damping, fork triple trees need to be reinforced more than when

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336-560: The 1992 Honda CBR1000F . It was based on the Unified Braking System that was introduced on the 1983 GL1100 . The sixth generation VFR was introduced in 2002. It featured dual underseat exhausts, optional ABS , DCBS linked brakes, and optional hard luggage. It featured chain-driven cams rather than the gear-driven cams of earlier VFRs, and VTEC valve actuation. In 2006 the VFR 800 received some minor upgrades, which included

364-426: The H.I.S.S. (Honda Ignition Security System) immobiliser system in an effort to combat theft. The VFR800 has a CBS linked braking system . This is a departure from traditional motorcycle braking system where front and rear braking are independent of each other. In this system, the front brake lever applies pressure to four (or later Gen 6, five) of the six front brake caliper pistons . The rotational movement of

392-471: The US, only the Deluxe version is sold. Telescopic fork A telescopic fork is a form of motorcycle front suspension whose use is so common that it is virtually universal. The telescopic fork uses fork tubes and sliders which contain the springs and dampers . The main advantages of the telescopic fork are that it is simple in design and relatively cheap to manufacture and assemble, and that it

420-606: The VFR750F but, being wider in bore and shorter in stroke, is both more oversquare and more powerful than its predecessor, with the stroke reduced from 48.6 to 48mm, and the bore increased from 70 to 72mm. Nevertheless, rather than being a direct development of the previous, carbureted VFR750F engine, the VFR800 engine was a detuned power plant based on the fuel-injected engine designed for the RC45 of 1994. The RVF750R RC45 engine, although

448-470: The VFR800, so that torque was improved throughout the rev range while maximum power was only slightly higher than the VFR750. The VFR800's frame uses the engine as a stressed member, this was derived from the VTR1000 Firestorm , and retains the trademark VFR single-sided swingarm pivoted from the aft of the crankcase . It uses normal 'right-side-up' front forks . In 2000, Honda updated

476-528: The VTEC activation rpm threshold to 6,400 rpm in 2006. The VTEC disengages two cylinder valves when the engine speed drops again below 6,100 rpm. A facelifted VFR800 debuted at the 2013 EICMA show in Milan, Italy. The revised model features a new single sided exhaust system, akin to the fifth-generation one, lighter wheels, and additional mass-reduction, lowering the curb weight by 10 kg (22 lb). The new VFR also features traction control,

504-524: The beginning of production in 1908, and the Danish Nimbus used them from 1934 on. Conventional telescopic forks invariably have a pair of fork tubes , or "stanchions", at the top, clamped to a triple tree (also called a triple clamp or a yoke), and the sliders are at the bottom, attached to the front wheel spindle. Inside most tubes are springs, fork oil, and air, creating a shock absorber . Some forks allow pressurized air to be added through

532-520: The change of the tachometer face from black to white, a re-mapped ECU to provide a smoother transition into VTEC, clear turn signal lenses and upgrades to the electrical wiring to fix issues with the charging system. The VFR800 was phased out after the 2009 model year in the United States, when Honda introduced the larger VFR1200F ; but the VFR1200 was not a direct replacement for the VFR800;

560-444: The fifth-generation VFR (RC46) with a catalytic converter , oxygen sensors , and an EFI system that would enter closed-loop mode under highway (cruising) operation. These also came with a temperature-actuated fast idle system, negating the need for a choke lever. The rear-view mirrors got updated as well, with Honda forgoing the old rubberized stalks, instead opting for rustproof metal ones. Bikes supplied for Europe also came with

588-452: The fork engages the desired hole size or valve and corresponding damping rate in compression, while usually the lower tube has a mechanism to control rebound (extension) damping. Single action damping is currently being manufactured, such that compression occurs in one fork tube while its partner tube controls the rebound damping. This is because the oil controlling the damping in each tube, then, has only to control one direction of damping and

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616-479: The fork tubes contain neither springs nor damping. Instead, a wishbone and an inboard monoshock perform suspension duties, and the forks serve to locate the front wheel and control steering. The first production motorcycles with hydraulically damped telescopic forks were the German BMW R12 and R17 in 1935. However, undamped telescopic forks were used on bikes made by The Scott Motorcycle Company from

644-536: The heavier components suspended, and (2) to improve the strength and rigidity of the assembly by having the strong large-diameter "sliders" clamped in the yokes. The inverted system is referred to as an upside-down fork , or "USD" for short. One disadvantage of the USD design is that the entire reservoir of damping oil is above the slider seal so in case of leak the oil drains out, rendering any damping ineffective. A triple tree ("triple clamp" (US) or "yoke" (UK)) attaches

672-454: The left caliper when engaged actuates a secondary master cylinder and applies pressure to one of the rear caliper's pistons. The rear brake pedal is directly attached to the remaining pistons (two in the rear, and one or two in the front). The CBS system is designated "dual" as both hand lever and foot pedal each control both front and rear brakes; commonly, the foot pedal only operates the rear brake. Honda first introduced this braking system on

700-422: The springs, allowing more oil flow and less damping. Thus the fork is stiffer when responding to small bumps but will soften as larger ones are encountered. Most modern forks also are suspended on springs and control fork movement by damping through adjustable valving to control movement by controlling the flow of fork oil. The larger the orifice, the more free the flow and the less damped the fork. A selector atop

728-530: The true successor being the 2014 VFR800F (RC79). The VFR800 was the first non- JDM motorcycle to use VTEC valve-gear. Honda used VTEC to meet tightening noise and emissions standards and to increase the peak engine horsepower. Based on the VTEC-E system, the simplified motorcycle version of VTEC employs only two of the four valves per cylinder when operating at lower engine speeds. All four valves per cylinder are engaged above approximately 6,800 rpm. This

756-481: Was his leaving Aprilia that caused promised updates like ABS and power outlets to never materialize on the Futura. The bike's large, angular shape divided critics: some thought it was innovative and made it "look like an F-117 " while others said it was just too bulky. MCN reviewed the Futura, saying: "The Aprilia RST1000 Futura is desperately underestimated, sadly short lived and now a potential bargain. Aprilia’s ambitious rival for Honda’s polished VFR sports-tourer

784-468: Was increased by 30% over that of the Mille. Marconi directed his design team to spend an extensive amount of time on the exhaust system. The result was that it did not heat up the seat as other undertail exhausts did. It also passed Euro 1 standard emissions without the catalytic converter. The design team moved to supplier Sagem to provide the fuel injection and intake systems. Marconi would later quit and go to work with Benelli and then later Gas-Gas . It

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