Overview:
Patterned after the FWS "Works Bike" that Steve Wise, Mike Baldwin and
Freddie Spencer used to shred rear tires with regularity, this was Honda's effort to homologate an endurance
racer. Full fairing (in fiberglass not plastic) with a single headlight lens and small vents on either side and two cute
round tail lights out back, 16" front wheel & 17" rear wheel were of the NS/NSR style "Comstar" bolt together
wheels, not cast (hub an rim where connected via bolted on struts), endurance racer spec. quick release forks,
with the obligatory TRAC mechanical anti-dive mechanisms. Single rear shock w/ 2 sided Alloy swingarm, Gear
driven cams, 4/2 exhaust. Color was typical Honda HRC colors - White base with lots of red (in fairing and on
the front fender and forks) a small blue stripe and black wheels. '86
brought on twin-bulb headlights (US models), aluminum clip-ons (previously
black) and a gold-colored triple-clamp.
According to John Perkins
(VFR list master) It does indeed feel like 120 ponies, on the straight-aways anyway.
"Plenty of power and torque for that beast" were his words.
Some draw backs of this bike:
- He noted however, that it DOES feel like 600 lbs of dead weight
in a parking lot.
- Rubber can be difficult to find, particularly if you want to
run radial tires on it.
- That 16" front wheel can give a less-than-confident feeling in
some of the curves.
US/Canadian model differences:
- Some '85 models in Canada were actually
'84 VF1000F bikes, but with the red and blue paint sections
reversed. (According to David Ricker, dbis.ns.ca)
Differences between 1985 models:
- Gold-colored triple-clamp cover added for 1986
- Dual-bulb headlight assembly added for 1986
Other pictures:
