Rumors of a Honda Supersport apparently false

[FJR-Voltron]

The dual-clutch setup allows the next subsequent gear to 'pre-cache' itself, so that when you hit the up/down shift button the gear is already ready. Basically, it makes for ultra fast shifts that are almost seamless. Audi/VW have had their DSG for many years now, although I'm not exactly sure what their reliability is. BMW's newest M3 has the same setup as well.

 

[manwhoride]

Honda has revealed to the world's motorcycle journalists that it will be launching a V4 superbike in 2010.
The bike, expected to be the next CBR, will feature something never seen before on a production superbike; a push-button quickshifter to enable seamless gear changes up and down the box.

Details are sketchy, but the bike is expected to resemble the concept V4 that Honda shows in their stand at the Cologne Motorcycle Show.

Source: From Honda Press Conference

That push-button shifter thing sounds revolutionary....

Sounds like a Honda ATV we bought 10+ years ago...Hope it corners better

Cool signature!!

 

[SockMonkey]

What's important is that this technology affords fully-automatic shifting (something that will probably be necessary -- to continue to sell motorcycles? ).

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner..!!

What I love about this solution from Honda is that it gives the rider choices. You're a clutch guy? Great! Knock yourself out. You like the AE-style trigger shift? Fantastic! It's right there by your left thumb and forefinger! You like cruising on the superslab and would prefer your bike doing all the shifting for you? Awesome! We got that covered, too!

Personally? It's about ******* time someone stepped up and offered a gearbox like this. Various motorcycle OEMs have been dicking around with auto-shift technologies for ~30 years. Sure, the purists are going to whine, but **** 'em. Congrats to Honda for raising the bar and pushing bike technology. My guess is that in another 3-5 years, auto-transmissions will be wide-spread amongst sport bikes. And why not..?

 

[wfooshee]

coz. . . . . coz. . . . . coz they're GHEY!!!!

J/K. This concept beats the snot out of the DN-01 system.

Still, I prefer stirring my own box. I've only owned 2 auto-box cars in the 35 years I've been driving: my very first one lo these many years ago, and the butt-ugly but 100% unkillable '89 Grand Marquis that now conveys my lovely bride in her daily endeavors at who knows what.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

My guess is that in another 3-5 years, auto-transmissions will be wide-spread amongst sport bikes.

I tend to agree -- automatics are ubiquitous (and the only g/box [many] people think they know how to use).

And why not..?

Lack of control -- loss of a major and important control function (with a fully automatic box).

My guess is that in another 3-5 years, auto-transmissions will be wide-spread amongst sport bikes.

Yet..., MamaYama (in their wisdom ) discontinued the semi-auto "AE" for 2010 -- why dey do dat...?

 

[Fred W]

I would like a gear change system that has a manually operated clutch for launching (and stopping) but then has the dual clutch quickshifter for up and down shifting. This would be the best of both worlds IMO. Most of the "knocks" on the YCCS (from a functionality standpoint) are limited to low speed maneuverability problems. Of course this doesn't help the "city traffic commuters" with limp left wrists.

Auto shifters (of any type) are also exceedingly complicated and complex, which brings with it added price, weight and service issues.

So what's wrong with the standard clutch system?

 

[Toecutter]

So what's wrong with the standard clutch system?

Maybe they figure without a standard trans, they can sell more bikes to people who probably shouldn't be on them. A secret plan to help thin out the herd?

:clapping: It's pure genius!

 

[R62FJR]

Pics...

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

So what's wrong with the standard clutch system?

Many people "just don't get them".... :huh: They fall into a 'grey area' of 'friction devices' -- neither on nor off, black nor white, and many have trouble modulating that zone between stopped and going. (alot like that other 'friction device': brakes -- where we've come to get computers to operate them...)

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Pics...

Hey, thanks 'R62FJR' -- first 'real pictures' (in action) that I've seen.

This bike has all the earmarks of being something really big on the sport-touring scene (imho).

 

[teerex51]

In 2011 they're rumored to introduce a VFR 1200 Tourer based of course on the same powerplant.

This bike will have a special "crush zone" in the front (where that fugly cowling is) and a tank-mounted airbag.

 

[SockMonkey]

Pics...

Hey, thanks 'R62FJR' -- first 'real pictures' (in action) that I've seen.

This bike has all the earmarks of being something really big on the sport-touring scene (imho).

This is a damn good looking bike... :dribble:

 

[user 213]

In 2011 they're rumored to introduce a VFR 1200 Tourer based of course on the same powerplant.

:grin: 2011 now? Just last week it was 2010 release.

 

[SockMonkey]

In 2011 they're rumored to introduce a VFR 1200 Tourer based of course on the same powerplant.

:grin: 2011 now? Just last week it was 2010 release.

I have it on pretty good authority it'll be officially announced this November, and available for delivery to customers as early as March '10 (can you say, "PDP"?). Obviously, there's no official word on prcie, but the expectation is around $16k. We shall soon see...

 

[FJR-Voltron]

I like it a lot!!!

 

[teerex51]

...I have it on pretty good authority it'll be officially announced this November, and available for delivery to customers as early as March '10

The VFR 1200 was originally to be presented at the Milan Bike Show (Nov 10-15, 2009) but Honda canceled its participation for budgetary reasons (so did Yamaha, BTW). Nonetheless, the bike will be released in 2010 as planned.

The Tourer version VFR 1200T is still slated for 2011.

Stef

 

[Fred W]

All of the pictures show a bike that looks like a replacement for the VFR800, i.e. and excellent lighter weight SPORTtouring bike, a great 1-up sport tourer on it's own rights, albeit with a decent set of luggage. None seem to have the passenger accomodations that would thrust it into the same market as the supersportsTOURING bikes like the FJR, K13GT, C14 or ST1300.

Maybe that's what Stef is referring to? That the true "touring" model will not be released the first go around.

 

[SockMonkey]

All of the pictures show a bike that looks like a replacement for the VFR800, i.e. and excellent lighter weight SPORTtouring bike, a great 1-up sport tourer on it's own rights, albeit with a decent set of luggage. None seem to have the passenger accomodations that would thrust it into the same market as the supersportsTOURING bikes like the FJR, K13GT, C14 or ST1300.

Agreed. And if this bike falls somewhere between, say, the VFR800 and ST1300 in size and weight, they'll have an unmitigated hit on their hands.

Maybe that's what Stef is referring to? That the true "touring" model will not be released the first go around.

That could be, but given a VFR1200 "T" is ostensibly an ST1300 replacement, why wouldn't they have gone ahead and updated their website to reflect a 2010 ST1300 if they have no plans of launching its replacement this year? Or did they finally run out of red paint and decide to carry the ST1300 into 2010 as a '09 model..?? All will be revealed in ~7 weeks...

 

[Warchild]

-_-

 

[SockMonkey]

-_-

Meaning you likey or not so much..?