Reading for you:
http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/honda-vf1000r.aspx
http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~john/vfr/specs/85-86-vf1000r.html
Honda VF1000R
Years produced: 1985-1986 (U.S.)
Claimed power: 117hp @ 10,000rpm (92hp @ 10,000rpm as tested by Cycle)
Top speed: 149mph (period test)
Engine type: 998cc DOHC, liquid-cooled 90-degree V4
Weight: 277kg
(610lb) w/ full tank
Man, that's FAT!
Here's one style mod:
Ready for the much-vaunted
Zombie Apocalypse. Though since you are a fan of this bike, the above image may bring tears of sadness to your eyes.
One year later, Yamaha put the VF1000R solidly out of contention for any awards as the best sportbike of the year, w/the release of the FZR1000. Making fully 25% more rear-wheel horsepower (122 in period tests) than the VFR1000R, and weighing over a
hundred twenty-five pounds less ready to ride, w/a perimeter beam aluminum frame, five valves per cylinder, 17" front wheel, 18" rear, w/radial tires, and typical Yamaha attention to detail, fit, and finish, the Honda was immediately a 'quaint piece of recent motorcycle history.'
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_fzr1000_87.htm
I understand the fun of the search for a bike you admired and wanted, but couldn't afford at the time, so
get it before it gets away.
I bought one of the above from my friend who bought it new in Ft. Lauderdale, after he put 2900 mi on it in a year and sold it to me. Still have it, still on the road, though I don't ride it much. I just like to look at it, a great example of the bike tech of the time. 2000 were imported to the USA. I had owned several KZ1000's, and the difference was hard to believe, coming off them and getting onto one of these, only five years newer than my newest KZ1000. I had it as an Eddie Lawson Replica, 33 mm Mikuni smoothbores, the Kerker aluminum can 4/1, a Falicon undercut transmission, Konis, SS brake lines, but still far behind the FZR, stock.
The Kawasaki ZX-11 became the speed king within a couple of years, but it didn't handle as-well as the FZR, which stepped-up its game w/the EXUP engine/exhaust, a modified frame, and 17" rear wheel.
