Honda's impressive 2002 line-up

By GARY MORELLO

Honda has officially launched it's 2002 motorcycle line-up and while we knew of all that were coming, it was the shape of what was coming that threw us the most.

The majority of these models should be in Australian motorcycle showrooms before mid-2002.

The big news of the lot is the VFR800F. Just take a look at the images. Yup, it's definitely what we call 'radical', we're just not sure whether we love it or hate it. The dual exhausts are probably going to make for a very tough time fitting after market end-cans, but we'll just have to wait and see on that one.

The entire front end looks amazing with the four headlights moulded into a vee-shape. The indicators are also rather conceptual in design, hanging well below the main cowling. The new-look VFR is quite possibly the most divergent Honda motorcycle ever built - it just looks so unorthodox.

It should be very popular because of this and also thanks to the new super-powerful VTEC-enhanced engine. There will also be an ABS-equipped model that will fetch a bit more.

Of course, the single-sided swingarm is still there, but new bits and bobs include the suspension, a new twin set of under-tail exhaust pipes and the all-new VTEC, four-cylinder, V-4 engine. For more info on the new VTEC engine, click this link.

VFR800F - 781cc engine, 16-valve DOHC 90º V-4

• 80kW @ 10,500rpm

• 80Nm @ 8,750rpm

The new CBR Fireblade 900 has a similar profile to last year's model, only now it looks much more aggressive. The new headlight has been swept back for an even more intense looking front-end and the new integrated LED tail-lights look very swish.

It comes with a nice rear wheel hugger to stop the crap from covering your lovely mono-shock and a new titanium-blue exhaust pipe about the size of a silo. It ain't small. With an increased capacity (up from 929cc), sharper handling and a more purposeful image, the new 'Blade should be better equipped to take on the likes of the new YZF-R1 and GSX-R1000.

CBR900RR - 954cc engine, 16-valve DOHC inline-4

• 111kW @ 11,250rpm

• 105Nm @ 9,500rpm

Up next is the new Honda Hornet 900 with those stylised, high-mount, twin pipes. Can't wait to have a fang on one of these! The new big-block Hornet is likely to give Suzuki's Bandit a run for its money with a claimed 81kW @ 9000rpm. While it uses the 1999 Fireblade's 919cc engine, it doesn't come up with the same power output. Honda has instead tuned the engine for more tractable low and mid-range torque and a bit less top-end.

You can expect the usual Honda reliability plus the new bike has enough power to haul the thing to a wheelstand without even grinding a gear. This could well be the new street fighter to beat, with good looks, plenty of power and those cool twin-pipes.

CB900F Hornet - 919cc engine, 16-valve DOHC inline-4

• 81kW @ 9,000rpm

• 92Nm @ 6,500rpm

When Honda needed a new grand-tourer, the Pan-Pacific was already a solid performer, but next year's ST1100 Pan-European (STX) looks to be an even better tourer. Taking cues from the amazing new VFR800, the STX's front end looks similar to its smaller sibling's, but it's the engine that is more closely related. Using the V-4 engine layout, the STX packs a massive 1.1-litre, fuel-injected engine.

An interesting new feature includes the split fuel-tank. The now 29-litre tank splits the fuel between the traditional position, under the tank, and to another reserve under the seat. This helps weight distribution and stability. The shaft-driven STX also has a funky new adjustable windscreen, operated by a switch on the left-hand grip. Basically, this raises and lowers the windscreen by 190mm so riders can adopt a more spirited riding stance for those coastal rides.

ST1100 Pan-European - 1261cc engine, 16-valve DOHC 90° V-4

• 87kW @ 8,000rpm

• 117Nm @ 6,500rpm

Finally we have the latest incarnation of Honda's Superbike-winning machine - the SP-2. We've talked about the new features of this bike in previous articles, but even so, don't think for a minute that this bike is the same as last year's machine. HRC isn't keen on letting Ducati swamp the supers in 2002, so it's taken a look at the SP-1 and decided to make a few 'race-inspired' changes.

The SP-2 has a new press-forged aluminium swingarm that's an amazing 700g lighter than the one it replaces. A new exhaust system, new wheels, new frame and a new paint-job round out the latest Honda V-twin.

The massive, four-valves-per cylinder, V-twin engine has been given the once over by the HRC boffins, too. Now, the superbike's got bigger, badder, 62mm throttle bodies containing a set of new, pumped-up and powerful 12-jet fuel injectors. These babies feed a more precise fuel mix, which has resulted in an increased top-end performance and a more linear throttle response in general.

VTR1000 SP-2 - 999cc engine, 8-valve DOHC 90° V-twin

• 99kW @ 10,000rpm

• 102Nm @ 8,000rpm

So, there we have it. Honda's road-bike line-up for 2002. The company has shown some real flair in the designs of the new VFR and STX V-4s, but by the same token Honda's perennial racing faves, the Fireblade and SP-2 both have what it takes to be the best, on the track and off.

In the next few weeks we'll take a look at what the other marques, such as Suzuki and Yamaha, will be putting in showrooms early next year.