Honda V-4 Production Bike Timeline

A history of the company's V-4 models

June 24, 2010

V45 Sabre

1983 VF750F

1982 VF750 Magna

1983 V65 Magna

1984 VF500F Interceptor

1984 VF1100C Magna

1984 VF1000F Interceptor

1984 VF1100S Sabre

1985 VF1000R

1986 VFR750F

1988 RC30

1990 VFR750F

1992 NR750

1994 RC45

1998 VFR750F

2002 Interceptor

2003 ST1300

2006 Interceptor

From Honda's 2010 VFR1200F press material

1982 V45 Sabre and Magna

Honda introduces the sophistication of V-4 power to street-going motorcycles in two different forms
The VF750S V45 Sabre® delivers lightweight Superbike performance to sport-oriented riders
The Sabre's 748cc DOHC V-4 engine with four valves per cylinder combines two downdraft carburetors and two sidedraft carburetors for stellar performance
The VF750C V45 Magna® cruiser combines traditional cruiser styling with unmatched engine performance
Compact engine dimensions help give the Magna a low seat height measuring less than 30 inches

1983 VF750F V45 Interceptor; VF1100 V65 Magna

First-ever 750 Interceptor® rewrites the rules in the sportbike class, wins Bike of the Year awards from two magazines in the U.S.
A radically new rectangular-section frame brings racetrack design to the street bike realm in a time when round-tube frames are the norm
High-performance 748cc liquid-cooled V-4 engine makes the Interceptor the quickest 750 on the market
The new V65 Magna defines the term "power cruiser" with its incredibly strong 1098cc DOHC V-4 engine
At the time, the V65 Magna is the quickest custom-style motorcycle ever built
In addition to its prodigious power, the V65 Magna's overdrive sixth gear allows this stylish bike to cruise with effortless ease

1984 VF500F 500 Interceptor; VF500C V30 Magna; VF700F Interceptor; VF700S Sabre; VF700 Magna; VF1000F 1000 Interceptor; VF1100S V65 Sabre

Honda fills out its family of V-4 street bikes by introducing seven new models spanning a wide range of styles
Like its larger 750 sibling, the 500 Interceptor sets new standards of performance, this time in the mid-sized sportbike class
Barely topping 400 pounds, the 500 Interceptor immediately gains a reputation for exemplary sport bike handling
The 1000 Interceptor instantly becomes the ultimate high-performance liter-class sport machine among all streetbikes
Introduction of the 700cc and 1100cc Sabre models accelerates the pace of evolution among sport-touring motorcycles
The high-tech V65 Sabre churns out 121 horsepower from its 1098cc V-4-an incredible feat for the era and enough to make it a long-distance mount par excellence
The V30 Magna delivers strong V-4 power to the mid-size custom class while offering classic styling cues

1985 VF1000R

Only a year after introducing the VF1000R Interceptor, Honda rolls out a new replacement derived from Honda's FWS V-4 racer: the VF1000R
The new VF1000R boasts gear-driven dual overhead cams and a higher compression ratio of 11.0:1 for more power
Full bodywork gives the VF1000R extremely efficient aerodynamic properties, and the sophisticated rolling chassis provides state-of-the-art literbike handling

1986 VFR750F

For the 750 Interceptor's first makeover, Honda engineers create an all-new V-4 engine with gear-driven cams and an industry-leading chassis
The VFR's innovative race-inspired aluminum frame helps reduce curb weight by nearly 45 pounds, thereby creating an unbelievably agile sport bike
Now dubbed the VFR750 rather than VF, the new Interceptor features a 180-degree crankshaft and a six-speed gearbox replacing the prior five-speed design

1988 VFR750R/RC30

The European market receives a new VFR750R that is aimed at track use, which will later enter the American market as the RC30

1990 VFR750F; ST1100

With the simultaneous introduction in the U.S. of the RC30 and the second-generation VFR750R, Honda's 750 V-4 line splits in two for a more focused lineup
The racier RC30, destined for Superbike and World Endurance racing, features super-sophisticated suspension components and elevated horsepower
Titanium connecting rods, gear-driven camshafts and quick-release wheels were some of the items that earmarked the RC30 as a machine intended primarily for track use
Second-generation VFR750F shares many features with the RC30, including a twin-spar aluminumframe and Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm
Honda redefines sport-touring with the V4 ST1100, a long-range specialist that will become a legend in its own time
The ST1100 features a liquid-cooled 90-degree V-4 displacing 1084cc that resides in a longitudinal layout, and the extraordinary torque output of this engine wins fans in the hard-core sporttouring market the world over
Cycle magazine declares, "The ST's mission is sharply and narrowly defined: comfortable highspeed, long-distance passage."

1992 NR750

Honda introduces a very limited production NR750 oval-piston street bike. It is the most exotic motorcycle ever offered by a manufacturer, and becomes an instant collector's item
Based on NR500 race-bike design, each cylinder boasts two connecting rods and eight valves to maximize valve-to-piston area, much like a shortstroke V-8 engine
PGM-FI fuel-injection, carbon fiber bodywork, an underseat exhaust, magnesium wheels and Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm help make the NR750 a true factory-built exotic

1994 VFR750F; RC45

Third-generation street-going VFR750F is almost 20 pounds lighter and reveals styling cues derived from the legendary oval-piston NR750
The racing RVF750 begets the RC45, an all-new street-legal racing platform that improves on the RC30 in every way: it's lighter, faster, more compact and ultra-sophisticated
The RC45's all-new engine incorporates Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) for more power and enhanced throttle response
The redesigned RC45 twin-spar aluminum frame increases chassis rigidity and stability, and a more sophisticated suspension system delivers sharper handling

1998 VFR750F; RC45

Completely redesigned for 1998, the Interceptor once again redefines street-going sport bike performance by infusing new racetrack technology
Ultra-sophisticated features, including a pivotless Pro-Arm chassis, aluminum-composite cylinder sleeves and more, bring the Interceptor to the leading edge of motorcycle technology
A boost in displacement to 781cc makes this first VFR800 an eminently adept choice as a do-it-all mount, and this status is confirmed when Motorcyclist magazine names the new Interceptor asMotorcycle of the Year

2002 Interceptor

This new-generation sport bike introduces VTEC® valve train to the Interceptor's V-4 engine, varying valve actuation for enhanced power characteristics
VTEC allows the high-velocity breathing advantages of a two-valve head at low engine speeds while endowing high-flow four-valve breathing at high revs for a broad powerband
New center-up exhaust increases cornering clearance and opens up the rear quarters for optional hard saddlebags

2003 ST1300

An all-new V-4 powered ST1300 raises the stakes in sport-touring circles with more power and distinctly sporty handling for effortless longrange riding
At 1261cc, the new V-4 ST engine is 16 percent larger in displacement than the previous version, good for an impressive 125 bhp
The new all-aluminum frame and swingarm alone shave 4.3 pounds compared to their previous steel counterparts and also help deliver next-generation handling characteristics

2006 Interceptor

Next-generation tuning touches applied to the Interceptor's VTEC system enhance the Interceptor's broad-shouldered powerband
A host of new styling upgrades give the Interceptor a fresh look to accompany its revamped power characteristics.