Honda's much-loved VFR, or VFR750F, debuted in 1986 as the advanced, aluminium-framed Super Sport successor to the revolutionary VF750F Interceptor that stunned the world and dominated Superbike racing for three years after bursting onto the sports bike scene in 1983.

Since this auspicious debut, the VFR has undergone a steady series of major design changes every four years, culminating in the current fuel-injected, high-tech sports tourer that has won respect and admiration from thousands of aficionados since its 1998 release.

Especially popular in Europe, the VFR has consistently been hailed as Honda's premier high-tech sports model, a position crowned by its current version, which holds the record as the best-selling VFR yet.

The VFR has always been know as a well-rounded sports bike that can slice effortlessly through twisty mountain back roads. However, over its last two generations, as bigger, faster and more single-minded Super Sport models have come to the fore, the VFR has won a growing following as an excellent sports touring bike that can cover long distances in comfort and still deliver exhilarating performance at the twist of its throttle. This peerless combination of performance and comfort has endeared it to a broad cross-section of discerning riders who know and appreciate its high level of quality and broad accessibility.

In asking these riders what sorts of improvements they might like to see in another new VFR, most initially expressed complete satisfaction with the VFR's current version. However, when pressed for additional features they might desire, a short list of items the development team could focus on gradually began to take form. These included:

• A more boldly impressive sense of the VFR's sporty agility and superb overall quality.
• A stronger delivery of low-to-midrange engine response.
• Lower fuel consumption and a longer touring range.
• Matching optional pannier cases specially made by Honda-rather than generic aftermarket items- and instilled with the highest qualities of design and construction.
• A taller, more protective windscreen, especially for taller riders.
• An adjustable rear suspension that can be quickly and easily set for sports, touring and tandem riding conditions.
• More security options available to help deter potential thieves.

Using these desired features as a guide, the VFR's development team set out to totally redesign their creation with a stimulating new look of sports-minded appeal coupled with the enhanced capacity for even greater long-distance touring enjoyment-and not just for the rider alone, but also with someone along to share the fun, not to mention all they might want to carry with them.

Over the years, the VFR has found its place as a high-performance 'Super All-Rounder' that delivers a full course of riding enjoyment-from aggressive sport riding to leisurely sightseeing-in a technologically sophisticated machine that glows with the peerless quality of fine execution in its every detail.

With this in mind, the team then set out to enhance and build upon these attractions with a combination of aggressive new styling, a step up in performance, and a more prestigious sense of quality to give both rider and passenger a more deeply satisfying riding experience.

The current VFR is generally considered to be 'a sportsbike that can also go touring,' and it expresses that with the look of an ideal all-round sports touring motorcycle. However, as other models in the sportsbike class have grown more aggressive in both looks and performance, the time has come to give the VFR's highly aerodynamic, yet understated lines a more dramatic boost in their visual impact by comparison.

Now, for 2002, the VFR receives a total makeover that takes a major leap in both visual and visceral excitement to project a strikingly attractive image to go with its improved engine performance, while still providing a thoroughly enjoyable urban riding experience.

But the new VFR's attractions aren't just skin deep. Everything from the heart of its engine to the sinewy curves of its chassis has been reworked, redesigned or completely replaced in the quest for a stronger, more exhilarating balance of performance that isn't bogged down by the heavier loads of two-up touring.

Take its renowned, high-powered V4 engine for a start. No longer simply a high-revving powerhouse, it's been lightened with a new chain-driven camtrain and recharged with a unique new 2-stage valve control system, called 'V4 VTEC,' that combines the most effective power characteristics of 2-valve and 4-valve engine design in one remarkable unit.

With a chassis retuned for more aggressive sports performance that now encompasses the special requirements of two-up touring, greater efforts made to accommodate increases in its carrying capacity, the new 2002 VFR again reasserts its leadership position as Honda's unrivalled high-tech sports tourer.