The Interceptor Returns!

THE INTERCEPTOR RETURNS!

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HONDA'S V-4-POWERED VFR800F REJOINS BIG RED'S US LINEUP

After a four-year hiatus, Honda's VFR800F Interceptorthe legendary V-4powered sportbike that captured multiple Ten Best awards and routinely won us over with its impeccable balance-returns to the US market for 2014. As the bike revealed at EICMA last year suggests, the new Interceptor will have a new fork and swingarm, plus standard traction control, ABS, and heated grips. More important, Honda says the bike weighs 22 pounds less than the previous model, and its 781cc V-4 has been tuned for better lowand midrange torque. Further addressing complaints we had back in the day, the VTEC variablevalve transition on the liquid-cooled 90-degree engine has been smoothed. Peak horsepower of 104 arrives at 10,250 rpm, says Honda, with 55 pound-feet of torque available at 8,500 rpm.

Although the aluminum twinspar frame remains unchanged,the 2014 Interceptor boasts a lighter subframe and a new single-sided aluminum swingarm that's complemented by a 43mm telescopic fork offering stepless spring preload adjustment and 4.3 inches of travel. The fork lowers, of note, now accept radialmount four-piston calipers, and the Interceptor's wheels are made of die-cast aluminum.

With its mixture of soft curves and sharp angles, the new Interceptor pays visual homage to VFR history, as does its X-shaped headlight, which now features LEDs-a first for Honda. Other modern touches include self-canceling turn indicators that use wheel-speed data, not a timer, and a dash that features a digital tach, an analog speedo, a gear indicator, and a fuel-consumption gauge. And with regard to economy, Honda says the new Interceptor, a claimed 536-pound bike with a 5.2-gallon fuel tank and a six-speed gearbox, has a range in excess of 200 miles. Look for a quickshifter to be among the available accessories, as well as a top box and panniers.

Andrew Bornhop