|
Posted by Peter Jones
|
|
Sunday, 20 September 1998 |
|
Page 4 of 4
Everything about this bike is practical from its power curve, to its riding position, to its ambient thermometer, to its rear grab rails, to its suspension, to its clock. That’s how the old VFR was, but this bike goes way beyond its previous model by showing that practical isn’t necessarily equal to boring. And no matter what your opinion of practical is it still stands that practical is practical. I’m beginning to sound like my mom.
|
|
| My only complaint about the new Interceptor’s riding position is in how the seat slants down into the gas tank without any kick-up on its front edge. This is a popular Honda design and it can be found on the CBR900RR and the CBR 600F4, yet on few bikes from other manufacturers. The reason I don’t like it is because every time I hit a sharp bump I am slammed into the gas tank and my pet monkey gets crushed. I’ve only heard this from a few other riders so maybe I’m just not sitting on the bike properly.
All and all, no bike can be everything to everyone and so neither is this bike. It’s not a racebike, it’s not a dirtbike, it’s a sportbike. And in that it doesn’t display any compromises. In many ways there are really no other bikes in the Interceptor’s class; not just because it’s an 800cc machine but because it is a sportbike built singularly for the street. It’s built without compromise for you. In short, this bike does its name proud.
|
 |
| All pictures are clickable |
|
 |
This many pistons, this many rods,
that many valves. |
 |
New, lighter efi throttle direct the
mixture in to the heads. |
 |
An oil cooler is now located above the
front cylinder head, between the side
mounted radiators. |
 |
If you were Superman, this is how the
bike would look to you. |
 |
The seat can be removed with the
bike’s key allowing access to the tool
kit and room for storage of a U-type
lock. If you want to carry anything
more than that, get a backpack. |
 |
 |
To the right of the tachometer is a liquid crystal display that includes, from top to bottom, a clock, fuel gauge, ambient or engine temperature, trip-meters, and odometer. |
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 Next > End >>
|
