Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128138
2002 Honda Interceptor VFRBOOFI VFR, the 2002 new-generation Interceptor is still a VFR at heart; it's just that it beats a little faster and more efficiently now. Honda's seemingly impossible goal of increasing the Interceptor's overall performance, while also expanding its role as a sport-touring machine, has certainly been achieved. Now we'll just have to see if it sells. But, best of all, it's still a VFR just a better one. (Left) Not only does the new exhaust routing provide better cornering clearance, but also room for saddlebags. The exhaust note isn't much different than the previous VFR. (But valvegear noise is a thing of the past.) (Above) Instrumentation is clean and efficient. comfortable in the saddle after six bodywork is now more angular than hours as it does after one hour, before, especially up front. thanks to its relaxed, semi-hunch ed- The pointy nose area is strikingly over riding position and comfy seat. attractive, a lot of which has to do Also, the redesigned windscreen and with the distinctive quad-headlight fairing provide better-than-average design, which not only looks trick but wind/weather protection. really brighten things up at night. Of To make the VFR more appealing course, the Interceptor comes in its to the masses, Honda felt that the traditional solid, bright-red color VFR needed a more modern and scheme. New Features • VTEC valve-train • Silent-type cam-chain drive. • Programmed fuel injection (PGM·F!) uses four laser-drilled 12-hole injectors, replacing the previous one-hole injector design. • Iridium-tip spark plugs are ignited by new, compact, high-energy, coil-on-plug spark-plug caps. • Redesigned oil cooler provides 33-percent more cooling capacity. • Redesigned twin side-mounted radiators have seven-percent more capacity. • Unique NR-style center-up exhaust system incorporates two stainless-steel • mufflers tucked under the Interceptor's tail section. • Clutch features an offset outside friction plate. • TransmIssion has closer ratios between first and third gears, combined with a one-tooth-smaller drive sprocket. • New three-phase coil-spring damper in the transmjssion. • New Pro Arm, single-side, cast-aluminum swingarm design is 0.75 of an inch longer than the previous design. • Honda's Linked Braking System (LBS) is revised • Anti-Lock Braking System (optional) • Large-diameter, 43mm Honda Multi-Action System (HMAS) cartridge fork. • Four multi-reflector headUghts employ two centrally positioned H4 low/high beams positioned under two H7 high beams. • Fuel capacity is increased to 5.8 gallons. • All-new bodywork features a new headlight display, upper fairing, rear body panels and fa ired tum signals. • Meets the Califomia NT Resources Board (CARB) 2008 emissions standards. Features Engine/Drivetrain • • • • • • fresher look and gave it a complete Overall, considering all of the • facelift for 2002. The Interceptor's changes that Honda made to the • • • g)[j)@@u(!D@@J71D@fJD0 781cc DOHC 90° V-4 with an oversquare bore and stroke of 72 x 48mm. Combustion chambers feature an 11.6:1 compression ratio and are fed by programmed fuel injection through short, straight intake ports. Engine serves as a stressed member of the pivotless frame, which features specially designed engine-mounting bolts. Forged-aluminum pistons feature LUB-Coat solid lubricant to minimize friction between piston and cylinder wall. Auto-enriching system is integrated into PGM-FI module, eliminating the need for a manual choke. Solenoid-operated dual,air-intake-duct design keeps one duct closed during low-speed operation to control air intake velocity. Dual side-mounted radiators with side cowls. During low-speed operation, a thermostat-controlled left-side fan pulls cooling air across the radiator into the fairing. 125mm-diameter eight-plate clutch. Six-speed transmission. Chassis/Suspension ~@@~ D[JiJ(J@[f@@[fJ(J@[l r!l[P[fJ@@@[PD LIST PRICE _ .. $9999/$10,999 (w/ABS) DISPLACEMENT .......•........................................ 781cc ENGINE TYPE ...........•••••••................•.. L:lquid-cooled, 90° V-4 BORE x STROKE ........•.••••••••••....................... 72 x 48mm COMPRESSION RATIO ....••••.................................. 11.6:1 CARBURETION .........•••••••......... PGM-FI w/automatic enricher circuit IGNITION COl w/3D mapping and electronic advance TRANSMISSION Close-ratio, six-speed STARTING SYSTEM Electric FUEL CAPACITY.......••••• '.••.......... 5.8-gal., including .8-gallon reserve WHEELBASE .............••••••••••..................•.... 57.4 inches RAKE/TRAIL. .................•.•••••..................... 25.5°/95mm SEAT HEIGHT ..•.••••••••••••••••••....................... 31.7 inches FRONT nRE 120/70ZR-17 radial REAR TIRE 180/55ZR·17 radial 43mm HMAs cartridge fork,;w/spring preload adjustability FRONT SUSPENSION FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL ........................•............. 4.3 inches REAR SUSPENSION Pro Arm Single-side swingarrn w/Pro-Link single HMAS gas-charged shock with seven-position spring preload aod rebound damping adjustability REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL ~ 4.7 inches FRONT BRAKE" Dual full-floating 296n-im discs w/LBS three-piston calipers REAR BRAKE Single 256mm disc w/LBS three-piston caliper; optional ABS FINAL DRIVE 41530 O-Ring sealed chain CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT 472 Ibs/483Ibs. (w/ABS) 26 JANUARY 23. 2002' c u e I ... n e vv s • Triple-box-section, twin-spar aluminum frame, with engine-mounted swingarm. • Pro Arm single-side cast-aluminum swingarm, mounted to the engine. • Pro-Link rear suspension features a 40mm gas-charged HMAS shock with 4.7 inches of travel and adjustable spring preload and rebound damping. • (ABS-equipped model has a spring preload adjustment knob.) The Pro-Link arm is anchored directly to a cast aluminum bracket on the rear of the engine case. • 296mm floating front-brake discs feature a seven-spoke inner rotor design_ • U-section cast-aluminum wheels. • The six-spoke, 3.5-inch-wide front wheel carries a 120/70ZR-17 radial tire. • The five-spoke, 5.5-inch rear wheel sports a large, 10w-profUe 180/55ZR-17 radial tire. Additional Features • Air flowing through a central air vent under the front windshield is designed to provide cool air to the rider at low speeds and increase rider comfort at higher speeds. • Instrument display includes electronic tachometer, LCD readouts for speedometer, air temperature, coolant temperature, odometer, two tripmeters, and a clock. • ACG output of 463 watts. • Detachable seat offers access space to carry (J-Iock and other necessities. (Lock not included.) • Removable passenger seat cowl. • Adjustable brake and clutch levers. • Injection-molded nylon passenger grabrails. • Folding aerodynamk mirrors. • Handlebar switches and controls use internationally approved ISO graphic • symbols. • Transferable one-year, unlimited-mileage limited warranty. CN