2014 Honda V-Four head-on with Yamaha MT-09
Some development news from Honda, the Japanese company has patented a new steel-trellis frame designed around its long-lived, 800cc V-four engine, suggesting that the company is at work on a new, low-cost naked style motorcycle set to compete with the Yamaha MT-09.Patent drawing show a chassis similar to that of the V-twin Honda VTR250, wrapped around what appears to be the VFR800's VTEC V-four engine. The result could be an enticing prospect: a low-cost naked streetbike with an engine that's different from run-of-the-mill inline fours that usually power Japanese motorcycles.
Yamaha's three-cylinder MT-09 is a direct reaction to the fact that unique naked style motorcycles like Ducati's V-twin powered Monster and Triumph's Street Triple prove significantly more popular and profitable than inline-fours like the Yamaha FZ8.
For Honda to use the old VFR800 VTEC V-four engine in a new steel frame will keep costs to a minimum; making it cheaper than developing a new engine. In terms of performance, the around 110 horsepower 800cc V-four engine is already on par with its direct rivals, and the fact the engine was so advanced when it was first introduced means it still easily meets the emissions regulations that sometimes kills old engine designs.
