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VR980 Superhawk prototype

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    VR980 Superhawk prototype

    Half way down this page there are three pics of the VR980. There is no information about the bike on this page as it is an intro to the "Superhawk", however "the list" has this snipet from MCN.

    Honda's first prototype was a collection of parts-bin spares and was built
    and developed by Honda's U.S. research and development set-up.
    The American-built prototype used an 1100cc motor from Honda's VT1100
    V-twin custom bike fitted in a frame from the Hawk, the American version
    of Honda's NTV650.

    It used beefed-up Bros suspension and brakes and standard Bros wheels,
    fitted with a sports fairing. The bike, tagged the FireHawk, was ridden
    extensively by Honda U.S. test riders and members of the public who had
    voiced interest in buying a Japanese V-twin.

    Renowned tuners Two Brothers Racing were invited to test and comment on
    the top-secret project. The test results were favourable and the results
    were sent - along with a video lobbying for the bike to be built - to
    Japan for a decision to be made on the project's future.

    Honda Japan's R&D team then built their own V-twin called the VR980. It
    used a Bros 650 frame, a bored-out 980cc Africa Twin engine, and brakes,
    forks and wheels from a FireBlade. It was tested successfully at Honda's
    Tochigi test track in Japan.


    Note from Blade_Zero: Also looks like a fireblade swingarm and an africa twin fairing were installed.

    #2
    Any idea what year that was?
    1988 "BlackHawk" project
    1989 "RallyHawk" is Chuck's now!
    1988 "The Gray" Tempest Gray Metallic stocker

    I can't tell you how peaceful it is. Shinya Kimura
    People who know ride Hawks. Riot

    Comment


      #3
      Douglas,
      1997

      Blade

      Comment


        #4
        So where do I get one of those 980 motors? They bolt right in right?
        BIKES: Honda: RC31 Racebike/ NT650 Streetbike, DUCATI: None at the moment.
        Former MSF Rider Coach / Trackday Instructor/ Expert Roadracer #116
        "I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow."

        Comment


          #5
          Africa Queens do an 840 kit for the africa twin but you'd be better off buying a used RSV1000 and lighten it up with after market stuff, in my oppinon it would be the closest thing to a VR980.

          Blade

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            #6
            Link doesn't work anymore.
            1988 "BlackHawk" project
            1989 "RallyHawk" is Chuck's now!
            1988 "The Gray" Tempest Gray Metallic stocker

            I can't tell you how peaceful it is. Shinya Kimura
            People who know ride Hawks. Riot

            Comment


              #7
              I wonder how difficult putting that 1100 in the Hawk frame is...
              One step closer....

              Comment


                #8
                Originally Posted by Blade_Zero View Post
                "the list" has this snipet from MCN:

                The American-built prototype used an 1100cc motor from Honda's VT1100
                V-twin custom bike fitted in a frame from the Hawk, the American version
                of Honda's NTV650.

                Honda Japan's R&D team then built their own V-twin called the VR980. It
                used a Bros 650 frame, a bored-out 980cc Africa Twin engine...
                So, it can be done!!! The team at Honda USA managed it.

                But for some reason, the motogeeks in Japan said "that won't work in there." Why?
                1988 "BlackHawk" project
                1989 "RallyHawk" is Chuck's now!
                1988 "The Gray" Tempest Gray Metallic stocker

                I can't tell you how peaceful it is. Shinya Kimura
                People who know ride Hawks. Riot

                Comment


                  #9
                  the VR980 was the prototyp for the honda Superhawk

                  and it was not a african twin engine they have made sandcast cylinders for the VR980
                  and the wiring from the sparks goes in holes at the frame to the engine
                  i have the pics at a motorcycle magazin anywere

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Here's a link I found about it.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      The actual Superhawk used very few pieces, if any, from the bikes that these prototypes were cobbled together from. I'm just glad they didn't use that 1100 V-Twin; correct me if I'm wrong, but those cruiser-type motors are heavy-flywheel, low revving engines, not really what you want in a sport-twin. I'm going to risk a little criticism here, and give Honda some credit for discarding the parts-bin approach and designing the Superhawk with a clean sheet. I think these prototypes were inspiration for the final product, but I think it turned out better than it would have if they had assembled it from existing product. Just one guy's opinion...
                      _______________________________

                      1988 Hawk GT
                      1990 Hawk GT
                      2008 Yamaha WR250R
                      1966 Yamaha YL1 Twinjet 100
                      1977 Yamaha RD400
                      2012 Yamaha Super Tenere
                      2009 Kawasaki KLR650

                      Comment


                        #12
                        anyone know what fuel tank they used?
                        '90 Bros mk I - 954 front end, vapor digi dash, k-tech cbr1100xx shock, full TBR system, cbr900rr rearsets with cbr600rr pegs, fabitappi hugger and seat converter and cb600f8 wing mirrors

                        '90 CB-1 - PC frame, cbr1100xx rear shock, 600rr footpegs and rear fender removed

                        '84 FJ1100 - fzr400rr front calipers

                        Bros 400/750 project - PGM Africa Twin motor, mkII front wheel, race subframe and rvf rear wheel conversion (in progress!!)

                        '02 RSV1000R Mille

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