Nov. 2023 Bike of the Month

[FromMaine]

Honda's made some pretty nice bikes over the years, innovative, technically forward, top notch fit and finish, and sometimes just beautiful looking bikes. I personally think it would be hard to improve the looks of most of Hondas 80-90's offerings.

But it can be done, and in this case it was definitely done.

Congratulations VF1000RS (Tom) Your VTR250 in your custom livery is Nov. 2023's BOTM.

http://v4hondabbs.com/index.php?topic=41538.0

I don't know much about these bikes having only ever seen two in my life. One was John Hilmers out in Calf. in 2011, the other just this past month at a vintage bike show here in Maine. Both were painted in that early 90's neonish  oem color scheme Honda used. I heartily approve of Tom's take over that :)

Having said that I don't know much about these bikes, I would appreciate anyone who does know them to chime in and educate me and others here.

 

[V45man1988]

Congratulations, good to see this bike of the month, certainly well deserved. And yes, they are a rarity.

[Radioguylogs]

I've never seen or heard of that model.

So the paint scheme was inspired by other models? I wonder how it looked originally.

Interesting choice for BOTM! It's really sharp.

[Magoo]

Not a single brake rotor to be found on that beauty.

Congrats, Tom!

Magoo

[FromMaine]

I think a bit more information would benefit everyone interested in BOTM in general, and this one in particular, so I will try to do so.

In 1988 Honda introduced the VTR250 Interceptor to the US/Canadian market.

It had a 90 degree, V twin, 4 valve per cylinder water cooled engine coupled to a 6 speed gearbox. It also sported a 16" front.

If all this sounds familiar, it should. Engine designers may quibble, but it sure seems Honda sliced a VF500 engine in half, and had a go at the quarter litre market.

These bikes were offered from from 1988-1990. Early ones came with, to be charitable, questionable livery, as shown in the picture. There were a few others offered in later years, but to be honest, none looked anywhere near as good as Toms. Also, the early versions had a vented disc up front. Yes the two dinner plates on the front axle housed a rotor, I'll let Honda explain that one as I can't. This arrangement was dropped for the last year.

So, hopefully, this explains why its here in BOTM, I thought there was enough V4 DNA to warrant its inclusion.

Plus, I've always wanted one..................