Honda VF and VFR

However, some of the early VF models suffered mechanical problems, mainly as a result of poor quality camshafts (the "chocolate cams").

Honda, alarmed that they were losing their hard-won reputation for reliability, moved to introduce the VFR750 motorcycles featuring gear-driven over head cams and a very high build quality.

Compared to an in-line four, the advantages of a 90° V4 engine include compactness, narrow width, and perfect primary balance giving a smooth and nearly vibration-free operation.

In 1982 VF models were introduced to the public at the Cologne Motorcycle Show with a V4 engine mounted in a square-tube steel frame.

[2] That very year, reliability and quality control problems arose, possibly due to new automated production equipment at Honda's plant in Hamamatsu, Japan.

Cam-wear problems surfaced during 1984 in the larger displacement bikes, which, by the time it was corrected, led to eight factory cam revisions over the course of just one year.

After this was a series of VFR models which featured various innovations, including a single-sided swingarm, linked braking, ABS, and VTEC.