Honda VFR800X adventure concept sketch

Honda is to release the new VFR800-based adventure bike at the Milan bike show next week, and has released a final sketch hinting at how the finished bike will look.

The new sketch gives a pretty good idea of the final bike’s styling and attitude. The VFR800 powered machine looks to use 17” cast road bike wheels in a Tiger 1050 all-rounder package. Off-road ability clearly isn’t part of the brief, instead focussing on the touring and pillion carrying attributes traditional adventure-sport bikes are prized for.

There’s a large, flat one-piece rider/pillion seat and a decent sized fairing. Styling, although unique to this model, clearly conforms to the same design principles as the VFR1200F, with a smooth, clean lines that looks to use the VFR’s dual-layer fairing design.

Honda claims:

“This mid-range machine is an exciting new approach – a crossover machine that represents the best aspects of two separate biking genres.  It will have the flexibility and exciting attitude of a Naked performance machine, with the more comfortable upright riding position and design cues inspired by adventure bikes.
“With the low centre of gravity of a performance bike it is great fun to ride, and because of its wide handlebars and upright riding position it is both easy to manoeuvre and comfortable.”

More details on the finished bike from MCN’s Milan show next week, as well as a further VFR1200F based concept Honda has also confirmed will be on show.