Honda's VTR1000SP Spotted!
In our never-ending quest to beg, borrow, lie, cheat and steal the hottest info concerning today's sport bikes, we obtained this spy shot of what appears to be a prototype for the racier version of Honda's VTR1OOOF Super- Hawk (right). Our friends at Japan's Young Machine magazine procured this photo from a photographer who was pre sent at a clandestine test session of the bike at the Suzuka Circuit. Although the angle of the photo masks one of the major questions surrounding the SP version of the VTR- whether Honda's engineers stuck with the "pivotless" chassis design, which uses the engine cases as the swingarm pivot point-there are some obvious differences between this bike and the F version (tested in this issue). Although Honda officials either deny or have "no comment" concerning actual factory racing plans for the VTR, they have indeed stated that an SP version of the SuperHawk will
probably make its debut next year. The fact that Ducati's 916-based race bikes have been shredding the World Superbike scene probably played a large part in that decision. Since WSC rules are fairly strict with regards to the chassis and engine induction, Honda would need to make the necessary improvements, in order to have a solid foundation on which to build a competitive super bike racer. The bike in this photo may just be that model, with some visible component changes that would suggest there might be a VTR super bike in the future.
The braced swingarm on this prototype (designed to deal with the increased chassis loads imparted by the racing slicks) is the most obvious difference; the overall appearance is very similar to the swingarm on the '96 CBR9OORR. The bike in this photo is fitted with an Ohlins racing fork, and chances are good that the production SP will also come with top-shelf items. Likewise with the brake components.
Look closely in front of the rider's knee, and you'll notice a portion of the airbox bulging out over the frame spar; an obvious ram-air induction system. Various sources have told us that a version of their PGM fuel injection is being tested with the VTR-SP. This would make sense, as the larger throttle bores permitted by using fuel injection (as well as the absence of a CV throttle slide in the intake tract) would definitely enhance engine performance. Its extensive experience dealing with the RC45's fuel injection system would surely pay dividends with a similar VTR setup. Honda engineers stated that flat-slide racing carbs are unusable due to the extreme vacuum created on the intake stroke, causing the throttle slides to seize. They also told us that race-tuned prototypes of the VTR-SP have achieved over 150 horsepower on the dyno.
The side-mounted radiators and upswept pipes remain, although note that even though the bodywork is much more encompassing than the production VTR, a large portion of the chassis and engine remains exposed; it seems Honda wanted to keep as much of the original VTR's visual mechanical appeal as possible.

-Kent Kunitsugu

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