The Honda VFR V4 engine sound explained visually!!!!

[@chevelle68man2007]

Im a HUGE VFR fan and the thing I love most is the sound. Nothing sounds like a VFR, nothing. I love that you put some time and thought into discovering what makes it sound they way it does. Very cool. Thank you!!

[@andrewjustin174]

I had a 97 VFR for several years and loved it! I sold it to buy my first house and now 10 years later I found a 95 in great shape. I’m back at it with that mesmerizing sound.

[@TheGalen62]

Wonderful explanation of something sublime. I loved my VFR, and in particular the mournful howl of those gear driven cams when the revs got into the upper reaches.

[@dimitrimaoutsidis3376]

Amazing work! The fast drum beat you played blew up my mind. Could never imagine such an explenation

[@donwetherell8738]

That’s great to have seen. I’ve just acquired one that’s been in a garage with a blanket over it for 20 years!

[@SteveMuir]

I've had mine for 20 years and 100,000 km on it . Gear driven cams . No belt changes!

[@bobschmitt4179]

Great video. I had one of the first VF750F's to come to the US in 1983. A little top heavy, and the engine ate itself twice, but I still have fond memories of that bike, and it's sound. Loved how you explained the sound.

[@1swollenmember]

You, my friend, are a nerd, and I love ya for it! Thanks for all your hard work at visually and musically explaining the wonderful sound of my beloved VFR. Ride on my brother.

[@automotiveentertainment1960]

Mechanical engineer and a vfr gen 8 owner. Thank you for this.

[@derekmurray2347]

So it's now 2022, I'm new to the VFR having just bought a 1995 gen 4 after my last bike was stolen. It being an in-line four I was unused to the intoxicating sound of the V4 on full chat. On tickover it kind of sounds like a misfire or a misaligned twin ! I figured it was due to the firing order but was feeling slightly uneasy fearing something amiss somewhere. Your video was really helpful in explaining what was going on. So you're still a big help 7 years later! Cheers mate :)

[@karthikr2151]

You sir, are a genius. Hats off. You’ve made the most boring class of Mech Engineering so simple in a 3 min video. 🙏🙏🙏🍻🍻

[@sabunassar]

Original owner of a 91 VFR. As soon as you played the fast recording, my brain immediately synced up with my VFR sound. Awesome

[@pauljensen1641]

I had an '86 700 Interceptor years ago and I recently bought a '92 VFR750. I didn't have the '86 long enough to experience any cam shaft problems, so to hear, see and visually understand a detailed explanation of the corrected V4 motor is awesome. I'm a recording engineer and musician, so I really appreciate the analogy you used. I love that 50hz vibration at cruisin' speed.

[@JasonWW2000]

Paul Jensen The VFR bikes with the 180* crank are 2nd Gen V4's and had no issues with the cams. Your thinking of the 1st gen engines with the 360* crank. Those needed extra oil up top.

[@jreg2007]

Incredible way of explaining it. I have aspergers and i struggle with understanding some things but your methods are ideot proof. Bravo

[@geofbrowne]

I knew it! I am sending this link to all the guys I ride with. I tuned my bike myself and they tease me it’s misfiring. Next ride I’m removing the baffles and hesitating on the upshift as a 'told-ya-so' gesture. Thanks a million roadracenut!!!

[@TacoTacoTacocat]

Wow, I've always wondered about that, the visual representation really does help, thank you for making this!

[@robertagresti7188]

That's brilliant! That's a great way to explain it that makes it very easy to understand - especially for musicians like me. It makes me curious about the differences with the V4s in my ST1100 and ST1300.

[@Welderady]

When I first started watching I thought what’s he waffling on about ! But then it got more and more interesting and it actually told me what I wanted to know because I’m going to get a vfr and I love the thump and rumble of V engines . Well done and thank you very much !

[@dariuszklak012]

Had 13 motorcycles in the last 13 years. 3 of them were VFRs. 1st VFR 800 Vtec 2003 reg, 2nd VFR 800 fi 2000 reg. Now I have only one motorcycle, and it is VFR 750 rc36. 1992 reg. VFR is one of the best bikes I ever had or owned.

[@billymusick]

I love this video...I have a 99 which I've ridden all of the country on it...while I can always hear the offtick of the piston timing....which makes her sound like she is breathing...but they are most known for the gear whine of their straight cut cam gears...I would love you to take on that sound as well....You are a Bill Nye of motorcycle sounds...great video...

[@50gary]

Mr Honda said his favorite engine layout was the Vee-four. Vee-fours are also my personal favorite. The 1998-99 VFR are my favorite (gen 5) as the gear drive for the cams are on the outside (rt side) and you can hear the gear whine. Pure music to me. Have you seen the VFR commercial on KZbin that has the two VFR bikes coming from a distance at full song, flying by to the tune of "Any time You Want Me" Thanks for the excellent explanation.

[@imagineaworld]

You put a lot of work into this, and it does not go unappreciated. Rebuilding an 83 from the ground up. Thank you

[@evanmoore8501]

You're the first person besides yamaha (when they explained the crossplane crank shaft for the r1) to use music to help people understand the sound and works of the motor and how it fires. Very nice video. A++

[@Eagle10s]

I've shown this video to countless people to explain why by bike sounds and acts the way it does. Thank you so much for posting!

[@thesushifiend]

Excellent video! I've had my VFR for about 8 years but never really thought about it too hard. Now I don't have to!

[@nitramster]

AMAZING explanation! I have had my 96 for a couple years now, my first and only bike and as much as I want to get something newer I just can't bring myself to sell it because it is such a great all around bike! Sounds amazing, small enough to split traffic, powerful enough to go as fast as I want to go, nimble enough for the canyons!

[@GTARockman]

I love my VFR. I have been looking at this design since I was in my 30's and wanted one now I am 50 and still love it. I wouldnt ride without it.

[@nicolassiraut4318]

Thanks, crystal clear. Know now why I've been saying for years it does not sound "round", more like 2 strokes in way and...I just love that :) VFR 800fi 1998

[@Vollhirni]

Just did a 180km long night tour on my RC36/2 with BOS exhaust. Gotta love this engine. So smooth on the power, so revvy and that sound on top is just the bomb. My buddy rides a RSV Mille and was very impressed by the performance of the bike. When you keep in mind that mine with 40.000km is just broken in and ready for another 60.000km without hesitation, makes you wonder why anyone would want something different.If only she was 40kgs lighter ;-) V4 Power all the way, thank you for sharing!!

[@gianlucaluci1425]

this is absolutely crazy! And definitely clear for me as a drummer riding a VFR! Great!

[@michaelovitch]

That's why it doesn't start very well,quickly,why you have sequential injection,and why you have 4 different fuel maps. When you tune the throttle blades vacuum synchro,you must not equalize the vacuums,otherwise it runs poorly.

[@AbidingDuder]

Thanks for making this video that I only saw just now, a year and a half after you made it. I have always loved the VFR engine but it was only a few weeks ago that I aquired my first one, a 2004 model with only 600 some miles on it. I've been a biker for twenty years and only owned inline fours in the past, although I've ridden twins, 2-strokes, 3-cylinders, and horizontally opposing cylinder engine bikes as well. I love my VFR.

[@HarlequinJitsu]

Brilliant explanation of something I knew conceptually but seeing it explained I get to re-cognize it & appreciate it all over again. Thank you. amo

[@jurrien75]

Also liked the sound so much I bought a 2001 vfr800. I always thought that it fires 2 cylinders at a time,giving the bike the sound that it has. It's actually far more complicated than that. This explanes the bike's high torque at relatively low rpm. It has 4 bangs close together which gives it a "big bang" like the R1 cross plane but then developed decades earlier. Honda engineers are geniuses. Pity that the vfr1200 has a 360 crankshaft.

[@craigfishcake2543]

I'm amazed you have gone to such lengths to explain what intrigued you. They sound uneven at low speed, but around 7000 RPM they sound amazing. At low speed sounds like something by Dave Brubeck.

[@veteq101]

thanks for putting the video together, I have an Aprilia Tuono V4R, love the engine sound and now I understand why it sounds the way it does.

[@mitaux495]

Love this video, great explanation.Spent a bit of time listening to others v4 engines like RC30 or VFR 1200, or Honda crossrunner 1200 engine, but still they don't seems to sound in the same way. Really is not the V4 that make the "Little Mustang" sound, but the firing order.Thank you again .

[@richf2834]

great video. just purchased a 96 vfr 750 a week ago . love it

[@sei750]

Sound freak here. Thanks! I am a fan of ' groups of three' engines because of the regularity of the irregularity, always recognisable, beit a Daihatsu Cuore or my dreambike the Benelli sei750. But this is very cool too. Now I understand why I love the sound of the VFR so much.

[@happychick2nite1980]

Excellent work! As soon as you played the high-speed drum I thought, "he's bang on!" I have a VFR.

[@carltongamble]

Dude I wanna call you CRAZY.....BUTI'm addicted to that freaking V4 sound too.. It's in my dreams and I luv it. I'm looking to buy one soon. Awesome video.

[@BradleyAWatson]

Great work explaining how amazing the VFR V4 sounds. For the real sound check out the video of my VFR800 VTEC with Staintune pipes. Great sound quality via GoPro mounted between the cans.

[@jimc793]

Wow, as a lover of music and motors, I love this explanation. Thanks.

[@UncleWally3]

Good video! Like fine cocktails, engine configurations are a matter of taste and application. Having owned and ridden most configurations, my preferences are 90° twins under 1000cc’s and the pre-2012 VFR’s . . . stirred, not shaken.

[@bonzo9303204406]

brilliant research, well explained !

[@roadracenut]

No, but great question. In fact, I didn't even know that the Subaru sound came from unequal length headers until I did research before making my own headers for this bike. The factory exhaust is all equal length. I didn't quite achieve that with mine, but it still sounds nice.

[@zacht9447]

I've got a 2002 and the sound of the VTEC kick is amazing

[@xjmoe83]

Great video!! I just bought a 2005 VFR and no joke, I thought there was a misfire or something. I came from a ZX-9r, very different bike. I really appreciate your vid!!

[@pnoyryder68]

Great video and even more awesome explanation! I too share your love for these bikes. First experience i had was with my buddy's 1st gen VFR and finally got one of my own, a 07 VFR RWB 25th Ann. Totally love it! Can't wait to put a FMF exhust soon to show off that awesome V4 sound!

[@alexandreameli7901]

That's the coolest tutorial I have ever seen!!!

[@DannyZRC]

The crossplane R1 and YZR-M1 MotoGP race bike have the same firing interval, which is why they also sound so beautiful.

[@ocomvexa]

WOW, best way to explain I've ever seen, nice thing, I love that v4 sound.

[@jetsonparker5165]

Really cool man, thanks so much for posting! Great explanation LOVE IT!

[@StevenG415]

Dude this is so cool I never thought about why it sounds so unique. Hopefully I'll be getting a 2002 vfr soon :D

[@alexanderl7491]

This is literally the first time ivr been able to understand how firing order affects sound. Ive seen it, read about it, but never hears it represented like you did with garage band hear. It totally makes sense now! Are they any other engine configurations that you could do for us? That would be pretty cool!

[@alancollard8252]

very clever way of looking into the sound, to me it al;ways sounds like two v twins bolted together with 90 degs between firing

[@ironDsteele]

First off great video. I want to point out that you pretty much also explained Yamaha's Crossplane crankshaft in their R1. It's the same exact thing only it's uneven inline instead of a V.

[@bosshogg3170]

I just love this video. You Sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you.

[@omfgwtfbbq90]

Great video. You reckon you could do a video on a 360 degree V4? Like in a ST1300 or those older Sabres and VFRs?

[@Fasnfip]

Your video seems to be created with most excellency!

[@Farlig69]

Excellent! Now do one for the 360 crank please (RC30) :)

[@Drunken_Hamster]

I wonder what a 90 degree would sound like if we already have these two distinct sounds.

[@djplikadida]

This is what i was looking for, engine sound that is explained visualy.

[@1996theawesome1]

You sir are a genius. Wonderful explanation!

[@321stunts]

Wow, you really do learn something new everyday.

[@pucketprutectah]

Thanks, dude. This helped me with an airflow question I had on a Honda Magna VF750.

[@JasonWW2000]

pucketprutectah This video does not pertain to the Magna engine since it uses a 360* crankshaft.

[@BenKingEagles]

Whaaa.. The second you sped up the sound i could hear my magna. Very cool.

[@thepoultrypeople]

yup, its right on the button :)

[@Lara__Croft]

Magnas have 360° crankshafts and sound totally different.

[@davidporter4607]

Great video I love my 94 vfr owned her for 10 years. Try removing the muffler the sound is wild

[@petoneves]

Awesome! Basically it’s two v twins timed 90 degrees from each other always new it was like that but seeing it On the crank puts it in better perspective thanks for that 👍.

[@gs425]

No, it's two 90 v twins 180 from each other.

[@stephenjscholes1271]

Just brilliant!!! You should do that with other engines.

[@gsparks77]

Hi from france , perhaps a little mistake ,,, ? on your paper 1342 and on your transparent engine 1324 ,,, ;)

[@sandybriggs1795]

I will now always remember this video and the sound of that garage band example every time I fire my '84 750 Interceptor !! 😜🎶

[@JasonWW2000]

Sandy Briggs The VF series bikes did not use this 180* crankshaft, only the vfr. the VF used a 360* crank and sound very different.

[@reconteamohio]

Very interesting to see this explained out so well. Great job! But it made me wonder about the Triumph Bonneville. Since both pistons travel up and down the cylinders at the same time, one is on exhaust and the other is firing. It gives a great note as well. And the way I understand it, the scrambler is different from the Bonneville. ?? I'd like to see all of them explained out, including the awesome 6 cylinder monsters that sound so much like F1! GREAT JOB!

[@BuffMyRadius]

The crossplane Yamaha R1 plays the same "song" and it sounds amazing as well!

[@rabidev.4938]

Not in the higher revs, but similar in the low revs

[@stevenarita]

Thanks! Just bought a VFR and thought something was wrong!

[@paulsamels]

Awesome and well thought out. However, you should do the exact same thing with Yamaha's v4's firing order to demonstrate the difference.

[@roadracenut]

It means the center line length of the runner (header tube), given that all are the same diameter of tube.

[@samcarter9242]

Very nice explanation. Vid would've been even better with a quick clip of your 750 ticking over at the end as a demonstration. It is a damn fine noise!

[@Cloud-rp4ev]

YOU... are a total geek. Awesome job on the explanation. That was way cool.

[@marcusjahnke9287]

Absolutely wonderful. I also have a VFR :-)

[@VisceralVibrations]

omg i love this video haha. new VFR owner and also a music producer here.

[@rotek824]

great video man, nice idea, and well explained

[@future62]

Very cool, you should do this for all engine configs

[@skullbugerie]

absolutly brilliant work sir very informative

[@k0nanick]

Love the sound of my 98, the exhaust can is offset by the sweet whine of the cam gears, and occasionally, you get your own vocals overlaid on top -cheeehooo! How you doing man? I'm pretty sure I found this vid about 10 or more years ago, hope you doing well

[@XaviSpit]

For me the "V-Four" Honda is the best engines in a street bikes.

[@Robborboy]

Aside from lacking a tad bit of power I agree.

[@dailylife3975]

That first sound that you did my 2004 VFR 800 with staintune exhaust sounds like that when I'm off the gas in gear going down a hill you can hear it backfire in a little bit it sounds kind of like that

[@BaldKiwi117]

This is an awesome video. Thanks for making it.

[@ducksonetime]

Great video! Pleeeease do a 90 degree V-twin!

[@doublenickel1000]

The 90 degree v-twin has a charleston beat. Think of the '20's song "Charleston" and you have the rhythm.

[@kirtleyburggraf8786]

Excellent video. Thanks for posting.

[@novaman3509]

I'm more of a cruiser bike guy, but I don't like Harley's, and I've always lived Hondas old VFR400R's because of that sweet V4. Instead, I'm looking at a Honda Magna 750, which has the same engine as the old VFR750, but in a cruiser chassis. Much respect too Honda for making their V4's. Just wished they used them in more bikes these days, other than the Interceptor.

[@JasonWW2000]

NovaMan 350 The Magna does not have the same engine design as the vfr bikes. Maybe you meant the earlier VF series bikes? The Magna engine stayed with the earlier 360* crankshaft design which is a different sound from this video.

[@CaptDesmo]

Cross plane crank...... Just like the new yzf r1 superbike..... Good video Sir!!!

[@whitehouse9999]

It does help to explain. So there’s only one cylinder a top at any given revolution.

[@dbest1aVlogs]

Good info, there..

[@terrencelawrence5007]

just got my 06 love you...

[@blackandwhitejazz]

The firing order is not 1,3,4,2, as Fulltilt explains with his drawing, but 1,3,2,4, as he explains with his demonstration. That has been pointed out below by an astute Frenchman. But what about Fulltilt's mistake at 2:20, when he says "If we go another 180, we don't have ANY cylinders at TDC." Look at piston 1, near his left thumb, at 360 degrees. It's EXACTLY at TDC, but he quikly rotates the toy to hide that. Does he not know how to explain why, even though piston 1 is at TDC, it doesn't matter? This video was posted 9 years ago. It has 270 thousand views, 260 comments, and I think up to now nobody has informed him of this ridiculous mistake. Instead you've been telling him: "Wonderful explanation, Very cool, Great video, AMAZING explanation, Awesome explanation, Wow, the visual representation really does help, Love this video, Amazing work...." and on and on....Are you people blind? Are you allowed to vote?

[@CBRboy1717]

Roadracenut... any way you could do a 360* crank explanation/comparison that would explain how the VF500F, RC30/45, VFR1200 fire, and why they sound different than the 180*???

[@rbfclaboratoryandstudio]

Excellent explanation. Truly. Very grateful to have seen this. But can you now do the 360 v4 firing order (RC30/NC30)? 😅

[@ghotichooder89]

Good explaination... Just what i'm looking for

[@paulsamels]

Andrew, Based on its sound, my guess is that the Yamaha VMax is a 360 crank. I "may be thinking" that a few made it to the street. All in good fun, cheers!

[@PabloHassan68]

I think I have watched this video more often than I rode my vfr 400 :D

[@templartoto4416]

Fantastic video , Can you do a 45 degree vtwin , and a BMW boxer aswell 👍🥁😎