HONDA VF 500 F (1984-1986) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Honda VF 500 F, also known as the Interceptor in the United States and Canadian markets, was a sports motorcycle made from 1984 until 1986 when it was replaced by the Honda CBR600F "Hurricane." It was known as one of the finest handling machines of the 1980s.

The bike was manufactured for the North American and European markets. The European version was also available in a fully faired version under the VF500F2 designation, while the basic version had an upper half fairing and an engine spoiler in front of the oil pan.

The motorcycle had a double-cradle steel frame with an air-assisted 37 mm telescopic fork on the front with 140 mm wheel travel and a Pro-Link four-way adjustable shock absorber on the rear with 115 mm wheel travel.

In the braking department, the motorcycle relied on two 255 mm brake discs with dual-piston calipers mounted on the front wheel and a 255 mm brake rotor with a single-piston caliper mounted on the rear wheel.

As for power, the 1984 Honda VF 500 F had installed a 498cc four-stroke liquid-cooled four-cylinder engine underneath its fuel tank. It was managed by four 32 mm Keihin carburetors and delivered 70 hp with maximum strength at 12,000 rpm and 42 Nm (31 lb-ft) torque at 10,500 rpm.

The bike’s power was controlled by a six-speed manual transmission that redirected the power to the rear end via a final chain drive, pushing the machine to a top speed of 206 kph (128 mph).