170 hp and 95 ft-lbs of torque should translate to a great sport-touring machine.

One of the most anticipated bikes of the year is Honda's 2010 VFR1200F, which will be available in manual and dual-clutch auto transmission versions.

The bike is designed with the sport-touring rider in mind and is powered by a compact 1,237 cc V-four that uses an unusual 76-degree V angle, but more importantly, the cylinders are not evenly spaced like previous V-four designs. The front cylinders are splayed wider apart than the rear cylinders, making for a narrow engine overall. It produces a claimed 170 hp and 95 ft-lbs of torque.

The engine also uses Honda's compact Unicam cylinder heads, derived from the firm's CRF motocrossers. A feature Honda claims has never before been used in a road motorcycle (also derived from CRFs, as well as the RC211V MotoGP bike) is a sealed crankcase system that reduces pumping losses, while increasing power and improving throttle response. And that throttle is now controlled electronically, as Honda has applied fly-by-wire technology to the bike's EFI system.

Comes with bags; you provide cute couple.

Integrated into the bike are pannier mounts, onto which mount optional 35-litre bags. Also available is a 32-litre top case, a 13-litre tank bag, as well as a three-position add-on windscreen (the stock screen is retained), a narrower and lower accessory seat, and other tour-enhancing bits.

A manual-shift VFR retails for $18,299 and uses a hydraulically operated slipper clutch to transmit power to a six-speed gearbox. Also available will be a dual-clutch transmission model (price not yet available but expect about $1,500 - $2,000 extra), with a semi-automatic, paddle-shift mode as well as a fully automatic mode. Linked ABS is standard.

Read our world-scooping first ride here. You can get more info on the manual and auto-shift models at Honda's website.

CBF1000 gets big makeover.

The 2010 Honda CBF1000 doesn’t just get tweaked bodywork and fresh paint; it is an entirely new motorcycle.

Topping the changes is a move from a steel frame to a new aluminum frame that is more compact and is claimed to improve handling. The lighter frame contributes to a 5-kg reduction in weight to 245 kg wet.

Other chassis changes include a new 41 mm preload-adjustable telescopic fork with revised damping rates and a shock that adds adjustable rebound damping.

The CBF’s CBR1000-sourced engine gets a nine-horsepower boost to 106, as well as a tad more torque, while fuel consumption is said to have improved by seven percent.

Love the headers!

A larger, more protective fairing contains new instruments and a new four-position adjustable windscreen (120 mm vertical range) that raises or lowers manually without tools, and as with the previous model, seat height is adjustable from 780 to 805 mm in 15-mm increments.

More aggressive styling now includes a single, large-volume muffler, and fuel capacity is up one litre to 20 for increased range.

The 2010 CBF1000A is available only through Honda Powerhouse dealers and is available only in pearl yellow. Retail price is $12,999 and combined ABS is standard.

More info here.

This is the Euro-spec model. Canadian model likely to have sticky out flashers ...

Honda has announced it will also be bringing the smaller CBF600 into Canada for 2010.

This half-faired middleweight is powered by a fuel-injected, 599 cc inline four that is based on the CBR600RR mill, but is tuned for "the most comfortable balance of performance and acceleration" or, probably for more bottom-end torque to better cope with everyday riding.

The Euro-spec CBF600 claims 77 horsepower and a peak of 43 lb-ft of torque at 8,250 rpm.

A die-cast aluminum frame surrounds the engine and features a 41 mm telescopic fork adjustable for preload up front, and a single rear preload-adjustable shock. Wheels are 17-inch with a not-too-wide 160-series tire in the rear.

Wet weight is a modest 222 kg (489 lb) and stopping comes via combined ABS.

Convenience features include a three-way, height-adjustable seat (770-800 mm), a two-way adjustable windscreen and a 20-litre fuel tank.

This new bike partially bridges the gap in Honda's lineup between the CBR125R and the CBR600RR for riders looking for a standard style middleweight. 

Pearl black will be the only colour choice, at it'll cost you $9,899. More info at Honda's website.

T to B; Sabre, Stateline and Interstate

If you've been riding for more than two decades, you'll recall the names Sabre and Interstate. Honda revived the monikers and attached them to two of three new VT1300 models; the other one is called the Stateline.

These new 1300s are based on the Fury platform introduced last year and feature stretched, raked frames, elongated fuel tanks and other styling cues that are usually reserved for boutique customs.

The Sabre is a low-profile, minimalist boulevard cruiser with a lowered steering neck and shorter fork than the Fury, but it retains the Fury's 21-inch front wheel.

The Stateline is a fatter version, with full, skirted rear fender and 17-inch front wheel, while the Interstate is geared towards the longer-distance cruiser rider, with leather-wrapped saddlebags, a windshiels and foot boards.

All VT1300 models are powered by a liquid-cooled and fuel-injected 52-degree V-twin displacing 1,312 cc with five speeds and shaft drive.

Standard on the Sabre ($13,399) and Stateline ($13,299) are linked brakes with ABS (now optional on the Fury), while there's no ABS option on the Interstate ($14,449).

More information on all three VT1300s can be found at the Honda website: Sabre, Stateline, Interstate.

Honda have released 2 new VT750 variants and updated two others for 2010.

Honda's new Sportster.

Honda's new VT750RS is the sexiest of the three and not to be mistaken for a Sportster. Honda describes the bike as a V-twin roadster, and it fits the bill. Although it sports retro-cruiser styling, the bike is more of a classic standard.

A low-rise handlebar and mid-mounted footpegs give it a relaxed, upright riding position, and the emphasis is on simplicity. How simple? Look out back and you'll see a bona fide drum brake.

Power comes from a 52-degree, 745 cc liquid-cooled V-twin claiming 42 hp and 54.6 lb-ft of torque. A a five-speed gearbox transfers power to the rear wheel via drive chain. Offsetting that dated rear brake design is modern electronic fuel injection.

Wet weight is 229 kg and fuel tank capacity is 10.7 litres, making this a better urban roundabout than an open-road cruiser. 

The Phantom.

You can get any colour as long as it's black for $8,899. More info on Honda's site.

The other new VT750 is the Phantom – a sleek looking custom with black-out trim, bobbed fenders and black wire wheels.

Although it has a drum rear brake like the VT750RS, it uses a shaft final drive. ABS is not available. List price is $9,099. More info here.

The VT750C Aero and Spirit models get upgraded with fuel injection, a disc rear brake and linked ABS (the latter standard on the Aero, optional on the Spirit) for 2010. The Aero retails for $9,799 and the Spirit for $100 less.

SH150i Honda scooter

The SH150i is pushed by a 153 cc fuel-injected, liquid-cooled four-stroke that the company says makes good low- to mid-range torque and will produce satisfying acceleration even with a passenger on board.

A Honda V-Matic auto transmission gives the scooter twist-and-go simplicity, while a Combined Braking System produces quick, stable stops.

Colour options are red or black and the list price is $4,999.

CMG included the new SH150i in a comparison of 16-inch-wheel scooters which you can read here. Otherwise, info can be also be found at Honda's website.