(above you can see the 2003 Concept and the 2007 Patent file drawing)
At the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show Honda introduced a concept… A DREAM of the future and it was called the Honda Griffon GRF-1. Well, it appears as of yesterday the Griffon became official! That’s right! Resident Seattle Scooper Dudel has been doing some digging in ole US Patent files where he discovered that on April 17th the patent was filed for this baby.
What does that mean for you and I? There is a distinct possibility that you will see this Horizontally Opposed 4-Cylinder 750cc VTEC automatic 2-wheeler announced for 2008 release as soon as… November 2007, maybe?
Of course, I’m making assumptions here and I’m sure my good friends at Honda Press Relations will be able to neither confirm nor deny the existence of this so called “Griffon”. So, this is just a rumor being propagated by the minions at TheScooterScoop.com.
Thanks for the delicious scoop Dudel!
18. April 2007 at 9:28 pm
You know… Dudel, you’re like that caped crusader that comes in to drop a scoop and is gone without a trace. I can’t get your contact info anywhere. If you wanna keep it that way, I’m ok with that. If you’re just hard to reach just by chance… then maybe you could shoot me an email. thescooterscoop@gmail.com
Cheers!
steve
18. April 2007 at 9:50 pm
Thanks Steve. I was looking for your email to send you the patent PDF but it appears you found it. This mornings patent search made me very happy as the Griffon is the scoot I want. They tried to hide it under “headlanp for two-wheeled vehicle” so searches on ‘scooter’ or ‘motorcyle’ wouldn’t show it… haha.
A few interesting points: Fig 3 #76 is described as a “clutch” when it should be the right-hand rear break lever. Fig 1 #14/16 does in fact state, “mounting an engine, horizontally opposed”. Fig 2 #69 is “rear motion camera mounted to the rear portion of the left and right tail lamps.” Also note Fig 16(a) and Fig 16(b) offers variations on the front lighting as “U” shape and “H” shape.
This totally makes my day and you have the scoop.
18. April 2007 at 10:49 pm
Dudel, how do you know so much stuff. I’ve got connections, but few as good as yours.
19. April 2007 at 1:22 am
My secret hope is that the Griffon not only comes to America, but also becomes the “big brother” for an imported version of the similarly shaped 125cc Honda Wave/Innova.
7. June 2008 at 7:23 pm
Ok i have owned about 15 motorcycles in my life only one was a Honda.lately i have been looking at the Burgman 650,but i must say i want that Griffon in the worst way.so the 2008 models here no Griffon.2009 i have not heard a thing about the Griffon.do i wait for the 09′s or just go buy a burgman.honda please where is my griffon
19. August 2008 at 7:56 pm
This Baby is A BIG GO, it hase to be released a.s.a.p…. curse I whant to have one.