VFR1200 Early Adopter Yes/No

Discussion in '7th Generation 2010-Present' started by jasonsmith, Oct 25, 2009.

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Early Adopter Yes/No

  1. I'll get it now.

    37 vote(s)
    38.9%
  2. I'll wait for the bugs to be exposed first.

    58 vote(s)
    61.1%
  1. cebuVFR

    cebuVFR Member

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    If i can afford it, Yes I would!

    [​IMG]
     
  2. CandyRedRC46

    CandyRedRC46 Member

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    i would love to be the first one to rip that fender off and throw on a moto gp style pipe on her!
     
  3. Solomoto

    Solomoto New Member

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    Here in the SF bayarea we have Hollister Honda, one of the two Honda Powersports dealers in the state. I'm first in line for a test ride of the new VFR come March. Can't wait!
     
  4. ZonaMan

    ZonaMan New Member

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    Looks like one too!
     
  5. ZonaMan

    ZonaMan New Member

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    :biggrin: No kidding. Worse on 5th gens. I have been very lucky since doing the wiring mod on my 01.

    Thanks cebuVFR for a real pic of someone on the bike. It looks slightly better than what I have seen in the mags and online. I too would not spring 16K for this bike. Front end looks like the face of the Predator and the exhaust can is ridiculous. I do like the shaft drive though. They also need to have more color options. I think Honda is testing the waters on sales by only offering the one color. Truthfully, after my current vfr, I may move on to a Victory or Harley - time to slow down a little.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Rainbow7

    Rainbow7 New Member

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    I'll be getting one, for sure. It seems pretty obvious that Honda are going after the segment of the market that buys K-series BMW's, i.e. shaft drive, big V4, etc. I know it'll be expensive but I don't care. - It's a Honda, so I'm pretty damn confident that they will have it right first time. If it was a Suzuki or a Ducati, then I'd be waiting to see what the flaws were.

    The only thing I really don't like is that fugly can but we all know Yoshi will come up with a better alternative.

    I would also like to see the fairing have something like a black or stainless steel mesh vent in it, like this:

    [​IMG]

    (Just a quick Paint mock-up.)

    Oh, and that fender will be getting the arse, too.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. KingTito

    KingTito New Member

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    I previously indicated that I would probably be a first adopter. However, I went to the Motorcycle show here in Minneapolis with some riding pals yesterday and spent some quality time kicking the tires and sitting on and scrutinizing the VFR. In addition to everything else for that matter! From the Ducatis to the Urals....

    My takeaway is that the VFR feels heavy, big, and way over styled. Every bit on it is intensely styled in a cartoonish way with weird contours and sharp edges.

    I left the Honda booth feeling a bit disappointed and sad. Then I sat on the Ducati Streetfighter and felt happy again!

    The VFR better ride really well. That would save it for me because from a looks and detailing perspective, it looks kind of ridiculous. However, it is in the eye of the beholder and many bikes have this appearance these days so perhaps this is what is needed to sell to the younger guys.
     
  8. Rainbow7

    Rainbow7 New Member

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    Honda VFR1200F launch: DCT transmission – Motorcycle news: New bikes – Visordown

    "Honda VFR1200F launch: DCT transmission
    Mark Forsyth tests Honda's automatic VFR1200 and finds he's in for a surprise

    Posted: 22 October 2009
    by Visordown News

    WELL, I’ve just sampled our future. And, no, I don’t mean electric motorcycles, thank goodness.

    Honda’s DCT (dual clutch transmission), an optional extra on their new VFR1200F, is absolutely incredible.

    The first thing you might notice is a lack of clutch and gear lever. They’re two pretty big clues that Honda’s boffins have been working their magic. The second thing you’ll spot are the flappy paddle gear shift levers on the left hand bar along with an odd-looking handbrake device. On the right hand switchgear cluster is another button - auto button and a neutral selector button combined. There’s also another option offered by the right hand switch - Sporty or Comfort automatic.

    It doesn’t take long to get used to. Some people couldn’t get their heads round it but, personally, I couldn’t see the difficulty.

    Start the V4 up and automatic is, er, automatically selected. It’s then up to you to make the choice between sporty (more revs, blips throttle for downshifts, holds onto gear longer and backshifts sooner to keep the revs higher) and cruisy, lazy auto mode, which would be just fine for the road.

    Hate the idea of auto? Just use the right hand bar-mounted flappy paddles. You use the thumb control to backshift and your index finger for upshifts. It really is that simple.

    In any of these modes the gearshifts are smoother than your best ever pillion-firendly gearshift. Ever. They’re fast, too – particularly in flappy paddle mode or when the auto setting is in sports.

    But you know the best bit about all this? It frees up a massive portion of your brain (useful in my case) to think about other things like getting you line right or your braking point.

    I think it was pretty brave of Honda to launch a big old sports touring bike on a race track, particularly one like Sugo with all its bad cambers and super-fast entry speeds. But they obviously knew. A great circuit and an impressive bike are made even more awesome by the introduction of this new push-button gearbox. I’ve just done my last session on the manual bike and it really made me realise how much physical effort you have to put into shifting gear. Changing gear with your foot is so passé….

    DCT is the future, make no mistake…"


    Sounds pretty good to me!
     
  9. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    The Peanut Gallery's ten top reasons not to buy this motorcycle.

    1. Some dudes think the bike is faggy. Therefore anyone who buys one is a fag.

    2.The can is butt-ugly. Not to worry. Yoshimura and down the line sometime and where, J.C. Whitney and possibly WalMart will provide.

    3. One has to be related by blood to Donald Trump to afford one. Donald has a Harley and really pricy toupees. Not to worry.

    4.Some folks just hate shaft drives. This may be merely a manifestation of a rare malady called "Male Penis Envy".

    5.Honda will force all buyers to purchase the hard luggage. The topcase is lined with a special membrane so that because of the teenytiny widdle gas tank everyone will be sure to make it to the next gas station. I personally like gas stations that have day old Jo-jos and bathrooms rather than outhouses.

    6. Some have heard that by sitting on this bike at the CW show and squeezing both the clutch and brake levers at the same time causes instant sphinter pucker. This is a really ugly rumor and only happens near the ton.

    7. Wrong colors. Easily fixed with a case of that $.99/can rattlecan paint from Wally's.

    8. "I just don't like it." Alternative solution is to apply for a lifetime membership in Luddites Inc.

    9. " In fifteen years I'll be able to buy one for $________ . "

    10." Because Babilly and ______ think they are cool and they are wrong because I think so."

    10 1/2. There ain't no ten and half.
     
  10. John451

    John451 Member

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    Early adopter no, early reports look to be what I'd want in a ST machine, USD forks, ideal for me riding postion ( like the current Gen 5 & 6 ) effortless low and mid range, v4 sound, shaft drive, good fairing coverage comfortable seat even the looks I'm fine with. Would like to see real world range with its 18.5litre tank size as often get to 310kms / 195miles before Flash starting on my Gen 5 even with brisk touring on Country back roads and don't want to loose that.
     
  11. Rainbow7

    Rainbow7 New Member

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    Yeah, that's the main reason, right there.
     
  12. Rainbow7

    Rainbow7 New Member

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    So....I just got off the phone from a Honda stealership here in Sydney. They say that while they don't have a confirmed price, Honda has estimated the Australian RRP to be around the $25,000 mark...and that's just for the manual-clutch model!!! (And this dealer still has 6 bikes pre-ordered!)

    Let me see: VFR1200F is priced at US$15,995, which equates to AU$18,445. So why the HELL are we getting charged the equivalent of US$21,690???!!!
     
  13. Squamish VFR

    Squamish VFR New Member

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    Geez are we really ready for DCT?? I dunno. I for one am glad to see the V-tec gone that's why I bought a gen 5, the styling is starting to grow on me, the exhaust has got to go. Fortunatly I've got no money so these VFR1200's will have at least 5+ years to work out the bugs. I also wish that the OEMs would make it easy for re-flashing updates. As far as fly by wire goes lets hope that Honda got it right where Toyota got it wrong. In a cage that's bad but on a bike with no clutch, it had better be friggin' perfect. More than anything that is what needs to be proven IMO.
     
  14. Rainbow7

    Rainbow7 New Member

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    I sent an email to Honda Australia asking what the story was with the massive pricing disparity. Here's their response:

    "Hi*******,

    Thank you for your question regarding pricing of the Honda VFR1200F.

    There are elements in the way we conduct our business with the Honda factory that will influence the retail pricing structure of our products.

    Australia generally demands a very small global market share, which results in lower order quantities, and incurs higher manufacturing costs for motorcycles built to our specific Australian Design Rule (ADR) requirements. Freight and other purchasing conditions will also have a factor in determining the price we buy at.

    Please also be aware that prices quoted in the US does not include any State or Federal Government Taxes.

    We are aware that in certain areas of our business, pricing parity between us and Honda overseas does not always exist. This is an issue that we hope to address further in the future.

    We are committed to supplying products of the highest quality yet at a reasonable price for worldwide customer satisfaction.

    Thank you for taking the time to contact us, and appreciate your feedback. If you have any further inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.

    Kind regards,
    Steve *****
    Customer Relations Department
    Honda Australia MPE Pty Ltd
    Email: customer.relations@hondampe.com.au
    Phone: 03 9270 1348"


    Now, I can understand factors such as smaller volume but I don't accept shipping costs or ADR requirements. - Are they trying to tell me that the Australian-compliant version of the bike is so radically different to the USDM that it needs an extra $7000 worth of technology? Puhleeze...
     
  15. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Well, (smacking lips) I think this so called letter from Honda OZ is bogus. Everyone knows that they would not do anything even close to a razzle-dazzle number on anyone. I'll buy maybe a little tap dancing but an outright PR bomb? No way!! Then again, 7 large will buy a shitload of Fosters.
     
  16. Rainbow7

    Rainbow7 New Member

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  17. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    In the latest update, the owner ran out of gas and was attacked by a group of men all in pink leathers who were shouting "We must have this bike" They then stole the bike.
     
  18. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    So where did you hide it Billy?
     
  19. Rainbow7

    Rainbow7 New Member

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    I was waiting for someone to say that.
     
  20. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    I was thinking more of the guilty parties returning to the scene of the crime. Those custom leathers must cost a fortune.

    I did notice that until the guy posted a pic the peanut gallery was giving him a hard time. Do you two well dressed gents post over there too?
     
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