Article: A VFR 1200 in my garage

Discussion in 'vBCms Comments' started by michael, Feb 27, 2010.

  1. craveman85

    craveman85 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2010
    Messages:
    53
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    st. johnsville ny
    wow first time ive actually looked at pics of a newer vfr and i hate to say this but personally i hate it. but ive always been more of a fan of older bikes anyway.
     
  2. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2007
    Messages:
    15,047
    Likes Received:
    52
    Trophy Points:
    48
    The tool with the wire loops may be for removing the battery.

    I submit there are very few if any motorcycle gas guages that are accurate through the range. The anodyne for this is a pressurized tank and that ain't gonna happen unless somebody comes up with a bike with wings. This does not include dead guys who were buried with their choppers.
     
  3. nozzle

    nozzle New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 26, 2007
    Messages:
    1,670
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Southern Maryland
    Map
    Thanks for the great article, er post, Richard! Some other questions:
    Is there a useful helmet lock? or just a wire under the seat like the 6th gen?
    Does headlamp come anywhere near the candle power of the 4 eyed monster on your 6th?

    Noz
     
  4. skivfr1

    skivfr1 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2007
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Northern Wisconsin

    I've had this covered wire loop thing on my last 2 CBR's. You use it to lock up your helmet by running it through the chin strap rings and hooking it under the seat.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2010
  5. Richard Thompson

    Richard Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Messages:
    745
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand
    Map
    my buddy kirk came over yesterday to try out the newe big Viffer. now hes been on his fireblade for a couple of years now.
    here they are side by side.
    [​IMG]

    i did a couple of comparative shots out of interest. the first is a rear end view to show the relative widths of each.
    [​IMG]

    and the other interesting view was comparing the bodyline profiles from the side. the blade kicks up higher in the tail but
    i was surpized to see that the are quite similar in body line, which underpins the VFRs sporty nature.
    The handle bars actually sit at similar hieghts, the vfr using risers while the blade uses clip ons. but the much lower seat hieght on the
    VFR gives a more upright ride position.
    [​IMG]

    being a blade owner and used to a more sport oriented bike, kirks comments were:

    1. could feel the extra wieght but once it was going it wasnt so much of an issue.

    2. handled remarkably well considering he was used to a blade type of handling

    3. sounded like a truck! (LOL)- (that'l be the shaft drive and muted exhaust note)

    4. felt like a true 'mile muncher/GT bike.'

    considering how much stuff ive seen tied to the back his blade on road trips, this could be a good choice for him too.
     
  6. ZonaMan

    ZonaMan New Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2006
    Messages:
    580
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Tucson
    Nice looking bike, bud.
     
  7. Dark_Raevin

    Dark_Raevin New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2009
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Map
    Yes, very nice machine !. One of these days I'll buy one.....
    I think they should have put a larger tank on it though.
    4.9 gallons will not last long with a 1200cc PGM engine.
    My old '86 VFR gets about 250 miles on a tank, and the '97 Blackbird I just bought gets 190 miles on a tank.
    167 miles range doesn't seem that far.
     
  8. dhridr

    dhridr New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2009
    Messages:
    26
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Sparks, NV
    Map
    Nice bike! 5 to 10 years and I'll be looking to switch up from my RWB.

    Seriously, you should get on with a magazine. I learned more reading your post than anything else that I have read on that bike.
     
  9. K1W1

    K1W1 New Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2008
    Messages:
    86
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Map
    Yup, still riding the Duc and hanging out on ducati.ms.
     
  10. Richard Thompson

    Richard Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Messages:
    745
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand
    Map
    as far as the helmet lock goes, you have to use the double wire loop gizmo in the tool kit to
    attach your lid to the hook under the seat (page 27 of the owners manual refers).
    personally i will never be doing this!

    the head light seems similar to a 6th gen, but i would be keen to test that theory
    by putting it next to one at night.
     
  11. kiwikirk

    kiwikirk New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2009
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Auckland New Zealand
    I was really surprised to see the bars at similar levels, that seat height makes all the difference! Blade is higher, and very weight forward. VFR is lower, and much more upright, meaning the bar position didn't feel low at all!
    Chain VS Shaft drive - very different for a chain junkie like me. Going to take a while to get used to it, if I bought one....... might have to take one around the South Island just to see... anyone interested?
     
  12. drewl

    drewl Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2007
    Messages:
    5,760
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Virginia Beach, Va
    Map
    Big Valley Honda in Reno says they will arrive next month. They also said they have deposits on two of them already. So, I guess they have piqued some interest after all.
     
  13. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2006
    Messages:
    9,756
    Likes Received:
    269
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Atascadero, California, United States
    Map
    I'm sure they'll sell some, but I wonder if it'll be comparable to the sportier bikes or it's just the new thing. It'd be great if it becomes a big seller. I'm all for it because I'd like to get one for my next bike when they show up used. It's gonna be damned hard to get me off my current VFR, though. It's pretty useful to me... I'd probably have to total it like silversurfer did for me to get rid of it...
     
  14. Richard Thompson

    Richard Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Messages:
    745
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand
    Map
    okay, 3 weeks in, heres my thoughts to those that are interested in getting one of these.

    take a test ride and check out the following areas.

    1. seat comfort-you need to ride this thing for longer than an hour to test this one...but im not in love with this seat.
    anything that makes me want to dismount after an hour is not useful.

    2.fuel range- we always knew this could be a problem based on pure figes alone. if you do highway miles you'll get maximum return, if you do sport miles it could be much less-you be the judge-check your distances and fuel load.(it has a good 2 tripmeter set up)

    3. check your feet- yes, once she warms up after say about an hour, see how hot they get?especially on the soles? i have noticed this one consistantly

    what you will possibly love?

    fantatsic instruments
    mucho power
    great brakes
     
  15. Cynic

    Cynic New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2010
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Cambridge
    Richard. I've had mine since Feb 12 - first customer one in the UK by all accounts and I know what this is for! It is actuallyl explained in the manual too. It's a helmet loop. It fixes around one of the metal hooks under the seat and allows to attach the helmet to the bike once the seat is locked down in place.

    Cheers

    Steve

    Edit: I see in later posts you worked this out!! My bad!
     
  16. Cynic

    Cynic New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2010
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Cambridge
    Oh and my fuel consumption figures range from 44mpg to 46mpg (imperial gallons). The first bar on the fuel gauge seems to last consistently 53 miles and then there is a drop. The last bar seems to flash at the 150 mile mark which indicates there is 1 imperial gallon (4.5 litres) left. On this basis I estimate that my tank range is around the 180-190 mile mark. This is very similar to my previous Blackbird and also my 5th gen VFR. This is with spirited riding.
     
  17. John451

    John451 Member

    Country:
    Australia
    Joined:
    May 21, 2004
    Messages:
    2,859
    Likes Received:
    50
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sydneys South, 8 minutes from the RNP
    As reference do you ride with full motorcycle boots or rubber thongs / flip flops ?

    Shame about the seat comfort at least it looks good.
     
  18. Richard Thompson

    Richard Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Messages:
    745
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand
    Map
    your imp gallons seems to line up well with my ' kms to litres' mileage for the first 100km.
     
  19. Richard Thompson

    Richard Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    Messages:
    745
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand
    Map
    nice one john. i wear normal sidi riding boots. i see that guy rode 1600 ks in one day...must have an iron butt.(and no sleep).
    im interested to know if others feel discomfort. i tried moving around on the seat but it seems to pin you into one position.
     
  20. Smittysride

    Smittysride New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2009
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I would really like to get one, but being that I just bought a new '07 last year, my wife says I should wait. She also brings up the point to let the kinks get worked out of the first model year, and buy one of the more improved models. I'm trying to get her to take my 07 so that I can get the new one. So far she is a no go on that one.

    Great reviews, I really learned a lot. Better than the mags.

    I'd have preferred the red one.
     
Related Topics

Share This Page