The VFR1200F is obviously a " Gentlemans Supersports " now tell me I'm wrong

It seems so obvious now after reading a few road tests in various magazines Honda has again created a new class of motorcycle the " Mature riders Supersports " with the VFR1200F. With more solid rumours coming out of VFR1200 varients including a sports Touring ST1300 replacement and a duel purpose aka R1200GS competitor and after recently talking to a mate with '04 Fireblade who expressed serious interest in buying a VFR1200F a sudden epiphany stuck me it's aimed squarely at him.


An experienced rider he's used to riding Sports and Supersports bikes over the last 25 odd years and now on the bad side of 50 finding the 'blade is a bit more of a chore to do the types of distances to favourite Alpine twisties than he'd like:

A) He is already used to Sports bike like 160 mile fuel stops and his routes have been long planned that way.
B) He has only ever bought Hondas as his real bike and only wants Honda quality for his next bike.
C) He demands more comfort but dosen't want to sacrifice too much in the way of effortless Sports bike power, handling and braking he's used to.
D) He loves the idea of not having to tilt the bike against his hip to spray the chain first thing on arriving at each days destination.

And lastly and probably the most important one

E) The Kids have just left home and he finally has enough spare cash to get whatever he wants. :smile:



Ok tell me where my logic is wrong. :crazy:

 

I can't disagree with that. A hundred bucks says somebody else will and your mate will be accused of having no taste in mufflers and is color blind.

 

Your mate has no taste in mufflers and is color blind.

 

Just kidding, it is sound logic.

 

awe man you beat me to it ToeC, Yep Honda has it where they are spoon feeding us this new breed whether we like it or not. so have to agree with John. If you read between the lines Honda did build the bike the majority wanted. even if I didn't.

 

"The VFR1200F is obviously a " Gentlemans Supersports " now tell me I'm wrong..."

OK, you're wrong. :biggrin: Just kidding, of course. I didn't want Toe Cutter to feel like the odd man out.

It's enjoyable reading your posts, John451, as you have a lot of time on the earlier model, so there is an evolutionary observation, plus you have a great ability to be unbiased in your assessments. It will be interesting when somebody joins the forum whose first VFR is the 7th Gen.

 

Probably talks funny too.

 

Probably right all on three counts, he left his 'blades muffler standard, his 'blade is the "bit bright" tri colour one and in public he randomly speaks in Quagmire expecially giggity, giggity. :biggrin:

 

Thanks for your kind words and agree it wil be interesting to hear the unbiased opinion of the newly converted .

Truth is there hasn't been a VFR yet I haven't liked so far, their all round competence and uniquness of V4 sound has a lot to do with it so am looking forward to trying out the Gen 7 so hopefully my mate pulls the trigger in the next few months.

 

yep, my mate kirk is in this category too. he is into his mid 40's been on the sport bikes for 10 years or so and currently has a CBR 1000 blade.

now, i got him round to ride the new VFR1200, and i could see that he wasnt ready to hand over the keys to his blade just yet.
however, given the ridiculous amount of gear he puts on the back of his blade i could also see that he saw the sense in how it is used.

He currently does much longer rides and some camping and overnite trips. this is starting to be outside the blades area of use and well into VFR territory.
sooner or later the VFR makes sense as a logical progression.

 

Stuka! You're alive! Damn, the world isn't coming to an end after all...

Yeah, I've been following Richard Thompson's posts. Richard's posts are great, and I should have copied what I said to John451. He has the same style of viewpoints and assesments. Maybe that's a down under and close to down under thing. Either way, it's a relief that the new model seems to be a pretty good bike.

 

Impressive, now theres a prime example of a picture saying 1000 words does he wheelie whenever heading up a mountain ?

 

he said that it would pick the front end up without to much provocation....i said.."no shit...let me explain the principle of wieghted leverage..hahahahaha...

 

Richard I think I saw a scratch on your new bike................................hahaha Just messing with you boss

 

I think you're pretty much spot on, (although I'm only 40 and been riding sportsbikes a bit longer than 10 years)!

Interestingly, they have created a new class of bike over here just for this - they call it 'Road Sport' whatever that means. We'll see whether other manufacturers start adding models to this category......

 

That is the greatest thing I have ever read. Awesome.

Back on topic I think he would love the VFR1200F

 

I am the guy you describe, I think you described me perfectly... Ive been riding sportbikes for a long time, I tour on one, I want something fast and more comfortable than my current bike, this bike has extended fuel range compared to my other bikes, my kids have all graduated from college and are mostly self supporting. I cant take it with me so might as well splurge and enjoy some of it now.

I picked up my new VFR 1200 last week, Ive only ridden it 200 miles 140 the first day. My wife actually bought it for me! Negotiated down the dealer while I watched, made me very proud! Ive been touring on my Superhawk for years, before that it was a CBR 900rr. My scratching bike is currently a RC 51 although my finely tuned and regeared Superhawk is just as fast. I usually take 1 to 3 long 2000 to 4000 mile trips every year, with soft luggage. Im beat up by the Superhawk by the end of a 3000 mile ride although I love the light weight and torque. The RC 51 is good for about a 300 mile ride and then Im hurtin the next day.

I have been looking for something comfortable and fast that I can tour on and still keep up with my buddy on his CBR 954. I love the new VFR except the weight. It doesnt feel heavy when moving but I know it is. You cant change the laws of physics. I havent ridden it in the mountains yet so I dont know how it will do on really tight roads but it is planted on sweepers and confidence inspiring. It is still 100+ lbs lighter than any of the "sport tourers" I just really wish it weighed 500 instead of 590.
I am very happy overall and will keep it a long time. In about 2 weeks Ill go to the Texas hill country and ride the 3 sisters, that should be a good test of its turning ability.

 

Well its also very bland and oogly, looks like a bloated tadpole to me but I guess how it handles is worth more than its looks?

 

I don't think I could argue with this at all. It's not a sport bike but it's as close as I want to get to one. It's a real reason why I bought it. All of a sudden someone my size could be majorly comfortable on something most people (not riders of course) would consider a sport bike. It feels that way to me, it's got the performance I need, hell it's got the performance I don't need too. So that's how I am describing her (yes she's a her, named Cornelia... after the f/v Cornelia Marie in honor of Capt. Phil Harris)... she's a gentleman's sport bike.