Just picked up a new VFR 1200.............

I totally disagree with this statement! Harley's haven't changed in the last 50 years!!!

 

Riding my '08 back to back with the new 1200 gave me the impression that the 1200 engine is fantastic. The 50% increase in engine size is certainly felt. What you can do at 8,000 rpm on the gen 6 you can do at 4,000 rpm on the gen 7, and so on at any engine speed. Plus there is no VTEC surge on the gen 7, just smooth, kick ass power anywhere on the rpm range.

Again, riding them back to back, I found them to be very, very similar in ergonomics, comfort, wind protection, etc. The Gen 7 is just faster and smoother. Oh, and much more expensive, too.

I currently have an '08 FJR and I previously had an '04 K1200RS, thus you can see I am a big fan of 1200cc-1300cc sport touring bikes. I think this Gen 7 and the BMW K1300S are the sportiest of the big sport touring bikes, and I guess they are very similar. I like them both - fast, sporty, big engine, lean forward ergos, sport tourers with the emphasis on sport.

Ron

 

Finally got my first decent ride in on the 1200. The first thing that came to mind was how SMOOTH it felt! There was no abruptness in throttle response. It shifted through the gears like butter.......... again very smooth. The first time I went for the turn signals I hit the horn. After retraining myself, the turn signals belong where they're at. Clutch and brake feel are perfect. Power was there on spades! I found myself passing cars effortlessly just by rolling on the throttle in 6th. It passes cars way easier even in 6th gear than the '04 did in 4th gear. The seat is very comfortable. The geometry is perfect for a sport touring bike. I want to emphasize the 'SPORT' in sport touring as this is the kind of bike that you could easily knock off several hundred miles a day as well as carve up the twisties. The gauges are excellent as well. It's nice to have a gear indicator. I didn't give it a thorough wringing as I want to baby it 'til I get a few hundred miles on the clock.

 

If the exhaust system mfr's made a nice GP style slip-on can, it would look sharp on that bike. Check out the LV GP-Evo pipe

 

I am interested in power delivery but without having a test ride, I'm already confident that it's going to be fantastic. I'm more interested in what the suspension does under heavy throttle while cornering. I am already hearing that while the VFR has similar power and braking mannerisms to a K1300S, that under proper guidence, the VFR just whales on on the K13 in the handling dept.

 

I am actually surprised how many folks have bought the 1200 so soon.
I am still very unimpressed.

 

Please post your ride review. We want to hear what you didn't like about riding it.

 

he just said he is unimpressed with it maybe its the way it looks, maybe its the color option or lack there of , maybe its the design shape, the price for all the hype, who knows. someone can be "unimpressed with something without riding it. thats why we have individuall thought, and If I can't get something in a color that I like .....I aint gonna get it..

Good on you for getting one, I hope you have a long time riding it.give a dude a break.


Cheers

 

Just curious: what would it take to impress you?

 

Nice! congrats on your new ride! Keep the comparison report coming.

 

I am sooooo jealous !!

 

Havcar,

I don't understand your comment on handling. Which one handles better, the VFR or the BMW? Without making a qualifying statement about proper guidance, which one handles better (you have heard)

Ron

 

^^^ This is one of a handfull of articles I've recently read that gives the handling edge to Honda to one degree or another. The Feb. or Mar. issue of Motorcyclist also contains an article that preferred the Honda over the BMW in regards to handling. Most of the riders are attributing this to a few things we here at VFRW are all well aware of. Benefits like; the VFR feels much lighter than it actually is where as the BMW's actual weight is felt, and the VFR 12's more traditional USD forks give it the feeling/cornering nod when compared to BMW's "take it or leave it" duolever set-up. There are also the obvious benefits to the chassis and center of gravity a V4 provides that an inline just can't duplicate. The article I've linked mentions that the VFR has 85% of the handling abilities of GSXR 1000. Not bad at all when the differences between those two bikes are accounted for. I have taken a ride aboard a K1300s and liked it quite a bit where as I have yet to ride a VFR 1200, so untill that day comes all I can do is read what I read, saving my final impression for that first ride.

My comment about guidence just means that you can take either bike and put them in the hands of a novice only to accomplish vague results. It would take a rider of better skill to differentiate between the two.

2010 BMW K1300S vs Honda VFR1200F Shootout - Motorcycle.com

 

I've had a few good rides on mine.............. Here's a couple things they may not tell you in the tabloids. I averaged 41.89 mpg on my last tank of gas ( ave. 6omph, moderate acceleration), the headlights throws a nice bright and wide uniform beam in both high and low beams, it runs approximately 3500rpm at 60 mph (indicated) in 6th gear, shifting through all the gears has been butter smooth both up and down shifting, the dash has really cool white back lighting. More info to follow...............!!

 

Good story on the link. Thanks.

I test rode the 1200 VFR on straight highways. I was very impressed. My only negative was the abruptness of the throttle, they mentioned that on the Motorcycle.com link.

 

I will say that if you're just lugging in the lower revs (<3k rpm) and crack the throttle it can be abrupt.

 

That would explain the jerk response from my wife's hand to my abdomen a couple of times today. I would like to think that I am reasonably smooth on the throttle inputs, but it just pulls/surges like a Duc and takes the passengers unaware...

 

I've had my 1200 for over a month now. It's a good solid motorcycle. It may look like a sportbike, but the suspension is a little soft in comparsion to a sportbike. Which is exactly what I feel this bike is aimed at. That spot between a full blown sport bike and a sport touring bike. I find the seating position to be quite comfortable for a few long day rides I've put on it. The brakes are strong, a gentle squeeze of your right index finger is all it takes to put on the whoa factor.

I have ordered a new Corbin seat for it. The stock seat is great for me, but out back the wife finds it to be lacking a bit. lol

I'll probably order up a set of Heli bars for it or maybe take a closer look at the "fat bar" set up I've seen pictures of from LSL. A few more miles in the saddle will surely settle that decision.

The only gripe I have about the bike, performance wise (I could spend all day picking a part any motorcycle for it's looks!), is the fuel mapping in first and second gear. I've read of several folks who've complained of "snatchy" throttle at part openings. I had this same issue on an 07 GSXR750, that went away once the bike and I got over our learning curve. But, it seems to me, the issue on the VFR1200 isn't something you can learn around. It especially sucks at low speed turns while riding in town. Sometimes, it's actually quite unnerving!

I've already sic'd my salesmen on his local Honda rep to find out of Honda has any plans for a "fix" for this issue...no word yet! But, if I have to, I'll go the PC V and slip on route, to see if it helps out the issue. I'm not to keen on spending that kind of money on an experiment though. I plan on nagging the dealership until I get an answer that isn't the patented, "I'll get back to you", type of answer.