Officially not buying a new VFR12

Yeah, you guys in the states seem to have these big megamall toy stores where lots of remaindered stuff goes pretty cheap.
I know theres one of these Megamalls in LA and considered grabbing and FJR1300 myself for something like 8995.00 USD brand
new but an 08/09 model. That compares to the 24k list price here, they are a nice piece of kit. Its a similar deal with KTMs and to
a lesser extent Hondas. Ahhh the virtues of a mass market..... anyway back to my local showroom.
MGVFR

 

I am thinking Multistrada 1200... Sadly. Unless Aprilia takes that RSV4 engine and sticks it in a sport-tourer.

 

Supposedly Aprilia is going to do just that, in a naked, more upright tuono. Maybe not pure sport tourer but should handle that multistrada nicely.

Aprilia RSV4 Tuono V4 preview

 

I think the new VFR1200 is more like an updated Blackbird, except it's a V4.

 

I just don't get it. After the demise of what once was a great "all-rounder" motorcycle, the 6th gen VFR, I can't think of another bike that fits the bill. Does everyone else but me want a full on sport bike, or a full touring bike? I don't!
Honda should have tweaked the current version a bit and put it on a diet. Then it would have been close to perfect.

 

I think the 6th gen market had been saturated. In my area, 6th gen VFR's are not selling. I can see why Honda made the 7th gen different. Sales will tell whether they hit or miss the target. I test rode the 7th gen and I think it is a better bike than my '08. But my '08 is still great so I am holding on to it for now.

Ron

 

I road test a VFR1200 last week, awesome, but here in Canada it’s $18,000 dollars. :frown:

 

Perhaps, but it is partially because the 6th is just plain too heavy in the wrong places - the 7th at least has its weight lower.

 

+1 on the RSV4 being our VFR replacement. I guess the Italians were listening to us.

 

The Italians never listen to anyone but themselves, they like to innovate race machines. If Honda could replicate the RC30 or 45 series bikes into a modern superbike weapon, they'd capture the market by storm. If Honda utilizes the 1200 V4 for an adventure style bike and it looks decent, I just might have to settle for that. If Honda ever ever ever makes a 800 to 1000cc V4 superbike, I will be waiting inline.

 

You are right about the Italians, I was just cracking on the whole thing because they went ahead and did what Honda should of done, like you said and make a current generation V4 superbike for the masses. Gosh, if Honda got on board and released an "RC47" or something like that it absolutely would blow the market wide open. We can only hope. They really need to. They would sell tens of thousands. Instead they give us this fat pig 1200. I wouldn't knock it if it weren't so damn ugly, especially that exhaust, BLECH! I second the 'adventure bike'...BMW GS-ish maybe? We'll see.

 

looks 2 dam big.

 

It doesn't feel big when you sit on it. It really almost seems smaller than the current crop of Interceptors. Very narrow at the waist. The fit and finish is the best I've seen on any bike ever...period. But it was missing something...I can't say what. I had an ST1300 a while back. If I was coming off that, I might have a different perspective. Cuz' it kinda feels like an ST that went on a diet and picked up a few ponies. Though I must reiterate...the fit and finish are a marvel. Presently, I own an 03 VFR800A with factory bags as well as an 08' CBR1000RR. The Viffer feels like a great big happy scooter next to the CBR, and that's fine. That's why I got her. Nice looks and easily manageable power for commuting and road trips. The CBR on the other hand is a freaking beast. She lets you know every moment you're on her to be here, now. If not you'll get bit hard. So I have the best of both worlds. I guess I just wonder where the 1200 fits in. Too small with poor fuel range for a tourer and too big to be a serious contender for any serious canyon carving.............but.............did I mention her fit and finish??? In person, she's hard not to like. ut she'll never be in my stable....to each their own.

 

So are you putting your money where your mouth is?

 

The Aprilla is nice, but no VFR replacement. It's designed for the track and people that know how to ride on the track. The VFR is not a track bike. Sure, you can track it but why would you want to when there are so many better choices.

 

Deadsmiley is dead on.

 

Here goes rant...I will not ever buy one of the 1200's. I'd rather rebuild the motor on my VTEC. The unfortunate side effect of all this refinement and performance in the auto and moto world is more complex machines. The auto trans option is one example. No thanks. Someday the new bikes will require 'dealer only' type service and scan machines to figure them out. The 1200 is just a preview of the future. As for the RSV, I'd plop down my cash for that in a second over the 1200. I already have and love a VTEC, and the RSV is cheaper than finding an RC45, and there's not a thing wrong with an Aprilia. It may not be Honda sewing machine reliable in the long run, but I'd rather have two bikes in my garage than just one such as the 1200. Honda completely missed the point. I'm sure it's great and all to ride, but even the people who have ridden them and reviewed them have admitted it wasn't quite what we all had expected from Big Red. Fine if you own one...this is not supposed to be a flame war, everyone has an opinion, I'm sure you're all happy with your purchase for your own reasons, that's fine. All the Gen' wars need to just stop...everyone acts like their particular VFR of a certain Gen is the end-all solution to our 2-wheeled disease. It's like religions...each Gen seems to be a particular faith...who cares? They're all V4's, all VFRs, all Hondas...enough said. I just won't buy a 1200. Period. And like religions, I won't be converted to whatever so and so is if I don't want to, there's no convincing, and I don't care if it's irrational. It's a gut reaction...and with many people on this forum the 1200 has created a gut reaction of disappointment...so what...life goes on...a great deal of you are happy...good for you, God bless!

 

Again, what you said.

 

I doubt the 1200 handles as good as a 6 gen being what... over 100lbs fatter? It looks less aero dynamic and bulkier.. sure its probably faster being a 1200 vs 800 but is it really more exciting? In my experience and that of others I've listened to.. heavier the bike the worse it handles, couple of my ducati friends back in wa would describe the busa as a fat pig for example. Sorry to stomp on the hopes and dreams of the new 1200 owners but, I really hate the 1200's.. you should cafe it to save face, I know I would.. I wouldn't be caught dead on that thing No sport bike comes with an auto tranny, optional or not.. thats like having a Ferrari with an automatic gear shift (paddle shifters are not the same as an auto tranny ). Scooters, mopeds, and super tourers (like goldwing style) do the auto tranny, they are like the mini vans and commuter cars of the bike world. I will probably keep my vfr for a long time but my next bike will probably be a different brand than honda.

 

To be fair, having just barely ridden one, the weight does seem to be distributed a bit lower, making it feel a lot more manageable in some ways than my 5th gen. Still doesn't change the fact that it seems closer to a Goldwing than a sport-tourer. And that it is ugly.