Is the new VFR 1200 selling?

Hey Otter.

Can certainly appreciate that it doesn't fit your definition of "sport". It's funny how those with a touring bent feel the new Viffer is too "sporty". This middle-age late-bloomer thinks Honda hit the nail on the head...for me and those wanting a performance bike that can tour. Sure, every aspect of its design was a compromise toward one end or the other. They struck a balance that works us "middle-of-the-roaders", but will not interest those wanting a full-on race machine or luxury touring bike.

My initial impression of the Viffer's look was one of...uncertainty. But very quickly, just like with my B-King, its unique face and curves won me over from "curious" to "appreciative" in their artistry. Like everything...beauty... beholder... yadda,yadda. :blabla:

Cheers,
Saint

 

Not that I want to be smashed on your tummy...

I believe the point was that it feels closer to the R1 than it would to a C14. I agree that the VFR1200 is definately more sport than tourer and it looks it w/o the saddlebags. Compare the 1200 to the ST1300 for example - the VFR is WAY more aggressive in it's styling and it's seating position is more forward. Compare it to the CBR on the other hand and the seating position is more upright.

Just from the data presented the 1200 may not be 'like' an R1 but it's way closer to an R1 (or CBR) than it is to a C14 (or ST1300).


Full disclosure: I kind of like the new VFR, but I LOVE my 'new' 800S7.

 

I'll give you that sir.. compared to the ST1300 its sportier.

 

I also suffer from MBS, multiple bike syndrome. I just picked up an '07 RWB with 3700 miles on it. I'm now riding it more than my other two steeds, Yamaha R6 and Ducati 1098. In fact, I like my Interceptor so much, I'm thinning the herd and letting the other two go. I think this is the end for me. I started out on a Honda in 1964, 250 Scrambler, and will end my riding career on the Interceptor.

 

Where the hell did the R1 come into play as a comparative? More likely the FZ1 in character I would venture to say, albeit a lot heavier than the FZ1.

Someone said that they think if the VFR was selling for $13k that it would be selling like hotcakes. Probably so. I'd consider it if it came with hard bags and ABS as stock. TPS wouldn't be bad as a stock featiure too. I'd spend $15k on that.

My problem with Honda is that they dropped the VFR800 completely. As a fan of the VFR, they only needed to listen to the people on forums like this to improve the VFR800 so that more people would buy it. I think as much as Honda listens to their consumers that buy their products, that you'd be lucky if an updated 2011 VFR1200 came out with a standard center stand.

 

I can understand those of you that dislike the VFR 1200. Believe it or not, I disliked the earlier gens of VFRs because they were underpowered for the amount of weight they had to push around. However, I do love the way they look. I liked the CBRs and R1s much more and up until just a few years ago I was willing to put up with the high pegs and low clipons because they were low weight and lots of power. I NEVER thought I would own a bike that weighed 590 lbs! Ive come to realize over the past 25 years of riding that having the fastest bike doesnt matter to me anymore, I can only use a small portion of the performance on the street anyway. I now also live in a place where it is a 4hr drone to get to any good curves.

I can get on my RC 51 and drone to the mountains and Im tired when I get there, then if I ride another 4 or 5 hours on great roads and check into the hotel for the night Im taking asprin because I hurt. I would rather sacrifice a little bit of outrite speed for some comfort and the ability to tour for 10 days and 4000 miles. That is why I bought the VFR 1200. Those of you that dont like the bike need to ride it. We ALL wanted a 150 hp VFR 1000 that weighed 475lbs and was comfortable enough to tour on. If Honda made that bike they wouldnt be able to build them fast enough. They didnt make that bike but they did make a bike that is WAY sportier than any of the so called "sport tourers" that all weigh 700+ lbs.

I love my VFR 1200 but Ill also tell you I wanted a bike that weighed 100lbs less. There is no such bike available. Maybe my Superhawk. It is pretty light, torquey and pretty comfortable, I can tour on it with soft luggage and do 600 mile days, but I cant buy a new one. I wanted something more comfortable and faster than it. A true GT bike, the VFR 1200 is it. I am not sure I could ride the VFR as fast as the Superhawk on a gnarly curvy road but I wouldnt be far behind. Not many bikes will match the Superhawk on a gnarly road. On a road with sweepers the VFR would rule the day. I love the VFR 1200 engine, it is very smooth and except for a small flat spot, it really has a good powerband, the bike is rock steady and it corners very well. Im pretty sure in the hands of a capable rider it would turn a previous gen VFR into a small spot in the mirror. I havent ridden a previous gen bike but they all felt heavy on the showroom floor and they are wide too. I like narrow flickable bikes which is one reason I have 2 twins. The VFR 1200 is very narrow at the seat tank juncture, although Im not sure it qualifies as flickable it does turn and handle very well indeed.. Yes it costs a lot of money. the main reason is because our money isnt worth as much as it used to be and its only getting worse. I considered buying a new R1 and converting it into a touring bike, lower pegs, helibars, ventura luggage system, but that is basically what my Superhawk is minus about 50 hp.
Those of you that like the older model VFRs, I dont blame you, it is a great bike, it has won countless Bike of the year awards and it could have been tweeked by Honda to be lighter and more powerful for probably less cost then developing the VFR 1200. However, the VFR 1200 is also a great bike and just because it doesnt fit your idea of what it should have been, you shouldnt dis it until you ride it for at least 1 or 2 hours. After the test ride, if you dont like it, fine, get an Aprilla V4, R1 or CBR 1000 but you wont be doing back to back 500 mile days on it.

Craig

 

Craig -

I understand your point of view. Really, I do. I'm 49 and have been riding since I was 14. I gave up bending over a tank to take a fast corner years ago. But I do have to say that your post has at least a couple contradictions.

First you start off saying how you never owned a previous gen VFR because they were overweight and underpowered. Then you go onto say that power isn't everything. My VFR800 will do 155-160mph... How much more does one need? I believe for all the extra ponies on the VFR1200, you still don't top out that much higher, thanks to the touring aspect of their gearing.

You say that we should try a ride on the new VFR1200, but yet I don't believe you ever rode a VFR800, or at least rode it like it can be ridden. When I am out in the twisties on my bike I keep it in V-tech territory, and it has plenty to offer, believe me.

You say you can only use a small portion of the performance offered by the VFR1200. I can use a greater portion of my VFR800's usable power and handling. It's 50lbs lighter. I can attack corners at higher speeds than I could on the 1200. You'll not lose me in your mirrors, you might get passed by me in the corners though.

The 1200 has a higher center of gravity then its brother 800. This gives it the illusion of more flickabilty. It needs it to compensate for the extra weight. As for narrow at the seat/tank juncture, I think the VFR800 is plenty narrow there as well.

The VFR 800 is also all day comfortable, as many can attest to riding 1000 mile weekends. I myself have done 500 mile days with no complaints with the stock seat.

I am sure the VFR1200's a great bike, as I am sold on Honda quality, but as you say, if it's not for you then there is another bike that is. For me it's the VFR800. For the money, I can get better than the VFR1200, if I wanted to.

I am glad you like the bike. I am glad all the riders that own one have a passion for it. My passion is elsewhere at the moment.

 

Wabbit, can you tell me where you are getting the info about comparing each bikes center of gravity? For the record, the bike is less flickable if the center of gravity is high because you have more weight to move a longer distance. Imagine how flickable a bike would be that had all it's weight down near the oil pan....

 

Oh My! IMO you are going to upset the cousins with your lack of perspective on Bentley. Hopefully you will look it up and pray that James Bond does not come acalling in his Blower Bentley.

I do have a question since it seems you have the expertise to buttonhole what purpose several bikes serve.

Could you share any of this insider knowledge on Fatboys?


Have you submitted your ideas and resume to Honda yet? LOL

 

I've submitted my resume to your mom, we have a 4 o'clock meeting on Friday.
And everyone knows James Bond's favorite car was the submarine Lotus Espirit. :crazy:
HD Fatboy motorcycles are for Fat Boys... just sayin..

You guys react like you're trying to make up a valid excuse for buying an ugly sport touring bike. Sure its more sport then tour, its still heavy and you guys act like it will loop rings around bikes with simular HP. Its better than a lot of other Sport Tourers but still there are better more exciting ones out there for cheeper.
I agree with Wabbit that you over glorify the 1200ccs.. why should it matter if you're obeying the speed laws like we all should be? Its not as fun as the older gens in the corners, heavy big bikes don't turn as well. Doing the twisties and corners is what sportbikes are about; they fun, exciting, and sometimes dangerous. Going fast in a strait line is for Hypersport tourers like the Busa and ZX14. Sometimes riding the VFR800 through a corner, it feels slightly heavier than I want a bike to be.. I can only imagine how going through a corner on something as big 1200 would be, not very fun.
What steered me to the VFR800 was its looks, what kept me there was its well balanced platform. Sporty, comfortable, not to much CCs, wasn't ugly, ABS, etc why did you buy your VFR1200?

 

Actually Agent 007 only had one Lotus - and the best Bond car was clearly the DB7 by Aston Martin (and he's had more AMs than any other car!)

And a +1 on the Bentley history. They were a sports car (along the lines of how we view Ferrari today) before Rolls aquired them.

:wink:

 

M'thinks we got a noob with Sea Otter who otter pay more attention to his history. Let us first dispense with his myopic view on Bentleys in general and the various and sundry driven by 007. May we remind our furry friend that the creator of Bond drove a similar vehicle. Ian Fleming had and drove a Blower Bentley. Had we been dealing with a film, the car might have been a Broccolimobile much like the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile. Rumor has it that the design of that particular piece of work is linked to William Davidson of Fatboy fame.

James Bond cars: Bentley


Ya gotta do better shootin the dozens than that one.. The dudes in the hood would eat you alive. LOL

I sense you really don't know all that much about either bikes, cars and most other things. That's kind of too bad. Chalk it up to ignorance and do try to get a ride or at least sit on a 1200 before posting even more unfounded drivel.

So in your wildest dreams if you could afford it, what would you be riding? Please don't say a Moto-
GP bike. That would be crackhead shit.

 

So how do we edit the ads that are showing up on the posts? My dirtbikes were gone long ago, I don't have an Omega watch to sell and WTF am I gonna do with VFR800 parts?

 

The most famous bond car is the submarine Lotus there have been numerous spoofs off of it. Bentlys are ok, fun to drive and are very sporty although that fact is hidden by their luxury appearance. I don't really care about the history of bond and his bentlys, and I didn't ask about it Perception Fail. Not having any wild dreams about owning motorcycles I donno what to tell you.. instead of having one bike in my "wildest dreams" I would probably have em all.. like pokemon cept I'd be throwing wads of bills instead of pokeballs.
I also feel like your premature judgement is kinda moot. I probably know more about sport cars then you do chimp I've also raced auto cross and circuit in my Lotus Elise and Evolution 8. You? Probably trolled to work in your geo metro at 65, snapping the ebrake while listening to the fast and furious sound track going around a corner. Then eraged online because someone actually owned a nicer car than you.
But its ok Bad Billy, I really don't care what you think about me. I actually love it when you come on and give grief, it makes things kinda fun for me while I'm at work being bored. Debating is pure awesome and I laugh everytime you punch below the belt as a way of trying to prove a point. You sir are truely one bad mother fooker, steer clear of Bad Billy folks, he cant beat you up but he'll hurt your feelings over the internet

 

The irony!

Hey, 7th Gen owners, you should form a 7th Gen Militia . . . .

 

They should I'm sure the 6 Gen went through haters like me from the earlier generation VFR owners, well maybe not lol. Honestly as much as I bag on and make fun of the 1200, I actually secretly like it (shhhh) cept for the looks.

 

I will not repeat this for fear of being smashed on someone's tummy.

 

Y'know I'll pretty much ga-run-TEE you that it depends on the age group you poll...much like who's the best Bond.


Sean Connery is the best, but who's second after that? Roger Moore? If you grew up in the 70s then maybe that's your idea of Bond. 60s = Connery by far. 80s...well it depends on if you hung out with older siblings or your parents (70s/60s mix) and it's interesting who likes Daniel Craig.

The signature car for Bond is still the Aston Martin from Dr. No. One of the two remaining examples of the 'hero' car used for the film just sold a few months ago for a few million IIRC:


That would be the quintessential Bond car.

 

All bond cars are great when you boil down to it.. I guess we argue for the sake of arguing lol, but anyways we're getting off topic So yeah, Mike is making a VFRW 1200 T-shirt. Woot.

Also I wonder what a cafe style racer of a VFR1200 would look like.. :9

 

Something like that, yeah . . . .