I now have a 1200 and an 800

I have just bought my VFR1200. I picked it up in the US and then imported it in to Canada. Today I stuck a trade plate on it (need to have an import and out of province for it to be legal) and took it for a spin. This is the first time that I have rode one. It is no VFR800.... this thing pulls. Handling, brakes, seat and just the overall feel of the bike is fantastic. The 800 really needed the VTEC to kick in to make it grunt and want to pull. The 1200 just does it. The seating position does feel odd. I prefer the 800 when it comes to that.
I have been in two minds all day as to whether I prefer the 800 or the 1200. I rode them back to back to see what I liked and didn't like. They both do it for me and so I will keep both. They both look good side by side. I will get a picture up soon.

 

It's nice that you're keeping both. I definitely would like to hear your future comparisons. I'm not in the market for a 1200, but you never know ...........

 

Really Wow. Ok you'll be the go to guy now when we have a comparison question. Nice, but how will you be able to leave one behind or which to pick for the day LOL what a dilemma .

I just got to take a 1200 around the block (first time) Oh my, it's bigger than I would have thought all though It does carry it's weight well. But Oh My. yea it's no 800 even more so when coming off a 4th gen. glup!

 

That's pretty cool.
I am actually starting to hope the 1200 sells well enough for Honda to keep them around.

 

Curious to see what you have to say aboot them both after a year or so.

 

I think the US is done with it and are clearing them out. The Honda website only shows the 2010 and not the 2011 bikes. Other Honda websites do show the 2011 models. If you want one then get one now. There is some great deals out there, that now make this bike worth its money.

 

I like my Honda's but if I were to replace the VFR I would have to go with the Ninja 1000.

 

It's a funny thing that I discovered since reading post on here concerning the dislike from previous VFR owners towards the 1200 VFR. I never slightly thought of getting the previous VFRs though the red while and blue 800 did catch my eye but the 1200 just felt right from the first leg over. Enjoy your new ride, jeff

 

That is just a vicious cycle that will never be broken. When the 6th Gen was the latest and greatest, there were nothing but haters out there who had the previous generation(s). The 1200 now has the bulls eye on it. In defense of the haters, I will say that I think many of them just wanted a lighter, sportier, more powerful VFR and the 1200 really isn't that - it's very different. I think that a lot of the negative comments are just people expressing their frustration.

Personally, I'm still on the fence. I want to like the 1200 but the biggest thing I can't get over right now is the looks. The exhaust and especially the tail section look like a complete after thought. I know the exhaust can be easily remedied, but I have not yet seen a fender eliminator out there. I'd have to know of a solution for that before every buying one. I imagine that down the road, I will be buying one though.

 

picture with DAM exhaust

I think it looks pretty good with the DAM exhaust...sounds awesome :biggrin:

 

Aftermarket parts will arrive soon enough. Companies want to see a bike is selling before they produce moulds to make aftermarket gear. The looks of the bike as standard is great. Something I noticed when out the other day, how many cagers and other riders were looking at the bike. It does look good.

 

I wish they had come through with the VFR 1000 we thought was coming instead of the 1200. I wish my 6th Gen wasn't so heavy. Didn't do my homework or I probably wouldn't have bought it. I need to start wrenching on my 87... I loved the power to weight ratio of that bike.

Kudos for having both bikes,like having two women, it's probably a lot of fun if you can afford it ( or not get caught).

 

I don't dislike the 1200. I do like it. Well, as much as a person can like (or dislike) a bike without every having thrown a leg over one.

It's just that I have a 98 VFR and it's heavy. I don't think I would like an even heavier bike. But then again... (see above)

 

Agreed. That is a huge improvement. After posting my comment yesterday, I did another search for a fender eliminator and found nothing out there as of yet. As VFR1200 pointed out, I imagine that they will come - it's just a matter of time. If you could get that tail section cleaned up, then I think I'd be ready to consider one.

 

For anyone who is worried about the weight... don't be. I swear to you that you will not even notice it. Honda has done really well when they balanced this bike to hide the weight. When you are pushing the bike around on foot, it is heavy, but no more than the 800. The best thing out of all of this.........NO CHAIN........ no more cleaning, no lubing....ahhh sh"t, I still have the 800 f@ck.:wink:

 

Love the Dam Can..

 

Not to be smart about it but for those of us who are considering a 800 (5th or 6th gen) and they can be found for around $3K-$4K with lower miles (<20000), is the 1200 worth the extra $8K-$10K? Yes, I'm cheap but I would always be asking myself if that much money over something that does everything 9/10's as well is worth it.

 

The 1200 is a great bike. The bike has now been reduced to a better price. I prefer the 1200 to the 800 as it makes the 800 feel agricultural. The 800 though is fun to ride.

 

Here are my two bikes