Advice needed on new 2010 VFR Purchase

I am posting this on the "other" site as well to get a good cross section of responses. I am new here, actually my first post.

I am considering purchasing a brand new 2010 VFR1200 DCT.

Typically I wouldn't consider a "controversial" motorcycle but they are over-allowing on my trade by about $2000-2500 and selling the bike for $11250. After my trade which I owe $900 on, I am out the door at $7400. (6500 before adding my payoff) Everything included. Trade - In is a 2009 Versys.

Considering the Versys is good for about $4200-4500 on the private market here ... They want this VFR gone ... (I have a deposit on it soo... )

The other deal is they are tossing me a 2011 GSX1250FA with all 3 oem givi bags (brand new bike) same numbers, trade, etc at $6600 OTD ($800 less than the viffer 12 DCT)

should I be concerned about any of the negatives of this bike? Looks like I would be stuck with it for better or worse. Other thing is, The suzuki financing is 0% and Honda's is 3.9% over 60 mos.

Help me out here guys ... I am apprehensive about the bike ... why the smokin deal ?

 

Buy the Honda. - You are getting a whole lot more bike for your money.

 

The Suzuki sounds like a real deal, but the bike isn't as nice. The DCT isn't a sportbike, though it looks like it. It isn't a tourer. Well I could go on but it really doesn't fit any category. Lots more power then the suzi. I chose the DCT at a higher price. It is my commuter and my weekend ride. If I had to make the choice you have, I would still go for the dct. I don't think the Suzuki could steal my heart.

Bill

What do you expect to hear on VFRWorld?

 

I would go for the Bandit over the VFR 1200.

 

Actually...... I was hoping to get real up to date info from those who would know. And I don't think anyone would know better than owners

 

Why would you say that ? Can you elaborate ? Thanks

 

The Bandit isn't crippled in 1st and 2nd. I know a couple of guys that ride the hell out of the Bandit and they just keep going. One I can't keep up with even with his wife on the back. He's been riding a long time though.

I have yet to see a VFR 1200 on the road and they have been out for a couple of years now. Dealers are having trouble moving them. I have not ridden the Bandit nor the VFR 1200, so this is just my wet finger in the air. Take it for what it's worth.

<dons flame proof suit!>

Hell, sit on them. Buy the one that fits you best!

 

The first and second gear isn't that big to me. Its done by 5000rpm in both. It still is stronger than the vfr800 easily. It falls slightly behind the Suzuki for a couple of thousand rpm the easily catches and outdistances it from 6k on. I don't drag race. When I pull into traffic and want to be moving, I go to Sport mode then manual. Pull out into traffic and wait a couple of seconds. Now I'm moving at a good clip already and then I hit 5000rpm. By this time the bike has settled nicely and here we go. When I am well above the dip I can either hit the M/A and be in sport mode or shift manually with the trigger. Honda would have done better with traction control. But what they did keeps idiots like me from dumping a nice bike because I hit a slick spot. The PR3s still get squirmy After 30 mph. Yeah wind it in first and you never see the dip in second. 5000 rpm in first is 25-30 mph.

I have rode both the suzuki and the vfr. The vfr is much faster and has better fit and finish. If you want to sport TOUR get the Suzuki. If you want to SPORT tour get the Honda. Mix in the DCT and you'll either love it or hate it. I have done some spirited riding against other bikes. And I am very happy with the way the vfr12 performs. As far as a Bandit leaving me. I have seen a video of a guy on a Gold wing that could leave me if he was on a moped.

Yellow Wolf

Very few people can fully use an open class motorcycle. And there is probably someone out there on a modded Harley that might beat us all. I just hope I never meet him. If I do yall will never hear about it. I agree with try them both. Factor in what you want. And make a choice.

 

I went thru a similar debate between the V12 and the ZX-14. Both are interesting bikes in their own way. I decided for Honda quality, drive shaft, hard bags, ABS and single-sided swingarm.

I am making a few tweaks to the bike to address some of the shortcomings.

I enjoy having the only one around. It stands out on in a crowd of Ninja 600s and R1s.

Buy what you decide you like best.

Good luck!

ß!

 

I had a 2008 GSX650F which was just a smaller version of the GSX1250FA. I think Suzuki quit selling the GSX650F last year. The bikes looked exactly the same other than decals and the lower fairing. The swing arm was longer on the 1250 and I think that was the only difference other than the additional 600cc’s. I know the seat frames were exactly the same, because I bought a seat from Corbin that had the same model number for both bikes. I would consider the GSX650F a starter bike that you would easily out grow and I think that would apply to the 1250 also.

I think the following differences between the two bikes would justify buying the VFR:
• Inverted adjustable fork vs. conventional fork
• Shaft drive vs. chain
• Single sided swing arm vs. a square steel tube conventional swing arm
• ABS vs. Non-ABS
• DCT vs. Manual ???? (whichever you prefer)
• Linked braking vs. conventional brakes
• V-4 vs. a conventional and dated inline 4
• Throttle by wire
• Adjustable rear shock
• Clip-on bars vs. bent steel tubing
• Integrated turn signals vs. turn signals mounted on rubber posts
• The 1250 has a full carbon steel exhaust from the cylinder head to the tips.
• Take a close look at the wheels on both bikes also.

If you look at the performance numbers, I don’t think you can compare the two bikes. I have 13,000 miles on the VFR and I truly enjoy the bike more now than the day I bought it. I don’t think I will ever out grow this bike. I bought the bike in June of 2010 and I just ordered the Honda hard bags for it yesterday ($1175).

 

I think both are very nice bikes and you probably won't be unhappy with either. But like Rainbow7 said, you get "more" for your money with the VFR in terms of fit/finish and engineering. Compared to the VFR, the Bandit is uses old tech. In terms of value, the Bandit wins, with the OEM bags and price. I think if you were worried about resale in the near future, the Bandit will be easier to unload. The Bandit is a very good bike that gets the job done in a straight forward manner. The VFR gets the job done but takes its own twists and turns to get there. And in that vain, the Bandit is the right fiscal choice and the VFR would be the more expensive emotional choice.

Having said all that, having only had a first gen (oiler) Bandit 1200, I'd spend a bit more and get the VFR. But I'm biased, I'd look at anything with a V4 and the letters "V.F.R" attached to it.

 

Good points for sure ... I however wanted to prioritize / comment on each ... SOME may seem as I'm starting an argument (I'm not) just looking at those items objectively...

• Inverted adjustable fork vs. conventional fork (plus for Honda, however a fork brace is sold by Holeshot easy $165 add-on) • Shaft drive vs. chain (goes either way honda of suzuki. shaft is maintenence free for most part, but inhibits gear changes for the cost of a sprocket) • Single sided swing arm vs. a square steel tube conventional swing arm (advantage Honda, however I feel this is not a asset, the suzuki is aluminum... don't understand the benefit of it but I'll give this one to Honda) • ABS vs. Non-ABS (Tie, Suzuki GSX1250FA has digital ABS standard)
• DCT vs. Manual ???? (whichever you prefer) (I am hung up on the DCT and would rather have manual because then I can fit the Bazzaz jumper, DCT has no options for first and second gear nannies and off the line lag) BIG advantage manual clutch (suzuki) ... I can't find a manual VFR here ... sucks • Linked braking vs. conventional brakes (advantage Honda. I had these on my CBR1100XX EFI and liked them)
• V-4 vs. a conventional and dated inline 4 (toss-up ... dated inline 4 that is dead stone reliable, and in europe has won many comparisons of bikes much higher $$$.. arguably the smoothest inline 4 new or old... It's a 2007 design)
• Throttle by wire (advantage Honda or not?, but if I can't access the programming to CHANGE or TUNE the nannies out I would rather have cable... complex) • Adjustable rear shock (advantage Honda, suzuki only has preload adjust front and back, BUT they increased spring rates on the FA with faring) • Clip-on bars vs. bent steel tubing (advantage Honda... BUT I can change the bars to whatever I want on the GSX...) • Integrated turn signals vs. turn signals mounted on rubber posts (advantage Honda... cool)
• The 1250 has a full carbon steel exhaust from the cylinder head to the tips. (The GSX1250FA has stainless now from front to back with catalyst)

There are a few niceties that the vfr has that are awesome once incorporated into the bike no doubt. BUT, if you tend to be a wrencher and a tuner, the suzuki is easier. For me, aside from basic maintenence, the VFR is locked-down due to it's proprietary electronics... If I bought it, I would keep fingers crossed, and buy an extended warranty and enjoy it basically stock ... The GSX1250FA is a better platform to mod and tune and easily get another 30+ HP out of... Considering it's peak HP number is it's major detractor. It's choked-up stock.

In my senses, the suzuki fits my needs better. And since I wrench on my own stuff, it fits that bill... HOWEVER... I am also a techie at heart, and love refinement, and appreciate high-end vehicles. If it were not for the low cost of the VFR I would have walked passed it and have for 2 years. I was one of those guys who missed-out on the 2007/2008 VFR mark-downs to sub $8000 price tags and would rather not pass on another VFR if it is something that would FIT with me and I would enjoy long term... The VFR is a riskier purchase... That's why I'm here in this forum gathering data