Honda VFR 1200 - looks like it's gone for good!

Manitoba hey? I grew up in small town Sask, next door.
I've still never owned an R1 or a CBR1000. I've driven a CBR 1000, but I didn't purchase one with the last bike purchase, as the insurance cost really dissuaded me. Since then, rates have come down on these bikes for us "mature" riders (I hope I never grow up).

 

That's an interesting comment about the hard cases, as I didn't think that it would be the Achilles heel that finished off the bike, but maybe that's the case. The Concourse has the cases, the Sprint has them, the K1300S doesn't, the Multistrada doesn't, the FJR doesn't, there is one Suzuki Bandit model that does, so I don't know.
I think it's interesting to see that the Suzuki Bandit is still a perennial favourite as an all-rounder that has survived for years and years, with little change. You never hear much about it, but it's still out there, even in sport touring form. I think the lower price point helps, but park it next to the VFR....no comparison.

 

I'm from New Brunswick, but the Canadian Forces have had me here for the last 7 years... I wish Manitoba Public Insurance actually looked at the rider/driver of a vehicle for insurance... I pay through the nose even tho I'm 40+. All they look at here is the vehicle, and they class the VFR exactly the same as the R1. I pay over $1,200 a year for liability on each bike

 

So who DO you like for manufacturers these days? To me, I see good value for the money in Triumph, especially in the adventure series and the sport bikes. I think they try to use the same engine in too many platforms, however, which may limit return purchasers. For example, if you already had a 1050cc triple in a Speed Triple, you might have a hard time trading it for a Tiger 800, which would feel quite a bit underpowered by comparison. If you didn't want to move up to the 1200, you'd go shopping for another brand. Overall, though, the Triumph products look very high quality and well-thought-out. Probably best value for the money IMHO.
The new Yamaha's look good too. The R1, R1M, the R6, and the Super Tenere all look absolutely fantastic, and I love the idea of the electronic data transmission from the R1. As that electronic system grows, that will be a totally great way to adjust to riding styles, plus provide rider feedback after being on the track.
The Ducati's look good, other than the new Scramblers, but I really don't like the maintenance/reliability concerns.
Kawasaki and Suzuki - I'm going to quit looking at them.
Indian - the new models look absolutely fantastic! The quality looks and feels high as well, but I'm not into this style of bike.
KTM - don't know much but the adventure bikes look pretty cool.
BMW - not too interesting to me.

 

Personally, I think the main competition is the Concours and the FJR. I believe the FJR does come with the cases and on both the Kawasaki and Yamaha, they look more integrated with the bike - like they belong. For the VFR1200, retail is $16K, then you have to add the cases that cost at least another $1K on top of that. The other two bikes come with them and cost less. I just think that the 1200 is kind of lost. What kind of bike is it? Is it a sport bike or a touring bike? I don't think Honda did a good job of marketing it.

 

The dealer I work for has a 2012 (blue) VFR1200 new for $9999.00. I would buy it but I would have to sell all my bikes and I can't be parted from by yellow Y2K 5th Gen.

 

Mines the red 2010. I've also decatted the exaust over the winter.This along with Mr.Guhls work,should really wake it up. I'm looking forward to the power difference. The dct model is a blast to drive.The manual mode is alot of fun.People who haven't driven one shouldn't critisize it. The shifting. Is so fast . I almost think the dct technology on bikes is a head of its time. I would speculate it will return in the future,even from other manufacturers.

 

I have the red manual, 2010. I agree with you on the DCT. Honda has incorporated it into their ATV's as well, which should really speed up shifting. I don't know how well it works, but I'm thinking that it's a good alternative to the CVT transmissions of Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, that often go through belts. CVT transmissions also have that nasty way of really decelerating the ATV when you come off the throttle. I never did really like that.
Geez, you'd wonder if Honda almost has to kill the technology off in order to get people to appreciate it! (maybe they just need to learn how to SELL it!)

 

Is it a DCT? Either way, that's an absolute steal of a deal.

 

As far as history's perspective; we have a VFR with upsized motor that is a technology showcase for Honda, with lackluster sales that only last a few years, good at a few things, not perfect but a small and loyal following, love the motor but weight is an issue.

It is the 25 anniversary edition of the VF1000R and I'd bet it ends up in the same historical category.

:smile:

 

Have to respectfully disagree about the side cases not looking integrated with the bike. Mine are color-matched from Honda and look, to me, exactly integrated into the bike!
I think I know why you might see it that way, though - the VFR looks like it has more clearance between the rear wheel and the fender, so there's quite a gap there, even with the side cases attached. In addition the upswept pipe does not follow the same angle as the cases, so it's not a real smooth line.

ALRIGHT, DO I HAVE TO SELL THIS THING OR WHAT??? I FEEL BAD FOR EVER OWNING IT! THE TRUTH EMERGES!!

Anyone ridden a Super Tenere? They look really neat.

 

Someone mentioned that Honda probably used the VFR1200 to showcase their new technology. I don't know if that's completely the case. With all of the design work and tooling required to make the parts, I cannot see that they would build a bike to make such few models, then sell them unsuccessfully. I think, as mentioned, it's a bit of a market and style flub up.

 

I agree with you 100% . I just sold my big cruiser which was a Honda VTX 1800 and I bought a CBR 600RR which is way more fun than my VFR1200 with a ECU reflash. So I am trying to sell mine for about 4 months but nobody wants it LOL.

When I open my garage I always go for the CBR (simply more fun) UNLESS there is a passenger with me. There is no reason to ride my VFR.

 

You are right there is no real fender eliminator.. However there is a "fender minimizer" I just installed one today.

 

For my 22 mile commute to work I'd probably pick the RR if I still had one, but for all day rides or my frequent 150 mile slab rides I'd definitely go with the 800 or 1200. The '03 RR was torture on a long slab ride.

 

Let me get this straight. You'd rather commute on a CBR600RR than ride your VFR?

 

I'm curious, what's a slab ride? Are you referring to an interstate ride, where the freeway is mainly concrete, not ashphalt?

 

Do you find your CBR somewhat cramped? I'm nearly 6', and I was sitting on an R6 the other day. Found it incredibly cramped. Maybe I'm just not used to riding ON a bike.

 

I guess until I've tried all of the sport tourers, you could say that I AM biased! All I know is that I found it quite comfortable on my three day road trip, and it's got all of the power and handling that I need.

Just took these shots in the garage. I fail to see the ugliness. Compared to the other sport tourers? None of them are beauty queens. It's part of being a sport tourer!

 

I bet there isn't one adventure bike out there that has the power or road handling that the VFR does. Is there?