Selling off O6's?? Any speculation on whether or when any of the dealerships will want to clear out their remaining 06's? Think I'd be happy with any sixth gen VFR, but in some ways, newer is better.
I would imagine when the 07's start to arrive or shortly before. They used to ship the sport bikes around Feb. But, I don't know if they changed it. I haven't worked for Honda for @ 5yrs.
I don't see the Viffer chaning much, if at all. There just isn't a big reason to. I think colors will change and that's about it. I don't see a V5 in the Viffer either. That will go to the high end sport bikes. Lots of people want a 1000 to 1100cc VFR. Trouble is the Blackbird XX was that bike. Making a VFR the size of the Blackbird would be pointless. I know it's not made anymore but it just isn't what the VFR is about. There is a huge wish list out there too like fully adjustable suspension and other niceties but all that is going to do is raise the price to something much higher than it is today. The VFR is not an all out sport bike. It's a street bike that handles well, is fast enough for most riders, and runs pretty solid. It's the greatest all arounder, not a CBR racing bike with helibars and I'm afraid it will never be that. my $0.02
The Blackbird is still made and a top seller in Europe, the trouble is, in America there isn't a big market for it, everybody wants a big liter bike that ways 120lbs less. The ZZR 1200, ZX-14 and the FZR has no trouble selling here, but I've always been a Honda man, I agree Honda will probably never make another 1000 to 1100 pure sport-touring model again, because it will never be the big seller the sport bikes are. Honda has been safe and boring since the turn of the century, it is time they started taking some chances, that is why Kawasaki has over taken them.
That's what I'm talking about. Unrealistic wish lists by many VFR owners. It's just not gonna happen. The first thing that would make the VFR great would be more adjustable suspension but I assure you it will raise the price. If you added fully adjustable front suspension and a reasonablely adjustable rear and stock saddlebags with a newly purchased Viffer you would be paying about $13K. That's no different than my Futura was priced at and it didn't even have compression settings in the front. ZZR's were selling but I'm not sure the ZX-14 is selling very well as of yet. I've read otherwise. I think people are trying to warm up to it. That front end reminds me of the mechanical robots with tenticles in the Matrix. Let me tell you though. I sat on it and for it's size and weight it feels surprisingly light. In fact, it is very light. My Futura felt like I was picking up a V-Strom. The weight distribution seems excellent.
but just think, those "Sentinels" (thats the name of the robot you are talking about, right?) were menacing, evil, and intimidating, and thats what the ZX-14 is all about! Until I found out my bike was not getting totalled, a blue ZX-14 was what I was going to replace my VFR with. ZX-14's weren't made to be cute, no doubt. Alas, the 07 will likely be full of BNG's and a new color, but I hope I'm wrong. And if they want to charge more for the bike, thats STUPID. For the money, you can buy a Triumph Sprint ST WITH HARDBAGS INCLUDED!, a ZX-14, or any number of bikes that have a BUNCH more technology stuffed in them then the VFR. The Sprint ST is basically a VFR with one less cylinder, fully adjustable suspension, WAY more CC's, more power, and a lot more USEFUL technology inside. Oh, and it costs about the same, within 500 bucks. The ZX-14 is the WORLDS FASTEST BIKE, and is also with a fully adjustable suspension, Radial brakes, a killer frame design, a ton of other trick goodies, and costs about the same as the VFR. If the VFR is going to cost more, it will have to answer to both the ZX-14, the Sprint ST, and a ton of other bikes that out-value it. Oh, that is unless they want the bike to do what it does right now, which is sit nice and pretty in the showroom until a dealer practically gives it away, which is how I got mine!...2 grand less...
it is a shame, but I ride a 5th gen which you do also I believe so we are not keeping honda in business as it were. personally, I like a paid for bike much better than one where I have a payment...as much as the newest technology looks awesome to me. I have never bought a brand new bike. I guess it would be nice, but I'm not sure I'll ever know. It's too easy for me to let someone else take the depreciation and then get it. Maybe someone will let me ride their new bike, though. haha
