Honda at the Cleveland Cycle Show

First off I took A SHIT LOAD of pics, got home and the computer I can put the data card in took a dump. So I guess I gotta cont on a Grunts ability to describe the day.
The biggest single display was Honda.
The center of the display was VFR1200F (go figure), Oh it has all the bells and whistles, great fit & finish, all kinds of hi-tec and then some. But, to me and the mrs, it seems, kinda, well, soulless. I don't know how to say it but it just comes accross like it's not a viffer. One guy at the show decribed it as the bike Honda WANTS us long time VFR guys to grow up and stop wanting that RC type bike, give up contol and let the hi-tec stuff do our thinking and not our desire for that man/machine rush. Hey, if you get the same warm and fuzzy you got on your vfr, the one bike that told you "This is it", drop the 15k+ and get it. Not one bike at the Honda display gave me that rush, Sorry to say it. I had more fun running my hands over the Ducatti Streetfighter and I know I can't swing the cash for it. My buddy that used to work at a Honda shop last year had this to say about another honda peice of tecno-crap, the DN-01, he told me that the dealers thought it stood for Do-Not-0rder-1, cause it will sit on the floor and collect dust. Now the NT-700v, um, to me just ugly. The 1300 series of cruisers looked damn nice for that type of bike. After the goat-rope that was the Fury, they needed it. The CBR's got alot of attention, as they should, damn good bikes. Honda has the corner on hi-tech, but I'm still wanting to get that "feel" back. The first time I rode my CB750-four, my first gen Magna, or Kristin on her Gen3, come on Honda, toss the loyal a bone already.
The Yamaha-Star bikes did'nt have alot of new stuff, liked the new FZ1 paint but a but flashy for me personally. I know they got the FZ-8 in the works, but a no show at the show.
Nothing out of the blue from Suzuki or Kawasaki this year.
Ducatti was just awesome, that Streetfighter gives me goosebumps. The rest of the line was just a row of great bikes. Hats off to the Italians of a great display of awesome bikes.
Missing were BMW,Triumph, Aprilia, MV Agusta( to be expected) & the now gone with the wind Buell.
Overall worth the trip. We did stop at a dealer in Cleveland on the way home. Honda, Triumph, Yamaha & Ducatti lines on the floor. Kris & I have wanted to see the Street Tripple for a long time and she really liked it.
Then she saw it, an 07 red white and blue VFR(took a couple pics on my phone). I wanted to buy it right there for her. I knew, and she knew, we could'nt pull it off. But damn, the way she lit up when she sat on that bike, THAT'S what Honda needs to give us. Untill then, we ride them, we maintain them & we repair them when necessary, and continue to have that silly smile on our faces.

 

You know your post should be sent right to Honda America and to Honda Japan. It seems to me that Honda is (from previous posts/reads) is forceing the new VFR down our throats. That this is the bike of bikes. It may shock them that the VFR following isn't quickly jumping on this bandwagon. Who knows it may be the "ball" thats hit out of the park. So far the research is showing that it may be out of the park but its a foul.

 

Worth a try but given Honda's recent actions against current VFR riders where the "VFR" is concerned, it seems clear they will not listen.

 

Guys,
The "votes" casted in dollars and cents will resound louder than any thing we could say or post. When this bike doesn't sell like they have envisioned there may be a price drop...I know from first hand experience that when they released the valky it sold but not like they wanted the next model year '99 the dealer cost went down over $800. per bike....retail never showed that but the wise dealers blew them out and moved on to the next product.....
Rod

 

I think Honda blew it on the new VFR, there isn't anything about it that draws me, least of all the price of admi$$ion!

About the only features it has that might have been good ST ideas IMO are larger displacement and maybe shaft drive, but only if weight could be kept almost unchanged from previous models.

Who knows, maybe I'm all wet, But...
I think they took what was a solid concept and totally bastardized it.
It's ugly, over laden with crappy special segment gadgetry, too heavy, too expensive... Aw, Screw it!

 

"I think they took what was a solid concept and totally bastardized it.
It's ugly, over laden with crappy special segment gadgetry, too heavy, too expensive... Aw, Screw it! "

Well said Hammer.
Honda has seemed to get the idea that ithe VFR should be a test bed for silly car like gadgets. Why the vfr and not the Gold Wing or ST1300 I'll never know. It seems to me the owners of these bikes might be more open to features like VTEC, Automatic trans type shifting, pistons shutting off, heated seats, surround sound and power windows.

 

ANYWAY, PC is up.... The Pics: Honda

 

more Honda... Using the attachement. Slow connection and don't wanna mess with a hosting site.

 

and more Honda...

 

Ducati

We spent alot of time here, really taken with these bikes.

 

Some have said that the looks of the VFR1200 'grow' on you...
(Whew!! So does melanoma!)

http://vfrworld.com/forums/attachme...99377-honda-cleveland-cycle-show-dscf0016.jpg

That thing looks like some fancy microwave!

 

more duc...

 

A few of the other bikes out there. overall a grat time.
Hammer, We still stick to our other post in this thread on the Shamu...
The CBR's like I said are great for that kinda bike, Yam hads come cool bikes, the New Paint on FZ1 and This custom FZ6R. I normally hate the BKing but thiss one was nice. I;m digging Kaw's new Z1000 over previous years.

 

With regard to the last gen vfr that you and your wife was druelling over, it is my understanding that if you look hard you can still find new leftovers for a better price that what you showed. I thought I heard stories of bikes going for $6,500 to $7,000, plus tax and lic. over on the west cost.

 

We see other left overs for less but not the RWB's. I still am keeping an open mind as far ass looking for a second bike for her. She wants another VFR but would be open to other ideas.

 

Nice job with photos and writeup. Yep we seem to all agree that Honda missed the boat with this one. "BIG TIME!" To bad they don't seem to give a shit what we VFR owners think Doh!!! I'm over it now, not even sure it's worthy a ride around the block once in the dealers. If it falls into my lap I might just for the sake to know I was spot on. I have my sites on a Street fighter, it seems to have what I'm looking for. . but there's still a heart felt oh man I love the 4th gens, so for now I'll be lusting over the Duc and wonder if it's in the cards. it's not so much about the money as is it a bang for the buck? that and a new bike would be nice. Lucky the weather has something to say about it, or I'd be going crazy...but in a few months that will be a different story.

 

There is something about Streetfighter ain't there? What a peice of hardware! Duc has struck a nerve with me on that bike. It's a pipe dream for me to run out and buy one right now but I have been impresesd & am drooling.

 

Well, on the subject of the VFR1200F, Honda have made it abundantly clear that they are intending to go after the BMW-buying crowd.

Here is part of an email I sent to Honda Australia:

"Hi, Steve.

Thanks for your quick response.

I do have a question: pricing disparity aside, why should I be willing to spend this sort of money on an unproven design, when I could just as easily purchase a K-series BMW?
- Don't misunderstand me; I want the VFR1200F! But what are the major points of difference between the two?"

Honda's reply:

"Hi *******,

Thanks for your comments.

The VFR1200F is a new model which does aim to compete against equivalent models that our competitors such as BMW have to offer. Although new to the public has received extensive R&D, development and testing. We are confident that the model will deliver the same high quality and dependability that Honda owners have come to expect from our Motorcycles.

Apart from the obvious specification differences, the VFR1200F's unique V-4engine sets it apart from most motorcycles available. Ultimately, we would recommend contacting an authorised Honda Dealer to express your interest in a test ride, where you can fully compare the features and experience with each model, and assist in deciding which Motorcycle you prefer.

We are happy to hear of your interest and passion for the Honda brand. We hope that once customers have seen the Honda VFR1200F in the flesh and ridden it, they will also see why Honda is so excited about its release.

Kind regards,
Steve *****
Customer Relations Department
Honda Australia MPE Pty Ltd
Email: customer.relations@hondampe.com.au
Phone: 03 9270 1348"


So the new VFR1200F is definitely not aimed at the current VFR crowd. The pricing and the technology are squarely intended to go up against the likes of BMW's K1300 and Triumph's Sprint ST.

I am a little disappointed in this, because I feel Honda would do much better if they could offer a price point that was several thousand dollars lower than competing models.

 

Thanks for that Rainbow, It just keeps getting more clear. Corprate Honda has a plan. The "RC" VFR's arn't part of it. So i guess it's time for us to slow down & grow up? Dose that mean I need to put down mt beer & put my pants back on?

 

Well, I will be very surprised if Honda stops making the 800's. I suspect that there will be considerable backlash from the public due to the pricing of the 1200F, and I think that will result in us seeing the 1200F's technology trickle down to the 800 models. - If I could get a shaft-drive VFR800, I would definitely buy one! (Of course, we Australians can't even get the ABS-equipped VFR...)