Around Australia ride on Hondas new VFR1200F

Not sure who has the time to waste on Twitter or Facebook but a rider Trever Hedge has just picked up a spanking new VFR1200 and is heading around Australia. He will be posting stuff about his trip and how the VFR performs along the way, haven't seen any photos or videos as yet but he did a Radio Interview as linked below the VFR1200 specific part of the conversation doesn't start until about the 13 minute mark.



Twitter / Facebook details:
Around Australia ride on Honda's new VFR1200F sport-touring flagship

Radio Interview with Trev, VFR1200: ( VFR1200 Specific details start at 13 minutes )
http://www.mcnews.com.au/podcasts/2010_March3/020310TrevorHedge.mp3

 

When poor Trever runs out of gas and gets eaten by a herd of wombats there are those here who will say he was warned.

 

:biggrin: I'm sure he'll be on the lookout for Wombats those buggers are built like beer kegs on legs you wouldn't want to hit one in a car let alone a motorcycle.

 

Reg,

Give a listen to the interview. Trever is an experienced and knowledgeable guy. No BS involved. Straight talk and no wafflling. He is not reluctant to say he doesn't know something and points out that some of what he says is speculation. Sort of reminds me of some of the "review" in the Brit press on bikes. Rather than some press where everything is the greatest thing since canned mashed potatoes with Cheezwhiz.

My guess is that he is sponsored ie, somebody is paying some of the tab. Possibly even Honda has some bucks out there. So, likely it is a team effort with some backup.

Theres a section in the interview that illustrates the route. Some of those stretches are far from just a few klicks.

My call? The guy is a straight shooter.

To your question and I am paraphraseing what he said, he figures later down the road for the bike with all the fancy stuff. Another statement he makes is that he feels that we are only seeing what he considers a "sportbike" and other versions will follow. Bigger tanks and all that shit to make the whiners happy.. I was hoping he would tell us that the driveshaft jacked but no such luck. This will further depress the dudes in the peanut gallery but as they say down under, "Loifs a biich, thens ya doi."

 

For those interested Trev has posted his first ride report with photos, interesting to note he has had no issues with cornering clearance but the straights on some of the rougher roads are a different story,see belows link:


Trevs first ride report linky:

Around Australia ride on Honda's new VFR1200F sport-touring flagship

 

An update 2 has been added, he rates the accessories like higher screen, panniers and heated grips as worthwhile additions if a bit expensive and likes the slim feel with agile steering through the bars and pegs but questions the rear spring rates fully loaded with pillion.

Linky:
Around Australia ride on Honda's new VFR1200F sport-touring flagship

 

whats this.....he has a centre stand?.....jeez, i feel cheated cause mine doesnt have one. dont tell me thats an optional extra too..LOL.

yep...definately an absense of main stand under here???? i reckon it mounts into those 2 open holes below the pivot point.
some what shame full that its not standard eqpt?

agree that this bike is a hybrid off spring of the ST13 and blackbird. dimensionally and handling wise its very blackbird and drivetrain and power wise
its very ST1300.

not sure how hes getting his feet to stay cool? yesterday mine were so hot i hung them out in the breeze to cool them off.
if you look at the right footpeg the the four pipes come together right underneath the peg and this may be part of the issue on the right side.

just forward of the peg you can see a black plastic piece, which is actually a scoop that pulls air into this area.
great except that its probably venting right out under neath your foot,and forcing all that hot air straight up.
and then theres that gargantuan exhaust,l thats bound to provide heat soak as well.

 

I'd feel cheated too all that dosh and no centre stand, ok you wont need to oil a chain but for changing tyres and checking oil level it's handy.

By the way a older pommie work collegue pondered out loud the other day he thought LOL meant " Lots Of Love " and wondered why people would often profess their Love to jokes he emailed out....He was even more puzzed by the LOL that erupted from those working closeby.

 

yes....i will be having a discussion with my Honda dealer today.

 

Trevs latest Tweet

" VFR1200 TRIP - Over 1600km today. Townsville to Tennent Creek, where there is a locust plague! Dodging Brahman bulls today.. Darwin tomorrow"

1000miles in one day on iffy roads slaughtering locusts and dodging bulls, not bad his next Update should be interesting. :typing:

 

Update 3 is available with Trev reaching Dawin.

In this update Trev has posted he has covered 625 to 1000miles per day, the dash both clear and functional and the tank range average between 131 and 162 miles before first reserve Flash so thinks 190 miles possible to empty.

Update 3 Linky:
Around Australia ride on Honda's new VFR1200F sport-touring flagship

 

Latest Twitter informs he has covered 850miles yesterday from West Australia into South Australia, they've had some massive storms in WA the last couple of days hopfully the VFR has swimming among its many capabilities. :wink:





Pictures of Trevs progress now in a gallery:
VFR1200F Around Australia - MCNEWS.COM.AU - Images by Trevor Hedge

 

OK john, in pic 2..... whats the green thing with a picture of a wallaby on it? at least , i think its a wallaby?

 

You're right it's a brush tailed rock wallaby and a rare sight in the bush these days. Sorry for the late reply was off enjoying myself for the last 3 days and 2000kms with perfect weather on some of the best traffic free roads on offer down our Snowy Mountains, not related to this VFR1200 thread in anyway was just bragging. :biggrin:

 

nice mileage..

 

A new Update is now available with Trev now in Western Australia battling flood waters and riding highways covered by 5inchs of water across and he makes some interesting observations on how the VFR1200 is performing.

Of note:

Negatives:
Heat around the feet and calves.
Rear shock struggles on rough roads fully loaded.

Positives:
Great comfort and balance, no buffeting or turbulence.
Strong smooth engine.
Comfortable riders seat.

Update Linky:
Around Australia ride on Honda's new VFR1200F sport-touring flagship

 

Looks like Trevor has got around to writing a proper acticle on his Ride on " Motorcycles & Street Bikes | Find Road Bike & Sport Bike Motorcycle Reviews " Online Website



Honda’s Latest V-4 Is One Very Favorable Ride By Trever Hedge

Reviewers thoughts on the VFR1200
" After 15 days and 10,000 miles on a VFR1200F, I’ve got a few observations about Honda’s newest sport-tourer.

The outstanding highlights are the VFR’s comfort and balance. With the optional screen extension there is absolutely zero turbulence at any speed. Likewise, my posterior judged the seat as one of the best in motorcycling.

Balance and feel are superb. The VFR shrinks around you and has great front-end feel, combined with steering precision unmatched by any other bike close to its size. Little effort is required to change direction, and despite its heft the VFR steers better than many sportbikes of only a few years ago.

I can’t heap the same praise on the rear suspension, though. I had no complaints on smooth roads, but the shock struggles to control the too-soft spring once the roads turn bumpy. Like most sporting motorcycles, the VFR is better suited for one-person duty sans luggage.

The brakes offer great stopping power with good feel. But I think the ABS mapping leaves a little to be desired. The intervention starts too early, and could actually increase your stopping distance on an uneven surface. Honda needs to poach BMW’s software!

The V-4 motor seemed to get stronger as the odometer rolled on. My seat-of-the-pants dyno reckons there’s an honest 150 bhp at the rear tire, and that the bike will crack 10-second quarter-miles with ease. Dial up 8500 rpm on the tach, feed in the progressive clutch and the VFR gets off the line extremely well. "

Full VFR1200 Article
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/f...ting_australia_on_a_honda_vfr1200f/index.html