Officially not buying a new VFR12

Have been waiting for over a year to finally see and sit on a new 1200. I just bought an 08' in late 09 and was very interested in the shaft drive of the 12. After seeing it in person I am let down in many ways. I know why they dropped the interceptor name, and its because the bike has just lost that edgy performance stance, its a tourer for sure. I can't justify the price tag either, 15,995 for the red manual. Dealer told me he could not get the silver, and that it's auto only, doubting that is true because I have seen write-ups by people in the US with the silver bike. Exhaust is butt ugly, bike is just too "futuristic" looking for me. I walked out of the dealership threw my leg over the 08" and was pleased that I had bought the 6th gen. Guess ill wait a few years and see if they decide to bring the "INTERCEPTOR" back.

 

I don't like the new 1200 eather.

 

The technonut I am LOVES all the goodies in the "VFR" but the bodywork is simply BUTTUGLY and the headlight makes the bike look like it should say say something when started...

 

Zipping through traffic, minding my own business, I happened upon a new 2010 VFR. I'd seen & sat on one at the dealer & was not impressed then but after "passing" the guy on the freeway I changed lanes & slowed down to get a look at it "in action"and must say it is a pretty bike. He kindly gave me a thumbs up and dropped the hammer on it. Have always admired the VFR's since I was young & dumb on my 600 Hurricane & every year it got better & better and I finally scooped up an 06. Loved the bike & rode her till she was replaced by the most beautiful colored 07 i've ever seen. The 2010 still looks more "sport" then "touring" but as he pulled away I'll admit it was an attractive bike none the less. Welcome to the fam VFR1200

 

It's true that the 1200 is a different beast. I guess there is a new bike for all the true VFR lovers that fulfills all their desires......... 1000cc V4, sub-400lbs, awesome on the racetrack and is arguably the most beautiful bike ever made.................. it's made by APRILIA !!!

 

ound: it's so true!!

 

One more time sitting on the 1200 is not enough you need to ride it, that is where it delivers. I loved my 07 but with 2000 miles on my 1200 it still blows me away. Sneaky fast and really handles all the good manners of the 07 with mad power. I agree though if you want a dedicated sport bike get the 1000 RR or the aprilia, but don't think the 1200 is not a real sport bike until you ride it.

Going riding see you later.

Bob

 

Problem is, I think true VFR lovers expect their engine to last longer than a week.

 

We may very well see Honda release a V4 superbike sooner rather than later. After all of the accolades the RSV4 has received and all of the popularity the wannabe V4, crossplane crank, R1 has generated, it would only make strategic sense for Honda to quickly place a V4 superbike into the market. The heritage and know how are there. It would set Honda apart from their Japanese competition and bring many riders back into the fold. I for one believe that Honda would be out of there collective minds in regards to business sense if they don't do exactly that. I have been seriously considering an RSV4-R purchase but have let prudence get the better of me and so have decided to wait a year or two for Aprilia to work out any remaining kinks (one major recall already). If Honda were to release such a bike before that Aprilia purchase is complete, then I would happily pass on the more "exclusive" Italian for Honda's V4 experience and reliability. So would many others. The sportbike world is buzzing about V4's again, to the point that Yamaha, lacking the necassary experience, released the crossplaner "hybrid" rather than a true V4. Honda has the technical knowlege, requiring little R&D, and should get a V4 superbike released while the iron is hot. Or maybe I am the stupid one and Honda sees something in this equation that I'm missing.

All that blathering leads me to this; no matter which superbike I go with, it will be a V4, and it will not be an everyday bike. No, the everyday, all around machine sitting next to it will be a VFR, just like it was intended to be. When the time comes for my 6 gen to go, then I would love for that all arounder to be a 7 gen. Understanding that the 7 gen was never going to be a superbike and that it is a fantastic motorcyle because of that, not inspite of that. VFR's havn't been superbikes for a long time now, and I think it may have been somewhat ignorant to assume that Honda was just going to scrap years of tradition by making the 7 gen a sport only machine. However, none of that means that there won't be a sport focused V4 under a differant name. Hopefully!

 

Havcar,

I think honda didn't make the 1200 a super bike because it would compete directly with the their 1000rr which is one the best liter bike in the class after the last redesign. It might be coming but the rr already stacks against the aprilia quite well and the price point of the other liter bike is not easy to compete against. I want to ride the aprilia but owning the honda just makes more sense.

Have you noticed how the plastics on the bike make color change a plastic only proposition with the black on the tank the only exception. Had a nice 120 mile ride in the mountains today.

Bob

 

................Oh yeah, Jonathon Rea won WSB Superpole AND World Superbike on a CBR 1000rr yesterday..........!!

 

I really like the current crop of CBR's as well. I test rode one last summer and thought the world of it. It will obviously hold it's own against an RSV4. I just happen to be huge fan of V4's and the extra amount of confidence I derive from what a V4 can positively do for a chassis, CG, and corner exiting usable HP. It's just preference. I'm sure that your right about Honda not wanting to hurt CBR sales and there is logic in not producing two sports bikes. I just think back to Honda's past when they offered both CBR's and RVF's, RC-51's in later years. Perhaps that wasn't financially good for Honda, I have no idea. I am hoping for a return to that business model as I would prefer to purchase a Honda over an Aprilia, for all of the obvious reliability and fit and finish issues. If not, I'm not holding many reservations about the Aprilia either, or I should say that I won't be in a year or two.

 

Dammit Skiv...I havn't watched the race yet! Oh well, it'll still be fun...it always is when Rea is in contention.

 

Maybe some after market manufacturer will come out with a set of serious looking fairing/plastic replacements. Maybe then I could be more passionate about the VFR1200. I'm trying to like it, but I'm not there yet.

 

................. Rea pulled another one out of his ASS........ TWO IN A ROW in ASSen !! Good on ya !!

 

When the Aprilia's gone the Honda is in the garage

 

I just finished race 2. Hands down one of the funnest races I've watched in a while. Rea is fearless, no sooner does he drop fron 2nd to 5th in a matter of a second, that the announcer is saying "that's ok, Rea's no stranger to mixing it up" that Rea touches Cramier and bumps him wide, overcooks the right hander to get by the next two riders and Rea's right back in 2nd. Great stuff, and a well deserved win for Rea. On a side note: Does it seem to you that Biaggi has become a little reluctant after his terrific start?

 

Still trying to figure Biaggi out. He did the same thing last year. How about Corser..............?? On a Beemer no less.......!!

 

Yep, it's good to see that Corser is still doing it. I think that BMW has got something going with that bike as well, kudos to them for getting it right so quickly. Other than Rea however, I think that Cramier is the guy I'll be keeping an eye on. I know he he layed it over today, shortly after Rea bumped him, but that guy is showing some skills (and a big set of plumbs) for a newb, very exciting to watch.

 

I just talked an eager Aussie friend OUT of buying one. Why? Its an economic thing. American's don't _get_ sport touring like the rest of the world. He won't ride it enough to get his money's worth (it is just his situation). I expect that like the 800, this model will languish in showrooms. New VFR's from past years are all over the place. Look at the (IMO great) FJR 1300. you had to special order them.

I saw new VFR's for $6,500, that is, 2009 models! Putting 16K down is a huge step. I know some won't care, they have the money and want one, and more power to them - I'm not being a knocker. But as a rational choice I couldn't do it myself. I really, really like the new bike, btw, and I can afford one, so I am torn in a way. But my rational side says that wow, that is a lot of money - they are coming in at BMW pricing, which I always found to be waaay high. Maybe they are banking on the Honda name, not sure.