Is the new VFR 1200 selling?

:+1:

Yup! They all beat a Chevy Chevette!





Even if I love the little buggers...

 

Wow... this thread quickly disintegrated.

I will point out that I did not state correctly my thoughts on that center of gravity issue; deklund caught me on that. I was probably a bit tired when I said it. I meant that the 1200 sits higher in front than the 800. Like my old Vstrom, it lends itself to better flickability since most of the weight is lower than the top frame, tank, and upper fairing. Also, the handlebars seem a bit wider lending itself to better leverage when engaging in turns. I also don't think a 50lb weight disadvantage is much, considering the added displacement and horsepower. I think it would require re-learning a bit since I am used to the power curve of the 800. My main point is that I would not really consider it based on my riding style and requirements, and the lack of bang for the buck compared to some of its competition. I am sure it rides great, just as solid if not better than my 800. I don't need to take a long test ride on it to know that. I don't think it's ugly, nor particularly beautiful, but I know it's solidly built. It's just not my cup of tea, for now.

 

Looks like the topic has shifted (automatically) from them whats rode one to them whats sat on one to them whats got anything but one. Kind of like the Fleming book where Bond appeared first in 1952 with a Blower Bently. Adjective aside, the seminal Bondmobile..

... and for the non readers, James Bond did not invent Bondo. This is myth.

 

So, dude can you categorize the spoofs on the now famous submarine Lotus or post a pic of your wins in your Elise? Surely you have at least one of yourself and your car on the corkscrew at Mazda.. (see Laguna Seca) How many Bentleys have you driven? I drove a Rolls once. Kinda boring..too quiet. I hate to mention this but you are the dude who came to the table with a mouthfull of Bentley and now since getting nailed try to sluff it off with a plausible deniability dodge.. (pun intended)

Owning all the bikes might prove as big a chore for storing same as riding same. That is perception..

Pokeman? Probably best to leave that one alone. The overtones could be misconstrued.

Had you read all 1600 of my posts instead of just tossing out numbers you would know what kind of cars I have. See.. nailed you again for making shit up.. LOL. I still appreciate your being a fan though. Try not to be slavish, it's embarrasing. I do hope that you are not thinkng we are engaged. Eeeek! More Poke man stuff? What would your mom think of all that?

Sorry your job is boring and it sounds like you are very unhappy with what you do. Maybe you missed your calling. Ya coulda bin a contenda..

 

It tends to do that when certain people are involved lol.

I was hoping you were going to respond Bad Billy So I have to post pictures of me in my Elise to prove any point? ROFL I never said I won anything or I was the best and I got nothin to prove to you. Others on the forum have seen my Elise and this isn't even an automotive forum nor is it a thread about my elise. I've drove several different cars thanks to having some aquaintances in the exotic car community back in Washington. Before you say "Your Elise isn't expensive enough to be considered an Exotic" The defination of Exotic is not how much it costs but how common and unique the car is. Not very common and very unique. Its definately not a super car but 4.9 to 60mph is not shabby for the NA version.
My comparison of the VFR1200 and the Bently are that they look like they are both "Gentlemen's" vehicles. I've seen a newer Bently in action and they can rip shit up but to the common eye you would never figure that such a vehicle with a luxurious appearance could do that. So I was actually complimenting the VFR1200 in a way and if you didn't realize that then well.. you're kinda ignorant.
You're nailing water Bad Billy, you think I care enough to search through threads to investigate you? Thats pretty damn lame, even more lame is when you can't tell if I'm making a playful poke at you which doesn't require my facts to be spot on if I'm just messing with you.
Lets be honest, whos worse, the troll who baited you or the troll that was baited? I donno if you think you're putting me in your place or whatever but check this out man.. by continuing our rabble, we're destroying this thread's topic to where it will be ether locked or deleted. LOL :thumbsup: Try again plz.

 

I finally saw one in the flesh. Maybe the looks will grow on me but my initial impression was at any second it was going to turn into a robot.

 

Sorry. Had to.

BOT - I believe that sales of the VFR1200 will improve over time...and I hear it's already a hit in Europe. Can any of our Euro-brethren confirm this?

 

I fully agree here. Having owned a K1200S which was recently sold, I would be ecstatic if the new VFR was better in the handling department then the BMW. Sure the BMW was no R1 as well, that said I did a 12 day 5900 mile trip on the bike that would have required a chiropractor riding along with me on an R1.

I mainly sold the BMW for a few reasons that if the VFR could overcome would be a winner for me:

1) I really like v4's ... check
2) on the K12S at 7k+ RPM's I got a very high pitched vibes through the bars which made my hands numb
3) Reliability... frankly I think that "reliability" on modern day BMW motorcycles is a myth.

That's it... if the VFR is an equal to my K12S in all regards and beats it in points 2 and 3 I'm in EVENTUALLY. My crystal ball says that I will not have time to ride a third bike much in the next three-four years anyway, so maybe I'll check in on it then.

 

If they listened to people on forums like this they'd give up. Anytime they've produced something new there's a cachophony. Wot no gear driven cams, oh no linked brakes, ABS are you kidding. Vtec,. - why is the bike so heavy, angualr etc They've introduced the new VFR as a road sport bike. The sports tourer with the longer range between fill ups and centrestand will come next year maybe. If there is still a market in tall rounders there will probably be a Varadero replacement with the 1200 V4 engine too.

 

And everyone knows James Bond's favorite car was the submarine Lotus Espirit. :crazy:
HD Fatboy motorcycles are for Fat Boys... just sayin..

You guys react like you're trying to make up a valid excuse for buying an ugly sport touring bike. Sure its more sport then tour, its still heavy and you guys act like it will loop rings around bikes with simular HP. Its better than a lot of other Sport Tourers but still there are better more exciting ones out there for cheeper.
I agree with Wabbit that you over glorify the 1200ccs.. why should it matter if you're obeying the speed laws like we all should be? Its not as fun as the older gens in the corners, heavy big bikes don't turn as well. Doing the twisties and corners is what sportbikes are about; they fun, exciting, and sometimes dangerous. Going fast in a strait line is for Hypersport tourers like the Busa and ZX14. Sometimes riding the VFR800 through a corner, it feels slightly heavier than I want a bike to be.. I can only imagine how going through a corner on something as big 1200 would be, not very fun.
What steered me to the VFR800 was its looks, what kept me there was its well balanced platform. Sporty, comfortable, not to much CCs, wasn't ugly, ABS, etc why did you buy your VFR1200?[/QUOTE]

The games moved on, you're basically riding a bike that was designed over a decade ago before Big H worked on mass centralisation & whatever else they've done to make the 1200 ride as it does. I test rode the vfr1200 fully expecting that it would be more powerful but not really very much better - I was wrong so I part x'd the Gen 6 & went Gen 7.

 

007 drove several marques once, in one film he even drove a BMW and rode a BMW bike, clearly letting the side down. I think the Lotus was used as a submarine car because it was made of fibreglass & the panel fit was so poor the water could drain out fast when he drove up the beach. Whatever else he drove he has always returned to Aston Martin.

 

MattB,

I am with you on this one. I currently have an '08 VFR and I had an '04 BMW K1200RS. I put more miles on that BMW than on any other bike I have ever owned, but alas, I sold it due to a leaking rear shaft seal that was repaired three times.

If I were to buy a bike today, the BMW K1300S and 1200 VFR would be on the short list. I think the VFR would win due to the K bike vibes and unreliability.

I like sport touring bikes that have an emphasis on sport. I would not buy the ST 1300, nor the K1300GT, nor the Kawi C14.

I WOULD consider buying the VFR1200, I like it better than my VFR800 (a little bit, not enough to run out and get one right now)

Ron

 

Ron I think we are lost souls... before the K-S I had a K-RS as well which was my first BMW experience.

To this day if I were forced to choose a favorite bike of all time I would choose the K-RS as it is the bike that changed motorcycling for me. I went EVERYWHERE on that bike putting 36k on mine in 4 years all the while having multiple bike syndrome. I'd likely still have it but feared that my rear seal was going and got rid of it to avoid a costly repair...

Thought that I'd "upgrade" to a K-S and while I found the bike impressive, I missed the refined feel of the RS (silky smooth, cruise control, adjustable windscreen/pegs/seat/bars). The S was a faster ride (which many here seem to be arguing back and forth as the only thing that matters) but in the end I just could not fathom owning it beyond the warranty period and I have great fun on my 2000 VFR anyway at any reasonably legal speeds.

**NOTE: the K1200S was MUCH more fun then the VFR (5G) could have EVER been while crossing the Nevada desert however

 

I agree with you 100%. I put 24k miles on my K RS and sold it two months out of warranty.

 

Well, tell that to the folks at Kawasaki, who after only 2 years updated the C14 by complying to rider input. Larger windscreen, heated grips, and ABS with traction control. The ABS version is only $700 more and is the only way to get traction control. To me, that's a bargain. Most companies charge a grand or more just for ABS.

One person posted that the 50lbs added weight (compared to a VFR800) to the VFR1200 was basically a turn-off. I think that's just not fair to the VFR1200, considering the increase in HP and torque.

Having said that, I don't think that the extra weight of the C14 excludes it as competition for the 'sportier' oriented VFR1200. All motorcycle reviewers agree that the C14 has the best brakes out there, as well as the smoothest transmission and a shaft drive that does not suffer the typical bouncing/squating effect. Something none of the other manufacturers have accomplished as yet.

One short cut I did notice on the VFR1200 - Same old front suspenders... preload adjustable only. If it is more sport than tour as many have stated in here, one would think it would come with 3-way fully adjustable front forks. However, I will say that Honda does have a pretty good knack for tuning the front end spring rates for the general public.

Perhaps future versions of the VFR1200 may include options for more sport than tour, like a full Ohlins suspension option with front stabilizer (maybe even a chain drive version for that-ok, THAT'S a stretch!). Maybe the other choice would be more tour oriented; hard bags, comfort seat, heated grips, larger windscreen, etc. I know that selling packages is a Beemer thing and most companies believe there's more customization possibilities if options remain an individual thing, but packages offer discounts on pricing. Then again, a dealer may offer you a discount as well if you want to buy several separate options at one time.

Now to add fuel to the 'Bond-fire'... While you guys are arguing about stupid cars on a motorcycle thread, the most famous MOTORCYCLE Bond ever rode was the Yamaha Seca 650 Turbo! Equipped with dual machine guns and I believe a rocket launcher. What I wouldn't give for a rocket launcher sometimes in traffic! Oh God, I sound like a terrorist now! I owned a Turbo and it was the most comfortable bike I ever owned (stock). I put 85,000 trouble free miles on it. The only reason I don't have it still is unavailablitiy of replacement parts.

 

So where does it end in your mind? On this particular topic, you remind me of somebody that talks themselves into a purchase that they can't afford, be it motorcycles, cars, or anything in life. It's the... well it's just a little bit more [weight in this case]... 50 lbs from 6G to 7G (of course there was almost 50 lbs I think between my 5G and your 6G) alright, so what's another 70 lbs from the VFR1200 to the C14...

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? So we go from complaining about 50lb gain to considering a 120 lbs increase? Uh, no thank you. That's about the same difference between my 5G VFR and my GSXR and let me tell you it's VERY easy to tell the difference. My GSXR feels like a bicycle in comparison. I SAT on a C14 at the International MC Show in NYC this year and I can tell you for sure you wouldn't find me on one... yes I didn't get it out for a ride, but damn did it feel heavy.

Really? I must have missed the memo... since you don't even specify the you are talking of SportTouring only segment, I'm really miffed. What was the date on that memo again and did it come from Corporate Kawasaki?

Oh, the memo was from Corporate.

:crazy: Have you even ridden a "modern" bike from other manufacturers? Not that I'm a BMW fanboy (see previous posts in this thread for an example of that) but my two shaftie BMW bikes certainly did not "suffer" the typical bouncing/squating effect. Not that it was an ideal situation, but the K-S I actually tracked and squatted it into all the corners


The last thing that's cracked me up in this thread is people bitching "it's not a sport bike"... of course it isn't a modern day full fledged sport bike (GSXR, R1, CBR, 1198, RSV4, etc). While I have no seat time on the VFR12, as many others have said they are trying to blur the lines between the sport bike market and the touring market for those that want cutting edge performance, and at the same time want to do it over an extended number of miles/days without needing chiropractic help. I already mentioned my 12 day / 5900 mile trip. Were there parts of it where I wished I was travelling on a "real" sport bike? Hell yes... do I wish that I had taken my GSXR instead of the beemer? F&%k NO! I would have never been able to complete the trip, it's that simple.

In my opinion a good sport touring bike will NEVER be the best at anything as there is simply so many compromises made to the overall product for it to be an all-rounder. There will always be bikes which handle better in the tight stuff, have better performance off the line, better brakes, etc... but it's ALL a tradeoff as most of those bikes you couldn't ride for miles on end. To the other end, there are plenty of bikes with more storage and fuel that some of you consider an issue, Honda makes some of them, one is called a "Goldwing"... shitloads of integrated storage and a big tank but I doubt you will be railing it in the corners. While I'm throwing out some extremes, hopefully it helps you to get my point.

 

As I have said before, when the 1200 was unveiled I thought, "Crap! Not the new VFR I was hoping for!" Then I read some positive reviews. I won't go into them. You can read them too. Then I read reports of members that actually SAT on one. Hmmm - they liked the fit and finish. Then I read reports of members that actually RODE one. Even better. Then I read reports of members who actually BOUGHT one. Generally positive, but not perfect - the flat spot and fuel range. Now I am thinking, "I would consider buying one if and when I am interested in a GT bike."

Who knows, though - if I ACTUALLY RODE ONE I might even consider replacing my modded 6th G with one! The ST/GT "sweet spot" is pretty large, compared with the narrow focus of the track-ready sportbike.

Gotta keep an open mind, people. Get some personal experience to base a decision on.

 

Matt8 -

For one thing, I never said that even my VFR800 didn't feel heavy. It's totally front heavy. If you want to compare weights, then my 'bicycles' would have been my 400lb Kaw Ninja650R, or even my 2003 FZ1. The weight is something you get used to. I traded a Ducati ST3 in on the VFR, and there was no perceptible weight difference. Handling and engine tune is superior on the VFR though. Where does it end? Where the preference of the rider/buyer wants it to. Someday you may own a Goldwing.

As for the shaft drive and brakes on the Con14... read the reviews and watch the videos out there. I am pretty sure that Cycle World, Motorcycle.com, Motorcycle Daily, and the other major publications out there are not corporate.

I wouldn't even dare to compare my FZ1 to my VFR. The FZ1 was a better bike in the twisties. Went on some FZ1 group rides and saw all the mods out there, including Givi bags of different sizes. Too bulbous. Took away from the look and feel of the bike (yes I rode them).

You saw complaints about the 50lb weight hike, but not from me. As you stated, it's what a rider is willing to compromise.

You say you sat on a C14. Did you sit on a VFR1200? I have, and to me the weight difference is negligible. That's MY personal preference. I doubt though that I would go any higher in weight than that. The VFR sits taller than the C14 and throws the rider into the tank with it's seat leaning forward and not so much room to plant your butt further back to relax and enjoy the ride. The footpegs are higher on the VFR than the C14, and the seat is thicker and longer on the C14, so I KNOW that I would be more comfortable on the C14 for the long haul. Sport-wise I am sure that the VFR has the edge. But as much as I use a bike to take out on the weekends and tear up a roadway I should buy a used R1 and keep it on a battery tender till needed. Again, personal preference and riding situation.

If you like the VFR, buy it. I don't think anywhere in my posts I said anything derrogatory about it in terms of handling, power, fit and finish, etc. What does it need, IMHO? A bigger tank and a lower pricetag. The later I can get by waiting a year or two and finding a new 2010 VFR12 in cycletrader, IF I wanted to. We're not too far away from the 2011's coming out. I am sure there'll be leftovers.

What weighs about the same as the VFR1200? The NT700V. But that's underpowered and just no fun to ride, right? Maybe for you and me, but I am sure there are people out there that love it and say how great it handles, etc, etc, etc... THEIR personal preference. Honda says that bike is a 'do-all' motorcycle. It just doesn't do any of it with superiority - compromise.

The FJR is also lighter than the C14 by about 30-40lbs. I think I would take a FJR up against a VFR1200 and they are probably a close match. Don't forget to put bags on the VFR, or take the bags off the FJR. That would even the match a bit more, and I think I would prefer the FJR over the VFR with either configuration.

IMHO, I think you'll see a sport touring comparo with the VFR1200 (complete with bags) in the group pretty soon. Let's see if they rate the handling better than the K1300GT (winner of last year, but kitted out to the tune of over $22k).

 

Nope, you don't have to do anything. I just hope that since you have already been kicked to the curb, a bus doesn't come by.

 

I went to the local dealer and had a sit on it. Was unpleasantly surprised to find that all the angles feel exactly the same as the 6th Gen. Was hoping for a more upright seating position. The dealer told me that the 6th Gen ergonomics are perfect, and that they had been copied exactly onto the 7th Gen. For the insane amount of money that they cost here is Australia (nearly 26k) I'd definitely look at a 1 year old BMW or Kawasaki.

The 6th Gen is currently far more bike than I can use, so I'm going to spend $1-2K on getting it perfect for me in the seating, suspension, ergonomics etc, and I still have more bike than I can use for a lot less cash.