A fat man's first impressions on his new Viffer 1200 with DCT

I've had my new bike since Monday so I've had a few days to ride her, stare at her, and marvel at her. Let me start of by saying I'm coming to this girl from an 09' Silverwing. She was just a scooter, but she was one that could move this 350 pound man around at comfy speeds with plenty of power.

I entered the store looking for a cruiser that day. I didn't know much more than I wanted to step up to a full-size bike and get out of the scooter world. I figured a cruiser because I'm 6'4" and 350 pounds. It just seemed like the only thing I would be comfortable on. I looked at a limited edition Honda Fury the shop (West Hills Honda) had and was pretty much convinced that was the bike for me. Te owner, knowing I was coming off of my scooter, threw out the thought that if I wasn't interested in having to shift yet that maybe the new VFR was for me. I turned around to look at where he was pointing and there she was. I thought she looked interesting and seemed nice and open.... with a fuel tank shaped something like the Triumphs I had looked at that came up in a way there were, believe it or not, comfortable for a fat guy. I sat on her... and then took delivery of her 24 hours later.

FIrst riding impressions were good, but unsure just because I was getting used to a new throttle and brake system (wow I thought my Silverwing had great brakes until I pulled that brake handle for the first time) and generally playing with the new tranny. She felt stiff and I thought that might be a concern. But, over the half hour or so it took me to get home I realized that I didn't change the pre-load even a hair to accommodate my weight... and she didn't sag hardly at all. Secondly, I realized that even though she felt stiff none of the bumps had gone through my body. She ate up the bumps along the way just as I would expect from some of the sports cars I've driven.

Yesterday I got a chance (between severe storms) to take her out and let her unwind a bit. Throttle response on this girl is incredible! There's no play whatsoever. You twist and she moves. In regular drive mode she's quiet and shifts with ease... though that shaft drive reminds you that you are 100% connected from throttle hand to wheel every step of the way... Something I have grown used to already with only putting about 100 miles on her. Shift her into sport mode and now that muffler opens up. She's got a rumble to her at around 4100 RPM that just sings and around 4500 she starts to growl. She turns heads then before people turn their heads to see the BRIGHT paint job coming down the road.

So, all-in-all, I know this isn't the technical review a lot of you might be looking for, but I couldn't be happier with her so far. I am on a bike that is comfy to ride and is a sports bike like I always figured I'd get some day if I ever dropped a bunch of weight. I'll br thrilled to answer any questions you all might have and look forward to helping out a lot of the people on the fence about her. If it helps, my neighbor across the street is headed out to my dealer today to look at getting rid of his 800... he wants the standard tranny and knows they've got one sitting right next to where mine was on the floor.

Happy riding!

Dale

 

Dale, congrats on the purchase and I hope you continue to enjoy it. But this post is lacking pictures!!!

 

Welcome to the World.

 

Congrats Dale and enjoy it. There might be nay-sayers that come along, but its your money, and your bike. Glad your happy with it!

But without pictures, it doesn't exist. Just another fabricated story

 

Congrats on your purchase Dale, and welcome to the dark side...

 

I think you'll find yourself glad you didn't go for the Fury. While the V-twin 1300 engine is fantastic (VTX1300 owner here), it definitely lacks the punch that the high revving V4 provides, especially for a man of your weight. I also think you'll find the VFR a more versatile bike.

 

welcome to the family yall wait till the 2011 vfr1200t model comes out it has a clutch lever and hard bags

 

Welcome! Glad to hear you like your new bike. :biggrin:

 

Congrats, I'm sure it's a great bike you'll enjoy for years. I am curious how the DCT acts when coming to a stop? Does it shift in to neutral on it's own? If you leave it in 2nd and stop, does it downshift to 1st knowing you're launching from a dead stop? Have you tried out the manual paddle shifting? I'm pretty impressed with the DCT tech, hoping it works as well as everyone says it does.

 

welcome to the world and without pictures.

 

Congrats!

Being a bigger guy myself (240lbs), give your front pre-load an extra turn and half in (harder) then stock. It takes some of the front nose dive out of it which will make the brakes feel less grabby. I am actually two and a half turns stiffer right now. It makes it turn much better under braking.

Enjoy!

 

Hi CabWabDW I'm glad that you enjoy DCT model. I have just ordered a white one to be collected on Friday Sept 17th. It will be fittted F.O.C with the Honda top box (tail trunk) panniers ( side cases heated grips and centre stand as part of a Honda special offer. I am also buying the Honda Hugger and tank protector which is designed for the DT1300 Pan European but apparently looks good on the VFR.
L look forward to your future comments

 

Welcome to 'The World'. Your love for that new ride will grow with each mile. Enjoy.........!!

 

It shifts down to first and holds the clutch in for you. Then you open the throttle to take off and it re-engages the clutch smoothly for you. Manual paddle shifting is as easy as flicking a switch. Flick, wait a second, flick, wait a second etc. Same for down....

 

Photos finally...

I think I must have posted my pics of the bike everywhere but here. So many people were asking I think i forgot to go to the one place where it was the most important. LOL He's my new baby sitting in front of the house.

 

Glad to see your post - I'm a big guy & looking also. Your bike looks awesome. Looks like you enjoy it. I think this is the bike fo me too. I found a dealer that will get a DCT in for me and allow me to test ride before I buy - that will hopefully be next week...

I'm amazed at how several dealers said they don't allow test rides of new bikes.

What did you pay vs Sticker price?

 

Docherf, I paid sticker but I was trading in an '09 Honda Silverwing that the dealer gave me about 94% of what I paid for it. I'm never sure why dealers will sell a car or bike at sticker yet go way over on what they should give you on a trade. Wonder if Honda is one of those companies that frowns upon haggling with the price? I guess, at the end of the day, why complain if you got a good deal regardless of how the sales worksheet ends up. My bet will be that you may have some trouble getting them the budge much on the price since so many dealers have yet to sell one. Especially the DCT.

By the way, just had the bike go through it's first service. It was a bit tricky at first as the oil filter wasn't shipping from Honda until early September.... so it was a few more days until it got in the supply chain. But once they were in it was a great service and it was a bit fun stepping into the shop and watching so many employees there checking out my bike as it was being worked on. I've never owned a car or bike that was mostly stock and it still turned heads like that. Makes you feel like you definitely bought the right bike!

 

Thanks for the info on price paid.

Do you drive a car with paddle shifters? It sounds similar to the VFR DCT setup. (D mode/S mode/Manual) Is that a Lexus GS in one of the pics? I've been driving a BMW335 with paddle shifters - it's still an auto - not DSG/DCT/SMG. But it is a lot of fun - I use them every time I drive - my last car was a stick. I didn't know if you had made that same transition out of curiosity.

If you are in D mode and hit one of the left shifters, does it go into manual? or does it ignore the shifters until you use your right hand to put it in manual/sport?