VFR1200F... chicken strips?

Hi Folks,
How's the latest generation VFR doing in the twisties?
After a bad experience buying something else last year (instead of the VFR) and selling it, I am back on the market for a new motorcycle.
I am debating between the CBR1000RR and the VFR.
I know these are two completely different bikes with different purposes, but I want something that rails in corners.
The pleasure of riding for me lies in the corners/sweepers.
Many things are in favor of the VFR (comfort, V4, more practical, etc.) but I would really be dissapointed to end up with a motorcycle that does not excel in corners.
Some journalists say that because of the weight, you need to be very careful because even though the chassis can take it, the tires ultimately let go and the rear end will easily slide sideways with unpleasant consequences.
Any educated opinions?
P.

 

As you pointed out, 2 totally different bikes. Of course thread will be better responded to by someone that actually has the 1200, but I've always been of the opinion that the VFR's came with less than adequate tires. I don't know if that holds true for the latest model, and certainly you're not looking for the expense of new tires right after buying a new bike. Point is, there are several tires out there that more often than not are better than stock. That may be the difference you need.

I believe ZenMoto from this forum has racked up quite a few miles and already changed his tires. If memory serves, think he got like 3K out of the first set.

 

I'm waiting for the dudes that get 8,000 miles on a set of tires, are the fastest on any track and have VFRs that get 60mpg on recycled oil from the frenchfry vats at McDonalds.

If ya want sticky get slicks or qualifying tires like the big boys run in NASCAR. They only last a couple of laps.

Tires wear faster in some places than others. The engineering on the road surfaces is different from geographic location to geographic location. Not much snow in places like SoCal so the road as compared with the roads out East.

Some dudes ride the shit out of a VFR and some just putter. Some do track days, some do not.

The dudes using the recycled oil from Micky D's I hear get good discount coupons for chicken strips.

 

VFROARR, I love my 7th gen more every time I ride it which is a nice test that you purchased a good machine. Being based in Colorado, I pretty much ONLY ride twisties so I'm not sure what you're used to or call a twisty road. I'm a medium-fast guy and have had no issues with the bike in the twisties yet, on smooth or rough pavement. I've got the front and rear suspension dialed up a a bit tighter on both ends. The bike has had no dramatic moments in the tight bits, even with the BT021s. I'm sure things will only get better once I change over to Michelins.

I can say that the way the 1200 tracks and holds a line has really amazed me. Will it flick side to side like a CBR1000RR? Of course not. If you're looking for a Super Sport you can't do a whole lot better than the CBR. The capabilities of the current crop of Super Sports are only separated by rider preference and ability. The new VFR is kind of like the old VFR, only with more power and more modern brakes and suspension which add to the fun. It's a "large sportbike", not a Super Sport. The bike is a blast in the canyons and is dead stable. The strong rush of power is linear and almost always available. The brakes are strong and confidence-inspiring. The suspension soaks up the bumps that might upset other bikes. It's just a fantastic all-around performer. It's not perfect but damn I'm having fun with it!

 

Never mind that the two bikes are completely different. Go to the dealer and sit on them. Which one speaks to you? Which one raises the hair on the back of your neck just at the thought of twisting grip right at the apex of your favorite bend(s)?

As far as 'chicken strips', very few motorcycles (other than the obvious ones) will have any problem clearing away the mold release compound on a set of good tires. The two friends I have with VFR1200's have both frayed the edges of their tires, so the bike will definitely get it done.

My advice (in addition to the above) is to decide whether you want to do more with your bike than 'just' carve the corners. Sport bikes are notoriously not terribly comfortable if you aren't pushing them, as the clipons and high pegs fold you up pretty good. Not a good choice if you're going to put many miles of 'normal' riding in.

Go sit on 'em both and make your choice. Then ride, baby, ride.

 

Had a rough day, Sadbilly?

 

Had a great day and a great week thanks. I have two VFRs. A 20 year old 750 and a new 1200 and lots of experience with tires and riding. Just passing along some info coupled with a little "biker" humor. Sadly, I missed the boat with you on both issues.

So were any of the journalists gone MIA? Within two or three journalists about how many complained about the ass end of the 1200 kickin out? Just sold an old Velocette that had enough juice to slide both wheels on loose shit. The question might be have you ridden a 1200? I think not. That makes for a rough day..

 

Like others have said, apples and oranges. If I were looking at a super-sport, I'd lean toward the big-bang R1 (awesome bike to ride, and more comfortable than I'd ever have suspected). ...but I have the VFR1200, and love it (for the most part).

For the kind of riding I do, a lot of twisties, and the occasional 600 mile day(s) on the weekends, it is fantastic.

As for tires, the OEMs (with 3081 miles, which includes a couple hundred dyno miles) came off looking like this:


And were replaced by a set of Pilot Power 2CTs. The bike now has 5725 miles on it and the Powers are just about spent. I have a set of Pilot Road 3s on the way and will mount them and post pics when I do the swap, probably next weekend.

The upsides of the VFR are comfort, power, handling (like it on rails) etc.. ...lots of strong points, and the bike is, overall, fantastic!

Downs are somewhat limited range for sport touring (150 - 200 miles per tank depending on throttle use), the f***ed up way Honda butchered 1st and 2nd gear (for tight twisty roads 2nd gear is *the* gear, and there's a big hole in power/torque below 5500rpm that comes on in a big rush. And I'm dealing with vibration in the throttle tube (an issue I've had with VFRs since the 5th gen) that makes my hand go numb after a while.

You really do need to see how the different bikes fit you and decide how you are going to be using the bike. It's not a track weapon, but it is quite capable!

 

Motorcycle USA just put up the street portion results of their Superbike Smackdown. Here's the CBR1000RR video:

2011 Honda CBR1000RR Street Comparison Video - Motorcycle Video - Motorcycle USA

 

Just a short story on a comparison. I have an 07 800. A friend of mine has a 2010 CBR1000. We traded bikes once and when we got back, I was saying, "Yeah it's got more raw power and torque, but it's a little top heavy and tough to lean compared to my bike." He took his helmet off and had a huge smile on his face and was saying he couldn't believe how well balanced the VFR was and how easy it was to lean. He said he just thinks about turning and it goes... which is what I always tell people. Also switched with a friend of mine who has an R1. Same basic results, only he added that compared to his R1, the VFR felt like a dirt bike, it was "light and flickable".

 

Here's are two things to think about: 1. Albeit a great bike, don't buy a CBR right now because a new one is certainly in the works and it looks to be for the 2012 model year. Possibly a V4 CBR at that, or a seperate V4 powered supersport; but definitely a V4 superbike on the horizon. 2. If you like to explore curves that are miles from your front door and you enjoy some 200-500 mile days, just forget #1 and buy a VFR.

 

Thanks for your replies, guy. Badbilly, I obviously misinterpreted your humor. Apologies. I actually had the opportunity to ride the VFR1200, last year, but mostly on straight roads. So although I was really pleased with many of its attributes, qualities, I was not in a possition to really assess it's cornering abilities. In fact I had ridden the bike I bought instead on that same road, really liked it too, but when riding my favorite roads, once I had bought it, it was a different story. I had ridden way cheaper bikes (V-Stroms, as example) that were surprizingly better in the twisties, despite their cheap components. Losing money again on a bike that I can't really try on my favorite roads (and that would not perform well) is not desirable. Hence me trying to get educated opinions from actual owners. As you guys know, the VFR1200 launch was surprizingly done at the racetreack, by Honda. The journo I am talking about is a fantastic rider and he (and other journalists) apparently barely avoided highsides during the launch because of the rear end letting go (there was pretty eloquent videos of this on Youtube, last year but I can't find them anymore). I would probably not bring the VFR to the track, but I would hate to find myself sideways in the opposite lane, on a country road, while "playing". Thanks again for your feedback. Ride safe! ZenMoto, looks like you got everything you could out of these tires!

 

Not a big deal. There was a flurry of Jr. Journalists here when the 1200 was not even available who had already decided the bike was a POS. My call on the rear end kicking out might have been, if I am reading correctly, that several journalists rode the same bike at the same track on the same day. There are dozens of reasons why some mechanical glitch, or incorrect setting could have been at fault. Just for starters, a rear tire. Those previews of bikes are done well in advance of on the dealer floor sales. They are carefully controlled by the factory and the various journalist are not allowed to do much other than ride a couple of laps even though many of them are well able to set up a bike.

I was not particulary enamored with my 91 until I replaced that less than adequate rear shock that was shot in the ass in less than a thousand miles. We don't wish to visit the rectifier/ regulator issue again I hope.

Bottom line? Show me any bike that is perfect and I'll buy one as long as it's not a Harley..

I sent out as many boxes of Kleenex as my bank account would bear to the dudes local to this site alas, to no avail.. I don't think Honda is done with the use of the basic platform. We may even see changes in the current issue come next year.

If you find those vids. post up a link. Maybe they are on the HD site..

 

Hey just a heads up but Bazzaz will have a z bomb ready in about 15 weeks but it will basically trick the bike into thinking its in 3rd gear when it is in first and second so it will pull right through the 1st and 2cnd gears with minimal to no lag. Ask Chris West at Bazzaz if you need more details but thought you should know that a fix is on the way and that its only $65!

 

Nik08 - Bazzaz gave me the same info and I put myself on the waiting list as well. It's not just $65 though. That's the price for the Z-Bomb. He told me I'd also need the Fuel Control Unit to work along with the Z-Bomb, which costs $380. So unless he was blowing smoke up my a$$, the total price for everything needed is $445. Did anyone else get the same story?

 

Guitar X- good point. When I was talking to Chris I told him that I was getting a power commander, K & N filter and Dam exhaust and wanted to get the z bomb too. He may have just factored in his mind that I was getting a power commander which I imagine is like their Fuel Control Unit so it would just be the $65. Nevertheless, I will try to get a hold of him to make sure that you do need both for others that might be interested. I'm taking my bike to get it dyno'd tomorrow and they are the best experts here in St. Louis so I'll see what they have to say as well.....because getting someone on the phone live at Bazzaz can be a bitch!

 

Okay, I just got a hold of Ron in technical support (got someone live at Bazzaz!) and he informed me that you do NOT need a fuel control unit of any type with a Z bomb and that you will be able to purchase the $65 or so unit by itself and have it perform the way that it is suppose to. Mixed messages-yes? Maybe some folks are talking to the "sales" people who are trying to do a crafty little upsell? I will ask the people at cycle house who are doing my dyno here in st. louis as they are experts on everything performance related and get their take on it too because they do everything possible performance wise on bikes for racing, drag racing etc.

 

Guys, Bazzaz used my bike for development. Ron is *the* guy in charge of R&D, so his word would be gold as far as what is required / available, etc.. My understanding, last time we spoke (and it's been weeks) was that the Z-Fi (fuel controller) will be available shortly, and the Z-Bomb a while later due to the issue with sourcing the right connectors.

I've posted the dyno results from my bike at Bazzaz (with and without the Z-Bomb) on here somewhere if you want to look. ...the difference in 1st & 2nd is startling!!!

 

VERY interesting! Thanks so much for checking on that. Maybe I can get away cheaply then. I wonder if there's a reason I would want the fuel controller anyway. The Z-Bomb will take away the 1st/2nd gear regulation but it might still be nice to be able to control the fueling, like you'll be able to do with the Power Commander. I've got plenty of time before I have to worry about this so I guess I'll just ask the question as the Z-Bomb's availability gets closer.