Considering trading '08 VFR with new 2010 VFR1200

I've ridden the new 1200F during a demo day. It was a regular shifting model, not a DCT. I really liked the power, and the solid feel on the road. I did notice the weight difference, but I'll get used to that in a hurry.
Part of me, however, thinks that I may regret selling. My 800 feels so light and agile, and I really think I might miss that quality about it.
Has anyone toured on both? Is the 1200 more comfortable? I think the seating seemed more upright than mine, but I'm not sure by how much.
Want to know if anyone traded a 6th gen for a 1200, and if they are happy, or if they regretted it! Let me know!!

 

I too had a test ride on the 1200, that torque is just awesome let alone all the extras the 1200 has over the 800. I'm not in love with my 800 but if I could only have one bike between the 2 I'd have my 800, my reason is because I prefer the twisty roads and I found the 1200 to be a pig, in more of a pig then the 800. If I was looking for something more on the touring side where i'd spend most of my time on long winding roads and straight roads I'd be all over the 1200, I'd prefer the 1200 to anything like the ST or goldwing as you have some comfort but you can still enjoy the bike

 

Thanks! It's interesting that you should say that, because I really love the agility of the 800. I thought that I might become accustomed to the larger VFR, but in reality, the smaller, lighter bike is going to be more nimble, and that's what I'm after right now. Am considering selling for a CBR 1000, as I've never owned a bike with that much power, and I thought I might enjoy the thrill! But I sat on a new one at the dealer, and the riding position just seems absurdly forward to me, almost to the point where my ability to avoid an accident might be compromised if I had to move quickly. I know this sounds absurd for a bike that's so light and agile, but my personal thought is that the CBR is designed for a track with long stretches and big long curves, so the rider doesn't necessarily need to be sitting erect. I don't know if I'm explaining myself right, but my senses told me that that style of bike is not safe. Thoughts?

 

I tend to agree with you there. My 6th Gen VFR is my second bike, from a Kawasaki Ninja 650R. I loved my Ninja like nothing else seeing it was my first bike and all, but one of the major complaints that I had about it was that it was too upright for me - lots of low end torque for a 650 twin but just didn't ever feel right. I moved onto the VFR being lucky that I found a not-even-broken-in 5 yr old VFR for really cheap considering after I totaled the Ninja... long story. Anyways, I love the seating positioning of it (Not too soft and not too hard), and it's a great bike and loads better than almost all of the bikes out there. That being said, it will never be as fast in the twisties or in a straight line as any supersport 600, 750, or 1000cc. Although it pains me to say it because I have ridden them before and they are an absolute blast, there is absolutely no way in hell that I could ever own one as my "only bike." I consciously bought the VFR knowing that I would never be dragging my knee in corners or going 150+ miles per hour on the freeway, but that I could do 8 hours comfortably in the saddle compared to a Supersport 1 or 2. I know that as of right now so soon after my accident and based on my skill level there was no way that I could risk my bike on the track. Almost every manufacturer of supersports has some kind of claim on their website to the idea of "race-proven technology in a street package," with Honda being the last manufacturer to label their bikes "Race Replica" (RR). These bikes are an uncompromising attack on any track, but in doing so they compromise comfort and practicability, which from my point of view make them absolutely pointless as a single bike.

All that being said, I think that there are a few bikes that you should look into that sound like they would suit you very well. These are all bikes that I strongly considered buying, but ended up staying away from due to a variety of circumstances, from insurance costs to asking price.

• Kawasaki Ninja 1000 and Yamaha FZ1 - Both liter (1000cc) bikes, de-tuned versions of the Kawasaki Zx-9R and Yamaha YZF-R1, respectively. Still fast enough to be breaking the national speed limit in 2nd gear. Both extremely comfortable and lightweight - the perfect balance and compromise between comfort and performance. My own educated (and personal/biased) rating: 8/10 comfort, 8.5/10 performance. Practicality: 9/10
• Suzuki GSX-1250 FA - same as the two bikes above, but with a bigger engine and less horsepower (?). More comfortable than both however. 9/10 comfort, 6/10 performance, 8/10 practicality
• Honda CBR-1000RR and Yamaha YZF-R1 - Both liter bikes. 150+HP, aka scary fast. The ultimate track weapons. 4/10 comfort, 9.5/10 performance. Practicality: 2/10
• **Triumph Spring ST or GT 1050** If you have the money to consider a Honda VFR1200, I strongly recommend this as my personal favorite. A liter bike, 1050cc on 3 cylinders, so torque down low and screams on top. Lighter than a VFR, almost the same riding position as the VFR if not just a little sportier. Centerstand, Single Swing Arm, standard with hard luggage, a glove compartment like on a car, and a rack for an optional tail trunk. 7/10 Comfort (same as I'd rate the VFR), 7/10 Performance, 9/10 practicality.

Sorry for the length, hope this helps! And not a flame in any way, just trying to be honest and helpful! : ) Remember - our VFRs all have peg feelers built into the pegs. If they haven't been scraped down, we haven't been leaning our bikes as much as the designers intended them to be used. That being said, and not to discount the bike in any way as they are incredible machines, but ultimately it's the rider that makes the ride what it is, not the bike. I've been passed by motorcycles with 25 less horsepower than myself, and passed motorcycles with 65 more. So whatever you pick, pick it for you and get good on it, and you'll be unstoppable! : )

 

I know from reading many reviews that most magazines say that the CBR is the most user friendly out of all the literbikes, but they are still very fast.

Last year I had an 05 GSXR1000 and honestly I loved it, I picked the 1000 because it had the torque that the 600 and 750 are missing, and that torque makes it a nice street bike, you don't have to think about down shifting if you don't want to and you can cruise around in 6th gear everywhere if you want. I found that my confidence was much higher on the GSXR when taking a corner compared to the VFR, the GSXR always felt very planted..it's a very different bike then the VFR. On my GSXR I had lowered the pegs an inch and moved them back a 1/2 inch, and modded the seat for alittle more comfort. They are much more nimble and I found that to be safer, but the VFR isn't bad by any means.

I will admit, it was a brutal ride for the first 3 weeks until I got used to it and learned how to ride it, The key to riding sportbikes on the street is to use your legs and abs muscles to hold yourself up and take the weight off your wrists, this may seem uncomfortable but after awhile you don't even notice yourself doing it, most people that complain about the comfort of the sportbikes don't do this and rest all their weight on their wrists. I could ride my GSXR the same distance as my VFR without problems, it helps to take a break every hour or so, but to most people the VFR would probably be more comfortable. Age helps to, I'm in my early twenties which kinda helps to. They aren't for everyone though, I liked mine

 

Hey, thanks to both of you. It's been a hard decision, but I'm letting the VFR800 go in favor of a CBR1000. I just find that the VFR is just not as comfortable as it should be for a sport tourer - I can't see myself going on an eight hour trip on it at all - my wrists will ache and I'll have endured too much wind noise for that. I did a three hour trip with it, and even THAT seemed too far! With little kids at home, I won't be doing any touring any time soon anyway, so I think I'm going to opt for Honda quality and get a CBR 1000 for short bursts of fun down the highway, and a few supercurves on the smaller highways. That's all I have time for! The VFR has been a great bike, and I feel like I'm discarding a great piece of Honda technology, but I think getting the CBR will allow me to experience a new type of riding, and will give me a chance to see if I can push a bike a little further. And at the same time, maybe I'll develop some better riding skills. Who knows....maybe I'll regret it, and maybe I'll be looking for it back sooner than I think....