1200 500km Ride Report

Hey Everyone, just thought I'd jump in and say a few words about the new 1200 after having ridden it for about 500km, as I thought that those considering purchasing one may be interested in a little more feedback(even though there's already a TON of stuff on the site about it already!). I'm really loving the power on demand, and the flat out exceleration. I'm also really liking how it handles bumps, manhole covers, and other "hazards" on the road, and it seems to take supercurves on the highway with ease. I have, however, been wondering about how well I like the bike for "knocking around", so to speak. What I mean is, I wanted to put some miles on the bike in the city to see how well I could take tight curves that are posted at 35 mph, how well it could do slow right handers at traffic lights, and how good was it in stop-and-go traffic. To accomplish this, I headed out for a little rip tonight, in the dark, in light traffic. And well, I have to say, so far, I don't think it performed as well as the 800 in the same situation. With the 800, I feel like I could have practically driven the thing while seated backwards at 100mph. Now, I feel a little more tippy in the right hand corners at traffic lights, and I don't feel like I can get a really good lean into those 35mph curves. I also felt like I was coming off my line in a tight right hand, downward sloping curve. To be fair, 1) I've only got 500km on the bike, 2) it was night, and 3) I rode the VFR 800 through there in the day. I'm not sure if anyone else is having the same experience, but all I have to say is that I hope that it's just a matter of getting more familiar with the bike. Perhaps the wheelbase is longer? Maybe it's the weight of the driveshaft? Maybe it's those Dunlops? Maybe it's the width of the rear tire? Maybe it's nerves?? If I had to make a judgement call right now, I'd have to say that I prefer the 800 for in town. It felt more secure, more flickable, with better handling, and I wished I had've kept it and got the 1200 for longer trips! As I collect more miles, I may reverse my opinion, or I may reinforce it! I don't know how the story ends any more than you! I was a little tense on the 800 at the start too, so I'm deferring judgement for awhile. I do, however, wonder if there's an optimal bike size for city riding. Maybe any 1200 is too big, too clumsy? I peg the viffer 800 at being almost the perfect bike for that situation. Maybe the CBR 600? The Viffer was a hoot!

 

Dont know if you have done it yet but 1st/2nd derestriction and power commander will help make her smoother at low speed. I know I will catch hell for this one but I prefer to run a 180/55 rear. All of which has helped in low speed traffic.

 

What width is the OEM rear tire?

 

190/55. Personally, I find the 180 more agile. Lighter weight. Better gearing.

 

Is the rim the correct size for a 180?

 

No. The rim is 6" wide, 180 tires are meant for a 5.5 inch rim which means they have to be stretched and flattened to mount on the 6" rim.

The bike is designed for a 190/55 tire, and if you get a good one it makes the handling quite a bit more snappy. I'm really happy with the Pirelli Angels I've got installed.

 

Thank you Phobe. I'm leaning toward the Angels, Pilot Road 2/3, or Metzler Z6/Z8.

 

Hey Reg, I have some pre-scratched fairings that I will swap out with you. You know, to help a brother out! :tongue:

 

I beg to differ. a 180/55 is for a 5.5 or 6" rim. just check any manufacturer website. I think that 180 being flattened to go on a 6" rim is a misnomer too. I had to put a set of the same 180s on a buddy's 5.5" rimmed bike at the same time. Same tire brand and everything. the profiles were exactly the same. The only difference is that my sidewall was a little bit more vertical.
I am sure that if the profile got distorted that the manufacturers wouldnt take on the liability of recommending them for a 5.5 or 6" rim.

 

Well, here's the next installment. Got the 1200 out for a good romp four about an hour and a half tonight. Good secondary highway riding, nice curves. I'd have to say that my hesitations from the first report most likely stemmed from nervousness about switching to a new bike than a actual limitations on the bike's handling. I cornered faster, and found the handling quite satisfactory. I glanced down at one point during a curve and caught 136km/hour, and I wasn't having any problems at all. I do find, however, that I miss the VTEC kicking in on the straights. It's a great third gear rush. Rather, with the 1200, I find myself holding on to second gear much longer, and running higher revs than I did on the 800. All in all, it's a quick ride.....quicker than the 800, with different timing of shifts. Wind protection was more than adequate for this ride. Tires felt solid and grippy. Turn signals were easy to access, despite others complaints about the switch's location below the horn - hasn't been a problem for me. I was riding with a fellow on a Triumph Speed Triple. He's a more experienced rider than myself, as he accelerated through several curves faster than myself (claiming 180km/hr in one curve!), but I attribute it to his riding ability, and my high level of cautiousness, and NOT any lack of handling with the bike. That being said, the Triple does have a very short wheelbase, which must make it really quick in the corners. And I have to admit that the fit and finish appeared very high caliber on the Triumph - so high that I would consider it over the Ducatis and the Aprillia's and the BMW's out there. Total high quality looking product, and I'd put it as first choice for my next bike! One other point - I thought I had misjudged one curve on the way home. It was past twilight, and there were no markings on the road. I touched the front brake in the first 1/3rd of the turn, but the bike forgave me and took a new line on the curve. The forks only compressed slightly. I get the feeling that this maneuver on many other machines would have meant an untimely trip into the ditch, but not on the VFR! I don't know how they build that type of safety into the bike, but something tells me that Honda has thought of this common rider mistake, and has taken some steps to alleviate the consequences of it. This forgiveness is one of the Honda qualities that I am extremely happy to benefit from! Other hardcore riders may not appreciate this, but I sure do. Feeling real positive about the bike, and will do this country "challenge circuit" again soon, and post my opinion (for what it's worth!).

 

Allllright! Here's the next installment of the ride report. Solicited or unsolicited, here's how she goes:
90 minute ride, all secondary highways. Cruising speeds of 60 - 65mph.
Once again, I was covering mostly unfamiliar ground, but found that the time I've spent on the 1200 so far has helped. I found that I could corner a little harder and a little faster. In some long radius curves, I tried accelerating just at the apex of the curve, and I found that I could really straighten the bike out on the back half of the curve. This isn't going to be earth shattering news to anyone, but what I did find was that I could come out of the apex even faster than before. The back end seems to "suck down" and stay on line, if not tightening somewhat. It was a good feeling.
I did notice that on some long radius curves, I would lean in, then straighten a bit, lean in some more, then straighten. I don't think this is a manifestation with the bike or the tire, moreso with me! I'm wondering if I'm leaning too hard in some of these easy corners, then having to adjust back?
Looking for feedback.
All in all, I'm not sure that the Triumph Speed Triple is all that much more nimble than my bike. Maybe somewhat in the really tight stuff, but nothing that can't be overcome on normal highways with some good riding!!