VFR1200 and Intermediate Rider?

Just like the title suggests, what does everybody think about the 1200 with an intermediate rider? I understand not all riders are the same, and have the same learning curve or skills. I've had experience on my 99 R6 and my VF500F, and well as some sporatic use of my buddies zx6r this summer.

I'm honestly not a big fan of the 6th gen, and really like the 7th. How is the power delivery on the 12? Is it manageable or do you have to be careful?

 

You'll be fine...though if it is a bone stock VFR12....the "hokey pokey" it does in low RPMS' in 1st and 2nd gear can make a seasoned rider a bit twitchy...lol Just as long as people remember, they are the ones in control of the motorcycle and not the othe way around. Disciplined right hand always wins. Of course confidence in your own abilities is always good too.

Since every person is different when it comes to how fast or slow they learn. I've seen people who state they've been riding for 20 years look as if they are gonna crash at the next bend in the road and newbies who road like seasoned veterans. So....it's always your choice in the end.

Helpful, aint I?

 

I'm gonna go out on a limb here even though I don't own one: I think like anything else that has power, its all about when and how you choose to use it. If my car has 550hp to the rear wheels, it doesn't mean that every time I take it out I'm burning tires. I think its the same thing with the VFR 1200.

What's the old saying - better to have too much power and not need it then not have enough power?

Just go but the bike!

Besides, now that you made this post, if you come back and say it was too powerful and you can't buy one, then we all get to kick you in your mangina.

 

If I like something I will get it........That is just me :smile:

 

No ham fist here.... :wink:

Its not like I'm going to be scared of the speed, I just don't want to gt myself in over my head too early. I'm looking at a few bikes actually. All of them quite fast. Just depends on how I want to spend my time ergonomically. Looking mainly at the 1200 and the Ducati 848 EVO. On the off chance I want something faster, the new R1. On the off chance I want something slower and naked, the Monster 796.

Oh, and I approve of said taint kicking in such situation.... :laugh:

I like your style.... lol! Looks like you are quite the Ducatista too. What do you think of the 848 EVO or the Monster 796????

 

The vfr 1200 is way more comfy than those 3 bike s you mentioned. More practical, and has kick ass performance.
The shaft drives kind of nice too. It does reward those who ride with a bit of finesse though.

 

I have not ridden a motorcycle since my 1990 VFR 750 (loved that bike).
I was also nervous about the power on the new VFR 1200.
The bike took some getting used to. I found the throttle by wire a little twitchy in first.
I have totally become comfortable on the bike.
I have ridden 9500 kms and am loving the bike. Cant get enough of this machine.
Took Lee Parks Advanced Riding course level 1 and 2 and that to totally helped get me comfortable.
Buy the VFR 1200.
You won't regret it.

 

The VFR12 is powerful but Especially in stock trim its not a wheely monster or will it dump you if you are not especially smooth with the throttle. Most Oh Crap situations come from carrying to much speed because it gathers quickly and deceptively. You'll feel it but it feels good. Have fun.

 

Could not agree more! The VFR is sneeky fast. I've been riding the same backroads to work for over 22 years on seven different bikes. I go through a corner thinking "pussy...you could've gone through there a lot faster". Then I look at the speedo and discover I was going 8 - 10 mph faster than on any of my other bikes. At first I was convinced the speedo must be way off. Two GPS's put that notion to rest. It's definitely not a wheelie beast. My R1 and FJR were both much worse in that department. But you definitely don't think you're going as fast as you are on the VFR. It just handles it really well, especially for a bike that's not exactly svelte. And the torque out of the corners is priceless. Makes my buddy's ZX-12 feel like a pooch by comparison. As already stated, ultimately it's all in your hands, and it pretty much does what you tell it to. Unlike my '98 (first year) R1 which frequently gave me more than I asked or bargained for.

 

I just got a 12 and my other bike is a KTM RC8R. I can tell you the KTM will scare the hell out of you if your not careful. I tell people it always tries to kill you as the power comes on so hard and fast at 5K it is shocking. The VFR is just outright smooth and linear in comparison. It is an extreme comparison but my point is the power delivery of the VFR is so linear it will not surprise you. If you ask, it will deliver but never give you more than you asked for.

Now I am a new VFR owner and I have read about the sub 5000rpm non linear throttle but I simply cannot find it on my 12. The engine pulls the same in all gears without any weird torque dips. I would be curious to hear from other 12 owners if they have the issue.

BTW buy the bike, it is a sweetheart. You can stay on it all day and never even get tired. For a big bike it is very agile. I cant wait to get it broken in because I am going to track it and see what lap times I can do with it. I know it's no superbike but hell it has power and is very agile for it's weight.

 

I did a track day on an RC8R and it was an absolute blast!! But I don't think the powerband is nearly as explosive or unpredictable as my first year R1 was. It was awful. In fact, they changed the mapping the next year to tone it down a bit. That bike high-sided me three different times over seven years because the powerband was so abrupt and explosive. It would spit you off and you'd just sit there thinking, what the hell just happened??? That RC8 was a peach to ride on the track at Mid-Ohio raceway. I wish they'd do their sponsored track day again. I'd be there in a heartbeat. $275...show up with your riding gear and flog their bike around the track all day long! Best $275 a man could spend outside a strip club. :smile:

They remapped it for 2012, added real traction control, and did away with the 1st/2nd gear pseudo traction control, so you won't feel it...it's not there.

 

Yes Dave those KTM sponsored race days are a great bargain. I track my own bike and it adds up to more than that in fees and maintenance. The RC8 is a magical bike for old track junckies like me.

The new R1 is much better than the old one. The fuelling is greatly improved. My track buddy has a 2011 and we trade bikes often. It is scary fast.

 

it's too bad that Honda doesn't sell a sport bike for intermediate riders in the U.S., like the 600 Hornet in Europe

 

Question is, why does anyone need a bike that tall, heavy and complex ?

 

A friend of mine has one of the new "long bang" R1s with a set of stubby cans on it. It is absolutely...positively...the most vicious sounding motorcycle I've ever heard in my life! It sounds like a big-block V-8 street rod! Unbelievable sound. It's enough to make small children and farm animals run for their mamas. Awesome thing.

 

I ride wheelies on my 800, and it pulls em just fine - sure you could get the 1200 up too, but putting it back down may total the front end due to weight lol. I can't wait to ride one though - I think they look bad ass and comfy! I've never been a fan of the shaft drives though, BUT it does look better on the 1200 vs some cheap cruiser! What needs to happen is add a belt drive - now that would be nice and you wouldn't have some big as* bulge on the left side!