VFR1200 Ride quality

Hi All, perspective new owner here with a question that is important to me prior to laying out the amount of cash required for a new VFR1200. My back just aint what it used to be. A bike with a stiff ride beats on a bad disc when I ride to the point where it is just no fun. I had an 07 FJR1300 that was fine and comfy for me. It soaked up every little road imperfection. Currently riding a Vstrom with no problems. A lot of more sporting bikes and I do not get along well however. With a stiff sport bike style suspension it is those small highway imperfections constantly sent through the seat that eventually send me running for home too soon. So how does the VFR fare in this category?
Thanks
Roy

 

Hey Roy,
I traded in a VStrom 1000 for the VFR 1200 and am so glad I did. I really enjoyed the Strom but was ready for something more athletic. I doesn't take the road imperfections as well but that's part of the reason you'll be taking the same corners with more speed and confidence.
The biggest difference in comfort is that your knees will be bent quit abit more and you'll be bent forward slightly, putting more weight on the hands, you'll feel the bumps more but they won't jar he back as much as having your shoulders more over your hips.
Go for it, you won't be sorry.

 

you didn't mention how much you weigh, but i don't think anyone but a jockey would find the stock suspension too stiff....i shop in the husky dept myself and i use most of the preload in the rear shock to get a nice ride which is still on the soft side. i have a set of Ohlins front springs waiting to go in to cure bottoming on large bumps and potholes....i think you'll like the VFR12's ride........BUY IT !!!!!!!!!!!

 

Roy
May I suggest the GS1200 GSA
Perhaps the ST1300 these bike might be better and mor forgiving on your bad disk. Just saying
How about asking the stealership for a test ride?
BTW :welcome: to the madness good luck with your hunt.

 

i don't have a problem riding the VFR when my back is acting up because the seating position puts your weight more on your upper thighs than on your tailbone and you don't get the jolt up your spine so much

 

Everybody's perception is different. I would give it a good test ride. Find some roads you'd consider rough. If you weigh very different fron 160 lbs or so, the stock settings might need to tweaked.

VFR1200 has good amount od suspension travel, but it is no GS or Multistrada.

 

Multi strata with Ohlins suspension. The vfr 1200 you'll need heli bars and need to respring/revalve the forks and shock.

 

I've always thought my VFR, at commuting suspension settings, was rather soft and squishy. And then adjusting for more sport oriented weekends...it is still soft under hard braking. The suspension is the one thing I am disappointed about on my VFR1200F. It almost makes me angry of how "cheap" of a fork Honda put on this motorcycle. Yes, I know...new springs...etc..etc. I've never had to be in the position to spend thousands of dollars on a street bike suspension, as I seem to be with this motorcycle to make it "right". But, other then that...I love everything else about it. Of course, opinions vary based on personal preferences!

 

Ohlins front springs $129.00....sure the rear shock is $1100, but.....

 

There are less costly alternatives that will get the job done.

 

Care to elaborate DD ? I do value your opinion ( seriously ). I've heard others comment on the suspension, but I'm 195 lb. and find the suspension just fine. I've never owned a hardcore sport bike though; CBR1000, Duc, etc.

 

Well honestly, if you're happy with the suspension as-is, why spend a bunch of money to change it? I spend money on suspension when I'm un-happy with it, as I was with the VFR. As far as lower cost alternatives go, I've put Penske shocks on both my FJR and VFR and was pretty happy with the purchase both times. It's no Ohlins, but this ain't no track bike, it's half the price of an Ohlins, and it's a very good shock! I think I paid around $750 for a remote reservoir shock for the FJR. I got REALLY lucky and found a NEW Penske on Ebay for the VFR for $420 shipped! No way I could pass that up! I would have bought one eventually, the deal just made it come sooner, rather than later. Other alternatives would be a Wilburs or a Maxton. Both very nice pieces, but here in the states it's hard to beat a Penske in bang-for-the-buck. The others would cost more since they'd be coming from the other side of the pond. The difference after installing the Penske was immediately apparent right out of the box. But again, if you're not unhappy with the suspension, spend your money for things that you'd rather spend the money on. Don't buy a shock just because guys like me say the stock suspension is crap. I'm a finicky, obsessive compulsive ex-racer. Most any bike I buy is gonna need tires, suspension, and fueling work at the very least before I'm happy. Thankfully I'm just about done with all that crap now so I'm really starting to enjoy the bike. DHL left a tag on my door today, which means my new GPR slip-on is here from Italy. DAMN...that was fast! I know what I'll be doing tomorrow evening. arty2:

 

The suspension being setup isn't a fast guy or ex racer thing, it's a safety thing as far as I'm concerned. Sag must be set correctly for handling, yes, but also for safety. It's done the first year I own any bike. That always means a new rear shock and some massaging of the forks. I just consider it a given because I'm 6'2 and 200+ lbs.

Makes much more sense to spend farkle money on suspension compared to electric outlets, touring screens, heated this and that, really anything. Suspension should be priority #1

 

I certainly agree with you...mostly. But for someone who never out-rides the suspension, it's a moot point. People don't always buy performance vehicles for the performance aspect. Some just buy it because they like it, and that's fine. Yes, like you, suspension upgrades are usually high on my priority list. But not everyone's priorities are the same, and I'm sure someone could ride the big VFR for years with stock suspension without cursing at it or dying in the process. No matter how wretched the suspension, it is totally possible to ride it without out-riding the suspension. Clearly you and I would NOT enjoy it that way, but that doesn't mean nobody can. I am personally thrilled at how much faster and smoother corners are now with better tires and suspension. But those who don't see a problem with it, probably never will...and that's fine.

 

My point was if you can't set the sag correctly then you aren't riding the safest bike you can. We agree. Some will just commute on it instead of throwing it into turns with anger. A big dude could bottom out the forks in heavy braking on a commute or simply avoiding some bs on the road any given day.

That doesn't mean you need to buy Ohlins but you should have the proper shock and fork springs for your weight.
I'm far from the fastest guy around and properly sorted suspension has saved my ass a number of times in multiple scenarios. I can't wait to buy the Ohlins cartridges and shock. Still saving.....

 

Been more than a month since you posted, Roy, but here's my take: The problem won't be the seat or the suspension. Both are good. The problem will be with the total ergonomics. I bought my 2010 DCT when they first came out, rode it down the west coasts of Oregon and California in cool weather. After 500 miles of fairly twisty fast riding, I thought someone would have to call the fire department to hoist me off the new Viffer. The bars and riding position felt fine for a short distance, and while it wasn't as beastly uncomfortable as sportbikes such as my Ducatis, it was might uncomfortable. I cured it with LSL bars, not an easy fit, but they work great. Completely solved the problem. More upright, which eases the weight on wrists and then tendency to relieve that weight by lifting up and stressing your lower back. I just bought a new 2010 1200F to go along with the DCT, so much do I love the motorcycles. I have a K1200GT, a K1200RT, and a whole bunch of other motorcycles. The VFR1200 is my favorite by far. It just needed that one change. On the new one I'm going with Helibars. I've used Heli before and like them. Anyway, don't worry about the suspension. That part is fine.