Rendezvous with ZenMoto.

Happened on meeting ZenMoto today, and we swapped rides, for a short stint. I have been thinking of replacing my CB1000R with the VFR1200 (still have my little VFR800 '08). Couple pictures. Big Bike, Big Torq, Big power, and brakes from another planet.

Much better looking in real iife than pictures.















Thank you ZenMoto for allowing me entrance for the ride. Hope the "Little", CB wanst that terrible a ride.

 

We happened to meet at Newcombs. Rode out past the 2 tunnels. Tires on ZenMoto's VFR today, were pretty much bald, and one could tell easily, that they were imposing on the steering. Bike felt very powerful, and just touching the brakes, made it slow down immediately.
I did not feel like pushing it, it was not my bike, and I had not been on the road out past newcombs since winter, so took it easy. Always with ZenMoto in the rear view mirrors. I did open it up a few times, in 3rd (yes it read 3rd in 1,2,3, he's got the Bazzaz box thingie), and the rush of speed steadily increases, very smooth, I thought.

First impressions.
I sat low in the seat. I have no idea why everyone seems to make a big deal about seat height, unless your height impaired, I would raise the seat.
because the seat is so low, the pegs seem high, but they are probably in the right place.
the tank is ver narrow at the back, and the bike felt like a 500 single, from the way my knees grabbed the tank.
the bars are very much like my '08 VFR800.
I had previously thought the fuel tank, (looking so big in pictures) would be in the way, but I had to think about looking down at it, and it wasn't a problem at all. I'm 5'10" tall, and everything felt like it fit me, except for the seat seeming lower than normal.
the brakes, very strong. touching the front brake lever, it slows down, NOW.
My '12 CB1000R, seems to have similar brakes, but to get them to do what the VFR did, I need to grab the lever, not "just touch it" as I did on the VFR.

ZenMoto's bike had worn out tires, and it felt like it.

My bike previous to my old VFR800, was a '07 GSF1250 bandit, and the VFR seemed to have the low engine speed grunt, as it did.
no need to down shift, just pin it and hold on, speed just comes in like changing channels on the DVR.

I did not hammer it, I did not push it, I just rode it.

would have been nice to ride it with "good" tires, but I am sure ZenMoto has gone through a few sets already, we all do.

nice bike.

It was easy to tell the difference between my CB1000R and the VFR1200 weight wise, it is a heavier bike.
difficult to tell how it would be, but with a totally worn out front tire, it had the "fall into corners" feeling so much like my old bandit.
for those unfamiliar wih the GSF1250, it made about 80 torq at 3k, and pushed out over 100hp at redline.
I totaled my bandit, hitting a deer, close by to where we swapped bikes, so I was gun shy about pushing it. (always are, now a days)

I could not tell the bike had a driveshaft, from jacking the throttle on and off. amazing.

pretty much it I guess.

Maybe ZenMoto will post up when he gets home, I live closer than he does.

 

Thanks for sharing Joe
Have not seen zen for a while he probably busy playing in the dirt or sand box during the winter

 

Hey Joe,
Great meeting you, and thanks again for letting me take the CB1000R for a bimble. Such a night and day difference between the two bikes, just straddling the CB it feels like a bicycle compared to the much heavier VFR.

As I mentioned to you Sunday, with so much less weight over the front wheel the CB feels less stable up front, and seemed to provide less front-end feedback, but otherwise it was an absolute blast to ride.

I really do need to mount some new shoes on the V12, as the Pirellis were pretty much toast by the time I pulled into my garage. ...I guess I need to repair my tire machine soon too then, huh? lol

Anyway, it was great riding with you. ...we'll have to do it again after I get some new Pilot Road 3s spooned on.

 

hey Zen, i like your license plate !!!

 

Great riding impression on both bikes. I like the CB1000R, which in many ways is another "in-between" bike like the VFR1200. Designed and built in Europe, it is a bit too fancy (single-sided swingarm, etc.) to be in the same class as Z1000, FZ, Bandits and such. But somehow it isn't quite exotic enough to be compete head-on with the Tuonos and the Butales. The US market, it would seem, does not reward in-betweens and compromises.

I can certainly appreciate a lightweight roadster, which is why I have my SV1000S. At some 100 lbs lighter, the SV is more agile, but really only at crawling speeds. At anything above, the VFR1200 plain handles better and put the SV's brakes to shame. The more I ride the two, the more the SV begins to feel like a "back up" bike. The VFR1200 does everything it can do... and does it better.

I have come to appreciate that if I were to replace the SV with another (relatively) lightweight bike, it must have impeccable suspension and superb brakes to justify its place in the stable next to the Viffer Grande.

 

Great minds think alike, eh?

 

out riding last weekend, I saw another VFR1200, just wondering if its anyone here? found it at Newcombs, on the crest.