I Think Some Enthusiasts Have Missed the Intent.

Well I do. 37km one way commute every day, 2000km trip the one or other weekend, and some sundays I go the 100km/half an hour to the inofficial squid racing spot and spend a tank full in going up and the down these lovely 4km. For me (27, riding since 16 in all weather) that's exactly what it's made for and it's the perfect bike just if it was build exclusively for me.
Smaller displacement would only be an option with at least as much power, but pure sports bikes don't fit my comfort needs.

However, I'm under the impression, that many "matured" or better say "midlife crised" riders who buy one do so because they don't want to accept they're getting old but then quickly change to the XTourer. Me thinks the bike doesn't fit her target group.

 

You could be right, Ocard. But I have reservations.
Your age for starters. I think young riders like you are a rare sight on a bike like this.

When I was your age I couldn't afford a new bike, let alone a 17k euro one.
I do hope you learned your real riding on a proper track, not a squid spot and not the Nordschleife.
I learned on loads of permanent tracks, on used two-stroke bikes and I had a lot of fun and came away with a lasting love for light two-strokes.

I think you'll agree you're an exception on here. Hey good for you!
I hope you have many kilometers in your future and that this bike keeps agreeing with you.




Just MHO & 2 cents etc.

 

I learned on a Varadero 125, CBF 600, VFR 800 (RC46/2) and ZZR-1400 all across middle Europe before I bought the VFR 1200. Dunno if that qualifies for anything, but I think I had my fair share of traffic and different driving styles.

But I don't think it's that uncommon for someone in his mid twenties to afford 17k€ for his main means of transportation. To start a family would be far more expensive.

 

So the short answer was 'no'. :smile:

Don't know of anyone your age that can sum up a ZZR-1400 and a VFR1200. Then again, most of my nephews are in ICT and they either have a company car or an old banger.
None of them own a home or a bike.
I may be wrong but I think the bike license situation is now that you have to be 24 before you can ride anything over 33 kW. It used to be 20 or 22 I think.

Where's middle Europe? :smile:

 

Here in Germany until last year you could get your A(restricted) licence at the age of 18 and ride anything up to 34hp and it was automatically upgraded to full A after 2 years. Since this year you can get your A2 at 18 for 48hp and have to pass another test to get A two years later.

 

IOW, you dudes can ride any Harley at any age if you can afford one.

 

I'm kicking around the idea of an Ozark trip next Spring on the VFR12 (what a great bike for this) maybe April-ish ?
I typically ride from here up through Bastop, Palestine, Tyler then to Texarkana then up through either Mena or Hot Springs all in one day. Ride for one or two days then ride the same way home.
Would you you be up for meeting at the destination (say Mountain View or Eureka Springs or Harrison)?
I've done this 6 times on my C-10 and 3 times trucking my R-1 (NOT a great bike to ride that far, at least to an old fart like me) and I only miss 1 or 2 days of work that way and can ride about 300-400 miles each day in the Ozarks then ride home (exhausted).
Hell, I gotta go back to work to get some rest.
What say you ?

 

I say why wait for spring. There is a VFR ride being planned for the Fall at the Hub, weekend of Sept 14th.

If that doesn't work for ya, I live in Harrison just so I can ride the twisties. So...just come on up anytime and let's get some!

 

I agree completely. I recently completed an out/back trip from JAX, FL to Austin, TX. Including exits, trips around town, etc. I logged 2,500 miles in the saddle of the VFR. This machine performed flawlessly. Can't say enough good things about. I don't know how to describe the feeling I have when cruising at 85-90 mph and there is still so much power on tap and it is just gliding along. Had a Ford Raptor come up behind fast like they were going to blast past me but I just casually twisted the throttle and they were nothing more than a speck in my rear view mirror. Thank you Honda for making another excellent product. Add-ons - Laminer Lip screen add-on, cramp buster, givi top case V-46 w/ LED Admore lighting.

 

I'd kill to be able to ride the roads around Harrison anytime I wanted. You sir, have my deepest envy.
I may take you up on your offer.

Tried to get the spouse to consider moving to Yellville, but she won't hear of it.

One of my personal faves is Rt 9 from Melbourne to the river. I think there is a 270 degree corner in there - goes on forever.

No can do for a major ride in September but I think can get away next Spring. The toughest part is trying to hit on a weekend with no rain.
The VFR12 is the bomb alright. I've never had a bike that travelled long distances/illegal speeds so effortlessly.

 

There is certainly some good riding around these here parts, including Yellville...but not much else. Unless the misses enjoys nature and the great out of doors...she aint ever gonna hear of it!

9 between Allison and Melbourne is one of my favorites as well. It is a great change of pace compared to the Push mountain racetrack.

Keep us posted on your future trip...we will run 9, Push and anything else you want to conquer.

 

All this makes me wonder where all the re-engineering experts went were gonna show Honda a thing or two aboot building bikes and finding Jo-jo sources?

Could it be the same dude doing all this posting who may be up to no good? LOL

 

Keep me in the loop...I have always wanted to do three sisters....Ummmm wait, let me look at that last sentence again....Nope its right.

 

My riding buddies and I usually do a 3 day weekend tour twice a year - fall and spring. We usually aim for 3Sisters but snake our way there through the twisties. We kicked around the idea of an Arkansas trip, but always concluded it had to be a minimum of 4-day trip. Even then, we'll have to superslab a whole day to get there and another day to get back. Doable for me, but will require some planning. For this Fall, we are planning to hit 3Sisters 2nd weekend of Oct. It is usually cool enough by then not to feel like riding in a furnace.

 

I would like to ride one. Trouble is, they are rare and I don't know anyone who owns one.









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Definitely agree that many have overlooked the VFR12. It's a fantastic all-around motorcycle. I just did 2300 miles in three days last week, including a saddlesore 1k from my home in eastern Illinois to Silverthorne CO in 17 hours. The next two days were both over 600 miles. Except for a short blast on day 2 from I-70 up through Winter Park and across Trail Ridge road through Estes and down through Loveland, the ride was nearly all slab - not the intended domain of the Honda for sure - and yet there wasn't a bike I've owned I would've rather been on. If mine were stolen or wrecked today, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

 

Couldn't agree more. The VFR12 is an outstanding, long legged piece of machinery. I would buy another one tomorrow.
The only bike Ive ever had that made me contemplate selling my other bikes and just riding the VFR only.
Its that good.
Im thankful I rode a buddie's and to quote Will Smith in "Independence Day"....my thought while riding it was, "I got to GET me one of THESE !"

 

Don't forget hwy 123. I work at the Rogers airport and hwy 62 to Eureka is right next to us. I call this area "the playground".

What's happening in September?

 

IMO...123 is the best road in AR. Good surface and shoulder through forests and it has a bit of everything; switchbacks, tight guardrail sections, off cambers, decreasing radius, 90's, 90+, up's, down's, left/right/left...oh crap right again, blind corners, clear corners, open sweepers, long straights, different ride/lines north vs south, very low traffic, views, etc. If it had a section like the mile that goes up/down Push...it would be perfect!

There are lots of good roads in NWA, but if I could only ride one road...123 would be it!