Picked up my 2012 today

This is my 37th bike :
http://www.angelfire.com/id/kurtfriedrich/
I am 65 and been riding since I was 18. I have a Ducati Monster 1100EVO that I use for shorter trips and track days:
https://sites.google.com/site/fjrkurt/m1100evo

Had 2 FJRs and most recently a 2013 R1200RT that I used for touring. I paid a premium for a BMW thinking I was buying reliability, but my brother has had to be towed twice this year (R1150RT) and mine refused to start last week when I was 150 miles from home. It was just a bad switch, but I was really annoyed when I called the dealer and they said "oh yeah, those fail all the time". So much for paying extra $ for a BMW. My local Honda dealer had this 0 mile 2012 leftover, and he did me an even swap (including the bags) for my RT that had 18k miles. I have wanted one of these VFRs but always talked myself out of them as the seating is too aggressive for serious weeks of long days. Probably made a mistake, but the first few hours will be a hell of a lot more fun than on the RT. Won't be doing another week trip till next June, so maybe I can build up my muscles in time.

 

I'd be really interested in your opinion of the 1200. Especially the feel of the motor. I currently have a 6th gen and there just isn't enough character to the engine for me. I had a 5th gen, and that motor is an absolute gem! But the rest of the bike is really showing its age. I don't want to go back to the brakes and suspension of an older bike.

 

I would be interested as well... For some reason I can't settle on a bike. I always look for a new and a different one. And I'm not sure why because I have the 2010 VFR 1200 and I just got it re-flashed by Don Guhl. And the difference is unbelievable... it is completely different bike now. Much much better !!

Thank you

 

E.SLC - what did you have before your 2010?

 

I had a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 (cruiser) 2 years ago.. then no bike for a year.. then I bought a Honda CBR 500 R in February this year and that wasn't enough power and then I sold it and got 2010 VFR 1200

 

welcome to the 7th gen vfr. i know what you mean about the bmw r series. i always loved the way they looked until recently i fixed an r1150rt for a friend. the hall effect sensor went bad. seems to be a notorious thing on those and it is a pain.

 

I just traded my 08 VFR A for a 2006 BMW K1200S that is in mint shape. The power of the K12S is amazing (170HP) and I have to say that I have no regrets... I enjoyed the VFR but when this bike came along and I got a smokin' deal on it, I couldn't refuse...

 

37th bike! ...and a Monster to? Wow! I hope I'm half as cool at 65!

 

Well the 300 mile break in is done. Did about 280 today:

https://sites.google.com/site/vfrkurt/home/vfr-2014/hurricaneridgeaug7-2014

I was surprised my wrists did not get too sore. But I did have many breaks during the 280 miles.


Comparing it to my 2008 FJR which I put about 22K on, they are close cousins. The FJR seating position is a bit more up right, hence a bit more comfortable.

I don't know if its the bike geometry, or its all in my head, but the VFR sure seems to want to turn and fly thru the twisties better.
I feel more comfortable leaning it over than I did the FJR.
The VFR has a very noticeable flat spot between 2K and about 3.5K, which the FJR did not, but then from 4K on up, the VFR feels much quicker.
I think the flat spot could be upsetting to some people. It's not bothering me too much, considering how much I like other aspects of the bike.
You don't feel it in 1st, and in 3rd on up, I never have the rpms that low, but riding around in traffic in 2nd at 35 mph you will feel it.

The gearbox on the VFR is especially nice, compared to the FJR or any other bike.

Yamaha builds great bikes, but the fit and finish of this Honda it A+.

I like this VFR much better than the older FJR. However if the dealer had offered me a new 2014 FJR with its TC and cruise control, for the same price,
I probably would have taken the FJR. But as a leftover 2012, the VFR deal was just too good.

I would definitely not recommend buying a VFR1200 without test riding one. I love it, but I have to do something about the wind, its too much noise and bother
to spend hours at 70 mph as is.

 

Had another great ride on the VFR today:
https://sites.google.com/site/vfrkurt/home/vfr-2014/sunrisepointaug8-14

VFR is now up to 594 miles. Have to wait for the dealer to open Tuesday morning to get its first service before I can ride her again.

 

That's awesome... I think another 50-100 miles will not ruin anything so you can at least ride this weekend until Tuesday.

 

Glad you enjoy the 1200 :thumb:
Blue look great :love: