What to buy? A used VFR1200 or a VFR800 (maybe new)?

Hi all --

I'm a long-time Interceptor owner who suddenly (due to a dozing pickup truck driver) has been deprived of his 2003 VFR800. The insurance has paid off (not enough, but enough to make a decent down payment). And I'm really having trouble making a decision between a used VFR1200 and a brand-new or almost new VFR800. So I'm wondering if anyone would like to share some advice.

I'm middle-aged (mid-50s) and relatively big (6 feet tall, 220 pounds). I used my bike for commuting to work and for longer rides (usually no more than 100 miles from home). I relied on the saddlebags... I could put my full-face helmet in one side at work, and fit my briefcase in it when I was commuting; and the other bag held my rain suit, groceries, etc. I brought home a case of beer from Wisconsin many times in the bags. I live in northern Illinois, where twisties are just a rumor... but I do know where a bunch of somewhat-curvy roads are, and I really enjoy them. So in a lot of ways, the Interceptor was the ideal bike for me -- VTEC engine and all.

I can find a slightly used VFR1200, with bags, for about $8000 in the area. It looks like I can pick up a brand new VFR800 for another $2000 or $3000, depending on the level of desperation at the dealer. From what I've read, the 1200 is about the same weight as the 800 but the geometry is different from the 800... that might be good for a bigger guy like me, or maybe not. I can't tell that there is really much difference from sitting on the two bikes. (Unfortunately, I have yet to find a dealer that has both bikes on their floor.)

I don't really have a strong desire for ABS but I wouldn't mind having it if it works well. (Strong braking probably helped save my life in the aforementioned encounter with the pickup truck -- that and full gear.) I really would like to have heated handgrips, because I tend to ride until the snow flies.

So... what do y'all think?

 

I think I am happy you are still here to have this dilemma!

 

Q, glad ya made it out safe...have you ridden either of the bikes yet?
Why not find a low milage 800 with hard bags and maybe a few farkles, lot cheaper then buyin new. Seems lots of guys really like the 12's, maybe
you can find a used one at a dealer and take her for a spin....good luck
Oh middle age is 55, I'm fucked

 

Actually, I've been thinking I should write an article on my experience... something like "How to get hit by a truck (and walk away from the experience)."

There are a lot of ways that this experience could have gone a very different (and much more painful and/or fatal) way, but I think the things that worked in my favor were:

1) I was wearing full gear -- AGV jacket & pants, zipped together, plus Held gloves, Shoei helmet and a decent pair of boots.
2) I had had a couple of motorcycle schools where we practiced braking HARD. So I was able to kill a good amount of my speed in the second or two before I was hit.
3) I managed to get far enough off to the right that when I was ejected from the bike, I didn't hit the truck. Instead, I hit the pavement on my right shoulder and knee, rolled a few times, then slid for 10 yards or so.

You hear people say this pretty often: "I had to lay the bike down" but that is one of the most dangerous things you can do if there is traffic around you. In this case, it would've resulted in me getting run over. (The truck ran right over my bike, before hitting another vehicle.) Instead, I got banged up pretty badly but didn't break any bones.

 

Skill and an angle watchin
your ass....fine job..1% r
to ride another day

 

My angle was a little late getting back from a coffee break, but I can comment on the VFR1200. It suited me well. You might take a look at cycle-ergo. Very little difference between the bikes. Maybe a touch more upright on the VFR12. I am also a pretty big guy. It fit me pretty well. Added helibars but noticed very little difference. It is a longer bike with its handling characteristics. Supremely stable at speed and probably less nimble than the VFR800.

 

QUOTE
You hear people say this pretty often: "I had to lay the bike down"
END QUOTE


Translated that statement really means that the person actually lost the front wheel by out braking their ability

Not aimed at you in any way what so ever

When I worked in a m/cycle gear retailer I heard that story Sooo many times and I would estimate 80% was bullshit from people with no idea of their inabilities or the bikes capabilities

 

Qsamelson, welcome to the forum! It is good to have you here.

The weight difference is something like 520 wet (800) to 589 wet (120). There are two ways of looking at this. One, the bikes are both very finely balanced and carry the weight well. Or two, the 800 from a sport bike perspective is already a bit heavy, and thus the 1200 is somewhat overbearing for the brief times that you find yourself on a nice public chicane.

Just for the sake of argument I will be the wet blanket and introduce something that a hobbyist motorcyclist rarely considers. I am not saying I agree with this, it is just one argument. If I were one of the financial gurus like Dave Ramsey or Financial Samurai, I would say pick up a similar bike to what you previously owned. Consider a wonderful sounding 5th gen with the gear driven cam, pay cash, do your diligence and bring it up to squeaky clean mechanicals and electrical specs, and be on your merry way with an extra five thousand dollars in your pocket.

That said, the next best deal is the used 1200. $8000 is a spectacular price for the most highly refined machine Honda ever built, which listed at double this price. I bought a 1999 last year. If I were buying this year I probably would have snatched the 1200 with 35,000 miles that just sold for $6300 on Craigslist.

 

Ya get the 1200 more power

 

I have a 7th gen and I love the bike. There is just so many things about this bike that are right. That being said, I'll go over your original post:

I will reference my old 6th gen since the 8th gen is the same engine & chassis. The 1200 ergo's are a little different than the 6th gen. I did not feel the need for risers of any sort. I did do the Buell footpegs because I have very bad knees. I think the footpegs on the 1200 are just a tad higher than on the 800. So if you were comfortable on your 6th gen, you will most likely be comfortable on either the 7th or 8th.

This is where the 6th/8th gen will beat out the 7th gen. Being lighter has nothing to do with it in my opinion. Hell, people commute on cruisers and they weigh a metric fuck-ton. The power of the 1200 gen is so much greater than the 800 that you will find yourself constantly shifting up and down between 1st and 2nd gear around town. Unless of course you go the DCT route. If your commute is all highway, then it's awesome. But it is no more awesome than the 800. Well, except for the fact that the 1200 is the most planted bike at speed that I have ever ridden. I am only referencing the shifting at this point.

Both of these bikes will disappoint you I'm afraid. The OEM cases are the same between the 7th & 8th gen. Just different paint codes. Unless you wear a medium your helmet will not fit most likely. I'd go with the Givi v35 if I had it to do over again.

I never connected with my 6th gen. Maybe if I had never owned the 5th I would not have minded the VTEC. Fact of the matter is, I hated the VTEC. I still think they are damn good looking bikes, but I just can't get over the low end "blah". The 7th gen has no "blah" whatsoever. The power is astonishing, sometimes it may even feel like too much! If the engine characteristics of the 6th gen didn't bother you, or even appealed to you, then I would seriously consider the 8th gen for you. I've seen it in person and it is a gorgeous bike. It's a 6th gen built up to 7th gen fit and finish. And that is impressive.

 

Not to confuse you further, but you should look at Triumph Sprint ST too. It has good power, handles and sounds great. Reliability/part availability might be an issue. The newer models look pretty good and I have seen them priced at $5K for sub 10K miles in mint condition. They come with factory saddle bags.

 

Man O man been in your shoes, so glad, yes Angles made it all work out for the better. My take is on just how frugal are you needing to be? as mention go with what you had, you all ready know the bike so start shopping for a great deal, they are out there, so save yourself some $$$. That being said there are some good deals to be had with the 12. great bike for those who like that sorta thing, I couldn't get over the massiveness, trick motor or not. Now the 014 version is just plain sweet. but it comes at a price. But it sounds like you need to go try a few on for size. from that you'll know whats what. Bottom line is, you can't go wrong.

 

There are a lot of good bikes out there today and making an informed decision is a must. You don't want to by 2 because the first one just wasn't right. I had the same struggle this spring when looking for a different bike. I ended up with an 08 ST1300. Although I went back and forth between that and the VFR1200 and the FJR1300.

For me before I decided on style or brand I tried to define to myself the type of riding I would do most and what my body is willing to do. My wife has an 08 VFR800 and for me I am good for a 100 plus miles on it she is good for 400. I am 62+ at 5' 10" and the ergonomics don't suite me well. For my wife it is much better.

 

When I bought my VFR1200 I was one year out from a knee replacement. The knee angle is exactly the same for both bikes for a six foot rider. The hip angle and forward lean are very slightly more relaxed on the 1200. Not having ridden an 800 the specs seem to suggest the 1200 is oh so slightly more relaxed. I wouldn't think the difference is very noticeable. I had the DCT and loved it. The manual is probably slightly more reliable. Less parts and larger clutch. I dreamed for years of owning a VFR, but they were always slightly out of my price range. I agree that the people that lay down bikes have just f'd up. I was upright (as much as you can be and still swerving), hard on the brakes, and swerving when I hit the car that turned into my path. Which leads me to another one sided observation, The brakes on the VFR1200 are amazing. One of the magazines described like having velcro on the wheels. I'm sure the 800's are good but that is something else you can try on a test ride. Also expect more tire wear on the 1200. Power eats rubber. And I am fairly conservative. Have fun and watch out.

 

So... I went out & rode a Triumph Sprint GT. (Found one for $5000 in near-mint condition.) Great bike, with awesome saddle bags. Kind of heavy, and the bikes are ... odd. (They grab just fine if you're not going very fast, but you need to really pull on them to get any stopping action, if you're at speed.) Ergonomics were a bit odd but I got used to them after a dozen miles. The thing that finally convinced NOT to buy it was the way that the engine heat roasted the bottom of my thighs whenever I was moving faster than about 20 MPH.

So then I rode a VFR1200. Absolutely freakin' awesome bike. Ergonomics are fine -- a little more aggressive than I remember my 2003 VFR, but maybe that's because I've been riding my Harley Sportster for the last two months! Brakes are incredible -- I'm going to have to ride the bike for a while to develop the proper touch for them. And my oh my... what a lot of power.

So -- I'm going to live with the not-so-big saddlebags. Put a deposit down on the VFR1200 and will pick it up early next week. (I have to wait for them to get the bags, and I'm having them add on heated grips.)

 

Are you going with Factory bags or GIVI bags. GIVI bags are a little bigger and maybe a little less that factory for cost. But the factory bags do look nice.

 

Great news! Yeah, the biggest impression left on my when I test rode my 1200 were how impressive the power was and astonished how good the brakes are. Hope you have a long love affair with the 7th gen!

 

Can we stuff a 12 in a 6 Gen?