Come on Honda, where is a new VFR!

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by VFR1200, Aug 1, 2020.

  1. VFR1200

    VFR1200 New Member

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    Some people hated the VFR1200F, for me I loved the bike, it was just the small tank for where I lived caused an issue. I am now back on the 6 gen VFR, but like everyone looking for that new bike that will ride like a sports bike and you can tour on, when needed.
    I have just been looking at the new Kawasaki H2 SX SE. Last time I owned a Kawasaki was back in 1986. I have been on Honda's ever since and now I am looking to leave the brand.
    List of bikes:
    Honda MB50
    Kawasaki AR 125
    Honda CBR600
    Honda VFR 800 6gen x 4
    Honda VFR1200 x3
    Honda CB1000R x2
    Honda VFR800 8 gen (hated it, hence back on the 6 gen)
    Honda VFR1200X (Crosstourer, hated it with a passion)

    Now I am seriously looking at the Kawasaki H2.... such a shame.

    https://www.kawasaki.ca/en-ca/motorcycle/ninja/hypersport/ninja-h2-sx 18fe2bcb-abca-4ff7-8ad7-1e142107978d.jpg
     
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  2. Viffer J

    Viffer J New Member

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    The H2 SX SE is pretty sweet, I almost pulled the trigger on one earlier this year, one thing that held me back was only a one year warranty and no extensions through Kawasaki. Great bikes though!

    I'm curious what you hated about the Gen 8? I've had both Gen 6 and 8 and loved them both.
     
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  3. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    The VFR it seems most have been waiting for is to keep the same relative wheel base, size and ergonomics, but bump displacement to 9xx, ditch the VTEC, 130hp, chain drive plz, USD top shelf forks, top shelf rear shock, and brakes to match. If the 8th was that, I'm on the dealer's doorstep.

    Everybody thought the 7th was going to be that bike, but it isn't. It's a fabulous ride in its own right, but for many multi decade VFR owners it's a different class of bike. I got a short ride on one and I'm still "meh"......
     
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  4. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    H2 ???? :eek:

    amazing that anyone thinks they ever need or can use that much power. tossers !
     
  5. VFR1200

    VFR1200 New Member

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    It isn't just that power. The bike looks amazing, it takes luggage, you can tour on it, has electronic suspension, cruise control and so on... oh... and it looks f'ing bad ass!
    Also how did Honda not have a decent VFR have anything to do with power. I didn't mention power once... tosser!
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2020
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  6. VFR1200

    VFR1200 New Member

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    [QUOTE="I'm curious what you hated about the Gen 8? I've had both Gen 6 and 8 and loved them both.[/QUOTE]

    It just looks meh!. It doesn't ride in a any special way, looks like a CBR300, luggage capacity is poor compared to the 6th gen and I would have liked a bike that had presence. The 8th gen just had zero character compared to the 6 or 8th gen. The 6th with twin stacked headlights, under seat twin exhausts, you can see the single sided swing arm and so on. The 8th gen was a love or hate it. I personally loved the look, it handled really well for a shaft bike with 600lb around it and was pretty quick. I just couldn't get on with the small gas tank. 2 up, altitude of 3500 feet and riding it as you are supposed to and the gas tank does not last very long.
     
  7. Viffer J

    Viffer J New Member

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    I disagree that it looks meh, and I think it has many improvements and refinements over the 6th gen 06 I used to have, but that's just my opinion. :friends:

    [​IMG]
     
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  8. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    Same here, I have had my 8th gen since Dec 2014.
    I get compliments on her looks all the time. Don’t need any more power, handles a lot better I can ride. Craftsmanship and refinements way ahead of my previous 6th gen.
     
  9. Samuel

    Samuel Member

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    I would agree that one doesn't "need" more horsepower (and/or less weight for that matter) BUT, when one is out riding with friends (who can also drag knees) with their Ducati 959 and Aprilia RSV4, one can certainly miss or regret not having more hp/tq!!
     
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  10. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    If I was that good of a rider that I would drag on a regular basis, I would like more power, but at 75 my knees can hardly do their job!!!!!
     
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  11. VFRIRL

    VFRIRL New Member

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    The bike you guys in North America didn't get was the crossrunner vfr800x. it still needs more cc's though and ditch that stupid vtec engine.
     
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  12. VFR1200

    VFR1200 New Member

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    The bike design is 'meh', because it looks like any other bike. It doesn't stand out or look anything great than any other bike. The 6th gen has twin side mounted radiators (like the RC51), twin stacked headlights, under seat exhaust, single sided swing arm that can be seen and is not hidden by the exhaust and great look with it sharp edges on the fairings. It is missing tech, but it was designed in 2000. Now the 8th gen VFR is new, tech is out there that they never added like cruise control, TFT colour screen, handle bar switches to switch between different rider modes.... oh it doesn't have that either. Just this big ugly switch after thought idea traction control. Even on the later VFR1200 they built that switch into the fairing.
    This bike should have been that stand out and get noticed VFR800 replacement and building on the 6th gen. They did nothing of the sort. Take the plastic off and it is a 6th gen VFR. Same motor, frame, swingarm.... they really missed the boat and went very very conservative.
     
  13. VFRIRL

    VFRIRL New Member

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    I think Honda have lost interest in sports touring.
     
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  14. Billy Jack

    Billy Jack New Member

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    I looked at the ‘14/15 vfr800 but for me it wasn’t a big enough change to trade in my ‘07. Nice enough bike but just not enough improvement to justify the move.
     
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  15. pi-on

    pi-on New Member

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    I think Honda forgot what the acronym VFR stood for. I have to wonder if Honda didn't want the VFR stealing the spotlight from the CBRs, the RC51 or VTR bikes, thus the lack of inverted forks, minimal rear shock, steel rear subframe, etc.

    If Honda actually does the redo that the VFR deserves we'll have to thank Ducati since the Ducs' have seen the light on racing V4s instead of the twins that have carried Ducati for decades.
     
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  16. pi-on

    pi-on New Member

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    BTW, if I didn't have my 5th gen I'd get the 8th gen hands down. Such a beautiful machine.
     
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  17. fink

    fink Member

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    I heard the other day that the VFr is being officially dropped from Hondas worldwide lineup.
     
  18. VFR1200

    VFR1200 New Member

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    That is a shame if it turns out to be true.
     
  19. VFRIRL

    VFRIRL New Member

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    I wish they would put the 5th gens engine in a vfr800x, suit me at my age!!
     
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  20. Samuel

    Samuel Member

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    [​IMG]
    :D
     
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