A really good price for a VFR

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=31717795&cat=144&lpid=&search=Honda VFR&ad_cid=6

 

There's a dealer in OR with a brand new 2013 for $9999.00.

http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2013-Honda-VFR1200F-112895322

 

Why people don't like (buy more of) these bikes here in the US?

 

An automatic transmission! NOOOOOOO!!!!

 

Why downsize three is perfect

I have two and I think I will add a super sport next spring.

 

Most likely styling, but second because for a sport tourer its range isn't exactly sport tourerish. Smaller tank than the 800 and worse MPG's, I don't know WTF Honda was thinking with that.

 

That (small tank) is the biggest downfall for the VFR 1200.

 

It seems that form won out over function on the big VFR12. It is odd that after so many years of begging Honda to build us a bigger VFR, we turned our wallets away when it arrived. Then again, I don't think we expected such a technical masterpiece or the price tag that comes with that technology. It was priced so far out of my reach that I never even considered it. Now this used one is within reach as I think someone will figure out pretty soon and it will be gone.

I think that we will miss it when they are no longer available.

 

IMO, there were 2 problems with the release of the VFR1200...the price and the marketing.

Honda couldn't decide if it was a sport bike or a sport tourer, so they tried to say it was both. The weight on the spec sheet didn't sit well with sportbike buyers and it didn't have all the latest ST features like the FJR.

What it does have is fantastic engineering, an excellent chassis, maybe the best ABS brakes on 2 wheels, and excellent fit/finish. I'd call it an adult sportbike if I had to catergorize it. It's feels sportier when actually riding it. The weight is a non issue.

 

I agree with both points above... However it seems like Honda is struggling a little. Their price is high and their competition has caught up with less cost.
I guess the questions is who is Honda building their bikes for?

 

My girlfriend calls the VFR a Gentlemens sports bike

 

The US market is not Honda's primary concern.



http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/blogs/wth-honda-megaphone

Honda simply isn’t building bikes for us anymore. Faced with ever-increasing pressure regarding emissions, economy, and resource scarcity, Honda is shifting focus from performance to practicality. At the same time it’s shifting focus from Western markets to predominantly Asian markets where two-thirds of the world’s population—and the bulk of future consumer demand—is centered. Raised on scooters and riding in congested urban environs that look nothing like where we ride, the machines are evolving to suit their tastes, not ours.

 

After adding helibars and a larger windscreen (I ride in the cold and rain a lot) I think my VFR is the best sport touring bike made. Except, the tank size is a small annoyance. I have been all over the states of WA, OR, ID, MT, UT, CA, (paved roads only thank you!) and I have never had to go more than 180 miles without a gas station. Furthermore, I always want to get off the damn thing and stretch my legs after riding 2 hours, so I think the tank is "ok". But I know shit happens. I once did a mountain loop and came into the small town that was the midway point and they had lost power in the town. That day I was on a bike with a 6.5 gal tank, so it was not a problem, but the VFR? Might have been a problem.

So, what am I going to do? I am going to fashion some kind of 2 gallon gas can to the tail, which I will put on when doing long trips, with the expectation I will never use that gas, but when shit happens, I will be ready. Has anyone seen a nice spare gas solution? Something a bit better than bungee cording a red plastic gas can to the back of the bike? I'd like something that holds at least 1 gal, not much more than 2, high quality made of metal or high tech plastics, and hopefully a low profile, not a tall thing?

 

^^
There are plenty of fuel bottles you can carry with you on a motorcycle. I know a few distance riders that carry them.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/twisted-throttle-s-msr-30oz-fuel-bottle

 

thanks. I may go that route, but I was hoping to find one container that held a bit more, and itself was easy to mount to the tail. Probably is no such thing!

 

That entirely depends upon the person. For a highway/slab/ironass rider, perhaps so. I can tell you after 170 miles of twisty stuff, straight, I'm ready for a stretch, and a refuel. I think the hyped up folks on the internet make a bigger deal out of this than reality. The only time I slab on it is to quickly get to a destination meet up to take on the turns for a weekend. So on that slab ride I'm probably at 80mph. That gives me 2 hrs of range and I'm perfectly fine pulling over every 160-170 miles and refueling. YMMV but I'm glad they focused on the sport side of the equation. If I wanted a Connie or FJR I would have bought one. The VFR1200 rides like sportbike with a comfortable riding position. And it's a fucking demon in the turns.

 

"And it's a fucking demon in the turns" is that a good thing or a bad thing?

 

Agree.

My typical day of riding is 400-500 miles, most of that is twisty backroads at a quick sporting pace (think peg scraping). My usual mount is a CBR. I am working the VFR into the rotation. It's difficult to maintain focus for aggressive street riding for much more than 80-100 miles without stopping. So that's my normal window for a fuel stop. I would be just fine stopping at 140-150 miles on a long trip with some highway stretches mixed in.

 

Back in the day, I had a spare fuel bottle that had a groove so that it could mount on the crossbar on a dirt bike (came with straps and everything). I think it held about 1.5 gal. It was the same sturdy thick plastic of a good gas can. I don't remember the brand, but I'm sure there's still something like that out there.