New Here and to the VFR1200f

Hi all Just picjed up my first VFR and only my second Honda street bike. The first was my Honda NT650 Hawk GT another bike that did not sell well but became a cult classic. The Hawk was an excellent bike and I have a feeling that the VFR will prove the same. The VFR 1200 F has come to me with under 4000 miles on it and stock except for a Shorai battery. I have since yesterday put on HeliBars and just a few hundred miles. I think the bars have done some great improvements to comfort but some time will have to s before I give them a full thumbs up as the new angle seems a bit awkward to me and I think may prove to pressure in only a small portion of my hand but I do want to try different gloves with them before I make the call to return them . Tomorrow the bike goes into Honda for the shaft recall and I think the next order of service will to be to replace the fork oil and try to get a good setting out front as the things seem to pogo just a bit. The rear seems so un-compliant that a different shock may be in order if I decide to keep the bike . I guess I should mention that I am that guy that tends to make bikes work well and well I get bored and move on to the next. I generally buy a bike a year and sell off another in the stable. I just sold off my Buell 1125 CR and have some sellers remorse on that one for the first time in years. I do think the VFR is a pleasure to ride and may be a keeper like I think my KTM Duke 690 is at least I hope it is. Yes the VFR is a little big but it to me is a small touring platform and the way it builds speed is wonderful , it is good at cruising the posted limits where needed sans the occasional larch which I hope is curable. While the suspension is getting worked out I think I will need to find some luggage and am swaying twords the GIVI setup as it seems to be a reasonable priced option.

Anyhow hello all.

47 been riding since I was 12, road raced AFM have had countless bikes and totaled a few, if I do live to ride. Last long trip was the summer before last whick I rode solo from Western NY to St Louis for a quick stop and breakfast than onto NW Arkansas for a 5 day stop over in Rodgers only to head out East to join up with the Southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway for the run back North 3000 some odd miles.

I did not take near enough photos but here are 2 I do have.

 

Welcome. You do have great taste in bikes. Yes it is expensive but many do like to upgrade the stock suspensions. They are all too harsh, do not do their job over bumps in the road, and may not be sprung correctly for the owner's weight, among other issues. I do not know why they are not tuned even just a little better (while still providing OEM quality.)

 

Hi Nic579

Welcome to the madhouse :welcome:.

I guess with your racing experience you already know the right people to help set up your suspension to your own preferences, and if any parts need upgrading they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Your photo shows up one of the real strong points of the recent VFRs - the ability to comfortably carry enough gear to consider really long distance trips - especially if you intend staying at campsites each night.

Given the previous Buell, it definitely sounds like you enjoy rapid machines, the downside is it is far too easy to collect some unplanned performance awards from the local law enforcement community. Compared with the Buell I suspect the stock 1200F is very quiet - and until you get used to it, you may get a shock to see just how fast the 1200F can be going without any real effort or noise.

Take care



SkiMad

 

The Buell and VFR are worlds apart but yes I love a bike that can get up and go. The buell liked to be on one wheel or the other the VFR planted. As far as noise I like to keep things stock for the road, no use getting any extra attention and who can really use the performance these bikes make on the road anyhow?, Nice thing about the Duke 690 is that is does all the fun stuff at much slower speeds. I do really miss the grunt of the Buell though and it has me looking at the V4 Aprilia Tuono as a next naked Liter Bike. One thing with the Tuono is it is much larger than the Buell I am 5'4" anf the Buell fit like a glove. The Buell also got as hot as a hibachi grill burning at full tilt "But I was roasted not the steaks" and boiled off enough gas that I could not bring my riding gear in the house if I rode the thing. I do notice how the speed is on the V4 it is a nice in between of a V2 and inline 4.

 

Welcome aboard, Nic!

Did someone give that bike a custom green paint job? Hard to tell in the photos, they're so tiny.

 

That thing was my 2009 Versys. You want to talk about hell on the highway! It made up for that while I was on the Parkway though. Thinking about doing the same route with the VFR if I can this summer. But probably up to Maine and or Boston for a test ride.