VFR1200F or Connie?

So, over at COG (Concours Owners Group) I asked this question, to get the Concours guy's take on their bike. I've never ridden one, and don't know anyone who owns one. As many of you know, next summer I'm buying a new ST, mainly because my wife has given me orders to get a new (additional) bike (I know, sucks don't it? :biggrin: ), that is more comfy for her. So, I was all ready to get the Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS (also known as a Connie or C14), until all this VFR1200F stuff started coming out, then when I saw the pics in the Alps, it had a real C14-fighter look to it, so now I'm waiting for the reveal of the new VFR and I'll be trying to decide between it and the Connie.

For 2010 Kawi has really stepped up their game: 2010 Kawasaki New Product Launch – Motorcycle, ATV, Watercraft, Utility, RUV, Apparel

So, given that, I thought I'd post the same question here, and as we get to know the new VFR, I'd like to hear what y'all think when comparing it to the new 2010 C14.

 

I hate to say it and probobly going to get flamed for it but as a touring bike The kawasaki is incredible. I have not rode one myself but I have read the write ups in many mags I have however driven the zx14 and it is basicly the sport version of this bike. I have never been on something that had so much power and on top of it delivered it so smoothly. Also something to consider is that the new VFR is a first year run, totaly redesigned and it usually takes 3 years to work out all the bugs with such a project.

 

Yeah, one of my biggest concurns. I have a rule, "never buy first model year of anything." The Kawi's had three years of development, why the new 2010 has addressed many of the little issues the COG has cried about. But, I am not a Kawi fan, and really like V4's...

 

I haven't ridden a C14, but I did own a FJR 1300, they fill similar rolls. The VFR 1200 is probably closer to a BMW K1200S or K1300S. The C14 is a fast, powerful, two up, tour oriented ST. The K1300S and VFR 1200 are going to be more towards the fast, powerful, sporting end of the ST spectrum.

 

+1

i mean come on... 679.1 lbs Curb Weight
i would just be patient, i know how hard it is, and wait until you get to see a vfr1200 in person and take it for a ride. then go from there.

 

WAIT! WAIT?? You must be nuts! I need instant gratification, so in the meantime I will fall to my knees, pray that Honda has the wisdom to add a fuzzy logic rice cooker to the new VFR and lay back and chortle at all the sidewalk superintendents who have not been any closer to the bike than a light year in cyberspace re-engineer the the bike so that it comes with all the strap on crap one could possibly want.

So is that 679.1 lbs the Curb Weight with or without the electrolyte in the battery?

 

Well here's my compare-sheet:



While the Honda looks like it will be leaning towards the sport side of the ST spectrum, it also doesn't look like the bike will be as comfy for the wife, and at the end of the day, that's the deciding factor. Pillion seat looks thin and rear pegs look higher and a bit more rear then C14, and if that's the case, that'll kill it right there... We will have time next Spring to actually take a look at them, and compare them side-by-side, we'll know for sure then.

If comparable on price, I'd prefer the V4 Honda, but if the Connie wins with the wife on comfort, won't really matter...

 

I likes the Connies

 

I thought Ronald Raygun got rid of all the Connies.

 

4.9gal thats a joke. 6th gen has almost 1 gal more. i thought this 1200 was more towards touring ???

 

where did you get the horse power and torque figures for the vfr?

 

Wait to see what the new VFR1200ST is like.

 

2010 VFR1200F specs.

October 8th

Here's the latest specs. on the new bike . . .

Cycle News | Honda's 2010 VFR1200F Unveiled

Frankly, I think they should have named it VFR1200ST (sport-touring).

One item that I really don't like is the "variable-cylinder" feature.

I want all the cylinders I paid for operating at the same time............and without VTEC !

An electric windscreen should have been on it also. Pity.

Carry On ~

 

Paraphrased as I posted elsewhere

Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names.

--Proverb

I find all this whining about weight interesting; they went from an 800 to a 1200 and only gained 51 lbs., yet added roughly 65HP to compensate and almost double the torque... Where's the complaints in that?

From the current 6th Gen to this new 7th Gen, I think everything is a logical progression. Is that 'progression' what everyone wants? No. Can you please all the people, all the time? No. If they do base additional bikes on this new platform, could they make a new "RVF" version? Yes. Would that make all you weekend racers happy? Yes. Would it make the ST crowd happy? No. But, this isn't the VFR1200T model either.

Suck it up, the 7th Gen is the logical progression of the 'Jack of all trades' 6th Gen. Maybe later they'll make a different model for you if you don't like it...

My $.02

 

hey bob, where on that cycle news article did they mention vtec or variocylinders? all i saw is it will have a unicam valvetrain... as in the same valve actuation employed in the honda motorcross 250 and 450 racers (which are currently the lightest in class and Very powerful) ... sounds good to me!

 

The VFR1200F DOES NOT HAVE V-TEC. They also noted on several posts that the variable cylinders was not available yet on the model they displayed, nor was the dual clutch transmission, they would be available later.