I was in a local Honda Dealership today (Mission Honda in Daly City, CA - immediately South of San Francisco).
I got to chatting with one of their sales guys. He told me that the 2009 Hondas will be presented to the dealers this year ON-LINE! That is to say, there will be no Dealer Convention as you might expect in, say, Las Vegas or some place like that. I failed to ask if this was a world-wide "virtual convention," but I'd have to imagine that this is the case.
Of course, I asked if he knew anything about the new VFR and he said that he did not. He asked, "So, I guess you've heard all the speculation?" "Yes," I replied, "a 1000cc V4, a 1000cc V5, and all that." "Yes, that is what I meant, but we have absolutely no idea what is coming," he said.
He said that new model introduction would probably happen by the end of the 2nd week in September - so, that would mean September 15th, give-or-take a couple of days.
Also, he said that since gas prices have escalated, motorcycle sales have been brisk. Of all the times I've been in this dealership, they had the fewest bikes on the floor - lots of empty floor space. The sales guy explained that their biggest problem now is getting inventory; everything is back-ordered.
By the way, they have a really pretty '07 25th Anniversary Edition R/W/B VFR ABS on the floor - on sale! ... for $9,499 and they have an '07 VFR ABS, metallic red (almost burgundy), for $8,999 - very nice bike.
They've done online unveilings before. I've always got excited about them, basically anticipating the arrival of a new VFR... but after no new VFR for years, I'm not getting excited about it anymore.
It seems a shame to see all those VFR's in the showroom doesn't it. The biggest Honda dealer in the country is here in town, Southern Powersports. I went in a few weeks ago and they had a whole row of Burgandy VFRs... about 9 I think. Of course, they normally have about 150 bikes on the floor at any one time, and a huge crew of guys uncrating and delivering in the back.
I had a different experience here in Northern Ohio. Stopped in Just For Fun Honda and looked around. I was hoping to find a used vfr. No used bikes at all. NO vfrs on the floor at all. I asked the guy and he said "we don't sell many of those. Most people think they are heavy and underpowered. Most guys want a 1000rr." I asked what the hardbag options were and he just looked at me like I had asked to date his sister. He was however nice enough to look on his computer and tell me if I was really interested he could have 1 of 6 - 07s tomorrow. I said thanks anyway...where's the chain lube?
After the past few years of utter disappointment, I'm almost afraid to find out what Honda has in store. Let's hope for the best.
Personally, I'd like to see 1000cc V-4 Interceptor and a 1400cc V-5 Blackbird to compete with the 'Busa and ZX-14. Or go the other direction and make a super light 750 V-4 supersport Interceptor, though that seems less likely.
Last time I was at the local dealer, they still had an 07 RWB VFR. Been there in the same spot for at least a year. Buried behind some other bikes. It would be hard to get near it for a look. As far as I know, they never had an 08.
The fact that bikes are moving but VFR's aren't moving much...well, that just sounds like a great starting point for negotiation on the best sport tourer out there!
My local dealer has had a RWB 07 for a very long time as well - eh, me?....I like riding a bike that not everyone else has.
I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a VFR. The prices do make me look at the other offerings, but I want a do it all bike with a sport attitude. Compaired to my current ride, it should feel tiny.
[image: View Post]Loosenut, on Aug 20 2008, 02:14 PM, said:
I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a VFR. The prices do make me look at the other offerings, but I want a do it all bike with a sport attitude. Compaired to my current ride, it should feel tiny.
Go for it! I had so many people make snide comments about the bike and that I would not like it. Even when I bought it I was doubting the bike but daily I find myself getting compliments on its looks and the handling is great. My wife went for two 3 hour rides in the last week. She likes it better than my 919. I'm averaging 40-43 mpg on the highway and I rarely see a VFR on the road. Good luck, JD
[image: View Post]JBAXX, on Aug 16 2008, 10:48 AM, said:
Or go the other direction and make a super light 750 V-4 supersport Interceptor, though that seems less likely.
:+1:
I'd like to see a new 750 V4 with about 125whp and 60ft-lb at about 380 lb dry weight (not unrealistic). I'm tired of the gixxer being the only good midweight out there.
I know several people with GSXRs and they all want to sell them. Cooincidentally, they all love the ergos of the VFR and that seemed to be their only complaint about the GSXR. Hmmmmm. Ill stick with my VFR. :wheel:
[image: View Post]WERA910, on Aug 16 2008, 07:14 AM, said:
They've done online unveilings before. I've always got excited about them, basically anticipating the arrival of a new VFR... but after no new VFR for years, I'm not getting excited about it anymore.
It seems a shame to see all those VFR's in the showroom doesn't it. The biggest Honda dealer in the country is here in town, Southern Powersports. I went in a few weeks ago and they had a whole row of Burgandy VFRs... about 9 I think. Of course, they normally have about 150 bikes on the floor at any one time, and a huge crew of guys uncrating and delivering in the back.
Wow they are the biggest one? So the biggest dealer ,would not even touch my bike.
[image: View Post]chas4vfr, on Aug 16 2008, 10:31 PM, said:
The fact that bikes are moving but VFR's aren't moving much...well, that just sounds like a great starting point for negotiation on the best sport tourer out there!
My local dealer has had a RWB 07 for a very long time as well - eh, me?....I like riding a bike that not everyone else has.
Because there are bikes half the cost everywhere10 grand new 9 grand used. =/ Alot of the people buying bikes are lower class<->middle class.
Honestly if I'm gonna spend ,8-10 grand of the get-go I'm buying a car.
[image: View Post]johotogame, on Aug 20 2008, 03:26 PM, said:
[image: View Post]WERA910, on Aug 16 2008, 07:14 AM, said:
They've done online unveilings before. I've always got excited about them, basically anticipating the arrival of a new VFR... but after no new VFR for years, I'm not getting excited about it anymore.
It seems a shame to see all those VFR's in the showroom doesn't it. The biggest Honda dealer in the country is here in town, Southern Powersports. I went in a few weeks ago and they had a whole row of Burgandy VFRs... about 9 I think. Of course, they normally have about 150 bikes on the floor at any one time, and a huge crew of guys uncrating and delivering in the back.
Wow they are the biggest one? So the biggest dealer ,would not even touch my bike.
Maybe all they focus on is selling. Plenty of privately owned places would be happy to work on any bike.
I guess im lucky my local dealer the sales guy rides an vfr so they usually have atleast 1.though he rides an 01 and thinks its impossible for anyone but the dealer to do a valve check on an 02.
[image: View Post]WERA910, on Aug 16 2008, 06:14 AM, said:
They've done online unveilings before. I've always got excited about them, basically anticipating the arrival of a new VFR... but after no new VFR for years, I'm not getting excited about it anymore.
It seems a shame to see all those VFR's in the showroom doesn't it. The biggest Honda dealer in the country is here in town, Southern Powersports. I went in a few weeks ago and they had a whole row of Burgandy VFRs... about 9 I think. Of course, they normally have about 150 bikes on the floor at any one time, and a huge crew of guys uncrating and delivering in the back.
They had (3) R-W-B ones there a few weeks ago Michael...........they come and go there, never know from one week to the next what will be sitting there........... :fing02:
[image: View Post]eric29, on Aug 20 2008, 03:32 PM, said:
I guess im lucky my local dealer the sales guy rides an vfr so they usually have atleast 1.though he rides an 01 and thinks its impossible for anyone but the dealer to do a valve check on an 02.
Then he doesn't know what he is talking about. Many members here, including myself, have done valve checks on VTec VFRs. It is not even difficult; just time consuming.
At bike night last night the new manger over at the Honda dealer came by to say Hi. he is a pretty straight up guy, he used to work for one of the Race fule companies here in town and is a club member
ANYWAY
He started talking about the new honds line that was going to be announced. I thought HERE WE GO!!!! Sure enough the FIRST bike he talked about was the NEW V5 1000cc VFR :warranty:
I just laughed at him and all he said Was wait and see!!! I know he ha a sense of humor but he was perfectly serious about it
Take it for the paper it's printed on!!!!!!!!! :biggrin:
[image: View Post]jeremy556, on Aug 20 2008, 04:04 PM, said:
[image: View Post]eric29, on Aug 20 2008, 03:32 PM, said:
I guess im lucky my local dealer the sales guy rides an vfr so they usually have atleast 1.though he rides an 01 and thinks its impossible for anyone but the dealer to do a valve check on an 02.
Then he doesn't know what he is talking about. Many members here, including myself, have done valve checks on VTec VFRs. It is not even difficult; just time consuming.
It will either be so farkleized with stuff you don't want or be so far ahead of its time yet deficient in some key area that no one will buy it.
Face it, Honda is better than any other manufacturer at making bikes no one wants.
VTR1000F SuperHawk - terrible gas mileage, poor fuel range, crappy suspension, never did get fuel injection
PC800 Pacific Coast - who's idea was it to put the 800 Shadow motor in this thing ?
HawkGT - SV650, nuff said
OVer a year ago I was chatting with a sales guy at the Local Honda dealer. An industry buddy of his was vacationing in Italy ( I think) and came across a big honda truck. Curiosity got the best of him and he went to check out the bike that rolled up to the truck. The Honda guys admittied that they were testing products, and that he had to go away. He tried to take a picture and they shut him down. He was convinced it was a V5. It looked a lot like an RCV. MAybe the guy was seeing a CBR1000rr that come out shortly after, but one can only hope....
[image: View Post]SAFE-T, on Sep 19 2008, 11:24 AM, said:
It will either be so farkleized with stuff you don't want or be so far ahead of its time yet deficient in some key area that no one will buy it.
Face it, Honda is better than any other manufacturer at making bikes no one wants.
VTR1000F SuperHawk - terrible gas mileage, poor fuel range, crappy suspension, never did get fuel injection
PC800 Pacific Coast - who's idea was it to put the 800 Shadow motor in this thing ?
HawkGT - SV650, nuff said
You need to look at the mpg of other performance bikes, especially, ALL liter v-twins. You'll see the superhawk is right in the ball park. My vfr's typically only get about 4mpg better, some VTR owners get mid-40's but I've never had better than 37mpg on either of the two superhawks I've had. Is that terrible? Not really. My FI RC51 is worse.
The PC800? Yeah, never a great seller but most of the used ones I've seen have incredibly high miles which tells me they work well.
The NT is a cult bike and nice specimens still command high prices. I owned an 89 back in the day.
As Kel pointed out in another topic, Honda motorcompany turned 60 yesterday. Still no new VFR on their website but the current model has been moved to the dicontinued model section though. So this is the final year of the 6th gen: Honda Japan website.
If you can't read kanji, move your mouse over the VFR picture and read the address in the bottom row of your browser. Notice old_models in the link.
As Kel pointed out in another topic, Honda motorcompany turned 60 yesterday. Still no new VFR on their website but the current model has been moved to the dicontinued model section though. So this is the final year of the 6th gen: Honda Japan website.
If you can't read kanji, move your mouse over the VFR picture and read the address in the bottom row of your browser. Notice old_models in the link.
Hehe, adding more stuff to the rumour mill :^P
Interesting point V4 Rosso. Why wasn�t the Goldwing moved to old models? It�s a certainty that a new one is coming if you listen to the Goldwing bunch.
The �facts� as I know them are:
1. No Dealer show in the USA this year.
2. Web roll-out of new Honda street bikes first week of October.
3. Honda�s 60th anniversary
4. Honda regional sales reps are tight-lipped about a new VFR.
5. Except for motocross models and the addition of Combined ABS for Europe�s CBR�s, Honda has not revealed any more new products for the time being, although it seems that the Intermot Fair in Cologne on October 7th may be the venue to do it.
As Kel pointed out in another topic, Honda motorcompany turned 60 yesterday. Still no new VFR on their website but the current model has been moved to the dicontinued model section though. So this is the final year of the 6th gen: Honda Japan website.
If you can't read kanji, move your mouse over the VFR picture and read the address in the bottom row of your browser. Notice old_models in the link.
Hehe, adding more stuff to the rumour mill :^P
Interesting point V4 Rosso. Why wasn�t the Goldwing moved to old models? It�s a certainty that a new one is coming if you listen to the Goldwing bunch.
The �facts� as I know them are:
1. No Dealer show in the USA this year.
2. Web roll-out of new Honda street bikes first week of October.
3. Honda�s 60th anniversary
4. Honda regional sales reps are tight-lipped about a new VFR.
5. Except for motocross models and the addition of Combined ABS for Europe�s CBR�s, Honda has not revealed any more new products for the time being, although it seems that the Intermot Fair in Cologne on October 7th may be the venue to do it.
Anyone care to add to the �facts� list?
6. Last year for the sixth gen emissions cert
7. If the VFR gets discontinued, there will only be the CBR1000 and CBR600 for stateside sportbike offerings
They have bikes ready-to-go for the rest of the world. They don't have to design anything new for the US. How hard would it be to make some of these DOT-legal?
How about a CB400 or Super Cup 'O Gold 400 (below)? There's a 1300, too... [image: Posted Image]
[image: View Post]tourceptor86, on Aug 16 2008, 08:04 AM, said:
I had a different experience here in Northern Ohio. Stopped in Just For Fun Honda and looked around. I was hoping to find a used vfr. No used bikes at all. NO vfrs on the floor at all. I asked the guy and he said "we don't sell many of those. Most people think they are heavy and underpowered. Most guys want a 1000rr." I asked what the hardbag options were and he just looked at me like I had asked to date his sister. He was however nice enough to look on his computer and tell me if I was really interested he could have 1 of 6 - 07s tomorrow. I said thanks anyway...where's the chain lube?
Similar experence. I went into a Honda dealership looking for a used VFR-800 in December of 07. No used ones but they sold me a still in the crate 06 for $8400. We haggled for about 4 hours, I had my 00 SV-650 to trade and I told them I could spend about $5500 (they managed to pry a little more out of my wallet :biggrin: )
Ya, A couple weeks ago I picked up a new, fresh out of the crate, pearl white '06 ABS at the local dealer $8500, no trade in. Killer deal, very happy. A week later got a "new" Sargent seat on CL for $220. Now just waiting for the Helibar group buy to go thru!
They have bikes ready-to-go for the rest of the world. They don't have to design anything new for the US. How hard would it be to make some of these DOT-legal?
How about a CB400 or Super Cup 'O Gold 400 (below)? There's a 1300, too... [image: Posted Image]
That Red, Black and White colour scheme reminds me of my 82 CBX550F except the front mudguard was pearl white. Sweet looking bikes but heavy little buggers (194 & 198 kgs)! My CBX was 185kgs with 65HP
[image: View Post]jstanwood, on Sep 25 2008, 07:44 AM, said:
...and the CB1100F from last years Tokyo show. I'd buy into the whole nostalgia thing if they offered an in line 1100/4 styled like the twin cam F series of the late seventies and early eighties. For that I might be able to learn to live without a fairing.
One italian magazine wrote that the new VFR will be shown to the pubblic for the first time in Germany - exhibition in Colonia - November.
They said also that the new VFR has been designed by the same italian team who took care of the new CBR project.
Sounds nice...but it is just a magazine!
[image: View Post]Conedodger, on Aug 16 2008, 10:01 PM, said:
Last time I was at the local dealer, they still had an 07 RWB VFR. Been there in the same spot for at least a year. Buried behind some other bikes. It would be hard to get near it for a look. As far as I know, they never had an 08.
My local dealer, less than a mile from my house, had a rwb VFR still in the crate until the end of July. Then when they finally get it out there, they are asking over $11,000 smackers. Say what...it is nearly two years old. When I approached them about it, after buying my last bike from them in cash and telling them this would also be a cash deal; they offer me $10,500 plus tax. WTF! I asked if that was the best deal and the reply was; "yes sir!!! Cash price but remember this is a super rare bike and if you get one other than here, it will be used." What gives with some of these dealers?! I sold cars and mobile homes years ago and even though profit margin was critical, we would bend over backwards to keep a person from going out of town. I mean, when a rider ask me where I bought my bike and I reply a Honda dealer 30 miles away, do you think they are going to go to my local dealer? Two riders I personally talked to have bought bikes where I got my VFR. Word of mouth is powerful. I will stop preaching, sorry! JD
I'd like to see a new exciting V4 or V5 liter bike from Honda.
I'll buy one when it's a year or 2 old. :biggrin:
Meanwhile I'll ride my 98 Viffer, and it's sexy Italian stablemate, Tuono. :wub:
Someone please buy my CBR954. The inline 4 no longer fits in, and 3 is a crowd in my garage. :warranty:
Maybe I should change my name to Vees4Lee. Nah...
[image: View Post]paperino, on Sep 26 2008, 08:41 AM, said:
One italian magazine wrote that the new VFR will be shown to the pubblic for the first time in Germany - exhibition in Colonia - November.
They said also that the new VFR has been designed by the same italian team who took care of the new CBR project.
I saw an Italian bike magazine when I was touring Yur a few weeks ago. The lead/cover article was about the new VFR. The picture was hideous, and looked like some mutant offspring of the DN-01. I sincerely hope it was total fiction. :unsure:
Been at my local dealer the past week, and i asked about the new VFR. I've been told they know nothing about it, and that Honda is not going to tell them any news until November (i guess the Honda Show in Milan). The head of the local Honda dealer's mechanics said, that it will be after the show they will start the courses about new models maintenance and stuff.
It seems fair to me, i mean, i trust this dealer as it's always been honest with me, he helped me out to fix some small issues (concerning insurance companies as well!!), and he never promised me anything he couldn't be sure about.
So i guess the only way to know about the new VRF is to wait until Honda announces it's official 2009 new models.
Cheers
PS: i'm italian living in Italy, and yes i did read those magazines. What can i say? Good photoshopping...
End of thread · 47 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 8 Feb 2011
![[image: Posted Image]](http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/cb400sf/images/pht_photo_03.jpg){kind=link}
![[image: Posted Image]](http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/vtr/images/pht_photo_01.jpg){kind=link}
![[image: Posted Image]](http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/image/motor-icon/goldwing.jpg){kind=link}