Omg! *this* Is The New Vfr?!

When I saw this .... http://www.motorcycledaily.com/04september...ndareleases.htm

Until I read it closer. Whew! That was a close one!

Cheers! E=Ticket

http://www.vfrdiscus...showtopic=54391

[image: View Post]FotoMoto, on Sep 5 2009, 09:23 AM, said:

http://www.vfrdiscus...showtopic=54391


<LOL> I loved the one quote: "Style-wise, the NT700V looks to us like the forbidden love-child of the ST1300 and Kawasaki Versys"

Too funny. :^)

- ET

if this was over 1000 ccs, I would buy it tomorrow.

[image: Posted Image]

The first thing through my mind was this thing looks like a new version of the Pacific Coast - PC 800. Yuk.

Honda NT700V
Be careful what you wish for�

Yeah, you're right! Cool, but I like my PC800's trunk better.

NT700, heavy, underpowered and somewhat pricey...Ewwww. I'd buy a holdover '07 6th gen with OEM hard bags ANY day over this Dull-ville, and still save $2000. You can bank that money to pay for your 1st valve adjustment. :ph34r:

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Sep 5 2009, 11:56 AM, said:

if this was over 1000 ccs, I would buy it tomorrow.

[image: Posted Image]

Would you keep the drum rear brake with rod actuation linkage as well? They might as well call this thing the Shadow Nightster.

Of all the models to start importing to the U.S.!!! I don't know any motorcyclist that would even consider this and I know hundreds of riders. Who wants an underpowered sport tourer? Shouldn't a sport tourer at least give you an adrenalin rush if you want it. The HD crowd are the ones who like underpowered road sleds and I don't see any of them even looking at this thing.
My first thought was cool a bike for my Dad. He can trade in his heavy ST1300 and get this. It sport tours and should have decent power. When I read the spec sheet it was a huge disappointment!! It's that same lame turd of an engine they have been trying to stick us with for years. It was only mediocre in a Hawk!! How lame will it be when it's bolted to 566 pounds of turd. And at $9999 I don't any future owners out there. Rant over.

Why do people think this has anything to do with VFRs?????

MY FRIENDS! THIS BIKE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VFRs or OUR SERIOUS SPORT TOURING SEGMENT. (not to say that anybody that buys one and tours the heck out of it isn't serious, but you get the idea)

If we're going to speculate I'd say that it has to do with the popularity of the Versys. Although, I doubt this is the right bike to compete with that!

[image: View Post]achfly, on Sep 5 2009, 01:03 PM, said:

Why do people think this has anything to do with VFRs?????

MY FRIENDS! THIS BIKE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VFRs or OUR SERIOUS SPORT TOURING SEGMENT. (not to say that anybody that buys one and tours the heck out of it isn't serious, but you get the idea)

If we're going to speculate I'd say that it has to do with the popularity of the Versys. Although, I doubt this is the right bike to compete with that!

Ummm.... we know that.
The thread was more of a commentary on how much we are anticipating the new Viffer ....
....and half-convinced that Honda will disappoint us once again. :^)

Cheers! E-Ticket

[image: View Post]pres589, on Sep 5 2009, 03:01 PM, said:

Would you keep the drum rear brake with rod actuation linkage as well? They might as well call this thing the Shadow Nightster.
whats the difference between ignoring a disc brake, rather than a drum?

really? what's all the fuss about? sorry, i like it. it's a sensible option for those considering a cruiser but may want luggage and touring options. once again, i don't think we're their target market. it's like a smaller version of the ST1300. you can quote me now - they will sell a lot of these bikes.

The "D'ohville" is seen quite a lot over here in Spain... but it's really only good for commuting to work... for those who want to think they're riding a real bike and not a scooter... lots of executive types... have seen the odd one touring two-up... easy-going sightseeing pace... but the bike has no character whatsoever, less muffler noise than the stock VFR cans... if that's possible... each to their own... actually, I reckon skuuter might trade in his DN for one of these... jejeje... not my style though...

[image: View Post]Auspa�ol, on Sep 5 2009, 03:48 PM, said:

The "D'ohville" is seen quite a lot over here in Spain... but it's really only good for commuting to work... for those who want to think they're riding a real bike and not a scooter... lots of executive types... have seen the odd one touring two-up... easy-going sightseeing pace... but the bike has no character whatsoever, less muffler noise than the stock VFR cans... if that's possible... each to their own... actually, I reckon skuuter might trade in his DN for one of these... jejeje... not my style though...


The "D'ohville" ...

<LOL!> Good one .... <grin> - ET

[image: View Post]E-Ticket, on Sep 5 2009, 01:44 PM, said:

[image: View Post]achfly, on Sep 5 2009, 01:03 PM, said:

Why do people think this has anything to do with VFRs?????

MY FRIENDS! THIS BIKE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VFRs or OUR SERIOUS SPORT TOURING SEGMENT. (not to say that anybody that buys one and tours the heck out of it isn't serious, but you get the idea)

If we're going to speculate I'd say that it has to do with the popularity of the Versys. Although, I doubt this is the right bike to compete with that!

Ummm.... we know that.
The thread was more of a commentary on how much we are anticipating the new Viffer ....
....and half-convinced that Honda will disappoint us once again. :^)

Cheers! E-Ticket


oops. You'd think with my sister in law visiting today my sense of sarcasm would be a little sharper. :biggrin:

[image: View Post]achfly, on Sep 5 2009, 04:27 PM, said:

[image: View Post]E-Ticket, on Sep 5 2009, 01:44 PM, said:

[image: View Post]achfly, on Sep 5 2009, 01:03 PM, said:

Why do people think this has anything to do with VFRs?????

MY FRIENDS! THIS BIKE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VFRs or OUR SERIOUS SPORT TOURING SEGMENT. (not to say that anybody that buys one and tours the heck out of it isn't serious, but you get the idea)

If we're going to speculate I'd say that it has to do with the popularity of the Versys. Although, I doubt this is the right bike to compete with that!

Ummm.... we know that.
The thread was more of a commentary on how much we are anticipating the new Viffer ....
....and half-convinced that Honda will disappoint us once again. :^)

Cheers! E-Ticket


oops. You'd think with my sister in law visiting today my sense of sarcasm would be a little sharper. :biggrin:


<LOL!> Either that ... or it's been beaten into submission. :^)

It's not too bad looking, but yeah, it does look like an updated version of the Pacific Coast. That thing was fugly! I like the clean look of the integrated bags and the pass-through is a neat idea. Not sure how useful, but neat idea. I prefer a full fairing myself. I don't like to see the motor. And the look of the exhaust leaves a little to be desired. I love the undertail exhaust on the 6th gen VFR.

But as far as a 700cc underpowered twin, they can keep it!

Like dendron said, get a leftover 07 with factory bags. This is exactly what I plan to do this winter.

Then I can feel like I really belong here instead of just a lurker. :ph34r:

It looks pretty good to me and seems like it would make a nice commuter, but $10K, $11K w/ ABS? Why would I not buy the SV650 for $7.5K or the ABS version for $8K??

Honda just doesn't seem able to put it all together in to a coherent package of right bike, right price.

The bobber bike looks great, but it's using the Shadow Spirit 750 motor which makes less than 50hp?? For $8K?

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Sep 5 2009, 09:56 AM, said:

if this was over 1000 ccs, I would buy it tomorrow.

[image: Posted Image]


I'm not a Cruiser guy, but that's a lot of Bad-Ass for $7999. I like it much better than the Furry.

I like the Idea of making a PC for motorcyclists, but this bike is about 100lbs. overweight (probably 50 of that is the transplant god awful Dn-01 exhaust...UGH!!!!!) We really need some light mid bore STs. I built with a buddy a flyweight ST for his wife,

sv650s base, grxr600 front end, vstrom tail section(actually a copy in aluminium) seat(modified corbin vstrom dual canyon) and rack, givi bags, duc 748 fairings, relocated the pegs and controls, and made a double bubble type windscreen with a intergal laminar lip, and regeared to a 15 front and 46 rear. lsl bars and raisers, and Rosta cruise control. this made a hell of a 426 lb. ST for his wife who is about 5'4" and 100 lbs. She could not really handle his vfr 700. ( oh yea and a high and tight home made carbon pipe).

He was going to get her a F800st, but after his nightmare with his f800gs, went this route instead.

The 2 bikes I want from mother Honda are the new cb1kR, and the varadero!! but I really do not think either will make it to the states :mad: as usual :excl: :mad:

By the way I'd be real happy if they brought back a new and updated Bbird!!!!

First look at that V...whatever. Saw the tale and thought, hey, that looks like the ST1100, which I can work with. Then saw the front end and kind of didn't know what to think. That front just kills the bike. Like they did just put the 1100 mid-tail on a versys or whatever that front looks like. Not really impressed with anything in that article.

Hey Honda, when people say they like bike A and are interested in buying it, you import bike A, NOT bike F, where F is for FAIL.

[image: View Post]vfrcapn, on Sep 5 2009, 10:20 PM, said:

It looks pretty good to me and seems like it would make a nice commuter, but $10K, $11K w/ ABS? Why would I not buy the SV650 for $7.5K or the ABS version for $8K??

Capn, why would'nt you buy a new '07 holdover VFR for $6500 to $7000? It's the scoop of the decade.

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Sep 5 2009, 09:56 AM, said:

if this was over 1000 ccs, I would buy it tomorrow.

[image: Posted Image]
I was just bashing cruisers in another thread then I saw this one and thought the same thing. They do look cool sometimes. If only they rode well.

I have a lot of women friends who would love something like this.

The average age of a new female rider is 30-ish, as opposed to teenage for males, and they tend to have shorter inseams. So they take very different trajectories into the sport, and they have different priorities. The guys I meet who are out sport touring, mostly came to it after 10 or 20 years of other types of riding. They are longer legged and have more experience, so seat height distresses them less, and they've got long habits of calling for more more more horsepower. Meanwhile the women I meet who are out sport touring, often started riding with sport touring as their very first goal. This would make an admirable second bike for a 32 year old rider who just started riding at age 30, and who wants to go motorcycle touring.

This is a very underserved riding demographic. If you're the woman described above, right now you're hunting for a scarce, old PC800. Or buying a Moto Guzzi Breva or a BMW F650, neither of which is leaving this NT700V in the dust.

Sure, it doesn't please y'all. But you're VFR riders! Why should it please you? You have completely different goals. IMHO, if you don't like it, don't buy it, but don't diss it either, not if you want to get a girlfriend that rides, or get your wife/girlfriend to take up riding someday.

well put, elizilla!
honda's strategy for marketing new bikes seems to be to find untapped segments of the motorcycling public.
this does just that - women, riders who are interested in a cruiser but realize how much more functional a sport tourer is, first bike owners, etc.
this hits several segments and demographics. 80% of a small market segment is a lot more revenue than 1-2% growth in a crowded sport market.
the new VFR/V4 will do this again - find a new niche market. look at the VFR, it's a tiny part of honda's marketing and revenue.

[image: View Post]elizilla, on Sep 6 2009, 03:02 PM, said:

I have a lot of women friends who would love something like this.

The average age of a new female rider is 30-ish, as opposed to teenage for males, and they tend to have shorter inseams. So they take very different trajectories into the sport, and they have different priorities. The guys I meet who are out sport touring, mostly came to it after 10 or 20 years of other types of riding. They are longer legged and have more experience, so seat height distresses them less, and they've got long habits of calling for more more more horsepower. Meanwhile the women I meet who are out sport touring, often started riding with sport touring as their very first goal. This would make an admirable second bike for a 32 year old rider who just started riding at age 30, and who wants to go motorcycle touring.

This is a very underserved riding demographic. If you're the woman described above, right now you're hunting for a scarce, old PC800. Or buying a Moto Guzzi Breva or a BMW F650, neither of which is leaving this NT700V in the dust.

Sure, it doesn't please y'all. But you're VFR riders! Why should it please you? You have completely different goals. IMHO, if you don't like it, don't buy it, but don't diss it either, not if you want to get a girlfriend that rides, or get your wife/girlfriend to take up riding someday.

[image: View Post]elizilla, on Sep 6 2009, 08:02 AM, said:

I have a lot of women friends who would love something like this.

The average age of a new female rider is 30-ish, as opposed to teenage for males, and they tend to have shorter inseams. So they take very different trajectories into the sport, and they have different priorities. The guys I meet who are out sport touring, mostly came to it after 10 or 20 years of other types of riding. They are longer legged and have more experience, so seat height distresses them less, and they've got long habits of calling for more more more horsepower. Meanwhile the women I meet who are out sport touring, often started riding with sport touring as their very first goal. This would make an admirable second bike for a 32 year old rider who just started riding at age 30, and who wants to go motorcycle touring.

This is a very underserved riding demographic. If you're the woman described above, right now you're hunting for a scarce, old PC800. Or buying a Moto Guzzi Breva or a BMW F650, neither of which is leaving this NT700V in the dust.

Sure, it doesn't please y'all. But you're VFR riders! Why should it please you? You have completely different goals. IMHO, if you don't like it, don't buy it, but don't diss it either, not if you want to get a girlfriend that rides, or get your wife/girlfriend to take up riding someday.

We couldn't find a "great" sport touring bike for my wife ("Flying Ant") who is 5'2.x" and 120 lbs. All too big, too beginner, too heavy.
So we built our own!

Started with an '04 Honda 600 F4i; had GP Suspension lower, respring, and revalve the suspension; added Heli bars to rectifiy the reach issue to the handlebars; added ST1100 heated grips; a Zero Gravity double-bubble windscreen for less helmet turbulence and better wind coverage; had a local upholstery shop professionally "shave" the seat down an inch ... and for the best part ... we mounted up GIVI bags for touring. That was the hardest part - we had to cut the tail section down, and alter/mount up some VFR tubular GIVI mounts.

Now she has all-comfort, top-of-the-line handling, snap-on GIVI bags ... and 150 mph capability.
Ummm... she likes it quite a bit. <grin>

Our next improvements we want to do are: getting both headlight bulbs to be on at same time and increase gas range.
The first is possible ... dunno' about the second. argh.

So it is possible to get a smaller women-sized kick-butt bike if you want -- it just takes time/money/effort.

By the way, the wife was wearing vented gear ... and the is at 10,000 on Beartooth Pass.... and she had layered on every available bit of clothes that she had along for the 45 F degree temps. Hence, the "Michelin" man look. <grin>

[image: Posted Image]

Cheers! E-Ticket

[image: View Post]E-Ticket, on Sep 6 2009, 06:05 PM, said:

So it is possible to get a smaller women-sized kick-butt bike if you want -- it just takes time/money/effort.

Certainly it's possible! But other demographics get new bikes that do what's wanted, right off the sales floor. And especially for a less experienced rider, having to buy something and mod it like crazy is a pretty big hurdle.

I myself am 5'11" and all leg - I flatfoot even the tallest street bikes with my knees bent. But as a woman rider, I get to hear all the tales of woe from average-to-tiny women, and from men who buy bikes they think should be right, mod them for their wives, then can't persuade their wives to ride them. Modding a bike adds a lot of pressure to ride that particular bike regardless of whether it feels OK, and if it doesn't work out these women tend to get all cagey and make excuses not to ride at all. They would be far happier if they could sit on a bike in the store, and decide for themselves whether it suits them before they (or their menfolk) put all that work into it. Most of the women ex-riders I know, had a heavily modded bike that scared them, and they felt stuck with that bike, they just couldn't get unstuck, and they eventually just gave up.

So I think it's great we are getting another choice for them, one that will not need so many mods.

[image: View Post]elizilla, on Sep 6 2009, 04:22 PM, said:

[image: View Post]E-Ticket, on Sep 6 2009, 06:05 PM, said:

So it is possible to get a smaller women-sized kick-butt bike if you want -- it just takes time/money/effort.

Certainly it's possible! But other demographics get new bikes that do what's wanted, right off the sales floor. And especially for a less experienced rider, having to buy something and mod it like crazy is a pretty big hurdle.

I myself am 5'11" and all leg - I flatfoot even the tallest street bikes with my knees bent. But as a woman rider, I get to hear all the tales of woe from average-to-tiny women, and from men who buy bikes they think should be right, mod them for their wives, then can't persuade their wives to ride them. Modding a bike adds a lot of pressure to ride that particular bike regardless of whether it feels OK, and if it doesn't work out these women tend to get all cagey and make excuses not to ride at all. They would be far happier if they could sit on a bike in the store, and decide for themselves whether it suits them before they (or their menfolk) put all that work into it. Most of the women ex-riders I know, had a heavily modded bike that scared them, and they felt stuck with that bike, they just couldn't get unstuck, and they eventually just gave up.

So I think it's great we are getting another choice for them, one that will not need so many mods.


Oh, absolutely! I would always rather buy stock than build custom. Easier, safer, and a whole lot less money!

My wife is a little unique in that area. Her first vehicle wasn't a car - it was a 1960 BMW R6.
When we met, she needed to go faster and farther so went through a Yamaha Seca II and a '98 Ninja Kawasaki 600 (low seat but very heavy) before we arrived at her final scoot. We knew what we wanted and how to get there.

What I hate to see is a woman (or vertically-challenged guy) buying an 1800cc Hardley-Abelson or cruiser simply because "they can touch the ground easier." :(

And buying an over-big, over-heavy, or over-powerful bike hurts *most* beginning riders.
*Regardless* of gender.

Cheers! E-Ticket

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Sep 5 2009, 12:56 PM, said:

if this was over 1000 ccs, I would buy it tomorrow.

[image: Posted Image]


It's called a Yamaha V-Star 1100. Just have all the chrome blacked out.

[image: View Post]trickster, on Sep 5 2009, 09:30 PM, said:

I like the Idea of making a PC for motorcyclists, but this bike is about 100lbs. overweight (probably 50 of that is the transplant god awful Dn-01 exhaust...UGH!!!!!) We really need some light mid bore STs. I built with a buddy a flyweight ST for his wife,

sv650s base, grxr600 front end, vstrom tail section(actually a copy in aluminium) seat(modified corbin vstrom dual canyon) and rack, givi bags, duc 748 fairings, relocated the pegs and controls, and made a double bubble type windscreen with a intergal laminar lip, and regeared to a 15 front and 46 rear. lsl bars and raisers, and Rosta cruise control. this made a hell of a 426 lb. ST for his wife who is about 5'4" and 100 lbs. She could not really handle his vfr 700. ( oh yea and a high and tight home made carbon pipe).

He was going to get her a F800st, but after his nightmare with his f800gs, went this route instead.

The 2 bikes I want from mother Honda are the new cb1kR, and the varadero!! but I really do not think either will make it to the states :mad: as usual :excl: :mad:

By the way I'd be real happy if they brought back a new and updated Bbird!!!!

Doesn't exist with out pictures :biggrin:

Both of these Bikes will be "BIG SELLERS" for Honda......Both also represent New models for Honda, and Yes, I agree Honda is goin' after the "un-tapped" markets because the "tapped" ones have stopped spending. Honda's strong marketing strategy has always been "Do it differently and They will come.....Usually works for them. They are a business, which means They hafta' make a profit. The VFR is a good point if You talk to Sales Reps....Lots of em' out there, but the vast majority are bought used..."USED" doesn't count at Honda, only NEW PURCHASES, and New VFR Sales are lower than the First Run of DN-01s even....Lotsa' "New" 06 thru 09 models still sitting around......The FURY has taken off, which I expected, Cruisers pay the Bills for Motorcycle Companies wantin' to turn a profit in the USA.....and Like Elizilla said....Large (still to this day) un-tapped Womens Market out there....Someone is eventually gonna' get "That Carrot"...hope it's Honda...... :fing02: :beer:

[image: View Post]E-Ticket, on Sep 5 2009, 10:19 AM, said:

When I saw this .... http://www.motorcycledaily.com/04september...ndareleases.htm

Until I read it closer. Whew! That was a close one!

Cheers! E=Ticket

What you dont want to "own that throttle"?

[image: View Post]HispanicSlammer, on Sep 6 2009, 11:15 PM, said:

[image: View Post]E-Ticket, on Sep 5 2009, 10:19 AM, said:

When I saw this .... http://www.motorcycledaily.com/04september...ndareleases.htm

Until I read it closer. Whew! That was a close one!

Cheers! E=Ticket

What you dont want to "own that throttle"?


<LOL!> More like pulling on the "speed-modulating, yawn-o-meter".....

<g>

Well, the way I see this is somewhat different than many of us. I understand many of you are disappointed because it is not the lighter 1K VFR of our dreams. However, once you've conceded that, it is easier to come to peace with this model. I think that 65bhp is enough for most people in most situations. I will grant you that it is on the heavy side, but if ergonomics are there to please most people, and reliability to boot, then I think it may succeed. A great all round tourer, more laid back than a VFR cannot fail in my opinion. Heck, I can even see myself buying one! I would be fine with a somewhat slower (and lighter?) VFR since I think mine is a tad too much of a sport bike for me. Too twitchy too. But I'm not ready for a ST1300 (too big and heavy). In any case, I see no problem with this more "tamed" bike from Honda, as long as they have not given up on the other ones for the entire crowd. And if it gets more women riding, I'm all for it... :blush:
Just my opinion.
ppm

As always, it's: "Different strokes for different folks."

Yes, this isn't the much-anticipated VFR replacement ... but it will be a great bike for someone.
As I always say, "if it's your bike, it does what you want it to do, and you love riding it ... then it's a *great* bike."

Cheers! E-Ticket

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Sep 5 2009, 10:56 AM, said:

if this was over 1000 ccs, I would buy it tomorrow.

[image: Posted Image]


Funny, I thought the same. Sic looking bike in need of a transplant. Even the 60 horse 1300 VTX motor might get me to buy one, especially if they did it for $8000 :)

[image: View Post]troyce, on Sep 9 2009, 10:02 PM, said:

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on Sep 5 2009, 10:56 AM, said:

if this was over 1000 ccs, I would buy it tomorrow.

[image: Posted Image]


Funny, I thought the same. Sic looking bike in need of a transplant. Even the 60 horse 1300 VTX motor might get me to buy one, especially if they did it for $8000 :)

How different looking is that from the older Shadow ACE, aside from color? Just pick up one o them and paint it black? And they have tubeless tires, too.