Not familiar with this chap ,but Honda Canada had a media event in Ontario, on the 16th apparently.
The description of the ride was a little sketchy, as he seemed to be more concerned about the lack of a firm retail price.
It is the first bit of non bias info though. It seems as if they might have had a K1300 s for comparison, but I'm not sure.
What a poorly-written article. Half of it complaining that he doesn't know how much it costs, and gives almost zero feedback on the actual motorcycle. Even the comparison to the K1300s was poorly-written.
[image: View Post]Ryanme17, on Oct 17 2009, 11:54 AM, said:
What a poorly-written article. Half of it complaining that he doesn't know how much it costs, and gives almost zero feedback on the actual motorcycle. Even the comparison to the K1300s was poorly-written.
i am starting to warm up to the idea. i actually had been looking at the k1300. i would keep my 6th gen, but if i wanted a 2up sport tourer like i have been contemplating, this would definitely move me back to honda...
[image: View Post]FotoMoto, on Oct 17 2009, 04:06 PM, said:
[image: View Post]phobe, on Oct 17 2009, 02:45 PM, said:
another report here: http://cmgonline.com.../view/1831/254/
Thanks. This one is slightly better but there's only so much you can do on a press ride demo day.
Makes sense to give the Canucks first shot before winter sets in.
I'm with Elizilla - sounds good so far. And how nice to see a 'normal size' rider on the bike. The test rider from the spy shots made the bike look huge. This guy (esp. in a textile suit) makes the bike look better, maybe even the same as a 6th gen in comparison.
My next bike, probably a few years from now, could be the new VFR but I've liked the BMW K sport bikes for awhile, so a loaded K1300S isn't out of the question. I say 'a few years' because I'm not even close to being bored with my 6th gen yet. :)
[image: View Post]TommyHoffman, on Oct 17 2009, 04:17 PM, said:
If it is BMW priced....maybe I'll just get the K13s. Of course, if it looks better in person than in pics, it might change everything.
If what they say about the driveshaft on the vfr, I'm inclined to like it better the the Beemers... just MHO....
Not a real glowing review on the engine. The new engine is the biggest selling point of this bike and the author basically says "Meh, it's not bad." then moves on. :blink:
He did confirm there's a servo valve in the can tho.
[image: View Post]choco, on Oct 17 2009, 02:23 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Ryanme17, on Oct 17 2009, 11:54 AM, said:
What a poorly-written article. Half of it complaining that he doesn't know how much it costs, and gives almost zero feedback on the actual motorcycle. Even the comparison to the K1300s was poorly-written.
I wonder if he didn't actually ride it...
Agreed. Somewhat lacking in information.
The BMW motor is smooth but sounds thrashy, while the new VFR mill "quakes" but sounds smooth like a turbine.
Sounds to me like he just sat on it and made vroom-vroom noises.
[image: View Post]TimC, on Oct 17 2009, 10:36 PM, said:
[image: View Post]FotoMoto, on Oct 17 2009, 04:06 PM, said:
[image: View Post]phobe, on Oct 17 2009, 02:45 PM, said:
another report here: http://cmgonline.com.../view/1831/254/
Thanks. This one is slightly better but there's only so much you can do on a press ride demo day.
Makes sense to give the Canucks first shot before winter sets in.
I'm with Elizilla - sounds good so far. And how nice to see a 'normal size' rider on the bike. The test rider from the spy shots made the bike look huge. This guy (esp. in a textile suit) makes the bike look better, maybe even the same as a 6th gen in comparison.
My next bike, probably a few years from now, could be the new VFR but I've liked the BMW K sport bikes for awhile, so a loaded K1300S isn't out of the question. I say 'a few years' because I'm not even close to being bored with my 6th gen yet. :)
The Rider in this report ,who used to be the editor of Cycle Canada,is a pretty big boy,as in 6'3",I think I remember reading one time. Kind of the other extreme from the Japanese test riders. It1200 still seems to be relatively trim though. The response from winding the throttle on from 2000 RPM has to be considered in light of the throttle by wire I think .The progressive application is in the ones and zeros so to speak!
[image: View Post]phobe, on Oct 17 2009, 02:36 PM, said:
[image: View Post]TommyHoffman, on Oct 17 2009, 02:17 PM, said:
If it is BMW priced....maybe I'll just get the K13s. Of course, if it looks better in person than in pics, it might change everything.
If it's the exact same price as the K1300S I still want it. If it's 2 grand more than the K then I'm not so sure.
My guess for Canada will be $17995.00 for the base 6-speed, $19695.00 for the DCT.
In the States I'd expect about $16795.00 for the base model.
"Honda has yet to set Canadian pricing, though Milner hinted it would be in the high teens to low 20s. That puts it on par with its three main competitors, though those machines include saddlebags, items that will be offered as accessories on the VFR."
Better. But he's comparing this to the K1300GT (not S), FJR, and C14 and not the K1300S, ZX-14, and Hayabusa...
Still off-mark, but much better. At least he admits he isn't giving us much information.
I suspect that Honda Canada gave them somewhat of a publication ban limiting how much they were allowed to say. It would be nice to hear Costa's impression on how it handles. He happens to be an expert racer.
BTW if this thing is 20 grand or more I have to also consider a VMax. That is a tough decision.
Oddly, the machine emitted a low-pitched mechanical whirr on take-off and acceleration from low speeds
humm, can you say gear driven cams?
Does say its 21kg (50lbs) ligher than the K1300GT
But ya the writing sucks, I would guess it looks like honda had a demo day, so watch wheels.ca, they should have something out in the next few days as well. They like the VFR :cool:
Not a ground-breaking piece of writing, I have to say. To me, re-writing the company's advertising blurb in slightly different terms has never passed for honest journalism to me. The "road test" was more noteworthy for what it left out rather than what it included.
Another case of Flacks writing the "news" through the use of surrogates ("reporters"). However, at a price nearly 8k US over the VFR800 it should come with its own Japanese guy to do all the maintenance and keep it all shiny new looking too!
I rolled on the throttle full from about 2,000 rpm in second gear, expecting to have my arms stretched straight, but was surprised to discover that the engine pulled in a subdued manner.
I know that this bike has more torque, and they shifted the powerband lower; but damn, 2000 RPM?
[image: View Post]dweese, on Oct 18 2009, 04:27 AM, said:
Does say its 21kg (50lbs) ligher than the K1300GT
Yes, that seems about right. Of course, it's more of a competition for the K1300s, not the GT. The ST model that's to-be-released will probably be heavier than the K1300GT, don't worry! :dry:
[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Oct 17 2009, 04:39 PM, said:
i would keep my 6th gen, but if i wanted a 2up sport tourer like
If the 150-160 HP numbers are true,it would be hard to go back to weed after you've had heroin ! :biggrin:
[image: View Post]Phormanluge, on Oct 18 2009, 08:45 AM, said:
Here's the line that got my attention:
I rolled on the throttle full from about 2,000 rpm in second gear, expecting to have my arms stretched straight, but was surprised to discover that the engine pulled in a subdued manner.
I know that this bike has more torque, and they shifted the powerband lower; but damn, 2000 RPM?
Yeah, who does that anyway? :huh:
[image: View Post]mznyc, on Oct 18 2009, 10:44 AM, said:
[image: View Post]turtlecreek, on Oct 17 2009, 04:39 PM, said:
i would keep my 6th gen, but if i wanted a 2up sport tourer like
If the 150-160 HP numbers are true,it would be hard to go back to weed after you've had heroin ! :biggrin:
its not the power, its the cornering i would keep the 6th gen for. i would have bought the k1200 already if it was the power i was after. we'll see though. with all the weight centralization, perhaps this bike will be just as easy to ride in the corners as the 6th gen. then i WOULD trade up.
[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on Oct 19 2009, 03:55 AM, said:
Well, that certainly looks like a pretty sporty riding position, doesn't it?
I think the picture is suffering from the long established Motorcycle print media
"this is a sporty bike so I have to pretend I'm Valentino Rossi and lean way over with my elbows out cause I'm really caning the heck out of it" syndrome.....
The Honda videos,are much more instructive on the actually, familiar,VFR stance of."I'm a pretty decent street rider out for a pleasant ride and my neck muscle are not hyper extended in a race posture, cause I might want to see the varmints in the middle of the road....."
[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on Oct 19 2009, 02:55 AM, said:
Well, that certainly looks like a pretty sporty riding position, doesn't it?
I think the picture is suffering from the long established Motorcycle media
"this is a sporty bike so I have to pretend I'm Valentino Rossi and lean way over with my elbows out cause I'm really caning the heck out of it syndrome....."
The Honda videos,are much more instructive on the actually, familiar,VFR stance of."I'm a pretty decent street rider out for a pleasant ride and my neck muscle are not hyper extended in a race posture, cause I might want to see the varmints in the middle of the road....."
[image: View Post]dweese, on Oct 18 2009, 10:27 AM, said:
Quote
Oddly, the machine emitted a low-pitched mechanical whirr on take-off and acceleration from low speeds
humm, can you say gear driven cams?
Does say its 21kg (50lbs) ligher than the K1300GT
But ya the writing sucks, I would guess it looks like honda had a demo day, so watch wheels.ca, they should have something out in the next few days as well. They like the VFR :cool:
No GDCs on this baby... we've already seen the internals of the motor floating around the web page and they are definitely chains, easily visible in the cut-open images of the motor...
End of thread · 32 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 8 Feb 2011