Oh dear...

In short, MCN not impressed with the new VFR.

http://www.motorcycl...ot-good-enough/

We now make way for the following mass posting of messages along the lines of "I TOLD YOU!". :goofy:

This from the same rag that has been claiming the 7th Gen was going to be a road-going V5 GP bike.

Reads to me like a write-up meant to get people to buy the "magazine".

So it boils down to in his opinion it's a good bike,
but it doesn't give him wood. :rolleyes:

I take MCN's opinion at exactly what I paid for it; I wouldn't let their "review" have any bearing on my opinion.

And that is from a 7th gen VFR naysayer

Sounds pretty much spot on.

[image: View Post]VFRedleg, on 30 November 2009 - 10:19 PM, said:

This from the same rag that has been claiming the 7th Gen was going to be a road-going V5 GP bike.
Exactly. I never trusted MCN's 7th gen rumors, and similarly wouldn't trust their bike reviews either.

Personally, I'm looking forward to reading actual owner reviews here on VFRD next year. I'd much rather read write-ups written by people who know that VFRs are designed to be excellent all-around streetbikes. ;)

[image: View Post]kaldek, on 30 November 2009 - 09:52 PM, said:

In short, MCN not impressed with the new VFR.

Who the fcuk really cares what MCN thinks (good or bad on the new VFR) ? I guess next thing to expect is a report about the new VFR in the Enquirer and we should take notes?

:comp13:

Now don't get me wrong I really like my gen 6 and the whole v4 thing but there are times when I miss the snap of a good I4, and Honda is the king of I4's IMO. Does anyone remember when Honda tried in the 80's to make the v4 the dominant performance motor? Bad cams, oiling problems and the Ninja 900 put a stop to that real quick. Honda then came out those amazing hurricanes and later the cbr's, proper bikes for sure. I don't wish the new vfr any ill will and I think it's an excellent machine BUT Honda needs to go with what has been their bread and butter and what ultimately put them on the map, the I4. I'm really hoping history repeats itself and honda comes out with a sport touring oriented I4 again. If not that at least import the cb1000r and/or cb1300 to the U.S.

I immediatly started to think of the failed VFR1000 from the mid 80's and don't quite think of this bike that way. I thinks the VFR is about the hardest bike to redesign. We want a comfy all day tourer that rips through the canyons like a sportbike yet is practical enough to be a daily commuter. Good luck with that... We want a bigger engine but less weight than the 750s and 800s with detachable cases that once shed reveal body lines that rival the Italians. Suspension plush but adjustable enough to chase R1s around the track come track day.

I had no expectations when I bought my 86VFR. Didn't know a thing about that bike. But I had to buy it and it impressed me enough to replace it with another VFR in 98. Way too much time between up graded model, I think caused huge amounts of speculation and expectations that no one could possibly meet. So all these pangs of dissappointment seem to be personal IMO.

I'd have to see the bike to decide it is ugly. Not have a magazine tell me.

Same goes for the ride.

This guy saying he doesn't like it? Maybe he doesn't. What do I care?

MCN...whatever.

Hi,

This review is not glowing either:

http://ashonbikes.co.../honda-vfr1200f

This review from visordown.com is much more positive though:

http://www.visordown...-test/8911.html

I also believe that the new VFR isn't as good as it could've been. Weight is the single biggest problem, less of it would mean better milage, performance and handling. I am getting used to the styling (although still, IMO, not as good looking as the 6th or 5th gen) and I think the DSG is a great idea, but if I were paying that much money, I would expect it to be closer to BMW K bikes in performance. As it is, it has inferior performance compared to a Blackbird, which makes me wonder what Honda was thinking in the first place.

See the "Holy Crap!" thread. And, check that mid-recession pricing when mother H finally figures it out.

O'dear, I am surprised at this though, MCN usually wait a year or so before contradicting themselves.

Hell I still want one that's for sure!

[image: View Post]VFR Capt.Bob, on 30 November 2009 - 11:57 PM, said:

I immediatly started to think of the failed VFR1000 from the mid 80's and don't quite think of this bike that way. I thinks the VFR is about the hardest bike to redesign. We want a comfy all day tourer that rips through the canyons like a sportbike yet is practical enough to be a daily commuter. Good luck with that... We want a bigger engine but less weight than the 750s and 800s with detachable cases that once shed reveal body lines that rival the Italians. Suspension plush but adjustable enough to chase R1s around the track come track day.

I had no expectations when I bought my 86VFR. Didn't know a thing about that bike. But I had to buy it and it impressed me enough to replace it with another VFR in 98. Way too much time between up graded model, I think caused huge amounts of speculation and expectations that no one could possibly meet. So all these pangs of dissappointment seem to be personal IMO.

I'd have to see the bike to decide it is ugly. Not have a magazine tell me.

Same goes for the ride.

This guy saying he doesn't like it? Maybe he doesn't. What do I care?


Can't add a thing to this....so I won't! :+1:

[image: View Post]arrow, on 01 December 2009 - 05:33 PM, said:

I also believe that the new VFR isn't as good as it could've been. Weight is the single biggest problem, less of it would mean better milage, performance and handling. I am getting used to the styling (although still, IMO, not as good looking as the 6th or 5th gen) and I think the DSG is a great idea, but if I were paying that much money, I would expect it to be closer to BMW K bikes in performance. As it is, it has inferior performance compared to a Blackbird, which makes me wonder what Honda was thinking in the first place.
hmm... seems the gloss is wearing off a bit already. All of them have commented on the miserable fuel range, which I was expecting. But 250km until you need to think about filling up? That's even worse than I thought.

I think what's happened is Honda have been too clever by half with all the marketing build up for this bike. For so much hype it basically had to have the performance of a GP bike and the touring qualities of a Goldwing, which was never going to happen. Journos are as human as the rest of us, so when the bike they rode didn't nearly live up to their expectations they got all disappointed and we're now reading the results.

Kev Ash seems to have summed it up best. Too heavy to be a sports bike, but the limited fuel range, none too comfy seat, basic instruments (even the R1 has a trip computer these days) and small luggage capacity don't really make it a tourer either. Maybe they're saving all that stuff for the (still only rumoured) touring version. There's not even the merest hint this exists yet, remember...

Honda have been pretty good in the past at striking a good compromise between the sport & touring markets with the VFR, perhaps not this time. But it's way too early to write it off yet. Who knows, maybe they've actually built something that will sell like hotcakes. We'll know pretty soon one way or another.

I think price will be the biggest factor. The 12000 pounds figure they are speculating about puts it in the 25K AUD range, which is an awful lot of money, only about 3K less than a K1300S and with less goodies. Also when you consider the 13 or 14 grand run out deal you'll be probably be able to get an '09 800 for...

[image: View Post]kaldek, on 01 December 2009 - 03:52 AM, said:

In short, MCN not impressed with the new VFR.
I am never too impressed with whatever comes out of the MCN headquarters :biggrin:

[image: View Post]kirbster, on 01 December 2009 - 01:22 PM, said:

Kev Ash seems to have summed it up best.
:+1:

The only use I have for MCN is to catch feral hamster droppings... :blink:

On a very positive note, just got me Cycle World mag yesterday and the initial review is, in short, a major rave (sorry - I don't have a scanner to post up the short article) but the comments after riding it on track and on the street are all :fing02:

Spend a Day with the new VFR1200F, and I'll have definite opinions. Lookin' at it, I like it. Color, it's OK. Spec Sheet, I'm impressed with at least 80%. I really think I will like this Bike after a Ride. It's more in line with what I use a Bike for. Full-on Performance Guys are probably gonna' love the engine/brakes, but would like to have about 30% of the Bike trimmed off. I'm lookin' at this as a Honda alternative to a Kawasaki 1400 Concours, my favorite Sport Tourer right now..... :fing02: :beer:...still, reservin' opinions for a Day-long Test Ride under various type roads, parking lot situations, and two-up..... :fing02: :beer:

MCN opinions....PFFffft... :rolleyes:

[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on 01 December 2009 - 12:52 PM, said:

Spend a Day with the new VFR1200F, and I'll have definite opinions. Lookin' at it, I like it. Color, it's OK. Spec Sheet, I'm impressed with at least 80%. I really think I will like this Bike after a Ride. It's more in line with what I use a Bike for. Full-on Performance Guys are probably gonna' love the engine/brakes, but would like to have about 30% of the Bike trimmed off. I'm lookin' at this as a Honda alternative to a Kawasaki 1400 Concours, my favorite Sport Tourer right now..... :fing02: :beer:...still, reservin' opinions for a Day-long Test Ride under various type roads, parking lot situations, and two-up..... :fing02: :beer:

MCN opinions....PFFffft... :rolleyes:

Great posting... :fing02:

��MCN??

Judging by this guy's writing skills I'm afraid I'm not so sure his riding skills are any better... although some of what he has to say could be relevant... if the hard bags are too small, that's a bit of a pain, but there's always aftermarket stuff... Kappa, Givi... would have to see what mileage it gets fully loaded and with pillion.

Just one thing... I don't know how far you guys go on a tank (5th or 6th gen in my case), but if I see 250 km when my fuel indicator starts to blink, then I must have been taking it reeeeaaal easy on the throttle... At a track day I'd be lucky to squeeze 175 km out of a tank. If my mileage is way low, please let me know (and where to start looking to fix it)... almost new plugs and a K&N filter, bike's got 75000 km.

Interesting he didn't find the seat comfy... looks comfy... and there's a slimmer gel option for people like SkuterTrash (in-seam challenged :) )

But like most people here, I'll have to try it to buy it...

Lucky Skute... Although my riding style is somewhat different to his, a skute-review would hold more credentials as far as I'm concerned... (and a Slammer-review would too)

"The Beemer that Honda built"

I like my 6th gen, and after I'm done adding and removing junk from it I'll love it. I hated the 7th gen on first sight, but it's tolerable after a couple of weeks of seeing it. I won't buy one...ever!, but I wish it well for all the geriatrics who do.

Flagship My A$$ more like Danny DiVito in the movie Twin's, except we'll have to wait several years for Honda to pop out Arnold.

[image: View Post]StuntManDan, on 01 December 2009 - 01:50 PM, said:

"The Beemer that Honda built"

I like my 6th gen, and after I'm done adding and removing junk from it I'll love it. I hated the 7th gen on first sight, but it's tolerable after a couple of weeks of seeing it. I won't buy one...ever!, but I wish it well for all the geriatrics who do.

Flagship My A$$ more like Danny DiVito in the movie Twin's, except we'll have to wait several years for Honda to pop out Arnold.

Quoting this lovely gem for posterity... :mellow:

[image: View Post]Auspa�ol, on 01 December 2009 - 01:43 PM, said:

Just one thing... I don't know how far you guys go on a tank (5th or 6th gen in my case), but if I see 250 km when my fuel indicator starts to blink, then I must have been taking it reeeeaaal easy on the throttle... At a track day I'd be lucky to squeeze 175 km out of a tank. If my mileage is way low, please let me know (and where to start looking to fix it)... almost new plugs and a K&N filter, bike's got 75000 km.

I pull 300km on my 07 before the light flashs. Done 400km once, and was taking it really easy trying to find a gas station. Even running around the gap back in May and hauling ass on the south end of the Blue Ridge Parkway following 2 other bikes, I still got well over 280km befor the flashy light came on.

Bad gas mileage on a 6th gen, check engine temps than the T-stat. My 07 runs around 75-80�C in 6th crusing along ,highest I saw was 91�C coming back across the GAP back in May when the outdoor temp was around 25�C but I was not gone easy on it at all. Ok well maybe easy for some people around here, but the hardest I have every pushed it.

But I know altitude can affect it as well. At home I'm only 100meters above sea level. Higher you go the thiner the air so the EFI computer leans the fuel back so you burn less. I think :blush: :blink:

[image: View Post]Auspa�ol, on 01 December 2009 - 01:43 PM, said:

��MCN??

Judging by this guy's writing skills I'm afraid I'm not so sure his riding skills are any better... although some of what he has to say could be relevant... if the hard bags are too small, that's a bit of a pain, but there's always aftermarket stuff... Kappa, Givi... would have to see what mileage it gets fully loaded and with pillion.

Just one thing... I don't know how far you guys go on a tank (5th or 6th gen in my case), but if I see 250 km when my fuel indicator starts to blink, then I must have been taking it reeeeaaal easy on the throttle... At a track day I'd be lucky to squeeze 175 km out of a tank. If my mileage is way low, please let me know (and where to start looking to fix it)... almost new plugs and a K&N filter, bike's got 75000 km.

Interesting he didn't find the seat comfy... looks comfy... and there's a slimmer gel option for people like SkuterTrash (in-seam challenged :) )

But like most people here, I'll have to try it to buy it...

Lucky Skute... Although my riding style is somewhat different to his, a skute-review would hold more credentials as far as I'm concerned... (and a Slammer-review would too)

Comin', soon as one shows up..... ;) :fing02:

[image: View Post]melvis, on 01 December 2009 - 04:03 PM, said:

The only use I have for MCN is to catch feral hamster droppings... :blink:

On a very positive note, just got me Cycle World mag yesterday and the initial review is, in short, a major rave (sorry - I don't have a scanner to post up the short article) but the comments after riding it on track and on the street are all :fing02:
Can't argue about the most appropriate use for MCN (though I still buy it every week...), but at least they (and some of the other British bike press) do sometimes slate new bikes. US mags notoriously (and shamefully, IMHO) more often function as external marketing arms of the manufacturers...

Ciao,

I'll wait for an authoritative report. "Bike" magazine should be testing it soon.

[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on 02 December 2009 - 05:47 AM, said:

I'll wait for an authoritative report. "Bike" magazine should be testing it soon.

Their first story was fairly informative, so I'm looking forward to their ride report as well... :fing02:

[image: View Post]Kanadian Ken, on 30 November 2009 - 11:18 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kaldek, on 30 November 2009 - 09:52 PM, said:

In short, MCN not impressed with the new VFR.

Who the fcuk really cares what MCN thinks (good or bad on the new VFR) ? I guess next thing to expect is a report about the new VFR in the Enquirer and we should take notes?

:comp13:


:+1: :+1: :+1: :+1: :beer:

[image: View Post]LEGEND, on 30 November 2009 - 10:30 PM, said:

Now don't get me wrong I really like my gen 6 and the whole v4 thing but there are times when I miss the snap of a good I4, and Honda is the king of I4's IMO. Does anyone remember when Honda tried in the 80's to make the v4 the dominant performance motor? Bad cams, oiling problems and the Ninja 900 put a stop to that real quick. Honda then came out those amazing hurricanes and later the cbr's, proper bikes for sure. I don't wish the new vfr any ill will and I think it's an excellent machine BUT Honda needs to go with what has been their bread and butter and what ultimately put them on the map, the I4. I'm really hoping history repeats itself and honda comes out with a sport touring oriented I4 again. If not that at least import the cb1000r and/or cb1300 to the U.S.

:unsure:

I'm sorry, but through the 80's you've mentioned and the 90's, only one I4 ever won a WSB Championship and that was Scott Russell Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7RR in 93. All other champions were on V2's or V4's.
Thru the 80's & 90's Honda's Only wins(3 Championships) were with V4's! In the 22 years of the WSB(production based bikes) the I4 has only won 4 championships and the mighty CBR has won only 1. :rolleyes:
Honda's Moto GP winners(4-stroke) are all V-config engines. ;)
The V4's only downfall is it's extra cost to mass produce vs I4's and most likely why it has not been pursued.

WSB
Year Champion Motorcycle Wins 2nd pl. 3rd pl.
1988 United States Fred Merkel Honda RC30 2 2 1
1989 United States Fred Merkel Honda RC30 3 2 5
1990 France Raymond Roche Ducati 851 8 7 2
1991 United States Doug Polen Ducati 888 17 4
1992 United States Doug Polen Ducati 888 9 4 2
1993 United S. Scott Russell Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7RR 5 12 1
1994 United Kingdom Carl Fogarty Ducati 916 10 4
1995 United Kingdom Carl Fogarty Ducati 916 13 6
1996 Australia Troy Corser Ducati 916 7 5 1
1997 United States John Kocinski Honda RC45 9 4 4
1998 United Kingdom Carl Fogarty Ducati 916 3 6 5
1999 United Kingdom Carl Fogarty Ducati 996 11 6 2
2000 United States Colin Edwards Honda VTR1000 SP/RC51 8 2 1
2001 Australia Troy Bayliss Ducati 996R 6 6 3
2002 United States Colin Edwards Honda VTR1000 SP-2/RC51 11 10 4
2003 United Kingdom Neil Hodgson Ducati 999F03 13 7
2004 United Kingdom James Toseland Ducati 999F04 3 9 2
2005 Australia Troy Corser Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5 8 5 5
2006 Australia Troy Bayliss Ducati 999F06 12 3 1
2007 United Kingdom James Toseland Honda CBR1000RR 8 5 1
2008 Australia Troy Bayliss Ducati 1098 F08 13 6 5
2009 United States Ben Spies Yamaha YZF-R1 14 2 1

Here in the US in the 80's the V4 dominated AMA Superbike when Honda introduced it.
1989 Jamie JAMES (USA), Suzuki
1988 Bubba SHOBERT (USA), Honda
1987 Wayne RAINEY (USA), Honda
1986 Fred MERKEL (USA), Honda
1985 Fred MERKEL (USA), Honda
1984 Fred MERKEL (USA), Honda
1983 Wayne RAINEY (USA), Kawasaki
1982 Eddie LAWSON (USA), Kawasaki
1981 Eddie LAWSON (USA), Kawasaki
1980 Wes COOLEY (USA), Suzuki

Well, there was also that 750cc vs 1000cc (now 1200cc) thing... :biggrin:

Honda didn't actually have an eligible I-4 until the rules changed to allow 1000cc fours. (Well, okay, they did make a CBR750F, but it was a Japan-only model.)

Ciao,