SCM (Sydney City Motorcycles) have announced the Australian release of the 1200 on Thursday 4th March 2010 at 1830 in their Lane Cove showroom. Those who registered their interest have been invited, but, seeing as it's a sausage sizzle and it's in the evening, I'm guessing there won't be test rides at the event. Still, it will be good to see it in the flesh and hopefully hear the confirmed Aussie pricing as well.
Australian Lunch Date confirmed.
26 posts Started 11 Feb 2010 Last recovered post 10 Mar 2010 Wayback Machine snapshot 8 Feb 2011
Well Honda pulled out of a test ride event in the UK last month, so I wouldn't get your hopes up. They did not like some comments said on the internet about it - or something about the folks test riding the bikes not being credentialed.
Yep, I think you're right. I'm not going to hold my breath, that's for sure.
[image: View Post]HispanicSlammer, on 11 February 2010 - 02:44 AM, said:
Well Honda pulled out of a test ride event in the UK last month, so I wouldn't get your hopes up. They did not like some comments said on the internet about it - or something about the folks test riding the bikes not being credentialed.Bit more to it than that. Honda didn't want members of the public riding the bike before the official launch. The bike supplied was for the assessment of Motorcycle News only.
Our official launch is this weekend where test rides are available so I would guess that in Aus, if it's an official launch, there will also be test rides. I believe many of our dealers are restricting the tests to 1 hour only and they're pretty booked up for the first couple of weeks.
Love the idea of a sausage sizzle though! Some of our dealers are doing a curry.
Steve
[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on 11 February 2010 - 12:06 AM, said:
SCM (Sydney City Motorcycles) have announced the Australian release of the 1200 on Thursday 4th March 2010 at 1830 in their Lane Cove showroom. Those who registered their interest have been invited, but, seeing as it's a sausage sizzle and it's in the evening, I'm guessing there won't be test rides at the event. Still, it will be good to see it in the flesh and hopefully hear the confirmed Aussie pricing as well.Yep, I'm going to that! Got the email on Thursday. If you're coming up from Wollongong, you'll be going past my house!
I seriously doubt that there'll be any test-rides on that night. I think it's just a chance for SCM to brag about their latest acquisition. I hope some of the Honda MPE guys are there; I'm going to rip into them about their bulls*** pricing.
I just checked the Canadian pricing: $18,299, or AUS$19,616. So why the f*** are we hearing that the Australian price will be closer to $25K???
From what I understand, the Canadian version is actually more expensive to produce, due to Canadian emissions-compliance laws. So, again, why the hell are we getting charged the same amount as if we were buying BMW's?
This sort of price-gouging only increases my suspicions that we, along with the UK and Canada, are being used to subsidise the US market.
[image: View Post]Rainbow7, on 13 February 2010 - 11:29 PM, said:
[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on 11 February 2010 - 12:06 AM, said:
SCM (Sydney City Motorcycles) have announced the Australian release of the 1200 on Thursday 4th March 2010 at 1830 in their Lane Cove showroom. Those who registered their interest have been invited, but, seeing as it's a sausage sizzle and it's in the evening, I'm guessing there won't be test rides at the event. Still, it will be good to see it in the flesh and hopefully hear the confirmed Aussie pricing as well.Yep, I'm going to that! Got the email on Thursday. If you're coming up from Wollongong, you'll be going past my house!
I seriously doubt that there'll be any test-rides on that night. I think it's just a chance for SCM to brag about their latest acquisition. I hope some of the Honda MPE guys are there; I'm going to rip into them about their bulls*** pricing.
I just checked the Canadian pricing: $18,299, or AUS$19,616. So why the f*** are we hearing that the Australian price will be closer to $25K???
From what I understand, the Canadian version is actually more expensive to produce, due to Canadian emissions-compliance laws. So, again, why the hell are we getting charged the same amount as if we were buying BMW's?
This sort of price-gouging only increases my suspicions that we, along with the UK and Canada, are being used to subsidise the US market.
I was in at the Honda dealer here (Tasmania) on friday and he told me they'd judt been given offical pricing. $25,500 + registration (approx $580.00) so $26k AUD to ride one out of the showroom here.
[image: View Post]Barney, on 14 February 2010 - 02:51 AM, said:
I was in at the Honda dealer here (Tasmania) on friday and he told me they'd judt been given offical pricing. $25,500 + registration (approx $580.00) so $26k AUD to ride one out of the showroom here.
Yeah, and that's just for the manual-clutch model! The DCT version will be more like $30K!!!
[image: View Post]Rainbow7, on 14 February 2010 - 02:58 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Barney, on 14 February 2010 - 02:51 AM, said:
I was in at the Honda dealer here (Tasmania) on friday and he told me they'd judt been given offical pricing. $25,500 + registration (approx $580.00) so $26k AUD to ride one out of the showroom here.
Yeah, and that's just for the manual-clutch model! The DCT version will be more like $30K!!!
Yeah. Good luck Honda, I'll be saving my pennies to see what the new Sprint ST is like. Or waiting until Honda Japan finally listens to the obvious complaints from Australia and drops the price. Yes, Honda Australia does not set the price - they are given a wholesale price from Japan and have to live with it. The most they can do is cut their margin to the bone, which is unlikely. Any margin erosion will likely have to be born by the dealers, which is like shifting deck chairs on the titanic.
So angry right now. So, so angry.
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 14 February 2010 - 04:14 AM, said:
Or waiting until Honda Japan finally listens to the obvious complaints from Australia and drops the price.Not much chance of that.
I just read this article http://cmgonline.com...t/view/154/266/ in which Honda Canada says that the real problem is that U.S. bikes are priced too low. - Too low for what? Stealerships to rape their customers even further???
Oh, and here's a great quote from that article: "Moore notes that a sharp reduction in motorcycle pricing could have some negative effects � recent buyers would not be happy, nor would those wishing to sell used bikes that have lost value compared to reduced-priced new models."
WTF? Yes, some people would be a little aggrieved. On the other hand, Honda would sell a crap-load more bikes if they lowered their retail pricing! What's worth more to them: One $25,000 sale, or ten $18,000 sales?
[image: View Post]Rainbow7, on 14 February 2010 - 04:29 AM, said:
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 14 February 2010 - 04:14 AM, said:
Or waiting until Honda Japan finally listens to the obvious complaints from Australia and drops the price.Not much chance of that.
I just read this article http://cmgonline.com...t/view/154/266/ in which Honda Canada says that the real problem is that U.S. bikes are priced too low. - Too low for what? Stealerships to rape their customers even further???
Oh, and here's a great quote from that article: "Moore notes that a sharp reduction in motorcycle pricing could have some negative effects � recent buyers would not be happy, nor would those wishing to sell used bikes that have lost value compared to reduced-priced new models."
WTF? Yes, some people would be a little aggrieved. On the other hand, Honda would sell a crap-load more bikes if they lowered their retail pricing! What's worth more to them: One $25,000 sale, or ten $18,000 sales?
It's not just Honda mate. The new 2010 Yamaha R1 is selling for �12,300 here. That's �700 more than the VFR12.
On a more positive note, do try and book an early test ride. Over here those doubters that have since had test rides are coming back with a totally revised opinion!
[image: View Post]Cynic, on 14 February 2010 - 05:10 AM, said:
It's not just Honda mate. The new 2010 Yamaha R1 is selling for �12,300 here. That's �700 more than the VFR12.Wow...that is a massive rip-off. Mind you, the average R1 buyer is just a squid, so stealerships know they can gouge them without too much fuss!
In Spain it's at 16000� = AU$24,500
If you converted UK price, you guys down under would pay AUS$20,432.
[image: View Post]Cynic, on 14 February 2010 - 07:57 AM, said:
If you converted UK price, you guys down under would pay AUS$20,432.But instead it looks like nearly 27 for the manual and probably over 30 for the DCT. Who are they trying to kid, I mean, really?
[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on 14 February 2010 - 07:45 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Cynic, on 14 February 2010 - 07:57 AM, said:
If you converted UK price, you guys down under would pay AUS$20,432.But instead it looks like nearly 27 for the manual and probably over 30 for the DCT. Who are they trying to kid, I mean, really?
Something I just considered - right now - is what if Honda views the Australian market differently? Maybe they think we're prepared to pay higher prices based on previous local success of BMW's efforts?
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 14 February 2010 - 08:05 PM, said:
[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on 14 February 2010 - 07:45 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Cynic, on 14 February 2010 - 07:57 AM, said:
If you converted UK price, you guys down under would pay AUS$20,432.But instead it looks like nearly 27 for the manual and probably over 30 for the DCT. Who are they trying to kid, I mean, really?
Something I just considered - right now - is what if Honda views the Australian market differently? Maybe they think we're prepared to pay higher prices based on previous local success of BMW's efforts?
Mmm, that's more than feasible. After all, motorcycle companies aren't run by motorcyclists, they are run by accountants.
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 14 February 2010 - 08:05 PM, said:
Something I just considered - right now - is what if Honda views the Australian market differently?Different for how they view this particular model, or just all of their bikes in general?
I think Honda has always regarded their bikes as being premium products and therefore worthy of a premium price. (And to be fair, their build quality and reliability have generally put them miles ahead of their competitors. - I've always owned Suzukis...but I've also always thought Honda made better quality bikes!)
But the issue is really not about what Honda thinks; it's what the market thinks that counts. If Honda are charging "too much" for a bike, it won't sell. (Rune/DN-01, anybody?)
[image: View Post]Rainbow7, on 14 February 2010 - 11:04 PM, said:
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 14 February 2010 - 08:05 PM, said:
Something I just considered - right now - is what if Honda views the Australian market differently?Different for how they view this particular model, or just all of their bikes in general?
I think Honda has always regarded their bikes as being premium products and therefore worthy of a premium price. (And to be fair, their build quality and reliability have generally put them miles ahead of their competitors. - I've always owned Suzukis...but I've also always thought Honda made better quality bikes!)
But the issue is really not about what Honda thinks; it's what the market thinks that counts. If Honda are charging "too much" for a bike, it won't sell. (Rune/DN-01, anybody?)
I can tell them what I think. I've had a Gen 3 for the last 10 years, and I've been waiting a long time for the rumoured VFR1000/1200. I've had a look at this thing, and last week I went and bought a really nice Gen 5 (anniversary colours) for about 30% of what the new ones going to cost. I'm going to improve it a little, and still spend a lot less than the $26kaud ask for the new thing. That'll have to do me for the next 10 years or so I guess. Think of the money I've saved.
Roger, $26000 for a really big bike, or $3000 for new suspension on my Gen4, bit of a no-brainer really, thanks again Honda, for nothing.
Yes, I went. Amazingly there can�t have been any more than 50 people there. I was expecting hundreds. Apparently, apart from the 7 NSW dealers who saw the bike earlier on in the day at the Hunter Valley lunch, we were the first people in Australia to see the bike, before even Honda�s own dealers. Quite amazing that so few people took them up on the offer to go have a look. Consequently there was plenty of time to poke and prod and sit. Excellent.
The bike is spectacular in the metal, a tribute to Honda�s new and highly secret paint technologies. It looks quite small, even alongside an 800 which was parked nearby. The only time it looks big is from directly side-on, where the long wheelbase becomes apparent. The fit and finish is stunningly good, though I have great concerns about how the exposed header pipes will fare on Australian roads, placed as they are directly behind the front wheel and with a slot in the fairing to allow the gunk in between them and the wheel.
The bike certainly feels nice to sit on; the seat feels very comfy and the pegs and bars feel to be just in the right spot for me (I�m 5′8″�, 173cm) The saleman was kind enough to hold the bike up for me while I put both feet on the pegs and it felt really good with perhaps just a slightly longer stretch to the bars than on my 4th Gen. I asked to be able to heft it onto the centrestand (amazingly no-one else seemed to have thought of that) and it was even easier than my bike The salemsan said �Oh there�s a trick to it.� but, by the time he�d half finished saying it, it was up there. Very easy. Incidentally, Australia is the only country where the bike will be supplied with a centrestand as standard.
Now, the not-so-good news. Are you sitting down? $A26600 on-road. Yes, you read right. No pricing on the DCT model, but that will be available in June. Bikes have been pre-ordered and the Honda exec there said that, while bikes WILL be in the showrooms next week!!! most have been pre-sold and he expects dealers will have to take orders after the release date and customers will have to wait. There were at least 2 people there last night who have already bought.
During the (somewhat amateurish) multimedia presentation, much was made of the technology and the mass-centralisation and one of the salesmen who had ridden the bike for 2 hours in the Hunter Valley earlier on in the day said he was amazed how �flickable� it was for a big bike. The Honda exec did confirm what Trevor Hedge had said earlier on that the FBW throttle delivered a big �kick� of power after you get past 6000 revs but that it was smooth (and, presumably, not like the VTEC, though he, of course, couldn�t say that). 90% of the engine�s torque is delivered below 4000RPM.
Like the rest of the crowd, I ended up being too awed by the spectacle and carrried along in the moment to ask awkard questions about fuel range. I feel like a bit of a wimp now, but, in my defence, you really had to be there to understand.
In conclusion, the bike is luscious, and so much more so in real life. Forget the pictures, it stuns in the metal. At that price only the rich need apply, but something tells me that there will be many who will be prepared to overlook the weight and tankage issues just so that they can be first on the block with it. It really is a wonderful-looking thing.
Now, Mr Honda, how about a pared-down �sports� version, thank you. More details later, I gotta get to work.
The bike is spectacular in the metal, a tribute to Honda�s new and highly secret paint technologies. It looks quite small, even alongside an 800 which was parked nearby. The only time it looks big is from directly side-on, where the long wheelbase becomes apparent. The fit and finish is stunningly good, though I have great concerns about how the exposed header pipes will fare on Australian roads, placed as they are directly behind the front wheel and with a slot in the fairing to allow the gunk in between them and the wheel.
The bike certainly feels nice to sit on; the seat feels very comfy and the pegs and bars feel to be just in the right spot for me (I�m 5′8″�, 173cm) The saleman was kind enough to hold the bike up for me while I put both feet on the pegs and it felt really good with perhaps just a slightly longer stretch to the bars than on my 4th Gen. I asked to be able to heft it onto the centrestand (amazingly no-one else seemed to have thought of that) and it was even easier than my bike The salemsan said �Oh there�s a trick to it.� but, by the time he�d half finished saying it, it was up there. Very easy. Incidentally, Australia is the only country where the bike will be supplied with a centrestand as standard.
Now, the not-so-good news. Are you sitting down? $A26600 on-road. Yes, you read right. No pricing on the DCT model, but that will be available in June. Bikes have been pre-ordered and the Honda exec there said that, while bikes WILL be in the showrooms next week!!! most have been pre-sold and he expects dealers will have to take orders after the release date and customers will have to wait. There were at least 2 people there last night who have already bought.
During the (somewhat amateurish) multimedia presentation, much was made of the technology and the mass-centralisation and one of the salesmen who had ridden the bike for 2 hours in the Hunter Valley earlier on in the day said he was amazed how �flickable� it was for a big bike. The Honda exec did confirm what Trevor Hedge had said earlier on that the FBW throttle delivered a big �kick� of power after you get past 6000 revs but that it was smooth (and, presumably, not like the VTEC, though he, of course, couldn�t say that). 90% of the engine�s torque is delivered below 4000RPM.
Like the rest of the crowd, I ended up being too awed by the spectacle and carrried along in the moment to ask awkard questions about fuel range. I feel like a bit of a wimp now, but, in my defence, you really had to be there to understand.
In conclusion, the bike is luscious, and so much more so in real life. Forget the pictures, it stuns in the metal. At that price only the rich need apply, but something tells me that there will be many who will be prepared to overlook the weight and tankage issues just so that they can be first on the block with it. It really is a wonderful-looking thing.
Now, Mr Honda, how about a pared-down �sports� version, thank you. More details later, I gotta get to work.
[image: View Post]rc36Honda, on 04 March 2010 - 04:02 PM, said:
Incidentally, Australia is the only country where the bike will be supplied with a centrestand as standard.$A26600 on-road.
Well that explains the high price for you Aussie's, it's a $5000 centerstand! :rolleyes:
Good report, thax! :fing02:
I don't seem to be able to upload photos for some reason (tried the gallery and it didn't work either). My Samsung compact camera seems to have taken a dislike to being carried on the bike and almost all of my photos from last night turned out "fuzzy".
I know it's frowned upon, but you can see the 3 photos that are any good on my web site.
Some more impressions:
1. The little flap in the exhaust pipe is certainly going to provide issues for the after-market pipe makers.
2. Trevor Hedge who is presently riding around Oz on a VFR1200F reports that he is needing to fill up at around the 200km mark, which is pretty scary.
3. The dash, while looking good in the pictures, disappoints in real life when it comes down to features. Just the basic stuff and no trip computer of any sort. Pretty dodgy in a high-end bike these days.
4. The fairing is supposed to be "easy" to remove when you know how. I think the jury might be out on this one for a bit longer. Someone suggested that the reason why the bike weighs this much is that there is a little Japanese guy who lives inside the bike and is there to remove the fairing from the inside when servicing is required.
5. Re: Servicing. The bike will have 12000km service intervals and a Two Year Warranty.
6. They showed a graphic of the new motor superimposed over the old one. The 1200 is startlingly smaller.
I know it's frowned upon, but you can see the 3 photos that are any good on my web site.
Some more impressions:
1. The little flap in the exhaust pipe is certainly going to provide issues for the after-market pipe makers.
2. Trevor Hedge who is presently riding around Oz on a VFR1200F reports that he is needing to fill up at around the 200km mark, which is pretty scary.
3. The dash, while looking good in the pictures, disappoints in real life when it comes down to features. Just the basic stuff and no trip computer of any sort. Pretty dodgy in a high-end bike these days.
4. The fairing is supposed to be "easy" to remove when you know how. I think the jury might be out on this one for a bit longer. Someone suggested that the reason why the bike weighs this much is that there is a little Japanese guy who lives inside the bike and is there to remove the fairing from the inside when servicing is required.
5. Re: Servicing. The bike will have 12000km service intervals and a Two Year Warranty.
6. They showed a graphic of the new motor superimposed over the old one. The 1200 is startlingly smaller.
An OzVFR type went out to Lane Cove today to have a look, and ended up taking it for a ride - it's a bit long, I've actually pasted in from two separate emails he wrote, but a good point of view:
I couldn't go last night when I read Rob's email - I'd already had three beers.I went there this morning to "look for a new helmet and jacket".That's what I told myself. I walked in the bottom floor - I couldn't see the entrance to the accessories section for some reason. There they were - white and silver.I found that both look good - the white has been talked about plenty and looks good as is. It would also be better with the gold trim and wheels - thanks Muz for posting that photchop. As Rob noticed, it does look poor that the trim on the cowl doesn't line up. The Silver ... upside down forks, radial brakes - I missed that in the specs.Very similar seating position to everything I've been riding for 15 years - both of them.Front is 120/70ZR17, Rear is 190/55ZR17, so maybe a bit pricier for rear tyres. The seat height is shorter than the F800S, so I didn't really notice the extra weight when I swung it up. I pumped the forks - it feels a bit stiffer than I remember.A mechanic came down and rode the machine out and upstairs. He didn't rev it much so it just sounded like a sewing machine.He brought it back down - I later realised he was probably filling up the tank.I mumbled something to the sales guy about "extra weight, tank size ... lease ends soon .... 1000cc and 200kg would be ideal ..." and went upstairs to look for a helmet and Jacket.The only jacket I could find that I liked was a white and silver Dainese at $1200 ! There weren't any runout Shoei helmets, so I looked at Draggin Jeans and then went back down to the F800S. Beside my bike, there was a white 1987 VFR. The VFR1200F was out there too and another sales guys was saying "you certainly cannot say your not loyal to the VFR" as the VFR owner got onto the 1200. When he rode off, the sales guy came over and started talking to me and before I new it, he'd handcuffed me to the old VFR, rifled through my bag and got my License, Medicare card and a credit card ! Maybe it didn't quite go that way, but that's what I'll tell Ingrid.We chatted about things while the other guy was riding it. He's already put his deposit down and is deciding on taking the first ones or waiting for the DCT.He came back and he's the second owner of the VFR750 - it was an brought out from Blighty by the original owner and he's had it since the early 90s. Then I put my helmet and gloves on and went for a ride.
It's actually Honda's bike and they have to give it back today, so I'm glad Rob told us about it. It was used for the launch in the Hunter Valley which is why Rob saw them washing it. It has 1000km and has marks on the pillion page mounts where the tie downs were for transport. I sat on it and turned the key. I had to look for the start button - it's not a BMW :-)Nothing. Oh that guy uses the kill switch.Clutch in, put it in gear and there was a dull feel and it stayed in neutral ... I had to try twice before it went into gear - it feels like there's a fibre stop or something to damp the clunk you usually get in first. That was the only problem I had with the gear box - it shifted fine and I just pushed harder when going to first. I started riding and expecting it to be heavier I tipped it a bit harder turning past the wall to go up the driveway. I nearly took the LHS mirror off because it turned so easily. That was one theme I noticed. It turns easier than I expected.It's really quiet when under 5000 rpm. I didn't stall it like I did the BMW on my first ride. Now there's no gear driven cam whine and that felt wrong :-( You have to remember I'm a Testarossa rider. And a BMW rider ...
Right indicator. Damn, that's the starter. Indicator's on the left. Damn, that's the horn. Ah, there it is ! No push it right, not straight in. At last I can ride off.Man it's smooth and I'm at 65 km/h ! That's the other theme - there's so much torque.I went down Centennial to the river and it turned really nice and didn't feel like it was pushing the front end.There's not much engine braking in 2nd and none in 3rd at 60-80. There was too much traffic to rev it hard up the hill ...I went down to Magdala Park for the mini photo shoot. The workers down there were all looking at me - especially when I revved it to 8000 to see what it sounds like. Ah there's some of that V4 music. I rode around Pittwater Road and gave it some getting back onto Burns Bay Road. I got it to 6000 rpm in first and the V4 music was there. But that's over 80 km/h. Where am I going to ride that I can get that in 4th or fifth ? The seat feels flatter than the VFR750 - in fact it feels and looks like the BMW F800 seat - it's got the same hump for the pillion's pleasure ;-) The suspension felt planted and firm and it turned when I wanted and where I wanted. The last kilometre was stop start and the fan was running even when I was moving - I could feel the heat starting to cook both ankles. This wouldn't be noticed at speed, but it was there at 20-50 km/h. When I stopped I felt all of the plastic at the bottom - it was Hot. I wonder how that's going to last ? The plastic lower on the 750 is foil lined when it's near the exhaust - this was getting hot from the air going past. Engine - incredible torque - once over 4000 rpm. It felt worse than the F800S at 3000 rpm. Does it have VTEC ? It felt like there was something happening around 4-5k rpm. I haven't ridden a VTEC 800 yet. Handling - it turned easily and felt secure and sharp - I haven't ridden a supersport 600 for years nor any superbike ... yet. The brakes - I was impressed. The demo has ABS and DCBS. The lever and pedal were firm, unlike BMW's ABS. It stopped really quick. I couldn't get it up to Zot speed where Scotty tells me I would notice trying to stop the extra weight. Fit and Finish Everything lined up and looked good quality - some of the black plastic filling the fairing spaces down low looks a bit flimsy and I think it would grey quickly.I like the look of it in real life. But then I ride a BMW ! Even the exhaust didn't bother me. Could I commute on it ? Yes - I didn't feel it was too big. You'd probably use 1st and 2nd in the city. Wouldn't get much aural pleasure though. Might get hot ankles, but it's probably not as bad as the baked right leg on the 750. Filtering ? Didn't try it and wouldn't be keen with the double layer mirrors - they look cool, but there's certainly extra weight everywhere. Could I tour on it ? Definitely. We need to wait for some long distance reviews. Anyway, I won't be touring for a while. Corners - there's nowhere near SCM that I could really try flicking it around - with a $2k excess plus fines if I get it wrong. I would like a better ride. Range - wait for the reviews. Chain lube - non required :-) I didn't notice any torque reaction to the shaft drive - I wouldn't be revving it hard enough in a corner anyway and I'm sure they've got that sorted since the CX500 turbo that I've read about. Fun - yes because it's powerful. In the real world - I found my ZZR250 and TZR250 more fun than the VFR750 or F800S because you could ride them harder and not be doing lock-me-up please speeds. I would miss the whine of the 750, I love the torque, the easy revving. I was impressed by the machine. Would I buy it - no. If I was buying, then a VTEC 800 or a franken750 would be better value for me. If I had that much money to throw around, then it would be something more exotic. But I'm not buying. Would I lease it ? Maybe - what's the resale going to be ? What's the future price going to be ?Leasing require that in 2 years, the resale exceeds 50% of the purchase value. By a lot is much better ! If I could get a second hand one or a demo, then yes. SCM tell me they had 5 buyers willing to put their money down without a price even set - don't we live in an affluent country ? I think with the touring version and the DCT still to come, Honda will discount it by throwing in extras if it doesn't keep moving.
Best regards
Alan Garde
I couldn't go last night when I read Rob's email - I'd already had three beers.I went there this morning to "look for a new helmet and jacket".That's what I told myself. I walked in the bottom floor - I couldn't see the entrance to the accessories section for some reason. There they were - white and silver.I found that both look good - the white has been talked about plenty and looks good as is. It would also be better with the gold trim and wheels - thanks Muz for posting that photchop. As Rob noticed, it does look poor that the trim on the cowl doesn't line up. The Silver ... upside down forks, radial brakes - I missed that in the specs.Very similar seating position to everything I've been riding for 15 years - both of them.Front is 120/70ZR17, Rear is 190/55ZR17, so maybe a bit pricier for rear tyres. The seat height is shorter than the F800S, so I didn't really notice the extra weight when I swung it up. I pumped the forks - it feels a bit stiffer than I remember.A mechanic came down and rode the machine out and upstairs. He didn't rev it much so it just sounded like a sewing machine.He brought it back down - I later realised he was probably filling up the tank.I mumbled something to the sales guy about "extra weight, tank size ... lease ends soon .... 1000cc and 200kg would be ideal ..." and went upstairs to look for a helmet and Jacket.The only jacket I could find that I liked was a white and silver Dainese at $1200 ! There weren't any runout Shoei helmets, so I looked at Draggin Jeans and then went back down to the F800S. Beside my bike, there was a white 1987 VFR. The VFR1200F was out there too and another sales guys was saying "you certainly cannot say your not loyal to the VFR" as the VFR owner got onto the 1200. When he rode off, the sales guy came over and started talking to me and before I new it, he'd handcuffed me to the old VFR, rifled through my bag and got my License, Medicare card and a credit card ! Maybe it didn't quite go that way, but that's what I'll tell Ingrid.We chatted about things while the other guy was riding it. He's already put his deposit down and is deciding on taking the first ones or waiting for the DCT.He came back and he's the second owner of the VFR750 - it was an brought out from Blighty by the original owner and he's had it since the early 90s. Then I put my helmet and gloves on and went for a ride.
It's actually Honda's bike and they have to give it back today, so I'm glad Rob told us about it. It was used for the launch in the Hunter Valley which is why Rob saw them washing it. It has 1000km and has marks on the pillion page mounts where the tie downs were for transport. I sat on it and turned the key. I had to look for the start button - it's not a BMW :-)Nothing. Oh that guy uses the kill switch.Clutch in, put it in gear and there was a dull feel and it stayed in neutral ... I had to try twice before it went into gear - it feels like there's a fibre stop or something to damp the clunk you usually get in first. That was the only problem I had with the gear box - it shifted fine and I just pushed harder when going to first. I started riding and expecting it to be heavier I tipped it a bit harder turning past the wall to go up the driveway. I nearly took the LHS mirror off because it turned so easily. That was one theme I noticed. It turns easier than I expected.It's really quiet when under 5000 rpm. I didn't stall it like I did the BMW on my first ride. Now there's no gear driven cam whine and that felt wrong :-( You have to remember I'm a Testarossa rider. And a BMW rider ...
Right indicator. Damn, that's the starter. Indicator's on the left. Damn, that's the horn. Ah, there it is ! No push it right, not straight in. At last I can ride off.Man it's smooth and I'm at 65 km/h ! That's the other theme - there's so much torque.I went down Centennial to the river and it turned really nice and didn't feel like it was pushing the front end.There's not much engine braking in 2nd and none in 3rd at 60-80. There was too much traffic to rev it hard up the hill ...I went down to Magdala Park for the mini photo shoot. The workers down there were all looking at me - especially when I revved it to 8000 to see what it sounds like. Ah there's some of that V4 music. I rode around Pittwater Road and gave it some getting back onto Burns Bay Road. I got it to 6000 rpm in first and the V4 music was there. But that's over 80 km/h. Where am I going to ride that I can get that in 4th or fifth ? The seat feels flatter than the VFR750 - in fact it feels and looks like the BMW F800 seat - it's got the same hump for the pillion's pleasure ;-) The suspension felt planted and firm and it turned when I wanted and where I wanted. The last kilometre was stop start and the fan was running even when I was moving - I could feel the heat starting to cook both ankles. This wouldn't be noticed at speed, but it was there at 20-50 km/h. When I stopped I felt all of the plastic at the bottom - it was Hot. I wonder how that's going to last ? The plastic lower on the 750 is foil lined when it's near the exhaust - this was getting hot from the air going past. Engine - incredible torque - once over 4000 rpm. It felt worse than the F800S at 3000 rpm. Does it have VTEC ? It felt like there was something happening around 4-5k rpm. I haven't ridden a VTEC 800 yet. Handling - it turned easily and felt secure and sharp - I haven't ridden a supersport 600 for years nor any superbike ... yet. The brakes - I was impressed. The demo has ABS and DCBS. The lever and pedal were firm, unlike BMW's ABS. It stopped really quick. I couldn't get it up to Zot speed where Scotty tells me I would notice trying to stop the extra weight. Fit and Finish Everything lined up and looked good quality - some of the black plastic filling the fairing spaces down low looks a bit flimsy and I think it would grey quickly.I like the look of it in real life. But then I ride a BMW ! Even the exhaust didn't bother me. Could I commute on it ? Yes - I didn't feel it was too big. You'd probably use 1st and 2nd in the city. Wouldn't get much aural pleasure though. Might get hot ankles, but it's probably not as bad as the baked right leg on the 750. Filtering ? Didn't try it and wouldn't be keen with the double layer mirrors - they look cool, but there's certainly extra weight everywhere. Could I tour on it ? Definitely. We need to wait for some long distance reviews. Anyway, I won't be touring for a while. Corners - there's nowhere near SCM that I could really try flicking it around - with a $2k excess plus fines if I get it wrong. I would like a better ride. Range - wait for the reviews. Chain lube - non required :-) I didn't notice any torque reaction to the shaft drive - I wouldn't be revving it hard enough in a corner anyway and I'm sure they've got that sorted since the CX500 turbo that I've read about. Fun - yes because it's powerful. In the real world - I found my ZZR250 and TZR250 more fun than the VFR750 or F800S because you could ride them harder and not be doing lock-me-up please speeds. I would miss the whine of the 750, I love the torque, the easy revving. I was impressed by the machine. Would I buy it - no. If I was buying, then a VTEC 800 or a franken750 would be better value for me. If I had that much money to throw around, then it would be something more exotic. But I'm not buying. Would I lease it ? Maybe - what's the resale going to be ? What's the future price going to be ?Leasing require that in 2 years, the resale exceeds 50% of the purchase value. By a lot is much better ! If I could get a second hand one or a demo, then yes. SCM tell me they had 5 buyers willing to put their money down without a price even set - don't we live in an affluent country ? I think with the touring version and the DCT still to come, Honda will discount it by throwing in extras if it doesn't keep moving.
Best regards
Alan Garde
Im really sad for our Australian cousins with that price. I thought mine was expensive but thats terrible. How does it compare with the Oz price of a K1300s?
[image: View Post]Cynic, on 05 March 2010 - 08:23 PM, said:
Im really sad for our Australian cousins with that price. I thought mine was expensive but thats terrible. How does it compare with the Oz price of a K1300s?K1300S $A26100
[image: View Post]The Phantom, on 05 March 2010 - 03:28 AM, said:
An OzVFR type went out to Lane Cove today to have a look, and ended up taking it for a ride - it's a bit long, I've actually pasted in from two separate emails he wrote, but a good point of view:Thanks Murray for posting my ramblings.
I'd like to add that I agree with K and/or H in OzVFR - it's a completely new bike. It's a Honda, it's a V4, it's a VFR, but it's not really what I'm looking for in a bike.
Some VFR owners have already jumped at it. Some won't be interested. The price will certainly stop a lot of people.
What will my next bike be ?
Maybe a VTEC ?
But then I'd have to lose on the potential profits via the Salary Sacrifice deal.
The ideal would be a $50K plus bike. Hmmm, an NR750 ... but then I'd have to sacrifice a lot of salary and I don't think any accountant would allow 50% depreciation in two years :-)
I don't think I'd have much luck with a lease on a RC45 either ...
End of thread · 26 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 8 Feb 2011