VFR1200F test ride

Well I got to spend an hour on the new VFR today.

After literally jumping off my 5th gen VFR and onto the new one I felt surprisingly at home with the seating position, feeling a tad more upright with the pegs just slightly further back. But importantly over the hour I spent in the saddle no issues at all.

Pulling out of the Honda dealership, grinning from ear to ear I didn't feel overly excited about the noise this thing makes, having been used to the growl and racy V4 whine of my 5th gen. Especially when pulling hard from 4k or so it doesn't pulsate and snarl at you as much. However, once you get her past that magic 5500rpm the bike changes character; very much like the VTEC coming on song (but without the jolt) and she just roars and howls just like a V4 engine should sounding 'beefier' than the 800.

Of course the bike feels more powerful and torquey, which is most evident when cruising in 4 or 5th (even 6th) when she just pulls, very cleanly and with authority - very useful for pillion work. BUT I've got to say it didn't feel as strong as I thought it would. No Blackbird power rush here, it's all in the mid-range.

Talking of pillion duties after my 1st 20 minutes I went to pick up my girlfriend so I could test how the bike felt. Sarah said the seat felt smaller and not quite as soft (same for me) but the grab handles were excellent and overall seating position felt the same - in fact she actually said, aside from the power difference, it felt very similar to the 800.

When jumping from bike to bike I initially could feel the extra weight, particularly at the front oddly but this really doesn't translate to sloppy agility on the road. I picked some of my favourite twisty sections and with pillion, I could really flick the bike from side to side with relative ease - but for sporty sport touring duties I'd say the VFR800 will win hands down on a tight twisting road.

Brakes are confident, strong and predictable. Wind protection for me, didn't feel as good (particularly my legs started to feel the cold). The bike is STABLE - and at silly speeds no issues at all, it's now too easy to go well over 100+ without realising it, and Sarah couldn't believe how quickly this thing can gain speed.

Suspension felt incredibly stiff - to the point where it felt uncomfortable on certain roads my back started complaining slightly (probably for me one of the bikes negatives but with a quick tune up I�m sure it�s easily fixed)

When riding home on my bike it's amazing how similar the engine characteristics are between my 5th gen and this new 1200. Very smooth, linear with hardly any vibration.

I hope this mini-review helps, I've just typed what I remember and sorry it's not in any specific order. I would have loved to spend the whole day on it.

But for me, at least - I shall certainly be in the market for one in a year or so - which brings me to my only main negative, it�s overpriced.

(Edit, by the way the heated grips were excellent and very neat)

Below are some pics just to prove I'm not making this up :)

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[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on 16 February 2010 - 04:07 PM, said:

Below are some pics just to prove I'm not making this up :)

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Thanks, good review Steve. It truly looks a lot smaller with a rider aboard.

Steve, just for a reference how tall are you?

Hi,

I am 6 foot tall

Steve you lucky b$%%er!!!

I kill you!!

I'm 6'4" and the photos of me on the 1200 give the same impression... nice write up... you cover many good points... and got to take a pillion and carve curves (in this cold??)... if I could have two bikes I reckon the 1200 and a track bike would be pretty close to bliss.

I'm still waiting on a call to test her out, but I think I'll be calling them to make sure they know I'm interested...

Great review Steve, I'm glad you got a chance to check it out - it does look quite small with a 6' rider on it, that's for sure. I think all the power delivery is intentional, attributable to the fly by wire throttle apparently. I'm really interested that you think the 800 is much quicker on a tight road; it would be worth seeing just how much, as I think the bikes are similar in many respects. Probably moreso than with the 6th generation.

Was your bike suspension set to standard do you know?

Price is another issue. Our UK price is pitched firmly at the K1300S and is in the same ball park. I think our issue as VFR owners is that we're just not used to a Honda costing this much, certainly not a VFR anyway. BUT, new prices are going up for all bikes. Check out Yamaha for example, or Ducati's proposed pricing for the Multistrada. The cheap bike era for us I think is disappearing. Good news for used prices though. I think it's a high price, definitely, but overpriced, I'm not sure. Second hand values will be the telling point. If they're anyway near as good as with the Blackbird I'll be happy.

[image: View Post]Cynic, on 16 February 2010 - 05:57 PM, said:

If they're anyway near as good as with the Blackbird I'll be happy.


No kidding! :goofy:

Ah man...that really sucks.......now I want one even MORE :excl:

Brian

Another mostly positive real-world rider review for the 7th gen. :) As far as I can tell, for now price will be the new bike's biggest stumbling block.

Can't wait to see a new VFR at my local dealer. Hoping for a demo ride, too! ;)

Absolutely, it is remarkable how similar the 5th gen feels, especially considering it's so down on power compared to the 1200.

It's funny that the 1st thing Sarah said when I pulled up on it was...

'Wow I love the exhaust'!!

Cynic I didn't ask about the suspension settings (I wish I had now) but certainly on the demo one, it felt wayy too stiff for my liking.

Overall though our new VFR is a beautifully, competent, astonishing bike and well worthy to carry the VFR name into the 21st Century in my opinion

Keep posting up your thoughts mate as after all you�re the lucky one who can ride it everyday and live with it. I�ll look forward to seeing your bike in person too whenever you�re up in Lincoln area :D

Thanks for the write-up, Steve!

I have to admit the aesthetics are growing on me, and can�t wait to see one in person. The bike does look surprisingly smaller with a rider aboard. I�m 6� as well and can see me on one of these down the road. Way down the road.

Still got a lot of miles to put on my 6th gen before I consider a move � but it�s good to hear Honda hasn�t ruined the VFR with the dramatic changes in styling, drive-train, etc.

nice write up. Thanks! I, like everyone else, find the bike looking much smaller with real people on it. I also keep getting the image of a buffalo with the large front and small rear in my head...

as i just bought plastics for my 800, don't think i will have one anytime soon, but i really do like what i see.

[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on 17 February 2010 - 07:10 AM, said:

Cynic I didn't ask about the suspension settings (I wish I had now) but certainly on the demo one, it felt wayy too stiff for my liking.


Hmm, the manual gives the stock settings so I think I will check mine later to see what the result is. I must admit I never thought about it till you mentioned it!

And mine looks just like your demo - you seen one you seen 'em all ;)

[image: View Post]Cynic, on 17 February 2010 - 08:55 AM, said:

[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on 17 February 2010 - 07:10 AM, said:

Cynic I didn't ask about the suspension settings (I wish I had now) but certainly on the demo one, it felt wayy too stiff for my liking.


Hmm, the manual gives the stock settings so I think I will check mine later to see what the result is. I must admit I never thought about it till you mentioned it!

And mine looks just like your demo - you seen one you seen 'em all ;)


very true. One thing I didn't even give a second thought to is the Shaft drive. I've never ridden one before but I really couldn't 'feel' any difference at all - excellent.

hi steve,great write up,not the best of weather conditions to carry out a test ride but a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do eh.im hoping to get to grimsby honda dealers for a ride ! snow is forcast for the weekend!i dont know if my fingers and toes will cope well. :wheel:

[image: View Post]robwalmsley, on 18 February 2010 - 12:57 PM, said:

hi steve,great write up,not the best of weather conditions to carry out a test ride but a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do eh.im hoping to get to grimsby honda dealers for a ride ! snow is forcast for the weekend!i dont know if my fingers and toes will cope well. :wheel:


Cheers Rob, the weekend isn't looking too bad now with plenty of sunshine - make sure you demo the one with the heated grips as it's still 4-5c out there.

Post up your thoughts :fing02:

Nice write-up Steve :fing02:
Me and superchode went to a bike show yesterday and there were quite a few on display and they all got a lot of attention from the public. A local dealer I spoke to menioned he allready sold 8 so it seems the public is not only admiring the new VFR but also buying.

[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on 16 February 2010 - 04:07 PM, said:

I could really flick the bike from side to side with relative ease - but for sporty sport touring duties I'd say the VFR800 will win hands down on a tight twisting road.


Motorrad has a done side by side comparison between the VFR1200F and the vtec. I haven't read the article yet but they've put some nice pics online
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I REALLY like the white on black 6th gen!! I wonder if there are any aftermarket plastics that look as good? I still have 3 years or so with my 6th gen but I do appreciate the 2 up feedback on the 7th gen. In 3 years they should have a good aftermarket seat upgrade so that my better half will be comfy.

[image: View Post]V4 Rosso, on 19 February 2010 - 10:03 AM, said:

Motorrad has a done side by side comparison between the VFR1200F and the vtec. I haven't read the article yet but they've put some nice pics online

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Well, that certainly helps put things in perspective about it being too big.

Interesting side by side photo comparison - I think this is the best example yet of how smaller the new 1200 actually is in person. I wish I could read the article but I guess that's not on the website.

I've just got the new RIDE mag here in the UK which has some Blackbird owners thoughts on the new VFR.

[image: View Post]Cynic, on 16 February 2010 - 05:57 PM, said:

fly by wire throttle



Ugh. I know that may technically be better from a technology and emissions perspective but... I don't like the idea of putting my life in the hands of a stepper motor.

I'm curious how the OEMs have gotten around the additional safety of a cable. Throttles started as a single cable, then a dual cable to push and pull... and now no cables. The ZX14s had problems with the TBW when they came out and we've met Toyota. Maybe I just don't like change, but it seems like the throttle by wire is still best left to the track.

[image: View Post]thereisnospoon, on 19 February 2010 - 01:15 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Cynic, on 16 February 2010 - 05:57 PM, said:

fly by wire throttle



Ugh. I know that may technically be better from a technology and emissions perspective but... I don't like the idea of putting my life in the hands of a stepper motor.

I'm curious how the OEMs have gotten around the additional safety of a cable. Throttles started as a single cable, then a dual cable to push and pull... and now no cables. The ZX14s had problems with the TBW when they came out and we've met Toyota. Maybe I just don't like change, but it seems like the throttle by wire is still best left to the track.


I get to ride a bike with Fly By Wire Throttle and my very first thought was wow this is smooth, too smooth, I feel disconnected from the bike. I'm sure Honda has done their job in making sure it's safe, but it's the loss of "feel" that doesn't appeal to me if the 1200 is the same.

[image: View Post]jasonsmith, on 19 February 2010 - 02:12 PM, said:

[image: View Post]thereisnospoon, on 19 February 2010 - 01:15 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Cynic, on 16 February 2010 - 05:57 PM, said:

fly by wire throttle



Ugh. I know that may technically be better from a technology and emissions perspective but... I don't like the idea of putting my life in the hands of a stepper motor.

I'm curious how the OEMs have gotten around the additional safety of a cable. Throttles started as a single cable, then a dual cable to push and pull... and now no cables. The ZX14s had problems with the TBW when they came out and we've met Toyota. Maybe I just don't like change, but it seems like the throttle by wire is still best left to the track.


I get to ride a bike with Fly By Wire Throttle and my very first thought was wow this is smooth, too smooth, I feel disconnected from the bike. I'm sure Honda has done their job in making sure it's safe, but it's the loss of "feel" that doesn't appeal to me if the 1200 is the same.


To be honest it didn't feel any different from the conventional setup, just a lovely spread of power

[image: View Post]thereisnospoon, on 19 February 2010 - 01:15 PM, said:

Throttles started as a single cable, then a dual cable to push and pull... and now no cables.


Then explain this:
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;p

[quote name='Maddog Hoek' date='19 February 2010 - 10:42 AM' timestamp='1266594146' post='684325']

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I REALLY like the white on black 6th gen!! I wonder if there are any aftermarket plastics that look as good? I still have 3 years or so with my 6th gen but I do appreciate the 2 up feedback on the 7th gen. In 3 years they should have a good aftermarket seat upgrade so that my better half will be comfy.
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I just bought this color aftermarket plastics on ebay from heyman.....should be here in a week or two. i'll let you know how they fit, but price is awesome at $550ish.

[image: View Post]V4 Rosso, on 19 February 2010 - 07:43 PM, said:

[image: View Post]thereisnospoon, on 19 February 2010 - 01:15 PM, said:

Throttles started as a single cable, then a dual cable to push and pull... and now no cables.


Then explain this:
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;p


You know, I noticed those master-cylinder shapes in some pictures the other day, and thought to myself, "That is really cool that they take their design motif all the way down to something of that level." I really do think that's neat - the five-sided shape is all over the place on the bike.

OTOH, seeing stuff like that, you start to understand why maybe the bike is priced the way it is. Is Honda using those masters on any other bike in their lineup, or are they all-new and solely for this bike, you think?

[image: View Post]V4 Rosso, on 19 February 2010 - 07:43 PM, said:

[image: View Post]thereisnospoon, on 19 February 2010 - 01:15 PM, said:

Throttles started as a single cable, then a dual cable to push and pull... and now no cables.


Then explain this:
[image: Posted Image]
;p


Ooh I want to take that apart...

Where do the cables disappear to? Maybe they can make a believer of people that still like metal over copper...

[image: View Post]thereisnospoon, on 20 February 2010 - 09:59 PM, said:

Where do the cables disappear to? Maybe they can make a believer of people that still like metal over copper...

Last time I checked, copper IS metal...

How slippy were the roads and did you like the traction/ABS tech?

[image: View Post]spinalator, on 21 February 2010 - 11:40 PM, said:

How slippy were the roads and did you like the traction/ABS tech?


From what I remember the roads were pretty much dry (just very cold) with a few damp patches, the bike is very very stable. In fact I'd go as far to say it's the most sure-footed bike I've ever ridden

[image: View Post]thereisnospoon, on 20 February 2010 - 09:59 PM, said:

Where do the cables disappear to?

To a remote sensor close to the throttle bodies.