Hell for Leather review of the VFR1200F (spoiler: it's harsh)

So, after reading the previous topic about the MCN review of the VFR1200F, I thought I should share the following review (for the folks who don't read HFL):

Hell for Leather: 2010 Honda VFR1200F

"I should have known when the Ohlins tech couldn't stop laughing while he was setting up the suspension. "You're not going to like this around here," he said, bouncing the rear end up and down to demonstrate the utter lack of rebound damping despite cranking that adjuster to max. He's right, I didn't. The 2010 Honda VFR1200F is terrifying on a race track."

The review is pretty harsh; I normally enjoy HFL bike reviews, as it is an online-only magazine where the owner, Wes Siler, tries to be honest about what he finds. However, this review is at odds with everything I remember reading about the 1200F's track prowess, and I don't think I have ever heard of a bike being referred to as "unsafe" on track.

So, has anyone tracked their 1200F yet? Did you scrape pegs excessively and fear for your life, while feeling the bike was underpowered as you were passed by stock Yamaha R6's?


Lacy

The twelve is not a track bike and it's not a race replica, it does not try to be either.
The review is completely irrelevant.

What an absolute crock. I don't know who paid this clown off but someone sure in hell did. What is he talking about underpowered and sloppy he's kidding right. I have owned more bikes than I can count and this bike is a gem. Comparing it to a concours I think not I have one and a K1300s and a busa and the 1200 puts them all to shame in the handling dept. Power wise this bike will absolutely smoke any 600 period and I weigh 275lbs. In fact when I first got the bike i had to soften the suspension 5 clicks because it was so stiff. This guy lies more than :pinocchio:
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii50/dozerdogue/bahamassandz1000012.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii50/dozerdogue/BusaModifications001.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii50/dozerdogue/concours006.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii50/dozerdogue/K1300SAkrapovicvideo001.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii50/dozerdogue/bikepictures023.jpg


I think I have a pretty good idea of what power and handling feels like.

This guy sounds like a big puss. Plus, he was prejudiced against it from the beginning. He should get back on his R6.

I am thinking its possible he got a blown shock on that paticular bike cause the way he describes it its blown! I mean its just a an emulsion shock and well they are not perfect, could be a bad one?


I can say with certainty that the oem shock on the veefalo was set up rather stiff and had TOO much rebound damping on the shock. Not enough lift on the back either i had to add preload to steer quicker. Reboud damping was harch - It was so much so I turned it a whole turn soft and the ride came in much more compliant. It was actually so stiff it was soaking up the bumps then not letting the bike up fast enough that is bounded out of turns when I got back on the throttle skipping a bit when I first applied throttle out of tight turns. I was thinking it needed even less rebound than I had set it too. The ride was a bit harsh in bumpy stuff a typical reaction to too much rebound. Too little rebound and the bike bounces up then down again like a wave, vfr come right up and stops when pushed on - matter of fact too much - ride was harsh - like I said before. The forks are very stiff too and a bit harsh as well, I ended up clicking off 6 clicks to get it more compliant might even go more when the dust settles. I can tell you this I just installed the ohlins from my old bike and wow it was set right off the bat, a bit too high up in the back but the damping is perfect now on the shock, now to click off some more damping on the forks.

Dozer - man, you have one hell of a stable!

[image: View Post]paul thompson, on 14 July 2010 - 09:42 AM, said:

Dozer - man, you have one hell of a stable!


Just thinking the same thing!! :ohmy:

I don't care what anyone says about this VFR. Honda built it for me anyway, a Sports road-going all round tourer - I just can't afford it yet!!

What a twat. I've had mine on the rough and technical track where I used to race a 600RR. It handled just fine.

edit: This asshole obviously has terrible body positioning at the track... I dragged my knee at the track on my 1200, completely eliminated the chicken strips front and back and didn't once touch a peg down.

I think maybe someone dialed in a some very bad suspension adjustment (way too much rebound damping) and the shock compressed and was not rebounding properly. That would explain a lot of what the rider described like lack of ground clearance and a light front end.

[image: View Post]phobe, on 14 July 2010 - 06:39 AM, said:

What a twat. I've had mine on the rough and technical track where I used to race a 600RR. It handled just fine.

edit: This asshole obviously has terrible body positioning at the track... I dragged my knee at the track on my 1200, completely eliminated the chicken strips front and back and didn't once touch a peg down.

[...

Total buch of shit.



]

[image: View Post]phobe, on 14 July 2010 - 10:39 AM, said:

What a twat. I've had mine on the rough and technical track where I used to race a 600RR. It handled just fine.

edit: This asshole obviously has terrible body positioning at the track... I dragged my knee at the track on my 1200, completely eliminated the chicken strips front and back and didn't once touch a peg down.


I love that this is your EDITED post! http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif

I haven't had mine on a track per se, but I have had mine at serious speeds and lean angles on our local mountain roads out here in Ventura County and I have to agree with the responses from the list. It's smooth, fast, and very controllable. No, I'm not in love with the rear shock and yes, the bike comes stock setup way to stiff at both ends. I guess I can agree with that with regards to the MCN article but not with this guy.

I don't think this "Journalist" knows what the heck he's talking about. ;-)

I'l also agree with the MCN article in that I have discovered that the new VFR really isn't all that touring enhanced stock. I went on a 500 miler last week and was not very happy with the bike's comfort levels. The seat, peg, and bar relationship seemed wrong for me. I'll put risers and perhaps an adjustment to the footpegs if ever available. I'm 6' 2" and I was very uncomfortable after 75 to 100 miles or so.

I did see 41 / 42 mpg droning at 70 to 75 on the slab though. Stretched one tank to 170 before I chickened out and pulled off for gas. The tank took 4.2, filled as I always do, about an inch below the opening. So, I think I could have gotten pretty close to 200 miles out of her. That would be white-knuckling it though. :-)

I didn't have any real issues with the seat other than it's relation to the footpegs. Maybe an inch more seat would make a difference for me. I'm wondering if Bill Meyer can do some magic. Don't know if he's done any VFR seats or if they can be done what with the process Honda uses on the VFR now. Something to consider, along with rear shock, risers, and maybe a footpeg adjustment.

Still haven't received all my farkles from Honda! Sucks bigtime. Waiting on the power outlet, top case, and bag liners (side bags and top case). I installed the bags and like them and last week the centerstand came in and I put that on. Boy, getting that cotterpin in the right way was a bitch and a half. :-(

[image: View Post]dozerdogue, on 13 July 2010 - 07:14 PM, said:

What an absolute crock. I don't know who paid this clown off but someone sure in hell did. What is he talking about underpowered and sloppy he's kidding right. I have owned more bikes than I can count and this bike is a gem. Comparing it to a concours I think not I have one and a K1300s and a busa and the 1200 puts them all to shame in the handling dept. Power wise this bike will absolutely smoke any 600 period and I weigh 275lbs. In fact when I first got the bike i had to soften the suspension 5 clicks because it was so stiff. This guy lies more than :pinocchio:
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii50/dozerdogue/bahamassandz1000012.jpg

I think I have a pretty good idea of what power and handling feels like.


My friend, I like the way you approach life! Great collection of bikes!! Would you call my wife and tell her I really don't have too many bikes and too many guitars?!

Wow, what a great review. I had the cash saved up the a new 1200 and digs to go with it, but now maybe I should think of something differant..........Nah. I trust the members of this forum more than any other, you guys are awesome.

Criticize it for being overweight, rap on it for its disappointing fuel range, and pan it for its lack of gizmos but don't try to tell anyone it handles badly. It is, by ALL other accounts, a superb handling machine.

[image: View Post]phobe, on 15 July 2010 - 11:27 AM, said:

Criticize it for being overweight, rap on it for its disappointing fuel range, and pan it for its lack of gizmos but don't try to tell anyone it handles badly. It is, by ALL other accounts, a superb handling machine.



It was a harsh review and it does sound like something was wrong with that particular bike. Other reviewers have praised the very items they condemned such as brakes and handling. The overall issue I take from the review is this...what is the bike trying to be? It is not a good sport touring bike due to the lack of amenties and a small gas tank. On the other hand, it is not a good sport bike because of its weight and ergos. So what is it trying to be? I think Honda needs to decide on the bike's mission and improve the aspects of the bike that would satisfy that goal.

Flash

[image: View Post]VFR800R, on 13 July 2010 - 08:46 PM, said:

So, after reading the previous topic about the MCN review of the VFR1200F, I thought I should share the following review (for the folks who don't read HFL):

Hell for Leather: 2010 Honda VFR1200F



Here's part two of the review: on the road

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/07/honda-vfr1200f-riding-shamu-on.html

Last Saturday, we took the Honda VFR1200F to the track and were terrified. This week, we put in a bunch of highway miles, some of them two-up. This should be Shamu's ideal environment, right?
Yesterday, we had to return the 2010 MV Agusta F4 (VS. feature soon, promise) we'd been enjoying the hell out of back to Fast by Ferracci so we rode it and Shamu from New York to Philly and back, a 90-ish mile trip each way, most of it on 95. Two bikes on the way there, so two up on the way back. Before you ask, Grant rode on the back, that's just our relationship dynamic.

A lot of people got very upset when we criticized Shamu for being under damped, equipped with snatchy brakes, unpredictable fueling and precisely the wrong ergonomics for track riding. So, let's start by saying a bunch of nice stuff about the VFR:

1. It's very stable while carrying a passenger. Crank the remote preload adjuster up as far as it'll let you and the bike tracks straight and predictably at highway speeds and is easy to balance while lane splitting at low speeds. Just watch the front end when you throw it into corners and you'll be fine. Grant and I both weigh about 175lbs, so it was carrying a considerably amount of weight.

2. The paint quality is outstanding. Honda applied its car paint process to a bike for the first time and it really paid off. The paint is deep and lustrous.

3. It sounds awesome. Well, once the second exhaust valve opens at 6,000rpm it does. The bucket full of muffled nails turns to a proper V4 drone in an instant, reminding you that the fueling has now ceased to be jerky. This is a really cool solution, delivering excellent engine sound when you're going fast and near silent running when you're not.

4. It shoots really well. Or at least Grant shoots it really well. Doesn't it look hot in these photos?

5. Each visual detail is brilliant when considered individually. The headlight, the layered fairing, the curvy tank, all super sexy.

6. You can see stuff in the mirrors! They're big, wide and nearly vibration free. Cop car sneaking up behind you? You can tell it apart from a cloud or a truck or your elbow. You can actually identify individual cars by make and model out to a couple hundred yards behind you. Why aren't all bikes like this?

7. The clocks are super easy to read. A big tach in the middle, just like it should be and all the ancillary functions -- temperature, clock, gear position -- are easy to read too.

8. The badges and subtle branding reek of luxury. No giant wings or shell suit colors, just slick cloisonne badges and a couple of subtle "Honda" logos. Fitting for a $15,999 luxury good.

9. It hides its weight almost completely. You'll never guess it weighs 591lbs (wet) until it comes time to push it around in a garage. Even at very low speeds you can trickle along with both feet up just like you would on a scooter.

The problem is, that even cruising on the highway, the sea in which Shamu was built to swim, still reveals some huge shortcomings:

1. It's not comfortable. Sit on the bike in a showroom and it feels incredibly plush. The seat is soft, the bars are relatively high, the pegs are low. Good, right? Not after twenty minutes or more. Both Grant (5' 11") and I (6' 2") complained that the riding position directed shocks straight into our spines, resulting in sore backs. The bars too, are just low enough to put weight on your wrists. Vibes are also a problem, my right hand was numb for most of the ride back. We're not the only ones with this problem.

2. The fairing doesn't do a good job of redirecting airflow. Granted, I'm slightly taller than average, but even at highway speeds I was subject to considerable buffeting. Not something I'd be happy with on a bike intended for distance work.

3. The pillion seat sucks. Grant didn't just insist on riding bitch the whole time because he likes being the big spoon, he didn't think my 34" inseam would be feasible given the peg height. At a 32" inseam, his legs were still very uncomfortable. He also complained of a sore ass and felt like he was going to fall whenever I accelerated. Forgivable on a sportsbike, not on a touring bike.

4. The fueling is still awful. We had to lane split through stationary traffic all the way across Staten Island and up the BQE as far as Carroll Gardens, which is about 15 miles. Traveling at a constant speed in first gear results in unpredictable surging and snappy on/off throttle response. Not good for a passenger's confidence when their knees are clipping wing mirrors. Always cover the clutch.

5. First gear is too tall. You need to use it up to about 25/30mph and you're slipping the clutch up to about 15mph. If the VFR had chain drive we'd simply suggest going down one tooth on the front, but honestly, we aren't sure what you're supposed to do with shaft drive.

6. The brakes are still snatchy. It's simply too easy to plunge the front end accidentally with a whiff too much lever. This is especially evident while splitting, when a hair's breath separates you from certain death.

7. You still aren't going to be cornering hard. This was our biggest complaint on the track, the suspension simply couldn't deal with big lean angles and big speeds. Even on the road, get some g-forces going and things start wobbling. Before you ask, the suspension settings were just off max on everything and no, the shock is not blown.

8. Put all those neat design features together and it looks like a different designer worked on each part of the bike. Why is the swingarm so weedy in comparison to the visual bulk of the fairing? What's going on with that crazy triangular exhaust outlet above an old bit of pipe for the other output? Why do the headers look like spaghetti poking out of random holes in the fairing? Why do the plastic cladding on the tank not meet at the front? Why is the front of the bike red and the rear silver? Why is there so much black plastic covering every conceivable mechanical part that could otherwise be on display?

There, we said one more nice thing about it than we said nasty things. Everyone happy? Good, because we're about to say one more very negative thing. The Honda VFR1200F in no way justifies its $15,999 price. It's not a good tourer, it's not a good sportsbike, it's not a good all-rounder. It's not even average at most of that. For that price, we'd expect it to be brilliant at something (beyond paint quality) or at least good at everything. Shamu doesn't even have any toys or any luggage. What are you spending that money on? An all-new engine that fuels terribly and develops no power below 6,000rpm? Suspension that can't cope with the weight?

Look, it's not that we hate Honda or something. In fact, it's exactly the opposite. Personally, I love Honda. I've always owned Hondas. I'm a sucker for decent build quality, good reliability, peerless engineering and an affordable sticker price. Shamu only has the first two though.

If you want the best all-rounder in the world, buy a current Honda CBR600RR. Seriously. It's comfortable enough that you could hop on and ride it across country, it handles well enough that you could ride in the Advanced group at a trackday on stock equipment and it's cheap and reliable enough that you could commute on it everyday.

If you want the best superbike in the world, buy a current Honda CBR1000RR. It's an amazing combination of exotic performance, intuitive control and an affordable sticker price.

If you want a touring bike, buy a Goldwing. They're ridiculously fun to ride, will hold all your luggage and riding pillion on one is like reclining in your Lay-Z-Boy.

The above three suggestions aren't just the three best Hondas, they're the three best bikes in the entire world. If I didn't get to ride other people's motorcycles all the time, I'd buy a CBR600RR and be happy with it for a long, long time. It's a no brainer, I wouldn't even consider anything else.

This VFR just isn't in the same league, not even close. What the hell happened here, Honda?

[image: View Post]motoflash, on 16 July 2010 - 06:53 PM, said:

If you want the best all-rounder in the world, buy a current Honda CBR600RR. Seriously. It's comfortable enough that you could hop on and ride it across country


Eh, say what? I happen to have an '09 CBR600RR in the garage. I can't take the ergos on that thing for more than an hour at a time and certainly not all day. Ride it across the country? Not a showball's chance in Hades...

Dirk

[image: View Post]motoflash, on 16 July 2010 - 05:53 PM, said:

[image: View Post]VFR800R, on 13 July 2010 - 08:46 PM, said:

So, after reading the previous topic about the MCN review of the VFR1200F, I thought I should share the following review (for the folks who don't read HFL):

Hell for Leather: 2010 Honda VFR1200F



Here's part two of the review: on the road

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/07/honda-vfr1200f-riding-shamu-on.html

Last Saturday, we took the Honda VFR1200F to the track and were terrified. This week, we put in a bunch of highway miles, some of them two-up. This should be Shamu's ideal environment, right?
Yesterday, we had to return the 2010 MV Agusta F4 (VS. feature soon, promise) we'd been enjoying the hell out of back to Fast by Ferracci so we rode it and Shamu from New York to Philly and back, a 90-ish mile trip each way, most of it on 95. Two bikes on the way there, so two up on the way back. Before you ask, Grant rode on the back, that's just our relationship dynamic.

A lot of people got very upset when we criticized Shamu for being under damped, equipped with snatchy brakes, unpredictable fueling and precisely the wrong ergonomics for track riding. So, let's start by saying a bunch of nice stuff about the VFR:

1. It's very stable while carrying a passenger. Crank the remote preload adjuster up as far as it'll let you and the bike tracks straight and predictably at highway speeds and is easy to balance while lane splitting at low speeds. Just watch the front end when you throw it into corners and you'll be fine. Grant and I both weigh about 175lbs, so it was carrying a considerably amount of weight.

2. The paint quality is outstanding. Honda applied its car paint process to a bike for the first time and it really paid off. The paint is deep and lustrous.

3. It sounds awesome. Well, once the second exhaust valve opens at 6,000rpm it does. The bucket full of muffled nails turns to a proper V4 drone in an instant, reminding you that the fueling has now ceased to be jerky. This is a really cool solution, delivering excellent engine sound when you're going fast and near silent running when you're not.

4. It shoots really well. Or at least Grant shoots it really well. Doesn't it look hot in these photos?

5. Each visual detail is brilliant when considered individually. The headlight, the layered fairing, the curvy tank, all super sexy.

6. You can see stuff in the mirrors! They're big, wide and nearly vibration free. Cop car sneaking up behind you? You can tell it apart from a cloud or a truck or your elbow. You can actually identify individual cars by make and model out to a couple hundred yards behind you. Why aren't all bikes like this?

7. The clocks are super easy to read. A big tach in the middle, just like it should be and all the ancillary functions -- temperature, clock, gear position -- are easy to read too.

8. The badges and subtle branding reek of luxury. No giant wings or shell suit colors, just slick cloisonne badges and a couple of subtle "Honda" logos. Fitting for a $15,999 luxury good.

9. It hides its weight almost completely. You'll never guess it weighs 591lbs (wet) until it comes time to push it around in a garage. Even at very low speeds you can trickle along with both feet up just like you would on a scooter.

The problem is, that even cruising on the highway, the sea in which Shamu was built to swim, still reveals some huge shortcomings:

1. It's not comfortable. Sit on the bike in a showroom and it feels incredibly plush. The seat is soft, the bars are relatively high, the pegs are low. Good, right? Not after twenty minutes or more. Both Grant (5' 11") and I (6' 2") complained that the riding position directed shocks straight into our spines, resulting in sore backs. The bars too, are just low enough to put weight on your wrists. Vibes are also a problem, my right hand was numb for most of the ride back. We're not the only ones with this problem.

2. The fairing doesn't do a good job of redirecting airflow. Granted, I'm slightly taller than average, but even at highway speeds I was subject to considerable buffeting. Not something I'd be happy with on a bike intended for distance work.

3. The pillion seat sucks. Grant didn't just insist on riding bitch the whole time because he likes being the big spoon, he didn't think my 34" inseam would be feasible given the peg height. At a 32" inseam, his legs were still very uncomfortable. He also complained of a sore ass and felt like he was going to fall whenever I accelerated. Forgivable on a sportsbike, not on a touring bike.

4. The fueling is still awful. We had to lane split through stationary traffic all the way across Staten Island and up the BQE as far as Carroll Gardens, which is about 15 miles. Traveling at a constant speed in first gear results in unpredictable surging and snappy on/off throttle response. Not good for a passenger's confidence when their knees are clipping wing mirrors. Always cover the clutch.

5. First gear is too tall. You need to use it up to about 25/30mph and you're slipping the clutch up to about 15mph. If the VFR had chain drive we'd simply suggest going down one tooth on the front, but honestly, we aren't sure what you're supposed to do with shaft drive.

6. The brakes are still snatchy. It's simply too easy to plunge the front end accidentally with a whiff too much lever. This is especially evident while splitting, when a hair's breath separates you from certain death.

7. You still aren't going to be cornering hard. This was our biggest complaint on the track, the suspension simply couldn't deal with big lean angles and big speeds. Even on the road, get some g-forces going and things start wobbling. Before you ask, the suspension settings were just off max on everything and no, the shock is not blown.

8. Put all those neat design features together and it looks like a different designer worked on each part of the bike. Why is the swingarm so weedy in comparison to the visual bulk of the fairing? What's going on with that crazy triangular exhaust outlet above an old bit of pipe for the other output? Why do the headers look like spaghetti poking out of random holes in the fairing? Why do the plastic cladding on the tank not meet at the front? Why is the front of the bike red and the rear silver? Why is there so much black plastic covering every conceivable mechanical part that could otherwise be on display?

There, we said one more nice thing about it than we said nasty things. Everyone happy? Good, because we're about to say one more very negative thing. The Honda VFR1200F in no way justifies its $15,999 price. It's not a good tourer, it's not a good sportsbike, it's not a good all-rounder. It's not even average at most of that. For that price, we'd expect it to be brilliant at something (beyond paint quality) or at least good at everything. Shamu doesn't even have any toys or any luggage. What are you spending that money on? An all-new engine that fuels terribly and develops no power below 6,000rpm? Suspension that can't cope with the weight?

Look, it's not that we hate Honda or something. In fact, it's exactly the opposite. Personally, I love Honda. I've always owned Hondas. I'm a sucker for decent build quality, good reliability, peerless engineering and an affordable sticker price. Shamu only has the first two though.

If you want the best all-rounder in the world, buy a current Honda CBR600RR. Seriously. It's comfortable enough that you could hop on and ride it across country, it handles well enough that you could ride in the Advanced group at a trackday on stock equipment and it's cheap and reliable enough that you could commute on it everyday.

If you want the best superbike in the world, buy a current Honda CBR1000RR. It's an amazing combination of exotic performance, intuitive control and an affordable sticker price.

If you want a touring bike, buy a Goldwing. They're ridiculously fun to ride, will hold all your luggage and riding pillion on one is like reclining in your Lay-Z-Boy.

The above three suggestions aren't just the three best Hondas, they're the three best bikes in the entire world. If I didn't get to ride other people's motorcycles all the time, I'd buy a CBR600RR and be happy with it for a long, long time. It's a no brainer, I wouldn't even consider anything else.

This VFR just isn't in the same league, not even close. What the hell happened here, Honda?


This guy's an idiot. Take his opinion with a grain of salt, if that. A CBR600RR comfortable for cross country? Wow.

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 16 July 2010 - 07:33 PM, said:

[image: View Post]motoflash, on 16 July 2010 - 05:53 PM, said:

[image: View Post]VFR800R, on 13 July 2010 - 08:46 PM, said:

So, after reading the previous topic about the MCN review of the VFR1200F, I thought I should share the following review (for the folks who don't read HFL):

Hell for Leather: 2010 Honda VFR1200F





This guy's an idiot. Take his opinion with a grain of salt, if that. A CBR600RR comfortable for cross country? Wow.


Well, to be perfectly honest, while I am a VFR1200F owner and love the bike, it does have it's, let's just say, issues. It's not as comfortable stock as I would like, snatchy at low speeds, and there is a suprisingly poor amount of adjustment in the suspension. I have fixed the seat issue with a new Bill Mayer saddle and as soon as available, I will be putting on some bar risers. As far as the suspension goes, I'll have to wait and see what fixes others come up with. Another issue that I am becoming increasingly upset about is how long I've waited for the accessories to come in. Still waiting on the tank bag, the top case, pad, and liner, and the saddlebag liners. The power outlet and hand warmers are in but I'm waiting for the other stuff before installing. I have received and installed the centerstand and saddlebags. Not a very good sutuation in my opinion when I could order a top case from David Silver Spares and have it here in the States in less than a week for less than I paid for it when I bought the bike almost two months ago.

Come on, Honda. You really can do better. 22k for these kinds of headaches isn't what I expected from Big Red. :-(

As far as cruising across country on the 600? Maybe. After I put a different screen, risers, and some sport bags on my '07 CBR1000RR, it was very comfy and I wouldn't hesitate to take it on a really long ride. Maybe not across the country but I certainly do a long weekend on it without too much trouble. Just gotta pack smart. ;-)

[image: View Post]midias, on 30 August 2010 - 10:08 AM, said:

[image: View Post]dozerdogue, on 30 August 2010 - 09:58 AM, said:

I have to know is the VFR faster than the VMAX?



I hate to say it not even close to the max.


I was curious because according to the reviews they have a similar 1/4 but I bet the max's tq makes it pull like a freight train

[image: Posted Image]



Trust me I had almost 3000 miles on my Max and 1300 on VFR so I had plenty of comparison testing and the Max is nothing short of a monster. I weigh a fit almost 300lbs and that thing will boil the tire with me on it not clutching it at 40mph easily. It will hit the stock speed limiter in the 1/4 mile plus it is very traction limited. I had the Yamaha Race Ecu so no limiters for me. Their are guys in the 9's on stock bikes that have the limiters removed.

[image: View Post]phobe, on 27 July 2010 - 09:48 AM, said:

I too owned a 5th gen VFR (2000) and put a lot of miles on a 4th gen (1995) and those are not in the same league as the 1200.

You're right, they're not, but it's an unfair comparison. This clearly shows why.
:laughing6-hehe:

Compare the statements of the "reputable" Wes Siler who states that the VFR1200F is terrifying on a race track." with that of ex Pro racer Reg Pridmore who recently ran a DCT version on Willow Springs raceway.

�It�s got lots of power and really handles like a sport bike. It upshifts and downshifts perfectly, even blips the throttle for me� explains Reg. �It's got lots and lots of midrange - really good. You can make it work better in 2nd in some corners rather than go to low to keep it revvin'- it pulls like a bloody tank. It runs, handles and with those big brakes, it stops!�

While not "in depth" it sounds FAR from TERRIFYING... of course, maybe it's that Reg is washed up and Wes Siler is the man! :laughing6-hehe:

http://www.classrides.com/vfr.html

[image: View Post]VFR800R, on 13 July 2010 - 08:46 PM, said:

So, after reading the previous topic about the MCN review of the VFR1200F, I thought I should share the following review (for the folks who don't read HFL):

Hell for Leather: 2010 Honda VFR1200F

"I should have known when the Ohlins tech couldn't stop laughing while he was setting up the suspension. "You're not going to like this around here," he said, bouncing the rear end up and down to demonstrate the utter lack of rebound damping despite cranking that adjuster to max. He's right, I didn't. The 2010 Honda VFR1200F is terrifying on a race track."

The review is pretty harsh; I normally enjoy HFL bike reviews, as it is an online-only magazine where the owner, Wes Siler, tries to be honest about what he finds. However, this review is at odds with everything I remember reading about the 1200F's track prowess, and I don't think I have ever heard of a bike being referred to as "unsafe" on track.

So, has anyone tracked their 1200F yet? Did you scrape pegs excessively and fear for your life, while feeling the bike was underpowered as you were passed by stock Yamaha R6's?


Lacy

In the Bike magazine's (UK) November 2010 issue ex-500GP racer Ron Haslam was test riding VFR1200 manual version.

Few quotes from the Bike article:

"I'm so impressed by the handling, the stability and the turning, says Ron".
"Touring bikes tend to sit on the back end and just push the front, but the VFR doesn't. You put this into a corner and it tracks round nicely, right where you put it. That was the first shock for me, that it steers more like a sportsbike than a tourer."

Bike: "So, Ron, could you win a club race on it?"
Ron: "Yeah! The biggest thing that'd hold you back is ground clearance. If you could get the exhaust out the way, maybe get a better, stiffer shock on the back, then yes, you could. It'd just a little bit of work - and you would definitely get rid of the ABS - and you could race it."