Hey all!
I have about a 1000 miles on my new VFR1200F and I wanted to share my unbiased thoughts on the new bike and compare it to my three previous VFR's. First, to those that say the 1200 is "not a VFR," yes, I believe it is. This is my fourth VFR. I have had two 2000 VFR's (yellow) and my '07 RWB. They are definitely brothers. Comfortable, V4, with good utility and refinement for it's day. It's heavier than previous model's, but most of that disappears once underway. Definitely noticeable around the garage, but not bad. Turn in is a bit slower, but it is even more stable. I have raised the fork a few mm's on the '07 and that quickened the steering without losing stability. I have yet to do that on the 1200. Perhaps tomorrow. The motor rocks! You better be pointed where you want to pointed when you squeeze the trigger! It's a bullet. That being said, it is a peach of an engine to use in normal riding. It does not beg you to cane it, but will respond willingly if caned. The odd lack of power at low revs in 1st & 2nd is well documented and definitely there. It is not noticeable if you rev through that range. However, if you are steady in that RPM range and sqeeze the trigger, it kind of hangs and accelerates slowly at first, then builds quite strong as the revs rise. The only time it is an issue is during a pass. You're better off in third.......power now! Don't know why Honda did it. It's is an oddity on the bike and does not belong. I can live with it (at least until Bazaaz comes out with their fuel injection mapping unit). The ride is comfortable. Similar to my '07. Good chasis and suspension for it's mission. Absorbs bumps fine and relatively smooth for a sporty bike. The wind protection is much better than my previous gens and they were good. The brakes are amazing. The best street bike brakes I've ever used. Nice and progressive and really powerful if you want. Two finger braking would easily bring in full brakes. I found myself braking with one finger at times and I've never done that. No engine heat! All those swoopy body layers work wonders. I idled through one small town traffic jam in PA in 93 degree heat and felt no engine heat. The seat is about the same in comfort. I rode my bike 600+ miles home from north east PA over two days and enjoyed the ride immensely. The roads ranged from twisties, sweepers, some city riding and expressway. It was as easy and versatile as my '07 or Y2K's but smoother and more refined. It is a highly refined bike. Fit and finish are unlike anything I've ever owned. A natural evolution of the 6th gen and definitely kin.
What would I change................in order of preference...........the saddlebags should be able to hold my helmet (this is a stoopid oversight on Honda's part). Get rid of the odd power management in the low revs of 1st & 2nd. Where the hell is the center stand? Oh, wait, I have to buy one. Stoopid. Why would you swap the turn signal/horn buttons. Oh, I see, symmetry with the right controls. Stoopid. Lose some weight. Don't get me wrong, the girls got nice curves. She could just lose a few pounds. I still like spending time with her, but a weight loss program wouldn't hurt. Oh, it's a fancy bike with a fancy price tag (I paid much, much less), why is there no trip computer or cruise control Honda? It's a technology leader, but couldn't get that done for that price. That's about it. Overall, I like the bike very much though and my '07 is on Ebay and Craigslist. It's a nice step up from my 6th gen and I like it. Did I mention that I like it?
Ride safe.
Mark
I have about a 1000 miles on my new VFR1200F and I wanted to share my unbiased thoughts on the new bike and compare it to my three previous VFR's. First, to those that say the 1200 is "not a VFR," yes, I believe it is. This is my fourth VFR. I have had two 2000 VFR's (yellow) and my '07 RWB. They are definitely brothers. Comfortable, V4, with good utility and refinement for it's day. It's heavier than previous model's, but most of that disappears once underway. Definitely noticeable around the garage, but not bad. Turn in is a bit slower, but it is even more stable. I have raised the fork a few mm's on the '07 and that quickened the steering without losing stability. I have yet to do that on the 1200. Perhaps tomorrow. The motor rocks! You better be pointed where you want to pointed when you squeeze the trigger! It's a bullet. That being said, it is a peach of an engine to use in normal riding. It does not beg you to cane it, but will respond willingly if caned. The odd lack of power at low revs in 1st & 2nd is well documented and definitely there. It is not noticeable if you rev through that range. However, if you are steady in that RPM range and sqeeze the trigger, it kind of hangs and accelerates slowly at first, then builds quite strong as the revs rise. The only time it is an issue is during a pass. You're better off in third.......power now! Don't know why Honda did it. It's is an oddity on the bike and does not belong. I can live with it (at least until Bazaaz comes out with their fuel injection mapping unit). The ride is comfortable. Similar to my '07. Good chasis and suspension for it's mission. Absorbs bumps fine and relatively smooth for a sporty bike. The wind protection is much better than my previous gens and they were good. The brakes are amazing. The best street bike brakes I've ever used. Nice and progressive and really powerful if you want. Two finger braking would easily bring in full brakes. I found myself braking with one finger at times and I've never done that. No engine heat! All those swoopy body layers work wonders. I idled through one small town traffic jam in PA in 93 degree heat and felt no engine heat. The seat is about the same in comfort. I rode my bike 600+ miles home from north east PA over two days and enjoyed the ride immensely. The roads ranged from twisties, sweepers, some city riding and expressway. It was as easy and versatile as my '07 or Y2K's but smoother and more refined. It is a highly refined bike. Fit and finish are unlike anything I've ever owned. A natural evolution of the 6th gen and definitely kin.
What would I change................in order of preference...........the saddlebags should be able to hold my helmet (this is a stoopid oversight on Honda's part). Get rid of the odd power management in the low revs of 1st & 2nd. Where the hell is the center stand? Oh, wait, I have to buy one. Stoopid. Why would you swap the turn signal/horn buttons. Oh, I see, symmetry with the right controls. Stoopid. Lose some weight. Don't get me wrong, the girls got nice curves. She could just lose a few pounds. I still like spending time with her, but a weight loss program wouldn't hurt. Oh, it's a fancy bike with a fancy price tag (I paid much, much less), why is there no trip computer or cruise control Honda? It's a technology leader, but couldn't get that done for that price. That's about it. Overall, I like the bike very much though and my '07 is on Ebay and Craigslist. It's a nice step up from my 6th gen and I like it. Did I mention that I like it?
Ride safe.
Mark