Looking at purchasing a new 1200

Hello everyone,

I'm looking at purchasing and would like some feedback. I've owned mostly sport bikes up until 07 when the new Concours came out. I purchased that bike and enjoyed it. It was one of the smoothes bikes I have ever owned. The one thing I had problems with is the size of it. So I sold it about 5 months ago and thought about going back to a sport bike.

Then I started doing more research and the VFR has showed up on my radar. I wasn't interested at the 16,000 price tag but a local dealer has one that I can get for 11,500.

So the biggest question I have is for members that have or use to have sport bikes has the VFR filled your desire?

Thanks in advance.

I rode sport bikes then went to a C14 for a few years too. It was a good bike but I just found myself lacking when riding with all my sport bike buddies when we got on the back roads. It was just too damn heavy. As nice as it is to troll the interstate, that bike would wear me out trying to keep up on the back roads.

Honestly, as far as stock set up the 1200 was still lacking, but with a few mods (Juice box, exhaust, 1&2 de-restricted, lower bars and sport bike tires) the bike has held its own with fast paced group rides. The 580lbs or so is balanced out way better then the top heavy 680lb connie and feels way lighter at low speed. Turns still require a little more input than a litrebike but are not near the input required for the connie. Overall I am happy with the handling and comfort as compared to a litrebike. The feel of the bike makes me want to ride it like a sport so I get the same amount of enjoyment as I do on a 1000cc but if I wanna throw some bags on and ride it down the interstate to work, I'm not hurting either. And its way better than a litrebike for 2 up comfort.

For me its a great compromise of comfort and performance. Some might say that it doesnt have the comfort of a pure ST nor the performance of a sport. I would say that it has more performance than a ST and more comfort than a sport. Its just somewhere right in the middle and allows me to do everything I want to do on a bike which is 90% twisties and 20% highway.

Tin,

Thanks for the reply, your experience with the Connie almost mirrors mine. It was a great bike for most things and I did enjoy it even in the twisters but the heft does wear on you when things get tight.

Reading your reply seems to be what I'm looking for. Thanks for your feedback.

I've owned several bikes from Ducati's to Kawasaki's and lots of Honda's. This is my favorite. Smooth, powerful, comfortable. I like it very much. Read some of my other posts for more detail on my opinion of the bike. I have over 4000 miles on it now and like it more all the time. FWIW, I'm a 46 year old Daddy with bad shoulders and have been riding since I was 5. I love this bike. Ride safe.

Mark

Thanks Mark for the information. I plan on visiting the dealer Sat, so I might bring it home. The only problem is I will have to wait about five months to ride it for the first time.

[image: View Post]Trex, on 18 November 2011 - 01:30 AM, said:

The only problem is I will have to wait about five months to ride it for the first time.


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[image: View Post]Trex, on 18 November 2011 - 01:30 AM, said:

Thanks Mark for the information. I plan on visiting the dealer Sat, so I might bring it home. The only problem is I will have to wait about five months to ride it for the first time.

I live in MI, bought mine in Eastern PA in late December last year. I had to wait until late spring to ride it home. The dealership was awesome and kept the bike in their warehouse under the bike cover I sent them until I arrived (at no charge). It was a great ride home. Worth the wait. Enjoy. Ride safe.

Mark

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The only problem is I will have to wait about five months to ride it for the first time.
Just think of it as a good thing. It will give you plenty of time to get it set up the way you like before riding season. I did the same thing. Picked mine up in western PA and hauled it back to MO in the middle of winter. There it sat for several months.

Looks like I will be picking it up tomorrow, if everything goes as planned.

Thanks everyone for the info.

Guessing you will pick it up today by the comments. Yeah your not going to regret it Alaska got some bitching roads. Kinda miss that place I was stationed there for 3 years. I drove the wheels off my car up there just loved hitting the roads. I can tell you this from the stand point of a daily commuter and canyon carver its the best of both worlds. Most do the mod's tin talked about. I did a partial gut on my exhaust as I can't afford aftermarket right now and need some noise to let the cars know I'm there. But not super satisfied with it I might go aftermarket later. I have yet to de-restrict the 1-2 gear and you can notice that it is a different map there.


Enjoy I got mine for 13,900 Out the door and California got some pretty heavy taxes.

all the answers are here:

http://vfr1200fa.blogspot.com

Pick it up today. I will have a report on how I like it in about five months.

Phobe, I scanned through your blog and plan on visiting it often for some great information.

Honda is offering a $2500 rebate on 2010 VFR models.
Hopefully you got the rebate. Congrats on your new bike!

Yes I did, along with some more.

Hopefully spring comes fast.

only 2500? id buy a bmw k1300s before id consider that.

I did get more than 2500.

I just got mine for $9500 + TTL. Only have 150 miles. Looking forward to riding some more after Turkey Day. I am blessed to live in Florida.

[image: View Post]ericlw, on 20 November 2011 - 05:39 PM, said:

only 2500? id buy a bmw k1300s before id consider that.

Why?

Floridatex, wish I could join there in FL. I use to live in Jax and enjoyed being able to ride year around. The is the first bike I have ever picked up with zero miles on the clock when I loaded it up in the trailer.

Phobe, I dont't understand why either. I know this bike isn't for everyone and I believe Honda did make a mistake with the price. After all my research the most complaints I see for this bike seems to come from people that don't own one and have never ridden one.

It's Honda's version of a K1300S, but with a sweet V4 and a bunch of state-of-the-art new technology. It's faster, better-handling, better-looking, better sounding and probably more reliable than the K1300S, but for some reason it is expected to cost thousands less.

It will take a while for people to get used to paying a premium price for a premium Honda.

Tell me more about the $2500 rebate. Details....Details.......... Please

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Floridatex, wish I could join there in FL. I use to live in Jax and enjoyed being able to ride year around.

Florida is a double edged sword for riding. Great year round weather but the flattest straightest roads I have ever seen.

That is downfall of Fl. So to help control that desire trips to Northen GA, NC and TN was a must.

[image: View Post]phobe, on 20 November 2011 - 08:23 PM, said:

It's Honda's version of a K1300S, but with a sweet V4 and a bunch of state-of-the-art new technology. It's faster, better-handling, better-looking, better sounding and probably more reliable than the K1300S, but for some reason it is expected to cost thousands less.
Well said. I drove K1200S and if 1300 is anything similar I would never consider it after that test drive (although I liked it on paper).

Right Trex.................................




WHERE ARE THE PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :tongue:

[image: View Post]tin, on 20 November 2011 - 11:18 PM, said:

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Floridatex, wish I could join there in FL. I use to live in Jax and enjoyed being able to ride year around.

Florida is a double edged sword for riding. Great year round weather but the flattest straightest roads I have ever seen.

Have to been to Oklahoma?

kansas, oklahoma, nebraska

pick your poison.

More about the rebate crap just look at Cycletrader online damn things are on a fire sale now. Saw the bike as little as 9,999 now. 12,999 OTD pricing they are just blowing them out. Get to a Stealership quick.

[image: View Post]ignoreance, on 22 November 2011 - 02:01 AM, said:

More about the rebate crap just look at Cycletrader online damn things are on a fire sale now. Saw the bike as little as 9,999 now. 12,999 OTD pricing they are just blowing them out. Get to a Stealership quick.

Yea. I have seen them on Ebay for as low as 9500 OTD when I was looking for other stuff for my bike. I try not to look at those kinda prices since it will make me crazy when I think about what I paid for mine in '11. Ignorance is bliss :tour:

That was my issue and reluctance of purchasing a VFR instead of a K1200s. There are so many new 2010 VFR's out there. But, I was very pleased with the price that I gave for mine. I wonder if the US is getting 2012's and the dealers need to empty out all of the 2010 inventory. I really feel that the full price for a VFR to be much better than the K1300s. It is my understanding that BMW only builds what is paid for where as Honda and others build X and ship to their dealers. Kind of force feeding. The market for M/C's in general has been hard hit by the economy. M/C's for most are a luxury item, not general transport. In the past Honda has built very nice and reliable machines. My last Honda was an '85 700 Shadow. (I do have to admit, I really wanted the 500 Interceptor, but went with the hydro clutch, hydro lifters, and shaft drive due to lack of required maintenance. Finally 25+ years, I got what I wanted, a "Sport Bike" and less maintenance.)