Honda VFR1200 a big fat lemon? [Archive] - Page 2

NZsarge

10th March 2010, 15:39

How do you work that out then?

VFR 1200, 267 kg.
Wet weight

Blackbird 227 kg.
???? Wet or dry? Pretty sure that'll be the dry weight.

Concours 275 kg.
Dry, I think they are about 305 wet, close to that anyway.

The 'bird is the lightest of the 3 by a fair margin.
....................

banditrider

10th March 2010, 16:28

Ahhh, but it's a light 305 (279kg dry)....the weight disappears once moving, as I'd imagine it would on the VFR.

Had another wee look at the VFR today and it's quite amazing how small it is. The only concerns I have with it have been mentioned before:

Fuel range
Price (should be luggaged up for that)
Exhaust

I really hope they do bring out a more touring oriented model because as it is now it would not be suitable as a replacement for my Connie. Adding more fuel capacity would almost do it but I'm sure they can come up with even more touring enhancements...

If I was changing now (and had pockets full of cash) I'd test ride a few Beemers but probably end up with a 2010 Connie.

Big Dave

10th March 2010, 16:35

Deleted - You tube Embed fail - dunno why
Just a slide show here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh3PRnCxzSo

banditrider

10th March 2010, 17:21

Nice pics - dunno what you could do to make the muffler look better though...

R-Soul

11th March 2010, 11:57

....................

http://www.motorbikespecs.net/index.dyn?flag=2&model_id=5835148&make=Honda

I get wet weight 253kg for the 'bird - but its also about where the weight is placed.

http://world-superbikes.blogspot.com/2009/05/honda-first-introduced-cbr-1100xx-super.html
And this one gives 267kg

R-Soul

11th March 2010, 12:37

Honda VFR 1200:
Power: 172 bhp at 10,000 RPM.
Torque: is 129 NM at 8750 RPM

Wet Weight 267

Blackbird:
Power; 164 hp 112 KW @ 10000 rpm
torque; 119 Nm @ 7250 rpm

Wet weight: 267

Hayabusa:
Power: 197hp @9800
Torque: 154 Nm @ 10200
dry weight: 220kg
Wet weight: ? ( I guess add about 50 kg)

2010 Kwakka ZX-14:
Maximum power 142 kW {193 PS} / 9,500 rpm
Maximum power with RAM Air 149.5 kW {203 PS} / 9,500 rpm
Maximum torque 154 N·m {15.7 kgf·m} / 7,500 rpm

Curb weight (not sure what this is ?) : 566.7 lbs.

2010 Kwakka concourse:
power: 156 horsepower
Maximum Torque 100.3 LbFt @ 6,200 rpm
Dry Weight 606 lbs. 615 lbs. (ABS model)

The honda is not THE hyperbike.
But it aint shabby anyway- especially when you take into account the supposedly great handling - not something you can put a number to...
It seems to focus on producing the high numbers of USABLE power.
Again, in the Honda tradition, a bike for the road and not the track....

Blackbird

11th March 2010, 14:05

its also about where the weight is placed.

I couldn't agree with you more about that and is one of the contributing reasons to selling my 'bird after 8 years. Increasing age, short legs and a high C of G is not a healthy mix! Incidentally, I see that the VFR 1200 had the biggest sales of any bike in the UK in February.

SPman

11th March 2010, 14:16

VFR1200 biggest seller in UK in January...
http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--general-news/honda-vfr1200f-becomes-uk-top-seller-in-feb-2010/9844.html

R-Soul

11th March 2010, 15:42

VFR1200 biggest seller in UK in January...
http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--general-news/honda-vfr1200f-becomes-uk-top-seller-in-feb-2010/9844.html

Interesting; in the associated story, the author says "It doesn't feel Blackbird fast but it's still bloody quick through the gears. Top gear roll on feels pretty impressive, too".

How can it not feel 'blackbird fast' when it has more power and torque than the backbird? And at lower revs? And in a smaller bike?

People only see what they want to see..

Blackbird

11th March 2010, 15:50

Interesting; in teh associated story, teh author says "It doesn't feel Blackbird fast but it's still bloody quick through the gears. Top gear roll on feels pretty impressive, too".

How can it not feel 'blackbird fast' when it has more power and torque than the backbird? And at lower revs? And in a smaller bike?

People only see what they want to see..

I've seen this comment before by other riders testing it. I'm therefore inclined to think it's not a question of being one-eyed but how the power is delivered. The 'bird has a big power step at 7000rpm. The Triple I now ride delivers 85% of its torque at 3000 rpm so the torque curve is very flat and you don't notice that "shove". I suspect that the VFR 1200 might have a similar torque curve where you don't get that kick, but get a seamless shove instead.

R-Soul

11th March 2010, 15:53

I've seen this comment before by other riders testing it. I'm therefore inclined to think it's not a question of being one-eyed but how the power is delivered. The 'bird has a big power step at 7000rpm. The Triple I now ride delivers 85% of its torque at 3000 rpm so the torque curve is very flat and you don't notice that "shove". I suspect that the VFR 1200 might have a similar torque curve where you don't get that kick, but get a seamless shove instead.

Good thinking- I reckon you are right.

Riding some of those 250cc 2-stroke motocross bikes can be more scary than riding my 1000cc V-twin, because they hit that powerband and just explode, making it seem a lot wilder than it really is.

Swoop

11th March 2010, 16:51

The sound is supposedly good at higher revs (I mentioned that it is muted, car like, at low revs - maybe not a bad thing when you're idling outside your neighour's window at 7 on a sunday morning before a ride).
All honda V4's sound crap with stock pipes. Something equivalent to an asthmatic ant carrying some heavy shopping. Heavy breathing and little more. The aftermarket boys will be doing a lot of work here. Hopefully...

dunno what you could do to make the muffler look better though...
The word "hacksaw" comes to mind...:whistle:

zeocen

11th March 2010, 20:19

You're right Geoff, both about the Bird's high centre of gravity and intense warp speed at 7k rpm, the VFR1200 felt ridiculously light when moving, even doing a u-turn in a tight street wasn't a problem at all. The power delivery isn't as abraisive as the Bird either, it's linear and very typical "Honda" in that regard - that doesn't mean it won't bite you if you give it too much stick!

It's silly to compare it to the Blackbird, they're very different bikes. The Blackbird is a legacy, it can't get replaced unless it's a new generation of THAT particular bike (see ZZR1100 -> ZX14). What made me dislike the VFR1200 in the first place is the letters I got in the mail from Honda with the Bird XX on it, signifying it's a new generation kinda pissed me off. It will take more than a shaft drive and a few more ponies to make a new generation Blackbird.

But I can't take anything away from the VFR1200, it was just so nice to ride. It's a pity it's a luxury price :/

quickbuck

12th March 2010, 11:42

Yup,
There is no way is is a new generation Blackbird... Even by Honda's Convention!

The Bird has an ancestry dating back to the CB750, where as the VFR1200 dates back to the VF range of yesteryear.
They are cousins, at the closest!

Yes, yes, ithe Letters only really designate the engine configuration, but in realaty that is the heart of the bike at the end of the day.

So, really it is the "All New" (and improved?? hate it when informerciald say that) VF1000R...

vifferman

12th March 2010, 12:26

All honda V4's sound crap with stock pipes. Something equivalent to an asthmatic ant carrying some heavy shopping. Heavy breathing and little more. The aftermarket boys will be doing a lot of work here. Hopefully...
There's already at least one equipped with an aftermarket muffler - a Leo Vince. Trouble is, due to the weird V4 arrangement, it still doesn't sound that great.

Big Dave

12th March 2010, 13:56

Yup,
There is no way is is a new generation Blackbird... .

For me, seeing as I didn't like the Blackbird much at all - and am quite Fizzbung about the VFR, that may not be a bad thing.

Big Dave

12th March 2010, 17:06

scracha

14th March 2010, 18:45

Maha

14th March 2010, 18:57

scracha

14th March 2010, 20:10

Saw it in Gunmetal? Silver? today at the end of the Westpac ride, must say, it looks like a bike I could own but not at that price, no fuckin way in hell would I ever pay close to $30K for a bike, dont care how fantastic it is.
It's heavy and ugly enough to add tassles, chrome and a HD sticker. I'd then sell by the bucketload.

Big Dave

14th March 2010, 20:13

FaIL................

and fails in a new thread in this section as well - yet works elsewhere on the site

Swoop

15th March 2010, 07:19

It's heavy and ugly enough to add tassles, chrome and a HD sticker. I'd then sell by the bucketload.
You forgot all of the branded, after-market accessories...
VFR1200 leathers,
VFR1200 underwear,
VFR1200 tie,
etc ...