Honda VFR1200 a big fat lemon?

[Elysium]

Mind you i am used to that with Firestorm. Actually the small tank doesn't work outtoo badly- it gives you an excuse to stretch your legs frequently.

Yep, don't want to be sitting on a bike for too long.

Hmmm might pop down to City Honda when my exhaust parts turn up and have a look, maybe even a test ride.

[quickbuck]

Yep, don't want to be sitting on a bike for too long.

Hmmm might pop down to City Honda when my exhaust parts turn up and have a look, maybe even a test ride.

Went to the launch... Yep, not my cup of tea totally at this stage.... Don't hate it, but don't think it is quite me... yet. VFR800 still appeals to me as my "Retirement Sports Tourer"
The exhaust note is very car like, but it is a 1237cc V4, and heavy muffling to boot..... Bet it growls when you open it up a bit (not something that can be done in a show room full of people.

Was going to go for a ride on Wednesday if I got into town quickly after work too... Will see...
Yes, that fuel tank size.... well, it should get you the best part of 300k if you aren't riding it like a Blade I reckon.... Depends what Honda have done to the Software at the end of the day, and does it suit sitting on 94km/hr all day (The average speed of cars that are doing 100k indicated).

[HenryDorsetCase]

Ignore any photos you have seen - you need to view it in the flesh.

I agree with that as well.

The demo showed up at the HAve a Go day yesterday and I had a really good look at it.

In photos it looks like a great big ugly whale. Paint it white and call me Ahab. In the flesh its not that big, and the proportions flat work. Really nice and narrow between the knees, sounded OK (though the VFR800 with gutted cans sounded better, and my straight pipe VFR400 sounded best).

Like you say, compare it to a BMW and it kicks its arse.

My opinion has changed entirely. Not going to rush out and marry it or anything, but it does show you how misleading photos can be.

[Richard Mc F]

OK weird bike, thrash it and it does not seem that fast, (it is!) drive like a nana, faster than you think, (watch that speedo) put a pillion on, hardly noticed it acceleration handling), get up it and over 6ooo rpm it sounds like a superbike, handling is on rails,( we have negotiated 65kmh posteds at 150kmhplus) edge of the boot down I beiieve the pegs will be soon (we will try it at Hampton Downs soon) BLOODY AWSOME brakes, pillion comfort is superb......that from a wench who has been on the back of ST's and late 'wings ( and more!)

I am still exploring the envelope but this is a tourer with near blade potential!

I think it will have around the 250km range, fuel light flashing ( but not red) 14 litres out of 18.5, 125km of 2 up not down to the half mark ( ooooh so scientific)

pm me for more ...............buying a lotto ticket

[Big Dave]

Deefinately No Lemon. Very nice looking and very smooth and fast to ride.

First Impression is cross a 1050 Sprint with a Busa.

[imdying]

The fairing fasteners are awesome

As is the opening on the right hand fairing that shows off the exhaust headers. Someone who loves bikes obviously had a crack at it

[Big Dave]

Did the test loop and much more today. Vehicle is superb. I put it in the same desirability class as K1300S, Sprint ST and Busa. Road manner has a bit of all of them.

[tri boy]

Pics/you tube?????????

[Big Dave]

Working on it - have another photo call shortly - not gunna make BRONZ meeting tonight.

[zeocen]

The nice chaps at Botany Honda let me have the keys to their tasty red number while my bike was being looked at, I had my helmet cam with me at the time so I decided to bust out a video of it - it's not exactly Big Dave super-awesome material, but it's the VFR1200 and as Big Dave said, it's good. Real good.

Pt.1 first impressions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBbLigiT6qg
Pt.2 Walk around
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC1lahuYEp8

[Big Dave]

I'm not going to watch it till after I do mine (I always work that way) - How do you think it accelerates compared to your ZX14?

And hey - you are published before me (I bin too busy luvin' riding it)

[zeocen]

I've always had reservations about the ZX14 in terms of accelleration. I just never thought it was quite that good in comparison to the other big hitters. The VFR seems to just go, go and go. No matter the gear or speed, if you wanna go then you twist the throttle and it replies appropriately.

The ZX14 feels far more raw and sudden from down low torque, I guess some people would call that "character", but in all honesty, I would still prefer the VFR.

[vifferman]

In photos it looks like a great big ugly whale. Paint it white and call me Ahab.

...or just buy the white one (if it comes to UnZud..)

[Big Dave]

Nice looking bike.

[Ixion]

Price is comparable to other big sports tourers, around $28K I'm told, which sits closely with Kawasaki Concourse, FJR1200, ST1300. Cheaper than BMW, maybe, depending what you measure against, bit cheaper than the MotoGuzzi Norge. But, for a sports tourer, it's lacking in fruit. The model BD had, had ABS (he was vague, but it was there). But no luggage, no glove boxes, no electric screen. No centre stand.

Which sort of puts it into more of the "sports" rather than "sports touring". Riding position is definitely sports touring, not sports or touring . Dunno, not quite sure where it fits. Maybe somewhere alongside the SV1000 or Bandit ? But it'sa LOT more expensive than others in that market space .