Honda VFR1200 a big fat lemon?

[Devil]

Bahahahaha!

[R-Soul]

From the photos, you can see its a LOT smaller than the 'bird. And the reports on its handling are that it is not very far off the 'blade (an awesome handling bike, but a bit extreme for longer distances) , which makes sense as it is so small.

It does not have the MOST power or MOST speed - but it must have close to the most torque and best rideability in that the power is available pretty much everywhere? And lets face it 170 hp and 130Nm is not to be snorted at - especially when you combine this with very decent flickability. The opportunity to use the full 170hp (realistically) is almost never there. But the opportunity to use a muscular torque curve is everywhere (with decent power backing it up too).

Clearly Honda has aimed for riders who are used to litre sportsbikes and their sharp handling, and who are getting older and want to go for longer rides in more comfort without sacrificing too much in handling or power/torque. But also who will be content at times just keeping it in third and zoning out without having to chop and change gearing too much. A bike that is capable of slugging it out with the bikes with the mostest (overall), but which is also capable of a lazy day's riding in relative comfort.

I aint that old, but I quite like the idea of a sports tourer that can take the missus and me away for a weekend with all the luggage, but will stay with (and maybe leave behind) any of the big engined bikes on normal twisty road conditions, and even give the sports bikes run for their money on the track in the right hands.

What else would anybody actually want from a real world bike?

In a way, it has taken the best of all of the bikes mentioned, and put them together in a great package. In short, a VFR800 with real oomph. Power, handling, flickability- it just keeps the VFR tradition going really. It may not be the MOSTEST in any one thing, but it is probably second in all of them. Thats pretty impressive. In the Honda tradition, it has not gone the best bike for drag racing or track days, it has made the best bike for real workd riding. Expect a cult following from its owners.

I also get an idea that Honda has designed it as a test bed for forthcoming technologies- I expect Honda to announce new hi-tech add-ons (safety, etc) for it on a yearly basis.

The looks grow on you (and I frankly find the current google/bug eyed Kawa looks and psychotic Yamaha looks a little disturbing right now). The look conveys a commanding, no-nonsense, stable and non-belligerent presence, in the ironman mould (similar to the 'blade).

The only thing is the price. although lets face it Honda knows that if they build the right machine, and aims it at the right target market, they will come.

[imdying]

Anyone here planning to splash out on one?

Yes, but will wait to see what the new fangled gearboxes are like. Not sure if I'd trade the blade in on it though, 80kg difference in purpose.

[Big Dave]

Just back from the HRC day at Hampton Downs, the VFR1200 was pulling away from the CB1000R on the back straights - thought that was impressive.

[Big Dave]

Talked to Honda reps at the track - No ETA on the triptronic at this stage. 'Coming.'

[Big Dave]

>>The looks grow on you<<

Liked it from the start. I think it's the nicest looking 'non-sports' Honda for a long time.

[R-Soul]

Just back from the HRC day at Hampton Downs, the VFR1200 was pulling away from the CB1000R on the back straights - thought that was impressive.

So lets face it - this bike is no slacker. And it will pull away from the other tourers on the corners - and be comfortable. Best of both worlds.

[Big Dave]

And it will pull away from the other tourers on the corners.

Maybe not a Concours 1400 or the K1300S. But it wouldn't get left behind either.

[R-Soul]

Maybe not a Concours 1400 or the K1300S. But it wouldn't get left behind either.

Well the road reports I have seen have compared its handling to a 'blade. The Concours 1400 or the K1300S are not going to stay with a blade on the corners...

It might be underpowered on teh next straight- but not by much.

[Big Dave]

I actually took it to mean corner exiting schtonk.

Apex speeds on the road on all of them requires self governance.

[86GSXR]

Had one along on a ride the other night. It certainly didn't disgrace itself over some very twisty hilly roads. It was very impressive in that environment actually and looked extremely nimble.

[banditrider]

Had one along on a ride the other night. It certainly didn't disgrace itself over some very twisty hilly roads. It was very impressive in that environment actually and looked extremely nimble.

Go on Al - you know you want to...

[vifferman]

>>The looks grow on you<<

Liked it from the start. I think it's the nicest looking 'non-sports' Honda for a long time.

'Non sports'?
Blue Wing Honda have it listed twice on their pricelist - in the Sports category and in the Touring category.

Other interesting (or perhaps not) factoids - it's ergonomics (seat/peg/bar dimensions) are almost identical to the latest VFR800.
Power output was measured by one of the bike mags at 140hp on the dyno (admittedly a model that's known to give lowish readings - it gave similar reductions to stated HP for the BMW1300).

[Big Dave]

'Non sports'?

Not a Fireblade - or anything with more than four 'R's in the designation.

[Blackbird]

Just to keep the debate going (not to mention a bit of a stir as well as an opposing view), this is a post from one of the international Blackbird sites. The You Tube video link is interesting too.


Brenda & myself dropped into Pheonix Honda to pick up the test bike which was sitting out the front of the showroom, our Super Salesman did remember me but said it was out of fuel at which time he slipped his lid on, never done up the strap & zipped out onto the main road in a short sleeved tee shirt & bare hands for a quick 1/2 mile trip to the petrol station this in about +3degrees Brrrrr (He was well hard bastard supersalesman SSM)

Ok SSM aside we were getting ready to mount the camara when back he comes our SSM said "we cant allow you to mount that Sir, company policy, so no video footage. After a slight adjustment of mirrors we fired her up & I thought it had developed a fault as if running on 3 cylinders but no, that lumpy clunky sound was how she sounded blip blip blip. Hmmmm ok so that sounds shite, into gear & off we go... smooth & the bike feels light & easy to manoeuvre as we approach the junction. Beeep shit, thats not the indicators, its the horn in its stupid place - WHY? We got rolling, onto the main road doing 30 and the first thing you feel is the buzz from that V4 right through the whole bike. Hmmmm out of the village & a real fookoff straight throttle wide open right to the limiter & yes its quick but not WOW FOOK ME quick, no quantum leap, warp speed, no fazers, Captain Kirk. Buzzzz Buzzzz from the 1200cc engine that's doing my head in, surly that should be super smooth V4 Honda Power but no Buzzz Buzzz now I'm thinking why would Mr H allow that to vibrate???? ROUNDABOUT.... Now here I can say with a big thumbs up the brakes are sharp & I want them on my bike, as we go for a surf 3 times around NICE, the VFR does feel light & drops into corners as sweet as you like. I had a play about shifting gear up & down on the roundabout & no jacking or squatting from the rear a quick flick left & give it the beans onto another long stright click it up the box into top bimble along then just nail it. She is not what you would call immediate but once on the move the speed does come & so does that BUZZZ BUZZZ. After beeping the horn yet again as we turn off the main drag onto some nice twisties and the VFR1200 feels planted throughout but then so does my bike; its a Honda what would you expect? Now at this point I should mention if like me you carry a pillion; SWMBO was sitting a lot closer to me but was sliding all over the place & did more bum shuffling in 35 mins than she does in a full on spirited ride on our bike. Wind protection from the fairing was good with very little buffet, the seating position was lower that my bike as I could plant both feet flat on the deck but did keep kicking Brenda's toes when putting my feet back on the pegs. We rode through a few sleepy villages heading for the Motorway, it was at this point it hit me that exhaust note - now I know what it sounds like... a Qualcast petrol mower to a tee. Well done Honda - a 1200cc sit & ride mower bike. We picked up the Motorway & dropped into LIE MODE......... two-up pinned wide open and show it no mercy. They say it will beat most bikes... 146mph -hmmmm dont think so. Back off & try to imagine it will go quicker than146mph then it ran out of imagination again. Ok hold on BZZZZZZZZZ BZZZZZZZZZZ nope 146mph. As we mowed our way back to the dealers & again beeped the horn we pulled up alongside our CBR1100XX Super Blackbird only to be met by SSM grinning like a Cheshire cat well say's he "WHAT ABOUT THAT" to which I replied you don't want to really know what I think about your VFR "GREAT BIKE OR WHAT" you can polish a turd but its still a TURD....to which he said I'm the only person that doesn't like it, Me "I don't care it's not for me" SSM "I sold 10 of them" Me "you told me on Thursday it was 24 & you have imagined 186mph" SSM Errr sorry yes 24 Errr 186 that's right I was out all day Friday what a great bike if you are quick you could get one before they go up in price by £700 Me "but it's cramped for a pillion & slower that my bike why would I change plus it as vibey as hell & that exhaust sounds like a mower". SSM right in front of Brenda "I don't give a shit about the pillion & I think its super smooth that V4 engive & have never felt any vibes, its a rocket ship packed with new technology & (points at my bike) that is old & out of date & they aint making a replacement for the blackbird ever so it's up to you!" Me: "Fine I'll stick with what I've got a bike thats WARPSPEED fast, those ROCKETS are so last century & can only do an imagined 146mph two up, Humm I'll get my video camara & do a bit of filming thanks" SSM stomps off. We got the video camara & were doing a bit to filming when SSM comes & pushed the VFR away to the workshop NICE........ was it something I said?
When I edit what video we did get I will post it up.

Prepared to be flamed but hey I don't give a shit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcgjlBNtO4Y