Honda VFR1200 a big fat lemon?

[Big Dave]

It doesn't sound as good as the press release says it does - that's true. There aren't many bikes that do. Rune does.
I can't confirm or deny any vibration at post 120mph. Nor do I particularly care. It's not relevant here.
Pillion comfort is as individual as Pillions. They are well catered for compared to a Fireblade. Not a so a Goldwing.
The rest of it he seems to have some stick up his arse about his Blackbird - or justifying owning it somehow.

[zeocen]

It handles better than a Blackbird, that's a hard solid fact. Who (in New Zealand, at least) does 140mph with a pillion long enough to notice the vibrations? I personally never noticed any vibrations that were consistently noticeable. That whole "review" sounds like someone who is justifying owning an older bike and doesn't like how the VFR1200 has been named a replacement for the Blackbird by Honda, so went into nitpick mode.

It also seems like he hasn't ridden anything other than a 4cyl, like, at all - he was saying in the video he couldn't wait to get off the bike because of the exhaust/engine tone. What was he expecting of a V4?

If I had a Blackbird still, I wouldn't be rushing out to buy the VFR1200 - but at the same time I wouldn't be comparing the VFR1200's solid game performance next to the Bird either. Because it puts the Bird to shame in nearly all aspects, as one would expect from new technology and better weight distribution.

[merv]

From the comments of that Blackbird guy maybe he did strike a test ride on one with a problem like running on 3 cylinders or something!

[quickbuck]

From the comments of that Blackbird guy maybe he did strike a test ride on one with a problem like running on 3 cylinders or something!

Yup,
That's what I was thinking....

[BMWST?]

sounds like an f wit.Nice way to treat a brand new bike.

[pritch]

I went to Hawke's Bay for the weekend and when I got home the April issue of BIKE was in my letter box.
Included therein is a sport touring segment, part of which involves a comparison between the BMW K1300S, The Triumph Sprint, and the VFR1200.

And the winner is - the VFR1200.

There was also a photo of the VFR popping a wheelie but since everybody on KB knows this to be impossible it must be photochopped...

[TerminalAddict]

.....Who (in New Zealand, at least) does 140mph with a pillion long enough to notice the vibrations? .......
.....

no comment ...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...terminaladdict

Mrs TA loved the back seat, she was happy at warp speed, and neither of us noticed any notable vibrations.

The reviewer is biased (at best); I agree the pipe looks odd but I would deal with it.

Generally I think the bike is fairly "grown up", and I feel grown up riding it.

It's on my list and is the only thing on my list (and Hamilton Honda know it .. coz they keep nagging me )
Although I rode an XR1200 this weekend which was an awesome barrel of fun

[Big Dave]

And the winner is - the VFR1200.

Value judgements aside - the only real 'disparity' for use as a road bike is that the Triumph is $22k with ABS.

[Blackbird]

Value judgements aside - the only real 'disparity' for use as a road bike is that the Triumph is $22k with ABS.

Yep, and all leg-pulling aside, it's a great bit of engineering and the question will be on whether that extra $6-8k over bikes like the Triumph, FJR etc will deter customers.

[NZsarge]

Although I rode an XR1200 this weekend which was an awesome barrel of fun

You did'nt get held up by an accident just north of Waipawa did you?

[NZsarge]

Yep, and all leg-pulling aside, it's a great bit of engineering and the question will be on whether that extra $6-8k over bikes like the Triumph, FJR etc will deter customers.

Yeah the biggest thing against it is it's poor value as a whole, if it had come with the luggage in the $29k price tag it'd still be a really expensive bike but closer to the mark. The more I see it the more I accept the looks, it's not too bad really, haven't had the chance to ride one yet but at the price I don't even think i'd bother even if I was in the market. IMHO it should be priced at $26k max! And that's with luggage included.

[HenryDorsetCase]

no comment ...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...terminaladdict

Mrs TA loved the back seat, she was happy at warp speed, and neither of us noticed any notable vibrations.

The reviewer is biased (at best); I agree the pipe looks odd but I would deal with it.

Generally I think the bike is fairly "grown up", and I feel grown up riding it.

It's on my list and is the only thing on my list (and Hamilton Honda know it .. coz they keep nagging me )
Although I rode an XR1200 this weekend which was an awesome barrel of fun

you need one of each I reckon. VFR1200 and an XR1200 for those days when you want to be a hooligan.

[scracha]

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.

I finally saw one of these Viffers. Fat, heavy, ugly, sounds like shit. I loved my old VFR but Honda have seriously lost the plot. Sack the whole fuckin development team. Next thing you know they'll give up making motorcycle and concentrate on t-shirts, mugs and aftershave.

[TerminalAddict]

I finally saw one of these Viffers. Fat, heavy, ugly, sounds like shit. I loved my old VFR but Honda have seriously lost the plot. Sack the whole fuckin development team. Next thing you know they'll give up making motorcycle and concentrate on t-shirts, mugs and aftershave.

you can get aftershave from Honda??? wicked

[Big Dave]

I finally saw one of these Viffers. Fat, heavy, ugly, sounds like shit. I loved my old VFR but Honda have seriously lost the plot. Sack the whole fuckin development team. Next thing you know they'll give up making motorcycle and concentrate on t-shirts, mugs and aftershave.

When a TDM owner reacts like that - you know they are probably on the right track.