2012 VFR1200 now with traction control

[caspernz]

Yep, have seen the VFR1200 firsthand, and in usual Honda style it's A1. Now while I'm in the market for a new ride in the next few months, I just don't see the point of the VFR1200. Then in one of the latest bike mags it had a long term test which listed the extras fitted. Top box, $1255. Panniers, $2615. Touring screen, $550....for a bit of perspex! Fairing deflector kit, $550....for two bits of silver plastic. Oh boy, maybe my radar is off but that seems just a tad rich, if that's where the bike is aimed perhaps some of these things should be standard fitment?
I doubt I could be bothered with a bike that has a fuel range so short you'd need to pre-plan to such a degree that riding freely wouldn't be any fun....or maybe I'm just getting old haha.

[raziel1983]

So the new fuel tank is a whopping 0.5l bigger.. Should be good for an extra 10 kilometers.

[vifferman]

Honda's missed the mark. The Vifferati were expecting either a really comfortable long-range tourer, or a 1000cc sporty V4. While being a technology tour de force, this is arguably neither. I'm not even really tempted to go and peruse one in the flesh, let alone buy one. I'd rather stick with my scruffy 100,000+km, 10-year-old, lightly customised 800.

[insomnia01]

I'm sticking to my Blackbird

[Gremlin]

And that's the major problem. The VFR1200 isn't an "upgrade" for owners of either the VFR800 or Blackbird...

[Big Dave]

Sorry, I disagree with pretty much all of you.

They are wickedly fast, great handling, stunning brakes and that muffler sounds great when you give it the berries.
It's an excellent 2-up sports bike, very comfortable and pleasant to ride.
I think it's good looking too.

So it's got a 200km tank. My Triumphs did 180. I don't think it's that big an issue in NZ.

[Gremlin]

So it's got a 200km tank. My Triumphs did 180. I don't think it's that big an issue in NZ.

So you haven't ridden at night then? If you like exploring the back blocks as well, gas can suddenly get very few and far between, especially if a gas station runs out.

It was one of the passes over to Greymouth last year I think, Springs Junction? had no gas, 200km didn't cut it. Cape Reinga return to Awanui is 210km. East Cape, if you want 95 octane, you really want to run from Opotiki round to Gisborne... 360km ish... instead you have to go hunting in Hicks Bay (91 only), Te Araroa (who can be bastards at times) etc.

The blackbird is good for over 300km.

[Big Dave]

I got around 200 till it hits reserve. There's probably 40 or 50 left in it. (guessing). I still don't have any issues with it. There are tons of bikes that have sub 300km range. If it's an issue for you - buy a KLR. I've got +400 out of mine :-)

I also find the Blackbird really uncomfortable. VFR works for a tall guy.

[caspernz]

We can't get away with upsetting Big Dave.... Agree the VFR12 is an awesome machine, just that most of us (myself included) are a little bemused at the new category it seems to have created.

I'm of the opinion that, as Gremlin mentioned, go off the main highways and that tank range quickly becomes a nuisance in daylight, let alone night missions. My current bike runs to about 350 kms to reserve and even that annoys me at times, so I accept the problem may be my outlook....

[Big Dave]

We can't get away with upsetting Big Dave....

:-)

Like I really care!

I tell ya what though - I would have a VFR1200 in my 'Leno' collection (with about a dozen others). I dig it.

[raziel1983]

It's an excellent 2-up sports bike, very comfortable and pleasant to ride.

I reckon this is exactly what it is, And is the main reason i'm looking at one very closely to replace the Fireblade.

And that's the major problem. The VFR1200 isn't an "upgrade" for owners of either the VFR800 or Blackbird...

You mean apart from the brakes, suspension, handling and extra horses?

[Gremlin]

If it's an issue for you - buy a KLR. I've got +400 out of mine :-)

Crikey mate, that's a bit small, especially for Aussie. I've had 750km+ out of my stock tank... yeah yeah, it's a GSA

You mean apart from the brakes, suspension, handling and extra horses?

Good brakes, yes, blackbird has good stoppers too. Suspension... hmmm didn't ride it enough, and the blackbird I've ridden has an Ohlins rear... it's also much cheaper since it's second hand... not fair I know, but they're competing against it. Extra horses.... uh, have you ridden the blackbird? It has plenty, but delivers it more smoothly

I didn't think the riding position that comfortable, yes, more upright than a sportsbike, but not really improved over the blackbird, at least in the upper torso section. Leg space was probably improved. Then again, I'm biased as I ride upright bikes. The VTEC certainly tries to bite the hand that abuses the throttle, and was a hell of a surprise the first time I somewhat carelessly cranked it open.

[imdying]

I reckon this is exactly what it is, And is the main reason i'm looking at one very closely to replace the Fireblade.

I wonder if they got it right after all then... If I was looking to replace (pffft, supplement more like it) the blade, it would probably be with one of these, and I can afford it... they don't build them to sell to people that can't.

[raziel1983]

Good brakes, yes, blackbird has good stoppers too. Suspension... hmmm didn't ride it enough, and the blackbird I've ridden has an Ohlins rear... it's also much cheaper since it's second hand... not fair I know, but they're competing against it. Extra horses.... uh, have you ridden the blackbird? It has plenty, but delivers it more smoothly

Yep I owned one (Bird) and was lucky enough to take it for a 4000k 2up trip down south, To me the birds brakes aren't in the same ballpark as the new viffer. Not debating the birds power, It has a sweet lump in it, but you were talking about upgrading from the old vfr also.

I didn't think the riding position that comfortable, yes, more upright than a sportsbike, but not really improved over the blackbird, at least in the upper torso section. Leg space was probably improved. Then again, I'm biased as I ride upright bikes. The VTEC certainly tries to bite the hand that abuses the throttle, and was a hell of a surprise the first time I somewhat carelessly cranked it open.

Again to me the ergos are quite a bit.. comfier than the birds, felt close to the old 800 (owned one of them too!)

[Stylo]

First look at the new VFR was only last weekend in Little River as it cruised through on it's way to Akaroa....

It looked different and not a little 'Ladylike" damn, why could'nt they make someting a little more manly looking like the old B'Bird ?