Well first thanks to Grafton motorcycles MK for letting me have a test ride on the new FVR1200 even though I hadnt pre-booked one, plus a few points
Now I only got 15/20 mins on it but all I can say is WOW what a bike :w00t: it is so light and well balanced and with masses of ooomph, even in the lousy conditions this morning it felt sure footed with loads more to offer.
Is it a Blackbird replacement…? for me I would have to say it rides like a VFR800 but with the get the f**k outta here of a 'Bird, but ultimately no which is a shame, the luggage is tiny no doubt aftermarket ones be out soon, and no centrestand which costs extra is annoying, thought the pillion seat looks small in pictures it is quite wide so could be comfy, 600 miles in day though Im not sure.
Even though it looks fugly in pix up close its not too bad and the fit n finish on panels etc are typical Honda, so before you dismiss it go and blag a test ride you will be impressed I was, would just longer ride in better conditions.
So its yet another Honda you can jump on and feel right at home on, just at warp 8 not warp 10 of a 'Bird, busa, zzr14
Would I buy one ?..if I didn’t have a 'bird and was looking to move up to a large tourer with sporty pretentions and good riding position then…yes I would
It looks physically very much like a K series BMW.Which gives the game away - the bike is designed to go head to head with the BMW K and win back ex-VFR riders who defected to BMW and bought bikes like the K1200S.
Thanks for the review!
I am booked in the week after next for a test ride, I really like the way it looks, its different and fresh and has some very cleaver form changes on it.!!
Very interested on how the v4 engine performs, still thinking they might stick it in a Blade for next year.
Had a ride on the new VFR recently as well, luckily in my job I have been able to ride lots of different bikes in the last few months (Pan’s, Deaville, Hornet, GSXR, Sprint, Tiger 1050, VFR800, CBR600RR, Dayton 675, Vstrom, Street triple).
It is nice handling and much lighter on the move than you would think looking at the spec sheet … it weighs more than a BMW GS1200.
The tanks too small, way too small.
The instruments are a joke … 5 years behind Piaggio group … and as dated as Triumph… I just love that moment when you have to sit there with index fingers of both hands jabbed into the dashboard just to reset the trip. A necessity for this bike with its laughable tank range.
Compared to the old VFR
Yes its a bit faster (should be with 50% increase in capacity)
Yes it handles better
Yes its just as easy to ride and tends to grow on you
Yes the instruments are as out of date as the old VFR
Are the lights as good… didnt get to find out.
For £9000.00 its not a bad bike, in fact its a very nice bike, no quicker (slightly slower) but a bit better handling than the Triumph sprint.
For £11000+ :w00t::w00t::w00t:
Wonder if the price will drop like it did on the DN 01 … my bet is this bike will not sell at that price
