Honda VFR1200 Test Ride

kenny · 8 March 2010 17:24

its a sportsbike nuff said

Kevsta · 8 March 2010 18:15

Dino (08/03/2010)

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Yes the instruments are as out of date as the old VFR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

Did I mention the fuel tanks too small

The weight thing is quite a shocker when you start looking at it. The new Bandit 650s 253KG!!! WHY?

Dino · 8 March 2010 21:20

Well for the last 3 years or more my italian bike has a button the left hand controls that controls the display

stopwatch
split timer
ave mpg
actual mpg
2 trip meters
clock
air temp guage
miles since warning came on
time travelled
ave speed

when you hit reserve on the triumph you cant work out wether you have time and fuel to get to where you are going… the display defaults to miles to empty and you lose the clock.

The triumph is a bit better than the old VFR but still old fashioned…

But the Honda and the Triumph require you to stand there poking the dash to reset, not like the italian which allows you to reset as you ride along without taking your hands off the grips.

Dino · 8 March 2010 21:24

The Blade is a better sportsbike … and is MUCH cheaper

The BMW is WAY better and costs a LOT less

For £9k its not bad as a comfy sporting bike… it doesnt have the range for a tourer … you might as well buy a proper sportsbike and tour the petrol stations of euope… A GSXR750 with those adjustable bars and Rentec luggage would be much cheaper and much faster with about the same tank range.

As it is the Sprint is faster and cheaper and the old VFR seems a bargain in comparison

At £11k plus I am just wondering who would buy it and why

TDJ · 8 March 2010 21:57

Thats not the case on the Sprint 1050 the Clock/Trip computer works out and displays a count down. it also displays ave mpg. and many other good features. I have found on a long touring trip the Triumph displays to be better than most bikes.

kenny · 9 March 2010 08:14

sorry my point was that it is a sportsbike dressed up as a tourer by adding luggage,not a tourer that can act as a sportsbike,you are quite right a Blade would be a better sports bike and a Pan would be a better tourer, its a shame Honda couldn’t follow in the spirit of the original VFR.

makman · 9 March 2010 13:11

Thanks for sharing. Based on tank range I’ll stick with my Triumph Sprint RS that will get at least 165 to reserve if I’m a bit naughty and 200 miles to a 19 litre tank if I am good for longer rides.

Dino · 10 March 2010 21:39

It does indeed do all of those things and I have used one and it is better than nearly all Japanese bikes. That still makes it poor in comparison to a 3 year old Aprilia/Guzzi set up.

Try one of the modern Piaggio displays for a while and you will soon realise why even the Triumph is dated and the Japanese are way behind.

Honda/Yamaha appear to have lost thier way, through complacency, in many areas, check out the recent shoot out in MCN

R1/Blade/ZX10 in last 3 places
MV/Aprilia/BMW in the top 3 places

itsthemechanic · 12 March 2010 09:11

Thanks for the review, Steve, but… trade my 'Bird for this… thing?

https://www.youtube.com/v/WTdO-w3xnpw&hl=en_US&fs=1&

Thank you, thank you very much

blackbirdxx · 12 March 2010 09:25

steveCBR11XX (13/02/2010)

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

i would not 115 miles to a tank na