[Closed] VFR 1200F Anyone ?

nobody ?

I doubt there's more than about 50 in circulation yet. Personlly, not my thing at all. I wouldn't give one a second glance

Always fancied the outgoing VFR800 - but they haven't done the bright red for years!!!

New one looks a bit strange in photies, haven't seen what it is like in the flesh. If I had the spare cash for m/c shopping at the mo I'd probably be trying a F800GS

had a look at the piccys , mmmm they say 'beauty is in the eye of the beer holder' and I could do with a gallon now!

I like the 800 but the 1200 , bluergh.

agree it's relatively ugly, but it's SO functional.
sports / touring / commute / track !
and reliable with little maintenance [shaft propelled] !

Not had any 1st hand experience but a mate who's tried one complained of 'jacking up' & 'squatting' a lot on the throttle

shaft drives eh?

Test rode one back in Feb. Looks far nicer in the flesh than photos. It certainly rides nicely but I'd definately get myself into trouble on one -it hides its speed very well.

Interested to hear how you get on with it. I had 2 VRF800s (pre VTEC) in a row.

smurf

it's SO functional.
sports / touring / commute / track !
and reliable with little maintenance

Sounds just like a Fireblade 🙂

But dearer, heavier and slower 🙁

mate took one out from george whites, who told him "oh we've sold 3 already".

three? wow, flying off the floors. Ducati probably sold more £40K desmosedicis in that time.

Supposed to be typically honda-accomplished but makes the current fireblade look attractive and is all round a massive disappointment after years of hype.

not sure - Mrs TLR will be somewhat uncomfy on the Fireblade's perch !

Why not get a real BMW rather than a copy? 😉 Its even ugly like a Bimmer

One came past me while I was driving the other day
I had to wind my window down to listen to it
.
It sounded lovely 😀
.
.
not sure about the styling yet though 😕
may grow on me

Functional? whats that got to do with motorbikes? 😆 Picking this up tomorrow! Cant wait!
[img] [/img]

not sure - Mrs TLR will be somewhat uncomfy on the Fireblade's perch !

I'd recommend test riding a new shape Blade (RR8 onwards)

They are fantastic bikes that even when at maximum warp factor feel pretty effortless; I really couldn't fault mine.

Obviously not for long distance touring with your sigificant other, but just do what I did........ buy her a CBF125 and lessons 🙂

I think Honda have missed a trick with the new VFR, it seems to now sit between a VFR800 and a Pan-Euro.

I can only hope that they bring out a sportier, lighter and VFR800 physical size version.

This was my Blade...

[IMG] [/IMG]

...... although I sold the Blade when I managed to find a brand new SP1 last year 🙂

[IMG] [/IMG]

Not as fast as the modern 1000's with around the same performance as a modern 600 sports, R6 / ZX6r etc but every ride is an event 🙂

Motorbike's should never be about function....... 😉

Amplebrew - thats seriously nice! bet your wrists aren't too happy with the change though! Better sort the cans though!

mickasaki - Member
Amplebrew - thats seriously nice! bet your wrists aren't too happy with the change though! Better sort the cans though!

It was always my dream bike 🙂

I keep looking at Akra or Arrow cans, but just can't bring myself to mess with it. I keep thinking it would be better to keep it original.

It only comes out on high days and holidays, I use a '99' R6 as my main bike.

the_lecht_rocks - Member
Test riding on Saturday.........

Interested to find out what you think about it....

bet your wrists aren't too happy with the change though!

may be me, but i don't find my sp1 too uncomfortable. certainly would'nt want to tour on it, but otherwise its ok. just a damn shame i've got to sell it!

[img] http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad282/mickasaki_photos/Photo0088.jp g" target="_blank">http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad282/mickasaki_photos/Photo0088.jp g"/> [/img]Here he is in the wild! First knee down of the year today aswell! Got to get rid of the chicken strips quick!

(Mr MC posting)

I went pillion unfriendly when MC passed her test and got an SV650. Do miss two-up riding and may end up getting something like a fazer 1000 to cart her and luggage to scotland/europe.

Currently on an 04R1 with a few nice useful extras (CRG levers, harris rearsets). Pictured at talybont on a days blast from oxford. Fabulous bike.

[IMG] [/IMG]

gavtheoldskater - Member

bet your wrists aren't too happy with the change though!

may be me, but i don't find my sp1 too uncomfortable. certainly would'nt want to tour on it, but otherwise its ok. just a damn shame i've got to sell it!

I find it as comfy as the Blade, although I'm only 5ft 7 short 🙂

I think you'll regret selling it especially if it's a nice one. The good ones are getting really hard to find now 🙁

mickasaki - Is that a Gixxer 750?

sure is! Best decision i've made in a while, just waiting for the yoshi pipe to be delivered now!

Got to get rid of the chicken strips quick!

I can still see them 😉 😀

mickasaki - Like the colour, far nicer than the blue and white.

since octoberish? last year they have been talking about it in MCN and i remember them questioning the designer on why the tank range was so small. would be good to hear of real world experiences from folk that have done tours on theirs to get an idea. imagine going west coast of scotland with a tank range not quite big enough.

..you could take fuel pillion instead of the wife i suppose ;O)

mr munque i like the 04 model in that colour.I saw a W reg r1 in local bike shop the other day and it looked really tidy condition.. some 23 year old has put a deposit down on it though. I said to shop owner to get in touch with me if the sale doesnt go through.. so hopefully hes still having problems getting insurance.

micka.. oh i see you got the bike. colour looks good. not the usual blue and white same old colour scheme. i started to type this to mention about that original can. its awful eh? should look spot on with something plain and simple.(anything can look plain and simple compared to the original lol)

it's an amazing m/c. [vfr 1200f].
comfortable, nuclear quick, stable, and still feels nimble considering it's 267kg wet !!!! stunning stunning brakes too.
managed a wee knee doon graze on the demo ride too on one of my fave stretches of road - wasn't expecting that level of nimbleness tbh.
additionally, it's super comfy 2 up, for which it's intended.
problem is, i dunno if i want a white or silver one ??? thoughts 🙂

dave - ones gone! wait for it to warm up abit more before i go for the left one though!
martinxyz - its not the most offensive one fitted to new bikes at the moment though, and it is only temperary!

S'got to be a white one.

Looks like Honda have got a bit arsey over the initial negative press.
Don't know if that had any bearing on the bike winning the sports tourer grouptest in the latest issue of Bike, but I noticed that tank range wasn't mentioned once in the whole review.

I think it's a lovely looking thing, shame noise legislation & Honda's tightfisted R&D department has killed off gear driven cams though.

i dunno if i want a white or silver one ??? thoughts

Get silver........ unless you want to look like a traffic officer etc etc 😉

I've got a sneaky suspicion that Police might end up using these to replace the Pans.

A lot of forces are using the sportier BMW's which are very simliar to the VFR is size performance etc.

We've just got a new BMW in work, which is a nice bike, but chatting to one of the lads, there were a few negative comments on the telelever front end. If a few forces get similar feedback, they might start getting VFR's possibly.

Shame they don't do a metallic black, think it would look amazing with the silver detail bits.

Ofcourse VFR's should ALWAYS be red 🙂

the white has silver panels (around seat and the secondary "inner" side panels) that look out of place and make the bike look disjointed. On the silver bike they fit in.

the_lecht_rocks

There's a new 1200 Triumph Tourer on it's way soon, according to MCN.
Worth waiting a while to see what it's like?

@rusty - it's just GOT to be a VFR [Honda] for the trips planned......

The fact that it's a V4 would sell it to me 🙂

I've had 3 VFR800's over the years and it's probably one of the best bikes I've had. Infact if I'd buy a new pre-vtec (gear driven) 800 tomorrow if they made one.

I'd love the new 1200, but it's a bit too big and heavy for what i'd use it for. Hardly ever carry a pillion, my missus has her own bike and most of my riding is around the TT course.

I'd love them to bring out V4 sports bike, really lovely engines.

VFRs stopped being VFRs with the introduction of the (now outgoing) VTEC monstrosity.

Jimbo - Member
VFRs stopped being VFRs with the introduction of the (now outgoing) VTEC monstrosity.

Agreed

When I finally get a house with a garage, I'd love one of these:
[img] [/img]
If there are any nice ones left by then.

However, as Ms Spanner is making noises about getting a bike again (bike noises?), one of the last proper VFR800's (non V-tec) might just fit the bill.

Why Honda fit pointless tech to perfectly reasonable bikes is beyond me.
Ever since enclosed discs they've been trying to solve problems that don't exist.
And whilst I love the new 1200 concept & looks, the small tank range and 2 camchains (2, on a Honda! They never could get 1 camchain to work properly) put me right off.

some fugly bikes these days. The new blade posted above is so ugly it hit every branch on the way down! VTR looks much nicer and sounds way better. Thats got to be the most important thing with bikes, looks and sound.

I went to have a look at the 1200 a couple of weeks ago, still intend to test ride one. I've got an 08R1 at the minute but can't help feeling I should have grown into something more sensible by now (before the licence suffers). The 1200 is better looking in the flesh for sure, but that exhaust is stil pig ugly. It a lot of money now, actually they are all a lot of money now.

but can't help feeling I should have grown into something more sensible by now (before the licence suffers).

It doesn't work unless you go for something really slow - you will just end up thrashing it anyway even if its a tourer - it still has 150 bhp

could always buy a confederate wraith. mmmmmmm.

or maybe buy a bike with a nice looking exhaust system.. but have a manky looking machine surrounding it. http://www.uncrate.com/men/cars/motorcycles/vyrus-987-c3-4v/

indeed , the exhaust is FUGLY, but the bike just does everything SO well.......
i really think Honda have created the ultimate street motorcycle with the new VFR 12.

If you do get one, take care! dont end up with one of these!

[img] [/img]

Ouch! That's the new bike, isn't it?
🙁

Edit: It doesn't look too serious a crash, if you're ok enough to be posting...

Is that your bike mickasaki?!?! 😯

Sure is, interested in a deal? one carefull owner etc...

I might replace my CBF1000GT and CBR600 with a single bike in a couple of years and a VFR with hard luggage might be the solution.

I considered a VFR800 previously but at the time preferred the CBR.

If you do get one, take care! dont end up with one of these!

Nightmare! How did you manage that? If I recally you've only had the bike a weeks or so (not even long enough to change your nickname!).

Just seen the other thread, seems a small crash and the wife has a broken arm?

Lucky it's got that big fugly exhaust on the side, nice bit of protection for the good looking bits 😈

Wait for the new sprint trumpet to come out before you decide, i had a 955i a couple of years back (lasted a bit longer!) fantastic grunty engine, and the 1050 is even better. I tried a 1050 sprint and was very impressed with it, very comfy for two up'ing and seem to last well. Probably be a hell of alot cheaper than a VFR and its british!

Wait for the new sprint trumpet to come out before you decide

I've looked at Triumphs a few times but for some reason they just don't do it for me. I don't like the looks and too many folks I know have had reliability problems with them (I know the newer bikes are better though).

@mickasaki.
sickening old boy. my commiserations 🙁

When I finally get a house with a garage, I'd love one of these:
[img] [/img]

Best bike I've ever ridden (because I've never swung a leg over an RC30). A VFR800 is more practical, esp. 2-up, but the handling on the 400s is truly sublime.

I agree that pre-VTEC VFR is the better bike than its successor. Sometimes Honda are too 'clever' for my liking, they make things different and it's not always better - downgrading the V4 cams to chain from gears is an example.

The [url= http://www.simonevans.co.uk/v-four/vfr1200.htm ]VFR1200[/url] is a replacement for the blackbird, so of course it will be less nimble than a Blade and more sporty/less toury than a Pan. That's why it's not a Blade or Pan. Duh! I'd look at a Sprint ST first or even a CBR600, I don't see the need for the gadgets or the top end speed (or the price tag!).

One of my friends has a mint one of those 400's in his garage. It has only been out to be mot'd each year for about the last 6 years! I might persuade him it needs me to take it for a trackday! ( but with my history it will be hard work!)

here it is. delivered to my door this morning due to the ridiculous amount of snow that's fallen in the last 36 hours !!!

[IMG] [/IMG]

Thats the first i've seen except in the mags! deffinatly looks more modern than the old'n. Whats it look like from the other side then? Hope the weather improves so you can get out and enjoy it soon!

@mick - here it [Fugle exhaust shot missing :)] is :

[IMG] [/IMG]

That looks like it's from a different world.

Thats certainly not subtle styling, Honda are definatly more adventurous than the other japs at the moment aren't they. Thats a shame they put the exhaust that side and didn't leave it like the cb100r, that would have really set it off!

Big fairing!

Looks great but have you broke her in yet?

25 miles only. roads are salted up here, lots of standing water from snow melt and mud from freshly ploughed fields. took me an hour to clean it yesterday after 30 minutes thrash.
super creamy torque, stunning roll on throttle response, no noticeable twist from the shaft drive, stunning 🙂

Has the weather let you out for a proper ride yet then?

Saw one in the wild today! Definatly look nice in the flesh. How you getting on with it?

[i]Best bike I've ever ridden (because I've never swung a leg over an RC30). A VFR800 is more practical, esp. 2-up, but the handling on the 400s is truly sublime. [/i]

I've ridden both (a VFR400 and an RC30). The 400 was insanely light, insanely! But the Rc30 was without doubt the finest motorcycle I've ever ridden. 70 odd in first gear, I was doing about a hundred by third gear and lost my bottle at about 140 with the bike still pulling away like a train. It was like riding a roadbike (cycle) but with an engine. Crazy! I loved it.

Samuri wrote, "I've ridden both (a VFR400 and an RC30). The 400 was insanely light, insanely!"

They're actually not that light at all... Just feel it because the weight's so compact and relatively low but the NC30 and NC35 are both heavier than most modern 6s. The claimed, crooked, dry weight is higher than the weighed fully wet weight of my SV 😉 Still bloody lovely mind.

If I can stop spending all my time and money on MTBs I suspect this is the answer. If only I could keep the oil in the engine. Its sitting in the garage awaiting a new set of big ends
[img] [/img]

40 ish BHP with loads of torque, footrest on the ground at 70mph, 3rd gear pulling hard - you know you are going fast - hit a ton down a decent straight and feels good in corners - even if its on the limit at 3/4 the corner speed of an R1 - you can thrash it at legalish speeds.

Problem with fast bikes is its only fun if you thrash them - and you end up going stupidly fast. Go to jail or make a huge hole in a hedge.

If I buy another motorcycle it will be an aprilla 250 - or even a 125. thrash the spuds off it

What does BSA stand for? Bastards stopped again. 😉

That's a wicked looking bike Lecht and you have the roads to enjoy it 😆

I'm jealous TJ but no-one given you 'instructions' from the back on that one 😉

Damn these threads. Just when I think I've convinced myself not to get another bike........................ I really want something like this
[img] http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=1106261109 [/img]

The bike that is, although doggy looks cool too.

cheers woody - still running it in.............. 🙂

cheers woody - still running it in..............

Where was that pic taken BTW?

which pic ? my driveway are the vfr12 shots.

fwiw, i'm not really running it in - just using it up to the 1st 600 mile service.

Was just wondering re the snow still on the ground but now see that it was actually 2 weeks ago.

BSA - isn't it Bl**dy Sore Arse? 😛

Best Scrap Avialable.

I've just 'invested' in one of these

[img] [/img]

anyone interested in a KTM990sm or Harley CVO?