The honeymoon is over - VFR1200

[Mick]

Either this is the first review of the new VFR in which the rider went in with his eyes open (unblinded by all the hype) or Honda really made these guys mad by making them get at the back of a long line to test the new bike:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com:80/MCN/News/newsresults/First-rides--tests/2009/November/nov3009-honda-vfr1200f-not-good-enough/

Of all the reviewers to have a blah, so-so opinion of the new viffer!

 

[Highrider]

I have been wondering when this type of review would surface, it has happened to every new bike release I can remember. It falls under the category of " you can't please all of the people all of the time". There are too many general statements in this review with no specific information to back them up. It's like one minor aspect isn't right for the rider, so it afects the entire machine. I will reserve my decision as to how this bike would appeal to the way I would use it . I have this on my list to arrange my own test ride ASAP.

 

[Mellow]

Interesting... BUT, a lot of similar comments were stated, and still are, about the ST... yet, I'm pretty darn happy.

If I was ready for a new bike or if I had the money to get a VFR it would be on the top of my list...

 

[Bones]

Interesting, especially from the "news" magazine that Brits love to hate.

 

[pretbek]

Hehe. It sounds like the bike lacks "character".

Actually, wanting a bike to stir (or rough up) the senses is not an extraordinary demand. I really believe that for some people a bike can be too smooth, accomodating and pleasant.

It seems that MCN is disappointed that the VFR1200 does not satisfy any and all implications put out by the hype-machine preceding the introduction.
"zOMG! It is not faster than a K1300S AND a tourer like a FJR AND as comfortable as a Goldwing! What a disappointment..."

 

[tommyboy]

"Character" in a bike is usually reserved for ill-handling, ergonomically-challenging bikes of questionable reliability (Like Moto Guzzi!):

 

[Blrfl]

Somebody should remind Mr. West that just because it's their newest model, the VFR is not Honda's flagship bike.

--Mark

 

[Dinkie Diesel]

I would make this analogy: Do you think all women want the perfect man??? Hell no, they want a man less than perfect so they have something to work with/change.

Same thing applies to the girly men who did this review.

 

[George]

"Damning with faint praise."

This isn't a road test, either, it's a Honda Media Event. MCN is full of it.

I'll reserve opinion 'til I get a chance to swing a leg over, but right now I'm with Joe, it's at the top of my wish list. (Well, the T version when available.)

 

[STPaulK]

They have a road test forthcoming (small print at bottom.) Not sure if they mean it's imminent or *someday*.

 

[CABINPETE]

I said it before so I'll say it again. The MCN or and review for that matter is worthless. When the bike comes out take it for a road test and you make the decision, nobody else matters.

 

[Mick]

MCN is full of it.

MCN??? Ya Reckon? :

They are pretty much the National Inquirer of the motorcycle world.

 

[Phartz]

I'd just file that one away with my other grains of salt. Afterall, he rode it less than two hundred miles. Give it time. :|

​

 

[George]

Just got my new Cycle World today with the Viffer F on the cover. Haven't read it yet.

 

[mjhenne]

The reviewer seems to be complaining that this isn't the T model when he says:

""The tank is too small, the switchgear baffling, the instrumentation too basic, the touring accessories not good enough. It shouldn’t be that easy to find fault with a flagship machine.""

Let me see... This is the F model, I'll think I'll just ignore that and complain that this doesn't have the stuff the T model will have and I'll also fail to mention that the T is in the works.

Wonder if this guy complained that the K1300S didn't have the goodies that the K1300GT has?

 

[Rob__]

The reviewer seems to be complaining that this isn't the T model when he says:

""The tank is too small, the switchgear baffling, the instrumentation too basic, the touring accessories not good enough. It shouldn?t be that easy to find fault with a flagship machine.""

Let me see... This is the F model, I'll think I'll just ignore that and complain that this doesn't have the stuff the T model will have and I'll also fail to mention that the T is in the works.

Wonder if this guy complained that the K1300S didn't have the goodies that the K1300GT has?

Yeah, I noticed that. Complained it didn't have a big enough tank to tour and then complained it was too little of a VFR and too much of a tourer.

Ya suppose Honda decided he wasn't going to get one to ride around for a year or two for free?

 

[Mick]

Yeah, I noticed that. Complained it didn't have a big enough tank

I've owned 3 VFR's. All three have had bigger tanks than this model does and all of them got better mileage than the 1200 is supposed to. My two 5th generations had/have 5.5 gallon tanks and averaged in the mid to lower 40's for gas mileage. I easily got 200 miles between fillups. My '93 3rd generation only had a 5 gallon tank which caused me to be especially attentive to the gas gauge but it at least got good mileage.

This bike is supposed to be a sport-tourer. A 4.9 gallon tank is just too small IMHO. So as much as I think this was a pretty lame article on the 1200, I gotta agree with him on the tank size.

 

[mjhenne]

snip

A 4.9 gallon tank is just too small IMHO

The T model is rumored to have a 9.3 gallon total fuel capacity. 5.5 in the main tank. 2.7 in the frame and the rest in the swingarm.

 

[sherob]

The VFR has been Honda's "techno bike" in the past, same here. Honda is showing off some cool gadgets... as reported, they are going to try and keep it as exclusive as possbile

The next round, VFR1200T, will be the "true" Sport Tourer...

 

[pretbek]

It's not since 1908 that people have been this enthusiastic about the introduction of a Model T. :duck:

I wonder how much weight it will gain to become a "T". Will it end up no lighter than the current ST1300? It would be nice if it is lighter and more powerful. And have a bacon dispenser.