Terblanche and others defend the VFR1200

[Bill in OKC]

The bike must be in trouble if it needs to be defended.  I don't think that this is the bike long-time VFR owners were looking for.

[sally101]

It has a 4.9 gallon tank.  Conservatively assuming the bike gets 40 mpg, that's about 160 miles before you're looking for fuel.  (not too bad, IMO)

Generally, I like to get off a bike every 2 hours or so, so a range like this wouldn't be a deal-breaker for someone like me.

2 corrections.. The tank is actually 4.1 gallons and this dude was only getting 34mpg in his review:

http://ashonbikes.com/content/honda-vfr1200f

Now that's a deal-breaker for me..

(but I do think it looks great)

[fastwin]

Kinda on topic, there are some great deals going on the leftover VFRs. I catch myself finding reasons to drive to the local Honda Powersports dealership just to oogle at the new '07 red/white/blue VFR. Makes me kick myself for not picking up the original red/white/blue '86 model when it came out. The older VFRs were good looking scooters and down right great bikes. Hopefully the new one will be well received. I am just not digging the style and looks. The humped back whale gas tank would make it hard to mount a conventional tank bag. That will be a deal killer for a lot of sport touring riders, me included. I'll stick to my sport touring Busa with it's long pointy nose and shitty handling. At least it has a flat tank.

[Scottish]

I'm pretty sure the B-King was not a sales success.  It only lasted for one year.  It is no longer being sold.  I totally get your point though. 

That is exactly my point, it was only sold for 2 years I think. So I can assume others fon't like their motorcycles to look like transformers either. 

[ducatiz]

B-King

www.suzuki-bk.com

[bluemoco]

2 corrections.. The tank is actually 4.1 gallons and this dude was only getting 34mpg in his review:

http://ashonbikes.com/content/honda-vfr1200f

Now that's a deal-breaker for me..

(but I do think it looks great)

I'm an American, so I used the US Gallons measurement which is 4.9 (or 18.5L). 

http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=5219

In that article you quote, they achieved 33.3 mpg with cruising speeds of 85 mph.  I'd expect that my riding would be substantially slower on a freeway jaunt (maybe 75mph or so).  Further, I doubt that most riders are going to be caning their personal bikes to the same degree that a moto-journo does to a test mule during a press launch.  YMMV 

[Raux]

B-King

www.suzuki-bk.com

i'm still trying to figure out why a company named a bike after a fast food restaurant?

[NuTTs]

After having owned a GS1200ADV for 9 months, a bike many people think as fugly, with a whole 105hp, 270+kg fully laden..it moved very well indeed on any kind of terrain and was probably the only ex-bike I REALLY miss. The looks weren't all that and it looked like it was put together in someone's shed but, it was a great bike.

Honda have a reputation with their VFR bikes, they are mile munchers with a touch of sportiness. I think the 1200 isn't ugly and from what I have read in the UK and Spanish press it is supposed to be a hell of a ride as long as the rider doesn't forget it's not a sports bike.

A breath of fresh air and change is always good, gets rid of the monotony (this is coming from someone with a BMW S1000RR  ).

[Duck-Stew]

If everyone is talking about it then Honda did their job right.

It's a HONDA.  If there are slight glitches, bugs, problems (low fuel range), then they'll put the engineers to work on them and have them sorted in a few model years at the latest.

Personally, I don't see what all the fuss is about.  It's a good looking bike with good performance in my book.  Yeah, it's a bit hefty but I've seen GoldWings M-O-V-E out and they're so heavy they measure them in tenths of a ton.

Perhaps the magazine testers just got off the new 'Priller RSV with race tires and AV gas and then got on the VFR1200...

[bluemoco]

For those who are pining for a lighter-weight tourer, it may be worth a call to a Honda dealer. There are some VFR 800s remaining in inventory, and I'm sure dealers would be happy to move em out the door.

[Scottish]

If everyone is talking about it then Honda did their job right.

It's a HONDA.  If there are slight glitches, bugs, problems (low fuel range), then they'll put the engineers to work on them and have them sorted in a few model years at the latest.

Personally, I don't see what all the fuss is about.  It's a good looking bike with good performance in my book.  Yeah, it's a bit hefty but I've seen GoldWings M-O-V-E out and they're so heavy they measure them in tenths of a ton.

Perhaps the magazine testers just got off the new 'Priller RSV with race tires and AV gas and then got on the VFR1200...

deals gap on a goldwing/gl1800 by yellow wolf dragons tail

[ducatiz]

draggin' knee on a goldwing!  woot!

[junior varsity]

seen it live at the gap. i pissed myself.

[LA]

then this isn't the right ike, get the RR if that's what you want. As a sport-tourer, weight means less, it's about some corners and eating long distances fat in comfort. It's competitors are the likes of BMW and the Concours 1400, neither are light weights either.

No, you're right, the BMW's/Concours and Hondas are not the bikes for me.  A tourer is one thing, but a SPORT tourer is another.  Sport should say "light".

The Ducati 1200 MiltiStrada is going the right direction with significantly less weight (120 lbs?) and great power (150 HP?) to weight. Looks comfy too.  I'd take it hands down, especially with Ohlins suspension.

LA