Honda's long-awaited VFR replacement

[DesmoDiva]

I like it but... 588lbs and 613lbs for the dual clutch model

Oink......oink!

[EvilSteve]

[junior varsity]

No, the bags don't explain it! Look at where the flow of spent gases will go!  RIGHT AT THE BAG'S BOTTOM. (hope you didn't pack your egg salad right there, things be cookin'.

Smoothness of fairing sides is very UN-japanese -- looks a lot more like the 92-98 Ducati supersport or even the 851/888 lines - one big smooth piece of plastic. That, I do like.

[bluemoco]

No, the bags don't explain it! Look at where the flow of spent gases will go!  RIGHT AT THE BAG'S BOTTOM. (hope you didn't pack your egg salad right there, things be cookin'.

Might be handy for baking cookies during a long commute...    

[pennyrobber]

I liked the old VFR's but the jury is still out on this one. The styling really reminds me of some neo-bmw tribute. I know touring rigs are all about function though so, I suppose there is no sense in knocking the style too much.

[77south]

So what would a dual clutch do? 

[ducpainter]

So what would a dual clutch do? 

add 25 lbs.

[EvilSteve]

So what would a dual clutch do?

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/09september09_dualclutch.htm
HONDA MOTORCYCLE ANNOUNCES DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION

[Buckethead]

Ooooooooooh...  Not sure if its 25 pounds worth of cool, but its pretty sweet.

On the other hand, what then separates the new VFR from a huge Bergman?

As stated, the exhaust is hideous and would be the first thing to go. I might actually be okay with gaining a pound or two if I could get a high-mount setup that would still work with the bags, similar to the current (old?) style.

An underbelly exhaust like the KTM RC8 would make me simply giddy.

[Triple J]

I don't get manufacturers making "automatic" motorcycles. 

Shifting is part of the experience. All of this just seems like added complication to me...something else waiting to break.

[dbran1949]

This looks like direct competition to their own ST1300. I wonder if that bike will be discontinued

[EvilSteve]

Where I come from, shifting is part of the experience in driving a car, not so here. I think that the Honda DCT does provide some value for people who are doing high mileage rides through cities and also in traffic. I have a VW GTI with DSG, honestly, as much as I love shifting & think that it's way more engaging & fun to shift manually, for the 26000 miles I've done in about 7 or 8 months, the DSG wins. I miss a manual transmission when I'm in the twisties for sure and I know manual would be better in the snow but the DSG makes a great compromise that's still engaging with the added convenience of automatic shifting. If I had two cars and one was meant to be for fun then it'd definitely have a manual gear box.

As for reliability, at least it's Honda & not a Guzzi or something (or an 80's Ducati for that matter). But yes, it's heavier, there's more to fail and it's not going to be easy to fix. The bike will be expensive (they're saying that the higher end version will have DCT and auto cylinder shutdown) it's going to be heavy but I'm glad that Honda is investing in motorcycles & exploring options rather than sticking with the status quo.

The VFR1200F isn't meant for everyone. I expect a sport bike with the V4 in it at some point in the not too distant future. If that bike is DCT then I could be inclined to agree with the complaints. Having said that, my GTI with DSG is faster to 60 than the manual because it shifts faster. On the new VFR the same is likely to be true. The bike is also more stable when shifting which is a fact that shouldn't be dismissed. And no, it's not like a Burgman. The CVT transmissions used in scooters aren't great. The comparison is like comparing a normal automatic transmission to DSG, they're different beasts and perform completely differently.

I'm really looking forward to this bike coming out & if it was in the budget, I'd be seriously considering the new VFR but I'm not sure I'd go for the DCT version unless I could keep my 675.

[dbran1949]

Agreed, I have never owned a car with an automatic (starting with my 1967 Plymouth Valiant 3 on the tree to my 2000 328i) but a friend with a GTI has shown me there is an alternative. Although it would have to be a second bike, I might think about it, especially after a long ride on the S4RS when my left forearm is aching.

[superjohn]

I'm a control freak. I need to row my own gears.

I like the VFR, though I'm not sure I like it better than an FJR.

[EvilSteve]

Two different beasts IMO. The new VFR is more like the K1200GT than the FJR (which is more like the ST).