Terblanche and others defend the VFR1200

[Cider]

Is this a derby?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2010/january/jan0610-designers-defend-the-new-honda-vfr1200/

Personally, I've always liked the 749/999, and even though it's a snobbish response to criticism, I honestly think they were ahead of their time.  Anyways, it doesn't sound like Terblanche is in love with the new VFR, but he does have a good point:

The bike market is very conservative, and it's not easy to create a bike that innovates and is drop-dead gorgeous.

[Triple J]

The new VFR's problem IMO is weight...not looks. I think it (like the CBR 1000RR) looks pretty good.

[Scottish]

I don't mind weight in a sport tourer, I'm kinda old school but I always thought a little weight on a long haul bike was good. Keeps it from being bounced, blown, and thrown all over the road. The engine should have all the power it needs to haul the heft, the only real complaint I have about the bike would be the headlight. I grew up with Optimus Prime... I still don't think he belongs on a motorcycle, apparrently others don't either judging by the success of the B-King.

[fastwin]

I don't care what a bike weighs or how fast it is if it's ugly. Speed and light weight will never make up for that. Ugly lasts forever. Even if it's cheap that's nothing more than lipstick on a pig. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but we all know an ugly bike when we see one.

[Scissors]

From what I've read, it's not just that it's ugly, but that (according to those who have ridden it), the bike as a whole can only be described as "eh."

[Scissors]

"A long, pointed nose is very good for super-high speed stability, but it compromises the handling. This is why the MotoGP bike and the Fireblade both have very short fronts."

Bulls**t.

There is no way that adding a few ounces of plastic to the front to style the nose correctly would in any way affect the handling.  If it did, then the new Multistrada would handle like crap (not like the Multistrada looks good, either).

[LA]

Jebus, weight is one of the most important things to me.  The Honda is 120 lbs. heavier than a Ducati 1200 MiltiStrada.  A make the beast with two backsing 120 lbs.

I had a new VFR1000F a long long time ago and I was looking to see the evolution of the engine, but it never came.  I'm glad they're doing it now.

There are some great V4 engines out now. Do ya think Ducati could build a good one for cheap (that's a relative term) after all that GP experience ? Yea, maybe.  

I don't mind the Honda styling at all, it's the weight.

There's supposed to be a 1200 Multi at the bike show this weekend. Have to give it a look.

LA  

[Scottish]

From what I've read, it's not just that it's ugly, but that (according to those who have ridden it), the bike as a whole can only be described as "eh."

It was reviewed well in Cycle World...

Jebus, weight is one of the most important things to me.  The Honda is 120 lbs. heavier than a Ducati 1200 MiltiStrada.  A make the beast with two backsing 120 lbs.

I had a new VFR1000F a long long time ago and I was looking to see the evolution of the engine, but it never came.  I'm glad they're doing it now.

There are some great V4 engines out now. Do ya think Ducati could build a good one for cheap (that's a relative term) after all that GP experience ? Yea, maybe. 

I don't mind the Honda styling at all, it's the weight.

There's supposed to be a 1200 Multi at the bike show this weekend. Have to give it a look.

LA 

I agree... on the right bike. This isn't a superbike. If you want that 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, niether are light weights either.

[il d00d]

I always thought the 749/999 bodywork would have made a beautiful Aprilia.  It just wasn't the marriage of muscular, organic shapes and machinery, what I like about the Monster, and now the new SBKs.

Terblanche has a point, but good-looking bikes look good in 2-D, too.  It should not be necessary to see the bike in 3-D to get it.  The new VFR is not sexy by any means, but if I wanted a tourer, looks would be low on my list of priorities.

[ducatiz]

Jebus, weight is one of the most important things to me.  The Honda is 120 lbs. heavier than a Ducati 1200 MiltiStrada.  A make the beast with two backsing 120 lbs.

it comes with a little Japanese honda repairman under the seat.

[junior varsity]

I think it (like the CBR 1000RR) looks pretty good.

Big ol' +1

[Latinbalar]

It also has a poor range fuel tank wise, so automatically its out. Can't tour if you can't get to your destination.

[Triple J]

It also has a poor range fuel tank wise, so automatically its out. Can't tour if you can't get to your destination.

What's the range?

[bluemoco]

What's the range?

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.

[Travman]

I don't mind weight in a sport tourer, I'm kinda old school but I always thought a little weight on a long haul bike was good. Keeps it from being bounced, blown, and thrown all over the road. The engine should have all the power it needs to haul the heft, the only real complaint I have about the bike would be the headlight. I grew up with Optimus Prime... I still don't think he belongs on a motorcycle, apparrently others don't either judging by the success of the B-King.

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.