Late to the party

[falconati]

But I finally sat on the VFR 1200 yesterday.  It felt SO heavy!  I'm sure it would seem fine once it's moving, but wow - the weight is very present.  I also didn't understand all the comments about the PAINT BEING SO AMAZING OMGGG~~!!!!!11111111ONE   It looked like your average paint to me (though I really like their choice of dark red - really nice color).  It's winter in the midwest, so no test ride - plus it's at a Japanese dealership, so not sure if test rides even exist there

[J-Mac]

Imagine how heavy it would have felt with fuel and a battery in it.

I've seen brand new bikes in CO. fully set up and ready to go. But around here, You have to buy it before they set it up...
They'll assemble them, but no battery or fuel.

I'm not crazy about the looks of them.

[DNA]

I thought the paint looked pretty good - but the bike was way heavy.

Interesting to note that there were Zero people around it or even looking.  I'd say it was the most ignored bike at the show.  

Seriously - it was front and center and surrounded by a dead zone.

The CB1000R next to it looked cool - i did not have time to give it a sit, but the only other guy even close to it was a Kawi rep laughing at what he called a poor Z1000 knock off.

I thought it looked pretty good.

[Rogue]

If you're used to the Speed Triple, almost every bike in the VFR's category will feel heavy!  

The manual transmission bike is around 600 lbs. wet.  Some bikes in this classe will weigh less, others will weigh more.

My experience with Honda's fit and finish has always been top notch.  My latest '07 VFR is the same.  The paint is really smooth and lustrous and stands the test of time.  In addition, the materials and finish of the components around the bike and especially the dash is really top notch on these bikes.  Compare them to other bikes and you will notice the higher grade of finishing.  The later model VFR's takes it to the next level.

[atadaskew]

  I also didn't understand all the comments about the PAINT BEING SO AMAZING OMGGG~~!!!!!11111111ONE   It looked like your average paint to me (though I really like their choice of dark red - really nice color).

I looked at the one that had been sitting gathering dust at my local shop for, what, 6 months now?
Paint looks no different than the CBR next to it, with the same amount of orange peel.  Really think they pulled a fast one on the press by maybe having specially prepped bikes for them to look at?

They used to have a "no sit" sign on it, not anymore...

[ZenMoto]

There's no orange peel on mine! ...not any ...anywhere!!!  That thing is like glass, no joke!

Phone pic:


Here's my quick impressions after 2 weeks (with not much riding, sadly only about 900 miles).

I've let a few people take mine for a spin, one a long time XX owner, and they've all come away with an appreciation for the bike.  

I'm still breaking it in, but so far it has proven to be an exceptional bike.  ...it's not perfect (none are) but it is my favorite bike to date, maybe tied with my '96 VFR.  My last 4 bikes were 2005 KTM 950 Adventure (for sale, never gets ridden anymore), a '99 VFR800, great bike, but bought used and just didn't want to spend the money getting the suspension unf***ed (it was a bouncy beast at both ends), a '96 VFR which was a fantastic bike, never should have sold it, but got rid of it with a shade over 100k miles to avoid all the nickel & dime worn out bits and bought the KTM... *sigh*, and a '95 Honda Magna cruiser that I somehow put 130k miles on, despite the cramped seating position!

...the new VFR trumps all but the '96, and that's closer to a tie because I LOVED that bike and all it did; it was the first bike I've owned that I could log 7-800 mile days on and not feel beat afterwards.  ...the 230+ miles I could get out of a tank was nice too.

Dislikes:

• The tank is too small, period.  Not the end of the world, but given all the space available beneath the tank covers they probably could have squeezed another gallon in there if they tried.
• The factory grips are thin and offer no padding, not a big deal, I'll replace them when I install heated grips, but for an ST bike, they should provide a little more comfort.
• Throttle grip still gets that VFR "buzz" that will put your hand to sleep on the slab (not an issue in the twisties); grips with more padding might help here.  ...it's something every VFR I've ridden has suffered from.
• The clutch lever has a heavier pull than necessary, I don't know why they made it that stiff, being a hydraulic clutch there's no reason it shouldn't require less effort, but it can get tiring sitting in traffic etc..
• The black paint down the middle of the tank is soft and scratches easily.  This was fixed with a $36 kit from thetankslapper.biz.

Likes:

• Great power delivery.
• Great ergos (nearly identical to my 4th & 5th gen VFRs)
• Great wind handling, there's no buffeting anywhere, just smooth airflow. ...and no cooking my right leg (we'll see come SoCal summer how it does in the 105+ heat)
• Excellent handling.  Even with the overly harsh compression damping (that's not adjustable) it handles very well and is only slightly slower in side to side transitions from the 5th gen.
• Brakes are phenomenal.
• Exhaust note / engine noise.  ...over 6k it sounds like a WWII radial-engined fighter plane!  Not the bad-ass growl of my '96, but very cool in its own way.
• Fit and finish is unbelievable; Honda did a great job of hiding most of the fasteners that hold the body work in place without making it too complex to take apart and service!  ...it's about time!!!
• Easier maintenance, ...especially compared to the VTEC.  Honda got smart since the 5th & 6th gen, added a quick release for the under-tank fuel connections (the 5th gen was a NIGHTMARE to remove the tank from), and the uni-cam should cut valve service time, literally, in half from the 5th gen.  ...never had to deal with the VTEC

...it really goes like stink!  

It feels quicker than my buddy's K1300S and definitely handles much better.  I'm digging it so far, and I hope to make a run up the coast in the next week or two to see how it feels for a 10+ hour day in the saddle.

I'm still in the honeymoon phase to be sure, but so far, I LOVE this bike!

[DosEquis00]

Congratulations ZenMoto as it is a sharp machine. Appreciate your real world review  

[ConPilot1]

 feels quicker than my buddy's K1300S and definitely handles much better.  I'm digging it so far, and I hope to make a run up the coast in the next week or two to see how it feels for a 10+ hour day in the saddle.

I'm still in the honeymoon phase to be sure, but so far, I LOVE this bike!

So the entire world thinks Honda has shit a lemon with this bike, it appears you are thoroughly enjoying the lemonade. Good luck with the VFR. The beauty of a machine is all in the eye of the beholder.  

Example: Guzzi crowd.  

[Orson]

Here's my quick impressions after 2 weeks

Thanks for posting your impression.

For a sport touring site, we've been woefully short on real world VFR1200 impressions.

Please keep us posted  

Example: Guzzi crowd.  

Guzzi bashing reported to moderators.

[ZenMoto]

Thanks for posting your impression.

For a sport touring site, we've been woefully short on real world VFR1200 impressions.

Please keep us posted  

Well, this morning I did the 1st service, which is really nothing more than an oil change and checking to make sure nothing has come loose; I also changed out the oil in the rear hub; the latter is a 10 minute job, tops ...soooo nice!!!

The oil change was also very easy (made easier by having the Pit Bull stand and a lift).    Not much metal in the break-in oil at all, less than I expected and way less than was in my KTM 950 Adventure at the same mileage.

Took her for a quick 100 mile loop in the Santa Monica Mts. this afternoon and  ...wow.  ...just SUCH a fun bike!  It handles like it's on rails and just has gobs of linear power.  There is that bloody flat spot between 4500 - 6000 rpm, but it's not horrendous, just mildly annoying!  

I'll keep updating here as long as anyone is interested.  I've definitely bonded with this VFR, and am looking forward to the next 99,000 miles!  

[Jetpilot5]

Well, this morning I did the 1st service, which is really nothing more than an oil change and checking to make sure nothing has come loose; I also changed out the oil in the rear hub; the latter is a 10 minute job, tops ...soooo nice!!!

The oil change was also very easy (made easier by having the Pit Bull stand and a lift).    Not much metal in the break-in oil at all, less than I expected and way less than was in my KTM 950 Adventure at the same mileage.

Took her for a quick 100 mile loop in the Santa Monica Mts. this afternoon and  ...wow.  ...just SUCH a fun bike!  It handles like it's on rails and just has gobs of linear power.  There is that bloody flat spot between 4500 - 6000 rpm, but it's not horrendous, just mildly annoying!  

I'll keep updating here as long as anyone is interested.  I've definitely bonded with this VFR, and am looking forward to the next 99,000 miles!  

Most definitely interested.  Thanks!

[Rogue]

There's no orange peel on mine! ...not any ...anywhere!!!  That thing is like glass, no joke!

Phone pic:

Nice.  Congrats on the new VFR.  

That is a very good picture.  

[Kraz]

Phone pic:

Man, camera phones have changed...  Great lookin' bike, yo.