VFR1200 for sport-touring?

[retro]

Has anyone looked at the new Honda VFR1200F as a S-T ride?

Are the engines reliable over the long haul?  Ergonomics for a tall rider (I’m 6’2”). Cruising range on a tank of gas?  

I’m also looking at the new 2012 Ninja 1000. Is one clearly better than the other for  sport-touring? Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Retro

[gradus]

You're better off asking this question at vfrdiscussion.com.  

[Giaka]

Has anyone looked at the new Honda VFR1200F as a S-T ride?

Are the engines reliable over the long haul?  Ergonomics for a tall rider (I'm 6’2”). Cruising range on a tank of gas?  

I'm also looking at the new 2012 Ninja 1000. Is one clearly better than the other for  sport-touring? Any comments would be appreciated.

4.9 Gallons and the Average on Fuelly looks to be 33 mpg. Looking for fuel at around 130 miles is way short on range for me. Too bad I think it could have been the best ST bike Honda has ever made.  Ninja 1000 makes more sense to me (but it has a small fuel tank as well) but the VFR1200 is a nice bike from what I have read.

[TriumphTiger1050]

Yeah, I looked at the VFR1200 just out of curiosity.  I like the looks.  But that is a rather expensive Honda to me.  Call me a cheap ass but if that bike had been around the $12k price I believe it would be a better seller.  If memory serves me, doesn't that bike cost upwards to $16k give or take????

That bike needs a 5.5 to 6 gallon tank too!

Just can't see them selling like hotcakes myself!

[wynterwolf]

For what it's worth, there is a discussion happening on the Futura board of apriliaforum.com.  It's a revived thread about the VFR and a guy who bought it as a replacement for his Fut.  He seems to think the VFR is a nice Fut replacement, but the biggest complaints most people seem to have is the cost of the VFR and the smallish range.  I think the VFR is sweet looking, and it would probably be a nice bike to have as an ST.  You can get hard bags for it, and it's supposed to have a good neutral seating position.

I could see ST'ing on a Ninja 1000.  The seat worries me, and I would want a little more wind protection up top, but I think it would suit just fine.  Depends on how hardy/adaptable you are, how far you plan on going, etc.  I don't have a lot of information about the Ninja 1000, so thats about all I can offer.

Given a choice between the two, I would probably choose the VFR with side bags and a potential top case, and some kind of external fuel cell.  Maybe a fuel remap would solve its poor fuel economy and remedy the need for an extra fuel cell, but I haven't looked that much into it to know for sure.  So, now I've resorted to speculation.

My first question would be, have you thrown a leg over either yet?  How do they fit?

[retro]

For what it's worth, there is a discussion happening on the Futura board of apriliaforum.com.  It's a revived thread about the VFR and a guy who bought it as a replacement for his Fut.  He seems to think the VFR is a nice Fut replacement, but the biggest complaints most people seem to have is the cost of the VFR and the smallish range.  I think the VFR is sweet looking, and it would probably be a nice bike to have as an ST.  You can get hard bags for it, and it's supposed to have a good neutral seating position.

I could see ST'ing on a Ninja 1000.  The seat worries me, and I would want a little more wind protection up top, but I think it would suit just fine.  Depends on how hardy/adaptable you are, how far you plan on going, etc.  I don't have a lot of information about the Ninja 1000, so thats about all I can offer.

Given a choice between the two, I would probably choose the VFR with side bags and a potential top case, and some kind of external fuel cell.  Maybe a fuel remap would solve its poor fuel economy and remedy the need for an extra fuel cell, but I haven't looked that much into it to know for sure.  So, now I've resorted to speculation.

My first question would be, have you thrown a leg over either yet?  How do they fit?

At 16k throw me in the cheap-ass camp. I like to ride in southern Utah where distance you can go on a tank of gas is definitely an issue. But to address the question, ho I haven't thrown a leg over either yet, just read the reviews. But a few dealers are offering test rides on the VFR so I'm thinking of heading down there and see how it feels. Thanks for the info!

Retro

[Giaka]

At 16k throw me in the cheap-ass camp. Retro

Actually with all the goodies I think we are talking closer to $19k for a VFR1200.

[wynterwolf]

At 16k throw me in the cheap-ass camp. I like to ride in southern Utah where distance you can go on a tank of gas is definitely an issue. But to address the question, ho I haven't thrown a leg over either yet, just read the reviews. But a few dealers are offering test rides on the VFR so I'm thinking of heading down there and see how it feels. Thanks for the info!

Retro

I agree.  They're pricey.  I'm a used bike kind of guy.  The problem there is there just isn't any used VFR1200s yet.  I would definitely jump on a test ride.  I'm guessing if you are looking to buy a new one, there is probably going to be a chance to get some cheap as dealers try to get them off the floor.  Maybe you can get them at 12k.  (Laughs to self at the absurdity of it all.)

Come back and give your impressions after your test ride.  I'd be interested in hearing what you have to say.

[Justin]

There is a good review from a test rider in this thread - http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,62825.0.html

For me, the small tank and large price means it will never be in my stable.

[Kneescrubber]

For the life of me I can't figure out why anyone would buy that pig. The Viffer faithful were screaming for years to give them just a little more displacement (most wanted 1000cc) and upgraded suspension. That's all. Honda certainly punted on this one. It's destined for the PC dustbin. Epic  

[MisterSmooth]

Does anyone on this board have one?     16,476 STN members and no VFR1200's?  Ouch!  Fail.  

[Cvergi01]

At 16k throw me in the cheap-ass camp. I like to ride in southern Utah where distance you can go on a tank of gas is definitely an issue. But to address the question, ho I haven't thrown a leg over either yet, just read the reviews. But a few dealers are offering test rides on the VFR so I'm thinking of heading down there and see how it feels. Thanks for the info!

Retro

meow that's just not nice  

[chesthing]

Honda dealers are currently in VFR heavy discount mode - $16k just isn't gonna happen. The going rate for a leftover '10 is $13k+ tax http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-2010-Honda-VFR1200F-VFR-1200-Motorcycle-/230635311585?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item35b2ef91e1
I'm seeing another Rune-type flop, what Honda lists isn't meeting what buyers will pay.
What VFR buyers wanted was a 1kcc v4, 500 lbs wet, CBR1k suspension for $11k. Again, Honda shows they don't listen.

[Justin]

Does anyone on this board have one?     16,476 STN members and no VFR1200's?  Ouch!  Fail.  

There were one or two that made a few posts in the Honda forum defending their fine steeds.

[Frankienuckles]

Don't have one, but I agree that honda seems to have missed the mark with this bike. For what they are asking there are a few other choices that do more for less $. Myself, if I were to go looking for a big gt style sport tourer I'd probably buy a used zx-14 and throw some convertibars or lsl bars buell pegs and a better seat ,givis too. I think I'd end up with a better bike (in that class) for less $.  

[falconati]

As previously noted, they are selling for less than MSRP; so the real issue is the range.  If you can live with stopping before 150 miles each tank, I believe it would be an excellent sport touring machine.  However, there are many other excellent alternatives (a VFR 800 being one of them), so I would recommend looking around before making a decision.

[Espada]

OP: It seems you have new bikes in mind, but I would like to make one quick suggestion out of left field for you consideration.  If a bike as costly as a VFR 1200 is in contention, perhaps a used BMW K1300S may also fit the bill.  It too is a comfy large displaccement sport bike that can double up on light to medium duty touring.  It probably stacks up favorably against the VFR 1200.

[gritsngravy]

3 absolute truths in life.

Death

Taxes

Honda is not gonna build a bike for broke whiners.

[Kraz]

If the VFR12 wouldn't be for ST riding... then I don't know what else it'd be good for.  

WTF were they thinking with that tiny tank?  What is ANY mfgr thinking with the tiny range these days?  Want less weight?  Put in less fuel, at least give me the OPTION to go AT LEAST 200 miles... more for a touring/ST bike, please.

And 33mpg??!?  I thought the new wave of FI and the such is supposed to improve fuel economy?

[jfurf]

I fail to see how $14k for a brand new big sport-tourer is all that expensive. In terms of what you're getting, you're up in k13000S territory in terms of refinement and in Hyabusa territory in terms of performance. And having seen it in person, the VFR is absolutely gorgeous and looks like it's about a generation and a half newer and more evolved than any other bike on the street.  

Haters.