FZ6R to VFR1200

Hey all, I've been wanting a VFR for a long time, ever since I sat on the 8. I finally found the deal I've been looking for on a 2010 1200. My current ride is an fz6r, before that was an F4i. What am I about to get myself into with this bike? What can I expect from it? I'm sure you guys are unbiased!

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Have no fear. It's a very easy bike to learn. Until you keep it below vtec revs on low gears of course. Keep it easy at the beginning and you will be all right.

For acceleration tests remember to have at least 500m of free road ahead. Shit gets serious over 7k rpm

 

funnily enough I was just reading the latest Motor Cycle News and there was mention that you can pick up a 'mid mileage' bike for £5000 and THAT IS TEMPTING as the magazine says, never sat on one or even taken much notice of one but it seems a lot of bike for the money

 

The 1200 does not have VTEC. However, if the ECU has not been flashed, the power is retarded from the factory in 1st & 2nd until about 5K rpm. It is still incredibly torquey though. I came from a '99 & a '07 to the 1200 and the power increase was immense. But true to Honda form, very manageable and very predictable. Braking is excellent and handling was spot on for me. I wouldn't go so far as saying that the 1200 is forgivable, but it is very much a predictable bike to ride. If you can control your urges and ride within your ability, the 1200 is an excellent bike.

Maintenance is a breeze with the exception of changing the coolant. I may be the odd man out, but I hate taking the fairings off with a passion. I understand the seamless look that Honda was going for, but damn were visible fairing bolts so much easier!

 

I just bought a nice used 2010 model with about 700 miles on it. So far I love it. It’s a beast. Check on the driveshaft recall. Mine had not been done so my local Honda shop did it in about a hour and a half. I had them order the driveshaft in advance. Let us know if you get it.


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I wasn't aware of the recall, thanks for the heads up! If all goes as planned, I should be picking it up Saturday! It's a 2010 with just over 16k miles on it for $4,800 US. Is it worth flashing the ecu? How loud is it stock? I've never liked how soft the fz6r sounded. Are there any noteworthy modifications I should do right off the bat? Are there any problems areas I should keep an open eye out for?
Thanks for the quick advice everyone! Motorcycle forums are always so efficient

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Even if it technically is not vtec it feels like. And it is something to watch for. At least first few times. Until you will get used to it.

As for flashing ECU. At some point it's always not enough power But give yourself some time.

 

I have not had my ECU flashed yet. But I have several other Honda bikes done by don at Guhl motors he is the best for sure. Other than the ECU mine will stay stock except for accessories. I like the stock exhaust. I added the top box now looking for the saddle bags


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I can't really agree with the feel being similar to the VTEC. I had my 5th gen for 3 years. I have had my 1200 now for 3 years. I had my '07 for about 3 months. The VTEC engagement was so off putting that I could just not get used to it. Below 6K rpm the bike was dull to me. I was constantly wringing it's neck to find any joy in riding it. I would have gladly gone back to the 5th gen if not for the improved braking and ABS that I did like about the 6th gen. So I moved up to the 7th gen.

I really wanted to like the 6th gen. So many riders that I respect and value their opinion love their 6th gens. It just wasn't a bike for me. And it is solely because of the VTEC. While it is true on the 7th gen, their is less power in 1st & 2nd when rpm's are low, the feel of it is very different. The increase in power is definitely something to watch for when it becomes available, but it is a completely different sensation to me.

When I had my ECU flashed, it wasn't to get more power. I wanted to have a linear progression in power and not the step up. It accomplished that perfectly. But I totally agree, give yourself some time to acclimate to the power of the bike before flashing it. Because it does make the bike awe inspiring powerful from a dead stop.