VFR1200F or CBR1100XX

I’ve had both and great though the CBR is, the VFR is way better. Most of that is down to the superb V4 engine. With its linear power delivery it may not feel as fast, but it is deceptive.

The VFR’s looks are, ‘quirky’ whereas the CBR is more traditionally good looking. Both have handlebar positions/angles no good for me, so need modifying. But that’s me. However, both are very similar.

The CBR’s brakes had a horrible mechanical link system on the forks. The VFR’s are also linked, but work better and no unsightly crap on the forks.

The CBR may have a slightly larger tank range, but the VFR’s is more than adequate.

The later (2012>) VFR’s seat is VERY comfortable for me. More so than the CBR was.

A VFR will cost more as it’s newer, but IMO definitely worth it.

 

Thanks for your comparisons. Much appreciated. It would make sense that as the years roll on the technology advances, so I'd expect Honda's efforts would do the same. "Looks are quirky"...LOL. Yeah, they kinda are. Sometimes I visit the CBRXX.COM site and see there's a thread about what bike would you buy next after owning the CBR1100XX? The VFR1200F is a common answer. One guy commented that the look of the VFR1200F was very dated. I was a little puzzled about that comment because to me the VFR was just the opposite. To me it looked very futuristic compared to anything out there at the time (2010). Although now I see many sport bikes look similar to "transformers". Very angular with sharp edges. They look very fast just standing still. So I guess compared to those bikes the VFR might look a little dated but to me they still look futuristic. I love the look of the bike but I can also see why some might not feel the same.

I've been a little concerned how I'd like the "linked" braking system since I've never rode a bike with that technology. Good to hear they've improved them (assuming they needed to be improved). The tank size.....not a big deal for me. The seat.......there's always options if I'm not happy with it. I do see the 2010 bikes that are listed for sale have really low mileage (under 5,000 miles) which is good for me but I can't help but wonder why someone would not like the bike enough to move on to something else so soon?

 

Got my new bags. Now just got to get the key locks put in so my one key fits all.


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I think the VFR1200F looks a lot better 'in the flesh' as it were than in pictures. But Honda were trying to go in a new styling direction that actually didn't work. The rear end is really neat, but the front end is all wrong IMO. However, it certainly doesn't look 'dated'. The CBR1100 does, even if is fundamentally better looking.

The really important bit is that underneath the plastics, the VFR is a terrific bike. My solution? Take off the plastics and make a naked bike to suit my preference:-

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z8yu4aut96wabsa/AADRBsQyLx4MbN2gPIAUROOUa?dl=0

Regarding the brakes, don't worry about them being linked, you'll probably never really notice. They just work and work very well. Personally I don't like ABS and so mine now has normal, non-linked, non-ABS, perfect brakes that I can control. It is now a brilliant bike for me. If you are happy with the style of the stock VFR, then that's even better for you.

I use my eVo4 for long(ish) European trips, for which it is pretty much perfect. The V4 engine is always a far more relaxing ride than a frenetic in-line 4 (like the CBR) and on long trips the shaft drive is so much less hassle. I wouldn't want to go back to a chain.

Due to its linear torque delivery, the VFR doesn't seem to have the top end rush of the CBR, but the VFR is undoubtedly quicker overall.

But ultimately it comes down to which one YOU want. Neither are bad bikes. Which one would you feel happiest on, which one do you want to be seen riding. Which one will cause you to see the other on the road and think you should have bought that one. Which one will allow you to see the other being ridden and simply think "nice bike, but I'm glad I have this one"

 

For the first time yesterday I went to see a 2010 VFR1200F for sale at a dealership. I really did like it. Perfect condition with 4,000 miles on it. First time sitting on one and immediately it felt very familiar to my previous Kaw ZZR1200. It felt and looked like a well designed quality machine. I had the sales guy fire it up to hear the engine and exhaust. Engine sounded smooth. It has a Competition Werkes exhaust on it but I'm not sure if it had the insert baffle or not. It's hard to say how loud it was because it was inside a room as opposed to being out side. I liked the sound........very low throaty tone. I did see the gear indicator showed "1" when in first gear and "2" when in second so the ECU probably hasn't been touched by adding a Bazazz unit. I'm not a fan of excessive loud exhausts. They're fun for a while but that constant loud drone going down a freeway is IMHO annoying. Unless a really good deal on a low mileage nice condition Blackbird pops up soon, the VFR will probably be in my garage. I can see spending the extra cash. BTW, they're asking $7,000 for the VFR and we haven't talked about lowering the price yet.
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Glad you finally got those bags together. Seems like it's taken a while. Did you just have to get the defective one replaced or did you have to get them as a pair? Don't they come with key locks or just not the ones that mate to your existing key? I think the factory bags look pretty good on the bike. I'm usually not a fan of the way bags look on most bikes I've seen, but the VFR looks just as good with or without the bags IMHO.

 

They come without locks. You have to purchase them separately.

 

They come with locks. I just need to get them keyed to fit my factory key. They sent me a whole new set ( both saddle bags with the keys and mounting kit ) I had kept the first set of locks and mounting kit. You can’t buy a just a left or right side saddle bag from Honda.


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I thought maybe they would just replace the damaged one that was sent to you. So, are you happy with how they look and work?

 

They come with latches. The key cylinders need to be purchased.