I was looking one of these over when I was at Hamburg Honda picking up my initial repair quote for the VFR1200F and my thought is that you would need to be 6' or taller to fit on this bike. Seriously huge beast. It is used with next to no miles for sale on consignment if any parties are interested.
You didn't say what bike but I went on their website and assume you're referring to the VFR1200X with 70 miles they have listed? I've sat on one and can confirm they are pretty damn big, at least compared to my 800. I'm 6'2" and it felt way too big for my liking - but if you're used to goldwing/cruisers it probably wouldn't seem that big.
Nelix, are we talking about the same bike? At 5'5" you would have to be built like Kermit the freaking Frog to fit on the VFR1200X - lol. I just checked the specs and they list the seat height at 33.5" (compared to 31.0-31.8" on our 8th gens). It's also got a huge wheelbase - listed at 62.8" compared to our 57.4"
^ have you sat on a bike with a 33.5 seat height? most or off road due to suspension needs, Something along the lines of the Africa twin as well.
Never that height and yes the same bike. With my gf on the back I was flat footed. Sat on two as it did cross my mind the 1st may have had the narrower seat fitted, but other one was the same. Only looked at them as I was coming from a ZX10R, but at the end of the day I decided I didn't really need the extra power.
Sure is quiet in here. I guess the CrossTourer isn't exactly flying off of the shelf over there, or anywhere really.
LOL! I only laugh because I'm 5'8" tall and I also ride a Suzuki DR650 with a 35" seat height. Yeah it's tall for me even though the bike is narrow and very lightweight. But it's not at all a problem as long as my boots have traction on the ground. But a 1200xx ADV bike is a different beast altogether and is very heavy. I do know someone who is 5'5" and rides a KTM 1200 ADV bike. No seriously, he handles it just fine. He does have to push/pull the bike from the side when maneuvering in and out of tight parking spots. But during normal riding he never gets nervous or look like he's having any problems. What I'm implying is it could all be in mind games. Believe you can handle it just fine and you probably will....eventually.
I had to read this thread a couple of times, but here are some comments I have since I just bought one of these like 5 days ago. Nik579 said This bike is heavy referring to the VFR1200X. Interesting it is only 19 pound more than the VFR 1200F. That is equal to stuff in one side bag. Coming from an ST1300 it is light, by 112 pounds. I can move the VFR around my garage very easily when not running. The ST is a beast when you are not moving. Now compare it to a Gen6 VFR800, Yep it is big and heavy. I can attest. It sits right next to my wife's 2008 VFR800. About 90 pounds difference. But since I move both bikes around my garage it is not bad. Is it tall? Yep it is ,but I am 5' 10" with a 30" inseam and I can flat foot it. It is very well balanced. Standing along side, the handle bars are up in the air a bit. Compared to my wife's which has the LSL Spiegler bars, bar end to bar end the 1200 is about 7" higher from the ground. And it I remember correctly the LSL bars are about 6" higher than stock bars on her VFR. And yes this makes it look really big. Now when you ride this bike it does not feel huge and it has enough pep to scoot down the road at a good clip. I hit triple digits without knowing it. I will say that the weather here has turned since I got the bike so I have only clocked about 150 miles, but I have now regrets about getting rid of the ST although it is a great bike. I don't do well on my wife's VFR, I can easily do 200 to 250 miles and then I am done for a while. This bike will not be for everyone but I find it a great replacement for the ST although they are two completely different bike types. No they aren't flying off the shelf in the US. Honda made a mistake releasing both the African Twin and the VFR1200X at the sametime in the US. But again they are in two different markets and I don't think people get that. The African twin is really more backcountry where the VFR1200X is pavement and dirt road. In other regions of the globe they have sold well since around 2012. They are considered more of a utilitarian and commuter bike.
I think I discovered Nelix's secret to flat footing the VFR1200X at 5'5": His real name is Paul Stanley It's gotta be the shoes!
Lack of height is not what makes a tall seat a pain, its the lack of inseam. Nelix may be only 5'5" but probably has longer legs. There is a guy at work that has a very long torso, he's over 6' and has a 29" inseam.
I briefly considered the VFR1200X to replace my 8th gen, but it didn't have any fancy technology. I ended up with the techno flagship...the KTM 1290 Super Adventure. It has a seat height of 33.8" and weighs 550 lbs wet. I'm 5'8" with a 31-ish inseam, and I can put the balls of both feet down, with both heals less than 2" off the ground. If I flat foot one side, I can still touch my toes on the other side. Yes, they seem huge at first, but once you're moving and also after you've had it for a week, it doesn't feel so big. Even though I loved my VFRs, I am really enjoying the KTM and have no regrets.