Is the VFR1200 Dead in the United States?

Discussion in '7th Generation 2010-Present' started by warbirds, Jul 5, 2013.

  1. warbirds

    warbirds New Member

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    I mean no ill will or disrespect to the bike or its owners, but it seems to be struggling with sales.

    I want ine- but there are a few "red flags" that have kept me from pulling the trigger.
    Sales numbers I don't know the figures but I know its not great here in the US.

    I have seen dealers try and give-away both standard transmission and DCT models. If I were to buy one would it be wise to spring for the DCT?
    In 15 years of riding I am unpredictable in how long I may own a bike- What if I ever decide to trade in/resell the thing? Is that an impossible task?
    Why are there no used VFR1200's up for sale?

    I have seen a grand total of 1 VFR1200 out in the wild (in the US) and it was in City traffic in Dallas.

    Someone please come along- put me at ease- tell me Im wrong and that the VFR1200 is a fantastic machine and that there are throngs of people riding the VFR 1200 and loving every minute of it.
     
  2. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    I have seen several 1200 for sale, there is one on this forum couple weeks ago. Just like every other bike you have to tinkering with them to make the bike to your liking. If you like the bike and have read up on all the mods then pull the trigger. I try not to believe everything I read on the net. IMO
     
  3. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    The best way to hear what a fantastic machine and what it's value will be in future is to talk to a sales dude at a bike dealer who has one sitting on the sales floor.

    Like Long sez..
     
  4. Arnzinator

    Arnzinator New Member

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  5. Hailwood

    Hailwood New Member

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    Just bought an immaculate 2010 manual with OEM bags, center stand, 12v outlet and tail rack with 5500 miles on it for $9999 here and love the thing.
    Take some of the criticism on the VFR forums with a grain of salt. It's a very sporty touring bike with huge capabilities and contains many technical innovations from big Red. It feels bullet proof.
    I personally think it was priced at the upper end of its class when new but they're out there used, just not in the numbers of its pure sport bike and pure touring stable-mates.
    Keep looking.
    You won't regret it. The V12 is an awesome bike.
     
  6. Robclo

    Robclo New Member

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    I love mine and intend to keep it and make it even better over time with some of the mods that bring out the engines fuller potential.
    When you pick up one for the $'s and accessories your talking about you could put 20k on it and loose less then if you gave your $10k to Wall Street. But I'm sure you'll decide to keep it.
     
  7. HMG124

    HMG124 New Member

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    I just picked one up last week used 2010 for 10,800. I didn't get the best deal out there, but I am super happy! I have only been riding it a week, don't even have my Z Bomb yet, but I still love this bike.

    Mine will not be for sale for a long time. I am actually looking at possibly getting a second one for my Fiancee.
     
  8. Befbever

    Befbever New Member

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    It is and there are very few people riding it. I love every second I'm riding it but it's rusting away from underneath me and the sole culprit is Honda. Not me, not winters. I have plenty of proof.
    The crazy expensive top box doesn't close well either anymore.

    Good thing about nobody wanting one is that I've cancelled my theft insurance.
    And if you buy bikes as an investment this isn't the one for you.

    I wouldn't know of a replacement bike to be honest though. No other modern bike does so much so well for my needs.
    Everyone's needs are different though. Up to you to decide.
    They're not selling in Europe either btw.
     
  9. Hailwood

    Hailwood New Member

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    No rust issues here in the Lone Star State.
    We ride year-round in San Antonio.
    IMHO there aren't any machines that will stand up to the corrosion inducing roads during a European winter (lived for 4 years in East Anglia).
    Just look at the V12. It's a top shelf piece of kit meant to go head to head with the boys from Bavaria.
     
  10. Befbever

    Befbever New Member

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    Just mentioning it. I know there are no corrosion issues in the lone star state or otherwise known (to me) as Aprilia Mecca because of AF1.
    Like I said, it's not really the winters. But it is an indication of cutting costs. Maybe the majority of the owners will never have those issues.
    I certainly hope so and it's clear that's what Honda is counting on too: season riding.


    Hehe, you seem to have greater esteem for the boys from Bavaria than I do. To each their own etc.

    IMHO etc.
     
  11. Volfy

    Volfy New Member

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    I judge a machine by its virtues, not its popularity. To me, an unpopular but otherwise great bike can be a rare treat, if it happens to suit your style. I got a barely used '10 for a song and I'm pretty much guaranteed not another one just like it will pull up next to me at a traffic light.

    What it does require is your being secure with your own judgement. If not, join in the comfort of the herd.
     
  12. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Kind of depends what who is using to clear the roads of ice and snow. Where I live they don't use anything and guess what? No rust. Yep, I looked.. One bike came from Houston via Japan, another from Seattle via Germany and both VFRs from Seattle via Japan. The now being restored Velocette came from God knows where via England. It was a little rusty at 60 years old. All the old farts know about this already.
     
  13. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    There's one for sale in Colorado with under 2k miles on it. I test rode and liked it. Dealer has it listed for a lot but will usually dicker a bit.

    Tricitycycles.com
     
  14. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    That's it then. I am pulling up stakes and moving back to Texas where there is no oxidation.. I hope I don't get run over by an Aprillia somewhere between Texarkana and Laredo.
     
  15. batpoet

    batpoet New Member

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    Buy one. Find a 2010 and make room in your garage. Sure, much of happy motorcycle ownership is personal. Two people can have very diverging opinions about the same motorcycle. Here's my take on the VFR1200: I own 28 motorcycles of all varieties (Panigale S, RZ350, BMWs, Harleys) and the VFR1200 is the one I'd keep if it were the only one. I bought my DCT new and thought it was a wrist breaker with a terrible riding position. But I added LSL bars, and it felt as though the motorcycle weighed 100 pounds less. In capable hands, it's very very fast through the twisties. The workmanship is outstanding, best fit and finish you'll find. And now you can find them for a good price.

    I originally bought a 2010 DCT. It clunks in the lower two gears but works well. It's a quirk but not a flaw. For fast riding, the paddle shifters are great: Smooth, ultra fast. Along with the LSL bars -- which transformed the motorcycle -- I've added a Corbin seat and the factory Honda hard bags. Next on is a Two Bros slip on that I bought but haven't installed.

    This week, I'm flying across the US to buy a new 2010 manual, and I'm happy as hell to get it new for less than $10k. I paid $16 for the DCT, and at the time, when they first came out, it was a good price.

    They love the VFR in Europe. Why the difference, I'm not sure. It's heavier and feels that way at walking speeds, but once in motion, it will humiliate the older generation VFRs on any kind of road, even twisty ones. I have pitted mine at very fast speeds against a capable rider on a Suzuki GSXR750, and the VFR was a match. Even at full price, the VFR1200 is worth it, and for what you can find for price at the dealer's, it's a steal.

    On the new one I'm picking up Thursday, I'm having Helibars installed for the 3000 mile ride home. I haven't tried them but have heard uniformly excellent reviews.

    So, rave review from me. But spend some time at the dealer's looking at fit and finish, sitting on it. The new VFR occupies a unique niche: Of all the sport tourers, it is the best handling, has unparalleled fit and finish, has gobs of power, and the technology is Honda at its finest. Older generation VFR owners (in the US) gripe about it being bigger, having shaft drive, being much more expensive. It's not the same motorcycle other than the name and a similar engine configuration. But once again, of all the motorcycles I have -- and there are some great ones -- the VFR is the one I'd keep. Either model.
     
  16. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Best to fly. Riding a Harley across the US could prove time consuming..;)
     
  17. batpoet

    batpoet New Member

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    True true, although in 1984 I rode Harley Softail in the very first Ironbutt ... 8500 miles in 10 days on a motorcycle you couldn't ride over 63 mph or it would beat you to death.
     
  18. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    :hss: That is a lot of bikes
    Mind sharing your inventory?
    :pop2:
     
  19. batpoet

    batpoet New Member

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    Not at all, though I'm selling a few in order to make things more manageable. Where are Jay Leno's full time mechanics when you need them?

    1985 Ducati Hailwood, museum quality. Ducati 1098. 1966 Ducati Diana 250. Aprilia Tuono (twin.) Aprilia RS125. MV Agusta Brutale 910R. MV Augusta 313R Brutale (only one of its kind in the world, custom made.) Six Harleys, including a CVO V Rod Destroyer. BMW K1200GT. BMW R1200RT. The two VFRS. RZ350. CB400F. GPz550. Ducati Panigale S Tricolore. Norton Combat Commando. Yamaha FZR400. Honda CB1100F. Bimota YB11. Kawasaki ZX14R. I missed a couple, which goes to show there are too many. All are riders but for the Destroyer.
     
  20. cornerexit

    cornerexit New Member

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    Not dead in the US. Honda just screwed the pooch with the MSRP. Once discounted they are being bought up.

    It's an outstanding bike, heaps better than my '98 VFR800. Better suspension, much better brakes, and gobs more power. With some soon to be suspension and A/F work it will be the best do it all bike money can buy.
     
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