VFR 1200 2020 and beyond

Discussion in '7th Generation 2010-Present' started by Rubicon1, Feb 14, 2020.

  1. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    I remember becoming a member on here when I bought my shiny new 2013 VFR 1200. This site was all the buzz. Where has everyone gone? Looks like I may be the first person to post anything in 2020. Maybe I'll just ask a few questions and see who replies.

    1. How long have you been riding and riding VFR's?
    2. How many miles do you ride in an average year?
    3. What's the longest trip you every took on your VFR?
    4. How old are you know?
     
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  2. srdjan1987

    srdjan1987 New Member

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    Great post Rubicon. Last year I left this group cause it was giving me some feeling that this motorcycle is bad history and everyone have sold theirs. I know it isn't that perfect but come on, it is better than most.

    I bought my 2015, as new (0km) with centre stand and side cases, for 12000euros.

    Now I am 33 yo now and have 35000km on my VFR. It could be way more but it is my job stopping me to do so.

    Till now I put lot of touring, safety, beauty stuff on her, but that's normal for every motorcycle. Nothing special, no magics.

    Longest trip was 9000km through Europe's best, 33days, with my girlfriend, 3 cases and biggest smiles.

    Last year I had doubts about selling her. I become faster rider, thanks to local race track and great curve roads. Big VFR started to be heavy, slow responsive, plush suspension. And decision has felt, all in, Ohlins suspension on both sides, flash tuning, open exhaust and adjuster, Power RS tires. The Beast, anyone tried her, remain speechless.

    Now I want to keep this bike forever. Town riding, slow group cruising, fast group carving, longest trips 2up, it is my loved.

    That's my story :)

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  3. srdjan1987

    srdjan1987 New Member

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    Some of latest photos[​IMG][​IMG]

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  4. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    Thanks for reading and responding to the post. When Honda first came out with the 1200 I did not care for the appearance. Over time it grew on me. Back in 2013 my local Honda shop had two black VFR's , one standard and the other DCT. I watched on line and occasionally visited the dealership to look at them. At the time I owned a red VFR 800. One day I was looking on line at the dealer web site and did not see the VFR 1200. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach and called the dealer. They still had the bike but it didn't show up on line for some reason. I had a conversation with my wife about it and decided I had to have it. I rode my 800 to the shop on January 2, 2014 and worked out a sweet deal on my new baby. I nearly froze that day riding to and from the shop. When I test rode the bike that cold morning, I new this was the bike for me. It was smooth as silk and pulled like a freight train. It is the most powerful motorcycle I have ever ridden. I ridden some pretty powerful bikes but this one was amazing. I used my $500 bonus bucks to order a two brothers exhaust for it and the dealer installed it. I am 6-2 240 lbs. This bike actually fits me and the power is enough to scare me even though I have been riding motorcycles most of my life. I turn 49 this week and still love riding. I don't think that most people don't understand the big VFR. The VFR is like the Swiss Army knife of motorcycles. It can do just about anything and do it well. On the highway you appreciate the weight of the bike when the big semi-trucks go by. On the track, the weight is a burden. The big VFR is for more mature riders who understand motorcycling on a different level. For me, it's more about the journey than how fast I can get there.
     
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  5. glory racing

    glory racing New Member

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    Love my 2010. Fits my needs so well I am now on my second one. Put 77,000 miles on number one and am at 25,000 on number two. Sure glad the 'masses' don't care for the 1200.
     
  6. Alan Johnson

    Alan Johnson New Member

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    Mine is sleeping due to Cronavirus. I have an NC750X to commute on, less than four miles to work. I had planned a 2500 mile ride around Europe in June, but I guess that will be a no way now.. This Bike begs for better suspension and better tyres than OEM.
     
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  7. Mugenengineer

    Mugenengineer New Member

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    Yep, I hear ya brother. I actually posted another thread about VFR12F production numbers as I’m convinced the bike is becoming a rare modern classic in its own lifetime.. testament to the fact there seems to be so few on the road these days.

    1. Riding on the road since ‘95, bought my first VFR (‘98 FI 800) in 2012. Loved that bike and the 2yrs / 10k miles I had it for.

    2. 3,000 - 5,000 miles p/a

    3. 1,500 miles (short lap of Europe; Holland, Germany, Belgium, France). Undertaken last year with my neighbour in convoy on his VFR12F

    4. 40


    [​IMG]

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  8. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    I completely agree with the big VFR being a rare classic. I occasionally check the usual sights to see what is out there for sale and rarely find a VFR 1200f especially a 2013.It's more common to find a 2010 model for some reason. I like the white version a lot too. My black version seems to be even more rare to find. I almost made the mistake of selling it last year so I could get into the Adventure bike market. I'm glad I hung on to her. I too bought my first street bike and started riding in 1995. I purchased a used 1984 Honda VF500f. I had a blast on it and learned how much different it was riding on the road in traffic compared to my previous experience as a dirt bike/woods rider. I loved that VF 500 but I was way too big for it. I am 6-2 and 230 lbs. It was a great bike to learn on. My next bike was a 1989 CBR 600 Hurricane. I liked that bike but was still too big for it and the lean over was excruciating on my wrists and neck. I eventually sold it and moved on to a 2002 VFR 800. THis bike had plenty of power but the VTEC engine was so abrupt and jerky that it was not fun to ride in traffic. I eventually traded it in on my 2013 VFR 1200f that I currently own and will likely never get rid of. It has entirely too much power for any public road but I fit on the bike. I would say that a 600 motor in a bike this size would be perfect for me but that is not how it is done. My biggest complaint about this bike is that it has such broad power that it is frustrating to ride it at normal speeds. Most of my riding is in the summer and I commute to work and back. The speed limit is 45 mph and with traffic going about 35-40 mph, I get irritated and use the first 3 gears on the route. I could ride this route in 2nd gear and 1st if I really wanted to flirt with redline all the way. Now for those days that I can just go ride, I have a nice rolling highway near where I live that doesn't see much traffic. If I dare, I can wring her out on that stretch of road and truly appreciate this bike. The longest trip I have made on it was 200 mile round trip. I just turned 49 this year and plan to keep riding with no plans to stop. Thanks for the reply my friend. Keep safe out there and keep the rubber side down.
     
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  9. Mugenengineer

    Mugenengineer New Member

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    There’s still a good few on the classifieds over here in the UK (check “biketrader” if you’re interested in looking), but the numbers are dwindling. Black ones are indeed incredibly rare. You might wanna tuck that one away and buy another to use daily!
    I too have been flirting with the idea of changing the VFR12F to get into the adventure market - I guess there’s something in the water supply! That new African Twin looks great and felt great to sit on when I went to the annual bike show at the NEC in Birmingham last Nov. I’m 5’ 11” 180lbs
    In a perfect world I’d have both. The Twin is cool no doubt and probably a more comfortable ride for everyday life, but it’s missing the VFR’s highly desirable engineering key characteristics IMO.. where’s the super cool direct / shaft drive? where’s the super cool v4 engine? (Yeah, ok, I know it’s called a twin!)
    I love the v4 engine trait of VFRs
    Perhaps the answer is to try a VFR12X CrossRunner? It’s a VFR12F underneath with an adventure body on top.. shame the X doesn’t look anywhere near as good as the F (IMO).
    I believe the X also has less power and I think it’s also geared differently which may be of interest to you for the commute. I fully concur re: “entirely too much power for any public road”
    For me, the savage power of the bike is one of the main things that has prevented me from selling it! And I love the sound it makes through the aftermarket can when the taps are wide open! I’ve “raced” a few tasty cars while in traffic on public roads.. a Porsche 911 (997) 3.8 Turbo S; from about 40mph up to 150ish through some sweeping bends that eventuality opened out and he took a fair bit of effort to pass, but got the job done. Early Feb I went out for a shakedown ride (first one of the year) came across a Lambo Hurrican who decided he was gonna try n follow me past some traffic on a pretty straight road. From about 40mph up to around 140mph at full throttle there’s few vehicles out there that can keep up. It was a short stretch but I gapped the Lambo. We stopped side by side at the lights and had a chat. Nice guy. He said he gave it everything and wasn’t catching. “Hey what bike is that? Sounds like a Ducati!”
    ...I wanted to say his Lambo sounded like an Audi but I didn’t have the heart to say it!
    It’s all good memories tho
    The VFR12F definitely still has the capacity to scare me with how quickly it covers ground when you’re going through the box taking it to the red line each time. If I ever do come to sell the VFR it won’t be because I need more power
    Oh, and my irritation with the bike has to be the peanut sized gas tank. When you’re using the power the bike gets very thirsty! Having toured with the bike it wasn’t a problem where you pass gas stations nice n frequently, but wouldn’t take much for you to run out on a long trip somewhere you’re not familiar.
    Safe wishes to you n family my friend


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  10. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    It's nice to hear about the adventures you have had on your VFR. I haven't raced anyone but myself on the empty highway. I looked at the VFR X at my local dealership a few years ago and it just didn't go it for me. I too love the big V4 but the X model just seemed too top heavy for my liking since I did want to do some off road riding. I was seriously looking at the Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 with the drive shaft. The bike felt good and balanced and I like the idea of no chain maintenance. I agree that I would have both if my wife would allow it but it doesn't make sense to own two bikes where I live. The climate it cold half of the year and I don't ride everyday. So far this year, I've only been able to ride once. I guess I could have ridden a few more days but I don't ride in the rain on purpose and with the pandemic thing going on, I don't want to expose myself to any unnecessary virus at a gas station. As for the exhaust note, I love the sound coming out of my bike. I replaced the stock exhaust with a two brother can two weeks after I bought the bike. I have a video of the sound on youtube. I don't post much but I did a comparison of the stock exhaust to the two brothers pipe. It's on a channel called Mighty Plankton if you're interested. I can see where the fuel tank can be a problem. I never understood why they made the tank so small to begin with. It could definitely use a bigger gas tank. Good talking with you, until next time, take care my friend.
     
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  11. Mugenengineer

    Mugenengineer New Member

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    I watched your YT vids
    That 2Bros exhaust sounds awesome!!! Love it!
    Oh yeah the Super Ten! Yeah, not a bad bike that.. this was an interesting review (perhaps a little critical);


    https://www.motorcyclenews.com/amp/bike-reviews/yamaha/xt1200z-super-tenere/2010/






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  12. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    Thanks, I love the sound of the exhaust. The review of the Tenere was a bit harsh but probably not far off the mark, especially when discussing the price. However, it's all relative to the preferences of the buyer. I don't dispute the quality of the BMW's but I don't have a dealership close to me. This brings up the problem of service and parts if needed. I don't want to trailer a broken motorcycle to a dealership that is 2 1/2 hours away. There is a Ducati dealership a little over an hour away but why buy a Ducati when you have a VFR 1200, right? I have seen many reviews of the big VFR both good and bad so it comes down to what the intended buyer plans to do with it. I, for one, do not spend my days racking up laps around the racetrack. If I did, I'd pick a more track oriented bike. The big VFR is good at a lot of things and it comfy for me and more than powerful enough to get the job done in most scenarios. Let's just say that I'm not ready to trade in the VFR for anything else that it out there. ;)
     
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  13. timbo2

    timbo2 New Member

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    Hi, what screen is that, looks nice, covers up that ridiculous bit you cant clean?
     
  14. timbo2

    timbo2 New Member

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    White was the the colour of the first VFR I ever saw in France, I was knocked out by its looks, stuck with me until I bought one, sadly not white.
     
  15. srdjan1987

    srdjan1987 New Member

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    Puig, dark black color. Not visible through, but normal for cleaning. Nice wind protection.

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  16. mcenthusiast

    mcenthusiast New Member

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    Have been riding since 2002. Purchased a new 2012 VFR1200F at the end the end of 2013. Bike is completely stock other than I added Techspec tank grips. Currently, have about 35,000 miles on it. I have multiple bikes and ride about 12,000 miles each year. I have done a few 4,000 mile rides on the VFR1200. It is my only bike with hard saddlebags so I travel with it. I turn 72 in August 2020. Recently, I purchased a lightly used 2015 Suzuki GSX-R750. Switched the stock clip-ons with Helibar Tracstar clip-ons and added Techspec tank grips. This bike has all day comfort for me now! Did a day ride yesterday of 350 miles on it.
     
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  17. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    Awesome and thanks for replying to the post. Keep the rubber side down brother and ride on!
     
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