VFR1200 Early Adopter Yes/No

I have had two BMW's, both purchased new. An '04 R1150 RT that I put 12k miles on it and I never had any problems with this bike. But it had some engine vibration, was not that fast, and it didn't have electronic cruise control. While still owning the RT, I purchased an '04 K1200 RS, the 4 cyl liquid cooled engine. I rode this bike for 24k miles. It was perfectly smooth, fast as hell, and had electronic cruise control. But alas, the rear seal on the shaft drive kept leaking even after 3 fixes by the dealer. I called BMW several times on this and they kept telling me to "go to the dealer". I sold the bikes.

My experience and observation about BMW's is that you get additional equipment for the high cost. Whether that extra cost is worth the equipment is a matter of opinion. For instance, my K1200 RS had electronic cruise control, heated grips, self canceling turn signals, an accessory socket, and ABS. All standard.

The build quality and engineering did not seem higher or better than Japanese bikes. The dealer network is tiny and the dealer quality is hit or miss like any other brand. Unfortunately, I had a "miss" with my dealer.

Honda's are bullet proof compared to BMW's. And BMW NA is not truthful and forthright about bugs and problems with their bikes. There is currently a stalling problem with the K bikes in the USA, many, many, many owners of these bikes are pissed because BMW keeps giving them the run around. Bottom line, the stalling problem has not been fixed and BMW won't even admit there is a problem. I have stayed in touch with the BMW forum "iBMW", you can probably hear their screams right now if you listen carefully.

Honda's just run. I love my VFR and I am looking forward to the new 1200.

Ron

 

In addition to the K bike stalling problem another comes quickly to mind which was the R bike surging issue which BMW would not acknowledge yet they made engineering changes to future models to fix the problem.

 

Nope. Not going to get a VFR/ST1200. I was waiting for the bike to come out to see the final product, and I'll get to see it in person (hopefully) at the motorcycle show in Dallas this weekend. I was on the fence b/w the new K1300S and VFR1200 (or what I call the ST1200S). I've ridden the K1200S many times, have friends who love their Beemers, and I really like the new 1300S. 175HP @ 560lbs wet is the kind of numbers the VFR should have. I'll keep my '07 VFR, but next to it will be a new K bike.

 

Don't hold back KC, tell us how you really feel...:biggrin:

 

Not an early adopter here, but I am going to wait about a year, read the reviews, and then after the first year if I have the funds available and like the feedback I'm hearing from other folks' ownership experiences, I will purchase a silver one. Don't want the automatic though; my truck already has that. I want full manual control of the gears at all times w/o the added weight of this dual-clutch setup - of course, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference anyway? Kudos to Honda for the dual-clutch design though!

​

 

I've read all the info on the VFR1200.

Personally, I don't care much for electronic clutches and shiftless riding, even though you can shift manually, which is what I would choose to do, so to me the whole transmission is a heavyweight waste of money. And it'll be an electrical maintenance issue on upcoming forums for sure. Bet on it.

I like the design of my 2006 VFR. Hell, I could tell you it's an '09 since they repeated the same black paint scheme I already have! I like the fact that it has undertail exhaust. All I wish it had was 1000cc and shaft drive. Ok, maybe some more options like heated factory grips and a taller windscreen.

Right now I can get a great deal on a new 2007 ST1300 if i wanted to, and really that would be my choice over the new VFR1200. I don't see it as becoming a big seller here in the states. Maybe a few years life at best. Not with the ST on the market. And on te defense of the ST1300, it's a HELLUVA lot more home maintenance friendly than even my current VFR. The longitudinal mounted 1300 is easy to work on for valves and plugs, has an adjustable seat, and a power windscreen. If I upgade it'll be a ST, not the VFR.

At least Yamaha gave the option of standard transmission or semi-auto when they first came out with their optional 'auto' tranny on their FJR.

One more thing; the VFR nomenclature earns you the right to pay sportbike insurance prices. The VFR1200 is no different.

 

Like the bike, especially looks great with paniers.
Be a
Dont loke the look of the pipe, but aftermarket ones will come out.

Pitty they havnt put out an updated 800 tho, or will they?:thumbsup:

 

November 21, 2009

I went to the International Motorcycle Show last night in San Mateo, California.

Saw the new VFR1200F, rotating on a platform so I couldn't sit on it.

It looks a little smaller in person.

The muffler is uglier in person.

The gas tank (?) looks like a camel's humpback.

I'm glad Honda decided to not put black wheels on it.

I'm sure it will be a blast to ride, but I don't think I would be looking

at my reflection in store windows with any pride.

The bike has just too many sight lines going in a dozen different directions.

I like the technology (dual-clutch, etc.) but I'm having a hard time

accepting the aesthetics. Personally I like softer rounded lines (female?)

instead of the sharp angular lines that are on this bike and other sport bikes.

Sorry Honda, in my opinion you missed a great opportunity to match up modern technology

with a good looking platform. My wallet will stay shut on this one ~

 

vf1000r would be nice.
if they could build a striped down version.
as in standard unlinked non abs brakes.
a standard chain drive.
and the engine could be of the same block and same basic build, just a short stroke higher compression hotter cam version.
it would be about 50 lbs lighter, a little less torque, and higher revs and horsepower.
i think if they could pull that off at about 3 grand less it would make all the people that are pissed off right now happy...

 

Just got a 5th gen after 5 years with a 84 vfkf. I guess a 6th gen in 5 years and the vfr1200 in 10. I will be at an age to appreciate a less sporty bike ;-)

 

For me to purchase a VFR1200 it would it must have Gear driven cams, chain drive, and it should lose about 80-100 lbs and come in the red color of the 1999 VFR800, Manual trannny only. OH forgot one NO VTEC crap.

Vtec and chain driven cams is the main reason I have not bought the last gen model (2002-2009).

Call me picky but I have a list of specs that need to be met when I purchase a mcycle or auto and I stick to them. I guess I will keep my 99 VFR for a while longer.

VFR1200 A true sportbike ? Not from what I have read , it is made more for touring and old geezers who cant shift a bike manually because memory loss from doing to many drugs in the 70's . Price ? if it is over $12,000 they are sking too much.

 

way to not pay attention to any relevant information pertaining to the new vfr1200 and make a post dissing it...

its been known for a while that the 1200 will NOT feature vtec and the auto will only be an OPTION not mandatory transmission.:caked:

 

I am a consumer that purchases products . Honda has made a product that I was interested in until I read about all the added gizmo's that only kill a great motorcycle , make it obese in weight and move it from sportbike class to glorified touring machine.

Honda has lost sight of lineage of the VFR as it always has been a sportbike until the 6th gen wich bumped it into touring class and now with the dual trans and weight gain along with the $16,000 price tag Honda has lost another buyer.

Most VFR owners age is between 30-55 as the younger crowd goes for the CBR/GSXR high revving high horsepower machines and they will pay $16,000 for them. So if Honda wanted to sell a VFR1200 as a sportbike and get high sales numbers they should have made it a true sport machine that all would be drooling over including me .

I guess Honda has lost sight of what the consumer wants . Seriously the VFR1200 could be a bad ass sportbike if it went on a diet and lost all of the touring features.

 

After seeing it at the Long Beach show yesterday, it has left me enamored. If I had $16K lying around for such a purpose, I'd sign up for one; although I'd definitely like to ride one first! At least as far as ergos and looks are concerned, this bike is feakin' cool.

 

Did you even get to sit on it, or just gawk at it? And God help you if you think you'll ever be able to test ride a brand new bike at any dealership in the USA before you buy it. :crazy:

 

Darn, I hope the regulator-rectifiers are OK on this new one. BTW how do I get my money back or get Honda to take care of the three regulator-rectifiers that crapped out on my 91? Then again, maybe those weren't "official" issues..

 

Comparing the new Inteceptor to a BMW (any BMW) by reading very short test reports of very short rides on the Interceptor that are factory prepped,and checking out a dealer or taking again a very short test ride or two on a BMW is really great research that no one would question when anyone is about to pop for 15k bucks for a bike

My question is, who is passing out the aluminum foil hats?

 

I sat on it. With the kickstand down, I was able to get into a tuck and hang off to see what it felt like. It felt similar to my 5th gen in terms of ergos and weight/balance (at least from a cursory review). I actually think the design of the tank, with its protruding edges, will make it easier to rest your outside arm while cornering. It also felt somewhat narrower (the bike, not the tank). If the motor is good, this bike will be great. From my recollection, it doesn't feel as bulky or heavy as a K13000S.

 

just wait for one to be wrecked and buy it at salvage price. Cram motor( or find a mechanic/machine shop) into 5th or 6th gen frame and have a real 170hp VFR.

Somewhere a VFR V4 fanatic is already planning this hehehe.