well, i said i'd never go back, but i think im in love. honda really got it right with the lines. the tank reminds me of sitting behind the ol' steamer. this is a cool bike!!! http://powersports.honda.com/vfr (http://powersports.honda.com/vfr)
slight retro look, clean lines. i was concidering a sprint st, but i dont know any more. it might look good sitting next to the steamer. what do you think????
saw a review, forgot the magazine, that gave the VFR a review of "meh" and recommended the Spring ST over it. I much prefer the look of the Sprint, but taste is subjective.
Geof
i read a similar review, but i really dig the look. in the end though, i'd probably not go with either one - i'd buy a new tiger. but i sure do like the honda 8)
Yup, it seems to be getting lukewarm reviews, think that review was the latest BIKE (UK) issue, every review comments that tank range is not good.
Bet you the headlights are way better than the Sprint though :wink:
I've been watching this development closely as I may replace the Blackbird with the touring version when it's released (eta 2012 wtf :shock:). Honda let us XX owners down by developing an over-complicated variable valve, variable cylinder, variable power engine which missed the point in at least two areas: 1) if I buy a bike with 180bhp on tap, I want 180 bhp on tap, not when Mr Honda decides I can have it, 2) none of Hondas current generation of grease monkeys would have the brains to service it let alone fault-find if it went wrong. So they junked that bike and went back to the drawing board and developed what you see in Aeronca's link. I've not ridden it yet, but I did sit on one, only this morning. It carrys it's weight low - like the 'Bird - and the riding position is not too weight-on-the-wrists BUT the fabled short tank range will never be a problem because (in my view anyway) that seat will have your ass numbed long before you need to stop for fuel. :?
I sat on one at the Greenville SC show. The reviews I have read makes me believe that some of the test bikes sent out may have problems. One reviewer says that shifting is clunky and stiff and another pens that is slick as butter. The only thing "bad" I've read about the power delivery is a slight flat spot in the mid rev range. If the bike has one outstanding feature it is the overall quality of fit and finish. Paint and detailing are beautiful and the bike is far more handsome in person than in photos. The seat feels comfy and because of the narrow contour at the front, even a very short (5'6") guy like me can nearly flat foot the bike. The tank range will only be an issue with those who see this as a sport touring bike. At my age I rarely ride over 150 miles without a break when traveling and that is sufficient range for gas stops in most places.
(http://images.myphotoalbum.com/r/re/red/redb/redbi/redbirdacres/albums/album71/2010_0108intl_mc10056.sized.jpg)
(http://images.myphotoalbum.com/r/re/red/redb/redbi/redbirdacres/albums/album71/2010_0108intl_mc10057.sized.jpg)
Well that is a strange post if you like,if the VFR1200 isn't a sport tourer what is it,at any kind of speed it won't do 150 miles,your looking at 110/20 if your lucky,sure you can ride slower to get more mpg,whats the point in buying a 1200 in the first place,when the reserve comes on i want 40/50 mile you could be looking for fuel after 80 miles,god knows what Honda were thinking when they built it.
New Blackbird at 1400cc and a new VFR at a 1000cc and they would have had two models to carry the flag,instead they've got a turkey,bad move,and i don't like the motor it's more cruiser,how do i know all this,blimey that would be telling :wink:
Quote from: "Chris Canning"if the VFR1200 isn't a sport tourer what is it,at any kind of speed it won't do 150 miles,your looking at 110/20 if your lucky,sure you can ride slower to get more mpg,whats the point in buying a 1200 in the first place,
Uh huh :iagree
Saw one the other day at George Whites. It was much smaller than I expected and quite a lot prettier than photo's suggest somehow.
Still there are a range of problems.
It's a Honda, they make lawn-mowers too y'know.
It may be prettier than it looks in photo's but it isn't that beautiful either.
It's small (many of us are bigger guys and will simply look ridiculous on it)
and
The awesome new Ducati Multistrada.
I suspect the last point is the probably the critical one for tiger riders looking for something different...
Quite funny,pull up to a junction the other day in my car,guy pulls up along side on a white VFR1200,i'm winding the window down,he can tell what i'm going to say,by the smirk on my face,and clears off very quickly,so i never got the chance to say 'Run of fuel yet mate' :wink:
Link below to Trevor Hedge's review of the new Viffer in which he rides it around Australia, if you want a long term impression of the beastie
http://www.mcnews.com.au/ (http://www.mcnews.com.au/)
He likes the screen. Yeah right. Remember how they trumpeted the screen on the roadie when it first came out?
However the review is mainly positive of the beast as a sportstourer and worth a read if you are considering one.
I think it's had a major thrashing with the ugly stick and answers questions no-one was asking, but that's me
Seems as though the range is sufficient for touring Australia. Would have been nice if Honda had fitted a larger tank however.
Quote from: "nickcalne"Still there are a range of problems.
It's a Honda, they make lawn-mowers too y'know.
It may be prettier than it looks in photo's but it isn't that beautiful either.
It's small (many of us are bigger guys and will simply look ridiculous on it)
and
The awesome new Ducati Multistrada.
It's a Honda- legendary reliability, also make fine automobiles and jet aircraft- big plus
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Big guys look rediculous on anything. :ImaPoser
Multistrada-Awesome
QuoteIt's a Honda, they make lawn-mowers too y'know.
First question I was asked when I did a Marketing paper... "What do Honda make?". The answer wasn't Cars or Bikes or Lawn mowers, it was '
Engines'. The application is just the vehicle, so to speak.........
Quote from: "redbirds"...
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
:shock: BEHOLDER?? :shock: Damn... :oops: I thought it went:
Beauty is in the eye of the BEER HOLDER :lol: :lol: :wink: :wink: :P :twisted: :P :lol: :idea: :wink: :wink: :lol: :lol:
For me the "lawnmower" doesn't light my fuse. However:
Quote from: "nickcalne"The awesome new Ducati Multistrada.
...
OH yes!: http://www.multistrada.ducati.com/jspdu ... sp?lang=en (http://www.multistrada.ducati.com/jspducatimultistrada/index.jsp?lang=en)
I hope someone at Triumph is having a good, hard, serious look at that website. That multistrada is a steamer for the 21st century. 8) and I want one.
You and me both mate.
Triumph have the easiest job of the lot,with so many engines in different states of tune,changing the motor is the easy bit,change of design so the passenger can get on without a step ladder,might require more thought.
Quote from: "The Midnight Rambler"You and me both mate.
+1 on a fsat growing list. There was a good write up of various interviews with the Ducati guys in one of the rags. They really thought it through, I like the bit about the pillion comfort and the fact that they left the throttle cable in place "just eencaze the Italian electrics go kaput"
Apparently Ducati have taken orders on 400 already in the UK - according to BIKE magazine. I suspect that the two best selling (proper) bikes of 2010 in the UK will be the VFR and the Multistrada. Expect to see them both everywhere soon. It'll be a refreshing change from the BMW GS army! 8)
Shameless Hijack :oops:
A couple for our GS brethern
Robots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXa9tXcMhXQ&feature=related)
Das Modell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHHv4u8Vomw&feature=related)
robots :lol: :lol: :lol: see kraftwerk new way back then :lol: :lol: