VFR1200 in January Rider Mag

[na1g]

The January issue of Rider has a write-up on the new Honda VFR1200 sport-tourer. It's not a full roadtest/review but some first impressions from the press intro. A few good pix, too. The bike looks like a stunner and should sell well at the "sport" end of the "sport-touring" group.

At some point, the tuning fork guys will have to bring us a new FRJ. Let's hope it is in the pipeline.

pete

 

[Crash Cash]

Nah, the VFR isn't even remotely a threat. It's not very pretty, and I see very little wind protection, with it designed so that it doesn't seem easy to go to an aftermarket windshield. It also apparently has crap I don't want, like fly-by-wire throttle and maybe an airbag. Plus it's still got the VTEC crap on it too, which has killed the VFR for me for years.

Not even in the running. I'd buy the Concours first, if Yamaha discontinued the FJR, which says a lot.

I want a simple, comfy bike with lots of power and wind protection, and no complicated **** to break. So I ride an FJR!

 

[happyPuppy]

I would rather see Yamaha do incremental improvements to the Gen II , and fix some of the little quirks , like improving the suspension, heat mgmt even more. I would love to see that more than a 1400cc a ST bike that was even closer to a SB, cut some weight and improve little things vs the rumored 20k for the VFR. I don't need K-PASS and all that stuff , it does nothing for me

 

[squeezer]

Just a quick correction: VTEC is gone. It's not on the new VFR.

 

[lnewlf]

Nice-but..4.9 gal. fuel tank and another gay muffler?

 

[Crash Cash]

Just a quick correction: VTEC is gone. It's not on the new VFR.

Wow, so it is. And no airbag either. Still isn't a touring machine as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Larry33319]

Larger motor, heavier bike, and smaller fuel tank. Does not sound like a threat at all. I was at my local dealer this Saturday and they are not even sure what it will sell for. A lot of worry over nothing INHO.

 

[Duezzer]

Want to see it up close and personal when the bike show comes to town

I'm kind of liking it. Price seem re **** you louse

See if the egros fit me

Maybe something to look at a few years down the road

Later

 

[markjenn]

The new VFR1200F is more of a Busa or K1300S GT-type-bike rather than a traditional heavyweight sport-tourer like the FJR. But.... Honda has planned a more touring-oriented version called the VFR1200T which will be right in the FJR's and C14's wheelhouse and will likely replace the ST1300 in Honda's lineup. It's supposed to have some very advanced safety features such as an energy-absorbing nose structure and a smaller as well as a more advanced and much more compact version of the Goldwing's airbag that will dramatically reduce injuries and deaths in front-end crashes, such as the prototypical left-turning car violating the bike's right-of-way.

Scoff at the VFR-F if you want, but the T version will be formidable opposition and Yamaha will have to respond if it wants to remain technically competitive. Otherwise, it will become like the old Concours - a value leader by virtue of a cheaper price, but not a performance leader.

And BTW, Honda just announced the VFR's price: $15,999 with C-ABS standard, only $800 more than a FJR. This isn't any bargain, but it is competitive.

- Mark

 

[happyPuppy]

it is going to be interesting to see how they fit in against bikes like the Duc Multistarta touring model. https://www.multistrada.ducati.com/jspmulti/techspecs.jsp

 

[old&slow]

Just a quick correction: VTEC is gone. It's not on the new VFR.

Interesting,,, Before I got the FJR ,,, A Red VFR 800 with hard bags was on my short list...

But the VTEC was a NO-GO for me ,,,

 

[Crash Cash]

The new VFR1200F is more of a Busa or K1300S GT-type-bike rather than a traditional heavyweight sport-tourer like the FJR. But.... Honda has planned a more touring-oriented version called the VFR1200T which will be right in the FJR's and C14's wheelhouse and will likely replace the ST1300 in Honda's lineup. It's supposed to have some very advanced safety features such as an energy-absorbing nose structure and a smaller as well as a more advanced and much more compact version of the Goldwing's airbag that will dramatically reduce injuries and deaths in front-end crashes, such as the prototypical left-turning car violating the bike's right-of-way.
Scoff at the VFR-F if you want, but the T version will be formidable opposition and Yamaha will have to respond if it wants to remain technically competitive. Otherwise, it will become like the old Concours - a value leader by virtue of a cheaper price, but not a performance leader.

Not really. Honda makes nice bikes, but then they load a ton of **** on 'em that I don't want, and will not pay for, like the VTEC stuff and airbags. If I wanted all that, I'd buy a car.

Granted, you'll always have the more-money-than-brains Goldwing crowd, but I don't want another heavy bike with a tiny tank that's uglier than sin. I'll be voting with my money elsewhere. The FJR's as complex as I want to get in a bike. Same reason I didn't buy an ST-1300 or C-14.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Scoff at the VFR-F if you want, but the T version will be formidable opposition and Yamaha will have to respond if it wants to remain technically competitive. Otherwise, it will become like the old Concours - a value leader by virtue of a cheaper price, but not a performance leader.

Not really. Honda makes nice bikes, but then they load a ton of **** on 'em that I don't want, and will not pay for, like the VTEC stuff and airbags.

Granted, you'll always have the more-money-than-brains Goldwing crowd, but I don't want another heavy bike with a tiny tank that's uglier than sin. I'll be voting with my money elsewhere. The FJR's as complex as I want to get in a bike.

In 19th century England, those who fought against the advancing Industrial Revolution were called 'Luddites'.

It's hard to deny that technology hasn't greatly improved motorcycling.

Still, there's often a plateau or an 'oasis' in technology where a right-amount of the stuff (without over-doing it...) yields a really nice, functional, bike.

Some which come to mind are: BMW K-75S; C-10 Concours; Suzuki Bandit 1250S; and, the original, FJR...

 

[Crash Cash]

In 19th century England, those who fought against the advancing Industrial Revolution were called 'Luddites'.It's hard to deny that technology hasn't greatly improved motorcycling.

Still, there's often a plateau or an 'oasis' in technology where a right-amount of the stuff (without over-doing it...) yields a really nice, functional, bike.

Some which come to mind are: BMW K-75S; C-10 Concours; Suzuki Bandit 1250S; and, the original, FJR...

Gimme a break, dude. I started bikes when there was points & condensers, 6VDC electrical systems, and disc brakes were the new fad. I'll be the first to say new technology makes life easier.

I remember self-canceling turnsignals. Where the hell did that technology go? And Honda's torsion-bar valve springs? (Actually, that got eliminated by racing rules) How about the '85 Sabre 750 with the RCA 1802 microprocessor running the dash? I had one 'o dem!

There's a difference between being a Luddite and not wanting a two-wheeled car. I did upgrade my SV to one with ABS & FI. And I do like airbags, I just don't like the weight and the danger of working around them.

And the FJR isn't that high-tech except for the ABS brakes, and maybe the electric windshield. Other than that, it's a rather vanilla water-cooled shaft-drive inline-4 with a fairing & bags. No weird valve system, no strange key system, no radio, GPS, CD player, intercom, air pump, etc that the Goldwing crowd considers standard.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip>..., dude. I started bikes when there was points & condensers, 6VDC electrical systems, and disc brakes were the new fad. ...I remember self-canceling turnsignals. Where the hell did that technology go?

Some (even on this Forum) still want them...

And Honda's torsion-bar valve springs? (Actually, that got eliminated by racing rules)

All coil springs are merely 'torsion bars' wound upon themselves...

How about the '85 Sabre 750 with the RCA 1802 microprocessor running the dash? ...

Some FJRs have several (3) microprocessors...

And the FJR isn't that high-tech ...ABS brakes, ...electric windshield. ... rather vanilla ... No weird valve system, no strange key system, no radio, GPS, CD player, intercom, air pump, etc ...

From what I read on this Forum -- many FJR riders want alot of that stuff, have to source it and add it, and would like Yamaha to provide it with the bike...?

I take it, from your aggressively negative comments, that you're not much of an FJR "AE" fan (either)?

(Notwithstanding that the huge majority of Americans operate/have no concept of nothing/anything with a 'clutch pedal'...)

 

[tstaff]

How about the '85 Sabre 750 with the RCA 1802 microprocessor running the dash? I had one 'o dem!

I call BS.

No such thing as a 1985 Honda Saber 750.

Although you may have had an 83-750, or an 85-700.

 

[Big Sky]

I had the '82 750 Sabre with the trick dash displays and systems checks. It was "trick" but not very useful.

 

[markjenn]

How about the '85 Sabre 750 with the RCA 1802 microprocessor running the dash? I had one 'o dem!

No such thing as a 1985 Honda Saber 750.

Although you may have had an 83-750, or an 85-700.

Yes, the Sabre (note spelling) was produced in 750cc displacement for 82 and 83, but went 700cc in 84 and 85 during the Harley-protective tariff years.

In any event, I make no comment about whether the technology progression of these bikes is good or bad. I'm just pointing out that the real competition with the FJR is not the current VFR1200F, but the touring version coming which will offer a lot of technical advancements and will be stiff competition for the FJR if it stands still.

- Mark