Honda Vfr1200

[Vili]

Hi all! As a newbie on this site, I have a few questions I’d like to ask Honda VFR1200 riders. I have a Honda CBF1000 now and I am looking to upgrade to a VFR1200. I am 6’2 and weigh about 198 pounds, I wanted to ask all fellow riders with similar measurements if the VFR is comfortable to ride? During a long journey, have you experienced any pain in the wrist or back area? And just in general, how reliable is the bike? Please share your experience!
Thanks

[stinkwheel]

Not sure if many people on here have them. I have a mate who does who doesn't come on here. He's as tall as you are but a bit lighter. He rates it as all day comfortable and it hasn't put a foot wrong in terms of reliability. It's probably getting away from what an amateur mechanic can effectively service for themselves in terms of complexity.

He also says it's creep-up-on-you stupid fast. You think you're cruising and look down to see instaban speeds on the clock.

Tricky to find a decent looking and sounding exhaust for one.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Vili]

Thank you for the quick reply! Very helpful review!

[jaffa90]

What about your age?
We all like to start with head down arse up and end up head up arse down at 40 plus.

I had a Blackbird with arm/wrist ache and fitted heli-bars but after bought an X11, FJR1300,CB1000,Fazer 1000,1200 Bandit but now a GSX 1400. Just backache now with a degenerative spine.

I keep looking on e-bay for a new body!

[ADSrox0r]

The VFR1200 was something of a commercial flop. Sales were disappointing and subsequently Honda dropped the model (also Euro4 killed it off)

The 1200 was something of an oddity in so much as it has a smaller tank capacity than the 800 (and not particularly better fuel consumption to compensate with, in fact its famously thirsty around town) meaning it loses out on the 'tourer' identity. It also has physically smaller OEM luggage, making it less versatile than its older brethren. Which kind of had everyone scratching their head asking just what is it then? It's not a sports bike, it's not a (proper) tourer, it's not fabulously exciting or powerful, it's big and heavy.....

That and the fact that it's fuck ugly. Oh, and HILARIOUSLY expensive for what it is. There are far better bikes that tick way more boxes for way less money out there.

What Honda needed to do was release a 1000cc V4 VFR with the same sort of profiling as the 800 but lose some weight and improve the handling whilst keeping all the touring capability. Some day Honda...some day.
____________________
Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[Polarbear]

I test rode one and found it bland. OK fast bland but still bland. Plus the fact it is fucking ugly. It is so ugly it made my busa look pretty.

But it's a Honda.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[ThatDippyTwat]

[stinkwheel]

All the above notwithstanding. If you're looking for a slightly comfier, more modern version of the CBF1000, you're probably on the right track.

One suggestion though. See if you can get a test ride on a big Triumph Tiger. Adventure styling but with modern sportsbike tyres on, they are no slouch.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[ADSrox0r]

Definitely, I'd have a Tiger 1050 Sport over a VFR1200 any day. In fact I'd trade my 800 in for one if the right opportunity came up.
____________________
Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[Vili]

Thank you all for your replies! I’m 28 years old, looking for a sporty, modern bike that can be used for touring occasionally. I’m split between the honda VFR and the BMW k1300s, but still prefer the look of the honda as the k1300s looks like the k1200 from 2005. I will be test riding them soon but wanted to hear some opinions beforehand. Thanks very much!

[stinkwheel]

Seriously, do try the Triumph. It looks a bit like an adventure bike but certainly doesn't ride like one.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kris]

Had one, loved it.

Did a big post about it here

Trackday'd it at Mallory too. Ground through half a footpeg and a fairing panel. Good handling, if a bit heavy.

https://cdn.bcf.44bytes.net/files/1-small.jpg
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[marky99925]

Hi
I realise it's an olde message but did you buy it in the end? i'm in exactly the same position, i love the cbf1000, bought it to keep for a year or so after a blackbird and i had it 6 years, maxton forks and shock, hel brake lines, its fantastic, perfectly comfortable on five trips round spain two up. The VFR looks great value these days as i understand Honda couldnt give them away at the time. Still a great bike that never caught on with virtually no mechanical issues. Nervous about the change after 6 great years with the CBF, most underrated bike i ever owned
____________________
mark rowlands

[xX-Alex-Xx]

I had a loaner VFR1200 for about a month and did a few "long" trips (weekends away, covering about 4-500 miles a day) on it. Absolutely no problem on the highways or twisties with it. The DCT version was a lot of fun as well (in manual mode), it's amazing how well that engine picks up (and that's coming from someone who rode a K5 thou at the time ...). Only downside was it was 100% stock, so the exhaust killed a lot of the sound.

Really comfortable for all day riding as well, no issues at all.
____________________
DILLIGAF

[marky99925]

Great, thanks for that, at the used prices they are going for they must be one of the top bargains for build quality etc, i don't care about the looks, it's all subjective anyway, looks more and more likely that i'll do it
____________________
mark rowlands