Author Topic: 2012 VFR1200?  (Read 27169 times)

Offline ZG

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2012 VFR1200?
« on: October 22, 2011, 12:37:12 PM »
So has anyone seen the new 2012 VFR1200, I don't see anything listed on the Honda site but I came across this pic, are the 12's black? I didn't like the red color of the 11's...
 

 

Offline xjs36uk

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2011, 06:05:34 PM »
Jeeezus that's one ugly looking bike !!!!  :o

So glad I'm not in the market for anything but Kwakas :P
Mark, One half of the "Formation Crashing Greaves Brothers".    1986 GTR1000 A1, 1988 GTR1000 A2, 1989 GPZ900R A3, 1986 GPZ1000RX A1, 1983 GT750 P3, 2000 ZX12R-A1, 1990 ZZR1100 C1, 1986 CBR500, 1985 XT500, 1987 XJS 3.6, 1995 XJ6 3.2 Sport, 1992 XJ40 4.0S, 1987 Capri 3.0S,1993 Xantia 1.9TD, 1993 W124 250D, 1999 S210 E280 4-Matic, 1996 LDV400, 1999 P38 2.5 DSE. I think I have a problem......

Offline xjs36uk

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2011, 06:07:53 PM »
Sorry guys, just had to make this post as my last one was number 13..... don't want anything bad to happen now do we!!! (Like buying a VFR1200 :S
Mark, One half of the "Formation Crashing Greaves Brothers".    1986 GTR1000 A1, 1988 GTR1000 A2, 1989 GPZ900R A3, 1986 GPZ1000RX A1, 1983 GT750 P3, 2000 ZX12R-A1, 1990 ZZR1100 C1, 1986 CBR500, 1985 XT500, 1987 XJS 3.6, 1995 XJ6 3.2 Sport, 1992 XJ40 4.0S, 1987 Capri 3.0S,1993 Xantia 1.9TD, 1993 W124 250D, 1999 S210 E280 4-Matic, 1996 LDV400, 1999 P38 2.5 DSE. I think I have a problem......

Offline ZG

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2011, 06:22:31 PM »
I've had some great Honda's and some even better Suzuki's, I like having multiple options in the garage to ride, I love my Connie but would never only buy Kawi...  :loco:

Offline sherob

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2011, 10:02:31 PM »
I've had some great Honda's and some even better Suzuki's, I like having multiple options in the garage to ride, I love my Connie but would never only buy Kawi...  :loco:

+1  I always thought I'd be a Honda guy... been riding them for years.  Thought I'd give Kawasaki a try... and I like what I have right now.  I wouldn't close off my choices to one brand.

I'm waiting to see more about the Cross Tourer in November at the EICMA show. :)
Rob
Brighton, CO... missing Texas!

Offline tonedeaf

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2011, 11:14:30 PM »
I gotta take a picture of this thing with me on our next group ride. Maybe I can get the group to quit giving me so much grief about not having replaced the exhaust system yet!!! At least the C14 potato launcher is functionally ugly, that Mad Max retro looking hunk of misplaced metal the VFR took some aesthetic effort to give a remarkable ugliness.

Pity, I thought my 2001 VFR was one of the better looking modern-era bikes.

Offline ZG

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2011, 11:30:03 PM »
I gotta take a picture of this thing with me on our next group ride. Maybe I can get the group to quit giving me so much grief about not having replaced the exhaust system yet!!! At least the C14 potato launcher is functionally ugly, that Mad Max retro looking hunk of misplaced metal the VFR took some aesthetic effort to give a remarkable ugliness.

Pity, I thought my 2001 VFR was one of the better looking modern-era bikes.

Akra makes a couple really sweet looking pipe's for the 12 IMO!  8)
 
Taking the oem exhaust off any bike is a given these days, I'm guessing omissions stuff is why they make them so ugly, I've had a couple dozen bikes and to be honest with you I can't think of one that I rocked the oem exhaust...
« Last Edit: October 23, 2011, 12:00:43 AM by ZG »

Offline Scaffolder

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2011, 07:00:21 AM »
I get the 2 bikes mixxed up a little (VFR1200 and the NT700) I thunk you can buy bigger bags (atleast the outter sides) over in the Euro markets. And one of these 2 bikes required removal of the exhaust to replace a rear tire. CRAZY!!! I saw it in "Doin' Time" from Motorcyclist Magazine probably a year ago. Good things to know before pulling the trigger on 1.
The black looks way better than the red. Blue would look good too.
Joel from Maine.

Offline Pokey

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2011, 11:33:29 AM »
The new to be Crosstourer has "seriously" got my attention, probably the only bike that would be able to sway me away from the C14's.
2006 DL1000  2006 SV650
08 C14 "gone"

"All we have to do is decide what to do with the time given to us". Gandalf the Grey

Son of Pappy

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2011, 11:50:51 AM »
That Crosstourer is a great looking bike, it will eventually replace my KLR, but never the 14.  Hopefully they have one at the next IMS, I'd stand in line for a test ride.  That VFR?  Looks like something designed by Michael Jordan 8)  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, in this case I see a beauty queen missing 16 teeth ;)

Offline ZG

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2011, 11:53:09 AM »
in this case I see a beauty queen missing 16 teeth ;)

How could that be a bad thing??  ???   :-X   ;)

Son of Pappy

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2011, 12:02:42 PM »

How could that be a bad thing??  ???   :-X   ;)
Have you priced mixed drinks in a bar lately?  Beauty is only a light switch away 8)

Offline ZG

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2011, 01:16:03 PM »
Have you priced mixed drinks in a bar lately?  Beauty is only a light switch away 8)

 :rotflmao:

Offline Pokey

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2011, 02:46:01 PM »
In the eyes of the beerholder!!!!
2006 DL1000  2006 SV650
08 C14 "gone"

"All we have to do is decide what to do with the time given to us". Gandalf the Grey

Offline booger

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2011, 02:48:56 PM »
Jeeezus that's one ugly looking bike !!!!  :o

So glad I'm not in the market for anything but Kwakas :P

Ugly in black.  But it sure looks great in red. ;)

Offline tin-tin

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #15 on: October 27, 2011, 01:21:46 PM »
So has anyone seen the new 2012 VFR1200, I don't see anything listed on the Honda site but I came across this pic, are the 12's black? I didn't like the red color of the 11's...
 


Honda is selling them in Canada and Europe right now. I think the Canadian website has them on there but the European site only has the red, white and silver options. They will be available in the states when Honda unloads some of their '10 stock. They should actually be 2011's with the black option but, by the time they get here, Honda might call them a '12. Honda is always really tight lipped about these things so who knows.

Just what I am hearing off my VFR sites.

Offline ZG

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #16 on: October 27, 2011, 08:35:34 PM »
Honda is selling them in Canada and Europe right now. I think the Canadian website has them on there but the European site only has the red, white and silver options. They will be available in the states when Honda unloads some of their '10 stock. They should actually be 2011's with the black option but, by the time they get here, Honda might call them a '12. Honda is always really tight lipped about these things so who knows.

Just what I am hearing off my VFR sites.

TT,
Thanks for jumping in bro, do you have the paddle shift or manual? What pipe are you running? How long have you had your 10 and what do you like or not like about it? I'm interested in picking one up as an additional horse in the stable, not as a replacement to my Connie or Gixxer, just something in the middle...

Offline tin-tin

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #17 on: October 27, 2011, 11:18:52 PM »



Its the manual. Had it for a full season. TBR pipe, Juice Box, Zero Gravity Shield, Full on Sport tires, Honda Racing knee and tank protectors, rear faring, rear seat cowl and lower bars. oh... and chopped that rear licence plate bracket.

Things that I had to do to get it to run fastest: 1st&2nd gear de-restriction, Juice box and pipe. Ditched the honda spec oil now it shifts better. have 4k on the M3 tires and they still look brand stinkin new. Have it down to 550lbs or so.

now that these things have been changed, I can run really easily with my litre bike friends. The handling and brakes are simply amazing. The single side swingarm gets lots of comments from bike friends on how good it looks but it is way super smooth too. Taking the panels off is a cinch. Most maint is a cinch (havent done valve check yet). The bike feels really light and is no way whatsoever top heavy.  Fairly good wind protection. All around quality is heads and tails above any other manufacturer I have owned. The way the panels fit, paint finish, even the nuts, bolts and grommets. No awkward gaps around where the panels meet even after you have taken them off and on several times.

If my c14 is considered a super sport tourer then this bike is a super dooper super sport tourer. I would actually consider it a sport bike that you can do a lot more miles on. Since i have had it,. my connie has been collecting a lot of dust and might go on the chopping block soon since my wife finds the Viffer more comfortable for the passenger since she is working the bike with me in turns a little and is moving her butt around more than on the c14.

The V4 engine is amazing. Super light, and since the two rear cylinders are the two inside ones, it is super thin at the seat which is nice when you want to move your butt over and drop a knee. The seat and bike design begs you not to sit in one place on it as I do with the C14. I'm all over that seat in the twisties like a monkey and it feels like that is what the bike wants you to do. That OEM exhaust does not do that V4 justice as far as sound is concerned. When a straight through pipe is placed on it, it has this really distinct low rumble at low RPM. Then when you open it up it hits a more deep I4 sound.

Now the bad: stock config- the throttle by wire is jumpy. After the de-restrict, pipe and juice box all that was fixed. It also has the fuel range of a liter bike since the 4 gal tank. The OEM setup does not do it justice. Honda could have done better with that. Which is probably the reason some people are disappointed with initial test rides.

The other bad (or good): You are going to get a whole lot of questions everywhere you stop. Some people don't like the looks though I have never gotten any bad comments in person. I think it is one of those bikes that looks a lot better in person than on film. Its just not very photogenic in 2D (too many angles to look good on a flat photo). It is way more likely that I get questions from a guy on a ZX10R than a guy on a FJR or ST1300. I take it to my sport bike club rides and it is non stop questions where ZXs and Busas are a dime a dozen but this is way different. A lot of people in those circles like the fact that it still has a lot of the handling of a liter bike but just a little more comfort and carrying capacity when needed.

All in all I would not even line it up against my C14 as far as comparison. They are just 2 different of bikes and made for slightly different things. The only bike it stacks up exactly against is the K1300s. But for me it is the perfect compromise between full on litre bikes and sport tourers. For straight on speed it runs right with my buddy's 08 R1. In the twisties he still has me since I have 100lbs of bike on him but it still doesnt handle like a 700lb bike and really doesnt even feel like the 550lbs that it is (though it doesnt feel like 450lbs either  :-\). I can still do a long day on it but not as long as the C14 if there is a lot of straight highway miles. The C14 is just straight up better for highway droning.

edited due to the fact that I was tired last night after the game. (and maybe a little liquored). Go Cards! Rally Squirrel!
« Last Edit: November 08, 2011, 11:01:22 PM by tin-tin »

Offline redbarber

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #18 on: October 28, 2011, 05:44:45 AM »
I think that behind the scenes, when the industry insiders get together, they have running contests.  Nothing ever released to the buying public, more like for bragging rights.  For the engineers and designers, there are at least two:  Ugliest exhaust, and least comfortable stock seat.  After all these years, they just keep getting worse, it can't be by accident. 
If you take yourself too seriously, nobody else will.  Humor is all around you, make it your quest to find all of it!

Offline tin-tin

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Re: 2012 VFR1200?
« Reply #19 on: October 28, 2011, 07:01:50 AM »
I dont think a bike like this will ever be a big winner on a ST forum. It just seems like the C14/FJR/BMW riders are more interested in going the opposite direction with their bikes than the way this bike is going (i.e. higher bars, wider seat, lower pegs etc). I dont think that Honda ever meant to market it as a ST bike but alot of bike magazines look for something to compare it to. The best review I have seen had it up against the K1300s only and referred to both bikes as "Tweens". After riding it for a season, I believe that is the most accurate review.

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2010-bmw-k1300s-vs-honda-vfr1200f-shootout-89414.html

I agree 100% on the exhaust. Honda tried to make the can smaller and failed by putting in this secondary exhaust valve that opens above 4k rpm. It sounds like garbage when closed and makes the bike unpredictable when riding around 4k. Kinda like some weird turbo but instead of adding extra power, it just gives you full power and restricts below 4k. That garbage got ripped off first thing.

I thought the seat would be uncomfortable but I find it the most comfortable sport bike seat that I have ever ridden on. I say sport bike seat because It allows you to ride it as you would a sport bike. You end up moving around alot on it during a given ride so my butt never gets tired. I find myself riding on it with one butt cheek more than 2. I end up with way more monkey butt on my C14 which has a real cushy seat stock (though I know a lot of people would disagree with that opinion). It makes me want to plant my butt in one spot and keep it there. Its just alot of work moving around on that cushy thing so I get lazy and end up chilling more. So compared to a Gixxer seat it is way comfy. Its all relative.