2013 Vfr1200F

[sirimiri]

Hmm, it might be the time to replace my '06 with this new black/silver version!

[EhViffer]

Maybe it's a different story in Canada but at the Toronto Motorcycle Show this weekend the Honda booth had a Red 2013 VFR1200F DCT on the floor. I said to the sales guy I thought they were supposed to be black but he said nope all red. I must say as well, despite the fact all the new Honda 500 series stuff was on display the VFR had a large crowd around it asking tons of questions.

[kostritzer]

Maybe it's a different story in Canada but at the Toronto Motorcycle Show this weekend the Honda booth had a Red 2013 VFR1200F DCT on the floor. I said to the sales guy I thought they were supposed to be black but he said nope all red. I must say as well, despite the fact all the new Honda 500 series stuff was on display the VFR had a large crowd around it asking tons of questions.

Total opposite down here at the Long Beach show. No VFR whatsoever! The 500's were getting plenty of attention, but the new CB1100 got the lion's share. That bike was very impressive in person. The price is right too at a Herman Cain + 9!

[EhViffer]

I looked for the CB1100 at the Toronto show too but did not spot it in the Honda booth. Maybe I missed it. Anybody else go from the GTA who might have seen it there? There is another show in early January maybe it will be there. Another weird thing was that all major bike manufacturers were there except Kawasaki.

[Guest]

why is everybody always trashing the 1200?ive had many many bikes and this is the best overall bike ive ever had.the price is high by 3 grand but deals will come....its worth asking when comparing it to other bikes in its class but a crap economy hurts it.the black is very nice and if someone buys one and wants to switch bodywork im game

[Phoenix]

I looked for the CB1100 at the Toronto show too but did not spot it in the Honda booth. Maybe I missed it. Anybody else go from the GTA who might have seen it there? There is another show in early January maybe it will be there. Another weird thing was that all major bike manufacturers were there except Kawasaki.

I was at the Toronto show on its last day, (Sunday), and definitely saw the CB1100. Nice bike but overpriced, methinks---which is a typical Honda move. Wait for 2 years and they'll be blowing them out for 5 grand less.

The weird thing about the show wasn't the absence of Kawasaki, (as they weren't at last year's show, either), it was that the Honda display was truly impressive: cute female models all over the place, an espresso bar, (serving Ruffino coffee), and actual new bikes on display, (-wasn't too much happening in the way of new bikes with the other manufacturers). Apparently, there is a new president at Honda Canada and he's kicked things up a notch. Previous Honda displays had been downright pathetic.

I just paid 15900 OTD in CA for a 2012 and I love it. Do I wish I could have gotten it cheaper, of course, but doesnt everybody.

Honda Canada has new 2012's listed at 14,999 before taxes, and new 2010's for 13,999. They're still charging ridiculous money for the luggage, top box and centrestand, though. Which sucks since the competition's "new" and quite nice looking FJR comes with the bags and centrestand, I believe.

[ilprofessore]

OT

Ruffino? It is not an Italian coffee. I have never heard this name here in Italy.

Close OT

In my opinion, FJR 1300 is not a competitor of VFR.

[Phoenix]

OT

Ruffino? It is not an Italian coffee. I have never heard this name here in Italy.

Close OT

In my opinion, FJR 1300 is not a competitor of VFR.

Ruffino is a brand-name, like Illy. It's quite good and it's local, (Canadian), and it's definitely not cheap.

* * *

Curious, why wouldn't the FJR be considered a competitor to the VFR? They're relatively similar in regards to engine displacement, weight, amenities like hard luggage, aspirations to sport-touring, etc...

Edited December 25, 2012 by Phoenix

[ilprofessore]

The FJR can be compared to BMW K1300GT, Kawa GTR1400 and Honda PanEuropean (and also to BMW R1200Rt and Guzzi Norge, even if the engine is different).

The VFR is more sport oriented than FJR and only the BMW K1300S is a direct competitor..

Riding position is totally different and then the VFR is a lot less comfortable than the FJR.

[Phoenix]

The FJR can be compared to BMW K1300GT, Kawa GTR1400 and Honda PanEuropean (and also to BMW R1200Rt and Guzzi Norge, even if the engine is different).

The VFR is more sport oriented than FJR and only the BMW K1300S is a direct competitor..

Riding position is totally different and then the VFR is a lot less comfortable than the FJR.

I agree that the FJR is more touring-oriented than the VFR. But it is no Gold Wing, either. It's a sport-touring bike. I consider the VFR a sport-touring bike, too. It's too heavy to be a sport-bike, and it has shaft drive, and factory hard luggage, (-that you have to pay extra for).

For sure the VFR is more sporty than an FJR, but is it that much more sporty? I guess this is open to debate. Here in Canada these bikes are the same MSRP, and it seems to me that the Yamaha gives you a lot of bike for your money.

* * *

And just because a bike is more comfy/bigger/slower, like the bikes you mentioned above, it doesn't mean it can't be hustled quickly. This is my friend on his 100,000km + R1150RT. I have a hard time keeping up with him on any bike...

[Volfy]

The only true competitor for the VFR1200 is the K1200S/1300S - in the category of "gentlemen's sport bike", that can double as a very sporty tourer.

That said, people do cross shop VFR1200 with the traditional sport tourers like the FJR/C14/RT/etc. Personally, I bought the VFR to replace my C14. Not because I think they perform identically, but rather my preference changed slightly. I never did get to tour as often and as far as I originally bought the C14 for, so I'd rather refocus my open class machine towards a sportier ride for shorter distances. If my situation ever tilt back towards long distance comfort again, I might give the new FJR a closer look.

BTW, Honda display at the Dallas IMS show was a joke. More than 3/4 of the line up was MIA, including the VFR.

[Phoenix]

The only true competitor for the VFR1200 is the K1200S/1300S - in the category of "gentlemen's sport bike", that can double as a very sporty tourer. That said, people do cross shop VFR1200 with the traditional sport tourers like the FJR/C14/RT/etc. Personally, I bought the VFR to replace my C14. Not because I think they perform identically, but rather my preference changed slightly. I never did get to tour as often and as far as I originally bought the C14 for, so I'd rather refocus my open class machine towards a sportier ride for shorter distances. If my situation ever tilt back towards long distance comfort again, I might give the new FJR a closer look. BTW, Honda display at the Dallas IMS show was a joke. More than 3/4 of the line up was MIA, including the VFR.

At our 2008 show, the new and highly anticipated CBR1000RR was hidden behind a Honda pickup truck and it was covered in dust. I'll never forget that. Such a touted bike tucked away and neglected. By contrast, this years show was fabulous. And the girls were cute~~~

[hvfrdave]

Thank god they have painted the lower seat side panels the same as the main fairing, not before time they looked hidious in silver. One of the first things i did to my 2011 VFR1200F was colour co-ordernate the rear plastic panels.

[Veefer800Canuck]

I looked for the CB1100 at the Toronto show too but did not spot it in the Honda booth.

[SEBSPEED]

That CB1100 needs a set of 80's "F" bodywork. And a smaller price tag.

Then I might buy one and add USD forks, a mono-shock swingarm and a turbo.

[EhViffer]

I looked for the CB1100 at the Toronto show too but did not spot it in the Honda booth.

Hmm, right next to the weed wackers and mowers will have to look a little harder next time. Thanks for the pic.

[Guest]

I think it would be a while till Honda puts any real attention back on the VFR

Despite what we think, it really sits below a lot of bikes in their lineup in terms of priority. Us who had owned VFRs for a long time are pretty much used to it already....

Beck

95 VFR

yep but as time goes on the vfr looses sales and honda can't figure out why-- you see the new nijna 1000? yep saddlebags etc less money

[dynajohn]

I like the 2013 fine in black. That's one of the reasons I bought one.

[Guest]

Me too, especially at the price I got this 2013 for...

Looks even better at home...

I think you can sum up the whole popularity issue for the VFR1200 in the US versus Europe by this simple observation of mine:

The last two years, I've spend a couple of weeks in England one year, and a couple in Austria and the Czech Republic the other, and each year I saw several VFR1200's (even two with Russian plates, one in Vienna, one in Prague), and in the whole time I've lived in the SF Bay area since the bike was introduced I haven't seen one...

So, at least it's sort of cool that I won't see myself coming and going like the guys on HD's and CBR's, but still it's an amazing marketing issue- and difference between regions. Maybe I'm just too old school- some of the most interesting posts I've seen on the 1200 have been by European guys not so far from my age (I'm over 60).

Curious, though... but love the bike!

Still, I have some upgrades already here and several more on the way-

I like the way the 2013 uses body color under the seat and other areas, but I also liked the 2010 red one, but not with all the silver- actually, I'm looking at doing something a little akin to the 2008 CBR 1000RR, and changing the faring and tank panels out to red. I could include some silver somewhere, too, but that might be a bit too busy. May be an exercise to try out in Photoshop first...

Edited July 2, 2014 by Jonmarsh

[dynajohn]

Me too, especially at the price I got this 2013 for...

Looks even better at home...

I think you can sum up the whole popularity issue for the VFR1200 in the US versus Europe by this simple observation of mine:

The last two years, I've spend a couple of weeks in England one year, and a couple in Austria and the Czech Republic the other, and each year I saw several VFR1200's (even two with Russian plates, one in Vienna, one in Prague), and in the whole time I've lived in the SF Bay area since the bike was introduced I haven't seen one...

So, at least it's sort of cool that I won't see myself coming and going like the guys on HD's and CBR's, but still it's an amazing marketing issue- and difference between regions. Maybe I'm just too old school- some of the most interesting posts I've seen on the 1200 have been by European guys not so far from my age (I'm over 60).

Curious, though... but love the bike!

Still, I have some upgrades already here and several more on the way-

I like the way the 2013 uses body color under the seat and other areas, but I also liked the 2010 red one, but not with all the silver- actually, I'm looking at doing something a little akin to the 2008 CBR 1000RR, and changing the faring and tank panels out to red. I could include some silver somewhere, too, but that might be a bit too busy. May be an exercise to try out in Photoshop first...

Congratulations on your new 2013 and welcome to the forum.

You're observations are dead on with mine jonmarsh. A friend of mine who bought a 2010 F model called his bike a older guys sport bike. He is only 48 but like me a lifelong motorcyclist who has raced both in the dirt and on the track. Frankly I like not seeing another VFR 1200 everywhere I ride, that's part of the reason I bought my 2013. That's also part of the reason Honda has not done anything further with this bike. My friends 2010 VFR 1200 sat on the dealers floor unsold for 3 years before he bought it for $9895.00. When I ordered my 2013 last summer there were only 2 VFR 1200's in my regions warehouse and not one 2013 in dealer inventory in the mid west region.

[lshark]

welcome aboard good luck with the new VFR....personally i'm not a big fan of black vehicles....though it looks good on some bikes like my Valk....i like it on the VFR too but think an all black tank and the silver accents under the seat would be more to my liking...same with the blue 2012....still like my red 2010 the best...along with the titanium silver n/a here in the states

[Guest]

Can understand that, I'm not so fond of an all black vehicle either, though the 305 Hawk I had in high school and the CB450 in college were black and I liked it. That's why I'm considering going with the metallic red, but just for the fairing/tank panels. Maybe not even updating the front fender! Just a splash of color, leaving the rest black and silver. If they'd had the titanium silver here in the states, and one available in CA, I would have gone with that. The bike I got had been sitting at the dealer in Roseville, 100 miles away, for over a year and a half.

[Switchblade]

Excellently !!!!