Differences in range between the 2010 and 2012

[Auron]

Can anyone having experience with both models comment on the fuel range?  It's really the only concern I have in choosing a 2010 and far more expensive 2012.  I've heard about the 2012's going well past 200 miles and reserve lights coming on at 130 with the 2010's.  I understand mileage is crazy subjective, just trying to get a feel for which year to look at.

Thanks!

[EhViffer]

Not a huge difference in range. Maybe 30 km (about 18.5 mi)  is what seems to happen to us.

[swimmer]

The 2012 tank is .1 gallons bigger.  However far you think you can go on .1 gallons is your answer. 

[Rice]

.1 Gallon doesn't seem like much.  Of course, it's all relative, depending on how you look at it.  It is negligible when your tank is full, but oh-so-important when you are looking at pushing the piggy for... however much you can ride on said .1 gallon.  If my calculator doesn't lie to me, that would be 3.5 miles, assuming fuel mileage of 35 MPG.

But personally, I would not pay extra for this extra capacity, assuming that it is the only differentiating factor.

[2FAST4U]

Rice is right. The difference between a 5.0 gallon tank and a 4.9 gallon tank is no more than about four miles.

I do know the 2012 & 2013 models have traction control while the 2010 doesn't. Just pick the one you want based on your color preference and budget. Strictly speaking for myself, I'd stay away from DCT models.

[Auron]

Don't the 2012's get better mileage?

There's a very reputable Iron Butt member named Blakebird who easily got over 200 on his 2012, is that common?

[swimmer]

45 minutes ago, Auron said:

Don't the 2012's get better mileage?

There's a very reputable Iron Butt member named Blakebird who easily got over 200 on his 2012, is that common?

Here are all my distances on each tank.  gallons
203.6
167.8
214.5
208.3
207.7
217.9
220
203
205.1
219.9
218.7
204.2
204.9
211.7
191.8
199.4
206.23
218.6
201.9
195
180
204.8
192.8
206.7
207
194.5
216.8
187.6
197.4
213.3
202.8
208.8
201.3
210.3
208
195.2
210.3
220.7
219.7
188
174.9
186.8
107.8
149.2
140.33
178.2
224.6
196.3
209.4
215
216.5
211.1
220.8
221
206.3
209.1
222.8
215.4
220.5
206.9
219.3
225.7
220.5
205.8
205.5
225.9
220.2
205.9
207.5
215.2
203.7
218.7
200.4
220.1
225.3
217.2
224.9
205.5
209.3
208.6
220
214.3
213.4
221.1
215
213.3
214.4
195.7
200.4
219.9
216.6
215.3
224.2
207.2
194.9
213.4
214.3
219.2
220.1
214.6
209.1
213.1
181.9
215.6
196.2
220.8
220.4
209.9
220.3
217.4
202.9
213
206.4
191.5
206.6
213.8
211.7
192.8

[Auron]

Much appreciated Swimmer!  I don't own one so I don't understand how the mileage computer works, are those numbers to empty?

[Volfy]

At 2388ft elevation, Tuscon AZ is gonna get better mpg than Houston, TX at barely above MSL.  Blakebird lives in Parker, CO, IIRC, which is 5869ft, more than a mile high.

 

If I am getting consistently very close to 40mpg down here a few ft above MSL, yous guys should be getting higher.  Trade off is, with the denser air here, we get full rated HP. :)

 

I doubt there is any appreciable mpg differences between '10 and '12+, other than individual variances, which isn't trivial.  I do know some VFR1200 riders seem to get worse mpg, for whatever reason.

[2FAST4U]

Over the years there were a couple times I came close to buying a 7G. When I was looking on cycletrader, I noticed an above average number of 7G's with (in the neighborhood of) 15k miles on the odometer. The reason for that is the first major service is scheduled for 16k miles and runs $800+.

If you haven't already, keep that in mind.

[lshark]

i paid around $500 for my 16K service on the 2010.....the spark plugs looked like brand new and i don't think too many 1200s have needed valve adjustment at 16k....mine were all within specs....i never went back at 32k....she died at 45k no noticeable valve noise ....i don't think i'll check valve clearance at 16k on the 2012

[lshark]

i know the tank is only 0.1 gallons bigger but my 2012 goes about 40 miles further before the low fuel flashes....i only have 3500 miles on the new bike but i did break the 200 mile barrier....i coasted into a gas station after 171 miles on the 2010 once .....2010 avg 37 mpg....the 2012 so far is at 39 mpg avg

[Auron]

18 hours ago, Volfy said:

I doubt there is any appreciable mpg differences between '10 and '12+, other than individual variances, which isn't trivial.  I do know some VFR1200 riders seem to get worse mpg, for whatever reason.

40 miles seems pretty appreciable to me. I think I'll be saving up for a '13

[2FAST4U]

12 hours ago, lshark said:

i paid around $500 for my 16K service on the 2010.....the spark plugs looked like brand new and i don't think too many 1200s have needed valve adjustment at 16k....mine were all within specs....i never went back at 32k....she died at 45k no noticeable valve noise ....i don't think i'll check valve clearance at 16k on the 2012

I remember calling several dealerships and all of them quoted me prices in the $800 range. Maybe the service is more expensive in my area.

......she died??? Your bike suffered catastrophic engine failure or you went down and totaled it? Either way, it sounds like you're OK.

[Auron]

I was wondering about the Died comment too...

I also so no need to rip the engine apart to check the valves at 16K, especially if it's acting like it did then it was new, which most, if not all Honda's do.

[Volfy]

1 hour ago, Auron said:

40 miles seems pretty appreciable to me. I think I'll be saving up for a '13

Something doesn't add up there... difference between 37mpg and 39mpg - even over the full 5 gal tank - is at most 10 miles.  Add 4-5 miles for the extra 0.1 gal and it's 15 miles. 

FWIW, if I were you, I would definitely consider '12+ instead of a '10.  I would do like lshark if mine is gone for whatever reason.  However, for those of us already have a '10. I have a tough time justifying the likely expense and hassle for the swap.

[Volfy]

For there to be 40 mile difference, '12 would need to have a 7mpg advantage over a '10.

Math:

40 - 5 = 35 miles (accounting for 0.1 gal difference in fuel tank capacity)

35 / 5 gal tank = 7 miles per gal.

That means if '12 gets 40 mpg, '10 would be getting only 33 mpg.  That's both bikes rolling into gas station running on fumes.  Not to say you couldn't find two VFR1200 with that sort of difference, but that seem awfully extreme.  As I mentioned, mine typically gets almost right at 40mpg.

Honestly though, if you are that worried about range, perhaps the VFR1200 is not for you.  There are ST's with substantially bigger fuel tank and range.

[jhawley]

I wish I saw 200 miles on a tank. 34.3 mpg according to fuelly.

 

[lshark]

i;m trying to figure it out myself.....i'm def going further on a tankful on the 2012 than i did on the 2010.....it never bothered me too much, but gotta admit, the little extra is nice

[lshark]

this is how my 2010 died......

 

[Auron]

1 hour ago, Volfy said:

For there to be 40 mile difference, '12 would need to have a 7mpg advantage over a '10.

Math:

40 - 5 = 35 miles (accounting for 0.1 gal difference in fuel tank capacity)

35 / 5 gal tank = 7 miles per gal.

That means if '12 gets 40 mpg, '10 would be getting only 33 mpg.  That's both bikes rolling into gas station running on fumes.  Not to say you couldn't find two VFR1200 with that sort of difference, but that seem awfully extreme.  As I mentioned, mine typically gets almost right at 40mpg.

Honestly though, if you are that worried about range, perhaps the VFR1200 is not for you.  There are ST's with substantially bigger fuel tank and range.

That's crazy, why would I look into a whale of an ST when the 2012's get a respectable range compared to the 2010's. Asking 200 out of a tank from a bike that tours so well is not asking a lot

My theory is that the 2010's weren't using all the gas in the tank, or the reserve light coming on too early or Honda doing a combination of clever yet simple tricks to stretch out the range. From what I've gather here and on other websites the 2012's do indeed go 30-40 more miles on a tank, period.

[Volfy]

You could be right about Honda changing the calibration on when the "reserve light" comes on.  My '10 comes on wayyy too early.  Sometimes at some 125 miles.  I would go fill up at that point and it would top off at a little more than 3gals.  So I pretty much just ignore the low fuel warning and go by my trip meter instead.  I usually fill up at around 150-160 miles, and it usually takes between 4 to 4-1/4 gals.  That gives me theoretically some 25 to 40 miles to go before running on fumes.  That is typical sportbike range and suits me just fine.

[ridered]

I wonder if Honda reprogrammed the fuel gauge on the 2012s?  My 2010 flashes very early, and most times it takes under 4 gallons to fill it, meaning the light flashes with maybe 1.4 gallons left in the tank.  Maybe the 2012 flashes with .75 gallons left?

Swimmer, how much does it take to fill the tank for you on average?  Mine is around 3.8 gallons after the light has been flashing a while.  3.2 when it first starts flashing.

I think .1 gallon difference is within filling tolerance.  I'm sure I don't fill it within .1 gallons of full each time.

[swimmer]

57 minutes ago, ridered said:

I wonder if Honda reprogrammed the fuel gauge on the 2012s?  My 2010 flashes very early, and most times it takes under 4 gallons to fill it, meaning the light flashes with maybe 1.4 gallons left in the tank.  Maybe the 2012 flashes with .75 gallons left?

Swimmer, how much does it take to fill the tank for you on average?  Mine is around 3.8 gallons after the light has been flashing a while.  3.2 when it first starts flashing.

I think .1 gallon difference is within filling tolerance.  I'm sure I don't fill it within .1 gallons of full each time.

The low fuel warning starts flashing at .8 gallons remaining, which depending on the rate of consumption averaged over whatever period Honda uses means the gauge says ~32-40 miles remaining.  I don't really care about that miles remaining number too much.  If I fill up when the gauge says I have .3 - .5 gallons remaining it usually take between 4.3 and 4.5 gallons.

[Auron]

So between the reserve light coming on later, a minute tank size increase and slightly better mileage they were able to stretch the perceivable range quite a bit, and actual range enough to make a difference.