Goldcrown44

As a new-to-me 2012 VFR1200FD owner, I would be interested to connect with other owners in Wisconsin if you exist lol. I'm from the Fox Valley area/Oshkosh.

Earlier this Summer, I was stuck in moderate to heavy rain for 150 miles on a 2014 VFR800 that had RoadSmart 3's (less than a year old), and I have to say they were well planted in the wet, so I'm inclined to go with RoadSmart 3 or 4's... not sure if they offer a version for Sport Touring/heavier bikes but will be looking them up. I may look up comparisons between those and Michelin Road 5's previously mentioned in this thread.

I've only owned my 2012 VFR1200DCT for about three weeks. It had less than 3600 miles on it. I've ridden maybe 550 miles so far, both commuting and longer rides, but nothing aggressive. The date code (hard to find with 57 year old eyeballs) on the Bridgestones indicate a manufacturing date of the moto itself, 2012. I think it said the 2nd week of that year. When I inspected the moto before purchase, I could not find the date on them, but there appeared to be very little tire wear, and zero side-wall cracking so they basically looked new to me. The moto had been garage kept all its life. I've been holding off getting to know the 1200's handling (to compare to my 2014 VFR800 and its 2023 RoadSmart 3's). I'm no tire engineer but I wonder how the BattleAxe ages - if no cracking, can I expect the tire to be overly stiff? Should I be avoiding any hard cornering? Will it be slicker than snot in the rain? I'm nearing the end of the typical riding season here in Wisconsin so I'm not in a hurry to put new shoes on her. I've talked to several others with more riding experience that I have (none of whom have ever owned VFRs), and some say "Replace Now! Tire probably rock-hard!" while others say they would push it until they turn to corduroys. For now, I'm content with just getting used to the DCT, commuting to work, and staying off the twisties... but there's that constant desire to see what this bike can do.

If anyone is interested in purchasing a new hard copy of the service manual ($50), Honda's website redirects to Helm Inc: https://www.helminc.com/helm/product2.asp?Make=AHC&Model=VFR4&Year=2012&Category=1&class_2=AHC&mk=Honda+Powersports&yr=2012&md=VFR1200FD&dt=Shop%2FService+Information&module=&from=result&Style=helm&Sku=61MGE03&itemtype=N

I was quoted remote service for 299Euro + 55Euro for the cable needed that would get sent to me. With currency exchange rates, it would come to: $380.00 USD. Too costly for me right now, but maybe in the Spring.

Thank you Skids... I reached out to him... waiting on response. Have zero idea on what something like this costs.

Mucho gracias, merci beaucoup! I've been to Honda's Motorsports website hoping to find something there for the 2012 DCT, but nope... zilch... nada. Wondering how much changed between 2010 and 2012... ECU stuff? Hoping to decode CEL flash sequences accurately.

thanks for the quick response... I have looked but unable to find DCT specific. I did find a DCT manual on the VFR1200FD Facebook page, but it's not in English.

Recently picked up a 1200 DCT but there was no owner's manual. I don't know the "Don't ever do this to a DCT" kinda of stuff, and now I have a Traction Control & CEL I'm troubleshooting (wasn't there when I bought it). It came on after i was done checking the air filter etc so I don't know if I bumped a sensor, or forgot to reconnect a connector next to the ECU, or are DCT's sensitive to rolling in reverse while the engine is running and in Drive mode (rolling out of a garage while warming up engine for instance.). Last night I disconnected the battery completely overnight in hopes to do an ECU reset, but I don't know if that actually works.

Though my OEM chain doesn't require imminent need for replacement, when I do, I'm considering RK Gold or DID Gold. I used to have a gold chain on my 1986 red-white-blue 750) and really liked how it looked. Would really like to see photos of other white 8th gen VFR's with a gold chain, and if there's any general consensus of which brand is preferred.

I like my OEM bronze rims but have been wanting to see what a white 8th gen looked like with white wheels and there it is so thanks for the photo VFR80025th! I'd probably source a second set of rims and have them painted white though. My '86 r-w-b-750 had white rims... buggers were hard to clean, but white... "is the way" ( - Mandolorian).

Another late reply by myself in today's various discussions, but it's my understanding 8th gen VFR's are either Deluxe or non deluxe. Deluxe versions came with a centerstand, factory heated grips, and ABS. My 8th gen is a non-deluxe model. I had the dealer install a centerstand, but I have the option to buy the OEM Honda heated grips with that fancy integrated controller button in the aforementioned photo. Nor do i have ABS (but I love my new EBC HH pads! Sizzlin' bacon sound at every stop!

Nelson Riggs Weekender... those four straps are what's holding the bag down. Then, when I want to use the rear seat cowl instead of the tail bag, I can quickly do so by unlocking/removing the "rear seat", and clicking down the plastic cowl. The tail bag for how I have it configured to the seat, stays together as one unit. Not convenient if you want a passenger, but I don't have this moto for frequent two-up riding.

Just chiming in a bit late, but here's an option that I went with Spring/Summer 2023. I have to say, I know I took a chance with this and was going to go with AGM type, but after reviews, and a good price, I went with it and had zero regrets. First, it is significantly lighter (for those trying to reduce weight wherever they can); though I bought the appropriate charger for LiFe04 with it, I've not had to use it once and periodic voltage checks with it off, idle, and revving are always right where they should be. I was going to trickle charge it over Winter here in Wisconsin, but instead, I went out to the garage every few weeks just to test voltage and it hardly dropped at all. I run a Quad-Lock "wireless" charging head on their iPhone mount but that's it for battery-connected accessories so far: https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-NLP14-Powersport-Motorcycles-Snowmobiles/dp/B091P9QXX7?pd_rd_w=5KEZZ&content-id=amzn1.sym.378a0f29-5acb-4c80-bc6e-087cd6806daf&pf_rd_p=378a0f29-5acb-4c80-bc6e-087cd6806daf&pf_rd_r=H53GQ6CDT39F0AS61KDF&pd_rd_wg=TtIIU&pd_rd_r=a96ab2e0-ffcb-4a90-ba2e-6d8b205dcbf6&pd_rd_i=B091P9QXX7&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_1_ec_pd_rhf_dp_s_rp_c_d_sccl_1_13_i&th=1