UFO

1 hour ago, Skids said:

I truly don't understand what you expected out of the VFR1200

 

 

My intent in the reply above was not to bash the VFR1200, but offer an answer to the original question asked. I made no real comments about the 1200 other than it disappointed me. But I'll outline what disappointed me since you sort of asked...

1. They changed the V4 firing order. (subjective, but this really killed the deal for me. I even considered buying an MT-10 instead of the H2SX purely for the crossplane firing order alone)
2. Price when weighed against features. I mean, for the price you had to pay, the features on the bike are very spartan.
3. Styling (subjective, but it leaves me cold)
4. Fuel tank size coupled with fuel mileage
5. Hardbag integration (subjective, do not like the look of the bags on the bike)
6. ECU restrictions in 1st and 2nd gear (can be fixed, but shouldn't have to be fixed)

I have no doubt it's a good bike (all bikes are these days), but the VFR1200 wasn't what I wanted or expected, so I wasn't interested. People like, want, need, and expect different things.

Anyway, I'm not begrudging people who love their VFR1200s, only offering up opinions on a bike that, IMO, is a worthy VFR replacement in what it was designed to do. That being said, sport-touring bikes like this have become a niche market anyway. Adventure bikes (that will mostly never see a gravel driveway, let alone an off road environment) have been all the rage for a decade now. 😂

It's been ages since I posted here (yet I lurk from time to time), and I haven't owned a VFR is almost 10 years (though I've owned 3 of them), but saw this post and decided to chime in.

I was super hyped when the VFR1200 was rumored to come, then supremely disappointed when it did...so much so that I never bought one. Instead I moved to a Ducati Multistrada 1200S, which I found to be an infuriating bike to own. When it worked, it was a great bike. WHEN it worked. I had nothing but problems with it.

Then news of the Kawasaki H2SX began to leak. Besides not having a V4 the bike appeared to be a spiritual successor to the VFR made by a company that throws conservative out the window. I've had mine for a year now and love the hell out of it. Yes, it's a pricey bike, but it's literally everything the VFR1200 should and could have been (again, except for a V4). The only thing I wish it has was a little less weight (the supercharger and frame add extra weight), but I have no plans to track this thing so it's not much of a concern. What you get is impressive:
 

• Single sided swingarm
• Analog tach/TFT info display
• Cornering ABS
• Traction/wheelie control
• Cruise control
• Power modes (3 levels)
• Heated grips (3 levels)
• 12v socket in dash
• A 5.5 gallon tank (it will get low 40 mpg if ridden normally)
• Angle activated cornering lights
• Launch control
• Quick shifter
• Engine braking control
• Assist and slipper clutch
• LED lights all around
• Integrated factory bags, without fugly brackets hanging off it
• And all the power you would want access to (yet it's perfectly docile if ridden normally). With a reflash, slipon, and filter the 998cc is putting down 218 rwhp, and can get ~40 mpg riding sanely.

Anyway, I wish Honda was less conservative and put out a larger displacement V4 with proper firing order, excellent power/tap on tap if desired, and slathered with tech. But they haven't...and I don't think they ever will.

So yes, I view the H2SX as the successor to the VFR when it comes to high performance sport-touring. I got tired of waiting for Honda...

It looks like the new Multistrada from the front.

Yep, totally. :cheerleader:

A member here? :fing02:

Good stuff, thanks for sharing! :wheel:

I still find it amussing that this topic is still discussed. :blink:

-Reduces fatigue

-Preserves long term hearing

Plenty of evidence to show exposure to the high decibel white noise from riding (helmet or not) destroys your hearing.

What a coincidence. That's my Old Yeller. :D

Nice! Another mod to add to the list. Gah.

Glad to hear you're okay. Mesh jackets aren't meant to survive a crash, perhaps like leather...they sometimes go in the garbage afterwards. It looks like the jacket did it's job to me if all you have is a couple small rash marks.

Theres a very entertaining thread about them on the WERA board

WERA mag wheel thread

51 pages? Uhhh...no. :goofy:

Oh god...my wife is going to kill me if these bolt right on to a VFR. :goofy:

:unsure: Is everyone really that lazy?

It's an Ebay auction number. :joystick: CBR carbon front fender.

VDC. Pick a scale that will display 12V.

Carbon fiber front fender. Nice. :thumbsup:

I thought you already had one? :rolleyes:

The only time I go into dealerships anymore is when I happen to buy a new bike, or need tires swapped on/off rims and balanced (I bring the wheels in, not the bike). I never set foot in them or hang around them otherwise.

Order my OEM parts online, do my own work.

Japanese bike dealerships (in general) leave a lot to be desired.

This is for small touch up, mainly around one of the fairing mounting bolts.

Oh, and I should have posted this in Body and Paint. :rolleyes:

Want to touch up a few nicks on the VFR I just picked up.

Anyone know where I can get matching (or very close) touch up paint?

Thanks.

I live in Olympia - lets hook up for a ride, shoot the shat, modification knowledge exchange day, or something.

tbeemer from over at ST.N also lives in Olympia..actually he now works in the building next to me.  He has a VFR that his wife rides (he rides a 929) and we're going to do some riding this summer.  So keep an eye out at ST.N.

Okay, so I'm installing the yellow box V3 and everything works except the speedo.  the instructions say that some bikes have a 5V speedo output (which the 02 VFR does) and that you have to put the box into PULL-UP=ON mode...but I can't find anywhere in the instuction sheets how to do this.

If anyone knows what I;m talking about and can help I will  :bow: you.

:goof:

But if the speedo is off and the odo isn't how would adding the yellow box make the odo off?  If the error isn't on both I don't understand how it would also add to the odo when you put the box on.

Yes, my speedo is about 8% high, the odo is right on (ie. <1%). ?Verified by GPS.

Yellow box finally going on this weekend. ?I ordered some Hitachi 3 pin connectors so I don't have to slice/dice the speedo sensor wire and have the option of removing the yeller box should I sell the bike.

Yeah, I had to go with a left panel kit because my GPS mount sits right over the steering head hole.  Otherwise I would have gone the route you went.  I love the mod.  The Powerlet socket is sooo much smaller than a typical cig socket.  I use it on every ride that isn't just a quick jaunt around the neighborhood or a ride to work.

Excellent writeup!!  :bow: