New Honda VFR 1200

I thought as a few people have been talking about this recently I'd post a few links here to stuff I've found on the Interweb.

There's a Honda official site where you can subsribe to updates and register to be one of the first to test ride the machine which is due for initial release this autumn by all accounts. However the first models won't have all the new tech features promised on this bike. You'll need to wait until next year to see the full versions I believe.
Feel V4 Site

For example take a look at this vide on YouTube which shows the difference between normal manual transmission and Honda's new dual-clutch transmission
Dual Clutch video

MCN also have some pictures of the new bike if you're interested.

Phil on speaking with a Honda employee this new machine the VFR1200 will not be released until the spring of 2010. Honda will not be at any of the bike shows either he told me!

David

Thanks for that David - I wonder what the problem is? I remember reading about the GTR before I bought it and info at the time indicated that the model would be released in 2008. Yet at the end of 2007 dealers were given several bikes to sell. Some allowed demos other flatly refused!

So although most insurers list the bike as a 2008 model I had mine from 2007.

I'll keep my fingers crossed

Phil Littler wrote:

Thanks for that David - I wonder what the problem is? I remember reading about the GTR before I bought it and info at the time indicated that the model would be released in 2008. Yet at the end of 2007 dealers were given several bikes to sell. Some allowed demos other flatly refused!

So although most insurers list the bike as a 2008 model I had mine from 2007.

I'll keep my fingers crossed

same thing with k8 busa 2008 model came out late 2007

Just found this news story on the Honda VFR1200 with pictures on the MCN website http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2009/September/sep2109-honda-vfr1200-spied-in-finished-form/

Dave

Update from Honda VFR Click here http://feelv4.com/en_GB/pages/mainpage/url:technology/cid:001/gap:003/lm:gb1/af:a01/ap:h01/cr:E06/ln:en_GB

Dave

Thanks for the link Dave - be nice if the broadband connection out here in the sticks was good enough to prevent it sounding like Norman Collier!

Phil

Update from Honda. The new VFR1200F will be launched online this Thursday 8th of October 2009 at 11.00am GMT. http://feelv4.com/en_GB/pages/mainpage/cid:001/gap:003/lm:gb1/af:a01/ap:h01/cr:E07/ln:en_GB


Dave

Hmm - maybe Keith had a good point. They launch the bike online and you can only get 50% of the page to load - then naff all.

Let's hope this isn't a taste of things to come!!!!

Phil Littler wrote:

Hmm - maybe Keith had a good point. They launch the bike online and you can only get 50% of the page to load - then naff all.

Let's hope this isn't a taste of things to come!!!!

I managed to view the whole video launch this morning. It was no substitute to seeing the real machine…
All that excitement and now we will have to wait till February March.....

Try the MNC website they have all the info as well.

DavidM wrote:

Try the MNC website they have all the info as well.

Well they have two pictures and the promise of more details in next Weds issue

Viewed the web release and not overly impressed. As Dave said, best to see it in the flesh in February. I like the idea of shaft drive, not so sure about the "underpants" headlight & small 18.5litre tank (especially with me running out of fuel on the A90 on Monday ).

Mind you, what do I know about looks...I ride a V-Strom

Cheers
Col

Yes Colin the fuel tank size is a bit disappointing. I worked it out that you would get a range of about 172 miles then you would be off and pushing the beep..ing thing to the nearest filling station or sucking fuel from somebody else’s tank with a straw and Coke can (Busa's). That works out at about 42mpg. My current bike returns 50mph on average and with a 22+ litre tank can get a range of nearly 250 miles.
Early days lets wait and see what like the touring version is and you never know enough bitching about the tanks size and Honda might say, it was a misprint.

Dave

DavidM wrote:

....My current bike returns 50mph on average....
Dave

In first gear.....especially when confronted by silly gits driving a white AMG merc on the Dunkeld-Blairgowrie road eh Dave!

Time to bump this one up the list again!

Good to see those who managed to make the launch of the VFR1200 tonight - what a good turn out it was.

Bike looks awesome. Not sure if it's for me just yet - will need a good test ride. Might wait till the model with the semi automatic gear change comes out before I commit myself.

If you haven't seen it yet I'd go down to Ecosse this weekend and check out the model with the luggage on - looks great!

Thanks to Charlie and the guys/girls at Ecosse - they pulled out all the stops tonight with the refreshments.

Was at the EXCEL bike show last sat. No new VFR1200 or PAN. No Suzuki's at all. Will it be worth going to Ingleston? Dan

DAN-GER wrote:

Was at the EXCEL bike show last sat. No new VFR1200 or PAN. No Suzuki's at all. Will it be worth going to Ingleston? Dan

No!

The 2002 show was great, lots of outside events.

Less and less each year since with no outside events now and very little inside.

So if you are needing gloves for a £10 then go, but you get what you pay for.

New bikers might enjoy because they have never been before.

I was at the Birmingham show in November and it is much reduced in size.

DAN-GER wrote:

Was at the EXCEL bike show last sat. No new VFR1200 or PAN. No Suzuki's at all. Will it be worth going to Ingleston? Dan

Honda have deliberately avoided recent UK bike shows. I think it's mainly down to costs but also it was a good marketing ploy for the VFR - treat em mean-keep em keen?

Not sure if they'll be at Ingliston - maybe Charlie at Ecosse will know. The exhibitor list for this year isn't up yet.

Have a look at the website Dan - there seems to be a lot going on over the weekend - plus it's only £7 for OAPs

Scottish Motorcycle Show