Took the VFR out for a blast yesterday evening
Posted Apr 10, 2023, 7:18 AM UTC
7020
Always loved this gen of VFR, think they look super futuristic.
I sold a VFR 400 many years ago, and my oh my! Do I miss that bike. Still slightly bitter, the nobber who bought it smashed it on the same day.
4
that thing is gorgeous but my first thought was 'that would make one sexy deauville (like the old 650/700)' fairings look pretty wide already
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It’s not bad width wise I must say, with the mirrors folded I can keep up with if not push harder than scooters in central, at least in a straight line, definitely can’t weave between lanes like them not that I’d want to
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Always hear mixed reviews about this bike on MCN/YouTube... I know a lot of people rave about the older model that has been coined as one of the best bikes ever built! How do you like yours?
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Build, paint and component quality are exceptional and not beaten by ANYTHING on sale now.
It's heavy but hardly any different than any other shaft drive adv/tourer.
Stock suspension is absolutely appalling and the worst thing about the bike. Upgrade it as it's excellent.
I can get about 170 miles on the motorway before the light comes on otherwise about 130. Average about 42mpg day to day.
Wind protection is superb.
I am after something with more advanced electronics (IMU), but I am seriously concerned I'll miss the VFR.
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Beyond a Goldwing or BMW RT or K series is there anything available with the VFR1200's level of spec an IMU? I can't think of anything else with a fairing, 150+ bhp and shaft drive that's in a similar ballpark tbh.
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Well if you're not fussed about the shaft then there's the SDGT
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Yeah not worrying about the shaft opens up a lot more options like the Suzuki GSXS-1000GT or BMW S1000XR, but a shaft is pretty nice to have! I'd be more inclined to lose some power and have the Moto Guzzi V100, but that also has less of a fairing... maybe the active aero makes up for it though!
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The 5th gen is the supposed holy grail, I've owned both the 6th gen (VTEC underseat exhausts) and this 7th gen with DCT gearbox. Personally I've been very happy with both.
The 7th gen gets a bit of flack for its smaller fuel tank, I'm getting about 40MPG and 120 miles to a tank whilst commuting riding semi-tamely on a short bit of the M4 then central London. But this doesn't really bother me as I don't do massive tours which is probably where that is more of an issue given the nature of the bike. As a result you can get quite a lot of machine for not so much money.
The exhaust note on the 7th gen is not as great as the other generations due to being a 76 degree V4 not a 90 degree one, but I still think it sounds pretty good - albeit often compared to an angry sewing machine.
The engine is where its at though. Its an absolute stonker of an engine.
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Doesn't the 2015 have the larger tank?
Edit: also why are you talking 7th gen? Unless I've completely misunderstood these 1200s are completely different to the 800 vfrs
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I believe they added an extra half a litre yes. And more importantly traction control removing the artificial throttle restriction that exists in first and second on the pre-2012s
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Thank you and please note my edit for other q pal
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This is one of my dream bikes. I’d use it for a3/central London commute. The only thing that puts me off is that I’m spoiled by my scooters weather protection and under seat storage. One day though.
The protection from the fairings is very good on the 1200 also.. you'd certainly notice the difference in weight though from the Burgman :D
Yeah the burgman is an absolute boat, but I don’t blink at 300kg bikes now!