new VFR must really suck. [Archive]

G-Rex

01-29-2010, 09:39 AM

I hate that bike. I don't know what Honda was thinking, but that thing is so freakin' ugly it's not even funny.

Honda finally gave the masses what they asked for. A liter flavored VFR. Too bad they screwed the rest of it up.

pauldun170

01-29-2010, 10:15 AM

"Shamu"
:lol:

marko138

01-29-2010, 10:28 AM

Wow. Fuck that bike. I've been unimpressed since the beginning. It's ugly as fuck, it's heavy, and it costs a fortune. Technical advancements be damned.

smileyman

01-29-2010, 05:48 PM

I like it, but for what it is the new Ducati sport tourer would be more fun, the updated Concours would be the better interstate bike.
I like that the VFR is a technological tour de force but I wouldny buy it on that alone.

Homeslice

01-29-2010, 05:54 PM

When you talk about both cars AND bikes, the Japanese had their heyday in the 90's. Great styling, suspension geometry, engines, etc. Now everything is bland and overweight. They are just butt-hurt that people would dare criticize their products. They're accustomed to all the suburbanites & soccer moms walking into Honda dealerships and paying full MSRP for their stuff.

Dump all your stock in Jap automakers and put it into Korean.

tommymac

01-29-2010, 05:54 PM

Whats worse is the hard luggage isnt even included.

Saw it at the bike show and it didtn do anything for me. The system that allows you to detatch the luggage is prety nice and real easy but the bags are on the smallish side.

Dave

01-29-2010, 06:18 PM

id far rather have a connie 14, which is what i assume they were shooting for with this thing.

tommymac

01-29-2010, 06:23 PM

id far rather have a connie 14, which is what i assume they were shooting for with this thing.

kawi made some nice upgrades this year too, I realy liked the fjr more but kawis doing all the right stuff.

was92v

01-29-2010, 06:58 PM

The 91'-01' VFR is a bike I would love to have. They are a little heavy and a little under powered, but the personality and sound of the engine is a keeper. All anyone wanted was more power. Instead, they lose the gear drive (sad) add the V-Tec. That sucked and now this..thing.

Hey maybe this bike and that scooter thing are just a set up for a forth coming VFR1000RR sport bike. Yeah, that must be it, because they gotta know these things won't sell.

smileyman

01-29-2010, 07:15 PM

The V Tech VFRs didnt sell either. There are leftovers everywhere. Honda just builds what they want to build, and you better like it or else. Review it badly they'll pull their ad money...

Rangerscott

01-29-2010, 08:42 PM

derf

01-29-2010, 08:47 PM

Already have some guys on a vfr board be able to test ride one. They said the added weight isn't felt with the added power. It handles just fine.

I wonder if they are VFR fanboys that would like anything with the VFR name? Until i see a review from a bonefied independant source I am going to make my e-penis larger by making assumptions based on Hondas refusal to let the real experts try it out.

Rangerscott

01-29-2010, 09:09 PM

I wonder if they are VFR fanboys that would like anything with the VFR name? Until i see a review from a bonefied independant source I am going to make my e-penis larger by making assumptions based on Hondas refusal to let the real experts try it out.

Well of course if the person is a vfr owner already they are gonna want the bike to be good. If honda was to re-release an updated 900, wouldn't you want it to succeed. I've never heard someone like something, hear about an updated version want it to suck.

So what hidden message is really in the new vfr?

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=55214

smileyman

01-29-2010, 09:09 PM

People have become so jaded. Testers and reviewers that have never ridden a V Max or an 80s Z1 decide 'oh its heavy!' 'Oh it doesnt handle!'

I think it probably works fine, it just isnt what the genral public were hoping would come out...

derf

01-29-2010, 09:31 PM

I actually love the styling, "shamu" looks cool as all hell, just from the stats alone though, i would like to see it loose 150 lbs and expand the gas tank

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/gallery/honda-cylon/honda_vfr1200_022.jpg

Rangerscott

01-29-2010, 09:39 PM

I'm still puzzled on the smaller gas tank. I guess dropping a gallon makes up to counter act the other added weight?

Homeslice

01-29-2010, 09:52 PM

Ugh, not that pic again. FAIL on so many levels.

Rangerscott

01-29-2010, 10:04 PM

Be nice if the horn was all black so it wouldn't stick out.

smileyman

01-29-2010, 10:20 PM

I think the smaller tank was cause the new variable cyl config was supposed to get better mileage. at some point they dropped that feature too late to redesign...

Homeslice

01-29-2010, 10:23 PM

You guys really want a bigger tank? Styling wise, that tank looks way too fricking tall as it is. Especially compared to the tail.

Rangerscott

01-29-2010, 10:26 PM

You guys really want a bigger tank? Styling wise, that tank looks way too fricking tall as it is. Especially compared to the tail.

Going from 5.5 gallons to sport bike 4.5 gallons is a negative to me. I'm sure its got a plastic cover, so who knows exactly the size/shape of the steel can under it.

Put an iPad on the tank and you could just fall asleep.

http://image.sportrider.com/f/featured-sport-bikes/2010-honda-vfr1200-first-ride/26786425+cr1+re0+ar1/2010-honda-vfr1200.jpg

It does ride like shit. Just look at this rider. I bet the chicken strips are 5" wide.

http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/375O7921.jpg

Homeslice

01-29-2010, 11:06 PM

Any bike can be leaned over, but how does the suspension actually ride, is it too soft, or too stiff, etc......

I see your point about the tank providing support on long trips I guess........The looks though, I dunno....

G-Rex

01-29-2010, 11:09 PM

The latest greatest doesn't do it for me in this case. The new VFR is the ugliest beast known to man. Riding a Hayabusa, I feel I am qualified to make this statement. LOL

Honda should be shot for reducing the fuel capacity of a bike that is it's sport-touring flagship. Idiots.

The headlight is ass ugly. The taillights are ugly. The ONLY part of that bike that I even REMOTELY care for is the swingarm. ONLY the swingarm.

Did the designers forget about the fairings until the day before release? They appear to have been thrown on as an afterthought. Take them off and slap them over a stove and I could cook eggs on them. Talk about boring.

In typical Honda fashion, they don't give the consumer what they want. They tell the consumer what they will get. Were they smart, they would have taken all the Photoshops people have been doing for the last 5 years and used that as a starting point for the looks, if nothing else.

My best friend has a 1999 VFR. We have discussed a liter based VFR for years. He told me as soon as Honda built it, he would buy one. Then this abomination came out. Now, he's looking at anything but, because he hates this thing as much as I do, and he has 3 Hondas in the garage.

Gas Man

01-30-2010, 12:00 AM

THe front shot of that thing is disgusting...

Those red bike angle shots are ok....

But damn... from straight on in the front... YUK!

Dave

01-30-2010, 12:04 AM

In typical apple fashion, they don't give the consumer what they want. They tell the consumer what they will get.

fixed :boobs:

pauldun170

01-30-2010, 12:32 AM

101lifts2

01-30-2010, 02:18 AM

Shit is ugly...

pauldun170

01-30-2010, 02:27 AM

Shit is ugly...

Which one?
you mean the bike?

Rangerscott

01-30-2010, 02:36 AM

I also dont get the, "honda builds what they want." Isnt that will all bike companies. I've never read that, "Suzuki added a turbo to their 1000cc bike cause thats what consumers wanted."

Homeslice

01-30-2010, 03:06 AM

I also dont get the, "honda builds what they want." Isnt that will all bike companies. I've never read that, "Suzuki added a turbo to their 1000cc bike cause thats what consumers wanted."

Ever heard of focus groups? Surveys? Manufacturer personnel going out and interacting with dealership personnel, or with riders at seminars, trackdays, etc. There's a wide variety of ways they can learn what the consumer wants. Some do it better than others.

t-homo

01-30-2010, 10:32 AM

Ever heard of focus groups? Surveys? Manufacturer personnel going out and interacting with dealership personnel, or with riders at seminars, trackdays, etc. There's a wide variety of ways they can learn what the consumer wants. Some do it better than others.

Fuck, I agree. I don't care who you are, Honda dropped the ball on this one. Had they done this bike right, it would have been one of the highest selling bikes this year. People have been wanting a liter VFR for years and it would have sold like crazy.

tommymac

01-30-2010, 10:34 AM

Fuck, I agree. I don't care who you are, Honda dropped the ball on this one. Had they done this bike right, it would have been one of the highest selling bikes this year. People have been wanting a liter VFR for years and it would have sold like crazy.

Could be like ducati when they put out the 999 and that flopped in the looks dept and want back to the 916 style.

smileyman

01-30-2010, 12:02 PM

Honda has always stressed design. Always searching for breakthroughs, always seeking innovation. They spend R&D money on robots for Chrissakes.
Everyone wanted a sporty new VFR that was ergonomically sane, some really hoped for a V5. Honda wanted to try new innovations to find the future of 2 wheel transportation...See what we get?

MILK

01-30-2010, 03:38 PM

Thank goodness my 04 only has 36,000 miles on her!!

smileyman

01-30-2010, 04:34 PM

Perhaps, and I am just thinking aloud here, maybe Honda saw diminishing returns in the Goldwing demographic and were reaching out to the surviving and maturing sportbike crowd?

tommymac

01-30-2010, 04:47 PM

Perhaps, and I am just thinking aloud here, maybe Honda saw diminishing returns in the Goldwing demographic and were reaching out to the surviving and maturing sportbike crowd?

Interesting point, I just dont know if the goldwing demographic would be shrinking. I would think most of them are rather succesful people to afford those bikes and to take all the time off to log the miles many do on them.

Homeslice

01-30-2010, 04:53 PM

Perhaps, and I am just thinking aloud here, maybe Honda saw diminishing returns in the Goldwing demographic and were reaching out to the surviving and maturing sportbike crowd?

:?:

If anything, the previous VFR had a more sportbike-like appearance than this new one.

JoshuaTree

01-30-2010, 05:46 PM

The new VFR is fantastic. Finally BMW gets to give up the fugliest bike award to another manufacturer. :)

EpyonXero

01-30-2010, 05:53 PM

Already have some guys on a vfr board be able to test ride one. They said the added weight isn't felt with the added power. It handles just fine.

I'm not sure where people are getting, "handles like shit" from. 1. They haven't ridden it. 2. Everyone was "O snap" when they saw the goldwing dragon vids. So I'm still confused on where the shit is coming from.

Honda knows that most VFR owners are crotchedy middle aged men who HATE change. Id probably ban them from my tests. Leave it to the professional testers who are generally pretty objective.

Rangerscott

01-30-2010, 06:09 PM

Honda knows that most VFR owners are crotchedy middle aged men who HATE change. Id probably ban them from my tests. Leave it to the professional testers who are generally pretty objective.

So there's more "professionals" out there than their are every day riders like you and me?

I dont need a race track bike. I need an every day bike.

EpyonXero

01-30-2010, 07:25 PM

So there's more "professionals" out there than their are every day riders like you and me?

I dont need a race track bike. I need an every day bike.

Not professional riders, professional reviewers.

MILK

01-30-2010, 07:33 PM

Rangerscott

01-30-2010, 10:21 PM

A professional can tell me all day what I need, but that doesnt mean I'm going to like/enjoy/want it.

marko138

01-30-2010, 10:49 PM

kawi made some nice upgrades this year too, I realy liked the fjr more but kawis doing all the right stuff.

Yeah, I just read the article in the latest SR about the updated Connie. How about a company actually listened to what the consumers wanted. :lol:

Dave

01-30-2010, 10:56 PM

Yeah, I just read the article in the latest SR about the updated Connie. How about a company actually listened to what the consumers wanted. :lol:

and kawi still wont get any respect for it

marko138

01-30-2010, 10:59 PM

and kawi still wont get any respect for it
Maybe. It's certainly not the kind of bike I'm looking for, but I can respect the fact that they took consumers wants in to mind.

tommymac

01-31-2010, 02:02 AM

Yeah, I just read the article in the latest SR about the updated Connie. How about a company actually listened to what the consumers wanted. :lol:

I skimmed through that article, but plan to read it next time I am in my office at home :lol:

I think yamaha did similar things with the fjr, I know heat was an issue with the older generations and they adressed that, I guess the ST market is that competitive that they listen to wha tthey have to say.

As for the magazine reviews I usualy take them with a grain of salt, you dont know what sort of bias they have for or against a bike. Plus it seems like all of them now jsut flog the bikes at a race track and post their times.

Kerry_129

01-31-2010, 02:49 AM

I'll withhold final judgement until seeing & riding one in person - but I'm definitely disappointed that it seems to have gone SO much further away from the original VFR's roots. :td:

I 'spect I'll stick with my rebuilt & franken-viffered 5th-gen, and look at an FJR or Connie, or even a 'Busa whenever I add a big sport-touring bike to the stable.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s85/kerry_129/VFRr/IMG_0218.jpg

Phenix_Rider

01-31-2010, 09:55 AM

Sitting on the '09 and the '10 VFR yesterday, the '09 is more comfortable and lighter, and looks better.

Scot

01-31-2010, 02:56 PM

I've had 3 VFRs. A 3rd, 4th and a 5th gen. To me, the 5th gen was possibly the best do all bike I've ever owned. I rode the 6th gen for 4-5 months while bike sitting for a friend who was out west. I didn't like it. The Vtec is annoying. I bet it's the single reason people put exhausts on that bike.

Honda makes the bikes it wants to make...and it makes 1000s more than it can sell. That's why you could buy a brand new 2003 Superhawk in 2007.

To me, Yamaha has been the class leader since 1998. The R1 changed the game. The R6 solidified the win. Honda took 4 years to come out with the 600RR and it wasn't even close.

Kawi and Suz make great bikes but in the grand scheme, can't compete with the other two from a company standpoint.

Homeslice

01-31-2010, 03:57 PM

^ I will agree with that, Yamaha makes the smoothest engines & transmissions in my experience. Also the best fit & finish.

t-homo

01-31-2010, 04:28 PM

To me, Yamaha has been the class leader since 1998. The R1 changed the game. The R6 solidified the win. Honda took 4 years to come out with the 600RR and it wasn't even close.

Kawi and Suz make great bikes but in the grand scheme, can't compete with the other two from a company standpoint.

My 2000 R1 is a testament to that. Over 50,000 miles. Did everything from a track day to drag strip a few different nights to an iron butt last summer and never missed a beat. I plan on giving it as much or more abuse this summer.

Scot

01-31-2010, 05:44 PM

I have a riding buddy who had over 80k on his when it was stolen.

I've seen them go well over 100k with no issues.

dReWpY

01-31-2010, 05:58 PM

i think honda has the fit and finish down pat, they may not be the fastest or prettiest, but damn they will last

Rangerscott

01-31-2010, 06:23 PM

Thirdgen can slap everyone on here with single bike miles. Fist pump to that!

G-Rex

01-31-2010, 06:32 PM

Thirdgen can slap everyone on here with single bike miles. Fist pump to that!

Not so fast there hotrod.....There are a couple of Busa owners on this board that are well over the 50k mark, me included. :D

Rangerscott

01-31-2010, 06:44 PM

Not so fast there hotrod.....There are a couple of Busa owners on this board that are well over the 50k mark, me included. :D

So if you put a 1 in front of the 5 and add another 25k miles, you'd be even?

marko138

02-01-2010, 09:40 AM

I skimmed through that article, but plan to read it next time I am in my office at home :lol:

I think yamaha did similar things with the fjr, I know heat was an issue with the older generations and they adressed that, I guess the ST market is that competitive that they listen to wha tthey have to say.

As for the magazine reviews I usualy take them with a grain of salt, you dont know what sort of bias they have for or against a bike. Plus it seems like all of them now jsut flog the bikes at a race track and post their times.

I read it as a 2 part series while I was on the shitter.