Took one of these out today on an official honda demo day and was well impressed. When your doing 70/80 you feel your doing it unlike the blade where you feel your doing 30. I really liked it and the sound when the vtec comes in is superb.
I've owned a VFR750, 2 VTECs and am currently riding an early VFR1200. I've loved them all and don't understand all the opprobrium heaped on the VTEC. It handles beautifully and anyone who has a problem with the surge as the second set of valves chimes in is just a bit picky IMHO. My pillion and I love the 1200, but it clearly upset the journos for not being a Blackbird.
Cracking bike! Borrowed one from work for the weekend and love it. Don't think I'd swap the blade though
Fancied one to be honest, I was awaiting the new release with great anticipation, then 'for me' honda went and shagged the looks of the thing, just like they did the VFR1200
I had old VFR800 lovely bike! Mrs didn't want to pillion so made doubly sure that decision wouldn't change and got a Blade
This is my old VFR, brilliant bike, real quality, more than enough most of the time for most riders, but if you want that insane kick-ass rush now and then that only a 1000 can give then it's lacking. I moved onto a ZX9 after this which was a fairly common move for VFR riders at the time and although not as quality as the VFR I prefer it.
This one was mine. Very comfortable bike and I did a lot to it to make it better.......but it was still for me an awful bike.
For me it was a nearly bike but not great at anything. Toured ok but not as good as some. Fast riding was awful as she was a heavy bike for her size. Suspension was cr*p, brakes were adequate. Then there's the elephant in the room, the vtec. For some the transition was relatively smooth, mine was downright dangerous. A number of time when riding progressively I'd be mid corner or mid roundabout and it would lurch forward and then lurch back when it kicked back in again, shocking IMHO. Conversely when I jumped on the blade within five miles everything felt right. Brakes, suspension, handling, power etc etc etc.
The VTEC thing spoiled it for a lot of people, the best description of it was 'Honda's solution to a problem that nobody had'. They've apparently solved the vtec 'kick' now but it's still a whole bunch of added complication for little or no benefit.
This was my VFR800 Got it from a dealer (Ebay) and it used to be a Police Bike, undercover I assume. Went to Le Mans on it and it would eat up the miles no problem Quick too when you got the extra umph to kick in Only fault was how heavy it was and glad I traded it in for a Blade
This is an interesting thread for me. I am quite interested in the new VFR as L is ragging me constantly about coming out on pillion. The Panigale’s removed rear foot rests and passenger seat (if you can call it a seat) are not conducive or in my opinion safe for a passenger let alone the two cylinder power delivery. I am not planning on selling the Ducati but thinking about buying something else as well to keep her with a smile on her face, and off my back. I plan on asking my local dealer to lend me a VFR at some point but in the mean time I would be interested in hearing others thoughts if they have ridden it.
I appreciate the comment SPS but for me, the cross runner just looks plain horrible, it might be ideal for what I am looking for but I am not sure I could live with looking at it next to the Ducati every time I open the garage doors.
I had a VFR800 Vtech when they first came out. I found the Vtech tricky when it kicked in. Then I had a power commander fitted and had a custom map and it was so much smoother, it didn't lurch at all. Great tourer and has some speed, but not the handling when pushing hard.
I had a 2009 VFR didn't have any problems with the VTEC, I believe it was revised a lot in that year. The engine was far too complicated for the role it had, the V4 was thirsty (sub 40mpg) and servicing costs a fortune. Apart from that it was a great bike, the suspension was ideally suited to crappy UK roads while still handling well, the luggage was brillliant for touring and I could do 300+ miles in a day with no discomfort. I even did a track day on it and kept up with most 600s. IMO if it had a 1000cc IL4 it would be a perfect road bike.
