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BREAKINGWITH TRADITION

With mixed reviews from the world launch Big Dave was prepared to be disappointed by Honda’s all-new VFR1200. He wasn’t. And neither, he reckons, will you.

WORDS & PICS: Big Dave

It’s a shame that the fi rst internet reportage that came my way on the release of the Honda VFR1200 was by

an Editor who vented a minor diatribe at the ostentatious claims published in the Press Release – rather than concentrating on the merits of the machine.

Not long after reading that snippet Mike Esdaile forwarded me some quotes from the VFR online forums where there has also been some ire vented about ‘maintaining the heritage of the VFR marque.’

So after a quick spin (all local importer Blue Wing Honda could swing for us!! Ed) I was delighted to discover that the all-new model is a highly desirable sports-tourer with a strong emphasis on the ‘sport.’

WHAT’S NEW?

The engine for a start.

Honda claims that; ‘the VFR1200F engine was designed to provide its rider

with high speed, quick acceleration and a strong, engaging feeling coming from the engine’s power characteristics. Honda also wanted to deliver the invigorating engine sound and feel that characterise the V4 sports bikes, but with an additional focus on comfortable, responsive power delivery.’

I think they nailed all that except the ‘invigorating’ engine sound. It’s not at all unpleasant sounding, but ‘invigorating’? Not quite.

They also describe the muffl er as ‘handsome.’ Enough said!

To achieve the cocktail of characteristics they were after the engineers responsible for the new VFR pretty much started from scratch, borrowing lessons from the MX and Enduro department (CRF250 & 450F models in particular) to create what has got to be the most compact production V4 powerplant on the market at the moment.

SWEET TORQUER

Displacing 1297cc the liquid-cooled 76° degree V-4 doesn’t quite have the same ‘BAM!’ as a large V-twin at 60km/h,

QUICK FLICKBike: Honda VFR1200Type: Sports/tourerEngine: Liquid-cooled fuel-injected SOHC 76° V4Frame: Diamond-style twin-spar aluminiumWheelbase: 1545mmFuel tank capacity: 18.5LSeat height: 815mmKerb weight: 267kgRRP: $28,500Test bike: Blue Wing Honda

but top gear or spooled up roll-ons are a torquer’s delight, particularly in touring mode. Opening the throttle in a top gear overtaking manoeuvre is simply beautiful.

The new dual clutch system is very nice too; it offers one fi nger operation and good feel. Same for the linked ABS brakes. One fi nger on either lever is all it needs.

The gearbox is also sweet shifting although the test bike did occasionally get a bit cantankerous selecting 3-2-1 down to a halt – but it only had 130km on it when we picked it up and will no doubt

46 KIWI RIDER

be better when run in.

Honda claims the shaft drive is also a breakthrough unit, one which I thought worked quite nicely without feeling different to most modern units. It still gets

that shaft drive ‘on-off-on-off’ when rolling through a 10km/h

roundabout, but apart from that it’s great looking heavy engineering and

not noticeable when riding on the open road.

BEAUTY AND THE BEHOLDER

There’s also been quite a lot of internet ire about the styling of the bike. I really liked it, the two layer fairing system and sports screen worked really well for me; there is also a larger touring screen available, along with panniers and top box and an array of Honda touring goodies.

I had three great fun days doing day rides from base, a lot of city and freeway work and some nice Waikato back roads.

The only real shortcoming I found in Honda’s stated goal of an ‘Ultimate Sports Tourer’ was the fuel range from the 18.5 litre tank. I got around 210km before the light started fl ashing, though again it’s important to point out that the

test bike was virtually brand new and I rode it a gear lower than it needed till I got the mojo (and because it was so nice).

Once it’s run in I’d imagine tank range would be around 250km which is good enough here, though I’d imagine if I lived in Wagga Wagga it would be problematic (not to mention the fuel mileage!)

Apart from that. Wow. Goes, stops,

Look is fresh, modern, controversial. And no we’re not talking about tester Big Dave.

looks, just like $28.5K worth should.

We’ve published the Press Release in full on the KR web site – look for the VFR links on the front page.

Then, if you’ve got that kind of spend, get in to your Honda dealer and test ride one. It knocked my socks off I tell ‘ya. KR

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