1000F to VFR1200; or to maybe GOLDWING??
#1
1000F to VFR1200; or to maybe GOLDWING??
Hi guys -- OK, I know we're all fanatics when it comes to the 1000f but how many of you have actually ridden a VFR1200, or even a Goldwing?
Lucky me got invited to Australian dealer, Jeffrey Honda, to a test ride day on both these bikes. I spent 5 hours there, on the bikes and also with Sam Schepis, National Sales Manager, Honda Australia who gave insight into many questions I have been asking myself ( and I note others have here). [Is the VFR a bike looking for a market? Why dump the Blackbird? When will the double clutch model be available for test ride? Will there be a faired tourer model? .... and many others.]
I'll give some fuller write-up later but for a fanatical 1000F rider I was surprised by the torque of the 1200, the power change @ 4000rpm as the second exhaust is opened and then the rush of power starting @ 6000 RPM. FWIW - It is definitely nearer to a VFR800 replacement than a 1000F/Blackbird.
Interestingly I have been known to say 'I'd never ride a Goldwing. What's the sense of them? I'm glad I've had the chance to ride one. Mostly surprised how agile it was through the hills and certainly a bike that, I guess because it has been around for so long, doesn’t seem to have any faults in what it dose.
Hey guys; still got my 1000F, but if you get the chance see if you can get a test ride on these newer bikes.
Here is some pics of a mate of mine on the bikes, along with Geoff Bull, the dealer manager; and the Sam Schepis, National Sales Manager, Honda Australia.
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/ph...eat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/ph...eat=directlink
Lucky me got invited to Australian dealer, Jeffrey Honda, to a test ride day on both these bikes. I spent 5 hours there, on the bikes and also with Sam Schepis, National Sales Manager, Honda Australia who gave insight into many questions I have been asking myself ( and I note others have here). [Is the VFR a bike looking for a market? Why dump the Blackbird? When will the double clutch model be available for test ride? Will there be a faired tourer model? .... and many others.]
I'll give some fuller write-up later but for a fanatical 1000F rider I was surprised by the torque of the 1200, the power change @ 4000rpm as the second exhaust is opened and then the rush of power starting @ 6000 RPM. FWIW - It is definitely nearer to a VFR800 replacement than a 1000F/Blackbird.
Interestingly I have been known to say 'I'd never ride a Goldwing. What's the sense of them? I'm glad I've had the chance to ride one. Mostly surprised how agile it was through the hills and certainly a bike that, I guess because it has been around for so long, doesn’t seem to have any faults in what it dose.
Hey guys; still got my 1000F, but if you get the chance see if you can get a test ride on these newer bikes.
Here is some pics of a mate of mine on the bikes, along with Geoff Bull, the dealer manager; and the Sam Schepis, National Sales Manager, Honda Australia.
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/ph...eat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/ph...eat=directlink
Last edited by Naga_Thai; 06-19-2010 at 02:44 AM.
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Nice post Martin ...
I still think that after only one ride on an early Gold Thing that I had about 15 years ago , I still would be bothered by there inevitable limitations of that type of bike ... just not my cup of tea really ...
As for the 1200 , I will always have a problem with the cost of a new one ...Must be my age catching up with me I spose ... but I certainly think that if you are in a position to spend that sort of money on a bike ...hey why not !!
Me .... I still get everything I need from my good old 1000F...
May be one day I will see things differently ....lol
Still , nice to hear about them from you Martin ...sounds like you had a great day mate !!
I still think that after only one ride on an early Gold Thing that I had about 15 years ago , I still would be bothered by there inevitable limitations of that type of bike ... just not my cup of tea really ...
As for the 1200 , I will always have a problem with the cost of a new one ...Must be my age catching up with me I spose ... but I certainly think that if you are in a position to spend that sort of money on a bike ...hey why not !!
Me .... I still get everything I need from my good old 1000F...
May be one day I will see things differently ....lol
Still , nice to hear about them from you Martin ...sounds like you had a great day mate !!
#3
Great post Martin !
I have to agree with Steve-o though - the Goldwing is just too much like a bus.
The new VFR - Not my cuppa tea, either. That's not to say it isn't powerful, modern design etc but it is more of a streetracer in disguise than a replacement for our beloved 1000F.
If they came out with an updated Blackbird, with the Bars from a 1000F, I'd be much closer to raiding my piggybank.
Good pics too Martin !
I have to agree with Steve-o though - the Goldwing is just too much like a bus.
The new VFR - Not my cuppa tea, either. That's not to say it isn't powerful, modern design etc but it is more of a streetracer in disguise than a replacement for our beloved 1000F.
If they came out with an updated Blackbird, with the Bars from a 1000F, I'd be much closer to raiding my piggybank.
Good pics too Martin !
#4
When I bought my 1000RR last December my wife was pushing me to buy a Gold Wing instead. I told her that it just wasn't my style of riding but if she'd let me get the sport bike urge out of my system for 3 years or so we would talk about the Gold Wing thing. I pointed out that 99% of my riding would be solo and I just cannot picture myself having fun on a big, heavy bike like that.
I did test ride the Kawasaki version of the Gold Wing (Vulcan?) about 20-something years ago. To me it felt like a Volkswagen on two wheels. No fun at all.
I did test ride the Kawasaki version of the Gold Wing (Vulcan?) about 20-something years ago. To me it felt like a Volkswagen on two wheels. No fun at all.
#6
#7
The new vrf is much like the Hurricanne when it came out, some finds it beautiful some finds it ugly, but take a look and the overall shape of the fairing is a bit closer to the original 100 f than you think, I am not saying it is the same but there is mre than a hint in it, i tested the verf and the position is very near the 1000f, a bit more legromm and the wheelbase is aqquite teh same, the difference is in the rake of the forks, no it it is not a replacement, the second gen blackbird missed production because it overan it,s devellopment period... but guys, look at this this way, there are the 4 inlines fans and v4 fans, i am a four inline fans.. so hopfully they 'll come with a replacement for the 1kf or the blackbird...
Have a good day
Have a good day
#8
personally, i'd be comparing the st1300 and the interceptor if i were looking to ditch my 1k for something a little more comfortable and a little less racetrackish. the gw especially has way too much collateral, and the 1200 has not grown on me yet. dunno how the model lineups compare down under tho.
#10
I had a good look at the VFR last time I was in the dealers. I was surprised by the size, it looked much bigger in the photos, but I was less surprised by how ugly it is. Did all the bike manufacturers employ cartoonists and designers from the Transformers movie?
Now the GoldWing. Hmmmm, I always said I couldn't see the point. Once it gets that big and blinged ... and with a trailer, you may as well take the car. BUT, for the kind of riding I do the GW actually makes sense.
I'm not sure what I should do right now. The choices are;
Fill in the Ulysses membership form.
Sit in my rocker and reminisce about 'the good old days'.
Shoot myself.
Now the GoldWing. Hmmmm, I always said I couldn't see the point. Once it gets that big and blinged ... and with a trailer, you may as well take the car. BUT, for the kind of riding I do the GW actually makes sense.
I'm not sure what I should do right now. The choices are;
Fill in the Ulysses membership form.
Sit in my rocker and reminisce about 'the good old days'.
Shoot myself.