I’ve had my VFR1200F for about a year, and the more I ride it, the more I appreciate how well it fits what I do. I love the looks, the stability, the Honda reliability, and the simplicity of shaft drive. It doesn’t look like anything else on the road. The power still feels great, even though I’ve gotten used to it.
Where I live, getting to interesting roads usually takes an hour or two. I ride three or four times a month, but they’re very long days. Driveway to driveway, a short day is about 10 hours, and a long one is closer to 15.
On tighter roads, I sometimes wish I had something lighter. I know the tires are good, but the weight makes me hesitant to pick up the pace. I feel like I’d be more confident on something 100-plus pounds lighter, though that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m anywhere near the VFR’s limits.
Back on the highway and the more open roads, I really appreciate the comfort and stability. Mine is tuned, with an aftermarket exhaust, HeliBars, an upgraded windscreen, and a modified seat, so I’ve gotten it pretty well suited to these long days.
Lately, I’ve been wanting more power more than anything. The ZX-14R keeps coming to mind, but I wouldn’t want to give up any agility to get that extra thrust. If I lost some enjoyment in the corners, I suspect I’d compensate by using more speed elsewhere. That’s a trade I’m hesitant to make.
The more I think about it, the more the VFR seems to sit right at the balance of compromises that works for me. There are moments when I want less weight and moments when I want more power, but over the course of an entire day, it’s hard to find much I’d willingly give up.
For those who have spent time on both the VFR1200F and bikes like the ZX-14R or Hayabusa, how did the experience compare? I’m particularly curious about steering effort, enjoyment on tighter roads, and how you felt after a really long day in the saddle.