(My) VFR1200F

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Discussion

bolidemichael

Original Poster:

13,866 posts

201 months

Tuesday 28th September 2021
quotequote all
I've come across some interesing documentation.

An accesories brochure

2013 Press Pack

European accessories brochure

carinaman

21,298 posts

172 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
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Sorry to read about the scrapes. I was away from motorcycles for longer and use a little, light motorcycle. I've yet to drop it but did trip over myself trying to wheel it backwards up an incline into the garage. The bike fell onto it's sidestand that was down and I landed on my arse. The motorcycle sustained slight cosmetic damage as I hit it on my way down to the ground.

bolidemichael

Original Poster:

13,866 posts

201 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
quotequote all
Aah yes, I'll update everyone else.

Last night, in my haste to access a petrol pump for V Power (the guys had told me that I didn't need to queue on two wheels), I forgot the width of the bike and scraped a large metal bollard.



Ironically, I was having a discussion with myself as to whether I should've removed them prior to leaving the garage.

Then on the way back, exiting a side road and trying to take a 90deg turn around a vehicle, the weight caught me off guard at low speed and the bike flopped onto the offside!



I haven't recorded all of the resultant damage - there are a couple of small marks on the main fairing and amazingly nothing seems broken... but for my pride. There are also marks on the engine casing, which is irritating.

I'll try and remove most of them with this kit, that has been sitting unopened and unused for a couple of years now



I've also had a look at the only service invoice that I have from 2019/17k and it was just the oil+filter and f+r pads. The seller said that the 2020 service was just an oil service, and I'm awaiting confirmation of work from Crescent.

If it is the case the valves haven't been done as per the recommended service schedule, then I'll probably bring the 32k mile forward and do valves, coolant, brake fluid, clutch fluid and get it into optimal running condition. I may also bring the MOT forward from Feb 2022 in order to harmonise the MOT and annual service. I don't fancy heading out in February to get an MOT done, tbh, though who know, by then I might have re-awoken the hardy biker of days gone by.

snagzie

450 posts

60 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
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Not the best of days eh

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

253 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
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Go veeeeery steady with that thing. Dead easy to burn through the paint, especially on convex edges.

Scrump

22,018 posts

158 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
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I did similar on my VFR 800 panniers (although only after a really long and tiring leg of a European journey).

Most of it polished out but not all. Ended up with a pin up girl (with Union flag) sticker on each pannier.

bolidemichael

Original Poster:

13,866 posts

201 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
quotequote all
snagzie said:
Not the best of days eh
Well, I did manage to fill up with V Power though and arranged insurance through MCE. "Always look on the bright side of life..."whistle

SpeckledJim said:
Go veeeeery steady with that thing. Dead easy to burn through the paint, especially on convex edges.
I'm just grateful that it happened now as a timely reminder and that the boy wasn't on the back.

Scrump said:
I did similar on my VFR 800 panniers (although only after a really long and tiring leg of a European journey).

Most of it polished out but not all. Ended up with a pin up girl (with Union flag) sticker on each pannier.
I'll give it a go and see what happens, Scrump. In some ways, the 'battle scar' is kind of cool, as it resembles the Honda 'wing' motif!

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

253 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
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bolidemichael said:
In some ways, the 'battle scar' is kind of cool, as it resembles the Honda 'wing' motif!
This is the kind of crucial post-rationalisation that keeps us from simply giving-up and curling-up into a little ball.

That's the spirit! smile

snagzie

450 posts

60 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
quotequote all
bolidemichael said:
snagzie said:
Not the best of days eh
Well, I did manage to fill up with V Power though and arranged insurance through MCE. "Always look on the bright side of life..."whistle
Oh gawd.... MCE.....

Hope you don't have to claim!

bolidemichael

Original Poster:

13,866 posts

201 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
quotequote all
SpeckledJim said:
bolidemichael said:
In some ways, the 'battle scar' is kind of cool, as it resembles the Honda 'wing' motif!
This is the kind of crucial post-rationalisation that keeps us from simply giving-up and curling-up into a little ball.

That's the spirit! smile
I now recall the first month that I took ownership of the S211 E500 after having run the 'beater' V70 for a while, I was completely unused to the dimensions and just having a nicer vehicle - I reversed it into a low bollard in Waitrose and it was a sickening crunch.

Having run the 'beater' Fazer for a while, I got to adopt a new mindest for the VFR. Now that I've 'popped' that 'cherry', I'll get on the correct mindset of vehicle care.

bolidemichael

Original Poster:

13,866 posts

201 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
quotequote all
snagzie said:
bolidemichael said:
snagzie said:
Not the best of days eh
Well, I did manage to fill up with V Power though and arranged insurance through MCE. "Always look on the bright side of life..."whistle
Oh gawd.... MCE.....

Hope you don't have to claim!
What do you reckon of my chances so far then? laugh

bolidemichael

Original Poster:

13,866 posts

201 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
quotequote all
I was explaining the situation with the bike to my brother and in doing so, I realised that it was the full tank that caught me out and exacerbated the issue. In my haste to get back and fill the other bike, I wasn't as cautious as I could've been.

Now that I've realised that, I'm much happier.

I've had a look over the bike and there are a couple of battle scars, but I think that it could/should be alright with a polish and anything else I can titivate in time should it irritate me sufficiently.

nordboy

1,464 posts

50 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
quotequote all
Glad you like it. Shows how different people have different perceptions.

Personally I think the VFR1200 is just about the worst modern bike I've ever ridden. I find it has poor build quality for a honda, the rear shock adjuster just fell off ours and nearly ended up in the rear wheel, which could have been interesting. It's very uncomfortable, painful for any sort of longer trip, poor tank range and is pretty agricultural. I will go out of my way not to ride it.

Bob_Defly

3,679 posts

231 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
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I'm going to get side (soft) luggage next year, this is my main worry! (not remembering the width)

bgunn

1,417 posts

131 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
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nordboy said:
Glad you like it. Shows how different people have different perceptions.

Personally I think the VFR1200 is just about the worst modern bike I've ever ridden. I find it has poor build quality for a honda, the rear shock adjuster just fell off ours and nearly ended up in the rear wheel, which could have been interesting. It's very uncomfortable, painful for any sort of longer trip, poor tank range and is pretty agricultural. I will go out of my way not to ride it.
C'or, talk about go out of your way to piss on the OP's chips. What's the saying? If you don't have anything nice to say..

myvision

1,946 posts

136 months

Friday 1st October 2021
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bolidemichael said:
I'm 5' 7", if there's any reference points from you both.
I'm 5'9'' and i have a puig screen on mine and find that it deflects the wind really well for me.
On the VFR1200 facebook page there is a lad that makes custom seats they look good but i don't have one so don't know if they are comfy. Mine came with a different comfort seat already on it.
I can recommend a PC5 for it as I had mine tuned on a dyno to lose the snatchy low down throttle it runs two maps which i can switch between from the left bar.

bolidemichael

Original Poster:

13,866 posts

201 months

Friday 1st October 2021
quotequote all
Bob_Defly said:
I'm going to get side (soft) luggage next year, this is my main worry! (not remembering the width)
This morning with the boy on the back for the first time, I was repeating to myself 'width and weight, width and weight, width and weight'.

To be honest, they're really not too wide, but I'd been riding the Fazer in the day and keen to execute my stealthy petrol (authorised but inequitable) queue jump.

I also did feel a slight slip from the front Dunlop Roadsmart this morning -- perhaps just me but we'll find out in time.

bolidemichael

Original Poster:

13,866 posts

201 months

Friday 1st October 2021
quotequote all
bgunn said:
nordboy said:
Glad you like it. Shows how different people have different perceptions.

Personally I think the VFR1200 is just about the worst modern bike I've ever ridden. I find it has poor build quality for a honda, the rear shock adjuster just fell off ours and nearly ended up in the rear wheel, which could have been interesting. It's very uncomfortable, painful for any sort of longer trip, poor tank range and is pretty agricultural. I will go out of my way not to ride it.
C'or, talk about go out of your way to piss on the OP's chips. What's the saying? If you don't have anything nice to say..
I know where you're coming from bgunn, but nordboy was quite careful to clarify that there is a difference in perception, hence preference, so his comment read to me as being constructive.

The rear shock is a known weak point and mine was replaced under warranty since 2019 by Crescent Honda. Your experience sounds alarming, however!

Uncomfortable and painful is obviously something that I cannot comment on just yet, but it comes equipped with Heli Bar risers. Also, note my feedback from Sussex motorcycles chap, the outer material on the OEM seat hardens with age -- the less pliable that it is, the greater the discomfort. The is certainly something that I'll look to address in time with a little research. Perhaps something with two stage heating as per the Sargent set up. The boy would love that.

There is also the option of adjustable rear sets.

Tank range will only be poorer for my right wrist! hehe
In my case, I confess that it'll outpace my bladder, so I'm okay in that respect!

As for the agricultural engine... I'm classifying that under 'character', which is one of the main things that drew me to a V4 over an IL4 (okay, with the possible exception of the supercharged Kwakker). It also sounds rather nice with the akrapovic, which makes me happy.

Perhaps you inherited a second hand one with deferred maintenance? I suspect that the valves are needing done on mine; for fear of contradicting myself, there is an agricultural element to the idle that the service will address.

Edited by bolidemichael on Friday 1st October 09:15

nordboy

1,464 posts

50 months

Friday 1st October 2021
quotequote all
bgunn said:
C'or, talk about go out of your way to piss on the OP's chips. What's the saying? If you don't have anything nice to say..
I wasn't intending on pissing on anyone's chips, I was sort of making the point that it's great that as bikers we all like something different and that there's a great choice of bikes to be able to find one you like.

Personally I hate the VFR, for the reasons I mentioned. I guess I just don't fit it properly, and just don't like anything about how it rides. I have an old '02 Fazer thou in my garage, have had many over the years and that's all i have left. Great bike, well it would be if it was actually running!!!!

I do get to ride bikes in work, one of which is the VFR, also have a new R1250RS among others. Love the R1250RS, possibly over the years the best all round bike I've ever had. If I was spending my own money tomorrow, it's what I'd buy.

It's great that we have the choice and different likes, be a sad day when we all had to ride or drive the same vehicle.

black-k1

11,927 posts

229 months

Friday 1st October 2021
quotequote all
bolidemichael said:
Aah yes, I'll update everyone else.

Last night, in my haste to access a petrol pump for V Power (the guys had told me that I didn't need to queue on two wheels), I forgot the width of the bike and scraped a large metal bollard.



Ironically, I was having a discussion with myself as to whether I should've removed them prior to leaving the garage.

Then on the way back, exiting a side road and trying to take a 90deg turn around a vehicle, the weight caught me off guard at low speed and the bike flopped onto the offside!



I haven't recorded all of the resultant damage - there are a couple of small marks on the main fairing and amazingly nothing seems broken... but for my pride. There are also marks on the engine casing, which is irritating.

I'll try and remove most of them with this kit, that has been sitting unopened and unused for a couple of years now



I've also had a look at the only service invoice that I have from 2019/17k and it was just the oil+filter and f+r pads. The seller said that the 2020 service was just an oil service, and I'm awaiting confirmation of work from Crescent.

If it is the case the valves haven't been done as per the recommended service schedule, then I'll probably bring the 32k mile forward and do valves, coolant, brake fluid, clutch fluid and get it into optimal running condition. I may also bring the MOT forward from Feb 2022 in order to harmonise the MOT and annual service. I don't fancy heading out in February to get an MOT done, tbh, though who know, by then I might have re-awoken the hardy biker of days gone by.
Not a good day, especially managing to get both sides in the same day. I feel for you! frown