It seems that I have upset more than one VFR1200 owner/fan with my declaration that the VFR1200 is the bike nobody wants or needs. Now the comments are coming in anonomously, so they get deleted. If you can't put your name to a comment it isn't worth anything.
The latest thread is back to the old "Dullsville" theme - implying that I should ride a VFR1200 before commenting on it. Well that particular sword cuts both ways, and as they obviously have never ridden a Deauville (NT650V or NT700V) then they should keep their comments to themselves until they have.
Anyway, it seems that I'm not alone in my view as we have now had 2 UK bike magazines do comparisons of the VFR against it's main rivals. One is a straight shoot out with the Suzuki GSX1250F which the VFR looses because while the Suzi is built around budget suspension it has a stonking engine and everything else the VFR should have, and as the magazine (MSL) points out, a suspension upgrade would cost under £1000 which still leaves it £3000 cheaper and better equiped than the VFR. The other (TRD) was a comparison with the Ducati Multistrada ABS and the BMW R1200RT which it again looses due to it's lack of equipement when compared directly with bikes in the same price bracket (but where it is still the dearest of the 3 which are better equiped while still costing less money).
So the only motorcycle magazines that laud the new VFR are those that don't compare it directly with others in it's class (that probably applies to VFR1200 owners too) and even they comment on it's fuel consumption combined with it's small fuel tank - "low fuel light coming on after "just 120 miles". I'll close this piece with a quote from the end of the road test done by TRD:-
"The VFR has a fantastic engine, but also a heavy chassis and conservative geometry that place handling firmly in the realm of touring. The upside is a stable ride that's extremely comfortable for the rider, and the pillion too with it's wide seat and substantial grab rail. But don't get too comfy as you'll be stopping for petrol soon."
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