New VFR

[Geoff James]

As a marketing man FB, you will probably recognise the wanky "mass centralisation" phrase as a euphemism for "mass addition". I freely admit I was incorrect in calling it a whale.... a whale is significantly lighter. Oh, and they don't tell you where they hide the Ugly Stick that they beat it with before it leaves the factory.

All that "Marketing Professional" stuff makes me wince. I spent the last 6 years with our corporation as GroupTechnical Marketing Manager. Cutting through the the 6 pages of job spec, it meant that as an almost sane engineer, I'd been brought in to rein in the Marketers from telling too many lies and hopefully mitigate the risk of law suits from aforesaid lies.

Just like Honda marketers telling us it's a sports tourer for starters bl4hbl4hbl4hbl4h

 

[Dark Angel]

I freely admit I was incorrect in calling it a whale.... a whale is significantly lighter. Oh, and they don't tell you where they hide the Ugly Stick that they beat it with before it leaves the factory.

...Hearing the clarion of truth and objectivity, as I bow to the master, I find myself thinking: "I wish I'd written this." :bow::bow::bow:

 

[Jono]

I asked about a test ride at a honda dealer and he said february.:dunno:

FEBRUARY, I couldn't think of a better time of year for a test ride.....or could I? Good ole Honda.:wank:

 

[jono49]

test ride

:-0) Coudnt think of a better time for a test ride I dont mind taking someone else's bike out for a run in the salt and shit...Hope it's not snowing!!!:bang:

 

[Geoff James]

Slick technical specifications do not make a bike a winner and Honda has copped a few disasters in this area before - the MVX 250, CX500 Turbo and NR750 to name but 3 (and 2 of the 3 aforementioned lemons are infinitely prettier than the VFR1200 too:-0)).

If Europe rejects it as a dog, then there's only one place with questionable automotive taste where it might have an chance

 

[Dark Angel]

Let the masses decide.

• The New VFR is a Dog
• The New VFR is NOT a Dog
• The New VFR is not worth the paper it is written on
• The New VFR is the Greatest Bike in the Universe - EVER
• Who Cares? I don't.

Get busy, you people with the power of the Poll Post! :-:

 

[Murt]

I personally don't think it's a 'dog', but also don't think it's 'Not a dog'.

It will probably be a very 'nice', efficient, and mechanically sound bike.
But I don't think it has been 'tweaked' to fit a specific role. (Even if it is ugly)

I spoke to a Honda dealer near me last week ( Do a lot of work through the dealers) and he told me that they don't know how to pitch sales, It's not sporty enough for 'sport'.
It''s not a tourer, or a commuter, or anything else for that matter. And the cost of 'extras' was going to be an issue.

Apparently, The 'normal' tank rage is about 170 miles to the flasher.

He said that originally test rides were doing to be authorised from January, but lots of Management pointed out that they would end up with bent demo bikes, so they have been TOLD to make it start of February!
He also mentioned that the shape of the fairing was something that a lot of European sales people were concerned about, word was that the silver air vents on the main fairing sides actually vent water onto the rider in heavy rain, but this is being addressed ??
He said that heated discussions had been taking place about the final style and kit between the European side and Hondasan, and that had been why it was late being released, Only Hondasan are happy with it.

I have a test ride booked for asap after they are released, but
1. I wouldn't buy a new one.
2. I think they are ugly.

Murt.

 

[mick the knife]

The bigger Honda dealers are recieving demo bikes in November, although the "official" launch parties start in febuary on Valentines day. The reason being the heart symbols everywhere and the shape of the V engine, clever hay.

 

[Dark Angel]

I personally don't think it's a 'dog', but also don't think it's 'Not a dog'... (Even if it is ugly)

It''s not a tourer, or a commuter, or anything else for that matter. And the cost of 'extras' was going to be an issue.

Only Hondasan, Fat Bert and one or two others on B.I.R.D. are happy with it.

1. I wouldn't buy a new one.
2. I think they are ugly. Murt.

I can't post a poll but I wish someone would! It would be interesting to get a handle on how people view this new BMW!

Is it ugly?
Is it not ugly?

Surely it's worth voting on, even though it's just an exercise in futility? :dunno:

 

[Fat Bert]

To all the old men~~~~~

To all the old men on here..........

Who say with all my joint aches and pains, artificial hip replacements, wrists are knackered, back has never been the same since I had my "off" 25 years ago and broke my spine in 86 different places............ I can't ride withour pegs lowered and bar risers......

Book yourself a wee short test ride on the new Blade ..............

Pick a nice sunny day and a piece of favourite road................

See what proper exhilaration and adrenelin is all about ...............

Wind it up in 2nd or 3rd gear to 10K revs - hold it there - drop your head under the very small screen - then wind the throttle on and hold till the limiter says "She'll take nay more Jim" ..............

Then sit up and gently roll off the throttle and let the revs settle at 5K

Go to top of page and repeat 10 times

Then return Blade back to dealer

Then tell me you're bothered what IT LOOKS LIKE???????

The new Viffer won't accelerate quiet like that ...............

But the experience will be similar

And the "Grin Factor" will be immense

Then tell me you're bothered what IT LOOKS LIKE???????

h1t1th1t1th1t1th1t1th1t1th1t1th1t1t

 

[Dark Angel]

To all the old men on here..........

Who say with all my joint aches and pains, artificial hip replacements, wrists are knackered, back has never been the same since I had my "off" 25 years ago and broke my spine in 86 different places............ I can't ride withour pegs lowered and bar risers......

Book yourself a wee short test ride on a Honda Blackbird ..............

Pick a nice sunny day and a piece of favourite road................

See what proper exhilaration and adrenelin is all about ...............

Wind it up in 2nd or 3rd gear to 10K revs - hold it there - drop your head under the screen - then wind the throttle on and hold till the limiter says "She'll take nay more Jim" ..............

Then sit up and gently roll off the throttle and let the revs settle at 5K

Go to top of page and repeat 10 times

Then return Honda Blackbird back to dealer

Then tell me how beautiful it looks!

The new Viffer won't look like that ...............

But the experience of riding it should be better than riding the ten-year-old Blackbird

And the "Grin Factor" will be immense

Only trouble is…

…

…

IT’S fookin’ UGLY!!!

...(Sigh!) ...Come along, David, and DO stop avoiding the issue!! p0pc0rn41

 

[Fat Bert]

Ugly?

But it's not

Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder

It's got an arse sexier than Cheryl Cole.......

Don't get me going on THAT one again!!

 

[Dark Angel]

In the final analysis:

• Is it easy to keep clean?
• Are you likely to trap your fingers?
• Will it want to stop before you do?
• Which looks better?
• Which one would you rather ride?

 

[Fat Bert]

 

[Dark Angel]

...YES-SSSSS!!!

...My thoughts, entirely! :lick:​

 

[Fat Bert]

...My thoughts, entirely! :lick:

"Ability to crack walnuts" springs to mind

 

[bishbosh]

Engineering - great
Looks - dulvillesk (cut and shut), it has to look seamless from front to back, it doesn't; it won't feature in a Pirelli calendar.

For all the time that we've waited, it's just so disappointing. They claim that the bike has all the torque you need, yet skimp on the fuel tank. They claim it is a sports bike first but then find out it has a belly pan weight. And the cost ?12k, who's their target market, if it's weekend warriors then there are finer machines, if it's the tourers then small tank and pinny handlebars aren't going to be great on a long journey, let alone the cleaning when they get back; hip replacement anyone.

Even one Honda spares guy said "I'll reserve judgement until I see it in the flesh" - would never get that from a MV Agusta man.

 

[Dark Angel]

...12K?


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...12-fookin'-KAY?!?!???! s04pb0x6


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...4-5 thousand pounds more than a Blackbird...???? :rant:


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...A bit steep, innit? brok3




... I mean - it's an ugly fooker an' all, that new VFR... ;-0))


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... innit? p0pc0rn41

 

[Fat Bert]

That'll be List price

Almost as much as a Beemer!

 

[Dark Angel]

Birds were 9 odd grand at one time weren't they?

Most I've paid was 8200 with fitted hugger, heated grips and front fender - brand new bike. In the days of Motorcycle City (sigh!) 7200 brand new out of the showroom with 6 months tax, tank full of gas and first service "free".

...And no - I won't be paying twelve grand for a heap of sh-hhhh..... :-0)