VFR1200 Update

[keith_stepp]

Am I seeing that right? A "sport" bike that is shaft driven?

[NCDave]

yep!

[V2K_CCTX]

shaft drive is NOT a true sports bike

[NCDave]

Sure it is. it may not be as efficient, but it's still a sport bike by style. I would not classify the new VFR as a super-sport though. Sport, yes. SS, no.

[fastpakr]

Yep, more of a cross between sport and sport touring than super sport. Much as I wouldn't necessarily have classed the Vulcan 500 as a cruiser, as it's closer to a standard in riding position, engine tune, weight, etc.

[stickboy]

Another point that they are merging the line with the ST1300... I think this is their new bike to compete with the beamers like the 1300GT. In a way it even looks more like a beamer.

[V2K_CCTX]

certainly...it just doesnt look to be a ZX14/Busa warrior

[bross]

Originally Posted by V2K_CCTX

certainly...it just doesnt look to be a ZX14/Busa warrior

Why not? In all reality who can use the top 1/3, heck even the top half of the power of those bikes. Speed up to 100, torque available for passing, after that all you're buying is bragging rights because no one with any common sense is going to be riding on the street at 8/10s on any of those bikes.

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by bross

Why not? In all reality who can use the top 1/3, heck even the top half of the power of those bikes. Speed up to 100, torque available for passing, after that all you're buying is bragging rights because no one with any common sense is going to be riding on the street at 8/10s on any of those bikes.

That's his point!

[Bubba68CS]

Common sense goes out the window while on a ZX-14.

[NCDave]

I have a feeling that common sense would be a close second on the new VFR too.

A buddy of mine talked about test riding one of the new BMW sporties and how it was pulling the wheel off the ground. I've got to imagine this would be similar. I'll be curious to see the dyno chart of the new VFR compared to others like the ZX and Busa.

[V2K_CCTX]

ditto

[keith_stepp]

Originally Posted by NCDave

Sure it is. it may not be as efficient, but it's still a sport bike by style. I would not classify the new VFR as a super-sport though. Sport, yes. SS, no.

Well... the new BMW sport bike is also shaft driven.

Hmm. Everything I have read is that sport bike riders do not like the flex in the frame caused by the torque from the shaft. Maybe its been worked out.

[NCDave]

Seems like it would depend on what you are going to be doing with the bike. Certainly if you wanted to take it on a track or something, then there would be flaws, but from initial impressions I read at the site above, even on the track, the bike performed very well, and transmission, etc worked far better than anyone expected it to.

A lot of times I take "expert" writeups on all bikes with a grain of salt because the are being ultra critical of bikes in order to try to differentiate them. In real live, most bikes are far more capable than the rider, and any of them would be a hoot to ride.

[bross]

Originally Posted by NCDave

I have a feeling that common sense would be a close second on the new VFR too.

A buddy of mine talked about test riding one of the new BMW sporties and how it was pulling the wheel off the ground. I've got to imagine this would be similar. I'll be curious to see the dyno chart of the new VFR compared to others like the ZX and Busa.

My father in law bought a K1200S this summer and he says it's like riding a cruise missile. Not that anyone's ridden a cruise missile but he said it's just this endless rush of acceleration, pretty much from any speed. He likes it.

His old bike is a CBR900RR so he knows what fast is. He thought the CBR was fast, until he rode the K1200.

[NCDave]

I just hope one day to get a chance to ride one. I KNOW I won't be buying one any time soon. Who can afford that much cash???!!!

[bross]

Originally Posted by NCDave

I just hope one day to get a chance to ride one. I KNOW I won't be buying one any time soon. Who can afford that much cash???!!!

He bought a K1200 and got a good price on it, and he felt he didn't really need the extra oomph of the K1300.

Not much difference between the ZX14 and K13S, current Canadian prices:

ZX14 $16,099
K1300S $16,990

and the K comes with heated grips and ABS so basically the price is a wash.