3700 miles - End of Season

I got the service and panel replaced, I have only managed an abysmally poor 600 miles, I have been using the bike this month but it is it's last day today as I will now sorn it for the winter.  By the time I re-tax it, it will be three years old and due it's first MOT.  Goodness me, I will have owned a bike long enough to MOT it.

It is still a great bike and I feel it is probably one of the best i have owned for all round ability.  It is not going anywhere but staying in my ownership, that must say something after all the bikes I have owned.

Hopefully next year I will make better use of the bike, in the meantime the Pan is being pressed into winter duties and a new bike arrives in a week.  A new 2012 Brooklands Green Triump Thruxton.

3171 miles

2 years, only 3000 miles.  To be fair I have been busy with quite a few bikes.  I took the VFR up North last weekend and had a blast.  Such a good bike, it has a lot of power and is very sure footed.  I love being on the R1, nothing beats it for precision but for me the VFR can come very close to an almost perfect road bike.  Yet again you have to remember that it is a shaft driven long wheel based motorcycle.  It is due its service and I am getting the rear panel replaced under warranty, a common fault and very odd on a bike that is so nicely put together.

I stepped away from it for a while, the Pan, the CBF and the R1 but I think our future will be secure, I can never justify the huge loss of money nor will I ever be able to afford such a good bike and so it is staying put.  Hopefully start to get the miles together.

A very good bike ruined by Honda's misguided advertisement up and then the full accessories give away after only 6 months, whilst us poor first adopters got nothing.  Still I am not bitter.

2815 miles

Yes I still have it, Nearly 2 years and who would think that me and the 1200 would still be one.

Just returned from the dealers to get the latest ECU update, i was having an occasional fuel glitch. The only black mark against a brilliant bike.

I have just recently added an R1 ro my collection, but I have pledged to use the VFR everyday, first off all to get some use out of it and to also see if the issue is resolved. A years warranty left so better now to see if there are any issues.

Had an amazing 500 mile day out around Scotland, comfort was just perfect, way beyond my expectations. Without doubt I could have done more. It is a truly brilliant bike, being under utilised by me, but I have to say it was made for me, I just wish I could get out on it a bit more. Ah well there is always next year.

2229 Miles

Bike went for it's annual service, nice to be on it again, the poor bike has been neglected and the ST1300 has been getting the miles. Time to re-bond, but i have had it over a year, it's had an annual service which was very reasonable.

It's such a brilliant bike to ride, i am going to make a lot more reasons to get more miles under my belt. It is a awesome bike, so easy to ride.

Sunday 2146 miles

I invited my brother to come along for a run, i let him take the VFR 1200 and we took the Pan. Good day out and my brother had nothing but praise for the VFR. Being a ZZR1100 Man since the first one, he really appreciated the power but was blown away at it's handling. Seeing it ridden by someone else I could not but admire its posture and its sound.

2048 miles

Well, a few days commuting out to work but the poor VFR keeps getting pushed to the side as the Pan takes over the daily commute.

However, I hope this year to take the VFR for some great solo runs. it is an amazing bike and if you are a sports bike only person then you are always going to roll this bike out and leave the ST behind. You might also be surprised by how good a sports bike this sports/tourer labelled bike is. However the Pan just ticks all the boxes most of the time. Poor VFR, Honda called it a road bike and that it certainly is. Probably the best.

2012

Bikes sleeping in the garage for now, just got through a month of bad snow, see my comparison link for an update.

1775 Miles

After a day spent doing the garden, a nice evening run seemed a good way to finish of the day and it did not let me down, wonderful bike, perfect balance of power, comfort and real road handling. Lovely machine.

1737 Miles

Just everyday commute miles but its been overtaken by the Pan which now has over 1800 miles and is a good 2 months newer.

Still no complaints on the VFR other than the ones that I have already mentioned.

1654

Trip to Edinburgh, very enjoyable, I am amazed how easy it is to switch between the VFR and the Pan. Both Awesome bikes.

1622 miles

A solo Scottish circuit of 150 miles today. In the last 5 weeks it has been nothing but the Pan. So when the opportunity arose to give the VFR a blast, I felt duty bound to do so.

I was curious, had i missed it, would it feel strange, was the love affair over, has the Pan damaged the VFR's position.

First off, a beautiful day 22 Deg on the gauge, a lovely bright warm day with fantastic dry roads.

Two different bikes normally always has the affect that one bike might feel odd when your have been on the same machine for weeks. However the VFR felt great and comfortable and I never felt anything other than right at home.

I rode up to the golf ball near Kinross then out on the chicken farm road and onto Yates O' Muck-hart. The Glendevon road was closed to Crieff so I headed out on a lovely narrow twisting road to Dunning. I had a 2 mile detour which lead me to a dead end at one point.

I eventually got on the Perth motorway and hit the middle of Perth, I took the St Johnstone Stadium turn of and turned left towards Crieff.

I then went through Crieff and headed out to St Fillians were I stopped for a nice coffee and a huge Peace of carrot cake. I then rode the Lochearnhead, a great piece of road and got a pretty clear run at it.

I then headed back down towards Callander and then made my way to Stirling but eventually heading towards the A9 to the forth road bridge.

A full circuit of 150 miles, I filled the tank at Dalgety bay and refilled it there on the return. Overall 45 Mpg and the tank was good for another 30 miles at least.

The bike handled flawlessly and I did at once stage get a bit carried away with the overtaking, some of it verging on the stupid but I never felt out of control and always felt the bike was going to do and go exactly were I aimed it.

Its a very confidence inspiring bike and very easy to live with, my backside was beginning to ache near the end but it was a great day both weather wise and riding was an easy pleasure on probably the finest road bike ever.

However could I have enjoyed the day on the Pan. yes indeed and somehow I really wanted to take it when I opened the garage.

I can't explain it, if I had jumped from the VFR1200 and sold it and got a Pan then you could think that I was just trying to justify it but to be honest I own both and having nothing to gain by bumming the Pan up but even after this run I still felt closer to the Pan, I know strange.

1479 Miles

A trip to work, thats it, weather not been great, Pan been out instead.

1459 Miles

Took the bike up to Kennoway for a run, had a nice run, amazing power but friendly with it.

1398 Miles

Bike still going strong not been on it much in the last few weeks. The fuel consumption I think is improving, managed 60 miles before the first digit flashed. Hesitation seems to have improved to since I stopped using the more expensive fuel.

Picking the Pan up on Saturday, another running in beckons and a new blog. It will be interesting to compare both.

1270 miles

Bike still going strong, Mines seems to have missed the recall notice. No problems other than the odd fuel stutter. Bike is still a delight to ride.

As far as two up goes i have given up trying, it is just to powerful. Even being restrained. It would be fine for a hardy passenger who is prepared to put up with the strain and vibes but for the normal pillion it is just too much.

So with that i mind I have purchased a new Honda ST1300 Pan European for two up duties. Getting it in a few weeks. We tried a demo out about a month ago and we got on with it so well. A few weeks later the opportunity arose and i have taken it.

So mostly solo work for the VFR1200 now and I can't honestly say there is not a better bike on the planet for it.

So What Do I think So far

A great bike, a realistic everyday road riders machine. After my stint on the Fireblade I can honestly feel that Honda have got it bang on.

Its a sports bike for the person who wants a fast bike delivered in a more relaxed way, it feels so much more planted and secure for quick road riding and the power is delivered in waves of creamy silky smooth V4 with 172 very content happy galloping horses.

It plush, beautifully made, the more you look at it the more you love it like a sculpture. As for riding, each mile is another mile toward's motorcycle heaven, the ultimate experience of two wheels. Man and machine flowing as one entity through a timeless mist towards mechanical foreverness.

i need to get a life, it is just a very very good bike.

First Service Now 673 miles

Took the bike for its first service, I also got the center stand fitted along with the hugger, the top box will be at the end of the month.

Whilst I was at the dealers I was given the opportunity to test drive a Fireblade. This was an interesting chance to see what the blade felt like. I have to admit to always wondering about the blade. I was a little worried that I might like it to much.

The blade is a great bike but for me there is nothing my VFR1200 cannot do that the blade can for my style of riding. All the blade offers is more discomfort and a more edgy nervous ride, it felt flighty and needed to be reved a lot harder.

It confirmed what I already knew that these types of bike are not for me. I once owned a ZX10R and for me the blade was a step better but still too track focused. I did a good 50 miles on the blade by the time I returned my wrists ached and my fingers were numb.

The good thing was it just confirmed to me what a perfect bike the VFR is. Now I know you might expect me to say that but this was what I really felt. VFR's Plural are just so much more realistic road bikes for most everyday riders.

If anyone wants a track bike then they will want the blade but if you in the market for a good roadsports bike (Aka Honda) then I would urge you to test drive both bikes. You just might get a surprise.

Anyway first service done and a pleasant ride home. In the afternoon Eileen took a half day off and we went out to Powmill, one of my favorite milk bars. We had a pleasant run back taking in some new roads. Eileen had a nice afternoon and another 60 miles under her belt as a VFR pillion.

In the evening I did another 20 miles to force the fuel warning on and this time hit 133 miles. So again very good this had involved several different runs.

I washed the bike and enjoyed the new center stand making cleaning chores so much easier.

Mileage running still

The next run planned was a two up trip from my home in Dalgety Bay. Sandy my brother joined us again on a hit or miss day weather wise. Also for my partner the back of the bike was still a bit of an effort and I think she was apprehensive to say the least.

So I had two tasks, one to make the ride more comfortable for Eileen by driving with more consideration, the second task would automatically follow as this meant a true tour mode ride and I would see what the tank range was like in this mode.

As previously stated in an earlier post at a minimum I wanted 120 miles.

We set off and headed for our first stop at Lochearnhead, normally we stop at the Loch side toilet facilities but I have to admit to feeling a bit cold by the time we got there. My eyes detected what turned out to be a delightful Little coffee stop.

Hot chocolate and cake followed, I asked Eileen how she felt and she said she was fine and that the leg cramp she had experienced on the first short run we did was gone. She was comfortable but still felt she was having to put a bit of effort into holding on. Still by now we had done 60 miles and she seemed relatively sprightly and in good cheer so things were looking more positive.

We pushed on, the next stop was the Drovers Inn on the way to Loch Lomond at a place called Inverarnan. Ignore the date on the photo's I don't have a time machine, please click to enlarge.







Ok an expensive bowl of soup and a bit off rain and we were on our way, we rode down the side of Loch Lomond on a lovely twisting road however very busy with traffic.

From there we hit Stirling and I now had my fuel indicator flash at 136 miles. Excellent this is what I was looking for, the bike is still running in so this should also improve with miles and I have still to experiment with the higher octane fuels. But this places the bike well in the tour range i need.

We covered 168 miles and Eileen was more than happy and got more relaxed as the ride went on. Once I get the top box installed I think Eileen will feel a bit more secure also making the seat less slippy might help.

Nice day out though despite the rain and the bike was faultless nothing negative to report.

My new bike ordered a short delay and then before I knew it I am standing outside the showroom with my new machine being photographed outside Two Wheels by David.

New Bike Ordered

He was right, he could smell the taste of a sale and here I am his latest prized trophy. Of course I say all this in Jest, David was as usual a great help and really went out his way to soften the deal.

I rode a hundred miles that day, just here and there, getting used to the bike, nothing to get used to, it felt every bit as comfy as the 800 and the fit, feel and finish way beyond it.

The creamy power, V4 addiction still in place, still very much home and at the end of the day I had to remind myself it was shaft drive. My brother also approved.

Another fifty miles were totted up taking Eileen my partner out for a hot chocolate at one of our favourite haunts. Initially she felt a little cramped with her legs on the way there but she was fine on the way back. It was cold and I have ordered the top box to make it more relaxing for her. Time will say how it will be for her but I think it will be fine, I hope.



Monday 26th – The Ritual run in to Tyndrum
So far no real chance to assess the bike, you need a good run for that, there was nothing negative to report up to now.

Sandy had agreed to tag along, this was nice as we don’t do much biking together anymore, we used to spend a lot of time in the 80’s and 90’s riding his bikes, me as the willing pillion, all leading edge bikes at the time, CBX550, GPZ900 and ZZR1100, indeed the bike he was riding with me today was the ZZR1100.

He is a keen photographer and was looking for a good opportunity and today was it. We also decided to rig up the video camera also.

At his house and we got everything set up. We left the camera off and decided to wait until we got to Lochearnhead. Sandy took some photos and we turned the camera on at Lochearnhead.






It is a great stretch of road, it is certainly one that will live with me long after I stop riding, let’s hope I don’t need the memory.

Sandy at one point appears for the camera and shows his old girl can still muscle it, you do need fairly big muscles though.



The next section is up towards the Killin Turn off, near the Tix Tolls. Another great road, from there we headed up to Tyndrum. Petrol and lunch followed; at this point we decided to swap bikes. I don’t know who was more nervous me or him. I decided that we would ride down to Killin.






A great run, we pulled over in Killin. Sandy was blown away with the bike, enjoyed it much more than he was expecting. With that, the die hard Kawasaki man and I swapped back. I spoke to a nice chap on a Honda Pan ST. One of the highlights of biking is always the other riders you meet with their bikes.

We set off and headed to Kenmore, I had an outstanding time in the saddle, rode the best I think I ever could, it was very much a man being at one with his machine and the open road. Unfortunately you will have to trust me as the camera ran out of battery at Killin.

We rode on down to Powmill Milk bar only to have missed a much needed coffee by minutes. We swapped again and rode back to Kinghorn.

A tremendous day, a tremendous bike in a country I am proud to call my own. This was a perfect bike on a fairly dry day with my Brother who I have shared so much with.


VFR1200 – First thoughts 350 miles
It is always an expected cliché to say the latest bike you buy is always the best. I have had bikes in the past were the first few hundred miles have cast doubts on my choice of bike.

Comfort is usually one element that can raise its head only after a few hundred miles and not on a test drive.

No such fear with this bike, I Certainly felt a full 400 to 500 mile day in the saddle would be no problem.

The style of this bike is long wheelbase and that always means more room, the handlebars are just perfect for me. I am 6 feet and under 14 stone, fits me perfect.

Handling: - perfect for the road, stable, firm, controllable, easy to put right, really it rides itself. Defies its weight, the 800 was good but this is just so much more plush.

Brakes: - Really good, too good at times, you have to get used to them but again perfect.

Engine: - Absolutely incredible, silky smooth transcending controllable never ending avalanche of non intimidating drug induced hypnotic seductive delight. Sorry brilliant just does not say it.

Transmission: - It has a shaft you know, or at least I think it is, no it is, just had a look. It’s that good. I have always been a lover of shaft drive, from my very first one on the Honda CX500 almost 30 years ago. But on a sports bike and this is a sports bike, it’s not a touring bike, its not.

Gear change indicator, every bike should have one. One missed gear going into 5th other than that perfect, smooth.

So far so good, you can tell I like it, I loved my 800 but this is above and beyond, they are both V4’s and Mr Honda’s perfect engine configuration in the perfect bike.

I guess I can not sign off without mentioning the fuel and tank range, its been up for so much debate and caused so many negative reviews.

I am going to keep a fuel record but at the moment I am running it in, which means that I am keeping the engine loose, not really using the gears in an economy mode.

I think though that my original target of 120 to 140 in touring mode should be safe but very spirited riding can see the light come on at 106 miles, this is still 35 mpg, much the same as the VFR800 if pushed, which considering the extra 450cc and power is really very good.

It may still leave the debate open to whether Honda should have squeezed a bit more out of the tank. However this is not a touring bike and if you compare it with other standard sports bikes it is what you would expect. Getting my head to accept that and others is not so easy.