The trio did their usual act of pillaging the Fire It Up showroom. In this case, they were after three sport-tourers and they found three goods ones - The Honda VFR1200, the BMW R1200S and the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer.
I really enjoyed my VFR1200,it really suited the high speed touring,handled well ,went very well,quality of finish was great and looked classy. Sadly a Wallaby took me and the bike out at 90 kph otherwise I would have kept it for a long time.170 HP and 129 nm of torque it is no slouch.
The VFR 1200F is a great motorcycle a test ride does not do them justice, ive had mine 5 years it is a great bike, heavy yes but perfectly balanced and so stable at speed and the way such a big bike handles in the corners is amazing i put Metzelers road techs on it and boy do they suit the big VFR, my friends VFR has over 100k on the clock with no internal issues
I bought a 2013 manual VFR1200 and what an experience! Quality all the way, no rattles and the fairing is amazing at 10 years old. Fast as hell, found myself cruising at silly speeds and the bike tracks dead straight. Only sold her to get a mate back onto a bike and he loves her too.....
I bought a 2010 VFR1200F and had it for 5 years. Brilliant bike, but I wanted something different in my life. Traded it in for a brand new VT1300CR in September of 2019. 2 days ago, I bought another VFR1200F, 2012 this time. It's TOO good of a motorcycle. It handles like my old VF500F Interceptor with a 0-60 time of 2.5 seconds. Sure, it's heavy, but I can not feel that weight. The center of gravity is so low, it leans for days and flicks between potholes. The VFR1200 can't wheelie from the factory because they limited the bike in 1st and 2nd (EU also had 3rd limited). $60 to remove the restriction and it doesn't know what a front wheel is until 3rd gear. A little suspension tuning (which the bike is more than capable of) and it's a track monster. It's a tower of power of a bike that I get 160 miles between fill-ups. I still have the Stateline as a nice cruiser, but the VFR is one of the best motorcycles I have ever ridden.
I had an ST1100 for over 20 years and replaced it by a 2012 VFR. To me, the bike feels nimble compared to the ST1100 ;) and I love it. What a super bike, had the ECU flashed and it's a real beast. What surprised me is that I prefer the seat on the VFR compared with the ST1100. I can actually drive longer on the VFR before mo body tells me to pauze, was definitely not expecting this. This bike is way underestimated except by the owners of this bike, I'm completely hooked to this machine...
VFR1200f slow? 10.2 Quarter mile..... 180 top speed ungoverned .... slow? It puts down 140hp+ to the rear wheel (170s bhp). After all these years it's still misrepresented. wow, just wow.....
@ : I've been on many bikes, Zx-14s, Busas etc and it is comparable. I guess if your measuring stick is something absurdly faster than those, then I suppose it would "feel slow".
I’ve had my BMW R1200S for 8 years and have taken it on a number of European trips. I have a Ventura rack system but BMW had an option of expandable panniers. The UK’s Bike magazine called it ‘the best real world sports bike’ back in 2007. I have helibars on mine and can ride all day. I previously owned the R1100S (tweaked for 100rwhp) and it was fabulous but a hip problem made me sell it for the 12 as it’s a lower, lighter, and easier to handle bike. I considered selling the 12 for a VFR12 at one point but seeing as I’d sold my fire blade for risk of losing my license and or Liberty there seemed little point in buying something so powerful and fast again. I’ve run a few bikes alongside the R12 and currently have a Griso 12se that I just took on a 2000 mile trip to Italy via the Alps (one can tour on anything) but I don’t see myself selling the Beemer anytime soon as it’s so bloody good. Maybe when I’m too creaky for it I’ll get a Tracer. The R 12 is starting to go up in value too I notice. Not for everyone, but a great bike.
Christ. No one ever said a vfr1200 had great fuel economy. They really don’t. Plus it must be the worst ever 1200 V4 at 145hp. (Actually 170). Unless we’re talking wheel hp, in which case the BM makes about 90! Lazy derivative reporting. So bored of hearing people slate the VFR using the same old tripe. And I’ve had an R1100 and loved it, and also a MT09 and loved it. But the VFR is actually a fun, fast bike and I’d hope this channel could think for themselves a bit more
So yeah, I LOVE MY VFR1200F!!! I've had it since July. I picked it up for $6,200 USD. I just finished a 300 mile trip on this past weekend and it was awesome all around. 50+ miles per gallon, easy in the curves. Sporty enough to hang, toury enough to be enjoyable when you just want to ride for the sake of riding!!! I don't have panniers though, just my tank bag and a small backpack. The panniers just aren't worth an extra $1100 in my opinion. All of the sports tourers I like as much are all much older than my VFR and harder to find. I plan on buying another VFR1200 in 2020, probably a blue one! Two VFRs are better than one!!!
The funny thing is, those of us who own one can't stop raving about how great the bike is, but the two crybabies in this video hate it because it disappointed them at launch, and not because of the bike itself.
And I think it eats away at a lot of "brand fans" that, 10 years later, this is STILL one of the best sports tourers. Have ever heard one legitimate complaint? This bike has WAY MORE pros than cons. That's why I want to have two!!
I got a 2013 VFR this past year and it is great. I've had many bikes and this one is totally under rated by the press when it came out. Have to admit I wasn't impressed when it came out and having owned three prior VFR's but it makes the 750 and 800's pale in comparison.
The VFR1200F is 170hp. unless your versions got a serious restriction put into them. I adore mine and have a hard time finding a newer bike to replace it with.
@@alanwatkiss7993 Then you would say wheel horsepower not brake hp, which is a dyno measure often reserved for measuring on an engine dyno against a dyno brake, usually a hydro brake.
Shaft drive and hard paniers, that's the definition of a sports-tourer. Having to bring chain-lube on the long trips it's a pain in the arse, you have to lube every day or two days when doing long trips, check the chain tension...
@@mark3863 Do you own a chain-driven bike that you've taken on a long trip? If so how do you perform chain maintenance if you're out for a day several thousand miles trip? I've got a Honda VFR800 that I'm thinking about taking across the US, that's why I'm asking.
I own a Tracer and I picked it bc it is lighter to drag around the garage but still does everything well. But I just can not understand the bullsh** VTR hate. It is a great machine.
It was fun to see each of you guys stake out your position for promoting each of these bikes, and it is what we guys do...and we love doing it, especially after 2 or 3 beers. One thing, though, it is ridiculous to argue about horsepower, and 1/4 mile numbers, because rider skills will trump all other considerations in the final analysis. I can out ride, and leave just everyone behind, other than a pro rider on a high horsepower machine, on my 2004 BMW R1150RS, the Beemer you guys should have chosen for this test. This R1150RS can be ridden faster, with more confidence, than ANY average rider on a much faster and newer machine. I've raced, and had some extremely fast bikes in my life but none of those bikes brought me as much joy, and smiles per mile, than my 2004 RS, not even close. I just love the feel of these big twins, pretty much any big twin, and I'm not alone with this love affair of twins, whether they be the Duc L-twins, V twins of any flavor, the Moto Guzzi iterations; the big Triumph, and BSA, twins or what have you, there is just something really wonderful that resonates within us when we ride them, and it is for this reason, this "feel", the unique way these bikes sound, and ride, that BMW continues to sell huge number of the R bikes....for a lot more money than the S1000 RRs, to boot. Go figure? Anyway, the review was fun watching, other than my sadness for (all of your) your suicidal tendencies: riding on the wrong side of the road, I mean really, you 3 guys have so much to live for, too! Thanks for sharing! Keep the rubber side down, the shiny side up! Amen.
I am buying the Honda in the new year. After researching the bike the one inarguable fact is, that the VFR 1200 has had more shit talked about it by Moto journos than any motorcycle ever. As a used buy now there is no better deal and that is a fact.
I bought a 2011 model with 6000kms on it 5 months ago, spent winter getting it shined up and ready Its a fucking wonderful machine, i hope you find a good one for yourself, i have no idea what i can ever replace this machine with... comfort, tons of power, great handling and second to none quality. Good think its built to last, i could not imagine getting rid of it.
The Bike Show My friend rode a couple of drag races on the 2010 VFR 1200F last weekend, nothing major done to it except a full exhaust system, bigger open air filter and a map, 169hp on the backwheel at the dyno, Honda's specsheet says 170 hp (not 140 hp as you got your specs wrong) at 10 000 rpm and 129 NM torque at 8750 RPM. He did a standing 1/4-mile (400m) drag-race in 10.9 seconds, and you call that bike slow ? It will eat the MT-09 and Tracer 900 for breakfast. I test rode his bike on some curvy roads and while it was heavy going slow, I must say, for fast sweeping curvy roads it handles great for it's weight. I would love to see the old grumpy brit with the 900 tracer in this video take the VFR 1200F for a days tour before trash talking it !
Honda VFR1200F is in a different class than the others. It’s a real premium bike. The used prices of these bikes are steals. I have one with a tune and it’s something like 190hp
I know these guys have previously slated the VFR800 for looking bland and not colourful enough but I reckon it's still a superb sports tourer. True, 105bhp doesn't sound like much these days but for fast road riding it's a perfect amount of power imo. It's lighter than the VFR1200; looks and feels far more sporty, has a much better range but still has the sublime V4 configuration. The 2 older bikes in this test however are good, genuine, old school sports tourers. The Tracer is a great bike but why do we now refer to bikes like the Tracer as sports tourers? It's like referring to a Toyota Rav 4 as a sports tourer car.....
Having owned the 800F (new model) i can honestly say it does not hold a candle to the 1200F in anything but looks (subjective) and price. My 1200F smashes my old 800F around the Nürburgring, the 800 was a great handeling machine too however, but it has none of the ooomph of the 1200, you should test one!
I’ve owned 3 VFR’s , but this 1200 is just to bulky and heavy for me. I bought a Tracer, the same colour as in this test, with just 12000 km, so as good as new. It is a very light bike and feels very light as well. The front springs are replaced by progressive ones and with the topcase and heated grips and a scottoiler it is a very nice bike for commuting and holidays in Europe. But it is sporty as well, I used to race bikes on circuits and this bike gives me so much confidence that I can keep up with sportsbikes on twisty roads. The BMW is beautiful and very good, but not so well equipped and not very suitable for commuting like the R1100S was. My dad owns this last one so I have had quite some experience with that bike as well.
An fj-09 tracer without the suspension fixed is an unbeatable platform. Sport, tour, and wheelies. Absolute shame the fz-10 doesn’t get proper fuel range.
Very similar to the dillema I’m in right now. Currently lusting after a vfr800fi, super blackbird, r1100s, and fz09... you really can’t go wrong with any of the bikes they chose which makes things so difficult
Had one of those last year. Made a tour through northern Europe, VERY good for highway riding, I must say. A fun bike in most of the twisty roads, but not the tightest corners. a little bit to heavy for them. But overall I loved it, miss it a bit and would like to have one in the future again ^^
I vote for the BMW, I have 1 and still Loving it and should correct them, it has 122bhp, still feel modern by today standards and really a fun bike especially above 5k rpm. Should be the best handling bike
Been wondering if you'll ever feature the VFR1200F after mauling the 800. Covered 2575 Miles in 3 and a half days on the VFR1200F, wouldn't choose another bike to ride like so. These fellows bleating about the fuel tank completely miss the point, the bikes with the biggest tanks in that class have a 4-5 litre difference. From the noises, one would think the VFR has a deficit of 10lts.
All this bickering... Was curious about the wind protection on the Tracer, but seeing that all three bikes are best at everything I guess I might as well stick to my R9T. Would have been as good as the rest in this test, no?
I've ridden the Honda and sat on the Beemer and neither have the comfort I need for an interstate strip whereas the Yamaha has practical sporty posture for my longer than average legs. I like that it is both sporty and practical and Yamaha has, according to American statistics the best reliability. So I'd go Tracer, but why oh why do they have to make the things look like transformers? Surely it's time to move on to some new more integrated styling.
I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but really, why did Yamaha have to make it butt ugly? I'd be embarrassed to be seen on one (especially now that I own a 2007 VFR800, one of the prettiest bikes ever made).
A point missed is two up riding which is likely the most common. My VFR1200, two up will still carry more luggage than both those put together, and still out run both the others. No chain to clean, and a V4. What's not to love. And VFR has DCT option which has best of both worlds. Fully Automatic or tiptronic-like clutch leverless manual. I have a 2013 VFR and the only other next bike would be a 2017 VFR which would last me until I can't ride anymore. The "small" petrol tank is not an issue as two up on a motorway (60 - 80 mph) will comfortably do 12 miles per litre( 20km per litre) - 18 litre tank = 200 miles (360) km. However, start blasting it around twisty's and city traffic and that drops to about 9/10 litre per mile. It's heavy though , not a bike for weedy people !!
Why do they feel compelled to follow the ClarksonHammondMay fake bickering format? Would have been nice to have heard what 3 experienced reviewers really thought about these bikes.
That's unusual and an exception. Most guys with this bike, myself included, have very few issues with the rear shock other than it being too soft honestly. The most common issue is the preload adjuster seizing, but that can be prevented with simple maintenance measures. I had mine rebuilt, revalved, and a heavier spring fitted by DMr and it completely transformed the bike. 14,000 miles later and it is still going strong with no issues.
my thinking was there is to much heat build up from the rear cylinders as they are very close to the rear shock . Honda were good after the three shocks they replaced the bike with a new bike but 900 miles later i had the same issue shock spilled its oil on the tyre ,nearly had me off. Honda then gave me all my money back .and i brought bmw .but still think the vfr1200 was a great bike just not for me.
let me add "for the price". I would love to own a KTM, Ducati or BMW (xr), but all of these are rides are very costly to purchase and maintain. So for the laymen I find the Tiger 1050 to be the Best All Round Sport Touring Motorcycle, of course you can no longer purchase them in the US. But I will always feel it was the Motorcycle that started this "Sport Touring/Comfort" trend we see today. ~Ride to Live
@@Texarmageddon The Sprint was nice, but I still think the Tiger 1050 is the best Sport Touring for the money, and No Sir, my Tiger 1050 is not an Adventure Bike, it's a Sport Touring bike, leaning more towards the Sport, with the engine from the Speed Triple at it's heart.
I had a fuel injected Blackbird getting on for 20 years ago, fast and reasonably comfortable, but not sporty. I also had a K1200S about 12 years ago, still fast and comfortable but only slightly more sporty. I had a R1200RT about 5 years ago, brilliant tourer with heated armchair comfort, but nowhere near sporty. I bought a new GSXS1000FT about a year ago, which was a bargain, is comfortable, can tour and is quite sporty (as long as you avoid looking at its ugly Maxi Scooter face).
4 года назад
The Honda is miles ahead on build quality, refinment, design, comfort, power. Ecu flashed is a 270 km/h confortable freight train.
@sexiewasd No idea what you mean with underperforming suspension Get it adjusted (as you should with any bike) Its comfy and i can scrape knee day long at the track, what more do you need?
Yamaha is the most reliable brand according to Consumer Reports. I disagree about the comment about Honda being more reliable. I’ve had both brands. My Yamaha was a little better bolted together.
Lots of other bikes missed out on. I'd go for the Honda VFR800F over the VFR1200F for a fuel tank that lasts and a lighter ride. Also what about a used Kawasaki Z1000SX or Triumph Sprint GT? (Although I'd much prefer to take a VFR on a sporty ride with mates... I'd do a tour of Europe on the Sprint with a pillion and the commute to work on the Kwak)
The power is stunning. Ungoverned and on the open road, the 1200F makes zx-14s and Hayabusas sweat; Litre bikes aren't going anywhere; 750 and 600 squids are crushed. You'd give that up for a larger fuel tank? wow. I'm ready to take break after a couple hours of open road anyway, so the tank was not an issue.
I tried the Honda, Z1000SX, and Tracer in 2017 all 2 up and I choose the Z1000SX with honda a close 2nd and the Tracer miles behind rides like a rocking horse.
I was just thinking about the ZZR1100 and ZZR1200. Those were my first choices before buying my VFR but, theyre rare in the states...in good condition anyway
Lawrence Collins yes. Smooth and locomotive power. Excellent wind protection. Shame the zzr1200 doesn’t have a larger following and aftermarket. In a corner mine would drift/step out under 70-100% throttle or hook and wheelie. Can’t imagine an H2SX modded to 230hp...
Sports tourer needs racer replica body style with roomy and comfortable ergos/seats to be called a sports tourer. Out of these three only VFR(V4 Racer) is a pure sports tourer. BMW so and so. And Tracer???? LOL. Did someone say....Adventure tourer...well...'nuff said.
Correct! Yamaha 0.52 vs VFR 0.63 and don’t forget the 42Nm advantage the VFR has, and let’s not forget the 184km/h(-7% speedo error) top speed after Don Guhl reflashed the ECU BTW The legendary hayabusa has 0.74 weight to power ratio...
The old dude on here simply hates Honda motorcycles , He hated the mk2 cbf1000 he hates the vfr 1200 f and crosstourer and the crossrunner Honda could get Carsberg to make them a bike and he would slag it off. The vfr was slated for it's low tank range ,but the tracer is listed as having a lower tank range than the vfr ,the old guy talks Bollocks
I have a challenge for you guys: find a SPORTS tourer for two up knee down riding. So, 130kg rider 80kg passenger, with panniers, top case, tank bag, still goes like stink. And for lets say less than 10.000€. I ride like 25.000kms a year and 1000km days are common.
How about the Kawasaki Ninja Z100SX? It handles like a sportbike, it's comfortable for both rider and pillion, it's got panniers from the factory, it's faster than most people can handle and on top of that, you can find a used one for about 10K. Isn't that the ultimate sport tourer? :-)
@@Brgnalf81 Hmmm...I haven't ever ridden it, so I'll take your word for it! In any case, I really like its instrument panel, it looks fantastic, like the cockpit of a plane :-)
I have right now almost one year and something a Bmw R1200S With High Bars on it. The R1200S has I think the most uncomfortable seat in the whole Galaxy , and maybe until Tattouin in Star wars. R1200S it's an extremely good sport motorcycle for people who know what they want from a motorcycle with boxer Engine. Love it but it's my second motorcycle after Aprilia RSV Mille Gen 1 , yes it's so uncomfortable that my gen 1 mille it's more comfortable.
I’d eliminate the bmw right off because in the states, you can’t get them worked on everywhere and initial costs and repair costs are higher than the other two. Between the Yamaha and the Honda I would have to go with Honda because 1, I’ve owned and driven Honda bikes thousands of mile with very little maintenance. 2 Shaft drive.
Dont know the BMW but it looks way too sporty but the Tracer is just garbage bad cornerin and after 180km its just unstable. The VFR was much more confy and its very good just a little on the heavy side
