Honda VFR1200 or ST1300 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Honda VFR1200 or ST1300

S

Sam Z

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Happy New year everyone!

Hope you all got to enjoy your Christmas with family and friends.

For years I rode sport bikes and now that I am getting older (in my early 40s) I am looking to do more long distance rides at comfort. I Always wanted a gen 6 Honda VFR800 (2009 Wht/blk) which was the last year produced in North America, however it did continue on to 2012 in Europe. I got lucky and managed to purchase one last year with 6500km stock and got to enjoy riding it last summer by adding 3k and now at 9500km. The bike is amazing and fun, especially when it hits 6500/7k RPM which the Vtec kicks in. I also kept my 06 Honda CBR1000 and the VFR is no where close in the same class but is not always about speed. Love both bikes as I plan to keep both. I thought the VFR was going to be more comfortable with adding heli bars but there is still a good lean on the sitting position. Unfortunately the bike did not come with panniers so I was a bit disappointed but I knew I wasn't not going to find another one with such low km. I Last year I also had an 03 Yamaha FJR but sold it as I found it to be top heavy, though much more comfortable that the VFR though. I have been researching on the VFR1200 and the ST1300 and definitely leaning more towards the ST as I find it to be more upright in position and all come with panniers. Correct me if I am wrong, would it be fair to say the VFR1200 will have the same sitting position as the VFR800 Gen 6? If so I think the decision is easy as the ST will provide much more comfort especially when adding the highway pegs allowing your legs to almost fully stretch.

Your opinions will be appreciated

Thank you all
Sam
 
I found the vfr uncomfortable for something that big that is supposed to be sport touring.

Sent from the future
 
So I’ve had two fifth generation VFR 800’s from new, a ‘99 and an ‘01 which I absolutely loved. In 2008 was looking to replace my VFR but didn’t care much for the current VTEC version. I came across a killer deal from Brampton Cycle on an ST1300 ($13,700 + HST) . I thought it would be similar to the VFR just bigger and better. Initially I thought that I was right but after a few thousand kilometres some things became very clear. It was not nearly as sporty or as thrilling to ride as my VFR. All the guys I rode with had 600 and 1000cc sport bikes and I had no problem keeping up with them at highly illegal speeds on the street. Maybe I wouldn’t have at the track but I could hang with them on the street no problem and do it in comfort. I know a guy that took the Freddie Spencer race school. Freddie rode a fifth generation VFR while the students rode CBR 600’s. My buddy said most of the guys were squids that couldn’t get any where near Freddie never mind pass him. Sorry getting off topic. Anyway, the ST1300 was great riding two up with luggage, the massive torque would just pull you up mountain roads with minimal shifting and was great on long trips. Rode it to Boston, New York, New Orleans and Memphis a few times with nothing more than tire and oil changes. Now the down side, as reliable and comfortable as it was, I felt like I was driving my dad’s Buick when I rode that thing. It was just not very exciting. Didn’t handle like it was on rails at high speed like the VFR. I always attributed that to the odd tire sizes on the ST1300 but not really sure. I just could never fall in love with that bike and actually gave it away two years ago.Having said that, decent ST1300’s can be had for under $5000 if your looking for a reliable touring bike. Hope that helps.
 
Bobo said:
So I’ve had two fifth generation VFR 800’s from new, a ‘99 and an ‘01 which I absolutely loved. In 2008 was looking to replace my VFR but didn’t care much for the current VTEC version. I
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I've ridden both the 5th gen and 6th gen VFR800s. The newer model is definitely a step backwards with handling, especially with that VTEC bump, but IMO, it does look better than the older model. I've always been a sucker for undertail exhausts.

Bobo said:
Now the down side, as reliable and comfortable as it was, I felt like I was driving my dad’s Buick when I rode that thing. It was just not very exciting. Didn’t handle like it was on rails at high speed like the VFR. I always attributed that to the odd tire sizes on the ST1300 but not really sure.
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I think the wet weight of ~700 lbs might have something to do with that.

I'd expect it to handle corners like a derailed locomotive.
 
SunnY S said:
vfr1200 all the way what a beaut
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Def a good looking bike but I don't understand why the none DCT model ONLY came in Candy Prominence Red in North America. Europe got the pearl sunbeam white which looks beautiful.
 
Bobo said:
So I’ve had two fifth generation VFR 800’s from new, a ‘99 and an ‘01 which I absolutely loved. In 2008 was looking to replace my VFR but didn’t care much for the current VTEC version. I came across a killer deal from Brampton Cycle on an ST1300 ($13,700 + HST) . I thought it would be similar to the VFR just bigger and better. Initially I thought that I was right but after a few thousand kilometres some things became very clear. It was not nearly as sporty or as thrilling to ride as my VFR. All the guys I rode with had 600 and 1000cc sport bikes and I had no problem keeping up with them at highly illegal speeds on the street. Maybe I wouldn’t have at the track but I could hang with them on the street no problem and do it in comfort. I know a guy that took the Freddie Spencer race school. Freddie rode a fifth generation VFR while the students rode CBR 600’s. My buddy said most of the guys were squids that couldn’t get any where near Freddie never mind pass him. Sorry getting off topic. Anyway, the ST1300 was great riding two up with luggage, the massive torque would just pull you up mountain roads with minimal shifting and was great on long trips. Rode it to Boston, New York, New Orleans and Memphis a few times with nothing more than tire and oil changes. Now the down side, as reliable and comfortable as it was, I felt like I was driving my dad’s Buick when I rode that thing. It was just not very exciting. Didn’t handle like it was on rails at high speed like the VFR. I always attributed that to the odd tire sizes on the ST1300 but not really sure. I just could never fall in love with that bike and actually gave it away two years ago. Having said that, decent ST1300’s can be had for under $5000 if your looking for a reliable touring bike. Hope that helps.
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Thank you for the detailed explanation. I def don't want to ride my dad's Buick LOL. Sounds like the ST is better for long rides but does not have the the appeal the VFR has. I have been wanting to ride to Halifax and not sure if the VFR1200 will do it and I am not ready to spend $40k for a HD Road glide which isn't the most reliable bike I have heard. Spend $40K+ and will have to spend more money on maintenance. I know buying HD isn't about reliability but rather riding a brand.
 
Never tried a VFR 800, but have seat time in FJR, VFR1200 and ST1300. If you came off an FJR, go back, it's the best of the bunch. Faster, lighter and rideable in urban settings.
 
If I were to go the sport touring route again I would seriously consider an older BMW 1250 RT . My Buddy lent me his for the day this summer and I absolutely fell in love with it. More comfortable than my ST1300 and just handled way nicer and felt much lighter and more agile. Transmission felt a little clunkie until you got use to it. Power was more than adequate for spirited riding once you learn how to ride the torque curve of the twin rather than rev it like a 4 cylinder. Don’t let the nerdy looks fool you, that thing handles beautifully at a fast pace.
 
+1 for the R1200/1250RT.

Although it sits on the touring end of the sport-touring spectrum, the boxer engine with the low centre of gravity handles like a dream. Quinn Redeker is a Ventura County police officer and he wins the CHP skills competition every year with one. The newer ShiftCam 1250 motor makes a lot more power than its 1200cc predecessor and the bike has always been super-comfortable.

 
Lightcycle said:
+1 for the R1200/1250RT.

Although it sits on the touring end of the sport-touring spectrum, the boxer engine with the low centre of gravity handles like a dream. Quinn Redeker is a Ventura County police officer and he wins the CHP skills competition every year with one. The newer ShiftCam 1250 motor makes a lot more power than its 1200cc predecessor and the bike has always been super-comfortable.

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Yes, a lot of people just can’t get past the fact that it’s a twin, I was one of them until I rode one.
 
Sam Z said:
Thank you for the detailed explanation. I def don't want to ride my dad's Buick LOL. Sounds like the ST is better for long rides but does not have the the appeal the VFR has. I have been wanting to ride to Halifax and not sure if the VFR1200 will do it and I am not ready to spend $40k for a HD Road glide which isn't the most reliable bike I have heard. Spend $40K+ and will have to spend more money on maintenance. I know buying HD isn't about reliability but rather riding a brand.
Click to expand...

The VFR1200 will take you Halifax no problem. I did Gaspe on my 2003 VFR 800. Just get some good luggage and go!
 
Lightcycle said:
+1 for the R1200/1250RT.

Although it sits on the touring end of the sport-touring spectrum, the boxer engine with the low centre of gravity handles like a dream. Quinn Redeker is a Ventura County police officer and he wins the CHP skills competition every year with one. The newer ShiftCam 1250 motor makes a lot more power than its 1200cc predecessor and the bike has always been super-comfortable.

Click to expand...
Wow, I lived in Ventura for years and rode the canyons with him a few times. Never knew he was CHP allstar, I knew him as Ventura Co cop.. but that was 15 years ago.
 
robertv19 said:
The VFR1200 will take you Halifax no problem. I did Gaspe on my 2003 VFR 800. Just get some good luggage and go!
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I remember looking at a VFR 1200 when they first came out, I never rode it or sat on it but it didn’t look nearly as comfortable as the 800. I’m turning 60 this year and wouldn’t want to ride to Halifax on either of those two bikes.
 
Rode a VFR1200 at Rock the Red when they first came out ...was just trying to sort what the purpose of a bike that would do 120 kph in first.
Never did get the VFR800 I'd wanted for a long time. 😢
 
VFR1200 was 100lbs heavier than it should’ve been (especially at that price point). It also had a tank smaller than it should’ve although they made it a bit bigger in an updated year.
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