Is Honda killing the VFR1200?

sky.high

sky.high

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Are my hopes of seeing an ST replacement sporting a VFR1200 engine all but dashed?
 
I think it’s dead except maybe for the “X” adventure style version.


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The VFR 1200 is a great bike but it didn't quite know what it wanted to be and had a very limited base of riders that appreciated what it was. It does not surprise me at all that Honda dropped it. Was it a Sport Bike or a Sport Tourer or what exactly. If Honda had gotten behind it and marketed it and developed it into a proper sport tourer it would have had better success. They left it to the individual to guess what it was.
 
I looked close at the VFR DCT......in 2011. That's when a VFR looked like a REAL bike. Not these nasty-looking BEAK BIKES. But- I guess the majority rules..because the 'beekers' are selling 3-to-1. Sad.....really!
 
Honda fails to build what we will buy. I wish the VFR1200X had all the options my Triumph Tiger or BMW R1200RS have. I would have one in my garage! Yamaha seems to understand. Come on Honda.
 
okckeith said:
Honda fails to build what we will buy.
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Honda fails to build what a very small niche market will buy. Honda does fairly well at building what sells. When that market slows they move on.

Sometimes it's a swing and a miss, but they seem to be keeping solvent and that would happen if they keep making a bike that keeps sitting on the showroom floor. Like say— STs.

Honda can afford not to support the s-t market and can't justify making the ST a loss leader product. I don't think other manufactures can afford to ignore the s-t market.
 
okckeith said:
Honda fails to build what we will buy. I wish the VFR1200X had all the options my Triumph Tiger or BMW R1200RS have. I would have one in my garage! Yamaha seems to understand. Come on Honda.
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I think it may be so, that Honda don't build what Pan owners want, but they sold 20,000,000 motorcycles last year to someone. I wished I could start a business like this that doesn't know its target audience. I believe Honda know exactly what they're doing and over 400,000 Americans agreed last year.
Will they ever build another Pan, probably not, but just like the GW goes to prove, with many on here saying it's the ST1800 which it obviously isn't, why should they produce a motorcycle for a market that is getting smaller daily.
Upt'North.
 
I nearly forgot......Yes the VFR1200 is dead, long live the VFR1200X. Honda made a sporty, quicker, better handling, better stopping, three luggage box bike and we didn't buy them. Now why won't they devote millions of Yen on a new ST? It's a mystery.
Upt'North.
 
I rode a Viffer twice and I thought the Hayabusa with risers and drop pegs to be a better sport tourer. That said, neither bike matches the long distance comfort of the ST, which I think should be in a different category (touring sport, perhaps?) . I've always been the antithesis of the market, liking what I like and it rarely seems to be a consensus favorite. It comes down to what each person wants, and I'm thankful there was a good used ST out there available for me :)
 
In my opinion, the bulk of the motorcycling public doesn't know quite what they want. How about something with radical acceleration capability, all day comfort, and a sporty appearance, so as not to look too much like a cruiser or an old man's bike... The VFR1200X-DCT fits that description, and is a joy to ride- that's why I bought one. However, it would benefit from having a cruise control feature; I think I'll remedy that shortcoming this year with an aftermarket unit. (Btw, I do enjoy my GL1800 "old man's bike").
Honda has given us a "fork in the road"situation when we grow weary of the ST, the choice for a replacement is either totally touring on a Wing, or embracing the so called "adventure-touring" concept on an Africa Twin or VFR1200X. All great machinery, but nothing directly aimed at keeping riders away from FJR's or BMW's. So had there been a new updated ST available to present a straight-forward path, instead of a fork in the road, Honda's following would have remained more intact, and there would be no moaning and groaning on this forum!
 
okckeith said:
Honda fails to build what we will buy. I wish the VFR1200X had all the options my Triumph Tiger or BMW R1200RS have. I would have one in my garage! Yamaha seems to understand. Come on Honda.
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unfortunately the US market is not the main driver for profits in motorcycles any more. A bunch of old farts (and I mean that lovingly) are not going to persuade any one to build the bike they would like to see and then think about buying one for a couple of years. Asia, Brazil and Europe drive the market now. Thats why Harley is making a big push to get into the Euro market. Millennial's are not into touring, just look at the makeup at STOC events.:usflag1::canflag1::ukflag1::kenya-flag-59:
 
Al st1100 said:
unfortunately the US market is not the main driver for profits in motorcycles any more. A bunch of old farts (and I mean that lovingly) are not going to persuade any one to build the bike they would like to see and then think about buying one for a couple of years. Asia, Brazil and Europe drive the market now. Thats why Harley is making a big push to get into the Euro market. Millennial's are not into touring, just look at the makeup at STOC events.:usflag1::canflag1::ukflag1::kenya-flag-59:
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:old1:...:)
 
Upt' North said:
.... I believe Honda know exactly what they're doing......
Upt'North.
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Honda has no appreciation for scale in motorcycle manufacturing, producing numbers that have little relation to model demand. They overproduce, discount, and discontinue. They're BIG, they can do it! :(

It's almost impossible to get Honda model production and sales, but most numbers I've seen place annual Goldwing sales somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000. Even the vaunted new Goldwing is failing in sales according to both dealer's sales and DISCOUNTED price (currently $5-6,000 discounts can be found on a new model), and 2 years from now there will probably be "new" 2018 Goldwings for sale, new 2019 Wings will probably be available in 2022-2024. Some currently available examples:

Honda Powersports New Inventory :
7 and 8 year old ST1300's
3 and 4 year old Goldwing F6B's
4 and 5 year old Goldwing Valkyrie's
5 year old CTX's
5 and 6 year old Interceptors
2 and 3 year old VFR1200X's

Tom
 
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Upt' North said:
I nearly forgot......Yes the VFR1200 is dead, long live the VFR1200X. Honda made a sporty, quicker, better handling, better stopping, three luggage box bike and we didn't buy them. Now why won't they devote millions of Yen on a new ST? It's a mystery.
Upt'North.
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Not a mystery to me... relative to similar bikes, the 1200X is too expensive, too heavy, no cruise control, no electronic suspension, ugly/cheap boxes, and the heated grips are useless. Plus, it was only here in the USA for 2 years. It was tops on my list as a replacement, but IMO, the Tracer 900GT and Super Tenere are better choices. The DCT is magic though, or so I hear.
 
In my experience, after adjusting settings to suit me, the suspension is very good. The boxes are actually light and strong, and easily removable. However they could use some colour. Mine will be painted shortly. Heated grips useless? That's funny, I find they work very well! And yes, the DCT is magic!
 
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