First off I have to start out by saying thanks to Amercian Honda for giving me the opportunity to go out to Santa Barbara to demo this motorcycle. While I still remain an avid fan of a street cruiser, the Honda VFR1200F DCT is a pretty nice ride if you like sport-tourers.
*Honda's VFR1200F DCT in a lovely shade of candy red
Honda VFR1200F: standard model vs. DCT
First off, let’s just clear up a little confusion. There are two versions of this motorcycle. There’s the standard model of the VFR1200F, with a regular clutch lever and toe-shifter. Then there is the DCT version. DCT= Dual Clutch Transmission.
Honda's VFR1200F standard model: regular clutch lever
VFR1200F standard model: toe-shifter
Well, so what does that mean?
The DCT allows the rider to ride in either manual mode or automatic mode. If you’d like to ride in automatic mode, there are two options to choose: D-mode for regular operation and S-mode for sporty riding. Or you can ride in manual mode, but instead of your typical clutch lever and toe-shift you have paddle-shifter-type controls that deliver the same shifting response as a manual transmission.
Detail of the DCT: above the power button you can see the switch to put it in either Automatic/Manual mode. In automatic mode you can use the grey switch for a "drive" or "sport" mode.
Detail of the DCT: if the bike is in manual mode you use the paddle shift to change gears. No clutch lever or or toe shift. You shift up in gears using your index finger and pressing the grey triangle, down shift with your thumb where the "minus" button is.
And in Honda-speak:
“The Dual Clutch Transmission configuration employs independent clutches for the odd-numbered gears (1st, 3rd, 5th) and the even-numbered gears (2nd, 4th, 6th), respectively. The two clutches operate alternately to effect gear changes. For example, when changing from 1st to 2nd gear, the computer detects the up-shift and engages 2nd gear, then releases the 1st-gear clutch while engaging the 2nd-gear clutch to achieve a smooth gear change. It’s a fast and efficient transition that delivers extremely quick shifts.”
fans have nicknamed it "The Buffalo."
During the presentation of this bike the first night we were in Santa Barbara there was a lengthy chunk of time dedicated to the tech and engineering behind this bike. A lot of thought went into making the VFR1200 a very comfy and performance-oriented motorcycle. I won’t get too in-depth with all the technical details, but here are some basics stats (full specs listed at Honda’s website).
Engine: 1237cc liquid-cooled 76-degree V-4
Transmission: six speed
Final Drive: Shaft
Wheelbase: 60.8 inches
Weight: 591 pounds (VFR1200F) / 613 pounds (VFR1200F with DCT)
Seat height: 32.1″ (probably not a great option for vertically challenged people. Again, at 5’7″ I had no problem with my feet hitting the ground comfortably.)
Fuel Capacity: 4.9 gallons
Induction: Programmed Fuel Injection
Front Brake: Dual full-floating 320mm discs with CBS six-piston calipers with ABS
Rear Brake: Single 276mm disc with CBS two-piston caliper with ABS
Front Tire: 120/70 ZR-17 radial
Rear Tire: 190/55 ZR-17 radial
Color: Candy Red
Accessories to consider
Every bike, no matter how well engineered, always needs some extra accessories to make it a little more comfortable for the rider. While there are many accessories for the VFR1200F, here’s a few that I would definitely consider:
Windscreen deflector: has 3-position adjustability that attaches over the standard windshield. Not as much buffeting with the addition of this screen.
VFR1200F windscreen deflector
Heated grips: sure, heated grips are always nice in theory but sometimes the design doesn’t really follow through and your digits still end up out in the cold. These grips are smaller in diameter and the coil shape is designed to distribute more heat to your fingers. A definite benefit on those super-cold riding days.
VFR1200F heated grips
Center stand: while I don’t really care for a center stand, many folks definitely prefer one for a bike like this. But it’ll cost ya a little extra.
VFR1200F center stand
If you’d like to see the full line of accessories you can download this PDF (1.1mb).
Overall, this is a pretty good looking motorcycle with a lot of bells & whistles. Honda is very excited about the VFR1200F and is definitely positioning this as a premium ride (and perhaps to rival BMW’s K1300S?). The standard version of the VFR120oF is now available in dealerships starting at $15, 999 (the DCT model is around $18k).
Next post: VFR1200F, the ride and review.