Honda VFR1200X

[dave1068]

While passing time on this cold winter day, I stumbled upon a used 2017 Honda VFR1200X with 170 miles on it which is a shaft drive ADV bike. It seems to check all the boxes but for whatever reason, this bike never seem to have caught on.

Any one have this bike?

[twowheeladdict]

I looked at them closely back when they came to the States and decided it didn't have the features I wanted for the price they were asking.

https://youtu.be/aCOY7WIOJrI

Here is Zack's review on his commute. For the right price I might have bought it,  but probably  wouldn't still own it.

[tommy2cyl]

Nice bike.  Heavy bike. 611 lbs manual/628 lbs DCT.  V 85 is as heavy as I am wiling to go into the world of gravel and sand. 

[Clifton]

While passing time on this cold winter day, I stumbled upon a used 2017 Honda VFR1200X with 170 miles on it which is a shaft drive ADV bike. It seems to check all the boxes but for whatever reason, this bike never seem to have caught on.

Any one have this bike?

I owned a 2017 DCT. It has a nice engine and DCT transmission (I've heard the manual is nice as well.) Tubeless spoke wheels. Adjustable windshield works well. The bike is heavy and maybe more important TOP heavy. Throttle off idle is a bit snatchy. Seat to peg is good but seat to bars is a stretch. Suspension is marginal with front being very stiff and harsh, with rear being soft and under sprung. Good, solid bike but too heavy, very tall, with marginal suspension, ergonomics, somewhat abrupt throttle, and no CC were the shortcomings for me.

[usedtobefast]

I keep thinking about getting one of these.  Seems their biggest problem is the "lift it off the kickstand" angle/weight.   And they came out at the same time as the Africa Twin, and weighed a lot more, cost a lot more, and first year was black vs Africa Twin red/white/blue.  So not many bought the VFRs.

And then they got lost as they were almost into BMW price range, but didn't come with heated grips, no center stand (stock), no cruise control, not a bunch of fancy electronics (which is a plus in my book).  So guys that could afford them mostly went and got a GS instead.

And it is a shame.  Even new/stock they lean over a decent amount on the kick stand it is really a heave ho to get up off the stand.  But then by moving 3+ mph all is fine. 

The motor is amazingly smooth.  Tons of power.  Handles well.  Can't say it is really a fun bike.  And outrageously reliable.  A lot of "decent" "good" things ... like suspension is good, not great, brakes are good/fine but not a stand out.  Motor fun level is nice, kind of fun, but also a bit boring for some reason. 

Probably a great bike to own & live with but doesn't thrill/excite a person on a 10-15 test drive.

Oh, I've never owned one, but have done 2 test rides on them.

[Clifton]

Wonder what it'd cost to set the valves on that 4V V-4?

[dave1068]

Good points, sounds like a bike that does everything good but nothing great, kind of vanilla. Though some dealers say thats what they like about Honda, not as fancy as italian bikes or german bikes and always reliable...

[twowheeladdict]

Good points, sounds like a bike that does everything good but nothing great, kind of vanilla. Though some dealers say thats what they like about Honda, not as fancy as italian bikes or german bikes and always reliable...

I did an extended test ride on an Africa Twin and came away with the same feeling. The problem is that I rode it back to back with KTM Adventure and Super Adventure models.

It was like comparing a rental trail horse with a thoroughbred  race horse.  They will both get you there but one will be exciting and fatiguing at the same time while the other won't leave a lasting impression.

It is all down to what you want out of a bike.

[dave1068]

Funny you mention KTM, while having my V85TT, my dealer had a used ktm super adv sport, I took it out and did not like it, very fast and powerful of course but the seat was not comfortable. my legs were a bit cramped which is odd as the ktm has a tall seat height, maybe our MGs spoil us 

[BobtheBuilder]

"Seems their biggest problem is the "lift it off the kickstand" angle/weight.  "

Absolutely. This was the only bike I've tried to lift off the side stand and failed 1st time (and I work out regularly). Nearly gave myself a groin strain second time. I guess you get used to it, but it was a real shock. Yes it's tall and carries its weight right up there with it, which does not help, but all the same. I can't imagine ever trying to pick that thing up, even in the driveway, never mind mud and sand.

I attended one of those "Honda ride out days for $10" several years back when the bike was new, specifically to try out the "X - DCT", but tellingly, the guy who rode it before me dropped it so in the end I had to ride the "stick shift" model. 

Interestingly I also test rode (at a different time and place) a VFR1200 sports bike which has basically the same engine in a different state of tune and absolutely loved it. So smooth with huge power everywhere, but the 'X' engine I recall felt completely different, more like a "chugger" than the sport bike's turbine - not sure why. The Sports bike DCT was amazing but oh-so tricky to handle without a clutch at walking speed, especially on a right hand turn where your throttle hand is up against the tank with barely room for your thumb underneath. The throttle was very hard to finesse under those conditions e.g. round a car park or in your garage etc. I actually felt nervous riding it back into the showroom at the dealer. Bought an FZ1 in the end. Can't imagine an "X - DCT" inspiring more confidence. Maybe a bit more clearance for the thumb perhaps, but all that weight is very unforgiving.

[usedtobefast]

Another goofy thing Honda did ... they knocked off like 40 hp from the sport bike engine to move the power a wee bit lower in the rpm range for the X ... and I can't remember the numbers but the X makes like 2 hp more at low rpms than the sport bike, some really bad trade off.  And there is no cheap/easy way to get that back on the X. 

As for the valves ... really, you can just never adjust them.  Guys were at 60k - 80k miles and never needed an adjustment. 

And the KTM comments ... I own a few ... they are like the best 15 minute demo bikes!!  Whee whee whee, ha ha, what fun.   But then living with them day in and day out, not so whee whee.  This Honda, probably exact opposite, so so demo ride, but you would never need to go to a dealer again.  I've heard analogies to women, like super model vs. nice girl next door, but guess we can't talk about those things any more.   

I ended up getting a V-Strom 1000 instead of the Honda X.  Also owned a Stelvio briefly, and the V-Strom just works better for me.  Soooooo easy to ride.  The Stelvio was just too manly/beasty for me ... like I needed to smoke cigars and drink burbon and be like 6'2" 220+ lbs ... and instead I'm like 155lbs and drink white wine.   

[twowheeladdict]

For those who mentioned getting the bike off the side stand, the next time you get on a bike turn the handlebar all the way to the right and then lift the bike off the side stand. On every bike I have tried it lifting was easier.