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#1 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Setting my hair on fire.
Yes, this post is just an excuse to show off my new pride and joy. No, I don't have a thing for orange pearl metallic 4cyl Honda touring bikes... it was just a coincidence. I do love the color though. It POPS in the sun. Anyway, I brought it home today. It's sad to see the Goldwing go, but it's really nice to have an EFI bike, and something so pampered that it still has new bike smell, even when its 8 years old. I have wanted a VFR1200 ever since they were introduced, even though my plan was to get a NEW bike, this is good enough.
One thing I really need to get used to though is the power. This is the most powerful bike I have ever owned at 170hp, and just lightly breathing on the throttle makes this thing pick up speed beyond my comprehension. Getting on the highway on the way home I gave it maybe 1/4 throttle in 5th gear and went from 60 to almost 100mph faster than my Goldwing goes from 60 to 70. Around town I really have to be careful...it takes 1 second to end up in felony speeding ticket ranges. It needs new tires, and I am not a big fan of the exhaust on it. I think the only other gripe I have is the suspension is too soft for me, but I expect that with every bike I buy because of my size, so a new rear shock and some magic in the forks are on order as well. I love it though. This is the first bike I have ever bought that I actually wanted to own. Usually I buy something and spend tons of money turning it into something else and upgrading it. This needs very little for me to be happy, and I love the styling. I also love the factory panniers, they mount and dismount with the turn of a key and lift of the handle and instantly transforms into a sport machine.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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#2 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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Sweet bike! I've been eyeballing the VRF line for awhile, but I'm not ready to pull the pin yet. I'm with you on the muffler; I'm betting the same person who picked out the muffler applied the Punisher decals. My son would love it.
![]() Did your Wing go to someone who will properly appreciate all you've done to it?
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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#3 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Quote:
I honestly dont mind the punisher badges. I like the punisher, and itnis really subtle.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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#5 |
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,335
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Viffers are pretty cool bikes. I like the V4. They require very little maintenance as they have hydraulic valve trains. Oil changes and air filter every few years along with spark plugs. They rarely seem to have carb issues. I'm not sure if Honda put filters on them or not.
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#6 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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It is! Thank you.
Quote:
It's also EFI, and yes there is an air filter lol. If you skip ahead to about 50 seconds, this video goes into a little detail on it.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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#7 | |
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Lloydminster Saskatchewan
Posts: 997
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It is funny how the VFR1200 did not last very long as a sport touring bike. It ended up as an adventure type machine after the new 800 came out. Nice bike none the less.
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Past bikes: '10 Gio X33 '85 Honda VF750F Interceptor '80 Honda XL185S '76 Yamaha DT250C dual sport Baja Wilderness Trail 250 '07 Honda Shadow 750 Areo Trike '01 Harley Davidson Softail Deuce Polaris Magnum 425 4x4 Quote:
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#8 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Quote:
With a bit of work on the suspension and ecu tuning side of things, it really turns the bike into what it should have been. I honestly don't know why they didn't just rework the suspension goodies from a cbr1000rr to suit the heavier VFR is beyond me. The X model had a few tweaks to make it a better adventure bike. A bit less HP, and a bit more torque below 4000rpm. Obviously cosmetic and suspension changes as well.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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#9 | ||
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Lloydminster Saskatchewan
Posts: 997
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Quote:
Was not sure when the F was discontinued...hell it was a surprise to suddenly see the X version popping up in the dealership when i went to go look at the 1200s again. But then again i still have my original "F" the VF750F that started the line up so no big loss from my point of view. Truth be told i thought i would eventually move onto a newer VFR from that bike instead i ended up on the Softail. Go figure.
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Past bikes: '10 Gio X33 '85 Honda VF750F Interceptor '80 Honda XL185S '76 Yamaha DT250C dual sport Baja Wilderness Trail 250 '07 Honda Shadow 750 Areo Trike '01 Harley Davidson Softail Deuce Polaris Magnum 425 4x4 Quote:
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#10 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Quote:
What I find kind of funny about the 1200's though, is how much of a love or hate it kind of bike it is, especially among VFR fans. The people that hate it think it's too big, too heavy, or the engine's new layout isn't correct for the family, blah blah. Those that love them (me) think their opinions are dumb.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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#11 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Trying to get this bike sorted out, which is why my Hawk has been getting no attention.
Even though Honda says this bike can go 8000 miles between oil changes, I have some Pro Honda HP4S 10w30 and OEM oil filters on the way. Some Motul DOT 4 fluid to flush the brakes and clutch, Redline Lightweight Shockproof 80w90, an air filter, and I ordered some new tires for it yesterday, some Bridgestone T31 Battlaxes. Also doing some lighting upgrades when I have the fairings off, and I will be sending the ECU off to Guhl motorsports for a reflash when I take the panels off to do said lighting and air filter. Put the Corbin seat on that the bike came with after giving it a good clean up. Much much better, in both comfort and looks. ![]()
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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#13 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Only a little bit...
The CG is 10 times easier and cheaper to work on though. Which is appropriate since it has 10 times less power.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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#14 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Just because I brought it up earlier. This is the Competition Werkes GP Exhaust for the 1200. I love the raw sound at high revs. It's just too bad it doesn't work with the stock bags.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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#15 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: George West, Texas
Posts: 4,097
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Careful there Dan, I envision flashy lights in your future
I know what you mean , I have to resist the urge on my strom, technology is grand on these new bikes.
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***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
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