Honda VFR1200F - Full Owner's Review VS the Best Sport Touring Motorcycles BMW K1200S / BMW K1300S

Nik from Pegasus Motorcycle Tours & Consulting brings you another motorcycle review, breaking down every detail about the superb 8th gen Honda VFR1200F, formerly knows as the Interceptor motorcycle. Watch and learn why this remains the class leader among sport tourers, and one of Nik's favorite motorcycles.

VFR history referenced:

A useful guide to generation differences:

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DISCLAIMER:
The suggestions and opinions expressed are the result of a lifetime of daily motorcycling, touring, camping, intl, travel, and overlanding experience, including extensive international adventure touring. The opinions expressed are my own only, and do not necessarily reflect those of any retailer or brand mentioned or reviewed, nor any other third party. This video is entirely unsponsored and completely independent. The purpose of this disclosure is to reassure you, the viewer, that what you are getting is an honest personal opinion, so that you can make the best possible decision as a consumer. If you like what you see, please take a moment to like, share, and subscribe to help this channel grow in order to benefit the largest number of riders. And as always – ride smart, ride safe, and keep the rubber side down. Cheers! Nik

Looking for a fun, unique thing to do while visiting San Diego and Southern California? Check out our private narrated, guided city sidecar tours on a Honda Goldwing GL1800 with a 2 seater Champion Daytona Sidecar - let Nik show you San Diego in the most unique way.

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Thanks for watching and participating in the conversation.

Cheers - Nik

[nunop]

Great video. I have one vfr1200f and for me it's a keeper! I don't agree on cruise control and throttle... for me that's the character of this bike. That's what I want when I bought it. I agree with gears... low gears could have a better management. The most beautiful and better sport touring bike ever!

[highestsprings]

Great review. VFR's are brilliant bikes, they all have something. My 5th gen was so refind and ahead of its time. Beautiful engineering. Pretty much held its own against bikes 20 years newer and possibly the best sounding engine ever made!

[Tysk_]

Keep up with the excellent work! Can't wait for the K1300S review. Greetings from Portugal ✌🏻

[sociopathmercenary]

I'm looking to add an ADV/dual sport and sport tourer to the stable. Your channel is a godsend for honest opinions on the motorcycles you've experienced.

People love their motorcycles which is why you always have some comments from those crying foul for your critiques of their babies. 😂

[Vickeviren]

Thanks for the heads up.
No vfr800s turned up for sale as still winter in Sweden, managed to sit on one to feel the ergos though and was a bit surprised just by how much sporty lean forward there was to it.
I liked it however, and everyone says its great for touring and long distance riding I guess I'll be fine.

Your 1200 is gorgeous in that white aswell but doesnt really see myself on one as its little brother :D

👍👍

[bernardomazondaher]

Love this channel and love the video, been waiting for this one for a while. I’m actually curious about what you said regarding the 1200 X. I’ve seen people say unfavorable things about it on forums, and I’ve seen them listed at a bunch of places across the country and they stay up for a while. I also want to say, having seen the bike in person, I do think it is gorgeous. I have a strong feeling for many years. I’ll wish that I could’ve bought it if I were skilled enough already. It’s something else

[antonnarnickis]

Great review mate. Agreed on look of this bike. Absolutely stunning 👌🏻

[barnysgaming]

I've just brought a 2015 one with just under 20k miles in the UK. Just waiting for delivery and I cant wait. I've always wanted one and was a little sad when they discontinued it. Bit I'll be keeping mine for as long as possible.

You complaints about cruse control don't really worry me as in the UK 600 miles would put you in the see in most directions and the models after 2012 had an adjusted fuel map that made power delivery much smoother at low and mid rpm.

[hbor]

Agree on the cruise control, that could have been done pretty easily. However, on ride modes, I don't agree. I believe that all these additional electronic controls takes away your own sensibility en feel with the bike. Just drive with more sense. The throttle response is indeed twitchy but that can be solved by an ECU tune. That is just caused by these stupid regulations ;).
Honda does deliver heated grips, my 2013 model has it and was an option.
It is a fantastic bike and definitely a keeper for me. Main downside for me is that is not so economic with fuel while touring. No issue on highways, but touring is not very fuel efficient, strangely enough.
As my rear shock started to leak, I replaced it with a hyperpro and that is a major difference.
I don't understand your problem with gearing but that is perhaps more related to way of driving and roads where you can drive. I also drove a VFR800 a couple of times and, though I prefer my 1200, I found that you can use the power of the VFR800 much more. Giving the 1200 some throttle rockets you to such high speeds that, here in Netherlands, you can hardly use it (but it is so much fun).

[marlnbrand]

Subscribed.. great review Nik! I've been admiring VFR and sport touring bikes in general for a while now. Thanks for the valuable insight. ✌

[intoconjunctions]

Wow your bike looks incredible.
I have a 2015 VFR1200x. Tempted to trade it in for one of these, although I love the bike. So smooth man

[mumblety]

Terrific review! Off to watch your BMW reviews as a K1200 / K1300 whether R or S is on the short list. Have also owned and loved a 5th Gen VFR 800 in yellow, the best color.

[pl]

Brakes are 6 pistons each side so 12 pistons on the front.
If you want the bike more docile put the original exhaust on which has low and high rev servo flap in it and get rid of the tune on the ecu.
Heated grips are a Honda accessory, can be easily fitted.

[tavian]

for the trottle response problems do a remp engine remap and throttle remap and the bike will be golden!

[Geronimo]

Great looking bike and interesting review. I almost traded my CBF 1000 for one of these, but the limited range made me think twice.

[allenframe]

I found the riding position leaning forward uncomfortable over and period of time. I installed heli bars to bring the grip height up 2 inches and back 1 inch. They fit perfectly with the original fairing. I also lowered the seat height by re covering it with less padding. It changed the whole feel of the ride.

[isendc]

I bought one of these in 2019 after seeing in 2010 and instantly making it my dream bike. I adored it. I agree that the cases make it look bulkier, I'd take them off sometimes. I felt like I had unlimited speed (before the VFR1200 I had a Suzuki GS500F 😂 for a decade). I agree that I'd like to have cruise control on it. It's just so dang pretty, but they're rare and owners rarely sell them.

[kenfan]

Hey Nick,

Great video review. I'm surprised that you picked this bike over a GL 1800, though. Especially since the recent GL generations are so much more sportier than the previous generations.

Stay Safe. Be Well. GOD BLESS.

[fidelcatsro]

yum yum im drooling at it from my 15yr old 90hp bandit 1200s...some people dont appreciate the power the VFR makes!😜

[carsyoungtimerfreak]

Good review, thank you. I own a '96 4th gen VFR in metalic blue, relatively rare, most are red. I recommissioned that bike and it is almost perfect. The V4 is awesome. However I cover most miles on a GS... Not very original, I know. I hate the looks of it, but it is very, very comfortable and, mine being an oilhead, simple to maintain. On the VFR I had to swap the valve cover gasket of the rear cilinder pair... An absolute nightmare. I am thinking of swapping the GS for the VFR 1200 cross tourer. Any boxer twin will never be a match for a V4...