10-24-2015, 10:55 PM
(10-24-2015, 09:41 AM)DAC_imp Wrote: You might be surprised. The VF12 engine is narrower at the rear of the engine so it's supposed to be easier to flat foot. I like this bike a lot. It's something to think about if they get discounted at year end.
I sat on a VFR1200 at a bike show a few years back. Even though the seat was tall I was able to get the balls of my feet firmly planted because the seat was narrow at the tank. I feel I could have ridden this bike easily despite my height impairment.
Lowering this bike by using a replacement rear link may also be a possibility.
Weight is not a problem for this bike IMO and Honda knows that those attracted to this model will have no intentions of taking it down anything other than a groomed dirt or gravel road on occasion. Most of these big ADV bikes never see any off road use but their upright riding positions, wide bars and extra ride height make for a nearly perfect touring bike.
A couple years back, Motorcycle Consumer News ran a comparison test of the latest sport-touring bikes. Kawasaki, Yamaha, BMW were represented and an R1200GS was brought along as a chase bike for hauling cameras and such. At test's end the Kawasaki was chosen as the best S/T of the test group but the BMW R1200GS was the bike all the testers preferred to ride. Even though the R1200GS was not in the comparison it was chosen as the best S/T of the group.