Cycle News

Cycle News 2017 Issue 09 March 7

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/795513

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2016 HONDA VFR1200X FULL TEST P110 when you do select manual, you have to make all of the upshifts yourself (however, the transmission will still downshift for you if you roll up to a stop sign and forget to tap the foot lever). I was very impressed with the VFR's reaction to on/ off throttle. Fueling is precise, and I thought there was a good connection between the motor and the transmission, meaning the transition from closed throttle to open throttle is smooth, not herky-jerky like with most other auto-trans bikes and scooters. This is great for low-speed situ- ations, like when you're squeez- ing your way through stopped traffic on the 405 freeway. Another point that probably factored into my feeling so "fresh" after a long ride on the VFR is vibration—or the lack of vibration. Very little buzzing is felt through the bars, seat or footpegs. And yet another factor is ergos. The bike feels as though it was built specifically for my 6'1" frame—it was that comfortable. It has a fairly low 33-inch seat height, so it should fit a wide variety of frames just as well as it does mine. Plus, I like the seat, The accessory Honda bags and trunk aren't pretty, but we can tell you that they are built tough. The VFR1200X is one of Honda's best-kept secrets.

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