As mentioned below, the clip on screen extender, makes a massive difference. I tried different windscreens but they really didn't make much difference at all, to the point that I was seriously considering changing the bike. Prior to having the MRA screen extender, anything over 65mph was unbearable, my vision was impaired (eyes vibrating) and the turbulence/noise etc also caused headaches (was also the same issue for my pillion), which to be honest, is terrible for a bike that is built to munch miles . After fitting the MRA screen extender I can now sit at ANY speed I chose with no turbulence/vibration etc, totally transformed the bike (How it should have been from the factory). As for the seat, I weigh 105kg and I found the seat nice and plush for the first 15 minutes, then by 45 minutes it became so uncomfortable giving quite severe ass ache. I believe the seat is to soft for heavier people as the padding flattens through to the plastic base plate (very painful after a while). I upgraded to a Top Sellerie seat and i can now go 90 minutes before getting any aches and even then they are bearable. Also the Top Sellerie seat is much better for my pillion. Quite often we found that when going over bumps on faster roads, my wife used to slip forward on the seat and had to keep re-adjusting /pushing her ass back in the seat. With the Top Sellerie seat, it has a raised front section on the pillion seat which prevents slipping forward and constant re-adjusting, so much better for the pillion. My bike had 15,000 miles when i purchased it in 2021, it now has 35,000 miles on it, no issues or faults, just tyre replacement and brake pad replacement. At the moment there is nothing sub £15k that would persuade me away from the Crosstourer. great bike!
Many thanks for your comprehensive reply. The MRA screen extender does seem the way forwards, I think. Agreed, how Honda ever ‘passed’ this is acceptable, I’ll never know. The rest of the ‘bike is so good and to have the whole experience tainted by what realistically cost them such a small amount of money to resolve. Even to offer a ‘touring’ option screen, as an option. 👍
Thanks great review. Best bike I’ve ever had. I got one of those clip-on screen extenders and it’s eliminated the noise and wind buffeting problems completely.
Much appreciated. Good call with the clip-on windscreen, I know exactly what you mean. My ‘blade has a little guard that bolts under the top yoke, it really calms the air coming up from behind the fairing, tempted to see if I can fit one to the X-tourer as well.
Have had VFR750FV for 20 yrs, been a fantastic bike. Been watching your videos to convince myself to buy the 1200X. Have had it 4 months, 2014 model, 68000 with service history all great. Givi sliding wind shield, no buffeting! Highlander edition. What a Fantastic bit of kit! Only grip is seat height but it’s a special not standard which I will get modified lower. Now considering DCT version or quick shifter for better pillion comfort.
Fantastic! Glad to read you’re enjoying it. 68k miles is a very healthy amount isn’t it. There was one in Australia that had covered over 300k without much more than routine servicing, I read some time ago. Many thanks.
What a great video. Fascinating to hear a long term owners viewpoint. I was close to getting one of these (DCT) but the deal breaker for me was no cruise control. I see MC Cruise offer a kit to fix that which gets great reviews. I ended up with a GS and and X-Adv which is a great bike.
Many thanks. That’s the only big omission Honda made, with CC this would be the near perfect ‘bike and I can’t deny it’s a big oversight on Honda’s part. Such a shame… oooh the X-ADV! Fantastic. Bit of a hidden gem those. Enjoy! And thanks again.
@@TheDervMan I have, purely with the intent of questioning what it was for, but I came away thinking why wouldn’t anyone have one. Expensive, but shockingly capable at just about everything. Bit of a weopon on trails as well, when I tried it. I think the cost puts a lot of people off, sadly.
@@headrace4863 yea way too expensive but I bought a 5 year old one for £6k. It’s really nice having something to tinker with as my GS is on PCP so defo not fiddling with that one 😉🔧
@@TheDervMan I’ve got a ZXR750H which is currently under a nut & bolt resto.. did one just a couple of years back but never should’ve sold it, another showed up randomly so I couldn’t say no. That’s where all my tinkering is done, the 2 Honda’s are typical Honda so never need anything more than an occasional torquing check, checkover and routine servicing. Which is a good thing.
@@headrace4863 Hi again Headrace - quick question - I've started having an issue with the ZZR-1100 where it really doesn't want to start, and when it does it keeps cutting out...as you're a guru on these bikes I wondered if you'd heard of anything like this and any suggestions what it could be? It's been perfect up until the last few days and this has come out of nowhere. Cheers
@@thomascharnock they’re pretty good usually. Start with the basics, all the fluid levels (including a good amount of fuel…) check the fuel tap is clear by turning it to reserve and back a few times, flip the kill switch off and on a few times as well. Sometimes the contacts corrode if it’s used in the wet a lot. They do like a good clear out (ie some wide throttle and high revs) every few days. Generally though, they’re the definition of good starting…
@@headrace4863 Thanks mate, yeah I'm not panicking as I managed to get to work and home on it after lots of messing about with the choke and just getting it to idle. I'm wondering if it might need a new battery? I've done some googling and everything I find says it might be the pilot jets but I'm pretty confident this bike was rebuilt by your good self to such a high standard there's no way it's anything to do with the carbs or the engine. It could literally just be the cold weather, and there was a period over the last couple of weeks where I used my Interceptor and the ZZR just sat doing nothing so it might just be a case of lack of use is making it grumble 😂
Best Honda secret. A superb machine and Built like granite. Mines is a 2012 plate and just short of 30000 miles . Great review mate . Try the mra vario tour screen.its superb and loads of settings. I’m 6ft and no buffeting at all.
Many thanks.. glad you enjoyed the review, and also so many miles on your ‘bike. I’ve heard the beginning of a rumour that they may be re-introduced in the near future. I was up at a Honda dealer just on Friday and there’s a mutter the vfr range are set for return.
Just about to buy one , searching the net like you do. I have owned a vfr 1200 f so already know what a gem the engine is. Just need some upright comfort now. There a secondhand bargain tbh seen some 2012 /2013 bikes with 25,000 miles for £4000 /5000 .
A lot of bike for the money…. I genuinely think that it’s overlooked and a bit of a hidden diamond. Off road it’s probably not that great but I’ve certainly had great fun riding it on light trails occasionally when in Wales. Most of us are on the road 95% of the time anyway. Only thing that isn’t really possible to ignore is 1.) the weight and 2.) the buffeting, but there’s cures for at least this. With the earlier ones, just check the re-call has been done for the shaft. Other than that there’s very very few faults with them. 👍
What was your eventual setting on the forks? I've never been able to find one on mine that doesn't seem to amplify every imperfection in the road surface!
@@headrace4863It is a real firecracker that is for sure. I ride in florida, and I am a rider of size 6'8 350, and this bike handles like a dream. Highway smooth quite seat not so comfy, around town DCT rocks. Have you done a DCT reset??
@@dapoppa2256 mine is the manual. The re-set I refer to is the ECU reset. I’ve done the one where the engine is started, idle until the fans come on then switch off. Marginal difference… however, when Honda serviced it last year, I have no idea what the re-set they claim have done involved but the jerky throttle was completely resolved. Unfortunately, crescent (who supplied and until now have serviced the ‘bike) are no longer Honda franchised so it’ll be going to Bournemouth for this years service.
@@headrace4863 You have the DCT correct? This trains the DCT to make the shift points correctly, and smoother. INSTRUCTIONAL | DCT RESET | NC750 , AFRICA TWIN, XDV , CROSSTOURER, GOLDWING | EXETER-RIDER
Авто/Мото
As mentioned below, the clip on screen extender, makes a massive difference. I tried different windscreens but they really didn't make much difference at all, to the point that I was seriously considering changing the bike. Prior to having the MRA screen extender, anything over 65mph was unbearable, my vision was impaired (eyes vibrating) and the turbulence/noise etc also caused headaches (was also the same issue for my pillion), which to be honest, is terrible for a bike that is built to munch miles . After fitting the MRA screen extender I can now sit at ANY speed I chose with no turbulence/vibration etc, totally transformed the bike (How it should have been from the factory). As for the seat, I weigh 105kg and I found the seat nice and plush for the first 15 minutes, then by 45 minutes it became so uncomfortable giving quite severe ass ache. I believe the seat is to soft for heavier people as the padding flattens through to the plastic base plate (very painful after a while). I upgraded to a Top Sellerie seat and i can now go 90 minutes before getting any aches and even then they are bearable. Also the Top Sellerie seat is much better for my pillion. Quite often we found that when going over bumps on faster roads, my wife used to slip forward on the seat and had to keep re-adjusting /pushing her ass back in the seat. With the Top Sellerie seat, it has a raised front section on the pillion seat which prevents slipping forward and constant re-adjusting, so much better for the pillion. My bike had 15,000 miles when i purchased it in 2021, it now has 35,000 miles on it, no issues or faults, just tyre replacement and brake pad replacement. At the moment there is nothing sub £15k that would persuade me away from the Crosstourer. great bike!
Many thanks for your comprehensive reply. The MRA screen extender does seem the way forwards, I think. Agreed, how Honda ever ‘passed’ this is acceptable, I’ll never know. The rest of the ‘bike is so good and to have the whole experience tainted by what realistically cost them such a small amount of money to resolve. Even to offer a ‘touring’ option screen, as an option. 👍
Thanks great review. Best bike I’ve ever had. I got one of those clip-on screen extenders and it’s eliminated the noise and wind buffeting problems completely.
Much appreciated. Good call with the clip-on windscreen, I know exactly what you mean. My ‘blade has a little guard that bolts under the top yoke, it really calms the air coming up from behind the fairing, tempted to see if I can fit one to the X-tourer as well.
Have had VFR750FV for 20 yrs, been a fantastic bike. Been watching your videos to convince myself to buy the 1200X. Have had it 4 months, 2014 model, 68000 with service history all great. Givi sliding wind shield, no buffeting! Highlander edition. What a Fantastic bit of kit! Only grip is seat height but it’s a special not standard which I will get modified lower. Now considering DCT version or quick shifter for better pillion comfort.
Fantastic! Glad to read you’re enjoying it. 68k miles is a very healthy amount isn’t it. There was one in Australia that had covered over 300k without much more than routine servicing, I read some time ago. Many thanks.
The Givi Airflow with adjustable top screen will fix the buffeting, hands down. I have it on my 2014 crosstourer in Ireland. Good video, cheers
Great tip! Much appreciated, I'll look into this.
What a great video. Fascinating to hear a long term owners viewpoint. I was close to getting one of these (DCT) but the deal breaker for me was no cruise control. I see MC Cruise offer a kit to fix that which gets great reviews. I ended up with a GS and and X-Adv which is a great bike.
Many thanks. That’s the only big omission Honda made, with CC this would be the near perfect ‘bike and I can’t deny it’s a big oversight on Honda’s part. Such a shame… oooh the X-ADV! Fantastic. Bit of a hidden gem those. Enjoy! And thanks again.
Have you ever ridden the X-ADV 750? Despite being only 55 bhp it’s so much fine 😎
@@TheDervMan I have, purely with the intent of questioning what it was for, but I came away thinking why wouldn’t anyone have one. Expensive, but shockingly capable at just about everything. Bit of a weopon on trails as well, when I tried it. I think the cost puts a lot of people off, sadly.
@@headrace4863 yea way too expensive but I bought a 5 year old one for £6k. It’s really nice having something to tinker with as my GS is on PCP so defo not fiddling with that one 😉🔧
@@TheDervMan I’ve got a ZXR750H which is currently under a nut & bolt resto.. did one just a couple of years back but never should’ve sold it, another showed up randomly so I couldn’t say no. That’s where all my tinkering is done, the 2 Honda’s are typical Honda so never need anything more than an occasional torquing check, checkover and routine servicing. Which is a good thing.
Great video on a great bike mate. I almost went for a spin on the ZZR in the New Forest today too...not that I would have recognised you!
Much appreciated… 👍👍 nice out there today, but slippy under trees as the wet leaves are all over the roads.
@@headrace4863 Hi again Headrace - quick question - I've started having an issue with the ZZR-1100 where it really doesn't want to start, and when it does it keeps cutting out...as you're a guru on these bikes I wondered if you'd heard of anything like this and any suggestions what it could be? It's been perfect up until the last few days and this has come out of nowhere. Cheers
@@thomascharnock mmmm that is a bit unusual…. Was that during the real cold snap or now when it was warmer?
@@thomascharnock they’re pretty good usually. Start with the basics, all the fluid levels (including a good amount of fuel…) check the fuel tap is clear by turning it to reserve and back a few times, flip the kill switch off and on a few times as well. Sometimes the contacts corrode if it’s used in the wet a lot. They do like a good clear out (ie some wide throttle and high revs) every few days. Generally though, they’re the definition of good starting…
@@headrace4863 Thanks mate, yeah I'm not panicking as I managed to get to work and home on it after lots of messing about with the choke and just getting it to idle. I'm wondering if it might need a new battery? I've done some googling and everything I find says it might be the pilot jets but I'm pretty confident this bike was rebuilt by your good self to such a high standard there's no way it's anything to do with the carbs or the engine. It could literally just be the cold weather, and there was a period over the last couple of weeks where I used my Interceptor and the ZZR just sat doing nothing so it might just be a case of lack of use is making it grumble 😂
Best Honda secret. A superb machine and Built like granite. Mines is a 2012 plate and just short of 30000 miles . Great review mate . Try the mra vario tour screen.its superb and loads of settings. I’m 6ft and no buffeting at all.
Many thanks.. glad you enjoyed the review, and also so many miles on your ‘bike. I’ve heard the beginning of a rumour that they may be re-introduced in the near future. I was up at a Honda dealer just on Friday and there’s a mutter the vfr range are set for return.
@@headrace4863 Brilliant mate if Ducati can have the V4 under the euro 5 then why not Honda. Will be interesting to see what happens.
Just about to buy one , searching the net like you do. I have owned a vfr 1200 f so already know what a gem the engine is. Just need some upright comfort now. There a secondhand bargain tbh seen some 2012 /2013 bikes with 25,000 miles for £4000 /5000 .
A lot of bike for the money…. I genuinely think that it’s overlooked and a bit of a hidden diamond. Off road it’s probably not that great but I’ve certainly had great fun riding it on light trails occasionally when in Wales. Most of us are on the road 95% of the time anyway. Only thing that isn’t really possible to ignore is 1.) the weight and 2.) the buffeting, but there’s cures for at least this. With the earlier ones, just check the re-call has been done for the shaft. Other than that there’s very very few faults with them. 👍
What was your eventual setting on the forks? I've never been able to find one on mine that doesn't seem to amplify every imperfection in the road surface!
+1 ring preload, - 3 clicks rebound…
Thanks for that! 👍
Love mine! Unreal motor, power through the band.
Engine is the real star-of-the-show isn’t it… 👍
@@headrace4863It is a real firecracker that is for sure. I ride in florida, and I am a rider of size 6'8 350, and this bike handles like a dream. Highway smooth quite seat not so comfy, around town DCT rocks. Have you done a DCT reset??
@@dapoppa2256 mine is the manual. The re-set I refer to is the ECU reset. I’ve done the one where the engine is started, idle until the fans come on then switch off. Marginal difference… however, when Honda serviced it last year, I have no idea what the re-set they claim have done involved but the jerky throttle was completely resolved. Unfortunately, crescent (who supplied and until now have serviced the ‘bike) are no longer Honda franchised so it’ll be going to Bournemouth for this years service.
@@headrace4863 You have the DCT correct? This trains the DCT to make the shift points correctly, and smoother. INSTRUCTIONAL | DCT RESET | NC750 , AFRICA TWIN, XDV , CROSSTOURER, GOLDWING | EXETER-RIDER
@@dapoppa2256 I have the manual transmission, not dct. Is quite impressive the dct, but the manual is more to my preference.