You seem to be able to handle it quite well. Congratulations on your gorgeous bike. Recently bought a 2010 and although it is heavy, my FJR, same weight was much harder to maneuver. Also had a 2017 VFR 1200X DCT, and it too, was harder to move around. I’m 5’6” with only one good arm. These bikes are so much much fun to ride, though! Oh, just turned 65. Ps. I lean mine a little towards my hip and that seems to help. Ride safe…
How did you get on with the DCT model VFR? I test rode one and thought it was a terrible machine, totally unsuited to the DCT. Straight after I rode a Honda NC750-X DCT and this was a revelation. I actually bought the NC.
@@BibtheBoulder That is a good question both my other bikes are DCT, the Rebel and X-ADV. I know DCT well as I have also had an NC750X and NC700D. I will know better after my first riding season with the bike. First impressions are the engine has too much torque to be suitable for DCT. First gear seems notchy and it does not give confidence. In D mode it zips up through the gears quickly to 6 and then sits there labouring at slower speeds and not really giving an omph when accelerating. Can't comment on S mode yet. All good enough on the motorway but I have my doubts about its effectiveness on twisty mountain roads. You have given me the idea to make a video comparing my three DCT bikes. Thanks.
@@StayAtHomeBiker That would be a great video. Your comments regarding the bike labouring are spot on. I took it for a decent test ride and it just felt as though it was constrained. If I hadn't known I would have guessed it was a 750cc at most, not a 1200.
@@BibtheBoulder I rode a mates dct and didn’t like it so I got the manual. I can’t get used to riding a bike bike without clutch control especially slow manoeuvres.
I had the same problem with my old Yamaha diversion, that although it only weighed 220 kg, the weight was high up, and at the age of 85 I found pushing the bike around, getting it on and off the centre stand and handling it on dodgy ground was becoming a real chore. I got to a point where it was affecting my confidence and enjoyment. It is nice to be confident that you are the master of the bike in all situations, so it had to go. I now ride a much lighter bike, a Yamaha MT-03, and I am once again enjoying my riding, confidence fully restored, a weight off my mind so to speak. Enjoy the bike, but don't let it become a chore......
Great to hear you are still riding and enjoying it at 85. That is an inspiration. Smaller, lighter and post 2030 perhaps electric will be my future option.
Hah... I always sit on my bike when taking it off the centre stand... had one fall away from me once when standing next to it... now I just make sure. What a beautiful machine!
Beautiful bike! Since 1979 my bike progression has incrementally gone from small basic machines to bigger, better, more power, more weight. I realized about 4 years ago (at 59 y/o) I was riding less, less enthusiastic, not wanting to bother getting the pork out of the garage and missing something on my commute. I gradually sold my 3 bikes while picking up a 2019 CB500x along the way. No regrets the cb brought back the motivation and joy of simple easy going relaxed riding in a relatively light super economical package. Keep in mind I only travel back-roads USA so I never need to exceed 60 mph. The only thing I missed was the occasional urge for power so I picked up a MT09 sp last summer and it's great fun at 419 lbs. and 100+ hp. Loving light bikes! Stay safe my friend!
My first motorcycle was a 75cc Bianchi in 1962, Since then I've owned air head BMWs and Italian stallions, all light weight compered to many modern bikes...One thing l learnt in the intervening 60 years was light is better, perhaps more so with increasing age. l now ride a Triumph Street Triple 675....it's 'light', quick enough for me and handles beautifully around the country roads of Spain...Greeting from España
I also am an older guy at 75 who just happened to buy a red 2010 VFR F last August with 9,300 miles. My hip is not letting me swing my leg easily up over the bike and I also had a yellow '94 Yamaha V-Max. I did not need two go-fast bikes so I traded in my V-Max on a new black '23 Honda GROM in March I can easily get my leg over. I also have a 2014 black Honda CB1100. My VFR has been doing some sitting until my hip gets better, but I love the mirrors, the instrumentation, the rocket acceleration and the incredible handling. Fuel injection makes for a wonderful bike. The bike weight got the better of me and I gently laid it over scratching the fairing at a stop. A man hopped out of his car to help me get it up. I am really appreciating the 223lb Grom for just getting around town.
One interesting thing I noticed on your VFR is that it has a CENTERSTAND. Sadly the bikes sold in the USA do not come with one and they are very expensive. Clearing the exhaust system under the bike is a major problem. I can see that you too have several other rides in the garage. Enjoy
@@nigel274 Although I still have and enjoy my VFR 1200, I am crouched to spring on the new 2025 Yamaha RD 350 YPVS two stroke twin the instant it becomes available; 427lbs, 110 HP, 10:1 compression, electronic variable exhaust tuning, fuel injected, water-cooled, modern suspension and instrumentation.
You are right on the looks. Not well liked when it came out in 2012. I think the design has aged well and it might well be a modern classic when we are not allowed to buy petrol bikes anymore.
I'm almost 66 and can manage my SV thou pretty easily, as it's only about 400 lbs, dry weight. I did meet a chap on the Gower Coast once, who'd installed a turntable in his garage, to ease the movement of his Triumph Rocket 3. A bit like Thunderbirds Are Go, but on the ground and without the folding down palm trees.
I have a 2011 DCT. You could always use the engine to assist you if it really is too much. However, you seem to manage it OK. It is a lardy bike but I think they are great value these days.
Nearly there, hopefully you have perfected your technique by now. Thanks for posting this it's relevant to me because Ive been see-sawing about getting a VFR 12 for a long time. had two test rides, one a dct and really liked them both, they are coming into my budget zone now. My problem is I live on a farm and the tarmac runs out 30m uphill from my shed. As well as being an unmade track with an adverse camber it slopes past my shed doors and I have an improvised ramp to get up into the shed. ( I know, I know) I manage pretty well for a 70 yr old with my current bike an 05 FZS 1000. Due to left shoulder problems I have had to recently change my method of exit from the shed from pushing it backwards uphill once off the ramp and using the side stand on the up-camber side, to rolling it across the track down hill and starting the engine to walk it uphill and parking slightly worryingly with the side stand on the down-camber. If I get a considerably heavier VFR12 I will only have the second option available. Another issue will be that although I favour the dct gearbox it makes the bike another 10kg heavier, which doesn't help, but on the other hand it has a handbrake unlike the normal box which means I wouldn't have to put it in gear to park it on the slope. (pushing the normal gbox bike uphill even slightly to take the weight off the gearbox and slip it into neutral to fire up on a gravelly slope is going to be added stress) Maybe the bike with the normal box would start with the side stand down and clutch in? As I am 5'8'' and 86kg I have to be mad to consider the bike at all but all things are possible with planning if you have an itch that has to be scratched. BTW I have seen salesmen use the 'front wheel straddle' method successfully. I have also seen a salesman manoeuvre a VFR12 expertly by placing his right hip in firm contact with the seat while pulling the bike round backwards.(not appropriate on loose surfaces) I have also seen the 'side-stand pivot' method put to good use on a smooth concrete floor, but would never attempt it on tarmac with a heavy bike for fear of it sinking in (esp on a warm day) also too much mass swinging around on a thin stalk with a weak bracket for my liking. Previous poster was spot on about mastering the centre stand by pushing down with your right foot, just don't try it in flip-flops. Sorry for the long read.
Nice vid, good to share these things. It’s also my main gripe about my VFR1200 DCT. Not to lecture in the wrong tone, ahem, but you’re doing it all wrong! Never try and push the thing, start it up and use careful throttle in gear. It becomes a breeze! When walking backwards I lock in my hip to the seat and modulate the front brake. Much easier, it just takes getting used to. Regarding light bikes I also have a few of those and they’re fun for knocking about on. But as a (VERY) swift and comfortable machine for a big distance, I haven’t found better than the big VFR. It can even stomp round a track in reasonable fashion. Keep her shiny side up my friend 😊
Had a VFR1200 Crosstourer and always mounted it to move in and out of situations and always checked when parking for level ground and never park facing downhill so as not to struggle pushing the bike out but still a heavy beast.
Good advice, I will need to carefully pick my spots when parking up. I think I will only be using the main stand for maintenance. The bike seems well balanced and does not feel too heavy taking it off the side stand. I did not really notice it when riding home on the motorway the first days.
Hi, I had the same feeling when I bought it. Too heavy, the only bike that made me stress for moving out of the garage. Sold after 300km, no pleasure. Vibration on the pedals, dct was less enjoying than a manual, my wife was sliding on the stock seats, I had pain on my back and on my wrists. Pity because the style was pretty good
Sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with the bike. I am looking forward to the riding season starting and I will report back if I share your pain points after a few trips around the mountains.
To be honest just like me, I’m 56 and now noticing moving heavy bikes around is becoming a bit of a struggle. My garage is at the bottom of a slope so I need to reverse the bikes in otherwise I don’t have a hope. Old age catches up with us all.
I know the feeling, I'm a similar age with worsening arthritis in my right knee and hip. I'm thinking along the lines of lowering my bike slightly so I can get on easier. The weight is noticeable now so lighter bikes are in the medium term.
I'm 54 and keep mine in my back garden with just a narrow gate and sloping path down to where i keep it, backwards in. It takes a while and your muscle memory, balance, and effort become second nature. Bought mine (2013 model) with 2500 miles in 2018. Its done 40,000 now and not missed a beat. Clean the brakes regularly the pistons tend to get corrosion on them in winter weather. Getting off the stand I use left hand on handle bar and right hand on grab rail and PULL it. Mines DCT so even heavier!!!!
Enjoyed the video thanks, I've had mine since new in 2016, same colour as yours. Always get it off the centre stand by sitting on the machine, never try to do it standing beside, too easy for it to topple away from you. Always use the engine to move it around, especially against a slope. My driveway is uphill into the garage so I ride it into the garage, when going out on the bike, I sit on it and let it roll down under gravity, then I start it up when I'm ready to go. It's a great machine, I've had two blackbirds and teo FJ1200A's as well as loads of others and the VFR1200F is the best so far. I've fitted cruise control from Veeefour, Andriani front fork internals and a Nitron rear shock, it now handles even more brilliantly.
I think you've answered your own question? I'm 6:0 and 15 stone, but am now in my 60 's and although I could sit Ok on these big ADV and touring bikes that are all the rage (Ironically, with many older and smaller riders ) I chose a 800 Ducati that, if anything, is too small for me, but it is easy to manhandle and a delight on country roads. The sheer size and weight of these BMW 's and Africa Twins and the like is not for me. However, each to his own. The VFR does look a beautiful machine, though.
We’re all heading in the same direction. I’m 63 and my GSA was getting unwieldy. Replaced by and Africa Twin Adventure Sport which although lighter and lower seat height was actually less stable than the GSA and top heavy. I’m on a KTM 890 Adventure now which is tall but so much more manageable being both lighter by a huge margin but with a very low centre of gravity. And plenty of grunt with less to push.
A little exercise will help. I am 57 and have no problem moving my 2007 VTX1800F ,I believe that regular exercise does wonders, then again its just a opinion.
Move the bike with the side stand down so if you can't hold it you can drop it onto the stand. Removing the panniers helps Also, you are not putting it up on the centre stand correctly, you are pulling it up rather than pushing through your foot, your right arm is meant to assist only. I'm 5.6ft and 61 and have a tiger sport, so I have to be mindful when moving it about.
Lovely bike....I have it's adventure-styled brother, the vfr1200x. One tip I can pass on is never put a bike away wet.....water in all those nooks and crannies that a drying cloth won't reach...it's just asking for corrosion to set in...ask me how I know! I invested in one of those hot air pet / bike dryers....about £60 on Amazon. They work extremely well at removing all traces of water from a bike.
Hi Brian you may have already thought of this but I use a metal turntable for my tracer 9, so ride in my garage turn it on the turntable and come out forward. Two point's you need a centre stand and be able to lift the front wheel by pushing down on the back of the bike so you can rotate it, easy on my tracer but not so easy on my 1050 vstrom.
Yea, there's no getting away from the dead weight Brian, it's all compromise I guess, as that weight (as you know from your journey) helps it feel pretty much battleship steady on the road. I have to park it thoughtfully. 👍
I own a BMW K1200GT, I believe even a bit heavier. Moving it backwards out of the shed I always do it sitting on the bike. You do not feel the weight so much and you are actually in total a bit narrower as you are not standing next to the bike. Moving it forward is easy, after all it has an engine... And, as I never use water to clean my bikes (as water equals rust), I do all my cleaning inside the shed.
I have a VFR800, smaller, but still a top heavy lovely. Made a turntable using a lazy Susan mechanism from Amazon and riveted a 14" steel plate. Drive into the shed, spin on the turntable, and drive out. RUclips videos of guys with similar turntables. Works great!
I find moving a heavy bike on unlevel ground can be controlled this way. With bike on it's sidestand, stand in front of it facing it's nose with the front wheel between your legs. Reach forwards and grab the bars then you can lift it upright. From that position it is very stable although you are now going backwards to the bike, on the plus side you get a great view to reverse it into tight gaps. Not a good idea if you have an Italian suicide stand, but most bikes stands will stay down even unloaded.
Need to use the "whole body push" technique. Get your body down onto the seat and your torso up against the tank. Then push with your legs and you'll find it a LOT easier to move around and keep balanced.
Oh boy. I sold my TL1000R due to weight. That centre stand doesn't look very 'over-centre'. So up right. A busy cafè we visit is on a slope. If you have to park slightly facing down I'd be scared to death it'd all go over.
I find the easiest way to maneuver heavy bikes on slight slopes is to be sat on the bike. Let it roll back holding the brake and let the engine move it forward. The way you're doing it looks like an accident waiting to happen. Best of luck!
I decided to junk the heavy weights and return to the simpler, lighter bikes of my youth. I don’t buy anything heavier than 160Kg - a weight I can easily deadlift in the gym. It’s fine when you’re riding a heavy bike, but the moment you have to paddle it about - especially in hot weather when tired-it becomes a real burden. I thought the reduction in performance would be a difficult adaption, but it was far easier than I had thought and it made things a lot less stressful. I’m enjoying motorcycling again as I remember it - fun, not serious.
@@StayAtHomeBiker You won’t regret it. I bought a Fantic 500 scrambler and absolutely love it. I have a 701 Vitpillen which hardly gets used and just acquired an Yamaha XT 250 Serrow as I’ve begun to discover easy green lanes away from traffic.
@@StayAtHomeBiker Thanks. All fun in different ways. The Husqvarna is the most needy 😆 It’s almost like riding a high powered two stroke, no higher than 2nd gear at 30mph.
Nice bike, all large capacity can be difficult to move around. I find pushing down on the pillion seat with my right hand, then as it comes back up pushing forward with my left hand holding the handlebar helps getting off the main stand much easier.
Depends on what else you get from the bike (bike looks great BTW) and how much you are willing to compromise, i have two really heavy bikes, a gen 1 Hayabusa at 262KG and a 1st Gen V Max at 280KG, i'm 52, roughly 5'7" and about 12stone, moving them about the drive is a chore but they are such amazing bikes it's a small price to pay.
Sold my FJR for this reason. When considering new bikes I check the weight now. Can be deceptive (TDM felt much heavier than it was) but a big consideration.
For me that would be an accident waiting to happen - I'd sit on it and use the engine moving forward up that slope, and paddle it backwards with my feet (not very elegant but safe and effective;)
Same here. I would never move a bike without sitting on it, key in ignition ready to start when needing the engine to assist. But then again, I am not one for living on the edge :)
I bought a KTM 690 SMCR in 2014, full system, power commander and evo 2 kit, 140kilos without the standard can and airbox stuff. Job done. Its light as a feather and I’m 66, still doing the odd wheelie.
@@StayAtHomeBiker Hi Brian, I regularly ride circa 150 miles on it too. Not for everyone, but a very nippy bike and soooooo easy to move around and get in the van for odd trips away.
What a nice looking bike. I got put off them originally by journalists pointing out poor fuel range from the small tank. ( In those days i thought all sports tourers should do 200 plus miles between fill ups) maybe i should give one a try now. don't be so hard on yourself so early. Its brand new to you so you will be nervous anyway how it feels to push. With familiarity you will find a lot more confidence which will dispel some of the weight. Take all luggage boxes off first. I personally would not use my side stand to manoeuvre the bike. Regardless of whether some say its more than possible, the stand just is not designed for that kind of weight.
I have the manual 1200f version and it is heavy. I also have cancer that has destroyed my spine so I have to think of different ways to do things, for me it is by far easier to be on the bike to move it, I will pull it backwards and use the engine to move it forward with both feet on the ground. For me it is a lot more stable to move that way. I used to stand beside it to move it, unfortunately after one mishap were the bike fell away from me and new panniers and fairings later (not cheap I must say) l learned my to do it this way, it takes longer but is cheaper in the long run. Love the bike otherwise it is brilliant for touring, you should really enjoy it.❤
TOP TIP: drive up to the garage and make a lovely controlled u-turn in a clockwise direction. then back the honda in to the garage using the slight slope up to the house to assist you. getting the bike out becomes a doddle. whenever possible REVERSE in to a parking spot imo
......... also: why struggle to push the bike up the incline towards the house ?? Honda cunningly included one and a quarter litres to perform the pushing task for you innit??
Man with engine powered motorcycle decides to try to push motorcycle up a hill instead of using the engine. What do you think he could do differently? A - use the engine. B - use the engine. C - use the engine. D - dig out the hill so is now a slope going downwards. Once the bike is back in the garage put all of the ground back so the bike is easy to move it downwards again. Repeat each time he needs to move the bike in and out of the garage. :-) Beautiful but heavy bikes. It's tough. Perhaps there is a solution to lifting a bike which is a bit heavy for you off of its centre stand and you can google it or somebody will invent it? I remember in training being taught how to lift the bike onto a centre stand by using the foot press on the centre stand as well as both of my hands on the bike frame. So that as I stepped on the foot press on the centre stand, at the same time my two hands were helping to lift the weight of the bike up. Both movements together made it much easier. Have you considered speaking to a Honda Goldwing dealer if you have to move Honda Goldwings around a lot? I'd take a spin to one of those and ask them how they do it and see if they will help you. It's good that you have such a fabulous bike and you're seeking advice on a way forward. You'll find it. I have seen on 44Teeth RUclips channel and others there are small cheap lifting frames with 3-4 wheels that they use to move the bike around while working on them.
I had a garage on a slope and I used to ride the bike up the slope into the sloped garage. Using the engine. Lol. To take it out I would sit on the bike and slowly and carefully let gravity roll it backwards down the slope while gently using the brakes to keep the bike moving slowly and controllably. Once I was in enough space I could start and turn it. I do find it a little bit funny that you have an engine powered vehicle that you're trying to push up a hill :-) I know petrol is expensive but....
You have to get on it, start it and use the engine to pull it uphill and let it coast downhill. You should be able to move it around on the flat ground while you are on it with two feet on the ground. I have one and that's how I move it around. Always point the front uphill and the back downhill. Do this with all heavy bikes.
I have a honda blackbird and while I am tallish at 6'1 I am a skinny guy who isnt very strong. I push the bike about with the sidestand down so I feel a bit more confident knowing if I swing her about it wont fall over onto me. And just use your legs and torso to move it about. You will get used to it.
You are certainly a toughie, hats off to you Sir. I got a 10 year old NC700D Integra from Aberdeen and took it back down south, we must have passed on the motorway! It is enough for me at 74 and the really low c.o.g makes it a pussy! best of luck!
I had an NC700D and went to trade it against a new one, but the deal on the X-ADV was too tempting and that is what I went for and still have it three years later.
@@drdoolittle5724 I am looking forward to the riding season in 2023. I will see which bike puts on the most miles and smiles. X-ADV, Rebel or VFR. I do need to get down to just one of them eventually.
@@StayAtHomeBiker I ended up with 700D because it is perfect for me, knee injury was hell on pegs so coming across floorboards is perfection - replacement one day will be x-adv methinks only cos 750d discontinued! We are so lucky with Honda, they are innovative and perfection?
As suggested, have the motor running and sit astride the bike when manouvering is sometimes quite useful (?) Plus how about a small dolly /turntable and turn it around in the garage if you have the space ...? I am 6ft2 so dont really have problems myself but a heavy bike being moved around at home can wrongfoot anyone.... practice often makes perfect when you get used to the bike
I owned a VFR1200F in 2012 for 3 years and I have to say, it was by far the most difficult motorcycle to be moved around I have ever had, I always believed it was because of the Honda cardan resistance, I owned also a Kawasaki GTR1400 (also cardan) and it was much easier to roll despite being 40kg heavier.
I had to Google that, universal joint is a positive, mechanical connection between rotating shafts, which are usually not parallel, but intersecting. They are used to transmit motion, power, or both.
I have VFR1200X DCT and it's a bit too heavy for me, I'm 60 kg. Thankfully I rarely drop it and when I did there was somebody around able to help me pick it up. I consider VFR1200F as of one of my future motorbike options.
Thankfully not dropped it in my first year with the bike. I am tempted the other way F to X for the extra suspension clearance for the poor Scottish roads.
When you're on the bike trying to get it off the center stand you can rock it forward and grab the brake at the right time and it will hold the bike slightly off the stand. Then you can readjust and rock it the rest of the way off the stand releasing the brake
Nice job moving that bike around, I have the same problem with mine so I sit on it & push it around that way, best of luck with it, it’s a beautiful bike
Hi Bri, Big sports touring bikes are great to ride but, be as you mentioned can be "a little bit embarrising" when trying to manoeuver on uneven ground. When they do topple over there's also the cost of repairing all those lovely plastic bits which I always had to replace as I didn"t to be reminded of my stupidity ! I've owned over 35 motorcycles of all shapes and sizes during my 50+ years of riding and I do remember test riding the VFR1200 when they were first released back in 2010 in Australia. I loved the V4 engine and the shaft drive but didn"t buy one due to the weight. At 69 I'm still riding but I have gradually down sized to lighter bikes that are more managable to manoeuver in tight surroundings.I'm currently riding a Yamaha MT09, just under 200kg fully fueled and the Kawasaki Verseys 300 is around 175kg ,ready to ride. Both fun to ride and the low weight and seat heights helps me aviod those embarrasing siutuations ! Good luck with your VFR and stay safe.
I had 2 of these lovely bikes , I feel your pain, been riding for 35 years but was always nervous moving the 12 about, I think the issue is it’s weight sits high, I have a r1250GS now and have no problems, it’s heavy but the weight is low so it’s extremely well balanced to push about. I wish you good luck whatever you decide.
Many thanks. I had a 650GS a long while ago and more recently the R9T Urban GS which was a beautiful bike that I loved to look at but could not live with its seat and also I do not have the skills to rev change down on such a torque y engine. So I swapped it for the dct Rebel.
As much as I love a great driving motorcycle, I am not a fan of heavy weight in a motorcycle. That is a beautiful bike even with every bag off it. That's how I would ride it unless I was touring. I'm actually looking at a new KLR650 (really cheap!) just to have a plain jane runner to enjoy around the city I live in. Anyway, great luck on your gorgeous Honda.
In my opinion, you did great maneuvering the bike in that driveway. VFR1200F is a HEAVY bike, your garage driveway obviously has a slope. Anyone else than Arnold Schwarzenegger will have a hard time manhandling that particular bike in that particular driveway. I know more than one drivers who would have dropped that beast or have given up trying to push it uphill. Looking forward to watching your adventures on your new VFR. Cheers!
I test rode a VFR1200 (DCT) a few years ago. Was so looking forward to it as it is quite an iconic bike. Biggest damp-squib I have ever ridden. Utterly underwhelmed. Nonetheless, agree with your comments as I am 60 this year and do not enjoy lugging my current bike around the garage.
I'm 62 and now struggle to get my 07 GSA out of the garage especially if the 33 ltr tank is full. Trouble is I've had it from nearly new with just running in mileage and I love it too much to part. Best touring bike for my height.
Now aged 69,and just a few years ago had a Crosstourer DCT..great engine..but eventually had to sell due to weight..if only it had been 50kgs lighter..😁
I used to own a Bmw k1200lt. And that was heavy. It did have the added bonus of a reverse gear and electric centre stand. but if I didn’t use these the bike was so heavy and I know what you mean about being nervous moving the bike at slow speeds Especially on wet tarmac.
I’ve had the same bike, it’s brilliant but top heavy. I live in the Pennines and hairpin low speed corners were, shall we say interesting. Going up a single track road and the camber of the road drops away on one side can be character building. As a tourer , I think it’s the best bike ever, it was just a problem where I live.
I sympathise. I'm 57 and 5' 2" I initially found pushing my ZZR1400 around hard work. You soon get used to it. I always lean the bike against my hip whilst moving it.
Same here. BMW R1200RT was heavy compared to my regular NC750X, but after a few months, I got used to it. This adjustment repeats every year for about 2-3 days when I am taking it out after winter. So don't worry, looks like a marvel.
I am 5’7” 11 stone and 71 with an ST1300. (Sounds like failed online dating!) I always move the bike with the sidestand down and only put it up once sat on the bike with the engine running. I push mine with one hand on the left handlebar grip and my right hand on the pillion seat. This helps move it backwards. I can move it on the flat but never up a slope. I am careful when parking and never pointing downhill. I am also cautious when parking on the road with the rear wheel into the kerb. It can be hard to raise the bike off the stand if the bike is angled to the left so that it leans too much with the camber. Rough parking surfaces can also be tricky. That being said I tour with my wife and a full panniers and top box. Hopes this helps; I think you will get used to it.
I'm not going to argue with you. If you feel it's too heavy of a bike and you don't want to deal with the weight I can understand that. But in my opinion where there's a will there's a way. I'm 60 years old, short, fat and terribly out of shape and desperately need a another hip replacement. I own 8 motorcycles and one of those motorcycles is a 2012 zx14r very similar in weight of the vfr1200f. I love the bike and I love riding it, but it is a handful in difficult for me to manage I wouldn't be able to push it up that hill either. I would use the motorcycle engine to go up the hill. I wouldn't even try to push it up that hill, I couldn't do it. But when I'm on the bike riding it through the curvy canyons and highways of the Cascade mountains in Oregon. I completely forget about how heavy the bike isn't hard to manage at low speeds I can't really imagine a life without it. Your Honda vfr1200f is a beautiful bike and I'd love to have one.
Not embarrassing, lots of modern bikes are heavy beasts. You might try waddling it out of the garage, ie seated, I'd open that right hand garage door as a matter of course as it's just lying in wait for a pannier or your mirror or worse for you to drop the bike against it. Once its out I'd start the engine and manoeuvre it that way to get it back in. Good luck, you'll soon get used to it if you haven't already done so.
It a beautiful bike and is indeed very heavy but you did very well moving it about in the slope, the weight could easily have gotten away from you. I had a 2012 model DCT and thoroughly enjoyed my time with it but the seating position was not perfect so had to go, I replaced it with the 1200X 😀 I always sat on the bike and used the engine to assist moving it around but you do get used to the weight and understand how best to handle it.
The bike came with a comfort seat with lots of padding. I now have the Honda low seat option which I bought on an auction site. It is a choice of comfort or practicality when. I go out for a ride.
Beautiful bike. Lots of similarities in specs to my 08 Concours 14. Though mine is even heavier. For me, I use the bikes engine to move it around whenever possible. Make it earn that weight. :-). I once had a VF-750 Sabre which was electric-smooth. My previous ZX14 and this Concours have very smooth engines too. I think once you have time to ride it more, you’ll become accustomed to the weight. Of course, shedding the mufflers will help with that too. Good luck.
You look to be a tall fella but clearly struggling with a bike of this size and weight. I'm 6'0" and realising that my days with super heavies are now over. I dropped a BMW K100 on my drive when I lost my footing, once they go there is no way you're going to keep them upright. I'm more inclined to think that bikes around 200 - 210kg are fine for touring and much easier to live with. Your VF is a nice looker, though!
My previous bike was a Suzuki GSX 1400 and that was a great but heavy bike, my new bike is a Honda CB 500x not as heavy but much more fun I’ve ridden this more often than the last one. I’m 67 medium build and 5 ft 7 i can recommend the 500 x
I saw a 500X in the dealers and thought it was a fine looking bike. If it had DCT then I would have one. I had the NC750X for five years with DCT and it was a great bike. I traded it for the xADV for a change. I might go back to the X in the future.
Beautiful bike. I had a 1993 Honda Goldwing, which was a bigger heavier Honda than yours. I’m 6 foot 2inches tall, so putting my feet on the ground was not a problem. But I really had to think when I maneuvered the bike around my garage/driveway, or parking lots or I could have easily dropped it. I rarely pushed it around, but used the engine instead. If I was going to wash it in your driveway I would get on it, push it back with the my fingers on the front brake and then stop and put it on the side stand. I would never put the bike on the center stand on an angled surface or I could never get it back off. So when I would finish washing it in your driveway, I would start it and ride it straight back into the garage. I wouldn’t move it all over the driveway like you’re doing. I don’t think your bike is too heavy. I think you’re making the job harder than it needs to be. I’m 70 and I now have a 2001 Harley Electraglide which is as big of a beast as the Goldwing was. I use the engine to help me move it, not my back. Just some tips that work for me. Keep the shiny side up!😎👍
I move the X-ADV and Rebel around like that without too much trouble, habit meant me falling into this trap with the VFR. Your tips will be followed. Thanks.
I understand your issue Brian. I have 22 bikes, of which two are in the same weight class as your Honda (albeit a few kg less than yours) One is a Kawasaki Zephyr 1100, the other a BMW R1200RT. These two are similar in weight, but very different in height, and this is the part that I find matters. I can push the Zephyr around so easily because it is fairly low, so I'm able to get the center of strain down to about the height of my lower ribs, but the bars of the RT are quite high and this means the strain point is much higher, and of course the higher it is, the more I bend back when pushing. (I do have a back injury that makes this all a bit harder). Likewise, moving them when sitting astride is also completely different as I'm bent legs and flat footed on the zephyr and on the RT I'm legs extended and my heels have only light contact with the ground. I think your issue isn't the weight so much as the height. So I'm wondering if a lowering kit might help you....?
@@StayAtHomeBiker lol, I have them spread about, some at home (12) a,d the rest in a mate's hangar (he has about 30, and another mate keeps his there too. We are good at buying bikes, selling, not so much. Where I live you don't have a reg number per bike, you have a plate which you remove when you sell the bike. I have 6 number plates, so if I want to use a bike that isn't plated, I have to inform the insurance company and wait for a reg doc with that bikes details on it.. a bit of a phaff but some of the bikes aren't really suitable dailys.. ie, a TY250 or XR250, so these tend to get vanned around if I want to use them.. The UK is more suitable for multiple bike ownership I feel.. especially if you have a multi bike policy. I have to have 6 separate policies, one for each plate.
Ahh you would despair at my driveway. I have a mixture of wet grass and uneven paving slabs up a moderately steep slope. Luckily I have a Royal Enfield Himalayan which glides up! I always use the bike's engine when I'm shifting it up a hill, appreciate you might not have wanted to heat the bike up just before washing it though.
Great looking bike! seat looks really comfy too, if you back your bike out and put it on the center stand you can spin it 180 on the stand fairly easy, works well with my GS adventure 270 kgs about the same as the VFR
On cement yes but asphalt it could dig in. They make a low dolly for a center stand to be placed on that’ll spin easily. Or you can just turn on that mc and let the motor do the work. I’m 57 and starting to feel my age.
Some riders use the side stand to spin a bike around but from an engineer's point of view, that makes me cringe especially on an aluminium framed bike. That one bolt/bolt hole were not designed to take such forces, only a matter of time until something breaks.
Can you maybe reverse it into the garage and then ride it out? I have had two, beautiful bike but I found the DCT very difficult at low speed on a slope. The saddle is after market so maybe lower. The main talking point was the exhaust when it came out- I think it’s ok now.
Yep my vfr 800 was one heavy bike and I got rid of it for that reason lovely to ride but to I'm getting on so needed something much lighter at 70 it was a full work out getting her into the outhouse to park
Have you considered a turntable to help manoeuvre around your yard? I have an ST1100 which is even heavier than your VFR and it makes a world of difference turning it on that.
I’ve owned a few heavy bikes and whilst the vfr feels the same weight as my previous blackbird I find it much easier to get the vfr on its main stand. I’ve got an akra can on mine and a nitron shock so these maybe lighter than stock. I know the Akra definitely is. The oe can is really heavy. All big bikes are a bit of a pig to move about and I’ve seen a few dropped at meets.
I don't seem to have a problem getting it up onto the stand. It is getting back off that caused me the problem. More practice needed, and perhaps some grease on the stand pivot shaft.
@@StayAtHomeBiker I grease mine occasionally, it sometimes gets sticky when it’s not been used in a while. Then again my blackbird main stand was the same.
Had a 2011 non dct yes they are heavy to push around that v4 engine is an absolute peach loads of character and punch would make sure it's had the recall work done on the driveshaft by Honda as early models suffered failure.
You managed ok but I think in your place I'd be sitting on it and using the engine. My thunderbird weighs about 750 pounds, it can be hard to muscle around, especially when the tires are cold
You seem to be able to handle it quite well. Congratulations on your gorgeous bike. Recently bought a 2010 and although it is heavy, my FJR, same weight was much harder to maneuver. Also had a 2017 VFR 1200X DCT, and it too, was harder to move around. I’m 5’6” with only one good arm. These bikes are so much much fun to ride, though! Oh, just turned 65. Ps. I lean mine a little towards my hip and that seems to help. Ride safe…
Thanks for the tips!
How did you get on with the DCT model VFR? I test rode one and thought it was a terrible machine, totally unsuited to the DCT. Straight after I rode a Honda NC750-X DCT and this was a revelation. I actually bought the NC.
@@BibtheBoulder That is a good question both my other bikes are DCT, the Rebel and X-ADV. I know DCT well as I have also had an NC750X and NC700D. I will know better after my first riding season with the bike. First impressions are the engine has too much torque to be suitable for DCT. First gear seems notchy and it does not give confidence. In D mode it zips up through the gears quickly to 6 and then sits there labouring at slower speeds and not really giving an omph when accelerating. Can't comment on S mode yet. All good enough on the motorway but I have my doubts about its effectiveness on twisty mountain roads. You have given me the idea to make a video comparing my three DCT bikes. Thanks.
@@StayAtHomeBiker That would be a great video. Your comments regarding the bike labouring are spot on. I took it for a decent test ride and it just felt as though it was constrained. If I hadn't known I would have guessed it was a 750cc at most, not a 1200.
@@BibtheBoulder I rode a mates dct and didn’t like it so I got the manual. I can’t get used to riding a bike bike without clutch control especially slow manoeuvres.
I had the same problem with my old Yamaha diversion, that although it only weighed 220 kg, the weight was high up, and at the age of 85 I found pushing the bike around, getting it on and off the centre stand and handling it on dodgy ground was becoming a real chore. I got to a point where it was affecting my confidence and enjoyment. It is nice to be confident that you are the master of the bike in all situations, so it had to go. I now ride a much lighter bike, a Yamaha MT-03, and I am once again enjoying my riding, confidence fully restored, a weight off my mind so to speak. Enjoy the bike, but don't let it become a chore......
Great to hear you are still riding and enjoying it at 85. That is an inspiration. Smaller, lighter and post 2030 perhaps electric will be my future option.
Hah... I always sit on my bike when taking it off the centre stand... had one fall away from me once when standing next to it... now I just make sure. What a beautiful machine!
It is the first bike I have had trouble with - my age and fitness contributing to the problem.
Beautiful bike! Since 1979 my bike progression has incrementally gone from small basic machines to bigger, better, more power, more weight. I realized about 4 years ago (at 59 y/o) I was riding less, less enthusiastic, not wanting to bother getting the pork out of the garage and missing something on my commute. I gradually sold my 3 bikes while picking up a 2019 CB500x along the way. No regrets the cb brought back the motivation and joy of simple easy going relaxed riding in a relatively light super economical package. Keep in mind I only travel back-roads USA so I never need to exceed 60 mph. The only thing I missed was the occasional urge for power so I picked up a MT09 sp last summer and it's great fun at 419 lbs. and 100+ hp. Loving light bikes! Stay safe my friend!
Imagine picking up
a monkey 125 then...
@@nikos-giorgos I know that's right!
My first motorcycle was a 75cc Bianchi in 1962, Since then I've owned air head BMWs and Italian stallions, all light weight compered to many modern bikes...One thing l learnt in the intervening 60 years was light is better, perhaps more so with increasing age. l now ride a Triumph Street Triple 675....it's 'light', quick enough for me and handles beautifully around the country roads of Spain...Greeting from España
Kudos to you for showing this. Take it easy and enjoy you’re bike 👍
Thanks, will do!
I also am an older guy at 75 who just happened to buy a red 2010 VFR F last August with 9,300 miles. My hip is not letting me swing my leg easily up over the bike and I also had a yellow '94 Yamaha V-Max. I did not need two go-fast bikes so I traded in my V-Max on a new black '23 Honda GROM in March I can easily get my leg over. I also have a 2014 black Honda CB1100. My VFR has been doing some sitting until my hip gets better, but I love the mirrors, the instrumentation, the rocket acceleration and the incredible handling. Fuel injection makes for a wonderful bike. The bike weight got the better of me and I gently laid it over scratching the fairing at a stop. A man hopped out of his car to help me get it up. I am really appreciating the 223lb Grom for just getting around town.
Sorry to hear you had a topple over, glad there was help there for you.
One interesting thing I noticed on your VFR is that it has a CENTERSTAND. Sadly the bikes sold in the USA do not come with one and they are very expensive. Clearing the exhaust system under the bike is a major problem. I can see that you too have several other rides in the garage. Enjoy
Just bought a monkey....Great fun.still enjoying vfr though 😊
@@nigel274 Although I still have and enjoy my VFR 1200, I am crouched to spring on the new 2025 Yamaha RD 350 YPVS two stroke twin the instant it becomes available; 427lbs, 110 HP, 10:1 compression, electronic variable exhaust tuning, fuel injected, water-cooled, modern suspension and instrumentation.
Wow, that bike is massive
Suh a beautiful machine. Very clean, boss. The VFR never age. It looks very good, still. Fantastic engine.
You are right on the looks. Not well liked when it came out in 2012. I think the design has aged well and it might well be a modern classic when we are not allowed to buy petrol bikes anymore.
I'm almost 66 and can manage my SV thou pretty easily, as it's only about 400 lbs, dry weight. I did meet a chap on the Gower Coast once, who'd installed a turntable in his garage, to ease the movement of his Triumph Rocket 3. A bit like Thunderbirds Are Go, but on the ground and without the folding down palm trees.
Love it!
pity about the palm trees :)
I have a 2011 DCT. You could always use the engine to assist you if it really is too much. However, you seem to manage it OK. It is a lardy bike but I think they are great value these days.
With a bit of practice I hope it gets easier to move around. I had first time nerves not wanting to drop the bike.
@@StayAtHomeBiker You could take the luggage off too, to lighten the load.
@@jeremyr62 exactly what I was thinking. Must be about 10 kilos, 22 lbs, up high.
Nearly there, hopefully you have perfected your technique by now. Thanks for posting this it's relevant to me because Ive been see-sawing about getting a VFR 12 for a long time. had two test rides, one a dct and really liked them both, they are coming into my budget zone now. My problem is I live on a farm and the tarmac runs out 30m uphill from my shed. As well as being an unmade track with an adverse camber it slopes past my shed doors and I have an improvised ramp to get up into the shed. ( I know, I know) I manage pretty well for a 70 yr old with my current bike an 05 FZS 1000. Due to left shoulder problems I have had to recently change my method of exit from the shed from pushing it backwards uphill once off the ramp and using the side stand on the up-camber side, to rolling it across the track down hill and starting the engine to walk it uphill and parking slightly worryingly with the side stand on the down-camber. If I get a considerably heavier VFR12 I will only have the second option available. Another issue will be that although I favour the dct gearbox it makes the bike another 10kg heavier, which doesn't help, but on the other hand it has a handbrake unlike the normal box which means I wouldn't have to put it in gear to park it on the slope. (pushing the normal gbox bike uphill even slightly to take the weight off the gearbox and slip it into neutral to fire up on a gravelly slope is going to be added stress) Maybe the bike with the normal box would start with the side stand down and clutch in? As I am 5'8'' and 86kg I have to be mad to consider the bike at all but all things are possible with planning if you have an itch that has to be scratched.
BTW I have seen salesmen use the 'front wheel straddle' method successfully. I have also seen a salesman manoeuvre a VFR12 expertly by placing his right hip in firm contact with the seat while pulling the bike round backwards.(not appropriate on loose surfaces) I have also seen the 'side-stand pivot' method put to good use on a smooth concrete floor, but would never attempt it on tarmac with a heavy bike for fear of it sinking in (esp on a warm day) also too much mass swinging around on a thin stalk with a weak bracket for my liking.
Previous poster was spot on about mastering the centre stand by pushing down with your right foot, just don't try it in flip-flops. Sorry for the long read.
Thanks for the comment, did you get one?
@@StayAtHomeBiker thanks for reading all that!! No, still in dreamland. I might be able to consider it later in the year ( depends on work)
Nice vid, good to share these things. It’s also my main gripe about my VFR1200 DCT. Not to lecture in the wrong tone, ahem, but you’re doing it all wrong! Never try and push the thing, start it up and use careful throttle in gear. It becomes a breeze! When walking backwards I lock in my hip to the seat and modulate the front brake. Much easier, it just takes getting used to.
Regarding light bikes I also have a few of those and they’re fun for knocking about on. But as a (VERY) swift and comfortable machine for a big distance, I haven’t found better than the big VFR. It can even stomp round a track in reasonable fashion.
Keep her shiny side up my friend 😊
Had a VFR1200 Crosstourer and always mounted it to move in and out of situations and always checked when parking for level ground and never park facing downhill so as not to struggle pushing the bike out but still a heavy beast.
Good advice, I will need to carefully pick my spots when parking up. I think I will only be using the main stand for maintenance. The bike seems well balanced and does not feel too heavy taking it off the side stand. I did not really notice it when riding home on the motorway the first days.
Hi, I had the same feeling when I bought it. Too heavy, the only bike that made me stress for moving out of the garage. Sold after 300km, no pleasure. Vibration on the pedals, dct was less enjoying than a manual, my wife was sliding on the stock seats, I had pain on my back and on my wrists. Pity because the style was pretty good
Sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience with the bike. I am looking forward to the riding season starting and I will report back if I share your pain points after a few trips around the mountains.
To be honest just like me, I’m 56 and now noticing moving heavy bikes around is becoming a bit of a struggle. My garage is at the bottom of a slope so I need to reverse the bikes in otherwise I don’t have a hope. Old age catches up with us all.
I need to hit the gym to stop the decline in upper body strength.
To true, had to let my Honda crossrunner go because struggling with the top heavy troubles.
Amen
I know the feeling, I'm a similar age with worsening arthritis in my right knee and hip. I'm thinking along the lines of lowering my bike slightly so I can get on easier. The weight is noticeable now so lighter bikes are in the medium term.
I'm 65 and I have a goldwing(2018).No problems
That is extremely fantastic motorcycle if we had 2016 model in Turkey I would not buy any other motorcycle.
Thanks.
I'm 54 and keep mine in my back garden with just a narrow gate and sloping path down to where i keep it, backwards in. It takes a while and your muscle memory, balance, and effort become second nature. Bought mine (2013 model) with 2500 miles in 2018. Its done 40,000 now and not missed a beat. Clean the brakes regularly the pistons tend to get corrosion on them in winter weather. Getting off the stand I use left hand on handle bar and right hand on grab rail and PULL it. Mines DCT so even heavier!!!!
My one is also DCT. All three of my bikes are. I am planning a comparison of the three generations of DCT I have. X-adv and Rebel.
Enjoyed the video thanks, I've had mine since new in 2016, same colour as yours. Always get it off the centre stand by sitting on the machine, never try to do it standing beside, too easy for it to topple away from you. Always use the engine to move it around, especially against a slope. My driveway is uphill into the garage so I ride it into the garage, when going out on the bike, I sit on it and let it roll down under gravity, then I start it up when I'm ready to go. It's a great machine, I've had two blackbirds and teo FJ1200A's as well as loads of others and the VFR1200F is the best so far.
I've fitted cruise control from Veeefour, Andriani front fork internals and a Nitron rear shock, it now handles even more brilliantly.
Never had a bike where I have really had to think about where I was stopping as it was staying where it stops.
I think you've answered your own question? I'm 6:0 and 15 stone, but am now in my 60 's and although I could sit Ok on these big ADV and touring bikes that are all the rage (Ironically, with many older and smaller riders ) I chose a 800 Ducati that, if anything, is too small for me, but it is easy to manhandle and a delight on country roads. The sheer size and weight of these BMW 's and Africa Twins and the like is not for me.
However, each to his own. The VFR does look a beautiful machine, though.
We’re all heading in the same direction. I’m 63 and my GSA was getting unwieldy. Replaced by and Africa Twin Adventure Sport which although lighter and lower seat height was actually less stable than the GSA and top heavy. I’m on a KTM 890 Adventure now which is tall but so much more manageable being both lighter by a huge margin but with a very low centre of gravity. And plenty of grunt with less to push.
A little exercise will help. I am 57 and have no problem moving my 2007 VTX1800F ,I believe that regular exercise does wonders, then again its just a opinion.
I think you are right about the exercise and perhaps I can do some videos on my attempt to get fit for motorcycling.
Move the bike with the side stand down so if you can't hold it you can drop it onto the stand. Removing the panniers helps Also, you are not putting it up on the centre stand correctly, you are pulling it up rather than pushing through your foot, your right arm is meant to assist only. I'm 5.6ft and 61 and have a tiger sport, so I have to be mindful when moving it about.
Lovely bike....I have it's adventure-styled brother, the vfr1200x.
One tip I can pass on is never put a bike away wet.....water in all those nooks and crannies that a drying cloth won't reach...it's just asking for corrosion to set in...ask me how I know!
I invested in one of those hot air pet / bike dryers....about £60 on Amazon. They work extremely well at removing all traces of water from a bike.
Thanks for the tip, I am off the age I am more worried about me getting rusty.
Hi Brian you may have already thought of this but I use a metal turntable for my tracer 9, so ride in my garage turn it on the turntable and come out forward. Two point's you need a centre stand and be able to lift the front wheel by pushing down on the back of the bike so you can rotate it, easy on my tracer but not so easy on my 1050 vstrom.
Yea, there's no getting away from the dead weight Brian, it's all compromise I guess, as that weight (as you know from your journey) helps it feel pretty much battleship steady on the road. I have to park it thoughtfully. 👍
Yes I am going to have to pick my parking spot very carefully.
you're doing just fine, save a little energy by only turning the bars when its moving, just before you stop and just after you start, forward or back.
I own a BMW K1200GT, I believe even a bit heavier. Moving it backwards out of the shed I always do it sitting on the bike. You do not feel the weight so much and you are actually in total a bit narrower as you are not standing next to the bike. Moving it forward is easy, after all it has an engine... And, as I never use water to clean my bikes (as water equals rust), I do all my cleaning inside the shed.
I have a VFR800, smaller, but still a top heavy lovely. Made a turntable using a lazy Susan mechanism from Amazon and riveted a 14" steel plate. Drive into the shed, spin on the turntable, and drive out. RUclips videos of guys with similar turntables. Works great!
Sounds great!.
I find moving a heavy bike on unlevel ground can be controlled this way. With bike on it's sidestand, stand in front of it facing it's nose with the front wheel between your legs. Reach forwards and grab the bars then you can lift it upright. From that position it is very stable although you are now going backwards to the bike, on the plus side you get a great view to reverse it into tight gaps. Not a good idea if you have an Italian suicide stand, but most bikes stands will stay down even unloaded.
Need to use the "whole body push" technique. Get your body down onto the seat and your torso up against the tank. Then push with your legs and you'll find it a LOT easier to move around and keep balanced.
I am getting better at moving this bike. The advantage is it makes the other two seem so easy.
My VRF1200 has an engine. Very useful for climbing slopes.
Okay, that was funny.
Oh boy. I sold my TL1000R due to weight.
That centre stand doesn't look very 'over-centre'. So up right.
A busy cafè we visit is on a slope. If you have to park slightly facing down I'd be scared to death it'd all go over.
Does look bit of a handful practice makes perfect lovely looking bike well worth the effort
I find the easiest way to maneuver heavy bikes on slight slopes is to be sat on the bike. Let it roll back holding the brake and let the engine move it forward. The way you're doing it looks like an accident waiting to happen. Best of luck!
I am going to practice that.
I decided to junk the heavy weights and return to the simpler, lighter bikes of my youth. I don’t buy anything heavier than 160Kg - a weight I can easily deadlift in the gym. It’s fine when you’re riding a heavy bike, but the moment you have to paddle it about - especially in hot weather when tired-it becomes a real burden. I thought the reduction in performance would be a difficult adaption, but it was far easier than I had thought and it made things a lot less stressful. I’m enjoying motorcycling again as I remember it - fun, not serious.
That will be a path for me too.
@@StayAtHomeBiker You won’t regret it. I bought a Fantic 500 scrambler and absolutely love it. I have a 701 Vitpillen which hardly gets used and just acquired an Yamaha XT 250 Serrow as I’ve begun to discover easy green lanes away from traffic.
@@nockianlifter661 that's a nice collection you have there.
@@StayAtHomeBiker Thanks. All fun in different ways. The Husqvarna is the most needy 😆 It’s almost like riding a high powered two stroke, no higher than 2nd gear at 30mph.
My heavy powerful bike stays in the shed. I brought a new Ninja 400 and enjoy riding again.
Nice bike, all large capacity can be difficult to move around. I find pushing down on the pillion seat with my right hand, then as it comes back up pushing forward with my left hand holding the handlebar helps getting off the main stand much easier.
Thanks for the tip, I will give it a try.
Beautiful bike. I'm 59 have a gravel drive so no your pain but practice makes perfect. I'm near Oban.
Oban is a good run for me but only in the sunshine.
Nice bike, friend!
Depends on what else you get from the bike (bike looks great BTW) and how much you are willing to compromise, i have two really heavy bikes, a gen 1 Hayabusa at 262KG and a 1st Gen V Max at 280KG, i'm 52, roughly 5'7" and about 12stone, moving them about the drive is a chore but they are such amazing bikes it's a small price to pay.
Good luck and safe travels!
coolest bike ever built. honestly
It should feature on more 'best of' lists.....
Sold my FJR for this reason.
When considering new bikes I check the weight now.
Can be deceptive (TDM felt much heavier than it was) but a big consideration.
As I get older the bikes will need to get smaller.
For me that would be an accident waiting to happen - I'd sit on it and use the engine moving forward up that slope, and paddle it backwards with my feet (not very elegant but safe and effective;)
Same here. I would never move a bike without sitting on it, key in ignition ready to start when needing the engine to assist. But then again, I am not one for living on the edge :)
I bought a KTM 690 SMCR in 2014, full system, power commander and evo 2 kit, 140kilos without the standard can and airbox stuff. Job done. Its light as a feather and I’m 66, still doing the odd wheelie.
Very nice!
@@StayAtHomeBiker Hi Brian, I regularly ride circa 150 miles on it too. Not for everyone, but a very nippy bike and soooooo easy to move around and get in the van for odd trips away.
What a nice looking bike. I got put off them originally by journalists pointing out poor fuel range from the small tank. ( In those days i thought all sports tourers should do 200 plus miles between fill ups) maybe i should give one a try now.
don't be so hard on yourself so early. Its brand new to you so you will be nervous anyway how it feels to push. With familiarity you will find a lot more confidence which will dispel some of the weight. Take all luggage boxes off first. I personally would not use my side stand to manoeuvre the bike. Regardless of whether some say its more than possible, the stand just is not designed for that kind of weight.
I have the manual 1200f version and it is heavy. I also have cancer that has destroyed my spine so I have to think of different ways to do things, for me it is by far easier to be on the bike to move it, I will pull it backwards and use the engine to move it forward with both feet on the ground. For me it is a lot more stable to move that way. I used to stand beside it to move it, unfortunately after one mishap were the bike fell away from me and new panniers and fairings later (not cheap I must say) l learned my to do it this way, it takes longer but is cheaper in the long run. Love the bike otherwise it is brilliant for touring, you should really enjoy it.❤
Many thanks for comment and advice. A mishap is always possible.
TOP TIP: drive up to the garage and make a lovely controlled u-turn in a clockwise direction. then back the honda in to the garage using the slight slope up to the house to assist you. getting the bike out becomes a doddle. whenever possible REVERSE in to a parking spot imo
......... also: why struggle to push the bike up the incline towards the house ?? Honda cunningly included one and a quarter litres to perform the pushing task for you innit??
la grande finale: struggling like a nutter to put the bike away. LOLZ. engine m8. engine
Man with engine powered motorcycle decides to try to push motorcycle up a hill instead of using the engine. What do you think he could do differently?
A - use the engine.
B - use the engine.
C - use the engine.
D - dig out the hill so is now a slope going downwards. Once the bike is back in the garage put all of the ground back so the bike is easy to move it downwards again. Repeat each time he needs to move the bike in and out of the garage.
:-)
Beautiful but heavy bikes. It's tough.
Perhaps there is a solution to lifting a bike which is a bit heavy for you off of its centre stand and you can google it or somebody will invent it?
I remember in training being taught how to lift the bike onto a centre stand by using the foot press on the centre stand as well as both of my hands on the bike frame. So that as I stepped on the foot press on the centre stand, at the same time my two hands were helping to lift the weight of the bike up. Both movements together made it much easier.
Have you considered speaking to a Honda Goldwing dealer if you have to move Honda Goldwings around a lot? I'd take a spin to one of those and ask them how they do it and see if they will help you.
It's good that you have such a fabulous bike and you're seeking advice on a way forward. You'll find it.
I have seen on 44Teeth RUclips channel and others there are small cheap lifting frames with 3-4 wheels that they use to move the bike around while working on them.
I had a garage on a slope and I used to ride the bike up the slope into the sloped garage. Using the engine. Lol.
To take it out I would sit on the bike and slowly and carefully let gravity roll it backwards down the slope while gently using the brakes to keep the bike moving slowly and controllably. Once I was in enough space I could start and turn it.
I do find it a little bit funny that you have an engine powered vehicle that you're trying to push up a hill :-)
I know petrol is expensive but....
You have to get on it, start it and use the engine to pull it uphill and let it coast downhill. You should be able to move it around on the flat ground while you are on it with two feet on the ground. I have one and that's how I move it around. Always point the front uphill and the back downhill. Do this with all heavy bikes.
Great tip. This is by far the heaviest bike I have owned. I have no great trouble with the X-ADV or Rebel.
I have a honda blackbird and while I am tallish at 6'1 I am a skinny guy who isnt very strong. I push the bike about with the sidestand down so I feel a bit more confident knowing if I swing her about it wont fall over onto me. And just use your legs and torso to move it about. You will get used to it.
You are certainly a toughie, hats off to you Sir. I got a 10 year old NC700D Integra from Aberdeen and took it back down south, we must have passed on the motorway! It is enough for me at 74 and the really low c.o.g makes it a pussy! best of luck!
I had an NC700D and went to trade it against a new one, but the deal on the X-ADV was too tempting and that is what I went for and still have it three years later.
@@StayAtHomeBiker So on hindsight, is the 1200F being moved on?
@@drdoolittle5724 I am looking forward to the riding season in 2023. I will see which bike puts on the most miles and smiles. X-ADV, Rebel or VFR. I do need to get down to just one of them eventually.
@@StayAtHomeBiker I ended up with 700D because it is perfect for me, knee injury was hell on pegs so coming across floorboards is perfection - replacement one day will be x-adv methinks only cos 750d discontinued! We are so lucky with Honda, they are innovative and perfection?
Gorgeous vfr. I have a 6th gen, wish I had the money years ago to get 1200.
You could try knock up a turn table using a dizzy dolly and scaffold board.
Back it out onto the table turn it round and away you go .
As suggested, have the motor running and sit astride the bike when manouvering is sometimes quite useful (?) Plus how about a small dolly /turntable and turn it around in the garage if you have the space ...? I am 6ft2 so dont really have problems myself but a heavy bike being moved around at home can wrongfoot anyone.... practice often makes perfect when you get used to the bike
No space in garage as there are two more bikes and a van in there.
I owned a VFR1200F in 2012 for 3 years and I have to say, it was by far the most difficult motorcycle to be moved around I have ever had, I always believed it was because of the Honda cardan resistance, I owned also a Kawasaki GTR1400 (also cardan) and it was much easier to roll despite being 40kg heavier.
I had to Google that, universal joint is a positive, mechanical connection between rotating shafts, which are usually not parallel, but intersecting. They are used to transmit motion, power, or both.
I have VFR1200X DCT and it's a bit too heavy for me, I'm 60 kg. Thankfully I rarely drop it and when I did there was somebody around able to help me pick it up.
I consider VFR1200F as of one of my future motorbike options.
Thankfully not dropped it in my first year with the bike. I am tempted the other way F to X for the extra suspension clearance for the poor Scottish roads.
Use the engine as much as you can to move it
When you're on the bike trying to get it off the center stand you can rock it forward and grab the brake at the right time and it will hold the bike slightly off the stand. Then you can readjust and rock it the rest of the way off the stand releasing the brake
Nice tip. Never had to do that before.
Nice job moving that bike around, I have the same problem with mine so I sit on it & push it around that way, best of luck with it, it’s a beautiful bike
Thanks 👍
Yep mines red DCT a lovely bike 👍
Hi Bri, Big sports touring bikes are great to ride but, be as you mentioned can be "a little bit embarrising" when trying to manoeuver on uneven ground. When they do topple over there's also the cost of repairing all those lovely plastic bits which I always had to replace as I didn"t to be reminded of my stupidity ! I've owned over 35 motorcycles of all shapes and sizes during my 50+ years of riding and I do remember test riding the VFR1200 when they were first released back in 2010 in Australia. I loved the V4 engine and the shaft drive but didn"t buy one due to the weight. At 69 I'm still riding but I have gradually down sized to lighter bikes that are more managable to manoeuver in tight surroundings.I'm currently riding a Yamaha MT09, just under 200kg fully fueled and the Kawasaki Verseys 300 is around 175kg ,ready to ride. Both fun to ride and the low weight and seat heights helps me aviod those embarrasing siutuations ! Good luck with your VFR and stay safe.
Many thanks for the encouragement and your path is one I will need to follow.
I had 2 of these lovely bikes , I feel your pain, been riding for 35 years but was always nervous moving the 12 about, I think the issue is it’s weight sits high, I have a r1250GS now and have no problems, it’s heavy but the weight is low so it’s extremely well balanced to push about. I wish you good luck whatever you decide.
Many thanks. I had a 650GS a long while ago and more recently the R9T Urban GS which was a beautiful bike that I loved to look at but could not live with its seat and also I do not have the skills to rev change down on such a torque y engine. So I swapped it for the dct Rebel.
As much as I love a great driving motorcycle, I am not a fan of heavy weight in a motorcycle. That is a beautiful bike even with every bag off it. That's how I would ride it unless I was touring. I'm actually looking at a new KLR650 (really cheap!) just to have a plain jane runner to enjoy around the city I live in. Anyway, great luck on your gorgeous Honda.
In my opinion, you did great maneuvering the bike in that driveway. VFR1200F is a HEAVY bike, your garage driveway obviously has a slope. Anyone else than Arnold Schwarzenegger will have a hard time manhandling that particular bike in that particular driveway. I know more than one drivers who would have dropped that beast or have given up trying to push it uphill. Looking forward to watching your adventures on your new VFR. Cheers!
Many thanks for the positive message. I will post a few more videos.
I’m a small guy and i use the bike to help me. As in, I get it up the slope i need to overcome by riding it , gentle clutch control.
I see what you re saying about the weight , just practice more with it , bike looks great .
I'm 70 and bought a vfr 3 years ago. It is a heavy lump to push around but easy when zooming along. Beware gravelly and pot holey car parks. Have fun.
I will need to pick my parking places very carefully.
I test rode a VFR1200 (DCT) a few years ago. Was so looking forward to it as it is quite an iconic bike. Biggest damp-squib I have ever ridden. Utterly underwhelmed. Nonetheless, agree with your comments as I am 60 this year and do not enjoy lugging my current bike around the garage.
I'm 62 and now struggle to get my 07 GSA out of the garage especially if the 33 ltr tank is full.
Trouble is I've had it from nearly new with just running in mileage and I love it too much to part.
Best touring bike for my height.
I will be 60 next year 2024,. This experience has motivated to improve my upper body strength.
I dropped my vfr800 on its first day of ownership. I could not pick it up for the life of me. Thankfully my friend was there to help me.
I made it through the first year without issue, looking forward to the 2024 riding season.
Now aged 69,and just a few years ago had a Crosstourer DCT..great engine..but eventually had to sell due to weight..if only it had been 50kgs lighter..😁
It is always an inspiration to hear from 'older' riders. Respect. Keep riding safe.
I used to own a Bmw k1200lt. And that was heavy. It did have the added bonus of a reverse gear and electric centre stand. but if I didn’t use these the bike was so heavy and I know what you mean about being nervous moving the bike at slow speeds Especially on wet tarmac.
I’ve had the same bike, it’s brilliant but top heavy.
I live in the Pennines and hairpin low speed corners were, shall we say interesting.
Going up a single track road and the camber of the road drops away on one side can be character building.
As a tourer , I think it’s the best bike ever, it was just a problem where I live.
Interesting. I have yet to do any twisty roads on the bike. Only motorway so far to get it home.
I sympathise. I'm 57 and 5' 2" I initially found pushing my ZZR1400 around hard work. You soon get used to it. I always lean the bike against my hip whilst moving it.
Thanks and good luck with your 1.4L
Same here. BMW R1200RT was heavy compared to my regular NC750X, but after a few months, I got used to it. This adjustment repeats every year for about 2-3 days when I am taking it out after winter. So don't worry, looks like a marvel.
@@RudoRoemer I love the NC (I had the DCT version). The most 'usable' bike I have ever owned bar-none.
I am 5’7” 11 stone and 71 with an ST1300. (Sounds like failed online dating!) I always move the bike with the sidestand down and only put it up once sat on the bike with the engine running. I push mine with one hand on the left handlebar grip and my right hand on the pillion seat. This helps move it backwards. I can move it on the flat but never up a slope. I am careful when parking and never pointing downhill. I am also cautious when parking on the road with the rear wheel into the kerb. It can be hard to raise the bike off the stand if the bike is angled to the left so that it leans too much with the camber. Rough parking surfaces can also be tricky. That being said I tour with my wife and a full panniers and top box. Hopes this helps; I think you will get used to it.
@@peterthebruce that is sound advice and I am going to adopt those habits with the VFR rather than what I have been doing with my other bikes.
If you need to you can spin it around on its kickstand, or center stand if you have one. I have an older vfr750 and it’s over 500 pounds, I’m 160lbs.
I'm not going to argue with you. If you feel it's too heavy of a bike and you don't want to deal with the weight I can understand that. But in my opinion where there's a will there's a way. I'm 60 years old, short, fat and terribly out of shape and desperately need a another hip replacement. I own 8 motorcycles and one of those motorcycles is a 2012 zx14r very similar in weight of the vfr1200f. I love the bike and I love riding it, but it is a handful in difficult for me to manage I wouldn't be able to push it up that hill either. I would use the motorcycle engine to go up the hill. I wouldn't even try to push it up that hill, I couldn't do it. But when I'm on the bike riding it through the curvy canyons and highways of the Cascade mountains in Oregon. I completely forget about how heavy the bike isn't hard to manage at low speeds I can't really imagine a life without it. Your Honda vfr1200f is a beautiful bike and I'd love to have one.
I was 38 when I got mine and I struggle to move it. I always start mine now to move it.
It is a bit of a squeeze in the garage and I find pushing it in the best option.
I’ve got some heavy Moto Guzzis. At 63, with a knackered left knee, I struggle sometimes.
Not embarrassing, lots of modern bikes are heavy beasts. You might try waddling it out of the garage, ie seated, I'd open that right hand garage door as a matter of course as it's just lying in wait for a pannier or your mirror or worse for you to drop the bike against it. Once its out I'd start the engine and manoeuvre it that way to get it back in. Good luck, you'll soon get used to it if you haven't already done so.
It’s a great looking bike 👍
The design has stood the test of time well.
It a beautiful bike and is indeed very heavy but you did very well moving it about in the slope, the weight could easily have gotten away from you. I had a 2012 model DCT and thoroughly enjoyed my time with it but the seating position was not perfect so had to go, I replaced it with the 1200X 😀 I always sat on the bike and used the engine to assist moving it around but you do get used to the weight and understand how best to handle it.
Thanks 👍
dopped my seat by 30 mm helped a lot, I'm 5.7 inside leg 30. just have to be careful of the sidestand
The bike came with a comfort seat with lots of padding. I now have the Honda low seat option which I bought on an auction site. It is a choice of comfort or practicality when. I go out for a ride.
Beautiful bike. Lots of similarities in specs to my 08 Concours 14. Though mine is even heavier. For me, I use the bikes engine to move it around whenever possible. Make it earn that weight. :-). I once had a VF-750 Sabre which was electric-smooth. My previous ZX14 and this Concours have very smooth engines too. I think once you have time to ride it more, you’ll become accustomed to the weight. Of course, shedding the mufflers will help with that too. Good luck.
You look to be a tall fella but clearly struggling with a bike of this size and weight. I'm 6'0" and realising that my days with super heavies are now over. I dropped a BMW K100 on my drive when I lost my footing, once they go there is no way you're going to keep them upright. I'm more inclined to think that bikes around 200 - 210kg are fine for touring and much easier to live with. Your VF is a nice looker, though!
Eventually it will need to be a smaller bike. Not looking forward to it being electric.
My previous bike was a Suzuki GSX 1400 and that was a great but heavy bike, my new bike is a Honda CB 500x not as heavy but much more fun I’ve ridden this more often than the last one. I’m 67 medium build and 5 ft 7 i can recommend the 500 x
I saw a 500X in the dealers and thought it was a fine looking bike. If it had DCT then I would have one. I had the NC750X for five years with DCT and it was a great bike. I traded it for the xADV for a change. I might go back to the X in the future.
Beautiful bike. I had a 1993 Honda Goldwing, which was a bigger heavier Honda than yours. I’m 6 foot 2inches tall, so putting my feet on the ground was not a problem. But I really had to think when I maneuvered the bike around my garage/driveway, or parking lots or I could have easily dropped it. I rarely pushed it around, but used the engine instead. If I was going to wash it in your driveway I would get on it, push it back with the my fingers on the front brake and then stop and put it on the side stand. I would never put the bike on the center stand on an angled surface or I could never get it back off. So when I would finish washing it in your driveway, I would start it and ride it straight back into the garage. I wouldn’t move it all over the driveway like you’re doing. I don’t think your bike is too heavy. I think you’re making the job harder than it needs to be. I’m 70 and I now have a 2001 Harley Electraglide which is as big of a beast as the Goldwing was. I use the engine to help me move it, not my back. Just some tips that work for me. Keep the shiny side up!😎👍
I move the X-ADV and Rebel around like that without too much trouble, habit meant me falling into this trap with the VFR. Your tips will be followed. Thanks.
I understand your issue Brian. I have 22 bikes, of which two are in the same weight class as your Honda (albeit a few kg less than yours) One is a Kawasaki Zephyr 1100, the other a BMW R1200RT. These two are similar in weight, but very different in height, and this is the part that I find matters. I can push the Zephyr around so easily because it is fairly low, so I'm able to get the center of strain down to about the height of my lower ribs, but the bars of the RT are quite high and this means the strain point is much higher, and of course the higher it is, the more I bend back when pushing. (I do have a back injury that makes this all a bit harder). Likewise, moving them when sitting astride is also completely different as I'm bent legs and flat footed on the zephyr and on the RT I'm legs extended and my heels have only light contact with the ground. I think your issue isn't the weight so much as the height. So I'm wondering if a lowering kit might help you....?
22 bikes, I guess you get a lot of practice moving the around if you want to ride the one at the back of the garage.
@@StayAtHomeBiker lol, I have them spread about, some at home (12) a,d the rest in a mate's hangar (he has about 30, and another mate keeps his there too. We are good at buying bikes, selling, not so much. Where I live you don't have a reg number per bike, you have a plate which you remove when you sell the bike. I have 6 number plates, so if I want to use a bike that isn't plated, I have to inform the insurance company and wait for a reg doc with that bikes details on it.. a bit of a phaff but some of the bikes aren't really suitable dailys.. ie, a TY250 or XR250, so these tend to get vanned around if I want to use them.. The UK is more suitable for multiple bike ownership I feel.. especially if you have a multi bike policy. I have to have 6 separate policies, one for each plate.
It needs an non-factory pipe/slip-on. Cheers from the Pacific West coast of Canada.
Ahh you would despair at my driveway. I have a mixture of wet grass and uneven paving slabs up a moderately steep slope. Luckily I have a Royal Enfield Himalayan which glides up! I always use the bike's engine when I'm shifting it up a hill, appreciate you might not have wanted to heat the bike up just before washing it though.
You have the right bike, perhaps when I am older I will get something more inline with my muscle strength.
You wanna try a Triumph thunderbird 1600….330kg, it’s ridiculous but worth every strained sinew!
Great looking bike! seat looks really comfy too, if you back your bike out and put it on the center stand you can spin it 180 on the stand fairly easy, works well with my GS adventure 270 kgs about the same as the VFR
Thanks for the tip.
On cement yes but asphalt it could dig in. They make a low dolly for a center stand to be placed on that’ll spin easily. Or you can just turn on that mc and let the motor do the work. I’m 57 and starting to feel my age.
Some riders use the side stand to spin a bike around but from an engineer's point of view, that makes me cringe especially on an aluminium framed bike. That one bolt/bolt hole were not designed to take such forces, only a matter of time until something breaks.
@@steveclark.. yeah, works good on a small bike with no center stand, but wouldn't risk it on a big bike
Can you maybe reverse it into the garage and then ride it out? I have had two, beautiful bike but I found the DCT very difficult at low speed on a slope. The saddle is after market so maybe lower. The main talking point was the exhaust when it came out- I think it’s ok now.
I have always preferred to move my bikes in and out rather than drive them out. Old habits.
Love the bike, Im a bit concerned about the weight i have a gsx650f which is stupid heavy for the engine size, 250kg wet. love a shaft drive DCT
After the first season with the bike the weight is not really an issue - until the day it has to be picked up!
Yep my vfr 800 was one heavy bike and I got rid of it for that reason lovely to ride but to I'm getting on so needed something much lighter at 70 it was a full work out getting her into the outhouse to park
Did you downsize from the VFR? I hope you are still riding.
Have you considered a turntable to help manoeuvre around your yard? I have an ST1100 which is even heavier than your VFR and it makes a world of difference turning it on that.
I had not thought of that as an option. It would help in the garage but outside the drive slopes away.
I’ve owned a few heavy bikes and whilst the vfr feels the same weight as my previous blackbird I find it much easier to get the vfr on its main stand. I’ve got an akra can on mine and a nitron shock so these maybe lighter than stock. I know the Akra definitely is. The oe can is really heavy. All big bikes are a bit of a pig to move about and I’ve seen a few dropped at meets.
I don't seem to have a problem getting it up onto the stand. It is getting back off that caused me the problem. More practice needed, and perhaps some grease on the stand pivot shaft.
@@StayAtHomeBiker
I grease mine occasionally, it sometimes gets sticky when it’s not been used in a while. Then again my blackbird main stand was the same.
Had a 2011 non dct yes they are heavy to push around that v4 engine is an absolute peach loads of character and punch would make sure it's had the recall work done on the driveshaft by Honda as early models suffered failure.
I went for the post 2012 model because of that shaft issue and other reports of early issues.
You managed ok but I think in your place I'd be sitting on it and using the engine. My thunderbird weighs about 750 pounds, it can be hard to muscle around, especially when the tires are cold
Walk your bike from the brake side with the stand down. You don’t have to reach over for the brake and if it goes away from you the stand will save it
I'm 173 cm 63kg I always make sure I never have to push it backwards up hill.
I got trapped as I have no issues with the rebel and X-ADV and did not think twice about trying the same with the VFR. I need to be more thoughtful.