Flat black VFR?!

Skully · 02-29-2004, 8:30 AM

I saw one yesterday at the dealer. Seems like an odd choice for Honda considering the typical VFR owner.

Thoughts?

Pic

Chain · 02-29-2004, 8:48 AM

That's the 'Asphalt' color from the first year 919, so it's not like they went to the drawing board for a new Viffer paint scheme. Personally, I think the color is pretty neat, but perhaps not for something as sophisticated as the 'ceptor.

You thinking about buying, Skully?

NinerPilot · 02-29-2004, 9:00 AM

You ask any VFR rider (Current or Former) what they would like different for them, and you will get either 1) Other color than red 2) Factory hard luggage and 3) A RR that wont go out at 18K miles, from probably 90% of them...
Chris

Chain · 02-29-2004, 9:07 AM

Numbers 1) and 2) have been addressed, no?

They had a classy coat of silver paint on the VFR last year and I'm sure I read a review of the finally available hard cases from Honda.

Edit: found the cases right on Honda's website.

NinerPilot · 02-29-2004, 9:40 AM

Yeah, honda seems to be listening a bit, but from 94-02 there was only 1 year (00) that it came in any other than red in the states...
Chris

Skully · 02-29-2004, 9:45 AM

No new bike for me at least until the new '08 R1 comes out.

Got a kid on the way ya know.

VFR owners have been screaming for a color selection for years. I bought a yellow one in '00 becuase there were no other choices while our northen neighbors had 4 colors to choose from. Last year Honda obliges with a nice silver and now asphalt? Whoever chooses the colors for the US bound Honda's doesn't seem real in tune with the market. I don't think your typical 30 or 40 something year old VFR owner would pick primer black. I haven't been on the VFR list in awhile so who knows.

I thought the RR problem was fixed with the '00 model year.

NinerPilot · 02-29-2004, 9:48 AM

I dont think it was fixed, just better. Dad's 00 has had 1 ewplaced I believe. He bought Guido Lou's from him last winter. You want to give those VFR listers a fit, start shipping VFR's with schemes... Multiple colors!
Chris

OSIRIS · 02-29-2004, 10:21 AM

I think it looks great. I loved the color of the 919 when it came out, but I think part of the appeal of it was that there wasn't very much of it. Keeping a full fairing flat black VFR looking nice may be a PITA

ULEWZ · 02-29-2004, 10:41 AM

I just started riding with a guy that has the Asphalt color on his VFR and has some complaints. Riding it in the twisties causes your body to shift on the tank, and those areas are starting to shine up from wear. This leaves part of the bike shinny, and the rest flat black. He also can't wax it for fear of removing the flat look. He wishes it was just plain old black. We're not sure if the R/R on the VFRs are worse than other Hondas, or just that VFR owners put many more miles on their rides letting them wear out naturally. My VFR R/R went out at 30,000 miles after a high speed run in over 100 degree temperatures. The new R/R, so far so good.

maxib · 02-29-2004, 11:35 AM

My experience with VF/VFRs go all the way back to the original (for the US) '83. Rode that one for 15 years. In fact, I've had an Interceptor in the garage for 19 continuous years. There should be no doubt that I like that bike. (I just happen to like my 954 a little bit better

)

However, if I were looking to buy a new Interceptor tomorrow (which I wouldn't due to Honda messing with the valve train), and the only color offered was asphalt, I'd walk out the salesroom door and look for a used VFR.

That's my opinion as asked.

Interesting too,...I hadn't thought about it until ULEWZ's post, but I can see where polishing the paint from road gear would make an ugly paint uglier.

Is this the only color offered for 2004?

Niner,...your Dad got Guido's bike? I didn't know that! Does it have the aroma of fish???

Chain · 02-29-2004, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxib

Is this the only color offered for 2004?

No Max, the usual bright red is available as well. Tired? Maybe, but I remain a fan of that hue on Honda sportbikes.

NinerPilot · 02-29-2004, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxib

Niner,...your Dad got Guido's bike? I didn't know that! Does it have the aroma of fish???

Yep, its in the garage now! He going out in a bit... No fish smell anymore, but I took it to the shop I worked at when he got it and spent about 4 hours scrubbing all the road grime off of it...

Chris

CBRVFR · 02-29-2004, 1:25 PM

That asphalt color does nothing for me, either. I saw it at the Detroit show recently and it looked like hell from people swinging their shoes into the right bag and rubbing their belt buckles on the tank.

I see that Ducati is trying the same thing, as is MV Agusta. What the hell is going on? I didn;t get the memo saying that flat black was cool....

HondaGal · 02-29-2004, 6:22 PM

I still prefer the Italian Red color to any that Honda has chosen for the VFR. The flat black reiminds me of an 'inexpensive' paint job from a can of Krylon.

ratdog · 04-07-2004, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGal

I still prefer the Italian Red color to any that Honda has chosen for the VFR. The flat black reiminds me of an 'inexpensive' paint job from a can of Krylon.

i love the black...then again i do have the 919 in black

red mean trouble w/ the law for me...silver was great....now if they would just add about 40 hp...

HondaGalToo · 04-07-2004, 7:10 AM

Didn't they make it in pearl white one year? I liked that!

maxib · 04-07-2004, 7:41 AM

Yup, the '93 came in Pearl White.

ccwilli3 · 04-07-2004, 8:08 AM

I like the flat black too, looks stealth to me... A bit more "streetfighter'ish"...

Heavy-Dee · 04-07-2004, 8:16 AM

I like the flat black as well. I hadn't considered the "maintenance issues", and when I'm in the market for one, I'll probably look for the silver.

HD

CBRVFR · 04-07-2004, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccwilli3

I like the flat black too, looks stealth to me... A bit more "streetfighter'ish"...

Yeah, but a lot of VFR owners have matching pocket protectors...