The used motorcycle that manages to find the balance between touring comfort and everyday usability

Kudos to those of us who can afford multiple bikes in our garage. You always have a suitable bike for just the right occasion, whether you’re touring the country, hitting the local circuit or going to work. But for many of us, one bike is all we get. And it better be exactly what you want, otherwise you’ll be stuck with huge compromises to drive all the ways you want.

Luckily for us, manufacturers like Honda know all too well the pain of owning just one bike. And they’ve steadily built a fleet of motorcycles that can do just about anything we ask of them. Whether it’s an off-road adventure bike that can handle the highways just as well, or a sporty touring bike that feels comfortable commuting, chances are there’s something for you. And such an underrated, older model could be the Goldilocks sweet spot if you want to tour and commute in comfort.

Honda VFR1200F: the unsung hero of all-day comfort

This bike only lasted from 2010 to 2017, which isn’t exactly a vote of confidence from Honda. Considering it was phased out for failing to meet emissions standards, it stands to reason that it didn’t sell well enough to warrant an update. That’s a shame, because in all respects the VFR1200F was quite an all-rounder.

The good news is that these days you can find one in good condition for less than $7,000. And that’s a bargain, considering what the VFR1200F has to offer, especially in its DCT configuration. It had a nice V4 engine, all-day comfort, shaft drive and the aforementioned Honda Dual Clutch Transmission, the first such case in a production bike.

Chewing highway miles should be comfortable and exciting

When it comes to highway touring, there are really only two types of riders. Those who want comfort, à la Harley-Davidson’s Street Glide Ultra or Honda Goldwing. And then there are those who want maximum excitement, such as that found in a KTM 1290 Super Duke GT. But both groups were wrong, because why wouldn’t you want both?

The VRF1200F DCT was able to deliver solid Honda reliability, enough punch from the V4 to keep us wanting more, and comfortable ergonomics that kept us going all day long. And while the original MSRP for a decked-out, turnkey version was well over $20,000, the used market now averages $7,000 (depending on year and added features).

The Honda VFR1200F DCT made commuting a breeze

But you don’t just get something like the Honda VRF1200F DCT for highway cruising. It is just as suitable for daily commuting as it is for cross-country travel. Yes, it was a bit on the heavy side, weighing in at 613 pounds, but it was incredibly balanced for its size, making weight not an issue in stop-and-go traffic.

Hardshell suitcases aren’t just for long-distance touring

Those of us who tour regularly know well how useful hard luggage can be during a trip. But they are also a perfect solution for die-hard commuters who spend a lot of time on the road. These OEM, lockable cases can hold a full-size helmet as well as some work-related items you need to take with you. From briefcases and backpacks to tool and lunch boxes, this luggage set from Honda was a powerful accessory for enthusiast professionals.

Honda’s technology on full screen

Let’s get to the 800-pound gorilla in the room. Ask a room full of motorcyclists what they think about the Dual Clutch Transmission, and they might look at you as if you’re talking nonsense. Then explain to them that it’s essentially an automatic transmission, and you’ll lose the whole thing. Unfortunately, DCTs are not particularly popular within the cycling community.

And that’s really annoying, because if you want to get more bikes on the road, the last thing you want is a manual transmission stopping someone from riding along. And if you think we’re wrong, the spread of cheap, automatic e-bikes proves our point. Honda shares this kind of thinking and has been trying to eliminate the use of the clutch for over 60 years, until it has finally put a buttery smooth DCT in one of their flagship engines. And whether you’re touring or commuting, one less thing to worry about means more time to enjoy the actual ride.

The engine specs aren’t too shabby either

But all that DCT nonsense means nothing if the engine isn’t up to the challenge. Fortunately, the V4 in the VFR1200F DCT had no problem hauling around more than 600kg of engine, fluids and rider. With an estimated 173 horsepower and 95 pound-feet of torque, the VFR had enough power for the average speed freak.

An affordable, no-nonsense Grand Tourer

The perfect antidote to today’s bloated flagship bikes

At the time of its release, back in the good old days of 2010, the VFR1200F DCT’s appearance was considered somewhat polarizing. And you can see where some critics might have had a point. The exhaust was huge, the snub-nosed headlight was hideous, and the side fairings were a little too bulky. But in the time since its introduction, the VFR1200F’s aesthetic has softened over the years. They now seem almost subdued compared to modern sport-touring bikes from the likes of KTM, Kawasaki and Aprilia.

It’s time to appreciate the VFR1200F DCT for what it is… and not for what it isn’t

Enough time has passed that we can now appreciate the sporty touring all-rounder that Honda was trying to deliver. Did it have its flaws? The high weight is certainly one of those shortcomings. But the underrated VFR1200F DCT deserves to be more than just a DCT footnote in motorcycle history. Not only did it deliver all-day comfort, usable power and automatic transmission to entice a new generation of riders, but it did so in a way that only Honda could. It had proven reliability, excellent engineering and many features. And now that it’s been on the used market for a while, you can have it for less than half of what it should be worth.