https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/201...er-first-look/

The shaft drive is a big plus......

Over 600 pounds! Not my cup of tea. If I ever toppled over out in the toolies I'd probably be buzzard bait before I managed to get it back on its wheels.

too heavy - not interested

Don't shoot me for asking this but why??
My first bike was shaft driven and I have to say I wasn't the biggest fan of it. Barely letting off the throttle was met by such deceleration that it was quite unenjoyable.

The VFR 1200 died a death in it's original clothes, so why should a new name & a new set of plastics make an unpopular bike any more popular?

Not having to jack with a chain on a long trip to me is a big plus..Or at all really...

^ this..
In order of convenience, and maintenance, Chain drive is last in my book. I love shaft drive, its sealed away from the elements like mud and rocks, etc. I give a close second to the Belt drive that was on My Uly. I put almost 33,000 miles on that belt. Never adjusted, and obviously never needed lubed etc.. Carry a spare in case it ever broke, can swap it out in 25 minutes on the side of the road if I had to.

"Barely letting off the throttle was met by such deceleration that it was quite unenjoyable."

I don't know that Shaft drive was the reasoning behind that. I have never noticed it any more or less than chain. I believe it to be more a characteristic of the tuning of the engine itself.

I figured being hidden from the elements was a huge benefit. Just wondering what all the wiser people like you guys would have to say about it.

It was a Yamaha V-Star 650. No clue how the previous owner had it tuned or if he was even the only owner before. Great starter bike but I hated the seating position on that cruiser, especially considering I'm 6'5"

That was the engine braking. Would have felt the same had you'd a chain.

For distance riding a shaft beats a chain because you don't have to clean, lube, and adjust.