The reduction in fuel tank capacity from 22 litres (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal) on the previous VFR800 down to 18.5 litres (4.1 imp gal; 4.9 US gal) on the VFR1200F has been the main complaint raised by motorcyclists, coupled with the new engine's higher-than-expected fuel consumption.
On-road tests have shown a maximum distance from a single tank of less than 300 kilometres (186 mi), with some press reviewers running out of fuel after just 240 kilometres (150 mi).