Cant believe what a pain to replace the vfr

[nitronorth]

Heres a different problem that says a lot about the vfr! I have been shopping for 2 months for a replacement..Just time for a new bike, as in brand new, and as much as i love the vfr, I never buy 2 new things the same, especially a vfr as I already had a 05. more fun experimenting..But I never have had a problem before falling in love with a new toy, till now..

so.. I am kinda after a semi faired, full faired standard this time, with touring options, and a bike that has good clean airflow..cant get over how hard that is to get! Most have more buffeting and turbulence than a tombstone shield cruiser! #1 criteria for me is clean air from the neck up like my vfr and some lower protection..!..so far hard to find, but these new 08 bikes all worked....So far I have tried the sprint ST, beautiful! nothin sounds like a triple! but kinda after a more standard bike, ST too much same as my 05 vfr was...so tried the new bandit, very nice, abs, bags, good fairing.just awful colors up here and the seat is brutal..otherwise a bargain..Next I did the fz6, fun bike, love the ergos,the screaming engine..ergos just like my cb's! just too much buzz in the bars and pegs...next the fz1, this one I had out 3 times..yowee does it ever go! feels great, smooth and comfy! what a joke when they say poor low end..hahaa..yep, compared to the top half.sure.:)
but the Touring version up here is 17000$ with taxs!! thats $500 more than the sprint st! It aint in that class... Also tried out the new buel1125..cool bike, but a bit too sport ergo for me and a as I change bikes a lot, just too small market to unload it later.
They have a bargain on a 07 zx14 here and it has the same ergos and feels a lot like my vfr, but I cant buy a bike thats a worse on mpg than my vfr and just as hard to unload, harder in the yrs ahead , and will kill me..so its out. fun tho..:)
The I tried out a cheapy bike thinkin I can keep both , versys 650, lotsa fun and actually ridable unlike that vstrom thing I had last yr.. Decent pickup and fun to ride and great an gas..But not what i was planning,will have to think on this tho.

Of course did the st13, the new concours 14 , fjr, and just too fat for me to have fun , so noop..

So far the biggest smile for me has been the fz1, red with gold wheels..same colors as my all time favorite bike, the cb1100f. Same with the bandit..fun bike and cheap..
but problem is every time i get back on my old 00 vfr I find it still is smoother, better protection, a rare bike out there,and just as comfy and paid for!!
I have never had such a time deciding..:)

The vfr is the first bike I ever had that caused me this trouble..

so far i am not any further ahead cept that i still want a new bike by mid june as planning lotsa trips!

what else have I missed to try?
what a pia..:)
just thought id share my dilema..
sad eh?

[Rustbucket]

The new Triumph Tiger? I have a bit of trouble with the styling but what a great bike! Or, for the same money as trading in your VFR on a Tiger or similar, keep the VFR and pick up a dual-sport - open a whole new world and get killer gas mileage.

[jasonsmith]

My friend that is sad, but when it's time it's time. You may have to let go just a little bit more and let yourself be "free" when making your decision. The VFR is a special bike and I can understand your struggle. It was the same struggle I had when choosing my first bike...

You have tried many great bikes by the sound of it. Maybe concentrate more on what you are looking for now rather than looking for what's better than your 00, cause you know it does everything good.

Being in Canada doesn't help either... if your willing to forgo the warranty and create a few maintenance issues it may be worth your while to look south of the 49th.

If... and I mean IF... I was ever in a position that I MUST get rid of my bike and get another... it would be a slightly used BMW K1200S.

[VFR-Guy2000]

If it were me, I would keep the VFR and deffinately get a dual sport bike! Oh wait, I did do that! I picked up on and 86 Honda XL600R for dirt cheap, it runs excelant but I did have to add everything back on to make it street legal again, and it gets around 50 to 60 miles per gallon(depending on how I drive!). And yes it does open up a whole new world for you! that way you can have the best of both worlds.

[nitronorth]

haa..well I do figure i cant really loose just keepin on riding the vfr...Might just go with the versys and keep the vfr..something good for 2 up and cheap on fuel and some backroads might be the cure..:) will see..Too many nice bike s out there to choose from..right now I still want that fz1, it was a blast! but just down on range and protection.. The vfr for my long trips and a smaller thing for 2 up might be the plan..bottom line is I want something i can 2 up on and not be a tankerbike..hmm

then again I just sold a st1100 cause it was too easy to make a good buck and now realize i shoulda kept it and the vfr and that covered all bases..hmmmm..maybe back to st11 shopping..
#$%#%& motorcycles..:)

On the tiger btw,I did try one., I'd get the sprint over it any day, but lack of dealers and large resale market keeps me away from them. for now:)

[scramblerracer]

I really like riding the BMW K1200R, standard seating position, lots of power, lots of different accessories available. I also like the Sprint ST also.

[Action]

I know its probably not what you're looking for but I really like the looks and ergo's on the KTM Super Duke. I'm hoping one of my friends will pick one up so I can try and wrangle a short ride.

Action

[Lgn001]

What about an FJR1300?

[Gman]

In my search for new wheels, I considered an ST3 or R1200s. More expensive choices, but if I had the cash...the R1200s would be in my garage.
Would one of these turn your crank ?

[nitronorth]

I give up for a while...:) In my quest for a 2 up bike I enjoy riding solo, without driving a tanker..well.yep, giving up for a while..

every time i get off a new test bike and back on my vfr I realize just how good it is...This still is the best combo for me for what i need it for..long trips. Everything just fits and nothing ever hurts after a 600 mile day..so guess it stays ..I still want a new bike,but no hurry again

..as for the 2 up, guess will run my 81 cb900f as it works just fine for that..

.My favorite of all the bikes I tried was the fz1 touring(lower fairing, bags).great ergos',handled great, smooth and easy to drive and wayyyy more power, great ergos' , did i say power?? :) Just not the protection and comfort for the long hauls that the vfr gives me , and stiull useless for 2 up like most of these bikes..Think will have to give in someday and maybe get a st13 or fjr. for that...grrr
But geeze, the poor bandit was like riding a tank after the fz1, a very outdated tank..not to pick on it, but thats the deal....too bad..I liked it till I rode the fz..
what a pia.....:)

[whitesmokeyzf]

I vote for the K1200S with bags. Yellow and Black

[Taz]

Well, it seems you have the sport-touring covered with the VFR, & the Bandit, & especialy the FZ1 is going the same route , just with a little more power, but w/o the reliability of the VFR.

So I agree with vfr2000guy that go the other way, get a dual sport or a SuperMoto & come over to the dark side they are a blast, light weight, can ride 2 up, can go where your vfr can & "can't" go, killer gas milage, & since you live in Canada. your riding season gets longer with a multi purpose bike.

Rode my street legal Honda XR650R 7400 plus miles round trip from SoCal to Fairbanks, Alaska & back in 11 day's. Can tell you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much more I was able to do & see, because of a DualSport bike was able to go & do . (next time will be on the big KTM 950 adventure DualSport).

[keeena]

I was in same position over the last month. Sold my 02 VFR and I had some of the same criteria as you for a replacement.

I just picked up a '06 FZ1 this week. Lacks a bit in the touring dept, but oh my...it is evil. Once I get some saddle time I can write up comparisons to 6th gen. Obviously different class of machine, but I think it will meet my needs better than the VFR.

Not short-changing the VFR; i think its a great all-around bike...definitely a choice if the only bike in the garage and definitely does some things that the FZ1 doesn't. Don't short-change the Sprint...I was literally split 50/50. I decided to jump on the first good deal I found. FZ1 popped up first.

[edit] And Taz...thanks for all the advice. Was very useful!!

[majicdoor]

You should look at BMW R1200RS a nice bike that not the same as others handle good and is fast and you can tour on it

[petienne]

Hey folks first post here, 07 Red, no mods but will start shortly. Ken have you had a look at the new Honda CBF1000? Canadian only.

[nitronorth]

No thanks on the beamers.nice enough, but dont do anything for me.


Keena.....that is a fun bike!! biggest downers I found that are keeping me away so far..the heat the frame picks up, although typical i-4 bike, not used to it! and lack of protection..even with the lower fairing it still doesnt cover me like the vfr. But then again..I love the more upright position , much nicer in town and piddlin around, and the tranny is beautiful ,just like my vfr. And OH YEA! 8 grand and woweeee!! My poor vfr felt like the plug wires had fallen off when i drove it home from the dealerships.
hahaa..same with the dual sport thing..i need a bike for long runs still, otherwise Id love to have a new klr! I did have the misfortune of owning a vstrom (twice), so thats out forever! Gonna check out a versys tomorow tho...:)
hahaa..think will just have to look harder at that sprint, really the only thing like the vfr out there..

My closest honda superstore(only they get the cbf) says the cbf1000 are in transit..might just wait and go see...I know its a old bike, but new here...

Biggest problem is Too many nice bikes to pick from!!!

[keeena]

Originally Posted by nitronorth

Biggest problem is Too many nice bikes to pick from!!!

Only solution is to own more than 1. If not, stick w/ a great all-around'er like VFR or Sprint.

The Sprint is going to be better than the FZ if you really need the wind protection for longer runs. Unique motor, stronger than the VFR. Local shop still has 3 '06 leftover models (0 miles) available @ $8699 USD.

The FZ1 wind blast doesn't bother me much at all so far. My day trips are usually 200-250 mile loops; i don't use it to travel far. Bike has a very comfy seating position...I never found anything wrong w/ VFR or Sprint either tho. I have the naked front-end conversion (not sold in the US)...and I don't really find it to be that bad. No steady cruise over 100mph, wind is a bit annoying at those high speeds.

My wife found the stock passenger seat really comfortable; even more so than the Corbin on the VFR (and VFR better than the Sprint). But that is personal opinion. I do have a backrest on the way for the FZ. Available hard bags are ugly on the FZ IMO and I won't be using them. But soft bags look OK.

FZ will be a money-pit if you like customizing your ride. So many mods and hop-ups vs. VFR or Sprint. Full fairings are avail for FZ from Yamaha, and quite a few options for larger windscreens too.

[nitronorth]

FJR is very interesting, does interest me more than a st or such, still big, but seems smaller than the rest.....but the fz1 with the touring stuff is same thing but 5 grand cheaper here..on it goes..:)

That new KLR650 would work awful good around here..might look into that!

.Keena..well I love nakeds..I have a bunch of older honda "f" bikes i really enjoy...

Now the fz.I take it you have one?? new gen?

.I love the red with gold..just like my 1100f..:), but seriously i loved the power and ergo's..This one was the Touring version with the lower fairing and bags.( that come off easily thank god).almost the same protection as my vfr with more comfort, kinda..as I do enjoy laying on the tank on the vfr for a break, and its not comfy on the fz with the high bars.and the vfr laying down has more fairing protection for sure..BUT close enough..

I havnt had the old cb's out this yr till today, just did the engine on my 900f and took it out and had the best day this year..just a fun bike! So since its same ergos as the fz, thats telling me something..:)

as for the seat, its not that bad thanks to that hump on it ..mine just wants it wider..:) We do go for 3-5 day runs on the bike, so i gotta listen to her....
i think I could get a stocker redone and widened and just uglified, but make a huge diff for wifey..then get a tail cover for rest of time.

and Yes..gotta have a backrest..not hard to crack one up..


will see..found me a 07 fz1 with 1200 miles for Half the price of the dealers 08..hmmmmm.add the lower fairing and i am set..

?? what kind of mpg can you get on highway if being reasonably decent driving? and what grade fuel will it eat?

Cool bike..mind you they all are..thats the problem...

if i hang on will maybe see a new vfr even!!

[keeena]

Originally Posted by nitronorth