Considering a VFR

[Smash]

Been cruising the forums as I save cash for a new motorcycle next year, this seemed like an active and informative VFR gathering place.

What I'm looking for are people's uncensored opinions on the bikes I'm looking at, taking into consideration what I want to do with it.

A little history. I'm 27 years old, have been riding since I was 21. Have taken the MSF Basic course as well as the advanced on my last bike (1988 Kawasaki Concours). Previous street bikes owned: 1995 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 (starter), 2002 Honda Sabre 1100 and 1988 Kawasaki Concours. I have some dirt experience on XRs (have owned a 350, now own a 500). I live in Colorado with some of the most fantastic canyon roads ever, which is why I ditched the cruisers for a sport tourer. I'm also big into cross country rides and complete atleast one Iron Butt 1000 annually. I ride 2 up alot in state, but not usually on the cross country trips.

I'm looking for a bike that is more nimble in the canyons than my concours, preferably a bit lighter too. I'm only 5'8", and while I never dropped the Concours the dang thing was tall and heavy. As I don't ride 2up often on long distance trips, I'm thinking a slightly smaller bike could meet my needs just fine, along with hopefully better gas mileage (averaged 40-45 on the concours) and a lower price tag.

Is the VFR large enough to handle 2up for a cross country trip? How does the engine do at 80-85mph (speed limit on the freeway here is 75)? I have lots of other questions too, but I'm sure they'll be answered. Here are the bikes I'm considering. I will have to pay cash, so probably looking at spring/summer 2009 as the purchase date, and won't be able to spend more than 8k.

Honda ST1300
Yamaha FJR1300
Honda VFR800
Suzuki Vstrom1000

Does anyone have any bikes I should be looking at that aren't on that list? I have NOT ridden any of them yet.

Thanks for any advice and opinions!

[Nungboy]

While I have not ridden the other three candidates, I know that St1300 and the VFR are going to get best reviews in the mags. The VFR is certainly MY favorite. I don't do 2-ups but the other members never seem to have a problem. It IS a wonderful bike. Just big enough but just nimble enough. I feel it is a good middle gound between a ST1300 and a full on sport-bike...just in between. But, with your experience, you NEED to ride them all and make up your mind. It is hard to beat the Honda quality. Good luck and hope we can have you as a regular member when you snag a VFR!

[Smash]

Hey thanks! What is your experience with the VFR? Every done trips on it? How does it feel at cruising speeds, which out here means 80-85 miles an hour? I definitely trust Honda reliability, but have heard that valve checks and adjustments are needed often and can definitely run up the maintenance bill. Have you had issues with that?

[Action]

I don't ride 2 up so I can't speak to that, but I would take your partner in and let her ist on one while it's up on the center stand. I ride mine year round and do 1 to 2 day trips and it works great for that. Since it sounds like you like to do longer trips I would suggest hard bags. I ride the interstate every day on the way into work and the VFR loves cruising about 85 - 90. It also likes to play on the twisty roads. Its always fun to catch a sport bike and hang with them. Their usual response is "What kind of bike is that?" Like Nungboy I would also recommend the ST1300 if the VFR doesn't big enough for you. I have ridden the big Strom and I do not think it would be sporty enough for what your looking for (plus it's sooooo ugly).

Action

[derstuka]

You need to sit down and really think what you want your bike to do best as its main job. If your primary concern is traveling cross-country, and riding two up while doing so, then the ST would probably beat out the VFR. The VFR is a great ALL around bike. It is not the best of anything, just the good at doing nothing really wrong. Very reliable, comfortable (aftermarket seats available from Sargent, and Corbin), handles good, and has "decent" stock suspension. If you want a light weight canyon ripping sportbike then look else where. There is a pretty good list of aftermarket accessories that you can get for a viffer as well. The longest trip I did on it was about 500 miles, and it did very well. An aftermarket seat (sargent) would have helped.

The VFR has 16k valve check intervals. To be honest, I haven't heard of a member on here as of yet with a newer gen that needed them adjusted. Many members take an educated gamble and skip a check or so because of the consistency of the valves being in spec. You could also so this yourself, and save yourself some money.

[Smash]

Thanks Action! Good to know about the higher cruising speeds. The Vstrom 650 felt like it was gonna die loaded above 75mph.

Ugly? LOL. Have you SEEN the old Concours? Looks like a beached beluga whale. So, looks are no biggie to me.

Any thoughts on maintenance? I've never owned a chain driven street bike. Say I ride from Colorado to New York, how many times do I need to stop and adjust the chain? How long (ish, cause I know it depends on a lot of factors) will the sprockets last, and what's the price like to replace them?

[Smash]

Thanks Jason. Yeah I'm thinking good test rides (single and 2up, around town and on the freeway) will be a really good way for me to gauge what bike is best.

Honestly, I spend more time in the canyons and around town then I do cross country, cause, well, I have a job... But, I'm gonna want to shoot myself if I get a bike that can't handle 3-5 600 mile days in a row.

And yes, hardbags would definitely be on the list for the VFR and Vstrom.

[Joey_Dude]

It can do long cross-country trips but an aftermarket seat is required. The stock seat is all right but it'll burn your You could get away with it if you wear padded bicycle shorts AND leather pants. Jeans have an abrasive quaility that makes long riding uncomfortable.

However, on the 2-up, I'd have to agree that if you're going to bring the missus on long trips the ST1300 would be much better. I've had passengers on my VFR and while they said it was nice it ain't a goldwing.

[Smash]

Thanks Insider. What about power for 2up at high cruising speeds?

[Nungboy]

Originally Posted by Smash

Hey thanks! What is your experience with the VFR? Every done trips on it? How does it feel at cruising speeds, which out here means 80-85 miles an hour? I definitely trust Honda reliability, but have heard that valve checks and adjustments are needed often and can definitely run up the maintenance bill. Have you had issues with that?

Yo Smash! I am in the first year of ownership so no adjustment yet. It is WONDERFUL at 85. NO vibration or issues. It accelerates VERY quickly from freeway to triple-digit speeds. It is great for the medium length trips I have done. Very comfortable. But, what Derstuka says is very true...know what you want the bike to do. Full tour is your goal? St1300. Full canyon carving? Go with any of the many sporty bikes out there. Want one bike for it all? Step right up, your VFR is waiting. Ya gotta ride one.

[Joey_Dude]

Like Nungboy said high speed crusing is a piece of cake. As a matter of fact 6th gear is really tall and I don't use it until I get past 75 mph. Even if you're in 6th gear @ 80mph you can still pass cars pretty quickly.

[Smash]

Excellent info guys! Was definitely worried about some buzz and lack of power on an 800cc V4 at higher cruising speeds. Good to know you guys haven't had a problem with it.

Oh, gotta add one more bike:

ST 1100. Duh.

[Smash]

Question for everybody regarding modifications. Can the VFR stator handle much draw for electronics? Satellite radio definitely (had it on my Concours, absolutely awesome), GPS maybe sometime in the future. Without having any hand protection (Concours had HUGE mirrors), maybe grip heaters. Also, are there mods/accessories in the following areas to increase comfort?

• grips
• risers
• seat to improve passenger comfort
• passenger peg lowering kit
• passenger backrest/topbox with integrated backrest

I don't need a list of what the accessories are, just if I can get them. If I go with the VFR, I'll be back for them!

[drewl]

yes
Many folks have gps, heated grips, radio, radar detector, and even a 12v adapter for the occasional plug in.
I do not have any of this, so I cannot say how much can be run at once. But I am sure some one will chime in.

[Smash]

Awesome thanks. The ability to power some electronics is critical for long trips, anything longer than a day. For a day ride I'm strictly opposed to music, but can make all the difference on the lonely stretches of highway mile after mile.

Can anybody else chime in on the other mods?

[drewl]

The others listed are fairly popular except for the pegs. The VFR is already a pretty upright positioned bike. All are readily available for later model bikes.

[Smash]

Fantastic. My girlfriend isn't very tall (5'5") so I don't think peg lowering kits will be necessary. We're gonna go check it out Saturday, see if the dealership will let us take a test ride. Honestly, I think it's gonna come down to how important it is to me to have the ability to carry a passenger on cross country trips.

[Smash]

Hot DAMN!!

Local used dealership (they carry everything and I know the sales staff) had an '07 anniversary edition on the lot Saturday, I went over to take a ride. 20minutes later, doing just about everything from slow speed parking lot type manuvers to cruising at 85mph on the freeway and all I gotta say is what I bike. I think I've found a winner. Things I can see now I'll need to change:

Seat. Is that thing made of poured concrete or what??

Windsheild. Getting a little buffetting, thinking a double bouble windshield?

Pegs. I have a torn ACL that was never repaired, probably need to drop the pegs just a smidge.

Grips. Need to be a bit wider. But that's easily solved with tennis grip tape.


So, here's my question. What year did Honda start with ABS on the Interceptors? I know I want ABS on my next bike. Any other advice on what years to look at? Thanks!

[PARedVFRRider]

If you think the VFR stock seat is concrete you should sit on a stock 600rr. The VFR seat is a comfy couch compared to that.

Smash I think if you really want a sport tourer with the emphasis on sport you can't do any better than the VFR for the price, reputation and longevity. I've taken my wife two up on it for shorter runs and it's fine, if you want you can add the saddle bags and the trunk and then your passenger will have a back rest to a point. If you really load the bike up though, luggage in the trunk, saddle bags and you add a 150lbs person on the back, your performance is going to be affected. If you plan to do a lot of riding with a fully loaded bike with a passenger, then I'd go to the ST1300, but plan to pay much more. Both the ST and VFR are available with the ABS and I believe Honda started ABS on the VFR in 2002.

However, if you plan on doing a lot of riding by yourself, especially weekend runs or day trips through those canyons, and that is primarily what you are buying this bike for, then go with the VFR, it's a much better canyon carver than the ST1300.

[Smash]

Thanks! Will look for '02 and newer once I have the money saved.

80% of my riding is alone, mostly because I commute and use bikes as daily drivers. I'd say another 15 - 18% is 2-up full day rides around the state. This however will change soon, as the gf has her eye on an SV650 sometime next year. The remaining time is spent doing long distance tours, so far only by myself. Girlfriend may or may not join, depending on her work schedule or where she is with her riding abilities. So, I need to make sure the VFR is comfortable enough for her for 300-400 miles for our weekend single day tours with our motorcycle group. I'm not at all concerned about power with her on board for the daily rides after riding the VFR on the freeway. Baby's got enough!

All that being said, the VFR fits the riding that I do most and seems like it would handle me + my gear on long tours without issue.

Next: test ride VFR with passenger pillion as well as the ST.

And I don't care about the CBR seats! Lol my ass got totally spoiled with my Concours....