Bought a new '06 VFR w/ ABS today

[MotoRob]

So I bought a V-Strom 1000 about a month ago and it just didn't have enough fun/excitement factor for me. I ride 100% street, so I never intended to take it off road. I chose the V-Strom for its comfortable riding position and the umph of a 1000cc v-twin. While it is a practical bike, it didn't call me to ride it like my previous inline-four bikes. I starting looking around for a potential replacement and narrowed it down to the FJR1300, ZX-14, and then later noticed/remembered the VFR.

I wanted to go smaller than what I had before the V-Strom - a Concours. The FJR seemed a bit big to me and the cost was higher, but it was a close second. I was interested in the ZX-14 for a little while, but the riding position is more cramped than the VFR, and insurance rates on the ZX are really high. I also know that the new ZX-14 based Connie is coming out in March, so I wanted to make sure my purchase now will withstand the new Connie calling my name in March. I was concerned that the VFR might feel underpowered to me since I was coming from the liter bike land. I am 6'4" and weight around 235 pounds without riding gear, so I need some power to haul my butt around.

After posting some questions here I went to look at one today. I took the checkbook just in case. Sure enough I bought it. It is a new white '06 with ABS. I like the thought of having ABS.

Initial ride report? The short answer is this is the bike I should have got a month ago. I don't know what the power to weight rations are of this to the V-Strom, but I'll tell you right now the VFR feels much faster and not underpowered at all. Life is about trade-offs. My trade-off here is I gave up the bent arm, no weight on the wrists seating position of the V-Strom for the pushup position on the VFR. What I gained is the sporting motorcycle sensation I was looking for. I am going to have to get some bar risers and maybe a taller screen (I see how after 65 mph the wind helps hold me up...so a taller screen can mean more weight on the wrists). This is a trade-off I am willing to accept for the overall riding experience I want. My riding needs consist of some commuting (anywhere from 50 to 100 miles round trip depending where I need to go...with a lot of lane sharing in bad traffic areas), some weekend fun, the ability to pack the bags and do a three day ride, and the ability to ride 2-up for a few hours.

I am in the midst of break-in right now. Other drivers must think I can barely ride since I am constantly speeding up, slowing down and shifting gears. I figure try to constantly vary the RPM and engine load (sometime speed up via quarter throttle...something by half and something by full or near full) for the first 150 miles. Then change the oil and filter and start to ride more normal but conservative until the 600 mile service.

Will I be keeping the V-Strom? At this point no. I really only have space and money for one bike.

[Hopsterman]

Mine is just bout run in today

1900 ks on the clock

Wow, she is just gettin better.

Soundz like u made a good choice.

[Action]

Enjoy the new ride! I feel the same way about the power, I went out for a quick ride yesterday and had to pass a gravel truck going up a long hill. Plenty of power! Have fun and let us know how you feel once its all broke in.

[reg71]

sounds like you made a very conscious and logical decision. as for the riding position, my bike has heli bars and a givi windshield and I can pretty much ride all day and feel good. it wasn't that way at first, though. It too me a little while to get used to it. Oh, I also have a sargent seat which helps the rideability, too. congrats on the purchase...

[VifferDen]

Hey MotoRob,

You made the best choice choosing the VFR.

I also have the White 06 VFR, I now have over 4,000kms on it.
I bought it at the end of july and already made a few little trips on it.
The longest one being from Montreal, QC to Toronto, ON it was around
700kms in one day and I was not sore at all, just my butt was a little sore.

I love my Viffer, it's great in our crazy Montreal traffic and awesome
in the country twisties!

Hope you enjoy your VFR!

Cheers!

[MotoRob]

sounds like you made a very conscious and logical decision. as for the riding position, my bike has heli bars and a givi windshield and I can pretty much ride all day and feel good. it wasn't that way at first, though. It too me a little while to get used to it. Oh, I also have a sargent seat which helps the rideability, too. congrats on the purchase...

I am starting to think there is actually a physical conditioning element to riding. Like lower and upper back exercises will improve riding comfort. I guess that helps motivate me to get back to the gym.

[nitronorth]

Hey!!! sounds familiar!

Glad to hear you are happy with it..I did the same thing..bought the camel dl in June, put 10,000km on it..got sick of the #$%$% buffeting wind thing, and of course I got no sense of zoom zoom outa the dl..While a fantastic working bike, it just put me to sleep looking at it!.dull dull dull....As for off road, my old nakeds will do anything it did, so I really didnt need it for that part....

So after riding the kids gsxr I decided i like the idea of having my headout in the clean airfow.just not so radical with the ergo's tho....so i went to buy the bike i liked the best, a new sprint st, but ended up with the vfr as a better deal..So far its given me the excitement i was missing with the strom..Same as you..Plus I have really picked up my cornering abilitys with this bike, although nowhere close to its..

I nearly went the mod route with the bars, etc, as at first thought id want that, but for once i just waited and put some miles on it and now I love it! No more rear end ache, no back ache, and i love the clean airflow..I just wear my earplugs all the time and its perfect! I did try a higher db window, It did take away lift, while obviously still leaving me in the wind..so whats the point..sold it and will never worry bout windows again..:) I did raise the bars up to the saftey snap rings tho....tried em higher, but i got used to this and now like it! Only mod i have is geared it down a tooth at front and really like the reponse, especially first gear..:)
got 20,000km on since mid Aug and very happy! Have done some 700 days on it and always comfy!

I kinda wish i had the windstrom tho for my 2 upping as it was perfect for that!

Enjoy the bike...!!!

NN

[Legs]

Good for you Motorob! I'd like to have that VStrom too!

I need to decrease my bikes as well, but good sense does not always prevail in these situations!