Where ya comin' from?

[Kbrick]

I've been on the site for a while now and it never stops to amaze me that so many would complaine the their VFR is slow. Then it dawned on me that they may be coming from the sporty side of riding, R-6 Yammies, CBR Hondas, maybe even a Ducati even.

I come from a touring back round, my previous ride was a '91 BMW K100RS, I owned that bike for 9 years and enjoyed every moment... once I got used to the weight and handling character of the machine... my old friend tipped the scales at a portly 635 pounds and had a wheel base of 61.5 inches. A very stable platform but one that didn't like to change directions in a hurry. It excelled at fast sweepers and droning down the superslab for hours at a time.

The '05 VFR I own now is a very different creature, it seems spritely and eager as a pup to please! The 57 inch wheel base may be long if you rode a Buell, but to me is razor sharp, turn in to a curve happens much quicker than I was used to, but I will adapt. Thats part of the fun of a new bike.

Where are you guys from?

[troy]

i think some people lose site of the fact that its kinda a "sport tourer" and no longer meant as a racing platform. i too have a 2005 and am completely in love with it, and i bet i can get a speeding ticket just as easy as any other rocket! P.S... nice Beemer!

[MrDe]

i think some people lose site of the fact that its kinda a "sport tourer" and no longer meant as a racing platform. i too have a 2005 and am completely in love with it, and i bet i can get a speeding ticket just as easy as any other rocket! P.S... nice Beemer!

ditto for me ... this 05 is IMO the best bike I've ever owned (of course I say that about all the new bikes I buy .... but this one IS the best)

[oss]

I've got an 06 and I only have one complaint (not enough time) The speed is just fine I was looking for a bike I could take to see my dad(5 hours) and still want to ride with my brother. It's got enough power to hang with the sportys,I've done it. I wouldn't be able to do all this with one bike if I bought anything else. Just my two cents.

[grinder]

And for me. I just love it. I do wish that people would remember that the VFR is not intended to be a hard edged sports bike, not any more anyway. That is the very reason I bought it. I like its civilized manners plus the fact that she can really pick up her skirts and run when see wants to without killing me in the process.

[troy]

"pick up her skirts" THATS FUNNY!!!

[RVFR]

well coming down from a 84 VF1000 back in 96 it was the handling and all the other little things that made the VFR 750 a stand out. Was looking at the CBR1000 and even the 900rr, 900rr tank didn't fit me right thou loved the weight the CBR1000 was just a big mama, even compared to the VF, so pick the 750. Besides it had a sound nothing could match, since then the 5th and 6th have come out and I still find that my ole 97 is still less is better, other than the top end rush the 1000cc have this 750 holds it's own, But, Hey, wait a sec, I still have a test ride on that 1098 due.

[Zerosum]

I hear ya... I'm coming from a Hawk GT, which by my reconing is a fast bike. By comparison, my VFR is a rocket! I really just wanted the VFR for the extra size and wind protection. The mile-wide powerband is a nice bonus, though! I truely can't imagine wanting any more power than what this thing can put out. If this VFR is the most powerfull bike I ever own, I'll probably be okay with that.

Of course, I only put 50 miles on it before the cold weather hit... maybe in a year I'll be less in awe of my VFRs power.

[savedrider]

My daily rider for the last fews years has been a 1975 Kawasaki Z1 900. One of the great classic bikes. What a difference after hopping on the VFR. While the Z1 is no slouch I think the VFR would mop it up. The VFR is just so much more refined in pretty much all areas.

I will never get rid of the Z1 though. They are collector items nowadays and it's been in my family a long time. Such a cool old hot rod bike. Here's an older shot before I switched to a Corbin Gunfighter seat, different Kerker exhaust, and changed to the shorter style KZ front fender. I'll try to get a later pic when I get to my other PC.

[Bruise Lee]

Saverider, I feel the same about our classic's. I have a bunch of those old bikes, and will never sell them because as you already know they are a blast to ride. I sold my '93 ST100 for a 1972 Kawasaki Mach IV 750 that is unmolested. Then I sold my 2001 CBR600F4i for my 1972 CB750K2 also unmolested.

[Bruise Lee]

Sorry, where are my manners? Beautiful KZ!!!

[VaRollOn]

Interesting point Kbrick. I can see what you mean. I think some folks, myself included have come off multiple liter bikes, and ridden correctly the VFR clearly has enough power.

The point more is what is the competition offering in "similar" segments. Many modern machines are pushing 115-135 at the rear wheel with significant weight advantage over the Honda. Where this bike may lack however it makes up in ridability, comfort and finish. Otherwise I would still be riding my FZ1 rocket.

as the fat man Jerry once said "Too much of everything is Just ENOUGH!!!"

[Bubba Zanetti]

Hey savedrider!

Love the z9 brother!

And Kbrick:

The only people I hear say the VFR is slow are squids who own bikes they can barely ride. I finished my first year as an MSF Coach and I had many people, generally young males, ask why after my first VFR, did I buy another 750? When I asked why should I buy something else? The general answer was: "Well, a 750 isn't that fast, why didn't you buy a literbike?"

Da! No concept of what its like to ride on the street. Seems our society has some idea that once you get into riding; every bike you purchase has to have a larger displacement when it come to the engine!

I don't get it, but if anybody knows the answer, please let me know!

BZ

[Legs]

Most folks are pretty delusional about how fast they are.

I have a great time on all of my bikes, and even the VTR 250 can run triple digits.

I think the bigger/better is for those w/ small tallys!

[emon07]

I came over to the VFR after years of riding my Suzuki Intruder & Honda GoldWing. The VFR is the sportiest bike I have ever owned. I got my 2k VFR last December and I use it daily to commute to work. I love the VFR and my transition to it was nuthing major. Now I am unable to ride the Suzuki Intruder as well as I used to. I can now see how bad the brakes and handling are on a crusier when compared to a bike like the VFR which was built with performance in mind. The last time I got on the Intruder it was weird because nothing felt right anymore - braking was scary bad, cornering was totally different because of body position and now the Intruder is a slow bike to me. Now as far as my old Honda Goldwing goes there is no problem (except it is heavy as the dickens). The GoldWing may be heavy and slow, but it is meant for the open road and highway - that is where it really shines. The GoldWing also has LBS. Cornering on the GoldWing is a chore because the bike is heavy, but the body position is relative to being on the VFR. The VFR has multiple identities in my opinion - it can be used to cruise on the streets, out of town trips, and occasional track days. Also, no problem keeping up with other riders on sport bikes when in a group. After the winter I will be beefing up the suspension (the only weak area of the bike in my opinion). Regarding weight, since I spend the bulk of my time riding on the streets and local highways I want a bike with some weight (500lbs is a good weight for me). A lighter bike would not work out too well for me as I use various bridges in the NYC area. Going over bridges on windy days with crosswinds are murder on a lightweight bike. Also even on the streets on windy days a lighter bike gets blown all over the place. I like my VFR because it is an all purpose bike and it is not a race bike- why would I need a race bike for street riding and for touring? I do not want a track bike that is why I did not buy an R1, GSRX, Hayabusa, or ZX10 to mention a few. What I like best about the VFR is that it is a comfortable bike you can ride all day without any physical ill effects. Why would I worry about weight or speed - you cannot race on the street because it is not a racetrack. I still wonder why guys get bikes to ride on the street and spend a lot of money stepping up the bike's horespower - for what, so they can get tickets for speeding or get into an accident. If you want to race get a race bike and go to the track. If you want a track/road racer then get a race bike not a bike that is for the general public that want to safely use the public streets (public streets are not meant or designed for racing and are not safe to race on - more importantly it is against the law). The VFR is a Sport/Crusier/Touring bike and I like it the way it is because it works for me. The changes I would like for my 2k VFR are a stiffer suspension, heated grips and some graphic options for the body plastics along with better fastners for the bike's body plastics. I like the VFR so much I plan to sell off the Intruder and get a 4th Gen VFR.

[grinder]

Hey savedrider!

Love the z9 brother!

And Kbrick:

The only people I hear say the VFR is slow are squids who own bikes they can barely ride. I finished my first year as an MSF Coach and I had many people, generally young males, ask why after my first VFR, did I buy another 750? When I asked why should I buy something else? The general answer was: "Well, a 750 isn't that fast, why didn't you buy a literbike?"

Da! No concept of what its like to ride on the street. Seems our society has some idea that once you get into riding; every bike you purchase has to have a larger displacement when it come to the engine!

I don't get it, but if anybody knows the answer, please let me know!

BZ

I think the explanation is that we have been conditioned to believe bigger is better. I think it takes some maturity to realize that the real world is different and that most of us can't even come close to using the abilities of the VFR. I think we all tend, at least in our younger years, to think we are one of the best therefore we need the fastest. It is not until a few things have gone wrong that we learn a little wisdom. Thirty years ago when the 1 litre bikes first came out I decided I just didn't have the ability to ride them safely and have stuck with the 750 class ever since. Seems to me to be a great balance for the real world. I sure don't need to go 280k. I have never been over 200K on my VFR nor am I ever likely too. I don't think that the VFR is perfect but for me it is as close as I have found.

[rode2rouen]

Riding slow bikes fast is more fun than riding fast bikes slow!!!!


Rex

[KC-10 FE]

Last bike before the Y2K VFR was a 88 Honda Hawk GT. Before that, a multitude of POS's. Basically anything I could road worthy for low $$$. Since the VFR, I've picked up a 89 Hawk GT for the wife to ride but I ride it frequently as well. I am giving serious consideration to buy a Duc S4R just to use a daily ride and using the VFR for long distance riding. Why you ask? I've given up faith in Honda's ability to produce a great sport touring bike so I want to keep this one as long as I can & want a second bike to share the mileage load with.

The Goldwing is in a class of it's own.

The VTX's are great bikes.

The off roaders are great from what I understand but I have no desire to ride in the dirt.

The VFR took a turn for the worse (my opinion, feel free to disagree) with the 6th gen. The front end is ugly and it gained weight. They took what was for all intents and purposes the single best motorcyle on Planet Earth, the 5th Gen VFR, and made it far less desirable. The single only thing I like on the 6th compared to the 5th is the availability of factory warrantied hard luggage. Now that Honda has most likely axed the VFR does anyone really think they'll put up the $$$ to make another sport tourer? I sure don't believe it. Cruisers and race bikes pay the bills so Honda, in typical US vehicle market fashion, had put all their effort into those two arenas.

KC-10 FE out...

[chesthing]

Honda has a sport-tourer - the ST1300. If you go on Honda's website the VFR is classified as a sport bike not a sport-tourer, btw. I had a talk the other day with a Honda/Kawa/Suz salesman and he said selling VFRs is very tough because you are within a grand of a liter bike or Busa/ZX14 and most people looking for comfort look elsewhere - the VFR doesnt have enough customers to sustain it's small niche, that's the only reason they are discontinuing it. Honda needs to come up with some great new ideas like they've done in the past, but I don't see it happening.

[Bubba Zanetti]

I think the explanation is that we have been conditioned to believe bigger is better. I think it takes some maturity to realize that the real world is different and that most of us can't even come close to using the abilities of the VFR. I think we all tend, at least in our younger years, to think we are one of the best therefore we need the fastest. It is not until a few things have gone wrong that we learn a little wisdom. Thirty years ago when the 1 litre bikes first came out I decided I just didn't have the ability to ride them safely and have stuck with the 750 class ever since. Seems to me to be a great balance for the real world. I sure don't need to go 280k. I have never been over 200K on my VFR nor am I ever likely too. I don't think that the VFR is perfect but for me it is as close as I have found.

Grinder:

I agree!

I can't help but have frustration with the "bigger is better" mentality

It's that mentality that is driving the current MC market in sportbike and cruisers. Don't get me wrong, I love many of the literbikes out on the market, but they have power that I can rarely use on the street, and comfort is just not their for long hauls.

Some of the cruisers are so big, you may as well buy a car!

Just works me up my V4 bretheren!

[chesthing]

It comes down to one thing with riders who reject the VFR because of lack of power - it doesnt give the sheer adrenalin rush of straight-on speed. Go to a Busa or Blackbird site and enter Interceptor in a search, and they pretty much say over and over that the VFR is better in pretty much everything but accelleration, and that factor is the most important for them. Anyone can use the potential of any bike on the market with this regard - you could probably train a monkey to redline through the first 3 gears of the ZX-14 on down. Whatever floats your boat, but that's not why I ride.

[Kbrick]

My daily rider for the last fews years has been a 1975 Kawasaki Z1 900. One of the great classic bikes. What a difference after hopping on the VFR. While the Z1 is no slouch I think the VFR would mop it up. The VFR is just so much more refined in pretty much all areas.

I will never get rid of the Z1 though. They are collector items nowadays and it's been in my family a long time. Such a cool old hot rod bike. Here's an older shot before I switched to a Corbin Gunfighter seat, different Kerker exhaust, and changed to the shorter style KZ front fender. I'll try to get a later pic when I get to my other PC.

Nice period "Lester" wheels on that old Kaw!

[Bubba Zanetti]

Hey KC-10FE:

I love your New Jersey quotes man LOL! I used to live in the socialist state of Maryland. You could tell the MD legislature was envious of NJ LOL!

BZ

[R.W.]

I started out on a 88 Honda Hurricane 600, and then stayed in the Honda Family and graduated to a CBR 1000 Hurricane, I always had a weakness for the black and red bikes. After that was a 1996 GSXR 750 that I had a blast on in the California coast and foothills, Then came my infatuation with the Harley, a 2003 Road King that was great for socializing but hardly any fun for me to ride. My current ride and a bike that I think I'll keep for a long time till the wheels fall off is the 99 VFR...

Hey KC-10FE:

I love your New Jersey quotes man LOL! I used to live in the socialist state of Maryland. You could tell the MD legislature was envious of NJ LOL!

BZ

I notice that is a lot of peoples favorite part of his signature, but my favorite part is " I don't discriminate, I hate everybody! " How can you not love that

[Ferris]

Most recent bikes -

Ducati 916. Biggest POS I have ever owned. This bike had a maintenance requirement similar to a helicopter. What was I thinking? Overcome by the red mist, I guess.

Honda Blackbird. I barely kept this bike a year. Stone reliable, very fast, turned like a truck, no personality. It was an appliance, like my toaster.

Suzuki SV650. Wife's bike. She loves it. Virtually maintenance free, so I love it, too. Actually, that's unfair - it is fun to ride.

Buell Cyclone M2. Most fun I've ever had on a street bike. 130 HP courtesy of NRHS in Colorado. Rowdy, quick, 3rd gear wheelies.

VFR. Coming soon.

[KC-10 FE]

Hey KC-10FE:

I love your New Jersey quotes man LOL! I used to live in the socialist state of Maryland. You could tell the MD legislature was envious of NJ LOL!

BZ

Your sig isn't so bad either.

NJ... Where to begin? Where else do you know of a place where it's actual hard work just to be a resident? When I call USAA to inquire about my insurance, I get this recording: "For NJ please press 1. For all other US States, Territories and Overseas assignments, please press 2." If I actually speak to an associate, I get this repsonse: "Can you hold for a minute TSgt? We need to transfer you to our NJ division". The insurance company employees actually get extra money for being a "NJ associate". There are so many idiotic laws in this state that it would take 40 posts to list the greatest hits.

KC-10 FE out...

[Bubba Zanetti]

Your sig isn't so bad either.

NJ... Where to begin? Where else do you know of a place where it's actual hard work just to be a resident? When I call USAA to inquire about my insurance, I get this recording: "For NJ please press 1. For all other US States, Territories and Overseas assignments, please press 2." If I actually speak to an associate, I get this repsonse: "Can you hold for a minute TSgt? We need to transfer you to our NJ division". The insurance company employees actually get extra money for being a "NJ associate". There are so many idiotic laws in this state that it would take 40 posts to list the greatest hits.

KC-10 FE out...

A co-worker of mine lives NJ and commutes to DE. He pays $3,600 a year in property taxes, and lives in a condo!?
When I told him I pay $550 and live in a house, he damn near fell over!

One problem we are having in DE is all the people moving in from D.C., NY, and NJ. Which I have nothing against people moving into DE. I just get frustrated with many of them because they claim they moved away from the areas they lived in for "lower taxes" and a "more relaxed way of life". Then in the same conversation they start to bitch you have to drive more than 10 minutes to the local grocery store, there is no Starbucks close, and DE does not have as many government services!?!?!?

And they wonder why the locals have a hard time accepting them?

Glad you like my signature. I have some other tasty quotes in my cubicle at work I'll have to post. A person of your character will enjoy!

Have a good one!

[green1]

My last bike was a 2000 CBR929 so my VFR is a little slower and down on power.Always wanted a 90-93 VFR and one in mint shape came available locally so the 929 was sold.I miss the power of sportbikes once in a while but i"m not the least bit sorry i finally got the VFR i wanted since 1990,now if only i could afford a RC30 as well.