Another FIRST BIKE POST! To VFR or NOT to VFR, that is the ???

Discussion in 'New Riders' started by TJFORBES, Jun 1, 2012.

?

"04" VFR800, Good big guy first bike?

  1. YES

    72.4%
  2. NO

    27.6%
  1. TJFORBES

    TJFORBES New Member

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    I have a question for you guys. I have been looking at bikes for sale and I have seen "02-05" VFR800 ranging from $3,500-$6,000 and sv650's from $3,000-$5,000 and my question is, if I can get a great deal on an "02" VFR800 for $3,500 is it really necessary to get the SV650 to learn on; just to sell it next year and buy a VFR??? Basically if someone has a VFR for $3,500 and a SV650 for $3,500, similar miles, etc. what are YOU gonna buy?
     
  2. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    If I was absolutely 100% sure that I was not going to drop, crash or otherwise lay the bike on its side while I was in the learning process and not have to replace or repair the plastic, then I probably buy the VFR as I just prefer its looks more. Plus there's a whole other list of things I could say about the VFR, whatever. Do a search on eBay and see what the cost of replacement plastic is going for on the model year VFR you are considering and see if that fits into your overall budget.

    There's an old saying that I am reluctant to say here, as it's such a cliche and I'll propbably get scolded for saying it, but here it goes..."There are two kinds of riders, those that have gone down, and those who will go down." I think theres a ring of truth to it. Some of us are lucky and we only drop our bikes in the driveway or do as low speed drop, others high side in a corner at speed or hit a wet section of pavement while in a corner. Most will say it's inevitable but while you are still new and learning the chances of that happening are even greater. Something as simple as forgetting to raise the kick stand can upset the bike sending you over, been there, done that myself. That example is a common newbie mistake and today I observed it almost happen. A more seasoned rider was yelling to his friend as he was about to take off, "Dude your kickstand!, Raise your kickstand!" Fortunately he heard him and raised it. Brand new Triumph Speed Triple too.

    (Note some bikes, like the VFR do have a circuit to prevent this, not sure about the Speed Triple, but his friend seemed concern.)

    That being said, If you really have your heart set on the VFR, then there is probably nothing anyone can say to change your mind, just be aware of the caveats and potential cost involved.

    Cheers!
     
  3. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Neither one. I have two VFRs and some other bikes already.

    Alternative 1: Keep procrastinating and by the time you make up your own mind, you'll have the 7k for both.
    Alternative 2: Asking dudes on a VFR BB about anything other than a VFR to buy is gonna be biased.
    Alternative 3: Buy another car.
    Alternative 4: Go on a cruise.
    Alternative 4: Buy a Harley, park it and just look at it.
    Alternative 5: Ask your mom. She is probably used to all your questions by now.
     
  4. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    Quit thinking so much. You want a VFR, go buy a VFR. If you drop it, so what. Shit happens. Fix it. Move on. You have 3 pages of thoughts, ideas and opinions. Time to pull the trigger.
     
  5. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    One final thought from Alaska: there is nothing weird about buying a used standard (SV560 or Honda 599) to learn on, even if you think you want a VFR eventually. You can sell the standard for about what you paid for it and get the next motorcycle. And then you can sell that one and get the next one. And so it goes . . .















    .
     
  6. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    ...and if a Harley looms ahead, pull the trigger.
     
  7. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

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    I don't think that a person can really "out grow" an SV650, unless all you do is straight line blasts. Then it will get kinda boring.
     
  8. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    am thinking the OP must be a woman as only my wife over-analyzes purchases this much
     
  9. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    LOL..

    I was wondering if TJ passed the MSF course.

    Gotta tell ya that you are fortunate your wife does overanalyze purchases. Many have wives that shop till we drop..;)

    In order not to incriminate myself, I plead plausible deniability.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2012
  10. TJFORBES

    TJFORBES New Member

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    Hey guys I PASSED my riding test!!!!!! Nothing left, but the written test later today(It's pass midnight in MI) I think I'm going to sit out the VFR CLUB this season. Decided to go with my better judgement and veteran recommendations and find a 250r, 500, or 650. I actually just saw a really really cheap 250 Interceptor that needs work, anyone familiar with the "250 Interceptor"?
     
  11. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    congrats.

    Just get something newer and ready to ride. No 250 or 500 Interceptors.
     
  12. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    Congrats! Welcome to the madness.
     
  13. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Congrats TJ - Unless you are mechanically inclined, I wouldnt get a bike that needs work. Get something ready to go.
     
  14. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    man a youtube video of that with the benny hill music would be priceless...

    Oh, and if you are holding off on the VFR, look for a running Ninja 500 or one of the other bikes we mentioned earlier. I don't remember if I mentioned it, but I had a Yamaha Seca II 600 that was a real easy to ride sport/standard with upper fairing. Wouldn't you know I rode it for a year and never dropped it. Upgraded to full fairing FZR, totally customized the paint on it, got it all nice looking then dropped it. Maybe I should go back to a semi naked bike and I wouldn't crash so much!

    Seca 2 = XJ600 for searches. Bandit 600 form Suzuki very similar. Both easy to ride older bikes that are reliable and can be found cheap IF you can find them. Usually not as abused as a CBR or the like.

    Craigslist is your friend. Do the price limit and narrow the field before you see something too pricey and fall in love.
     
  15. Onomea

    Onomea New Member

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    Congrats TJ.

    Just got to read this thread today. Reminds me of what I went through when I first started riding. My first street bike was the same as reg71, a Yamaha Seca II 600. Got it about 2 months before I started my MSF class. The waiting list was about 3 months then. I knew the instructor and he would take me out riding with him. Looked at
    the GS500 and several older cruiser bikes along with a Nighthawk 650. Most everyone told me that a 250cc would be outgrown within the first year. Rode the Seca II for a few years then upgraded. Got into a few instances when the power band was just too narrow and lacking. Never rode an Sv650 but had close friends that did own them. Seems to be a good starter bike and more.

    The only time any of my bikes every went down (KNOCKING WOOD NOW!!!) was my Seca II about a year after I got it. It was sitting on its side stand in my garage while I was checking the oil. It fell to its left side
    (motor still running) and I hit the kill switch. It broke its left side mirror(glass cracked) and thats all. It was a very comfortable bike and I learned to ride more proficiently on it. Still learning, on my Superhawk and now my VFR700F2 which I am very fond of. As mentioned by the some of the previous members, the VFR(due to your size)
    might be O.K. The "friction zone" was one of the first things I was thought to be aware of, along with ATGATT.

    Sorry so long winded. Just be safe, ride your own ride, and Ride Well. Good Luck.
     
  16. TJFORBES

    TJFORBES New Member

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    GUYS GUYS GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm BACK!!!!!!!! Guess what I did today??? Hmmmm..........Give up? Ok OK oK!!!!!! 2004 VFR is ALL MINE!!!!!! Picked it up today, needs fairings, front tire soon, chain soon, and new battery soon. SOUNDS AWESOME!!!! 20K Miles, but Runs GREAT!!!!! Oh and get this $2,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!! T think I got a GREAT DEAL! I was kinda getting discourage, I lost 4 BIKES cause they where all out of state and I didn't get out in time. I'm sooooooo HAPPY!!!!! :-D I'll make a new post once I'm truly up and running, just got her back tonight. THANKS for all the advice, thought I'd come back to my original VFR BUDDIES with the GREAT NEWS FIRST!
     
  17. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    yeah, getting it that cheap leaves you room to buy the fairings. go for OEM IMO though. Just not enough positive on the ebay chinese copies to get them IMO.
     
  18. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    Congrats on the new bike.

    Is it just me, or was that a Leo Getz impersonation?
     
  19. EpiEric

    EpiEric New Member

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    Because there are two kinds of bikers:
    1. those who dropped the bike
    2. those who are going to drop the bike

    And that's a fact !
     
  20. diVeFR

    diVeFR New Member

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    I wonder how many people will Getz this....


    Congrats on the purchase....Post pics!!!


    .
     
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