VFR as first bike/ABS?

This reply is for Carnage and whoever else wantsa know-

Just FYI.

There is a huge difference between applying just the front brake or the back brake only. Yes, they are linked but when you apply just the front at slow speeds the backs hardly get engaged at all. There isn't enough force on the front caliper to activate the rears much. You are also applying two rotors worth of brake in the front. It is easy to dump it because they are especially grippy when new.ope2:

Front brake lever actuates 4 out 6 pistons on two front rotors + 1 piston on the rear rotor.
Rear pedal actuates 2 pistons on the rear and 1 on each front rotor.

Can you see how each lever is stronger towards it's responsiblity? :strong:

Trust me- Linked brakes doesn't mean the front brake lever does the same thing as the rear brake pedal. It's not a use either one setup and get the same results. Especially at low speed.

It's kinda like asking your grandmother to help you move a sofa. Which ever end you apply the muscle to is the end that responds the most. Make sense?

 

You don't know my grandma!

But ya, i honestly don't even notice the front breaking when i use the rear or the rear when using the front.

 

You'd be surprised how well the VFR holds up against 600 or even 750 supersports. The smooth power delivery is deceiving, but take it to a track or dragstrip and you'll see how surprisingly well the VTEC VFR can hussle.

ABS is absolutely great. If you have the option to get it, then by all means get it. It doesn't interfere until it absolutely has to.

 

hey there. i rode a ninja500 for 2 years after not riding a few decades. great first bike. two weeks ago i traded up to a 25th anniv. vfr...WOW...my opinion...probably not a good first bike due to weight, but if your a big strong he-man it will be a bit easier to muscle around. it would be a shame to drop it. mine came with abs...i'm glad...hope to never really use it. lets not forget the sophisticated LINKED brakes on the '07 and probably '08 model as well.

 

Like others have said, on the street (where the VFR is designed to be ridden) the linked brakes are pretty seamless. Hell, they are barely linked anyway--just enough to notch up the stability factor a little if you get a little careless with brake application... again, perfect for the street.

I can see where delinking the brakes might be beneficial if you're riding to the max on a track, but I've seen really good riders do some impressive things on bone stock 6th gens and they never whine about the linked brakes. It's not a race bike, and that fact actually makes it even more impressive when you see what they can accomplish on a track out of the box.