Hi! New to forum, I just found this a couple of days ago. I've been looking to get a new (to me) sportbike. I am looking for something that is comfortable, and won't kill my back and arms. My last ride was a 83' V-45 magna, that I rode alot when I was stationed at Ft. Carson, CO. (Over 30k)Everyone I rode with had CBRs, ZXs, GSXRs, etc. I was looking into getting a 2000 era ZX9, as I always thought they were supposed to have a more relaxed riding position, and I liked the looks of them, then I rembered the VFR. I have always really liked the looks of the gen5 bikes, more so than the new gen6. After doing some research the last couple of days, I am under the impression that the 5th gen is generally favored for the gear drive cams, and that the new chain drive requires more valve maintenance? I have also come to believe that the gen 6 handles just a little better, and is a more relaxed riding position than the 5th? More of a touring bike...I have been out of the motorcycle loop for almost 12 yrs now. I guess maybe I am just going through a second childhood..Thanks Jesse.
Welcome! The vfr is a bike that is a jack of all trades, not the best of anything but good at everything as I am sure you know after reading your post. There are always disscussions here of which gen is better and from what I have read you cant cant go wrong with any gen if you are looking for a sport touring bike with more emphisis on sport. I chose a 5th gen to avoid the etec and prefered the gear driven cams of this model for tried and true reliability not to say that I have heard of any problems from the 6th gen of this manner. I also prefered the styling of the 5th gen. I couldent be more pleased with the bike! touring capability(my gsxr was painful afrter an hour or 2 of riding) and performance(very comparable to most modern 600 cc bikes) other than carring extra weight. A good analogy would be a tuned civic vs a mustang or camero, both rides can pull equal times but the muscle car aka vfr does it with more athority! I hope this helps with your decision
Hi Jesse. Welcome to the forum. The good news is that I don't think you can go wrong with either generation vfr (or probably any generation for that matter). I love the way my 6th get handles, and I put a lot of happy, pain free days on it last year (with some credit do to the Sargent seat). I do like the looks of the 5th generation, I have to admit.
Welcome to the Forum. I agree...the VFR is a great do-it-all bike with some real personality and excellent design/build quality...hard to go wrong with any version (generation) of the VFR.
I ride a 5th gen but I have ridden both the 4th and 6th. They all handle similar to me. I do like the gear driven cams now that I have gotten used to them. at first I though something was wrong with my bike. If you can find a good deal on a 4th or 5th, you probably better snap it up. They are getting harder to find and I think many more 6th gens were made. I have no evidence on this, just guessing by the number of 6g riders we have here and how many years they have made them. I think you are right about the service cost being more on the 6th gen due to a little added complexity, but I haven't heard anything to make me think they are less reliable. If everything else is the same to you and you like the looks of the 5th gen, then that's the one to go for cause you'll be the one riding it. It's getting a little harder to find parts, but not impossible like some orphaned bikes. welcome to vfrworld.
Thanks guys. Tough decision....I could get a 5th gen that probably already has some aftermarket parts on it cheaper than the 6th, or get one cheap enough to be able to add some stuff. I am growing quite fond of the 07 red white and blue one though. Wife says the boat has to get sold before I can get one though....or be happy with half my stuff. lol Jesse.
