My impressions after 3 weeks of 1998 VFR

I believe what you evaluate and feel is dominated what you had before therefore for cruiser transitioning to VFR would be night and day and someone coming from R1 to VFR would have totally different take.
My impressions are influenced by SV650 my last bike.
SV650 was quick,agile and most importantly after hitting 6k RPM it started to become whole different bike hauling, thundering ,fast raving animal with firm rush of power and no wonder SV's are raced daily and are track faves.

Now I got bored....wanted something different. and bought 1998 VFR with 20k on it.
VFR feels heavy and it is....but feels more planted because of its weight and balance.Stronger breaks,air induction noise and study build up of power.Now I hit every RPM on freeway to see if there is a power surge but sadly I found none just linear power nothing like SV second wind.
I am not complaining but I feel I must ask this obvious question.Where is the race or sport part in VFR....?
I still enjoy the bike but something is missing....like immediate power....I guess my expectation was more of sportbike rather touring bike...
I am still in my young stage of ownership but I already miss my screaming rave happy SV...

 

open up the exhaust a little, and there you will find all the soul and excitement you can handle. and then some...

 

That's interesting, Rubo. I have also just bought a 1998 VFR, having sold a SV650S (believe it or not) - but unlike you I am not disappointed.

I think you may be missing the SV more because of its diminutive size and weight and its agility than its outright performance. Sure, the SV was reasonably quick but I would not personally call it a "thundering ,fast raving animal with firm rush of power" unless yours had nitrous fitted!

Strangely, despite the comparative porkiness of the VFR, I find it more maneuverable than the SV - it just seems better balanced where the SV's steering I found quite slow; you really had to throw it into a bend. And the VFR seems to have much of the pleasing low-down torque the SV had. But I find nothing at all wrong with the VFR's top end. When it gets in the upper reaches of its rev range it really starts to boogie. It's no gixxer but there we are - maybe its a matter of your expectation. I reckon a little more time and the charm and all round ability of the Honda will come through. Perhaps I should report back myself in a few months as well, as I've only had mine for about 4 weeks.

Good luck mate!

 

Sorry to hear you're not thrilled with the VFR. If you want more thrills I have to recommend either the superhawk or the SV 1000s. Generallly V-Twins will give you that torque rush and are quite easy to punch around fun roads.

With the V-Four engine you won't get a whomping rush of power and in my opinion it combines the best of both worlds for the line-4 and v-twin engines. The problem with line-4 engines is that most of the power is at near the redline and they can be tricky to ride in the twisties in finding that sweet spot. And with the V-Twin you won't be winning drag races because it's not as free-reving as line-4s.

 

Well I had my SV jetted and full exhaust and I did feel for sure the power surge after 6k. The funny thing is I sometimes deliberately kept it in 3rd on highway just to rave it to 9k.
I had fitted mine GXR1000 shock progressive sonic springs at front and the SV handled like dream.Never felt it will slide under me even at extreme lean angles.
I guess I have to get used to linear power curve of VFR. I have mine stock and may be with slip on I can bring out that V4 sound and slight power gain and maybe that would do the trick.
:thumbsup:

 

I tested VTR1000 and soft springs,pathetically small gas tank,very poor gas millage (they have the biggest Carbs on any production motorcycles) race style foot rests and controls and worse very tall 1st gear.
Basically VTR does 30mpg which is very poor in todays gas prices....
I thought about SV1000 but nothing under 5k.People who have them want premium price.I do like SV1000 a lot.
I am still in budding stage with VFR and after some exhaust mod I may totally fall in love with it.So far its been dating and dinners with no sex:biggrin:

 

My 2000 has a noticeable surge after 7k rpm. It is bone stock as far as the engine goes. The 2000 has some changes from the 98, but none that should really effect the power band.

 

A real cheap "upgrade" is to change the sprocket gearing. You can go down one tooth in the front sprocket or go up 2 teeth in the rear sprocket. You'll lose some top end speed but how often do you need to go 140+ mph?

That, and see about changing the spark plugs and upgrade to a BMC air filter. Those can help provide just a little more boost.

 

spark plugs? why?

 

Spark plugs over time lose their quick sparking ability and the bike doesn't rev as quick as before. It's not a HUGE improvement but enough to notice it.