How does an '84 VF1000 stack up against the new 600's?

Long story, keeping it short. (I'm a relatively new rider, 2 years - I'm almost 40, so I got a late start so to speak)

I recently traded an '03 Ninja 250 with 14k on the clock for an '84 VF1000F with 4k on the clock straight across, couldn't be happier with the trade as I paid $1700 for the 250 with 9k on it.

What I have been pondering is, do I want to trade in this bike later for a more modern 600cc bike like the 600RR, ZX-6R, or possibly a GSX-R 750? Or do I keep this bike, fix the oiling issue and ride it for a while? Right now the Interceptor seems really solid and is a blast to ride. As one might imagine it's a good bit quicker than the 250 I left it for. I have not had the opportunity to ride a modern 600 but I am sure that many of you have probably a better frame of reference.

Opinions? Like I said, I'm really enjoying the VF1000F but wonder if I am missing out when compared to the newer sport bikes.

 

Yes and No. had that bike a really great one at that, but the new 600s are a whole different animal, not even in the same league not even close. todays 600s like the rr are cutting edge street legal race bikes, great machines but be forewarned. belive it or not the VFR is a great fit for what you have today I was in your postion 10 years ago, bought a new VFR instead of the lastest greatest I4 1000 or 600 couldn't be happier with my deccision

 

Are you saying that the VF isn't in the same league as the 600's or the other way around? Like I said, I lack a frame of reference here. I can tell you all the things I like about the VF1000, but I have no idea about what is or is not to like about the 600's or 750?

I'm admitly a speed junkie, but I love the torque and highway manners of the VF1000. It also seems to be a fairly forgiving bike as well. Although the brakes are a bit spongy, I suspect the stainless steel lines for the brakes and clutch will cure any ills associated with that. Amazingly this bike was in incredible shape for 22 years old and appears to need just some minor TLC to be like new.

 

mmm more or less both ways, yes, can't really compare them. 600rr is in a different league becuase of form and fuction, one thing it's a 600 no matter what ya do the bottom line is it doesn't have much in the way of bottom end which means to get were you're going fast means your up in the upper staraosphere rpm wise then there the chassis way different way lighter nimble as all get out, riding postion made for very egressive attack mode riding, for the open road not all that great, all thou they do do it, ask em how many miles they go before they need off. your VF1000 is a very good bike lots of power everywhere but brakes and suspension are not up to par, not even close to what we had 5 years ago. so depending on what you're looking for the VF1000 is a great get it down the road with a few curves for fun. the 600 is balls to the wall get out of my way. Or look at me I'm cool. if you really want a good but more sport go RC 51 or a super hawk or a VFR When I had my VF 1000 then went and tried a VFR 750, wow what a differance the 750 just ate my VF1000 lunch on all aspects, thats what hooked me then there was this sound Oh My... Still hard to beat a 1000cc V-twin for getting it done, but as it stands most Vtwins in sport cloths other than the SV1000 and the new Ducati monster are few. so stick with what works for you go try some on for size, then you'll know. V4 is best of both worlds. Did that help?

 

Ya, that helps alot. I still may end up trading the VF1000 in on the VFR800 or used VFR750 down the road, but I must admit right now the VF1000 is more bike than I can exploit at this time.

I think what has me hooked on the VF1000 right now is that V4 motor, its so damn smooth. I find myself at illegal speeds quickly enough already on the outdated VF1000 as it is. As you noted, it has power everywhere. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined and can tackle some of the shortcoming on the VF1000 such as the brakes.

I know that my ninja 250 was somewhat more nimble than the VF1000 but the suspension was overloaded for my fat ass. I'm not all that tall but I still tip the scales at just over 200 lbs. The little ninja did annoy me with the extreme buzzy nature of the motor spinning 10,000 RPM at 80 MPH, where as the VF is lumbering along at 5,000 RPM and has that wonderfully smooth V4. I think I can accept that it will never be as nimble as a little 600 but I'm beginning to believe that the tradeoff may very well be worth it.

As far as the look at me, I'm cool... I'm surprised by the number of people who are just flat out drawn to the VF1000 just because of its age and condition. I don't see myself on a V-twin anytime soon, but I may be jumping the gun, I need to get some time on some of the other bikes and really decide what would keep the grin on my face when it's time to move onto something newer.

I think I was really lucky to find such a low mileage VF that I could get into without dropping any additional coin and gives me a nice transition into a newer bike with more power. The bonus (although some will cringe at the thought) is that if I do every have to put this bike down I can walk away from it without a $10k loss. It's said that all riders eventually go down, I've been fortunate that none of my close calls have resulted in my having to drop or lay down the bike (so I'm still due.) In the meantime, I plan to try and keep the shiny side up as long as possible.

Thanks again,

 

My two cents on this topic. No One can ride any 600 supersport to its full potential on the street. NO ONE! Todays 600s can do everything better(performance wise) than any 80's production bike except pull from low RPMs. Keep the VF1000R, you only have $1700 in it according to your comments. Put your money on a used Superhawk or VFR. This would give you an old classic and a new classic. The best of both worlds!!
As for ergonomics, at 6'2'', I will take a sightly older bike just about any day. 'Light makes right' is tough to argue with on the new supersports. High rpm engine sounds great, but torque will get you out of the corner and launced down the straight with that sweet 'V' sound.
Like I said, just putting in my two cents.
Keep us informed on what you do.

 

This is going to sound a bit strange but despite my weight, I'm fairly compact. I have a 34 inch waist a 42 inch chest and I'm only 5'9"-5'10", so I am just dense... or so the women tell me. When I said I was over 200, I weighed 201 the other day. So I feel fine as far as my size on the 600 cc bikes in the showroom. I guess I am going to have to find some people to let me try the 600 and 800 cc bikes to really compare them. Deciding what is going to be comfortable will be an interesting process, as being a bit older and wiser I can appreciate the comfort factor a bit more than my younger peers.

I am surprised at how quick the old VF1000F feels. I have no idea how quick the 600's are, but the torque rating seems similar +/- 5-10 ft/lbs and the HP output seems slightly higher. I suspect the 600 class bikes are about 150-200 lbs lighter (as the curb weight of the VF1000F is 571 Lbs) but think that the power band must be quite a bit more narrow than the VF1000F. I love the V4 feel so the 5th Generation VFR is really looking tempting.

I think this is going to be about finding something that really strikes a balance between the power junkie in me and the road manners of a sport-touring bike that feels competent in the twisties. I appreciate all the input so far, I think that I made a good choice for an interim bike to take me from the Ninja 250 into the larger bikes. I'm enough of a hooligan now with the VF1000F, I think I feared the throttle for about a week... as the difference between the 30 HP Ninja 250 and the 113 HP VF1000F was rather dramatic. I used to really wring out the 250 and now find myself exploring the envelope with the VF1000F. Mind you, I have a lot of respect for a bike (even the 250) and credit my not pitching either bike into the weeds partially due to this respect.

I do see potential in the VF for more power should I desire it. With it's relatively low 10.4:1 compression I could easily turbocharge the VF1000F if I for some strange reason needed more power. A sick thought to be sure. In the end, I suspect that I may very well end up on the 5th gen VFR, which seems to be the best of the bunch so far. After all, I want to have my cake and eat it too.

 

Hey Reg71, have you been on a S4RS? I am interested in the ergonomics of this for a 6'2'' fella. I also think the machine has 'looks that kill' as well as the Ducati mystique. As I said in an earlier post, I tend to go after the older bikes just to get my body onto a bike with some comfort, but this Ducati may make me put a third bike in the garage!

 

I just looked at this online and it's a really sharp looking bike.

 

The VF1000 is a great machine . Is the mileage really under 5,000 miles? If so you have something worth some money if its in very good condition. I have seen them get between $2,500--$4,500 as certain V4 collectors will pay top dollar for them... The VF1000F was only made for 1 yr and you dont see them around like you do the VFR 750F...

Somewhere there is pics of where a rider installed a 1984 VF1000F engine in a 1984 VF750F frame, yeah its a tight fit .. When you get ready for a different bike you should sell the VF1000 , outright as a dealer wont give you anything for a trade in... The VFR800 is a awesome machine the 98-01 models are the best in my opinion because those are the last years for the gear driven cams and they were all new design including EFI...

 

Actually it is in phenomenal condition, even the original clear coat is in great shape. It has a few blemishes and needs the engine cover repainted and a few other details, but it has an honest and documented 4750 miles on it now (I've been riding it a bit.) I am doing a few upgrades to the bike, which while taking away from it's originality shouldn't hurt it's value.

I'm installing braided steel cables on the front and rear brakes and the clutch. I will probably do the same for the cooling system. I also have some custom aluminum radiators being made. I've rewired the fans to be always on, but that is easily reversable. I plan to keep all the original parts so that collector types can enjoy those should they want them, but I feel the upgrades are tasteful and appropriate. I also plan to rebuild and detail the 20 year old carbs and do the oiling system modification as soon as possible. I'm still on the fence about which one to do. Should I tap the main galley after the mains and do it right, or do I just get an oil filter adapter which should be "good enough?"

The bike, when you look at it is obviously under 5000 miles. Attached is a bad camera phone picture but I think it communicates the condition fairly well. I am the second owner, I just can't believe I found it on a lot at the local bike store.

Mark

 

Great looking 1000! I almost soiled myself when seeing the condition of that thing at over 20 years old.
It amazes me that people buy these bikes and use them that little over decades. There had to have been more than 4000 mi worth of perfect riding days in the past 22 years. Humans, I'll never understand.
Great find and purchase!

 

I have an 85 1000 I love, Canadian version so colour a little diff, it is very comfortable, and not to bad in twisties but not great. It does have the lovely v4 grunt that will get down low and pull all the way up. I have raced a couple 600's straight line and done well (think the rider does depend a lot, cause I think I would win easily on a 600 if I stay in the crazy high range). However as stated earlier no comparison of todays 600's to an older vf1000f. The frames suspension etc is so way beyond the capabilities of older bikes. saying this , I love my old bike. Comfort is great, power does me fine, and the retro look is cool. http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/700043/

my baby 27000kms

 

WOW! That bike makes mine look like it's in bad shape... Just awesome looking. Mine needs to be tore down, detailed, and unfortunately now repainted. The front master cylinder sprung a leak and while I wasn't looking dripped brake fluid onto the cowl with devistating results.

None the less, I really am loving this old bike and it continues to surprise me despite lacking in the handling department. Although, I would dare say its more comfortable than the supersport 600's. It can certainly leave rubber through a rollon in 1st, which is enough power for me.

 

like the trick cbr 600 mirrors on the fairing I added?

 

Yes, I hadnt noticed them in my haze this morning, but very nice looking!