Considering a VFR - I need my smile back

Hello all!

I am considering replacing my 07 R1200RT for a VRF. There are two problems with me and the RT - first, it does not excite me (that turns out to be a bigger deal than I thought it would be) and second, I am not taking any trips and so am not putting enough miles on it. I want something that will be more fun to ride, get my blood rushing a bit and my face smiling again. I'm generally OK with giving up long distance travel comfort since I feel I don't need that right now. I had a beautiful 2003 K1200RS several years back and really loved the bike, but it was very top heavy and more or less a pig in traffic. But it was very fun to ride out in the open and particularly on sweepers - I always had smile on my face

So I'm looking at the VFR since I think (never having ridden one) it is a very fun bike to ride, has lots of power and acceleration, is comfortable enough, and I'm hoping isn't very top heavy. I don't know what Gen to buy but after some research, am thinking about G5 since I get FI instead of carbs and I like the 800 size. The 1200 CCs I have now just seem like more than I need at present.

I would use this bike for day riding, probably a trip or two to the UP where I have a house (about 350 miles) and occasional track days (which I've never actually done but want to do).

I'm hoping you all can give me facts and experiences so I can figure out if this is the next bike for me.

Thanks very much,

John M

 

From a 1200 to 800 you will be disapoint, my suggestion is to test ride the 7th gen first. The 5th gen is fun as well but it will not pull like a Hayabusa.
How much you willing to spend...? The 5th gen run around 3 to 4 k depend on the condition. 6th gen from 4 to 6500. You can pimp or mod it up to your taste depend on your wallet. NCB drop around 15k to mod his bike, Toe cutter spend around 6k and a finger to put on the super charger............

 

I have a 99 5th gen that I have put almost 15k miles on in under two years. It is certainly not super comfortable, but is comfortable enough for day rides under 300 miles and yes, it will put a smile on your face. You really can't got wrong.

 

Thank you for your replies. Do people experience VFRs as very top heavy? That was one of my complaints about the KRS so would like to avoid that situation if it is material. Also, any advice on which Gen is preferred? I'll spend under $5k.

 

I really love mine, every time I come back from ride I leave with a smile on my face .... it always leaves me impressed

 

I picked up my 2003 with only 13k for 3500 last June and must agree with Rev it always leaves a smile on my face. I am in my latter 40's and find it comfortable. Haven't gone on a 200+ mile ride yet, but just installed Heli's and a Sargent seat. I think mine feels like it is very well balanced, about waistline center of gravity. Had a youngster take it for a ride who had a CBR and he couldn't believe how much nicer it felt to him compared to his CBR. Oh yeah, forgot to mention always turns heads too.

 

I think the checker would have been the k1200rs. They called it the "taxi" model. Mine was a little later version of that same bike, i think mostly unchanged engine and performance wise. It was a heavy bike, and although it accelerated smoothly and strongly, I could not pull the front off the ground in any gear. And it seemed too heavy to pop the clutch so I never tried that.

Still, it was a very smooth ride. Got lots of good looks and compliments and was unshakable on the highway - you didn't have to move at all for oncoming 18 wheelers on two lane roads. No amount of wind seemed to move it at all. KRS riders like to call it "riding on rails".

For me, it was a really fun bike but a bit bigger than I need and too heavy.

 

My Gen5 does not feel top heavy at all but well balanced. Behind 18 wheelers it seems to take more effort to keep in line, more than any of my Nighthawks but I think it is because of the fairings. The swirling crosswind turbulance seems to hit the fairings on the bike more like wind on a sail causing it to jump around when you are about 30-40 ft off the back. The naked bike design seemed a bit more stable in the crosswinds. But thats just a characteristic I gladly give up for every time I ride my VFR, I cannot wipe the smile off of may face until well after I park her for the night.

My guess is that you woudl be happy with any Gen5 -7 model. It's just up to your personal preference in looks, price and bells and whistles.

 

All I can say is, my VFR doesn't feel at all top heavy and it always puts a smile on my face.

 

Greetings & welcome.
I have a 2001 K1200rs and a couple of gen5's - 1998 & y2k. I enjoy them all. I don't get tthe "top heavy" comment about the K-bike (maybe the RT), but it is about 150 pounds heavier than the Viffer....pretty noticable. that said, the K-bike has about 30 more HP, so the power to weight & acceleration is about the same with 1 rider. Gas mileage K-bike 38; VFR high 40's to over 50. I have done 500 mile days on the VFR. Depending on the roads, that can about be my limit. if it was all slab...maybe more. for a trip on the freeway loaded down with stuff the BMW is a better ride. more weight, better suspension......more gas.
But yesterday I went for coffee. it was about 140 miles of some of the best back roads around (229 included !) the the 2000 Viffer reminded me why i like that bike so much. what a HOOT in the tight stuff; a nice ride on the freeway, comfortable. the engine is bulletproof, & the fun Really starts about 7000rpms.......all the way to over 12k. with an aftermarket pipe - there are many - the exhaust note is just Kick*ss. maintenance is next to nuthin.

Buy one. don't like it? sell it. maybe cost ya $50 all said & done.
Life is short - Ride a VFR......get more smiles per gallon!:thumb:

 

I ride a 2003 VFR and am 55 years old. It puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. Great handling, plenty of power for me. I've put some Gen-Mar risers on it, a Corbin seat, and Zero Gravity windscreen on it. Thinking about swapping out the Gen-Mars for some Heli-Bars, the riding position still puts a little too much forward stress on my old wrists. Otherwise, best bike I've ever owned.

 

Guaranteed Smiles

For my son's 16th birthday I made a 900+ mile roundtrip from OH to NJ to pick up an immaculate '00 (the only year in yellow). The previous two owners had installed an Ohlins rear shock, Heli bars, Two Brothers slip on, and some really cool frame sliders that did not require cutting/drilling of the fairing. I installed a Throttlemeister. I am 6'4" and find the riding position to be very comfortable. My son (now 20) is about 6'2" and can ride all day on it. The stock seat is too cushy for me and I would prefer a firmer Corbin or other aftermarket perch. I had an '82 GS1100G and a '93 GSX1100G that I thought were rockets (at least in a straight line). I've never owned/ridden a sportbike but have demo'ed some naked ones at Daytona Bike Week but was speed restricted by the group ride. In my opinion, the VFR is plenty fast enough for me, and my son does quite well in the twisties with it. The single-sided swingarm is great for rear wheel removal or the occasional chain adjustment. The FI fires up without hesitation and is ready to ride away just like any FI/liquid cooled vehicle. Fuel economy is good and 87 octane is all it needs. Yes, it is going to be heavier than a 600cc sportbike, but it's more of a sport-tourer anyway. I believe that most VFR first/second owners keep up with routine maintenance and cosmetic care. I prefer a belt or shaft drive and would love to add an '02 or '03 RS (electronic cruise like my LT) to the collection, but for the $$$ and what you want it for a used VFR is a great value. Good luck with your decision

 

I own a 6th gen... 2007. Im about 125lbs and do not find this 550lb+ bike top heavy or in any other way heavy. Honda did a great job with the balance and low center of gravity. Ive ridden with many sportbike owners who bust me about riding a tank or a whale. I offer to swap bikes and every time they get off my bikw with a big smile eating humbe pie saying they cant believe easy it leans and how intuitive it is. One R1 rider got off my bike saying it felt so light it was like a dirt bike compared to his.

No this is not the fastest bike by far and in a straight, will lose against most sportbikes... top speed is about 160 indicated... so maybe 150...?? However in the twisties it haa awesome handling and its the most comfortable bike for me for long distance... with a Sargent seat. Stock seat sucks. If youre looking for a bike that isnt the best at anything but does everything pretty damn well this is that bike.

 

Great responses. I'm convinced...now I just have to find a Gen 5.

Thanks!

 

Thers is a yellow 2000 for sale on this forum.......

 

Everyone hit it on the head-YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH A VFR---------Take your time , find the right one, found my 2002 at 3am on CL with 1800 miles for $4000-there out there. I'm 5'6 and have Heli's and Lowering triangels and have absolutely no inclination of being top heavy. Plenty of power----- back in the 80's 750's were the shit-perfect for commutes, trips and canyons . Trust us

 

Gen. 5 all the way, mang. I LOVE MINE!!!!!

Leave it stock if you do lots and lots of twisties. Bar risers make it much nicer for longer days. The most radical bar change is a Spiegler, flat bar conversion kit.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/5th-generation-1998-2001/37445-speigler-lsl-handle-bar-conversion-pics.html

Jose

 

Thanks. They yellow 2000 that was listed here in Classifieds was sold locally in Houston. Another of your members in CO mentioned that he would be selling and I am interested but so far no reply to my PM. He's in Denver which would be good since I'll be there skiing next week and could pick up the bike then. We'll see. If not that, then I'll keep looking.

Jm

 

I just got a 5th gen a few weeks ago, and I could just still be in the honey moon phase (lol), but I love it. I was worried about the weight before I bought it but after a week or so of riding it I didnt even think about it anymore and have nothing but fun times on it.