Opinions of a VFR800 as a second bike

Discussion in 'New Riders' started by TheCommand, Dec 22, 2016.

  1. TheCommand

    TheCommand New Member

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    Good afternoon,

    I am wondering if a VFR 800 would be a good second bike for me to get. To give some background information. Before I started into street bikes I owned a Honda 230cc dirt bike that I drove around in trails for about 3 years.

    I took our provinces mandatory Motorcycle Safety Course with my friend last year and then I picked up a used 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 650R very soon after. I have driven this bike for approximately 3 months (1000-1500km) and I am quite comfortable on it, and on motorcycles in general. The reasons I am looking at upgrading to a VFR are; my friend bought a 125CC bike to start on as he had never ever touched a bike before taking the safety course. He is now ready to upgrade and wants to buy my bike for the same price I paid for it....how can I pass on that deal?? The second reason is that I am a rather big fella, at 6'4" and 210lbs with a 36" inseam, and I find that I feel cramped on the Ninja when I go on longer rides. I realize that the VFR weighs almost 140lbs more than the ninja, but on that note I have no problems balancing the majority of bikes as my legs are so long. My father let me take his FJR1300 and balance it, practice slow turns, etc. on it, and the FJR is almost 650lbs fully loaded. Another note, I am 21 years old but know how to be responsible with power. Right now my daily driver is a 400hp Subaru, and I still dont't have any tickets and enjoy the feel of the drive, rather than the speed, which is strictly for the track.

    Let me know what you guys think. BTW the bike I am looking at is a used Asphalt Black 04 VFR.

    Thanks
     
  2. RhINO

    RhINO New Member

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    Hi!
    I would go for it. I got my motorcycle license last year and bought a ER6N, which is roughly the same bike as you got. One year and some 8000km later I started looking for something bigger. I'm 6 footish and around 200lb and wanted some luggage on the bike. I found a 06 with less than 18k on the odometer which I bought and I have no regrets.
    It is a bigger bike and more top heavy so slow driving in town is a bit more work, but all in all its just lovely.

    /R
     
  3. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    The irony is that probably nobody here will tell you not to buy a VFR besides some resident closet harleydoods.
     
  4. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    I'm going to say yes. My 6 Gen (2009 VFR800) was my second bike and my 5 Gen (2001 VFR800) is my second, second bike.
     
  5. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    And it's called my three sons
    We need a group picture D


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  6. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    Crazy, the VFRs are first, second and third for many.
     
  7. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    I think anyone who has served their apprenticeship on a dirt bike for three years and has proven that he is capable and comfortable on a 650 is definitely ready for a VFR800. You seem well aware of the weight and height and I think this would be a good transition for you, and a good deal on your old bike too.
     
  8. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    Most VFRs like the one you are looking at are a lot of bike for the money but after re reading your a big dude long legs you might just saying depending on your budget look at adventure style too. SV1000 as an example. I'm Not trying to get you to shy away, just know for those on bigger side you might look em. but yea the VFR is a great ride for sure. Gee maybe even look at the vfr1200 ?
     
  9. Sniper

    Sniper New Member

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    A 6'4" guy on a 230 would be like a normal guy riding a mini bike!

    I dont know what your budget is, but if i was that tall, id be looking at an adv bike. My 990 Super Duke has a lot of leg room, also. But finding one of those may be tough.

    400 hp out of a Subie is a lot. Care to expand on that?
     
  10. Outboard John

    Outboard John New Member

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    I agree with your suggestion on the adventure touring style bike, very comfy and having learned to ride on a dirt bike he'll feel right at home. I think you may have meant the V-Strom 1000xt. My Pikes Peak Multistrada has relagated my Interceptor to "Garage Queen" status.
     
  11. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I am 6'-1" and 260ish. I find my 5th gen VFR with raised bars and lowered pegs to be perfect for me. Personally I don't like the adventure bikes because of there sit up straight riding position. The VFR gives me the best of both worlds. I get a sporting ride position in all day comfort. I keep a VTR Superhawk for second bike fun.
     
  12. rx7racerherbie

    rx7racerherbie New Member

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    It sounds like a perfect transition to me. I say go for it. Leg comfort is going to be more dependent on your inseam than your overall height. Check out http://cycle-ergo.com/ to get more of an idea of how comfortable it may be for you.
     
  13. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    The VFR was my 3rd moto. I could have easily had it as my 2nd after just a couple of months of "practice" on my first.

    No matter what you end up with, I feel many shortchange themselves by thinking they may not be able to handle a larger moto...or people tell them that.

    I was told I was thinking ridiculous to desire anything over the 600 I had. I was heavily chastised for suggesting I wanted a liter bike. But I know myself and what I can handle.

    Hopefully you do too. You will never regret a VFR...IMO...or another larger moto.

    I just can't help you with ergos. I'm just over 5'2", 28" inseam, so it's a struggle to touch on motos. But if a shorty can make it work, a taller one can. ;)

    Good luck in your decision-making!
     
  14. CatHerder

    CatHerder New Member

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    Hell, it's my only bike:)
     
  15. Solarninja

    Solarninja New Member

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    Im 6'1, and i love my stock vfr....i can tuck like my old 600 fzr or i can sit upright and cruise. The vast weight difference is somthing you can get used to pretty quick and afar as power goes, you can certanly tell its there but its not so torque that it's overwhelming. Very manageable power for sure. I feel like it would be a good fit for you as i have made a nearly identical transition and am very happy with it...sometimes i miss how "flickable" my 600 sportbike was but this bike is tits for sure, it does everything a bike is made to do pretty dang well
     
  16. MichaelD

    MichaelD New Member

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    I think you would love the versatility of the VFR. I've run ten miles of dirt rodes daily during my 100 mile commute to and from work on my 6th gen.It handles anything I throw at it. Don't be afraid to do 400 to 800 mile days on it . Once you get the ergos customized to you ( lower pegs, raise bars, seat, ect...) you'll wonder why you didn't buy one sooner. Good luck.
     
  17. TheCommand

    TheCommand New Member

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    $_27.JPG

    An update on this topic. I think I found the one!
     
  18. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Wow is that pair stock? Looks great, even has pipes----what year?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  19. TheCommand

    TheCommand New Member

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    By pair I am going to take a liberty and assume you mean paint? If so, no it isn't a factory paint scheme, the guy I am hopefully going to pick it up from had it done by a professional painter at a body shop. It is a 2003 but has had the amber signals on the front and rear switched out with 2007 signals. It also comes with the 3 piece hard luggage set that has been paint matched as well as a Sargent seat and bar risers. Has 33,000km on it.
     
  20. CandyRedRC46

    CandyRedRC46 Member

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    The VFR will be a nice upgrade, though at 540 curb weight compared to 465 curb for the ninja, its not that much bigger.
    Careful with that 400 hp subaru, those ring lands are made out of glass lol.
     
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