should I buy VFR or is it too boring

:smile: You say.............

That is not minus

that is a plus.:thumbsup:

 

Really?

I am a newby, this is my first post but I have to take issue with this. You have test driven more bikes than I have ever thrown a leg over yet have to ask if the VFR is boring? Also, your spelling is atrocious and you did 6000 km on a 250? Any of the bikes you mentioned would thrill you. VFR boring?

 

how is the zx12 lighter than the vfr? am i missing something?

2002 Kawasaki ZX-12R PRICE
$10,999
ENGINE
Type: l-c inline-four
Valve arrangement: dohc, 16v
Bore x stroke: 83.0 x 55.4mm
Displacement: 1199cc
Compression ratio: 12.2:1
Carburetion Denso electronic fuel injection
Transmission: 6-speed
Final drive: #530 chain

CHASSIS
Weight: 547 lb. (wet) 515 lb. (fuel tank empty)
Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal.
Rake/trail: Rake/trail 27.9deg./4.5 in. (114mm)
Wheelbase: 58.8 in.(1493mm)
Seat height: 31.0 in. (780mm)

SUSPENSION
Front: 36mm inverted cartridge fork adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping
Rear: single shock adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping
Brake, front dual six-piston calipers, 320mm discs
Brake, rear single two-piston caliper, 230mm disc
Tire, front 120/70ZR17, Dunlop D207ZR
Tire, rear 200/50ZR17, Dunlop D207ZR

PERFORMANCE
Corrected 1/4-mile*: 9.87 sec. @ 146.29 mph
0-60 mph: 2.97 sec.
0-100 mph: 5.54 sec.
Top-gear roll-on, 60-80 mph* 3.17 sec.
Fuel mileage (low/high/average): 27/36/31

*Performance with test-session weather conditions corrected to sea-level standard conditions (59 degrees F, 29.92 in. of mercury)

 

have owned and ridden dozens of bikes... back in the day, when i had time to screw around (and fix stuff), the others might have stirred the heart more, but it came down to the VFR and the Aprillia Futura... have ridden both hard. the Aprillia is an amazing machine (though may be long in the legs for you and certainly even more of a ticket machine) plus it is no longer available and parts are scary hard to find and spendy.
The VFR takes the flag every time. Open up the cans or replace them, put a Sargent seat on and some heli bars and you will never look back. it does everything you ask of it and more. I've done 500-600 mile days and am always amazed. I run with guys ridding the 'others' and they continue to eye mine and me with envy.
you are correct, that the bike is so nearly flawless that we sometimes forget, but once you've spent some time with her, others pale in comparison.
That being said, the best bike in the world is the one you love and ride...
get the one that makes you heart beat faster and makes you thrilled to climb on it every time. that is the right bike for you.

just my humble opinion...

 

If you wanna put it that way, yes you missed something - lol. The ZX12 has a bigger engine, big gas tank, upright riding position and is much faster than a VFR and is also slightly lighter than a VFR. Specs for the 5th Gen VFR are from Sport Rider - the specs for the ZX12 are from Motorcycle Daily anbs Superbike Planet. Now specs aside, I have owned both bikes and I can tell you first hand that they feel the same to me, but the difference in engine size versus the difference in weight says something too me that is all. I still like my VFR, but the ZX 12 is a pretty nice bike too.


VFR - Honda VFR800 Interceptor - Road Test & Review - Sport Rider

ZX12 - http://www.motorcycledaily.com/zx12specs.jpg

ZX12 specs for 2001 are here also: Soup :: 2001 Kawasaki ZX12




2002 Honda Interceptor Specifications

Suggested retail price: $9999 ($10,999 for ABS version)

ENGINE

Type: Liquid-cooled, 90-degree, V4
Valve arrangement: DOHC, 4 valves/cyl. shim-under-bucket/replaceable bucket adjustment
Displacement: 781cc
Bore x stroke: 72.0 x 48mm
Compression ratio: 11.6:1
Carburetion: Electronic fuel injection, 36mm throttle bodies
Transmission: 6-speed

CHASSIS

Front suspension: 43mm conventional cartridge fork, 4.3 in. travel; adjustment for spring preload only
Rear suspension: Single shock, 4.7 in. travel; adjustments for spring preload and rebound damping
Front brake: 2, three-piston calipers with Linked Braking System, 296mm discs
Rear brake: 3-piston caliper with Linked Braking System, 256mm disc
Front wheel: 3.50 x 17 in.; cast-aluminum
Rear wheel: 5.50 x 17 in.; cast aluminum
Front tire: 120/70 ZR-17 Dunlop D204 Sportmax radial
Rear tire: 180/55 ZR-17 Dunlop D204 Sportmax radial
Rake/trail: 25.5 deg./3.7 in. (95mm)
Wheelbase: 57.4 in. (1458mm)
Seat height: 31.7 in. (805mm)
Fuel capacity: 5.8 gal. (22L)
Weight: 534 lb. (246kg) wet; 508 lb. (230kg dry)
Instruments: Digital LCD speedometer, tachometer, readout for coolant temp, outside ambient temp, fuel level, clock, odometer, dual tripmeter, lights for neutral, high beam, turn signal, low oil pressure, fuel injection problem

PERFORMANCE

Fuel consumption: 34 to 43 mpg, 36 mpg avg.
Top speed: N/A
Quarter-mile: 11.22 sec. @ 119.80 mph
Roll-ons, 6th gear: 60-80mph/5.26 sec., 80-100mph/5.82 sec.





YOUR 2001 KAWASAKI ZX-12R SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 4-stroke, DOHC Inline Four
Displacement: 1, 199cc
Bore and Stroke: 83.0 X 55.4mm
Compression: 12.2:1
Carburetion: Fuel Injection w/46mm Throttle Bodies
Ignition: Digital
Transmission: 6-speed
Frame: Aluminum Monocoque
Rake/Trial: 23.5 degrees/93 mm
Suspension (F) 43mm inverted forks, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping
Suspension (R) Unitrack single-shock, adjustable for compression and rebound damping, and ride height.
Tire (F) 120/70 ZR17 Dunlop 207
Tire (R) 200/50 ZR17 Dunlop 207
Brake (F) Six piston, 320mm disc
Brake (R) Single piston, 230mm disc
Wheelbase: 56.7 inches
Seat Height: 31.9 inches
Dry Weight: 463.1 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gallons
MSRP: $11,999
For more info: www.kawaski.com, (800) 661-RIDE

 

This is a forum of boring people who ride boring motorcycles.:yawn::sleep:

 

Agricultural, interesting word to use for it. Never heard it put that way before I guess I have been enlightened.

 

I was talking with my wife about buying a larger bike for longer distance 2-up riding (like the Honda ST1300 or Yamaha FJR1400), and the conversation ended when I told her any new motorcycle would be in addition to the VFR, not a replacement. I may own other motorcycles but I will never part with my Viffer

 

he drank the koolaid... now I get it...........:biggrin:

 

the only weight worth comparing is fully fueled, ready to ride weight. it is very easy to see that your "Dry Weight: 463.1 lbs." for the zx12 is sans all fluids, (radiator fluid, engine oil, and gas). who rides with out oil, radiator fluid, or gas? the ready to ride weight of a zx12 is 547 lbs. the ready to ride weight of a vfr800 is 534 lbs. (5th gen) and 540 lbs (6th gen). this is such a miniscul amount that no one will feel it, nor care about the difference, but to say that a zx12 is lighter than a vfr800 is obviously incorrect.

 

Well I took the plunge and did it!

I rode a Ducati 1998 900 SS and found all the excitment and character That I didn/t find with the VFR.

Yep I know that it's not as fast. I know that it won't be as reliable, but it looks fantastic,l sounds fantastic, and put an instant grin on my face.

Yep I may buy a VFR 800 later when I am older and need something a littl more comfortable and reassuring.

Thanks for your input guys.

 

Thats great, now save all your extra cash to maintain it!

 

Ducs are sexy, but word on the street is that they are high maintenance gals.
I can not say first hand cuz I always go for the decent looking sensible ones.

 

Just kidding man!

...(well sort of)


Enjoy your ride!:thumbsup:

 

I might be yawning when I hop off. Maybe as someone suggested the pipes might help.


you've must have never rode one in the cornersyou'll be far from yawning my friend :thumbsup:

 

Some people don't know a good thing when they see it. I ran into a guy on a Ducati 848 at my local store, when I asked "how do you like it" his response was, "It's fast" that was it. Now when you ask a VFR owner the same question, they will not stop talking about their bike. I guess some just want to go fast and others want to go fast and have a blast doing it. I would like to hear his answer to the same question after a 400 mile ride.

 

Good for you pal...
ride the hell out of it and enjoy yourself.

Someday I will add a very sexy 1098 to my stable, maybe for speed dating or something like that, but she would always be my second bike. My VFR is my lifelong girl...

drop by now and then and keep us posted...
stay safe.