VFR was gonna go but??????????

Hello

I bought a 06 white VFR new and have had it for 2 1/2 years. I came off a 04 R6 for a more relaxed comfortable riding posture. I decided that I wanted to get rid of the VFR for even more relaxed riding posture.

I wanted a good comfortable bike but still wanted sport bike type performance, weight, handeing etc. After test riding multiple bikes. Ductai Multistrada great bike but cost and maintaince costs I just cant justify. Triumph tiger good bike also but not for me, tall, handeing felt weird and suspention was soft. KTM super Duke, Light , fast , fun, but no wind protection at higher speeds and god does it ever viberate, pegs, around set and gas tank, bars grr no thanks. CB1000 R naked gah sold only in europe. Conclusion so far is that although the VFR is not quite as comfortable as I like, ie wieght on my wrists during longer rides I havent found a bike thats better as a complete package, Price, looks, Reliable ( Its a honda) , handleing, power although not perfect imo is still fun enough. Guess I may have choose the right bike 2 1/2 years ago. Sure wish they would bring the CB 1000R to our shores though that looks to be an awesome sportbike with handle bars. I have Heli's on mine now so although much better still not perfect for me. Think I ll keep the VFR for now and see if 09 brings any bikes for what im looking for. Besides wanting a more upright riding position VFR is still tops in my book. :biggrin:

 

curiously, what are the maintenance costs on the Multistrada? that's a bike that i would consider for my next bike. did you actually ride the Duc? if so, what did you think of it?

 

Honda CB 1000R

I'm with you on the Honda CB1000 R. That bike is sweet looking. Ticks me off that they don't offer the bike here in the U.S.

 

that CB is cool, but to me it looks to me like it's a Speed Triple without the Triple. i'd rather have the Triumph, and it's available in the US.

 

Yes, was just going to say Sprint or Speed triple might fit the bill, but none have the V4 magic.

 

On the Multistrada this post from another board which is in line with what others have said barring no other problems which some have had.

Maintenance cost so far:
600 mile: $650 (approximate. Total bill was over $1000 due to other stuff)
6K mile: $737
12K mile: $950 (only valves, belts, TB sync, fuel filter and tuning on the dyno - bike is stock but needed to adjust the fueling a bit)

Yes I did test drive one. It is comfortable. Handles well. Power from V twin is just down right fun. Great bike imo but for me cost of bike, Maintainance costs and some owners having problems with it just seemed to high maintaince and costly for me.

 

i do love the V4, but from everything i've heard/read about that 1050 Triumph triple, it's supposed to be ultra-smooth and have a great sound too. VIFFERS RULE!!!!

 

WOW, $600 for the 600 mile service. that's pretty high. i think i paid $100.00 for my VFRs 600 mile service. thanks for the review bud.

 

Ya the triple is a good engine, smooth and pulled nice. When I was riding it I thought what a nice engine. When I rode the Ducati V twin I thought this engine freakin rocks. The wow factor that the Ducati engine gave me was not repeated by the triple. To each their own though. In a perfect world if Honda would make a 130HP V-4 with no V tech Im sure that would put a smile on a lot of faces.

 

Horse power is fun, but what you really feel is torque. I think that is what gives twins the WOW factor.

Mac

 

OP...I am in a similar boat as you are in some ways. I have resisted purchasing a VFR because of the riding position that is so lauded for being so called neutral. If you grew up riding standards like I did the VFR is not at all neutral. One option is mount a handlebar on the VFR. It is has been done by a member or two here. There are other bikes that may fill the bill for you but generally no single bike is all things. I can't live with a bent foward riding position however. Also, I am not a big fan of the VFR's weight up high or Vtec and lack of low end grunt. There are a few 1000 cc standards out there you may want to try. If you want to ride a really fun bike and not a slave to power, go ride a Triumph Bonneville. I know you will laugh but I know others that have traded their Viffer for one and never looked back. To me the Sprint is still too bent over...some put bars on those as well and the Tiger looks like a dirt bike on steroids.
Cheers,
George

 

I agree Biker7, I grew up on the same standards and alot of these bikes today that are raved on for being nuetral, comfortable ergos etc are not. I like those triumphs like the bonnie and am not a slave to power per say at all, but I would like more then that since it will be my only bike.

 

There are many go fast pieces for a Bonny. They are beautiful, low CG and handle beautifully and are very comfy. Perfect suburban bike. Open road bikes need wind protection. Ride a new Kaw Concours. Now that bike has a great riding position and plenty of grunt. A Bonny can be warmed up with big bore kit and bigger carbs, exhaust etc and still come in underneath a VFR in price tag. A Bonny has more usable power than a VFR that you have to rev to get the power out of it...Bonnies are more tractable both in power delivery and handling at lower speeds compared to a VFR. A VFR shines at higher speeds.
A very nice naked with a modicum of wind protection is the Aprilia Tuono if you want guts, flash and yet not kill your wrists.
George

 

Yup. And at the expense of upsetting purists, handlebars plus wind protection is prevalent in the industry. Many bikes fit that bill. Vstrom...Kaw Ninja 650...Fazer...Bandit...many bikes have wind protection plus a handlebar and more are emerging all the time because more upright ergos are generally preferred. I know many believe that clipons are essential for higher speeds and handling but I prefer the new bikes with some wind protection and handlebars.
I personally see nothing wrong with mounting a handlebar on a VFR or Sprint. I believe the bigger issue with the VFR is where it runs best....which is the open road with some twisties. Many ride their VFR around town but there are better bikes for that.
George

 

Another vote for the Bonneville

My wife has owned a Bonneville for six years and as people say it's a very hard bike to beat for what it is, it's never given any problems (touch wood) it's extremely economical (approx 60 mpg) very easy on tyres, well finished and very simple to work on, they also handle very well, if you can have a ride on one, you will be surprised. They are capable of running at 80mph all day.

Plasma

 

One of the things that worried me before purchasing the VFR was the riding position. I love sport bikes, The VFR was a little less aggressive, but I wanted to go on long hauls. I'm 6'2" so I dont have to lean as much on the VFR. Also, a buddy of mine told me about throttle rockers and cramp busters. I actually mounted cramp busters on both sides of the handle bars and believe it or not, it has taken alot of pressure off my wrists. I got two for $16.00, cheap fix.

I also believe that your body will adapt to the bike and it will become easier. As I get older though, I'm eye ballin those Goldwings, but not for another 20 years at least I say. The FJR is a great ride if you want a bit more comfort as well. To me its a better fit than the ST, plus it can fly. its a Cadillac on straights. You will however feel the weight difference in the twisties. Good luck on your search, that's half the fun. :wink:

One request...as a token of your appreciation to VFR World and its affiliates, promise not to get a Harley, Big Dog, or the other 1000 knock offs, or riding gear that makes you look like you'll be attending a gay rights parade (not that there's anything wrong with it!).

 

Don't diss Harleys. A Streetglide is one of my favorite hotrod baggers. Its all good really. Big Dogs and most cruisers with forward controls are flat uncomfortable however but not the Streetglide which is like taking in the countryside on a sofa. A SG with 21" front wheel is one of my fav's
George

 

Thanks for the tips on handle bars and throttle rockers and cramp busters I ll try the ladder 2 first see if that does it for me since they are cheap if not then I will go the handle bar way. No Harleys in my future or big dogs etc I dont like those type of bikes. Over priced, heavy, and underpowered dont handle worth a darn imo, to each their own though. Most of the US rides those type of bikes. For me when I think of my old man type bike when I get older is something like , FJR, C14, ST 1300 along those lines. The bonnie seems like a great bike but as far as standards go that get my attention right now is the new Aprilla SL 750 Shiver ,95hp V twin great ergos and believe it or not costs 9,000.USD brand new. Lack of dealers is the down side though.
If Honda does produce and bring over bikes they showed on MCN VFR 1000 GT V5, CB 1000's that may pull the trigger for me. If only we were all rich lol, Id have a garage full of bikes.

 

just to clarify, Ducati 600 mile service is more like $225-250. It's an inspection and oil change... and yes I agree thats a ripoff... whoever paid $600 is either telling porkies, or has too much money, or a crap dealer...


the other service pricing quotes are *sadly* accurate