Why should I choose a VFR than a Sprint?

[Carlos]

Just in the middle of nowhere . Vfr or Sprint ?

The subjects that let me in that condition are two . First the light issue . The Sprint has a major problem .And second the heat issue .Also a problem for the Spint .

But what the VFR has to say about them?

[bubba zanetti]

Just in the middle of nowhere . Vfr or Sprint ?

The subjects that let me in that condition are two . First the light issue . The Sprint has a major problem .And second the heat issue .Also a problem for the Spint .

But what the VFR has to say about them?

Why should I choose a VFR than a Sprint?

You shouldn't .... VFR's are dumb.  

[bizarro]

I don't know, I wouldn't.

[Yippee757]

How close is your Honda dealer? In MSP there is only two or three Triumph dealers in a 2 hour area. There must be at least 8 Honda dealers.  For me service is an issue if I have a problem.  That's why there is not a Griso in the garage now. Next Moto Guzzi dealer from MSP is Chicago.

Performance and function wise they are a very close call. I'd buy a VFR again in a heartbeat and would have to think about the Triumph.  What's the difference in insurance like? That might be the deciding factor.

[bizarro]

Let me clarify my earlier statment:

I've owned multiple VFRs of different displacements. Of them, not counting the superbike or the 400s, I much prefer the mid-nineties 750s to the 800s. Why? Honestly, I'm can't give you reason based on specs because that sort of thing is of absolutely no interest to me, but my '95 was more fun to ride than either of the 800s and that's generally what makes me like or dislike a bike. Having owned a '04 Speed Triple, which was hands down the most fun bike I've ever owned, I have to say that I would take any 955i or 1050 motored Triumph over any recent Honda (barring, perhaps, a 954RR) simply for the motor alone.

Caveat: dealer network is not an issue for me, YMMV.

[Nitro]

I made that same choice last summer..I realy wanted the sprint, loved the looks, and reallyyy loved the sound that 3 banger put out under me. i had a couple of good test rides and really liked the bike.  

Was on the way to pick it up  ...blue (06)when I spotted a new 05 vfr. I didnt make it to the triumph dealer. In the end  i put 20,000 km on the vfr last fall and entirely happy.

Not knocking either one, the vfr is bulletproof and already has the reputation, so no bs needed here, the sprint  no doubt is  going to be.


I still would like the sprint, but  in my case i bought the right bike.
why?

for me they  didnt compete due to the $$$

the vfr I got was nearly 5 grand cheaper,  a dealership that is near me, not 1 or 2 to a province, and the generally larger market for the cheaper honda as I dont keep them long.

I did find the bikes handled and  felt about the same to me, I found the power was close, the sprint a bit more. I found the ergonomics  a wee bit more comfy on the vfr,  the seat wasnt quit so jacked up behind me.

The heat thing  was noticeable, especially with the vfr having no issue at all with the sideways  rads, very cool to ride. The sprint I rode was a cooker in town, fine on the highway.

Looks are personal, but I do think the sprint looks cooler. Not with the bags tho, uggghh..I'm not a fan of bags  when it comes to looks, thats all..

the dash on the sprint is way cooler also, my vfr is dull.

sound..hmmmm..the  sprint sounded  so gooood! the vfr has no sound till the vtech opens up, but its no comparison here!


So if they were the same price I would like to try a sprint this year,but they arn't and that zx1400  is calling me. but I dont regret the vfr  as its been a great bike!  

 I'm just glad the salesman was a snot and pissed me off and that was the reason i even checked out the vfr!  thanks man, saved me a bundle...

In the end  you cant go wrong with either! I'd like em both thank you!!






.

[DNA]

It depends what you like.  Let me elaborate,
Motor: Sprint - all torque all the time.
Brakes: VFR - the Sprint brakes suck.  I do not know if the new ones are any better - but I doubt it.
Maintenance: Sprint - VFR = freeking expensive
Handling: Toss up - its not about the bike
Character: Sprint
Summery:  Sprint has an awesome motor - but stops like crap.  The VFR is trouble free until you trouble - then it sure ain't free!

I like the Sprint - but buy what moves you.

[Carlos]

I like them both very much but the Spint a bit more .The money issue is not a problem .Here in Greece you need 12.990E for the abs VFR and 12.800E for the Sprint abs .

Spint goes with the cases for free  , the new plastics for heat and the light problem will be solved with a xenon kit for about 300E (for both motorcycles)

As for the dealers....I have at least 4 for Honda and only 1 for Triumph . The next one is in Athens , 6 hours time .

I don't think that Honda has more quality than the Triumph but shit happens . When you are on the road you must expect everything . And when that happens...Honda will be very close to you .

The maintenance issue...They both can't be more expensive than the DL .

The mind says VFR but the heart Sprint .Still in the middle of nowhere

[Ghost Dog]

Strictly for the middle of nowhereness factor I'd say VFR. In my area it seems Honda dealers outnumber Triumph dealers at least four to one. But for the wow factor, the Sprint or the Duc are the choices.

[JoBu]

Putting aside the fact I own an older Sprint ('03), having ridden both bikes, I would still chose the Sprint.  It adds a bit of character that the VFR lacks, IMHO.  Don't get me wrong...I'm not knocking the VFR at all.  I think they are fantastic bikes.  But the Sprint just seems to possess that little something extra.  And it is those intangibles that make me want to ride in the first place.  As always, YMMV.

Cheers,

Joe

[Tyrroneous]

Hmmm...seriously tough question and I think most people could be truly happy with either bike as they are so close in most categories.  

I own an 02 VFR ABS, and have gone on one demo ride on an 06 Sprint ABS.  

Dealer location, for me, are not an issue as I do all my own maintenance work and order all my parts via mail order anyway.  So I don't really care how close the dealership is to me.  

I have been very happy with my VFR except for the fact that I have had the dreaded electrical problems.  Luckily, the fix was easy and cheap and the bike never left me stranded.  

Now, on to the comparison.  When I test rode the Sprint, I really, really wanted to like the bike.  As I was thinking that I would be ready for a replacement in the next couple of years.  The first thing I noticed was that the Sprint ergos are quite similar to the VFR's.  Seat to peg, and seat to handlebar relationships felt pretty good from the start.  The shape of the Sprint's seat did begin to bug me though.  I don't know if its the squishier foam or the deep "dish" shape in the seat, but something was amiss.  

The engine felt and sounded great.  I was on a group demo ride and never got to really ring the motor out, but I could tell there was an appreciable amount of torque and HP on tap.  I'm small and have never found myself feeling that the VFR is underpowered, but I could see where the extra oomph of the sprint would be nice when two up.  The triple motor sounded great, as everyone has mentioned.  I have modified the stock pipes on the VFR and love the sound the V4 makes now.  Soundwise, no preference as both bikes are an aural delight.  I did notice more vibes coming through the bars on the Sprint.  

I noticed the mirrors on the sprint weren't quite as clear as on the VFR.  And one big gripe I have is that Triumph decided to put about a gajillion numbers on the speedometer.  It was hard to read quickly.  The big digital display on the Viffer leaves no doubt.  However, the sprint's computer has more toys to play with (top speed, fuel consumption, etc) if that means anything.

Handling and suspension...this was a tough one to judge.  Our demo ride did follow some twisty roads, but the pace was somewhat sedate.  My initial impression is that the sprint feels pretty light on its feet, willing to turn in and hold a line.  The suspension felt to be about on par with the VFR's, but perhaps set up just a little softer.  The brakes did not feel as strong on the sprint as the VFR's brakes.  I also found lever travel to be excessive.  Unfortunately, I did not get to test out the operation of the ABS.  I know on the VFR, the ABS is very unobtrusive and narry a pulse is felt at the lever.    

Apparent build quality....I and my riding buddy (who was demo'ing a non ABS Sprint as well) noticed a 'clunk' coming from the rear of the bikes anytime we hit a rough patch of road.  It almost sounded like the silencer under the seat was banging around back there.  Since this happened on two different Sprints, I'm guessing it was not just an isolated case.  And it sure leaves one to doubt the build quality of the bike.  My 34,000mile VFR sounds as solid today as it did when I brought it home from the dealership...no clunking sounds at all.  Otherwise, the paint looked great, the switchgear felt good, the panels all line up well.  The sprint is a great looking bike.

But, after ending the demo ride, and hopping back on my VFR for the 120 mile ride home, it was reassuring to fire up the bike and motor off into the sunset knowing I had THE right bike for ME.            

     

[GRN]

This from a long time, loyal Honda customer, with a thing for V4's... 75K miles on my ST11, now almost 18K on my ST13. I went on the hunt to supplement the ST13 with another ST ish bike on the other end of the segment... came down to guess what... VFR v. Sprint.

On paper, I liked the Sprint.

In my heart, Honda, of course.

90 minute test ride on the Sprint blew me away... done deal. Yes, I have ridden a few VFR's, gen 4 - latest.

I wear ATGATT, no "heat issue" with either the Sprint or the ST13 (also of "heat issue" fame), and mine is a later '06 with the new heat kit in place.

Sprint headlights are way to focused for night riding in environments with no ambient light, in areas where you tend to have sharp clines and twisty roads... I live in the Mtns of NH, so I'm pretty screwed there... I just take the ST13 that's got 340 watts of HB (help from PIAA 910's) when I'm gonna be running at night. With the fur density we have here, I don't honestly go looking to ride at night anyway... so...

They are both great bikes... some advantage to the VFR in terms of tank range (+25-30 miles), and an extra 80 watts coming from the alt if you have to drive heated gear, aux lights, comm sys, etc. The load capacity advantage goes to the Sprint to the tune of about +50 lb IIRC.

Dealers... my Honda dealer, like many I hear of on the ST-O board, is frightningly incompetent... so no advantage to them for being 5 minutes away because I don't use them for much (hear of folks abandoning Honda due to the weak dealer network... ask Rocket Cowboy about that). The 3-4 Triumph dealers in the area are all in the 60-90 minute range, all deal other "exotics", and all have great shops with great can do customer service attitudes. I have a service scheduled in Feb. for the Sprint where the dealer is coming with a covered trailer (FREE pickup/delivery) and giving me 20% off the shop rate for getting it done "off season"... how much more of a "win-win" could ya ask for?  

All that said... go ride both, that's what it's all about anyway, right?

[Flightar]

Well the VFR has better fit and finish, The bags look much better and work better than the Sprints, The VFR has the best dash layout in the industry. (It's clear, legible, and thought out very well) The VFR's ABS brakes are better, The VFR is a Honda so parts availability will be better as will dealer availabilty and access to service if you need it. The VFR has one of the smoothest engines in the industry and you get the cool V-4 exhaust note. (The triple is cool too IMHO) My VFR has 16,000 miles on it and I've spent exactly $300.00 on it (Valve adjustment) Other than that it's been trouble free...I know four other people that own Sprints (various years) and everyone of them has had issues with the bikes. The Honda is just slightly better OVERALL.

Now, NONE of this would stop me from buying a Triumph because I like them. So get what you like the best.

Personally, If I had to replace my VFR today I'd get a 07, BMW K1200GT. I know, I know a lot more money.