New Bikeitis and the VFR

[rauchman]

Greetings,

I currently have a Roadstar that I'm hoping will sell this spring.  That will be seed money for a new bike.  I was at a Honda/Suzuki dealership this past weekend to see a steel gray SV1000S that I have the hots for.  I also planted my butt on a 25th Anniversary VFR (the red, white, and blue one) and the ergos on the VFR are absolutely perfect.  That bike feels like it was made for me.  I love the bike except............the cost.  Also, I have HUGE reservations on the whole VTEC thing and related service costs along w/ my perception of lack of power.  For the cost of a VFR, I can get a Kawi ZX14.  Is the VFR really that good?  For those that have it, do you find it lacking in the power dept?  Also, how is the VTEC effect on the bike?  I know if I get a VFR this spring, I just know that Honda is finally going to release a 2008 model w/ a 1000cc engine.  I know this because every other bike I've bought has turned out to be the last year of that generation and the following year the manufacturer comes out w/ a revamped version of the bike I just bought......kharma!!!!!!!!!!!!

[1TallTXn]

I've got an '02 VFR. the main difference that I understand between the new '07 and the pre '06 models is that they changed where the VTEC kicks in (6800rpm on the pre-'06, 6400 '06+) and of course the "cool" clear turn signal lenses.

I've put 20k mi on mine since I purchased it in Aug of '04 and I've almost no gripes about the bike.
Power is plenty for me. the only time i've felt that its under powered is when riding two-up, fully loaded (full set of OEM bags) even then it wasn't something that couldn't be overcome with a gear change. didn't have trouble chasing my friend on his one-up SV650 while loaded.

I haven't checked the valves on the thing yet. She's still running like a top, but I'll probably take it apart once I get the ST1300 out of the shop.

VTEC on mine is noticeable but I don't mind it. Kinda feels like dropping a gear and whacking the throttle   I understand that they've smoothed out the transition on the '06+ and its much smoother now.

For me, I dont' really think there's a much better bike. I just love the sound and how well mannered the bike is. Sure its not great in the two-up department, but since when was it supposed to compete with the likes of the ST13, FJR, R-RT etc?

Price of the valve service is certinly prohibitive, but I'm going to do it myself, so its not really an issue for me.

For way more then you'd ever really need to know about the VFR, check out VFRD

Oh, its my understanding (and I hope I'm wrong) that Honda has discontinued the VFR beyond '07. its not yet determined if that means there won't be another one, or if there's going to be a new version in the near future.

[GRN]

Greetings,

I currently have a Roadstar that I'm hoping will sell this spring.  That will be seed money for a new bike.  I was at a Honda/Suzuki dealership this past weekend to see a steel gray SV1000S that I have the hots for.  I also planted my butt on a 25th Anniversary VFR (the red, white, and blue one) and the ergos on the VFR are absolutely perfect.  That bike feels like it was made for me.  I love the bike except............the cost.  Also, I have HUGE reservations on the whole VTEC thing and related service costs along w/ my perception of lack of power.  For the cost of a VFR, I can get a Kawi ZX14.  Is the VFR really that good?  For those that have it, do you find it lacking in the power dept?  Also, how is the VTEC effect on the bike?  I know if I get a VFR this spring, I just know that Honda is finally going to release a 2008 model w/ a 1000cc engine.  I know this because every other bike I've bought has turned out to be the last year of that generation and the following year the manufacturer comes out w/ a revamped version of the bike I just bought......kharma!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chances are, by the sound of some of the talk around, the VFR will either get updated or canned in '08... lots of speculation on the canned part. If you liked the VFR, there's another you should take a test ride on, yes - an actual test ride! I'm a long time loyal Honda fan, on my second ST (15 years), and just recently lost my long time desire to have a VFR as my second bike in the stable... the new Triumph Sprint ST represents the best in that segment IMO, and is everything the VFR should be today IMO. After giving up on a year long quest to find the perfect gen 5 VFR (pre VTEC, gear driven cams) and having two slip from my grasp, I test rode the Sprint... have never connected with a bike as completely right outta the gate, it's a phenominal ride! There are killer deals to be had on '06s right now, snagged mine w/ pans for $9,200 OTD. Good luck man!

[Nitro]

Try one..I never thought I would ever ride a bike this style..I came off nakeds, and tried a few cruisers, hated them, to sucked out and uncomfortable, and just plain sick of the wind turbulence..time for some clean airflow!!

loved my nakeds..but after playing on the kids new gsxr a few days I realized somethin like it would maybe be fun, just not quite so radical...so after heading out to buy a sprint st, I came home with the vfr..First thing I decided to do was leave it alone , no bars, window, etc and just get used to it for a change....after a weekend trip I found it was the best bike I had ever had for comfort and fun!  Makes me feel like mr racer zoom zoom, plus comfort..That is at highway speeds, no its not comfy going slow, no lift at low speed, but I didnt buy it to piddle around town, so it dont matter..Yes i did give in a bit and try a bigger window..mistake..took away some lift and not as clean a airflow..now Im back to stock and my head is out in the clean air and I love it.

The bike will run with the kids new gsxr6 till 100 mph from a low gear roll,, will "read" 150 on the speedo, so thats not exactly underpowered.  With my rare passenger, who thinks it is quite comfy(with my backrest on) I  am forced to downshift a bit more often to make her act like it does when riding single..imagine that???   like any bike.


I did drop the front sprocket a tooth and I  can tell the diff..the bike will come up nice and  gentle on a first gear  punch out, and it has better reponse in all the gears, naturally...hiway really not enough to notice the higher rpm..I will leave it on as I like the diff.

As for the vtech, I love it..great gimmick...gives a great feel of hp when it kicks in, mostly noise. really no diff than any other bike commin onto the cam.  If you didnt hear all the roar as the intake flapper opens it would be no diff..just more power as it revs up.  But it is kinda a cool way of limiting the silliness..I just keep it under  when  trying to drive smart and get mileage..then when it does hit it feels  way faster than it is..

It is not jerky, and if you couldnt hear it you would think it was just normal higher rpm power comin on..same as any bike..

sure its a gimick, but kindas cool...wish it did help the mileage tho..bike is no hell for that..gets the same 50mpg that their car gets!!  Not impressed by that part as my old bombs do better...I expected the vtech to help, but really, its the throttle opening that will determine that,  the other is a gimmick.

As for the valve thing..I just checked mine.no big job.I just did the normal valves as I expect the lesser used  vtech ones to wear slower..At 20,000km i am in spec..so I wont check again for a yr.  The  will do it myself if have to..but doubt it a snew bike time comin..

But to be honest..If i could get a zx14 for same price would do it!!  thats my next bike..Only because the ergos are the same, and I never get the same bike twice as no matter how good it is, what fun is that??
for me the vfr was a leftover and 5g cheaper than the zx.

Its a great touring bike if you are in the twisites..highly reccomend one. for the flats i stick to my cb's



good luck!!