XLR8's VFR

[Baz]

True. But it's a just a shitty (I've developed a complex) VFR. Everyone knows they're boring, dated, heavy and underpowered.  

IF Honda updates the VFR this year I'll be able to take my pick of some nice 06s. Also I'm partial to the dark silver on the 2008.

Updated VFR, oh man that's funny.  

[MisterSmooth]

Opinions on this little gem? He wants 7000 which is more than I want to pay after I include shipping. It's pretty though.

Wow, it looks great.   And I love the asphalt color...if you can call matte black a "color."  But seven large for a 2004 model, even one with only 5,300 miles is more than you need to pay.

If it was down the block, shoot, go for it.  But if you have to ship it, it's too much.  He should be shipping it to you for $7,000.

[mtrider16]

Don't like the asphalt.  Get a shiny red on like mtrider16's.  

   Shiney red, without the 28,963 miles, or all the scratches, and have someone clean and polish the poor thing.  

Asphalt is good too.

David

[UFO]

IF Honda updates the VFR this century I'll be able to take my pick of some nice 06s. Also I'm partial to the dark silver on the 2008.

FTFY  

[Rogue]

I think the Asphalt color is a little too stealthy for me.  Perhaps if the wheels were powdercoated metallic dark grey or something to break up all that black.  However, I can see the allure of such a color scheme.  It begs to be blinged up though in my opinion.

Still shopping?

You know, the ultimate test of weather you are about to make an impulse buy is to give it the two-week test.  You wait two weeks and see if you are still very interested.  I think the amount of time you've been interested means you really are interested.  Go take one for a test ride already and/or take it home.

[XLR8]

I think the Asphalt color is a little too stealthy for me.  Perhaps if the wheels were powdercoated metallic dark grey or something to break up all that black.  However, I can see the allure of such a color scheme.  It begs to be blinged up though in my opinion.

Still shopping?

You know, the ultimate test of weather you are about to make an impulse buy is to give it the two-week test.  You wait two weeks and see if you are still very interested.  I think the amount of time you've been interested means you really are interested.  Go take one for a test ride already and/or take it home.

I always do the two week thing too.

There are none to be had around here. They don't sell. They aren't fast enough and they are too heavy.

I am still looking around and since my TE 610 sold I have money to spend.  

My deal with myself was that since I already have a gorgeous KTM 990, that I would just get a nice used VFR and not go excessive and get a ZX-14.

I'll try the VFR and if it doesn't work for me then I can get a ZX when I get done with my master's degree, maybe as a present to myself or something. But really, I think I'll like the VFR just fine assuming I can find one I like.

I would love to find a red 05/ABS with silver wheels. But I could get the red 02 and powder coat the wheels myself. I will talk to the dude tomorrow. I haven't been able to get a hold of him.

[MisterSmooth]

Sold the 610?   Yeah, so change your sig already.  

[Rogue]

I would love to find a red 05/ABS with silver wheels. But I could get the red 02 and powder coat the wheels myself. I will talk to the dude tomorrow. I haven't been able to get a hold of him.

I've seen the ZX14 in person and it is a well built machine.  Kawasaki lavished it with the best they have.  

I used to own a Hayabusa and it was similar in performance, build, and mission.  I think if you are really into speed, nothing will ever compare to these incredibly powerful machines.  The issue I had later on was not with the bike but the lack of a venue to really use all that massive power.  It wasn't fun having so much overwhelming power but not being able to use it as much.  With my VFR, I have just enough power to give me the feeling of speed.  Yet it is not excessively powerful as to greatly tempt me into doing really outrageous stuff--like passing multiple cars or more.  In other words, it keeps me honest yet very satisfied.  I hope you find your VFR soon.

[XLR8]

I've seen the ZX14 in person and it is a well built machine.  Kawasaki lavished it with the best they have.  

I used to own a Hayabusa and it was similar in performance, build, and mission.  I think if you are really into speed, nothing will ever compare to these incredibly powerful machines.  The issue I had later on was not with the bike but the lack of a venue to really use all that massive power.  It wasn't fun having so much overwhelming power but not being able to use it as much.  With my VFR, I have just enough power to give me the feeling of speed.  Yet it is not excessively powerful as to greatly tempt me into doing really outrageous stuff--like passing multiple cars or more.  In other words, it keeps me honest yet very satisfied.  I hope you find your VFR soon.

Rogue thanks for the info. My 610 just drove away so now I can shop even more.

But..you could pass multiple cars at once if you wanted to yes?  

[mtrider16]

  Pass several cars at once!  I did it several times last weekend, in the wind, and uphill.  Jeeze, the bike is a little porky, not a gutless KLR.  

David

[XLR8]

  Pass several cars at once!  I did it several times last weekend, in the wind, and uphill.  Jeeze, the bike is a little porky, not a gutless KLR.  

David

Ya know, one just reads so much crap from racer boys with liter bike envy or whatever that it's hard to know. I was watching a you tube vid tonight and it seemed like the bike moved along just fine.

[mtrider16]

 

Did the guy with the '02 call back?

David

[kevin_stevens]

  Pass several cars at once!  I did it several times last weekend, in the wind, and uphill.  Jeeze, the bike is a little porky, not a gutless KLR.  

David

Ah, but what about when you need to pass several VFRs at once...  

KeS

[XLR8]

Sold the 610?   Yeah, so change your sig already.  

I'm busy.  

[MisterSmooth]

I'm busy.  

Hey, hey, now.  I notice another sig line change...........

[Rogue]

But..you could pass multiple cars at once if you wanted to yes?  

No.  It's a slug.  

Of course you can.  But not in the same way you can with today's liter class plus bikes.  I mean back in my Hayabusa days, the only thing that held me back from passing as many cars in a single bound is the limitation of the speed I would be carrying when I get to the end of that line of cars.  That's because the Hayabusa accelerated and accelerated and the faster you went, the harder it accelerated.  So, you would be be at the end of a 5 car line up and you are now doing 150 mph and still accelerating!!    You can foresee the danger in that.  If one of those cars pulled out to pass as you are about to go by at 130+, it's all over!  You can do that anytime, anywhere on the Hayabusa.  But you can't on a VFR.  Well, you can.  But it will take longer to do.  So, because you know it will take longer, it gives you pause and forces you to be a bit more sensible and conservative when you pass on a VFR.  I like this about the bike because it checks my aggressiveness.  The Hayabusa rewards aggressiveness.  But you just know someday your luck will run out and fate will take it all back in one fell swoop!  

When I'm on the VFR, I feel much more relaxed.  I can easily dial up just the right amount of acceleration but I know it has limits that I can reach.  The Hayabusa felt like it had no limits.  That in itself made it, with me on it, a very dangerous combination.  That's because I found it hard to control my desire for power!

[kevin_stevens]

Don't be a slave to your willpower.  

KeS

[XLR8]

No.  It's a slug.  

Of course you can.  But not in the same way you can with today's liter class plus bikes.  I mean back in my Hayabusa days, the only thing that held me back from passing as many cars in a single bound is the limitation of the speed I would be carrying when I get to the end of that line of cars.  That's because the Hayabusa accelerated and accelerated and the faster you went, the harder it accelerated.  So, you would be be at the end of a 5 car line up and you are now doing 150 mph and still accelerating!!    You can foresee the danger in that.  If one of those cars pulled out to pass as you are about to go by at 130+, it's all over!  You can do that anytime, anywhere on the Hayabusa.  But you can't on a VFR.  Well, you can.  But it will take longer to do.  So, because you know it will take longer, it gives you pause and forces you to be a bit more sensible and conservative when you pass on a VFR.  I like this about the bike because it checks my aggressiveness.  The Hayabusa rewards aggressiveness.  But you just know someday your luck will run out and fate will take it all back in one fell swoop!  

When I'm on the VFR, I feel much more relaxed.  I can easily dial up just the right amount of acceleration but I know it has limits that I can reach.  The Hayabusa felt like it had no limits.  That in itself made it, with me on it, a very dangerous combination.  That's because I found it hard to control my desire for power!

Exactly the same for me when I had my GSX-R 1000. I knew one day I was coming home in handcuffs or a body bag.

[Rogue]

Then you fully understand where I'm coming from.

I thought that I would end up missing the power of my Hayabusa.  But you know, I don't and it's been over two years now.  Even when I had the Busa and my '01 VFR, when I got on the VFR I didn't miss the Busa's power.  I missed its torque though when I forget to downshift a gear or two.  Now with the Firebolt, I got the torque.  

I think that if I lived in a land where speed limits where more liberal, and cops weren't such speed Nazi's and sportbike-haters, I would want a bike like the Hayabusa.  Even then, I still believe the VFR is the best balanced bike out there.  It doesn't give you any more than you will ever need in terms of power and acceleration.  But it gives you a whole lot more versatility, quality, reliability, and overall competence.

[XLR8]

Well there has to be some kind of magic with the VFR. Ever notice that there's a VFR in 8 out of 10 pictures that show on the top of the pages here.