5th Gen VFR vs Blackbird

[dexdog]

Hello from a member of the former STN board, I didn't post much but have always found this board informative and entertaining.

I owned a 99 VFR before my current ride, a 01 FZ1. I've decided to part with my FZ1 this spring for various reasons and pick up something different. Two of the bikes I considering are a 5th gen VFR or a Blackbird. I will use this bike for commuting, two up riding and hopefully a longish trip this summer (Laguna here I come!).

Now for my questions:

Besides the obvious power difference, how do these two compare? Ergos? Handling? Ease of maintenance?

Thanks in advance.

Terry

[veefer800canuck]

The blackbird has a much further reach to the bars.

It seems to be a long-ish bike.

If you've got long arms, no probs, otherwise, some Helibars are in order.

If you're ST'ng 2-up a lot, the Blackbird would prolly be better power-wise.  137 HP Vs 100-ish.

Can't beat that V-4 roar though!  

[dexdog]

The roar! I used to have a Micron on my 99, man did that sound good.

The long reach actually concerns me. I'm not interested in having much weight on my wrists.

[bizarro]

Then get Heli bars or stick with a VFR. If you're going 5th gen hope you find a yellow one.  

[photomd]

IHMO, it depends on how you fit on the bike. I ride with two people that have XX's, both are much taller than I am and they do great. I'm short (about 5'7") and the reach to the bars is too much. One of the XX riders goes with his wife on the back and she likes it.

As for maintenance, the XX is a little easier to get to the valves, but everything else is kinda a wash. FWIW, both XX's here have had their cam chain tensioners replaced. They were both rattling. Will this do any harm? I dunno, but the owners felt better replacing them.

Obvouisly the XX will be faster, but the fastest rider I've ever seen on the street was a GS rider; it ain't the bike.  

HTH's.  

[dexdog]

Then get Heli bars or stick with a VFR. If you're going 5th gen hope you find a yellow one.  

My 99 was yellow. Great color, when parked it would attract all sorts of bugs.

I'm almost 6'2" so reach wouldn't be much of a problem but I'm still dealing with carpal tunnel type issues from my GSXR 750 I sold last year, so I would prefer less weight on my wrists (which as someone else pointed out could be remedied with Heli bars). I did think the VFR fit me very well in stock form.

[bizarro]

You had a yellow '99? I thought '00 was the only year they put it out in yellow. Live in the states or elsewhere?

[dexdog]

You had a yellow '99? I thought '00 was the only year they put it out in yellow. Live in the states or elsewhere?

I live in Canada, not sure if Canada got different colors. The previous owner had crashed it, maybe he repainted it?

[bizarro]

Possible.  

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I can not say much about the VFR but I just sold my XX and I am 6'1"and my hands would go numb after riding for any lenght of time. I liked the power it had woke me up sometimes. I would say test ride them for a good lenth of time to see how you like it.

[DosEquis00]

I can not say much about the VFR but I just sold my XX and I am 6'1"and my hands would go numb after riding for any lenght of time.

The same use to happen to me and in my case it was due to having too much weight on my wrist. It took a while of practice but I know no longer experience the problem. The shorter windscreen does help me with the wind hitting my shoulders.

[CDN]

4 years ago I traded in my '99 VFR for an '03 XX.  The only thing I miss about the V4 is the exhaust note  That and replacing the RR every year     Otherwise, the XX is a far superior long distance schnitzel transport platform (LDSTP).  Due to the longer wheelbase it most certainly is not as nimble as the Viffer however it is no slouch either.  It more than makes up for it with the stability carving the big sweepers and the open road.  Plus, you can load the shiznit out of it plus a pilion and you'd never know it - that beautifully smooth engine effortlessly just pulls and pulls.

I'm 5'9 but with a longer torso (and arms I suppose) and the cockpit fits me perfectly.  I'm in a slightly more aggressive position but don't have a problem with it - mind you I consider myself reasonably fit with no health ailments.  Many older farts go with the Helis or the Y2K Viffer bars and have great success.  The stock windscreen is at a perfect height for me as it affords perfectly clean air with no buffeting.

Many people LD tour with pilions on their XXs (talk to Birdrunner, Zarly, et al.)  After a 3 hour test ride 2-up my sweetie was convinced this was the bike for us.  She was much more confident and comfortable on the Dos as compared to the smaller V4.  Unfortunately though she's still not comfy enough - her long legs are just too cramped (ya, awe shucks...long legs   ).

Ease of maintenance was a huge decision in the XX purchase.  After exhaustive research I would have been hard pressed to find as bombproof a bike.  Its only achilles, as has been mentioned, is the CCT.  I got in on a group buy 2 years ago but after 4 years of ownership she's running as silent as ever.  If it ever did go, its more just an auditory nuisance than something that put a damper/end to a tour.

Now go find one to test ride and see how it fits.  Oh....and be sure to brush your teeth beforehand because during/after the ride you're gonna be showing a lot of pearly whites  

[dexdog]

Thanks all for the replies.

One more question, how are these two for bar vibes? I know the bird is very smooth, but I can't remember if the VFR transmitted many vibes to the bars. My buddies 6th gen VFR seemed pretty vibe free last time I rode it. My FZ1 transmits alot of vibes through the bars. Damn I4.

[tripledigits]

The XX engine is smoother than the VFRs, by quite a bit.  It has counterbalancers, making it one of the smoothest I-4s you can find.  The V-4 of the VFR has a different vibration compared to the I-4, and it's not bad, just not as smooth as the XX.  I sold my '02 VFR after getting some time on my friends XX.  Living at 6000', the VFR was just too weak.  The VFR is a little shorter in the cockpit, as mentioned above, and the legroom is about the same as the XX.  The VFR feels a little smaller in the twisties, but both feel lighter than they really are.  Brakes are similar in feel.  One notable difference in maintenance - the 6th gen. VFR, if you end up looking at one - is quite a chore in the valve adjustment department, because of the VTEC setup.  If I were to look at a VFR again, I'd probably look for a 5th gen just because the VTEC is an unnecessary bit of technology.

[bpg]

If you like everything about the XX but the reach to the bars....  put VFR bars on it!!

That simple mod and putting a $20 pair of Buell XB-9 pegs makes mine all-day comfy..  If I start carrying a pillion regularly on longer trips, I might swap the passenger pegs for Buell pegs as well...

I do have a love for Honda V-4's (coming from an '01 Magna and lusting after VFRs for a time myself!), but one ride on the Bird convinced me that this inline-4 thang is kinda fun too!!  Ridiculously smooth ride as far as engine vibes - I understand the XX is kinda unique among most I-4s in this regard.

(FWIW - speaking of going from a '99 VFR to the next generation - I know 3 folks with '98-'01 ('02?) Viffers that see absolutely no reason to jump to the next generation VFR...)

[Byrdman]

Ride both and then decide.

The VFR has great torque and a unique sound but be warned, after feeling 1137cc's of XX horsepower, the VFR will seem like a pocketbike.

[dexdog]

Again thanks for the responses.

One thing I really miss about my VFR is the lack of buffeting. My FZ1 is not good in this regard, even worse two up (almost unbearable). How does the bird rate? I would suspect is would be as good as the VFR.

I'm not really interested in the 6th gen VFR. I prefer the gear drive cams and looks of the 5th gen. I know my friends 6th gen feels anemic compared to my FZ1.

There are a couple of used Blackbirds for sale at a local stealer, I will have to see if I can get a test ride in the spring. Anyone want to buy an FZ1?

[_Cbr1100XX]

Again thanks for the responses.

One thing I really miss about my VFR is the lack of buffeting. My FZ1 is not good in this regard, even worse two up (almost unbearable). How does the bird rate?

No buffeting on the XX.  You could go 100mph for endless miles in comfort if you wanted.  I spent nearly all day on my friend's 05 FZ1 once.  It's a good machine but the the XX murders it in everyway IMO....smoothness, power......even comfort......everything.  Put helibars on it and you're done.