Between a Kawa Z750S and a Honda VFR800

[Zerosum]

I test rode a Z750 once.  I loved the way it looked, loved the IDEA of it, so I went to go look at a used one for sale near me.  Had the cash in my pocket and everything.  I took it for a test ride and was utterly turned off.  It has a good riding position, good weight, and the motor produces plenty of power, but the entire bike buzzes.  Especially in the footpegs.  I'm talking a grating, high-frequency buzz that makes your bones hurt.  That and the front fairing seemed buzz along with the rest of the bike.  Little things like the exposed wires on the throttle bodies, the quality of the plastic, etc just made the whole bike feel cheap.

So , fast foward 1.5 years and I'm now riding a VFR750.  Very smooth, very stable, kinda heavy but you get used to it. The powerband on the V4 is a mile wide, too.  Trust me, the VFR is a completely superior bike.  No comparison, IMO.  You can also get 4th gen VFRs like mine for aound $3K nowadays.  Not a bad option if you're on a budget.

[county]

The VFR is an excellent motorcycle with gear driven cams, if you like overweight pigs with valves that don't always open and close.   The VFR is the bike for people who like technology...the Kawasaki is for people who like to ride.

[ctfz1]

Supposedly, like the Z1000, afttermarket exhaust and PClll smooth Z750, check a website. A used 06 FZ1 with Ivans FCE and 16 tooth cs would be a better choice for smooth and versitile.

[dgunther]

The VFR is an excellent motorcycle with gear driven cams, if you like overweight pigs with valves that don't always open and close.   The VFR is the bike for people who like technology...the Kawasaki is for people who like to ride.

2001 was the last year for gear driven cams on the VFR.  2002 introduced the VTEC and brought back chain driven cams  

[Cam Lay]

My 2000 VFR doesn't feel overweight to me, but then again, my other ride is a Guzzi California...

Splash has probably made a decision and bought something by now, but I'd opine that the 5th-generation VFR is a very good choice for a "next" bike.  It's powerful but not rip-your-arms-off, very stable and smooth (even thoguh it requires a smooth hand on the throttle at low speeds), comfortable, and fairly cheap.  There seem to be a fair number of them out there with very little mileage on them.  I got mine used with 5K on it, so haven't faced the maintenance-cost issue yet.  I wanted to avoid vtec so got the 5th generation.  Doesn't come with bags, thoguh, which is a bummer.

That said, I like the Guzzi, too.  It's heavy, not terribly powerful, but cheap to operate and easy to maintain.  I'm heading out to Missouri next week and taking the Guzzi.  (It's a Guzzi gathering - could hardly show up on the VFR... )

YMMMV, of course, and usually does.

C

[Scorpio65]

Can't go wrong with the VFR...  

[satz]

I am going to bashed alot but from a purely beginner point of you get the kawasaki,When i started touring seldom after long days i had a tendency to get into bad parking situation or making turns in gravel.I am attest that a naked bike with a engine cage will fair better in a drop.After  a while i would let the bike go and fight or get hurt as i knew it is not even going to get scratched.

drop the fairing and you are in for a ride as far as cost goes.Now i do not drop bikes as with experience i have learned to choose better spots but still prefer naked bikes.

satz

[1moreroad]

If the EX500 is unbearable after a few hours, I'd hesitate to recommend either bike.  Both will have similar seating positions although I know the VFR wind management is light years ahead of the EX and I would expect this to be true of the Z.  If wind is unbearable I would expect the VFR to be a lot more comfortable.  I know the VFR has little buffeting and clean air.  The Z looks like the FZ1, which for me, was very finicky in terms of buffeting.

Depends on what is unbearable about the EX.