Is the VFR really a sport tourer?

When I'm lucky enough to have another passenger I'll let her choose: the buck and vroom of the VFR or the comfort of the PC (Pacific Couch). Having two bikes makes sense but not if one of them hurts your knees, that's just a deal breaker.

I'm trying to imagine a bike that has more pin-the-ears-back than the viffer while allowing you to stretch out, and I think that if you ask an honest used bike dealer about it they may be able to tell you without trying to sell you whatever they've got.

As someone mentioned earlier, it's not wise to have something as powerful as a Hayabusa as a first bike, even the VFR should fill you up with caution; I know it's always telling me to do stupid things. For my first few years of riding I was just happy that most bikes (including my beloved Couch) come with more push than most cars on the road.
Luck on your quest.

 

I'm not the oldest person to ride a viffer, man you made me sooo happy!:tongue:
OK I'm 51... Not exactly a baby either


ace57

 

You guys slay me: the VFR not powerful enough for two-up touring.

My gosh, how much power do you think you need to run 70+? You do have to shift down for spirited passing, but that's why God gave you a transmission and a left foot. My last major touring bike with two-up almost exclusively was an '86 Yamaha FJ1200, and while it has more torque than the VFR, it has almost the same HP and weighs a bit more. It has over 60,000 miles with probably 90% touring miles. I've also covered much of the US in the 70's on a '71 and a '73 Triumph Bonneville, also two up, and never had any problems over the mountains or on the interstate. Both of those bikes had over 30,000 miles each on them when I got rid of them.

The VFR is the most versatile of any bike I've ever owned, which number about 25 over the last 45 years. It's a bit squirrelly in sand, but then what isn't. :smile: If I would have had the VFR when I was motorcycle touring a lot I would have been in 7th heaven.

I'm 5'8" and about 180, and my wife is about the same. To paraphrase Eddie Merckx, "Tour Lots".

No Ace, not the oldest at all, but at 61 next month, I'm not either. There's older ones on here, I think one guy near 70.

 

NJA,

I don't consider the 2007 VFR (wet weight ~550 lbs.) to be a good choice for a learner bike, but to each their own.

With only 8000 miles under your belt on the VFR, you're now wanting 'more' bike, when in fact you've already bought too much bike to begin with, but unfortunately it seems that you haven't figured this out yet. Honda's compact 800cc fuel-injected V4 engine is among the finest racing-derived power plants on Earth.

The V4 has plenty of torque power once you learn that this engine is designed to run at high RPM's in combination with learning how to best select and shift gears from moment-to-moment, in which the optimal power band of the engine is fully exploited only when the rider learns how to match RPM's with the correct shift points in order to bring out the best in the V4 engine. Learn these nuances, Grasshopper, and you will likely find that your VFR has plenty of speed and power to get you into some deep trouble if you're not paying close attention. No need to go to a true crotch rocket in order to suddenly find one's self riding like a squid, way out of one's waters.

After only 8000 miles on your VFR, you have jumped to the conclusion that you want either a massive touring motorcycle, or perhaps a powerful crotch rocket. As for the massive touring bikes, they are cumbersome and heavy pigs. Why hell, even the VFR is a bit of a pig at its nominal 550 lbs. weight, and those big touring bikes weigh 100-300+ lbs. more.

Most anyone with more money than common sense can ride a massive bike at higher speeds, but smoothly and safely operating such heavy bikes during slow-speed maneuvers is another matter entirely, especially when loaded down with packed luggage cases, plus a rear passenger, and both of you are wearing the added weight of full riding gear. Imagine yourself and your wife on a massive touring bike, with a total weight of more than 800 lbs., and you come to a stop at busy 4-way intersection, with no stop light, on an incline, in which you must quickly and smoothly initiate and complete a 90 degree turn without dumping the clutch and without dropping the bike in the process. Sounds like fun, eh? And if you drop the bike in the middle of the road because you dumped the clutch and stalled the engine, you'd then have what amounts to a beached whale laying on its side in the middle of the road (or parking lot), possibly with one of your wife's legs being pinned underneath one side of the bike until you can get a tow truck (or perhaps several much maligned but surprisingly kind and considerate Harley riders) to help you lift and right the bike.

The other scenario is that instead of buying a massive touring bike you instead decide to sell your VFR in favor of a crotch rocket. As a new rider with only 8000 miles of seat-time, here you might be at risk of quickly becoming intoxicated with the rocket's irresistible power and speed, maybe riding beyond your skills, and then wadding up yourself and the bike.

Last weekend I rode my '07 VFR 800A (including stock side cases, Givi top case, and a FieldSheer tail bag) on a 1000 mile tour from central Ohio to Lexington, VA and back. I rode with my brother who was on a V-Strom, and once we arrived at our motel in Lexington we left our baggage in our rooms and then enjoyed a great weekend riding together.

The VFR is a great touring bike if one is willing to spend the time and money to replace the front and rear suspension with the likes of that offered by Race Tech, which largely solves the weight restriction due to the stock suspension, which sucks. This, along with an electronic cruise control from MCCruise.com, is the bomb.

The cost for these upgrades was substantial, but they've transformed my '07 VFR into a more touring friendly motorcycle, and the added cost is far cheaper than buying a pig-like touring bike. (Other upgrades/farkles include a custom Sargent seat, Autocom rig, Zumo 550, Givi touring windscreen, Shoei TZR helmet, etc.)

I don't care how much money one may spend on an aftermarket seat, fancy padded riding shorts, etc., my experience tells me that there's no substitute for stopping, walking around, taking bathroom breaks and resting every 100 miles or so. That said, the one facet of my VFR that's still needing improvement is the windscreen. I've tried Zero Gravity and now a Givi touring screen, but still the wind buffeting is a problem when riding on highways and freeways for long periods of time. Other than that, my customized VFR is a pretty fair touring bike, and when you can drop off the luggage at a motel room, it's a fun sport-oriented bike, but one key here is the Race Tech suspension. YMMV.

 

Anyone that quotes Eddy Merckx is good in my book. Right on, baby! My fav: "When you get towards the top of a hill, upshift and push harder..." (my paraphrase)

And RedRover: you have some great points and very well spoken; very eloquent!

 

I want the pegs to be higher, i hate how low they are. I think once i get the rear sets higher i would be more comfortable. I find it the most comfy position is laying on top of my tank bag while cruising. Hopefully the SATO ones ive been looking at will fix that.

 

Although this is kind of an old thread, I'll add my .02;

If it is too heavy and too comfortable to be a sport bike, but not heavy enough or comfortable enough to be a touring bike, then it is a sport-touring bike, just by default... :biggrin:

Seriously, though, what I really like about this bike is how composed and stable it is under a variety of conditions. Even with sport-touring tires, the cornering ability is really impressive (the bike's; not mine :smile.

Long highway jaunts make my hips and mid-back hurt, but that is primarily due to age, genetics and injury. One Aleve, or a couple of Advil, do wonders for that.

From my perspective, no way is it a "touring" bike. But if your trip includes some twisty roads that you intend to enjoy as you only can on a motorcycle, no other bike will get you there in as much comfort.

 

no the vfr is a gp racebike it's just that the gp haven't caught on yet.. I would buy a motorhome full touring capabilites.............:thumbsup:

 

In Sept 07 I did an 11 day, 3100 mile OKC run, including 2 900 mile days and my only real problem was a comatose ass. I am concerned about my next OKC run, since I've had work-related arthroscopic surgery on both knees and neither is 100% yet...

 

good SPORT touring

Hello¡
just one question: Which was your previous bike?
Last year me and my buddies went to Mazatlan (11 hours riding) I was on a 2003 Honda CBR600F4i and the trip was hard to my body, specially to my arms and lower back, this year I did the same trip on a the VFR (2000) ...what a diffecence, no pain in arms and wrists and back.
I think you should focus in the pros instead of the cons....
I have a 2007 CBR600RR really nice bike to do SHORT rides, for longer VFR is the best.
greetings from Mexico.

 

i did a trip to ohio last week, just about 400 miles a day for 5 days. wasnt sore anywhere, tired, but not sore.

 

Well I used to think that sit up position with high and wide bars would be much easier on my poor old back. Boy, was I wrong. The Viffer with it's lean over position doesn't bother my back at all, while my VStrom has me in agony after an hour.

I'm not into touring anymore due to my back, but I believe you can tour on just about any bike and the VFR could certainly tour. I don't like large top boxes, heck I hate panniers, so for me the VFR is not a touring bike. Ok, a short touring bike.

The VStrom will be sold soon, love my 3rd gen VFR!

P.S. There's not doubt about the 'sport' aspect of the VFR. Tell the truth alot of what is called sport touring bikes are not. They're simply large powerful bikes.

 

At 200 miles, my knees start to get stiff and sore. When I need a straiten them out, I do.
After that first tank and unkinking, I find it necessary to unkink every 75 to 100 miles after that.
I suffer few illusions.
I have bad knees, and I am uncomfortable with that.
That's my problem, so I can't blame it on the VFR. It's a great bike!

Mac

 

When I got my VFR last Fall, my first bike after a few decades off, I was so stiff-jointed (insert joke here) that I had trouble even getting my feet up on the pegs. After 8 or 10 hours of total seat time (at about an hour per session), I took off with my brother (V-Strom) and rode south, down the Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, Tail of the Dragon, Cherahola Skyway, etc., etc. I was in pain most of the time (neck, back, arse, legs, hands, arms, etc.), crippled myself up pretty badly, had numb fingers for months after, and so on.

After returning, I learned a lot on this forum and another forum about how to alleviate nooby problems. Wish I'd done this research before my first trip.

After getting back, I continued riding, doing two to five hour rides each weekend, and often both days, and trained my old body to accept the VFR ergos. As a result, I'm more flexible now than I have ever been in my entire life, and have no back pain or knee pain or any of the problems I had last Fall.

I finished a 5,000+ mile trip this June out to South Dakota and environs, doing 450 to 750 mile days, and had none of the problems I experienced last Fall. Also went out to Mid-Ohio and back, and was comfortable all the way.

I do have to stop after the first hour and stretch for a few minutes, but after that I can literally ride all day, only stopping for gas (and a stretch and a pee). Ibuprofen is your friend, too, if you get aches and pains. Take one or two before you hop on the bike.

I'm very happy I gave the VFR a chance. I can only afford one ride right now (still have one left in college), and the VFR gives me everything I want - touring capability, twisties fun, etc., etc. It's a great sport/tourer, and I won't even consider moving to a pure tourer until I'm in my mid-70s (heeheehee).

 

Hmm can't help wonder if the so call new 1200 VFR will do any better???

 

Well all this talk and me riding and testing stuff on my VFR and I'm wondering if I can turn my bars out. My hands hit the tank at full lock, see this photo - what you think, can I turn them out more without fairing interference?



Few other things to note about this photo - Japanese VFR has fuel on/off/reserve control right on left fairing. My GPS is on a Ram diamond mount which is 'glued' to the top triple clamp using Scotch mounting sticky sheet stuff. Have Ram short arm to GPS cradle,Working good!

Also note digital clock which I guess was an option, this one is hosed, anyone got a replacement for sale that works?

It's too dark for me to go out and try moving the bars out, but I will try that in the morning.

Here's a clip of the Japanese cops and their VFRs with high bars:



I wouldn't mind a pair of their sideboxes, paint them black of course...

 

Well I found out a few things today

First of all the bars won't turn at all, they have bumps going into the notch in the top triple clamp.

Secondly even if they could move they'd hit the fairing.

And lastly, there is a small clip ring at the top of the clip-on sleeve/forktube. I can't seem to get the left side one back in no matter what. What is the secret to getting this back in?

As usual I carried on detailing, polishing, and generally getting to know my Viffer better. There was an old sticker at the front of the tank on top, you can see it in the above photo. Well it's totally gone now, but it wasn't easy removing. I got out my head loupe and a fine razor blade and little by little peeled it off with no damage, yay! I hate stickers.

Here's a photo from today showing the Ram mount for GPS:

 

To answer your question, is the VFR really a sport tourer? Yes, and here is proof from the VFRWorld photo archive:

 

Ah, you guys. I know the problem, too much luggage. As you know the viffer is my wife's bike and when we tour, she just stuffs some clean g-strings in her pocket and off we go. :thumbsup:

















Did I mention she puts all the other luggage in my BMW GS panniers and just leaves the top box for me

 

I am still shopping for the right hard bags but my wife and I plan to so some touring on the Viffer. I haven't ever had problem with my back or knees over the couple 200 mile days I have done (only had VFR since Dec) but my throttle wrist does get sore. The stock seat doesn't bother me at all, but I'm used to sitting on bicycle seats so maybe I have really thick 'taint callouses...We're gonna do some light touring on the VFR and if my wife enjoys it, then we'll likely go with a BMW R1200 RT or R1200 GS in a year or 2 when more cash is available to us to buy one. I would do an ST1300, but since Honda seems to think their long in the tooth sport touring bike should cost the same as a better equipped/featured BMW they can stick it. So far our only complaint is my wife can't use the grab handles when wearing her gloves so I'm gonna machine some spacers to lift them up a half inch or so.

As for the guy who lost 2 friends that were touring on a VFR- every time I have gone wide in a corner, it isn't the suspensions fault- it is the rider's. If you enter a corner with too much speed or not enough lean, or don't get your head around to spot the turn's exit, you will go wide, and it isn't the fault of the bike it's the fault of the rider, as it usually is. I don't want to trample on their graves or anything, but if he had been riding slower/less aggressively they likely would be here today. The reason a motorcycle goes wide in a corner is a combination of poorly chosen line and too much speed.