Was anyone a little scared of their VFR when they first got it?

Hey,

So I stumbled into a 97 VFR the other week. Wasn't really shopping for one, but it "followed me home."

First off, let me say, this *is* an amazing bike! This thing is everything that everyone says it is... it's torquey, it has a mile-wide powerband, and the fit and finish are top-notch. I just put a set of Conti Road Attacks on it and it handles beautifully now.

The thing is, I'm a little spooked at the wieght and power of this thing. I know that might sound silly to some people, but I've been taking a pretty conservative path with my motorcycling career. Power is a relative thing. I started riding about 3 years ago on a Yamaha 400cc twin... it put out a bout 27 HP. Then after a year, I stepped up to my Hawk GT... ~45HP. Now, two years later, here I am with this VFR that puts out 90+HP. The city riding on the VFR has me a little spooked. I'm keenly aware of how much heavier and faster this thing is than my Hawk, and I just don't feel as safe as I do on my Hawk.

Maybe it's buyers remorse... I remember feeling like this when I got my Hawk. I thought "I don't NEED all this power... why did I buy this thing?" And a week later you couldn't keep me off it.

So was the VFR a huge step up for anyone else here? How long did it take before you really "bonded" with your bike?

 

The more you ride it, the more you will love it and "bond" with it. Like with many things, it may take you a little while to get comfortable on it. Just keep in mind that the VFR won Motorcycle of the Year over and over because it IS THAT GOOD !
I moved up from 600 sportbikes to the VFR so the weight was (and still is) a little intimidating, but most of us never even take full advantage of the bikes performance, and it can do more than we ask. As far as the power, well, I'm a junkie, so the 90+ horsepower was never an issue for me.
Again, ride that thang....you WILL fall in love !

 

I felt the same way when I first got my Road King, 800lb and I had to ride it through the City of San Jose Ca. on a rainy day when I first bought it But after a few rides around the the country and the twistys, I bonded with the 800lb beast pretty quickly.

City driving a new bike is always a little scary at first, But I think when you get in a more relaxed atmosphere, you will bond pretty quickly...

 

Ah welcome, another 4th gen happy owner, way cool. Just ride it, you'll get use to it then wonder later what the big deal was, that said you'll still need to give it some respect which by the sounds of it you are.. going from a Hawk, BTW you still have it? nice bike. to the vfr might seem like a huge jump na, just the next level, good choice too, not huge one, seeing that you;'ve been riding for a short while I get what you're saying. but you'll do ok. Just ride it like you would your Hawk, cept for it's better over the long road ride, it'll be pretty much like what you came from with a wee bit more. Enjoy, good to see ya here, send us some photos if you can, always good to see those 4th gens.

Hey RW another smart man here

 

I use to ride 86 Honda Night Hawks back in the 90's. I didnt ride for over 8 years or so and got a 600 Katana. I loved that bike nice and nibble and super easy to right but a bit down on power.
When I found a newer 03 VFR I couldnt afford my friend bought it and I bought his 97 VFR. I have been riding it for about 8 months now off and on. I like the quality of the bike better and know it will out last a Katana but I still am getting use to feeling comphy about dropping it down into turns and easy on laying down the throttle....
With a lower, lighter feeling bike you dont think twice...So yes I know what you are saying but the more I ride it the better I become. I want a set of Contis next and I need a front tire so Ill start with that and see if she rides better for me.
Also I havent checked or set my SAG settings and he has a set of front progressive rate springs we need to install. I heard stting the sag if it is off gives you a much better cornering ride!

 

I started riding again just three years ago too. I made a pretty big jump - from a 1978 Suzuki GS400(that got scary at 80 mph) to the VFR. One thing that was pretty wierd though is that I was immediately comfortable on the VFR and got used to it over a few days. I knew and respected what was under me, and was just like you too - a little scared. I have done my experimenting on it, got a couple of fast runs - enough to make me think, "What the fuck am I doing?"

I really like how I don't get bored on this bike. If I want to cruise around town like an old man - cool. If some zit faced kid wants to race me in his tuner car - cool. My favorite is hittin the twisties on our local mountain highway just 15 minutes from my house.

I think having a little bit of "scared' in you keeps you safe. When you lose that, you might take more unneccesary risky chances. When you become skilled on your bike then you can take safe chances. :third:

 

Welcome aboard Zerosum. You might want to see if there is a Motorcycle
Safety Foundation "Experienced Rider Course" in your area. It's only a one day
classroom/riding class and most likely could help you quite a bit.
As a former Chief Instructor (taught over 9,000 folks) in 24 years, I know you
will get some positive lessons from the class. I felt similar the first time I rode
a '99 Busa, but soon it felt better and better. Just take your time and have a
nice learning curve. Eventually, go to some track schools and learn more.
There is always something new to learn about riding. Good luck...

 

No...........

 

I know how you feel, I just picked up a brand new 05 and brought it home yesterday. The last time I rode a bike was 2 years ago in Canada, the roads here in Italy take a lot more time to adjust to. But respecting the bike and your capabilities should make for lots of fun riding.:smile:

 

I know where you're comin' from, Zerosum. My last ride was an '04 R6, and when I made the conversion to the VFR I was a little intimidated by the weight too (not so much the power, the R6 pulled 120 @ the wheel - scary fast). The more you ride it, I've found, the more comfortable I get with having a bigger, more stout motorcycle. Its reassuring having a heftier bike riding around Houston highways, and it just kinda grows on you . You made a great bike decision

 

I came off 4 liter bikes and a massaged GSXR750 w/flatslides, so this bike has significantly less power than many I've owned, but that said it has plenty.

And like some here have said its all relative to what you are used to. Ride your own ride within your skill limits, and the idea of a rider's course is an excellent one. I agree the weight of the machine can be intimidating 550+ is pretty porky:flypig: especially when just moving it, be deliberate and take your time and you'll be fine.:clap2:

Welcome to the group I'm new too!:clap2: :typing: :tea:

:usa2:

 

550lbs? Hmm mine weighs 523lbs full of fuel. which brings me to writing a new thread..thanks VaRollon

 

I am used to riding big bikes both dirt and street. I started small and worked my way up. Now I rider a vmax, vfr, and a kx500. All with more power than anyone needs but it is fun. I think being a little (not a lot) intimidated is a good thing. Everytime I start feeling like I am in complete control and can handle anything - I am reminded (usually by a nasty crash) that I MUST respect the bike no matter the cc size

 

Welcome zero ,"The only thing you have to fear is fear itself" wise words. Fear will get you killed. I started on a GS500 myself and I can say that a month after buying that bike I wished I hadn't wasted the money. The VFR is kinda heavy I guess but to me it doesn't feel that way. Take it slow and then when the time comes...Lay the power down! Can you really have enough power? Hmmmm.

 

I guess my issues are the opposite. I went from riding crusiers to switching over to a 2k VFR last December. I was able to adapt to the VFR, and had to get used to sitting up higher from the ground and the bike's friction zone. Now when I ride my Suzuki Intruder I am scarred as hell because the brakes are not as good as the VFR, and sitting low is now making me nervous along with cornering. I can sill ride my Intruder, but not the same way I did before I started riding the VFR. I can still ride my GoldWing with no problem - actually I am laying the GoldWing down a lot better than I have ever done. I know this is gonna sound really weird, but something about riding the GoldWing reminds me of being on the VFR. I know this is crazy because the GoldWing is the ultimate overweight crusier (great bike just heavy as hell), but the bike has torque and can get up to speed on the highway (the bike also has LBS). When I have the GoldWing on the highway at 70+ mph it kinda feels and sounds a little like my VFR - weird but true. Kinda curious if anyone here owns a Honda Valkyrie, and how the performance of that bike compares to the VFR with regard to braking, steering and suspension. I am thinking about trading or selling my 83 GoldWing so I can either get a Goldwing with the electric reverse (1988 or above), or a Valkyrie (the 1998 model and above).

 

Braking: no comparison. Steering and suspension? no comparison. But I will say this, I would put my money on a Valk against any other "cruiser" through the twisties. I installed drag bars, Progressive front springs and 440 series rear shocks on mine, and I can keep up with my FJR1300 and BMW 1200 RT buddies all day long in the rocky mountains. It's been relegated to my 2-up bike since the VFR purchase though - keeping up with them on the VFR obviously takes much less effort.

 

Zerosum, I can relate exactly. Nice to know I was not the only. Just got a VFR after not riding for about 15 years unless it was a friends bike. I was very intimidated at first since it is slightly taller than my old VFR, heavier and lots more power. My old VFR was only 500cc so this was a change for better for me. And yes, this one has the "oompf" factor I never had with my old one after riding bigger 750cc magnas, 1000cc goldwings etc. It is true, you can never have too much power.

I say give it time, take it easy at first and get used to the feel, characteristics and quirks of the bike and you will slowly become more comfortable with it. However, respect the power and use common sense. Sooner or later, you'll realize you made the right choice and wonder why you did not buy one earlier! And welcome to the board too!

 

I went from a CB250 to a '94 VFR750.

One minor scare when I arrived at a corner a bit quicker than I used to on the CB. Braked hard, & when I got on the gas exiting the corner I thought I was going to end up on the wrong side of the road for a sec...

:redface:

 

My last bike was a Ninja 250. Needless to say, first time out on the VFR was quite the power revelation. I just about pooped my pants after I really let it out that first ride home. After a few more tries, Schwiiing!

 

Zerosum, the respect you have for the power means WITHOUT A DOUBT that the VFR is a good choice for you! You are a wise rider. You'll be fine. Have some fun as you learn what the bike can do.