How long a trip would you take on your VFR?

I had a 95 VFR and only took it on short 1-3 hour trips. Since the VFR I had a Yamaha Roadstar but am looking to get back into the VFR but have a group of friends that like to take trips like from Atlanta to Daytona or Asheville, etc. I liked the VFR especially since I am not a a big guy at 5'10 170 lbs and always had fun on the VFR and thought the Roadstar was too heavy. Rode a Honda ST 1300 the other day and thought it was big, top-heavy and cumbersome.

Like to hear opinions of the VFR as a sport-touring bike. If I choose the VFR I would get a 2002+ and put on hard bags. Also looking at Yamaha FJR 1300 and some sporty BMW(?) but less than $8k. How long would you want to ride the Interceptor?

Thanks,

 

If I had the time and money to take off work, I would have no problem riding it coast to coast. However, if I were buying a bike, specific to a trip like that I might buy something else. Will this be your only bike? and what kind of other riding will you be using it for?

 

This will be my only bike and most riding will be in the Georgia mountains since I live really close. Take a two hour jaunt through the twisties and back home. Sometimes with the wife and stop for BBQ. Probably take a long trip like I described maybe two to three times a year at most. Long trips will be only one up.

 

I road my VFR from SoCal to Monterrey thru Yosemite, down past Mammoth and back out to the coast in a 3 day period. Was no problem at all for the bike, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Wish I would have had some hard bags though.

Kinda feel like a trader though, this summer I'm using that titanium Super Blackbird for my coast-to-coast round trip...

 

I chose the VFR because it had some soul and could make any trek no matter how far. We are doing about a 2 week trip in a year.
Enough @SS, will rail if asked, full fairing, available luggage and comfortable for 300-400 mile days. I looked at ST1300, FJR, BMW's, Duc's and all the bikes felt so freakin huge(not Duc). This model does compromise some, but bang for the buck I was sold.

That said I wouldn't tour on it 2 up, for that I'd want more power, but I am always alone riding. Wife has no interest:hippie:

SLOav8r--that blackbird is tight!

 

Yea,,,, that what I was thinking !!!

 

Sounds to me the VFR would be perfect for you. Thats about what I do. Only comment would be I am not sure about the two comfort. My wife is not into it so I only use mine as a solo ride. I would certainly want a bigger bike if I was doing a lot of two up.

 

It's friggin amazing, and 153HP to the rear on regular unleaded!
That being said, I'll never give up the VFR. The Blackbird is just taking over for major touring and when ludicrous speed may be called for.

 

I almost looked at those and realized I had owned 9 inline 4's. Enough already! Having both now that's the tits.:tea:

 

The VFR is a good touring bike with the addition of some saddlebags and a tankbag - I would also say get heated grips and PIAA or HID lights for front and rear (a seat upgrade is par the course and maybe helibars or Gen Mar risers). I would be able to go coast to coast on my VFR if I had the time and money, but I would not tour two up on the VFR. I have an old GoldWing I use for two up riding. I really do not like riding two up, but it is nice to have some tits on your back and a hand between your legs. My GoldWing is good for doing two up riding and the bike also has a built intercomm and music (FM radio and tape). From what you said earlier in the thread either a BMW or the Ducati ST2/3 may be the touring bike for you - especially if you plan on doing any two up touring. I liked the Honda ST1100, but I still do not like the ST1300 as much as the Yamaha FJR. I also like the look of the new Kawasaki Concours.

 

I'm about your size and in pretty good shape, but am far from an Iron butt rider - I think 300 miles would be about it for me before discomfort sets in, and that's resting every hundred miles. I just went 400 miles and the last 100 weren't too fun. In contrast, I can go about 400 miles on my Valkyrie before I get uncomfortable - I think that says a lot about the comfort of this sportbike - again, my body does not do well sitting in one place for long periods. As far as short 2-up rides, I think you should let your wife sit on it and give her opinion - it certainly is capable of that provided your wife isnt (ahem) too large. As for my wife she won't even try - the Valk's back seat is like a throne in comparison.

 

well i havnt had a long trip on my vfr yet but its gotta be better than my last bike.the vfr is so much more comfortable than the buell firebolt.on it i went from charlotte nc to albany ny.so im looking forward to getting out there this summer.

 

If only I had the time and money. There'd be no trouble seeing the country on this VFR of mine. One hell of a ride. I've done 800 mile super slab days and 500 mile twisty days, it truly is a great do everything machine.

 

Last summer me and my girlfriend toke a 10 day trip to garda lake in Italy.
We drove the first 1000 km in one day from the top of Holland to Austria.
We have a 2005 VFR VTEC with hard cases and it was very good to do.
Everyone aksk: don't you get a painfull butt, but driving a car for this long also makes my butt sore.

I never buy an other bike than a VFR.
This is already the 4th.

VFR 750 1990
VFR 800 1998
VFR VTEC 2002
VFR VTEC 2005

 

What kind of hard bags. Whatever I get I want hard bags. Thanks

 

Givi's got a nice setup...

Hard bags are definitely handy for long trips. Nothing worse the stressing about your stuff everytime you lose site of your bike to eat, use the restroom, etc...