Hello, looking for a solid commuting bike

Hello all. From Indiana.

I'm still looking for a new commuting bike. I need something comfortable to ride a hundred miles a day (my commute) and generally put 10-15k a year on whatever my current commuter bike is. I MUST have over 40mpg and I need it to last 100k plus. My butt needs it to be comfortable as well. I THINK the VFR could handle most of it. I've checked them out before, but always looked for better MPG and something more or less able to maintain myself. I've heard the V4s can be a bit tricky.

So, I guess I'm looking to see what gen might be closest to what I want (pros/cons) and maybe see if you lot can talk me into buying a VFR. I really like the 07 25th version.

Previous to my current search I rode an 87 FZX700 (I love classic bikes), but now am riding my wife's 87 XL600R (I mentioned I like classic bikes right?), but have also had a CBR600 and Miscellaneous Cruisers over time as well as a Goldwing. I've got to have a cushy ride. I may go back to a Goldwing, but I really don't care for the way they look. Could the VFR work?

 

A 99 - 2001 VFR is pretty much the best of all worlds. Almost 40 MPG if you have some right hand discipline, FI means no carb adjustments, engines last well into the 100k mark and gear driven cams make it comparatively easy to set valve backlash. There are also several bar riser options to adjust position as you like. The seat is a bit of an issue on longer rides for me (such is the deal for "larger" riders), but you can't really predict if a bike will have a less than ideal seat for you. You'd have to try that out and see how it feels.

Jose

 

I bought my '09 to act as my daily commuter and with a few add ons, it now suits this task very well. For long hauls I added a Sargent seat, a set of Heli-bars and GIVI touring screen. All of these helped keep me more comfortable than the stock setup. For seating comfort most owners opt for the Sargent or Corbin, but don't look past going to a local upholsterer as they might be able to custom fit a seat for about the same money. The Heli-bars help give a more upright riding position and the windscreen was to try and direct more wind above my head (personal preference).

For reference, I'm 5'8 and weigh @155lbs. but for work days I typically haul another 50-75lbs of gear and luggage I.e. GIVI top case and tank bag for my test gear and laptop. So as far as mileage goes, I usually get around 190-200 miles from a tank but that is in LA/OC traffic and with a Power Commander, which is known to lessen your MPG, unless you have your bike Dynotuned for maximum MPG. Also note that my bike had a Two Bros exhaust system on it, so that might also affect my MPG.

As far as your concern about high milage and reliability, I'm sure there will be plenty of people here who can attest to the VFR's capabilities there too. Yes, there are some generations that have had issues, electrical mostly, but knowing what these are and the precautions to take with them, you'll be hard pressed to find another bike that does so much, so well.

With that, there has NOT been a day that I have ridden since I bought the bike that I felt I made a bad choice! This bike really has a lot more to offer than being a commuter. If/when I want to take it out for some spirited riding, it handles that very well. If I want to take the wife for a cruise or a trip a few hours away, it does that well too!

I hope this gives you something to ponder.

Cheers!

 

Psshhtt...that's like saying you like big tits and money.

I agree with DaHose: find a low mileage Gen 5, if you really want a VFR.

Personally, I'd probably look for something else, as the VFR is not what I'd call a "cushy ride". It is, however, a stupidly reliable bike and easy to ride.

 

I just came off an '11 Yamaha FZ8 which (except for the seat) was a perfect commuter with 1 inch risers (no windshield)... and I got onto a 99 with under 20k miles for $2000 ... great ergonomics, comfortable ride, with good power for commuting. If you're doing in town more than highway stretches, I would lean towards the FZ8 unless you HAVE to have a windshield and are trying to keep it under a budget. my 99 VFR fit in perfectly for me.

 

My commute is 90% highway with the other 10% being a town in the middle and a town at the end.

I guess I should say, a few years ago I really looked at a VFR that the dealer had for 2 years and was really wanting to move. Overall it was fairly comfortable. I'm 6' and found the seating position to be more comfortable than any sport touring I had checked out. I've been meaning to look at the FZ8 as it seemed to be a newer incarnation of the fazer which has been a faithful steed for a very long time.

I was readying something about a PCV (guessing power commander) that could improve mileage?

 

Opinions are like assholes....everybody has got one. Hard for other peeps to know what you do and do not like. VFR is just a great all around bike, heavily, and some are ugly, but, if cared for, many models (3rd gen and newer) seems to last forever.

 

Power commander smooths out power at low revs. (people who have them swear by them), but it DEFINITELY leads to worse mileage.

Jose

 

I'm throwing this out simply because mileage seems to matter to you. I used to ride a 2007 Honda Shadow 750. With a couple hundred bucks for a windshield, floorboards and a new seat with a backrest, it's comfortable as hell (like all cruisers I guess). I'm bringing it up because the thing got stupidly good mileage. When I baby'd it on I-5 doing 70, I'd average upwards 55 mpg. The bike is also utterly indestructible - it makes every other bike I've owned or ridden seem fragile. I swear whenever I took it to the shop, it was a little wonky and messed up when I got it back, like it was pissed I questioned its durability. Anyway, just a thought. The only CON I would mention is that despite its moderate engine displacement, it has fairly low horsepower and is geared poorly in my opinion; upshot is it runs at somewhat high RPMs at more than 70 mph, enough to be noticeable. For a 100 mile commute though, this should be a problem (I usually did 800 miles a day on it during trips).