About the Range Issue...

Long before I picked up the VFR1200F, I have heard about the supposedly lack of range as one of the main gripes. Being that I rarely ride longer than 100miles between pitstops, even when I am on weekend tours and long day rides (~500 miles/day), I was never bothered by these complaints. Now that I have ridden the Viffer for a while, I still don't see what the fuss is all about.

The trouble is, most folks think a SPORT TOURER must have a big gas can. I beg to differ.

Granted, 4.9gal is not great compared to some Sport Tourers' 7 gal tanks, but at the 38-40mpg I am getting consistently with my VFR, that equates to 150 miles of practical range, probably 180 miles if I try to push the limits after the idiot light comes on. I have yet to come across a stretch of road in the USA that went more than 150mile between gas stations. Other than being lazy about stopping at gas stations, I just don't see the need for more capacity. At 6 lbs / gal, I'd prefer only 30 lbs of it sloshing around, at a high CofG, than 42 lbs.

Besides, if you just want to make miles on the super slab, the Viffer is not the right bike anyway. I just came back from a roughly 300 mile Good Friday ride, through mostly twisty backroads that were perfect elements for the Viffer. We avoid Interstates or even primary roads like the plague. After 100 mile of fun, we were all about ready for a break anyway. This is why I switched from the C14 to the VFR1200 - trading long distance comfort for maximum fun carving backroads.

And yes, the fuel gauge calibration on the Viffer is non-linear To me, however, I actually like the fact that it shows "full bars" through the first gal or so of usage, then amplifies the scale for the next 2-3 gals. Really though, if the tank is mostly full, why should I care? It's when the tank is going from 1/2 to 1/4 that I want to start keeping an eye on fuel level.

Everytime I sit on an ST1300, I appreciate the VFR1200's svelte dimension so much more. It's optimization for the intended task. The Viffer is just right for what I do.

 

I agree. The fuel capacity was never even a big deal to me. I'd rather watch paint dry or grass grow than slab it. So boring.
After 150 miles I'm ready to get off for 10 minutes any way. My bladder needs me to stop every couple of hours.

My issue with the bike was the weight, the cost, and the shafty (no gear changes possible). Since they didn't sell well I got a new one for less than 10k so the price went away, and I have to admit the bike carries the weight well. Once moving it's a non issue. And the gearing is something I can live with.

I do have to say the bike fits nicely between a liter bike and a tourer. I'm enjoying so far just need more money for bits.

 

Guys, this is totally a perspective thing. I too despise the superslab and will avoid it all costs unless it's absolutely necessary...like when the wife and I are riding from OH to FL. Otherwise our vacation just gets burned up on the road. The last time we rode to the Tampa/Clearwater area, I was bored to death in FL and so was she. I said, lets get the fuck outta here and go to Deal's Gap. I didn't have to ask twice. We droned up I-75 through FL just to the point where US-129 crosses I-75 and then we bailed and rode north through the mountains of GA, NC and TN and loved every minute of it. We also frequently ride the mountains of WV. Awesome stuff. But just because I try to avoid the superslab doesn't mean I don't like to make time! When you're out in Bumfuck, WV, sometimes the gas stations are few and far between. For DECADES, our M/O has been to ride between 100 and 125 miles in a sitting, take a stretch/pee break, and get fuel every other stop. We can cover a lot of ground without being miserable. For us, it's both impractical and undesirable to have to get fuel at every stop! But since the VFR cannot possibly go 200 miles on a tankful unless you're riding EXTREMELY conservatively (and even then it's a push), that means we either have to tank up at every stop, or stop more frequently. So this isn't about superslabbing on a Wing. I *sport* ride in very rural areas and the wife and I are used to going more than 80 or 90 miles in a sitting. If the tank range is not an issue for you guys, that's great. For us it was an issue. We've adjusted for it out of necessity and now just stop at shorter intervals. If we had our choice, we'd rather have another gallon of fuel in the tank. But you make the best you can with what ya got...so we do.

Let me just state unequivocally that if Yamaha ever saw fit to make the actual seating position of the FJR more like the VFR, I'd trade-in in a heartbeat. You can talk about engine character all you want. Yes, the difference in power delivery characteristics are obvious to me and I like the V-4 power delivery (I'm a motorhead by nature and by profession). But the FJR was no slouch in the power delivery or handling departments. My sole gripe with the FJR was that the actual seating position was not sporty enough (too upright) for me to actually be comfortable on a long haul, and yet, we still did 125 miles in a sitting more often than not. I can go farther in comfort on the VFR than I could on the FJR, which just makes the (relatively) short cruising range that much more annoying for me. The tank range of the VFR isn't an issue for everybody, but clearly I'm not the only one who thinks it is. I'm glad it's not an issue for everybody, but please don't discount the possibility that it still can be, even for people who'd rather drag pegs through the mountains, then drone down the highway.

 

I understand what is ideal riding position depends on the rider as well as the type/distance of riding. With the C14, I could go 500+ miles per day and do it repeatedly without tiring. In many ways, I actually prefer the power delivery of the C14 better than the VFR - that ZX14 motor just has gobs of smooth torque at any RPM in any gear. When I first bought the C14, I thought I would do longer tours and do them more often. Reality with the family made that all but a pipe dream. As is, I'm more likely to go on long day rides, and only occasionally. For that, the group I ride with would rather pick and choose the route to maximize the twisty fun factor, and I'd rather pick a bike that handles much more like a true sport bike. Yes, I could shift my butt cheeks around and drag knees on the C14, but it just feel weird on such a large, heavy and upright sitting bike. OTOH, the VFR feels remarkably like my litre sport bikes. It is agile, slim, and the power delivery is a bit peaky like a sportbike. The similarity also extend to the comfort factor, as I find myself shaking off my right wrist more often on longer rides with the VFR. My right wrist tells me when to stop long before I run out of gas.

I am hesitant to farkle the VFR into a long distance comfort rig. I'd rather it stay true to character - limitations and all. I see folks put bar risers, drop-peg and barn door screens on C14 and FJRs - to the point of resembling a Gold Wing. Not that there is anything wrong with a GW, but if I want a long-haul comfort rig, I'd just as soon go back to C14, or any of the traditional ST's, like FJR/Trophy/RT/Norge.

 

Well i too was worried about the range, got mine last year with a big discount. We have big miles out here and a similar boredom with the slab. Thebrange is fine if you are doing 500+ mile days. Its about the journey not the destination anyway, i love chatting with the odd characters you meet when refueling. I live and ride in the tropics, 42 c riding days mean you need as much water as the vrf needs fuel any way.

 

Therefore the consensus is...?

 

it has changed my habits for sure...i fill up near my house at the start of every ride and i find myself topping the tank off more often ...with a $0.50-0.75 diff in gas prices between NY and NJ i'll always top off before entering NY (which has better twisties and a lot less radar guns) my '83 Interceptor has a 5.8 gal tank and it def makes a difference...but it's not an issue, i usually need a restroom before i need a gas pump

 

If they would have to stuck a crossplane motor in the FZ1 I've had one right now but would probably pay more. At $9999, the VFR1200 made me look past its faults.

 

If the price of gas jumps, it might be better to top off at the end of one of your rides rather than before you head out. Lots of bennies on this one. A full tank and depending on the station, maybe even a clean place to take a leak. I hear they charge for peeing in NY.. and if you are really fortunate, the station has Jo-jo's.

 

:juggle:Seems to me that for the ten grand + that it takes to get into a 1200 VFR, a heck of a lot of things could be done to an FJR that would make for happy buns.

 

FJR lists for $15,890....a hundred bucks don't go far !!!

 

First off BB does not pay list for most things.. I was specifically addressing an already owned FJR of unknown vintage and replacing it with a 1200 VFR.

FJR's are great bikes. I have the option on one as we speak as soon as the dude who has it figures out he ain't gonna be able to fix the road rash. I know what he paid for it and I figure I can get it for about $800.00 . Cosmetics are a little rough due to a lowside.

Betcha my Cnote goes farther here on the left coast than in your hood.. A: no sales tax. B: I just got a renewal on my now universally famous mach 1 91 for two years for $46.00.

 

+1. It's a very nice bike for what I paid for it. And I too am looking past (working around?) its faults.

Unfortunately, I couldn't fix the riding "posture". Tried three different seats, with and without Heli risers, and at least 4 different windscreens before settling on the best combo for me. But the pegs are too far forward for me and there's little you could do about that if riding two-up. I contemplated Vario pegs, but if I move my feet back, then I'm into the wife's boots. And I can't move hers back because of the luggage. So while the FJR was a pretty darn good mount when the wife and I wanted to ride far and long, it always bugged me that I myself could go farther in comfort on my 125 then I could on my "Sport-tourer".

No, but compare the list of standard features between the two and suddenly the scales tip hard dollar for dollar. But the VFR feels much more like a sportbike than a sport-tourer. So until something better comes along, it is my ride of choice.

If that's not a typo, and it's functional, you should snatch that puppy up. Used stuff for an FJR is usually easy to come by.

 

Refueling habits are affected by a lot more factors than the size of gas tanks.

It used to be I would gas up my cars when it reached about 1/2 full, theorizing that metal tanks don't like water condensation, so it was best to keep the tank mostly full most of the time to minimize the air volume inside.

Then cars started using plastic molded gas tanks, so that became a non-issue. These day, I very often purposely run my 2 cars close to empty, just so I can capitalize on the $0.10/gal discount I get for every $100 we spent at Kroger supermarket. They have a 35gal limit on each purchase, so I needed both cars close to empty to maximize my savings. Yeah, it's an idiotic reason, but hey... I could save $$!

I suspect no passenger car driver absolutely need to go 300+miles before fuel up, but why do cars come with tanks sized to go at least that far? Sloshing around 100~150 lbs of dead weight, affecting handling and decreasing mpg. Well... it is what drivers are conditioned to expect. Right, wrong, or indifferent. Even with 3 gas stations at every intersection along the typical route of 95% of driver in the US.

 

Very true.

Not idiotic at all. I work right across the street from a gas station that's made the national news on more than one occasion for having the lowest gas price in the country. But it's not always the lowest. Sometimes it's cheaper to use my Kroger plus discount at Shell. Sometimes it's cheaper at Sam's club. The "Gas Buddy" App for Android kicks ass. I know whether to tank up near work, or wait until I get home. And on top of it all, I use my Rewards Visa for EVERYTHING and pay it off each month because I get cash back on every purchase including gas. Every dollar ya save at the pump can buy more toys for the bike.

But see, there ya go again. When my daughter was still young and lived at home we'd all go to visit my in-laws in Florida almost every year. 900 miles from my front door to theirs. Our Avalon could easily do 450 miles on a tankful and was comfortable and quiet enough to do better than 200 miles in a sitting. Highway rest stops have restrooms, but not gas pumps. And you don't have to actually venture off the highway for them. So just like the wife and I do on the bike, travel half a tank, stop, stretch, pee, travel the other half tank and stop for gas, stretch, pee...lather rinse repeat. That meant ONE fuel stop in 900 miles, three stops total...fourteen hours, every time. Roll out of our driveway 9 AM, roll into the in-laws driveway 11 PM. One single day traveling each way, the rest of the time was for visiting, and nobody complained. As far as the extra payload affecting handling and fuel economy...when you're just going straight down I-75 all day, it's a non-issue.

Not everybody does it the same as you, and that should be ok.

 

With 3 munchkins, we could barely go 100 miles before somebody wants off. If it ain't the kids, it's us needing to take a break from listening to the kids whine and argue. Or... buying pacifiers (snacks, drinks,etc.) So, I tend to forget there are iron butts amongst us that can go a lot farther in one sitting, both in cars and on bikes.

Around town, my commute is about 64 miles round trip, so theoretically I could easily go 2 days between fill up. But I always stop by the gas station on my way home and top off anyway, for 3 reasons:

1. Gas happens to be quite a bit cheaper near my house
2. I often go for a lunch ride, usually short, but sometimes a bit farther out, like on Fridays
3. I would hate to be stuck in traffic and be watching that gas gauge like a hawk

The only bike I've owned that I don't do this is the C14, which has a practical range of about 200 miles.

 

It's all relative Bro. I don't consider myself an "Iron Butt" on the bike, but I am a drivin' mo-chine in a car. When my daughter was growing up, we drove everywhere (and we had a timeshare...so that was a LOT of places)! Airfare for three is ridiculous. Put me behind the wheel and I can drive a thousand miles straight through just about any freakin' weather you can throw my way. On the bike, a little less so, but it also depends on the bike. I trophied three times in the Lake Erie Loop, twice on my Derbi GPR50 and once on my GPR125. That's 650 miles in under 13 hours (11 hours on the 125) on a tiny sportbike. Each time, I was still ready for more at the end of the ride. 650 miles in a day on the FJR and you could barely pay me to get back on. I know plenty of guys that will do double that in a day, so no, I'm not an iron butt. But I do like to cover a lot of distance. Anybody who ever ran the LEL will tell you it's not the fastest bike that wins, it's the guy who is the master of minimizing stops. At least half the guys in that event run an auxiliary fuel cell. I didn't my first time, but I knew by the end of the day I would next time. Fuel stops gobble time! I've had more than my fair share of opportunities to learn that lesson. Yes, I'll take a bigger fuel tank almost any day.

 

No typo on that FJR and this either.. 8k miles on the odometer. Runs sweet..


Whilst extremely doubtful, an alternative to even trying to make an FJR a long ranger would be to go solo there kemosabe.. Good luck with that one..

 

I have put just over 16k, picked her up Jan 11, on my vfr 1200 the fuel range was a bit concern before I pulled the trigger but I've learned to live with it but I know that there are certin roads that I need to top off before I hit them and got caught once on fumes. The biggest leason I've learned is that your fuel range depends on how much rpms you run. The fuel range drives some of my longer range bike ridding buddies nuts when I stop to top off but like some wise writer once said, " you have to know your limitations." If I were going into the great unknown I would be stoping and toping especially if it were a Sunday in the South . You just have to do a little planing and know your own range bassed on what rpms you're running. I stop for fuel at 146, higher rpms, and 167 lower rpms, putting in around 3.8 gallons.

 

Never would nearly consider a FJR instead of a VFR, it's a so completely different bike.

However, the 120 miles (having 20 miles left to dry) fuel range are a bit short. With a gas station every 20 miles or so here in middle europe that's not really a problem, but commuting 3 or 4 days instead of only 2 or 3 would be better. Also it would be nice not to have to fill up right before a trip with others and not always having to stop at gas stations.
The low range doesn't get me in trouble, but a longer range would be more comfortable and more fun. At least 150 miles like the VFR 800 instead of only 120 would be nice.