Decisions - opinions welcomed

Hey guys,

I registered for this forum a while ago - basically just rode my friend's VFR in college and loved it. I ended up getting a YZF750 to race - been a long time and I've been off the bike for a few years now (8) and am looking to get back in the game. That being said, I'm not going to race. I love the VFR but am not sure it's the bike I need. I love the sporty ride, the comfort - it's a great bike (until the messed up the design on the newer ones making it look like something from the jettsons.) I love the 2005 6th gen in silver. I found one close by with 20K miles. Not sure if the valves have been adjusted or not. How many miles can you get out of these engines? Is the linked braking going to kill me with my racing background? I never used the rear brake unless I was in the grass....or in the rain rarely...I raced WERA expert so I'm a fairly decent rider - but am unsure of all this whizbang ABS, etc.

I am also considering the Ducati Multistrada - I know I know - 2 totally different motorcycles. I need to do some gravel roads, light offroad duty - nothing too crazy. My buddy has an RC51 and a GS1200 and he's wanting to take a long trip. I'm wanting to get back in the game but with something I can hang with him on. The multi would do the offroad work and if I did decide to do a track day, it could hang.

But it's $20K!!! I can't spend that so...$4000 for a silver 2005 VFR800? see what happens or save up and get the multi -

No offense to VFRs at all. If we were going to do all street - I wouldn't even consider the multi...I love the VFR - the sound - the look -

Has anyone here gone from VFR to multistrada? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
thanks everyone for taking the time to read this and respond.
If I do get the VFR, I look forward to learning from you and getting back in the saddle!
Cheers.

 

IMO the VFR is a hard bike to beat for the money...it does nothing great but it does EVERYTHING good. In the right hands, and with some suspension work, it is IMO quite a capable corner carver and will hang with anything. There is probably no comparison between a VFR and the Multistrada especially from a HP standpoint, lol. You could get a really nice 6th gen VFR, do some mods including suspension and still come in at under 7 or 8 grand and have a fully capable, do it all sport tourer. Of course forget about the off roading

That being said, If you have 20K to spend by all means get the Multistrada..it's a helluva bike!

 

I agree - what suspension mods would I need to do and what would that cost? I think the offroad is the deal breaker. I used to race mountain bikes too so I'm ok offroad but the VFR just isn't setup for that. I sort of want to design my own VFR a little more clearance and higher/wider bars..haha.

Thanks so much for your input. I appreciate it.

 

20K is nothing for this bike. There are several guys here that are up to the 100k range and more. The valves are recommended to be changed every 16K but most people here have stated that its really not needed to be done till around the 32k range. Even then the adjustment is very slight if at all. (there are threads here on this). As for the linked breaking.... I only notice it when I use the rear break and only if Im, for the lack of a better description, "standing" on it. If you don't use the rear break you wont notice the linked breaks. What may surprise you is the weight. It is heavier than a sport bike but it can still carve corners. 4K$ IMO is not a bad price as long as it was taken care of. As for my opinion as the VFR for off roading....well, I hope I never find out.

 

You could look at Daugherty Motorsports...he specializes in these bikes or go Racetech/Ohlins...all depends on how much you wanna spend. If you are looking at off road, go elsewhere, lol....seriously

 

WRT the offroading...yeah, a guy can dream right? haha. I just love the VFR but I can't afford a sweet ST and a dual sport rig. Althought for the price of the multi I guess I could. haha. I might just tell him to go on the offroad stuff without me and I'll just stick to the roads and go VFR. He hasn't even gone offroad yet on his GS so...and this trip we're planning is mostly on road. I just couldn't buy a GS...the thing is a tractor trailor of a bike...haha and I think trying to carve it up would be a bad idea on that thing. I'm hoping I can control the impulse but after you've raced, it's a different story. haha. I like the adventure side of things and being able to go anywhere but I also like the carve.
Thanks for the input. I'll stew on it some more and probably wait until spring. Our trip isn't until next summer. I stilll have to rebuy all my gear, geez. I wish I could just be content watching tv.

Thanks to racing, skydiving, wind tunnel, snowboarding, and mountain biking, I'll never stop working...haha...oh well.

 

It also depends on what you mean by offroad. If you mean the occasional dirt or gravel roads, as long as you aren't in a hurry the vfr will negotiate them fine. If you mean lots of dual sport type trails, then look at a different bike. I ride in the mountains a lot and a lot of the roads will turn to really crappy dirt/gravel roads a mile or two from the top of the mountain. I ride these all the time on my vfr, but not quickly.:wink:

 

The brakes on the VFR CAN be de-linked, if you really hate them. Most guys on the street seem to be OK with them. Track? Could be a different story. Hell, I think there was a thread on here just recently about de-linking where people were getting their shorts all tied up in a knot.

Suspension: Sky is the limit type of thing. There's all sorts of choices. I would think - based on your past racing history - you would want to change the suspension before anything else. If you wrench yourself, you could probably have a pretty sweet set up for $1,000 all in.

Other things to consider:

PC 5
Sargent, Corbin or Custom saddle work, especially if you're going to do a long trip.
2002-2005? 2006? had a wiring harness recall. Free. Can call any Honda dealer, run the VIN, and they can confirm if it was completed or not.
Gear: Plenty of places online. I'm a fan of www.motorcyclegear.com They have a closeout section as well, and provide great write ups. I've never had a bad experience with them.

Now we can really piss people off and start talking about the best oil and tires for your potential new ride...

 

I have an 05 VFR and it is a great year for the bike. I have it setup with a Power Commander , PSR Levers, Driven Motorcycle Grips, Zero gravity Windscreen and LeoVance Slip-on. I have Dunlop RoadSmart tyres on the bike and plan on getting the Dunlop Q3s for next summer. The stock suspension is OK but can be improved - I am in NYC and plan on checkin Washington Cycles in NJ to have the Ohlins S46DR1 shock and progressive springs setup on the bike. I am in Queens, NY - check me later if you wanna do some riding - I am a member of the Ghetto Coalition and ride with FB4L MC - I am not an Outlaw. http://www.indysuperbike.com/customer/product.php?productid=7111626

 

Oh yeah BTW a friend of mine who rides with the Hwy Bullies MC is a mechanic at the Ducati dealer in Manhatan. Lemme know if you decide to go with Ducati and I will give you his info

 

Funny cause I am in a bit of a similar boat and I actually have my VFR for sale (And it is sold as of Wednesday) and I am moving to an adventure type bike. In my case a Triumph Tiger 800. Not the fastest bike but not slow either and the motor (triple) is an absolute gem. It also handles pretty damn good and probably with some suspension work could be a weapon in the corners and still be capable off road.

 

The Multi has been my dream bike ever since it became a 1200. Like you, the $20k did not fit my budget when I was lookin for a new bike, wanted something more sporty on the road then the DL 1000 I'd been riding. I ended up taking advantage of the 2010 VFR price drop and I'm very happy. This summer I've had the opportunity to put a couple hundred KM's on the knew Multi S, just about pissed myself getting on it for the first time, coming from the dirt I loved everything about this bike. I can't say I was disappointed, the torque was amazing and it carved as well as the VFR, guess I've got used to sitting with abit of the forward lean on the VFR and enjoy it, find it takes some pressure off my back as well. When riding the VFR I feel ready to tackle the world, on the Multi I'm all set to see the world. I'll have a Multi one day; I'll be retired, the kids will be out of the house, the dog will have died and my wife will have become understanding of my long absences.

 

Hey, I just realized, I will have become Randy.

 

From what I've seen, she will be right there with you!

Back to the subject,

I've had the pleasure to sample the Ducati Hypermotard and several of BMW's newer GS models and all I can say is that I was happy to be back on my cepter every time. It just fits perfect and does exactly what I want it to do. As far as the brakes, I would give em a shot and I think you may be surprised at how transparent they are in actual use on the street. If you were going to use it as a track day tool week after week it may make sense to change / delink the brakes but it would also make sense to change the suspension and while you're at it you may as well just buy a track bike cause it would be cheaper and faster.

In reality, it's almost impossible to get more value for $4k anywhere. Oh and you also get to hang with us too so where is the downside?

 

Rob you almost there
Now wake up and get to work ound:
+++++++ 1 on the Multistrada or the Hypermotar

 

Frist post here, but I've just had another ride on my friend's VFR that he just bought. This bike has 60K miles and he had to install a new radiator. But this bike was a HOOT to ride. I own an Aprilia RSV 1000 R and while it's an amazing machine, I think it will probably be my last serious sport bike. It feels like I have a hot girlfriend and but I like admiring my friend's hot girlfriend too... and maybe upgrade to her after I'm done with this girlfriend. LOL. Terrible anology, I know. But seriously, the VFR was one of the most effortlessly fun bikes I've ridden in a while.

The suspension could certainly use some help and the brakes were just shit. I'd have to upgrade those two things immediately. I didn't have as much issue with the front back brake link, but what can I do to fit just more aggressive brakes? Am I just too used to the Brembos on the RSV? Is it possible to get something like that on the VFR? What about adjustable front suspension? Oh, and that on off throttle... probably a simple fix with a throttle tamer or something.

 

I just recently took my VFR off road. It went exactly as well as you might expect. I do not recommend.

 

:welcome: to the madness :wave:
Yes if you invest a bit of $$$ to the suspension, PCV gaffer break.....Your VFR is ready for anything :thumbsup:

 

Some SS break lines along with the Galfer rotors and you choice of pads would probably help.