CycleWorld - VFR vs BMW F800ST - Guess who won?

So CycleWorld jokingly said they were reviewing all 800cc sport tourers in the US market - all 2 of them *heh*

Anyway, here's a link to this months preview:
http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=13&article_id=407

The article was pretty good - they rode a RWB VFR.

Having come from a BMW, it's nice to be a trend setter by purchasing it instad of the F800 :biggrin:

If you get a chance - pick up the magazine - always nice to see your motorcycle in print!

alow

 

Even if I wasn't just completley in love with the VFR, I think that they would have to do some dramatic restyling of the beemer to make it a more attractive choice to me. It just looks like a late 80's Kawi, or early 90's cbr600. On the other hand did you read the article about the Concourse 14? They mention our beloved steeds in that article followed by a remark at how Kawasaki's variable valve timing is the first real application on a motorcycle. I had a chance to look at an FJR1300 before purchasing my bike last year and I just feel like the VFR actually fills the 2-birds with-1stone addage extremely well. The FJR is a large bike, as I'm sure that the C14 will be also. So ultimately the VFR equals the ultimate sport touring bike!!
Can I get an "Amen"!

 

I got my issue in the mail the other day, still need to read it. Thanks for spoiling the ending! LOL :caked:

 

Here you go!:amen:

 

Zona - one post you claim to be slow, now you're reading the articles instead of looking at the pictures? What gives? :wink:

Haven't ridden the little beemer, but it is aimed at the re-entry market (read mid-life crisis buyers). Motorcycle News said BMW bought Husky? is that true?

oh, and "A-men brother"

 

I been too busy reading all these meritorious posts to take a little time to even read it. I did look at the pictures though and read the inset boxes, but that beemer is a bit abhorrent in the design area IMO and quite unsightly from the front. They do put their SSSAs on the wrong side after all! LOL.

 

I took an F800ST demo ride at Bike Week. Light, easy-handling bike. Parallel twin had a high frequency vibration. Not irritating, but unexpected as I had read that BMW did a lot of engineering to cancel out the vibes. Riding position fairly aggressive. Not much leg room. Not much wind protection either. No torque, but decent power when revved. Overall, a nice bike for the mountains. But hardly a match for the do-everything VFR.

 

The only thing the FS bike offers above the VFR is the 2 year warranty, that's it. The VFR is superior in just about every other measurable catagory.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

No surprise that the VFR beat the F800ST.
The BMW is a beginners bike, in the same class as Yamaha FZ6S, Kawa ER-6F, Suzuki SV650S...

And yes, BMW has bought Husquarna..

 

my 2 cents - The 2 year warranty is nice, but has anyone had trouble with their Interceptor in the first two years of ownership that the warranty would have helped?

the belt drive is nice, and the fuel mileage is likely higher. otherwise, not my cup-o-Joe.

 

Here in Norway we get 5 years warranty..

 

GTI... is that because the winter is so long you don't have as many good riding days?!

 

LOL. Could be. It`s limited to 40000km so I don`t think that`s the reason.

Most japanese bikes have the 5 year warranty. Even Aprilia have 4years...

 

Anyone know the exact issue date, cant find mine and CW needs the exact month for you to purchase back issues. Probably September or October, any help greatly appreciated.

 

Look at the date of the first post...

 

I did....before I posted...it's not the preview to the April 2008 issue that the link takes you to.

Nevermind found it it's the September 2007 issue and ordered one from a seller on Ebay as CW claimed that they had a fire and the have no back issue prior to Jan 2008 when I contacted them.

 

Amen Again!!!