New member to the forum, but not to riding. Over 30 years riding experience on just about everything from Enduros to race bikes. In the last few years I've owned a couple Yamaha FZ1s (total balls), a Kawasaki Concours (POS), Suzuki 650 Vstrom (great city bike), Kawasaki 650R (another perfect commuter), and my latest ride is a Ducati ST3. Love this last bike, but the maintenance is definitely an issue, even if they SAY it's less frequent now. Less frequent is an issue for me since I ride daily. Living in Florida I gave up riding cars about 4 years ago, so I put on 12,000-15,000 miles on a given bike just in daily riding and the weekend jaunts in nature. The Ducati 6,500 mile service costs about $1,200.00, so you can imagine that I am not hep to dropping that kinda money more than once a year on a bike that cost $13,000.00. I researched the VFR and even the maintenance tables for the bike. Sat on a few 2007 models, and test rode a 2006 for an hour or so. Love the Interceptor. A bit sluggish compared to my Ducati, but then the Ducati is basically their race bike with bags and a bit larger displacement. I'll probably be trading my Ducati in next weekend on either a 2007 Anniversary Edition, or the burgundy. Color doesn't really make a difference to me, but burgundy deifinitely is easier to color coordinate gear for. I do want the bags though. I don't want ABS. On loose pavement you can kill yourself with ABS. They cannot react properly on gravel or loose dirt, trust me on that. Honestly, I don't see what all the uproar is when it comes to the linked braking system. Pressing on the rear only activates one piston up front, and likewise, pressing the front only activates one piston on the rear. At high speeds that's not enough to even notice . Most experienced riders brake in that manner whether they realize it or not anyhow, using more or less pressures up front or in the rear under different braking circumstances. Everyone knows a single piston rear brake is practically useless, and that's the effect the linked braking system has at high speed stops when using just the front brake. At low speed city traffic you can finally feel the linked brakes actually work to keep the bike more at level, if you are in the habit of using the rear brake to come to a halt, which is a good idea when you have a passenger, trust me on that one too. The bike does suffer less front end dive when you KNOW how to utilize this braking system. So, I'll let you know what I choose. I may even be going to Georgia for a better deal on one. They list a 2007 Anniversary model for $9,199.00, almost $2,000.00 less than MSRP, so worth the 400 mile ride to me. I've told this to a local dealer today, so maybe they can deal with me. I am hoping to get out the door for about $10,000.00 with my trade-in. Stan
One thing I did notice... When I went to the shop today to admire the bike I noticed something different between the ABS and regular model. The ABS model has a handy knob to turn for the preload, whereas the regular bike you have to use the tool to turn the bezel on the top of the shock. That's weird to me. A different rear shock setup just because of ABS? Not that it matters much, but I found it strange. In fact, if you have the ABS model, have the bags on, and take on a passenger, you have to remove the bag to get to the adjuster knob. So, in fact, the standard setup is easier to use, IMO. Stan By the way... the shop I went to had two Anniversary Editions on the floor, one with ABS, and a regular maroon one on the floor too, so I think my odds of getting them to drop the price is pretty good. The 2008 is out and I am sure they are under pressure to get rid of the '07s. I pretty much hate the '08... If I wanted to have a bike in primer grey I'd do it myself. And the red Honda decal on the tank looks pretty cheap on it too, IMO again.
