New guy...asking questions from the experts

I've been lurking around the site for a couple of days and been all thru the old posts and still have questions....so I thought I would post.

Anyway on to my question. I currently have an 06 F4i...it's ok, and for my first sportbike and being off a bike for 10 years it did what I wanted in the begining. A year and half later...I have discovered track days and devote a lot of time to my riding. Specifically for the track, and on the track the f4i has plenty. In fact, wrapping that bike up on the track actually gives me a whole new respect for that bike. But the F4i lacks torque. I grew up riding dirtbikes, so a bike with no torque is quite boring to me.

On the track, the f4i is a lot of fun and I don't feel like I'm outgrowing the bike. On the street....I really notice the lack of torque and want a bigger bike, but I don't want or need a liter bike. I live in the Tulsa area and all the good roads are in AR....but 300-400 miles on the f4i is my limit before I want off. So I'd really like something that is "comfortable". Another pet peeve of mine is group rides. Quite often I'm the only 600 in the group and when I'm in the back staying with the group of bigger bikes is a challenege. I also do quite a bit of 2 up riding with my wife....and riding the hills in AR is miserable with her on the 600.

Wife is cool with me keeping the 600 for the track..and for her to possiblily to learn ride on. For the street, I've decided I need more torque....not neccessarly more hp. But I don't want to give up the feel of the twisties on a sport bike for a cruiser. I'm not really impressed with the FJR or Bandit...I'm gonna be 32 and those strike me as bikes my dad would ride. But the VFR has always appealed to me.

So after all that....the question is....will the VFR handle 2 up riding with out a lot of shifting...is it comfortable for a 400 plus mile day....can it still handle the twisties....and will it give me the torque I want? And will it remind me I'm not on a supersport bike? Cause lately, I'm loosing the sensation of speed on the street and it's starting to scare me. Meaning going faster in turns doesn't bother me and exiting a turn well over 100 mph is not so uncommon anymore. Hope that didin't come off to squidish.

Sorry for the long post...

Shades

 

Hello!

Based upon what you wrote, a VFR may just be the ticket for a great "street" bike.

You may want to invest in a few things like and aftermarket seat and maybe update the springs in the front forks, but all else should fall into place.

Anthing from 1990 on in model years could work for you.

Just my 2 cents.

And feel free to ask as many questions as you need to!

BZ

 

If I rode a lot of 2-up, which I don't, I'd sersiously lean towards the FJR over the VFR in all honesty. You just can't beat those extra cc's the Yammy has over the VFR for 2 up, IMHO.

 

Most of my two up riding is done in town. The wife might go out with me 2 or 3 times a season and it's never really an aggressive ride.

 

I don't like the lack of midrange with just me riding the bike (about 185 w/riding gear). It isn't bad for an 800cc motor on a 575 pound motorcycle, but it is soft. It is a great bike for highway cruising, does real well in the twisties (feels lighter than it is), but serious power needs about 8500 RPM to get on the boil. A Triumph Sprint might be an interesting alternative, or an FJR, or a Bandit 1250S.

 

Note: He said it B-4 me

Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut, I think in your case the VFR (5th gen) would be perfect for you ! :wink:

 

If I can still do the math, doesn't superbike torque=RC-51 or is that just an approximation?

 

so I rode a 6th gen last night.....I still can't wipe the smile off my face...took the wife out on it....it has plenty of go for the both of us, and she said it was way more comfortable than the f4i.....

talking to the dealer about a trade. I give up the track days for a year or so...but I think it's worth it....:whoo:

 

Ohhhhh! There u go! Get yourself a nice 6th Gen. I fell in love with mine since the first day. Keep us informed on the purchase.

 

I never ride with a passenger, but even so midrange torque isn't all that impressive. Better than the F4, though!

I was looking at the VFR, the Triumph Sprint ST (great engine, blah looks), the Ducati ST3 (great engine AND great looks) and the Ducati Multistrada (great engine and comfort, but butt ugly). I would have been happy with any of these.

 

So look what followed me home today......

Can't seem to find the f4i though...:biggrin:

 

Wow! Thattsa nice bike!!!!

 

Brilliant bike, you'll be really happy with it, I'm sure.

Now, let the accessorising begin...!
Might want to start with some Carbon bits like this...
<------

 

Ohh Yeah! Congrats! Now all u have to do is joint hte militia, and u r set! Look for 6th Gen Militia roll cal on most active forums.

 

Nough said, Congrats, was going to say what some have, but I see I'm a bit late. BTW Nice bike. and Welcome, you'll like it here.

 

congrats again.... great choice in color to

 

1400 miles on here as of this morning.....not bad given it's spring/monsoon time in Oklahoama....

 

Sharp bike.
Would be intresting to see what you find out about the 6th gen.
I love my bike because it is fun. In the end thats what it all comes down to.