Considering a 6th Gen

Hello,
I am new to this site. Lots of good info, and I have a few questions that I couldn't resolve via search. I figured I would ask the experts before I cough up the $$. After all you can only learn so much on a 30 minute test ride.

I have ridden somewhere around 100k on the street and have owned 12-15 cycles. My preferred riding style is sport touring, at an 8-9/10ths pace, in full gear, on the twistiest roads I can find, avoiding highways as much as possible. Generally, I ride 400-500 miles/day

So here is my situation. I have been riding a Buell XB9S, setup for sport touring, for the last 30,000 miles. I am guessing there aren't many Buell fans on this site, but you may be surprised at how easily it would soak up 500 mile days at a peg scraping pace.


Anyway, I sold the Buell. I also have a 2002 Honda 919 that I was going to setup as a sport tourer. I upgraded the rear shock, added a windscreen, and installed Renthal Ultra Low bars. The 919's motor and riding position are excellent, but I am just realizing that the front suspension is just not capable of an 8-9/10ths pace without spending significant $$. When leaned to the edge of the tire, the 919 really struggles to hold it's line. So that brings me to the VFR800...


I am considering a 2002-2005 VFR800 and have a few questions:
--How capable is the 6th Gen in the twisties with the stock suspension? Compared to an RR?
--I am 185lbs in full gear, are the stock springs setup for that weight or would they need some tweaking for a peg scraping pace?
--How do Helibars affect cornering ability? I am guessing it's a performance vs. comfort compromise or they would come from the factory that way.
--Is the stock seat suitable for long days?
--Is there anything I should be aware of on the 2002-2005 models?

 

Well, I weigh 202lbs without gear and stock suspension seems fine.. Stock seat is one thing I would like to upgrade... The only thing lacking in the VFR's handling is my abilities... A friend of mine who is a much more able rider performed feats of handling I never knew my machine could do... He was very impressed with the handling for such a heavy bike in his oppinion (He rides a Triumph Daytona.)

The VFR did not get motorcycle of the year for being a crappy bike..

As to things to be aware of? Perhaps others could answer better...

 

Not being a 6th gen owner I can only speak to a couple of issues.
1. The stock seat is prolly the first thing many people upgrade. Sargent and Corbin are the two top choices.
2. Many people of all generations upgrade the suspension. It seems most choose Ohlins rear and Racetec front( you could do revalving, springs or both).
3. the year you mention have had a wiring harness recall. You can tell if it was taken care of by looking at the vin plate on the left frame, there will be a punch after the vin number if the job has been done by a dealer.

Good luck.
Most of us use the VFR for exactly what you are looking for and we chose it due to the fact that this bike was built for all day riding in the twisties and on the slab.

 

* any weight over 160-170 should upgrade fork springs for cornering confidence.
(you'll want to balance it out with rear shock as well)
It's the single best mod. done to VFR's

* heli-bars or others are fine

* 02-05 main wire hardness recall-depends on your location for dealership turn around time if the bike you're looking at hasn't had it done already.

 

I am 192 pds. and the stock suspension is fine for me but I do agree the stock seat lacks a little on longer rides but with a little extra dough that can be fixed.This bike will not disapoint in the twisties guaranteed! So if you want performance you should be happy but if comfort is priority #1 I won't mislead this bike is a sport tourer with the emphasis on sport.

 

Thanks. This kind of sounds like the issue I am having with the 919. Going into corners the brake dive on the 919 can be un-nerving, it unloads the rear end to the point that it wants to move around. This isn't even hard braking, just adjusting corner entry speed. I am thinking (but not sure) that the VFR's linked brakes prolly reduce brake dive.

I measured the front sag on the 919 at 46mm, which is way to soft for my tastes. 2002 919 forks aren't adjustable, so I could either buy some Race Tech goodies, make some fork spacers, or get another bike. I am hoping that the 'out of the box' VFR is setup better for aggressive riding.

 

The VFR will initially feel better, as mine did, for spirited cornering. It's after you've spent some time with it and push it a bit that you'll feel it's suspension shortcommings.
The dive and wobble that you describe on the 919. It did still dive with the linked brakes.
(When using the front pinchers only, the left side frt-caliper is what triggers one of the rear calipers pistons)

I think you could spend some $$ and dial in the 919 suspension just the way you want it for a lot cheaper than selling and then buying a stock VFR.

Given what you said about "your" riding style, a stock VFR will also require some suspension tweaking.

It just depends what you want to be riding in the end.

Cheers!

 

Hmmm. Not the answer I was hoping for, but this is exactly why I started this thread. I want RR handling & ST comfort out of the box...is that too much to ask?

Let me ask it this way:
Let's say a skilled rider on a stock CBR600RR was 'pushing' on a twisty, tight, technical backroad. If that same rider was on a stock 6th Gen VFR800 how much would he have to 'dial it down?' 10%? 20%?

I don't push 100% on the street, just trying to get a frame of reference.

 

It's not too much to ask. It's a price point question. Some others already have the Brembo's and Ohlins as oem.
I'd like to have some other semi-exotics but I'm too practical for all that.

I'll take Honda build quality (relatively speaking) and go from there any day.

You're going into apples/oranges country; a pure sports to a gentleman's ST

You could always drop down to around 155lbs and you'd be all set!