Hi, I just purchased my VFR on Friday night 2-22-08. It's a '07 red-white-and-blue. I took it out today (Sat) for its maiden voyage during a winter San Francisco rain storm. What a great bike! I hardly noticed the downpour but for my fogging visor. My first day with the bike and I already clocked over a 100 miles! For the record, my previous bike purchase was (in '98) a black '98 Valkyrie. I still have the Valkyrie and plan to keep it. What a difference between the two bikes! I'm glad I didn't buy another cruiser. The Valkyrie is such a great cruiser (lots of low-end torque). You can pull away from a stop in the top (5th) gear. The VFR is not so torquey--I know, I know, I've read so much about the great torque of the VFR's. Let's just say, I learned quickly, that you can't pop through the gears and settle into the top gear. You really have to judge the conditions and determine the best gear or range of gears. For the maiden voyage, I took it along Skyline (in the Bay Area) to Alice's Restaurant. Not much traffic on a downpour day. Unlike with the Valkyrie, I never thought, am I approaching this curve too quickly. The bike handled all with aplomb. Given my cruiser background, I was concerned with the level of comfort in the saddle. It really wasn't an issue. I found several ridding positions quite comfortable. The Valkyrie rides in an upright position with your legs supporting your weight--unlike most cruiser where your bum supports your weight. With the VFR, I found lying on the tank comfortable; arms extended and body upright comfortable; and several positions in between. I'm used to using my legs so my arms never tired. Let's just say that I'm very happy with my purchase and even happier for the difference in riding experience. Now I know the VFR experience first hand!
Congrats and welcome! Just got an '07 RWB myself this last October or November (?). Great bike. I used to ride Skyline / Highway 9 on my old Norton, back when the Earth's crust was still cooling. Even then, it was getting a bit crowded. I'm sure you were one of few out there on a bike today... How is it anymore, with regard to crowds and speeds?
Congradulations and nice choice of ride.....or should I say rides?! I sold my 87 Magna about 2 years ago and just bought my 07 RWB in Oct. Maybe there is something to the incessant need for a V4?.......:biggrin:
It was the '87 Magna that got me into the v4. The Magna was very fast especially in the higher rpm ranges. Because of the Magna, the VFR topped my "new bike" list. Skyline was, in a word, abandoned. I had lunch at Alice's and saw three other cyclists on their way out. Other than those three brave souls, no other bikes on the road. In general, I find Skyline rideable in the late afternoon. Not a lot of traffic. It seems most spirited riders come out earlier in the day.
I hope your bike does not end up with as much "temporary rigging" tape as your two friend have on them. Hope you enjoy the dry rides too. Much easier to clean the bike after those rides
