Considering a VFR - Questions

Just sold my '03 Corvette and I'm thinking about getting another bike after a couple of year lay-off. I crashed an FJR in '05 and decided to take a break.

I want something reliable and with available lockable hard luggage. I'm kind of down to a short list of: FJR, VFR, or Bandit 1250. Not really looking for a recommendation on which bike to get, this is a VFR forum so I know everyone will say "get the VFR."

I like the VFR because it's the smallest displacement of the three. Insurance companies still seem to like to tie rates to displacement. If I get the VFR it will either be a 2007 or 2008.

Two questions have come up in my search, and I'm hoping some owners can provide feedback.

1. I keep reading about how abrupt the VTEC transition is. I owned an S2000 and always felt the VTEC transition was like a small turbo kicking in. But I'm wondering how much more noticeable it will be on a much lighter vehicle like a motorcycle. I don't want to have to always be worrying mid-corner that a throttle roll-on will cause the back wheel to start spinning.

2. I've heard that service on the VTEC motor is more expensive. I'm not real mechanically inclined, and don't have an interest in becoming moreso. I can change my own oil, but for pretty much anything else I take it in. What I was told was that they basically have to open up the engine twice, once for the two-valve configuration, put it back together, configure for four-valve, and open it up again. Any comments on that? What is the mileage interval for this type of work? Of course the dealership is telling me, "Don't worry, it's not that much more money and you don't do it that often", but they're trying to sell me a bike.

Thanks.

 

The dealership is right, you don't have to do it that often, I think the first valve INSPECTION is at 12K. As for the VTEC, it will definitely put a smile on your face when you hear and feel it, as for the back wheel spinning when you engage it, I don't think so. According to dyno info, the bike does not have a sudden spike in power when it happens, but it does feel really cool. I would'nt take a Yam or Zuk product over a Honda ever. You do have a point about the insurance also. I do not think 'dissapointment' would go in the same sentence as 'VFR'. Just my opinion.

 

bought a new 06 vfr last year. The VTECH transition is more noticeable when it was new, I now have 6500 miles and the transition is more smooth but still noticeable enough to make me say to myself - damn this bike rocks. Very easy around town. 90% of my riding is between 35 and 55 and think it rides just great; but I still love to open it up on the highway - vtech here I come. I think the first valve job is 16 K. I've heard different prices, anywhere from $400 to $800. You'll love the bike.

 

Craig, as a new owner I can tell you the VFR is a great bike. The VTEC is enough of a kick to be noticeable but not something that gets me into trouble in corners since I think about where to apply the power. You are right on the insurance and I agree that the quality of the Honda will wax the other bikes you mention. It is a sweet machine. Hard to go wrong. And that Silver 08 is a looker!
Good luck!

 

So,what's the problem with V-TEC and corners?
If I'm doing casual riding and not pushin' the corners,roll on thru corner at sub V-TEC rpm is no prob,...even if V-TEC kicks in, during a light roll on, thru an easy corner it is NOT unsettling!!!
If I'm attacking my favorite set of curves and leanin' her over hard, I just set my entry speed and RPM into the V-TEC before corner entry and roll-on thru the corner is un-eventfull!!!
I guess what I'm saying is that yes, the V-TEC CAN unsettle the bike if you are draggin' the footpeg and it engages, but then you are riding the bike wrong!!!
The bike is a Jekyl-Hyde...just decide which you want to be before corner entry!!

Oh yeah,
The VFR is hands-down better than the FJR or the Bandit if you have any sporting intentions!

 

I dunno. :unsure: I've gotten feedback from people (who admitedly have never ridden the bike) that the VTEC can be "abrupt." So I wanted to know from owners what that really means.

Again, not really looking for comparisons between the bikes because I know what everyone here will say (it is a VFR forum after all).

Having said that, I'm not going to be dragging any footpegs (at least not intentionally). I rode an FJR for a couple of years (that's what I crashed) and it's a great bike, but since the crash my wife has no interest in riding with me (she wasn't on the bike when I crashed, but it scared her off). The price difference between a non-ABS VFR w/bags and an '08 FJR is about $1500, but for the extra $1500 I get adjustable windscreen, heated grips, ABS, and shaft drive (lower maintenance, don't have to carry chain lube on roadtrips). If I get the ABS VFR the price difference drops to $500. On the negative side, larger displacement, probably worse fuel economy, possibly higher insurance (although I just went through Progressive's web site and quoted both and the rate was exactly the same), and heavier (more work to ride). The majority of my riding will be sport-touring (i.e. long rides on the least straight roads I can find between point A and point B for 500 miles a day).

From the replies I've gotten it seems the VTEC transition isn't as abrupt or unsettling as I've heard (or read in some reviews), and the service interval is long enough that I'm not going to be faced with a big bill every 3000 miles.

There are corners in Manitoba? :smile: (Coming from someone born and raised in Regina)

 

Ah, that's the problem!

Powerslave's comments are right on! VTEC is controversial for several reasons, but no one here is going to say that the transition is unmanageable in a corner. Your rear tire won't spin and your teeth fillings won't fall out. When I play I keep the revs above 7000 and get after it. When I am touring I keep the revs below 6500 unless I am passing. By the way, 5000 RPM is 75 MPH (indicated) in top gear.

I ride my VFR mostly like you - sport-touring on the twistiest 2-lane highways I can find! I travel solo and use a tank bag and find that the bike is perfect - although I wish it had more torque. If I travelled two-up I might consider a different bike, but the VFR is perfect for me right now.

 

This is what I've decided. V-Tec transition is mostly noise. Nothing violent, haven't been shocked by my '06. I don't believe it's the best bike in the world, but for the $, you can't buy a better one for all around riding. My wife, who has been riding with me for 18 years, says it's a "ME" bike, and wants me to get a "WE" bike. When I pay it off, I get a ST-1300 to sit beside it.
Hope this helps.

Mac

 

I have an '07. The Vtec transition is abrupt but predictable. It happens around a certain RPM. (6500) or so. You are going to feel a little somethin' and more noise basically. A 10% increase in power maybe??? It will start pulling good at that point if you keep rolling the throttle. It won't upset your cornering too much. Probably not at all if you maintain throttle. You'll most likely be in a higher gear and not in that RPM range unless you are trying to have spirited riding at which point you'll be expecting it. Capisce?

Bottom line. Don't worry about it. Not really a purchasing factor. You have a corvette and rode an FJR before. This is not in those categories.

The emphasis is on sport in Sport-Touring (VFR). FJR is emphasis a little more Touring.

 

Not sure what you meant by this... Do you mean the power bump is not comparable to that of whacking the throttle on an FJR (or putting my foot to the floor on the Corvette), or that the VTEC transition is more powerful than either of those?

Maybe I'll have to reconsider the FJR then, because touring is really the emphasis I'm looking for, but I was looking at the VFR because it's lighter, less expensive to buy, and cheaper to insure.

Thanks for the info.

 

You need to ride one to see for yourself.

 

Craig-
I was in the same situation as you. Last year I totaled my ST1300 and after 5 mo. of healing I decided on an 07 RWB. 44K on the ST and I loved the bike but was ready for a change. The Vtec is nothing to be concerned about, you know when it's gonna hit and you control it. It is not abrupt. 10 days ago I did my first 1200 mile weekend and the VFR will be less forgiving (on the body) than the FJR. Keep in mind it is more SPORT than touring but it will tour rather well. Good luck on your choice.

Mike

 

Craig,

I own a 4th generation VFR750 and I do all of my work myself. I can't speak to the VTECH issue but I purchased my '95 with 4000 miles on it a couple of years ago and I'm at 42000 now. I've checked my valve clearances twice (18k and 36k) and they have not required adjustment. I've got a buddy who has a '94 with over 125k miles and he's never had to adjust his valves either. That may or may not be typical, but checking the clearances on my bike really wasn't that much of an ordeal. You might want to ask the dealer if the charge to inspect your clearances is the same whether or not they require adjustment (my bike has shims so it's a little more involved to adjust them).

 

The VTEC motors need all four cams removed and reinstalled twice to check valve clearances, so labor is more expensive. It is supposed to happen every 16K miles, but few people here have ever had to have shims changed. The one significant advantage the FJR offers over the VFR and Bandit for touring, to me anyway, is that it is shaft drive, so no chain lube to worry about. I considered the FJR for a bit, but I really prefer cornering more than straight-lining.

 

That would be ideal, but only two dealers have any '07s in stock and neither of them will allow them out for a test ride.

I find a lot of that is the rider. I'm not looking at either bike to kick the ass of the other, which is why I've said I don't want this to be a comparison of which bike is 'better', they both have their pros and cons. I've ridden my YZF with guys on cruisers who can ride faster than I can. I'm not a racer type, never have been, and since crashing, never will be. Heated grips aren't a big deal for me, and if I find my body can't take the riding position (I did put 35,000 miles on a YZF600R) I can always add Helibars.

Even if it wasn't a VTEC motor, I wouldn't do that kind of maintenance myself. Not skilled at it, and really have no desire to learn. Would rather just pay someone else. I did get a quote from one dealership for the 16k service and it wasn't that bad ($650).

I prefer cornering too, but the FJR handles that quite well.

But again, this is turning into a comparison thread, which was not my original questions. It's a VFR forum, so of course most people are saying, "Get the VFR." That's not a criticism, it's just a fact.

My list of options is relatively small. In my first post I said I had two requirements: reliability and lockable hard luggage. Omitting bikes to which I could add aftermarket Givi bags, that basically meant: Bandit, FJR, VFR. I didn't consider the Triumph ST because a buddy has one and it isn't all that reliable. The VFR seemed the perfect choice, but I'd heard a couple of things about it that I wanted some cold, hard facts about.

The pros I see to it have nothing to do with its cornering ability to whether it'll outrun any other bike in the corners. They are:

• Lighter than other options
• Less expensive, although by the time you add bags and possibly heated grips and Helibars you eat up some of the savings, but it's still about $1500 to $2000 cheaper. One of the dealers has an '07 ABS for $9366 out-the-door.
• Cheaper to insure
• Better gas mileage

The cons, which is really why I started this thread originally, are:

• More expensive maintenance due to VTEC. Given my riding history, that won't be for three to four years though, because it took me seven years to put 35k on my YZF600R.
• Possible abrupt/upsetting transition to VTEC. Responses on this thread have been on both sides of the fence, some say it's nothing, others say yes, it's abrupt.
• Chain drive means lubing and adjusting on the road. Single-sided swingarm and center stand make that a less-painful proposition though.

It doesn't sound like anyone reading this thread has had to have the 16k service yet (or they've done it themselves), so it's hard to say what people are really paying. Having gotten a quote on the 16k service, it doesn't seem that bad. The VTEC 'issue' may or may not be a problem, so I'll just have to take my chances on that one.

 

You are very logical about this process which is good. There is a balance between the logical/pocket book and the sexiness/gut feeling. I understand the dealer-won't-let-me-test-ride the bike bit but there MUST be some dealers around with a used or a demo bike (the big Honda dealers keep a demo bike) or a forum member who will let you ride a 6th gen near you (start a separate thread here). I bought the VFR without testing it. I KNEW it was the right bike for ME. After owning for awhile, I know I made the right choice. It sounds like you need to ride them all. Then, listen to your butt and your mind.
Ah, good karma!!!