questions on ergos comparo between 5 and 6 gen.

First off , I'd like to say that I did a search and did not find a thread discussing the issue I am inquiring about. If there is an existing thread, I apologize for not finding it and please direct me to it.

I am looking for riding position and overall comfort comparisons between a 5 gen and a 6 gen. I don't want to turn this into one gen being better than the other thread, there is enough of this discussion in other threads and I believe that both gens have their pros and cons and leave it at that.

I currently ride a 6 gen but I also had a seldom used CB900F/919/Hornet. I sold the 919 recently but now looking to replace it with a 5 gen VFR. I had a second bike (919) mainly so that my wife can ride the odd times that we have time to ride together. She liked the riding position of the 919 but wasn't crazy about lack of wind protection. I could shop for a true touring bike but she feels most comfortable on bikes weighing around 500 lbs or even less. I haven't ridden a 5 gen so I really don't know anything about the ergo's, I'm hoping that some of you have had personal experience with both bikes an share your thoughts on the comfort and riding positions between the two bikes.

Also, what would be a fair price for a 99 VFR with 21k km on it? There is one listed on a local classified that I may look at, the owner is asking $6,000 CAD.

Thanks.

 

I would also be curious to take a 5th gen out for a test run. I may want to do the same thing and get the 5th gen as a spare bike. Who knows, if I like it better than my 6th gen I would make it my main rider! If anyone lives by me with a 5th gen and wants to go for a ride with me and switch bikes for the ride just hit me up with a PM. I live in Salt Lake, Utah.

 

I had a 05, currently a 00....ergos are very close..I did find the seat a bit better shape on the 00, but otherwise it probably just comes down to the adjustments being the same. I do find the front plastic of the 05 seems bigger in front of me and the 00 feels smaller because of that, but i suspect its more just the shape and they are close. As for your wife, the 5th is noticeably lighter. But no big deal either way. if she likes the ergos of yours, then it will work..

 

Having ridden both, once you replace the stock seat on either Gen with a Sargent, the 5th Gen will have the more comfortable seat.

The 6th Gen has better wind protection.

The rest of the ergo's are pretty much equal.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

between gen 5 & 6 not much ergonomically, altho to me gen 6 feels a bigger bike and IMO, i think non vtec is an easier ride. agree with KC 10 on the seat, i had a corbin on my gen 5 and it made a huge difference. the stock seat is made to a price and i think it feels like, around $10:bs:

you've mentioned a transition from the 919 hornet. just a thought on that , espesh with the wife in mind. The V4 may possibly be wider at the tank/seat junction than the hornet which may be an issue if the hornet is a good fit, also the V4 will probably feel more top heavy than the hornet, something to consider from a rideability point of view for the wife.

worth considering also would be the 2001(onwards) Honda VTR 1000, narrow in the tank, light wieght, lots of bottom end power, and a nice 'ride all day' riding position. try and get a ride before you buy on both these if you can.

 

It appears that any differences in the ergos is quite minimal between the two gens and it may just come down to personal preference. I like the suggestion of VTR as an alternate, I will have to look into it.

Thanks for all the info, I look forward to any other comments and suggestions.

Cheers.

 

5th gen. definitely the 5th gen

 

Having gone from a Gen 6 to a Gen 5 ergo wise found the Gen 5 felt very familiar bars slightly lower but quickly used to and the seat becomes little soft over distance, but in the end don't think you'll have trouble Alternating between the two VFR's.

 

Get a 5th gen blah blah blah. There both very comfortable for sporty sport tourers. I might also say both are unique in there field. I got go eat a yellow banana now, harvested around 2000..