Hello from a newb!

Thought I should post this message for you guys.

My name is Carl and I'm 32 and live in Tampa.

In 2006 my 60 year old mother decided she was going to buy a Honda Silverwing scooter. I was scared for her, so I took the MSF with her. Neither of us had ever ridden before. She was dead set on riding this scooter for the fun and also the gas savings. She's dropped it a zillion times and scratched every peice of plastic, but to her credit she was riding it every night to work.

So, fearing for her - I purchased a 2006 Suzuki C50T cruiser. It was also a wedding gift for me and my wife. Since it was my first bike, I wanted something I could learn on but still have some fun on. The wife has ridden with me a fair few times, but recently she complains that even a cruiser with Mustang seats and a sissy bar is too uncomfortable for the poker runs and longer cruises we do. So, she basically won't ride with me.

I'd wanted a sport bike right off the bat, buy opted for the cruiser for the wife's sake. Now she doesn't ride so I've decided to get something I'll enjoy more.

After doing a lot of research and reading all the reviews I could find, test driving as many of my friends bikes as I could...

I've settled on the VFR for my next bike - thanks in no small part to this forum.

I haven't pulled the trigger yet, because I still have to talk the wife in to it 100%. She says to do what makes me happy. In truth, I'll miss the cruiser just a little bit, but I know I'll have more fun on the VFR in the long run. And heck, we can always trade in later or buy a second bike if we want.

So, the only question for me is.... Which color? =)

My dealer has 2 2007 VFR's in the anniversary Red, white, blue and 1 2007 VFR in Dark Candy Red.

I like the anniversary scheme, plus I think it's got better resale value. But that dark red is pretty nice too. The wife, of course, doesn't really "get" the anniversary paint. She liked the 08 silver or the 07 red. I'm sticking with 07 in either of those colors because the price is right.

Anyway, once I make that decision, I'm washing the cruiser and taking it the 2 miles to the dealer on Saturday to hopefully pick up my new VFR. I'm super excited to get something with a little more power, a lot more acceleration and much more "sport fun" factor than my cruiser. Not sure how my cruiser buddies are going to look at me - and I guess that leather vest isn't going to work any more. HAHA!

On top of it all, my insurance only increases $40 per YEAR - for a grand total of $180 per year for the VFR.

Now for the mods! =)

 

the RWB. Just cuz Stuka voted for red. Actually my BDay is July 4, so there ya go. Welcome aboard. We want pics when you get her home.

 

Welcome!! I saw RWB! :biggrin:

 

I'm kind of leaning towards the red, but I've never actually SEEN it in person. The dealer has the red one in a crate in an offsite warehouse. He said he could have it put together by Saturday if that was the one I wanted.

I like the RWB because I think it has better resale value and it's more of a collector type deal, but the red looks super sexy in the pictures I've seen.

 

Welcome to the group. BTW, I am staying out of the color battle. lol

 

The Best Absence of Colour

Get the black one!

:biggrin:

 

Welcome! Flip a coin on the color... I chose the RWB, but I liked the lighter colored wheels on the red.

 

Welcome and great story about your mom, Carl. I went with the red, but the rwb is sweet.

 

RED RED RED!!!!!
RWB takes away from the beautiful lines IMHO


I said IMHO:unsure:

 

I called the dealer yesterday and told him to build the Dark Candy Red bike for pickup on Saturday.

I guess I prefer the solid color to the RWB scheme.

I'll post pics this weekend! So excited!

 

I have the red and it is gorgeous.. Really shows of the lines of the bike which are to die for. You can alway dress up the red a little with graphics or what not to spice it up.

There is a picture of mine in the Lower your bike thread in "how-to".

Really nice in the sun.

 

Go for a 2006 white one!
Nah, the color won't matter.....you'll LOVE the bike!

 

Welp! Here she is! Picked her up from the dealer today and promptly rode over 100 miles. I have a bit of wrist strain on my clutch side. That clutch seems awful stiff or long or something. Going to play with the rotation of the lever or see about some new levers.

Had an absolute blast on the bike today. For all of 30 seconds I thought I was going to miss my cruiser - but that changed quickly to a big goofy grin all afternoon!

The red is just an amazing color. The pictures on the net don't do it justice. It's such a deep red... love it! So does everyone who sees it.

 

welcome to the "ride red" team. that colour just glows in the sunlight.

i hope mom is still riding too -respect!

 

She sure is riding! She came over today and rode with me to the dealer. She stuck around while we did the paperwork and rode the whole 100+ without a spill!

=)

 

If you're having trouble with the clutch, you're not alone. The VFR clutch is a bit of a torture device. My next mod is going to be Pazzo levers in an attempt to make the clutch that much easier to use.

Get a Sargent seat & some pipes & let the V4 sing. I agree with you 100%, that Candy Red Pearlcoat is fantastic in person & photos simply don't do it justice.

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

 

There is an adjustment on the clutch (and brake) lever that will bring it in a bit closer. I found that helpful and very easy to do. There are instructions in the manual.

The bike looks great!

 

I found the clutch difficult, but only at first. Reasons are either it loosened up, or my wrist is stronger, or I stopped pulling it all the way in when shifting, or all of the above.