2006 Leftover VFR

Hey guys, need a little advice to help make a descision. My wife and I sold our bikes when we moved last year from Maryland back home to Vermont(We had a 06 ZX10R and an 06 R6). The roads in Vermont are fun and full of twistys but usually a little rough. I have been thinking for awhile about getting something more comfortable but still mucho fun to ride. Im in between a leftover new 2006 VFR, a used Busa(havnt located yet), and possibly a bank breaking 2008 silver ZX14. I think if money were no option the 14 would be in my driveway right now......We are going to settle for one bike at the moment and will be 2 upping till at least next year when I believe the little lady will get a new 600RR(which of course I get to ride!) So if I were to get the VFR, down the road I will still get to ride something more aggressive. If I had my choice it would be twisty's not 180 down the straight ridding. So my 2 questions are: 1 Is the VFR enough bike to keep me excited? 2 What should I pay for a 2 year old new bike? The sales person said they were asking 9250, seems high for 2 years old to me....I looked up the retail value of an 06 with Kelly Blue and it said 7850, but of course thats not considering that the bike is new with no miles. Sorry for the book guys! Could really use some opinions from anyone who has ridden a VFR and Busa/Zx14 to see what the pros and cons are of both, thanks!

 

I can't speek to the ZX14 or the Busa. I own a 2006 VFR so I will speek to that. I ride two up all the time with either my wife or my daughter. It pulls just like there is nothing on the back instead of the 100+ extra pounds. I am 6.0 240 and have no issues with this bike not being enough. I have heard of folks trading it in and complaining that they couldn't keep up with the liter bikes but in the hands of a capable rider this bike can keep up with anything out there on the street. Just about anything you will want to do on the street you can do on the VFR.

I commute most days to work on mine. On weekends, I hit the twisties and if I want I can throw on a set of softbags and head out of town on a 4 or 8 hour a day trip and be no worse for ware. It is a very comfy bike to ride and the passenger can remain comfy for long periods as well. All of which make the VFR shine. If you are not commuting or doing any touring the VFR might not be for you.

 

Get the 06 VFR

I am new to the forum since purchasing my new 2006 VFR Pearl black, NO MILES, in April this year. I paid 7999.00 in Troy, NY. Not far from Vermont. The Sales person did mention that they purchased the lot of bikes at a great price for them at the time and that they could not even get them now for the same. I bought there last one on the floor. They had no 07-08's. Over 9K seems like a lot, Should be more in the 8K range.

I love my new bike. It is plenty sporty enough to keep me busy and smiling. It is however the sportiest bike I have ever ridden. If you want to tour and enjoy some long Vermont days on the roads up there, the bike is certainly comfortable enough to ride two up and ride spirited. Great balance, Great motor. Great everything. Lots of aftermarket tweaks if you want more. Hope this helps

Al

 

I've been riding street for many decades, and from my perspective, the VFR is WAY beyond my abilities to take to its cornering limits. If I was going to do track days, an RR bike would be better. If I wanted to make myself giddy with face-flattening acceleration, definitely a 'Busa style bike. For the best compromise of everything sporty and the capability to ride all day long, the VFR is really tough to beat.

 

IMHO, I believe the VFR will satisfy all of your solo sporting requirements (especially with a future 600RR available for possible track days) and will serve as a fine temporary two-up mount (provided the two riders don't exceed 350-ish pounds and you're not both riding to visit your friends in California!), Except for the all out rush of a Busa/ZX-14 on a short blast down a straight road (who likes too many of those straight roads anyway?), you will not be disapointed in the power/balance/smoothness/comfort of the VFR.

 

I agree. This is an all around good bike. No complaints.

 

I paid $7999 for my leftover '06 in October of 2007. Anything more than that seems like overpaying at this point unless the one you were looking at had ABS.

 

The local dealership has a 2006 on the floor for $7995.00, I wouldn't pay no more if I was in the market for a 2006 ...

 

Hey Guys, all the response's were extremey helpfull. I am having trouble with the price tag of 9250, Im sure I can get it for less than that. I really couldnt see paying more than 8k as some of you suggested, and even that seems in the higher area as Kelly prices it at 7850 retail( but probably Used condition). I like turns much more than straights and I get the idea this bike would leave a Busa behind in the twisty's. I just came off a Zx10R, so you can see my reason for carefull thought on this. The other issue I have with this bike is the imediate need for new shoes, 10 year old Dunlops make me cringe! What tire do most of you find compliments the handeling of this bike most? Thanks again for the feed back! I feel very welcome despite not being a current owner, Jt

 

Since you came off a sport bike recently, I would suggest a more sport oriented tire. Mich Pilot powers or Pilot Power 2CT. Dunlop has a new roadsmart available too.

Some folks here like the conti road attacks but I have no experience with them. I do know that putting some premium rubber on the bike will change the handling for the better.

 

Price for bike and Tires

Was wondering if you had specified the type of bike. Base or ABS. That would make a difference in the asking price of around 8K and their current ask of 9200. There is a $1000 difference between the original MSRP of the bike to start. It makes me think this is an ABS you are pricing and you will not likely get them down to 7900 with that option.

As for tires, I am soon to change to the Dunlop Roadsmarts. They have received good early handling reviews. I have front and rear sitting in my garage. Ordered from Motorcycle Superstore for a good price. (it seems) I am riding on the OEM Dunlop D204s. I do nothing near pushing the bike yet. I have put 1500 miles on her and don't want to do anything stupid. I like to really gradually advance my riding on a new machine until I feel like I really know its behavior and I really trust its abilities. It is one thing to read about ability another to feel it in your bones and heart while riding on top. Im just a more conservative rider. I will likely put the new rubber on after I have used up some of the OEM rubber then mid summer when I am getting more aggressive put on the better rubber and get the most for my money.

I respect the comment above about you coming from a sport bike and likely to push more and needing more aggressive rubber... So...

Hope you pick the VFR. I get lots of compliments on mine from all kinds of riders, Sport, Cruiser, BMW owners. They all like the lines and look in general and really respect the bike.

Al

 

I did not think to ask if it was an ABS, they had just transfered it from another store and it had nothing on it for price or description, had to ask for price. Will look into that though. As for tires I burned up the Qualifiers on my 06 10 in the first 1500 miles, I am not a dunlop fan at all. They lost traction exiting turns on the throttal. I picked up some BT002 racing tires to do a track day on and did not get to the track due to a sudden life move, but they made the literbike feel like a 600. I have had good experience with Pilot Powers and if other guys as Bitterpil suggested like them on this bike that may be my tire. I was worried about that tire being too aggressive for the bike, maybe making it fall too fast into turns......I do plan on buying this bike at this point if I can get them to come to my terms. It is the best bang for the buck I think. ZX14 = Too much money, not enough fun in the turns, Busa about the same Issue. Im going to swallow my horsepower pride on this one! :smile: Thank you all very much for the guidence, played a big part in my descision. Jt

 

I just purchased my 2006 VFR about 2-3 months ago. It had zero miles and it was $79995.00 .

I totally love it but then again it is my first street bike.

 

Well I bought the 2006 VFR, got it for 8250 out the door and 4.99 honda loan. I was all ready to take her home when the service tech came back from the test ride complaining about bad top end engine noise... Big bummer. Has anyone else ever heard of this happening? I am spposed to get a call tomorrow when they have had time to check it out. My thoughts are : If oil wasnt getting to the head and they fix this, now I have an engine that ran without oil for a test ride, If they replace the engine with a new one from Honda should I still pay what I did? Im not sure what I should expect in either situation, fixing the issue versus new motor. Do I ask for something from the dealer if they claim its fixed, like a guarentee? Could use some help on this one guys....very disapointing day

 

Wow,

I am really sorry to hear that. I am in no way a mechanic. I have to tell you that would really spook me out of a deal personally. On the same note I put the first mile on my bike. The shop went over the bike, but know personal test drive by them that I know of. So I could have ended up in your situation on my own without the option to back out. Hope you can calm your need for immediate gratification and make an educated decision, with the help of some more mechanically inclined and experienced on this board. I can't imagine how disappointing. Sorry

Al

 

Forgive me for being a Newbie but don't the engine have serial numbers that match the frame of the bike? If so and they don't match the bike cannot be sold as new therefore in my opinion I would not pay the same for it.

Eric

 

Do you call her that when she is within earshot? :heh:

 

Seriously though, I sure wouldn't pay the original selling price. IMO the sale is null and void, time to renegotiate; lower price, throw in a FREE extended warranty, or tell them to find you another one at the negotiated price.

 

Yup, shes only 5'2 100 pounds so it kinda fits, lol. Well im waiting on a call today, I'll update when I know more.