I'm most likely doing things backwards. I turned 40 and sold my Harley now I want a new VFR. Has anybody out there made this kind of switch. Also my kids want me to get a new Yamaha R-1 I just think they are most likely to uncomfortable so the VFR is most likely the proper choice. Any feedback would be great. Thanks and ride safe.
Welcome! We've had folks go the way you did, the opposite, and own both! I bet you'll be happier with the VFR than R1. Really depends on what you're looking for though.
I had a couple of Honda CB750s then bought a '93 Sportster 1200. I rode each of those about 5,000mi./yr. In '99 a coworker paid me for the Sporty what I paid for it so I bought a '99 Buell S3 and IMMEDIATELY started riding 10,000mi./yr. The sportbikes are tons more fun than those overpriced, underpowered roadbarges. My next door neighbor's son has an R1 and he calls it a torture rack, need I say more? The VFR isn't as comfy as a ST1300, Concourse or FJR but a fair amount cheaper and more fun in the twistys. BTW, I'm up to 14,000mi./yr. now.
Hi Truefang. I got a Honda 1100t Tourer in 2004, my first bike, and put 30,000 miles on it before selling it and buying a VFR at the end of 2007. That included a two week trip across country and back. The Tourer was a great bike, but the VFR is so much better, at least in my opinion, and I have done some long tours on it, too. It took a while to get use to the higher rpms and the lower torque, but once I did, I can't imagine going back. It is at least worth a try. Life is short .
I suggest going to the shop and sitting on an R1 or CBR1000 or any other such true sport bike. I think that will make up your mind pretty fast. The riding position of the vfr will be shocking enough. The vfr can be pretty comfortable with the proper mods even for a tall guy. Whether the vfr is fast enough or handles good will be up to you to decide. I think it does pretty darn good on both.
+1 the vfr will be shocking enough! I own both right now. The riding position will be more comfortable than the R1 (I find mine better than the harley too).
