Is the VFR Too Big (little guy)

I have been riding for the last 14 years, started when I was 40 years old and just turned 54. I have owned several bikes in that time ( 20 in total ). I have owned both cruisers and sportbikes in that time.Because I am about 5'4" tall the seat height and weight of the bike have always been a consideration for me. Cruisers not as much of a problem because of there low seat heights and lower centres of gravity. Every sportbike I've owned has been lowered up to 2 inches or more. I've owned a Honda f3 f4 and most recently a Honda 599 Hornet, which by the way is a brilliant bike. Most of the sportbikes I have owned weigh around 400 pounds dry. I did ride a Kawasaki z750 for two years which weighed about 430 pounds. The 5th and 6th generation vfr's weigh 458 or 490 pounds dry. My concern is will the extra weight plus larger fuel tanks ( add to the overall weight ) next to a 600 will the extra weight be a bit too much for me. I am not concerned about seat height as the bikes can be lowered.Your input would be appreciated. I also rode a BMW r850R which weighed 480 pounds, but it was more of a standard / cruiser type bike with all the weight done low ( boxer engine ) so I don't think that will be a fair comparison. Just from the seat of the pants the vfr does seem quite heavy to me. Also , I test rode a vfr in 1998 but I don't remember much from the ride except the seat height was very difficult for me to manage. I don't remember noticing the weight of the bike because I was concentrating so hard on not droppintg the bike because I was on my tip toes. If I end up buying I will lower the bike so that won't be a problem. Thanks for your input in advance and sorry about the long post. I may re post in the 5th or 6th gen forums in order to get a more specific response. Thanks again.

 

no worries you can just post here.. the bike at least in my experience balances nice when you get going.. I f you drop it any , it won't have to be much..

 

Replied in your other thread too. They do make a lowering kit for the 6th gen that looks to be fairly well constructed. I don't know if anyone here has a kit installed on their bike but someone was taking about getting one. I find that while she is a bit tall for me it is managable. I'd rather not do the lowering because of the effect it may have on my handling geometry, and I have a feeling that it would make my centerstand useless, and I use it a lot!

 

that would be vertically challenged Reg

 

At least once the guy gets going he wont be gyroscopically challenged.

:doh:

 

I would definitely say a VFR is not the bike you want. They are supremely easy to ride & very forgiving but you can't hide the fact it is a big, heavy bike. While the VFR doesn't have the highest seat height out there, it's width is a contributing factor. In order for the VFR to be a nice comfy bike to ride, they put a very wide seat on it.

My wife is 5'6" & she is not doing very well on her VFR. She states it is too tall & too heavy. I would agree with those statements. I have zero problem with my bike but I am a 6'. We have been on a quest for the last 4 years to find my wife the perfect sporty motorcycle. Full on sport bikes are not her thing. She wants something that is sporty & comfortable. This is why I took a gamble & bought her the 2001 VFR. That gamble went bust so now I have 2 identical bikes & she doesn't like riding. So, the quest begins again. Like it has every other time, the quest ends at the exact same bike. That bike is the BMW F800ST. It can been had in 4 seat heights & weighs about 55lbs less than a 5th Gen & 70lbs less than a 6th Gen.

For comparison purposes, the VFR spec sheet lists both the 5th & 6th Gen's as 31.7" seat height.
1) Factory stock = 32.3"
2) Factory stock with low seat = 31.1"
3) Factory lowered suspension with stock seat = 30.2"
4) Factory lowered with low seat = 29.1"


If you don't want to spring the money on a BMW, a taller seat height will be that much more manageable on a lighter bike. That will invariably lead you to the same bike each & every time. That would be the Suzuki SV650S & if you prefer the naked look, the regualr SV650. The seat height for both is 31.5". One of my best friends has one & it's sitting in my garage right now. Like most non inline 4 cylinder sport bikes, the SV is a little shaky at very low speeds, but once under way, I find it to have on of the very best street power bands I've ever encountered. Much like the 2 Hawk GT's I used to own, I can flog the crap out of the SV & it simply takes the abuse & comes back for more. I would definitely recommend it.

Other choices for the height challenged would include:
Yamaha FZ6R = 30.9" seat & 467 lbs
Suzuki GSX650F = 30.3" & 531 lbs (both of those #'s are directly from Suzuki's website but I think they are incorrect just by comparing them to the GS500F)
Suzuki GS500F = 31.1" & 439 lbs
Ducati M696 = 30.3" & approx 400 lbs


As I'm sure you are painfully aware of, the market doesn't care about shorter riders. The only thing the market cares about is full on sport bikes & cruisers. I hope some this this info is helpful & I wish you good luck in your search.

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

 

Dodi - I am the same age, two inches taller, unfit and weigh under 11 stone. After reading all the reviews I too was initially very worried about moving up to a 6th gen VFR, especially compared with my much lighter GS500F. However it has proved to be an excellent choice.

The key is to stay alert to make sure you keep the bike more or less vertical. Weight only becomes an issue at very low speeds or when stopped, for instance when man handling the bike or when there is a significant slope on the road. So take care when you park up or try to put it on the centre stand.

For parking you need to think ahead, maybe ignoring some spots until you find a spot where you can easily ride the bike in and set it safely onto the side stand, and just as importantly where you can still ride off again. Remember you can sometimes use the road camber to roll the bike back a bit to get the back wheel up against the curb, or just ease the bike onto the side stand with the bike neatly facing out onto the road ready to ride off. If you do get stuck, don't be frightened to ask for help to push the bike clear so you can ride off. More than once I've returned to find the bike partially trapped in by other vehicles, and been very grateful for help to move the bike clear.

If you do decide to lower the bike, there are various options, the cheapest being to shave the stock seat padding and tweek the triangle plates and fork settings. You may need to remove the centre stand for ground clearance. However the centre stand is really helpful when working on the bike or lubing the chain. Once you get the knack, it does not require immense strength to get the bike on or off the centre stand, just timing and practice. So until you are confident you can do it on your own, its a good idea to ask a friend to help steady the bike whilst you practice.

As you will quickly realise using your height as a guide to suitability is probably misleading as what matters more is your leg length and your own weight and strength. Fingers crossed if you give it a try you will find you are plenty strong enough to handle this amazing mile munching machine.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.


SkiMad4x4 - 6th Gen Militia #218

 

Could somebody expand on this flogging stuff? Sounds like fun.

 

I am about your size if not a bit shorter. My 4th gen is lowered about 2" and has a Corbin seat. It is plenty low. I have had no complaints in the handling department, granted I have only been riding for a little over three years. The VFR caries it's weight well. I'll echo the general feelings of being careful at slow speeds, though.

 

Weight shouldn't be an issue at all for you. The VFR is amazingly balanced. You wont notice its weight while riding and as long as you can touch the ground you can keep it balanced and upright. It isn't top heavy either so it should not be a problem standing it up.

 

I'm 5'6" at 145lbs. I wear work boots so that helps. I've been very happy with my 5th gen of a happy riding marriage of almost three years.

 

I am a 5'5" female. I have personally owned 3 vfr's anything from an 1983 vf750 to a 1996 vfr. My husband lowered the 1983 almost 2.5 inches and it DID NOT screw up the handling of the bike because it was done properly both the front and the rear were lowered so the handling was not compromised. Two years ago we bought me the 1996 vfr and yet again my husband had to lower it about 2.5 inches also & yet again it DID NOT screw up the handling of the bike because he done it properly. The only thing that I DO NOT feel comfortable with (and this is me personally because i'm insecure at low speeds) is low speed handling (i.e. parking lots and navigating our driveway). I LOVE all of my vfr's and i am very happy that this bike "PICKED" me to be it's owner. I highly recommend this bike for you. Many will try to convince you NOT to purchase this bike because of your size, but if the bike is reallycalling to you then i say go for it! Just because we're small doesn't mean that we can not ride the most awesome bike on the road. We may be small but we are strong. Good luck with your decision.

 

5'5" here and 125# - so, im obviously not a big guy, I like my 6th Gen, but it can at times be a muther to handle. Riding is not an issue. Its the rolling around with your feet. backing it up, turning it around that is a handfull. Someone posted above that its not a top heavy bike. HA ! I beg to differ. If your going to lower the bike, you'll be fine. It'll be a handfull, but you've got experience so you know how to handle a bike. You might also consider a Sargent seat. That too will lower the height.
Worst case you end up selling the bike. Doubtfull you'll get less then you pay assuming you dont drop it, and dont overpay.

 

5'3" here and 165 lbs. I own a 93 750. I wear work boots when I ride. I have to stand tip toe on on foot when stopped. I don't have any other problems with the bike. No handling issues, no maneuvering issues, no other issues at all. All I gotta say is, get a bike that you feel comfortable on. If you're not comfortable on it then it's not the one for you.

 

I DK dude, I'm only 5'6" and can pretty much flat foot my 6'th gen. VFR with my tcx m'cycle boots on. I just checked, and the heel on these boots doesn't look much more than an inch, maybe inch and a half.
Maybe my bike's growth was stunted when it was a baby?:tongue:

ace57

 

Thanks for the info . I have owned two Suzuki SV 650's and they are great bikes. I am considering lowering a VFR by about 2 inches if I decide to buy one. I am not sure from your post, but did you ever end up lower your wife's vfr. Cheers

 

Thanks for the info, I am definitely planning to lower the bike if I get one. In the past lowering my bikes usually takes care of the slow speed manouvering. I even had my centrestand modofied on a lowered Vstrom 650 and it worked perfectly.

 

Forgot to say that I have a Sargant seat and I can stand flat footed.

 

i'm gonna say that my wife rides our VFR and is 5'4" and other than backing it down our drive she is fine with it. however we have had our seat resculpted (if that is a word!!) so it is lower than standard by quite a bit, looks more sporty and yet still good for a full days riding!!! i'm only 5'9.5" and it does me fine too - i have short legs. the vfr's are so well balanced that once you get on they are easy to balance and then once going (even slowly) they are as solid and as predictable as a rock!!! i/we say BUY one, buy one, buy 2!!