anyone jump from a sportbike ?

Hi all,

With winter fast approaching in Montreal, Canada, thinking about a new bike for spring and starting to do a little homework. I come from a sportsbike background, current mount being an 05 ZX10 (with 03 GSXR, 02 R1 00 RC51 prior, you get the idea). Do track days and even been to Starboyz wheelie school. Most of my riding consists of day trips on backroads with a group of friends with 700kms days being the norm. Started riding 2 up with my girl and thinking of a more suitable mount. My question is this, I have some concerns about the linked brakes, Vtec and relatively low power (sorry to say), but these are thinks I'm willing to overlook considering the majority of my riding is backroad touring. More to the point has anyone on this site switched from a pure sports bike to a VFR ? If so I'd like to hear you opinion.

Thanks
BOBO

 

I go back and forth, reason is one does one job and the other does another, thou the VFR can hold it's own, try it, you'll like it.

 

I went from a CBR1000 to a VFR and I don't think it's underpowered at all. I don't ride two-up so I can't say how it will be for you in that regard. I love the sound and the look of the VFR which is really what sold me on it; there just isn't anything that compares. Although I wouldn't mind a 675 Daytona...

 

..........i went from a goldwing.....and a yamaha (85)fj1100 to a 98 VFR.....the wing was large,and slow,but comfortable.....the FJ was a pretty quick bike(for the year).....i didnt want to invest more $$ in older bikes,so i sold both of them to upgrade to the vfr....the only issue i really have with the vfr is that i NEED a better seat for next season...other than that im quite happy

 

I went from a CBR954RR to my now current 2006 VFR800. The VFR is a compromise between a sport and a tour bike. It is a little under powered and heavier than what you are use to. I still love the VFR more than the CBR. It is an easy bike to ride and much more forgiving.

 

My previous bike was a ZX6R, not nearly in the same league as your ZX10, but a sportbike nonetheless. I couldn't be happier with the VFR, I can keep up with modern sportbikes in the twisty stuff most the time all in better comfort. As far as the linked brakes go, it's a non-issue to me and I don't even think about them. VTEC doesn't bother me either, I think opinions on it are sometimes exaggerated in both the negative and positive. I don't ride two up, but I tend to think if I did I'd want something with more power. It would depend on how much two-up I actually did though.

 

I came from an 03 CBR600RR track bike and 04 CBR1000 (sold last year). I own an 06 VFR (pearl white - my friends refers to it as a cop bike).

Like previously mentioned, VFR and Sportsbikes serves a different purpose. On twisties and riding with liter bikes, the VFR feels like a stock 600cc sportsbike (IMO) plus the weight. HOWEVER, put the VFR on the hands of an experience rider, it's an eye opener. I have kept up with my sportbiker friends (stunter and track addicts) with my Viffer. Linking brake seems odd at first but once you get comfortable with it, it gave me more room for late breaking without upsetting the bike too much.

For long driving, sargeant seat is a must and maybe a riser.

 

I had a GSXR750 and moved on to my VFR and have never looked back. Plenty of power right in the low to mid-range where it should be. Linked brakes have saved my ass on at least one occassion. Best of all it has a v-four,single-sided swingarm,gear-driven cams-all in an exotic package,and you will rarely run into another-unlike any Japanese sportbikes!!!

 

Thanks for all the info., still wondering about making the move, I would consider a Duc ST2/3/4 to be in the same category as the VFR, do you guys think there’s anything else in the same category, kinda at a loss as to competitors more aimed at the “sport” side than the “touring” side of “sport touring” ?

 

The Aprilia Futura is Aprilia's answer to the VFR. It's a 996cc twin and a really nice ride. I think they quit making it in 2002-2003 somewhere around there. I have a friend with a 2001 I get to ride ... told him he can't sell it until I'm through wanting to ride it ... His is silver as is my VFR ... we kinda look like the bobsie twins when we travel together.

 

They are nice, except as of last year only one model was available in Canada. Maybe this year we'll get the whole line...

 

check out Freddy Spencer Riding 2 up at his track school on a vfr 800

 

Triumph Sprint ST
Suzuki GSX750F