I decided I'm replacing the VFR with......

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by Britt, Apr 4, 2010.

  1. Britt

    Britt New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2007
    Messages:
    239
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Westmont, IL
    After a little over two years on my 2001 VFR, I have decided the time is right to try something a little different. Next Saturday, I take a train from Chicago to St. Louis to pick up my next bike. A 2001 CBR1100XX.

    We will see how this relationship goes. I like everything that I read about the XX, and I absolutely love the Candy Glory Red of the 2001 model. My find includes Heli bars, a nice Zero Gravity windscreen, and Corbin Beetle Bags - which I think blend in with the Bird very well. The previous owner is a mature MSF instructor so I believe the bike has been extremely well cared for. I'll be upgrading the seat, installing a Throttlemeister, adding a fuse panel, and wiring up grip heaters, my GPS, and my Battery Tender. The Beetle Bags will need some paint work to take care of some scratches, but my dad has the equipment and the skill...... I'll provide the paint.

    I'm talking to a few folks that are seriously interested in my VFR. Both are a distance away, so we're working on logistics. I'll really miss the sounds my VFR made, but I'm looking forward to the smooth effortless way the XX moves down the highway. If I could afford to, I would keep the VFR for sure.

    I don't have many good pictures yet, but here's what I have so far...

    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Drumroll.....
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .




    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    I'm pretty excited to ride it back from St. Louis next weekend! :woohoo:
     
  2. supertex

    supertex New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2008
    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, California, United States
    Met a guy at a gas station a few days ago that was on a bird. When he took off I could believe how quiet it was. Nice looking bike though.
     
  3. betarace

    betarace New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2007
    Messages:
    1,806
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Middleburg, VA
    plan on riding it to Europe? those things gobble miles like nobody's business.. Always wanted one, interested in how it compares to the Best Streetbike Ever.
     
  4. Booyah

    Booyah New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2010
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
    Map
    Oh my.... what a beauty! Seriously sweet!
     
  5. RVFR

    RVFR Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2006
    Messages:
    8,006
    Likes Received:
    265
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Olympia Wa.
    Map
    less the V4 pulse I think it's the next step. I have rode with a friend here that has one just like that one pictured, he's always ribbing me on when am I moving up? haha.. then we switch bikes NOT. Other than being so vanilla IMO it's a nice bike. but ain't no VFR.
     
  6. drewl

    drewl Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2007
    Messages:
    5,760
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Virginia Beach, Va
    Map
    A worthy bike to stand in the shaddow of a VFR.
    I believe you will like the XX.
     
  7. Kobe Diesel

    Kobe Diesel New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2008
    Messages:
    427
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Map
    Serious wood factor
     
  8. Britt

    Britt New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2007
    Messages:
    239
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Westmont, IL
    I'm certain that I'll miss the glorious sounds that the gear-driven-cam V4 makes, along with the unique looks of the SSA. But for those times that I need to get on the slab and blast my way out to good riding roads, I believe that the Bird will suit me better. If I could have 2 bikes, I'd keep the VFR for sure. In my case, I'm only spending $600 to switch to the Bird so I have to give it a try (although I'll be spending some bucks to farkle it the way I did my VFR).

    When I have some miles on the XX, I'll come back in and give my impressions of the the bike. Who knows... if the XX doesn't do it for me, I may be back on a VFR someday.
     
  9. blackjack_mike

    blackjack_mike New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2007
    Messages:
    195
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Fonthill, Ontario, Canada
    Map
    She is a beauty, that is for sure! Looking forward to your comments on your experience between the XX and VFR.
     
  10. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

    Country:
    Belgium
    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2009
    Messages:
    4,019
    Likes Received:
    137
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    South FL
    Map
    A co-worker wanted my blessing on his high mileage blackburd. Had around 99,000 miles. I rode it up to like 165 or so, was impressed that it was still well sorted out. It did put my right hand to sleep tho. Still would never trade my v four tho. The red one is the nicest paint job.
     
  11. Fazer1Sniper

    Fazer1Sniper New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2008
    Messages:
    1,526
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Youngstown, Ohio, United States
    Love the Black Bird. One of the bikes that Honda dropped I wish they did'nt. Enjoy and keep us in the loop.
     
  12. Britt

    Britt New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2007
    Messages:
    239
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Westmont, IL
    Well the VFR is gone... :( I sure hope I enjoy the XX as much as I think I will...

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Fazer1Sniper

    Fazer1Sniper New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2008
    Messages:
    1,526
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Youngstown, Ohio, United States
    I'd be REAL bummed to let a Gen 5 go for any reason. But the Big Bird has it's oun little something going on....
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  14. cebuVFR

    cebuVFR Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    Messages:
    1,184
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    51
    Location:
    Carson,CA
    Map
    the blackbird looks great! keep us posted with your experience....we're eager to hear from you.
     
  15. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Messages:
    1,241
    Likes Received:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Bowling Green, KY
    Map
    I like the Blackbird. I want one... but then there are soooo many bikes I want!
     
  16. Britt

    Britt New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2007
    Messages:
    239
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Westmont, IL
    As of Saturday evening, I have a new bike in my garage. I had a 300 mile ride home on it, and with the weather being perfect, it was a nice way to get to know a little about my new bike. I do have to say that the seductive sounds made by the VFR will be missed. But I have to tell you that the incredible thrust along with the turbine sound and feel of the XX is tough to ignore. That was the easiest 300 miles of freeway that I've ever ridden.

    I documented my day in my blog, so I'll just link to that for anyone that is interested... Britt's Two Wheeled Blog: The New Machine
     
  17. revguy

    revguy New Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2009
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Location:
    North Bay Ontario
    Map
    worst picture ever !! seeing your bike in someones pickup leaving you forever.arrrg............ the new ride is pretty sweet, and I am sure you will love it !
     
  18. Silverado

    Silverado New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Northern Dystopia
    Along with the VFR and the VTR1000, the big Dos Equis is one of the finest street bikes Big Red has ever made in my opinion. Love it.
     
  19. Britt

    Britt New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2007
    Messages:
    239
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Westmont, IL
    Since there were a few requests in earlier posts, I thought I'd stop in here with an update on my XX for those that are interested. I've had some time to do some work on the bike, and have put several hundred additional miles on it commuting and touring. I rode it for a while without the Corbin Beetle Bags while I fabricated a bracket to replace one that went missing. And now I've ridden it some more with the bags re-installed. I have to tell you that I love having lockable luggage! Even if it makes the bike look a little wide in the hips... :tongue:

    [​IMG]

    First off I'll say that the fit and finish is right up there with the VFR. The panels fit perfectly, the gaps are all nice and uniform, nothing rattles, buzzes, or does anything unexpected. I pulled the side panels off to do some work, and in my opinion it was easier to button back together than my Gen 5 was. The bike is screwed together as well as any other Honda I've seen.

    Oil changes can apparently be done without removing any of the fairing. I miss the oil sight glass of the VFR though - the XX has a dipstick. Naturally, chain adjustment on the XX is more of a chore than on the VFR. It was nice not worrying about rear wheel alignment with the VFR.

    As for comfort, I recently installed peg lowering blocks, just as I had done on the VFR. The XX came with GoldWing pegs installed and that combination along with Heli Bars make the XX very comfortable for me. The reach to the bars is a little longer than the VFR, but at 6'3" tall, I have had zero issues with comfort so far.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Now, on to riding dynamics. The XX is longer and a little heavier than the VFR, so the VFR is more nimble in the twisties. If I lived in the mountains, I would have never sold the VFR. Out here in Illinois, where most roads are long and straight, the XX is the better bike for me. It takes a little more muscle to hustle through the curves, but it will certainly do it. I'm still getting used to the power, so I find myself a little tentative when I do hit the curves. That will pass with time.

    The brakes on the XX feel better than those on my Gen 5 VFR. I believe that if they are not the same brakes they are extremely similar, so I'm not sure what the difference is. Using the brake lever and pedal, the XX has a better feel, and (to me) needs less effort to stop. My VFR gave almost no stopping power using the rear pedal, while the XX slows about how I would expect it to when only using the pedal. From what I've read the LBS on both bikes is similar, but there is certainly something different about the feel of them.

    When it comes to power, there is no contest. The XX obviously has more. The way it pulls sometimes has me muttering "holy crap" inside my helmet. Other times, it has me laughing out loud. We've all read about arm stretching acceleration, and now I know where that expression comes from.

    In addition to being very powerful, the engine in the XX is also extremely smooth and refined. Everyone I talk to hears me mention "turbine smooth" and on the freeway it even sounds like a turbine. My Gen 5 VFR certainly sounded cooler - it rumbled and whined in a way that was almost musical. Even at idle, the VFR sounded cooler than the XX which has sort of a vanilla sound to it until you wind it up a bit. In the end, a soundtrack wouldn't be enough to get me to switch bikes.

    Engine heat management was an issue for me on the VFR when the weather was warm. Unless I was moving along, I felt like I was baking. I've read reviews that said the XX put out a lot of heat, but now that I've ridden it in warmer weather both in and out of traffic - the XX is much more tolerable. Today it was 77 degrees out and during my commute heat was never a problem for me.

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so everyone will have their own opinion on which bike looks better. I always thought that the Gen 5 VFR was a beautiful bike. I have pictures all over the place to prove it. The nose is all business and the SSA is a thing of beauty. It's a very unique looking machine. To my eye, the XX is just as nice looking, but in different ways. I think the headlights are more modern looking. I love the front turn signal / mirror integration versus the dumbo ears of the VFR. The dash on the XX is more modern looking (though I do miss knowing the ambient air temperature!). I prefer the Candy Glory Red XX over the Italian Red VFR. I prefer the 5 spoke wheels of the VFR over the 3 spoke XX wheels. In my opinion, the beauty contest is very close with the XX winning by a slight margin. Feel free to agree or disagree! :smile:

    My VFR:
    [​IMG]

    My XX:
    [​IMG]



    My VFR:
    [​IMG]

    My XX:
    [​IMG]



    My VFR:
    [​IMG]

    My XX:
    [​IMG]



    Hopefully some of you enjoyed reading my amateur comparo. I do miss many things about the VFR and wish that I was in a position to own multiple bikes. For where I live though, the XX is a better bike for me when it comes to getting out of town and out to where good riding can be found. The important thing is to enjoy whatever it is that you're riding!!
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2010
  20. Joey_Dude

    Joey_Dude Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2007
    Messages:
    1,956
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    53
    Location:
    North Georgia
    Map
    Interesting comparison, I have to side with the acceleration, or lack thereof on the VFR. As soon as I get enough cash, I'm going to get a Ducati either 1098 or 1198. I can't believe I'm saying that but after almost three years with my VFR I'm starting to get bored with it and I wish it had a little more eyeball sucking power.
     
Related Topics

Share This Page