Newbie looking at VFR800 as a commuter

First post, looking for advice on a used VFR800 as a commuter bike.

Here's my situation. After 30 years as a scientist, I've decided to take a few years off and go to... law school (yeah, I know, but that's not the part I'm looking for advice on). I'm looking at 3 years of reduced income before returning to work and an income that will support a wider choice in new bikes. In the meantime, I want a moderately priced commuter for a 9-mile ride from home to campus (i.e., good handling in traffic and parking, hard bags, good mileage). I had been looking at the BMW F800ST because of the exceptional fuel economy, but got a little scared off by reports of cutting out and maintenance costs. Previous bikes have been very reliable Japanese 4's (1982 Seca 650, 1994 Katana 600), and I've had two Honda cars that were great.

Recently, I spotted a 2007 VFR800 at a local dealer for $6999 with OEM hard bags, and of course there's a reasonable number of others on the market. Does the dealer bike sound like a good deal? Any thoughts on the 2007 compared to other years?

Comments, advice and suggestions on the VFR800 as a commuter would be appreciated. I realize that this is VFRworld, but it would help to hear both strong points and things to look out for.

Thanks.

 

I have nothing to compare to cause my 06 is my first ride. But I commute 100 miles round trip year round, rain wind and sun (take the truck when snow on the ground) ANd I have totally satisfied with the VFR. I now have 57K miles on the 06. SO that should be worth something,


Welcome to the forum. Lawyer eh? Oh my! Same as a scientist I guess. Talk in gobble gook.

 

Welcome aboard! Is the 2007 VFR800 for $6999 with OEM hard bags brand new? How many miles on it? With low miles that's a great price.

 

In December or January Honda gave incentives to dealers to sell the 2007's brand new for $6999. If the one your looking at is new with hard bags included, ($1000.00 List) it's a steal! Run in and Buy It Now. If it's used, tell them about the incentives on the new ones and try to get them down lower.

The 25 anniversary edition had a $500.00 premium for the RWB paint when they came out.

 

Used, with 5000 miles. I've only had a cursory look at it so far, but pending a test ride and closer inspection it appears to be in good condition.

Thanks for two such fast replies and the welcome.

 

yup yup
what the craazy canadian said

 

A smaller bike would be far more practical.

A VFR is HELL anytime stop-and -go freeway traffic happens, and is far better as a long distance, all day ride, rather than a short commuter.

 

you didnt mention how long your commute was gonna be

 

Squirrel makes a point seeing as your commute will only be nine miles. A smaller bike would suffice. But then basically you have a single purpose bike. And can you get hard bags on smaller bikes? I simply do not know. The VFR on the other hand is a grand all purpose bike. Given you are only 9 miles a day, you basically are not putting on any miles and your VFR will still be barely broken in after the 4 or 5 years of school. You will then have a bike you can use for anything you want, rather than having a small commuter that you are not likely inclined to use after school. Buy the VFR. You will be glad you did.

My closing argument. Now it goes to the jury. Guess in this case it is Judge Alone!

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. It's great to get some differing points of view.

My thinking has been along the lines Randy suggested -- a good all-'round bike suitable for longer rides, but still something that will work well for the short commute and parking on campus.

Squirrelman, what are the particular sore points for the VFR as a commuter. Weight, handling, a sore left hand from shifting in stop-and-go traffic? Any specifics would help me know what to check out on a test ride.

 

I have a 99, and I use it to commute as well as long rides.
I have Givi luggage, and to make the ride more comfortable for me, I changed the handle bars with Heli bars and swapped the stock seat for a Sargent seat (stock seat fine for short rides - but a pain you know where after say 200 km) as well as a Givi windscreen.
Best part is, the VFR800 is fun to ride - you won't be disappointed!

 

The VFR would bee fine for what you are looking at. 7K for a lowmileage bike with hard bags is a good deal.
In North Carolina you will notice the VFR runs hot, especially in traffic. So if you have to sit in traffic alot, it might be a point in the "con" column.

Many of us commute on our bikes. Many of us have ridden cross country, across COUNTRIES, and we are very pleased with the VFR's performance and reliability.



Welcome to the site.

 

Welcome to the Site! I commute on my 2007 15 miles each way to work in all weather (if you can call the stuff we get in California "weather"). The bike is fine in stop and go traffic. A smaller person might find the bike a bit heavy (I'm 6'0, 230+ that a BIG plus!) and the bike is easy to maneuver in traffic. A smaller bike would be better but for those times I want to get out of town or have a spirited ride in the canyons the VFR would do the job better. There's a reason the VFR has been voted the best all around bike for years... :thumb: The price sounds great especially with the hard bags included and the low miles!

 

"Squirrelman, what are the particular sore points for the VFR as a commuter. Weight, handling, a sore left hand from shifting in stop-and-go traffic?"

Add into the above a tendency to heat way up in slow traffic.

The principle seems to me that there are horses for courses, and for a 9 mile each way ride the VFR is way over-qualified, over weight, and more than you really need. Unless the weather is hot, a VFR will hardly get up to full operating temperature in just 9 miles.

You can get a VFR after school when the $$$$$ rolls in, since you did mention that money was an issue now. You could find a good 600 from CL for half the price of that VFR.

 

Crazy doofs .. Squirrel man you crack me up. LOL. VFR are best all around bike period, does it all with ease, and in style. You'd be hard pressed to find a better bike for the money. That deal with bags sounds pretty darn good, I'd jump on it, all though there are great deals in the used market as well so hard to say for sure depends on your money. either way you'd be smart to get one. don't listen to squirrel he's just well you know...

 

I know you said the commute is only 9 miles but we all know once you get the VFR you'll be taking the long way to school. I told my wife the other day that I was just going to get a quick bite to eat as I was climbing on the ole' Viffer. I guess I forgot to tell her the restaraunt I was going to was 78 miles away LOL !!! Wifey was not pleased at all!

As far as the bike characteristics go, yes it is physically heavy but this is all relative to your riding ability. I can still come to a complete stop and balance myself for a second or two without putting my feet down and I can also make a very tight Uturn at low speed without problem. If you are an experienced rider I don't think the weight or handling of the bike will bother you but as previously mentioned the bike will run hot and you will hear the fan constantly running in stop and go traffic.

Rollin

 

shoot nine miles....get a scooter......... really I only ride about 12 one way to school and its all good of course mine is an 86 a wee bit older than yours... do what you want its your money...

 

It's the 'best' at being 'good' at everything.