Questions about buying a New bike.

Hi everybody.

I am an old newbie. I been out of motorcycle ownership for a few years and am close to getting a green light for a new one. I've narrowed my choices down to a VFR800 6th gen (07-08) or a Suzuki Bandit 1250. I have a question for all the experienced VFR riders out there. How comfortable is the passenger accommodations on the VFR? My better half wil be going on rides with me. I know neither bike is a Gold Wing or ST but is the passenger accommodations comfortable for afternoon trips to the beach (100 miles one way)?

 

Hi Vortex. I'm going to guess that the passenger accommodations on the Bandit are better than the vfr, though I think a lot of that depends on how comfortable your passenger is. I have probably only ridden with a passengers for a few hundred miles total on, but it is certainly more work for both of us than it was on my cruiser, for instance, which I did trips of over 7,000 miles two-up.. A friend of mine is getting a corbin seat with a passenger backrest for his 2008 vfr to make life a bit easier for his wife. I'm guessing that will help quite a bit. On the other hand, the vfr is an excellent touring bike, so if you thought that you would be riding alone most of the time, you might want to get the bike that is the most fun for those rides.

 

Thank's forthe imput ewryly. Would you be afraid of a dealer demo bike? I've narrowed my choices down to an 09 bandit w/abs, and 07 RWB VFR. But the dealer with the bandit also has an 08 VFR with abs that I could get for the same price as the 07 VFR. Both of which are cheaper than the bandit. So would a dealer demo be an ok buy with a full warranty?

 

Vortex, you know the VFR is sexier and you want it more, especially if it's the cheaper of the two, no brainer!! If she don't like the back seat, get her one of these and call it a day: Motorcycle Seat - Passenger Motorcycle Seats by ButtyBuddy

:welcome:

 

How many miles on the demo, Vortex? The vfr's are so well made, I wouldn't really worry about it being ridden, and the abs represents about $1,000 value. I have to admit that I have an unnatural love for my vfr, but I think most folks on this site feel the same way about theirs. There are times I would like a second bike, but I never for a moment think of getting rid of my vfr. I don't have abs on my bike, but I would have gotten it if I was buying it now. It just makes sense to me, especially if you like to take long tours. It is just to easy towards the end of the day to lose some of your alertness and response, and the abs will give you back some of the edge you might have lost.

 

I agree with everything you just said, well put sir. I do have ABS on mine, I have yet to make it come on though, and I've punched the brakes pretty hard. I guess it's possible that it HAS come on, but that's gotta be the smoothest ABS I've EVER felt if it has.