I'm not a brand new rider, but I am still a bit new and will be brand new to the VFR800 and this will be my second bike. I bought my first bike last year. It was a 2004 Vulcan 800. I loved spending hours just riding around. I was looking at buying a sport touring for my second bike (I like doing long scenic rides as well as how beautiful sport bikes are) and asked about it on another forum and someone recommended a VFR800. I saw a few pictures of one with saddlebags and I have to admit it looked pretty sexy. I was wondering if a couple others could give me some input. While I would love to take this to a track and have some fun, most of my riding will be cruising around and putting a few hours on it whenever I go for long rides, as well as riding to work every day. I'll also be looking at doing two-up with some overnight trips (i.e. riding up to the Blue Ridge Parkway). I'm 6'2" and about 190 lbs. My wife is 5'10" and 140lbs (I think...it's a guess). How do y'all think this bike would work out for me? I'm looking at buying a bike in a few months when I get back from my deployment.
Welcome aboard! The vfr is a multi-function bike that provides comfort during long rides(though not as comfy as your vulcan) and can be really fun when at twisties, and even for track days. Good luck on your search and I'm sure that you'll receive more advice from fellow members.
In a nutshell......I would certainly recommend the VFR. I did my first extended riding day with the VFR yesterday (about 450km, 80-120kph speeds, twisties!!) and it rode like a champ.....they're definitely designed for smooth, comfortable, day-long touring and it shows. At 6'2"/190, you aren't going to have any problems controlling the bike. I'm just a little fella (5'7") and I can throw the bike around in the twisties with minimal effort, and have no trouble staying upright at red lights.....the bike is so well balanced that you really don't feel like you're controlling 525lbs.
Welcome aboard, Good luck with ur next purchase. VFR800 good around bike, For two up and long trip...........Hummm I would recomment the VFR1200 or other bigger bike.
I too am considering an 02 VFR for my daily commute (100 miles of slab) round trip. My question concerns heat management in stop and go. Does it bake you as others do? My Concours is indeed a 3 season ride. Summer is painful to ride it. I have a Magna (82) that I just revived from the dead and I fell in love with the engine! I'm just not a cruiser guy and it does put out some heat. The first gen Magna is quite removed from VFR in design I'm sure. So I'm looking for a second bike for summer etc... Apologies to ViperChief for the hijack... I figured here is as good as any to ask that question.
Viper, the VFR800 will be perfect for what you are searching for. Like you I rode a cruiser (Honda VLX) for just over a year before I decided to get a larger bike. I was going to go for a Concours before I sat on the VFR and fell in love. It is fantastic for multiple roles. I cruise on it daily for commuting, take it out in the twisties for some fun, and ride two up on occasion without a hitch. You'll be quite happy with it for just about anything. Cops leave ya alone for the most part, you can hang with the liter bikes when having fun, and relax on a weekend BRP run. The hard bags are a must. I rode for a season without them and don't know how I did it. Tusk, the VFR does run hot and gets there quick but I've never really felt the heat from the bike, even in stop and go. Most of the time I don't even notice that the engine is warm till the cooling fan kicks on and I hear it. The cooling system is quite adequate and you have nothing to worry about.
Excellent... thanks Meatloaf. I'm going to look at an 02 tomorrow. I have a feeling one once I hear the Staintunes, I'm going to melt! :thumbsup:
Viper - I'm about the same size, 6'1" and 200lbs and haven't had any major comfort/ heat management/ performance/ dissatisfaction/ etc. issues with my 2001 for one whole season so far. I will nitpick on a few downsides that wouldn't have dissuaded me even if I knew about them beforehand: -The stock levers suck. I have big hands and I couldn't imagine anyone with smaller hands being able to handle the clutch and brake effectively... and they are adjusted all the way down / close to the bars. -To much sweep back of the stock bars leads to weird numbness in the hands for me. -Seat height is a wee bit low but I haven't had any knee crunching issues with even 500 mile days. -And being my first bike with a body / fairing - it sucks . Its great in crosswinds, the stretch home when it gets cool tucked behind the windscreen, the looks of the bike, etc but when you have to change the oil I guess I was spoiled when it came to my previous bike, a Honda 919. I'm just whining. Its not that bad. Except for the plastic screw rivets. All of these are easy fixes with aftermarket goodies - so I'm not complaining but just being totally honest. The first time I rode the bike after buying it, it felt like a favorite pair of jeans.... felt like I had been riding it forever. I've never not had a "getting used to" period with a new bike before. It was awesome and creepy all at the same time. Precognition? Tusk - that was quick. Not much sitting on the fence was there? Nice ride and good choice.
